Charlie & The Flagship Factory - Tale of the Nesasio
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 8:52 am
Well, I'm a big fan of FTL and well, I wanted to write a fanfiction about it. Two in fact. I was inspired by quite a few other fanfics here (Looking at you Ghosts of the Federation & Engi Conspiracy) and on another site and now I want to share what I've written over the past few weeks and ask for feedback.
The story entails the adventures of an Engi/Federation Stealth Cruiser and how it travels the stars without shields to deliver vital intel that'll save the Federation. The travel is dangerous, especially when you have an Engi Combat Platform as your Captain, a rather competent Slug who has a "heroic" brother and a Zoltan monk who doesn't seem to be all-there and wants to be an Envoy.
Oh and there's a man named Charlie who was found on a desolate moon and is sort of meant to be the viewpoint character.
There's going to plenty of named characters joining or interacting with the crew and several events lifted directly from the game or mashed together since I am hoping to go with something like one sector per chapter.
---------------------
Sector 1 – Civilian Sector
Charlie Smith woke up suspended inside some sort of fluid-filled tank with metal walls all around him. He gave out a short groan of pain and tried to place a hand on his head as if it would dull the pounding headache. “How much did I drink?” he asked before recoiling back in shock once he realised where he was.
A grey gorilla-like Engi was staring at his naked body behind glass with an emotionless glowing green visor for eyes. “Subject. For posterity purposes, please state name, rank and ship assignment” it said in a high pitched monotone voice.
Charlie tried to remember, wondering if he had just woken up from an extended nightmare. “Ummm… Charlie Smith. Ensign Charlie Smith. Junior Engineer of the Galactic Federation Colony Ship Condor” he stated groggily “Where am I?”
The Engi said nothing, walking over to a control panel and entering in a few codes.
“I get it, I’m in a medbay and you’re just programmed to operate it. Guess you don’t care if I tell you about this most awful dream I had” Charlie said “I was on routine maintenance when the Mantis attacked the ship I was thrown into a shuttle and made a Mantis slave for some time. She did all sorts of horrible things to me that I didn’t think the Human mind was capable of imagining.”
The Engi said nothing, staring back at him emotionlessly. “Then after I had enough, I killed her. I thought the nightmare would end but it only meant a slow death by starvation” Charlie concluded “Good thing it was all a dream, right? I’m alive and not dying on some shuttle, right?”
The fluids in the tank started to drain and Charlie took in several deep breaths of fresh air and not breathing gel. “Say, I’ve never seen medical equipment like this before. Technology sure has changed.”
“Ensign Charlie Smith, I have finished analysing your input” the Engi said calmly “Conclusion: Your revival may have caused mild memory loss.”
“Wait what?” Charlie stammered “Revival? That wasn’t a dream I was having, that actually happened? Am I dead?”
“Affirmative and negative. Your original body’s life signs have ceased. However before they ceased, we registered you in the Clone Bay” the Engi said, pressing a big red button on the console which opened up the glass.
“Clone Bay? I’m a clone?” Charlie asked, looking at his hands “This is unreal. I’m still dreaming aren’t I? I’m going to wake up and Kissikek is going to be all over me laughing?”
He glanced about the room for a weapon. “I have to get out of this metal prison!” he shouted, making a leap at the Engi. The machine quickly sidestepped away and Charlie collapsed on the floor. He leapt to his feet only to then be punched in the gut by a well-placed blow from one of the Engi’s fists.
“Before isolation from Hive-Mind, this platform was given combat programming” the Engi explained, grabbing Charlie and holding him down with ease. “You will be calm or this platform will terminate you and switch your cloning tank offline.”
Charlie immediately calmed down “So I’m not dreaming? I’m back with the Federation?”
“Affirmative. Distress beacon analysis indicates Condor destruction happened five standard Galactic years and three months ago” the Engi said, letting Charlie go and grabbing a grey uniform from a nearby rack.
The outfit was marked with the insignia of the Engi Brigade and looked like it could barely fit a child. Charlie knew the uniforms were highly flexible and could fit a Rockman if needed.
“Five years?” Charlie asked, as a sonic emitter cleaned him up before he put the uniform on, wondering when the Engi Brigade started having uniforms for non-Engies “You mind filling me in umm… what’s your name?”
“This platform is designated as Controller Metfel. You may call me Controller, Metfel or ma’am. Which designation is more convenient for you?” the Engi said, tilting its head curiously.
Controller. Aren’t they Captains of Engi ships? Charlie thought to himself, unconsciously saluting the Engi.
“This platform has forgiven you for your attempted assault of a superior officer and will not reprimand you for your natural behaviour in unknown circumstances” Metfel stated.
“Sorry ma’am, I’m in shock from being revived. This Clone Bay is very interesting technology. Never seen or heard anything like it so I thought… I thought I was still dreaming” Charlie said, relaxing his stance and placing a hand on the tank he had just exited.
“Acquired cloning facilities from damaged Rebellion Rigger vessel. Reprogrammed software to suit Federation requirements” Metfel explained “No known side effects on organic lifeforms apart from disorientation and minor memory loss.”
“Rebellion?” Charlie asked as he put the uniform on, Five years and the galaxy goes to hell. At least the Federation is still around.
“Rebellion. Formerly unknown radicals of Federation suddenly declare open war on the fleets. Armed with large automated drones, cloning and hacking technology have reduced Federation assets across all sectors. Efforts are made to retaliate, but Rebellion fleets are well-armed and more numerous than Federation fleets” Metfel informed him “It’s a losing battle. Your… our survival is not certain.”
“Holy crap! Where did they come from?” Charlie exclaimed.
“Unknown. Speculations in Hive-Mind indicate Rebellion existed before war as subversive agents. Supplied pirates with superior weapons to undermine Federation efforts. Most likely to rally support for Rebellion liberators and to build up massive army.”
“That’s horrifying!” Charlie said “Yet it explains so much as to why pirates have been an increasing problem for remote colonies.”
They left the Clone Bay. The corridors were grey and were filled with hexagonal shapes lining the walls like some sort of metal beehive. He thought it was an Engi cruiser of some sort he was on when he saw a series of lights running along the walls and floor guiding them throughout the ship.
Engies didn’t see a need for guide lights as each platform would be programmed to understand the layout. Nor would they see a need for corridors big enough for a Rock to walk through. Clearly this is not an Engi vessel, Charlie thought to himself.
“Is there anything I can do to help the Federation stop these Rebels?” he asked
“You have previously indicated engineering skills. What level do you speculate?” Metfel questioned.
“I don’t know. I haven’t fixed or tinkered with an engine in years. But I am willing to try on this ship” Charlie said, looking around the corridor “I’m guessing by the architecture that the engines are a mixture of both Federation and Engi tech.”
He sniffed the air briefly and remarked “That smells like incense. I’m guessing you’ve got a Zoltan monk onboard. They love putting that stuff in the life support to help them meditate.”
“Most optimal analysis. This vessel needs skilled engineers familiar with both Engi Brigade and Federation technologies” Metfel said. Charlie could have sworn her visor lit up brighter.
“I’ve been meaning to ask ma’am but the design of the ship seems Engi, while everything is scaled towards a more mixed crew” Charlie asked.
“This experimental vessel is the result of years of combined research” Metfel said, opening a door and revealing a row of sleeping pods and recharging stations. “Constructed for the Federation by the Engies, this ship is designed to use cloaking technology and speed to get behind enemy lines.”
“Cloaking? I imagine it would be hard to hide a ship in space” Charlie said skeptically.
“Phase-cloaking technology has been in widespread use across all sectors. When activated, the vessel temporarily shifts to another dimension, throwing off a ship’s aim and making it invisible to most sensors” Metfel stated “This may disorient organic beings but it is highly useful and vital to our survival.”
“I don’t see how hiding the ship is vital to survival” Charlie mused “A good set of engines and some powerful weapons seem to be a better choice.”
Metfel plugged herself into a charging station and said “Before leaving port, the shield system was not fully installed. We’ve only got basic deflectors.”
Charlie gave out a short curse. Basic deflectors were not considered to be a shield system – they were just a small field to repel space dust and nebula gas. Even a small rock would cause problems that a single layer of shields could easily block.
A Slug slithered into the room holding a datapad “Welcome to the Nesasio, Ensign Smith. I’ve briefed the others about your revival and they’re most pleased you’re alive.”
Charlie looked at the Slug curiously. He never had met one of the slimy aliens himself but his parents said they were rather dangerous, deceptive folk and shrewd negotiators. That’s why the shop charged a flat rate for repairs, refuelling and inspections whenever one of their ships rolled into the colony.
He then remembered hearing one of the colonists on the Condor talking about how the Slug Trade Fleet were set to join the Federation as one of the major powers alongside the Engi Brigade and the Zoltan Resource Protection Committee. Apparently there was a lot of controversy with that decision considering the Trade Fleet’s stance on slave trading.
“That’s one of the reasons why the Rebellion has taken place” the Slug said to Charlie, handing him the datapad. “Read this to catch up on what’s been happening, and then read the mission files. If you’re interested, sign at the bottom.”
Charlie then remembered that the Slugs were also telepathic. They could read a person’s thoughts and use it against them. I guess that’s also why my parents never trusted them.
“Oh and you’ll find that I’m not like those in the home nebula. I have standards and discipline and great loyalty to the Galactic Federation pioneers. But still, you should at least try to conceal your thoughts. These are dangerous times after all” the Slug said cheerfully “And the other Slugs won’t hesitate to tell you what’s on your mind.”
Looking at the datapad, Charlie immediately went to the mission files and played the audio log left there. A Federation Admiral started speaking – Charlie recognised him as Admiral Tully himself. “He spoke at my graduation. Or his pre-recorded hologram did” he informed the Slug.
“This war is going to get worse before it gets better, Captain Jensen and Controller Metfel. Botan agents have managed to acquire intel about the Rebel fleets that will prove a means to an end of this senseless conflict” Tully informed.
“Captain Jensen? He survived as well?” Charlie asked the Slug. Captain Joshua Jensen was his childhood hero. During the Mantis/Federation war, Joshua had destroyed over 30 Mantis bombers attacking his home colony in a single battle. From that day forth, the big green bugs feared hearing the name of his cruiser, the “Red-Tail.” Or so what the media told him. Then once the treaty was signed and the war over, the reporters went back to the latest updates about pictures of cats.
Joshua then had retired from combat duty to serve in the civilian side of the Federation. His command of the Condor Colony Ship was said to be his last before he retired for good. Retirony at its finest, Charlie thought to himself.
“Captain Douglas Jensen” the Slug corrected Charlie. “The jury is still out on whether or not his father is alive. We’re the first to have actually seen the Condor’s wreckage ever since the Rebellion started.”
Charlie continued with the audio briefing. “The intel you’re is carrying is vital to the remaining Federation fleet! Do not let it fall into the hands of the Rebels who are no doubt chasing after you even as we speak” Admiral Tully explained.
“I have given you a sector map of the path of least resistance. Choose your route carefully and above all else, survive and do not get caught.”
“You are authorised to take whatever means is necessary to achieve this goal. If you need to firebomb a colony or steal medical supplies, the only consequences you’ll face will be on your conscience. I am entrusting you with something bigger than obeying the rules and regulations. We are all counting on at least one of you to make it back to Command with the intel.”
“Good luck and Godspeed Captain Jensen and Controller Metfel. Admiral Tully out.”
The hologram faded and Charlie was left with a signature pad. “So we’re like an intergalactic courier service? Braving the dangers of the galaxy to get our package delivered?” he asked.
The Slug nodded “We have to keep it secret and keep it safe from all harm. We cannot let it fall back into the Rebel’s hands and we cannot look inside the box in case the Rebels capture one of us and force us to talk.”
“Sounds like an adventure” Charlie said, signing at the bottom of the datapad and went to hand it back to the Slug. “Keep it. By signing it, the pad has now been assigned to you. You are now registered as part of the Nesasio’s crew” he replied before gesturing for Charlie to follow him to the engine room.
“By the way, the name’s Lieutenant Slocknaw. Not to be confused with my “heroic” brother Slocknog” the Slug introduced himself “I hope that the slimy bastard is rotting on some moon!”
The engine room was rather utilitarian in design with easily-accessible vents and modular parts. He mused how close it was to the reactor core and wondered if that was a good idea if power needed to be quickly diverted to the engines, or a bad idea since all it would take is a stray shot to the engine room to damage the core.
“It’s rather quiet – if this was built for Humans in mind, how can one tell the engine is working without checking the console?” Charlie asked Slocknaw only to find the Slug had vanished, leaving an echoing chuckle.
Charlie walked over to the main console and looked at the engine’s status. Maybe it makes a sound when something goes wrong, he thought to himself.
The ship’s reactor was not powering the engines – two yellow bars on the console indicated an external power source. “Zoltans” he remarked before looking to the engine, wondering where the green energy beings were.
A burst of lime green energy coalesced opposite the console and formed into the shape of a long-haired woman in some sort of lime green military uniform with an emblem labelled ZRPC. She was a Zoltan soldier of some sort.
Charlie remembered his brother Robert telling him about a Zoltan cruiser he once patched up and the Zoltans themselves. “They’ve got all these strange beliefs about eyes and stuff and plenty of rules, but by the gods have you seen their women? No wonder Captain Awesome couldn’t refuse to rescue Zoltan princesses every Saturday morning!”
“Very astute Ensign Smith” the Zoltan said, her voice having an otherworldly echo to it “Bond Sister Elizabeth-Trikko, Order Of The Great Eye.”
Charlie did not know what that meant as a rank or if it meant she was a civilian. But he was feeling like he should do some fraternisation in the ranks regardless. “We’ve been waiting for someone to be sent down here to maintain the engines” Elizabeth said with a tired yawn “Keeping them powered can be quite exhausting, but such hardships are needed on the path to becoming an Envoy.”
The Zoltans were made up mostly of some sort of bioorganic energy could be used to power systems, but they always maintained a physical form when doing so. Elizabeth seemed fond of throwing her whole self into the engines, providing extra energy but most likely risking some sort of catastrophic harm.
“An Envoy?” Charlie asked, then regretting asking that question. “What do they do?”
“What the Great Eye tells them to do” Elizabeth said “Rather than being told by an Envoy what the Great Eye told them.”
“So it’s like going further up the chain of command?” Charlie asked.
“Something like that. However your path and our paths work differently.” Elizabeth said calmly “By the time we’ve achieved our status as an Envoy we will be different people entirely. The whole is worth more than the sum of its parts and great sacrifices are needed to attain this.”
Charlie wondered if the Zoltan or if the entire species were just crazy. Elizabeth then handed him a multi-tool “You’ll need one of these when trouble comes along. Not that you’ll need it considering that our goal is to avoid being hit.”
“You’re not going to help me get acquainted a little better?” Charlie asked with a smile. Elizabeth shook her head and turned around towards the engines. “Sometimes one chooses their own path without the guidance of others.”
“I’ve been stranded on a desolate moon for five years without having any opportunity to work on anything involving a spaceship” Charlie complained “I think I need a little more than some philosophical words.”
Elizabeth sighed and informed him “We’re saying the system is simple enough that even a Mantis could do it. You’re not a Mantis are you?”
Charlie shook his head. “I don’t think anyone in the family are Mantises.”
“Good. Keep the engines in working order and we will be in working order, for the engines and us are one” Elizabeth said, giving him a wink. Her body began to break apart into a cloud of energy. Before she faded away however, she quickly added “At least until our Captain installs some better shields.”
She then flowed into the engines while Charlie scratched his head and wondered just how strange this ship could get. Yet at the same time this is more what I signed up for rather than what I did on that colony ship.
Slocknaw returned, still chuckling to himself. “I see you’ve quickly taken a liking to our Zoltan friends” he remarked.
“Friends?” Charlie asked “I only saw one Zoltan.”
“Elizabeth-Trikko is a Bond Sister” Slocknaw said “It’s a rather complicated affair and involves a lot of sacrifice.”
“And the ability to write bad poetry?” Charlie asked.
“More like the ability to write bad poetry well” Slocknaw laughed “Now get familiarised with the controls. Controller says we’re jumping out of this system in an hour. You’ll be glad to know that the rock we found you on will be far far away.”
The story entails the adventures of an Engi/Federation Stealth Cruiser and how it travels the stars without shields to deliver vital intel that'll save the Federation. The travel is dangerous, especially when you have an Engi Combat Platform as your Captain, a rather competent Slug who has a "heroic" brother and a Zoltan monk who doesn't seem to be all-there and wants to be an Envoy.
Oh and there's a man named Charlie who was found on a desolate moon and is sort of meant to be the viewpoint character.
There's going to plenty of named characters joining or interacting with the crew and several events lifted directly from the game or mashed together since I am hoping to go with something like one sector per chapter.
---------------------
Sector 1 – Civilian Sector
Charlie Smith woke up suspended inside some sort of fluid-filled tank with metal walls all around him. He gave out a short groan of pain and tried to place a hand on his head as if it would dull the pounding headache. “How much did I drink?” he asked before recoiling back in shock once he realised where he was.
A grey gorilla-like Engi was staring at his naked body behind glass with an emotionless glowing green visor for eyes. “Subject. For posterity purposes, please state name, rank and ship assignment” it said in a high pitched monotone voice.
Charlie tried to remember, wondering if he had just woken up from an extended nightmare. “Ummm… Charlie Smith. Ensign Charlie Smith. Junior Engineer of the Galactic Federation Colony Ship Condor” he stated groggily “Where am I?”
The Engi said nothing, walking over to a control panel and entering in a few codes.
“I get it, I’m in a medbay and you’re just programmed to operate it. Guess you don’t care if I tell you about this most awful dream I had” Charlie said “I was on routine maintenance when the Mantis attacked the ship I was thrown into a shuttle and made a Mantis slave for some time. She did all sorts of horrible things to me that I didn’t think the Human mind was capable of imagining.”
The Engi said nothing, staring back at him emotionlessly. “Then after I had enough, I killed her. I thought the nightmare would end but it only meant a slow death by starvation” Charlie concluded “Good thing it was all a dream, right? I’m alive and not dying on some shuttle, right?”
The fluids in the tank started to drain and Charlie took in several deep breaths of fresh air and not breathing gel. “Say, I’ve never seen medical equipment like this before. Technology sure has changed.”
“Ensign Charlie Smith, I have finished analysing your input” the Engi said calmly “Conclusion: Your revival may have caused mild memory loss.”
“Wait what?” Charlie stammered “Revival? That wasn’t a dream I was having, that actually happened? Am I dead?”
“Affirmative and negative. Your original body’s life signs have ceased. However before they ceased, we registered you in the Clone Bay” the Engi said, pressing a big red button on the console which opened up the glass.
“Clone Bay? I’m a clone?” Charlie asked, looking at his hands “This is unreal. I’m still dreaming aren’t I? I’m going to wake up and Kissikek is going to be all over me laughing?”
He glanced about the room for a weapon. “I have to get out of this metal prison!” he shouted, making a leap at the Engi. The machine quickly sidestepped away and Charlie collapsed on the floor. He leapt to his feet only to then be punched in the gut by a well-placed blow from one of the Engi’s fists.
“Before isolation from Hive-Mind, this platform was given combat programming” the Engi explained, grabbing Charlie and holding him down with ease. “You will be calm or this platform will terminate you and switch your cloning tank offline.”
Charlie immediately calmed down “So I’m not dreaming? I’m back with the Federation?”
“Affirmative. Distress beacon analysis indicates Condor destruction happened five standard Galactic years and three months ago” the Engi said, letting Charlie go and grabbing a grey uniform from a nearby rack.
The outfit was marked with the insignia of the Engi Brigade and looked like it could barely fit a child. Charlie knew the uniforms were highly flexible and could fit a Rockman if needed.
“Five years?” Charlie asked, as a sonic emitter cleaned him up before he put the uniform on, wondering when the Engi Brigade started having uniforms for non-Engies “You mind filling me in umm… what’s your name?”
“This platform is designated as Controller Metfel. You may call me Controller, Metfel or ma’am. Which designation is more convenient for you?” the Engi said, tilting its head curiously.
Controller. Aren’t they Captains of Engi ships? Charlie thought to himself, unconsciously saluting the Engi.
“This platform has forgiven you for your attempted assault of a superior officer and will not reprimand you for your natural behaviour in unknown circumstances” Metfel stated.
“Sorry ma’am, I’m in shock from being revived. This Clone Bay is very interesting technology. Never seen or heard anything like it so I thought… I thought I was still dreaming” Charlie said, relaxing his stance and placing a hand on the tank he had just exited.
“Acquired cloning facilities from damaged Rebellion Rigger vessel. Reprogrammed software to suit Federation requirements” Metfel explained “No known side effects on organic lifeforms apart from disorientation and minor memory loss.”
“Rebellion?” Charlie asked as he put the uniform on, Five years and the galaxy goes to hell. At least the Federation is still around.
“Rebellion. Formerly unknown radicals of Federation suddenly declare open war on the fleets. Armed with large automated drones, cloning and hacking technology have reduced Federation assets across all sectors. Efforts are made to retaliate, but Rebellion fleets are well-armed and more numerous than Federation fleets” Metfel informed him “It’s a losing battle. Your… our survival is not certain.”
“Holy crap! Where did they come from?” Charlie exclaimed.
“Unknown. Speculations in Hive-Mind indicate Rebellion existed before war as subversive agents. Supplied pirates with superior weapons to undermine Federation efforts. Most likely to rally support for Rebellion liberators and to build up massive army.”
“That’s horrifying!” Charlie said “Yet it explains so much as to why pirates have been an increasing problem for remote colonies.”
They left the Clone Bay. The corridors were grey and were filled with hexagonal shapes lining the walls like some sort of metal beehive. He thought it was an Engi cruiser of some sort he was on when he saw a series of lights running along the walls and floor guiding them throughout the ship.
Engies didn’t see a need for guide lights as each platform would be programmed to understand the layout. Nor would they see a need for corridors big enough for a Rock to walk through. Clearly this is not an Engi vessel, Charlie thought to himself.
“Is there anything I can do to help the Federation stop these Rebels?” he asked
“You have previously indicated engineering skills. What level do you speculate?” Metfel questioned.
“I don’t know. I haven’t fixed or tinkered with an engine in years. But I am willing to try on this ship” Charlie said, looking around the corridor “I’m guessing by the architecture that the engines are a mixture of both Federation and Engi tech.”
He sniffed the air briefly and remarked “That smells like incense. I’m guessing you’ve got a Zoltan monk onboard. They love putting that stuff in the life support to help them meditate.”
“Most optimal analysis. This vessel needs skilled engineers familiar with both Engi Brigade and Federation technologies” Metfel said. Charlie could have sworn her visor lit up brighter.
“I’ve been meaning to ask ma’am but the design of the ship seems Engi, while everything is scaled towards a more mixed crew” Charlie asked.
“This experimental vessel is the result of years of combined research” Metfel said, opening a door and revealing a row of sleeping pods and recharging stations. “Constructed for the Federation by the Engies, this ship is designed to use cloaking technology and speed to get behind enemy lines.”
“Cloaking? I imagine it would be hard to hide a ship in space” Charlie said skeptically.
“Phase-cloaking technology has been in widespread use across all sectors. When activated, the vessel temporarily shifts to another dimension, throwing off a ship’s aim and making it invisible to most sensors” Metfel stated “This may disorient organic beings but it is highly useful and vital to our survival.”
“I don’t see how hiding the ship is vital to survival” Charlie mused “A good set of engines and some powerful weapons seem to be a better choice.”
Metfel plugged herself into a charging station and said “Before leaving port, the shield system was not fully installed. We’ve only got basic deflectors.”
Charlie gave out a short curse. Basic deflectors were not considered to be a shield system – they were just a small field to repel space dust and nebula gas. Even a small rock would cause problems that a single layer of shields could easily block.
A Slug slithered into the room holding a datapad “Welcome to the Nesasio, Ensign Smith. I’ve briefed the others about your revival and they’re most pleased you’re alive.”
Charlie looked at the Slug curiously. He never had met one of the slimy aliens himself but his parents said they were rather dangerous, deceptive folk and shrewd negotiators. That’s why the shop charged a flat rate for repairs, refuelling and inspections whenever one of their ships rolled into the colony.
He then remembered hearing one of the colonists on the Condor talking about how the Slug Trade Fleet were set to join the Federation as one of the major powers alongside the Engi Brigade and the Zoltan Resource Protection Committee. Apparently there was a lot of controversy with that decision considering the Trade Fleet’s stance on slave trading.
“That’s one of the reasons why the Rebellion has taken place” the Slug said to Charlie, handing him the datapad. “Read this to catch up on what’s been happening, and then read the mission files. If you’re interested, sign at the bottom.”
Charlie then remembered that the Slugs were also telepathic. They could read a person’s thoughts and use it against them. I guess that’s also why my parents never trusted them.
“Oh and you’ll find that I’m not like those in the home nebula. I have standards and discipline and great loyalty to the Galactic Federation pioneers. But still, you should at least try to conceal your thoughts. These are dangerous times after all” the Slug said cheerfully “And the other Slugs won’t hesitate to tell you what’s on your mind.”
Looking at the datapad, Charlie immediately went to the mission files and played the audio log left there. A Federation Admiral started speaking – Charlie recognised him as Admiral Tully himself. “He spoke at my graduation. Or his pre-recorded hologram did” he informed the Slug.
“This war is going to get worse before it gets better, Captain Jensen and Controller Metfel. Botan agents have managed to acquire intel about the Rebel fleets that will prove a means to an end of this senseless conflict” Tully informed.
“Captain Jensen? He survived as well?” Charlie asked the Slug. Captain Joshua Jensen was his childhood hero. During the Mantis/Federation war, Joshua had destroyed over 30 Mantis bombers attacking his home colony in a single battle. From that day forth, the big green bugs feared hearing the name of his cruiser, the “Red-Tail.” Or so what the media told him. Then once the treaty was signed and the war over, the reporters went back to the latest updates about pictures of cats.
Joshua then had retired from combat duty to serve in the civilian side of the Federation. His command of the Condor Colony Ship was said to be his last before he retired for good. Retirony at its finest, Charlie thought to himself.
“Captain Douglas Jensen” the Slug corrected Charlie. “The jury is still out on whether or not his father is alive. We’re the first to have actually seen the Condor’s wreckage ever since the Rebellion started.”
Charlie continued with the audio briefing. “The intel you’re is carrying is vital to the remaining Federation fleet! Do not let it fall into the hands of the Rebels who are no doubt chasing after you even as we speak” Admiral Tully explained.
“I have given you a sector map of the path of least resistance. Choose your route carefully and above all else, survive and do not get caught.”
“You are authorised to take whatever means is necessary to achieve this goal. If you need to firebomb a colony or steal medical supplies, the only consequences you’ll face will be on your conscience. I am entrusting you with something bigger than obeying the rules and regulations. We are all counting on at least one of you to make it back to Command with the intel.”
“Good luck and Godspeed Captain Jensen and Controller Metfel. Admiral Tully out.”
The hologram faded and Charlie was left with a signature pad. “So we’re like an intergalactic courier service? Braving the dangers of the galaxy to get our package delivered?” he asked.
The Slug nodded “We have to keep it secret and keep it safe from all harm. We cannot let it fall back into the Rebel’s hands and we cannot look inside the box in case the Rebels capture one of us and force us to talk.”
“Sounds like an adventure” Charlie said, signing at the bottom of the datapad and went to hand it back to the Slug. “Keep it. By signing it, the pad has now been assigned to you. You are now registered as part of the Nesasio’s crew” he replied before gesturing for Charlie to follow him to the engine room.
“By the way, the name’s Lieutenant Slocknaw. Not to be confused with my “heroic” brother Slocknog” the Slug introduced himself “I hope that the slimy bastard is rotting on some moon!”
The engine room was rather utilitarian in design with easily-accessible vents and modular parts. He mused how close it was to the reactor core and wondered if that was a good idea if power needed to be quickly diverted to the engines, or a bad idea since all it would take is a stray shot to the engine room to damage the core.
“It’s rather quiet – if this was built for Humans in mind, how can one tell the engine is working without checking the console?” Charlie asked Slocknaw only to find the Slug had vanished, leaving an echoing chuckle.
Charlie walked over to the main console and looked at the engine’s status. Maybe it makes a sound when something goes wrong, he thought to himself.
The ship’s reactor was not powering the engines – two yellow bars on the console indicated an external power source. “Zoltans” he remarked before looking to the engine, wondering where the green energy beings were.
A burst of lime green energy coalesced opposite the console and formed into the shape of a long-haired woman in some sort of lime green military uniform with an emblem labelled ZRPC. She was a Zoltan soldier of some sort.
Charlie remembered his brother Robert telling him about a Zoltan cruiser he once patched up and the Zoltans themselves. “They’ve got all these strange beliefs about eyes and stuff and plenty of rules, but by the gods have you seen their women? No wonder Captain Awesome couldn’t refuse to rescue Zoltan princesses every Saturday morning!”
“Very astute Ensign Smith” the Zoltan said, her voice having an otherworldly echo to it “Bond Sister Elizabeth-Trikko, Order Of The Great Eye.”
Charlie did not know what that meant as a rank or if it meant she was a civilian. But he was feeling like he should do some fraternisation in the ranks regardless. “We’ve been waiting for someone to be sent down here to maintain the engines” Elizabeth said with a tired yawn “Keeping them powered can be quite exhausting, but such hardships are needed on the path to becoming an Envoy.”
The Zoltans were made up mostly of some sort of bioorganic energy could be used to power systems, but they always maintained a physical form when doing so. Elizabeth seemed fond of throwing her whole self into the engines, providing extra energy but most likely risking some sort of catastrophic harm.
“An Envoy?” Charlie asked, then regretting asking that question. “What do they do?”
“What the Great Eye tells them to do” Elizabeth said “Rather than being told by an Envoy what the Great Eye told them.”
“So it’s like going further up the chain of command?” Charlie asked.
“Something like that. However your path and our paths work differently.” Elizabeth said calmly “By the time we’ve achieved our status as an Envoy we will be different people entirely. The whole is worth more than the sum of its parts and great sacrifices are needed to attain this.”
Charlie wondered if the Zoltan or if the entire species were just crazy. Elizabeth then handed him a multi-tool “You’ll need one of these when trouble comes along. Not that you’ll need it considering that our goal is to avoid being hit.”
“You’re not going to help me get acquainted a little better?” Charlie asked with a smile. Elizabeth shook her head and turned around towards the engines. “Sometimes one chooses their own path without the guidance of others.”
“I’ve been stranded on a desolate moon for five years without having any opportunity to work on anything involving a spaceship” Charlie complained “I think I need a little more than some philosophical words.”
Elizabeth sighed and informed him “We’re saying the system is simple enough that even a Mantis could do it. You’re not a Mantis are you?”
Charlie shook his head. “I don’t think anyone in the family are Mantises.”
“Good. Keep the engines in working order and we will be in working order, for the engines and us are one” Elizabeth said, giving him a wink. Her body began to break apart into a cloud of energy. Before she faded away however, she quickly added “At least until our Captain installs some better shields.”
She then flowed into the engines while Charlie scratched his head and wondered just how strange this ship could get. Yet at the same time this is more what I signed up for rather than what I did on that colony ship.
Slocknaw returned, still chuckling to himself. “I see you’ve quickly taken a liking to our Zoltan friends” he remarked.
“Friends?” Charlie asked “I only saw one Zoltan.”
“Elizabeth-Trikko is a Bond Sister” Slocknaw said “It’s a rather complicated affair and involves a lot of sacrifice.”
“And the ability to write bad poetry?” Charlie asked.
“More like the ability to write bad poetry well” Slocknaw laughed “Now get familiarised with the controls. Controller says we’re jumping out of this system in an hour. You’ll be glad to know that the rock we found you on will be far far away.”