SLRC-BCV>Devil's_Due and The Parrot's Prophecy

[Stoner_Steve]

Sean stepped onto the bridge, the cool, sterile air brushing past him. The vessel, the Devil's Due, was still new, the gleam of fresh metal and the scent of oil sharp in the air. Many of the secondary consoles were still shrouded in protective film, a stark contrast to the worn equipment he was used to from the Gryphon.

"Morning, crew," he greeted the Bristol technicians, their rigid posture and sterile efficiency a stark contrast to the chaotic energy he was used to on the Gryphon. He couldn't wait to replace them with a real crew, a motley assortment of misfits and dreamers, more accustomed to the chaos of the cosmos.

The helmsman, a young woman with a serious expression, nodded. "We're ready to initiate the final burn to Freeport 11, Captain. Estimated travel time is thirteen hours."

Sean nodded, his gaze scanning the bridge. "Activate the autopilot," he ordered, his voice echoing in the silent chamber.

Just as the ship began to hum with the activation of the autopilot, a raucous squawk cut through the silence. "Auto-pilot no!" A colorful parrot, perched atop a console, regarded Sean with a critical eye.

Sean blinked, his eyebrow twitching. "Polly, really? Now?"

The parrot squawked in response, its beady eyes fixed on the viewport. "Auto-pilot no," it insisted, its voice surprisingly clear and authoritative.