Inunne Chapter 8
Rousing himself from his train of deep thought, Ikota bids adieu to Oscillation and thanks them for their time, then heads to the elevator, deciding to go deck-by-deck to meet whoever he could and get insight from them. The first ones up are the cargo decks, and though the first one seemed empty of both cargo and people, when he stepped out into the next cargo deck - a large place with a high ceiling and stacks of metallic crates - he could hear some quiet beeping sounds.
Ikota follows the sounds through the mazelike deck, eventually coming out into a slightly more open area which seems to be a small open-air vehicle bay, where a person is standing at a small hoverlift. The individual seems to be some kind of hunching green lizardish creature, though the mix of scales and smooth areas suggests that they have some kind of augmentation. As they tap at a console, a couple of small drones beep at them - one on the ground, with four legs and a squarish screen, and the other hovers a few feet off the ground, with smooth contours and a pair of basic arms with digits. As they circle the lizardish person, he turns to shake a finger mock threateningly at the one on the ground - "Don't make me get out the old Pschelok curses you nuisances-" he bites off his words as he realizes there is another person in the room, looking up in startlement at Ikota. His surprise gives way to wariness, and a few moments of silence pass.
The drones turn around to see what he's looking at, and beep excitedly as they rush forward and start circling Ikota in curiosity. Ikota looks at them with a little bemusement, and crouches to put his hand out to the ground one. It puts up its foot to tap his hand, then skitters away.
The lizardish man shakes his head, and leans against the docked hoverlift. "Don't mind them, they're strung tighter than an Alkennian rectal braid and probably are missing a good few bolts and spare lines of code. Don't encourage them or they'll be chasing you around."
Ikota chuckles a little despite himself, and puts out a hand to the flying drone. "I've met a few excitable drones in my day, I think I'll manage somehow. They're just curious about the newcomer, I'm sure."
The lizardish man nods, wariness seeming to wear off a bit. "You the new technician then?"
"Seems like it, I only came on board yesterday so I haven't been able to get around and meet everyone. I'm Ikota, you would be...?"
"Name's Dockhand Tloggel, though TG's fine if you don't dig it. I mostly do the lifting and stacking and any odd jobs that come up. I try to keep to myself, don't need to be in anyone's business but my own. Especially when the docs get ideas." He snorts, then raises his arms dramatically, putting on a quite awful impression of someone. "'Get the doors TG, break this rock TG, grab that sample for me TG, clean up this blood stain TG.' It never ends with them. But that's about par when you get involved with the study types." He shakes his head again as if much put upon, but it seems to Ikota that the man isn't genuinely irritated, the bluster mostly being that sort of bantery rivalry that comes with good friends.
Tloggel clears his throat, and continues, "Anyway, you didn't come down here to chitchat I'm supposin'. Anything I can do for you?"
Ikota nods thankfully, "I was actually wondering if there was anything you could tell me about your recent deliveries and stops. I'm trying to troubleshoot some things, and figured asking the people who know the ship best would help."
"Hmmm." Tilting his head sharply to a side, Tloggel's eyes unfocus in thought, the irises nearly disappearing into inky black sclera. After a few moments, he straightens again. "Can't rightly say I remember anything out of the ordinary at least. The last few stops have been nothing but supply runs back and forth to mining outposts, mostly on an asteroid belt in near Kodesh. Boring, but steady work so s'ppose I can't say I'm complaining. We did have a whole pile of dockworkers in our cargo decks a few stops ago, though Kzatka was watching them sharplike. Couldn't swear to none of them getting near something they shouldn't've been poking into, though." He glances at Ikota. "Sorry, I can't imagine that's too helpful. Anything more specific you were lookin for?"
Ikota thinks for a moment. "Actually that helps a bit. Who's Kzatka, and where would I find him?"
Tloggel snorts, "The other end of the ship from Tzzna. Find her and you'll know where he won't be."
"Ah," Ikota blinks in surprise, "I'm guessing they have problems? Relationship gone wrong or something?"
That gets a fierce chuckle out of Tloggel, and he slaps his leg. "Now THAT I'd pay many credits to see. The question wouldn't be if it'd go wrong at that point, it'd be whether Tzzna would talk Kzatka deaf first or if he'd challenge her to a duel to see who has to go. Either way, sparks and a good show I'm sure."
Still chuckling absently at that picture, Tloggel bids Ikota luck on his troubleshooting and explains that Kzatka is the security guy on this ship, while Tzzna handles communications and usually is at work in the bridge this time of day. He also notes that the drone with feet is named Bine, while the flyer is named Tril0, and though he says it a little gruffly it becomes obvious that he's very fond of the two.
Ikota thanks him for the info, pats the friendly drones a few times, and heads to the elevator, head abuzz with thoughts. He could:
A) Head to the bridge to talk to Tzzna. Since they handle communications, they might be able to give me a better idea of what may have transmitted the virus if it had infected the ship from a signal, or if there were any strange signals coming in lately. B) Check the lower decks and private compartments for Kzatka. If the virus had been communicated from someone getting into the ship while it was docked or loading/unloading cargo, the security chief is probably the best person to talk to. C) Look for the LT I met when being recruited, and see if he has any leads or insight about who to talk to next. I'm not exactly sure how many people are on the ship after all, he might be able to focus the search. D) Go up another deck and talk to whoever I see next. Being methodical is frustrating, let's give luck a chance!
A) Head to the bridge to talk to Tzzna. Since they handle communications, they might be able to give me a better idea of what may have transmitted the virus if it had infected the ship from a signal, or if there were any strange signals coming in lately. B) Check the lower decks and private compartments for Kzatka. If the virus had been communicated from someone getting into the ship while it was docked or loading/unloading cargo, the security chief is probably the best person to talk to. C) Look for the LT I met when being recruited, and see if he has any leads or insight about who to talk to next. I'm not exactly sure how many people are on the ship after all, he might be able to focus the search. D) Go up another deck and talk to whoever I see next. Being methodical is frustrating, let's give luck a chance!
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