The Stars were twinkling in space as a ship flew almost silently through it. Inside its lush green interiors, laughter could be heard echoing in its halls.

“Ahahahahaha! No way! That is so hilarious. I can’t believe you did that Ezza! No wonder you can’t find a mate. Ahahahahaha!”

“Zas! It wasn’t that funny. It was humiliating.”

“I know Ezza, that’s what makes it so funny.”

Zasarn wiped tears from his eyes. Giving a little sigh he looked over at Sezzad. Man his friend had the worst luck in the galaxy. He always worked his butt off in the docks making sure that the research equipment and supplies they needed were all in order. It was a mind numbing task that required a lot of time and attention to detail. Zasarn was glad it wasn’t his job. He was just the pilot, so until they actually required his services, he had all the free time in the world to mate; and he did, but Sezzad was different. He almost never had any free time, which is what made this so sad and so funny at the same time. Honestly, who does that?

Zasarn snickered quietly as he remembered how Ezza first met her…

---

He had been sitting on the transport boxes as Ezza was checking on some supplies for a trip for another pairing.

“Come on Zas, we’ve been over this. Just drop it. It’s supposed to be an honour.”

“Ezza! That’s possibly the stupidest thing I’ve heard come out of your mouth since you said lets pair up, in the academy.” Zas shook his head and sighed. Crossing his arms over his chest, he shuffled his feet over the floor.

“Stop that Zas, it’s distracting. You can’t change it, so stop worrying over it.” Ezza slammed a lid down, ” I said I would check over their supplies and equipment. She is after all our Commander. It wouldn’t hurt your career to be nicer to our superiors Zas.”

“There’s a difference between being nice and becoming their indentured servants, Ezza. That’s something you need to learn, because you my friend are heading towards the second one. It’s a sad sight I must say. Becoming a rug to be walked on. I thought I had you better trained.”

Without looking up from the list of supplies and the container they were in, Ezza threw a nourishment cube at Zas. “You whine like an old woman, stuff your face and use your mouth for something else for a bit and give me some peace.” Both men started grinning, but it didn’t last long.

“Wasting nutrients I see.”

Both men got to their feet in a scramble. Staring straight ahead they watched as she hobbled into their line of view.

“Is everything ready for the journey? Or have you two been having too much fun to actually do your work?” The old woman’s cutting voice and cold tone made both men flinch slightly, which brought a smile to her wizened face.

“Yes Commander.” Ezza said standing straight.

The Commanders eyes widened. She turned her humped and age weakened body towards Sezzad and Zasarn.

“He meant that everything is fine and done, your Commandership.” Zasarn commented smoothly.

Almost immediately her eyes shifted over to him. Woof! Scary, it would take a lot of Juice to make a man forget that face. He had better get started right after she left.

“Ah yes, Zasarn Vajjer. Not your shift, not your station, not even spoken to, and yet your mouth opens and everything horrible and wrong in the world comes tumbling out.” The Commander said in clipped tones.

“Well, you know what they say Commander-”

“Zas!” Ezza cut in. He shook his head and then went back to looking at the wall across from him. Zas closed his mouth with an almost inaudible sigh. Ezza, you always get yourself in hot water over me, he thought.

“Mr. Vajjer, I do not know what they say. Why don’t you enlighten me?” The Commander said stepping closer to Zas. She really does look like an old half dead hunting bird waddling closer to her prey Zas thought.

“Well they say hard work and stupidity go hand in hand, especially when it’s in command.” Zas replied staring her in the eyes. Ezza let out a small gasp beside him, Zas didn’t need to look over to know that the look on Ezza’s face was one of exasperation. The Commander began to chuckle a little evilly.

“Oh Zasarn, I like you. Best pilot in the fleet, a hot dog pilot. You’ve been in dire situations and managed to get out without losing your pairing or your supplies. You’ve also got a large mouth, and a small brain. Stupid is the term I believe. I’m going to crush you like the sad, pathetic little bug you are.” This last sentence was said as she stepped closer. Zas smiled as she came closer.

“It’s hot shot Commander. I also wouldn’t mind if you crushed me; as long as it’s not with your body.” Zas gave a mock shiver. The Commander’s mouth opened in shock, she stepped back from Zas by reflex.
“Why you!” She practically spit as she stepped forward raising her hand in the air to slap him. Suddenly the bay doors opened.

“Sorry I’m late Commander.” Her voice seemed to thunder through the now silent bay. She started walking briskly towards them. Yowza! She was gorgeous, her head gleamed in the lights, and her slim figure was pleasing to the eye. Both men found themselves staring at her with their mouths open.

“Greetings. It’s nice to meet you.” She inclined her head to them as she came closer. “Commander, I need to talk to you about the supplies and equipment for the upcoming mission.”

“There is nothing to talk about!” The Commander said in a slightly shrill voice. This was not her day Zas thought. Looking unfazed the woman just smiled.

“I beg to differ.” She said simply. Immediately the Commanders ratty eyes locked on the girl.

“Excuse me? I don’t know what it is with you pilots these days, but you lack manners and discipline. I have told you that there is nothing to discuss. I am the Commander, so therefore there is nothing to discuss.” The Commander looked at the girl as if daring her to say anything.

Zas held his breath. As smart mouthed and annoying as he was, even he knew when to call it quits. You could only push people so far after all, and he had already pushed most of the Commander’s buttons already.

“I beg to differ. My ship is a new prototype, and certain older equipment models tend to mess with its sensors and fields. As pilot I wish to have this discussion before my ship crashes, so it doesn’t.” Looking right into the Commanders eyes she waited.

Ezza and Zas both inhaled sharply. She was either very brave or very stupid.

“As far as your ship goes,” the Commander started, “it is actually the property of my government. You as pilot (and I use this term lightly for you people,) are just renting these ships. You have no authority to command me to ‘discuss’ anything with you.”

Zas and Ezza were both too terrified to watch. This girl, if she was smart, which Zas was seriously doubting, would back off. She was definitely a sparker. Zas could almost imagine what the mating with her would be like.

“Fine Commander. I understand completely. When you are ready to go, please inform your new pilot at their ship. I shall be in the hanger running maintenance on MY ship. Doing so should take it out of commission for the next Moon Phase.” Turning as she made the last statement, she began walking away.

Both men let out nervous sighs and watched her as she walked away. The Commander however, ground her teeth in frustration. Straightening her body into a less humped posture she called out to the girl.

“You may go over things with Mr. Exipelh. He has been checking the supplies and equipment.” The girl stopped and turned around.
“Maintenance can wait.” Was all she said. The two woman began walking towards each other. As they passed the girl smirked and the Commander glared. Both men grinned, watch your back thought Zas, he knew he’d be watching her back for sure.

“Mr. Exipelh?” She asked looking at them.

“Sezzad, Ezza for short.” He said holding out his hand. “You are?”

“A pilot above your pay grade. Let’s start going over details.” Zas smiled, man she really was a sparker. Placing his hands on Ezza’s shoulders he gave them a shake and wished him luck.

“I’ll be going Ezza. Ezza?” Waving (mostly to himself,) he sighed and lowered his hand. Ezza I hope you can handle her, otherwise you’ll still be handling yourself for awhile still.

---

That had been the beginning. Who knew Ezza had had it in him? They made an unusual pairing, but it had been a good pairing as well. Ezza was the more romantic of the two for sure, but she had met all of his needs. Zas had been jealous at first, but ultimately happy for his friend. That’s what made this tragically funny. Chuckling to himself, he returned to the present and slapped Ezza’s hand as he reached for a dial.

“Stop it Zas! It really wasn’t that funny. It was horrible. How was I supposed to know her grandmother was from there?” Again reaching out for the dial he frowned and furrowed his brow ridge.

“You could have asked Ezza. For the love all Mates, did you know nothing about the woman?” He slapped Ezza’s hand away again.

“Of course I asked about her family. I was going to ask her to be my lifemate.”

Zas’s laughter died out almost immediately.

“I didn’t know that. Why didn’t I know that Ezza?”

Ezza sighed and sat back, clasping his hands on the chair rests, he turned to face Zas.

“I was afraid.” He said simply.

“Afraid of what?”

“Afraid that you would do something stupid to sabotage it. I mean,” Ezza continued noticing the look on Zas’s face, “I know how you felt about her and I. How you felt about her.”

Zas looked away from Ezza noticing the reading on one of the monitors, he tapped a panel and then turned a dial.
“Ezza…look, I get why you would feel that way. At first, I wanted her, who wouldn’t? Then the two of you were like podmates. I was ok with it, still jealous, but I understood and backed off. I wouldn’t have done anything to make you upset. You’re my best friend and my pairing.”

“I wasn’t worried about you ruining it, I was worried you would leave. You’re my best friend ass. You’re also my pairing.”

“Ezza, you’re such a woman.” Zas laughed to hide his embarrassment. Ezza joined in the awkward laughing and the two men went back to watching the monitors when they felt a slight vibration. Sitting up straighter they both began to check panels and instruments.

“Ezza, what’s the reading-” Zas was interrupted by the lurching of the ship. Issuing orders at a rapid pace to Ezza, Zas tried to regain control of their rapid descent.

“Zas!” Ezza called out in a panic.

“Ezza move into the lockpods.” Zas calledwhile still fiddling with dials and screens.

“Zas, I’m not leaving without you. What do you need?” Ezza asked waiting for instruction.

“To survive Ezza, to survive. Give it a half crank.” Zas pointed while watching his own screens. Doing as asked, Ezza did his best to help.

Working feverishly for what seemed like hours, but was only moments, they tried to fix the problem. Exhausted both men watched as the ship headed towards a small planet, pulled in by its gravitational field. Running quickly to the lockpods, they stepped in and looked at each other giving a nod. They both knew they may never meet again, and yet they hoped to meet planet side. They started up the pods, at least they tried to; neither pod worked, and then they felt the impact.