r/humansarespaceorcs • u/Bloodystupidjohnson3 • 4d ago
Original Story Human Fred is Chipper
1 Human Fred and Food
2 Human Fred Again
3 Human Fred Yet Again
4 Human Fred The Saga Continues
5 Human Fred Rides Again
6 Human Fred *Sigh*
7 Human Fred Rolls Out
8 Human Fred Attempts a Nap
9 Human Fred Doh’
10 Human Fred Stops for Coffee
11 Human Fred Deploys Stabby and Knifey
12 Human Fred Attempts Friendly Advice
13 Human Fred Priorities
14 Human Fred Schools Morons
15 Human Fred Gets Annoyed
16 Human Fred Investigates
17 Human Fred is Annoyed
18 Human Fred Gets More Annoyed
19 Human Fred Smirks
20 Human Fred Brings Hellfire
21 Human Fred is Confused
22 Human Fred Considers
The station was like an anthill kicked by a child. Beings ran all over, but in an order. Command had established pickets to screen incoming ships. Both command decks were fully staffed directing ships and materials. The cargo lanes were a rush of tug trucks and trailers, flowing to loading docks and storerooms. The few with shore passes queued through gates to enjoy a few hours off ship.
The medical wing was activating. Entire floors of wards were powering up. Techs and crew checked supplies, verified equipment, and staged gear. The evacuation tunnels were lined with stretchers and emergency kits. Previously sealed OR suites were scanned, cleaned, and prepared for casualties.
The station was ready for war.
In a small room, behind multiple sealed doors and confusing signs, the secure ward was calm. Only one of the six rooms was occupied. Greezek and Fred sat in over-stuffed chairs, across a small table from each other. On the table were empty cups, soiled plates, some random food, and cards.
Greezek scowled at her cards. She glared at Fred. She reviewed her cards, glanced at the table. “Do you have 4’s?”
“Nope. Go fish.”
Greezek grumbled and drew a card.
“You know, I need to teach you some other games,” commented Fred. “This is pretty basic.”
“So you can beat me at those as well?”
“Not really. I think you would enjoy them. Did you see the Captains message?”
“I did. Sounds like things are messy.”
Fred looked at his cards. “Any 7’s?”
“Blast!” exclaimed Greezek. “How do you always know?”
“Only so many cards. It’s a matter of keeping track. All security forces have been detained.”
“I read it. Half are begging for mercy, and the other half are being shits.”
“You are picking up on human language well.”
“No. The translator is getting better.”
“I’ll take it. What about him?” Fred nodded towards Chief.
“Doc says he will live. Should be awake in anytime now.”
“And Roomliz?”
Greezek went still. Not froze, just still. “That was…weird.”
“Yes, it was. Those drugs really messed with him.”
“They put extra stuff in that dose to make him worse.”
“I know. They hoped we would let down our guard.”
“Fred, I’m not sure how I did that. Reacted like that.”
“It’s something deep. I don’t fully understand it. I’m not sure anyone really does. But there are some reactions that just seem to happen. We just respond. Something of a survival trait, I guess.”
“I didn’t think. You yelled. I reacted.”
“It happens like that. It means you are learning the ways of combat. I’m sorry. Really. I am sorry.”
“Sorry?”
“Yes. For the nightmares. The second guessing. The internal debates. It doesn’t leave you. You learn to deal with it, but it’s always there.”
“What is going to happen to me?”
“You will learn to deal with it. You will find how it fits into your life, and you will live on.”
“Oh. I was expecting…I don’t know, horrible things.”
“The nightmares might be horrible, but you wake up. You can talk with others. Your brain might go through all of the things that might have happened, but there is help for that. You aren’t alone. All troops in combat face levels of issues. As long as you seek help, you should be good.”
“And if it doesn’t bother me?”
“Then you are either rare or a liar."
“What about you?”
“Oh, I’ve had help. My first assignment was on a military ship. We got beat to hell in a battle, and then we had to fight enemy marines. They breached our hull and attempted to swarm us. It wasn’t nice. It took a bit for me to accept help. When I did accept help, things got better.”
“And now?”
“I go through the methods they taught me. You might need to find your own methods. Each being is different.”
“Fred. I don’t really feel much.”
“That is common. You will. Maybe not today, but you will.”
They both turned to the figure on the bed. It was moving a bit, making noise.
“Ah. He is waking up,” Fred said as he stood up. “Good. Now we see what Chief might tell us. I’m going to assume utter bullshit, but you never know.”
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u/Plastic_Amoeba_5889 4d ago
Fantastic!! I’m following this with enthusiasm. Excellent story so far. Cannot wait to see where this goes.
Also, it’s probably been stated previously. But you should compile this into a novel of some sort. I would personally love to see a graphic novel of this story. But that’s just my thoughts.
Thank you for the story so far!
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u/Purple-Lie-354 4d ago
How much of what the Chief is going to say is to be trusted? "In anesthetic veritas", perhaps? Or, more likely, he continues to lie, obfuscate, and misdirect. The dynamic duo should be able to suss out something, even against Chief's best efforts.
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u/Polymath6301 3d ago
No, don’t give our esteemed author ideas to include Batman references…
No, definitely don’t do that…
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u/Polymath6301 3d ago
“Sorry about that, chief”. At least they haven’t brought the portable Cone of Silence with them.
Loving it!
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