Floating in a simulation of open space, beyond the mystery starship they were charged with exploring, the Spartan’s first officer and chief engineer stared at one another in eager anticipation. Even the sensor composite of the starship seemed to hold its breath.

The stippling coalesced and dispersed on Hey’xet’s skin as they pondered the question for a long moment. Eventually, they answered, “I hope to find an aquatic biotope designed by and for a species that evolved within a hydrosphere rather than an atmosphere. As unlikely as that may be.”

Hey’xet let go of Kellin’s wrist, but kept within grasping distance in case an errant twitch of his muscles sent him flying. “What do you hope you’re going to find?” they asked him.

“An aquatic biotope is top of my list too!” Kellin exclaimed, although he didn’t quite manage to pronounce ‘biotope’ correctly. Not that he said it any less confidently. Through his eager grin, Kellin dipped his chin down to his chest and he conspiratorially added, “…What’s a biotope?”

A tremor of amusement washed over Hey’xet. “A biotope is a habitat, in this case manufactured for a specific biological community. You could say that the Spartan is our biotope.”

Hey’xet shifted, and extended one tentacle to twice its normal length in the direction of the bright green arrow. Their movements were deliberate and slow despite the fact that their EV suit could have propelled them to the entrance in seconds. “What else is on your list?” they asked, with their faceplate turned towards Kellin while their tentacles found their own way forward.

Swimming through the viscous void, Kellin approximated a front crawl, following Hey’xet’s lead in the direction of the arrow. His swoop of blond curls bounced back with each kick-fueled burst of forward momentum he managed.

“I joined Starfleet for the duty, not the adventure,” Kellin said. His admission was guileless; almost matter of fact if it weren’t for the shining measure of pride. He kept apace with Hey’xet for the most part. “I protect the crew and keep them focused, so you all have the space to dream up better worlds.”

“Hmm.” Hey’xet turned their faceplate away for a moment in a calculated move to alleviate the intensity of their stare. It would have been easy enough to keep their gaze on Kellin while they traveled, since their tentacles knew the way. It would have also been rude. “You seem too interested in the dreams of others to have none of your own. I will not judge your imagination by the criterion of statistical likelihood, if that is your concern.”

They quickly reached the hatch, and the mechanism appeared similar enough to a Starfleet airlock that Hey’xet was certain they’d be able to open it quickly. The light of the green arrow–now directly above them–flashed against Hey’xet’s faceplate as they regarded Kellin once more. “Last chance to share.”

Shaking his head, Kellin offered, “My dreams are shaped around what kind of leader, or role-model, or, or, whatever, I can be.” –He shrugged, bouncing his gaze between Hey’xet and the closed hatch– “I spent my childhood bouncing around the Federation. Alien bi-oh-topes don’t hold all that much mystery to me.”

Hey’xet’s vocalizer hummed again, and after a moment of contemplation, they nodded. “Then surely your dreams will be realized, no matter what we may find on this mission.”

In a flash of movement, their tentacles flipped several switches and pulled at a massive spoked wheel at the top of the entrance. After a long series of clicks, there was a hiss of air, and the door swung open to reveal…

Nothing.

“Ah,” said Hey’xet, “Perhaps I should have asked the computer to generate an interior configuration as well.”

As if in response, the computer sounded a long tone with a cheerful chirp at the end. “Incoming sensor data is now sufficient for a higher resolution.”

The scene around them dissolved, and was immediately replaced by a transparent dome high overhead, spaced out in interlacing hexagons that looked suspiciously organic. A forest ran to the horizon, and beyond that was a glimpse of a massive, shimmering golden wing.

Hey’xet spun in a slow circle as they surveyed the new surroundings, and said to Kellin, “This is a good dream, too, I think.”