[snip]

Tia nodded and stretched. “Ok, let’s go see what the other half has been up to.” She laughed and nodded that she follow the CO. Even the prospect of staying behind was exciting her. Whether she got to or not.

“Yes please,” Glen to Dol. “if we are quick enough, we might not have missed very much. Do you know where they are right now?”

”..Of course, Mr Holt and Councilor Chal please return our quests to their companions current location. I believe they were last listed as entering the Seed Pod Training Grounds..” he said.

”..Of course Dol..” he said.

“We are ready to return to the rest of the group,” Glen told Holt or Councilor Chal or whoever was free now to escort them.

Holt and Chal soon escorted the pair back to the mag-train station. After a brief check on the tracks the car hummed to life and set off at a speedy clip going up then left then right on different tracks all carefully controlled and regulated. As they traveled they could be struck by the idea that much of the system while operated by primitive computers and sensors compared to what they had was probably also regulated by actual people too trained for this purpose. Given how smooth it ran and how priority was so quickly shifted for one need over another there was clearly a very much ‘in sync’ motion going through the entire habitat’s populace that engendered in a high degree of strength unity and cooperation for everyone on the habitat rather then selfish reasons or goals. The fact they had achieved this without selling their souls or minds to some say over controlling computer, higher alien intelligence, oppressing their own people or others, was truly a miracle in itself.

Eventually with a ping the train rolled to a stop at the station. Chal and Holt stepped out, “..The Seed Pod Training grounds are just down this corridor into the main rotunda.” Chal said leading the way.

The pair soon exited the train corridor and out into a large multi-level somewhat city like area. Plants, people, etc all moved about with a purpose or with a relaxed air about them. As they approached a large stout brown building they soon were escorted inside, to a front desk. “..We are looking for the alien visitors who were listed as coming here with Councilor Sal, where are they?” He asked.

Tapping her keyboard the somewhat nerdy looking mid-20s aged woman turned to her keyboard, adjusting a pair of what might have been eye correction glasses. Like everyone she had a tinfoil like hat on, but wore a green-silver tinted one piece dress/shirt combination. On the slim screen she had Glen and Tia could see her quickly scrolling through a series of camera feeds, “..Let me see, hmm. Seems they are at the sound end yard which connects to the primary schooling yard for recreation..” She said.

”…Thank you, can you alert Coordinator Gol that we will be having further alien visitors coming presently to join them? If possible I would like to use this opportunity for the current senior class of children in training to meet our alien guests see how they do interacting with them..” Chal said.

”..Of course Councilor! Coordinator Gol actually already considered this, he is in the process of getting them together as we speak..” She replied.

Nodding Hal and Chal headed back down another corridor to their right, on the way they would see a few class rooms hosting younger children aged 4-6 years of age in groups of 8 learning regular schooling tasks, further down though those of age 7+ seemed to be doing the same in ways but also mixed in was a healthy dose of physical challenges, and social training and such. Eventually the four would emerge back out into a training yard or play area where the rest of the team was gathering.

:’‘Let’s join the others we have been away from the team for far to long ‘’ as they made their way back to the yard she asked ‘’Say Lance how many does the bridge cell hold?’’ whether she was joking or not the Lt would never know.

Finally both the doctor and COS arrived and joined the rest of the group.

Glen and Tia had also returned. Glen was now talking with Joe. Glen seemed to be giving him a full update on what had happened in his absence.

Joe shook his head and finished by saying,” Who knows the little people might be Irish and have a pot of gold with them? So, when do we leave?”

“I guess we can leave as soon as this tour is wound up,” replied Glen. “We still have to do this press junket but the Dol didn’t give me a timetable. We should move along with the rest of the group. Wouldn’t want to get lost!”

Joe looked around him and spoke saying,” No sir I wouldn’t want to be caught here longer than necessary. Ever since eating their food the stuff that comes out of our replicators seem a heavenly delight. That and from what you say the ship sounds as though it needs a bit of tending to.”

“I’m not concerned about junior officer’s squabbles,” replied Glen. “It is a symptom of the stress; the long voyages away from home, first contact meetings, the danger to life and limb. I definitely don’t need some psychiatrist bod to tell me that. Some rest and recuperation usually does the trick; sunshine, nature and oceans.”

Cross shoved the Cmdr out of the way ‘’Captain I’m not going to leave without the vaccine that the nurse told me about’’ said a determinant female doctor.

“Vaccine???” asked Glen, confused. No one had mentioned any disease to him, never mind any vaccine. “What vaccine?”

Glen, CO