#hello ms. moon how do you approve of my design

[calwasntfound]

another pearl doodle from class :)

#hello ms. moon how do you approve of my design #cal doodles #pearlescentmoon #hermitcraft #hermitcraft fanart #pearly-pop!

[scruffyhappaboreherder]

Pumpkins and Problems

(A Halloween fic, ~1600 words.  Cassian and Jyn are neighbors.  Jyn has had a lousy day; she doesn’t know it, but Cassian has too.  Fallout ensues.  Warning for mention of an offscreen transphobic action, abuse of a spare key, and a conflict between Jyn and Cassian that isn’t resolved by the end.)  Now has a followup here.

Jyn trudged wearily to the door to her duplex.  Her first graders had been fidgety with excitement about Halloween, and her car had been dead when she tried to start it.  Normally she could have called her neighbor for a ride home after she dealt with having the car towed to a repair shop.  She had tried, but his number had gone straight to voicemail, and after waiting a few minutes for a return call or text she had taken the bus home.

The nearest stop wasn't that close, and she had gotten drenched when the heavens opened up moments after she stepped off the bus.  All she wanted now was to shower before she had to be ready to hand out candy.  Having enough time to dry her hair would be a bonus.

She stopped short at the steps.  Her neighbor's side had eight pumpkins neatly lined up.  All of them had designs: half of them had faces.  The others were a witch on a broomstick, a cat with an arched back, a skull, and a wolf howling at the moon.

"That's ... festive," she muttered.  The pumpkins hadn't been there when she left.  Well, her neighbor worked at home most of the time; one of the benefits was that you could carve out the time to carve a pumpkin or eight.

She turned the key and let herself in, making straight for the stairs, leaving her purse on the floor and strewing clothing as she went.  She was done with the feeling of wet fabric sticking to her skin

Her socks were the last thing to go.  Hot water, here I come.  She stepped over the wall of the bathtub and shrieked.  She was up to her ankles in ... goo.  Cold, gloppy goo.

She looked down nervously.  The goo was orange.   Pumpkin slime.  She was standing in pumpkin slime.

Jyn thought of the freshly carved pumpkins on the steps.   Well.  I guess I was wrong that I could trust him with a spare key.  "What did I ever do to you, Cassian Andor?" she muttered.  

She bent down and swept the rug aside, climbed gingerly out, and sat on the toilet.  She moved the trash can, held her pumpkin-coated feet over it, and reached for some toilet paper.  This was not going to be fun at all.

Half an hour later, her feet were no longer wet or sticky.  She had toweled herself dry, picked up her dirty clothes, and thrown them in the hamper with more force than was strictly required.  Her hair was brushed and semi-dry; now she was hesitating in front of the closet.  The temptation to put on pajamas was strong; but when there was any chance she might encounter her students and their parents, she made a point of looking presentable.  She settled on tights, a black broomstick skirt, and a long green sweater that would hide her braless state.  Black flats finished the ensemble.

She put on mascara and a little lip gloss and went downstairs to assemble the candy and other Halloween goodies she was going to be handing out.  She had novelty erasers and pencils for the kids with allergies; the candy she planned to dole out was free of several of the common allergens, but you never knew.

A few minutes before the designated trick-or-treat hours started, she was ready, seated on the couch with the candy bowl ready to grab.  Her doorbell rang, and she got up.

It wasn't a trick-or-treater.  Well, it wasn't a child trick-or-treater.  The costume was impressive even if she had no idea what it was: a glowing-eyed pumpkin head and a black robe over an outfit with tall boots and crossed belts featuring a skull and crossbones.

"What are you dressed as?" Jyn said finally, breaking a silence that was rapidly becoming uncomfortable.

"A reminder that you shouldn't fuck with the person who has your spare key," said her neighbor.

"You're the one who decided I wanted a pumpkin pedicure," Jyn snapped.  "And I want my spare key back by the end of the night."

"I want mine back, too."

Jyn ducked back inside and slammed the door.  It was a short walk to the kitchen drawer where she kept Cassian's spare key.  She opened the door, startling a trick-or-treater who was reaching for the doorbell, and then had to fumble for the candy bowl.  "Nice Spider-Man," she told the kid, and dropped some candy in the pillowcase that was held out to her.

When the kid was gone, she held the key out to Cassian.  He took it, and then had nowhere to put it.  Apparently his costume didn't have pockets.  She swallowed a smirk as he dangled her key awkwardly from his one free hand.  

But she really did want it back, so she took it, and slid it into her skirt pocket.  "Your costume is less impressive now that I know it doesn't have pockets," she informed him.

He scowled at her.  "It does have pockets.  But it's none of your business where they are.  I am not talking about my costume to someone who tried to ruin it."

"I didn't even know you were wearing one, so how could I have possibly tried to ruin it?"

"Freezing my new binder inside a giant block of ice and filling the boots with kitty litter made a good start."

"What?  I didn't do that!  I wouldn't have done that.  Except that right now I'd like to buy whoever did it a beer."

"You're the only one who has a spare key.  Unless you think it was the management company."  He handed some candy to a girl dressed as Elsa, and Jyn followed suit.

"Are you really, really sure about that?  That no one else ever had a spare key?"  She flashed back to the time over the summer when he'd asked her to feed his cat while he was away, and she couldn't, because she was going to a conference.  Not that the beast would have starved over the weekend—it was a huge Maine Coon—

She dragged her thoughts back to the present and looked at him.  It was impossible to see if any realization had struck behind the mask, but she had looked back in time to see his shoulders slump.

"Oh, shit.  Jyn, I'm sorry."

"I'll take that for what it's worth."  She doled out candy to a pair of pirates.  "Right now?  Not much."

"I guess I deserve that," he said when the pirates were gone.

"No argument here."

"Any chance we can hash this out when we aren't being swarmed by children?"

"What is there to hash out?  You jumped to conclusions and vandalized my bathroom.  You're not getting the time you need to talk your way around that tonight."

The sound of a throat clearing pulled her attention away from Cassian's response, if he had one.

"Hello, Ms. Erso."

Jyn blinked, and turned to look at her latest visitor.  She didn't recognize the child in the turtle costume, but she did know the man who'd greeted her.  "Mr. Malbus.  Hello.  And Happy Halloween, Lan."  Lan held out her teal pumpkin, and Jyn gave her a handful each of erasers and pencils.  "Candy too?  It should be safe."  She held her bag of lollipops up; Lan's father nodded provisional approval, and Jyn gave her a handful.  Lan had serious food allergies; Jyn hadn't realized she lived close enough to show up at her house, but she was glad she'd prepared.  She'd been thinking of kids like Lan when she'd picked out her candy and other offerings.

"Happy Halloween again, Ms. Erso!  And thank you," Lan added.

Jyn smiled.  "You're welcome, Lan."

"Is everything all right?" Mr. Malbus asked, and Jyn wanted to die of embarrassment.  He wasn't just Lan's father; he was also Jyn's co-worker.  At least she knew he wasn't much for workplace gossip.

"I'm fine," she assured him, after what was probably an awkwardly long pause; it was the best safe answer she could find.

"All right, then.  Lan and I will see you tomorrow."  

"Of course."  Jyn managed what she hoped was a properly collegial tone.  "See you then.  Have fun, Lan."

"Bye, Ms. Erso," Lan called, and turned to wave as she and her father walked away.

"Bye, Lan," Jyn replied, trying to summon up her teacher's smile.  She probably failed miserably; in any event, she could feel the attempt turning into a glare as they walked away and she remembered that Cassian was still there.

"You talked yourself right into that, so don't try to blame it on me," he said before she could speak.  "I think that's enough for this evening."

He opened his door, and swept inside in a swirl of fabric.  His duplex's porch light went off a moment later.

That was much more dignified than someone wearing a pumpkinhead has any right to be.  She stayed where she was, handing out candy to everyone who came calling until her bowl was empty and she was down to pencils and erasers.  Then she went inside and flopped down on the couch.  She had to admit that after a day like this it would be nice to have a cat to pet and sulk with.  But sulking won't make my bathroom clean tomorrow morning.  She got up with a weary sigh, grabbed her dustpan and a trashbag and a roll of paper towels, and headed upstairs.

Thanks for reading!  A followup can be found here.

#therebelcaptainnetwork #rebelcaptain fanfic #rebelcaptain #my posts #i wanted to write a rebelcaptain fic for halloween and here it is #halloween

[the-resident-wallflower]

Beta Readers Ahoy!

This is for everyone who wanted to give feedback!

The start of the alliance between the humans and the Jarthinark happened quite on accident. The Jarthinark being of a species of hive mentality never imagined that they’d come across a species that was so individualized; one that prided themselves on being such. The humans were on another ‘official’ mission to their moon when they were intercepted by a Jarthinark ship. The exact nature of their discourse was never revealed to the public of either species, but it was decided for the people of Earth and the Jarthinark of Jarark that their allegiance would be beneficial to both species. And thus it began.

The Jarthinark are what humans would refer to as giant Praying Mantis/Spider-esque creature. They were several feet taller that the average male human with four clawed forearms and five pitch black eyes.  They had evolved thousands of human years from a prey species. They could change their outer armor’s color on command and even change its texture if necessary. The humans caught on to how the Jarthinark behaved and what their culture was like a lot quicker that that of the Jarthinark to the humans. Who could blame them? There were thousands of different types of humans and hundreds of thousands of cultures and their varying customs that these newcomers had to learn them all. Jarthinark of being of one culture and one mentality, it was easier to adapt.

That’s the main thing that the Jarthinark took in about the humans. Their ability to adapt and preserve when all seems lost or pinned against them, was astounding. They would be an asset to the Jarthinark no doubt. They’d just never know how much they would come to rely on these small, armor-less predators.

……………………………………………………

As Captain Smoig of the Jarthinark finished his briefing, the entire ship was in chaos. We were going to allow a predator species aboard the ship? They were going to travel with the Jarthinark? There’s no way these creatures are real, Zorgk thought. Apex predators with no perceivable armor are the masters of their realm? Not possible. The Jarthinark had never come across predator species in their explorations and that’s how they liked it. Predator species are odd and usually violent. Violence is not something they need in their quest to map out the Expanse. Capt. Smoig assured them that they have agreed to a pact and that these Humans could prove to be useful.  

The impending visitors worried Zorgk and their partner Eeberbot. The mechanical team didn’t need three Humans to get in the way. The ship ran just fine without nosey intruders. But it wasn’t their decision. Captain Smoig had spoke with Queen Menance on Jarark, and she approved the mission. The captain informed them of their impending doom only one cycle before the Humans were to board. They were instructed to prepare the bay and await the visitors.

When the first Human boarded, the tension left the air. They had been provided with a guide to the Humans but it only brought out skeptics and deniers. The Humans were many different colors and genders, none of them had an outer skin like the guide had assured. And these ‘predators’ were several heads smaller than the Jarthinark and they looked frail in comparison to the five eyed multicolored species that inhabited the ship.

Captain Smoig introduced their captain, Senior Commander Lee, to the crew and then introduced Zorgk and Eeberbot to his mechanical team, Human Judy, Human Bethany, and Human Robert.  

“Come this way.” Zorgk said gruffly, attempting to lead the way to the Tech Room.

The second Jarthinark ignored Zorgk and turned to the newcomers, “I am Eerberbot and this is Zorgk,” Eeberbot stated, introduced themselves, “We are the Mechanical Leads.”

“Hello,” The one categorized as ‘Bethany’ stepped forward extended her appendage, ”I’m Commander Bethany MacDonald, this is Mission Specialist Judy Smith and Mission Specialist Robert ‘Rob’ Kandl.”

Zorgk looked at her outstretched appendage with apprehension “And?”

“I’m sorry. I forgot myself for a second. I was attempting to shake your claw in greeting.” She stated. “It’s a traditional sign of greeting and respect among individuals on Earth.”

“Greeting? Shaking our appendages together is a greeting? And show’s respect?” Zorgk shook his head, clearly agitated. “Please follow me.”

Beth brought her hand back to her side with a shrug and motioned for her team to follow the giant bug-like alien.

The Tech Room was similar to that of an engine bay on a human ship but the humans were fascinated. Immediately, they dispersed throughout the room and starting analyzing the controls.

“Zorgk, where is the fuel?” Judy asked.

“We do not utilize a liquid fuel. Our energy comes from what you call ‘stars’” Eeberbot responded. “The gas is very effective and prominent.”

The humans shared a look about Eeberbot answering for Zorgk but they didn’t have a chance to comment on it as an alarm starting to sing. Immediately, the demeanor of the three humans changed.

“Zorgk, what do you need us to do?” Commander Bethany asked.

“Nothing. Stand clear while we work.” Zorgk responded moving to the main screen to determine the root cause of the alarm.

Ignoring Zorgk’s precious statement, Bethany motioned for Robert to follow the giant and looked to Eeberbot, “Eeberbot, what do you need us to do?”

“Human Bethany, please come here and reach that nozzle.” Bethany obliged and twisted the nozzle to the left, while Judy called out the pressure.

“Okay, Commander, you’ve hit your mark!” Judy shouted over the alarm as the gauge returned to a normal range.

The siren silenced and Zorgk stared at Bethany with all of their five eyes. “How did you know to loosen the nozzle? Or that you would turn it in the right direction?”

“It’s not our first rodeo.” Bethany laughed, “Obviously, the pressure was too high. The gauges were off the chart.”

“Okay,” Zorgk conceded, confused at her reference to a ‘rodeo’, “But how did you know what direction?”

“Some instinct and a mnemonic device.” Bethany said, “Right-y tight-y, left-y loose-y.”

Zorgk huffed and turned his back to the three humans. Eeberbot, however, was intrigued at these mnemonic devices.

“I will show you to your quarters. Please tell me more of those devices.” Eeberbot asked as he lead the humans from the Tech Room.

…………………………………………………………..

There first mission was in Sector 3. They were visiting a realm called Quarth, it contained what humans refer to as water as well as various forms of life. Zorgk and Eeberbot were prepared to maintain the ship and they were prepared for repairing the cruiser that would descend into the atmosphere. They were not prepared for the humans in their specialty who were planning on traveling to the new planet. Not only were the planning for it, they were eager. This confused the Jarthinark to no end.

“Human Beth, why would your team want to leave your designation?” Zorgk questioned.

“I’m not only an Engineer. I’m also a Biologist. Judy is a Botanist while Rob is a Geologist. Anyone planning on going to space must have at least two specialties.” Beth explained, “That way we can all do each other’s jobs should it be necessary.”

“But why would it be…oh.” Eeberbot stopped.

“Nah, it’s fine.” Beth laughed, “It’s just a failsafe. Anyway, why wouldn’t you want to leave the ship?!”

Zorgk just rolled their eyes. “Jo! Help me out!” Beth cried.

Before ‘Jo’ could respond Eeberbot spoke up, “Human Bethany, who is this ‘Jo’ you are speaking to?”

“Jo? It’s Judy.” Bethany laughed. “It’s a nickname.”

Now Zorgk was intrigued in their conversation. “Nick name?”

“Yeah,” Judy piped up, “They call me ‘Jo’ because there’s two other Judy’s under Commander Lee. And it’s short.”

“Right. Commander MacDonald is a mouthful and Bethany is too long. So, they call me Beth.” Beth added.

“They call me ‘Rob’ but I really don’t care.” Said the third human. Jo and Beth glared at him unamused.

“Would you provide us with nick names, Human Beth?” Eeberbot asked.

“Oh, of course! It’ll be helpful in a crisis. The quicker you can address your crew, the less likelihood of a major catastrophe. How’s ‘Z’ and ‘Bot’?”

Eeberbot adapted the teeth bearing form that he’d reviewed in their guide to human emotions. It was supposed to be a smile.

Beth smiled in return and then clapped her hands together loudly, “Okay! Back to the issue at hand! How can you not want to explore the planet?”

“Human Bethany, we do not have visions of grandeur. We serve our purpose and move on.” Zorgk replied in an effort to discontinue the discussion.

“Haven’t you ever been to a new planet before?” Eeberbot asks.

The trio shook their heads.

“Why not? You managed to get to us. What was stopping you…wait, have you not stretched beyond your sector?” Zorgk questioned in disbelief. “How have you not left your sector?”

“We don’t have the technology to last extended periods in space.” Replied Beth simply.

“How did you get here?” Eeberbot asked, “You obviously didn’t ride a rocket, those explode.”

“Actually…”Judy started in an high pitched singsong voice.

“You rode a combustible. To get to the Expanse.” Zorgk looked to be experiencing pain, astonishment, and fear all at the same time. “How has your species come to survive and be the dominant one of your planet?”

“We are not talking about us. We’re talking about you.” Beth stated ignoring the insult. “Why do you always stay on the ship?”

“We have one purpose, one ability. We need to stay with the ship.” Bot said.

“But what if the machinery breaks while the crew is on the planet?” Judy asks.

“We’d send another.” Zorgk answers curtly.

“That’s so wasteful!” cried the Commander.

“And stupid.” Rob comments.

“Rob!” the two women scolded in unison. “Apologize!” Demanded Beth.

“My apologizes, I did not mean any offense.” MS Kandl said testily.

Beth was about to comment on his half assed apology when an announcement sounded off. The Human Commander and a Jarthinark of each team were needed in briefing for the upcoming mission.

…………………………………………………

It was supposed to be a short and sweet type of mission. They were to take a cruiser and descend into the atmosphere, land, collect specimens to analyze, and shoot back up to the ship. That’s not what happened. From the very start of their day, everything went wrong. The Jarthinark were unhappy to note that Captain Smoig had taken the suggestion of Commander Lee and they were now required to accompany the cruiser to the surface. He assured them that it would be good for the Jarthinark to experience new things. The Humans were always learning and they could perform many skills. Why shouldn’t the Jarthinark also have that ability?

The cruiser had to drop an entire team so that the Jarthinark in the mechanical team and those from the biological team could fit. They dropped the medical team as the mission was only supposed to be for twelve hours. Descend, collect, return. Quick and simple. Except it wasn’t. The Jarthinark are twice as heavy as the average human and four of them outweighed the three humans that were on the medical team. The extra weight caused an issue with the cruiser that wasn’t foreseen and instead of landing on the surface of Sector 3 subsection B, what the Earthlings referred to as Zaldar, they crashed.

The landing gear had failed with the extra weight and it sent the cruiser tumbling across the surface into the brush of Zaldar, like a boulder in a canyon that ends up in a cactus bush. When it finally came to a stop, the team was sprawled across the cruiser, bruised and battered.

“Tim! Team! Count off!” Commander Beth called out.

“One!” came Jo’s rough cough

“Two!” a groaning Rob sounded

“Three!” Came the call from Rose of the Biological Team.

“Four!” Tim, the Commander of the Biological Team called out.

“Z! Bot!” Came the sharp command from Beth.

“Human Beth?” Came Zorgk’s respond, “We have survived.”

“What the hell?!” She shouted as she took in the state of her team. “You have to respond! Tim, where’s your Jarthinark, Chuz and kGindo?”

“Accounted for!” Came his reply.

Immediately the humans on board starting taking stock of the supplies on board while the Jarthinark sat around, dumfounded at the accident.

“Zorgk, Eeberbot, Chuz, kGindo,” Called Tim, “See if you guys can pry open the door, it’s stuck.” The Jarthinark were revitalized with something to do.

“Okay,” Started Jo, “We have enough supplies to get us through a week. Zorgk, who’s the highest ranking Jarthinark?”

“Highest ranking?” They questioned.

“Who’s in charge of you guys?” Beth asked, she had no time for nonsense.

“Well, you are.” Zorgk responded. “Captain Smoig made our orders clear, Commander. You are our Captain until we rejoin the ship.”

Beth nodded and addressed Tim. “Take your team out and make a parameter. We’ll stay here, we need to assess the damage, supplies, and make this place livable.”

He nodded and motioned for his team to follow him out the freshly opened door.

Beth turned around and addressed her team, “We need to clear out as much debris as possible and take an assessment of the damage. Bot, you and Rob are to go out and assess the outer damage.” They nodded and left the cabin of the cruiser. “Zorgk, I need you to run a diagnostic on the system and tell what we have and what we don’t” He nodded and approached the main computer. “Jo, we need to document what we can and ration out the food and supplies. Let’s get to work.”

It was an Earth hour before the Bio Team returned from their excursion.

“Beth,” Tim called into the cabin, “We need to talk.”  

She looked up from the list she and Jo had compiled. Rob and Bot had reported that the homing device had been damaged but the hull would provide shelter. Zorgk had also given her bad news stating that the communication systems were inoperable. From the sound of Tim’s voice, it was about to get worse.

She hopped down from the opening and walked over to the other Commander. “Tim? What’s the verdict?”

His mouth was a straight line as he thought about his next thought. “We’re in the middle of a forest. These trees,” he gestured to the tall tree like fauna next to them, “They’re like redwoods. Huge and ridiculous.”

“Okay..?” Beth raised her eyebrow, “What does that mean for us?”

“Our communication system isn’t working because the trees are blocking the signal. And without the homing beacon,” He slowed, “I don’t know how they’re going to find us.”

“Oh.” Beth said grimly, “I guess we’ll have to make this hellhole our new home.”

Tim grinned, “I knew I married you for some reason.”

Beth laughed and they made their way back into the cruiser to deliver the bad news.

“Guys, listen up. Our comms are down, the homing device is destroyed, and we have a week’s worth of food.” Beth addressed the group, “Our mission has changed radically.”

Rob snorted and Rose smacked his shoulder. “We all have loved ones on the main ship and I am going to try like hell to get us back to them.”

“Commander?” Eeberbot stopped Beth, “What is a ‘loved one’?”

“Bot, it’s someone that you care deeply for. Like your life partner. For example, Rose’s wife, Mai, works on the medical team with Jo’s husband, Rick. Rob’s parents are back on Earth. And Commander Tim is the other Commander MacDonald.” She continued with a smile in Tim’s direction, “It’s the people we love that give us the strength to get shit done.”

“Your purpose?” Zorgk asks.

“Yeah, Z,” Jo answers them, “Something like that.”

The marooned team set up their camp using supplied from the cruiser. The humans created a fire and sat around it for fun, which confused the Jarthinark to no end. Why do they seem to enjoy dangerous things?  The Jarthinark joined the Humans under the premise of research. That is, until they felt the heat from the flame. It was many years ago that the Jarthinark had experienced heat from a combustion up close, it was gloriously warm and although it appeared dangerous, there was a calming effect it had over the entire crew, as if they were what the humans referred to as ‘camping’.

“Okay. So, Tim was telling me that you guys spotted some wildlife?” Beth prompts.

“Yeah,” Rose responds, “They were small, four legged creatures. This planet seems to be Earth-like. However, I think we should be careful. I’m going to get a vial of the ‘water’ we saw and test it. And Rob,” She turned to address the outcast, “I’m going to need help tomorrow.”

“With what?” He responded flatly.

“We need to identity as much as well can and you’re the geologist. You can really help me with my research.”

“Sure.” He said as he rose to the standing position. “I’m gonna talk a walk.”

As he left the two commanders shared a look. There was definitely something wrong there.

 Beth woke up to the snap of a branch. She slowly rolled onto her side and saw a sixed legged creature stalking it way toward the Jarthinark a few feet away. She reached under her makeshift pillow for the small hatchet she had placed there. The creature was so focused in on Zorgk that it didn’t even hear her change positions.  It lunged toward Zorgk and Beth lunged towards it. She hit it with an angry battle cry and within seconds her hatchet was buried deep into the back of the intruder. It shuddered once and died.

Unfortunately, the commotion had woken the rest of the crew. Zorgk stared at Beth in shock. This Human had not only put herself in harm’s way for them but she had killed the creature responsible for it.

“Thank you, Commander.” Zorgk expressed, “I am in your debt.”

Beth smiled at his first acknowledgement of her title, “Please, it’s no problem. You’re still breathing and now we have dinner.” She said as she tied the creature to a branch several feet away.

“Commander, I am in your debt.” Zorgk repeated in a serious tone, “I pledge my loyalty to you for as long as you please.”

Beth smiled again at Zorgk. She patted his shoulder and made her way back to Tim. “Alright, team, we have to be up bright and early. Let’s get some shut eye.”

 The next morning the team woke up to Rob missing. Immediately, Beth jumped into Commander mode.

“Bot, you and Jo go west. Zorgk and I will head North. Tim, Chuz, south. You two,” She pointed at Rose and kGindo, “east. Moveout!”

They searched until the planets three suns were high in the sky but with no luck. He had vanished.

“We’ll find him.” Beth said as they regrouped, “We just need to sit and talk it out.”

The Jarthinark didn’t know what talking out their ‘feelings’ would do but the humans all agreed and assembled around the remnants of the combustion.

“Rob was acting strange yesterday.” Rose started and the rest of the Humans nodded.

“Rose,” started Eeberbot, “What do you mean ‘strange’?”

“I don’t know. He was acting different. He’s usually sullen and nonconfrontational but he’s been more and more aggressive as our time in space goes on.” She answered.

“Exactly.” Judy continued the thought, “The other day when he insulted you? That was very unlike him. He’s never been disrespectful like that before.” And again the Humans nodded in agreement.

“You document how other Humans act?” Zorgk asked.

“No Z, we just work really closely with the same people. You’d notice if Bot was acting funny. We just have a larger scale of individuals to pay attention too.” Explained Beth. “Did you guys notice anything?”

“Actually,” Chuz raised his head, “Human Rob looked on the brink of violence last sun fall when you protected Zorgk. I assumed it was in the same manner that you looked. But his eyes were empty of good intentions. His fits were curled with rage.”

They set back out to search some more when Zorgk and Beth came across a small clearing. A great crashing sound sounded from the north end of their position. Rob emerged, covered in the varying fauna of Quarth, he walked with murder on his mind.

“What the hell, Rob?!” Beth started to approach him. He didn’t even acknowledge her; only the Jarthinark at her side.

“We’re stuck on this godforsaken planet all because you had to come! You stupid, fucking, dumbass bugs. You should all be exterminated!” He screamed.

“Hey!” Beth barked “It’s not their fault. We didn’t know that the landing gear couldn’t handle the extra weight!”

He switched direction mid step towards Beth. “And you,” his voice accusatory and dripping with malice, “if you had just kept your fucking mouth shut. We wouldn’t have to bunk with them!”

“Kandl! Knock it off!” Beth shouted. “That is uncalled for and you will be disciplined and ejected from this mission and on the first flight back to Earth.”

“Oh, yeah??!!” Rob lunged at Beth revealing a sharp piece of shrapnel. She cried out as the metal made contact with her shoulder.

Zorgk appeared at her side lightning fast and accepted the next wave of Rob’s rage. They clamped down on Rob’s body with all four of their clawed appendages immobilizing him. “Commander?” they questioned peering at Beth who was bleeding from her shoulder but otherwise unhurt. “What are your orders?”

“Bring him in to camp.” Came her reply dripping with rage.

The entire crew regrouped at camp and they were shocked to see Rob. But they were more shocked to see both Zorgk and Beth bleeding.

“What the hell happened?” Tim called out concerned. He jogged out to meet them.

“He happened.” She said gestured to Rob. She moved her shoulder a bit and hissed in pain.

The other three Jarthinark approached Zorgk to release him of his captive. “Tie him down securely. He did not come easy.” Zorgk spoke as he released his grip.

The remainder of the team set to work on thoroughly securing Rob to a chair on the ship using rope and good old fashioned duct tape. The Jarthinark were skeptical but had learned not to question the ways of the tiny Humans.

Tim set to work on stitching up Beth’s arm and consulting Zorgk on how best to treat the cut he had sustained.

“Do not worry about me. I will only need to cover it and it will heal.” Zorgk assured him.

“Tim?” Beth looked at him. He nodded and left them alone.

The unspoken communication was something the Jarthinark would have to study when this mission was completed but for now, Zorgk was content to relax and heal.

“Zorgk, I wanted to thank you for stepping in back there. I never expected him to try to hurt us. And I’m sorry he said those awful things. Please know that we don’t all think like that.” She smiled up at the giant creature.

“Commander, I am forever indebted to you and your kind. You have saved my life as well as those of my comrades.  You have taught us more in this short time that we have learned in the many years of our existence. Please accept my allegiance.” “Zorgk crossed his two left claws and placed them over his chest, a traditional salute of the Jarthinark, pledging his respect and loyalty.

“As I am to you.” Beth raised her right arm gingerly as to not disturb her left shoulder and offered Zorgk her hand. He grasped it gently and shook it up and down, as Beth’s smile grew wider.

Their heart felt concession ended abruptly as a landslide like crash came from the west. Humans and Jarthinark alike storm into the clearing that the crash had made. Zorgk stopped, frozen with their mandibles gaped open in the most unpleasant manner, pure astonishment in their eyes.

“Commander?” They questioned. “What? How did they?”

Beth shrugs, “No man left behind.”

#Humans are weird #humans are space orcs #Feedback please! #emily writes stuff