#aven prime

"I wasn't expecting to see you either, Uros," she replied, standing up to go over and shake his hand.

"It's good to see you again - and might I congratulate you on the new title?" Uros had a cheeky grin on his lips. His smile was contagious, and the Commander couldn't help but to grin back as she returned to her seat.

"Thank you, Uros," she said. "Hyla's Crescent was difficult, I kept running out of resources. I was almost ready to throw in the towel and tell the Commissioner I couldn't handle it..."

"Well, that's not true," Uros replied, sitting down across from her and taking a bit of his candy bar. "If you couldn't handle it, nobody could."

"You all have so much faith in me," she said softly, gazing down at her spaghetti to hide the blush that was creeping across her cheeks.

"Of course we do," Uros said. "Just look at what you've already accomplished! I was certain the Sandy Gulch colony was going to fail, but you've made it thrive. Did I tell you there are thousands of colonists living there now? You must be so proud."

The Commander smiled up at him. "Really?" she asked softly. "That's amazing."

"It is," he said. "And it's all because of you. Don't be so hard on yourself, Commander. We have faith in you for a reason."

The Commander went quiet for a moment, taking a few bites of her pasta and considering his words. When they'd first approached her about the Aven Expedition, she'd been hesitant. She'd always been one to doubt herself, but Veronika had been insistent that she'd be the perfect woman for the job. She still doubted herself, but Uros was right - her accomplishments spoke for themselves. There was a good reason everyone on this ship was counting on her to set up their colonies.

"So, where are you off to next?" Uros asked, breaking the silence, and the Commander glanced back up at him. His eyes were sparkling even in the dim cafeteria lighting. She'd always been somewhat fond of him, and something about sharing this moment alone with him just felt...very right.

"It's called...Tenari Glacier?" she replied, grabbing her datapad from where it laid on the table. She hit a few buttons, and sure enough, the transcription of her last conversation with Veronika popped up. "Yeah, Tenari Glacier."

"Ah, the trading colony!" Uros said, grinning. "Enhancer ingredients grow quite well in that area. It looks like you and I are going to be working very closely for a while."

"Are we?" the Commander asked in a teasing voice, smiling as she gazed towards him. "I don't think I'll mind that at all."

"I would hope not," Uros replied. "But I am relieved to hear that you're not sick of me just yet."

"How could I get sick of you?" she asked with a laugh.

"True, true, I am a delight," he said, and again, she blushed as their eyes met. This time, though, he seemed to catch it, as a playful glint came to his eyes. "So, Commander, what has you up so late?" he asked. "Trouble sleeping?"

"I haven't even tried yet," the Commander said, shaking her head. "I only just got in, and I was starving."

"All that food in your colonies and you just had to come eat the ship's food?" teased Uros, and the Commander reached across the table to gently smack his arm.

"We have a solid enough foothold on this planet to produce more than enough food for everyone," she said. "If my one bowl of pasta and bottle of soda are so much of a hardship, just ask for some from one of the colonies. Isn't that your job?" She smiled over at him, and he chuckled.

"You got me there," he replied.

"I see that my pasta and I aren't wanted here, so I'll just be on my way," the Commander said jokingly, moving to pick up her plate. Before she could even start to stand up and pretend to walk away, though, Uros caught her by the arm.

"No!" he said. There was a brief pause, their eyes locked together for a moment before he quickly pulled back his hand. "I mean, I meant no offense, Commander, you and your pasta are more than wanted here."

The Commander set her plate back down, smiling over at him before taking another bite. Another silence fell over them, and Uros toyed with the empty wrapper of his Mirthquake bar.

"How are those?" the Commander asked, nodding towards the empty wrapper in his hand.

"They're good," he said, nodding. "I've made it my mission to, er, try all the enhancers," he added, a cheeky grin spreading across his lips.

"Why does that not surprise me?" she asked, smirking over at him. "Which one is your favourite?"

"Oh, definitely the Bliss," he replied. "Have you tried any?"

"Not yet," she replied. "I'm not sure if I will. They seem a bit sketchy to me." She twirled the last of her pasta around her fork, disappointed to see the plate empty.

"You should try the Starglow," he said. "Increases productivity, you could probably plan out ten buildings at a time on it."

"That sounds like a terrible idea," the Commander said with a laugh. "I should get going, Uros - I'm supposed to meet with Veronika tomorrow so she can brief me on the Tenari Glacier mission, and I need some sleep." She gathered up her plate and rose to her feet, turning and heading over to the dish drop. Behind her, she heard Uros also standing up.

"Take me with you?" he asked, and she stopped dead in her tracks. Her breath caught, and slowly, she turned around.

"What was that?" she asked, certain that her face was as red as anything.

"I said have a good night," Uros replied, hooking his thumbs into the belt of his uniform. The Commander eyed him curiously for a few moments, looking for his face to betray him, but it didn't. Maybe it was her ears that had betrayed her, instead. She smiled, setting her plate down and beginning to walk towards the door.