4 Chapter 4 :

Low Orbit, Maradisaè, 3rd of March 2119.

Starfort Eta, Living Quaters, Captain Wells's Room.

Time, 04:31

Captain Alex Wells

They walked for half an hour until they reached living quaters. There was an entire row of these, stretching for kilometers, housing a thounsand bunkrooms, and they were told there were a hundred of these. They were also told the first hundred were reserved for Alfan, all the rest were Darudain. They entered the first three, which had been set aside for them, but was still decorated in the Alfan style. There was gold, silver, blue and red everywhere, in perfect equillibrium.

They filed in, and found each bunkroom large enough to house a hundred people.

"We refused to let you have Darudain quaters," explained Laecian, "after all their's are designed for their stature, so you would have trouble fitting. Now if the highest ranks could follow me, I shall show you to your individual cabins."

Wells turned to his crew, "I'm sure you will be fine here, get some shuteye, you've earned it." There were a few 'Yes sir's at that and everybody began filing into the rooms, Laecian's own crew went to their own quaters with practiced ease.

"Xeing, FTL, Magnler, Regala, Parker. You're with me."

The five people detached themselves from the crowd. The science officer, the security officer, the chief engineer, the lead doctor and the communications officer.

They followed Laecian to a series of glowing blue platforms.

"These teleporters will take you to the officer's deck."

"Are they safe?" asked Wells.

"I'm not sure." came Laecian's worrying response, "They function well enough on us, but we've never tested them on a Human before."

Xeing stepped forward, onto the platform, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." she said quietly.

Laecian smiled at that. "Just press the button that would take you to the officer's deck."

Xeing observed the buttons, noting that they were all labeled in the illegible alien language.

"Ah, my appologies," said the Alfan Captain, "Second column, seventh row."

Xeing put her slim finger against the appropriate button and pushed it. She was suddenly engulfed in blue light, then she vanished. As if she was never there in the first place.

"How is this possible?" blurted Bentham shocked.

"Quantum entanglement. We discovered a few decades ago how to appropriatly harness it's properties to transport ourselves anywhere, as long as it is linked in to the quantum net."

Wells, interested as he was by this concept, activated his wrist mounted comms and called Cmdr Anne Xeing.

A few moments passed before came Xeing's voice.

"All good captain, it's a funny feeling."

"Alright, but never do that to me again." huffed the Captain.

"Can't make any promises, you know that." she answered.

Wells sighed, of course not, he knew her well enough for that to be ovious.

And so they took turns heading into the teleporters to another deck. Wether above or below the previous one, only the natives knew.

They emerged into a deck, like a miniature version of the last one, with rooms every so often in the walls.

The first six all had names inscribed into them in english. Alex Wells, Anne Xeing, Josh Flitztrauerlingh, Bentham Magnler, Lauren Regala and Imogen Parker. On the opposite sides were the members of Laecian's crew, though none could recognise the flowing script.

"I wish you good night." said Laecian, moving to his own room. The first in the line.

As Alex entered his room, he saw a lavishly decorated space, furnished with the finest assortment of furniture he had ever seen. On one side of the room was a beautiful and flowing golden bed. On the other, a desk that would have been hideously expensive on Earth, flowing gold, blue and red veins imbedded in white metal. He sat on the bed, marvelling at it's impossibly soft texture.

A window was framed on the ceiling, giving a wonderful view out to space. Vessels passing before it every so often.

He sat there on the bed for a moment before realising there was a flowing glass in the shape and colours of a curious flower. Inside was a deep blue liquid. He pulled out his synthesiser and tested it. It came out with an analysis of the molecular composition. It was similar in composition to wine and was, so the synthesiser stated, safe to drink. He took a sip. It was delicious and cool. Before he knew it, he'd drained the glass.

He lay down, still in uniform. He suddenly realised how exausted he was. He fell asleep almost immediatly.