The air was still and tense as the crew stared at their captain. He kept eye contact with the girl and clenched his fists tightly. Ligh stood in front of the crew just by the door. He didn't dare move but knew he had to. The little girl stared at the alien captain as tears filled her eyes. The young Galra risked it and quickly picked her up. He held her close as she hugged his neck tightly and buried her face. She shook with fear and just wanted Ligh to take her away. But he couldn't and they were trapped.

"What. Is the. Meaning. Of this?" Autho seethed angrily through gritted teeth. His eyes flashed with pure rage as he stepped closer. Ligh hesitated but stood his ground.

"I... I can explain-"

"You smuggled that rat onto my station?!" He shouted and smacked him hard across the face. Ligh backed away and carefully set her down so she didn't get hurt. She quickly ran under a console and hugged her knees close to her chest. Ligh stepped in front of it as he tried to keep her safe.

"She was going to die." He protested as he watched him.

"You disobeyed an order!" He yelled and punched him hard a few times. He hit him repeatedly as the crew watched. They knew not to interfere when their captain was teaching them a leason. Ligh fell on his side in front of the console and the child whimpered fearfully as she watched. He looked at his captain groggily as he hugged his sides.

"I... was... doing... what you did... for me...." he rasped weakly. Autho stopped suddenly and stared at him for a moment.

He knew what the young alien meant. He had saved him years ago out of pity. Saved him from a terrible fate. He stared blankly and stood up straighter. The room was silent as they watched intently. Some of the members wondered if the captain was going soft. A few agonizing minutes went by and Auto shook his head angrily.

"No one disobeys me and gets away without punishment." He spat and grunted as he narrowed his eyes. Two crew members came and picked up Ligh, then held his arms as he tried to stand. Another alien grabbed the girl and drug her out.

"What should we do with the stowaway?" He asked as he held on to her.

"What we normally do. Shoot her out into space." Autho said coldly. She whimpered fearfully and reached for Ligh as tears fell down her face.

"No! Please don't!" He yelled frantically and tried to get free. "She's just a child. Please Autho... punish me all you want, but please don't harm her." He said.

"Do not beg!" He shouted and glared at him. He growled threateningly as he clenched his fists.

"I will if it saves her life!" Ligh yelled angrily. "I won't let you kill an innocent child just because-" Autho grabbed him tightly around the neck and shoved him against the wall.

"Your filthy kind kill innocent people every day." He seethed angrily through gritted teeth.

"I'm... not... them." Ligh growled angrily and narrowed his eyes.

"No matter how much good you think you do... no matter how hard you try... you'll never be anything more, than a filthy, murderous Galra." Autho growled angrily.

The two glared at each other for a long time. They had a silent conversation and the captain released him. Ligh coughed and slid to the floor as he took a moment to breathe. The little girl wiggled free and ran to him. She hugged him tightly and held on for dear life. Autho stared at them coldly then looked at the crew.

"Twenty lashings." He said seriously and turned away from them.

"What about the girl?" Gur sneered hoping to see her get punished as well. The captain stopped and looked back at her for a moment. He felt the tug of pity again and glared. He knew the young Galra had risked punishment to save her life. He watched them then looked at the others.

"It appears she's part of the crew now. She will live by our rules, but I will punish her for her wrongs." He said flatly. "Is that understood?" He growled angrily as he looked at her. She whimpered and nodded quickly.

"Don't make me regret my decision." He snapped angrily and motioned for them to leave.

Ligh held on to her tightly as they led them off. He stopped by his quarters and put her inside. She didn't need to see what was going to happen.

"Stay here okay." He whispered quietly and smiled sadly.

"I... I tried to... earlier... really I did." She whispered as tears filled her eyes. He wiped them away and rubbed her little head.

"I know... just stay here until I get back." He muttered and walked out with the others. She watched him go and feared something was going to happen to him.

A few hours later the door opened and she jumped in surprise. The medic helped Ligh into his room and she moved off the bed. She stared eyes wide at the bandages on his back.

"W-What happened?" She asked as the medic carefully laid the Galra on his stomach. Ligh blinked tiredly and sighed shakily, but didn't answer.

"Those who anger the captain must pay the price." The medic rumbled as he gave Ligh something for the pain. The Galra slowly fell asleep and she looked at the medic.

"Why.... is he... mean?" She asked quietly and sat on the floor. The medic stared at her for a few minutes then check his patient again.

"He must show he is in command, and cannot have his crew go unpunished, when they are disobedient." He rumbled then looked at her.

"I am Arium." He muttered and held out a massive hand. She stared at it then smiled a little and shook it.

"Ligh... calls me Treble." She said and looked at her friend. "I don't know my real name." She muttered.

"Treble? It sounds like trouble." He mumbled and thought for a few minutes. He slowly stood then walked out of the room.

"Do not wake him. He needs to rest." He said seriously and walked away. She nodded and hit the button to close the door. She ran back over and hesitated before gently gripping his hand.

"Don't worry... I'll take care of you.... like you take care of me." She said and smiled a little. "Because you're my friend." She whispered and hugged him gently.

He grunted weakly and slowly opened his eyes. He stared at her and thought about what his captain said. He smiled weakly and closed his eyes again. Autho was wrong.