Sparrows Need Engineers Ch. 03: Lost

Authors ramblings: Lot of people liked the second one, didn't think 'Nut sludge' would go over so well.

Also words like: "Gonna, Wanna, cause, c'mon" those are in the story because that's the way the characters talk. I know some people get upset about that, but I don't look at my friends and say "Would you all want to go to the bar?" my upbringing and character dictates I say "Y'all wanna goto the bar?" Just giving you a heads up so you're not like, "Hey, this story about a space fairing futanari and her futanari friend with a guy that literally has a device in his large intestine so he doesn't go to the bathroom like usual and can have spontaneous anal sex without getting poo on her girthy fat fuck stick is not very immersive since the author made them say 'wanna' instead of 'want to'."

I say all of this with a smile because this is actually pretty funny, and if you read "girthy fat fuck stick" and wondered why more than a hundred people follow me? Well I wonder that to, because my normal vocabulary is dumb as shit, now you have a look behind the veil!

Authors note: '......' end of chapter, moving on to new scene. And '*' is a memory, we are going through a recollection or dream.

......

"Yeah but if you don't use the friction plate additive then you'll burn out the clutches for the orbiting arms." Tuegrin said. "That's why I like the sparrow model, the lift thrusters are separate from the forward ones. So you don't have to worry about that annoying gear box for the wings."

Yosha shook her head, thinking of how much easier it was to have the forward thruster work as the lift thruster. Consolidating engines and not having to maintain separate entities, "So what about additive. Most gear oils come with them mixed in anyways, the orbiting arms are so much easier to maintain than a separate set of engines. Plus you have just as much control as you would if you had the separate stationary set up like you do. It doesn't matter though; you're going to Oak class soon."

Yosha thought of the revised cargo shuttle designs companies had come out with recently, visualizing the wings on either side. Remembering how the wings could oscillate and direct the larger thrust engines to point at the ground, lifting the shuttle and starting forward movement. The tail having jets that countered the main thrust direction when you wanted the craft to lift or lower in a directly vertical direction.

Tuegrin shrugged her shoulders, "Maybe, but like I said we wouldn't have gotten out of the engine failure if we had orbital arms. The only way he managed overcoming the horizontal spin was by pushing the ship into a barrel role."

"Yeah but if he had done the regular engine maintenance that incident wouldn't have happened." Yosha said, raising her brow with a smug look on her face as she looked at Jerec.

Jerec heard the statement but gave it little mind, his glass tipped back as the final bits of gin and tonic ran down his throat. The bitterness from the lime in the cup giving him a tart kiss on his tongue, putting the glass down and looking at the quiet man next to the oversized futa. "So how have your travels been."

Craysar felt so out of place, years of traveling the stars had made him used to being the odd ball out. Having to smile and fake the confidence that he belonged, it was the norm for him to roll with the conversation and be polite to the locals.

But as he pressed into Yoshas side, he couldn't help but feel like he was being left behind somehow. Now seeing the other man extend a branch of conversation, he was surprised it was about his time in the Galaxara sect. He wondered if the man was familiar with their ways, "They've been well, thank you. Many stars and people have guided me through my journey, gracious and giving are the ones I come upon."

Craysar watched Jerec nod, seeing the man was happy with the response.

Jerec tried not to make it apparent that he was able to see the discomfort on the mans face. The one named Yosha leaned away and engrossed in her conversation with Tuegrin. Her hands on the table top they sat at, slapping the surface to emphasize her point just before grabbing her glass for another swig. He smiled at Craysar, "Then I hope your travels to come are far and easy, let those who find you smile and embrace with warm beds and hot plates."

Tuegrin heard Jerecs odd reply, cocking an eyebrow she turned to him, her hand resting on his thigh gripping a little tighter. She could see him smiling, something that was rare before but had become more of the norm since they began flying together. But she saw the man on the other side of the table beam with shock, watching Craysar lean forward as he was giddy with excitement.

"Do you know the ways of Galaxara?" Craysar asked.

Jerec shook his head slightly, "Looked into it when I was younger, but by the time I thought of taking the first steps the chance had passed."

Craysar nodded, "Time waits for no one, may I ask what hindered you?"

Jerec frowned slightly, "Held back by...something." Shaking his head, "Not important, but I'm happy the life is treating you well. Please, stay at our place and rest your head, we have more than enough space for you."

Tuegrin was slightly confused, thinking that it was implied that they would stay with them but also wondering why Jerec was speaking so formally. Looking to Yosha she could see the woman was eyeing Jerec as he spoke, furrowing her brow and studying him. "Yeah, both of you can stay at our place, we have an extra room that we can set the air mattress up in." Tuegrin said as she smiled.

Yosha looked at the man Tuegrin had brought, glaring slightly as she wondered how serious they were. "Thanks, I'll take you up on that."

"May I take your robe to be cleaned and fitted?" Jerec asked with concern.

Craysar smiled, touching the collar of his robe and squeezing it slightly, "I do appreciate the offer you extend, um, my robe has seen better days."

Jerec nodded, "It's no trouble, I can loan you some of my clothes and we'll get it fixed up. There's a tailer we all use to fix our coveralls, his machines can handle the thicker fabrics, but he's also pretty good at getting the finer points just right."

Craysar pursed his lips, looking at the table.

Yosha furrowed her brow for a second, about to interject when she heard Jerec speak again.

"I'll cover the cost, don't worry about it."

Craysar snapped his head to look at the man, shocked he would offer.

"You don't have to do that, I'm sure it won't be too much for him." Yosha said back.

Jerec almost glared at her, brushing off the comment and leaning over the table to emphasize his offer. "It would be my pleasure, allow me to pay for it, I'll take you there tomorrow."

Tuegrin picked up on his stiffened demeaner, seeing the approaching bartender and quickly saying. "Shots! Pickle backs please, along with drinks all around!"

Yosha was confused for a moment, wondering what the fuck a pickle back shot was but happy that free alcohol was coming her way.

Jerec nodded, "I'm gonna go burn one." He said to Tuegrin.

She nodded, "Remember our deal, however many you got left-" She raised an eyebrow.

Jerec smirked, nodding and replying, "I know." He stood up and went to the back exit, happy they had a smoking area but not looking forward to the dropping temperature of the night.

Yosha cocked her head to the side, watching him leave before looking back to Tuegrin. "Where's he goin?"

"Smoke." Tuegrin responded.

......

Jerec breathed in the cold night air, crisp on his lungs as he exhaled through his mouth, removing the pack of cigarettes from his pants pocket. Pulling one out and putting it between his lips, he looked at the ones remaining in the pack, seeing five of the little sticks rolling around.

He bounced his eyebrows, still impressed he had dropped down from a pack and a half a day, to only 15. He nodded, proud that he was able to cut his consumption in half as he put the pack away and fished out his lighter. Striking it and holding the flame to the stick of tobacco, dragging air through it as he reveled in the caustic smoke filling his maw.

"Jerecole?" a man asked.

Jerec raised an eyebrow, turning to look at him, "Hm? What's up?"

A man with a dark beard and a smile breaking on his lips looked at him, "Hey man, it's been forever, I'm just stopping by on a run to the outer provinces. We met up on a station a couple jumps over, while back, you remember?"

Jerec shook his head, unable to remember the man, "Can't say I do, the outer provinces should snow by now." He said, trying not to be rude, he wondered how this man knew him, thinking his past time at the other stations wasn't the best parts of his life.

"Yeah, be pretty cold," He responded, looking down Jerecs frame, "Could use somebody to keep me warm for tonight though."

Jerec rolled his eyes, "Sorry, not interested, dude."

"Oh c'mon, I know it's been awhile but you still working?" The man reached in his pocket and fished out a couple credits, "I can pay, better than last time too."

Jerec scowled at the credits in the mans hands, glaring at him and saying. "I don't do that anymore, and you'd better fuck off."

"Shame," the man said under his breath, "Don't think I'll ever find a ride like you."

"Fuck off." Jerec said, putting space between them as he went to the other end of the smoking area. Leaning against the wall and taking a drag of his cigarette, pulling out his phone and looking at the time.

"Can I have one of those?"

Jerec glared at the ground before turning to look at the woman who was trying to strike up a conversation. He pulled the pack out, opening it and offering them to her, "Tell Tuegrin you took one, we have a deal on me not burning through too many."

Yosha nodded her head, looking down at the man and hooding her eyes, "Do you tell Tuegrin everything." She took one of the cigarettes and put it to her lips, seeing him fish out the lighter. She leaned down, using one of her hands she moved it towards his chin. Connecting two fingers to the bottom of his jaw and pushing upwards.

Jerec flinched as his chin was pushed up, looking at the large woman that was now leaning way too close to him. Seeing her touch her cigarette to the tip of his, holding it there and dragging air in to light the tobacco.

"Thanks." She said from the side of her mouth as smoke wafted out.

Jerec recoiled, grimacing as he stepped back and turned away from her, he removed the cigarette from his lips and exhaled.

Yosha looked at him as he stepped away, "You and Tuegrin plan on being partners for awhile?"

Jerec winced at the question, looking away as he answered, "Yup, working with hers been pretty great, and I don't plan on ending that anytime soon."

"Yeah, she can be pretty fun, we used to get in a lot of trouble back home." Yosha said, looking at the night sky.

Jerec couldn't finish his smoke, his stomach turning on the final drag, he pinched the butt in his pointer finger and thumb and held it to his side. Then flicking the cherry with his middle finger he shot the smoldering end into the bricks below, planting the sole of his shoe on it to smother it out.

Yosha watched his lean figure perform the memorized action, his lips parting as he exhaled the hurtful cloud into the night. Earrings dangling with a shining dance as his hair was pulled back, she watched him glare at the floor then turn around, marching back to the door.

She began to follow him, seeing the flannel top he wore sway on his tight frame, she couldn't help but sniff the angst and tobacco he resonated. Pausing as she took another drag of the smoke she took from him, "I'll be back in shortly, just want to finish this." She said.

Jerec didn't respond, only opening the door and retreating back to the table they all shared. Making it back through the bar and sliding next to Tuegrin, taking her hand as she placed it on his thigh.

Tuegrin felt the squeeze of Jerecs hand over hers, turning to look at Jerec, "Where's Yosha?"

"Smoking." Jerec said as he scooted closer to Tuegrin.

"She only smokes when she drinks, I think. She bum one of yours?" Tuegrin asked, her smile fading as she could see Jerec was upset by something.

"Lets call it a night, soon." He said.

Yosha saw Jerec talking to Tuegrin back inside, taking a drag of the cigarette and being unimpressed by the flavor of it. She turned and looked at the man with the beard, approaching him and seeing him look up to her. "You said you're going to the outer provinces, huh?"

......

The new day came with clear skies and sun, the embracing rays of warmth shining on the apartment complex and heating its bricks. Shuttles dotting the skies as cargo and passengers were transported around the area. Living near a major transportation hub could be annoying with the noise of the shuttles, but jobs were always available, and the pay was competitive.

"Did she say anything?" Tuegrin asked as she got dressed, the morning sun from the new day slipping through the curtains and illuminating her figure.

Jerec brushed his teeth, looking at the bathroom mirror and furrowing his brow, he shook his head and then removed the toothbrush to spit. "No...I just got a bad feeling, like-" he took a deep breath as he thought about the previous night. He was happy the two of them were able to slip into bed with little fuss of staying up and drinking the night away.

But he did squeeze Tuegrin a little tighter while they laid together, feeling dirty in his own skin after hearing that mans question.

"Just forget about it, I'm making a big deal out of nothing and don't want to say something stupid." Jerec said.

Tuegrin looked confused, pulling her hair into a ponytail and wrapping it in a hair tie. "If she makes you uncomfortable, tell me."

Jerec nodded, "I'll start making breakfast, then I'll take Craysar to the tailer and see if he needs anything else?"

Tuegrin paused, looking back to Jerec, "Hey, the way you talked to him."

Jerec looked at her, a soft expression on his face.

"How'd you- Like it sounded formal, like that was something you were supposed to say to whatever he is."

Jerec chewed his cheek for a moment, "After I was on my own for a bit, before the times I told you about, I tried to find other ways to get by. One of them being the Galaxara sect."

"But I thought you hated religion?" Tuegrin asked.

"I do," he answered, "But the Galaxara aren't so much a religion like my parents follow, rather they believe in the decency of man. They say, 'Galaxaras will' but if you dive into it, it's kind of like 'fate', where they just believe they'll thrive through the help of one another."

"So do they worship a higher power?" She asked.

Jerec furrowed his brow, sitting on the bed, "Yes and no."

Tuegrin scoffed, not liking the answer.

"Yes as they believe there is a higher power, but rather than an entity, its- like a thing they choose to believe." Jerec contemplated how to put it correctly, "In rehab groups they used to say you had to accept god." Jerec said with an eye roll.

Tuegrin nodded.

"Well, god didn't have to be the traditional thing in the sky. God could be, seeing your kids again, making your mother proud. God could be whatever you wanted, what you were willing to sacrifice for, god was the construct you made it out to be." Jerec leaned back, propping his arms into the bed, "So to them, god was the gracious attitude of the people they ran into in their traveling."

Tuegrin furrowed her brow.

"So in all actuality, its easier to believe in the 'god' they talk about. Cause y'know. It's easier to believe in people being nice rather than an omnipotent being giving kids cancer." Jerec bounced his eyebrows as he gave an unenthusiastic smirk.

"So Craysar doesn't believe in Galaxara-"

"NO!" Jerec stopped her, "He could believe in Galaxara, he could believe in common decency."

'He could've been lost and needed somebody.' Tuegrin thought as she watched Jerec on the bed, wondering what Jerecs life would have been like if she met him sooner.

"Who knows, but the important thing is, he seems cool, and we should help him out." Jerec said.

Tuegrin nodded, "Then you take him out today, and I'll hang out with Yosha!"

Jerec smiled, "Good with me."

Yosha sat in the living room, reading through a magazine that had been left on the counter. She watched Tuegrin exit their bedroom with a smile, returning the sentiment and saying, "Morning, you think we could get some coffee, please?"

"Yeah, Jerec usually makes it." Tuegrin said.

Jerec exited the room, nodding, "I'm goin, I'm goin." he said before exhaling in faux dejection. He entered the kitchen and began pulling out the coffee filters, taking one and placing it in the coffee maker. Then scooping the grounds in, he glanced up and didn't see Craysar in the living room. He figured he'd want some, so he added enough to make a cup for all of them including himself.

Craysar laid on the floor of the guest room, the thin carpet of the apartment doing little to provide comfort for his back. He looked at the air mattress, seeing it vacant as he had heard Yosha getting up earlier. He thought back to the shuttle they traveled on, remembering how the little bunk seemed so much more luxurious compared to this floor.

Sitting up he winced, through his travels he had slept on many floors, wood and dirt even, but that didn't mean he enjoyed it. Getting up he began to get ready, pulling his robe off the closet door where he had hung it and beginning to find the opening to slip it over himself.

*knock*knock*

The soft taps on the door caught his attention, he crossed the small room and grabbed the handle. Turning and opening it quickly, he flinched as he saw Jerec outside of it, closing the door to leave a crack of only a few inches. "Um, good morning, is Yo-"

"I brought you some clothes, if you'd like you can wear these while we get your robe fixed up." Jerec said with a smile.

Craysar was slightly shocked, happy for the mans kind offering, "Thank you, I truly do appreciate it." He responded, taking the clothes and bowing his head slightly, "I'll be out momentarily."

"Take your time, I've got coffee brewing, would you like breakfast?" Jerec asked.

Craysar was relaxing more and more to the mans kind offerings, "Please, if it's not too much trouble."

"Do you have any allergies or preferences?"

"No, nothing in particular, whatever you have to offer I'm sure will be more than enough, thank you so much." Craysar answered.

Jerec nodded and turned to leave, wondering if they had enough bread so he could make cinnamon toast for all of them. Crossing the living room and going back into the kitchen, he opened the pantry and was happy to see the new loaf of bread.

"You need to do anything while you're here?" Tuegrin asked Yosha.

Yosha shook her head, "No, nothing really, just figured I'd take a few days off."

Tuegrin nodded, "Yeah, four month trip cooped up in a ship, I could see why you'd want a break."

"Right? It's crazy how different you feel with real gravity versus the artificial stuff. Like you don't notice it till the one month mark, but it makes your joints feel weird." Yosha said with a head shake.

"Anything eventful happen on the trip?"

Yosha twisted her lip and shook her head, "No, nothing crazy."

Tuegrin shrugged, "Well, that's a good thing, better than losing a cooling tank or exciting the chemicals you were transporting."

Craysar exited the room, seeing a smiling Tuegrin.

"Morning, the coffee will be ready soon." Tuegrin said, glancing at Jerec in the kitchen, "Hey babe, what's for breki?"

Yosha caught the lovers nickname, glancing at Tuegrin.

"Cinnamon toast!" Jerec chirped back.

Tuegrin smiled, knowing he only made that when he was excited about the good day that was sure to come. Otherwise, he would just eat cereal as he sat cross legged on the couch, milk dripping from his lips as he watched random bits of t.v.