Ningyo Medical Bay
Since the starship was originally meant to be crewed by both humanoids as well as dolphins, the medical bay has both dry areas and wet, with tanks alongside the beds. It's flooded more than usual now that there are only the dolphins crewing the ship, but much of the lab equipment is still above the waterline.

It's just Tasha and two Phins in the room; Dr. Makanee and Captain Hakukka. The captain is big. Maybe it's a rule that non-Human Terran captains all have to be really big? "Neat trick," Mackanee chirps. "We don't see a ship out there. This some sneaky Titanian teleporter?" She asks this after poking Tasha a few times to ensure she's actually solid and not a projection.

"Sure, why not?" Tasha replies with a smile, which makes her new Titanian teeth prominent, adding to her alien appearance. She rubs the area where she was poked, too, despite the undersuit and gives the doctor a 'do you mind' sort of look. Then, she looks between the two Phin officers and asks, "Do you want to keep asking me about that and see how many times I can not answer the question? Or, perhaps turn to business?"

"Alright," the Captain says. "Why are you here? Especially now? Galactics dropping in for surprise inspections is not the best time for Titanians to show up as well."

"Well, let me answer a few questions that question implies -- or needs. First, I am allied with the Titanians, but I'm not -- necessarily -- a member of the Dainty Mauler's crew. So, it may help you to think of me as another party. Second, following that, I'd like to deal with you seperately from the Dainty Mauler's business." Tasha smiles a little more, then leans in to get a good look at the giant Phin. She'd only seen him once, and couldn't believe it any more then than she could now. She's seen many peculiar creatures, but the Phin strike her as familiar and very alien simultaneously. And comforting, she decides, somehow they make her happier just by looking at them. It intrigues her.

"Now, to answer your original question: My arrival is a conicidence. As one of the factions that has seen me, and one I think is amiable to me?" She raises her browws questioningly. "I was hoping we could come to a supply and service arrangement. However, I noted you, um, guests. And I am concerned. So maybe I can help you there, too. Also, I am here to see Kaa. Lucky Kaa."

"Did Kaa get someone pregnant?" Makanee asks, while the Captain says, "There isn't much you can do to help the situation. A few times a year, a Galactic shows up, blockades the transfer point and inspects all incoming and outgoing ships to make sure weapons aren't being smuggled in to support the 'rebels' or any other technology they deem suspicious. Except for the Confederates, they show up to do their random term and just hook up with Narcissus and get drunk."

"I think I like the Confederates a little better now." Tasha winks at the Captain, then turns to the doctor and answers, "No, and don't give me that look! I'm actually here to seduce him and lead him on a dangerous, alien adventure, which he may not return from. He'll accept, of course. I am very persuasive!" And then she returns her gaze to gigantic Phin and adds, "With your permission, of course. Also, if you'd prefer I simply remain out of sight until the Khattans depart, I can do that. I will need to contact my ... Home universe? Ship? AI central? Primary alien body?" She grins in, in a 'what could it be' tease. "So it knows I am safe."

"You want Kaa?" the Captain asks, making a bit of a raspberry sound somehow on every word. "What mission is this?"

"A mission where we help my favorite squeaky space fish if I can, and, well, do other things. Here and there. I get around, you know? But," and here Tasha cocks her head to the side, avian-like, "I want you to know I am probably not your enemy. In fact, I came to help, if you believe me."

"You didn't bring any fish with you," Hakukka notes. "You want to borrow two Phins, I need two Phins worth of something good in return."

"Two Phins?" Tash asks, and her head goes the other way. "I didn't realize Kaa was two Phins worth of trouble! Although ... " She taps her muzzle in exagerated thought.

Makanee makes a ratchety laughing sound. "Can't take a male Phin off without companionship. Will turn mean," she notes.

Tasha's eyebrows go up. "I didn't know that. You're all a strange lot," she teases. Canine muzzle twists, Tasha thinks a moment, then she points at the good Doctor, "How about you? I was very impressed with you, last time, and I could use additional medical and biological sciences personnel."

"I'm the chief doctor here," Makanee notes. "I'm not really looking for a dangerous vacation with a lunatic."

"If you can convince someone to go with Kaa, I'll consider letting you borrow him," Hakukka says. He's grinning, but Phins are always grinning.

"Several, at this rate." But the hybrid woman nods. "I understand, though. I hope you're good to her, Captain, she has a strong sense of duty and what's important. As for someone, I'll see what I can do. I'm very charismatic!" Her tail wags, splish-splooshing against the water, then she winks for the third time in the exchange and asks, "Now, what would you like? You may have noticed that I can deposite things on your ship -- and let me apologize for that. I don't usually board vessels without asking their Captains. But, this seemed like an exceptional situation."

The big Phin seems thoughtful, staring at Tasha with a big black eye. "Not a Titanian, officially, you say?" he asks.

"Only my teeth are. I assure you I gained them through legitimate Titanian means, and by that I mean poorly considered and wreckless action," Tasha answers.

"Ahh, think I have a ship, do you? Well," the hybrid woman shrugs, grinning lopsidedly, "You're not wrong. Some may think it is, but they would be wrong. It's not a Titanian vessel. Also," here she extends her right hand, Terra-style, "I am officially Rustpuppy, but you may call me Tasha, if you like."

One of the Captain robotic manipulators unfolds from his harness and shakes Tasha's hand. "The current blockade makes it difficult for me to get someone out of the system," he says. "I need her gone, and her replacement brought back. But I don't know the details of where she needs to go."

"A Terragens agent, perhaps? I do have room to berth her, unless she's yoru size in which case I may need some time to accomidate her, but without a location to take her she could be on board a long tim," inquires the mysteriously appearing alien.

"Ah," continues Tasha a moment later, "and your hgyperwave is being jammed, so you can't get her dropoff location?"

"Yeah, our spy," Hakukka notes. "Dr. Sen. Human," he notes. "Has something from Encante she needs brought somewhere else, for some reason."

"How mysterious. I admit, I am a sucker for mysterious -- so how can I refuse?" Tasha shakes the hand again. "It can be done, and I will return your fresh new spy. I'd appreciate, though, if you tried to keep my presence and activities here as secret as you can. I know it's difficult, but it's best for both of us. Right Dr. Makanee?

"Just consider it a general request, please. Now, I'd to use your communications to contact my vessel so that it -- they -- can stop worrying about me. And, once I find a volunteer to accompany Kaa, and your doctor is ready, we can see about moving resources. A proper dock would be best, but we may need to exit the way I came in," the young alien explains.

"Come with me," the Captain says, drifting towards the exit. "I'll take you to the secure comm system."

"Yes, sir." Tasha dons her rebreather, prefering it to the sensation of drowning that accompanies the oxygenated fluid that fills the Phin vessel, and then follows along. "If it's not too much trouble, I'll need to speak to Kaa after I'm done. Maybe he'll have suggestions for a partner."

Some minutes later, Tasha finds herself along one of the interior support spindles in the open water area. There are air domes at the odd stations, which also serve to remind Tasha that she has no technical data on what Phins need for a habitat and interfaces. The young Phin tech sets up a short range connection so nobody else should be able to eavesdrop.. certainly not from half a system away. After some work to get a handshake going, Gabriel answers the connection. "That you?" he asks over the link.

"It's me. Squeaky space fish have fallen for my sinister plot. It's only a matter of time," Tasha whispers back in a particularly hammy conspiratorial voice, straight from That Show. "How's things out there?"

"No movement from the kitties," Gabriel reports. "I don't think we've been noticed yet. So, are we all about to get wet then?"

"If you can manage it, I can setup docking. I need to seduce more hapless, well-meaning Terrans in to my service -- you remember that right? -- so I'll be staying for a while to get that done. Can you handle setting up living space for two Phin and a Human? The Phin will join us as crew, the Human is a Terragens agent transporting something interest. He's our deal. Dr. Sen. Lucky Kaa will be our new pilot, and whomever else I manipulate with my alien cunning," the owner reports.

"We're shuttling a Terragens agent?" Gabriel asks. "Fine.. as long as it means I don't have to get headaches. I don't suppose you can get hold of some actual engineering specs for Phin quarters and whatever else they might need.. especially programming for the meat printer. We don't have anything on them, and Doc just has the info for Phin hospital systems."

Tasha nods her head. "I can. I'm sure Dr. Makanee misses me already and will be happy to share. I'll inform the Captain that we'll be docking, and it's up to you when and where you want to do it -- and how. It'll be difficult to keep communicating like this, though. Ask Niss if th- ... it can reach me this far. That'd save a lot of complexity."

"I think it needs close proximity, but I'll try," Gabriel notes. "We'll need whatever water they can spare as well - we don't have enough to fill a secondary living space, and I doubt the Phins will want to walk from place to place."

"They hate those suits, I'm told. I'll get on it. Tell Niss to contact me whenever. If that fails, I'll be in touch within the hour and we can work out the rest then." Tasha look around a moment, then leans back and stretches her wings. "I'm sure yuou'll want to meet the space fish. I bet youi and the Captain have a lot to talk about, but don't leave me out, okay?"

Kaa is off-duty when Tasha looks for him. She finds him in the 'lounge' engaged in some sort of complicated space combat video game.. much of which is lost on Tasha since part of the 'display' is sonar based. There are a few other crewfen there, but they're mostly watching.

Blending in as well as an eagle in water, Tasha swims her way across the lounge and tries to ignore most of the staring, not to mention the buzzing. Her armored undersuit has been replaced by a metallic one-piece bought specifically for this purpose, a fancier, flowers-and-birds affair in her favorite colors. It doesn't absorb the sonar like her armor, and so she finds the buzzing as annoying as it is amusing.

But finallys she's joined the assembly, or pod as she learned, and peers over a Phin's shoulder to watch. "What's Kaa up to?" She inquires of the peculiar game.

"Level two-t-tt-t-ten," a young Phin next to Tasha notes. For some reason, she gives off a 'Mariel' sort of vibe.

The strangely Mariel-esque emotion causes Tasha to pat the woman's dorsal fin in a supportive way, long before she realizes that she's doing it. "Is that good?"

"He is close to beating Skreekah-pol's high score," the Phin says. "That will be interesting."

"I'd better not interupt him then." The hybrid woman can make head, but not tails, of the game and so much of the accomplishment is beyond her ability to assess. Still, she watches, feeling it's somehow important she observe this potential success. "What's your name?" She asks her Phin companion. "You can call me Rustpuppy. Are you also a pilot?"

"Moka," the Phin says, and notes, "Just a junior data analyst." She says all this while still clearly following the complex game. There's so much activity to follow that it seems impossible to Tasha.

"A data analyst. What's that about?" It all does seem impossible to Tasha, but then the impossible is her constant, inscruitable companion. Along with the incredible and the unusual, they might as well be her third family. She watches anyway, but doesn't expect to understand. "Alien languages, strange space-time features? Do you like your life amongst the stars? What do you think of Kaa?"

"He is very Kaa," Tasha agrees, smiling. But then her smile falters as she wonders how many of the crew will miss Kaa, when and if he goes. "You'd be sad if he left, then?"

"He's entertaining," Moka claims. "But there will always be a pod clown. It is a position that is demanded, and someone will fill it."

"Then I suppose you wouldn't be interested in joining him elsewhere," Tasha asks, deciding she probably knows the answer. Deep down, she wonders if Kaa has friends so much as people he entertains, and if his reputation may make finding him a partner a lot more difficult than she originally suspected. "I have been told Phin need, um, company and that it's best to bring two."

Now Moka turns her attention more fully on Tasha. "Join him elsewhere?" she asks. "Where?"

Taking it as a good sign that the Phin didn't react to her with surprise, bemusement, fear or by hiding behind a larger Phin, Tasha smiles her winningest smile and says, "In to space. I am a strange alien, and I require a crew for my strange alien ship. I'm fond of Terrans, apparently. I plan to try to recruit Kaa, as we've met and his skills fit well with our needs. If you're interested in coming with him, I will add your name to the list of canidates."

"You are doing things that need Kaa's skills?" Moka asks. There's no way for a dolphin to 'raise an eyebrow' so it's difficult to gauge her tone. "That sounds exciting. Is it exciting?"

"I'm disappointed you didn't assume it was exciting by looking at me," Tasha admits, looking dfown at herself for a moment and shaking her head. She tehn looks up and grins, head tilted. "Very exciting. You didn't see a ship dock, did you? So where did I come from? And taht's just arriving. If you come with me, that'll be the least interesting to happen. I'm sure you can find a role on board. We do need data analyists, and our bridge will be reconstructed for Phin physiology."

There is the by now familiar buzz of being scanned. "I would do more than keep Kaa company then? You came before, I remember. And went down to the planet to deal with an artifact. Is that what you do?"

Tasha's ears flick. "I'm going to be buzzed a lot, aren't I?" She cocks her head the other way and raises her brow. "Exploring is one thing I do, and dealing with alien artifacts is another. I also show up and interfere with things -- politics, delicate situations, and so on -- I probably shouldn't. Like now, in fact. I have a deal with your Captain, and he has approved the transfer. I'm also allied with Titanians, if that's a concern. Other than that, I'm sure I could arrange for a bridge position for you, dealing with data analyisis, and likely other areas. You may be asked to expand your training. The journey will be dangerous."

"If we can manage it. We may have to live with what's available, but I like seeing my crew happy and well fed if I can manage it. Our organization is unlike the military, although there will be a captain you will report to, as one of the control staff," the young foreigner explains.

"I can arrange for you to meet some of them. The others may remain aboard, considering the delicate situations with the Khattans. Lets wait for Kaa to finish up, and then we can discuss if you two can work together, and, then see if my ship is able to dock," Tasha answers with another smile.

There's a loud, annoying sound, indicating that Kaa has indeed beaten the high score of Skreekah-pol.. one of the security Phins, if Tasha remembers correctly. "Hahahaha!" Kaa ratchets! "I told him! I told him!"

One of the other dolphins points out to Kaa, "He isn't going to be happy you know."

Kaa seems to ponder that a moment, then notices Rustpuppy. "Rusty! Ol' pal! Comrade! Friend of Friends!" he chirps out. "You're going down to the planet right? RIGHT? Need a pilot?"

Floating nearby, arms folded, Tasha's muzzle slowly splits from grin to smile. "I don't know," she says, tilting her head in an exaggerated manner, finger to muzzle side, "I'm a very busy -- what did your friend call me? Suspicious alien? -- and I have busy suspicious alien things to do. My home universe needs me, probably. I may have Khattans to pirate." She then glances to Moka and asks, "I don't know ... Think he's good enough to come with you? He might be a lot of dead weight, you see how he causes problems!"

"Moka, I will pay you back I promise," Kaa says to the smaller Phin. "It's just that we don't get paid..."

"He's trouble, I'm not sure you should associate with him," Tasha mock-warns, shifting in the water so she can plant an elbow on Moka's hed, then head her on her hand, as she stares at Kaa in a very evaluating manner. "Do you really think we want him on our one-of-a-kind starship?"

"I can fly anything, Rusty," Kaa boasts. "You've seen me! I'm the best in the universe!"

"Hmm," Tasha goes, rubbing her muzzle in the way she's seen Gabriel do, "we'll see, won't we? The Captain has already agreed to release you and one other to my command. Moka here has agreed to come to, you two can get along, can't you? Be nice to her. If that's acceptable, well, then I want you two to pack your things and meet me at the starboard airlock in one hour. I have some business to finish up here, first. If I can't arrive in time, you'll be reporting to a man named Gabriel."

"Oh," Tasha dds a second later, head tilting on her hand, "how do you feel about psionics? Mass detectors?"

"Different kind of sonar," Lucky Kaa claims. "Used for hyperspace and such. I trained with 'em. Never know when you might have to steal a starship after all!"

"You never know," Tasha agrees. She then pushes off, straightening in the water, and looks between the two Phin. "Are you two alright with spending what may be a long time together?"

"Everyone loves me, not a problem," Kaa claims! Moka says, "I can keep him in line."

"Good. Meet me in an hour. I have to finish up my end of the deal." Tasha pats Moka's fin, then pushes off. As she glides backwards, she says, "Be sure to notify your command of any special needs you have! And Gabriel, tell him. See you soon!" And then she's off!

The drywheel of the Ningyo is so called because it's dry, and also spun for artificial gravity. There aren't any Phin inside, and it's very quiet. There's only one room being used as well, so it's easy to find, despite being unmarked - since it's the only room with a closed door.

Well this is eerie, Tasha thinks as she walks down the corridor, still soggy and leaving a trail of oxygenated water behind her. Ships without crews are particularly unsettling to the life-long sailor such that even the appearance of an empty ship makes the fur on her neck stand on end. It reminds her of the Terran section of the Orpheus, she decides, as the trek continues.

When she spots the occupied room, she's glad for the reminder there's life on the vessel. The long, deserted corridor made for an uneasy walk. She steps forward and presses the intercom activation part of the touch pad. "Dr. Sen? Rustpuppy. Captain Hakkuka should have mentioned I'd be by."

The door slides open, and a cabin is revealed. It has all the familiar Terran amenities, along with some rather large cases, what looks like a high-tech coffin, and a human woman shorter than Tasha. Dr. Sen has short black hair, tan skin and almond-shaped eyes and wears a functional unitard (although it could be a swimsuit) with lots of stick-patches for attaching whatever she might need. "So, you're the alien?" she asks. "You don't look alien."

"You might want to look closer," is Tasha's reply as she folds her hands in the small of her back, then spreads her wings.

"Nope, still see a Karnor-Vartan chimera," the small woman points out. "Maybe if you had green fur. Go with the green fur, next time."

"I'll keep that in mind," notes the hybrid, who then raises her brows and says, "You do look like a spy and Terragen agent, however." She lifts her head and peers past the women, then asks, "Will you be bringing all of these cases? You found something interesting?"

"These things go with me, yes," Dr. Sen says. "They are interesting to me. I want to show them to someone else. Are there limits to where you can take me?"

"So long as you're not expecting to disembark in to a sun or a singularity, I think we can manage. Your quarters should already be finished. If you have any other needs, let I or the Captain know." Tasha leans to the side, then steps around the Doctor and enters the room. She makes a beeline for the containers, and then begins stacking them for easy pickup. "And you wanted to meet someone, but I was told their location is unknown due to hyperwave jamming. You'll be able to contact them once we leave the system, barring trouble with the Khattans."

"Jamming.. yes, that," the woman says. She picks up the coffin. It's either very light, has some sort of lifting field, or Dr. Sen is stronger than she looks. "Lead the way, miss alien."

"As you like, miss spy. By the way ... " Tasha pauses to haul up the containers, then turns and carries them in to the corridor before beginning down it. "Do you know which House is currently blockading the system? I'll also want to know if the contents of these containers holds anything dangerous to my ship and crew."

"Wanting to know things is important, it moves us to explore," Dr. Sen notes. "As for which House.. might be Zafreed this time. They're a bit more arrogant."

"That says a lot," Tasha remarks, knwoign full well the arrogance of other Khattan groups. "By the way: If the contents are dangerous, I will know eventually and I will have them ejected from tthe ship if we feel they are a threat. Observational and analysis equipment directed at any of us, or the ship, used without permission will also be a problem. Don't be a problem, miss. I don't want to go back on my agreement, but I'll take being a liar and cheat over endangering the safety of my crew and vessel."

"There is nothing inherently dangerous in my supplies, other than myself," Dr. Sen claims.

"That's good. Make sure I don't have to eject you, either. I'd owe Captain Hakkuka an apology." And with that, Tasha steps from the ring in to the water. It's not long before they're at the starboard airlock.

Kaa and Moka are there, dragging.. bags. They're clear plastic, and full of stuff. Their harnesses are fully kitted out as well, making them look twice as bulky as normal. There are also a dozen or so onlookers, including Makanee.

Tasha has remained near the Terragen agent, wanting to be on hand if she needs anything and seeing to her heavier things. While she may not get along with the woman, she does owe her a service, and she means to do it right despite the banter. Gabriel was given leave to dock as he felt was safe, with a noted preference for the starboard airlock. There will be loading the water as well, and other details they'll both need to see to, but for now she waits. According to her list communication, the time when the Dark Horse will attempt a dock should be within a window, several minutes from now. "If we cannot board normally, I will arrange an alternative," she asides to Dr. Sen.

The Ningyo's proximity alert goes off a few minutes later, and is quickly quelled. The airlock telltales indicate a connection soon after. There's a lot of mechanical noise, since the water amplifies sound, and lots of whistling and clicking in Delphin.. including Dr. Sen, who seems to understand it and is able to reply in kind.

"Flooding airlock," the crewfen manning (phinning?) the controls says, and the sound of pumps rumbles through the water before the inner door opens.

Tasha makes a mental note of learning Delphin, and then a further one to continue her studies. Now that they have a larger crew, she won't be needed as much for day-to-day operations and can thus turn her attention to her own development. When and if others join, like Hakeber, she decides her time will probably also be spent with them plotting out their next move in the great search of the Progenitors. She thinks to warn the others of Gabriel's appearance, but decides against it and so retains her silence.

There's more cycling sounds, and then the operator notes it's safe for Tasha's group to enter. Apparently the Dark Horse is completely visible now, and the crowd has shifted to the holographic displays.

"Looks like he's decided against a visit, so we should hurry on board. Dr. Sen, we'll enter first. Kaa, Moka, follow us in please. We don't want to overstay our welcome." And with that Tasha begins forward. "Please follow my lead, even if it seems strange." She passes in to the airlock, which seems to extend right in to a peculiar, green wall with alien writing carved in to it. This she approaches and, after manuvering just so, pushes herself partly through it. "Repeat how I moved, and enter the vessel. Oh, and welcome aboard the Dark Horse."

It takes some time. The docking tube is in freefall between the ships, and the Dark Horse has Terran-appropriate gravity.. and is dry. Stepping through the airlock membrane leaves behind all the water. The Phins are much more cautious, since they can't see beyond the barrier. The first things through are the spidery metal legs of their walking harnesses, feeling out the ground as it where, before they pass through. Both give low whistles.

The inner door opens, and there stands Gabriel. "We need to clear this corridor quickly for the oxywater transfer," he notes. "And welcome aboard. I'll be your captain, Gabriel Akkers."

Tasha is already sliding in to her kimono-like jacket when the Phin enter, covering up her swimsuit. "I'll show you all to your quarters while the Captain sees to the transfer. By the way, you can call me Tasha. I'm the owner of this vessel, so if you have questiosn or complaints that don't involve the ship's affairs, I can handle them. This way." She waves the newcomers along, patting Gabriel's shoulder as she passes him. "We'll start with you, Doctor."

There isn't much to see, beyond the medical bay that they pass (and 'Doc' Knight smiling to them). The newly prepared quarters are right across from each other: one a standard Terran layout, and the other opening into an open space the size of a cabin, but without a floor. Instead it's filled with water, and probably ten or more feed deep. There are doors under the waterline as well, leading who knows where.

"Here you are," Tasha notes, gesturing broadly to indicate the two quarters. "I hope you can swim, Doctor. The Terran quarters may be a bit cramped for ypu Phin." She winks, her hands fall, then she turns and walks towards the Human-oriented room where she drops off the crates she had resumed carrying. "You're welcome to visit the galley and prepare meals, your quarters of course, our ship's doctor Jonas, or visit the lounge and VIP area once those are completed. The rest is off-limits. For you two Phin, you'll be joining me on the bridge after we're done here, if the Doctor doesn't have any further questions or needs ..?"

"Your ship doesn't look the same inside as out," Dr. Sen says with a grin. "I'll let you know where I need to be rendesvous after we've left the system."

Kaa is making a lot of clicking sounds. "Which wet-door goes to bridge? One facing forward?" he asks.

"Please do." Tasha returns the grin with a smile, then nods the two Phin to follow her to the bridge. As she begins walking, she pauses, then says, "I don't really know. They're still being filled, so, you'll know when I do."

Moka is the first into the water, where she begins stowing her gear to get it off her harness. Kaa seems less patient, but gets into the water as well. "Fresh," he notes, despite it being salty. He goes about stowing his stuff as well, although some of it floats, including a ring and several balls.

Tasha backtracks down the hallway in order to check on how the Phin are settling in, peering around the doorway to watch them unpack a moment before she pushes off and heads towards the fore. The ship is really coming to life, she thinks as she walks, stretching her arms and wings back, fingers laced together. Who else do we need ..? Oh well, I can think on it after we're gone and safe. With luck, we can get out of here before there's trouble. And that Dr. Sen ... What a pain. I should get used to that, though; It probably won't be the last time we have problematic guests.

When she fnally steps on the bridge in advance of the Phin, she drops her arms and smiles. "Hi Eli," she greets the scientist, "ready for company?"

"Almost," Dr. Zerachiel notes, as he watches a ship schematic. There are glowing areas, showing new structures being added. "The oxy-water support systems are rather complicated. Of course the pilot station is going to have an air-dome.. no idea yet what the other dolphin will need." Some of the bridge looks different as well. There's a large tank of sorts beneath where the two pilot stations would extend out, and more display systems down there as well. Parts of the floor itself are transparent.

"Let me know if you need anything. Kaa and Moka should be up here shortly." Tasha walks over to where the Niss rest on a console, then sits herself down beside them. "Niss, I'd like to relocate you to the power core once you're done here. You'll be free from being accidentally picked up, or nosed about by bored Phin." She then settles back and turns to watch the tactical display, eyeing the Khattan ships. "Any change with the kitties?"

"That's good. Dr. Spy isn't sure which House they're with, but suspects Zafreed. She-" Tasha suddenly pauses upon hearing the Niss's announcement, sitting up and turning to the sphere. "The Human?" She ventures.

"Yes," the Niss report. "She appears to be passive rather than projective. There is additional complexity involved. Supposition: she is trained to read emotional states and block or misdirect psionic technologies, such as lie detection."

"They finally managed to breed humans with psionic ability?" Eli asks, looking.. not very surprised. "Niss, she is probably able to use it to predict opponents moves in hand-to-hand combat."

"That sounds very useful for a spy. I'm not worried about her detecying our emotional states -- I think half of us are pretty obvious in our emotional state -- unless she attempts to manipulate us. That-" Tasha pauses again at Eli's input, then frowns. "Another secret agent that can beat me up? Oh good. Hopefully I won't need to chop her head off or have her make me fetch her a hyperwave communicator for stealing her dress." Her head shakes. "I'm feeling a little inadequate, Eli." Then, she glances between the two and asks, "Though, I thought only collectives like the Niss could use psychic power, that it required quantum awareness and manipulation beyond a single being. How can she be psychic? And is she a danger to the ship?"

"I doubt it's like the Niss's ability," Eli says. "More like very powerful intuition, honed by training. It's a harsh galaxy. Terrans are at a disadvantage.. but we're damned tricky. The Terragens Agents are expected to hold their own against any Galactic race. They'll have genetic, cybernetic and any other enhancements they can think up."

"The Khattan has passive armor, genetic modification and who knows what else. I wouldn't have been able to beat him alone. Remind me not to try it with her, if she becomes an issue." Tasha sinks back in her chair, finding space exploration makes her feel even more inadequate than interplanetary exploration. Her ears flatten, and her expression ships in to the glum, morose look Eli is well familiar with. "So, projective is like the Niss's ability? Are there other kinds?"

The Niss replies, "The Library indicates that only Terran and Confederate governments embrace the development of natural psionic abilities. The Celestials and Khattans prefer to rely on technological principles of psionics. The Silent-Ones have traditionally frowned upon such things and do not pursue either biological or technological uses of psionics."

"The Articles of Combat prevent the use of psionic weaponry, but there are events that suggest that is not always followed," Niss continues. "Some see the use of such 'tricks' as a sign of weakness and poor strategy."

"Prolonged exposure to certain exotic fields or spaces may result in temporary psionic and pseudo-psionic effects in random individuals."

"Well, that's good to know. Come to think of it, the answer doesn't surprise me that much. It fits with what I know of the different groups. Well, how to Harrowers fit in to all of that? Don't they use some kind of psychic communication? Don't we use it to talk to each other? I'm still not sure how that works, or, really, what I'm doing or how I'm doing it," admits the young woman, whose ears go askew. "Exotic fields and spaces? Temporary ability? Articles of Combat?"

"The Article of Combat are why Titans exist," Eli notes. "Abaddon has something similar, to prevent the use of weapons of mass destruction. Any interstellar civilization has the ability to destroy planets - the Articles ensure that 'appropriate force' is used in conflicts."

"Oh, that! I remember Gabriel explaining something like that when I asked him what the purpose of Titans was, and how they were used. It feels like a long time ago." Tasha runs a hand back through her mohawk, letting it stand up before flopping to the side. "I'd better catch up, or I'm not going to be very useful around here."

"The Geneshan Skirmish involving the Silent-Ones and Celestial Empire is an example of the Articles in effect," the Niss recites. "The Celestials held claim to the world of Genesh, which the Silent-Ones had settled. When they landed forces to take the colony, they were faced with steel-armored Vykarins wielding swords and spears. The Nagas could not respond with appropriately matched weaponry and had to retreat without combat."

"That sounds like it could be easily abused, but not without political fallout and the risk of being on the wrong end of a powerful retaliation. Does this only apply to wars between governments? And only those that agree? I can't imagine the Titanians agreed to this," remarks the young owner, who lays her arms on the console and leans forward, resting her head on the Niss.

"It only applies to official actions between governments," Niss notes. "It notably does not apply to independent groups, corporations, rebels or Titanians. The Articles have been used to cover the invasion of worlds where the invaders had valid claim to be 'liberating' or protecting the populace while use vastly superior weaponry and armor. It is all about prestige and quantifiable honor."

"It sounds complicated, and a lot like what I remember back home in the alleys and taverns. Respect was just as important as result and gain, maybe even more so. Blackwings killed over it. But it sounds like the sort of thing prophecies and ghosts keep telling me to avoid. Ego. Self-importance. That sort of thing," notes the young woman, who wrinkles her muzzle at the idea. "More politics, too. So much to learn."

"It makes it possible for the 'junior' Galactics to thrive against the seniors," Eli says. "In any actual battle, the seniors always have the advantage. And they may destroy the lesser opposition, but still 'officially' lose because of the exploits of those they were fighting."

Tasha nods her head slowly, rolling the Niss a bit. "Bullying. Or, no, more like acting without finesse. Blackwings didn't just murder in alleys, or stab people in the back, she wanted them to see her skill and killed them in plain view with flair. In that way, she gained fame, and quickly. I think I understand. The only time she crushed someone, was when they threatened her prestige by endangering her glory, either intentionally or accidentally. She killed them to preserve that -- and for fun. Do I have it?" She asks, ears going up.

"If she respected people that fought back with skill, even if they didn't have a chance - especially if they didn't have a chance - then yes," Eli says. "Suicide tactics earn respect, and respect means the winner has to acknowledge and praise the efforts of the loser. Transfer coup to them. Killing someone who puts up a good, honorable fight following the rules.. makes you look like a jerk."

The bridge doors open, and Gabriel enters. There's also the sound of rushing water coming from below the floor. "Transfer is nearly done," he says.

"Well," Tasha begins, hesitating, "she wasn't quite like that. She still killed them, but I think her, um, culture as a pirate respected that more. It was a different society, where ruthlessness is valued almost as much as skill and flair -- and mercy was weakness." She sits up as Gabriel enters smiling at the man. "That's good. Once Kaa is up here we can get him on the mass detector, then dive. I'll feel better the sooner we're gone. I don't like endangering Encante any more than was necessary."

"Sounds like I've missed an interesting conversation," Gabriel notes. "We should be free of Ningyo in a few more minutes. I can take us out of the system before we hand things over to Kaa. I don't know how the dolphin interface works, but he'll probably need some practice time."

"I know I could have used some practice time," the hybrid admits, reaching up and rubbing her forehead as she recalls the horrible experience. "By the way, Miss Spy is a psychic -- a passive type. I thought you'd want to know, since I'm certain she'll be trying to figure us out despite my warnings."

"So.. don't bother trying to deceive her, just deflect where possible," Gabriel suggests.

"That explains why she saw through my alien disguise. I plan to avoid her, we don't get along very well anyway. But I'll do my duty as 'a good host' if needed." Tasha then mock-salutes Gabriel, despite technically outranking him here. She then turns to Eli and answers, "Moka. She's a data analyst. I figured with all the aliens, unknown signals, new planets, and so on we could use someone dedicated to analyzing it. That'll free you up for scientific tasks, and the Niss for other things, if need be. It also helps she's current to this universe and can ID contemporary signals better than any of us. Was ... she a good choice?" Her ears go up.

"Yes, actually," Eli says, wagging his tail a bit. "At least I know what to set her up with.."

"Oh good. I think I'm getting the hang of being an owner!" Tasha's tail wags in turn, mirroring Eli's positivity. "It's a lot less stressful when I don't need to command, and can oversee without trying to do it all myself. And I'll have time to study, now that we have enough crew. Niss, would you mind tutoring me?"

Gabriel has moved to the pilot station, and reports, "Transfer is finished, we're disconnecting now. I'll dive as soon as it's safe, so get Kaa here to hook up and monitor the process so he can learn it."

"Got it." Tasha turns her chair, looking over the console the Niss occupies a moment before pushing a series of interactables and then announcing, "Kaa, Moka, to the bridge please. That's ... " She leans back, peering off at the ship schematic that displays the additions, " ... the fore waterway, straight line until the curve, then continue aft in to the pool."

Once that's done, Tasha picks up the Niss and then proceeds over to Gabriel, sitting down in the navigation console beside him. The Niss are placed on the console as well, then Tasha gets to work by bringing up local navigation. "It's nice to see my Horse so active," she asides.

A minute later, the clicks and squeaks of the Phins can be heard, the sleek bodies seen through the windows in the floor. "I want to make love to this ship," Kaa says, breeching in front of the pilot stations.

"Just stick to piloting the ship for now, Kaa," Tasha notes, the yougn woman sitting up to peer over the balcony. "Gabe's going to take us out, why don't you attend your station and see how he goes about it? Moka," she turns to the younger Phin, "your station isn't ready yet, so, just enjoy the ride and try to get a feel for things. By the way," and here she turns back again, "Kaa, our ship uses a form-fitting gravitational warp drive. We'll be entering the depths of the Maelstrom, the realm between dimensions. We're largely undetectable submerged, and, capable of FTL travel that way. You'll get the hand of it, I'm sure. I think the ship likes the water, anyway."

The Phin rattles off a series of whistles and drops back below the water. An indicator on Gabriel's panel shows that Kaa has 'connected' to his interface. "Alright, diving," Gabriel says, and eases the ship into the Maelstrom. The mass detector appears, showing the nearby gas giant and the gravitational eddies caused by its moons. He then begins to take them away towards the edge of the system.

Tasha plots a real-space course, just in case. The gravitational lanes are still a factor in real-space, but other topography may not be, and gravitational interaction is different. Distance, too, is problematic. She knows Gabriel can at least use it to move away from Encante, and she tries to keep to the shadow the planet in case the dive fails for some reason. The rest is just back, in case they need to depart by real space drive. "All set here," she announces, bringing up a tactical display window so she can watch local space as well as her plot.

"Uh oh," Tasha murmurs under her breath, a grin that she's trying to supress appearing at the ends of her muzzle. She leans a little closer to her console, fiddling with her plot in case it's needed -- but mostly just for the practice.

Kaa keeps quiet for the next hour, until Gabriel surfaces again in interstellar space, and rubs his forehead. "It still feels like the Maelstrom is fighting back," he notes.

It's about this point Tasha's brow suddenly furrows. Wait, Kaa gets his own neural connection and I don't? Her ears flatten, and her head sinks a little. This wouldn't be a commentary on my ability, would it Niss? Or the humor of a empire? Her head shakes and she glances towards Gabriel, "Is that possible? I didn't know it was alive. Want em to rub your ears?"

"It's not alive, it's just.. like water. A sea. It's got tides and cross currents and weather," Gabriel says, then leans his head back to give easier access to his ears.

"The Phin uses a muscle cortex interface, not a full sensory one," the Niss notes to Tasha.

Tasha turns her own chair so she's closer, then leans against Gabriel's so she can work his ears -- he also gets a kiss on the back of the head! "So, like mapping the winds. You'd think I'd be good at that, but Kaa is probably better." She scootches forward and settles in for her very important task, thinking, Could you create a full sensory version? Or at least a partial interface? It'd be nice to have a greater awareness of my vessel and see what everyone is up to.

"Uncertain," the Niss notes. "The ship is tuned to the senses of the Horse. They are not likely to be compatible."

I'm only 'half horse,' I guess, Tasha admits, knowing full well what the Niss means. I'll have to find some other way to contribute more around here! Then again, maybe I ought to just relax. The young woman sits up, then stands up so she can peer over Gabriel's shoulder from atop it, resting her head there as she rubs his ears. "I'm fine with it if you are, Captain. We can begin practice; I'll inform the Doctor that we're outside tha radius of hyperwave jamming."

"Keep us in realspace for now, Kaa," Gabriel says. "I haven't given her a proper maneuvering test.. not sure what her limits are."

"Aye aye!" Kaa answers, and the view of the starfield outside the window begins to pan and roll as the Phin flexes the ship's muscles a bit.

Tasha gives Gabriel's head another kiss before returning to her seat. She punches through commands, openign displays for the ship's course, speed, and so on, and also a intercom channel directly to Dr. Sen's quarters. "Doctor," she sends, waiting for the woman to respond, "we've left the jamming space and are ready to attempt to contanct."

"No need," Tasha sends back, "we can handle it from your quarters. Just input what you need, and we'll setup a private link. Eli?" She looks up, "would you mind handling the link? I'm not very familiar with the Terran comm systems yet."

Eli switches his station over to communications. "Cabin link established, please enter your encryption key," he tells the intercom. There isn't much activity for the next few minutes, other than indicators reporting the message being sent. Finally a reply comes back. Another minute passes, and Dr. Sen sends a long series of coordinates to Eli.

"Hmmm, these are out near the Coal Sack I think," Eli says. "Niss, can you identify them?"

"No. There is no system in the catalog for that location," Niss replies. "The Coal Sack Nebula is largely uncharted."

Tasha's display shows a line leading to nowhere, but surrounded by some stellar nursery systems.

Tasha observes from behind Eli, having never seen this sort of communication in action. When it all appears to be done, she transfers the coordinates to her navigation station and sits back down. "I don't know anything about it eitehr, but that's not a surprise. Entering the coordinates." She brings up the FTL drive plotter and the galactic map, making a note of the target location mentally. "Gabriel, I'll need some help with this, I think. Without a system map I don't know how to handle arrival and don't want to risk putting us in deeply inclined space." She sdhakes her head as she peers at the area -- she isn't supposed to guess? is she?

"There's a star there," Moka claims. "The other systems are moving in a way that suggests a stellar mass at the destination. It may have just been removed from the Library."

"Or rather not included in non-privileged databases," Gabriel suggests. "Something the Senior Galactics want to keep hidden."

"A conspiracy then. Well, I know how to plot around those." The hybrid woman twists her muzzle, then begins netering things. She uses the gravitational distortion as a guide and puts them beyond the typical formation area for outter debris fields and distant sub-planet sizd objects. "There. We'll arrive at the edge of the system, just within the sun's apparent bend. We can surface and take a look, then move closer once we have a crude system map."

"That sounds like a good sleep and a few solid meals. Or several, depending! Gabriel, Kaa, when you're ready get us on our way. We don't want to keep Dr. Spy waiting." Having handled her part, the young woman stands and tugs her jacket around herself. "I think I'll go change and get comfortable. If you need me, I'll be on my deck ... hmm ... Painting, I think. I think a certain Captain could use a painting of the Ningyo."