Author Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings (The Messenger Archive Book 1) Read online

  Title: Mission: Statement

  Authors: Ashroe and Sianor

  Fandom: Mission

  Warnings: Author Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

  Characters: Captain 'Kip' Vadim, Biann, Saidhe, Kre-Nappre, Hale Loap, Judge Peters, Xaix, Enforcer Avery, Messenger, Original Characters

  Pairings: Author Chose Not To List

  Rating: NC-17

  Summary: Picking up from the end of season one, this takes place in an imagined season two. This tries to stay true to canon, but will become a bit of canon-divergence AU of course.

  Wordcount: 84,244

  Chapters: 27/27

  Complete: Yes

  Chapter One - Mission: Continuation

  [Ashroe: So, do you want to start this, or...]

  [Sianor: You do it. You've got more experience at this than me.]

  [Ashroe: True, but this was your baby.]

  [Sianor: It was, but you know I'm better at ideas than execution. Plus, I hate starting things. You get us going and we'll see how this works?]

  [Ashroe: Okay, but feel free to change things. We'll need to decide on English or American style spelling at some point.]

  [Sianor: English is so cute! We'll go with that. Besides, I'm not a good editor.]

  [Ashroe: Alright, jump in wherever you want to, I'm not precious. I'll put in the transcript so we can continue straight from the cliff-hanger.]

  ***

  VADIM: Hey, come on, now. Surely we can end this amicably?

  ROQ MERCENARY 1: Yes, yes we can. Hand over the furry bastard, and we can all walk away from this happy.

  KRE-NAPPRE: I suspect I would not be happy for very long.

  VADIM: We're not going to hand over anyone, so don't even ask. I don't care what you're being paid for this, but nothing's worth a life.

  ROQ MERCENARY 2: And you? Why are you running around with this *scum*?

  "And you?" the taller Roq mercenary asked, gesturing with his gun. "Why are you running around with this scum?"

  Loap bristled with anger at the other Roq, his black eyes slanting almost-closed. His crest-plates lifted slightly in the start of a threat-posture, his hand going for the pistol by his hip. He never liked to draw it - much like most of his species - but if he had to, he would. "Hasn't there been enough fighting?"

  "You mutt-sympathiser! You're a brood-traitor. You're not fit to wear your paint."

  "Enough!" Kre-Nappre said at last, her hands raised and empty. "I have had too much blood on my muzzle. I will not see my companions hurt. If your brood considers the only way to satisfy their honour is to take me into custody, then I surrender."

  "Kre, no!"

  Warm brown eyes turned to Loap. "It's alright. I was a fool to think I could outrun my family name forever. If no one ever takes the first steps to peace, we will be stuck like this forever."

  "That's all nice and all, but you're one of my crew," the Captain insisted. "Science officer. Reasonably new post. But that means you're under my protection, and out here? If someone wants to mess with my crew, then they can speak to the Judge like anyone else would."

  "Your pet Judge?" the Roq bandit shook his head. "No. There's one justice we recognise, and it's this." He pulled the trigger, firing an arc of hot-blue static from the aperture. It crackled forth, but Loap leapt into the way, the discharge hitting him straight in the chest. He hissed in pain, falling to the ground like an engine with the cables cut.

  Captain Vadim didn't blink. He shot the closest Roq in the shoulder, making him drop his gun with a clatter and curse loudly in pain. He'd lifted the gun to shoot the second one, but before the pistol could recharge the normally placid Sianar had lunged in a flurry of thick muscles over strong bones. Kre-Nappre's strong jaws chomped over the Roq's throat, the weight of her bulk overpowering the slighter creature.

  "Kre!"

  The Sianar's eyes were almost black with fury, and the Roq's gun clattered uselessly to the ground. The pinned bounty-hunter whimpered submissively, the age-old instinct kicking in and making him go still.

  "Let him go, Kre," the Captain insisted. "You'll never forgive yourself if you kill him. Show him he's wrong. Loap's hurt. Come on, Kre."

  She could feel the pounding of sharp, blue blood just inches below her incisors. Every natural instinct she had told her to snap the reptile's throat, to drink down the hot, iron-rich blood and rip the protective hide from her prey. She wanted to. She wanted to bring her teeth together and feel that familiar snap of death, but then she heard the gasp.

  "Kre... please. Don't."

  Loap was struggling, trying to climb up Vadim's bent leg.

  It would be so easy. So easy to wreak vengeance. These bastards had been ready to kill her, and they'd shot her friend. Her friend who had acted like kin, leaping to her defence, taking the bolt meant to scorch her hide. She could smell the ozone and the tang of adrenaline and sweat, the pheromones the Roq were releasing, the char of scorched keratin. Kre closed her eyes and remembered the composition of adrenaline, and the effects it had on the Human body when it left. She remembered how the Roq's central nervous system would flush the warning into the crest-scales, to signal to others nearby that there was a threat. She remembered how much pressure was required to sever the carotid artery, and she let go.

  The terrified mercenary had soiled himself. He reeked, and her nostrils flared in disgust. "Go," she barked. "Take the wounded with you. And tell whoever paid you that I let you live, you pond-scum."

  It was a hateful term, a horrible derogatory name, but her fight-or-flight response had kicked in, and anger made her swell. She rose up, back onto her hind legs, walked over to where Loap and Vadim were.

  "Loap, I--"

  "Don't stand on ceremony, you pair of idiots. Get the hell back on the ship!" the Captain snapped.

  Looking pale, Loap nodded, and didn't protest at all as the taller Sianar lifted him to carry him back to the Messenger. One arm went behind her neck, tangling in the thick thatch of artificial fur that she wore across her shoulders, the other hand pressing over the wound on his side. It hurt, but he had to do it.

  Kre did not even turn to see their attackers leave. She didn't need to, she could hear the awkward shuffling noises just fine.

  ***

  [Ashroe: That how you pictured it?]

  [Sianor: Whoa! *fans self* Yes, totally. You know I have such a thing for how you write my baby Kre.]

  [Ashroe: I know, but I know she's your baby, and I don't want to step on your toes or write her wrong!]

  [Sianor: Believe me, I wouldn't have asked to collaborate with you if I didn't agree with your characterisation. I love it!! I wonder why I'm even here... maybe I should just let you at it?]

  [Ashroe: Hahaha, nope.]

  [Ashroe: You maybe want to pick up the next scene?]

  [Sianor: Sure thing! OK. I'm nervous, so ignore any typos...]

  ***

  Judge Peters was tapping through the news reports when the three of them staggered back onboard the Messenger, and he dropped his tablet with a clunk.

  "What's going on here?"

  "Turns out our trading deal went a little south," the Captain replied, even as Kre-Nappre dropped the injured Roq onto the table. "It was an ambush."

  "I told you so," Loap hissed. "That group have never been-- that hurts!"

  "You did insist on leaping in front of gunfire, Loap. What did you expect?"

  "I've never been shot before, so I don't know," the Roq said, dropping his head back and grabbing hold of furry arms. "How bad is it?"

  "It's a broad wound,
but it appears to have been a glancing blow, catching your side and not damaging internal organs..." the Judge said, peeling back the charred shirt, and pressing his hand to the wound. "I'm no surgeon, but I know basic field medicine. Captain, if you would?"

  "No problem," Vadim replied, and went rushing further into the ship.

  "You know I could have taken the first round without it knocking me down, don't you?" Kre asked, her tail swishing distractedly. "It would have put me in a blood rage, but I'd have lived."

  "Yes, I know that, but I wasn't exactly thinking rationally at the time. I just... acted on instinct."

  The Sianar's head dropped, her ears twitching backwards in remorse. "I am... grateful. I am also sorry that you had to witness what I did next. I am not proud of it."

  "Kre... you didn't kill them. Either of them. And you had every provocation to."

  "But I let my instincts get the better of me. For all I try to restrain them, it seems I am no different to the rest of my kind after all."

  "Forgive me for interrupting, when I wasn't there," the Judge said, as the Captain came back with the medkit and the two sisters. "But it sounds to me as if both of you acted on impulse, and under extreme duress. If no one died on either side, then believe me... the law would go in your favour. And I do not say that idly, either."

  "I... am grateful for your reassurances, your Honour," Kre said, with a deferential little flick and bow.

  "Is he going to be okay?" Biann asked. She and her sister were clutching to one another, and it was impossible to tell who was restraining whom, or comforting whom. Probably a little of both.

  The Judge nodded, not looking up from his work. "I think so. But when this dressing is on, I'm going to ask Kre to carry him down to his quarters, where he can rest in the most comfortable environment."

  "Anything," the tall chaplain said, bowing deeply. Her muzzle was flecked with spittle, her eyes still black with the rage that hadn't fully subsided yet. The long, black claws on her feet clicked on the ship's deck, as she tried to take back control.

  "Come on, Biann," Saidhe said, urging her sister away from them. "Let's go. Loap needs some space."

  "Okay... just know we're here for you, both of you," Biann said, skittering closer.

  Loap reached up and glanced the back of his knuckles over her hand. "I appreciate that. But I think the Judge is right. I'm not... made for being shot."

  "So next time, you'll let me, you foolish snake," the Sianar grumbled.

  Biann let Saidhe pull her back, and the pair of them went down into engineering.

  ***

  [Sianor: How's that?]

  [Ashroe: Perfect! We going to the sisters next?]

  [Sianor: I thought so. We could take one each if you want to?]

  [Ashroe: I have more of a Biann!Muse than a Saidhe.]

  [Sianor: OK, I think I can do Saidhe.]

  [Ashroe: Hang on, I have an idea...]

  ***

  "Welcome back," came the carefully modulated tones of Messenger.

  "Thanks, Mes," Biann said, smiling at the display panel. It wasn't as if there was a real interface to address, but like most people she preferred to visualise a focus point when she addressed the ship. "You saw everything, right?"

  "I did. I will monitor Loap's vital systems, but he is only moderately injured. Has there been a decision about whether we will stay on this planet?"

  "Not yet, Cap'n and I haven't worked out where we go next," Saidhe answered, leaning a little awkwardly on the bulkhead, one arm across her chest and clutching at her elbow. She never felt as at home in the engine room as she did behind the helm. The fact that the ship was asking - even when the AI already knew the answer - didn't make either of them blink. "Figure he'll holler for me when he's ready for leaving. Probably wants to make sure the silly Roq's healing before we burn atmo."

  "When you need me, call for me," Messenger said.

  Biann started to fidget with the couplings. They were fine, because she'd checked them just that morning. Didn't hurt to check them again, her hands working automatically over panels and connections without even needing to think about it. She could hear when there was something off, and she could adjust it all just by memorising the number of turns or presses, or the friction of the wrench in her hand. If they needed to make a fast get-away when the Captain invariably decided they should have left half an hour ago, she wanted the ship to be ready.

  "He'll be fine," Saidhe reassured her. "That Judge knows healing as much as killing."

  "I know, but... I don't like seeing anyone in pain. Especially not people I like. Loap wouldn't hurt anyone."

  "Bullies don't care about that, little sis. In fact, they'd prefer to hit people who won't hit back. Unfortunately both of those fools will bow the head and offer it up for decapitation if you so much as say 'please'."

  "Saidhe!"

  "It's true. That's why you're looking so shocked, because you know I'm right and you just never said it. All that 'I serve science, not war' crap Kre is always spouting, and the cold git's eternal martyr nature... they're pretty much married."

  "Loap hates Kre!"

  "Really? Do people who hate people leap into gunfire for them? No. All that posturing is just... they like one another. I'm sure. But both of them are too stubborn to admit it. Maybe we should suggest some sensual frite oil and dim candles to their respective councils. End a lot of bloodshed, if they all just--"

  "How are my two favourite alien ladies?" the Captain asked, seemingly oblivious to the discussion he'd walked in on, but you could never be sure.

  "Mes is running fine, Cap'n," Biann replied at once, leaping up from her work and startling practically to attention.

  "Not what I asked, but I'll take it."

  "Are we heading out, then?" Saidhe asked. "You got somewhere for us to be?"

  "I was thinking plenty far from here. Judge says the walking wounded would be fine with burning out and hitching a lift. Probably wise to head to the colony on Ramara, pick up some extra medical supplies. We only carry the bare minimum for each species, after all."

  "Should I go plot the course?"

  "Might as well do. Remember if you pick up any Whales in the area that for once speed is more important than fuel. Use your best judgement."

  "Aye-aye, Cap'n."

  Saidhe went to leave, and as she passed the Captain turned. He was on the brink of saying something, but then she was gone and so was the moment. Biann caught the gesture, but quickly went back to her couplings. When they were breaking the gravity well she'd be at a loose end, so it made sense to do any more last minute checks now before--

  "Hey."

  "Cap'n?"

  "You... you know it's going to be alright, don't you." Not a question in tone, but in words. He was good at that, at telling you how you should be answering. It was a Human thing, Biann had noticed.

  "Yes, of course I do."

  "Good. Right. Well..."

  "Your presence on the bridge would be appreciated," came the calm tones of Messenger.

  "Sounds like you better go," Biann said.

  "Sounds like. You come up to the bridge if you get lonely, you know?"

  "Yes, I know. Don't worry, Mes keeps me company most of the time."

  "It is my pleasure to," the ship added.

  "Right." The word lingered a bit too long, as did the Captain.

  ***

  [Sianor: YOUR VADIE! I love him!]

  [Ashroe: I keep lying to myself that he hasn't moved into my head, but he's just enough of a bastard to love.]

  [Sianor: You really need to stop putting yourself down, you know. You're one of the best people in this fandom.]

  [Ashroe: Oh, shush. You mean 'oldest'. But it's okay, I won't cry too much ;)]

  [Sianor: Silly Brit. I meant it, you know. Your Mes is spot on too.]

  [Ashroe: Wasn't too shippy was it?]

  [Sianor: No! I know you don't ship Vaidhe or Vadiann, but he's like that around them in canon, even if it's not romanti
c.]

  [Ashroe: Yes. There is definitely some... something there. I just don't see him jumping into bed with either of them.]

  [Sianor: More like both ;)]

  [Ashroe: Well, if I did ship that way, then yeah I'd probably OT3 it. But I swear, if I see one more het fic called 'Missionary: Position' it will be too fucking soon.]

  [Sianor: OMFG yes. I ship het and slash, but there's such a thing as flogging a dead horse.]

  [Ashroe: Too true. And I just don't understand why fandom's main slash ship is Cap/Judge. Bunch of xenophobes I guess.]

  [Sianor: Yeah. I mean, before I got into the fandom, I totally thought he would hook up with that outlaw chick, what's her name?]

  [Ashroe: Oh, the one-hit-wonder Amita? Yeah, I'm sure if they can get the actress back we'll be subject to more of that crap. Ugh.]

  [Sianor: We could kill her XD]

  [Ashroe: We could, but I feel a bit guilty being too wish-fulfilment in my fic.]

  [Sianor: Yeah, OK. Should we get this uber-plot underway?]