New to Other-Terrestrial? Check here! Or if you need to, jump to the beginning of the episode here!
Captain’s Log:
It seems that Trevod kept his word.
All charges against Sem Kassa, Ozgu Uzun, and Lizicy Mae have been dropped. As a result, in two hours I will ‘decide’ to transfer Jan Holdur back to Gohhi to stand trial.
We will make the exchange just after the play – a sufficient distraction that I think it will attract little attention. While I have no care for their embarrassment, I do not want this any more protracted than it has to be.
Other work has continued. The last of the Craton‘s damages have been repaired, and we have settled in our newest passengers, even the priest from the Esoteric Order seems to have had no problems acclimating. It is a welcome relief.
I have not had a chance to drop in with the Qhenber Troupe as they have prepared, but I understand that all is ready for the grand showing today.
But that is still some hours away and I am tired. I need a rest.
Brooks sighed as he looked at his reflection in the mirror once more.
He had another reason to put on his dress uniform, as much as he did not want to.
By every right, he thought, he should be able to go enjoy a play on the ship he commanded wearing whatever he liked.
But the whole event was heavily diplomatic in nature, which meant a starched collar that would provide no protection whatsoever against the vacuum.
Some spacers lived their entire lives in their suits, only out of them for the few scant moments it would take to put on a different one. A few of those who lived in the deepest parts of space were said to never change their suits at all once they hit adulthood . . .
Perhaps, he thought, adjusting his collar slightly, he did not need to go that far.
Urle pinged at the door and Brooks let him in.
“You’re looking very formal,” Urle said immediately.
Shooting him an annoyed glance, Brooks looked at himself in the mirror again, calling over a drone to clean some lint off his trousers. Urle knew he hated dress uniform.
“And you’re looking very Lunar,” Brooks replied dryly.
“Once a Lunatic, always a Lunatic,” Urle said with a laugh.
His outfit was a gray and yellow cloak, the gray matching the pale lunar regolith. For his face, a pale-white mask was showing, which Brooks knew he’d actually installed as his face for the day. Though it appeared to be made of porcelain, it moved as easily as normal skin. Intricate swirls on its surface in yellow made it a work of art, and a classic piece of Luna’s unique culture.
“I could have ordered you into a dress uniform like mine,” Brooks grunted.
“But you didn’t, because you know I’d look better than you in it,” Urle replied, smiling brightly.
Brooks sighed. “So I’ve not had a chance to ask you – have you seen the play yet?”
“No, I avoided the . . . well, I won’t call them spoilers, since it’s supposed to be based on human history, but I avoided seeing it. I wanted to go in fresh.”
“I’ve done the same,” Brooks agreed. “I’ve seen a lot of other Qlerning works, and they really do have a great knack for human-based plays.”
“Some might even say they’re a bit obsessed with things based on us,” Urle commented dryly.
“Some are. I think they’re just excited about our art, really. Our history is very similar to theirs in a lot of ways.”
“Did you ask for it to be played here just so you could see it?” Urle asked.
“Yes, and I don’t regret it. No matter what, it was a good move – I’m sure some people will enjoy it, and it sends a good message. We do want to encourage arts and culture, and that becomes even more important on the fringes.”
“I’m skeptical of this play, at least, but I guess we’ll have to see, won’t we?” Urle said.
Brooks nodded, and the two men went out into the hall.
“At this rate we’ll be twelve minutes early to the pre-seating,” Urle commented.
“Walk slower. I need to check in with Jaya, anyway.”
Brooks connected to the Command Center, Jaya answering promptly.
“All is well, Captain,” she said.
“You’re on your third shift, are you sure you’re all right?” Brooks asked. “If you desperately needed a break I could come take over and you could take my place at the play.”
“Getting cold feet, Captain? How unlike you. But I am very happy here in the Captain’s chair, fending off enemy drones. I’ve also plotted out twelve different ways of knocking out the Glorian command ship should they initiate hostilities. I imagine I’d be done before the curtains rise.”
Brooks sighed. “Good work, Commander. Continue keeping my seat warm.”
“Oh, I am very comfortable. I’ve also carved my name in the arm rest, I hope you don’t mind,” she said.
“One last thing,” Brooks added. “If hostilities do happen to break out, let me know. I’d like to see those plans of yours in action.”
“Will do, Captain. Now enjoy the play.”
Other Terrestrial 
One thought on “Episode 8 – Showing the Flag, part 42”
Comments are closed.