Airfield, Pit of Himar
The displacement of Elamoore and it's surroundings from Sinai to Abaddon resulted in a lot of altered real estate. The fields outside the city became flooded with contaminated Canal water, rendering the soil infertile. During the reclamation of the area, this flooded flat plane was smoothed out and dried to form an airfield. Many large hangars and mooring towers support airships, while long straight runways allow for Nagai fixed-wing aircraft to land and take off. There is also the large Titan Support Hangar, where the Silent-Ones Lawbringers (and occasionally the Magi Gryphon Melchior) are housed and maintained.

There was quite a turnout for the Reaper's welcoming ceremony. Only the first few rows had seating however, for the VIPs. Up on the stage there was a podium, and everyone was standing. Tomorrow's-Hope wore his ceremonial power armor, which bulked him out considerably, and Tasha stood next to him in her own custom armor, carrying the sword of Apollyon Stormbreaker for the occasion. Commanding-Hand flanked Tasha, wearing a formal uniform instead of armor. On the opposite side of the podium were Archon Strength-of-Stones, Lonevigil (also in armor, although much lighter and more modern looking) and Katherine Vesuvius.

The Pit Marching Band was playing several national fanfares while everyone gathered, and the day was beginning to heat up already. The front row was full of familiar faces: the PHTO heads, Riddle and Captain Frane, the Viceroy, Gabriel, Remiel and Neesa. Leeza and Mr. Invention where close by.. actually behind and below the stage, near where the fireworks were being readied.

Looking out at all the faces watching and smiling at her, Tasha is again reminded how far she's come. There's been physical distance, but also a great deal of personal and professional growth both for her and what she and the others have managed to create. The last time she stood on the runway answering questions, she had only just arrived in the Melchior; It was her first time stepping foot in the Pit of Himaar as a member of the JEF and the dawn of her new life with the organization. Now, it's been several months and here they are again -- and everyone is watching. Watching what they've managed to build, watching what they've brough back from the ashes; Watching her, and watching the people who have gathered beside her.

"I hope I don't cry," Tasha asides to Tomorrow's-Hope, knowing she can confide in her fellow pilot. "It's all a lot more touching than I was thinking it would be. We've come so far. I know it's just one Titan, and the wells are more important, but still. It's different seeing everyone gathering for an event."

When the band stops, there's some cheering, and then that dies down as Strength-of-Stones takes to the podium. He plugs a wire into his communication gauntlet so that the mechanical voice will be fed through the loudspeakers. "People of the Pit," the speakers broadcast. "We gather to welcome a new protector and symbol to our community. This mighty Reaper Titan was once the prize possession of a Silent-One noble, a leader within the Great Expedition. After thousands of years of slumber, it now wakens to serve the descendants of its former master. We do not abandon our past, but the past does not stop us from embracing the new. We must all thank the Joint Expeditionary Force for sharing this treasure with us."

There is more applause (most loudly from the Silent-Ones in the crowd) and a flurry of flashbulbs from the photographers. There's also a film crew recording it all as well. When the crowd quiets down again, Strength-of-Stones turns towards Tasha, and broadcasts, "Pilot-Cadet Tasha Argentine, would you share with us the story of finding and recovering this ancient Titan?"

"Of course, Archon." Tsha practiced this all before, and she had some idea of what was going to be said and how, but she still feels the electric tingle of anxiety as all eyes turn towards her. Had she not been through all she has thus far, she thinks she might not have been able to handle the situation; As it is, she just manages to hold on. Her struggles have given her strength to stand before the storm, be it the storm of warfare, exploration, the unknown and even now, the public. And so, she steps before the podium and folds her hands behind her back -- Gabriel said it looked less martial than resting a hand on her sword. That, too, was practiced.

"The history of the Reaper is the history of we of the Expedition. I do not speak only of the nation called the Expedition, nor my own organization, but of all of us. We whose ancestors traveled the stars in order that they might see new worlds, we whose ancestors sacrificed so that we might call these worlds home, that we might learn about them and in doing so, learn about ourselves, in cooperation if not exactly peace. We who live here together. But much was lost," she begins, pausing now to sweep her gaze across the crowd as she was told she should.

The pause ends, and Tasha spreads her hands. "These worlds are not kind to the technology of the past. Like much, the Reaper was abandoned when the crew of the vessel that hosted it abandoned ship and fled here, to Abaddon. It is upon that sleeping vessel we discovered the Reaper, lost, sleeping, forgotten -- but no longer! Through struggle and effort, we brought it back to this world -- back on our ship, a relic that had also been lost. And here, now, it is:" The young woman turns to hold her taloned hand out to the towering figure of the Reaper, " ... here where it might be a personal possession, or a trophy. A status symbol. But no. Here, it is a soldier. A defender, a servant, a champion. A champion of this place, where Abaddon has come together, just as it had once walked with our ancestors in cooperation."

Tasha's hand falls, and she turns back to the crowd. It isn't exactly the spech she had prepared, but she finds the words come unbidden, that they come from her heart like a flood. She keeps the style she was give and thinks of Nora's own voice, and she uses it to write her message in words. "May its pilot find peace in knowing it stands tall for a brighter future. May the people of the Orpheus know what they brough will be used, and used well. May it serve you as we do; The past come again, what was lost returned -- for a better future."

There is more applause, and Gabriel in particular looks proud in the front row. If the JEF had an anthem, now would be the time for the band to play it.. but that is still on the 'to do' list for the organization. It's also up to Tasha to introduce Katherine before she leaves the podium.

Tasha beams, though the beaming also helps her press her lips together and set her face against the urge to wipe her eyes or choke up. The applause, as welcome as anything can be, also gives her time to marshal herself. By the time the clapping subsides, she feels she's got a hold of herself -- but it took effort.

"Thank you! Thank you. Now," the young cadet turns to look down the stage, towards the starlet, "I don't think I need to introduce you, but I'm told formality is important and so: The famous Katherine Vesuvius -- Katie Kaboom!" Tasha backs a step away from the podium, symbolically as well as literally relinquishing it, then offers the woman a smile before turns and walking back to her place on the stage.

There's more applause as Katie takes the podium, and fires off her signature salute: a traditional forehead salute, which then changes to a pointed finger at the audience like a mock pistol that she fires off with a jerk of her elbow and sideways pose and wink. "Hey everyone!" she calls, then puts a hand to her ear as most of the crowd calls back with "Hey Katie!" Once things have calmed again, she says, "This is a big day. History has come to the Pit. The newest society on Abaddon gets one of the biggest, baddest and most beautiful of gifts from the past! And it's time to make it yours!." More cheering.

Tasha blinks; She's seen Katie in action before, but it's no less startling to her for the exposure. In particular the young woman is amazined by not only her senior's stage presence, but the way in which her whole personality changes when she takes on the mantle of Katie Kaboom -- to the cadet it's like she's another person on stage. Hardly immune to either Katherine Vesuvius or Katie Kaboom's charisma -- quite vulnerable actually -- she finds herself charmed all over again, even as she marvels at it all. The hybrid is also glad she went on stage after Katie, because she's knows she'd be stammering through her speech if she could even remember it.

"There are a lot of Silent-Ones traditions, and one of them has to do with naming," Katie tells the crowd. "There is the name you are given, the name you choose to define yourself, and the name that you earn. All warriors choose names to define the sort of person they want to be, or what position they hold. And your new warrior deserves one that suits it." She half turns and gestures up to the Reaper, where two Vartans fly up to the shoulders. They each pull back a golden metallic cover from one of the Titan's cheeks, revealing the two symbols that had been added secretly: Giant on the right cheek, Slayer on the left. "Let's hear it for the Giant-Slayer!" Katie calls.

There's a loud roar of applause, which drowns out the sound of the fireworks launching. They explode into sprays of gold and red and silver overhead.

When it came to the naming the young pilot hadn't been involved; She demured both for extra preperation time and because she felt it inappropriate fro her to lay any sort of claim to the ancestral Titan. She has her own behemoth, but more importantly, she wanted to disatnce herself from the vehicle to prevent the appearance of excessive ownerships on the JEF's part.

Tasha's fine with offering it applause, though: She claps right along side everyone else!

Katie welcomes Strength-of-Stones back to the podium and retakes her place on the stage. "Giant-Slayer will be placed under the capable care of the Pit's Titan Crew Master, Commanding-Hand, and piloted by our most decorated young pilot, Tomorrow's-Hope," he announces after plugging in. Both of the named Silent-Ones bow to the applause. "While our hangar undergoes some extra construction to better house Giant-Slayer, the Titan will be shown at Star City, under the expert guidance of visiting dignitary Lonevigil, who single-handedly defended an entire city with his own Titan." Lonevigil also bows. Beneath his mask, it's impossible to tell what his reaction is to the huge crowd and all of the ceremony.

Tasha arches her brows at the of Lonevigil having defended an entire city; She had heard that particular story and it wasn't mentioned during her part in speech preperation. On the other Silent One hand, she can't help but wonder if she's created a monster by letting Tomorrow's-Hope pilot the great machine -- that his ego might somehow reach singulaity level and suck the city in.

The band begins to play again, and Katie returns to the podium to pick up the heavy-looking microphone. She then steps out in front of it, wearing her (heavily tailored) uniform. Then she starts to sing.

For a moment, Tasha wonders if she'll ever have the the presence of the astounding Katherine Vesuvius. If she'll even be as overwhelming, or as loved by the people. And of course, as pretty.

It'll never happen, she admits after a split second of thought grinning as the music picks up. I'm glad she's on our side.

There's a lot more cheering at the end of the performance, and Katie bows. During he performance, Tomorrow's-Hope used the distraction to enter Giant-Slayer. For the first time since arriving in the Pit, the behemoth comes to life.. and salutes.

So of course most of the crowd salutes back - especially the other Titan pilots in the second row.

The young cadet claps at the end of the performance along with the cheering, having been told cheering from on the stage isn't exactly appropriate of dignitaries. Likewise, she salutes the Titan along side her fellow pilots and a whole swath of those gathered; She would have anyway, but doing it with the rest of the people makes the whole gesture warm her heart that much more.

The band continues to play on, going through it's repertoire of anthems while the ceremonies wind down. Tomorrow's-Hope remains in Giant-Slayer while Commanding-Hand and his crew run more diagnostic tests and prep the machine for the next leg of its journey. Gabriel waits for Tasha at the bottom of the stage, while the Archon and Lonevigil get into a vehicle to take them back to the city. Katie is also sticking close to Tasha. "I just love outdoor venues," she tells the hybrid. "It's the only time you can get a full band going without having to worry about the acoustics!"

"Um, well there's definitely that," Tasha agrees with Katie, just to agree with Katie. She hasn't a clue how performance acoustics work, nor any idea why they would be a concern. There's some nodding as well, in case her agreement didn't seem enthusiastic enough. "I, um, I was just glad to be able to help out and provide the Reaper. It was ver touching, all the clapping and the appreciaton."

"I'd love to see the cockpit sometime," Katie admits, and waves to Gabriel as she gently pushes Tasha in that direction.

"I'm sure I can arrange- ... wha-" Goes Tasha at the nudging, but she gets the hint and keeps the momentum as she walks towards her mate. "See you later Katie!" She calls back, doing her traditional over the shoulder wave without looking back. Another few steps and she's standing before Gabriel, grinning widely.

"Like my speech? Sir," she asks, giving a salute even as her tail wags ninety miles a minute.

"Very 'on message', Cadet," Gabriel says, returning the salute. "The Titan Carrier is en route. Should arrive this evening, so you need to prepare for the trip to Star City.. and presumably from there to the Sheol base."

"I already have Liza working to get appropriate clothes and travel items. She'll be heading in to the city now that the celebration is over and will meet with us an hour or two before departure," explains the young woman as she turns and begins walking with the JEF's leader. Beside Gabriel, Tasha looks tiny. "So, what should we do in the mean time? Meet with the officials, talk to the press? Stand by in case Tomorrow's-Hope's ego goes critical?"

"Well, you need to park Melchior in the hangar," Gabriel says. "The bigwigs have their own little get-together tonight that I'll be expected to show up to. Might get us some extra backing." He then winks at Tasha, and jokes, "In between all of that.. I suppose we could try for a threesome with Katie.."

This invokes an eyeroll. "You're going to get me in trouble," Tasha notes a second later, then elbows her mate. "But that's my fault, isn't it?" Lower, she steps a little closer and explains, "Katie's not really ready for that. I think it scares her, but I'm not sure why. I might have rambled about all of us while drunk, and um, well. You know me while drunk. But, um, anyway, she's afraid of ruining her image too." Stepping back, and louder, she suddenly says, " ... and that's how I came up with the speech! Also, why am I not a 'big wig'?"

"Because you'll be boarding the carrier," Gabriel says. "And you aren't boring enough to be a proper bigwig. There's also something else I was wondering if you could try to look into during your trip."

"You're not coming to Star City with me?" The young woman asks, truning to face Gabriel and eyes widening. "But you'll miss the formality and all the mask wearing! And the hand cramps!" Shecocks to her side and grins, but then also pouts. "Well, you have your reasons. Disappointing, though, but I thought you might have to. What do you need me to do?"

"When we were on Rephidim, I got a good look at their battleship, The Intimidator," Gabriel says. "It's clearly a modified Titan Carrier. And it still works at an altitude of about ten-thousand feet. Khattan stators sold to other species have built-in expiration dates based on the number of duty hours they've run. There's no way any of the carriers could still be operating if they used Khattan stators. The Silent-Ones have their own gravity-warping technology, but we assumed it required massive structures to use - their star gates. If they aren't using stators in the carriers though, then they must have something else we don't know about."

Tasha's brows arch at the request being as it so resembles /espionage,/ even if it /is/ espionage for a good cause. "/So, find out what it is any try to scan it if I can?/" She inquires, dropping her voice low. "/If we don't know about it yet, and if Terra didn't back then, won't they be guarding it in a /severe/ way, though? Or should I just play it by ear and do what I can, whatever they have?"

"Flattery gets you places," Gabriel suggests with a grin. "Gravity control without exotic matter is impressive. I'm betting they've figured out something similar to that toporgic 'force prism' effect. They've maintained their technological superiority on Abaddon at least."

"I'm sure they know about the Picnic Basket - everyone in the Pit has probably seen it come and go," the Karnor notes. "So the Silent-Ones will be curious about how it works. That's a bargaining chip. I mainly bring it up because the moon base is supposedly staffed by young men with high technical knowledge and poor social skills."

"Maybe we should get Katie after all," Tasha considers, head cocking to the side. "I know I'm beautiful, intelligent and smart, but I'm not sure I have that much charisma. I am glad I'm recruiting her, though; This is just the sort of plan I'd have assigned to her." The young woman then thinks a moment, rubbing the tip of her left ear in short, pulling motions with ehr taloned hand, then says, "I'll find a way. If I can't charm them I'll see if I can get an instrument scan. Maybe the EM -- if it effects EM? -- EM distortions will give us a clue. If not, I'll, um, I'll think of something."

"I don't think they'd allow Katie on the base," Gabriel suggests. "Otherwise I'd say you should take Yue. But you've got Liza and yourself. Intimidating charm and unintimidating charm should be enough."

"Right, I'll have Liza scare them and I'll smooth things over and be comforting. It'll be cake." Tasha winks, then looks around quickly before risking a lean in and a kiss. When she draws back, she notes, "I'd better get going then. Commanding-Hand does not like his scheduals being thrown off. See you when I get back?"

"I expect to see you before you pack," Gabriel notes. "I'll help you out of your armor," he promises with a grin.

Tasha has seen Titan Carriers before, during the battle against Tesla. This one is fancier though, all in gold and black and sporting just the Star on the front, sans Anchor. It matches well with Giant-Slayer, which is hoisted up into the forward bay, looking a bit like a figurehead. There's still a crowd gathered to watch, which starts to disperse after the Titan has been secured. The carrier descends to ground level for actual loading of passengers. Those traveling with the Titan include everyone who was on stage, save for Katie. In her place is Liza, pushing the cart with her and Tasha's luggage. Both of them are dressed for warmth, since Tasha doesn't know if they'll be in the loading bay the entire time or not.

Feather-Tail is there as well, to serve the Archon.. and actually wearing a mask. It doesn't do much to hide the fact that she's from Sinai though, since there are plenty of other physical differences.

The young cadet had half-hoped she could bring her own Titan, largely to have one more friendly face in the highly traditional, conservative capital city of the Silent-Ones. It would have also served as both a refuge and a means to gather information. As it is, it's just her and Liza for non-spotted contingent; And Liza is as new to the trip as she is.

Back in her travel clothes, which have become suitable professional thanks to her assistant, Tasha lurks below the carrier as she cranes her neck to observe it. Covering her face is her own mask, leaving Liza as the sole maskless person amongst those gathered. "I wonder if this is a flagship," she asides to ehr companion, using a hand to shade her eyes against the setting sun. "The colors are different and the upkeep is better. I'd be surprised if it was purely for formal usage."

"The speeches said that the Silent-Ones have nobles," Liza says. "This could be for them. I don't imagine it is luxurious though."

"The Silent-Ones favor a certain austerity and simplicty of design, even in their high works and greatest machines. Practicality and subtle art," the hybrid woman explains, then she points upwards, "It's probably going to be just roomy enough to not feel cramped, but not so much as to feel indulgent. Indulgence is, I think, one of their sins. A personal weakness."

Feather-Tail approaches the pair, and signs, "The Archon has made arrangements for you to have a separate cabin, so that you do not need to bunk with Tomorrow's-Hope and Commanding-Hand."

"That might be genetic. Um, by their blood. Biological. But, you know, now that I think about it, I've never seen a really indulgent Silent-One either. The closest I can think of is the Archon, and I wouldn't consider his collection to rival the grandosity of the other races." Tasha pauses in her discussion as she sees Feather-Tail signing from beside her, turning to face her fully before nodding. "That's very kind of him, but I can handle myself on a ship if it comes down to it. Still, we won't mind the extra room. Will we be born soon?"

"Once the passengers are settled," Feather-Tail signs, and gestures to be followed. She doesn't actually wait though, turning and leading the way up the boarding ramp.

"Here we go. If you're not sure what to say or do, just look to me. That said, this is going to be a new adventure for me, too." And so the cadet follows along, dufflebag in one hand and Liza to her left.

The inside bay of the dropship is familiar enough, full of catwalks, cranes, netting and 'bomb bay' doors. There's also a half-dozen quad-tanks lining the center, each 'resting' with their four mechanical legs folded beneath them. Access to the upper section is via a ladder-vator, so it's a good thing their luggage has carrying straps. On the crew deck, they're led to a typical airship style cabin: two bunks that double as lids for storage lockers, a small porthole, and hygiene facilities at the end of the hall. "The Archon and I will be next door forward if you need anything," Feather-Tail explains. "We should reach Star City by morning though."

"Thank you for all your help, Feather-Tail," Tasha signs in appreciation as she lingers just outside their cabin. "Are we permitted to wander the ship, or should we remain in our cabin? I don't have many opportunities to have a look at Abaddonain airships and this is clearly a special one."

"I don't know," Feather-Tail admits. "You may need an escort. I will ask the Archon, she signs.

Tsha inclines her head to this. "I will remain here whil you ask and see to my assistant," she then notes, half-turning to glance back towards Liza. "Liza, lets settle you in and unpack while Feather-Tail sees to my qustion."

With that the young woman enters her cabin and walks over to have a seat on the lower bunk, expecting she'll be in and out a lot -- and possibly well in to the night -- and should take the less disruptive bed. There should pulls her duffle around and begins unpacking her things: Mostly folded uniforms and small clothes, a large leather bound volume, a leather case, toiletries,a pair of booties, gloves, her mask case and lastly, a very foreign sword in a very foreign sheath.

"I did not know you were a swordswoman," Liza notes as she unpacks her own things.. which include some box-lunches, just in case. "You did not seem like a warrior to me."

"Not a warrior, not a scholar, not an archaeologist ... " Mutters Tasha, who then looks up and grins lopsidedly. "I'm afraid to ask what I do seem like. Well, Liza, I'm whatever I need to be -- even if I'm not very good at it. Which, as it happens, is often. But, I manage." She then gestures to the sword in her lap. "This is a historical artifact, maybe even a holy one. The sword of Apollyon Stormbringer, the original pilot meant for my Titan and the leader of the Harbinger Clan of Vartan mercenaries -- the ancestral clan that all Vartans on these worlds are descended from. That include me, too. It is the sword of the Melchior's pilot, given to me when I took on his role."

"You seem like a traveler to me," Liza notes, as she sits next to Tasha to look over the sword. "Given to you?" she asks.

"I've always been a traveler, I guess. I was born on an airship away from port and I've never stopped moving. Even now," the cadet explains as she looks down at the sword. Reaching out a hand, she brushes her talon across the sword's sheath with a hesistant, uncertain touch. "The sword was given to me by the Elder of Clan Stormbreaker, the Clan formed by Apollyon after the Harbinger Clan split up. Since they were now trapped on these worlds and no longer a mercenary group, they settled. Apollyon passed his legacy to his descendants, one after another, waiting for 'The Bird of Hermes,' my designation as the pilot. The sword was given to me when visited the aerie. It's strange to think ..," here her hand pauses, then a finger taloned finger laying on the hilt, " ... that they were waiting for me."

"Why is it strange?" Liza asks. "It seems reasonable. They'd given up battle, so had no use for the sword except as a link to their origins. Maybe Apollyon thought someone would turn up for it, or just wanted to give his descendants a reason to hold onto it and not forget. Unless they really were expecting you personally, and knew your name and everything. That would be strange."

"Well, not that but ... " Tasha pauses, biting her lip as she thinks for a moment. Then she turns to Liza and says, "They were expecting someone would come. The sword wasn't the only artifact. There was another, more holy than this one. Much more. We'll talk about that more later."

"Good timing." Tasha goes to lay the sword aside, then pauses. Instead she hands the sword to Liza to look at, with the urging that she should, "be careful with it," and "avoid the blade, it's not a normal sword." After rising, the hybrid woman steps over and opens the hatch, peeking out through the crack.

"That's right," Tasha signs back, finally lifting her taloned hand to do so. She lest the door open and nods to the man. "It's rare that I have the free time to look around an Abaddonian airship and this one is magnificent."

"It is the Ebony-Sunrise," Commanding-Hand signs, naming the ship. "I helped to rebuild it after it was shot down in the Twelve-Day War Against The Serpents, thirty-five years ago."

Tasha's ears perk at the story, despite having little use for them; It's a habit. "Really?" She asks, looks up and around, seeing the ship anew. "You must be very proud of her. She looks tough and practical, but with an elegance. It must have taken quite a lot to take her down. With her inner ballon armored as much as it it, it seems like a wonder she could be shot down at all."

"Anything can be shot down, with enough effort," Commanding-Hand signs, and then gestures up the hallway, towards the front of the ship. "The Celestials are fond of overkill."

"They always seemed so relaxed to me," Tasha remarks, an honest quip. She then steps in to the hallway and begins walking, but slows so that Commanding-Hand can catch up easily. "Still, lesser ships would have been nothing but splinters, and I know this. We do not have ships like this on Sinai, but I have lived my whole life among ships."

"Few were attached to the Ark," Commanding-Hand signs, his long stride easily pacing Tasha. They pass the hangar access, and go on to an open area. There are tables and benches so it's probably the galley, but the entire forward wall is a glass window.. but Tasha is sure there is no window where this would be on the outside. But there's definitely a view of what's ahead of them. The walls of the pit are dropping as the ship rises, and the rumble of the turbine-propulsion system is rising in pitch.

"A viewscreen?" Tasha asks, gesturing with her Karnor hand at what she's sure is a faux-window. "And I hear turbines spinning up. I think I heard the APU system before that. I do not recall seeing props, so jet propulsion?"

"The propellers are enclosed within the hull," the Silent-One explains. "Ducted-fan turbines. And yes, this is a display window." It still looked just like a window though, since everything was to accurate scale, perspective and depth.

Tasha nods slowly, but gestures at the viewscreen again. "I see it has the usual Silent-Ones attention to understated design details. It is not obviously a viewscreen and appears to belong here if not for the external design of the ship. It is impressive but does not draw attention to itself." She then turns and looks around, gaze sweeping across the bay. "And this is the galley, correct? It looks like a galley. Does the ship use an exposed, windowed bridge, an enclosed viewscreen-enabled one, or both with the secured one being the battle bridge?"

"The bridge is deep and armored," Commanding-Hand signs. "It uses the same windows, which are fed by fiberoptic nodes on the hull. I cannot show you the bridge."

"Afraid I will single handedly take over the ship? Did someone tell you I am a pirate or collect them in a secret base somewhere?" Tasha turns and cocks her head to the side, then shakes her hands at the man. "This ship is very impressive, but I have been to the stars. I have seen vessels the size of cities and walked in them; I have learned their secrets. Our vessel can travel between planets. I do not think you will be giving me great secrets I do not already know or cannot find out, and I think I have shown I am not interested in conquering nations and selling secrets."

"That is all fine for you, but I cannot show you the bridge because I do not have access to the bridge," Commanding-Hand signs, with a slight smirk. "As part of the Pit of Himar Mission, I no longer hold official military rank with the Silent-Ones forces."

"Well fine. I see. Use sense and logic against me. Silent-Ones are more sinister than they claim," notes the young woman, who shakes her free hand's finger that the man. "Well, where else can we go? Or should I work on charming someone else? Perhaps I should ahve worn my shiny medal?"

"I can show you the toilet," Commanding-Hand offers. "You have already seen the hangar, during your deployment against Tesla. What else would interest you?"

"There is the engine room, the balloon, weapons bays," the young woman points out, gesturing across the deck. "How about those?"

Commanding-Hand makes a show of thinking it over, then signs, "Off-limits, unless they break down. But there is an open observation deck on top. It is mainly used for luring in Confederates for hand-to-hand combat."

Tasha's brows go up, then her tail wasg and she bounces a little. "Well, what are we waiting for? There nay be Confederates up there right now. I hear Vartans are a dangerous bunch, they could be anywhere really. Even on this ship." She then winks before gesturing him to lead on, which is mainly done with a shooing motion using both hands.

The Silent-One sighs, and nods. "This way.." he signs, and heads back towards the hangar access.

"It is just like old times," Tasha insists, quickly catching up and walking along side. "I am sure you miss me. I am a very highly decorated, with one medal. Also, my Titan is easy to maintain. You should be glad I am here."

In the end Tasha realized she wasn't going to get anywhere with charm, or logic; What she found was browbeating and exasperation. I always find a way, she repeats to herself, walking with her tail wagging.