Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Homeworld - Tales of the Vjel-Amaj: Aira's Quest - Part I ❯ Chapter 14 – Chains of Command ( Chapter 14 )

*...slop.. slap... slap...*
The bare feet of the kadeshi girl gently slapped upon the cold flat floor that faintly shimmered in silver and rusted brown, as she quietly walked ahead throughout a wide corridor. Sounds of sliding cords hanging from arm accompanied her steps.
Only her arms and her emblem clothing showed trace of the overgrown verdant region of hydroponics she recently left behind her, marked and blotched by several scratches and red marks foreboding allergic reactions and stains.
Despite the vast depth of the ship riddled with innumerable misleading corridors, narrow paths and sections she never had been before, her mind nonetheless sensed the true way, least guided by the voice she had chosen to trust. The once intense smell of plants had vanished since then, leaving her nose to breathe the harsh past of death held by the remains of rotted skeletons.
With her mind influenced by Shodanii, the perception of her surroundings is left ignored, despite the numbers of shot corpses, holes done by projectile weapons and brown leftovers of biomasses among her path...


Chapter 14 - Chains of Command

“*Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn-aahh*”, Kenta yawned with a tired voice. Sitting among the group of the main shift, they all sat outside amongst the perimeter of the huge cruiser that rested upon the scaffolding region.
Despite the lights emitting from all posts throughout the settlement camp that bugged her morning-weary eyes and the small `camp-fire' they circled, the whole area was still as dark as the night. All of the operatives wore outdoor coats.


“Brrr~”, she quivered, feeling the slight cold of the air, “Man, didn't they say it was supposed to be warm?!”

“You're confusing things, sis'”, Quan noted, “- that was that botanical area that had some problem with its environmental control systems. The only thing these two places have in common is the bad... smell...”

“Ugh. Stop reminding me about it...”

Kenta took a short sip from her coffee and tried to keep her nose close to its hot smell. Due to the cause of the main shift not being needed at the bridge, a skeleton crew maintained bridge operations as the rest `enjoyed' their stay elsewhere. Looking around shortly, she eavesdropped other conversations of those probably talking about the latest gossips of the morning, however with nothing really interesting other than what she already heard of, such as Aira's `missing in action' status. Her view turned away to the constant work of men and women among the hull of the cruiser and of the settlement camp. Every now and then, faint shouts and the noise of equipment hollowed throughout the scaffold area.
Flashes and sparks of blowtorch workings randomly sparkled among the hull of the ship. The thoughts of amaji woman wandered off.

What a weird trip this whole adventure is...



Meanwhile, somewhere within the cruiser...

“Hailey - I dunno if this is a good idea, y'know...”, Kaydaana reminded her. Hailynn however insisted to try walking on her own as they entered the primary cargo bay of the Vjel-Amaj, the main section that offered the most space that was currently occupied by the `Hive' mining ship and two of its remaining `Bee' harvesters. Combined with the noise emitting from all sides of the large ship, it was easy to comply that the `Hive' was still refining the gathered content, easily heard by the constant pulsing clattering of its internal ducts, processing units and furnace segment.

The air was hot and rather dense with an intense smell of burnt materials and oil that some would call the smell of somtaaw sweat.

Still swaying back and forth, the female commander fought with her balance as she made her way past the groups of working men and women of Asad's and Pethera's crew.
There were several mixed groups of liirhrali and nabaali workers and scientists examining ore components and other extracted minerals There was a faint feeling of being on rival turf, but she forced herself ahead - She desperately wanted to confront Asad. Rather chasing Hailynn's trail, Kaydaana forced herself to stick to her.

Mixed few of mining subordinates threw confused faces at her - but once again, these glances were alike those she had seen among her way to this section.
Several minutes ago had other fellow crewmembers looked upon Hailynn with the same worried glance. Some even avoided crossing eye contact with her... but finally, she had found the man she had been searching for who stood within a group of others. Remaining hidden behind the group, Hailynn insisted to eavesdrop the conversation. He did not sound pleased at all as he spoke loudly, trying to overlay the loud clatter:

“Are you kidding me?! Nothing but this... ROCK - This little piece of junk is the only thing you found to be valuable after refining tons of sediment we gathered from that comet?!”

“Yes, CEO”, a nabaali cooperative replied to him, “but I still should remind you that we have performed deep scans as you demanded during our voyage through it. You will not believe it but the comet was filled with thousands of enriched fields ... We only happened to harvest at the wrong spot. We were not able to detect them at first since we were pursued by the vaygr. But about this find, I was not pleased to find this... thing, either.”

He raised his hand, revealing a strangely formed metallic object.

“We've checked its elemental component. It's `Carbonite XII', CEO.”

“Carbonite-Twelve?? Hmpf...”, Asad grumbled, “Well - did not expect to find that useless low class crap of ore so far away from the western galaxy. Damn, it's not valuable at all...”

“I don't understand?”, another liirhrali asked, “I thought carbonite is valuable, at least it sounds like it with that... twelve...”.

“The number only classifies its type - and as of such `twelve', this small worthless flat rock is just some kind of super rare ore that only exists in the Western Galaxy region - among the Turanic Kingdom and that whacked and wicked Kadeshi space”, Asad smirked and wove his hand a few times, “Primarily used as armor plating for those type of ships, but as far as I know of Metallurgy, this stuff is merely useless. Hyper-Carbonite is what would have made us rich men, but we must have had bad luck. Anyways, the interior structure of this simple carbonite can easily be ruptured by anything. That is what those veteran stories said from historical data chips. Those puny kadeshi had all of their ships made of that material - Vulnerable to any type of projectile. But anyways, we can forget about purifying the rest of this waste. Nobody would buy it - Frell, we'd have to pay bidders to bid for this. - So. Have that junk we gathered from the comet to be jettisoned as soon as possible - and could you PLEASE dump that stupid rock.”

“Hmm”, the other nabaali hummed, “I guess this rock is the proof that that comet was coming from the Kadeshi region, or, sir? I mean, there does seem to be a connection.”

“C'mon - now you're starting to sound like that little girl. Listen, just leave the scientific report of the comet's content to Pethera and drop the kadeshi stuff.”
The nabaali hesitated.

“Hey, what's with you?”, Asad noted with an annoyed voice.

“- This is still... a historical object of such - I don't think we should --”

“Just get RID of it!”

“But - *sigh* Yes, sir...”

“That's funny, a nabaali worrying about myths. Nabaali don't believe in myths! Now then, explain more of those scans now, will you!”, Asad demanded with greater interest.

“I think I can explain more about it, CEO”, the liirhrali prospector intervened and pulled out one of the printed foils from his folder,

“When we first began to harvest within the comet, we only left our surveillance systems to passively scan the region. - But let me cut this short - Detailed analysis of these scans and spectral photography show that we were merely surrounded by unimaginable amount of fields consisting of minerals and elements unknown to the knowledge of our elemental periodic system. Not much of the `Hyper-Carbonite' you previously mentioned, but much more tons of known and unknown heavy elements concealed by the comet's corona - CEO, do you know what this means?”


Several moments went by until Asad began to understand what the cooperative was referring to, “Wait. You mean...”

“Yes, CEO.”

“This is... outrageous!”, the paktu mining executive said loudly and slapped his right fist upon his palm, “Brothers and sisters of the Kiith, brethren, this is an astonishing FIND for our corporation! If not - for the whole Kiith Amaj!”
Several among the group looked at each other with puzzled faces.

“Another good news, by the way, is that the energy field harvest we performed before our second harvest within the comet is a class seven yield. We can expect a very high trade value from any Bentusi Trader.”

“This is getting better and better. The captain will be pleased to hear of this as well. All of you, this is good news!”, Asad proudly announced, “This star system is a filled with treasures - and we will make sure we will take them! Once the Kiith Amaji knows of this, they will surely submit us higher kiithid supremacy to endure a cooperative mining fleet to this sector! But once this word spreads out to other kiithid - This would probably unleash a Kiithid Mine Rush! And not only that once we--”

“Ah-HAHAHAHA*gasp*-AhahahAHA...”


Interrupting laughter of a woman was heard behind the group. Spreading away, the group slackened to offer open view to a familiar hiigaran officer whose stained uniform jacket was wide open and standing in a rather arrogant pose with crossed arms. Asad's face immediately frowned as he was not pleased to see her...

“Ah... It is you... Missy. What brings you here?!”

Hailynn shook her head several times, “I told you to stop calling me that, stupid paktu. That was the most idiotic phrase I ever heard. `Unleashing a Kiithid Mine Rush'?! Never heard of such crap in one sentence.”


Views turned over to Asad as he answered, “Hmpf, you don't seem to know anything of the Amaj, do you, Missy? The Kiith Amaj is a weak kiith among many. The kiithid operatives of my corporation are loyal to the Amaj, but you don't seem to understand anything at all - or what will happen once word is spread. The Amaj lacks political and economical power. What does the Amaj have, huh, Missy? A single Hiigara-like dwarf planet, pathetically defended by the colony ship among its orbit and a fleet of little ships... with this cruiser being the largest -oh, not to forget how many times the Amaj was forced to sacrifice mining regions to maintain their `freedom'. Hey, take the Somtaaw, for example. Do you see any of them onboard or within the Amaji Council? Do you think we can rely on those Manaani, too?”

“Watch yer mouth, punk...”, a female manaani accented voice snitched from further away.

“Once this word is out, you can count on a rush, Missy. And I'm sure you are not going to like it...”

“Yeah... right.”, Hailynn replied with a bored voice and began to approach him - albeit with weary and awkward steps, “The Kiith Amaj does not stand for that crap, Asad! And you think they will find everything in this system so easily?!”

“That is OUR advantage, woman! Other loyal corporations would support us with protection!”

“Advantage?! Oh, so you have the plans - the cartography - frell, even the authority to find the comet - again?!”


Asad paused, “Doesn't matter - We'll just... fly back into it. Map-whatever -”

“You... damned... IDIOT -- ngh!”

Hailynn suddenly tried to charge at him but unfortunately misplaced her step, embarrassingly causing her to trip aside to floor. Obviously, her balancing failed her once again.

“What are you - drunk? Stay away from me, Missy!”
She fought trying to get back up but was forced to stay upon her knees.

“We've lost several lives just because you decided to frakk the comet -!”

“Ahh - Don't worry about them. Their deaths and []efforts[/i] will be remembered. My corperation offers lucrative life insurances for all contracted operatives to ensure financial security of their surviving families. And the Bentusi will surely be happy with the high-yield harvest we have. Even your account will feel some of its riches. So... just... relax - and do what... those hiigaran women normally would do rather than flying big ships while we stick to our business, okay?”


As the words reached her ears, Hailynn could not believe what he just said. This man truly was a ruthless and greedy entrepreneur whose eyes only seek true profit, no matter the cost - no matter the sacrifices needed.
However, his words about the Kiith Amaj immolated even more hate within her. He did not care at all when the Kadeshi Mothership struck upon the refugee freighter - even less for the lives lost within the comet. This was it. No longer could she withstand his ignorance and disrespectfulness.

“FRAKK YOU - I should just shoot you HERE AND NOW for that --!”, she shouted suddenly and made a reach for the side of her hip. All of the operatives jumped back as they instinctively reacted to her movement of quick-drawing a sidearm.

Unfortunately, Hailynn's grip ended in an empty holster. She forgot that her sidearm was elsewhere and not available.
DAMN...


*chik-chshk*


Thro wing an astonished look ahead, her eyes met the shaking chromed muzzle of a military sidearm held by Dr. Asad. Obviously, he was surprised by her sudden but unthoughtful attempt. However, he reacted in such a manor Hailynn did not expect at all. She did not have the single clue how he managed to receive a standard military-issued handgun. It was not hers, though. It took a while until she calmed down as she stared upon the gunpoint.

Reacting immediately, Kaydaana pulled her sidearm as well, “Hey! Put da crap down!”

“Kaydy - no...!”, Hailynn demanded to her, showing her hand to stay out of it.

“Dunno what's going on in that head of yours, Missy -You're out of your mind! But whatever you think - we won't care. Believe it or not, woman. Mark my words: We will return to that comet - To this system, some day - and there will be nothing to stop us or the Kiith Amaj! Why don't you follow what your kiith stands for?!”
Hailynn panted slightly, a slight fatigue kept her on her knees,

“If... If I've understood things right - We've done another uncharted blind jump, paktu... There is no CHANCE you'll find that comet! Don't ever think you will - Not even the best somtaaw prospector would find it again!”


“No... but as I said, mark my words, woman. Matter of time, Missy, matter-of-time... Would be easier if we would just force that whack-minded kadeshi girl - but we can forget about that totally after what you have done to her!”

Now it was Hailynn who suddenly became startled.

“What?!”

Asad still aimed for her, albeit her being defenseless, “Did you forget what happened? The girl surely could help us out here and now, but ever since you've frakked her upside the head, she's been out of commission ever since!”
Only a brief picture deep within Hailynn's mind recalled itself to reality. The instant flashback fell too short for her to understand it completely. However, she did recall an image of Aira weeping and hurt upon the floor... Her eyes however widened.

“There will be a lot happening once we return to amaji space. You can count on that one, woman.”

“Frakk that - What happened to Aira?! What are you trying to say about me and her?!”, Hailynn demanded. Asad remained quiet but shook his head several times.

“Hailey-”, Kaydaana suddenly said behind her as she lowered her aim.

“Kaydy, what is he talking about?!”

“I wasn't there, Hailey... but... rumors say...”

“WHAT?!”

“They say yah punched the poor girl by anger... and she became unconscious... She ended up at sickbay, soon followed by yah after becomin' outraged and outta control. It was said yah needed heavy medication `n' stuff...”


Within the same second, a world collapsed within Hailynn's mind. It was the dreaded conclusion that suddenly explained everything. The hole in her memory suddenly made sense.
The drugs, the outrage, her somewhat still hurting hand, the nightmare she suffered from for nearly two days, the fearful and worried glances of others and lastly, her amnesia.

Hailynn's glare stared up upon Kaydaana.

The stunned hiigaran woman threw her hands upon her head in a strange manor, “Oh no... she is back...”

“Huh? Who?! Who's this `she' yah keep talkin' about, Hailey?!”, Kaydaana asked once more, but did not receive an answer.

“H-Hey, everybody. Could we just... calm down here?”, one of the liirhrali operatives suggested, “I know there is a bit of tension going on - but please... Let's not start shooting each other... *long pause* Okay?”

“Kaydy - Where is Aira?! Where IS she?! Tell me where she is!”, Hailynn hysterically shouted at the manaani woman several times.

“Wha-whoa Hailey, calm down! She's - ”

“-- Where?!”

“I don't really know... Hailey. But, Hailey, you really blew the lights out of her - big time...”

Hailynn's arms slid down from Kaydaana's hip in humiliation.

“I-I... I need to find her...”

“You two”, Asad's voice suddenly spoke from ahead, “I think it's best you two should just get the frell out and let us do our work. Get lost and don't come back - and the rest of you, get back to work.”

Moments passed by with the endless noise of purification processors. Many of the group slowly moved away from them, doing as Asad demanded to carry on with their duties. Helping Hailynn get to her feet, Kaydaana once again held her by her shoulder.
All odds were against Hailynn. As both of the women slowly made their way out, Hailynn suddenly pointed her hand to one of Asad's crewmen, “Hey - You - Wait!”

Turning around, the man revealed himself holding the strange small object in his hands.

“Wait, you are that nabaali that gave that report to that paktu, I am right?”

“...Yes... Commander”, he did not sound very trustful.

“Listen... I've noticed... your reaction about destroying that piece of rock.”

The nabaali engineer raised his hand once more, revealing the rock her held but hesitated to say a word.

“Look”, Hailynn proposed with deep breaths in between, “I know it is not common for you nabaali to believe in... religious ...things, but you have doubts about destroying this things, don't you?”

The man paused once more.

“...Don't you?”


Surprisingly, the nabaali made a quiet nod. Though accepting the kushan heritage and its beliefs, those of the Kiith Naabal today are alike the way they used to be. Alike the prominent Kiith Somtaaw, they have dropped their heavy beliefs to endorse pure trade and mining. Both kiithid however never seemed to come along.

“It's not that I believe in that story of that comet... but it is a rare proof that it is from the other side of the galaxy... ma'am. It should be in a museum. A souvenir - whatever. I deny to destroy it, but I have my orders from the CEO.”
Without any other words, Hailynn offered an open hand. The naabali engineer did hesitate at first, but his hand slowly laid the strange object upon her hand.

“Ma'am - I don't really care that much what happens to it, but just don't destroy it, okay?”

“You have my word...”, she replied and laid the strange flat rock into her pocket.

Just as they continued, Hailynn raised her head again with a shocked face. A very guilty feeling filled her soul.

“H-Hailey, what's wrong?”, Kaydaana suddenly asked.
Hailynn grabbed her shoulder radio and called out, “Hailynn to Aira! Hailynn to Aira! Aira, p-please answer me!”
Receiving nothing but a hiss among the dead commline, Hailynn immediately changed her frequency, “Hailynn to Logistics! Come in, now!”

“”*ffhsk* -- Logistic Officer Geron, here. What is wrong, Co-- ?””

“Aira's positioning, NOW!”, Hailynn shouted as she became more anxious all the sudden.

“”-Err, yes, m-ma'am. Hold on... Uhm... No... She's not in intercom range...She is no longer onboard the ship, ma'am. Actually, she beyond the --””

“WHAT?!”

“”̵ 2;Err, last was she seen outside on the settlement camp, but after that--*sh-click*””

Hailynn immediately broke the comm-link. Releasing herself from Kaydaana's shoulder, the hiigaran officer suddenly charged ahead in a sloppy manner.

“H-Hailey- Wait-up!”


- Confessions -

(Narrative voice)
As of those people we know, we all think we know all about our trusted brethren besides us... Yet there is always more to the truth of those people... leading to fact that we never knew them well enough.
(End of narrative speech)

For the next ten minutes, Hailynn frequently ran throughout many corridors of the ship as she frantically asked those among the way for the whereabouts of the kadeshi girl, vainly. Hailynn needed to stop. Being over-exhausted, the weary and sloppy looking officer fell to floor all the sudden just before she reached the nearby airlock section.
After a short while, Kaydaana finally caught up with her...

“D-Damn it, Ha-Hailey...!”, she cursed, “*pant* You know`... exactly that... huh?”

Kaydaana's face startled as she discovered Hailynn trying to hide her tears. A surprise indeed, due to the fact that she always saw Hailynn as a strong `opponent'. However, Kaydaana did suppose that Hailynn's emotions were lead by whatever hormones and drugs she received...

Throwing her hair back, Hailynn fought herself up and made her way to the outside of the ship. Ignoring the cold air and its unpleasant smell, the sorrow-hearted officer ran down the ramp, bypassing the marine sentries and entering the dark world of the scaffold and the settlement camp ahead.

Almost around the same moment, Kenta suddenly lifted her head when she suddenly heard a familiar loud voice shouting nearby and coming closer from the center of the settlement.

“Huh, who's that?”, Kelsea asked and lifted herself from the `campfire', “Isn't that --”.

Hailynn suddenly appeared next to the group shouted Aira's name several times in all directs into the dark.

“C-Commander?”, an operative asked with a surprised voice...
Turning around once more, Hailynn discovered the many familiar faces of the main shift...

“Well, well”, Pethera said with a dismissive and ironic tone to her, “What's wrong, commander, looking for a child to beat yet again?”

Hailynn did not answer. She was too exhausted - but additionally to her weariness, the sorrow for Aira caused her to fall to the cold floor.

“M-Ma'am, are you all right?!”, Quan asked and wanted to help her, but she declined.

“Hailey! Where're - Ah, there yah are -”, Kaydaana appeared from behind, but stop as she discovered Pethera among the group that surrounded the `campfire'.

“I see, you brought the preckbird with you...”
“Shut up, Pethera *pant* - I'm not in the mood for your crap”, Hailynn denoted angrily.

“Everybody! C-Calm down!”, Kenta said loudly and stood up, but as the whole group threw their view upon the young amaji woman, she forced herself back down to the case she sat upon,

“I-I mean, calm down... ma'ams?”

“You don't need to call for that foolish kadeshi storyteller”, Pethera remarked, “You beat her so hard that she just ran off. Probably afraid to ever see you again.”
Hailynn remained wordless but looked over to the others.

“S-She's right”, another female operative said from the said,

“Aira left us, ma'am. Ma'am - do you need help --?”

“Don't look at them, Delixa. Aira is gone. She just walked away. Away from this camp, the ship and you. We've recently heard and saw some of that footage that showed you beating up the girl and I have a question for you, Delixa”, Pethera was taking the advantage that Hailynn was weak and in a bad position to defend herself, “I think all of us deserve the truth of why you reacted like that. ”

“I'm not --”

“Oh, yes, you should, and I'm sure you will...”

The weakened hiigaran woman was about to deny saying a word, but suddenly, Hailynn discovered that there was no way out of this. Pethera's persuasive questioning was invoking the interest of the others while it quietly slandered Hailynn's reputation. She was forcing the small crowd to dig the truth out of Hailynn.

The s'jet woman made a step ahead as she spoke further, “You amazed all of us, Delixa, with your disrespectful and irresponsible actions. You are the one who sent this undermanned ship to this system - with all of its dangers! You are the one who should be taking full responsibility of all that has happened up to now, hiigaran. Don't blame me, I'm in charge of something else...”, Pethera's voice became so loud that it attracted other groups nearby,“ How could punch a defenseless young girl just for doing a simple mistake?! What were you thinking of when you shouted to your crew, huh, Delixa?!”

Her words was equal alike a painful punch to Hailynn... emotionally. Kenta wanted to intervene, but her shyness made her stay back.
“You are a SHAME for the Kiith Amaj and its ideals! You disgust us. Look at you!”
Hailynn wanted to defend herself but she had no chance at all. The innermost of Pethera was enjoying this with great pleasure. Her verbal harassments were coming through to Hailynn, striking her deeply.
This was payback time, but Pethera was nowhere near the end. The humiliation was unbelievable as the black haired s'jet stood high above the sloppy looking commander of the Kiith Amaj.

“I have never seen such disgrace - You are a shame in that uniform! Look-at-you, you child-beating DRUG ADDICT! And you are supposed to be the `Commander'?! Now, Delixa - We all want to know: Why did you react like this?! Why did you beat the girl?! Answer us now! Or even more: How could a rare `Grade: A' woman possibly deny colonial terms to end up in a military uniform like this?!”

Many of the bystanders threw astonished faces. Never was it known to anybody else that Hailynn was a considerable `A', unlike the common average men and women with flawed or mediocre grade classing.

However, Pethera subtle remarks were revealing secrets of Hailynn's past, one after another as she mocked further - and there was no way in stopping her. Hailynn knocked her fist on the cold hard floor and curled it so tightly that it hurt intensively - The s'jet continued her harassments that were misguiding the crowd's interest. Pethera now had here where she wanted her to finish her off.

“-- Go ahead, tell your crew everything, Delixa! Tell your trusted crew why you reacted like this! Tell them the cause for your reaction!”

Moments passed once more, but this time, Kenta gathered some courage, “Stop it - Stop all of this!”, the young operative shouted, “This is insane! Please - stop it all --!”.
But it was too late.

Hailynn's soul shattered.
There was no way getting out of this. Hailynn was a wreck. Only previously had she accepted the fact that the Kiith Amaj was falling into the dreaded greed and need as Asad presumed... and now, the crew would soon know everything of the secrets she fought to keep it that way. But from now on, she could no longer hide it.

The sweat upon her face, her somewhat drenched and messed-up hair, and her movements - All showed that she was suffering the aftermath of her addiction. Indeed, she was wreck that lost her self-esteem and trust. Hailynn's voice sobbed as she kept her head down, “...It.. *sniff* It's all... true...”

The s'jet threw an unseen smile hidden by the surrounding darkness.

“It is all true”, Hailynn continued to hide her face as she explained with a sorrow voice, “I-I... I am a Commander of the Amaji Navy... with an addiction to... to `cortisine'. It is all true - I am a drug *pause* addict.”

Her frail voice was only a slight hint on how deeply embarrassed she was as she spoke, “But all of it doesn't explain why I hurt... Aira...”, her fist tightened once more, “I did not know what was happening to me... until my addiction took full control ... and unleashed the other side of me.”

Pethera's eyebrow rose. Where was this leading?

“I thought I had control - but I can no longer hide it. I... I have a second... personality...”

Hailynn took a deep breath and cleared her voice before she confessed, “I am schizophrenic...”

Even Kaydaana seemed to be surprised. She thought she knew all of about Hailynn but she was wrong. However, it seemed as if this was the `she' Hailynn had frequently referred to... and feared.

“Yes. It is true. I have a psychological issue... and I lost control of myself. My anger and my addiction caused me to attack Aira. It... It was still `me' - not just some personality... but another twisted type of me... A dangerous... side of me. It is true that I am a dangerous person...”

Several of the main bridge crew who witnessed her actions upon the bridge remembered how devastating she actually was.
Hailynn rubbed her face several times, “I've accused all of you as the cause of all trouble on this operation. I've blamed and insulted every single one of you for... all the madness that has caused during our mission. I said I hated all of you and that you all were worthless scum... *long pause* - I cannot demand any apology... It is I who is responsible for the ship and the losses, not the captain. My deeds must be left inexcusable...”

“C-...Commander?”, Kenta said softly.

“Kenta. No. I am not worth to be a commander. I failed deeply. I may be a highly ranked officer, but what is an officer without any true kiithid authority, anyways? All you have the authority of Kiith Amaj. Maybe not any significant standing but you all have one... however, I don't... My name may hold a kiithid name, my rank may serve the Amaj, but I am truly a nobody - A kiith-less nobody once I leave service - and when I board the ship again, I will hand in my resignation from command and duty.”

Everybody saw Hailynn as a proud officer in the line of duty, but the truth of her true self was not what they have expect. A person alike her, without any kiithid authority, will indeed be worth of nothing once he or she were to end their military career.

“No!”, Kenta shouted and lifted herself from the rest of the group, “No, Commander Delixa... Hailynn... I cannot - and will not - accept what you are saying!”
“...”

Everybody remained quiet albeit the noise of the ongoing maintenance upon the hull of the ship.

“Hailynn - We... well... I... simply cannot accept that you have failed us... We are not perfect... None of us are. True - your reaction has... shocked all of us... but you must understand that the least of us... that I still trust you... ma'am!”

“I stand aside to the word of my sister, Commander”, Quan suddenly remarked and lifted himself next to her, “It doesn't matter to us - at least the two of us - what flaws you have. It doesn't matter if you were nabaali, paktu or even somtaaw... or a kiith-less person.”

“We are all kushans... after all. ”

“My sister is right. If I may say, we amaji are weak. Our young kiith needs leaders like you - We all look up to you... Comman- Hailynn -“

“There is one thing for what the Kiith Amaj stands for: Freedom. We were all burn-marked with former kiithid breeding regulations that tried to force all of us into colonial obligations but at last we have gained our liberty! Hailynn, you may belong to the few Hiigara-born among us but you know that Hiigara is no longer your homeworld. Amaj VII is our homeworld - yes, a small, weak dot surrounded by dangerous borders and factions just waiting to invade us - but that is our homeworld. Your true homeworld! And with it, I pledged loyalty to my fellow brethren with pride...!”, Kenta said loudly and formed a tight fist, “Never will I bear grudge to you... I simply can't. If you want to confess - fine. I shall do the same...”

All eyes looked upon Kenta, “- Who am I? Well, I'm a nobody as well. I am a `Grade: L', below average, good-for-nothing grade to even receive any hope - Every other kiithid said I was good for nothing. Apparently, I was not `fertile enough' for them to actually serve anywhere. I am the lowest grade... L for loser, as some would say. Everybody onboard knew that there was only one L around - but I kept it as a secret... I am that `Grade: L'. Anybody below is not onboard this ship... and there was no future for me until I met you, Hailynn. It was people like you who gave me new hope - Those who left their former kiith joined our kiith, to support us who are in desperate needs.”

The amaji operative shook her head several times. Already confessing her grade showed her bravery but also her innermost shame for her `weak genes offset'. The Kiith Amaj only had received its independency only two years ago. Long before, everybody's lifestyle and future was controlled by the colonial terms of the major kiithid. Albeit its vulnerable positioning, the Daiamiid of Hiigaran Empire declared the suppressed Amaji star system for independency. An unusual decision, though, for none of the amaji really knew the true intention.

“'Rare `Grade: J' here”, Kelsea added suddenly and laid both hands upon her lap as she cowered her view, “Those I would have given birth to would not survive beyond the span of five months... Immunity deficiency. I am the only `J' ever in my family...”

“E”, one male operative added, “May be one of them `Top Fives'... but trust me, you don't want to know what it stands for - I hate it. I wish never to be forced to donation again...”

During the next few moments, others began to say single letters resembling their grade. Many bashfully held their grade as part of their intimacy at first, but as others revealed theirs, they followed.
Pethera however bit her teeth together. Somehow, things were not going the way she expected. The present crew was still holding to Hailynn, the sworn enemy who she deeply hated.

All the sudden, Hailynn turned her head over to Kaydaana, after the athletically built manaani woman said her grade. Her mentioned grade practically ended all speech - but not only did Hailynn seem to be astonished. It was Kenta who actually could not believe her ears. Now Kaydaana was the one who had all attention on her.
Quietly moving closer to Hailynn, she sat down next to the shattered hiigaran woman and slowly explained her part of her story:
“I expected yer reactions, everybody... Kenta is right... and wrong, though. `L' is a terrible grade one could get... but there are further classifications below... for us manaani. None of y'all would expect it, but I used to be an `Unshi...”

“- Ehhh, you are a an `unshi?!”, one of the male operatives asked with a heightened voice, “A... princess?! A manaani -- ?!”

“-- Princess of the Kiith Manaan. First Daughter of Kiith'Sa”, Kaydaana continued with her accented tone, “by tha' mercy of our divinity...”

“A manaani with such high authority - HERE?? On an amaji ship at the far edge close to anarchic factions?! You've got to be kidding...”

The confessing manaani woman rose her head, “Yah may feel impressed... but what is a kiith manaani'unshi with a `Grade: Z'... The sole divinity may have blessed me with skills none of y'all really have... but cursed me with one of the most dreadful things that could happen to a manaan.”

“Infertility...”, Hailynn quietly said, “I never knew... Kaydy.”
Indeed, the worst was said. While all grade classifications beyond `L' stood for difficulties of all kinds, the last letter in the alphabet stood for the worst of the worst: incurable infertility. Up to now, everybody heard that she was a `Grade: C'... probably a lie to hide her true status...

“B-but... if you are a... princess... I-”, the operative stuttered and bowed down suddenly, “'Unshi of the manaan - Please don't punish me for the all the jokes I said about you! I am not worthy! I am --”

“Knock`t off... I may used to be an `unshi... but alike Hailey next to me... I've lost all of mah kiithid authorities. The rule of divinity punishes those manaan with kiithid excommunication who do not fulfill the purpose of the caste they are born into. What's an `unshi worth of it she cannot give new life? And this is not a rule of some colonial term - It has been like that ever since the Kiith Manaan existed. If one cannot seed new life, thou shall not rule. Never shall mah soul return to the Manaan... ever. It's been nearly twenty years now... and I'm 47 years old... I'm still flyin' fighters. The Amaji Navy is the only thing I can stand for...”
Unlike other kiithid, the Kiith Manaan still held to its religious roots and caste. Hailynn began to understand certain things. There was a lot more to the `childish' rivalry between them. Kaydaana must have envied her for both age and `Grade: A', which she probably knew already.
“- And I'm not lettin' yah get away with it... Old lady”, the confessing manaani quietly noted to Hailynn.

Pethera slowly began to move away. Hailynn was gaining the sympathy of everybody...

“Don't you see, Commander? We all stand behind you... Aira may fear you, but she still... likes you - I'm sure of that...“ Kenta lastly remarked, hoping Hailynn to understand their notions.
But at the same moment as Hailynn started to trustful feelings for the crew, the sudden voice of a familiar logistic officer spoke over her radio unit, “”To all executive and commanding officers of the ship *fffshhh* : All of you are to meet up at the Captain's Quarters. The captain wishes to see Ray, leader of the exiling vaygrs, as well. Logistics, over and out *ffshhk*””

Least expected but it happened, it seemed as if the captain heard of Hailynn's awakening and now it probably was the time for standing to her deeds. Slowly lifting both of themselves up, both Kaydaana and Hailynn looked at each other shortly.

“I don't know, Kenta”, Hailynn said to the rest of them as the two began to walk away, “I think it is inevitable that I will be removed from command and duty, sooner or later - It simply doesn't matter. It is likely that the captain will remove me now. I am sorry - to all of you - but I fear I must resign. The least I can do...”

Hailynn stopped shortly and took another look at the part of the crew that stared back upon her. After a short hesitation, the words left Hailynn's lips before she turned away again, “Thank you...”



- The real 'McQueton' -

(Narrative voice)
The kiith supremacy and the kushan laws it follows always stood above the military authority. All beings of all kiithid must obey the supremacy. One may be in the military authority with given privileges and may lay their burdens - but never could he or she lose, forfeit or deny the privileges given by the supremacy of the kiith. That is the way of the kiith.
(End of narrative speech)

Almost twenty minutes later...
Both Hailynn and Kaydaana have not said a single word to each other as they made their way throughout the ship, but just as they reached the executive deck, the manaani colonel decided to break the silence between them, “Y'know, Hailey, what happened just ah while ago will soon be known throughout the ship.”
“...”

Again, the silence returned shortly as Hailynn did not reply at first. Right now, her thoughts circled around the whereabouts of Aira.

“Kay', tell me. Where are we here?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. We're docked onboard some ol' derelict imperial taiidan mothership that is some hundred years ol'.”

“...What, imperials! How'd we get here and what are imperials doing here?!”

“It all has to do with Aira and the person who led us here. There seems to be one survivor onboard. Don't yah ask me who or how. All I know is that she wants to help us.”


At last, both women reached the entrance to the captain's quarters. Hesitating to enter, Hailynn stood in front of the access doors. Judgment awaited her behind...

“How do I look?”

Kaydaana shook her head. She still was a wreck.

“Woman... Look't yah...”

“I know, I know *sigh*”
Reaching over with both hands, Kaydaana took the attempt to shape Hailynn up, by first closing her stained uniform jacket and her messed-up hairdo. Rearranging everything was hardly possible.
“Gonna be tough, Hailey - Jus'... keep tough...”

Gathering all that was left of her courage, Hailynn took a deep a breath before her finger pressed the panel to open the access doors. Entering at the same time, both officers moved ahead into the spacious quarter of the captain.
The captain's bunk was indeed huge. Ahead stood a row of familiar officers and executives who shortly took a glimpse behind their shoulders. Obviously, it was clear that Hailynn and Kaydaana were late. Kaydaana smiled shortly as she discovered the tall vaygr pilot among them. Orelis was also present.
Clearing her voice, Hailynn announced, “Commander Delixa and Lieutenant Colonel Kaydaana reporting as order, sir.”

“Pride. At ease. Please, align yourselves.”, the superior officer replied.

Rowing themselves in, Hailynn insisted to add a comment,

“Captain. I must... apologize for my appearance.”

“No worries about that, Commander.”

Short moments of silence went by as the whole row stood in front of the large table of the captain.
“Ladies. Gentlemen. I am pleased to see all of you. Chief Falgore and Engineer Zann will not be with us since they insisted to maintain the ship. As for all of you, we have several circumstances needed to be discussed...”
Suddenly, Hailynn took a step forward, “Captain... permission to speak, sir.”
She kept her firm glance.

“Very well, Commander. Granted.”

“Thank you, sir. I... I wish to cut myself short: I wish to resign from command and duty with immediate effect -”
Excluding the captain and Ray, the rest of the row threw startled reactions.

“- I am fully aware of my senses and my negative actions in the line of duty. My act was disrespectful to the crew and the captain. I... I can no longer serve you with this shame, sir. An apology is not suffiecient.”

“Commander”, the captain replied with his usual calm voice, “I am afraid I must and will deny your resignation.”
“S-Sir?”

The captain leaned back.
“Commander. I am aware of the certain causes that occurred the last two days, but you must understand that I cannot let you resign. It is impossible.”
“I... I do not understand, sir. I --”

“I have a question to those who know me”, the captain said,

“Commander, the rest of you, do you know who I am?”

Hailynn paused. The captain's words filled her mind with confusion.

“Sir?”

“Commander, what do you know of me? Who am I?”

Though confused, she insisted to answer. Within a single second, Hailynn's mind recalled all of what she knew of him, from the very first handshake to this very moment, the day they first met, the journey and dangerous events they both experienced during the last years of the vaygr war - back then when she was his subordinate helmsman onboard a nimble assault frigate in a small fleet of ships.

“You are...”, she made a short glimpse to Orelis and the others,

“You are Captain Quenton of the Kiith Amaj, chief-in-command of the `Vjel-Amaj'.”

“What else do you know...?”

“You are a highly experienced naval officer... and you belong to the only few the Kiith Amaj has, sir”, Orelis insisted to add, “It is always more than an honor to serve under your command.”
The other executives and officers gave short comments as well. They all remarked what they knew about him. Yet, something seemed to disturb Hailynn.

After another long pause, Captain Quenton arose himself from his seat.

“Fellow officers, executives. All this time, we have served together. It has been an honor for me as well. But I fear my service has come to an end.”

“Err... Sir?!”, Orelis asked suddenly.

“Captain, why do say this?”, Hailynn questioned as well with a note of astonishment in her voice.

“Due to the end of the contract regulating my long term service under the Kiith Amaj...”


“C-Contract? I do not understand, sir”, Orelis questioned.
“Oh...”, Hailynn's eyes widened suddenly, “C-Captain. I-I never knew that you are...”

“Yes, Commander. I am Captain Quenton of the Kiith Soban, formerly contracted to serve as chief-in-command for the first and only advanced vessel of the Kiith Amaj.”

“We, the vaygr, have heard of you sobanni warriors”, Ray noted with his deep voice, “Honorable warriors of great battles...”

“Yes, but you may not know that I am bond to the supremacy laws of my kiith”, Captain Quenton Soban added, “The Kiith Amaj was in need and contacted my kiith for support. Under the terms of contract, I have been assigned to command this ship...”

“Wow... just... wow...”, Orelis said, “- but... Sir, you said your contract has come to an end?”

Hailynn dropped her shoulders. All these years had she known this man and never had she noticed that he was sobanni. She remembered horrific experiences with those of the Kiith Soban. Often had it happened where their contracts became voided during the hiigaran-vaygr war and at the very second that happened, the sobanni would immediately retreat from combat and duty without further notice.
Often had she cursed them for their kiith values despite their superior capabilities in combat.

“Yes, Officer Orelis. The contract has expired two days ago.”

“You are going... to leave us, sir?”

“No. It has happened very often that my contract has become void in the line of duty and action. Unlike my kiith and brethren, I still remained upon the ship.”
His remark did explain a few occasions for Hailynn. All of it was making sense now.

“I will not disembark this ship. Never did I have the intention to do so even if I were capable to leave this ship with a hyperjump-capable shuttle, Officer Orelis. However, I will no longer be your superior officer. I will still interact with you as an advisor.”

“So... Then... That's it - Sir?”

“Not quite.”

“Captain... Ex-Captain Soban. I have one question”, Hailynn suddenly stated, “If... If it was clear to Amaji High Command that your contract were to end now, why... why have they dispatched the `Vjel-Amaj'?”

“The decision was a desperate one, Commander. I must explain this”, Captain Soban leaned back once again, “Ever since the `Vjel-Amaj' entered service, High Command was in need for a crew and officers willing to endure missions and operations in deep space. Despite the sovereignty of the Kiith Amaj and the minor support of other kiithid, the executive crewmen available to the Amaj Navy neither had experience nor the capability to train exclusively and effectively. For the high costs of forming a acceptable contract, I was transferred over here along with the Commander at the same time - And as I requested her to be my X-O, she accepted. My primary assignment was to train and observe the ship and its crew...”

Hailynn closed her eyes shortly. The last three months had to only do with back-and-forth shipments and other meaningless tasks.

“Commander, I am sure you remember that certain day before we were dispatched.”
Opening her eyes again, her mind recalled that moment. It was the captain who asked her if the `Vjel-Amaj' and its crew was ready for such a dangerous task.

“Of course, we - and Amaji High Command - underestimated the rescue operation and the dangers within this star system.”

Orelis also began to understand the strange reactions of the captain ever since. Nearly all decisions and vital executive commanding were left to Hailynn. Seldom did he intervene. All in all, the captain was an observer and supervisor in one... up to now.

“Yet. There still is one remaining task... actually two terms according to the contract I still must fulfill.”, Captain Soban noted.

The row of officers and executives gave confused looks upon each other before they focused their views upon the former captain. The captain arose himself from his seat and laid a strange small box upon his table that shimmered slightly under the light of the large room.

“I will now prolong with the fore last task I must fulfill, albeit that this will not be performed in the common military ceremonial fashion. Note that the following is caused by my decision and not by demand of the contract. To all of you: This is official. Hailynn Delixa, Commander in service of Kiith Amaj Navy. Please, step forward.”

A cold shiver ran down her spine at the same moment she heard her name. Breathing deeply and sweating, it was easily noticeable to Kaydaana that Hailynn was trying to suppress her addiction. Hailynn took an unconfident step ahead and stood in front of the row.

“Commander Hailynn Delixa, in pride of Amaji Navy, I am proud to announce your promotion to Captain of the Kiith Amaji Navy with immediate cause. All privileges and authority will be transferred to you as to this moment.”

“Congratulations, Hailey... looks like you won the race...”, Kaydaana whispered quietly to her. Hailynn kept her eyes straight ahead but her head shook slightly.

This can't be... true.

The rowed rest of the group attained a suddenly straight stance and remained silent.

“Commander Hailynn Delixa, soon Captain, I must however inquire your decision accordingly to the protocols of the Amaji Navy. Do you accept this promotion?”

Hailynn began to sweat even more. Her soul was confused, her heart bewildered. But all the sudden, she lowered her view...
“I m-must... deny.”, her voice stuttered.

Everybody other than Ray and Captain Soban turned their view over to her.

“Hailey... Are you out of your mind...?!”

“Captain Soban, sir”, Hailynn wanted to explain, “With all needs of respect to your decision... I must deny your promotion. I am not worthy of promotion or the honor of achieving the rank of Captain. I must decline. I cannot allow my shame to be subdued by promotion. That is my will.”

“Commander. Is this your last word?”, the captain asked with a firm voice.

There was a short pause before she answered, “Yes.”

“Commander. Under the witness of all present officers, you have declined promotion and will remain Commander of the Amaji Navy. This is your decision and it must be respected. As of now, the `Vjel-Amaj' is no longer commanded by a Captain and must remain without a Captain until further notice by the Amaji Navy command.”

All others but Hailynn frowned.

“Commander Hailynn Delixa. Following the chain of command, you are nonetheless the highest ranked executive officer of the `Vjel-Amaj'. Your duty in the line of service to the Amaji Navy still remains. Do you understand this?”

“Yes, Captain Soban. I understand fully.”

Captain Soban stared at Hailynn for a long time. There was no sign of disappointment, but he did seem to be concerned. Retaining the golden stripes and insignia pins in his hand, the captain turned away and laid them upon.

“With all means of respect, captain”, Hailynn then said, “Are we dismissed.”

Again, that long pause took place.

“No, Commander. I must fulfill one more task.”
Hailynn's mind already tried to guess what this last task was going to be. It had to be her removal from command and duty. She was already going to be court-martialed anyways, either by the Amaji Navy or by the Kiith S'jet, as soon as they were to return, that is for sure.

“Remain in stance, Commander.”

Hailynn rearranged her body to remain put just one more time...

“Before I continue, Commander Delixa... Hailynn. You must understand that you cannot deny the following. This is a choice not given to you by any protocol of the Navy or any other military segment. Commander Hailynn Delixa, I am proud to announce your confirmation by supremacy of the Kiith Amaj. With immediate cause, ...”

Hailynn's mouth dropped upon... There was no way she could hold back her reactions as the Captain approached her, fitting her stained and wrinkled uniform with the sophisticated symbols of the Kiith.

“...You will attain the kiithidial status of Anamehej - Krin'sa.. Commander Hailynn Delixa, with the kiithidial status of `Krin'sa', you gain all priviledges of voice and execution of the Kiith Amaj. You are now a true delegate of the Kiith Amaj. As of you being `Krin'sa, never shall your decisions be questioned. All of your decisions from now on will reflect upon the pride of the Kiith Amaj. That is the way of Kiith Absolution and Supremacy. I, Captain Quenton of the Kiith Soban, congratulate you, Commander Hailynn Delixa, Anamehej'Krin'sa of the Kiith Amaj.”

The captain raised his open hand.

Looking straight into his eyes, Hailynn began to understand that there truly was no way of decline.

“Krin'sa”, the captain said with calm voice, “There are shames we all have and must live with. However, it is not we who decide if we are worthy to the kiith - It is the supremacy. Therefore, Krin'sa, your affiliation into the kiith should fill you with pride and cleanse your shame. Again, I congratulate you, Anamehej.”


And there she stood, stunned and overwhelmed by the event. Hailynn tried to foresee her future but was not able to... Her future from now on was a shroud of mystery. Slowly but surely, Hailynn's right hand met with the Captain's. Hand-in-hand, they shook... and as their hands left each other, Hailynn began to feel how the weight of the supreme responsibility was going to be.

“Officer Orelis, Colonel Kaydaana of the Manaan, you both will continue to support the Commander as executive officers, if she wills. Commander, Additional insignia packs according to your newly obtained kiithidial status will be delivered to your quarters. But as for now, Commander, I am afraid you have no time for celebration. I am no longer your superior officer and I must remind you that certain objectives remain open from my former command: The retrieval of Operative Aira, to interact with the remaining survivor onboard this taiidan mothership and the return to Amaji Prime. Recently, Shodanii, that is the name of this survivor, has stated that she is the cause for Aira's dismissal. She stated this needed to happen. Commander, I advise to dispatch a small task force to search for our missing crewmember. Listen to the message of Shodanii and the information she has left you. All your decisions now reflect the future of the Kiith Amaj and the lives onboard this ship and those of the vaygr. That is all. Pride to all of you... dismissed.”

There was no chance in getting out of this. Hesitating for one last time, Hailynn made her step back into the row and saluted to her former captain like the rest of the group before they all slowly made their way out of the captain's quarters. As soon as the access doors closed behind, they all congratulated her, including Ray, who evenly said to obey all of commands as her being the new `Lord of Command'.

But suddenly and without warning, Hailynn turned away and began to walk along the corridor with fast steps.
“H-Hailey -We need to celebra- ! Where the frell are you going?!”, Kaydaana shouted after her.

Hailynn made a short stop before “I must find Aira...!”