Inunne Chapter 2

Dressing briefly in his working uniform - a basic, but functional worksuit with tool pockets, a belt for his weightier tools, and a mask for rough environments - Ikota steps up to the elevator door and goes to the bridge to meet the captain. The elevator ride gave him only a few seconds to prepare before the door slid open with a near-silent swish, and he stepped onto the control deck.
The room was much more spacious than his quarters, though not quite so large as to make you forget you were very much in a metal box hurtling through space. A central console wrapped around the elevator shaft, with seats for three people. Around the borders of the room were an array of screens and storage lockers, and what appeared to be a small rack of weapons secured with heavy bars and a biolock. A couple of large screens mounted on opposite walls displayed outer hull views of the Inunne, flashes of light streaking past in the distance. Occasionally a view shifted to a different position, much like a security camera or screensaver. On the far wall somewhat equidistant to the screens was a large chair, obviously made to accommodate something much larger than a kobold. Perhaps that explained why the ceilings on the blueprints he had been given were rather high for the ship's size.
There were only two people in the room that Ikota could see at the moment. Sitting at a console was a small, squat creature who appeared to be around the same height as himself, but much wider and more rotund. The being was a dusky reddish color over most of its skin, except for hard ridged patches on its head and array of horns protruding from its head, and all was stuffed into a pale brown flight uniform. While this fellow seemed to be pondering the screens in front of them, another figure was kneeling next to them yet was still taller even so.
The kneeling figure was a large Vesillian - a powerful variety of reptilian peoples from a river-laced planet - with a crocodilian jaw and wide shoulders. He was wearing a nice, but not overly opulent jacket - probably the captain. He seems to be nodding along with something the short fellow was saying, but glances up as Ikota steps into the room
Ikota stands up a bit straighter and nods friendily at the two. "Ikota, technician. I was hired on by your Lt to cover this shipping run at the last shore stop, but hadn't quite gotten a chance to meet everyone in person yet. Would one of you be kind enough to point me to the captain?" The vesillian stands up, taking a few steps over and kneeling to shake Ikota's hand firmly. "You've just met him. Welcome aboard, I'm Captain Rastin. Over there is our navigator Koog, who's currently plotting our course to the mining colony. The others are probably downstairs taking mess right now. You'll find we're a small crew, but what we don't have in numbers we make up for in heart. I trust that my LT briefed you on your duties while here, though of course I welcome any questions you may have about our operation."
Ikota considers the question, and decides:

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A) The LT had given him a basic overview of the machinery and engines, and some blueprints at the hiring, but it had all been so last minute and it might not hurt to double check what the captain expects of him to make sure there's no surprises.
B) It might be good to ask about the rest of the crew, and if there's anyone else with experience aboard in case I need a hand sometime. With a group this small I might be the only mechanically minded one, but I can't be sure unless I ask.
C) While this seems like a legit situation, it always pays to be cautious. Maybe I should try to covertly ask about what happened to the last technician and why there was such a rush in hiring a new one?
D) There's nothing major enough to bother the captain with, I should excuse myself and head downstairs.

6/8/23
"...a small, squat creature who appeared to be around the same height as himself, but much wider and more rotund... stuffed into a pale brown flight uniform."

by Unknown

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