Dynah Battleship, Fourth Quadrant, Andromeda Galaxy.

Soooo comfortable. The sleeping bed-pod thing was everything! She stretched languidly and pulled down the covers from her head, smacking her lips together she slowly opened her eyes.

"Gahhh!" She flopped off her bed - the same bed that hovered a few inches off the ground, so the fall was a hard one.

"Oomph!" Mya's legs were akimbo causing her robe to reveal everything underneath. She popped up hastily retying her robe and peered around an edge of the bed.

"Yavik?" She said breathlessly, "wh-what are you doing here?"

Yavik's fimbriae danced, "I am a researcher on the Dynah... I am a member of this crew."

Mya shook her head, "No, I meant, what are you doing in my room and on my bed?"

Yavik's mouth stretched into what she thought was a version of a smile, revealing small box shaped teeth, "I have come to be your friend."

Mya rolled her eyes; this thing was a strange one alright. She cocked her head and stood, "What's your gender? I have no idea if you're a male, female orrrr whatever..." she trailed off.

Yavik sat up straighter and puffed out his pink nipple-less chest, "I am a male, a desirable one too."

Mya pinched the bridge of her nose, "Look... I get that you want to be friends, but you can't just watch people sleep."

He looked displeased, "I am sorry for intruding, but on my home world it is customary for friends to bring food gifts to each other." He gestured to a platter piled with fruits and roots, next to it was a jug and a second meat filled platter. Mya glanced from him to the food laden platters and back. Her face split into a wide grin, food was the surest way to her heart, she hadn't eaten bountifully since she'd been kicked out of level three on earth.

"Yavik we're going to be great friends."

He tried to mimic her grin but instead looked like he was suffering from flatulence.

Giggling, Mya walked to the platters and began to full her bowl generously. Yavik joined her and did the same. It seemed he also had a big appetite. They ate in comfortable silence for a while and as Mya sucked the fruit juices off her fingers Yavik asked, "What should I call you?"

"Mya." She said around a succulent piece of meat, she closed her eyes and savored the salty, smoky flavor of it, sending props to the chef whoever it was, it had been perfectly prepared. Yavik's bowl was clean, not a drop of juice in site, he must have licked it clean.

"How many anums are you?" he asked curiously, filling a small cup with the golden liquid that poured from the jug. It smelled flowery, she reached for a cup and held it up so that Yavik could fill it.

"Anums?"

He nodded causing his fimbriae to shift, "How many sun rotations on your planet have you observed?"

She now understood, she'd have to learn how they separated time in this galaxy, she had a vague idea, figuring out that rotations meant days, quints -hours, solars- weeks and now anums –years.

"I'm twenty-three anums then." She answered sipping from her cup, the liquid was cooling and sweet, causing her taste buds to buzz, she wanted more. She gulped it down and reached for the jug. "And you?"

Yavik's eyes widened, and he reached for her arm, "Mya, it is fermented leevine, it may make you intoxicated."

Mya grinned and wiggled her eyebrows, she felt a buzz alright, and she still wanted more. Yavik pulled the jug closer to him. She frowned and tried to reach around him causing Yavik to struggle, holding the jug overhead and holding off a flailing Mya. "I am twenty and six anums."

"What do humans do for fun?" he asked trying to distract her from the drink, she gave up and dramatically flopped back into her fluffy chair.

She scratched her chin, "I don't know," she considered, "I haven't had the time to do fun things for the past few years- anums."

Yavik's lips turned down at her words. "We have a swimming, relaxation and training area." He offered hopefully, eyeing her suspiciously while replacing the jug on the tabletop. She immediately snatched it up, poured it into her cup, and smiling triumphantly, promptly gobbled it down. His fimbriae danced in amusement, and a curious chuff laugh came from his chest.

"I'd gladly do the swimming or relaxing," she said and then considered, "don't you have work to do?"

Yavik looked down guiltily, "I double shifted my colleague so that I could have this day off."

"Ooooooo, sneaky, are we?" she teased, poking him in the chest.

He started and looked down confused, "Commander gave me permission!"

Mya just shook her head in mock judgement.

"So, swimming?" He was excited, Mya nodded.

"Do you have swimsuits? Things to wear in the pool?"

Yavik chuffed again, "Of course!"

He led her to a panel in the wall she hadn't noticed, pressing a displayed symbol, it lit up showing different types of clothing categories. She let out a delighted OH when she saw an array of swim wear push out from the wall space, they were all folded into a large drawer. She picked up a black one that caught her eye, it had always been her favorite color.

"Will it fit?" she held it up to herself, and Yavik nodded, "The clothing in each quarter has been assigned to its occupant's home world fashions and specific measurements, as tiny as they might be."

"Ha! Funnyyy!" Mya shouted as she sashayed into her cleansing room, she shook off her robe and squeezed into the one-piece swimsuit. It was high cut around her hips, dipping low in the back and the front. She cupped her small breasts wondering if she had the guts to wear the suit. 'Ah, fuck it!' She thought, she was in another galaxy, on a fricking warship, she could wear the damn swimsuit! She stomped from the toilet to see that Yavik had changed into a short purple swim pants, it complemented his pink skin beautifully.

"Looking for a female?" she asked, wiggling her fingers at him.

He looked taken aback, "Female?" he huffed, "Males are more my tastes if I must say so myself."

Mya smacked her forehead, "I'm sorry, I just assumed-"

Yavik help up his hands placating, "It's fine... really."

She took a deep breath after wrapping her robe back around herself, grasped Yavik's extended arm and said, "You know, I've never really had a friend, you'll have to guide me a little." He patted her arm and his fimbriae danced, in happiness, she assumed by the sparkles in his big depthless eyes, "Happy to be your first new friend Mya." They then walked arm in arm towards the swimming room.

....

The liquid that Mya was currently floating on was not water, it was not clear, in fact, it was a cloudy white with flecks of what looked like silver glittery specks suspended in it. It was thicker than water making Mya feel like she was floating on a gel like substance. It caressed her muscles calming her, it made her relaxed- happy. Yavik swam laps, counting it as his morning exercise, he even asked her if she wanted to join him. She'd emphatically declined, bless his heart. As if she wanted to exercise this early in the morning, or at any time really, she smiled faintly, waving her arms in the liquid. Yavik had called it brae stating it was recycled and cleansed drinking liquid, the specks were minerals and substances that had been added after recycling to nourish the body. She realized it seemed to be the water of this galaxy or perhaps just for the Kozan. She'd drank some on her way to the swim area as her steps had faltered the moment Yavik let her go. She was definitely a light weight, when it came to the leevine, she'd learnt her lesson.

Maybe.

The thinner brae had tasted like water, tasteless except for an earthy after taste that wasn't bad. She could live with it, though it wasn't like she had much of a choice.

"Amaryah!" A stern voice called to her causing her to droop under the brae in surprise.

She came up sputtering for air, wiping her face she looked up into the stern face of her guide. She'd completely forgotten about her first lesson; it'd been scheduled for this morning. She looked up sheepishly. The guide tapped her foot. She was shaped like a plump short woman. She was the only alien so far that was shorter than Mya. Her appearance was very humanoid inclusive of a large bosom. Although her skin was pale with black streaks, and her chest and forehead had the shell-like appearance of a crab's underbelly she still reminded Mya of a stern aunty.

She certainly scolded like one, "You're late, out-out-out!!" Yavik stifled a chuff, Mya cut her eyes at him and climbed out of the pool.

"Can I at least change?" she wrapped her robe around herself.

The guide huffed haughtily, and flicking her fingers said with a sigh, "Make it quick! I'll be waiting in the study!" She stalked out of the room.

Mya quickly walked out into the busy hallway, a few of the crew looking at her warily as she sped past. She walked for a few minutes until she realized the hallway was not at all familiar and there was no one around to ask. The damn ship was full of twisting passageways, she should have asked Yavik to come with her. The cylindrical walls glowed and hummed with a calming grey glow. Shuffling forward she peered around hoping for someone to come from the blind corner ahead. No such luck, she sighed turning the corner slowly. The pathway up ahead divided into two different directions, she bit her nail and chose left. Shuffling along looking for any sign of familiarity she saw a glowing red shield up ahead, ugh!

She froze when a loud howl filled the area, her hairs stood on end.

'Fuck!' She thought, 'I'm gonna get eaten or some shit!'

She heard some things pacing while panting and hastily back tracked. She yelped when someone grabbed her shoulder from behind and turned to look into two very amused faces. One of which she'd hoped to never see again, the same dragon guy who'd almost shot her in her face! 'What was his name again? Azazel or some dumb shit like that?' He stood next to Zogan who retracted his hand as if touching her had burned him.

"What are you doing?" he asked gruffly.

"I-I got lost and I was looking for someone to ask and-" she stopped and glared as Azazel snickered.

"You were about to be shredded into pieces is more like it." he said, his nostrils flared as a rumbling growl echoed through the grey hallway, it rubbed against her bones.

"Ahh" She scampered closer to Zogan almost climbing him in the process, her robe had become undone. Azazel took a step toward the shield but stopped when Zogan shot him a glare. The asshole rolled his eyes and stalked off leaving Mya alone with Zogan.

She still held onto Zogan tightly.

"Where do you want to go?" he asked softly.

"My rooms... and then I have a lesson in the study." She broke into a sweat as she realized her guide would be incredibly angry with her late arrival.

He started down the hallway dragging her along as she was still attached to his hip. She let go, embarrassed at her cowardice, but those growls had been unearthly and so very scary. She shuddered and followed him.

"What were those things?" she rubbed her arms so that the gooseflesh would go away.

Zogan's eyes followed her movements, "The Kyeet, an intelligent beast that chooses a worthy companion and forms a life bond."

Mya nodded, 'okay...' she'd be staying far away from Kyeets or whatever from now on. She tied her robe close and smoothed it. They walked in an awkward silence for a while, she glanced up at Zogan who seemed to be deep in thought.

"Sooooo what are you thinking about?" she inwardly winced, why the hell did she think it was okay to ask the commander that question? She'd wanted something to say but damn, now she felt even more foolish after almost climbing the male.

Zogan's brows raised, he seemed to be at a loss of words, Fllt! Mya started at the reptilian tongue that flitted out of Zogan's mouth, whacking the back of her head into the wall of the hallway in her surprise, she stumbled forward.

Zogan reached out to steady her. She bit her lip, aware of how much of a fool she probably looked. Zogan looked at her as if she were simple, she inwardly groaned, "I was thinking, that you will probably get yourself killed on Kozantei within a solar."

She bristled, "Well damn-excuse me for having to adjust to a new situation!"

Zogan just hissed and looked away causing Mya to want to stomp off in a glorious manner, but she was still lost and following him through the hallways - which all looked the same by the way.

"It isn't you having to adjust," he continued as if unaware of her ire, "It's the fact that you're human... and our planet is very... unforgiving." He rubbed at his left horn. She huffed and followed him silently not wanting to say something about her soon to be home planet that she would regret. Zogan pointed her towards a familiar looking door and let her know it led to the quarters for guests, she mumbled a thanks and started forward.

"I am sorry if I've angered you," he said from higher in the hallway, "It is just the truth." He turned and with a very alien shrug walked away.

She stomped into her room, 'What an ass! I'm human? So what? I can do just about anything these creatures can do....' She glanced at her hovering bed, 'Except getting into bed easily.' She giggled at the thought, her mood lightening.

Sure, the commander was a jerk, but he was certainly pleasing to look at, jump on and almost climb, if she cared to admit that to herself.

She didn't.

She hurriedly cleansed and fit into a dark grey compression pants, black low cut laced up shoes and a long-sleeved sweater top. It seemed the system had taken into consideration her being from earth, the clothes closely resemble fashions from old earth. She wasn't surprised, the Elders were obviously carrying out research on earth, it was how she'd ended up here. She wondered just how long they'd been present in that cave monitoring. Probably millennia. She consulted her system to see if she could find a map of the ship, to her relief there was one. There were certain places that were blocked off, but it clearly marked the way to the study, relieved she hastily scraped her hair into a top knot and left for the room.

"Do you have any idea WHAT TIME IT IS?!" her guide shouted as she entered the study. It was built like a library, but the whole thing was computerized. The walls were translucent, and she could see the on goings of the lower level through one of them. There were comfortable looking sofas and lounges decorating the dome like room and at the center sat a supercomputer, she supposed it held all the information one could ever hope to know about the fourth quarter. "Excuse me?! DO you hear me?"

Mya rolled her eyes and settled into a sofa, folding her legs under her. "Yes, I got lost, it's not my fault lady."

The guide's eyes bulged, "Very well, but let this be the first and last time."

Mya made herself comfortable, she had issues with authority- according to her old lecturers- so these lessons would probably be a very bumpy ride. The guide handed her a clear plastic like thing the size of her hand, she looked down at it confused, turning it over.

"What is it?"

The alien wheezed, "It's a communicator! And in this case your note maker." The guide looked even more irritated, "The commander insisted you get one."

Mya paused at that and then lightly flicked it causing the screen to light up, showing 3D holograms for each available application and at the very bottom of the screen read Property of Amaryah, her face lit up at that. It had been a long time since she'd owned something techy, and the device had a beautiful lightweight design the likes of which she'd never seen before. She hummed with excitement.

"Now, do you know anything about the Kozantei?"

Mya looked at her blankly, placing her hands under her chin she pretended to think hard, "Mmmmm, no, I think I've actually never left my planet before."

The guide's hand rose to her chest in shock, "I had no idea! You poor thing!" Mya stifled a laugh, sarcasm seemed to fly straight over the guide's head, this was going to be entertaining.

The guide began to explain that the Elders were the seeders of the planets of their quarter and that the Supreme was one of the most powerfully gifted that the Andromeda galaxy had ever seen. She explained that the gifts given to worlds were truly sacred and had to be used in such a way to promote life and growth in the universe or else the planet would be removed after judgement by the elders. The Kozan were gifted with destruction, and she further explained that meant they could destroy any that dared to cross their path using any means necessary; this had made them the choice of the Supreme to be the protectors of the fourth quarter along with a few other allies, none of whom were as strong or cunning as the Kozan. This meant that Zogan was the leader of the most dangerous armada and army of this galaxy. She was glad she hadn't said anything against his planet now. Her teacher then began on the governance of Kozantei, Mya took notes and tried really hard to pay attention, but her mind strayed as she also tried to tinker with her new device.

"Zogan is the crown prince next in line, his older sister Mara will be his lieutenant."

Mya looked up, eyes wide, "What?"

The guide paused, "He is the soon to be king of Kozantei."

Mya shook her head in disbelief, now she was really, really, glad she hadn't dissed his planet. She probably would have been beheaded or something close to it. Phew.

The guide droned on about the everyday life of the planet, the seasons, some of the species she should look out for and a whole lot of other stuff that she noted but didn't internalize. She was tired and grumpy and ready for lunch by the time the session finished, the guide wasn't actually bad, but she was very high-strung, like most teachers, Mya supposed. She'd already learned how to pull up the hologram map on her device and was heading into the eating area when she spotted Yavik seated with some other species- er- people. He flashed a huge, boxed teeth smile and called her to him. It was turning out to be a good day, especially since it was lunch time! Her footsteps hurried.