Ch 1: One Giant Leap

Star-date 4:25:2124 [Student Representative’s Log]

*sigh* ”... Hello, um… I don't really know how to start this. I guess I should start with my name. My name is Gia Peterson, 19, She/they…uh, oh! and, I've been chosen to attend an important interplanetary school as the first Human in the, uh ‘galactic coalition.’ im not too sure why exactly I was chosen out of millions of applicants but, here I am!”...I put down my U.P.N-issued data pad…I was chosen but I don’t know why. I thought, “Why not!? I've got pretty good grades, and my college aptitude test scores were high if anything I would get some scholarships to my chosen schools, and this application would only help improve my application.” but well … now im on a ship to a strange, alien satellite city and…*sigh* I was told to keep a log of what its like, a diary of sorts. I was briefed and I've been spending this 2-and-a-half-week trip, AT FTL!!! going over the different races in the coalition and stuff about the school im attending.

Humanity has been in contact with the coalition for about 5 or 6 years now, well at least publicly. So this isn't a total shock but still. Im going to be light years away from home. The “Committee of Intergalactic Relations” is sending a couple of other people with me to act as ‘guardians’ and keep contact with Earth. One of my guardians is Joan!… Uh, she will also be attending the school as a teacher! Specifically as a professor of human history and culture, or humanities.

Anyway, apparently the school im going to is specifically designed to accommodate every member species of the coalition and designed to unify their different teachings and cultures through schooling. According to the committee documents the School is one of two, an all ‘girls’ and all ‘boys’ schools. The girl's school is located on a satellite city orbiting the planet and the boy's school is on the planet. which is funny. I grew up on Titan station so it shouldn't feel too different to home.

Oh! I almost forgot! I've got to fill out this class registration form before we get there. That's what im doing now. the document given also told me that im gonna be getting bi-weekly cair packages of groceries and supplies, which is cool. I won’t have to worry about what alien foods are edible or safe.

My room doors opened as Yomin knocked, they’re my other guardian. Yomis tall and pretty buff but I think he’s supposed to be a doctor. I guess it's in case we get sick or injured. “Sorry to barge in but we’ll be landing in 7is hours. You should start packing soon,” they said in their surprisingly calming voice. “Any questions or reservations before we dock?”

“No not really, just a little nervous I guess.” Yomin chuckled at that “Yeah, I feel that. I'll leave you to it then! Oh and before I forget we will be given two spaces on our care package list to add anything not necessary for our survival, so if you forgot anything or want something that reminds you of home…”

“Got it thanks! I'll think about it while I finish these forms.”

7 hours later the ship finally docked at the station and, we all lined up waiting for the ramp to open. As it extended letting us off, The bright lights of the station revealed the docking yard of an alien station. It wasn't all that different from home actually. The only difference was all kinds of alien ships and cargo liners parked and slowly moving around.

As we disembarked and moved through the main doors I noticed the walls were much taller and wider too. I was so distracted I almost walked right into a massive furry alien. They put one of their paws on their chest as a greeting. “Hello, human travelers it's wonderful to have you. Please put these on.” Their accent was strong as they looked down at me and handed us small devices. They pointed to the one they had on their sleeve. “This device will assist in adapting and translating all coalition languages.” As I did their accent became clearer as the translator began doing its deal.

“My name is Rep.Taloin, hello and welcome to Heltoris station I am the coalition’s representative Taloin Forneir. I am to be your guide and assist you in any way needed while you make this station your new home.” His smile scrunched his furry face as he spoke.

“Ah this is perfect timing I was worried we might have to hunt you down,” Yomin said as both Joan and I elbowed him.

Taloin looked concerned for a second, “Oh yes I would advise you to try and refrain from using the word ‘hunt’. Many species here are pray species and the translators are not designed to properly translate the human expressions or idioms.”

“Oh! I am sorry I was warned about the translators, yeah I gotta be pickier with the words I use huh!” Yomin's smile hid his shame

Rep. Taloin waved it off and smiled “That would be the best way to refrain from creating a panic, yes? anyhow, what do you think of the gravity on the station? I see you were given the personal gravity bracers on your way here.”

“It’s a little lighter than what we're used to but, the bracelets are doing pretty well. I don’t think it’ll be a problem.” Joan jumped in place to test them out.

“That’s good! Now if you would follow me I will lead you to your domicile.” Along the way, He gave us a tour of the station. The upper levels of the station were all for the school and observatory use while the rest of the station was a massive housing and shopping district. The station was a massive multi-level mall with floating plazas, parks, and oxygen farms dotted around. The lower floors and edges of the station were housing and all around were different races of people. I saw a lot of different races just heading to our home, from insectoids to mammalian and even quadrupedal races. I even saw a race that had four massive arms! Im not sure where this school is located in the coalition but It must be pretty central if all these people live here.

When we got to our domicile Rep Taloin left us to unpack and get accustomed to our home. The walls and roof were again tall a standardized plan to accommodate the taller races of the coalition. If I wanted to decorate I'd have to turn off my personal gravity bracelets. For now, I just hung up an old poster of the first moon landing at a human level I'll be starting school in a few days; First class, Intro to Astronomy. Digital Arts, intro to coalition history, and Humanities! …*sigh* “one small step…”