Orm, Chain, and Blaster

A New Partner for Pilastrie

Pilastrie savored the moment, wind whipping through his hair, standing some 354 stories above the streets of Nenmarsica. They had went on and on about how a scrif from the badlands of the worst city on Gastrin would never amount to a vendors change of dishwater on a good day of Carnival.  And yet here he stood, on the top level of the Naval Ship Design Bureau, his back to one of the finest Scouts ever designed by the Sector Milbrain.

He savored one last moment looking toward the horizon and the massive towers stretching as far as the eye could see, then at a subliminal "ahem," a smile tugged at the corner of his face.  "You feel it too, marknine?"

The response was a mixture of smug satisfaction and pride, even though many would scoff at the notion that a Hammiller-Four-series implant-intelligence could achieve actual intelligence or even emotions molded from experience and sentience. "I am not above the occasional indolent preening when things go how one wishes them too, so yes, I feel the urge to jump for joy and wave a specific organic finger in the direction of those smug..."

"Okay, point taken, marknine.  Let's see what the Bureau has cooked up for us."

Turning he saw the vast expanse of the Ultra-Ultraviolet-XRay secured Tanmac which crowned the building, and realized that they had gone one extra step beyond what was strictly required for courtesy.  Perhaps even a bit of gratitude considering he had saved an entire star system.  The sole ship parked on the Tanmac was his new Scout, the Tan-Gejiin.

It's hullform began with a long tapering oval, mated with the gentle curves of it's dual engine nacelles slightly above the waterline.  He knew they were the latest iteration of Transit Drive and Impulse Engines in use by the Anneyzan Federal Fleet.  It floated just above the surface of the tanmac, buoyed by the integral ag-field. Walking toward the front of the Tan-Gejiin, he came around the starboard side of the vessel and whistled appreciatively at the multi turret hardpoints which were extended for his inspection.  Gleaming under the noonday suns, the multiple Thamba-cannon promised swift reprisal if the Tan-Gejiin were threatened.

He projected a command and the ship's airlock irised open, a gangway extended and touched the ground.  "Let's see what she can do."

marknine replied, "With pleasure, and I'll get acquainted with the Tan-Gejiin."

Both of them ascended into their new partner.