Astray Among The Stars

Chapter 2: A New Home

Captain Zarra leaned in, observing the astronomical chart. "Set a course to that nebula. That should hide us from the patrols."

Marlin smirked. "That's kind of obvious."

The pale woman scowled. "I might be your wife but I'm also your captain. Learn to keep your opinions to yourself. You're the commander. It's unprofessional."

"Someone's feisty today," Marlin muttered.

Zarra ran her hands through her curly onyx locks, rolling her juniper eyes.

"I'll go check on our guests. The quarantine procedure should be done by now. You have the bridge, Commander."

* * *

Roger stared back at the curious cat-like Nevran. They remained in the small room for several hours, blasted with UV radiation, the metal box like an oven. Yet about half an hour after Commander Marlin locked them up in this temporary prison, he gave each of them a shot, most likely a vaccine for pathogens on the ship.

Roger sighed, adjusting himself. With nothing mildly entertaining to do, he stared blankly, occasionally glancing at his alien companions. All they could do was observe each other. Communication seemed to be incompatible, except, as he noted, for a few facial expressions and gestures.

The Nevran seemed fascinated by human physiology, occasionally glancing over at his human companion, yet he made no attempts to talk. Neither did the girl. She kept her distance, huddled in a corner, away from her new shipmates. She appeared calm and relieved, yet still deeply afraid, her eyes on the verge of tears. Roger knew she saw a lot during the past few hours. For all he knew, she might think they were her new captors.

He noticed that every time he or the Nevran moved, even for minor adjustments, she would flinch, retreating further into the corner. Occasionally, she would stare back at the perpetrator of movement for several seconds before returning her eyes to the copper plated floor.

Every once in a while, Marlin would talk through the wall communicator, assuring it won't take much longer, even though he did this virtually every time he passed by, as if he enjoyed teasing them in their seemingly everlasting silence. This would startle the girl, her trembling worsening.

The teen rested his eyes on her, pondering how she felt, wondering if he could somehow reassure her. The girl caught his glance. Instinctively, he smirked despite the pain in his jaw, yet she remained unphased, still wary as she kept her eyes on him.

The sound of footsteps grabbed their attention. Metal clanked as door dog spun, the airtight door swung open, revealing a beautiful women, wearing shoulder delta insignia similar to Marlin, a standard of the Space Force. Her suit, common, yet outdated, possesed an asphalt cloth, with a thin crimson horizontal line across the shoulders, and additional crimson lines on the sleeves, her rank also denotedwith silver eagles on her uniform collar. On the left of her chest, just above the line, she sported a multitude of colorful lapel pins denoting her experience. Attached to her left sleeve was a chrome communicator. She held a tray with three supplemental syringes, each filled with a dull chromium fluid.

Roger stood up, the slender boy coming face to face with the captain.

"You must be Roger."

"Yes. Who are you?"

"I am Captain Zarra Drevwood of the U.S.S Hestia. Welcome aboard."