Bluuna Gluompet's Story

Note: to be read to Supernova Girl -- Protozoa

The docking bays were quite busy at this time. For one reason or another, Space Station Z had seen a recent boom in activity. This was absolutely fabulous for business, Bluuna remarked to herself. Absolutely fabulous. A large, bubblegum-pink ship disappeared into one of the docking bays.

Space Station Z paged an automated recording of AIS to the Asylian and gelatinous arrivals. The voice was Christopher Sparks, the man who breathed life back into the station after he bought it for a steal.

"Welcome to Space Station Z We hope you enjoy your stay."

---

"Danshu! Lorka Glorv!" Bluuna wibbled her gelatinous self away from the pilot's controls. She proudly graduated top of her class in Aerospace Maneuvering - one of the hardest sets of courses they had to take. Aquatics was the easiest. She never envied those who were stationed on the home world. What a boring life!

She made her way from the bridge, very excited to finally get to see Space Station Z. Back home it was talked about a lot - one of the best places to species watch and harbor new sound frequencies. She was practically exploding! Her perimeters were consistently wibbly, and her form refused to stay solid. Many others flattened themselves as she passed so as to not accidentally brush jelly and catch the excitement. Sure, it was good to be happy, but woah was Bluuna up to eleven! Compared to most humans, Bluuna only came up to about the belly button, but she didn't care. Those were very interesting too, if not more so than faces because of their pre-birth uses.

The crew began unloading the deliver of frozen forn treats while Bluuna exited the airlock, which was only there for visiting species really, and splat down onto the ground in Space Station Z. Quickly she made her way through, a quiverring blob of aquamarine jelly with no concrete form, no legs, no face, what might be a waistline if you were to think abstractly, and for some reason the best of vibes. If anyone brushed against her their mind would be momentarily invaded by song, and those who were paying attention might notice the song faintly coming from her. Perfect clarity, but very quiet. There were so many interesting people here! And oh wow ships she'd never seen. But she knew better than to linger by the vessels and continued her charge, sticking briefly to people every now and again as she went.

As the other vessel landed and the blob started it's way through, Tolend reached over to hold Halena back as it passed. Halena herself paused long enough in her work to glance at the disturbance, only to do a double take as she realized what exactly was coming through.

"is that... What is that? A sentient ball of ooze?" She whispered to Tolend, who of course didn't respond. "By the gods what sort of horrid world gives birth to such a disgusting creature?"

Halena, being a princess, knew very well that proper decorum was expected of her at all times. Even so as the slimy thing came near she couldn't help but shriek a little, jerking her feet up and away from it.

Truly, the differences between the jelly creatures biology and that of the Asylians made for the greatest of unfortunate misunderstandings, as the Asylians were born with a natural immunity to outside influences on their psyche, whether good or bad. So even though the creature was radiating good intentions and happiness to all around, the Asylians saw only an all too mobile ball of slime, with barely enough semblance of sentience to register to them as anything more than a monster.

Truly the Asylians are an unempathetic lot.

Yashuman II
Primary airlock bay

There was a deep audible clunk as the docking clamps engaged with the Yahuman II's airlock system, the airlocks cycled with an audible hiss, and the doors began to unlock.

Behind the armored airlock door on the Aschen side was a single squad of sixteen Aschen marines. Each one of them were wearing their dark blue, and black BDU uniforms, adorned with black ceramite vests, knee and elbow pads. Their disruptor rifles, while bearing the same design hallmarks of the Type 03 PDWs carried by Aschen personnel, they were a sleek black, allowing them to somewhat blend in with their uniforms.

The airlocks cycled, and the doors opened. The Aschen sergeant was the first to step forward. He looked to his left, and to his right, as sixteen armed men followed in almost lock step.

Their heavy boots clacked on the metal floor as they stepped forward, the sergeant, a young man by the name of Anton Valerian was in charge of this particular marine platoon.

He checked the charge on his Type 03 PDW, and stepped forward. "Alright, let's move." He said, in Anquietas, as he started down into the bay, the rhythmic footfalls echoing behind him.

Bluuna ignored the shriek, despite it shrilling her perimeter membrane. Her kind were used to this kind of reaction. She didn't even bother offering a correction on the ooze (she was goo, thank you very much)- it was no bother. Again, Bluuna was used to it. Her whole species was for the most part! They had realized a long time ago just what it was about them that others found so unsettling, and really who could blame them?

They didn't have most physical features typically associated with sentient beings, such as eyes for example. That tended to weird the other sentients out. Also, they were see through and had no discernible organs. It was a gelatin thing. Their limbs were sporadic and their forms weren't solid. They could grow and extend to an extent, they were tacky to the touch (but not moist), and depending on the surface they had a tendency to either track things around or leave the floor looking better than when they got there.

Most unsettling, however, was that they had a cousin in the gene tree who was notoriously nefarious. Usually liked to hang out in dark and dank places, too. They were carnivorous. She shuddered at the thought of ingesting flesh. Merging proteins. Absorbing another animal's ingestion choices. Fats. Yick!

Bluuna was almost at the door to the corridor, where there was light security. They weren't doing much more than random identification checks. If she got pulled, they'd stick her with a little needle to verify her base composition and call it a day. Most other species didn't bother sorting her kind beyond acknowledging that they existed as they did. Most other species couldn't tell her apart from her uncle! This was always a fun game for them - trading places.

She felt the footsteps before she ever saw them coming - and whoah did they keep a good beat! Bluuna paused by an official who gave her a half smile before looking up at the approaching squad.

Peter sighed. What total crap. He had only been on shift twenty minutes and it looks like the last schmucks let in someone that was wanted by someone. Not just anyone, either. He swore under his breath and gave Bluuna a stern look. She blobbed her way happily along through clearance and started off towards the convention center.

Halena made a face typical of a grossed out teen before shaking her head and patting at her cheek. "Oh dear, I hope theres no more of those things." She said to her Guardian who, you guessed it, opted not to respond.

Although in a way he did respond. He reached over and simultaneously stepped in front of Halena, placing himself between her and the Aschen troops on their way. At the same time his hand went to the hilt of a sword on his waist. The look on his face, which was admittedly a normally stern expression, could now be considered almost angry.

"Tolend? What is it? There shouldn't be any threats here, this is a public station after all... well I suppose that means there could be lots of threats actually" The girl whispered, ducking under one of his arms to look around. At the sight of the Aschen she blinked "Oh... That's why is it? Well Tolend please, relax, I'm sure they're not so foolish as to try anything here in a public place. Besides, they likely don't even know who we are, unless their high ranking officials, but even then I doubt they have any orders regarding us. Just let them be and we can get on with things."

"besides, it's our turn." She said, stepping up to Peter and waiting for his instructions on how to proceed. Generally she never had to go through such checkpoints, her status as royalty usually granted her free passage. A part of her was actively curious how things would go.

Peter glanced at the Aschen and rolled his eyes, forcing what he hoped was a kind smile onto his face at the Royalty before him. He respectfully bobbed his bead.

"We've never had a casualty at their hand- just a lot of complaints, as you, er," Peter flushed and bowed again. He hoped his words settled them, though he doubt it.

"Enjoy your stay," He stepped aside with a third awkward bow to let them through.

The group of soldiers paid little attention to the group. But that all changed the moment Tolend moved to the sword on his waist.

The Sergeant put his hand on his disruptor pistol, which was securely holstered on his hip, and the whole formation of Aschen soldiers stopped, while two almost raised their weapons.

"Hand off your weapon, now!" Sergeant Valerian ordered, pointing aggressively at Tolend.

Generally all it took was a stern order for those who would otherwise think about getting any ideas to back down, but the sergeant came ready for a fight, after receiving word that the people who attacked the fleet was present, at this station. He had orders to perform an inspection, which occurred regularly given the stations position within Aschen stellar claims, despite being a neutral station.

It took hefty shipping tolls to keep the local Aschen governor largely out of the space station's business, and he often looked the other way.

Peter would likely notice these weren't the Proivincial defense force that normally came to rough things up, and collect tolls, rather these were Imperial uniforms, which meant something had attracted the attention of the wider Aschen high command.

The Sergeant moved forward first, holding up what looked like a warrant of some kind.

"We have a lawful order from the Ministry of Law to perform a search of this facility for enemy insurgents. Step aside." Valerian moved to the side, and gestured for his men to move through the checkpoint, bystanders stepping aside, and giving the men a wide berth.

Halena rolled her eyes and grabbed Tolends arm. "Stop it, your being rude." She said, forcefully pulling the mans arm from his weapon. For his own part, Tolends eyes never ceased their glare at the Sergeant. There was something artistic about his poise, like a tiger in the moments before it struck.

To Peter Halena smiled and thanked the man, moving across the check point and, rather forcefully for a child, pulling Tolend, who despite having to move backwards to follow her, never once took his eyes from the Aschen soldiers.

"I think we should see if there is an open market first, and then search for individual shops. Some new dresses, perhaps an actual suit for you to wear to formal occasions would be nice. No offence Tolend but your armor is garish at best." She prattled off, oblivious to the Aschen and her guardians staring match with them "At the very least some ornaments to make it less of an eyesore at the gala."

Tolends movements remained smooth as he followed his charge further into the station, but he kept his eyes on the Soldiers until they were out of sight. His hand likewise returned to and remained on his weapon until the two had rounded the corner.

Peter Rovontea moved his hand to his own immobilizer but didn't draw. He watched with one brow cocked as the two groups spat at each other like cats. Typical shit day, he thought to himself.

"Alright, triggerhappy, is the threat a threat?" He asked Valerian, tapping a button on his vest. Of course Valerian knew the rules, so he didn't bother repeating them.

Nobody but the target.

Alpha opened up a secondary channel so that he could communicate with the Space station's A.I freely if needed, leaving the docking platform and entering into the outgoing and incoming centre of the station, well this set of docks.

the Artificial Soldier stopped some thirty yards from the commotion at the gates, between the three parties there it was something of a roadblock and not just for the artificial Intelligence though one of the parties were heading to another region of the station. leaving the Aschen Marines and a security officer native to the station.

the Robot approached the gate. Largely ignoring the pissing contest between the aschen marines and security, but listening in and recording what was said.

enemy insurgents? probability of association with assault on aschen patrol fleet 84%

the other commotion of the gelatinous slime and their crew unloading a ship towards the cargo gates caught the attention of the robot for a brief moment. proceed with designated objectives, tertiary Objective added; the capture of hostile alien technology.

Alpha understood that this new Objective wasn't important but if he got the chance he wouldn't hesitate. and finally seeing a space to move through and past the Aschen and security Alpha moved on, to once again to collect the shopping list of the eggheads back at Homebase.

Valerian narrowed his eyes towards Peter, a scowl forming on his lips. "Within the territorial jurisdictions of the United Aschen Empire. You are it's subjects. If the administration of this facility cannot get it through their thick heads, perhaps a more appropriate trade embargo, blockade, or outright seizure, would calm their minds." The Aschen sergeant said cooly.

"You operate as you do..." He said, reaching into a satchel on his vest, pulling out what looked like a bright red notepad, which was in triplicate. He jotted a few details down, allowing EVE to make an attempt to access his personnel file.

If Successful, information would display on the small HUD mounted across his left eye. He jotted down several notations on the pad, before handing it off to Peter.

"You operate as you do, by the grace of the Governor of the Provincia Yellowstone, and it would be terrible for business if the governor were... forced to do something about the rampant insurgency being harbored by the staff of this facility." Valerian said with a nod. "You're being fined one thousand, five hundred cubits for a violation of a lawful Imperial Decree of Search, and Seizure. Don't like it? Have this rust bucket towed somewhere else."

"Sign at the bottom." He said flatly.

The red piece of paper was a one-thousand five hundred cubit fine, imposed for obstructing a lawful Imperial search, with relevant Aschen laws cited.

There was little to be found on Peter Rovontea. Name, age, birth-planet. He shrugged and folded his arms at the piece of paper.

"I'm not of authority to sign that, you know that. You'll have to refer to my higher ups. About all I can do is uh, relay the message," Peter was of private agency hired out by the station and would continue to follow his contract. Regardless of whatever bullshit it was today.

"If you'd like to try directly, you're likely to get through sooner than I. Godspeed, gentlemen," and then stepped aside so the group could proceed. Peter had absolutely no intention of even touching that red piece of paper if he could help it. As for the threat? Peter assumed it had to be something serious.

Anton nodded, and gestured for his men to follow, he left the piece of paper at the checkpoint, but didn’t really plan to pursue the matter further. The men followed in lock step, as Valerian proceeded deeper into the station.

Aboard the Yashuman II...

Commander Vandione was quietly going over the ship's logs when his tactical officer approached from behind. "Sir." The Tactical officer said, as he handed the Commander a somewhat thick folder. The Commander nodded, and placed it on the console, opening it up, and perusing the contents.

EVE had finished her analysis of all the docked vessels at the space station, one vessel was flagged in particular, although it wasn't a confirmed match, power signatures, design parameters, and any applicable markings were a suspected match.

Vandione made a face, and then turned the page. "Kingdom of Asylia... carried out an attack against Molecay. No confirmed losses, but intelligence says there's a potential total war factor." His eyes widened. "By the gods, If this is correct... We've just been handed an Asylian ship on a silver platter. We have to notify fleet."

The commander snapped the folder closed, and then turned back to his tactical officer.

"What do we have?" Vandione asked.

"Two companies, sir, plus an Adepts company. Three in total. We could pull from reserves, but that could put our security in jeopardy." The Tactical officer replied.

Vandione shook his head.

"No, take the two companies, and the adepts company, and seize that ship. Identify it's passengers, and seize them at all costs. Intelligence will want them for interrogation. We need them alive!"

"Ad Victoriam, sir!" The Tactical officer called out.

Vandione sighed, and leaned against the console.

"All hands, action stations!" He called out, as lights dimmed, shifted to red.

"All hands, prepare damage control, Second platoon prepare to repel boarders!"


---

Like a well oiled machine, the Aschen cruiser began to go to high alert, alarms blaring across the board as it's Marine strike teams armed up. The first waves were ready in five minutes, suiting up, checking their gear, and arming themselves.

Quickly, they began to pour out of the Yahsuman II's airlocks at platoon strength. Their footfalls were overpowering, dozens, no Hundreds of Aschen marines were moving down the hallway to the security checkpoint, behind them, the deafening footfalls of the Aschen Adepts of War followed.

"Safeties off, weapons free!" A Marine lieutenant called out, as roughly six squads of Aschen Marines, and two squads of War Adepts moved towards the airlock where the Asylian vessel was docked.

The rest approached the checkpoint, they did not look like they intended to stop.