The moss-covered rocks were slippery and Lieutenant Commander Stone had to constantly fight to keep his balance. He could hear Nesper behind him falling for the third time. This wasn't going to work. With the amount of noise Nesper was making, they would scare off the aliens before they could get close enough.
Stone crouched down between two boulders and waited for Nesper to reach him. When he was near enough Stone yanked the younger man to him by his uniform. Nesper stumbled, and with a soft yelp he fell on his commanding officer. Before Stone could let go of the fistful of fabric, Nesper kissed him.
“Woah!” said Stone as quietly as he could and pushing Nesper off him. “What the hell do you think you're doing Lieutenant?” Stone wiped the sloppy kiss off his mouth with the back of his hand.
“I thought... I mean, when you pulled me and...” started Nesper who, realizing what he had done, was turning bright red.
“Man, did you read that wrong mister. This is a mission, and I expect everyone to conduct themselves appropriately.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I need you to wait here. We won't be able to make first contact with you falling all over the place.” Stone tapped on his onyx and set it to record mode. “I need you to contact the rest of the landing party and advice them of our position.” Stone knew that he had to give Nesper something to do. “Find out where they are as well.” Stone saw that the embarrassment on Nesper's face had ebbed and he smiled. “Look Howie, I'm gonna need you as backup, in case anything goes wrong. Set your onyx to fire and keep an eye on our new friends down there.”
“Aye sir.”
With a pat on Nesper's shoulder, Stone continued alone down the rocks. He climbed down as fast as he could and as the boulders got smaller, he knew that he losing cover. Behind the last big rock he took one more look and saw that the mermen were still blissfully sitting on the flat rock no more than ten feet away. Standing fully, he held out his hands in the most non-threatening pose he knew, took a deep breath and walked out from his hideout.
The mermen didn't notice the human approaching until some loose rocks were kicked out from under his boots. Then started, they turned and looked at the man walking towards them. Two of the three mermen slipped back into the water but didn't swim away. The third, and from what Stone could tell, the youngest of the three just stared at him.
“Hello,” said Stone slowing down his pace and smiling. “It's okay, you don't need to be afraid of me.” When Stone was less than two feet away he crouched down, hoping that his gesture would tell the alien that he was of no threat.
The merman on the rock turned around and lay on his belly. He slipped back until his tail was touching the water. Stone could tell that this one was curious about him too.
“I am George,” said Stone tapping his chest to indicate he was talking about himself. “Greg,” he repeated and held out his hand with his palm up. “What's your name?” Stone knew that the merman probably had no idea what he was saying but he hoped that his movements and gestures would be good enough communication tools. He kept his smile as he studied the alien.
The merman had almost human features; the eyes, nose and mouth were in the general same areas as his. If the theory of panspermia was true, Stone thought, then based on the few aliens he had encountered, the source cells that came to this planet must originate from the same place in this entire quadrant, including Earth.
The merman looked no older than fifteen human years and his slender body boasted the musculature of someone who has been athletic his whole life. The slippery skin that stretched throughout his body was taut against his muscles and it blended seamlessly into the darker tones of his tail.
Stone inched closer and sat on his haunches when he reached the flat rock. The merman regarded him quietly, tilting his head and then smiled. Stone hoped that a smile was universal and not a precursor to an attack and if that should happen, he prayed that Nesper was a good shot. As Stone got closer still he was reminded of the story of the Little Prince and the fox.
Stone crouched down between two boulders and waited for Nesper to reach him. When he was near enough Stone yanked the younger man to him by his uniform. Nesper stumbled, and with a soft yelp he fell on his commanding officer. Before Stone could let go of the fistful of fabric, Nesper kissed him.
“Woah!” said Stone as quietly as he could and pushing Nesper off him. “What the hell do you think you're doing Lieutenant?” Stone wiped the sloppy kiss off his mouth with the back of his hand.
“I thought... I mean, when you pulled me and...” started Nesper who, realizing what he had done, was turning bright red.
“Man, did you read that wrong mister. This is a mission, and I expect everyone to conduct themselves appropriately.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I need you to wait here. We won't be able to make first contact with you falling all over the place.” Stone tapped on his onyx and set it to record mode. “I need you to contact the rest of the landing party and advice them of our position.” Stone knew that he had to give Nesper something to do. “Find out where they are as well.” Stone saw that the embarrassment on Nesper's face had ebbed and he smiled. “Look Howie, I'm gonna need you as backup, in case anything goes wrong. Set your onyx to fire and keep an eye on our new friends down there.”
“Aye sir.”
With a pat on Nesper's shoulder, Stone continued alone down the rocks. He climbed down as fast as he could and as the boulders got smaller, he knew that he losing cover. Behind the last big rock he took one more look and saw that the mermen were still blissfully sitting on the flat rock no more than ten feet away. Standing fully, he held out his hands in the most non-threatening pose he knew, took a deep breath and walked out from his hideout.
The mermen didn't notice the human approaching until some loose rocks were kicked out from under his boots. Then started, they turned and looked at the man walking towards them. Two of the three mermen slipped back into the water but didn't swim away. The third, and from what Stone could tell, the youngest of the three just stared at him.
“Hello,” said Stone slowing down his pace and smiling. “It's okay, you don't need to be afraid of me.” When Stone was less than two feet away he crouched down, hoping that his gesture would tell the alien that he was of no threat.
The merman on the rock turned around and lay on his belly. He slipped back until his tail was touching the water. Stone could tell that this one was curious about him too.
“I am George,” said Stone tapping his chest to indicate he was talking about himself. “Greg,” he repeated and held out his hand with his palm up. “What's your name?” Stone knew that the merman probably had no idea what he was saying but he hoped that his movements and gestures would be good enough communication tools. He kept his smile as he studied the alien.
The merman had almost human features; the eyes, nose and mouth were in the general same areas as his. If the theory of panspermia was true, Stone thought, then based on the few aliens he had encountered, the source cells that came to this planet must originate from the same place in this entire quadrant, including Earth.
The merman looked no older than fifteen human years and his slender body boasted the musculature of someone who has been athletic his whole life. The slippery skin that stretched throughout his body was taut against his muscles and it blended seamlessly into the darker tones of his tail.
Stone inched closer and sat on his haunches when he reached the flat rock. The merman regarded him quietly, tilting his head and then smiled. Stone hoped that a smile was universal and not a precursor to an attack and if that should happen, he prayed that Nesper was a good shot. As Stone got closer still he was reminded of the story of the Little Prince and the fox.
Seeing that the merman was no longer afraid of him, Stone tried to stand up. He kept his smile and watched for facial changes on the alien boy's face. He hoisted himself up gently and sat on the flat rock, dangling his legs over the edges. He too needed to know that he could escape should something go wrong.
“George,” he said, trying again at verbal communication. When he got nothing, he kept his hand out. The merman looked at the hand and then lifted his own, as if to compare the appendages. The boy then mimicked the human and held out his hand too. They touched, and his slippery fingertips felt almost rubbery to Stone. “Hi there,” whispered Stone smiling broadly as their fingers interlocked.
…
Captain Hunt followed his nose and walked into the banquet hall. He tugged at his dress uniform and saw that Commander Holts was doing the same. It was strange how uncomfortable these formal attires were, seeing that they are made from the same materials as their duty uniforms.
The hall was packed with crew members engaged in excited chatter. Hunt couldn't remember the last time there was so much glee in the air. Tonight's Friendship Dinner was going to be done over four shifts, catering to everyone on board. Only the T'aal have excused themselves citing a ritual they had to perform, Hunt didn't want to argue to H'loor and excused them. He desparately needed this dinner to go on with as little fuss as possible.
“George,” he said, trying again at verbal communication. When he got nothing, he kept his hand out. The merman looked at the hand and then lifted his own, as if to compare the appendages. The boy then mimicked the human and held out his hand too. They touched, and his slippery fingertips felt almost rubbery to Stone. “Hi there,” whispered Stone smiling broadly as their fingers interlocked.
…
Captain Hunt followed his nose and walked into the banquet hall. He tugged at his dress uniform and saw that Commander Holts was doing the same. It was strange how uncomfortable these formal attires were, seeing that they are made from the same materials as their duty uniforms.
The hall was packed with crew members engaged in excited chatter. Hunt couldn't remember the last time there was so much glee in the air. Tonight's Friendship Dinner was going to be done over four shifts, catering to everyone on board. Only the T'aal have excused themselves citing a ritual they had to perform, Hunt didn't want to argue to H'loor and excused them. He desparately needed this dinner to go on with as little fuss as possible.
Hunt was to officiate the first round with his senior staff and the Yusei delegates. He made a beeline towards the head table passing over twenty tables of smiling crew members.
“Welcome captain!” said Ambassador Bolak who took the captain's hand and shook it. “Manduk tells me everything is ready and we hope that tonight will be up to your expectations.”
“I am sure everything would be wonderful ambassador,” said Hunt returning the smile and walked around the long banquet table. “The delicious aromas floating around the ship has certainly made me hungry,” he joked and indicated that ambassador should sit next to him.
“Allow me to give you a little introduction to tonight's meal,” Manduk said as everyone sat down. “For centuries the Yusei have traveled between the planets in our solar system and brought home a variety of delicacies that have become part of our culture.” Manduk gestured towards the cups at the table. “We start every meal with a cup of Hoobula root tea, gathered from the mountains on Kulei, our sister planet.” He smiled and waited for everyone to take a sip. Hunt took the cup, gave it a whiff and drank its contents. It was surprisingly good. The tea reminded him of sweetened berries with just a hint of bitterness. “These roots can only be collected three times a year and they are an important commodity on our world.” Manduk then gestured to the waiting staff and with a practiced flair they brought out the next course.
It took three people to bring what to Hunt, seemed to be the longest plate he ever saw. And once the plate was set down, Hunt was surprised to see what looked like a long fish. The sliced fish tail took up the entire length of the plate and garnishing it were cuts of meat on one side and two long tubes of sausages on the other.
“This is our essential festival fare,” said the delighted Manduk. “This is an indigenous animal that we hunt on Julan, the planet we now orbit.” Manduk leaned in and pointed out the different items on the plate. “This is an ancient delicacy from our forefathers and eating this animal is a tradition that is close to our hearts. We call the creature Ollustra, they are a sea animal that lives on Julan. Here we have the tail steamed to perfection with just a sprinkle of herbs as seasoning. On the side are special cuts of meat from another part of the Ollustra. This meat has a different texture compared to the tail and so we prepared it differently by roasting it over a low flame for a few hours.”
From the corner of his eye Hunt noticed Holts and Doctor DeSelle paying particular interested to the two long tubes of meat on the other side of the plate. Hunt had a feeling he knew what the tubes were but he also knew that turning up his nose on anything might be considered rude.
“Lastly, we have what is perhaps the most extraordinary delicacy on our world,” Manduk said with pride. “These are the reproductive organs of the Ollustra, considered to be an aphrodisiac. Boiled for two hours, these organs are so tender, every morsel will melt in your mouth. It is not an easy dish to prepare and only specialized chefs could make this.”
“Welcome captain!” said Ambassador Bolak who took the captain's hand and shook it. “Manduk tells me everything is ready and we hope that tonight will be up to your expectations.”
“I am sure everything would be wonderful ambassador,” said Hunt returning the smile and walked around the long banquet table. “The delicious aromas floating around the ship has certainly made me hungry,” he joked and indicated that ambassador should sit next to him.
“Allow me to give you a little introduction to tonight's meal,” Manduk said as everyone sat down. “For centuries the Yusei have traveled between the planets in our solar system and brought home a variety of delicacies that have become part of our culture.” Manduk gestured towards the cups at the table. “We start every meal with a cup of Hoobula root tea, gathered from the mountains on Kulei, our sister planet.” He smiled and waited for everyone to take a sip. Hunt took the cup, gave it a whiff and drank its contents. It was surprisingly good. The tea reminded him of sweetened berries with just a hint of bitterness. “These roots can only be collected three times a year and they are an important commodity on our world.” Manduk then gestured to the waiting staff and with a practiced flair they brought out the next course.
It took three people to bring what to Hunt, seemed to be the longest plate he ever saw. And once the plate was set down, Hunt was surprised to see what looked like a long fish. The sliced fish tail took up the entire length of the plate and garnishing it were cuts of meat on one side and two long tubes of sausages on the other.
“This is our essential festival fare,” said the delighted Manduk. “This is an indigenous animal that we hunt on Julan, the planet we now orbit.” Manduk leaned in and pointed out the different items on the plate. “This is an ancient delicacy from our forefathers and eating this animal is a tradition that is close to our hearts. We call the creature Ollustra, they are a sea animal that lives on Julan. Here we have the tail steamed to perfection with just a sprinkle of herbs as seasoning. On the side are special cuts of meat from another part of the Ollustra. This meat has a different texture compared to the tail and so we prepared it differently by roasting it over a low flame for a few hours.”
From the corner of his eye Hunt noticed Holts and Doctor DeSelle paying particular interested to the two long tubes of meat on the other side of the plate. Hunt had a feeling he knew what the tubes were but he also knew that turning up his nose on anything might be considered rude.
“Lastly, we have what is perhaps the most extraordinary delicacy on our world,” Manduk said with pride. “These are the reproductive organs of the Ollustra, considered to be an aphrodisiac. Boiled for two hours, these organs are so tender, every morsel will melt in your mouth. It is not an easy dish to prepare and only specialized chefs could make this.”
Holts noticed the three-foot long penis and the large orbs that should be the testicles of the animal and he could hardly suppress a childish chuckle. This earned him an elbow jab from the doctor.
With a quick clap of his hands, Manduk summoned the waiting staff who approached and carved up the meat and served a little of everything on everyone's plate.
Holts exchanged a look with Hunt who tilted his head indicating that they had to eat what was served. Holts took a forkful of the fish into his mouth and all his reservations disappeared. It did taste like fish with a smooth texture, very good fish. The infusion of herbs blended well with the flavorful meat. The cuts of roast too was delicious, tasting a little bit like pork, good old barbecued pork, thought Holts. He used his fork and rolled the slice of Ollustra cock on his plate and he remembered having bull's penis stew back on Earth. This can't be that different, he thought and took a mouthful.
With a quick clap of his hands, Manduk summoned the waiting staff who approached and carved up the meat and served a little of everything on everyone's plate.
Holts exchanged a look with Hunt who tilted his head indicating that they had to eat what was served. Holts took a forkful of the fish into his mouth and all his reservations disappeared. It did taste like fish with a smooth texture, very good fish. The infusion of herbs blended well with the flavorful meat. The cuts of roast too was delicious, tasting a little bit like pork, good old barbecued pork, thought Holts. He used his fork and rolled the slice of Ollustra cock on his plate and he remembered having bull's penis stew back on Earth. This can't be that different, he thought and took a mouthful.
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