Ellika sat nervously at an empty table, tapping her fingertips against her knees and waiting for her contact: a captain named Jayna.  She'd been at the station nearly a week now, and so far only two people had shown interest in her request.  The first meeting had been with a man called Worm, and now that she'd met him, she understood the nickname.  Thankfully, when he discovered it was a humanitarian mission instead of a treasure hunt, he wanted no part of it, but he'd left her with a lasting impression.<br/><br/>Now, she fidgeted.  She hoped this new captain was at least less creepy than Worm had been.  And nicer wouldn't hurt either.  In fact, anything would be better than him.  The waitress passed by a third time, depositing yet another Everlin Sunrise on Ellika's table and dropping a few kind words.<br/><br/>"Hey honey, don't fret so much.  If you look like you're new at this, these guys will walk all over you.  Calm down, take a deep breath, and relax."<br/><br/>Ellika smiled carefully and nodded.  The waitress made a good point.  Her eyes scanned the rest of the lounge before settling on the door.  She wasn't the only woman in a dress, nor the only one with an aura of importance around her.  But she still stood out.  Her chestnut hair was unnaturally vivid, her skin was an awkward shade of creamy yellow, and the flatness of her nose bridge and upturn to her large eyes did more than hint that she was Aratan.  But her people were peaceful, and their botanical and mechanical abilities were welcomed most everywhere.<em>At least,</em>she thought to herself,<em>this is a space station.  If there weren't so many different species here already, I would be as awkward as a fish on the beach.</em>