“Master Guard, we are receiving a signal from the world’s surface. They’re hailing us,” Crexa cries loud enough to be heard on the next deck.
“Now, that’s the best news I’ve heard all day,” Horotic utters. He stares at the forward view screen with a mixture of relief and apprehension. A familiar face fills the screen and Horotic releases a sharp gasp. The large shrike seen previously speaking with Horotic in his command center smiles back at the shrikes upon the bridge.
“It’s about time you got here, Horotic…,” The large shrike mocks. “Get lost along the way?”
Horotic looks around at his loyal crew before returning his eye to the front.
“You could say that,” Horotic says jokingly.
-
-
The ship has barely set down in the designated area, before the rear hatch opens and several shrikes step out. A crowd of otherworldly creatures—accompanied by the large shrike Horotic has been communicating with—surges forward to meet them.
“Horotic, I’m glad you are well,” the large shrike declares while offering Horotic a wing in greeting. “When our sensors detected a ship nearby, I ordered a complete scan. I wasn’t surprised to learn it was you. However, I didn’t expect you’d be bringing unwanted guests.”
“Neither did I,” Horotic confesses. “We performed several jumps, as well as scrambled our signals, to avoid detection. From what we can figure out…Those ships were already in the sector. Perhaps doing recon for Shretonian security forces. Our emergence in this space and the sudden uncloaking of an entire world…One with such a large portal...Most likely alerted them to our presence. I don’t believe they were with us all of the way. Crexa is much too thorough for that.”
“Alright, alright,” the large shrike says reassuringly and grasps Horotic around the shoulder. “No one is accusing you and your crew of anything. Relax. We can discuss matters of strategy later. Right now, I want you to meet your saviors. The Celstorans.”
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
Horotic finally takes the time to study the crowd of creatures around him. The Celstorans, enormous centipede-like characters, stand tightly packed around the group of shrikes. Chittering sounds issue from the Celstorans’ mouthparts, and their antenna wave slowly in the air. The large shrike hands Horotic a wingful of small devices.
“Here, you’ll need these,” the commander says—a smile on his beak. “Place them near your ear.”
The shrikes in attendance do as instructed and immediately the chittering noises of the Celstorans resolve into understandable words. Greetings, cheers, words of encouragement, and shouts of excitement fill the large landing area. Crexa releases a deep gasp and removes her translation device—staring at it in utter euphoria.
“Oh my,” Crexa mutters softly. “I cannot wait to reverse engineer the technology on this thing.”
The commander issues a bellowing laugh and clasps his wingtips together. “No need for that,” he informs Crexa. “You’ll be working closely with our team of engineers. They’ll show you exactly how it was done.”
Crexa replaces the device behind her ear hole and mutters under her breath. “Where’s the fun in that?”
A Celstoran, obviously the leader of the group, inches forward through the throng of citizens. She stops not far from Horotic and wriggles her antenna—her large black eyespots taking in the new resistance members.
“We are honored to have you here, brave warriors,” the Celstoran leader says. “I am Coo-haun. Juldov has told us much about your world and your struggles. Welcome. You are welcome here. We have procured accommodations for you in our guest quarters. Come. Eat…Relax…There is plenty of time to discuss battles and warring later.”
“I don’t think so,” Horotic interjects. “Those ships will undoubtedly be returning to Shretonia. They’ll be back. They know the location of your world now.”
Coo-haun laughs—a strange sound like rustling leaves.
“Yes. They will come,” the Celstoran leader admits. “But they will find nothing. You see…This is not your average world. Celstoria, is a ship. We will no longer be at those coordinates when they arrive.”
Horotic remains rooted in place as the crowd slowly follows Coo-haun towards the habitats. Crexa stands by his side—her mouth partially ajar. She turns to Horotic and lightly touches his wing.
“That’s just cool!” Crexa exclaims in an airy whisper. “Now how do you reverse engineer an entire world?”