“You did not. I am currently in my quarters and eating my midday meal.”
“Ah. What happened?”
I quickly detail my troubles and when I finish, phey make a sympathetic sound. “Does that mean two extra days with us, then, on your next leave?”
“I suppose it does. I must return to work now. Please give my affections to all.”
“I will. Love and well wishes,” phey say. “Stars and sunrise. Hopes and health. May truth walk with you.”
“As does my heart,” I reply. I end the call and take a deep breath. As one of my human co-workers might say, who am I kidding? Leaving Pfahrn right now would be nearly impossible for me.
There is enough loneliness in my life. Why would I add to that by isolating myself from my family?
* * * *
The rest of my day should be uneventful. With the arrival of thePalmarian Rubayneyesterday, our sector is currently full now. That means we are limited to maintaining vigil over the vessels berthed in our sector, coordinating loading and unloading, and those types of activities.
I decide to take a walk down every berthing arm in our sector and talk to my personnel. I like to do this periodically to make sure everything is running smoothly and to see if anyone has any concerns they wish to discuss. It is not uncommon for me to stop by even in the middle of the night, to talk with personnel on the other shifts. I like to be proactive and involved. I am responsible not just for the daytime crews, but the nighttime as well. Ships are berthed at all times of the day and night and the only factors that decide if there are delays or not are the availability of suitable berths and of tractors and tugs.
Which is one of the reasons why La’loorn’s behavior angered me so much. There was no excuse for it.
I save thePalmarian Rubayne’sberthing arm for last. Their hold is currently pressurized and the cargo is being removed via a side loading door. Once they are ready to take on the mining ore, that will be loaded via a large top loading hatch after the hold is depressurized. The ore containers will then be moved via large magno-lift sleds, which are remote-controlled by one of our berthing engineers. From there, the ship’s load specialist will move the ore containers into position, also via remote control, and lock them into position so they do not shift.
It is a relatively straightforward process.
I have just finished speaking with my specialist on duty when I hear the tell-tale chime of the airlock sound. As a safety precaution, there is a pressurized airlock between all berthing arms and the passenger ports. This helps maintain a safety barrier in case there is a leak somewhere. It is also a decontamination unit, to prevent the spread of pathogens.
I turn just as a human emerges from the airlock entry. He—I am guessing he is a male, based on his appearance—is towing a personal porta-sled behind him and he pauses when he sees me. He is rather tall for a human, but still shorter than I am, maybe a little over six feet tall, and with pale skin. This one has brown eyes and brown hair, and he wears a silly little smile when he stares up at me. He also carries a stylus tucked behind one ear, which I think is rather strange.
“Hellooo there,” he says in Standard.
I have a regular translator augmentation that can interpret every language I will likely encounter in the course of my duties. Not the most expensive model, but good enough, and upgradeable. Besides, most people who are travelers like this speak at least some level of Standard, or have an augmentation to translate their language to and from Standard.
I nod. “Hello.”
He sticks out his hand. He certainly seems like a friendly enough human, remarkably so for their kind. I have never encountered this particular one, which is unsurprising, to me. Especially considering his vessel has never berthed here before.
When I shake hands with him, I am mindful not to squeeze too hard. His hand feels warm, his grip firm.
He does not release my hand, either. In fact, he cocks his head to the side as he studies me, with an intensity flashing across his expression that I am not used to seeing in humans.
It strikes me that this human appears interested in me in a way I have never noticed a human paying attention to me before.
I find that…curious. Intriguing. Especially since I do not understand what that means.
Or why I am paying particular attention to this human in a way I usually do not pay attention to them.
Chapter Five
Davies
Believe me, I’m well aware that humans are far from the only—or far from even the most evolved or most intelligent—species in the known universe.
Sometimes, however, reading about a species, or seeing vids, does not and cannot adequately prepare you for meeting a representative of that particular species in person.
Such as me, right now, standing in front of this Pfahrn.
I stare up at the green…
