"Never-Be", an alien from Robert Reed's "Great Ship" universe
Added 2025-03-02 11:11:59 +0000 UTCCommissioned by generous patron J. M. - the latest on an ongoing series.
The triangular nostril dilated. With that, the triangular mouth dilated, joining the nostril in taking in more air. The face and body were gray like clean steel. The two eyes opened halfway, gray-black and gazing at the illusion of sunshine. White pseudo-feathers rode the crest of the long head. What was more tentacle than tongue played with an omnivoreβs dentition. Then the frame began testing its limbs, measuring its coordination and sense of touch. The right leg bent at the single knee, then straightened again. The right arm reached high before folding its main elbow, the two-jointed wrist allowing the hand to flop in all directions. Eleven fingers circled a round palm adorned with taste cells and scent cells and the bright blue shadings of the male gender. Peculiarly familiar. That was how this body would feel.
