Biology department, Croethe University, on Xorrak, a three-season planet. Killanaus, a second-year undergraduate, is in one of his professors' office hours, discussing the status of his seasonal research internship, on an iridescent tree-lined campus.

  After being rejected by so many professors here on campus, this is my last chance to get some research experience before the rush of the final year, and I mustn't blow it! Grades aren't an excuse; I might have failed last year, but I had an excuse then, which I don't have anymore... Killanaus' mind starts racing as he steps foot in his would-be seasonal advisor's office, adorned with potted, bright yellow globe-bearing plants.

  "You wanted to see me?" a perplex Killanaus asks the professor as his green skin changes colors to grey on his gaunt frame.

  "Oh, Killanaus! It appears that my group has now secured funding for one seasonal intern, and I might have an opening for a seasonal student. But there's a catch!" Lokath, the professor, another little green man not unlike those in movies made by these otherworldly beings calling themselves humans, warns him.

  "What do you mean, there's a catch?"

  "I'm afraid it's a little too sensitive to be heard on-campus. There are some concerns I might have, and frankly the rest of the faculty, have about you"

  "What do you mean, there are concerns?"

  "For now, the department is concerned about your potential use of this seasonal internship as a cover to commit crimes! But I don't want to discuss here it right now!"

  Damn it, I feel like the university's admins aren't going to be happy if we discuss in greater detail the concerns I might have about him going down this path, Lokath seems a little perplex about this new development.

  "I just don't want my future to be ruined before it really began!" Killanaus' eyelids start to show signs of discomfort as they widen, along with his black eyes.

  "I might be willing to give you a chance, but we need to discuss these concerns first. Meet me behind the mall at midnight. Don't bring anyone!"

  I guess, these concerns Lokath harbor must be very sensitive indeed, especially since he specifically mentioned potential for criminal behavior, Killanaus leaves his would-be principal investigator's office with a heavy heart.

  He then returns to the biology department's commons, where he finalizes his last lab report before studying for the mid-season exams. His labmate is checking up on him:

  "Any news for research internships next season?" Qinlei, Killanaus' lab mate for that particular lab, asks him.

  "I... might get one, but the advisor insists on meeting him at midnight behind a mall before it's confirmed, presumably because of the sensitive nature of the project" Killanaus hesitates, as he doesn't feel like telling the whole truth out of fear.

  Oh boy... Killanaus is due to have a seasonal internship, sooner or later, Qinlei's spine shivers as she double-checks what Killanaus wrote for his part of the lab report. What kind of sensitive project could he be working on for a third of a year? Most people I knew got seasonal internships worked on research projects without any sensitivity...

  But, at the same time, Killanaus also ensures that what he's writing isn't nonsense and his team is actually showing some understanding of the subject matter.

  "I just want one final read, together, of this lab report, to make sure we're coherent, and then we'll submit it, sounds good?" Qinlei asks him before the final review begins.

  There are times when lack of cohesion cost me or my classmates points in either direction in past lab reports. With Qinlei, I'm lucky, she actually cares about all aspects of coursework, unlike some of my friends, who turn to extra credit, Killanaus sighs while they double-check the lab report for inconsistencies beyond language issues.

  When they are done making changes to the lab report, they submit it, and, while Qinlei returns home, Killanaus, on the other hand, goes out to eat at the mall, nestled in a lilac canyon, where his would-be seasonal advisor is scheduled to meet with him at midnight, and, after dinner, stays there to study for his mid-season exams. Studying at the mall isn't ideal because it's so noisy, but since I have other business behind the mall...

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  At the same time, Lokath arrives behind the mall right after teaching a night section of intro to biology. Just before midnight strikes, and by then the mall's shops have already closed. I wonder where Killanaus is. It wouldn't reflect well on him, if he didn't show up. Also, the mall's CCTV system's coverage ends with its doorsteps... Now that he is assured that Killanaus didn't bring anyone else along, the clandestine meeting starts.

  "Finally, you have arrived!" Lokath exclaims upon seeing Killanaus having gone all the way around the mall. "So you said that you were interested in... abducting creatures, more than what you want to abduct said creatures for?" his would-be advisor asks, unsure of his motives.

  "There's something about abduction that, strangely, seems to appeal to me, but I know the conduct of abductions is much more effective in teams. On top of that, better say it so now than never, so you don't get the wrong idea. I acknowledge it might have frightened some people"

  "Your motivation to partake in my project is... suspect at best. Publicly, to the eyes of the department, you're a strong student, if a little too willing to act up in class! The department is concerned that you might use this opportunity to steal from the abductees, and the last thing we want is a scandal erupting because of you!" Lokath harangues him.

  "Abduction is a little taboo among my classmates, and their plans for next season are all over the place..." the student sighs.

  However, there's a good chunk of the student body who major in biology to either get a second chance for healthcare professions or work other jobs where a biology background is useful, but doesn't involve any lab research. Often, they want nothing to do with the lab, nor with abductions; they prefer clinical or other types of scholarly research, Killanaus' statement gives Lokath pause.

  "You do realize that abducting creatures the way you describe requires a license which, in turn, requires a graduate degree in biology or related field to obtain?" Lokath lectures the alien undergraduate. "Not only that, but prospective abduction licensees must attend graduate programs accredited by the Alien Abduction Authority! Or AAA in the world of abductors!"

  "That's why I even study biology to begin with: being able to abduct without getting into legal trouble! Do AAA-accredited graduate program admissions put any weight on research experience?"

  "I think it's premature for you to worry about getting into grad school. Just make sure that you do well in class as well as on the proverbial field. For now, know that, legally speaking, for the season, I will be responsible for any abduction you conduct! Also, remember that, if you slip up in an abduction, I might lose my license, and the department, its AAA accreditation! I trust you know what it means for the university if we lose it!"

  "Does that mean that, if all goes well next season, I could apply to stay here for graduate school?"

  "That's a big if, and honestly it depends on you more than it does me. So how do you plan to ensure that you won't steal from the abductees?"

  "I assumed that I would learn what abductors are legally allowed to do, and what they aren't, in graduate school, as relevant for the career I want to pursue then!"

  "You need to learn that before this seasonal internship begins. But, if you accept, you'll get a head start in grad school over those who enter the abduction licensure track and whose prior research experience don't involve abductions. And, of course, you'll do more than just maintain the UFO or its scientific equipment"

  "And will I get paid for this season?" the student's wide, black eyes start to get starry.

  "The same as if you were a teaching assistant. Speaking of TA, if all goes well next season, I might want you to be my TA for the next season after that, too..."

  "But TAs are usually graduate students; why would you reserve a TA position for me, an undergraduate student, in what will then be my final year?"

  "Typically, grad students get first dibs on TA positions, that's true. But they tend to prioritize courses that align with their dissertations, and hence TA more advanced courses. You'll be a TA for an intro course then"

  "I guess, I have no choice, other than just doing a capstone project and then write a thesis..."

  "The official contract will be sent to you in a day or two, and a tentative timetable along with it, too... so please, study the AAA's Abduction Regulations as well as the abduction license class chart, by the end of the current season!" Lokath then emails the would-be seasonal intern the last two documents.

  Phew: my dream of conducting abductions for a living is still alive. Otherwise, I would have needed to go the capstone route, write a thesis and then take a gap year. But I might want to read what my would-be advisor sent me about licensure requirements and obligations after mid-season exams end, Killanaus sighs, while he can feel his advisor isn't wholly satisfied by the answer he gave him about the concerns.

  And yet, this discussion raises questions in him. Namely, about how would theft during abductions would cause a scandal to erupt and what exactly are the AAA's accreditation standards as applied to universities.

  "With that said, I'm not going to hold you any longer. Just think about how you plan on ensuring that you won't steal from the abductees while on a research voyage, or commit other crimes on them..."

  "Wait a minute: what exactly does the law allow licensed abductors to do on the abductees? I am made to feel like there's only a handful of actions that licensed abductors can do..."

  "Time is running out, I can't tell you now because of the legal technicalities involved. We must both go to sleep! I'll even take you to your home!"

  Lokath then takes Killanaus to his glopsk's right-handforward seat. In a glopsk seating five in two rows, and in a passengercompartment that feels very metallic. Once the student gets seated, his professor asks him where he lives, so that he can be driven there, using the glopsk's self-driving.