FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"Get a move on, skinny. This bomb isn't going to build itself." Sere was scribbling down numbers and formulas on a scrap of paper, "Contribute or something."

"Keep quiet you little dragon bitch, you haven't done anything yourself." Zed was tinkering with some gears in the engine room, "Besides, I can't think clearly like this. Can't believe you would all ask something damn near impossible without even a working blueprint."

Sere scribbled some more numbers down, "What's that gray blob in the tube?" Sere was referring to a glass tube sealed on both ends, filled about a third of the way with a shimmering gray goo.

"Right. Some weird hitchhiker asked us to take him to some planet on our way. I agreed on the condition that he would help out around the ship. That went pretty well for a while."

"This sounds familiar."

"So one day, he just stops in place, not a word or movement, then just melts. Bizarre if you ask me, but I didn't care enough. Ordered my people to collect the goo and store it. Figure we could make some credits off of it, or at least the story." Zed watched as Sere glared at the goo, "What? Something I should know?"

"Just curious, think you could get this over to the Albatross? I got a theory."

Zed let out a loud "HA" before getting serious, "You joking? That thing's gotta be worth at least a hundred thousand, maybe more."

"More like zero. The nano-particles are not quite dead judging by the shimmer, but they are certainly inactive and hard coded for a certain algorithm. My friend could probably figure out a use, or tell us if it's just a pile of pretty junk. Come on, get some wheels."

Zed sighed, "Fine, but I get paid either way. Ten thousand minimum." She walked through a small open closet filled with brass tubes and gears and pulled out a trolley cart, "Damn thing's heavy, give me a hand."

The two women were able to tip the tube onto the trolley without breaking it, and Zed seemed relieved that she found a single strap to tie it down. According to her, many of the crew will steal the straps to better secure the pipes even when they aren't in danger of falling or collapsing. Sere didn't understand it, but neither did Zed.

"Ah, captain Zed, back already?" One of the dock attendants commented.

"Just working on a project, this girl's got something that might help on her ship."

The attendant nodded, "I don't doubt it. The Albatross is about as state-of-the-art and custom as I've ever seen."

"Ugh, long and narrow with that ugly cannon on top. What were you thinking? It's got no character."

Sere pushed alongside Zed, "She's got more character in one bolt than you got on your entire ship." The two women grunted while pushing on the uneven plates, "Angel! Get that damn door open, this thing is heavy!"

"Who are you blabbing to? Nobody here is named Angel." Zed tripped up for a second, but resumed pushing. When the airlock to the Albatross opened, she was concerned, "What in the seven hells..."

With two mighty heaves, they were able to get both sets of wheels over the gap and onto the Albatross, "Angel, we're heading to my office."

"Understood Sere, Captain Zed. The elevator is ready."

"You got one of those imitation people on this ship? Risky business."

"Don't be jealous weasel, Angel's the best damn pilot in the business, isn't that right Angel?"

"Judging from previous flight records, Dante would technically be the best pilot on this ship. I am just the regular pilot."

Zed grunted when the two pushed the trolley into the elevator, "Captain and a pilot? What kind of psycho is that man?"

"Only the best kind. Notoriously hard to kill too. Saved my life over ten years ago. Hell, I think he's saved everybody's life at one point or another. They rode the elevator down and pushed the trolley over damaged metal grating to Sere's office. A lot of stainless steel, a few tables, an access point to the ship computer, and countless wires hanging everywhere, "Voila!"

"What a shithole."

Sere ignored the comment, "Angel, what's the good word?"

"The remains of one of my own. No viruses, corrupted areas, or flaws of any sort. The mass is live."

"Woah woah woah, how do you know that?"

"I have performed twenty three million scans on the mass since entering the ship. My results are conclusive."

Zed undid the strap and shoved it into one of her many pockets, "Well tell me what it is already!"

"A Cyclipion. Or rather, a dead one. It would appear that this one's match had died. Sere, if you would like, there is a possibility that I could upload my program into this mass and once again take a more maneuverable form."

"What?"

"Bloody hell..."

"Do it! Do it now!"

"Very well. Attach a high capacity cable-" Sere was already a step ahead, shattering the tube with a large wrench and jamming a few cables inside. The dragon was jittery and even Zed would later admit that she was curious to the point that she forgot about a reward, "Processing."

The mass began to writhe and wiggle, "What... am I expecting here..." Zed took a step away.

"I have no idea, but isn't it awesome!" Sere was jumping for joy and smiling as wide as possible, "Come on Angel! Come on!"

The mass started to rise up and take shape. In mere seconds, a naked human was standing before them, complete with long purple hair streaked with pink and deep red eyes, "Holy mother of..." Zed was stunned by what she just witnessed. As an engineer, there was nothing she hated more than not understanding how something worked. But this was much different."

Sere pounced onto the human, taking both to the ground, "You're back! This is just! I mean!" She was crying and smiling at the same time.

"Sere, my motor functions still need some time to acclimate. I will be relatively motionless for a few hours. The ship will be vulnerable."

Zed kneeled down and slowly reached out a hand. Just before she touched Angel, the Cyclipion's eyes turned to her, "Gah! Son of a bitch!" The motion of the iris was unnatural and robotic.

"I would thank you for giving me a new body. Unfortunately I have no monetary rewards as I have been the Albatross for some time"

"Y-yeah... that's not a problem... I just saw a bloody miracle..."

Sere helped Angel to her feet and sat her onto a stool, "Not a miracle, science!" She wiped the tears from her eyes, "Zed, grab that coat over there and give it here."

Zed looked around and found a long, worn leather coat. It was extra thick, no doubt for intense ship maintenance in the tricky areas. She handed it to Sere who put it onto Angel, "Zed, are you curious as to why I was the ship?"

"I don't know what I am anymore..."

Sere hopped up and down, "She sacrificed herself to save Dante's life after he saved one of our other crew. I don't know the details, but she was able to enter the ship through some black technology after our original artificial intelligence was fried. Oh my god, Dante is gonna flip!"

"Dante as well as Victoria are currently occupied, they are interrogating a prisoner."

Zed touched Angel on the forehead, "You're... all there... I'm not hallucinating..."

"Damn right! I'd recognize her anywhere! Whew, I got all this pent-up energy now!"

"Sere, I will be able to maintain the ship from here until I regain my motor functions. Please go about your business. I will let you know when I am capable of movement."

Sere grabbed Zed by her real arm, "What?"

"Come on, we gonna fuck."

"Like hell!" She tried to break the grip, but Sere was too strong, "Why would I do that with you?!"

"Well we can't work on a specific and volatile bomb like this! Sex relieves tension and stress, allowing us to work with level heads! It'll even distract us from other issues!"

"Yeah, but I can't just-hey! Wait!"

Sere dragged her along, "I didn't here a 'no' in there!"

...........................................................

Sere took a shot and set it down on her nightstand, "That was something." She rested her hands behind her head and rested on her pillow.

Zed had one hand over her face and the other pulling the blanket up to cover herself, "I can't believe I went along with that."

"Thinking we need staggered reverberations to get the right frequency."

Zed removed the hand from her face, "Y-yeah, different materials of the right density and composition will also help."

"A perfect shell to resist all outside interference and to keep the frequency from waning."

"Lossless cable to trasmission magnification and multiple duplicators to reduce the chance of reduction or increase in electrical frequency."

"The way I figure, we only need to affect about two thirds of the ship to prevent recovery. Any less would give the Goliath a chance to self-recover. Any more would be impractical to create."

Zed was impressed, "So, we need a list of materials and compositions, a complete workup of capacity and sources... guess we should get to work."

"Sere, I have regained the ability to stand on my own, however I still cannot freely move my limbs. With your impatience, I thought you would like to know."

...............................................

"Jean, you need to let loose. Maybe try something different." Miss Star was back with Jean in the shopping area. Jean would only tell Star that she admired her outgoing behavior and joyful attitude about most things, so it was only natural that she wanted to try and learn from her, "You know, I think you're a bit weak for that sort of rifle."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you're skinny and not too muscular. That heavy rifle isn't the best choice." Miss Star lowered her hood, "I'm thinking a pistol or two... you're smart, right?"

That was quite the unexpected question, "I'm... clever... if that's what you're asking."

Star hopped once and clapped, "Goody! I still got it! Well, I'm thinking a few small arms. Like a solid pistol, a laser pistol, maybe even another type or two. See, I use the standard energy pistol and a knife, it goes well with stealth. But you're going to be more visible I think. What about you? What do you think?"

"I... could try that."

"Alright! Shopkeeper! I need that one, that one, and those two! Holsters and ammo too!"

"Miss Star, this is quite expensive. I can afford it though."

"Nonsense! I insist on paying! Anything to help my new bestest friend!" The shopkeeper set two metal cases on the table and split the four pistols and accessories into both. Star paid and skipped over to the armor shop.

Jean couldn't help but be perplexed, "Miss Star, with Sere's special reflection shields-"

"Ah ah ah! We're not Fallen Sky anymore, so even with the shields a little extra would help. Besides, any good gunwoman needs a proper belt and vest."

Star was practically tearing through the collections of armor and finally found a wide, thick black belt and a black vest that covered everything but the arms and a bit of the neckline. She also took the liberty of finding a matching pair of boots, form fitting but sturdy, "Perfect! Ring it up! I'll get you a proper buckle later!"

Jean carried the metal cases while Miss Star held the burlap bag of leather in her hands, "You're being too kind to me, all I asked was to accompany you on the port."

"I've seen how you hang on my every word Jean. You know, I was the number one pop star in the galaxy for some time. Since we're fighting together, why wouldn't I help my sister in arms?"

"How? How are you so happy? I try so hard, but I can't get there. It's either joy or training."

Miss Star stopped and spun on her heels, "Why not both? Sure, killing sucks, but that's not what you think about. You think about your friends, your allies, and the people you protect. The ones you care about most should be on your mind, and that's how you can be happy. Besides, nobody can be as happy as me, it was my career!" She chuckled.

Two Fallen Sky soldiers froze in place at the sight of the two, "Hey, it's... stop right there!"

Miss Star casually looked over with shut eyes and a large smile, "I'd leave before you get gutted~" The soldiers slowly reached for their standard issue rifles, "Oh no! Troublemakers trying to kill us!" She shouted so the entire shopping area could hear.

The soldiers froze once again as hundreds of guns were pointed at them, everyone from young children to the elderly took aim, "Leave now and we won't tell anyone that you saw us." Jean said quietly.

"Uh... our mistake... just gonna... go over there..." They ran off in a scramble, tripping up a few times.

"See? Free ports may not be the safest in reputation, but try anything and you won't live long. Thanks~!"

"Miss Star... do you really think I can be as skilled as everyone else? I mean, even with smaller guns I'm not the best shot and I panic easily."

She rolled her eyes, "You're doing fine. Seriously, you're a better shot than Chey and Titus. Spray and pray isn't the best way to fight if you ask me."

"So am I to just aim precisely or fire a lot? Guns aren't my forte and I don't have my own style."

"Easy! You'll be tactical. The right gun for the right job. Solid for soft targets, energy for shielded targets, lasers for armor and electrical for machines. Sure, the pistols all look similar, but you can mark them and remember where they are. Eh, you can figure that out on your own. Me? I gots things on my mind."

Jean was curious, "Like what?"

"What do you get a man like Dante for his favorite holiday? Candy, yeah, but I mean it's not like he's easy to shop for. This stress stuff isn't making it easier either."

Jean truly had no idea, "If I knew I would tell you, but I don't think he wants anything." Miss Star was beginning to smile like an idiot with a terrible plan, "Miss Star... please think clearly..."

"We're gonna need a lot of bikinis and everyone's sizes. Angel," She tapped her earpiece, "Angel, come in."

The reply was filled with static, "How may I help you?"

"First, fix that connection. Second, I need the sizes of all women crew of the Albatross. Don't ask why."

Jean waited intently for Miss Star to seem happy, but instead she became irritated, "I apologize, I don't not have full access to the database at this time. However, I was able to gain access and send sizes to your computer. Any more than that will not be possible for some time."

"Fantastic~! Come on Jean, we're going shopping again!"

"All crew members, Sere has requested your presence on the Albatross immediately. Please return as quickly as possible for an important meeting."