This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/hfy by /u/KyleKKent on 2025-09-05 21:35:44+00:00.

First

Antlers, Assumptions and Artillery

“And here it comes.” Bjorn notes calmly as the shape of The Inevitable slowly descends through the cold atmosphere.

“That ship has caused so much chaos in it’s wake you’d swear it was looking for trouble.” Crow notes calmly. “Do you think it’s going to come here?”

“I think one way or another that we’re going to find out.” Bjorn states.

“To be fair.” Jacob notes from where he’s standing on the railing with his talons properly. “When they were on Albrith the problems were already there, they just ended up stirring things up to the point they were exposed.”

“Well, if there’s drama here it should be cleared out in a proper hurry. No one wants to lose Zalwore as a transport hub.” Crow says.

“Just big time drama big guy. All sorts of little things can still happen. We’ll have to be careful.”

“Like everyone else won’t be careful. They’re here at a major Undaunted Stronghold with allies surrounding us.”

“And they were on one at Vucsa too. Didn’t stop a massive infestation of Slaughter Swarm from being discovered.”

“Yeah, but that one is even less actually tied to The Inevitable and more to things just being exciting while The Inevitable shows up. The Slaughter Swarm has a consistent pattern, and the reason it got the point it was was because the people who dealt with it the first time didn’t know what they were dealing with.”

“And we can assume The Inevitable does know about the ice worms right?”

“They’d be stupid not to.” Bjorn states and there is a pause. “We need to make absolutely sure they know.”

“Maybe we should wait for them to dock first?” Crow asks in an amused tone.

“Or… I make use of this.” Jacob says bringing out his communicator and tapping a few links. “Hey, Hey Harold! Good to hear from you, look. I know things are exciting. But make completely sure no one forgets that the lands off the surrounding hypercrete of the archologies is dangerous, dangerous stuff and liable to try and literally eat you.”

“You will? Great. Just making sure.” Jacob finishes up the call. “There, that should do it.”

“Right, so red alert then.” Bjon jokes.

“Oh come on! We’re not…! No, nope. Not invoking Murphy.” Jacob states.

“Which paradoxically invokes the bastard.” Crow states.

“Stop it.”

“Change of subject then.” Bjorn says as the warship starts slowly lowering and settling onto struts designed to catch a ship of similar size and the walkways start extending to it’s doors. “How’s your preparation for your return to Lilb Tulelb going?”

“Slowly. Admiral Crosswind demanded that I show I have at least a plan beyond get in range nad open fire to dealing with the issue. So I’ve been looking up laws and regulations about things and I think I’ve hit something at least mildly juicy with duress and distress laws.”

“Meaning?” Crow asks.

“If a criminal continues to cause pain and suffering from there mere existence due to sheer trauma of the victims it can be argued in many jurisdictions to expedite criminal trials and increase the severity of sentencing. The problem is proving it and the bigger issue is that it’s a fairly blunt weapon that’s often used as a last resort by the wealthy. I need a knife or more likely a scalpel and all I’ve found is a million credit jackhammer.”

“And as much as the irony as using the enemy’s weapon can be a sweet treat… it can be unwieldy as all get out.” Crow agrees as the bridges and walkways connect fully to The Inevitable and the doorways open. “Here they come.”

Both humans pull out binoculars and Jacob rolls his eyes.

“It’s just more humans. I’m going to assume you goofs have seen a fair number of those.”

“It’s less what species they are as how they’re holding themselves or the like. After all, if one shows up with an eyepatch then we’ve got something happening.” Crow says in an amused tone. “Looks like thigns are… hello? Teenagers?”

“There was a report of injuries and soldiers being on medical leave. Wanna bet that’s them?” Jacob asks.

“Wouldn’t you know?”

“I was in system with them and part of the escort to Albrith before my standard duties pulled me away. I didn’t actually go on the ship and while I did have a chat with The Observer, I wouldn’t say I got too much of a full interview. Still…”

“Still?”

“I want to make sure he goes to other archologies. Especially the Shriketalon Enclave.”

“Why especially the Shriketalon Enclave?”

“I’ve gone through some human media. And you guys made a lot of the same assumptions I did. Which will lead you to all the wrong conclusions about the Shriketalons and other pacifistic societies. My people are peaceful, not prey animals. But people hear cultural pacifist and they assume you’ve got a doormat. I assumed that…”

“Right, I think we’re getting a bit pensive and a little to contemplative for the tail end of chow time. I need to get back to scaring my rookies.” Bjorn says as he puts his Campaign Hat back on and his massive frame shifts from casual and calm to rigidly controlled and prime to snap at someone.

Drill Instructor Veers marches out and Crow snorts in amusement.

“He’s taken his orders changing very well.”

“Considering his stint as a bodyguard has ended and he’s now her husband and her a fitness instructor for the rookies…” Jacob notes.

“Well… most power couples aren’t power lifiting couples.” Crow remarks.

“So! You are the man taking the name of Koga!” A voice says and the massive frame of Crow turns and then looks down to the glasses bedecked Asian.

“… You’re not the Koga I know.” Crow says after a moment.

“You know my grandson… and you bare the name of Koga.”

“Only phonetically. Koga in Japanese and Koga in Tsalagi are very different things.” Crow states.

“REGARDLESS! You bear the name of Koga! Therefore you must be trained as a Ninja!”

“This is getting too weird. I’m out.” Jacob says hopping off the railing and gliding away.

“Now! The training can begin young Koga!” Daiju states and Crow looks down at him in absolute confusion.

“Don’t you have things to do?”

“Yes, teaching. Now teaching you.”

“I’m over four meters tall and I weigh a metric ton in raw muscle and bone.” Crow states.

“Don’t worry, even with your weight you can still be a ninja!” Daiju encourages him while reaching up to pat him on the stomach. “We can work around this!”

Crow is at a loss for words.

•-•-•Scene Change•-•-• (Undaunted Arcology, Admiral Crosswind’s Office, Zalwore)•-•-•

“Glad to see you made it. With all the madness that occurred on Skathac we were worried you’d find some delay in the laneway.”

“Nothing of the sort. But we have been followed. The ever increasing fame of two of our passengers has seen a small religious pilgrimage turn around and follow us.” Observer Wu says.

“Saint Bluelaser and Redblade. I am aware.”

“If you don’t mind, before anything happens would you mind if I interview you here and now?” Observer Wu asks.

“I’m afraid I have several appointments in short order. But tomorrow my schedule has several openings on it.”

“Does it? So this posting is a busy one?”

“This is a very busy part of the galaxy. To say nothing of the huge amount of training going on. I have presided over the graduation and training of many, many thousands of soldiers. In two days we have another graduation and I’m finishing up the final preparations now with tomorrow being the day for last minute bits of nonsense that always inevitably comes up. Meaning our interview then may be interrupted… but I suspect that will actually help. You’re here to observe. So if you see something happen organically then I assume it will only help your report.”

“Of course. Do you have time after lunch tomorrow.”

“I do.”

“Excellent. We’ll have the interview proper then. May I assume I have your permission to explore and observe this Arcology of yours.”

“It’s all open. Any place I want people out of are locked and guarded and if you run into one of those then you’re liable to have the door opened for you. But there are a few places, namely private residences, where that won’t happen. Understand?”

“Understood. Thank you for your cooperation Admiral Crosswind. I look forward to tomorrow.”

“Have a good day Observer Wu.” Admiral Crosswind states and he stands up and then is offered her hand to shake. He takes it. The texture of scales reminds him of the underbelly of a serpent. Quite appropriate.

“Welcome to Zalwore. May your visit be illuminating.”

“Illuminating? Not safe?”

“We’re in a military Observer Wu, if we’re safe then we’re doing something wrong.” She says and he chuckles.

“Fair enough ma’am. Thank you for your time. Although, I have to ask…”

“If it’s about the Vishanyan Embassy, I did the paperwork yesterday. It’s why I only have one day in front of graduation to catch last second issues and not my usual three.”

“Ah, thank you, I had been about to ask about that.” Observer Wu says. “Apologies for taking up so much of your time.”

A few moments later, as he’s leaving the room he nods to his bodyguards and they start moving. He wants to get a good look at The Arcology. How such a place is build and constructed.

Externally the building is a colossal pyramid, eclipsing even the size of the Giza structures and made to be lived in. There are over ten large levels with plenty of space that lead to external gardens, parks and terraces. Many of them covered in energy shields to allow different environments than the co…

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