System Overclocked 2 -ch 29-

Sitting at the edge of the glass in their Hab, Wrench, Seventh, Stripe, and Tickaht were all watching Talker work at a small workbench he’d put down in front of them.

The Tongsta had several boxes in front of him, and was using at least seven or eight tentacles to build and take apart communicator boxes.

He was actively working to fine tune them so they could use them. Talker took his role as the “Hume Partner” very seriously.

“Tickaht, what do you think. This is a bit more condensed, but it lost a few buttons,” Talker asked, one of his tentacles holding up a communication box to the glass.

“Oh, oh, oh, exciting,” Tickaht said and stood up to press to the glass and stare. “I like it. She said, then nodded her head. “You got rid of all the silly status type buttons and made it a knob. Right?”

“I… uhm… I’m sorry, Tickaht. I’m really trying. It feels easier with Hume, but I’m sure I’ll get better at this. I’m the Grae Partner, too,” Talker stated firmly. “I understand that you’re happy with it though.

“Is it the knob? I feel like giving it a selector with a button was just easier. I could be wrong though.”

Tickaht was honking and hooting with laughter while nodding her head.

“Yes! I like it! Good job, Talker!” she said excitedly and clapped her hands together.

“Thanks, Tickaht. Okay. I think I’ll stop there for now. That took a lot more thinking than I thought it would. Do you all need anything?” Talker asked, his tentacles withdrawing into himself.

“No, we’re good,” Wrench stated with a firm shake of his head.

“Alright. I’ll come back on my next shift. I’m off for now,” Talker explained, slowly packing everything away into the workbench. “Oh, xxhht has a hearing for us coming up. He got approval to use Hume for ship board tasks. We’ll need to figure out what tasks you can do and what you’d be suited for.”

“That’s interesting,” Stripe murmured, looking at Wrench. She squeezed his hand inside of her own. She moved his hand closer, till the back of it rested against her thigh. After having kissed, they were now past the physical touching barrier. Stripe actually liked touching quite often. “I hope it’s things I can help with. I’m not really… physically inclined.”

“You’re clearly meant for luxury and breeding, Stripe,” Tickaht stated firmly, watching Talker as he finished up and began leaving.

“Yes, you’re more fit for leading and directing. Not manual grunt work like us,” interjected Seventh.

Both Seventh and Tickaht were defensive on Stripe’s behalf in every way.

“Wrench, look, look,” called a voice above him.

Not quite realizing what was going on, he looked up.

Sccsccc was above him. She was dressed in Hume clothes, though they were incredibly tight. They also had slits in the front to show off her cleavage, for both pairs of breasts. She was dangling from a vine and staring down at him.

“I fit this really well, right? Look at me?” asked the Grae. She stretched herself out and twisted her hips around, looking like a jungle predator of some sort that dabbled in sexy daily wear.

Her hair was dangling down as well.

Not wanting to disparage her attempts, he looked. He wasn’t interested in her the way he was Tickaht, but her interest in him was fostering more contact between Grae and Hume.

Several other Grae were also working at catching his interest in a similar way. Others were interested in Hume as a whole, but were more skittish.

It’d only been two days since the Grae were introduced to the Hume formally. The two groups were integrating, but there was still some friction of course.

Sccsccc and the other Grae all vying for Wrench to “look at and long for” them was part of that friction.

“Yes, you’re very appealing, Sccsccc. Those clothes suit you as a Grae,” Wrench affirmed, waited a polite amount of time, then looked away from her. Tickaht had been helping him to understand what was and wasn’t seen as flirting for Grae.

“Thank you. Look at me more?” asked Sccsccc. “Shouldn’t you long for me?”

Grinning, Wrench just looked at Stripe in an apologetic way. He knew this bothered her at some level.

“He does look at you, Sccsccc. In fact I know he’s longed for you,” Stripe interjected, looking up at the Grae. “You’re lovely. But… that doesn’t mean he’ll set everyone else aside. Hume aren’t as free-spirited as Grae. I’m sorry.”

“Hm… you said that last time,” remarked Sccsccc.

There was a delay, then the small Grae was suddenly standing there in front of them. She’d let go and fell from above. Hitting the ground lightly and standing upright in front of them.

“He looks at me and longs for me?” demanded Sccsccc.

Tickaht clicked her tongue loudly, made a hand gesture at her, then moved away from her. She was angry at Sccsccc for her attempts, but didn’t seem threatened.

“Yes. He has. He’s most certainly looked at you and probably longed for you. I’ve caught him myself,” hissed Tickaht. “He still chooses those he’s with, as it’s more than just looking and longing for a relationship.

“Remember? We talked about that this morning. I told you all about Hume relationships. They’re not Grae and they think of things differently than we do.”

Sccsccc gave him a Grae frown. Her mouth flexing into a smile in that weird and opposite way. Her eyes narrowed as well while watching everyone.

She looked quite frustrated.

“Yes. I know. I trust you, Tickaht. You’re my friend. But… I will keep trying. I don’t see a reason not to. He recognized how much I should be looked at. There’s interest there, I just have to catch it.

“And besides… the best will capture the eye, the rest just die,” said the Grae. She sauntered past Wrench, bouncing and swaying as she did, and kept going. Heading toward the cafeteria. “See you later, Wrench. Even if you don’t look and long, I will.”

“She’s aggressive,” Seventh remarked, then looked to Tickaht. “You weren’t that aggressive.”

“I wasn’t… that… uh,” mumbled Tickaht, then she sighed, shrugged her shoulders, and bent over Wrench. Hugging his head into her chest. “I was just curious about him at first. I just wanted to know more.

“Everything else came after and unexpectedly. I-he-we-we just ended up hunting one another and here we are. Sccsccc… she’s far more normal for a Grae?

“You hunt the male’s attention and keep coming back. As she said, the best capture the eye, the rest just die. Without children.”

Stripe released Wrench’s hand, then wrapped her arms around Tickaht. Causing the Grae to release Wrench and instead hug Stripe.

“Well, we should probably remind Sccsccc that she can’t have kids with Wrench. So even if she caught the eye, she’d still just die. This is more than just breeding for you and Wrench,” countered Stripe. Then she patted Tickaht on the shoulder, her fingers lingering for a few moments. “Could you and Seventh go get lunch for us? I’d appreciate it, Cat.”

Tickaht wrinkled her nose, visibly forced herself to smile, then nodded her head.

“I will. For us,” Tickaht stated with a deep warmth in her words. Then she turned, popped Seventh on the arm and slapped her across the stomach.

The sound of Tickaht’s palm off Seventh’s tight abs produced a loud and sharp clap.

The Grae scampered off while laughing.

“I’ll get you, Cat,” growled Seventh as set off at a dead sprint after the Grae.

The Grae didn’t get far before Seventh quite literally bulldozed into her and picked her up around the waist. Squirming around in the Brawler’s grasp, the Grae wrapped her arms around the other’s neck.

With a thump, the two went into the grass and began wrestling right there. The two of them flexing, grasping, grunting, and straining against the other.

Wrench could see from where he sat both were obviously enjoying themselves.

“They get along really well,” Stripe murmured, slipping her hand back into his. “And no, Sccsccc doesn’t bother me. I’m glad she’s trying so hard. Her casual acceptance of so much Hume culture, while retaining her Grae heritage, is providing both sides with a chance to grow.”

Wrench nodded his head at that.

He personally had made sure that every Grae food that was above in the treetops, was also available in the cafeteria.

That very day, every Grae had joined them to eat together. Most of them all dressed in Hume clothes by the second meal.

Though all the Grae returned to the canopy each night.

“I mean… now that Sccsccc left, doesn’t that mean Nunnkish will show up?” Wrench predicted.

“Yes. And likely better dressed than Sccsccc was. I actually fear her more than Sccsccc. She’s stealing all my fashion sense by the hour. Almost as big as me or Sccsccc, too,” muttered Stripe, who then laid her head down on Wrench’s shoulder. Then she sighed loudly. “How’re things? You were up late last night. I didn’t want to ask since you just fell asleep instantly.”

“Oh. Everything’s fine. I was up late going through reports for the Grae,” admitted Wrench. “With all of them going to the Mender, we had a lot of updates on needs. A few of them had some lingering physical issues, but nothing serious. I was just going through that.”

“Lingering physical issues?” Stripe pressed.

“Malnutrition. Old breaks in bones that healed odd. That sort of thing. It’s getting fixed. Patch handled almost everything. The rest got requests for medicine. Goodie took her to the new shelter after that,” explained Wrench.

“Speaking of Goodie, I see you Goodie,” Stripe said, pulling her head off of Wrench’s shoulder. She then began waving her arm back and forth above her head. Staring out to where a Tongsta would be coming from.

“Ooooh, look at that. My babies are sitting there waiting for me!” cooed Goodie as she approached. “Hi dears. Hi hi. How’re you all?”

Wrench could hear the unmistakable greeting of every single Hume in his Hab, as well as the Grae in fact, all saying hello to Goodie.

The vast majority of the Shelters and Hume were on her personal ship, that followed at a distance. He had no idea what kind of authority she could pull to have a private ship tag along, and even be able to have a Nav-cerer on board to jump it.

That or… that or Goodie is that amazing that she can jump two ships at the same time without even being on one? How strong really is Goodie?

Is she the penultimate Tongsta?

“Hello! Hello, yes, hello. Hi sweeties. Oooh! Tickaht, Seventh what’re you… oh, you’re just playing with each other. I see, I see. Well, that isn’t surprising. You two do like to tumble about.

“Popsicle, I absolutely love that dress! It’s so cute! Is that the new pattern I put in the other day? And look at you Sccsccc! Oh my goodness! You’re all dressed like Tickaht!” gushed Goodie. She was practically bent over the Hab now. “Sccsccc… you… haha… did my babies teach you how to understand? They did?

“That’s so wonderful. We should have a chat later. I have some really cute outfits I got specifically for smaller Grae like you.

“I see you, Pistol. My little sweetie. I like your hair. You always do it in fun ways.

“Yes, yes, hello everyone. I promise I’ll make time for all of you today. Okay? I’ll sit and chat with anyone who’s willing.”

Goodie paused, then laughed loudly.

“Gadget, you naughty thing. Hm. Well. That’s fine. I’m glad,” murmured Goodie, then Wrench felt like she turned her attention to him. “And how you Wrenchie? Stripe? My darlings? My sweet ones?”

“I’m good, Goodie. How’re you?” Wrench asked, standing up. Stripe came up with him. He didn’t hesitate or wait, and began walking for the airlock. Keeping up with him pace for pace was Stripe. She apparently had the exact same idea.

“I’m quite well. I… ah… I went out with the captain. We had a lovely time. Then he showed me his own Hab,” Goodie murmured with a chuckle. “I had no idea, but he’s in the middle of putting together a Hab. It’s all quite high-end if I may say so. He’s really sparing no expense.

“When I asked him what kind of Hume he wanted, he said he planned on adopting from Shelters that have at risk Hume.”

“That’s rather warm hearted of him” Stripe offered up, and they went to the open airlock. “Definitely shows he’s interested in Hume, though I can’t tell if it’s genuine, or if he wants more of you, mommy.”

Stripe released Wrench’s hand to hold her arms up to Goodie.

Laughing, Wrench did the same.

“Yes… I had the same thought my dears,” Goodie mumbled, gently scooping up Wrench and Stripe, holding them to herself. “I can’t tell if it’s flattering or infuriating if true.

“I’m glad he’s gained an interest in Hume but… I hope it’s true. That it’s real. You’re all so special.”

Goodie gently stuck Wrench and Stripe on herself, and the slightly tacky sensation of her flesh kept them there.

Then Wrench saw his Hab from the outside.

There was a long line of Hume and Grae moving down to the airlock. He already had an idea of what was about to happen.

“I think nobody wants to wait their turn, and everyone wants hugs, Goodie,” Wrench warned.

Laughing, Goodie clearly noticed it as well.

“Awww, my babies. What’re you all doing?” she asked, even as eager tentacles slithered out from her and slid up to the airlock from below. He could tell she was excited at what might happen in just a moment.

Gadget raced ahead to the air lock and stuck herself and held her arms up.

“Mommy!” she shouted.

Laughing again, Goodie picked up Gadget and set her down in a similar way to herself as she’d done Wrench and Stripe.

Then one by one the entire Hab did the same thing.

“My silly babies. Mommy can’t… ah… you’re… okay. Mommy will hold you all. My precious Hume,” cooed Goodie, picking up each and every Hume, and surprisingly the Grae, as they came to stand at the airlock. She carefully put them all down on top of herself. At the same time, she forcibly shifted her body shape until she was more like a bowl. The deep scar that was always obvious on her became a lip to the bowl. “Yes, come to mommy Sparkle. My little fluttering jewel.”

Sparkle was set down next to Wrench. The beautiful platinum haired Hume looked to him and smiled.

“Oh, hi Wrench,” she murmured and then gently slithered across Goodie’s surface until she was quite firmly pressed to Wrench’s side. “Hello Stripe. How’re you?”

“I’m very well, Sparkle,” Stripe murmured with a smile.

“Okay. Is that everyone?” Goodie asked. She was clearly beyond the definition of pleased at this moment.

“I’m coming! I’m sorry! I had to finish something!” called a voice from the Hab.

Spooky came rushing down the hill toward the airlock.

“Even my little hide away Spook? Goodness!” asked Goodie in a shocked voice.

Surprisingly, Spooky didn’t wait at the airlock. Instead he reached the edge and dove for Goodie.

“Spook! You-” Goodie carefully plucked Spooky out of the air and set him down in an open spot. Wrench noticed he was set down between his children. “Well. Now I’ve seen everything. Though… ah… this is rather nice.”

Everyone had begun quietly taking up conversations with whoever they were around. More than a few people were gently crawling across Goodie to meet up with others. In no time at all, they were treating Goodie more like a Hab than a Tongsta.

“I just… uhm… yes,” Goodie murmured. Wrench noticed she carefully moved away from the Hab, and he saw her goal. She settled into what was very likely her own version of a recliner. She sunk into it and pushed down much deeper than she had previously. Until her body came up and over the edge of it. A crater forming in the center of her, where all the Hume and Grae were. “I suppose that’s that. Now… where was I?”

“You were telling Wrench about your date!” shouted what sounded like Pistol.

“Ah, yes. The captain,” whispered Goodie. Several tentacles had sprung up and were hovering in front of herself. As if she were afraid a Hume might float off. “Well, ah… he was very nice. I admit, at first, I felt strange about it since I felt indebted to him.

“But after we actually saw one another, I was quite pleased. I reminded him that my goals are unchanged. I’m going to save all the Hume, and in that quest… he’d end up coming second.

“Surprisingly, he said that that was fine. That he would be happy to share that goal with me. That in fact, he was lobbying to prove that Hume were indeed sentient. That they weren’t just animals and could be given tasks.

“He used what happened with that rebel ship as an example. His argument was quite eloquent, really. That there was no way a non-sentient life could have done what’d happened.”

“That makes sense,” Wrench murmured, staring out at nothing. Sparkle had taken the opportunity to snuggle in close to him and stick her head down on his shoulder. Stripe had moved up on the other side of him and done the same.

“It does, though we’ll have to be careful,” Stripe warned. “We must be sentient, but also not just a weapon.”

“Exactly, Stripe dear,” Goodie confirmed. “The captain has been very specific, direct, and careful with how he’s wording it. Not that Hume are weapons, but that they can be crewmates.

“Crewmates who can work and do much more for the greater good. Hume that are sentient and working for the greater roundness of it all.”

Brick and Brack were wobbling around on Goodie. Squirming into her, then out of her as her skin flexed and gently bounced them away.

Brack decided to practically leap off of Goodie while laughing.

Only to be caught by a tentacle and gently set back down.

To which Brick did it as if it were his turn.

Once more, Goodie caught the giggling child and returned them.

Then Brack did it again.

“Well, that’s a new game, I guess,” Wrench remarked, as the two boys began jumping off Goodie and getting caught by her.

The unmistakable laugh of Goodie suddenly realizing the same warmed him.

He wasn’t quite sure if his relationship with Goodie would survive Hume becoming sentient. This type of behavior would be somewhat strange if Tongsta and Hume were considered peers.

“I wanna try!” Tickaht said, then launched herself off Goodie as soon as she put Brick back down.

“Tickaht, you naughty—”

Goodie caught the laughing Tickaht and drug her back down to the Tongsta’s exterior.

“Please? My turn?” shouted Seventh, getting up to her feet.

“Oh my goodness this just won’t do but… well… okay. Just please take turns. I can probably catch four or five of you at a time,” Goodie allowed.

Suddenly, all the Brawlers, Grae, and a handful of School, all got up.

Well… sentient or not… maybe the relationship between Tongsta and their one-time pets can fill a similar role for a time.

Sccsccc went flying outward, laughing hysterically while writhing around in the air. Only for Goodie to snatch her expertly, along with Brick, Brack, and another Grae, and setting them all back down on herself.

For a time.

Surprisingly, Stripe got to her feet.

“My turn!” she called, looking around to see if anyone else was about to go.

Grinning, Wrench watched as Stripe shot off and away.