Tales From a Misfit
Updates every Sunday.
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Found on wallhere. made by "wallup"
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“We’re home.” Sara said. “Yes. I mean we. I brought a few guests.”
Sara’s mom hugged her. “Oh sweetie, I’ll introduce myself after. 4 extra beds, yes? Sara’s father stared at Renee. “Except for her.” “Renee is a part of our crew, dad. Sara said. “You will treat her as such.” “So Sara, here is our top gunner, Pylon is our top mechanic. Damian, our engineer, and our scientist Delma.” Telmo said. “I doubt those results are changing anytime soon.” “Well I for one am not okay with a Luxem being our house!" Sara’s dad replied. “Dad!” Sara said. “It’s okay, Sara.” Renee replied. “I know our history, and I'm not proud of it. It was the whole reason I left. Look, I'm here to chart and that is it. We have been cut by gates lately and this was a nice detour.” “It was one gate, and she planned this route.” Sara said. “Telmo followed it.” “Well yeah she can chart the whole damn system, if given enough time.” Pylon replied. “We trust her, and, her words, ‘long as we're passing by.’” “I’m sorry to interrupt.” Delma said. “But um… well Renee’s bounty is only getting larger, and… are we sure this is safe?” “Are they going to keep you safe, Sara?” Sara’s dad asked. “Dad, please if you just took the time to meet her—” Sara said. “That ain’t what I asked.” Sara’s dad said. “Are they going to keep you safe?” “I trust her with my life.” Sara replied. “Then I’ll adjust my view of the Luxem.” Sara’s dad. “If they’re keeping my daughter safe that is what I need to know.” Pylon replied. “Those are your words. I would I’m Dematorian.” “What does that have to do with anything?” Sara’s dad asked. “That you still have to give her a chance, dear.” Sara’s mom replied. “As our daughter said she is a part of their crew now.” “Mister Tamagoricka?” Telmo said. “A boy with some honor, at last.” Sara’s dad replied. “What i s it?” “Like you I had my doubts about a Luxem joining our ranks. No offense, Miss Lywing” Telmo replied. Renee took a deep breath. “None taken, we earned it. The older of us anyways.” “Grumgle.” Sara’s dad replied. “What’s you mean older of ya?” “I mean what I said.” Renee replied. “ A lot of my people are wondering how we got this far, and how we’ll go any further the way things are.” “Renee...” Sara said. “You do need to—” “Yes I do.” Renee replied. “Every day of my entire life! Because we marched into this quadrate, and just straight up said ‘this is our’ and declared the planet our home! And now we’re acting like we’re running the show, while we don't even know the circus.” “By our count?” Pylon said. “Of the 2,560 still run by a luxem., over 45% succeed. And that not count the space you given trying to correct things” “Pff.” Renee replied, as she collapsed on the ground on her knees. “Like we were using that space anyways…” “Quite a few of your ancestors would’ve told you otherwise” Sara’s dad said. “Yeah well quite a few of my ancestors would call me trash too.” Sara replied. “Aye.” Sara’s dad said. “But that ain’t gonna tell me what it is my daughter, and her trusted navigator needs. Now is it?”
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Renee jumped a bit, and scrambled to hide a few files
“Aww, Renee just tell me.” Sara said. “Sara it.. It needs to be from me, and that means I look it over myself.” Renee said. “I hope you understand.” “Hey if it means that much to you consider my lips sealed.” Sara replied. “But aren’t usually one to do things by the book.” “For the better, if I made add.” Delma replied. “What we're working on?” “Song for asking Damain…” Renee said. “What got us all plugged up here—” Pylon started. “Women’s stuff.” Delma said. “Out, all 3 of you.” “I just wanted to ask if Renee was free for a bit.” Damain said. “And was simply here to thank her for our new course,” Telmo replied. “A few other matters as well, but nothing worth shouting over.” “Okay! Everyone who doesn’t want to see what happens when a female leeks needs to get out.” Delma guide the the rest of the crew back downstair other then Renee and Sara ---- “And I can’t have both of my most important units flirting with each other, thus you both are expected to attend to your job.” Telmo said. “Her culture says the girl asked him out.” Damian said. “I don’t want to interfere with that.” “Not interfering with your rolls as far as I can tell.” Pylon said. “There is a .05% decrease when we bring up.” “Pylon?” Telmo said. "Run the… um.. increase percentage when they're trying to impress each other, and the improvements when they get this over and done with.” “Okay gonna go check Renee now then.” Delma said. softer than usual as snuck into the vent. “Bye.” “Well, the when impressed part is easy.” Pylon replied “the heart rates up, and Damian's red as a cherry” “You are to make sure this doesn’t interfere, and continues to meet standards.” Telmo said. “And as things sort or things are highly frowned upon! I didn’t hear of this.” --- “I love it!” Sara said. “It’s so you and him.” “The boys are pretty hyped as well. Delma said, and slipping in through the other vent. “Sorry I can leave if I‘m not female to your kind.” “How does it work with your species?” Renee asked. “I mean Delma, do you have a gender?” Renee asked. “Technically, yes.” Delma said. “Mine is like 90% female.” “Do.. Do you think he’ll even care?” Renee asked. “I mean his kind is always laid back.” Renee said. “Renee you can’t just follow the code forever.” Sara replied. “Breaking it got you here.” “Yeah, but I like this rule.” Renee said. “It makes it mean something.” “Triemkeylen have a turn of phrase.” Demla said. “Whatever you do, make a show of it.” “Telmo?” Renee said. “You coming in?” “Of course Miss Lywing” Telmo replied, over comms. “Hardly be a captain otherwise.” “I… we’re gonna make a pit stop. I have something I'd like to show my mother” Renee said. “Already on it.” Renee said, as Telmo walked the room. “Mostly anyways…”
“Mostly is not a word I often hear for you miss Lywing.” Telmo replied. “For good reason, I suspect.” “What?” Renee asked. “I’ve seen a great many dealings of...troubling interspace customs.” Telmo said. “That one was simply atrocious.” “It is okay to come in?” Sara asked. “Her heartbeat is high.” Pylon said “nero-pathways are a bit forged. But be more worried if that weren't the case, if I'm honest.” “You could just go without me, and save about 10 minutes.” Renee said. “I can leave instruction and—” “Renee! Lywing!” Sara replied, and stepped forward. “This isn’t a matter that’s about time. And if it was, you clocked it anyway!” “I’ve seen a lot of cultures, and I adapt to most of them.” Delma replied. “But if I came home as a Triemkeylen, and accepted that? They’ve had me frozen, and they would have every right too.” “I just… I thought I was done, and she still” Renee slammed her head down on her own keyboard. “Well Damian's gonna have a field day with whatever that just did.” Pylon replied. “ Comms up… Damian?.. Yeah she just… wait, what do you mean leave her alone?” “I turned off my connection an hour ago, Pylon,” Renee replied. “I never actually navigate when upset. You should know that by now.” “That’s why you send those to me?” Pylon eyes lit up. “It isn’t just a double check?" “Sometimes it is.” Renee replied. “You really never knew?” “There was a weird pattern of a sort, but no.. until now.” Pylon said. “The details of this pattern?" Telmo asked. “Both of you.” “Don’t you dare do that to her.” Pylon replied. “Everything sent through is her own design!” So what’s the pattern then?” Sara asked. “Because if there is a pattern, this has happened before.” “They call sometimes.” Renee replied. “Warn or threaten some kind of gatekeeping.” “She storms off and goes straight to here, but she never sent me anything that wouldn't get us where we need to go despite the odds.” Pylon said. “Clockworks as we call them.” “What?” Renee asked. “They way you move?” Pylon said. “The way you just kind of know? That thing you did where had this—” “Entire ship mapped out in less than a week?” Telmo said. “You could chart this galaxy, if I gave you the month.” “Actually, I did that…” Renee replied, and pulled up a few star charts. “I don't know how many of them are good yet, but you said we will be out for a bit. So whenever I got a bit upset I—” Sara grabbed her shoulder and looked at the star charts. “Rule 6: No calls from your mom without us present, and no more lonely anger out of you.” “Rare it is that find agreement with the Specturms.” Telmo said. “Yet I find myself once again with Sara on this one, so seeing as the matter is settled. Do you have our new course. Miss Lywing?” Renee wiped her eyes. “We’re heading to the Nox Popilo on a mission. Assuming every station doesn’t give as much trouble, this is our new route.” Renee pulled a few of her charts. “If some stations give us some trouble, these are some other routes… I know where mom’s friends frequent. And if we need to to avoid gates there is also this route.” Renee said, and pulled a new map. “Mister Pylon?” Telmo said, looking at the maps. “Info all units that we shall steer away from the Nelson gates. The Red Eagle shall be deploying code 1467 indefinitely. And no further calls from Miss Lywing's mother.” “So we are not going without our navigator?” Delma asked. “We are refusing to go without our navigator.” Telmo said. “And any orders that say otherwise, are to answer to me.” “Renee Lywing” “Replied to the clerk at the desk. “I wouldn’t bother testing the other home code…”
“You.. You do have one video call request from your parents, if you wanna answer it.” the clerk answered. “You’ll be all set up long before you’re done, but it’s up to you.” You know what” Renee said. “ I’ll take it in room 2.” “You may have your code back when—” Renee’s mom began. “Keep it.” Renee interrupted. “And thank you.” “What?” Renee’s mom asked. “Okay, fine just—” “No.” Renee replied. “Whatever it is, no. We had this debate for years, and you got my answer to compromise when I darted off in the middle of the night without a word. And you gave your answer when you shut off my only shot back to that prison I was supposed to call home!” “And you’re so certain that place will treat you any better?!” Renee’s mom said. “They already did!” Renee shouted. “When they were shocked that was even an option. And the only response? Was to push me to go register a home code from here.” “Oh, as those you’re going to be happier over there.” Renee’s mother replied. “Come home, and we’ll get you all set up again.” “I am home.” Renee replied. “Wait, what?” Renee’s mom asked . “Miss Lywing?” A clerk asked. “You new captain Telmo said to info you that his navigator would be needed for an exploration mission.” “Did he say anything else?” Renee asked. “Just to let her know, but also to let her finish her business.” The clerk said. “Oh! And that her usual seat among the Red Eagle is just as she left according to the monkeywrench? I’m not sure what that one means though.” “I am. Tell him… Hmm… getting down there.” Renee thought out loud. “It’ll be about 45 minutes.” “Renee, let's talk about this.” “We did, dad.” Renee replied. “Don’t act like you're any better. You still let all this happen.” ---- “Engine running!” Damian replied. “Almost good as new.” “Warp systems are online and functional.” Pylon added. “And far beyond just test capabilities. “Weapons are shining like a prism.” Sara said, with a hint of glee. “Where are we going, anyways?” Damian asked. “We have some hostages in the Baljarten system” Telmo replied. “We should be there in about a week given our usual routes.” “Bypass the asteroid belt blocking with a few parlor tricks, and it would be about 4 days captain” Renee replied. “You have home code all set miss Lywing?” Telmo asked. “My one and only one” Renee answered. “Well then, first off, welcome home.” Telmo said. “I’ve heard great things about this crew, from Targus of all people, so I’ll be expecting a great much back. Now then let’s see what this puppy can do.” “You sure you’ll be okay Renee?” Delma asked. “Couldn’t imagine not be able to go home.” “Delma? You know how you’re species just kind of picks which form they take?” Renee asked. “Well yeah? Based on curious what suit them what they find fits them best.” Delma replied. “A lot of factors.” “Well I just added up every factor that calculated home.” Renee said. “And let’s just say it’s not exactly light years away.” “Oh hey.” Renee replied. “Didn’t think you make your way down here.”
“I wasn’t going to, but alarms kept going off.” Pylon said. “Figured I should check.” “Oh I should have told you to shut those off.” Renee said, with a hand in her face. “I've been overriding them. So I didn’t think you’d mine, but…” “You’re a navigator aren’t you?” Pylon walked over. “You should just be able to push this button… then this one… enter your code?” “Do I need to turn this back on in like 3 days?” Renee asked as she punched in a few numbers and letters. “Naw it should have a calendar now that’s it's official.” Pylon paused for a moment. “I guess I should check that actually…. Yep all good to go.” “You’re not just saying that, and gonna fix it for me later are you?” Renee asked. “Oh, wait.” She pushed a few buttons. “Yeah no it actually does. Okay, fair enough.” “You could’ve wrapped home. I get it’s not the best spot but surely it’s—” Pylon began “They shut it off.” Renee said. “My home port id is wiped, and everything.” “Wait what?” Sara replied, as she walked in. “Was down at the bar our species doesn’t have holidays are this month, but more importantly, Miss Lywing!” “I spent the time and took my third C.A.R.D assessment yesterday.” Renee said. I wanted to make sure I had a clear head for it.” “You… you can’t go back?” Sara replied. “I was wondering what that power surge was.” Pylon said. “That should account for everything.” “Pylon!” Sara said. “Seriously?” “What?” Pylon asked. “I got a ship to look after, and Renee seems fine with her results.” “But she…” Sara looked, and saw Renee shuffling through her deck laying out 10 cards. “You know the risks, huh?” Sara replied. “A very long time ago.” Renee said. “Mom was very clear on what could be the consequences. Dad backed her up. Don’t even get me started on my brothers.” She stretched in her seat. Delma came out of almost nowhere looking over the cards. “What did I just get back to?” “My home code doesn’t work as of about 2 months ago.” Renee replied. “What?!” Delma asked. “You've been cooped up in here for days?” “Hey now not everyone has holidays around this month.” Sara replied. “I kind of wish she had told me, so we could’ve had a match but it’s not like I don’t get it. I like the new cards actually.” “Yeah?” Renee asked, shuffling then back up. “Hey, if color shows up in a fight? Just make sure you blaze it bright.” Sara replied. “That’s been a rule with spectrum for as long as I can remember.” “What is the Nexus going on down here?!” Targus asked, as walked back in as well. “Renee’s had her home code shut down, so she has been in here all these days.” Sara replied, looking like she was scolding her. “Or doing her 3rd card test.” “Wait, what?” Renee asked. “But you just said that not everyone has a holiday?” “Which I standby” Sara replied, as Targus walked up. “But even a species, as infamously “reckless” as my own. Have a home code, because it means something. We registered like 17 of them, and almost know up 5 of them at a time.” “I got registered to here like… pretty much the moment I started doing testing.” Pylon said. “I mean I get machine humanoids find it more important but still.” “Enough!” Targus replied as stepped towards Renee. “You are all forgetting something very important. As advanced as the Luxkem are they are… cultists. Some might say trained. But you miss Renee.” Targus typed in few things before a card. “Will always be welcomed in Alchano.” “Captain is that really gonna… nevermind—” Sara replied, as walked away with the rest of the group. “I told you, mom!” Renee replied to no one as tears ran down her face. “I told you it was different out here.” Sara held up a gun, while Renee used her light mutilation. “Okay, Okay it said no.
“He said no.” Sara replied. “Say it!.” “It said— He! He said no” the random man said Sara holstered the gun. “And the Red Eagle? “Arangements have been made” Targus replied. “Wait what?” the random man replied. “I … thank you, sir” Renee replied gripping Sara’s shoulder “I must say Targus” Lucas said. “I didn’t expect either of those two requests from for you.” “Those were from me, sir.” Renee replied. “My dear, you act a Luxkemspire asking such is a crime.” Lucas replied. “And please just called me, Lucas.” “Lucas. Alchano. Saleek.” Sara said. “The very same.” Lucas replied. “Word of both of your team's requests piques my interest. But perhaps I should be directing my interest towards one, Targus?” “No.” Pylon replied, as Lucas looked at him. “I don’t know what the request was, but Renee taught me. I was a bit self aware. And me and Damian ran everytime test possible.” “You can keep the Red Eagle, if you must.” Sara replied, side hugging Renee. “But as far as Pylon is concerned? We made that decision a long time ago.” “Have you now?” Lucas said. “HE could be so much better, you know. 90% of memory would saved and—” “You can’t just do that!” all 3 of the girls replied. “What about the other 10?” Renee replied. “Or I am replaceable too?” “We didn’t vote” Sara added. “He made his choice.” “Was that choice a little pushed by Renee? Maybe?” Delma added. “But the form of my whole species keeps is up for question at that point!” “Girls, girls.” Lucas said, with his hands up. “With all due respect, there is only one PERSON I need to ask.” “We’ve done it before,” Pylon replied. “I checked the records.” “So have I.” Damain interrupted all 3 of the girls as they tried to speak. “And Pylon needs to say it, without peer pressure.” “True as that may be, they have already started.” Lucas said. “So?” “Pylon, if you want to.. Well you know.” Delma began. “You have my word you’ll be treated the same, no matter what.” “What is my species if not transhumanist?” Sara replied. “You know my answer.” “There is really only one answer I care about.” Pylon said. “Well she only wants to let you make your own choice.” Renee replied. “Whatever that means.” “Well then I have a question.” Pylon asked. “If I may, Lucas?” “Of course.” Lucas Replied. “That already tells me the answer, anyways.” “You can’t be serious? Sara asked. “Because you're more than a ship?!” Delma added. “Because I can shout at you.” Renee replied. “Because I call you 1s and 0s and you will feel it. I’ll miss the Red Eagle. But if you’re asking me to pick between a beloved piece of junk, and Pylon?” They hugged each other. “I picked Pylon. Every single time.” “Code Capricorn. 178.” Pylon replied. “I never thought I’d used that one.” “I would asked what that means.” Sara, said as Lucas walked away “but I think we all already know.” “He’s not leaving.” Renee replied “Ever.” “What are you so nervous about?” Sara asked. “Your results are probably a result of months spent together, if anything.”
“I don’t think they will be.” Renee replied. “I haven’t changed so much as indulged.” “Then you have even less of a reason.” Pylon said. “Our judgment certainly isn't going to change.” “Prehaps, Damain would care to explain?” Targus said. “Since this seems rather personal to both of you.” Both Damian and Renee’s face went bright red until Damain coughed. “Back home in the Semiwilds stuff like this decided your tribe. Decide a lot of your life. Each and every test was marked as a personal rite of passage.” Damian began and looked at Renee. “Watching someone else do it is… going to be weird for me too.” “What if I ran all of it on auto-pilot?” Pylon asked, looking around at everyone. “Isn’t this going to be most of the morning? That’s a lot of memory to block out.” Renee replied. “Can’t block what I’ve never seen.” Pylon said. “Dematorians have some personal problems too, ya know? Every A.I runs a little bit differently. It’s not the first time something… personal has come up.” Pylon scanned his databacks during a pause trying to find the right word.” “Would that solve our problem, Renee?” Targus asked . “I-i was expecting some kind of order from you.” Renee said as she blinked. “If i’m honest.” “I remember a young lad endlessly asked when he would pick up his last 10 cards.” Targus replied. “I remember him finding it an insult and invasion of his personal space, and a captain who shouted. For one of the only times I have ever seen her shout, the moment I came to her with said issue.” “As our captain now, and as a lady wondering when my 3rd test will be.” Sara replied. “Could I ask why?” “Sharing one afterthoughts.” Targus began. “Is often easier than picking them, I’ve found. One grabs their cards when they are ready. A fact that is what makes a second test commonly the longest. And what making the gap between the second and third test longer than any other. Even for myself.” “The first is for the world. The second is for the team. The third is for yourself. And forth is for someone you may never be.” Delma said. “Is how the Triemkeylen often worded it.” “Pylon.” Renee sighed. “Goes on auto-pilot. But the rest of you stay, if you want.” Renee stepped into the chamber. “You’re never a Luxkem until you make your own light.” Damian stepped aside with a grandiose bow. “I’ll be stepping out then. Not something I need to watch.” “What?” Renee asked. Staring at a wide eyed Sara as Pylon typed results in. “Didn’t think that came from us?” “You knew?” Sara replied. “I knew we were cousins. Never knew we were that close.” “Yes, it will be rather strange.” Targus replied. “I have never had species closely linked on the same ship before. But as far as I know only a few thousand years separate you two.” “1,360” Renee replied, and motioned to Pylon to start her test. “Now, if you’ll excuse me” “2,470” Sara replied. “Is our opinion anyways.” “Fascinating.” Targus replied. “Neither species choses the point that one left the other.” “Our gaps started long before that.” Sara said. “And our conquesting didn’t stop after it.” Targus laughed for the first time the crew had ever heard. “May cards guide you both.” He replied. “Perhaps then we will have an answer… one day.” Both stared as Renee took hours in her pod. Pylon ran through sequences at whatever pace the tester decided. Late afternoon came as the ship passed a white star. Until finally Renee stepped out of the pod. Another 10 cards shuffling down the tube. “Confident?” Targus asked. “More than I've ever been.” Renee replied. “Then you have gathered a proper deck.” Targus replied. “One I look forward to testing.” Renee dropped her forehead down on to the table “Mom was right… I can never go back.” With her head still down she grabbed the bowl Sara was trying to pull away. “Those in particular are mine.”
“Never been prouder to see everything half finished.” Tygnat said. “Box whatever the white fish, both sandwiches, and orange black stripe thing are.” Renee said, as she lifted herself, and ate another slimed black olive. “The rest of you can eat the rest.” “No you may not have two bowls of black olive on the ship.” Targus said, watch Renee and Sara eye him. “Bytridain for it!” Sara, loudly proclaimed. Targus simply shuffled his deck of cards, and then began playing. Sara caught back up a few times, but it was clear Targus was directing the game most of the way through. “Didn’t know you played a game with these.” Renee said looking through her 10 cards. “You didn't do your second one?” Damain asked. “She has not been told to.” Targus said as he played. “Impossible as it may be to believe she hasn’t had any prior test or training.” “They mention I’d be behind most of my competition.” Renee said. “But they never said what the cards did, and I always outperformed. So I let it go, and never had the chance to ask about what they even do.” “Do you know why Triemkeylen hold a form?” Delma asked. Everyone but Sara looked up. Targus still holding a lead in their game. “It’s just about what they like isn’t it?” Renee replied. “They shift from a white blob while they travel through space, and once they find a form they like they keep it. Until they find another, or decide they prefer to shift.” Delma nodded. “Those cards are like you shifting. What they are isn’t going to change, but what they do for you will. Or might, it is hard to say when you’ve only done one test.” “Some decks started very fast pace and wild.” Sara said, showing a card. “Only to shift over to playing a long game.” “Every card said something.” Targus replied, clearing his board and playing 2 new cards. “Many teach us something. Reaffirming our judgements, or changing them.” “It’s not about the game or the deck. It’s about speaking to each in a way words often fail to.” Renee said, looking over the field. “Could I play a round?” “Tonight, no.” Targus said. “The second test would take the night to complete, and all decks are 20 to 40 cards.” “I never used to get along with people who only had 10 cards. Never felt like the knew what they wanted.” Sara played a card, and held out her hand. “I never used to struggle against any deck so dependent upon attacking.” Targus said. “Nor did I used to grow fond of a group so disastrous." “Perhaps,” A female chef came with a few boxes full of what Renee requested. “It is time old captain 30 cards did his 4th test.” “Perhaps it is.” Targus replied, looking over his deck. “I think I will still wait a while.” He looked over to Renee as they both looked through his deck. “No.” Renee said. “I think you’re assesting. And I think I finally understand why mom always said assesting and waiting are different things.” “Odd for a woman who was not doing either of those things.” Targus replied. “Renee?” Pylon asked as everyone looked at him. “I… most Luxhem leave with a blessing.” “Most Luxhem go out to do a crusade.” Renee replied. “Not to round robin a card game tomorrow night.” “What is our ship going to be like anyways?” Damian asked. “Probably about time I started learning it.” “Your ship,” Targus began. “will no longer be scouting for you.” He adjusted his jacket, and got up. “Does it feel good to get back in that chair?” Sara standing with the other, and collecting her cards. “No.” Targus answered. “It feels exquisite.” “Targus?” a man at the counter asked. “Brought a group back?”
“I wouldn’t believe it, if they were walking towards us.” Another man replied. “I could say the same about Alchano’s technological prowess.” Pylon replied. “Pardon are gunner, she will be with us shortly.” “Just another Specturm surprise we have… decent weapons.” The man on left gained a silence glare. “Come on, Yorg.” The other man replied to the change in attitude. “Not the first stray Luxkem we’ve seen. Name’s Loki.” “You uh… wouldn’t know it.” Renee said. “Renee. We’ve been calling Pylon. And we think Delma is okay with sticking to a female humanoid shape but we’re not sure.” The white a marshmallow girl walked up to the group, her whole body squishing down more than expected, for Renee at least. “Maintaining a shape of any kind outside of are usually blobs requires at least some desire. Especially one as complex as the humanoid form. “Would already know that if you were cultured.” Yorg said. “Mister Yorg, Miss Renee is from a level 1 civilization, and will be treated with the respect that level of culture deserves.” Targus replied with Damian and Sara in tow. “It’s okay if you find that hard.” Renee said smugly, walking up to Yorg. “I’m sure to respect grilled subterra roach slug and white slimed olives as well as I did.” She did her best to hold as prim a posture as possible before finally getting a chuckle from Yorg. “White peppered olives are so bad.” Yorg said, and tilted his head in response to really tilting hers. “I mean black pepper aren’t to my taste but—” Renee began. “Wait, there are still cultures that do the white slimed and the black peppered!?” Sara asked. “I thought they phased out that madness.” Loki said, hand in his face. “I heard the lower distract to the complaint of families like mine, but I’ve never been allowed to taste them.” Renee backed up a bit as a circle formed around her. Targus grabbed Sara’s shoulder. “What were you eating on the station? Please do not tell me candy is the first foreign thing to hit your tongue.” “I wasn’t exactly making many friends… or keeping them.” Renee rubbed the back of her head. “Some of the dishes Damian showed me were pretty good though, but otherwise I just went down the “beginner’s menu”.” “Did you have Loonyahana yet?” Sara asked. “Rainbow shelled? Turtle looking thing?” “Just before we left? Why?” Renee meeped as Targus walked past her. “Master Tygnat?” Targus said after pressing a button on the intercom. “What can I assist ya with so soon Targus?” A voice replied. “I appear to have acquired a crewmate with a platalle primary filimar with a cuisine on the level of WHITE slimed and black peppered olives.” Targus took his hand off the intercomp, and turned to face the group with his arms behind his back. It was silent for a minute before the intercom came back to life and blasted out the sound of an entire kitchen's worth of pots and pans clanging together. “Get them down here in 20 minutes.” Targus honestly found it astonishing. In as little as 4 days this new team had managed to “adjust” the 5 simple rules they had been given. A new record, and, admittingly, a rather impressive sign of silent communication. Bribery was obviously. And fairly simplistic as Renee had never been to “sin” before, which for some reason had included eating candy. Sara persistent in leaving the strange graffiti outside his door was almost as impressive as consistently on going prank war. Comm communication was definitely not in one language despite operating smoothly. Problems to be addressed another time. Assuming they even survived the second test.
“Pylooon” Renee’s voice project into the main bay as well as everywhere else a board the ship. “Could you open a portal? Let me know how this reads.” she stately rather proudly as two math problems appeared on the screen. Undoubtedly unsolvable to most, but then an A.I based alien hardly qualified as most. “Coordinates receive. Portal drive running, aaanndd… can’t get through. The charge won’t make it through that gas storm.” “Well that’s complication number 2 at least.” Renee stated. “Delma, I’ll need a quality boost over here the power seems fine, for now” “You really want me on deck for a test gas storm?” Sara stated. Reporting to a station she was not called to. “Better power your area down, Pylon. If I have to pick an area to fry, your is the last on the list.” “Were way too close, something is gonna be here and-” That sounds of Renee adjusting just about everything she could could be heard for several minutes. “And now we can’t see it. Wonderful.” “Strange…” Delma stated. “That didn’t help at all?” “It’s pretty much all colors and fuzz, right now. The power is holding, but seems like it’s going through a lot.” “Cuz it is.” Damian stated. “Lower your base setting. I’m gonna have to adjust this before it blows” Renee comply, and Damian did his best to work around the main cables. “How much power is a portal gonna need?” “You gotta compact pistol, a machine gun, and wild spark to drain.” Pylon stated. “But we’re not getting out of here with any less.” two tubes clunked as Pylon finished. Pylon scanned his item. “Make that two machine guns, and a hyper spark.” Random light flickered for a bit, but eventually Renee was online again. “Alright so…” Renee’s eyes went wide. “Full side turn! Max thrust in the vents 2,4 and 7. And really up some fire. Targus was actually a bit impressed. He had expected a quarter side turn in the other the direction. But this alternative opened up the mobility of several more weapons, which appear to be where Sara shined. It did not however prevent somewhat serious hull damage, so Targus withdrew his hand from the button he was about to press. He looked over the map as Renee was doing her best to chart some kind of path of this gas storm. Which despite her failure, was a far better attempt than most could ever have given. After several hours though, there was still no solution to be found. “Ugh..” The sounds of Renee pounding the keyboard could be heard. “Come on! Isn’t this part of the test?” “Probably” Pylon stated as he finally finished his typing “Ah well. About time to get out of here.” Everyone perks up, but for once Delma was the first to speak. “Pylon, no!” Delma shouted. “Who’s gonna fire the portal?” “Damian.” Pylon stated. “It’s all set up. He just has to electrify the by-core.” “You won’t survive that.” Damian stated. “Memories or otherwise.” “They’re backed-up for a reason, aren’t they?” Pylon replied. “It’ll be fine, it happens all the-” The console, and with it the running program powered down as did a few of the weapons. “-time” “So what are we actually doing?” Sara asked looking over the weapons still on. “I’m still working on it, buuutt…” Renee paused and typed some more numbers in and sighed. “We’ll need a lot of highly accurate, on point, correct-” Renee fought to override some commands as they were sent in. “Pylon!” “Quit over complicating this!” Pylon shouted back. “You can’t out work me, and you can’t just take nonsense routes just to-” “You’re a robot!” Renee replied. “A quaternarial series of 1s and 0s, and a series of highly responsive programs. What the hell does your species know about sense?!” There was a rather long silence for the rest of the crew, and even longer one from Renee. Very few words were exchanged, but Sara eventually got the gist. The ship was in slightly worse conduction than the others would’ve been, but they made it through. All that remained now was the leftover questions. Renee was, probably for the first time in her life, the last to walk in. Pylon looked up at her as she approached. “Pylon I-” “You know, a lot of people-” Pylon interrupted Renee’s attempt to interrupt. “A lot of people. Dismiss a lot of bolts over their lives.” Pylon modified his voice as he quoted each sentence. “Just throw the robot in, and break the things. So? Just rebuild him later.” He gave a few more and then stopped himself looking back up at Renee and talking normally. “Anyways. I’ve had plenty of people call me plenty worse things. No one has ever done it over mine.” Renee still seemed to feel pretty bad, but nowhere near as bad as before. “And while I am still due for that growth upgrade, there’s apparently something here to learn about first.” Renee perked up. “And all you’re rule breaking?” Targus stated. “All? We only ever broke the one.” Sara stated. “Not all fault a bunch of puritans never feed a girl candy before.” “You painted every wall.” Targus stated. “I paint 25 out of about 346 surface.” Sara rebutted. “With ONE symbol, which does not count as ‘customizing’ certainly not where I’m from.” “There was an on going prank war, and several forms of communication.” Targus replied. “Which was another form of communication.” Damian stated. “Testing out escape routes, gadgets, and several science experiments. None of which were aimed at you, or myself.” “And the rule as is written is actually all conversions must be in a single language.” Delma stated. “Sara understands sounds and echoes. Pylon knows numbers and math, Damian knows power supplies and various electronics, and Renee and I just need to know what we need to do.” Targus paused considering everything he had heard. “Rule 3, broken. Rule 2… debated. Rules 4 and 5.” There was a rather long pause slowly building suspense. “Rule 4, acceptable. Rule 5… why?” “Because you were the first of a solid 20 captains to take us a board. Damian is gonna out rank whatever you do, and is normally in the place powering everything this ship does.” Renee lastly gestured to herself. “And because one these days, and one of those pranks someone is gonna screw up everything about the only room that can get you out of danger.” Targus stood a little straighter and responded looking down curiously. “And you don’t start a fight you can’t win.” Thus began the adventures of one of Alchano's most unique, and rag-tag crew. Something they became rather proud of. A standing testament to the success of everything their culture stood for, and one of many to come. END OF ‘PILOT EPISODE’ To be continued?... |
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