<div class="floatleft">(http://magicartworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/69cca425e4a6b9071a024186f456d0ae.jpg)</div>Drechneviak, Dre for short, was slowly moving through the<em>Stairway.</em>He liked to explore a ship, become familiar with it before he was confined to some crew area.  Of course, taking his time was normal for his kind.  Dre was of the race know as Chameliaks.  That was a human name since what they called themselves couldn't be pronounced by humans. Even their individual names couldn't be pronounced.  And they didn't have sure names, which was odd to humans.   Apparently, the humans named them after some creature from their native planet that could change something about themselves.  That is what was special about Chameliaks, they could change their appearance, growing a little taller of shorter and slight changes to their weight.  And, surprisingly to humans and most other cultures, their gender.<br/><br/>Nobody really knew if the Cham they met was really that gender or just the gender they chose for that day or meeting.  Human scientist wanted to study the birthing process  it it was the one area that Chams refused to divulge.  It was known that there wasn't really a sexuality in their species, at least as far as could be observed.   All indications where that Chams just met and paired off, it didn't matter if it was two males, females or a mix.  It wasn't like it mattered since they could just change sex anyway.  They only needed to decide what gender they wanted to be as they had sex.<br/><br/>Currently, Dre was in male form.  As a mercenary, he found that the first meeting was generally best as a male, everyone seemed to respect that more. This was more with civilians, which there were plenty on the ship, since they looked down at mercs as hired guns. Female mercs were thought of as even less.  It shouldn't have mattered but prejudices still existed.  Luckily, he could adapt and not have to worry as much.<br/><br/>So he moved slowly, observing, and getting the feel of the personnel.  He was 118 Standard Earth years, but looked like he was in his 20s.  He had already fought in a few wars, most by choice.  Now, with peace in most places, he sought more.  He had developed a blood lust, wanting to continue fighting for as long as he could. This was a bit of a departure from his kind which generally detested war, except for every 70 years when the two halves of his planet would fight over the lack of resources caused by droughts.  That had been his first taste of war when he was only 60.<br/>Since then he always sought out more.<br/><br/>Though highly experienced, one wouldn't be able to tell by looking at Dre. Charms where amazing healers.  Only the loss of a limb couldn't be healed properly.  As such, they had no scars.  In fact, they considered there body's to be like art and didn't even get tattoos when they were introduced to them.  A few did, but the majority couldn't fathom doing it.  Plus, it would only be temporary as their bodies would just heal it.<br/><br/>The other interesting thing about Chams was there strength and speed.  Both were much higher than a normal human, almost seeming enhanced, but not quite.  Scientist believed it was due to the shaoe changing natural re w, allowing them to alter their physical body for a short burst of speed or strength.  Although all testing showed that they could maintain the speed or strength as long as they wanted.<br/><br/>Lastly, due to the twilight state of their home planet, Chams could see very well in the dark.  This meant they wore sunglasses on most planets, or when looking through a viewpoint on a ship. Yet, the artificial light in a ship didn't seem to bother them.  Only in a nursery, where the light was UV enhanced did the sunglasses return.  The downside of this sight was that Chams had purple eyes, completely purple with only a black pupil.  This was off putting to most humans so they would wear contact lenses that made their eyes look like a human.  Dre wore some that had enhancements.  His right eye handle image enhancement which let him see further.  It also linked to his weapon sights. His left had thermal imaging so he could track at night.<br/><br/>He had been on the ship for over two hours when he felt the thrusters.  With a sigh of pleasure he decided to report in to his new team.  Returning to the cargo bay he retrieved his gear, all stowed in a locked box.  Engaging the antigrav systems he watched it lift off the deck before he started pushing it before him.  Fifteen minutes later his 5'11", 175 pound frame entered the squad area.  Running his fingers through his dark hair, dyed red he spoke aloud, "I'm looking for Captain Masters.  I was told that is who I am to report to."