A new expedition - Log, Day 05
17 Mar 2020Kris Afron
A day not to forget I think.Now we are three!
The crew has increased by one overnight, although I'm not sure how much use the third crew member is going to be.
Today started badly, there was no sign of Olivia anywhere when I got up, not in the luxury cabin, not in the crew quarters, not in the cargo hold or any of the internal module areas. But when I checked the Scarab hanger I realised that she'd gone out on her own. Stupid girl, no regard for her own safety or the berating I'd get from the Pilots Federation or our parents if she got injured or killed out there.
As soon as I realised, I got on the comms' to the Scarab.
"LIvvy, Livvy, return to A View of Immensity at once, or I'm going to lift off and leave you here!" I shouted, hoping that the warning would hasten her return. I told you she was adventurous, probably too adventurous for her own good.
A scared voice replied "Don't go without me, I'm heading back now...".
It was just then that I saw a flash of green iridescence out of the corner of my eye. "What the fuck was that!". I turned in time to see whatever it was move under the bridge console out of sight. There was that strange odour again and the animal (if it was an animal) made the same scratching noises I'd heard yesterday. "So, that's what I've been looking for, not a coolant leak after all" I exclaimed.
What to do now, i've got an errant sister on her way back, the ship is infested with vermin and we're 6000 ly or more from civilisation. I left the bridge, but locked it down, on my way to the hangar bay I stopped off at the armoury and broke out a pair of laser pistols (good for vermin culling).
Shortly after I heard the Scarab docking and Livvy came out of the hangar. "I'm sorry Kris, I was only out collecting material for you!"
"You're the least of our troubles at the moment, here take this" handing her a pistol.
"What's this for! You're scaring me now! What's going on?" she looked at me tearfully.
"We've got visitors, the pistol is for ridding ourselves of vermin, one of which I've locked in the bridge" come on I need your help. With that I headed for the bridge again. "I just hope it hasn't found it's way out of there".
"Vermin? What are we looking for?" she said as I opened the cockpit door, hurried her inside and re-locked it as I followed her.
"Whatever it was, it went under that console, green colour, smells aromatic and has claws"
A gasp, "Don't hurt it Kris, it's only Mufty".
"It's only...what the devil is a Mufty?"
"...erm, it's harmless and it's not a Mufty, it's name is Mufty, actually Mftee, spelt M-F-T-E-E to be exact."
"OK, ok, I think you have some explaining to do, but first can we get Mufty out from under the console please", "Will it answer to your commands?"
"She's not an it, she's a her, but yes I can bring her out." with that Livvy crouched under the console and spoke to 'Mufty'.
Actually it took a few hours and persuading with some food to bring the beast out. I think I'd given Mufty a fright. So it was small, about the size of a rabbit or squirrel, with iridescent green skin, I'd never seen the like before. "So what is it Livvy, sorry what is she?"
"She's an Antarian Falama, they live in the forests of a tropical planet orbiting Antares - Scorpio Sector something or other, actually they are semi-sentient, a bit more intelligent than primates on Earth"
"And you smuggled her on board?"
"No, she's my friend, she goes everywhere with me. But I guess I should have told you."
"Damn right you should! I hope she's not going to run off and do crazy stunts like the one you pulled this-morning, huh?"
"No, and neither will I again either, sorry!"
What really mattered was that Livvy was safe, and that I hadn't culled Mufty before Livvy got back. "So, she lives with you in your cabin for the rest of the trip and if you want she can hang around with us if that makes life easier for all of us, ok?"
"OK, thanks for understanding. You really are the best brother a girl could want."
The trip continues tomorrow, today has been too "exciting".
CMDR Kris Afron signing off. Fly safely commanders, and check regularly for Antarian Falamas in your consoles