ULSS Research & Deployment Station
Location: Undisclosed C10 Quadrant



From every corner of the Zyphil galaxy, the crew of the ULSS Zotharis slowly converges toward one designated point on the star map. Deep within an undisclosed location of the C10 quadrant is a massive research outpost called the Truth Shield. With the exception of a few capital class ships that occasionally run maneuvers in the sector, its solitary existence has seen little-to-no traffic in its ports. It floats aimlessly in space, accompanied only by an azure nebula ruminating in the distance.

You, and the rest of the Zotharis crew, are transferred to the launch site via ULSS Black Dove Flagship, the largest capital class space vessel in the federation. Escorted by four Battlecruisers, the Black Dove safely arrives at the Truth Shield, four day cycles before everyone else.



The Zotharis crew quickly gets acclimated with the ship, which arrived a day cycle before by a special naval team lead by Captain Ruedra. For the next several cycles, you run special scenarios, go over procedural checklists, and perform necessary launch preparations before the ULSS Zotharis is given the green light. On the last day of ship prep, the Exploronaut groups and shift duties are announced in the Conference Hall of the Zotharis. Captain Ruedra formally assigns the teams herself.

“Those qualified to be Exploronauts will function within a smaller unit. These units are broken down into four groups: Alpha, Beta, Charlie, and Delta. Those assigned to any one of these teams will have synced shift and off duty hours with every other member in your group.” Among those four groups, Operations Officer B15, Medical Officer B07, Navigations Officer B19, and Executive Chef C17 were assigned into Delta. The Kruharan Captain goes on to make a rousing speech about comradery as pioneers and professionals, instilling a sense of community and purpose. She acknowledges your commitment to the program, noting the two years of intense training endured to get to where you are now. “We are of different species, but soon, we will rally into uncharted space, united as one…”



For a planetary week’s cycle, the Truth Shield’s four warp gates work nonstop to accommodate hundreds of space vessels trickling in from slipspace. This vast array of ships are mainly composed of government officials, family, friends, and media personnel, many of whom have traveled far and wide to bid you farewell. The next several day cycles include countless media interviews with each and every crewmember, followed by a commemoration ceremony that involves the ULSS primary delegates, and most of the secondary officials representing each cluster of the galaxy.

A month’s worth of preparation and PR has finally come to an end. By special order from Captain Ruedra herself, you are given 48 hours of recreational free time before your journey into the outer reaches of the galaxy begins.

Some choose to spend their last moments with loved ones, while others look to kill time running amuck on board the Truth Shield, or the Zotharis…

After a 24 hour day cycle has passed, Operations Officer Nadan Taushir takes it upon himself to forward a message to everyone on Delta team.

Message from B15D00 said
Greetings Delta,

I am personally extending an invitation to each of you to come join me in the Rutgun Drinkwell on the Truth Shield. I apologize for the last minute proposal, and understand if you have other matters to attend to. However, if you find yourself without obligation, I will be there at 1700. The alcoholic beverages, as humans figuratively say, are on me.

Operations Officer B15
Nadan Taushir

Teige.
Rutgun Drinkwell.
16:45.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

A pointy ear, its auburn colored skin gradated from top to bottom into a lighter color, twitched.

"... So there he was, looking at me with these huge eyes..."

Another twitch, and the ear lightly changed its direction.

Psst! Fizz...

One sigh came from her luscious lips, the warm breath fogged up the glass of water she had brought up to her lips. She set down the glass on the thick, dirt-colored table and lifted her gaze to look at the ceiling light. Her big black eyes reflected the light, the shape and brightness of the incandescent bulb seen clearly even on such a reflection. Long, beautifully curved eyelashes were batted as she blinked numerous times, and looked down at her left wrist. She scrunched up her adorable, soft nose in feigned disgust once she remembered a fact--She hadn't brought a clock.

"Well... Damn." She spoke in an exasperated tone, her words rolled effortlessly out of her lips, words dripping wet with nearly tangible sweetness.

She lifted a hand to her face and swiped one of her bright autumn colored leaves towards the side of her face, so that it outlined the sharp femininity of her jaw. She then caressed her biggest leaf-- Growing right out the top of her forehead, it lifted several inches into the air in a nice swooping curve and fell far down her back, stopping just above her tail bone. The rest of her leaves were shorter and thinner, growing longer and wider the closer they were to the back of her had and spine, but never even half of her biggest leaf.

Though soon, a door opened somewhere on the other side of the establishment, and with it came the sounds of a group of people filing into the Rutgun Drinkwell. Her lithe body twitched in eager excitement, head quickly turned to see the visitors--visitors that still weren't her expected 'dates', so to speak. Clearly, she wasn't expecting a great night and the outfit she was wearing, a standard ULSS off-duty uniform, reflected that. So with a sigh of disappointment, the autumn colored plant woman went back to waiting and listening.

Sha'Knora awoke from her sleep. Thought it was more of a hibernation stasis than sleep. She wondered what it would be like to imitate sleep. She had heard often that people would say goodnight and sleep well. But she hadn't known what it was like to sleep. But she wondered more what it was like to dream. She understood the concept from downloading the theory of it from science databases and online archives, but she didn't feel she could emulate it. It was worth a try as she got up from her bed. She had not achieved what she believed dreaming was. Sha'Knora stored the data for later and readied herself for the day. She received the message from Operations Officer B15
Nadan Taushir. An invitation to go and meet with her fellow crew mates on a more casual level. She decided that it was an optimal opportunity to learn personalities and how they interacted with each other. Sha'Knora dressed and made her way to the bar. She wondered what to expect and if there was much else to do before departure. She couldn't think of anything that stood out and decided it was best to focus on the task at hand.

She quickly made her way to the bar. It was partially filled. She involuntarily and automatically scanned for weapons and any other dangerous materials. She of course found none. She calculated low danger levels and then began to look for the Operations Officer. She spotted the Executive Chef and waved her hand in greeting. Sha'Knora put on a mood and aura of casual yet interested in hopes of being regular. She walked up to Teige and looked at her.

"Greetings. Nice to meet you. I am Navigations Officer Sha'Knora. May I join you?"

Sha'Knora then waited for a response. Her clothing was standard off duty USLSS uniform. Her robotics were mostly covered up, but her black optical nanosteel eyes stared down at Teige.

Teige.
Rutgun Drinkwell.
16:50.

'Oh no... Not this...'

Teige's body stiffened. The scent of this one was strange. So was the way in which she spoke, and she could swear she heard some sort of machinery near or inside of it. Then the woman's appearance... She looked... Humanoid. But her body was so dotted with metallic and cybernetic implants that it was hard to look at her without shivering in discomfort. Surely, Teige could resist one, maybe even two unnatural implants, but the woman had far exceeded that number, and it was difficult for Teige to look her in her black, white-dotted robotic eyes.

'Please don't be one of my crewmates, please don't be one of my crewmates...' Teige repeated countless times in her mind as she kept a tight stare fixed on the cyborg woman.

The wave confirmed it. She was one of Teige's crewmates. Navigations Officer Sha'Knora, apparently. The way that Sha'Knora looked at her was... Unsettling. She took no seat and gave no smile, just... Looked at her. Coldly. Teige visibly shrank, even if just a little bit, into her seat, arms tucked tight at her sides and shoulders raised as if to protect her neck from a wild creature.

"Uh... Nice to meet you, too..." She muttered, just barely audibly, "I-I guess you can join me. Are you a, uh, one of those, uh... cyborgs?"

Teige made a mental note on rewarding herself later for the smoothness in which she started the conversation.

The rashilian spent most of his recreational time jumping from ship-to-ship, making last minute appearances with ambassadors and iconoclasts from the Metacaug Elite. He shook hands, bowed, embraced, smiled politely, and responded to the same questions in a well-rehearsed, yet eloquent, manner that conveyed sincerity. He quite honestly dreaded formalities. For the past month, the entirety of the ULSS crew was subjugated to a media frenzy. With less than a day away until launch, Nadan wanted nothing more than to relax, but he budgeted his time well for them. After all, it’s not like he’ll be seeing any of them any time soon. After the last and final appearance was made, he boarded a two-person shuttle craft and made his way toward the giant research station. He summoned a holographic interface, his personal menu. Nadan had sent a message to the Delta Crew hours before, but no one had responded. Still, his destination was set on the Rutgun Drinkwell onboard the Truth Shield.

***

Nadan stood completely still as a floating drone scanned his entire anatomy.

“Thank you, Officer Taushir. You may enter.” Said the burly, insectoid-looking bouncer that guarded the double door entrance.

Nadan managed to enter Rutgun Drinkwell without waiting in the ridiculously long line that spiraled down a narrow corridor. Apparently, all of the ULSS crew members were put on a guest list, courtesy of the owner. It made sense, Nadan reasoned, seeing as how they were less than a day away from launch. No one wanted to spend their last moments of rec time waiting in line. This was a good thing, seeing as how he arrived fifteen minutes late.

The rashilian was consumed by the livelihood of Rutgun Drinkwell. An electro-synth number filled the air, accompanied by a raucous crowd that must have arrived in droves just moments before. Drinks were flowing, laughter erupted everywhere, and dance moves Nadan had never seen before were let loose without regard. It reminded the rashilian of the Age of Wine, an era of celebration that followed the end of the great interstellar war. It suddenly dawned on Nadan how difficult it will be to locate anyone from his Delta team. A countless number of unique faces patterned across his field of view. He rotated his wrist pad, allowing a holographic screen to expand around his eyes.

Nadan typed onto the holo keys with his free hand, then began scanning around. The micro frame became transparent, showcasing biometric and ULSS registries of each individual showed within the holo screen. Winding through the sea of people, his holoscreen finally lit up. A red outline traced over two figures that were in close proximity of each other. Nadan nodded approvingly as their names came up. The rashillian waltzed over to the two, whom looked to be in mid-conversation.

“Hello there!” Nadan interjected, flashing dimples, yet retaining a stern presence. “I’m glad you could make it! I was afraid no one would show up.” He extended his hand and performed the universally recognized gesture for formal introductions to each of them. “I am Operations Officer Nadan Taushir, leader of our Delta Exploronaut group. Now, before we move onto pleasantries, what kind of drink can I get you two?”

Sha'Knora watched as her ship mate grew afraid. She monitored her heart rate and scanned for release of pheromones due to fear. Sha'Knora then took note of her physical changes and her behavior actions. Her pupils dilated and she pursed her lips along with a tension along her body. Sha'Knora took it as her ship mate was surprised by her appearance. She decided it was best not to emulate human behaviors and endorse her already robotic personality. Then her Operations Officer arrived. He seemed to be slightly exhausted with an elevated heart rate. But nothing out of the normal. He came on with a kind and inviting smile. His stance gave off the message of relaxation and interest. Sha'Knora responded in kind with her own change of attitude.

"A Velkon Sweet drink would be all for me." She said turning her head to the woman sitting for an answer.

Sha'Knora adopted a new aura and stance to show an opening to comfort her acquaintances. She placed a hand on her hip and stuck it out slightly. Changing her balancing to be more open and curvy. Sha'Knora tried to make it as natural as possible. She hoped it didn't seem to be trying too hard and she even put on a bit of a smile. Then she took a seat from across Teige and weaved her fingers together. Looking Teige in the eyes. "To answer you, not exactly. Cyborgs are organic beings augmented with machinery for various reasons. I am an android. I am made near completely from synthetic material. I again apologize for seeming cold. I lack programming for the warmth or emotions found in regular organic life forms." Sha'Knora spouted information in an attempt to cover up her strange behavior.

The opportune arrival of the Operations Officer was a relief to Teige. While it was difficult to remain calm when alone with the android --or whatever she had just told she was-- it would be more natural and less awkward with the officer nearby. At the very least she wouldn't feel so... Judged. One last visible shudder rocked her body, then she replied to the android, voice more confident this time.

"It's... Fine. Yeah, it's fine." Teige said, one free hand caressing her big leaf and pushing it against her head for a short moment. A knowledgeable individual would have recognized this as a common stress induced Foreas reflex. "Anyway, what do you think I should get, Sir? Maybe... Yeah, I'd love a glass of Leaf Jerk." She smiled in amusement, and nodded at the Officer.

Sha'knora watched as the operations officer turned and left to received drinks. Sha'knorw then turned her attention back to Tiege. She observed her movements. A touching of the hair and the way her posture was showed a knot of stress and unease.

"Sorry if I make you uncomfortable. But please, I am as regular as any other person. I know I lack any pheremones or a true smell of an organic being, but please allow me to apologize for causing discomfort. "

Sha'knora hoped by stating the obvious things would clear up and it would be on a path to generating a friendship.