Meeting Captain James
917 Words
As we're walking along I inquire, "What's the name of your home planet?"
"Thare." He answers.
I nod my head slightly. "Expect to be referred to as Tharians."
"Captain Zerrva, of the Hu Genar Space Dock, already informed us of that." He says with a chuckle.
I ask, "What's the name of your ship?"
"The Maiden Explorer." Tiger replies, "But we usually just call it the Explorer."
I nod my head again. We turn down a small docking tunnel. My eyes widen. "Your ship must not be very big." I declare.
"It can hold up to four hundred and thirty separate personnel." Tiger informs me, "Assuming no married couples or family, which we have both."
"Current crew capacity?" I inquire.
Tiger groans. "We submitted all this information to the space dock during our quarantine."
I laugh. "First, I'm not space dock crew, so I wouldn't know anything about that. Second, I arrived at Hu Genar Space Dock less than a space hour ago, and only found out about your ship's existence a few space minutes before our brothers collided."
"But your other brother..."
I interrupt and explain, "He left the ship we grew up on, the Phennox, just over a space year ago. His presence here is an unexpected surprise, but a good one."
Tiger looks at me curiously. "Are you part of the population exchange?"
I nod my head and add, "Jorman has bonded himself to my choice, so, wherever I go, he goes."
Tiger chuckles. "It seems like an odd tradition, exchanging populations, our captain isn't sure he's actually going to take on any additional crew."
I shrug my shoulders. "Since it was implemented it has saved many ships from becoming inbred or having a lack of available options. Plus population isn't the same as crew."
"Is that why you left?" Tiger asks casually, "A lack of options?"
I shake my head. "Although I was never interested in my options, because I didn't want to spend my entire life on the Phennox. I left because I wanted to experience more than what I've always known. I've been trying to participate in the population exchange for seven space years now."
"If you failed for so long, what changed to make you able to participate now?" Tiger inquires.
I tell him, "My mom died, and therefore couldn't place an objection."
"Oh, sorry to hear that." He says quietly.
"That she had to die for me to get my freedom?" I shrug. "That's the hand I was dealt. Besides, this way I get to keep my baby brother."
"As long as there's a silver lining." He jokes.
I tilt my head slightly. "Silver lining?"
"It's a Tharian expression, 'for every cloud there's a silver lining', it's used when people see the good of a bad situation." Tiger explains.
"Interesting." I reply.
We see Jorman and Valor standing by a docking door. A guard is telling Valor, "You aren't authorized to bring a guest. You know this. I can allow you to enter, but your friend..."
Tiger clears his throat and announces, "Young Jorman, and Vlon here, are authorized to enter by me."
The guard replies, "Yes sir, as long as they stay with you, until the captain says otherwise."
Valor groans. "But that will be boring."
"I thought you boys wanted to know how close you are in age." I point out.
"Oh, right." They reply in unison.
We walk onto the ship together.
Tiger states, "First we'll have to report to the captain. He should be in the command center."
One raiser ride, and a few hallways later, we go through a door. A man slightly older than Tiger turns around and exclaims, "Tenate Blaze, I'm surprised you've returned so soon."
Tiger smiles. "Captain James, I would like you to meet Vlon and Jorman." He indicates each of us as he says our names. "Vlon has offered to help our computer learn space time increments, so we can communicate the passage of time with other species in this sector."
"I'm here to find out my space age." Valor announces excitedly.
Captain James approaches me and grips my hand. His grip is strong, and I naturally match it. He increases slightly. I chuckle and match the increase.
"Interesting." Captain James declares.
Tiger asks, "What is?"
"Vlon matches grip." Captain James explains, "Even when I increased the pressure, I was matched, not increased over."
Jorman asks, "Why is that interesting?"
Captain James turns to Jorman and informs him, "It tells me that Vlon isn't weak, but only shows enough strength to prove so. If challenged Vlon will rise to the occasion, but Vlon isn't one to seek a challenge."
"You described Vlon quite well." Jorman admits, "That's a lot of information you got from a hand gripping."
Captain James nods his head, and reaches his hand out to Jorman. "We call it a hand shake."
Jorman hesitates for just a moment before grabbing the offered hand.
Captain James smiles as he lets go. "You're not as willing to be evaluated, but you are eager to show your strength. A sign of your young age, and trying to figure out your place in the universe."
Jorman laughs nervously.
I clear my throat. "Since your computer wasn't taught by the space dock's computer, I'm going to conclude that either you refused connection, or connection isn't possible."
"It seems our computer isn't compatible, but to be fair: I'm not sure I would allow a connection to an alien computer if it was."
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