Neirdith’s assistant pinged her “Everyone seems to be settled in pretty comfortably captain, the prisoners are not making any fuss, especially with Skorr there to maintain overwatch, it's nice to have two on watch that have no need for sleep. Skorr stays on site, and I am fully able to cover the electronic surveillance from here. I will keep you apprised as to the condition of the prisoners, captain.” Gloom messaged her.
Neirdith quickly sent a reply “Thank you Gloom, if you need anything don't hesitate to contact me.” seeing a confirmation from Gloom she cut the link and turned her attention back to the bridge and more importantly, the navigational suite.
They were underway and had been for more than twenty-four standard hours, a standard day by the reckoning of the Union. Neirdith was alone on the bridge and Skorr was watching the prisoners so she was by herself. Well she wasn’t completely alone, Gloom was connected to the ship and could monitor her position from his position in the ship. She decided that now was as good as ever to finally ask the living crystal what electricity tasted like.
Pulling up her assistant and typing a quick greeting to Gloom she saw them respond before asking "So I read that the jeseo can taste the difference between artificially generated electricity and electricity you make yourself. What does that mean?" She typed a bit anxiously.
Gloom didn't reply for a few minutes and just as she was about to apologize for asking such a strange question they sent a lengthy response "It's more complicated than that. We don't have a sense of taste as you would call it, rather a series of receptors that give us the ability to differentiate between different frequencies of currents. The reason that many jeseo refer to artificial electricity as bland is because of its consistent nature. The current is always fed at the same rate and frequency no matter where one goes. While this is perfect for machines and their reliability, it is rather boring to consume. Imagine drinking your water that was the same ambient temperature as the room you were in, it would get old very quickly. So it is not about lack of flavor, but rather a lack of enrichment. Stars are ever changing, tiny fluctuations in their output like minuscule symphonies play over our bodies as we bask. Each star is different too, some are more aggressive and others are meek, there are sudden flashes and expansive flares that give the feeling like waves of liquid water on a beach. Hey captain, do you think we could visit a world with an ocean? I have never seen one before, I was always working on ships and stations." Gloom ended their explanation with a sudden question and it took Neirdith a moment to process their words.
She answered slowly "I would love to do that for you Gloom, but we need to get ourselves set up first before we can take passengers out on jaunts. But I'm not saying no, just that it may be a while before I can take you up on that offer."
"That is a fair point captain, once we arrive at the station I will be returning to the precinct and you will continue to find work. I do hope this isn't the last we see of each other, I have grown fond of your company and that of Skorr." Gloom replied.
Neirdith wasn't sure what else to say to that and so ended the link. Truth be told, she hadn't thought much about what she would do when they got back to the station. Everything had happened so fast that she was still coming to terms with the facts. As she sat back in her padded chair she thought about her life up to this point.
She had been born on a small agricultural colony world, she never had much free time as a child. She spent most of her juvenile years in school or working around her family's small fungus farm. The food was simple but filling and the other children were nice as could be expected, but it had never been exciting enough for her. She knew from a young age that she would leave home and make her own way through the universe, but she never would have imagined that she would captain a starship.
As she thought about her future she realised that she had a few options. She could do what Filch had done and ferry cargo and salvage between colonies, or she could grab the galaxy by the horns and make a name for herself, as a bounty hunter. With the armament on the Shining Knight and a decent crew, she could really do this. And if Medrigil's reward was anything to go by, it wouldn't take very long to amass a sizable fortune. It would be dangerous, yes, but so was piloting an unarmed cargo ship through pirate riddled shipping lanes. If she could help to keep innocents safe and get paid prettily for it at the same time, she saw no reason to complain.
Making up her mind to ask Seth about it before she decided fully, she was alerted to the approach of someone by the subtle whirr of bionics. Turning her head she noticed Creesh walking up to the bridge.
The small avian woman stopped outside the entrance and Neirdith called out to her "Come on in Creesh, I'm not busy at the moment." The one hundred and twenty four centimeter tall swanith walked in slowly and made her way to a seat near Neirdith before hopping onto it and settling herself down. Neirdith cocked her head slightly and asked her "What can I do for you?"
Creesh's mane fluttered as if she was conflicted emotionally and then settled into a determined display as she said "I was thinking about what me and Samantha would do when we got to the station, and I was unable to come up with a satisfactory answer. I have an idea, but I hesitate to voice it as it is rather forward."
Neirdith straightened in surprise, this wasn't the conversation she was expecting to have but she would take advantage of the fact. "I believe I already know what you are thinking, but go ahead and tell me your idea." She said in a comforting manner.
Creesh fluttered her wings and then crossed her fingers in front of herself, wringing her digits together in a nervous way before speaking "Well, I couldn't help but notice that your ship is very under crewed and then I thought to myself, hey, Samantha and I have training that could be valuable to you. I know that you have no reason to consider the idea. You don't even know us or who we are, but I figured it could not hurt to ask." As she trailed off she gave Neirdith a searching look.
Neirdith wasn't even surprised, in fact she had been thinking the same thing and now with Creesh's plea she had made up her mind. Raising her assistant she said "Message Seth, Skorr, and Gloom. Mandatory meeting." Looking back to Creesh she said "You don't have an assistant and neither does Samantha, so would you be willing to go get her and bring her to the bridge?"
Creesh hopped up from her perch like a cannonball, as she dropped to the ground she stood straight and said excitedly "Does this mean you will accept?"
"Yes Creesh, it's not only a decent idea, but I was already considering inviting you to join my crew. Oooff!" She exclaimed as the smaller woman darted forwards and wrapped her in a surprisingly sturdy hug for such a small being.
After a second Creesh stepped back looking a little embarrassed and said "Sorry, but I was so excited that you were willing to help us that I got a bit carried away." Neirdith remembered that the Swanith didn't have much concept of personal space and were a rather tactile people and so she wasn't upset by her overtly affectionate display.
"It's quite alright Creesh, now go bring Samantha, we have much to discuss." She chuckled to herself as Creesh shot out of the bridge like a loosed crossbow bolt. Seeing a confirmation from Gloom and Skorr she messaged Seth to come to the bridge and let the others link via comms.
After a bit of waiting Seth came strolling onto the bridge and took his seat in the weapons operator chair before spinning and giving her a curious look "Alrighty, what's this mandatory meeting about then?"
Neirdith waved a hand dismissively and replied "You will find out in a minute, we are still waiting on the others." Seth sat back in his chair for a moment seeming to mull over her comment.
He leaned forwards and asked "What others, you and I are here, and Gloom and Skorr are tuned in over the comms, so who is coming?" As if to answer his question, Creesh and Samantha came walking onto the bridge and took seats near them.
Seth raised his eyebrows and was about to speak again before Neirdith cut him off by saying "We are all here, good. Now Samantha, did Creesh tell you why I called for you?" She asked the large cream furred woman.
Samantha shook her furred head and answered "I think she tried too but it was hard to understand her, she was way too excited to speak coherently. Is this about my background?" She asked hesitantly.
"No. I actually called you here to solve two problems at once, as you all know Samantha and Creesh are looking for work when they get to the station." Neirdith said, addressing Seth and the others "And you also know that we are incredibly short staffed and in need of more crew members."
Seth's eyes widened as he picked up the meaning behind her words, and Samantha looked hopefully in her direction as Neirdith continued "I propose that we extend an offer to Creesh and Samantha to join the crew. They have no love for Medrigil or his ways and they both have skills that would be of immense value to us. So, what do you think?" She finished without any flair, looking at Seth.
Creesh let out an excited whistle as Samantha burst out "Yes I would love to be a part of your crew, that is if no one else has anything against us?" She said looking towards Seth as well.
Seth immediately replied "I would consider it a personal sleight if you didn't join our crew at this point. Of course I have nothing against you. I say welcome."
The screen showing Skorr and Gloom lit up as Skorr messaged "I believe this action would be in the best interest of the ship and its safety, I accept them with no reservations." Smiling, Neirdith was about to continue before Gloom interjected with a comment.
"I know I am not really a crew member and thus have no say in this matter but I would like to give my own thoughts if you deem it appropriate captain?" Gloom messaged.
Neirdith nodded and said "Of course Gloom, go for it."
Gloom messaged again "If it is your intention to continue as you have after the wretched of the galaxy and to make it safer for those unable to protect themselves then I would like to formally ask to join with your crew on a more permanent basis."
Smiling even wider, Neirdith said "First off, of course we would love to have you Gloom. Secondly, I was about to make that same point. I know that hunting outlaws is dangerous, but I personally feel like it's the right thing to do. I propose that we set our sights on becoming bounty hunters and protectors. What do you think?" She asked nobody in particular, looking around the bridge at those assembled.
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Neirdith had been expecting everyone to agree wholeheartedly with her but was surprised to see mixed reactions to her declaration, surprisingly it was Seth who first spoke up against the idea.
"I feel good about what we did here, I really do, but bounty hunting is incredibly dangerous and we have little experience in this field. I'm not sure it's the best idea." Seth said resolutely.
Creesh piped up next agreeing "Yeah, I appreciate the work you have done, but I must agree with Seth. You are hardly experienced fighters. What would you do if we got disabled, or boarded by a bunch of heavily armed pirates?"
Samantha spoke next "I agree with Neirdith, Creesh. I feel that we have the means to protect those who cant protect themselves and it is our Frine given duty to do so. We may not be experienced, but everyone has to start somewhere. We will learn, we are capable, and I believe it's the correct move." Creesh raised her mane in surprise at Samantha's words but was unable to form a response before Skorr interjected.
"As much as it pains me to put my friends in any unnecessary danger, I must agree with Samantha. It is not only honorable to protect the weak, but the duty of those with the ability to do so. I feel as though we could find a way to go about this that poses the least danger to ourselves while still maximizing our ability to help others." Skorr stated in a blunt manner.
Seth rebutted "Yeah, and shipping cargo is a way of helping people too you know, one that doesn't require us to get shot at or kill people. I know that it's rather rich coming from me, but you need to think about the potential cost of such a venture. We could die, any of us. And I can't bear the thought of losing any of you. I may not have known some of you for long, but I don't want to see any of you hurt or worse." Seth pleaded almost desperately. He flinched as Neirdith learned forwards and placed a single long fingered hand on his shoulder giving it a firm squeeze.
"I don't want to lose you either." She said softly, "But for every person that dies or is hurt that we could have saved, we would be responsible. I don't think I could live with myself if I knew I had the means to help but didn't. I know you are afraid, now don't deny it, I'm afraid too." She said quickly as he opened his mouth to disagree before closing it and nodding. She turned to the others and continued more loudly "I won't lie about the danger, but I refuse to have the power to help and squander it. Please, we can do this. If I must beg then I will, but please stay with me. We are bound with ties stronger than friendship. Let this bond be the defining point of your lives, not some aspirations for power or money, but this shared need to help the less fortunate." She stood as she finished.
Samantha was nodding vigorously and Gloom sent an approving statement. Skorr remained silent and Creesh looked down dejectedly before fluttering her feathers and straightening. She looked Neirdith in the eyes and nodded silently. They turned their eyes to Seth who was sitting with his head in his hands silently.
Seth raised his head and Neirdith could see there were tears in his eyes, he said "I'm afraid, but I won't let my fear rule me, I agree with you Neirdith, but I want you to promise me that you will not put this ship in unnecessary danger."
"I would never dream of it, I'm not looking for glory, I just want to help those in need." Neirdith replied stoically.
Seth nodded and glanced at Creesh before saying "We can still haul cargo in between and when we have nothing going on, for mine and Creesh's sake right?" Creesh gave a short whistle as Neirdith nodded in agreement.
Samantha chimed in "I guess we got a plan then, right?"
Neirdith smiled in agreement before saying "Yes, I guess I should formally welcome you aboard The Shining Knight. Welcome to the crew Samantha and Creesh."
Samantha smiled and Creesh fluffed her feathers in delight, Gloom added through the comms "This is good, we are a team now. It feels good to be doing something rather than just sitting at a desk." Seth laughed at their comment and Neirdith smiled too.
Skorr finally spoke up "I recommend that you purchase armour, your bodies are weak and prone to damage. It would not do to lose you unnecessarily."
Everyone else stood as the decision was finished and Skorr and Gloom disconnected from the feeds. Samantha and Creesh thanked her again before strolling off the bridge talking together excitedly at each other. Neirdith turned to see Seth standing with his arms crossed and a look of mild dismay on his face.
Sighing she sat back down as he said "I trust you, but I still think this is a dangerous idea Neirdith."
She ran a hand through her hair and replied "I know Seth, but I have the power to do something in this galaxy. I'd be cursed to the five Hels if I just stood by and did nothing, you know that it was never an option for me."
Seth sat in the weapons station seat and said in a heavy voice "I know, that's one of the reasons I love you. You truly are a good person, you would drop everything to help those in need. But what if something happens to you? I don't know what I would do." As he hunched in on himself Neirdith stood and knelt next to him, taking his face in her long fingers, she looked him deep in his eyes.
His breath caught as he stared into her dark indigo eyes and she pulled him in for a tender kiss. As they lost themselves for a few moments she pulled back and said "Seth, if something were to happen to me I know what you would do, you would do the right thing, whatever it was. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. Now let's go get something to eat, I'm famished."
At the mention of food Seth smiled and said "Okay, but I'm cooking, we both know what your cooking is like."
Neirdith laughed as they walked off the bridge holding hands, she was smiling but there was a lingering feeling of dread in her heart.
**********
Creesh was excited, she was trying her hardest to keep her expression feathers calm but flashes of her emotional state slipped through making them flutter as if they had minds of their own. Samantha noticed and smiled widely.
"This is so cool." Samantha said enthusiastically. "We are crew on a starship, there is a difference between being a passenger and being the ones running the ship. I don't even know where to start. Should I go check out the engineering area or the reactors? Does this ship have an internal refinery? What's our maximum warp capability, and how much needs fixing?"
As the larger woman rattled off question after question Creesh adjusted her wings and contented herself to listen. Samantha was so excited about this new adventure, but Creesh was just glad to have a place to call home. She had fled her home and stolen a small ship that she had planned to take to the edge of known space, but she had been captured by Medrigil's goons and brought to that awful station while she was passing by. With any luck her family thought she was dead to pirates and she could start a new life on the Shining Knight with Samantha by her side.
It was so strange for her to trust again, these people were so different from the ones she knew in her old life, they were compassionate, and honest to a fault. They flashed their feelings to all in displays of emotion that were still somewhat startling to her at times. She didn't think she would ever get used to knowing what they were thinking without having to pry and snoop.
Creesh felt a heavy hand on her shoulder and looked over at Samantha to see her looking at her expectantly "I'm sorry Samantha, I was lost in thought and missed your question." Creesh apologized.
Samantha's toothy smile didn't falter as she repeated "I said, this is going to be an adventure that will test our prowess and commitment, and I don't think I have ever felt so alive inside. The excitement for this new adventure is almost overwhelming me. I was wondering what you think?"
Creesh was tempted to lie to her, to say what she knew Samantha wanted to hear. But Samantha was her friend, she would never lie to Creesh, so Creesh would never lie to her. She let her emotions show as her mane raised in apprehension "I'm scared Samantha, what if my family finds out I still live. I would be putting not just myself, but everyone I care about at risk. You, Neirdith, that big Skorr thing. I don't know if I can justify the risk." Samantha looked at her and a flash of anger passed through her bright green eyes taking Creesh by surprise. But the big yeown's anger was not directed at her.
Samantha burst forth "They had better keep their distance, if they try to harm a single feather on your head I swear to Frine I will tear them apart." She snarled vehemently, her lips drawn back and her vicious teeth bared in a grimace of hate. Creesh should have been terrified of the predatory display, but instead she felt her heart swell with appreciation and she wrapped her wings around the furred woman in a tight hug. Samantha took a second to calm herself before returning her embrace as best she could from her much taller position.
After a few moments Creesh pulled back and raised her feathers in a display of happiness. She said "Samantha, every time I think I couldn't love you more, you do something like that and I can't help but thank the universe for bringing us together. You are the greatest friend anyone could ever ask for."
Samantha laughed heartily and replied "You do the same thing to me you know. Here I am outmassing you by at least eighty kilograms and yet I never get the feeling that I'm the one in charge."
Creesh didn't reply and tried her hardest to control her feathered mane. She took a few seconds to compose herself before she replied "Samantha, there is more to being fierce than having claws and sharp teeth. You need confidence, and while you have enthusiasm, you are a little too shy. I say this out of love not criticism." Creesh couldn't hold in her humor and a small warbling giggle escaped her. Upon hearing it, Samantha just smiled even wider and chuckled back.
Turning and starting off down the hall Creesh called over her shoulder "I'm tired, If you are content exploring the ship on your own from here I will retire to our room." She gave a small wave with a three fingered grasper and saw Samantha nod.
"Go on ahead, I will probably be a while. I uh, have a nice rest." Samantha finished a bit lamely.
Walking back towards the crew quarters, Creesh turned a corner into an adjacent hall and saw the form of Skorr in the distance. Feeling bold, she decided to learn a bit about her brooding savior before she headed off to bed.
The behemoth form of Skorr turned to face her as she neared and she was transfixed by those molten orange eyes once more. Her golden eyes met theirs and she froze involuntarily. Every nerve in her body seemed to go alight at once and she swore that she could feel a tingling sensation in her hollow bones.
She looked into those mechanical orbs for what felt like an eternity, the world seemed to fall away as her entire existence boiled down to those two burning points. Part of her felt like she was falling into a bottomless hole that would swallow her for an eternity. Suffering and madness scratched at her mind and she could almost taste the crippling pain of infinite loss like an electric shock on her tongue. But just as quickly as this horrifying feeling had started, it was over. Seemingly instant as her left foot came down from her faltered step. She shuddered to a halt and dropped her gaze to the floor unwilling to meet their burning eyes.
Without looking back Creesh turned and nearly ran to her room. Darting inside and closing the door, she leaned back into the cool metal and slowly collapsed to the floor in a shivering mass. Her legs wouldn't obey her and her breath was coming in great gulps. Seemingly detached from her body she noted that she was having a panic attack and should probably lie down.
Slowly she stood and made her way to the nest of bedding that she slept in and collapsed into it. She immediately started to feel a little better. As the crushing feelings of panic began to slowly lift she was once again struck by how intense Skorr's pain had shone through. She wondered to herself quietly if that was always there, or if in a strange moment of clarity, she had glimpsed something normally hidden far beneath the surface.
Whatever the case may be, Creesh realized that Skorr was probably not sane. No being burdened with that incalculable amount of grief and self loathing could or should exist, but exist they did.
She shuddered once again and tried to relax, pushing the experience far back into the depths of her mind using training designed to anneal her spirit from the shock of taking a life. Slowly her breathing eased and she fell into a fitful sleep, plagued by visions of eternity and the sound of boundless rage.