From Officer Country.



When the doors opened to the Obs Dec, Madison just took one step inside to look around. She had never been there before, but it was everything she imagined it would be. It was huge with an unobstructed view of space through the thick glass windows. It was like some giant lounge with the best view in the galaxy, wherever you were in the galaxy. It had a bar, and a snack station. Both looked closed, but the array of cushioned seating was all that was needed.

"Wow." She stood in place still looking over. "This is awesome. I wish I had found my way here sooner. Shall we?" Going to the right, she walked along the perimeter by the windows, looking off into the black. Other than than an occasional streak of light probably belonging to a patrol, there was nothing but stars. "It's so beautiful." She rounded the room all the way back to the doors. "I think I want to try out those chairs." A few steps later, she dropped into a big cushy chair, laid back and closed her eyes. "This might be my new favorite place."

Ra'Na'Ta' just stood there looking for a moment then stepped out. He felt overwhelmed. He had always felt this way when he was flying. It washed over him and filled his senses. It was pure amazement and beauty. A loud pleased purr escaped his mouth.

"This one is overwhelmed and over joyed to be in such beauty." He looked to the space and than at her. "This one always feels closerrr to the Moon when in something like this. This one could stay like this foreverrr. The mystery, the majestic feeling, the powerrrr, and the beauty of it all fills This one with so much." Ra'Na'Ta' said as he looked at the vast space a constant purr escaping his lips, as he found a large couch like chair and curled up in it.

"When I''m in the cockpit, it's different. I mean, I'm not just looking at space. I'm actually in space, flying around. But somehow it's different. I mean even when there are not enemy fighters trying to kill me. Out there I have to be alert and in control. In here, it's so relaxing."

"Tell me about the place you come from. What's it like on your world. It sounds like family and heritage is very important."

Ra'Na'Ta' nodded in agreement. "This one agrees with you. You have to be alert, but it is like being held in the arrrms of yourrr Fado. It wrrraps you up and is all arrround you, but if you arrre not carrreful you can pay a prrrice. It still fills This one with wonder though."

Ra'Na'Ta' thought for a moment as he looked into space. "It has jungles, plains, mountains, forrrests, and a deserrrt. The temperrraturres arrre mostly warrrm, but get colderr in the mountains. This one comes frrrom the Temnurrr forrest. This ones village is called Khanua. The rrriver Wharrruta rrruns close to This ones village. It has good fishing and swimming holes in it, but one must watch out forrr the Crrraduwas. They arrre larrrge scaled lizarrrds, but arrre very good eating too, if they do not eat you firrst. This one lives under the watchful eyes of Messuerrra and Secunda. Messuerrra is a larrrge deep rrred moon and Secunda is a smallerrr white moon. Some say Messuerrra is the male, while Secunda is the female, but that is only one storrry.

The prrride orrr family as you call it is verrry imporrrtant to This one. All close arrre we and rrrespectful to our Elderrrs, as well as the knowledge that they hold. Music, dancing, and fighting is all parrrt of This one's life. This one does not just take a life forrr the sporrrt of it though. All life is important, but when one must defend, then This one will not think twice to taking a life."

Madison settled into the cushion of the chair. In that moment, with the view and the ambiance, it was more comfortable than her bed. Ra'Na'Ta's description, played in her head as his R's rolled with the trill of his purring. If it was like the purr of cats on Earth, it meant he was relaxed and enjoying the moment.

"It sounds a lot like Earth. You know, the different environments. It's always colder on the mountaintops than in the valleys, but it's just a different kind of beauty." She closed her eyes as the sound of his purr relaxed her. "And even your culture. We respect our elders, and honor our heritage. How much depends on which culture. In some places, it's everything. In some places it does get a little lost. I lived on a ranch. My village was just my home and tribe was just my grandparents. But we had good hunting and fishing there too. We have music, dancing... and fighting, though that's not my favorite thing."

"A couple other differences though. Humans might be a bit more cavalier about killing. There wasn't much that wanted to eat us. I guess there were brown and black bears. And mountain lions. They sometimes attacked people to eat them, but not usually. Those lizard things sound really scary. I'm not sure what I would do if I had to live in a place where I was the prey. And we only have one moon. It never looked out for anyone. In fact, some people think it makes people crazy."

"I want to see this Temnurrrr Forrrest." She tried to roll her R's as well, but smiled at the clumsiness of her own tongue. "I want to see a lot of place. I guess I'm going to get to see Paradise soon. It won't be at its best, but I'll get to see it. One day, I want to go see Hel also. Do you enjoy traveling the galaxy?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:10, Tue 18 Apr 2023.

Med Tech ----->>>>

Sorry folks; this is way too interesting not to join.   I'll keep it low key, to start with. Not trying to intrude.

On a something of a lark, Alison decided to visit the Obs Dec.  One of her new favorite places to collect or stimulate her thoughts.    On entering the Dec, she saw Madison Rae.  Who really she'd never spoken with again, since that day she'd been wrangling with a serious hangover.

And the felinoid pilot was no one she'd met, although she did know who he was.   Given her position on the ship, new crew members and their profiles were fed to her for review, as well as for general familiarity.

She entered as Madison was speaking about her home, plainly in a way that would inform someone who hadn't been there.   She approached, waved slightly in greeting to both, "Do you mind if I join? This sounds like the sort of thing I enjoy listening to."   
This message was last edited by the player at 20:37, Mon 17 Apr 2023.

Ra'Na'Ta' heard the footfall and smelled the new comer. He looked her direction before she made herself know. He made no aggressive movement just watched her and Madison to see her reaction. He wrinkled his nose. "This one does not know you, but you arrre like what This one has been told to expect frrrom the hairrrless ones. This one does not mind as long as Madi'son  does not."

Ra'Na'Ta' looked at Madison and began to answer her. "Yourrr Earrrth has many warrrs overrr stupid things. Do not get This one wrrrong we have had a warrr overrr something stupid too. What This one was told is grrreed rrruns yourrr Earrrth morrre than common sense, but that is just what we have been told. We have animals we rrride as well. They arrre like yourrr horse, but they have a tough leatherrry skin. This one will someday show you This one's village."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:10, Tue 18 Apr 2023.

In the silence that followed her question, Madison thought that Ra'Na'Ta' was formulating a thoughtful answer. But the next words were surprising. Actually, it wasn't the words that popped her eyes open, it was the voice.

Lifting her head, Madison turned to see what body was connected to the purrless and decidedly not male timbre. It was Dr.Verault, striding in with a request to join in the chill.

"Hello Doctor." Madison sang pleasantly. "Sure thing. Claim a cushion."

Closing her eyes again, Madison took in Ra'Na'Ta's rendition of Earth's population and politics. It was strange hearing how the only features of her home planet that resonated in the black were the corruption and violence. In fact it was actually offensive. Was there greed? Hells yeah. Stupid wars? You betcha. But if those were Earth's defining qualities, then how was it that so many Earthers were out defending the galaxy against Angels and Demons. Greed was the most overused accusation by those who don't have the ambition to go work for what they want. And what wars weren't stupid? The only way to prevent war was to accept conquest. This is what brought the ESN to the halls of Paradise.

But Ra'Na'Ta's perceptions were not his fault. As he said, it was just what he was told.

"I'm happy to tell you, Ra'Na'Ta', that everything you heard about Earth is wrong. That doesn't mean that there is no greed or war, but those things are just part of the fabric of a complex mix of histories and cultures. If I were to tale you to my home in Wyoming, you would see friendly people, full of grace and hospitality. These are the people that would take you in if you were lost and feed you if you were hungry and ask nothing in return. The vast majority of the world is like that. People who assert otherwise either have an agenda, or make the mistake of assuming bad people from Earth represent Earth."

"Let's make a deal. You show me yours, and I'll show you mine."

Ra'Na'Ta' could sense a slight change in her for a moment, but then it went back to how he sensed her earlier. He gave a throaty laugh and looked at her. "This one did not think that Madi'son was such a forrrward one. This one is guessing that you have neverrr seen a male Felrrrite, which is why you asked This one show his to you? This one is not modest."

Ra'Na'Ta' slowly stretched and began to undo his flight suit.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:32, Tue 18 Apr 2023.

Oh Shit. That was all Madison could think after Ra'Na'Ta' took her last statement way more literally than she intended. Of all the Earth idioms the Felrite could have understood, it had to be that one. Maybe they had a similar saying on Zolth. When she heard him undoing his flight gear, she jumped up and held out both hands.

"No no no no no." She prayed he would stop quickly, because - curiosity aside - she had no intention of showing him hers. "I made a mistake. That was not what I meant. Please. I was just talking about home towns." She glanced over to Dr.Verault for help.  "Ra'Na'Ta', please."

She knew this was going to be a super funny story one day. Maybe even within the same day. But if he didn't stop, it would be a very awkward moment.

Ra'Na'Ta' had just slipped his arms out when she explained. He once again gave a throaty laugh. "This on underrstands. This one's culturrre is built arrround not being in clothing. It is rrrestrrraining. It took This one a long time to get use to wearrring the flight suit. This one is not ashamed of his body, but ppprrroud of it. This one will stop. This one will be happy to see yourr village and to show his." He gave her a huge toothy green and laughed.

Alison had reclined in one of the chairs listening once again.  She managed to cover a soft laugh, once he began to remove his suit, at what he imagined was Madison's prompting.

She'd studied a number of alien cultures, but Felrite was wholly foreign to her.  And not at all what she might have expected.  She was curious now, and planned to do a little study, later.  Based on what she's heard so far, he struck her as an odd fit for the ESN, serving aboard a military vessel.

"She's right," she chimed in, "About the vast majority of Earth.  As I think you'll find out interacting with the Earthers aboard the Hermes.  What motivated you to enlist, if I might ask?  Given what you'd heard about Earth, and your sentiments about war?"

  Arnie was takign to   Billie  at the  abr on the  port side. Slavic, the Nivarian  was at the   bar on the starbaord, she was cleaning up glasses and plates, she  stopped to ask the three if they needed  a drink, or  snack  food.

With both hands pressing her heart back into her chest, Madison tossed her eyes up to the heavens. "Thank Gods." After a few more dramatic deep breaths, she fell back into her seat. It was funny. It was actually hilarious. But she wasn't ready to laugh just yet.

When Slavic asked if they needed anything, Madison considered a hard drink. The jump off was six hours away, more than enough time get past any alcoholic influence, but that was something for the victory party. "Yes, thank you. I'll have a cola, please."

Since Ra'Na'Ta' brought it up. "Please don't take your suit off, I'm just asking. Is your whole body covered in fur?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Tue 18 Apr 2023.

Ra'Na'Ta' looked at the other woman when asked why. "This one did such a thing because the Elderrrs said it must be done. Elderrrs see, in drream the Skith laying waste to all planets, if not stopped. This one had to join in the tourrrneyment to see who goes and no One could best This one." He slapped his paw against his broad well muscled chest, then went on. "Just because This one and his people dislike warrr does not mean we will not fight forrr what we think should be fought forrr."

When asked if he wished something to drink he said."This one wonderrrrs, if you would have sweet milk?"

"Yes, Madi'son, This one is covered in hair. He turned around gracefully so she could see his back and his tail swishing playfully, then turned back to her with a toothy smile. "Are you sure you would not like to see This one?" He winked at her and laughed knowing he was teasing her, but was enjoying it. He stood there looking at her and found he was surprised at himself, for enjoying her company, as much as he was.

"Thanks Ranata." Madison winked back. She would have to watch 'this one'. He was a rascal. That wasn't a bad thing but she got up to enough mischief by herself. "I'll just take your word for it."

"So, tell me about that contest to join the ESN. It sounds interesting"

"Virgin mojito, please," she requested from Slavic.  After this, she had the mother mountain of admin work to get back to.   Anything other than a virgin wasn't going to fly.

For her part, she did know Felrites were fully furred, like the majority of felines and felinoid species.  So the situation, as well as Madison's reaction to it, was humorous rather than alarming.

"Ah...so your stance on war isn't really different from most of ours." She too waited to hear the tale about the tournament.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:05, Tue 18 Apr 2023.

Ra'Na'Ta' looked at the one called Dr. "This one would not know since he has neverrr spoke with yourrr people beforrre now. This one can only go by what the Elderrrs told him.

Ra'Na'Ta then turned his attentions back top Madison. "The tourrrneyment is fourrr moons long and arrre fought underrr the moons. The Rrrakiit firrrst fight in a arrrena, with all fighting hand to hand and claw to claw. When six arrre left, then the fight stoppps till the next moon.  Theirrr wounds tended to and then prrreppparrre forrr the weapppon battle.

The Rrrakiit arrre allowed to use any weapppon of theirrr choosing except firrrrearms. When therrre arre fourrr left they again wait till the next moons. These battles arrre not to the death. If you can not stop a death blow you do not deserrrve to be in the tourrrneyment.  Their wounds arrre tended to and they ppprrreppparrre forrr the rrranged and hand gun battle.

Theses arrre at tarrgets to show your accurrracy with the differrrent weapppons. When that battles is done and two arrre left the last battle is in the black in yourrr shippp.

It is judged on spppeed, handling, accuracy, strategy, following orrrders, and finally a mock battle. So, as you see This one is standing herrre with you, since none could defeat This one. " He slapped his paw again to his chest and looked proudly at the two woman.

Alison glanced over at Maddie, smiled. "My god.  So this is a legit celebrity, here?  I think we should get some cocktail napkins autographed, don't you?" she suggested, tongue in cheek.     Then to Ranata:

"Truly, that is quite a feat to be proud of.  Other than being the who got to come here, were there any other awards for such a thing?"   

Ra'Na'Ta' looked at the woman uncertain just how to take that comment his tail whipping around madly. "This one is not surrre if you arrre mocking This one orrr not, but this is a grrreat honorrr among my pppeopple. This one also does not know what you mean by other awarrrds." He stood there looking at her his eyes very intense as they bore into her.

"What she means is if there was any other honor aside from coming to fight with us. So like a special title, or a medal, or house on a mountain." Madison noted how seriously he took it. "So, mo mockery. Just winning is an award all it's own." She waited for an answer but only a few seconds later, another question popped into her head.

"So, are you the only from Zolth here? I mean, if you have this single elimination tournament, it kind of means that only one of you get to come fight? So, is this tournament held by region or town? Or is it like every few cycles? You can't be the only Felrite in the black."

   Slavic came over  with their drinks...there is a  sqad of  Felrite  tropers, and there was a full flight of  felrites. but  the LC  said  ,Zolth was keeping thier  fighters and Pilots.. so..our Cats   have to fly the   Skeeters , when they lose  the   Hunters  that are left

Ra'Na'Ta' took a deep breath nodding in understanding and bowed to her. "This one is sorry forrr thinking wrrrongly. Ppplease forrrgive This one. No, therrre is no otherrr awarrrd. That one is correct. Each village sent a warrriorr to the tourrrneyment."

Madison still wasn't clear on the logistics. If Slavic was right, there were other Felrites in service to the ESN. If they were holding back their fighters, that meant that they had their own fighters, which implies that they have the technology and industry to produce them which also implies cities and a huge population. So something wasn't squaring with with Ra'Na'Ta's inter-tribal competition. Of course, like Earth there was probably a global population, and some of that population probably did live in villages.

"Tell me about the cities on Zolth." Maybe if she understood the planet better... "Are the Felrites the only intelligent species there?"

Ra'Na'Ta' took a deep breath. "This one's ppplanet is not backwarrrds. Therrre arrre larrrge cities. Yourrr pppeoppple have a base at one. Therrre arrre many larrrge and small cities. Therrre arre villages as well wherrre pppeoppple live the old ways. This one comes frrrom one of them. This one also has been to a city. It is not a ppplace This one would stay in.

This one went to the centerrr to be trrrained to fly, then left to be home wherrre This one belonged. This one enterrred the tourrrneyment, because the Elderrr seen it that way. This one is surrre that yourrr ppplanet is the same."