Best HFY Stories: The Passing of First Mate James Thomas

追加: 2026-06-02

[00:00:02]The elevator groaned as Captain Maria O'Donnell rode into the cargo bay of the Swangong, a hollowboard illuminating her pressed uniform in a pal blue as she organized the notes from the meeting she had just attended.

[00:00:15]Captain Maria gently muttered absent-mindedly as she swiped notations into their designated folders and refamiliarized herself with the upcoming schedule for the next flight. Rondell, New Babylon for refueling and then a short warp to series 2. The atmosphere there always gave her hives, but a dip in the wax pool should sort out any issues for as long as they were planet side.

[00:00:39]The captain came to a stop as the lift reached its destination, jolting her body as the drivers hissed to a neutral position.

[00:00:47]The low creek of metal echoed around the empty bay as the engine pipes idled, accompanied by the worring of power machinery over by the far wall.

[00:00:56]Welcome back, Captain. Anushka drone from his exoskeleton. The fluid circulating his bipedal frame pulsing.

[00:01:04]The only sign of biomatter present on his chassis.

[00:01:07]Stamped with T0M lambda plus minus. The plasmoid operated the suit smoothly, repairing an engine conduit.

[00:01:15]Thank you, Tom, Maria replied, not looking up from a hollowboard. Any issues while I was away? Yes, Captain.

[00:01:22]Your first mate is going to die.

[00:01:25]The Oshka replied in the same board attachment they approached everything with. This got the captain's attention.

[00:01:32]What? She cried almost dropping a hollowboard. Her face a gas at the revelation.

[00:01:38]The car turned more to face the human, adjusting the volume of his artificial vocal box. The first mate is going to No, no, I heard you, Tom. Maria interrupted, holding her hand out while she tucked a display under her arm. I'm I'm I'm surprised.

[00:01:57]The captain took a moment to collect herself before continuing. Why was this not brought to my attention earlier?

[00:02:03]Perhaps in the commotion, it was forgotten. Bushka pulsed, continuing its work.

[00:02:09]Captain Maria blustered as she ran toward the bay door, shouting about protocol, hammering in the access code and sliding it open with a hefty pull before rushing through.

[00:02:19]On the bridge, a cloaked figure hunched over a smattering of blood and a half soden sheet of paper, examining the pattern. His attention jerked towards the hall as the captain slid around the corner, huffing. The figure stood to his whole height, nearly hitting the ceiling of the cockpit, and a prestonor guard in full regalia, his impressive sores at his sides and the many marks of his quarry adorning his robes.

[00:02:45]Captain, he addressed the Harid woman, patting his thorax and bowing his head. There's been an assassination attempt on young James.

[00:02:54]His mandibles clicked with his speech, the chittering bouncing off of the glass surface of the console he stood by, his chairs empty and holding an eerie silence.

[00:03:05]"Aro, where is he?" the captain asked in a hurried tone. He was taken to the medbay, alive, but wounded.

[00:03:13]Arlo held up the smeared sheet in his free-fingered grasp, the tall of the enemy, tampered with no doubt. "Thank you," Maria replied before hurrying away once again down the corridors. "I will find this traitor, Captain," Arlo called out as she ran away, his deep voice echoing off the walls. "You can count on me."

[00:03:33]In the medical bay of the swangong hovered a breto lto monitoring the readouts of the machines in front of her all displaying the current vitals and condition of the human housed inside the remedial hab. First mate James Thomas sat on a cot staring back at her through the glass a confused look on his face.

[00:03:51]The priest on licto with their many eyes were difficult to read though this one clearly showed a look of concern across her primary eyes while her auxiliary pair scan the monitors and instruments below her.

[00:04:03]A lanyard hung around her bell, dangling below her waving tentacles with the logo of the swang songong and her name bitchyam along with her species and cast.

[00:04:13]As the medbay door hiss, she jerked towards the source of the noise, spine the captain in a mess of the frame.

[00:04:19]Captain, the telepathic voice emanated as she flushed purple. Captain Maria, however, gave her no notice as she flung herself forward at the remedial hab, wideeyed, her hands stopping her in the glass as she stared in. We rushed him here as soon as we could, but oh, I fear it wasn't fast enough.

[00:04:37]James sheepishly waved at the captain, his handwrapped tally in a thick bandage that showed a small patch of red along his fingers. The captain non plus jed her head to the readout from the medical reports, taking in their information.

[00:04:51]I did everything I could, continued as Captain Maria poured over the texts. I made sure he was comfortable. I have dressed the wound, but if it continues bleeding like that, then I am at a loss.

[00:05:04]Maria's eyes narrowed as she read, a small furrow creasing across her brow. I asked if he had anything he wanted me to pass on, but James has declined to provide such statements as is his right.

[00:05:17]The captain snorted as she picked up a communicator handset and pressed the button with her thumb.

[00:05:24]James," she started, leaning onto the console desk. "No, please, Captain.

[00:05:30]Further distress will only am stopped as the captain held a finger to her, her unamused gaze still locked on the occupant of the remedial hab."

[00:05:39]"James," Maria repeated, while James awkwardly fumbled for the receiver with his good hand. "Yes, Captain," he replied, holding it to his mouth, his distorted voice crackling out of the console in front of the two visitors.

[00:05:52]Did you get a paper cut? Yes, Captain.

[00:05:56]Maria's free hand went to her head, grasping her face as she sighed before pressing the thumb button once more.

[00:06:02]"Has it stopped bleeding?" the captain asked, not bothering to look up through the window. "I think so," James replied in a wondering tone as he began to work away the bandage that smothered his right hand. "No, no," Anne began to cry out as the human slowly peeled away pinkish cloth from his arm. Please, James, as your medical officer, I heavily advise against this action.

[00:06:26]James finished unspawning his hand and flashed a smile at the small red line on his index finger, using his newfound freedom to hold the receiver, notably with his injured digit away. Yep, all good, Captain.

[00:06:40]Captain Maria looked up, the same annoyed expression across her face as she rested her temple against her fist.

[00:06:47]And did you tell Betty it was just a small cut?

[00:06:50]The captain jerked towards the Bristol Lickclaw to her left. She kept talking about how I must be in shock and wouldn't let me go. At that, the captain turned towards Amam and raised an eyebrow. She flushed a deep blue in response and projected her voice again.

[00:07:09]His vital fluid was leaking, Captain O'Donnell. Each time I've seen an injury such as that, it spelled doom for its owner.

[00:07:17]Human blood clots in exposure to oxygen, Betty. A small cut will close itself in a minute or less if you keep pressure on it. Katamaria snorted. Would they not simply force more out? am gasped.

[00:07:29]Genuine shock playing across her features. On you perhaps, but human anatomy is very efficient, Miss Lamb.

[00:07:37]Bitch's blue hue ran even deeper. But there was so much. Yep, that's a paper cup for you. Maria sighed as she stood back up to attention. The crackled phone came to life again. "So, can I go now?"

[00:07:51]James asked. Captain Maria crossed her arms and brought the communicator to her mouth. "You are free to return to duty, first mate."

[00:08:00]James flashed her a smile and a thumbs up as the captain pressed the police on the remedial hab. The human stepped out, politely bowed as he thanked the captain for their time, and continued his way back to the bridge. Maria watched him leave before huffing and turning back to her assistant. Betty, next time there's an emergency, I am the first point of contact, remember?

[00:08:22]am ran almost black and replied, "Yes, Captain.