The door to Nora's cabin was just across the hall from Gabriel's, but to Tasha it felt much farther. It didn't help that as soon as she stepped out, she ran into Gabe (the projected version of Gabriel) just leaving Nora's room. The projection looked noticeably younger than the real thing - millennia in hibernation and the stresses of travel and magical treatment had left Gabriel looking several years older. There was an awkward moment when the two met each other's gaze.
Tasha knew that Gabe and Gabriel synchronized their memory when Gabriel was asleep. It happened with Eli and Remiel as well when they were close enough. The difference, though, is that Gabe and Nora had an intimate relationship, which Gabriel experienced in his dreams - and likewise, Gabe would be aware of what Gabriel and Tasha were up to. It was the main reason Gabriel avoided returning to Bellerophon while Tasha was recovering.
"Oh.. ah.. good morning, Tasha," Gabe greeted, smiling a bit awkwardly. "Sleep well?"
"Yes, though a bit too long," Tasha replies, forcing a pleasant smile despite the awkwardness. While her memories may be suffering from double vision of a sort, at least she been able to recover most of her memories on both ends. Her recent experience with politics and the powers that be -- at least, it feels recent -- has given her some practice in faking emotions and putting on appearances when she has the presence of mind to do so -- and visiting Nora is always stressful. "Is Nora in?"
"Yeah, she's burrowed into her training manuals again," Gabe says, gesturing to the door behind him. "Her mood is pretty good though, at least."
"That's good, that's good ... " Tasha murmurs, eying the door past the PersoCom. "Do you think she'd mind a visitor? I need to talk to her, it's, um, important."
"I doubt she's had time to get into her research-fugue state, so you should be safe," Gabe says. "I'll be on the bridge if you need me."
"Thanks," Tasha says with more of a genuine smile. "And, um, Gabe?" She tilts her head. "Thanks for being there for her."
"Heh, you're welcome," Gabe says, and does a little bow. Then he winks and heads forward towards the bridge.
Tasha waves as the man walks away, then turns towards the door. With nothing else to do, she heads inside.
"Did you forget something hon?" Nora asks without looking away from her terminal display. She sits at the desk and gives the impression that she'd be surrounded by empty coffee cups if she could actually drink anything.
"My hand. Have you see it? I've had to use a spare," the hybrid woman replies, grinning a little and dearly hoping she just broke the ice and not created some.
Nora spins around and blinks. "Tasha! I.. wasn't expecting you," she says, and looks around. There's one more chair at the other cluttered table, which she gestures to. "Pull up a chair. Or do you need me somewhere else?" she offers.
"I think I can manage to sit without breaking all my bones," the other woman replies as she walks over, taking a seat. Folding her hands in her lap, she offers, "It's nice to see you again, by the way."
"Oh and no, I needed to talk to you about something. About, um, us, actually. This is, well, it's important," the hybrid adds.
"It's nice.." Nora starts to say, then pauses and looks at Tasha. "We don't look alike anymore," she notes, tapping the left side of her face. "Are you going to keep it like that, or change it back to the way it was?"
"I think I'll keep it. It's a good lesson, and a good reminder. In a sense I probably needed it beyond simply healing physical damage," the mostly Vartan answers. She holds up her avian hand so Nora can take a look. "This is my mother's hand. I used to feel like I was losing my hold on the world, becoming alien, and ... Well, it has it's bright side, lets say."
"I don't know if I could do that," Nora admits. "I'd probably ask to see one of those Life Mages. But then.. I'm pretty vain you know," she adds with a smirk. "What was the important thing about us you wanted to talk about?"
"Oh, I know," Tasha admits, winking back. "Besides, maybe people will take me more seriously based on my accomplishments rather than my appearance. The posters are going to be a bit awkward though."
Tasha smiles for a moment, then she turns, looking around at the mess as she fishes something out from around her neck. It's a amulet of some-sort, two daggers entwined with each other, though they appear to have suffered denting and a degree of thermal damage as the upper portion has melted a bit. She holds the amulet in her hands, turning to look at it. "Have you ever wondered, why we look so much alike?"
"Aside from the wings and hooves you mean?" Nora asks, then turns serious. "Sometimes. I assumed it was just coincidence."
"Yes, aside from those -- but there's something in them, too." Tasha replies, rubbing the thumb of her Karnor hand across the necklace. She looks up after a few seconds, and says, "What if I told you it's not a coincidence?"
"I'd say you'd better have some really convincing proof to back up the claim," Nora says.
"Well," Tasha says, watching her counterpart, "Do you remember when I used to talk about the being in my mind, the one that offers advice, and that resembles me?"
"Your superego or whatever, yeah," Nora says.
"Well, she's not my ego. She's older than I am. In Amazonia, there is a goddess that resembles us. I think I told you about her? Tisiphone, Goddess of Avenging Murder. She resembles us so much, when I journeyed to Amazonia, they believed I was her avatar. And I am, in a sense. So are you." Tasha watches Nora for a moment, then takes a deep breath before saying, "You're not the first Nora clone, nor even the second. You're the fourth. I'm the third."
"Uh, I think you'd better explain that in more detail," Nora says, with a slight edge. "Assuming for a moment you're right.. who are the other two? And I'm pretty sure we're not that close, otherwise we'd be having the same memory synch issues as the others.."
"Excuse me, I missspoke. You're the third, I'm the second. It all gets a bit mixed up, especally considering we're not linear," the bird-faced woman explains. "I'll just give you a timeline: Six thousand years ago, the Fenris fell to Sinai and was buried. We both know what happened then, so I'll skip the details and just say we know Nora died, that she was unable to return, and she was unable to help her fellows. But she didn't disappear. Our creator is stronger than that."
"What she did, was persist. You should understand better than I do: her will became what we call a 'ghost,' haunting the site until the natives came upon her. She influenced them, directed their mining efforts and pushing for revenge and assistance. In time she would be associated with these things, and her name and nature would change as culture changed, and as her role and what was asked of her defined her, even as she refused to give up on those she could no longer reach. She became Tisiphone, and she never gave up."
Tasha pauses to take a breath, then continues, saying, "But she couldn't find a way, until twenty years ago, when a Karnor man and a Vartan woman met above the ruins of a long-disused sacrificial pit. I've been to that pit, and do you know what rests in the lava deep inside? A piece of the Fenris. It was through this piece her reach could be extended, and so she decieved the man, and he saw her, and they mated, and she worked her magic and so her answer would come to be born: a life in her image, the only image that could access the Fenris now that the mines had reached it."
"My name in Amazonian is 'Winged-Gift', but it can also be translated as 'Winged-Sacrifice.' It is the name she passed on to the people of Amazonia for me, along with something else: a piece of herself, to guide me, and to assist me. I was able to accomplish her wish, and so she has faded, but she had not disappeared. I carried the desire of her living self onward, creating you, the third."
"That's a lot to swallow," Nora says. "And.. you didn't create me. Nobody created me. I'm an image of the original - a direct image. Her memories, her thoughts.. Just as she was at the moment of death. Tisiphone isn't Nora."
"She is and she is not, just as I am and I am not Nora, and you are and are not Nora. We are ourselves, but we also carry a piece of the others. I carry both Nora's PersoCom memories and also Tisiphone's spirit and will -- mages recognize the spirit's presence, and it is the sole reason why I can even exist. Without magic's influence, this," she gestures at the avian section of her face, "is what I am. I was created for a very specific purpose, to reach the fenris and complete Tisiphone's desire, and so I have. But there is more to it: I have never stopped obessing over her death, nor her legacy. I feel her desires, even the ones she will not speak because she is both proud and afraid to believe." Tasha turns her gaze to the amulet, turning it in her hands as she adds, "It's important to know who we are so we aren't lost. We overlap so much, we're really different facets of the same entity. Me, from my memories and theirs. You, from Nora's, but also my memories. I've been told you've begun to exhib
it some of my traits."
"Bad habits," Nora mutters, and sighs. "That's.. that's just because the old PersoCom was overwritten, I'm sure. But.. I'm me. I have to hold onto that, Tasha. I'm Nora. I grew up on Terra, went to school, the academy.. I fished on the lakes, built and rode my bike.. A million things. That's me. Maybe I have a little of you, but just a little. I don't.. I don't have the sort of drive and will you're talking about though. Death takes that out of you."
"I think you do, but it's hard to find when you don't need to use it. When you have nothing left. I didn't think I could every throw my life away until I lost control of Balthasar, and then I couldn't do it fast enough. Or well enough, as the case may be," Tasha explains. She then reaches over to pat Nora's hand, holding the necklace out with the other. "I no longer need to be Nora. I integrate her, but I am Tasha. I serve Nora, I carry out her will. She is my creator, and I will do everything I can to fulfill her wishes whether she asks me or not. If you desire to be Nora, then you should have this. You may be able to speak to her, to Tisiphone. Together maybe you can find a way -- to find the best way. And I will carry out your desire." She opens her hand, placing the necklace in Nora's as she leans back.
Nora looks at the necklace in hand and asks, "Where'd this come from? What's it mean?"
"It is a piece of the Fenris, that which Tisiphone is bound to. It was forged with my blood, to strengthen the link. It is her holy symbol. I created it so that we would always be close. But I think you need it, now." Tasha answers, head cocked to the side as she looks at the object. "It may be possible for me to speak to her on your behalf. Or, maybe, to let her take control of me, for a time. The artifact stack ... The artifact stack may be the key."
"But if you are close to her, you may not need anyone else to hear her," Tasha adds, in afterthought.
Nora sets the pendant down on the desk. "Thanks, I'll.. think about it," she says quietly. "I'm not sure I want to meet my ghost though. One of us is sure to be disappointed."
"It's always disappointing to meet your idol. But you learn to appreciate them for what they are, and I think that bond is strong than anyting based on delusion," the mostly Vartan woman suggests. She then smiles a little, head shaking. "I was like that, too, back then. It feels like yesterday. Anyway," her smile fades as she leans forward to say, "Tisiphone is very old, and tired. She exists to help me, but I work to help her. I know she would tell me to live my own way and forget about her, but I can't. It may do her some good to meet you, to see she has two children, or maybe a second chance. Do you remember the Silent-One ghost we had for a time? She was tied to body and Mariel has merged with hers. There may be something in that, a way for all the piece of Nora to become one again. And if that fails, I will find another way. I intend to ask the First Ones, if I am able to meet them."
"I may be a spirit, but I'm not very spiritual," Nora admits. "Frankly, the idea of merging with another version of myself is very, very frightening. Maybe after I'm alive again. Then I might be ready."
"I'm not trying to pressure you," Tasha assures the other woman. "I'm just here to help you and I believe you deserve to know the truth. Whether you chose to do anything with it, that's up to you."
Nora nods, then gestures to the mess around her. "I have enough to deal with without worrying about myself just now," she says. "Trying to cobble together training for... whatever we need to train people for, really. So far I've just been organizing and researching the way the Knights Templar do things."
"I may be able to help with that," Tasha offers as she settles back, visibly seeming to relax now that the topic has switched. "I intent to enroll at the Knights Templar facility in the Pit of Himaar, and eventually, the college Expedition City. I should be able to do the wing work for you, since I'll be close by."
"Well, they seem to have different protocols and methods depending on what area someone is applying to," Nora explains. "Military is very different from technology, history or politics.. even though Military History is something that applies to both, it's taught differently. It's like.. they don't want any of military discipline style to be used for non-military things."
"Which is a bit different from us, as we use both simultaneously," Tasha remarks, nodding. "I can see the difficulty. I believe it ties in to the martial traditions of their fighting members -- the Knights Templar Lancers and Champions are as much a fraternity or materinty as a fighting group. they have distinct looks, behavior, and likely traditions associated with each Lance. It's the same on Sinai, although the Knights Templar there were ousted in some sort of dispute with their patrons, so their formulas may have changed."
"But why be so loose with the other curricula?" Nora asks. "It would be more convenient to use the same system for both.." she starts to say, then pauses and looks thoughtful. "Or not. Of course not.. they don't want the scholars to think like soldiers. They want them to be independent and creative.."
"Think so? My thought was that they didn't want to color the others with the stigma of their fighting forces. They need them to appear more approachable and less judgemental, as they've probably seen that these elements are better regard. It also allows the organization to internally section itself off, so opinion against its martial forces will have an reduced effect on their other groups, for much the same reason. Their martial forces are also very distinct, and highly trained, so they be over emphasizing quality over quantity," Tasha suggests.
"All of which begs the question: how do we do it?" Nora asks. "Are we a military organization or a civilian one? We've been mostly operating at a military level - that is, doing dangerous things. It makes us efficient. But we're under civilian authority, and our work is to benefit civilians."
"I think we must retain a military aspect," Tasha insists, angling her pointer finger down and tapping it against her leg. "In the last month," she blinks, then shakes her head, "few months, I've nearly been killed so many times I've lost count. Now, I may be an exception to the rest of us, but there will still be other members who will be subject to similiar dangers. I've been able to overcome through advanced technology and considerable support from a spectrum of powers, including, apparently, First One intervention. Those that join me in the field, or who are assigned to other such tasks apart from me, will face similiar danger with less resources and support. In addition, our technologies make us aluring to various powers. We mustn't show too much weakness, even as we strive for trust. While things are calm now, we can't predict the future and we must be prepared for a less accepting political climate."
"I think the real difference between the Knights Templar and ourselves is in the direction of our military force. We discover, we understand, we protect. We do not enforce, unless called by consensus or disaster," Tasha adds in conclusion.
"As a military group, we would have to declare neutrality in any conflict, especially between our patron nations," Nora agrees. "If that's our direction, then we'll need to give the civilian recruits some military training, if only to get them used to dealing with chain-of-command. Certainly anyone serving on Belle at the very least. Administration.. not so much."
"I think it'd be good of everyone had some military training. We'll eventually have laboratories and research facilities off belle, and the possibility existss something will go wrong -- in fact I know it will. Giving the whole of the JEF military training will help our most vulnerable in times of crisis, when danger -- however rare -- intrudes on the relative safety of their area," Tasha agrees. "I also think we should make our security force one with our exploratory forces. We can rotate them to keep stress down and refresh training, but our field operatives -- those not specializing in science, etcetera -- like myself should have double duty. This will help avoid their being seen as a purely militant element, or some sort of standing army," the mostly Vartan suggests.
"Well, everyone will being doing double or triple duty to start with," Nora says. "We have a dozen likely recruits, and those have to last us a year before we can do open recruitment again."
"It's a start, anyway. We also have external resources and support now, like Katie. I'm sure we'll be fine, we just have to duck our wings and dive through the storm." The bird-faced woman smiles, then says, "Speaking of military elements, I should probably go apologize to the Kampfengruppe on the ship for not showing up when I promised to. Unless there's anything else?"
"Well, I assume you'll be going to the Winged Citadel?" Nora asks. "How much longer will you be on Belle?"
"That's right, the Winged Citadel. I have plans to leave this evening, but if I don't have time I'll shoot for tomorrow," Tasha answers.
"Stop by before you go," Nora says. "I'll have dossiers on the potential recruits for you."
Tasha salutes. "You got it, ma'am. And Nora?" She lowers her hand, ears perking. "You can always count on me. Our rivalry is over, and you now know where I stand. I guess I always knew were were connected -- maybe that's why I called you 'sister.'"
"I guess this makes you may aunt then," Nora says with a smirk.
"It's a funny little family we have, is'nt it?" Tasha grins, then winks before she begins to stand. "Urgh," she groans, rubbing at her legs. "I feel like the older sister. Anyway," and then she looks up again, "I'm off, but one more thing: Don't tell any of the Gabriels. Tisiphone specifically requested I not do so, and while I almost have, he still doesn't know. And shouldn't. At least, not yet."
"Oh, don't worry.. I've no intention of sharing this bombshell with anyone," Nora claims.
"It's hard enough to deal with in secret, I agree," Tasha says with a nod. "Take care of yourself, and be sure to stay in touch -- at least until the next time you see me in the medbay." The hybrid winks again, then waves as she turns and heads out.
The Titan Bay is at the further end of the corridor, past Medical, where the AWOL Kampfengruppe battalion is 'secretly' ensconced.
Tasha maks her way down the corridor as she fights with her memory, taking a wrong turn on the wrong floor, before she finally gets it right. When she reaches the Titan bay hatch she shakes her head at it all. I never thought I'd get lost in my own home -- or on a ship, she thinks as she activates the wall console and releases the security lock so she can head inside.
The corridor-wide door opens just enough for Tasha to get past. Beyond is a camp of sorts, made of simple partitions. The Titan Bay also now sports a makeshift bathroom and kitchen. A familiar Karnor greets Tasha.. although it seems to take him a moment to recognize her. "New look?" Lt. Sanguine asks.
"Replacement parts," Tasha answers with a grin. She then offers her hand to the man. "I'm sorry I'm late. There was a problem and, well ... " She waves her taloned hand at her avian face. "I was busy in the medical bay for a while."
"Yeah, we saw the mushroom cloud," the big Karnor says and claps Tasha on the shoulder instead of shaking her hand. "Come to see if we're still alive? How much have they told you about us?"
"I was worried about you, and I feel guilty I wasn't able to fulfill my promise in person," Tasha admits as she glances towards the encampment. "I'm afraid I don't know much about what happened, or even how you got here. I've only been awake for a short while and, um, my memory is a bit ... off."
"The woman then pauses and asks, "There was a mushroom cloud?" She then pauses again with an expression of dawning realization. "Oh! Now I remember."
"Ah, so basically.. you don't know anything!" Sanguine laughs. "Follow me," he says, "and don't take any requests from the men. They've been awhile without seeing any women."
"It's alright, I'm used to that type. I actually grew up on an airship, and we didn't have any other women except me, and every port has that type," the woman notes conversationally as she follows along. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you get here?"
"Giant flying picnic basket," Sanguine claims. "Thought I'd lost it for sure. Desert Madness. But it was real. That's pretty messed up right there, let me tell you. Then we were here. Captain went with it, so we did too. Then it was.. well, rough." At the first cubicle, Sanguine gestures for Tasha to look inside. On a cot is the Lapi Legionnaire, wearing boxes and shivering. A lot of his fur has fallen out as well. "This is one of his bad days, he's usually better. Your doc keeps having to customize the antidote for each person."
"I ... see," Tasha mumrurs, watching the man on the cot with a frown. "I'm sorry it has to be like this, but I know our doctor is doing everything he can. He's really the best there is anywhere, unless you count magic."
"I don't know if anyone's tried magic on this," Sanguine says. "The antidote worked for me pretty quickly. Ears is a long-timer though, so he's been hooked a few years longer than the rest of us. Your doc thinks it might alter the metabolism over time.. he talked about tweaking glands or something. Did you want to see Captain Herschel?"
"If he doesn't mind seeing me. I always got the impression he was merely tolerating me, and I don't want to make his stay any more uncomfortable than it already is," the cadet answers as she takes a moment to look around, really look. "Do you think he's satisfied, at least? I've been thinking about where you might be blend in."
"He's happy to be out of the Legion," Sanguine notes. "Hoping to get out of here soon though." He leads the way towards the center of the 'camp', to an actual field tent. He sticks his head in and says, "Visitor for you, Cap."
"Send them in," comes the voice of Herschel.
The big Karnor holds the flap open for Tasha.
After thanking the Karnor, Tasha ducks her head and steps inside. "Pilot-Cadet Aldara Tasha," she announces instinctively in the face of a higher officer. "I apologize for my tardiness."
The human looks up from a folding field desk, covered with maps and books. "You've come out of your chrysalis as less than a butterfly," he notes. "Your promises were kept, that's all that matters."
"But at least I came out, which is a miracle in itself." In more ways than one. "I'm glad my fellows were able to see to your needs, but we still have the matter of relocation, which I'm the most suited to address," Tasha says as she steps forward. "I hope life here hasn't been too unpleasant? Or should I skip the small talk and get right to it?"
"Small talk.." Herschel says. "Hardly necessary. I've been researching Sinai. It's the only viable world to get lost in without getting soaking wet or eaten by trees. Which is to say: the only one where the Legion does not have extensive operations."
"Of the regions and governments on Sinai, I can offer a few suggestions. Bear in mind Sinai does not have the same prejudices as Abaddon, nor such a strong association of species loyalty to a particularly government, so avoiding behavior that reflects that expectation will be prudent. As for my suggestions: Chronotopia. Chronotopia appears to be built from descendants of the Kampfengruppe mixed with Expedition elements and creation and propigation of custom sentent life forms which do not appear in the original Expedition roster. The language appears very similiar to yours, with the expectation differences. It is a place of relatively high technology, ruled by Cervani -- deer men and women -- and composed of Cervani, humans, Korvs -- crow men and women -- and Rhian, horse people. There's also a scattering of others. Culturally, they believe in order, in invention and the machine, and despise magic. It's a cold, rainy country. There appears to be some contact with the Hampfengruppe, but of course, Chron
otopia's species selection means they will never be real allies."
"There are other options: Rephidim, the greatest nation on Sinai, is a melting pot with especially high technology and a significant Human and Karnor presence. We also have contacts within the government which might be useful to helping you and your men situate yourself, depending on how much you're willing to associate with an authority who may be interested in Abaddon. Other cities: most major cities have a population mix with a majority group. I don't recommend Babel for its danger, nor the Emirate for its Kampfengruppe connections. The Nagai Empire is jignostic and not well suited to non-reptiles. there are also many settlements which won't know to ask questions nor will they likely care where you come from."
"If any of these interest you, I can elaborate further," Tasha concludes.
"Rain, you say?" Herschel asks. "I've never seen rain. Do the Chronotopians have any prejudices against Karnors? Most of my men are already from Sinai - they just have to avoid specific places where they committed the crimes that threw them into the Legion.. which are mostly in the Emirate lands. They could probably fit in anywhere. Which nation is more militaristic, Chronotopia or Rephidim?"
"Chronotopia, as they are often subject to marauders and magic incursion from the south," the cadet replies. "Rephidim is more peaceful, but its government has warred with the other major powers in the recent past: Babel and Nagai."
"So of the two, Chronotopia has need of constant, active defense?" Herschel asks.
"That's right. Defenders face many threats: Bosch, a Forbidden Zone, to the south occassionally unleashes horrors. To the East, marauders, bandits and waring clans and tribes. To the west, Sylvania, a cursed land of dark magic. The north is an ice field," Tasha replies.
"Sounds like a place where men of my type can find purpose then," Herschel says. "That will by my and Sanguine's destination then, to start with. I have read of the lands that became the Pit of Himar, and are now a mining area where men seek their fortunes. Some of my soldiers would prefer that, I think."
"There's a small Silent-Ones presence within the base atop the plateau as well as Khattan elements and rulership within the city itself. It's a good place -- I've been there and I like it -- I just advise caution if any of your men that chose that region have a criminal record there. I don't need to tell you how dangerous it would be for them to be recaptured and for your people to detect them," the hybrid notes.
"We've all vowed to take our own lives before taken back to the Legion," Herschel says. "I would bring them all with me, if mercenary groups are normal for the Chronotopian region? My information on Sylvania says they employ many mercenaries."
Tasha nods and explains, "Mercenaris, pirates, warlords and other paramilitary organizations are very common, especially on the surface. If you can manage the initial assests to make your group self-sufficent, and get a reputation, you should be able to find work across the world."
"We do have exotic weapons training," Herschel notes, eying the maps. "There is still the matter of changing planets. Do you have a way to smuggle us through the Gateway, which is guarded by the Legion on Abaddon and on Sinai?"
"Hmmmm," Tasha says, thinking. "I have been considering a interplanetary voyage to recover a piece of technology we suspect is above Sinai. We could insert in to low orbit during that time and dispatch you and your men via drop pod. I'll go down with you to ensure everything is well. You can also disassemble the drop pods -- after suitably mangling them -- and sell off the parts for money."
"These 'drop pods' would go unnoticed?" Herschel asks. "Are they similar to the levitating crate which brought us here?"
"The downside is that our entry will be visible, yes, but most people on Sinai have no idea as to advanced technology. They will assume it's a meteor shower -- or some mystical equivilent. Sinai has a asteroid belt, so showers aren't uncommon. We can insert in to a out of the way region and then you can claim you're mercenaries hired by me to explore the source. That will explain why we'll appear from the wilderness and why our arrival coincides with the 'meteor shower.' As for the pods, they are disposable entry vehicles -- very simplistic designs used for a one-way planetary deployment. They were popular with space fairing militaries and with the Expedition's simpler ships, as they allow accurate placement of resources without risking the ship."
"They're basically armored pods with parachutes, or retro-rockets -- thought we won't be needing those," Tasha adds.
"So long as they are safe and accurate," Herschel says. "We have only the gear we carried when picked up, so we will need suitable attire for the target region. When do you plan this journey for?"
"We'll work on the designs. As they don't require much in the way of working technology, they should be quite functional. And I'll be with you, so there's that assurace. As for the timeline ... " Tasha glances around, clearly picturing the men precovering behind the makeshift walls. "Your men will need time and we'll need to built the pods, but that helps us as well, so it's not a bother that way. Once our personnel can dedicate to the task, we'll begin construction and planning for the trip. I'll arrange things with my ship, which is more suited at the moment."
"Is this not your ship?" Herschel asks, gesturing to the metal structure beyond the tent.
"Oh no, my ship is someone -- something else," Tasha answers, smiling.
"Something that I gather it would best we not know too much about," Herschel says, without even a hint of question.
Tasha nods. "It seems our lives are destined to be rife with secrets. Was there anything else I could help you with, Captain?"
"Can you provide some prostitutes for my men?" Herschel asks plainly. "Or some other form of suitable entertainment and distraction. Those that are more fully recovered are a bit stir-crazy. They need something to occupy their time."
"I'm afraid I'm not big on prostitution," Tasha says, though without malice. "A little too close to home. I can probably manage some entertainment using our technology. Have your men decide on what sort of games and otehr entertainment they want, and I'll see what we can do."
"They're used to card games," Herschel notes. "But those require alcohol as well to be enjoyed. I know we are within an Expedition base, and cannot be seen or interact with the men here for reasons of deniability, but if they have entertainments which can be borrowed or copied.."
"That shouldn't be a problem," Tasha confirms.
"Just be sure they don't damage anything here," Tasha adds in afterthought.
"Art supplies would be appreciated as well," Herschel adds after some thought. "The recovery hallucinations.. can be quite.. inspiring.."
Tasha nods, smiling. "I've recently taken to painting for similiar reason, so we'll have some of that available. I'll see if we can formulate more pigments for the men."
"Nothing too exciting though," Herschel requests. "We're also out of coffee."
"Some hardships is expected on a ship. We'll see what we can do, but even we have to accept limitations," the young woman notes.
"We can only draw on our hosts courtesy so far. They're also suffering," she adds.
"I'll accept military grade coffee," Herschel notes. "That is, coffee that has passed through the military a few times."
Tasha chuckles. "I'll see what I can do. No promises. Anything else?" She asks.
"The toilet paper is too soft," Herschel confides. "It confuses the men."
"Now I think you're just teasing me," the hybrid notes, eying the man.
"Legion paper has chunks in it, and is made from old Legionnaires," the man claims. "It has many uses besides the obvious, such as serving as a fuse line for explosives and filter for Canal water. It is reusable and is an effective field dressing. So long as you don't get too close to open flame."
"I ... I think I'm going to have to ask our doctor about getting you those entertainments. And, um, maybe what he's giving you." Tasha cocks her head to the side, favoring her avian eye. "At least I hope that's the case. I don't want to think you're being honest."
Tasha tilts her head back a bit, then flicks her ears. "Or maybe I can begin to see what he sees in you," she admits.
The human maintains a perfectly straight face. It's something humans excel at, since they aren't prone to having odors associated with their moods or betraying things with ear and tail motions. "I hope to see you again before you complete your transformation into a Vartan," he says.
"Hoping to be able to harass one person in not one but two different unapproved species?" Tasha asks with a grin. "I can see the appeal. See you soon, Captain." The woman inclines her head, taking a step back before turning and walking out.
"So, did he ask you for cigars?" Sanguine asks once Tasha emerges.
"No, but he has a very dry wit. I almost thought he was upset with me. He likes to tease people, doesn't he?" The woman asks as she glances back the way she came. "I can see why you like him, and why he waited to show anything other than strength. He reminds me a little of our Captain."
"Captains are Captains," Sanguine says. "The good ones keep you guessing, but you never question their judgment. Your guy is the big gray Karnor, Gabriel, isn't it? He's played cards with the Captain."
"That's him. He's more direct, but I don't question him either. Poor man, he hasn't seen me in months. The doctor told me he pulled me out of the cockpit himself," Tasha murmurs as they walk on back. "I saw the pictures from when I arrived in the medbay. Half my face gone, my hand melted, my wings broken. I looked like a corpse. But he still loves me. If I didn't know better, I'd have thought nothing happened to him."
"Officers are good at hiding things," Sanguine says. "Our moods can affect the men below us. So always show the mood that motivates them best. Anything else I can show you?"
"That does explain why I'm still a cadet," Tasha notes with a wry grin. "Um, I'd actually like to hear about how you two met some time. It seems like a story worth remembering. Your Captain will also be supplying you various lists so that we can better accomidate your stay, so be prepared for that. I'll be here either until this evening, or until some time tomorrow, if you need me." As they reach the rear hatch, the woman stops and smiles at the man. "I'll be there when you arrive at your new home, too, in case I don't see you before."
Tasha watches the man a moment, then asks, "There is something you could do to help us out, if you're bored and don't mind: could you and your men compile a list of all the technologies, tricks, and other things you've learned in your time on Abaddon? Anything you don't mind sharing, from technologies you cobbled together, official tech that you repurposed, survval tips, comfort modifications, survival tricks and what you found to be useful and not in the field -- and anything else you feel is worth remembering. It might save someone's life, some day."