hi hi
I know it's a little bit of a faux pas here to make art without approval, but every so often I wonder what my old character might be up to. Whatever it is, it undoubtedly does not shape the galaxy, but I just had to make something. So hope you don't mind, I made a picture and some embarrassingly self-indulgent prose to go with it. Here's Komatsu Elena, after a long day of hard labor for PHI. (There's a Starchaser II coming up to dock in the background.)
Siren System - A Station in the Akuma Asteroid Field
The crowd in the lounge had dwindled as the first shift patrons left for the night, and second shift's end was still hours away. All that remained were a few holdouts and transient passengers waiting for a connecting ship to arrive. The music, playing softly from an old recording, added to the subdued atmosphere. Komatsu Elena remained in her spot by the bar, contemplating the remains of her drink.
What would be the greater crime, to leave it unfinished or to finish it without appreciation for its quality? I should not have bought it in the first place, but here I am.
A gentle chime sounded as the door opened. The sharp sound of clicking heals entered the room. Not the all too familiar thud from a vac suit or work boots. And as the footsteps approached her, Komatsu glanced at the nearby window for a reflection. A uniform. What could it be now?
"Komatsu-san, may I have a word with you?" The newcomer's voice held a hint of warmth.
Elena did not make eye contact, looking instead back to her drink. "Good morning Officer-san. If this is about the GAO, they only tried to recruit me the one time and that was ages ago, I have no new information to report."
Caught off guard, the uniform paused a moment before replying, "Oh, no. No. The GAO is not a concern. Do you not follow the news? No, I am here to talk about you. You are an experienced starship operator, a profession in short supply these days, but you stay here doing heavy labor, quality assurance, basic maintenance. Do you not think that this work is beneath your station?"
"It is a quiet life, which is its own reward, in a way."
"Your family still worries about you, you know..." The uniform spoke in a measured voice, treading carefully. "Even if you choose not to contact them, I am certain they would feel better knowing that you were living a more successful life."
Elena forced herself not to grasp her drink too tightly. Not pity, not from them. Disgust, disdain, but please anything but pity.
"I'm afraid your information is mistaken. My... twin has a family, but I do not. Not anymore."
"And yet, you continue to send most of your meager earnings to them. You knew what was in your will, you must have known what would happen when you were assumed deceased, but you kept going. You keep going. That kind determination is seen by some as a valuable asset. I could get you a position, somewhere you could do real good again in these troubled times. You would not want war to visit hardship on your family again, would you?"
Komatsu felt a tumult of emotion grasp her heart, but she kept looking straight ahead. I should jump at the chance, but there is something not right about all of this.
Lifting up her glass, Komatsu swirled the remaining contents lazily. "You seem to know a lot about me Officer-san, but in spite of your flattery, I am a former peacekeeper with a dismal career and enduring psychological trauma. You ought to know as well as I, that I would never pass a mental health test. Not without someone's finger on the scale, and who would do such a thing? Who are you, and what do you really want? Someone expendable or perhaps someone deniable?"
The uniform's voice went quiet, sending their thoughts via radio instead. "Do you not think you are being a little paranoid? I am only here to help you. I can understand the reason for your disrespect, but I am confident that we can change your mind if you give us a chance. Having trustworthy and reliable people in useful places is something of great importance to myself and my superiors. I can promise you, you'll never have a better opportunity."
The warmth in the uniform's voice didn't change, but took on a menacing feel.
Suddenly very aware of the space on her leg where her pistol would have been, Komatsu slightly shook her head. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Officer-san, but I think you need to walk away now."
To her relief, the uniform took a step back and said, "Very well. But please do think this over, I've already sent you a data packet should you change your mind." The door chimed softly as they left the room.
Once she was certain that the uniform was no longer watching, she downed the last of her drink and got to her feet. Perhaps I have been complacent too long.
I know it's a little bit of a faux pas here to make art without approval, but every so often I wonder what my old character might be up to. Whatever it is, it undoubtedly does not shape the galaxy, but I just had to make something. So hope you don't mind, I made a picture and some embarrassingly self-indulgent prose to go with it. Here's Komatsu Elena, after a long day of hard labor for PHI. (There's a Starchaser II coming up to dock in the background.)
Siren System - A Station in the Akuma Asteroid Field
The crowd in the lounge had dwindled as the first shift patrons left for the night, and second shift's end was still hours away. All that remained were a few holdouts and transient passengers waiting for a connecting ship to arrive. The music, playing softly from an old recording, added to the subdued atmosphere. Komatsu Elena remained in her spot by the bar, contemplating the remains of her drink.
What would be the greater crime, to leave it unfinished or to finish it without appreciation for its quality? I should not have bought it in the first place, but here I am.
A gentle chime sounded as the door opened. The sharp sound of clicking heals entered the room. Not the all too familiar thud from a vac suit or work boots. And as the footsteps approached her, Komatsu glanced at the nearby window for a reflection. A uniform. What could it be now?
"Komatsu-san, may I have a word with you?" The newcomer's voice held a hint of warmth.
Elena did not make eye contact, looking instead back to her drink. "Good morning Officer-san. If this is about the GAO, they only tried to recruit me the one time and that was ages ago, I have no new information to report."
Caught off guard, the uniform paused a moment before replying, "Oh, no. No. The GAO is not a concern. Do you not follow the news? No, I am here to talk about you. You are an experienced starship operator, a profession in short supply these days, but you stay here doing heavy labor, quality assurance, basic maintenance. Do you not think that this work is beneath your station?"
"It is a quiet life, which is its own reward, in a way."
"Your family still worries about you, you know..." The uniform spoke in a measured voice, treading carefully. "Even if you choose not to contact them, I am certain they would feel better knowing that you were living a more successful life."
Elena forced herself not to grasp her drink too tightly. Not pity, not from them. Disgust, disdain, but please anything but pity.
"I'm afraid your information is mistaken. My... twin has a family, but I do not. Not anymore."
"And yet, you continue to send most of your meager earnings to them. You knew what was in your will, you must have known what would happen when you were assumed deceased, but you kept going. You keep going. That kind determination is seen by some as a valuable asset. I could get you a position, somewhere you could do real good again in these troubled times. You would not want war to visit hardship on your family again, would you?"
Komatsu felt a tumult of emotion grasp her heart, but she kept looking straight ahead. I should jump at the chance, but there is something not right about all of this.
Lifting up her glass, Komatsu swirled the remaining contents lazily. "You seem to know a lot about me Officer-san, but in spite of your flattery, I am a former peacekeeper with a dismal career and enduring psychological trauma. You ought to know as well as I, that I would never pass a mental health test. Not without someone's finger on the scale, and who would do such a thing? Who are you, and what do you really want? Someone expendable or perhaps someone deniable?"
The uniform's voice went quiet, sending their thoughts via radio instead. "Do you not think you are being a little paranoid? I am only here to help you. I can understand the reason for your disrespect, but I am confident that we can change your mind if you give us a chance. Having trustworthy and reliable people in useful places is something of great importance to myself and my superiors. I can promise you, you'll never have a better opportunity."
The warmth in the uniform's voice didn't change, but took on a menacing feel.
Suddenly very aware of the space on her leg where her pistol would have been, Komatsu slightly shook her head. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Officer-san, but I think you need to walk away now."
To her relief, the uniform took a step back and said, "Very well. But please do think this over, I've already sent you a data packet should you change your mind." The door chimed softly as they left the room.
Once she was certain that the uniform was no longer watching, she downed the last of her drink and got to her feet. Perhaps I have been complacent too long.
