The transfer car delivered them to the bottom floor of the cargo terminal, a tall cylindrical tower where the docking bays encircled a system of cargo-hauling elevators. Transfer carts of all sizes glided across the floor with agility, some operated and heavily guarded, others completely unmanned. Solace and Kayl edged around the busy ground floor and boarded the small cargo elevator located closest to them, keeping their heads bowed as they stepped in. As much as Kayl hated the passenger terminal, the one benefit was that it was impossible to stand out. In this cargo elevator car, however, he and Solace were two of five total humanoids - and those other three were eyeing them with alarming curiosity.

One humanoid shifted uncomfortably in the operator's seat of a transfer cart, their pallid gray skin glistening with what Kayl assumed was sweat. All five glossy black eyes at the top of their face were fixated on the two Thmiens below them. Must be an Arakna, Kayl thought, trying to hide his awe at the fuzzy fangs that flicked as they spoke. 

"You Thmiens aren't here to wack anyone are you?" they asked, then cloaked the obviously earnest question with a nervous chuckle.

In dread of Solace's response, Kayl tensed and the other two humanoids immediately became engrossed with the fine cracks in the wall and ceiling tiles. There was an old adage for the Thmien home planet of Edgewaer that almost everyone across the known galaxies would recognize: that its biggest weapon export was Thmiens. The race had a complicated history, riddled with political unrest and countless civil wars within Edgewaer. It was not uncommon for those fed up with the instability and poverty to leave and become mercenaries - and because of their war-riddled past, very effective ones. More often than not they were employed as bodyguards, soldiers, or assassins, as they preferred the freedom of working as needed and even then only the jobs that appealed to them.

Without hesitation, Solace answered, "No wacking today, just a security detail to facilitate transfer of a shipment." There was no hint of defense or even annoyance in her voice, but also no concern for the Arakna's prying interest. Looking up at them she added coyly,  "Why, someone have a hit out for you?"

The sharp clack of their mouth snapping shut echoed through the elevator car. With perfect timing, the elevator paused and the pulsefield barrier door dissipated. The other two humanoids fled the car so fast their vehicles left skid marks on the floor.

The Arakna's eyes blinked at their departure. "Cripes, it was a joke," they gritted, fangs flicking outward with each word.

Solace nodded. "Ah, well," she continued, "if that ever becomes true, I'd be happy to offer my services." Her voice trailed off, and she did not clarify whether she meant for protection or the alternative. Luckily for their new Arakna acquaintance, the very next stop routed to dock E. She cordially bid them goodbye as they strode onto the dock floor.

Her expression was pensive while her gaze flicked to each docking bay as she searched for their target.

"That was uncharacteristic," Kayl observed, feeling enough seconds had passed in awkward silence. "They got under your fur a bit."

Solace led him down a large corridor lined with large windows. "Upon reflection, it was poor judgment, my lord. Forgive me," she responded solemnly. "I put my pride before your safety and drew unnecessary attention."

Kayl gazed at the ships streaking across the starry spacescape outside as he followed her, shrugged and kept his tone unbothered. "I think you could be spared some grace today. Your answer was fairly subdued considering some stranger was holding you against a racial stereotype. Considering you haven't slept since we left Earth, that was very generous."

Solace grumbled. "Thmiens don't need much sleep."

Kayl snorted and challenged her. "Really? Zero hours in four days is typical?" The corridor finally brought them to a cluster of docks on the other side of the central elevator shaft. 

His handler stopped so abruptly that he almost collided with her back. She turned and spoke, her voice low so only he could hear. "My Lord Delegate," she growled, "I did not become bodyguard to one of the last homo sapiens in existence by falling prey to such transparent and childish tricks. You continue to push me to drop honorifics, lately by trying to incite me to lose my temper. It will be much easier for both of us if you cease."

Her tone was dangerous, but his courage rose with his spirits at seeing dock E not ten meters beyond her. If she was going to keep drawing the line, perhaps he should change his tactic. He lifted his chin in defiance.

"As you said, I am the last male homo sapien - I am sheltered and spoiled and will have my way out here as I did back home. Fleeing to the far reaches of the galaxies with a bland, subservient delegation thug is an absolute bore, I'd much rather it be with a friend. Only the two of us know my identity outside of the delegation and you know me well enough to know I won't say a word about any breaks in protocol when we return." 

He had hoped to inspire shock with this outburst, but Solace's expression remained placid, one that he knew she had cultivated from years of weathering from combat. Despite the nagging voice inside telling him it was futile, a small hope remained that his words had at least wore away a little more at her stony exterior. He sighed as he stepped around her and continued towards dock E. "Besides, you don't think it'll ring a little weird if whatever crew we join hears you calling me 'my lord delegate' all the time?"

Behind him, Solace grumbled a sour, guttural response in her native tongue and he could not fight the victorious smirk that crept across his face. They passed through the bay door together, a glowing display above the threshold indicating the freighter Hubris and her crew berthed within.