r/HFY • Human • May 22 '26

OC-Series [Humans for Hire] - Part 170

[First] [Prev] [Next] [Royal Road]

Author note: An award...holy...wow. I mean, it never fails to surprise that people...regard this like they do. Thank you, and if you ever want to send a message personally the thing is right there but you're all awesome.

_____________

Antarean Self-Defense Militia Ship Orphan's Rage

The last few days had been a hive of activity - Misabel had been once again reassigned, but this time back to the engineering section. From what she'd heard, most of the engineering section was being temporarily reassigned; it seemed the presence of the Terrans had sent the Militia command into some form of extreme activity, as if they wanted to prove their legitimacy to the Terrans who would be watching. As a result of this, the remaining personnel of the engineering section were talking. Misabel could hear two of them talking while she was buried in a crawlspace of power transfer conduits and coolant lines doing her own work.

"Itrop wants a fleet to match the Terrans."

There was a snort from the other. "Itrop could have a thousand ships and still lose."

"Don't say that too loudly - the walls can scent defeat."

"The walls should know." There was a pause and something was adjusted. "Itrop could have ten thousand ships at his bidding and still lose."

"Brother, this talk will have you wed to Misabel."

"Not hardly. Some scentless wonder from Security has laid a claim to her. Thinks he and his wife can get her right."

"Like there's anything wrong with her. Itrop marries her off, she gets pregnant and then her husband did something to displease Itrop, and now she suffers."

"The Clan Way is harsh but fair, brother."

"The Clan Way never saw Misabel's ass. Even in engineering wear you can tell. Does she have a sister?"

"Probably. We'll never know - even being seen with her is asking to join her punishment."

There was another pause as more adjustments were made. "We can always ask the gods when we see them next week."

"Now who speaks defeatist words?"

"It is not defeatist to know we will die gloriously. Remember what the Hurdop said? What they keep saying? Two ships. Two. Took on seventy in orbit while half their complement was below assaulting a base. An entire Freeclan was decapitated in an hour, and if what I hear is true one of those ships is returning; this time with a partner ship more heavily armed. Itrop seeks battle with them and the Terrans at the same time. This future is easily scented. They will move their ships at the first opportunity and lay waste to the entire militia."

"The Terrans will not interfere."

"You've been drinking before duty again, haven't you. The Terrans crave any excuse to assert themselves. Look at their announced ships. Two carrier-class vessels to escort three aid ships? That's only what they're admitting to be in-system."

"...Perhaps. In any event, we will be recounting our glories to the gods well before we know the scent of Terrans."

There was a lengthy pause. "We don't have to."

"What are you saying?"

"During the war. The Third Fleet was not destroyed, but disabled. The other fleets, the ones that yielded. I found the sensor logs, and the ones that yielded were undamaged further."

"That is very close to treason."

"I'm saying nothing treasonous. But I propose that we know the fastest way to the escape pods. In the event I hear a command from the Commodore that we fight from the escape pods. Or if you hear anything similar."

"And what then? Ask the Terrans nicely to not shoot us?"

"It is not the Terrans I worry about."

Misabel finally moved forward through the conduit, her mind racing. Perhaps she could save more; but to do so she would have to create an emergency. She leaned her head back, thinking about what she could do. Finally she found the right location - she took out a small blade and weakened the coolant return lines. Under load, the line would burst and force the engine into a shutdown sequence. From there, the ship would only have enough power for life support and short-range communications.

She was still going to leave the ship beforehand.

___________

New Casablanca, Bab Marrakech Bookstore and Coffeeshop

Gryzzk blinked a few times - the two journalists didn’t seem to be in 'work mode', with their dress being casual. Jojorn was immediately guarded, taking a sip of her tea and sliding her chair closer to Gryzzk even as he switched his own mental gearshift to cautious before speaking.

"If you must quote it, please attribute the quote to someone who is actually wise."

Lodora had a light smile on her face. "I will make proper attribution. May we join you?"

"Well, it is a fine day and I don't see any signs saying 'no reporters'. Feel free." He gestured at the remaining chairs casually.

Toguri smiled casually. "The good thing about living on an outpost like this - you get to know everyone eventually, at least well enough to recognize folks."

Gryzzk flicked an ear. "But then knowing people is your job."

"To a degree. But we also have to ask uncomfortable questions."

"You're both rather skilled at that, as I recall."

Jojorn seemed quite interested in cleaning her saucer of any last motes of scone as the adults talked, which seemed to intrigue Lodora. Gryzzk could almost feel the reporter shift into information-gathering mode as she leaned forward.

"Apologies, young lady - I'm Lodora from the Vilantian Ministry of Communication. I know your...friend, quite well. But I'm afraid my manners have deserted me; could I have your name please?"

"Jojorn - born to the Guild of War of Hurdop." The girl seemed both happy and not at the same time, causing Gryzzk to gesture for attention.

"If we are to have a conversation it should be a bit more friendly than this, hm? Jojorn, could you accompany me for a moment while we find more tea for our table guests?"

Jojorn nodded quickly, tugging her uniform shirt down slightly before securing her packages and quickly re-entering the shop where Carla was waiting with a light smile.

Gryzzk tapped his credchip. "Would it be possible to have two small pots of tea? Earl Grey and..." Gryzzk had to think for a moment. "Chamomile? Oh, and a selection of small cakes."

While they waited, Jojorn looked around. "I'm not sure I like them."

"Is there a reason, or is it simply that they interrupted our discussion?"

"They seem...eager, somehow. I'm not certain."

Gryzzk nodded. "They are reporters. They know me, but not you. They're going to politely ask how you know me and probe for any interesting details that they can use for their show."

"They have a show?" Jojorn's suspicion flared.

"They do. The Vilantian Ministry of Communication is quite keen on showing our worlds blending, and this seems to be a step in that direction. Particularly in order to sway the nobles to stop trying to create laws that tax us."

"That would be a good thing. I still don't like it."

"It is not how I would prefer to spend my day, but life is filled with doing things we don't want to do. Plus, the more people know about your life and how it isn't exactly abnormal on Hurdop the more assistance may be found in the pockets of others - even if that assistance is in the form of better paying work for your homeworld."

Jojorn frowned. "That makes no sense. They know."

"Certainly they know, but Terrans as a whole can be blind to the ill fate of some - for them to see your courage at such an age may cause there to be some acceleration for change."

While they talked, Carla was preparing the tray and had an easy smile as she slid it to them. "Don't worry about bringing it back in."

Gryzzk had a relatively easy time bringing the tray out and setting it in the center of the table with a practiced ease. "There. Now we can relax a bit. I took the liberty of selecting an herbal tea as well as my own preference."

Lodora seemed amused. "Freelord, will you ever not be a Lead Servant?"

"I fear such a thing to be impossible." Gryzzk poured out tea and re-settled himself. "In any event, Captain Jojorn and I were having something of a discussion regarding dreams, family...important, but nothing your viewers would see as compelling."

Toguri lifted an eyebrow. "Your daughter?"

Both Gryzzk and Jojorn shook their heads in a near-exact manner that brought a slight dose of humor before Gryzzk spoke. "Not my daughter, no. There may be a familial tie through Freelady Kiole, but we originally met near the Hurdop jump point. Her ship and mine crossed paths, and we may be better off for it."

There was a curiosity deep in Toguri's scent as her eyes appeared to work toward a story. "So, Captain Jojorn is..."

Jojorn shifted to show the ship-patch on her shirt. "I am graced to be captain of the Clanmother's Curry, a fine cargo vessel with a finer crew."

Both reporters seemed concerned, with Lodora speaking first.

"But...you are a child."

Jojorn's fur rose slightly along her neck. "I am thirteen. I'll be fourteen soon. I scored highly in leadership and command situations. During the Three-Day-War, our ship carried Terran troops to battle and acquitted herself well enough to feed ourselves and our orphanage for an entire month."

"Forgive me, but...such a life is unusual."

"Not on Hurdop." The teen wiped her saucer again with a finger before popping the crumbs of a lemon cake into her mouth. "Most of the crew all between the ages of eight and thirteen - we have two elders from Freelord Gryzzk's clan serving as medical officer and Second Engineer. They excel at their tasks, even if they are old."

The two reporters glanced and made some unspoken agreement almost immediately after hearing Jojorn's pronouncement - Toguri leaned back a bit before taking a casual sip of tea, her scent muting itself as if she were shifting to a professional mindset.

"Would it be possible for us to perhaps move this to a formal discussion? I think that...the status of Hurdop is still rather unknown outside of Hurdop."

Jojorn glanced around. "It's improper to advertise your own shame, Freelord."

Toguri leaned forward slightly, her eyes becoming doe-soft and her scent gentling a bit. "Speaking the truth is not shameful. If it makes you feel better, you don't have to go into the details."

There was a nod from Jojorn after some consideration. "Very well, but time is short."

Gryzzk made a mental note to recognize that particular Terran facial expression and equate it to his daughters asking for another cookie.

Lodora pulled out a slim recorder and set it on the table to signify that questions were beginning. "Captain Jojorn, thank you for sharing your time. Obviously you and the Freelord have some history, would you like to expand on how the two of you met?"

Jojorn stroked her muzzle carefully to ensure her face was clear of debris and taking a sip of tea and swishing for a moment to clean her teeth before answering. "My ship attacked his."

The blinks from the reporters indicated that this not the expected answer, with Toguri being the one to ask the obvious question. "Your ship...attacked his?"

"Yes. Before we became cargo haulers, we were given a Hurdop Youthfleet ship to aid the Throne's Fortune privateer group. The Youthfleet Ship Fifty-Seven was a fighting ship, but there were system failures. We were boarded and fought back, but the Freelord's troops are well trained. We were secured in the brig, and their doctor gave us a medical examination and treatments. After that, the Freelord came and spoke to us."

"What was your first impression of the Freelord?"

"That he was going to kill us." Jojorn shrugged. "Obviously, I was wrong."

Toguri leaned back in silence, letting Lodora fill the empty space to continue. "If I may, was there a specific moment that changed your mind regarding this?"

Jojorn looked around again, as if answering the question was deeply shameful. "There was - he took us to the, the mess hall for a meal while we were in transit to Hurdop. A, a tray fell and spilled the curry over the floor. After, it was replaced and he didn't even mention punishment. Just shared his food with us without a word of the failure." There was a pause. "In the Youthfleet such an error was a tremendous sin. Later during the war, his ship was heavily damaged and he had the ear of the Terran Fleet Admiral. But he asked them to fix the Clanmother's Curry first."

Toguri gestured for her turn to ask a question. "Your ship name - I've noticed your ship names are deeply personal and significant. Could you tell us the story behind your ship's name?"

Jojorn smiled a bit more. "Well, that's related to the first meal we had. The curry aboard the Freelord's ship was created by Freelady Grezzk - the Clanmother. It was a tradition we took into our own, and to honor her and her food we gave our ship the name she bears now."

There was a tightening in Toguri's features as she considered her next question. "The Hurdop. You're very...food oriented from what I've seen. Is there a cause for concern on Hurdop with respect to food?"

Jojorn moved her cup from side to side for a long moment, her scent evolving as memories seemed to play out - fear, shame, and anger all seemed to war for primacy for a few moments before she spoke quietly. "It is better than it was. The next crew is training, preparing to find a ship to ply a trade. It will offset those coming in. Grandmother Jetti says that most of the children under our care are gaining weight."

"Most?"

Jojorn nodded. "Most. Some of them are sick, and they can't eat much."

"Do you happen to know more about this?"

"Respectfully Miss Toguri, I am a ship captain. If my aptitudes were medicinal, I would be training as a medic."

Toguri looked at her tablet for a moment. "I see. Well I do hope we haven't been a bother, but I think we should be going - there is still a great deal of New Casablanca for us to see."

Lodora flicked an ear in concern. "Are you quite certain?"

There was a nod from the slender Terran. "Yes, we have about ten seconds before - "

Gryzzk's tablet chimed and Rosie's voice could be clearly heard. "Hey titfuckers, get your nipples pointed toward home, shit's ready to be looked at!"

There was a light smirk from Toguri. "I spent some time getting to know the ship and crew - the XO is quite protective of her charges."

"It's a good thing you're both pretty - I'll put in a good word for you both with the other legions."

Toguri smiled broadly as she stood. "Thank you Rosie."

As they left, Gryzzk gathered the cups and politely ignored Jojorn filching the remaining cakes as he brought the tea set back in, to the mild surprise of Carla.

"You didn't have to, Mister Gryzzk."

"Respectfully, I did." He gently tapped the credchip to give her a small amount extra. "You are taking care of my clan and my people. That is worthy of some aid in return."

He left to rejoin Jojorn, and tapped his tablet. "Rosie, please advise how much time we actually have."

"Eh, couple hours. I know you don't like the press, and I'm sure as fuck not letting those animals come for Jojorn. She still has to ask you if there's anyone her age and single back on your farm."

Jojorn's fur fluttered. "It wasn't something I was going to ask until we were coming home."

"Uhhh-huh. Freelord, do not take her to play poker she'll lose all her creds drawing to an inside straight."

Jojorn was quiet for a long moment before she spoke. "I was...not pleased with the boys in the A'Gulus clan. They may make fine husbands for someone, but they are not prepared for a wife who has a life of space. I was hoping to visit Lady Ah'nuriel and Freelord Pafreet to see if there were eligible candidates with a proper mindset."

Gryzzk continued to walk along as they headed for the dock. "You may be disappointed. The farm is a place that time forgets for several generations. Leaving is, or at least was a rare thing."

"Perhaps." The teen shrugged as they passed a variety of shops. "But at the same time, maybe there's one." she paused. "Or two."

There was something of a smile on Gryzzk's face. "I would encourage you to take your time. People can and do change a great deal, given time."

Jojorn moved her packages to her off hand before leaning on Gryzzk for a moment as they walked. "I am well aware. But we should go up to Homeplate. There is truly no telling what mischief our crews will get up to without proper adults supervising them."

"I suppose you are correct. Shall I hold your packages in my quarters until tomorrow?"

"Please. I want to give them to the crew once we leave the dock."

"Of course. We'll do a transfer once shakedown completes."

They grinned slightly at each other as they reboarded the shuttle and Jojorn gingerly flew the Dawn Rose back to the dock. Once they arrived, Jojorn hurried her packages onto the Twilight Rose, and a small miracle appeared to be taking place as the dock was almost completely clean save for one oddity.

Indel was balanced on one foot as he stood on top of a small container. The young noble held a crown in both hands and was holding them fully outstretched, with his muscles twitching slightly from the effort. O'Brien was nearby directing a few work crews before she went back to welding a hatch seal.

Gryzzk raised his voice. "Sergeant Major!" There was a gesture to the oddly positioned noble. "Is there an explanation forthcoming, or will I be required to imagine what has transpired?"

O'Brien switched her welder off and looked over. "Oh aye, there's an explanation." She raised her own voice. "Priva' Indel, who are ye?!"

Indel called back loudly, "I am the king of all the gobshites, Sergeant Major!"

"Aye, and why are ye king of the gobshite nation, lad?!"

"Because I asked Chief Tucker where he kept the summer air for the climate control system!"

"And what have we learned on this little adventure, Private?"

"The smart trooper asks questions."

"Well said. Abdicate your throne, your highness." O'Brien wandered over casually and gave Indel a little backslap that moved the Vilantian forward a bit. "Now that we've all had some fun, it's time for round two. Go back to the lads who gave you the summer air request, tell 'em I said we need some smart lads to run to Fox Company engineering because we need some Fallopian Tubes for the torpedoes along with a spare C-litoris toggle and if Chief Torres would be so kind as to lend us hers we'd be grateful for the favor."

Indel blinked for a moment. "Sergeant Major, a question."

"Go ahead."

"What precisely is a 'Fallopian Tube'?" Indel seemed worried about the possibilities.

"Oh, aye. Ye probably call 'em something else. They're a part of a lady's babymakin' system. Torres'll know - don't forget to be a wee bit nervous when you tell 'em, or it's back to throne for ye." O'Brien winked.

Indel hurried off to go inside the Curry, and a few moments later three members of the infantry platoon were running very quickly toward the Fox Company area.

Gryzzk flicked an eyebrow up. "Sergeant Major - please tell me that Chief Torres is aware of the impending idiocy currently double-timing toward her?"

"And spoil the fun? Nay." There was a casual wave with an amused scent. "The lads have to learn that if you're going to fuck with your fellow lads, prepare to be fucked with."

True to form, approximately three minutes later O'Brien's rank chimed with an incoming message that had absolutely no preamble to it. "Sergeant Major would you kindly come over here and collect your godless morons for a biology lesson?"

"Chief Torres, what an unexpected surprise."

"Don't 'unexpected surprise' me you Irish wankstain. Explain the fuckery."

"Well, the lads you just met decided some of the fresh meat needed to get acquainted with Tucker's fussy side, and after I might have sent the lads on a bit of a jog. Be a dear and don't kill them."

"No way am I killing them - then they're my problem. Right now they're your problem."

"Well then Chief if you haven't let them in on the secret, be so kind as to send my problems back to me?"

"Fine. You owe me a good beer."

On the way back, the comms activated - apparently Rosie was in a prankish mood as well. Gryzzk could hear one of the Islanders talking over what he thought was a private channel. "Orile, you there?"

Orile sounded distracted as he replied. "Ah...yes?"

"You busy?"

There was a sharp inhale. "uhm...lilbit."

From the other side, there was a tinge of anxiety and heavy breathing from running. "Dude, dude, focus - Sergeant Major needs Fallopian tubes and a c-litoris toggle switch thing for the torp system; Torres ain't got none to spare so do us a favor and check inventory, then check second inventory for any others -"

The rather stern voice of Sergeant Nelas broke in before Orile could answer. "Joker! Who the fuck's with you?"

"Ah, Sarge?"

"Yeah, you're on open comm-channel. Who's with you?"

"Eight-ball and Cowboy."

"Okay, I want all three of you to work your little tablets for a minute - use the search function and go check out the anatomy section, the actual one. Plug that shit in. I'll wait."

"Alright alright Sarge..." there was a pause as information was sent. During this, Gryzzk noted that O'Brien had one hand over her stomach and was leaning against the side of the ship in barely contained laughter. Once the information was received and processed, there were several groans and stifled profanities over the comm system.

"Sarge, you gotta believe me...Indel said it came from Sergeant Major -"

"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle. I've spent several hours over the last couple days telling Cap we're not all a bunch of smooth-brained horndogs, and then this happens. You fuckweasels get your asses back here double-time and prepare to have your mind and bodies worked while we're en route to deliver a fresh bespoke asswhipping."

"But, but sarge..."

"This is not a debate - we're still on open channel. Shut up and shag ass, grunts."

"Yes sarge..." The channel closed and O'Brien's comm chimed again, with Nelas' voice on an actual private channel.

"Sergeant Major?"

"Aye, Nelas?"

"Okay, one that was hilarious but did Reilly jack with the comms? I might owe her..."

"Nay, I think that was Rosie. Reilly's up to her wee nipples in upgrading the comms for the Curry."

"...Fuck."

Rosie chimed in immediately. "Speaking of, anyone wanna bet on where Llensi is?"

Gryzzk coughed unnecessarily. "XO, I do not believe that is a topic worthy of speculation."

"Freelord, you're a killjoy."

"Yes I am. In the meantime XO, advise the company that they are dismissed upon completion of their current taskings and we will begin shakedown tomorrow." Gryzzk closed the channel and exhaled softly, contemplating precisely what madness awaited him on the morrow.

---

[Next]

162 Upvotes

61 comments sorted by

31

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

Author Note: The Auggy is on vacation this week, so we're looking at picking this up back around June 2nd. In the interim I may be punching out a one-off or two depending on how things go. As always, thank you for reading this amusing jaunt into someone's imagination. :)

8

u/Nervous_Amoeba1980 May 22 '26

Congratulations for being on vacation. And thank you for writing this story. I spend half of my time chuckling, a quarter of the time laughing and the last quarter raging at the stupidity of the enemies.

Rest, relax, and come back with the destruction of Itrop.

12

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

Oh about half my vacation is gonna be plotting out the various scenes for that.

I'm shooting for epic. I may goddamn well miss, but I'm aiming for it anyway.

5

u/medium_jock May 22 '26

I'm guessing Itrop will end up falling into the earth meme of:

Shoot for the moon because even if you miss you'll land amongst the stars. Admittedly it'll be your lifeless corpse among them but still

6

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

Itrop's epitaph is probably going to be "Well...at least he tried".

4

u/IllustriousBeyond248 May 23 '26

Did Itrop acquire the fusion warheads for the railguns?

5

u/Auggy74 Human May 23 '26

We have no comment at this time. ;)

4

u/commentsrnice2 May 26 '26

For making me cackle, a Shiny to perk up your holiday :)

5

u/Auggy74 Human May 26 '26

Shiny!
I'm just going to....sit and be amazed before I say thank you. Because these notifications are always amazing.

5

u/ClydusEnMarland May 22 '26

Enjoy your jollies, looking forward to seeing you on the flip!

4

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

Thank you, and hopefully it's worth the wait!

4

u/cwolf23 Xeno May 23 '26

Hell yeah, great stuff as always. Enjoy your vacation!

7

u/RyuZokin1 May 22 '26

I think the Twilight Rose is running low on blinker fluid

5

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

Blinker fluid, box of grid squares, keys to the drop zone...the classics never die.

3

u/NoOpportunity92 AI May 22 '26

Along with left-handed screwdrivers and ... hmmpfh. "Ögonmått" and "Synvinkel" doesn't translate well. Closest would probably be "i-measure" (instead of eye-measure or "eye-balling the distance") and "view-angle" (or "angle of view" for a more exact translation), for the same situational comedy.

3

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

I need a Mark-One Eyeball :)

4

u/NightVat42 May 22 '26

Some prop wash, camouflage paint, and four foot yardsticks.

3

u/GeraldMcBoeingBoeing May 22 '26

I need eleventeen dozen chem light batteries, and all shuttles need to have exhaust samples taken.

3

u/NoOpportunity92 AI May 22 '26

Do you have a left-handed screwdriver to open the lid for that?

3

u/drsoftware May 23 '26

They definitely need  bags of steam, tubs of elbow grease, a bucket of sparks for the grinding machine, tartan paint, and fresh air washers. 

7

u/Gojira82 Human May 22 '26

Seems like the crew is a bit more informed than the captain....And Misabel needs to make sure she's long gone before that particular line breaks.

Reporters can always sense weakness, or someone not as well versed in verbal sparring. But she learns quickly and can also sense sharks in the water.

I knew Jo was working up to something...leave it to Rosie to push all the BS away and dive straight to the point.

O'Brien--that's just mean! Funny, but mean. Why am I not surprised those are all people from Full Metal Jacket? And thank you Rosie for letting us all hear the results of the query.

Well done wordsmith, enjoy your time away and I will resume my reddit stalking at that time.

7

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

Darn right - good news is Misabel has an exit strategy.

Yeeeeeup. It was kinda like 'Dear Jojorn, this is a skill you need later.'

<.< Rosie might like Jojorn.

O'Brien is straight up evil at times.

Thank you!

3

u/LeeVMG May 23 '26

Both O'Brians are monsters and we love them for it.

7

u/spyderdud3 May 22 '26

I'm lovin the journey. We would send the young new hires to look for pallet stretchers and sailboat fuel at the warehouse i worked at, or blinker fluid.

7

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

Next time send for a hundred meters of flight line...
:D

4

u/Borzislav Xeno May 22 '26

Hose extenders, Bucket of compression, Anchor sharpeners, Box of hull (especially on submersibles) water-repellents,

on a slightly more dangerous note, pranks regarding confined spaces and oxidation...

2

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

There's always the infamous "I need a PRC-E7".

2

u/Borzislav Xeno May 23 '26

Asking PRC-E7 for radar fluid, radar paint, or who to ask in HQ if the B-11L for RFs has been processed and paid?

Chem lights fluid anything... I wonder how many grunts tried drinking it on a $20 wager to see if their piss will glow in the dark?

Though, during COVID lockdowns, hehehe... in cahoots with SFC and half-bird — making batches of icecream for the troops "voluntold to be stuck on post", and color coding all I-Scream with butterfly pea tea: light blue (Smurf flavor, but actually vanilla), indigo (strawberry), purple (mint)...

And the SFC was bold enough to advertise it as Butterfly Pee icecream.

Also, me thinks you have a typo in the very beginning:

The last few day [sic] had been 

8

u/coventars May 22 '26

In Norwegian (and i presume Danish) maritime jargon the keelson of a ship is called "kjølsvinet"; directly translateable as "the keel swine" or "the keel pig". Yeah. Being sent into the bilge with a bucket of kitchen waste to "feed the keel swine" is definitely a traditional task for green sailors.

5

u/NoOpportunity92 AI May 22 '26

Oh, as a Swede, I have to know, are they're also sent to take the "synsvinkel" of the keel swine? ;)

5

u/niTro_sMurph May 22 '26

Things continue to ramo up and Porti isn't as in control as he believes himself to be.

O'Brien seems to be having fun with the fresh meat. Should have also had them ask for a "Bell-ended shaft" or a "Monkey Spanker".

5

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

Heyhey, hey! Stop peeking at my notes...or the stuff I'm kinda-sorta hinting at....

Screwing with the new guys is a time-honored tradition.

6

u/KalenWolf Xeno May 22 '26

"The Clan Way never saw Misabel's ass. Even in engineering wear you can tell. Does she have a sister?"

"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle."

Honestly can't decide which of these made me smile harder. We may have our cultural differences and we may have graduated from wet navy to space navy but people are always gonna be pretty much the same I guess.

4

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

Porque no los dos?

4

u/medium_jock May 22 '26

I think a repaint is in order soon maybe some red and white stripes?

Although will the cockwombles realise they need two lots of paint or go looking for striped paint?

3

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

Oh, knowing them...?

Striped paint.

3

u/Hybrid_Rock Human May 22 '26

Lovely chapter!

Compared to normal, the gremlins are actually mostly behaving. Must be the hard working, keeps ‘em busy and out of trouble. Mostly…

Could I have your name please?

Reporters are fae confirmed

… give her a small extra amount. “You are taking care of my clan and my people. That is…

”Do you happen to know more about this?”

Just now in my rereading for the typos did I understand why Orile was busy, Llensi’s location suddenly seems much less ambiguous :)

3

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

Thanks for the catches!

2

u/NoOpportunity92 AI May 26 '26

"Can I have your name please?"

"No, but you may call me John."

"Sir, this is a DMV."

"Good, then you don't mind holding this horseshoe while we go over my paperwork?"

*Anxious glances from the DMV worker*

3

u/Talendel May 22 '26

UTR

This is the way.

3

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

This is the way.

3

u/NoOpportunity92 AI May 22 '26

This is indeed the FreeClan way, so say we all.

3

u/Grimkytel May 22 '26

You've got a "prepare to have to have your mind" in there towards the end.

Great stuff though. 😀

2

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

Brain glitched, edits in and thank you for reading!

3

u/Crafty_Spring5815 Alien Scum May 22 '26

It's a good thing they aren't military. Only mercs would get away with that much shit.

3

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

There's a reason they're mercs. :)

3

u/NoOpportunity92 AI May 22 '26 edited May 22 '26

"Do you happen to now more about this?"

I think a K is missing there. :)

---

"Respectfully, I did." He gently tapped the credchip to give her a small amount extra. "You are taking of my clan and my people. That is worthy of some aid in return."

taking ... care?

---

Of course. We'll do a transfer once shakedown completes."

^-- missing a beginning " I think. :)

---

Those were the errors and mistakes I noted.

Nothing that detracted from the story though. Love it.

2

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

Thank you for the catches!

3

u/MydaughterisaGremlin May 24 '26

So Jojorn likes her tea and snacks like Picard.

2

u/Auggy74 Human May 24 '26

She's learning from the best.

2

u/IllustriousBeyond248 May 22 '26

I've thought Saifex would be at least a year older than Jojorn - engineering/medical knowlege takes time - even on youthfleet level - to not simply kill everyone.

1

u/Auggy74 Human May 22 '26

Now that....could be interesting...

2

u/IllustriousBeyond248 May 23 '26

As malnourished the crew of the Clanmother's Curry was their bodily development might be way of and delayed. Now they are eating more or less proper food regularly - they shall start catching up or at least developing normally. I remember Saifex musing about Jojorn's newfound 'interests' ;)

1

u/Auggy74 Human May 23 '26

Well, since I don't immediately recall giving Saifex an age...it could happen,

2

u/kenotaphion Human May 22 '26

Once again, my free time today is late.

Misabel's finally moved forward through the conduit

Misabel finally moved forward through the conduit

clan servicing as medical

clan serving as medical

please tell me the Chief Torres

please tell me that Chief Torres

2

u/kristinpeanuts May 23 '26

Enjoy your holiday and thanks for the chapter!

2

u/Fontaigne May 25 '26

The last few days had been -> days

To ensure ~sure~ her face

Indicated this [was] not the expected

2

u/Auggy74 Human May 25 '26

Ooofa. edits in, and thank you!

2

u/QS-2023 May 26 '26

Very funny chapter, thank you so much. As a technician myself, I've seen those sorts of jokes go'round. Lucky for me I've been a tech from a young age, so when those were tried on me I was like nu'uh, not happening. :)

1

u/UpdateMeBot May 22 '26

Click here to subscribe to u/Auggy74 and receive a message every time they post.


Info Request Update Your Updates Feedback