[snip]

”..Of course not, Captain Glen. We can certainly go into more detail of our encounter about the Zok-Dorn Merchant Cooperative. Forgive me I missed your question about it earlier, I was not avoiding it..” he said.

Tia had listened to the others and, like some of the others, not necessarily interested in seeing everything. But she didn’t think merely asking for someone to come here to talk with her would help.

Since the query to check out engineering has been merely a diversion to try and get away, she glanced back at the Captain when the conversations paused. “Sir, is like to stay with you if I may. I’m sure engineering would bore most of the others.

Perhaps if she stayed, she could learn about the seed pod program that had been mentioned. Engines were engines. But the tech she had uncovered with the child had her nearly as excited as the first time she’s felt the vibrations of a warp core.

“Yes, certainly!” Glen replied to Tia. He wondered if she wanted to learn the same as he did.

It was better that the Captain wasn’t left completely alone in any case; not that the Dol, Sal and Col hadn’t been perfect hosts, with questions answered and the food buffet provided, and they showed no sign of any hostile intention. In fact, what concerned Captain Glen the most was that they hadn’t yet asked for a single thing in return yet.

By this point Dol’s wife had come over, “..If you are all ok to follow me I can lead you to different places for a further in-depth tour?” Sal said.

“Well of course, ma’am.” Ferris said, trying to be polite but also not make a complete fool of himself.

Glen smiled to himself at this awkwardness. He really didn’t know what to call them himself, and Cara had just tried to call the Dol, “your Grace!” They didn’t even know the name of this planet yet, but he would rectify that once everyone had left for the tour.

Sal looked like a proper tourist guide, ready to show them all the local insights, fascinating stories and the Habitat’s hidden gems. Glen waited until the walking tour had left the room following Sal, and then he resumed the conversation with Dol and Col.

“First of all,” Glen began, “can I take a step back again and ask what we should call your planet and your species? Also, you said that Dol is a title, like my title is Captain. You may call me John and this is Tia. Can we also call you by your first name?”

Glen had a sudden thought to himself, I’m treating the Dol like this is a perfectly normal conversation between two emissaries, and I’ve completely forgotten the fact that they are all still wearing those tin-foil hats!

Tia was glad she was allowed to stay. She realized, as the others departed, that they were alone from the ship. She was double glad she stayed, just then. Captain shouldn’t be alone on an away team.

As Glen asked about the people and planet, she smiled. She’d been part of one other diplomatic mission. That had been so sterile and pretentious that she assumed they were all like that. A smile lingered on her face as she realized that actual conversation was allowed as well. Perhaps this would be easier than she thought.

Glen thought Tia seemed happy at the more relaxed atmosphere too, and they awaited the Dol’s response.

• Glen, CO