Have you ever felt lost? Lost to the point you don't know where your going or where you've been, wondering how far you are from home, and wondering why their doesn't seem to be a map. Now imagine that on an intergalactic scale, People underestimate just how large the universe truly is. For every planet there is a solar system around it orbiting one or multiple stars, and there are thousands of stars in each galaxy of which there are thousands more. But somewhere out in the black abyss that was space, there is a family looking up into the same sky wondering where in the universe he was. and unless he can figure out which planet is his own they’ll never know he’s alright.

He can only imagine their pain, their child whisked away to god knows where and never getting the closure that he was even still alive. That’s why he decided long ago that he will do whatever it takes to return. He will go the distance and find out where he’s from and what he is. Abducted at a tender age, memories of his home world are distant, vague, and painful. The recollection of a cage and distant voices, his tiny hands clinging to a bag, is a haunting fragment he pushes aside, unwilling to relive the trauma.

But getting off planet is no easy feat, like most things in life, it required money, a thing Tobi didn’t
have. That’s the thing about not knowing even your species people judge you as untrustworthy like you have something to hide, they fear what they don’t understand. Tobi can’t blame them; he fears his own body as it changes beyond his control as he ages, teeth falling out, hair growing in weird places, acne. He doesn’t know what will happen next.

Who would hire a species they can’t identify? They don’t know his strengths, his weaknesses, his allergies. He was nothing more than a mystery. So finding a job was difficult and keeping it more so. He just needed enough to get a ship that’s all he needs, he knows where to go once that’s acquired. With nowhere else to turn, he went to the last place he wanted to be, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

The dingy little alley shop was well hidden among the trash of the alleyway, it had no sign, merely a handle knob saying it’s open. He walks in the smell of liquor and narcotics assault his senses. He remembers someone telling him about this place long ago, a promise that if he ever needed quick cash they might be able to help him out. He feels guilty that he even kept such a business card, especially knowing what crooks like this have done to good people.

He walks over to the bar, averting his eyes from dirty crooks and scantily clad women. He taps the old worn business card on the counter “I’m here to see Victino”, his voice is low not wanting any extra attention. At least among the seedy bar of multiple different aliens he doesn’t stick out.

“He’s out the back” the bartender states pointing to a door behind him “Just go on through” The bartender's nod toward a door at the back of the dimly lit establishment indicated Tobi's destination.

Swallowing a mix of anxiety and pride, he approached the door and rapped on it. The faint buzz assured him he had the green light to enter. "Victino?" he inquired, seeking confirmation from the mysterious figure within. The alien, resembling a sinuous snake, responded with a venomous grin.

"Well, well, if it isn't the little mystery xeno," Victino hissed in greeting. "Now, this is an unexpected visit." He gestured toward a chair, his reptilian eyes gleaming with an air of intimidation. Tobi complied, casting nervous glances around the room. Another imposing reptilian figure loomed behind Victino, adding an extra layer of menace to the encounter.

"And what brings you here, lil' one?" Victino inquired, his voice a sibilant purr.

"A few years ago, you mentioned if I ever needed money, you might have a job for me," Tobi admitted anxiously.

"Ah, so you've finally come to take me up on the offer. I'll admit I was expecting this sooner," Victino replied smugly. "You see, we have a rather important shipment that needs to go to planet Bacchus. But to get it there safely, we need someone with insider knowledge. Someone who won't get their ship checked."

"So that's why you wanted me for this job. You know my father does guard duty there by checking ships," Tobi deduced.

"Yes, ever since that incident a few years ago, they've upped security. No ship makes it on Bacchus without an inspection. But daddy's little boy is too pure for him to suspect anything," Victino explained cryptically, pinching his cheek mockingly.

"What's the shipment?" Tobi inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"For a son of a peacekeeper, you of all people should know it's rude to read other people's mail," Victino smirked. "So, will you do it? Do you need the money as badly as I think you do?"

The previous conversation repeated in his head, he had to wrestle down his anxiety that it was only one job to get him going and that was it, no more getting help from the seedy underbelly of society. Tobi ambled toward the dilapidated junkyard, a worn key clutched tightly in his hand. This clandestine rendezvous represented a single transaction, a quick exchange that, once completed, would allow him to wash his hands of such dealings forever. The rusted remnants of discarded spacecraft surrounded him, serving as silent witnesses to the clandestine affairs that unfolded in this forgotten corner of the universe.

Amidst the discarded metal and forgotten relics, Tobi's keen eyes spotted the unmistakable sight of a purple bug alien man. Rito, his best friend since time immemorial, was engrossed in the meticulous task of tinkering with various ship parts. The air carried the scent of grease and the distant hum of machinery.

Tobi and Rito had forged a bond that transcended mere friendship—it was a cosmic companionship, a connection rooted in the shared dreams of traversing the cosmos. The two kindred spirits had weathered the storms of life together, their souls entwined in a tapestry of shared memories and aspirations. Since the earliest chapters of their lives, their fates had been interwoven, making Rito the natural choice for a fellow interstellar traveller.

As Tobi approached, a nostalgic warmth enveloped him. He recalled the countless adventures they had concocted in their imaginations, mapping out the galaxies they hoped to explore. Rito, with his infectious enthusiasm and unwavering loyalty, had always been the constant in Tobi's tumultuous life. There was an unspoken understanding between them, a tacit agreement that they would navigate the vastness of the cosmos side by side.

"Rito," Tobi called out, the familiarity of the name rolling off his tongue effortlessly. The purple bug looked up from his work, a grin spreading across his face as he recognized Tobi's approach.

"Hey, Tobi," Rito called out, emerging from beneath the spacecraft, hands adorned with oil and soot. "What's up?"

"I've got a ship!" Tobi exclaimed, brandishing the keys with infectious excitement.

Rito's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, wow! Where'd you get it?"

"I bought that old rust bucket Jakrado was selling," Tobi replied, his enthusiasm radiating.

"How'd you get the money for that?" Rito inquired, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"Doesn't matter. What matters is we can finally travel between planets! Remember how we used to talk about it all the time as kids?"

Rito hesitated, a shadow crossing his features. "Yeah, but that was when we were kids. I thought you had given up on that silly dream. We have lives to live now, I have a job and responsibilities."

"So you've just given up? What happened to your ambition?" Tobi questioned, disappointment creeping into his voice.

"It died with my hope," Rito quipped, gone were the childish ambitions of fame and glory being hit harshly with the reality that was being an adult.

"Come on, we can even make money off it," Tobi urged, attempting to rekindle the spark of their childhood dreams.

"Why is it so important to you that I come with you?" Rito queried, his gaze searching for answers in Tobi's determined eyes.

The blonde man looked away shyly not wanting to look at the other as he confessed"Because, if all goes well with The Bureau of Xeno Relations, I might not be coming back," the weight of his revelation hanging in the air.

Rito's expression softened, understanding dawning. "Ah, you still want to find out what you are?"

"I never stopped," Tobi replied earnestly, his gaze staring off into the distance like it was shameful to throw this life away for a pipe dream.

"Very well," Rito conceded, a hint of honour in his voice. "I guess it's an honour you even want me there when you find out. Does your dad know?"

"I'll tell him soon," Tobi promised, a mixture of determination and uncertainty in his eyes as the prospect of their cosmic journey loomed before them.

Under the shimmering glow of the local bar's neon lights, Tobi treaded the familiar path that night, the weight of disbelief and accomplishment mingling within him. The acquisition of a ship, a dream that once seemed far-fetched, now rested in the reality of his grasp. However, the stress of the accompanying details gnawed at him, prompting a decision to keep certain revelations from both Rito and, most importantly, his father.

As he settled onto a barstool, the cool touch of alcohol from a glass filled with fermented Chiminco fruit eased his nerves. This delicacy, native to Planet Janus, offered a familiar comfort in the midst of the surreal accomplishment that should have been cause for celebration.

The air was thick with the muted hum of conversations and the occasional clink of glasses, yet the weight of Tobi's deal with Victino cast a shadow on what should have been a joyous night. A sigh emanated from the person seated beside him, prompting him to glance to his left. There, an orange and red, horned alien caught his eye. Instant recognition flashed in Tobi's mind—a Tanginseir, a xeno native to Planet Faunus. The tinge of embarrassment crept over him as he chided himself for being such a fervent nerd about interplanetary cultures.

"Rough day?" Tobi offered sympathetically to the weary woman.

"You could say that. Look, if you're trying to ask me out, you're out of luck," she retorted harshly. "I have a husband."

"Oh, uh, no!" Tobi stammered in embarrassment. "That wasn't it at all. I just thought you needed someone to talk to. You look like you have a lot on your mind."

"Well, if you really want to know, I wouldn't mind getting a load off on ya," she replied with a hint of resignation.

"Go for it. You seem like you need someone to talk to," Tobi encouraged, sensing the weight of her troubles.

"It seems like my life has been falling apart lately. I was just disbanded from the peacekeepers, and after that, I found out I didn't really have a life outside of my work—no friends, no family. I'm alone with nothing. All those years in the academy wasted."

"That's rough. So, any ideas on what you want to do next?" Tobi inquired, genuine concern etched on his face.

"If I did, I probably wouldn't be wallowing in pity in this dingy bar," she admitted, a sense of defeat lingering in her words.

"Well, if you have nothing else, why not come with me? My buddy and I just got a ship, and we're headed out to 'The Bureau of Xeno Relations,' helping people along the way with missions," Tobi proposed, his eyes reflecting the newfound spark of purpose.

"Are you serious? We're strangers. You don't even know my name," she pointed out, skepticism in her tone.

"You're right. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Tobi," he said with a friendly smile.

"Rayla," she responded, a trace of gratitude in her eyes. "There, now we aren't strangers anymore. So, what do you say? Want a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the stars? Maybe it'll help you find the next thing you want to do with your life?"

"You know what? I'll join you on your quest, under one condition," Rayla stated.

"Just name it," Tobi agreed, eager to welcome her into their newfound journey.

"I want to stop by Planet Athena," she requested, not elaborating on it any further.

"Will do. It's on the way, I think? If not, that doesn't matter. I promise you we will," Tobi assured her.

"Thank you, Tobi. You've really made my night. I'll admit I was at a crossroad, and it's like you took me out of my car and down a dirt road in the middle of the bush," Rayla confessed, a hint of gratitude in her voice.

"You know what they say, 'the chances we don't take are our deepest regrets,'" Tobi replied, his eyes reflecting the promise of a journey filled with possibilities.

In the hushed tranquility of the night, after returning from the bar, Tobi sought solace in the familiar company of his books. The dim glow of a reading lamp cast a warm aura over the room as he gingerly traced his fingers across the spines of each tome. Each volume held within its pages a wealth of information about various xenos—their cultures, histories, and intricacies of existence. One particular book, distinguished by its cover bearing the imprint of the publisher, drew his attention. Emblazoned with the title 'The Bureau of Xeno Relations,' it beckoned to him like a gateway to understanding.

As his hand glided over the cover, Tobi couldn't help but utter his thoughts aloud, the words carrying a mixture of hope and yearning, "You have to know what I am, right?" The enigmatic question lingered in the air, echoing in the quietude of his room as if the very publisher of the book held the key to unrevealing the mysteries of his own identity. The Bureau of Xeno Relations, a repository of knowledge and discovery, seemed to be his compass on a journey to unveil the truth about his origins, propelling him toward a destiny intertwined with the vast tapestry of the cosmos.