“Hey, Shaun. Don't think you're just gonna be sitting around on your ass for the next two weeks. We’ve some serious inventory work to do,'' Ember said as she walked out of the shower, a towel wrapped around her.
“Ha, ha! Yeah. We’ve plenty to do on that score, I’m thinking we also need to build some togetherness with our crew mates. I was just mulling over the danger of people feeling alienated… Shit, can I even say that now? Is it racist or something?”
Ember stood silent for a moment, thinking. “You know what, you might be right. Shaun, I think I’m sensing an improvement in your Wisdom already!”
“Ha fucking ha! Ember, do you think when you up your Intelligence stat some more, you’ll be less bloody obnoxious?”
“Hope not. It’s part of who I am. I mean, yeah. I want to be max level on all available skills, but not to the point of no longer being me. Would you even like me anymore?”
“What? Would I like you if you weren’t constantly giving me shit? Yeah, I think I’d be okay with that,” I laughed.
“Well, don’t get your hopes up, Shaun. It's my favorite bit of entertainment. So, you were talking about togetherness?”
“Yeah, maybe we should make sure to form mixed groups to train in. People are people, and will always be a little competitive. Let’s have them compete group to group, rather than race to race.”
“I’ve no doubt some dickheads will have made their way over from the Thoth and Seshat,” Ember replied, “but I think once they get a feel for what our alien friends can do, they’ll soon change their tune.”
“One-hundred percent,” I agreed. “And if they don't, I'll shoot them out into space.”
“You know you can't do that, don’t you?” she chuckled. “Even if we really want to.”
“Why? Racist fuck nuggets deserve to get ejected into space.”
“Yeah, but everyone on the Uprising will then be fearful that if they make a mistake, they’ll get the same treatment.”
“Mmm, so what should I do? Maybe just give them a good beating? Show that I'll deal personally with bullies.”
“What if it's a woman? Or a Torax? Or Veiletian?”
“Easy! You beat the women up, Elyek can beat Veiletians up and Koparr can beat Torax up.”
“Just when I thought you were showing signs of improvement, you come out with that shit,” she laughed. “You really are a fucking idiot, Shaun. You're a leader now, and you’ve gotta start thinking like one. Your days of beating people up because they were assholes needs to become a thing of the past, with the crew anyway. We need a solid, fair and consistent set of rules for discipline… for everything, really.”
“Shit, you’re right Ember,” I sighed. “I suppose we’ve been flying by the seat of our pants.”
“Well, to be fair, we haven't really led a big crew before. It’s just we need a fair set of rules on the Uprising that people can rely on.”
“We should have a meeting with Elyek, Acclo, Koparr, Mick and Gus to look at the best way forward for training the crew and setting rules.”
“What about Calegg?”
“Yeah,” Ember agreed, “might as well. I wouldn't want him feeling left out.”
“Okay, then. It's a plan. Get Acclo to get everyone together in the captain's office.”
“I’ll do it, only there’s one more thing; we need to start transcending humans.”
“Yup. But,” I paused, “I say only transcend Mick and Gus for now. They’re the only ones we trust enough. Then we’ll ask them to find the next candidates.”
“Agreed. They’ll know the other people here better than us, anyway.”
I walked over to the desk and pressed the comm for Acclo. A few seconds later their voice came back at me. “Hello, Captain. What can I help you with?”
“Acclo, I want to hold a meeting in 20 minutes with Elyek, Koparr, Mick, Gus and Calegg. Oh, and yourself. We’ll meet in the captain's room. Can you arrange that for me?”
“Of course, Captain. I will get right on it. Is there anything else?”
“No thanks, Acclo. See you there.”
The connection died, and I turned to Ember. “Sorted,” I announced, grabbing my suit from over the chair. “I’d better get ready then.”
“You could’ve given me a bit longer. Twenty minutes, you ass. Let’s hope no one else is in the shower, or you’ve put them in a right stressful situation, haven’t you?”
“Do you think I should change it?”
“Nah, you'll just look stupid. We need to avoid that as much as possible.”
“Well, there's a lot you could do to help with that perception, Ember.”
“Yeah, I know. I am going to try harder.”
“That would be nice,” I grinned, then turned to pick up Havok, who stood in the corner. “Hey, pal,” I said, “Do you want to come with us to the meeting?”
“Oh no, Shaun. I want to stand alone in the corner of this room.”
“Do I sense sarcasm?” I laughed at Havok. “Come on, then. On you get.” I grabbed him and swung him over my shoulder, where he settled into position.
Within ten minutes, Ember was ready, and we made our way to the office. We passed humans on the way who looked like they wanted nothing to do with me. I realized that maybe they weren't being assholes, they just probably didn't know how to act around me. So I made the effort to be friendly with them, whether I wanted to or not. “Hey,” I smiled, offering a wave to those I passed.
Most smiled sheepishly back but said nothing. Only one, a small, brown-haired woman, made the leap to talk back. “Hello Captain Shaun, Ember. Thank you for allowing us to come over to join you on your ship, I’m truly grateful to you for rescuing us. It's marvelous what you have both achieved.”
“That's okay. We’re pleased we found you all again. Sorry I don’t know your name,” I said, feeling unexpectedly happy for the interaction after all.
“Oh, of course, sorry I should have introduced myself, I’m Janet. I came from
