{"id":2577,"date":"2023-11-11T17:02:19","date_gmt":"2023-11-12T00:02:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/?p=2577"},"modified":"2023-11-14T08:29:41","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T15:29:41","slug":"prime-cudgel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/2023\/11\/11\/prime-cudgel\/","title":{"rendered":"Prime Cudgel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

prompt: Set your story before dawn. Your character has woken up early for a particular reason.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

available at Reedsy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tara tied her hair into an afro puff. At least with her new job she wouldn\u2019t have to try to corral her hair into a hat. She preferred the \u201cno-makeup\u201d look at work. Anyone who knows, knows what it takes to look \u201cnatural.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colored moisturizer, a bit of concealer matching her warm, light brown skin to hide the shadows under her green eyes from lack of sleep, a little mascara, and a light lip and she was ready. Her phone chimed and she picked it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The face on the other end had just woken up, thinning gray hair unkempt, the wrinkles around his blue eyes met with pillow lines that continued down his pale face to his permanently ruddy cheeks. Tara made sure she looked presentable in her camera before connecting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDad, it\u2019s two-thirty in the morning! Why are you calling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just wanted to tell you I love you, and I\u2019m proud of you\u2026and I\u2019ll miss you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tara smiled. \u201cDad, we said all that last night. You didn\u2019t have to get up just to tell me that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know, but I wanted to see you before you left. Oh, and you said you\u2019d send a picture in your uniform.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She snorted. \u201cYou don\u2019t have enough of me in my police uniforms?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is different,\u201d he said, \u201cand I want to see your space suit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tara shook her head. \u201cIt\u2019s not like that, Dad. Here, I\u2019ll show you.\u201d She propped the phone against the wall and stepped back. She wore a black, long-sleeved pullover, black tactical pants, and her police boots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just your police uniform without the body armor and jacket,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne sec, Dad.\u201d She picked up a vest from the dresser and slipped it on. It was neon chartreuse with several pockets, a name tape that said \u201cMissions Tara,\u201d and one below that said the same but in an alien script. She turned to show the back, where the word \u201cSECURITY\u201d in both English and the alien script made up the design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWait,\u201d he said, \u201cyou aren\u2019t wearing body armor?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDad, no-one\u2019s going to be shooting at me on a spaceship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would just feel better\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know. That\u2019s why I\u2019m bringing it anyway. At least while we\u2019re in dock, I\u2019ll probably wear it. Same goes for my sidearm.\u201d She picked up the phone. \u201cThey\u2019re letting me bring it, even though I won\u2019t be able to use it on the ship\u2026ever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut if it comes down to it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDad, think about it for a minute. A nine-millimeter slug, versus the skin of a spaceship, in the vacuum of space.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh\u2026yeah. So, what will you use?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She strapped on her duty belt and pointed at the plastic device holstered near her hip. \u201cStill have a taser and baton, and they have a beanbag rifle for the really tough cases.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWill that be enough for the aliens? What if you run into\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe xenomorphs from Alien aren\u2019t real. You know what the real aliens \u2014 the Elarians \u2014  look like, they\u2019ve been on the news for months.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know, but I worry. And that thing in your head\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just under the skin behind my ear, not in my brain, and it\u2019s a standard translator. Dad, I\u2019m not worried. Most of the aliens are from lower gravity worlds like the Elarians, meaning their bones are likely to be more fragile than ours, and we have them seriously overpowered in strength. You should worry about what Mom\u2019s gonna do if you fall asleep at Meemaw\u2019s birthday cookout today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOof, yeah. How\u2019d you get so smart?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy cop father was just<\/em> smart enough to marry a geneticist\u2026so it\u2019s mostly Mom, but I\u2019ll give you two percent credit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBrat.\u201d He yawned. \u201cGive \u2019em hell, Pumpkin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLove you, too, Dad. Go back to sleep.\u201d She ended the call and checked the time. Her ride to the space port would be pulling up within the minute. She rushed out with her suitcase, locking the door behind her, to meet her ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It took nine minutes to reach low-Earth orbit, and only six for the alien freighter to match speed with the shuttle and dock. Tara floated into the airlock and released the straps on her suitcase. One of the regular crew handed her the vacuum sealed bag that contained the clothes she\u2019d been wearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about this?\u201d she asked, tapping the helmet of the vacuum suit she was buttoned up in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou keep that,\u201d the crewman said. \u201cIt\u2019s included in the price your employer paid to get you here. Besides, you\u2019ll need it for reentry when you come back, and you\u2019ll have it just in case\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crewman locked the inside of the airlock, and Tara waited for the outer door to open. She didn\u2019t know what to expect, but she was glad of the suit just in case it turned into an unplanned spacewalk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airlock on the other side of the door was too clean, too smooth, too perfect to be real. She held her suitcase and bag of clothes in one hand, pulling herself into the other airlock with a reverential slowness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As soon as she was fully inside, the human shuttle\u2019s door disappeared as the wall just\u2026materialized<\/em>\u2026where it had been an open hole. A voice sounded in the airlock, \u201cDisengaged from shuttle, prepare for gravity in 5\u20264\u20263\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tara scrambled to get as close to the floor as possible, only to bounce off the wall to the actual<\/em> floor when the gravity kicked in, ninety degrees from where she\u2019d thought \u201cdown\u201d was. It wasn\u2019t anything like the gee-forces she\u2019d felt in ascent or even half of Earth gravity, but it did settle her nerves compared to weightlessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inner door opened or rather, a hole appeared in the wall. Beyond was not nearly as spotless as the airlock had been. A well-worn path in the center of the hallway showed where foot traffic had passed for years. Small pads on the wall, about shoulder-height for Tara, showed the sort of burnishing that comes from years of hands or other appendages pressing on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was trying to figure out how to remove her helmet when two of the Elarians approached. One stepped behind her and began by releasing the catch so she could lift it off. The other stood in front of her, two large arms shouldered behind two smaller, hands with four fingers and no obvious thumbs at the ends of each, though Tara had seen them on the news enough to know the outside digits could move into an opposable position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a female of the species, slightly larger than the males, with pale, butter-yellow skin sporting light grey blotches. Four eyes that were mostly pupil, the two larger on the outside of the two smaller near the center of the face. No visible nostrils or ear holes, but a wide mouth with flat teeth in the front, and heavy grinding teeth to the rear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She spread her two inner arms and gave a slight bow, still head and shoulders taller than Tara. \u201cWelcome, Missions Tara, I am Prime Advisor Achilokila Priviiatik, but you may call me \u2018Privi,\u2019 short for my given name. May I call you Tara?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tara lifted off her helmet. \u201cYou may, Privi. So, uh\u2026what is Prime Advisor?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am second in command to the Ship Speaker\u2026you call it Captain<\/em>, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tara nodded but was finding it difficult to catch her breath. \u201cYes. That would make you the First Officer<\/em> or Executive Officer<\/em> \u2014 XO<\/em> \u2014 then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh! That\u2019s the term. As the Prime Cudgel \u2014 head of security \u2014 you will report to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The one who had loosened her helmet stepped into view holding a small pack with a canula. Half a head shorter than Privi, with similar markings but a greener cast to his skin. \u201cPut this in your nostrils. It will deliver oxygen at the level you need. I am Ship Medic Achilokila Proviatun, younger brother to Privi. You may call me \u2018Provi\u2019 if you wish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tara took the offered tube and Provi helped her get it situated. Within a few breaths, she was feeling more normal. \u201cThank you, Provi. If one of you could show me to my quarters, I can get out of this vacuum suit and back into uniform.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Privi nodded at her brother, and he said, \u201cFollow me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With her first step, she fell forward and almost knocked the tall creature down. \u201cWhoa! Sorry. It\u2019ll take some getting used to,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After getting to her room, wriggling out of the suit, and getting dressed, she was getting a feel for how lightly to step. She stowed her gear, attached the small box-like device that delivered oxygen to her utility belt, and met Provi, still waiting for her in the hall. \u201cNow we shall meet the\u2026Cat-pin<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCaptain<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, Captain<\/em>.\u201d He led her to a common area that included places to cook, eat, and lounge. A female even larger than Privi was sprawled in a hammock, one of her small hands holding a device while the other small hand navigated the holograph above it. One of her large hands pushed off the wall in a rhythm that kept the hammock moving in a lazy swing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHello, Cap\u2014Ship Speaker. I\u2019m Tara Missions\u2026I mean Missions Tara.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hand that had been pushing off the wall grabbed it, stopping the swing. She sat up and looked down at Tara. \u201cWelcome aboard the Full Pouch, Prime Cudgel Missions Tara. I am Ship Speaker Chiloka Chikurik. Your duties will be to organize and manage the station guards for the ship and cargo while in port, and provide assistance where needed around the ship. Beyond that, we hope to never need your assistance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Provi and another alien that had been silently eating in the room both shouted out, \u201cPirates be gone! Void take you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chikurik laughed. \u201cCorrect. However, if we do need your assistance, I have it on good authority that you know how to use that?\u201d she asked, pointing at an orange shotgun on the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeanbag shotgun. Less-lethal weapon. Know it very well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI used it once and damaged my shoulder. Humans call this a \u2018less-lethal\u2019 weapon?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am. Although, if used improperly, it can still kill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chikurik laughed again. \u201cIf used improperly, she says! This thing blows holes in the carapace of Gerlash pirates, but only dents the ship. Busts up the insides of Elarians and Salamars. It\u2019s perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tara cocked her head in surprise. \u201cIt\u2026blows holes<\/em> in them? I thought humans<\/em> were fragile, but it almost never penetrates or busts up your innards.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRarely, and only if fired too close. When used properly, it leaves a bruise, when used improperly it can break bones \u2014 or kill if hit in the head or neck for example \u2014 but unlike a regular round, it won\u2019t go through a human.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chikurik crossed the room and lifted a flexible club with her large hands. It was obvious that it was heavy. \u201cThis is the ceremonial cudgel that is awarded to Prime Cudgel on each ship. Only the strongest could wield it effectively, but we have better tools now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tara grabbed the handle of the cudgel and gave it a few practice swings with one hand. She wasn\u2019t sure how she felt about it being floppy but hung it from her belt near her baton. \u201cThank you, Ship Speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou aren\u2019t expected to carry that ancient thing. It\u2019s just a rite of passage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd that thing on your belt, what is that?\u201d Chikurik asked, pointing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTaser, another less-lethal weapon. It shoots out two prongs that deliver fifty kilovolts \u2014 results in 1200 volts to the body at around two milliamps \u2014 so, twenty or so 100-millisecond bursts per second. It disrupts muscle signals in the body and hurts like hell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chikurik\u2019s hand flew over the holographic interface in front of her. \u201cThat\u2019s\u2026eighteen thousand four hundred\u2026. By the First Mother\u2019s pouch! That doesn\u2019t kill you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNah. I\u2019ve been hit with one of these bad boys twelve times now \u2014 every year during recertification \u2014 no lasting effects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, Prime Cudgel Missions Tara, just don\u2019t ever point either of those things at me\u2026and keep that Taser thing away from the controls. I think we may just be safe from the pirates for sure now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPirates be gone! Void take you!\u201d the two others called out again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPirates flee! We have a human Prime Cudgel!\u201d Chikurik called out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m curious, though,\u201d Tara said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAbout what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy did you go out of your way to hire a human? I mean, we\u2019re just now starting to trade for goods from you, and we won\u2019t be accepted into your Trade Alliance proper until we develop our own FTL, now that we know<\/em> it\u2019s possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ship Speaker stood tall above Tara and held her chin with one of her small hands. \u201cBecause, little one, I guessed that a creature from a high gravity world would be tough, and it seems I was right. You\u2019re probably built pretty dense, too.\u201d She grabbed Tara with her large arms and tried to lift her but could only get her to her tip-toes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tara laughed and spread her arms. \u201cMay I?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chikurik nodded, and Tara wrapped an arm around her hips and lifted her with one hand. In the light gravity on the ship, it felt like lifting a small child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPirates flee! We have a human Prime Cudgel!\u201d the two others called out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d Tara yelled, as she set Chikurik down. \u201cYou pirates better<\/em> run!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

prompt: Set your story before dawn. Your character has woken up early for a particular reason. available at Reedsy Tara tied her hair into an afro puff. At least with her new job she wouldn\u2019t …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[208],"tags":[210,228,209],"class_list":["post-2577","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-trunk-stories","tag-fiction","tag-science-fiction","tag-short-story"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pxT7i-Fz","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2577","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2577"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2577\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2579,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2577\/revisions\/2579"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2577"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2577"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}