Hakeber explains things along the way, as she and Tasha make for the debris ring. "The Kampfzengruppe don't have formal relations with the other nations, but even they see the value of the Templar University's historical and technical archives," the young scholar notes. "They just couldn't access them without violating their own rules - until the founding of the Offworld Legion, that is. Now they had proxies that could go where they couldn't, when needed. Which isn't often, granted, and frankly the Legionnaires that get posted to Discardia are the ones they don't want working with them. The garrison here is small, bored and a mix of the smartest and dumbest the Legion has to offer. But they provide a window of information exchange."
The red woman nods thoughfully. "I can see how that would be helpful, much like how the Temple on Sinai maintains ties to the underworld in order to reap the benefits while keeping tabs on things," she remarks as they walk along. "I was never important enough to know them personally, but my mother was aware of them and warned me about who not to ... "
The hybrid suddenly grins a little too widely, looking off in to the mountains of junk and scratching the back of her head, "Well, who knows? Anyway, I follow: the bored and the intelligent are always looking for a break."
The structure Hakeber takes them too is yet another converted cargo container, this one with several crude windows cut out (mainly to vent smoke) with a sign over the entry that simply names the place as Blitzen. The sound of boisterous men pours out of the place, nearly as overpowering as the odors.
"Before we go in, Tasha, I need you to promise me that you'll follow my lead and not.. uh.. overreact to anything that might happen," Hakeber asks, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Blitzen," Tasha repeats, craning her neck to regard the sign as they enter. "Could it be? On Sinai, there's a technologically advanced -- relatively speaking of course -- city by the name of Blitzheim, making me wonder if there's a connection. Apparently it means 'Lightning Home' in Bosch, which, you know, sounds a lot like the language the Kampfengruppe use."
The red woman then looks down, stopping in her review to listen, then nod. "This isn't the first time I've heard those words. Of course, were Gabriel here, he'd probably suggest you chain me to something if you really want compliance. That said, I'll do my best." She even gives her most confident smile.
"And uh.. don't think too badly of me, okay?" Hakeber asks, before pushing aside the burlap curtain that serves as a door and stepping inside. There's a rousing chorus of "Hakeber!" from the crowd inside.
"I think I know where this is going ... " the hybrid murmurs as she follows Hakeber inside.
Inside, the place isn't that different from the other bar Hakeber has taken Tasha too.. just seedier - but familiar. As the Karnor girl hangs her cloak on a peg, one table in particular is waving and hooting to her. It's headed by a large Karnor - or rather a Jupani - in a coat with Lieutenant's stripes on the shoulder, a patch over his left eye and quite a bit of scarring. The rest of the table would not look out of place in the Fallen Friend either: scraggly looking Khattas, Skreeks, a Rhian and even a one-eared Lapi.
I think I've found the Karnor version of Raehab; is he a Karnor? Those markings, and he's off world. A Jupani, then. Momentarily surprised by the feelings of nostalgia seeing someone from her world here, including how much the place reminds her of home, Tasha allows a slight grin to cross her face as she follows after Hakeber.
"Who's your friend, Hack?" the Rhian asks, noticing Tasha. "Oh.. just someone I'm showing around!" Hakeber claims. She actually flounces over to the Jupani - something only possible because she's wearing a tube-top and short skirt. She then plops right down in the larger wolf's lap. "Ah, Lutie always gets the booty," a disappointed Skreek observes.
Through effort and willpower -- tremendous willpower -- Tasha manages to keep herself from bursting out laughing. She knows Hakeber would take it badly; the Karnor doesn't really know how bad she used to be. The knowledge she might hurt her friend's feelings helps her reign herself in, and soon she's takes a seat. "How's the booze," she inquires, trying to fall in to the character, or at least trying to convince herself that's why she's interested.
"Horrible, but cheap," the Skreek replies, looking a bit twitchy. But then all of the men look strung out.
"Don't be jealous, boys," the Lieutenant says, and yanks down Hakeber's top to flash the table. "Or else be very jealous!" he laughs over the scholar's squeak before she covers herself up again. Everyone at the table laughs along, and someone puts a mug of something in front of Tasha.
"It'll do," Tasha remarks, leaning back and taking a moment to draw in the sight of Hakeber in the big wolf's lap. When she gets flashed, she laughs along with everyone else, and only half to fit in.
When the laughter dies down, tasha glances at the drink infront of her and barks a, "Thanks," before lifting it to sniff at.
Tasha is perfectly familiar with 'bathtub booze' and rot-gut, and this seems somewhere in the middle, just from the smell. If these men have been drinking it for awhile now, it's a miracle they're still conscious. And if this is what they usually drink, it's even more of a miracle that they're still alive.
/I'm going to regret this, but if it helps the cause ... / Shrugging, the red woman throws back a drink and then draws a sharp breath through her nose. /Memories,/ she decides, //bad// memories. Luckily I'll forget them by tomorrow./ "So who's your friends Hake?"
"These guys are Bad Company," Hakeber claims. "And by that I mean that's their official squad name. This big guy here is Lt. Sanguine - of course that's not his real name, but Legionnaires give those up when they join." There is a lot of snickering at the word 'join' - as if it implies an alternative.
"Sounds like a fun group," the hybrid remarks, taking a moment to examine each man in turn, meeting their gaze. "I hear you guys do a lot of traveling. Well, not you guys, but the, what do you call it, Otherworld Legion?"
"Offworld Legion, ma'am," the Lapi says, throwing a salute. "Protecting Interplanetary Trade, Exploring the Gateway Worlds, Occasionally Getting Horribly Killed or Maimed."
Hakeber is whispering into Sanguine's ear during all of this, and the man is clearly distracted by that.
"That sounds familair," the hybrid remarks before she can quite stop herself. She quickly decides on a story to cover for the slip, adding, "I do some traveling myself. Fought things on both worlds, aye? Rotbiters, the undead, terrible drinks -- speaking of which ... " She takes another swing, using the moment to cast a glance at Hakeber before slamming her mug back down on the table. "It's a never ending struggle. The drinks I mean. The monsters probably taste better."
Sanguine stands up, slinging Hakeber over his shoulder (and thus flashing her underwear this time). "I'll be in the back room," he tells his men. Then points to Tasha, and makes a follow-along gesture with his finger. "You want a proper introduction to the Legion, you come along too kid."
"Awww, both of 'em, Lute?" the Rhian grumbles.
Tasha lifts her mug, pausing at the declaration. "Oh?" Her brows rise at the declaration. "Is that how it is? Some things never change. I guess it'd be rude to say no, and given how shakey these guys are, I'd be afraid to break them. Maybe you're better?" She passes her drink to the man beside her, then stands up. "Just like old times, eh Hake?" She winks, knowing she'll probably hear about it later.
There is grumbling from the table, but it's not too bad: apparently it's expected that the Lieutenant always gets the girl. The man leads Tasha (and carries Hakeber) down a short hall, past the latrine and into a private room. It's got a very worn looking cot, a few chairs and a barrel table. A single bare lightbulb hangs from the ceiling. "Close and lock the door please," the Jupani says to Tasha as he gently lowers Hakeber back to her feet.
Tasha nods, turning around and doing so before before stepping back to join the others. She smiles, saying, "Nostalgic, really. Anything else?"
"Have a seat," Sanguine offers, gesturing to the chairs. He sits on the cot and takes a flask from his coat, from which he takes a quick pull. Hakeber takes one of the chairs as well. "Sorry for the big show and all, Tasha. It's just to allay suspicion," she explains.
"Oh, I was enjoying myself. A part of me is sad we had to end it so soon," the hybrid remarks after taking her seat. She Adjusts her sword belt, setteling in. "I can't say I'm looking forward to the rumors though. You two do this often?"
"A couple times a year," Sanguine notes. "Time is kinda meaningless out here. So you know the setup already?"
"I can guess, but enlighten me to be sure. It seems like everyone has their own nuance to secret dealings," Tasha replies.
"Sanguine here is very close to the squadron commander, Captain Herschel," Hakeber notes, putting emphasis on very. "He's actual Kampf, sort of exiled to this position."
Tasha nods, then tilts her head. "And I imagine he's not exactly thrilled about it. I can see how that would put him in mind for having someone with a connection to entertainment, not to mention foster a grudge." She looks between the two, then asks Hake, "So, should I just sit here and let you do the talking, or ..?"
"Hakeber said you had some sensitive questions for me to pass along," Sanguine notes. "So you'd be the one asking them. I can't promise any results, and there may be some questions for you in return. Is that agreeable to you?"
"Without knowing the questions, it's difficult for me to say," Tasha answers.
"I don't know the questions either," Sanguine admits with a grin. "Herschel may have some, is all. They might not be related to what you're asking him about though. Once he wanted an obscure recipe for mincemeat pie."
"Well, since you've both put yourself on the line and shown me trust in doing this, I think I can agree to the terms with one exception: I can't promise any military technology or other dangerous information. To do so would violate other trusts placed in me. Anything else, I should be able to work out." The young woman extends her hand. "Deal?"
"We both follow that rule," Sanguine agrees. "Herschel may be an outcast but he's no traitor."
"That's good to hear. Sometimes resentful people do desperate things. Anyway, I'm looking for information about an old book, namely something called the 'Book of the Dead,' or the 'Book of Ascending in to Light,' and an old artifact that looks like two humans on a circular, alien looking stonelike material," the hybrid explains.
"Interesting," Sanguine notes. "Hake never asked about Kampf books, after all. What's the context, just so he'll having something to go on; historical, fiction.. sounds religious with a name like 'Book of the Dead'..."
"Religious and historical. I've been conducting research as part of our overall mission of exploration. Records indicate these items may have been with the Kampfengruppe Fleet element during planetfall, and we're trying to account both for their physical presence, and, for the books, their contents to complete our record and recovery efforts," the red woman says, arms folding. "It's something of a sub-project of mine, putting together old questions and digging up which was buried. It's what brought me to Hake in the first place."
"So she didn't just pick you up in a bar then?" the Jupani asks with a laugh. "Okay, so don't just want to know if these items exist, but where they are and what's written in the book?"
"If I wasn't taken, I can't say that I wouldn't have tried to pick her up. But no, it was all research based. I'm not quite as much fun as I used to be." Tasha winks, then spreads her arms. "That's right. The complete contents of the book would be ideal, with some form of verification of the contents. Personal access would be best, and I will know if I'm dealing with a fake. Also, be warned: it's possible these are sensitive materials -- you know how people can be when religion might be involved. I can't say for certain the question will be dangerous, so be careful. Both of you."
"Well, Herschel is very careful, and so am I," Sanguine notes. "Even without Hake's little charade, nobody suspects the captain's and my relationship. How soon do you need this information, anyway?"
"Sooner is better, but there's no rush. Once I'm done here I'll be returning the the Pit to conduct some field research, so I may not be available after a few days, though I'll return when I can, barring any major disaster," Tasha answers. She then tilts her head the other way, asking, "Is there anything you need of me? I feel that i owe you for taking this time to meet with me."
"Well, you're certainly unusual," Sanguine says, looking Tasha up and down. "Sinaian, Rephidim I'm guessing. You've got the air of an Undersider, walking in here without any fear. Sound educated though. How far off am I?"
"Not far at all," Tasha answers, grinning. "Is it that obvious? I guess Underside never really leaves you, even if you think you've left it far behind. I've seen so many dives like this, it felt like home. As for my being educated, well, lets say I received extensive training along with a crash course in how to use it; my organization requires its people to be educated, and so I had to meet that demand."
"Hmm, that raises questions.. but personal stuff and affiliations are best left unknown in these sorts of arrangements," Sanguine notes. He then clears his throat, and says, "And of course I'm obliged to ask if any of my men struck your fancy. Gotta look out for them, bunch of strung-out losers that they are."
Tasha barks a laugh, but shakes her head. "Sorry, I'm taken. Walking off to join seedy Captains is as much as I'm willing to test my relationship."
"So, you didn't know the game before you came along?" Sanguine asks, casting a look to Hakeber, who just grinned and shrugged.
"I never do. That's what makes it so much fun. Besides, you're hardly my first dangerous looking captain in a back room. I know a Vartan who would eat your men for breakfast," Tasha admits, chuckling. "Besides, like I said, I grew up in these joints. Rephidim or Expedition City, they never really change."
"All melting-pots gets the same crust at the bottom I suppose," Sanguine says, and reaches into his coat again, pulling out a deck of cards. "Now's about the time Hakeber should start making loud noises, I reckon. Know how to play Poker? It's a Terran game."
"I don- ... " Tasha blinks, looking momentarily confused as she stares at the card deck, then she shakes her head. "Apparently I do," she admits in a rather surprised, unsettled tone. "Go ahead and shuffle."
The next hour is spent playing cards, passing the flask, and making all sorts of howls, grunts, cries and occasionally banging the furniture around, especially when all three of them do it at the same time. It's incredibly silly but somehow fun. "Don't worry about them smelling through the charade either," Sanguine notes. "Achtung has pretty much ruined their sense of smell - those that had any to begin with, that is."
"Achtung?" Tasha asks as she eyes her cards in her left hand while ehr right banks the hilt of her sword against the nearby wall.
"Ah, the Legion is a life sentence, my girl," Sanguine notes. "Achtung is a drug we're given, keeps us hopped-up alert like a horny Lapi, but burns us out too. And once you're on it, getting off it is.. well, it's easier to let it burn you out than go through withdrawals. But it's better'n having your hands or head chopped off, which was the alternative most of us were given to joining up."
"That's horrible," says Tasha, who pauses in her banging to look up and frown. "So let me get this straight, they take you in, hook you on drugs, then dangle them over your head when your sentence is up, so you stay doing their bidding forever? My opinion of the Kampfengruppe was never very good, but to resort to that? It's a wonder they're not trying to poison the rest of us."
"I have no idea if it's the Kampf or the Kitties that started it," Sanguine says. "I'm told it's not given to everyone, either. But the unfortunate reality is that without it, most Legionnaires would be dead within their first year. We need that edge in hostile places - and trust me, everyplace is hostile, even a garden like Arcadia."
"I still can't think well of it, but it's clear the Kampfengruppe and I have very different visions with how things should be run." Tasha returns her sword to its sheath, then picks three cards and lays them on the table as she asks, "But you probably don't need to hear me badmouthing the people that keep you fed, so I'll drop it. So, tell me about Arcadia?"
Sanguine drops a few cards as well, and says, "It's lush. Lusher than anything, even the Xenean jungle. You can clear a path and it'll be regrown an hour later, leaving you lost. There doesn't seem to be a clear line between animal and vegetable. Trees will move and hunt down your men, the grass will bite you, and dropping a breadcrumb on the ground can sprout a stalk of wheat, some say. But it's beautiful, which makes it all worse."
"I'm not sure whether to be impressed or horrified, but it sounds like both are the way to go. I expect to be there some day, so it's good to know what I might be facing. Does the Kampfengruppe have any specific direction on the world, or are they just picking a direction and going for it?" Tasha asks.
"We've got a colony there," Sanguine says. "The trade in Arcadian wood is incredibly lucrative for the Khattas, after all. We've had some issues of people just wandering off into the jungle though. Can't see them trying to 'go native' with the Hookas however."
"That is concerning. Some sort of chemical problem? Alien influence? Find anything out of the ordinary; the ordinary of Arcadia, that is," the red woman asks, and seeing no one else is putting down any more cards, draws three and adds them to her hand.
The Jupani just shrugs. "No idea. We're grunts: we follow orders. We don't get told what's going on, if anyone is trying to find out what's going, or if it's just cheaper to keep throwing men at the problem."
Tasha's ears edge back at the mention of 'throwing men at the problem.' "Well, interesting anyway," she says, not quite able to hide the growl in her voice.
After taking a breath, Tasha lays her cards down and admits, "My terrible hand is telling me we should be going. I'll be in the city for a few days and Hake should be able to reach me. One more thing before we go." The woman lays her hand down, then looks up at the man, meeting his gaze. "You seem like a good man. I'm sure you know of others. If you ever know of anyone who you think has more in them, deserves better, and you think they have what it takes to survive and more, I might be able to provide them with a means to use their skills in an environment taht won't treat them like they're expendable."
"I'll keep that in mind," Sanguine claims, as he collects the cards. "Do me a favor and walk a bit bowlegged when you leave? Gotta keep up my reputation with the men after all," he adds with a wink.
"I'll be sure to give you a good review," Tasha agrees with a smile. She stands up, offering her hand. "It was nice meeting you, Lieutenant."
The man's grip is strong, but a little shaky. It may be that out here, so far from the Kampf power base and not in a combat situation Bad Company may not be getting as much Achtung as they need to keep their skin from crawling. It might explain such heavy drinking.
Tasha's own handshake is firm and strong, just as she learned from watching Eyeshine through countless dealings. "Lets go Hake."
In a slightly more upscale scrapyard - it's actually indoors and has shelves and labels, a somewhat scrawny Karnor leads Tasha around. "Uh, what type of laser was it again?" Clemson asks, leaving through a huge clip-bound inventory register.
"It's uh ... " Datapad in hand, Tasha scrolls through her notes, finding them woefully inadequate for the task of detailed maintenance. "Not here. A pump-something, standing-wave ... You know what? I'll just ask. Datapad, connect me to Resource Alpha, chief engineer."
It takes a bit, as the weak signal is eventually found by Harmonia, boosted with the maser and sent hundreds of miles off to Tartarus. "This is.. Resource Alpha?" Fred replies. "I'm an Alpha now? Neat! What do I call you? Momma Duck? Pillow Talk?"
"I'm going to promote you to Captain Smartass at this rate," Tasha mock threatens her datapad, shaking her free hand's finger at it. "Resource Alpha is you-know-where. I'm in public here, you know! Here," the woman hands the offending electronic off to her thin companion, "You'll get one of these eventually, if you join up. Tell the man on the other end who you are and what you need."
"Uh, hello?" Clemson says to the electronic slate, a bit uncertainly. "Tasha says you need old parts. For a laser?"
"Reactor Two," the red woman adds, "And this is Clemson, by the way. If you two get along, he may be your new assistant."
"20 Terrahertz Free-Electron Pump Laser, 0.5 Gigawatt optimal pulse, category 7 hookups," Fred dictates over the link. "Do you have a girlfriend, Clemson?"
"Uh.. what?" the boy asks, confused by the question. He gives Tasha a desperate look.
"Here we go ... " Tasha remarks, rolling her eyes. When she sees the boy looking at her, she holds her hands up, "Don't look at me, I'm just a cadet," she insists, while grinning widely.
"No sir?" Clemson answers, nervously.
"How about a boyfriend then?" is Fred's somewhat-predictable reply.
"No on that also, sir," the young Karnor replies quickly.
"Hand me back to Tasha," Fred requests.
"Belay that request," Tasha insists, stepping in again. "We're here to repair the reactor, not your love life. Tell the young man what he needs."
"I was actually thinking about Mariel," Fred claims. "Now.. if he can't find a complete laser, we'll focus on the parts we can't kludge, like the lasing tube. There are a few that'll work, or can be combined. Have access to anything like that?"
"Maybe?" Clemson says, and asks, "Who is Mariel?"
"Ensign Mariel Mathers is our generalist, though she specializes in xenotech reverse engineering, neurotechnological interface systems, and several other things besides. She's a little older than me, and about your height. The man you're speaking with is Chief Engineer Can't-Keep-a-Secret, or by his Terran name, Fred Kohler," Tasha explains. "The two of them plus Lieutenant Commander Nora Argentine are our technical staff at the moment; the non-AI technical staff, that is."
"Oh.. so they would be interviewing me?" Clemson asks, looking impressed by the introductions. "I haven't done anything that impressive sounding."
"Don't feel like you need to compete with them. I can't match them either -- I doubt anyone can. Gabriel, Fred, Nora, and Mariel as well, you could call them elites among the elite. It's good to try to live up to their example or want to exceed them, but don't get caught up in feeling inferior. Trust me, I know," Tasha says, reaching over to pat the young man's arm. "Gabriel would be doing yoru interviews. I mostly just handle field work, and sometimes politics and PR stuff. You'll meet the others later, and might face them in the interview along with Gabriel."
"Ah, okay," Clemson says, and rifles through the ledger while prowling down an aisle. He pauses to check something on the shelf, and asks the tablet, "What about a flux capacitor? Is that useful?"
"What's the flow rating?" Fred asks in return.
"Uh, not labeled," Clemson admits. "It's a Silent-One's make though, and those are usually positive phase with a 24 Megawatt flow."
"Oooo, I like him," Fred says over the link. "Tasha, I want five more just like him."
Tasha follows along, but decides to give the two some space. After all, Fred's who he'll be reporting to. This is as good a test as any. he has the spirit, and he seems to get on with the two of us. I just hope the Fenris crew won't overwhelm him, she thinks as she walks. They can be a bit much, and Nora's showing signs of ...
Tasha pauses in her thoughts, smiling. "I'll see what I can do. I've been keeping an eye out, you know, but Clemson's the first that's stepped up."
"I could talk to my club-mates," Clemson suggests. "There aren't many of us ancient-techies, so we tend to hang out together. Just don't tell Hakeber."
"I'll keep he distracted then. Your club sounds interesting; I'd like to meet the members some times, and possibly discuss what I discussed with you. We're always looking for more people with an interest in the fields we occupy," the hybrid says. Then, she winks. "Besides, it'll be nice to have someone more junior than me around. Somewhere along the line I turned in to Nora to keep these people in line. I may be just a cadet, but circumstance means I get the alpha spot along with Gabriel, at least some of the time."
"Frankly, if my group exploded the Alphas wouldn't hear the noise for three days," Clemson claims. "We look up to Omegas. That's why people like Hakeber scare us: we just aren't used to attention from higher up in the pecking order."
"I think Mariel may have found a leadership role at last," Tasha remarks with a laugh. "Me, I just ended up here. It was me or nothing, so I stepped up. I used to be an Omega, months ago, then I found a content place in Betahood, but of course responsibility came calling, and now I'm fully in to the bossy, stressful world of the Alpha! It might be Gabriel rubbing off on me, too. But I'm a great leader, right Fred?"
"Well, sometimes it's hard to keep up with your pace," Fred claims. "But you usually end up someplace interesting! And the view isn't that bad either."
"Is he always like this?" Clemson whispers to Tasha, sounding a bit worried.
"See? Come with me, and I'll show you interesting places. You'll find out who you really are, and see another world. Worlds, in fact." She then grins. "Of course he is. Why do you think I ended up the Alpha? Just wait until you meet Nora, she's bossy and intelligent. She's like me, if I were older, and somewhat less attractive."
"I'll be sure to pass that along to her," Fred chirps from the pad.
"Anyway.. do you want the capacitor Mr. Resource Alpha Fred?" Clemson asks.
"I have no use for it, but yes, I want it," Fred replies. "Tasha, be so kind as to carry it?"
"I'm disappointes she didn't burst on to insult me. I may have to pass her my respect. Possibly. Maybe. Oh, send me a copy of what you guys want from around here, and I'll see about bringing presents when I return. If I return," Tasha remarks, then she holds her arms out in a rather melodramtic, put upon fashion. "My other role is that of forklift."
The capacitor is big and heavy, and Clemson could never have carried it. "Should I get a cart?" he asks.
"Oh no, I like carrying things around. I used to do it before I did all this," the young woman answers, though by her tone it's not obvious if she's being honest or simply sarcastic. "Anything else?"
"Well, there are some old cryogenic pumps.." Clemson starts to say, only for Fred to interrupt with, "Yes! Those too, if they work or can be fixed. Maybe you'd better get that cart.. or several."
"I think so too," Tasha admits, eying the particularly large pumping devices. She quickly walks off to fetch a cart, plunking the capacitor inside, then rolling the thing back. "Don't get too carried away, I still have to justify all this against the budget. That should be infront of you, or if not, you can get it from my pad."
"Oh, we have actual money to pay for this?" Clemson asks, sounding excited. "I was wondering how we'd get it out of here.."
"My theiving days are over," tasha insists. "And yes, we have money. Not limitless money, but enough to do some things. Maybe more, if we do well. The money comes from the Pit of Himaar Treaty Council, whom we largely answer to and whom we dedicate much of our infrastructual and practical-use efforts to."
"Do you like ice cream?" Hakeber asks Tasha as they prepare to explore the city more.
"Yes," comes Tasha's reply as she exits the bathroom after a shower, dressed and ready to go. It's now on day two of her stay in Expedition City, which, until now, had largely involved scowering the junk yards in search of parts.
"And I like this city too. It just feels right, maybe it's the history?" She nods towards the door as she walks. "Sandy, ruined, but right. have somewhere new and amazing to take me?"
"Possibly!" Hakeber says, with a knowing grin. "Loud noises don't bother you do they?"
"Loud noise and me are old friends. My mother is probably made out of them," the red woman replies, grinning right back. "And I've been known to be a little loud myself!"
"Okay, just promise me you won't get too excited or anything," Hakeber says, and opens the door while making an 'after you' gesture to Tasha.
"Oh I can't promise that. If you're lucky, I won't come back dragging an alien danger or a life-risking event with me. That's how you'd know we were ina real relationship. Ask Gabriel!" Tasha's wagging tail follows her on out.
As promised, it's noisy. A dozen motorcycles race around the track, some coming nearly to the top, as a loudspeaker tries to announce the status of the race but is pretty much garbled. Spectators lean over the rails to watch, except for those unwilling to risk their ice-cream. There are several colorful stains on the track as testament to their caution.
"Motorcycles!" Tasha rushes to the rail, leaning over to watch the spectacle and completely ruining her quiet streak before it could begin. "Nora let me ride one of these for my birthday, I have very fond memories of these things. Which reminds me: I need to find her one. Or two."
"What sort of ice cream do you want?" Hakeber tries to ask over the din. "They've got chicken flavored this week." Each of the motorcycles in the race looks different and hand-built. A Silent-Ones driven one passes close by, with a second cheetah hanging onto a small platform bolted to the side of the main bike... apparently just to help balance it! A three-wheeled version (two inline drive wheels at the rear) zooms past as well, ridden by an Eeee wearing a leather helmet with built-in goggles.
"Oh, what?" Asks a distracted Tasha, who grins as the noisy monstrocities zip by. "Ice cream? Um, just get me whatever you'ld think I'd like."
"Okay, it's your tongue!" Hakeber says, and leaves Tasha's side. An Imperial rides past lower on the track, the bike essentially being several self-powered wheels strapped along the length of its body, while the Naga's hands are just used to manipulate the throttles (and hopefully, brakes).
I bet we could build something that would win this. When Nora's clone is born, this is the first place I'm going to bring her. It could be a lot of fun to work on them together, Tasha decides. Leaning forward such that she needs to extend her wings to keep from topping on to the track, the red woman looks particularly bird-like as she cocks her head this way and that, trying to keep track of the action with her keen, avian-like eyes. Just look at the ingenuity. People willing to spend what little free time they have here; that's dedicate. Abaddon is a hard world, but that seems to have made the people that much more clever, not to mention in need of distractions. I wonder if I could use this trend somehow ..?
The Karnors in the crowd begin to howl, and a high-pitched whine builds in volume. Something shiny streaks past, but Tasha's vision is able to take a mental snapshot. White and red chrome, the driver's bodysuit and helmet matching so closely that it's difficult to separate them from the machine itself, if not for the fluffy wolf tail streaming behind. The bike itself is low slung and predatory, with a 'face' like a Vartan with lanterns for eyes. It's larger than Nora's bike was, and aside from the electric whine nearly silent. The curves of it are almost deliberately sensual, giving it an alien attractiveness. And then it's past, closing in on an armored, two-wide-wheeled tank that must be Titanian.
I wonder who that was? A Karnor with a Vartan styled vehicle, who would create something like that ..? Tasha tries to get a fix, but it's no use. Even her eyes can't track fast moving targets in the din. I'll have to find the driver afterwards, she decides.
There's an announcement from the loudspeaker (unintelligible of course) and the Karnors start cheering as the various bikes start slowing and dropping towards the center field.
"Here you go," Hakeber says, handing Tasha what appears to be a mug of beer with a scoop of chocolate ice cream floating on top. "Anyone crash?" she asks, scanning the track for wreckage.
It's over! from the cheers, the Karnor rider must have won ... I wonder if I can get close enough to meet her? Maybe she's a celebrity. Tasha blinks as ice cream appears in her field of vision, which she accepted without a second thought, before giving it a lick. "Mmm! Good choice, Hake," she enthuses before answering, "No crashes. Do you know who that rider is, the Karnor in the low slung bike?"
"Oh, that's the track favorite, Katie Kaboom," Hakeber says. "Although she's really Katherine Vesuvius, one of the old General's daughters."
"You mean, she's related to the commander of Tartarus Base?" Tasha asks, blinking all over again. "Wow, I had no idea. Want to go meet her? Because I do."
When the Karnor bike comes to a stop and is swarmed by the pit crew, the rider sits up in her saddle and removes her helmet, releasing a long stream of silver hair.
Unsurprisingly, the silver glint peels Tasha's attention away from Hakeber like a lure drags a fish. "Silver hair. You don't see that very often."
"Heh, what.. just go up to her?" Hakeber says, as if Tasha is joking. "There'll be a line! Of guys! And that's not counting the line of girls for some of the other riders."
Tasha looks black, then grins widely, balling her free hand in to a fist. "A challenge!" She declares, pumping her arms. "Operation: Meet Katie Kaboom is now in effect."
The silver-haired rider turns and waves to the crowd, then blows a kiss. The Karnor men howl and stamp their feet, and Tasha can see the woman has striking blue eyes and fur that's nearly golden, making her think of Aisha in terms of 'this just isn't fair' when it comes to looks.
"I suppose you could make an appointment with her agent?" Hakeber suggests. "She's also a model, which proves the universe plays favorites. I don't suppose you want to start an ad-campaign for the JEF already?"
And yet again, Tasha's attention is dragged away. "And she's cute! Cuter than us, which makes me hate her a bit, but I can forgive her for it. When she's out of the pit, we strike. Ummmm, I guess it would be too much to hack the speakers in to saying there's free ice cream or something. We must formulate a plan."
"An ad campaign. Now there's an idea. We'll try meeting her, then your idea, then, um, I'll use the oribital array or something," Tasha decides.
The exit from the mid-field appears to be underground. In fact, the entire pit area for each racer is descending below ground!
"Um, is there any particular reason you want to meet her?" Hakeber asks, a bit insecurely as she sucks on the straw of her milkshake. "Is it the bike? It's the bike, right? You want to ride it.."
The hybrid's expression drops as she see the crews departing underground. "Defeated by the ground," she grumbles. "It's always out to get us fliers, you know?" She pauses to blink at Hakeber, apparently having forgotten she's standing there. "What?"
"I mean, it's not just because Katie is all shiny and sexy right?" Hakeber asks. "She's probably stuck up and stuff.."
"Oh, um, sure, it's the bike, I mean, it's avian, and all shiny, with long hair, even though I kind of hate it for it," Tasha replies distracted as she cranes her neck to try and find a better avenue of approach. "I wonder if my PHTO ID would help ... "
There is a general exodus from the observation area, but a few of the male Karnors take a moment to smooth out their hair and check their clothes for stains or wrinkles before heading in a specific direction.
"Men! They're like smoke in the wind, showing the way. Come on," Tasha says, grabbing Hakeber's arm and all but dragging her after.
"Ahh!" Hakeber complains as she tries to keep up. The trail of men leads down a staircase to the ground level, and a particular door. A rope fence marks a lane to a waiting ground vehicle, and the crowd isn't just Karnors - there are a few Silent-Ones in the mix, and even a Vartan. And everyone is very unwilling to give up their spot at the rope.
"It would be a gross misappropriation of my power to request Harmonia take remote control of vulnerable electronics in order to facilitate my plan to meet Katie Kaboom, wouldn't it?" Tasha asks Hakerber as she works to try and get closer.
"She can do that?" Hakeber asks. Pushing through a bunch of overheated wolves isn't all that easy, either, even though Hakeber is wearing her tube-top again. "Hey, watch it feather-head," one man complains, not quite catching that Tasha is half wolf as well.
Tasha does her best scrawk, which turns out to be an impression of her mother, insisting, "Ya ya, I coming through anyway!" And not slowing down at all.
Hakeber keeps close, staying in Tasha's wake. A few well-placed elbows later and Tasha is at the rope, just in time for the doors to open. Several burly human men in expensive suits and sunglasses lead the way, followed by Katie herself. She's still wearing the skin-tight motorcycle jumpsuit, but has unzipped the front down to the bottom of her ribs. Unbelievably, the sleek boots are high heeled, adding that extra something to her saunter. She waves and smiles and blows kisses to the crowd, ignoring the various items being held out by her admirers. More men bring up the rear of her entourage as she's escorted to the waiting vehicle.
Tasha waves like all the others, though she also lifts her datapad to bring the star in to scan range, allowing her to record the event. It's all she can do to avoid calling out, "Hi Katie!"
The celebrity does seem to notice Tasha - or the datapad - and there might be the slightest dilation of her pupils, but she doesn't linger. Soon the silver-golden woman is in the car, whispering something to one of her escorts before the door closes and the vehicle moves off with the whine of an electric motor.
"Ahhh," Tasha breathes, lowering her datapad as the car speeds off. "That was completely worth it! I think she looked at me."
"You have gone completely nuts," Hakeber claims. The rest of the crowd seems likewise disheartened, and begins to break up. "You didn't even drink your beer-float."
"I, um ... Oh." Tasha looks to her hand, then remembers she ste the drink aside when she was struggling to find a way closer. She lays her ears back and grimaces, "I'm sorry Hake, I'll pay you back. I guess I just got a little carried away in all the excitement."
"I mean, sure she's pretty and all," Hakeber notes, "but she's out of our league.."
"I know ... Well. I don't know, but I know. You know?" Tasha shrugs a little. "That doesn't keep me from liking her. Do you think she has merchandise?"
"Because I want a poster," she adds.
One of the human escorts clears his throat nearby, and asks, "Miss Tasha Argentine?"
"Yeah, I think Clemson probably has one stashed away.." Hakeber starts to say, then looks in surprise at the human.
"No I don't want one of me-" Tasha blinks, apparently not registering the newcomer, being, as she is, lost in Katie-fandom. She turns around to take the man in, finally seeming to process the question. "That's me. How do you know my name..?"
The man produces a gold-colored, silver-edged card, which he holds out to Tasha. "Miss Vesuvius knows you. She'd like to invite you to dinner at her local home."
Tasha snatches the card in an instant, peering at it and cocking her head to the side. "S-she would? Really?" She looks up, grinning, then seems to register she might be being a little too obvious about her excitement and offers a calmer, "Of course, I'd love to meet Miss Vesuvius. Please tell her I accept, and that I can be reached through the Knights Templar University, as I'm currently staying with Scholar Hakeber while I pursue some things within the city. Tell her thank you, as well."
"She's looking forward to it, I'm sure," the man says politely, then nods his head and heads back towards the access door.
"That was scary," Hakeber says.
After the man has turned around, Tasha spin around, pumping her fists. "YES!"
"So is THAT!" Hakeber notes.