Daniel stared at the UES Loss.
She was…
She looked…
"Did they even look at the ship schematics before they stuck all of this together? What- is that? Did that put a starboard hull on both sides? UPSIDE DOWN!?"
Daniel's outrage made a few nearby soldiers jump and Evan and Russo came running.
"What? What's wrong?" Evan looked a bit frazzled as he skidded to a stop next to them. "Harmony? Hey, man! Good to see you!" He swept a sputtering Daniel into a hug before the other man could do anything except turn bright red.
Daniel had a long-standing crush on Evan that was never going to be more than a crush by his own choice but still left him flustered when they were together. For his part, Evan had figured it out years ago and pretended he didn't notice.
And Evan had always been very, very affectionate with his friends and chosen family. There'd been more than a few people who'd mistaken his natural affection for romantic interest and Evan was always surprised when it happened.
"Put me down!" Daniel managed to squeak when Evan's hug lifted his feet off the ground, kicking helplessly.
Evan laughed as he set the scientist back on his feet. "It's great to see you, man!"
"You too." Daniel's blush still hadn't faded completely, but at least now he could blame it on losing his breath from the strength of Evan's hug. "Russo."
"Harmony."
Evan rolled his eyes at their exchange. "You guys are happy to see each other, admit it." His narrowed. "Admit it."
Russo, blank-faced, met Daniel's eyes. "Surprised you're still alive."
Daniel smirked. "Likewise."
Evan let out a wounded sound of frustration, unable to help himself even though he knew they were teasing him.
Daniel turned to Finley, pointing at the Loss. "But this ship is a monstrosity."
Finley scoffed. "Why are you looking at me? It wasn't my idea."
Daniel sputtered. "This is so unsafe."
"Be safer if you were on board with us." Russo put in.
Evan beamed, throwing an arm around Daniel's shoulders. "So much safer."
Daniel gave Finley a flat look. "Really."
She shrugged. "I don't know why you think I wouldn't try everything."
"I have more important things to do."
"More important than sailing through the stars on a spaceship?" Evan asked, eyes wide. The childish glee he got from their jobs had never failed to infect anyone he spoke to about it. "Meeting aliens and exploring planets no one ever even imagined existed? Sooooo many new things to discover!"
"Soooo many new ways to die." Daniel countered.
"Come on, we'd never let you die." Russo smiled.
"Why does that sound like a threat?"
Evan steered Daniel back towards the ship. "It's just his smile. Don't worry about it."
"Right." Daniel didn't sound convinced, but he turned his attention back to the ship. "Four engines? With, is that belly from a freighter? It can't take that kind of speed!"
Evan looked confused. "I mean, we made it here?"
"That's not the endorsement you think it is," Daniel muttered. "The first time you have to power all four of those engines you're going to leave that belly behind."
That managed to make Evan concerned. "Well, that's not good."
"They strengthened the supports and seals when they put it all together." Finley offered some small reassurance.
"How much?" Daniel asks.
Finley crossed her arms and shrugged again. "Don't remember. I'm sure the numbers are in the schematic."
Daniel's eyes narrowed, running numbers in his head.
"Feel free to go on board and take a look." Finley waved towards the lowered flight deck ramp where soldiers were loading replacement supplies.
Daniel hesitated, chewing on his bottom lip. It was a nervous tic Finley recognized and usually meant he would give in with a bit more pushing.
"We're still scheduled to be here for a few more days. Plenty of time to look around as much as you want."
Daniel glared at her. "I know what you're doing."
"Does that mean you're not going to look?"
Daniel didn't respond. He shrugged off Evan's arm and stomped over to the ramp.
"Oh man, this is going to be great. Danny can fix anything." Evan was practically bouncing on his toes in excitement.
Russo hummed thoughtfully. "Might be challenging having such a high-ranked civilian on board."
"No more challenging than the ones already there," Finley muttered.
"Guys," Evan suddenly looked worried. "I don't think they're going to get along."
No, Daniel and the diplomats were not going to get along. Daniel was too outspoken, too vicious in his beliefs, and while he hadn't joined either side in the war, he'd made his opinions on the issues clear. There was nothing neutral about Daniel Harmony.
Plus, he'd made some of the deadliest weapons used in the war and the Neutral party was against conflict of any kind. They'd gone after civilian businesses that produced supplies for the war just as hard as they'd gone after the military itself and Daniel had been a central figure in their attacks.
Daniel didn't tend to forget things, a downfall of having a perfect recall, and he took attacks on his reputation and skill personally.
He also tended to retaliate, and he'd reduced more than a few pacifists to tears when they tried to argue with him.
It was definitely not going to be smooth sailing between the civilians onboard.
It wasn't anything that couldn't be worked through though.
With lots and lots of time.
And the Loss wasn't exactly small. She could always just confine them to separate sections.
….
She could confine the diplomats to their rooms since Daniel would be useful working anywhere.
"Why are you smiling like that?" Russo's eyes narrowed, suspicious.
Her smile got bigger. "No reason."
~ tbc