Las'Tai was hanging around the hangar, waiting for the last shuttle to get back with the assault force. Standard protocol on the ship was for internal security to man the hangar until the last man had been accounted for. Only then could they stand down. She was chatting with the returning soldiers and quickly learned that no one had died in the raid, on either side.

She noticed Trasti making his way toward her along the edge of the hangar, the poor Kloxna still scared of the Terrans when they were gathered up like this, especially security. She decided to spare him the agony of approaching her with a group of Terrans around her and walked over to the section of the wall where he had stopped as he saw her moving towards him.

"How did they do??" He asked when she got close enough.

"They didn't kill anyone, and they didn't lose anyone. And from what I understand, they didn't even steal that much from them. I honestly do not know why they did this." Las'Tai told him truthfully.

"They... Didn't kill anyone?? But back home they say that once a Terran enters battle they become bloodthirsty savages, little more than beasts." Trasti exclaimed. This made absolutely no sense to him, it went against everything he had been told.

"Then what are the weapons and armor for?? The tactics they use?? I remember you telling me how quickly they subdued your guards at Amsilon prime. Did they kill them??" Trasti had to find a way to end his irrational fear of Terrans.

"Well...No.." Trasti was not sure what to say to that. There had been plenty of opportunities but they had remained calm as soon as there was no danger, "But they are still dangerous!!" He maintained.

Las'Tai sighed heavily. "Everyone is dangerous under the right circumstances, Trasti. Even you. Those claws are not just for show, you know."

"I wouldn't know how to fight, Las'Tai. I never learned it. I'm happy sitting in a communications room.!" Trasti defended himself. He knew it was a failing in his upbringing, but he was thankful that his parents had other values.

"You also seem to be enjoying the central heating on the ship" Las'Tai enjoyed teasing Trasti. Whenever he thought he was alone he had an almost sanguine look on his face as he closed his eyes and just sat there, existing.

Las'Tai knew that low caste Kloxna had difficulty finding heating and therefore the low caste had developed a sort of twitch that kept their body in almost constant motion, even when sitting. This caused them to use up more calories, making the scarce food they could afford all the more vital. The heat on the ship and the plentiful amounts of food had caused Trasti to put on a little more bulk, even if he did not notice it himself.

"So I enjoy the heat. That's not a crime!!" He was practically backed into a corner.

"But that means you secretly enjoy being on a Terran ship" Las'Tai continued teasing.

"I...You...I...Yes." Trasti finally relented.

"Give the Terrans a chance, Trasti. You could start with Jeanette or Signe. They are both nice. And amongst Terrans, the males are physically dominant. It's the opposite of back home." Las'Tai tried. Maybe she could finally convince him to mingle a bit.

"Maybe... I don't know, Las'Tai, what would I talk to them about??"

"Well, what do you like to do when you are not lounging in the sauna or at work??"

Trasti looked down and started curling his tail up behind him, a sign of great embarrassment. "That's private" He finally muttered.

"Come on, you can tell me, Trasti. I promise I won't judge you." Las'Tai was curious now. She had not expected this turn of events.

"I...I pray." Trasti mumbled, his voice almost inaudible.

"You are a follower of the old traditions?" Las'Tai was more surprised than judgemental.

"The wisdom of our ancestors should not be ignored!" Trasti was surprisingly fervent in his statement.

"Then you speak with Jeanette, Trasti. Her or the Captain. They are both quite devout in their faith." Las'Tai was happy she had found something she could nudge him with, and she was going to abuse this bit of information for all it was worth.

"Terrans have faith??" Trasti was hooked, his curiosity surpassing his trepidation.

"Yes they do, and not just one faith. The Captain has told me there are many different *religions*, as they call it, on Terra. The only reason I came here, to begin with, was that the Captain believe his gods wanted him to bring me here." This was the first time Las'Tai had told this to anyone except Jesper, during her interrogation.

"Maybe I could talk to the Captain then??" Trasti sounded downright optimistic.

"Sure, that is a good place to start. He is weird, but I find him to be a fair and respected leader that does not abuse his power to improve his own life at the cost of others. He shares the spoils of war with the crew and even gives large amounts of money in compensation to the family of anyone dying during their service on the ship. I see in him everything I wished I saw in our leaders!" Las'Tai's final words ripped Trasti out of his optimism and straight into horror.

"You can't say that!! That's heresy!!" He exclaimed forcefully.

"And yet, it's the truth" Las'Tai responded and stared him down. "Go talk to him. Get to know him. See how he treats those around him with honor and respect, even if their station is beneath his!" With that, she stomped off towards the gym. She needed to work off some steam.

Trasti was left behind, torn between his loyalty to the people and culture that had raised him, and the image that had been planted in his head by Las'Tai. If it was true, it would explain why she had stayed on the ship. But it could not be! There HAD to be some sort of trick to it all. Terrans were untrustworthy!!

He finally decided to go talk to the Captain, just to prove Las'Tai wrong. He was going to find the angle that the Captain was working and expose it to Las'Tai to show her the truth. And if by some Miracle, There was no angle, he would make up his mind about that when he saw proof of it.

He headed towards the Captain's room, making sure to give every Terran on the way a wide berth. Several of them looked disappointed, as they did every time he avoided them, and he could not believe that they were so bloodthirsty that they felt disappointment at him making himself less of a target!

Finally finding himself in front of the right door, he pressed the bell button on the panel and waited.