(Untitled)

[works_in_space]

Cubefall isn't doing much for the good captain. Oh, he finds it intriguing, as good explorers should. Alien holidays are very noteworthy. But he has no real interest in being someone or something else (he was a woman once, anyway). And is pretty sure that you really aren't being turned into an animal or robot - he can think of a dozen rational

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[ostro_goth]

There is a dark-haired woman, interested in the map and the blocks, watching from a few yards away.

[works_in_space]

"Good morning." He looks up for just a moment.

[ostro_goth]

"Good morning," she says. "Those are planets in space, are they not?"

[works_in_space]

"Yes. Though I'm concerned with this one." He points at something labeled Babel. "My ship is on its way there."

[ostro_goth]

"Is there war for you to fight?" she asks.

[works_in_space]

Something about her voice and accent is familiar.

"In a sense. It's a war games. My fleet does them from time to time." He sounds less than thrilled.

[ostro_goth]

"Those are necessary, if one wants one's men alert and experienced, even if there is no war; also, to train young officers towards leadership before they must face a true enemy," she agrees, probably not quite aware that her odd diction alone gives her away, as who she is in her usual male shape.

[works_in_space]

"Teja?" Jim tries not to look too surprised. Surely if he met someone in his own time who was transgendered, it would be only of note for a minute.

[ostro_goth]

She looks at him, astonished.

"I am! How could you tell?"

[works_in_space]

"You speak like you are ghost writing Clausewitz' books on tactics and war. I don't know anyone else here who sounds like that." It must be the Germanic mind translating into English at some level.

[ostro_goth]

He actually makes Teja laugh.

"I must read that, then!"

[works_in_space]

"I'm surprised you haven't, given your interests in both philosophy and war.

"This is a Cubefall reconfiguration?" It could also be Teja's choice otherwise, though Jim would guess otherwise for a man from an era long before any kind of elective surgery or psychology.

[ostro_goth]

"It is," Teja says. "I did wish for a change, and this shape will most easily let me do my duty still. A small black cat truly awkward at arresting rule-breakers."

[works_in_space]

Jim won't try to explain his idea that Teja is not really a cat, but merely linked to one while the Bar probably puts the real body in statis. Or something.

"Any thoughts on changing genders?"

[ostro_goth]

"Wielding a sword, or any other weapon, is different," Teja says. "I have practiced against my droid this morning for quite awhile, to adjust for the change. Other than that, I am mostly myself in soul, mind, and feeling."

And speech, quite obviously.

[works_in_space]

"And you haven't thought about other changes in anatomy?" Not that it surprises Jim that Teja would notice the female breast mainly as something that changes your swordplay.