Once Melchior is back in his open bay within the Titan hangar, Hakeber urges Tasha to hurry back to the Council building, looking a bit queasy. Once back at the building, the Karnor scholar rushes for her room.
Tasha stands in the hallway scratching her left ear at Hakeber's antics, wondering how such a free spirit could be so fragile. Shrugging, she decides Hakeber knows how to manager her own problems, so her episodes shouldn't be a concern for the trip back to Sinai. Still, she resolves to ask if the scholar has any problems she should be aware of, before it's too late to do anything about them.
Finding herself alone once more, Tasha decides to check in on Gabriel and see if anything's happened since she saw him last. With how her life has been going, she wouldn't be at all surprised if it did. She knocks, but doesn't wait for an answer before slipping back in to her quarters. "Gabriel?"
There's no sign of the Karnor in the room, but there's a written note on the desk: Tasha, should be back in time for dinner. Working with Z on his final Council report and recommendations. Beware of the rabbit, he's lucid again. - XOXOXO Gabriel.
A moment later, there's a knock at the door to the room.
"X O X O X ..?" Tasha blinks at the letter a moment, then picks the letter up and wanders around with it until she finds a pencil, and writes, Thank you, Gabriel. I'm going out for a little while again, and hopefully I'll have dinner arranged with someone. This should also give me a chance to ask some questions of our host, regarding you-know-what. Also, what about Xs and Os? - Love, Tasha. Placing it back where she found it, she gazes at the door and thinks.
Ears perking at the door suddenly knocks, she wonders if her brain doesn't somehow trigger these things, and so she walks to the door, asking, "Aaron?"
"Tasha?" the buck's voice replies from the other side. "Who is the crazy girl drinking booze in the bathroom? Why does she seem so familiar?"
Opening the door, Tasha grins down at the buck and replies, "That's Hakeber, she's a scholar I asked to join me for a while. Isn't she great?"
The buck blinks, and looks like he's slept on his side for too long the way his fur is matted. He's also wearing a long nightshirt. "She kicked me out of the bathroom and pulled a bottle out of the toilet tank. She's not your long lost sister is she?" Aaron asks, then scratches his cheek. "I was going to take a bath. I think she drooled on the pillow last night too.."
"She might be. Between you and me, I think she's cute." Stepping aside, Tasha guides Aaron inside and waggles a hand towards the bathroom. "You can use ours. I was just about to head out again anyway, and see if I couldn't arrange a dinner with one of the Council members. I keep thinkingthere was something else to do, too ... "
"So.. what have I missed in my narcotic haze?" Aaron asks, venturing into the bathroom and running some water. "Anything important? You haven't caused any wars have you?"
"Not yet!" Tasha assures the man, winking before he disappears in to the bathroom. "You were so out of it, I let you stay in my quarters while I traveled to Expedition City in order to meet Gabriel and find some leads, which reminds me: If all goes well, we'll be returning to Sinai so we can conduct a few investigations, and you know what can happen when I travel, so, I could really use your help in getting around, especially in trying to find a symapthetic ear within the Temple. Also ... " The young woman takes a deep breath, waits for the shower to kick in full, then adds, "You should know people in the Pit eat bunny."
"Pre-uplifted bunny!" Tasha quickly adds.
"Yeah, my dad gets some from Sylvania every so often for the Warriors to sacrifice," Aaron calls. "What's this about the Temple? What do you need to talk to them about?" His voice sounds odd coming from the bathroom.
"Oh." While apt to deal with disasters and emotional catastrophes, Tasha finds herself at a bit of a loss when nothing at all comes of what she had otherwise believed was a horrific revelation. She wonders, for a moment, if she's become just a little too dramatic. Shrugging, she replies, "I need to get access to their database regarding a few topics, either directly or through a proxy. As you know, I'm researching the Origin Markers, and I'd also like to see if Henry Canaan left a record, and if there's any data on certain Fleet movements and personnel transfers. Gabriel may have other questions, too."
"Who is Henry Cannan?" Aaron asks. There's some strange sounds of movement now as well.
Cocking an ear, Tasha leans in to listen. "He's the reason we're all stuck here in the first place, a high level Fleet engineer that sabotauged the Expedition so we couldn't return home. I thought he'd have some insight, given he threw so much away out of a fear our presence here would bring the apocalypse."
The water stops suddenly, followed by silence. "Huhhhhh.." the Lapi finally says. "You know.. hmmm.. there might be someone in the Temple that actually knew that man.. sorta.."
"Knew? He's six-thousand years dead!" The young woman points out.
"Maybe it's the drugs.. I had some pretty wild hallucinations, mind you.. but.." Aaron starts to say, until he's cut off by a flurry of what can only be violent towel-drying. ".. certain things.. well.." Finally, a very fluffy-looking (where there aren't scars at least) Lapi emerges with a towel around his waist. "Tell me, Tasha, do you remember the assassination of the last Captain Astromancer?"
"Hoo-boy, do I." Folding her arms and leaning back against the wall, she reminises, "Every Templar was on edge that year, and you didn't dare step out of line, so we were all on edge too. It was a dark time in Rephidim, and to top it all off, they went and burned down Darkside! There were people we never heard from again, oi, it was a mess. After Darkside got the torch we stuck to calmer ports for a while. What about it?"
"Well, they had candidates for the next Astromancer chosen pretty quickly.. and they were all identical human boys who couldn't have been more than eight years old," Aaron points out. "Now, I admit to being a conspiracy buff, but given what we learned on Fenris.. plus what with the Temple being the Ark.. I find that sort of suggestive of certain processes, don't you?"
"Identical human boys ..?" Thinking back, Tasha had only ever seen the Captain-Astromancer from a distance, and while she vaguely remembered he was a red-head, between the crowd and time, she can't say she remembered any real details. "So what you're saying is, you think the Captain-Astromancer is ... a clone?"
"There were three candidates, originally," Aaron says, lowering his voice. "One was assassinated. The second one actually took the Astromancer's place for a few years, and ran the Knights Templar ragged. It's the age that gets me though: I met the Astromancer at his inauguration party - he seemed exceedingly mature for a little boy. So.. maybe he really is a clone with a PersoCom memory downloaded into him? That would likely make him one of the original crew, right?"
Tasha exhales, head shaking. It takes her a moment to gather herself after Aaron's revelation, as she stares at him with a half-incredulous look, as if incertain she believed him. "Lets say that's true," she replies, lowering her voice as well, "and we're dealing with a PersoCom copy of someone from the Fleet era. Why, then, is the Temple like it is? Maturity isn't necessarily linked to age, he could just be a superficial clone. Did he say anything that seemed particularly at odds with the world he lived in? Anything that would suggest he's from our- ... The Fleet's timeline?"
"Well, no, not exactly, but he had been training for a year or so," Aaron notes, sitting on the edge of the bed. "The Temple is a bureaucracy, first and foremost: it is highly resistant to change. So someone from a bygone era would have to adjust to the 'new' reality of things, rather than the Temple adjusting to the old one. But then, who knows what the Bridge Officers really discuss? Archelaus did end slavery in Rephidim though.."
"I know as much about the Bridge and the Astromancer as I did about the Assassin's Guild: they exist, and unless you wanted to die, it's bets you kept your beak out of their business. But this is different, if no less intimidating. It suggests we're not the only ones with a understanding of what happened back then, and that the Captain-Astromancer would understand who we are and what we represent on our own terms. This could be good or very bad, depending on if we're welcome familiarity or a threat." Tapping her tail against the wall a moment, Tasha purses her muzzle a moment, then asks, "So, you're suggesting we meet one of the Captain-Astromancers canidates ..? Won't that be, well, difficult? I didn't think the Captain-Astromancer even left the Temple, except rarely, and certainly not because some random people asked, unless you think we can connect with him, or them?"
"Well, the other one.. I forget his name.. is either dead or in prison," Aaron speculates. "That just leaves the Captain-Astromancer himself. I don't think he's been making many public appearances at all, though. But it shouldn't be impossible to smuggle a message to him. You just need to find the right channel.."
"Aye, I'll ask my mother, she can just yell at the Ark -- he'll be sure to stop by for a beer!" Tasha peers at Aaron, arching a brow. "If you know how to reach him, I'm all nose. A person like me was lucky to glimpse him at a major event, let alone actually get near him. He's the most powerful man on Sinai, and I'll admit, the idea of getting his attention scares me more than a little."
"Tell me, how would you send a message that says you know about the Fleet, but not actually rouse suspicion?" Aaron asks, in what might be a teacherly tone.
Tasha's brow goes up all the more. "I'd word it so that only someone from the era of the Fleet would understand the hidden meaning behind otherwise incomprehensibe words, or word it so the message could be read two ways, and only someone from that Era would see the hidden meaning. That shouldn't be too hard -- very few people realize what happened that long ago. I could write the letter myself, if I had to, although I'd need to think on the wording. It would help if I knew who, exactly, the clones are a copy of."
"The problem is that a letter is.. a letter," Aaron says, tapping his chin. "A proper conspiracy uses less obvious things, which only those involved would recognize the significance of. The Temple is full of Technopriests, so you couldn't just send a datapad. It has to be something obviously of the Fleet era - but only obvious to someone who lived in that time. Did you bring back anything... knick-knacky from Orpheus? Something from Bellerophon? Now I wish we hadn't sold all those containers and non-technological tidbits from Fenris.."
"Well, my uniform isn't new -- it's an antique, the same uniform Nora Argentine used to wear. To anyone from the fleet, I look like I stepped out of the past. Our powered armor is less obvious, since the Knights templar reused it in an unpowered form, so that's out. I can't very well pilot a Titan down to the planet, and that's much too obvious, anyway. Other than that, I did recover a few artifacts for my quarters -- I have some wall hangings and models from the Fleet, including pictures of Zion, Terra, and Fleet ships. Besides those ... "Tasha tilts her head, tapping her fingers against her leg. "The Gauss rifle would just explode ... The Bellerophon itself is too obvious and too expensive ... and you covered the datapad."
"Pictures.." Aaron says, looking thoughtful. "Those could be seen as harmless gifts. You didn't find any Khattan stuff did you? That'd be pretty rare, and probably not immediately recognized by a Technopriest.."
"Oh, we could take photographs here too!" Aaron realizes. "A gift pack, with scenes from the Pit or something with a few special ones mixed in. You probably want one of you and Melchior at least, to take home with you."
Tapping her lips, Tasha nods. "That's a good idea, but the trick will be seeing he looks at them, rather than them ending up in some functionaries office. As for things, my implants are Khattan, as are some of the nicknacks I brought with us, and my powered armor. As far as I can figure, I'm the only remaining representative of Khattan interests, even if indirectly, so there's that as well." Pulling our her datapad, Tasha turns it on and flips through menus, her face illuminated by the soft blue light. "This datapad is also Khattan, by the way. As for inventory ... we did have ProgMat pots, but they're technological, and I fear their batteries would just explode on Sinai. So much of what the Khattans left behind is technology."
"If I could just be seen by him, however briefly, the uniform might be enough, but I have no idea how to do that unless we make a big show of things. Frankly, I'm still wrestling over how to explain all that's happened to my mother, and I'm afraid if I show her pictures she not only won't believe me, but may believe I'm not me at all," Tasha adds.
"Well, if it's the uniform.. then we just need to get you into the proper party..." Aaron says, narrowing his eyes. "Hmm. That could work. Just a matter of getting you noticed by the right people, so word trickles up to the Captain-Astromancer or the Bridge.."
"But, I've never even been to a party -- not a high society party, anyway! Frankly, if I'm being honest, I'm something of the antithesis of that sort of life," the young woman admits with a sardonic grin. Looking down at herself, she shakes her head. "I know I've changed, but that much..? And what would I do to get notice? Here I have scientific ability, resources, and personal power, on Sinai I'm just ... Tasha."
"Well, there's High Society, and there's High Society," Aaron notes, raising a finger. "A lot of the Rephidim nobles are fighting nobles; they got their grants for heroism and such.. or their forefathers did. Still, there may yet be some 'young' noble houses after the last war. And there are the Guards as well.. you're half-Karnor after all, and in uniform.. and you like to eat at Bromthen Heaven.."
"You're suggesting I shmooze up the officers? But what would I talk about? I'm really more about doing than bragging, I've been trying not to get a big head! Honestly, I've been having nightmares about making mistakes about that very thing." After scratching her nose, Tasha straightens, pushing off the wall. "I don't have any military accomplishmnets that would make sense on Sinai. At best, I'm a struggling explorer who ends up solving problems and stumbling her way through politics, and there are much better combatants than I."
"They'll want to know about your uniform, and I assume you'll have Gabriel with you," Aaron claims. "Too bad Latania isn't on Rephidim still; she'd be a good contact. The other option is to just be open about Gabriel's origins. That could certainly arouse the interest of the Astromancer."
"That's a point. If we're going to hint about ourselves, why not just be open about it? We could just be direct, and state these gifts are from the Joint Expeditionary Force, and that we'd like an audiance. We'd need to dodge past the filters though -- I'm sure there any number of intrigues that might interfere with direct access to the Captain-Astromaner. If I've learned anything about power, it's that it has an /alure,/ and there are more people who would misuse it than employ it correctly. So, I think a mix of strategies is in order. Once we can get ourselves elevated high enough in social status, we can try a direct audiance. If we're noticed along theway, so much the better. How's that?" She offers/
"We'd need to be certain first.. which means making contact with the Temple before announcing anything," Aaron says. "Basically, it's a way of showing respect. It shouldn't be too hard.. I'll have to check my connections on the sky island and see what can be found out without revealing anything. But aside from that, you need to plan for what comes next, since just hopping back here to resupply would be unlikely. Do you have a list of places to check on, other than the Temple?"
"I had originally planned to stop by the Temple first, as a means of showing respect and to request access to their arcives, but after the suggestion I meet with a contact instead, and hearing this, that whole process is up in the air. As for the rest of it ... " Lifting her datapad and clearly reading from it, she says, "Step one is funding. Without resources we're not going anywhere. We may be well-equipped here, but on Sinai we've got next to nothing. So that's first, and Gabriel will deal with that. Second, I've decided we'll depart from the Tower to Rephidim, and from there do our research. With luck, we'll have a better idea of where the Harbinger Clan went, and the location of the Lucifer -- perhaps even more. With more luck, maybe the Captain-Astromancer will even back us. Beyond that will depend on where we go. The Harbingers could be anywhere, as could the Lucifer. They'll leave some sort of trail, though. Many of the ships that made planetfall also distorted the land or became well k
known ruins, like the Ark, Gash, and Expedition City."
"What is the Lucifer, exactly?" Aaron asks. "Or rather, its significance?"
"Well, it's a ship. The fact that it was in an escort fleet means that it was revealed to the Fleet, and thus not a hidden part of the overall Magi's mission. Other than that ... The name rankles on me, for some reason. It sounds almost Silent-One in another translation, and it's clearly not of the Imperial naming designation, unless Lucifer is also a translation. Other translations are ... lets see ... " After switching menus and opening her notes, Tasha nods slowly and explains, "The Lucifer is also known as Morning-Star or Dawn Star, which suggests a Star-religion connection. The thing is, ever since I heard the name, I've had a distinctly negative feeling about it, and peculiar feelings about words typically means Nora's memory wants to intrude but hasn't yet. Let me check something ... "
Turning her attention back to her datapad again, tasha establishes an uplink with Harmonia, and requests, "What is the meaning of the word or term 'Lucifer'?"
"Who are you talking to.." Aaron starts to ask, but is interrupted by the voice of the Khattan AI. "Do you wish for literal, mythological and cross-cultural references?" Harmonia asks.
"All of the above," Tasha replies as she smiles over at Aaron. In a lower voice, she explains, "It's my daughter, the secret voice of heaven. Shh." Then, she winks.
"The literal definition comes from Terra, and is believed to refer to an ancient king of one of the early civilizations, although there is little supporting evidence outside of old religious texts. Those same texts have been interpreted such that Lucifer is the name of a fallen angel, the right-hand of the Creator, who was cast out of Heaven for challenging either the Creator or the Creator's favoring of mortals over angels. He is associated with the sin of Pride."
"Among the Silent-Ones, the name would translate to Light-Bearer or Light-Bringer," the voice continues. "This is a title given to a missionary, who would carry the word of the Star to new peoples. This was also a military title, as such actions generally involved military conquest when gentler methods did not prevail."
"They never name their ships after anything positive," Tasha observes, head shaking in disapproval. "And Pride, no less! I suppose the Imperial -- in all their incarnations -- never lacked for pride. Anything else, Harmonia?"
"The name itself has no significance in Imperial or Khattan mythology," Harmonia claims. "Morning-Star may relate to the god Gerondisnakh, which is personified by the sun. This would fit in with the ship's role as part of the escort for Gerondisnakh, and the name Lucifer is an artifact of the Terran naming convention based on the translation of the ship's actual name."
"In the Terran religious mythologies, Lucifer raised a revolt in Heaven in an attempt to overthrow the Creator, and was cast into Hell as punishment," the AI adds, in case that could be important.
"Very interesting; I wouldn't put it past the Khattans to use a double meaning there, especially given what we know about Adam and other creator figures. That explains my ill-feeling about the name nicely, too -- I was reacting to Nora's concept of Lucifer, as a fallen angel." Tasha pauses to listen to the second half, then nods rubbing her chain. "I don't think this is a coincidence. As you recall, Arhiman is listed as a possible creator-figure, and the one who is said to have helped cast Adam from Paradise, which we believe is the Seventh Heaven, Arcadia. Given the shape of the Caspar, I think it's safe to say that 'Lucifer' is referincing Arhiman and the Imperial role in this story, as a sort of enabler figure, and possibly, a clue for those who would follow. If so, that would be a diturbingly accurate prediction on their part, that someone would know ancient Terran mythology."
"Well, the Khattans have always traded in culture, so I don't see why their ancient space-sailing kin wouldn't do the same," Aaron says. "Where did you find out about Lucifer and such? From your.. ah.. daughter?"
Turning to the Lapi Tasha gestures at her voice-producing datapad. "There you are. Dawn-Star fits the theme of the fleet, but digging a little, we see it's a hidden meaning referencing the creational mythology of the Imperials, and thus, possibly the purpose and nature of both the Caspar and its marker, for those who know what to look for." She then smiles. "And yes, my daughter. While you were asleep, I returned to the area of the Forbidden Zone and found the Phantom. I'm uncertain how much this will make sense for you, but the Phantom is a sentient AI I'm looking after, and she provided a great deal of what i've discovered so far, along with Hakeber. "
"So.. I'm guessing she doesn't have your eyes?" Aaron asks. "Your daughter that is. Hakeber does have your eyes.. well, not literally but.. she seems to look at things the way you used to."
"She does, doesn't she? We get along so well!" Tasha cackles a moment, then winks again. "We'd have caused a lot of mischief a year ago, but I'm a different woman now. I still like her, though. It's nice having another woman I can relate to. As for Harmonia, she's ... She's still learning to understand herself as a person, and I shouldn't say more about her. Figuring out what to do with her was one of the greatest trials in my life, though. Have you ever been tempted by pure power, Aaron?"
"No," Aaron says. "I'm a half-Amazonian Lapi. I know Tyche. Most of my life has been spent dealing with the prevention of that sort of temptation to certain people.."
"Then you missed out this time, because for a moment, I was seriously considering using that power to change the world. Oh, I had the Melchior, and the technology of Orpheus, but I had always had other people around me, to help ground my thoughts. And, even if I had chosen to use my power to serve my ambitions, my impact would have been minimal -- you can't change the world with one Titan." Turning to look at herself in the slanted reflection of the bathroom mirror, the young woman tilts her heading, thinking of her other self. "I could have devastated Abaddon. Reduced its civilizations to ashes, conquered the Pit of Himaar single handedly, forged an empire with myself as Empress. In time, maybe even ruled this world. It wouldn't be hard -- there are people who would welcome it. The Confederacy would support me 100%. I wouldn't need to concern myself with what others think, or care about their demands anymore."
The buck's black ear flops down across his face as he listens. "You know.. that sounds familiar, too," he says. "I thought I read something.."
Tasha holds up a hand to forestall the story. "But, I would also lose everyone that loves me. I would be betraying all the trust given to me, and everything I've come to believe. I'd be a tyrant, and power is all I would have. And since I couldn't have the love I wanted, I'd desire more power, more control, and even if I managed to temper myself, I would just have ended up repeating the mistakes of the past. I'd be the Temple, once again." She smiles, turning back. "I just had to say that. Now you may understand why I'm so hesitant to brag, or even mention Harmonia. Everday is a battle against temptation. Go on."
The rabbit is tugging on his ears now. "Well, you aren't the girl who would have jumped at the chance to rule others anymore," he notes. "You don't feel powerless now, right? Not having to hide behind bravado or a false sense of accomplishment?"
"I felt the echo of that sentiment, and more alarming and insidious, the thought I could make this a peaceful world by force. Good intentions would have resulted in disaster, it made me realize simply having altruistic desires is not enough to ensure a person's actions are altruistic. That takes wisdom and retraint," the young woman replies. "Oh, don't get me wrong, the idea of being an Empress is still aluring, but it's just a fantasy, and a large part of that is simply being appreciated. Being a ruler is hard work; besides the power and the hardship it would bring, the only other thing it offers me are the fulfillment of my desires and the ability to direct a community. I've tempered and put aside my desires, and the latetr I'm unsure I have the wisdom for."
"The old me would have taken it up in a heartbeat, however," Tasha adds, with a wry smile.
Aaron continues to tug at his ears as he watches Tasha. "That sounds.." he says, then mutters in the Lapi manner - just sounds, indicating something going on in his head. "I can't recall. Something I overheard, maybe, while traveling. Safar.. I'm sure it was in Safar.."
"Are you thinking of a legend? Hubris seems to be very popular in mythology, perhaps for the very reason why I'm struggling with it now." Walking over to the bed and taking a seat, Tasha props her head on a hand and stares at the man. "Was it anything about eating wings?"
Suddenly the buck lets go of his ears and snaps his fingers. "Aha! Not heard or read.. it was signed! That Savanite monk. I was still learning the language, though. It was a long story, about.. Savanite history. And there was something about a Titan, too. It had wings! It was buried because.. uh.. it was too suggestive of the Star religion or something, but.. it was special and the ancient Savanites had modified it with Sifran crystal or something. It had a name.."
"Caspar? Balthasar?" Tasha offers, leaning forward, ears perked.
The buck sighs and focuses, then shakes his head. "No.. but those can't really be signed easily," he admits. "It was something simple and religious. Seraph? The Seraph Titan."
"Separh Titan? I've never heard of it, but I'm getting that Nora brain itch again -- which is really annoying, I might add! Lets see if Harmonia has anything to say about it." More datapad manipulation, and the uplink is again established. "Harmonia, Aaron here thinks he may have a lead on a unique Titan, which might be a Magi under another name. Does the designation 'The Seraph Titan' mean anything to you? What is a seraph anyway, and does Balthsar translate to any of this in Silent-Sign?"
"There are no records of such a Titan," Harmonia notes. "Seraph is a somewhat general term for a divine being such as an angel, although different cultures give them different attributes and places within the celestial hierarchy."
"One Terran aspect of the Seraph was that it was created to give praise to the Creator, and had no other function," the AI adds, thinking that might match Tasha's interests best.
"Thank you again, Harmonia." Turning to Aaron, she says, "Well, no leads there. 'Generic celestial figure' could mean anything. It's not far off to think the Titan may have had its name, and appearance, changed repeatedly over the years, so we could still be dealing with a Magi. On a scientific level, if this machine works on Sinai, it's of technological value and should be studied. And, now that I'm talking about it, it does make me think of something else I've heard ... " Looking down, Tasha scrolls and scrolls through her notes, head shaking and tomgue clucking until ...
"Ah! "Now I shall here begin, fpr to teach thee a ready way, or else little shall thou win." This is in referenc to the poetry associated with the Balthsar. There's more, and it does seem to suggest there might be a connection. Only, I'm uncertain if the other machine's peoms are supposed to apply to me, and if I might not be 'intruding.' It's not very clear, and it's not like anyone else is in a hurry to find these things -- except the Kampfengruppe."
"Although, now that I think on it a bit more, 'created to give praise to the creator' does seem very in line with the purpose of the Star Empire."
"There are more than the one poem?" Aaron asks. "I really have been out for a bit. How much does Hakeber know? Maybe I should seduce her to get what she knows, along with making sure things still work after the accident.." He grins goofily as he says this though.
Tasha just shakes her head at Aaron, grinning. "She knows quite a bit. I decided to trust her with most everything, because it's abundantly clear that I'm not going to be able to do this alone, and further, that I'm being lead to not act selfishly. Both the poetry and my dreams have been guiding me to swallow my ambition, so, at the risk of feeling like a puppet, I've followed their advice because it's also good advice. I'll bring copies of the peom for you all to read, but do keep in mind the Kampfengruppe may very well have been established to do just what all these things seem to have been put here to do, except I'm not sure they meet eye-to-eye." Taking a breath, tasha sets her datapad aside and admits, "I do feel a bit like a puppet, though. It rather peculiar to realize you're the one a centuries old, and well-thought, plot has been waiting for, never knowing when its creators will jump up and take control of things -- and by things I mean myself included. This mystery calls to me, but I
I wonder if I'm treading a dangerous path. I don't know, so I keep walking."
"Well, I doubt having the Fenris crash, be discovered, have survivors to bring back and have a means of getting to Orpheus to find all of this in the first place was planned," Aaron notes. "If anything, it points out that there was another conspiracy to stop it all, by separating the Harbingers from the Melchior."
"Oh! That's a good insight, and we even have a potential conspirator: Henry Canaan and his bunch. But, if this is true, it does make the adventure seem entirely more suspicious. I'd really like to know what these people were thinking, because I'm generally not interested in bringing disaster, but I am an explorer, and a part of their generations spanning puzzle is wedged in to my brain. For all I know, I've been programmed to carry out this mission, and I would never know." Tasha shakes her head, closing her eyes. "Of course, I'll keep doing it, because ... I'm not really sure. I suppose ... I want to know. I want to see if it's true, I want to know what our creators intended, maybe even speak to them, and if they know something I can use to assist people, then so much the better." She pulls in a breath through her nose, peering up through her hair. "And maybe I am a fool, just stumling along because it's shiny."
"When in doubt, go for the shiny one," Aaron says, still grinning. "At least that would mean you're doing it for your own easily-understood reasons, instead of being manipulated by ancient people who probably met in basements and passed secret messages to one another while trying not to giggle."
"I would certainly hope to at least be guided by someone who didn't giggle when they set out to pull my strings," Tasha says with a lopsided grin. "I guess my reasons are simple. If I should bring didaster upon the world, then history can at least remember me as an honest person who challenged the unknown and lost, and in that, I am in very good company. And who knows? The creators of this mission could well be still alive! Living six thousand years isn't all that far-fetched anymore. What a world I live in, huh?"
"Did I mention I could live six-thousand years?" Tasha adds, laughing.
"Well.. would you want to though?" Aaron asks thoughtfully.
Expression sobering, Tasha leans back and cocks her head to the side. "Maybe," she admits. "I've thought on it now and then, and almost universally, the reasons I come up with are dependent on bad outcomes. If the JEF fails and, gods forbid, the people I love are killed. If the governments reject us and the time is no longer right. If I brough a disaster through a mistake, or even through no fault of my own, it would behoove me to try and assist at a time when the world wasn't out for revenge. That sort of thing. I don't have the means to actually live those years as we do now, but if I were actually that long-lived, I'd try and use my time as I do now, to help others. The saddest idea for me, is that some day, I and all I love, all we've created, will be gone. I don't think it's wrong, to want a few more years."
"Maybe you're ready to have kids," Aaron suggests, and seems about say more when the door of the room opens up and Hakeber enters. Despite her apparent drinking, she doesn't seem tipsy. "I'm back!" she says, "Did I miss anything? Hey.. floppy bunny guy is awake and nearly naked!"
"Those are some of his most enduring qualities," Tasha teases, patting the bed beside her for hakeber to take a seat. "We were just discussing our future trip to Sinai, and some leads, but the exchanged had veered in to our eventual demise aaand all that we build will be dust, so, in summary: did you bring any alcohol?"
"Oh, I ran out.." Hakeber says. "I'm sure there's someplace around here we can get more though, right?" she asks with a toothy smile.
Tasha slings an arm around Hakeber, leaning over so their heads touch. "I think you might be right, Aaron. Maybe I should send her home to my mother, and pretend I'm a alien Tasha-clone who just seems like Tasha, but Hakeber is the real one, and no, Tasha didn't just turn in to nobby scholar with a alarmingly sudden set of morales." Laughing, Tasha lets go, and says, "We could hit the Bloody Duffle, but Gabriel is expecting me for dinner, and I've yet to actually arrange that."
"Oooo, dinner with the hubby!" Hakeber says, winks, and nudges Tasha with her elbow. "I'm sure Mr. Bunny will be able to get me some food until you're hosed off and ready to meet us again."
"Aaron," Aaron says. "Aaron Lightfoot. I usually wear more than this."
"Scholar Hakeber of the Knights Templar," the Karnor replies, and shakes hands with the Lapi. "I'm used to having naked guys around, don't worry about it."
"Hose-... " Tasha isn't able to finish, because she bursts in to laughter, slapping Hakeber on the back. By the time she finishes, she's clearing tears from her eyes. "Oh ... oh I could make lude jokes ... It might even be true!" She covers her muzzle, squeezing her eyes shut as she tries to stop giggling. "I'll be thinking about this all night, ... gods I hope I don't laugh during dinner!"
"I know where the cafeteria is," Aaron notes, brushing back his floppy black ear. "Where are you and Gabriel going to eat, Tasha? I guess.. at one of the Embassies?"
Tasha coughs, and then leans over to mock-whisper, "He usually doesn't." Back, and she's smiling again. "Oh, we're not married. Gabe's been through a lot, so I'm not about to rush him, and things are fine as they are. We'll be trying to eat with one of the Silent-One or Imperial Council reps, prfereably the friendlier of each."
"Don't go to the Bloody Duffle alone," Tasha adds, in case Hakber was getting ideas. "It's actually very dangerous, and really, not very reputable."
"Well, remember to mention that little group romp to him if you get the chance," Hakeber says with a wink. Aaron folds his ears down to hide a blush at the notion.
"I have no idea where that place would even be," Aaron claims.
"Oh, like you've never considered it," Tasha accuses aaron, giving him a grin. To Hakeber, she can only offer, "I'll think about it. I'm a very jealous woman, you know." Turning to face them both she says, "The Bloody Duffle is by the airport, but I'm fairly sure it's a major crime den. The old Vartan there reminds me of home, so I visit him now and then for a good drink and some bad jokes. You'ld like him, Hakeber, just don't let him talk you in to bed, or, well, shoot you. Come to think of it, just stay far away from the place!"
"But you make it sound sooo interesting!" Hakeber whines. "What if I get bored?"
Tasha considers Hakeber a moment, rubbing her chin, then offers a very tenative, "It is very interesting, but you could also get very dead, and even I'm nervous when I'm there -- it's part of what makes it seem like home. If you insist, however, go during daylight hours and be very careful. Ol' Raehab's in the back -- tell him I said he'd like you. Keep in mind we should be leaving in less than a week."
Twisting her muzzle a moment, Tasha holds up a finger and adds, "And like bugs."
"I should like bugs?" Hakeber asks, looking confused. "Why?"
"It helps," Tasha answers with a grin. "May as well get used to it too, that'll probably be me, sooner or later. Anyway!" Turning to aaron, Tasha asks, "Why don't you tell my long lost twin about that Silent- ... Savanite legend?"
"Sure," Aaron says, standing up (and clutching his towel). "I just need to get dressed. I should be able to wear pants again now.. uh.." He looks around, then realizes Gabriel must have moved all of his stuff to Hakeber's room. "Well, back to our room then, Hakeber?" he asks, and even offers his free elbow for her to hold.
Tasha rises to see the two out, walking towards the door. "I better clean myself up and see if either of the Council embassies have a dining vacancy tonight, so, you two have a good time and don't get in to trouble!"
"Define trouble?" Aaron asks, while Hakeber just giggles and fiddles with his puffy tail.
"Anything you need me to handle," Tasha answers, grinning. "Besides, Hakeber is at least as safe as the old me, right? You'll be fine!"
"Riiight," Aaron says, and leads the scholar across the hall to the other room.
Turning back to face an empty room, Tasha heads for the mirror and does a bit of cleaning and primping before she's off again. The Imperials may not appreciate the fine points of Terran hair, but they do appreciate effort, she decides. And, since this is her first time to the Imperial Embassy, she tops by the front desk for directions.
"Why, it's just at the end of Embassy Row," the secretary notes. "You can't miss it.. just follow your nose."
"It's always a tossup between that and my eyes," Tasha says with a grin. "Oh, I'll be here or in the Council building tomorrow, so go ahead and record that on my intinerary in case I'm needed for defense again. Thanks again!"
Stepping outside, Tasha wonders how this world would ever function without the secretary. The lack of secretaries must be why so much of Sinai is relative chaos. Focusing on what's infront of her, she puts her nose to the wind and begins walking.
It really is easy to spot the Embassy. For one, the entrance has a stone arch made of twining serpents, and beyond is a huge garden area, with the Embassy building itself being almost obscured since it's just one floor. Of all of them, this one looks the most like it was completely rebuilt.
There are also two armed guards at the archway.
"Oooh, very nice," Tasha whispers to herself in approval, wondering why more people don't use gardens for offices. It worked very well for High Priestess Nitsa, too, when she thinks on it. Apparoaching the guards, Tasha stops and says, "It's my first time, mind if I go in?"
The Nagas look at one another, then the closest asks, "Pleassse Ssstate your name and busssinesss." This is followed by some extra hissing, as well.
I really need to learn Imperial, Tasha thinks as she clears her throat. "Joint Expeditionary Force Pilot-Cadet Tasha, I'm here to extend an offer of dinner to either or both Imperial Council members as an extension of goodwill."
"Our Captain will also be attending," Tasha also adds, in case they think it's just her.
"Dinner?" the other guard asks. "Where? You.. know how we eat, correct?"
"I'm well aware that Imperials eat whole food. We will, of course, arrange our own meals so as not to present an inconvience." Or, we will when Tasha gets to that, anyway. "I don't believe physical differenes are a bar to good will and the pleasantness of sharing a meal."
"I will deliver the messssage," Guard One says, and reaches to the wall to activate an intercom, which he hisses into for some time, and which hisses back at him in reply.
Yet another akward situation where I dive in head first and learn the hard way,// Tasha muses as she stands there with a pleasant smile affixed to her face. The pleasant smile, she's found, is one of the most useful politics tools in her arsenal, learned from secretary and other support personnel as a means to hide her emotions and seem both friendly and harmless, and it's good for modesty, too. The perfect smile for a struggling Beta. But, where am I going to get a meal delievered? Where will we eat? This is how I'll bring disaster, if it happens at all, this will be it. Press on, Tasha, press on.
The second guard looks over Tasha while the conversation goes on, until finally the first guard turns from the intercom and says, "Councilman Sssistho-Sephra extendss an invitation for you and your companion to join him for tonight'ss repassst here at the Embasssy."
No, Tasha, the Sifrans eat ice cream with a salad fork. "Please inform the Councilor that we appreciate his taking the time to meet with us, and that we look forward to tonight's dinner." You've just caused the apoaclypse for your lack of culinary foresight. Now I, Abaddon, will rule the worrrld. Ho ho ho.
"Our Chef can do cooked meat if you like," the guard notes.
"That is a very kind gesture. Thank you, I believe that will work nicely," Tasha agrees.
The guard turns to the intercom once more to confirm the RSVP. "Welcome to the Embasssy of the Celesstial Empire," he then tells Tasha. "When you are ready, that isss."
"I appreciate the welcome none-the-less. For now, I'll return to the Embassy suites and inform our Captain of the good news." Tasha bows slightly, and adds, "Thank you again," before heading home. Disaster or no, things have a way of working out in the end.