Contributor: Brett B

The bench next to Kenna creaked and she heard a bag drop onto the floor with a soft thud. She remained slouched down with a scowl on her face. After a few seconds a voice asked her,


“So where are you off to?”


“Nowhere important.” Kenna grumbled, hoping whoever was sitting next to her would leave her alone.


“No, really. Where's your next tour?” The stranger persisted.


“Look; don't your optical orbits work?” Kenna growled without looking up. “Can't you see I'm trying to get over a hangover? Just leave me alone.”


“I just thought you might be Dalais.” The voice chuckled. Kenna looked up at her companion for the first time. A large orange-skinned alien was sitting on the bench next to her. With one hand he reached into his greasy uniform's front pocket and stretched out another to shake Kenna's hand. He folded the other two across his chest. Kenna looked at the small piece of plastic in her hand. His name was Graffyr Gonyr, resident engineer on the Tunigis. “I heard all about it.” he continued chuckling. “Hurled your 'celebration' from the night before right into his garbage can .” He shook his head slightly. “But wasn't that over two days ago? That must have been an awesome party if you're still hungover.”


“No. I went out for some more last night.” She was perturbed that the rumor had already been spreading around.


“Then why the long face? If your next assignment warrants two parties in three days, I figure you'd be bragging it up – not acting like you found a dead Plook in your cereal.” Graffyr replied.


“That's just it. It's not a great assignment. Sure, I'm excited about the chevron – but my assignment stinks.”


“Stinks like...the Holgar?” Graffyr asked. Kenna's jaw dropped open. She tried to say something but nothing was coming out. Graffyr let out a throaty guffaw. “Don't be so surprised. I knew someone of your rank wouldn't be excited about that. Don't be so depressed. I hear there's a lot of opportunity near Mars.”


“That's easy for you to say.” Kenna mumbled. Graffyr raised a scaly eyebrow.


“Well,” He started. “I just so happen to be starting my own new assignment. I'll be the main engineer aboard a ship going to Mars.” Kenna looked at Graffyr.


“You don't mean that you've been assigned to the Holgar?” Kenna asked. Graffyr just shot Kenna a crooked grin.