Star Bate Saga VIII

1 Year, Past

"Oh! When are they gonna get here?"

"Patience is a virtue," Chatoyant purred as she sat rigidly and looked straight ahead at the loading doors, something not too out of the ordinary for the woman.

"I know, it's just, we've been under-staffed, I haven't seen Aria in eons! Let alone-"

"Right yes. I'm sure they'll get here soon." Chatoyant turned toward the man now. She had never seen him, but based on his description and her infinite knowledge of his psyche, she felt like she was looking at him right now. Five foot nine, full black hair, blue eyes, tall, thin, abnormally pale (inferences she had grasped), wearing a red, muck stained jumpsuit and a light grimace. His accent was odd. Warm like hers. He was from Earth; some European claimed landmass. His voice was rather high and his annunciation was... sub par. However, this man had known her for quite some time and still agreed to be her friend. He was kind and gentle and lonely. He was Anderson.

"Do you think they'll like me?"

"Undoubtedly." she said as she paused and turned toward the door. "They're coming. Only three this year. Two Earth boys, one female alien. The boys seem apathetic. The girl... she's different. Dark. I cannot tell if it's a mood or an aura. She's unique and caustic."

"You know it's amazing how you can do that. Makes me glad I never programed it into Aria!" Here Anderson chuckled.

Chatoyant smiled politely but the girl, was troubling. Chatoyant couldn't read her.

The students entered the loading dock now. Chatoyant gasped.

Sabaian.

The girl was beautiful, with the gold marks running up and down her face and arms. She looked morbid. Her cheeks were sunken in and her lips were tight. Her eyes glowed fiercely, bringing down even the cheerful demeanor of Anderson. He stuttered and quickly took the two engineers with him leaving the girl and Chatoyant together.

"Chatoyant," She said as she got up to greet the girl. The girl was abysmal and silent.

"You have been wronged." Chatoyant said curtly.

The girl tensed up and began to stutter. "How, do you know?!"

"Dear, I am a blind, superstitious, Vietnamese woman. Some things I can just tell."

The girl was silent for a moment. "Firmament." she replied tentatively.

Chatoyant smiled. "Here, grab my arm. I'll lead you to the communications room. You can tell me all about it on the way."