Carpathia IV: Episode 65 - Stellar Sorcery
Space, NCCS Shadowdancer
Teek's quarters were tidy enough, except that every available bit of shelving space was devoted to his voluminous collection of game-related figures. It was a colorful, eclectic bunch, with prism-colored monsters, warriors with impossible swords, and gruff-looking space marines, all lovingly posed and displayed in a manner consistent with each of their characters. In the most prominent position, occupying an entire corner shelf, was a massive three-foot komodo character in full fantasy regalia, looking very much the role of a warrior king.
To ensure the comfort of the others, Teek kept his uniform on, with its heating pads keeping him at a toasty 35 degrees while the others could relax in comfort at what they would consider normal temperature. Teek cleared a generous space on the floor to make room for a knee-high folding table. Squatting on the floor, around the table, were Teek, Amenaru, Phobos, and, hunched a bit, sitting at an angle, Tayet. On the table were methodically-arranged cards depicting stellar phenomena and fantasy creatures.
Amenaru: I'll tap three black holes and put down a Void Skeleton.
Amenaru turned three of his black hole cards to the side and placed the Void Skeleton from his hand onto the table.
Amenaru: I attack Phobos with the Gravity Cyclops.
Amenaru turned his Gravity Cyclops card to the side and awaited Phobos's response.
Phobos: Hmmm...
Phobos considered his options carefully, and there were no good ones. He could easily block with his Starfire Sentinel card, but that was his only high defense card and it would leave him open to attack if one of the other players decided to take advantage. He could block with one of his weaker cards, which would kill the monster. Finally, and perhaps the worst option, would be if he did not block at all and let the Gravity Cyclops take off some of his life points.
Phobos: I'll block with my Starfire Sentinel.
Phobos turned his Starfire Sentinel card to the side and hoped that nobody else would attack him until his turn came around again. As neither creature had the ability to destroy the other, the turn ended in a stalemate.
Amenaru: End turn.
Tayet took a card from his deck and examined his hand before pausing for a moment, awkwardly shifting his shoulders from side to side.
Tayet: Thanks for inviting me, by the way. I'm a bit busy to make this a regular thing, but I'm glad I can do this at least once.
Teek: No problem. Are you okay, by the way? I have a zaisu floor chair if you need it.
Tayet: Thanks, but this is the best position for me. I've been having some back pain.
Tayet sniffled and scratched his nose before continuing.
Tayet: And some sniffles for some reason.
Phobos: Have you seen the doctor?
Tayet: It's not a virus or bacteria. Nobody seems to know what's up. I just hope I can get through the force field demonstration tomorrow without too much trouble.
Teek: Oh, yes, the Captain will be there, right?
Amenaru: This is all for him to see, yes. We couldn't have gotten this far this fast without Sylvar's knowledge of Vashta tech. It's not perfect yet, but we've made major progress.
Tayet returned his attention to his cards, soon pulling one from his hand.
Tayet: Comet mana card.
While Tayet considered what to do next, Amenaru looked across the table to Teek.
Amenaru: I forgot to ask, but did you get a chance to invite Kit?
Teek: I did. I apologized to him first for being a dick to him and he accepted. He said he's not ready for a game night, though.
Amenaru let out a sigh that coincided with his sagging ears.
Amenaru: Well, at least he's getting better. He let me walk him back to his quarters yesterday. I can't imagine what he went through before he joined the academy. It must have been awful.
Teek: You could just tell him you like him.
Phobos: That might be a bit much for him right now. I think you should keep doing what you're doing. Be nice to him. Let him feel safe around you. If it turns out he likes you back, he'll come around.
Amenaru sighed and shrugged his shoulders.
Amenaru: Maybe. Not forever, but I think it would be best to wait awhile longer.
Bridge, NCCS Shadowdancer
Aire emerged from his ready room and spotted Joust sitting cross-legged in his chair. Aside from Nalma and Teren, the night crew staffed the rest of the consoles. Finding nothing amiss, Aire had a seat in his own chair. Speaking to Joust, he did not whisper, for this information was not secret.
Aire: You remember that the Carpathian and Tokkastran governments intend to conduct more information sharing in light of the vashta threat?
Joust: I do.
Aire: I just got a communication from Admiral Zhang. The commander of a tokki ringship has requested a tour of the Shadowdancer. Lord Anai has approved it. They are en route and should be with us in three days.
Joust: I'll make sure everything is tidy, then.
Aire: There's one strange thing. The owner of the ringship is the Savea Enclave.
Out of the corner of his eye, Aire noticed Nalma's ears twitching.
Joust: That is strange. They're against any sort of cooperation with Carpathia. I wonder why they'd want to visit us.
Nalma turned in his chair and faced Aire and Joust directly.
Nalma: Captain, Commander, can I have a private word?
Both Aire and Joust stood, with Aire gesturing to his ready room.
Aire: Teren, you have the bridge.
Teren: Yes, Captain.
Swiftly, all three disappeared inside the ready room. Aire rounded his desk and sat in his chair while Joust and Nalma took the two chairs in front. Scooting his chair close to his desk, Aire leaned forward and waited for Nalma to speak his mind, already with a pretty good guess what it was about.
Nalma: I can think of only one reason why the Saveas would want to tour the ship. I'm sure they want to intimidate Kit. I recommend we adjust the duty schedule so that he's not on the bridge at that time.
Aire: Would they really go through all this trouble for that?
Nalma: The Saveas are nothing if not vindictive.
Aire: What do you think, Joust?
Joust: There's nothing in the rules that says they have to meet any crew member they request except the Captain.
Aire: Right, then I suppose we should let Kit know what's happening. I'm sure he's asleep right now. Nalma, you come with me when I talk to him. Ultimately, it is his decision, but I have no objection to rearranging the schedule a bit.
Nalma nodded.
Nalma: Thank you, Captain.
Aire: If there's nothing else for now, you may return to your station, Lieutenant.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Thatwildmary
Colourbrand
