The rashilian spent most of his recreational time jumping from ship-to-ship, making last minute appearances with ambassadors and iconoclasts from the Metacaug Elite. He shook hands, bowed, embraced, smiled politely, and responded to the same questions in a well-rehearsed, yet eloquent, manner that conveyed sincerity. He quite honestly dreaded formalities. For the past month, the entirety of the ULSS crew was subjugated to a media frenzy. With less than a day away until launch, Nadan wanted nothing more than to relax, but he budgeted his time well for them. After all, it’s not like he’ll be seeing any of them any time soon. After the last and final appearance was made, he boarded a two-person shuttle craft and made his way toward the giant research station. He summoned a holographic interface, his personal menu. Nadan had sent a message to the Delta Crew hours before, but no one had responded. Still, his destination was set on the Rutgun Drinkwell onboard the Truth Shield. 

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Nadan stood completely still as a floating drone scanned his entire anatomy. 

“Thank you, Officer Taushir. You may enter.” Said the burly, insectoid-looking bouncer that guarded the double door entrance.

Nadan managed to enter Rutgun Drinkwell without waiting in the ridiculously long line that spiraled down a narrow corridor. Apparently, all of the ULSS crew members were put on a guest list, courtesy of the owner. It made sense, Nadan reasoned, seeing as how they were less than a day away from launch. No one wanted to spend their last moments of rec time waiting in line. This was a good thing, seeing as how he arrived fifteen minutes late.

The rashilian was consumed by the livelihood of Rutgun Drinkwell. An electro-synth number filled the air, accompanied by a raucous crowd that must have arrived in droves just moments before. Drinks were flowing, laughter erupted everywhere, and dance moves Nadan had never seen before were let loose without regard. It reminded the rashilian of the Age of Wine, an era of celebration that followed the end of the great interstellar war. It suddenly dawned on Nadan how difficult it will be to locate anyone from his Delta team. A countless number of unique faces patterned across his field of view. He rotated his wrist pad, allowing a holographic screen to expand around his eyes. 

Nadan typed onto the holo keys with his free hand, then began scanning around. The micro frame became transparent, showcasing biometric and ULSS registries of each individual showed within the holo screen. Winding through the sea of people, his holoscreen finally lit up. A red outline traced over two figures that were in close proximity of each other. Nadan nodded approvingly as their names came up. The rashillian waltzed over to the two, whom looked to be in mid-conversation. 

“Hello there!” Nadan interjected, flashing dimples, yet retaining a stern presence. “I’m glad you could make it! I was afraid no one would show up.” He extended his hand and performed the universally recognized gesture for formal introductions to each of them. “I am Operations Officer Nadan Taushir, leader of our Delta Exploronaut group. Now, before we move onto pleasantries, what kind of drink can I get you two?”