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2026-08-09 08:43 UTC
Shaman Space Part 5
14 months after leaving Mother of All. In final jump to Mother of All.
Sparks and Alaine were in the engine room checking over the engines before exiting jump. It had been a much busier jump than usual, as the Captain and Suri, the navigator, were bringing in the captured raider ship. At least, the crew hoped they were. Once they entered jump, there was no way of communicating or even locating the other ship.
"How are you and Seeker holding up?" Sparks asked, without looking up from the diagnostics display.
"One point five seven - what?"
"How are you and Seeker holding up? It was a pretty intense thing with that raider ship."
"We're" Alaine paused and started again "I'm still having some rough nights. I'm looking forward to meeting with a counsellor at Mother of All. Seeker says they are very good at dealing with trauma."
"And Seeker?"
"She's not as shaken up as the first time. Partly because of the first time, and partly because those people were her ancestral nemesis. But I think she's looking forward to some counselling as well."
"Good. How's that coil looking?"
"Uh, one point five seven above spec. Within acceptable limits."
"One point five seven? That's about as close to perfect as you could hope for."
The intercom chimed "Bridge to Engineering. Are we clear?" the voice of Engel the First Mate came from the grill next to the diagnostic station. Alaine glanced at Sparks who nodded.
"All clear bridge" he replied.
"All hands, all hands, stand by for re-entry into normal space."
Alaine watched as the jump engines collapsed their private universe around them, and dropped them back into normal space.
Engel's voice came over the intercom again "We are now in normal space. Resume duties."
"Reaction drives active" Alaine reported after checking his instruments.
"Confirmed. All systems online" Sparks responded as she did her own checks.
"Confirmed" Alaine replied.
"OK, off to the bridge with you, Alaine. I've got things here."
He nodded, and started to head forward. He paused at the hatch "Sparks?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for asking."
"No problem. We're as good as family on this ship. We look after each other."
"I know, but still, thanks."
Alaine continued forward to the bridge. Engel, Dyani, and Seeker were there.
"Any word from Bright Sky?" he asked as he entered.
Seeker looked up from the comms panel "Not yet, but they could be a few minutes away."
"I'm not picking up any other ships in the immediate area" Dyani added.
Seeker frowned "Hold on" she tweaked the gain control, and listened. There was a pause. "I have Bright Sky. She's about fifteen light minutes away. She came out just before us. Sending our position."
Engel looked back at Seeker "Are they OK?"
"Yes, yes, all systems nominal."
"OK, Alaine, calculate a rendezvous that we can make into an approach to Divesen Station. Dyani, stay on the scope for any trouble."
"On it" they both replied.
Seeker looked towards the distant sun. She was almost home. She had news.
#SFF #SF #SciFi #microfic #tootfic #microfiction #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace
Replies (1)
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9 Months ago, Council Chambers, Horsebreeder Clan lands.
Joyful Finder stood after the immediate business had been dealt with. Since taking to space Clan Council meetings had become longer, and she knew everyone was tired. But this had to be raised, and if not now, then at the end of another meeting - when again, everyone would be tired.
"The Council hears Joyful Finder of the Horsebreeders" the chair announced.
"Thank-you", she paused and straightened before continuing "Although it is unlikely that Seeker will obtain the information she has been tasked with locating in this first tour, we must make plans for what we will do when the home of the raiders is found."
One of the elders from the Fisher Clan spoke up "I presume you have ideas, Joyful?"
She shook her head "Unfortunately, no. I have been studying the histories brought back from the Scouts' archives. They are extensive, and go back to before humans took to the stars. There are even hints of when our ancestors were taken from the human homeworld."
The same elder asked "But?"
Joy sighed. "But in all that time they have recorded only two instances where an invader successfully replaced the rulers of a land without causing resentment that took generations to resolve. And frequently never did."
The Forester Clan elder cleared his throat "So we do what they did."
"If only it were that simple. In both cases the lands in question had made open war against a coalition of other nations. After initial successes, they were beaten back, and then crushed absolutely. The coalitions then spent vast sums rebuilding the nations they had just defeated."
The Forester elder grunted "Seems simple enough then. It seems that things mostly match our circumstances."
"Except for one thing. In both cases the lands were subject to totalitarian and authoritarian rulers. We know nothing of how the raiders are ruled or the structure of their society."
"So why are you raising this?" that was the Fisher elder again.
"I am hoping the Council is wiser than a single ex-Scout, and can find a solution."
There was silence.
Several minutes passed, and various elders whispered to each other. Then one of the elders of Weaver Clan stood. "You present a problem to us, but you have already given us the solution."
Joy frowned in puzzlement "I have?"
"Indeed. Our first course of action is to learn what their society is. And you are our best resource there."
"I am?"
"I move to the council that Joyful Finder be charged with recruiting and training a Scout force, whose task will be to learn all there is about the raider society."
Around the chamber was a sound of agreement.
Joy swayed a little in shock, and then asked "May I seek aid from the Scouts themselves in this?"
The chair stood "That would be prudent. Despite the treaty."
Joy sat heavily, feeling her years. There was a mail ship expected in a few weeks. She'd have to write to the sector commander. Convincingly.
#SFF #SF #SciFi #microfic #tootfic #microfiction #IAmWriting #ShamanSpace
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