Chapter 1: The Beginning -- The Middle of Nowhere

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Date Posted: 22:39:37 05/28/02 Tue
Author: Takothe and Ships
Subject: Chapter 1: The Beginning

*Zllivan cursed fluently as she desperately loped down the long iron halls of the docking port. Her claws clicked steadily on the cold floor as she ran, and the cool air flowed against her back from the conditioner. She was late, as usual, only today she had atually tried to be on time and yet again, her attempts had failed her. Throwing the forest-green programmed robe over her red shirt and trousers she grimaced as she finally found the right door to the Newly-Saved hangar. Biting her lip she slowly opened it, and crept in, letting out a deep sigh of relief at her unbelievable luck. But a painful six-fingered hand clenching her shoulder told her otherwise.

"Well, young Zllivan. Late, again?"

*The young black Takothe turned her head, and green eyes met the DockingMaster's evenly. Zllivan grinned vaguely. The older Takothe rolled his eyes and turned her around, smacked her hard with the blunt of his blade, and then shoved her towards the wall where the other members of her class waited patiently. Their own fur slicked back with scented oils and their programmed robes smoothed and pressed. Zllivan snorted at the stench, and walked over to the line-up. She leaned back against the wall, and watched the DockingMaster make his speech through wary eyes.*

"You all have worked very hard these past five years in your training to become a PhiaCaptain. Now you prepare to meet the NewlySaved PhiaShips, their Phia-minds only recently placed within their titanium hulls. You will proceed one at a time, around in a clockwise direction, and visit with each ship. After you each have spoken with each ship, you will line up back at this eact position. Then, if a ship chooses you, your programmed robe will teleport you to the designated ship. May you all find a perfect partner to learn and examine new species with."

*All of the young Takothe saluted sharply to the DockingMaster they had learned from for the past half-decade and walked calmly to their first hangar of choice. Zllivan's first ship was female, and the black Tokathe cringed at the never ending chatter which endlessly blasted from her speakers. They spoke of the usual subjects, only, Zllivan never got a word in edgewise. Her next meeting went no better, this male Phia was still suffering from the depression that came with the original transfer to ship. He refused to speak accept to occasionally mutter yes or no when Zllivan asked him a question. The third Phia Zllivan encountered was very old, and spoke much of the ancient days. Intrigued by the stories of ancient battles and heroes such as the battle of Zama or the terran warrior known as Alexander the Great, Zllivan came to love the historian, but was doubtful when he spoke of wanting a peaceful resting existance.
And so the interviews continued, Zllivan steadily becoming more and more dissapointed. The last even worse then most, she was dismissed within five minutes of speaking. She was somewhat insulted by this final ship and all the others seemed simply dull in comparison to the great PhiaShips she had always dreamed of. She shook her head quietly, only leaving her doubtful thoughts when the voices of the other students leaving their interviews interupted them. One of her classmates approached her, "Just a warning Zlli," the small red said, "But your next interviewer is crazy." Zllivan grinned and flicked her tailblade once behind her, "Perhaps they'll give me some entertinament." And the Black loped into the hangar.*

"Permission to board?"
"Permission granted."
*The air-lock opened, and Zllivan stalked aboard, cringing her tail up swiftly as it slammed behind her*
"Slamming the door is fun," the tenor voice spoke again.
Zllivan raised an eyebrow at the direction of the control panel, under which the actual Phia was kept, "Is it now?"
"It is. It expresses how I feel..."
"Trapped I suppose."
"As if you'd know."
"You're not actually trapped you realize."
"I do realize, but the day they let me use my fusion thrusters is the day I die of old age."
"You want to get out of here?"
"I'd give anything..."
"To research?"
"I suppose..."
"And if I offered you something better then research."

*After 12 long hours of interviews and questioning, Zllivan stood within the line of students... her fur unkempt, her robe wrinkled, her muscles aching from standing all day. But a small glint of in her eye told of knowledge of things to come. The DockMaster gave his final salute, and suddenly the low hum of the lights in the hangar was cut off abrubtly and the world was black. There were a few screams as the students were dematerialized and teleported to the interior of the ship that had chosen them. Zllivan however, did not scream, nor did she even flinch. She merely smiled as she stood proudly on the well-made deck of the "crazy" ship she know knew as Tsal. Placing one hand on the wall of the bridge she would now, and forever more pilot from, Zllivan knew that from now on... there were only good times and adventures to come.*

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