[snip]

Once everyone was in the room, the shyness of the children overall seemed to lessen, and a few of the more bolder ones, four in total soon swarmed the group. In particular three of the children seemed to find Cara the most fascinating with her fur, “..Can we touch your arm?” One asked hesitatingly.

The fourth child, a small boy found Lt Grey’s height the most interesting, looking up at the 6‘4 man he said. “..You are really big! Do you hit your head a lot?” he asked.

The other shy children seemed to whisper amongst themselves seeming to try to work up the courage to speak up or approach the others. Their teacher spoke then, “..Now now, settle down everyone!” she said which was echoed by the assistant teacher, “..these are our alien guests on our habitat. Councilor Sal is leading them on a tour.” She explained.

Sal nodded smiling gently to the children, “..Indeed, they come from far away. But their ship that brought them here is just outside our habitat. They seem to be an assortment of nice people who work together much like we do to benefit everyone..” she said.

One of the shy children spoke, “..But....they’re all different species, isn’t that weird?” she asked.

Sal looked to any among the team to fill in the answer, “..Maybe so to us, but perhaps one of our guests would like to answer this?” she said.

Joe had watched and listened to the children. Despite what most people might think of Joe’s often gruff demeanor that was something he saved exclusively for adults. For it had been his experience that one or more of those would sooner or later do something to intentionally hurt or undermine you given enough time. Children however he loved no matter who they were.

Joe laughed and smiled broadly as he knelt down to the level of the child who had asked the question. “Well, that’s quite the intelligent question. You’ll go far asking sharp questions like that. But the answer is yes, it is weird. A lot of time we fight just like you must with your brothers and sisters. We argue all of us wanting things done the way we think it should be done. But the thing is we all live in the same part of the sky together. Much the same as you and your brothers or sisters must live in the same place with your parents. So, like you we have to find ways to get along.”

Seeing confusion on some of the children’s faces he motioned the child with the question to come closer. He then held up his index finger and told the child. “Push that backward toward me until I say ouch. Go ahead you can do it.” As soon as the child pressed on Joe’s finger he whimpered out in mock pain. “Okay that was only one of us. “Joe then held up all the fingers on the hand and made a fist. “Now try this is all of us together. It’s called unity, understanding and cooperation.” Joe smiled as the child assaulted his fist and got nowhere.

Lt.Cmdr. Joe Milligan XO

Some of the children murmured evidently questioning each other or prodding someone to ask more things for the group.

The guy wearing the red shirt wondered why the child asked such a question ‘’Cmdr’‘ he whispered ‘’Maybe its possible that he was referring about our different skin color, hair and eyes and the child thinks we are a different species from each other ?’‘ the security finished with a gulp not knowing how the Cmdr was going to react, if not here then back on the ship and was quick to take a few steps back.

NC Red Shirt. (marthese)

Joe gave the red shirt a sideways look complete with the copyrighted Milligan look of astonishment that anyone would ask such a question. “Indeed, that is what I was answering for the child. I’m pretty sure they understood. Each finger a different race or species. Singly not as strong as they all are together. I believe it was used by a fellow name of Winston Churchill if my old Earth history serves me correctly.”

Lt. Cmdr. Joe Milligan XO

By now the man in the red shirt was inspecting his fingers trying to solve this mystery. He opened the palm of his hand and gazed at it as if for the first time .It was then that the guy realized what the Cmdr had taught the boy who apparently had a higher IQ then him!

‘’Got it ‘’ he said excitedly ‘’The fingers are not of the same size yet we use them collectively ‘’ then wondered what would happen if he lost his thumb .
Gazing at the Cmdr the red shirt came to the conclusion that the man was exceptional intellectually .

N.C Red Shirt

Joe simply smiled at the man and nodded his head. He also made a mental note to speak with the new security officer about the man. Joe sighed then as he stood and looked around at the children. He was feeling anxious and suddenly very cooped up as a number of things ran through his mind. He was concerned about Cross and how she was doing. He wondered as well how the captain and his team were doing. He disliked having everyone split up as they were.

Joe took a quick look around the area and hoped as well that that the new COS would survive being alone with Miriam. Turning his attention to the children once more he smiled and idly answered a few more of their questions. Many showing the mental sharpness and intuitiveness that only the young from anyplace managed to possess.

Lt.Cmdr. Joe Milligan XO

One of the children spoke up then once given permission by the assistant teacher, her attention seemed focused on the Cara, “..Um…how come you are so fuzzy? My great grand-mom told me a story once before she died when I was really young. She said once when she was just a bit older then me now. That some alien guests had come through on a big grey colored ship and they were not so friendly at first. But the Dol at the time, she was able to convince them that making trouble with us was not to their advantage and they calmed down. So then when two of the aliens came aboard, they had a third one that was really short! But she had fuzzy furry skin like you, but it was all white and um....she did not have a tail I think? Uh, the aliens decided to buy some supplies we had in excess and the Dol, she refused to accept other things in trade until the furry woman was part of the deal. After a bit more arguing the furry woman was exchanged with some other things in trade..” She said.

Sal spoke, “..I believe the child refers to a visit a bit under 100 years ago locally here. The race were representing a slaver union called ‘The Guild’, that has since been destroyed by other major powers in this religion we later learned..” She explained.

The girl nodded, “..Yes The Guild! That was it but um…” seeming to collect her question she turned back to Cara, “..sadly the furry lady passed away not long after they left because of her injuries being too bad for us to care for and not understanding her body and stuff. Um....but my question is are the people you are with they aren’t slave owners right? We don’t like slavers..” she asked.

GM CockRoach