by Eric Schetley, with additional input from Richard J. Pugh
[Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7]
Krynnspace...
"Beta watch, report to stations."
Hall-ee-mor Dargess, the bardic First Officer and Chief Spelljammer onboard the Dreadnought Eternal Wanderer was rather happy that his shift was over. While the journey was quiet and the helm did not physically harm him, he felt tired and needed to relax.
He knew that soon, he would be back in his quarters, relaxing to a nice herbal tea and telling his wife, Belieth, about the day he had. While Krynnspace didn't have that many astrological wonders (the constellations were enough for most travelers to enjoy), he did notice a pack of Delphnid traveling parallel to the Wanderer earlier today. They were near the edge of his extended Helm-joined vision, but they were still a joy to behold.
Alpha shift left their posts and Beta shift took over. Crystal Ravenheart gracefully flowed up toward him, standing before him, ready to take over the helm.
"I relieve you, sir," she said in a light voice.
"I stand relieved." Hall stood, and the ship slowed slightly. He moved out of Crystal's way to let her sit down. Once she sat, the chair reshaped itself to fit her slighter Elven form. The ship then resumed Spelljamming speeds. Only the most experienced starfarers would notice this change... novices could never tell the end of a shift.
"Anything to report, sir?" Crystal asked, her voice now becoming more out of place.
"Nothing. The captain is in the new exercise room, giving it and his skills a try if you want to watch."
[Why would you say that, sir?] Crystal's voice now seemed to flow from everywhere on the ship, not only her mouth.
"Oh, I think you know what I mean," Hall said with a smile. "I've seen you watch him. Don't worry. I won't tell him or anyone that you've been noticing his... shall we say, watching him as he leaves the room?"
Crystal's face began to glow a slight pink.
"Why not talk to him?" Hall asked.
[The captain is a man who does not let his feelings show very well, or am I wrong in making that observation?]
Hall just nodded.
[Perhaps he will notice me... someday. I am Elven. I can wait a long time if I need to.]
"That may be true, but take it from one who knows. Life is short, no matter who you are, and the wait can sometimes eat away at your soul. Tell him."
With that, Hall just bowed and walked away.
The exercise room on the Eternal Wanderer was actually a few remolded prisoner cells, with walls knocked out and a fresh paint job. There was nothing fancy: a few target dummies for fencing and sword practice, some heavy weights for lifting, and other things. Most of the crew didn't use it, but Onestar found it quite refreshing. It was a place for him to go and practice his martial arts skills and generally stretch.
Today, he wasn't alone. Kath Jarnuk, the new Scro crew member arrived a little after Onestar did, and watched for a few minutes as his new captain went through some martial art moves. Mostly kicking, Onestar moved fluidly, never missing a beat. He continued for several minutes before noticing Kath.
"I hope you have been enjoying the show," Onestar commented, coming to a halt. He picked up a nearby towel and dried his sweat.
"Very much so," Kath replied. "I've seen human martial arts several times before. You were practicing, what was it called, Tae Kwon Do. Correct?"
Onestar bowed. "You are correct."
"The Scro culture has it's own kind of kicking and punching combat style. It's kinda like what you were doing there. The Children of Dukash learn all kinds of fighting techniques. I used to be quite good at it."
"It has been a long time since I faced a worthy opponent," Onestar said, grinning. "What say we try out each other's skills? We each might learn something."
"A chance to kick my captain's butt? I wouldn't miss it!" Kath approached Onestar and bowed. Onestar returned the bow and the pair were joined in combat. Kath started with a leaping kick to the head which Onestar managed to avoid easily. When Kath leaped past the samurai, Onestar thrust his fist out into Kath's side, making the Scro fall to the floor.
"Excellent," Kath said. "You're good."
"As are you," Onestar commented. "I nearly missed that blow."
"Well, then, let's see how you do against this!" Kath came in low, taking Onestar out at the knees. The blow forced the samurai down, into the rear wall. Kath regained his stance and tried to land another blow to the head. Onestar saw the move and blocked it with his right fist. As he did so, he kicked straight out with his right leg, using the wall for leverage. Kath staggered back toward the middle of the room.
Onestar did three front flips to meet him there. The two men stood face to face, breathing heavily.
"This could be interesting," Kath said, smiling.
"We could be here all day. We are just too evenly matched."
"I've got nothing better to do. My shift's over."
"And I am the captain. Now, have you finished your break?"
"I notice I'm not the only one breathing hard, sir?"
The two men started again, both with smiles on their faces as they kicked each other around the room.
Up on the captain's deck, Ville was maintaining watch. He looked around at the new magically-produced displays the helm-activated rose crystal produced. The crystal sat in the direct middle of the main deck. The air above it glowed slightly, and rose halos floated up to the middle of the shell. The halos shimmered, while an image of Krynnspace directly in front of the ship appeared.
"Amazing," Ville muttered. Blaise would not say where he located this artifact (if an Arcane could ever be made to tell his secrets), but he said that it would show whatever view you would ask, as long as the helm was active. It could even replace a communication crystal, working as a communication aid. He said it might even let you talk to someone who didn't have a crystal.
Ville still didn't fully trust Blaise Pascal. He had some dealings with other Arcane a long time back, before joining the Wanderer's crew. He was always talking to Phantom about Pascal this or Pascal that, but Phantom would hear none of it. Onestar trusted the Arcane, and everyone trusted Onestar. That was good enough for him.
Ville was still thinking about Blaise when he spotted something distant on the image. A ship, he thought. Pascal told everyone when he installed the crystal that it would respond to simple vocal commands, but the person who gave the orders had to sit in the captain's chair. That was why Onestar ordered it be manned all shifts.
"Crystal," Ville began, "focus in on that strange speck in the distance." The crystal would respond to most anything, and seconds later, the image changed to a shrikeship moving this way.
"Ship ahoy. Crystal, please ask the captain to come to the bridge."
[Yes, sir.] Intership communications within normal spelljamming ships was done with speaking tubes, a system that worked well in most places. The dreadnought, however, was another story. The Illithids never used speaking tubes... creatures that spoke not with lips but with their minds would not need such devices.
Zebart said he could install new tubes, but he'd have to dismantle the whole shell to do it. Onestar quickly removed Zebart from the meeting, telling him to go and play with the nice Giant Space Hamster outside. He asked for other suggestions.
Hall hit on the idea of using the helm for intership communications. "Since whoever is sitting on the helm knows everything that's going on onboard, in essence is a part of the ship, why not let the spelljammer call whoever is needed?"
It was a good idea. Not only could they talk to everyone on board, but the spelljammer could see who they were talking to, to tell whether they were asleep or in need of help.
Today, Crystal Ravenheart knew that Onestar was in the exercise room, but decided not to look. She was a beautiful but extremely shy woman, one who joined the ship not only because of a love of space, but also because of an attraction toward the samurai.
Now, when she HAD to call him, she saw him on the ground, with Kath on top of him, choking him.
"NO! Onestar!" She said and leapt out of the chair. Faster than anyone could think this graceful creature could move, she ran down the stairs and toward the exercise room.
The Eternal Wanderer began to slow down.
As she ran through the halls toward the lowest deck, she passed Phantom and Karamon. The two members of security had just checked on the arsenal, making sure the weapons were cleaned and properly cared for.
"Quickly!" she yelled as she ran past, "Onestar is being killed!" She sprinted past them, leaving Human and Giff only to look at each other for a split second before running after her.
Crystal Ravenheart burst through the door to the exercise room, already moving her hands to cast a spell. It took her a few seconds to fully comprehend the scene she saw.
Onestar was standing over Kath, a hand just inches from the scro's face. Kath was laughing, and even the samurai was smiling.
"Do you yield?" Onestar asked, a laugh almost coming out.
"Aye, I know when I've been beaten," Kath replied. Onestar then took his hand away from the scro's face and helped his up. "It's a trait, I know, that's rare among my race, but what can I say? I recognize a better fighter when...I...see...one."
Kath saw Onestar looking over his shoulder, wondering what caught his attention. He turned and saw Crystal, flanked by Phantom and Karamon. Onestar stepped in front of Kath, the smile quickly fading.
"What is going on?" Onestar questioned, his voice showing full authority.
Crystal bowed her head. A redder glow than before filled her cheeks. "Ville wanted me to contact you, to ask you to report to the bridge. I looked in here and saw the scro on top of you, strangling you. I had to get down here and help..."
"The Kartanh Choke Hold?" Kath commented. "She saw our exercises and thought I was trying to kill you?"
"Sir, he is a scro..." Crystal tried to argue.
"He is a member of this crew," Onestar commented, his voice showing anger. "When one signs aboard the Wanderer, the race of the person is forgotten. They take their loyalty to this ship and to our mission, protecting Wildspace from evil. Any racial prejudices are to be left on shore. Is this understood?"
"...yes sir. I'm sorry, Kath."
"Forget about it. I'm used to it."
"Now then, why did you have to contact me?" Onestar asked.
"There was a Shrikeship approaching, and..."
"You left the helm!" Onestar practically yelled.
It was then they felt the first ballista bolt hit.