“I’m sorry what?” Gabriel asked Micia.

“I...I work on a ship...actually I part-own a ship while working as a Drive engineer and, well, I have to ask the Captain as he owns the majority of the ship but we are going in the right direction.” Micia said, trying to look at them all at once.

“And you would take me and Madeline?” Gabriel asked and looked to Madeline who nodded.

“If the Captain agrees yes, but it’s a small freighter and I don’t want to promise anything but maybe?” Micia asked and sank back into the chair from all the stares she was on the receiving end of.

“Can we go ask now, when are you leaving?” Gabriel asked and stood up, the tiredness from before all but gone.

“We are scheduled to leave tomorrow after midday, I can send a message right away and ask?”

“Please do,” Gabriel said and felt his stomach rumble, he could at least have a meal before running around the station. He sat down again and addressed Kzanti, “Do we just go over and order food?”

“I’ll take care of it,” Kzanti said and wandered over towards the counter separating the kitchen from the dining room.

“So, you are heading towards...wherever the ship was in Roniean space?” Gabriel asked.

“Well, we are going to Roniean IV,” Micia said. “Only stopping to refuel and restock supplies on the way.”

Gabriel looked at Madeline and shrugged, “We need to ask Kzanti for coordinates but Roniean IV is more or less in the center of Roniean space, maybe a bit towards the Union.” She said and looked at Micia. “What are you transporting that requires a direct route?”

“Ronieans are very fond of alcoholic drinks, especially one made of a fruit native to a Yavichian world close to here, I think it’s called L'Hiri. So anyway we are transporting fruit that Ronieans will pay a lot more for fresh.” Micia explained.

“Why not put it in stasis?” Madeline asked.

“We can’t afford that, we have a full cargo clip-on.” Micia tilted her head to the sides.

“And that is?” Gabriel asked them both.

“It’s a cargo bay that can be connected to the back on many freighters. It comes with its own engines that can be controlled from the main ship. Like a clip-on cargo bay.” Madeline explained, looking at Micia for confirmation.

“Yes, that is a good explanation,” Micia said. “One with stasis would be very expensive. If we had more stops...and a bigger ship, getting one would be a good idea but...” Micia waved her hands around.

“But money doesn't grow on trees,” Gabriel said as Kzanti wandered over carrying two plates for Madeline and Gabriel.

Micia’s ears perked up, “That is a good expression, I will remember it.” While Gabriel and Madeline ate Micia busied herself by writing to her captain and walked out for a call as well. She came back and waited patiently while they ate. Gabriel tried not to stress Madeline or simply inhale the food but it was difficult.

He still finished the plate in record time and looked expectantly at Micia, “So, what did the Captain say?”

“He said as long as you can pay or work he did not see any problems with it,” Micia said.

Gabriel grinned wide and quickly remember himself but Micia didn’t seem to mind, “Thank you very much, I guess he wants to meet us?“

“Yes, of course, but as you saved my life he said he would consider that enough. But if you are free?”

Gabriel looked at Madeline who smiled and shrugged, then over to Kzanti, “Do I have anything more today, and will the translation for my pcu be ready tomorrow?”

“Go ahead. I think it will be updated in the morning, and you can take the last tests then as well” She said, “Stay out of trouble.” She turned and left the room.

“I’ll do my best,” Gabriel said and Kzanti waved over her shoulder.

Madeline in the meantime finished her food and stood, “Well, let’s not waste time”

“I will tell the captain we are on the way,” Micia said, hopping off her chair and typing on her pcu as they walked out. She led them out and over a block, then down a set of stairs that led to a subway station, or whatever this space equivalent was called. Apparently, it was free or used some other system of payment as they all got on without buying a ticket or anything. But Gabriel was too focused on meeting the Captain to give it any further thoughts.

Soon a white train hummed into the station and stopped in front of the platform. They all got on and sat down on a bench. This section was empty and through the doors to the other sections, Gabriel could only see a handful of different Xenos. He leaned back and tried to relax and not stress which was easier said than done.

What felt like an eternity later, and what was probably closer to ten minutes, Micia hopped down from the seat, and Gabriel and Madeline followed her out and up another set of stairs. This area of the station was very busy compared to the one around the...Gabriel once again realized he didn’t know the name of the building, “Hey, Madeline, what’s the name of the building with Kzanti and the others?”

“I think it’s called the Station security office” She looked down at her pcu, “Well Office of station security but close enough.” She shrugged.

“Thanks, I completely forgot to ask. Well, to be honest, there are many things I forgot to ask about. I have been a bit distracted,” Gabriel said sighing.

“Understandable, I just caught the name on a sign.” Madeline smiled and shrugged.

“Speaking of forgetting things, if we are going on another trip, by choice this time, we should maybe talk a bit about customs” Gabriel suggested.

Madeline’s fur ridge rose once as she yawned, “Can it wait for the trip? I’m thinking about going to bed after this.”

“Yes it can,” Gabriel agreed and yawned as well. Now that most of the excitement from the news earlier had gone, Gabriel was quickly getting tired...again. “I have trained to stay up for long periods. Granted I haven't used that skill in years but still, I feel unreasonably tired.”

“I don’t think we slept enough on Kanthua’s ship, not that we had any way to tell time but I felt a bit tired and sluggish during the week,” Madeline said shrugging.

“Hmm, maybe you’re right,” Gabriel thought about it and he could see missing a few hours here and there. Or maybe more than a few. While he pondered that and remembered how comfortable his bed at the hotel was, they arrived at a large door leading to a dock. Micia led them through to a strange-looking ship. It had three wings, one on top and two down to each side, all with several engines at the back. It almost looked like a tripod on its side. The main body of the ship was a tapering triangle leading to a cockpit with windows and an airlock close behind it.

Gabriel could imagine the wings fitting around a large cargo crate, but right now it looked like most of the ship was missing. Micia led them up to the ship to a tall Yavician sitting on a crate at the back. All in all the ship was maybe thirty or so meters with the wings traveling back another twenty.

“So, this is the human?” The Yavician said and stood. He was the tallest Yavichian Gabriel had met, which meant he was about half a head taller than Gabriel. He had the standard purple skin with black hair and was dressed in a blue coverall.

“Yes, this is Gabriel” Micia gestured to him. “And this is Madeline Nioni”

“I am Captain Scarrusk,” The Captain said, “I have heard that you two want to travel to Roniean IV?”

“Yeah, that’s mostly right. We want to head into Roniean space as quickly as possible” Gabriel confirmed.

“Well, since you saved my engineer I don’t see why not, but you will have to pay or work,” Scarrusk said to Gabriel.

“Fine by me,” Gabriel said nodding.

“I can do both” Madeline said, “Gabriel might not have the funds, being a newly discovered race and all but I have some”

“No offense miss Nioni, but I don’t think I need a diplomat on the trip. If you can pay I would prefer that. And I have talked to some people and can get a sleeping cube installed in the ship's cargo hold before we leave. But I’m not paying out of my pocket for it.”

Madeline’s fur ridge rose once, “If you can get one installed I’ll be happy to pay for it”

“Will do, I’ll get an extra mattress but you two will need to share the space. Come, let’s give you a tour.” He turned and headed to the back of the ship where a large cargo door was open and a ramp led down to the dock. This meant the ship was boxed in on three sides and Gabriel wondered how the ship navigated out of the dock. Maybe pulled by a smaller ship, or maybe the entire dock slid sideways or something.

Imagining he would see how everything worked tomorrow he followed the Captain and Micia into the cargo hold without asking. Gabriel estimated the cargo bay occupied about half of the ship and it was more or less packed full. There was only a small space maybe five by five meters at the end and a broad path between boxed and crates. “I thought you had a, what was it, clip-on cargo something?” Gabriel asked Micia.

“Yes, but some we keep on board, and some boxes are food or other supplies. We also have other trading supplies in here, but no buyer right now”

“Correct” Scarrisk said and stopped at the empty space, “We can fit a sleeping cube here, you will have to share the showers and mess hall with me and Micia.” He turned and continued through a smaller door at the end. It led to a corridor with the left side open to a mess hall with windows looking out on the wall of the dock opposite where they came in.

On the right, Scarrusk opened a door revealing a bathroom with shower stalls and toilets. He said nothing and walked on. “This is our small medbay” he tapped the first door on the right as they passed, “opposite that is Micia’s room and my is further on the left.” He gestured to another door on the right side. “At the end is the bridge and the last door on the left is environmental, or air and water.”

“And under us is the power core. Fuel storage and cooling are crammed in there and over us.” Micia explained and pointed to two hatches, “I might be in there from time to time so if you hear strange noises from the ceiling or floor it’s me”

Scarrusk gestured to the Mess hall, or rather the single table with a half circle couch and two stools. They all took a seat and he served some water, “So, that is the tour. This ship uses a lot of fuel and can transport large cargo crates so there is not much room for more.

“Less chance of me getting lost,” Gabriel said with a smile.

“I’m sure you could manage amongst the boxes,” Madeline said and chirped.

“Probably, so Scarrusk, when are we leaving, and do you need any help before that?” Gabriel asked after grinning at Madeline.

“No, I’ll call for the sleeping cube and the company will install it, you just have to show up as soon as you can after the midday meal.” Scarrusk said and turned to Micia, “Unless you need something?”

Micia shook her head while looking down at the table, the gesture reminded Gabriel of a dog or cat shaking itself dry, “No, I think I’m all set”

“Good,” Scarrusk turned to Gabriel and Madeline again, “Any more questions?”

Gabriel rubbed his eyes, “Probably, but nothing I can think of before we leave. I want to start with saying thanks for taking us with you”

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Scarrusk stood and opened the door to the cargo bay, “Thank you for saving Micia, I would call it even.” He patted Gabriel on the shoulder as he passed, “Don’t be late”

“Yes sir, “ Gabriel said and saluted, receiving a confused look from Scarrusk.

Then he laughed which sounded like a series of hissing with clicks, “See you both tomorrow” He said and held up a hand.

Gabriel and Madeline waves as they walked through the cargo bay, “Well that went well” Gabriel said.

“Yeah it did, I expected a higher price,” Madeline said smiling, then she yawned, “Can we go back now? I want to sleep”

“Yeah, same” Gabriel nodded and looked around, “Uh, which way is back?” He pointed to a stairway leading down, “I’m pretty sure we came up that set of stairs”

“Yes we did” Madeline grabbed his hand and pulled him towards it, taking out her pcu with her other hand, “I don’t know which train to get on though”

Gabriel let himself be pulled along through the giant hallway connecting the docks and down the stairs. The docks had to be located below the main station he thought, at least below the glass ceiling. He would try to feel it the train went up as they traveled. Madeline pulled him along and stopped at a platform looking up at the time table. Gabriel understood none of it but the layout was not that far from the subways back on Earth.

“Alright, we need to wait about five minutes for a train with a yellow stripe,” Madeline said and pulled Gabriel over to a bench.

“Was that the same one we rode on to get over here? I can’t remember” He sat down on the bench and looked around.

“I think that was the white train,” Madeline said looking at her pcu.

“White stripes on a white train?”

“Yep, and to make it better there are four white trains, and they sometimes share stations” Madeline looked at her pcu grinning slightly with her fur ridge standing up.

“Yeah, wouldn’t want to make it easy for anyone” Gabriel chuckled, then he held up his and Madeline’s hands. “Worried I’d get lost?”

“Hm?” she looked up from her pcu, over to Gabriel and then his hand in hers. “Oh, sorry,” She said and let go, “cultural differences?”

“It’s totally fine,” Gabriel said, wishing slightly he hadn’t mentioned anything. “I don’t know how handholding is seen in the union, but I don’t mind it”

Madeline squinted a little at him, “So it’s doesn't have any special meaning on Earth?”

“We have so many cultures the answer is probably yes and no. But where I grew up mostly couples held hands or female friends. Which I found a little unfair to be honest, but how is it for Zilgi?”

“It’s convenient, you match walking speed, don’t lose sight of each other, and can talk easily enough. Mostly happens between friends though” Madeline shrugged. “I think Yavichians do the same, but I don’t know about the rest we’ve met.”

“Well, Yavichians does have enough hands for it not to get in the way” Gabriel muttered while scratching his beard, “This reminds me, we should stop by the...what was it, Office of security?” Madeline’s fur ridge rippled once, “Office of station security?” Gabriel tried again. Madeline’s fur ridge stood up, “Anyway I want to see if I can get a hold of some clothes for training.”

“Like the ones you wore during the tests?”

“Maybe not so tight, but yeah” Gabriel smiled and shrugged. He heard a low humming and a train floated into the station. He stood and held out a hand to Madeline, who smiled and took it. “I want to try and stay in shape, somewhat at least”

“Well, the Office of...” Madeline trailed off sighing and waved her free hand around dismissively, Gabriel laughed and she bumped her shoulder against his, “I wasn’t finished” She said, her face serious but fur ridge not completely under control.

“Sorry, go on,” He chuckled.

“It’s on the way so we might as well stop by and let Kzanti know when we are leaving” Madeline continued as they entered the train. They sat down and Madeline again looked at her pcu, “Sorry, I need to get a few messages out, the sleeping cube needs to be paid for” She let go of his hand but hooked her arm under his to type with both hands. Gabriel nodded and leaned back looking out the window on the other side of the train. Mostly it was tunnel walls but he caught brief glimpses of large roads, and what looked like underground malls.

Gabriel blinked and sat up straighter, he had almost drifted to sleep. Madeline har put her pcu away and was looking at the same scenery passing by. “I almost fell asleep” Gabriel rubbed his face, “We didn’t miss our station right?”

Madeline’s fur ridge rippled but she still looked at the window, a tired expression on her face. “It’s the next one, I think” She looked at him with a small smile.

“Oh, good, what are sleeping cubes by the way?” Gabriel shook his head and slapped his cheeks.

“I have no idea” Madeline yawned and shrugged. “Probably some sort of modular bedroom?”

“Sounds right, well, it’s likely better than sleeping on boxes in the cargo bay,” Gabriel said as the train pinged.

Madeline looked up at the scrolling text above the doors, “Otherwise I want my money back” She stood up and held out a hand to him, “Next stop is ours” Gabriel grabbed her hand but as she tried to pull him up she almost fell on top of him, “You’re too heavy” she chirped.

Gabriel grinned and stood up, “And luckily not sensitive about my weight.” They walked over to the Office whatever and Gabriel quickly grabbed a few pairs of training clothes. Morthri more or less just handed Gabriel them and sent him out the door so he wouldn’t interrupt whatever he was doing. After a quick visit to Kzanti’s office confirming nothing had changes they were on their way to the hotel.

“Goodnight Gabriel,” Madeline said through a yawn and waved as she entered her room.

“Goodnight” Gabriel smiled and nodded as her door closed. He wandered over to his room and threw his clothes on the closest chair, just stopping to brush his teeth before collapsing into the bed.

But tired as he was he still had trouble sleeping. Maybe it was because it was still late evening, around eight or nine, or somewhere around there. Still, he laid turning in bed for a few hours before he began to drift off to sleep.

And just then there was a knock on the door. Gabriel blinked and sat up, half wondering if he had dreamt it. But after another soft knock he decided he probably was not hearing things, He looked around and in a closet next to the bed he found bathrooms for several different races, and one even fit him although it limited his arm movement some. He shambled over to the door and opened it. Madeline stood on the other side, looking even sleepier than before. She was dressed in a similar robe to his but better fitting and Gabriel could see the apron-like garment underneath.

“Hey, I was just...can I come in?” She asked almost sheepishly, “Sorry if I woke you”

Gabriel shook his head, “I was awake, barely” He smiled and opened the door letting her in. “What’s with the late-night visit?”

Madeline sighed and sat down on the armrest of a chair. “It’s not that late, we just went to bed early...anyway I need to tell you some things about Zilgi.”

“Alright, you want anything?” Gabriel hooked a thumb towards the fridge.

Madeline shook her head, “No, thanks”

Gabriel walked over and sat in the other chair opposite hers. “So?” He asked with an encouraging smile.

“So...I know why I have trouble sleeping, and I know how to fix it.” She said and played with her fingers.

“Uh...something embarrassing?” Gabriel said wondering whatever this would bring, his mind went to several places and he blushed a little.

She looked over and rolled her eyes at him, “No, nothing like that. It’s just that Zilgi evolved from a prey animal. We stayed in groups and can still feel uncomfortable being alone. It’s usually not a problem, but after traumatic experiences...” She was quiet for a minute before looking over to him. “The short of it is that I don’t feel safe alone, even though I know the room is secure.” She shook her head and shrugged. “I know nothing will happen but I can't stop thinking Igris will burst into the room.”

“Alright, I see. The same happens frequently to humans, one more thing our races seem to share. Or at least something similar” Gabriel said, “So...how can I help?”

“I feel safe around you, you saved my life twice after all.” Madeline smiled, “So, I was wondering if I could sleep here tonight?” She asked sounding unsure.

“Of course, I mean it wouldn’t be the first time,” Gabriel said smiling and Madeline’s shoulders visibly relaxed, “I’ll take the couch,” He said and stretched his arms.

“Why? the bed is large enough for both of us” Madeline said confused.

Gabriel froze with his arms over his head, “You don’t mind sharing a bed, a very large bed to be fair, but you were embarrassed about asking to share a room?”

Madeline opened her mouth, then closed it and frowned, “I guess? Maybe more nervous than embarrassed. I just thought that you might want to be alone after the ship and I...would prefer not to be. Besides like you said it’s a double bed, we won’t have to sleep on top of each other to fit” She shrugged with a grin.

Gabriel chuckled and yawned, “Well I’m convinced, the right side is yours” He walked over to the bed and threw the robe in roughly the direction of a chair before collapsing in the bed again. Madeline did the same with her robe. Under that she wore the apron type, like Gabriel saw earlier, that ended at her waist and under that a pair of soft very short shorts. She all but collapsed on her side of the bed and rolled herself into the covers. “Goodnight,” Gabriel said and pulled his covers up.

“Night,” Madeline mumbled. Gabriel rolled over and closed his eyes, listening to the soft hum of the ventilation and Madeline’s breathing. He quickly relaxed back into the same state as when she had knocked on the door and he drifted off to sleep.

Gabriel woke up feeling something soft and fluffy stroke against his leg, “I don’t have a cat?” He said confused and sat up.

He heard Madeline shift under her covers and her head poked up looking over her shoulder at him sleepily, “What? what’s a cat?” She asked and yawned.

Gabriel lifted his cover and saw her tail stretched over to his side of the bed, “A small domestic animal, nevermind, good morning”

Madeline reached out a hand and pawed at her robe, eventually finding her pcu. “It’s a little early but good morning.” She sat up and rubbed her fur, “I have time for a shower, or more accurately I have time to dry after a shower” She smiled at him and grabbed her robe, “See you at breakfast in an hour?”

“Sure, I’ll even have time to shave,” Gabriel said and scratched his beard.

Madeline pulled on her robe and squinted at him, “I kinda like it” Then she waved and left the room. Gabriel scratched his cheeks, It had only been just over a week so his beard was still mostly long stubble. Maybe he would keep it...after trimming it a bit. After a shower and quick shave, or rather trim, Gabriel spent the rest of the time before meeting Madeline figuring out how the clothes freshener worked. Amazingly it cleaned his clothes in just a minute or so. He spent almost too long playing with it and hurried to not be late.

He arrived in the hotel's cafeteria with his bag containing his only possessions over his shoulder. He saw Madeline looking at the different foods but she hadn’t picked anything out yet. She had also brought her bag, “Hey, what looks good?” Gabriel asked and walked up beside her.

“I have no idea, I’m thinking the usual, don’t want to risk eating something that does not agree with me now,” Madeline said squinting at the food.

“Good enough,” Gabriel said and they both grabbed a plate of whatever they recognized. A quick meal later and they got a message that a car was waiting to take them to the Office of station security. Kzanti stood waiting as they arrived, “Hey,” Gabriel waved, “Am I important enough to get an escort? or is it Madeline that’s important?”

Kzanti waved her head to the sides, “Both I suppose. I’m just following orders” She turned and headed into the building with Gabriel and Madeline in tow. She led them to the Medical room right away. “Give me your pcu and I will see it is updated by the time you are done with the tests.” She held out a hand to Gabriel.

“Sure,” He dug around and gave it to her, “Do you know anything about the tests?”

“Logic and reasoning mostly, but I have not taken them myself,” Kzanti said and turned around, “Good luck”

“Thanks” Gabriel opened the door and Morthri turned from a monitor he was examining.

“Did you know you have a vaccine in your body that is not registered with the Union?” He asked immediately.

“We guessed,” Gabriel said and cocked his head to Madeline.

“It is very well made and must have taken a long time. You were not the first human to be kidnapped, and you might be one of the luckier ones. Even considering your circumstances.” He walked over and handed Gabriel a tablet with text on it he could actually read. “We have set up a desk in the training room, please go ahead, the tests are on that” He pointed to the tablet before turning back to the monitor.

Gabriel looked to Madeline who shrugged, “No instructions? or any further comments about the vaccine?” he asked Morthri.

“Nothing pressing, I have your number and will send everything I feel is important,” Morthri said and kept working.

Gabriel shrugged and headed for the training room, finding a desk in the center. He sat down and looked the tablet over. It functioned like he expected, with touch functions mostly. The tests were like Kzanti had said, mostly pattern recognition, logic, and reasoning. There were also some questions about morale and social situations as well as some math but all in all it was quite basic. Of course, if it was to test so a race had enough intelligence to enter the Union it would likely be quite simple. The morality of the test, if that was the case, was something Gabriel decided to ignore.

Still, the test was extensive and took about three hours by Gabriel’s best estimate. He finally pressed the submit button. At least he assumed it was that as it was labeled yield. He walked out and handed the tablet to Morthri, “All done?”

“Yes, did you answer everything?” He asked and plugged it into the computer.

“Yeah”

“You made good time, not a record but good” Morthri said and focused on the monitor, “Good luck wherever you’re going.”

“Thanks,” Gabriel walked out with Madeline and almost bumped into Kzanti, “Hey, phone ready? wait, pcu I mean” He corrected himself.

“Yes, I have also talked with the Zilgi government.” She handed Gabriel his pcu and looked over to Madeline, “They have decided to sponsor you two for the future, on the condition that you travel there as soon as is convenient and credit the Zilgi with first verbal contact”

“Uh, sure?” Gabriel said looking over to Madeline.

She shrugged, “That would likely be my father's work, still it’s not a bad deal and not untrue”

Kzanti looked them both over, “Good luck, I hope you find your sister and that you stay out of trouble.” She held up a hand as Gabriel opened his mouth, “As unlikely as the second on might be” She nodded and walked away.

“Shall we head to the ship?” Madeline asked.

“Might as well, can we get food on the way?” Gabriel said and played with his pcu, “I wonder if I can find somewhere that does take out.”

Madeline grabbed his hand and they started down the corridor, “I’ll let you figure that out, if you don’t find anything before we get to the train I’ll decide”

“Deal,” Gabriel said and focused on the pcu, almost walking into an Officer and a door. He did not manage to find anything and they arrived at the docks snacking on some Zilgi/Yavichian mix, from what Madeline told him. It tasted like tacos without the spiciness and with some fake meat. Pretty good though.

They walked over to Scarrask who was standing outside the ship going over a clipboard with some dock worker. When he saw them he waved them over and the worker left, “Good, you are both here, everything is set and we can leave early. We have a slot in an hour and I would like to take it if that is possible.”

“Fine by me Captain,” Gabriel said and patted his bag, “I am packed and ready”

Madeline nodded as well and Scarrask waved a hand towards the ship, “Good, the sleeping cube is in place so go ahead and leave your bags there and head to the bridge”

They did as they were told and the sleeping cube turned out to be just that, a three by three cube with a bed in the far end, lockers above and under it creating a shelf to sleep on. A mattress was laid out on the floor, one end going under a small desk with a chair tucked away in a corner. “Cosy,” Gabriel said and dropped his bag on the mattress.

“Very,” Madeline agreed and dropped her bag as well.

They then walked to the bridge and found Micia poking around on a console, “Welcome aboard”

“Reporting for duty,” Gabriel said and smiled.

“Good,” Scarrask said and moved past them, “We will be undocking in an hour, there is nothing for you to do in the meantime, but do you have any questions.”

“Yes, I have one,” Gabriel said, “What's a Roniean?...”