Laandi waved her hand over the dataslate and ended the recording. She extended her elbow and with a graceful flip, brought her hand up to touch the medallion. A hidden red light began to pulse in its center and the lights in her office dimmed.

“Now then, the unpleasantries are done with and we can discuss the real reason I wished to speak with you.”

Jasmine focused a glare at Laandi.

“What is going on?” she demanded of the Director coldly.

“I’ve momentarily suspended the security recording of the room. I was hoping we could speak in private about, Sieglinde was it?” Laandi turned her warm smile to the dog, who still sat happily beside Jasmine. “She truly is a magnificent creature; I must commend your species’ skill in creating her.”

Jasmine remained silent.

“I must also commend your skill during our negotiations, many untrained participants would have buckled and admitted seeing Esaander’s actions as a threat - you weaved your words very well. You will need them in the weeks to come.”

“So what did you want to talk about?” Jasmine curtly demanded, her gaze never losing its sharp tip.

“There are so many things I wish to ask you Miss Howe, but I will have to focus my efforts on what I deem most urgent. I have interviewed a few Modifier species in my career, guiding them through the process of genetic distribution rights. I want to help you, and Sieglinde, make the right choices.”

“(Here we go…) When you say 'right choices’ do you mean what is right for us, or for the company?” Jasmine was sure to put on a steel expression, trying to remember what Xant had taught her in their meditation session. Wait for the response, hold onto the anticipation - but it was incredibly hard not to analyse the Director’s moves and words. Jasmine’s mind danced; searching for the hidden meaning in the negotiation - the not-truth, not lies.

“I wouldn't have jammed the security recording if I was thinking about the Company,” Laandi confessed.“I have listened to your recordings, and studied the illustrations. You have given us all this information freely and had not made a single demand, until it was you learned of Sieglinde's existence on the station,” Laandi’s hands clasped together, “And even now you are still willing to allow our research to continue, knowing just how valuable she is as a specimen. Such generosity is rare, precious even. I cannot allow this to go unrewarded.“

The Director rose from her stool and swept to Jasmine's side, her hands still folded together.

“After your Perception Tests are complete you will be able to apply to the Galactic Council for the exclusive patent of your DNA. If you are successful, only you will be able to authorise the use of your Genome in Genecenters across GC Space. Every government in the GC would be screaming for this exclusivity. It is of the utmost importance that we do not allow mimic genes to flood the market, else your Contribution credit would be nulled.”

Jasmine stared at Laandi, her eyes wide and lips parted to speak but it was her mind that answered in a flurry of questions.

“(DNA patent? Contribution credit? Genetic distribution rights? My genes could be packaged and sold to the highest bidder? There could be clones of me running around the galaxy? Is that normal? How the hell do they prove identity theft?! Contribution credit, is that like our own line of credit? Oh god, I can’t even handle my credit card let alone one that would impact the future of humanity entering the galactic stage. Genes bought and sold to governments, Companies buy, sell, produce-)”

Laandi took a step back. The room had grown cold, her chest tightened as Jasmine’s blue piercing eyes stared straight into her own black ones. The Director was confused by the strength of the reaction.

“This upsets you? I am only trying to help you secure your rights? Surely you have similar regulations within your own society? How else could you create and control your test subjects? A brilliant inclusion to safeguard your own species genomes I must add, ensuring the specimen does not suffer any ill effects before adding the nucleotide to your own DNA...”

“Test subjects?-” Jasmine’s gaze fell away and Laandi felt another pulse of Frequency Aggression, several different emotions flowed through the human without so much as a pause. The Director saw now how the human worked - emotion and her own thoughts could not be separated. Jasmine’s eyes fluttering as another million thoughts tried to be processed at once.

“(Test subjects? Our own DNA? Safeguards and regulations for genomes? Rights for my own body? How far do these regulations go? Eye colour? Blood type? Moles on my skin? Haven’t they already taken samples? You can’t mix human and dog DNA can you? Wait, maybe they CAN-) Okay, stop, just stop…” Jasmine closed her eyes and sighed, her hands up in the air as though to halt an invisible force. The aggression in the air lifted slightly. “I’m confused, you're confused, neither of us are on the same page here. I understand that you guys are into genetic engineering in a big way, and having access to an entire new set to genes to play with is going to change the rules of the game. What I don’t get is why you and Xant seem to think that Humanity is on the same level of tech as yourselves. We understand genetic engineering sure, but we haven’t even had the technology twenty [years].”

The Director narrowed her eyes at the statement. She couldn’t sense any intention of falsehood in Jasmine's words, but why would she try and deny the obvious?

“But, Sieglinde,” Laandi gestured to the mild mannered fluffball. “I’ve looked over the data myself; the human race has expertly engineered a system of nucleotides interlinkable with one another housing a truly phenomenal amount of phenotype variation - there is no possible other explanation for the masterful skill with which you crafted this specimen.”

“You think that Sigi here is a result of direct engineering?”

Laandi was thrown for a loop, as Jasmine had just implied that there was any other alternative.

“I don’t understand,” she returned her attention to Sieglinde. “If you claim your society has only just discovered genetic engineering, how could you have produced such creatures? There is no way to achieve this without extensive restructuring of the DNA.”

“Well,” Jasmine also looked at the dog hoping she could come up with an explanation the alien would understand. “We just did it through domestication and selective breeding instead.”

When the Director didn’t respond, Jasmine further explained, despite feeling like she was insulting the alien’s intelligence. “Selective breeding? You know, finding animals with certain traits you like so you breed them together in hopes of getting offspring that exaggerates those traits?”

Laandi’s eyes pleaded with her for a different answer.

“Are you...? Are you saying, these ‘dogs’ were created through controlled breeding in the hope a stable mutation would occur?” Her four fingered hand rested on her shoulder in thought. “But in order to get these results it would take an unfeasible amount of time. Generations upon generations of trial and error - biological material expended and years lost to failed experiments. Even with the luxurious length of your lives that’s inconceivable. How long have you been ‘selective breeding’?!”

“We’ve been breeding dogs for the last, I don’t know, 15,000 [years] or something? But the diversity of dog breeds exploded in popularity about 200[years] ago, or was it 100?” The human answered, unsure, beginning to doubt her own knowledge. She hated how much of her own culture she didn’t know. This wasn’t the sort of stuff you remembered, this was the stuff you typed into a search engine for curiosity’s sake. How could she have known that dog genealogy was going to be such a fascinating subject to intergalactic aliens?! “The point is we didn’t do it overnight; we’ve only done proper genetic engineering on plants and a few animals. We’ve cloned like, one sheep and created some bioluminescent fish and even then I know it’s under the strictest of laboratory conditions.”

“15,000 [years]...” Laandi’s eyes began to blink uncontrollably. She guided herself to the closest seat; the revelation in front of her -like everything else about the human- was unbelievable.

She laughed softly.

And didn’t stop.

The absurdity of it all.

“If these dogs are not test subjects for your own genetic engineering, then why? Why do it at all? What possible benefit could you gain from altering a completely different species if you had no intention of performing the same experiments on yourselves? I thought the creature a marvel of calculated design, but knowing now, I’ve never heard of a more gratuitous waste of resources on such a relatively meager result.” Laandi held her body, steadying it from her lingering chuckles.

Jasmines hand on Sieglinde’s collar held tighter.

The room became disturbingly cold.

“Dogs are referred to as Humanity’s greatest friend. They are loyal, loving, and noble; I don’t know why our ancestors did it, but I am glad they did.” Jasmine’s voice was hard, and with her words a thin sheet of ice had come between them. “They are worth more to us that you might ever understand.”

The Director realised her mistake.

She had laughed in the face of the very creatures she had thought a miracle. The salvation of her own species lay before her and she was concerned with the method of its conception.

She had insulted 15,000 [years] of continued development.

NOTHING organised in the galaxy had lasted 15,000 [years].

The Director composed herself, embarrassed and ashamed.

“I… I am sorry Miss Howe. I have offered you a bowl of rotten fruit.” The Director apologised, lowering her head in penance.

The human’s face wrinkled in thought, but settled back into the professional air she had at the beginning of the meeting. The ice melting but a frost remained, Laandi could feel the sentiment was there.

Apology accepted.

“So how are you going to make it up to me? (Before I start making demands?)” Jasmine asked sharply.

“Yes,” Laandi replied, relieved. “I can send you the necessary logs ahead of time, so you may study them for yourself. I will be available at any hour should you need my experience and expertise”

“(Right, I’ll be sure to call if I want to be laughed at again.)” The sarcasm slapped Laandi in the face. She tried to make amends, pleading to the incredible generosity of the human.

“Miss Howe, the existence of the dogs and yourself presents such an auspicious opportunity to repair the damage done to the Qzetillian Genomes. It is a gift that you exist at all; especially now that we know just how much work went into creating you both. I would hate to burden you with this all alone - it takes many years to learn the laws and loopholes of GC legislation, please, it is the least I could do after all you’ve given us.”

Jasmine’s lips tightened; she wasn’t even sure she could trust the Director at all. This was too much information - too many things Jasmine needed to sit and think about. She needed to listen to the audio logs, no matter how dull and dry the narrator was. She needed to start asking questions about the galaxy and how it worked. She couldn’t be passive forever.

“(Wait a minute,)” Her mind alerted her to something she did understand. Qzetillian; she remembered the displays Xant had shown her of the four creator races during their first interviews. Zenthi, Xant’s own psychic race; Sulin, the raptor lizards; Arvas, the bug people and the Qzetillia, the brain sacks.

“Qzetillian, those were the (disgusting) aliens that abducted me - I thought they were your enemies. Why would you want to help them?”

“Miss Howe, I am Qzetillian. A Repair Strain Qzetillian” Laandi unfurled her hand to explain. “I am a product of engineering, attempting to recreate an ancient Qzetillian appearance by amalgamating seven different species. I and the abominations who abducted you, share what little genes exist of the Qzetillia.”

Jasmine shook her head in shock and repulsion. Laandi looked like a classic grey - just how far had these aliens gone in altering themselves? What were they going to do if they got their hands on human DNA?

The Director nodded her head, continuing.

“So much of what it was to be Qzetillian was lost during the Painful Dynasty, we don’t have enough data to even introduce new nucleotides in order to cultivate mutagenesis. This is why your ‘dogs’ are just so valuable. Why it is so important that we protect Sieglinde and yourself from those who would stop at nothing to gather your data, even at the risk of destroying the specimens. I implore you Miss Howe, I am not your enemy: I want what is best for everyone.”

Jasmine looked down at the golden retriever, who looked up at her with a bored expression. Sigi had been sitting quietly for a long time, and had decided now was the best time to lift her paw onto Jasmine's lap. Reminding the human of her presence and the necessary pats that needed to be administered.

“I get it Laandi, you need the data. Sieglinde and the others dogs can help you.” Jasmine cupped the dogs cheeks, forcing herself to smile and ruffled Sigi’s fur. The bored expression quickly melted into that of pure joy; Sigi nudged Jasmine’s hands for a harder pet.

“You hear that? You’re going to help save the universe and you don’t even need to do anything! Who’s a good girl? Who’s the best girl ever?!” Jasmine continued, sliding down off the stool to hug the dog tightly. The unease in the air dissipated as Jasmine made contact with Sieglinde; an almost pleasant aura banishing the cold. “Everything is going to be okay. I will listen to the audio logs Laandi, I will study genetic distribution law and do everything I can to help us both.”

Laandi gave a sigh of relief, but the peace was short lived as Jasmine’s mind, uncontrolled, whispered: “(Don’t make me regret trusting you.)”

The Director took it as a warning. They still had no idea what the human was capable of - what kind of damage could be done when Jasmine wielded her aggression on purpose.

“Thank you, Miss Howe. I will resume the Security recording now. I hope that we can speak on more hospitable terms in the days to come.”

“Yeah. (Maybe.)” Jasmine replied. She returned to her seat in the position she had been sitting in when the recording was interrupted.

Laandi reached up and touched the medallion. A small blue pulse before the lights returned bright.

“Miss Howe, thank you for your patience and understanding on this matter. I will have the updated schedules sent to your dataslate and will notify the staff of the changes. The Esaander Corporation looks forward to your continued cooperation.”

“Thank you Laandi.” Jasmine responded, not trusting herself to say anything more. The Director reached up again and the blue light pulsed.

“Rynard, please escort Miss Howe to Xant’s quarters, so they may resume their scheduled research.”

“Yes Ma’am,” Rynard’s casual reply echoed from the unseen speaker. Laandi rose from her chair with practised grace and lead Jasmine to the door. Sieglinde, happy to be moving again, rushed forward to the door. Jasmine’s grip prevented her from going too far.

“May your life be balanced.” Laandi bid Jasmine farewell.

Jasmine looked at the grey alien, nodding her head slowly.

“Yeah you- Have a good one.” She replied before immediately stepping through the door. Chastising herself as it closed behind her.

“(Have a good one? REALLY? Couldn’t think of anything better to say?! You know like, ‘till we meet again?’ or ‘Good luck’? ‘And you too’ would have been better than ‘Have a good one’...)”

“Who are ya talking to?” Rynard’s off the cuff comment snapped Jasmine back to the hallway.

“Uhhh, myself…” she answered quietly, feeling her cheeks burn red. The captain didn’t let her wallow in her embarrassment, thankfully.

“Huh, well, back across the wing to Dr. Xant’s quarters. Then you can get back to whatever it is you big heads talk about.”

“Okay...” Jasmine sighed, happy at least one alien wasn’t fascinated by her ‘quirks’.

Rynard stared blankly at Xant’s door. It was locked, and under ‘do not disturb’.

“Is something wrong?” Jasmine asked.

“The Doctor won’t respond.” Rynard answered, checking the dataslate attached to his armour.

“Ohhhhh, he’s on extended rest, so, uhh, no research for you! Ha ha.”

“So what do we do now?”

Rynard scratched the underside of his chin.

“Well, I guess I’m supposed to escort you back to your quarters and wait until the Doctor collects you-” he watched as Jasmine didn't hold back her disappointment at the notion - he wasn’t exactly happy about that arrangement either. “-or, you know, since I’ve got to keep an eye on you, you can come back to the security office and uhh...” He sized up the Human with a small nod “... I can have you outfitted with something more suitable to your skills.”

“Huh?” Jasmine blinked.

“You throw your Freq around like a Ranger, ‘spose you might as well look like one.”

Jasmine’s eyes and mouth widened; Rynard felt the excitement, it tickled.

“Are you saying I can have have my own body armour?!”

“Yeah, why not? Shouldn’t take too long to get you fitted with a hard suit, you’re not that big.”

Rynard promptly turned and headed for the elevator, an excited Jasmine and Sieglinde bouncing behind him.