Thread: An Eclipse of Corruption (Vuxayl x Cricket)

Karilel inwardly admitted that she liked the way commander sounded. She had almost always worked in the shadow of commander Hor-kanthassh until this moment. No pressure. She followed the rest of her crew into the docking ship while they were waiting for her instruction. It wasnt a time for any sort of speech, but it was important to make sure everything was clear. Right, we have the coordinates, and you all heard the director, she began. The Lambda octant is known for asteroids, and the autopilot system should be able to handle most of it. However, there are a lot of small rocks and debris that the system might not be accounting for, so we will need some careful finessing. Pay attention to the ships vitals and make sure we arent suffering from any impacts when we bring her in close. This will be even more relevant when we have anything extra that were towing. So, everyone, just pay attention. Thats all for now. The ship launched without issue. It was a relatively small ship made for getting in and getting out. It had significant boosting and speed, so they managed to reach their destination in no time at all, the pilot expertly leading them through the asteroids. Karilel knew they would have to account for speed and maneuverability decreasing when they attached any cargo. As they approached the point of interest, Karilel was surveying what she could in the navigation center, but especially trying not to think about the weight of this mission on her position. The doors opened as someone came beside her. It took her a moment first but her normally stiff posture relaxed into something more natural and amicable when Xayun came to talk to her. It wasnt something she would usually do with just anyone else, but she and Xayun had known each other for a while. They had gone through some of their training together, and then both been stationed on the Aurigas-Bridge. Somewhere along their history, Karilel had made it her goal to rise up through the ranks. She couldnt exactly pinpoint what Xayuns plan for anything was, but she felt he was always effective at accomplishing what he wanted. She turned back to him and returned his smile, though she lacked the delicate movements in her lips. Those who spent time with her at least knew what she was aiming for. We may have done this countless times but this missions different for me, she reminded him pointedly. But, thanks for your support. I know we have a very capable team here. She paused a moment, thought about it, and then blurted something honest. Xayun had been so candid with her she found herself wanting to return the favor. I dont know if I mean that, Karilel admitted in a hushed tone. It just seemed like the thing a commander would say. They had a crew of 12, including the two of them, but Karilel only personally knew about five of them. The rest were just faces and names, and she knew the smaller scale of the Aurigas-Bridge sometimes meant using those who couldnt handle larger missions. She wasnt sure if she was willing to condemn the station director and agree with Xayuns assessment. She was a bit cruel, she conceded, but she was just doing her job. Besides, Ive heard others mutter similar things about me. Well, that I was cold and unfeeling. Being an android, I guess. Not to mention, she thought to herself, someday that director could be me. But she tried not to get too hopeful. If she could just prove herself on this mission The mood of the ship changed when the beeping went off, and Karilel was back to her professional self. Everyone knew what the beep meant it was back to business. She listened to Xayun but was staring intently at the display, then out the ships windows to see if she could see the point looming ahead of them. Karilel gave Xayun a slow nod, indicating that she heard him, but wasnt about to proceed so hastily. Can we get all scanners on that object? She touched one delicate finger to highlight it on her screen. The inorganic structure came up on the screen before her. The scanners stop their processing at 90, came a response from one of the crew. We know it was built by someone or something, but cant ascertain what its made out of. Karilel looked out the window. She could see it in the distance now. Perhaps it was because she had a lot riding on this mission, but she was going to play this very cautiously. Bring us in closer by three kilometers, she ordered. The crew did as asked, and Karilel paused when the ship completed inching closer. Still no readout on the scanners? No, commander. As an android, Karilel had never felt a shiver run down her spine, as organics would put it, but thats the closest thing she could describe to what she was feeling now. She felt a buzzing through her body that was only comparable to when she could feel strong magnetic fields. She scanned the rest of her crewmembers in sight, to see if they indicated anything was wrong. If they felt anything off too, they werent showing it. What about the readout on the ship? Everything optimal? And the atmosphere any unusual gases? Or radiation? she asked.