"Well, well, well, if it isn't our favorite little Traveller!" The lifeform behind the reception desk laughed loudly as Traveller Entity Theus led Hadrizahens into the large room. The lighting in this partition of the Rigusu-Ril station was much warmer and brighter than the blue lights reflecting upon the black mirror-smooth surfaces outside. Even with the unexpectedly shrill greeting they received, the reception area still seemed very cozy and inviting. The alien creature that greeted them sat comfortably at a half-hexagon desk towards the back of the grandly decorated room. The desk itself only added to the prestige with its polished orange top and the perfectly clean white sides that were lined and gilded with golden floral designs that glittered in the lighting. A light green Guild banner hung decoratively from the front of the desk; it matched the banners that were hanging from the walls and strewn across the ceiling like an elegant tent, all coming to an apex point behind the reception desk where three diamond-shaped emblem plates were hung on the wall. Each plate displayed the emblem of each branch of the guild, and below those were smaller plates that displayed the emblems of the most affluent species in the colonized galaxy.
Casually, Traveller Entity Theus made their way further into the room towards the desk, passing a smaller, far less opulent desk to the left where a Korvax with green plating was working away at a computer monitor. Hadrizahens noted that the Korvax must be a regular employee or assistant in the small Rigusu-Ril Guild Headquarters, because nothing about the room in which they worked, or the guests that they received, were of any distraction to the inorganic entity. The only thing that seemed to cause the Korvax to momentarily falter was the lifeform behind the much more elegant desk.
"You've completed your mission, I assume." The creature chittered with an animated tilt of its head. The movement caused their elongated eyestalks to jiggle slightly and their dull purple fur to fluff up. Hadrizahens might have found it mildly comical if the lifeform wasn't clearly the Guild Representative for the Rigusu-Ril Station. They deserved more respect from Hadrizahens than that, even if their voice was so high pitched and their pupil slits were contracted to the points of being a thin black line amidst a sea of green.
"The pirates are in custody." Traveller Entity Theus nodded. They approached the desk and withdrew the data chit from their little red container, sliding it over to the Guild representative for inspection.
"Custody?" the alien squawked in surprise, freezing mid-reach for the data chit. The Korvax at the smaller desk tensed up from the loud exclamation but continued their work. The representative blinked at the Traveller uselessly for a few seconds before they shook their head. "You never cease to amaze, Traveller… taking in pirates alive rather than just shooting them out of the sky seems like a hell of a lot more trouble for not enough money."
"I saw an opportunity." Traveller Entity Theus stated simply, offering a shrug while their data chit was finally taken for analysis. "I won't kill if I don't have to."
Hadrizahens felt a sensation similar to a spark of energy in his chest cavity at Traveller Entity Theus's words. The Traveller preferred nonviolence.
"That's not exactly how most of the Mercenaries Guild does business, but as long as you're getting results… No one really has space to complain about your methods, do they?" The representative said with a shrug in return. Their padded paw grabbed the data chit and slid it off of the desk counter. The creature then leaned back in their comfortable looking chair and kicked off against the side of their desk with a giggle, sending the chair spinning two full revolutions before they stopped at a small terminal at the left of the desk. Hadrizahens thought he heard a tired sigh coming from the smaller desk to the side of the room, but he didn't turn his head to confirm.
As soon as the Guild Representative plugged the data chit into a small slot on the terminal, a blue hologram projection blinked into existence at the front of the desk. The display split into several files of information, data, as well as three dimensional projections of what Hadrizahens assumed to be the pirate crew in question. From what he could see, they all looked quite cruel and violent. He could not help but find himself in awe of the Traveller once again for having been able to best these criminals on their own without simply killing them all.
"Looks like everything checks out…" The Representative purred thoughtfully, swiping a paw through the holographic display. The image moved away from the motion and cycled to a new file, which the Representative analyzed closely. "...And we have the approval of the local law enforcement. Excellent."
The projection suddenly turned off and the alien removed the data chit from their machine and placed it into a sorting tray amongst several others of its kind, smiling a large, toothy grin at the Traveller. "We will be wiring the funds to your account shortly for a job well done, once the data uploads to the Guild's network. Was there anything else you were going to need? Another job perhaps? If you're a bit worn out from mercenary work, I do have an assignment from a local laboratory that is in need of some biological samples."
Traveller Entity Theus shook their head, much to Hadrizahens' disappointment. He would have liked to help with biological samples. "No, I am not looking for a job."
"Then why are you still hanging around? Don't play cute with me, Traveller. I know you want something." The Representative said with a sly twitch of their whiskers. The familiarity in their voice suggested that they had plenty of dealings with the Traveller before, which led Hadrizahens to wonder about the nature of their relationship. "It couldn't have anything to do with that sweet little thing you seem to have picked up, could it?"
Hadrizahens stammered stupidly as soon as he realized that the Guild Representative now had their green eyes fixed on him. "Wh-...who, me…?"
Traveller Entity Theus quickly interjected, much to Hadrizahens' relief. He was unused to addressing other life forms, especially in formal situations. It was never his job at the Rugo-395 Outpost to speak with the customers. "They are travelling with me for the time being."
A curious expression fell over the Guild Representative's face as they glanced between Hadrizahens and the Traveller Entity. Hadrizahens got the distinct impression that the representative didn't believe a word Traveller Entity Theus was saying, or that they thought there might be more to the story than what they were being told.
"Oh, is that all it is?" The representative purred conspiratorially.
"Yes." Traveller Entity Theus stated sharply without looking the representative in the eyes. Something about the tone in the representative's voice and the way the Traveller had responded flustered Hadrizahens. Why did this all suddenly feel so… unseemly?
"Fine, have it your way." The Representative relented with a shrug. "By the way, sweetie, you can call me Osno. I'm sorry about our mutual friend, he's a bit of a pain in the ass sometimes. Doesn't like to talk much."
Hadrizahens nodded awkwardly, trying his best to be as polite as possible. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Guild Representative Entity Osno. My designation is Explorer Entity Hadrizahens."
Osno laughed and looked over at the Traveller once again. "Bless him, he talks just like Huche over there!"
The Korvax at the small desk let out a disgruntled noise to dismiss all attention being drawn to them while they attempted to work.
"So focused on work… and so formal all of the time. You Korvax are so delightfully charming." Osno smiled.
"...Thank you…" Hadrizahens said, unsure how else to respond on behalf of his entire people.
"You're absolutely sure you don't want to sign up your little friend with the Guild?" Osno inquired, looking towards the Traveller. "Explorer is right in the name. We need more of those these days."
"I'm sure." The Traveller said firmly. Hadrizahens had a feeling that the firm tone was less for Osno, and more for Hadrizahens himself. He felt the indignation die in his vocal processor before he had the chance to say it out loud.
"Look, I know the Guilds are hard to get into, even for Travellers like yourself… but you've proven to be pretty helpful. You could sponsor this little guy. Hell, I could vouch for the both of you." Osno said with a lowered voice, sparing a suspicious glance towards Huche. Huche's work paused for a moment and they looked up towards the main desk.
"No. Not yet. Explorer Entity Hadrizahens has much to learn." The Traveller said, turning their head to look in Hadrizahens' direction. The young Korvax panicked momentarily when their line of vision met, and he quickly looked away. He had been staring at the Traveller, awed by the implication that Traveller Entity Theus thought Hadrizahens might be able to apply for Guild membership some day. What an honor to receive such a vote of confidence from a Traveller.
"Alright, but as soon as you think this little cutie is ready, you give me a call and I will pull a few strings on both of your behalfs, alright?" Osno asked, smiling at Hadrizahens.
"Your words are appreciated." Hadrizahens said, nodding back.
"Good! Well then, what was it that you still needed from me?" Osno asked, no longer distracted. Or so both Hadrizahens and the Traveller hoped.
"Finding someone." Traveller Entity Theus said, reaching into the red container they carried for a second data chit. They slid it across the desktop to Osno slowly.
Osno stared at the chit for a moment, then wrinkled their nose. "This isn't Guild business, I can't use Guild resources to help with this. Besides, I'm on the clock."
"You owe me still. That job I did back in the Rioben System-" The Traveller said with a low, warning tone that made Hadrizahens incredibly curious.
"Alright, alright-! I'll take a look at it and see what I can do for you really quick, but only because I owe you and we're on good terms. Just-... Don't go telling people I helped you with this. It's so shady…." Osno pouted, taking the data chit quickly.
"It's not shady. I'm looking for a-..." Traveller Entity Theus began to say, but then took a frustrated pause. A sharp, irritated inhale gave Hadrizahens all he needed to know about what was going on.
"Struggling to pull the correct word from your memory banks…?" Hadrizahens asked quietly.
Reluctantly, Traveller Entity Theus conceded to Hadrizahens' help while Osno watched on in amusement. "...An Entity that… studies… plants and flowers…?"
"A botanist?" Hadrizahens inquired, looking to the Traveller Entity to see if that was the term they were searching for.
"A botanist." Traveller Entity Theus affirmed with relief.
"A botanist?" Osno repeated, ensuring the word would be thoroughly worn out. "You're looking for a botanist? Why do you even need one? And why the hell do you need me to help you find one? With the Guild resources, no less! I shouldn't have to put my neck on the line for you just so you can find someone to tell you about flowers."
"Do you want me to turn in the correct shipping lists to the Rioben Colonies?" Traveller Entity Theus asked tiredly.
"No! No, of course not…" Osno growled, returning to the computer to mutter to themselves. "I can't believe I'm getting extorted over a botanist…"
Osno inserted the data chit into the computer, but this time no holographic display was projected before them. Most likely for security reasons. Instead Osno poured over the files from their own personal computer behind the desk, scratching their whiskers as they continued to read to themselves.
"Traveller Entity Theus…?" Hadrizahens could no longer keep himself from asking thanks to the quiet that had fallen over the room. "Why do you inquire about a botanist?"
"It is a specific botanist. Who is lost. I do not know why he is lost. But I do need his help." Traveller Entity Theus explained quietly, not wishing to disrupt Osno's reading. "He was last sighted in this system."
Hadrizahens began to speak, trying to offer his own assistance to the Traveller in place of the missing Entity, but the Traveller held up a hand to stop him before he could.
"I know. You wish to help instead. It is appreciated, but I need this specific botanist. He knows about plants, but also about how different organisms react to them. I need to know immediate specifics. I cannot afford testing." Traveller Entity Theus said gently.
"...Understood." Hadrizahens relented disappointedly.
"It is appreciated, Hadrizahens. I speak the truth." Traveller Entity Theus repeated. The tone in their voice made Hadrizahens feel better, if only by a little bit. He allowed himself to feel pleased in consolation to not being able to directly assist the Traveller. It was nice to be appreciated regardless.
"Okay, it looks like your botanist… Rumlisa, is it? Was sighted here at this station not longer than two weeks ago, but all records of him doing literally anything just completely fall off. No check-ins at housing, no purchases at the market, no activating a travel pass… Nothing. He either skipped out on the station by hitching a ride with a merchant, or he's somewhere here… not doing anything. Not even eating. And I doubt that. He'd be dead." Osno reported. "...Unless, he really is dead in a corner somewhere, which would explain the inactivity. But someone would have noticed the smell by now. Gek are pungent when they… expire."
Traveller Entity Theus growled something that sounded much like a curse, but in a language that Hadrizahens didn't recognize. "You're sure? He is nowhere on this station? There are no records to trace?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't find anything. If he's just a botanist like you said he is, there's no reason his data would be encoded or buried deeper than what I have access to in the station's security logs. There's no reason for me to dig any deeper. He's gone, and I don't know where or how. Tough break." Osno said with a shrug, taking the data chit out of their computer to hand back to Traveller Entity Theus.
"This is not satisfactory news." Traveller Entity Theus said, pocketing the chit.
"Don't shoot the messenger. There's nothing I can do to change this for you." Osno said while leaning back in the chair. "I've done what I can."
"Not entirely." The Traveller said, fixing Osno in an intense stare.
"...Come on, I just stuck my neck out for you here. We're even now, right?" Osno squirmed uncomfortably under the unreadable gaze from behind the black visor.
"You had no information for me. You still owe me. There is one other thing you can do, since you were no help here." The Traveller said.
"No help? That sounds a bit strong, don't you think? I mean, I did do SOMETHING for you. I took a look into this guy's file and I spared you the time it would take to look around the Rigusu-Ril Station. Saving you time and energy counts for something, right?" Osno began to show signs of panic. Their fur was standing on end and their eyes had become unnaturally shifty.
"Stop worrying, this isn't illegal." Traveller Entity Theus sighed tiredly, shaking their head. "I need a new multi-tool."
"Oh, is THAT all-?!" Osno exclaimed in relief. "You should have said something instead of being so damn mysterious and ominous like you always are, Traveller!"
"You always assume I am breaking the law…" Traveller Entity Theus sighed irritably.
"Can you blame me? You look like you might be the type. It's more exciting." Osno winked. Hadrizahens wasn't so sure he agreed with that; he liked the idea of the Traveller being an upstanding and respectable citizen more than a lawbreaker and a crook of some kind. "So what are you in the market for? Mining gear, scanners, self defense, weaponry?"
"Weaponry. Small. But versatile. Basic scanning gear installed." Traveller Entity Theus explained.
"Alright, I think I saw something like that down on the other end of the station. I'll forward a communication to the weapon's dealer and get you a nice Guild discount. How does that sound?" Osno asked eagerly, fixing their eyes on the Traveller.
"It will do. Thank you. I accept this as payback." Traveller Entity Theus agreed.
"Excellent! In that case, I wish you both well on your journeys, wherever they may take you, and good luck in finding your missing botanist. I, on the other hand, have to get back to work. I'm very busy coordinating all of these job requests, you know. I'm sure I'll see you both around somewhere, some time in the future!" Osno trilled, waving their paw at them excitedly before turning in their chair to get back to work.
"Come on, we should leave." Traveller Entity Theus instructed Hadrizahens, sounding dejected.
Not wanting the Traveller to feel utterly aimless, Hadrizahens spoke up again as he followed the Traveller towards the exit. "Traveller Entity Theus said they required a specific botanist with a specific skill set. If the botanist cannot be located, Explorer Entity Hadrizahens is capable of offering their services in place of the botanist. It may not be ideal, but it may be better than having nothing…?"
"No need…" A hushed, mechanical sounding voice answered.
The Korvax at the small desk off to the side was staring directly at them now that Osno had their nose completely buried in their work. Hadrizahens was surprised to see their attention pulled away from whatever they had been working on, since they had seemed so diligent before.
"You have information, Entity Huche…?" Traveller Entity Theus asked in a similarly quiet tone while moving closer to the small desk.
"Of course I do." Entity Huche responded, sounding almost insulted that the Traveller would question them.
"Your Gek botanist was here two weeks ago, like Receptionist Entity Osno said. They did drop out of the system two weeks ago, like Receptionist Entity Osno said. However, Receptionist Entity Osno failed to cross-reference with the bar. They always do. They don't like pulling up information there. Too shady for their tastes, these days, I suppose." Entity Huche explained disdainfully.
"Is there data at the bar?" Traveller Entity Theus asked, glancing over at Osno. Hadrizahens looked towards the Guild Representative as well, making sure for his own piece of mind that they were still working. They were.
"Approximately, but no. There might be a few tabs left open, not added into the system yet. But you will have better luck asking around. You aren't the only ones inquiring about a Gek today." Huche explained, then suddenly turned back to their work. Not a moment later, Osno called from their desk.
"Huche, would you be a dear and pull up the contact information for The Private Sentinels about a potential escort for a merchant to pass through this system? We have such an issue with pirates all the time…" Osno instructed, not looking up from their computer.
"Affirmative. Task will be completed promptly." Entity Huche responded in the polite, robotic fashion for their race and went back to work on their own terminal.
"Thank you, Huche. I should have known I could count on you…" Traveller Entity Theus whispered discreetly, giving Entity Huche's desk a light tap to make sure Huche heard and understood them.
"Always, Traveller…" Huche responded, this time more informally. It surprised Hadrizahens, but he figured he shouldn't question it. Instead, he started after Traveller Entity Theus without a word, wondering what sort of circumstance would have facilitated Traveller Entity Theus having such an informal contact within the Guilds' employ.
"Oh, young Echo?" Huche suddenly called out.
Hadrizahens stopped in his tracks and turned around nervously to face the other Korvax. He was greeted with the light of Huche's visor locked on his own.
"You should be careful with that one…" Huche pointed out the doorway at Traveller Entity Theus, who had yet to notice that Hadrizahens was not following behind them. "He's a troublemaker. Just ask any of our kind who has had dealings with him before."
Mildly concerned, Hadrizahens tried to press for more explanation. "...What?"
"Nothing dangerous, I assure you. He means the Korvax no harm whatsoever, he's just-... oh, don't worry about it too much, you'll see what I mean eventually. They always do." Huche waved dismissively.
Even more confused, Hadrizahens stared at Huche as they got back to their work. What in the universe was that supposed to mean? Or accomplish? What was Hadrizahens supposed to be careful for? And why didn't it matter? But, most importantly of all, how did Huche know about Traveller Entity Theus's gender?
"Hadrizahens, you fell behind." Traveller Entity Theus leaned their-... his head back into the Guild Reception room.
"...I was distracted, sorry." Hadrizahens said slowly, giving Huche one last concerned look before turning to follow Traveller Entity Theus back into the main corridor. He had a lot to think about now. Unfortunately, the Traveller seemed to notice the disquiet about him.
"What is on your mind?" Traveller Entity Theus inquired while they walked.
"...You know Entity Huche? You are acquainted?" Hadrizahens asked carefully, unsure of where to begin his questioning or how to keep it delicate and polite.
"We have worked together before. Entity Huche knows what happens in this station." Traveller Entity Theus answered, though clearly still curious about what Hadrizahens was leading up to.
"...Is Entity Huche well?" Hadrizahens blurted.
Traveller Entity Theus laughed for a moment, but then went quiet while he considered the question seriously. "...Perhaps. Entity Huche is odd, but not unwell. Maybe. I don't have the answer."
Hadrizahens nodded slowly, considering Traveller Entity Theus's words. "...They referred to you as male."
"Did they?" Traveller Entity Theus sounded surprised, but pleasantly so. Pleasantly enough to cause their attention to drift from the conversation.
"Is that true? Does Traveller Entity Theus identify as a male of their species?" Hadrizahens inquired. He tried not to sound invested in the Traveller's response. It may seem odd to the Traveller that Hadrizahens was so interested in biology, including that of the Traveller themself.
"...Yes, I suppose so. I think." Traveller Entity Theus answered slowly and thoughtfully.
He thought? "...Elaboration required."
"...I do not know many others of my kind. No lifeform knows my kind. I cannot say definitively." Traveller Entity Theus explained.
"...Biology is not necessarily required in the matter of self-perception."
"What?"
"I do not think that one must rely on biology to determine what they feel. Korvax do not have biology, we are Echoes encased within a robotic body. We still perceive and feel." Hadrizahens elaborated, hyper aware of the Traveller's eyes fixated upon him from behind the tinted visor. "If you think you are, then you are."
"I thought you said you were a biologist, not a philosopher." Traveller Entity Theus teased.
Hadrizahens was surprised that the Traveller knew the word "philosopher" in Korvax, but he was more surprised that the Traveller had taken the effort to tease Hadrizahens for his less than scientific ramblings. "I did not say-"
"You have a smart mind, Hadrizahens. You have a good heart." Traveller Entity Theus reassured him. "You have put thought into this before."
Hadrizahens flustered. He hadn't been prepared to admit so early on that he had been closely studying the social and societal nuances of organic life, especially not to an organic. Not a Traveller. Stress built in his systems until his core temperature started to rise, causing the light on his visor to change from blue to a light red. "An Entity must keep busy, even during free time-"
"Do you call yourself 'he'?" Traveller Entity Theus asked.
"Explorer Entity Hadrizahens is under no such delusions that biology could become a factor for a Korvax. It is illogical to ask these sorts of questions to a mechanical being." Hadrizahens huffed quickly.
"Do you want a biological designation?" Traveller Entity Theus asked again, being incredibly patient and gentle. It almost made Hadrizahens even more flustered.
"I-... don't know…" Hadrizahens lied, unable to admit just yet to his silly little fantasies. He did not want the Traveller to think him childish or strange for applying organic terminology to himself. "This is illogical and I have no opinions or data formed on the matter."
"It would not have to be permanent. It is just a designation. It can be changed or left out entirely. Especially for a Korvax."
"...Redesignated… as male?" Hadrizahens repeated aloud, making sure he understood the Traveller correctly. Was it not insulting to the organic lifeforms that he was adopting their culture? He supposed, at least in Traveller Entity Theus' case, he had been invited to do so. Hadrizahens had always assumed that adopting such identities would be seen as crude and as a mockery of organics, so he had kept it to himself. After all, it wasn't as though he had the chance to ask many organics about such debates. How was he to know for sure what might insult a sentient organic being without asking them a question that might insult them to begin with? But this was being presented as an idea outside of his own. If he was being offered, why not take advantage. "...This is acceptable?"
"You seem confused. Why?" Traveller Entity Theus asked.
"...Is it not… strange?"
Traveller Entity Theus shrugged. "To some, yes. But others do not mind. You would not be the first Korvax, or the last."
There were other Korvax who adopted biological practices? Hadrizahens didn't know what to say. It sounded delightful to him to not be the only one of his kind who had dabbled in this activity. But wait, was this the beginning of diverting away from what the Korvax are at their core? Would it be denying his own Echo? He paused for a moment, disengaging from all stimuli around him to focus on the low hum deep at his center. It was still there. He could still feel them; the ones who came before. He was still with the Convergence. The connection had not weakened.
"...Confirmation, we can try the designation." Hadrizahens said more confidently. He felt lighter now, knowing that he would not have to hide this from the Traveller anymore. Not that it had ever come up, but it was still a concern of his. He couldn't help but worry. He was accompanying a Traveller. He couldn't bear the thought of offending the Atlas's Chosen.
"Good! It suits you." Traveller Entity Theus nodded in approval. "It is good to see lifeforms embracing their interests."
Even with the words of Entity Huche echoing in his mind, Hadrizahens couldn't have agreed more.