Year of the Snake: Day 16 (Update) – The "Code Violation"

 

Year of the Snake: Day 16 (Update) – The "Code Violation"

By Captain Hedges

The inspection was going poorly. General Kaelen had already cited us for "Improper Mop Storage" and "Unauthorized Swamp Mud in Sector 4."

Then, he saw the glowing tarp.

"Captain," the General pointed with his pen. "Why is that equipment pile vibrating?"

Before I could come up with a lie, the Naga Queen, Matriarch V’Zara, had enough. She ripped the camouflage tarp to shreds with her claws. The containment glass glowed violently green. She rose up, eyes burning with hypnotic power, and unleashed a psychic scream that should have shattered our minds.

"I AM V’ZARA! DAUGHTER OF THE SERPENT! BOW BEFORE ME OR PERISH!"

The Tygerian Marines raised their stun blasters, terrified. Bayou Earl hid behind a crate. I reached for my pistol.

General Kaelen didn't flinch. He didn't even look up from his clipboard.

"Unauthorized noise violation," the General muttered, scribbling furiously. "Failure to declare a Class-5 Sentient Dependent. Lack of proper visitor badge on the... snake-person."

He looked V’Zara dead in the eye—eyes that can turn men to stone—and frowned. "And you, Madam. You are not wearing regulation footwear in a hazardous work zone. Put some boots on or get off my deck."

V’Zara blinked, confused. Her hypnotic powers slid right off his bureaucratic indifference. She hissed, "I... I am a Goddess..."

"You are a safety hazard," Kaelen snapped. "Captain Hedges, I am fining you 50 credits. Get this civilian a visitor's pass and a pair of steel-toed boots, or I’m shutting this facility down."

He marched out.

We all stood there in silence. The Naga Queen looked at me, completely defeated. "What... what just happened?"

"Bureaucracy, your Highness," I said, handing her a pair of boots. "It’s the one thing even monsters can't fight."

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Product Identity & Legal The following items are designated Product Identity of Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. / The Adventures of Captain Hedges: The Tygerian Isles setting, General Kaelen, The Naga Queen "Matriarch V’Zara," and Bayou Earl. Monsters! Monsters! is a trademark of Ken St. Andre. © 2026 Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr.