I stood next to Urgg for the next few minutes as they chatted with different officers and crewmembers, completely at ease. Urgg introduced me to a slim man I recognized with bubblegum pink hair and lavender scales with accents of magenta. Ensign Wyn had witnessed my embarrassing moment on the elevator.
“Urgg has mentioned inviting you several times. I’m glad they finally did,” Wyn said, his tail moving back and forth as he fiddled with a pink stud in his earlobe.
Before I could respond, the commander called the lesson to order. He came to stand by my side and gave me a gun, demonstrating the different settings and how to properly hold it. When he was finished, he pointed to a target.
“What if I miss?” I asked. Visions of being sucked into the void of space ran through my mind.
“All of the blasters are set on the lowest level, which cannot harm the hull of the ship, but to ease your mind, NAID, please erect a shield,” he said in a patient voice.
“Yes, Commander.” A shield formed over the back wall. NAID winked at me before vanishing.
The hand holding the gun trembled, but I focused on the target and squeezed the trigger. An orange blast of light came out of the muzzle and smacked the edge of the target, not even close to the center.
The commander’s arms crossed. “Not bad. I would have placed money on you not hitting it at all. Try again.”
I, along with everyone else, practiced shooting the targets. We had to take turns because there were more people than targets. Wyn was an equally bad shot as I was. The commander corrected our postures and gave advice, never seeming rushed or upset. Despite that, Wyn and I didn’t improve.
When both Wyn and I gave way to the next group, we moved toward the empty mats, but I couldn’t take my gaze off Urgg. They decimated the targets, no matter which hand they shot from.
“Woah. Urgg is amazing,” I commented.
“They don’t have to come. Urgg usually comes to assist Commander Monqilcolnen.”
“Have to?” I asked, turning away from Urgg, who performed some type of roll, then popped up and shot the target.
His tail whipped. “Crew and officers who do not meet the basic standard testing every month have to take extra training.”
At his uncomfortable expression, I thought back to the way he never hit the center of the target. “So you didn’t meet the standard?”
“I never have since basic training. I’m a horrible shot, though I’m great in hand-to-hand combat.”
“You’re a better shot than I am.” I’d hit the target maybe once every three shots.
“You’re not one of the crew.” Wyn turned back to the group because the commander called for the next in line to step forward.
Once again, my turn came around. I didn’t do much better than the first time. The commander came to my side to correct my stance, not that it helped. Despite the fact I didn’t seem to get any better, I was having fun.
When the practice ended, Urgg draped a heavy arm over my shoulders, and I swallowed a startled yelp. Urgg said, “Me and some of the others are going to get a drink in the canteen.”
“Have fun.”
“No. I’m inviting you to come.”
My mouth opened. I didn’t have a response. I wavered, longing to return to my apartment while, at the same time, I wanted to go.
Wyn bounced on the balls of his feet, smiling encouragingly.
Shrugging, I replied, “Why not?”
Urgg released a loud belch, and then they downed another drink and banged the cup on the metal table. “I ran my knife through the beast’s stomach, spilling its guts on the red sand, and claimed its heart,” Urgg shouted, fist in the air. “Going on my knees, I presented the heart to my lovely Talvax.”
Finishing another drink, my fourth maybe, I fought back a gag. “That’s how you proposed to the captain? Covered in blood?”
“That’s the best way to do it.” They filled their cup with what tasted close to ale but was maroon. “Talvax accepted my humble offering and me with it, then ate it. Ah, it was a sight to behold. I think about it daily.”
My throat stung with bile as I fought another gag. But I ignored it and filled my cup again. “How romantic.”
“It is,” Wyn said in a loud voice that made me wince. He wiped the corner of his eyes. “Most romantic tale I’ve ever heard.”
