The Peral known as Septimus stood in front of the crowd whose various expression on their faces, which ranges from surprise to silent rage, and hush whispers among themselves. Getaway started walking from the elevator he couldn't help but notice that she change the sound of her voice to make her sound like a male which doesn't surprise him because Septimus has always been more fluid with gender pronouns.
Ever since he met her or him,which depends mood the gem was feeling, Getaway as always admired Septimus for never bending to anyone's will. Getaway smiled underneath his faceplate as he watch his friend try to explain the crowd about her/his position on the ship and the mission they were to bark." I known that I'm not what you were expecting for a captain but many of you here for the same reason that I'm here. For the expansion of the imperium"
But sadly Septimus attempt to calm the crowd had little effort. He look at them and still saw the look of distrust among the crowd. Septimus let out a sigh "All right so some you don't trust me I get it. Our two species fought for centuries, both sides destroying each other for a war that my kind started"
Getaway continue to look at Septimus with curiosity as she, or he as the gem appeared to switch to using a male voice and pronouns, continue on with his little speech."A wise cybertonian once told me that freedom is the right of all sentient life and he was right. All of us here, including myself, have the freedom to choose our own path. When I was much younger I was given a choice between the authority and the imperium. I choose the imperium because they offer me the freedom to move pass my purpose of a servant to an upper class elite who cared only for themselves. The imperium gave my a home ,a purpose that I choose for myself and importantly a name chosen for myself "
Septimus took off his grey cap "Freedom of choice, a choice of who you what to lead you and a choice of leaving to follow your own path is what I'm offering to everyone here. Freedom of choice is your right and nobody can take it away from you. All I'm asking is that you all gave me a chance. Thank you for your time" Septimus bow his head,put his cap on his head and started walking to Getaway.
"going with the whole freedom of choice thing. I admit that was good speech. I hope it has much effect than your last speech you gave" Getaway said to his friend as he approached him. Septimus walk past him and leaned against the wall and waited from the response of the crowd. Getaway copied Septimus and leaned against the wall as well "I'm going to assume that you're switching male pronouns again"
Septimus sighed as he turned to face him with a dull look on his face "please tell me you're not going to make a big deal out of this. As I told you before it doesn't matter what pronoun I use."
"not making a big deal just here just needed for you confirm it Sir." Getaway raise his hand in defense.
Septimus smiled because Getaway as always been,well most of the time, there for him. From the time they first met the two have been close friends and there was a time that he had little crush on him but he eventually grow out of it. " Well I'm going to see my new quarters. call me if something happens with the crowd"
After a few Kliks Septimus was able to find his quarters and quickly empty his personal effects from his pocket dimension of his gem but before started to set up his room he heard knocking from the door
"Hey spit shine your crew is on the move" Getaway called from the other side of the door.
Septimus push the button to slide open the door to find Getaway standing in the hallway. "well what's the status" He guested for Getaway to come him to his quarters.
"At least one eighth of the crew opted out and transferred while rest are going along with you but some of them might proved troubling in the long run" Getaway handed Septimus a datapad containing the list of possible crew members that will most likely be disloyal to him.
"Ever the spy eh Getaway" Septimus chuckled at his friend attempt to help him and placed the datapad on top of his drawer. "As much as I like to read up on possible traitors. I have other issues to handle"
Getaway shook his head in disapproving way "Why do you always take matters like these lightly?"
"Because if the crew choose to follow me than I must trust that they will not try to stab me in the back" Septimus looked at his friend with annoyance. The two stared at each other with looks of disappointment on each others faces.
Septimus let out a sigh and spoke with a feminine voice "Getaway we known each other for a long time and as much as you think your helping me, Which I thank you for, but I need to do this my own" She placed her hand on Getaway's shoulder " I'm not the naïve servant I was so you have to trust me to make my choices and mistakes"
Getaway sighed " All-right all-right you don't have go all prime on me". Septimus moved her hand from Getaway's shoulder and towards the left side of his head.
"How do we always get like this" Septimus said as she move her hand from his face and turn around towards the boxes of her personal effects need to be unpacked
"I will call you when the crew is settle in and ready for launch" Getaway said just before he walk out of the room.
Septimus let out a sigh as she open a box and found something of great personal interest to her, A photo frame of her and getaway during a much happier moment in her life, She couldn't but chuckle at the photo because how funny it was that a few centuries ago she small enough to fit his hand and now look at her now,more or less equal ground with her friends that once tower over her, in both status and height.
Her small trip down memory land is once again interrupted by the sound of knocking. She sighed " door open" the door was programmed to be open via voiced activation to her voice.
"Surprise" three voices yelled out to her simultaneous as the group all rushed at her to giver her a group hug. Septimus was surprised at her friends appearing on her ship but quickly embraced the hug.
"What are you guys doing here" Septimus pulled from the hug to look at the trio which consisted of her closest friends, High Wire, Grindor and Sureshock. The four called they little group the street action team due to the fact Septiumus and others like to perform action stunts in there free time.
Grindor scratch the back of his head as he nervously answered the question "Come on Sept do you think that we let you have all the fun?"
Septimus look at her friends with a blank look on her face as she waited for one of them to give her a straight answer. Sureshock who is smallest of the group spoke first " Sept you known that we barely leave the capital system at all. Let alone imperium space so got to understand that we are all little nervous here".
"Nervous you three. Come on we navigated through meteor fields, surf on comet tails and spray painted shoot me on the helmet of omega himself " Septimus move towards the trio and placed her hand on Sureshock shoulder "There isn't anyone else I would have by my side than you three"
Grindor tiled his head to the left and said" Damn it you just had to go all prime on us didn't you"
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Septimus look at her friend with a smile.