The Whorls of Jupiter

Chapter 2 Storm

July 5th 2521 Waning 2

Jorge was proverbially shitting himself in the Jovian storm. Everybody knew about them. But you never forget your first. Inside his bunk in the open barracks he held fast to the sides of his bed and his lunch as the ship rattled and bucked in the storm. Even through the armored and pressurized hull he could hear the shrill screams of the lightning storm outside.

A few bunks down, Oddie was wrapped around his double bunk bedframe like a howler monkey in distress.

"Can't sleep Oddie?" Jorge asked as he sat up and grasped the bed pole to steady himself.

"Hard to sleep when you're on the second bunk." Oddie said sullenly. "First storm I was ever in as a fresh colonist I slept like a baby. All the way until I was thrown from my bunk and landed on my head. Three cracked teeth and a concussion was my reward for being a starry eyed shit out here to make a difference. The cost of my treatment was so high I'll never leave the service. So instead of emptying the shitter and zipping across certain death I decided to better myself by learning maintenance in my spare time. Got transferred to the Prominent Rage as a gunsmith. I'll never be the cartoonist I wanted to be but guns are my art now."

Jorge winced as the ship plunged and rose again in the Jovian turbulence, "You did a nice job on short notice for me Oddie. Thank you."

"It's nothing. I can do better with some time. Whatcha want? Flame stencils? A flamethrower? I got some skull and kitten designs I've been working on."

"I'm more of a plain guy Oddie. I'm more interested in optimization. A spotless gun, great rifling, maybe increased weight and durability for when I'm out in the winds. You didn't have to go crazy with the engravings on my gun, even if the skull was a nice touch"

"Not a problem at all. I always throw something in for new guys when they-" the ship bucked and Oddie flew up and hit his head on his bunk, "Mother- fucker!" Oddie shouted, favoring his head.

"Bit your tongue again?" Keun asked as he looked up from his bunk.

"Fuck you Keun! You're so damned big you don't even move in the storm!"

"Not true, you poor unfortunate little primate." Keun sat up revealing a massive strap over his waist holding him down, "Customized safety belt. Most beds can't accommodate my-" The ship rocked again, "frame." Keun leaned forward and pressed a finger to his ear, "This is Keun. Oh I see. Aye Cap, I'll bring him."

"The fuck I do now?" Oddie lisped in pain.

"Nothing this time. Jorge! Cap wants to see you on the bridge."

"Oh shit Sarge really? The fuck did I do?"

"It's a meet and greet. Cap likes to show off the storms."

"Weird but okay..."

Jorge reached down to his footlocker when Keun reached out, "Don't bother. We're off hours and if you really don't want to you can refuse. Just come as you are."

"Alright I guess... After you."

***

The two men trudged carefully through the bleak industrial halls of the Prominent Rage with Keun leading the way. Keun was a Korean man with a carefully groomed beard, a greasy trimmed mohawk, and Bujog tattoo sleeves that encircled his neck. On his back was a poem in Chosŏn'gŭl.

"So why are you here Sarge?"

"I'm just a big sumbitch that needs work. Now I got work."

"You got any plans when you're done?"