In a solar system similar to Earth's, a sparkling silver object orbited a planet shrouded in darkness. A myriad of lights, both organic and electric, highlighted the planet's surface in splotches of colour,and brighter cities connected by paths of matted hues and the dark areas subtly lit by somber shades of what looked like natural light.

The object glittered as two concentric wheels rotated around a large central shaft. The larger ring was being constructed around the smaller, older one. Pastel ships of all shades went to and fro from the station and planet below like gnats above a river as those rings rotated in space like a waterwheel churning on a slow summer day. Their pale blue engines reflected off of the silver plating of the station.

At the end of the central beam was the largest hanger, even among those of the still in progress larger ring. Pink lights blinked in unison among scaffolding. In that hangar a ship sat; scaffolding and cables covered its form as only a few workers in heavy suits graced the scaffolding. The workers wore two extra manipulators arms, using them to methodically remove the construction equipment from around the ship. Occasionally a glow of heated metal could be seen, with the worker nearby tying fluorescent orange ribbons at the scaffolding nearby. Underneath the web of scaffolding, a beautiful ship of polished silver metal lay. Like the station, a long cylinder made up the center, with two toroids near the front and back of it. The rear held a cluster of engines on sturdy beams that resembled thick old oak branches. Tubing and other smaller beams connected engines to beams and beams to engine. The host of tubes and cables resembled a canopy of a tree strung with vines.

A mural of paint had been lovingly applied over the skin of the ship. It started near the nose and detailed a meeting between a group of bipeds on red soil gesturing up at a white vessel in the sky. A wide swath of beige, triple the size of the painted section, waited to be expanded upon.

Slowly, the remaining workers on the vessel left. After the last one clambered into the station the cables attached to the scaffolding pulled ever so more taut and the blinking pink lights shifted to a steady bright glow. A series of flashes triggered on the scaffolding as it slowly drifted away from the ship and retreated into a series of small hatches in the hangar walls.

Embossed over the main compartment were two strings of text, one in English and the other in Glintish; the inhabitants of the planet below. The vessel's name was *Tempered Longing*. Made with the knowledge of Humanity and the materials from the Glint, both helped construct it as a symbol of alliance between the Human and Glint, and their future efforts to find more like them.

As the last piece of scaffolding was stowed, the *Tempered Longing's* engines flickered to life, and a pale blue glow illuminated the array of the ship. Small orange thrusters flashed briefly to halt its rotation once clear of the hangar. It pivoted then drifted toward the docking rings.

———Inside Orbital Station OSP-FRLS/1, *The Ladder*———

Elijah Duilim hated public events. There were always five different conversations happening; making a muddy background noise that splattered the ear in random words. Press releases and conferences had been bad enough when he had been in the first group of people that became wholly digital entities. Now he belonged to the first Human/Glint scientific expedition, after being the person to make initial contact. He still had yet to brave his message boxes back in the Sol media sphere.

He was the pilot and mechanic; not to mention the representative of Humanity on the crew. He schmoozed with diplomats, scientists and pilots from Plinth, all of which professed their envy of his position. He had been among the first humans to be recorded and uploaded digitally. Then the first to use a non-humanoid body after he took a position as a Surveyor for the then burgeoning Vesuvian Space Association, which later turned into one of the Sol Guilds during the reformation of Sol. He held that job and ship-body for two hundred years. It let him fulfill his longest desire to explore the universe. He had even been the one to make contact with the Glint on behalf of humanity. The unique race that had wanted to reach Humanity's level on their own lest they lose their culture in Sol's. So Duilim passed their wishes on, and also gave a few quick witted Glint a little push to speed up their progress. Which had not gone unnoticed by the Sol Government.

Which was why he was here now. While discovering the Glint had been something he'd only ever dreamed of, it had also set off a chain of events where two more alien races appeared and forced the Glint to reach out to humanity for help. Duilim destroyed his ship body and technically died, though he copied himself into his current android body. An amateurish attempt to marry an AI core to a remote controlled drone for an emergency. That act of duplication was highly illegal but was overlooked as he took the reins of the in-person liaison with the Glint and aided the first Human-Glint expedition to space. Specifically, to find more intelligent races.

Today, he left with the Glint crew aboard the first jointly constructed ship between two alien races. Potentially the first in the galaxy ever. He couldn't wait to leave. He made his way to the rest of the crew: Saule, Naytani, Flik, Stuhkey, Riyn, Wensly and Yors. They were answering questions for a group of scientists that had cornered them after the conference panel. As he got close enough to distinguish the glintish properly he listened to Commander Saule try to end the questions.

"I am sorry to cut this short, but this launch is incredibly important and my crew must be ready for it. Any further questions can be directed to the ship media manager, Huole, who is based on this station and will gladly have the team's specifications ready for viewing," the commander said.

Naytani perked up and added, "Flik and my own personal reports on the phenomena we witnessed while working with the Human engineers have all been made public and are attached to those files, as well as all the other relevant information. I imagine there are discoveries to be made with those reports."

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The lure of potential dragged the scientists away from the group like cold syrup reluctantly pouring from a bottle. A few Glint looked back as if to ask more questions but would then be swallowed up as a colleague asked for an opinion.

Relieved, Saule said, "Thank you Nayt, I've never been good at breaking conversations."

"You're welcome, but can we get on the ship now? I've been itching to see how the Humans merged their tech with our own on the Tempered Longing."

“It can’t be that different, there’s only so many ways to make circuits and code.”

Naytani huffed at that., “They use base ten for their number system and have eighteen different coding languages based on binary signalling. We use binary as well but our code is built on a base twelve. Not to mention how long they've been working with code in relation to our short time."

“And that’s why I’m here, to iron out any kinks in the systems with Naytani and Flik,” added Duilim, joining in as they walked.

Wensly interjected, “It’s good they let us take up your time Elijah, you must be inundated with team requests and signing offers."

"Aheh, well I actually owe some time to Sol Gov. for a few decisions I made," Duilim replied without making eye contact, "But I'm glad they decided to have me accompany you as my service; It's a real dream compared to what else I could be doing."

They walked for a short time to the berth in idle chatter; Flik and Naytani made plans to immediately go over the human tech with a blazing eye and see what they could learn from it. Wensly recently had hit it off with Yors and discussed their respective childhoods.

Saule had a few questions though, "What did you mean by service owed?" he asked quietly.

Duilim's holographic face turned to him in the suit's helmet, no emotion showing as he spoke, "I died. I was that ship that I met you in, not just the pilot. What you see now is a copy of Elijah Duilim made five minutes and thirty seven seconds before his data core was destroyed by the Tharg. Humans have several very clear laws about duplication of a digital entity and when it's allowed. I hadn't asked for permission to do so and as such I am treated as a new digital person and all the stipulations that come with that. Like a mandatory service period working for the Government of Sol."

The Commander frowned, "That feels harsh, you were in a circumstance that had never happened before. Surely there's accommodations for that."

"Oh there were. That's why I'm here and not mining crypto back on Mercury."

“How would an AI mine anything, also what is crypto?” asked Saule.

“Umm,” Duilim’s faced screwed up for a moment. He then said, “It’s an old form of currency that could be acquired through fast trading of resources at crucial times to take advantage of momentary price differentials, or that's what I think it is. I never had to actually serve any time doing that.”

“Why not?”

“Well I am one of the first and there were special circumstances involved." Duilim said with an odd half grin but sad cast to his eyes.

The group stopped their chatter. Before them and in front of the circular entry were the three ambassadors from Plinth, each representing their respective nation. Hild Reth the Yjantai delegate was an elderly Glint with patches of black and grey aged fur dotting his brown fur. To Hild's right stood the Pan Oceanic Islands ambassador Yula Henue, a sun bleached blonde. On the left leaning on a curled stick was the United Plateaus of Garl representative Jaiko Jhunk, a dark furred male with spots of white dappling.

Behind the three was the Fleet Admiral Radamere, recently promoted for the Temporary Plinth Defense Fleet. At his side was a holographic emission of Jimzu, the A.I. of the flag ship Izanagi. Around the diplomats floated several camera drones, recording the disembarkation for both races.

Hild spoke first, "We would like to give the crew of the Tempered Longing our thanks for embarking on what will be a long mission."

Then Jaiko continued, "Which will undoubtedly test you all in different ways, but mold you into a shining example of Human-Glint cooperation."

"Our collective hopes and dreams lay in your ship and hands. Do not forsake your ideals or who you are." said Yula.

Admiral Radamere and Jimzu spoke at the same time, "You are not perfect examples of our species; you are not meant to be exemplary. Rather you will be our friendly introduction to the galaxy at large and show the core of our peoples beliefs."

The crew, Duilim and Saule responded in kind, "We will not let you down, the Tempered Longing will achieve her goals and be a shining beacon for any species we may meet. Our journey will expand to new horizons we have yet to conceive."

As they finished the cameras turned and the diplomats gave more personal, unscripted farewells, Admiral Radamere pulled Duilim aside, Duilim's face went quite literally blank. His holographic emitters had shut off from dread.

Radamere spoke quickly and quietly, "You know how important this is. If not for the Glint specifically asking for you by name you'd be data core deep in legal fees and red tape right now. That can still happen along with a cozy spot on Mercury aligning solar collectors for the next century if you do not give your absolute best effort on that ship. No more little hints to new species about technology as well. We know how the Glint so quickly grasped Mass to Energy reactors and there will be many more words for you if something like that happens again. Are we clear?" Radamere’s intense gaze never left Duilim, nor did he blink. Yet, just as quickly as he had changed to admonishing Duilim, the mask of Admiral came back.

"Yessir."

"Good, now put your face back on. Glint may not have english down yet, but I bet they're starting to grasp body language. Besides, this little chat wasn't an official warning but rather a personal one from me, to you." Radamere’s eyes never once left where Duilim’s eyes had been and still hadn't blinked.

As Duilim’s face shimmered back with a pained smirk, he replied, “Trust me, the last thing I want to do is to mess up another first contact. It’s been my dream for longer than the Sol Government has been functional, to meet aliens and explore the stars.”

Before the Admiral could reply, Commander Saule inserted himself between the two while he motioned Naytani over. He then said, "Admiral I understand your drive to impress upon Crewman Duilim this mission's importance. However, I must ask you to relinquish him as we are about to embark and run through preflight checks."

Saule's cool blue eyes glowed in challenge to the Admiral. The quirk of their genetic heritage gave the Glint an uncanny stare that the human Admiral couldn’t quite match. The shorter Glint’s ears were flat against his head in defiance while the Admiral’s face was a mask that showed no emotion. After a moment Radamere spoke, “My mistake, I’ll be sure to impose on Mr. Duilim when he is not on the clock.”

Amiral Radamere nodded towards Duilim, the barest hint of warning in his eyes, then turned and joined the three Glint diplomats as they left the airlock berth. Duilim and Saule watched his black uniform turn the corner past the hatch.

Once he was out of sight, Saule turned to Duilum and said,"We are going to have an eye to eye chat about several things once we're underway but I won't let anyone speak to my crew like that when I'm around."

"Agreed, we have a lot to talk about. Like our next destination. A star in what we humans call Orion's belt." replied Duilim, "Besides I doubt we'll find anything important at our first destination."