Posted by Civilian Capall McKenzie (Colonial Intelligence Agent) in Earth - What Part of ‘Get On The Ship’ Do You Not Understand? (Tag Runa McKenzie)

Posted by Civilian Runa Siff McKenzie (Teacher) in Earth - What Part of ‘Get On The Ship’ Do You Not Understand? (Tag Runa McKenzie)

Posted by Civilian Capall McKenzie (Colonial Intelligence Agent) in Earth - What Part of ‘Get On The Ship’ Do You Not Understand? (Tag Runa McKenzie)
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Capall McKenzie was standing outside the port while McKenzies and Edmans of all sizes, shapes, ages, and temperament were busy gathering belongings and saying goodbye to those remaining behind. This was a banner day for the Clan: the majority of Clan McKenzie and Clan Edman, two of Earth’s most long tenured familial bloodlines, left Earth to travel to the edge of Federation space for the chance to start building a new world on the colony of Oed V. The day had been a long time in coming, and many were anxious to get on the massive colony ship that was in orbit hundreds of miles above them. Shuttles stood on landing pads waiting to begin shuttling passengers and belongings up, while some of the more tech-savvy waited in line for the transporters. Capall watched it all, with arms crossed on his broad chest, with a eye for detail and anticipating issues. He was a striking figure. Not overly tall like his cousins Mike and Seamus, but well-muscled with thick, ropy muscles that rippled under his long sleeves that protected his arms from the chill of the Aberdeen wind. He wore his kilt, the tartan of Clan McKenzie, with a pride born of one who had given up his clan only to be brought back… his past transgressions forgiven by all (most).

“Sir McKenzie, we have some that are wantin’ ta change their minds. They wanna go now.” said a runner that had come from somewhere far in the back of the growing throng. “Nae, they had tha chance. If they wish tae go now, the only way is if they trade with someone who is on the manifest.” Capall said. The runner nodded and went back towards where he came from to relay the message. Capall shook his head and said “I told you this was gonna happen.”

Capall McKenzie

Runa stood beside him in a long dark grey dress, her tartan shall, given to her by Capall was one of her most precious possessions, was wrapped around her shoulders. She held onto it as the wind wiped her copper blonde hair around and tried to snatch her shall too. Over the last weeks she and Capall had organized the loading of building materials, food, feed for the animals, personal household cargo of the families, temporary shelters (overly large yurts while they built more permanent structures), and the last 3 days they had loaded the live stock. The horses, the cattle, the sheep. It had taken far too long to get Angus and Aurora on board. Even Blaire had no luck. Runa had bruises to prove it. Runa had finally started taking Angus’ ladies from him. That got her the bruises, it also got Angus on the d@mn ship.

Runa watched the runner head back and laughed, “Of course it is. Now they realize how much they are going to miss out on. Da will sort it out. Anyone who changes their mind can come later. He will help arrange it.” There was commotion at the transporter. Runa recognized the people immediately. She put a hand on Capall’s arm before she moved over toward the pad. It was Elizabeth and her daughter. One of Argyle’s…Runa didn’t have words. She knelt down and spoke softly to the little girl before picking her up and entertaining her for a moment. She was scared of the transporter. It took Runa less than a minute before she was back with her mother and gone in a swirl of lights. Runa walked back over, “We should have started a week ago.”

Runa

“We should have started a damn year ago. Then we would have all the necessary infrastructure in place already and these people wouldn’t be traveling across the galaxy for almost a year just to piss in a hole in the ground.” He took a breath and steadied himself. “I know, Love… I know. Mike and Revna will be there soon. So will Seamus and Ragna. I know they will handle it… I just wish I was there to help.” and he shook his bald head and swore softly. “Why did Mike choose us… me… fer this? A solid quarter of these people still want my guts for Christmas presents. And now I’m supposed to be one ‘a the ones tellin’ ‘em what tae do? It’s crazy.”

Capall McKenzie

Runa set a hand on his crossed arms. “Because they know what they are doing. As far as logistics go, you and I are the best choice. Mike made it quite clear he trusts you and this gives the clan the chance to see why for themselves. Also, Mike and Revna know good and well what I will do if anyone gives us or you problems.” She grinned at him and kissed his cheek. “And Seamus and Ragna were the best to go on ahead. If Ragna can go, and everyone knows how much she hates the idea, but she is happy when we arrive, then that will settle a lot of nerves for everyone. If she’s not happy, well Revna will hide her before we arrive.” And Runa laughed. “It’s 4 months, not a year. And Seamus and Ragna are going to get a lot of the infrastructure started. Oed is already settled, so there are resources there and the work should go faster.” Runa met his gaze for a moment. “It’s a beginning for us, and it will be wonderful.”

Runa

Capall took a breath and said “You are, as usual, correct.” He looked down at her and smiled before putting an arm around her shoulders. “If you had only spoken to me when you saw me wrestle… perhaps we would not have lost so much time.” he said with a smile. At that moment a small shoving match started between two families and Capall inhaled deeply and let Runa go to go deal with it.

“Enough!” he yelled, his voice cutting over the din. “What is going on here?!” One of the older women looked at Capall and said “They cut in front of us! We were picking up our belongings and they just walked around us and took our place!” “What a cock ‘a shite! Ye always were a liar, Moira!” said another woman. “Oh, go shag your milkman again Phyllis! We all know the wee Donnal has his eyes anyway!” “I’ll kill ya, ya-” and Capall put his fingers in his mouth and let a shrill whistle that stood up to even the brisk wind around them. “I SAID ENOUGH!” and the women froze. Capall looked around and saw their husbands off to the side out of eyesight of their wives sharing a flask of something that Capall really wished he had a shot of right then, and he said “Listen to me very carefully. It’s a really big ship. And even with all of us going, it will barely be half full. So it doesn’t matter who gets on first or who is in line where. Get on a shuttle- NOT the same one- and get up there and get settled. And if I hear another personal insult, character blemish, or speculation of paternity from either of you… I will shove both of you in a space suit and strap you to the outside of the ship for the duration of travel. Got it?” The two husbands overheard and one of them grasped his hands in a silent plea to please do that. Capall’s mouth twitched, but he suppressed a smile and said “Now go. And no more fighting!” and he turned and walked back to Runa.

Capall McKenzie

Runa watched on, her best ‘disapproving teacher’ look on her face. As he came back she checked the manifest and quarters assignments to make sure those two were on opposite ends of the ship. Runa held in a smile until he was standing directly in front of her. “Capall, I do think you were channeling a little of Mike back there. As for talking to you when you were wrestling…I don’t think that would have ended well. I was far too wild back then.” She laughed softly.

“WHAT DO YA MEAN THE SHIP IS ONLY HALF FULL!?” Runa sighed and turned to see the runner, running after a very red faced, puffed up Magnus Duff. He’d been going back and forth since day 1. “If half the ship is empty why can’t we go?”

Runa took a breath, “Because Magnus we can’t add more provisions and supplies now. That’s why we needed counts weeks ago. To make sure we had enough for everyone. Now if you’ve changed your mind you can talk to Lady Tara or Lord Cuyler and they will help you make arrangements to join us later.”

“I was no talkin’ ta you, Edman. Magnus practically sneered it. He also smelled drunk. That was not good for him.

Runa nodded, “That’s right, I am an Edman, that married a McKenzie. Yer chiefs,” she emphasized the plural, “Are a McKenzie and an Edman. They combined the clans and now you,” she suddenly stepped into his space and poked him hard in the chest. He was more startled than hurt, “are a McKenzie and an Edman too. So I’m gonna forget that you forgot that. You are gonna go home and sleep it off, or you are gonna eat the Earth of your precious Scotland, got it?”

Magnus began to spit and splutter and get redder in the face. Runa sighed and at the last second, side stepped as he lunged at her and he fell, face first into the dirt, and got a mouthful of dirt and grass.

Runa