There’s no traffic around the wormhole, almost as if the space around consumed everything coming in and out of the wormhole. The ship continues to drift through space before a faint tug begins to pull the ship towards one of the blockade's platforms. The structure uses its own gravitational pull to ground ships and drag them from the wormhole before allowing them to enter the rest of the system. Inside the ship the temperature is slowly dropping from the sustained damage to the haul. The ship has entered its emergency power saving mode to preserve essential operations keeping living organisms alive as well as providing dim red lights along the ceiling. The captain stares through the glass as the Automatons gather around him and look to see who’s grounding them at the platform.
Bic asks the captain: “Where did we jump to? Where are we?”
“Negative on both of those questions we don’t know with half our systems down. What about the central hull, how’s that holding up?”
“It’s not, the hull finally ripped and the central cabin is not stabilized or pressurized and we could lose half the ship at any moment”- grunts Seabiscuit
“So she’s in bad condition then we need to land her somewhere on this outpost to patch her up, and get her up and running again”.
“Let’s see where this gravitational pull takes us and who’s in charge of this system” - adds the captain.
The ship continues to veer towards the gravitational pull of the bottom of the outpost. They wait for a moment silently not knowing what will face them once they make contact with the outpost.
“How did we end up in this system…” - brings up Sib with a confused look on its face.
“I think the Sumans changed the destination of our wormhole sector while we were in it”.
Seabiscuit grunts again: “What about the cargo?”
“We’ll wait till we find out who runs this system to make a decision on that front…”
The ship begins picking up speed as they get closer to the platform. They open up the landing gear and everyone in the cockpit goes to brace themselves. Just before they’re about to make contact they turn on the thrusters to ease the landing but they fail. Instead the strong gravitational pull of the outpost is too strong and overwhelms the limited thrusters. The ship crashes onto the landing platform and slides down scratching the bottom of the ship. Before the ship stops moving the back end of the ship rips off.
As the front of the ship comes to a screeching halt Kyro jumps out of his seat and waved his hands rapidly with the palms facing forward and the fingers splayed and says: “Ta-da we’re here!”
Afterwards everyone in the crew begins to filter out of the cabin, and walk through the damaged central core of the ship and walk out of the side entrance that turns into a middle opening as the other half of the ship is a few meters behind. As Kyro and the three Automatons hop out of the ship they are quickly met with a squadron of guards from the outpost. These beings are hairy beings rather tall in height about a meter and half tall, they have fur all over with four legs that end with hooves, six arms, a rounded head, and a slightly flattened and wide bill. The six arms are made up of three different pairs of arms, one is a sharp claw-like pair, another is a webbed slimy amphibious pair with slimy hands, and the last pair are furry hands of seven fingers. The guards are wearing metallic armor around their necks and chest, along with a helmet with a visor that leaves only their beaks exposed. The rest of the body is uncovered as their pores allow them for easier breathing when they're uncovered. The guards had come forth from inside the outpost each carrying staff-like items that appeared to be weapons with a circular energy part connecting the top and the bottom of the staff with veins of energy coursing throughout the tool.
The guards begin to quack to one another and then all the sudden one of the creatures stares through Kyro’s tinted helmet and straight into Kyro’s eyes. Soon after Kyro hears a voice come forth in his head that isn’t his own.
The voice rings loudly throughout the captain's head: “We are the people of Frok of the Froklin republic and this system in which you are trespassing is our home. What is your purpose here stranger? Answer this question and perhaps we will spare your lives”.
Kyro takes a moment to gather his thoughts carefully so as to safely save his skin and his crew, then decides against it and just tells the truth to the Frok guards. They must surely already know what’s on your mind.
Kyro begins: “Well we are scavengers coming from the star system of Sol, we picked up cargo from the system and got into a bit of a firefight as we attempted to escape the star system and unfortunately got trapped in the wormhole and spat out here. As you can see our ship is ready to become multiple little ships as it has already become two ships. So we simply need to patch up our vessel and we’ll be on our way out of your beautiful system”.
The five Froklin guards talk it over by quacking loudly amongst themselves.
Then the leader of the squadron voices to Kyro’s brain: “That is acceptable, we allow you to repair ship on this dock if you do favor for us, we will also require to inspect your cargo to see what so worthwhile to destroy such a piece of custom art as you say”.
Kyro thinks to himself well they’re definitely in my head now, only I call this piece of junk custom art. Everyone else just see’s it for what it is, which is most definitely a poorly welded assortment of junk.
Kyro hesitates for a moment then answers back: “That's acceptable, come with me and I will show you the ship”.
“No we go alone…”
“Alrighty it’s settled then”. - replies Kyro without much conviction.
The Froklin leader accompanied by one guard climbs into the hole of the first half of the ship to inspect the cockpit of the ship and the main cabin first. Look around briefly and exit the first half of the ship with a certain distaste for what they saw that any being with half a brain could interpret from any universe.
“Here’s where it gets interesting” - Kyro whispers to the Automatons hanging around him.
As the Froklin leader and guard go into the second half of the ship for inspection Kyro decides it would be in everyone’s best interest to make a plan in case things go sour, which they appear to be going that way very shortly. In the meantime while the guards watch Kyro and his crew Kyro and the Automatons huddle up together.
Kyro quietly asks Sib: “What are the precious resources to the Froklin and the materials' rarity on this system”.
Sib answers: “Probably ice shard metals from the Kepler-62 system, one of the moons on that system is made of the material and we were able to store a big chunk of it in your quarters”.
Kyro thinks for a moment and says: “Okay Sib I need you to sneak into the captains quarters and retrieve a big chunk, I’ll need to do some persuading because I think we have a few of their kind captured as cargo”.
“Fine I’ll go but I expect a bonus for this one captain!”
Seabiscuit adds: “We should have just dropped off the cargo with the hunter at the Suman colony, no cargo is worth dying over”.
“Relax CB-1C we aren’t dead yet and we can still turn this situation around in our favor. Now quit your bitching and stick to the plan” -replies Kyro quietly but forcefully.
“I hope you’re right captain, we already have enough enemies and owe enough debt to become cargo ourselves. Don’t forget this is our last chance to repay Vassoss”.
Kyro brushes off the comments: “Yeah I know don’t worry…yet”.
Sib quietly scurries off towards the ship and climbs into the hull of the ship to retrieve the ice shard metals. Kyro, Bic and Seabiscuit wait patiently by the entrance of the ship while the guards watch them and wait for the Froklin squad leader to return. As time slows down to the point where it felt like it was dragging Kyro and his crew wait in anticipation of who would exit the ship first, Sib pokes his head out of the ship and climbs out of the hull with the shard. Kyro quickly takes the shard from the Automaton and hides it underneath his cloak.
Kyro quietly tells the Automatons: “That should buy us some more leeway as well as if we agree to do the Froklin a favor, it can’t be that big of a deal”.
At this moment the Froklin squadron leader climbs out of the hole in the hull of the ship along with another guard. The leader rapidly approaches Kyro and before Kyro can react, swings the double joint staff around Kyro’s neck and moves up to him till its bill is face to face with Kyro’s mask.
The Froklin tells Kyro telepathically: “One movement and your neck gets sliced you filth, what you think you’re doing capturing a proud species and calling them your cargo. I should kill you right now, but I have more discipline than the likes of you savages!”
Kyro raises a finger just to be in the Froks peripherals: “But you do have more discipline than us, which is fortunate for us! We are mere scavengers, we pick up what we find and save what we can. How about we come to an arrangement instead. Something that will benefit us both…”
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The Froklin holds Kyro firmly with the staff: “Scavengers is another word for pirates I see. But I listen speak carefully…”
“How about we release the Froklin back into your custody and you can deal with them I don’t like them digging in my brain anyway too many moments I don’t want brought up.”
The Frok rolls its eyes ever so slightly and tightens its grip just a bit, squeezing the captain's neck.
“Well well hold on now. We will also help you with whatever you needed, and I will give you this ice shard metal that is a rare commodity on this system is it not? In return you provide us with materials to repair the ship and safe passage from this system” -rushes the captain to finish to not lose his breath.
The Froklin hesitates and begins to let go of Kyro but adds one more thing: “Your vessel be under our watch until you complete your end of the bargain”. The Froklin extends one of its furry hands forward for a handshake with Kyro.
“Then the Froklins will remain in my possession until you complete your end of the bargain”. - says Kyro adding a wrinkle to give himself a bit of leverage in the situation.
Kyro goes in and shakes the Froklins hand and the creature burns Kyro’s hand with his hand upon shaking hands.
“The pact complete, the burn go away once we shake hands at end of deal signifying the completion of both our parts” - says the Frok in a disapproving tone
“So what happens if we don’t shake hands at the end?”
The Froklin quacks and telepathically tells Kyro: “Then we both die this was death pact”.
Kyro grumbles: “Of course it is…”
The two leaders separate themselves while Kyro begins to wave his hand to try to get rid of pain from the burn. The Froklins quack amongst each other communicating about the task that they will ask Kyro to do. It takes a while for them to make a decision about what to do, Kyro and the Automatons take a seat on some debris waiting for the Froklins to come up with a decision. In the meantime some Froks that are less important leave to get a few others to start hauling materials over or the ship. After a while of exchange they come to a decision.
The leader of the Froklin guards tells Kyro telepathically: “What we require for you to do is to retrieve a gravity train that runs throughout this outpost. We recently had issues with retrieving it and when we sent guards they didn’t come back”.
Kyro gets a puzzled look on his face and asks: “So did you figure out what happened to them? I’m guessing there is a high probability of death in this mission?”
“No, we didn't figure out what happened to guards, for all we know they fail mission and flew off from a different sector back to planet, or maybe they’re still there. But yes most likely dangerous mission with all unknown elements”.
“Maybe there’s some other mission I can do for you instead, I sorta like my life” - says the captain jokingly.
“No it’s too late deal is sealed”.
Kyro says sarcastically: “Great, so glad I shook on that”.
“Be on your way we watch ship while robots fix” - says the Frok.
Kyro leaves the Froklin guards and tells the Automatons: “Start working on the ship, if you need any materials ask the Froklins and they’ll give them to you. I have to go retrieve their train, I’m gonna take the cargo with me and give them an offer they won’t be able to turn down…”
The captain leaves to go into the second half of the ship and the Automatons look at one another and nod their heads. They go on to inspect the various areas of the ship that had gotten damaged in their voyage so far. Kyro heads into the ship through the hole in the hull where the ship tore in half. Then heads towards the back of the ship where all the prisoners are being held. The ship has blaring sirens and flashing lights continuing even while being torn in half on the ship as well as several bursts in electrical lining as well as piping throughout the ship.
Kyro thinks to himself while putting a palm on the wall of the ship ‘really should’ve tried to preserve you better my darling but we will patch you up until you’re good as new’. He feels the faint humming of the ship as it’s slowly losing power and various systems are failing.
Kyro turns his focus away from the ship and continues throughout the corridor of the ship that has blue lights lighting up the pathway within. As Kyro reaches the end of the hallway and opens the door to the cell block where all the different species are being held. There are eight different cells each containing a different creature except for the final cell which contains Razzo Dre and Izabela, Izabela now has her whole leg spread with Minerau shards. In the other cells one Freksteri is kept who can’t even stand fully in the cell due to its sheer size, Ostikous in the cell next to Razzo, three Zenvas in a seperate cell, two Acarines in another cell, three Froklins that were set to be released, two Wokwoks, and one Krutsumus.
Kyro turns on the lights of the room with the plasma cells, looks around and all the various beings have very defeated body language. There is a certain level of anger that is felt in the vibe of the room as the beings can all see the man behind their kidnapping.
Kyro opens the dialogue: “Hello different beings from different worlds, for those of you who don’t know me I’m the captain of this ship. For those of you that do know me, how we doing today? Honestly I don’t really care how you’re doing but I do need your help. With that being said, who in here wants to earn their freedom today?”
The last bit statement immediately gets everyone in the room's attention even to those that earth tongue is less common and more foreign. Not that they all understood what he was saying but simply since he was the first being to communicate with all of them since being captured and trapped on the ship.
Kyro continues: “I will grant each of you freedom to your desired destination if you agree to join me in completing this quest”.
One of the Wokwok’s squeals in a high pitched voice: “What if we refuse to come with you?”
“Then you will be delivered to Vossoss the warlord of Altarez as payment for my debt owed to him, and he will do with you as he pleases. Although that could be a better alternative to some I wouldn’t exactly recommend slavery” - casually states the captain.
One of the Zenvas shouts from the back: “What if we just kill you and take your ship from you instead?!”.
“I don’t know if you felt the ship shake or anything during the journey or anything like that, but the ship isn’t exactly in the ideal condition to make flight at the moment. On top of that, is anyone a pilot in here?” - laughs the captain at the plant like species
No one raises a limb nor speaks up to say that they are a pilot. A certain amount of realization begins to set in with the group that this might be their best opportunity to escape or kill the captain for lying to them. Each having a slightly different focus they begin to slowly come around to the idea.
Kyro continues: “See without a pilot it would be a difficult task to fly out with this beauty. So is anyone now ready to accept the offer?”
The Freksteri bellows in a low voice: “I accept, whatever the mission is, it’s better than sitting here”.
Kyro opens the plasma door for the giant approximately 6 meters in height, pale blue scaly skin without any hair and requires no heat to survive. This Freksteri had red stripes making an x across the face signifying that it had not yet reached adulthood but was a male of the species.
Kyro says in a jolly voice: “Good decision, a specimen like yourself would’ve been useful for any warlord”.
The Freksteri grunts and crawls by Kyro to get out of the ship. Then rapidly after the Freksteri gets out, the two Wokwoks who are shorter than a human midget but possess a human like appearance with the addition of having large furry wings. They are incredibly intelligent creatures, but difficult to take seriously because of the pitch of their voices. Next came forth the Krutsumus who also decided to take the captain up on the deal. After a few moments of discussion in their native tongues, the three Froklins quack as they decide to get out, unlike them having much of a choice in the matter which the captain purposely left out for them. The three Zenvas and the two Acarines decide next to take up the offer. All that’s left in the cells is Ostikous the Urug and Razzo and his group. Ostikous grunts something in his language that Kyro cannot understand. Kyro takes it as a sign that he agrees to the deal and opens the plasma door for him but Ostikous remains seated against the wall.
Razzo tells Kyro: “He says he doesn’t believe you, and neither do we. He will wait to meet the warlord that laid ruin to his planet”.
“So be it, but he will be meeting Vossoss at a great disadvantage in energy cuffs”.
Kyro then turns to Razzo, Dre and Izabela’s cell: “I’ll offer you a different deal, I see you are a studied man with a great deal of knowledge. “Your woman there is injured and the Automaton is missing an arm. For joining my crew you will earn a cut of the wealth we earn, we will put your woman in the recovery incubator that can heal Minerau sharding and provide the Automaton with a new arm. Although you will not gain your freedom from this mission you will be able to save a life and give one a limb back and all I ask is for you to become an equal member of my team…”
Razzo takes a moment to think about the deal that is being offered to him by the captain and whether it’s worthwhile to take. Razzo looks over at Dre who’s sitting silently and then looks down at Izabela who’s passed out from the pain. Razzo knows what decision he has to make to help his friends but also has a bad gut feeling from joining the captain and his crew. A few more moments pass until Razzo makes a final decision on the offer.
He tells Kyro: “I’ll take the offer as long as I’m not a part of kidnapping any creatures”.
“Hmm, that’s kind of what we do here, but I will accept it as a conditional offer. You never know when you’ll have to kidnap a creature for the betterment of the star society as a whole” - says the captain with a sneaky wording.
“Fine but since I’m now part of the crew and that’s part of the deal, you have to release Ostikous without any conditions. And without any requirements wherever he wishes and however he wishes, do you agree to this?”
Kyro hesitates: “Ugh why do you have to be so difficult, but fine whatever the Urug is free to go”.
Kyro opens up the doors for Urug as well as Razzo, Dre and Izabela.
Dre steps out first and says: “So how about that new arm?”
Razzo picks up Izabela who’s still passed out and carries her out of the cell following Dre and Kyro through the ship. The last one to get out is Ostikous who follows them throughout the ship. Kyro first veers towards the captain's quarters at the back of the ship on top of the cells and there is a massive hole in one of the sides of the room and half the room is a mess. Beside a massive bed on the far side of the room is a vertical incubator tube. Kyro presses a button on the outside of the incubator and the incubator sends steam within itself to disinfect any interior surface. After the process is complete Kyro opens up the incubator and signals with his arm forward showing where to put Izabela. They tilt the incubator to a slight angle and Razzo places Izabela in the tube.
Kyro begins to close the tube and says: “Oops almost forgot to add this” and adds a breath tube for Izabela to breathe with. Then Kyro closes the door to the incubator and turns on the machine which fills with a regenerative liquid. Afterwards Kyro shows both Razzo and Dre the settings that he’s putting the incubator in so that they know he’s not trying to fool them and in case they have to adjust the settings in the future themselves.
Kyro breathes out calmly once the aspect is complete and says: “Now let's go get you that arm”.