Novels2Search

Downtime

2 Hours later...

Finlay walked through the "mall" of the ship, wide open and... surprisingly classy. White metals, golden inlays and so, so, so much glass. A disturbing view into space in almost every direction, he felt like if he just hocked a rock somewhere that would be... it. For him and any other poor bastard that was too close at the time.

"Jesus... it's pretty but come on, you'd think there would be safety standards..."

* "What has your blood pressure in a spike now?"

"Don't you think this is kind of... Open? I know it's probably a special kind of glass but this is... I feel like I'm dancing on the edge of death right now..."

* "Odd, that's supposed to help calm you down. Many species have trouble floating around in a metal box for days, let alone months on end."

"I can live with the travel stress, believe me, I used to travel with SWW... 3 suitcases I still haven't gotten back."

* "Then what's bothering you?"

"All this glass dude! One lucky rock and we're all fucked..."

* "Ah... I understand now. Finlay, go ahead and pick a window."

Easy enough task, he just had turn to his left and he was looking into one of the many shops of the ship. He didn't have a fucking clue what he was looking at, except for the Ur'Quanth working the counter. An awkward wave later and he was back to focusing on the glass... it was impossibly thin, like a sheet of paper.

* "... well don't just stare at it, give it a punch."

"Are you glitched? I don't want to smash some random dudes window..."

* "Like you have the balls to... just punch it."

Rolling his eyes, he looked over to the Minotaur-man and nodded. "Blame him." Pointing to the holo-bird, before cocking back and giving the window a good whack, turning away and waiting for the shatter to echo... and when not even the thud of his fist came he looked back at the glass.

He stood back up straight and watched as the thin pane rippled like water in slow-motion. The ripples reached the edge of the frame, bouncing back and forth until they faded away.

* "Now imagine a pane of that about a foot thick keeping you inside."

"... Okay, yeah, alright. that's... Neat."

* "Neat? technology decades ahead of your species and your reaction is Neat?"

"Look I don't have any idea on how it works, I'm not an architect or an engineer so...Neat."

Walking into the shop to get a real peek at the good's inside. Floating bottles of who knows what, if had to make a guess... paint... really colorful paint with little flecks of glitter swirling around inside. It took finding some weird drawings on a wall to finally make the full connection. "This... Is a tattoo parlor, ain't it?" Backing away slowly.

He wasn't some war-hardened badass, but he still thought his fears were logical. Except for one, His mother and one of Mama Roberts rules was no ink. Sure the chances of her leaving earth to chastise him for getting one would be low... But not 0. He had a few days to make a decision on it anyway. He'd come back after working up the courage. Giving the clerk a nod before going back to his exploration.

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

More walking around left him a little disappointed. Even in space a mall is a mall, nothing but clothing joint, clothing joint, flower shop, clothing joint, Starbucks... Starbucks? He peered over the rail for another look at the sign, green and white mermaid. Though the name has been changed to... Earthbucks, really? That's the best the team could do? He could see that it already attracted some of his fellow Terrans... more power to 'em.

"...Just how big is this fucking ship?"

* "About the Size of New York."

"The City?"

* "The State."

"Jesus Christ... for a three day trip to the edge of a Solar system... Seems like overkill. Bring up the map again?"

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(For the sake of the writer's already dead mental health... And for easy reading. All character's Speech shall be translated into English.)Xiao Lu (age: 25) wandered the halls of the ships mall, Bai ze walking in front of him acting as a barrier and guide. The Holo-Tigers tail wrapped on his wrist to stop Lu from getting too distracted. It was hard enough to stop the traditional Chinese Chef from missing his tests in Hong Kong. Take that same country bumpkin and put him on a space ship... Bai ze wished for handcuffs, oh the stress and time it would save.

Xiao Lu Is a well toned Beast of a man, He had to be. Living out in the sticks meant a hard days labor for a full belly at night. 6'2" of muscle that learned how to cook family recipes almost from day one. An only child that must carry on the tradition... He kept that mentality firmly in Sight... Until the very moment he stepped in Hong Kong. Ever since then it's been nothing but havoc for his Holo, Keeping the human from getting in trouble. Trading a basket of radishes for a chicken may have flown in his village... and while it may work out in Space as well, it didn't give their home country a good Look.

Lu: "Woooooooah. Ze-ze Look! What's this shop?"

Ze: "...It's sport equipment, Xiao."

Lu: "Sports, Yeah... Ze-ze could we go and-"

Ze: "For the love of whatever gods You pray to Xiao... Can we at least do what we were requested to do FIRST!?"

Lu: "C'mon Ze-ze! Look at this place! The Job can wait! The others are probably exploring too! Higher chance of spotting them in a store as well. I'm just doing it more thoroughly."

The Holo-Tiger grumbled and resigned itself to it's fate, tugging the excited Human into the sport shop. "We're only Looking, Understand!? Then it's back to the job..."

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Kathleen Clark

5'10" Caucasian woman, 27, Sand Brown hair tied into a bun. Years of military service had left her woefully over prepared for this it would seem. She sat bored in the Alien coffee shop and sipped quietly looking over her recipe book, and cross referencing ingredients with Nunny, Similar ingredients that could be used interchangeably with the ones her book. It gave her something to do until their trip to the edge began and the rooms would be assigned.

Nunny: "... And you're sure you don't want to explore a little bit? like at all?"

Kathy: "I'm sure... never been a fan of markets."

Nunny: "But it's not just stores... zero gravity pool, Rec center, museums, Day spa."

Kathy: "Nunny, You know we're here for work yes? expand the Earths edible food catalogue and in return do the same for the Galaxy. I for one find that more appealing than wobbling around in a floating ball of water."

The small Holo-newt shrunk even smaller as the Ex-soldier coldly rattled her words, only when Kathleen looked at the downtrodden newt did she notice her own tone... She'll have to fix that at some point.

"...Though... I suppose a Massage would be nice... after we start moving of course."

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Hada Ryou

5'6", Japanese woman, 22, Lean muscle body earned through Physical training, her hair was Cut Pixie style and spiked with gel, one spike was dyed purple. Aiko her forever kitten-Holo sat on her shoulder like a parrot. Looking dead ahead... keeping track of something or someone.

Aiko: "Target 35 meters ahead. Appears Comfortable, unaware of our presence."

Hada: "Would you calm down? no need for all the formality."

"Can you really blame me? The first thing you want to do is track and hunt down someone..."

"Mmmm, Hunt is a strong word. Some... reconnaissance~?"

"Now who's being formal? Let's be real here. You're stalking them."

"I am not, Stalking implies some level of infatuation. I'm just... Curious."

"Target turned right... The store is... Kinhaxxi Auto."

"So they're a Motorhead? That explains the leather jacket..."

"Well we don't really know that, Target 1 needs more observation... Ryou, Target 2 Has made an appearance, they're making contact... I suggest joining the conversation naturally."

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Berthold Burisyak

5'9", Son of Russia, 20, Bulky but not obese, long and lustrous sandy brown hair.

"SOMEONE GET ME OUT OF THIS DAMN BUBBLE!"