It’s been five days since we crash landed on this planet and it’s finally time to set sail once again. I must give it to the Caaknai- they are certainly efficient! My cast has now been removed thanks to the incredible medical technology they possess here and sheer dumb luck that we are so biologically similar to the native species.

“Hey, I’ve been looking all over for you!” I looked away from the treeline to smile at Silas who plonked down next to me “I didn’t tell you but some Caaknai came around yesterday with a sign-up sheet so we could specify who we wanted to be roomed with, so I put us down with Mira and Ed! Hope that’s okay” he grinned at me nervously, scratching the back of his head.

I rolled my eyes “of course it is, I love hanging out with you three.” I let out a sigh at look back to the trees “I will miss this place though, it’s so beautiful.”

Silas snorted “you’re sat here so often I’m shocked your arse hasn’t let a dent in the wood!” my lips curled up in a smirk, unable to deny the accusations. What can I say? I just happen to love this spot! He continued “You made a friend here though, you’ll probably will miss them a bit but us humans need to move on. Together. We will find our place in this galaxy Pom; all of this chaos will soon be a distant memory.”

I looked up to Silas, his expression solemn. Poor Silas has been a rock amongst the injured, he really does have a hero complex.

Before we could say anymore a loud horn sounded telling us it was time to begin boarding the ship, the next part of our journey begins!

A large hand smacked me on the back almost causing me to fall, I glare at Mira who just grinned back cheekily. “This place isn’t bad! A lot of white but it will do in a pinch.” Mira moved passed me and threw himself down on one of the cots, sinking into it with a shocked expression on his face “these beds will cause so many back issues though!” he grunted, attempting to roll out of the thing.

I reached down and gave him a hand up “at least they use beds and don’t sleep in the water, we would have been stuck planet side a lot longer if that was the case.”

He grimaced, dusting himself off with shoulders back in an attempted to regain some dignity “thank god for small miracles, I guess! Shall we go eat? Dad’s been enlisted to run a small on board militia considering some of the soldiers are still planet side and I think Silas is helping some of the more capable injured on board, so it’s just the two of us for now.”

Of the original crew we believe there are 456 survivors, 17 are in no fit state to be moved so they’re staying in the Caaknai compound with a few able-bodied members of our crew who will be put to work as thanks for saving our lives, they will all join us in a few months.

Before I could answer there was a loud knock at the door, frowning I went over the control panel and hit the switch making it whoosh down. Alex gave me a small nod in greeting before stepping into our room- uninvited I may add.

Mira raised his eyebrows at the general but made no comment as they both turned to me “Captain Rue has invited you to join us for food before we start ascension.”

My face reddened at the invitation, why on earth would he think I’d like to sit with a bunch of government officials while awkwardly stuffing my face?

I could see Mira’s grin our of the corner of my eye, this is just what I need. “Um well… I’m about to go have food with Mira… so…” I led off awkwardly.

Mira finally let out the laugh I know he’s been holding in “Aw babe don’t let me little old me interrupt your date!” I watched in horror as the stone faced general looked down, grinning at his teasing words.

Resisting the urge to stomp my foot I turn my glare to Mira and say through clenched teeth “Keep this up and I’ll throw you out the airlock.” This just gained harder laughter from the pair, so glad I could be so entertaining!

Composing himself Alex looked back up to me “He can come to. And it will only be the four of us as Admiral James is preoccupied and the Caaknai are eating in the mess hall,” he signalled for us to leave the room “let’s go. I’m hungry.”

Feeling like I haven’t much choice I did as he asked, trailing behind Alex and Mira as they struck up casual conversation.

The Caaknai have gone full sci-fi and made use of terrifying tubes to get us to where we need to go, Alex and Mira have already zipped upwards, so I stand on the platform and wait for the unsettling feeling of whatever science they use to make this work yanked me upwards in a gust of wind.

A short walk later we arrive in the captain’s cabin, Alex gives a short knock before marching in.

I try to remain casual as I spot the fascinating alien who walks over with a grin on his face, he runs his hand over Alex’s shoulder and to his credit he hardly flinches at the contact. “There you are General! I have spoken to the Admiral; all final checks are completed. Shall we eat? It will be a busy few hours before we can do so again!” His eyes snap to Mira’s who flinches at the sudden attention “I remember you, friend of Es! Please come sit!” Rue refrained from reaching out to Mira in greeting but I did see his fingers twitch ever so slightly in the effort.

Mira grinned back at Rue and reaches out to shake his hand, the alien holds it tentatively “sorry to crash this little gathering, I hope you don’t mind. I am starving though so…” Mira let go of his hand and wondered over to the table set up with plates of food, already filling an empty plate. Alex scoffs yet follows him over, probably worried Mira will polish the lot off. It’s a fair fear- That man is an animal.

I kept my eyes on those two as I felt Rue approach, I could already feel my face burning. He ran his fingers down my face again before settling at the back of my neck and led me towards the table.

I could feel his cool breath against my ear as he murmurs “I asked Alex why you changed colour. Interesting response.”

I let out a squeak and sped up, practically running to the table of delicacies. After grabbing a hefty portion for myself I join the other two who were sat on the floor in front of the giant window, looking out to the ocean.

After a few minutes of silence Mira spoke “Aww isn’t this a cute double date aye Alex?” He nudged the general who attempted to give a stern look, a small upward twist to his lips show he still found the irritating mans comment funny.

“Most civilians are a bit wearier of commanding officers than you. What went wrong?”

Mira let out a large laugh and smacked the general on his shoulder “Buddy we are way too far from home and in too much shit for me to give a fuck about titles. You may be second in command but you’re just as out of your depth than the rest of us!” he cackled, shoving some meat in his mouth.

Rue gave a small snicker “Technically he’s now fourth in command. This is still my ship and crew, despite the fact I’ve got a lot more aliens than Caaknai on board.”

Mira grinned at the Caaknai “Good point! And a very nice ship you have too, what’s it used for?” We all look to Rue at his question, curiosity on all our faces.

He removes his hand from the back of my neck, I mentally slap myself as I felt slightly saddened at the loss of contact.

“Transport between planets mostly- the Alliance hub isn’t too far away. Actually, we were due back there anyway soon to collect a few Borloganagan scientist to help us with some deeper analysis of the planet so I’m afraid once we drop you off, we won’t be staying long.” He paused to eat another mouthful of food, eyes connecting with mine “I do wish we could help you further, but our priority has to be our new planet. I’m sorry.” My heart dropped further at that admission, in a few weeks we will no longer be travelling together, I will probably never see him again, after all it’s a big universe.

We continued to eat in relative silence, the three men making small talk amongst themselves and I added to it infrequently.

Before long, our plates were clean, our stomach full. A loud hum filled the room before Admiral James’ voice boomed through the speakers.

“This is Admiral James. We will begin ascension in twenty minutes please return to your rooms and secure yourself accordingly. Information on how to do this is in each room on top of the dressers. I repeat twenty minutes. James out.” Alex and Rue leapt up, Alex storming straight out of the room without a word and Rue hesitating to help me stand up, we quickly followed them out of the room and Mira walked ahead with a quick smile to give us some privacy.

The second Mira was out of earshot Rue placed his hand on the back of my neck again, pulling me closer “This will be a busy few hours but once everything’s settled and food is called across the ship please return to my room,” his eyes flicked to the back of Mira’s head who just reached the tubes “alone.”

I nod wordlessly, face red again which honestly is just becoming normal at this point. Rue let’s go and marches down to a tube that will take him to the bridge, our eyes connect before he zips upwards.

Alone, huh?