Fanfic - Better Part of Valor
Tuesday, May 28th, 2013 09:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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mindcrackloveMeeting new friends, and running around from scary people!
Chapter 3
MC woke up suddenly as four long arms snaked around him, dragging him out of the bed.
“Augh! What the hell!” MC shouted as he was unceremoniously dumped on the floor.
“I said I'd wake you up for breakfast, hitchhiker. It's almost breakfast time.” Etho said, looking down on the tangled heap that was MC. MC slowly pulled himself upright, frowning at Etho. “Could have told me.” He grumbled, brushing himself off. Bemused, Etho replied. “I did. You slept. I poked you. You slept. I whispered forbidden knowledge to you. You slept. So I grabbed you. You did not sleep. Let's go now.” Etho said, taking off down the winding corridors.
MC jogged towards Etho, catching up to him as they entered what appeared to be half dining room, half kitchen. Rather then be filled with piles of items, the room was crammed with a single large table, around which four chairs sat. One of the walls was filled with various food preparation devices, at which Pakratt was standing, fiddling with knobs and levers.
“Oh hi Etho, MC. What do you want for breakfast?” “Something interesting.” Etho said, sprawling on one of the chairs, his arms and legs akimbo. “Little hitchhiker will take something interesting too.” Etho said before MC could say anything. Etho patted MC on the head, his long arm easily reaching across the table. “Ok!” Pakratt said, pushing several buttons, causing the room to become filled with flavoured smoke.
“Something interesting consists of smoked heflump, fruit salad, and some fizzy bubbly thing that was too bubbly to sell.” Pakratt said, setting down several large bowls and empty plates. “Dig in!” Pakratt said as he scooped some of the salad onto his plate. MC shrugged, grabbing some of the food, eating it eagerly. It had been awhile since he had gotten anything to eat. “Pretty good.” Etho said, as he opened up another can of the bubbly drink, drinking it with a straw.
As they finished and shoved the empty plates into the wall where they were disintegrated, MC tugged on Pakratt's arm. “Who are we picking up?” MC asked quietly. “Oh yes. A friend. He use to work part time for the Guide too, but he found out he gets more adoration as a wandering bard. You'd also be surprised at how much being a wandering bard pays these days. He seems to have gotten himself into a bit of a jam, something about getting attacked by a cult. And not one of his cults. Those are generally more peaceful then attacking.”
Pakratt scratched his head, pondering something. “Well, we should be getting there soon. Hopefully it's one of those backwards, no technology cults. We'll have to use the large escape pod.” “There's a larger one? Why didn't you use that one the first time?” MC asked as the three of them wandered the maze until they were at a different docking bay. “Because it uses more fuel?” Pakratt said, amused.
Ship has reached destination. Currently orbiting unknown planet at 500km. Tracked object data has been transferred to shuttle craft. A metallic voice rang through the ship, causing MC's teeth to shake. The three explorers climbed into the shuttle, strapping in. The craft was about twice as large as the other shuttle, and only had slightly more room. Whoever had designed this craft had been on some pretty heavy drugs, given the prolific use of dayglo colours and general odd shapes stuck around the craft.
“Heh, there is a second reason why I don't use the craft that often.” Pakratt said as the doors closed. He pushed a single button, causing them to go hurtling at the ground below.
“It doesn't have that great of inertial dampeners.” Pakratt said calmly as MC started to become a sickly gray colour from the pressure on him. “Your species really doesn't take high pressure that well, does it?” Etho said, patting MC on the head. MC shook his head, eyes squeezed shut. “Poor baby. Well, it's almost over.” Etho said, amused.
The craft jerked to a halt, the doors opening with a loud click. MC practically leaped from the craft, leaning against the metallic structure, inhaling deeply. The air was fruity, almost sugary. Looking around, he noticed the planet seemed to be made from sugar. Dunes of brown and red sugar ran into an ocean of bubbly blue liquid, while tall candy cane trees and plump pink bushes growing candy apples sprouted from the land.
“MC, don't eat anything. You either Etho. I'm pretty sure the inhabitants have laced everything with psychotropic drugs. Really strong ones, too.” Etho pulled a small flat sheet of crystal out from a pocket in his clothing. “It seems like our fourth crew mate is nearby, Pakratt. In fact, he should be behind those trees.” As Etho said this, a skinny figure came rocketing out from the nearby tree line, grabbing a hold of Pakratt for dear life.
“Pakratt, they were just going on about cucumbers or putting me in jail or orange things, and they kept trying to convert me to some religion, and let's go before they find us!” the figure clung to Pakratt, a very expensive looking guitar hanging off his back. His clothes seemed to hang a bit lose around him, his hat and glasses looking rather smudged.
Pakratt pried the friend off of him, frowning at him. “What are you talking about? Which cult it is? Not my...?”Pakratt said trailing off as several faces appeared near the trees. “Oh dear yes it is everyone in the craft gogogogo.” Pakratt said, practically throwing the guy into the craft as Etho quickly climbed in, followed shortly by Etho. Pakratt hurled himself into the craft as the people came howling from the trees shouting his name.
“Ok, time to go, sorry people, hopefully the exhaust fumes will help your brains.” Pakratt said unhappily as he punched a button, causing the shuttle to rocket into the sky.
As the small ship made it's way into the sky, MC tapped Pakratt on the shoulder, causing him to turn around. “How did they know your name, Pakratt? Do you have a cult?” Pakratt frowned, shaking his head. “No, it's a long story.” “Please tell us? We have some time.” MC said, causing Pakratt to sigh.
“Making a very long, boring story short, I bought an experimental device from another trader, accidentally used it, it created a second me running around who talks in palindromes. Or was it platitudes? He talks about weird things. I think he can influence people. He gathers cults. I just try and stay the hell away from them.” Pakratt said as the shuttle docked with a loud clunk, air rushing into the craft. “Speaking of which, why were you there Kirk? You knew that one of the cults was there, I warned you!”
The skinny gentleman who was apparently named Kirk shuffled uneasily as they made their way through the ship. “Wweeeeelll, I thought maybe I could calm them with music! It...didn't work too well. I accidentally talked about you when they got pushy, and that made them mad. Or glad. I couldn't tell. I do think they were going to sacrifice me. Thanks for rescuing me, Pakratt!” Kirk said, grinning at Pakratt. Pakratt sighed, rolling his eyes. “You should know better. They're all insane. And now they're going to try and follow us, just watch.” Pakratt had lead them to the control room, turning on the view screen.
“Oh look. They're manning some kind of...how do those even FLY?” Pakratt said baffled as Etho started to laugh hysterically. “Those should explode! They should just explode from looking at them!” Etho said, unable to breath from laughing too hard.
“Well, to battle stations! MC, stay here and watch the screen, let us know if any get to close.” Pakratt said as the three people disappeared, the shipping suddenly flashing a bright red colour.
“Oh. Oh dear. Ok?” MC said to the screen.
Chapter 1 - http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/150875.html#cutid1
Chapter 2 - http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/151552.html#cutid1
Chapter 3 - http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/153562.html#cutid1
Chapter 4 - http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/155321.html#cutid1
Chapter 5 - http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/194098.html#cutid1
Chapter 3
MC woke up suddenly as four long arms snaked around him, dragging him out of the bed.
“Augh! What the hell!” MC shouted as he was unceremoniously dumped on the floor.
“I said I'd wake you up for breakfast, hitchhiker. It's almost breakfast time.” Etho said, looking down on the tangled heap that was MC. MC slowly pulled himself upright, frowning at Etho. “Could have told me.” He grumbled, brushing himself off. Bemused, Etho replied. “I did. You slept. I poked you. You slept. I whispered forbidden knowledge to you. You slept. So I grabbed you. You did not sleep. Let's go now.” Etho said, taking off down the winding corridors.
MC jogged towards Etho, catching up to him as they entered what appeared to be half dining room, half kitchen. Rather then be filled with piles of items, the room was crammed with a single large table, around which four chairs sat. One of the walls was filled with various food preparation devices, at which Pakratt was standing, fiddling with knobs and levers.
“Oh hi Etho, MC. What do you want for breakfast?” “Something interesting.” Etho said, sprawling on one of the chairs, his arms and legs akimbo. “Little hitchhiker will take something interesting too.” Etho said before MC could say anything. Etho patted MC on the head, his long arm easily reaching across the table. “Ok!” Pakratt said, pushing several buttons, causing the room to become filled with flavoured smoke.
“Something interesting consists of smoked heflump, fruit salad, and some fizzy bubbly thing that was too bubbly to sell.” Pakratt said, setting down several large bowls and empty plates. “Dig in!” Pakratt said as he scooped some of the salad onto his plate. MC shrugged, grabbing some of the food, eating it eagerly. It had been awhile since he had gotten anything to eat. “Pretty good.” Etho said, as he opened up another can of the bubbly drink, drinking it with a straw.
As they finished and shoved the empty plates into the wall where they were disintegrated, MC tugged on Pakratt's arm. “Who are we picking up?” MC asked quietly. “Oh yes. A friend. He use to work part time for the Guide too, but he found out he gets more adoration as a wandering bard. You'd also be surprised at how much being a wandering bard pays these days. He seems to have gotten himself into a bit of a jam, something about getting attacked by a cult. And not one of his cults. Those are generally more peaceful then attacking.”
Pakratt scratched his head, pondering something. “Well, we should be getting there soon. Hopefully it's one of those backwards, no technology cults. We'll have to use the large escape pod.” “There's a larger one? Why didn't you use that one the first time?” MC asked as the three of them wandered the maze until they were at a different docking bay. “Because it uses more fuel?” Pakratt said, amused.
Ship has reached destination. Currently orbiting unknown planet at 500km. Tracked object data has been transferred to shuttle craft. A metallic voice rang through the ship, causing MC's teeth to shake. The three explorers climbed into the shuttle, strapping in. The craft was about twice as large as the other shuttle, and only had slightly more room. Whoever had designed this craft had been on some pretty heavy drugs, given the prolific use of dayglo colours and general odd shapes stuck around the craft.
“Heh, there is a second reason why I don't use the craft that often.” Pakratt said as the doors closed. He pushed a single button, causing them to go hurtling at the ground below.
“It doesn't have that great of inertial dampeners.” Pakratt said calmly as MC started to become a sickly gray colour from the pressure on him. “Your species really doesn't take high pressure that well, does it?” Etho said, patting MC on the head. MC shook his head, eyes squeezed shut. “Poor baby. Well, it's almost over.” Etho said, amused.
The craft jerked to a halt, the doors opening with a loud click. MC practically leaped from the craft, leaning against the metallic structure, inhaling deeply. The air was fruity, almost sugary. Looking around, he noticed the planet seemed to be made from sugar. Dunes of brown and red sugar ran into an ocean of bubbly blue liquid, while tall candy cane trees and plump pink bushes growing candy apples sprouted from the land.
“MC, don't eat anything. You either Etho. I'm pretty sure the inhabitants have laced everything with psychotropic drugs. Really strong ones, too.” Etho pulled a small flat sheet of crystal out from a pocket in his clothing. “It seems like our fourth crew mate is nearby, Pakratt. In fact, he should be behind those trees.” As Etho said this, a skinny figure came rocketing out from the nearby tree line, grabbing a hold of Pakratt for dear life.
“Pakratt, they were just going on about cucumbers or putting me in jail or orange things, and they kept trying to convert me to some religion, and let's go before they find us!” the figure clung to Pakratt, a very expensive looking guitar hanging off his back. His clothes seemed to hang a bit lose around him, his hat and glasses looking rather smudged.
Pakratt pried the friend off of him, frowning at him. “What are you talking about? Which cult it is? Not my...?”Pakratt said trailing off as several faces appeared near the trees. “Oh dear yes it is everyone in the craft gogogogo.” Pakratt said, practically throwing the guy into the craft as Etho quickly climbed in, followed shortly by Etho. Pakratt hurled himself into the craft as the people came howling from the trees shouting his name.
“Ok, time to go, sorry people, hopefully the exhaust fumes will help your brains.” Pakratt said unhappily as he punched a button, causing the shuttle to rocket into the sky.
As the small ship made it's way into the sky, MC tapped Pakratt on the shoulder, causing him to turn around. “How did they know your name, Pakratt? Do you have a cult?” Pakratt frowned, shaking his head. “No, it's a long story.” “Please tell us? We have some time.” MC said, causing Pakratt to sigh.
“Making a very long, boring story short, I bought an experimental device from another trader, accidentally used it, it created a second me running around who talks in palindromes. Or was it platitudes? He talks about weird things. I think he can influence people. He gathers cults. I just try and stay the hell away from them.” Pakratt said as the shuttle docked with a loud clunk, air rushing into the craft. “Speaking of which, why were you there Kirk? You knew that one of the cults was there, I warned you!”
The skinny gentleman who was apparently named Kirk shuffled uneasily as they made their way through the ship. “Wweeeeelll, I thought maybe I could calm them with music! It...didn't work too well. I accidentally talked about you when they got pushy, and that made them mad. Or glad. I couldn't tell. I do think they were going to sacrifice me. Thanks for rescuing me, Pakratt!” Kirk said, grinning at Pakratt. Pakratt sighed, rolling his eyes. “You should know better. They're all insane. And now they're going to try and follow us, just watch.” Pakratt had lead them to the control room, turning on the view screen.
“Oh look. They're manning some kind of...how do those even FLY?” Pakratt said baffled as Etho started to laugh hysterically. “Those should explode! They should just explode from looking at them!” Etho said, unable to breath from laughing too hard.
“Well, to battle stations! MC, stay here and watch the screen, let us know if any get to close.” Pakratt said as the three people disappeared, the shipping suddenly flashing a bright red colour.
“Oh. Oh dear. Ok?” MC said to the screen.
Chapter 1 - http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/150875.html#cutid1
Chapter 2 - http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/151552.html#cutid1
Chapter 3 - http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/153562.html#cutid1
Chapter 4 - http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/155321.html#cutid1
Chapter 5 - http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/194098.html#cutid1
