Making contact with the local lifeforms.

"This command is typical in nature," Haruka commented, her eyes scanning back and forth to indicate she was reading a screen that displayed only in front of her dark, artificial eyes. "The planet we've touched down on is not marked on our star maps. Furthermore, before they went offline, our scanners detected several of the key components necessary for a planet to sustain life. The tower we saw when touching down also indicates the presence of intelligent life. Command wishes for us to do the following. As I, Ensign Goshin, record, you, Captain Astara, will touch ground and attempt to make contact with the local life forms. Establishing friendly contacts in this sector could be crucial for our... war effort."

"...War effort," the Captain responded, dragging her hand across her forehead with a mixture of discomfort and frustration.

"... Yes. While Command appears to be acting on outdated intelligence, it would, nonetheless, not be a bad idea to get you out of the ship in its current state. And, of course, friendly relations with other species will always be a boon to humanity. The concern regarding Missing Memory remains, however... In light of the current situation, I find it hard to believe our mechanical foe is functioning on a planet so hostile to new-metal mechanical systems. I believe chances of a dangerous encounter are minimal."

"All right, all right. I'll go get changed into my away suit-"

"Captain, in that regard-" FV interrupted her, pausing her as she began to march testily through the corridor. "Please hold. I have received an updated Code of Field Instructions for Contacting Alien Life Forms. Ensign Goshin, understandably, neglected to mention this requirement, as it was hidden in the appendix. However, it appears Command intends for you to perform a field test of the new guidelines."

The Captain let out a huge sigh. It looked like today she would be facing the dual terrors of workplace harassment and bureaucratic micro-management. "Great, FV. Do the new rules prevent me from changing into my away suit?"

"... Yes, Captain. They do."

"Uuugh... Okay then, I'll bite. What does Command want me to wear? Do they want me to go down onto the alien planet without a helmet on?"

"... Yes, Captain. They do. Under the revised Code, nothing is appropriate for you to wear on your away mission."

"Great, we broke their stupid code already." Rebecca began walking for her room again, deciding that she was going to dress down even if she got court-martialed for it. "Contact Command and inform them of the contradiction in their revision. Then they can start the month-long process of debating the revision to the revision-"

"I believe you have misunderstood, Captain. There is no contradiction. Allow me to rephrase... Under the revised Code, wearing nothing is appropriate for the away mission."

Rebecca paused mid-walk, turning up to one of the ship's speakers as if to show FV her un-amused smile. "Excuse me?"

"Allow me to rephrase again. Under the revised Code, you are required to wear no clothing or protective gear. Carrying an equipment kit is still appropriate, but no weapons are permitted-"

"FV, forget the weapons! Run a self-diagnostic! Are you malfunctioning too? Th-there's no way the Squadron is asking the brave soldier who just won a war on humanity's behalf, who captains their most advanced and expensive starship, to meet the locals of this planet naked?"

"... I have checked the code myself, applying my best approximation of human reason and creativity along with my sophisticated intelligence," Haruka replied, frowning. "There is no other interpretation. It seems that is exactly what we are tasked with doing. Understanding your human concerns, I regretfully remind you that I am tasked with recording this expedition under the new code, as well."

"Haruka...! I refuse! Tell Command that I unequivocally refuse their ridiculous, pig-headed, shameless order!"

"... I cannot, Captain. We have no ability to transmit messages. However, they will be able to view my automatically generated data, and you will be able to receive mission updates in real time."

"... Oooo-kaaay." Rebecca paused, rubbing her temples and summoning the problem-solving skills that made her a formidable opponent in space warfare. "Uh... There's no time limit on this, right? So, I'll wait. I'll wait a bit until we can establish communications-"

"Captain, I do not believe you will... survive aboard this ship in the time that might take... My sensors indicate the temperature outside is warm, but with favorable wind. It would be, as you humans say, 'cool.'"

"So I'll go down there in my clothes! Are you telling me I can't?"

"Under the new Code... if you risk personal contact with the intelligent life of this planet while wearing any clothing at all, I am required to arrest you for breaking the laws of the Squadron."

"... What... the hell..." Rebecca slumped against the corridor wall, feeling her eyes spiral. Was she suffering a delusion from the heat? Or some sort of hallucination induced by the puppetmaster himself? "This is insanity... A-are humans not meant to support each other in these dire times? Why am I being targeted by inane, perverted bureaucrats after saving them from a synthetic menace bent on their destruction?! P-please... Leave me to ponder my place in the universe and die here..."