Ladies

Noah looked at the two Roshani women as they started a stare down. The two women could almost have passed for separate species. Vazhchayvr was a Roschani ‘queen’ and thus was a well endowed 5’ 6”; her bright blue skin was on the edge of Roschani color spectrum, as were her electric blue eyes, both complemented her yellow-orange hair that was braided into a neat crown. With the command staff uniform Vazhchayvr looked like a modern warrior princess. Kazhvoyova was a ‘laborer’ and was an athletically built 5’; her deep teal was almost on the other side of the Roshani spectrum, which coupled with her red hair tied back in a lazy bun, and green eyes gave her a wild aesthetic. Paired with the white scrubs Kazhvoyova looked like a small barbarian in a scientist coat. The fact the two women were in a standoff, made the whole scenario comical, at least to Noah.

“I am Vazhchayvr. Who are you?” Vazhchayvr’s words were as cold as ice and dripping in venom.

Kazhvoyova's eyes narrowed, “You're the cadet that got captured. What are you doing here?”

“I'm on the command staff. Working doubles, should be transferring to Earth in a few months.” Vazhchayvr looked at Noah, “Yet I may have a reason to stick around.” She then turned back to Kazhvoyova, “What are you doing here? You’re a nurse. There’s no need for medical assistance here.”

“Noah here,” Kazhvoyova gestured to Noah, “had a run in with a rather annoyed Folpron, one Lt. Nekamormi not too long after leaving quarantine. After getting released form medical for the second time today I figured I should track him down and see if he was still in one piece. Not to mention most of the other medical staff is now scared of him. How many people can get sliced open with those claws and then simply get sewed shut?”

“I wonder if he will be added to my portion of the away teams?” Vazhchayvr mused, “I know what he can do already. Could make the best use of his skills.” A worryingly smug smile spread across her face.

Noah decided to leave the Roshani women, “I’m going to get my lab set up. If you two want to keep fencing have at it.” He said on his way out the door. Unsurprisingly both women fell in behind him, continuing to bicker.

“Hasn’t Humanity had enough interplanetary combat for the moment? I know you know he isn’t going to be much use as a scientist. His paperwork is that of an engineer, yet how many times do we use engineers on away missions?” Noah recognized the sass in Kazhvoyova’s voice. “You know I might be a good resource for that team as I don’t think many of the medical department are willing to leave the ship let alone get mixed up with the off ship activities.”

“In all honestly we were interested in him for his survivalist skills. Add in the security skills and you’ve ended up with a rather inviting option. The biggest issue would be any bad blood between Lt. Nekamormi and him. She’s in my segment and if they fought.” Vazhchayvr said.

“That wasn’t a fight. I just scared her.” Noah cut in. “You of all people should know what I could do in a fight.” Both women retreated into their thoughts, Noah pressed the opening. “If I am going to be working in the field I’d like to be working on a static team. Although knowing the captain she’ll just want me to be there for training; to be the example for humanity in the new scenarios.”

“I’m sure the captain would want more from you. She wants to get the most out of the crew. Make you the best you can be.” Vazhchayvr commented sounding less confident with each word.

“What does the Galactic Community know about Humanity? If the presentation is anything to go off of not much. I’m going to be used as an example before they let me go out there and show off,” Noah said flatly. “I’m just going to keep working on things, figuring out how you all do things and how we can make things better. I should also make amends with Lt. Nekamormi, hopefully she can forgive me for making a scene.”

Noah opened his workshop and entered, “If you two are going to tag along you’re going to be put to work. I’ve got more than enough to do for one person.” Much to Noah’s surprise the two Roshani were more than willing to help. The extra hands made the initial unpacking go much smoother.

“I have been tasked with putting together a team.” Vazhchayvr’s words came as a confession rather than announcement. “I’ve been given tomorrow off to go and meet with possible recruits; I want the two of you.” This came as a surprise to Kazhvoyova. Noah had been getting a feeling. “I would need to do paperwork, and find the rest of the team.” Vazhchayvr was openly embarrassed.

Noah was torn; on one hand it was going to be more work, and dangerous work, on the other he could use the field time. He shot Kazhvoyova a glace hopefully conveying “Are we busted already?” “What would we be doing?” Kazhvoyova said, clearly cautious.

“Ideally, not much; babysitting scientists, collecting samples. Mostly going for walks on higher gravity worlds. Each team needs a medic, and security,” Vazhchayvr said gaining some confidence. “We would be a high-gravity team. Meaning we would get to see some of the more interesting planets. If things go wrong, well,” Vazhchayvr looked to Noah, “I suspect we will have an expert in how to survive when things go wrong.” Noah bounced his head trying to decided what to say to that. “You two don’t need to decide now. I would enjoy having both of you along. I think we could be one of the best teams on the ship.”

“I wouldn’t be opposed to it,” Kazhvoyova said surprising Noah. “I went to space to get to see other planets. Besides it has to be better than being stuck in the ship when others get to go planet side.” Kazhvoyova gave Noah the, "I’ll follow you.” signal they had developed all that time ago. Vazhchayvr turned to Noah expectantly.

“I’m not sure how much I want to do. If this wasn’t the first day I’ve been outside of quarantine. I’ve given a lecture, and honestly I think that did more to confuse the crew about what humans are rather than explain what it is that we can do. That said showing is better than telling.” Noah paused, “That said what would I get out of it? Sure there’s the exploration yet I don’t know if there’s any biome I haven’t seen I wouldn’t want to.”

Vazhchayvr nodded, “Honestly fame and favors is all I can offer you. I know the captain is going to put together some form of pay packet, but I don’t know what that would look like. I can ask, if that changes your decision.”

Noah pondered, he knew he was going to get paid for working on the ship but he wasn’t sure what that meant. Funds for being a ‘Galactic Ranger’ was probably important, doubly so when the allowable funds were connected to contracts within the Galactic Republic, or had to be found elsewhere. “Alright, I’ll do it.” His words were a clear relief for Vazhchayvr. “Anyone else on the team other than the three of us?”

“Kazhvoyova didn’t,” Vazhchavyr started.

“Noah’s right. I’m in. I might as well do what I can, besides if this walking disaster is going it will have to be a fun time.” Kazhvoyova said, a smirk spreading across her face. “Anyone else I’d know on this team?”

Vazhchayvr mulled over the question, “I have asked a few people. My goal is to have a high gravity team. Which does limit the options. It would be us, few of the reptilians, and an insectoid or two.” She started to pace, “Honestly I’d rather avoid non-mammals, I see far too many personality issues from the command bridge.”

“There should be more than enough high gravity mammals, although I don’t know any personally.” Kazhvoyova pulled out a tablet, “I suppose less than I thought. We aren’t a very mammalian crew.”

“I know and I’d like to avoid the Volkrawls as well.” Vazhchavyr caught Noah’s confused look, “The Volkrawl people see the Roshani as an affront to their gods. As such while biologically speaking they would fit well. I doubt I could get one to listen to me let alone agree to be on my team. Fair warning you may also have issues with the Volkrawl.”

“I guess we will find out when I run into one,” Noah said absentmindedly, “This seems to be more general than specific persons. Is there anyone specifically you’d like to have?”

“Well, assuming I could have anyone,” Vazhchavyr’s face twisted into the strange pout Noah had learned was same in the Roshani. “Lt. Nekamormi. I know you don’t want anything to do with her. The Folpron are high gravity, not as much as humanity, tough generally resourceful people.”

The door chimed. “Welcome.” Noah said keying the door open. Lt. Nekamormi was sheepishly standing in the doorway. “Come in, It’s good to see you.” Noah switched from his fairly strong Rokorn back to Galactic Common. He was wondering how long it would take to fully rewire his brain into at least three languages. Lt. Nekamormi cautiously entered.