Thursday, May 10, 2007

Another chapter from story (2-3 parter) Part 1
“So, explain this to me again.” Biku said as he leaned against the railing behind the captain’s chair.
“What’s there to explain?” Shinobu raised her hands in confusion, “I’m Junsei’s real mother, Vermillion’s first wife, and the second captain of the fleet.”

It had been like this for the past hour. Shinobu, a perfectly normal human being: medium length dark brown almost black hair; brown, narrow eyes; thin light red lips; very Japanese, quite pretty; just your normal human. Two days ago she showed up in a different ship, and at that time she rejoined the crew as part of the switch. Or so Biku thought.

Nagie, a striking hazelnut brown haired, violet eyed beauty. Called ‘mother’ by Junsei, called ‘wife’ by Vermillion. She is of the same race as Vermillion so it seemed logical. But there was more. That’s the way it always was with these people.

“Just try and listen Biku.” Shinobu leaned her head back against the chair’s head rest, “You know what polygamy is right?”
“Multiple wives.” Biku answered, still in deep thought.

“So, I found Junsei one day and Vermillion agreed to help raise her. We had all the paper work done, and it became official that we were her parents. At the time we weren’t married but, that is now beyond the point. Many years go by and Nagie comes into the picture. Junsei becomes attached to her and started to call her ‘mommy number two’. Some more things happened and we had an official wedding, marrying us three together.”
“What I don’t get is how that guy managed to pull it off.”
Shinobu laughed, “I’d have to agree with you on that.”
“I can see it happening.” The woman at the communications station said.
“Yuna, right?” Shinobu started. The woman nodded, “If I remember what your file said; you were one of Vermillion’s charm and captures.”
“To put it bluntly yes. But during the weeks I worked with him at the court, I’d have to say it’s not all that hard to fall in love with him.”
“Does this happen often?” Biku asked, slightly worried.
“I don’t know. It’s just how he does it. Guys and girls alike; they all seem to get drawn to him.”
“Scary.”

Shinobu stood up and groaned as she stretched. She wore the standard Union uniform, so her slim figure became more apparent, “Now that formal introductions are over. How’s everything else? Vermillion told me you are used to a very archaic lifestyle.”
Biku sighed, “I don’t think archaic is right, but it’s definitely different here. I’m still unsure about that instant creating thing.”
“Replicator. You shouldn’t be, all it does is rearrange the molecules to form other objects.”
“That’s what makes me uneasy. Even alchemy can’t achieve that.”
“Think about how you get from here to the house. All teleportation is, is a rearrangement and transfer of your molecules. I’d imagine you are no different from your original.”
“I think I’ll stick with real food for now.”
“Whatever makes you happy, demon boy.” Demon boy, she’s called him that a few times since she arrived. She implies no misgivings or resentment. It just seems as if she’s dealt with demons before. Just not the evil ones. Shinobu went over to Fleda, who worked the tactical station, and started to make small talk. There was just something about how she treated Biku that he felt comfortable around her.
Biku sat down in one of the chairs by the captain’s, “So, are there any plans for today?” Biku asked as he stared at the star field in the main screen.
“Not that I know of.” Shinobu leaned against the console, “Vermillion and Nagie are out with separate agendas and Junsei is off relearning basic math, English, and Japanese history at school. Unless you have something that you just have to do, I figure we do a late lunch at the great pasta place I found not to long ago while I was on business in Sicily.” Shinobu brushed back her hair, “You do speak Italian, right?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“Well let’s just hope they still speak English then. Cause I sure don’t speak it.”
“Uh, Captain?” Yuna said as she listened to something through her headset.
“Yeah?”
“You might want to take a rain check. I’ve got an unknown distress call from a cargo freighter four light years from us.”
“What’s it say?”
“It’s in Harentin, give me a minute to translate. ‘Please assist. Multiple casualties. Marauders. Medical cargo. Life support down.’”
“Right,” Shinobu came down to the center of the bridge, “Yellow alert. Seven minutes. Maybe sooner.”
“Too easy.” Anika, the pilot, said as she brought the ship into warp.
Shinobu turned to Biku, “If you have nothing else, wanna come along and help check the ship?”
Biku shrugged, “Couldn’t hurt.”
“Good.” She turned to a man who sat in the back corner at one of the stations, “You’re up for rotation, Henry. Me and Biku are going to lead the medical team.” The man stood up and took Shinobu’s place by the captain’s chair, “Take good care of her.”
“Yes ma’am” Henry saluted.
Shinobu and Biku got into the lift, “Deck 7.” She looked at Biku, “I guess you could call this your first outside contact.”
“What do you mean?”

The lift doors opened and they exited, “All of the crew members you’ve had contact with are basically humanoid. Some differ greater than others. But the Harentin are a plant like species. Their skin is like either bark or stem and they grow flower and leaves, depending on gender and age.”
“I see.”
The two entered the outer airlock. Shinobu walked over to one of the walls and gently pushed on it. It opened to reveal many space suits. She pulled one out, “You want one?”
Biku shook his head, “I don’t need much oxygen.”
“I know that.” She started to put on the suit, “It’s just, if their support systems are down, there will be a lot of carbon and nitrogen in the air. It will probably be stale as well.”
“I’ll be fine.”

Shinobu shrugged as she zipped up the back of the suit. It was a bit looser than the uniform, but you could still make out her figure when she stretched. Around that time, to males and one female had arrived and were also suiting up. The med team. Shinobu turned to look at them, “Remember, herbology is your friend.”
The team laughed. The woman looked at Biku, “What’s with the extra security, Captain?”
“Biku is just coming along because I figured he needed the experience.”
“You’re the boss.” The woman put on her helmet and sealed the suit.
Shinobu walked over to Biku, “Most likely there isn’t any danger, but I want you to scan the life waves since I can’t.” She put on her helmet and handed Biku a headset.

Biku looked at the headset and put it on. He watched Shinobu’s lips move but heard nothing. It looked like she sighed. She reached out to his face and touched the ear piece, “It does you no good if you don’t turn it on.” Her voice came through.
“I see.” He replied bluntly.

“You ain’t going to like this, Captain.” Henry’s voice came over the comm..
Shinobu sighed, “What?”
“The ship is worse off than the message told.”
Shinobu put her hands on her hip, “Are there any life signs?”
There was a long pause, “Very faint.” Fleda answered.
“What about atmosphere?” The female soldier asked.
“Also shit.” Fleda paused, “We have a small point where there is pressure. It’s in one of the cargo bays. I believe it is the one where the medical supplies are kept.”
Shinobu looked at Biku, “You still sure you don’t want a suit?”
Biku nodded.
“Alright,” Shinobu turned to the rest of the team, “This will be a direct assault. We get in, find what they were transporting and what was stolen. If possible, who did it.”
“What about the crew?” Biku asked.
Shinobu shook her head, “Life signs are very faint, so all the crew are probably dead. What’s left are decomposing plants that give off ‘very faint’ life signs.”
Biku said nothing in return and Shinobu ordered the transport.

The group appeared in a pitch black room surrounded by container like objects. The team turned on their flashlights that were imbedded in their helmets. Light shined directly on Biku’s pale face causing him to squint slightly, “How’s your breathing?” Shinobu asked.
“A bit rough, but tolerable.” Biku’s voice sounded quiet and muffled because of the lack of air.

The multiple beams of light meekly illuminated the room. It was small, cramped and dust like particles floated through the beams of light. There were around fifty storage containers stacked and scattered through out; most looked like they had been rummaged through but fairly untouched. The med team squatted down and dug through the containers nearby. Shinobu slowly walked the perimeter of the room looking for any bodies. “Now this is interesting.” One of the men, Detro, said.
Shinobu stopped pacing and peeked between two large crates, “Interesting enough to be a puzzle piece?”
“The supplies here seem to be left untouched. They are also your standard colony stock.”
Shinobu placed her hand against the visor of her helmet, “This works so much better when there is no glass.” Light laughter interrupted the white noise of the comm., “There aren’t any bodies here. Nor are the terminals in any working order.”
The female, Aria, giggled, “Nor?”
Shinobu sighed, “So my English isn’t perfect. Sue me.”

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