Earth Spacedock, 2268

Hanging in orbit above the cradle of humanity, the primary station of Starfleet was a constant bustle of activity, but few days rivaled this. Assembled in the primary auditorium, traditionally used for promotion, christening and retirement ceremonies, sat an extensive crowd of personnel. Each of them was a final year cadet of the Starfleet Academy officer's program, ready for their final activity before graduation.

The sound of a bosun whistle over the intercom system would interrupt the assorted chatter, the cadets expected to rise as the speaker for the event entered. Donning a resplendent dress uniform adorned with years' worth of service medals and honors, Admiral Robert April stepped onto the stage. The former commander of the flagship of Starfleet was a familiar sight to all present, though his age was more than visible. Rumors of his retirement drawing near had reached nearly every ear in the fleet, and it was expected that this speech would be one of his last acts as an active duty officer. Taking the podium, his voice echoed out a simple "At ease." and once the crowd of cadets was seated, he would begin.

"Welcome, each and every one of you, to your first day into a new world of exploration, discovery and duty to the Federation and her people. You've all worked hard to accomplish what you have, and you more than deserve to be here, taking that first tentative step into the vast wilderness of space. As cadets of Starfleet Academy, you've proven your ability to learn, grow, and showcase the knowledge gained. And now is your time to apply that knowledge, show your ability to serve as distinguished officers of Starfleet."

"You'll each be assigned to a vessel, serving as her officer staff for the duration of this task. You will be expected not just to lead with dignity and honor, but to heed the advice of both your commanding captain, and those assigned to your command. You will be given the same full range of duties and expectations of a full-fledged Starfleet officer, and will act with the full authority of one."

"This is your moment to prove yourselves. To showcase everything you've learned, and to show that the newest generation of explorers, scientists, and defenders of the Federation are ready to take to the stars. I'm confident in each and every one of you to achieve this, and I know you won't let us down. Dismissed."

As the admiral finished his remarks, the assembled cadets began to stand and file out of the auditorium. A uniformed officer stood at each exit, a large PADD electronic clipboard in hand as they gave each exiting cadet their assignment.

"Diana Morro, chief security officer for the USS Tucker, report to shuttle bay 2. Prepare to board the shuttle Athena."

"Nooma Soon, chief cartographer and navigator, USS Tucker, shuttle bay 2. You'll be boarding the Duke."

"Amara G'rfeld, chief tactical officer, assigned to the Tucker, shuttle bay 2, look for the Athena."

"Londo Xad, chief medical officer. You're on the USS Tucker You'll be riding in on the Duke in shuttle bay 2."

"Ocano... Just Ocano? Sorry, forgive me. Chief anthropologist, USS Tucker. You're on the Duke. It'll be in shuttle bay 2."

"Temuk Kiarix, chief astronomer. Your posting is the USS Tucker. Report to shuttle bay 2, board the Athena."

Many other names and postings, both aboard the Tucker and other vessels could be heard as people exited into the halls of the station, assigned to various shuttles or even transporter arrival. The intercom would chime in "Attention. Attention. All cadet shuttles departing in two hours. Please arrive up to twenty minutes prior for final verification. That is all."

---

From the moment the geriatric-looking admiral walked in, Diana already knew every word he was going to say. His mind was easy to read. She didn't even have to make a conscious effort when the words bled out like a wet sponge. Diana had temporarily zoned out before he walked in, feeling the pride that radiated from everyone in the room. But she didn't feel particularly proud. She did not deny that she made achievements in the academy, but they were the bare minimum for her to not be strapped to a bed a lobotomized. Diana didn't see this entire ceremony with the same rose-tinted glasses people normally did. It was just fanfare, and filled her head with annoying emotions that were too great in volume to tune out. She was just glad she could grab her meds in time before now, or the headache would be hell throughout the shuttle ride. Diana stood, but her body language would tell anyone that she wasn't taking this so seriously. She was at ease as soon as she left her seat.

She tuned out the old man while he actually gave the speech, and simply pretended to listen. Emotions filled the room, swirling together in a way that made Diana uncomfortable. On a certain level, she was supposed to feel proud herself. Proud that she had made a choice that mattered, to be part of the generation to which the torch is passed, and guide the Federation into the future. Diana should've felt invigorated by that, but it wasn't her choice. Diana didn't want to be here in any way, shape or form. She didn't have the privilege of making that choice to begin with. So she had no reason to feel any pride. This was a conscription to her, a press-gang situation, and nothing more.

Someone must've noticed who she was, because Diana felt the emotion of curiosity leak into the miasma of happiness. Someone behind her, three years younger than her at best, wondering how she got here. Is that the girl with the white eyes? Isn't she the one with that really high-

-Esper rating? Yes, and the girl with the white eyes knows you're looking at her. Stop doing it, or I'll turn around and make a scene. Diana's voice sounded inside the tiny kid's skull like a dream. Something that shouldn't have been there. Immediately, she could tell that she embarrassed the little shit. The look stopped. Good.

Finally, Admiral Geriatric wrapped up his speech and dismissed everyone. Diana got her location from the personnel and walked off. Christ, she hated speeches. Diana made a beeline for her quarters. Two others would be joining her on the shuttle. One was the Caitian girl, and the other was a fellow telepath. Diana didn't know either of them beyond passing anecdotes and the occasional mention of their names, but Diana immediately knew she was not looking forward to getting shoved into a tritanium coffin for half a day, with someone who could read her mind. Hypocritical as it may be, espers didn't mix very well. Diana made a mental note to brush up on her neural wall technique before she got to know him. Once Diana arrived at her room, she stood at the door, waiting for it to close behind her, and snapped her fingers.

Multiple objects flew across the room towards the bed. A portable chess kit, several physical books (screens agitated her head) about parapsychology, and a travel case. Without moving or lifting a finger, the case unlatched itself, as the items floated in, before the case was snapped shut again. Then, Diana replicated a glass of water, inhaled the whole damn thing, and climbed onto the bed. She rested on her knees and shut her eyes, while the universe fell away in ever-tessellating fractals of superimposed thought, until there was only the will to exist.

Diana's eyes became dark matter. Her soul became the Galactic Barrier. Her mind became everything.

And everything became Diana.

---

Approximately ninety minutes passed before Diana opened her eyes again. It was time to head to the shuttlebay. Her head felt clear as a starless void, without so much as a trace of emotions within her scope. She quickly changed into a clean uniform befitting the Security division, and made her way there. Seven minutes later, Diana stood in the same room as the shuttle Athena, and reported to personnel.

"Morro, acting security chief for starship Tucker, reporting."

If the other telepath tried to read her, it would feel like hitting a wall. Not a void, like some people who were immune to psychometry, but like there was a pressure blocking Temuk from going further.

He'd made it.

There was no lack of formality in the long semesters required by Star Fleet command, but as the cadets of this most recent academy were assembled Rami felt that it was somehow...more. The ruffles and flourishes seemed sharper and cleaner, the soaring anthem of their institution somehow more jubilant. Even the uniforms seemed brighter, stiffer at the collars with their new blue epaulets. No longer could he or his classmates truly be considered cadets, or even the more advanced midshipmen. Following the successful completion of their training cruise they would each be commissioned officers of Star Fleet, eligible for assignment on any number of vessels going any number of places.

This was beginning of their careers. And Rami Mezaine had no doubt he would remember it for as long as he served. Would remember it as clearly as his father, who could recall almost every detail both mundane and sublime of his first tour of duty on the USS Gale. The USS Tucker seemed to gleam with that same bright potential-- and he was eager to reach out and take it.

Granted, the reaching out had taken some time. There had been little room for the parties and friend groups that Yacine Mezaine had waxed so poetical about in his stories from the academy. Command track required more academically, both of his time and of his performance, and pushing to finish near the top of his track had left Rami something of a dull boy. His friend group was large enough, but most social outings had tended toward study groups or shorter excursions that did not cut into time allocated for academia. It meant that when the years of study were done and training cruise had loomed close enough to begin looking around at potential shipmates, Rami was somewhat dismayed to realize that few faces were truly familiar.

Of course, until they were shipboard it was impossible to know for sure. Which made getting there a priority.

They had passed out the assignments to helmsman early, pinging to his personal data pad ten minutes before the whistle for general assembly. One of the duties of the bridge crew -and especially the helsman both at port and in motion- was the coordination of shuttles both to and from their bay and others. Knowing where all obstacles rested and the plan to operate around while entering and exiting port would fall to him, though while in flight and while plotting warp jumps such things would fall to the navigator.

Thankfully such duties spared Rami the crowded and slower shuttle drives, and so instead the 25 year old made his way to one of the activated transporter pads allocated for the day. There seemed to be no real ceremony, only a crisp nod from the officer manning the controls as he scanned in Rami's authorization and signalled to a glowing circle in question. He'd transported rarely enough that the warm rushing sensation of energization was almost alarming-- not there had been time to be truly frightened before the shimmering faded and he stood on the sterile pad in the Tucker's transport room.

It was real. He was home, for what would pass for home for as long as they were on assignment. The ship seemed alive under his feet, the Miranda class fairly humming with its FWF-1 and FIE-2 engines. Capable of up to warp 7 for 12 hours and rated for a cruise of Warp 5 the USS Tucker was not a ship designed to be idle-- and with luck soon he'd have the chance to watch her fly.

But there was protocol to be followed, and rules to live by. He'd not spent four years learning everything a helmsman needed to stumble at the starting line, and so his salute was a perfect 90/45 as he turned to the officer at the controls, mind flying through the procedures meant for boarding an assignment the first time.

"Chief Helmsman Rami Mezaine reporting in, sir."

"Miles McClelland," the officer said, giving him a glance before returning to the PADD in his hands. "Chief Engineer, assigned to the USS Tucker. You have immediate transit orders, report to Transporter Room three within thirty minutes."

"USS Tucker, transporter room three, thirty minutes," Miles repeated back with a nod, a Gaelic lilt to his voice. "Aye aye, sir."

Immediate transit orders meant Star Fleet Command already considered him late. He strode away, shaking his head. He as already older than most of them, gathering many a curious look by his classmates, and was leaned on in the engineering classes to demonstrate. Of course, Miles knew the other reason was the instructors hoped to catch him in a mistake, so they could point out the dangers of lax familiarity.

He smirked slightly. Any "lax familiarity" was beaten out of him by the CHENG of the USS Wolf, a Kremlin-class survey ship under Captain Schuster. No, Lee Killough had taught him well, including how to anticipate.

He pressed his thumb into the panel and heard the click of the locker door. Behind it, his travel bag was ready to go. Pulling it out, he headed towards the transporters.

Londo Xad

Londo woke up from his bed feeling excited about working on the USS Tucker. Although he had to admit that he was quite nervous. He did not know if he would be an effective doctor and not be able to help his fellow crewmembers. He took a few deep breaths before finally calming down and getting ready for the ceremony. Grabbing his things before walking off conversing with a few ensigns and officers he had befriended. Mostly says his goodbyes and that he will contact them whenever available.

Londo quickly made his way towards the conference room, taking a seat someplace in the middle of the room. Listening intensely to Admiral April’s speech. Reminding himself to not make any mistakes while stationed on the USS Tucker. But he once again took a deep breath to calm himself down. Saying to himself that he would be an effective doctor and a valued member of the crew.

Quickly standing up and lining up with the other cadets. Listening to his name being called and what ship he was assisted to. Nodding his head in acknowledgement he went to his quarters to pack everything he would need. Two hours later he would arrive at the shuttle bay in front of The Duke. “Londo Xad chief medical officer reporting for duty sir.” He said with a heel click and a salute.

Amara had lined up smartly with the other graduating cadets, feeling a thrill of achievement and excitement as she did so. She wasn't the first Caitian to attend Starfleet Academy, and she wouldn't be - all going well, anyway - the first to graduate.
Nor was she someone gifted or burdened with any kind of specific of exceptional circumstance. There was nothing 'special' attached to her that singled her out for exceptionalism. But she was proud for herself that she had made it this far, and was standing here within the sea of other cadets. She felt like she was part of something bigger, yet also still herself; her own skills, talents, and personal qualities had been recognised, put to the test, and found to be made of the ill-defined, but much vaunted 'right stuff', as the humans called it.
This final task, the test cruise, had been the buzz of talk for the last few weeks, and sifting out grains of truth from rumours, hyperbole, and exaggerated accounts passed on by those who had graduated was an impossible task.
None of it dampened the mingled feelings of excitement and trepidation that fought in her belly and they were only briefly stilled as Admiral April gave his speech. She listened with interest, her tufted, cat-like ears perked. It was a brief, brisk address and with nothing of surprise - she imagined that he must have given dozens of such speeches over the years - and then it was time to receive her assignment. She cottoned on quickly to other names as they were assigned to ships, glancing to catch a look at prospective crewmates - and then as her own name was called out, she stood to rigid attention and alert, calling out a firm 'aye-aye, sir!' and quickly getting out of the way as more of her fellow cadets crowded the space to receive their appointments.

It didn't take her long to get herself ready; her bag had already been packed in an attempt to use up nervous energy earlier on... energy that she now had more of to burn off somehow, with an hour and forty minutes to kill. She shot off a quick subspace message to her parents, telling them of her assignment and the name of her ship... that used up all of five minutes. She considered eating, but she was too anxious and excited to do more than scarf down a snack.
Finally settling on just walking, she made a quick lap of the Academy grounds, letting the San Francisco sunlight beam down on her fur, letting it warm her up. She watched birds wheel overhead in the blue skies, paused to look at the enormous red, metal bridge that stretched across the bay - although, why it was called the 'Golden Gate' when it was clearly red, she never quite understood - and people-watched for a short while, finding it starting to calm her nerves, the anxiousness being replace with excitement as the time approached.
A chime sounded on her personal PADD as the clock wound down, and she made her way to the shuttle pad.

The trip was uneventful; and as she waited with the rest of the group assigned to the Athena she got good glances in at her fellow cadets. Some faces she recognised from around the Academy, even though she'd never spoken to them in person... Should their glances have met, she exchanged a nervous smile with a typically Catian swivel of her ears in curiousity and the tip of her tail twitching, but no words were exchanged for now, other than a sibiliant and smooth 'G'Rfeld, Acting Chief Tactical Officer, Reporting in, Sir'

Standing in ranks, admittedly in the back of the rest simply due to height, Ocano was very much happy with everything that had happened. Every little action, class, day, week, month, every single year had led up to a singular, wonderful moment. It had been a long, long while since he had felt someone be proud of him for that keystone moment, that mark on a life’s path where passing a test just…didn’t seem like enough. He was going to a ship, a Starfleet ship, as an officer…granted, just acting in that role for now, but if things went well, he would be one. Traveling the galaxy, learning of new species, civilizations, people both alive and dead that could teach so much, that sounded like a dream. True, Ocano knew it would never be always like that, but…the little difficulties could be ironed out. The idea of the thing was enough for him.

The man gave his speech, something the Pakled paid a certain amount of attention to. It wasn’t anything he wasn’t expecting before, wasn’t anything particularly new or fascinating, yet still, nevertheless…there was that feeling behind it all. That thought of “I’ve done it” seemed to pervade everything, overpower everything. It was just there, above everything. He listened for the assignments afterwards.

"Ocano... Just Ocano? Sorry, forgive me. Chief anthropologist, USS Tucker. You're on the Duke. It'll be in shuttle bay 2."

He nodded in acknowledgement, not really giving the brisk piping-out that some other Ensigns did, quickly moving on to somehow use up several hours before embarking on the ship. USS Tucker. What sort of vessel would that be? Likely one of the smaller ones of the fleet, he thought, one of the…well, other than the Mirandas, nothing else would likely track. Maybe one of those. He got to his room, small as it was considered he’d had to share the space with two other prospective officers, found his items just as he’d left them all packed up.

Well, where else does one really go? He found a bench, sat down, and just…looked out. Looked at the Academy and the far-off ‘Golden Gate Bridge’. Listened to the trees and birds and all the things he’d never really looked at before, the things he’d been too busy to look at before and enjoy. Ocano just paused, listened, closed his eyes and felt the wind on him.

It was nice.

Finally, though, he found the shuttle bay and, summarily, ‘the Duke’. Walking through the smaller crowds who were all finding their own shuttles, coming to the thing Ocano found one other already there. Londo…something? Xid? Xad? Xad. After he’d made his introductions, which included a salute and a click of the heels of all things that he thought better to comment on, Ocano stepped forward. Despite him not trying to be especially loud, the Pakled nevertheless was.

“Ensign Ocano, reporting.”

To say that he was nervous was an understatement when listening to the Admiral's speech. That after all of his hard work and study. He is here and finally ready to start the next phase of his life with the Federation. But with one last test to prove himself and one he is driven to pass as well. Maybe even learn more about himself in the process. Literally, in his case, and it is a hope that he has, but who knows if he will during this final test. Temuk knows that his parents are proud of him, at least his adoptive parents, his real parents... he hopes they would be proud of him as well.

After the speech and getting his orders. Though with some staring eyes, which he has gotten used to and ignores. Temuk went back to his room to gather his things and get ready to depart.

Once in his quarters, Temuk sat down on his bed and rested. Calming himself down to try and get rid of his nervousness. His first time with a crew, and while he is nervous about it. He should try not to seem nervous and look normal. Normal..., Temuk chuckled to himself at the thought. The people there will probably wonder what species he is like during his time with the academy and while he can say Reman. Any more information about his species, and he has barely anything to say. It is what it is, even after explaining that to some more inquisitive cadets at the academy. Going to have to deal with that when it comes up, and for now, it's time to rest and gather himself.

After two hours and seeing it was time to go. Temuk got up and looked at the mirror one last time before leaving. "I can do this... I know I can." One last short prep talk to himself, and after getting his things. Temuk left his room and headed to the shuttle bay.

Once there, he got there. Temuk got a look at his future crewmates who were lined up at the Athena. Some of them looked familiar, while others he did not recognize. Well, it was time to see if there will be any staring eyes. He thought, and he made his way to the shuttle and reported to the personnel there.

"Chief Astronomer Kiarix reporting in."

Nu listened to the speech her two roommates on either side of her visibly nervous as were many of the others.

"This is your moment to prove yourselves. To showcase everything you've learned, and to show that the newest generation of explorers, scientists, and defenders of the Federation are ready to take to the stars. I'm confident in each and every one of you to achieve this, and I know you won't let us down. Dismissed."

Like so many others before her class Nu's class filed past the officers an instructors to receive confirmation of her assigned post which she'd known for a week now much like everyone else though a few were surprised to find there's had changed since then an the reason for said ritual.

Nu then stepped outside where as some said the celebration an crying began an was grabbed by her best friend a beautiful Orion girl named Bella, a Doctor

"Nu, Nu, Nu, Nu, I am so going to miss having you" Bella Chanted as she crushed Nu to her an flooded her with so many delightful emotions.

"I'll miss you too Bella but who knows the fleet may be large but we will meet again even if it is on Risa" Nu said to the clinging friend with a giggle because that's how the woman always affected her "Remember in 3 years all the probabilities willing we can meet an compare or careers so keep in touch so we can schedule it I know I will"

Sometime later.....

Nu stepped onto the Shuttle Duke the interior filled with a few others just like herself. Her body so charged she almost bounced her seat a smile so large on her face she shocked future cremates who saw her assuming she was like all Koli (Planet born Vulcans) and shouldn't smile, laugh, or cry.

Londo Xad

Londo finished with his saluting before placing his hands on his sides. He was satisfied with his introduction, assuming that his human superiors would be pleased by this. Looking around the room he noticed a few of the other crewmembers heading towards The Duke. He noticed a Pakled that was standing near the shuttle. He remembered one of his past hosts had met a Pakled a long time ago, although the encounter was not a very positive one. He turned towards the Pakled with a friendly smile.

“Hello, my name is Londo I will be the head medical officer on the USS Tucker, what position were you assigned on the Tucker?” He wondered if this Pakled had the mental capabilities to do even the simplest task. But disgraded this thought since he would have gone through and completed the necessary tests to acquire this position. “I am quite excited to be assigned to a Federation starship.” Londo looked around in case anyone else had arrived at The Duke.

He looked over and saw a Vulcan woman Smiling in her direction and doing a Vulcan salute, “Hello miss my name is Londo Xad I will be the chief medical officer on the USS Tucker. What position were you assigned on the Tucker?” He asked in the native Vulcan language

“Hello, my name is Londo I will be the head medical officer on the USS Tucker, what position were you assigned on the Tucker? I am quite excited to be assigned to a Federation starship.”

Looking over at the…humanoid, as he couldn’t quite say if he was human or not, the Pakled gave the best summation of a smile as one could manage. “Ocano, acting Archaeology and Anthropology Officer. Pleasure to meet you.” Taking a deep breath in while adjusting his uniform, he considered…well, Londo. Seemed to be alright, sure, though they were all acting in one position or another. Acting XOs, Chief Engineers, Science Officers, acting because not one of them had yet to actually graduate Starfleet Academy. This was that final step and their uniforms showed it, strange as they all were. He snorted out at that thought, that some of them were getting it into their heads that they were actually in the positions, officially and all.

Of course, it wouldn’t be right to say such things out loud and so Ocano instead offered up in return, “It should be an interesting cruise. I’ve never been aboard a Federation vessel.”

He noted, same as Xad had, that another fellow had arrived…a Vulcan, if he could tell species apart. She wore a smile, though, something that struck Ocano as different. He’d known a few of their type from the various classes, as some of the teachers were Vulcans on loan from their various science departments, and such were rare to offer up any emotion at all with the exception of disdain, annoyance, and the wonders of a stare. Maybe some chemical compound affected her to actually…have emotion in such an outward way? A medicine of some type? Ocano couldn’t recall any which had that effect, though. Odd, odd.

Of course, Londo approached and gave a greeting to the Vulcan, though Ocano couldn’t help but give a chuckle at the word choices. Miss almost sounded as though he were talking to someone outside of Starfleet, someone who wasn’t their same rank and who had instead been placed on a pedestal high above all others. He let a smile touch his face at that imagery, poorly constructed as it was. A brief thought came and went to also introduce, though…no, no, he chose against that. It would be rude to interrupt the pair, especially when Londo had decided to begin the conversation in Vulcan, doubtless to which the Vulcan would respond in kind, and Ocano was woefully unprepared to assault that language by the act of speaking in it.

@Eviledd1984@Thayr

“Hello miss my name is Londo Xad I will be the chief medical officer on the USS Tucker. What position were you assigned on the Tucker?” said a Trill / Male to her. She had to quantify he a male because at present he hosted in a male form an idea that made her smile in delight because Nu's curiosity was her strongest drive an she'd only even met trill briefly.

"Uf eku'ki du dvel-tor wuh koli gen-lis ma du had ha'kiv k' au svi' veh t' ish-veh vesht kasu-tor?" (Uni-translator>"How interesting you choose the Koli language have you spent time with them in one of your past hosts?) she answered before shifting to standard again.

I am Nooma posh Soom a V'Tosh Ka'Tur an member of the matriarchal sect known to the Koli as Yel lates The first a label that says my people do not worship logic the later that I am a Star Wanderer woman. Please have no care that I see your assumption as any but an honest mistake as I do look Vulcan as that is the root genetics of my people. As a doctor I do believe you might need be made aware of the differences in my people an the Koli...the Vulcans which I'd be happy to discus with you time permitting.
My posting at this time is as Cartographer / Navigator aboard the Tucker" says finishing her answer to him

Then she turned her smile on the other male a Pakled named Ocano "A pleasure to meet you Ocano please both of you call me Nu in any casual setting.
Archaeology and Anthropology, what interesting sciences an useful in knowing the history both physical an biological of people we meet or find the remains of

"... The intermix chamber and containment field are stable," Miles said, pausing for a moment. "Initializing the reactor in three, two, one, activating!"

On the power board, a panel of gages and buttons lit up as needles and readouts began to move and spin up. A barely perceptible vibration could be felt through the deck as the massive matter/antimatter generator came to life at its most minimal level. While not ready to send power surging though the warp core, it was enough to take over powering the ship's systems. As if in agreement, a bank of relays made a soft clunk as the left side of the power board, traditionally the port side, switched to standby.

His eye swept over the console, no doubt mirroring the more experienced operators behind him.

"Chief engineer to bridge," Miles stated, holding down the intercom button, "reporting that the matter/antimatter generator is online as of 15:48. Starbase power is on standby. We can disconnect the umbilicals at your command."

Now, would the bridge order him to shutdown the reactor and restore power from Starbase One, or....?

@Thayr @EmiliaBaiYue

Londo Xad

“How very interesting, your expertise will be useful when we encounter other species.” Londo nodded his head thinking that he would be knowledgeable when it comes to identifying the different species they encounter. “I have not been on a federation ship since…” He trailed off as he tried to remember the last time he was on a federation ship. “I believe it was sixty years ago when my previous host visited the USS Austen.” His previous host had visited the federation to help them with a predicament they were in.

His attention turned towards the female officer. He felt stupid for not recognizing that she was not a Vulcan. Coughing but continuing the conversation as if his mistake had not happened. “Well, it is very nice to meet you, I would like to learn more about your people when we both have some free time. You will be able to help us from getting lost, so I am glad to have you aboard.” He said with a smile on his face.