Routine was a big thing for the young princess. However, the only routine thing going for her was her usual dressing up. She was in her undergarments already, so all that was left was for her to get her dress on and do her hair up. She got her shirt on over her head and adjusted the sleeves so her shoulders had the right amount of puffiness. After which, she stepped into her skirts and pulled up to her waist. The opening then adjusted itself magically so it was snugly around her waist. She managed to get her nine fox tails through their opening so she felt less restricted. After all that, she sat at her vanity to put her hair up into a bun and tied it off with a long pink ribbon. After that, she pinned a rose hairpiece to her bun where the ribbon kept it together. She stood up and made a few twirls before stopping. \u201cI am Arsha Royana,\u201d she muttered to herself encouragingly. \u201cI am the Crown Princess, native to the Mid-realm\u2019s capital, Largandra, and future ruler of the Mid-realm. I will be a kind, but firm, ruler. I WILL command my ship with dignity.\u201d At that last statement, Arsha released a breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNervous?\u201d asked a woman\u2019s voice. Arsha yelped and whirled around to see her castle Genie maid, Domesta, giving a knowing smirk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t do that!\u201d yelped Arsha. \u201cGiving me a heart attack like that! I\u2019m tense enough as it is!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStill worried about commanding the Endeavor<\/em>?\u201d asked Domesta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUnbelievably so,\u201d confirmed Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019ll be a fine Captain,\u201d assured Domesta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI wish I could convince myself that,\u201d gulped Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m sure you will, eventually,\u201d replied Domesta. \u201cBreakfast is being served.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you, Domesta,\u201d bid Arsha. Domesta phased through the floor as Arsha left her tower room for the dining hall. Her human father and kitsune mother greeted her warmly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood Morning, my little Captain!\u201d cheered her father, Elgrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood Morning, Precious One,\u201d called her mother, Hanako.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood Morning, Mom, Dad,\u201d replied Arsha. She received a hug from both parents. Through that bit of contact, they could sense their daughter\u2019s worry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s the whole tour of duty,\u201d guessed Elgrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m scared,\u201d admitted Arsha as she sat at her place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt IS daunting, I freely admit,\u201d mused Elgrad, \u201cbut rewarding. I know you\u2019ve heard me tell this story numerous times, but my tour of duty was how I met your mother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen I saw the Endeavor<\/em> coming out of the Mid\/Over Realmgate,\u201d recalled Hanako, \u201cI was stunned. After seeing your father, infatuation gripped my heart and soon, I joined his crew and, after his tour, moved to the Mid-realm and married him. Who knows? You might experience something like that on YOUR tour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe,\u201d conceded Arsha, \u201cbut kitsunes aren\u2019t known for seeing into the future, even Blenders like me. Besides, I\u2019ve already got five other romantic partners across the Realms. I might see them during my voyage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTrue,\u201d replied Hanako, \u201cbut if you do, keep your mind on the job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI will,\u201d promised Arsha. As they continued breakfast, the communicator on the table buzzed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m not expecting a call,\u201d said Hanako, confusion crossing her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNeither am I,\u201d replied Arsha. The communicator buzzed again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCan\u2019t it wait?!\u201d snapped Elgrad. He pressed a button on the edge of the table. \u201cYes?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is Realmfleet command,\u201d called a woman\u2019s voice. \u201cYour Majesty, your ship is needed at Falgreth. Alpha Priority.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFalgreth?!\u201d yelped Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat far?!\u201d quizzed Hanako.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRealmfleet, are you aware of the Endeavor<\/em>\u2019s current condition?\u201d asked Elgrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCondition confirmed,\u201d replied the Realmfleet woman. \u201cRegretfully, that is irrelevant. Arsha must depart at once.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA week before my scheduled departure date?!\u201d protested Arsha. \u201cRealmfleet, isn\u2019t there another ship to handle this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNegative,\u201d countered the Realmfleet woman. \u201cYou will be briefed once you arrive on your ship.\u201d The call ended. Arsha sighed as she leaned back in her chair, looking through the ceiling to the After-realm, asking \u201cWhy me?\u201d silently. A knock on the door resounded through the dining hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCome in,\u201d called Elgrad. Domesta and her husband, the Genie head butler, Dumarith, floated in once the door opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIs the meal to your liking?\u201d asked Dumarith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes,\u201d replied Arsha, \u201cbut, regretfully, we need a bag for us to finish on the way to the Endeavor<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI thought it takes off in a week,\u201d mused Domesta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRealmfleet has other ideas,\u201d replied Arsha. \u201cThey couldn\u2019t spare any other ships and so assigned me an Alpha Priority mission to Falgreth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s on the outskirts of the Under-realm!\u201d protested Dumarith. \u201cThe Endeavor<\/em>\u2019s overhaul isn\u2019t finished!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlpha Priority missions don\u2019t wait for such niceties,\u201d countered Arsha. \u201c\u2018Duty waits for no one\u2019, I believe is Daddy\u2019s favorite phrase. Could you package the rest of our breakfast for us? We\u2019ll finish it on the way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVery good, Your Highness,\u201d replied Dumarith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDomesta, a masterpiece, as always,\u201d complimented Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI do my best,\u201d answered Domesta as she summoned travel food containers. As she and Dumarith moved to clear away the other dishes and package the remaining food, Arsha and her parents headed to their carriage. The horse was ready, as always.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhere to?\u201d he asked telepathically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe shipyards,\u201d directed Elgrad as he received the travel food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGot it,\u201d confirmed the horse. He then realized where he was told to go. \u201cAlready?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlpha Priority mission,\u201d replied Arsha as they climbed into the carriage. The horse then stared ahead of him in confusion, then snorted and trotted off once the carriage door was shut. As he left the castle, he went higher into the air, trotting as if he were on the ground. He entered the busy skylanes of the busy Mid-realm capital of Largandra. He stopped when a fairy gave off a red glow at an intersection, then proceeded to move once the fairy\u2019s light went green but stopped suddenly when a harpy flew across from him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWATCH IT, BUB!\u201d snapped the horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHEY, I\u2019M FLYING HERE!\u201d screeched the harpy. After the altercation, they proceeded, without incident, to the Largandra shipyards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Endeavor<\/em> is a thing of beauty on the outside, with concealed attack wings safely nestled in a large, silver, cloud-like vessel. Lights studded the vessel to communicate its current state of standby. Inside, however, was another story. On the main bridge, a pair of large, thick boots on short, tree-trunk legs were sticking out from the underside of a console. \u201c\u00be maho-wrench,\u201d directed the owner of the legs as his stocky hand poked out, ready to accept a tool. The Chief Science officer, a brunette Elf man named Elmar, handed him the tool and the hand disappeared under the console. The voice came back. \u201cI said \u00be! Not \u215d! Aren\u2019t you the Chief Science Officer?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am not familiar with engineering tools, Thangred,\u201d replied Elmar. The hand and its pair came out and pulled the Dwarf out from under the console. He then waved the tool in Elmar\u2019s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey\u2019re plainly labeled!\u201d snapped the Dwarf Chief Engineer, Thangred. \u201cGet me the \u00be one!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s yanking your chain,\u201d called a woman\u2019s voice. A special chair then glided in with the seat filled with water for the mermaid sitting in it. \u201cYou know Elves yank people\u2019s chains a lot,\u201d said the mermaid as she winked, pulling her long pony-tail back and adjusting the bun it was connected to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCommander Shalvey,\u201d protested Elmar, \u201cwe Elves do not \u2018yank people\u2019s chains\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSure, you don\u2019t,\u201d giggled Shalvey. She moved her chair over to her station at Communications to check on the systems. As she tested, she noticed her inbox had an Alpha Priority message from Realmfleet. \u201cThangred, did you take care of the inbox\u2019s systems?\u201d she asked. Thangred groaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI KNEW I forgot something!\u201d he groaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think we can forgive this one,\u201d mused Elmar. \u201cThere were other tasks that demanded our attention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMine, maybe!\u201d snarled Thangred. \u201cYou, I could do without!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEnough,\u201d rumbled a voice. Everyone turned to see a middle-aged Dryad come onto the bridge. \u201cThese arguments you two have,\u201d rumbled the Dryad in his slow voice, \u201care interfering with the overhaul on this ship, making the repairs hasty.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cApologies, Commander Oak,\u201d gulped Elmar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis won\u2019t happen again,\u201d assured Thangred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood to hear,\u201d replied Oak. \u201cNow, Commander Shalvey, have you received an Alpha Priority communique from Realmfleet?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have one here in my inbox,\u201d answered Shalvey. \u201cI figured it was a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRegretfully, no,\u201d replied Oak. \u201cPlease read it.\u201d Shalvey opened the message and read it twice over to make sure she didn\u2019t misread anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFalgreth?! Now?!\u201d she yelped. Oak nodded. \u201cBut the overhaul isn\u2019t finished!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBesides,\u201d supplied Elmar, \u201csending us out when Arsha has not gone through the Captain\u2019s ceremony is a breach of tradition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s just not logical!\u201d yelled Thangred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026It must be my birthday to hear you cite logic,\u201d chuckled Elmar with a wry smile. Thangred rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have already spoken to Realmfleet about this,\u201d replied Oak, \u201cas has our Captain and her family. Nevertheless, our orders stand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Well,\u201d sighed Shalvey, \u201cbetter call Nazay and Dalengor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey\u2019re not on the ship?\u201d asked Oak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey\u2019re tooling around Largandra,\u201d answered Thangred. \u201cI objected to that as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s only logical for you to do so,\u201d mused Elmar. \u201cNazay may be an excellent navigator when the ship is in motion, but outside of the bridge, he could get lost easily.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAdd that to Dalengor\u2019s temper,\u201d supplied Thangred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, poor Nazay!\u201d gulped Shalvey as she started to call the two that were absent, her pink seashell glowing as it connected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis way,\u201d directed Nazay, a red tailed Naga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019ve said that the last 10 times we were here!\u201d snarled Dalengor, a shadow-dragon in humanoid form. \u201cAt this specific intersection, no less! Just admit that we\u2019re lost!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re not lost!\u201d protested Nazay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen where are we?!\u201d demanded Dalengor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSomewhere north!\u201d he replied. \u201cOr, possibly south.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTHAT GOBLIN SAID THE SHIPYARDS WERE EAST!\u201d roared Dalengor. \u201cI can\u2019t believe it! The Helmsman can\u2019t get us through a city!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLook, navigating from the air,\u201d argued Nazay, \u201cis a lot easier than navigating from the ground! You can see the points of reference more clearly in the air!\u201d The instant he finished; a voice came through their comms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is the Endeavor<\/em>, calling Dalengor and Nazay,\u201d called Shalvey\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRescued at last!\u201d cheered Dalengor. She switched her comms unit on and Shalvey\u2019s face came through. \u201cShalvey, get us out of here! Beam us over!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWould that I could,\u201d replied Shalvey, \u201cbut the transporters are offline.\u201d Dalengor groaned. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I have a lock on you guys. I can guide you back to the shipyards.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you!\u201d sighed Dalengor, grateful for any help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIs there a problem?\u201d asked Nazay, wondering why they were called so early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got an Alpha Priority mission from Realmfleet,\u201d replied Shalvey. \u201cWe\u2019re going to Falgreth once Arsha gets here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut the overhaul\u2026!\u201d yelped Dalengor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIsn\u2019t finished, I know,\u201d interrupted Shalvey. \u201cAnd it\u2019s a week early for Arsha to take command. We don\u2019t have a choice. I can see you\u2019re in the vicinity of the Largandra Chocolate Factory. Which entrance are you guys at?\u201d The gate had a huge E on top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEastern entrance,\u201d reported Dalengor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re facing the factory,\u201d supplied Nazay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPerfect,\u201d replied Shalvey. \u201cThe shipyards are right behind you. Just continue down the street and you\u2019ll be there in no time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShalvey, I owe you one!\u201d called Nazay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou owe me big for this,\u201d answered Shalvey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An Olog, Lieutenant Commander Malak, the Tactical officer, was already on board the Endeavor<\/em>, specifically, Sick Bay. The CMO, a mermaid dressed in fiery colors, Marshii, was putting his left hand through physical therapy with gripping exercises while she tuned her mechanical legs. \u201c98, 99, 100,\u201d she counted. \u201c100 perfect grips. Your hand\u2019s all healed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe a kiss will make it more better?\u201d said Malak in a cutesy voice. He got slapped upside the head for that remark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGet Anya to kiss it for you,\u201d hissed Marshii as she slid off the table and moved to her desk when the comms rang. Marshii rolled her eyes. \u201cNo rest for the wicked!\u201d she mumbled. She pressed the call button. \u201cDoctor in the house,\u201d she greeted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIs anyone with you?\u201d asked Shalvey\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJust a Troll Tactical Officer that finished physical therapy,\u201d replied Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPerfect,\u201d answered Shalvey. \u201cYou two need to come to the bridge. We\u2019re leaving once Arsha gets here.\u201d Marshii and Malak looked at each other in stark confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Say that again?\u201d asked Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRealmfleet gave us an Alpha Priority mission to Falgreth,\u201d explained Shalvey. \u201cObjections were already raised, but the orders stand. We\u2019ll be briefed by the one who sent the message to Realmfleet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s the Capital of the Troll Republic,\u201d recalled Malak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re on our way,\u201d confirmed Marshii. Malak grinned as they left Sick Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo arguments?\u201d asked Malak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m waiting for the right moment,\u201d replied Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026You\u2019re gonna rip the caller a new one,\u201d guessed Malak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDamn right, I am!\u201d snarled Marshii. \u201cSending us out when the medical inventory isn\u2019t fully stocked!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A poker game was going on at the Recreation Deck. \u201cCall,\u201d directed a female drider, her spider half being covered in white, fluffy hair, called Thengo, the ship\u2019s counsellor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI call as well,\u201d answered a female Dwarf, Orthena, the Deputy Science Officer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCalling as well,\u201d muttered a male drider, his glossy black spider body shining in the light of the room. This was Melandra, an Engineer under Thangred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell,\u201d chuckled a male Centaur Diplomat, Laverda, \u201cif you lot are going to kick me, I must, respectfully, kick back.\u201d He showed his hand. A pair of 10\u2019s and a pair of 9\u2019s. He reached for the pot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHands off!\u201d snapped Thengo. She showed her Straight and reached for the pot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo touchy!\u201d hissed Melandra as he revealed his Flush and reached for the pot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHold it!\u201d boomed Orthena. She revealed her Full house. The other players threw their cards down in disgust as she took the pot. The comms then rang on the poker table. Orthena took the call. \u201cLieutenant Orthena here, with Lieutenant JG Thengo, Lieutenant Melandra, and Lieutenant Commander Laverda!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPerfect,\u201d replied Shalvey\u2019s voice. \u201cThe last of the Bridge Crew. We\u2019re all needed on the bridge. We\u2019re gonna be leaving when Arsha gets here. At her last known position, she\u2019s half an hour away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Is this a joke?!\u201d boomed Orthena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have an Alpha Priority mission from Realmfleet,\u201d answered Shalvey. \u201cWe\u2019ll be briefed on the specifics when all Bridge Crew are assembled. And don\u2019t remind me about the incomplete overhaul of the Endeavor<\/em>! I\u2019ve been inundated with such reminders since I called the rest of the crew!\u201d The poker players sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll right,\u201d groaned Laverda. \u201cWe\u2019re on our way.\u201d They left the table and headed for the door. As they did, Orthena left a trail of cards! Melandra was behind her and spotted the trail!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey!\u201d he called. \u201cHow many cards did we play with again?!\u201d He pointed the trail out to his friends. Orthena then sprinted down the hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCHEATER!\u201d shouted Thengo as everyone chased Orthena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arsha and her family had to open the door manually once they arrived on the ship and went up the elevator. \u201cAllow me,\u201d rumbled Oak as he helped open the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThanks, Oak,\u201d bid Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe caller is waiting for you, Your Highness,\u201d reported Shalvey. \u201cIt\u2019s Enfanti Glarosa, Co-Head of the Larkentha Family\u2019s Blue Rose Harem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPut her through,\u201d directed Arsha. It took a while to clear the static, but a woman appeared on the screen, dressed in a blue harem-girl\u2019s outfit and a blue rose pinning some of her hair behind her right ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArsha, is that you?\u201d asked the woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s me, Enfanti,\u201d confirmed Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy are you asking for my daughter\u2019s aid right now?\u201d asked Elgrad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause Lord and Lady Varsek were murdered in Falgreth while Master Delga and I were visiting,\u201d answered Enfanti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDuring Freedom Day?!\u201d asked Malak. \u201cThe leaders of all Troll-kind?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYep,\u201d replied Enfanti. \u201cI\u2019ve been trying to find leads, but even I\u2019M stumped where to start. I need you to help me solve this mystery.\u201d Arsha winced as she looked around the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI hate to say it,\u201d she sighed, \u201cbut the Endeavor<\/em>\u2019s condition is\u2026not its best.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m aware of that,\u201d replied Enfanti. \u201cI even asked if you guys could borrow another ship, but Realmfleet said no. Come to Falgreth and help me solve this mystery. We\u2019ll hold a massive celebration when the situation is settled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI look forward to it,\u201d answered Arsha. \u201cSee you there.\u201d The call ended and Arsha turned to her parents. \u201cWell, this is it,\u201d she sighed, her eyes getting misty. The same held true for her parent\u2019s eyes as they hugged her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCome back safe,\u201d whispered Hanako.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTreat this ship like a lady,\u201d directed Elgrad, \u201cand she\u2019ll bring you home.\u201d The embrace ended as Arsha dried her eyes and her parents left the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaptain,\u201d rumbled Oak, \u201cthe bridge is yours.\u201d He gestured to the Captain\u2019s chair. Arsha sat down slowly, noticing that it gave comfort for her and allowed for space for all of her tails. Oak sat to her right and Thengo sat to her left. Consoles popped, jarringly, out of the floor in front of them and they had to pull them up to their armrests. Malak sat behind Arsha in a rotating seat surrounded by consoles. Shalvey was on Malak\u2019s left and sat in a tank of water. Elmar sat to Malak\u2019s right and Orthena sat to Elmar\u2019s both consoles in the wall of the bridge, like Shalvey\u2019s seat. Laverda sat on Shalvey\u2019s left, with a book opened for all the various cultures and their diplomatic proceedings. Dalengor was surrounded by consoles as well, sitting in the same chair as Malak, on his left. Sitting to the right of Malak, in the same configuration as him and Dalengor, was Marshii in a tank like Shalvey. Thangred and Melandra were seated behind Malak with Thangred on the left and Melandra on the right. Nazay was in a seat directly in front of Arsha and allowed his large tail to be at its fullest length under the helm control console.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHere we go, the uglier side of my people awaits,\u201d muttered Malak, confusing everyone on the bridge. It was soon dismissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOkay, Helm,\u201d directed Arsha, \u201cnice and easy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs easy as I can make it,\u201d replied Nazay. \u201cWe better get our straps on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot a bad idea,\u201d confirmed Thengo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAgreed,\u201d answered Arsha. All bridge crew pressed a button on their consoles and safety buckles came out. For humanoids, it was simply shoulder and waist straps connected at the center. For species like Merfolk and Nagas, additional straps were available for the tails. For species like Centaurs and Driders, straps were placed across their rears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll right,\u201d gulped Nazay once the crew was secured, \u201chere we go.\u201d The Endeavor<\/em> left the dock, but despite Nazay\u2019s efforts, it was still a shaky departure. Good thing he suggested the safety harnesses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Routine was a big thing for the young princess. However, the only routine thing going for her was her usual dressing up. She was in her undergarments already, so all that was left was for her to get her dress on and do her hair up. She got her shirt on over her head and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1374,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,94],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-1957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-1-her-highness-the-captain","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1957"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1957\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1958,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1957\/revisions\/1958"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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