Art:Space Pirates/Quinzee's Story

= Quinzee's Story =

Pattern of Difference
by Mara

I can’t believe that it’s over. All at once, it seems like no time has passed, while I first began this mission was so very long ago. I am ready to return, and yet I wonder if my findings will be received well. I have always felt somewhat isolated being away from the rest, but I know that when I return I will be vastly different from them. I will stand alone based on the virtue of my unique experiences away. I did not think about such consequences when I left all those cycles ago, I did not look to the fact that I will now always be vastly different, even from my own.

The barrier is close, even from within the confines of the ship I can feel it. Aldeia is so close; it is hard to believe that I am all but home.

At the start of my mission I was able to bring the crew out of stasis, this time it will not be so. There will not be another to replace me; rather silent programs will be have to be sufficient. In theory, they are more than capable and with all of the testing I’ve gone through, the reports have shown that all should run without error. As well, all of the new calibrations to the ships global systems that Prasti and I implemented should hold through the barrier transition. At times I have wondered if these are necessary measures, but logic must overrule emotion in this case. As much as this crew fascinates me, even as I grow fond of them they cannot know more of the Alda’an. It just would not be acceptable, nor would it be fair to the normal advancement of their respective races.

Gazing through the space station portal, the double sun’s rays bring fond memories of home. It is so different in space, amongst the stars to be unable to feel the warmth of the suns’ glow. The endless span of black cannot compare to the amethyst skies of Aldeia, and how I crave for those friendly vistas. I cannot say if it has been a particular experience, or my own feelings for this moment, but I feel that this mission is near complete. The only remaining aspect is to return to Aldeia. I long for my kin, I long for my home, I long for the familiarity of belonging.

Within the confines of the Calliope space station Ratri Iolana is the definitive go to contact for any type of information. How she manages to keep such vast of quantities of information separate and on hand, is well beyond anything I can comprehend. Nevertheless, she was able to direct me to a crew that was allegedly headed towards the Vasraii quadrant for a foraging expedition. The captain of the crew was an interesting human by the name of Verand Shanks. He was indeed curious about why I would be wanting to go to the Vasraii quadrant, but he agreed that I should come along. It wasn’t all that difficult a persuasion; after all another engineering aide, that sought no pay but merely to voyage was a rare find. Shortly after the terms had been settled I was taken aboard the vessel and introduced to his engineer, Prasti Centra.

My first impression of Prasti was that I didn’t know what to make of her. Usually such an impression would warranted some distanced observation, but that was not an option for this voyage. We would be working closely, and I needed to be able to have at least some idea of what she was about. At our introduction, she did not seemed to be overly pleased about having me about. I didn’t sense any dislike, more so it seemed like she was used to being on her own and my presence violated that. She did however follow orders, and Verand had said she was to make me familiar with the ship’s layout and general systems before we left the station. The first hour was a battle of the wills. She had not spoken a word to me the entire time, rather she took to humming a rather haunting tune to herself. Eventually it became apparent to her that I was not saying anything either, and she was in danger of insubordination if she didn’t explain things to me.

Her voice was an odd match to her build. She was rather small, but her voice was not. It was not loud or overbearing, but it held a strength and presence to it that seemed at odds with her physical appearance. Her explanations were very short and succinct, but the more she talked and perhaps the more she realized that I wasn’t going to be asking anything specific about her or prying into her affairs, the more relaxed she seemed with speaking. It took the better part of two hours, until we had covered everything relevant to my station aboard Oliver’ Folly.

I estimated that it would take 36 hours to re-configure the systems and run the necessary tests, which gave me a 24 hour window before the ship came into contact with the barrier.

Leaving Prasti to browse through some potential system upgrades, I ran all the diagnostics; while quietly integrating the silent code under the main programs. She occasionally asked me a question regarding the unorthodox methodology, which I answered as simply as I could. Her intelligence was impressive, as she picked up quickly on the new ideas and the sounds of her mind blending things together was almost audible. To keep the balance I would pose my own questions on occasion, but for the most part we kept to our own respective focus.

All was quiet on the vessel, her crew stationed but relaxed. Prasti and I had finished our work with the ship’s systems and at my gentle insistence she had gone to speak with the Captain about the relevant changes. I had no doubt that the conversation would be short and to the point, but I had wanted some time alone. To reflect on the looming transition.

Looking out of the portal, nothing seemed amiss. Just more of the vastness of space; except I could feel the barrier growing closer and closer. I knew that the emptiness was deceiving for not too far in the distance was a meticulously cloaked planet. Aldeia. Home. It was a strange feeling, knowing that everything familiar was looming literally on the horizon just out of sight.

Prasti’s timing was interesting; for as we came upon the barrier she re-entered the airlock. She levelled her gaze on me, and I suppose that from my expression she knew that something was about to happen. The smallest of grins I offered to her, and her mouth dropped open slightly. I think that she knew that no harm was to come to her, or the rest of the crew; but for most species, the unknown brings fear.

A brilliant flash of light appeared to engulf Oliver’s Folly. The transition through the energy field, was enough to render the crew unconscious. I crossed to the nearest console and activated the last of my recalibrations. Control of the ship was routed to that panel, and after a brief check that all programs were running without error; a communication line was opened.

Zwantuu’s face appeared onscreen, and a rush of joy I had not felt in many cycles overcame me. His voice was everything welcoming, and after a brief discussion of landing coordinates he wished me a safe landing and told me we would speak again soon.

I was near giddy, even though I had known about this homecoming and known to the second, when it would come, I had very much underestimated my reaction. As I brought the ship through the Alda’an atmosphere I could not help but smile inwardly as the amethyst skies greeted me. The landing was without incident, and as the air-lock decompressed I was gifted with the beautiful sight of an Alda’an sunset. A gathering of my kin awaited me, and even though it was all I could do but run to them, I paused a moment. I looked back at the ship that had been my way back home, and thought fondly again of her crew. Inputting the last command I would ever lay on an alien vessel, I bid the Oliver’s Folly and her crew a safe journey.

It would take just a few short hours for the vessel’s occupants to regain their consciousness, and until then the ship was programmed to auto-pilot on the course that would keep them to their original course. The computer programs and files that were relevant to my journey would be deleted without trace, and the crew would come to realize that I had simply gone missing. By this time though, they would be far beyond the barrier, and with no reference point; Aldeia was left with her anonymity safely in tact.

We stood close together, and I felt overwhelming comfort amongst my people. The warmth and familiarity of our rainbow hued fur, the silent but perfectly understood communication all brought a profound sense of peace. The fear of being unlike the rest had all but faded from my thoughts as we stood watching the alien ship take off and slowly vanish from sight. After a moment, everyone began to comment on my spots, Zwantuu especially, noting that he was proud that I had obtained all of them in such a relatively short time. I had not even noticed that the last had appeared.

Indeed, my mission was complete and so was I.

= Cast of Characters =

Quinzee

Prasti Centra

Ratri Iolana