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“You’ve been on this type of ship before, right?” Agozi asked Kaz as they trekked down the corridor.

“Yes, a few years ago.”

Agozi looked at him, whiskers fluttering with excitement. “Would you like to know what’s new?”

“May as well.”

Kaz saw starships as nothing more than fancy space cabs, a view Agozi got, but it didn't do a thing to dull her excitement.

“…and the engines have now been modified with these fancy anti-matter boosters that improve efficiency and stuff. Not everyone agrees if they’re actually as effective as they’re hyped out to be, but hey, it sounds impressive!”

It wasn’t long before Kaz began looking for reasons to change the topic.

“As you seem to be well-versed in the ship's schematics, do you know where the cantina is located?”

The question bemused Agozi, who let out a sigh before uttering something too faint for him to hear.

“Yea, I know where it is,” she replied, slightly peeved. “It’s in the medical bay.”

Kaz looked at her, whiskers jerking.

“The medical bays?” The bafflement in his voice had been quite apparent. “Why there?”

“Oh, you know, the doctors figured they might as well be prepared in case you decide to drink yourself into oblivion.” Agozi’s whiskers fluttered in amusement. “Wouldn’t want to lose the captain to alcohol poisoning during a critical mission moment.”

Kaz gave her a deadpan look.

“We should report to the bridge,” he said eventually.

*****

The sliding door opened.

Kaz and Agozi entered the bridge where Bridge-Commander Teflar was waiting for them. They exchanged traditional Mevik greetings.

“I am Bridge-Commander Teflar, assigned to provide assistance to the both of you as per the mission parameters.”

“I’m Kaz, and this is my Lieutenant,” he replied. “Has the council assigned us a mission yet?”

“Our mission parameters were updated this morning,” Teflar replied. “We are to survey systems near the eastern outskirts.”

Agozi made no secret of her disappointment.

“Oh great, more recon work,” she lamented. “I was hoping for something a bit more exciting, if I'm being honest.”

“I understand your disappointment, recon work can be tedious,” Kaz said. “But it's a good first mission for a new ship like the Minboa.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Agozi said, the tone of disappointment still dripping. “Still a bit underwhelming, though.”

Kaz directed his attention back to Teflar.

“How long until we can depart?”

“All systems are online.”

Kaz saw no reason to waste time and reached for his communicator. He informed the crew they’d be jumping into slipspace within the hour.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“Anything else you need to share with us?” he asked Teflar.

“No, Captain.”

“Then we have other matters to attend.”

*****

They exited the bridge via the sliding door and turned left down the nearest corridor.

“So, what's the next step?” Agozi asked.

“I’m going to the medical bays,” Kaz replied.

“Why the medical bays?”

“There’s an individual with whom I must speak.”

“Who's the mystery person?”

“Doctor Zelana is a crew member of special note,” Kaz replied. “She’s a Xeno-Psychiatrist recently assigned to the Medical Division.”

Agozi looked at him.

“We’ve got a Xeno-Psychiatrist on this ship?” she asked, genuinely surprised. “I thought the Langa were the ones managing the Psychiatric Corps?”

“You are correct.”

“So what race is Zelana from?”

“Doctor Zelana Song is a Langa.”

Agozi abruptly halted in the middle of the corridor, and Kaz responded in kind.

“She’s Langa?”

The astonishment in her voice had been unmistakable.

“Correct.”

“Serving on a Union reconnaissance ship?”

“Correct.”

“The same Langa that avoids Union service like it’s a plague?”

“I wouldn’t describe it in that manner.”

A hint of irritation invaded Agozi’s tone.

“But I would,” she countered, clearly peeved. “The Langa are the only ones out of the Big Four who don't volunteer for Union service. Everyone else does, even those stuck-up Pretenti.”

Kaz was quick to remind Agozi of the reason before she could continue passing judgment.

“The Langa are not physically or mentally suited for service,” he said. “We can’t hold them to the same standards. It wouldn’t be fair.”

The Exploration Division put candidates through a brutal gauntlet of soul-sucking psych tests and grueling physical exams. They wouldn't even look your way unless you could leap over these obstacles, making the chances of landing a job damn near impossible.

Impossible for most.

Agozi was not most.

Agozi was Mevik. Both she and Kaz.

The tough-as-wood catfolk made up a whopping seventy percent of the Union navy. The rest was mostly filled with the mole-like Prol and the ever-obedient bug-like Cisians.

The Langa?

Those twitchy bat-guys were about as common in the Union fleet as a watering hole in a bone-dry desert.

“Because strength matters when you're sitting in an office all day, apparently,” Agozi said, whiskers jerking with sarcastic scorn.

“Physical abilities aren’t the sole measure of strength.”

“That seems like a moot point when you’re dealing with Langa,” she replied mockingly.

“It’s true that the Langa can’t match our mental fortitude,” Kaz admitted. “Extended periods of separation from loved ones cause them severe anxiety. We often take our own racial abilities for granted when we shouldn’t.” His tone turned serious. “But don’t forget, while most races serve in some capacity, they don’t all serve the same way.”

Agozi conceded the point.

“Still, I doubt they just posted a network ad and then got a ton of volunteers,” she said. “They probably had to get creative.”

“You’re partially correct,” Kaz said. “Fleet Command thinks Langan cognitive talents are too valuable to ignore and has created a special program for those willing to enroll.”

Agozi eyed him cynically.

“And how many remain willing after they’ve actually enrolled?”

Kaz’s whiskers jerked momentarily.

“Not many,” he replied. “Most only complete one or two missions before requesting reassignment.

“Figures,” Agozi said, whiskers fluttering with bemusement.

They reached an intersection, turning right into another corridor.

“I guess it’s just us and the Prol, then,” Agozi said eventually.

“There’s also the Cisians.”

“If we can really call them crew members.”

“I’d be more mindful of your language,” Kaz said, his tone now sterner. “Statements like that can have unintended consequences on morale. We have an obligation to maintain a supportive environment for all crew members regardless of creed. It would reflect poorly on us if anyone heard you talk like that.”

“If they can even grasp what we're saying.”

“They’ve got translators.”

“Oh, I'm just dying to know how that works,” Agozi said, her tone only partially serious. “I mean, it's not like they've got mouths…” Slight disgust crept into her voice. “Actually, I have no idea if they've even got any sensory organs at all.”

“The translators are integrated into their nervous system,” Kaz replied. “I’m not fully aware of the mechanics but it enables them to understand us.”

They reached a second intersection.

“About this Zelana character,” Agozi said as they turned left down yet another corridor. “We’ve got more brave Langan souls on the vessel, or is she the only one?”

“Doctor Zelana is operating by herself.”

“So what's her story? What’s pushing her?”

“I don’t know,” Kaz replied. “That’s why I’m going in the first place.”

“Maybe she’s just after the credits?”

“I highly doubt it,” Kaz replied. “Such behavior would be uncharacteristic for a Langa. They’re not the type.”

Agozi’s whiskers jerked.

“Implying that we are?”

Kaz didn’t respond right away.

“What I meant to convey is that acquisition of credits is an unlikely motivator in this instance,” Kaz replied, somewhat irate. “Furthermore, there isn’t such a thing as easy credits in the Exploration Division.”

“I know, but some just can't seem to comprehend it no matter how clearly the risks involved are explained to them!” Persistent exposure to ineptitude among her crew had gradually depleted Agozi's patience, a fact underscored by the irritable undertone in her voice. “Remember those newbies from last time? How they practically begged to be reassigned when they realized what their job actually entailed?”

“I remember.”

Agozi recoiled as the recollections surged back.

“No surprise we have to recruit after every mission,” she said irately. “Half of these guys have no clue what they're getting themselves into and bail soon as they do.”

Kaz grudgingly admitted that he had made similar observations.

They arrived at an intersection.

“The elevator to the Medical Bays is to the left,” Kaz said. “Unless you’re taking the same route, we won’t be meeting each other again until tomorrow.”

“Don’t sweat it,” Agozi replied happily as the two of them each headed down their respective corridor.