Astrid opened her eyes: her buzzing thoughts would not let her rest. All she could see were those damned elements. She knew it was those three, but she had no idea what to do with them.
Did she need a cold fusion forge, a particle accelerator or a big fucking hammer?
She just didn't know yet, she might spend months trying to figure it out. After Vika's recon was approved, Astrid's thoughts had immediately returned to Sorcery. And, like Vika, everyone said they supported her.
Samira had suggested she just continue with her drones, but Astrid knew she was on the doorstep and on the other side of the door was her goal, she just needed to find the damned handle. Astrid sighed and made up her mind: she needed to study the problem right now.
She excused herself from the dream party...
Astrid looked at her amazing cyborg wife as Samira turned in her sleep, but didn't awaken. So, Astrid quietly moved down to the foot of the bed. She carefully slipped on some BDU trousers and pulled on a t-shirt, she made her way out into the corridor then to Engineering.
Still barefoot, Astrid knelt down next to the three small crates; she opened them one at a time and pulled out a single small ingot from each. The metal ingots were all the same shape, Nef had either made them super fast...Or more likely, they were already made but for another purpose entirely.
The Ingots bore a distinct marking, it looked like a crossed pair of Agatha's swords below a skull of some kind. The mark might have been from one of the ME nations, Astrid didn't know and she had to be honest with herself, she didn't care; they were hers now.
Astrid held the three ingots tightly in her hand, then sat down at her bench on her shop stool. She opened her hand and watched them tumble across the flat surface.
Astrid heard the three different sounds, they echoed in her ears.
She stared at the three ingots on the workbench. Somewhere in the deep recesses of her mind her subconscious was whispering something to her.
Astrid strained to listen...
Agatha stood in the corridor outside Engineering, she quietly observed. Was the system flawed?Did she miscalculate the capabilities of her family? She could still feel Vika, who was now inside one of the asteroids. Agatha did not know how she got there, one moment she was on the Depot, then the next she wasn't.
There could only be one reason, Agatha hypothesized. Vika was Discovering new Abilities much faster than expected: but Astrid struggled with Discovering her first and Paula seemed too dubious to try. The fact that her individual wives were all very different was part of Agatha's projections. If one of them progressed faster in the Ability system they became objectively more powerful than the others.
Agatha bit her lip, she wanted to interfere, but she had to let them do it by themselves or they would never fully realize what they were capable of. Agatha needed to trust in their love for one another, because the family was infinitely stronger together than as individuals. They were all aware of it, so Vika's rapid progress would invariably benefit them as a whole. She quietly went back into the Mess, she was going to make some tea in case Astrid wanted some.
Astrid was still sitting on her shop stool, staring at the ingots. Her whole life was about learning how everything worked. Someone else had done all the experiments and research. She only memorized other people's work.
Astrid's wetware initiated a search and pulled up data for her... Metallurgy, chemistry, geology: she didn't notice her implants launching a search unsolicited as she was completely absorbed in her dilemma.
She saw the data appear; her wetware's offer of assistance. Astrid carefully identified each file, weighed the data value then dismissed them one by one. A snippet of something a little different scrolled by... Alchemy.
It seemed unusual enough to warrant further investigation. Astrid scrolled back and she opened the file.
It had to be a joke.
Alchemy struck her as half wishful thinking and half lunacy. The data was ludicrous, no real basis in science, just fantasy. Then Astrid stopped at a single word she found there.
Oricalcum.
With absolutely no context whatsoever everything suddenly made perfect sense. The indecipherable whispers she had been hearing were now loud and clear. Astrid knew exactly what she needed to do. She closed the file, silently praised her wetware and got to work.
"Are you okay?" The melodic feminine voice asked. "I don't know enough about Terrans to determine if you are injured or not."
The confession struck Vika as endearing. Vika tried to turn her head, she noticed she was no longer camouflaged. She must have switched off her nanoweave with her writhing. Her visor had also been pushed up into her dreads.
Very slowly her head turned, the green glow illuminated the small storage room and Vika's eyes slowly adjusted to the brightness.
What she saw surprised her.
"Hello there." The voice greeted Vika, "My name is Mary, what's yours?"
The Terran speech was flawless as far as Vika could tell, the accent had a pleasant lilt. Now Vika had to figure out what exactly she was seeing. The being closely resembled some kind of insect larvae, or worm. Perhaps ten feet long, half of which was upright.
A shiny black chitinous head was recognizably Bract, the body was more difficult to describe. Cylindrical somewhat tapering green glowing flesh, six short segmented arms or legs protruded not far below the head in three pairs, three on each side. Each thin arm was chitinous and about a meter long ended in four segmented digits.
"Tell me, please, if you are injured, I do not want you to be in pain or suffering."
Mary conveyed a great deal of empathy, but Vika was more than a little wary for obvious reasons. Vika was reasonably sure Mary was some form of Bract, which meant she was caught. Mary did not seem threatening or distressed and if Mary had alerted security it didn't much matter what Vika said.
Vika cleared her throat, "I am Vika."
Mary glowed visibly brighter, "Hello, Vika, it is a pleasure to meet you! Can I assume you are not injured?" Mary asked, her voice again conveyed concern.
Vika blinked her eyes slowly, "I am recovering."
"Is there anything I can do for you?" Mary asked.
Vika thought about that, wondering just what kind of trouble she was likely in. "I am very thirsty," Vika replied.
"Water, Terrans drink water also: I can get you some in just the next chamber, I'll be right back."
Mary slithered out, she took her glow with her, and Vika was now in a darkened room again. Vika moved her arm to rub her eyes, that felt like a mistake as her muscles burned. All of her gear was still in place but Mary didn't seem very concerned. Vika got the distinct feeling Mary led a rather sheltered life. She took a deep breath, felt throbbing throughout her body.
The glow returned, it preceded Mary. Vika thought ironically Mary never needed to turn on a light in any room she entered. That though brought an involuntary soft giggle, Vika didn't know why she found it so funny. Perhaps she was delirious.
Mary stopped at the doorway, "Are you okay?"
"Yes." Vika turned her head again.
"Were you laughing?" Mary asked, her voice conveyed worry.
"Apologies, I find my situation unreasonably humorous." Vika replied softly, still unable to move much.
Mary moved closer, "It took me a bit to find this vessel for the water."
"I usually just drink it from the dispenser."
Another endearing confession, Vika was really starting to like Mary. Vika searched the Bract's hands, between the lowest two was a spherical container.
It appeared decorative and made of glass, a kind of vase perhaps.
Vika tried to shift herself so she could sit up, but her muscles immediately punished her for the attempt.
"Oh, careful, you seem injured somehow." Mary leaned over, illuminating Vika.
"Pride, mostly." Vika chuckled softly again.
Mary had a peculiar scent, something herbal, Vika couldn't place it.
"May I shift your position?" Mary asked softly, her chitinous head, only a foot or so from Vika.
Vika swallowed, "Yes, please."
Mary did so, very carefully, gently rolling Vika over on her back and sitting her up against the rough rock wall. Vika got the impression Mary was stronger than her thin limbs might suggest.
Mary held the half filled vase of water up to Vika lips.
Vika drank, the water was tepid and a little stale, but it refreshed Vika like a cold mountain stream. Mary helped Vika drink for as long as she wanted, then carefully set the vase next to her.
"Please tell me, Vika, how is it you came to find yourself in my cupboard?"
Hours had passed and Agatha was beginning to develop concern about Vika's recon. Agatha monitored all the levels of the Depot's holonet she had access to: there was nothing to suggest Vika was in any way compromised so Agatha tried to stay optimistic.
On the other hand, Astrid's emotions were no longer filled with frustration. Agatha could feel the Engineer's enthusiasm and determination. It was a positive sign and Agatha could hardly wait to see what would result.
Agatha's hopes for her family were alive and well, Though she expected an occasional setback. In an hour or so her remaining wives would awaken and begin another day. Agatha decided it felt like a waffle morning, and began her preparations.
Then something unusual occured.
Agatha got a message.
The message was from a Depot Zero Three Administrative account. Agatha stared at the blinking message icon, her thoughts swirled briefly as to whom the message was from.
She opened it: The message read: "I am absolutely fine, made a new friend, will be home for breakfast, V." Agatha smiled in relief as she noted the Smith family codeword. She parsed the meta-data looking for clues, it suggested the account was very old. "That might be handy to know." Agatha said to no one at all.
Mary listened to Vika's story, it sounded far too fantastical to be even remotely true. However, Vika was extremely convincing. Mary believed that Vika was completely certain her tale was fact. Vika was now sitting up in the much larger room next to Mary's cupboard. She was sitting upon and reclining against large soft pillows. Any one of which would pass for a mattress to the small Terran. Mary had helped her walk there, but Vika was shaking so badly Mary just picked her up and deposited her on the pillows.
She refilled the vase and Vika once again slaked her thirst. Vika did not like prevarication, especially not with someone who presented themselves as genuinely as Mary did. Vika sensed a rare goodness in her. Mary had shown kindness and empathy even though Vika had appeared in her cupboard out of thin air.
Vika also realized that the truth was by all accounts completely implausible, that did not change her mind about recounting it to Mary.
So Mary got the long version, with all of the mystic asides. Vika's tale might have been fantastic and implausible, it was internally consistent however. She told her tale for an hour, drank the rest of the water in the vase, then continued for another. Vika ended her tale with her frustration over her Portent and discovery of Spiritwalk and using Shadowstep with it.
Mary's glow was bright throughout, as she listened with rapt attention. "So even if I tried to have you imprisoned, which I wouldn't do by the way, you could just depart anytime you wished?" Mary inquired, her short club-like antennae vibrating.
"Yes." Vika replied simply.
"That sounds completely ridiculous," Mary announced, "How Marvelous!"
Vika nodded, "I have a favor to ask."
Mary tilted her head slightly, antennae humming, "What favor do you wish, Vika?"
"I do not wish Agatha to worry, would you please message her?" Vika asked.
"That is very thoughtful and considerate."
Mary thought about it, "Why not, I don't have any friends outside, it would be exciting."
"I would be honored to be your friend, Mary." Vika replied.
Mary's antennae hummed and she tapped on her wallcom.
"Where would you like the message sent?" Mary asked.
Vika replied, "The Deirdre, Depot Zero Three, Dock S21.
Mary tapped in the address.
"What would you like it to say?" Mary turned to Vika.
Vika thought for a moment, "I am absolutely fine, made a new friend, will be home for breakfast, V."
Mary tapped with four hands, then sent the message.
She turned from the wallcom still glowing brightly.
"I enjoyed your tale so very much, and since I know you are here to find out about my people, I will answer some of your questions."
Vika asked basic questions and Mary expounded upon them in great detail. Mary was indeed an adult, in the Bract species adults took very different forms depending on the Sex they chose: Male adult Bract grew thick chitinous armor and a lustrous shell while Female adult Bract took a Larviform, for ease of reproduction. Mary talked about the adolescent phase and how they made the Bract who they are.
The Bract adult female named Mary explained the life cycle of the Bract, how it related to how they functioned as a society and how they fit into the ME as they saw it.
Vika smiled, "Your species is truly amazing."
Mary's antennae hummed with vibration, "Thank you, Vika."
"I'm afraid I will need to depart soon." Vika bit her lip.
Mary's glow seemed to dim a bit.
"I am sorry to hear that, I am not entirely sure what to do about this little encounter." Mary confessed.
"My mission was to find answers, for myself and my family, no one else." Vika paused.
"I realize you may not believe my story, but trust that I will not betray you, or the Bract."
Mary's glow brightened, "I do trust you, Vika."
"I have never been so entertained in my life, perhaps I can find a reason to seek you and your family out in the future." Mary postulated.
Vika nodded, "I think Joon would be beside herself to meet you."
Mary's antennae hummed.
"Do I need to take you anywhere?" Mary asked softly.
Vika shook her head, "If you would just point me in the direction of the docks."
Mary laughed, it was very endearing.
She pointed directly at one of the nicely decorated rock walls.
Vika nodded, then closed her eyes.
Mary watched Vika for a minute or two, unsure what Vika was going to do next.
Wuff...Vika disappeared leaving behind a poof of blue vapor that dissipated. Mary froze, She suddenly realized that Vika's colorful tale wasn't fantasy at all. She softly said out loud, "It was all true."
Astrid examined the induction coil she had just fabricated, she was making three more. Her wetware now assisted her with every aspect of the project; from holonet queries to alignment assistance.
The framework for her odd little furnace was coming together nicely. Astrid used her implants to run checks in real time, thousands of simulations and corrections. The furnace would feature three individually adjustable heating elements just strong enough to reach the needed temperatures. The problem was the tiny Engineering bay was cramped as it was and this ungainly device would make it more so.
"Wouldn't that be safer in the Galley?" Samira's voice said from the doorway.
Astrid blinked and turned around to see a nude Samira.
"I didn't think of that." Astrid's face turned an interesting shade of scarlet.
Her wetware expanded parameters to the Galley running simulations for furnace placement and performance. The Galley already had fume exhaust and it was rated for higher temperatures.
Samira walked up and kissed her, "Ask Agatha, I am sure she will be more than happy to share.
Astrid nodded, "Thank you, Sam, I... Have been a little wonky lately."
"What? No, not my Engineer!" Samira grinned.
Astrid carefully put the induction coil down and buried her face into Samira's neck. "I love you, Sam, you keep me on level."
Samira blinked, "I'm going to just chock it up to being a good nerd wife."
Astrid looked up, her eyes were red and she sniffed. "How about a little morning routine as a break from Sorcery?" Samira asked.
Astrid's wetware did an evaluation of her biological systems and concluded a pause to exercise, bathe and consume nutrients would benefit health. She nodded, "Sounds good."
The pair walked out of Engineering, down the corridor and into the CQ together. Joon saw them and said, "Astrid, you're next in the queue."
Astrid blinked, then licked her lips. Her wetware ran through sexual scenarios, based on Astrid's personal preferences. Max was still sprawled on the bed. Paula and Joon were heading into the bathroom and Samira blew Astrid a kiss and followed them.
Astrid bit her lip and stripped out of her t-shirt and trousers.
Scenario chosen.
"Max?" Astrid asked timidly and she crawled across the covers.
"Yes, my dear Astrid?" Max raised an eyebrow.
Astrid smiled softly, "Would you please fuck me 'til I climax then shove your still wet cock down my throat and fill me with your thick, rich cum?"
Max blinked a smile forming on her face.
"It would be my absolute pleasure." Max said as her member began to rise.
Vika's spirit raced through the rock then out of the asteroid, up and over the superstructure of the Depot. She moved as fast as she could above the docks and soon Vika spotted the Terran corvette she was looking for. Vika slipped through the hull and bulkheads, she navigated to the CQ and into the bathroom.
Wuff...
Vika dropped to the floor then waited, eyes closed tight, anticipating immense pain. She listened to her heartbeat, afraid to breathe. Vika opened her eyes, still no pain. She couldn't believe it. Then Agatha was there and she immediately laid next to her.
Vika felt the comforting calm wash through her as Agatha held her. "That was unbelievable." Vika said softly. Vika was thirsty again. But she was home. She slowly sat up, removing layers of clothing as Agatha assisted.
"Where is everyone?" Vika asked, her voice croaked.
"Cargo hold for Kata." Agatha replied.
Vika chuckled, "I'm not up for that."
"It's okay, Vika, I think you're allowed to skip it." Agatha smiled, helping Vika remove her clothes.
Vika pulled the wrap off her dreads and stood up, she was shaking. Agatha helped her into the showers and sat her on a corner shower bench then turned on the closest fixture and pulled it from its mount. Agatha handed the detachable showerhead to Vika who immediately put the water spray into her open mouth and drank deeply.
Vika went from drinking to rinsing several times until her family came into the bathroom, sweaty from the Kata.
"There she is!" Max beamed a smile, then realized exactly where and how Vika was sitting. Max led the way to Vika. Soon Vika was surrounded by concerned wives and Paula was holding her hand.
"I am okay, I am just dehydrated and very tired." Vika smiled crookedly. "I will report at breakfast, then I will need to sleep." Her concerned family nervously giggled with her. They then washed up as Vika continued to rehydrate, then Vika was bathed and walked to the CQ after Agatha wrapped her dreads in a towel.
Max and Paula dressed Vika in her baggy shorts and a loose-fitting flannel. To her wives, Vika never looked so exhausted. Vika almost staggered to the Mess where Agatha served a hearty breakfast consisting of waffles, eggs and crispy bacon.
Vika did not eat as much as she usually did, and she soon took it upon herself to begin her report. Max and Joon shared a meaningful look and nodded their encouragement to her. Vika briefly described how her journey began but pretty soon her eyes drooped, her shoulder slouched, and she was starting to drift.
"Agatha, please take our fearless Scout to her bed, and keep her safe." Joon smiled softly.
Vika blinked, "But... My report."
"You can give it through Agatha, can you not?" Joon raised an eyebrow.
Vika stared blankly, "Yes..."
Agatha smiled broadly, leading her exhausted wife to bed.
The remaining crew finished their breakfast, chatting about Vika's adventure and her upcoming report.
Then a Hand of Agatha walked into the Mess and took Vika's seat at the table, between Samira and Paula. "I am still tired, but I am also awake." The Hand of Agatha smirked.
Joon smiled, and Max nodded to her.
"Please continue, Vika." Max requested.
Agatha walked in from the Galley to listen. Vika detailed her methodical infiltration of the ventilation system, eventually finding herself at the retracted service tunnel at the edge of the Depot. She recounted her thought process surrounding her discovery of Spiritwalk and how she went to the asteroid to explore.
Vika described her leap of merging her abilities, and the excruciating results. She theorized that the initial Spiritwalk-Shadowstep was made after three hours of high stress activity and dehydration. The results, severe cramping of overworked muscles, were predictable.
Joon nodded, "You might have suffered a heart attack, I will let Agatha watch over you for now, but I want you for a med scan when you get up."
"Yes." Una-Vika replied. Then Vika told her family about Mary.
The small Slarmian Major-domo began to awaken. Teffa stretched in her bed, her vertebrae popped in a satisfying way. She slipped off her pallet stretching her arms out and yawning and, after slipping on her soft housecoat, Teffa slithered from her bedroom, through her foyer and out into the common room.
She was always an early riser, but knew that others needed a little help in the morning so Teffa slithered into the kitchen and started some coffee. She knew Agatha liked coffee while Teffa prefered tea; It remained to be seen if Lakita had a morning drink of choice.
Teffa slithered back to the common room and switched on the holo-net.
It was days since there was any new word on the 'Blackdawn' investigation. No one in authority would confirm it, but that didn't stop the rumor mill from coalescing into speculation. Teffa had a feeling the indicted were not the only ones who knew about Blackdawn, so the whispers managed to get around.
The Slarmian Major-domo felt movement behind her and turned to look to find Lakita peeking out her apartment door. "Mernin Lakita." Teffa greeted the Largath.
Lakita blinked sleepily, "Mernin..."
"Temin fu ezit showin Lakita ferin batta werkit?"
Teffa smiled, "Aya, Lakita, Teffa ayum merin zep dun batta werkit."
The Slarmian slipped off the couch and slithered into Lakita's apartment. Teffa led the way into the Largath's bathroom. She slipped over the edge of the massive tub and showed Lakita how to work the shower and faucet controls.
Lakita nodded, then made a funny face, "Thank you, Teffa, I was worry I break it."
Teffa's eyes grew large, "Very good, Lakita, that was excellent Slarmian!"
"I want better to learn." Lakita nodded.
Teffa nodded, "It would be good to chat in Slarmian, then we can both do Terran with Agatha."
Lakita listened, she bit her lip, "Try, I am will."
They switched places, Teffa slipped out of the tub, and Lakita eased herself over the edge. Lakita wasn't wearing a stitch of clothing, her full figured hulking body on display. Teffa noted the Largath rippled with muscle under the generous insulation of body fat and thick skin. Her massive breasts bounced and swayed with her movements.
Lakita fiddled gently with the bath controls, starting the tub to fill, adjusting the temperature and Teffa and Lakita shared a smile of accomplishment.
"Have fun, enjoy the bath, I'm going to have some tea." Teffa smiled.
Lakita smiled, "Thank you, Teffa, tea enjoy you too."
Teffa waved and slithered back out to the common room. She made her way to the kitchen and started prepping her tea pot. The smell of coffee permeated the kitchen and the common room. Teffa thought coffee smelled divine, but tasted terrible. She put a kettle on to boil for her tea and as she turned she was greeted by Agatha.
"Mernin, Teffa." Agatha smiled.
"Goode morneng, Agetha." Teffa replied in Terran.
Agatha beamed broadly, "Well done, please continue."
Teffa smiled encouraged. "Lakita es takeng hursef a morneng beth, Teffa am show hur how to werk tah kontrolz."
Agatha nodded, then went over the sentence a little at a time then had Teffa repeat it.
"Lakita is taking a morning bath, I showed her how to use the controls."
Agatha nodded proudly, "Perfect."
Teffa beamed.
"You can practice all you want, Teffa." Agatha smiled.
"I will." Teffa smiled, encouraged with her progress.
Agatha poured herself a cup of coffee, adding just a little sweetener.
Teffa inhaled with a look of concentration on her face, "Teffa...'I' red file on Durx lass neyte, he es dekorated vetrin, Tef... 'I' tink he have made bed-bad choices.
Agatha nodded, "That may be, but it's not going to help him with any charges."
Taffa shook her head and pouted, "No... Et no help him."
The Slarmians' emotions felt despondent to Agatha.
Agatha put down her cup and gave Teffa a hug, "It's okay, Teffa." The affection between the two was genuine and familial. When Teffa's kettle started to whistle the embrace broke apart and Teffa made herself some tea.
"Are you ready for interviews today?" Agatha asked.
Teffa nodded, "I am ready."
"Good, I will support you in any way you need." Agatha smiled.
Vika finished her reconnaissance report.
The last section about Mary and Vika's complete disclosure to her left the crew speechless.
Finally Max asked the question, "I see you really trust her."
Una-Vika nodded and with conviction said, "Yes."
Max turned to Joon, "Looks like we have a potential ally."
Joon pursed her lips in thought, "If Vika thinks this Mary is worthy of trust, I see no reason to think otherwise. We've done very well with the people we have trusted so far." Joon thought about how her family was built on that trust and how it grew to include Teffa, Zess, Miku, Nomissa and now Lakita. "Okay, this new information on the Bract does broaden our understanding."
The crew nodded in agreement and Paula took a sip of her tea as Samira glanced at Astrid, "Are you going to enlighten us on your progress?"
Astrid blinked, "Oh, goodness, yes, if you don't mind?"
Everyone giggled softly.
Max nodded to Astrid, "Please do."
"Well..." Astrid began, "I'm going to make a magic metal."
Joon smiled, "Magic metal made from gold, silver and copper?"
Astrid smiled, "I know it sounds silly, but yes: they are a big part of it."
"Only a part?" Una-Vika asked.
Astrid nodded to her, "Yea, the rest will come from me."
Max shared a look with Joon. Max started to say something, but Joon jumped ahead of her, "Nothing dangerous, right?" Everyone focused on Astrid, waiting for her answer.
"I'm not planning on anything dangerous, but I don't actually know exactly how it will go, I've never done anything like this before." Astrid replied, her eyes not focused on anything. Astrid's wetware had been running simulations of the proposed procedure in the Galley. Previously the procedure was situated in the Engineering bay which was directly adjacent to the engines, power core and tachyon room.
Several of those simulations weren't very encouraging, with the Deirdre exploding and a significant portion of the dock area on Depot03 obliterated. Astrid thought it wise not to bring up that particular result. "I'm still working out the kinks." She said, her smile felt a little weak.
Max nodded, "Let us know what we can do to help, we all support you."
Astrid smiled, "Thank you, I appreciate that." She looked at Agatha standing at the Galley doorway. "I would like to use the Galley for my experiment." Astrid said hopefully.
Agatha smirked, "Of course you can, just don't make a mess we can't clean up."
Astrid went wide eyed, "N-no, of course not."
Everyone giggled, as Astrid bit her lip.
Joon sat at her desk in Medical, staring at a hologram of a common Bract. She had been rolling the new information that Vika had brought home around in her mind. Paula was dutifully parsing datawork, her tenacity in her area of expertise was staggering. Joon raised an eyebrow as a thought entered her mind, "I wonder how long Bract normally live..." She didn't say it very loud, as it was mostly just her musing.
Paula glanced over at her Ambassador, "It doesn't say in your data?"
"It says twenty years, which seems a little low, don't you think?" Joon looked at Paula.
Paula pursed her lips, "For a species that spends its life in space, yes."
Joon nodded.
*Sweetheart?*
Joon directed her thoughts to Agatha.
*Yes, Mistress?*
*How long would you say Bract live?*
*Oldest example, or average?*
*Well, since we know that the Adolescent Bract make up a vast percentage of the population, let's go with the oldest example.*
*In that case, I have an interesting tidbit of information, though it is not conclusive.*
Agatha had Joon's undivided attention.
*I went through the meta-data on the message that Vika sent from Mary's residence.*
*It suggests that the account that the message was sent from is three hundred eighty four years old.*
Joon blinked,
* Good god, Ag's! We don't have nearly a complete picture of the Bract.*
*Not yet, but I believe we are getting closer.*
*Thank you, I'll mull that over for a while.*
*Yes, Mistress.*
Joon swallowed, "Agatha had a very interesting insight."
Paula didn't look up from her datawork, "What was that, M'lady?"
"Mary may have been hanging around for over three and a half centuries." Joon said to her Administrative Assistant.
Paula paused, she slowly turned her head, "That's quite a while, M'lady."
Joon smirked, "I know! Right?"
Astrid tightened the clamp and let go: the framework was finished.
Samira nodded, "Is that it?"
"It should be." Astrid smiled.
"Are you going to test it?" Samira raised an eyebrow.
Astrid bit her lip, "I have been."
Samira narrowed her eyes, "You have been?"
Astrid nodded, "My wetware has been running simulations on this project since oh two hundred."
"Simulations?" Samira's mouth opened. "Astrid, Simulations are great, but they don't account for everything."
"A lot of simulations." Astrid looked down at her feet.
Samira pursed her lips, "How many are we talking about?"
"Forty six thousand four hundred and eleven completed simulations, and I am running one hundred and eighty six right now." Astrid said, still looking at her feet.
Samira swallowed, "Fuck!"
Astrid looked up.
"All of that with your wetware?" Samira asked softly in disbelief.
Astrid nodded, "I have a little extra processing speed and memory."
Sam blinked, she gave Astrid an incredulous look, "A little?"
Astrid's eyes watered, and her bottom lip quivered, "Please, don't look at me like that."
Samira stopped immediately, pulling Astrid into her arms. "Oh, Astrid, I'm sorry! I am here for you; I will always be here for you." Samira crooned.
Astrid laid her head on Samira's shoulder, closed her eyes and sighed softly. Samira held her, kissed her hair and whispered sweetly to Astrid. The moment continued until Astrid raised her head smiling softly.
"Thank you, Sam... I needed that." Astrid sniffed and cleared her throat.
"So what's the next step, Chief?" Samira smiled.
Astrid smiled back, "Set up, pre-checks, and launch."
Samira nodded, "Let's do it."
"I'm going to need more eyes to set up." Astrid stated.
"So, I should gather the crew?" Samira inquired.
"What? Oh no, 'I'm' gonna need eyes, me..." Astrid clarified.
Samira nodded in understanding.
"I'll use the security drones Ambassador Zess gave me." Astrid smiled.
So the Deirdre's Chiefs pulled the drones from storage.
Astrid had fully disassembled and reassembled one of them already so she knew how they were designed. She spent a little time prepping the remaining four as she thought about all the drones she had on Deirdre, there were dozens of them. Some gained from suspicious sources, according to Max, some purchased from the Dauzakai holonet, and then these gifts from Ambassador Zess.
They were immaculate examples of Dauzakai technology, light but strong, exceptionally engineered, and tough. When Astrid was satisfied she brought them online and the Chief Engineer immediately initiated cybernetic interface protocols.
Her wetware came alive, literally.
She likened the feeling of only hearing the first part of half a conversation, to sitting in the middle of a discussion of dynamic friends having a passionate interaction. The five drones hung in the air, looking all around themselves, visually seeing and investigating the world around them.
Astrid didn't consciously see through their eyes, but she could if she wanted to. She stood tall, and cleared her throat as Samira stood next to Astrid.
To Samira's amazement, the five drones turned to face Astrid when she cleared her throat like they were paying her close attention and needed to listen. Samira found the interaction enchanting, these were not cold electronic drones. They felt... Alive.
Astrid smiled at her little friends.
Samira wasn't sure if Astrid did it by design or her mind just expressed itself spontaneously. She gave them reactions like people had, the floating drones expressed themselves with natural movements such as a slight tilt, a nod, shaking back and forth. Samira watched as Astrid welcomed them, then introduced herself.
If she was doing this performatively, it was very well done. However, Samira suspected Astrid wasn't doing this for anyone but herself. She didn't treat these Drones like tools, or even minions: they were coworkers.
Astrid lent them personality so she could relate with them. They were going to be her eyes for the project so she felt they needed to trust her. Samira smiled softly, having fallen in love with Astrid and seeing the proof of how the Engineer had won her heart.
Vika yawned, then stretched.
"How did you sleep?" Agatha asked next to her.
Vika nodded, "Okay."
"I noticed you were in Portent." Agatha raised an eyebrow.
"Yes." Vika sat up.
Agatha pursed her lips, "Is it any better?"
"No." Vika replied.
Agatha could feel her frustration.
"Is there anything I can do?" Agatha asked, she pouted a little.
Vika saw that pout, "I don't know."
"There is a storm on the horizon, but we are not yet ready and I don't see a path."
Agatha nodded, "You learned two abilities: in one day."
Vika nodded, "In this, we must all succeed together."
"How much time do we have?" Agatha asked.
Vika sighed, "I don't know."
Agatha nodded, "Astrid is setting up for her experiment, then I will start lunch."
Vika smirked, "If there is a Galley left."
Agatha raised her eyebrow, "Should I be worried?"
Vika shrugged, "I hope not."
"Joon wants to scan you." Agatha commented.
"Yes," Vika nodded and crawled to the edge of the bed.
Agatha followed her.
They sat side by side on the edge, Vika's feet did not touch the floor.
"I like borrowing your Hand, you let me feel tall when I want." Vika said softly.
Agatha leaned a little towards Vika, turning her head with a finger. She kissed her smaller wife, then in a whisper said, "Anytime."
Vika smiled. She hopped down, slipped on her shorts and flannel and padded out of the CQ turning to the rampwell up to the quarterdeck and to Medical.
Agatha sighed, and flopped back, looking up at the ceiling.
*Mistress, Vika is on her way to see you.*
*She just Shadowstepped onto Paula's desk and gave her a wicked liplock.*
*Oh, good for her!*
*Now it's my turn, what did you say to her?*
*Anytime.*
*Naughty Catgirl, getting your wife all revved up.*
Mental giggles.
Agatha wondered how the kitchen experiment was shaping up, some interesting emotions were coming from there.
Max looked through the cleaned barrel as she held it up to the light. The spotless Lands and Grooves were made of a highly wear resistant alloy that Max had once learned but escaped her at the moment.
Most of the weapon was constructed of a carbonite polymer that Terrans had used for generations. Durable, reliable, and accurate. Three qualities Marines across the Terran Federation depended on with their weapons. The modified XR75 Max was cleaning was no exception.
It had the same bullpup frame made from carbonite polymer, and the same highly wear resistant barrel as an off the rack XR75. Once you got to the other features things started to change. It was a heavily suppressed, low velocity version of the newest standard TFMC rifle.
Low profile night-sight optical package with minimal-radiance directional graphics ensuring a broad sight picture with pinpoint accuracy out to twenty meters without giving away one's position. Max used coupled, off set, high-capacity magazines which allowed her to expend more rounds to confirm kills.
Single shots were risky in most cases, If you missed a single killshot it could compromise an entire mission. Fully compensated recoil allowed her to use three round bursts, her preferred killshot methodology. The rifle had seen Max through dozens of missions.
She didn't like using it, but it was once a part of her. With her rifle, Max hit what she aimed at.
Agatha had acquired a similar level of ability with the other XR75 on the Deirdre, however, she was far better than Max with the XLR120. Samira was a very close second, and was most likely better at closer ranges with her Kaimau Hurricanes.
Those classic pistols did not have the fancy new bits that adorned modern TFN sidearms. With Samira though, they would have been superfluous, her wetware was far superior.
None of the other wives seemed interested in firearms. Vika disdained them, relying on her windblades for ranged attack or the occasional fragmentation grenade. Joon knew how to use firearms, she even liked shooting at a range with friends or family. The lovely Ambassador would only use one in defense and only if absolutely necessary.
Max had given Astrid a primer on all of the firearms in the armory but she didn't show much interest in a sidearm, other than how it worked and if she could improve its performance. Paula had been trained in pistols, and had recently used the DL5 squad support weapon in combat; but her battlefield of choice was bureaucracy, where she was a Veteran Ace.
Max swabbed out the barrel then applied a thin coat of oil, then put her rifle back together. This once routine activity was nostalgic, but brought dark thoughts of a life left behind. The Dame Captain had grown beyond such need, to learn how to hunt, as Ira once told her.
Still, those skills were well learned and were associated with lots of practice, like her archery. And in the course of this new life, she suspected those skills may yet again be needed. Max eased the rifle into the rack where she kept it in the armory of her ship. Her home, where her family was.
Suddenly Max felt the floor move under her feet.
*Sitrep*
*Astrid is doing Sorcery*
Max thought about that a few moments then felt it again.
*Is it going to tear the ship apart?*
Max raised her eyebrows waiting for Agatha's answer as another shift was felt under her boots and elbows.
*Ag's?*
*Astrid seems to have it under control now.*
Max chuckled.
*Oh good, I would hate for our busy schedules to be disrupted with our ship coming apart around us.*
*Sarcasm?*
*Yes, sorry.*
Max smirked, then felt a mental hug.
Joon bit her lip as the kiss concluded. Vika leaned back, she moaned happily.
"That was unexpected, but very nice, Thank you, Vika." Joon said softly.
Paula watched with a smile. Vika was sitting on the edge of Joons desk, her feet on the arms of Joon's chair. Joon had both her hands up the legs of Vika's shorts as her fingers rubbed Vika's labia, massaging the tiny muscular woman.
Joon watched Vika's delightful expressions with her eyes shut tightly and a soft chirp came from Vika's open mouth. Joon shared an excited look with Paula.
Then Vika opened her eyes, "I don't want to stop, but you wanted a scan?"
Joon nodded slowly to her shorter wife, extricating her hands from Vika's shorts, "Let's see how your heart is doing."
They quickly got Vika up on the scanner where Vika disrobed in a few subtle movements.
Joon did three quick scans then got a quick glance at a now naked Vika with har shapely, muscular legs spread. Paula couldn't help herself: she got up from her desk and knelt down next to the scanner before she buried her face into Vika's pussy.
Joon bit her lip, watching the expression on Vika's face as she reluctantly went to her desk and checked the results of the scans. Vika appeared to be in her normal 'Agatha upgraded health', though Joon noticed her electrolytes were lower than usual. So the Medical professional went back over to offer her conclusions.
Vika was now working on an orgasm so Joon thought it might be informative to get a scan of that as well so Joon ran the sensitive sensors while Vika shuddered.
She returned to her chair and reviewed the data while Paula returned to her desk, contentedly licking her lips and wiping her face.
Paula swallowed, "So how is she?"
They shared a naughty glance.
Joon smiled, still looking at the data, "You tell me."
"Delicious!" Paula sighed happily.
Joon got back up and was back over at the scanner where a still panting very happy patient was recovering, a satisfied smile plastered on her face.
"Ms. Yavikova, I am pleased to tell you, your body did not sustain any lasting injuries from your use of your abilities. I would recommend being well hydrated before doing that kind of activity: specifically, drink fluids with higher electrolyte levels."
Then Joon reached out and touched Vika's nose, "Boop!"
Suddenly a flash of white glowed in Joon's eyes and a soft white aura surrounded Vika's naked and sprawled body for a few moments then faded into her.
Vika stared wide eyed.
Joon glanced at Paula, she was also wide eyed.
Vika and Paula shared a look
"Huh, looks like I found my first Priest Ability." Joon smirked.
"I have called my 'nose boop' a blessing before. Now it really is."
Paula blinked, "Bless?"
Joon nodded, "Yup! Don't move Vika, let me get a scan." For the next ten minutes Joon ran the same scans she had just run on Vika earlier, again. She compared the results from both sets, "Vika's second set of results showed a documentable increase in all health characteristics. Even electrolytes were up."
"I was a little sleepy from the climax, but I feel ready to do anything now." Vika smiled.
Joon listened, then peered at Vika.
"Would you be willing to subject yourself to the same kind of conditions you experienced from Spiritwalking and Shadowstepping, to facilitate testing my Bless?"
Vika nodded immediately, "Yes."
Paula replied with awe, "That is very generous, Vika."
Vika responded, "We must all succeed together, this is for Family."
The statement garnered endearing looks from both of her wives. Joon and Paula shared a glance then both got up and gave Vika a salvo of smooches, hugs, and kisses.
There was an odd movement that everyone felt.
The three spouses looked at each other.
Then it happened again. Then again and it felt like it got stronger.
It stopped and didn't repeat. Paula raised her eyebrows, "What was that?"
Joon glanced up for a second, "Oh, it was Astrid. Agatha said that was what Sorcery feels like."
Samira and four Hands of Agatha eased a spare length of deck plating from the ship's stores through the doorway into the Galley. They carefully laid it across the center island after Samira had hinted that Astrid might want to protect the surface.
Astrid, of course, agreed with her. One Agatha remained to watch the set up of the small triple smelter and the heat resistant ceramic crucibles.
Agatha peered at Samira, "So three smelting crucibles and one crucible for the Sorcery?"
Samira nodded, "Yup! Magical metal crafting should be fun!"
Agatha smiled. Astrid was concentrating on the minutiae of the project, her small army of drones checking alignments from five additional angles while Astrid made very small adjustments. She was only going to use three ingots in this test, one of each.
The different weights and other properties of the metals made mixing them into an alloy very interesting. Normally such an alloy had very few qualities that would be considered valuable. But: Astrid's project wasn't just metallurgy; she intended something more drastic, and dangerous.
She was going to destroy those three metal ingots at the atomic level.
To do it, she needed them in a specific state, and she had to do it with her magic. The glaring flaw in her plan was that Astrid only had that magic in theory. She had already tried it with room temperature solid ingots; the only result was receiving a headache from the strain.
Astrid hated the idea of just trusting in a solution her mind eventually came up with. In fact, it was laughable, no scientist would trust without testing exhaustively. Astrid had a feeling though, and that was the real problem.
The scientific method did not give a shit about feelings.
Stars burn whether or not you love them, cast aspersions at them, or even praise them for burning so well. Science didn't care, for good or bad, it just was.
Magic though, Astrid thought, might be something very different.
Astrid sighed, the set up was complete everything looked like her mind thought it should. She needed a moment to relax...Before Launch.
They sat together in the Mess, Agatha served tea and coffee.
"Are you ready for this?" Samira smiled at Astrid.
Astrid nodded, "I think I am."
Agatha shared a smile with Samira, "What do you think, Guide Paladin?"
Samira smiled, "I have faith! My Aegis showed me this system works and I could trust in it.
The word trust echoed in Astrid's ears. Astrid thought about how her family had trust in each other. That made her smile, trusting in the System Agatha made for them: just for them.
Astrid looked at Agatha as she pondered, practically staring at her chatting with Samira.
*I trust you, Agatha, I trust this feeling I have for you, for my family.*
Agatha slowly turned her focus from Samira to Astrid and smiled.
*I rely on your trust and love, my beautiful, brilliant wife.*
Astrid blinked, then smiled broadly. After tea Astrid felt refreshed, she made her way back into the Galley. Her little coworkers were still holding stations at various heights and angles around the furnace. Samira and Agatha stood at the doorway from the Mess to observe the event.
The Galley was larger than Engineering several times over, it was lined in heat shedding tile and covered in stainless steel.
Astrid took a deep cleansing breath, then concentrated. For all of the timing of procedures she delegated to her wetware.
The tiny unusual furnace sprung to life and Astrid watched the temperatures climb. The little smelting pots soon glowed as the next step began: a modest ballet of science ensued and Astrid felt herself swept up in the performance.
The ensemble performed a perfectly coordinated routine. Then it was her cue: she entered the stage tentative at first, like she remembered the positions in the play. Astrid followed the choreography and through the small, graceful, but necessary steps, she slowly gained momentum building up to a leap.
A magical leap across the stage, legs stretched out, arms wide. Astrid's outstretched hand focused on the center crucible. The crucible's orange glow slowly turned a brilliant violet just before Astrid's wetware slowly tipped the three smelting pots of metal and Gold, Silver and Copper poured in unison into the violet crucible.
There was a pulse of something Astrid could not describe. It felt like a shock wave, but moved more slowly, moving through her and everything around her. Everything in the kitchen shifted with the wave, Astrid heard dishes, utensils, and glasses clattering, but her concentration didn't waiver.
The metals were now in an orchestrated melange on an atomic level. Astrid couldn't stop the process until it was finished.
Then it happened again, faster.
A glass broke, one of the pots fell out of a cupboard.
The pulse felt oddly familiar, it left her with a resolute feeling.
And again, faster still.
Another glass broke, something fell in the pantry.
Astrid could feel the ship move, she hadn't anticipated this kind of power byproduct. She had to contain it somehow until the process was completed. All she had was that feeling.
Astrid's other hand came up and a shimmering sphere formed around the tiny furnace from thin air. The sphere was lavender, crystal clear with a slight surface movement like water in a pond.
Astrid let that resolute feeling contain and absorb the dangerous waves of power. The Barrier allowed the process to continue without fear of breaking everything around it.
Astrid would keep it up until her wetware told her the process was complete and the minutes ticked by; the waves increased in frequency but the sphere held. Astrid couldn't fathom how, but she could feel the energy from those waves...Inside her.
Like she was collecting it, storing it.
This Barrier had to be a seperate Ability, she could only guess it was for Mage. Then the waves stopped. When they did, her wetware went through the safety procedures and put the tiny furnace into cool down mode.
Astrid looked into the center crucible and saw there was a deep-violet, metallic puddle cooling and solidifying.
She did it! She made Oricalcum!
Astrid had destroyed three elements to make something new. She didn't want to call it an alloy, because nothing of the original metals should have remained. Astrid refused to believe it was a new element, or at least, not yet. She would have to do exhaustive tests.
Astrid realized the sphere was still there so she let it go with her feelings and the wet looking lavender bubble faded away.
"That was wild as fuck, Asa-chan!" Samira beamed her a smile.
Agatha nodded, "Indeed, it was most exciting."
From start to finish it took about twenty minutes, plenty of time for Agatha to clean up to make lunch. Astrid took a deep breath and smiled.
Agatha shoed Samira and Astrid out of the Galley and managed the clean up with ease. Five Hands went through like a small cyclone, then Agatha made lunch.
She didn't go all out, but she threw together a wonderful soup and sandwich meal. Agatha's signature Tomato Basil Soup was a crew favorite and the BLT Sandwiches only made it better. Everyone complimented the Chef and Agatha gave a curtsy then served shortbread with the after lunch tea and coffee.
Agatha sat down between Max and Paula as the lunch was settling comfortably in everyone's tummies. Max listened to the light conversations around the table, then cleared her throat. Everyone stopped and changed their focus.
"I'm sure everyone is aware that something unusual occured before lunch." Max said, adding a smile afterwards.
Joon blinked, "What are you talking about, sweetheart, nothing unusual happens on Deirdre, this ship is so placid and unassuming!"
Giggles around the table gave Max confirmation of the kind of humor her family enjoyed. Astrid raised her hand and Max nodded to her.
"I am very sorry if I disturbed anyone, I am now quite sure I can perform my Sorcery in Engineering without any negative effects on the ship or crew." Astrid said, her voice soft but clear, "I am just hoping that the third power wave didn't affect anything beyond the ship and cause a disturbance in the port."
Max and Joon shared a look, and Joon nodded to her first wife and Captain. Max leveled her eyes at Astrid, who was staring at her tea cup. "Chief Engineer Komatzu," Max began, "I understand you have successfully completed the first step in your chosen craft, and I applaud you."
Max did applaud, and the rest of the table joined her. They stopped after a few moments, Astrid's cheeks were rosy, and she was smiling.
Max continued, "Can you tell us all what exactly you did, and what you discovered?"
Samira held Astrids hand in one of hers. Astrid nodded, then looked into thin air for a moment. "Transmutation is both Art and Science, I came at it from a purely scientific perspective, which is why I feel you felt the ship move. I was able to compensate, and succeed in the Transmutation. From Gold, Silver, and Copper I was able to make Oricalcum."
Astrid placed the now solidified deep-violet ingot on the table, she gently slid it into the middle for everyone to see." It's surface had taken the shape and texture of the crucible it had been made in. Tiny ripples of lavender could be seen in it, like the grain of a fine hardwood.
Max reached out her hand, "May I?" She asked the Sorceress.
"Yes, please." Astrid smiled.
Max expected it to be heavy, it was not: "It's so light." Max was impressed.
Astrid explained her initial findings, "It is lighter than Aluminum and harder and more resilient than any known Tungsten alloy."
Max passed the Oricalcum ingot to Joon. The Ambassador held it in her hand and looked closely at it.
Astrid continued, "It has some extraordinary properties that I intend to thoroughly study. I already know it sheds heat with extreme alacrity and conducts electricity better than Silver. Thus far I have been unable to find anything to corrode or deform it. In fact, so far I can't even scratch it with anything."
Joon passed it back to Max, who passed it to Agatha.
Agatha smiled, "It's so pretty." She passed it to Paula, who held it with a kind of reverence.
Astrid said, "Other than the properties I just mentioned, it doesn't react to anything I have subjected it to."
Paula gave it to Vika, who stared at the violet ingot.
"So you can't shape it?" Vika asked.
Astrid sighed, "That's one of the properties I mentioned, I can shape it."
Vika passed it to Samira who smiled and passed it back to Astrid. Astrid held it in her hand for everyone to see. She waved her other hand over it then made a gesture like a needle pulling thread.
A thin string of Oricalcum followed her hand up from the ingot. "I can shape it like clay with Sorcery." Astrid said, her voice neutral, like in a trance. No one said a word for a while.
Samira smiled, "The applications for it are legion!"
Max cleared her throat again, but not for effect, "That is simply astounding, Astrid."
Astrid lowered her hand slowly and the thread sank back down into the ingot. "I think I'll be Transmuting in Engineering for a while, I have a really good idea of what I want to do with it." Astrid said, she smiled softly.
Joon nodded, "Drones?"
Astrid nodded, "For now, yes, I am already working on new weapon's systems."
Max blinked, "Since you made the Orical-stuff?"
Astrid smiled, "I have become more proficient with my wetware."
"Go ahead, tell them." Samira encouraged.
Astrid shared a look with Samira then nodded. Joon raised an eyebrow. Paula looked curious.
"I am currently designing seven weapon's systems." Astrid bit her lip.
Max tilted her head, "Just before lunch?"
Astrid smiled, "Right now."
Joon nodded, "I knew it! It is multiplicative!"
Astrid and Samira both nodded.
Samira smiled then looked at Astrid, "Tell them the other stuff."
Astrid looked a little embarrassed, "I discovered my first Mage ability: Barrier. It was instrumental in containing the transmutation process." Astrid explained, "As far as I can tell, my Mage Barrier doesn't just resist things, it absorbs the energy expenditure and... Gives it to me."
"And?" Samira prompted.
"I can now also speak with Agatha telepathically," Astrid smiled at Agatha.
Max looked at Agatha.
Agatha nodded, "I wanted her to announce it, I didn't want to steal her thunder, as it were."
Everyone cheered for Astrid. Astrid bit into a shortbread biscuit in celebration.
"Othay, I am thone, nothing elthe from me forth a while." Astrid said with her mouth full of delicious buttery goodness.
Everyone giggled. Vika and Paula eyed Joon and Agatha smiled knowingly. Max saw the stare down and looked at Joon quizzically.
Joon sighed, "I don't want to follow that! It would be like trying to follow the Lion on Terra."
"It needs to be announced." Vika said with a nod.
Paula nodded to her wife, "I agree, it is also important."
Max raised her eyebrow at Joon, "As you like to say to me: Dish."
Astrid and Samira leaned in and gave Joon their full attention.
Joon sighed again, "Fine. I discovered my first Priest Ability: Bless.
Samira beamed, "Nice!"
"What does it do?" Astrid asked.
Max smiled broadly, "Wait, is it..." She wasn't able to finish as Joon reached out.
"Boop." Joon entoned
A flash of white glowed in Joon's eyes, a soft white aura surrounded Max for a few moments then faded into her.
Max inhaled, "Oh wow!, what a rush, that feels incredible."
Vika beamed and nodded.
Joon nodded, "Vika has agreed to be my test subject to discover all of the attributes, but it definitely improves the overall health of the subject."
"I will give you a better idea after I run my own tests." Joon winked at Astrid.
Astrid smiled.
Samira nodded, "In the Fantasy genre a Bless increases stats and can also give the target a HoT.
Paula blinked, "What's a Hot?"
"It stands for Heal over Time," Samira explained, "It's the opposite of a DoT."
Paula tilted her head waiting for the explanation of that acronym.
"DoT stands for Damage over Time, a nasty line of spells used mostly by unsavory spell casters." Samira smirked.
Joon pursed her lips in thought, "How would I determine if my Bless has a HoT attached to it?"
Samira smiled, "Find someone who is injured."
Paula stared at Joon, "Like Lioness Rachel did after so many battles."
"Whoa, wait a minute Paula, get that starry look out of your eyes, I'm not Dr. Voss." Joon retorted.
"She is a Lioness and the Angel of Terra! I'm already an Ambassador, and we don't know if it will work." Joon concluded.
Samira looked compassionate, "I don't see why you can't be both an Ambassador and a healer."
Joon paused to think.
Max shared a look with Samira.
Samira nodded, "I will say this right now, If what I suspect is true, I will also gain a healing ability at some point. I fully intend to help and heal any person who needs it."
Joon locked eyes with Samira. Green and Gold seemed to have a conversation without words. Agatha felt the emotions, some were difficult.
Then Joon nodded, "Okay, I cannot say the same."
Eyes went wide at the table. Max shared a look with Joon and Joon smiled.
"We are all different, and that is perfectly fine." Joon explained. "I just happen to believe there are some people who do not deserve to be healed or helped."
Samira thought about that, "Like a Criminal?"
"Perhaps: I suppose it would depend on what the crime is." Joon pursed her lips.
"I don't believe we should judge." Samira said softly.
Joon nodded, "I agree, take it on an individual basis, from your own impressions. Just don't lock yourself into a commitment you cannot fulfill morally."
Samira thought about that and everyone sipped their beverages in silence.
Samira nodded, "I will amend my earlier declaration, I desire to remain on the light side."
Joon smiled, "I never doubted that dear Sam."
Samira and Joon shared that smile.
Paula exhaled, "That was uncomfortable."
Astrid nodded. Max shared a look with Paula.
Max smiled, "Uncomfortable, but not unreasonable."
Paula nodded, "True."
Joon smiled at Samira, "Family means talk things out."
"I completely agree." Samira nodded.
Vika smirked at Samira and Samira winked back at Vika.
Max nodded, "Anything else we should hash out?"
No one said anything.
Max smiled, "Meeting adjourned."
Teffa slithered up the rampwell, she felt drained and couldn't wait for lunch. She had meant to get a cup of tea mid-morning, but too many interviews ran long. The Major-domo met with a good many excellent prospects.
Every one she liked had the kind of up-beat open-minded personality she enjoyed. She made a list of prospective hires: she would submit them to Agatha for approval. Teffa stopped at the top of the winding rampwell and stretched, she had hoped to feel better afterwards, but unfortunately, it did not come to pass.
She slithered down the short hall to the Family level common room. Teffa and Agatha had taken time to figure out how to divide up the Consulate, soon to be Embassy, into sections.
At the advice of Penii and especially Kiss, Agatha and Teffa divided the old precinct into three areas, General, Staff only, and Family only. The Third floor was almost entirely Family only, with limited access by Staff. The second floor would be primarily Staff only, the remainder of the building would be for General use.
The Cells were the only area in the General section that posed a difficulty. Durx would not be their guest forever, so that problem was only temporary.
Teffa sighed as her thoughts returned to Durx. Most of the morning she had been too busy to think about him. His file said that he was born and raised in the Hybinus region of Staverka where people still called it Slarmsk and some attitudes reflected that immensely.
It was a region that did not accept the newly established, enlightened norms of Staverka. The more she read, the less she liked. His record was not explicit in how Durx fit into that culture though, Teffa noticed a huge number of 'incidents' where Durx was a 'spectator.'
While he was never formally charged with anything, his frequent proximity to hate crimes in Hybinus showed a disturbing pattern. It was very hard to ignore that kind of data. Teffa sighed again as she stretched out onto the reinforced couch.
She rolled over on her tummy and laid her head on a cushion. "Why are the pretty ones always so fucked up." She asked no one. Teffa reasoned that being a Major-domo gave her access to lots of people who didn't hate so much.
Agatha began setting the table in the dining area, Teffa could smell something delicious. Agatha came out into the common room, "Hey Teffa, you okay?"
Teffa nodded, "Just tired."
Agatha nodded, "Lunch should be ready in a few minutes."
"Okay." Teffa acknowledged.
Agatha pursed her lips, knelt down next to the couch and started massaging Teffa's long back. Teffa buried her face in a cushion and moaned in delight. The massage continued until Agatha's other Hands set out lunch.
Teffa felt worlds better and wore a smile the entire meal.
Max watched the procedure, it was fantastic. She shared the doorway with Samira, who was beaming with pride. Astrid was in the middle of another session of transmutation.
She stood rigid in concentration, her arms outstretched conducting her intent. With Samira and Agatha's help, Astrid managed to set up the tiny furnace in Engineering and Astrid's sacred workspace was now rearranged into a compact industrial complex.
With a hobby-sized desktop fabricator, and miniature integrated Oricalcum mill. Astrid did not work alone, she had a dedicated work force assisting in her endeavors.
Her Security drones held stations at various points, Astrid was able to observe the process from different angles. The Sorcerous Engineer was now consuming thirty ingots at a go, ten of each and the resulting raw Oricalcum rounds were lining up across her open workbench.
Max kissed Samira's cheek and waved goodbye, careful not to disturb the production. Samira wiggled her fingers and gave Max a smile as the Captain-wife turned to the corridor. Max had agreed to help with the other intensive endeavor on Deirdre.
She walked down the ramp well into the Cargo hold.
A Hand of Agatha was sitting in her spot against the bulkhead.
"How many so far?" Max inquired.
Agatha smiled, "Six."
"How is she doing?" Max sat down next to Agatha.
Agatha nodded, "Not bad, she says she is just now starting to get tired."
Wuff...
Vika inhaled, "Seven."
Agatha nodded, "How was that?"
Vika knelt down, "It's either I am getting better at this because of practice."
"Or?" Max prompted.
Vika smirked, "Or my first try I did something I am not remembering."
Agatha replied, "You did say you were dehydrated after three hours of constant sneaking."
"Everyone has limitations." Max added helpfully.
Vika nodded, "We shall see."
She knelt down and closed her eyes.
Max counted in her mind up to twelve seconds.
Wuff... Vika was gone in a puff of vapor.
"That never gets old." Max smiled.
Agatha replied, raising her eyebrow at Max "I believe that is one of the reasons she agreed to do this."
Max nodded, "Touche."
Wuff... Vika plopped down on the medical scanner.
She gasped once then smiled.
Joon frowned, "Did that one hurt?"
Vika shook her head, "I think I landed on my tailbone."
"Ouch." Paula blinked.
Joon's eyes lit up, "Did you hurt yourself?"
"Joon!" Paula fussed.
"I'm just joking!" Joon smirked.
Vika giggled, "I am thirsty... I think you were right, using them together may cause dehydration."
Joon nodded, "Please don't go overboard."
Vika took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
Joon and Paula shared a smile.
Wuff...
"Is there anything we can do about it?" Joon asked, her lips pouting.
"I'm afraid not, M'lady, it's the minimal standard for every T-Fed Embassy." Paula replied.
Joon had received her bonafides for her promotion. That, in and of itself, wasn't a problem. The problem was the additional staff she would be receiving in Staverka: ten TFN clerical specialists and ten Marines.
Joon wasn't sure how this would affect things for Agatha, but it didn't make things easier. Agatha took the news in stride and immediately began planning for them.
"I take it as a very good sign." Paula nodded.
Wuff... Vika plopped onto the Medical scanner again. "Scan me." She urged.
Joon ran the scan from her comdesk. The results showed dehydration, low electrolyte count and hypothermia. "Oh! That's different." Joon smiled. She explained the results.
Vika nodded, "It makes sense, I am going somewhere when I Shadowstep, even if it is for only a moment."
"I think it's something I can work with." Joon smiled.
The petite Ambassador got up and walked to Vika but instead of the boop, she laid her hand on Vika's arm. A flash of white glowed in Joon's eyes, a soft white aura surrounded Vika for a few moments then faded into her.
Vika moaned, "Oh, that's nice."
Joon went back to her comdesk, she had let it go in continual scan mode so she could watch the results of the Bless in real time. "It's still not definitive, but the data is very encouraging." Joon reported.
Vika smiled, "It was so worth it."
Paula smirked, "Bless junkie."
Everyone giggled.
At lunch Agatha explained to Teffa and Lakita the prospective increase of Terran personnel for the Embassy.
"When is this going to happen?" Teffa asked in Slarmian.
Agatha smiled, tilting her head slightly. Teffa paused and thought about it.
"At wut time es Terrin gonna be?" She attempted.
Agatha broke down the question slowly, allowing Teffa to wrap her head around the structure.
"Wen iz them goeng to okkur?" She tried again.
"Almost..." Agatha smiled.
Lakita helped Teffa work it further, then tried again.
"When ar the Terrins going to git here?" Teffa asked.
Agatha beamed, "Better, in two to three weeks."
"Pawla sed that?" Lakita asked in Terran.
Agatha nodded to Lakita, "Yes, she is our expert."
Lakita did have more raw talent for languages than Teffa but, admirably, they were working on it together and Lakita was, as Vika said, smart and patient. Lakita and Teffa were becoming good friends.
Teffa stared at her teacup for a few moments. "What do I do about my interviews?" Teffa said out loud in Slarmian. Agatha didn't push her into Terran again, Teffa was worried.
"I want you to find the best people you can get, a core of about fifteen Slarmian employees, don't worry about the Terrans." Agatha replied in Slarmian.
"Leave them to me."
Teffa nodded, "Thenk yoo, Agitha."
Agatha smiled.
"I hoap the Terrins don't hait me." Lakita said softly in Terran.
Agatha put her hand on Lakita's, "I will take care of both of you. This evening, after work, the three of us are going to go out and buy some amazing clothes and have a wonderful dinner at a nice restaurant." Agatha said with a gleam in her eye.
Teffa and Lakita shared a look.
Agatha smiled, "A girls night out!"
Joon was back to studying her Bract Medical data.
*Mistress, we just received a request from Bob.*
Joon blinked,
*I hope the Board meeting went well.*
*It is difficult to ascertain, Bract seem to word communications in a neutral tone.*
*What did he request?*
Joon made a pensive face and looked at Paula but she was back into the datawork and didn't see Joon's expression.
*He would like to speak with you in his office.*
Joon sighed, "Bob wants to speak with me in his office."
Paula shared a look with Joon.
"That is not a good sign." Paula frowned.
"Good news is rarely given face to face."
Joon pursed her lips, "I'm going to trust your experience."
"I think we should all go: The whole crew." Paula concluded.
Joon thought about it then nodded, "Let's gather the troops."
About fifteen minutes later the crew had washed up and changed into clothes befitting a meeting. The eight departed Deirdre together, they walked in pairs with Agatha leading the way, followed by Max and Joon, then Paula and Vika with Astrid and Samira bringing up the rear.
They took the now familiar walkway.
The couples chatted with each other, but kept an eye on the traffic around them and soon they found themselves at the Depot offices. Agatha checked in at the front desk and they only had to wait a couple of minutes before a Bract secretary by the name of Timothy showed them in.
Timothy didn't say anything to them or make small talk and it seemed awfully quiet.
*What kind of feelings are you getting here, Ag's?*
*Something has happened, I am not sure what, a great deal of anxiety is in the offices.*
*That can't be because of us, can it? Perhaps from the transmutation tremor?*
*It is not directed at us, Mistress.*
They arrived at a waiting area deep in the complex; Joon recognized the long hallway beyond.
Tom came out of his office and met with them. "Your Excellency, it is so nice to see you again, I am sure Bob will be able to see you in just a few minutes." Tom said.
*He is very anxious, but not about us.*
Agatha described to Joon.
"We can wait, Tom, we are in no rush, Bob can take his time, I am sure he is dealing with a lot right now." Joon smiled.
Joon's subtle hint that she knew something was going on was not lost on Tom. He actually looked around for a moment.
Then with a very soft voice said, "It is a tragedy. One of our most valuable ships was hijacked by pirates!"
Joon and Max shared a look.
Tom very quietly continued, "They are being held for ransom. You didn't hear it from me." The Assistant manager stepped back again.
Joon nodded, then said quietly, "If there is anything we can do to help, we are at your service."
Tom paused, "Thank you, your Excellency, that is incredibly generous. If you will excuse me, I must return to my office, feel free to make yourselves comfortable." Then Tom turned and ambled off.
Everyone was at a loss, so they sat on the various shaped furniture. Max, Vika and Samira sat on the floor.
"That was very strange," Paula commented, "I did not expect a Bract confiding in us like that."
Vika nodded, "A common Bract would not."
"Because of the regulations?" Samira asked.
Vika nodded, "Yes."
Joon pursed her lips, "Maybe he is acting like an Adult."
Vika tilted her head, "Maybe so."
"What is one of the Bracts most valuable ships?" Max asked everyone.
Vika answered, "Galleon...Must be."
Astrid tilted her head, "What are the dimensions of a Galleon?"
Vika pursed her lips, "It is exactly the same shape as a Clipper, but four times larger."
"Fuckmuffins!" Astrid said suddenly, "That means they're colossal."
Max looked at Astrid, a little confused "How big?"
"If a Galleon is two Kilometers and possesses the same dimensions as a five hundred meter Clipper, they have sixty four times the volume." Astrid rattled off.
Vika nodded, "Very rare."
Max studied the floor, lost in thought.
"Why build a ship that big if you have thousands of smaller ships?" Max asked.
No one had an answer. While they waited, every so often Timothy would see if they needed anything. Joon finally requested a comfy chair, she had said it in jest, but Timothy stalked off immediately. Five minutes later Joon was in a Terran shaped comfy chair. That started a trend, and in less than ten minutes all of the crew were seated at a nice table in comfy chairs with tea being served by Timothy and another Bract named Rupert.
Only Agatha politely declined from indulging, she said she was perfectly comfortable standing in bodyguard mode.
Rupert was in charge of the Depot's Office Canteen. He brought delicious tea, coffee and Terran snack foods, it was surprising and appreciated. Agatha noted that all of the Bract were feeling the same emotions. They felt helpless and despondent.
Joon sat in her comfy chair drinking delicious tea, but didn't feel in the least bit happy. In fact she felt just as helpless as the Bract of Depot Zero Three.
Tom ambled into the waiting room, he paused and bowed to Joon. "Your Excellency, Bob can see you now."
Joon signaled for everyone to remain behind.
She laid her hand on Tom's chitinous arm as she looked into his multifaceted eyes. "Thank you, Tom, I can find my way."
Tom nodded.
Joon walked down the long hallway by herself.
The cavernous office space felt different to Joon this visit. For all of it's fine appointments, it offered no comfort. Joon made her way up the incline and She saw the large Bract Manager behind his desk.
"My apologies, Your Excellency, for making you wait." His deep voice was unwavering, but had an edge of sadness to it.
Joon walked right up to the edge of his desk, and put her hands on it. "It can't be helped, there are important things occuring." Joon said. Her voice was layered in compassion and conviction.
"You are aware of our difficulties." Bob said: it wasn't a question.
Joon met Bob's space-black eyes, "Yes."
"I regret to inform you, the Board vote was to not accept your offer at this time."
Joon nodded in acceptance, "That's fine, my mission is not an urgent one."
Bob tilted his head, "You do have at least one advocate on the board, who lobbied for your proposal."
"I was unaware, but hearing that gives me hope."
Joon pivoted back, "What can I do to help you?"
Bob didn't say anything for a few moments.
"I don't believe anything can be done, we will of course pay the ransom and hope not too many Bract have lost their lives as a result." Bob answered.
"Then it will happen again, and again and again." Joon surmised.
Bob inhaled, "Unlike the Terran Federation, all of our strategic defenses rely on economics."
"Many of our trading partners who have formal militaries have traditionally protected our commerce as well as their own."
"However, the Kirrix incursion has stripped those protections so thoroughly, they might as well not exist."
Joon nodded, "I can empathize, missteps from my own government led to similar problems, with devastating results. Despite my representation, what can I do to assist you?" Joon leaned down, her elbows on his desk, hand laced together.
"Your Excellency, I do not think your skills in entertainment and communication, however formidable, will be able to sway the criminal element involved in this incident." Bob replied in a steady deep voice.
Joon listened and nodded, then she smiled. "I have both experienced military and law enforcement professionals among my staff, including a specialist very familiar with most of the ME. If you would allow me to put aside my diplomatic mission for a moment, and trust me enough to have my people look into what you're dealing with, I am sure we can at least broaden your choices of response beyond capitulation." Joon's articulate argument, conviction, along with her willingness to put aside her government's agenda, seemed to soften the Bract manager's resolve.
Bob was silent for a very long moment, then nodded slightly.
"Very well, your Excellency, I will give you acting authority to inspect, assess and conduct analysis in this matter. Until further notice I am naming you an independent executive investigator under exclusive contract with this office. I will instruct Tom to allow you access to the information pertaining to this incident we have in our possession. Of course, You and your staff will be bound to a non-disclosure agreement if you accept."
Joon nodded, "Of course, I accept, my people will do their best."
Bob nodded, "For the Bract whose lives hang in the balance, your Excellency, I sincerely hope they do."