A loud knock on Aurelia's cabin door draws her attention away from the giant luggage into which she is attempting to stuff more than just the essentials. Turning towards the door, Aurelia strides swiftly across the sparse room. She inputs her personal unlock code into the wall keypad and the door slides open on its thin track.

  Cthulhu Yoth, her late father's former Second Mate, stands at the threshold of her door. The grayish-purple tentacles along the Second Mate's entire back half wave like thick columns of grain in a low wind. The reddish hue infused within the tentacles along Cthulhu's face, neck, and shoulders speaks of the former mate's grief. He has not come to wish her well. He has come to issue a warning.

  "Come in, Mr. Yoth," Aurelia says with a sigh. "I'm glad you came. I'm almost finished packing. Would you like some tea? I'm afraid...All I have is Bfibib Root. Not even a good crop. It's kind of bitter. But it keeps out the cold and the dread."

  Cthulhu steps through the entryway, ducking his head to avoid hitting the low frame. He allows the door to close behind him, and watches Aurelia as she strolls toward the adjoining kitchenette. After a brief moment of decision, he slowly follows Aurelia's path of departure. Once inside the kitchen, Cthulhu observes his deceased Captain's daughter from several feet away. Aurelia is so much like her father. Too much like the old captain, in fact. One day, that similarity may even get her hurt. Or worse.

  "Aurelia, are you sure this is the right decision?" Cthulhu finally ventures to say. "It's been eight years, Aurelia. It's taken that long just to get the Nebulus ready to sail again. Mainly, because a lot of the Earthen technology is either obsolete or extremely antiquated. She needed almost a complete overhaul. Not to mention, you haven't even tested any of her newest systems. You have no idea how she'll perform during an intense firefight. This is foolishness, Aurelia. Let the space forces deal with these...Aliens. You're not ready. And neither is the Nebulus. You're going to get yourself killed."

  Aurelia spins away from the small stove, still holding the metal teapot in one hand. She shakes her head resolutely, refusing to look former Mate Cthulhu in the eye.

  "No. No. I can't just sit here and do nothing. Not when those sorry sons of bitches killed my father. I won't...I can't. I'm sorry, Mr. Yoth. I just can't."

  "And how do you think I will feel...If you are killed?" Cthulhu says, inching just a hair closer.

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  At this, Aurelia does look up. She meets Mr. Yoth's gaze with a questioning expression. Was that emotion she heard in his voice. Of what kind?

  "I...Your father was my closest friend, Aurelia. We accomplished many missions together across the entirety of Terran Space. Your father was one of the very few humans who actually believed in my kind. He wasn't ruled by ignorance and superstition. Jake threw off bigotry and fear in order to embrace--. Goodness, Aurelia...You've heard me say all of this before. You know how much I loved your father. And you know why. I don't want to watch the daughter of my dearest friend make the same mistakes he did. I want you to live a long and happy life, Aurelia. You have the Nebulus back. And she's in as fine a shape as ever. You can go anywhere....Do anything. You're her captain, now. But don't do this. Don't face off against these aliens. You'll lose. And I'll be planning a funeral for you. Only this time, there may not even be a ship and a legacy to salvage. Please listen to me, Aurelia. Don't...Do...This!"

  Aurelia shifts her gaze away again. She places the full teapot back on the stove and shakes her head a second time.

  "I'm sorry, Mr. Yoth. I owe it to my father to seek justice. My father did nothing. Yet, they murdered him and forty other people aboard his ship. Their cowardly actions cannot go answered. The closest space forces are days away. Nebulus can make the jump in under twenty-one hours. Give or take. Now, if you'll excuse me, Mr. Yoth...I must finish packing. However, I do appreciate your concern."

  Cthulhu releases a low sigh, taking two steps closer to Aurelia. He uses one hand to lift her face, so that he can look directly into her eyes.

  "You're making a big mistake, Aurelia," Mr. Yoth whispers softly. "I lost my own son...While attempting a mission just as reckless as the one you are attempting to undertake. You don't know their capabilities. But...I can tell you from experience...They're pretty damn good. They disabled our shields and primary systems in less than a minute. They acted as one. That's a formidable enemy to tangle with, my dear. But, I won't tell you what to do anymore. You must make your own decisions. I only...I only wish you the best."

  "Thank you, Mr. Yoth," Aurelia replies, gently patting the forearm leading up to the hand pressed beneath her chin. "That means a lot to me."

  "I wish...It meant even more. I wish you would listen to me. Hatred and anger won't bring your father back. Just as it did not bring my son back to me. You're gambling with your life."

  "You see, Mr. Yoth...," Aurelia says, removing Cthulhu's hand from her chin. "That's where you're wrong. I am beyond angry. And when I find those murdering space devils...They're as good as dead. I can promise you that."

  Cthulhu Yoth swallows hard and nods acceptance. This is a sentiment he has heard many times. There was once a time, in the not so distant past, when humans had considered his kind to be devils worthy of death and destruction. An entire project had even been launched to seek out and destroy the dimensions where his kind sought refuge. Luckily, to no meaningful avail. Human hatred is not new to him.