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Chrarada paced around the room in anger as she watched the video for what felt like the thousandth time, her tail twitching as she tried to contain the fury building up within her. "Admiral!" Chrarada nearly snarled out. "I will have to ask of you for another favour, though I loath to do such."

Stepping towards Admiral miles, who was sitting calmly in a chair studying the video, Chrarada curled her tail around her waist and gave the Admiral what he assumed their version of a formal bow. "I want you to refit our war fleet with Terran defensives and weapons. I know your moon base is capable of such a thing. "

Admiral Miles fought to keep a straight face. The offer, if he allowed such a thing, would be a significant security breach. "This request, it's quite troublesome, Chrarada. Not only would allowing non-Terran ships inside the base be a breach of an absurd amount of regulations and security. It would require some amazing feats of engineering to fit our weapons and components onto your ships, let alone training on how to use them. This means we would need to load new sims onto your ships and start training from square one. It's a substantial request."

Chrarada thought to herself and paced around the room a few times before moving to stand in front of the Admiral. Taking in a deep breath, she turned her wrist up and tore off what looked to be some variety of artificial skin.

Admiral Miles held his breath while watching closely as Chrarada pulled out an odd device from under the skin. It resembled a kind of high-level datapad, and she held it out for the Admiral to take. "There are only two... Three people now who know I have this. The doctor stitched it onto my wrist. Ethuci, and yourself. This lets me take control of any colony or ship I'm in range of. With this, I can shut down weapons, engines or even vent the atmosphere. I am willing to give it to you. If you allow our ships to refit on your base."

Standing to get a better look at the device. The Admiral weighed his options before shaking his head. "You realize we could reverse engineer that device and make it into a weapon that could affect your entire system. It could be used to kill your entire space-born civilization."

"I have no choice in the matter. If these two civilizations are still around, they could destroy mine in the blink of an eye. They very nearly did, and they may see us as nothing more than space dust to be swept aside."

Sighing, the Admiral knew what he had to do, even if it meant losing his position. "Alright, I'll do it. But keep that device. Once Leda gets here, order your ships in a way that makes sense to you for refit. I'll have my best men come up with an action plan to refit your military."

Chrarada warped her tail around her waist once again, bent her knees, and drew her head back again in that weird curtsy. "I cannot vocalize how much I appreciate this Admiral Miles, One day. I hope we can return all that you have done for us."

"You can start by stopping that." Admiral Miles replied. "We're allies now, equals. That means whatever threatens Aaster and her people is a threat to the Terran Union."

Chrarada sat down and exhaled in relief. "You Terrans continue to surprise me. I keep thinking this is some kind of elaborate deception."

Admiral Miles only laughed in response before taking a seat beside her. "Of course it is, just not how you're thinking. Soon! Terrans and Aasteran will be walking down the street hand in hand, and there's nothing you can do about it. It'll be true anarchy."

Chrarada considered the possibilities. She thought of that Pilot and her Terran co-pilot and sighed. "I would rather our population grow to the tens of billions before that Admiral."

"I'm sure we have enough crazy people between us to figure that part out. For now, we just need to smooth out the in-between. You may have people against that very thought, causing you headaches."

Chrarada lamented as it dawned on her, and she slumped in her chair. "I'm not sure how Terrans go about things, but I doubt it. If a male is an exceptional specimen, a female will attempt to stake her claim."

A simple tone from the Admiral's wrist device caught Chrarada's eye. Watching closely as the Admiral looked down at his com pad, she came to a conclusion their time was up.

"Seems the fleet will arrive in a few minutes. Will you remain here, or did you want to accompany me to Leda?"

Chrarada got up and grabbed her datapad. " I don't think that'll be possible. I'll need to come up with a speech about what's happening and the direction our people will be taking. Thank you for the offer, though."

"Very well. I'll be leaving my diplomatic retinue on the station while they hammer out the small details. If anything happens, Feel free to contact me even if it's something you think insignificant."

Chrarada watched as the Admiral left the room and sat back down. "I really wanted to see that accursed pod too."

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Captain Andriet watched the man closely, readying herself to break up any fights that broke out due to his attitude. To her surprise, however, the man she observed, while loud at times. Was a very tolerant and patient teacher.

"HEY! What the fuck are you doing over there? Stop that shit, or I'll beat your ass!" Finley shouted as he ran towards an armoured soldier, currently throwing an unarmoured soldier across the hangar and into the waiting arms of another armoured soldier.

Andriet sighed at the sight. "Well, I guess men will be the same where ever you go."

Watching as Finley jumped high into the air and caught the thrown soldier, she marvelled at how he managed to land gently enough as not to harm his cargo, Then proceeded to drop him without a care. "Guess he deserved that."

"If I catch any of you fucking around like that again, I'll shove my fist so far up what you call an ass I'll be tickling your venom glands!" He shouted, stepping over his dropped cargo with little care.

Andriet watched as Hezexhel and Ethuci just nodded in approval and carried on with their tests. "He sure got them onboard quick."

Noticing that Finley was starting to line up the soldiers, she laughed when he began politely instructing them on how the combat armour was not to be used as a toy. "It's like he's either on or off when it comes to his job."

Watching as Finley's face twisted into confusion, Andriet watched him run off to the side and rummage through a bag. She looked around the room, noticing that it might just be a good time to speak with him and ran over to talk with him as others began busying themselves. Though, upon arriving, she realized she didn't really have anything to say. "Hello Finley, you seem to be having fun."

Finley pulled out some kind of custom scanner and looked over her way. The surprise was written on his face as he looked her up and down. " Hey Captain, whatcha need? Figured I spooked ya since you were standing by the doors just watching me."

Sucking in some air, Andriet found that since he was in a good mood, even with her spying, now as good a time than ever. " So... Um... What are you up to?"

"Waiting for my buddy Ryan. Guy's a pretty smart cookie and built us the GPS satellites we launched when we made orbit." Pulling out a box of what looked like custom armour attachments, Finley looked at Andriet and burst out laughing. "You're pretty tough, ya know? Most people would avoid me after the shit I pulled."

"You think they make anyone a Captain? I may run a fabrication ship, but I still fought in the war against the pirate lords."

Finley let out a long and low whistle. "No shit? That's pretty amazing! When I get back from the surface, you okay with telling me some stories? I heard that war got real messed up near the end. And uhh, it's been hard to find information, ya know?" Finley attached a device to his shoulder and looked at Andriet. "Oh right, drinks on me. I'll buy you as much as you want."

Andriet was rather shocked at Finley's attitude though she nodded in acceptance. " I'm out of cider. If you can find me some real stuff, I'll drink with you."

Finley smiled and attached another piece of gear to his armour. "You're on. When I get back, cider and stories." Finley then got up and jogged towards the grouping of the now fully armoured soldiers, turning to wave once as he arrived.

"He can be pretty cute, I guess." Andriet thought.

Grinning but feeling unneeded, Andriet turned around and started walking towards the hangar exit. There she saw the strangest sight walking towards her. The man was covered in cybernetics, and although he had a full head of black hair, one could tell he had augments along his scalp. Standing still as the man nodded at her and walked by, she figured he must be a part of Finley's team and left the hangar.

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Finley was frustrated as his hands full with inspecting the rowdy Aasteran soldiers. "I thought these guys were supposed to be crazy serious."

Thankfully, Finley noticed his buddy Ryan had entered the hangar as he was trying to sneak another peek at Andriet. Waving at Ryan, he turned to inspect the soldiers that were finally lined up. "Alright, now that my Tech guy is here. We're going to run a few cold climate simulations. So go get some food and drink in you, do whatever you need, I'll ping your armour when we're ready."

Watching as Ryan made his way over, Finley checked his Hud to see if it was tracking the Aasteran bio-signs properly, greeting his friend as he arrived. " Ryan! It feels like weeks."

"Feels like seconds to me. I nearly killed myself trying to get the damn satellites ready for launch in time. Then, after that, you had to convert this hangar into a damn giant hard light sim within hours? You ask too much of me, friend... Before you ask, yes, it's finished. It's dirty, but it works."

Letting out a nervous laugh, Finley pat Ryan on the shoulder. "I know I'm being unreasonable. To be honest, I never would have had to ask you to do this if these guys didn't get their own armour. If we were even a few hours quicker, I would already have my guys on the surface. Now we gotta take these guys along, and they desperately need training."

"Yeah, I saw the treaty draft already. Wen't through quicker than anyone thought it would." Looking around, Ryan hit some buttons on his arm." I get what's at stake, so I'll stick around and run the sim for you. If anything goes wrong, I'll do my best to fix it as you go. No promises though, this was a real sloppy fix and not my specialty."

Finley sent a fifteen-minute notification to his trainees. "Got it, Leme know if you want anything. I mean anything, I'll find a way to get it to ya."

"Alright, Let me think about it. For now, let's get this sim off the ground." Ryan moved off to the side and produced a hardlight terminal from his upturned arm. "Alright, starting it up."

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Srettia stared at the moon as she directed her ship towards the designated hangar. "So, we drop off the pod and Viscia, then head to a new system?"

"I would like to spend a day on Leda, please."

Michael broke eye contact from his console and stared into his favourite camera in confusion. "What's up, pal?"

"My father has contacted me. He is on the station. I would like to discuss some things with him."

"Oh damn, Sure thing! We can stay a few days if you want to." Looking back to make sure Srettia wasn't breaking landing protocols, Michael passed the camera a thumbs up. "Any chance we can meet the guy?"

"Yeah! I want to meet your father, anyone who can raise such a wonderful... You called it a wingman, right? Anyway, I must give him my thanks." Srettia added, trying her best to stay within the designated limits while on manual control.

"That depends. He could be stuck within engineering. I will ask if he is willing to meet you both."

Viscia burst onto the bridge and looked around at the displays. "There aren't any viewports on this ship. I can't seem to get a good look at the moon base!"

"Viewports are structurally unsound for a warship."

"I don't feel like getting spaced because of a viewport, sorry." Michael returned as he brought up a picture of the moon while Srettia flew into the hangar. "See just a big space station."

"That is my home. I would appreciate it if you would ease off on the not impressive talk."

"Sorry, pal, didn't mean it like that."

Viscia looked at Michael like he was an idiot. " It's a MOON. Your people hollowed out a moon and built a base inside it. Do you realize what kind of resources and engineering that takes?"

"The unlimited kind? They just brought in stellar fabricators and used the metals in the moon for most of it."

"EXACTLY! Do you realize how impressive that is? Not to mention you fly it around the galaxy like it's nothing." Scenting the air in frustration, Viscia looked at Srettia in shock at her findings, then to Michael and tilted her head. "Oh my, it didn't even dawn on me Terrans could be a partner. Did you have your first time yet? I'm quite interested if we're compatible."

Srettia proudly stuck her chin up and gave Viscia a side-eye. "Not yet. However, they do generate their own heat, so we normally sleep in the same bed. I'll never go cold again. Also, that's a pretty personal question, you know."

Viscia gave Srettia the same look she gave Michael. "Well, yes, Terrans are mammals, which means they are likely .....endother...mic... "

"You are correct Viscia, Terran males maintain an average temperature of thirty-seven degrees Celsius."

Michael looked around for a weapon as he noticed Viscia took a step forward and began staring at him as one would stare at a five hundred dollar steak. "Hey lady, I'm taken. I'm being trialled or something right, Srettia!"

"Back off! Get your own Terran!" Srettia yelled, fully spreading her hood and bearing her fangs in the hope of avoiding a fight.

Stopping her approach, Viscia shook her head and looked at the display in front of her. "Fine! I'm sure I can find a smarter one on this moon base anyway!" Viscia huffed as she turned around and walked out of the cockpit.

"Wow, you weren't joking about the fighting bit. She was ready to throw down for a second there." Michael commented as the shuttle finally landed.

"Happens with high-temperature males, remember. She's going to be chasing Terran males all around the moon base now that she's realized it." Srettia replied as she finished with her landing and began powering down the systems.

"We have visitors waiting for us outside the ship."

"Who's waiting for us?" Getting up from his couch, Michael fought back a laugh as Srettia instantly attached herself to his arm.

"Dr.Leviye and Tanda."

Noticing that Srettia wouldn't let go of his arm, Michael angled his body to fit through the door. "Odd that Dr.Leviye is here. Did he come to maintain Leda's fold core?"

"Yes, he and Tanda have been working on improving efficiency. Though with little results."

"Maybe I can help!" Coming from a side door, Viscia joined the duo as they moved towards the pod.

"Do you know anything about folding space or warp bubbles?" Srettia politely asked, trying to make conversation with the now aggressive female.

Viscia paused mid-step, then continued. "Give me a day or three to read through documentation and theories, and I'll get it."

Entering the room, Michael activated the bay door. "I'm surprised you're not interested in this pod."

Viscia gave Michael another strange look. "Of course I am. I'm also interested in experimental 'TERRAN' technology. The fold core is super brand new to your people, right? Cutting edge to where you just had your first test flight. I want in on that!" She finished, walking into the cargo bay with the couple.

"Well, that'll be up to Tanda and Dr.Leviye then, I guess. Speaking of which." Michael watched as Tanda burst into the room ran over to the alien pod ignoring everyone else in the cargo bay. Dr. Leviye, not far behind him, stopped to speak.

"Hello, test pilot Michael. It is good to see you're functioning properly."

Michael looked at the man, the colour-changing eyes throwing him off like before. "Hey, thanks, I guess? Sorry about the ship, though."

"I could not be helped. We missed a crucial component of the folded space. You did well enough to survive. Now, If you will excuse me, I have a pod to work on."

Michael and Srettia watched as Dr.Leviye walked towards the pod with haste, Viscia not far behind asking all sorts of random questions.

"Your father's nice, Jack." Srettia commented, following the trio towards the pod.

"How did you know?"

Michael waved to a camera as he began walking over to the pod. "You talk the same, pal, not to mention he was the only one on Eris and Leda. Pretty easy to figure out, even for me."

"Interesting."

Walking into the pod, Michael noticed Tanda already had a panel pulled off and was running some kind of tool over it. "Whatcha got?"

Tanda deflated and shook his head. "Nada, this pod and everything in it, as far as I can tell, is worthless. Outdated tech, nothing new to teach us. Everything scans perfectly to a tech level of almost fifteen hundred years ago when we first discovered warp. The only difference is this."

Pointing at the weird, extremely dark alcove, Tanda gave a grin. "Everything is old except this. It sucks in light and probably hard light and converts it directly into energy. Kind of like an old solar panel, only more like a vacuum. It devours the surrounding light. Watch." Flashing a light past the alcove To prove a point. The occupants of the pod watched in awe as the light bent towards the floor and was absorbed. "This is the only thing close to our level of technology."

Dr.Leviye studied the bent light with fascination. "How very strange."

Michael watched as Viscia ran out of the pod, only to return a minute later with a large device. "What do you have there?"

"It's a remote floodlight! Sometimes my lab's power would go out, so I always had this to light up my room." Turning on the light and flashing it towards the alcove, the group once again bore witness as the light bent and was absorbed into the floor. This time, however, much to the surprise of everyone present, the pod's systems began to come online.

"Uhh, Is this safe? Shouldn't we bring this to a lab?" Michael asked as lights began flashing around him.

Tanda ran to the cockpit and began to wave his tool around. "Still garbage. This thing is hardly even an escape pod. It's more of a tube with switches and a reverse hard light projector." Waving his scanner for a bit longer, he held it over a blinking light for a few seconds and brought his face closer to the scanner. "TURN THE LIGHT OFF, NOW!" He shouted.

Michael swiftly kicked the light over, preventing it from powering the ship. "What was that?"

Tanda pulled out his datapad and began tapping away at it. "We need to talk to the Admiral and Commander Brown. This thing just sent some kind of signal. I think it's a maned distress beacon."

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