Carpathia IV: Episode 46 - Culture Exchange
Space, NCCS Sentinel
Underway at last, back to Polaris Deep, there was little that the Sentinel crew could repair for themselves. The blade of Ksenva's ship was still embedded in the nose, as Aire felt it unwise to remove it. It was now part of the structural integrity of the bow and besides, the scientists back at Polaris Deep would surely like to do a metallurgical analysis of this mysterious new alloy.
The crew returned to their regular duty schedule, though now disrupted by several sealed-off areas of the ship. Some crew had to be shuffled into new cabins since their old ones were inaccessible. Nevertheless, the Sentinel remained in remarkably good shape, looking far better on the inside than outside. Many amenities were thankfully undamaged, giving the crew entertainment options during off-hours.
One such undamaged amenity was the hologram simulator, which created objects from light, giving users a virtual reality experience without the need of a headset. This was Teek's favorite place to be while not on duty.
In his hands, Teek held two baton-like objects for which the holosimulator transformed helpfully into a pair of laser swords and sent little floating cubes at him, which he sliced in half to the beat of electronic music. Concentrating on the music and cubes, smashing them to the rhythm, made it impossible to think of anything else. It was a perfect game with which to unwind.
Hearing the door open behind him, Teek pressed the pause button on his baton controller and turned to find Voxx standing behind him.
Teek: Oh, you must be Voxx! I thought you went back to the Furious Spectre.
Voxx casually strolled to Teek, marvelling at the frozen, floating cubes and laser swords he held.
Voxx: Sylvar and I thought we'd stay a bit first. Commander Valro had the idea having our people and yours do a culture exchange and I wanted to meet you.
Teek took a step back, dropping his arms to his side, shocked at hearing this from someone who was already becoming something of a legend amongst the Sentinel crew.
Teek: Oh... well, I've wanted to meet you too.
Voxx strode cheerfully toward Teek, pointing at his light sword controllers.
Voxx: So, what's this? Some sort of battle simulator?
Teek, still in a state of shock, took a moment to react, holding up his light sword controllers as though he didn't know he had them.
Teek: Ah... um... well, no. I mean... kinda? It's all holograms, so none of it is solid or anything.
Teek took one of his light swords and passed it up and down through his arm, conspicuously demonstrating that what he was holding was little more than a highly advanced flashlight.
Teek: Scientists use this room when they want to see a large 3D model of whatever they're working on. Truth is that most people use it for games, like this. So, not really a battle simulator, but lots of games are sorta like battle simulators, I suppose.
Voxx: We don't have anything like this. Lazmaedia wouldn't allow anything so frivolous. Can you show me how it works?
Teek: I can do that!
Despite his show of enthusiasm, Teek was nervous of the idea of performing for a stranger. Nevertheless, he checked his controller and selected a song, a light, high-tempo affair. After hitting the reset button, Teek adopted a wide stance and held out his light swords while the multicolored cubes hurtled toward him. At the back of the room, his score ticked up each time he cut open a cube perfectly to the beat. It wasn't his best performance—he missed a few—but the song was fun and Voxx didn't seem to mind at all that he was less than perfect.
Voxx: That's great! Good way to hone your reflexes and have some fun at the same time.
Teek folded his arms across his chest, a little embarrassed, and held one arm up so that his wrist touched his mouth, hiding his smile.
Voxx: So, did they force you to join the military?
Teek's smile disappeared, transforming into a wide-eyed grimace.
Teek: Ah, no! I joined because I wanted to!
Voxx: And your family is okay with that?
Still taken aback by the sudden, serious questions, Teek answered wondering what Voxx's life must have been like to ask such things.
Teek: A little too enthusiastic, really. Mom and my brothers and sisters are okay, but my dad... He tried to join when he was younger, but he was rejected. Mom told us later that it was because he failed the enlistment exam spectacularly. He kept trying to put the square pegs in the triangle holes. When the staff officer asked him if that looked right to him, Dad responded, "That's the way I'd do'er." That hasn't stopped Dad from giving me all the world's dumbest advice for my career here.
Voxx nodded and picked at his chin spikes.
Voxx: Sorry for the weird questions. I just wanted to know. It's nice to hear about families, though I think your dad should let you be. It seems you're doing fine on your own.
Teek: Not quite. I've only noticed recently that some of my dad has rubbed off on me. I need to do better if I want to advance.
Voxx grinned and patted Teek on his shoulder.
Voxx: Ah, you're young. At least your mistakes don't get you a death sentence, right?
Teek smirked and tipped his head to the side.
Teek: There's that, I guess.
Voxx: Now, can you show me how to play this? I want to try!
Pleased that the hard questions seemed to be over, for now, Teek happily handed over his controllers and prepared to show Voxx his favorite game.
Kain sat in his underwear upon the exam table in sick bay while Sorchae waved her scanner around him.
Kain: I do not understand, Doctor. I had a medical exam when I arrived.
Sorchae: That you did. At that time, we scanned you for any contagions and severe maladies. We do have some experience with demons and we'd like to give you a full health check.
Kain: My apologies. I have not been afforded such courtesy before.
Sorchae: No need to apologize. Just relax. I'm going to go through several settings and we'll have a full work-up on you by the time I'm done.
Kain did as he was told and sat in silence on the exam table while Sorchae ran through all of her different scans. When she was finished, she holstered her scanner and smiled.
Sorchae: You are very healthy, so that's good, but there are a few small issues we should take care of. For one, I don't suppose you've had any vaccines.
Kain: I have not. Those are for vashtari only.
Sorchae: I see. We can take care of that. We have several that are specific for demon physiology. Also, you seem to have the beginnings of horn blight, so...
Kain gasped and reached up, tightly gripping his horns like the handles of a bike as though they might fly away at any moment.
Kain: No, I can't lose my horns!
Sorchae was about to turn away to talk to Tamati but instead remained focused on Kain, scrunching up her face.
Sorchae: Uh, Kain...
But Kain did not listen and continued to panic.
Kain: The shame of it all!
Sorchae: Kain!
Kain: I'll no longer be a proper demon!
Sorchae: KAIN!
Finally, Kain seemed to come to his senses and faced Sorchae.
Kain: What?
Sorchae: We can fix that.
While Kain's mouth fell open like a floppy potato sack, Sorchae finally managed to call out to Tamati.
Sorchae: Tamati, I need you to synthesize some horn blight cream and make sure they have a full round of demon vaccines ready at Polaris Deep.
Tamati: I'll get right on that, Doctor.
Kain still said nothing while Sorchae returned her attention to him.
Sorchae: It's not something we normally keep on hand. Most demons get vaccinated for this when they are young.
If a case of horn blight weren't unusual enough, Sorchae also now witnessed the sight of a fully stupified demon, wringing his hands in abject embarrassment.
Kain: We were told there was no cure.
Sorchae: Well, they lied. It will take a little time to synthesize, so why don't you come back in a couple of hours and I'll show you how to use it.
Kain: Thank you, Doctor. I apologize for my outburst.
Tamati, who only left the room seconds before, returned to poke his head in the door.
Tamati: Doctor, Commander Unas is here to see Kain.
Sorchae nodded and Tamati closed the door again.
Sorchae: We're done here, for now. You can go with Teren.
Kain marveled at the large room he was in, which didn't resemble anything normally found on a spaceship. The walls were wood-paneled with windows containing synthesized views of a serene garden, beautifully sculpted with gravel paths, manicured bushes, and colorful flowers. The floor changed depending on which part of the room he looked at. One corner was covered with mats. Another had a raised ring. The area where they stood was covered in large tiles made of woven grass. Upon the walls hung a variety of practice weapons. Though they were the only ones there, there was room for dozens.
Teren: We use this room for various types of combat training. Not only can we practice the skills needed as security officers, but many in the crew use it to keep their bodies and minds in prime condition. I thought you might like to see it.
Kain: Indeed, it is nice and those are worthy aspirations.
When Kain arrived in the room, he looked around with interest, but now, Teren noticed, he seemed to be staring straight ahead at nothing in particular.
Teren: Are you okay, Kain?
Kain sighed and spoke, still staring at the window monitor.
Kain: I'm both embarrassed and delighted at the same time. Embarrassed that I made a mockery of myself in front of your doctor, but delighted that appears to be the worst thing that has happened to me since I arrived. Ksenva's ship was a stressful place. One never knew when just the wrong word might set her into a murderous frenzy. I believe the stress possibly helped precipitate the onset of my horn blight.
Teren grinned and removed the shield from the front of his uniform and began to unfasten his shoulder pads.
Teren: My mentor as the ship's security guard was another demon, Commander Azrael. He is an excellent instructor and if you would like a nice stress-relieving activity, I would be happy to spar with you.
Teren pulled the top of his uniform away and tossed it to the side while Kain turned and grinned as he removed his sword from his belt.
Kain: I should like to meet this Azrael. Hand to hand, is it then?
Teren: Or hand-to-paw, as we like to say.
Kain lay his sword against the wall and widened his stance.
Kain: In that case, come at me as you like.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
Jenova87
Zelbunnii
Thatwildmary
Colourbrand
