“Okay, this is the last group. How do you want it?” Lucas asked Tatyana, who was still working outside the tug, but now in the depressurized Cargo Bay of the Titans Pillar.

Tatyana positioned herself on the far wall of the Cargo Bay and stuck her feet out. “The entire group in a line, please. I’ll stop them short of the wall with my feet.” She said, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

Lucas paused and tilted his head in confusion. “I’m sorry, what? You can stop five containers with your feet?” he asked.

Tatyana shrugged, a confident smirk playing at the edge of her lips. “I’ve got big, firm feet, what can I say?” She retorted before bursting out into infectious laughter. Lucas, unable to help himself, joined in her laughter.

“Okay, here you go.” Lucas released his grip on the last container, sending it drifting towards Tatyana. As it approached, she crouched further, both feet poised to meet the incoming load.

Five containers—large and sleek, metallic barriers to protect the precious commodities housed within them. Each container shimmered in the dim lighting, emitting a faint hum as Lucas guided them down the gangway.

With precise timing born of experience and instinct, Tatyana’s feet connected solidly with the five containers. Her thighs contacted her chest as she brought the containers to a stop by the wall. She exhaled a sigh of relief and triumph. Only then did she realize she’d been holding her breath.

“Wow, that was intense!” Tatyana said with cheeks flushed from excitement. “Lucas, you’re getting better at this. You didn’t even tap the wall.” She glanced back over her shoulder at the solid barrier of metal and technology behind her, taking in the sheer size and scope of it all.

“Beautiful,” Lucas stated, eyes still fixed on the final container’s placement, and Tatyana herself.

Tatyana tore her gaze from the cargo hold and looked over at her comrade. She nodded in agreement. “Sure is.”

“I’m going to let the bay doors close and pressurize, then help with the manifest. You two can dock.” Tatyana said with a last nod at Lucas, unhooking her tether and gliding toward the bay door.

Lucas readied himself for the final docking procedure and turned to address Bella only to realize she had been standing behind him throughout the offloading procedure.

“When you said ‘beautiful,’ you meant her, didn’t you?” Bella asked, with a teasing smile playing at the corner of her lips as she observed the two of them.

Lucas stammered. “Well, uh, y-yes! I mean, the entire operation is beautiful. The precision, the teamwork—it’s like poetry in motion. And every time we do it, it’s different.” He cast a quick glance over at Tatyana, who was just entering the secured cargo bay.

“And Tatyana’s feet, are they beautiful too?” She persisted with a smirk.

Lucas blushed. “Well, they’re big and firm, just like she said. It was impressive the way she used them to stop those containers.”

Bella smirked at Lucas’ stumbling response, and then exhaled, shaking her head affectionately. “I knew what you meant, Lucas.” She turned back to face the view-port, a faint smile on her lips. “Looks like we’re finally done here. I’m going to see the Doc before we get started on the manifest.” Bella said, making her way toward the elevator.

Lucas kept himself preoccupied, scanning data and completing reports, but found his mind wandering back to moments earlier when he’d watched Tatyana effortlessly stop those containers: those powerful feet of hers, the confidence in her movements...

***

Tatyana’s eyes sparkled as she danced her way past the opening massive bulkheads of the now pressurized cargo bay. As she removed her helmet, the air touched her tan fur like an old friend’s embrace.

The lights inside the cargo hold reflected the subtle silver highlights in her cropped platinum hair, a dazzling contrast to her deep-blue eyes.

As she moved, her body shifted effortlessly, each motion a graceful and practiced dance step that most only dreamed of mastering. She carried a confidence that exuded from her; even in the confined space of the cargo bay, she exuded an air of strength and authority.

The form-fitting gray battle-suit hugged her curvaceous figure. In tough space environments, battle-hardened EVA suits were efficient tools for combat and survival, but not built for fashion. Despite this, Tatyana’s unique form shone through.

The smaller internal bay doors opened. “Well, hello beautiful!” Captain Carter’s cheerful voice echoed throughout the cargo bay. He stood tall with short blonde hair and bright blue eyes—the perfect mirror image of Tatyana.

Tatyana couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear at her father’s choice of words. “Oh, Daddy, how disgusting, talking about your own daughter that way.” She said.

“Oh, quiet. I was talking about the large shipment. And you well know it, you brat.” Nigel winked, the grin never leaving his face.

As Tatyana approached, she couldn’t help but return her father’s smile. It was rare to find such a strong bond between a father and daughter, but Captain Carter and Tatyana shared a unique bond. A bond forged in the fires of countless missions and trials, from when Tatyana was just a young girl traversing the cosmos at her father’s side.

“Hi Bjorn,” Tatyana said, hands behind her back as she greeted the ship’s mechanic with a smile. Bjorn grunted in response, his face deep in concentration as he tinkered with one of the cargo containers.

Bjorn—Captain Carter’s trusted friend and confidant—was as much a staple of the Titans Pillar as the Captain himself. Standing over 2.25 meters tall and built like a literal bear, Bjorn had earned a reputation for himself throughout the galaxy as the best damn mechanic around.

“Hi Tats! Why are you breaking my Tug-Arm couplings?” Bjorn growled, eyes fixed on his task.

“So I can watch you working on them, shirtless,” Tatyana said, smirking at the massive man before her.

Bjorn grunted again. “Your father would kill me if he heard what you were implying,” he said, but his tone betrayed a hint of amusement.

Captain Carter shook his head and chuckled at their antics. “Bjorn, old friend, don’t listen to my daughter. You know she’s just teasing you.”

“Fine,” Tatyana pouted. She knew when to admit defeat, as she did slow cartwheels to an equipment panel nested within the walls of the cargo bay. “An energy discharge welded the gear again, which ruptured the hydraulics.” She said as she opened the panel to pull out and sling a rifle over her shoulder.

“It’s the Celestial Gates,” Bjorn grumbled as he worked on the container doors, perturbed. “They’re welding metal, dropping Tugs short of their destination, or right on top of the stations—”

“Sucking the power out of fold bubbles?” Tatyana interjected. As she gracefully cartwheeled through the cargo bay, she winked at Bjorn.

“Exactly,” Bjorn responded gruffly, looking up from his work to meet her gaze, his frustration palpable in his voice.

Bjorn’s grumpy exterior belied his deep care and concern for the safety of all aboard the Titans Pillar. He recognized the unpredictable nature of space and treated it with respect. He tried to guarantee the safety of everyone and everything.

“Got it!” Bjorn exclaimed as the doors to the containers opened. Various gases escaped, a common occurrence, but it still disquieted the ambiance.

Captain Carter handed Bjorn a scanning device, and brandished one as well. Tatyana slid in front of the two, her rifle now at the ready.

“Okay,” Nigel sighed, “Let’s check the manifest.”

***

In the medical bay, Doctor Orlova was checking her readings, lost in thought. The calmness of the bay was a welcome change from the chaos of the cargo hold, but the silence weighed heavily on her.

As the chief medical officer of the Titans Pillar, Dr. Orlova handled the health and well-being of the entire crew. Because of her skill and dedication, she saved many lives. She bore this responsibility honorably and with dignity.

With a white lab coat covering her formfitting red and black medical uniform, she hunched over her diagnostic equipment. Just above her shoulders, her fiery red hair hung. She turned to Bella, who was sitting on the diagnostic bench, ready for the good doctor’s word.

“Well, Bella, you are once again perfectly healthy.” Orlova started, “But let’s be honest, you didn’t come here for an examination, did you?” She probed, crossing her arms and looking directly at Bella.

“You know me well, Doc,” Bella responded with a sardonic smile. “It’s Tatyana.” Bella sighed, knowing that Orlova saw right through her façade.

Orlova laughed gently, patting Bella’s hand. “What’s bothering you, Bella?” she asked, her warm voice providing Bella with a sense of security and comfort.

“She—okay, we, you and I are modern Osphranter.” Bella started, eliciting a raised eyebrow from Dr. Orlova. “We have evolved features. The smaller feet, the shorter, cuter nose, far fewer fatty deposits in key areas. While Tatyana, she is prehistoric Osphranter: larger nose, enormous feet, and massive amounts of fatty deposits scattered all over - a throwback.” Bella let out a deep sigh.

Dr. Orlova pursed her lips at Bella’s matter-of-fact words and wistful tone. “How does that make you feel, Bella?” she probed gently.

“Well, I felt nothing about it at first, but Lucas seems to be enamored with her every time she does something incredible. I’m happy for her, of course, but it also brings up this weird mix of emotions for me. Jealousy, a little, I suppose. But also sadness, because I can’t relate to that wondrous admiration for Tatyana like Lucas can. It’s like we’re on two different planets, unable to connect over this one thing. And it hurts.” Bella confessed, dropping her gaze to her hands in her lap.

Orlova’s expression softened further. “Bella, I know you feel distanced from Tatyana and Lucas. But it’s important to remember that everyone has their own unique experiences and perspectives. Tatyana’s strength and capabilities attract Lucas, but you and Lucas also share a bond as First Mate and Pilot. You have your own set of skills and experiences that make you valuable and important to the crew in ways that Tatyana can never be.”

Bella nodded. Her lips pressed into a thoughtful line.

“Besides, those, um, fatty deposits Tatyana carries, will appear very attractive to mammals.” Orlova tried to stifle a giggle but failed. She smirked and raised her eyebrow.

Bella let out a sigh, understanding dawning on her face. “I suppose you’re right, doctor.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Thank you for helping me sort this out.”

“No problem, Bella. If you ever feel like talking, I’m here to listen.” Orlova’s soothing smile was now back in full force.

Suddenly, a klaxon blared in the medical bay, and the lights flickered ominously.

“What the? What’s happening?” Bella asked, panic lacing her voice.

“Stay calm, Bella. I don’t know yet, but I’ll find out,” Orlova responded, bouncing to her diagnostic console to access the ship’s systems.

The comms crackled to life. “Medical team to Cargo Bay 16! Doc, you there?” Nigel's voice spoke through the speakers. A sense of urgency contrasted with the composure of someone experienced in handling crises.

Orlova tapped her intercom controls. “Understood, Captain. We’re on our way.” She turned to Bella, who was standing beside her. “No rest for the cursed.” Orlova said, patting Bella on the shoulder, beckoning her to follow. As the two hurried towards Cargo Bay 16, Bella couldn’t shake her sense of inadequacy that had surfaced during her conversation with Orlova.