Friday Fan-Work: Backbone

Happy Friday everyone, it’s ya boy Choujin here.

Sorry about no media review on Thursday and sorry about not dropping any stories. I originally had this story written and was going to be a few parts released. Then it started to grow into something big. This was something I took inspiration from my Scavengers story. I also took ideas from an old show called Tugs (a children’s show similar to old shows like Thomas the Tank Engine) though the difference is no anthromorphic vehicles. Instead, our story focuses on the aliens dockworkers and the ideas. Who knows? Maybe I can do that as a break in-between that and Slayer. Anyway..sit back, relax and enjoy my story here…

              Backbone: The workers of Bigg

                                           

written by TheChoujinVirus

The Peaceful Expansion….a brief moment after the Terran-Acheronite. The Largest Spacestation Citadel called Bigg was the largest station in Frontier Space and was a hub for the various species and starships in the sector. Nobody knew it better than the hardworking Stardock workers who lent their aid to everyone from Acheronite Cruisers to Traggian Science Vessels, making them popular. The hard work made them always available every hour on the hour. My workers of Hawking Fate’s were no exception. I had three station workers: My oldest Shii’rhy Lordin,, then the two Relians  Ran and Bory, the Traggian Nandon who specialized in atmospheric work. Then there’s my rookie switcher, a Lilibee adolescent named Jav, and lastly, the Abillian Korvid, my specialist in deep space work. They were a good crew, striving to do their best. Not always succeeding but proud of their work.

I remember the day we got our first big break, it started as always…at dawn…

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The crew was up and ready, already dressed in their usual jumpsuit uniforms. They were a mix of blue with some white and orange around the shoulder and elbows. Not really fancy, but nothing terrible. The six workers enjoyed their drinks until the screen appeared with a jet black-haired middle-aged man dressed in a silvery grey suit appearing in front of them.

“Good morning, Fleet. Today I’ve scheduled another Fighter Switcher pilot to help up with the extra work; he’s from Earth. Jav, He’ll be working you; show him the works.”

“Right, Captain Hawkings.” The Lilibee said, “What’s his name?”

“Orlan, he’s a Biomech.”

“Biomech?!” Nandon said, his tone hinting a tad bit of mortification. “I hope you’re not going to replace us with them.”

“Feeling a bit scared of them, amphibian?” Jav snarked

Nandon replied back, “I resent that!”

“Settle down, you two! Give the greenhorn a chance.  Now I got some excellent news. Now with some hard bargaining, I managed to secure ourselves a Starliner contract for one of the largest liners ever.”

The group started to speak up in excitement, but their excitement grew when they heard the captain telling them the ship’s name.

“The Jade Nebula.” He said, “When she arrives by Fifteen hundred, I need you all to be ready to bring her in to dock. I need you all to be at your best. Lordin, you’re in charge.

“aye-aye, sir!” The Shii’rhy said.

Hawkings turned toward Bory, “Bory?”

“aye?” he said.

“You’re leading.”

The relian snorted uncaringly.

“Nandon, Ran, You two will pilot the side push,” Hawking said. Everyone nodded while Jav asked the captain, “would it be okay for me to aid you guys?”

“Not you, Jav. We don’t need Switcher Fighter pilots for this job.” Nandon said.

“Yeah, unless you got a larger ship, you’re just gonna get in the way.” Ran said with a chuckle.Jav pouted, “oh alright…well, you guys have fun. Don’t scratch the paint on your machine or the Nebula.”

The group laughed as they all got to the company’s hanger bay. Each of them getting themselves spic and span. Jav, on the other hand, got on his bike and left work to travel the station to find the new recruit….

Our rivals, Blackstar Shipping and his fleet of Rissans, were known to do some shady things too. Led by Goun, the rest of them would do anything to get contracts and business, even if it meant something illegal…

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“Alright, you lot!”, Replied their boss. Unlike Hawkings, who could be seen on a monitor, their leader was on a communication line that only had “Sound Only.”

“I got word that Hawkings is trying to get a contract with the Rissan Star Liner.”

“We’re not laughing, Captain Blackstar, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Goun said.

“I’m glad we’re on the same page, Goun,” Blackstar said, “But this is no laughing matter! I want that contract, and you all want your pay!”

A Rissan, one that looked like an overweight capybara with black fur, shrugged, “but how do we do this? I thought-“”I didn’t pay you to think!” Blackstar yelled, “I want you to get that contract! I don’t care how you do it!”

“But how do we-?”

“Shut it, Zeb!” Goun said.

“Exactly! Now get to work, you lugs! And Don’t come back unless it’s that contract!” Blackstar commanded. The group left the meeting room, and some headed out toward their objectives (and the jobs they had for the time being.)

While everyone was doing their work (legal or otherwise), Jav moved through the station’s area, streets, and walkways. Though he did run into Korvid, who was busy with aiding a sewage removal shuttle, on the day that his skill would be needed for the contract. He was elegant, not just in his jumpsuit uniform but for an Abillian, he was viewed as a sleek peafowl.

“Hey, Korvid,” Jav said as he walked up to him. The Abillian looks at his co-worker as he waves.

“The Jade Nebula’s coming; a shame we can’t have Crimson Wings with us.”

“I know it’s a shame. I just got that ship detailed and cleaned to show off.” Korvid said with a sigh. He prided his custom starship he called the Crimson Wing. There were no protocols about starship customization or decals, just specializations. For Korvid, the Crimson Wing was compared to a hatchling him, and he found himself only using a standard cleaner.

“Oh, by the way, have you seen a new worker named Orlan?” Jav asked

” ‘Fraid not, old boy. There’s a ton of Biomechs on Bigg, so it may be a bit tricky.” Korvid then hears the ship’s storage tank was full. Signaling him time to get the ship unloaded.

“Listen, Kav, I gotta head back to the recycling plant to unload this sewage. Good luck with finding the new guy. Oh, and give my regards to the captain of the Jade Nebula.” Jav waves and goes back to finding the Biomech. Still finding it difficult, but he nearly hit someone on his cycle as he was about to move on to the next area. Luckily neither side was hurt.

Jav noticed the guy was a Biomech, a silvery blue colored being with a visage that one swore looked like a lagomorph.

“Sorry, sir..” it apologized.

“Well, be more careful in the future,” Jav said.The bio-lagomorph looks at the Lillibee; he shyly stammers as he asks, “I’m..l-looking for a Lilibee named J-Jav.””Well, that’s me,” Jave said, “What’s up?”

“Oh, good!” The Lagomorph said, ‘I’m O-Orlan, s-s-sir. I was hired by your captain to work for you.”

“Excellent! Listen, hop on my hoverbike. I got some work to do today, and I’ll show you the ropes. Nothing works better than a crash course at work.” Jav said

“y-yes sir!” smiled Orlan.

Jav looked at the Biomech and shook his head, “now..a bit of friendly advice, Orlan. You only call Captain Hawkings ‘sir.’ For me, just call me ‘Jav,’ okay?”

“Yes, si-err I-I mean…Yes, Jav.” Orlan corrected himself as he hopped on the back of Jav’s hoverbike. While the two went back to work, out of the station and in space, an Acheronite Cargo Ship was idle as it was waiting for its tow. Two Rissan class Corvette tugs showed up, piloted by two workers of Blackstar. Gorn got in an open channel with his partner in the other ship, Tok. Tok looked like a cross between a toad and a porcupine, with the voice that made it feel like it.

“Hey, Tok. Look what the solar winds brought in. The Matriarch’s Bounty and her captain, Kissi.”

The ship’s communicator hailed the two as her captain informed the two. She was an ordinary Acheronite worker, but some swore she may have had the attitude of an Amazon. “It’s Krisya, rodent. We’ve been waiting for a tow into Stardock for over an hour ago.”

“We don’t take Ayah milk as payment, Kissi,” Tok mocked.

“Very funny, rodent. You big shots going to be towing the Jade Nebula?” Krisya asked

“What do you know about it, Acheronite?” Gorn asked. He was surprised about the news but also miffed that he’s being mocked by an Acheronite.

“What I know is that I’ve been contacting every ship to get a tow into spacedock. Then suddenly news of the Jade Nebula’s early arrival has slowed down traffic, so my crew and I are sitting here with produce and nobody to tow us in.” Krisya said.

Tok was confused, “But I thought she was going to be here a bit later-“

“SHUT UP, CACTUS ASS!” Gorn snaps, turning his ship’s controls, “C’mon!!”. Both he and Tok left the area to report to their boss. Leaving a confused Krisya standing there on the ship’s bridge as the two tugs leave her ship.

“What a day..how are we going to unload our cargo now?”

“Ma’am? Are we going to get towed in soon?” an Ensign asked.

“We will, Ensign,” Krisya said.

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Gorn got on the horn with Blackstar. Though he conveniently docked near a diner with Tok, he contacted Blackstar through a communication channel. He informed him about what the Acheronite told him and Tok.

“You sure about this, Gorn?” Blackstar asked. Of course, he was the only one that still registered as “Sound Only” on the chat.

“Hey, why would the Acheronites lie? They told me the whole thing.” Gorn said.

“Yeah, we both heard and seen it as well, boss,” Tok said

Though the two couldn’t see it, Blackstar was giddy with excitement. “Couldn’t be better, now I want that contract, and you’re gonna get it for me.”

“Sure thing, boss,” Gorn said.

Jav and Orlan were tasked with one of Bigg’s significant jobs: to provide fuel, munitions, supplies for the Enforcers, a Rissan private security firm, and Bigg’s primary security for all things of the space station.

“There you go, Ma’am,” Jav said as he unloaded the last of the supplies and fuel. “Hope that’ll help the Enforcers.”

The woman, an Acheronite warrior dressed in a blue uniform with a badge on her right side of her chest, gave a warm smile toward Jav and Orlan, “Thanks for the supplies, fellows. I’ll give my regards to the Enforcers of your supplies.”

“No problem, Ma’am.” Jav nodded as he hopped back into his ship. While the two finished undocking and moving on, Orlan talked to Jav.

“Are all Enforcers that beautiful?”

“Only her, most are made up of varying species of different sexes. They help keep Bigg safe from various wrongdoings.” Jav said but then noticed three Rissan ships docked together in the distance.

“Speaking of trouble..what are those Rissans doing?” He said to himself as they left the Enforcers headquarters. He had no clue that the three were planning something devious. Gorn discussed the plan with Zeb, and another Rissan, a short, greasy-looking turtle shell patterned hamster-like rodent called Clyne. All through the comfort of their ship’s cockpit

“Alright, listen up. With Korvid busy with work, that leaves that saurian Bory as the more experienced out of the two. We knock him out of commission, we’ll get the contract.”

“But he’s a Relian,” Zeb said, “his ship’s bigger and sturdier, so we can’t just bump him.”

“He’s doing drainage cleaning for the water system, dummy!” Gorn scolded, “The guy has to leave his ship to clean the area near the industrial sector. You know…the area called the Slurry Slide?”

Zeb began to think, “and so?”

“And?! You give him the slide down the slurry! You got that, stupid?!” Gorn lividly said

“You’ve done it once to yourself before, Zeb. So you should catch on.” Clyne said.

“Y-yeah..I’ll catch on, Gorn.” Zeb stammered

“You better!” Gorn said, “do it fast and get back fast! Now git!”

Zeb and Clyne depart to do their mission. The black-furred Zeb began to think that this was pretty devious.

**********************************************

Ran finished rounding up broken beacons in his Grappler class startug until he noticed the Matriarch’s Bounty. He got an incoming commutation from Krisya.

“Hey Ran, old friend. My ship and crew need a tow into port.” Krisya said

“Sorry, Krissie..don’t have time to argue with fees,” Ran said

“First off..it’s Krisya..not Krissie..and second, when do we even argue about the fee? It’s 100 credits.”

“Sure thing..but first we need to get the Jade Nebula docked, so I need to get my ship prepared after this work.””What do you mean? The Jade Nebula’s already here.” Krisya said. This new left Ran stunned by the news.

“She can’t be here that early!”

“Yeah! That’s what I am trying to get a request for a tow!” Krisya said.

“By Bahamut! I better tell the others!” Ren said. He began to pilot his ship away, only for Krisya yelling on the communicator, “HEY! What about my tow! I still need it!”. When he left range, the communication was cut. Krisya would get another contact from the below deck.

“Captain, are we going to-“

“I swear ensign if that’s about the bloody tow. I’ll have you on septic system duty until we get back to Acheron.”

The ensign remained stunned but kept to herself as she replied, “Nothing Ma’am..” then ended communication to the bridge. Krisya sunk into her captain’s chair as she began to rub her brow.

Bory was hard at work using a rented cleaning vehicle to help him scrub an area of the pipe. The pipes winded down toward the entrance of the main sewage line. It was nicknamed the “slurry slide” because amassed filth and junk made it slippery enough for workers to fall in (sometimes leading to a fatal end.) As he was washing the pipe, Clyne and Zeb walked up toward the Relian.

“Need help, Bory ol’ friend?” Clyne asked

“Eh, what do you rats want?” Bory snarled as he stopped washing the pipe

“Oh, just a nice day to help people out, is all. Besides, you’re working on the slurry slide.” Zeb said

“Yeah, can’t afford to have any slip-ups with that spot,” Clyne replied

The relian snorted before shrugging his shoulders, “Damn generous of ya lot, but fine, grab a hose and get to work.”

Little did he know was that the two were preparing a trap for him. Though back at headquarters, Jav and Orlan returned back from their run. They were just docking as they saw Lordin, Ran, and Nandon finishing up preparations for the Jade Nebula. “Jav, Have you seen Bory?” The Shii’rhii asked

“Not since the morning briefing.” Jav said, “Why?”

“The Jade Neubla came in early, and we need him.”

Jav shook his head, “Sorry, Lordin, I haven’t seen him.”

“Then you and Orlan best look him. The rest of us will have to do the job without him.”

Jav and Bory undocked and began their search. While Lordin, Ren, and Nandon got into their ships and headed out to make their contract.

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Moving a Rissan Star Liner isn’t easy. They were huge, required a very delicate operation, and required a minimum of four ships needed to move this ship, but with only three available and two ships unavailable. Lordin began to worry as the operation was going. Meanwhile, Jav and Orlan headed toward the last location Bory. They saw that the vessel being used has a damaged side that sputtered. The two landed nearby and began looking around. They then heard the sound of snarling and grunting as Bory was able to climb himself out. Sewage and garbage clinging to his uniform.

” ‘ey what happened Bory?” Jav asked

“I don’t know…one moment I was going in deeper to clean a clog the next thing you know, I’m sliding down the pipe. Clyne and Zeb said they’d get help before I started out the pipe.”

“Yeah, those two are no good crooks,” Jav said as he motioned to the damaged ship, “We’ll get you ready to your-“

Just as the group was about to repair Bory’s ship, there was a station-wide announcement.

“Your attention, please. The Jade Nebula is being towed. All ship traffic is to be halted until the all-clear is given.”

“It’s too late to get my ship repaired; you two take over my shift,” Bory said

“But I’ve never a job like this,” Jav said. He was right; he never did a job like this before.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get on the horn with Lordin and fill him in on what happened. He’ll tell you what to do.” Bory reassured. “Don’t worry about me.”

Jav and Orlan took his advice and left the Relian behind. Once they got the appropriate ships for the job, both arrived at their destination, as Lordin mentioned. Though their ships were more built for moving small cargo, Jav and Orlan were pretty useful in their Fighter Switchers and could lend some aid. As the traffic was halted, some ships were being kept away, but the Blackstar crew watched the whole ordeal. They saw that Hawking’s team was doing a good job.

“Hey, looks like your plan’s not working, Gorn,” Zeb said

“I just need to find a way of wrenching up their work…maybe target that greenhorn Biomech of theirs..” Gorn said

“Thinking devious eh, Gorn?” Zeb asked

“No, just thinking of profits.” Gorn said, “Look! Now they’re at the tricky part.”

The group was on the “tricky part” of the docking operation. Which required angling the starliner right next to the airlock umbilical. Lordin ordered Orlan to ease back. Gorn saw his chance.

“This is how we get the contract.”

As he assumed nobody was looking, he latched onto a nearby unmanned ship and pushed it. It was sent right into Orlan’s fighter with a loud thump, causing the Biomemch to lose control and ram right into the Jade Nebula’s right-side engine. The force of both them and the ship was enough to cause the Nebula to list.

Nandon began to look at his radar with shock, “What’s going on?! She’s starting to turn!”.

“I got it, Nandon!” Replied Gorn on the entire crew’s communicators. They were all surprised, but they couldn’t do anything but accept help from Blackstar’s crew. As Gorn helped out, the rest of his team cheered for him out of earshot, with Zeb realizing that’s what devious meant. Once the ship was done, he hailed the Hawkings crew with a smile and a wave.

“Glad I could be of service, guys!”

Then he left the group to finish up their job. Orlan was left confused and upset over the whole ordeal.

Once everything was finished up, the staff and everyone celebrated her successful docking. Though Hawking’s group wasn’t too thrilled about the near disaster. Orlan began to feel down as he didn’t bother to show up. Meanwhile, back at Blackstar’s offices, the team and their boss celebrated a job well done.

“Well, well, nice job Gorn.” Blackstar complimented

“Thank you, sir,” Gorn replied while the others also followed by thanking their boss.

“yes, yes right on Gorn, A good Rissan through and through. However, I do have a question. Did anybody see you? Not even that guy you screwed over?”

“Who, that Biomech?” Tok asked, “no, no, he didn’t see us.”

“Good good, I’m very proud of you boys. Now I’ll be providing my services to the Starliner contract, and we’ll be rich.”

The group gave Blackstar thanks while they enjoyed themselves a drink of celebration. However, the group had no clue that they were watched by an Acheronite of the Matriarch’s Bounty….

Back at Hawking’s, Jav was waiting in the hangar bay as he hasn’t seen Orlan’s ship coming in yet. He eventually walked back to the break room as everyone was doing their own thing.

“Hey Ran,” Jav said

“Hey Jav,” he replied back. Jav then asked everyone the question, “Hey, has anyone seen Orlan yet? I thought he’d check back.”

“Why should we?” Nandon scoffed, “He’s just messed up the whole thing.”

“Hey! It’s not his fault. We all have accidents, and I bet the poor fellow needs some cheering up”, Jav said. Nandon just scoffed at the idea of a Biomech needing help. Jav then turned to the Shii’Rhii, who was quietly listening to the conversation. “What would you want me to do, Lordin?”

“I say it’s up to you, lad,” Lordin said. Everyone didn’t seem to care about Orlan, so Jav decided the best option was to find the Biomech. “Listen, I’m going to go find Orlan; maybe he can use some cheering up.”

The Lilibee headed out while everyone quietly listened, all except the Traggian who huffed, “he has to always be the little star scout..what a bore..”

Jav got into his ship and began to fly all around the station. His fighter jet’s radar looking for the Biomech’s ship in the area, but no luck in finding Orlan. The Lilibee began to think maybe he went out of the station and all the way in the shipping lane. He took his search out into station orbit and began to fly a bit farther outside of space. Traffic was small by the usual non-peak hours of shipping, but some small ships were coming and going. Jav decided to fly out a bit farther and made it toward the monitor substation that orbited the area. It was a lonely job for the Magellian, Lillith. Though her career was meaningful, she was happy to get some company from Korvid whenever he stopped by to provide her station with essential supplies. He hailed the two, curious about if they saw Orlan.

“Korvid, Lillith! Oh, you’re a sight for sore eyes.”

Kovid replied back, “Oh, just here with Lillith, so how did the Jade Nebula job go well?”

“Why shouldn’t it, Korvid?” Lillith asked.

“Oh..everything went fine; she docked and didn’t explode. Though…I wondered if you saw a Biomech and his ship pass by?”

“Sorry…I didn’t see any ship pass by.” Lilith said

“neither did I spot anyone coming when I arrived at Lillith’s station, dear boy,” Korvid said

“Alright..thanks for helping,” Jav said. He left the two alone as he continued his search. Though he was leaving the range of the station, he was startled by an “emergency beacon” that rang through his ship’s cockpit. He answered the hailing signal and found out it was the face of a pissed off Acheronite.

“Oh, it’s only you, Krysia,” Jav said

“yeah, and about time too. Your Relian promised me a tow into the station.” The captain said to Jav. The Lilibee looked at the Acheronite on the screen.

“Sorry about that, listen…I’m looking for Orlan.” Jav said

The Acheronite’s cold tone turned to concern. “Oh? What happened to them?”

“He..he disappeared. Can’t really blame him for causing that accident with the Nebula.” Jav said.

Krysia shook her head, “That was no accident, Lilibee, that was pure sabotage by that Gorn fellow. One of my crewmembers saw it when they were trying to look for a tow.”

Jav was shocked at this revelation, “What, are you sure?!”

“As sure as my crew and I have a load of produce, and I need a tow into the station,” Krysia said

“I knew those rodent bastards were up to this! I gotta tell the guys about this!” Jav said to Krysia. He began to turn around and head back toward the ship. However, he ignored Krysia’s yelling on the communicator about “what about my tow!?!”

Once back at the company’s hanger, Jav began to explain the whole situation.

“Krysia and the Matriarch’s Bounty saw the whole thing.”

“What? The Acheronites saw the whole thing?” Lordin asked, “What did her crewmember see?”

“She saw the whole thing and why Orlan saw the accident,” Jav said

“So what? The Biomech had the accident, and that’s that.” Nandon said dismissively

“But it was Gorn who sabotaged the thing! That’s what Krysia’s crew saw.” Jav replied

The old Shii’rhy rubbed his chin, “I wondered why Gorn was suddenly right there to help us. You’re right Jav, The Matriarch’s Bounty may have seen everything.”

“They did!” Jav said, “Look, I know Orlan’s not some defective Biomech. I’ve worked with him; he’s a good bloke! I can see that by working with him.”

Lordin reassured Jav, “Alright, alright. Have you looked everywhere for him?”

The Lilibee nodded, “even as far as the substation and Lillith.”

Lordin began to think, “If I wanted to get out of here..I’d be heading toward the direction of the Big’s Slipgate.”

“The Slipgate! Of course, that’s it! Thanks, Lordin!” Jav said, getting aboard his ship before heading out.

“The rest of you guys!” Lordin said to others, “Go help out Jav; I’ll inform Captain Hawkins of the situation.”

Ran and Bory looked at each other before heading into their ship. The two felt terrible that they threw the rookie Biomech. Jav, Bory, Ran, and Nandon all searched around the space area until they found Orlan’s fighter. It was dead drifting and no water. Jav found him and informed the group through his ship communicator.

“Hey, guys, I found him!” Jav said. He opens a channel between him and Orlan. The Biomech, still feeling bad, told Jav.

“Oh, don’t bother with me, leave me be…I’ve already caused enough trouble,” Orlan begged.

Nandon stammered, “um..about that…apparently, we found out that it wasn’t your fault. So everything’s alright now..”

Orlan’s sadness began to wane as he heard the news. Jav laughed, “Well..an apology from a Traggian! That’s a sight!”

Orlan then began to ask, “Wait..so you’re not mad at me?”

“no,” Jav said, “Krysia said a crewmember saw the whole thing, so it’s not.”

Ran heard that name and began to piece something together, “Krysia..why does that name feel-” he then snapped into overdrive and yelled, “BY BAHAMUT! KRYSIA! I COMPLETELY FORGOT!”
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The remaining group, sans Ran, managed to get Orlan to safety. news about what happened got to the ears of Blackstar, and he wasn’t too pleased about that revelation. He had an emergency staff meeting with the rest of his crew.

“So you were seen,” He snarled through the monitor.

“Impossible! I made sure!” Gorn pleaded. Though Blackstar interrupted him

“Don’t argue with me, Gorn, you were seen! Because of that, we not only lose the contract with the Jade Nebula, but the Station Magistrate will severely reprimand us! What kind of idiots do I have working here?!”

“Really devious ones?” Zeb quipped.

The crew looked at him and said in unison, “SHUT UP ZEB!” Then they all turned toward the monitor and apologized profusely toward their boss. Though all this groveling just pissed him off further.

“Sorry? SORRY?! I DON’T WANT TO HEAR THIS SPHINCTER KISSING! GET OUT OF MY SIGHTS, ALL OF YOU!!!!”

Captain Blackstar and his crew weren’t having a good day with that revelation. However, back at Hawking’s, the group had their own meeting as well.

“A moment ago, we managed to rescue Orlan and his ship. Nothing serious was found, and his ship has been repaired.”

The rest nodded in agreement, though Hawkings did give the rest of them a bit of a talk.

“Now, I know you’re all proud to work for me, but I do expect a bit of trust. You can thank Jav for that. As for jumping to conclusions without more information…”

Nandon seemed to shamefully look away when Hawking brought this up, “I want to remind you that I won’t expect you all to be true, honest and forgiving.” He then smiles as he then announces, “Now, if you all will give a round of applause as we welcome our newest member to the crew.” Orlan walks into the break room, now dressed in the Hawking colors. Jav smiled as he shook Orlan’s hand.

“Welcome aboard; you look great, Orlan,”  Jav said “Thanks, Jav.” Orlan smirked, “Gotta say, I like the color.”

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Orlan proved to be an effective worker throughout his tenure in Hawking’s Fate. Blackstar still managed to continue their work even afterwards. Jav’s help with Orlan showed he had good character. However, that character would be challenged due to an incident later on. However, that’s a story for another time….
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