USS Dark Fire (IC)

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870611.0900

The Rescuers:​

The emergency cutting operation was a mess but it was better than nothing. Jovovich on the other hand was having even less fun. Firing at a massive shadowy form that was thumping loudly with each step.

It was slowing down, but only paused to roar loudly and smash against a wall, or squish a corpse under foot. At least until it got close enough for the group to see it.

The orange creatures skin was writhing as it’s metal encased arm dented the wall before it charged at Jovovich. The casing around it’s arm looked like a weapon, but was apparently depleted, or damaged, since it didn’t try firing it. Instead it swung it’s arm like Jovovich was an irritating pest and need to be squished.

Dodging to the side the Lt. Slipped in the gore of the dead and fell hard on his knee as the metal hit the floor gouging it like tissue paper. Thumbing the phaser to full power he fired from the floor at point blank range.


The Silent Watcher:​

“Mon-Keigh,” The figure said, standing next to Araiza as he looked at the hole.

For something so big it had moved as silently as the shadow cast by a cold corpse. “For you I have waited, long than I expected you did take. But you have arrived. Now we should go, be for the Tyranids find your people.”

Stepping forwards the figure dropped through the hole without hesitation, a haze erupting around it as sharp pieces of the hole glanced off, leaving no marks on the armour, but the metal glowed white hot before it dripped.​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

A few more decades and the man was sure the constant jumping would’ve triggered a heart attack. Eyes wide, he wondered when the figure had snuck up on him. What took him by surprise the most was that something so massive had glided so silently—most of all, that with its stealth, it hadn’t taken the opportunity to get rid of him.

What did he call him? The Tyr-what? The events that followed were too rapid for him to digest anything other than the mention of his team. He was certain the fall would’ve at least slowed down the creature—which he had settled on now that he was aware it was receptive—but it handled multiple feet like mere inches. What the hell was he made out of?

He couldn’t afford a broken leg, so he chased after the thing, sliding down the metallic joist that had threatened him earlier. He’d heard not to trust strangers ever since he was a child, but if his team posed a large enough threat that a cumbersome fighter made it his priority, then he supposed they’d have a better fighting chance with backup. Worst-case scenario, he’d kill them all, but either way they were dead, weren’t they?

He supposed having a bit of faith wouldn’t hurt for once.

Moving alongside the being, he couldn’t help but ask. “Why are you helping us?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870611.0905

“This has been foreseen,” The Alien replied cryptically. “What has happened before, will happen again.”

Moving rather quickly, it’s long stride ate distance at an incredible rate. Mounted to its back was what looked like a combat axe, but the blade was covered in symbols etched into it’s surface.

“If they are infected they must be eliminated.” it added rather ominously and with a certain finality.

Without pausing it shifted direction and passed through a doorway and into a room with strange technology that seemed more organic crystal than constructed.

Passing through the room it exited out another door and turned, it’s weapon lifting and firing in one motion. The energy discharge ripped through the monstrosity from behind, gore splattering across Jovovich and everyone else unlucky enough to be near him.

“Soon there will be others. Away from this place we should be.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

Araiza wasn’t one to believe in prophecies, but a spiritual debate could wait until they weren’t in movement. Trailing after him, he unsuccessfully tried to figure out the language that adorned his weapon.

His reading was cut short by the creature’s follow-up. “Infected how exactly?”

The lieutenant could only hope his new companion knew exactly where his team was located, which was reassuring in developing his trust. If it knew where the team had been all along, then he could’ve wiped them out. Easily, which was concluded the moment they finally reached the others. He stopped and watched in awe as the white-shielded stranger obliterated what had appeared as a threat to his teammates. He was half surprised at how efficient the attack was, half grateful that he wasn’t 2-0 being covered with nasty substances on his missions.

He looked around the room and behind them to assure no other threats were nearby and then went deeper into the room, sidestepping the creature. “You’re phenomenal, man, seriously,” he relayed quickly before noticing the state of the others. “I found this guy while exploring, and I think we should hear him out. He was eager to help us. Giant Marshmallow, these are my guys.”

Having noticed Jovovich, he bent down beside him. He surely didn’t look so well. “Hey Kid, you hurt?” he asked, quickly removing his own right glove. It took a bit of tugging, but he cleanly slid off the black sleeve, as if it’d been designed to be an accessory if needed. It was the length of his wrist to his shoulder, and a closer look at the material would find its slight movement, almost as if it were buzzing.

“Talk to me, team. Where are the survivors?”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

“I thought we were going to try talking to it first!” Hora shouted as Lt. Jovovich fired his phaser straight into the massive shadow‑creature barreling toward them. She already had her own weapon out, adding a second blast that sizzled across its inky orange hide.

The thing barely flinched.

“That was almost useless!” Hora snapped, watching the creature pivot toward Jovovich. The green‑skinned captain waved her arms wildly. “HEY! OVER HERE, YOU STUPID SPACE TRUD!” She punctuated the insult with another phaser shot.

The creature was not impressed. It swung a colossal arm at Jovovich, missing him by centimeters as he dove out of the way.

Hora sprinted toward him—only to freeze as a brilliant energy beam lanced through the monster from behind, tearing a smoking hole straight through its torso. The creature collapsed in a heap of dissolving shadow and orange goo.

Hora spun around.

Lt. Araiza stood there with an armored alien at his side, weapon still humming.

Araiza jogged forward and helped Jovovich to his feet. “Found this guy while scouting. Thought we should hear him out. He was pretty eager to help.” Then he turned to the alien and added, with absolute confidence, “Giant Marshmallow, these are my guys.”

Hora blinked. Marshmallow?

Her brain tried to reconcile this. Lt. McLeo—who wasn’t even human—had once explained that humans roasted marshmallows at campfires. Commander Reeves hated them. Now Araiza was calling a heavily armored alien a marshmallow. None of this aligned with any known cultural logic.

She pushed the confusion aside.

“Hello,” she said, stepping forward with authority. “I’m Captain Hora, leader of this rescue party. Thank you for the assist. What did you want to tell us?”

Behind her, LCDR McLeo and Dr. Ta Penu were already pulling survivors through the hole they’d cut in the welded door—three Nebari and two Luxon so far, shaken but alive.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870611.0910

“I do not understand what a marshmallow is.” The alien said from inside it’s armour as it turned to look at the Captain.

“This place is a dangerous one, that is not habitable by you and yours. You should leave now, before the others catch your scent. You are like the others, ill equipped to deal with them.” The weirdest part of the aliens communication wasn;’t the words, or intonation. It’s the fact it wasn’t coming through a universal translator. The Alien was speaking Federation Standard.

As the survivors exited the hole they looked at the group and moved as far as possible from the Alien, except for the Luxan who looked like he was ready to fight. Much like a Klingon would.

“Didn’t know you were friends with the Aeldari. Would have stayed inside if I had.” One of the Nebari commented.

“You can return to the hole if you wish, it will be your tomb.”

“Thanks, no. I just want out of here.”

“Then be silent.” The Aeldari said as it looked back to the rescue party.

***​

Climbing to his feet Jovovich brushed himself off and looked at Araiza. “Thanks for the help. Survivors are in the hole. At least some of them are. And no I’m not hurt.”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

Hora exhaled, brushing a smear of alien goo off her sleeve with the resigned dignity of someone who has accepted that without clean cloth it was hard to flirt with this Aeldari. “Based on how well we did against that creature—I believe you’re right. We are spectacularly ill‑equipped.”

She straightened her uniform, trying to reclaim at least the illusion of professionalism. “We’ll leave at once. But before we go, if there’s anything we can do to help, we want to. This ship is… well, it’s weird. Like someone took a bunch of perfectly good starships, smashed them together”

She pointed vaguely at a bulkhead that looked like it had been welded by a caffeinated raccoon. “If shutting down the engines helps, tell us how. Or if you can make us better equipped to deal with those creatures, we’re open to upgrades. Armor, weapons, —whatever you can share.”

She gestured toward the shuttle bay. “Lt. Araiza—the first person you met—is clever. Annoyingly so. He’s our weapons officer, and he loves taking things apart. Sometimes he even puts them back together. You could teach him.”

Hora softened her tone. “Our Federation is built on peaceful cooperation. We don’t conquer worlds. We don’t even conquer our own paperwork. If you need food, water, medical supplies, or a ride off this Franken‑ship, we’ll help.”

Behind her, the rescued survivors were being scanned before boarding the shuttle. The tricorders hummed, each one checking anything, to include silver parasites. A few of the refugees flinched at the sound.

Dr Ta Penu stated in a flat monotone. “Relax. If you had something, the scanner would beep wildly.”

The next scan chirped pleasantly.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870611.0915

“The Imperial Ship Emperor’s Wrath transitioned into real space inside my ship, The Bright Star. Since then several other ships, and meteors, have been affected by the Emperor’s Wrath’s engines and bonded as well. Resulting in what we call a Space Hulk.”

“I’ve been attempting to access the Emperor’s Wrath’s engines to shut them down for several hundred years, while waiting for you. But now that you have arrived, it’s no longer necessary and the Space Hulk can be destroyed.”

“My people do not salvage the equipment of other races. But you may do so, and I will not prevent this.” It replied as Nebari flinched as the tricorders beeps.

Starting to walk towards the shuttle bay it continued speaking. “If anyone becomes infected by the Tyranids, they must be eliminated before the infection spreads and they become a Tyranid.”

“I do not need for food, medical supplies, or water, though they might. And I was here waiting for you, so I will be leaving with you. The Ship of the Empire may have weapons and equipment you can use. That of my people would be difficult for you to use without talent.”

“How many can you rescue?” It asked before looking at Araiza, “I would advise that you collect any weapons and equipment you can. There are many Tyranids on board. As well as Scarrans and Adeptus Asartes. Neither tolerates intrusion.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

Deciding which arms to take with them was a cautious process, one in which Araiza had to avoid anything that couldn’t be contained on their return or was built precisely to detonate. One thing for certain, as he shuffled respectfully through the deceased he had first encountered before, was his eagerness to get back. He wanted to see what they were dealing with… and had enough of the outside.

Having made sure he secured the cases of samples, the man turned to their new guest, walking over when his speech was aimed at him. “Already done, snowman. It’s the same reason I ran into you in the first place. Thanks again for helping us out. Let’s try to get going soon, okay? I gotta double-check that those things are safe to keep back home, I can only do so much here.”

He didn’t wait for a response and instead followed after the others, waiting to be scanned while boarding.

 

[milkmaiden38]

“My ship can take every survivor we’ve detected—unless there are more hiding from our scans,” Hora said, her tone steady and confident.

She tapped her commbadge.“Commander Reeves, I’ve got a mission you’re going to love. Disable the engines on the space hulk. Don’t destroy it—just make sure those engines never light again.”

“Also assess whether we can use the transporters on the remaining Nebari and Luxon survivors. Every individual gets scanned for the silver parasite before they set foot on our ship.”

She turned back to the Aeldari, studying him for a second. “Are there any other life‑forms we should be saving? Scarrans? Adeptus Astartes?”

Then, with a small tilt of her head—half invitation, half test “Would you prefer to return to my ship aboard our shuttle?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870611.0920

“You have used several terms I do not know. Marshmallow and snowman. What do these words mean?” The Alien said as it pointed out several weapons.

There were even 18” blades that looked more like swords, until they found swords that were four feet long, or longer. Near them was a massive humanoid figure in black and grey armour. It would be in the 9’ range if standing and was probably close to half a ton or more with body and armour.

“There are many survivors, but I have not encountered them all so I can’t provide numbers for you. There are more tyranids than survivors though.”

“I would recommend against saving Tyranids, or Scarrans as my people are at war with them. The Astartes are a complicated matter. They will not allow you to help them, though they will help you. They do not take an inferior position wit anybody. Even when they are not superior.”

“Whatever is easiest for you, my destiny is no longer aboard this place. But with you and yours.” The alien mimicked her head and body as it asked. “What is a silver parasite? Is this an infection?”

***

Aboard the Dark Fire the Weapons Officer plotted the targets and Reeves gave the order, the Engines of several of the ships were hit with heavy phasers disrupting their energy flow and destabilizing them. Several blew out as others failed.

“Captain, Several force-fields have come down and we are getting betters scans, except for the materials that are resistant to scans.”​

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

“I think we call the Tyranids… the silver parasite,” Hora said, lifting her tricorder. The holographic display bloomed to life—shimmering strands of metallic infection crawling across a magnified exoskeleton. “This is everything we’ve collected so far. Behavior, spread pattern, energy signature. Whatever it is, it’s been destructive.”

The Aeldari leaned in, Hora had no idea about its expressions.

Before anyone could speak, LCDR McLeo’s voice cut through the tension from the shuttle ramp. “Captain, we’re ready to hit the surf. All scans cleared, everyone strapped in.”

Hora snapped the tricorder closed. “Good. Let’s move.”

As they filed toward the shuttle, she glanced back at the Aeldari. “We can talk more on the trip back to my ship. Once you see USS Dark Fire, you’ll understand we can save a lot of people.”

The Aeldari following her aboard.

The hatch sealed behind them with a hiss, and the deck thrummed as the shuttle lifted off, carrying toward them towards USS Dark Fire.

"Good job, commander, keep at until the all engines are down. I'm bring back survivors. And a new friend, a species called Aeldari" Hora reported

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870611.0930​

“No, the Tyranids are not the Silver Parasite. What you show is Yngiract. It means Metal Men. The People of the Empire call them Necron, Tyranid is Empirial speak as well. We call them Dragon.”

“I am Kaela Mensha,” It replied it’s helmet looking across the groups. “I have never seen your species before. Nebari, Luxon, Hynerian, yes. But not you. Your color is like the plague bearers.”

“I have not seen a pale skin, or the hairy creature either, and I have encountered many species on many worlds.”

***​

Aboard the Dark Fire, strategic shots took place, immobilizing more and more of the Space Hulks engines until it was just slowly twisting in space from momentum.

“The lump of rock has been immobilized Captain, the metal alloys will prevent teleporters but if we van get survivors to the edges we may be able to lock onand get them off. But we are detecting several hundred more with the engines offline.” Cmdr. Reeves reported.​

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

Hora offered Kaela a quick, cordial nod. “Glad to meet you, Kaela. ”Then she pivoted toward LCDR McLeo, her tone snapping into command mode. “Don’t dock yet.” The Caitian’s ears flicked in acknowledgment.

She turned back to Kaela, eyes narrowing with concern of someone who has survived too many first‑contact problems. “Can you detect if everyone on the shuttle has Tyranid infection?” If the Tyranids weren’t the same as the silver parasites, then Dr. Ta Penu’s scans might have missed something—and Hora wasn’t about to let another horror hitch a ride onto her ship.

Only after that did she circle back to Kaela’s earlier question. “I’m from a planet called Orion,” she said, her smile carrying that trademark Orion self‑assurance. “We’re a little bit better than the other species you’ll encounter—though I might be biased.”

She gestured across the cramped shuttle. “Those are Humans.” Lt. Araiza was busy with his data, but gave a nod; Lt. Jovovich was about to say something about her orion comment, but Hora's look stopped him. “They’re from a planet called Earth. They can be annoying, but nowhere near as bad as Hynerians. Credit where it’s due, though—Humans are the most outworldly, idealistic, and relentlessly curious species in the entire United Federation of Planets. They’re the reason the Federation works at all.”

She pointed toward the helm. “Our pilot is a Caitian—feline humanoid, from the planet Cait. They sleep a lot, purr when they’re happy, and will absolutely chase a laser pointer if you’re not careful.”

Finally, she nodded toward the tall, serene figure in medical white. “And Dr. Ta Penu is a Kaminoan, from Kamino. Their species reproduces entirely through cloning—long story involving a planetary disaster and a lot of scientific overcompensation.”

Hora leaned back slightly, letting Kaela absorb the whirlwind tour. “Once we get you aboard the USS Dark Fire, you’ll meet plenty more species. Our computer can brief you on any of them—just ask.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870611.0935

“Kaela Mensha,” The Alien repeated again. “No, I am not able to determine if anyone is infected. After a conflict, anyone that believes they have been exposed self isolates before return to the Craftworld.”

“Seers can perceive the malignant presence of the Tyranid, or the corpse wearing presence of a Ynigiract Flayed One.”

“But I am not a seer,” the alien admitted as it looked at Hora.

***​

“Captain, we may want samples of the DNA of the fallen, it would help our understanding of the physiological nature of those in this part of space.” Dr. Ta Penu suggested.

****​

“Captain, we can start beaming aboard those survivors in sections we can penetrate to, butwe don’t know whom is hostile to whom, or if any of them will be hostile to us.” Reeves informed her over thecomm-link.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora
“Kaela Mensha,” Hora repeated, this time with a respectful dip of her head. “Thank you for correcting me.”

She tapped the console beside her. “LCDR, bring us back to the docking bay. We need samples before we do anything else.”

Fortunately, the shuttle hadn’t moved too far. McLeo swung it around with his usual feline grace, touching down so smoothly the shuttle passengers barely noticed the landing.

“Move, Dr. Ta Penu,” Hora urged as she and Lt. Jovovich stepped out, phasers already dialed to maximum. Both listen for bear roars.

Dr. Ta Penu paused at the sight of the bodies. “Kaela Mensha… these green forms—were they infected?” she asked their new Aeldari ally, her long neck angling forward like a curious crane.

Meanwhile

Hora pressed her comm‑badge. “Commander, let's suspend the transporters idea for now. No one beams aboard until we understand this Tyranid infection.” Her voice stayed calm.

"Anymore life forms on the planet?" She asks

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870611.0940

Stepping from the shuttle as it followed the others Kaela Mensha swung its weapon slowly watching for hostiles.

“The Green skins are not infected. They are an infection. They are unique, The Aeldari have never encountered any species like them before. They are not biological or created, so much as they are more flora, though they are not like the Delvians.”

“They are more fungal in nature. They are not civilized. They have no known language and are limited to guttural snarls and roars. They do have enough intelligence to use weapons.”

“Their breeding process has never been observed, nor does it matter. They only seek destruction. Tyranids are biological and voracious. They consume and infect other species. They collect biological matter and return it to their Hive where it is broken down into it’s base molecular structure and consumed, being used as biological matter for new Tyranids.”

“Dependent on what is consumed, determines what is.. grown.”

Pointing at various bodies Kaela Mensha named them. “Colorta, Kalish, Lukythian, Charrid, Jakenach, Magog, Krill, Xelayan.” and the large armoured figure laying on the floor with massive damage it labeled as Adeptus Astartes. It’s armour was at least an inch thick, with it’s helmat connected by cables and tubes to the rest of the armour. Possibly the armour allowed it to space walk or survive in extremely hostile environments.



As they moved through the bodies, with Dr. Ta Penu collecting samples the Alien also named various weapons, though some - biological in nature - it simply destroyed with it's open weapon.

***
Dark Fire:
"Confirmed Captain. There are lifeforms on the planet, but none in the range of the other escape pods. There is biological matter, but it's deceased. And Several of the escape pods appear to have been automatically jettisoned as they are empty." Reeves reported.
​

 

[milkmaiden38]

Everyone heard it—the bear‑like roar, distant at first, then rolling closer, echoing down the docking bay like something too large to fit through the corridors but determined to try anyway.

“Everyone back to the shuttle. We are leaving.” Hora didn’t raise her voice; she didn’t need to. The team moved as one, scrambling aboard. McLeo launched them before the hatch had fully sealed, tail flicking with instinctive urgency.

Hora leaned toward Dr. Ta Penu, who was hunched over her samples with the serene focus of someone blissfully ignoring mortal danger.

“And?” Hora asked, impatience sharpening the word.

Dr. Ta Penu looked up with clinical disdain. “Science cannot be rushed.”

“Of course it can.” Hora shot back. “It depends on how confident you want to be in the results. I’m fine with ninety‑five percent. What’s your standard?”

“When lives are at stake,” the Kaminoan replied, “ninety‑nine point nine nine nine percent. An error rate of one in a million.”

Hora blinked. “How long is that going to take?”

“Working with my lab team? Approximately two weeks.”

Hora exhaled through her teeth. “And if you recheck us for fungal contamination right now, what’s the error rate?”

“That is difficult to quantify,” Ta Penu said, tapping her console. “But I would estimate one in two hundred forty‑nine.”

Hora nodded once. “I can live with those odds. Start scanning everyone.”

By the time the shuttle glided back into the USS Dark Fire’s bay, the scans were complete—and, to everyone’s relief, no infections detected.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870611.0945

“As the greenskins were not present in your area, the chance of a fungal infection from them is not likely,” Kaela Mensha said as Ta Penu scanned everyone. “With the presence of dead Tyranids, you havea higher chance of carrying a pathogen from one of them as they do release spores into the air, though I didn’t see any spore mines in the area, they are present on the Space Hulk and could be carried through the ventilation systems.”

As Ta Penu scanned the group they’d notice that the Aeldari armour seemed more to have been grown than it had been built. And the Aeldari themselves had no biological signs. Perhaps the armour was shielding them from scans?

As the shuttle doors opened and everyone climbed out there was a squad of security present. “Commander Reeves requests that the Alien weapon be surrendered for the time being.” The squad leader said to the Captain even as it continued watching the Aeldari and it’s weapon.

“As your species is not capable of firing my weapon, I do not have a problem with it.” Kaela Mensha said as it held out the device.

“And Dr. L’Sa would like to examine the survivors as a matter of protocol.”

***

Cmdr. Reeves to Counselor Xiana:​

“Counselor, we have several survivors from the planet and the space wreck, as well as a new guest. If you want to speak with them to ascertain their mental condition I’ll make the arrangements.”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora
Captain Hora began peeling off her uniform with the casual confidence of someone who had long ago stopped worrying about who might be watching. Technically, she could have requested a private decontamination suite—Captains always could—but where was the adventure in that. Shared discomfort built camaraderie, or so she claimed whenever her officers protested.

Dr. Ta Penu was the only one who had arrived so far, tall and serene as ever. Hora had invited Lt. Araiza, Lt. Jovovich, and their newest guest, Kaela Mensha, but she suspected the trio were either delayed or quietly debating whether communal nudity with their commanding officer was a line they were unwilling to cross. Hora respected the hesitation, even if she didn’t entirely understand it. Orion culture tended to skip several steps in the modesty department.

Once Hora collected the required biological samples and fed them into the scanner, she stepped into the decon shower. A moment later, Ta Penu joined her, moving with the same unhurried precision she applied to everything from surgery to stirring tea.

“Doctor,” Hora said over the hiss of sterilizing mist, “does your species engage in sex?”

Ta Penu blinked once, which for a Kaminoan was practically an emotional outburst. “We can. But it is not romance‑based.”

Hora nodded thoughtfully. “Do Kaminoans have emotions?”

“We do,” Ta Penu replied, her tone as even as a metronome. “We simply do not display them often. Nahra is a traditional dance in which Kaminoans express their emotional state.”

“Fascinating. Orion dance traditions, slave girl dance for example, can evoke emotions too,” Hora said, then added with a sly tilt of her head, “though ours tend to be a bit more… interpretive.”

Ta Penu continued rinsing without comment. “Kaminoans view reproduction as a process best optimized. Cloning, when done correctly, removes the need for family structures and eliminates the inefficiencies of childhood development.”

Hora shut off the water and wrapped herself in a towel. “Efficient, yes. But family and childhood are joys worth the inefficiency.”

She settled onto the bench beside the scanner, droplets still clinging to her hair. This was the dull part of decontamination—the waiting, the humming machinery, the faint antiseptic scent. Hora exhaled, letting her shoulders relax.

For a moment, the room was quiet except for the soft whir of the scanner cycling through its analysis. And in that quiet, Hora found herself oddly grateful for the company—however stoic, however tall, however emotionally reserved.

At least Ta Penu showed up.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870611.1000

Jovovich:
Stepping into the decon chamber the lieutenant paused for a half second before moving to a nearby bench and taking a seat.

Stripping down he shoved his clothes into the recycler where it would be broken down into energy and used for something else.

This was the worst part of first contact missions. Decon. Yeah the reports sucked, but at least he was doing something other than waiting to be told it was safe. But at least he’d be able to take a gander at the weapons Araiza had collected some of them had been more alien than anything, and some had been huge, probably carried by the giant.

Standing in the shower he felt the sonic waves vibrating everything, including a layer of dead skin, from his body. After that he took advantage of the wait time and took a long hot water shower.

He knew the computer was scanning him for any unknown or bad bacteria, fungus, toxins, and anything else.

Shifting back to a sonic version he let the water vibrate from his skin and down the drain before he stepped out and ran his finger through his short hair. Giving a stretch he rolled his shoulders and neck as he looked over at the Captain.

“Any word?” He asked.

Before she could give him a response a container of gel appeared next to him. “I hate aliens dripping fluids on me.” he quipped as she started spreading the gel everywhere. “Why did it have to be me?”

“Captain,” Dark Fire reported. “Dr. L’Sa is examining Kaela Mensha in an isolation chamber. When possible the individual will be released.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

For a man who inferred he wouldn’t have the need to have a decontamination session given his position at the time of their latest messy encounter, Araiza was less than pleased when he found out he was expected to go through the process anyway.

It was a sour reminder of his last unrequested excursion. Did he have to prove harder that he didn’t belong in the field? “This is bullshit,” he complained, obliging the sample provisions and dressing down regardless. Maybe he had contacted something when helping the others? Locking up weapons? It didn’t matter—he was irritated.

He held his words until after a rinse of his own, having to be around the others only heightening his frustration. By his posture, he confirmed he wasn’t ashamed of his body in the slightest. Any offputting energy coming from him, spreading from his tightly crossed arms and his tense, bothered face, couldn’t be less obvious.

He paced quietly, thoughts to himself, not that he had any desire to share any of them with the others present. Most of them were hypothetical ideas on how to finally stop being included in their excursions.

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

Xiana hadn’t responded right away, having been in a session with a client. She was grateful that Dark Fire could be asked to send only emergency-aligned requests while in her work time. She didn’t respond via a written message until later.

“You’ll have to allow me an hour to attend due to my current schedule. In the meantime, try to make our guests comfortable and give them a reasonable sense of security. These tumultous situations can cause people to spiral.”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora
Hora was relieved that Lieutenant Araiza and Lieutenant Jovovich had agreed to join her and Dr. Ta Penu in the decontamination chamber. The decon cycle was mandatory, and maintaining a professional atmosphere was essential—especially with nude bodies running around.

Still, Hora couldn’t help noticing the contrast between the two men. Jovovich looked like he’d been carved out of a security‑training manual—broad‑shouldered, lean, and built for impact. Araiza, by comparison, had a more classic athletic build, paired with the unmistakable confidence of someone who knew exactly how good he was at his job.

She pushed the thoughts aside and rose from the bench, tossing her towel away. Her approach toward Jovovich was like a sexy cat stalking its prey.

“The decon process can feel tedious,” she said to both men, keeping her tone light but authoritative. “Dark Fire can provide technical journals, games, language modules—whatever helps pass the time productively. And if none of that appeals, you can always talk to your commanding officer or Dr. Ta Penu.”

It was a gentle nudge, an attempt to get the two lieutenants in a better mood.

She turned to Jovovich. “I can help apply the gel to your back, and I need some myself. That green compound hit my arm and torso.”

Jovovich nodded, stepping forward. Hora moved behind him, her hands steady and practiced as she worked the decontamination gel across his upper back. Her touch was firm, methodical—more like a physical therapist than anything else. It was a nice massage, as well as spreading the gel.

“People say I give a decent massage,” she said dryly, more to keep the mood steady than to boast. She worked down the length of his back, careful, efficient, stopping at the lower boundary of the protocol.

When she finished, she stepped back. “All right. Your turn. I need the gel on my back and shoulders.”

When he was done there, she lifted her arms above her head “Did I get all the spots under my breasts?” She asked. Maintaining eye contact that said professional, even if the situation was undeniably awkward.

Across the room, Dr. Ta Penu approached Araiza with her usual cool confidence.

“Lieutenant,” she said, hands clasped behind her back, “would you like assistance applying the gel? It’s more effective when done thoroughly.”

Her tone carried that familiar edge—half clinical superiority, half challenge.

https://rule34.xxx/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=16540828&tags=she-hulk

https://rule34.xxx/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=14044284&tags=she-hulk

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870611.1005

Jovovich:
“Of course, Captain.” The Lieutenant replied as he began apply the gel to her back and shoulders. “And yes Captain, you’ve managed to properly apply the gel to your front adequately.”

It was irritating that he had to think about the dead and mutilated corpse and the stench of them to keep from having an erection. But as the Captain was his immediate superior, though the First Officer was in the chain of Command, she oversaw the Officers. And having any type of relationship with her would be a curse on his career.

If she was male he’d have a chance of playing cards or something else non-physical with her, but the current situation would have Reeves crawling up his ass if the man even thought they were involved.

And he wouldn’t put it past the man to check the Decon logs to see if anything happened. Once he was done with her back and shoulders he stepped away from her. “All done, Captain.”

Reeves:
"At your convenience, Doctor. No rush on my part."​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

Araiza didn’t as much as turn to the doctor when asked. “No,” he answered plainly, walking past Ta Penu without any follow-up.

It didn’t take him too long to take care of himself, attributed to both his greater distance from the attack and his previous experience in decontamination. Neither time was he a fan of the cool sensation, but at least the last time it was easier to tolerate his company. It was proving more difficult this time around, given his settled, sour mood. Now that he could relax and be on standby for any teammate’s wellbeing, he didn’t have to act so invested.

A random book on anatomy was his choice of entertainment, which he took with him as he found the nearest surface to sit on. His eyes went over the same sentences over and over again, giving the appearance of someone deep in thought despite his complete lack of interest in the matter. He flipped through pages aimlessly, certain whoever was that interested in the cardiac rhythm of the average Vulcan would find the book a thousand times more intriguing than he did. He itched to be let out and, more than anything, finally sunder the items they had collected in their excursion.