What Home? (Pm to join)

[slippedhalo]

Emberley Temple, ship's log 29-03-2232:

I have been journeying these past six years on a mission that was never meant to be mine. The last survivor of my people, I'm aware that I awoke from a century of stasis after my mother stuffed me into the pod meant for her, the last Environmental Biologist, she'd sacrificed her life for mine when it seemed my pod had malfunctions...It had been just minutes before hitting the black wormhole and with the sad knowledge that Earth's inhabitants who couldn't be evacuated were set to likely die out well within a single decade on the dead planet, there wasn't much that could be done. The planet's fate had been sealed long before the war. The war had only hastened it.

I awoke (almost two years ago) thirsty and weak. It took hours before I was strong enough to crawl around the compartment, then walk the ship's corridors, all empty. The robots have informed me the last of the fifty-seven other passengers on this desperate, last hope mission had been the Head Nurse, Charlotte Duomo, President Schaver, and her son, Ezra...They had committed suicide ten days before that Duomo woman had awakened. She awoke to a disaster and helped the robots clean up the mess. She then sent out a distress signal, realized how long had passed, looked for long range scans of our solar system, saw a dead rock where earth should be, and spent ten days in agony before offing herself too. Yeah, depressing as shit. I know.

That had been four years ago already, nearly two years before my pod stopped functioning and the robots had me revived only to discover I was the very last, last on this ship, last from my dead planet, the last human ever... I felt sad, yes, but still too numb to know how to react. Everyone I've ever known, people, animals, plants, cultures...dead. Not just dead, long gone. I checked the other pods, nothing. The robots cleaned up the messes of dead when they were found and most had been turned into diamonds or made dust freed to the whims of space, as per their wishes stated in their wills. I'm on my own. Alone.

I have spent the past few years, due to my implants, able to study and memorize important courses of study, both while asleep and as an active learner while awake, learning how to fly and maintain my ship and its robotic caretakers, learning about astrophysics and mechanics, growing food in the hydroponics bay, how to purify water, as well as learning all I can about Earth and my former galaxy in my spare time. As the last human, I figure I should be knowledgeable about my home world despite barely remembering it before the Great War and the horrors therin and therafter.

I was only seventeen when my mother kissed me goodnight and told me she loved me, never to be in her presence again. I'm edging on twenty-two, if my maths haven't led me to calculate weeks and months here incorrectly. My birthday is coming within days. And, it seems the universe is granting me a birthday surprise. Robot 13 informs me we're nearing a solar system which seems to have intelligent life for the first time in this entire journey. Two large, populated worlds, one which may even be able to sustain a body like mine, and a space station just on the edge of the system, within range of another wormhole.

My quiet existence in space limbo seems to be about to change.
I hope it's for the better and not for the worse.

Regardless, it's too late to turn back now. Sensors show we've been scanned by some sort of beam...They probably have been expecting me for a few hours now. I've got to just be prepared for anything.

Happy Birthday to me.

http://rs60.pbsrc.com/albums/h2/Ang...404068_n_zps91519ec9.jpg?w=480&h=480&fit=clip

 

[slippedhalo]

*bump*

 

[slippedhalo]

"Ms. Temple, we are decreasing in speed." Robot 2 informed me.

"Why? I never ordered course or velocity changes." I replied in consternation, stopping my usual garden work early to make my way to the bringe so this could be sorted.

"No, Ma'am. The ship is...out of our control, ma'am. We're being pulled closer to the station earlier detected."

"What?! I...I'm on my way!" I ran to the bridge now, feeling a surge of panic in my gut. This was not how I'd thought...well, what HAD I thought...I don't know, but not like this...

 

[slippedhalo]

OOC: A preview of some of the species we'll encounter. PM me if you'd like to add more and we'll discuss it.

 

[slippedhalo]

One unmistakable voice cut through the din of twenty robots all working to attempt to cut off the force propelling us forth like a magnet to metal and my ears perked up to listen to Robot 2, who've I reprogrammed to use my mother's voice when speaking to me, added to the numerous reports, "Emberley, the ship's database and outgoing communications are being...rifled through and copied to an outside source somewhere on the space station. Some of the files are being uploaded to millions of personal data portals on the largest planet...We will definitely be more surprised to see them than they will, us."

"What have they taken?" I ask, standing to stare at the gigantic blue, green, and sandy brown globe we were hurtling in the direction of. The purple, green, smaller planet was now shadowed from the big, orange sun by it's larger, lighter colored sister. Both seemed to stare back at us now that I knew they knew everything there was to know about me and were likely just waiting for those on the station to vet me. But, to what end?

"Everything. All of your data, the crew before you, everything in the ship's libraries, even our holographic video entertainment and music files, even your favourite recipes and medical background, all of it. There isn't one item of data left unexplored and copied."

"Our ship...It's been robbed in a way."

"Our ship, Ember, if Earth is gone our whole culture is this ship. They stole our identity."

I sighed. I hate feeling helpless to stop these aliens but what can I do?

"Any success in cutting that tractor beam off?"

"No Ma'am." replied 14.

"Slowing it?"

"No, ma'am."

"How long until we're there?"

"Approximately, twenty-one minutes and fifty-four seconds."

"Give me a warning every minute from ten minutes."

"Yes, Ms. Temple."

Watching this system filling my viewscreen at a steady pace, I sat in Command Centre feeling useless, biting my nails nervously.

 

[AmberStar]

Jaylah was woken only hours after she returned from the planet Parada 7. Her mission there was one of wide scale reconnaissance in the territory controlled by the Goren, a very cruel and combative species that Jaylah’s people encountered some years ago and are now at war with. A war that hasn’t gone well for her people for millions have perished and those whom are left fear it’s only a matter of time before they are hunted down and exterminated by the evil Goren, and now this, an unidentified space craft approaching their last operating space stations.

Jaylah walked into the operation center just moments before the scan of the unknown ship was completed. Her yellowish-green orbs stared at the viewscreen, trying to see if anything about the vessel would give her a hint of whom it was, one thing she knew right off the bat, it wasn’t the Goren. She moved up next to the commandant, her orbs still glared at the viewscreen. “Have we made contact?” Jaylah’s tone of voice was riddled with fatigue, but still sharper than most of her people’s normal tone of voice.

“No, We want to figure out whom they are by looking over their computer information before we bring them to a docking status.” The commandant informed. It was an intelligent decision as far as Jaylah was concerned, however what the Commandant ordered next wasn’t something that Jaylah cared for. “What do you mean you want me to go over there and make contact!?” Jaylah barked back at the Commandant. “We don’t know anything about them yet! They could be working with the Goren!” Jaylah continued her raving. She had enough dealings with the Goren on Parada 7.

The look she got from the commandant was all that was needed before she turned around and headed back out of the center. Her anger was obviously written on her face as staff and soldiers moved out of her path. “This is what I get for being the only returning deep recon specialist this cycle!” she huffed to herself and anyone that was in her heavy voice range. Now she wished she took her time in the Parada 7 mission!

She stepped into the small shuttle and headed out toward the unknown ship. She checked her laser staff to ensure it was energized fully. The report of the scan indicated that the ship had only one bio life form and several automatons, which wasn’t very appealing for sometimes the automatons were worse than the lifeforms! She shook her head and sighed when the small shuttle locked onto the ships airlock.

“Nadia, Scan over computer information and access their systems once more and open this damn airlock!” Grumbled Jaylah to the shuttles computer system.

 

[slippedhalo]

I sighed and rose from my seat when 14 had counted down and the staton filled the viewscreen. They were not close enough to dock but still close. Whether this was a good thing or not still remained to be seen.

2 joined my side in an attempt to be supportive and murmured in my mother's soothing tones, "It will probably not be as bad as you'd expect. It is unknown. That has an equal chance of being a good thing as a bad one."

"Uh...that isn't as comforting as you may think it is." I countered as I watched a small vessel emerge from a portal briefly opened in the station's roof, heading at astounding speed towards my ship's never used docking bay. I wanted my favourites with me to buoy my spirits so I took Two, Thirteen and Sixteen with me. Fourteen was left to command the bridge. "So, it's a 50/50 shot that whomever is docking at our ship's port right now is going to kill me..." I murmured in the walk time.

Two made a small gesture with her strong but spindly metallic arms and imitated a human shrug. "It is no perfect universe, Ember. We have no choice but to find out. Fate is literally knocking at the door right now."

Thirteen chimed in with no human imitations to its emotionless and toneless voice, "Are you not longing to meet another living intelligent being? Excited to make First Contact?"

I shook my head, sombre and earnest, "I don't know. I'm so used to being alone. The risks feel much higher than possible reward..."

"What of friendship?"

"I have you all."

"We care only because we are programmed to. That is not true companionship."

"Ouch, guys. And, you're my favourite robots..."

"It is only the truth. Humans require companionship and physical contact. We cannot compare to actual living beings to keep you content."

"You need more than that."

I angrily spat back, "Don't tell me what I need. I know my needs."

"In fact, you forget. You forget to eat at times, or sleep too little...or too much...you crave sugar when you shouldn't eat it so much, you bite your nails and nervously fidget...Over recent months you've begun to have outbursts and you yell at nobody...Ember, you programmed me to speak with your mother's voice. That...is not someone who needs no companionship. It is actually signs of stress, stress psychologically. You have been alone without other humans for too long. Whether you see it or not matters not. It is factual. You are not as healthy in this way as you should be and it is due to loneliness. We could never replace the warmth and empathy of another living being to communicate with and mutually care for regularly. How long has it been since you had a hug?"

I feel my heart sink at the memory and glare sadly at Two, "You know when. She told you to look after me."

"As I will. And, whether you see this as an act of care or not, it is meant as one." Said Two, gently nudging me to step forward as the vessel dropped a ramp into the bay once the doors had shut and the pressurizaton of the room had been restored. A tall, white skinned bipedal humanoid looking alien was descending, glaring at me through large, golden-green orbs. As much as the robots wanted it to be so, I had a distinct feeling this person did not desire to be my friend.

"I...um..." my suddenly dry throat and fumbling mouth uttered nonsense. I stopped myself and tried again, "Welcome to the Starship Hope. I am Emberley Temple of what had once been Earth in the Milky Way Galaxy, Western End of the spiral...and uh...I seem to be the last one. I've been alone for a few years now. These are three of my twenty-four robots. I really just let them run the ship. I wasn't part of the original crew. My mother was. I was just a passenger. What can I call you?" I asked, relieved to take a break from the awkwardness of talking but a little intimidated as I stuck out my empty hand to offer a handshake.

 

[AmberStar]

Jaylah stood solid and squared to the ramp as it lowered into the bays belly of the alien ship. Her fingers gripped her laser staff a little more tighter than normal, her chest rose and fell a tad bit faster then her normal rate of breathing as she anticipated a barrage of automatons to overwhelm and capture her. However, what she didn’t expect was a petite humanoid figure to walk up and start talking to her as if they were appearing to a preset appointment with each other.

Jaylah cocked her head slightly to the side as she listened to the strange language of the humanoid figure. Jaylah’s orbs narrowed as she allowed her gaze to travel up and down the lone figure sizing her up just incase this was a tactic to get her to lower her alertness, however that preparedness faltered when the female extended her hand and asked what Jaylah called herself.

“My name is Jaylah.” Jaylah replied to the question as she extended her hand and took a hold of the woman’s hand. She instantly noticed the handshake was somewhat weak for a warrior, so the fact that she claimed to have been not part of the crew seemed true. “You will need to come with me.” Jaylah informed the woman. “My superiors will have word with you.” Jaylah turned and walked back up the ramp, turning only to make sure the humanoid was following her. “Come, we go now.” She insisted with a heavy tone of voice.

 

[slippedhalo]

"Jaylah." I repeated. "I'm Emberley. Emberley Temple."

"My superiors will have word with you. Come, we go now." said Jaylah, turning to lead me into her vessel.

I followed meekly but felt nervous that maybe I might not see my own ship again. "Uh, wait, I have personal items, things I'd like to bring with me if it will be more than a day..."I talked anxiously at the back of the alien's head and she seemed to not be listening. My fear outweighed my reticence and I continued up the ramp on trembling legs.

Two nudged me and opened her "belly", a carrying and storage compartment. The robot knew me too well and was always prepared. A bag with a change of clothes, my tooth and hairbrushes, my holovid player stored with my favorite vids, music, and family memorabilia, my mom's butterfly patterned scarf which still held her scent, her multigeneration family recipe book, my comfy tennis shoes, my childhood stuffed bunny, and the blanket my mom had knitted for me when I was just five years old and had been in an auto-auto accident and she'd given me a blood transfusion...All my favorite things were in Two's belly. I gave my favorite robot a grateful smile and it made its animation of eyes on its viewscreeen wink at me. Could one love an object unable to do more than imitating love in reciprocity? I know I had the answer to that question at such moments as this.

Two closed and locked its belly and we four followed the alien, Jaylah, into her vessel.

 

[AmberStar]

Jaylah knew she faltered on her contact with this alien, but the scans only showed one bio lifeform and she only showed up with two automatons at her side. The woman didn't have any weapons nor had the physique of a warrior so add that all up and you have Jaylah not caring, she was tired and just wanted to get this being to command so she can find the warmth of her bed once more.

Jaylah stopped in her tracks when the humanoid asked if Jaylah could hold off for a moment for the being had 'THINGS' to get. Jaylah's orbs rolled to the back of her head. A heavy sigh escaped over her lips as she turned to face the one known now as Emberley. "What must you get! We need ... " Jaylah stopped mid deliverance of her statement when the droid moved up and issued what must have been what Emberley wanted for she resumed to move up the ramp.

Jaylah took a deep breath and turned back toward the entrance to the shuttle. Her mood lifted somewhat when she was back into familiar territory. "You say your from a planet Earth? and your species has been eradicated." She was cold about her wording of Emberley's people passing away. "And you stoled your mother's life pod?" She was trying to get all the facts straight, but her extremely fatigued body wasn't cooperating.

She took her place at the controls and gestured for Emberley to have a seat next to her. "I want to inform you that my people will welcome you with arms wide open, however we the military will not. If you are a Goren spy I will kill you myself! bare handed!" Jaylah hissed... her orbs flared with the angered threat...

 

[slippedhalo]

I was aghast at her wording. "Eradicated...Well, despite our best efforts we were...unsuccessful in long term survival, obviously." I corrected.

"I didn't steal my mother's life pod!" I said, my voice risen in anger at the insult. "You've insulted my honor, alien Jaylah." I said, hands on hips as I addressed this haughty bitch of a being.

Continuing, "My mother would not get inside it. She forced me to get in. We had only minutes before jumping into a dangerous wormhole. She would not have it any other way and I'd been raised to respect her and not argue with her. I tried to object but she was firm...I took her pod, yes. But, she made me do it. She blamed herself for the failure in my own pod. Mothers feel it's their duty to protect their children, even at their own peril...There was no convincing her to let me die..." I stopped explaining. I felt my typical emotional numb melting into indescribable sadness and survivors guilt...I had to stop talking for now to compose myself. I didn't want to cry in front of this warrior.

Something more was said but I was still trying to push back my feelings and hadn't heard all of it. I tuned back in just in time to hear, "...Goren spy I will kill you myself! Bare handed!"

I gasped and put up my hands in exasperated confusion, "What the hell is a Goren? Look, I know you want to go back to your war, or whatever it is you do. Please do. Your station dragged me here. I didn't choose to come to your system. I have never met an alien before. You are my first alien contact, ever. So, make of that what you will but leave me out of your politics. I hope someone where you're from is friendlier than you. Or else, I'd prefer inanimate objects and talking to myself!" I sat, arms folded across my chest, hugely annoyed. Fuck loneliness. This first contact was a disaster!

 

[AmberStar]

Jaylah was no diplomat, no spokesperson for her society, she was a cold, hard warrior whom has seen more death in the past few years than she’d care to remember. Did she attempt to be something else to this alien, no it was whom she was and that was all that mattered. Her people had way to many of those false persona’s and that is why they are in the state they are in now, no it is they whom are close in being eradicated.

Jaylah looked over from the control panel to the alien when she corrected her about her mother, that part of her wording she wished she put in a different way but to her defense that was the part of the first contact conversation she didn’t fully grasp, however she didn’t interrupt the alien to explain the error she made for she thought it would be best to let her vent then maybe they could start over with a full understanding of each other.

Jaylah eyes narrowed and flared with another arc of anger. “What? What do you mean we pulled you here? We … “ She stopped talking, observantly confused and in deep thought. What the hell was the Commandant thinking? Jaylah asked herself then looked out the view window at a very large ship. Now she understood! Anger wave of anger swept over her as if this wasn’t the first time that the Commandant has done something so stupid, the last stupid act was what brought war to her people and in that so called politics as the alien informed he resumed his station of command.

Jaylah decided it was best to start over since this was obviously her people’s doing. “The Goren are a dictatorial type society that are solely driven by war. We have been at war with them for a few years and have been losing ground to them more and more each day. It is us that are close to being eradicated if we don’t find allies quickly. I am no spokesperson for my people I’m a warrior, I was basically sent here to see if you were hostile and I have a feeling that my command was hoping that you were so that I could kill you and the automatons you have guarding your ship so that we could confiscate it.” Jaylah wasn’t completely sure of this but to her it made perfect sense.

“I think it’s best to take you to the civilian port instead of the Military one.” Jaylah tapped a few buttons and changed her course. The communication box blasted with orders for her to resume her original course. Jaylah quickly hit a few more buttons and maneuvered the shuttle to an extremely close proximity to the station’s outer hall. She looked over to the alien in an observing and sizing up glare. “I didn’t mean to upset or hurt you. My apologies.” She hit a few more buttons before she spoke to someone other than her command. “This is Jaylah one, I need permission to bring the alien to your port. There is an issue that needs addressing to the Council.” Jaylah’s request was quickly accepted and given permission to use the docking port.

“The Civilian representative will be more to your liking.” She informed the alien while she maneuvered the ship into the dock. “I will stay here to ensure they accept you. Once they do we will be separated.” Which Jaylah was sure the alien would accept that fact.

The docking went smooth and the doors opened to revel another welcoming party. Another female that looked exactly like Jaylah even the markings oh her face was identical. She walked forward and extended her hand. “Greetings, I’m Laylah, I’m sorry for the rude way that you were brought here, but my sister here seems to lack the diplomatic skills needed for a first contact. She shifted her smiling face toward Jaylah and glared at her. “I believe the Commandant has a need to speak with you. I do await your communication once that has occurred. Now please return to your duty sister.” Laylah’s tone of voice was soft and almost like a kitten’s purr.

“By your orders!” Jaylah turned and headed back into the shuttle with a low growl.

“I welcome you to our home. I believe you are a human from a planet called Earth?” Laylah asked with the same soft tone of voice. “Please come, You must be confused and wish to have answers. I will answer them to the best of my ability.” She gestured for them to walk from the docking bay…

 

[slippedhalo]

I watched Jaylah walk away and then turned my attention to this new one, Laylah, who seemed significantly more personable. I followed her down a long, bustling corridor filled with people like these sisters, all looking absorbed in their business but some turned to regard the human with wide eyed astonishment and curious stares...

Whispers behind me in an unknown language were nearly distracting as Laylah led me into a room with a steaming, hot brew of brown liquid sitting upon a table. I sniffed at it, surprised at the familiar scent in this otherwise strange place. "Coffee?" I asked, cautious but pleased.

A woman who looked the same race as Laylah but was smaller, nearly my size, stood by with a grin on her face. "I hope you like it. I learned how to make coffee supplement after becoming a fan of an old, Earth series where the characters spent much time in a place called a coffee shop. That made me curious about coffee. My brother is owner of a very special coffee supplement plantation. It is becoming popular as a drink among Earth historical archivists. Your culture is very popular with history buffs." She explained.

I didn't know what to say. I think I was grateful that someone seemed excited to meet me and treasured memories of my culture. But, I was also growing nervous meeting me might be a disappointment. I am not ready to be Earth's last representative. To be polite I sat down and took a sip. The brew smelled perfect. It tasted...slightly off. But, I think with a sweetening agent the odd, metalic aftertaste could be overcome. "It could use something to sweeten it. Otherwise, great. Well done!" I said generously.

The woman grinned even bigger. "I'm so pleased! Thank you! I am Hanjay."

I showed Hanjay how to shake hands, as she said, "just like in a film!" And, I told her, "Call me Emberley."

 

[AmberStar]

Laylah could only smile at the enthusiasm that Hanjay was displaying. She was one of the biggest fans of the Earthlings, along with many other Kitarans. Laylah, however wasn’t as phobic about them as Henjay was, for she seen both side of the coin, just like in her own people. there were the bad and there were the good, it was too bias to judge a race as a group, it had to be broken down to the individual, that was were Laylah’s focus was at most of the time, however, this wasn’t true when it came to the Goren, which maybe one day she will manage to judge them as individual, but just not this day.

“You are a brave one Emberley!” Laylah smiled, a slight giggle escaped over her lips as she playfully looked over at Hanjay whom, playfully gave an anger glare at the Councilwoman. “BAH!” Hanjay barked as she picked up a plate of fudge-Chocolate donuts. “Here try these!” Laylah lightly shook her head in a don’t do it fashion toward Emberley. “Hanjay, please I need to speak with Emberley in a Government fashion. Maybe the reminiscence of the Earthlings should be later. She knew what happened and knew that having Earthling things tossed at her was hurting her. “Please excuses our enthusiasm about your arrival here, and our theft of your culture, but it has brought a calmness to my people.” She tried to walk on eggshells as easy as she could.

“If you would like, We could put off all talk for now and show you to your quarters and allow you to get some rest. I can come for you later to have our talk. Hanjay, please show our guests to her quarters and do not drag her down to the museum give her time to adsorb all of this.” She looked to Emberley, “Please excuse me. I do have some errands to tend to since your arrival. Hanjay here will show you to your quarters.” Without another word Laylah moved off across the room and out the door.

“You will have to excuse her, She has had a very bad morning so far.” Hanjay gave a sorrowful face, but then smiled, “So would you like to go to the Museum?” Her eyes sparkled with delight. “It will only take a few minutes to get there and You wouldn’t believe the stuff we have!” She was beaming with pride. “I’m on the committee and I had a hand in getting the museum up and running.” She continued to hold the prideful face.

“Or do you wish to be shown to your quarters.” She seemed to loose all the beaming about her…

 

[slippedhalo]

I was still on my ship's imitation of twenty-four hour cycles. On ship it was only around six in the evening. "Well, to be honest, I'm not sleepy yet but I'm getting a little hungry. On my ship it's close to a mealtime. I don't know if I could handle a...museum about my planet, today. Would it be alright to see it tomorrow?" I asked hopefully. "Do your people eat? Are you carbon based, like me? Do you require water and certain nutrients replenished regularly as well?"

2 interrupted momentarily with a polite apology, "Excuse me, perhaps One or two of us could go on to the quarters offered to you, to make it more comfortable for you whilecyou go out with Hanjay to find a meal..." 2 turned her screen with an animated face on it toward Hanjay, "Would that be acceptable?"

I added, "I prefer 2 stay with me, though. 2 is my top aide."

 

[slippedhalo]

Roseth was the second in command on the island colony of 'Hooded Eyes' on Parada 7. With the help of Paradean scientists his race had been built up from an endangered species dwindling at just 200 females, 197 males, and 150 neutral larval producing hermaphrodites... With the help of a bit of safe cloning and gene manipulations, the colony was now a thriving community of close to a million Hood-Eyed Greys.

Their grateful desire to repay for the help in saving their kind led to this species using their technological giftedness to improve Parada 7's military and space exploration technology. They'd introduced the tractor and data hack beams to their saviors and they usually partook in the furthest recon missions for the Paradeans.

It was the H.E.G. (Hood-Eyed Grey) people who'd first made contact with Earthlings (despite it being very seldom believed when reported by humans to their peers and superiors) and H.E.G.'s had brought back several organic samples of human genetic variety to study alongside Paradeans. In truth, this now dead race was in many ways responsible for the therapies and medical cures often used to help make this colony as strong as it currently is. They owed their children's lives, their future (their newly rainbow shades of eye colors beneath the protective lenses hooding them) to humans of earth. So, when the planet's news reported the surprise of discovering a last surviving human on board a never before seen vessel, many Greys were incredibly excited. Roseth hoped to meet this human. He wrote a formal request to gain permission to interview this person at the soonest possibility.

The Military outright refused.
The Governing Body, however, once given his credentials, made an appointment for him to be set on the station in four sunsets, permitting him to aid in the government's interviews of her and the physical exam to follow. After that, if no dangers were found, she'd be permitted free roam.

 

[AmberStar]

Hanjay smiled as Emberley’s excitement flowed over the woman’s lips. She was about to answer the multiple, one breath questions, but before she could even start with the first word of her sentence one of the Automatons interrupted, even politely gestured Hanjay felt the burn of anger. How dare does one non-living thing interrupt history at the making! Her face scowled a little but was quickly removed.

Hanjay pulled out a small device and proceeded to tap upon the screen. Her eyes flickered over the information of where the council decided to quarter the human. The information received she looked up from the screen to Emberley. “Yes, I will take your automatons to you quarters….” She paused for a moment in thought then replied. “Yes, Number two may accompany you.” Hanjay’s tone of voice wasn’t as enthusiastic as before.

“If you will all follow me.” Hanjay was informed by the browsing of her device that she was to keep the human away from populated areas till the time that she’d cleared her physical exams. It was unknown what non lethal human germ cells could do to this environment. Hanjay didn’t like the command, but feared the reprisal if she didn’t obey. She decided to take the monotone turbo corridors, this time of day they would deserted and would take the shortest time to get to Emberley’s quarters.

“You asked me a few questions.” Hanjay was now determined to get them answered. “First, yes we are carbon based whom enjoys eating varies kinds of meat and other substances which I could rattle off if it wouldn’t take all day to do so!” she smiled, “But there is one place I know you will love! I will keep that a secret once the tes….” She stops for it wasn’t her place to inform Emberley of the physical tests she had to be subjected too. “It will be later … Maybe tomorrow but for now there is food in your quarters.” She quickly muttered.

 

[slippedhalo]

I nodded and thanked her. My quarters here were slightly bigger than my own ship's quarters and much of the decor was in jewel tones with metallic copper and black detail. I took it in slowly.

There was a round, padded, cushioned platform hanging above my head, from what appeared to be green and purple flowering vines and netting about five feet from the ceiling. It was about twelve feet wide in diameter and covered in fancy looking quilts. I wasn't sure how one would get up there to sleep but it appeared to be the bed and looked opulent. Below it was a pool of bubbling, steamy water of almost the same diameter as the hovering bed, opaque with purple and blue swirls of scented oil that filled the room with a wonderful perfume unlike any earth scent, indescribable but somehow comforting and sensuous.

The corner had a richly decorated privacy screen and behind it was a window seat overlooking a breathtaking view of space and the planet below. Also, there was a large standing wardrobe which looked as if it were carved from jade. Gorgeous! The carvings were of animals, the likes of which, I'd never seen.

The robots unpacked my things, discovering a retractable vine ladder leading up to the bed in the process. Two noted that within the wardrobe were several sizes of silken gowns, vinyl and recycled linnen woven shirts and leggings, and long, flowing, hooded capes, some lined wth feathers and fur. Many sizes were represented and some of the smallest items did seem like they'd fit me.

Behind a different screen looked to be a narrow table with adjustable straps at each corner. I couldn't imagine this to be of use to me. It was like something belonging in a hospital or perhaps an S&M catalogue. But, I supposed these quarters were set up to suit all types of people and their varying tastes...

In the final corner, just beside the door, there was a small table with four chairs beneath a wall unit I could only assume had something to do with cooking since it appeared to have many kitchen utensils (I think, some weren't easy to distinguish) hanging from the side of it. How to use it though...I haven't a clue. On the table was, simply enough, a bowl of fruit. Some looked strange to me but I also noted the appearance of an orange, a kiwi, and two apples in the mix. They'd definitely been expecting me.

Behind another screened area along a muraled wall was a strange basin. It looked a bit like a mix between urinal and bidet. I realized this was their version of necessary toilet facility. As I saw toilet paper like what I'd grown accustomed to on earth was generously provided, I knew I'd otherwise adapt to the differing shape of the main component to the duty of emptying oneself without too much trouble.

Turning to Hanjay I grinned and thanked her again, "Such a lovely room! Would you mind showing me around? How does it work?"

 

[slippedhalo]

OOC: Cowriters, what do you need to move forward?

 

[slippedhalo]

Hanjay quickly showed me how to operate the heating unit which was cool to the touch but did heat up the pan put upon it once an envelope from a hidden wall drawer (stocked full of various envelopes of similar size but with strange writing printed on them and of various colours) was opened and the contents dumped into the pan. Literally a minute later I could smell food cooking and see the steaming pan was full of something akin to noodles with vegetables, also some chunks of dark brown meat, all cooked in a deep brown sauce, which smelled of coconut, ginger, and peppery scent, previews of the flavour in the aroma, the smell was making me hungry. This stuff smelled delicious! I couldn't wait to eat.

She showed me a different wall unit with beverages on tap and I decided to try their attempt at recreating lemonade. Once I had my meal set up at the table she politely bade me goodnight and said she'd be by to wake me in the morning.

Left alone with my meal and my thoughts I ate voraciously at first, indeed it was as yummy as it smelled. "What do you think, Two?" I asked my favorite robot.

Two had just unpacked my things and joined me at the table. "It seems reasonable for them to want to have more information about you and to keep you from the rest of the general population until they know you are not a threat. I hope this luxurious room will not become a prison, though."

I nodded, "Yeah, the same thought occurred to me. I guess I haven't much choice but to see what tomorrow brings."

"Do not Fret, Ember. Likely, you will end up much happier with these aliens than alone with no one."

"As long as I've still got you." I said with a yawn. I watched Thirteen collect my dirty dishes and carry them to a washing unit as Two led me to the rope ladder where a black nightgown waited for me to put on.

Unceremoniously and without modesty, I disrobed, then looked at the steaming tub of perfumed water just a foot away. "I'll take a soak in the water first, guys. Just don't let me fall asleep in there." I ordered with another yawn as they all beeped in unison, showing assent.

"Mmm..." relaxing nude in this lovely warm, swirling and bubbling water was just the relaxation I needed.

 

[AmberStar]

Laylah walked around her living room in a deep, uncommon mode of uncertainty, her thoughts were upon the newly arrived human. She was torn between emotions concerning Emberley and the way her people were split concerning her, she felt the joy that the scientists and historians felt, but there was also the fear that what brought her civilization to an end would follow Emberley here as what the Military feared, but then there were the HEG, whom was genetically combining their genes with human genes taken from the human civilization eons ago. They were just as eager to meet with her, which was another small concern of hers. Would they try and seize her as a trophy or use her for her as an unlimited pool of human genes which to further their research. She just didn’t know.

Her sisters words echoed in her mind with each step that Laylah took. She just couldn’t or wouldn’t fall into that way of thinking, she’d had already clashed heads with the war council over what to do with the human’s ship. She wanted it to go to the historical society, where the war council wants to use it for military purposes. In a rude way, she wished that Emberley would have missed their system, for now there seems to be a building of tension between the people and the military, which was always the case but just not so strongly as it is now with Emberley’s arrival.

Laylah walked over to the huge space view window her thoughts now even deeper with all of it added together. She sighed, her hands moved up to her temples where she slowly massaged them. “Jaylah,” She exclaimed another thought entered her mind for when the HEG second in command comes to visit Emberley, she was going to ask the council if Jaylah could be assigned to the council for keep Emberley safe. Her head throbbed even more when she anticipated how Jaylah would react.

Elsewhere, Jaylah returned from escorting the human to the civilian consulate, her five minute telecom link with her sister still fumed in her chest for she knew nothing good was going to come from the human being here and it was going to start with the moment command called her to the command bridge. She knew the repercussions that would be coming her way by the military echelon, but under her thick skin, she knew by taking the human to her sister was the right thing to do for she would keep the woman safe even tho she didn’t agree with the diplomacy that her sister was going to do with the science and historical societies.

Jaylah’s thoughts were disrupted by a sharp familiar voice… “Get your ass over here!” came the Commandant’s harsh voice. His eyes showed the flare of anger that was burning in his chest. “Do you mind telling me what the hell were you thinking by taking the human to the Civilian consulate?” His glare bored down hard upon Jaylah’s frame. The shifting of his jawbone was a sign everyone knew very well when the old man was pissed off beyond reasoning with.

“Well, I just thought it would save you a lot of meetings with the Civilian senate.” Jaylah responded before coming to a stop in front of him. Standing erect and expressionless. “You know how many times you went before them when we had that Gorn captain, well this would have been ten times worse.” She pointed out, which only got her a hand jerked point for her to get out of his sight, which she did without hesitation.

Elsewhere, Roseth didn’t like the wait, a lot of things could be done in four sundowns and he wanted to make contact with this human before the Kiltia had anytime to do very much with her. So he ordered one of his hybrids to sneak into the station and make contact with this human, and if possible kidnap her and bring the human to him, besides the HEG made contact with the humans eons ago and that made them have the right to have her first.

Droc nodded his understanding and left for the station by stowing away on one of the trade ships. His access was very easy as the station was still trying to implement security protocol’s for their newly arrival. Ducking out of the cargo transferring docks he slowly made his way through the citizenship listening to stories of where this human was being quartered. Several hours passed before he had a good idea that she was being kept in the VIP sector living quarters which was reserved for Civilian senate members and their families and thanks to a very uncensored voiced female Kiltian he knew what quarters the human was in.

Droc made his way to this quarters, managing to use the shadows of the coming Stations artificial night settings, he managed to get to her quarters where he by passed the security and entered into the quarters…

 

[slippedhalo]

I relaxed in the luxurious bath and let both Thirteen and Sixteen hibernate their programs to recharge for the early part of the night. Two would take its turn halfway through the night, when the other two were fully charged again, as I slept. For now, I had it singing songs to me in my mother's voice while I bathed. But, halfway through, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", the singing stopped cold.

I opened my eyes curiously to see what could have brought on the sudden silence. I never could have guessed the interruption of Two's song would be it's having a long limbed, alien-hybrid looking person held at knifepoint. "Intruder! I've notified station security just as you slipped in. Do not move or I will cut your throat open." said Two in steely tones just as an alarm klaxon began to sound in the room and corridor outside.

I wasn't sure what to do. Should I get up and run naked across the room to my towel and nightgown or should I stay put and wait for security to apprehend the strange looking intruder my robot held at bey? I froze with indecision.

 

[AmberStar]

The Klaxon alarm sounded throughout the entire space station, bringing concerned looks up from the daily life to the news screens that were located in every area of the ship. An Kiltian officer announced the intruder alert to be located in section twelve, level one, quarter 3. Several armed Kiltian security officers assigned to that quadrant was racing toward this living quarters, including one officer that wasn’t even security, Jaylah wasn’t wasting time when she hit the Jeffery tube, her hands grasped the side railing while her feet clanged to the outside. She slid down the ladder with an ease that came from numerous doings.

“Damn it! I hate being right!” She verbally muttered to herself and anyone that happened to be around her when she darted down the corridor toward the next cross section before getting to the VIP quadrant. She knew security would already be there, but she also knew that the Commandant would want Kiltian commandos to handle this not the civilian security corp. It wasn’t a fact that they were incompetent or anything, just that there was only one or two races that were nearby that would consider or even have the means to attempt this and that was a little bit above the expertise of the Civilian security.

Jaylah slapped her wrist com and connected with Laylah, knowing that she too would be scrambling and worrying about this event. She really didn’t want the civilian consulate down there or have to deal with her, which she knew that wasn’t going to happen but she had to try, at least she hoped that her sister would stay quiet and let Jaylah do what would be soon her job.

Droc stood, his eyes glared at the human. “I mean no harm. I’m a messenger from the HEG. We wish to extend our friendship and welcome to our small quadrant of space.” Droc tried to defuse the situation to a point where he could act and have a good success rate. Even tho his inner small voice knew better, but he had to try. He knew the Kiltian security was only a matter of moments away but all he had to do was get the small device he held in his hands upon the Humans body and it would be a completed mission.

It wasn’t long after the initial sounding of the alarm that the first squad of security officers arrived at the living quarter. Their well equipped frames and sharp uniforms gave them a impressive appearance. They instantly seized Droc while the tallest of the officers stepped forward. “I’m constable Sahrad. Is everyone okay? Anyone harmed?” his deep voice asked before he com checked control and had the alarm canceled.

“Thank you Constable Sahrad, but the Commandos will be taking over this event.” Jaylah announced once she walked into the room her eyes darted over to the human. A raise brow arced over her golden orb. “Well, It seems no one is hurt.” She smiled at the human with a little bit more interested than before. “I’m sure Consulate Laylah will verify that the military has jurisdiction here.” She continued to glare at the naked woman.

 

[slippedhalo]

I had two options. The weak, little girl, option of acting modest and shy at these people seeing me sitting here without a stitch of clothing on, or the strong, mature woman option of holding the stares of the ooglers, daring them to acknowledge their breach of decorum by either looking back or by looking away to show their own shame.

But, dammit, I was in my own quarters and decided that I had nothing to be ashamed of. So, I made no moves to cover myself up. My arms splayed out across the lip of the tub as I sat there and nodded at Jaylah, "Thank you for such a quick response. I thought the door was locked. Would messengers from the HEG please make appointments to visit me? I wasn't planning an exciting evening. It's past my bedtime, actually." I said.


OOC:
Emberley's change of clothes for the following day.
http://s60.photobucket.com/user/Ang...eason-1-promos_1_zpsbam4f45d.jpg.html?filters[user]=18436402&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0

 

[AmberStar]

Jaylah’s brow arched over her golden orbs on the way the human carried herself, there was a strong aura coming from the woman that actually pleased Jaylah. This strength could be used if the woman was molded correctly and having her in the hands of the civilians wasn’t the answers that the Kiltian’s society needed at the moment. This human, with the influence that she will have over the historical and scientific communities could bring many recruits into the military. Unknown to the civilians the war wasn’t going good against the Gorn and more soldiers were needed in all the fields of the military.

Jaylah's mind shifted away from the thoughts she was having to the remark the human made about the HEG messengers. “Umm, They do have a meeting date with you, they just wasn’t pleased to be held away from you for four days.” Jaylah informed the human with the same cold tone she used when they met. “You don’t get it do you? You now are a political pawn that my sister and the civilian counsel is going to use to their wishes.” Jaylah was just guessing at this fact but it was one that only made since with the dealing that was going on with the HEGs.

Jaylah decided to change the mood quickly for she didn’t want to get into the politics of everything, she had enough of that already today. “Ummm, Your welcome.” She held the face that this statement should have been said first but no matter the mishap has already occurred. “Look, umm this individual isn’t going to say anything, he is what we call a hunter and well they don’t give information freely.” Jaylah informed, “I am concerned about your safety for usually there is more than one. So with your permission I would like to stay with you this evening.” Jaylah offered and then wondered to herself why the hell did she do it! No matter the deal was already done as well.

Jaylah looked over to the security detail. “Take him to the cells, I will be there in the morning to question him.” Jaylah watched as the men nodded and took Droc away. “Well, I can go if you think your safe enough or I can stay. I will leave that up to you.” Jaylah took the moment to put the offer of decline on the table.