Las'Tai was sitting in her room, reading the Icelandic sagas she had borrowed from Eirik at the beginning of her active duty on the *Void Wolf*. She was currently trying to work her way through a section concerning a lengthy legal dispute that was absolutely swamped with different names from different families, and legal quirks. How the Terrans had achieved such a complex society during a time with so much conflict was baffling to her, but Eirik had been right. Reading this book had helped her understand his way of thinking and the culture he came from.

There was a chime at the door and she called out "come in!". When the door opened, Trasti was standing there, holding a book to his chest. "Can I speak with you Las'Tai?" He asked.

"Sure, Trasti, what is this about?" Las'Tai sat back down as she answered.

"It's about something the Captain said when we spoke. He told me to inform him if I was unsatisfied with something or I was having problems on board. He then said we would find a solution together. I don't understand this Terran focus on the happiness of the crew. I enjoy it immensely, but I do not comprehend it."

Las'Tai was about to answer, but suddenly flicked her tongue out smelled the air. "Are you carrying food?" She asked as her nose identified the smell of meat.

"The Captain gave me some of the smoked meat he keeps in his room," Trasti pulled out the bag. "We can share if you want?"

Las'Tai's eyes were fixed on the bag as she answered, "Only a single piece. The Captain gave it to you, so it should be you that get to enjoy it. Had we been back home, I doubt you would have made it all the way home before someone took it from you. But I will not do that, it would break the trust between crewmates."

Trasti opened the bag and held it out to Las'Tai who reached in and took a piece of smoked meat. She put it on the table next to her book so she could enjoy it later, before she tried answering his question, "I have no clue why the Captain places so much emphasis on crew happiness, but I cannot complain. His crew is more productive and obedient than almost all ship crews in the Kloxna empire. And I suspect his generous treatment of us all is the cause of it. I know that I would happily fulfill whatever orders he gives me, as long as I can keep living like this."

Trasti looked a little weird for a second before he spoke up again, "Didn't you live like this back home as well?"

"Not with this much freedom to plan my own time. As a high caste member, most of your day is determined for you, and because of political intrigue and the constant struggle for more power, there is hardly any time to do something you genuinely want to do." Las'Tai looked distant as she recalled her previous life. It seemed like so long ago, yet, barely 3 months had passed since the first time she met Eirik back in the prison.

"Oh." This was news to Trasti. He had always thought that all the high caste did was lounge around and do whatever they fancied, whenever they pleased. "Is that why your mother was so insistent that we bring you back??"

"Most likely," Las'Tai explained, "By having me get kidnapped, her political rivals saw an opportunity to attack her political strength by claiming she can not even keep her own house in order. This will force her to react harshly, either through direct conflict or through economic sanctions. If she was able to get me to come back home, she would have presented herself as a leader that is not only capable of getting things done but also strong enough to keep her house safe, even after disaster strikes. It would have solidified her position and silenced her rivals until another scandal could be dug up.

By staying here, I have weakened her position considerably and by being forced to work on this ship, she will now be in real danger of having her rivals attempt to oust our bloodline from the high caste. But knowing my mother, she will challenge every rival that even THINKS of this, to personal combat. She always was a very large and well-built specimen. Her fight with the Captain should have cemented this fact. She went toe-to-toe with a Terran and posed an actual threat to his life. Something Most Kloxna would be incapable of when alone."

Trasti had sat down during her explanation, trying to wrap his head around this new wealth of information on how life was at the top of Kloxna society. "I had no idea that me being forced here would put a high caste member in such a dire position" He whimpered. "What is going to happen to my family??"

"Nothing at all, Trasti. Remember the message the Captain sent out??" Las'Tai was relaxed. Her mother would never bother with the family of a communications officer.

"If you say so, Las'Tai," Trasti said with a sniffle. "I just wish I could see them again. I miss my parents and siblings."

"You have siblings?? how many?" Las'Tai asked. It was rare for Trasti to open up like this.

"5 in total. 4 brothers and a sister," Trasti said with pride in his voice.

"Only a single female amongst all of you? that is incredibly rare" Las'Tai was shocked. Usually, a more equal amount of each get born into each family. to have 5 sons and only 1 daughter was more than rare. It was unheard of.

"She is mothers prie and joy. She managed to land a safe position as a local peacekeeper in our hometown. We are lucky to have her so close to home." Now it was Trasti's turn to look distant as he thought of home.

"I would say. What about your brothers? what do they do?"

"Most of them work in communication, just like me. It seems to be a talent that runs in the family. The eldest of us is a steward to the peacekeepers. He sometimes smuggles extra rations to my sister who will then take them home to the family... If only they could live as I do now... " Trasti's shoulder started sagging as he recalled the difficult living situation of his family.

"Who knows, maybe that can change in the future," Las'Tai said to try and ease the homesickness Trasti was feeling. As she was about the speak again, the intercom rang out.

"Communications officer Trasti, please report to the Captain's room. I repeat, communications officer Trasti, please report to the Captain's room."

Trasti looked scared and Las'Tai immediately tried to calm him down, "If it had been something bad, the Captain would have sent internal security to pick you up. Worry not, Trasti. The worst thing this could be is a difficult work-related task."

Trasti still looked unsure, but he trusted Las'Tai. With a heavy heart, he walked back to the Captain's room.