Welcome to a distant future full of possibilities where the enigmatic Floribans are here to
their humanity's alien best friends and their gift of the quantum space drive allows
starships to slip through the veiled dimension they call the strange as they visit distant
planets and stars.
Come along with the astral navigators and their Floribans counterparts as they explore
the galaxy and build friendships that will change the course of history.
The strange is calling you.
Welcome friend-shaped entities to episode 8 of the Strange Space Adventures podcast.
I'm Katie Silverwings, author of the award-winning series of cozy, optimistic science fiction
stories this podcast brings to you each week.
I'm thrilled to be here with you in audio form to share the tales of strange space.
This week we have two more chapters from my debut novella Feathered Friendship.
Our chapters this week focus on Bernadette's family and her upcoming presentation to the
Florivan Council of Elders.
Stick around after the chapters for two special announcements.
Without any further delay, here's this week's installment of Feathered Friendship, a Strange
Space novella.
Chapter 16.
MSS Venture's first port of call upon entering Sol's planetary system is the Galileo orbital
complex, a veritable metropolis of a space station floating on the outer edge of Saturn's
rings.
The largest such marvel of engineering and architecture yet built by humans, the complex
is the primary hub of activity for ships which travel between Earth and the system's outermost
settlements, as well as one of the major stops for many interstellar voyages.
In the sitting area in her little family's quarters, Dr. Salzar Newman is pacing back
and forth across the full length of the space, muttering quietly to herself.
The ship's three resident Florivan kittens, still mostly silver furred, follow her in
a remarkably orderly scampered line.
The kittens' parent is currently in their own small chamber off of the main family space,
changing out of their uniform and into their seldom-worn ceremonial robes in preparation
for an upcoming session of the Florivan Council of Elders.
Their navigator, meanwhile, is sitting on the couch, reading over a lengthy document
the ship's protocol officer has just delivered, this being the source of Dr. Salzar Newman's
impulse towards agitated pacing.
So, then, I suppose we can cross Saturn off the list, too.
Zoe shakes her head.
Another round of forms and paperwork awaits us to try for Mars next.
I don't understand why this is so difficult.
Dr. Salzar Newman lets out a groan of frustration.
I've gotten every officer on this ship to sign the affidavits by this point.
What more do I have to do?
Well, love, I'm sure Lieutenant Thames will get it all sorted eventually.
It's not every new-to-the-biz protocol officer who gets to be the one establishing a legal
precedent, you know.
If he can establish it.
Granted, it's just as bad even trying to publish my research on the project, and yes, yes,
I know that's all so heavily redacted at this point.
It might as well just be a big black box with, no, really, I swear there was science involved,
written in the footnotes.
Now airy.
Dr. Salzar Newman makes a sweeping dramatic gesture with both hands as she continues.
But it's secret science that no one will ever be allowed to repeat, and you have to be cleared
by the floor of an elders to know any of the details.
I swear I'm actually a good scientist.
I kept notes that I can't show anyone.
And then a picture of our sweet little Bernie holding a sign that says, My mother is not
a mad scientist.
She takes notes.
Having said this, Dr. Salzar Newman makes a disgusted face and flops down to the floor
in an equally dramatic fashion, stretching out and staring up at the ceiling.
The three kittens take the opportunity to scamper up on top of her and sit on her chest
as if they've just conquered an island for their territory.
The kitten whose bare patches are the lightest blue of the three nuzzles against her cheek
with a commiserating sort of a trilling squeak.
Dr. Salzar Newman sighs and occupies her nervous energy with giving the kittens some well deserved
cuddling.
I know you're frustrated, love, but getting worked up about it isn't going to do you much
good.
Or Bernie for that matter.
Zoe shakes her head and makes a small gesture as she sets down the datapad.
One of the kittens takes this as an invitation to come snuggle with her instead so they don't
have to share a single pair of human hands with their litter mates.
They make a polite little squeak as they leap up into the navigator's lap.
Zoe obliges and sets about lightly stroking the kitten's head.
I just...I want her to be safe, Zoe.
I know what could happen if we don't get one of the planets to cooperate and grant her
citizenship and she deserves to be treated as a proper person now that we know she is
one.
Dr. Salzar Newman sighs, still staring up at the ceiling.
Especially since Bernie wants to do something more with her life than be Venture's little
feathered curiosity.
I have faith in you, Aerie.
You'll sort it out.
The door chimes.
Enter, calls Zoe.
A gray-haired old man with an unusually large number of freckles comes in, Bernadette contentedly
riding on his shoulder.
This is Venture's captain, one Gunther Hahnemann.
Since being formally introduced to the newest sapient life form on his ship, the man has
developed a marked fondness for the bird, treating her more as a protege than in the
somewhat grandfatherly way he does Navy's kittens.
Ah, says the captain, eyeing Dr. Salzar Newman's posture with no small amusement.
It seems your mother has received the news Lieutenant Tims mentioned to us, Miss Chirps.
Bernadette flies down to land on her forehead and looks curiously into her eyes.
Did the paperwork attack you again, Mother?
Oh, it did, Bernie.
But don't worry, I'll be ready to tilt at windmills again tomorrow.
Windmills?
Repeats the turquoise-patched kitten sitting in Zoe's lap.
They and their siblings have started to pick up words here and there now, although none
of them have yet taken on full sentences.
Well, that answers the question of what story I'm asking Hans to read the three of you the
next time he's kitten-sitting, says Zoe with a chuckle.
Have a seat if you like, Captain.
Navy's still getting changed for their council meeting.
Ah, yes, that's today, isn't it?
I feel like they said something about that earlier.
The old man takes a seat in one of the chairs near the couch and shakes his head, looking
back down to the woman lying on the floor with two kittens curled up on her chest and
a rather concerned-looking budgerigar perched on her forehead.
I've given Lieutenant Tims a few more of my strings from the old days he might be able
to pull for you, Ariadne, but I don't know yet if anything will come of them.
Oh, Zoe raises an eyebrow.
And here I thought we were running out of favors to try calling in.
You'd be surprised, the people I know who've ended up in Admin back on Mars.
The Captain chuckles.
Besides, Ventures registered there.
Hopefully that'll be a point in our favor.
I'm sorry all of this has become such a hassle, Bernadette says, stretching her
wings and then flying up to perch on the little stand that's been added to the center of
the coffee table for her.
The hassle's worth it, Bernie, Dr. Salzar Newman replies, still staring upwards and
lightly stroking the kittens who have snuggled up together on top of her.
Don't worry about it.
At this point in the conversation, Navy emerges, dressed in several layers of flowing salmon
pink silk robes.
A matching beaded headdress is set behind their large cat-like ears with veils which
hang down their back and obscure most of their intricately braided silver hair.
They have beaded bangles glittering on each of their wrists as well as an ornate necklace
in the same style.
The kittens immediately take notice of their parents' reappearance as well as the sparkle
given off by their jewelry.
They scamper over and hop up into Navy's arms to inspect the unfamiliar and fascinating
outfit.
Needa, the three of them say, one on top of the other in between all of their other excited
kittens squeaking.
Shiny.
Yes, kittens, says Navy, laughing as they try to both catch and settle down the kittens
who are climbing all over them.
I know I'm all shiny today.
Please don't undress me.
I'll let you play with my bangles later once I'm done wearing them.
The three humans share a chuckle watching this.
Bernadette, ever the clever bird, flies up to the top of the bookcase where she knows
the kittens have a cache of toys.
She pulls a particularly bright-colored ball out of the hiding place, picks it up with
her beak, and shakes it.
The small bell inside the woven cloth-and-wire cage of the ball jingles brightly.
Look, kittens.
I found a shiny thing.
Come play with me.
The kittens are scampering after the ball before Bernadette even finishes tossing it
down from her perch.
They happily take up their current favorite game, fetch the jingle ball, and then chase
the bird as she flies around the room carrying it until she drops it again.
Thank you, Bernadette.
Navy laughs again at the sight and goes over to the couch to sit beside their navigator.
They smooth out their robes and look down at the floor where the kittens are making
a point of scampering around Dr. Salzar Newman rather than over the top of her.
I see you're still in a dramatic mood, Aerie.
Not really, but getting up takes too much effort.
She half-raises her head off the floor to look at them.
You look nice, by the way.
You should wear the silks more often.
Thank you.
I do like them, you know, but they're better suited to special occasions.
Navy shakes their head, trying to run jumps dressed like this is just asking for trouble.
The captain smiles fondly.
And here I remember when you were still complaining about your hair ribbons getting in the way
all the time.
Oh, now, don't go making us all feel old, Captain.
Zoe laughs and reaches over to help Navy get the last of the bead strands in their head
dress sorted out from having been rearranged by the kittens.
That can't have been all that long ago, can it?
The old man asks.
I was named an elder five years after we joined your crew, Navy replies, and these little
ones are my third litter.
It was a while ago, to say the least.
Before anyone responds, the door chimes again and then opens.
Cobalt and Ciel walk in, each wearing a long silk tunic with embroidered sleeves and loose-cut
trousers rather than their uniforms or usual sorts of casual clothing.
Cobalt's outfit is shaded in amber, while Ciel's is in sunset yellow and includes a
long tasseled shawl draped over their upper shoulders.
Well, it took us a while to get sorted out, but here we are, Ciel grins.
Lucky for Cobalt here, I was able to fix the sleeves to actually fit them in the end, although
if they hit any more of a growth spurt, we'll have to see about getting them a new formal
outfit altogether.
I'll keep that in mind, says Navy, standing.
But you both look nice, all cleaned up.
Remind me to take a picture once we're done with the council to send to Cerulean.
We'll do, Ciel nods and waves to Bernadette as she flies past them, followed closely by
the kittens.
Better pass that off to someone else, Bernadette.
You wouldn't want to be late now, would you?
Late?
Bernadette asks, changing course to deposit the ball in the captain's outstretched hands,
so he can take up the task of kitten distracting.
That done, she flutters over and lands in her usual place on Cobalt's shoulder and
tilts her head curiously at Ciel and Navy.
Late for what?
The council has requested you, Navy answers.
They have?
Dr. Salzar Newman echoes.
She sits up now, looking somewhat startled.
They've all heard enough about Bernadette that they want to meet her.
That's a good thing, Ariadne.
Trust me.
Navy stops beside Dr. Salzar Newman long enough to bend down and give her the same sort of
reassuring pat on the head they so often give their kittens and then heads for the door.
I'll pain you all when the session's over.
Ciel and Cobalt follow them out into the corridor.
Bernadette still perched on her sibling's shoulder.
Well now, says the captain after the door closes, pausing to toss the ball for the kittens
to chase and retrieve.
That's what I'd call an interesting development.
It is, says Zoe, and if Navy's not even mentioned it to me before now it must be something particularly
interesting that they're scheming.
If nothing else, they're probably going to bring her back with one of the eldest's lectures
on personal safety to recite for me, Dr. Salzar Newman's size, but in a half-joking manner.
I didn't realize they still did that every time Navy attended a meeting.
The captain raises an eyebrow, then turns his attention to the lavender-patched kitten
who's just won the race to fetch the ball back to him to praise them appropriately before
tossing it back to the other side of the room.
Not every time.
Although since I started Bernadette's project they've been checking in more often than they
used to.
They do care about you, you know, love.
Zoe says, patting the seat on the couch beside her.
Now, what say you come up off of the floor before the kittens trample you?
It's a comfortable floor, Dr. Salzar Newman replies in mock protest.
After a momentary exchange of amused looks with her spouse, she laughs and moves to the
offered seat.
Zoe sets an arm around her, then looks to the captain and raises an eyebrow.
So sir, she asks, what sort of Martian strings did you say you were trying to pull?
I know you well enough to know you've got a story to go with them that you're just waiting
to have a chance to tell us.
The old man laughs, still at his game of kitten fetch.
Am I really that predictable?
It's a good sort of predictable, says Zoe, and the kittens usually fall asleep when we
tell them stories, so...
So you'd be obliged if I got the little darlings to think it's nap time so you don't wind
up having to chase them all over the ship until Navy gets back to settle them, naturally?
Naturally?
It would be a good distraction for all of us, Dr. Salzar Newman admits.
Well then, who am I to say no to a chance to spin tales for my smallest crew members?
The captain grins and makes himself comfortable, tossing the ball back and forth between his
hands a few times to entice the kittens to come up onto the armrests of his chair.
So back when I first started piloting desert racers at Hellas Planitia...
Chapter 17
Now Bernadette, says Navy, do you remember what I taught you about being polite when
it's time for the Council to meet you?
Yes, Navy, I remember.
Bernadette nods from her perch on Coby's shoulder.
They've told her all of the protocols for how to address people and behave in front
of the gathering of Florvin elders at least five times now.
Although granted, Navy has mainly been trying to teach the kittens all of that, since the
three of them will soon have lost enough of their soft coating of silver fur to be presented
to the elders themselves and given their public names.
Good.
They all already know about you, of course, but I'd like you to make a good impression.
Bernadette makes a good impression on just about everyone, though.
Coby points out, absently adjusting the sleeves on their tunic.
They've seemed nervous ever since Navy first said they'd be coming to this meeting, too,
although Bernadette hasn't had a chance to ask them why.
Ah, and here's your first chance to prove it, too, Bernadette, says Ciel quietly, flicking
their ears towards the door of the small conference room the four of them have been waiting in.
A Florvin dressed in robes like Navy's enters, walking with the aid of a deeply carved wooden
cane.
They're a very pale greenish-blue color under all of the layers of amber and have some sort
of dark protective lens band wrapped around their face, which completely hides their lower
two eyes and another lighter shaded round lens over the third one.
Bernadette's own keen eyes pick out the traces of scars peeking out from beneath the various
lenses even though the combination of the Florvin's skin tone and silver stripe patterning
would likely make it more difficult for anyone else to spot these from a distance.
Ah, says the new Florvin with a wide smile, I managed not to be the last one here after
all.
Gwermian just sent me a ping that they're running late because two of their kittens
found their way into Tenacity's aft hydroponics bay and still haven't been coaxed out of
hiding.
They said they'll be here when they get here, but that there's no need to make the rest
of the council wait.
Gwermian chuckles knowingly and approaches the newcomer, exchanging a warm embrace with
them.
It's good to see you though, old friend, and not just as a relay hologram.
Likewise, Navy, it's been too long.
I'm glad there's even three of us going to be in the same room physically for this.
I spend far too many of these meetings all cooped up by myself listening to the proceedings
in my quarters anymore.
They sigh in a way that sounds far away for a moment and then pitch their voice similarly.
And to think I spent so much time when I was youngest complaining about spending all of
my time in a council hall full of people.
You've said, Navy gives one of the other Florvin's hands a squeeze as the hug ends.
But what was it you used to tell me when I was first named an elder?
We survive and thus we have meetings.
The other Florvin chuckles and nods, something like that, yes.
They turn to Ciel now.
And goodness, it's been years since I've encountered you in person too, Ciel.
Not since you were a little fuzzy thing and Cloud was presenting you and your litter mates
at least.
Ciel laughs and also exchanges a hug with the new Florvin.
And then your Anita's Navigators had to chase the five of us all over Luna Orbital because
we escaped from them while y'all were busy with the rest of the council meeting.
I remember the story.
Bernadette has come to the conclusion that this must be one of the elders Navy had mentioned
would be joining them, although since they hadn't mentioned any names, she's not sure
which one.
The amber-robed elder reaches up and ruffles Ciel's hair then turns and comes over to
Coby and Bernadette.
I'm glad to hear you're doing well, Meridae, they say, making no move to hug Bernadette's
sibling the way they had Navy and Ciel.
I've been worried for you.
I'm better now, Anita, and I'm sorry I wasn't able to talk to you before for so long.
Coby hesitates then extends one of their upper hands to the elder.
I did want to, I just...
I think I understand, Meridae.
The elder takes Coby's hand lightly in their own upper pair for a moment and pats it gently
before letting go.
I'd like a chance to spend some time with you while both our ships are in the same place
for once though, if you're up for that.
No talk of the past required unless you want to drag out bits of mine.
Coby smiles and gives them a bit of a nod.
I'd like that, Anita.
The elder nods in return and then tilts their head to one side and flips up the lens covering
their third eye and focuses it towards Coby's shoulder, squinting for a moment.
And this lovely little person with the shiny feathers must be Miss Bernadette?
I am, Elder.
Bernadette replies, bobbing her head politely.
It is my pleasure to meet you.
Oh, likewise.
The elder grins and flips the lens over their third eye back down.
I look forward to getting to know you as well.
They hold out one of their upper hands to her.
Bernadette accepts the offered perch and does her best to land as gently on their wrist
as she can.
Although I'm sure someone told you who all you'd be meeting today, I do feel you deserve
a proper introduction.
I'm called Seledon Torval.
I'm the elder whose line your friend Cobalt is part of.
You don't have to use my title outside of the council proceedings.
Although again, I'm sure Navy's explained to you how our etiquette works.
They have, Elder Seledon, Bernadette replies.
Although no one mentioned I'd get to meet my sibling's grandparent in person today.
Is that a fact?
Elder Seledon looks over to Navy with a half chuckle.
It must have slipped all of our minds at once with the day we've had, but to be fair, Seledon,
if we didn't become the first of our own lines upon being named as elders, half the council
would fall under your household still.
Yes, even though Lapis is the only one of you who had the dubious luck to grow up with
me for a parent.
Elder Seledon says this in a way that indicates it's part of a joke that they've had for
a long time, although there's just the barest hint of sadness lurking underneath their wind
chime-toned voice.
A melody sounds from both Navy and Elder Seledon's pocketcoms at the same time.
Ah, says Navy, that'll be our cue to call in.
Ciel, Cobalt, will you please take Bernadette and wait outside until we call for you?
Yes, Elder, says Ciel with a nod and a formal tone.
Once the three of them are sitting on the bench outside the conference room door, Bernadette
looks between Cobie and Ciel with a curious tilt of her head.
I take it this is the part where we wait.
It is, Ciel replies.
Lucky for us, too, the elders have a lot of formalities they have to go through at the
beginning of an annual meeting like this where everyone's calling in over the relays at the
same time instead of just the smaller portions meeting with the eldest and youngest for ordinary
business.
They pause, thoughtfully.
Well, and Elder Seledon, but that's mostly because they're still the fleet's elder even
though they retired after the war and the other elders like it better that they're always
part of things.
Bernadette fluffs out her wing feathers and begins preening them.
So they're somewhat important, she asks, not certain of the context of everything Ciel
is saying.
Sort of, Cobie replies absently, but they pretend that they're not most of the time
because they like things better that way.
They shrug and readjust the cuff of one of their tunic sleeves again.
I will keep that in mind.
Another question surfaces now.
And they're here alone, even though both of you came with Navy.
Technically, Ciel answers, the two of us are here for you, Bernadette.
Normally Navy does all of their council stuff alone, you know, and then they pass things
on to us and the various members of their line.
They stifle a laugh.
It's a bit different for me, serving as secondary on a ship with a resident elder.
Most people only get their council news from the head of their family.
I get to have mine straight from Navy and then again when Nita gets around to calling
me and letting me know the parts they think are important.
Bernadette now notices how quiet her sibling has gotten.
She reaches up with her beak to lightly tug at one of the stray strands of hair that's
fallen out of the side braids they've attempted to tame the unevenly grown out silver mop
with and catch their attention.
I meant to ask if there was a reason both of you got to come with me.
I know the etiquette, but Navy didn't mention much about your roles.
Ah, right, they've been doing the elder thing all day and making a point of being secretive.
Well, I'm here representing Dr. S because I was involved with the experiment, and the
committee Elder Navy's been talking to about you has already talked to her about what happened.
And humans aren't allowed in full council meetings like this one unless something really
important is going on.
And I'm here, Ciel adds, because Navy has to stand as the elder overseeing this situation
and Cobalt here isn't an adult yet and someone has to present you.
I suppose that does make sense.
I'm just glad I'm not the one all of the elders are gossiping about anymore, Coby says, barely
more than a whisper.
Ciel gives them a particularly knowing look.
I'm also here for you today if you need me.
I know, thank you.
Bernadette doesn't know what the two of them are talking about, but she assumes it's something
to do with the way her sibling sometimes gets overwhelmed with things, which means there's
not much for her to say on the subject, so she settles for giving Coby's cool silver
striped cheek a little nudge with her head as a way of saying she is also there to support them.
And that's where we'll leave our story for this week.
I hope you've enjoyed these latest chapters of Feathered Friendship.
Next week, I'll be reading the final three chapters of the book and bringing our dear
little bird's story to a close.
Now, for our first special announcement, next weekend, when our final story episode of the
season drops on Saturday, March 1st, I will be in Jackson, Tennessee for the Jackson Comic
Expo.
If you're in the area and enjoy friendly regional comic and fandom events, do stop by the Jackson
Comic Expo and be sure to come by my table and say hi.
You can't miss me.
I'm the one with all of the Galaxy tablecloths and Feathered Friendship's cover displayed
proudly behind the table.
I'll have copies of both Feathered Friendship and all of my other Strange Space books available,
as well as a host of other book merch and a selection of my lead-free stained glass
sun catchers.
Of course, if you can't make it to Jackson to see me this time, I do have all of the
shiny things available in my website store.
There's also a calendar of my other upcoming events if you'd like to see where else you
can meet me and acquire signed copies of my books this year.
The links for all of that are in the show notes.
Our second special announcement is that next Saturday's episode is not the final episode
of the season.
There will be a special Q&A episode the following week featuring questions from you, the listeners,
members of the Strange Space fan club, and some of the folks I'll be meeting in Jackson.
I'm excited to get to talk to you about some of the behind-the-scenes things that go into
my work.
Email me your questions with Strange Space Adventures Q&A in the subject line to have
them included in my question pool.
If I don't have time to answer all of them in this season's Q&A, don't worry.
I'll keep them for a future Q&A episode.
As always, if you've enjoyed the show, please leave a comment or review on your podcast
source of choice.
Reviews and recommendations are the best way to help grow the show so I can continue bringing
you more and better stories each week.
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You'll find the link to join in the show notes.
Thank you so much to all of my existing fan club members, especially Astral Navigator
tier member Sharon T. Hinton and long-running space adventurer, Tabitha.
I am deeply grateful to all of my fan club members for making this podcast possible.
Thanks again for joining me today on the Strange Space Adventures podcast.
I hope your week ahead is filled with opportunities and joy.
This is Katie Silverwings, wishing you the best the galaxy has to offer.
Stay shiny.
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