It's been several days now since the Dainty Mauler entered the Star Sea. Tasha has taken her turns at fishing, where being able to fly above the water had distinct advantages, and has learned about some of the different godfish. The squid-like Acolytes, for instance, need to be kept cold to put them into state of suspension, and so their water-filled hold was kept to almost freezing temperatures. The larger creatures generally ended up being stored as meat or components, unless the crew gets lucky and manages to stun one to keep live.
"Live godfish big deal," Rushfighter had explained. "Spotties and Phins trade big for those."
Up in the lookout, things are eerily quiet. There is no physical wind, not even from ship's movement. And unlike an airship, where the Korv's Nest is generally one of the most stable places, being on the end of a very long pole atop a rolling ship makes the crow's nest swing about quite a lot. It's enough that Neesa tends to lie on her back when joining Tasha for lookout duty. The Dream Mage certainly isn't afraid of heights at any rate. She tends to stare straight up towards the center of the tubular space for long periods.
"It's almost timeless," Tasha remarks out of the blue, after a long stretch of silence. Being in the Sea of Stars has put her mind at ease in a way few places ever have; Even Sinai, with its vast blue skies isn't so calming as this place to the mostly-Vartan. "Just an endless, churing ocean in the center of what's not even a sky. No day, no night, just us and the sea, on and on ... "
"There's something in the center," Neesa says. "I catch glimpses of it. A... break.. or flaw or something in space."
In between the shifts, Tasha has taken some time to think, and to build. One often helps the other, so she's ended up with an array of gadgets, tools, and artistic creations that now bedeck her outfit. Even the armor she's wearing now was pieced together, a breastplate, shin and leg guards, bracers and a helmet she doesn't currently have with her were all fashioned together from bits of junk. Her head, uncovered as it is now, shows signs of her journey: She's a bit more unkempt than usual, almost but not quite a mess, with various shiny bits beaded on to woven strands of hair, and wth the majority of her hair held in a high pony tail by what was fancy brass clamp.
"Is there?" Tasha asks as she cranes her head, looking up. "I've been focusing on what's around us, so I haven't been looking directly above. I have thought, though, that this place may be artificial, and, either way, it's generated by a manipulation of space-time. To bend space-time this much, something powerful must have been used -- provided we're not in another reality with different rules, that is. What you're seeing may be the -- or one of -- the stellar entities 'powering' this place. A black hole, perhaps. Or a wormhole."
"It doesn't look like a hole," Neesa says. "You only see it when some feature on the other side passes behind it. Then there's.. well.. a gap sort of. A time gap, if that makes sense? The thing on the other side is refracted, like an image seen in water."
Along with her 'halitool,' Tasha also carries a hand chainsaw which she uses for butchering the god-fish. It's a job she enjoys well enough, especially the feast that usually comes after. She's taken to dyeing her feathers, too. The 'twister' device makes permanent dying a lot easier than it might otherwise be, and far less mess, so now Tasha has black feathers on one side of her face and red fur on the other. She's contemplated dyeing more, but hasn't made the leap yet.
"That sounds like a bending of light. A black hole is a spot of condensed matter beyon it's, um, 'Schwarzschild radius.' That is to say, its so compressed that even light cannot escape its gravitic pull, caused by the intensity of its mass. What you're seeing is probably light bending around it, as not all light gets pulled in and trapped, but some of it will bend around it. It is very interesting that we can see it from here, though," the lookout explains.
"Do they come in lines?" Neesa asks, as she strains her eyes. Distances are uncertain in the Star Sea, due in part to the lack of reference points. The far side of the tube could be a mile, a hundred miles, or a stone's throw away. The ambient nature of the light prevents shadows or reflections as well. But Tasha has seen dark shapes and other features that seemed huge beneath the ship and along the circumference.
Thinking came with the building, giving Tasha time to review her life until this moment. It's helped her put her life back in to perspective, who she was, is, and where she's going. She's known for some time that her personality isn't as it was prior to the battle with Abaddon, but she's less certain as to why. There are many obvious reasons: Stress, brain damage, fear. But some of what has gone wrong had already been going wrong before the battle, making the young woman think there may be more than brain damage, though stress and fear she's certain are parts of it. The end result is a wavering will, broken empathy, and a faint hostility she can never quite place.
Just as disturbing -- if not more so -- has been the off-and-on problem with Gabriel, her mate. At several points she's tried to reject him, push him away, avoid him or cheat on him -- a few of which succeeded. There's also the matter of her shifting leadership ability, which waxes and wanes for reasons she's not yet certain of.
"I'm probably wrong about this -- I only know of cosmic topography in a piecemeal sort of way -- but it could be something called a 'cosmic string.' It's basically a defect in the universe, a one-dimensional spatial line. Don't ask me to explain more than that though," Tasha suggests, her head tilting to see if she can observe one. "The other things, well, who knows? The shadows of massive objects projecting against the tube? Higher dimensional constructs projecting down to three dimensional space? Illusions created by the bending of space and time? Or even some sort of multi-dimensional machinery? This tunnel was used by beings with technology far advanced of ours, in the time of the Progenitors -- and before."
"A cosmic string," Neesa repeats. "It sounds like something from a dream. I like the notion. I wonder.." Whatever the Karnor was about to say is cut short by a blast of the ship's air horns. The speaking tube that emerges from the mast rattles off some Hammersong, followed by a spoken warning of, "Everyone below deck, gonna dive."
"I guess we can talk more down below. Lets hurry," Tasha says as she turns around to face Neesa. "Want a ride down or going to climb it?"
"I can't climb down all that quickly," Neesa says, getting to her feet. "I'll take the ride!"
Neesa gets scooped up by Tasha. The avian turns, plants a foot on the lowest part of the Korv's Nest, then leaps off the edge! It's a short flight down to the deck, the young woman breaking in to a run as she touches down using the momnetum from flight. Neesa isn't put down until they're safely inside.
"We should head towards the observation deck," the red -- and now also black -- women suggests.
The ship is already in the middle of transforming, as bulkheads rise up, sub-masts retract and other elements are secured or retracted into the hull. Midway down, the sails flicker out of existence. The upper deck isn't completely covered over yet though, so there's no problem landing back at the observation deck before it's enclosed.
Tasha takes her seat next to Neesa, quickly strapping herself in and then attaching her halitool to a rail by fasteners. "Diving ... So, we do pass through the distortion at the bottom of the Sea of Stars. I can only imagine the physics involved with doing so," she asides to her traveling companion. As she finishes up the securing, she adds, "And on the other side, Terrans. Terrans, Neesa! Think of it!"
"Well.. I've met humans," Neesa points out. The dome begins to close over the observation deck, sealing them off from the outside with thick geodesic windows. A few moments another horn sounds to indicate that the ship is sealed. The tips of the oars can be seen rising up past the edge of the ship, as the crew prepares to start rowing.
Water sloshes up against the dome as the Dainty Mauler begins to sink.. and then the blind-spot effect twists vision as they enter the Maelstrom, the ship shaking and groaning from the passage.
"Our Humans. These are Humans -- and other beings -- that grew up in the shadow of Terran stellar culture. We're similiar physically, but not culturally. What we may be seeing, is the culture of our home world. Or, at the very least, a different culture born from the brithplace of humanity, not seperated by spatial distortions and the strange properties of the Primus System. And, for me, that means a chance to meet the government associated with that group, see where we came from. It's very exciting," Tasha notes. She then leans forward, peering in to the receeding light. "There it is again, the eye in the dark. The reality bridge."
Neesa closes her eyes. "I hate this effect, it makes me feel like my eyes are turning inside out," she comlains.
"Maybe they are," Tasha suposes. She doesn't look away, instead staring right at the ever growing maw of darkness.
Normal vision returns after a few minutes, showing stars.. and a humongous, gaudily colored gas giant ahead of them. It's so big that the shadowed side is still glowing slightly from the world's own internal heat. And just above the prow, a rapidly growing silhouette is visible against the neon world. It's long and cigar shaped, and very dark.
Tasha blinks away the darkness. She isn't sure exactly why, but she's proud of herself for staring at it throughout the transition -- something about facing the darkness, proverbial or not. It takes her several seconds to adjust to staring at real space again, upon which she first eeys the planet. Having never seen a planet outside the Primus Susyem, she stares at it for a long moment, trying to burn it in to her memory, not wanting to ever forget it.
"Our first planet, away from home. Take a good look at it and remember it, it's the landmark of our arrival outside the Primus System, and a reminder that we're one of the very few of our combined species that have ever left our mother system, Primus. We've stepped in to the greater universe." A smile comes to Tasha's face as she thinks of it, causing her to lean forward in anticipation. It's then she notices the object, a frown crossing her muzzle. "Oh, and what's that?"
"That planet doesn't look friendly," Neesa says.
"Good! That's true of a lot of the universe, too," Tasha notes, turning to wink at Neesa. "But it's still beautiful."
The silhouette continues to grow, until it's clear that it is their destination. Powerful lights from the Mauler illuminate it, revealing a dark metallic surface festooned with blisters and antennae... but no obvious identifying marks. It's bigger than Bellerophon, certainly. Nearly as big as the Titanian ship. Oars are shipped as the two vessels come alongside.. or rather, belly-wise, as the Mauler rotates to face the foreign ship with the one side that doesn't have giant oars or masts sticking out. Another rattle of Hammersong, and then the announcement, "Docking with Ningyo. Rustpuppy and Fudgy to bridge please."
"Eeee, so exciting!" Squeals Tasha as she goes to sit up, gets caught by the belts, goes "hrrk!" and then falls back in her chair. She laughs, embarassed, this time taking the time to undo the latches and unsecure her halitool. Then, she hops up -- or rather jumps up -- to her feet. "The bridge! Come on!" She waits fidgets while Neesa gets ready, then takes her hand once she's done and hurries off with her in to the ship.
The bridge is.. not exactly a den of activity. About half of the rowers have left to tend to other things, and Rushfighter is hauling a big chest out of a storage locker while Grillfang is busy at the 'control' panel of the ship. "Hah, there you are," the captain notes as Tasha and Neesa show up. "Can swim, yeah?"
"Of course! Not well, but I can," Tasha insists, hands folded behind her back and the young woman bouncing slightly on her hooves. "Need help with anything?"
The chest is opened, and Rushfighter begins unloading it. First out are some sheathed hunting knives. "Take off clothes, got to wear these," he announces, holding up some outfits that look like the ones Katie sometimes models: single-piece metallic fabric, with no arms or legs and an open back and plunging neckline. Rushfighter tosses a blue one and a yellow one to the women, then starts shedding his own clothing.
"I guess I'll take.. yellow?" Tasha notes uncertainly, holding the outft up to herself and turning to shrug at Neesa. "My undersuit won't do?"
"No armor," Rushfighter explains, as he stretches a silver version of the garment around himself. "Phins ignore you if you wear armor. Insulted."
"Like.. like if you wear stink juice to meet with Karnor, yeah?" he further explains.
"Oh, scary ... " Tasha bites her lip a momnt, eyeing the suit, then she just shakes her head. "Hokay, don't want to be rude. Neesa?" The mostly red woman turns to her companion, then extends a wing out. "You can dress behind my wing. I'll dress when you're finished."
Neesa makes sure she can figure how to get into the garment before shedding her own clothes. At least she's not shy, but then the Titanians don't really seem to care about these things.
"I'll be fine," the Mage tells Tasha with a smile.
There is more to the outfitting, once everyone is dressed. The big knives are strapped on, and then some shiny boxes are opened, each with a choker with a hard disk at the front and a set of earplugs.
"Orrr you can just strip right there," Tasha remarks, head tiling and wing retracting. "Should I be worried that I'm the most modest person here? When did that happen?" Of course, the young woman knows why -- and how -- it happened, having more than a little to do with her concerns about her relationship with Gabriel. Still, she doesn't want to seem like she's uptight, so she strips off just the same as Neesa and then slides in to the one-piece.
Once finished, Tasha takes a moment to look herself over, then Neesa as well, before accepting the accessories. "I feel like one of Katie Kaboom's posters," she admits.
"Oh.. almost forgot," Rushfighter says, punching the side of his head. "No say you Karnor, Fudgy. No tell where you from, either. Phins not too bad, but still pirates and rebels, yeah?"
"Pirates and rebels?" Tasha asks, eyes widening and ears going up.
"What?" the Titanian asks Tasha. "We Titanians. Illegal to trade with us, yeah? Spotty leader make exception for me. Terrans not."
"Oh, um, I see. Are all Phins ... pirates and rebels? Do they have a disagreement with the Terran government?" Tasha then asks, ears canting back.
Tasha then holds up a hand. "I'm not against the idea, well, I am but it's complicated. The reason I ask is, it reflects the state of the Terran government and something about its history."
Rushfighter shrugs, and says, "These Phins from Encante, colony world. Long story short, they no want be ruled by Terra. Follow me." He then opens up a trapdoor in the floor and climbs down the ladder there.
"Thank you, that clarifies things," the mostly-Vartan offers as she walks along after the Captain. "I'm sorry if I offended you, by the way."
"You not ugly, nice butt, no offense," Rushfighter claims, clearly not knowing what Tasha thought she offended him by. At the bottom of the ladder is a curved passage.. vertically curved. Despite that, 'down' is always towards the floor.
"Um, thanks." Tasha steps forward, glancing down in to the passage. "Now what?"
The Titanian leads them down another passage, which at this point should be just as vertical as the trap door one was but the artificial gravity has its own ideas. The reach an airlock, and Rushfighter pulls the door open. Beyond is a transparent tube of some sort of flexible material with a skeletal support structure. It extends about 50 feet from the bottom of the Mauler to a circular hatch on the Ningyo. "Just jump, yeah?" Rushfighter says, and does just that.. sailing weightlessly down the tube to the other ship.
Tasha just shrugs. "Hokay," she remarks as she leaps off the ledge. Reflexively she spreads her wings, to break her fall, then uses her foot to push off the wall when it seems like she might glide in to it.
Once in the net, Tasha takes a moment to brush her hair back in to place. We'll be in or near water, but, it doesn't help to try to make a nice first impression, she thinks to herself.
Neesa is not quite as graceful about freefall, but at least as a Dream Mage is able to deal with it (lots of dreams involve falling after all, so she must be somewhat used to it). Rushfighter bangs on the hatch a few times, and then it begins to roll aside. Beyond is a fairly standard looking airlock, compared to what Tasha has seen. It's large, though. There still isn't any artificial gravity on the inside. "Hokay, this next part gonna seem weird," Rushfighter warns. "Gonna fill up with water. But it breathable water. Just gotta work a little harder."
"It's fine, I'm used to breathing liquid," yellow-adorned Tasha notes as she lands inside the airlock, from an earlier freefal assisted jump.
"I'm not," Neesa says, looking worried now as the big hatch closes over them. The room is filled with green light, and then the 'water' begins to pump in. Since there's no gravity, it doesn't pool so much as blob together, the blobs joining up to fill the room.
After landing, Tasha turns to Neesa and explains, "It's easiest if you exhale all your air out, then inhale the water as quickly as possible. Try to fill your lungs and resist the urge to choke or gag. If you begin to choke, remember that your body will force you to inhale eventually. Passing out is unlikely, but if you do, you'll start breathing again and will be fine when you awake." The Vartan glances at a floating glob, then carefully grabs it and takes a moment to show the other woman. "It's actually very pleasant, as the fluid is easier on the lungs than the air is. It's just uncomfortable at first."
"Do not let me pass out," Neesa says, sounding embarrassed. And she does try.. hyperventilating at first before finally sticking her head into a blob. For Tasha it's a bit more familiar.. but this fluid isn't quite the same as that in the medical tubes. For one thing, it doesn't smell or taste like blood. It doesn't smell or taste like anything, really, except water and.. a bit of salt.
Tasha squints an eye, ears going askew as she works the fluid in to her lungs. About half-way through, she bites her lip until she can finally get it down. After a few test breathes, she relaxes and shakes her head out to clear the unpleasant memory.
Then, she gives the others a thumbs up.
Neesa is gaping as she 'breathes' the water, while Rushfighter just floats there. The last of the air is replaced with liquid, and the Titanian turns and says, "Can hear me okay?" The chokers must convert their voices into something that sounds normal underwater, probably in concert with the earplugs.
"Aye," goes Tasha, who is currently watching Neesa with some concern.
Neesa just nods and tries to stay oriented with the others. The inner door opens, and the trio are faced by.. something Tasha has never seen before. It's big.. at least seven feet long. The skin is rubbery looking and in shades of gray. The tail fin is sideways instead of up and down like a fish, and it's large eyes show.. amusement? It has a beak of a muzzle, and large forehead. An obvious neural socket is embedded behind its left eye, with a connector running to a harness that has several robotic limbs and tools. When the head turns towards Tasha, she can feel its gaze, even though the eyes are on the sides. Her body is vibrating.. she's being scanned.
Tasha does her best to sit there and smile pleasantly, even as she wonders what the peculiar creature is doing to her. I'm sure it's safe, she thinks after a moment, I doubt they'd think armor is offensive but irradiating their guests is not. A moment longer and she turns her mind to examining the fish-like being in return, her mixed canine and avian eyes darting about as she takes in the sight of a species she's never encountered. Aquatic, neural implants, I don't recognize the species; Might be an uplight if the origin is Terran though, she reviews.
The vibration stops, leaving a slight ringing in Tasha's ears. The alien then speaks in Standard, although in a lilting, poetic tone. "Captain Rushfighter, welcome back to Ningyo of the Free Encante Fleet."
Standard. So it's still in use, wonders Tasha, who turns her attention to peering at the prosthetic limbs. I wonder if he -- she? -- could detect my Khattan implants? That might raise a few questions ... But, I can probably just claim to have found them as a member of the Dainty Mauler.//
"Bosun S'thata, see you not dead yet," Rushfighter replies. "Give up chasing Brookida's woman?"
The Phin laughs, sounding very strange. "I give up on Haoke - now it's Dr. Makanee in my sights. New friends you bring. Are they for trade?"
"Nah, travel with me on god business," Rushfighter says. "Tow would be nice though."
Well, at least that we have in common, Tasha decides at the emntion of tail-chasing, grinning amusedly as she realizes the pun is universal, too. Her expression sobers a bit at the mention of being traded, however. Slavers?
The bosun whistles sharply, and two smaller Phins arrive. While one looks the same sort as S'thata, the other has different markings and a slightly different beak. "Moki and Skreekah-pol, you take girls."
"Do what I do," Rushfighter tells Neesa and Tasha, then swims alongise S'thata and grabs onto his dorsal fin.
"Hokay," goes Tasha, who has learned to just follow along and save the questions for later in situations like these. Not sure which one she's grabbing, the red woman swims towards the farthest once so that Neesa might have an easier time getting to her own.
Once everyone has a grip, the Phins swim effortlessly out of the short corridor leading to the airlock, and into a vast chamber. It looks as if this entire section of the ship is hollow, save for a central spine and radiating supports. Holographic workstations dot the spines and other areas, operated by various dolphins. The trio are being taken back towards an actual wall though, and an opening near the base of the central spine.
Along the way, there are more tingles as the crew uses their sonar on the visitors.
The hybrid marvels at the ship design, so different from any she had seen previously. It all makes a certain sense to her given the Phin's nature, but to see it herself still fills her with a sense of awe, and of place, a description would not have. I can't believe I'm really here, she has to think as she looks around, her eyes constantly moving as she tries not to miss anything.
After the third sonar bounce, Tasha begins to catch on. It's like they're sniffing us, but it's even more obvious. I suppose it'll be simple to know when we're being observed, at least. Maybe even easier than Karnors and Vartans.
As the fifth bounce hits, Tasha releases a hand long enough to wave at the source, curious to see what the reaction is.
The sonar also hints at why armor is discouraged - it would be seen as 'hiding' something, probably. But aside from the probes, the other Phins don't respond to the visitors. The group enters the central spine, and a short swim later things change. There's a sense of up and down again. The room they're brought to is box shaped, with gravity and lights in the ceiling and actual air. It doesn't seem built for the dolphins, but probably was meant for humans to be comfortable in. Half of the room forms a deep pool, and the other half is dry with couches and tables. "Captain Hakukka will join you here," S'thata says.
Tasha dismounts, but sticks to the pool rather than step back in to the air just yet. The transition between fluid breathing and its counterpart is the most unpleasant part of the whole affair, and so the young woman choses to forgo it for the moment in case they'll be leaving. Besides, it's nice, she admits to herself, lounging back under the water. There's so little water on Abaddon, I feel guilty soaking in the tub. But here, I can do it all the time! And it's a chance to get out of the undersuit.
The three Phins leave. Rushfighter turns to the others and asks, "How you doing? Awfully quiet."
"I want to go up into the air, but I don't want to have to go through the whole drowning myself part again," Neesa says.
"I didn't want to interupt," Tasha admits from the pool, her distorted voice sounding even more peculiar as it reaches the air. "Besides, I don't know their culture. It'd have been easy to give offense, or, reveal something I shouldn't have. They do seem friendly, however." Pushing her hair from her face, the hybrid tehn tilts her head. Was he ... Well, was he a he? And was 'he' serious about trading for us?
"S'thata very male, yes," Rushfighter says, and manages to laugh - something that requires decent lung-power underwater. "Maybe serious about trade. Information, people, junk.. they smuggle whatever. Prolly some fu-gee-tives on ship."
"As long as we're not talking about slavery," Tasha notes, sounding relieved. "As smugglers, I'm sure they know a great deal about the universe beyond, and its culture. Do you think they'd mind if I stayed a while?"
There's a pressure wave, followed by a high-speed gray blur that knocks right into Rushfighter and sends him spinning through the water! "Rush-sh-sh-sh! K-k-k-k!" the Phin ratchets out. "Old space dog! Smelly walking rug! Where's my money? You lost the bet!"
There's more churning as the Titanian and the dolphin wrestle, making it necessary to take some evasive action to avoid getting washed away.
Tasha, well, she doesn't actually bark a laugh, but the strange noise is close. "Like old friends," she notes as the young woman scrambles out of the way. "Friends are close, but friends you owe money are even closer!"
Neesa is less amused, and clings to Tasha. "Either one could crush us," she points out.
The 'tussle' dies down eventually. "Lucky Kaa," Rushfighter says. "How you figure you win bet?"
"I'll take my chances," Tasha says with a grin, holding Neesa behind her where she hopes she'll be safe. "They're almost adorable, aren't they?"
"You saw! I dodged every missle!" the Phin boasts. "I'm the best pilot in the universe after all!"
"Hah, just Lucky," Rushfighter counters. "Terrans no want to really shoot down Ningyo! Expensive ship."
"Problems with the Terrans?" Tasha asks, ears perking as she gently eases Neesa off her.
"Doesn't matter, I still won," Lucky Kaa claims, and then notices the two women. "Hey, Karnor babes..?" the Phin asks, looking between them, but giving Tasha more attention due to her.. well, alien-ness.
"Nah, not Terrans," Rushfighter notes.
"Problems.. problems!" Kaa whistles. "Where you get these two then? Back-end of nowhere?"
"Close!" the Titanian says. "Secret though. Worth lots more than what you gots."
"Not Terran," Tasha confirms, gently nudging Neesa where the Phin can't see. "Still a babe, though! I'm Aldara Tasha," she then introduces herself, leaving off the Argentine part just in case it raises supicions. "From the back-end of nowhere!"
"Lots more," Tasha confirms, grinning.
"You're a Vartan then?" the dolphin asks skeptically. "Something else? Ever hook up with a Phin before?"
"Something like that," Tasha replies, head tilting. She eyes the dolphin a moment, then shakes her head, grinning more.
"She gots big man," Rushfighter says. "You just a little Phin, Kaa."
"How little?" Tasha inquires before she can help herself.
Kaa makes a raspberry sound. "That's not what your sister said," the dolphin teases Rushfighter back, then winks at Tasha and.. exposes himself. It's not like anything Tasha has seen before, unsurprisingly. Especially the prehensile aspect of it. In any case, it's not 'small' by any means.
Neesa makes a choking noise behind Tasha. "He isn't serious is he?" she asks the hybrid.
"My sister gots low standards when she drunk," Rushfighter notes. "These are Rustpuppy and Fudgy. Special honorary crew. No mess with them."
"Huh," goes Tasha, who takes a moment to look. It wasn't exactly what she was asking about, she had been asking about his age though she certainly caught her own innuendo. I'll have to remember to be more careful with what I say, the Captain is right: They are very friendly.//
Still grinning, Tasha leans back towards Neesa and mentions in a low voice. "I'm sure he's serious. Aren't you curious?//"
"I've seen some pretty interesting dreams, but.. I'm not very experimental in that regard," Neesa admits. "I went out with a Zerda a few times in school, but that's it. And this guy isn't much weirder than a Naga..."
"But he is from out here, and that is exciting," Tasha notes as she leans back. "But I'd be careful around him, I know his type."
Switching to the two, Tasha asks, "So, Vartans are winged people that look like me right?"
"Put it away, Kaa, before you get it stuck in something again," a new voice says. This one sounds.. well.. female, somehow. The new Phin's harness is clearly more medically oriented. "I'm Dr. Makanee," the new Phin introduces herself, and one of the cyberarms swings out to shine a light in Tasha's face. "You look half Vartan. Open your mouth please."
"I do don't I?" Tasha remarks, opening her mouth a second later. That's another thing she's used to doing automatically: Responding to the orders of doctors. Given her long and intimate relationship with the Med Bay on the Bellerophon, it's become second nature.
"You have Karnor teeth," the doctor notes. "One Vartan eye and forearm.. Karnor torso, skull.. Khattan implants. And your nervous friend is clearly Karnor, but not Terran. Interesting."
"We're from an out of the way backwater," Tasha repeats, her grin lopsided. "Anything else, Doctor?"
"I'm impressed how quickly you analyzed us, too," the hybrid thinks to add. "Experience? Scanner? Inuition? All?"
"No backwaters with Vartans and self-domesticated Karnors," Makanee notes. "No lost colonies. Karnors don't rebel, either. And your biology is clearly the result of engineering. One of Moreau's?"
"I don't know that name," the red woman replies, head tilitng. "Are you concerned?"
"I'm a rebel, I keep tabs on things," Makanee notes. "Gotta know who will hide you and who will turn you in, after all."
"I consider myself a neutral party," the hybrid notes. "I am a researcher."
"And who is Moreau?" Tasha adds a second later.
"A researcher.. traveling with Titanians?" the Phin asks, looking amused (but then, her face has a permanent grin to it anyway). "What do you research? Where you in some accident and the Titanians put you back together from what was on hand? As for Moreau - if you don't know who he is, then I probably shouldn't tell you."
"That's your choice. But if you don't know what I am, I probably shouldn't tell you," Tasha counters.
"Hmm, do you even know about Encante?" Makanee asks. "Or who we are?"
"You're a free region that rebels against Terran control. Aside from that, I don't know anything. You all are the first Phins I have ever met," the younger of the two Karnor-headed women replies.
This seems to actually surprise the doctor. "It's not quite that simple," she notes. "Encante is a colony world. A water world, mostly. We were sent to terraform it. It was a pretty big deal, since Neo-Dolphins are still.. young. The other Galactics don't really buy into uplift. They think Terra is up to something, having three client species all from the homeworld. That's a lot of political pressure.. enough that it looked like they were going to cancel the Encante project."
"It never is, but that's all I know." Tasha listens, then nods. "So the Encante project could be considered the debute, or at least proving ground, of the Terran Neo-Dolphin project. However, the other Galactics are opposed to the growing amount of Terran client species, which they have created from their own rather than 'adopting' them from foreign worlds and races. Under political pressure, the Encante project, a home for Neo-Dolphins and the chance to demonstrate their worth, verges on the edge of cancelation. Terra wavers, which is seen as a betrayal of trust in their own and, perhaps, a distrust of their new client altogether. This breeds resentment, as you don't want to lose your home, or be sold out to foreign Galactics by your own governement and creators. Distrust rises, and fearing retaliation and harsh subjugation, you see no alternative and rebel, claiming this world as yours. Am I on track?"
"Well, you see the cover story, yes," Makanee says. "That is exactly what the other Galactics are supposed to think. But the 'rebellion' isn't total.. so Terra is justified in continuing to supply the loyalists. If it was a total rebellion, one of the Galactics.. probably the Celestial Empire.. would be able to swoop in and quell things, claiming the planet and the Phins as prizes. But Terra has to have a military presence in the system, because the rebel Phins 'stole' a warship. This one, actually. So the other Galactics can't really intervene. And even if the Terrans have to pull out - well, there's still this ship defending the system."
"You mean.. there isn't really a rebellion?" Neesa asks.
"It's very clever. Terra appears to lose its control and can only shrug about it, while at the same time allowing their charges to do as they will outside of the regular political pressure. The presence of the Terran military discourages external interference and control, while at the same time appearing to be a war effort that is ongoing. Both sides pretend to fight, or actually fight, and the blame is lost somewhere between them. Without clear blame and responsibility, political pressure can be pushed back and forth between your groups, so that neither even has to hold it. However, there is a problem as I see it," Tasha reviews, head tilting as she notes, "This sort of exchange won't be able to persist forever. It seems like a cover that can only exist so long."
"I'm also concerned about the 'claiming as prizes,' what you mean by that," Tasha adds, head tilting the other way in a clearly avian manner.
"Well, once the project is complete and we have a fully functioning, self-sufficient colony.. we'll negotiate a peace settlement," Makanee notes. "Self-governance, but still part of the Terran family. You really are from some dark world, aren't you? Clients are extremely valuable. They're a sign of prestige among the Galactics. The Silent-Ones have the Vykarins. The Celestials have Jing-sen and Ourosachi. The Confederates have the Korvs and Aquilans. And the Khatta have the Vartans.. and who knows what else. But the Terrans have three clients, all of them home-grown instead of conquests. It gives us prestige beyond our actual economic influence."
"So yes, any one of the Galactics would love to be able to steal us away from Terra," the doctor concludes.
"It's very interesting. Fascinating, even. History seems to replay itself, but it's good to see so much value placed on new life," Tasha notes. She then smiles, shrugging a little. "I really am. Or am I? I'm a lot of things." Then, she winks.
"By the way, would it be possible for me to stay a while? I'm a little tired of being 'from a backwater,'" The mostly Vartan notes.
"You could be one of Moreau's agents," Makanee notes. "He's another one that may or may not be an elaborate deception. Rogue scientist, taking off with a lot of candidate species.. presumably to conduct his own uplift experiments. Or.. someone sent off with those species to make sure they don't fall into the hands of the other Galactics if they decide to raid Terra finally and take them to be their own uplifted clients."
"I don't suppose those candidates included mice and rats and rabbits and.. similar?" Neesa asks.
"Rodents?" Makanee asks. "I doubt it. Gorillas, Orangutans, Orcas.. probably some parrots."
"I could be," Tasha supposes, making an exagerated tilt of her head. "But that wouldn't explain my Khattan implants. Or would it? More stolen technology? A coincidence? Is she working for the Khattans? Mysterious!" The young woman's grin widens, intrigued at being the mystery for a change. "You think they could actually raid Terra? Why not raid Moreau?"
"Because nobody knows where he went," Makanee notes. "He might not be anywhere. Another possibility is that he is an El Dorado Gambit: a story to lure the other Galactics on a non-existent treasure hunt. If he's out there.. my bet is he's dug in on a Silent-Ones world."
"He's in a space hab," Kaa blurts out. "Something mobile! That's what I'd do."
"That would mean there were elements of the Silent-Ones that accept that sort of behavior, which isn't outside the realm of possibility of course, but it would be telling. If, of course, he's there. Or anywhere." Tasha nods, then settles back against a nearby wall, arms folded. "But, who doesn't love a mystery? Treaure hunting ... And a pirate ship, too. Very exciting. And here I am, maybe an agent, maybe not. So, you wonder if those treasure hunters will come here, looking for us. Or looking for me and Neesa if just on a hunch or lead. But I'm here with Captain Rushfighter, and I'm from a backwater. It does make a certain sense. Even if it all proves to be a lie."
"Rushfighter is the only Titanian that trades," Makanee notes. "As for the Silent-Ones.. they're proud, but also the youngest of the Galactics. They were almost Terra's first clients. The humans could have easily conquered them after first contact. Instead, they left them alone for a thousand years when the spotties asked them to leave."
"The Humans always were society and relationship builders," the red woman says, nodding. "Have them come along, then?"
"The Humans and the Silent-Ones, individuall and together," Tasha clarifies.
"Pride is a powerful thing," Makanee says. "The Silent-Ones are very 'tight' right now. Lot of rumors about the last hand-over of power to the new Archon - that a Khattan infiltrator nearly got the throne, and some mythical world of magic was going to be used to start a new wave of conquest. We clearly aren't the only ones dishing out misinformation."
"Unless it's true, of course," Tasha notes, wiggling her ears. "So what's this 'mythical world'? Khattan infiltraitors I can believe, but a mythical world of magic? That sounds even more made up than usual."
"Ancient history," Makanee notes. "Some Sifran world that supposedly still worked, big fleet went to check it out.. and vanished. Now, if the goal was to make allies of the Titanians.. then I'd be afraid!" A robotic appendage points at Rushfighter, and the doctor asks Tasha. "So what's the real score? Why haven't the Titanians ever just conquered the Galactics? Why is everyone afraid of them? I've never heard of Rushfighter carrying any passengers except for Silent-Ones."
"It's their smell, it overpowers all defenses," Kaa claims. "That and they can take a hit from a Phin without caving in.."
"A big fleet ..? Where have I heard that story before ... Oh!" The hybrid turns to Neesa, eyes widening. "Of course, The Expedition! What an old story that is. A mystical planet full of hopes and dreams, and," she wiggles her fingers, "magic. A lot of nonsense, I think? Right Neesa?" Grinning, the young woman turns back to her hosts and says, "Oh, well, what fun would that be? Conquest sounds wonderful, until you actually think about it. Lots of work, resentment, and it changes you. There are always sacrifices, even from you. Besides, Grillfang can't even conqueor a projector. But I see what you mean, why, I think the Khattans fear that too. Or worse, a Vartan-Titanian alliance. Have you ever heard of such a fear?"
"Or should I tell the truth? Am I telling the truth?" Tasha then asks, glancing at Rushfighter.
"Hmmm, be afraid of the two best warrior species teaming up?" Makanee asks, a bit sarcastically. "Vartans are trained to conquer worlds, after all. But then, I don't think it'd affect us. Captain Hakukka already figured out the trick to being invisible to Titanians."
"Hmm, if I were half-Vartan, then I'd probably be disappointing as I turned down my opportunity to conqueror a planet -- twice. Maybe I should do it, to keep up appearances?" Tasha asks Neesa, then she turns and leans forward and perking her ears. "Oh? Invisible? Don't have any good junk? Not want to trade? Soap?"
"We turn off the damned stator, that's how," a deeper voice answers, as a very large Phin enters the room. "Aren't you on duty, pilot?" he asks Kaa, who releases a blast of bubbles and then shoots out of the room. "I only turn it on to signal Rushfighter anymore. Don't need it on a ship filled with water."
"Unless you need to dodge, I suppose," Tasha notes as she pushes off the wall, reflexively rising as the captain of a ship arrives. She folds her hands behind her back and smiles at the newcomer, nodding her head in greeting.
"Hah, water is incompressible," the captain notes. "We don't have issues with acceleration. If you don't know missy, Terrans don't like using tech they don't understand. We've still got reaction drives for a reason, and being 'low tech' has saved us in the past. If your enemy underestimates you, that's your advantage. Now, do you have my squid, Rushfighter?"
"Oh, is that how it goes? Thank you for the tactical and strategic advice," Tasha replies, inclining her head again.
"You're welcome, use it well," Hakukka replies. "They clean, Makanee?"
"I appreciate it," says the apparently youngest of the women. She tehn turns to the Captain Rushfighter, perking her ears.
"Clean enough," the doctor replies. "I'd like to do full genetic workups though. The Karnor shows some anatomical drift, and the Hybrid is.. a hybrid."
"Gots you 80 tons of Acolytes," Rushfighter says. "You got my junk?"
"Yes, a hybrid," Tasha confirms, grinning a little.
"Season 12 of .. that show.." Captain Hakukka notes. "And.. a piece of good junk."
At the mention of good junk, Rushfighter perks up and grins. "Go on," he prompts.
"Do I get any?" The red woman then asks Captain Rushfighter.
"We found ruins," Hakukka notes. "Feshessi, we think. Maybe two megayears old."
"I definitely want some," the hybrid notes.
"What are you offering in exchange?" the Phin captain asks Tasha.
"I'm just a poor backwater spacefarer, overwhelmed by all this talk of nations and fleets and high technology. What would I possibily have to offer?" Inquires the youngest woman.
"Your body," Makanee suggests. "Both you and the Karnor. Full biogenetic workup."
"And here I though he wanted the usual," Tasha notes, glancing at her traveling companion. "What do you think?" And then to Captain Rushfighter. "And you? By the way, you'll owe me if we pay for the ruins."
"I gots deal already," Rushfighter notes. "Godfish worth a lot. I get first pick of junk."
"And I get.. a ruin?" Tasha asks. "Or what's leftover?"
"Uh.. she just wants to examine us?" Neesa asks Tasha. "Like a Life Mage would?"
Glancing back, Tasha asks, "A life what? I don't understand it when you use those peculiar terms, you know!"
"We can work that out later," Hakukka says. "We have control of the ruins so far. You'll have to go in our shuttle though - there's no way the Mauler can go in-system without upsetting things."
Neesa just makes a face, and pinches Tasha's ear. "You know what I mean. Are we going to be cut open or what?"
"But if you're saying what I think you're saying, well, there will probabky be needles and scanners and more of there, um, ah, sonar," Tasha then explains before turning back to the Phin Captain. "Neesa might object, but I don't mind. All I ask is that you don't share what you learn from us. To so so may cause complications -- potentially serious ones."
"Further-ow!" Goes Tasha, who swats at Neesa with her closest wing. "Maybe, hokay? They won't kill us, and I've been dead before! It's an experience."
"We are pirates and rebels violating any number of Galactic treaties just by looking at you," Hakukka points out. "Who would we even tell?"
"I'll watch them examine you first, then decide if it's alright," Neesa tells Tasha.
"You never know. There's always someone violating this or that, who wants to know. Wo has something to offer," the hybrid notes, rubbing at her ear as she does so. "My compatriot is on board so far, so consider it a deal. I'm not sure how Phin close deals?"
"You are so lucky Kaa isn't here right now to give you his answer to that," Makanee notes. She extends one of her 'hands', and says, "We shake hands, if that is not offensive to you."
"It's fine, I can alway give him my way of closing deals in return, which also involves my hands." Tasha extends her hands and shakes it with some practice. "Done."
"If you ladies will follow me, I'll see about getting you some quarters while I prepare the lab," Makanee says. "The men can deal with the squid. I think they taste terrible, myself."
"Personally, I like the beaks. Then I could become an excellent Vartan, don't you think?" Tasha notes as she follows along, waving Neesa to follow her.