USS Dark Fire (IC)

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870607.0920

“A currency exchange would be beneficial.” L’Sa replied. “And thank you for the compliment, you look lovely as well.”

“This culture seems to be a very eclectic collection of species.”

***

“Astrogation is on the fourth floor. Parasytes, infestations, and virus is not located in this building.” The alien replied. “You’ll need to register your species with the Xenobiology division.”

“Entry is ten Imperial credits.” it added. “Gems and rare metals are acceptable if you don’t have imperial credits.”

“Currency exchange is in the basement.” the way the creature spoke it sounded annoyed and bored.

****

The amphibian croaked something while looking at McLeo as the rest of the group found a table and waited to see if he could get star charts, or if he started a fight.

Yito had set her tricorder on the table to gather as much information as possible. There were so many different species and languages located on this planet it was more like a way station for trouble.​

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora​

The chick—yes, that chick (see what I did there? )—might’ve been a walking migraine, but Hora felt like she’d just won the intergalactic lottery.

“Thanks,” she said, walked toward the building’s turbo-lift.

She stepped inside and declared, “Basement.” Nothing happened.

Next to her, a human-sized worm—glossy, pulsating, and vaguely moist—slammed its... mouth? face?... against a button. The lift headed downward.

“How quaint,” Hora mused. “An elevator with buttons. I feel like I’m in a museum.”She turned to the worm. “Appreciate the assist.”

The worm hissed and emitted a noise that could only be described as a fart.

“Frating translator,” Hora muttered. She’d been hoping to flirt her way through the descent, maybe score a little interspecies intrigue. Could it read body language?

“Mr. Worm,” she purred, tugging open her wrap to revealing her amazing chest. “Do you like what you see?”

The worm’s head bobbed in what could generously be called enthusiasm.

“Now we’re talking,” Hora grinned—just before the worm coiled around her like a sentient scarf.

Lt. McLeo
“Bogus. Translator’s a total wipeout,” Shino grumbled as the amphibian bartender stared at him. No drinks. No nod. Just gills and judgment.

Maybe she spoke body language? Worth a shot.

He waved his cat-paw hand in front of her face, then pointed to two glasses. Before he could flash the diamonds—

WHAM. One of her four arms shot across the bar like a tentacled missile. Shino ducked, narrowly avoiding a face full of amphibian fury.

Next to him, a blue-skinned alien with four eyes, laughed like a broken synthesizer.“Waving like that? Super obscene in Hiikii culture,” he said.

“Yo, can you translate for a bro? I just need four brews,” Shino asked, brushing imaginary dust off his fur.

“No problem,” the alien replied, then turned to the bartender and spoke in a series of clicks and throat pops. Four drinks appeared like magic.

Shino slid a few gems across the bar. “Cheers, bro. Name’s McLeo. You know this surf zone?”

“Sort of. I’m a trader,” the alien said.

“Paddle over to our table. My dudes and dudette got questions,” McLeo said as he headed to their table.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870607.0925

Looking up as McLeo and an alien approached Reeves stood. “Mr. McLeo. I’m hoping this is more than just a drinking companion.”

Gesturing to the seat he sat again. “We’re willing to trade for Star charts and information on the various species in this region in space. We’re also looking for specific information on a species we call ‘The Silver Parasyte’.”

“I don’t know of anything called a silver parasite. Nor am I familiar with that description.”

“But I do have maps and xenobiological information for most of the species in this area.” He/it replied.

“Just depends on what you have to offer. Imperial credits costs you double.”

“Yes, we’ll also need information on the currency forms used here in this region of space. Why is there a difference between Imperial and non-imperial currency?”

“The Empire is.. stringent in it’s distast of anything that’s not Imperial. And the feeling is mutual. We’re on the far edge of Imperial space. We get occasional patrols. But any system they take an interest in, they take over. Violently. Strong resistance to their.. control is met with destruction.”

“Are they liquid in any way? Like mercury?” Reeves asked. Maybe this was them.

“No. Bipedal Dual armed. Singular cranium. Armoured. No one has ever seen a look at the species outside it’s armour. A few.. rare.. other races have worked in unison with them. But whether they are allies, or servants, I don’t know.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

Hovering near the group, cautious to not speak out of place or make her presence too noticeable, Xiana absorbed the information being shared. The description of the presumed Empire brought a sour taste to her mouth. She understood a universe with only peace was a fantasy well beyond her wildest dreams, but despite it’s lack of realism, it didn’t make accepting the latter any easier.

The mention of the other species drew her to the table. “Hello, pleasure to meet you. I’m with them,” the counselor explained, looking at her colleagues before focusing on the alien. “These ‘rare species’ as you call them… are they sentinent? Have they ever been able to speak or document their history? Might you have a library or someone who is well informed in them?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870607.0930

Turning his head the alien looked at Xiana before answering. “Hello,” He said. “The aliens are few in number so far. But from what I know They are all sentient. And occupied several worlds, or systems, before the Empire engaged with them. Some of them are open for trade, but their association is not known to me. There may be a library or someone that knows more about them. But I don’t.”

“I have maps that will give you the locations of those systems. You can go there if you want. The Empire isn’t friendly. But it isn’t excessively hostile either. If you don’t attack them, they may tolerate you. Hopefully your trade ship isn’t very large. If your small enough they won’t pay attention. But if your big they may interact with you.”

“I’d suggest you don’t carry any contraband if your big. They will probably board your ship and investigate you. They’ll log your ships ident-code.”

Holding up a hand he looked at the group. "The list of items that the Empire considers to be contraband will be included in the maps. I’ll also include the list for other worlds contraband. You’ll get all of it.. if we come to an agreement on price.”​

 

[milkmaiden38]

McLeo
The blue-skinned alien with four eyes had proven to be a surprisingly solid choice. This was exactly the kind of intel they’d been hunting. But what would it cost? The diamonds meant nothing to McLeo—but he still hated getting swindled.

“Yo, bro, that’s a righteous wave,” McLeo said, nodding with approval. “Now do me a solid—how many diamonds would this kind of info set me back?”

Hora
Hora thrashed against the worm’s grip. Orion were strong, but this thing was stronger—its coils locked her in place like living concrete.

“Let go of me!” she snapped.

The elevator dinged. Basement level.

The worm uncoiled with a flourish, its head bobbing like a balloon. It was laughing.

“Not funny, Mr. Worm,” Hora muttered, peeling slime off her jacket.

“I thought it was hilarious,” the worm replied, as the universal translator finally kicked in.

“Why?” she asked, flicking a glob of goo off her boot.

“You offered yourself as a mate. I took advantage of the opportunity.”

Hora froze. “Excuse me?”

“My species is Mkoosi,” it said proudly. “When another Mkoosi displays swollen bands”—it gestured toward Hora’s chest with a bounce of its head—“we are compelled to mate. We possess both male and female organs. During the embrace, we exchange genetic material—sperm from one to the storage sacs of the other.”

Hora stared at the puddle of slime. “So this… this is your sperm?”

“Yes.”

“YOU BLEW YOUR LOAD ALL OVER MY DRESS!”

The Mkoosi’s head bobbed again, wheezing with laughter.

Hora groaned. “Well, now you owe me. Help me exchange these diamonds for Imperial credits.”

“It would be my pleasure,” the Mkoosi said, still chuckling.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870607.0935

“That depends on the quality and size of the gems. But I think a half million Karats of quality seven or greater would be a good tarting point considering the amount and quality of the Data you’ll be getting.” The Alien replied as he leaned back in his seat.

“What’s a quality seven?” L’Sa asked attempting to get a baseline. They could easily generate the number and quality of diamonds, as long as they knew what it was.

“A purity quality of seven out of ten. Ten being the best.” He replied. “If you show me one of what you have, I can tell you it’s quality.”

Removing a diamond from a shirt pocket Reeves set it on the table. “A sample of what we have. More can be obtained, but not much more. Our supply is not limitless, and we have much to purchase.”

Pulling a device from his belt the Alien used it to analyze the diamond. “This is a quality four. It lacks clarity, color purity, and it has signs of of artificially created. If artificial you’ll need a quality eight.”

“The artificial nature reduces their value. Or one million Karats of this quality.”

“A million Karats? I don’t think we have that much to spare. We use these for some of our equipment.” Reeves replied irritated.

“Then we need to negotiate for few Karats, and less information.” The Alien replied. “And I’m a trader that has been a lot of places, and with a lot of star charts and Alien information. Names, Languages, Homeworlds.”

“Any further negotiates will take place through our Captain and or the Diplomatic Officer.”

“Then I guess we’re done for the moment.” The Alien commented as he reached out and took a cup from the table, drinking from it. "I'm also willing to negotiate for... livestock." He added looking at every female present with an appraising eye.​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

Taking most of her restraint, the counselor avoided rolling her eyes or displaying her disgust. She was disgusted of the undignifying people they kept encountering. She should’ve expected it, but my, was the repetition tiring.

At the mention of the captain, Xiana furrowed her eyebrows and stepped back, taking count of all the crewmembers. Had no one accompanied the captain?

“Please excuse us,” Xiana said, placing her hand carefully on Yito’s shoulder and guiding her with her across the vicinity. She grew more troubled with each step.

In an isolated corner, she stopped at looked at the ensign. “Is the captain on her own? Do you know where she is?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870607.0940

Pulling out her tricorder Yito adjust a few setting before looking at the Counselor. “The Only Orion in range is 1.01 Kilometers from here. Heading thirty-four – mark - seventy-six. Twenty meters below ground.”

“I cannot determine her status other than she does not appear to be injured. I believe she wanted to be alone. Or at least no longer in the Commanders presence. He seems to disagree with her a great deal.”​

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

Hora held a handful of low-value imperial credits as the elevator slowly moved toward the fourth floor. The discs shimmered faintly—encoded. In her other hand, she carried the access protocols for her digital credits: biometric keys, encrypted passphrases, and a retinal scan stored in a quantum chip.

“Money,” she muttered, turning the discs over like puzzle pieces. “Such a bizarre concept.”

Boohaul, her new Mkoosi worm companion, bobbed beside her, its skin iridescent rainbow of colors. “How so?”

“We abandoned money long ago. It’s something I studied in history modules—like feudalism or combustion engines. I never really understood how it worked.”

“But it is easy?”

Hora tilted her head, watching the credits glint under the elevator light. “It’s a placeholder. A proxy for goods, services, labor, trust. But it only functions if everyone agrees it has value. The moment someone stops believing—poof. The whole system collapses. Seems like it should’ve failed constantly.”

“Belief is incentivized,” Boohaul offered. “The system rewards faith.”

Hora snorted. “If I fabricated enough counterfeit credits aboard my ship, belief would fracture. The system would fail. Then the Imperials would issue a new batch, slap on a fresh seal, and everyone would believe again. It’s like a religion with a refresh button.”

“You’re not wrong,” Boohaul said, his voice bubbly.

The elevator chimed. They stepped out into a corridor lined with holographic signs and bureaucratic kiosks.

“I need updated star charts for this area,” Hora said, scanning the signage. “And I have to register my species with the Xenobiology Division. Charts first.”

Boohaul’s mouth tentacles twitched. “Then may we mate again?”

Hora grinned, her eyes gleaming with Orion pride. “Absolutely. But this time, I want detailed feedback—what feels good, what doesn’t. Orions take their mating seriously. We aim to pleasure and impress.”

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

She considered her words, wanting to avoid sounding disrespectful. “Yes, I know they can clash, but she’s the captain. Whether or not she has the ability to handle her own doesn’t mean it’s a good idea, especially in a foreign place. If the worst happened, that will also reflect on us for not being on guard or around to aid. We need to find her, if only to make sure she’s alright and has backup. We can’t afford to lose another captain.”

Xiana looked at the others across the room. She trusted that Yito could approach any physical conflict, but she wasn’t sure that distancing themselves from the group was also a good idea. She turned back to the ensign. “In your opinion, would it be best to go on our own or go with everybody?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870607.0945

“Yeah, losing another Captain in such a short period of time would cause a great deal of concern. And indubitably would result in an external investigation. And probably the reassignment of most of the Command Crew.” Sighing for a moment she looked at the Counselor. “I can inform the Commander we’re going to find the Captain if you’d like. Dr. L’Sa is also close enough to hear our conversation with her ears. So she can let the Commander know as well.”

“And in my opinion, going alone while the rest try and negotiate with the pilot, would be acceptable. Though I’m only an Ensign, everybody out ranks me.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

“Then we’ll go. I’ll speak to them. Divide and conquer sounds productive. Don’t think being an ensign makes you inferior to anybody. I trust you’re more than able to problem solver faster than most people on that ship.” If anything, they might depend on that.

“If you could please find the least complicated way to the captain and I will meet you outside shortly,” Xiana instructed, heading for the commander. “A word?”

“The Ensign and I will go meet with the Captain, to assure she’s alright and for her to have some backup if necessary. Naturally we’ll communicate as frequently as we can and meet you all once we have the Captain with us.”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

Had Boohaul known Lt. Sol, he’d have muttered without hesitation that Captain Hora was entering pissed-off dinosaur territory. She was growling under her breath, her jaw clenched tight, and looked one bureaucratic hiccup away from tearing someone’s arm off and beating them with it.

Her fury had been simmering through a maddening chain of red tape. It all began when she tried to request the star charts. Simple enough—until she was told she couldn’t access them without registering her species with the Xenobiology Division.

Fine. Except the Xenobiology Division refused to register her until she completed a health check.

The health check team, in turn, wouldn’t proceed until she’d been briefed on her alien “rights.”

But the rights training center couldn’t show her the mandatory film until the health team confirmed she had adequate eyesight and hearing.

It was a bureaucratic ouroboros. And Hora had had enough.

“WHAT DO I DO NOW?” she roared at the health check desk, her voice echoing through the big room.

The clerk, unfazed and sipping something suspiciously like orange sewage, replied, “Sorry, we can’t test your hearing or vision until you’ve completed your rights training.”

Hora’s eyes blazed. “BUT THEY WON’T SHOW ME THE TRAINING UNTIL YOU SAY I CAN SEE AND HEAR IT!”

“Sorry,” the clerk said with a shrug. “Those are the rules.”

“GOODBYE!” Hora barked, storming off in a blaze of Orion fury.

Boohaul slithered after her, his worm body wobbling with urgency. As a Mkoosi, he really was clueless about Orion moods.

“Maybe if we have more sex, you’ll think of something,” he offered, his voice hopeful and utterly unaware of the minefield he’d just stepped into.

Hora’s right hand curled into a fist. For a moment, Boohaul’s face hovered on the brink of obliteration.

Then she paused. Her fingers relaxed.

A slow, wicked smile spread across her face. “You know what? That’s actually a brilliant idea,” she purred, eyes gleaming with mischief.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870607.0950

“Why do you think I can solve a problem faster than anyone else? Dr. L’Sa, the Commanders wife, is undoubtedly one of the fastest and best minds on the ship. She is Vulcan after all.”

“But yes, I’ll step outside and start plotting a course to the Captain involving the minimalist contact with others.”

**

Looking up as the Counselor approached and spoke to him Commander Reeves listened as she explained her plan. “Although I am uncomfortable with your suggestion, I’ll agree as long as you take a weapon with you.”

***

Outside Yito adjusted the tricorder as she reviewed a display map in her head. Analyzing flow patterns of the sentient creatures, as well as mapping the sewer system, the streets, and the boundaries of the population zone.

She also noticed several individuals at the end of the block watching her from an alcove. Or they were watching the door to the establishment.

Tapping into the tricorders and as such into the Dark Fire itself she shared all the data they’d collected since landing and processed the shared data assimilating it into her processors. With the new information she seriously wanted to go to the docking port and just scan the ships there for the information they wanted.

When Counselor Xiana exited the establishment she looked at her. “I was thinking we could go to the docking port and scan the ship computers there for the information we need. Computer encryption algorithms shouldn’t be too hard to break with a tricorder. I hope.”

“Then we could go find the Captain. Or we could get the Captain, and then get the Ships Data. I’m open to suggestions.”

“And you outrank me, I think.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

Having reencountered herself with the ensign, Xiana shifted the handle of her armament. She hoped she didn’t have to use it. Frankly, she wasn’t too sure how to. She was quick with her hands but didn’t know if aim would match it.

“As long as we have enough information to conclude that the Captain is currently safe, we could go to the docks first,” she replied to the suggestion. With enough luck the docks wouldn’t be too distant from her superior’s location. “No vagueness. I don’t want to compromise her wellbeing or anyone’s for that matter.”

It felt peculiar. Xiana was never in a position to make orders. Her career hardly called for instructions as well. She operated indepedently, and with that came most of her confidence in her field’s priorities. She could lead in psychiatry. She hoped she could also lead in her current situation.

“Of the two of us, you’re more affluent. I don’t particularly care about ranks right now. They’re redundant during trouble. Don’t wait for my guidance; follow your instincts. That’s what I’ll be trusting,” Xiana spoke, then raised her hand, heavy with her weapon. “If you could teach me the basics on how to operate this thing, I would appreciate it.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870607.0955

“I’m sorry Counselor, I can’t give you any information other than her body temperature is elevated by several degrees. Heart rate and respiration are also increased. But all of her life signs are well within norms for Orion physiology.”

“I don’t see anything to be cause for alarm or concern.” Yito added before turning to instructing Xiana in the principle of using the Phaser. Including how to adjust the power setting from light stun to kill. And making sure she knew the difference. To many accidents had happened over the years with someone shoving the power to maximum and vaporizing an innocent.

“I’d be happy to give you more lessons once we get back to the ship, if you’d like. The holodeck is a perfect setting for this. Field training is not the best.”

“The Captain is closer to us, but only by a few hundred meters. So I’d recommend the ship docks.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

After her crash course on the phaser, Xiana felt more confident holding the item. She maintained her desire to refrain from using it as much as possible, but did feel a degree safer. Thankful for pockets near the waistband of her bottom attire, she made sure the weapon was in its safety setting before hiding it beneath her clothes. Having it on hand could only worsen their experience. “I’d like to not make a habit of using one of these, actually.”

“Let us go to the docks, then.” The increased portion had her rather worried, but she chose to trust the other facts. They could also risk losing crucial information by the second.

Allowing Yito to guide them, Xiana kept up with her pace, attempting to find a spot of subtle observance. Whenever they had significant distance from other beings, she asked the ensign for updates on the captain or their proximity to the dock. The rest of the time, she awed at the infrastructure of nearby buildings or the attire of focused passerby.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870607.1000

Approaching the docking bays Yito maintained observation of the Captain’s lifesigns. Without any observational change, which she reported to the counselor, she moved closer to one of the ships.

After a few adjustments she started scanning it for computer data. As well as making sure it’s configuration was catalogued.

“If you can watch my back, I’ll work at breaching the computer lockouts. It won’t take long.”

“At least it shouldn’t.”​

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

As the medical technician examined Hora’s eyes and ears, Boohaul slumped blissfully in the corner, his tentacles swaying in euphoric satisfaction. It was, the Mkoosi equivalent of a human lighting a cigarette after sex.

“That was... something else,” Boohaul murmured, his voice thick with awe.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Hora replied, unfazed, as the technician carefully extracted another glob of Mkoosi sperm from her left ear. “And thanks for coming in my eyes and ears!”

The technician blinked, clearly trying to maintain professionalism. “Can you hear this beeping?” he asked, holding up a small device.

“Yes!” Hora chirped, delighted.

“I’m not familiar with your species,” the technician admitted, “but I think you’re cleared to return to... whatever it was you were doing.”

“Perfect. One last thing—could you sign this form confirming I have functional vision and hearing?” Hora asked, producing a clipboard.

The technician signed without hesitation.

“Excellent. Now we’re in business,” Hora said, striding confidently back to the office to learn about her alien rights.

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

“Yes, go ahead,” Xiana assured, monitoring their surroundings to the best of her ability and withdrawing her phaser into its surviving setting.

Giving her attention to the ensign then and again, she tried to memorize the layout. How many maps had people crafted of the same places they had wandered in? How many people were as on alert for them as they had been for others? She should’ve been better prepared. She should’ve put her hair up.

In her peripheral, edging a far away mural that she had looked over a dozen times already, Xiana could swear she had seen a figure. It seemed to vanish just as quickly as she turned to look at it. Squinting her eyes didn’t seem to help.

“How long until you’ve finished?” the counselor asked, calling over her shoulder momentarily.

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

Every passing second of his still suspension made Araiza more impatient. Did he truly have to stress that he had learned his lesson and could work again? With how quickly things had developed, he wished for some degree of normalcy. Most of all, he wished his ideas weren’t confined to blueprints.

“And I’m just waiting for some hearing or something so they can just let me go back to work,” the man rambled to an exasperated bartender in one of the upper level’s tragically empty cantinas. Tragically to him at least, who had grown to also want the lieutenant before him to do anything to get him to stop bothering him. He hadn’t had a single drop of alcohol.

“But what do you think, Haz?” Araiza asked, rolling a napkin ball from hand to hand on the bar’s surface, his eyes following the uneven sphere. “Should I continue to make shit or just wait in case something bad happens?”

“I don’t know,” the man muttered. His skin was organically a light red. It had never reflected his mood until then. He had been telling Araiza the same half-assed answer for the last half hour.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870607.1005

While she worked Yito knew how long it was taking, her internal chronometer tracking every second. But it felt like it was taking far longer than it should. The encryption codes were interesting, but didn’t hold against her hacking skills. Twenty-two seconds and she was in. instead of sifting the data to find what she needed she copied everything in the computer and shunted it to the shuttle as it was being copied. Basically using her tricorder as a Server between the two systems.

Two minutes later she was done and out of the first ship. “If each ship takes the same amount of time.. thirty minutes total. Give or take.”

Looking around she slipped over to the next ship. It looked like a big disk, not that any of these ships seemed to be from the same blueprint pattern. Scans indicated different genetic material, different species, different languages from each ship. But each computer language broke down to a simple binary coding, if you knew how. Years in Engineering had taught her a few things that she put to good use now.

***

Walking into the Weapons Center Kavela went to a work station and started working. When one of the other technicians walked over he asked who she was and got a glare in return. But the monitor at the station indicated she had the clearance to be there.

And after a rather curt directive the Tech left her to her work. She wasn’t as experienced at designing and building weapons as everyone else, in fact she was horrible at it, but she couldn’t trust anyone on board to build what she’d need.​

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora
Hora wasn’t particularly drawn to BDSM—not the full spectrum, anyway. Power dynamics intrigued her, sure. But humiliation? Degradation? That was where her interest tapered off. Still, as she strolled through the administrative corridors with Boohaul undulating beside her, she found herself unable to resist the linguistic mischief his species inspired.

“Come, worm,” she commanded crisply, striding ahead.

“Hold these papers, worm.”“Pay the clerk, worm.”

Each time she delivered the line, she chuckled to herself, delighting in the absurdity. Boohaul, ever obliging, complied without protest—until curiosity finally got the better of him.

"Why do you laugh when you said worm?"

"It is a BDSM fantasy thing" Hora replied

“A sexual thing?” he asked, voice rippling with genuine confusion.

Hora paused, amused. “Sort of. Depends on the species. On Earth—a planet near my home world—worms are tiny. Just a couple inches long. They’re seen as weak, insignificant. So sometimes, in certain fantasies, someone might say something like: ‘You worm! Crawl for me. Wriggle on the floor.’” She mimed the scene with theatrical flair.

Boohaul wriggled obligingly. Not that he had much choice—being a worm-like creature, he was always wriggling.

“Yes, we have similar fantasies,” he said, slipping into a submissive tone. “I’ll play along. Anything for you… my bloated, thick goddess. Cover me in your slime… my profuse, distended, divine Mkoosi.”

Hora froze, blinking. “Okay, stop. That’s… not working. There’s a translation issue,” she said, recoiling slightly. Being called “bloated” and “distended” wasn’t quite the praise she was aiming for.

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

Thirty? She knew nothing of the craft, so she couldn’t argue accuracy, but her insecurity in their location was growing with each key press of the ensign’s fingers.

She swallowed her worries for the moment, returning to her makeshift post to look out for the two of them. How many times did she have to see something out of the corner of her eye for it to exist? Was she purposely making the outline of a being out of shadows because she subconsciously wanted to be watched? If she subconsciously wanted to be watched, then why did the possibility put her on edge?

She wished she had more intricate devices—not that she knew how to operate them. At most, she had the ring the lieutenant had provided her. So far, she only knew how to speak through it. She turned to the second-best option, finally deciding to assuage—or worsen—her concerns. “Ensign, I understand we have limited time, but I’m starting to fear that we’re being followed.”