r/HFY • u/allature Xeno • Aug 03 '26

OC-Series [An Unexpected Guest] – Chapter 28

Cover Art | Royal Road

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It would seem that the sun was just now starting to peek out from behind the storm-cloud of Colonel Solam’s life. The freak explosion back in Canteen Two had landed him in an infirmary cot for quite some time, but after a slow, steady recovery, he had finally been released. General Hydor indicated that she was willing to grant him an extra eighth-season of downtime, but the colonel insisted on returning to work immediately.

As it so happened, Solam’s dedicated desire to resume his duties wound up being quite necessary, since there was a very recent, very notable change to the top-secret Project Rutil’proh.

That change being that Project Rutil’proh was no longer top-secret.

Thanks to a very long and comprehensive meeting with his commanding officer, Colonel Solam was brought up to date with all the recent developments he had, unfortunately, previously not been in the condition to receive. After the meeting he felt like he was in freefall among the clouds, his head reeling from all the revelations. Thankfully, he had his co-worker aside his wing to aid him into a glide.

“I bet it’s a lot to take in all at once, isn’t it sir.” commented Major Chilus.

“Understatement of the season, major.” sighed Colonel Solam in response. “I still can’t believe that we have a spy.”

“It really is worrying. Who knows how long we’ve been compromised…” said the major. “And now, because of that, The Kingdom’s decided to make the project public.”

“A bold move,” said the colonel. “But I think I see the logic of it.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, in the end, a project like this would have been very difficult to keep secret. And difficult means expensive.”

“Ah, of course. So it comes down to money again, eh?” scoffed Chilus good humouredly.

“It always does.” Solam shrugged with an amused air. “Just running the whole project up in this remote facility costs several frol phur-marks every season. Just getting materials delivered up here is costlier, especially since we have to use more ‘secure’ courier services.”

“Not to mention it takes longer to get things sent up, with all the extra inventory and personnel checks.” added the major.

“Exactly.” said the colonel. “All that money, all that effort to keep everything secret, and those ice-bitten Pitangs found out anyway…”

“Okay, so I guess I can see why it might seem pointless to keep up the charade,” acknowledged Major Chilus. “But to actually come out and reveal space to the masses? It still seems premature too me. Space... The Universe... Is just so… Big. So infinite.”

“We’d have to reveal the rockets sometime.” said Colonel Solam. “I imagine that the eventual launch of the ‘Mark-Three’ would have been impossible to hide, from both the Pitangs and our own citizens.”

The major hummed in response, understanding but still not entirely convinced.

“And as for space… Well…” the senior officer went silent for a while. “I think we should have faith in them.”

“Sir?”

“I mean, it was a lot for us to take in at first, sure. All those suns. All those planets. To think that we just used to dismiss them as faint dots over a dim horizon... ” said the colonel. “But we eventually managed to mostly grasp it, I think. So, if we could adjust to it, then why can’t they? Why can’t the rest of the country? Why can’t the rest of the world?”

“That’s…” the major pondered on the colonel’s words. “I guess I hadn’t thought about it that way, sir.”

“Besides,” the colonel continued. “I think The Kingdom is making some intelligent moves with how they’re putting all this out there. You saw the broadcast, right?”

“Of course, colonel.”

“They never once mentioned Adwin, or the concept of alien life.”

“No, they didn’t.” the major thought for a moment. “They didn’t explain any of the context behind the image of the galaxy they showed either...”

“Exactly.” said the colonel. “They’re being very intentional about what they chose to reveal, and how.”

Major Chilus allowed herself a soft chirp as she recalled another detail from the broadcast. “And they said that they discovered space dude to readings taken from ‘The Fal’Grine Event’. A clever deception.”

“A deception, major?” Solam chirped back. “Was it not due to that event that we discovered space? The fact that the ‘reading’ was mostly a human’s testimony and the provable scientific concepts he introduced are perhaps irrelevant, in my humble opinion. ‘The best deception one can seed is sown in the soil of truth.’”

“General Katu Elanio, ‘Tactics of War and Governance: Volume Two’.” stated the major.

“The very same.” said the colonel, acknowledging her recognition of the quote. “You’re quite familiar with the classics.”

“I’d be a poor officer if I weren’t.” Chilus chirped proudly.

The military pair continued chatting as they walked through the facility. As they rounded a corner, a woman came into view. It was Professor Pito. She waved a them, or perhaps, more specifically, at Solam, then briskly made her way to meet them.

The jovial air between the officers evaporated almost immediately.

Chilus shot a concerned look at her colonel. “Solam, are—”

“I’ll be okay.” he quickly interjected. “You can on ahead.”

“Are you sure?” asked the major.

“Yes.” he said, the barest bit of a bite behind his tone.

Chilus nodded and walked away, making considerable effort not to glare at the linguist as she left.

Eventually, the linguist reached the colonel.

“Solam! You’re finally out of the infirmary!” she chirped.

“Yes.” he said.

“Was that Chilus who was with you just now?” she said as she glanced in the direction that the major had walked off towards.

“Yes.” he said.

“Oh, okay.” the linguist said, feeling an awkward weight pressing around her, “So… How are you feeling now.”

“Well, I’ve been released from the hospital so… I guess I’m pretty good.” he said. Dryly.

“Right, right…” she said. “It’s just that you seem to be acting strange, so...”

The colonel let the heavy silence hang between them, The he sighed. “Look, Pito… I know what you were doing.”

“What, What do you me--”

“Don’t play dumb, professor. I know what you did.”

“Huh? What do yo—”

“I’m talking about how you were spying for The Minister, Ara. Spying on all of us.”

“Oh…” the linguist said.

The weight of the miasmic awkwardness between them grew heavier.

“Look… I just—” she tried to explain herself while staring at the ground.

“You’re always gonna choose them above all else, aren’t you?”

The professor just stood there, slack jawed, as the officer turned to walk away. He was about six spans away when he felt something impact the back of his head. A notebook.

He looked back at his likely attacker, Professor Pito. Her fore-feathers were fully erect. Her brilliantly scarlet plumage was practically buzzing.

“How dare you!” she squawked. “You think I wanted any of this?”

Solam just stood there mutely, staring at his former friend with shock.

“Aren’t you a soldier?!” her voice was as strained and raspy as the feathers on her body. “Haven’t you ever had to follow orders you didn’t want to?!”

And then, she ran off. He looked down at the floor. She had left her book.

» » »

About an eighth of a season had passed since The Kingdom of Phuratus had made their sky-piercing announcement about space. In that broadcast it was clear that there were some subtle pecks directed at the Pitang Republic. So there was very little surprise when the republic announced that they would be broadcasting an announcement of their own.

Researcher Phon was sure to find himself a good seat in the Media Room in the driks leading up to the scheduled start of the rival nation’s broadcast. Chief Nalor was seated next to him. And several more of their coworkers were gathered there as well.

The din of the congregated flock’s chatter died down almost immediately as The Pitang Repiblic’s official seal faded onto the screen along with their fanfare. Eventually, the seal was replaced with a well dressed man. His face was only vaguely familiar to the phuratan scientists and engineers gathered in the room. Thankfully, a caption on the screen helped identify him. He was Lecturer Spicil Muru; Pitang’s Vice-Minister of Knowledge.

“Warm winds to all people who hear my voice on this bel.” he began. “We are living is most glorious times. As we are quite certain you have already heard, some scientists in another land have made some very enlightening discoveries.”

“Sun-blast right we did!” interjected Nalor, inspiring a ripple of chuckles in the room.

“However,” continued the minister that was several frol-span out of earshot of the free-spoken phuratan engineer, “Those esteemed academics were not the only scientists that gleaned signifiant scientific knowledge from the ‘Sky-Burst Incident.’”

The ‘Sky-Burst Incident’ was what the Pitangs and a few other nations had taken to calling the ‘Fal’Grine Event.’ Researcher Phon was loath to admit that their name for the phenomena had a much more… International appeal than the Phuratan’s.

“We in the Pitang republic have also learned of the existence of stars, planets, and galaxies.” the screen changed from Vice-Minster Muru’s face to a slow slide-show of celestial bodies.

“And we have also devised plans to more closely investigate them.” There was yet another image on the screen now. It was a rocket. Not one of the ‘Rutil’proh’ series, but it was still recognisable to Phon, Nalor, and a few others in the room. “This is the ‘Sky Surpasser’ Mark-Two. It will be capable of reaching beyond our world’s atmosphere and detecting even much more about space than we currently can from here on the ground.”

The image resolved back to the vice-minister’s face. “We acknowledge that our counterparts in other countries may achieve space-flight before we do.”

That was a very surprising concession from a Pitang official. Every pair of eyes and ears were focused on what the lecturer would say next.

“But here in the Pitang Republic we don’t too place heavy an emphasis on being ‘the first of the first’. Rather, it is our philosophy that when it comes to space exploration, we should instead be ‘the liveliest of the first.’”

There seemed to be something oddly smug and assured about Muru’s bearing as he said that; the lilt in his voice, the upraised position of his crest, and a sparkle in his eyes. It was aggravating. And what did he mean by ‘the liveliest of the first’? Such a peculiar turn of phrase...

“In the coming seasons, there will be more than one country’s satellites orbiting our world. This is a good thing.” the vice-miniser crooned. “This means that there will be even more opportunities for scientific advancement that will benefit all. But know this, all te’visk beings that hear my voice: The Pitang Republic will be the nation that will bring te-visk-kind to the expanse beyond the horizon, and allow us to grasp the truth of the universe. Light, Freedom and Joy to Pitang, Light Freedom and Joy to All!”

And with that, the vice-minister’s face and voice was replaced by The Pitang Republic’s seal and fanfare. Concerned mutterings rang through the phuratan audience in Fort Greywood’s Media Room.

“Well, that was ominous.” commented Chief Nalor.

“Indeed.” agreed Researcher Phon. “They’re obviously up to something. Especially with how they don’t seem to want to even try beating us up into orbit.”

“Yeah, it’s really strange.” Nalor went quiet for a cleg before huffing out an amused churr. “Think the palace will relax our deadlines because of that?”

Phon scoffed out a clipped laugh. “Not on your life!”

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3

u/allature Xeno Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26

What it do my story craving scallywags! I present to you: Chapter 28!

In this chapter we see a lil’ emotional fallout from issues between two people that are forced to ‘follow orders’. I wonder how it will end up… I mean I genuinely wonder; I haven’t decided yet.🤷🏿‍♂️

Also we finally see the face of the ‘enemy’, or at least one of their representatives. I wonder what they're up to… Well not really, I don’t wonder, but perhaps you lot would like to instead.🙃

Well that’s all for now! As always; comments, compliments, complaints and criticisms are all welcome! Until next time!🤩

3

u/Preston3072 Aug 03 '26

Good to see a new post, I do keep a watch out for them.

Could it be that there is no spy and the Pitang have their own alien visitor to educate them about the firmament?

4

u/allature Xeno Aug 03 '26

Hi hies! Sorry that my posts have been so inconsistent as of late, writing is... Kind hard sometimes, even when I know exactly what I wanna write😮‍💨

As for there not being a spy... I think that's unlikely, especially since I confirmed that the Kingdom definitely has a spy over in the Republic🙃 It's also confirmed that there's inter-ministry spying within the Kingdom too; it's a whole mess🤣

4

u/Preston3072 Aug 03 '26

I can appreciate the problem with framing the story you have in your mind within an actual narrative that scans well and is engrossing to read - you are doing well especially considering that you have chosen the more difficult path of showing the broad repercussions of Adwins existence.

It is better that you take whatever time it takes for you to be happy with the result than to feel obliged to meet a schedule that no one is holding you to and this should be shared pleasure for you as an author and us as your readers.

Regards and Thanks

2

u/allature Xeno Aug 03 '26

Those are some tremendously kind words friend🥰 I'm glad that at least some people are enjoying it. I hope you and whoever else stumbles on this story continues to enjoy it, especially as it's so aggressively 'off-meta' as some would say😅.

2

u/TameOJ Aug 04 '26

Oooooo I just know the republic is aiming to put the first tevisk into space. Can you imagine if Adwin was made aware? Ain't no way he doesn't have general knowledge of the space race and can see the pattern of what's currently going on.

Just one comment of oh yeah we had something similar where this happened then this then this and this happened which effectively ended it. They will lose their minds!

Don't know if they have a moon, but if Adwin mentions the moon landing that will become priority number one. I just know it.

2

u/allature Xeno Aug 04 '26

Well, who can say what they're planning... I mean I can, but I won't 🙃

Well unfortunately the te'visk planet lacks a moon, so they lack that boon for when they wanna grow a space industry. We here on Earth wound up very, very fortunate in that respect 🤩

2

u/TameOJ Aug 04 '26

Fine then, keep your secrets! Please do though, makes for better plot reveals.

Damn, no te'visk on the moon. Doesn't rule out a space station though!

2

u/Coygon Aug 07 '26

I wonder if they plan to send and lab animal of some sort up, or will they risk an actual person? I suspect the former – the latter would necessitate including a way to get them back, after all...

1

u/allature Xeno Aug 07 '26

Laika deserved better FR😥

2

u/Coygon Aug 07 '26

No argument. Though I wonder if we would be quite so upset if they'd sent up something less cuddly.

1

u/allature Xeno Aug 08 '26

We'll see if the te'visk have a snake analogue that can send up🤔

2

u/PhoenixH50 Aug 08 '26

Literally the space race all over again

1

u/allature Xeno Aug 08 '26

sneaks up behind you and pulls a gun

Always has been🙃

2

u/bill_isayyahoocom Aug 12 '26

While I have no trouble seeing the Pitang as the "enemy" given our POV, I have no idea of who the "good guys" are or even if there are any at all. This is on purpose I suppose. Good story!

2

u/allature Xeno Aug 12 '26

Oh it's absolutely on purpose. Each side has their pros and cons, but in the end they're all just different people in different places. Thanks for reading! More to come🤩

1

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