#kirothian

(Part 1) | (Part 2) |

11-7-18- System 43- Orbit of Planet Kanrea- Crewing Station-

Bethany had a nagging feeling in her stomach. Full of worry and confusion. Before her stood Commander Xcha’lanu. A feared battle Commander of the Kirothian Fleet. A renowned and heavily fear warrior who had led his fleet to many victories. And she was a regular human soldier, preparing and anticipating her journey into space. She had warped out here to meet the vessel she would crew on. She now stood face to face with the Captain and Commander of the ship and fleet he was to serve on. The Commander was a great figure. Over 9 foot tall, bipedal, with hard red skin and a square head to match his appearance. A truly fearsome figure. So why did he look like he wanted to run away from her presence?

“Commander Xcha’lanu, is everything alright sir?”

His eyes shifted away slightly as he answered, “Not at this moment Special Forces Human Warrior Bethany.”

His use of her full descriptive title made her pause and added to the weight in her stomach. He classified her as a Human warrior. Human was being the added descriptor. He must have found something that warranted being addressed as such on their first meeting before she had even boarded the ship.

“Commander Xcha’lanu, what have you seen in my file records?”

The Commander was not even trying to pretend he was avoiding her gaze.

“Brazil Two, Planet Mars, Situation- Android Revolt.”

Bethany cursed. She thought that had been erased from her record. It was obvious what was bothering the Commander now.

“Sir, I promise that I am no threat to the crew of this ship.”

The commander almost seemed insulted at her statement.

“No threat? Not a threat! You destroyed an entire legion of your manufactured soldiers with nothing but a long sword and a rifle! You made scrap metal of three-thousand androids! Androids that had been your people’s first line of offense for colonization and confrontation! How can you not be a threat to this crew and fleet?!”

That feeling in her stomach now was tinged with the bitter taste of annoyance and anger.

“Commander Xcha’lanu. I am classified as a Special Forces Warrior for a reason. I have trained for specific situations. My specialty is in solo onslaught army destruction. Specifically for combat against the androids. Humanity feared and was wary of its own creations, to the extent that before a single android was launched into service, there was an entire battalion of forces at the ready and prepared to combat anything like the Android Revolt of Brazil 2 on Mars. After the thirty years of peaceful androids the force was scaled back to just a few dozen of highly trained fighters like myself. When the revolt took place I answered the call and was transported to Brazil 2 within 24 hours. I was sent along with 9 others. We were dispatched in the primary 8 direction from the landing point with the final two manning the weapons of the station. I was dispatched to the west. With my fellow Warriors on either side of me we progressed. The battle waged for two weeks with little chance for rest. I served Humanity at great risk to my own life. My loyalty to those I swear to protect will hold no bounds as long as I am not betrayed. I swear to you now Commander Xcha’lanu, I am here as a delegation of peace between our two peoples. I will not be a threat to this crew unless I or the Human race are threatened first.”

The gaze Bethany leveled with the feared Kirothian Battle Commander would make any man run scared. But Commander Xcha’lanu was no human man. Yes, he feared the human before him, but his fear was now laced with the respect of a fellow warrior, not of a mindless beast he had feared her to be upon viewing the videos in her file.

His gaze met hers and he felt the atmosphere shift.

“I swear to you now, Special Forces Warrior Bethany Nizdala, Slayer of the Androids and now Delegation of Peace, you shall come to no harm on this ship. Prepare to board and serve.”

A grin lit up her face as she saluted the Commander. He had dropped the Human out of her title. She now stood on an even playing field with him. “Aye-aye, sir.”

(Part 1) | (Part 2) | (Part 3) | (Part 4) | (Part 5)

11-13-18 System 57 – Passing Planet Kofatep

“My name is Ala’dar and I am seven hundred four years old.”

Bethany gazed at the old Kirothian before her. For a species that normally only lived to be 500, he looked very well. Granted Kirothians didn’t progressively age like humans did but you could distinguish between every few decades of age. Ship 18Ka’lano had picked up the older alien a few hours earlier and he had requested an audience with her about a half hour ago. She had to finish up helping the docking crew before she could go meet with him. She had found her little niche on the crew on the third day and now was running around as an honorary member of the docking crew.

When Ala’dar had first seen her enter the room he had smiled and gestured for her to sit down. When he introduced himself in near perfect English she had been startled to say the least but she managed to get out a polite response.

“My name is Bethany Nizdala. I am a peace delegation on this ship.”

“Greeting Bethany, I have asked you here so that I may learn more about the human culture. I am old as you know but I have made it my life these past three hundred years to study each and every species that enters the Galactic stage. I have been learning the common language of Earth called English, as a native speaker, I ask you, have I mastered to a decent degree?”

Bethany was stunned. Not only did she have a living relic in front of her, a revered and highly respected elder of the Kirothian people, it seemed she also had a culture enthusiast.

“Your English is very good. The Commander is well spoken in English as well but he tends to stick to shorter phrasing than you do.”

The Kirothian form of a laugh had always startled her since the first time she heard it. A lot harsher and didn’t sound happy. So when the Elder in front of her laughed she nearly jumped.

“I would think so since the Commander of this fine vessel only learned English few months prior to his notice that he would be taking on a human crew member. I have learned your language for three of your years now.”

Bethany nodded. “What would you like to know about humans, Great Ala’dar?” Kirothians rarely dealt with titles but positions of great power such as the Commander and Elders received appropriate titles. That was what had clued her into the Commander unease when she first met him. He used her title and that was a big break in common Kirothian culture.

“There are many things I would like to know about humans. I hope I won’t be keeping you from your duties too long.”

(Part 1) | (Part 2) | (Part 3) | (Part 4) | (Part 5) | (Part 6)

11-15-18 System 58- Passing Planet Xicarot

After finishing her many hour’s long talk with Ala’dar, Bethany had been exhausted. The Elder had wanted to know about everything. From the primitive aircraft to sea creatures to different types of clothing. She was pretty sure she had never talked that much in one go in all her life.

When Bethany returned to her room to lie down for a bit before going to the cafeteria, she saw the shelf full of her personal belongings she couldn’t leave behind on Earth. There were only a few things on the shelf. A book, a snow globe, a music player, and a flower preserved in glass.

The book was perhaps the most personal item she owned. She knew what was in the book. But she would never open it. Never. Inside that book were many things. Things like an old photo, a piece of a glove, and a leaf from a certain tree. Each of those things told a story she wasn’t willing to relive. But now that she was thinking about them it was getting too close. She stood up and left her room in a hurry.

When she entered the cafeteria only a few noticed. And those that did fell silent. It spread through the cafeteria until silence reigned and almost all attention was on her. She moved through the thick syrup of the atmosphere. She silently got her food and then went to sit silently at a table. Ka’lari wasn’t in the cafeteria and the few others she knew and recognize made no move to join her. And she was fine with that.

As she sat eating murmurs slowly built up until there was once again a background buzz in the cafeteria. It was five minutes later when a tray was placed across the table from her. She glanced up, didn’t recognize the face and went back to eating. A few minutes later a tablet was slid into her view.

What causes your anger? Has the crew offended you?

This caused her to sigh and finally look up and give her table partner attention. A Kirothian, maybe 150 or so, sat across form her. The possible emotion of concern was etched into the hard lines of their face.

Instead of attempting to butcher the Kirothian language she just reached out and typed out a short response.

“Private matters. The crew is not at fault.”

The relief was evident on their face. Great. They were worried she was going to go on a rampage. Just wonderful.

“Excuse me.” Whether or not the Kirothian understood the dismissal or not she didn’t care. Standing up she dumped the rest of her food in the disposal and left. The silence following her out.

Setting her destination almost instinctively, she made her way down a hall, took a left, up a short flight of stairs and through the doors of the recreational room. It was empty. Thankfully. She headed towards the arena and stepping up in one stride she waved through the simulator settings in a blur. When the sparring robots came forward in mass, she sunk into a crouch and then launched into the fight.

Losing all her sense of reservation and annoyance at herself and the others, letting the frustration of the past few days flow through her into her fists as she let the robots around her crash to the ground. While similar to the androids in that they had a bipedal form with only two arms, the robots differed enough without the human like faces that she was able to keep the memories from her war at bay. The androids fought with tactics like humans, being tricky and sly with a human like cunning. These robots just followed a pattern. A vicious pattern but a pattern she could sink into and use against them.

Thirty seconds in and robots were flying around and out of the arena. Metal crunched under her bare fists. She barely felt the sting of where her skin had given way. Two minutes by her count and all the robots around her were down. She stepped down from the arena and let the disabled bots be cleared off. She waved down another simulator menu. Actually picking her opponent this time. She had cleared her mind enough so that she could now focus on her opponent. She had the system incorporate a percentage of her moves and abilities into the fighting style of the robots. It was a risky move, considering how the addition of human thinking processes had caused more than a few alien systems to go haywire, but after a minute the system read that the integration had been successful. She selected for fifty bots to come in waves of ten.

The system was ready and she stepped back up. The first robots stepped forward and she lost herself in the battle once again. She lost track of the time this round. She fell into the roll of her muscles, the ache in her knuckles, the sting on her arm, the sound of the bots falling in pairs. Kicks, punches, thuds on the ground, just the repetitive thrum in her blood of being in combat. It was what she was made for.

She felt a few glancing blows every now and then, adding in her skill set definitely gave these bots an upgrade but they were still like bugs. The fell with her every step. Down, down, down, until the last one fell.

A polite clapping sounded behind her, she spun on her heel, poised to attack, adrenaline still running high through her veins. There stood the Kirothian who had been at her lunch table.

“What are you doing here?”

Her breathing wasn’t even labored. If anything she felt more energetic and lighter now that she had dispelled her pent up feelings through violence. Though that was an ill-advised practice for some, it worked best or her due to her combat training and how hardwired she was for it. She took it out on a safe target, she never misplaced her aggression on an innocent or an unwilling sparring partner.

“I follow and fix. Not like human angry.” The bad English did little to humor her this time. If anything it restated her sense of division and was a reminder that the crew would fear her for the duration of her stay. She could hide behind a mask of calm all she wanted but as soon as she got angry again, they would all back off and she would have to start all over.

“Well you can tell them to not worry. I won’t hurt anyone.” The Kirothian looked confused before they seemed to shrug and pull out their tablet and started to type. They approached much faster than Bethany thought they would. She was expecting some hesitance at a minimum.

The tablet was held out to her. After a few seconds she took it.

I am sorry if I offended you. Kirothians do not so visibly express emotion so it was a shock to all of us when you radiated your emotions in such a manner. I am Tiv’kala, I was greatly impressed by your fighting skill. Is it common for all humans to possess your skill level?

Bethany suddenly felt so stupid. Of course her anger had been off-putting. Not just her reputation and the video, but the fact she displayed her emotion so openly had caused the immediate reaction to her entry to the cafeteria.

She sighed and typed away on the tablet.

You have not offended me. I angered myself with troubling memories. Hello Tiv’kala. No it is not common for humans to possess my skill level. You may know of my history as a warrior?

She passed back the tablet and turned to have the arena clear and possibly reset for a few minutes after if Tiv’kala left any time soon or managed to make her feel worse. She stepped down from the arena only to have Tiv’kala hand her the tablet again.

I know of the rumors concerning your skill but seeing it in action is another matter. You are very skilled in bare handed combat.

She paused again. Again the lack of fear. So many had been averse to her joining the crew. But he had no reservation around her. She typed it out but decided that the typing needed to end.

“Why you not scared?”

The bad Kirothian grated on even her ears. But Tiv’kala just grinned minutely.

“What be scared of? I better fighter.”

Bethany was shocked. Tiv’kala wasn’t scared of her because the bastard was cocky and thought he could take her down anytime he needed!

She raised the tablet and typed furiously.

You think so? Prove it. Spar with me.

Tiv’kala just grinned that tiny smile once again and stepped up to the arena.

(Part 1) | (Part 2) | (Part 3) | (Part 4) |

11-9-18, System 43, Onboard Ship – Preparing to Launch

Bethany the Special Forces Warrior of Earth was adjusting nicely to the Kirothian ship she had only just started to crew on. Having been on board for a full Earth day, she was excited when the ship began its preparations to launch on its next journey. She was on board as a Peace Delegation without an official role on the ship’s actual crew. She was going to find an unofficial one as soon as possible. She believed that the best way to make connections and to initiate the famed “Human Pack Bonding” was by being actively involved with those around her. She had her limits to how much social interaction she would be able to handle but the newness and just wow factor of finally crewing on a ship would provide her enough social energy for a very long time.

After waking up on board for the first time, a strange experience in and of itself, she dressed in her uniform and headed towards the cafeteria. Making her way through the levels, responding to any greetings sent her way. More of the crew were able to say her name correctly now, after an extensive lesson in how her name was pronounced after supper the night before.

It had turned out that the Kirothian that had approached her first yesterday was named Ka’lari and was an engineer in the lower hyper engine. Ka’Lari was on the younger side for a Kirothian, only 82 Kirothian years. In a species that lived close to 500 years, if Bethany made an equivalent to the human lifespan, Ka’lari was about 18. Kirothians matured at about 50 but were still largely considered minors and the equivalent of teens until about 100.

Ka’lari was the first to greet Bethany when she walked into the cafeteria and signaled her over to her table after Bethany grabbed her food. When Bethany sat down Ka’lari greeted her.

“Hello, Bethany. Have good morning?” Ka’lari was a fast learner when it came to languages, through the translator she had explained that since she also saw the functions of the engine as a language, with the advanced technology of the hyper engines, Ka’Lari worked with the energies and the way the energies fluctuated and the changing of the engine as much as any mechanical part. When she applied her language theory to anything she learned she found it much easier to learn and understand. Bethany honestly didn’t get it but she appreciated the fact that it would be less than a month before Ka’lari would be fluent in English.

After returning the greeting to Ka’lari and saying hello to the other occupants of the table she tucked into her breakfast. She had a long day of getting “settled” and “becoming familiar” she was sure that this was actually meant to mean “go find and pack bond like a good human”. Honestly the whole human race found the impression the greater space population had of them rather comical. Sure, humans sought companionship but the levels many aliens seemed to think all humans needed was very exaggerated. If she hadn’t had Ka’lari approach her, Bethany would have survived by communicating and messaging with her other friends who had been placed in other fleets around the Galaxy.

“Bethany, knowledge of creature turtle?”

Bethany looked up startled. “Huh?”

Ka’lari grinned. “Turtle? What knowledge have you?”

“A turtle? Why would you be asking about a turtle?”

Kalari grabbed a tablet that was being held by another Kirothian who had introduced himself as Zch’lino. The screen displayed a picture of an older human man who was holding a snapping turtle. Bethany had to read through the first few lines of the story before she realized what it was she was looking at.

A snort and a sputter of laughter escaped before she slapped a hand over her mouth to keep the laughter in. It was a picture of the so called “Turtleman” from Kentucky. He had been dead for many years now but he had apparently just made into the Kirothian news cycle. Only reason she knew of him was the fact that it was discovered that a majority of the “turtles” Turtleman had caught over his career and his TV series, were actually a form of a race called Persuniks. A shapeshifting, aquatic species that had crashed onto earth at about 1896 A.D.. They had taken a general form of snapping turtles and just existed that way until they revealed themselves after The First Contact Off World.

The Persuniks had been allowed to decide whether to stay on earth or leave as only a few were still of the originals who had been born on their home world. About 2,000 Persuniks had been transported back to their planet in the following year. The existence of the Persuniks on Earth had actually been a blessing in disguise because the fact that another semi- to fully intelligent species had lived on Earth for so long without coming to major harm proved that Humanity was mature enough to step foot into the wider galaxy.

After finally calming herself down she managed to get her explanation typed out on the tablet. “I’m going to jump over a few steps and hopefully explain what you are misunderstanding. That man is now dead and he had a career as a creature catcher. When the Human people discovered that the Persuniks had been living on Earth as turtles it took a few months before someone, as a meme, made the connection to the “Turtleman”. After analyzing footage and taking with the Persunik people themselves we actually discovered that Turtleman was one of the few humans aware that the Persuniks were an alien people not just turtles.”

The Kirothians thought this over for a minute or two before the one called Ki’loke asked, “What is meme?”

(Part 1) | (Part 2) | (Part 3) |

11-8-18, System 43 – Onboard Ship

Bethany Nizdala was the first human to make it on board of a Kirothian ship. It had taken her many months of additional training and lessons on culture of the Kirothian people. She had already made a lasting impression on Commander Xcha’lanu and earned her place on board. Now she just had to convince the crew of that.

Unlike the Commander, the rest of the crew did not understand very much English. She had been learning the language of the Kirothian’s but it had many hard to pronounce consonant pairs. It had taken her a week to pronounce the Commander’s name right! She could catch snippets and a few words as she was walking through the corridors towards her quarters. The Kirothian had a very simple written language so she had learned that in a few months. She was following the signs to the floor and number of her room.

“Human… small… Commander… androids… avoid…” The sparse selection of words she could understand as she walked past the groups in the massive corridors did not do much to improve her mood.

Great. The crew knows about it. Am I going to have to repeat the whole speech to every crew member?

She shook off the comments and kept walking. She was a floor closer to her room when someone called out to her. Only reason she could tell that the shout was directed at her because of the “Human” and the butchered pronunciation of her name, “Batany”.  Her instructor in the spoken Kirothian language had pronounced her name that way when he had first read it. The pronounced “th” combination didn’t exist naturally in their language. And somehow her instructor had never had to pronounce a name with “th” in it before meeting her. It was an interesting day.

She waited and looked around till she saw the 8ft tall figure making its way over to her from back down the hall. The difficulty with the Kirothians was that they were not immediately distinguishable by gender. They had no male or female characteristics that where known to all. The best you could do was listen to the timbre in their voice. Female Kirothians often resonated higher than the males, but even that wasn’t always a given. The fact that they used gendered pronouns too could cause additional confusion when you were sure they were the other but they used the female “I” in Kirothian.

The one who had called out to her was finally in range. She raised her hand in a standard Kirothian greeting. The approaching figure repeated the gesture.

The very slow and crude English that followed almost made her double over in laughter.

“Batany… truth… androids? Warrior?”

She fought the laughter. After speaking with the Commander who could speak fluent English it was a stark contrast. She managed to contain the laughter and smiled. She, slowly, in her best Kirothian replied, “Exaggerated, yes warrior, no threat to ship.”

The Kirothian grinned in what she could assume was the amusement she had felt when they had spoken. The Kirothian’s face suddenly was clouded with an emotion she hadn’t seen on a Kirothian before. The Kirothian then smiled and reached into their pocket. When the Kirothian pulled out a tablet like device. Bethany wanted to smack her head. Of course! Until she got more fluent in Kirothian or the crew learned more English she could use the translator function or even just type out what she wanted to say since she could read and write much more Kirothian than she could speak!

The Kirothian typed out what they wanted to say, it took a minute but eventually the tablet was turned around and the speaker read out in the robotic English, “Is it true that you defeated an entire legion of the androids by yourself? If so what weapons did you use? Do you have other skillsets like other humans or are you a static category? Are there more humans like you? Do you have a food preference? How do you pronounce your title?”

Bethany laughed at the long succession of questions. While the voice had been speaking the Kirothian had been trying to mouth and mimic the voice. While it would help with the pronunciation she knew that the sentence structure and ordering of subjects in Kirothian was very different than English. She might have to add teaching an English class somewhere in her schedule. These broken conversations were going to get tiresome real quick even if they were humorous.

Part 1 - Human Warrior  

Part 2 -  Broken Conversation  

Part 3  -  A Turtle, an Old Man, and a Key 

Part 4 -  Ala’dar 

Part 5  - The Never-Read Book 

Part 6 - Greedy Little Man