Adrenaline is a Hell of a Drug pt. 17/???
Jordan Cores, Human Male, Newly Hired Security Officer
After a small dinner in a … a fairly empty mess hall if we’re being honest, I made my way towards Triwt’s room.
“Let’s see… She said it was down this hall?” I openly ask myself as I look down the hall. Despite the foot traffic of much larger species walking around me, they are surprisingly aware of my presence and are actively trying to not bump into me.
Is this a normal thing when dealing with smaller species or is this a ‘Oh god, a human is here walking among us’ thing?
Only way to find out is to ask somebody.
That and you aren’t even sure this is the right hallway.
These halls all look the same, save for decorated room doors and signs…
I let out a little sigh under my breath and looked up at a person that was walking somewhat towards me.
“Um, excuse me?”
They look down at me, with a slightly amused look on their face. “Yes, little one? Are you lost by chance?”
Okay, very feminine voice and it seems they believe me to be a child.
“Just two quick questions, actually. I don’t wanna take up too much of your time.”
“Oh don’t worry, dear. Feel free to ask me anything.”
“I noticed that a lot of people around here have a tendency to… I wouldn’t say avoid me, but more actively try to not get too close. Is this simply because I’m short in comparison or because I’m a new person?”
“Oh, it’s probably a mix of both. When you’re much larger than some others, you have to be mindful of those smaller than you. You don’t wanna accidentally hurt anyone, big or small.”
“That’s fair, I just feel a little… isolated. I mean, I have some people who I’ve been spending time with and they’ve been helping me a lot, but when they aren’t around…”
“I think I understand, dear.”
Either she still thinks I’m a child or this is just how she talks to everyone.
So long as she isn’t figuratively talking down to us. Because in every physical manner, almost everyone is, besides maybe Lys, literally talking down to you.
“Thank you for that.”
“What was your other question?”
“Oh right! Um, my living quarters, or is it just room? Either way, my living quarters hasn’t been installed yet, so I’m trying to find my friend’s room where they offered me to stay for the night, so yes I am a little lost.”
“Oh I can help you then, what’s your friend’s name?”
“Triwt.”
The person in front of me seemingly freezes for almost 2 seconds as they tensed up and slowly relaxed, before asking, “You said Triwt, correct?”
“Yes?”
“Security Commander Triwt?”
“YYYes?”
“You’re her friend?”
“Yeah, I’m also friends with Cerelia and Lys.”
She looks like she is moments from passing out.
“What’s your name by chance, dear?”
“Jordan.”
“The one-”
“The one from the cryopod?”
She nods at me and I let out a sigh.
“Yes. I uh- look it seems I might be in the wrong area-”
“No! No, I just wasn’t expecting someone, well not to be rude, but small and cute like you to be the one who broke my cardio endurance record.”
She looks at me with a smirk and I put two and two together.
“Korextrel?”
“Mhm, I’m surprised a small little guy seriously ran that long. You could at least apologize to me for making an impossible score to beat, at least out of respect to your seniors.”
I nod and look up at their face, “I’m sorry for beating your score, Senior Korextrel.”
She stares at me before laughing, “Goddess, I can’t even be remotely mad at you. You’re like, way too cute to be a security officer. You remind me of my little sister. But the apology is accepted, I would be happy to show you to Triwt’s living quarters.”
Do I have an effect on people or something?
This almost feels like that time I read in an article that elephants think humans look cute.
But this is like, maybe the 5th time I’ve heard someone call me ‘too cute’.
You probably just are?
I appreciate myself trying to lift myself up, but did I seriously have to question my own self esteem like that?
It’s a bad habit and you know it.
Yeah…
I look up at Korextrel as I’m following her. It’s not accurate, and probably rude to be comparing, but she reminds me of the depictions of a minotaur, just with much shorter and rounded off horns. That and she has a lot of… curves despite her very toned body.
“I hope you’re paying attention to where we’re going, Commander Triwt assigned me to be your trainer when she isn’t available. You may be cute, but I take my job seriously, and I plan to make you a fine security officer. She informed me you get lost in your thoughts, and while off the clock that’s fine, it’s something we’re gonna be working on when you’re on the clock.”
I nod my head, “Thank you Senior Korextrel for taking care of me.”
“Sheesh, you’re off the clock, don’t be too formal. Anyways, here you are.”
She motions at a door to our right that has photos of Triwt on it with…
“Are those corgis?”
“Hm? No, those are Yoltis. They’re her pets and she loves them dearly.”
“Oh okay, they just look a lot like an animal from where I’m from called corgis.”
“Well the names are kinda similar, I guess.” She says with a shrug, “Anyways, I’m heading up to start my shift, see you around newbie.”
With that, she starts walking away. I wave her goodbye, though I doubt she can see me waving. I turn around to face the door and before I can even knock, the door slides upwards and a large white fluffy snake tail wraps around me and pulls me into the room as the door shuts behind me.
I had instinctively closed my eyes. Turns out I close my eyes when caught off guard.
“Jordan? Meet Luun and Dorin~!” I feel familiar arms holding me now and I open my eyes to see what are basically 2 giant corgis.
Well for a Corgi they’re giant, but I wanna say they’re more around the height of an English Mastiff, which is still huge either way.
“They have such short and small legs” I say as I looked at them, they were very cute and their coats were well groomed and maintained.
“I know~! I love watching them run and chase their toys around. They’re such good boys!” Triwt essentially coos at them as she speaks, the two looking up at me and tilting their heads before Triwt sets me down and I’m basically attacked in a fluffy pile of alien dog kisses.
Thank goodness their saliva isn’t acidic.
For the most part.
Huh?
Well y’know, saliva is really just a chemical the body produces to initiate the deconstruction of food, so to a degree it is acidic.
… Could you kill someone with saliva?
They’d probably die first from drowning before the acid breaks them down. Now your stomach acid on the other hand.
No, I am not continuing this self conversation.
I laugh a little and let Luun and Dorin give me small licks on my face as I pet them in return. I can hear Triwt giggling in the background before I’m lifted up again, this time with Luun and Dorin, and carried to bed.
The Yoltis seem to have their preferred spots in the bed as I’m being held closely by Triwt. If giant 4 armed fluffy snakes could purr, then Triwt definitely is as she coils around me gently. We haven’t laid down yet, as we’re still sitting up for the most part as I let her do what she wants.
“Jordan?”
“Yes?” I reply as I tilt my head back just enough to look up at her.
“Do you like being held?”
“Like this?” I nod my head. “It’s nice and relaxing, though I doubt this is what working will be like.”
She nods her head, “True, working won’t be like this, especially since I will be your commander, though I will admit this is very nice for me.” She lets out a sigh. “I kinda wish you weren’t getting your own room.” She says with a small laugh.
“Oh? Why’s that?”
“Well, I’m just a little lonely is all. Vast majority of the people on this ship are scared of me, let alone the crazy few who for some reason worship me.”
“Sheesh that must suck, I’m more the type to try and blend in the background, but if you don’t mind me asking, why are people scared of you?”
“Well, it’s rather complicated, but through some terrible events, I’ve landed myself a very scary title that tends to follow me wherever I go.”
“Oh, is it that bad?”
“I’ve once had someone present me a head on a spike as a way to ask me out because they assumed my title meant that I like those things. I do not.”
“Yeah, I don’t think I would want a head on a spike either, so what is that title anyways?”
“On my homeworld I’m known as a War Commander, or a Lady of War. It basically means that I’m considered an elite warrior capable of commanding armies that can turn the tide of battle with just their presence. Men have also received the same title, but would be called Men of War, but the official title is still War Commander.”
“I see. Can you command full armies like the title suggests?”
“Well yes, but that’s besides the point. It brings unwanted attention and it makes it really difficult to make relationships with anyone.”
“Oh, well I think that just makes you a bit more cool, but it doesn’t make me scared of you. You’re Triwt, probably the nicest person to me on this entire ship, with Luun and Dorin tied for 2nd.”
Triwt stares down at me for a few moments before a smile spreads across her face as she stifles a small laugh as she gives me a really big hug.
“And that’s why I like having you around so much, you just aren’t scared of me and you still treat me like an equal, not just some scary lady.”
“Trust me, my mom is a scary lady.” I say with a half laugh as some unpleasant memories flash in my head.
“You’re too damn quiet, speak the fuck up you little shit!” The back of a hand traveling too fast for my young mind to process.
“Wake the fuck up, you miserable little bastard. Why should I be taking care of you?” Coffee, still scalding hot, poured down my arm and chest because I didn’t wake up at 6:00 AM.
“It’s your fault he’s gone, you know!” A fist to my stomach followed by relentless kicks once I was curled up on the floor.
“I’LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU, YOU FUCKING MISTAKE! YOU WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO HAVE HIS NAME!”
The sensation of blood pouring down my face from multiple open wounds and broken shards of glass is still very fresh, despite how long ago it was…
I open my eyes with a sudden start, finding my breathing to be erratic and myself in a cold sweat as my mind races and scrambles. Memories are locked up for a reason, and I’d much rather keep those memories forgotten. I can hear myself breathing heavily, though it sounds so distant. The sound of sirens and ringing in the air. It’s all so far away and yet so close as well.
“...-ordan?”
Someone shakes me a little.
“Jordan?”
I look up and see a worried expression on my Dad’s face as it fades away before I can fully see him. I blink and his face is replaced with Triwt’s face. She’s staring at me with a look of genuine worry and slight panic.
“Sorry… I just had some bad memories, that’s all.”
“Bad memories? You mentioned your mother and you suddenly began breathing erratically while clutching at your chest and head. You even started ‘sweating’ despite not working out. You’re rather cold if anything, and you have tears in your eyes.”
“It’s fine, I-I’m fine. It’s been a long time since I’ve had anything like that happen, but you don’t need to worry.”
“Hm, I’m not buying that, but…” She looks me in the eyes. “Call it an instinct of mine, but something tells me you’re just not ready to open that can of ranugas just yet.”
She gently curls around me, her soft fluffy embrace surrounding me. I slowly catch my breath and it feels like I haven’t breathed in forever.
“I’ll let you tell me when you’re ready, but I’ll be here for you when you are.”
“... Thank you…” I whisper out quietly as I gently hold onto her arms, curling up a little as Luun, seemingly sensing my distress and sadness, waddles over and begins licking my face gently, nudging his head against me gently. I reach an arm out and begin gently petting him as I can feel Triwt gently petting my head while humming.
I really am super emotional, aren’t I?
Yeah, but the only ones judging you for that are those that wish they can be open about their emotions like you are.
Thanks, me.
You’re welcome.
Triwt, Female Valis-Trobat Hybrid, Security Commander
Despite only having fur on the top of his head, it’s rather relaxing to pet Jordan’s head and it seems to be helping him as well after that apparent panic attack.
This is very nice and quite blissful, but I'm also worried for Jordan.
i sigh and I close my eyes and find myself slowly drifting to sleep as I protectively curl around Jordan.
If my mother were to see me, she would say this is as good as being married.
Too tired to try and fight that thought from my mind, I drift off to sleep. The last thing I noticed before I was fully asleep was that I could hear the faint tapping of mechanical digits on the floor.
[REDACTED], Male [REDACTED], Agent of The Vanir Empire, Unit 157 Hunt Master
From my shrewd and very temporary camp just on the edge of town, but close enough to the spaceport, I watch the feed of my little stealth drone as it readjusts it’s position. The tent flaps ruffling in the wind as a snowstorm blows past. Luckily my suit keeps me well protected from the weather, the tent is mainly for protecting my other gear and a place to sleep while remaining undetected. The stealth drone scurries across the floor before finding a spot on a cabinet, high in the kitchen area where it can watch the target rest.
“Hm… Interesting. I thought I recognized that hybrid from somewhere. The War Commander Triwt, ‘The Final Commander’. Heh, if only that little runt wasn’t my target, I would love to have hunted her.”
I watch my target interact with the War Commander, who is seemingly very gentle and relaxed with my target.
“Not the first time I’ve noticed this type of behavior displayed around this, ‘Jordan’... Hm, there was that Kinomaz earlier who guided the target to the War Lady’s living quarters. They’re typically known for being abrasive and blunt, if not rude, yet they seemed to be... happy guiding my target.”
Intrigued, I pull up the video archives and rewatch the scene. I request access to other records of the drone I normally don’t have access to, such as the chemical display and some other stuff that kind of displays emotions.
After about 20 seconds, I receive approved access to the files I desire from my stealth drone.
Pretty stupid I can’t access these when it’s MY drone…
I let out a gruff as I looked over the information.
“Hm, seems like I was semi-correct in my theory.”
In the interactions with the Kinomaz, the emotions of the Subject seem to alter and change when interacting with the Target. The Kinomaz initially was displaying annoyance and irritability before being approached by the target.
Seems like she was having a bad day.
But when the Target begins interacting with the Kinomaz, the Kinomaz suddenly starts experiencing… Warmth, nostalgia, and maternal protectiveness?
I can feel my left eye twitch.
“Does it see herself as the target’s mother or something? How is this a superweapon!? It makes people favor it?! Why in the bloody hells is this target the key to our victory?! It doesn't make sense!”
A notification.
“That’s a side effect of the target’s ‘ability’. Well a side effect of the target’s species to be more accurate. Majority of species found them adorable, cute, or perfect partners, making it easy for them to socialize and intermingle with any groups. Ironically enough they struggle intermingling with themselves over the slightest of differences.”
I can almost hear a chuckle from that last part.
“Okay? What’s the main reason we want the little runt and why are these ‘humans’ so rare apparently?”
“Since you’re one of the only sane and trustworthy people of your Unit, I have been given permission from Intelligence to tell you.”
“Okay, so out with it then!”
“Humans were very popular when arriving on the scene some 300 cycles ago. A species that seemed peaceful and eager to find life besides their own.”
“Yeah, like every species is when they first become spacefaring, so what?”
“The weapons! Nearly every weapon these days was inspired by their creativity, that spark in their life to build and create. It just so happens that when humans needed something dead, they would find a way to do it, without fail every time.”
“If they’re so great, then why is this the first time I’ve heard of one?”
“Because, they’re either dead or have been hiding from the rest of the galaxy. We only know of ‘The Lost Son of Terra’ as it is stated in the archives that Humans weren’t so peaceful as the galaxy first thought.”
“Oh?”
“Humanity began racing towards the stars as they noticed our… allies had been abducting them. They wanted their sons and daughters back. They ripped through many of our allies and did rescue their children, but of course it was impossible to find them all. Our target isn’t THE Lost Son, he is A Lost Son of Terra. A title given to the abducted. Humans only truly showed themselves to the galaxy after their rescue mission became impossible by themselves. So they introduced themselves as a apparently peaceful peaceful species, grieving and desiring their lost children to be returned.”
“Okay, so a deadly yet peaceful species. I guess it makes sense so far, but why the title?
“They say before their space age, Humans would use drink cartons advertising the picture of their children that have gone missing and that they need help finding them. Wherever they are. The title is essentially the drink carton. They want their sons and daughters back, wherever they are.”
“How does this help us?”
“Well it has two possibilities. Jordan is stated through your audio records to know how to create ammunition and has made experimental ammunition as well. A brain scan could earn us potentially destructive and useful ammo blueprints. Hells, BYR Rifles and PPMI’s are imitations of guns the Humans designed in their space age and they don’t even come close to what the Humans made!”
“But, the target has been in cryo for 500 cycles?”
“Yes, but all humans have a thing for tinkering. He will more than likely improve upon existing designs. Human history is chock full of improving designs. He is already gathering tools for crafting, so we’re almost curious to let him keep working before capturing him.”
“Ugh, so more time following the target?”
“Yes, but don’t you want to be like your founders?”
“Yes, but-”
“Then be quiet. The second option we have is to head into the Lin’Ottal Sector after capturing the target. It’s rumored that the dead sector is hiding the humans in completely advanced stealth beyond even our Empire’s dreams. They say if you bring a Lost Son or Daughter, the humans will show themselves and accept their lost children home.”
“So we’re just finding a missing child? For what? Nothing?”
“No, not just nothing. Everytime a child was found, there was always a reward listed on the 'drink carton'. Technology and even trade agreements.”
“So either we keep the target and get technology, or we return the target to the ‘rumored to not be dead’ humans and we get super advanced technology and what? Trade agreements that- Oh I see, the trade agreements would make new supply lines from a sector that's 'dead' making it impossible to find out where our supplies are coming from.”
“Yes, now you’re catching on.”
“Oh wait, what happened to the humans? We kind of glossed over that.”
“Well they either killed themselves around 200 cycles ago, or like we said, they more than likely went into hiding.”
“They killed themselves?”
“Well, around 200 cycles ago, all life suddenly and alarmingly went missing in the Lin’Ottal Sector. It’s a literal dead space now that used to be home to the Humans.”
“I see, well, if you excuse me, I have a target to capture alive and healthy, though we’ll see how long this mission will take.”
“It will take as long as it needs to.”
The agent disconnects and I return to my monitoring of the target as it rests.
But something in the back of my mind is bugging me, in that one little spot that's invisible to the Empire. That one spot that is truly mine besides my Hunt Master aspirations.
Who is to say the humans wouldn't see the Vanir Empire for who they are? Who is to say Jordan won't?
Aha! It was not a full month, just ... 27 days! Oof, man I am so bad at this scheduling stuff .-.
Anyways, I'll be honest, I fell into a struggle during Triwt's section (hence why it's so short) but then had a sudden burst of inspiration during [REDACTED]'s section which had me lore dump a lot so yeah, uh hopefully this was good enough, and like any amateur writer, I gave Jordan trauma!