The lobstersine is a Confederate vehicle-beast, sporting both mechanical wheels and ten armored insectoid legs on the long carapace. The passenger cabin is made of transparent shell, and the seating is unique in that the chairs are gimbaled to turn in any direction, allowing passengers to face one another over horizontal ground at the very least. Katherine Vesuvius is dressed in a formal black gown, with her hair in a bun and lacking the usual glittery effects of Katie Kaboom, but still showing a few bits of shiny jewelry. Mr. Invention accompanies her, wearing a tuxedo and carrying a matching courier bag (which holds Katie's new, fancy tablet).
Scholar Hakeber is wearing her formal Knight's Templar cloak and uniform, which has a variation of the Bound Star and Anchor that includes a scroll wrapping around the shaft of the Anchor. The cloak is white and red, while the uniform beneath is green with gold trim. Thanks to Liza, her hair is coifed and pinned, instead of her usual 'let it fall wherever' style. She also has her new tablet, but her scholar's cloak has pockets big enough for holding books so she doesn't need a separate case for it.
As the occasion befits, Tasha is also dressed to the nines -- except she for her own paramilitary organization. Her Liza-designed day-to-day uniform wasn't enough, making this one of a vew few occassions she's needed to pull out her original -- and ancient -- Joint Expeditionary Force uniform. The once Nora-owned uniform has since been tailored, the new logo has been added, and she even has her rank and service iconography attached. In addition she's also wearing her merit: The sash-and-medal as befits ordained knight of a Silent One's Titan order that has seen combat, with her maks carefully placed in a dufflebag held offstage in case she needs it. And, to round it all off, her own hair has been styled in a nice updo by Lisa.
All in all, she looks as professional as she ever has.
Liza is also there, wearing her professional uniform that is designed to be mostly nondescript to let her fade into the background until needed - consisting of a dark skirt, jacket and blouse.
The vehicle makes good time through the streets, and handles traffic by occasionally using the walls of buildings as an alternate roadway (making the gimbal system a necessity). It's soon out of the city and crossing into the Confederate Quarter 'countryside'. "Look at all the cultivation!" Katie gushes, and Hakeber also stares. Farming out in the open, on Abaddon, is a big deal.
"I'm glad the wells turned out ... um, well," Tasha remarks as she turns to follow the sound of the gushing, having been anxiously going over what she was going to do, say, and how she was going to deal with being on stage. Suddenly looking over at the fabulous Katherine Vesuvius doesn't help, either. "I mean," and here she clears her throat, " ... I'm glad we were able to provide something more concre- ... I mean, something practical to aid Abaddon. I worry, sometimes, that we don't provide enough direct, practical benefit."
"This is quite an impressive direct, practical benefit, considering your organization isn't even fully staffed yet," Mr. Invention notes. "If it can be repeated outside of the Pit, then you'll find yourselves quite busy and popular."
"I like the sound of busy and popular," Tasha admits, turing to smile at the mysterious Mr. I. Something about the man calms her; She thinks it must be his rock in a storm aura, as if nothing could ever phase him. She isn't sure that anything could phase him, something she admires as much as she envies -- especially right now. "That will mostly be Ga- The Captain, our head science officer, and our off site staff, though. I have some other duties I'll need to attend to, so I may not be around as much as I am now."
"The sensors you used are off your spaceship anyway," Hakeber reminds. "Once that can fly again, it can do the surveys instead of you having to fly around yourself."
"That's right, they won't need me. And with the Reaper on duty and fully equiped, they won't, um, need me much here, either." The cadet's ears cant back a little, just slightly, but she presses on. "Anyway, I'm glad it's all working out. Besides, the Captain and Doctor Zerachiel could use more field work."
The ground begins to slope, which means the forward seats are getting higher than the rear ones due to the gimbals. "I think we're close to the cliff now," Katie notes.
Tasha nods her head, turning to look forward. "It looks that way," she agrees. "All set? You must be used to this sort of thing by now?"
The cliff is looming ahead. There's an elevator platform.. but next to that is something that looks like a giant ladder. This is what the lobstersine heads for, and starts climbing. Chairs swing about so everyone is looking out through the shell now at the landscape.
"I've never done this before," Katie admits.
"But you like it though?" Tasha asks, glancing over at the starlet.
Katie is above Tasha now, with her feet swinging free. "It sure beats the elevator!" the Karnor woman claims with a laugh.
There are a lot of VIPs assembled this night. Strength-of-Stones and Feather-Tail are in attendance, keeping close to the Silent-One that came in with Tasha and the Titanians; Lonevigil, who will be controlling the Reaper on the visit to Star City. The Viceroy and his wife are there, chatting with a tall Karnor woman in a dress that seems to be made of flakes of different metals - almost like armor. She's wearing a hood and has her back to Tasha and her party though at the moment. Many of the PHTO heads are present, including Rapatia and the wheelchair-bound Senator Cornelius. Riddle Smith and Yue are off to one side, and a familiar trio of journalists are mingling as well that Tasha hasn't seen since she first arrived with Melchior to the Pit. Commanding-Hand is also present, signing with Tomorrow's-Hope, both in formal looking robes.
"So many important people ... " Tasha observes with no little awe, head slowly turning to take in the VIP deck. "And this building. It's beautiful." She bites her lip a moment, then turns to ask Katherine, "Katie, I recognize a lot of the representatives here, but who is the Karnor woman in the Vartan-catching dress?" She nods her head towards the glittering VIP; Her glitter being exactly why she caught the hybrid's focus -- and cofusion -- so quickly.
"I don't know," Katie admits. "Can't see her face.. they've got scent suppressors going in here too. Mr. I?"
Mr. Invention shakes his head slightly. "I've seen the guest list, and recognize everyone that's on it. She's not on it."
"Well at leats no one will know how nervous I am," Tasha remarks, dropping her voice and she watches the mysterious newcomer -- or perhaps she's always been around?
"That's ominous," the cadet notes, head now tilting. "We should say hello later."
"Have a drink or two," Hakeber suggests. "That will relax you. And then make sure I only have one or two.."
Tasha nods slowly to the idea. "I will if you remind me I can't drink like I used to. We don't need to see the rainbow coalition visit," the young woman notes.
After another glance around, she nods towards the wet bar and begins that way with the group.
"Just avoid stress," Katie recommends. The barkeep is a smiling Eeee with a golden bow-tie. "What is your pleasure, lovely ladies?" he asks. There's an impressive collection of bottles behind him.. hinting that just about any fancy mixed drink is available.
"Dry martini for me, please," Katie orders. Hakeber seems a bit stumped at the moment though - she probably isn't very familiar with mixed drinks, where one part wasn't beer.
"Make that three dry martinis," Tasha puts in, a bit quickly once she notices Hakeber has the same uncertain disposition she has. Katherine has always been her guide to the world of Abaddon's high society, and that includes drinks -- the cadet thinks now is an excellent time to follow her lead.
The bartender makes a bit of a performance out of it, especially the shaking part where the different liquors are blended before being poured. Even the glasses seem novel, being wide and angled. The addition of little green vegetables of some sort (possibly fruit?) on toothpicks is also new.
Tasha takes up her drink and gives it a brief look-over, thinking it very delicate. I can't imagine serving one of these in mom's tavern, she muses to herself, suspecting it would be broken within the hour. There could be a betting pool. The fruit or vegatable is equally mysterious, both what it is and why it's there in the first place. Not wanting to stare overlong, the young woman has a sip and looks off, trying to seem like she's done it all before.
It's certainly a bit stronger than what she's normally used to - so sipping is definitely in order. It also reminds her a bit of the lounge she wants for the Dark Horse. There is more to a fancy bar than just brandy, apparently. But it shouldn't be hard to find mixed-drink recipes. Or she could just ask Liza to look into it. Hakeber is wrinkling her nose a bit - she had a more generous sip, and looking to Katie to see how to even hold the glass properly.
Tasha follows that gaze, suddenly wondering if wrapping her hand around the stem is the wrong way to hold the glass. This, too, is something she thinks she'll need to learn -- a fancy bar needs fancy clients. "So," she begins as she tries very hard to look casual about shifting her grip, "I think I ought to visit the Silent Ones' delegation first, since it is their big day and there might be further questions about the Reaper. I see Lonevigil is there, too. He's an interesting one."
"He's an alien right?" Katie asks quietly. "I mean.. from outside the Primus system?"
"Yes," Tasha replies, equally low. She turns on her stool, back slightly against the counter as she glancs towards the aforementioned group. "A Titan pilot and a kind of ambassador. We talked briefly on the way back, but I didn't learn that much about him other than those two details."
"He was a candidate for Archon of the entire Silent-Ones Star Empire," Mr. Inventions informs them. "A distinguished Titan Warrior who rose through the ranks for acts of bravery. It is possible that he has some prosthetic grafts as a result. Silent-Ones only do that when absolutely necessary."
"I'm sure he was very impressed when I argued with him about Silent One women being capable of piloting," Tasha notes with a hint of a groan. "Still, he seemed to take it well. I wonder what he thinks of the Reaper? He may know more about it and its pilot than we do; We only really know the original owner's name and that he was some sort of overseer or high functionary."
"Still, I'm impressed by his record. Maybe he preferred that I didn't know it, to hear my honest opinion?" The hbrid woman glances hopefully towards Mr. Invention.
"He probably didn't care," Mr. Invention notes. "It is unlikely that he's actually dealt with many outside his species in civil circumstances. He wouldn't have known your position here."
"Ah.. that's why Strength-of-Stones is keeping close," Katie guesses. "He's the chaperone."
"Too bad," Hakeber says, having a sip of her drink. "For an older guy he's pretty.. uh.. never mind," she says. She always did have a weakness for cheetahs.
"I'm sure he assumed great importance," the hybrid woman notes, eyes rolling and a hint of a grin playing on her muzzle. "Would you believe every time I tell people I'm an archaeologist or a researcher I hear: "You don't look like the type"?" She then turns to Katherine and nods her head. "Probably! Hey, wait, is that why you're here with us?" There's plenty of mock-suspicion in that look.
"Really Tasha," Katie says, and swirls the little olive in her drink. "Isn't that why Liza is here? I've got Mr. I to keep me in line and on image. You're better at socializing that I am, after all. You can socialize with anyone. Probably because you are so unconventional - nobody knows what to expect."
"A certain someone I know refers to that as 'the crazy train,'" the unconventional woman notes, nodding her head towards Riddle Smith and the woman next to her. "See the woman in the hooded outfit? She's an alien, too. Terragens agent. A Chinese breed. I met her out in the Black. Pretty scary, but don't tell her I said that. I have an image to maintain."
"She looks about as scary as your assistant," Katie notes. "Exotic though. Then again, humans from Sinai look exotic on Abaddon. We make do with a limited gene-pool after all."
"Probably shouldn't advertise that though on Sinai," Hakeber adds. "We'll be overrun with men banking on their genetic diversity to sleep around a lot."
Tasha tilts her head, glancing back at Katie. "I'm fairly sure she could beat up anyone in this room, including that Titan pilot and definitely me. You really can't assume anything about people out there, especially with all the modifications available." She then settles her back against the counter, glass in her taloned hand and eyes watching the crowd. "Don't ever change, Hake-bear." She grins a little, then without looking over at the two asks, "Have you two ever thought about your future? Where you want to go, what you want to be?"
"Mr. I gives me a schedule," Katie notes. "I think I'm due about a year of vacation time by now."
"Teaching I suppose, or curating," Hakeber says. "Or whatever the Knights decide to do with me. I wouldn't mind visiting the Knights on Sinai and syncing up our histories."
"Ever think about space?" Tasha remarks, trying to sound csual and hoping Mr. Invention isn't burning a hole through her head with her eyes about now. "About becoming an explorer? Maybe the crew of a very sexy starship, that just-so-happens to be owned by someone unconventional?" Letting taht linger, and needing to keep going before her fear of Katie's manager gets to her, "And Hake? Of course I need you. We're thinking of visiting our friend Adam soon, and from there ... Well, we'll need you. Maybe you can meet Adam's friends. I know they're big in your work."
"Are we talking a birth on the Belle, or..?" Hakeber asks quietly.
"I like to travel," Katie admits. "More than just between New Zion, Expedition City and the Pit at least. I need to look for new things to incorporate into my performance.."
Tasha pulls out her datapad, which has been stored in a very sleek pouch on her equally sleek belt. She manipulates it a moment, then waves the two woman to lean in and have a look.
On the screen is a ship like they've never seen before. Femine yet dangerous, glowing and ominous. It looks like a sea creature, like it belongs in dark places. Firey green rings encircle it.
"Or, who knows? Maybe become Katie Kaboom: Intergalactic superstar," she suggests, glancing between the two leaning persons. "I'm surprised you're not more excited, Hake."
"I'm.. really trying not to lose my cool in here," Hakeber notes. "I may need three drinks at this rate.."
Katie on the other hand is glued to the image. It looks like she is trying to not lick her lips. "It's alien, unless styling has really changed since the Expedition. Who made it?" she asks.
"Then I'll stop, I just wasn't sure when or how to tell you two and I figured it would at least distract us away from the ominous now." Another glance between the two women and Tasha adds, "We still have birthing space aboard, but I need to decide on a more finalized crew contingent soon. I'd like you two to be part of that roster. Think about it? You'll find the briefing and detaisl on your own datapads: Ask it about the Dark Horse and pass the identity checks it requests. That should answer your basic questions, I tried to think of everything, and how to catch you up. It also talks about the ship."
"And the ship's mission, I assume?" Mr. Invention finally pipes in with.
"Yes," Tasha replies, figuring Mr. I would inquire sooner or later and finding the question a lot better than some of the otehr scenarios she envisioned. "Hake already knows a part of it, because she's been with us for it. Essentially, we're looking for things. People, artifacts, places. Um, and we're sort of pirates. Privateers, really. But that doesn't mean we don't have support! We can expect unofficial support from multiple governments, and, um, others."
"So.. just the Black Operations wing of the JEF?" the Karnor asks.
"You could say that," Tasha replies, finally glancing back at the man. "This is all an extension of my personal project that's been ongoing since before the JEF we re-founded. I've always had a few off-the-books projects going and this is another way to see them through. My crew has actually been waiting for me all this time, which is why I've been in such a hurry. I have a few things to do before I go, including this event, so you have some time to think -- assuming all goes well and I return."
"Assuming?" Katie asks, looking up from the image now. "Are you doing something dangerous?"
"Most of what I do is dangerous. Um, some of it is more dangerous than others, but, um, it'sall fairly dangerous," the cadet admits, shifting uncomfortable undr Katherine's concerned look. "That's another thing: If you comewith me, it'll be dangerous. Ask Hake."
"I doubt it would be hiking through mountains and dive bars though this time," Hakeber says. "But I bet there will be lots of books. Or whatever is used now."
"I am a military officer you know," Katie points out. Of course, the Expedition military doesn't allow females to actually fight - but that doesn't mean they aren't trained for it.
"It'll be different. Anyway, the hardest part is for me to to. If all goes well, I'll be back and I'll have more to say about what we're doing, where we're going, and so on." Tasha then turns to Katie and raises her brows. "Does that mean you'd feel comfortable becoming an officer? There'd be a lot of training to do, but we will have access to it. Advanced training facilities."
"I did very well at the academy," Katie claims with a grin. "Commanding presence, my Supervising Officer said. Which is why I ended up in Public Relations."
"Well, besides personal reasons, I did think you'd be great at the public relations role. Being able to leverage someone like you in negotiations would be a great resource for the ship, and I know I'm not always the right kind of charm. There's also keeping the crew morale up, entertainment, and we have officer roles to fill. First officer, for example. Most of the crew if Terran, and you already get people to follow, so I'm sure they'll follow you naturally," Tasha notes, brows and ears rasing. "Hake will be asigned to research duties, artifact handling, and so on. My role is more complex. I'm the ship owner, but not exactly a crew member in the usual sense. I'll be dealing with the mission and setting pace and goals, among other things. The ship's safety is my major concern."
Both Hake and Katie look surprised at that last bit of information. "You.. aren't the captain?" Katie asks. "Isn't that what you always wanted to be though?"
"The mission and the ship are more important than what I want," Tasha replies, ears canting back from being looked at so.
Katie smiles. "That's a very mature attitude, Tasha," she says with approval.
"And you can still party," Hakeber notes.
"Not too much partying," Liza adds.
"I have another path to follow, anyway," Tasha murmurs, ears reddening at the compliment. She has to look away, staring in to her drink. "And, um, partying. Planetside missions. Not too much partying. Um. I keep busy. Talk to the, um, other things."
Rapatia has joined in the conversation with the Viceroy and the mystery woman, which causes her to turn enough that Tasha can at least see her muzzle.
It's Bumper.
Tasha suddenly coughs at the sight of Bumper in a high societal gathering, having to cough even more to clear her throat. She puts her drink aside then, and bids, "Um, excuse me, I see someone I know," and then promptly gets up and begins heading towards the gathering.
"Martinis can do that if you aren't used to them," Katie comments, but her voice is soon lost.. even though the distance isn't far enough. More than just odor suppression going on, clearly - but if this is a Confederate structure, of course it would have some sort of privacy system for people with sensitive hearing. It isn't until she's within a yard of the group that Tasha can even hear Rapatia say, ".. what powers that thing, eh? Spotty power cells hard to come by.. oh, hey, Tasha!"
"Hi Colonel, I hope I'm not interupting?" Tasha asks, knowing she is interupting and intentionally so, but also having learned she's supposed to ask anyway.
"Of course you are!" Rapatia laughs, then puts an arm around Tasha's shoulder. "Madame Starfire, this is Tasha Argentine, one of the girls I.. mentor. Tasha, Madame Starfire, owner of the Overlook."
"Glad you could make it to our little get together," Bumper says, sounding quite unlike her usual gruff self. She's got a familiar grin however.
"Ah, ha ha, yes, she's my mentor," Tasha adds, going along with things. "Someone like me, I need a lot of mentors." She watches Bumper for a moment, then grins back. "I like this place, it's classy. 'm glad I could be here, Miss Starfire."
"I don't visit often, myself," the Titanian notes. "But this seemed like an interesting occasion, and I enjoy meeting new people. And old friends, as well."
Bumper actually has a long cigarette holder in her hand, but the stick at the end of it isn't burning.. it looks like a tube of something brown-and-green.
"Me too, you never know when you'll meet one or the other." Tasha watches the older woman a moment longer, then fearing she's letting her gaze linger overlong, suddenly turns to look up at Rapatia. "So, you were asking about our dear Reaper? I don't know much about it myself; I had my hands full with my own Titan. We knew it worked though. Have you managed to learn more about it?"
"Oh, it would be rude to corner Commanding-Hand or Tomorrow's-Hope and ask about it," Rapatia notes with a grin. "Not like we can sell them spare parts. They always tight-lipped.. uh.. handed.. about how their stuff works. Learning the truth would spoil the speculation game."
"See, as an explorer, ruining speculation is all I'm about. It must be why I have a hard time," Tasha remarks, grinning al over again. "So, do you all have any questions I can answer? Or should I be quiet and listen?"
"Well, my theory is that it is powered by the ego of the pilot," Rapatia claims.
"That only works with our Titans," the Viceroy claims with a grin.
"Then it should run forever with Tomorrow's-Hope at the command," is Tasha's contribution to the joke.
"Or with Captain Stoic over there," Rapatia says, tilting her beak towards Lonevigil. "Stoney is either keeping him from talking to anyone, or having an argument with him. Hard to tell - signs are blurred. Neat trick that.." She gives the Viceroy a raised eyebrow.
"I don't think it's one of my tricks.. there are too many to keep track of," the Eeee claims. "Still, having a place to meet and have private conversations - of any sort - is welcome."
"Yeah, um, could be either," Tasha says ambivalently, uncertain how much to share and finding herself in one of the uncomfortable spots between governments that an outsider like her occassionally slips in to. She latches on to the topic of privacy, instead. "I agree. I wish I knew about this place sooner, I'd have brough people. Had meetings."
"It's best to do it in big groups like this event," the Viceroy advises. "Nothing suspicious, whereas a smaller group might be noted."
"I don't know, I'm very subtle," Tasha insists, shifting udner Rapatia's arm until she's a little more comfortable. She doesn't mind the arm around her, it makes her feel safer somehow, and a bit nostalgic. "I should go talk to the Archon and the pilot, though. They might think I'm subtly avoiding them which will look bad considering they're the government under the spotlight. I'm still a little concerned one of the high-ups back in Star City will make a claim, so no reason to give them a reason to contest -- or detest -- our decision making."
Before letting her go, Rapatia whispers into Tasha's ear, "Keep eye on your bunny. Reporters maybe not notice her next to Katie Kaboom, but may corner her anyway."
Tasha nods grimly. "I'll try and think of a distraction or an escape in the mean time," she whispers back. Stepping away, she bids the group, "It was nice seeing you again, and meeting you, Mis Starfire. We should talk again, some time. I might be around in a week or two." She then inclines hr head and steps away, making a beeline for the Silent Ones just in case the reporters decide to ambush her instead.
So far the trio of newshounds have kept clustered together, lest one of them hear something exclusive. At the moment, they've surrounded Commanding-Hand and Tomorrow's-Hope. The pilot is mugging for the camera as they take photos. Pretty pilots sell papers, apparently.
Feather-Tail spots Tasha coming, and nudges Strength-of-Stones. He looks a little relieved to see her, and Feather-Tail makes 'putting on a mask' gestures towards her.
The realization makes Tasha now wonder why they're not swarming her. I'm still pretty, she assurs herself, Scars or no. Katie likes me, so what do they know. Satisfied, she approaches the Silent Ones with renewed, albiet shakey, confidence. "Greetings Archon Strength-of-Stones, Pilot Lonevigil," she signs to them, "May I join you?"
"Of course, Honorary Squadron Member Winged-Gift," Strength-of-Stones signs. "I see you have met our honored visitor from Star City already."
As she approaches Tasha notes the gesture digs in to her second pouch and slides on her gold-and-obsidian colored opaque mask, her name inscribed in paint upon her brow: Winged-Gift.
"Yes, we met during his arrival. I was surprised to meet him and his fellow," Tasha confirms, adjusting the mask-straps and then letting her hand fall. "I hope you are doing well, Pilot Lonevigil? How do you find our planet?"
Lonevigil is without expression below his mask, so it's difficult to tell his feelings towards 'honorary' Silent-Ones. When he's not signing, he barely moves at all. "Refreshingly hostile," he replies, although it isn't clear which question the reply is to. "You pilot the Gryphon and recovered the Reaper. What made you decide to bring it from the moon?"
Tasha pauses at the reply, unable to decide if the planet, or she herself, is the refreshingly hostile one; She could go either way. After a split-second she does reply, signing, "Both are in good condition and I happen to like Titans, we also felt they might be useful. I would like to tell you my reasons were more complex, but I was not more complex back then. I have grown a great deal in the shadow of my Titan and I am more proud of the use I am putting it to today than my participation in its recovery. I am glad for its recovery, however. It would have been a shame to waste a defender, especially one that is clearly wrapped in history."
"You destroyed the Silent-Ones Titan called Seraph, however," Lonevigil signs. "Although it was clearly corrupted, as are most things touched by the Khattans."
"Do not blame the Khattans, that is not accurate. The modification to the Seraph's hull was performed by the Silent Empire, and the possession of the artifact by a Sifran autonomous AI construct or other entity. The entity within the Seraph would have made the Seraph an angel of destruction; It could not ne allowed to survive, but I mourn it. I knew its living AI and I had hoped we could accomplish great things, but it was not to be. Maybe it was for the best," the cadet notes, head tilting. She then adds, "The Titan was a Khattan construct, whatever its design. Entirely Khattan. It is the Silent Empire who corrupted it, and the construct that did it further. But it died honorably, in battle, to defend. Please do not speak ill of it."
Part of Lonevigil's lip turns up slightly. "The Khattans created a tool with a mind. That is the definition of a slave," he signs. "It is their conceit, their pride, that makes them desire to dominate others, and make certain those dominated know it, even if they are machines. And their audacity in their attempts knows no limit. This is a personal matter for me and the People. The last attempt to put a false messiah at the head of our civilization should have brought us to war. But less-experienced leadership chose sanctions instead." He seems rather bitter about this.
"I will not deny that there are factions of the Khattan Trade Emirate that have questionable practices; That are even our enemies as plain as any other. House Khomen invaded our world -- I killed one of his spies myself after a long single combat I nearly lost because of his augmentations. I am familiar with the attempt at takeover. They are devious and cunning, and they desire wealth and control and power. But I do ot think they are all like that; I have had cause to reconsider," Tasha signs back, trying to maintaina neutral tone and not having to try hard by this point, as until recently she had firmly stood on the 'all Khattans are terrible' side of the line. "I do also pilot their machines. The Seraph, my Melchior. Whatever their purpose or fetter, they are my allies."
"It is a risk to trust them, without knowing their hidden agendas," the elder cheetah signs. "We do not need their services or goods, however. Some say that is why they attempted to conquer by deception - to simply open the Empire as a new market. I believe differently. They saw us as a means to attaining the power of these worlds. Unless they are of your blood, all allies should be considered temporary ones."
"That is a very grim outlook andone that will leave you with only allies in blood. The Star Empire cannot stand alone against the Khattan Trade Emirate; Caution is understandable, suspicion too, but if you cannot trust even a little you will be alone. I know this. I have tried it and failed," signs the cadet, who cocks her head the other say, "It is always a risk. It is also a risk not to. Look for answers, though, that is fine I think. I look for them too. You are not alone; They tried to conqueor our home as well. We cannot attack them, or even hurt them much. It is frusterating. For what it is worth, I agree that they wanted our worlds. I piloted the Seraph; They wanted it. I killed the pilot they sent. I know. I made their agent speak. And I feel very helpless, but we should not give up or give in."
"The Archon has sent me here to learn," Lonevigil signs. "I do not believe we can intermingle with the other civilizations without losing our culture. So I am to study the Silent-Ones of this world. They did not fall for Light-of-Star's tricks. They are conservative. But they coexist with the others, despite a history of warfare between them. If I am convinced by their success, I will preach it to the others hardliners back on Zion. If not, the Archon will take my concerns more to heart."
"I do not know what to say regarding your mission. Your cultures are old and complex, and I am new to them. I speak mostly from personal experience and some familiarity with the Khattans are their works. I have met many cultures, and spoken to beings familiar and ancient. I have met friends and learned much, but also there are those who have tried to use me or destroy me. It is too much, too complex to provide overall advice. I think, though, if you chose to interact you will change. If you stay isolated you may remain pure, until you are annhilatd or enslaved, or are simply forgotten. That is what I have seen so far. Interact and grow, for better or worse, or do not and stagnate. Perhaps I am not saying it right? It is complicated." Tasha pauses, thinking, and then adds, "It will only be revealed in the doing, there is no simple answer and the experience is lost in generalities."
"The colonies are experiments in change," Lonevigil signs. "They are our guides."
"I hope they lead you to where you need to be," Tasha signs in return. "I would not have liked your kind had I not met the Archon and he is different. I think it is good."
"Strength-of-Stones impressed you?" Lonevigil asks in clarification, while the Archon in question is standing right there next to him.
"No, he treated me kindly. In doing so I opened up to him, and beyond that, his kind. Now we are friends and I am part of his order. We fight together. Sometimes we argue. It is all good," Tasha replies, turning to smile at the Archon for a moment before looking back. "There is something I have thought to suggest: Go to Sinai, go to the City of Hands. Look at the People as Khattans. See what you can be. I think it will help you."
And feeling a clarification is necessary, the hybrid woman then adds, "I have not met teh Archon of the People."
"My compatriot is with the Silent-Ones of Sinai," Lonevigil signs. "I am not suited for that mission."
"Go anyway," Tasha insists.
"I can see why you and Strength-of-Stones get along," the warrior signs. "I will consider it once my primary duty is fulfilled."
"Do not let your duty hold you back. You were asked to learn, if the Archon of the People is as wise as I think -- and I think so -- they will understand. If not, you can blame me and call it trickery," the cadet notes, wiggling her ears just a little under the assumption Lonevigil isn't big on humor -- or ear wiggling. There is then a pause, and a shift in the style of gesture as Tasha signs, "I have a religious question, I am curious of your opinion as a conservative from the Galactic Empire."
"You may ask," Lonevigil signs.
Tasha inclines her head. "Thank you. There are two; It is not a trick. The first one: What do you believe the Darkness is?"
"It is the weakness within us all," Lonevigil signs. "Cowardice, lust, greed. The part that makes us mortal, the price of flesh and blood. That which we must conquer in ourselves, aided by the light of the Star."
Tasha listens, earsd perked. She watches the man's face with concentration, making a mental note of the answer. "I see, thank you. The second: What do you think the soul is?"
"That which is not the Darkness," the man signs. "To be consumed by the Darkness is to lose one's soul. It is our light."
"The Darkness does not have a soul?" Tasha asks, head tilting.
"It is not an entity separate from ourselves," Lonevigil signs. "It is us. It is up to each person to subdue it, drive it deep with the light. Diminish it in ourselves and others."
"So it is a concept and a part of self and not an entity. I ahve heard gods and devils can also be insubstatial or representative, but this does not sound like that. It is a collection of flaws," Tasha reveiws, head nodding slowly. "It is a very interesting answer, thank you. But, it seems to me, it would be hard to drive out the darkness in others if you chose to avoid them."
"That depends on how you go about it," Lonevigil says. "By word, by example or by the sword."
"The dead are enlightened then?" Asks the young woman, ears perking.
"They cannot corrupt others with their Darkness," the warrior points out.
Tasha nods her head. "They are out of the way, then." She then cocks her head the other way and signs, "I have made that decision, but I find it difficult. I think that if circumstances were different, I might be the one to die. The one filled with darkness. Needs unfulfilled, a lack of kindness, loneliness and more. Are we really filled with light or lucky? Are we vain to feel better, only because we did not recieve worse? Maybe it is a lie we tell ourselves, and death is a convience and a simple answer to complex question."
"I am not a priest or a philosopher," Lonevigil says. "I see clearly because I lack imagination. I am not the one to ask such things of."
There's a bit of commotion nearby. Katie has apparently commandeered the press corps, and is making people gather in front of the view for a group photo. Well, most of the people. Rapatia, Riddle, Hakeber and Yue, along with Liza, are absent - they are in fact off at the far end of the lounge.
"That is why I like asking you the questions. Because you are mortal and flawed. Maybe I can understand by asking the same question and appreciating the same answer, and also because I appreciate the content of your answers for their own merit," the young woman explains, then she offers an inclination of the head, lower this time. "I am an explorer, I chase after big answers with small questions. Thank you for indulging me. I see Katherine Vesuvius is distracting the press; Let us go be noble and help her."