This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/hfy by /u/KyleKKent on 2025-05-11 20:36:00+00:00.
Elsewhere, With Others
The Inevitable had launched away from Albrith without any drama. Observer Wu had finished a few more interviews, spoken to several people, both alien and human and things were low drama. At the edge of the system though a semi-unexpected communication request reaches The Inevitable.
“Humans of The Inevitable. This is The Silent Watcher. We are the reinforcements to the ones you know as Rain and Velocity.” The message states in a female voice. There is no visual and Captain Rangi sighs to himself.
“Silent Watcher, this is The Inevitable. If you want us to open the appropriate docking bay then you will need to inform me where you actually are.” Captain Rangi states.
“I was informed you are capable of piercing our stealth.”
“We are, however this is about proper protocol and manners. If you would like me to render your stealth ineffective then please say so.” Captain Rangi asks.
“Activating IFF.” The Captain of The Silent Watcher acquiesces and Captain Rangi nods as it’s location appears on screen.
“Excellent. We shall be transmitting coordinates of the relevant docking bay in moments. Please stand by. Our Security Contractor Mister Jameson will be there to greet you.” Captain Rangi says before closing the connection. He then re-opens the line with it keyed to Harold’s communicator.
“Our Vishanyan guests have arrived, I need you in Docking Bay C.”
“Yes sir, I’m on my way.”
“You expected this.”
“Yes, but I didn’t know which bay you would use. Although to be honest their speed is a little surprising. I figured they’d intercept us on the way to our next destination, or meet us there. Or hell, even play catchup from place to place in a ridiculous game of tag.” Harold explains. “I’m entering Docking Bay C now.”
“It’s about to open into the vacuum.”
“I’m fine, open away.” Harold says.
“If it were anyone else I’d be sending a medical team to restrain a suicidal soldier.”
“Death’s too scared to come at me.”
“Because that isn’t the textbook definition of tempting fate.”
“I’ve fought war personified, I want a piece of the other horsemen of the apocalypse.”
“And the fact that you lost and war was not only a she but incapable of riding a horse, on top of her being your in-law... I actually have no idea what that means in the mythological concept.”
“Neither do I, I was hoping you could tell me. Sounds Greek though, the fun part of Greek Mythology.”
“Prepare to receive the ship you clown.” Captain Rangi says but before he closes the link he grins. “And get out of the Mediterranean, the legends of gods and spirits the world over has a lot of entertainment to it.”
“I don’t think I rate Monkey King.”
“You don’t and I wasn’t referring to him.” Captain Rangi says with a grin.
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She had emerged flawlessly from Stasis. To her and her unit Stasis was even more comfortable than natural rest. More restful as well. They were the opposite of the poor souls who were Stasis Aware and being Stasis Rested was a requirement for The Deep Sleep units.
To her a single hour in stasis gave her all the rest she would need in a day. Multiple days in stasis meant she could go weeks without rest and receive zero loss in cognition or ability. Granted rigorous training was needed to pull that particular stunt. But it was a baseline requirement for a Deep Sleeper. Even if two weeks of alertness was followed up, by mandate, with at least a week of full rest and then two of light duty. Prevents a soldier from snapping.
“Captain, mission.” She requests as she finishes rising. The rest of her unit of two squadrons is silent as she speaks. She is in command and they know it.
“Mission parameters are protective in nature. Forward Scouts Calculated Velocity of Victory and Unending Rain of Retribution have requested reinforcement. Their infiltration was near completely successful and they have openly integrated into the peoples here. Stealth is non-optional for this mission and will be permitted only upon The Silent Watcher. We are here on protective detail and are to work with the crew of The Inevitable.” That is... odd. She glances around and there are many surprised expressions.
“VIP status?”
“Unending Rain of Retribution has suffered injuries and due to human inexperience with Vishanyan physiology has been de-aged into her adolescence but is otherwise unharmed. Calculated Velocity of Victory is pregnant.”
“What.” She demands in near total synchronicity with several of her soldiers.
“Unending Rain of Retribution is de-aged and Calculated Velocity of Victory is pregnant.”
“I did not know we were fertile.” She states.
“Are fertile. As you can imagine this is important.”
“Why was she in a position to get pregnant, let alone be pregnant?”
“She had specific orders to infiltrate an individual of a newly emerged species known as Humans to ascertain the risk level. She was directly ordered to engage carnally as humans respond very well to it. She succeeded.”
“Importance of humans?” She asks as she begins quickly checking her weapon.
“Newly emerged species from the depths of Cruel Space. Out in the galaxy for little over a year. They sent their greatest soldiers to make contact. One of them is capable of casually piercing our stealth and has forced confrontation. He is too powerful to deal with without mass exposure and too well placed to make killing him worth it. We are instead turning him into an asset. And we have already learned about our own physiology from it and more.”
“Understood.”
“He will also be the one greeting us. We are pulling into the docking bay now and he’s simply standing there. No atmosphere, no protective suit and no concern.” The Captain explains and She looks up as a screen lights up to show what looks like a tattooed Tret standing calmly and looking directly into the camera with blank white eyes.
“He’s blind?”
“Apparently not, the eye modification is new and has apparently enhanced his already obscene powers of observation. You have some reading to do when it comes to all the things we have recorded this one individual doing. Do not engage in combat with him under any circumstance. You will lose and you will drag your unit down with you.”
“He cannot possibly be that powerful.”
“He treats our stealth like a joke and considers doing battle with Primals to be excellent exercise. Do not engage.”
“Understood.” She says studying the image of the man. His hair and clothing is being pushed around as the docking bay is being filled with atmosphere.
“May I come in?” He asks in Galactic Trade the moment there’s enough atmosphere to carry his words.
“What?” She asks in surprise, this time in sync with the captain.
“May I come in?” He asks again. It almost sounded like he was answering their question.
“Did he hear us?” One of the girls asks.
“I can hear you yes, do I have permission to enter?” Harold calls over.
“... How?”
“I’ve been deciphering your language piece by piece and have been testing out new tricks of observation. I hear you loud and clear, but am struggling to read your lips. It’s a work in progress.”
“No you do not have permission to enter. The ship is for Vishanyan use only.”
“Fine.” He remarks with a shrug. “I’ll see you all when you disembark then.”
She frowns and signs for her team to form up with her as they march through the small and agile vessel. The meet the crew who nod to them. Captain/Pilot/Communications Officer, the Engineer/Sensor Technician and the Doctor/Weapons Specialist/Backup Engineer.
They offloading ramp descends and already the man is there, standing so close it must have brushed his nose on the way down and he looks up at all of them, but despite being shorter than them all seems to tower in his sheer confidence as they can feel his gaze shift around and land on each and every one of them.
“So all Vishanyan have pastel scales and a soft white counter to it? Interesting.” He notes calmly as they start to march down the ramp. “Welcome on board The Inevitable. Self-Evolving battleship, one of two Cruel Space compatible Warships in the galaxy and embassy to every nation on a divided Homeworld and an embassy for a new protectorate of the Apuk Empire.”
“I am the Commander of this Unit. My squad leaders are directly behind me.” She says marching down to the base of the ramp and glaring down at him. He tilts his head back and looks her right in the eyes. Seeing not only past her stealth, but somewhere deeper as well. Right in the places that she would rather not speak about.
“Tell me, do all Vishanyan have the phrase based names or is it just the two that are here? Young Rain and dear Velocity?”
“You know their names?”
“They told me part, but I listen in on much and overheard the full thing a while ago.” He says. “I am Operative Harold Armoury Jameson of The Undaunted. A contractor for the security against Axiom using threats against The Inevitable. I ask formally, do you come in peace?”
“We do.” She states and he nods before stepping back and to the side.
“Welcome aboard The Inevitable. Captain! They have stated peaceful intent!”
“Very good Mister Jameson. Show them around.” A voice says from the speakers above.
“Very well then. If you will all follow me I will show you to where the Apuk Empire Embassy is, the numerous dining halls, Engines, the airlocks connecting to our support craft The RAD and The ...
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