"I cannot believe you were chosen," First Officer John Laurens said, not for the first time that evening.

He was an excitable young man, with bouncy, curly hair that would sometimes defy the manufactured gravity of the ship. Laurens was giddy with excitement for his close friend, Alexander Hamilton, whom had just received word earlier that day of his new position on the USOE Enterprise.

Previously, Alexander was a greasy worker down in the mechanics area. It wasn't the job he wanted, but it was the one he could talk his way into. The Captain took crew selection very seriously, and a pennyless man like Hamilton wasn't supposed to even be on the USOE Enterprise. It was only through his passion and work ethic that he was granted a job in the engine deck.

But things were different now.

As much could be seen simply by the new outfit that was fitted for him; a long, sharp blue coat that was laced with gold. It expressed the importance and wealth of the higher commanding officers. John wolf-whistled when Alexander first strode out of his quarters wearing it; causing Alexander to grin and laugh.

"I can." Spaceman Apprentice Hercules Mulligan muttered, desperately trying to keep Alexander from ruining his brand new outfit. "Of course they'd pick Alexander for this position. Is it even a choice?"

John hummed, still smiling, "You're probably right. I mean, who else would have the balls to storm into the Captain's quarters and demand to be put on the inspection list to be a part of the Immigrant Program?"

"It only made sense you were the one to be picked." Hercules grinned, clapping Alexander on the shoulder. Alex couldn't stop smiling; as soon as he heard about the Immigrant Program, he knew he had to be a part of it. There was no doubt about it, this was what he was destined to do. This was why he was alive, here and now, in the year 2776. This was why he was currently in a huge spaceship; exploring the galaxy between Earth and the closest inhabited planet: Fualten.

It was only a year prior when the Fualtics made contact with Earth. The message was a staticy clip of a faceless creature speaking in a rough translation. Everywhere across the world the words were spoken in the most common languages on Earth. The message was repeated over and over, scaring some and enticing others.

"We wish to speak. We wish to speak. We wish to speak."

It did not take long for the humans to panic. For, this was the first communication Earth would experience between other intelligent life. Surely, a little fear was to be expected. It was only through the grace of well-spoken leaders, did the world hold its breath as a select crew was plucked from around the world. These men, women, and people, were sent into space with one order.

"Speak kindly, and speak well. We do not want any harm to come from this encounter."

Originally, the Captain of the USOE Enterprise was going to be the one to speak directly with the Fualten. But the Fualtic leader had another suggestion. One that would benefit both parties equally; an explicit expression of trust.

"We wish to trade." Came a staticy voice through the communications radio. It took a few tries to be able to hear the creature correctly. When it came through well enough, the Captain spoke clearly and slowly.

"Trade what, exactly?"

"Trade crew. We wish to trade a crewmember."

"Under what purpose?"

"To learn."

And thus the Immigrant Program was put into place. Once the Captain got acceptance from the world leaders back on Earth, he started to go through the process of figuring out which crewmember on the ship would be an acceptable applicant. Who would be strong enough and brave enough to go to an unknown ship, for an undetermined amount of time? Who would be respectful enough to learn about another lifeform's culture? Who would be well-spoken enough to not start an accidental intergalactic war?

The Captain's hand hovered over the application form for Second Officer Aaron Burr. The man was smart, but level-headed; quiet, but not shy; polite, but not a pushover. He appeared to be the perfect applicant to go to the alien ship and learn everything he could about their galactic neighbors.

But as the Captain was about to sign off on the decision; a loud scuffle could be heard outside his quarters. He stood just in time for a man with oil and dirt smeared across his raggy clothes to run into the room. The Captain's guards chased after him; knocking him to his knees in an instant.

The man was spitting with fury; speaking in rapid French as he glared at the guards.

"What is the meaning of this?" The Captain said, cutting the man's tirade off.

His head whipped around, his eyes widening in awe. He cleared his throat, his voice slightly hoarse as he says, "Sir-"

"He was trying to push past us, sir." One of the guards said.

"We don't think he's necessarily dangerous." The other adds.

"What's your name, son?" The Captain asked. Raising an eyebrow at the dirty man on his knees.

The man swallowed hard and said, "Alexander Hamilton. My name is Alexander Hamilton."

The name meant nothing to him. "And what are you doing in my private quarters, Hamilton?"

"I…" Alex forcibly shrugged off the guards' hands. He fumbled with something in his pocket before he pulled out many folded pieces of paper; stapled together. "I wanted to bring you my application, sir."

The Captain stepped forward, taking the papers from him. He skimmed the first page, seeing Hamilton's health records and current status. "You wish to be a part of the Immigrant Program?"

"Yes, sir." Alexander said, "However many you wish to send, I want to be one of them."

"I'm only sending one." The Captain said, waving the guards away. They seemed hesitant, but eventually left the room for the two to talk in private.

"Only one?" Alexander rubbed his shoulder, not taking his eyes off the ship captain. "Why?"

The Captain shrugged, "It was what the Fualtics requested. One human, one Fualtic. An exchange program, of sorts. Simply to learn about the other and help in any way possible."

"And you see nothing hostile about this request?" Alexander sounded unsure. He was quick to add politely, "Sir."

The Captain pursed his lips, "I'm providing them with the benefit of the doubt. One human on their ship would be horribly outnumbered, should things go awry. But Fualtic on ours would be equally so. If they are willing to put the trust of the life of one of their own in our hands, I can only be expected to do the same."

"Take me!" Hamilton said immediately, "If things go wrong, you have nothing to worry about. My life lost is no large feat. A higher up officer is far more important to keep out of harm's way than a lowly engineer such as myself."

It would probably be the only time in Alexander's life that he would talk down about himself. But he truly wished to be on the alien ship. And if that meant sounding expendable, then he would do it.
"No human life is lowly, son." The Captain said without batting an eye, and Alexander felt that the older man truly believed such a thing. It was quite humbling.

"Very well." Alexander said, squaring his shoulders. "Then take me because of who I am."

"An engineer?"

"A writer." Alexander corrected quickly. "I will be more than capable to keep explicit records of my findings on the other ship. I'm sharp as a tack and more than willing to learn about another species and it's culture!"

The Captain watched him for a long moment, silent. Alexander felt a shiver run through his spine as he was clearly being assessed. He cursed himself for not cleaning up before he raced into the Captain's quarters, but he had to get there before the man made his decision. There was no time to clean the streak of oil off his cheekbone or bandage the small scrape on his forearm. These were the things that would have the position be stolen from him; his disarray.

"You know French." The Captain said, glancing down at the pile of papers on his desk.

"Yes, sir." Alexander said.
The Captain's gaze slid like glass over to watch Alexander's expression as he said, "It is easier for those who are already bilingual to learn another language."

"It is." Alexander kept his expression carefully blank.

The Captain ran a hand over his bald scalp. "The Fualtens don't speak English, or any Earth language for that matter. They have translators, technology far better than our own, that help them to communicate with us. But their words are choppy; misspoken and difficult to decipher."

"Like a whole different language." Alexander supplied, he felt a warm shiver run through his toes as the Captain smiled at him.

"Precisely." The Captain cleared his expression again, a calm mask of authority. "I want to send the best representative I can. They won't just be representing the Enterprise, they'll be representing Earth. I want to put Humanity's best foot forward."

"If you choose me, sir, I can guarantee I won't trip." Hamilton spoke so seriously that it changed the temperature of the air. The Captain couldn't ignore the pure fiery passion in the younger man's gaze. He nodded once, and told Alexander to keep an eye out for any news about the Immigrant Program. If he was chosen, he will be notified shortly before the rest of the crew.

"When do you head off?" John asked, flopping down on Alexander's small cot.

"Tomorrow at eight hundred." Alexander said, "There will be a small ship on the loading dock, just three Fualtics on board; the Immigrant and two crew members. The crew will drop off the Immigrant and I'll take their place."

Hercules shook his head, "You're going to be on a fucking alien ship, man. Are you scared?"

Alex sheepishly nodded, "A little. I'm worried they might turn out to be hostile; and this could be some elaborate trap."

"Well, if it is, we're fucked anyway. At least you might survive." John shrugged, "They'll hold you hostage; put you in a zoo."

Hercules grinned, "Aw, little baby Fualtics will take pictures of you! You'll be famous!"

"They'll throw Fualtic peanuts at you, try and get you to roar." John snickered, imagining the sight.

Alexander scoffed, "You two are full of crap. If anything, they'd do weird experiments on me."

"You'd be probed!" John said, cackling as Hercules muttered, "He'd probably enjoy it."

Hamilton felt his face flush slightly in embarrassment, "God. I will not miss you two."

John gasped dramatically, "You love us!"

Hercules laughed as Alexander threw a pillow at him.

The mood the next morning was far more somber. John and Hercules had stayed in his small room for the night; three grown men sharing one cot. They dressed in silence, the other two men helping Alexander into his fancy new clothes. He was an ambassador now. He needed to look perfect.

As they fixed his suit and hair, their fingers lingered longer than stickly necessary. There was a quiet apprehension that hung in the air as they gave him one last look. It was always scary doing something new. But this could change the fate of the human race. If it was for the better or for the worse was entire up to Alexander Hamilton now. That was quite a lot of weight to put on an engineer. But he asked for this. He could handle it.

John and Hercules were allowed into the loading dock to see him off. The Captain was standing there along with a man with large, curly hair and a perfectly plucked beard. This man clearly came from wealth and his rank was an expression of that. Hamilton knew this man. He was one Chief of the Deck and Maintenance Department Thomas Jefferson. The two had ran into each other once or twice. They were not acquaintances. Alexander watched him for a few moments as he spoke with the Captain in quiet tones.

Behind a glass door, a ship was pulling into the dock. It was sleek and smooth; some white metal that hid what was waiting inside. The humans held their breaths as the pressure was leveled in the shipping bay and oxygen was added into the air, making it safe for the glass door to open.

Once they were given the all-clear, they stepped forward into the ship bay. Nothing stirred for the white aircraft. They waited in silence until a door slowly swung open, a puff of steam escaping from inside the ship.

John reached out and squeezed Alex's hand. This is it.

A creature very carefully stepped out into the open area. It was a faceless white figure with no real definable or distinct attributes to it. There was nothing on Earth that looked like it. And perhaps that was the point. It looked … alien.

The Captain cleared his throat and then spoke clearly, "Good morning. I'm Captain George Washington of the United Stations of Earth Enterprise. I would like to-"

The creature held up one lumpy part. It might have been a hand, if it had any fingers or ligaments. Silenced in hesitant curiosity, the Captain waited until the creature slowly made its way forward.

It stood before each member of the human race there; clearly observing them. It stopped in front of Thomas Jefferson, which was clearly making the man sweat. The longer the creature stood there, the more worried everyone became.

"Um…" Jefferson said eloquently.

Then, the strangest thing happened.

The whiteness of the creature started to melt off of it; falling to the floor in gooey plops. Thomas' expression turned to one of barely held-back disgust. The creature didn't move as what appeared to be parts of it's flesh dissipated away.

Jefferson screams out in shock as a dark hand suddenly shoots out from behind the white pile of mush. He scrambles for his gun, but Hamilton quickly stops him with a hand to his wrist. His eyes are locked on the melting Fualten before him. Because the arm keeps going, an expanse of brown skin disappearing under the white flesh. Then another hand comes out from the other side. This one grasping in the air uselessly.

The humans watch; amazed, horrified, and scared as the whiteness of the Fualten evaporates, leaving a mass of brown skin and fluffy curls. In the Fualten's place stands a distinctly human-like body.

Jefferson bites down on his knuckle, maybe to keep from screaming or gagging, as the Fualten straightens up. It lets go of Jefferson's shirt, but immediately it's knees wobble.

"Jesus Christ." John whispers, from in Hercules' grasp. The bigger man was practically engulfing him with his arms; protecting him in case things went south.

But Alexanders' gaze was locked on the creature before him. "You can shapeshift?!"

The Fualten shifted its new head sluggishly, like it wasn't entirely sure how strong it's neck was yet. Brown eyes locked with his, and it watched him for a second. Alexander waited, a wide grin on his face.

The Fualten nodded once, squinting as it spoke slowly. There was a crackle, a hiss coming from it's plush lips. There was a click, and then a somewhat robotic voice replying, "Yes."

"That is so cool!" Alexander said, eyes sparkling with wonder.

It was in that moment that the Captain knew he made the right choice.

The Fualten nodded once and then shifted its gaze over to Thomas, who looked pale. The hissing came back and a few seconds later, the voice coming from nowhere and everywhere said, "Do you mind if I … borrow your face?"

"No," Jefferson sounds distant, like he wasn't sure what was exactly happening anymore. "I wasn't using it or anything."

Alex smirks at him, not bothering to hide his amusement. The Captain speaks up then, placing a hand on Thomas' shoulder comfortingly, "What is your name? What should we call you?"

The Fualten stares at him. It's strange seeing such a blank expression on Jefferson's borrowed face, and Alexander doesn't think he's ever seen such a slack gaze in those eyes. There's a small delay, maybe because the Fualten technology is translating the question, maybe not.

"My name is …." the Fualten pauses, gaze sliding to the side, almost drunkenly, "unintelligible."

"Oh," the Captain nods gracefully, "of course. Some things such as names cannot be translated. Would you like us to give you an Earth name?"

The Fualten nodded once, and the humans relaxed, coming up with different human names for the creature.

"James."

"Marcello."

"Lin."

"Thomas Junior."
"Absolutely not."

The Captain thought for a moment and then said, "How about Gilbert?"

The humans nodded in agreement and then looked over to the Fualten. It watched them quietly, waiting.

Alexander and the Captain shared a look. The Captain said, only somewhat awkwardly, "Uh, do you like that name?"

"It is a name." The Fualten nodded again. There wasn't any pleasure nor any distaste in its expression. It simply stated the fact. Yes, Gilbert is a name. A human name at that.

The Captain smiled tightly, "If it suits you, then it can be your name."

The Fualten once again nodded. It appeared to be the only thing it knew to do with its new body. The fundamental aspects of nonverbal communication were far too advanced for it yet. So for now, simple nods were the only thing it could do.

"I am Gilbert the Fualten." It said, turning to look over at the white ship that still waited behind it. "The crew is ready to leave."

"What- now?!" Hercules said, still a bit shaken.

Gilbert nodded once more, repeating, "What, now."

"Alexander, be careful on that ship, okay?" John whispered harshly.

Alex turned and grinned at his friends, "Guys, I'll be alright. This is nothing. I'd like probing, remember?"

Hercules pulled him into a tight hug, whispering into his neck, "If you don't come back, I'll kill you."

Alex laughed, because if he didn't, he'd cry. Hercules stepped away and ruffled his hair. John quickly attached himself to Alex's side, hiding his face in his neck.

"I believe in you, Alexander Hamilton." John said, his voice only wavering slightly. "Learn the fuck outta these guys."

"I will." Alex chuckled, rubbing John's back gently.

"Son," the Captain said, somehow both stern and soft. "It's time."

Alexander nodded and removed himself from Lauren's grasp. He shook the Captain's hand and nodded to Jefferson, aware of Gilbert's gaze on him the entire time.

It was with his head held high and his heart about to burst out of his chest that Alexander Hamilton stepped onto the alien ship for the first time. He turned and watched his friends disappear as the white door slid shut, blocking all sense of familiarity from view.

"WE'LL KEEP IN TOUCH!" John shouted just as the door clicked shut.

Alexander smiled to himself, knowing that his friend would keep the promise. He took a deep breath and then turned around, ready to face the new world before him.

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