Chapter 7: Halloween Special
Jump back in time! Another pure Legends take on Freak Fleet Files, where I made Stent watch Star Trek. (I wasn't kidding when I summarized it: 'Writing a parody of myself? Abso-kriffing-lutely!')
Blame Ymirr for this one, the movie was of his choice :-P
While the dialogue is mostly the same in the first half, I switched the POV from Niriz to Stent. Hopefully, the repeated joke is still funny.
There was little to do when Syndic Mitth'raw'nuruodo left for the Uncivilized Territories, leaving Stent alone without clear instructions.
And there was even less to do when the Task Force Admonitor resumed its official task assigned by the self-proclaimed 'Galactic' Empire, mapping the uncharted areas of space.
Therefore, Stent decided to venture into the part of the ship inhabited by outsiders and visit Syndic Mitth'raw'nuruodo's human servants.
"I am boring," Stent addressed the two Imperials who were discussing a mundane xenobiological report. "What are humans do when they are boring?"
Based on the muscle contractions and increased infra-red glowth in their faces, it was not what Stent had intended to say.
"You are anything but boring, Commander Stent, I believe you meant to say you are bored." Voss Parck spoke very slowly, putting emphasis on each word to make Stent understand, toning down his native Corulagi accent and aiming for the standardized Core World pronunciation instead. He had much better control over his facial expressions and body language than the other human.
Stent tilted his head to a side, letting the nightmarish language slowly process through his brain. Galactic Basic was giving him a headache.
"Yes," Stent said awkwardly, realizing he made a grammatical mistake. The word was supposed to end with -ed, not with -ing. "That is it I am mean."
"I suppose it's different for each human." Voss Parck continued without correcting his grammar. True. Each Chiss was different, why should two humans be alike?
"Makes sensual." Stent agreed, slowly inclining his head. "What are you do when you are bored, Commander Voss Parck?"
Voss Parck only shrugged. "I watch holodrama."
"I heared of the holodrama from Syndic Mitth'raw'nuruodo. Show me show now. I want a watch." Stent commanded. The mundane xenobiological report could wait.
"Well, why not, I suppose?" Voss Parck smiled. There was an undertone to the smile which Stent couldn't interpret. Humans were so puzzling. "In fact, I can think of one holodrama in particular you might enjoy, Commander Stent. It's called: The Conjuring."
Conjuring?
Stent took out a small datapad and typed the unfamiliar expression into the machine's input.
conjuring
noun
the performance of tricks that appear to defy natural laws
adjective
denoting or relating to such tricks or entertainment
conjure
verb
to make something appear by magic, or as if by magic
Could it be related to the mysterious Force which Syndic Mitth'raw'nuruodo mentioned multiple times?
"Interesting sound."
The other human made an avuncular sound. "Then if it's alright with you, Commanders, I think I'll join you. I might enjoy this holodrama as well."
"Make yourself comfortable, Captain." Parck motioned Niriz to sit down in a non-regulation chair that Parck himself no doubt used for watching holodrama; then he proceeded to remove his boots and sat down cross-legged at the bunk bed, leaning back against the wall.
Niriz murmured a silent thank you as he sagged down into the armchair. He expected that Parck would drop the rank but given how deeply private Parck turned out to be, Niriz didn't hold it against him.
It was enough that the Chiss in the room once again mercilessly intruded upon the man's privacy, going through Parck's entire holodrama collection, his glowing gaze randomly flickering from one title to another, pulling out some of the cassettes only to openly stare at the covers.
Right now, the Chiss reminded Niriz of a small child who entered a toy store for the first time.
He had to admit that Parck had quite an extensive collection in his cabin; no wonder it piqued the Chiss's curiosity. Now, the real question was whether or not Stent could keep staring at the covers as long as Admiral Thrawn when it came to the holographic paintings. Hopefully not.
"Crahsystor Kres'ten'tarthi," Parck formally addressed the Chiss, his patience with the pale blue wonder's antics wearing thin.
"You accent very sucks at it, Commander Voss Parck," Stent pouted, his expression getting as sour as if he had bitten into a very non-ripped bruallki. "Say mine Commander or Stent."
"As if your Basic was any better." Parck threw right back.
There was a dangerous flash in the glowing eyes. Stent marched to the bunk bed and sat down at the opposite end with his back straight and proud. He didn't cross his legs or lean back against the wall.
Parck shook his head as he turned on the holoprojector.
Niriz was familiar with the horror movie. It was set on Corellia, a Core World planet on which inhabitants believed in the Nine Hells, demons, spirits, and other various Force entities. It told the story of two demonologists who took on a case of a haunted house. After an initial investigation, they concluded that the house required an exorcism, but they needed authorization from the Imperial Inquisitors and further evidence before they could proceed.
Camilla got in touch with a medium. We learned from her that a seven year old girl named Annabelle Higgins had died in this apartment. She was lonely and took a liking to my doll. All she wanted was to be friends. When we heard this, we felt really sorry for her. I mean, we're nurses, we help people. So we gave her permission to move into the doll.
Stent cocked up a blue-black eyebrow. "This not makes sense."
Of course the pale blue wonder would say something like this. Of course.
We are beyond terrified. We don't know what's going on or what to do. Can you help us?
"This holodrama … not first about the Force … but first about fear?" Stent realized, frowning.
Parck put on his best sabbac face. "Yes. The purpose of the movie is to instill fear in the viewer."
However, would the Conjuring be enough to give even Chiss a fright?
Stent made a derogatory sound. "The movie very sucks at it." He delivered dryly as he watched the unsuspecting family move into a haunted house.
Parck's impassive face rivaled that of a Chiss. He let out a small shrug, disregarding the comment.
He's really good at this, Niriz thought. He'd have made an excellent actor. No wonder he likes holodrama so much.
From that moment onward, they continued watching the horror movie in silence, with the Chiss sitting stiffly at attention as if he was attending a mission briefing.
Stent simply sat there, his face expressionless, with no inclination as to whether any of the scenes made him uncomfortable. They were nearly forty minutes into the movie, and Niriz slowly resigned to the fact that Parck's attempt to spook the Chiss was a waste of time.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Who is that?
The wife shouted as she strode to the hallway, turning on the lights. Nothing. She walked cautiously around when she heard the sound of moving furniture.
She quickly went there, turning on the light. Again, nothing. She ventured in, looking around, when she heard the sound of a door opening behind her.
A piano started playing.
Terrified, the woman followed the direction of the sound, going down the stairs into a basement, switching on the light.
Whoever's down there, I'm gonna lock you in now!
She was about to lock the mysterious assailant in the basement when the door smashed into her face, resulting in her falling down the stairs at the sound of ominous music.
The Chiss abruptly leaned forward, his glowing eyes staring intently at the holoprojector. If his stance could be described as stiff before, it now became utterly rigid.
The terrified woman took a series of deep breaths and looked around when suddenly a ball fell from the wall and she freaked out, running up the stairs as fast as she could. The ominous music grew in intensity as the light bulb exploded and the holoprojector went dark.
Aah! Let me out! The woman screamed.
The sound of a child's laughter followed.
Breathing heavily, the woman tried to light up a match, unsuccessfully, and then another one.
Hey, wanna play hide and clap? The Force entity asked and clapped behind the woman's back, causing her to scream in horror.
The Chiss jerked in his seat, and for a moment the impassive facade cracked, a near human-like expression of fear crossing the alien features, the red eyes going wide open, glowing like two orbs. He let out a strange, hissing sound, then jerked once again as he realized that his image of a fearless warrior was forever ruined.
Niriz exchanged a knowing look with Parck, whose expression turned very smug. After all, they hadn't reached the wardrobe scene yet.
"The movie very sucks at it, eh?" Parck clipped, each word dripping with sarcasm.
THE END
Well, Ymirr, here is your Halloween 'drabble' :-P I hope you like it!