[i]Earlier...[/i]
A blue and white vortex appeared in the space near the Truman station as the subspace corridor deposited a [url=http://p3d.in/Oxi4D]Faira corvette[/url] back to normal space. It was rare to see one of these anywhere as so far the Faira only used unarmed ships when dealing with the other species, however this time they ferried a very precious cargo. The captain stood up and tapped the computer on her wrist, patching into the human communications: "This is FCv Katla arriving on specified time. Greetings from the Nebula, Truman. Requesting a shuttle, we have a crewman for you." The humans responded promptly: "We copy Katla, Dispatching a transport now." The captain turned to the silver-blue form that was standing next to her: "Last chance. Are you sure about this?"

The answer Astra gave was a slow head shake. "We are new to this part of the universe. And this is a chance to learn about everything we might have to face there - I will not pass up this opportunity," the Faira smiled and watched the human station on the display with her eyes wide. Of course, Astra did receive some files on the races she would be meeting. But the humans were the most puzzling of them all. If she remembered correctly, they were very decentralized and many of them were of so different nature that they used to wage wars on each other - a concept alien to her race. Their fragmented nature apparently shown in their architecture as well. The station was looking close to what the Faira would build - a block of internal space surrounded by armor with systems bolted onto it. But in contrast to that was the docked battleship she'd call home for the foreseeable future - Streamlined, sleek design with next to nothing sticking out. To say that she was ecstatic would be a monumental understatement.

A minute later, Astra boarded the utilitarian craft that was sent for her. She didn't bring much in the way of personal belongings. The Faira barely had space on their ships for what was left of their race to waste on trinkets. Understandably the two marines that wanted to help her with her bags were puzzled when she showed up with nothing but her suit and a small bag which contained her dress greys, sidearm and a picture of another of her species. During the transit, she couldn't overlook that both of the marines were having difficulties taking their gaze off of her. "Interesting, correct? How a species based on entirely different chemistry can look so similar." she siad, trying to break the ice. Fortunately the two soldiers got chatty after that.

Once she arrived on the Durendal, she was awestruck by the spacious interior. The ships she knew barely had corridors wide enough for two Faira side by side. The human ship felt like walking outside. "This way, Ma'am." One of the marines pointed. "Ours are slow people. We can get hurt if we move too fast." Astra said back, but stopped looking at every detail and hurried up. They led her to a door in a hall that was labelled 'crew quarters'. Apparently they would each have their own room? that was beyond luxury! "All I need is a lab. What would I do with all that space?" She suggested. "And where are you going to sleep?" one of the marines asked. Astra's head pivoted to the side in the faira gesture of not understanding: "Sleep?"

[i]Presently...[/i]
Apparently the dossiers did not contain nearly enough information. It took a while for Astra to understand the concept of sleep, and she still didn't understand how a species that needed to make itself completely vulnerable for eight hours every day didn't go extinct, but eventually the two marines led her to the lab that would be her workplace. She set up the little stuff she had and got familiar with the human instruments just in time to make it to the meeting with the captain, and all of the others in fact. She was ready for the fact that life might be taking many shapes and forms, but some of her 'colleagues' were beyond her wildest imaginations. Many were actually of the same shape ans her people were - evolution seemed to particularly favor it - but the others she lacked words to describe.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the captain finally arrived and delivered their first objectives. She didn't have any noted towards the mission, however she did have something in mind for the ship itself. Her ideas were still in the basic lines, but if they were to spend extended time behind enemy lines and outside of normal supply lines, she needed to bring over some parts. "Captain, with your permission, I'd like to transfer some parts over from our vessel that might prove useful for bolstering the Durendal's defense." she asked, her eyes meeting the captain's.