Synopsis: The crew of the spaceship Altaris will accept just about any mission, for the right price. So when a shady corporation wants them to deliver a dangerous package to a planet known to dislike smugglers they treat it as another day at work. That may prove to be a mistake as loyalty and trust are tested, with only a few days until they reach their destination. The question on all their minds: who will be left when the ship lands?
Chapter One: The Package
Axon 9 - Dream Galaxy Corporation Hangar
Captain Valia Manchen, formerly of Terra and currently of the starship Altaris, sat atop a crate. Her ship, an old vessel held together by blood, sweat, and prayers, was parked a few hundred feet behind her. It’s dents glinted in the harsh industrial lighting of the hangar bay. With an annoyed sigh she tapped her face mask to bring up the HUD. It was officially 30:30 local time, meaning her clients were 30 minutes late.
“Clients late, we leave?” Skullcrusher growled from her left. He most likely wasn’t really angry, but the giant, four-armed, cat like Novarians said everything with a growl.
Valia twisted in her seat to get a look at her red-furred companion. He was busy tinkering with his laseraxe, barely noticing when it singed his fur, and humming what she recognized to be a Novarian battle hymn. While great to have in a battle, Novarians were walking cliches.
“We haven’t had a job in months, Skull.” Her first-mate T’shan piped up from under the ship. Clochian’s had ridiculously good hearing, proven by the fact that he could hear Skull from his position under the ship with tools running in his ears. His pale, bald head popped up from under the ship as he rolled out. “I think I fixed that loose bolt. Hopefully that stops the rattling.”
“Rattling annoying. Interrupts battle hymn.” Skull mused, giving his axe a swing that cleaves a crate in two.
“While I will agree that is a travesty, I was personally more worried about getting dropped in the middle of deep space or the ship blowing up.” Valia made an explosion noise and coinciding hand gesture to emphasize her point, lest the big cat not get it.
“Blowing up also annoying.” Skull nods his affirmation before returning to his battle hymn.
Valia resists rolling her eyes, deciding instead to begin mapping out their course using her electronic gauntlet. It was that or play old arcade games, and she couldn’t have her crew accusing her of slacking off.
“Run this job by me again.” T’Shan spoke from right next to her, his voice scratchy in the way that reminds her of how old colony miners sound when their work finally takes it’s toll. “It’ll give us something to do while the suits are on their power trip.”
Valia smiled at her first mate’s annoyance. A few taps on her gauntlets screen brings up the mission details. She flicks her pointer finger and the information projects in the air between her and T’Shan.
“Dream Galaxy runs a challenge arena on Alpha Nova, big money since Novarians love violence. They’ve found an extremely dangerous creature here on Axon 9 and since this planet does not follow intergalactic law, they have no trouble getting the creature off planet. However, Alpha Nova has a problem with off-planet creatures being brought to their planet ever since the plague caused by an unknown non-terrestrial creature in 3528. Our job is to transport the extremely dangerous creature from here to a designated zone on Alpha Nova so a company strike team can claim to find it on planet, making it free game for the challenge arena.”
“So, pick up dangerous, carnivorous creature. Transport said creature. Don’t get killed by angry Novarians. Sound right?” T’Shan asked. Valia nods her assent, shutting down the gauntlet display.
“Novarian love killing.” Skull adds, now sharpening his claws with a dagger Valia didn’t even know he had on him.
“How did they get an atmosphere mask on a creature that likes to kill anything that moves?” T’Shan scratched his bald head, blue veins pulsing beneath the white skin.
“Probably the same way we get the mask on Skull.”
“Fighting!” Skull exclaimed, all four of his arms pumping into the air as he bares his fangs in what must be the Novarian equivalent of a smile.
Valia tried not to shutter at the vivid memories of Skull going for her throat as she wrestled a mask on to his face. The Novarian kept his claws far too sharp for her tastes. Although, Valia was the only one allowed to put the mask on Skull without fighting. Probably had something to do with her threatening to neuter him should he try again.
The doors leading out of the hangar bay opened with a mechanical sound, a short alarm announcing the entrance of whoever stood beyond. It took Valia a moment to be able to see who was walking through, the corridor beyond was practically in shadow compared to the bright lights above her.
Three men in formal clothing strode in like they owned the place. Which, Valia realized as she spotted the Dream Galaxy Corporation logo on their lapels, they did. The man in the lead was beginning to gray, black hair still prominent, and his face wrinkled just enough that Valia knew he had been in the business awhile. He regarded her ragtag crew with cold, blue eyes. Perhaps attempting to determine their worth, or maybe he simply wanted them to know how much better he was than them. They’d never know. The men behind him, perhaps apprentices, were at least twenty years younger. The shorter of the two, placed at the elder man’s right, had long, blonde hair tied into a braid. His brown eyes were darting between them all, a mixture of curiosity and nervousness clear in them. He seemed older than the other apprentice. The taller had a shaved head, black eyes staring straight at her in challenge.
“Dorian de Leis, I assume?” Valia called out to him from her perch above the crate.
“Yes.” Dorian stopped a few yards away from her perch. She watched as he gave her a once over, clearly displeased. “Captain Menchen?”
“The one and only.” She answered with a wink, pleased when rewarded with a scowl in return. “This is my first mate, T’Shan, and our muscle, Skullcrusher.”
“His name is Skullcrusher?” The elder of Dorian’s two companions asked, voice barely hiding his nervousness.
“It’s a loose translation.”
“Much more violent in Novarian.” Skull agrees, still playing with his dagger.
“Call him Skull, we all do.” T’Shan piped in from his spot next to Valia.
“Fantastic.” Dorian gestured at his companions with all the reluctance he could muster. “My apprentices, Allen Ford and Justin King.” Dorian gestured to the blonde and shaved head men, respectively, then placed his hand on Allen’s shoulder. “Allen will be accompanying you on the mission to ensure everything goes smoothly.”
“And to make sure we don’t make off with the cargo?” Valia crossed her arms, projecting annoyance as best she could while maintaining a professional air. “This was not part of our deal, de Leis.”
“Deals change.” Dorian smirked. “Do you expect me to trust you? You’re a criminal, and perhaps not a very good one if that brand on your hand is any indication. Clochian, right? Makes sense, considering your first mate shares it.”
Valia clenched her fist, willing herself to stay calm. T’Shan pressed himself against her side, offering a calming presence. She turned to him, eyes darting immediately to the red scar branded onto his cheek. The same brand that stood stark against the skin on her left hand. The mark of a thief or smuggler caught by the Clochian Federation. Her mark.
“You wouldn’t have hired us if we weren’t criminals.” Valia turned her attention back to the suits. “You call us untrustworthy? Smugglers follow a code even if we break the law. I’m more concerned about people like you, whose moral code changes based on the highest bidder.”
“There is no trust between us, clearly.” Dorian folded his hands behind his back. “Exactly why I will have an apprentice go with you. You will receive half now, and half when Allen confirms delivery. Otherwise we will find another smuggler.”
Valia considered the offer. It could be much worse, she knew. Though having an untested, uneducated liability on her starship could prove to cause more problems than they could deal with.
“Does he have any starship training?” T’Shan asked, practically reading her mind. Dorian gestured for Allen to answer.
“I’ve read some books on the subject.” Allen adjusted his tie as he spoke. Either he was hired via nepotism or this nervousness act was a way to lower his conversation partners guard, because Valia could not think of another reason he would be useful in a business.
“Fantastic, practically the same as flying one.” Valia clapped her hands. “Alright, enough of the chit chat. Skullcrusher will help your men load up the cargo, T’Shan can escort Allen to the bridge, and you can pay me. Square?”
“Agreed.” Dorian pushed back his suit sleeve and activated the HUD on his gauntlet. T’Shan stood and gestured for Allen to follow him. After a nearby worker handed him a travel bag, he obeyed, though he kept his eyes downcast.
Once they were out of earshot, and Skull was giving directions to terrified dock workers, Valia finally felt free to ask her questions.
“So, what’s up with the nervous kid?” Valia gestured at the closing door behind her. Justin snorted. Dorian rubbed his eyes with his fingers, letting out a sigh.
“I don’t see any harm in telling you, since this will likely be our last venture together.”
“Likely.” Valia agreed. She had no wishes to work with someone like de Leis again anytime soon.
“He’s my sister’s youngest. I’m supposed to be taking him under my wing, though his disposition makes him a horrible business partner.”
“He is too much of a pushover, horrible for negotiations.” Justin agrees, crossing his arms. Since he likely earned his position on merit, Valia was sure he harbored quite a bit of hatred for the elder man.
“I’m actually hoping the time aboard your ship will toughen him up. He needs the experience anyway, dealing with unsavory sorts such as yourself.” Dorian finished. Shortly after, his HUD beeped with the confirmed payment. Valia checked her own, ensuring she received the notification, and swung herself off the crate.
“I’ll be sure to put a few miles on his soul. Room him with Skull, stop by a seedy bar on Omega Prime, the whole experience.” Valia waved to the executive, finding joy in the sour look on his face, and started the trek up the stairs and back into her ship.
Altaris - Class 5 Crew Starship
Valia sighed in relief as the doors closed behind her. She ran her hands through her hair, cursing as a few strands caught in her fingers. It was probably time to cut it, since she couldn’t be assed to actually take care of it.
As if walking on auto pilot, Valia found herself climbing the ladder from the airlock to the body of the starship. The dull lights of the airlock gave way to the industrial lighting that illuminated the Altaris. She rolled her shoulders. Just another job, not worth stressing over. Even if she was agreeing to transport an unknown, extremely dangerous creature across the galaxy. Lost in thought, she didn’t notice she had made it to the bridge. Luna, the ship’s AI pilot, turned as she heard Valia approaching.
“Good morning, Captain.” Valia faced the android, focusing on the red crescent and circle that made up her eye in the middle of her faceplate. “From the presence of Mr. de Leis’s apprentice I can assume we are continuing on with the proposed mission?”
“You would assume correctly, Luna.” The sound of heavy footsteps behind her grabbed Valia’s attention. She turned in time to see Skull make his way onto the bridge. “All stowed away?”
“Box secure, not happy about it.” Skull crossed all four arms, his chin tilting up proudly. “I fight it?”
“Not yet big guy, wait for the arena.” Skull grumbled at her answer, but Valia ignored him in favor of addressing Luna. “All crew accounted for?”
“Aye, Captain.” The AI blinked her lights twice and the ship came to life, the vibrations of the engine a comfort to Valia. It meant they would be leaving the snake’s nest.
“Give me comms.” Valia held out her gauntleted arm as she spoke. The logo of the Dream Galaxy Corporation stared at her from it’s prominent position on the gauntlet. She frowned at it, not that it did anything except be an easy target for her displeasure. Luna touched her own arm, which had built in gauntlet technology, to hers. Her gauntlet lit up with a red soundwave notification, indicating that she could now speak to the crew but was not currently projecting. Valia closed her fist and the light turned green.
“Good evening Altaris crew, this is your illustrious captain speaking.” Skull snorted, though quickly shut up as Valia glared at him. “We’ve received a job to transport something extremely dangerous to Nova Prime so that they can then try to murder it. Our first stop will be to refuel and decompress at Omega Prime. So don’t spend your advances just yet. It will take us an estimated 10 hours at FTL-2 to reach Prime. Take off will be in 10 minutes. So I suggest you get yourselves strapped in if you don’t feel like flying. Get to it. Signing out.”
Valia opened her fist to end transmission. She gave the comms back to Luna, who would manage crew information and announcements until arrival, and took her seat in the captain’s chair. She didn’t need to look to know Skull was taking his seat to her left, always her protector. Valia engrossed herself in creating plans once they reached Omega Prime. With a minute left until take off the door leading to the crew’s quarters opened and T’Shan made his way to his spot on her right. Ten seconds to go and Luna magnetized herself to the floor in front of the navigational panel. She began the countdown, projecting her robotic voice over the ship’s comms so the crew could hear her.
“Five.”
The ship rose off the ground, the vibrations of the engine becoming more noticeable as they began to work. The shutters at the front of the ship began to rise, revealing the translucent starshield. Through it Valia could see Dorian watching the ascent.
“Four.”
The ship rotated, facing the outer doors of the hangar bay.
“Three.”
An alarm blared, indicating the oxygen barrier had been put into place.
“Two.”
The outer door of the hangar bay opened. Valia relaxed into her seat at the sight of the great expanse before her. The endlessness of space gave her comfort where it made others feel insignificant. She felt at home.
“One.”
The ship entered FTL-2. Valia was pushed into her chair by the sudden acceleration. She laughed as adrenaline coursed through her, better than any thrill ride. Too soon, the ship stabilized in FTL. Luna began speaking through the comms.
“Attention crew, the ship has stabilized in FTL-2. You may now be free to continue performing your duties. I will inform you of any changes.”
“Finally, I could use a nap.” Valia unbuckled herself. Once she stood up she stretched out, sighing as the joints in her spine cracked. “Unless anything needs my attention?”
“Amara has requested your presence in engineering.” Luna responded. Her monotonous, robotic tone gave no indication of Amara’s intent. Though if Valia knew Amara, and she did, the feline like engineer was upset with her.
“Of course she has.”
“I believe my creator has found issue with the ‘newbies’ assignment to engineering.” Luna further explained.
“Of course she does.”
“He has a background in engineering, that is the best spot for him.” T’Shan defended his decision.
“I’ll talk to her.” Valia sighed. “Anything else?”
“Doctor McBride would like to see you in the medbay for a check-up.”
“Did she happen to say why?” Valia raised a brow. As far as the doctor knew, she had an annual three months ago.
“She pulled your medical records and found that you haven’t had an annual in six years.”
“Damn it, Cure’s being nosy.” Couldn’t a girl be left alone to be irresponsible?
“She also threatened to inject you with the Minora virus vaccine if you didn’t come to see her.” Luna added. She continued to type on the console, apparently running diagnostics.
“What does that do?” Valia asked, though she wasn’t sure if she wanted to know.
“The side effects of the Minora virus vaccine include dizziness, swelling, sores, headaches, fatigue, and delirium.” Luna answered. She projected an informational page about the vaccine in front of Valia.
“Fantastic.” Valia felt sick.
“Generally, it is described as being worse than the virus itself and, therefore, redundant.”
“I got the picture, Luna, thank you.” Valia rubbed her eyes.
“I can handle Amara if you want to take a nap in the med bay.” T’Shan squeezed her shoulder. “You’re overworked.”
“Someone's gotta keep us afloat.” Valia relaxed into her first mate’s touch. “Are you sure?”
“I can handle her.” T’Shan smiled, the white of his teeth blending with his skin. “That cat is all talk. I hope.”
“You sound like you’re from an old movie.” Valia snorted. “‘That cat’”
“I don’t understand.” T’Shan’s brow furrowed. Had he been human, his eyebrows would have drawn together.
“Don’t worry about it.” Valia patted him on the shoulder. “Just try not to join me in the infirmary. Amara may be an engineer, but the Armaxians and Novarrians share an ancestor. She is dangerous.”
T’Shan nodded, his lips tight.
“Luna, keep an eye on everything from here. If you notice any crew morale issues talk to Squid.”
“Aye, Captain.” Luna saluted, her lights blinking in a pattern indicating understanding and agreement.
“Skull, head back down to the storage bay and keep watch. Anything suspicious and you report to T’Shan, okay?”
“Yes, rarka.” Skull referred to her using the Novarrian word for a respected leader. He had been doing it since he joined the crew, after she saved his life from a rampaging Alurian Axicotl. It still pulled on her heart strings a bit. Valia smiled, saluting in the Novarrian fashion of a fist over the heart. Well, a Novarrian heart, located about where the stomach is on a human. Skull returned it, then turned on his heel and walked towards the cargo bay.
“T’Shan, after surviving your encounter with Amara put together a watch schedule. Skull should be alright for awhile, but have him relieved after three hours at the latest.”
“Ofcourse, Captain.” T’Shan saluted her in the fashion of the Clochians, crossed arms held straight in front of him. Valia returned it and T’Shan made his way to engineering.
With a nod in Luna’s direction, Valia left the bridge. The doors opened on proximity, albeit a bit glitchy. T’Shan had once gotten his foot stuck in a door that closed too soon. They didn’t hear the end of it for weeks. And he still rushed through the doors.
Valia smiled to herself as the door closed behind her. The medbay was a quick walk, on the same floor as the deck and right next to the mess hall. Cure always said that if she can corner a crew member while they eat, they won’t miss an appointment. It worked for most. Not her, but most. Valia shuddered as she approached the door to the med bay. She was in for an ear full.
“It’s about bloody time.” Kylie grumbled from her desk. She opened a drawer and began digging through it. For a moment, all Valia could see above the desk was her red, kinky hair. Then a medical gown was thrown at her face.
“Put that on.” Kylie jabbed a manicured, short nail at the screen blocking off a changing area from the rest of the med bay. As she walked towards it Valia could see the UV booth was on. That meant Squid was getting his meal today. “I didn’t realize I would be tracking you lot when I signed on. Like I’m your mum.”
Valia saw the outline of Kylie move towards the UV booth. She continued stripping her layers of clothes, nearly tripping on her pants.
“Kylie McBride, doctor and mother of the crew of the Altaris. Just grand.”
“Anybody else but Squid here to hear my information?”
“No, just me and Squid.” A timer went off as Valia started to tie the gown onto herself. “Just a wee longer Squid, I want to make sure you’re well-fed.”
I’ve already reached the appropriate time in UV.
Squid’s telepathy rang through her mind. Despite their years together, it still sent a chill down her spine.
“I know, love, but you’ve seemed less bright lately.” Kylie turned to Valia. “What was the date of your last menstrual cycle?”
“I’m not pregnant.” Valia raised a brow. “And may I just add, this is a rather elaborate plot to get my clothes off. You could have just asked.”
“Very funny, darling.” Kylie’s deadpan face indicated it was not, in fact, very funny. “There are other reasons to ask. Malnutrition, for instance.”
A secondary timer went off, and Squid emerged from the UV booth. Though they looked like a squid on top of a wizard’s robe, but with more tentacles, bio luminescent spots and no eyes, Valia knew there was more to them than that. Not that anyone who wasn’t Varmaxi knew what an Varmaxi body looked like.
Thank you, Doctor, I feel nourished. There was a pause, and Squid’s face turned to Valia. Their spots glowed a dull yellow. The Captain has yet to answer your question.
“Traitor.” Valia grumbled. She glared at Squid as they made their exit, waving a tentacle in a version of a farewell.
“Well, Captain?” Kylie tapped her foot. Valia turned to Kylie. The sight of the doctor always took her breath away. Her hair was held back with a kelly green headband that matched her turtleneck. Both managed to accentuate her clear, blue eyes and freckles and stand out against her medium brown skin.
“Do you honestly think I’m malnourished?” Valia asked, half joking. “You’ve seen me eat.”
“Fine!” Kylie threw up her hands. “What do I know? I’m just a doctor.”
Valia could tell she had frustrated Kylie. With a sigh she took the few steps needed to reach the doctor. She rested her forehead against hers, looking into those beautiful, blue eyes.
“I’m sorry, meine liebling. I just get nervous in medical situations.” Valia spoke quietly, keeping the words from spreading in the small room.
“I know, darling.” Kylie kissed her quickly, chastely. Then pulled back. “But I am worried you’re not taking care of yourself.”
“Then what can I do to make you feel better?” Valia asked with a small smile.
“Get on the table.” Kylie pointed at the padded metal table used for examinations.
“As you wish.”
The rest of the medical exam flew by. Squid contacted Kylie halfway through as they forgot to make an appointment for the next day. The conversation distracted the doctor enough that she tested Valia’s reflexes a little too hard. Kylie kissed it to make it better, so Valia did not mind much. Within the hour, Valia was changing back into her normal clothes.
“So, tell me straight, Doc.” Valia paused to put on a worried facade. “Will I survive?”
“Smart ass.” Kylie grumbled, though a small smile betrayed her. “You’re healthy. Surprisingly.”
“I feel as though I should be offended.”
“I was just worried about you, Agra.”
“And I appreciate that, I really do.” Valia moved to kiss the top of Kylie’s head. “But you don’t have to worry about me. I don’t plan on leaving you anytime soon.”
“You better not.” Kylie mumbled before pulling away. She surveyed Valia. “Now go get some sleep, you sap. Take my bed. If anyone comes looking for you, I’ll point them to T’Shan.”
“How did you know I wanted a nap?” Valia asked, though she was already walking towards the doctors bedroom.
“You’re exhausted, love.” Kylie explained. “Anyone who really knows you could tell.”
Valia reached the door to the bedroom. She punched in the passcode and it opened smoothly. Of course the technology in the med bay was the most updated, that was in everyone’s best interests. Valia was not playing favorites. She paused before entering the room.
“I’d sleep better with someone to cuddle with.” Valia kept a hand on the door frame incase it decided to close.
“Shall I call Skull up?” Kylie asked. She wasn’t facing Valia, but she could hear the smirk on the doctors face.
“I was being serious.” Valia pouted.
“I know, love, but I have work to do.” Kylie gestured at her screen. Valia couldn’t read it from where she was, but she figured it was crew medical records. “Get some rest. I’ll wake you for dinner.”
That gave her at least three hours. Valia gave her partner one last look before allowing the door to close behind her. Kylie’s room was organized chaos. Far different from Valia’s own, where her military training still urged her to keep everything ship shape. Boxes of paper medical journals sat in the corner, likely annotated and marked up. Clothes were in baskets, not folded or put away. Her bed was a mess.
Despite looking like a disaster zone, the fact that the room fit Kylie so well relaxed her. Valia crawled into the bed and sank into the mattress. She wrapped herself in the comforter and rested her head on the pillow. She could still smell hints of Kylie’s perfume on the pillow. With the scent of her love surrounding her, Valia soon fell into a deep sleep.
Terror Nova Worldbuilding: The Intergalatic Association of Planets
Before the founding of the I.A.P there were many attempts at a peaceful coalition between sentient species. The Yutana people of the planet Altener attempted the creation of the Planetary Assembly in the year 459 BA (Before Assembly). The resulting struggle for power left the Yutana people extinct and their planet a wasteland, now used to house criminals. In 235 BA, the Armaxians attempted to create the Interplanetary Trade Union, or ITU. This led to a 30 year war with the closely related Novarrians. This time, both species survived. It was in the year 5 BA that the Varmaxi proposed a council to bring law to all corners of space. The peaceful nature of the Varmaxi and the respect they have earned from other species led to the success of the I.A.P.
In the year 0, the creation of the I.A.P headquarters aptly named Treatise sparked new ideas. The fully artificial planet had been built to revolve around a newborn star as to symbolize the rebirth of the galaxy. All member planets agreed to use a new calendar based on Treatise. The year was 290 days long and a day was 26 hours. They would begin counting years after the first revolution of Treatise. The years after were followed by IP, In Peace. Though, that wasn’t entirely accurate.
The Association began with only 3 member planets: Varmire which housed the Varmaxi, Nova Prime which was home to the Novarrians, and Ploxur where the Armaxians ruled. Each Prime Species, or dominant species, elected a councilor to sit on the Intergalatic Councils of Law, Trade, and War. As more species gained FTL travel and saw the advantage of gathering together, the councils grew. The Clochians of planet Chrysalis joined in 1850 IP. The Humans of Terra joined in 2880 IP.
It was the discovery of the planet Volcanis One that truly tested the strength of the council. Chrysalis was a frozen waste and Terra had been all but destroyed by humanity’s hubris, so a planet full of ridiculously fertile farmland was tempting to both.
The Resource War of 3530 was the first time in the I.A.P’s history that two member planets went to war. It was later named the Foolish War, as it ended with the discovery of Volcanis Two further in the same solar system. Other planets with fertile soil were discovered, though not with quite the same properties as the Volcanis Twins. In the end, there was no need for blood shed. The nicknamed Harvest System was declared a neutral zone by the council soon after and the land that was uninhabited was divided among member planets.
Recently, the I.A.P has known peace. The year is 3540 and there are no wars. At least, none that can be seen.
