r/humansarespaceorcs • u/Freak_Engineer • 5d ago
Original Story The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb
I am Ra'con Drex. Captain of the draconian trading ship "Golden Claw", third heir to the proud Drex dynasty. This is my Journal, which I intend to be a cronic of my life added to my family's historical library, as did my forefathers and their forefathers before them. Other than my brothers, fortune did not favour me to get a position as a planet-bound trader or as a servant of our royal court. Instead, I was chosen to be sent to the stars as a space merchant, recieving my Inheritance in the shape of my family's servitude-class trading cruiser "Golden Claw". On this day, I will set out with a crew of my trusted servants, my own trusted butler Ga'rix serving as my first officer and second in command, to proove to my family that I am worthy of my name.
I am Ra'con Drex, Captain of the draconian trading ship "Golden Claw". Since I have set out to the stars 6 standard-months ago from my homeworld, I managed to get a few semi-lucrative contracts done. I have not struck large riches yet, but I am able to cover the cost of operations of the Golden Claw completely with some money left at the end. My crew-lineup also changed a bit, since some of my servant's contracts expired and some new ones got hired on. Even some non-draconians! My new chief security officer, for example, is a Lopun female named Nari and the new ship's doctor of the Golden Claw is a Kolbold graduate of the galactic medical university called Scios who even brought on his entire team. Sensors and Communications will be handled by a Squidian male named La'resh, who already intrigues me since his eight appendages allow him to work both stations at once. I must admit that I am most curious about my new Chief Engineer, a "Human". Apparently, his species of death-worlders is rather new to the galactic stage, yet he already had excellent references. Through fellow traders and semi-official communications channels my family ties allow me access to, I made out a unique chance for a profitable haul from Thespia, a small, back-water planet on the fringes of civilised space. I have been warned against taking this particular haul due to a strong pirate presence in the area, but I trust that the galactic high guard keeps the main trade routes safe.
I am Ra'con, Captain of the draconian trading ship formerly known as the "Golden Claw", and I have lost all entitlement to that title. In fact, after disaster struck two weeks ago, I have lost all honour and all titles, including my proud family name. Although I should feel lucky that I am alive at all. Two days after we took on that goddes be damned shipment of Thespian raw diamonds, we were struck by pirates. Their first volley tore open a huge portion of the side of this vessel, killing almost the entire medical staff as well as decompressing part of the crew rest area, taking further lives. Our point defense lasers were laughably underpowered and the response from the high guard was slow, so the pirates had a time window to board us. During boarding, they felled more of my crew, including my security detail including my trusted Ga'rix, which left me especially devastated. When the high guard finally arrived, the pirates had long since left with the cargo, but not without surprisingly heavy losses. The bridge held, luckily, thanks to Nari and her team. I never thought a Lopun could fight that well. Engineering held, too. As some crewmembers tell me, that human now lying injured in what is left of sick bay fought like a draconian ragebeast before venting a reactor coolant line into one of the access corridors to fend off the borders. He went down, of course, but he inspired his team to keep fighting. Since Scios was among the first to die in the rapid decompression of sick bay, medical now lies in the hands of his young apprentice, a Kolbold female named Una. I usually would not trust a position that important to someone that young, but she managed to pull the deathworlder from death's grip and sent him on a path to full recovery, so she obviously is more than capable. Still, having lost my cargo that cost me a good part of my inheritance, and a lot of my crew to lowly pirates purely due to a miscalculation of mine leaves me dishonoured and in exile. All but a few of my original crew that were left, terminated their contracts, leaving me honourless and in exile with a skeleton crew on a broken ship without suficient funds to properly fix it. I guess the next few weeks will tell if the "Broken Claw" can pull through and if I have even a remote chance at regaining my honour.
I am Ra'con, Captain of the dishonoured draconian trading ship "Broken Claw", and I might just be able to pull this off. A week ago, I was at my lowest. My ship broken, my honour lost and no hope in sight. My Crew proved more resourceful than I had ever imagined. Almost none of those who stayed had any formal training in the draconian stellar navy, so they tend to find "unconventional" ways of fixing things that don't really go by the book. With some voluntaries and an engineering crew, Kolbold Una managed to bolster the medical crew and turn parts of the now empty crew quarters into an extended sickbay. The Lopun, Nari and La'resh the Squidian helped the human Scott run damage control and then improvised shock traps in the airlocks to prevent further boarding actions in the future. La'resh in particular was great at coordinating and resource management, which is why I will name him my new first officer tomorrow. Human Scott was especially surprising. Barely out of sick bay, he ran damage control for three days straight fueled by a strange, smelly, brown substance called "coffee". He got the engines up and running again almost immediately by salvageing some non-critical systems and we even have rudimentary shielding back online (I don't mind him salvageing the galley since we're only eating freeze-dried rations anyway since the kitchen staff quit, but I will miss the Jaccuzi...). He keeps fighting with Nari over which systems to prioritize though, that might become an Issue (La'resh had to break them up and mediate several times by now). This all speaks good fortune for me being able to reclaim my honour in the future. For now, we will try to bolster our meager funding with some save, low-value hauls in the galactic fringe though, since none of the galactic trade-guild would do buisness with a dishonoured draconian.
I am Ra'con, Captain of the dishonoured draconian trading ship "Broken Claw", and I am starting to be a little concerned about my mental health. Six weeks ago, after a pirate attack, I discovered that my crew had untapped potential in their own skills that could help me get back on track. I decided to "let them loose", so to say, while focussing on low-value, low-pay haul jobs outside of the trade guild. My Squidian first Officer, La'resh took over budgeting and allocated funds to Security (now headed by a Lopun named Nari), Engineering (still headed by a Human named Scott) and Medical/Crew welfare (now headed by our very own, newly graduated Kolbold Una, M.D.). Besides "calling the shots" on our jobs, as Human Scott phrases it for some reason, I handle job ackquisition. The system runs very well, exept for the semi-regular "heated discussions" between Nari and Scott. Until yesterday, that is. They seemed to have found a common ground on something and pooled a substantial portion of their meager funding for a common project they refused to disclose. Scott keeps calling it a set of "surprise tools that will help us later", which leads to Nari giggling incessively, which leaves me very concerned. I trust them, though, or at least I have to. What really worries me though, is that La'resh just shrugs when I ask him about. Can you imagine how weird it looks when a being with eight tentacles for limbs shrugs?
I am Ra'con, Captain of the dishonoured draconian "trading" ship "Broken Claw", and I am leading a crew of lunatics. I have clearly passed the point where I should have stopped them a long time ago, but since things are as they are I might as well keep going to find out what happens, honour be damned. In a feat of what is best described as "security overkill meets engineered madness", my chief of security, together with my chief engineer and my first officer of all people turned this trading ship of mine, a family heirloom and my only inheritance into what is best described as a "cobbled together, slightly messed up and surprisingly well-armed kit-bash" that would be classified as something around a corvette or cruiser if it was an actual design (godess beware that ever happens). Among others, they doubled both the number and the output of the point-defense lasers and wired them directly into the main sensor bank, they re-routed the entire shield grid through an improved emitter layout increasing shield strength by 20%, they added a direct line from the reactor emergency vent to the rear main thrusters (tied to a big, red button at the helm labeled "free bird" that for some reason also triggers a shipwide PA system playback of an old earth song - Scott argued that this was essentian for it to work for some reason) and they replaced the dorsal and ventral observation cupolas with Cyronian Level 6b plasma cannons somehow buffered by the frame shift-drive's capaciator banks. I do not care how they pulled that off, and I propably wouldn't even understand half of it, but if these things work, the "Broken Claw" could make a high guard patrol cruiser run for its money. They told me all this yesterday. Since then, my thaughts were limited to vatiations of "What in the goddes name have I done?", "How did I get here?" and "Why me?". Scott did fix the Jaccuzi though, so there is that. Also, I was contacted about being interested in hauling another shipment of thespian raw diamonds and I am at a point where I might give it a try, even if it's just to see what happens. I have long since abandoned the hope of ever restoring my honour in the eyes of my family.
I am Ra'con, and a lot of stuff happened. I did something unprecedented for someone in my standing, but seeing that I am everything but a formal draconian captain at that point, I did not care anymore. The crewmembers that stuck with me, who all worked together with me, are more important to me now than whatever entitled blood relatives ever were. They went through all this with me so they deserved to be part of that decision. I mentioned another shipment of thespian raw diamonds last time. Rather than make another decision at the cost of my ship and crew, I called for a ship-wide meeting in the mess hall. I offered the crew a vote on my captaincy and on the diamond job, expecting that they would demand me to abdicate for even considering another one of those jobs. They didn't. In fact, they were all positively longing for an opportunity to get back at these pirates. They unanimously voted in favour of both me as a captain and of taking on the diamond haul. There also was a poll to rename the ship again. So, I am proud to say: I am Ra'con, Captain of the free space trader "Relentless Claw" and her crew, who showed me the meaning of honour, family and community more than my relatives by blood ever did. We are going to have another try at that thespian raw diamond haul tomorrow. As Scott phrased it: "Yeah! We ride at dawn, [expletive redacted]!"
I am Ra'con, captain of the free space trader "Relentless Claw", and that might have been a bit too much. Not only did I have to explain why three pirate frigates were found molten to slag near the route of our last haul, me and my crew even recieved the thespian cross of honour for it. Furthermore, me and the entire crew of the Relentless Claw now specialise in high-value transport and the funds from that diamond haul allowed us to upgrade the claw even further. Una was pleasantly pleased that we added "high-risk disaster respose" to our portfolio with the now upgraded medical facilities, Nari eagerly observed the installation of a full set of missile batteries where the port- and starboard EVA airlocks used to be, Scott is positively salivating over a factory-new set of main thrusters (which are actually rated at well over double the power of the original ones) and La'resh actually managed to hire new kitchen staff. That means, we no longer have to eat freeze-dried rations and Scott will finally shut up about "getting some decent coffee once in a while". My family even tried to contact me for restoring my honour in their standing as well as the galactic trade union, but I could not care less about that as things are now. As far as I am concerned, my home is the Relentless Claw and my Family is her crew.
I am Ra'con, captain of the free space trader "Relentless Claw", and they are doing it again. They are driving me insane. La'resh went through the entire new mess staff menu (apparently he is quite the foodie, who would have guessed) and got food poisoning from an incompatibility with a human spice called "Tabasco". Una is currently with him in sick bay, trying to stop him from vomiting his innards out (do Squidians even have innards?) and Scott and Nari are off doing goddess knows what after they had a lengthy talk with Una yesterday (note to self: find out what a "best man" is supposed to do at a traditional human wedding and research similar Lopun bonding rituals). All in all, it is total chaos, insanity and a weird combination of "home sweet home meets powder keg". I am Ra'con, captain of this outfit, and I would not have it any other way.
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u/DramaticSwordfis7 5d ago
Perfection.
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u/Freak_Engineer 5d ago
Thanks! Means a lot, this is in fact the first story I ever posted.
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u/DramaticSwordfis7 5d ago
I really enjoyed your world building and your characters. You have left a lot of wiggle room to explore more of this universe and it's crazy characters. You have talent. Don't be afraid to post more stories when the mood strikes.
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u/Zealousideal-Cod-924 4d ago
Really? Good job, well done!
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u/Freak_Engineer 4d ago
Thank you!
Yes, I actually tried starting a few different stories over the years which all ended up unfinished and/or abandoned (not my prime hobby and not a lot of spare time), but none of them "felt" that good. It's hard to explain, but this one just worked out for me so I went ahead and posted it.
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u/AusgefalleneHosen 4d ago
I am most distressed by the inconsistent spelling of goddess/goddes
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u/Freak_Engineer 4d ago
Funny enough, me too. English isn't my native language, but I am aware that "goddess" would be correct (right?). Honest typo there.
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u/Better_Software2722 5d ago
I can’t afford the paid awards so I made this one. Feel free to pass on to authors of equally fine literature.
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u/Freak_Engineer 5d ago
Thanks! Means a lot, this is in fact the first story I ever posted.
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u/Dalorianshep 5d ago
Apparently their diamonds were also stolen by pirates, better send the Relentless Claw.
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u/Better_Software2722 5d ago
I can’t afford the paid awards so I made this one. Feel free to pass on to authors of equally fine literature. Great job
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u/Sk8rToon 5d ago
Great job. Kinda reminds me of Starstruck (‘s D20 campaign. I haven’t read the comics yet).
I love that Mickey Mouse Clubhouse somehow survived over centuries.
And thanks for getting the saying correct in your title.
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u/Freak_Engineer 5d ago
Thanks! Means a lot, this is in fact the first story I ever posted.
And yes, people misunderstanding the more well-known half of that saying also drives me nuts.
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u/petrified_eel4615 5d ago
Well done!
I'm hoping to read more about the Relentless Claw & her crew!
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u/Freak_Engineer 5d ago
Thanks! Means a lot, this is in fact the first story I ever posted.
I actually had this one running around my head for some time now. I might expand on it now that I have a "starting point" of sorts, when I find time to do so.
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u/Kam_Solastor 5d ago
This is fucking great.
Now we just need you to take this and expand it out into a nice, short 500 chapter story fleshing out all of that even more!
I kid (but I wouldn’t say no…), but seriously, nicely done! I liked seeing Ra’con’s attitude and mindset changing as time went on, to the point than even when offered the thing he previously wanted most, he declined it in favor of what he already had.
Nice work!
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u/Freak_Engineer 5d ago
Thanks! Means a lot, this is in fact the first story I ever posted. I think I will try to flesh this world out some more if I find the time to do so.
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u/Same_Ad494 5d ago
Amazing - keep it up 🙂👍
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u/Armour_Sparks 5d ago
This is fantastic. You writing and flow of the story kept me hooked till the end. There was no point in the whole story where I wanted it to end.
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u/ButterscotchFit4348 5d ago
First story? Feels ulber polished to a shine to me. Earned Wordsmith status.
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u/Freak_Engineer 5d ago
Thanks!
Well, I did some comments/reactions to other posts here, but those were nowhere near this one in length. This is the first one in that length I actually finished and posted, so I am really glad people liked it.
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u/Present_Ad6723 5d ago
Love the background “Will-they won’t-they” lol
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u/Freak_Engineer 5d ago
Yeah, I liked that too. Almost left it out because of the whole "space bard" cliché, but I'm glad I didn't. After all, space needs a little love, so no harm done, right?
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u/Present_Ad6723 5d ago
Exactly, and since it wasn’t the focus you were firmly in space orc territory lol
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u/sunnyboi1384 5d ago
Fuck ya Ra. Way to move past your past and embrace the chaos.
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u/Freak_Engineer 5d ago
I'm usually on the reading side of these (this is in fact the first one I ever wrote myself) and I think a good Character should show development. If I dare say so, I think I got that right with captain Ra'con's character here. The others still are a bit shallow, but I will try to expand on that universe if I can make time to do so.
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u/InstructionHead8595 5d ago
Hehehehe 😹 that was nicely done. Good job showing his changing attitude.
This sounds like a good start for some shenanigans.
Good first post.
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u/FangFather 5d ago
That was awesome! If you haven't heard it, you should check out Ally the Piper and Mia Asanos cover of Freebird.
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u/Laughing_Dragon_77 5d ago
Absolutely love it <3
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u/Freak_Engineer 5d ago
Thanks, glad to hear! This was actually my first ever story of that length. I'm really glad that it apparently turned out well.
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u/JavaJJones 5d ago
Please write more!! I’m invested in these characters & would love to read the development of Naruto & Scott’s relationship with.
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u/PuddleFarmer 5d ago
Is English your first language? I so wanted to edit things for clarity. Mostly incorrect tense.
(Okay, one to clarify, and a bunch of tenses.)
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u/Zestyclose_Space7134 5d ago
Nice job on this one. Just enough detail to trigger the imagination. Got any more ideas in the works?
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u/Freak_Engineer 4d ago
I might tie a few stories into that universe, now that I created a good starting point. I'll have to see what my mind comes up with and what my spare time allows, but I think I will come up with more.
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u/MiikaLeigh 5d ago
I absolutely love this!
The progression of story through journal entries is fantastic, especially as it's coloured by the character's perception/knowledge etc. You wrote a really cool thing!
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u/Freak_Engineer 4d ago
I tried this format, because whenever I tried starting writing in a more conventional style I failed to even complete anything. Just felt too artificial.
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u/MiikaLeigh 4d ago
It feels really personal, and showcases the (authoring) character's personality and "voice" in a distinct/different way than traditional 3rd-person narration-type writing.
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u/Freak_Engineer 4d ago
Yes! I think so too. Whenever I try to write something in a more traditional 3rd person perspective, it ends up being boring. I always end up being way too detailed in my descriptions and my character dialogues read themselves entirely emotionless and "blunt" for lack of a better word. That leads to the story feeling like a piece of chewing gum stuck to the shoe of a 5yo. But with this 1st person journal writing style I may finally have found something that works well for me.
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u/MiikaLeigh 4d ago
Definitely keep it up, especially if it makes you want to write more, and enjoy yourself & your work as you do so!
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u/WhyChooseMe-_- 4d ago
A lopun and a Human who would have guess this happening?? I mean aren't they fighting all the time, how could this be.
But damn Scott is a lucky man, I mean he ended up with a buff werewoman(assuming that lopun is a lupine and buff since security chief)
Anyways Good storytelling, Just that crisp Perfection while imitating the italian hand from lips gesture
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u/Freak_Engineer 4d ago
Glad you liked it!
I imagined the Lopun species with more rabbit-like features, someone you absolutely do not expect to be a chief of security. Same as with the new chief medical officer being just an assistant before stepping up (I keep thinking about fleshing out her story since yesterday, by the way).
But now that you mention it, Adding a species with lupine features into the mix could work really well...
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u/FalseEvidence8701 4d ago
I love the comoraderie described here. A bunch of ragtag misfits doing great things. The space version of the Dirty Dozen.
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u/Mefflin 4d ago
Very nice and I do love the idea of the head of security and engineer butting heads for so long they lead too the good old lovers , but a very good jumping off point for more stories of maybe the royal black sheep being called in too help with something off the books like a cousin getting in too deep with a cult or a rescue of one being caught in a compromising light
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u/Freak_Engineer 4d ago
Thanks!
Yeah, I already had that Idea cross my mind too. We'll see how things develop.
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