The Nebula approached the collection of vessels. They floated near the station ominously. It became ever clearer that their purpose was solely combat. Their hulls were angular in some places and bowed in others to encourage ricochets. The thick metal of many showed scoring of various kinds. Not one of them was without weapons. Missile pods and auto cannons were abundant. All of them boasted bays filled with fighter craft. The larger ships supported a single large forward-facing cannon and the largest ship, the one currently docked with the station, was equipped with two.

Everyone on the bridge of the Nebula made note of the weapons systems locking onto their ship. They never fired of course. When the small ship came into range they would eagerly snap to and follow, returning to a resting position when the nebula continued out of range.

Finally, they finished following the course laid out for them. The Blue Nebula came to rest in one of the many hangar bays of a smaller vessel that had been sitting close to the docked flagship. Emblazoned on its side were the words “UESS Yosa” in blocky white font. It was smaller only in comparison to its accompanying fleet. In any other context it would have been considered a hulking monster of a ship.

Deag addressed the crew from his captains’ chair, informing them that this stop would include no leave for them. Given the nature of the destination and the many complications that could arise, he asked that they remain with the Nebula while He, Gareth, Ton’et, and Penelope disembarked. Not many of the crew were eager to disobey the request.

In short order the cargo bay door was lowering and the four exited the Nebula. The three non-humans were in full habsuits while Pen enjoyed the rare chance to dress normally. As they walked off the ship Deag paused, waiting for a sudden change in weight. The suit would help of course but he was sure he’d feel some difference. There was, but it wasn’t nearly as harsh as he’d expected.

“We’ve taken the liberty of altering the gravity on certain sections of the ship for you. It may not be as low as you’re used to, but we hope it makes things at least a bit more comfortable.”

A short young human stood before them dressed not in armor nor military fatigues like Pen’s but in a muted blue and grey ensemble. The top extended past his waist down to his knees like a shirt and skirt in one. He wore similarly colored pants underneath and simple laceless shoes.

“My name is Martin.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Martin. I am Deag, captain. This is my first mate Gareth, our very talented zenobiologist Ton’et, and our security officer Penelope.”

The man gave a curt bow to each of them before speaking.

“Welcome. If you are wondering no, I am not military, merely an assistant to the Yosa’s captain while he’s in-system. He has asked that I escort you to his quarters to discuss your… concerning cargo and so that he might thank you personally for its safe return. Please follow me.”

He turned and walked towards an open set of doors.

As they walked the Nebulas crew became acutely aware of the size difference between themselves and humans. The hallways seemed long and needlessly tall. On the Nebula it was as if Penelope was just absurdly large but here, it was the three of them who were uncomfortably tiny.

The three non-humans also finally got a real sense of their companion’s size. Penelope stood taller than most of the soldiers they passed on their way. Her shoulders were broad, her frame built heavy. Almost every human here had trained themselves for combat. Penelope clearly showed the fruits of a great many years of such labor.

It didn’t take long to notice the number of eyes they were drawing. At first Deag thought it was because they were so alien to the humans but over time, he noticed their attention fell entirely on Penelope. Soldiers relaxing in bunks would scramble to their doorways. Pairs or trios walking the opposite way would stop, eyes wide. He began to notice many whispering to each other as the group passed.

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He did his best to pick up their words.

“… Captain Aster…”

“No way…”

“…Telling you… Scylla.”

A brazen few even pointed. Gestures that promptly ceased when Penelope cast a glare their way.

This all came to a head when the party reached an intersection.

Deag could hear what was coming down the hallway to the right before he saw it, heavy booted footfalls. As their group came into the intersection a loud voice yelled a command.

“Excalibur! Halt!” A balled fist came up.

The man boasted a physique like Pen’s. Though the armor he wore might have been assisting him, he was tall and intimidating. He stood at the front of five others. They were all armed and wore armor nearly identical to the set Pen had worn on Raxia if altered and personalized somewhat. They all stood with an aura of confidence but not one of them moved an inch once the man’s fist came up.

The man stood suddenly at attention and his fist turned to a salute.

“Oh, Captain Conolly it’s not necessary for you to salute me I’m merely the assis-”

“An honor Ma’am.” The captain held the salute.

“I’m sorry but I…” Martin seemed confused.

“Braden Conolly Ma’am, Captain of Fireteam Excalibur. Excalibur, you will show due respect to *the* Captain Penelope Aster of fireteam Cerberus.” The other five joined his salute.

Martin was experiencing a lot but doing so silently.

“Ex-Captain. And please, no saluting.”

Excalibur’s captain hesitatingly put his hand down.

Another piped up.

“Scylla in the flesh… hmm. Looks like the stories may really just just that...” The man to Conolly’s right spoke.

He had a boyish look to him. A freckled face and dark auburn hair framed light green eyes. He stood with his arms crossed and a snide mask across his face. He was a full head shorter than Penelope.

“Can it O’Brian.”

“I’m just saying… she doesn’t look like anything special…”

Conolly shot an icy look at his subordinate. O’Brian opened his mouth as if to continue but paused and thought better of it.

“My apologies Ma’am. He’s new and fucking stupid. It’s just a bit of professional competitiveness, O’Brian here is Excalibur’s close combat specialist.”

A woman just behind Conolly chuckled and leaned forward.

“Yea and all meter and a half of him has a complex.”

The others began laughing.

“Shut up!” O’Brian turned to his squad mates.

“Anyway,” Conolly tried to stifle a smirk, “It was a pleasure to meet you Ma’am. If you’re onboard for a time I’d love to speak but you’ve got business with the captain. I won’t keep you.”

Martin had collected himself.

“Er, yes. Mis… Captain Aster has urgent business. Please this way…”

Excalibur’s captain once again stood at attention and saluted. Though Penelope didn’t return it, he held the salute until she was through the intersection. Only once they were gone did Fireteam Excalibur continue on their own way.

“My sincerest apologies Captain Aster, I had no idea…”

“Again, ex-captain, and Penelope is fine. It isn’t me who has business with the captain of the Yosa, it’s captain Deag. I am simply helping.”

“Ha! You know they never mention your sense of humor, Miss Aster! Anyway, we are close to the captain’s personal quarters. Just this way, he should be in his office.”

Martin led them up a short elevator and into a smaller hallway. In contrast to the rest of the ship it was adorned in a small amount of professional finery. Banners adorned the walls and a few potted plants sat on glass console tables. At the end of the hallway was a closed door.

Their guide moved quickly down the hall and tapped a button on the door console.

“Uh Captain? Your guests are here.”

A light tenor voice came back through the speaker. Familiar to Penelope.

“Excellent, thank you Martin. Send them in please.”

Martin slid two fingers across the door console and the door opened. He stood aside, bowed his head, and held his hand out, motioning for them to enter.

Their guide did not follow as they made their way into the room and the door slid shut behind them. It was a smaller room relatively speaking. Their host sat facing them behind a metal desk on the other side of the room from the door. Two more doors stood closed to their right and left. There wasn’t much else to speak of. The room was exceptionally tidy in that empty kind of way. The only other things of note were a few chairs that had clearly been brought in for this specific occasion.

“Captain Deag, Gareth, Ton’et. It’s a pleasure to meet you all. Pen… its… its nice to see you again.”

Penelope couldn’t bring herself to move a step further.

“Samir… What are you doing here?”

“Captain Samir, of the UESS Yosa.”

“Then where is Cerberus?”

“…”