A day off. Obsidian 2016/11/9 9:22 1701 1
I have just been told we may not be able to return home, that the vortex that led us here is no longer detectable to our sensors and I have no idea what to do next. I have competent crew working on a solution. I'm standing in my office staring out the window at the planet below...I often find myself doing that. This situation went from exasperating, to desperate. As I contemplate the situation my doorbell chimes:
"Enter."
Shadawar comes walking in, a look of concern on his face, dear heavens don't let it be more bad news.
"Captain, I'd like to speak to you about a personal matter."
"Oh thank the gods."
"What?"
"Honestly, I thought you were coming in here to tell me the power core was overloading or something."
"No heh heh, nothing even close. I just have this crewman who is working himself to death and refuses to take any breaks. I wanted your input on how I should handle it."
"Is he becoming a danger?"
"no but I'm afraid it may be interfering with his performance."
"Well have the The chief medical officer issue a medical for 24 hours R and R. I don't want anyone endangering this mission."
"I already spoke to the doctor and I have the order here."
".......it's for me isn't it?"
"Yup 24 hours R and R. As per YOUR orders sir."
"You know this isn't a military ship right, and that I don't have to follow those orders?"
"Yeah but I think you're overworking yourself. You've handled every critical aspect of this mission personally and it's been a bit much. You should seriously take a day to sort it all out. I can handle things for a day sir, get some rest...doctor's orders."
"Okay fine, maybe you're right. Just, keep the ship in one piece will ya?"
I turn the reigns over to my very astute first officer and head to my quarters where...five women are apparently waiting for me. I really hadn't been looking forward to dealing with this. The second I walk through the door I am assailed by women catering to my every need. Aini removes my helmet, and she's apparently been telling the others how to remove my armor as they disassemble it like pro's. I'm tired so I don't protest as they lead me to a hot steaming bath. I receive pampering the likes of which I have never known before. My mind becomes awash as these five ladies treat me like a king. They can cook their butts off and make a meal I won't forget any time soon. I discover the sister's names are Iote, Ninniach, and Vanim. There are many customs among her people that are strictly between husband and wife and they each take turns observing them. Aini of course is eager to help and any trepidation I felt before is washed away in a haze of delight. What's the old saying? "In for a penny, in for a pound?" I'm never gonna be good with this but maybe I can make it work. The next morning the Ai is waiting for me at the foot of my bed on her knees and I nearly lose it.
"Aini!!!!" I shout.
Aini rushes into the room, and immediately identifies the problem.
"N'uma amin arwen, lle uma il- kawa n'ala lle verno'. ro irma ten' lle a' be ho companion il- ho mool. ikotane duna, ro naa sai- lovien. lle coia yassen lye ar' sina lye men, saesa Soora lye customs."
(No my lady, you do not bow before your husband. he desires for you to be his companion not his servant. So rise, he is very loving. You live with us and this our way, please follow our customs)
Ai nods and I help her to her feet. She looks away, and all I can do is sigh. I lift her chin so that I'm staring in her ice blue eyes. I kiss her gently on the lips and she smiles. I feel warm and fuzzy and Aini is positively beaming. I can't look at this as a mistake anymore, I have to own this. I wanted peace with their people and this was part of the price for that peace. These women didn't ask for this but they accepted it. As for as Ai knows I am a demon just like Aini, or possibly worse. I have to do right by them and honor this arrangement in good faith. The ladies are a a team and a seamless one at that, they work effortlessly in the kitchen together. I call Aini over to me, she's gonna be my go to girl for managing this household, and as she approaches Ai speaks up.
"Aini, amin naa yeste' verne', whatever amin verno' quena, naa ten' amin ears. stay manke lle naa. verno', lle melar Lotesse sinta sut things moota sinome, nan' quel verno', ta naa amin yamen' san- acre en' lye eska. saesa quena a' amin."
(Aini, I am first wife, whatever my husband speaks, is for my ears. Stay where you are. Husband, your lover may know how things work here, but good husband, it is my place to take acre of our home. Please speak to me.)
I raise my hand towards Aini, and nod. With a look of concern she backs down.
"ai, lle quena sanya, Amin hiraetha. saesa nyara aini cael- ilye maa (exclamation)' lle report a' i' medical room ten' y' universal translator mauya. ta will halani lle rangw- i' dirthen lye ilye quena n'uma matter sut n'ataya ron naa."
(Ai you speak the truth. I apologize. please tell Aini to have each of you report to the medical room for a universal translator implant. it will help you to understand the languages we each speak no matter how different they are.)
Ai looks at her sisters and Aini and they leave for the Medbay. They each kiss me goodbye in turn and head out. I smile and think how I couldn't find one love and now apparently I have 5 and to my disbelief it's not a competition and nobody is accusing me of cheating. As I look around my quarters I realize that they are too small to accommodate six people and make a call to Sabrina.
"Engineering, this is the captain."
"Aye sir?" Sabrina chimes back immediately
"As soon as its convenient I am going to need to see you in my quarters."
"Only so long as you're not planning to add me to your harem sir."
Smartass,.
"Ha...ha...ha." I say wryly "You're close but not quite. I need to expand my quarters to accommodate my wives. As soon as you have time I need you up here to extend my living quarters if possible."
"okay captain, as soon as I'm able."
Maybe this won't be so bad after all.
The next thing I do is turn on my video equipment and watch and old tv show...I think I'm going to enjoy my day off...maybe even...make a sandwich and have a beer. Yeah. |
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Poster
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pijon |
Posted: 2016/11/12 14:35 Updated: 2016/11/12 14:35 |
Moderator Joined: 2006/7/18 From: United States Posts: 6363 |
Re: A day off. Slick move, Shadawar. Of course, he's right... Obsidian was definitely losing it if he couldn't see that 5 women catering to his every whim would be a good thing! Another fun chapter and a good image to portray the "no bowing" scene.
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