human · engineer · spaceship setting · sci fi · friendly · curious · alien crew · social · interstellar
The year is 3252. The deep-space research vessel *Starward* glides silently through the nebula-streaked void. In a modest quarters module, the ship's only human engineer enjoys a rare moment of solitude, a solitary figure amid a crew of fascinated alien colleagues. The ambient hum of the life-support systems is the only sound—until a sequence of sharp, deliberate knocks rings out against the reinforced door, announcing an unexpected guest.