1.58 - The Pariah
It’s an old
military ship, similar to the one Creed uses for missions with small teams. It
can comfortably hold about fifteen crew members as long as your idea of comfort
is military. Doctor sleeps in the med bay, engineer sleeps in the engine room,
but it works. More often than not, it won’t be carrying fifteen people,
probably five could run the ship. A captain, a pilot, an engineer, maybe two
random squad members if the pilot can navigate as well. Edan’s ship seems
outdated at first glance but there’s a lot that has been custom made or at
least from places I’ve never been. It’s probably on par with Creed’s ship when
it comes to technology, even if I don’t recognize most of it. Probably ill-gotten
from Revrell or Draconian space.
“The Pariah
isn’t the best ship in the world, but it’s mine and it’s pretty good,” Edan
boasts.
“Why did
you name your ship The Pariah?”
“Because
we’re a ship full of weirdos. There’s me, you know how messed up we are. Mom
and dad did a number on us both. Velphi, one of the few Draconians to leave The
Draconian Empire and live. Janet is a walking HR violation. Mae is incredibly
awkward. Nastas is just, he’s Nastas; somewhere between space pirate and
business man. You can see how we would all be considered misfits in society.”
I’m a
little envious, I always wanted to reach the commander level. Then I could jump
over the Galactic Federation, and they’d give me a ship and let me cruise the
universe, doing whatever I wanted. Edan has that, and a bounty, but he has the
freedom I wanted. We step into the dining quarters, small, three tables and a
kitchen area. Same as Creed’s but bright white like the rest of his ship’s
interiors. Ship interiors never have magnificent paint jobs, but everything is
painted white in here, or some cold steel finish. It reminds me of the
rehabilitation center.
“Hey, this
is my brother,” Efrem yells at a petite woman with a blue and gold pixie cut.
“Hmm,” she
looks me up and down, making me feel dirty. “I’m Janet Stringfield,” she
extends her hand, not for a shake but a kiss.
I shake her
hand, “I’m Efrem,” I pull my hand away as she tries to hold onto it.
“Well
Efrem, I’m the pilot, navigator and do a little first aid. If you ever need to
get checked out, just call me,” Janet steps in entirely too close.
“Yeah, I
think I’m good,” I take a step back from Janet.
“Alright,
Janet. I told you, either I’m going to find an HR person or another pilot. You
need to get it together,” Edan steps between us.
“You know
it’s just my medication,” she sips her coffee, “but I wouldn’t mind if you
both,” Edan pulls me out of the kitchen. “I’m in the cockpit, pit for cocks”
Janet calls after us.
“Is your
entire crew like this? Because if so, I’m really eager to go back already,” I
say.
“No, and
I’m serious about finding another pilot, so if you know any military drop outs,
tell me,” Edan actually seems embarrassed.
“I know a
guy, but he’s got no legs,” Taffy would probably get along with Edan if he can
live with crime.
“I’m going
to pretend you didn’t just recommend a man with no legs to fly my ship,” Edan
laughs.
I walk into
a wall, or what I think is a wall. Looking again, it’s Velphi and his massive
frame. He was exiting a room labeled “lab,” I didn’t take him for a scientist,
but I’ve been wrong before.
“It is good
to see you again Efrem,” Velphi greets me.
“Good to
see you too, didn’t know you were a scientist.”
“I am no
scientist, but the room can be set for more,” Velphi searches for a word,
“reptilian climates. It is more comfortable. This has become my sleeping
location.”
“We’re
smugglers, why would we need a science lab,” Edan raises a good point, “Let’s
go, you two can catch up later,” he leads the way.
“I do not
understand,” Velphi responds. “You introduced me to your hatch mate, in hopes
that we would become friends, but now you don’t wish for us to associate?”
“No Velphi,”
Edan responds. “I simply mean we need to get to the mission briefing before Nastas
gets upset,” Edan turns to me, “Nastas is our logistics guy, my first mate and
a Meteorian. You probably never met one of them.”
“Can’t say
that I have,” I shrug. “I’m learning a lot today so why not meet a Meteorian.”
“They are
thin, yet formidable in battle and very good at getting things,” Velphi adds.
“Nastas
actually helped me get this ship,” Edan laughs.
“I’ve been
meaning to ask; how did you get a military ship? Even with all the
modifications, you shouldn’t be able to get this.”
“It’s just
a ship,” he laughs.
“No, it’s
not just a ship,” I put on my big brother look.
“Are you
going to tell mom?”
“I seem to
recall you’re the snitch in our group of hatchlings.”
“You’re
right.”
“So
snitch.”
“Nastas
knew a guy on the black market. Sold me the ship piece by piece. Some bigger
than others, but over the years, I’d buy a piece, he’d come install it. Took a
long time, but eventually, I got a whole ship.”
“Why didn’t
you just buy a normal ship? Why a former military ship?”
“Safety
features, maintained perfectly, easily modified and comes with a lot of
modifications already. Also, if you break a ship down and build it again with
some new Revrell and Draconian tech mixed in, is it still the same ship?”
“You really
do find a way to turn every conversation into a philosophical one, don’t you?”
“Yes, he
does,” I’m startled by a tall thin bald woman. “Hello Efrem, I’m Mae Bluford,
the engineer.” Mae could be Janet’s sister if it weren’t for the height and
lack of hair. Same warm beige colored skin and big eyes. Mae has a pair of
goggles hanging around her neck and is wearing a dirty jump suit, but they look
as much alike as Edan and I. Eden wanted to send Janet to human resources, but
he clearly has a type and needs to pay a trip there himself.
“How did
you know my name,” I ask.
“She knows
everything, a real stalker,” Edan says.
“I do not
stalk, I simply listen while doing my routine work,” Mae seems flustered.
“What’s
your job Mae,” I ask.
“I’m the
chief engineer,” she smiles proudly. “I manage everything that makes the ship
go fast, and also communications.”
“Which is
how you know my name?”
“I saw Edan
introduce you to Janet on the cameras. I wanted to meet you before the mission
briefing,” Mae seems to hide her face behind a small tablet.
“We should
get snacks,” Edan suddenly stops walking. “Nastas can be long winded.”
“Snacks
would be good,” Velphi responds before heading in the opposite direction.
“I’ll go
make sure we’ve got something besides insects,” Mae follows.
“What do
you think so far,” Edan asks.
“Janet
creeps me out but Velphi and Mae seem nice.”
“Good,
because the last two, a real trip. Pretty sure they’re actually in charge of my
ship,” Edan laughs. “I’m so glad to have you here,” he smiles.
“You
abducted me.”
“But we’re
bonding,” he laughs and starts to walk again.
0 comments :
Post a Comment