Tales From a Misfit
Updates every Sunday.
Found on wallhere. made by "wallup"
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Found on wallhere. made by "wallup"
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“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.”
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“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?... “This… contraption IS going to fire, correct?” Targus stated looking around at a host of inventions questionably connected, at best. Sara however was looking at it like a child would look at a new toy, and got to work trying everything out as fast as possible.
“Normally, I’d say no.” Renee admitted. “But he fixed the ac unit no one’s ever seen before with only his tail, and this took about four times longer.” “Three.” Damian stated. “I… sort of adjusted your room too.” Everyone made their way down to nav station before Renee plopped down in the newly installed chair. “Oh. yes!” Renee pushed the chair around the whole computer in one go with ease as she spun herself in the chair. “I love it.” “You can justify this installation?” Targus stated taking on a firm, yet curious tone. “Well, each side has a keyboard and monitor so if nothing-... else…” a computer voice interrupted Damian, and both Targus and He looked over at Renee who was deeply entranced in her work. Targus walked up, and gently put a hand on her shoulder. Renee jolted back while sitting in response. “While I don’t wish to distract from…” Targus looked over the path Renee outlined. “Charting more unknown paths on the map of our testing area. We do have a few more stops to make on the ship, first.” Renee looked a little embarrassed, and got up. “Normally this area is manned for you.” Targus began as he opened the door. “However this is one the few groups where I feel a scouter would be wasting potential.” Pylon began scanning the room. “Instead your route has been charted, and ‘Pylon’ will be in control of our portal tech. I assure you a Dematorian is-” Machines whirled to life as Pylon looked over the mumbling through a checklist. “Hey, did we turn on any compilers yet?” Pylon stated looking at Damian. “Not yet. I’ll have to do it when I get back there” Damian stated thus beginning their walk there. Targus stopped about half way, and pointed out some tubes as he opened another door. “What are those?” Targus asked expectedly “Port tubes.” Both Renee and Damian stated before looking at each other. Damian yielding the floor. “Ladies first.” he stated somewhat playfully. “They run all through the walls, and connect to whatever the 5 central places are. In case I can assume they’d be the nav station, the weapon chamber, the portal..umm… room? The engines and the main bay.” “Why are they here?” Targus asked while blocking the door. Renee looked to Domain actually a bit stumped herself. “You can send something down the engines slow enough that someone can take an item out of the tubes before it’s fully stopped.” Damian stated. “It’s a safety requirement since mechanics tend to just grab everything, and usually break a bone trying to grab something they need too fast.” “Very good. Now then, Delma.” Targus stated letting everyone into the science room. “You were the last stop on our little tour. So if everyone is prepared, I say we begin the warm up.” “N-now?” Delma stated. “We haven’t been to the engine room yet. Shouldn’t we-” “You remember those hallways filled with all sorts of pipe, gears, and flashing lights?” Renee questioned. “Damian touching everything.” There was a long pause before Delma nodded. “There’s still the main bay then.” Delma stated a bit eagerly, but clearly trying to avoid the warm up, “What?” Sara stated. “It’s at the front of the ship, and we’ll see all the time.” She slumped as she spoke the next sentence. “Plus it always looks the same, and all...sorted?...ordered?.. What's the word?” “Outlined?” Pylon stated. “It’s usually what’s the start building first, so it’s often one of the only thing structure like-” “Structured!” Sara interrupted. “Anyway what’s the warm up?” Targus looked at the group. “I believe there’s a non-existent starting point on the star charts?” Renee nodded as Targus explained. “Getting there will have 4 complications. Resolve them, and our journey begins. So everyone to their stations, if you would.” So, reluctantly or otherwise, everyone went back to their stations. “Of course, I get the longest walk.” Sara stated. “Renee at least has a chair to get back to after getting lost.” “I was trying to tell you.” Renee stated. “You can cut through the containment unit, and apparently beat Damian to the engine area.” “I was not beaten!” Damian protested. “I just didn’t see the comms the first time through, because the compilers won’t start.” “Did you get the monkey wrench out, Monkeywrench?” Sara stated mockingly as even Delma kind of giggled. “I’m working on it. There’s a number of kind of strange parts.” Damian stated with his monkey tail wrapped around the same wrench. “Not like anyone builds a ship for humans with a fifth limb.” “Well, then don’t get distracted next time, and you won’t-” The lights powered down as Sara spoke, and then everything else powered on creating a somewhat dim light. “lose” “How in the?...” Damian looked over the inner layout. “Complication number one.” Sara and Renee replied together, while only Renee continued, “Talk to us Damian.” She stated spinning over to various sides of the star chart. “There’s a tri-port and…” Damian paused for a moment. “There’s 3 outlets, and 2 wires plugged in for lighting. Which leaves me 2 outlets, and two wires short.” “Did the star chart turn off ever?” Pylon question. “Been running smooth as a metal sheet. Full memory, full processing, no power gage anywhere though…” Renee summarized. “Gelnat make.” Pylon stated with a surprising amount of disappointment. “They run like a dream, but eat like a nightmare. A very old wiring technique for dealing with that is taking a little bit of power from everything else.” “Well, there’s no hypercell slot. I’ve looked.” Renee stated. “Um, excuse me?” Delma stated having been silent for a while. “So we just need the star chart powered, correct? Because I have adjust the hyper connector now if-” “You made a 75% of a hyper connector in… what? 10 minutes?” Damian stated. “Damian, can you rewire it without or not?” Renee replied. “Easily, but how is a hyper connector gonna-” Damian paused as there was a loud clank on Renee’s end. “Renee?” “So it’s more like a fusion of a volt battery, and a spire plug.” Delma stated. “It’s just everyone yells at me when I don’t describe exactly what they want and-” “Wired us up Damian.” Renee interrupted, and the group waited for a few minutes with little to know light before the whole ship whirred to life. “Ah~” Sara stated, closing her eyes. “There’s the music.” “Hey Delma.” Renee replied. “I get it. I’ve been yelled at a lot too. But next time just describe what you have, okay? It’s gonna be hard enough figuring everything else out.” “Yeah… okay” Delma replied with silent pride in her voice. Simulations 49, 60, 58, 54, completed… Once again a mass of people walked out.
“We couldn’t go through the polar star.” Renee stated glaring down her test captain. “Yes, you can. You have to temporarily fry the-” The captain seemed equally furious. Which seemed rather strange to Targus given their scores, perhaps he was finally going to note something of interest. “You can’t fry both the cleft compiler and legedeer system on S-cr34 they’re on opposite ends of the engine area” Renee rebutted. “No one this side of the cosmos is going to fix both of those in time for me to chart a course that doesn’t involve crashing full-force into a moon!” “Uh? Reroute the cleft to the buster tubes before you go through, and you won’t have to.” Damian stated matter of factly. Renee opened her mouth to protest, but then closed it. “Would that have worked?” Renee turned to the engineer on her team. “Please don’t suggest sinking to the level of savagery this failed rich boy does.” A female responded. “If you don’t need to shoot.” A pick haired Spectrum replied. Her two guns holstered. “Actually…” Everyone looked down at a Dematorian who stared up at them with solid light blue, glowing eyes before he continued to speak in the usual robotic tone after a few seconds. “The cleft compiler only needs about 53 watts to turn the engines. That kind of engine pack in way above 300. In theory you could fire a plasma beam, and still be fine. “There’s no style in a plasma beam.” The Spectrum replied. “Not like style matters when you can't hit the bright side of a planet.” A male rebutted, which led to a 3rd argument about space and flexibility. “And you!” Damian’s test caption glared at their scientist. A very shy Triemkeylen doing her best to be humanoid, like those around her. “I said a basalt like compound.” “W-well yes but we actually needed to overheat the… Maliton drive?” She looked at Damian who nodded. “Which was copper, so I made something that would generate its own heat much faster because-” “You were radio silent for 10 minutes!” The captain. “And saved like 15?” Damian responded, which to the captain glaring at him instead. “You could at least follow one order.” Renee’s captain stated. “I followed every order, and it cost us 13 minutes and 54 seconds.” Renee stated rather matter of factly. “Which is what I was trying to communicate. You know? Talk? Bounce ideas around?” The assistants were trying their best to get the least compatible teams yet to seperate, but countless arguments continued. Targus eyed the pick haired Spectrum for a moment before reaching into his coat, and chucking three metal balls towards her. Three shots, one gun, and series of random moments later scraps of metal were on the ground. “A crew of five for official testing, correct?” Targus questioned shouting down. “Are you… sure, sir? This isn’t even half the-” “It’s 31.87 percent” The Dematorian stated. “Not even a 3rd. But a lot of civilizations have 2 of their 5 tests done already, so I guess it’s not that weird, this year at least.” Most of the group gave silent glares as they were finally pushed away. Renee met up with the other chosen 4 shortly after. “Weird section, in my opinion, but I guess I can’t complain on my first test.” Renee stated trying to be honest. A lot of governments seemed willing to let her in at first, but not many of her teammates had spoken highly of her for somewhat obvious reasons. Targus was apparently at least somewhat impressed, and even left an optional quest. Get to the test area from your room in 15 minutes. Along with a series of clues as to where that area was. “No official seal either….” Renee thought out loud, and looked over the invite again, and cross references with people who consider her of interest. “Alchano, huh? Weird I was told they kept to themselves…” “Alchano?” The Triemkeylen questioned. “They’re super open about almost everything. They’re just… umm…” “They are the exact opposite of enforcing rules by launching a meteor into a moon.” The Dematorian finished, and Triemkeylen just shyly nodded. “Anyways.” Renee signed. “I”m Renee Lywing. Damian I know. What about the rest of you?” “I’ve been going by Sara. Sara Welkithem.” The pink Spectrum began. “Only thing I got for ya is L3on-14” The Dematorian stated. “Delma…” The Triemkeylen stated. “We don’t usually do names…” “Sara, Delma, and… Pylon...” Renee stated. “Let’s see… navigator” Renee pointed to herself then to Damian. “Engineer… Scientist… Weapon expert, I assume.” Motioning to Delma and then Sara. “And I guess you can do pretty much anything” Renee stated looking at Pylon. “Pylon?” The Dematorian question. “Yeah. 3.14 is pi. And that leaves l-o-n… I can think of something better…” “I like it.” Sara stated openly. “Even if he doesn’t understand the importance yet.” “Humanoids? Confusing. Numbers. Those I understand. Nonetheless if y’all are gonna insist on ‘Pylon’ and ‘Robo’ I don’t really have the power to stop you.” Pylon stated. “Well, with that settled. Does anyone actually know what we're doing?” Damian questioned. “I haven’t been given an official test either.” “It’s not super different… usually.” Delma stated. “Alchano tends to do things differently. I can only really tell you that it will be a couple weeks on a spaceship.” “I hear their test has been the same for a couple years.” Sara stated. “So they must really like whatever they are doing. Targus is a new face, so far as I can tell though.” Pylon shuffled through various records. “Hmm… mhmm.... Interesting. So Targus has 5 rules, but there’s no record of all of them being followed” Pylon began to summarize the info he found to his new crew. Who attend their meeting as scheduled. Renee made it 12 minutes flat, and was easily able to describe her route in detail. Sara and Damian were working on some kind of project apparently even earlier than that, but Damian wasn’t willing to say what yet. “Your test ship is referred to as the Red Eagle.” Targus began. “Welcome aboard. As of today, the alchanian government takes you into consideration. But whether or not you are truly ready to show yourselves, remains up to you. Today you leave limitation, and begin a test of where you stand without boundaries…” Despite the countless speeches at the Luxkem space academy, something about this one spoke to Renee in a way she hadn’t felt before. She had a feeling she was going to like it aboard this new ship of hers. Now came the challenge of proving it. Subject: Renee Lywing...
Planet: Luxkemspire... Region: Trinity-36…. Prior testing not found... Running C.A.R.D assessment... It began in a cold, snowy landscape shortly after a young girl protested with words she didn’t believe. “Truth is unity… Unity is light…. I spoke these words once as well… Many years have passed since” A blade was brought down vertically, and slided a bear in half. No matter what move he made a straw hat covered the robed man's eyes as he fought. “I know of its failures and its flaws, but I stood by them as you did.” He struck down 3 people within one sentence and another 5 as he spoke again. “I have seen their resolve as you did, and like you I abandoned it. For it seeks only a prue power, and judges those who can’t reach it” He approached a small female child before bringing the rest of the attack to the end. “Let me show you the true essence of power…” He extended his hand, and slowly but surely Renee grabbed it. The now young adult rushed through a forest and punched several enemies with some well crafted gauntlets. Before narrowly avoiding death due to an arrow shot from behind her. The boy who saved her life had somewhat of a wild side. A sense of humor even in the face of danger, and since of foolishness as well. A rather charming partner in more ways than one. She could tell it would’ve been a lasting and adventurous partnership. Assessment Complete.... 10 cards shuffled themselves down a pipe, and Renee put the pile into her deck holder as she walked out the door. Her virtual comm turning back on, which unfortunately meant answering calls. Adjusting her goggles to be just out of view on her dyed bright orange hair with a hint of its usual blonde color she made her way through the crowded halls. “Hi mom.” Renee did her best to answer at least somewhat happily. “Put some clothes on, young lady.” Her mom answered in a very demanding tone despite Renee clearly being in a public area. Renee rolled her eyes in her black tank top and loose jeans. “We’re traveling past a solar storm, mom.” Renee stated collecting a shake from a nearby tray. “I’m barely going to survive in this.” “Better to die properly then to live like a hoot-” Renee’s mom tried to protest. “Mom!” Renee stated before lowering her voice. “Do you really want people around here looking that up?” “RE-naw” A man about Renee’s age walked past her backwards after turning around. “Hi Damian.” Renee greeted him only kind of turning around. “It’s all about the fy-IRE.” Damian’s typical catchphrase escorted him out of sight. A brief silent signaling that Renee was left alone to deal with her mother’s backlash. “And just who was that ‘Damian’?” Renee’s mother began with only a hint of puritan outrage. “A very friendly and smart gentleman.” Renee replied. “Even if he likes to hide that behind his typical class clown demeanor.” “He’d defile you in seconds.” Renee’s mother spoke without a hint of hesitation, and Renee returned the flavor. “Yes, but he’d swoon me first.” Renee stated putting a hand to her chest suppressing a giggle as her mother was silent. “What are your crew assignments?” Renee’s mother questioned in an effort to move on. “You were suppose to call-” “We had a few weeks to get to know each other.” Renee interrupted having finally moved out of everyone’s way. “Everyone is doing a placement test, and after that we’re getting assigned together. Now please don’t call the HR department, and threaten to have me removed this time.” She almost pleaded, and there was a small sigh in her tone with that last sentence. “Well if you had told us where you were actually going, we could have worked something out.” Her mother stated matter of factly. “And what are you doing?” Renee was scrolling through an email box. “Dear Miss Lywing.” Renee read aloud from the email. “Despite how it may seem given the frequency of these emails, we would like to ensure that your participation is still welcomed and valued. You have a rather outstanding aptitude given your familial background, and have made it very clear that you wish to remain a part of this project. Nonetheless I must ask that you very seriously press upon our continuing issue regarding your mother. Please ENSURE.” Renee paused to look at the video of her mother. “And yes that is in all caps.” She continued. “That your mother is aware of the following points. 1. This is an intergalactic event, which maintains the support of even most Luxkems. 2. We are currently roughly 7 million light years from your mother. Traveling this distance without the assistance of highly advanced teleportation technology, is extremely risky, dangerous, and time consuming, and thus ill-advised. 3. You can not ‘pull over’ a space station 4. While our legal system is somewhat ‘strange’, the unnecessary destruction of a moon is still likely to be illegal. Lastly under the circumstances further harassment of our staff will begin resulting in temporary communication blocks.” Renee closed her email, and once again looked at the video of her mother. “I’m not 7. I know what ‘work something out’ actually means now.” There was a rather long silence, and eventually her mother simply hung up. With nothing to delay her she made her way to the counter. “Renee Lywing? Sorry i’m a bit late. Got a bit tied up.” “Let’s see… Renee Lywing, Luxkem… Job, navigator… Unaffiliated solo.” The random assistant repeats some more words aloud before ultimately giving Renee access to her profile, and her cards back. “Piloc rulebook?” Renee took the cards and book nodding. “It’s an...interesting subject in our culture.” Renee stated before thanking the assistant, and walked away. It was still a little bit much to process, but she had made it… Somehow. Now it was just a matter of waiting on an invite she liked. There had to be someone, right? Of course that would make a blank invite box all the more nerve-racking, and it would likely be a day before anything worthwhile turned up. So after hanging around the main areas for a while she, and made a few friends before calling it a night. |