The Stars all Fell to Thee (Space Opera, Reboot) IC Thread
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 6:52 am
Stars Fell GM Post - Tiau System, New Prague City Space Port
"So, what's it like?" Eren asked his young bodyguard as the two walked through the spaceport lanes, avoiding the milling crowds as they went in the direction of the ship Eren had requisitioned, the Valen-Sky, right?
"Being your slave - I mean, indenture?" Ascot decided to be open with his feelings, regardless of whatever punishment Eren inflicted. "Well, it could be worse. Tell me, why did you buy me if you're disgusted by this entire business - I saw the faces you made back in Myriad HQ."
"I needed a loyal bodyguard," Eren said, "I don't trust the Captain I hired - His acceptance was too eager. Nor do I trust other potential crewmates." He pursed his lips and said, "I'll free you eventually, you know. Depending on how well you manage to protect me during the trip and if you have somewhere to go to once you're free. Heck, if you do particularly well, I might even give you a permanent, paid job in the Fritz household."
Ascot looked at him, disbelieving. Then he said, "You're lucky I can't read minds because I'd have probed you just to find out if you're lying." He then made direct eye contact and said, "You're not lying, right? And even if you're telling the truth, you can always change your mind at any time during the journey. And I'd like to add that it would be better to free me right away, than keep me on as a paid bodyguard. At the very least, you won't be personally responsible for my food, drink, and bodily needs..."
It was to the boy's surprise that Eren actually considered this and it was openly shown on his expression. After bringing up his omni-tool and reviewing the terms of the transfer of Ascot's 'indenture' to him (aka Ascot's sale), the older youth said, "Promise me you won't run away, or try and kill me once I remove your collar."
And to Ascot's shock, Eren suddenly stopped in his tracks, took out the remote controlling said collar, and for a brief moment, the boy feared that this was a big fake-out, that Eren would just hurt him for his impertinence... Then the shock collar he wore snapped open and fell off. Looking at his master - No, former master - as the reality of his freedom seeped into his mind, Ascot decided it was time for his own fake-out. Telekinetically lifting his pistol out of his holster and taking off the safety, he said to Eren, "You are a fool - Throwing away a valuable tool. And I haven't even promised my continued loyalty when you removed my collar."
There was no killing intent in Ascot's eyes, and Eren caught that fact. So the older youth said, "Look to your right - We've arrived at our destination."
And Ascot, his gun still telekinetically-lifted, looked to his right, to find the small light freighter which fit the visual records of the Valen-Sky which had been shown to him and his former master before. Same for a few crewmen and someone who was presumably the Captain, who witnessed the scene unfold. Embarrassed, the boy put down the gun and turned the safety back on, all the while still watchful for if Eren tried to rush him to clamp the collar on again or just murder him.
He didn't. Instead, the older youth just laughed and said, "You got me there for a moment." He walked on, leaving the collar behind and waving at the man he recognized as Kenju, whom he had personally messaged beforehand to come outside the ship for just this moment, "Greetings, Captain Takamado! It's me, Eren Fritz - The one who sponsored this expedition in the first place."
Then the young man flourished a hand, "And this is my bodyguard, the ex-indenture Ascot Rider. As you can see, he's psionic."
"You're not going to put my collar back on me once I sleep, are you?" Ascot was still paranoid that this was just a game the other youth was playing on him.
Eren shook his head, "No, no, far better not to sow the seed of hatred this early, even if it means that you leave. Making this public was just my insurance just in case you do try and kill me."
Ascot telekinetically pulled Eren to him... Then gave him a hug, whispering, "Thanks, I guess. Now let's go meet the Captain and his motley crew. Don't worry, I'll keep my mouth shut just in case he does plan to kill us both."
And then he flew - A sign of his developing powers - Towards where the captain was, saying, "Hello, there, I'm happy to meet you! My name is Ascot Rider, as Eren told you earlier, and I'm psionic! Not as good as an Allameri, though, sadly - But I'm still useful..."
Well that's a moral dilemma avoided, Eren said as he gingerly picked up the fallen collar and put it in his backpack anyway - It was still an expensive piece of technology, after all. And just in case we're going to need to restrain another Psion...
"So, what's it like?" Eren asked his young bodyguard as the two walked through the spaceport lanes, avoiding the milling crowds as they went in the direction of the ship Eren had requisitioned, the Valen-Sky, right?
"Being your slave - I mean, indenture?" Ascot decided to be open with his feelings, regardless of whatever punishment Eren inflicted. "Well, it could be worse. Tell me, why did you buy me if you're disgusted by this entire business - I saw the faces you made back in Myriad HQ."
"I needed a loyal bodyguard," Eren said, "I don't trust the Captain I hired - His acceptance was too eager. Nor do I trust other potential crewmates." He pursed his lips and said, "I'll free you eventually, you know. Depending on how well you manage to protect me during the trip and if you have somewhere to go to once you're free. Heck, if you do particularly well, I might even give you a permanent, paid job in the Fritz household."
Ascot looked at him, disbelieving. Then he said, "You're lucky I can't read minds because I'd have probed you just to find out if you're lying." He then made direct eye contact and said, "You're not lying, right? And even if you're telling the truth, you can always change your mind at any time during the journey. And I'd like to add that it would be better to free me right away, than keep me on as a paid bodyguard. At the very least, you won't be personally responsible for my food, drink, and bodily needs..."
It was to the boy's surprise that Eren actually considered this and it was openly shown on his expression. After bringing up his omni-tool and reviewing the terms of the transfer of Ascot's 'indenture' to him (aka Ascot's sale), the older youth said, "Promise me you won't run away, or try and kill me once I remove your collar."
And to Ascot's shock, Eren suddenly stopped in his tracks, took out the remote controlling said collar, and for a brief moment, the boy feared that this was a big fake-out, that Eren would just hurt him for his impertinence... Then the shock collar he wore snapped open and fell off. Looking at his master - No, former master - as the reality of his freedom seeped into his mind, Ascot decided it was time for his own fake-out. Telekinetically lifting his pistol out of his holster and taking off the safety, he said to Eren, "You are a fool - Throwing away a valuable tool. And I haven't even promised my continued loyalty when you removed my collar."
There was no killing intent in Ascot's eyes, and Eren caught that fact. So the older youth said, "Look to your right - We've arrived at our destination."
And Ascot, his gun still telekinetically-lifted, looked to his right, to find the small light freighter which fit the visual records of the Valen-Sky which had been shown to him and his former master before. Same for a few crewmen and someone who was presumably the Captain, who witnessed the scene unfold. Embarrassed, the boy put down the gun and turned the safety back on, all the while still watchful for if Eren tried to rush him to clamp the collar on again or just murder him.
He didn't. Instead, the older youth just laughed and said, "You got me there for a moment." He walked on, leaving the collar behind and waving at the man he recognized as Kenju, whom he had personally messaged beforehand to come outside the ship for just this moment, "Greetings, Captain Takamado! It's me, Eren Fritz - The one who sponsored this expedition in the first place."
Then the young man flourished a hand, "And this is my bodyguard, the ex-indenture Ascot Rider. As you can see, he's psionic."
"You're not going to put my collar back on me once I sleep, are you?" Ascot was still paranoid that this was just a game the other youth was playing on him.
Eren shook his head, "No, no, far better not to sow the seed of hatred this early, even if it means that you leave. Making this public was just my insurance just in case you do try and kill me."
Ascot telekinetically pulled Eren to him... Then gave him a hug, whispering, "Thanks, I guess. Now let's go meet the Captain and his motley crew. Don't worry, I'll keep my mouth shut just in case he does plan to kill us both."
And then he flew - A sign of his developing powers - Towards where the captain was, saying, "Hello, there, I'm happy to meet you! My name is Ascot Rider, as Eren told you earlier, and I'm psionic! Not as good as an Allameri, though, sadly - But I'm still useful..."
Well that's a moral dilemma avoided, Eren said as he gingerly picked up the fallen collar and put it in his backpack anyway - It was still an expensive piece of technology, after all. And just in case we're going to need to restrain another Psion...