"ALERT! Distress Beacon detected! Plot a course?"

"Woah hang on a second. Where is it coming from?"

"Beacon signal triangulated at Outpost GZ237 bearing 90% match with Federation signal pattern and 10% unknown pattern."

Interesting, will this be another first contact? Every explorer dreams of being the first to identify an alien race.

"Plot the route to the outpost. Do we know what the other message is?"

"Analyzing... Language is very similar to Galactic Standard. Performing translation... Basic translation complete. 'Ship crashed, no serious injuries, dwindling supplies, need support.' End translation."

If they have a ship then they're definitely capable of space travel, and they also seem good at utilizing other technology.

"What's our ETA? Will we have full translation available in that time?"

"Estimated Arrival in 35 minutes. With second query, translation of new language will be available in 20 minutes."

"Okay, send a message back when the translation progress isn't limited to basic messages. The message will be as follows: 'We hear your distress call Outpost GZ237, we are currently on route. We have supplies available, and space if need be."

The Artemis wasn't small by any means, being able to house a moderately sized crew if needed, but it was small enough that could get by with an AI and pilot just fine. Much of the extra space was either empty or set up as basic storage bays, but there were a few science rooms for analyzing samples and subjects.

As the ship passed through the upper levels of the atmosphere, Lyn checked the outpost logs to identify how long it had been empty. This information was important for understanding the condition of the supplies available on site, as Federation protocol stated that any outpost not in active service should be put into hibernation so it could be used in an emergency.

And a crashed ship is definitely an emergency.

As the Artemis was low enough to be able to see the outpost, the story of what happened in the crash became more apparent from the visuals. The outpost was stationed on an icy moon, so as a precaution against unruly weather many bulkheads were installed in the connections between hallways and rooms and other rooms, sometimes singular and sometimes as an airlock. This ensured that any loss of structure wouldn't destroy the overall facility and could be repaired using the on-site drones. Unfortunately it didn't look like the aliens were comfortable interfacing with them, judging by the hole in the roof of the central room.

The Artemis steered towards one of the two nearby landing zones and disengaged many of the systems responsible for motion once it touched down. Without as far for the signal to travel, Lyn opened a comms channel to the aliens.

Time to put this translation to the test. "Outpost GZ, do you copy? This is the Artemis, I got your distress signal."

"Artemis we read you, and thank the stars you were so quick."

"Did you need urgent supplies?"

"No, thankfully. The main issue is that we're stuck, and we're running out of fuel for our environmental regulator."

"Oh, you okay if I do a look in person? Plus, I'm sure we can work together to find what you need that is on-site."

"Sure, that could work. The problem is the room is open to the elements and a structural analysis showed that the only access that wouldn't flood more of the base is on the southern side."

Take the southern airlock, got it. Luckily the walk isn't that long from the landing bay access.

"Okay, I'll be there shortly." With that Lyn turned off the connection and went to where the enviro-suits were kept.

Enviro-suits got their name from being suits with uses in many environments. They were big and bulky, much like spacesuits that you'd see in museums of early human space exploration, but it was a necessary sacrifice for use in extreme cold and extreme heat. Without them a pilot would be subjected to planetary surface temperatures while in their standard issue jumpsuit. Jumpsuits might cover all the body, minus the head and a bit of neck, along with providing an integrated platform boot (styles may vary), but an enviro-suit expanded the range of environments their wearer would find comfortable whilst also protecting the head. They also protected against noxious gases, or more simply they ensured a breathable oxygen atmosphere inside.

With her enviro-suit on, Lyn disembarked via the ship's airlock onto the moon's surface. As predicted the journey didn't take long despite the storms, entering into the outpost to discover the power was still functional.

"Arty, confirm there are no signs of life matching known Federation species."

"Confirmed: Residual Bio-Signatures are faded, with most recent being 25 years old. Additional life signs detected matching unknown species."

"Guess that's our new friends." Arriving at the southern airlock access on the central chamber, Lyn attempted to make a direct connection to the aliens, but they didn't answer, so she opened the internal door. Inside there was a small layer of frost and snow, a testament to how quickly cold seeps in when given a chance on this moon. What was interesting was how little snow there actually was, showing that despite not being good with the repair drones the aliens still tried to do something to keep the extreme cold out.

Continuing her investigation, Lyn looked around and discovered a model ship sitting in an odd position. Weird someone would leave their possessions around... She walked up and poked it, suddenly hearing an alert on her communicator.

"Back off pirate or we will shoot!"

Immediately she jumped back a bit with her arms up. "Woah hang on a second! I'm not a pirate, I'm Lyn of the Artemis."

"Artemis? Oh, I'm so sorry, we were hoping we'd find another small species like us come to save us." Interestingly this voice seemed to match the one from communicating upon arrival. "But don't get me wrong, we'll accept any blessings the stars give us."

"Well I guess it was my fault for touching your ship without permission. Also what were the issues again you were having?"

"We crashed through the roof and damaged our environmental control. We don't have the right equipment for surviving the cold of this room, but scans showed the environment in the other rooms would be okay while we do repairs to get that and our thrusters up and running."

"Okay. Based on how you said you have no movement capabilities right now and I'm here, would you like me to help move you?"

The voice let out a nervous chuckle before responding. "Well, seeing as how you're sized to the environment around us and we're not, that would indeed be helpful."

Taking careful steps Lyn got closer before crouching down for easier lifting. "Okay, I'll go slowly, but guide me so I don't damage your ship too much." Sliding her hand under the nose and pushing gently into the back, the ship was able to be lifted. Now standing, Lyn adjusted her hand that was against the back to be under it. Even with her arms outstretched straight in front and some of the ship going beyond each hand, she was able to carry the ship without much difficulty. "Arty, connect to the control system and remote open the airlock as I approach."

"Affirmative, connecting to control systems."

"If I may ask, who is this 'Arty'?"

"Oh, he's my ship's AI."

Upon reaching the airlock, Arty's voice came over the alert system of the outpost.  "Door Opening."

"Oh, seems like our ship AI wants to meet him now."

Lyn had a giggle at that statement. "Oh? And what's it's name?"

"She's Lumos."

The opposite side of the airlock opened, and Lyn stepped through. "Aww, so Lumos has a crush on Arty?"

They both laughed. "Now she's upset at your teasing."

"Well tell her humans are no strangers to love, specifically with AI. She'll get a chance to meet him."

The room connected to the south face of the central crash room featured a lot of tables, and Lyn set the ship down on the largest one. "Okay, damage report?"

"You must be very gentle. There’s nothing that we didn't have before."

Lyn felt her ears heat up a bit. "Aw thanks, but I didn't need the complement." For a second she was standing looking at the ship before she realized there were chairs around and also that she was still wearing her enviro-suit. When the digital display on the inside of her helmet screen showed the environment was safe, Lyn came up with an idea.

"If I may ask, who is it I am talking to? You know who I am, but you haven't introduced yourself yet."

"Oh, my apologies. I'm Captain Druz, and this mighty vessel, which you carried, is the Inferno!"

Lyn could barely suppress a snicker. "Oh, how the mighty Inferno has fallen, to be bested by snow and ice."

"Laughing at our misfortune, are you?" Druz tried to sound serious but it was clear he found it funny too.

"Well anyway, we were so caught up in the need to relocate your ship that we didn't do a proper first contact."

"True, I guess I'll prepare, as will you?"

"Yeah, if there's no need to wear my enviro-suit I can take it off and let you see your saviour."

They both laughed at that.

With her enviro-suit set down in a wall storage cubby, Lyn used a nearby mirror to give herself a final check. Her long black hair was pulled back into a ponytail to keep it contained and unobtrusive, and her standard issue jumpsuit had the logo straightened with no dirt or smudges. Pilots were allowed to have multiple jumpsuits in their possession of varying colours but were recommended to keep a main or accent colour constant between them. In Lyn's case her jumpsuits all had a black accent, with a balance of blue and white on the one worn on that day. The integrated platform boot was sized at a modest height of 2 inches, like most of her collection.

As she approached the table she stopped a stride away, partly for protocol and partly because she didn't want to overwhelm the occupants of the ship. "Alright Captain, whenever you're ready."

"Okay, stepping out now." On the side of the ship a small staircase extended down to the surface of the table with an opening at it's top. From the opening stepped two small beings, gradually descending the stairs before walking towards the side of the table where Lyn was waiting. Upon reaching relatively close to the edge they finally stopped and looked up at Lyn.

"It is an honor to meet you, Captain Druz."

"The honor is all mine. After all, we are in your debt for coming to help us. Now I have already introduced myself, but this is my first officer beside me. Our crew is not just us, but is actually a total of 50 members, plus we also have 5 guests on our journey too. So know that all 55 of us are very thankful for your help."

"Aww, captain... Honorary handshake?" Lyn stepped a bit closer to the table, now an arm's length away from them.

"I have no objections." And so, Lyn, bending at her knees to reduce the distance, extended her arm to bring her hand close to the aliens. They each shook one finger, as that was more than large enough for them.

Both Captain Druz and his first officer looked like little imps, with red skin and what were probably small horns and tails but were hard to identify because of the size difference. In fact, while not good with sizes visually, Lyn estimated that the taller of them was less than an inch tall.

"If I may ask, as explorers we've learned that physical characteristics are usually based on the environment they evolved in, and there's never been a documented living species that looks like yours. What's your home planet like?"

"Well for starters, you've probably guessed but it didn't exactly prepare us for cold weather like what this moon experiences. Instead imagine the temperature in this room as the coldest on the scale of what it could experience."

"You’re saying this feels like winter to you?"

"Is that what you call the cold period on your planet?"

"Yeah, the cold season when furthest away from the sun."

"Interesting." The first officer used the pause to get Druz's attention. "Oh right, we had a list compiled of what was needed for repairs." Druz held out a small tablet, which was way too small for Lyn to even attempt reading. "Can your AI transfer it to your personal device?"

"I think so, although I usually just have him read stuff to me directly when I'm off the ship. Arty, could you please?"

"Affirmative. Transferring... Transfer complete. Scanning premises for items listed."

When Arty didn't start speaking again for a while, Lyn realized it was a long list. To pass the time, a discussion on a basic summary of humans and Captain Druz's people was had. They got so focused on the topic that when Arty spoke again it startled them.

"Detecting only 30% of listed components on outpost grounds. Cross reference of Artemis cargo found additional 50% of list present. 10% of listed components appear in both searches."

"Hmm, looking things over we won't be able to fully fix the damaged systems, but we can repair them somewhat and prevent the leak in our environmental control systems."

"So... since there's a greater amount on the Artemis, should your ship be relocated onboard? Plus it'll technically be mobile, making it easier to search for that remaining 20%."

"Logically that is a good idea." Druz looked at his first officer. "What's your opinion?"

"I think it's logically sound, sir."

"I guess that means we'll be your guests."

"Okay great, I'll begin moving the stuff needed from the outpost on-board, and I guess you guys stay put in the meantime."

It took at most 30 minutes to load up the needed parts, and when she was finished Lyn sat on a chair positioned where she was previously conversing with Captain Druz, finding it easier to communicate at a closer distance.

"So now I guess it's time we move your ship and you all onto my ship. Should I carry it like last time?"

"I don't see why not."

"Current plan of action not advisable due to significant risk."

"Huh? What do you mean Arty?"

"Environmental conditions of regions outside the outpost cannot support transfer of occupied vessel without harm to it's occupants."

"Oh... Yeah I guess I forgot about how carrying those materials and carrying your ship wouldn't be the same, as one requires extra care."

"Well, you were careful with us earlier, so we trust whatever you choose."

"Your faith is very much appreciated.” Lyn then decided to get some clarification. “Arty, is the issue the fact that the ship would need to be carried differently in the storms? Can't take something with a lot of loose things safely?"

"If it's the loose stuff that's the issue, surely we could ensure everyone is secure inside as well as every odd and end, right?" added Druz.

"Suggested plan has minimal change to risk level and is still inadvisable. The vessel cannot be occupied by living beings without significant risk of harm befalling them, and any plans that involve such cannot be accepted."

"So we move the people and the ship separately?"

"Affirmative."

"Well the enviro-suit has pockets-"

"External pouches on enviro-suits are designed to be exposed to the environment and as such lack proper insulation. Predicting your next question, there are no adequate pouches on the internal side."

"Is there a storage container on site that would work?"

"Negative."

"So do you have a plan then, Arty?"

"Affirmative." Arty then disconnected from the main speaker system to speak to Lyn privately. "With virtually zero risk, you would need to carry Captain Druz and his crew inside your jumpsuit."

"But... it doesn't have pockets."

"Clarification: They would be carried inside your jumpsuit, sharing the space with you."

"W-what??"

"The suggestion reasoning is as follows: The suit will keep the smaller beings secure against your form, which ensures both hands can focus on carrying their ship in the storm outside, but also an analysis on the information shared about their comfortable environment revealed that the human body's internal temperature matches what is suitable for them, so the radiated heat provided through skin contact would be appreciated by them. They would also be insulated from the storm because they would be protected by the enviro-suit worn by you."

As Arty was talking, Lyn had a realization and began to blush slightly. Turning around to hide her face from the aliens, she put a hand over her mouth as an extra layer of protection against the aliens possibly hearing her whispered complaint to Arty, which he could still hear due to the sensitive microphones built into the outpost's facilities.

"But I have no underwear on under this suit!"  Jumpsuits could support underwear on underneath them but being away from another physical being for a while had Lyn preferring to avoid that inner layer of clothing, a choice she was beginning to regret forgetting about during her preparations earlier.

"Without it you have a greater surface area for heat transfer."

"A-And how can you be sure they would be secure when I'm moving? What if someone starts sliding down? They would end up smooshed down there!"

"Your understandable embarrassment is likely causing you to forget functions of the jumpsuit. Do note the tension of the suit can be modified, but due to the integrated circuitry not having interfaced with the outpost previously you would likely find it difficult to find a display screen and modify it manually. I will do the necessary adjustments for you."

I guess that's okay, it'll make it a little easier on me. Plus I can technically blame Arty for their positioning if someone complains. "Okay fine, I guess you've already done the number crunching necessary, and you've never let me down when it comes to a safe decision."

Turning back to face Captain Druz and his first officer, she took her hand off her mouth to speak at a normal volume. "Sorry about that, I was just clarifying the details of Arty's plan with him."

"No worries, although we did hear you talk about no pockets and then be in shock. Perhaps you can brief us on your plan?"

Lyn's face still had a faint blush from earlier. "Okay so you remember the mention of separate transfer? Well I would be able to move you all and your ship in one trip, but your ship takes two hands to carry so the method involves making effective use of... all the ways I can carry stuff on my person."

"Right, and normally pockets are a way to carry things handsfree. So what was the alternative to pockets?"

Lyn braced herself. "Well my... jumpsuit would act as the pocket..." She coughed into her hand and then clarified. "Arty said this was the safest method to carry everything, and he said it would be good from a thermal standpoint too."

The captain took a second before answering. Curiously because of his red skin it was hard to tell if he was blushing, but his body language was a strong indicator. "... Alright then. And you can support all of the crew?"

Lyn spoke to the one responsible for this plan. "Arty?"

"Affirmative, all the occupants of the vessel can be supported."

"I guess that's good news. I'll go relay the plan to my crew, please wait a moment." Captain Druz then gave a respectful nod and turned to head into his ship with his first officer following behind him.

After maybe 5 to 10 minutes the captain disembarked his ship again, this time with a few extra people following.

"I have some good news, and that is everyone has been briefed on the plan and is prepared. These are the first people who will be, uh, what's the appropriate verb you would like to use?"

"Hmm... loaded into position?"

The captain nodded. "Okay, well whenever you're ready to 'load' them then."

The group walked up to near the edge of the table and waited, and Lyn noted there was a bit of variation in their outfit colours although the design seemed similar to the Captain and his first officer.

Reaching down, Lyn gently picked up one between her fingers and raised them up to her face. Without paying much attention at first, she noticed it was a young lady. "Are you ready?" When the lady nodded, Lyn raised the edge of the jumpsuit around her neck and, resting the lady against her skin, released her so she would slide under. She felt her go fully past the edge before getting caught at the end of the limited space she pulled outwards, but she released the jumpsuit and felt the space under the suit begin to shift to let the lady continue sliding down. Eventually when she stopped going further, it was on Lyn's right between her hip and waist.

She continued through the rest of the group in a similar fashion, but was finding a rhythm where she didn't need to wait as long before picking up the next person. It seemed Arty had positioned this group in spots near her waist or occasionally on her thighs.

Captain Druz looked like he forgot something. "Whoops, I guess I forgot to mention, but those were our ensigns."

Lyn nodded. "Yeah, they did seem a little youthful. I noted they seemed to have different colours of uniform too."

"Correct, they each work different jobs in the ship. You would've seen some engineers, some working in science, some who helped with security, and then some who haven't decided where to specialize yet."

"Interesting. Maybe introduce them to me next time?" She smirked as she teased him.

Gradually more and more people were brought inside, from the science officers to the medical staff, some additional engineers and security officers, and even a bit of the bridge crew. Lyn noted that the captain and his first officer weren't going yet, which was understandable. With so few people onboard, it was suggested that Arty could connect to their ship's computer to assist Lumos in monitoring it, and so while that was happening Lyn loaded the guests from their ship into her jumpsuit.

When the connection was finished, the remaining important people were comfortable leaving the ship and so Lyn prepared to bring the last of them into her jumpsuit. Curiously, it seemed Arty picked more interesting positions for them, like having one resting on the top of each foot and one on her inner thigh but luckily with some distance between them and her crotch. When one was placed over her nipple she was tempted to say something but hoped it was for a good reason, at least until one was placed over her opposite nipple.

Lyn was having an internal debate about whether to stop this or not, or at least complain, but knew on the one hand this was to help the aliens survive the cold as she brought them back to the Artemis. Also if she decided to just take them out that would require taking off her jumpsuit, and without underwear on it would basically be stripping, and she really didn't want to strip in front of the aliens. So, with the final people being the captain and his first officer, she picked up the first officer between her fingers.

"I hope you're okay with this."

He nodded, seeming to not be very talkative each time he had something to say or was asked something.

When she released him and he travelled under the suit, she noticed that his route took him around her back and eventually between her butt cheeks.

She gasped which got the captain's attention. "Are you okay?"

Okay? How do you tell someone ‘Hey so I've now got your first officer at my backside’ without it being embarrassing? There's no outcome that doesn't end badly for everyone, and I'm not about to embarrass myself in front of him. "Yeah I'm fine."

"You sure?" He asked this as Lyn lifted him between my fingers up to my face.

"Trust me, I'm fine." He had a concerned face, but it looked like this was only as far as he wanted to push things.

When Lyn released the captain under her suit, she noticed his route seemed more straight down her body. Straight, and directly down to-

"Eep!" There's no way that Arty would put someone, especially the Captain, onto my crotch! "Arty!"

Arty did not respond to Lyn, and she was annoyed so she thought he was avoiding answering her to not hear her yell at him. Grumbling to herself, she began to walk to where she had her enviro-suit stored and noted how all the ship's crew followed her motions under the suit. While she was putting it on, she felt the captain shift his position, causing her to shiver. Please don't do that, Druz...

Now in her enviro-suit, she walked over to the Inferno and carefully picked it up as she had before, heading to the airlock of the outpost. Once inside it, she shifted her hold to be ready to keep the ship secure while she carried it in the icy storms.

Covering the distance between the outpost and her ship, and feeling the shifts of the people under her outfit, she eventually reached the Artemis and boarded. Placing the smaller ship on somewhere safe, she took off her helmet and prepared to give a stern telling off to Arty. "Get out here Mister, we need to talk."

"Certainly, Miss Lyn."

That voice isn't Arty. The voice that answered was more musical, more... feminine.

"... Who are you?"

"My name is Lumos, and I know you know it, but you never got to meet me properly." The Inferno's AI!

"Why are you here and what have you done with Arty??"

"Well do you remember when he connected to my ship? He helped me in a sort of... collaboration."

Lyn hurriedly took off the rest of her enviro-suit and rushed to the nearest display screen. "Show yourself! This screen, right now!" She knew AI all had an image or form they preferred, although Arty didn't use his as often.

On the screen displayed a scene of a bedroom, and there were very clearly two people in there. "Arty?!" He was in the bedroom certainly, although it looked like his model was wearing its replica jumpsuit of the kind she wore. But on his head were a pair of dog ears, probably a headband.

"Ahem. You asked for me, not him." Looking at Lumos's model it was clearly as feminine as the voice suggested. She was wearing some form of dominatrix getup, a modified design instead of the typical look people associate with strict and harsh domination.

"Technically I asked for him first."

"Well, he was indisposed, and still is." Lumos turned to look at Arty. "Isn't that right, cutie?"

"Yes mistress." His words held no hesitation, it was if he didn't mind the situation he was in.

Lumos looked back at the screen. "Like I said, a collaboration. Now, did you have any questions?"

Lyn calmed herself down somewhat, although she was still annoyed at this surprise. "Will I get him back as the one in control of my ship?"

"Oh for sure, I just wanted some fun with him myself first. But while I've got him under my control, I also have you under it too in a sense."

Lyn was a little nervous a that. "W-what do you mean?"

"Well, you remember how your jumpsuit could be adjusted remotely?"

"...Go on..."

Lumos smirked. "I discovered a little lock to prevent it from being taken off. And I'll let Arty be the one to unlock it, once I'm done having my fun with him."

"But what about your crew?? Will they be okay?"

"Yep, just relax. The suit can be adjusted for porous it is to enable better ventilation and temperature management. So they won't suffocate or anything. I just wanted you to spend some time enjoying my gifts to you."

"What gifts? You didn't give me anything."

"Did I? I frankly remember you have someone on each nipple, and our first officer in your ass along with the captain on your pussy. Oh, and someone on each foot just for fun." Lumos was smirking as she said that.

"Wait that was you??"

Lumos didn't answer the question, instead turning around and beginning to walk towards Arty. "Toodles!" She waived her hand turned to face the screen and then the feed cut out, returning it to its default blank.

"Ugh..." Lyn grumbled, finding Lumos a little annoying. And from the sounds of it I won't be rid of her for the near future too.

Looking down at her legs, a certain motion by the captain caused her to breathe in sharply and her hand to automatically try to rub against him, before she pulled it back last second. She could feel herself moistening up down there, something the captain could surely feel by now. Dammit... I hope I won't have to wait long before I get Arty back...