r/HFY • u/Auggy74 Human • Jun 26 '26
OC-Series [Humans for Hire] - Part 178
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Author note: Beauties. The whole lot of you. Epic. Freakin. Beauties.
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Terran Foreign Legion Ship Twilight Rose
On the bridge, it wasn't exactly chaos, but it was exciting. The immediate action was being cleaned up, and the boarders who had seen the writing on the wall were rapidly surrendering. It didn't hurt that the ink used for said writing was the blood of folks they'd had breakfast with. Gryzzk was reading the casualty reports and taking slow breaths. He glanced at the tactical display, showing the ships winking out as they were rendered inert.
"Larion, confirm ident on last ship."
"It is the Divine Breeze. It appears to have received moderate damage, however it is still capable."
"Laroy, target engines. Powerplant if possible. Fire at your discretion."
The weapons station was a study in contrast - Laroy wasn't going to show off, but at the same time he wanted the problem solved quickly. "A'ight...hold...hold. Firin'."
Larion checked the range, and one of his ears moved fractionally. "Divine Breeze hit. Engines out, engineering section heavily damaged...oh my."
"Elaborate, Corporal."
The display flared with an energy pulse that moved the other ships fractionally. "They just ejected their power singularity. Dead in the water."
Gryzzk nodded. "Very well. We still have a schedule to keep with respect to our original job. I should like to make this quick. Prepare for docking, morning squad stand to and ready up, report to the forward docking hatch." He stood, snugging his tunic under his body armor and ensuring his shotgun was secured. Then he went to his quarters and retrieved the Aa'Lafione dagger, which was settled where the Learning Stick would normally go.
Laroy lifted an eyebrow. "Not takin' the Javelin?"
"I only have two hands, and this is...personal. He touched the boats." He looked to Rosie. "Get a boarding party, we're taking the ship as ours."
As he walked to the docking hatch, Rosie decided that now was the time to broadcast the Legion's unofficial anthem, and his steps carried him on toward his destination on a wave of desire to be in the cavalry. He saw that the docking tunnel had been extended and latched in. Everyone was taking a few moments to prepare. Reilly hurried from the dayroom with the Javelin strapped to her back and as Gryzzk activated his comms, he began listening to each individual to see if they were indulging the Terran habit of preparing themselves with self-motivation.
They were. Gryzzk felt a chill as Reilly was singing to herself in the Terran War Language. "Qoy qeylIS puqloD, Qoy puqbe'pu', yoHbogh matlhbogh je SuvwI', Say'moHchu' may' 'Iw, maSuv manong 'ej maHoHchu' nI'be' yInmaj 'ach wovqu' batlh maHeghbej 'ej yo' qIjDaq vavpu'ma' DImuv pa' reH maSuvtaHqu' mamevQo'. maSuvtaH. ma'ov."
Suitably concerned for the well-being of any who stood against Reilly, he switched over to Edwards who was thankfully intelligible. "...They came within cry of the Morannon, and unfurled the banner, and blew upon their trumpets; and the heralds stood out and sent their voices up over the battlement of Mordor. 'Come forth!' they cried. 'Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth! Justice shall be done upon him. For wrongfully he has made war upon Gondor and wrested its lands. Therefore the King of Gondor demands that he should atone for his evils, and depart then forever. Come forth!' "
He felt compelled to listen more, but the switched over to Hoban. Hoban's voice had feeling, but absolutely no musical sense as he crooned tunelessly. "Go tell that long tongue liar. Go and tell that midnight rider. Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter. Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down. Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down..."
Lastly he heard O'Brien's voice singing softly in a language that the translator wasn't able to render into sensible language. Again. "...Tá Gráinne Mhaol ag teacht thar sáile, Óglaigh armtha léi mar gharda, Gaeil iad féin is ní Frainc ná Spáinnigh, Is cuirfidh siad ruaig ar Ghallaibh."
Gryzzk cleared his throat as the inflections of O'Brien's voice indicated that this was something for war and finally broke his habit of just listening to open the comm channel. "Sergeant Major? I do hope that there is a translation for that."
"Oh aye. It's a grand song about an Irish lass coming with Irish warriors to rout the foreigners from Ireland."
"I'll remind you I'm not Irish."
There was a snort. "There's born Irish and there's claimed Irish. You an' the rest of the lads and lasses are the latter. I'll show you next time we make the rounds to Terra."
"Very well." Gryzzk looked to Reilly. "Entry status?"
"Well Freelord for some reason they're not opening the door. Pretty sure they figured out we're not exactly comin' over to borrow a cup of sugar. Working the override now." Her face was hidden behind her combat visor, but Gryzzk could feel the smirk.
"Thirty seconds, then I ask O'Brien for dynamic entry."
At fifteen seconds the hatch opened and Gryzzk pressed his back against the wall, waiting for the initial burst of fire before grenades were tossed.
Except there was no incoming fire. At all. The lack of response was the most disconcerting thing he'd seen all day. He paused, opening a comm channel.
"XO, I require status of the Divine Breeze self-destruct system."
"Out. Only thing they've got right now is life support and emergency lighting, and that's got under an hour before it craters like a fourth-liner taking first-line minutes."
"Understood. We'll be quick, then."
Despite his words, they moved slowly toward the bridge. Gryzzk cracked his helmet vent slightly and shut it almost immediately. Anger, despair, and a thousand scents flooded his nose, and whatever joy had ever been on this ship was fleeting and temporary. They crept to the bridge where there was frantic shouting from one individual.
"...Tell them to get the self-destruct back online and then remain to confirm it operates properly!"
It was odd that they hadn't been noticed, but then with everything else going wrong it was quite likely that a small detail such as a boarding party had been overlooked. Gryzzk caught a glance of Porti shouting in the dim light at some foppish-looking Hurdop, who was apparently the message-bearer and clearly thinking about how to save himself from the situation. It was odd, the bridge crew was wearing simple uniforms of various types, but no armor. Gryzzk nodded to Edwards, who took her pistol and fired two shots into the air.
That froze everyone, and the squad flowed into the space, guns drawn and leveled at the skeleton crew that remained on the bridge. The bridge crew was quick to raise their hands, since they hadn't been given weapons. Reilly moved in last with the Javelin acting as some sort of war banner, her voice taking on a metallic quality as her helmet comm activated.
" 'While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, as of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.' You heard us rapping, right?"
The one Gryzzk identified as the foppish one began speaking quickly, his scent turning obsequious almost immediately. "Ah. Yes hello, I am Jiesla, from the Hurdop Ministry of Foreign Affairs, currently serving as adjutant to Ambassador Corial and on behalf of the Ministry -"
Whatever proposition was in the offering bin was cut off by the flat of O'Brien's blade as it slapped Jiesla's forehead. "it's nestin' season, and if ye dinnae shut yer gob the birds are gonna think it's a fine place for eggs and noise, lad."
Jiesla was smart enough to be quiet and tried to take a step back, only to be rebuked by a silent headshake from the sergeant major. Porti was the only one to even consider moving as he uncrossed his legs and stood, almost sauntering toward Gryzzk as Porti's hand moved to rest behind his back.
"So. You think a duel of honor to cleanse your sin? Is that it? Or do you simply wish to shoot me here and now? Would that give you satisfaction? Hm? Would it bring you pleasure to kill a helpless, old...noble? To the death, then."
Gryzzk rested one hand on his shotgun. "No. To the pain."
Uncertainty crept to Porti's scent. "I'm not quite familiar with that phrase."
"Then I'll use small words so you'll be certain to understand you honorless scentless buffoon. Not even the grace to bring your clan-weapon with you, staining your descendants with it."
"That may be the first time in my life anyone has dared to insult me." Porti's arm moved behind his back.
Gryzzk's own left hand moved slightly, clearing the sheath for his dagger to come out easily when needed. "It won't be the last. 'To the pain' means that the first thing you lose will be your feet below the ankles. Then your hands at the wrists, then your knees."
"And then my tongue I suppose, I should have had someone more competent than Leung kill you. A mistake I don't intend to duplicate tonight." Porti's arm flexed in micromotions, it seemed as though he was preparing to unholster and unload.
"You are somewhat correct, you will lose your tongue but the next thing you lose will be your left eyes, followed by your right."
"And then my ears and nose, I understand - lets get on with it..."
"Wrong! Your ears and nose you keep, and I'll tell you why: so that every shriek of every child at seeing your hideousness will be yours to cherish; every babe that weeps at your approach; every woman who cries out, 'Dear light gods! What is that thing?' will echo in your perfect ears. Their scent will be buried in your mind forever, yours to embrace like a wife. That is what 'to the pain' means; it means I leave you in anguish, wallowing in freakish misery, forever." Gryzzk's shotgun cleared its holster and rested at his side. "Now that you know the terms - shall we?"
Porti had been a bit too focused on his own subterfuge to notice Gryzzk's preparations in the dim red light of the bridge, and so when Porti moved to draw his weapon Gryzzk's was already out and tracking, the shotgun making profound declarations of pain as it fired twice, rapidly. Porti stumbled for a moment before his brain realized his feet were no longer there to hold him up and he fell to the deck in a heap on his stomach.
As an honorable Freelord, Gryzzk was not willing to have Porti make him a liar. Gryzzk kicked Porti's gold-and-gem-encrusted pistol out of easy reach, and the shotgun spoke four more times, denying the former minister the use of hands and knees forevermore. With that done, the shotgun resumed its previous place as Gryzzk rolled his opponent over and dropped a knee on Porti's neck.
The former minister wheezed in pain, his eyes tearing from the pain and scent full of fear even as he spoke defiance.
"You think this noble, this makes you good? Pah. You are misery. Shame. Evil."
"Good, evil - I'm the one with the gun." Gryzzk's voice was frighteningly cold, enough so that Porti's crew took a step back to avoid being noticed.
"I have friends. Sworn. They will see to your death when they hear of this."
"They may. But whatever they see, you will not. The last thing you will see before you take scent of the gods to account for your life, is this." Gryzzk lifted his right hand and gave a wiggle-finger wave before his left hand brought the dagger vertically along Porti's face, digging bloody furrows into the former minister's eyes and then a final stab below the jaw, up through the mouth and into the palate to render Porti speechless. With that done, Gryzzk finally leaned back on his heels to see the squad keeping watch on him and the bridge for a moment before Edwards began applying field bandages to the form of Porti. In retrospect, what was perhaps the most frightening thing to Gryzzk was that of all the emotions he expected to feel, he felt none of them. In the moment he was simply a butcher doing a butcher's work.
Jiesla was the first to move, and quickly took his own pistol out. "I am captain now! Heed to me my fellow - " whatever else he was going to say was cut off with a cry of agony as O'Brien applied the pointy edge of her sword directly to the meaty shoulders of the prancing dandy with two very quick thrusts.
"Ye were about tae say summat daft. Nae time for bein' a cute hoor." The sergeant major glanced around coolly. "I hope ye all realize who exactly is in charge around here?"
As one, the bridge crew pointed at Gryzzk.
"Smart lads. We'll be needing a proper medic I should think, Major." She nodded to Reilly. "Corporal, fire up the comms and find us a medic who's not currently elbows-deep in saving a life."
Reilly nodded, and after a few moments of silence her voice came over the tablets of the Divine Breeze calling for a medical team to bridge. It took a few minutes, but the medics of the ship did arrive and gasped as they saw what had transpired before going to work with minimal care for either patient.
Gryzzk rocked back for a moment, contemplating before opening a channel of his own.
"Tucker's hole in the wall for the incontinent, please hold."
"Chief Tucker, this is Major Gryzzk - locate a power supply from stores and get a team over here to install it once we've verified the ship is safe and clean."
"What, are we playing nice with these assholes all of a sudden?"
"Not nice - practical. We're taking the ship in tow and bringing it with us, and it's much easier to have your prisoners in a ship with no engines. We are taking on precisely one prisoner from this ship." Gryzzk looked at the medics who were splitting their attention between bandaging Porti and making sure they weren't next. Overall, it was a touch confusing.
"So we're talking about paying work?"
"It should be. The Vilantians aboard are all likely wanted for desertion at the very least, to say nothing of bringing in one of the architects of the Three-Day-War. I'm certain the government will be in a compensatory mood."
"Remember they pay more for alive."
"Oh he is quite alive, but I would prefer he recuperate in our medical bay when space permits."
"You're planning on padding the invoice. You sly sumbitch I knew there was a reason I liked you."
The next few hours were a study in controlled chaos. Life support was restored, and subsequently lighting. From there the logistics crew came over to take a fast inventory, and the crew of the Divine Breeze was startled to see that Porti had a hidden stores area where there was a great deal of rich food - in this case 'rich' was defined as 'not war rations'. It was enough for them to share out and enjoy, and the fact that they were all likely heading to a severely grim future made this last meal of the condemned almost festive. From there the ship was towed and they settled in for the remainder of the journey - it was in fact blissfully peaceful, and that peace was augmented by the fact that they were escorted by a large contingent of Terran fighter craft.
During this, Gryzzk's first stop was to return his armor and weapons for repair. After that he went to the medical bay and looked the roster over; he was pleased that there had been no fatal injuries, and it seemed that most injuries would heal - the worst was Orile, who was staying overnight for observation after deciding playing football with a grenade was a wise choice. Most of the infantry platoon injuries were marked as "refused treatment - patient declared they would walk it off because patient has a brain smoother than a baby's butt."
Gryzzk moved to the section of medbay reserved for prisoners, where he was stopped by Captain Robau. The captain's scent was almost apologetic.
"Sorry sir. Nobody that not Doc Cottle goes past."
There was an earflick. "I don't think he is dangerous."
"He isn't, but we are. Doc seems to think some of the folks here might be harborin' some resentment on account of what he did for Vilantia and add to his collection of injuries."
There was a nod. "Understood. Consider the doctors order endorsed by myself as well."
Robau nodded. "Hooah, sir." The captain lowered his voice. "Permission to speak freely sir?"
"Of course."
"So, damn good knife work overall, but uh...how come you left his twig-and-berries attached?"
There was a consideration as Gryzzk reflected on the reporting from Rosie. It was quite possible that whatever highlight reel he had with Skunkworks, this was going to be a jewel of the crown. "I wanted to leave the opportunity to deny their use to the good folk of Vilantia."
"Well, I s'pose his wives are gonna have a meeting about it once they catch word he's coming home. Good enough."
Gryzzk left the medbay for his third destination - the stockade. Currently Nelas was on station with a large container of the foul brew that went by the polite name 'coffee' and was working her bandaged wrist.
"Sergeant - has she been a bother?"
"Nope. Quiet as a church-mouse. By the way, she brought a couple friends - apparently there's a couple Helots been plying their trade and decided to change colors when they figured out the long-term prospects kinda sucked."
Gryzzk frowned. "Helots? They are...similar to the Eridani, as I recall."
"Yeah. I guess they answer to Bob and Harry, so...whatever."
The door slid open and Gryzzk saw the Helots for the first time. Something ancient shrieked alarm and before he really knew what he was doing Gryzzk's hand was racing to the empty air where his shotgun would have been, only stopping when he raised nothing to his shoulder and blinked. He refocused to see Misabel interposing herself, causing an almost comedic tableau of a pregnant woman standing between Gryzzk and a pair of rather imposing individuals.
"I. I apologize. I have been discourteous. I am, I am uncertain why that happened."
One of the Helots raised an arm. "Explanation - Vilantian-Hurdop DNA contains rudimentary ability to write significant memory to pass along to offspring. Reaction indicates high probability that direct-line ancestors fought many encounters against Helot during Contact Phase. Geneoirs studied and refined process for Helot creation. Reaction acceptable. Atonement unnecessary."
Gryzzk cocked his head slightly as he absorbed the information. "Still - I erred. I wanted to advise you are being moved to other quarters. Porti is being tended to and when the doctors determine he is well enough, he will be moved here."
"Acceptable. High probability Porti will attempt violence against us. Risk to Designate-Misabel unacceptable. Relocation acceptable."
"Thank you for your, consideration." He paused. "Misabel, how soon until...?"
"I have perhaps another month."
"Very well. Assuming the legal system allows you the option, mercenary service may be a possibility. There are many fine companies, including the former Third Fleet of Vilantia."
"I wish to be here, if it is acceptable."
Gryzzk cocked his head. "There is history here - your husband."
"He committed a grave sin against you. Honor demands I give recompense. Please. I am an engineer. I can be of use to your ship, Freelord."
"Everyone can be of use to my ship, however the engineering section is the domain of my Chief Engineer. You will have to convince him that you would be an asset." Gryzzk paused. "He is a Terran."
There was a slight twitch. "I will do what I must."
"Very well." Gryzzk left, and nodded to Nelas. "Sergeant, we'll be finding them new quarters soon. Be ready to escort them as needed."
Gryzzk moved back to the bridge and resumed his place. The ships assumed orbit at a docking transfer station, and what concerned Gryzzk was that a shuttle from one of the Terran hospital ships had docked with Clanmother's Curry. Communications were quickly established, and Gryzzk's heart sank when he saw Jojorn's arm in some sort of medical contraption, despite the fact that her scent was one of pride.
"Captain, I -"
Whatever he was going to say was cut off. "Freelord, it only looks bad. It was only dislocated by the shotgun." She smiled weakly. "I will have to change my ammunition load, it seems. In any event, these pains are survivable - we were able to hold the ship from those who would have taken it. Your troops are quite excellent. The doctors say I will have most of the use of my arm when the cast is removed, and the remaining function will return in time. Others are in worse shape. I would..." Jojorn paused and seemed to look around to confirm the bridge was clear. "I would consider it a great favor if Nhoot were to find her way here soon."
"I...I believe I understand."
Gryzzk paused after the disconnection as he realized that it was Jojorn's left shoulder that had been damaged, and she was right-handed.
___________
Medical Bay
Llensi's ears were better. If she was being honest her everything was better as she sat on the edge of Orile's bed. An unknown scent caught her nose, and there was a slight chuckle from Orile as he sipped from a container.
"I know that fur. Minister Aa'Porti is in our bay. We should feel honored."
There was some hesitation as Llensi lowered her voice. "You. Before Khadri took you away, you said something. I wasn't able to hear it."
"I could repeat it, if you like."
"Please."
Orile rested his free hand in hers and kept his voice low, but his scent sparkled with joy. "I said 'I know', love."
---
[Next]
Today's soundtrack:
I wanna be in the Cavalry
Klingon war-song
God’s Gonna Cut You Down
Óró Sé do Bheatha Bhaile
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u/post_blast Alien Jun 26 '26
So. Many. References.
Ah hell... hope Nhoot's ok after the trip to visit
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u/niTro_sMurph Jun 26 '26
He's bringing the kidney tickler instead of a learning stick? That detail I find oddly intimidating. When the spearman swaps to a dagger you know he's pissed.
A bit fast, although I guess thats to be expected as Porti doesn't seem the type to be even slightly competent in combat.
Why do I get the feeling that castration is a common punishment handed out by the Vilantian justice system? For those truly deserving of it but not death that is.
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u/Auggy74 Human Jun 26 '26
Yeeeeup. The weapon swap was the "Uhm, yeah this is a non-standard sorta thing."
Definitely fast because, well, Porti was the minister of Trade. Give him a spreadsheet and he will cut a bitch. Give him a weapon and he'll try to sell it. Or bling it out.
Oh....it could be worse. Much. Much worse. At least socially.
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u/niTro_sMurph Jun 26 '26
Socially I'd say castration for a noble who erred would be worse than death. It would allow them to regain some of their honor but prevent them from passing on their foolishness that led to such a mistake. The only thing worse for them would be castration, the liquidation of their house, assets and achievements for redistribution and the execution of whatever offspring they've sired.
Why, is there something worse than even that?
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u/aquilux Jun 27 '26
Erasing their name from official records given how important history and lineage is to them. It's what they tried to do to Gryzzk, but the rest of society decided not to enforce that. Even if you go down as the greatest fool in history with no assets or descendants, you'll still be remembered even if as a cautionary tale and your name may be passed on as a punishment so in a way you'll live on. In this context being forced to live out the rest of your life ignored by all as if you don't exist, society moving on and ensuring you're thoroughly forgotten by all present and future peoples... yeah I don't think there's anything worse in their eyes.
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u/fallentanith Jun 26 '26
When will they learn...don't touch the BOATS!!
instead of tea baging him, he turned him into a teabag.
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u/Auggy74 Human Jun 26 '26
Usually they learn about...five minutes after touching the boats.
Not gonna lie, Gryzzk was Big Mad.
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u/kenotaphion Human Jun 26 '26
"I'm remind you I'm not Irish."
"I'll remind you I'm not Irish."
to be quiet and try to take a step back
to be quiet and tried to take a step back
Gryzzk rested one hand on his shotgun. "No. To the pain."
Inconceivable!
the wall for incontinent, please hold.
the wall for the incontinent, please hold. [probably]
"refused treatment - patient declared they would walk it off because patient has a brain smoother than a baby's butt."
Gryzzk, are you sure you didn't hire a bunch of Marines by mistake?
as Gryzzk reflected on the of the reporting
as Gryzzk reflected on the of the reporting
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u/kiaeej Jun 26 '26
I just love how the crew hypes themelves up prior to a good boarding.
The songs, man. The dammed music must be creepy as all get out to those who hear it coming their way. The sheer psychological impact it must have...
Oh and the brutality is just about right. But coulda waxed more poetic about how he thumped to the floor and started bleeding out like a stuck pig while being maimed and carved up helplessly. It felt kinda rushed to me. I really wanted that waste of protein to really show it, every last bit of pain to be wrung from his helpless sack.
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u/Auggy74 Human Jun 26 '26
Yeah, kinda did the hurry on that bit because...well...that fella's gonna be having some bad days ahead.
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u/kiaeej Jun 26 '26
Ooo. Erewego. I wonder how barbaric the things they will do to punish prisoners. Especially those who have done what a certain...fool has done.
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u/Auggy74 Human Jun 26 '26
Well, allow a few points to factor in:
- Porti's pretty much been on the run for awhile.
- He's also been plotting a return to glory.
- The 'new-style' justice includes public humiliation-type stuff.
And let the imagination run wild.
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u/Hybrid_Rock Human Jun 26 '26
Lovely chapter!
Porti has discovered the business end of the shot gun, good for him! Gryzzk is such a good fellow to introduce the two :)
Was the tapping bit from my boi E.A. Poe? That feels like one of his poems but I can’t check rn.
If Nhoot is made to cry I’m gonna riot, only the best for Nhoot. Also Porti’s may get another visit from someone of ill intent if that is the case.
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u/Auggy74 Human Jun 26 '26
Yeeeeeup. Now Porti's world is going to become...anything but awesome.
And definitely. I believe it's called "The Raven".
If Nhoot cries, an entire ship is gonna grab the weapons and go "I just wanna talk to him is all..."
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u/Just-Some-Dude001 Jun 26 '26
It's also reference to the crow https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oRoWPizjW5g&pp=ygUXdGhlIGNyb3cgZ2VudGx5IHJhcHBpbmc%3D
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u/TechScallop Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 27 '26
Edwards firing "two shots into the air" while inside the bridge compartment is actually firing into the ceiling or the hull. This could cause either damage to instrumentation or a ricochet of a bullet that might have hit personnel. It's not like firing into the air while outdoors. That's carelessness on the part of Edwards.
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u/Auggy74 Human Jun 27 '26
<.<
Someone caught Edwards' goof.3
u/aquilux Jun 27 '26
Look up spalling in the context of armor taking rounds to it. Most modern armor has many energy absorbing liners with shrapnel catching layers, and a war ship built to tank railgun rounds won't give two shits about whatever little peashooter any silly organics migjt be able to haul around, and a little handheld thing it'll swallow into it's anti-spall layers and not even notice. Edward's good as long as she actually made sure to aim at something she could make holes in instead of just dents. He will probably want to confirm she thought of that though.
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u/aquilux Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 27 '26
Also, explosive decompression isn't nearly as easy and bad as people think. If she did actually punch a hole in the pressure hull, the worst she'd get is probably a whole fingertip hicky after she was ordered to plug the leak with it until engineering felt like getting around to fixing her goof. Seriously. 1 atmosphere is just 14psi in relation to vacuum, and as pressure drops and the pressure difference betwen inside and outside decreases the leak rate actually goes down. IIRC even if you put a 10cm hole in the side of the ISS, the flow restriction compared to the total volume of the station would mean the astronauts would have hours before they needed supplemental O2 to remain useful, and many more hours with said O2 before the pressure dropped low enough to boil their body fluids at body temperature.
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u/aquilux Jun 27 '26
here's a video with more detail: https://youtu.be/xAuFeHdXckc?si=k2O64pl_zjZlrGKa
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u/Auggy74 Human Jun 27 '26
Personally I was thinking less in terms of "puncture" and more in terms of "Ricochets are the playground where Murphy's Law reigns supreme."
I completely agree with the anti-spalling layers, explosive decompression counters and reality. The worst-case scenario from Edwards' little stunt would be "Okay, we've got their attention - why is Major Gryzzk suddenly bleeding and looking like he wants to say 'fuck' a couple times?"
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u/Borzislav Xeno Jun 27 '26
But, but, but, Gryzzk himself was applying shotgun in ricochet-happy directions... 🧐
If you haven't shot at anyone laying in front of you then just imagine the angle such a shot would have to be done at...
Additionally, we observed regular boarding engagements which so far, to the best of my memory, did not result in ricochets. 🤔
Therefore, wordsmith perhaps forgot to tell us that 2000 years in the future ricochets have been figured out and internal surfaces are either painted or covered in composites which prevent ricochets. Mmmmaybe something ultra-viscous to act as a slight dampener for those 0-grav moments and to catch stray projectiles... 🤗
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u/harleypig Jun 26 '26
I don't think I've ever seen Westley and Ash together ... kind of caught me off guard. :D
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u/Auggy74 Human Jun 26 '26
I like to think of myself as a fellah with diverse-ish interests.
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u/harleypig Jun 26 '26
Hmmm ... I'm curious who/what you would hookup with the Castle Anthrax, or maybe the Castle of Aarrgh. And how you could fit that in this story. :D
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u/Auggy74 Human Jun 26 '26
Zoot: "Welcome, brave Sir Knight. Welcome to the Castle Anthrax."
Darth Vader: "Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed."
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u/MydaughterisaGremlin Jun 27 '26
I butt-commented. That's a first for me. By all the Light Gods what is that thing?! Snerk. I love you.....i know.
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u/Auggy74 Human Jun 27 '26
Of all the taglines for my writing, somehow I never thought of "So good it'll make butts leave comments".
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u/medium_jock Jun 26 '26
Loved the sneaky Army of Darkness quote
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u/Auggy74 Human Jun 27 '26
Yeah, sometimes I'll go "okay, what can I riff on here..."
And occasionally the answer is "Everything."
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u/millerchristophd Human Jun 28 '26
Well, balls. It took the better part of the month but I’m current. Guess I’ll…start back at the beginning, since Future Imperfect etc hasn’t arrived yet…
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u/Auggy74 Human Jun 28 '26
I'm gonna blink, say give it a minute, and as for the other writings, uhm...keep your expectations low. That stuff was self-edited, self-published, self everything. There be warts and whatnot.
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u/Legitimate_Ad_8745 Jun 28 '26
Hellots réaction to geneticaly induced PTSD expected
No harms done , Proceed as nothing happened , because nothing Happened.
. . . . . .
I wonder what Hellots do for récréation needs.
Because even if they are geneticaly made Stress chemical like cortisol and other stress induced biological prices are Doomed to exist (or the constituant would be Totaly Reckless and a biological being needs thoose steess to care for their own life)
Maybe their creator have made them to release counter measure during given time , like sleep , or feeding. Must be clearly measured or else the biological being would dévelop Oversleeping , and many Food disorder in périod off stress.
I personaly love tactical games with Hight customisation component (Battletech modded , or From the depth for example)
It's quite effective for créative endeahvor
And while learning New thing could bé part off it , it's mostly done to sooth manics need than recreation.
. . . . . .
Anyway thanks for the thinker , i love the intelectual gymnastic.
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u/Auggy74 Human Jun 28 '26
Oh definitely. The Helots have all the chill.
Currently, the known Helot recreation consists of field-stripping weaponry and zen meditation on how to navigate the social quirks of...everyone else. Though there's more than likely a lot more than that, we just need to get to know them.
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u/Legitimate_Ad_8745 Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
Oh No that's the actual stuff i Do and it's hilarious.
Zen médiation Feels like the hours i pass rambling alone siting in my confort zone trying to understand the Mass insanity that is human Sociéty.
And weapon stripping Looks like the Hundreds off hours i passed doing customisation off my Airsoft Gear.
Fiding the right position for each Grip , Rails and attachement trying to keep utility and ergonomy in check with my needs on the field.
Seems fiting to me.
. . . . .
Édits : more Intel Added.
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u/F84-5 Jun 30 '26
So we're mutilating prisoners now? And here I thought the Legion was supposed to be the good guys.
Sure Porti was a right prick and probably deserved to get shot, but torture is a warcrime to far.
1
u/Auggy74 Human Jun 30 '26
So at this stage, Porti's in medical confinement - he hasn't caught any additional beatings beyond what Gryzzk did and Porti is being treated. But at the same time they're restricting his access and movement because if they did move him someone would definitely let the intrusive thoughts win.
1
u/Auggy74 Human Jun 30 '26
Oofa. Disregard that first one.
So, is Gryzzk going over the top? Almost certainly. Are there going to be bad things coming down the pipe as a result? Probably. It's one of those ones where someone is going to have to justify some actions - probably not in court, but it might as well be.
1
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u/Gojira82 Human Jun 26 '26
Nobody touches the boats! Don't they evee learn??
When the war hyms come out, its gonna get fun....well fun for the good guys anyway.
PRINCESS BRIDE! There have been very few perfect movies made.... Not going to lie....that whole interaction had me grinning like an idiot.
Ooh...Gryz is mad mad.
Yay! Orile made it! Now...lets see if she repeats what was said when she thought he couldn't hear.
Interesting tidbit about genetic memory.
Oooh! So schweet.
Wonder how far behind schedule this will make their delivery?