[Open] Voyages of The Vanished

[DustyStar]

Jixx-B

LOCATION: Infirmary

CHARACTERS: Shivers | Virgil | Marlow

 

The two pairs of narrow, glowing green eyes on Jixx-B’s facial display widened in shock upon noticing Marlow take a more defensive stance when xe stumbled forward.

 

 “O-h? No, I am…s-so sorry! I didn’t want to upset any of you…i…really didn’t mean-OW!” 

 

Xe started as xe skitterted back away from the pair. Xir retreat was interrupted by xir prosthetic leg colliding with the doorframe, recoiling back under xir soft body after the impact.

 

“You all don’t need me here…i s-should leave…” Xe muttered to xirself, gaze falling to the floor.

 

The top pair of ears flicked up and turned towards the sound of the child as it sniffled and began to cry once more. 

 

“Koshka.” Xe said absently to no one in particular, xir gaze still trained on the floor.

 

“Species 5938154. Colloquially known as Koshka. A humanoid species. Typically small in stature. Identified by their large sideways-facing ears and long tails covered with soft fur. Sensitive ears and hands. Well known to pick up on the hidden emotions of others through their ability to sense pheromones and acute movements in others body posture.” Xir's voice was monotone, sounding almost like Echo reading out a search inquiry.

 

“That's what makes Dr. Saphielle Ianpeiros such a good doctor. She can pick up on subtle giveaways for how you might be injured.” 

 

“Perhaps the hybrid prototype can pick up on your emotions as well?” Xe said with a curious tilt of xir massive head while shifting up onto xir knees in a relaxed sitting position, one of the arms from xir top pair resting on the ceiling as to prevent xem from bumping xir head.

 

“If you need s…somewhere more quiet, there is a bereavement room just on the outside of this office. It’s a bit more s-s-s-spacious, and a lot more comfortable.” 

 

“OH! Uh…here…let me…move….” Xe stammered as xe shifted xir weight back onto all fours, looking behind xem to slowly inch xir way back out of the office tail-first. When only xir head remained in the door frame, xe glanced back over at the Pteratrix frantically shuffling through machinery and papers.

 

“How are those pressure readings Dr. S-Shivers? I just need to confirm they are stable enough to accept my new modifications.” Xe said softly, trying to sound gentle so as to not come off like xe were rushing the doctor while they were working.

 

Juku

 

LOCATION: Food Court

CHARACTERS: Asterodia | Isilynor | PIXX-L | Saphielle | Zikvien | Dot | Aezsaa

 

Juku could see confusion etch its way into Zikvien’s features as ey sat down to join her. With each question her hesitations became longer and longer, making Juku bite eir lip in worry that ey were speaking too far over her head and weren’t doing a good job of simplifying for conversation. Finally her response came.

 

[I happy! Eat is good!] Ey said with a smile and a nod.

 

Juku caught the remains of a worried expression flashing across Zikviens face as she slid the single slice of bacon on her plate over to Juku, asking em to eat it. Eir eyes grew with shock, gaze switching between the bacon in front of em and the large Zita-Gaxx commander’s worried stare.

 

[All good! All good! No need.] Ey said, reaching out to push the plate back to Zikvien with a pudgy yellow finger. Before ey did so however, eir face knit together as they realized it might seem rude for em to deny her offer of food.

 

[I eat. If you want?] Ey mumbled out politely, scooting the plate forward closer to em, but still not eating its contents.

 

Taking note of her struggle with the language, Jukus eyes drifted over her face while in deep thought. Eir face lit up as ey grabbed the tablet ey previously had been using from the clip ey kept it on eir suit pocket. Ey pulled the bright blue screen out in front of em, fingers gliding across its surface with a few quick taps. The screen came to life, apps drifting in tandem with Jukus movements. Ey selected one in particular before looking up at Zikvien excitedly.

 

[Talk. Blue object will translate.] Ey rumbled.

 

For demonstration, ey quickly typed something onto the screen and hit a button off in the corner. A cheery, obviously synthesized “Hello!” Sung out of the tiny machine.

Jamie

 

LOCATION: Food Court -> Hallway

CHARACTERS: Asterodia | Isilynor | PIXX-L | Saphielle | Zikvien | Dot | Aezsaa -> Pixx-L | Garrett

 

“Struv, hm?” Jamie mused at the deinogens curious nickname given to the koshka scientist.

 

“What was that funny name you gave me? Something to do with tuna…or sunlight…” He trailed off to a mumble near the end of his sentence, putting a hand thoughtfully on his chin and gazing at the floor as if it would have the answers.

 

Jamie sighed in regertful sympathy as Pixxl referenced Garrett’s prolonged viglince tending to the gym hallway.

 

“Of course….i…i guess i was just hoping he was doing something else. He deserves a rest.”

 

He said, turning his mind away from his own weariness slowly creeping into this frame. His own thoughts felt slower than usual, his throbbing head like it was stuffed with cotton. The last three days had been spent looking over plans and resetting Echo panels, he had caught little sleep in between. He bit down on his tongue, hoping the jolt of pain would help him stay more alert, but it didn’t stop a yawn from escaping his lips.

 

“Oh? OH. uh. Haha…no! I must have scratched my arm on something walking in here. Pretty easy considering all the debris lying around!”

 

The excuse fell out of his mouth automatically when Pixx-L asked about his arm. There wasn’t a speck of debris anywhere in the area, but maybe the distractible deinogen wouldn’t think about it too hard. A barely detectable grimace fell over his face. Why did he feel the need to lie? He took the bandage from Pixx-l with a soft word of thanks and secured it around his arm as she whipped around him to clean up the speck of blood he unknowingly dripped onto the floor.

 

He followed Pixx-L down the dimly lit hallway. His well-adapted mijorian eyes adjusted neatly to the dark. His gaze wandered about the cracked walls and high ceilings that led to the library entrance. He followed the path of one crack from the top of the ceiling, winding down part way through the wall where it grew and grew until the whole wall fell away. The debris was packed against the library door, creating a noticeable cave in the wall visible above all the crumbled bits of ceiling and wasted dining furniture. He hummed with a certain respect and awe that the library door had managed to handle all that weight colliding with it and not collapsed entirely. As they approached the massive pile the smell of dust seared through Jamie's lungs earning a harsh cough that got more and more choked as he went on.

 

The sound of metal against metal slowly dragging across each other before being thrown somewhere into a larger pile of discarded metal gave away the doctor's location before he came into view. At last he caught sight of the familiar purple sweater the koshka man often wore, hunched over some marred bits of tables and chairs. Jamie stood awkwardly at PixxL’s exchange with Garrett, filling the silence between the two with another short cough.

 

“Thank you so much Pixx-L, I’ll handle it from here.” He reached out to graze her upper arm with his fingertips, adding a soft smile of thanks before turning to the doctor. 

 

“Dr. Strulvat, i-” Jamie began, before his foot collided with the metal bar Garrett had just thrown out of the pile. Screeching in pain he stumbled forward, falling face first into the tangle of broken chairs and tables next to Garrett, nearly missing a jutting table edge, but managing to weave himself into the mess of metal bars several bent chair frames had created. The impact caused the heap to collapse inward a bit and the larger table they were positioned on to fall, sliding forward right into Jamie’s midsection and sending him and the metal mess flying down into a clump right next to the doctor.

 

[Shelkrii naka efvik miirkerlis…] Jamie hissed in Mijorian from under the pile of table and chair frames.

 

Xavier

 

LOCATION: Library

CHARACTERS: Damien

 

Xavier was intently staring at the communication screen with one hand tapping thoughtfully at his lips and the other gripping the mess that was his hair to keep it out of his face. Black and yellow hair that was normally straightened and styled now hung from his scalp like a curly mop. Thick, stringy black strands layered over each other in a greasy heap. The only thing that broke his concentration was Damien colliding with the bookshelf as he frantically came over to see what the Mijorian had found. 

 

Xavi tapped at a vent on the map nearest to the staircase on the left side of the room underneath the window that ran along the wall and let out just outside of the cafeteria a few feet from the ground. It would be big enough to let both of them through at the same time and should safely avoid most of the debris that was threatening to collapse the library's entrance. All Xavi had to offer was a concerned glance as Damien struggled to interpret the visuals on the screen. 

 

Xavi glanced between Damien and the stuttering hologram through their exchange. When Damien’s gaze returned to Xavi, he answered with a slow shrug and returned to the screen in front of him. With a few taps he exited out of the vent construction maps and back to the library’s homepage where you can search for basic information. The plastic fingernail that had been thoughtfully caressing his lips was now almost completely torn off from being bitten and chewed on out of nervous habit. Two of the fake nails frantically typing the search inquiry into the software had already suffered a similar fate. Xavi hit enter with an aggressive slap on the screen and impatiently waited for the search results to come, tapping frantically on the bookshelf they were draped over in irritation. 

 

When the results finally came up Xavi sighed with exasperation. With a hiss he threw his head back and drug his hand all the way down his face in a drawn-out facepalm, smearing what remained of the glossy black eye makeup down the blurred black markings that ran from eye to cheek, already messy with grayish-black tear stains. Reluctantly he rose from his spot on the bookshelf and spun around, glancing with a stern determined stare at the upper levels of the library. Locking in on a place, Xavi softly snapped his fingers to get Damiens attention and led his gaze to the highest level of the library where a few bookshelves had toppled near the staircase on the right side. That's where the ornithology section would be, if it's even still there. Xavi glanced at the bookshelves already shattered at their feet in the vain thread of hope that one might hold the answers they seek. That it would be right there, waiting for them. It isn't, of course. They had already gone through every bookshelf on this level looking for the stupid access codes. Of course the right ones had to be the farthest from where they currently were. Of course.

 

With another tired sigh Xavi gave Damien a pained glance. He didn’t want to keep doing this. He was already so tired. He closed his eyes, and with a forced smile gave a double thumbs up to his companion before sliding his way off the bookshelf onto the smooth marble flooring and making his way towards the staircase on the right side of the library. 

 

The staircase was pretty clear, but the entrance to the third floor couldn't be considered anything remotely close. Shelves had collided into each other like dominoes sending so many books across the floor the smooth marble underneath was barely visible. They would be exceptionally lucky to find the right shelf of the ornithology section, much less the correct book considering it could be anywhere on the library floor right now. Nonetheless he made his way over to the general area they were supposed to be in and glanced at a couple shelf numbers before deciding on one to grab. Positioning his hands on the shelf and his foot on the shelf that had collapsed onto it he gave it all his might to try and stand them both up with one go. The best his efforts came to were spilling more books out of their place as all the shelves slipped and shifted further. With a defeated sigh Xavi let his head fall forward onto the shelf, pinching his eyes shut and taking in a deep breath. He gave a few quiet knocks on the bookshelves side, a meek plea for help from the young koshka behind him.

Edited May 1, 2023 by DustyStar

[Lycanious]

MARLOW
LOCATION: Infirmary

OTHER CHARACTERS: Giulia | Jixx-B | Shivers | Virgil

 

“No…No…Sorry mate I’ve just been kinda tired and instincts took over for a sec. Mjiorian thing. I ain’t upset with you.” Sighed Marlow, genuinely embarrassed by the reaction. He did however still edge further away from xer once the bundle of blankets was in his arms, mostly just incase Jixx-B accidentally lost xer footing once more and prompted a second, sudden bout of instinctive defensiveness.

 

Admittedly, he didn’t know a great deal about koshka, so when the deinogen started to spout out some facts about them he listened on with a intrigued, albeit slightly baffled expression. “Oh…uh…aye, they’re kinda like empaths, right? Or at least, some of ‘em are?” He asked the deinogen, nodding in thought before glancing back down at the tiny half-koshka in his arms with a sorrowful expression.  “Aye, good idea…it’ll be a lot less stressful out there.” He agreed, after a moment of thought. An elbow nudged slightly at Virgil, the fin on his arm unfolding slightly so that it placed extra pressure beneath his chin and tried to coax him into making eye contact once more. “C’mon, Verge. We’ll let Bee here finish xer doctor appointment in peace, aye?”

 

With that, the mjiorian shuffled past Jixx-B and headed for the room across from the two, leaving Shivers to slouch slightly in what looked to be a clear show of relief as he left. “Is being very bad morning, yes. Many achings and such in the cranium.” The pteratrix informed Jixx-B, tapping at their temple with a claw for emphasis before they shook off the complaint with an abrupt tremble across their form and a dismissive huff. “Never is minding. No time to complain, no. Is not knowing where Dr. Freckles Koshka is being, is lots needing help. Is needing to do the treatments and the talking of the bad things and the surgeries and-”

 

Again, the pteratrix cut themself off. They sighed, a distant expression in their eyes, before they muttered something that sounded in agreeance with a thought that wasn’t actually voiced. “Anyway!” The insectoid doctor suddenly chirped, clasping two of their hands together while the other set started to tap away at the keyboard in front of them. “Is needing pressure readings, yes?”

 

They hummed to themself for a few moments, more tck-tck-tck sounds occurring as they tapped frantically away at their keyboard. Eventually, they glanced back up at Jixx-B, and issued an uncertain hum that they suspected was not the most reassuring of responses to hear from them. “Mm…is seeming to have some troubles, yes. Is thinking is being alright for Mx. Giant Banana Dinosaur to be leaving infirmary now but is not recommending new modifications yet, no.”

---
 

ZIKVIEN
LOCATION: Dining Hall

OTHER CHARACTERS: Juku
 

When ey questioned whether she wanted them to eat, Zikvien lowered her head in a slow, almost cautious nod. Somewhere between the two of them, she was starting to get the sense that there was a bit of a mystery as to how to proceed. Privately, she lectured herself for not having spent more time in the northern grasslands of Saal-Ziir before jumping on the chance to join a Cosmic Alliance ship. Perhaps then she would have crossed paths with a lot more Dekii, or at least had the chance to learn more about what they generally considered to be proper social etiquette. 

 

[ Good to eat too. Strong, later. ] She tried to enthuse, though she found herself struggling to string together enough concepts for a more nuanced explanation for em. A mournful hum sounded from her, expression apologetic as she watched Juku remove what looked to be a very old model of tablet from their pocket clip. She blinked in response, head tilted with a faint curiosity as she wondered how old the device was. It reminded her vaguely of some models she’d seen in museums, of technology prior to the arrival of the Cosmic Alliance, though she did then reason that perhaps it was just a stylistic choice.

 

She’d been lost in thought for a while, contemplating both the tablet and Juku’s age, to the point that she startled slightly when a robotic voice emitted from the device. Zikvien leaned further in, finned crest perking up with a newfound intrigue. “Maybe you should save its energy…? For an emergency?” She asked, squinting at the screen before her. It was hard for her to tell whether the words she was speaking were being properly translated, though she could at least see a faint blur of movement as presumably an array of letters typed their way across the screen.

 

A rumble of concern then issued from her. Gradually she shifted her gaze from the device to Isilynor in the distance, pointing them out to Juku with a flick of her head. “Says power has been dwindling. Might be hard to keep device charged, soon.” A large, clawed talon shifted from the surface of the table so that she could rest her chin upon it, the other talon tapping its claws anxiously against the table as she contemplated this. “...Do you want my communicator as a backup?” She eventually offered.

 

The hand not at her chin shifted again, now gesturing in the general direction where she knew the rubble to be. “Library doors are almost cleared. I was going to see if I could get the door open for the crew.” Her head tilted again, contemplative. “...Maybe with two zita-gaxx, we will have enough strength?”
 

---
 

GARRETT
LOCATION: Hallway

OTHER CHARACTERS: Jamie
 

To say that Jamie’s sudden nosedive into the rubble beside him was a surprise was a severe understatement. Garrett jolted away from the sound with wide eyes, pointed ears pinned flat against his head as he struggled for a moment to comprehend what had just happened. A stuttered cry of “L-language!” escaped him, more-so out of habit and a rudimentary knowledge of mjiorian profanity though than something he intended to focus on for very long. 

 

“O-oh goodness, is that you Jamie...?” He then winced, as his mind finally comprehended what the mess of yellow scales and metal debris before him was. Alarmed he stumbled forward once more, taking hold of the corner of the table and attempting to lift it away from him. It was a struggle, to say the least. Physical strength had never exactly been the mild-mannered xeno-anthropologist’s forte, and combined with the lack of sleep and energy he was in danger of adding far more aches and pains to his frail form than before. Nonetheless, eventually, he managed to find a way to slide the large hunk of metal away from the heap, then stooped down to address Jamie at eye-level.

 

“Oh dear…you’ve gone and done yourself a mischief I see.” He fretted, tapping at his recently-bandaged arm as gentle encouragement for him to hold it outwards so that Garrett could see the extent of the injury. At the same time he motioned for Jamie to turn his head from side-to-side, checking for whether he’d scraped his head on anything before trying to pull him back out of the rubble. “Are you feeling alright? W-We should get you to the infirmary and ask Hi-” Abruptly, Garrett cut himself off. Tired, red eyes twitched to the side, and he inhaled in a manner that made it pretty obvious he was trying to suppress a sob. 

 

Silence then followed. Slightly, Garrett wavered, his cat-like tail uncoiling from around his leg to try to steady himself. Eventually he stepped shakily to the side, thudding his shoulder hard against the metal frame of the wall in an attempt to steady himself. Underbreath a wince escaped him, but despite what looked to be a dizzying moment for him he, very slowly, started to extract himself from the wall in favour of motioning in the direction of the infirmary. “We should get you to the infirmary…” He reiterated, now turning from the pile of rubble in the hopes Jamie would follow him.

 

His gait was unsteady, and he limped away with one hand pressed firmly against the wall for support. Nonetheless he managed to glance back over his shoulder, and motioned again for the younger man to follow him. “I hope you’re doing alright, Jamie, considering the circumstances. Do you need to talk at all…?”
 

---
 

DAMIEN
LOCATION: Library

OTHER CHARACTERS: The Archivist, Xavi
 

Damien followed the gesture towards the upper floors of the library, scowling as he registered that was where Xavi was directing the both of them to go. It was times like this that he found himself cursing the fact that the sylphiel, for all their technological marvels, seemed to hold such a reverence for books and paper still to this day. He had to admit, he didn’t really get the appeal over your classic digital database interface. And he’d learned the hard way that asking Isilynor anything about sylphiel history or culture usually just earned you a derisive snort or a haughty laugh about it. 

 

“You know, if we ever get out of here, I’m coming back next week to throw a bunch of these books out the nearest airlock.” Sighed the koshka, now begrudgingly trailing after Xavi all the same. “I don’t care if I get fired for it at this point.” He continued to follow the mjiorian up the staircase, perching in an elegant manner on the top step as bleary eyes surveyed the dismal mess before him. “Mm…yep. It’s official. Our respective deities hate us.”

 

Frustration bubbling to the surface again, he took aim and booted another nearby book into the air. As it skipped across the floor the static, faded lecture of The Archivist began to repeat itself, and Damien made another obscene gesture in the hologram’s direction before turning his attention back towards the destruction before him. “Seek truth…” He mumbled, mostly to himself, as his eyes scanned over the various blurs of colour that signified thousands upon thousands of books scattered across the floor. Even with his glasses intact Damien knew there was little to no chance of sorting through any of them though, even if he did somehow stumble across this supposed book with a clue.

 

“It’s probably rubbish, anyway. No guarantee whatever book Penny’s squawking on about is even being printed any more.” He eventually reasoned. It was followed by a crease in his brow. “Like, actually think about it, it’s pretty dumb to make your password a book in a nonspecific library on a nonspecific ship right? This barmy old buzzard probably predates the digital world or something and thought it was a good idea at the time.”

 

Damien exhaled, about to continue his rant, until a series of knocks abruptly drew his attention. “Right! Sorry- uh, bloody hell don’t hurt yourself…” Darting forward, he pressed his hands up against the bookshelf and pushed his full weight into shifting it. It did very, very little. Embarrassed, Damien’s cat-like ears flattened against his skull and he glanced over at Xavi. “Erm. Yeah I’m…I don’t think I’m going to be any use shifting any shelves with you, sorry. You’d probably need another mjiorian for that to work.” He then sighed, withdrawing from said shelf and returning to pondering the hologram’s instructions.
 

“Seek truth…ornithology…well, that’s birds, right?” His brow wrinkled. “...Is there like…some sort of truth-bird for sylphiels?” Asked the koshhka out-loud, though he quickly decided that the answer wouldn’t do much for them regardless of the current state of the shelves. “Ugh…I don’t know. At this rate we’re probably better off trying to see if we can somehow get up into the ceiling there and just pull the damn door to the vents off.”

Edited July 15, 2023 by Lycanious

[ValidEmotions]

Aezsaa

"Ezsa"

She | They pronouns

Location: Food Court -> Outside of the Library

Characters: N/A

 

Well... it could have gone worse. 

 

They somehow, mercifully albeit embarrassingly, managed to return the soup bowl and bring their cane along without losing too much of their balance. Not wanting to linger in the food court any longer than necessary, Aezsaa began to make her leave, ultimately deciding to head for one of the locations marked for "work needed". She didn't have a specific destination in mind, letting her unsteady legs carry her down the hallways. At one point, she passed Jamie and Garrett, giving the duo a single nod in vague greeting. They looked occupied in conversation, so Aezsaa chose not to bother them. 

 

Their steps stopped before where the library should have been. A wall of tangled debris currently resided in its place. Gingerly, they prodded at the wall with the butt of their cane, inspecting for any loose bits that could fall away with ease. Some chunks of metal did shift but, beyond a couple thin bars and some knotted wiring that clattered to the ground, nothing seemed to give way to Aezsaa's poking. She stepped as close to the debris as she could cautiously manage. "Anyone there?" they called.

There was silence. Uncertain now, Aezsaa frowned. No one else was here currently. Would she get into trouble if she began removing whatever debris she could? It couldn't do any harm at least. 

[DustyStar]

Jixx-B

LOCATION: Infirmary > Bereavement Room

CHARACTERS: Shivers > Virgil | Marlow | Jed | Mr. Jibbles

 

At the mention of defensive instincts that Marlow took Bee shifted xir head to the right with an inquisitive glance at the fins. Xe often forgot other species had defensive maneuvers programmed…well, not programmed, but encoded in their brains differently than the Deinogen. The larger dinosaur species was rarely in any danger that required them to be so defensive, so such alarmed movements were often taken as a display of aggression from their perspective. Bee internally kicked xemself. I’ll have to go over Species 593.62.44 in more detail later… Xe began downloading the data in the background while xe shuffled out of the way to prevent further miscommunication in the future. 

 

“Yes. Empath. Is that the term you prefer me to use?” Bee asked Marlow in turn. Silently xe sent a message from xir internal chatbase.

 

@Pixx-L hey, what do Mijorians look like when upset? One just flared their fins and i’m afraid i might have upset him. I don't have enough information about their behavior to decide if they are actually still mad at me or not. I know he says he isn’t but I think he is just being polite. What about shrinking pupils? And twitching tail fins?? Here i’ll just…send you some screenshots…does he look mad at me??? Am i in trouble???? 😞

[img.1]

[img.2]

 

“Perhaps brightening the mood will help your little prototype stop its s-sounds.” Xe added matter-of-factly with a slight wince as the baby continued to cry.

 

As the two of them walked past Bee turned xir full attention towards Shivers as they began to ramble.  

 

“I’m so s…s-sorry your head hurts. Is there anything I can do to help you?” Xe asked more out of impulse than any actual ability to assist the doctor in any way.

 

After hearing the readings the Deinogens gaze fell to the floor. Xe went silent as another mental ping was sent to its receiver.

 

@Datt-A Just got the news. I’m good to leave the infirmary, but won't be able to use my mods. I keep getting dizzy when I stand up too. This really sucks. How are you doing? Has Bom-Byx gotten mad at you yet? xD

 

@Datt-A Also, are Virgil and Marlow dating? They seem really close…

 

“Ah…i see…well, thank you, s-s-s-shivers…i appreciate the work you’ve done for me.” A small smile etched itself into the glowing jagged lines across xir faceplate that made up xir mouth. Xir two pairs of eyes glitched in and out for a moment, thin, appearing heavy-lidded as xe started to back out of the room. Something gave xem pause as xir gaze lifted from the floor to the doctor, staring idly at them for a brief moment before speaking.

 

“What's your name?” Xe asked.

 

“Pteratrix have more than one part to their names right? Like…descriptors. It can’t just be shivers, can it?”

 

“Sorry…is it rude to ask?” Xe quickly followed up, ducking their head down and raising a paw up to their chest with a concerned look on xir face.

 

Backing out of the office into the narrow hallway that connected all the adjacent rooms Bee turned to the right and used xir large snout to prod open the partially open door to the bereavement room. The inside was the same size as most of the other offices, plain, white, dimly lit. Where desks and equipment would have been replaced with stuffy tweed furniture that was barely comfortable enough to sit in for a few minutes. The furniture was long, with the right side of the chairs detached and leading to a hole to comfortably cater to guests with tails. A small round table was placed in the center with some magazines scattered on top of it and a box of tissues off to the side. 

 

Sitting in the far back of the room was a clearly aged Pteratrix holding a crooked brown cane between nir legs. Ne leaned forward so far it almost appeared as if ne was crouched over it, holding onto it for dear life with nir upper pair of arms. The lower pair was picking at the stringy red fur that covered nir face. Slowly reaching up to take a long pipe ne was smoking from nir mouth ne didn’t move as the door opened to let the two men enter. Smoke swirled around nir thin, frail form. Worn yellow antennae twitched in annoyance at the presence of newcomers into the room.

 

“Oh! Hello Mx. Jedidiah! How are you today?” Bee chirped out in greeting.

 

“Is not being well, no.” The grumpy old moth muttered out between puffs on his pipe.

 

“I’m…sorry to hear that…also…i believe this room is s-s-smoke free…” 

 

“Well. I has not been seeing any of the one for 4 days to complain.” 

 

“You’ve…been in here? For 4 days?” Bee’s voice rose with concern.

 

“Yes. and please. Is no crying children allowed in the waiting room, please. Patients only.” Ne snorted out, gesturing loosely to the bundle Marlow held.

 

“Not to question you, but…are you sure you’re in the right room, sir?” 

 

“Waiting room, yes. Waiting for slow, lousy doctor staff, yes.” Jed grumbled with an irritated wave of his hand to punctuate the end of his sentence.

Juku

 

LOCATION: Food Court

CHARACTERS: Asterodia | Isilynor | PIXX-L | Saphielle | Zikvien | Juku | Dot

 

Observing Zikviens slow nod, Juku looked at the food in front of em and back and Zikvien a few times before slowly grabbing the piece of bacon with eir fingers and eating it in one swift gulp. Ey made sure to maintain being slow and controlled about it as to not give away any desperation on eir part. The food was warm and satisfying in eir stomach, though it was barely enough. A muted growl escaped eir gut, causing em to stop and go still and glance away out of embarrassment. 

 

As the younger Zita-Gaxx spoke Jukus eyes glanced across the tablets surface reading the translation quickly and thoughtfully. Eir expression fell as ey hummed in thought. Quickly eir pudgy yellow fingers darted across the screen typing out a response.

 

“I suppose you’re right. The charge is alright for now, but it might be useful to save it if the ship fails.” the tiny robotic voice chirped out in a flat, clearly synthesized tone.

 

“I need it for the morning announcements though…” Ey added, fingers placed on eir lips as eir brow burrowed in thought. Eir gaze shifted over to the Sylphiel at the same time Zikvien gestured over to them, eir gaze lingering on the distant indigo figure.

 

Ey frantically shook eir head when Zikvien offered em her communicator.

 

“No no, You should have one for emergencies too! I have these, i just need to get them working...” Juku put the tablet down while the voice continued to speak, holding up both wrists for Zikvien to see. On either wrist was a larger communicator than the ones typically offered with wider screens for easier reading and typing. 

 

[Speaking, hearing.] Juku rumbled out, shaking the wrist with respect to its function for demonstration. Ey picked the tablet back up to answer her other question.

 

“I don’t know how much i will be able to do. To be completely honest my shoulder has started to give me more trouble than i had hoped. It is healing swiftly, but i’m afraid it might have taken too long to get help before it started healing out of the socket. It will have to be reset later most likely.”

 

Ey sighed, letting both hands and the tablet fall to the table in defeat. Eir eyes closed for a brief moment as ey took in a deep breath of frustration. Even now eir shoulder ached. Zita-Gaxx healed quickly, but if an injury stayed ignored for too long it could become more of a trouble than getting it in the first place. Slowly letting eir eyes flutter open again, Juku bit eir lip as ey looked back up at Zikvien. Suddenly aware ey might have lowered the mood, ey snatched eir tablet back up with a start and began frantically typing across it.

 

“But I will do my best! Between the two of us, I hope we can clear the rubble quickly. It is unfortunate that the cat man Garrett’s son has been stuck inside. And the yellow fish man Jamie’s partner. I am anxious to know if they are both okay.”

 

Jamie

 

LOCATION: Hallway

CHARACTERS: Garrett

 

“My…bad…” Came the muttered response from amidst the pile of rubble. 

 

As pices of debris shifted from him he slowly steadied himself on his arms and rose, winching half way through the rise as he put weight on a freshly scraped knee. He let out a pained hiss in response.

 

“This week just keeps getting better and better doesn’t it?”

 

Eyes half shut with pain, Jamie flinched away as Garrett tapped the freshly bandaged arm, curling it under himself defensively as his arm fins flared in natural state of alarm. 

 

“Sorry…” He hissed, voice pinched with pain from getting hit in the gut with the table frame. 

 

He let Garrett examine his face, moving his head side to side with the gentle touch of the older koshka. He bit his tongue to keep himself from gagging on the fresh smell of blood from the new cuts on his face, a particularly nasty gash adorning his right cheek just above his existing burn scars, blood pooling at the corner of his lip. Outside of the cuts on his face and knee and maybe a bruised rib or two he was okay. His breath was short and quick and he groaned in pain as he sat up with Garrett, both hitting the far wall to steady themselves at the same time. 

 

“Sorry…i…didn’t mean to upset you…” He breathed after Garrett half-sobbed, staying firmly planted against the wall. Both of his hands were curled around his sore rib cage, tail curled around his legs for comfort. It took him a minute to follow after Garrett slowly staggering behind him before taking a few quick steps to catch up to Garrett’s side. He ducked under Garrett’s free arm holding the wall pressing into his side to steady both of them at once. Placing one hand on Garrett’s and the other around Garrett’s shoulders they both staggered forwards towards the infirmary.

 

“I was going to ask you the same thing. I figured you might not want to talk, but…if you at least wanted to go over library clearing plans again, just to be productive…”

 

“I didn't know you knew Mijorian? When did you learn?” Jamie asked to fill the silence.

Xavier

 

LOCATION: Library

CHARACTERS: Damien

 

With a defeated huff Xavi let the bookshelf fall back to the ground with a loud thud that echoed across the massive library. Whatever books remained on the shelf flittered out and crunched under the shelfs weight. Hanging his head over with both hands on his knees he let out a ragged, tired breath. Glancing back up at the younger koshka in front of him he gave a shrug and slapped both knees in frustration as he rose kicking a few books that were in front of him and sending them flying into larger piles that scattered across the floor upon impact. Shoving his hands down into his pockets he curled into himself and he let out a hiss of disapproval at the situation. 

 

Staring tiredly down at the books near his feet he idly scanned their titles. His brow furrowed as he read over one in particular, slightly shifting his foot so he could get a better look at the title. Squinting at it he picked it up and read over it again a few more times. Quickly he turned with a few snaps of his fingers to get Damiens attention. He held the book out with a questioning, but hopeful gaze that it might be a clue they needed to get the code to open all of the vents.

 

Nearly flying back down the staircase, Xavi jumped the last few steps and ran as fast as he could to the glowing panel still seeking an input code. Staring up intently at where Damien was he knocked on the panel to indicate he should read the code again so he could type it in. The Mijorians' heaving breaths were all he could really hear for a moment in the brief silence of anticipation. If they could just get this code right they could go through the vents and finally leave this place. He could properly rehydrate. He could finally see Jamie. He could finally wipe this stupid smeared makeup off his stupid face. 

 

That is, if anything was still intact after they got out.

[Lycanious]

Isilynor
LOCATION: Dining Hall > Hallway

OTHER CHARACTERS: Aezsaa

 

With a swish of their purple cape, Isilyor decided it was time to dismiss themself from the food court before any more crew-members could make some snarky comments. All Dot received was a short, sharp declaration of “I don’t have time for this, Lydotre.” before they turned and started to strut away from him.

 

Sharp claws tapped in a frantic manner at the tablet in their hand, now summoning their ever-growing, ever-shifting newsfeed and task list that they had devised for the ship over the last few days. Isilynor’s tongue clicked in a critical manner as golden eyes scanned down the list. Little sign of progress had been made overnight, though at this stage the sylphiel was uncertain whether it was because the situation was becoming more and more bleak, or if the crew were just getting fed up having to log their work as they moved about. Isilynor huffed in exasperation and shook their head. Time to pick up the slack again, they thought. Next up on the task list is…

 

Oh.

 

Of course it was.

 

Reaching up with their clawed hand, Isilynor dragged it slowly down the side of their face in an attempt to quell the vague but nonetheless horrid, pulsing sensation within their skull that signalled a colossal headache was on the rise. It’ll be fine. Just get a quick update from whoever’s on duty then go elsewhere. They told themself, a scowl finding its way onto their features as they nonetheless stepped out into the nearby hallway.

 

The stretch between the Library, Gallery and Gym was the last major blockage between the rooms. Several passengers were still unaccounted for, and with the biometric scanners still down one could only hope that those remaining few would be found alive and well within those last few rooms. With eyes well-adapted to their dim-lit surroundings Isilynor strode past the wreckage, searching for any signs that they’d managed to at least clear a path to the imploded door by now. They had to admit, they were surprised not to see the older bespectacled gentleman for once sifting through whatever small, fragile bits of debris his frail form could carry.  Poor old fool probably knocked himself out. They mused. Isilynor didn’t know a great deal about koshka or humans, but they were pretty sure the man hadn’t slept since the incident and that was something of a concern for either.

 

Another shake of the head dismissed the thought, though. Isilynor just didn’t have the time nor energy to coddle any member of the crew that wasn’t currently pulling their weight.

 

Speaking of which…

 

“I rather doubt that anyone can hear you through all of that.” 

 

Exhaling in a tired, weary sort of tone, Isilynor starred in a critical manner at the silhouette of another being that had come into view. They recalled that her name was Aezsaa, and soon tore their gaze away from them in favour of focusing on their screen and typing her name into it to see what would come up on file.

 

“Mm-hm…I see…Draxiek, is it?” Isilynor began, as they brought up more information about the species in question. They soon tilted their head, inquisitive. “Wouldn’t your stone form be more useful to us all here…?” They continued on, however, barely giving them room to answer as they dismissed the profile and returned back to their task list. “Nevermind, I find myself struggling to care as long as you’re one of the ones doing something useful.” Grumbled the sylphiel, now turning to realise with mild relief that someone had, at least, managed to clear enough away that part of the door was in sight. “Are you hoping to find anyone in particular in there…?” They asked, voice softening just a fraction. “Or just looking for something to do?”

 

---

 

Zikvien
LOCATION: Dining Hall > Hallway

OTHER CHARACTERS: Juku

 

Ever so slightly Zikvien wrinkled her brow at the growl that emitted from Juku’s stomach. She felt it rude of her to comment on it directly, though it did make her wonder whether Juku was in any sort of shape to be fasting as she was. “They know Nuu’zonn.” The zita-gaxx then informed, watching in an idle manner as Isilynor left the room before switching her attention back to Juku in full. Her voice lowered, the quiet now rumble barely above a whisper. “They’ve been very stressed. Saw them plucking out feathers earlier. Don’t think they should be.”

 

Leaning back up, Zikvien then returned to her usual, albeit still rather quiet, volume of speaking. She was hardly one to gossip, that was for sure. But she felt perhaps that it was the sort of information that Juku would find important given the role they had on the ship. Perhaps it would give em something to focus on?

 

Another slow, contemplative nod occurred as Juku lamented over the injury to eir shoulder. Zikvien made a low, droning sound that represented sympathy amongst their kind, as well as serving its purpose as a general, mournful sort of sound. “It would be best to see a doctor now, then. Or it will just get worse.” She informed, though she at least accepted eir answer in regards to her own communicator without further debate. Dark eyes observed Juku as they closed their eyes, then opened them once more to frantically type at their tablet once more. She glanced away for a moment, uncertain of how else to comfort them but wishing she could do-so.

 

“Yes. I hope so too. Cat-man Garrett said the library was the last place he knew both to be but…” She lowered her voice again. “...Three days, no food, no water. I’m not sure how long either can last without that.” It was this thought that prompted Zikvien to slowly rise, gritting her teeth as she stretched and various bones in her back clicked in response. “You’re good with words, and feelings.” She continued, as she started to limp towards the Hallway. “Maybe you can just stay close to workers while we open the door. Talk to any survivors.”

 

---

 

Pixx-L
LOCATION: Dining Hall

OTHER CHARACTERS: None

 

Pixx-L had returned to the Food Court by the time she heard a musical series of beeps in her head. Pixx-L momentarily hummed along to the jaunty little tune out-loud, before both sets of eyes glazed over and she focused on replying to the message that had scrawled through her consciousness.

 

@Jixx-B: Ooh yeah, cranky little fellow ain’t he?

 

@Jixx-B: You’re in the infirmary right? I reckon someone he cares for is injured, possibly his sibling, or his mate. It’s a real common reaction from fully-organic beings.

 

@Jixx-B: Looks like just an instinctive reaction but, not something he’s gonna stew over. You can usually tell by the pupils with species #593.62.44. This specimen’s are still kinda rounded. It’s when they get like tiny little slits you wanna watch out for them. That’s when they’re so bloody stressed out they’ve gone berserker mode. Here’s a comparison diagram from my notes:

 

[img.1]

 

@Jixx-B: I once saw a beserking adult specimen take on a Cera and win. Ey had to get an entire new set of limb replacements and three pieces of armour plating refitted. Ey was kind of jerk but. It was kinda funny actually. Wanna see the footage?

 

[video.1]

 

@Jixx-B: Also say congrats for the little prototype to them both for me, yeah? If you’re still worried you’ve upset him I reckon you could get a gift for the little one to smooth things over too.

 

 

---

 

Shivers
LOCATION: Infirmary

CHARACTERS: Jed | Jixx-B | Marlow | Virgil

 

Raising one of their spindly hands, the pteratrix waved it back and forth in a dismissive manner as a gentle hum sounded. “Is…is being fine. Is nice to be hearing thanks for once, yes. Even though the doctor is not being able to be fixing problems in the entirety.” Their antennae drooped forward. “The doctor is not been hearing it much since the incident, no. Is mostly being the yelling or the sobbing from visitors. Wishing to be telling better news things but is not possible much, no.”

 

They had started to return to their screen, bringing up their next file to tend to, when Jixx-B’s sudden question made them pause for thought. Slowly, their head swivelled to meet their gaze, strained expression mostly hidden behind the enormous, red-tinted glasses that often obscured it while aboard the ship.

 

“...Is…is having many names once, yes. Was being surrounded by many friends and family. But then there was being Blight, and less and less names being heard.” They paused. Their feathery antennae drooped further, now flattening almost entirely against their head, and what looked to be a slight tremor rippled through them before they eventually continued.

 

“...Now is just being one name given. Shivering Pteratrix Doctor. Is being strange name, yes. Was not being Shivering or Doctor before the Blight. But is what was being used since then by others all the same.” The pteratrix then shifted, spinning their chair back towards the screen and hunching over it to give the impression they were now highly focused on its contents.

 

They remained that way for a few, relatively quiet moments. Until their antennae picked up traces of Jed’s complaints in the background and Shivers rose from the chair with an irate chittering sound.

“Doctor staff is not being lousy, is being mostly vanquished.” The moth-like being informed, as they skittered forward and tried to squeeze around Jixx-B still lingering in the way of the door to glare at Jed. “Is wanting to be useful for once? Should be going to do the finding of Angry Freckles Koskha Doctor, yes!”

 

---

 

Garrett
LOCATION: Hallway

CHARACTERS: Jamie

 

“No…no it’s…it’s alright, Jamie. I’m not upset with you just…” Garrett trailed off, not quite sure how to finish that sentence without it prompting another round of trying to suppress his tears. Instead the half-koshka was silent for a short while, focusing at first only on the path ahead and then, gradually, on fretting over Jamie as he steadied the both of them.

 

“...It’s been a few days, and he hasn’t woken up yet.” Garrett informed, eventually, as he steered the both of them in the direction of the Infirmary with a reluctant expression. “I’ve…I’ve not visited since…” Again his voice faded, and a silent but wide-eyed expression suggested that it was only there and then did it dawn on Garrett just how many hours he may have spent so far on trying to clear the path to the library. Shoulders slouched, almost causing him to lose their collective balance before correcting it once more. “...He’s got a marvellous brain. Stubborn as a mule. If he were awake he’d have figured out some sort of plan by now to get that door open. I’m sure of it.”

 

Despite his efforts, he could feel a sting in his eyes once more, and he glanced away from Jamie in the hopes of drawing less attention to it. Silence was all that followed for several more paces. But eventually Garrett found the means to answer his last question of a more light-hearted nature.

 

“Hm…I wouldn’t say I was fluent in mjiorian by any means. But when your husband and oft-rebellious daughter both speak it, one tends to pick up on which words are the rude ones.” He informed, now shaking his head at the thought. “...I’ve been trying to learn more. But it’s a very different structure to any of the koshka or human languages that I know. Some of the deeper, growling sort of words I struggle with.” Likewise, Garrett seemed to be trying to find ways to pass the time as they both hobbled to the Infirmary. “...Are you fluent in any other languages? Or are there any that you’d like to be?”

 

---

 

Damien
LOCATION: Library

CHARACTERS: The Archivist, Xavi

 

“...You know I can’t see without my glasses, right?” Grumbled Damien, as he suddenly found a book being held up to him for inspection. Nonetheless he leaned forward and tried to read the cover, eventually deciphering the title and the author’s name scrawled beneath. “Right…right…that’s written in mjiorian, yeah? I recognise some of the symbols.” Actually translating them, though, was rather hit or miss for Damien even without the additional problem of his poor eyesight.

 

Taking the book from his hands, Damien could only really regard Xavi with a baffled expression as he watched him suddenly whisk away and hurry back towards the panel. The koshka trailed after him at a slower pace, still focused intently on the cover to try to figure out what exactly had cought Xavi’s attention. “Erm…right…so…that’s a…” The title was of little use to him at first. He did, eventually, recognise the word ‘Ulf’ in the author’s name though.

 

“Right so…’Ulf’ means like…’Beast’ or ‘Monster’ or something, right? And then there this symbol which is…’Gaar’...? I dunno what that one means.” His nose wrinkled for a moment, then his brow lifted as it dawned on him. “Oh, Ulfgaar! I recognise that one from the history books. I think there’s a few mjiorians on ship from that House. Maybe this is written by one of their grandparents or something?” Damien frowned and continued to scan the contents of the cover, trying to figure out what exactly had caught Xavi’s attention in the first place about it.

 

“Is it just Ulfgaar? Hey Penny, is the password ‘Ulfgaar’?”

 

“That is incorrect.”

“Well. Worth a shot.” Damien sighed, now turning to hold the book up towards the hologram before him. “Can you translate this cover for me, at least?”
 

“This is a book titled ‘The Truth About Elysiel’, written by former Baldor Axon’zor Ulfgaar.” The hologram informed, to which Damien nodded in thought and then turned back to Xavi. “Is that why you’re trying this, then?” What about Axon’zor?”

 

“That is incorrect.”

 

“Elysiel? Can I have a hint?”

 

“No.”

 

“Was that for the password or for the hint?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Damien’s eyelid twitched, and it took every ounce of his self control not to hurl the book at the hologram’s projector.

 

“It appears that you are both experiencing severe technical difficulties.”

 

“No, really? What gave you that impression?” The hologram flickered in response, but then continued. “Would you like to dial technical support? There is currently one available registered professional in your sphere.”

 

Damien blinked a few times, glanced aside to Xavi, then back to the hologram. “Erm…sure…?”

 

The hologram projection suddenly froze. Damien waited for a few moments, wondering if this action had finally broken the already glitching program for good, before he slowly turned back towards Xavi with a tired expression. “I’m not sure, Xavi. This book might be a red herring-”

 

Suddenly a faint, hoarse voice, reciting some sort of rhythmic verse in a language Damien didn’t recognise, started to crackle out from the speakers. 

Edited July 15, 2023 by Lycanious

[DustyStar]

 

Xylas
LOCATION: Hallway

OTHER CHARACTERS: Aezsaa | Isilynor

 

“I can hear you.” 

 

A voice echoed down the hallway's length, resounding back a few times, making the response seem endless for a moment.

 

“Loud and clear.”

 

From atop the rubble cluttering the Library entrance nearest to the door stepped a young Sylphiel with wild red head feathers spiked up to resemble a mohawk. Their messy white feathers were stained with black patches, their tail feathers a eye-sering borage of neon colors. They stomped over the top of the debris until they were more clearly visible to the other two in the hallway. Placing a foot firmly on a block of ceiling and settling themselves over their knee, they stared down at the two with striking green and gold eyes and a devious smirk on their features.

 

“You know what would be more useful here, goldie?”

 

They took some small device out of their pocket and looked it over thoughtfully, toying it between their fingers a few times with inquisitive clucks sounding deep in their throat. 

 

“If someone actually did something around here, rather than sitting around telling others what to do.”

 

They clicked the device a few times between their claws and a flame sputtered to life. They began to laugh maniacally as they dropped the device and watched flames slowly envelop the debris. With a quick flap of their wings they did a small backflip and fell out of sight behind the massive pile.

 

Jixx-B

LOCATION: Infirmary > Bereavement Room

CHARACTERS: Shivers > Virgil | Marlow | Jed | Mr. Jibbles

 

Jixx-B’s facial display flatlined for a moment as xe zoned out to reply to Pixx-L's pings. Headspace filled with message pings xe eagerly began reading through them.

 

@Pixx-L: Yeah i’m in the infirmary.

 

@Pixx-L: oh no! Nobody looks injured?? Maybe the prototype is injured…

 

@Pixx-L: Nice notes! You're very thorough! 

 

@Pixx-L: ah okay, i’ll watch for the pupils more closely! What about the fins tho?

 

@Pixx-L: YES PLZ SEND FOOTAGE

 

@Pixx-L: THAT'S HILARIOUS!! I love the part where the Cera bites eir tail that's the funniest thing i've ever seen

 

@Pixx-L: ahh mk i’ll keep that in my pattern of thought. Thanks for the info Pix!! ❤️

 

“Does the prototype accept offerings? Perhaps a worthy sacrifice might calm its whims?” Jixx-B asked, leaning xir head to the side with xir ears flopping over following the heads motion. Xe pressed one of the panels on xir chest making a soft click sound as it opened. It revealed a small compartment where a few small bits and bobbles were stored alongside some gelatinous worm looking things. Xe picked a small metal ball out of the compartment with one hand, using a lower arm to snatch one of the worm-like things and slurp it up deliciously. Xe held the ball out in front of the pair tending to the crying child.

 

"Little toys I keep, just for emergencies." Xe smiled, tapping the ball on one of its interlocked panels with a large claw. It immediately vibrated and the panels sprung apart, rearranging themselves into a cube. Clicking it again the shape did the same thing, this time turning into a cone. Xe tapped it a few more times until it returned to its spherical shape and held it out for Marlow to take.

 

“Oh! Also, Pix says congrats!” Xe chriped.

 

The indignant old Peratrix snorted at Dr. Shivers response "So you is blaming your irresponsible time management on another? Can you not do anything in a timely manner?" Ne snapped at Shivers, nir antennae twitching with irritation.

 

"What good is doctor waiting room if no doctors show up?"

 

Juku

 

LOCATION: Food Court

CHARACTERS: Asterodia | Isilynor | PIXX-L | Saphielle | Zikvien | Juku | Dot

 

Juku’s face fell in worry upon being informed that Isilynor had been plucking out feathers. “That’s not good! Do you have any ideas on how we might help them?” Ey let out a soft rumble of worry, gaze lingering on where the Sylphiel had just disappeared down the hallway. Ey would certainly be keeping a close eye on them from now on.

 

“Medical staff is overburdened. I don’t want to be an added stress to them.” Ey replied, staring down at the tablet in eir hands as ey bit at eir thin yellow lips. The shoulder would continue to get worse, but if ey were careful enough, hopefully it wouldnt exacerbate the injury too much before the medical team could have a more opportune time to look it over.

 

“I am unsure as well. If we are lucky they will at least be recoverable in the current state they're in.” Ey sighed. Watching Zikvien rise ey followed suit, quickly and easily rising from the table and taking a few hopping steps in front of her. At her suggestion ey let out a small chortling noise, a rarely found sound among the zita-gaxx, better known as a laugh. “Perhaps i will. Everyone needs moral support. Even you.” Ey looked right at Zikvien as the voice from the tablet read out the end of the sentence. Suddenly eir brow furrowed and ey began to look around in confusion. 

 

“Do you smell smoke?” 

 

Ey questioned, raising eir head up to sniff the air curiously. Ey snorted with a disgusted grimace at the scent wafting through eir nostrils. Whatever was burning was really not supposed to burn. It smelled metallic and pungent, with a twist of wood and fabric.

 

Jamie

 

LOCATION: Hallway>Infirmary

CHARACTERS: Garrett

 

"I'm so sorry. That must be hard for you." Jamie replied to Garretts lament on Hikaru's comatose state with a concerned frown. The grimace was interrupted by a look of surprise as Jamie stumbled to recollect the pair after Garrett lost his balance. He chirped with surprise as he nearly fell, fins flaring, barely managing to steady himself against Garrett just in time. He let out a barely audible sigh of relief, his fins relaxing once again against his skin. 

 

"I'm sure he would have. Honestly it might be better to be comatose through all of this." Jamie's voice grew a bit solemn as he looked down at his feet. Realizing that he might be souring the mood, he perked back up and gave Garrett a wide smile.

 

"But we are all trying our best, ya know?"

 

Jamie let out a good chuckle at Garrett's remark on mijorian curses. "That makes sense. I'm impressed nonetheless." 

 

He hummed thoughtfully upon being asked what languages he would like to speak. "Well, I speak Mijorian Mijor'jaal and Mijor'tak, commonspeak and common sign, and Sylphian since I went to school in Elysiel."

 

He tilted his head to the side and gazed at the ceiling as he pondered his response. "As for languages I want to speak…hmm…i'm not sure. Maybe one of the blinking light languages some of the shrimps on Aevin'aar use. I think that would be cool. Would be neat to know what the shrimps talk about. What about you? What languages would you like to learn?" 

 

As they turned the hall toward the infirmary Jamie's ear fin twitched as he picked up some irritated chitter from inside echoing down the hall.

 

"Do you hear that?" He stopped walking to try and listen more closely. It seemed to be coming from the section of offices further in the back. He looked towards Garrett with a glance of concern flickerimg across his face. "Should we...go see whats up?" He asked quietly, not sure why he felt the need to be quiet.

Xavier

 

LOCATION: Library

CHARACTERS: Damien

 

Xavi was already tapping his fingers on the panel in eager anticipation before the realization caught up to him that Damien couldn't read without his glasses. He pressed a hand into his tired face and drug it down the side with a sigh, silently cursing himself for his own stupidity. Too many days stuck in the same place without a proper meal was starting to wear on him and it was beginning to show. He glanced down at the panel with an aggravated expression, then up at the hologram as Damien began talking to it.

 

The figure on the cover of the book looked vaguely similar to Penny, and Sylphiels were technically birds, right? There had to be a clue or something in that book somewhere. Or maybe Damien was right. Maybe it was just another red herring. Maybe he was just hoping something would go right in this hell of a past three days and he was just going crazy. They were never getting out. They were going to die here. 

 

Xavi grabbed the sides of his head in frustration and collapsed into a ball on the floor in a fetal position. The shelf cracked a bit under his weight with him impacting it so fast. Fighting back more tears, he bit his lip as hard as he could to keep back the whimpers trying to escape his throat. His head spun with spiraling anxiety, making it a struggle to focus on what Damien was saying in the background. A sharp crackling sound snapped him out of it as he looked around for what was producing that strange chanting echoing throughout the library.

 

Edited July 9, 2023 by DustyStar

[Lycanious]

Isilynor
LOCATION: Hallway

OTHER CHARACTERS: Aezsaa, Xyler

“I can hear you.”

 

Immediately the half-trimmed feathers that ran across the top of Isylinor’s head and down their neck flared at the sound of a familiar voice. Their eyes narrowed as they turned, until they spotted the neon-clad sylphiel as they perched above the rubble and their expression quickly morphed to a deeper scowl at their presence.

 

“Wh- Where did you come from?” Hissed Isilynor, torn between glaring up at the new arrival and frantically glancing down at the screen of their tablet as they tried to summon the list of ship personnel once more. They had been very thorough with checking the numbers to fairly divide their supplies between, with their fellow sylphiel being no exception. They would have certainly noticed if this particular being's face had been on the register anywhere.

 

“You’re not even on the list!” They then cried out, waving the tablet slightly in their direction as if, somehow, this announcement alone should have been a reason for the sylphiel to hang their head in shame. “It’s been three whole days since the incident, why didn’t you register your presence when I-”

 

Isilynor was cut short by the question over what would be more useful around the place, one of their eyelids twitching at the choice of nickname. They paused for just a second, long enough for the other sylphiel to draw something out of their pocket, before they inhaled deeply to answer them. Again, they were cut off, this time punctuating their indignation over this with a high-pitched squawk and a hand to their own chest. “E-Excuse me?! I’ll have you know I’m the only vague semblance of anyone with a plan and a schedule around here and I will not-XYLAS YOU DEMENTED FEATHER-BRAIN WHAT DID YOU DO?!”

 

Flames suddenly sprung into view, tearing a barrier between the two sylphiel and setting off an alarm from a nearby speaker. Anguished sylphian replaced Isilynor’s speech, who rung two of their hands in the air for a moment before attempting to summon nearby security from their device.

---

 

Zikvien
LOCATION: Hallway

OTHER CHARACTERS: Aezsaa, Isilynor, Juku, Xylas
 

An uncertain shrug answered Juku’s first question, though Zikvien’s expression lingered on one of vague, shared concern as opposed to an entirely dismissive gesture. “Too stressed.” She repeated, snout twitching as she mulled over what exactly one could do to alleviate any of it for the high-strung sylphiel. “Needs more rest, maybe?” It was a more charitable suggestion compared to what some of the others in the dining hall would say on the matter, at least. Zikvien felt that it was hardly a secret that the belligerent attempts at management from the sylphiel over the last few days was grating on the nerves of most, if not all of the crew at this point.

 

Zikvien didn’t push on the subject of eir shoulder, merely humming in thought and letting the suggestion fade for now. She felt perhaps she’d be too much of a hypocrite if she continued on, given that she’d likewise been avoiding another checkup on her leg until things seemed to have calmed down more for the poor medical team. When moral support was mentioned she tilted her head, catching Juku in the corner of her peripherals as she started to thunder her way across the dining hall to the hallway. 

 

“...Others are in more need-” She had begun to say only to, again, question whether she was just displaying the same sort of behaviour she’d criticised Juku of mere moments ago. Clearing her throat, she changed her approach slightly. “I’m not good with words. Yours are better spent on better listeners and talkers, maybe.”

 

Nostrils flared at the same time Juku questioned the smell of smoke, Zikvien thinking much the same. Instinctively she began to trudge towards the smell. An alarm soon started to beep from her communicator, and she quickened her pace as best as she could in spite of the lingering limp.

 

It didn’t take long to come across the culprit of the scent, appearing to be a small but rapidly-growing fire that the sylphiel from before was failing to stamp out with their foot. Eyes widened, and quickly Zikvien’s gaze broke from them to motion for the faster Juku to double-back down the hallway. She knew there to be a set of extinguishers in wall-embedded panels a short distance from here, if ey were quick enough maybe they could deal with the situation before any damage to the ship occurred.

 

It was then, as she turned back around, did her keen sense of smell detect the much more alarming scent of fuel amongst the smoke and ash starting to build up in the hallway.

 

Zikvien winced as she abruptly barrelled forward, forcing her way through the pain that seared through her hip. She made a grab for the indigo sylphiel with one talon and then the draxiek with the other, pulling them forward and then to the side so that Zikvien could side-step around them and turn her back to the door of the library.

 

A squawk of indignant protest started from Isilynor, but it was cut short as a resounding BOOM echoed down the hallway and Zikiven found herself flung forward. Quickly she pulled the pair of them towards her again, this time encasing them in a protective hold as she rolled across the ground a few times from her momentum.

 

Dazed, Zikvien came to rest several strides away from where they had been standing moments before. Her grip loosened, releasing the other two aliens from her grasp as she thumped her head to the side against the floor of the ship and bellowed miserably.

 

She knew she’d be alright. A zita-gaxx was built to endure far worse from various rockslides and cave-ins of the underground. But when it was combined with her pre-existing injuries and the dismal last few days it was tempting for her just to close her eyes for a few minutes and slouch there until she could muster the effort to lift her heavy form back to its feet.

 

“XYLAS!” Roared the sylphiel, now scrambling from her grip to their feet once more and shouting in more sylphian over the flames. Zikvien wasn’t sure if it was out of concern for the mysterious other being or pure anger at something they’d done, it sounded like both to her ears.  ”Are you alright?” She decided to ask the draxiek, given that the sylphiel seemed far too occupied with hollering at someone over the flames. “Is there someone still in the rubble?”

---

 

Damien
LOCATION: Library

OTHER CHARACTERS: The Archivist, Xavi

 

So intent Damien was on interrogating a useful response out of the hologram, that it took him a short while to realise the state that Xavi had entered. It wasn’t until he heard the sound of metal buckling did he jump and turn back to face Xavi once more, brow creasing in a manner that he suspected would have looked very reminiscent of the usual expression on his father’s face.

 

A twinge of despair threatened to make itself known, and for a moment Damien found himself overcome with the desire to slump down next to Xavi and join him in the misery of the situation. He closed his eyes, gritting his teeth together for a moment as instead he tried to channel the feeling into something more productive and motivating. Or, at least, confine it to some quiet little corner of his mind where it could be ignored for a few more hours.

 

“Hey. Um…c’mon, dude. We’ll figure something out. We just gotta keep trying, right?” Damien mumbled, voice softening as he took a moment to crouch down onto one knee and pat the ground beside Xavi a few times in the hopes of grabbing his attention. Beside him his tail lashed about in an anxious manner, but he managed to force his voice to stay levelled as he tried to comfort his friend in a manner he wasn’t really used to.

 

“Just…I dunno. Picture a tiny little Jamie in your head cheering you on or something. Or. I dunno. Pretend there’s someone you really wanna punch on the other side of the door or something so you gotta get out of here.” Awkwardly, Damien scratched at the back of his head for a moment, ears drooping. “Sorry, dude. For a koshka I’m kinda terrible at emotional stuff like this.”

 

Sighing, Damien starred back down at Xavi for a moment before making a grab for the book once more and slowly rising to his feet. Maybe Xavi was right, and they were just thinking about things the wrong way with the book. Wearily Damien started to trudge back to desk by the entrance, intent on fetching the cracked lens that had fallen out of his glasses the day before. It would still be difficult to read anything in detail, but maybe if he could at least use it magnify-glass style to take a better look at things…

 

It was there, mulling over the first page of the book, did his koshka ears pick up traces of yelling alongside of the annoyingly persistent chanting from the speaker directly above him. He glanced up from the book and turned his face towards the door, momentarily stunned by the sound. He was just about to turn and call for Xavi when a much more dramatic BOOM was heard, loud enough to rattle the door before him and send it echoing further into the library.

The voices were much clearer now, and while Damien didn’t immediately recognise any of them they were nonetheless voices and he audible sobbed as he instinctively called out whether they could hear him in koshka.

“X-XAVI!” He hollered, frantically trying to summon the mjiorian to his side before he stumbled towards the door. Frantically he ran his hands over its surface, eventually discovering a small gap that had been split open near the bottom of the door and scrambling to his hands and knees to shout through it to the other side. “H-HEY! IS SOMEONE THERE?! CAN YOU HEAR ME?!”
 

---

 

Garrett
LOCATION: Hallway > Infirmary

OTHER CHARACTERS: Jamie, Jed, Jixx-B, Marlow, Shivers, Virgil

 

Garrett found he had trouble agreeing with Jamie, even though he understood the sentiment behind his comments. “I…I suppose it’s a good chance for him to rest, for once…M-maybe that’s just what his mind needs for a while. I hear that’s how mjiorians tend to recover…? B-But…” Trailing off, he didn’t finish this line of thought but found himself critical of it all the same. He felt it too selfish to say that he was floundering aimlessly right now without him, and needed his support.

 

The mood shifted, or at least tried to, and dark eyes trailed back up to meet Jamie’s own as he remarked on how they were all doing their best. Garrett felt the side of his mouth twinge upwards. Again, he held no intention of refuting the mjiorian, but had difficulty mustering enough effort to match his enthusiasm over the matter. 

 

At least the conversation of languages was something of a lighter nature for him to focus on. His eyebrows raised, genuinely impressed with Jamie’s range as he listed several languages. “Goodness, an Elysiel education? You must have had a very bright mind to get accepted into any institutions there.” Faintly, his brow then creased to one of sympathy, as he wondered how well Jamie would have fared from such an arrangement. “I graduated from a place in Sekirw but I did a year on Earth as part of my degree, cataloguing the effects of the Ziss-Skraal. I’d have loved to get the chance to have transferred to Elysiel though.” 

 

Garrett mused over this for a moment more with a slight frown, but finally his expression shifted to a brighter one when asked about what languages he’d like to learn. “Oh, goodness, there’s lots! I’d love to be able to do all my own translations some day. And, goodness, imagine being able to ask someone about the history of their world and hear it in their own words, rather than having to sift through snippets of second-hand recounts and poor translations.” Garrett’s expression softened at the thought.

 

“I suppose Pteratrix would be the most useful to my current project, but it’s one that I know even my slyphiel colleagues struggle with. And I could only ever hope to understand it at best, I could never produce half the sounds you would need for it-”

 

Speaking of which, the irate chittering sound that had begun up ahead in the hallway was indeed familiar to Garrett. He paused mid-ramble, ears straining forwards for a moment to investigate. A moment later they flattened once more at the sides of his head, and he made a tutting sound over what was, presumably, the choice of language being used amongst the two pteratrix. The sounds was then joined by a faint, but nonetheless noticeable ringing of an alarm from elsewhere on the ship. Instinctively Garrett’s fur prickled at the sound, though he was eventually able to remind himself that the alarm was of the localised variety at this stage and that meant only security personnel had to worry about it for now.

 

“Mm…Sounds rather erm…stressful, in there.” Garrett announced, turning his head to regard Jamie with a similarly questioning expression over whether they should enter the room or not. Eventually Garrett made the decision to enter, though, and cautiously nudged open the door with his free arm.

 

He was greeted by the sight of a large pteratrix doctor making an obscene gesture in the direction of another pteratrix, and it prompted another tut of disapproval as Garrett hovered near the entrance to the office. He’d met the taller one a handful of times through Hikaru, enough to know that most of the crew referred to them as ‘Shivers’ but otherwise didn’t recognise the other pteratrix they were arguing with. In fact, Garrett was rather surprised to have even seen another of the moth-like beings, given how low their numbers had dwindled in recent years.

 

“Ah…is everything alright in here…?” Garrett ventured, only to flinch and flatten his ears against his head once more as Shivers’ head abruptly twitched towards him with a glare. “More injuries is being banned!” They snapped, complete with their upper set of arms being flung into the air as a further sign of frustration with their surroundings.

 

“O-oh um, it could be quite serious, though, I’d appreciate if you could take a look at Jamie at least-” An irate chittering sound interrupted him, as Shivers threw down a clipboard they’d been holding in one of their talons and started to skitter their way back through the door to their own office. “Fine! Is being checking the annoying yellow mjiorian man. Is meaning the grumpy useless complaining pteratrix will be having to wait even more, yes.”  A shrill, barking sort of laugh rang from Shivers for a few seconds before they abruptly cut themself off and starred at Jamie while pointing at their office door. “Be hurrying up and doing the walking inside. Shivering pteratrix doctor is very busy, yes.” They announced, continuing to rant in a mixture of pteratrix and omnispeak as they then excused themself from the room through said door. From what Garrett could gather, at least some of the ramble was complaining about the absence of a koshka doctor that was, apparently, supposed to be taking over the day shift for Shivers at this point in time.

 

Garrett sighed, motioning towards the office door with an almost apologetic expression in his eyes for Jamie. “Ah…maybe you could give them a few minutes to settle down?” He offered as a suggestion, before stepping back to survey the rest of the room. Jixx-B got a polite nod, as Garrett wasn’t really familiar with xem otherwise enough to know whether they were up for conversation or not. He was quick to pause on the image of Marlow and Virgil seated on the other side of the room however, blinking rapidly at them as he slowly processed the bundle of blankets in Marlow’s arms.

 

“Erm…” Garrett announced, brow wrinkling in confusion. “...Whose the little kit?” He eventually asked.

 

Marlow didn’t answer him, instead having his eyes trained on the ground with a glassy expression. It occurred to Garrett in that moment that he didn’t think he’d seen the mjioiran man move since entering the room, even with the fact that the nearby deinogen was now holding up a peculiar metallic object for him to take.

 

He turned his face to said deinogen, eyes darting between xem and the unresponsive Marlow a few times before he cleared his throat. “Erm…hello, ah. Sorry I don’t think we’ve met before,” Garrett began, addressing the deinogen specifically before pitching his next sentence to the rest of their audience. “Are we…all…okay over here…?”

Edited July 15, 2023 by Lycanious

[ValidEmotions]

How to tell Isilynor that her Stone Form wasn't exactly the most reliable at the moment? Aezsaa didn't even believe her Living Form was much for reliability as it used to be. She started to frown, skin flickering between phases as if in silent emphasis of her thoughts. She was willing to try, no lie to that. But how successfully was a different matter. The Sylphiel took a softer tone when they began inquiring about her reason, her drive, for assisting. "N-No," Aezsaa responded. "No one. Just... helping." Glancing towards the progress they had made, they flexed their hand and started debating internally if they should risk a form shift in their present condition. There was really only one way to know for certain, right?

 

With some awkwardness, Aezsaa shook off her long coat, depositing it beside her cane to the opposite wall of the hallway. The band of fabric that concealed her Core was less challenging to remove. Exposing their damaged Core left them.... feeling immensely vulnerable. The large gemstone's formerly warm glow now flickered and pulsed weakly. Cracks now spread throughout. She hesitated. Shifting had always been quick and painless for Draxieks. As long as they were full of good health and vitality. If they assumed their sporadic flickers between forms as any hint towards what would happen for a full shift, Aezsaa was admittedly not looking forward to it.

 

Inhaling deeply, they flexed their fingers again and waited.

 

Painful seemed like an understatement. Molten fire seemed to rocket through her nerve endings, flowing outward from the Crystal Core in her sternum. Organic flesh and stone alternated sporadically, rippling like waves in a body of water across her form. Aezsaa gasped and swallowed down as much of the cry of pain as she could, resulting in the low groan that escaped her morphing maw. A normal shift was nearly instantaneous. Hers, now, felt like eternity. They had to double over slightly, massive wings springing forth from their back in a twisted mess before straightening out and stretching towards the ceiling. Uncurling themself, Aezsaa exhaled, the remnants of pain causing her breath to waver. 

 

Body trembling, she gave her wings a brief shake to dispel the lingering sensations of her shift before striding towards the wall of debris. Aezsaa examined the chaos the blocked the library off from general access. After a moment, she grasped a gnarled beam, talons crunching metal with a brief complaint. As she pulled, a growl began to form in their throat, maw parting slightly to hint at the assortment of fangs within. With a sharp sound splitting the air, the beam surged free. Momentum carried through and Aezsaa all but fully chucked the junk metal across the hallway. With it dislodged, more debris fell loose and crumbled to the floor, stirring a thick cloud of dirt and dust. When the dust settled and the air cleared, she could see a decent portion of the library's entrance. 

 

The moment of triumph was short lived, however.

 

Her form wavered, causing fresh pain to throb through her bones as skin threatened to overwhelm stone. Staggering, Aezsaa relied on nearby debris to catch herself, nearly missing Xylas's sudden appearance in the process. They couldn't focus on the bickering between Xylas and Isilynor though, abruptly finding themself in a struggle to maintain a level of consciousness. Aezsaa lost track of the order of events that followed. All they were certain of was Zikvien materializing out of thin air, grabbing them, and then somehow sprawled upon the ground with her ears ringing.

 

"I--" It took her several moments to process Zikvien's words. It was difficult for Aezsaa to get back to her feet, needing to roll and untangle herself as her body fought between Stone and Living Form. Eventually, and with a fair amount of aching, her body returned to organic flesh as she sat up. "Cane, please?" they asked of Zikvien, gesturing towards the mentioned object. "I'm... okay. I think. Do--"

 

Aezsaa would have answered Zikvien further, but the sharp call from within the library seemed answer enough. Taking the cane from Zikvien, Aezsaa hurried to stand as, well... as quickly as she could in her unstable condition. Hobbling for the blast zone, she grunted as she threw her weight against the broken door. Zikvien was beside her a moment later, the combined efforts causing the door to complain and--oh so slowly--begin to yield.

 

Without warning, the door abruptly caved inward, throwing Aezsaa to the ground once more with a hard crash. "H-Here," she coughed out. "We're h-here." Looking up from her dazed position on the floor, she glimpsed the two figures that occupied the ruined library. Gradually, words drifted into her awareness from the speaker system. Then, "That's Ancient Draxien...."

[Mikasa361]

[VIRGIL CERULLO : SECURITY]

[LOCATION : DR. SHIVERS' OFFICE]

 

 

“C’mon, Verge. We’ll let Bee here finish xer doctor appointment in peace, aye?”

 

Virgil stares blankly in the distance before he gingerly lifts himself from the seat. The baby seems to have calmed down in Marlow’s arms, and she looks up at him with curiosity. Virgil does not notice this, instead resting his hand on Marlow’s bicep so that he could be led out of there.

 

As they walk, he barely registers his surroundings. She’s dead. His brain registers this thought and this one alone. She’s dead. She’s dead, and this baby is all I have of her. 

 

The baby makes noises of discomfort, detecting his distress starting to peak again as Virgil drops to his knees somewhere in the hallway. “Damn,” he hisses, before hoisting himself back up and allowing Marlow to guide him back to his quarters….. or what is left of them.

 

 

 

[DR. SAPHIELLE IANPEIROS : MEDICAL]

[LOCATION : BAR]

 

 

“They’re really ****ing annoying. So I reckon in the long run your best bet is still tending to patients unless you wanna go on search and rescue or something.”

 

Saphielle shakes her head and taps her nails against the counter. “……”

 

“…”

 

“…****. I hate that you’re right.” Saphielle sighs and withdraws into herself. “…..Leoris said I’d fail at this but….. gods, not sure if I want to do the search and rescue. Not sure if it’s…..” she purses her lips. “…..Gods. I want to think you’re right, that I’m more competent than that, but the past few days have been…..” Saphielle huffs. She then taps her nails and nudges the whiskey away with an apologetic expression. “Um….. maybe I should get to work, aye…….” Her ears flatten against her head.

 

I’ll be damned if I don’t try at least, aye. For everyone else’s sake, and Finn’s sake.

 

“…..Aye. I think…… I think it’s better they have more hands on deck, at least until Dr. Hironaka recovers.” Ears flat against her skull, she looks sheepishly at Aster as she gets out of her seat. “…..you’re welcome to that whiskey, um…… my treat. Thanks.” 

 

Before she turns to leave, she gives Aster a gentle wave.

 

It doesn’t take her long to make it to the infirmary, but she doesn’t mind the trip. Her palm shoves the door open as her voice calls, “I’m here, what’s going on?”

 

 

[HIBIKI HIRONAKA : ENTERTAINMENT]

[LOCATION : INFIRMARY]

 

 

Hibiki sighs, squeezing her father’s hand a couple of times. “Dad, it’d be nice if you would get up…. Pops has been waiting for days, he’s really worried, Y’know.”

 

At the lack of response, she knits her eyebrows together. “Dad, come on. Please?”

 

The hand squeezes back, and her eyes light up. “I-oh!!!! Dad? Dad is that you???”

 

“Nnnngh…..”

 

“DAD. Oh thank GOD. Thank god you’re okay…..” she leans forward to wrap her dad in a hug, and Hikaru grunts in pain. “Agh- sorry, sorry, uh— oh shoot I should call Pops!!!”

 

She reaches for her device, and prays to whatever god will listen that he answers.

 

“He’s awake. Pops, he’s awake.”

Edited July 30, 2023 by Mikasa361

[Lycanious]

ASTERODIA
LOCATION: Bar

OTHER CHARACTERS: Odrin | Saphielle

 

“Uh…aye? Cheers.” Rumbled Aster, though she looked a tad conflicted as her gaze settled on the whiskey that had been offered to her. Briefly it switched back and forth between the drink and Saphielle. It wasn’t until she waved and started to leave did Aster decide that, yes, she did actually intend to leave the beverage behind and slid it slowly towards herself.

 

“Take care. And don’t listen to whoever that Leoris ******* is.” Aster called after the koskha, before tilting her head back to finish off the glass in a singular gulp. She then hunched forward once more and hissed low under breath, the gills on her neck flaring as she endured the burn in her throat until it subsided once more. “Gods, that’d blind Shelkrii ‘emself. What’s she playing at this early in the morning?”

 

“You’re drinking at this time too, Dor Ulfgaar.” Pointed out Odrin as he shuffled past her.  A snort of annoyance answered him.

 

“Well, aye, but, this is a technically a nightcap for me at least.”

 

“I see.”

 

“Doesn’t count.”

 

“As you say, Dor Ulfgaar.”

 

Aster glared in his direction, before wiping at her face with the back of her hand and sliding off of the barstool to stumble over to the counter. “Just gimme the cost already so I can shove off back to me quarters, aye?” Grumbled the bleary-eyed mjiorian. Odrin didn’t comment any further on the topic, beyond arching an eyebrow and humming in vague acknowledgement as she paid.

 

“And. Uh. If she comes back here later throw her next order onto me tab or something, aye? Sounds like she could use it once she is off duty for the night.”

 

“Understood, I’ll be sure to remember.” Odrin assured. He gave her a pleasant wave, to which Aster rolled her hand in a half-hearted manner before taking her leave back to the crew quarters.

 

---

 

MARLOW
LOCATION: Infirmary  > Crew Quarters

OTHER CHARACTERS: Garrett | Giulia | Jamie | Jed | Jixx-B |  Saphielle | Virgil

 

Marlow hated alarms.

 

Specifically, the blaring ones. The ones that sounded like a siren or a foghorn screeching at you in a series of endless, methodical beeps. The Cosmic Alliance was unfortunately fond of using those to grab the attention of the crew when needed.

 

The worst of these, in Marlow’s opinion, were the types of alarms that never shut themselves off. They could blare on for hours upon hours, days, even. And if you weren’t able to figure out how to turn them off you were just stuck with a sound that could eventually morph into some horrible, terrifying cacophony of noise that could haunt you for a lifetime.

 

Marlow liked to think he’d done well to forget what that cacophony sounded like. But it was in times like these, reeling from several revelations at once, that it had a nasty tendency to worm its way back into his mind.

 

“Are you alright, dear?”

 

Marlow jolted, breath hitching as blue eyes darted about the room in a moment of confusion. He was quickly greeted by the sight of Dr. Strulvat taking a step back, his suddenly fretful tone suggesting that the string of koshka he was stuttering out was an apology of some kind. The thick scent of smoke that had been clogging his nostrils faded, making him blink a few times and register that none of it was visibly present in the room.

 

“Um…” Marlow shook his head, trying to hone his mind back on his present location. “Aye. Just…um…distracted. Sorry. Uh…” Wide, blue eyes drifted over to Virgil as he watched the man start to rise from his seat. His brow wrinkled as Virgil started to then wander away from the group, and he took that as his cue to ease off of the chair as well. “Sorry. Um. Don’t mean to be kinda rude but…um…reckon I better take these two back to the quarters.” Marlow mumbled, quickly pacing forward to join Virgil at his side.

 

Once they’d managed to exit the room he shifted in his stance, finned tail moving to press against Virgil’s back and nudge him gently in the right direction for his own quarters. “...I’m gonna tell Zik you need some emergency time off, alright? Don’t worry about anything you were supposed to do today. I’ll take care of it.”

 

---

 

GARRETT
LOCATION: Infirmary

OTHER CHARACTERS: Hibiki | Hikaru | Jamie | Jed | Jixx-B | Saphielle

 

Garrett watched as, with very little actual answers, both Virgil and Marlow got to their feet and wandered back out of the room. Pointed ears flickered up and down, seemingly debating whether he should continue to inquire before he concluded that neither of them looked to be in the mood to talk to him much. 

 

“Ah- alright, dears…um…let me know if you need anything…?” He called after them, barely getting a moment to breathe before a more familiar face burst through the door after their departure. “Oh! Sapphy, there you are. I was just thinking it was a tad odd that Shivers was still working their shift.” He mused out loud, before motioning to said pteratrix’s office.

 

“I’ve just sent Jamie through there…ah…poor thing’s managed to injure himself on the rubble. Otherwise um…afraid you’ll have to ask the rest of these lovely beings I only just got here-”

 

Their communicator beeped, distracting them from the attempt at an update in favour of quickly checking the message. What they read however was enough to make them instantly clamp a hand to their mouth, eyes growing wide as they fumbled with the device for a moment before shoving it back into their pocket. “I-I’m sorry I have to go!” Garrett fretted, stumbling away from the group in favour of making a bee-line for the recovery rooms.

 

By the time he’d reached Hikaru’s room he was a blubbering mess, scarcely able to form proper sentences. Garrett instead could only continue towards him, hands outstretched as he managed to briefly grasp onto the nearest arm before collapsing at his side. He grew very still, then, save for the faint tremble in his shoulders and a voice muffled as he rested his head above the other man’s chest. “Oh…g-goodness please don’t worry me like that ever again…”

 

---

 

ZIKVIEN
LOCATION: Hallway > Library

OTHER CHARACTERS: Aezsaa | Damien | Isilynor | Juku | Pixx-L | Xavi | Xylas

 

Somewhat dazed, it took Zikvien a few breaths to register what it was that Aezsaa was searching for. She craned her neck, spying a long and thin blur in the corner of her vision that she eventually concluded was the cane that they were referring to.

 

With a groan of protest, more-so at the movement than the request, she started to rise once more and staggered back up onto her feet. With the tip of her tail she rolled the cane closer towards her, then stooped to scoop it up with the talons on both hands. It was a clumsy, awkward sort of movement at best, Zikvien torn between being able to grip the device properly and not wanting to accidentally snap it in half. The end result was her balancing it between upturned palms and manoeuvring it over to Aezsaa to collect, quickly curling the sharpened talons out of harm’s way once more once done.

 

Dark eyes observed as Aezsaa stumbled towards the door, widening ever so slightly when Zikvien detected a voice from the other side of it. Briefly she glanced back towards the smouldering remains of the fire that had been started, noting that in addition to her suggestion to Juku, a rather unfazed Pixx-L had now wandered over and was dousing a nearby patch of flames with her upturned janitor bucket.

 

She decided it was best to focus on getting the door open as soon as possible, lest whatever poor souls were trapped in the library had to endure their situation for any longer. A low bellow, followed by a snort, sounded from Zikvien as a warning to her crewmates. She then hunched over and lowered onto all-fours, a flick of her head serving as her final warning before she thundered forward to ram her forehead into the metal of the door.

 

With the combined effort of Aezsaa and the previous damage the door stood little chance against a charging zita-gaxx. One door caved inward, the other half twisting to the side and snapping off of one of its hinges as a yelp of alarm sounded from the other side. Momentarily worried, Zikvien forced open the rest of the door and peered into the library, though thankfully it didn’t look like anyone had been injured by this. 

 

Instead what she was greeted with was an exhausted koshka stumbling out into view, who managed to stay standing for about three seconds before he reached forward and collapsed against the far taller zita-gaxx. Zikvien had difficulty telling whether he had fallen or was attempting to embrace her. The fact his shoulders were shaking suggested that he was repressing the urge to tear up regardless, and it prompted a sympathetic rumble of sound from her before she reached up and awkwardly patted him on the head thrice with her palm. 

 

“Need help?”

 

“No…no I’m fine just…I-I was starting to wonder if we’d ever get out of here…” Stuttered Damien, soon withdrawing and stepping away to now gawk over at the dying flames of the rubble beside him. “What the- is this all from the dining hall?!”

 

Zikvien, meanwhile, now found herself stooping once more to hold out a hand and help Aezsaa back to their feet. When she spoke Zikvien paused for a second to stare up at the speakers above with a mildly perplexed expression. She wondered whether it was a glitch within the library program, and briefly rumbled out a request to switch to a zita-gaxx dialect that seemingly went unanswered. The request to turn the program off was also ignored.

 

“Do you know what they are saying?” Zikvien eventually asked, as she tried to instead determine its purpose. It sounded like a song to her, the voice behind it melancholy and mournful, which ruled out her initial thought that they were reciting a set of instructions. At one point, just before the looping verse would start back up, the singer’s voice would crack on the last few syllables. She glanced back at Aezsaa when this happened with a concerned expression. It sounded almost far too personal to be shared with the pair of them.

 

“What is that?”

 

Hissed out Isilynor, briefly poking their head into view as they lingered on the other side of the door. Zikvien pointed a claw to the speaker directly above her.

 

“Ancient Draxien.” She repeated, to which the sylphiel didn’t seem particularly impressed. “Well, if we don’t need it, turn the damn thing off then.”

 

Zikvien had already tried that. She attempted to point this out to Isilynor, only to get cut short a few words in.

 

“The Archivist is broken-”

 

“Well then just find a way to shut it up!” Snapped Isilynor. Zikvien blinked back at the sylphiel a few times, watching as they huffed in frustration and started a rapid tapping sound with the claw of one of their talons against the marbled floor. They turned from her, and then dramatically pointed a sharpened claw at Aezsaa to address them instead. “You there, try speaking to it in draxien. The language detection settings are probably broken. Well, more broken. It is only a Zolierre product, afterall.”

Edited August 2, 2023 by Lycanious
Rephrased something that didn’t make sense

[DustyStar]

Jixx-B

LOCATION: Bereavement Room

CHARACTERS: Garrett | Saphielle

 

The mijorian in front of xem seemed quite fixated on the floor, staring off into his own world for a moment. Jixx-B withdrew xir paw with the small sphere back towards xemselves. Xe tilted xir head, wondering what caused Marlows sudden lapse in attention. The top set of xir ears flicked forward, trained on the sound of his heartbeat. It was a little higher than normal, but outside of that nothing was amiss. Before xe could initiate any further scans xir head snapped in the direction of the office door as a new face came in to greet them. 

 

“Designation: Dr. Garrett S-S-Strulvat. Occupation: xenoanthropologist and linguist. You are correct, we have never for…formally met before,” Xe shifted on xir knees to better face the doctor. “I am Designation : Jixx-B Occupation: Computer Operations Supervisor.”

 

Xe returned xir gaze to the pair on the couch at the doctors inquiry if everyone was alright.

 

“Vitally, yes. Though the small prototype koshka seems to have caused a disturbance.” Xe flicked xir head in the direction of the small kit cradled in virgil's arms. 

 

Xe silently watched Garrett approach Marlow, seeming to be enough to break him out of his trance. Around the same time Virgil rose in a kind of stupor and began stumbling towards the door. Marlow admitted he needed to leave to help the other man, to which Jixx-B nodded with a small chirp of understanding.

 

“Well, i s-suppose we should head back to the auditorium then, s-since we have nothing better to do?” Xe said, turning back to Garrett. “That is if i can get back through this door…” Xe eyed the narrow office door wearily, digital eyes turning to small slits that flickered up and down as though scrutinizing the exit. Xe didn't have long to ponder it before a new face popped through the door, surprising both Bee and the doctor. 

 

Before xe was able to greet the new arrival properly xir ears flicked forwards towards a beeping sound coming from the doctors wrist.  Bee could hear his heart start to race as he looked down at the device and quickly expressed a need to leave. Bee nodded in understanding, but the words "see you later" didn't make their way out of xir vocal processor before the doctor was already gone. With a sigh xe stared back at the doorframe, lowering xir massive head to start the inevitable struggle to worm xir way through it.

 

Juku

 

LOCATION: Hallway

CHARACTERS:  FIRE SO MUCH FIRE

 

Ey turned the corner into the hallway, eyes widening in surprise to see smoke and flame rising from the debris. Ey turned to Zikvien, both exchanged a glance, and without a word Juku nodded and darted down the hallway at her gesture. The fire extinguishers were nested into the wall, a collection of three or so stuffed into the small inlet. It was crunched downwards and bits of broken panels are wiry frames leaned against it, but from what ey could see they were still in good enough condition for use. Pudgy yellow fingers reached out and flung the debris to the side effortlessly, grabbing hold of one of the light blue canisters and pulling as best ey could with eir hurt shoulder. It didn’t give at first, the crunched frame of the inlet holding it in place. 

 

Before ey could pull again a large vibration ran through the floor startling em drawing eir attention back down the hallway. Ey caught the motion of Zikvien unfurling around clusters of light purple and dark green, her hulking mass barely distinguishable from the scattered bits of rubble that had been blown away from the door. More flames quickly crawled their way across the pile, one starting to take interest in the far wall as well. With a renewed sense of urgency Juku shoved eir hands into the alcove and tore the extinguisher free, the other two rolling out and falling to the floor. 

Catching the top of one extinguisher with the tip of eir tail and holding another firmly in both hands Juku rushed as best ey could down the hallway towards the fires. As ey approached the debris ey could feel another vibration ripple through the floor as the top of the door seemed to disappear out of sight. Ey didn’t have the time to investigate it, eir attention snapped to the fire that had gotten a hold of the wall and was trying to climb its way upwards. 

 

Skittering to a halt, ey readjusted the extinguisher in eir hands and pointed it at the flames, the white spray flying from the nozzle out across the wall. The golden streaks of flame slowly died out, overtaken by the white powder. Breathing out a short sigh of relief, ey turned eir attention to the smaller clusters of fire and dying embers and set to work putting those out as well.

 

Jamie

 

LOCATION: Infirmary

CHARACTERS: Garrett | Shivers

 

Jamie gave a short laugh to Garrett’s awe.

 

“Yeah! Being in Elysiel was an awesome opportunity! I’m really lucky I got in. My Dor has good ties with some of the academics there, so when I showed interest in engineering they shipped me off to finish my education.”

 

Memories of late nights studying and panicking about due assignments drifted through his mind. His gaze shifted just past Garretts face to his arm wrapped around his shoulder, looking down at the burn scars that marred his scales. His thoughts lingered on it for a moment before he snapped back to attention, realizing Garrett had been speaking the entire time. He hummed in acknowledgement hoping the older doctor hadn’t taken much notice of his lapse in attention. 

 

His earfin twitched as he heard some muffled noise coming from behind the infirmary door. He turned to look at Garrett who was already staring at it with a puzzled expression on his face. He must've noticed much sooner than Jamie had. Made sense, Jamie’s hearing aids were only really good for nearby sounds, anything off in the distance was a hit or miss for him. Exchanging a glance, they both walked into the infirmary towards the room where the noise emanated from. The scene they walked into was an awkward one to say the least.

 

While Garrett tried to explain what happened, a familiar blob of orange and yellow caught Jamie’s eye. He leaned over past Garrett to see Marlow sitting down with something in his arms. He raised a hand and was about to say hi when an irate chitter from the doctor cut him off. He looked over at the frazzled doctor as they motioned for him to get into the office to be examined. Clearly in no mood to be trifled with Jamie nodded quickly and scampered into the office, passing by Garret with an apologetic shrug.

 

“If you're too busy I can just take care of it myself! I’m sure its fine!” He said, turning around shaking his hands in front of him in a gesture of surrender to try and avoid incurring the doctor's wrath. 

 

"I can just grab a few things and head back to the auditorium if you want to teak a break." He looked around the office, picking up a random wad of gauze on the doctors desk. 

 

Xavier + Xylas

 

LOCATION: Library

CHARACTERS: Damien | Zikvien | Isilynor | Aezsaa

 

He buried his face into his palms, trying to stop his thoughts from melting into a panicked spiral. He should be better than this. This isn’t how mijorians handle danger. They rise to the challenge, not collapse into an anxious mess. Were they going to die? Would anybody know? A stifled sob was interrupted by a soft tapping on the floor. Xavi glanced up out from his hands to see Damien kneeling beside him.

 

Xavi frowned and shook his head no at Damiens apology, firmly planting a hand on his chest and slowly signing sorry with a sigh. He was being pathetic and making the situation worse. He should be braver, stronger, than he is. He rolled onto his hands and knees and pressed himself up into a seated position, watching quietly as Damein grabbed the book and tried to puzzle through its contents. 

 

In the brief moment of silence he felt an odd vibration somewhere just past the door. Looking up he saw his companion notice something amiss as well, but before he could comment a sudden wave of energy shot through his whole body. He felt every ripple of the impact apart from just the sound. Each wave from the explosion felt like lighting through his senses, overwhelming his tired frame and causing him to collapse back onto the floor. The need to detect minute shifts in dark water’s gave Mijorians a certain sensitivity to subtle vibration, different from the Zita-Gaxx but not dissimilar. As he flickered in and out of consciousness he was reminded just how delicate that sensitivity was for him.

 

As the world settled back in around him he pushed himself off the ground, blinking to try and clear his vision. He wasn’t sure if he was seeing things or not but the library door had been replaced by a wide opening out into the hallway. Maybe he was just imagining it. Maybe he was only seeing what he wanted to see. As his vision cleared he caught sight of a familiar shock of neon feathers crawling their way through the top of the now caved-in wall, heavy wiring sparking and sputtering with smoke swirling around the entrance. 

His feet were already scrambling over broken bookshelves and wall paneling before he realized he was running right towards the pale Sylphiel, everything else in the room fading away into the background. Before Xylas could even stand up all the way after jumping down off the wall, Xavi collided with him at a full run and sent them both flying into the damaged part of the wall.  

 

“Woah, bud…” Xylas exhaled with surprise, letting out a short laugh at the majorian holding him in a tight embrace. His upper set of arms held Xavi by the shoulders, gently pulling him back while the lower set came up to push greasy strands of hair out of Xavi’s tear-stained face. “You alright? Anything injured?” 

 

His question was quickly met with a bombardment of sharp, frantic signs that he struggled to keep up with. Taking a step back he looked Xavi up and down for any obvious wounds, really letting his appearance sink in. Softly he reached out for Xavi’s hands to slow them down and held them at a stop.

 

“Hey, s’alright now, calm down.” He squeezed his hands lightly. “You know i’m not one to sugarcoat things. Pretty sure i’ve pulled scraps from the junkyard that look better than you do right now. Let’s just focus on getting you patched up, okay?” 

 

Xavi let out a long, tired nod, letting his head fall forward onto Xylas’s chest with a relieved sigh. 

 

Xylas’s eyes sharpened into a glare towards the indigo Sylphiel screeching orders at the Draxien to do something about the statickly chanting drifting through the Archivist’s speakers. Admittedly the sound was starting to get on his own nerves. He released his hold on Xavi and began to march towards the other side of the room where Damien had left part of the Archivists control panels open.

 

“A Zolierre product, huh? Well, you would know.” He sneered, “Just as reliably bad as the trash that makes them.”

 

He gave a pointed glare towards Isilynor before turning his attention to the panel, punching through one of the flimsy metal sheets and tearing out a cluster of wires with his bare claws. The speakers came to a slow, sputtering stop. 

 

“Well folks, the show's over. Best we all get back to our business so we can forget this mess and move on with our lives.” He announced, unceremoniously chucking the wires over his shoulder and trudging back to the blasted door frame where Xavi was waiting.
 

[Lycanious]

((Alrighty, gonna try for another time-skip in the hopes of getting this one back on track.))
 

MARLOW
LOCATION: Ship Bay

OTHER CHARACTERS: Mission Crew
 

At the pace that The Observer had been travelling, Marlow estimated that it had taken roughly a week since the incident for the crew to reach their first destination. Much of the ship’s fallen debris had been cleared away now, making travel between locations far easier, though there were still signs of significant damage within the rooms and hallways to see. The hallway Marlow was currently trudging along was one-such example, showing a series of nasty dents and gouges along the wall panelling on one side of it. Every now and then he would pass by a panel that had been ripped off the wall entirely, exposing its internal structure and, in some cases, the wiring of the ship. Danger spots had been marked with bright yellow and black CAUTION! tape though, and occasionally he would pass by one of the repair crew hard at work trying to reshape a panel or solder two pieces back together.

 

Marlow didn’t really envy them, though admittedly he wasn’t all that keen to attend to his own duties as a security guard today either. In any other circumstances he’d have declined outright to go to a brand new, possibly dangerous planet, but with such a short-staffed crew the demand for all hands on deck to bring as much food as possible back to the ship was all too important if they wanted any hopes of surviving their situation.

 

Finned ears perked up from their drooped positions and swished through the air, catching the sound of a familiar stride of Virgil a few paces back from him. Soft, blue eyes drifted then to the half-koshka kit that Marlow held close to his chest, one hand carefully cradling the back of her head as wide, curious green eyes stared up over his shoulder at Virgil behind them. For a moment, a pang of sympathy caught him at the sight of her, and he found himself grimacing in an attempt to quash the emotions back down before her empathic nature picked up on them. Marlow had once been in her very situation, after all, and it had been hard to ignore the parallels between them at times over the week of trying to help Virgil adjust.

 

For the sake of others though, Marlow had been telling himself, he had to remain stoic throughout all that had happened to them. It was the standard response to expect of any mjiorian, even if Marlow struggled a lot more with the concept than most other mjiorians he knew. He wanted of course just to lie down face-first on the cold tiling of the ship and not move for several days. But the sudden brush of a tiny, furred tail against his arm fin as it searched for a wrist to curl around reminded him that he had others that depended on him right now.

 

Marlow inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled, shifting the negative thoughts to the back of his brain for now. Beside him his attention was brought to tinier, faster footsteps, and Marlow turned his head to glance down at the source of the sound. “Y’know Del,” He began. “It might be a little easier to see where you’re going if you let Verge carry Lorenzo for you.”

 

From behind a mess of red curls of hair and a large, plush toy shark, a singular blue eye peeped into view. The wild nest of hair shook rapidly from side to side in defiance despite the fact that said shark was almost the same size as the tiny half-mjiorian carrying it. She had to hold her arms up high in the air just to make sure its blue tail didn’t brush against the ground, preventing her from being able to explain to him further why she was so insistent on carrying it herself.

 

Marlow just sighed in a tired sort of acceptance of this, deciding it was rather useless in trying to establish any sense of logic with a stubborn toddler. Instead he just shifted his tail to the side, gently curling the fin of it around Delora in a protective manner as he guided the pair of them through the doors of the ship bay.

 

As expected, within the large expanse of room Marlow could see that several members of the crew were already gathering. Currently they all stood in a loose circle near the shuttle-ship monitoring stations, all displaying wildly varying levels of attentiveness as, unsurprisingly, the high-strung trill of Isilynor’s voice drifted over the top of the general chatter amongst them. Isilynor paced in slow, contemplative circles within the bounds of the semi-formed circle as he spoke. Coupled with his eloquent use of omnispeak was equally flawless omnisign, performed with his upper set of hands. Clenched in his lower set of arms meanwhile was the beloved screen that he could often be found tapping away at as of late. Every so often he would pause from his briefing to glance down at its contents, mouthing along to the notes written there before continuing. It was in one of these moments did he seemingly spot Marlow from the corner of his eye, and his head swivelled around to the side to regard him with a look of mild exasperation.

 

“Ah, I see Mr. Cerullo and the rest of dor Ulfgaar has finally decided to show up.” Isilynor hummed in omnispeak, and Marlow had to repress the urge to scowl and snap at him in response. Instead he tried to keep the fact he was currently teaching Delora patience and temper-control in mind, who had now set down the giant stuffed shark plushie on the floor in front of her and was glancing between the two of them with wide, curious eyes. 

 

“I have a young daughter,” Marlow informed him with a forced calm, though he couldn’t fully disguise the faint grunt of annoyance with him all the same. “And so does Verge now. Sometimes we’re gonna be a little late to things.”

 

Isilynor made a small clicking sound with their beak-like mouth, judgemental in tone, but also dismissive of the conversation as a whole. “Fine. Just drop them off with whatever unfortunate fledgeling wrangler you’ve got for them today and then help load these crates for us.” Marlow took a deep breath and exhaled once more when the sylphiel finally rolled his eyes and turned from him. Delora just tilted her head to the side, watching as Isilynor paced their way back over to one of the screens along the desks and stooped to read it.

 

< Why is bird person really angry? > She asked him, hands moving in a shy and more subtle manner than usual as she glanced back over at Isilynor as if to ensure he wasn’t eavesdropping on their conversation. “Because he’s a pompous twit, Del.” Marlow sighed under breath, before gently guiding her away with his tail fin from the irate sylphiel and towards the person he’d actually been wanting to speak to.

 

“Ah, there you are!” Chirped a softer voice as Marlow approached the bespectacled half-koshka that had been standing a little more aside from the crowd, idly picking at a loose thread on the sleeve of his pastel-purple jumper. “Aye, sorry Gar. Took us a while to get the little one settled." Marlow sighed in response, glancing back over at Virgil as if to seek confirmation of this. Garrett meanwhile just tutted in sympathy for the two of them, hands reaching out to take Giulia from Marlow’s hands. “Well, erm, hopefully she’ll stay i-in a happier mood for us then.” Sighed the half-koshka as she was transferred to his arms, pouting when Giulia almost immediately started to whine and resisted attempts from Marlow to unhook her tail from his wrist.

 

“If they’re going to start making a racket over there could you please take them somewhere else?” Snapped Isilynor from afar, and Garrett’s nose twitched in an anxious manner before seemingly agreeing with the sylphiel all the same. “R-right. Erm. Well, I-I’ll take this lot to the activity room then, shall I? Put on a movie, perhaps.” Garrett asked, briefly surveying behind him to do a numbers check before excusing himself from the room. Marlow stooped to address Delora one more time, wrapping her in a hug and ruffling at her hair. “You be good for Grandpa Garrett now, alright? No biting or sparring for honour while I’m gone.” 

 

< Yes Ko-ko. > Delora assured once parted, before picking up Lorenzo from the ground once more and toddling after Garrett, an older red-haired koshka child, and what looked to him to be a trio of identical ix-ruulka toddlers with an air of mischief about them. Marlow waved her off, making sure she was safely out of the room, before finally switching his attention back to whatever it was that Isilynor was rambling about. “-As I presume you are all well aware of by now, food is already growing scarce around here," Isilynor continued. "So it is absolutely vital that you gather up as much as you can. Even if it’s not on the edible list, I want you to take it for analysis. Who knows what other uses we might find around here, so it’s important for this mission that we-”

 

“For the love of Shelkrii, this ain’t some fancy C.A. mission.” Huffed the low baritone of Aster as she cut Isilynor off mid-sentence. Currently the mjiorian lingered nearby a large stack of metallic crates, one hand outstretched and leaning her weight against them while the other was occupied with making a rude gesture in Isilynor’s direction.

 

“I know mjior-tak, Asterodia.” Huffed Isilynor in response to the gesture. Aster just gave them a smug grin in response. “Aye, I know. It’s me hint that you should get a bloody move-on. Reckon we can wrap this up by suppertime if you do.” She gestured with a sweeping motion in the direction of the room’s exit. “I got other things to do, y’know.”

 

Isilynor replied with a noise of disdain for her general existence, though lacked the same powerful rumble of the aggravated mjiorian. In a show of irritation for the interruption though he abruptly switched off the screen of his device and set it heavily down onto a nearby workbench. “Fine,” He declared, waiting for the loud, mechanical whirring from his lower set of arms to stop once they were placed on his hips before he continued. “Just bring whatever you find back onto the ship, and we’ll run some tests to see what resources we can get out of it. There’s a list of what to look for that I sent to everyone’s devices based on our scans. Here’s hoping at least one of you actually values the time and effort I put into it to read it.”

 

Resting a hand on their temple, Isilynor now grew quiet. For a moment they lingered in this pose, perhaps nursing a headache, before they reached down to press a palm against the nearby benchtop and rest a little of their weight against it.

 

Aster looked to care very little about this, occupied mostly with grabbing a hold of one of the large, metallic storage containers that had been set up beside her. With little effort she hoisted one over her shoulder and started to make her way over to one of the shuttle-ships set up along the wall of the bay. As she did she barked in mjiorian for her fellow crew to join her, and Marlow made his way over to another crate to do the same. 

 

After several crates had been loaded onto the nearest ship, Aster took claim of it, turned, and motioned for a few others to join her. The shuttle-ships were small and lightweight, intended mostly for quick drop-offs onto another ship, or to quickly skim across the surface of a planet for scouting purposes. They were designed to hold about six human-sized passengers in total when the storage was full. Marlow rather doubted that they could fit more than one deinogen at a time, though, and if lucky it would leave just enough space for one or two of the smaller species to pilot the ship alongside of them. Maybe if they sat in the storage at the back and crouched down…

 

“Oi, someone with more than one eyeball wanna drive this hunk of metal down to the planet?” Aster huffed, breaking Marlow from his thoughts. Automatically he started to head towards the ship she was on, taking a seat at the pilot controls and then turning on his chair to await for more passengers.

 

“Now…for those of you who don’t fancy a trip down to this mystery planet, we have another task for you to volunteer for.” Continued Isilynor, now gesturing towards the ships on the other side of the bay with a more sluggish motion than their usual grandiose flourishes. “As some of you may be aware, we’ve found something…peculiar, orbiting this planet. It looks to be an old outpost station, research based. Sylphiel, in design, but not one I recognise personally in any recent years. Abandoned, as far as our scans can tell. And probably locked tight too. But we feel there could still be some good supplies in there, or at least some more information on where we've landed ourselves.” Isilynor paused, readjusting the weight back and forth in his talons for a moment before continuing. “I suspect you’ll want Xylas to tag along, I recall him being particularly skilled at diving beak-first into places he’s not supposed to be skulking around in. Otherwise, anyone with a background in some sort of science, perhaps? And some security, for good measure.”

 

Groggily he waved away the rest of the group towards the ships. “As for…the…rest…” Isilynor’s speech had started to fade, the sylphiel growing quiet once more as he turned and hunched back over the benchtop. All four hands splayed out along its surface, his arms trembling, as if struggling to support his already lithe frame. From the dispersing crowd of crew members the hulking form of Zikvien paused, heavy brow creasing upwards with concern as she observed him from afar. “You are tired. Should rest.”

 

The sylphiel mumbled back something in sylphian. Zikvien didn’t seem to have a translation for it, but its snappish tone suggested to her that it was perhaps something along the lines of telling her to mind her business. Regardless, she soon found that she had no way to ask them. Shortly after the statement Isilynor’s head lowered, shoulders sagging, and amidst what looked like an attempt by them to take a deep breath and focus they instead started to lull to the side. Before Zikvien could seemingly react the sylphiel had fainted on the spot, smacking their temple onto the benchtop before collapsing.

 

Marlow winced at the sound, watching the scene from afar and craning his neck to see if anyone had managed to catch the sylphiel before he’d hit the ground. The bench top unfortunately obscured some of his view. Aster meanwhile produced a short, sharp bark of laughter at this, and thudded her webbed hand heavily against the side of her chair. “Serves him right.” She sneered, to which Marlow couldn’t necessarily disagree with, but he nonetheless felt compelled to wrinkle his nose over at his sibling all the same. “Fainting ain’t good, Aster. He might’ve run out of medicine he needs or something.”

 

Aster just grunted in response, rolling her eyes, but dismissing whatever other snarky comments she had in mind in regards to the sylphiel. “Alright, alright, just give ‘em some space so the doctors can check ‘em out, aye?!” She shouted over at those that had lingered back to either gawk at Isilynor or try to rouse them awake once more. “Dramatic old peacock probably just heard someone conjugate a verb wrong and fainted from the shock-”

 

“Aster.”

 

Aster snorted, but finally turned back to face the front of the shuttle-ship and crossed her arms, waiting in a mild huff to see who would end up joining them.

Edited December 17, 2023 by Lycanious
typos / formatting fixes this is why I need to proofread before posting oops

[Mikasa361]

[DR. SAPHIELLE IANPEIROS : MEDICAL]

[LOCATION : SHIP BAY]

 

Saphielle had been completely frustrated by the fact that bloody Isilynor had to be in charge. Who died and told him he could boss them all around- oh, wait. She'd responded to his speech with some eye rolls, but upon them fainting her doctor instincts kick in and she bolts over to their side and kneels down. "Okay, aye, I got it," she announces before grabbing her stethoscope and listening to the Sylphiel's heartbeat. "....Okay. Breathing, still alive...." She hums before gently opening his eyelids and shining a small light to take a look. "Can someone get me a blood pressure monitor? Stat. Please."

 

[VIRGIL CERULLO : SECURITY]

[LOCATION : SHIP BAY]

 

"Resources...." Virgil hums softly as Isilynor speaks. Not a bad idea- although he finds himself very intrigued by the description of the outpost station. Perhaps that was where he would go- oh. 

 

Isilynor faints mid-speech, and he watches as Saphielle runs over to go check him out. "Well s***," he muses. "Well that sucks?" He hums as he looks at Marlow. "Saphielle's got it though, right? No need to worry too much?"

[DustyStar]

Xylas

Location: Infirmary > Ship Bay

Others: Xavi | Mission Crew

 

Xylas knelt on the floor next to Xavi the both of them alone in a quiet lounge in a small common space in the infirmary. The Mijorians arms held in his claws he traced his hands along bandage linings and secured some while slowly unraveling others and putting them by his side. Claws softly glazed over scrapes and sealed cuts appearing as dark blue almost black stains across the Mijorians usually glossy silver scales. 

 

“Man, i haven't seen you this ****ed up since you blew up the workshop forever ago.” He snickered. “ I don't think Xyler ever totally forgave us for that.”

 

The edge of Xavi’s lip twitched upwards in response, but he didn’t make any further motion to comment. Carefully putting down the arm he was currently examining Xylas looked up at Xavi with some equally unreadable expression that bordered on concern.

 

“Hey,” Xylas started, getting up off the floor and taking a seat next to Xavi on the lounge. “Are you sure you want to do this? You don't have to go out if you don’t want to.”

 

Xavi continued to stare at the floor for a moment before slowly bringing his gaze up to meet Xylas’s. He nodded, though the bleary expression and dark circles forming under his eyes told Xylas otherwise. Xylas quirked an eyebrow up in a questioning glare in response, but Xavi’s eyes only narrowed, daring him to try and push the issue. Xylas simply shrugged.

 

“S’ fine. I trust you. But for real, don’t feel like you have to be doing anything for our sakes. I won't let that rotten purple magnate guilt trip you into doing something that'll only make things worse.”

 

Xavi let out a long sigh, but gave a terse sign insisting he was fine.

 

“Alright, bud.” Xylas responded, giving a slow nod. “If you say so.” 

 

He brought a hand up to Xavi’s face, tracing the line of his jaw on his downturned head back to his hair, slowly running his claws through it. He twirled a strand through his fingers and brought it up to his beak in a soft kiss. Pulling away he admired the way the thick black curls fell around Xavi’s face and shoulders. It wasn’t the usual spiky backcombed style he had become so accustomed to seeing him in nowadays. To be honest he hadn’t seen his natural curls since they had first lived together sometime in their early teens. There was a familiarity to this scene. Sitting next to him, hunched over himself, dark curls covering his eyes so no one could see his tear-stained face. It was just the two of them, curled up in the workshop. Xylas leaning against Xavis shoulder while he lost himself in the sketchbook on his lap. If he closed his eyes he could almost pretend that's how it was now. 

 

He let his hand fall and trail down Xavi’s neck and shoulders down to his hand, intertwining their fingers, letting his head fall against Xavi’s with a sigh. He pressed the side of his face against Xavi’s and let out a low rumble just above a whisper.

 

“You look royally uncool.”

 

Xavis head snapped from the floor to Xylas, flinching away from him with a look of honest confusion over the comment. Xylas just laughed in response, leaning back against the lounge and regarding Xavi with a twirl of his hand, gesturing to his whole appearance. 

 

“I mean, like, who knew I’d see the day where the i only wear black and really dark shades of gray Xavier would be wearing some f*** awful polo and khakis. Haha.” He reached a lower arm forward, teasingly tugging at the dark blue and black cosmic alliance work polo that the personnel on the ship usually wore. His own clothes were messed up and honestly not suitable to be running around a broken down ship in, on top of just needing a fresh change of clothes. He had borrowed a change of Jamie's shorts and sneakers and found himself some black leggings he could wear, courtesy of Damien, but Xylas couldn't help but get a kick out of how out of character he looked. 

 

Xavi flicked Xylas’s hand off his sleeve with a glare prompting Xylas to stick his tongue out at him in mocking defiance. He rolled off the lounge onto the floor with an exaggerated flop and slowly rose from his feet.

 

“I mean you look like you work in ****ing customer service or something.” He stuck a hand out towards Xavi, offering him help up “let's find you some cooler threads, yeah? Gotta look a little more dominating if you hope to make an impression on a new planet without them thinking you're there to take a drinks order or something.” 

 

Xavi rolled his eyes in response with a little click of his tongue but nonetheless gave a suppressed laugh as he grabbed Xylas’s outstretched claws.

 

----

 

The pair wandered down the hallway on the way to the ship bay. They had managed to find a large black jacket with “security” embroidered across the back and had taken some of the caution tape around different areas of the ship and wrapped it around the sleeves to resemble his original. He seemed a bit more at ease, though still with an air of gloom about him. 

 

“I’ll admit I wasn't expecting the impromptu vacation. Being trapped on this old thing is weirdly nostalgic in some messed up way.” Xylas mused, trying to fill the silence and give Xavi something else to think about.

 

Xavi’s brow knit together at the comment, gaze trailing along the wall before snapping over to Xylas walking beside him.

 

<Why are you even on the ship?> He signed with a clearly puzzled expression on his face.

 

“Hm? What, got a problem with me being here?” Xylas retorted, a hint of sarcasm barely detectable in his tone.

 

His retort was quickly met with a light punch to the shoulder. Even if it was barely a tap on Xavi’s end it still sent Xylas stumbling a couple feet. The Mijorian reached out with a wince, forgetting how fragile the Sylphiel can be, and how unsteady Xylas has been as of late, but was dismissed by a wave of Xylas’s hand and a short laugh letting him know he was fine.

 

<You know what i mean.> Xavi snapped back, gestures sharp and wide.

 

“Hahaaaaaaa whatever. I was just picking up some power supplies for the rats. Just a quick in and out thing, maybe say hi to an angsty Mijorian that doesn't like my jokes, and hop off at the next docking station.” He responded, massaging his shoulder a bit as he fell back into step with Xavi. He went quiet for a moment, his face pinching together in a mix of frustration and concern. “Rats aren't gonna like getting dead air from me. Wish i could contact em’.”

 

Xavi nodded silently in understanding. They both continued to walk on quietly for a time, soon passing by Garrett and his small Mijorian companion walking down the hallway and giving him short nods in greeting.

 

Finally arriving at the ship bay doors, Xylas kicked them open unceremoniously.

 

Immediately they were greeted with commotion. People shuffled about, Saph barking orders at others while she loomed over some crumpled heap of blue and purple on the ground. As they entered the room Xylas eyed the scene with a wary curiosity before it connected in his head who the mass of feathers on the ground belonged to. His eyes widened in shock as he rushed forwards a few steps in their direction but came to a sudden halt halfway through. Isilynors probably fine. He reminded himself. Just overworking themselves again. They never were good at taking a break.

 

He closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh, his face melting into one of irritation and annoyance.He startled at the sensation of a hand brushing against his arm, snapping around to see a mildly confused but concerned Xavi looking at him. 

 

“S’fine. I’m fine. Let's just get you settled.” He hissed in response.

 

Even while walking away he still kept his gaze mostly locked on Isilynor, watching as equipment was filtered into the room and attached to their body. He only looked away when he saw a flash of yellow flicker in the corner of his vision and turned to see Jamie giving them both an ecstatic wave.

 

“Oh! Hi Xylas! Been a while since i've seen you!” he chirped, a radiant smile plastered across his face.

 

“Back at you ya’ hyperactive banana eel.” He shot back. His gaze traveled to Jamies raised arm, wrapped tightly in bandages of their own. They looked fresh. Odd, considering most of the other Mijorians injuries had almost completely healed by now. He glanced up at him, quirking his eyebrow in suspicion etched with concern. 

 

“Y’ alright? You really safe to be going on this mission?” He questioned.

 

“Oh! Im fiinnneeee. Its totally fine!” he replied, waving his hand in dismissal of Xylas’s concerns “Just a few scuffs from handling all this debris, don't worry about it. Haha.” He smiled again, but this time it seemed just a bit more forced. Xylas hummed in response. Admittedly he didn’t know all that much about Jamie, but from what he did know he had a habit of hiding things from people. Still, Xylas wasn’t one to pry too much, so he simply nodded and turned back to Xavi.

 

“You ready to go, bud?”

 

Xavi nodded and shuffled over a few steps to stand next to Jamie and the others going to the new planet.

 

“Terrific. Now.” He stepped forward, putting a hand on Jamie's shoulder and staring him dead in the eye.

 

“Anything happens to him,” He points over to Xavi. “or either of you really, ill ****ing kill you.” He points a finger right at Jamie's face for emphasis, claw tip nearly brushing the Mijorians nose. “And if they don't find you, they clearly didn't try hard enough. I will find you, and it will be over for you. Got it?” He stated matter of factly.

 

Jamie nodded cheerily “Of course!”

 

“Alright then. I’m off.” He gave Jamie a solid pat on the shoulder and spun around on his heel, marching off to the other side of the ship bay where the stupidly large yellow deinogen and the other stupidly large yellow Zita-gaxx, among others, lingered waiting for further instructions.

 

“Let's head off.” He announced upon approach, slamming his palm into a panel on the wall as it beeped in recognition, opening the ship bay doors out to the loading dock.

[Liurnia]

Zaaren Vien

Zita-Gaxx | she/her

Location: Hallways -> Ship Bay

Status: Hasn't left her room in weeks, forgot how loud people are.

 

Zaaren checked her pockets one last time, running through her mental checklist. Gloves (for handling artifacts), a water bottle, her journal. She'd spent the last few weeks in relative isolation while the ship was repaired - her area of expertise left her mostly useless for anything but simple cleaning, so she did her best to stay out from underfoot. Now that everything was back to (relative) normalcy, she'd caught wind of an expedition to a nearby space station. Never one to pass up the opportunity to search for antiquities, she volunteered immediately. Never mind that the trip was "fraught with untold danger" - she was far too distracted with the promise of untold treasures. Sylphiel artifacts were not generally her area of expertise, but that was nothing a few evenings of study couldn't fix.

 

Content that she had remembered her traveling necessities, she slunk out into the halls to head for the ship bay. She was a bit early, of course; heavens forbid they left without her. As she approached the ship bay, the sound of chatter grew louder. It seemed she wasn't the only one who thought to arrive early. As the bay door opened, she squinted into the massive room, cursing her poor vision. She saw the looming shapes of what she assumed were the exploration pods, and the much smaller blurs of her fellow passengers and crew swarming around them. She adjusted her glasses nervously and approached the nearest one - all the pods looked the same, she'd have to ask around to find the correct one.

 

She tapped the nearest person on the shoulder, her rumbling voice (hopefully!) hiding her nerves, "Sorry, can you direct me to the shuttle for the Sylphiel lab?"

[Lycanious]

DAMIEN
LOCATION: Ship Bay > Pumpkin Planet (Field)

OTHER CHARACTERS: Ship Crew

 

Damien’s back had turned some time during the sylphiel’s speech, a disinterested gaze drifting over the shuttle ships that had been lined up in the bay and the collection crates that were currently being loaded onto them. Fatigue briefly ebbed at the back of his mind, prompting a few bleary blinks in response as his eyes glazed. He still wasn’t feeling all that well from the ordeal with the library. Damien had since eaten and rehydrated, sure, but he still felt a wobble in his knees and a dull ache in his head that made it hard to concentrate on whatever it was that Isilynor was actually saying to them all. 

 

Briefly he entertained the idea of just leaving the bay and hiding out in his quarters, only to remember with a heavy heart that he was one of few Scouts actually left on the ship. By virtue of his job he was expected to not only attend one of the two investigation parties but also to effectively lead it, a concept that he’d been dreading since his arrival. Damien hardly fancied himself as a leader. Hell, he probably wouldn’t have even applied for a Scouting type job if it wasn’t for the Cosmic Alliance funding his degree for it. It was a concept that made him hunch in on himself the more he thought about it, arms crossed over his chest and chin pointed down towards his sternum until a sudden commotion jolted him back to attention.

 

Pointed ears perked upwards as he heard the heavy thud and the chorus of gasps that followed it before he saw anything. Immediately his head rose and he instinctively took a step forward to where the attention of the crew was now centred, clearing his throat in a rare moment of willfully raising his voice. “Alright, hey! Everyone calm down for a second and just give him some space for- oh.”

 

A clump of blue feathers and metallic, brass-coloured limbs lay upon the floor instead of the expected, familiar sight of a purple jumper. Despite the parting of the small crowd that hovered, Damien paused mid-stride towards the commotion, his concerned expression rapidly diminishing as he registered it was Isilynor of all beings that had collapsed. The two weren’t on the best of terms, though Damien mostly blamed that on being better acquainted with Xylas through Xavi. He wasn’t even particularly sure why the two held such a deep-seated spiteful attitude towards each other, he’d never gotten a clear answer, but it was apparently enough to still add him to Isilynor’s list of crew members to tut disapprovingly towards whenever they passed in the halls.

 

Still. The fussy old peacock had just passed out. His dads would probably be disappointed in him if he didn’t at least keep an eye on them for any signs of needing help. Thankfully by the time Damien decided to step forward once more Saphielle had nudged her way through the crowd, saving him the effort of having to make any such decisions. Instead he hovered slightly over her shoulder, peering over his slightly-scratched spare lenses down at Isilynor as the sylphiel mumbled something incoherent and started to stir. Isilynor then twitched their face away from the doctor in response to the light being shone in their eyes and groggily waved a clawed hand at the torch, trying to bat it away from them.

 

“Uh…I got some toffees?” Damien informed Saphielle, shoulders relaxing slightly as it looked like the sylphiel was already starting to regain consciousness. His nose wrinkled however at the sickly-sweet scent that had begun to fill his nostrils. Tilting his head slightly, he spied a faint trickle of shimmering, cerulean liquid, a mere few shades lighter than Isilynor’s deep-blue feathers, oozing from above his eye ridge where it had collided with the desk. Damien sucked in the air through his teeth and tutted in vague sympathy for him. For a moment he patted about in the pockets of his jacket until he found said toffees that he usually made sure to carry with him, but his expression then dimmed as he read the ingredients. “Oh…uh. Nevermind. These aren’t sylphiel safe. He’ll probably just feel worse from them.”

 

Given that other medical staff were starting to approach now he decided it was best to withdraw from the scene and switch his attention to the shuttle ships. As he departed though he fished out his comms screen, clawed fingers tapping away expertly at the screen as he focused less on the alerts and buttons they were pressing and more on what was ahead of him as he walked. With a swiping motion he brought up the app that had been downloaded to it as of this morning, poking around experimentally on the screen until, finally, he brought up the profile of his older sister (who had been assigned the prestigious nickname of ‘Purple-Haired Loser’ on Damien’s list of contacts) and started to type out a private message to her.

 

@Hibiki: Hey, have you still got any of those sylphiel-grade smoothie packs stashed away in your quarters somewhere?

 

He pulled back and watched the screen for a moment with pursed lips, ears perking upwards slightly as the sent message brightened and confirmed that it had been successfully sent. Honestly, he was impressed at how quick the software engineers had managed to cobble together a working messaging service and server. They still had no way of accessing the wider scope of social media of course, which made for infuriatingly boring downtime as of late, but at least as of this morning communications throughout the ship and surrounding radius were now possible. Damien pondered what he’d sent for another breath, then continued as his walking started to slow upon the approach of more familiar faces.

@Hibiki: Isilynor’s just fainted in the ship bay. Normally I wouldn’t give a **** but I don’t think they have much food to give him. Don’t bother bringing any of Pops’ juice boxes if you don't, but, he can’t drink them.

 

Pocketing his screen again, Damien finally glanced up at the group he’d approached with a casual flick of the head, his posture slouching as he tucked his hands into the folds of his jacket. “Xavi. Jamie.” Drawled Damien, his gaze fixating on Xavi for a few breaths before a cringing expression finally fought its way to the surface. “...Yeah you know on second thoughts, I don’t think the leggings really help at all. Those are still Jamie’s little squeaky-clean shorts you got on and I can’t unsee it.”

 

A sigh then issued from Damien, who started to walk towards one of the available shuttles and motioned for the two of them to follow. “Try not to die, yeah? It’ll be really embarrassing if we have to release your corpse into The Aevin’aar Abyss when it’s looking like that.” Snarked the koskha, before gesturing for the far stronger pair of mjiorians to load a few of the crates onto the back of the ship. Damien meanwhile edged his way past the seats and softly-lit panels of the shuttle ship until he had reached the Pilot’s chair, slumping into it with a resigned sort of huff. Leaning forward he then began the routine inspection of various panels and statistics as they blinked into view for him, making sure the ship passed all of its safety checks, before leaning back and slumping his arm over the back of the chair to wait for his friends to be ready.

 

After a final check for any last-minute additions to their ship, Damien closed the individual bay doors, made a grab for the wheel, and kicked the ship into gear.

 

———

 

Exiting the ship and stepping foot onto the new planet, Damien was surprised by how very Earthen his surroundings felt. Grass crunched beneath his boots, and when he angled his ears in just the right manner he could swear he could hear the distant trickle of a creek somewhere nearby. The air, which his scanner had deemed both breathable and pathogen-free, had a sweeter, almost sickly sort of scent to it than home. But it was accompanied by a light breeze, and a pleasant clouding protecting the new visitors from however-many suns were present in its sky, so it was enough to make Damien pause and take a moment to just stand on the spot and appreciate an environment he usually took for granted. 

 

“Too bloody cold.” He heard a voice grunt to his left, and he turned slightly to catch the eye of Aster as she too left the confines of the ship parked alongside of his own. She looked far less impressed with her surroundings than some of the others that were starting to emerge from their ships, her toughened face scowling as she glanced about with one hand to her hip. “And what the * * * * is that smell?”

 

“Pumpkins, probably.” Damien replied, freckled hand gesturing in a half-hearted sweeping motion towards the edge of what looked to be an impressively-sized pumpkin patch a few strides ahead of them. “Or whatever non-Earth-lookalike equivalent those things are.”

 

Aster turned to ponder the sight of the pumpkins before them, taking a deep inhale and then releasing her breath in a short, sharp motion that hinted at the irritation strewing below it. “Right, well. Better get these crates unpacked and start hauling these veggies into them.”
 

“Fruits.”

“Huh?”

 

“Pumpkins are technically fruits, Pops and I saw a documentary on it-”

 

Aster lulled her head to the side, an absolutely dead-eyed expression replacing her features as Damien wondered for just a split second whether the rumours of the temperamental mjiorian were true and he was about to get a set of mjiorian fangs embedded into his jugular vein for the correction. Thankfully though she seemed to only glare at him for a few breaths, before finally she turned from Damien and started to stomp her way back towards her ship. “Alright! Quicker we fill these quicker we can shove off! I’ll shout a pint to whoever can get these filled and sent off first!”

 

———

 

ZIKVIEN
LOCATION: Ship Bay > The Sylphiel Lab

OTHER CHARACTERS: Ship Crew

 

Fearful that her immense size and strength would only further the chance of injury, Zikvien made an awkward shuffle back a step to try to provide the medical team with some room as they tended to Isilynor. Even when tending to her fellow zita-gaxx medicine had never been her forte, though she was at least up to date on her First Aid courses. Sylphiel biology was, however, a completely new concept to her, given that she wasn’t really familiar with any of them. Isilynor was one of very few she’d even seen since leaving Saal-Ziir, and until she’d spotted the other pale-feathered avian roaming the halls she’d been convinced they were the only one currently left on the ship.

 

The thought of such loneliness had prompted an ebb of sympathy from her towards Isilynor, despite how prickly they’d been since the incident. Zikvien tried to credit the highly stressful situation with giving them such a dismal attitude, even if a voice at the very back of her mind liked to suggest that, no, Isilynor had always been a little insufferable even before they’d all been flung far from home. Perhaps Isilynor was just always stressed, Zikvien had reasoned. And she had tried not to take it to heart when they glared and snapped at her just before collapsing. 

 

Instead her attention had shifted to the blur of a figure that had seemingly fallen alongside of him, perhaps in an attempt to catch the sylphiel at the last second, or maybe even just unfortunate enough to have suddenly had the weight of Isilynor crash against them. It was hard to tell with Zikvien’s eyes. She lowered her neck forward until their hazy features started to better focus, nostrils flaring, until finally the mosaic of stone-like colours and scents let her register that it was Aezsaa that she was hovering over. 

 

“Everything alright?” The zita-gaxx rumbled, before gesturing with a slow sweep of her head towards the shuttle ships beside them. “Can you fly? I can not.” Zikvien tried to explain, briefly fanning her clawed hand back and forth across her muzzle in an attempt to demonstrate her poor eyesight.

 

Shortly afterwards she felt a touch to her shoulder though, and turned partially until she caught a glimpse of a fellow zita-gaxx in her peripherals. “Zikvien.” She announced upon spotting them, before tilting her head in thought over the question. “Mine is going to the lab. But I am looking for a pilot.” Zikvien explained, glancing now between the two and then with a somewhat hopeful expression back towards Aezsaa. “I will wait on the ship. If you can fly, you are welcome. If you can not, you are still welcome. But we will need someone else.” She detailed, before finally starting to lumber away towards said ship.

 

———

 

Zikvien was not very familiar with space stations. She had been on a few, briefly. But she found them to be a bit too cramped for her liking, and unlike a constantly-moving ship they offered very little sense of travel and exploration to help offset her distaste for small, repetitive spaces. This particular one seemed to be no exception to the rule, being of a compact sort of structure with just enough room to play host to a few of the shuttle-ships.

 

As per much of sylphiel architecture, the orbiting lab had a rounded, hexagonal-like appearance to it. Six ship bays jutted out from each side, each big enough to only safely host one visiting shuttle ship at a time. It had taken Zikvien a while to notice the problem inherit with this structure, in that it meant that rather than the bulk of the crew entering through the same set of doors, each ship-load had to pick a side of the space station to dock at and then aim to group-up with the rest somewhere within the building itself.

 

An uneasy feeling churned in her gut at the thought of this, worsening with every moment their ship was forced to hover in close proximity to the building. Zikvien didn’t claim to understand much of how the process worked, but from what she could tell from the back-and-forth comms between the shuttle-ships there was a collaborative effort by two members to gain access to the security systems of the lab.

 

Every now and then she could hear a musical string of sylphian waft through the radio, before the inevitable denial of password sounded and it was replaced with what Zikvien assumed was a hefty serving of profanity in the same language. She inhaled deeply then sighed, a clawed toe tapping anxiously on the metal flooring of the ship as she wondered how long the two would debate back and forth on the matter before they either gained access or were forced to turn back towards the mothership to come up with a new strategy.

 

Suddenly, a warning buzz from the monitor. Zikvien jolted into an upright position from where she’d been slouched, glancing about for context clues as to what had sounded the alert before thankfully a voiceover informed her and the rest aboard the ship. “We are being scanned.” Announced the soft, yet monotone voice of Echo. She glanced amongst her crewmates, silently questioning whether this was a good or bad thing, before movement caught her attention outside of the window.

 

“Oh f***ing finally! Shout out to whichever one of you b******s finally cracked the code.” Zikvien heard over the shuttle-ship’s radio in the unmistakable voice of Pixx-L, and sure enough the ship she was on and surrounding ones seemed to kick back into gear as the ship bay doors of the sylphiel lab started to open. The shuttles began to spread out, a few choosing a free bay to fly into while the rest lingered behind and, presumably, were on the lookout for any issues that might arise.

 

Entering the bay at first plunged Zikvien into darkness, with only a glimpse of the occasional blinking light through the side windows to indicate that they had indeed passed into the building. As the shuttle-ship landed and the doors closed behind it a second alert that they were being scanned sounded, but otherwise Zikvien didn’t see any immediate signs of activity beyond the ship. She glanced down at the comms screen clasped awkwardly in her claws, asking it in Ol’Denn whether there were still no non-crew-related signs of life within the space station, and humming in thought when it confirmed there was not.

 

Finally, after the ship reported a safe atmosphere from which to exit, Zikvien stepped out of the ship and onto the floor of one of the lab’s ship bays. Lights cracked and flickered on as she emerged, though there was a notable struggle to charge them with any power beyond a dim glow. The zita-gaxx gave a huff of annoyance, able to see very little indeed because of it, but able to determine at least that the contents of the room surrounding the ship felt both cluttered and decayed. Panels sparked occasionally from fragmented wires peeking out from behind a few buttons or screens, as if something had come through the bay earlier and started ripping off pieces of said panels for some unknown purpose. Zikvien shuffled forward and rested a hand on the ship-bay doors leading further into the lab. They tried to open themselves on her approach, but could only manage about half way before a fault in their wiring or sensors presumably prevented them from sliding all the way.

 

Wedging her shoulder through the doors, Zikvien used manual force to pry them open in full and emerged into a rather benign looking hallway, with little of interest beyond a small panel embedded into the wall. As she approached the panel flickered into life, startling her ever so slightly when a large, glowing shape suddenly appeared on an otherwise dark screen. It was circular in design, and contained a much smaller circle in its centre that twitched about erratically. Zikvien soon realised the symbol was that of an eye on the screen, outlined in gold, and one that seemed to be taking note of each of them individually before its attention seemingly drifted upwards.

 

“Hello?” Zikvien offered in omnispeak, wondering if perhaps this was some sort of prototype of the Echo program and she was speaking to the remnants of the lab’s AI. The eyeball however didn’t appear to react to her words at all, instead still staring off into the murky darkness of the hall to the right of them.

 

“Oi, any other groups getting these weird eyeballs on the screens?” Asked the rough voice of Pixx-L through her comms, confirming that the crews, for now, were at least close enough to maintain contact with each other. “This some kinda weird sylphiel security camera or what?”

Edited February 28 by Lycanious