3 Months ago, Council Offices, Divesen Station. Joy looked across her desk at the Scout. They were not human, but one of the many species that had been derived from Earth-species stock in the distant, distant past. Probably by the same unknown race that delivered Joy's ancestors to Mother of All. "Well Scout Instructor you certainly are an unexpected reply to my request." The vocoder on the Scout's chest translated the burst of colours that surged across their skin. "Arriving with the answer seemed an efficient solution to the restrictions limitations of travel times." "You did cause something of a stir when you emerged. The biggest thing we've seen here before was a depot ship, and that was back in Lorn's day." "Are apologies compensations regrets required?" Joy smiled, and made a complex sign with her fingers, indicating a matter of little import "No, just a surprise." "We sign now?" "Yes, I have been authorised by the Council of Elders to sign this modification of the treaty." The Scout Instructor picked up the papers with one tentacle and looked through them. "All is in order correct." And it took a small box out of a harness, pressed the tip of a free tentacle into it, and then at the bottom of each page. Joy took them back, and pressed her inked thumb against each page, and then signed her name. A sign indicating an important query, "Are the lands territories properties clear for us to land arrive?" "Yes, and airspace restrictions have been agreed to." "Good pleasing efficient." "It is for our benefit that we asked you to establish a Scout school here. Will the Maui be here long?" "Apologies error, we understood thought you had knowledge. The Maui is permanently assigned to this station. In case of dramatic major intervention." Joy sat back in surprise. "They've assigned us a Frontier Class cruiser? In case we need to do a full interdiction?" "Correct." "I see. Well, thank-you instructor, I'll let you return to your ship and your duties." "Very good yes Scout Commander." "What?" A burst of bright colours washed across the sophonts skin and it handed an envelope to Joy "Your orders Scout Commander. You have been reactivated." Before she could answer, it flowed out of her office. After a few minutes, Joy opened the envelope. Inside was a new Scout ID card, and her orders to establish a new Scout Base on Mother of All. Starting with a locally-based school. So much for retiring. #ShamanSpace #SF #SFF #SciFi #SpaceOpera #Microfiction #Microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting