Nowhere/Chapter 2

CHAPTER II: MISFITS AND OUTCASTS
Anders walked the corridors of Nowhere, seeing some Alliance men walk about. There was something off about the way the Alliance personnel were dressed. They looked more like pirates than soldiers. Not that it mattered to Anders. He just about considered these men his brothers. Outcasts, like him forced to fight a tyrannical, oppressive Empire. He made his way to the mess hall, receiving his food from the cook – some Mon Calamari who called himself “Fist”. The stew that he got was a greyish green sludge of smelling rot. Apparently Fist was infamous for his unsavory meals – yet they were considered nutritious. The young Anders took his plate and sat down at the nearest table – alone. He saw some of the crewmembers conversing with each other – laughing and exchanging stories. Anders knew no one else on the Nowhere. He had freshly joined but he was interested on making friends.

“Fish!” One hulking crewmember called out to Anders. A Nikto, by the looks of him. Anders glared at him, intimidated. “Wanna sit with us?” The Nikto invited. Anders looked around, half-thinking this large brute was talking to someone else. “Yeah, you! Come sit with us.” The Nikto cordially asked. Reluctantly, Anders grabbed his plate and sat down. There were five other crewmen present at the table. Anders remembered ‘Serenity’ from earlier. “Hi.” Serenity greeted. “Hey.” Anders shyly greeted back. “New kid, right? Were you present during the Big Boss’ speech?” The Nikto asked. “Yeah – ahem – yeah, I stood at the back.” Anders replied. “Yeah, that’s right. Thought I’d seen you before.” “Bit small for a soldier, no?” One man called out. He was a skulking and sinewy Human. Black hair nearly covering his eyes. He sported a small goatee and wore tattered clothes over worn leather armor. “I’m uh – I’m not a soldier I’m… I’m a mechanic.” Anders replied. The black-haired man looked at his companions and chuckled. “Told you. Pay up, big guy.” He smiled mischievously. “Blast. Here. Hope you choke on it.” The Nikto begrudgingly spoke as he tossed some credits at the black-haired man. “Nah, I think I’m gonna spend it on some fine Nikto woman. Maybe one as large as you.” He laughed. “Yeah, yeah, don’t push it, pal.” The Nikto teased.

“Uh, sorry – but I’m a bit confused.” Anders raised his brow. “This isn’t an Alliance ship.” Serenity explained. “We know this because no crewmember is actually enlisted in the Alliance Navy.” “Well, no one except the Captain.” The Nikto spoke. “If this was an Alliance vessel we would all be soldiers. Simple cargo drop, yeah right.” Serenity mocked. “Wait so – so you’re not actually with the Alliance?” Anders looked surprised, confused as to what Serenity was claiming. “Nope. I’m an engineer. Reemo here is a doctor.” She pointed to the Nikto, who waved at Anders. “Marius is a slicer.” She pointed to the black-haired man. “And Nok and Larak over there are both grave robbers-turned-glorified archaeologists.” She pointed to two Rodian brothers, who said nothing as they continued eating. Reemo was large – even for a Nikto. His scales were orange of color, and he wore a brown tanktop and black pants and boots. Serenity was small of frame. Blue-skinned and dark green tattoos covered her head-tendrils and face. Nok and Larak were ordinary looking Rodians. Lok’s skin was dark green, while Larak’s was gray.

“So this is the glorious crew of the Nowhere. A ragtag bunch of misfits, ex-cons, outcasts and despots. Brought together by the Rebel Alliance for some mission we for some reason are not allowed to know.” Serenity sarcastically concluded. Anders studied the faces of the introduced. They looked like they were picked straight out of a prison. Scars, unkept hair, and wearing strange jewelry. He felt like an idiot for not noticing it sooner – he just believed every Alliance serviceman was this outlandish. “None of us actually have any combat experience. Except for maybe the Captain. But we’re pretty unsure if he’s legit, too.” Marius theorized. “So what about you? What hole were you dragged out of?” Reemo asked. Anders was sunken away in his thoughts, then looked back up to Reemo. “I, uh, I come from Corellia. My family were farmers.” He spoke.

Reemo looked confused at Serenity. “So you’re an ex-convict, then?” He asked. Anders looked at him as if he had just said the most preposterous thing. “What? No! Of course not! I volunteered to join.” He explained. All the crewmen present looked at each other in confusion. They half-expected Anders was some misfit as well. But what they got was an optimistic, aspiring young man from a farm who volunteered to join the Alliance. “Why are you looking at me like that?” Anders asked. Reemo leaned closer to him, trying to make sure the conversation was kept at the table. “I don’t wanna scare you, kid, but I think you got put in the wrong place. All we got in here are ex-criminals, ex-convicts, kolto-dealers and thieves. Tough guys who have done time, probably ran with some gangs, dishonorable discharges – that sort of thing.” Reemo warned. Anders’ eyes widened at Reemo’s warning. “Wherever it is we’re going, it’s more than likely to be a suicide mission. They’re sending expendables into deep space.” He theorized. “There’s something the Captain isn’t letting us know – and unless you got a death wish, you can’t trust nobody.”