《Intergalactic Cultural Research》Downtime
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2 Hours later...
Finlay walked through the "mall" of the ship, wide open and... surprisingly classy. White metals, golden inlays and so, so, so much glass. A disturbing view into space in almost every direction, he felt like if he just hocked a rock somewhere that would be... it. For him and any other poor bastard that was too close at the time.
"Jesus... it's pretty but come on, you'd think there would be safety standards..."
"What has your blood pressure in a spike now?"
"Don't you think this is kind of... Open? I know it's probably a special kind of glass but this is... I feel like I'm dancing on the edge of death right now..."
"Odd, that's supposed to help calm you down. Many species have trouble floating around in a metal box for days, let alone months on end."
"I can live with the travel stress, believe me, I used to travel with SWW... 3 suitcases I still haven't gotten back."
"Then what's bothering you?"
"All this glass dude! One lucky rock and we're all fucked..."
"Ah... I understand now. Finlay, go ahead and pick a window."
Easy enough task, he just had turn to his left and he was looking into one of the many shops of the ship. He didn't have a fucking clue what he was looking at, except for the Ur'Quanth working the counter. An awkward wave later and he was back to focusing on the glass... it was impossibly thin, like a sheet of paper.
"... well don't just stare at it, give it a punch."
"Are you glitched? I don't want to smash some random dudes window..."
"Like you have the balls to... just punch it."
Rolling his eyes, he looked over to the Minotaur-man and nodded. "Blame him." Pointing to the holo-bird, before cocking back and giving the window a good whack, turning away and waiting for the shatter to echo... and when not even the thud of his fist came he looked back at the glass.
He stood back up straight and watched as the thin pane rippled like water in slow-motion. The ripples reached the edge of the frame, bouncing back and forth until they faded away.
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"Now imagine a pane of that about a foot thick keeping you inside."
"... Okay, yeah, alright. that's... Neat."
"Neat? technology decades ahead of your species and your reaction is Neat?"
"Look I don't have any idea on how it works, I'm not an architect or an engineer so...Neat."
Walking into the shop to get a real peek at the good's inside. Floating bottles of who knows what, if had to make a guess... paint... really colorful paint with little flecks of glitter swirling around inside. It took finding some weird drawings on a wall to finally make the full connection. "This... Is a tattoo parlor, ain't it?" Backing away slowly.
He wasn't some war-hardened badass, but he still thought his fears were logical. Except for one, His mother and one of Mama Roberts rules was no ink. Sure the chances of her leaving earth to chastise him for getting one would be low... But not 0. He had a few days to make a decision on it anyway. He'd come back after working up the courage. Giving the clerk a nod before going back to his exploration.
More walking around left him a little disappointed. Even in space a mall is a mall, nothing but clothing joint, clothing joint, flower shop, clothing joint, Starbucks... Starbucks? He peered over the rail for another look at the sign, green and white mermaid. Though the name has been changed to... Earthbucks, really? That's the best the team could do? He could see that it already attracted some of his fellow Terrans... more power to 'em.
"...Just how big is this fucking ship?"
"About the Size of New York."
"The City?"
"The State."
"Jesus Christ... for a three day trip to the edge of a Solar system... Seems like overkill. Bring up the map again?"
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(For the sake of the writer's already dead mental health... And for easy reading. All character's Speech shall be translated into English.)Xiao Lu (age: 25) wandered the halls of the ships mall, Bai ze walking in front of him acting as a barrier and guide. The Holo-Tigers tail wrapped on his wrist to stop Lu from getting too distracted. It was hard enough to stop the traditional Chinese Chef from missing his tests in Hong Kong. Take that same country bumpkin and put him on a space ship... Bai ze wished for handcuffs, oh the stress and time it would save.
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Xiao Lu Is a well toned Beast of a man, He had to be. Living out in the sticks meant a hard days labor for a full belly at night. 6'2" of muscle that learned how to cook family recipes almost from day one. An only child that must carry on the tradition... He kept that mentality firmly in Sight... Until the very moment he stepped in Hong Kong. Ever since then it's been nothing but havoc for his Holo, Keeping the human from getting in trouble. Trading a basket of radishes for a chicken may have flown in his village... and while it may work out in Space as well, it didn't give their home country a good Look.
Lu: "Woooooooah. Ze-ze Look! What's this shop?"
Ze: "...It's sport equipment, Xiao."
Lu: "Sports, Yeah... Ze-ze could we go and-"
Ze: "For the love of whatever gods You pray to Xiao... Can we at least do what we were requested to do FIRST!?"
Lu: "C'mon Ze-ze! Look at this place! The Job can wait! The others are probably exploring too! Higher chance of spotting them in a store as well. I'm just doing it more thoroughly."
The Holo-Tiger grumbled and resigned itself to it's fate, tugging the excited Human into the sport shop. "We're only Looking, Understand!? Then it's back to the job..."
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Kathleen Clark
5'10" Caucasian woman, 27, Sand Brown hair tied into a bun. Years of military service had left her woefully over prepared for this it would seem. She sat bored in the Alien coffee shop and sipped quietly looking over her recipe book, and cross referencing ingredients with Nunny, Similar ingredients that could be used interchangeably with the ones her book. It gave her something to do until their trip to the edge began and the rooms would be assigned.
Nunny: "... And you're sure you don't want to explore a little bit? like at all?"
Kathy: "I'm sure... never been a fan of markets."
Nunny: "But it's not just stores... zero gravity pool, Rec center, museums, Day spa."
Kathy: "Nunny, You know we're here for work yes? expand the Earths edible food catalogue and in return do the same for the Galaxy. I for one find that more appealing than wobbling around in a floating ball of water."
The small Holo-newt shrunk even smaller as the Ex-soldier coldly rattled her words, only when Kathleen looked at the downtrodden newt did she notice her own tone... She'll have to fix that at some point.
"...Though... I suppose a Massage would be nice... after we start moving of course."
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Hada Ryou
5'6", Japanese woman, 22, Lean muscle body earned through Physical training, her hair was Cut Pixie style and spiked with gel, one spike was dyed purple. Aiko her forever kitten-Holo sat on her shoulder like a parrot. Looking dead ahead... keeping track of something or someone.
Aiko: "Target 35 meters ahead. Appears Comfortable, unaware of our presence."
Hada: "Would you calm down? no need for all the formality."
"Can you really blame me? The first thing you want to do is track and hunt down someone..."
"Mmmm, Hunt is a strong word. Some... reconnaissance~?"
"Now who's being formal? Let's be real here. You're stalking them."
"I am not, Stalking implies some level of infatuation. I'm just... Curious."
"Target turned right... The store is... Kinhaxxi Auto."
"So they're a Motorhead? That explains the leather jacket..."
"Well we don't really know that, Target 1 needs more observation... Ryou, Target 2 Has made an appearance, they're making contact... I suggest joining the conversation naturally."
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Berthold Burisyak
5'9", Son of Russia, 20, Bulky but not obese, long and lustrous sandy brown hair.
"SOMEONE GET ME OUT OF THIS DAMN BUBBLE!"
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System Change
Years ago, Earth was indoctrinated into the "System." Earth was not the only place with the System, however. With the System came the other races, Invaders. The Invaders had one goal, to obtain ownership of this new habitable planet. This created a bloodbath, and for years the war raged. This didn't really have much to do with Derek. Derek was kind of a loner. Yeah, he enjoyed the occasional chat or drink with others, but he never stayed in one place too long or really got to know anybody new. Derek did happen to be rather strong. After the years of fighting monster and Invaders alone, he had become quite adept at surviving. One thing that helped keep him alive was his refusal to get involved with others. He rarely cooperated with teams. One day, Derek broke his rules and decided to lend some help, as the mission didn't seem too hard. He should have stuck to being alone. Hey everyone, this is my fiction, "System Change." It's the first time I've really tried to write a serial. All feedback is really appreciated. I plan to release chapters every Tuesday and Thursday. With occasional extra chapters being released. I will try to maintain a word count between 1500-2500 words per chapter. Thank you! I just made a Discord if anyone wants to join.
8 1761A Titan's Crusade
Erik Thayne spent most of his life being brutally ridiculed and tormented for his weight and physical appearance, among other things. A social pariah and diagnosed with an eating disorder no one has an explanation or treatment for, Erik spent years trying to overcome his issues with his personal image and escape the ridicule and vicious torment of his peers. After years of dedicated effort, and a fresh start in a town away from his childhood and adolescent tormentors, he had finally begun to truly realize what he'd been striving for all along. Only, fate apparently has other plans because in the blink of an eye, Erik found himself snatched from Earth and taken to another universe, another world, where he is offered the chance to be more than he'd ever imagined. Now, he has to fight to restore the Balance between Chaos and Order on a world of swords and magic, in a universe governed by the System's laws, which resemble those of RPGs from Earth. Erik learned to embrace the things about himself that others taught him to hate, using them to reforge his physical identity into something more removed from his old self-loathing. But can he learn to embrace the darkest parts of his mind just as he did the reviled aspects of his body and become who he needs to be to succeed in the task set before him? It might just prove easier to stalk in the dark as a monster than to walk in the light as a man... *This is my first time publishing anything I've written to a public audience. Due to formatting issues, I forwent traditional stat-screens for something a little less problematic, delineating stat screens by separating them from regular text with horizontal lines in a lighter-grey coloration. Let me know if you like them or not. Criticism is entirely welcome, but please don't hate on my work after only reading 1 chapter. This is a writing project I intend to complete but I have committment problems so we'll see how long this goes on. Also, fair warning, as the description implies, the main protagonist is intended to be someone who has been treated cruelly, developed antisocial tendencies, and ultimately has to question his own humanity--or lack thereof. This story is not intended to be brutally dark but I will definitely be trying to follow a darker theme. It is intended to be violent and some scenes later in the story might be...alarming. There will likely also be some light, non-graphic (think more implied with crude jokes and conversation than actual details, there will be no full-blown sex scenes)relationship scenes planned later and if you're opposed to either a bisexual or gay main character, stay away. I haven't yet decided which way he's going to swing but the odds on him being straight are relatively miniscule, and I've always wanted to write a story about a gay man who basically looks like a lumberjack because who doesn't like giving conventional stereo-types the middle finger? This will NOT be a harem story, and I have no intention to focus on romance over action--it's a consequence of character development where I'm concerned, not the be-all-end-all of the story. The cover-art does not, in any way, belong to me. It was an image titled the Druid King (by duskanmarkovic according to the file name) which I found on Google Images. Until I can get something commissioned, this is the best stand-in image I could find.
8 106Familiar: The Laen Chronicles
After a brutal accident that causes him to lose his memory, Ian's life takes a strange turn. He sees things that aren't there and keeps having these strange dreams of the days leading up to his accident. That is until everything he thinks he knows about the world is turned upside down. After all, magic is real and always has been. In a world where everything is unknown, follow Ian as he grows his strength and comes into contact with the various forces ruling this new world. The Laen, an organization that seems to want to rule everything magical, and the Fasurus, spirit-like creatures who have been suppressed far too long. Note: This is the first book I have written. I would love it if you could leave a review, no matter how horrible, that could help me do better in my writing. The beginning chapters are a bit slow, but if you can get past that, there is a chance you'll love it. Happy Reading.
8 433Cousin Miguel
After everything that has happened with Boyd, Derek can't stand living in the loft. When he is offered to live with the Stilinski family he doesn't know if this is going to end well or not. But with nowhere else to live and Stiles being, well kinda, his friend he accepts the offer. But living together may change things...Okay guys the story is set when Jennifer kidnaps Sheriff Stilinski and Co. but goes different from there on. To tell you now: I don't let Stiles, Scott and Allison have big consequences from the whole dying thing. There will be nightmares but thats it. Also Scott is not an Alpha, Derek is. Scallison is still together in this story because I really liked them as a couple. So are Lydia and Aiden. No Void!Stiles or anything dark in particular. I hope you enjoy the story! It's gonna be fluffy ❤
8 205Ultraman Nexus: Justice League Mightiest Hero
Himeya Jun, a deunamist of Ultraman Nexus had given his second chance by Ultraman Noa as he finally understood the power of light and why he was choosen. Join Ultraman in the world where human had receive a super power, some were mutant and many were alien, and fight along side with Earth Mightiest super hero, the Justice League.
8 185The Last Weapon
In the seemingly normal, always supernatural streets of Mystic Falls resides Briana, a sibling to the infamous legends, the Mikaelsons. She's burdened with a treacherous, murderous purpose that she refuses to admit. With a destiny decided by witches she hears from no longer, she has irresponsibly avoided her duties for centuries. Now, she is ready to plan, kill, and fight to do what she knows she has to.The only problem is, the residents of that ho-hum town are growing on her, especially the infuriating Damon Salvatore and the painfully human Jeremy Gilbert. Her count of friends grows, and she's tempted to throw her destiny and responsibility behind her.Briana will struggle between the choices, love and friendship or duty, in this first installment of The Last Weapon. Be sure to check out its sequel, Shadow of Death!
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