Marull the Alien (special preview)

Marull was a legend when I was a young cadet. During my training he had just completed a mission, saving his whole crew and the Saint Dawn civilian port from an attack by the Criqruids. He was everywhere at that time. Everyone and anyone would talk about Marull and the work he was doing. I heard whispers from the other cadets, huddled together in the mess hall as they spoke of Marull like he was the deity of the training fields. They talked about his fast track to being made a Captain from a lieutenant commander, something almost unheard of. We all watched as he was given command over his own ship, and everyone whispered about how they wished they could be one of his crew once they graduated.

While my friends spoke of such hope, I reminded myself to stay grounded. Not that I didn’t want to work under Marull as well. I knew I had to stick to reality and save myself the disappointment.

That was years ago and I had just received my promotion, making me a commander. I was being transferred, but at first I didn’t know where I would be going. Upon hearing I would be going to the SS Angelica I felt like that young cadet again.

“This must be some sort of joke.” I said with uncertainty. I looked over my transfer script on the tablet, then back at my commanding officer. “You guys are pulling my chain right?”

She shook her head. “No, Commander Cove, the SS Angelica is going to be your home from here on out. Captain Marull requested you personally.”

“This is a joke,” I blurted.

She cocked her eyebrow at me. “Commander?”

I stopped myself, realizing my outburst and I stiffened my shoulders. “I would doubt someone of Captain Marull’s status would have ever heard of me.”

“He has heard of you and your work. He stated he needed someone with your credentials to help keep the rest of his crew in line.”

This was news. “In line? But isn’t the Angelica a-” I was cut off as he communicator rang. She was called away, and I was left to overthink and wander my mind too far. Marull and the SS Angelica were legends! What could I possibly add to their stellar history? I kept my head down, followed rules, and did what I thought was best.  Surely there were better soldiers, leaders, even musicians who deserved this honor more than I.

I was taken to the SS Angelica, arriving when things seemed quiet. I took my first steps onto the famous ship and realized something that hadn’t been shown. The SS Angelica was ancient. It was an extremely old model of ship, and as I was led down the halls I couldn’t help but notice it looked more like a transport vessel than a starship.

“I’ll take them from here.” The deep voice’s cadence sent tingles down my spine. My skin flared with excited goosebumps and I steadied myself for who was approaching.

“Commander Cove, I’ve been expecting you.” The eight foot tall Vrell who stood before me had not left my mind since I was a cadet. He was every bit as impressive to stand before as I had imagined in my dreams.

My throat instantly went dry. Two of his arms were folded behind his back, one was at his side, the other was held out towards me.

“Captain Marull,” I was breathless. Hell, I even felt faint! “It’s an honor sir!” My excitement was electricity in my veins as I took his hand into mine. His three, long fingers curled around my palm and through our gloves he felt so warm.

Marull’s six eyes widened slightly, showing off their opal-like glow. “You’re doing me a favor by being here.” He sounded almost guilty. “Come along, I’ll show you to your quarters, then perhaps we can have a talk one on one.” He pulled his hand back and between his glove and the sleeve of his uniform I could see the satin shin of his skin ad the faint glow of his veins underneath.

“Yes, sir,” I was just as breathless as before. I followed alongside him, hoping to keep up with the stride of his long, elegant legs. The way his feet were shaped it almost looked like he was wearing high heeled boots, and I tried to squash the images that my mind concocted.

“The quarters here are not much,” Marull explained.

“I’m fine with that,” I replied.

Marull glanced down at you. His eyes were radiant, like glowing pearls in the socket. His eyes were placed like human eyes, only there was another behind them, and a smaller one on top, granting the Vrell six. The rim of his eyes was a dull blue, fading into royal blue at the corners where they were more fleshy. Along his cheek bone and down his mandibles there was a glowing vein. It faded between muscle and bone before going down his neck and being hidden under his uniform.

He looked forward again, moving all four arms to his side. “I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that the Angelica is not the grand dame of starships.”

I didn’t want to say anything to offend him. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, sir.”

Marull sighed. “The SS Angelica is not in her prime. That is why I was given command of it.”