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Shahtar rumbled in frustration as xe shoved the data holo away and sat down at their engineering station.
Illnee-yah’theed looked over in curiosity. Sensing the frustration of her companion did not require telepathy—even though the large Octhule was practically screaming at her with xis brain. She activated her translation implant.
“What troubles you, friend?”
Shahtar’s large furry head turned toward the slender Na’veene.
“A new crew member will join us soon. A Hoo-man,” xe growled.
“You… do not like… Hoo-man?” This confused Illnee-yah’theed. Shahtar usually liked everyone.
Despite their large size and intimidating appearance, the Octhule were an intelligent, peaceful herbivores species.
“I try to understand this new species. Look! I downloaded the manual.” Shahtar pulled the holo data back up and shoved it on to Illnee-yah’theed’s monitor. “But nothing makes any sense! They are listed as omnivores, except some of them mostly eat meat but some of them only eat plants. But there is no specifying as to which sub-species. There is no subspecies!”
Illnee-yah’theed began to read through the data as Shahtar continued to rant.
“Some are warriors, some are not. Most will fight if survival is threatened but not all. Which ones? Not specified! Some are considered quite intelligent, some are not. Some love space travel, some prefer the old ways. Some are quiet, some are not. There is a list of certain gestures and words to avoid. Some might take insult to these things. But not all. It varies from each life form. Does it specify which life form?”
“I predict that it does not,” Illnee-yah’theed said as she continued to read.
Shahtar was correct. There was much conflicting information. The only thing that Illnee-yah’theed could see that did not have any sort of qualifying statement was that Humans needed food, rest and oxygen. Literally everything else was noted as having a mitigating circumstances. What a confusing species. Now Illnee-yah’theed understood Shahtar’s frustration.
Until Humans had figured out FTL drives all of them were from a Level X-7 planet. A death planet. The fact that there was any life on an X-7 planet was impressive. The fact that a sapient species had not only originated but flourished in that environ was miraculous.
“How are xe-plural supposed to efficiently work with a creature who can’t even decided which type of plathtarian food to eat!”
“Is plathtarian food any good?”
Illnee-yah’theed and Shahtar turned surprise. Behind them stood a small, mostly hairless bipedal creature. It wore an engineering badge pinned to its uniform shirt. It bared its teeth at them.
Shahtar rose and stomped at the threat.
The creature backed up. It held up its appendages in a defensive posture. “Whoa, whoa man! Chill out.”
Shahtar shook in anger. “You threaten xe?!”
“Threaten? No! No, threat. What makes you think… oh, shit. Sorry.”
The creature covered up their teeth. It’s mouth continued to be turned up. Illnee-yah’theed sensed the creature’s caution and embarrassment. It meant no harm.
Maybe it was a passenger. A hatchling possibly. No adult creature would make such a silly mistake.
“Greetings. I am Illnee-yah’theed. Do you require assistance?”
The creature finally tore its gaze from Shahtar. “Assistance? No. I’m the new crew member. My name’s Steve.”
Illnee-yah’theed’s slender head tilted to the side. “Crew member? Are you… human?”
Surely this small, pale and apparently soft creature could not be from an X-7 planet!
Steve bobbed its head in agreement. “Yeah, total human. Originally from Earth. Reporting for engineering duty. Who are you guys?”
“I am Illnee-yah’theed, I am a Na’veene.”
Steve nodded.
“I am Shahtar. I am one of the Octhule, of the second working caste. I have tried to study your species to prepare for your arrival.”
“Aw, that’s cool of you, man. Some people don’t bother. I wasn’t told who’d be working with so I will read up on your guys too. I’ll do my best to not cause any more confusion.”
Illnee-yah’theed bowed in appreciation.
“I have a question,” Shahtar said.
“Yeah?”
“What, in the name of the Great Creator, is wrong with your species?”
Of the reaction they thought they would get, Steve’s bemused snort was not it.
“Dude, you’re gonna have to be more specific.”