Empyrean Iris Story Collection

Sunny

The entire crew sat huddled on the bridge sandwiched together in various stages of shock, anger and confusion. Captain Vir sat in the Captain's chair head in his hands looking exhausted and confused. Krill stood next to him unsure what to do.

"Captain, this is insane." One of the crewmembers was saying, "How could you let it aboard this ship without asking us first."

Another crewman stood from the other side of the ship, "What if she's here for revenge captain, what if she kills you in your sleep. It could kill us all if it wanted, and we are just supposed to trust it."

The first lieutenant stood up arms angrily crossed over his chest, "When has the Captain ever done anything contrary to our safety.... I'm sure he has his reasons." He glanced over where Captain Vir sat hunched on his chair, "Right Captain?"

They sat in silence for a long time Krill nervously watching the human reactions. Despite being just as, or even more confused and afraid than the other humans around, he was also worried about the Captain.

That creature, standing in the hallway, had been the very creature that took the captain's leg, and now it was demanding to be a part of the crew. He didn't even know why the captain had allowed the creature to step aboard.

The silence dragged on for a long moment as the humans of the crew began to mutter quietly to themselves. Captain Vir lifted his head from his hands and sat up straight. The dark bags under his eyes signaled the mental exhaustion, his nails dug into the armrests of his chair, but otherwise he seemed composed, "HER name is Sunny, not it, and this isn't a democracy, this is an autocracy, I am captain, and I make the rules. Additionally, if anyone has any reason to dislike these creatures, it's me, considering she is the very creature that nearly ripped me in half."

The room was silent, the humans were shocked.

"How many of you here were actually IN the war?"

One or two hands.

"That's just my point, none of you were there, none of you know. All you know is what was told to you at the academy or in reports. Those of you that were there understand exactly what I am giving up to be able to do this. I ran at the front in the last line against the Drev. I was there when they surrendered. IF we held grudges against everyone we fought, than we would hate ourselves most of all. If I don't give her a chance than what kind of person would I be."

Another human stood from the other side of the room after a moment, "I..... I don't know what to say captain.... But you must understand our hesitance."

The man nodded, "More than you know, but she's agreed that if she steps one foot out of line than she forfeits her life. If you want to make me make her sign a contract than I'll do it, but somehow, I don't think she's lying. If none of you will be willing to, I can deal with her."

Another member of the crew stood. Krill recognized them from his medical team, but understood he specialized mostly in psychological health, an area Krill was not familiar with, "Will you be able to handle that, Captain?"

He took a deep breath, "I let her in didn't I? So we are about to find out... Let her in."

One of the humans, standing by the door walked forward and pushed the door to the side with a hydraulic hiss. And there, kneeling on one knee, the massive creature sat, and to her side lay Waffles flat on her back paws in the air tail thumping spastically as Sunny gave her a belly rub.

The humans were very quiet.

The dog tilted its head back to see them, rolled over, and ran to the captain resting her head on his knee with a wagging tail.