Futuristic Into the Cosmic Deep

[egglover]

Uqorsii was greeted in the Blackbird's Cry kitchen with a sleek, industrial design and a large window that looked out into the dimly lit docking station. The heart of the kitchen was a compact, multi-functional cooking station equipped with a variety of appliances specifically adapted for space use. The station included a combination convection/microwave oven, a vacuum-sealed stovetop, and a small induction cooker. Cabinets and drawers were fitted with secure latches to prevent items from becoming free-floating hazards. Inside, shelves were organized with color-coded containers for quick identification of ingredients and supplies. These containers were vacuum-sealed to maintain freshness and prevent spillage. For food storage, the kitchen was equipped with a compact refrigerator and freezer unit. These appliances were essential for preserving perishable items such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products brought up from supply or grown in the ship's horticultural center.

The kitchen also featured a dining area, a cozy nook with fold-out tables and secure seating where crew members could gather to eat. The chairs were designed with adjustable straps to keep astronauts comfortably seated in case of microgravity. This area was not just for eating but also served as a social hub where the crew could relax and share meals. As a special request from Captain Suleiman, a large, beautiful Ahxi tree had been planted in the middle of the common area, its glittering blue leaves standing like a beacon within the space. It made for a great view to cook.

Adjacent to the kitchen was where Uqorsii would be procuring most of his ingredients for the journey: the greenhouse, where a large, fluffy Ahnba Degota stood amidst the rows of beautiful plant life, checking the grow lights for any malfunctions. There weren't any, of course, but Ulahn Qi Ehta liked to make sure her plants had the best chance of growing big and strong.

The horticultural center aboard the Blackbird was a lush, verdant sanctuary amid the cold expanse of space. As a vital part of the ship's life support system, it was designed to grow a variety of food crops and medicinal plants, ensuring the health and well-being of the crew during long-duration missions. This biotechnological marvel combined advanced agricultural techniques with cutting-edge space engineering, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that thrived in microgravity. Housed within a large, climate-controlled module, the center was divided into several sections, each dedicated to different types of plants and cultivation methods. The air inside was rich with the scent of earth and greenery, a stark contrast to the metallic tang of the rest of the spacecraft. Soft, full-spectrum LED lights bathed the plants in simulated sunlight, promoting robust growth and mimicking the diurnal cycles of different planets.

At the heart of the greenhouse was the hydroponics bay, beside it the aeroponics section, and in the corner of the large dome was the medicinal garden, where Dr. Haliday and the ship's scientists could engineer new medications. Integrated into the horticultural center was a dedicated lab where botanists and biotechnologists, like Ulahn, conducted experiments to improve crop resilience, study plant biology in microgravity, and develop new methods for growing food in space. Water recycling systems, integrated with the ship's overall life support, ensured that every drop was reused. Greywater from other parts of the ship was filtered and purified before being used to nourish the plants, creating a closed-loop system that mirrored natural ecosystems.

The greenhouse also featured an observation lounge, a glass-walled enclave where crew members could unwind and enjoy the sight of greenery against the backdrop of space. Here, they could read, meditate, or simply gaze at the stars, finding comfort in the presence of living plants. The psychological benefits of this oasis were as important as its practical uses, providing mental health support in the isolating environment of space travel.

It was a lovely space to spend ones life.

---

Captain Suleiman stepped onto the bridge, where much of the crew was admiring its spacious design. On normal ships, this area would be filled with bridge crew preparing for the journey, but on Avian ships only one role was needed: the pilot. This was largely due to Tern, the ship’s AI, which handled navigation, communication, last-minute checks, and practically everything else required to get the ship off the ground. Tern was a technological marvel. However, despite its capabilities, it was still better to have a living organism pilot the ship, not least because a human pilot provided a smoother ride. AI tended to choose the safest route, which wasn't always the best option in sticky situations.

Suleiman glanced over at Amaya Rose, who had her feet crossed atop the console as she waited for liftoff. A rebel, to be sure, but a damn good pilot. Suleiman briefly wondered how many arguments would arise between Amaya and Tern.

"Good morning, Eichkern, Naomi," a voice sounded from behind the two. When they turned around, they saw it was their Captain, Tish Suleiman. She flashed them a warm smile. "Ready for takeoff? Sorry for the early morning alarm, but I guess it doesn't really feel like a proper flight without it being at the crack of dawn, eh?"

The Captain was casual, warm, and jovial. She used their first names, never bothering with honorifics or titles. It was like conversing with an old friend.

"Best buckle up now. Ten minutes 'till takeoff." Tish passed them with a grin and hurried toward the First Officer, who stood at his station making last-minute checks. "Good morning, Matias."

Everything felt a little bit more secure when Officer Kingsbury was around. Though they had never met in person until now, they had spoken over the phone and exchanged hundreds of emails. He was the pillar that kept this whole operation going. She was forever grateful for his presence on the Blackbird.

"Tern, has everyone boarded?" the Captain asked.

"Yes, Captain. Dr. Ginifred Asrani was the last to arrive."

Tish Suleiman nodded and looked toward Matias, "Well, I suppose we should get this show on the road."

---

​

Deep within the bowels of the Blackbird was a labyrinth of advanced technology and machinery, an expansive room stretching out beneath a high, reinforced ceiling lined with thick conduits and cables. The air hummed with the steady thrum of the ship’s powerful engines, a rhythmic sound that spoke to the massive energy being generated and controlled within this technological heart. Engineers stood amidst the blue glow of the main reactor, a towering structure encased in layers of translucent alloy, through which a pulsing hum emanated. This core was the primary source of power for the entire vessel, harnessing energy from a contained fusion reaction that provided both propulsion and electricity for the ship. Surrounding the reactor were numerous control panels and monitoring stations, where Hector Jordan and Haulrruxyy watched the ship come to life before them, faces illuminated by the soft glow of holographic displays.

The walls of the Engine Room were lined with intricate networks of pipes and conduits, carrying coolant and other vital fluids to various parts of the ship. These pipes were meticulously labeled and color-coded, ensuring that any maintenance or repair work could be carried out quickly and efficiently. One such pipe was labeled mustard yellow, with the word "Hangar" etched into its surface. It wrapped around the walls of the ship, through the corridor, and into a large metallic door that opened into the ship's Hangar and Storage area. This incredible space spanned several decks, with a high ceiling supported by a lattice of reinforced beams and structural supports. It was designed to accommodate a variety of spacecraft, vehicles, and cargo. At the heart of the hangar was a large, open space where smaller ships and shuttles were docked. Along the walls, rows of storage units and supply lockers contained everything from spare parts and tools to emergency equipment and survival gear. Within these storage units, a certain stowaway hid in the darkness, listening to the echoes of voices that carried through the air vents up toward the research rooms.

Those voices spoke excitedly as the scientific crew buckled up for liftoff within the main laboratory, the centerpiece of the research area. It was a spacious, sterile environment with sleek, white surfaces and large, interactive touchscreens lining the walls. The lab was divided into several specialized sections, each dedicated to a different field of study: biology, chemistry, physics, and xenology. In one workstation labeled 'Astrophysics', Nikola Sokolov watched as a human scientist who reeked of alcohol attempted to chat with a large, beetle-mound Ensindijee whose station looked like an archaeologist’s. His eyes caught a suit of armor rushing off toward the medical bay, where Kavum-Galahad was overseeing security measures that should have been handled by Medical Security, who was mysteriously absent.

Kavum-Galahad stood outside the medical bay at a holographic screen, punching in a few numbers. Inside, Dr. Anagra Haliday sat calmly, looking over some files as her drones buzzed around her. Soft, ambient lighting provided a soothing atmosphere within, and the Security Chief was tempted to ask the good doctor where her personal security was. However, his hand hovered over the door as an announcement began to play overhead.

"Good morning, everyone. This is Captain Tish Suleiman speaking. We are five minutes away from liftoff, so please take your positions and prepare for the journey ahead."

No time. The Rindikan made his way toward the Security Bridge where Eichkern and Naomi were preparing for liftoff. At the heart of the area was the Security Operations Center (SOC), a command hub equipped with advanced surveillance and monitoring systems. Large screens covered the walls, displaying real-time feeds from security cameras strategically placed throughout the ship. One of those screens displayed a Vleeboe with a mop chatting to a red-haired, hazel-eyed human woman in one of the ship's corridors.

In said corridor, the Captain's voice echoed against the metal walls. Rhyssa Krogmann and Kingstra Slezarak paused their conversation to listen to the speech reverberating throughout the entire ship.

"As we stand on the brink of another journey into the unknown, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible efforts and dedication that each of you has shown in preparing for this mission. The Blackbird's Cry is more than just a ship; it is a testament to our collective spirit, our ingenuity, and our unwavering commitment to exploration.

Today, we embark on a journey that will take us beyond the boundaries of our known world, into the vast expanse of space where few have ventured before. Our mission is not just to travel across the stars, but to seek out new knowledge, to push the limits of what we understand, and to bring back discoveries that could change the course of our future. Most importantly, our primary objective is to rescue the crew of the Avian Expedition and discover the source of its downfall. I cannot promise you that it will be easy, but I am determined to investigate every inch of space for those innocent lives. We must save our brethren."

The Captain's words reached the kitchen and horticultural area, where Ulahn Qi Ehta and Uqorsii Ketle stopped to listen.

"Each one of you plays a vital role in this mission. From our skilled engineers ensuring the integrity of our systems, to our brilliant scientists ready to unravel the mysteries we will encounter, to our fearless pilot who will guide us through the challenges ahead—your expertise and dedication are the heart of this endeavor. We are a diverse team, united by a common goal. There will be challenges, there will be moments of uncertainty, and there will be times when we must rely on each other’s strengths to overcome the obstacles we face. But I have no doubt that together, we will rise to meet every challenge with resilience and determination.

As we prepare for liftoff, I ask you to remember why we are here. Why YOU are here. Each of us has our own personal reasons and goals for embarking on this journey. As your Captain, I promise I will do everything in my power to realize those dreams. It is my duty and my honor."

Up on the bridge, Khaazik Craule watched the Captain, the First Officer, and the pilot with studious eyes. They hadn't noticed him, too busy with preparations. He witnessed the doors of the docking port open into the vast expanse of space, that beautiful dark ocean of stars preparing to swallow them whole. Why was he here? What was his goal? Only he knew.

The anticipation throughout the ship was electric, reaching the bridge and coursing through the veins of Tish Suleiman and Matias Kingsbury, who stood on either side of their pilot, Amaya Rose. As the Blackbird's Cry inched forward, Captain Suleiman finished her speech:

"So, let’s make our final preparations, take our positions, and brace for the adventure that awaits. May our journey be safe, our discoveries be profound, and our spirits be strong.
Thirty seconds until liftoff. Let’s make history, Blackbird crew."

queanbean RascalRoadkill obscured_light DarKnight36 Lord Saethos FireMaiden druidquest PiePillager Vexumin Wing06

 

[PiePillager]

Hector, in the process of raiding the fridge down aboard the engineering deck, found it surprisingly well stocked. Grabbing a soda, he found a bench where he could sit comfortably and drink while he idly flipped through a datapad to go over the ship's engine schematics. He would've put on some tunes as he did so, but the captain's voice came blaring over the ship's speakers so he figured he'd ought to give her a listen. At least for now.

She wasn't a half bad orator. A decent trait for a captain, Hector figured. Speech was good enough for him to listen throughout the whole thing at least. Remember why he was here. He took a sip of his soda and briefly stared blankly into the can. He remembered.

Not long until liftoff. Hector couldn't help but grin like a little kid. Showtime was about to commence. At Suleimon's behest to make history, he raised his can in toast. As much of a salute as he could mister before tossing the thing into recycling. "We fuckin' made it..." he smiled to himself as he felt the hum of the engines and the floor rumbling beneath his feet.

 

[Vexumin]

While everyone might have been excited and nervous about the trip, there was one that was only just starting to catch on to just how... potentially permanent this trip might be.

It had started as one of the usual speeches meant to get the crew prepped for a big and important voyage. A voyage that would mean so much for the future of the unified races and blah blahblah blah. All of that stuff and things. Khaaz just listened with his hands behind his back and his snout raised high. A display of pretend pride in the vessel and its path.

However, as the captain kept speaking, lines like "beyond the boundaries of our known world" and so on. Was this vessel coming back? Were they going to fly into the eye of a bloody black hole?! Khaaz could almost feel his crimson scales go pale. He heard the call that there was thirty seconds to liftoff and he began to inch towards the the door out of the bridge. He slips through, and the moment he was out of the line of sight, he goes booking it down the hall.

His breathing started to become rushed. This was no simple journey! This was no long trip! This was far more, and Khaaz feels like he had been enlisted for a potentially far more dangerous expedition. Something more dangerous than even a war. A trip into the unknown. If there was one thing that Khaazik despised most, it was the unknown.

He kept running until he finally found a window of the Blackbird's Cry and looked out. He may never see this world again! All of his things were still here! His shitty apartment, although definitely shitty, was still his! What would they do with it?!

As he looked out the window, he saw something that filled him with dread.

Sure, he wasn't the most liked person in the galaxy. He wasn't the most appreciated soldier. However, this was just cruel. A fair distance from the ship, a sight made easier to see thanks to the mechanisms in his helmet, was a vehicle parked to watch the ships takeoff. Alongside the vehicle was a small group of about five people in total. A driver, of course, an armed guard, absolutely. Those were just the necessaries when you've got the other three around.

The three just so happened to be very familiar faces. One of which was extremely smug in this moment. The first was a woman by the name of Eia Brandt, Khaazik Craule's very own contractor. The woman that gets him all his jobs. She had a pleased smile on her face as she pushed up those damn glasses further onto her nose. She's lucky she's pretty and Khaaz had a thing for her, otherwise he would have scorned her for the rest of his days in this moment. The second was none other than ol' man Siege himself. Peluck Rhodes, CEO of Siegecorp. The old man that got Khaaz into his current line of work and rose up in the company thanks to his Craeden subordinate, eventually taking control of it. Khaaz practically saw the man as a father. Peluck saluted the ship as it was taking off, likely honoring his poor fool of a soldier. The final figure? Captain Phineas Harper. That bastard. He stood there with a smug grin on his face. Khaaz could swear that they were actively exchanging eye contact.

The soldier suddenly realized that he had been duped, tricked, made to look like an absolute idiot! This was all some stupid, overdone plan to get him wrapped up in something for good. Something that would make Siegecorp look good, sure, but no one has to know that Khaaz was put to work without knowing the seriousness of the job.

People passing through the hall would stare as the Craeden shouted while staring out the window.

"You clever bastards! I hate you! If I ever get back, you'll get what's coming!"

It only took a moment for all that hate to burn out though. He just pressed his head against the reinforced material of the window. He genuinely couldn't believe it had come to this. Although he couldn't say he didn't deserve it.

Once he calmed down, he slowly returned to the bridge, standing at attention once again as the ship was in its final moments of preparation. This is why he is here. Not because of a goal. Not because of a dream. He is here because he was tricked into it. Because people wanted him gone, if not entirely for malicious reasons. Well, there could be worse beginnings to ones story. This was his.

 

[PiePillager]

There it was. The characteristic hum of the engine. The odd feeling of near weightlessness, even with the anti-grav turned up. It was the kind of elevation one feels start up from their core and work its way through their entire body. The mix of trepidation as one rides a roller coaster slowly making its ascent to the top of the track and the excitement a child feels when they unwrap a present meant for them. Only unlike a roller coaster, they would be no descent on this ride.

There was a distinct pop as the latches anchoring the ship down to the docking station released the vessel, indicating that it was fully prepared for takeoff. Though many could not see them a crowd of onlookers had gathered at the port to see the ship off on its maiden voyage. Some of them, friends and loved ones, others mere onlookers, enthusiasts staring in awe at the the launch of such a unique vessel. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that the majority of those gathered at Docking Port 6 were unaware of the ship's mission, save for a sparse handful. And of those that were aware...it was evident that not all were happy as human Eedin security official glanced up at the departing vessel with a furrowed brow and quick press to his earpiece as he relayed unknown messages to unknown parties, unheard over the roar of the Blackbird's engines.

And as for the crew of the Blackbird...those near the windows would see the walls of the docking port surround them, the massive white and silver structures, the mass of people become dots in the distance and eventually all fade from sight. Replaced...by a vast sea of stars.

"Maintaining steady travel speeds. Warp Bubble will deploy in approximately three hours. We will then arrive at Megalomorchen Station for a quick resupply before venturing into the vortex itself," the voice of Tern relayed on the ship's intercoms, reciting the itinerary dictated by the schedule Captain Suleimon set.

Their journey was underway. A grand adventure, into the Cosmic Deep....

 

[FireMaiden]

Naomi Hart
Location: The Blackbird's Cry
Interaction: Lord Saethos (Eichkern) druidquest (Rhyssa) egglover (Tish)
Mentioned: N/A
Naomi smiled, the formal pleasantries from this man. It was... charming? Maybe? "Flattery so soon? Careful hotshot," the woman chuckled. He seemed a little startled at her sudden conversation, though Naomi couldn't tell you why exactly. Maybe he was tired? Not use to being on a ship? Who knows. That could explain his encouragement, Naomi had probably sounded a little dejected or insecure about her appearance maybe but in all honesty, she didn't care too much. Nor did she have a brilliant skill for small talk. It wasn't a skill you needed often on military ships if you weren't an officer. She looked him over again. His appearance was odd, human but not. He was fairly attractive though, aesthetically pleasing, but there was that uncanny valley thing going on. Granted these observations could be coming from the fact this was the first man she had actually paid attention to for more than two minutes she hadn't been living on a ship with. "I'm Naomi Hart, it's nice to meet you.. I'm sure we'll knock the captain right off her feet," She added, moving to stick her hand out to shake his when a door opened nearby. She turned just like the Deimosian, and spotted someone trying to sneak off alone.

"Oh yeah, we're definitely going the right way. Well, probably anyway, if this is a human designed ship, the layout is gonna follow one of a few different plans. Makes it easy for transfers to adjust," She said with a nod. Now this was just an assumption since this was a specialized ship, it could differ more than she expects it to but what she had seen so far was a good sign. "You wanna follow us?" It made sense to offer, and would very likely warm off any awkward silence and make it normal silence. Not that Naomi herself would find it awkward, but who knows how her new companions would feel. In any case, Naomi took the lead now for the search for the bridge. Her previous assumption that the layout would be similar to other human ships seemed to be correct. There were differences of course, rooms in different spots, a few different bulkheads and hallways, but finding the bridge was easy enough.

This is where the absolute technological marvel this ship was finally clicked. Naomi smiled, her eyes scanning the bridge. It seemed like a beehive of activity, her new crew mates enjoying the views and exploring the bridge. Naomi let out a low whistle, her teeth then running over her bottom lip as her gaze wandered to the main window. From there she could see her. The Eurydice. The main engine was warming up, standby lights flashed as a final warning, the doors were closing. Her father would be on the bridge now, overseeing the security final checks. "I wonder if we'll ever see this place again," She mumbled, her heart suddenly weighted down with a cinder block of emotion. A voice from behind her and Eichkern snapped her attention back to the here and now, Naomi turning around to be greeted by a bald woman.

"Goodmorning captain," Naomi spoke, her hand raising for a quick salute out of habit. "Ready as I'll ever be," She replied with a chuckle. "If it wasn't easy oy wouldn't feel right." Better than the middle of the night anyway. When the captain told her and Eichkern it was time to get buckled in, Naomi nodded stepping aside so Tish could hurry off. Naomi, without thinking, raised her hand and gently thunked the back of it to Eichkern's chest. "Let's get going big boy, guessing you're security crew?" She said, stepping off to make her way to the security bridge. There was no point in sticking around for the view anyway. Her station was on the left, her last name plastered to the back of the sleek, padded chair she quickly sat down in. Her intention was to click through the different menus, cameras, and anything else she currently had system permission to observe. She was looking for anything out of place in the cameras of course, but in all honesty, Naomi wanted a distraction from the Eurydice in plain view. Naomi's attention was stolen back by the Captain though, a small smile creeping back onto Naomi's features. She felt a hurricane of emotions, pride and fear, sorrow and excitement, it was hard to process. Her hand slid up her chest, fingers closing around her dog tags her other fingers tapping against her thigh. There was no backing out.

 

[RascalRoadkill]

NIKOLA​

Nikola traverses quietly. For the most part, he stays out of the sights and minds of most others on board- he is not trying to sneak or stealth around, but he would prefer to keep his interactions minimal until liftoff. Can't exactly throw him off or return him to whence he came, once they finally move beyond. Still, though, he makes an exception for a visit to the scientific workstations just to familiarize himself.

He really should find himself his own room. There’d be so much to explain if he doesn’t; he can only make excuses about the intricacies of his condition for so long before he’ll be forced to admit something. That he lied, that he isn’t who they think he is, that he’s using all of them for his own gain- that the real renowned mind is dead and buried. The Captain says she will try and realize the dreams that brought them here- Nikola wonders if she would still feel inclined to realize if, if she knew the intentions behind them and what they were.

Though… finding a space for himself can wait. This would be a perfect opportunity to do so, but… well, he can only see this particular liftoff towards the grand horizon once. He is meant to be a scientist, of course, but… there's something particularly grand about the aesthetics of rising towards an unknown, the rattle of a ship, all paired with the Captain's grand speech. He could almost call it cinematic.

Nikola takes point at a hallway window, hands clasped behind his back as the docking port reveals an inky black expanse. Thirty seconds. They're nearly outward bound. Less than half a minute, and Nikola's most pertinent problem will be *mostly* taken care of- at least, for now. Perhaps Abraham is just beyond the doors within the crowd of onlookers, raising hell. Nikola doesn't plan to look for that very reason.

He'll never know, and that's entirely by design. "Let's make history," he repeats to himself, quietly.

He's almost certain his predecessor has said it before.

 

[druidquest]

Rhyssa watched Kingstra scurry off for a moment, standing in consideration before following after the human. Humans, plural? He didn't smell human, and she'd never seen anyone who looked like the male before, but maybe it was a skin disorder? The Doctor would probably know. The Doctor.... Rhyssa wasn't willing to go slinking back to the medical bay yet, but she'd calmed enough to stop running around like a startled cockroach. Maybe the brief run-in with the Vleeboe had helped settle her, even if it hadn't been anything significant.

She didn't know what to make of the Blackbird's bridge. It was certainly more expansive than the cabin of the little taxi which had ferried them from Venus, but that wasn't much for a point of comparison. A peek around at the woman's face told Rhyssa it was probably impressive? She pulled back, prodding at her cheeks lightly while considering how to imitate the expression. The smile should be easy enough, but the eyes might take a few tries. Rhyssa's arm snapped up quickly when the woman saluted the bald cyborg, stealing another glance at the human for reference before adjusting the angle of her elbow.

The cyborg trotted off to do.... captain things, Rhyssa supposed, and the human dropped down into a security observation desk on the larboard side of the bridge, making herself busy. She took that as a sign to wander off somewhere else - flicking through cameras and menus was hardly Rhyssa's idea of interesting. Better to slip away before people started telling her to do things. So that's exactly what she'd do!

---

Dr. Haliday stood behind her desk, listening to the shifting hum of the ship as it drifted out of the bay and into open space. She wasn't afforded any kind of scenic view of their departure as there were no windows in the medical bay, due to the potential risk they could present to patients in the event of a combat scenario, but this wasn't anything new. Three decades living under the VOC had allowed Dr. Haliday to grow accustomed to the shuttered distance of the stars, and there would be plenty of opportunities to see them later, if she so desired.

She looked down at the screen of her terminal, still displaying the list of crew members requiring their medical evaluations. She had already instructed Tern to let them know to see her when ready, but there wasn't much else to occupy her right now. Dr. Haliday supposed she could use the time to explore the deck and meet the fellow crew naturally, but...

"Tern, please direct the most idle crew member from this list to report to Medical," she instructed, looking away from the list.

 

[obscured_light]

The gentle tap, tap, tap of Kingstra's feet was almost lost in the harmonious hum of the ship around them. Their ears twitched slightly and swiveled in the direction of the different sounds around them. They had enjoyed Rhyssa's voice and that of the captain but there was work to be done. Kingstra could tell that they were fully on their journey now and that meant that the others would have already begun leaving their mark on their newly launched home.

Not that Kingstra meant to erase every trace of the crew from the ship. Just most of it. They had awaited so long for an opportunity such as this, clinging to it even when they had to scrub every inch of dilapidated ships that were better off just being scrapped. Kingstra wanted to impress the captain and the crew to some extent. But to do so, they needed to familiarize themselves with the ship and every nook and cranny where dust or crumbs or some sort of just filth in general could find itself buried into.

The Vleeboe held its tail up straight as it began its self-guided tour of the ship, ears perked for any crew that might need assistance.

 

[PiePillager]

Dr. Haliday stood behind her desk, listening to the shifting hum of the ship as it drifted out of the bay and into open space. She wasn't afforded any kind of scenic view of their departure as there were no windows in the medical bay, due to the potential risk they could present to patients in the event of a combat scenario, but this wasn't anything new. Three decades living under the VOC had allowed Dr. Haliday to grow accustomed to the shuttered distance of the stars, and there would be plenty of opportunities to see them later, if she so desired.

She looked down at the screen of her terminal, still displaying the list of crew members requiring their medical evaluations. She had already instructed Tern to let them know to see her when ready, but there wasn't much else to occupy her right now. Dr. Haliday supposed she could use the time to explore the deck and meet the fellow crew naturally, but...

"Tern, please direct the most idle crew member from this list to report to Medical," she instructed, looking away from the list.

The gentle tap, tap, tap of Kingstra's feet was almost lost in the harmonious hum of the ship around them. Their ears twitched slightly and swiveled in the direction of the different sounds around them. They had enjoyed Rhyssa's voice and that of the captain but there was work to be done. Kingstra could tell that they were fully on their journey now and that meant that the others would have already begun leaving their mark on their newly launched home.

Not that Kingstra meant to erase every trace of the crew from the ship. Just most of it. They had awaited so long for an opportunity such as this, clinging to it even when they had to scrub every inch of dilapidated ships that were better off just being scrapped. Kingstra wanted to impress the captain and the crew to some extent. But to do so, they needed to familiarize themselves with the ship and every nook and cranny where dust or crumbs or some sort of just filth in general could find itself buried into.

The Vleeboe held its tail up straight as it began its self-guided tour of the ship, ears perked for any crew that might need assistance.

Tern's voice blamed over the intercom. "Maintenance Officer Slezerak, please report to Medical. I repeat, Maintenance Officer Slezerak, please report to Medical.

****

Hector had completed routine maintenance. Primary batteries, full operational. All engines primed. The epidermic shielding was operating without a trace of fluctuation. A good sign in terms of stability after they passed through the warp bubble. Hector wondered how it'd hold up against the black hole, but that'd have to wait until they all got there.

In the meantime, he had familiarized himself fairly handing with the ships in the diagnostic sense. It was time for him to get acclimated beyond just the engines. Sure, all he had to really do was check the specs remotely from his data pad, but when it came to getting to know the instructions and outs of a ship, he'd always preferred getting a closer look with his own eyes.

Taking the small staircase that led upward from the engines. Hector set off to further explore the ship.

 

[obscured_light]

Kingstra perked his head up at the announcement, wondering if someone had already had an accident. There was a pause as he wondered if he should grab supplies so before he bounded off to his destination, he found the nearest closet where his supplies were stored. He grabbed some gloves and a small, thick disc that attached onto the belt at his waist.

Scurrying towards medical, he had to halt himself, almost colliding with the door to the medical bay. A small inhale, and with the exhale, Kingstra knocked.

"Kingstra Slezrak, reporting for cleaning duties."

 

[druidquest]

The door to the medical bay slid open, and if Dr. Haliday could blink, she would have. "Tern," she began, lifting a tablet from her desk. "In the future, if I request you disregard a crew member, assume that includes from any lists for examination requests."

"As you wish, Dr. Haliday."

"Mr. Slezarak," she greeted after a moment. "It is a pleasure to formally make your acquaintance. I am afraid I don't require any cleaning duties at this time. I am simply experiencing some slight technical issues as I transition into my role. I did not actually mean to call you here, and I apologize." The holographic display of the tablet lit up as Dr. Haliday glanced down at it. "I trust you're acclimating well to the ship?"

 

[obscured_light]

The Vleeboe deflated a bit. He held back the disappointment however and kept his expression neutral, giving a small shrug in response.

"S'not much time to get used to things," he responded, straightening his back again. His gaze was on the ground between them, occasionally glancing up as he continued. "S'pose haven't gotten lost yet so yes, would say so. It is nice to meet you as well but if I am not needed, may I be dismissed to resume my duties?"

There wasn't any impatience or annoyance in Kingstra's voice. He simply shifted his weight from one foot to the other, trying his best not to fiddle with something like the gloves he wore or the belt loops.

 

[druidquest]

"Of course," Dr. Haliday replied, the screen flickering as a clawed hand waved over it. "You don't need to ask my permission, after all. We have an equal rank within the crew, I should think."

 

[obscured_light]

"Don't like to assume," Kingstra said with another shrug. "Have a good day."

He then promptly scurried off as though he were late when in fact, he had free reign until something required his attention again. Which he hoped no one did, not until he was familiar with what would be his new home for some time.

 

[Wing06]

“They call it The Hive, a place for ships to refuel and travelers to restock supplies,” Pythius stated, reading the description of the interstellar space station from his ship’s database. “We dock here, and I’m certain we will find him,” He said, narrowing his eyes as he flipped a few switches and pulled back on the ship’s throttle, reducing the engine’s output by 15 percent.

The Gemini Class vessel slowed as it approached the slowly spinning space station. Large ships from all corners of the universe were docked along the long, tentacle-like mooring and refueling stations. Small craft hovered in and out of hangar bays, ready to either continue their journies through the cosmos or take a moment of reprieve between worlds.

To many, The Hive was a way station. If you managed to make it here, your voyage was destined to be completed safely; there weren’t many other places in the known universe to refuel and resupply to the same degree. However, despite its intent, The Hive was notorious for housing less-than-desirable citizens.

Pirate activity was high, yet an unspoken code existed between the pirates and vessels that visited The Hive—an unspoken agreement between the governments of many species. Pirates often brought goods to The Hive that would otherwise be impossible to retrieve. The black market was welcome here, and as long as the illicit activities remained within the atmosphere of The Hive, the collected governments allowed it to remain untouched and unregulated. A necessary “evil.”

“Attention, Alfen Gemini vessel. Please reduce your speed and dock in Hanger 47,” The voice echoed through the cockpit. “Not often we get your kind out here, but two craft within hours of one another? You meeting a larger force or something?”

Pythius shook his head and sighed.

“Oh, yes, our mothership will be here within the next couple standard solar cycles! Looking forward to reconnecting with our scout and enjoying some shore leave,”

Her reply was sickly sweet, but the small chuckle on the other end of the comm channel meant they’d found their mark.

“Well, we hope you all enjoy your visit to The Hive,” the docking engineer severed the comm link, and The Hive’s docking sequence synced with the small two-person craft.

Pythius smirked and nodded his approval, “Clever, now we know that bastard is here. Great work, Saronia.”

Saronia smiled coldly and reduced the ship’s speed to meet the docking requirements before the two computer systems worked in tandem to land the Alfen reconnaissance craft inside Hanger 47 safely.

“Brother, look,” Saronia nodded toward the port side of their vessel.

“That fool,” Pythius seethed. “He will not elude us for long.”

The Alfen pair quickly exited their ship, hurriedly signing the datapad thrust toward them by a robotic dock attendant. Fuel lines were moved into place, and a decontamination fog erupted over the hull of the Alfen Gemini. Pythius ran his hand across the hull of the Alfen craft parked beside theirs—a scout ship, but one that had been modified for interstellar fighting.

“There’s no denying it; this is the Saggita. Contact command and let them know our suspicions were correct; Tristan fled to The Hive.”

Saronia nodded, reaching for the datapad on her hip, “It’s done,” she quipped after a few seconds.

“Good.”

Pythius turned to the nearest hanger assistant, “Get me in touch with Hive command, official Alfen Navel Intelligence business,” he commanded, drawing his badge from his hip as he approached the android.

“Certainly, sir. I have notified Hive security and high command of your request for a meeting.”

“Excellent. I also want this craft locked down. No one but myself is allowed to board or request launch clearance.”

“Understood. The craft designated, Saggita, is under your command.”

“You won’t get away so easily, Tristan,” Pythius muttered under his breath, Saronia taking position at his side while the pair waited for Hive command to respond.

***​

“Right, Hanger 47,” the young Alfen specified, writing the number 47 onto the datapad before him. Four - seven, forty-seven.”

He hadn’t bothered using his auto-translation software, mostly because he’d never encountered an alien like the one he was currently selling his highly classified military scout craft to. The creature grunted its understanding—sticky spit, almost like sap, dripping from its wooden-like jaws. If Tristan hadn’t known better, he’d have easily mistaken the creature for some local Fauna.

Like any other space station, the Hive appeared cold and metallic from the outside. However, after travelers disembarked from their ships and passed through the decontamination process, they were greeted by a sprawling metropolis, complete with artificial weather. It was as if one had landed on any other planet capable of supporting life—a true oasis hidden within the void of space.

“Well, take care of her; she’s a good ship,” Tristan enunciated to the bush-man. The two parted ways, and Tristan ducked into a nearby alleyway to count the credits he’d be given and let his heart rate fall. A few deep breaths later, he found himself heading toward the spaceport. It was time he got as far away from The Hive as possible.

 

[PiePillager]

A few hours after its virgin flight, the Blackbird's Cry had shot forth four 'pods' approximately 300 miles or 480 Kilometers ahead of it. These pods were a standard of lightspeed travel. Remotely controlled by the pilot of each ship, they would get into formation, extending long pylons that would connect one orb to the other before locking in to form a rectangle. A thin slit going across the underside of each of these pylons would deploy what is known as the Warp Bubble. A slipstream net that when passed through, safely slingshotted ships into traveling at FTL speeds.
With coordinates preset and locked in, ships almost always arrived at their desired destination with a small percentage of mishaps. The Destination for the Blackbird's Cry at this juncture, being the closest refueling station before they reach the black hole, known as the Hive. Not the safest station to dock in the world, but perhaps the only trustworthy one this far out into space....and given the reputation of the Hive, that's saying a lot.

Still, it carried necessary supplies out in bulk and that was what the Blackbird desperately needed on a mission without an ETA on when, if ever, they'd return. From the outside. the Hive resembled something of its namesake in a sense. A great layered oval in the sky, similar in shape to a pinecone, with multiple layered levels, surrounded by a hard-light defense grid that made it nearly impenetrable by outside forces. And many a pirate horde has tried in the past. Though a few had come close, none had succeeded thus far.

"We are approaching Hive Station, I repeat, we are approaching Hive Station," the voice of Tern blared throughout all of Blackbird's speakers moments after this ship emerged from the warp bubble. "A word of caution. Hive Station is notorious for trending higher towards criminal activity than all officially recognized procurement and deployment stations. For the safety of the crew, it is recommended that you remain in safe zones highly recommended by the Pan-Galactic Regional Travel Guides and to do not stray further than the aforementioned zones alone or unarmed."

As Tern spoke, any monitors or screens began to display his message in multiple languages, scrolling across the screen. "I am sending a list of items neccesarry to procure for our journey. Captain Suleimon has approved all of these neccessities and will cover payment. Simply allow the cashiers to scan your virtual .d's to complete the transactions. Stay safe and enjoy your stay at the Hive. We will depart in two days time."

***
"Hive huh," Hector noted, leaning back in the leather chair in his office. "Heard a lot about this place..." he mused, although he noted he never had the pleasure of visiting. It was a little weird that Suleimon's first choice was the Hive. In terms of item procurement, it was second to none, but everything else it got up to...while it was allowed, it didn't sit well with many government officials. He looked at the orders flashing across the screen as pertains to the engineering deck. A lot of it was necessary...some of it so much so, that Hector had been shocked that the Blackbird didn't come stocked with them. A long voyage without ARX cables to stabilize the power grid? What was Suleimon playing at?

And then again, the other stations, while not as well stocked as the Hive, other stations like The Ferro Fields and Zornian Station held many of the same necessities and had a hell of a safer reputation. Something to ponder as well as whether or not to do the shopping himself or pass it along to his subordinates in the engineering deck so he could mess around. He was definitely leaning towards the latter.

The ship soon pulled into the docking station. As the ship locked in, the crew heard a chiming voice declare, "Welcome Blackbird's Cry to the Hive! We hope you enjoy your stay!" followed by Tern declaring. "You may now embark from the ship. Again, shop well and remain safe."

"Well....let's get this shit started," Hector sighed, getting to his feet and making his way over to the airlock to exit the ship. He's not particularly keen at getting the items up for procurement himself, but he'd take a clipboard anyway. Anyone in the crew could check off an item on the list if they've aquired it so he might pick up a few things here and there. If he felt like it.