Elder Figures
27 Jun 2023Ryuko Ntsikana
Miahuaxihutil is the modern Nahuatl pronunciation of Cuauhnahuac. In English, it would approximately be "mee-ah-wah-hee-too".
Ausdehnung
_____________________________
It took me a couple of days to arrive at the carrier's location, and I was amazed at the bustling activity surrounding her. The soft blue glow of torches could be seen at various points along her outer hull. Each hangar bay was filled with ships, while more were in holding patterns, patiently waiting for their turn to land. I carefully maneuvered the Dolphin to an underside service access port, grateful to avoid the chaos on the decks above.
Inside the carrier, the activity was even more intense. Pulling up a diagram from a nearby service panel, I observed the constant motion of numerous elevators, including the larger service elevators. Even the service access tubes were crowded, with people busy performing a variety of tasks that I knew better than to interrupt.
Avery was waiting for me when I arrived at my quarters. The monitors in the front room displayed a never-ending stream of updating information. I resisted the urge to physically plug myself into that data stream, knowing the resulting headache would be excruciating. It was like staring directly at a plasma cutting torch—a painful experience.
Avery had some recommendations regarding the clan's ranking structures, especially with so many families now on board. During my flight to catch up with the carrier, I pondered on this matter. From these new members, I would gather elders who could serve as advisors and mentors within the clan. They would act as a link between the family members and the existing leadership structure, holding respected and influential roles without direct authority. The roles of the section chiefs would remain unchanged, and the chain of command would remain intact.
My question to Avery concerned training. The clan members had undergone rigorous training to become a well-disciplined force. With the addition of so many new individuals, I needed to assess their skills and capabilities. I required a thorough understanding of each person within this growing and evolving organism. Some would undoubtedly prove to be valuable assets, while others might need assistance. Regardless, I believed that everyone had a place within our clan.
As I pondered these thoughts, the door to my quarters opened, and Dakota motioned for those outside to enter. Yatziri stepped through with a triumphant grin, followed by two others. Their entrance left me momentarily speechless, much to Yatziri's amusement.
eej khoyor
_____________________________
Avery respectfully stepped aside as Xochitl's parents entered the room. Xochitl's father, Carlos, looked at his daughter with joyful eyes. 'Targitai Khae. Of which star should we raid!' he exclaimed playfully.
Miahuaxihuitl, Xochitl's mother, shook her head and gently elbowed her husband's side while Yatziri plopped down into a recliner, her smile growing wider.
'He can be such a smart ass sometimes,' Miahuaxihuitl apologized, glancing at Yatziri, who simply shrugged in response.
'Knock it off, Dad. I could use your help,' Xochitl said, her voice filled with a mixture of affection and exasperation.
Carlos walked over and gave his daughter a hug. 'From what I saw on the hangar decks below and in the corridors outside, I figured you might.'
As everyone settled into their seats, Avery nodded to Xochitl's parents. 'From the ranks outside, we will need to designate elders. Your assistance in this process would be an honor.'
Carlos leaned back, gazing at his daughter. 'Your crew made a wise choice in adopting our ancestral clan model. It is a solid nomadic structure. The challenge lies in getting all these families on board with it.'
'I was thinking we should gather them in the largest hangar bay for a meet and greet,' Xochitl suggested. 'We can provide an overview of the structure and then have a question and answer session. There are a few days remaining before everything is ready. If there are any dissenters, we can offer to purchase them a return ticket to their homes before we depart the bubble.'
'It would be a wise course of action,' Miahuaxihuitl agreed, glancing at her husband before focusing her attention on her daughter. 'My question to you is, what do you expect to find out there?'
Xochitl shook her head. 'I don't know, Mom. I can't honestly tell anyone if Colonia is the ultimate goal or if there's something else, or maybe nothing else at all.'
'But you don't plan on coming back?' Miahuaxihuitl inquired.
Xochitl nodded. 'The only intention I am certain of is to leave behind the nonsense of the bubble. I don't know. One day, something inside me, whether physical or artificial, just said enough. No more pathetic pirates. No more acidic blood of genocidal aliens dripping on my hull. No more face-planting some waste of flesh in the back hangar, trying to scam me for an extra credit or two.'
Carlos's eyes sparkled as he glanced at his wife. 'You know exactly what you want and where you're going. The only thing you don't know is the name of that place. We'll be here until you find it.'