No need for apologies, Brother Wing. None at all - quite the opposite, it is very good to meet you.

[Walker holds up his right hand, displaying the small, smooth surface of the blue ring; its head is stamped with a strange insignia, and it continues to glow soothingly.]

It is something of a friend, yes - my ring. Very helpful, you see; it has something of a 'computer' on board. It can translate speech, and contains a great deal of information regarding alien cultures.