Leave no Witnesses

"The Captain isn't going to like this." Vayr said to Chuck.
The commanding officer for this trip ran his hand across his face and whole-heartedly agreed. Captain Gemzi would not sugarcoat his opinion on how they managed to mess up this mission by getting discovered by not one but two unsuspecting Earthian Humans. People who should not be aware of the wide Nexus outside of their own little planet.
"And don't forget our last mission." Wayr added.
Leeli, their new recruit, gave him a pointed look. As they had at that point been added to the crew in a similar fashion.
Chuck sighed.
"Well, we can't undo what's done. Let's get these two in the hull."
The space crew of three then proceeded to load the two unconscious Earthians into their ship.

Nasya woke up first. Her head felt fuzzy, as if she'd been drinking the night before or had just woken up from a long anesthesia-induced sleep. The world didn't seem real and it took her a while to gather her thoughts. She hadn't been out drinking. In fact she'd sworn off alcohol for a while as it led to complications her heart couoldn't deal with. She'd been out for a walk when...
Next to nasya, Rick stirred and groaned. The young black man felt like his head would burst. He grabbed hold of it, trying to keep it from exploding but his touch did nothing to relieve the ache.
"Who are you?" Nasya asked.
Waking up with a stranger, and a man for that matter, was not something she'd thought would ever happen.
"Rick. Who are you?" Rick returned the question.
Waking up with a stranger, and a woman for that matter, was not something that had ever happened before.
"Is this your place?" Nasya asked right when Rick said: "Where are we?"
Getting up, Nasya rose to her full height. She didn't need to crouch but there was little room above her head. The entire room was plated in metal and there was no door visible. Rick was running his hand along the wall and felt the slight curve to it.
"If I didn't know better I'd say we were in a hull of some kind."
"Why?" Nasya asked.
"I'm studying architectural engineering." Although newer builds sometimes use curves for aesthetic appeal."
"What do you remember?"
"I was walking in the park, it was chilly." Rick said, untying his muffler as this place was considerably warmer.
"I was taking a walk too. But I can't remember what happened after."

"A donkey's ass wouldn't make the same mistake twice." had been the Captain's assessment.
Chuck had tried to explain the situation but even he had to admit that what had gone wrong had more than likely been a human mistake. And no matter who had made the mistake he was the one who should have picked up on it before it caused this fiasco. All he could do was apologise.
"Sorry, Captain, I'll do better next time."
Captain Gemzi gave him a look that seemed to indicate it would be years before he'd be put in charge again.
"Leave no witnesses." Was his final reply before the communication scream went dark.
"Same protocol?" Vayr asked.
"What other option is there?" Chuck agreed.
"The very obvious one." Leeli said.
The sturdy new recruit had a yellowish skintone and long black hair. They hailed from a planet that had been settled but had lost their technology. Subsequent unrest, wars and religious cults had left the planet without knowledge of their origin but they'd taken to the switch easily as their childhood had been filled with stories of the mighty whale traveller who navigated the stars. Life on their planet had not been easy and she'd more than once wondered about the softness of the others.
"We can't do that!" Chuck said horrified.
"There are rules, regulations...."
"Accidents happen." Leeli shrugged, "But I don't mind either way."

In the end, Vayr was the one who approached the holding bay where they'd placed the witnesses. He'd lost at straws but was probably the best bet all things considered. He'd seen a lot in his life and had only served under Captain Gemzi the last ten years. He would not change his post unless being ordered to. Even being a royal pain in the ass, Captain Gemzi was a decent sort. He had principles and Vayr liked that in a superior.
The second officer pushed the control that opened the door, creating an opening in the otherwise seamless interior. When he stepped in, Vayr was prepared for a number of things, violence being the one thing he was most wary about. What he did not suspect was the two abductees laughing.
"Excuse me." Vayr said to get their attention.
"Oh good, someone to explain all this." the tall woman, Nasya said.
"Unless they're as clueless as us." the dark man, Rick added.
"I must extend our apologees." Vayr started, "There were not supposed to be humans about when we appeared. I'm Vayr, I'm one of the people piloting this ship under the lead of Captain Gemzi of the Star Fleet."
"It is like Star Trek!" Nasya exclaimed.
Rick nodded in agreement and felt stupidly proud that his nerdy take on the situation seemed to be correct. If not someone was doing a lot to keep them in the dark of what was really happening.
"Star Fleet." Vayr replied, "I don't know of Star Trek."
Vayr felt a bit uncertain about how to proceed but he figured ripping of the bandage might be easiest.
"I'm afraid we can't allow you to return to your planet as you'd be too big a risk. But don't worry. We won't do anything crazy. You'll be given the rights of a citizen and we'll offer you a job with the fleet until you feel you want to strike out on your own."
"And this happens often?" Rick asked.
Vayr cringed, "More than we'd want. If you want you can ask one of our crewmembers who joined in similar fashion. Their name is Leeli and they've been with us for about a year."

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Leeli carried the food toward the tables. It had been their day of mess duty but in all honesty it was just a glorified title for gofer. The crew could eat in the mess but they preferred to eat in the lounge where the view was better and there was more space. Especially now with the two added people on board.
"Dinner is served." Leeli called out when they entered the lounge.
As usual, Rick and Nasya were already there. They'd been reading up on all that they should know but didn't for the past few weeks. Leeli knew from experience that there was a lot. Planets, Solar systems, Political Factions, Alien Races and Religious Beliefs. The Nexus had a lot to offer and it could be quite disorienting. Which was why Leeli had yet to find a new place to call home. The Star Fleet was a comfortable place to linger.
Only a couple of minutes later, Chuck and Vayr joined them and they started on dinner. The five of them talked, answering questions for Nasya and Rick mostly, when an alarm sounded.
"What's happening?" Rick asked.
"We'd better check it out. Don't worry." Vayr said to calm their nerves.
But by how quickly Chuck and Leeli had gotten up and ran to the bridge, it was quite obvious that it was serious.
"Status?" Chuck asked when they reached the bridge.
"Faulty equipment apparently." Vayr replied.
Chuck followed the same reports and his expression grew increasingly dim. It was bad. A lot of problems could be fixed in flight by automated processes, some problems needed to be repaired manually. But a handful of things meant serious trouble. And just their luck, this proved to be one of those. As the officer in charge, he needed to make the decision.
"Any space stations nearby?" he asked.
Leeli responded: "None close enough to reach in this state."
"Any planets?"
"Well.... there is one but it's not really linked to the Star Fleet."
"It's our only chance. Please tell me it is at least nexus affiliated."
"It is... but it's one of those. One of those Dragon Planets."
"Better than nothing." Vayr said, "At least they'll be able to contact someone or transport us to a planet which has contact with the Fleet."
"Unless it's one of those backward ones that don't remember they're colonies." Chuck mused, "But it'll have to do. Set a course and pray that this ship'll hold up until we land!"

[STORY] .**.**:. [CHUCK] [VAYR] [LEELI] *** [NASYA] [RICK]

Return to Captain Gemzi's Star Fleet

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Lantessama Isle
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