Tom is comfortable speaking in Russian. His time as an astronaut, and especially now as a researcher, he often worked with other country's space agencies.

Tom takes a deep breath. "Not now, no. We've lost most of our children before they could survive outside. She's very nervous and worried. I'll be able to joke more later."

Tom nods in agreement. "It's a hard lesson to learn. I don't know much about you or your world."

It was an open invitation to talk more, and to ask questions if Mantis wanted. After all, this appeared to be a close friend of his future son in law.