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[Explorer Eyuy Aeum-yinh, please report to Supervisor Sblannu immediately]

[Location: West Hall; Exploration Sector. Room#: 182A]

[Thank you for your time]

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Eyuy stared at the message that popped up onto his monitor, then tapped on his holowatch to get rid of the alert. He wheeled his chair from under the desk and stood to attention. Turning to his shift leader, he said, "Shift Leader Tazaew, Supervisor Sblannu has requested my presence immediately. Permission to retire?"

Shift Leader Tazaew assented, "Permission granted, Explorer Aeum-yinh."

Eyuy nodded and left the room, swinging a right to the West Hall. He weaved through the foot traffic of the hub on his way to the Exploration Sector. Most wore the deep blue uniform of the Diplomat Sector, the largest sector of the Inter-Cosmic Coalition, also known as the ICC. Eyuy had once wanted to be a diplomat, but Anmlonh had filled their quota by the time he was old enough to apply. He had to settle with becoming an explorer, and he wore the black uniform that reflected his status. 

He rounded another corner, entering the Exploration Sector. Eyuy looked at the directory and found the room he needed to report to. He had an inkling why Supervisor Sblannu wanted to see him. The mapping division announced the discovery of a new solar system by one of their surveyors a week ago, and all the signs pointed to the solar system containing a space-faring species. Another species to add to the codex. His species, the Yeolbau, was added 300 years ago, and was one of the first species outside the founders to join the ICC.

Eyuy headed to the collection of elevators and pressed the up button. He waited for it to arrive on his floor. Once the doors dinged open, he walked into it without looking to see if anyone was departing. Consequently, he bumped into someone. The woman hit his body, falling and hitting the ground. The folder in her hand flew to the floor with her, but none of the files fell out. The woman scolded, "Watch where you're going. You could've hurt me."

Eyuy apologized, "My deepest regrets. Do you need a hand?" Eyuy held out a hand for the woman to take.

The woman took the hand and Eyuy helped pull her up. At her full height, the woman towered over Eyuy. She brushed off the back of her pants and bent down to pick up her folder. She also wore the black uniform of the Exploration Sector. 

She said, "Thank you for the help. I am Angelika Müller. Earthling."

"Eyuy Aeum-yinh. Yeolbaun."

Angelika was tall like most humans were. Although, they were in no way the tallest species that frequented the ICC. She brushed her hair behind her ear and stuck her hand out. Eyuy stared at it, not understanding what she wanted. Angelika pulled her hand back after realizing he wasn’t familiar with the gesture. She self-consciously put the hand in her pocket. 

"I was assigned to be your partner for the latest mission. Have you been briefed?"

"No, I am to report to Supervisor Sblannu."

"Don't let me take up anymore of your time, then. If you need to find me soon, I’ll be in the mess hall."

"Thank you, Explorer Müller."

The earthling waved goodbye and stepped out of the elevator. Eyuy realized that they had been blocking the elevator for everyone else and reprimanded himself. His actions were against the ICC's code of conduct.

Section 8; subsection d: Do not loiter in public transportation to ensure ease of transport.

He was surprised no one else called for the elevator while they were talking. But they could any minute now, so he entered the space and selected floor thirteen. The elevator started its slow ascent. His tail flicked behind him in irritation and his scales rippled. He was annoyed at getting distracted enough by the earthling to break the rules. While he was silently berating himself, two more people boarded the elevator. Both wore the red uniform of the Administrative Sector, and they talked quietly amongst themselves. Eyuy watched the numbers tick up. Right now, they were on floor six. 

More people entered on floor ten, pushing Eyuy into the conversing men. The feathers of the tikotsa brushed against his scales. The feathered alien tried his best to keep his feathers to himself and muttered an apology to Eyuy. Eyuy's scales dulled him to the feeling, so it didn’t bother him. However, he thought it wasn’t important enough to mention. Finally, the elevator reached the thirteenth floor and he exited. Room 182A would be to the right. He walked down the hallway and stopped in front of the correct door. Eyuy knocked, but didn’t enter as it was against the Exploration Sector's rulebook. He reported numerous explorers that disregarded this rule. 

Section 35; article 4: Superior's offices will not be entered without express permission. A warning will be issued for the first offence. Repeat offenders will be punished at the digression of the affected supervisor.

Supervisor Sblannu called, "Permission to enter granted."

Eyuy opened the door, walking to Supervisor Sblannu's desk. He stood and waited for the alien to give him the okay to sit down. Sblannu's head glanced up to look at Eyuy, and he motioned for the explorer to take a seat. Eyuy sat and said, "Explorer Eyuy Aeum-yinh reporting."

"Explorer Aeum-yinh, I'm sure you have heard of the mapping division's discovery," Sblannu said.

"Yes, Supervisor."

"You have been selected to explore this discovery. Planet IF 329714628-419 has been identified as where the space-faring species originated."

"Did we make contact?"

"No, but the surveyors disclosed readings of a USC. Here is a file with the full mission briefing." Sblannu slid a folder across the desk. Eyuy picked it up and skimmed through it. He flicked his eyes to Sblannu. The alien's thousands of eyes stared back. 

Eyuy asked, "What is the mission's goal?"

“Asses the species intelligence and current technology. The ICC wants to know if they are possible candidates for the codex."

“What do I do if I don’t find a species?"

“If there is evidence of a species inhabiting the planet, then you will need to investigate what happened to them. If there’s no evidence, then you may come back and consider your mission complete."

"Understood, Supervisor."

"Departure information will be sent to your holowatch by the end of today. Your base partner for the mission is the earthling Angelika Müller."

"We’ve met."

"Good. I hope your partnership will be fruitful. You are dismissed."