[Humans for Hire] - Part 188

\[[First](https://www.reddit.com/r/HFY/comments/1fqu23z/humans_for_hire/)\] \[[Prev](https://www.reddit.com/r/HFY/comments/1v91099/humans_for_hire_part_187/)\] \[[Next](https://www.reddit.com/r/HFY/comments/1vfctv0/humans_for_hire_part_189/)\] \[[Royal Road](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/95169/humans-for-hire/chapter/3751091/chapter-188)\]

*Author Note:* Dinner prep and...there's an award. Holy man. Dinner prep's going to have to wait.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

*Hurdop Prime, Eterina Acres*

Kifab was quiet as he sat next to his wife and listened to the doctor and Jojorn. It was strange, she seemed to be in high spirits even if the news was not entirely good.

"...if all goes well, you should expect to regain most function in your arm in a few months. After that, we will have to re-evaluate. In order to give your arm the best chance to recover, there are exercises to be done and they must be done daily. The Terran physicians passed these along to aid in muscle recovery; they will aid in rebuilding the muscle tissues and attendant nervous system, but they did advise you will eat more - a great deal more - for the next few weeks." There was a hesitation. "I. Captain, I must warn you against false hope. Your injuries are sufficient to warrant medical discharge from service. Despite having seen what Terran medicine can do, I cannot say with certainty how well it will work."

Jojorn nodded, reading the sheet over. "I will do as you recommend, doctor."

The doctor left and Jojorn immediately began working with a small weight and exercising, moving through the range of motion and looking at her tablet to ensure proper form. Eterina cocked her head.

"You don't have to start now, you know."

Jojorn grimaced as she lifted the weight behind her, looking at the sheet to confirm her form. "I do. Weak arms do not carry children."

Eterina stood, an ear flicking. "Walk with me, captain?"

Jojorn stood, keeping her arm moving as they walked across their own small field where Kifab had his gardens and experiments. Eterina shook her head quietly as the two walked through rows of plants that were struggling to reach their knees.

"These plants. Centuries past, we've been using these to grow what we can and extract minerals, and now he's made things grow."

The juvenile's voice was soft. "I went to his former home on Vilantia. The plants there that grow. So tall I could barely believe what my nose was telling me."

"Mmm. A year ago you would have said your crew needs a captain with two strong arms. Now you speak of other things."

Jojorn looked down, embarrassment coming to the fore. "I. We went to Vilantia to take counsel from Pafreet for our injuries. Freelord Gryzzk was there, and we, we talked about things. We...someone a few years older than me had followed us, his name's Hamoen." She glance around before lowering her voice. "His name's Hamoen and he's so...he's innocent to the world outside his world. I want to protect him but I'm afraid if I show him what we do, he'll run away. And I want to be near him at the same time." She looked around again, a twitch of happiness coming to her fur. "He gave me flowers from their garden. Dirt from their fields."

There was a flick of curiosity. "He may not know the meaning you took from his gift."

"Do you think he doesn't?" Jojorn wilted slightly. "If he doesn't, then this..."

"You'll have to educate him. Much like we do with Kifab. And it is up to you to educate Hamoen of our way, and what his gift inspired in your heart."

Jojorn scrunched her face slightly. "I will need to grow something to return the gift properly."

"Perhaps growing something he might like. A luxury of some sort?"

The younger girl grimaced. "I will have to ask Fa...Freelord Gryzzk. Or Kifab. If they have any insight as to what he would consider special."

"I would suggest discretion. Part of the surprise is that it is a surprise."

There was another glance around. "What if I am wrong for him? What if he dislikes my plans?"

"What if he doesn't? What if your scents mesh more and more closely with each year until you are simply marking time for your marriage to be legal, hm?"

"Oh. I. I hadn't thought of that."

"Think of it once in awhile." Eterina placed a hand on Jojorn's good shoulder. "You've looked to the future with fear long enough."

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

*Homeplate, Terran Foreign Legion Grounds*

Gryzzk looked at the gathered companies with mild surprise. The past few days had been hectic, with orders being sent for those who wished to be in costume and among the guests to present themselves in said costume for inspection. He tried to dampen his irritation at seeing so many unusual things, but then recalled that he was in fact carrying Glaud in a backpack.

The costumes were...many. Both Gryzzk and Waniul were there to inspect their troops, beginning with their bridge squad. The oddness ensued immediately.

"Sergeant Major, an explanation is in order." Gryzzk looked at O'Brien as she stood proudly wearing clothing he recognized as Irish, but with unknown colors. Her hair had been done with a pair of braids at each side, but for the most part her hair was deeply unkempt.

O'Brien braced proudly, the A'Haibe sword strapped to her back. "Major, I present the Clan O'Gryzzk tartan. Purple of the Legion for the base color. Red stripes braced by gold ones for courage and glory, and black threads to remember."

"I was not aware we had a tartan."

"We do now, lad."

"There is a purpose?"

"Aye. The Irish and our idiot cousins in Scotland used the patterns to know who was from what clan and who was related. Other ships'll have their own patterns, and the keen-eyed will take a look at the pattern and they'll know that to start something'll bring a special flavor of hell to their door."

"Very well." Gryzzk moved down the line, stopping again at Edwards, as she was dressed in bright purple but oddly tied series of flowing bolts of cloth with a cape and headcovering - though the patterns were quite striking against her dark skin.

"Lieutenant..."

"Redguard. Lightweight armors to help survive the A'likir desert."

"It will make sense in time, I presume?"

Reilly snorted from her place. "She just wanted to show off her abs."

Gryzzk exhaled softly. "I'll be asking questions of you in a moment, Sergeant." He looked back to Edwards. "You'll be able to maintain yourself?"

Edwards nodded, rolling her wrist over and lifting a catch on her leather bracer to reveal a sensor display that had been hidden between the layers of leather and cloth. "I'll be able to track everyone in the building."

"Excellent." He then moved to Reilly, who was wearing platform shoes and a uniform that was dominated by blacks and silvers and had an array of brutalist metal pieces, complemented by a metal sash bearing marks both familiar and not. Her forehead had a ridged prosthetic, and her hair was hidden and replaced by a wavy wig that draped to her mid-back. Her scent was aggression and...something warm. She revealed a mouth full of sharp prosthetic teeth as she began speaking unprompted, keeping her hands behind her back.

"Jenassa, daughter of Delia. House of Gryzzk. Daughter of Charles of House Reilly. Wife of Lomeia and Valone. Bane of House Diamond-Shaft. Slayer of Anchiano egos." She brought a porcelain cup from behind her back. "I have made some chamomile tea. Two sugars, as you prefer."

Gryzzk accepted the tea with bemusement. "I'm sure you can explain."

"It is the most in-joke of all in-jokes. This is pretty much the required gear for self-defense fleet comm wranglers."

Laroy coughed loudly. "Boob-window!"

Reilly's response was a single digit extended in Laroy's general direction. "And the *sargh* you rode in on, Cajun."