Fireblade cant kill Alex. She would be in deep trouble if she did. He knows this.

While Alex may not know much about Loroi culture, he is fully aware of Fireblade's telekinetic abilities

Either Reed convinces Fireblade to hold off for awhile because this alien's kinda important or the next page shows a smear of blood and viscera that used to be Ensign Jardin.

This is going to be fun to watch.

Hey, maybe we see Fireblade actually talk on the next page.

Why did she do this when she could have easily stepped out of the way.

Because the reader doesn't know Fireblade's motivations, she may seem capricious or even brutal... and that's an appropriate misconception for the reader to have at this point. There were two ways the elevator scene could go... either Fireblade could step out of the way and let him fall to the floor, or she could use her PK to stop him. Catching him physically is not an option.... Fireblade would not allow Alex to stumble into her, for a variety of reasons. The best option for Fireblade (and for the story) is to use her PK, because it is a demonstration for Alex of her ability. This demonstration is in some ways in Alex's best interest, because (from her point of view) the fact that she is unarmed seems to embolden him, and he needs to know that when they reach the bridge (which is their destination), if he makes any sudden unexpected movements, she may be forced to kill him on the spot... she needs to make Alex believe that she can and will do it. Unfortunately, gently stopping Alex's stumble with PK was also not an option... Fireblade does not have fine control with her PK (especially with the amplifier on), and so she has essentially two force levels with which to shove things: "really hard" and "lethal". And she's a professional soldier, not a diplomat... she couldn't care less if Alex's ego is bruised. The Loroi have substantial reason to mistrust Alex at the moment (some of which will be revealed shortly). For all she knows, he was trying to stumble into her on purpose.

As I mentioned before, in the first draft of the page I had Fireblade stepping out of the way instead, because I was worried that a sudden confrontation between Alex and Fireblade would derail the current conversation with Beryl. But I was able to find a way to write it such that there was only a single page of interruption (with Beryl essentially continuing as if nothing had happened, apologizing as if it had been her fault), so I went with the PK shove.

I know this has more to do with Arioch's stylistic sensibilities than logic, but why is the back of Fireblade's helmet open? Wouldn't having her hair stick out like that require an open helmet, and therefor create a massive hole in her armour? Why bother to wear a helmet at all if it doesn't have a back/top?

It's fireblade, right?

"Sorry, do you not understand the trade language?

Are language skills too advanced for your limited intellectual capacity?"

Either Reed convinces Fireblade to hold off for awhile because this alien's kinda important or the next page shows a smear of blood and viscera that used to be Ensign Jardin.

Fireblade retaliating with her deep knowledge of covert warfare in hostile territory to make sure his next meal comes with a coffee with extra urine,

A new ****! What a pleasant surprise!

I figure Jardin is attention starved.

Did Beryl's visits to learn Jardin's language occur yet?

I had been put back in this cell right after leaving the bridge. I'd had no visitors except the security officers who were constantly trying to get me to eat.

well i have a theory (if your not scared yet, please do so)

Since most of the time, the interrior of a closed environnement, smell like his occupant body odor and/or sweat. And that in page Page 48 The interior of the Tempest smell like Vanilla. Then there a possibility that loroi "sweet" (or urea) could smell like vanilla.


*back on earth*

Alex: here a vanilla cake
Beryl: EWWWW! somone pee'd in it!

Pranks you people wouldn't believe. Indian Burns on fire off the shoulder of Orion. Loogies glittering in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain...

edit: bah how do you do strikethrough text here?

The Loroi have granted Alex the title and rank of captain. If Fireblade were to assualt Alex it would be assualt on a superior officer.

...no they didn't, they formally recognized him as the commander of an alien vessel, and as the commanding officer of a foreign vessel, recognized his right to be addressed as Captain.

They didn't promote him.

Doubtless the title of Captain is very important to them, but this did not grant him a commission in the Loroi military. He is not an officer in the Loroi Union Navy, and any regulations governing Fireblade's actions would have to regard his status as a foreign dignitary and foreign commander.

He is not her superior officer. He is an alien who they have decided to play nice with, for now.

OK, I am assuming that the story follows Earth custom here. Possibly it does not but I am assuming that. No, they have not promoted him and Fireblade is not in his chain of command. Nonetheless, he is now her superior officer. It matters not if he is in the Loroi Navy. If an American major were to smack a Swiss colonel, the major is up for court marshal. This may even apply to POWs but I' not sure.

...no they didn't, they formally recognized him as the commander of an alien vessel, and as the commanding officer of a foreign vessel, recognized his right to be addressed as Captain.

Also, if smacking him against the wall in the elevator was her only recourse, why did she derive pleasure from it? (last panel, page 45)