Human Jane is calm compared to the others, but always carries a cocky attitude. Arguing with the others claiming they will destroy the ship. The day was like no other noise but in a sense calm, until Jane suddenly rose from her chair and dashed into the halls. The moment she left the room an explosion was heard from the training room. -- Anon Guest
Humans are their own health hazard. This is known on an intellectual level to many, but most sublimate this knowledge so they can work with these amazingly useful Deathworlders without periodically needing to hide somewhere and self-comfort like a small child.
It's not just the personal habits -or lack thereof- of the Humans in question. It's not just their hobbies. It's mostly their leisure time. More damage has been caused in the process of "horsing around" than most low-content battles. A point that Human Jane continuously pointed out to the rest of the Human Nest aboard the Vexing Question. "Y'all are going to destroy this entire ship with your bullshit, you know that, right?"
The response from the other Humans was always the same. "Relax mom. We're cool. We got it." Then they would subsequently continue their nonsense with only a modicum of caution.
For most things, Human Jane was correct. Especially when it came to dire predictions of inherent disaster. The good news that adequate preparations for any potential disaster were usually by Human Jane and any non-Human crew who heard her apocalyptic prophecies.
Most things.
Even the best prophets miss a few things.
Human Jane was minding her own business when something made her drop her drink bulb and rush from the break lounge at all due speed. Seconds later, something in the training room exploded. Safety equipment activated automatically. The ships' Hungry Caterpillar caught anything expelled from inside, the emergency doors shut as quickly as they could without harming anyone. Livesuits automatically engaged...
...and Human Jane arrived on the scene seconds too late.
There, three of the ships' Humans were recovering from the blast, on the correct side of the emergency locks, and bemusedly looking for others who were now likely in holding bays care of the Hungry Caterpillar.
"What the flakk did I keep telling you all?"
Human Sheen had the decency to hang their head. "Sorry mom."
"On the plus side," said Human Car in a wanton display of missing the point, "everyone's survived."
Human Jane singled Car out. "You," she said, "are primary in repairing the damage."
Companion Thryw caught up with it all as this announcement came out. "Human Jane, how did you know to run for the trouble before it started?"
"Technically I was too late by some very important seconds," sighed Human Jane. "I've had two kids of my own and fostered five more. Experience gives you an over-the-horizon radar for random dangerous catastrophes in the making."
Thryw concocted a companionable pack-bonding joke. "I bet you wish you were back home with children where you could relax."
Human Jane snorted. "Please. I came out here to do this so I could relax."
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / joebelanger]
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