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This has been something in planning ever since I wrote Hearts And Minds! In writing that story I heavily skimmed over the ending, since I wasn't sure how a Rynar protagonist would go over with people! Though now, I've decided to give Shazike a story-board thing similar to how I'm doing Of Mice And Men
Hoping to give Shazike a bit of justice, and show what she had to go through to change from her time as a Battlemaster in the Rynar Collective!
Compared to Of Mice And Men I'm not quite sure how fast or often I'll post parts for this. But gauging on the reception of it, I may go faster if I can!
First - Previous - Next
Universe made by
Hetzer
Art made by
travaakasanchez
Shazike remained quiet as she and the Arkatian walked. The man flashed her a confused look when she didn't take the straight path home. In all her months planet-side, she rarely went anywhere else but to Olnith's center and her apartment.
He didn't complain, keeping pace with the Rynar while she walked along. Taking in the scenery while keeping an eye on Shazike.
The planet was a trade hub, with various docking bays on the surface and in orbit. Ferrying supplies back and forth in an endless flow of money management.
Shazike had never fully understood the UTO's economy, as it seemed to her that with such a utopian standard, were there no hard laborers to keep up the facade?
The Rynar found only a hint of bliss as she tried tackling the idea. Though it kept her mind from darker thoughts, it brought on a slight headache the more she pondered. Her expression must have changed as Aicithon glanced at her and raised an eyebrow, breaking the silence between the two.
"Are you alright?"
His words, while usually inconsequential, left Shazike unable to respond. She paused, taking in a light breath while focusing on keeping her posture. Battlemaster training still permeated every part of her life, even simple dialogue, and it frustrated her.
Making an apparent effort to sigh, she slumped her shoulders and allowed a more relaxed stance, even though it felt unnatural.
"Shazike Raylu would be a liar if one said no."
Her eyes flickered over to the man, and while he held the friendly face of an Arkatian. Aicithon's structure and presentation reminded her heavily of Jailthar. With her staring, unable to form thoughts to words, the man nodded and looked back at her blankly.
"Take a picture. It will last longer."
His joke was deadpan, but it flew over both of their heads. Several seconds passed, and the Arkatian's face grew to worry.
"I think that is a human joke?"
With Aicithon thinking he had made an error, he tried back peddling it and glanced aside to the open park they had entered. It was close to Olnith's office, with the idea that if in some cases, it could help, Olnith would take his sessions outside to private booths in the open environment.
Though it felt too freeform, there was an order to the madness, but looking down at the park felt like sensory overload. Cracking a smile, the Rynar nodded.
"It is a funny joke."
Relief washed over Aicithon's face, though he tried hiding it behind a soft smile.
Familiarity struck Shazike as she looked on at the man. With his arms crossed and a reassuring grin, he reminded the Rynar of her late friend, Jailthar.
The Arkatian blinked as Shazike stared at him, raising an eye ridge; he waved a hand in front of her.
"I'm sorry if the joke upset you. I'm still getting the hang of them... A human would be dancing circles around me at this rate, though."
With another human phrase introduced, Shazike recognized this one. Her lips curled up into a smile, and she nodded rapidly. Gripping the stone balcony ridge beside her.
"Aicithon knows many? Shazike is impressed..!"
The Arkatian's eyes lit up as he recognized the name shifting. Knowing that a single name basis with a Rynar or Sissach was a show of friendship. Nodding, he grinned alongside her and glanced out to the city.
White buildings stretched far to the skies in the distance. Shazike trailed his gaze, and despite having to squint for a moment, she let herself admire the odd beauty of the world.
Each building was plastered with various colors, paintings, and emblems. At first, Shazike scowled, thinking this was graffiti, but with how well it blended into the city's canvas, she tilted her head and tried seeing from another angle.
Before she knew it, several minutes passed as Shazike admired the city. While, as a whole, it was gorgeous. When Shazike focused on individual buildings, the Rynar's eyes lit up with further detail. Every building held its own among the crowd, each an expression of whoever lived there or whatever business it was.
Aicithon remained quiet as the Rynar was in awe. Aicithon knew the Rynar had been planet-side for a while, though it was clear she hadn't given herself a chance to look around. While he knew he wasn't the only one stationed to watch the Battlemaster, she didn't go out much otherwise.
Reaching over, he set a hand on the woman's shoulder. Getting ready to speak but was stopped when the Rynar flinched. Her orange eyes snapped over to him in shock.
Shazike stared for a moment at the large armored man. For a split second, she saw the encouraging face of Jailthar looking back at her. However, this had quickly melded back to the red Arkatian.
His smile waned slightly, and when he spoke, there was a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"I guess you don't have stuff like this back in... Well, the other place?"
Shazike caught on that he was unwilling to say the name; silently, she thanked him for it. The Rynar let out a gentle hiss while turning her eyes back to the town.
"Shazike has never seen anything like this..."
She felt like a giddy child, wanting her words to bubble over, but Shazike held herself firmly and smiled. Aicithon bowed his head and adjusted his wings before responding.
"Yea, well... There is a lot of hidden construction. The military base up north has a new program, Guardian and Charge? Something like that... Humans will be brought in, though I think some are already here, not many."
The mention of humans left Shazike to sag her shoulders inadvertently. Aicithon gripped her shoulder harder before he smiled.
"Don't be so down about it..! It's a good thing. Though it's mostly military at the moment, it's like a bonding system. Pairing a human alongside a trained... Well, anything. Lupari, Arkatian, Jahkatian, Asishi... Even Sissach, though I figure that one is a pill hard to swallow for most."
Shazike had a swell of emotions in her, snorting at the Arkatians attempts at human phrases once more. She liked the idea, and it made sense, though the practicality of a human in combat felt limited.
Deciding her heart couldn't take much more thinking, she hissed and gestured around at the town.
"Where is the simulation hive?"
Aicithon stepped up and pointed to a particularly tall building amongst the others.
"That's it there. Had Olnith sent you a pass yet? I heard he was trying to get you registered to go in."
Shazike's eyes lingered on the tall construct. She registered the man's question yet didn't quite have an answer for him yet.
Her hand reached down to her side, patting her Yutri before pulling it out. The bright blue colors of the hologram still felt alien to her, though she brushed this aside quickly and swiped to find Olnith's chat. Though she soon realized she had a new message from someone else.
The profile picture was that of a blue Tordenchi, and soon she tapped into it, unsure of what to expect.
It was from a person called Ninthe, with an attachment showing an access card for the simulation hive. Blinking, Shazike responded with a cautious thanks, turning her eyes to Aicithon.
"Shazike seems to have one now... Shall one go?"
Aicithon laughed out, responding jovially.
"Well, that was pretty convenient!"
The Arkatian flashed a broad smile and nodded, patting the woman's shoulder while he motioned her to follow.
"I hope you like games Shazike; they have a really... 'kick-ass'... Starfighter game."
Shazike paused at the odd human addition, only to snort and shake her head. Aicithon laughed as well and grinned.
"Hey, at least I'm trying!"
With a snicker, the man turned to the stairs, followed closely by Shazike, who idly murmurs.
"Please do not kick Shazike's ass..."
Hoping to give Shazike a bit of justice, and show what she had to go through to change from her time as a Battlemaster in the Rynar Collective!
Compared to Of Mice And Men I'm not quite sure how fast or often I'll post parts for this. But gauging on the reception of it, I may go faster if I can!
First - Previous - Next
Universe made by
HetzerArt made by
travaakasanchezShazike remained quiet as she and the Arkatian walked. The man flashed her a confused look when she didn't take the straight path home. In all her months planet-side, she rarely went anywhere else but to Olnith's center and her apartment.
He didn't complain, keeping pace with the Rynar while she walked along. Taking in the scenery while keeping an eye on Shazike.
The planet was a trade hub, with various docking bays on the surface and in orbit. Ferrying supplies back and forth in an endless flow of money management.
Shazike had never fully understood the UTO's economy, as it seemed to her that with such a utopian standard, were there no hard laborers to keep up the facade?
The Rynar found only a hint of bliss as she tried tackling the idea. Though it kept her mind from darker thoughts, it brought on a slight headache the more she pondered. Her expression must have changed as Aicithon glanced at her and raised an eyebrow, breaking the silence between the two.
"Are you alright?"
His words, while usually inconsequential, left Shazike unable to respond. She paused, taking in a light breath while focusing on keeping her posture. Battlemaster training still permeated every part of her life, even simple dialogue, and it frustrated her.
Making an apparent effort to sigh, she slumped her shoulders and allowed a more relaxed stance, even though it felt unnatural.
"Shazike Raylu would be a liar if one said no."
Her eyes flickered over to the man, and while he held the friendly face of an Arkatian. Aicithon's structure and presentation reminded her heavily of Jailthar. With her staring, unable to form thoughts to words, the man nodded and looked back at her blankly.
"Take a picture. It will last longer."
His joke was deadpan, but it flew over both of their heads. Several seconds passed, and the Arkatian's face grew to worry.
"I think that is a human joke?"
With Aicithon thinking he had made an error, he tried back peddling it and glanced aside to the open park they had entered. It was close to Olnith's office, with the idea that if in some cases, it could help, Olnith would take his sessions outside to private booths in the open environment.
Though it felt too freeform, there was an order to the madness, but looking down at the park felt like sensory overload. Cracking a smile, the Rynar nodded.
"It is a funny joke."
Relief washed over Aicithon's face, though he tried hiding it behind a soft smile.
Familiarity struck Shazike as she looked on at the man. With his arms crossed and a reassuring grin, he reminded the Rynar of her late friend, Jailthar.
The Arkatian blinked as Shazike stared at him, raising an eye ridge; he waved a hand in front of her.
"I'm sorry if the joke upset you. I'm still getting the hang of them... A human would be dancing circles around me at this rate, though."
With another human phrase introduced, Shazike recognized this one. Her lips curled up into a smile, and she nodded rapidly. Gripping the stone balcony ridge beside her.
"Aicithon knows many? Shazike is impressed..!"
The Arkatian's eyes lit up as he recognized the name shifting. Knowing that a single name basis with a Rynar or Sissach was a show of friendship. Nodding, he grinned alongside her and glanced out to the city.
White buildings stretched far to the skies in the distance. Shazike trailed his gaze, and despite having to squint for a moment, she let herself admire the odd beauty of the world.
Each building was plastered with various colors, paintings, and emblems. At first, Shazike scowled, thinking this was graffiti, but with how well it blended into the city's canvas, she tilted her head and tried seeing from another angle.
Before she knew it, several minutes passed as Shazike admired the city. While, as a whole, it was gorgeous. When Shazike focused on individual buildings, the Rynar's eyes lit up with further detail. Every building held its own among the crowd, each an expression of whoever lived there or whatever business it was.
Aicithon remained quiet as the Rynar was in awe. Aicithon knew the Rynar had been planet-side for a while, though it was clear she hadn't given herself a chance to look around. While he knew he wasn't the only one stationed to watch the Battlemaster, she didn't go out much otherwise.
Reaching over, he set a hand on the woman's shoulder. Getting ready to speak but was stopped when the Rynar flinched. Her orange eyes snapped over to him in shock.
Shazike stared for a moment at the large armored man. For a split second, she saw the encouraging face of Jailthar looking back at her. However, this had quickly melded back to the red Arkatian.
His smile waned slightly, and when he spoke, there was a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"I guess you don't have stuff like this back in... Well, the other place?"
Shazike caught on that he was unwilling to say the name; silently, she thanked him for it. The Rynar let out a gentle hiss while turning her eyes back to the town.
"Shazike has never seen anything like this..."
She felt like a giddy child, wanting her words to bubble over, but Shazike held herself firmly and smiled. Aicithon bowed his head and adjusted his wings before responding.
"Yea, well... There is a lot of hidden construction. The military base up north has a new program, Guardian and Charge? Something like that... Humans will be brought in, though I think some are already here, not many."
The mention of humans left Shazike to sag her shoulders inadvertently. Aicithon gripped her shoulder harder before he smiled.
"Don't be so down about it..! It's a good thing. Though it's mostly military at the moment, it's like a bonding system. Pairing a human alongside a trained... Well, anything. Lupari, Arkatian, Jahkatian, Asishi... Even Sissach, though I figure that one is a pill hard to swallow for most."
Shazike had a swell of emotions in her, snorting at the Arkatians attempts at human phrases once more. She liked the idea, and it made sense, though the practicality of a human in combat felt limited.
Deciding her heart couldn't take much more thinking, she hissed and gestured around at the town.
"Where is the simulation hive?"
Aicithon stepped up and pointed to a particularly tall building amongst the others.
"That's it there. Had Olnith sent you a pass yet? I heard he was trying to get you registered to go in."
Shazike's eyes lingered on the tall construct. She registered the man's question yet didn't quite have an answer for him yet.
Her hand reached down to her side, patting her Yutri before pulling it out. The bright blue colors of the hologram still felt alien to her, though she brushed this aside quickly and swiped to find Olnith's chat. Though she soon realized she had a new message from someone else.
The profile picture was that of a blue Tordenchi, and soon she tapped into it, unsure of what to expect.
It was from a person called Ninthe, with an attachment showing an access card for the simulation hive. Blinking, Shazike responded with a cautious thanks, turning her eyes to Aicithon.
"Shazike seems to have one now... Shall one go?"
Aicithon laughed out, responding jovially.
"Well, that was pretty convenient!"
The Arkatian flashed a broad smile and nodded, patting the woman's shoulder while he motioned her to follow.
"I hope you like games Shazike; they have a really... 'kick-ass'... Starfighter game."
Shazike paused at the odd human addition, only to snort and shake her head. Aicithon laughed as well and grinned.
"Hey, at least I'm trying!"
With a snicker, the man turned to the stairs, followed closely by Shazike, who idly murmurs.
"Please do not kick Shazike's ass..."
Category All / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 1280 x 800px
File Size 239.3 kB
Listed in Folders
I like how you're making it clear that Shazike is still getting used to the UTO way of thinking and of building things. I think she found it weird that her new bed was so comfortable in her introduction story, right? And I wonder what sort of simulation Shazike will choose to experience?
“Every species has its monsters, but no species is made of monsters.”
It’s easy to hate the whole Rynar for the invasion of Earth and the atrocities that were committed during their occupation. But when you read further into Integration and read nice little redemption stories such as this then you definitely agree with this quote.
Humanity is no different look at our history in this present century and the previous ones and you’ll see the worst kinds of monsters this race ever spawned.
It’s easy to hate the whole Rynar for the invasion of Earth and the atrocities that were committed during their occupation. But when you read further into Integration and read nice little redemption stories such as this then you definitely agree with this quote.
Humanity is no different look at our history in this present century and the previous ones and you’ll see the worst kinds of monsters this race ever spawned.
NGL when I read the first few chapters of Integration I did envision humanity getting vengeance on the Rynar Collective for their devastation of earth, not to mention the decimation of the humans. But then I learned a whole race of murderous monsters was never Hertzer’s intent, and those atrocities did receive retribution.
Then again looking at the Codex I see when those Annelids(Sliths) come the Rynar Collective will receive a sort of galactic “what comes around goes around” fate for their brutal invasion.
Then again looking at the Codex I see when those Annelids(Sliths) come the Rynar Collective will receive a sort of galactic “what comes around goes around” fate for their brutal invasion.
If I’m not mistaken in the World Anvil version it says
“ However, after the annelid war, the Rynar were severely weakened and no significant engagements with them have happened since, though their reconstruction efforts make further violence a distinct possibility in the future.”
And if you read the epilogue of “The Rider” and The Slith timeline in the discord server it’s definitely implied that the Rynar will suffer greatly by them.
Ironically their only salvation will be the race the
“ However, after the annelid war, the Rynar were severely weakened and no significant engagements with them have happened since, though their reconstruction efforts make further violence a distinct possibility in the future.”
And if you read the epilogue of “The Rider” and The Slith timeline in the discord server it’s definitely implied that the Rynar will suffer greatly by them.
Ironically their only salvation will be the race the
Ohhh... The worm stuff... Ok, I don't want to be rude. But I don't think I'm touching any of that worm stuff. I'm keeping my stories based on the few following years of the invasion and so on!~
I like to keep my stuff generally tame when it comes to these stories. While I like the idea of the Slith, it complicates things a lot when it comes to how I'm hoping to present this stuff
I like to keep my stuff generally tame when it comes to these stories. While I like the idea of the Slith, it complicates things a lot when it comes to how I'm hoping to present this stuff
Seeing how starved the Rynar were for entertainment, I can see why some of them lost all self control during the invasion when they suddenly had an endless source of it.
Glad to see Shazike is starting to discover more harmless forms of entertainment though.
Glad to see Shazike is starting to discover more harmless forms of entertainment though.
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