“Attention! Docking procedures completed. Coupling is now initiating. All personnel, wait for the all-clear to open vacuum hatches.”
Captain-Mayor Ian Brooks looked down the line of officers as the computer spoke to those assembled. Not only the primary eleven were gathered, but several dozen other officers of the Craton. It was only appropriate, as it was not every day that a new ambassador came on board.
Brooks assumed his spot at the head of the line, and stood with his hands behind his back.
It had been two months since the public news of the Shoggoths had broken, and the treaty between humanity and their kind had been established. Curiosity had reached fever pitch, but there had been precious little information in that time.
Two weeks ago, he and his ship had been recalled to Proxima Centauri.
The first ambassador of Shoggoth kind would be joining his ship.
“Pressure established. Shuttle Hatch Doors opening now.”
The aperture let out a hiss of gas as it parted.
A figure walked out at the fore – a tall and plain looking man. His face was emotionless, both his eyes and his hair were a dark green. The Shoggoth ambassador had arrived.
Brooks stepped forward. “Greetings, Ambassador. I am Captain Ian Brooks, and I welcome you aboard the Craton.”
The being looked at him. The green eyes met his, and Brooks felt a ripple down his spine and sudden nausea.
With a force of will, he pushed it down.
The Shoggoth that looked like a human waited an uncomfortable period of time before replying. “So you are.”
“I am told that you prefer to be called Kell,” the Captain said. “Is this an acceptable moniker for you?”
“If it is necessary to have a word for me, then it is fine,” the ambassador replied.
Nodding and forcing a smile, Brooks gestured down the line of officers.
“Allow me to introduce you to the command staff of the Craton,” Brooks said.
The sense of unease continued to grow within him, and as he turned to look down the line, he realized it was not just him. On the faces of his officers, if they could show it, they looked bothered, too. Distress marked some faces; others looked as if they might be physically ill.
They all hid it as best they could; their professional composure was unbroken. But the tension in their faces was unmistakable.
“My first officer-” he began, introducing Urle.
“This is not necessary,” the Shoggoth interrupted. “I have already seen their files. I know them well enough.”
“Ah, yes, but meeting them in person is somewhat different than-“
“Not for me,” Kell replied. He pointedly moved his eyes down the line. “I have seen their faces and I will not forget them.” Raising his voice slightly, he continued. “Have all of you seen me? Is this a sufficient view?”
Brooks was shocked that it didn’t seem even the slightest sarcastic, but was asking a legitimate question.
All eyes turned to him, and Brooks gave a short nod.
“Yes, Ambassador, this is sufficient,” Urle said.
The Shoggoth turned to Brooks. “I will go to my accommodations now.”
Brooks was finding it hard to concentrate. There was something about the mere presence of Kell that was unnerving him more and more.
Doggedly, he fought down any reaction. “Very well, Ambassador. I will have you shown there immediately.”
“Sir,” Cenz’s vocabulator buzzed. “If I may volunteer?”
Brooks felt a sense of relief. “Very well. Ambassador, this is- ah, right. You are aware of who Cenz is.”
The coral being stepped up, moving swiftly despite the clunkiness of his water-filled suit. “If you will follow me, Ambassador.”
Kell followed the science officer out of the room.
Brooks’s eyes went back over the officers. Relief was palpable on their faces.
He felt it, too. As soon as the Shoggoth was gone, all the tension had left the room.
“Return to your stations,” he ordered, and left as well.
Other Terrestrial 