Sornel Upswift paced off the transport and onto the firm plastic floor of the Betha Space Station, named Outpost Constantine. The lighting in the station was somewhat dim to accommodate the other species’ tastes, leaving Sornel's six foot and scrawny frame darker than it really is. He was in one of the landing docks, which spiraled outward from the otherwise cylindrical space station. The rest of his fellow humans flowed out of the ship with him, and they all proceeded to the baggage claim towards the center of the station.

The Space Station is composed of a massive cylindrical center. It spans about 1/2 a mile lengthwise, and has a diameter of about 500 feet. It uses centrifugal force to create a gentle gravity about 50% of Earth’s. Since it uses centrifugal force, it spins in space like a poster tube would down a hill. Out of the main cylinder, four sets of two spiraled protrusions stick out. This is where the docking bays are, as well as storage facilities.

Sornel and the others soon noticed the different gravity. They all looked like bona fide tourists because they lifted their legs really high, most of them being used to a stronger gravity. Sornel saw the curious eyes of the aliens surrounding him. The station didn’t have many humans aboard; the majority were Bethan, a mammal-type species, and Jefty, a reptilian species who somewhat resemble humans. Some Lemacs, armed with weapons were stationed at the docking bay. The Lemacs are a sort of lobster-looking warrior species. Those four species make up all of the intelligent alien species known in the galaxy, so far.

The group of humans soon reached the computer-controlled baggage claim, only to meet a station official with terrible news. A Bethan, gracefully, yet hastily met with the humans. She fastened her hands together over her chest and said, "Dire news, my friends. The ship carrying your belongings and some other cargo was jumped by several pirates before it could space-fold to Waypoint 3 of the journey. Luckily, the pilots of the ship used some escape pods and are…"

"You mean all our stuff’s been raided?" one of the humans interrupted.

The Bethan was startled by the outburst, but quickly began to explain, "Y-yes Sir. The pirates left nothing, they stole the entire cargo ship." The human who protested grumbled and crossed his arms. The Bethan’s voice was constantly serene and pleasant, "The pirate’s actions are obviously out of our control, but your insurance is still valid. Please present your marks and you will be reimbursed."

Unfortunately, most of the humans-including Sornel-had irreplaceable heirlooms with their luggage. Sornel had left his family and friends back on his homeworld, a small colony, and now all the material remnants of his life there were gone, taken by raiders who had no cause.

The Bethan held out a small device like a grocery scanner, and on cue, the humans pulled their sleeves back to expose the four barcodes that were present on each hand. As the Bethan moved the scanner over each code, she continued, "The monetary redemption center is located in plot 525, just to the left. I can answer any of your questions."

Most of them just left to the bank once they were scanned. Sornel asked, "Where can I get a map of the station? The one on the ship was all greasy."

The Bethan delicately smiled as she replied, "There’s some right next to the bank, Sir… What’ve you come to Outpost Constantine for?"

Sornel’s wrists had been scanned, and he wiped them clean and pulled his cuffs down, "I’ve landed a job in the docking department, handling traffic."

"Ah, that’s good. We’ve been short-handed of qualified traffic controllers for a while. It’s such a stressful job, overworking the crew could be dangerous. I’m glad you’ve come to work here."

Sornel smiled, "I’m very glad to have been able to land a job here. I've been waiting to get off my old colony for quite some time! Thanks for the help!"

Sornel headed off to the bank. Once there, he withdrew enough credits to buy new clothes, food, some stuff for his "apartment", and enough to pay the first month of rent. He snatched a map of the station as well. It was one of those new paper-thin screen computers where you could zoom, get information, and know your location in about 58 different languages. He hadn’t seen many extremely high-tech things, having lived on a small colony tucked in some corner of the galaxy. The map was probably made by the Bethans; they were the most high-tech species of the four civilized races.

He then set forth on a journey to find his living space. He had already set up arrangements before he left his home. The best and most affordable apartment he found, was a fairly large place that he would share with another person. Three bedrooms, one bath, a window, fitted with standard computers. He would be sharing his room with a Lemac in this case. That was kind of discouraging, because most Lemacs are naturally aggressive and imposing, but arrangements could always be changed. Besides, it’d be an adventure, something which Sornel lacks.

After meeting with the manager of living quarters he came to his room, Quarter 161, Section Kelnag. The lock was an ID system not formatted for humans, so he had to use a numerical code until a retinal scan was installed.

The door slid to the side to expose a light grey room. A strange painting hung on the far wall. Beyond a purple love seat and some other strange chair or couch that faced a viewing wall that displayed some sort of army video game. His roommate popped up from behind a chair, to look at the door. He dropped the game controller and stood military fashion facing Sornel.

"Good Day, ehhh, hrmmm, Sornel! Y-yeah!"

"Hello, Selgor it is, right?"

The two got aquainted and sat around playing video games while talking about themselves. Selgor had a mostly red and white exoskeleton beneath the familiar human fatigues he wore. He stood about seven and a half feet tall, with his entire body resembling a big angry lobster. His legs were thick and agile, his arms were about the size of Sornel’s, with four pointy, barbed fingers at the ends. Selgor was one of the chiefs of security of the station. He’d been living there for over two years.

Afterwards, Sornel washed his hands in the sink. The stuff that came out of the faucet wasn't water, but a more softer, heavier, and cleaner liquid. Sornel hoped it was clean, whatever it was. He was a clean-freak, especially when it came to himself. Selgor gave a whole verbal tour of the station. He talked about the pirates who plagued far outposts like the Constantine. If the pirates could capture an outpost, it could mean trouble for all. Pirates with a base means they get more organized, and lack of organization is the only thing keeping the pirates as weak as they are. They talked about all the pleasures of the Constantine afterward. Selgor told Sornel where all the good parties were held and the best food was served. Sornel made a mental note about that all since a warrior’s idea of a good time may prove too rough and tough for a human!

Sornel was happy with Selgor. He wasn’t a big angry bully like he feared. He was an assertive, kind, protective Lemac with a good sense of justice. Sornel was happy that his luck wasn’t running bad. The whole luggage thing was the only real inconvenience he had had so far. This coming to the space station was a good idea. Soon he would be working with the traffic control and work on restarting his life.