When he was enrolled, Bob was without question one of the youngest students ever accepted into the Fleet Academy. He was noticeably smaller than average, but that had nothing to do with his age. Oh, and Bob was a vibrant shade of Blue.

He collected his tray with a chipper, “Thanks!” from the lunch counter worker. She nodded at him with a genuinely amused and pleased smirk before shovelling another glob of indistinguishable slop off out of the tray and onto a plate for the next unfortunate student in line.

As he worked his way through the crowd of students, he noticed with some great satisfaction that nobody was paying any attention to him. It hadn’t always been that way. Back almost four years ago when he first arrived he was considered quite the oddity. While he had loved answering all the questions people had for him back then, he considered this current lack of attention to be a minor triumph. To him, he took it to mean he had been truly accepted into the group and was therefore no longer noteworthy. Humans really were remarkable in their ability to accept new people into their community.

As he went, he stepped carefully with his six locomotive legs to avoid bumping or jostling anyone. It was very close to final examinations, and more often than not his fellow pupils had their attention almost completely focused on data pads, with scant scraps of mental focus only grudgingly allocated to the food in front of them. He would feel awful if he distracted any of them from their studies.

Looking for a place to sit, he saw a group of his friends at a nearby table. As usual, they had left some space for him. His antennae twitched in appreciation and he started moving their direction. As he got closer, he saw that none of them were talking. They were all studying. He knew himself well enough to know he would end up being a distraction for them, so he decided to leave them to it and look for another table.

He paused and surveyed the room. It was far quieter than usual today than at other times of the year. Normally you could hear the whole range of human communications. Jokes would lead to laughter, or particularly interesting classroom sessions on Just War Theory or Xeno-Ethics would spark lengthy debates. That was all gone today. Everyone was trying to take advantage of any last minute to cram for the tests.

As that thought was passing through his mind, his attention was caught by a middle-aged man with a baseball cap and street clothes sitting alone at a table near one of the large windows. His gaze was transfixed on the beautiful day outside. His civilian outfit stood out in sharp contrast to the sea of uniforms that filled the room. The man looked solemn, and unless Bob was misreading him, somewhat sad. He wondered to himself if there was perhaps something he could do to cheer him up a bit.

Moving through the crowd, he approached the man’s table and said, “Hello, my name is Bob. Would you like some company?”

The stranger turned his head to consider the new arrival with a frown. It was not one of displeasure, but consideration, and maybe a little confusion.

He smiled faintly and said, “You know, I don’t remember the last time I had a casual conversation with a Krador. By all means Cadet, have a seat. My name is Jack.”

Bob moved a chair aside and rested his abdomen on the floor.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jack! If you don’t mind me saying so, you look a little sad to be here. Is something wrong?”

Jack’s eyebrows rose slightly and with a little chuckle and the beginnings of a smile he said, “Well, Bob, you seem both observant and quit precocious. As a matter of fact, yes, I am a little sad to be here now that you mention it.”

“Why?

“Well, I wasn’t supposed to be here today. I got called in to do some unexpected paperwork. I was looking forward to enjoying the sunshine and fresh air.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. It would have been a great day for it. I am sorry.”

“Well, it couldn’t be helped, or so I am told.”

Jack looked around the room and asked, “Is it always like this around here before finals?”

“Well, more like this than usual, but this year the stakes are higher.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well, have you heard much about the Andromeda Expedition?”

“I am perhaps too acquainted with it. The paperwork around that mission is why I was called in today.”

“Well, everyone here wants a shot at being assigned to crew on one of those ships, but there aren’t many openings.”

Jack leaned back a little more in his chair and offered, “To think, ten years ago humans hadn’t even made first contact with the Broda, and now here we are planning a trip to the Andromeda Galaxy. It’s going to be history in the making. It’s understandable that there would be a lot of active service members that want in on that.”

Slightly matching Jack’s movements, Bob leaned forward slightly and agreed, “Right? I couldn’t agree more. It would be the adventure of a lifetime. Just think of what they are going to see out there.”

Jack’s eyes wandered across the sea of students and offered, “I don’t know if most of these cadets have any idea what they would be signing up for. How many of them would still want to go if they really considered how long the expeditionary fleet will be out? It will take the best ships we have a little over six months to even get there. There isn’t really any way to be sure how you would handle that before you are asked to do it.”

“Oh,” Bob said with a dismissive wave of one of his upper arms, “I know. My queen made me for it.”

“Come again?”

“Well, not many humans I have spoken to know this, but Krador are designed by our queens for specific roles. My queen made me for extended fleet combat duty as a navigator.”

Jack’s head tilted to one side, “How does that work? I mean, what specifics did she build into you to make you more suitable for that job? How could a queen even know what to put in the mix?”

“Well, she told me she did a lot of research. I mean, some things she knew of course. Physically, she gave me a brain specifically tuned to making jump calculations, and my body can sustain much longer periods in vacuum than most Krador, though I have to take her word on that one. I have never tried it. She made me smaller than usual so I would consume fewer resources as well. Also, she said I could even grow back limbs given enough time. Most non-warrior Krador can’t do that.”

“Impressive, but what do you mean by, ‘Physically’?”

“Well, she recognized there would be a need to get along with other species, specifically Ape-, er, Humans, so she looked at what would most facilitate that psychologically as well. As you noted earlier, I am rather precocious. She figured if I was going to be in a multi-species crew, I would need to be comfortable talking to new people. Also, she said she made me an optimist, because that would be good for morale on long missions.”

Jack took his hat off for a moment and ran his fingers through his hair before returning it and said, “Yeah, that all makes sense, I suppose. So, why aren’t you over at a table anywhere with your face buried in a data pad like pretty much everyone else? Even the other Krador I have seen are cramming for their finals right now.”

For the first time today, Bob’s antennae drooped a little as he explained, “Well, they are all hoping to get their grades up enough to become eligible for a better assignment. I am not in the running for any of the major assignments that are coming up. I am pretty much guaranteed to get posted to a transport ship or to shuttle Planetary Defense Force personnel around.”

At this Jack straightened up folded his hands on the table in front of him.

“Why is that? Are you not proficient with the material?”

“Oh, I’m definitely proficient! I would be in the running for top of my class as a Navigator, but something came up last semester and it kinda’ messed things up for me.”

“What happened?”

“Well, it’s a little embarrassing, and I haven’t told anyone about it.”

Jack quirked a head to the side and gave a warm smile to the young insectoid and invited, “Well, maybe it’s time you did, Cadet. I am just some random guy you may or may not ever see again. I am a pretty safe confidant. Why don’t you tell me about it? I bet it will do you some good to talk to someone about it.”

Bob’s head rose and he examined the stranger’s face.

“Yeah, okay. Just, don’t tell any of my classmates. It is too embarrassing.”

“I promise.”

“Well, I was coming back from a weekend of rest and relaxation with some friends of mine and we got separated. As I was looking for them, I heard some strange noises in a back alley. I was curious, so I went to see what it was. When I got to the back in a little, I saw there was a little Human, maybe 8 years old there. He was sitting on the ground with his back against the wall, hiding behind a dumpster and crying.”

Jack leaned forward with concerned interest and asked, “Was he hurt?”

“No, he had gotten into an argument with his mom while they were out shopping. He wanted something from a store, and she wouldn’t get it for him. He got so upset he ran away from her and just kept running. By the time he calmed down again, he was totally lost.”

Jack slumped back into his chair a little and mused, “He must have been terrified.”

“Oh, he was. I decided to stay with him to make sure he stayed safe until I could get some help for him. As you probably know, Krador have an overwhelming desire to make sure our children are safe. Ever since the Apex and Cheech ambassadors took the extreme measures they did to transport and protect our people here on Earth, we have all considered you our family.”

“So I have been told. What happened next?”

“To cheer him up, I offered to let him ride on my back as we looked for help. He agreed, and we went off down the street looking for his mom.”

“And?”

“Well, we found her. She saw her son on my back and began screaming. She told me to put him down, and she, well.”

“She what?”

“She called me a blue monster.”

Jack’s eyebrows lifted up and he let out a low whistle before offering, “I’ll bet that didn’t feel very good.”

“No, no it didn’t.”

Neither spoke for a bit as the low murmur of the mess hall filled the air between them.

“Bob.”

“Yes?”

“You’re not a monster. You know that right?”

“That’s nice of you to say, Jack, but I don’t think I will forget how scared that mother was when she saw her little boy with me.”

“Bob, let me fill you in on some human psychology here. Both mothers and fathers can become hysterical when they are worried about their children. It spurs us to action, which is good, but it can also stop us from thinking straight. Sadly often, it makes us say things we never would otherwise. I am sure if she were to speak to you now, she would regret saying those things.”

“But she must have had some reason to say it. Somewhere inside she must actually feel that way about me.”

Jack nodded his head in thought and said, “Bob, you aren’t in charge of other people’s emotions, or their misunderstandings. The best you can do is your best, and that’s it. You were doing right by that little boy and by his mom. You didn’t do anything wrong. What she said was unkind, and in the final analysis how she chose to interpret your actions is on her, not you. If you carry things like that around, they will weigh you down and drag you under. You need to let it go.”

“How do I keep it from happening again though?”

Jack shrugged his shoulders and held his arms out to the sides, “You can’t, practically. If you make it your task to ensure everyone never gets the wrong impression of you, it will consume all your time and energy and in the end you’ll still fail.”

Bob thought carefully about Jack’s words carefully before responding, “I appreciate your perspective, Jack. I wish I had met you right after all that happened.”

“How did you handle it?”

It was right before finals last year. I tanked most of my exams and I almost got kicked out for not keeping up academically. They put me on academic probation and I think the only reason they let me stay in was because I was in the first group of Krador to the Academy and they didn’t have a baseline for expected behavior.”

Jack looked out the window again and asked, “So, how have you done this term?”

“I have been getting top marks so far. I assume the things they are teaching me here will most likely come up at some point in my military career, so I better pay attention and learn them. Even if I am not in the running for one of the best assignments, I still feel like learning it for its own sake is important.”

Jack seemed to like this, and nodded approvingly.

“That’s a good attitude to have. My advice is to finish as strong as you can Cadet. You never know what might happen.”

“Oh, I intend to. My queen didn’t put quitting in me.”

At that comment a broad grin broke out across Jack’s face. It was a pleased, relaxed expression and it made Bob happy.

Jack stood up, and said, “Well, Bob, I have to get back to that work that brought me in today. I think there may be some hope of getting it done and enjoying the last of the sunshine today.

Bob was done with his food, so he stood up and picked up his tray and offered, “It was really nice talking to you, Jack. I hope we meet again sometime.”

“It’s a smaller universe than most people think when it comes to things like that I have found.”

Jack turned to begin walking away and then paused, and turning his head toward the little Krador asked, “Bob?”

“Yes, Jack?”

“You never mentioned why she made you blue. What was her reason for that?”

Bob’s head wobbled a little and the set of his antennae showed a bit of pride as he responded, “Because it looks good. I think she was in a blue aesthetic phase at that point.”

Jack laughed jovially at that, and waved a hand at the young Krador as he strode away.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

The next few weeks brought testing, graduation, and their commissions. The newly minted Second Lieutenants now had one final milestone ahead of them before beginning on their greater careers serving in the military forces of the Apex: first mission assignments.

This was less of a ceremony and more of a military practice. Gone was the pomp and circumstance of graduation and commissioning. These were replaced by the efficient and expedited practices of an active military force.

He and his friends had taken the opportunity beforehand to say their goodbyes. They promised one another they would keep in touch when possible. The odds were long any of them would be given postings even remotely close to one another.

All them filed onto the parade ground and formed perfect military formations. Small ground speeders were waiting next to the field to take them immediately away. Names were called, and assignments given. A swift salute and a turn to march off to a waiting vehicle marked the end of their Academy experience.

Bob was delighted to see his friends get their assignments. A friend of his, Amy, he was especially excited for. She showed significant aptitude for multi-vector fleet tactics, and when her name was called was ordered to report for duty aboard the Salvation. The Salvation and the Redeemer were both heavy cruisers assigned to the Andromeda Expedition, with the Redeemer being the flagship. They were to be the anchors of the fleet. It was an amazing first assignment, only possibly outdone by assignment to the flagship itself. As she was walking away she very briefly beamed a smile back to him and he risked a small, Krador version of a thumbs-up gesture at her before returning to strict attention.

More names were called, and more officers departed the field. As the numbers dwindled, a crack of nostalgia formed in Bob’s ever present optimism. He was probably never going to see most of these officers again, and the thought saddened him.

He was snapped out of his thoughts with a sharp, “Dismissed!”

Looking around, he saw he was the only one left on the field to be dismissed.

Confused, he just stood there for a moment not quite knowing what to do or where to do. This was not what he was told would happen in their graduation and assignment orientation.

As he was considering what to do, a lower classmen approached and asked, “Second Lieutenant Bob?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

It was only then that he noticed the young human male had a courier cord on, showing him to be tasked with carrying messages to and from officers in an official capacity. It was a strange, outdated method of communication.

The young man held out a sealed envelope. Bob took it, and the young cadet did a crisp about face and proceeded on to his next delivery.

It was addressed to him, from the Commandant.

Opening it, it simply read: “Your immediate presence is required in the office of the Commandant.”

What did all this mean? Why was he not given an assignment with his class? What did this business with the Commandant mean? Was he in trouble? What was going on?

Thoughts raced through his head as he ran to the administrative building. The last time he had gone this way was when he was put on academic probation. Painful memories nibbled at the edges of his consciousness as he focused on getting there as fast as his six locomotive legs could carry him.

He got to the waiting room and checked to make sure he didn’t have anything wrong with his appearance and then knocked on the door with military decorum.

“Come in,” a pleasant voice called out from inside.

He opened the door, stepped inside, and closed it mechanically. Turning to a man seated behind a desk he snapped a crisp salute and reported, “Second Lieutenant Bob reporting as instructed Major.”

The receptions officer smiled and returned the salute before gesturing to some chairs and benches made for Human and Krador repose, “Please, have a seat. The Colonel will be with you shortly Lieutenant.”

“The Lieutenant is here to see you, Sir,” the Major reported into an intercom on his desk.

A few minutes passed as Bob waited anxiously for answers to the parade of questions marching through his mind.

“Send him in,” the Colonel’s voice eventually called to the Major over the intercom.

Smiling and nodding, the Major stood up and walked to the Colonel’s office door and opened it for Bob. “The Colonel will see you now.”

Bob got up and hesitated for a moment. The Major’s expression and pheromones betrayed nothing of what was going on. Resolving himself, he stepped through the door and announced himself.

“Second Lieutenant Bob, Krador Navigator reporting as ordered, Sir.”

The Colonel didn’t look up for a moment from his papers. He signed something and gathered some papers before finally looking up and offering a salute in response.

“At ease, Lieutenant.”

It was then that Bob noticed someone else in the office. Over near the back facing the bookshelf was a man examining a collection of miniature replicas of various fleet warships. Bob could just barely make out the Admiral Epilates the mysterious stranger wore.

“I brought you here to discuss your duty assignment. I am sorry that you were not given your posting with the rest of your class, but some concerns were raised regarding your performance record. We originally had you slated to assignment to the PDF garrison on the Orpheus Seven outpost, but we no longer feel that is appropriate.”

“Why is that, Sir?”

“Well, put simply we don’t feel your competency corresponds appropriately to your evaluation scores.”

“I see. I will of course submit to any steps you deem appropriate given this new information.”

The Commandant sat and just stared at Bob for a moment then said, “You were right. We did need to take a closer look at this one. I am sorry to say we effectively wrote him off last year as unable to handle the more stressful assignments. Here and now, I see this little blue bug has some mettle in him.”

The Admiral in the back of the room chuckled a little before the Colonel continued, “Lieutenant, simply put, you should have gotten a better assignment. Unfortunately, all the positions I was tasked to fill have now been filled except for Orpheus Seven.”

“A better assignment, Sir? Why?”

“Because there were extenuating circumstances behind your drop in academic performance last year.”

“I don’t understand, Sir.”

“Do you remember talking to a visitor in the Mess Hall a couple weeks ago?”

“You mean Jack? Yes. He was really kind and helped me sort some things out.”

The Colonel’s eyebrows lifted at that, “Jack? You two are on a first name basis?”

“Well, I never learned his last name to be honest.”

“I see. Well, Jack came in and had a chat with me about you. I decided to make inquiries and found records of a missing person police report corroborating the story you gave about helping the young boy last year. The police report noted the mother as being particularly harsh with you. You were, of course, found to be without fault or a larger issue would have developed at that time.”

Bob didn’t know what to say to all this. He was embarrassed, but he also felt a little relieved to know he was not in trouble.

“Lieutenant, unfortunately at this point my hands are tied. I am unable to give assignments outside those handed to me by the various branches of the service. I have nothing better to offer you.”

“It’s okay, Sir, I understand. As my friend Amy says, you have to play the hand that is dealt you. Something will come along eventually.”

The Colonel fixed his eyes on Bob and said in a soft tone, “Remarkable. You seem totally at peace with the injustice of all this.”

“Just because the path I wanted is not available, it doesn’t mean I get to stop moving, Sir. I will make due with whatever assignment I land in.”

At this, the man in the back of the room spoke up, “You see now, Gary?”

“I do. You sure?”

“Completely.”

The Commandant stood up from his desk and said, “Lieutenant, as I explained, I am unable to offer what I have not been given to assign. Fortunately, you have been requested for assignment on the Andromeda Expedition Flagship Redeemer as a tier three navigation officer.”

Bob was stunned and was barely able to ask, “But, I am nobody, and I don’t know anyone in the Andromeda Fleet. Who would request me?”

“The request came directly from the Fleet Admiral himself.”

Gesturing to the man at the back of the room, the Colonel said, “I would like to re-introduce you to the Andromeda Fleet Admiral Jack Connolly.”

Jack turned around with a smile on his face and walked over to Bob.

“Do you have any problems with this assignment, Lieutenant?”

“No, no Sir, Admiral!”

“Good, then I will inform the XO of the Redeemer to expect your transfer.”

Admiral Connolly extended his hand and Bob took it.

“Lieutenant, welcome to the Andromeda Expedition.”