EliteCommander

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

“Okay, okay…” Senjen began, tapping a claw against his own arm as he sorted through a search of native Earth plants. He filtered them down by a few criteria that came to mind as a few ideas started to pop into his mind.

Senjen had been staring off absently into space while going through the searches, but he perked up the moment his idea solidified. “There’s, um...firethorn, maybe roses? For the judging on this, does strictly size matter, or does what we do with the plants also count? If there’s an artistic portion, I might have an idea. Maybe we can put together thorny, toxic, and otherwise hostile plants that can survive each other? They’re hard to work with for anyone else, but they won’t even slow me down. And probably not Plcendafuun here either, now that I think about it. If they appreciate artistic statements, then putting together an arrangement of plants that are beautiful to the eye and dangerous to the touch is, um...well that’s ‘artistic’, right?”

Senjen seemed to dismiss his own doubt. “If we want to stand out, then we should play to our strengths, right? Do what the others can’t.”

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

Between Senjen and Jess, there were two very different reactions to Pclendafuun. Jess turned her head and tried to subtly avoid eye contact, while Senjen stared in fascination. Sometimes, he felt like it took him more effort to understand organic species, but he was someone wiling to put in that effort. At times, he was jealous of Ruknar’s ability to pick up on signals that people may not have even known they were putting off. It was, quite literally, natural for her, and it even extended to Utaysi. He would probably have quite a few questions for her about Pclendafuun, after all this was over. Senjen was more than familiar with the fact that they were burrowers at home in the ground, given that he had been living in one of their ships for years, so he supposed it made sense that they might have some kind of connection with dirt and minerals.

Before long, the event runners called the participants to their positions, and naturally, they ended up following Ruknar to where they needed to go. For Senjen, it was mostly the way he looked around and how long he spent taking in all the novel details he observed that gave away his excitement. Curiosity was something that Ruknar would have seen in him from the moment they met. Right now, that curiosity was directed at sizing up their competition. He tried to get a sense of how confident they seemed, though he suspected that many of them were not so competitive as himself. This was, for most, more likely a casual and relaxing sort of competition.

Nevertheless, Senjen was focused. “Okay, so I don’t think we need a vote to safely say that Ruk is our team leader. What will we need to do first? Do we need to build something? I can help Jess with that. Or do you need help more? My frame is at your command.”

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

Senjen audibly scoffed. “Just a bright ball? Are you joking? Its surface has a tapestry of convection currents more mesmerizing than any mosaic, there’s coronal loops many times the size of entire planets. There’s no two ways about it: it’s magnificent. I know you’d see it if you could witness it up close.”

Senjen was not entirely sure of what Pclendafuun was meaning when they answered. He wondered who exactly this “they” was that did not want them to be a gardener. Did they mean the Tekeri? He was not sure why that would be the case, considering that the competition was open to everyone, and the event’s organizers had not given their group any trouble in joining. They seemed perfectly friendly. Was “they” someone else in the Tindrel’s life? He was not entirely sure what Tindrel on Korit did and did not respect.

As it seemed, Senjen was also not sure of something that Ruk evidently was. He looked on with a mild degree of bewilderment as Pclendafuun took the whole bag of dirt into their maw. “I, um…” He tilted his head towards Ruknar. “Don’t we, uh...need that?”

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

Senjen sat up, cross-legged. He gave a casual glance up towards the sky, though there was little but a few scattered clouds that could be seen during the day. “You are not wrong about that. The night sky can be a beautiful thing...when you can see it. It’s so bright here in the city, I would have to use such a long exposure just to get a glimpse of the stars. And I’d really like to see them up close too. Looking out at a star at the minimum safe distance...that has to be an experience. Or maybe a red giant, or pulsar? I’ve been in space more than a few times, but never...recreationally. I do want to go on a celestial tour, one day.”

Eventually, Pclendafuun made up their mind to approach, and seemingly investigate Senjen with how close they came. He returned a rather close stare and wondered about the marks on the face plate. It was not the first time he had seen a Tindrel like this, so was there some meaning behind them? Was it about art, symbolism, or something else entirely? The Tindrel, in turn, would get a good look at Senjen’s well-worn frame. There was a time he had a simple, sleek coat of black paint, but it was faded, chipped, and some plates did not look like they had been painted at all. They were “newer”, in a sense; replacements for damaged parts, though it was hardly as if they were new from the factory. A few plates and other visible parts looked like second-hand replacements, and some were jury-rigged just to be able to fit his body. One of his eyes was scratched along the bottom, likely from the fact that its socket was slightly misshapen from an impact and scraped against it in motion.

“Well then, you must have a lot of experience. You ever won before? What do you think about Ruk’s soil?” Senjen said, though he was quick to realize he was getting ahead of himself and gesturing to the Tekeri. “Oh, this is Ruknar. I’m Senjen.” He pointed to the other two in turn. “Into-The-Abyss-In-Search-Of-Light, and Jess.”

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

Jess blew upwards at the dirt splotched over her nose. She hummed, but did not do anything else in response...just yet. She could take some time to think. “Very funny, you overgrown magpie. Well...if you need something built, there might actually be something for me to do in this. Actually, you know what? A hundred-fifty thousand Veruhn says I’ll build the best damn whatever-it’s-called here.”

Senjen lifted a hand and waved the Tindrel over. “Well then, feel free to pick a spot and join us.” He encouraged them. He had not gotten to know as many Tindrel, nor as closely, as other species during his time on Korit, so he could not guess as much about their guest member just on observation. Hopefully, Pclendafuun would be open to talking.

While the Tindrel had a moment to decide what to do, Senjen focused back on Ruknar. “Yeah, I say it does. Day and night has always been mostly the same to me, to be fair. It is for most Utaysi, I think. We don’t sleep, and I don’t think there is going to be any Utaysi frame not equipped to see in the dark, but I think there’s just something more vibrant about the world under sunlight, you know? Being out in nature like this, feeling the warmth on my frame, it makes me wonder if I’m feeling something close to what our creators felt when they walked Orostro? They were diurnal, and cold-blooded, so I imagine they spent a lot of time basking in the sunlight. That particular instinct didn’t transfer over to us. I don’t think Mother Marae wanted us to be longing for the sun for a thousand years while we were trapped in a bunker. Still, it’s a nice thought.”

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

Senjen shrugged. “Eh, it’s alright. We’re still new-ish. I don’t think Orostro really exports many plants. Anyways, it’s art and execution, then? I’ve been wanting to try this; I’ve never seen that growth stuff in action before. Light here doesn’t want the ship to become a jungle. I personally think it’s better than a cave, but that’s just me. I do get a vote, but since it’s his ship, his counts for two.” He laughed.

Jess sat down slowly as the others spoke and crossed her arms. “Well, I can already see I’ll be the weak link here, if they’re judging all of us. I mean...well, actually, you said ‘companion structure’, right? Does that mean we’re going to be growing them around some kind of brace? Do we need to put that together ourselves? I don’t know about growing as much, but building something with my hands? That, I can do.”

“Maybe we do stand a better chance than I thought? I’m not sure how much experience others will have with aquatic plants like that. Though...I guess there are quite a few Tekeri that just know how to deal with any kind of flora you can imagine, and some you can’t. At least we can get some sun…” He lifted up his head, looking over Ruknar. “...does that feel nice to a naturally-nocturnal bird? Haven't actually thought about that before.”

Just beyond Ruknar, Senjen caught the eye of a Tindrel watching them. He tilted his head, gazing up at them. “Ah, are you Pclendafuun?”

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

Senjen had not even known there was a buy-in to the competition, not that he had bothered asking. Regardless, he did not hesitate to contribute his portion. Stakes would just make the competition all the more exciting. His mind started to wander on what they might end up growing and how he might try to contribute, though the official’s last question caught him momentarily off-guard. “Um…” He started, eyes darting back and forth between his friends, especially Light. “Sunlight Sowers”.

It was an off the cuff answer, but it would probably work well-enough. The official did not seem to have any more to ask, so once they left, the group had some time to themselves again. Senjen took the lead towards nothing in particular, walking around until he found a soft enough spot in the grass to sit himself down. Or rather lay down, “stretched” out on his back. His artificial muscles were not similar enough to organic ones for the concept of stretching to apply to him, but he enjoyed the feel of natural grass under the warmth of sunlight filtering in from above. “Alright, so...strategy and stuff.” He began, looking up at Ruknar. “How does this work, Ruk? What do we do; how do I help?”

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

The Tekeri’s answer gave Senjen a basic idea of what they would be doing, though he probably still would not be able to accomplish much based on that alone. He had read up on the Tekeri’s growth accelerants, and from a user’s perspective he should know what to do with them. Even hearing the categories, he had no idea how exactly they would be judged, but as long as Ruk was with them, he was reasonably sure they would do fine. She could guide them in the right direction. He did not actually like their odds of winning, but it could be fun regardless.

Senjen had not expected the Tekeri’s suggestion, and he ended up giving a glance to the others, before returning his attention with a quick laugh. “Ah, well, that’s really more of a...coincidence, than anything. Far be it from me to deny someone participation just because they can’t find a team, though. Whatever they might be, I’ll gladly help them out.”

Jess rolled her eyes, but did not argue. For anyone who knew Senjen, that would pretty much be the expected response. He was outgoing, sometimes to a fault, but that was the reason they had gotten to know each other. Jess likely would have just been their local parts dealer and mechanic if Senjen was not so curious and talkative.

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

On first impressions, Senjen had a feeling like stepping back in time when entering the bounds of the shrub. Or perhaps into a storybook. This little slice of nature took them out of the city completely, and brought them to somewhere he had never been before. For a few moments, he just had his eyes on the rustic shack that would not look out of place in a museum of ancient history, until one of the Tekeri approached them directly.

“I think we were looking to compete.” Senjen answered, briefly glancing to the others for confirmation. He had come to have an appreciation for nature, but he could not say he had actually done anything like this before. Ruk had sent him plenty of literature on gardening and such, and he had actually read it all, but living out of a ship in a paved-over lot, he had never actually had an opportunity to put it into practice beyond a few small “house” plants on the ship. “What are the rules like? Can we work together, or do we all work alone?” He asked.

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

Senjen gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “Ah, don’t worry, it’s not real thorns. Besides, it’s not like thorns could even touch you through your suit. Or most of the rest of us.”

“Speak for yourself.” Jess grumbled.

“You’ve got those clothes, don’t they protect you?”

Jess glanced down and idly pinched the cloth of one of her sleeves between her fingers. “Eh, not really.”

Senjen tilted his head. “Seems like a wasted opportunity.” He started, though after a few moments, he simply shrugged. “Well, whatever, the thorns are fake anyway. It’s right there, so we can go take a look. If we don’t like what we see, we can always move on.”

It was not a long walk to reach the shrub Ruk had pointed out, and for a few moments, Senjen found himself distracted by it. It was a single shrub larger than some buildings, and if that was not impossible enough, it had not been here the last time he visited the park a month ago. He did not know what planet it was from, or even if it was naturally-occurring at all. The impression Tekeri gave off could sometimes be deceptive. In their culture, they often found it important to be close to nature. Forgoing modern technology and conveniences to live out in the wilderness for weeks, or even months at a time was considered a pastime for them, and there were some of them who made their entire lives out there willingly. These were a people who could build spaceships with wooden interiors, of all things, but they were still exceptionally advanced, especially in certain scientific disciplines. Biology, ecology, genetics, medicine, pretty much anything having to do with organic life were all fields where their expertise could seem impossible. The Utaysi could not even begin to compare to them. Senjen remembered reading, before he left home, how they were in talks with the Tekeri for their help in revitalizing the ecology of Orostro. The articles had seemed hopeful, though the technical details of the logistics and political concerns went over his head.

Pushing through to the interior of the shrub felt almost like leaving the city entirely. They had not brought furniture, or much of anything that seemed “artificial” for this event. The massive shrub was thick enough to block out any view of the city, but was open on top to allow in natural light and allow a view of the sky. Senjen could not even hear the sounds of the city, though he was not exactly sure what they were using to accomplish that. As expected, it seemed like the attendees were a majority Tekeri, though not exclusively.