In all the galaxy there are few places I would want to be less than here. Upon joining the Union, there were several areas that Humanity was warned to never enter. This is one of them.

  "So, what do we know about these Diegiton?"

  Fairy shuffles through her folders for the relevant paperwork.

  "Let's see.The Diegiton are a fully mechanical species, the only one known to exist."

  "Only one? I've seen plenty. There's a mechanical working the omelet station at the chow hall."

  "The Diegiton are different. There are other mechanicals throughout the galaxy, some of which are recognized as an independent race and allowed their own colonies. However, other mechanical races were created. They formed their intelligence over many iterations until the technology that was their very life blood advanced enough to form independent thought. The Diegiton were not created by anybody."

  "Then where did they come from?"

  "Mystery is the fog that blinds us to truths we are not yet ready to see."

  "So we just don't know?"

  "No onnnne does. Not evvvven themselves."

  Sagaci brings up a more detailed file onto the main screen.

  "All knooowledggge of their hissstory and origiiins, both given freeeely and taaaken by forccce, seems to innndicaaate they evolveeed as naturrrrally as any ottther species."

  "According to this, they are still evolving. They can do that?"

  "What's wrong warm blood? Scared of some glorified toasters?"

  I am starting to hate Raze. I would start possibly consider reprimanding him if I didn't want Fairy to see what I would be unable to stop him doing to me.

  "Other mechanicals require constant updates to keep up with the never ending progress in technology. Something they cannot do independently. This has led to a symbiosis between mechanicals and biologicals as we provide the new tech and they perform tasks that would be far more difficult and dangerous for us."

  "While the Diegiton have no such need for us fleshies. They've gotten bigger guns and stronger bodies all on their own. Could wipe out half the Union if they wanted. Us Rackter would be on the half that survives, of course."

  Sure you will. Hope the rest of my crew isn't half as bad as this cold blooded brute.

  "Inanna."

  "Yes Captain Sir!"

  "I already... nevermind. Where's the drop off for the rest of the crew? The whole ship is at half capacity. I'd rather not be this close to hostile territory with so many open slots."

  "Sir. According to the manifest, we should be meeting them here. Sir."

  "Alright, when?"

  "Sir. 2700 hours. Sir."

  "That was almost two hours ago. What is going on here?"

  "Captiiian. We are getiiiiing a transssmisssion."

  "On screen."

  The image of a Triterroran overtakes the main screen. His uniform is black with various medals prominently displayed across his chest. Identifying stripes say he's a High Admiral.

  "Greetings. I wish I could grace the newest addition to my Expeditionary Forces in person. Unfortunately, there were other more pressing matters at hand."

  Shit, is this guy my boss?

  "I am High Admiral Tristeriol. Commander and Chief of the Expeditionary Forces."

  Shit, he is.

  "Happy to be of service. We were just waiting for the rest of our crew so we can-"

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  "I'm afraid this is all you will be getting for a while."

  "I- I'm sorry but what do you mean this is it? We're five minutes away from hostile territory."

  "Yes. Exactly where you are meant to be for your first mission as an Expeditionary Captain."

  "Mission? What mission?"

  "Negotiating peace between the Galactic Union and Diegiton of course. Were you not aware?"

  "You... expect me to negotiate peace with a hostile race that destroyed that last eight ships that had this exact job, as my first mission with a crew I barely know in a ship I cannot comprehend that's got a little over a skeleton crew?"

  "I knew you'd understand. Can't wait to read your reports on the mission's success. If you have any questions, refer to First Officer Inanna, she was supposed to have your job after all. Signing off."

  The screen goes black. Sweet Space Jesus in a Pantonian party boat he's serious. He actually expects me to do this. I'm going to die. And every single person here is going with... me. Wait.

  "Inanna, what did he mean by you having my job?"

  Inanna is sweating. I think. I don't know if Phibians can sweat, I just know she looks nervous. She's avoiding eye contact. Not just mine, as everyone in the room is staring at her.

  "Miss Inanna." Fairy's small voice cuts the silence. "Is it true?"

  "Sir. Permission to speak freely."

  "Permanently granted."

  "Yes, it is true. I was next in line for promotion to be an Expeditionary Captain. I was already a Captain for the Third Phibian Superiority Fleet. I commanded over eight hundred missions, thirty two of which involved heavy combat. I have the highest honors of any Phibian born in my generation and have proven myself time and time again. No one else on this bridge is more deserving of the honor of Expeditionary Captain than I am. Yet, I am here merely as a First Officer, as you sit in what should be my chair. When I heard another had come from nowhere and swiped away my promotion, I wanted to meet them. To see the God amongst peasants that outperformed me so easily. I cannot lie, I am exceptionally disappointed."

  ".... First Officer Inanna."

  All eyes on me now. Fairy is worried. Raze is already getting the cuffs. Inanna looks like she's trying to decide between running and puking.

  "You're in charge."

  "Yes Sir, I will take full responsibility for... what?"

  "You're in charge. Make all necessary preparations . Lay out the welcome mat. I am putting my full faith that you will do everything necessary in the small amount of time we have left."

  There's a collective sign of relief. Save Raze.

  "Oh come on. Can't I just throw her in the brig for a little while?"

  "Negative. Now do as Inanna says as she says with no argument. I have some other business to attend to. Fairy, come with me."

  I leave, letting them sort things out without me. With Fairy at my side I head to my private room. There is a small direct transport rail to it from here. Nice accommodations, big comfy bed, extra large Holo screen, and lots of room for Knick-knacks and memories. Shame I won't be staying long.

  "Fairy, I want the full files on all my bridge crew. All the redacted info. And I want a full diagnostics on this ship."

  "I don't have their full files on me."

  "Use the terminal. It should have full access."

  "R-right. I'll just go get those. Files, I mean."

  Fairy is oddly slow about this. She's not typing. More just one finger pecking each button one at a time.

  "Fairy, do you not know how to use the terminal?"

  She looks down. Like a child that got caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

  "No. I don't even know how to read Galactic basic. All my files are in Vixten. Low Vixten at that. I'm not fit to be your assistant."

  Oh great, I just made the only person here I might consider a friend cry. Way to go Tom. How about you go kicking puppies next?

  "Hey, hey. It's ok. This isn't your fault."

  Lowering myself to her eye level should help. Damn, I want to hug her. Bet her fur is really soft. Might be a little too early to get away with that, though.

  "Look, there is something going on here, and I am going to get to the bottom of this. Assistant or not, you are the only one I really trust right now. Us mammals got to stick together. So I need you by my side. Alright?"

  She nods. At least the tears have stopped. I'll have to get the files myself. Let's start with Inanna.

  "Look at this record. She was downplaying this stuff. Inanna has been in service ten times longer than me and accomplished fifty times what I have. How did she not get a promotion?"

  I check through the others. If Inanna's record was an emasculate marble sculpture, the rest were a rusty broken air conditioner someone dumped on your lawn.

  "I don't believe this. Raze has been kicked off six ships for insubordination and repeated acts of violence towards fellow crew members. And Segaci had their medical license revoked for experimenting on patients. Vivvian only passed flight school three months ago. She's not ready for a ship this size. And who the Space Hell is this Alcea? I don't remember seeing them anywhere."

  Page after page it gets worse. Half the crew is rejects and the other half baby faced recruits. Expeditionary Forces are meant to represent the absolute best the Union has to offer. Yet my old dinky Frigate had a better set up.

  "And look at this. I was so busy looking at all the ways this ship was better than my old one I didn't realize it's actually a relic. This rig is almost five hundred standard years old! Over two hundred in Human years. It was cruising the galaxy before humanity even made first contact! She was set to be retired and turned to a museum until someone picked her out of the trash bin and handed it to me."

  "Why would someone give you such an important mission then give you so little means to accomplish it?"

  Because they want me to fail, that's why. All the Stars really are against me here, even the ones I thought were going to help me. And I don't plan on going quietly.

  "Get your best dress on. We have guests coming to dinner."