by Jay Cannon
Phoebe appeared holding her staff above her head, smiling and waving at the crowd. She was a tall muscular Delta who had been in many battles. The Euclidians cheered and the Ossies laughed.
“She is tall, but she is a skinny woman. This is an insult,” screamed Malcolm.
“I have not begun to insult you little one. Wait until the gong sounds and you shall see the insults begin.”
“Maybe so, but you will not see me.”
“I will most certainly smell you though.”
The crowd laughed, but Malcolm just growled at the comment.
“I’m surprised that you speak Euclidian Ossie,” stated Phoebe.
“I’m not just a pretty face. There have been enough of you here begging for a treaty with us that I learned a bit. Enough talk though. We fight,” insisted Malcolm.
The two fighters faced each other and Lanpilk struck the gong. Malcolm disappeared and then came flying through the air, cloaked behind Phoebe with his staff high in the air to land a strike on her head. Phoebe turned and shoved her staff into his chest, making him visible as he rolled across the ground in pain. Phoebe followed him to the area swinging her staff at him as she went. Malcolm blocked her blows with his staff and jumped to his feet. He used his superior strength to force Phoebe into the middle of the ring where they traded blows back and forth.
Tiring of the back and forth Phoebe vaulted over Malcolm and spun her staff to the side of his head knocking him to the ground. This time she followed him to the ground, pinned his arms with her knees and began to pummel his face. With a grunt he used his knees to kick her over his head. He grabbed one of her ankles as she passed over, rolled to his feet, spun her over his head and then face down into the ground stunning her.
Malcolm grabbed both of her wrists, putting his foot into her lower back he pulled hard until she cried out in pain. “I’m going to show you what we do to women on our planet who don’t know their place,” Malcolm shouted grabbing both of her wrists with one hand and using his free hand to rip the crotch from her shorts.
“It’s going to be fun showing your people why the only staff you should be holding is right here,” laughed Malcolm.
“If that’s what you want, that’s what you’re going to get,” responded Phoebe giving him a scorpion kick to his back sending him over his head.
Malcolm quickly jumped to his feet and lashed out backward with his left arm hoping to catch Phoebe coming at him. Phoebe ducked his blow and reaching below him placed a firm grip on his crotch and lunged two meters into the air. On the way down, Phoebe grabbed Malcolm by the collar, pulling his head towards the ground drove it in hard knocking him out.
“Having fun yet asshole?” Phoebe snarled. She dragged Malcolm’s limp body over to his chief and squatted over him.
“Chief, when he comes to, tell him this is how we treat men on our planet that mistreat women,” stated Phoebe taking a long piss on Malcolm’s chest. “I expect to see him at the ceremony tomorrow raising my name over our camp.”
The Euclidian crowd burst into loud roars. Several members ran from the sidelines, lifting Phoebe over their heads carried her around the camp shouting her name. “Phoebe! Phoebe! Phoebe!”
The next day at the center of the camp Phoebe and Malcolm were on the podium with Chief Chocto representing the Ossie people and Captain Shisal representing the Euclidians. Chief Chocto presented Phoebe with the golden crescent medallion.
“Malcolm will now do the honor of raising the flag of this fort overhead for the first time bearing the head of a gorman on a white background and the name of the Euclidian champion Phoebe in gold letters,” spoke Chief Chocto.
Malcolm raised the flag amongst cheers from the crowd.
“Let this flag be a symbol of peace between our people,” Captain Shisal stated in Ossie. The captain and the chief clenched their hands and raised them high above their heads. Fireworks were shot into the air as a band played music. Food and drink was served as the festivities continued well into the night.
“Phoebe,” called Malcolm tapping her on the shoulder. “Great battle yesterday. You were a worthy opponent. I would like to offer this local drink as a peace offering,” said Malcolm handing her a mug.
“Thanks Malcolm. You were quite the adversary yourself. I enjoyed the match. Here’s to success in future battles,” stated Phoebe clinking his mug.
“I really enjoyed our battle, but I think the act at the end was a little extreme, especially considering that I was unconscious.”
“Considering what you were threatening I feel you deserved it. Thanks for making it easy for me. Though I had to walk around with my ass out the rest of the evening.”
“It’s unfortunate I missed that. Maybe we can have another battle in the not too distant future.”
“Maybe so Malcolm. Maybe so.”
Malcolm gave Phoebe a nod, raised his mug and walked away.
“Great job Phoebe,” said Captain Shisal walking up to her. “It’s good you two are on good terms after last night. It got a bit heated there for a moment. I was concerned that I was going to have to step in and stop the fight from going to far.”
“Don’t fight my battles for me Chaell. I understand the risks I take when I agree to challenge someone. I don’t want anyone marginalizing my abilities by giving me special treatment.
“Understood. Either way, I feel your win last night secured our relationship with the Ossies. That’s important because we needed this base here.”
“Glad I could be of service. I don’t think they’ll be pulling out of the agreement anytime soon. It would make them lose face.”
“What do you think about hiring one of their crescent tattooed warriors to help seal the deal? There are always opportunities to use someone who enjoys killing people.”
“That sounds like a good idea. Let’s pick Uan though. I’m not that comfortable having Malcolm around.”
“Sure I’ll see what the chief thinks and make it happen.”
“See you on the ship,” stated Phoebe walking off.
“Okay Phoebe. Enjoy the festivities,” replied Chaell.
Chapter 11
Yoyo joins the Euclidian
The next day, Commander Filo and Yoyo found themselves at the Bordelle Bar once again waiting for other contacts from the Euclidian resource ship fleet.
“Have you and Jesmino been enjoying the city?” Asked Commander Filo.
“Very much so,” replied Yoyo. “This is a very new experience for us. As you know Tammaria is mostly a primitive planet with no technology except for what was brought to the planet by visitors. This place is more beautiful, exciting and even dangerous than I could ever have imagined. Interacting with the different species has been eye opening for us.
“Any luck connecting with the Euclidians?”
“Not by me, but Jesmino has learned the language and has been connecting with a few people. No meaningful contacts as of yet though.”
“Just keep trying. I’m sure the two of you will make a breakthrough eventually. Jesmino impresses me with her progress. Or is she a he? I’m not really sure.”
“To tell you the truth, neither am I. She appears to be a female, but I’ve never seen her in the bathroom or shower. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen her eat either. She’s a strange one. Pretty smart though.”
“Look Yoyo. Another Euclidian captain just walked in the door and he’s coming this way. Let me look him up on my UCD. It’s Captain Lohmann, skipper of the resource ship Aleecia and he’s sitting at the next booth. I’m going to order a Tammarian grog for him.”
After a few moments a server walks up to the captain’s booth with the drink. “Excuse me sir. This is from your neighbor in the booth next to you.”
“Really, I’ll have to offer my thanks,” said the captain getting up. “Oh an Alpha. What is it you want?” The captain said sharply.
“Please, just a moment of your time sir and I’ll leave you in peace.
The captain sat next to Yoyo
and Commander Filo began pleading his case to join the captain’s crew.
“Captain I have served as navigator on three different Alpha ships and a Delta freighter.”
“You mean a freighter that was commandeered by your people,” scoffed the captain.
“That’s inconsequential. I had nothing to do with the acquisition of the ship. I was just there to plot its courses.”
“You mean you were helping to steal their technology. Thanks for the grog. I’ll be moving to a booth where the air is less putrid.”
“Yoyo, convince him that we would be good crewmembers,” urged the commander. “Think of life aboard a spaceship and all the places we would visit. Please wait just a moment captain.”
Yoyo thought about it and decided to help Commander Filo. She pulled off her goggles and pulled on the captain’s sleep keeping him in the booth. The captain looked over at Yoyo and couldn’t stop staring at her glowing eyes.
“Please stay for a while,” Yoyo said gently to the captain. “The commander would make an excellent member of your crew. You should make him your navigator and I would be happy to work in one of the ships entertainment areas.”
“That sounds reasonable,” replied captain, “but I already have a navigator.”
“I’m sure he would love to move to logistics or another department on your ship. Your ship would really benefit from having Commander Filo as your navigator.”
“The crew is going to hate having an Alpha on the bridge,” the captain said shaking his head. “I’m just not sure I could make that work.”
“Be persuasive captain. Be forceful. You are a strong supporter of inclusion and assimilation. Let it show.”
“Okay, you’ve convinced me. Show me your UCDs.”
The two presented their UCDs to Captain Lohmann and he used his UCD to encode theirs with a digital crewmember attribute designating their new positions on his ship.
“You two are now members of my crew. Get your gear and press your crewmember button when you are ready to board. You will be beamed directly to the indoctrination center. Once your indoctrination is complete Yoyo will be assigned to one of our many bars and you will be assigned to the bridge. I suggest that you two stay in your cabins until I have arrived to introduce you. Now if you don’t mind I’d like to enjoy some of this establishment’s wares before heading back to the ship,” the captain said standing up.
“Certainly captain. We are honored to be members of your crew.”
“Welcome aboard gentlemen and adieu.”
The two stood as the captain walked off. Commander Filo startled Yoyo by giving her a huge hug.
“I’m excited too commander,” sad Yoyo, “but I don’t think hugging is necessary.”
“Whatever you say little lady. Let’s get back to our temporary housing, collect our things and get aboard our new ship. In the mean time we’ll have to find a way to keep Jesmino busy while we are away.”
“Don’t worry I’ll take care of it.”
Later that night Yoyo met with Jesmino.
“Jesmino, Commander Filo and I have taken a position aboard one of the Euclidian resource ships. I want you to stay here and look at forming a relationship with the Euclidians. I will continue to be in touch with you via your UCD.”
“Okay Yoyo. I think I will be just fine here. If you don’t mind I’ll stay connected to you at the subatomic level.”
“Sure Jesmino, whatever you say. Forgive me for asking, but are you male or female?”
“Which would you prefer?”
“A female, but it doesn’t quire work like that.”
“At some levels it can. I am most certainly a female.”
“Okay, glad to hear it. Commander Filo and I are packed and ready to depart. We’ll be leaving any minute and will hopefully be back in a few months. Just ping me if you need anything.”
“I will and you do the same.”
“Goodbye Jesmino,” Yoyo said walking out. Jesmino simply waved at the closing door.
Being a female Magi is not so bad, Jesmino said to herself. It would probably be more effective connecting with the Euclidian if I were a female Euclidian though, Jesmino stated in perfect Euclidian, while changing shape and the sound of her voice.
***
Yoyo joined Commander Filo in his apartment and simultaneously they pressed on the crewmember buttons on their UCD. In an instant, they were sitting in chairs in the indoctrination center aboard the Aleecia waiting for the next session to start. Yoyo almost exploded with delight.
“Hello everyone, I’m Lieutenant Langford the personnel officer. I’m here to indoctrinate you to the finer points of the resource ship Aleecia. Your UCDs have been updated to include the ship’s layout including your places of work and sleep. Just command it to “map location” to get a layout of the current deck and then ask it where you want to go. This ship is very large. Over fifty kilometers in each direction. You will want to take the personnel transports to get to most locations. The entrances to the transport areas are marked by mauve-colored lights. They transports can move vertically and horizontally. Follow the rules and don’t go to areas in which you don’t belong. The first time you are caught you will get a warning and fined. The second time you will be thrown off the ship and I don’t mean at the next port either. You’ll be thrown into space! And that’s not a joke. Beaming is not allowed on the ship except by executive order. Now sit back and watch the video screen for a general explanation of shipboard life. When the video is over go out this door and make a right down the hallway. The door at the end will take you out to the ship’s principal corridor. Turn left or right to the mauve-colored tubes to a transport.”
The video started and a much more pleasant voice gave a description of the ship and all its conveniences. It also gave a calendar of the upcoming mission along with another warning about following the rules. Once it was finished most people filed out to find their living quarters to get settled. Commander Filo and Yoyo stayed back with a few others to ask additional questions.
“Excuse me Lieutenant,” started Filo, “can you tell me how to access a flight simulator for the ship? I’m the new navigator and I’d like to brush up on the ship’s controls.”
“An Alpha navigator?!” Replied the lieutenant, “That’s awfully strange. I bet they’re going to love you on the bridge.”
“The simulator lieutenant?” Commander Filo asked agitated.
“When you get to your stateroom there will be a virtual command table with a screen above it which you can use to load any of the bridge’s systems because of your position on the ship. Just give it voice commands to enable the desired simulation.”
“Thanks lieutenant.”
“So what do you want?” The lieutenant asked Yoyo.
“You assigned me to a general crews lounge. Would it be possible to get assigned to an officer’s lounge?”
“No you may not. You just got here. Do what you’re told.”
“Please sir,” begged Yoyo taking off her goggles, “place me in one of the officer’s lounges.” I so much want to show them my talents.”
“Okay you little cutey. I’ll move you to our most happening officer’s lounge.”
“Yay,” replied Yoyo clapping her hands and smiling.
“Stop showing off,” whispered Commander Filo nudging her as they walked out. “We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves. You might want to change out of that thick, hooded robe and goggles. It will look odd on this ship.”
“Don’t worry; I got some comfortable fashion during our stay in Occum. I plan to try them out tonight in the lounge.”
“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to join you tonight. I’ll be busy learning about the Euclidian multi-dimensional drive. I’ll probably stay out of sight until the captain introduces me. I think it would be safer that way. Will you be okay in the lounge?”
“I’m already adept at making Tammarian Grog, which most people will be drinking. I’m sure I will learn how to mix the other drinks
quite quickly.”
The two of them stepped into the corridor and were amazed by the size of the space and how full of life it was. The hall was thirty meters wide and disappeared into the distance in both directions. The walls and floor were bright white. Above them was an animated ceiling that simulated the Euclidian sun shining through and its three moons. At night the ceiling depicted the night sky. Crewmembers overhead flew by in elevated chairs with no visible means of suspension.
Passersby sneered and gawked as they walked by Commander Filo. Yoyo was looked upon as an oddity, which she found amusing, considering all the strange life forms walking, slithering and floating by.
“Enjoy yourself Yoyo. I’m heading for the transport and the privacy of my stateroom.”
“Bye. I’m going to try out one of those transport chairs”, Yoyo pointed as one whizzed by above their heads. “Excuse me, how do I catch one of those chairs flying by overhead?” Yoyo asked a passerby in the corridor.
“You simply push one of the brown buttons on the wall over there by the pink light,” he replied. “A chair will pop out. Place the chair in the direction you want to go, sit in the char and strap in. When you are ready, press the blue button to engage the chair and the yellow button to disengage it. Lean forward to speed up and lean back to slow down. Lean to one side in the chair to turn it. Turning in your chair will take you down hallways or in the opposite direction.”
“How do people keep from colliding into each other?”
“Not to worry. The system takes care of that. It makes sure the chairs don’t collide no matter what you do.”
“Thank you so kindly for the assistance.”
“Your UCD has the same information. You only have to ask it.”
“So I shall,” replied Yoyo nodding to the crewmember as she left.
Yoyo walked over by the far wall and pressed on the brown button with trepidation not knowing quite what to expect. After she pressed the button a chair popped from the wall. She pointed it towards the aft end of the ship and took a seat. The chair was a bit large for her, but she didn’t let it discourage her. She strapped herself in and pressed the blue button. For a moment nothing happened, and then the chair shot up into the air and leapt forward next to the other travelers.”
