Tanya stared at the three profiles on her tablet, reading them for what had to be the twentieth time. The cruiser's mess hall felt cramped with everyone gathered around the single large table, but Amara had insisted on doing this properly.
"You're overthinking this," Cameron said from across the table.
"I'm thinking the exact right amount." Tanya scrolled back to the top of the first profile. "We're about to hire three people. What if we picked wrong?"
Janet reached over and plucked the tablet from her hands. "The decision is made. Now we eat lunch and welcome them to the team."
"The contracts are signed, the arrangements are being finalised, and they'll be arriving at Eden-Five over the next two months," Amara said, appearing in the doorway with her usual timing. "Stop second-guessing yourself."
//These candidates demonstrated complementary skills and problem-solving approaches,// Sage observed. //The selection criteria were sound.//
"Of course, we made good choices," Janet said. "Simran built the most sophisticated control integration we've seen. Drew can actually fabricate things quickly and properly. And Carlos understands that people need to live in the ships we build, not just operate them."
Cameron nodded. "Their weaknesses balance each other out. We talked about this already"
Red appeared at the doorway behind Amara. "They're at the airlock. Security cleared all three."
"Good." Amara gestured him inside. "Join us. This is supposed to be a celebration."
"Here they come," Janet said quietly as footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Cameron started to make himself smaller. Tanya had forgotten how shy he could be around new people. She figured he would get over it soon enough.
Three figures approached the table, each moving with distinctive body language that matched their profiles almost perfectly. Amara had invited them here to have a celebratory meal and quality bonding time.
Simran Zuman walked with the careful precision of someone navigating unfamiliar social spaces. She was younger than Tanya had expected at only twenty-four, but she looked even younger in person, with dark hair pulled back in a practical bun and clothes that managed to be simultaneously expensive and understated. Her eyes tracked across the room's layout like she was analysing everything. Tanya wondered if a core world resident would be able to handle slumming it with them, but she seemed to be handling it well.
Drew Baltimore moved with the confident stride of someone used to factory floors and construction bays. Twenty-eight, broad-shouldered, with the kind of practical clothing that said he'd rather be working than attending a formal lunch. Tanya believed he would be most at home in their little group.
Carlos Jones drifted between them with relaxed ease, his movements unhurried and comfortable. His appearance was immaculate in a way that suggested genuine effort with coordinated colours, a perfect fit, and accessories that complemented without overwhelming. He smiled at a passing server with the kind of natural charm that probably made him excellent at managing people. Tanya, for the 21st time today, started to doubt herself about whether they had made the right choices.
Tanya stood, suddenly aware that she was about to officially welcome three strangers into the chaotic disaster that was Furrow Inc. "Thank you all for coming."
"Ms. Furrow." Simran's handshake was firm and brief, her accent carrying the clipped precision of core world education. "I've been reviewing the technical documentation you provided. The dimensional beacon network represents a fascinating optimisation challenge. If only the government would let us build it."
"Just Tanya, please. We're not that formal." She gestured to the chairs. "Everyone, sit. This is supposed to be welcoming, not intimidating."
Drew settled into his chair with the grace of someone accustomed to only sitting after a hard day's work. "Appreciate the lunch, but I'm more interested in when I can see your fabrication facilities. The specs you sent suggest you're working with materials I've never encountered. I am keen to see what type of drones you want me to build."
"Soon," Tanya promised. "We'll be heading back to Eden-Five right after this, and by the time you arrive, we will have everything set up."
Carlos took his seat last, his movements unhurried as he studied the group dynamics with obvious interest. "This is a lovely space. Good natural light, excellent sight lines for conversation. Though I notice the table configuration isn't optimal for group discussion—everyone's oriented toward the view rather than each other."
Janet laughed. "You've been here thirty seconds and you're already redesigning the galley?"
"Occupational hazard." Carlos's smile was unrepentant. "I see spaces in terms of how people inhabit them. It's automatic at this point.",
"Well, the military doesn't care for optimal configuration for discussion, just the number of bodies," replied Tanya.
Amara outlined housing assignments while Cameron and Janet started in on the food. The chefs had gone all out today. The smell alone felt grounding after days of bland dinners. Conversation came easily, the three newcomers curious about Eden-Five, sharing stories of their homes, already edging into the rhythm of the team. Janet was easily able to draw the conversation out while Cameron and Tanya watched on and observed.
"I should be honest," Amara said once plates were filled. "This isn't a typical shipbuilding job. Corporate attention, Imperial oversight, security concerns and advanced technology, you're stepping into a storm."
"I read about the Consortium incident," Simran said, tone measured but unflinching. "I've worked with corporate systems before. Their interfaces are bloated, their logic chains sloppy. Competing with them isn't frightening, instead, it's motivating."
Drew leaned back, already halfway through his serving. "Spent six years in fabrication yards on LF21. The politics were worse than the welding fumes. You learn to keep your work locked down and get results faster than anyone trying to steal them."
Tanya had read up on LF21. It was a factory moon; his previous job was building automated delivery drones for a megacorporation. She hadn't expected it to be so competitive.
Carlos swirled his glass with a casual grin. "You could have sold your breakthroughs to someone with real resources. Why go it alone?"
"Because I'm not building toys for the wealthy," Tanya said, more firmly than she expected. "I want technology that actually helps people. Corporations would bury it behind a paywall."
Simran's lips curved in rare approval. "That's why I signed on. I'd rather design something elegant for explorers than patch another bloated banking AI."
"Same here," Drew said, tapping his fork against his plate. "I don't care who owns it, as long as it flies and holds together, it's worth my time."
Carlos raised his glass, expression softer now. "Then here's to building ships people actually want to live in. Something worth protecting."
They clinked glasses, the sound bright in the quiet conference room.
"What's next?" she asked Amara, reluctant to break the moment.
"Final keynote speakers this afternoon, closing ceremonies tonight, departure tomorrow," Tanya replied.