KINDLING
STARDATE 09.02.24
OMEGA REGENESIS
The assembled Bridge Crew of the Kindling, which was made up of Captain Hafnyr, Vesper, Husk, Gwen, Pandora, and Sir Tristan, sat down at the long dinner table that had been prepared for them. They were aboard the Ruppeli Light Cruiser Aegypius. As a way of thanking the Kindling for saving their lives from the Ramoreen, the Captain of the Aegypius, Captain Gyps, invited everyone to come aboard for a specially prepared feast. Captain Hafnyr was hesitant to accept, due to the time sensitive nature of their mission and collecting resources needed for the Subspace Regenerator, but Vesper convinced him that it was a rare opportunity for a break which the crew needed, especially right after their hard fought battle with the Ramoreen.
Sitting next to Captain Gyps was his First Officer, Torgos. While Captain Gyps was an elderly man, frail and slow to move, Torgos was well built, quick to react, and very fit. Like all Ruppeli, Captain Gyps and Torgos were Humanoid Vultures.
They appeared to be in some kind of Cargo Bay which was hastily converted into a Dining Chamber for the Aegypius’ special guests. Six large Humanoid Hornets wearing different uniforms and carrying Phaser Rifles stood guard at the doors and around the dining table, a precaution taken by Captain Hafnyr just to be safe. There was all manner of food and drink on the table, including meals synthesized and cooked from animals, plants, insects, fruits, and vegetables. Captain Hafnyr sent over notes to the Aegypius before the dinner, detailing the unique and exotic appetites of his multi species Bridge Crew.
Vesper, the albino humanoid bat, was the first to reach down and grab a large, cooked cockroach. She held it in front of her mouth, taking small bites out of it and savoring the taste. She let a low moan of approval as she ate.
Torgos looked at Gwen, the Kindling’s black haired Communications Officer, and for a moment saw her hazel eyes flash yellow. He also thought he heard a low growl at the same time. Gwen smiled at the muscular Vulture Officer as she grabbed a pear and took a bite out of it.
Captain Hafnyr, due to the unusual nutritional requirements of his plant like form, refrained from eating anything from the table. However, he gazed at his Crew enjoying themselves and it pleased him greatly that they were happy.
“Again, we thank you for saving us from the Ramoreen,” Captain Gyps said in a strained, elderly voice. “I know that you put your entire crew at risk to do so and that lives were lost in the process. We are eternally grateful. If not for your selfless actions, we would certainly have been destroyed, enslaved, or worse.”
Captain Hafnyr smiled and nodded in acknowledgement. He then grabbed a nearby glass of water and took a drink. “It was the right thing to do, Captain Gyps. Though we did not know you, we could not stand by, hiding safely in the Waterfalls of Nereid, while your ship was attacked by the Ramoreen. I cannot speak for all of the Scions of Scon, but I can personally say that saving you was something that had to be done.”
Vesper nodded in support of his decision as she continued to consume the cooked cockroaches.
Captain Gyps smiled and took a sip of some red colored wine. He tore off a piece of raw meat from a carcass entree and placed it in his beak. “This is the first time I or my people have ever encountered a Scions of Scon starship in this area. It is not a well traveled route due to all of the Subspace Chasms, Rifts, and Tears. If I may ask, Captain, what is the Kindling doing here?”
“It’s…classified,” Captain Hafnyr replied, regretting he could not share more with the Ruppeli Captain. To do so would put their mission at risk, for Captain Gyps might spread the information, either voluntarily or involuntarily. “I’m sorry, Captain Gyps. I wish I could tell you more.”
“I understand. Please don’t think twice about it. Forget I even asked. This is a cause for celebration, not an interrogation!” The old Vulture Captain let out a strange series of screeches which was his way of laughing. Afterward, he motioned with one arm wing that had lost half of its grey feathers.
“As a token of our gratitude, I have a gift for you, Captain Hafnyr! It is something we found in our travels as we searched derelict ships and stations. I wish we could use it, but my engineer says it is impossible due to being incompatible with our technology. It is a rare weapon. We translated the strange markings on it. Sniper Phaser was the result.”
Captain Hafnyr looked at Vesper and Husk, who immediately stopped eating and looked intrigued. Half of a cooked grasshopper was still sticking out of Husk’s fanged jaws. He quickly finished it so he could speak.
“A Sniper Phaser?” the eight foot tall, humanoid Wolf Spider asked curiously. “I wonder what its range is. And damage output. Energy requirements? Could the weapon be installed on the Kindling? Is it compatible with our Phaser Capacitor?” Questions were flying through the Tactical Officer’s mind all at once.
“I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough,” Captain Hafnyr said to Husk in a calming voice. The four foot plant being was not especially keen on installing foreign technology on his ship, particularly something that might cause technical malfuntions later. But the potential advantage of a new weapon which might save lives was irresistible. “For now, let’s just enjoy the dinner and the hospitality of our hosts.”
Captain Hafnyr smiled at Captain Gyps, who smiled back. The old Vulture Captain added, “You are more than welcome to this gift from us, Captain Hafnyr.” The Ruppeli Captain paused. “I know that you have already done more for us than we could ever repay, but I have a favor to ask of you.”
Torgos looked like he wanted to interrupt and say something, perhaps in objection. But he held his tongue in his beak.
A female humanoid Vulture entered the Dining Chamber, slowly walked over to the Table, and then sat down. She was dressed in colorful, long clothing and wore sparkling jewelry. She looked at everyone present and smiled at Captain Hafnyr. It was clear she was much younger than either Captain Gyps or Torgos.
“This is my daughter, Roopa. The Aegypius no longer satisfies her lust for life. She longs to see the stars and places we cannot take her. She wants to witness battles, bravery, and heroes. She yearns to experience the fullness of life.”
“I WANT YOU TO TAKE ROOPA WITH YOU, CAPTAIN HAFNYR.”
