Challenge #02502-F312: In a Minute
A: not exactly “capture” more like take a moment and put it on a pixelated screen. Here
B: is something supposed to be on this slate?
A: what? It’s right here can’t you see?
B: see?
A: when light passes through ya eyeball
B: light? – Anon Guest
There were moments like this all over Galactic Space. One participant in a conversation would realise that the other they had been communicating with freely until this moment did not possess the same sense-set as the first participant. They are the speed humps in Galactic Alliance life. Or, in this case, an unexpected brick wall across the highway of life.
Human Pim seemed to freeze in space as if some cosmic entity had hit their personal ‘pause’ button. They remained like that for enough seconds to give their companion, a Pterop named Thaang, a small period of concern. Then, like pressing another button, Human Pim returned to motion with, “Sorry, I completely forgot you don’t use sight. Where’s your data-reader?”
Pterop Thaang gestured with hir tactile display unit. “Er. Are you well, Human Pim?”
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Challenge #02501-F311: Special Skill
I have the unique ability to become very flexible after cracking every joint in my body – Anon Guest
On a kludge station like Amalgam, you get repair junctions like these. They were spaces where cables, pipes, and the occasional load-bearing strut ran through because they were convenient, and then access was added as an afterthought because it was all becoming inconvenient. Time and entropy had made it even moreso.
“Can you get up in there?” asked Engineer Laisse. They were quite done having their breakdown by now, thankyou, and had hired the most flexible JOAT on the roster. The hope was that ‘flexible’ meant 'physically flexible’ and not 'mentally’ or 'emotionally’.
“I could but you might not like it. Full offensensitivity warning for disturbing body sounds.”
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Challenge #02500-F310: Bear’s Big Story
Human Ryan came highly recommended by other Galactic Alliance Scientists and Explorers who had worked with him. As a ‘gun for hire’ he had survived more than a few wars, notably against other humans and the Vorax Fleets (notes that also had me reaching for my calming medicine). On the flip-side he was highly protective of the lives put in his charge. Braving hostile Flora, Fauna and even the very planets themselves to keep his promise of “no one is left behind.” Even his chosen name of “*Bear” seemed to fit him more that his birth name. His Resume seemed too good to be true…But it was.
Still wary of the Deathworlder I elected to set up a video interview, hoping the apprehension on my part was not taken as an offence. True to reports, Human Ryan dismissed the apology with a wave of his large hand and a larger smile (being careful not to show his teeth) after a lengthy interview, the offer was made and accepted. Curiously he ask for he ships Dock-port number and said he would meet us there.
So here I am the Ships Captain, standing in the Observation Area scanning the Stars for our final crew mate. What Slipped into view was nothing I had ever seen before, parts of this craft I recognized as being manufactured by completely different Galactic races. But it all seemed to work flawlessly…somehow. I was not the only being on the ship that was awestruck by the craft. By the time it connected with the ship it seemed like half the Engineering team was clustered by the window looking at it.
Human Ryan stepped out of the craft and greeted me with a tooth-less smile and a “Captain Suk? Crewmate Bear, Reporting for Duty.” I returned the greeting, and commented that the Ship had human sized quarters available he needed them. He Respectfully declined stating that he preferred his sleeping arrangements. Seeing this as his opportunity the Chief Engineer began quickly and excitedly asking Bear about his ship. With the same Big Smile he sated “That is a long story, little one. It involves being shot down over a Junk Planet, the details of which I will share in the mess hall next off-duty cycle.” The Captain was pleased that this Human Bear was already attempting to pack-bond with the crew. Maybe this Voyage would be a Quiet and Uneventful one.
*After researching Human Databases the name Bear was given to a large Apex predator on Ancient Terra. Famous for its Gentle but also Violent Nature. – Anon Guest
The 'campfire’ had grown in the drydock bay, where Human Ryan’s kludge vessel was the background for what could be a show if there was a show. Engineers less interested in the story were stripping its plating off so they could get a better look at the inner workings, as well as the inner don’t-workings. There was no actual fire, just some random, colour-shifting displays because Humans enjoy something to zone out with when storytelling.
“I can tell you honestly, I thought I was a goner. I’d said the Last Lie and all. I thought I was going to beef it,” he began. “There I was, the last bulwark against twenty Vorax raiders, with just my stunner and a mop.” The Afro'ads in a circle around the holographic display were already entranced. “So I figured I’d go out with a real big bang. You can jury-rig a Stunner to explode, did you know that? One swissarmyknife, a bit of foil, and a lot of jiggery-pokery. I threw it a little early and blew up most of them. Big shock, I was still alive. So I twirled the mop like a bo staff and roared, Who’s next, asswipes? You know, full Deathworlder don’t-give-a-flakk mode.”
“Did you die?” asked one of the astounded Afro'ads. They were ahead of the bell curve when it came to anticipating Humanity’s tall tales.
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Challenge #02498-F308: Sleepless With Sialith
They knew humans could last a long time without sleep, but most had regular sleep intervals. When choosing a new man, they heard he was very reliable, fiercely protective of whatever crew he served, and anyone who’d worked with him were more than a little disappointed when he would be reassigned. Things seemed to be working out fine, until they noticed he was sleeping a lot less than most humans, but when he did, he crashed hard! So much so it was almost impossible to wake him, short of emergencies. When asked how he was able to be awake for so long, only to collapse like that, he sighed and said one word. “Insomnia.” – DaniAndShali
Compared with the rest of the animal kingdom, Humans just don’t stop. – pre-Shattering thesis on the nature of Human Endurance.
Humans are unstoppable. Many a Havenworlder has marvelled after a three-hour work session that the Ship’s Human thinks nothing of doing twice, or even thrice that before going to rest. Some Humans could go for longer in emergencies. Everyone seems to have that one story of how their Human stayed awake for impossible lengths of time. Even their own histories have records of Humans staying awake for frankly phenomenal lengths of time.
Then there’s the tale of Human Kat. Even for a Human, he was an odd one. He definitely lead solidity to the rumours abounding about Human Unstoppability. It seemed like he never slept. So much so that his shipmates decided to consult the Human Manual about sleep habits, what was healthy, and what was not. You can definitely imagine their shock and surprise when they discovered that working for forty-eight hours straight and sleeping for twelve was not a healthy sleep cycle. So they held an intervention.
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Challenge #02497-F307: Beginning to Look a Lot Like TERROR
A: oh god, oh fuck it’s happening again
B: what? What wrong?
A: not again, I’m not strong enough
B: for what?!
A: it’s coming, it’s coming
B: WHAT THE FUCK IS COMING
A: Christmas – Anon Guest
Some Humans are major league into their holidays. Often to the point that Station Regulations have to intervene in regards to what is on public display. Some are not very excited by their holidays, and some… despise them. Companion Huruk found this out whilst escorting Human Zae through one of the commerce districts.
All had been well. Human Zae seemed happy enough, even singing along with the music on the public system, and then a look of horror began to grow on her face. “Oh god. Oh flakk, it’s happening again…”
Companion Huruk was alarmed. If something could disturb a Human, it had to be serious business. Major-alert-level bad news. Ze made sure hir stunner was clear for drawing and fully charged. “What is it? Where is the trouble?”
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