image [https://i.imgur.com/pOQhy57.jpg]

The unexpected outburst from the alien prompted Kaz to swiftly withdraw his hand and back off, his whiskers and snout visibly thrown into a momentary disarray. The surrounding onlookers in the hangar mimicked his response, albeit to a lesser extent.

The alien's small eyes gazed down upon him, hinting at an enigmatic emotion or inner conflict that Kaz couldn't grasp. Their gaze possessed a chilling intensity.

Kaz couldn’t grasp why his measured approach had been met with aggression. He had meticulously maintained a calm and civilized presence, consciously slowing his movements and steering clear of any potentially threatening gestures. Perhaps this was the result of a translator error?

Upon entering the system, Minboa’s supercomputers had begun their task of translating the alien dialect, scrutinizing every broadcast with AI linguistic programs. Theoretically, this intensive analysis should’ve led to a usable translation framework for basic exchanges.

Yet, none of the computer-processed material had been approved through manual checks. This duty was slated for Xeno-Psychologist Zelana and the linguistic division, who had not yet managed to review it. Though impressively accurate on their own, the AI translations still fell short of perfection. Complicating matters, the broadcasts required an unexpected amount of decryption which slowed the analysis process.

It would've been preferable had events unfolded more deliberately, Kaz mused irately. He gave Agozi, who stood at a distance from the group, a brief look that unveiled a flicker of uncertainty before his focus shifted back to the alien.

*****

After overcoming the shock, Andreas observed the body language of the black-furred cat alien for a moment.

His inadvertent outburst had visibly unsettled the creature. But was it frightened or simply caught off guard? The nuanced difference bore significant weight. Facing annihilation was decidedly not on his agenda.

The strange device in its right hand captured Andreas’s attention. Peering at the device, he speculated it might serve as a translator, albeit its form was unfamiliar, diverging significantly from human equivalents. He chose to speak again, this time adopting a careful tone to avoid appearing overly intimidating.

“This is for me?” he asked, sounding slightly unsure, as he motioned towards the device.

*****

The alien had addressed him again, its tone less sharp but far from friendly.

Technically, the translators didn't need both parties to have them installed. This feature aimed to ease first contact by granting understanding to the party lacking a translator. Nevertheless, Kaz couldn't communicate effectively until the alien completed its installation.

“We're at an impasse in understanding currently, however, that will shortly be remedied.” Kaz approached cautiously, extending his hand with deliberate slowness. “Accept this translator device; instructions for configuration will follow.”

The alien scrutinized the translator in his hand and, after a moment's hesitation, cautiously reached out towards it.

As Kaz handed over the translator, the alien's grasp revealed the remarkable size of its hand, with five fingers and an expansive palm. After the exchange had finished, he spoke once more.

“Now insert it into your mouth.”

*****

With a skeptical eye, Andreas examined the thing in his hand.

Given his linguistic adeptness, translator devices rarely found a place in his repertoire. Those he had witnessed were components of larger systems, distinctively not intended for ingestion.

He shot a quick look at the cat alien before his gaze returned to the small, odd device in his palm. Lacking any alternatives, Andreas begrudgingly placed it against his lips and let the device slip inside.

The outcome was instantaneous.

Andreas's eyes grew wide in astonishment as the device separated into multiple parts and started to move within his mouth. He felt a quick, mildly uncomfortable sting in one of his molars. Soon after, two pieces exited his mouth, heading toward his temples, where he felt another fleeting sting on each side of his head.

“That fleeting discomfort you’re experiencing right now is normal,” Kaz said reassuringly. “You’ll be fine.”

I'm without a care, then, Andreas mused, his thoughts dripping with sarcasm. Yet, he meticulously hid this disdain, keeping his posture and expression neutral.

“You should be able to speak to us now,” the dark cat alien said. “Can you please say something to confirm that the translator is working?”

Andreas remained clueless about their intentions, yet the present circumstances suggested they didn't plan to execute him on the spot—a fact that, in isolation, held little significance.

“Care to share exactly who I'm addressing?” Andreas asked bluntly, his voice mostly steady but with a slight tremble of nervousness. “Moreover, what's your intentions concerning me?”

*****

This time, the alien had spoken slowly and deliberately, giving Kaz a clearer sense of its tone of voice. Deeper than Mevik, less guttural than Prol, he thought. Not that anyone could outdo the Prol in guttural sounds, their raspy and gravelly voices universally deemed an unpleasant listening experience by nearly all races.

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They stared at each other, another silent and awkward moment passing between them.

Realizing the futility of further waiting for a response that seemed unlikely to arrive, especially with a functional translator now installed, Kaz saw fit to introduce himself.

“The name's Kaz, Captain of the Union's exploration ship, the GEG Minboa,” he said, his voice carrying a formal, diplomatic quality. “We are the representatives of a pan-galactic and multi-species alliance known officially as the Galactic Union. Our purpose is to promote the collective well-being of sentient beings through the exploration and mapping of unknown space. In the name of the Union and its member species, you are warmly welcomed aboard our vessel.”

The alien's expression briefly shifted, suggesting it was processing the information. Kaz, unfamiliar with its species, struggled to interpret its thoughts. Another awkward silence followed.

“Pardon my query, but is there an issue with the—”

“No,” the alien interjected. “It's performing exactly as intended.”

*****

From a safe vantage point across the hangar, Xeno-Psychologist Zelana noted the clumsy nature of Kaz's attempts at interspecies dialogue, an exercise that was clearly outside his area of expertise. His bumbling efforts served only to magnify her own mounting sense of disquiet.

Far more disconcerting than Kaz's lack of diplomatic finesse was the overall absurdity of the exchange. The alien's peculiar self-presentation, its utter impassivity, and its seemingly arbitrary reactions to Kaz's awkward efforts suggested a level of disarray that went far beyond social faux pas. She recognized that cultural differences could be a factor, but the level of disarray hinted at something far more disconcerting.

Zelana's ears dipped, and she nibbled her lower lip — a Langa gesture of nervousness. Something feels wrong, she thought. Her large green eyes observed the unfolding interaction with keen yet anxious interest.

*****

Progress, finally, Kaz thought. Now that both sides had translators, they could expect smoother progress moving forward. “We offer our sincerest apologies for the inadequate handling of the situation. The occurrence of first contact at this time was unforeseen and we had hoped to have more time to prepare.”

After Kaz spoke, the alien shifted its stance slightly and hesitated, then spoke again.

“And this 'first contact' is…what, precisely?” it asked, voice tinged with both skepticism and accusation.

A feeling of dread settled in Kaz's stomach.

Right when progress seemed within reach! He earnestly hoped the translator configurations remained functional. Their failure would severely exacerbate an already complex situation. “Are you not a representative sent to initiate diplomatic discourse between our respective civilizations?”

*****

The dark cat alien's question left Andreas stunned, but simultaneously, it made several things clear enough to speculate on what was occurring. These aliens had clearly pegged him for a diplomatic envoy. What he couldn't figure out was the logic behind their choice. Why single him out? Why not Earth's leadership or one of the numerous orbital stations?

The general's warning words hadn't faded from his memory. Disclosing his genuine identity and intentions openly to these creatures would probably get him sent back to Terra and promptly executed. That ending wouldn't suit his purposes at all.

The air grew tense with an awkward pause, throughout which the dark cat creature and every other alien gazed at him, their stares seemingly intensifying.

Andreas’s face briefly betrayed a small grin, which he immediately masked. There's always a way to exploit a bad situation, he mused, grinning inwardly.

*****

The alien's demeanor shifted abruptly. Kaz couldn't say if this was a good or bad change, but the alien's posture and mood were clearly transformed. Its flat snout stretched into a wide grin.

“My apologies for the clumsy introduction,” it said, stepping closer with a tone that was noticeably more cheerful and inviting than before, albeit that wasn’t saying much. In a swift, unexpected motion, the alien extended its right hand toward Kaz, its large, flat palm aimed at him. “The name’s Hugo Andreas!”

Confused about the gesture, Kaz paused and examined the alien's open hand. Before he could say anything, the alien quickly withdrew it.

“Ah, my mistake!” The alien’s grin grew wider still, exposing some of its teeth. “That gesture's not in your lexicon, is it?” Muffled snorts came from the alien's mouth. Kaz guessed they meant amusement, although he found them irritating.

The abrupt change of conduct left Kaz dumbfounded.

Its mood seemed as welcoming as an annoyed Kaelar moments before. What's the reason for this shift? Kaz's whiskers and snout twitched in thought. After a moment's pause, he answered. “No, it isn’t.”

“Think nothing of it” the alien said. “Merely a Terran custom.”

“A greeting gesture, I gather?”

“A fair assessment.”

A moment of hesitation crossed Kaz's face.

“You've identified as ‘Terran’, I noticed,” Kaz said. “Is that an official term for your kind? A nod to your planet of origin? Or does it signify another concept?”

“Terra is our home, even if it was technically ‘Earth’ before,” the supposed ‘Terran’ alien replied. “The purists still favor the original term, though I prefer the newer designation.” Its mouth distorted into a strange shape. Though likely intended as friendly, Kaz found the expression unsettling.

Kaz looked at some of the Prol standing nearby, his tone and snout professional and cold. “Are you documenting this exchange?”

“All recorded until requested otherwise,” the Prol technician replied.

Kaz turned his attention back to the Terran.

“Forgive my directness, but was there a reason for the delay between your landing and exit from the ship?” Kaz asked. “We were beginning to grow concerned.”

“Oh, no harm has befallen me,” the Terran replied, maintaining a casual and easygoing tone. “However, it seems you've made a mistake.”

Kaz's posture stiffened slightly, his whiskers twitching.

“What mistake?” His voice held an undertone of concern.

“Given your grand introduction earlier, I'll take it you've mistaken me for someone of consequence?”

Kaz's whiskers twitched sharply, more so than usual. “…surely that's the case?”

The Terran let out a couple of soft, sputtering noises that Kaz ventured were probably its race’s version of laughter, though it sounded quite a lot more grating than the Mevik version.

“Certainly, though perhaps not in the capacity you've imagined.”

An awkward pause engulfed the hangar.

“Clarification is needed here,” Kaz said eventually. “Are you not here as a delegate for diplomatic dialogue?"”

“I must disappoint you; I am not that.”

A cold dread washed over Kaz. Though the situation's details remained unclear, they'd obviously made a grave error.

“Who exactly are you, and what's your purpose here?” Blunt phrasing aside, Kaz wasn't angry, just irritated by the sheer scale of their mess-up.

The Terran’s face twisted into a different expression.

“Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm here because of you, am I not?” it asked, a hint of passive aggression beneath its polite tone. “Regarding my identity, I've already made my introduction.”

“Yet, you're neither diplomat nor emissary?” Kaz asked. “Your arrival is unrelated to any formal attempt to initiate contact on your government's behalf?”

“You're beginning to understand,” the Terran replied, its face once more contorting into an unpleasant shape.

Kaz held the Terran’s gaze for a moment, then sharply turned and walked towards Agozi and the rest, who stood a good distance from the shuttle. He cast a swift, over-the-shoulder glance at the Terran when it started to follow, never slowing his pace. “No, remain in place.”

The Terran stopped, yet its cold, brooding eyes continued to track him.