“(Wait a minute,)” Her mind alerted her to something she did understand. Qzetillian; she remembered the displays Xant had shown her of the four creator races during their first interviews. Zenthi, Xant’s own psychic race; Sulin, the raptor lizards; Arvas, the bug people and the Qzetillia, the brain sacks.

“Qzetillian, those were the (disgusting) aliens that abducted me - I thought they were your enemies. Why would you want to help them?”

“Miss Howe, I am Qzetillian. A Repair Strain Qzetillian” Laandi unfurled her hand to explain. “I am a product of engineering, attempting to recreate an ancient Qzetillian appearance by amalgamating seven different species. I and the abominations who abducted you, share what little genes exist of the Qzetillia.”

Jasmine shook her head in shock and repulsion. Laandi looked like a classic grey - just how far had these aliens gone in altering themselves? What were they going to do if they got their hands on human DNA?

The Director nodded her head, continuing.

“So much of what it was to be Qzetillian was lost during the Painful Dynasty, we don’t have enough data to even introduce new nucleotides in order to cultivate mutagenesis. This is why your ‘dogs’ are just so valuable. Why it is so important that we protect Sieglinde and yourself from those who would stop at nothing to gather your data, even at the risk of destroying the specimens. I implore you Miss Howe, I am not your enemy: I want what is best for everyone.”

Jasmine looked down at the golden retriever, who looked up at her with a bored expression. Sigi had been sitting quietly for a long time, and had decided now was the best time to lift her paw onto Jasmine's lap. Reminding the human of her presence and the necessary pats that needed to be administered.

“I get it Laandi, you need the data. Sieglinde and the others dogs can help you.” Jasmine cupped the dogs cheeks, forcing herself to smile and ruffled Sigi’s fur. The bored expression quickly melted into that of pure joy; Sigi nudged Jasmine’s hands for a harder pet.

“You hear that? You’re going to help save the universe and you don’t even need to do anything! Who’s a good girl? Who’s the best girl ever?!” Jasmine continued, sliding down off the stool to hug the dog tightly. The unease in the air dissipated as Jasmine made contact with Sieglinde; an almost pleasant aura banishing the cold. “Everything is going to be okay. I will listen to the audio logs Laandi, I will study genetic distribution law and do everything I can to help us both.”

Laandi gave a sigh of relief, but the peace was short lived as Jasmine’s mind, uncontrolled, whispered: “(Don’t make me regret trusting you.)”

The Director took it as a warning. They still had no idea what the human was capable of - what kind of damage could be done when Jasmine wielded her aggression on purpose.

“Thank you, Miss Howe. I will resume the Security recording now. I hope that we can speak on more hospitable terms in the days to come.”

“Yeah. (Maybe.)” Jasmine replied. She returned to her seat in the position she had been sitting in when the recording was interrupted.

Laandi reached up and touched the medallion. A small blue pulse before the lights returned bright.

“Miss Howe, thank you for your patience and understanding on this matter. I will have the updated schedules sent to your dataslate and will notify the staff of the changes. The Esaander Corporation looks forward to your continued cooperation.”

“Thank you Laandi.” Jasmine responded, not trusting herself to say anything more. The Director reached up again and the blue light pulsed.

“Rynard, please escort Miss Howe to Xant’s quarters, so they may resume their scheduled research.”

“Yes Ma’am,” Rynard’s casual reply echoed from the unseen speaker. Laandi rose from her chair with practised grace and lead Jasmine to the door. Sieglinde, happy to be moving again, rushed forward to the door. Jasmine’s grip prevented her from going too far.

“May your life be balanced.” Laandi bid Jasmine farewell.

Jasmine looked at the grey alien, nodding her head slowly.

“Yeah you- Have a good one.” She replied before immediately stepping through the door. Chastising herself as it closed behind her.

“(Have a good one? REALLY? Couldn’t think of  anything better to say?! You know like, ‘till we meet again?’ or ‘Good luck’? ‘And you too’ would have been better than ‘Have a good one’...)”

“Who are ya talking to?” Rynard’s off the cuff comment snapped Jasmine back to the hallway.

“Uhhh, myself…” she answered quietly, feeling her cheeks burn red. The captain didn’t let her wallow in her embarrassment, thankfully.

“Huh, well, back across the wing to Dr. Xant’s quarters. Then you can get back to whatever it is you big heads talk about.”

“Okay...” Jasmine sighed, happy at least one alien wasn’t fascinated by her ‘quirks’.

Rynard stared blankly at Xant’s door. It was locked, and under ‘do not disturb’.

“Is something wrong?” Jasmine asked.

“The Doctor won’t respond.” Rynard answered, checking the dataslate attached to his armour.

“Ohhhhh, he’s on extended rest, so, uhh, no research for you! Ha ha.”

“So what do we do now?”

Rynard scratched the underside of his chin.

“Well, I guess I’m supposed to escort you back to your quarters and wait until the Doctor collects you-” he watched as Jasmine didn't hold back her disappointment at the notion - he wasn’t exactly happy about that arrangement either. “-or, you know, since I’ve got to keep an eye on you, you can come back to the security office and uhh...” He sized up the Human with a small nod “... I can have you outfitted with something more suitable to your skills.”

“Huh?” Jasmine blinked.

“You throw your Freq around like a Ranger, ‘spose you might as well look like one.”

Jasmine’s eyes and mouth widened; Rynard felt the excitement, it tickled.

“Are you saying I can have have my own body armour?!”

“Yeah, why not? Shouldn’t take too long to get you fitted with a hard suit, you’re not that big.”

Rynard promptly turned and headed for the elevator, an excited Jasmine and Sieglinde bouncing behind him.