After a visit to Dr. Knight to transfer and update baseline health data, and unpacking and waking up Dr. Sen, the erstwhile crew of the Dark Horse (ne John Carter) crowded into the galley. After the Jotoki satisfied their curiosity about the newcomers, the armored, alien starfish made room by having Rainbow stack itself on top of Rock. Space was at a premium since the two Phins were in their walker suits taking up most of the space, crowding the three humans, three Karnors, two Lapi and single Vartan-hybrid to the point were Tasha had to stand in the entrance just so she'd have room for her wings. Those who could sit, did, while the shorter Lapi (and Dr. Sen) were able to stand amidst the robotic legs of the Phin walker-suits (after the rabbits got over their nervousness of being near the relatively giant dolphins). The Niss was not physically present, but didn't need to be to listen in.
"Welcome back Captain Ak-k-k-k-kers," Lucky Kaa said. "And Miss Tasha. Everything is ship-shape! Honest-t!"
"Honest." Tasha folds her arms in the doorway, head tilting to the side. She supresses a grin, for now. "I was told my Dark Horse now has several scratches on the side and that someone tried to fly it in to an asteroid." She may as well get crew discipline over and done with, even if the issue is relatively minor it needs to be cleared from her mental itinerary before she can relax.
"Maybe I should handle the report?" Jonas asks Kaa, who bobs his head in agreement. "Dr. Zerachiel had a list of things he wanted tested out, Boss," Knight says to Tasha and Gabriel. "The scratches were from a Ghost Kraken, as our pilot dubbed it, caused when we were attacked by the creature while remaining 'submerged' in the Maelstrom. That prompted us to look into other ways of hiding. The asteroid incident was one such test, to see if we could hide our presence in the Maelstrom by using a nearby mass. This resulted in severe gravitational shear over time which broke up the asteroid. We've determined that 22 minutes is the maximum safe time for intersection - this includes intersecting with other vessels, such as Ningyo."
One of the ship's cats, a black one with a white mark on its forehead, rubs against Tasha's leg.
The young hybrid inclindes her head, the information is very useful to know. She now knows considerably more about the how and why of Maelstrom creatures and especially the reason they seek the ship. Or, more precisely, the reason they seek what powers the ship: the Dark Horse itself, one of the dark life froms that live in the bordr between this reality and that of the Ogdoad, much like an animals found on worlds. Yet, stranger. Much stranger.
"The reason the 'ghost kraken' attacked is because they're attracted to the power core of the Dark Horse. If they succeed in breaching the ship and consuming the core, the ship will lose all power. No backups. It was good that you escaped it when you did." Tasha cocks her head to the side and nods, though mainly to her own thoughts. "There are other beings like that out there. It's good we know our intersection time, too." She bites her lip, then adds, "I'm sorry I was gone so long. It's the reason why Gabriel was also delayed. But, my work back home is done now and I have what I was searching for. You can expect to see mission planning in the next few days, or weeks, depending on how fast we settle the enwcomers in and deal with the sword waving outside." She looks down, grins, then reaches down to pick the cat up.
The cat purrs loudly, despite being held a bit awkwardly as Jonas says, "We also ran some other tests in the Encante system, since we could make use of the Ningyo's sensors. We know that the 'conforming warp field' generated by the hull does not behave the same as Celestial warp engines or Khattan stators, possibly because of the Dark Energy Reactor.. or whatever it is.. that is energizing the material. This makes it highly unlikely that Library-based sensors can detect our drive system. There is some disturbance when we emerge from the Maelstrom though, but with practice Kaa has managed to make it similar enough to a Langston Field shutdown - which would also cover for the ship seeming to appear out of nowhere if visual or standard detection methods are looking, since the Field effectively renders Terran warships invisible anyway. The arrival of Galactic military ships at Caltrop forced some other improvisation though, since we could expect 'smuggler protocols' to be in effect, where any shuttles wou
would have their routes backtraced."
Cat management is a new skill Tasha finds herself in rapid need of. She shifts the surprisingly spring-like creature in several different ways until she manages to find the right way to cradle it. Next comes the petting, which also comes with trial and error. As she watches the creatures antics (and her own) she realizes that her claim to being of TerraGen origin has slipped, her handling of the familiar Terran species as foreign as she is to Earth. Despite it all, the purring is comforting and she decides to make the effort to get better at handling the cat. "Where did you get this hull? or is it a hull?" The woman then inquires, finally looking up now that cat management has been partially attained. "Interesting choice of names, too."
"That was another item on Dr. Zerachiel's to-test list," Jonas explains. "It required a complete technical schematic and IFF code, however, and since I already had the John Carter specs with me, we went with that. It's some sort of programmable matter hologram, similar to what the interior seems to use. It requires some sort of drive activity to maintain, however, so will vanish as soon as we submerge into the Maelstrom, and will need to be reconstructed on surfacing back into Einsteinian space. We should be able to use other disguises as well, so long as we have the schematics and IFF information."
"I thought that might be the case," Tasha admits, sounding as unsurprised as her words seem to indicate. If her ship could create 'fake' matter inside, there had always been the question if it could do it outside as well. "We'll see about obtaining as many schematics and codes as we can, th--" She pauses as a feline head obstructs her view, then obstructs her face by smushing in to it. This makes her giggle until she rememebrs she's supposed to be an authority figure and the head gets gently pushed down so she can continue. "Um, anyway, we'll get those codes and plan accordingly to make use of this new advantage. Likewise, we'll be evaluating and assigning our new crew members to roles on the ship." She swings her gaze across those assembled and nods. "We'll be very busy soon. I'll say more about it later. We're also planning a foray on to the station in groups. Was there more, Jonas?"
"We've been engaged in smuggling," Jonas notes. "Between Terra and Encante, although our leg is Caltrop to Ningyo, with a Belter go-between. There's still a Khattan presence in the Encante system, so the traditional routes monitored closely."
"Has there been any contact with the Confederates here?" Gabriel asks. "We need to do some business with them."
"Not by us, no," Jonas says. "We've kept ourselves to resupply runs and such."
"That's for the best. But now that we have everyone here, it's time to see what we can do as a whole." Tasha shifts the cat until she can lift a free hand and smiles. "This will be out crew for a while. I hope you all get along and think of the Dark Horse as both home and adventure. We have a lot ahead of us, and a lot to overcome, but we're also not alone. Please take some time to speak to the newcomers if you haven't already. Do you have any questions for me? The Captain?"
"We've made a discreet purchase at the Library," Moka notes. "We now have the known Starseed migration routes for Known Space - the Jotoki homeworld should be along one of them, when we're ready to pursue that."
"I'd like to know where we can freshen up," Aaron notes. "Several hours in a balloon that feels like it's constantly falling has left most of us a bit rank. Next agenda item after that would be food, and then maybe bunk space."
"I need to check my mail drop on the station when we head out," Yue notes. "Aaand I should probably clean up too."
"Then lets split up. Until the reconfiguration is complete we'll need keep out of the parts of the ship under reconstruction. Captain?" Tasha turns to Gabriel and in that instant feels just how incredibly peculiar it is to be somehow in charge of the man. In charge again, as it happens. She looks a little bewildered, but hides it quickly, pressing on. "Why don't you help everyone find somewhere they can clean up? I'll reconstruct the lounge first; once that's done people can gather there to rest, relax, and plan. I'll head towards the bridge to do the reconstruction."
"Right," Gabriel says, clapping his hands together. "Show of hands: who wants to bathe in Phin's salt-water tank and who wants to just be hosed down in the hangar bay?"
"Is one warmer than the other?" Katherine asks.
"Miss Necessity and Dr. Sen can use the fresher in my quarters," Jonas offers. "It's human-specific."
"Also there's the crew showers," Tasha adds, grinning. She steps aside to let people out, then steps back a few steps towards the bridge. "Kaa? Moka? Why don't you join me on the bridge?"
While the rest of the new arrivals work out who will use which shower (and how many can use one at the same time), the two Phins head out into the corridor with Tasha. It's just wide enough for the mechanical walking harnesses to stand side-by-side. "What's up Boss? Or is it Chief? Alpha?" Kaa asks.
"You can just call me Tasha," Tasha allows as she heads for the bridge. "I know you want to swim with the newcomers, but lets give them some space. Besides, I may need your help and information in the bridge." The young woman picks her new cat up, places it upon the artifact she had stuffed under her arm and carries the whole thing like the galaxy's rarest cat cushion. "Just to be clear, you answer to Gabriel and he answers to me, but that shouldn't need to happen often. I do mission direction, planning. I talk to things."
Once on the bridge, the hybrid takes a moment to let it all in. Her bridge, her ship. A wonderous ship; a ship with many faces, all powered by a creature from beyond. A ship of billions, though few know it. "Actually," she starts after she's had her moment of basking, " ... have you ever felt anything from the ship? A song, perhaps?"
"When sleeping, sometimes," Moka admits. Phin brains only sleep one hemisphere at a time, which can make for strange dreams. "Like the sea. There are no real machine sounds here."
"None," Tasha agrees. She takes a seat at one of the science consoles, turning the chair around to face the Phins, one arm propped on the artifact and her head propped on that. "How about you, Kaa? Anything strange? Did you ever dream of volcanoes, or a forge? A man of fire?"
"Sounds Norse," Kaa says. "I only hear stuff in the pilot station, but that's the ship and the sea. Maelstrom sounds different from normal space! Ghost Krakens sound like a swarm of angry insects. Drunk angry insects. That are on fire. When I sleep I mostly dream of.. uh.. other things, Tushy. Tasha."
The hybrid barks a laugh. "Better not dream of my tushy infront of Gabriel," she warns a second later, uncoiling a finger long enough to wave it admonishingly. "Well, see if you can hear it. Try to find it in your dreams. A song of fire, and building, and hammers rining in the dark. Listen, and if it calls you somewhere, come find me. Take notes. I need to find the man of fire." She then lets he head roll to the side, muzzle scrunging a moment before she explains, "The karken is a dark being. Dark matter beings, similiar to what the Confederates deal with in D-Space but probably not sentient. Probably. The noise ... It might be what it's flesh sounds like. Some of them look like crawling inspects when, um, incarnate in our reality. The Maelstrom seems to be midway, so it's midway too. They're dangerous to us, too, but might not sense us."
"It didn't follow us to the surface," Kaa notes. "I'm used t-to Terran warship t-tac-tics. Turn off drive, turn on field, become invisible except for periscope. Did not expect to get bitten on the fluke. It hurt! Thought I was being attacked by real giant squid."
"Their nature isn't quite like ours. Their bit reaches across more than just what you might think of as the physical," the young woman warns. "I know. I deal with their kind now and then. We'll be looking in to them more, as well, so hopefully we'll also come up with better defenses." She pauses, fingers drumming on her muzzle, then nods. "Niss? Hello. You've been listening, I assume you have the foreplan prepared and are gearing up to remodel?"
"Yes, Tasha, but it will take longer than usual if you wish to maintain the outer disguise," the Niss reply. "Can you do without the affected chambers for another 14 hours?"
Hybrid head bobs. "Yes, Niss. We'll accelerate our plans to enter the station, that should give you time to work." Yellow eyes settle on Kaa, then Moka. "Since Gabriel is busy, I'll just give you your standing orders. If anything happens and the ship is truly in danger of being captured, please escape. You can then work out how to help us later; the Niss will help you before and after that comes to pass. I know the Niss can be hard to understand-" She uses 'understand' rather than 'work with' largely out of politeness, "-but please try. As for the rest us except Jonas, you two, and maybe Shojo, we'll be heading in to the station in two groups under disguise. The, uh, Khattans and I will be eccentrics, Gabriel will lead the TerraGen group of Karnors and Humans. If Shojo comes, he's with my group. If you really feel the need to go station side, you can talk to Gabriel."
"Don't like the air, too dry," Kaa says. Moka does enjoy visiting the Terragens bar though. "What is our business with Confederates that Gabriel mentioned?" the female asks.
"We require a ship to fulfill another contract elsewhere," Tasha answers, looking up at Moka. Phin certainly are big. "A Confederate ship. Once we have it we'll send a skeleton crew back on it to handle the arrangement, then pick them up again. Oh." She then looks between them. Very big. "To hide our association, the two groups will act like they're seperate. So, expect Khattan snobbery from me if we meet. The Khattans won't talk to you at all -- and why should they, when you don't even use the Library much?" She grins. "Barbarian fish. Uh, but anyway, we're going to scout around, see what's what. Look for purchase options, contacts, and so on. The Titanians will get thrown off the station, so we can't expect their backup for long."
"By Khattans you mean the bunnies, right?" Kaa asks to be sure. At least the Phins don't seem to have a 'grab and cuddle fluffy things' reflex.
"The bunnies," Tasha confirms. "Aaron and Liza. Liza's actually my personal assistant, and Aaron is my friend. Out on the station, they're my bosses. I'm going to be going out as I am. No disguises this time."
"So, pretending to be mezzodes?" Kaa asks.
"I don't know that word," Tasha admits, ears perking. She sees no reason to hide her identity over much on her own ship. Piece by piece they'll figure it out, or at least have interetsing guesses. Jonas certainly did.
"I'm not sure what the equivalent term is," Moka says. "Wealthy Khattans can be jaded. Mezzodes are.. exotic companions. Well.. like Blaze the kitten. But talking ones. People made into pets, but not pets. Status symbols, companions, courtesans."
Tasha scratches at her muzzle a moment, then nods. "That sounds right. I'll use that word. A little disturbing, though. I guess I'll learn how much soon." Her head shakes, then she looks up, up at the screen. "Niss, can you display for me the ship layout? I wantyou to query ... "
What follows is a list of instructions as well as a number of options for crew arrangement. "Katie can have one of the room starboard the loung (it's big) and Mr. I and Miss N. the opposite. Hake and Yue can have the port and staboard rooms off the VIP corridor. Alternatively, Tasha can turn her office in to quarters and bedroom and free her quarters for someone else. Artifact storage can be cut in half, and the meeting room can be repurposed as well," she elaborates, allowing certain leeways in quarters for certain individuals: Katie, Mr. Invention and Miss Necessity as a pair, Gabriel in case he wants seperate quarters or a office, and herself. The artifact bay can be halved and condensed, and Tasha offers much of her living space up for use by those listed. "I'm used to sleeping in cramped places," she tells the Phins as she concludes the directing.
"Most bipeds adapt quickly," Moka notes. "Is your assistant staying with you?"
"I should arrange for a bunk near me, shouldn't I ... " Tasha does so, adding that to the list of constraints for the Niss's project load. Elsewhere in the ship each person reieces either a notification of their options or else a listing of where there assigned quarters will be. Access accounts are created and personnel filed, access to various areas assigned. "There. I think that's everything. You two should feel lucky," she eyes Kaa a moment, grin lopisded, "You get the most total living space, maybe even more than I get after this."
"The Jotoki stay with us too, but not always in the water," Moka points out. "They hung netting, and climb around in it. With the cats. I'm not keen on having nets over me, but at least they have not dropped either of the cats."
"Creamsicle jumps on my back when I'm sleeping!" Kaa blurts.
"The cats are valued members of the crew, after all." And so tasha pets the cat who is currently snoozing across the Marker, half-twisted, possibly bored from chewing on her arm. "So one's named Creamsicle? What about the others? I'e never been those close to Terran cats before, usually I talk to the two-legged variety."
"The one you have there is Blaze, because of the mark on his head," Moka explains. "It is a Terran term.. that refers to horses. Creamsicle is the orange and white female who usually just follows Rainbow around or rides on top."
"They're very cute." Tasha leans down and gives the cat a kiss on his forehead, then looks up and smiles. "Well, I'd better clean off too. I need to a snobby, um, mezzodes innnnn-" she glances at the console, " ... two hours. I am sorry for being gone so long. Maybe some day I'll tell you both about it? Or not, easier to sleep that way!"
To allay any confusion about which faction the group of 'mezzodes' belong too, Shojo accompanies Tasha and Lapis. Vartan armor is on display, but it's clearly not current or military (not compared to what the other recent Vartans are wearing). This isn't unusual though, since Khattan mezzodes are supposed to be exotic looking. Liza is wearing her typical business suit though, and Aaron sports his fancy Zolk vest. Since the Lapi's garments are made of 'natural' fabrics, they come across as expensive.
The Terran group had entered Caltrop first, partly to see if they were going to be drawing attention again (although the 'command pheremone' issue had been dealt with beforehand). Their goal is to acclimate Katherine and her assistants, check in with the locals at the Surf-n-Turf to check for familiar Confederate faces, and pick up any messages from Yue's secure drop. The notion of setting up a local office-front for Dark Horse Shipping isn't on the agenda at the moment, however.
Tasha remembers her days of acting superior, as well as Blackwing's own self-assuredness, and so tempers that with a good helping of having delt with a considerable amount of rich and powerful people in her short run of fame -- as well as before, when they treated her like nothing. Now, it's her turn, and there will be no one around to tell her not to be full of herself! It's mission critical, after all.
Thus Tasha walks down the spire as if she owner the place and were courteously providing it for others' use. She smiles, she walsk without seeing people or really looking at them -- that learned from Katherine in her 'Katie Kaboom' public persona -- all while holding Liza's hand. She makes sure to keep pace with the Lapi, not wanting toappear to be dragging her along, but rather guiding and present. Helpful, attached to Liza's presence. She's supposed to be subservient after all, just noticably so. Both are important, or so she's decided.
"Ninety-percent of the businesses here are Khattan," Aaron notes in Olympian. "Junior species gathering spot to the left, about ninety-degrees. I recognize the imagery from Expedition City."
"I don't know which to chose. We could rub our superiority in to the juniors, see if we can charm our way in to something interesting, or stick to the Khattan areas and see what they'll offer our wealthy selves," Tasha offers. Being nearly as new to Galactic space as the other two, she knows about the sides, but much less so about their day-to-day details. The micro to the macro, but then that's part of their task today, to learn. "I'd like to get a look at some of the ships, people, and equipment in use. The Wyvern-class, the Clanships, the Clansmen. Purchasing anything would be a little risky without our own accounts, so shopping is probably a bad idea. Or, just riskier. Maybe, um, gauche."
"Your eyes are better than mine," Aaron notes. "Especially from this angle. I think some of the patrons outside the shop are wearing armor though. I just can't tell who they are." The shop in question has a glowing hologram over it of a fried-cake toroid and a cup of brown liquid over it. "Do Vartans have a taste for sweets? I've seen Silent-Ones, Humans, Karnor and Eeee eating donuts on Abaddon."
"We're omnivores, and it's by individual. I like them, so does my mother. Captain Eyeshine doesn't. What's probably more important is the social aspect; they might be there as a social outting, because someone back on the ship wanted some, or because it's a tradition. Or, just because one of them saw them and wanted to stop. But there's often a social angle, especially with Clans." It's a little bit guesswork on Tasha's part, but it feels right and she's know a lot of Vartans in her short time. "now, lets see ... " She sweeps her gaze past the group, trying to see without appear to be looking, another Katie Kaboom secret.
The colors certainly help. There are two armored Vartans in blue and yellow - Clan Sulimack, from the battleship. But their helmets are down (and one of them is clearly female). The third Vartan is in a blue and yellow uniform, and the Silent-One next to him is also in a uniform. The two cheetahs past him are armored though, but also have their helmets down. Like many shops, part of it is inside a crystal structure which has a transparent ceiling. There don't appear to be soldiers inside, but it isn't so clear to make out just who is inside.
"I see Clan Sulimack peronnel, what looks like two escorts and a ship's crew officer -- probably someone of rank if they have guards. The Silent-Ones have the same arrangemnt. I think we're looking at a restaurant dedicated or at least favored by higher ranking ship personnel. Maybe a meeting place, you know the type." The Bloody Duffle. Faaron's Dome. Even the Fallen Friend. Places where all kinds meet to share goals and secrets, away from prying eyes. But ... "It seems too fancy and open for it to be that kind though, unless I am very off in my scale." And she might be, and she knows it.
"I can smell it now," Aaron says, with his slightly more sensitive (and educated) nose. "Coffee. Neutral ground. Oh, that was a pun! Ha! I surprise myself. They must be talking shop."
"I agree. It's a good place to show off, but you'd know about that more than I would." Tasha turns to look at Aaron now, then leans in and makes a show of listening. "Are we going in, sir?"
"It looks interestingly low-class," Aaron replies in Khattan, but does wait for Tasha (as senior bodyguard) to take the lead. Shojo does not understand Olympian, of course, but he knows to follow along.
Tasha listens, but not knowing Khattan misses the direction. She doesn't miss the expectant look, however, and so nods. "Yes, sir," she replies to her best guess, in Vartan. Releasing Liza's hand, she nods for Shojo to retake it, then walks ahead to the entranceway.
One of the armored Vartans loitering outside gives the group the once over. He's got a sheathed sword on his hip. It's clear as they get close that the two officers are drinking coffee and discussing the one subject they'd both have common interest in: the Dainty Mauler and its crew. The Silent-One's glove can apparently handle speaking in Vartan as well. Inside the shop are a variety of familiar creatures: a single, think Khattan woman off in one corner nursing her drink, and looking like she's had a rough day, two Eeee at a table with a Korv, a box of donuts between them. All three of the Confederates are wearing light armor, but appear to be unarmed. The loudest group is a pair of humans and a pair of Karnors at the same table, telling eachother jokes. Behind the counter is a teenaged human girl wearing an apron and a cap and standing in front of an extremely complicated machine that might be Titanian if not for it being so clean and shiny. There are also lots of donuts and pastries on display, and a
and above the machine is a menu that seems to be entirely about different ways of preparing coffee. A large tip jar displays a mix of hard currencies as well.
"Welcome to Dunk 'n Dine," the girl chirps when Tasha enters. "How can I make your day more buzzy?"
Tasha smiles, but doesn't answer and also pretends not to see. She looks up at the menu, though, making a point to seem to look (and actually look). Deep down she finds herself more than a little nervous; after all, she's been decidedly on the poor side of the rich-poor divide most of her life, even feeling more comfortable as a Titanian than a regular member of Abaddonain peoples. She wonders if 'showy, but inwardly shy and anxious' is a persona she could get away with, made so much easier because it's half true. Would a sentient being remade as art and pet feel nervous? She doesn't know. Maybe someone, somewhere out there ... Maybe ...
As it goes, she looks at the menu and remains silent and maintains her detached, somewhat airy and just friendly enough indifference. Katie would often tell her baout how hard it was being someone else all the time, about wearing a mask, creating a persona. Now her knowledge of Katie's experience shapes the mask that shields her, emotions, doubts, and ultimately safety. But what to chose? What to do?
She keeps looking, formulating a plan.
"We also have sausage sandwiches," the girl prompts. "Pork, fish or cricket, caffeinated or spicy as options. And you all look adorable." That last one might have been a bit of a white lie, given Tasha's 'it didn't fully take' appearance.
"We would like two small cups of whatever the woman in the corner is having," Aaron orders. "As long as it has cream and chocolate in it. And two large blends suitable for Vartans, two pork sausage sandwiches and a dozen assorted donuts."
Tasha's muzzle twitches. Just enough, but enough to show. Neither planned nor inticipated, it's what apparently comes of her irritation at not attaining someone's approval for looking different. An old scar, and a sore one, easy to prod. It's a slip, but she decides to go with it. Normally she'd choke down her offense, play it off with a joke, or simply roll with it which has been the most common reaction these days as her life has provided her with a significant buffer of self-esteem. As Tasha, art, she's here to look amazing -- and so failing muster hurts more than it ought to.
She builds a plan to look at the serving woman and then walk away with the others, as snooty as she can think of, but before she can act Aaron interupts. She inclines her head to him and steps back.
"There are real Karnors here," Aaron notes to Tasha. "You don't have to do the Puppybird act until we meet with our patron. Just be glad he has client envy. We can make enough to get you changed back soon."
The barista is busy with the complicated looking machine now, so the little deception may have been for the other Terran's benefit. Easier to make people think their patron is weird than that Tasha is.
"Yes, sir. Sorry sir." Anotehr incline of her head and Tasha falls in to line beside Aaron. Once they're aside and waiting for their order, she asides, "/Please/ never call me that again. It's bad enough when /she/ did it./" /Also, it hurts. Also,/ " ... and /thanks/. I'm not used to this."
"Wait, that was an actual nickname?" Aaron whispers back. Someone else arrives from the back area, carrying two plates with very large flatbreads wrapped around sausages. The drinks are taking longer.
"Blackwings used it. A lot." The hybrid folds her arms, shifting from super snooty it somewhat annoyed and more militant in stance and demeanor. The extra complications add layers, or so she hopes, and lets her vent a little steam by a bit of glaring. "I don't think the Human girl was impressed. I think I might be getting a lot of fake appreciation soon. I was hoping for more. Even back on Sinai they saw me as a Nohbakim."
Since Tasha has their currency (a collection of the ubiquitous credit-sticks), Aaron lets her pay while watching closely how it's done, while Sojo collects the sandwiches and box of donuts. He knows that Tasha is the safest one to let carry the drinks.
"Who knows how these mezzodes are supposed to work," Aaron whispers. "Maybe they revert back if they don't get regular treatments or something? We should find out, in case your appearance isn't unusual at all."
"Long lasting and permanent surgery should be possible. There are also replacement parts and, artificial parts, and so on. But those are common and so boring. We have true genetic makeups, so anyone that scans us will see we're not cheap robotis, surface work, or anything like that. That's what will make us rare. We're 'almost' like the real thing -- and therefore difficult. Almost like one-off Karnors!" Tasha carries the rinks to a nearby table, waits for Liza and Aaron to sit first, then seats herself and Shojo next. "Did you see the Titanian dreadnought, sir? I heard it was involved in an incident some time ago, with an alien vessel. Part of a fleet of vultures, but the alien ship was lost, according to Library. I also heard it was seen engaging a Celestial hulk -- the Thennenin relic-ships -- or maybe that was another vessel. Not Library, my apologies. Rumor."
"I think this is the only place you can even see live Titanians," Aaron notes, and sips his coffee. Both he and Liza have drunk enough things to not make a face if something is too bitter or sweet. "That Confederate monstrosity is another matter. Who knows what strange tricks it could be hiding."
One of the Eeee turns an ear towards them now, while the Terran table has gone a bit quiet. The Khattan woman is also trying to watch and listen without appearing to.
Liza and Shojo remain quiet, but have been eavesdropping the whole time. Shojo understands Eeee after all.
"I find them fascianting, if crude. Every one unique, every one a kind of art. Inferior, but less inferior than some of the other designs. The Terrans just make things up! There's probably some art in that, too, but reliability would be my concern then." Tasha takes a sip, an honest sip learned straight from the best of Karnor. It amuses her to potentially out-sip actual Karnor, entirely because the best of them taught her how and now the best of them has agreed to her snootily putting their species down.
Shojo sips more slowly, since the cap on his has a sort of hooked spout on it to accommodate beaks.
"So many warships," Aaron replies. "I hope it is not an omen of trouble. Or more importantly: I hope it doesn't scare off our patron before he even arrives."
The Khattan woman stands and stretches, then drops her half-full cup into the waste chute and saunters out, trying to look unhurried.
"Since when has war ever scared off profits?" It's a little risky, but Tasha thinks the truisim must run everywhere. If there are hot shot pilots out here, war, too, must remain the same -- and there was a lot of profit to be made in all the wars she'd heard of. "Even if they fight, the station has endured this long, it will endure longer."
"But we might not. I think we're looking at a barfight. I as hoping to lure the Vartan and Silent-One over, but I think we just ended up ruffling feathers with the others," Tasha murmurs a moment later, leaning in.
"War also makes news," Aaron points out, gesturing with a donut. "The woman who left is going to try and sell the news that a wealthy Khattan patron may be showing up," he whispers back. "We should approach the Vartans directly I think."
"Think so? On both counts? Alright, it's safer both ways." Tasha leans back, then twists in her seat, towards the Vartans. "Speaking of reliable, I see Clan Sulimack." She makes a show of squinting. "Yes, I think I do. Sir, do I? My eyesight is a little too intriguing."
Aaron makes a show of leaning around Tasha to see the group loitering just outside. This time one of the Vartans does turn and look over the outside counter at the group. "Probably here to protect us from the Titanians," he comments. "Unless there's some sort of wargame or Titan duel planned. Might explain the Erinyes command ship."
"Or perhaps they're here to seize the Terran coffee and donuts? What do you think the proper weaponry for that would be? Hand-helds? Melee-only? Titan duels?" Tasha makes no show of hdiing her stares now, clearly having decided to pay attention to the group, and by elaborate act making it difficult for them not to notice her party. At least, not without causing offense. "I've never fought a battle over a coffee shop, But then, I never fought many battles. Duels, of course, but not battles. Do you think there's a subsection in the Library where it's appropriate for art to fight other art?" She risks a glance back at Aaron. "Wouldn't that be something?"
"I know that certain Houses would do that," Aaron claims, he looks around again, and notes, "The Terrans have the advantage. With the help of the Confederates, they can consume all of the coffee and donuts, leaving nothing for the victors. We should probably find out if they're working for our patron as well though."
There's a decidedly Karnor snort of laughter from the other table.
"Knowing who their sponsors are might be important," Aaron whispers.
"As you desire," goes Tasha, who rises. After hearing the snort she gives an elaborate bow in the direction of the snort, one of those she learned in Olympia. She won't have it said that her fake House is a sore loser (and would prefer not to start a bar fight). That done, she turns towards the Vartans and approaches them openly. "Clansmen of Clan Sulimack, my employer would like to meet with you." She offers the Silent-One a curt nod as well before returning to her attention to the Vartans, primarily the uniformed one.
The armored Vartan looks over Tasha with one eye. It's then, up close, that Tasha realizes she doesn't know what the rank insignia mean. "Oh really?" the man replies, and has another sip of coffee. "Let me guess: guy who hired you all hasn't shown up, and you're looking to entertain some troops to cut your loses?"
Tasha holds her hands out to her side. "That is for him to say. If the Terrans attack, we will promise you a share of the coffee and the donuts. If that isn't enough, you can have my plate of sausages." She then points her taloned hand at her face. "As you can see, any promise I make over sausage is to be taken seriously. Please accept our invitation or the small and delicate cat-rabbits will terrorize me later for my failure of service."
"Follow us when we leave," the Vartan offers. "Which will be after the long-legs leave."
"Shall we terrorize or flatter them away for you?" But Tasha doesn't wait for the response, inclining her head and backing away. "I will pass on your message."
After she returns to her table and has her seat, she leans in. "He agreed, we're to follow him out after he's done talking to the spotties. I'm not sure who he is -- I can't read their ranks -- but his demeanor makes me think he's someone in the line of command. Maybe in charge of pilots. He's surly, and suspicious. We should avoid annoying him."
"Who ever heard of a surly, suspicious Vartan?" Aaron whispers. "We can bribe them with the remaining.. no, too late, we ate all of the donuts. Finish your sausage, so we can move quickly.."
"It's my only bargaining chip!" Tasha insists before pushing the rets of her meal in her mouth. She chews it down, the gives a shrug after swallowing. "I never was very good at business. I think the Silent-Ones are getting up -- time to go."
Logfile from Amelia. (OOC) Log start: d:\logs\fenris\2016-11-03_allhands.htmlAfter a visit to Dr. Knight to transfer and update baseline health data, and unpacking and waking up Dr. Sen, the erstwhile crew of the Dark Horse (ne John Carter) crowded into the galley. After the Jotoki satisfied their curiosity about the newcomers, the armored, alien starfish made room by having Rainbow stack itself on top of Rock. Space was at a premium since the two Phins were in their walker suits taking up most of the space, crowding the three humans, three Karnors, two Lapi and single Vartan-hybrid to the point were Tasha had to stand in the entrance just so she'd have room for her wings. Those who could sit, did, while the shorter Lapi (and Dr. Sen) were able to stand amidst the robotic legs of the Phin walker-suits (after the rabbits got over their nervousness of being near the relatively giant dolphins). The Niss was not physically present, but didn't need to be to listen in.
"Welcome back Captain Ak-k-k-k-kers," Lucky Kaa said. "And Miss Tasha. Everything is ship-shape! Honest-t!"
"Honest." Tasha folds her arms in the doorway, head tilting to the side. She supresses a grin, for now. "I was told my Dark Horse now has several scratches on the side and that someone tried to fly it in to an asteroid." She may as well get crew discipline over and done with, even if the issue is relatively minor it needs to be cleared from her mental itinerary before she can relax.
"Maybe I should handle the report?" Jonas asks Kaa, who bobs his head in agreement. "Dr. Zerachiel had a list of things he wanted tested out, Boss," Knight says to Tasha and Gabriel. "The scratches were from a Ghost Kraken, as our pilot dubbed it, caused when we were attacked by the creature while remaining 'submerged' in the Maelstrom. That prompted us to look into other ways of hiding. The asteroid incident was one such test, to see if we could hide our presence in the Maelstrom by using a nearby mass. This resulted in severe gravitational shear over time which broke up the asteroid. We've determined that 22 minutes is the maximum safe time for intersection - this includes intersecting with other vessels, such as Ningyo."
One of the ship's cats, a black one with a white mark on its forehead, rubs against Tasha's leg.
The young hybrid inclindes her head, the information is very useful to know. She now knows considerably more about the how and why of Maelstrom creatures and especially the reason they seek the ship. Or, more precisely, the reason they seek what powers the ship: the Dark Horse itself, one of the dark life froms that live in the bordr between this reality and that of the Ogdoad, much like an animals found on worlds. Yet, stranger. Much stranger.
"The reason the 'ghost kraken' attacked is because they're attracted to the power core of the Dark Horse. If they succeed in breaching the ship and consuming the core, the ship will lose all power. No backups. It was good that you escaped it when you did." Tasha cocks her head to the side and nods, though mainly to her own thoughts. "There are other beings like that out there. It's good we know our intersection time, too." She bites her lip, then adds, "I'm sorry I was gone so long. It's the reason why Gabriel was also delayed. But, my work back home is done now and I have what I was searching for. You can expect to see mission planning in the next few days, or weeks, depending on how fast we settle the enwcomers in and deal with the sword waving outside." She looks down, grins, then reaches down to pick the cat up.
The cat purrs loudly, despite being held a bit awkwardly as Jonas says, "We also ran some other tests in the Encante system, since we could make use of the Ningyo's sensors. We know that the 'conforming warp field' generated by the hull does not behave the same as Celestial warp engines or Khattan stators, possibly because of the Dark Energy Reactor.. or whatever it is.. that is energizing the material. This makes it highly unlikely that Library-based sensors can detect our drive system. There is some disturbance when we emerge from the Maelstrom though, but with practice Kaa has managed to make it similar enough to a Langston Field shutdown - which would also cover for the ship seeming to appear out of nowhere if visual or standard detection methods are looking, since the Field effectively renders Terran warships invisible anyway. The arrival of Galactic military ships at Caltrop forced some other improvisation though, since we could expect 'smuggler protocols' to be in effect, where any shuttles wou
would have their routes backtraced."
Cat management is a new skill Tasha finds herself in rapid need of. She shifts the surprisingly spring-like creature in several different ways until she manages to find the right way to cradle it. Next comes the petting, which also comes with trial and error. As she watches the creatures antics (and her own) she realizes that her claim to being of TerraGen origin has slipped, her handling of the familiar Terran species as foreign as she is to Earth. Despite it all, the purring is comforting and she decides to make the effort to get better at handling the cat. "Where did you get this hull? or is it a hull?" The woman then inquires, finally looking up now that cat management has been partially attained. "Interesting choice of names, too."
"That was another item on Dr. Zerachiel's to-test list," Jonas explains. "It required a complete technical schematic and IFF code, however, and since I already had the John Carter specs with me, we went with that. It's some sort of programmable matter hologram, similar to what the interior seems to use. It requires some sort of drive activity to maintain, however, so will vanish as soon as we submerge into the Maelstrom, and will need to be reconstructed on surfacing back into Einsteinian space. We should be able to use other disguises as well, so long as we have the schematics and IFF information."
"I thought that might be the case," Tasha admits, sounding as unsurprised as her words seem to indicate. If her ship could create 'fake' matter inside, there had always been the question if it could do it outside as well. "We'll see about obtaining as many schematics and codes as we can, th--" She pauses as a feline head obstructs her view, then obstructs her face by smushing in to it. This makes her giggle until she rememebrs she's supposed to be an authority figure and the head gets gently pushed down so she can continue. "Um, anyway, we'll get those codes and plan accordingly to make use of this new advantage. Likewise, we'll be evaluating and assigning our new crew members to roles on the ship." She swings her gaze across those assembled and nods. "We'll be very busy soon. I'll say more about it later. We're also planning a foray on to the station in groups. Was there more, Jonas?"
"We've been engaged in smuggling," Jonas notes. "Between Terra and Encante, although our leg is Caltrop to Ningyo, with a Belter go-between. There's still a Khattan presence in the Encante system, so the traditional routes monitored closely."
"Has there been any contact with the Confederates here?" Gabriel asks. "We need to do some business with them."
"Not by us, no," Jonas says. "We've kept ourselves to resupply runs and such."
"That's for the best. But now that we have everyone here, it's time to see what we can do as a whole." Tasha shifts the cat until she can lift a free hand and smiles. "This will be out crew for a while. I hope you all get along and think of the Dark Horse as both home and adventure. We have a lot ahead of us, and a lot to overcome, but we're also not alone. Please take some time to speak to the newcomers if you haven't already. Do you have any questions for me? The Captain?"
"We've made a discreet purchase at the Library," Moka notes. "We now have the known Starseed migration routes for Known Space - the Jotoki homeworld should be along one of them, when we're ready to pursue that."
"I'd like to know where we can freshen up," Aaron notes. "Several hours in a balloon that feels like it's constantly falling has left most of us a bit rank. Next agenda item after that would be food, and then maybe bunk space."
"I need to check my mail drop on the station when we head out," Yue notes. "Aaand I should probably clean up too."
"Then lets split up. Until the reconfiguration is complete we'll need keep out of the parts of the ship under reconstruction. Captain?" Tasha turns to Gabriel and in that instant feels just how incredibly peculiar it is to be somehow in charge of the man. In charge again, as it happens. She looks a little bewildered, but hides it quickly, pressing on. "Why don't you help everyone find somewhere they can clean up? I'll reconstruct the lounge first; once that's done people can gather there to rest, relax, and plan. I'll head towards the bridge to do the reconstruction."
"Right," Gabriel says, clapping his hands together. "Show of hands: who wants to bathe in Phin's salt-water tank and who wants to just be hosed down in the hangar bay?"
"Is one warmer than the other?" Katherine asks.
"Miss Necessity and Dr. Sen can use the fresher in my quarters," Jonas offers. "It's human-specific."
"Also there's the crew showers," Tasha adds, grinning. She steps aside to let people out, then steps back a few steps towards the bridge. "Kaa? Moka? Why don't you join me on the bridge?"
While the rest of the new arrivals work out who will use which shower (and how many can use one at the same time), the two Phins head out into the corridor with Tasha. It's just wide enough for the mechanical walking harnesses to stand side-by-side. "What's up Boss? Or is it Chief? Alpha?" Kaa asks.
"You can just call me Tasha," Tasha allows as she heads for the bridge. "I know you want to swim with the newcomers, but lets give them some space. Besides, I may need your help and information in the bridge." The young woman picks her new cat up, places it upon the artifact she had stuffed under her arm and carries the whole thing like the galaxy's rarest cat cushion. "Just to be clear, you answer to Gabriel and he answers to me, but that shouldn't need to happen often. I do mission direction, planning. I talk to things."
Once on the bridge, the hybrid takes a moment to let it all in. Her bridge, her ship. A wonderous ship; a ship with many faces, all powered by a creature from beyond. A ship of billions, though few know it. "Actually," she starts after she's had her moment of basking, " ... have you ever felt anything from the ship? A song, perhaps?"
"When sleeping, sometimes," Moka admits. Phin brains only sleep one hemisphere at a time, which can make for strange dreams. "Like the sea. There are no real machine sounds here."
"None," Tasha agrees. She takes a seat at one of the science consoles, turning the chair around to face the Phins, one arm propped on the artifact and her head propped on that. "How about you, Kaa? Anything strange? Did you ever dream of volcanoes, or a forge? A man of fire?"
"Sounds Norse," Kaa says. "I only hear stuff in the pilot station, but that's the ship and the sea. Maelstrom sounds different from normal space! Ghost Krakens sound like a swarm of angry insects. Drunk angry insects. That are on fire. When I sleep I mostly dream of.. uh.. other things, Tushy. Tasha."
The hybrid barks a laugh. "Better not dream of my tushy infront of Gabriel," she warns a second later, uncoiling a finger long enough to wave it admonishingly. "Well, see if you can hear it. Try to find it in your dreams. A song of fire, and building, and hammers rining in the dark. Listen, and if it calls you somewhere, come find me. Take notes. I need to find the man of fire." She then lets he head roll to the side, muzzle scrunging a moment before she explains, "The karken is a dark being. Dark matter beings, similiar to what the Confederates deal with in D-Space but probably not sentient. Probably. The noise ... It might be what it's flesh sounds like. Some of them look like crawling inspects when, um, incarnate in our reality. The Maelstrom seems to be midway, so it's midway too. They're dangerous to us, too, but might not sense us."
"It didn't follow us to the surface," Kaa notes. "I'm used t-to Terran warship t-tac-tics. Turn off drive, turn on field, become invisible except for periscope. Did not expect to get bitten on the fluke. It hurt! Thought I was being attacked by real giant squid."
"Their nature isn't quite like ours. Their bit reaches across more than just what you might think of as the physical," the young woman warns. "I know. I deal with their kind now and then. We'll be looking in to them more, as well, so hopefully we'll also come up with better defenses." She pauses, fingers drumming on her muzzle, then nods. "Niss? Hello. You've been listening, I assume you have the foreplan prepared and are gearing up to remodel?"
"Yes, Tasha, but it will take longer than usual if you wish to maintain the outer disguise," the Niss reply. "Can you do without the affected chambers for another 14 hours?"
Hybrid head bobs. "Yes, Niss. We'll accelerate our plans to enter the station, that should give you time to work." Yellow eyes settle on Kaa, then Moka. "Since Gabriel is busy, I'll just give you your standing orders. If anything happens and the ship is truly in danger of being captured, please escape. You can then work out how to help us later; the Niss will help you before and after that comes to pass. I know the Niss can be hard to understand-" She uses 'understand' rather than 'work with' largely out of politeness, "-but please try. As for the rest us except Jonas, you two, and maybe Shojo, we'll be heading in to the station in two groups under disguise. The, uh, Khattans and I will be eccentrics, Gabriel will lead the TerraGen group of Karnors and Humans. If Shojo comes, he's with my group. If you really feel the need to go station side, you can talk to Gabriel."
"Don't like the air, too dry," Kaa says. Moka does enjoy visiting the Terragens bar though. "What is our business with Confederates that Gabriel mentioned?" the female asks.
"We require a ship to fulfill another contract elsewhere," Tasha answers, looking up at Moka. Phin certainly are big. "A Confederate ship. Once we have it we'll send a skeleton crew back on it to handle the arrangement, then pick them up again. Oh." She then looks between them. Very big. "To hide our association, the two groups will act like they're seperate. So, expect Khattan snobbery from me if we meet. The Khattans won't talk to you at all -- and why should they, when you don't even use the Library much?" She grins. "Barbarian fish. Uh, but anyway, we're going to scout around, see what's what. Look for purchase options, contacts, and so on. The Titanians will get thrown off the station, so we can't expect their backup for long."
"By Khattans you mean the bunnies, right?" Kaa asks to be sure. At least the Phins don't seem to have a 'grab and cuddle fluffy things' reflex.
"The bunnies," Tasha confirms. "Aaron and Liza. Liza's actually my personal assistant, and Aaron is my friend. Out on the station, they're my bosses. I'm going to be going out as I am. No disguises this time."
"So, pretending to be mezzodes?" Kaa asks.
"I don't know that word," Tasha admits, ears perking. She sees no reason to hide her identity over much on her own ship. Piece by piece they'll figure it out, or at least have interetsing guesses. Jonas certainly did.
"I'm not sure what the equivalent term is," Moka says. "Wealthy Khattans can be jaded. Mezzodes are.. exotic companions. Well.. like Blaze the kitten. But talking ones. People made into pets, but not pets. Status symbols, companions, courtesans."
Tasha scratches at her muzzle a moment, then nods. "That sounds right. I'll use that word. A little disturbing, though. I guess I'll learn how much soon." Her head shakes, then she looks up, up at the screen. "Niss, can you display for me the ship layout? I wantyou to query ... "
What follows is a list of instructions as well as a number of options for crew arrangement. "Katie can have one of the room starboard the loung (it's big) and Mr. I and Miss N. the opposite. Hake and Yue can have the port and staboard rooms off the VIP corridor. Alternatively, Tasha can turn her office in to quarters and bedroom and free her quarters for someone else. Artifact storage can be cut in half, and the meeting room can be repurposed as well," she elaborates, allowing certain leeways in quarters for certain individuals: Katie, Mr. Invention and Miss Necessity as a pair, Gabriel in case he wants seperate quarters or a office, and herself. The artifact bay can be halved and condensed, and Tasha offers much of her living space up for use by those listed. "I'm used to sleeping in cramped places," she tells the Phins as she concludes the directing.
"Most bipeds adapt quickly," Moka notes. "Is your assistant staying with you?"
"I should arrange for a bunk near me, shouldn't I ... " Tasha does so, adding that to the list of constraints for the Niss's project load. Elsewhere in the ship each person reieces either a notification of their options or else a listing of where there assigned quarters will be. Access accounts are created and personnel filed, access to various areas assigned. "There. I think that's everything. You two should feel lucky," she eyes Kaa a moment, grin lopisded, "You get the most total living space, maybe even more than I get after this."
"The Jotoki stay with us too, but not always in the water," Moka points out. "They hung netting, and climb around in it. With the cats. I'm not keen on having nets over me, but at least they have not dropped either of the cats."
"Creamsicle jumps on my back when I'm sleeping!" Kaa blurts.
"The cats are valued members of the crew, after all." And so tasha pets the cat who is currently snoozing across the Marker, half-twisted, possibly bored from chewing on her arm. "So one's named Creamsicle? What about the others? I'e never been those close to Terran cats before, usually I talk to the two-legged variety."
"The one you have there is Blaze, because of the mark on his head," Moka explains. "It is a Terran term.. that refers to horses. Creamsicle is the orange and white female who usually just follows Rainbow around or rides on top."
"They're very cute." Tasha leans down and gives the cat a kiss on his forehead, then looks up and smiles. "Well, I'd better clean off too. I need to a snobby, um, mezzodes innnnn-" she glances at the console, " ... two hours. I am sorry for being gone so long. Maybe some day I'll tell you both about it? Or not, easier to sleep that way!"
To allay any confusion about which faction the group of 'mezzodes' belong too, Shojo accompanies Tasha and Lapis. Vartan armor is on display, but it's clearly not current or military (not compared to what the other recent Vartans are wearing). This isn't unusual though, since Khattan mezzodes are supposed to be exotic looking. Liza is wearing her typical business suit though, and Aaron sports his fancy Zolk vest. Since the Lapi's garments are made of 'natural' fabrics, they come across as expensive.
The Terran group had entered Caltrop first, partly to see if they were going to be drawing attention again (although the 'command pheremone' issue had been dealt with beforehand). Their goal is to acclimate Katherine and her assistants, check in with the locals at the Surf-n-Turf to check for familiar Confederate faces, and pick up any messages from Yue's secure drop. The notion of setting up a local office-front for Dark Horse Shipping isn't on the agenda at the moment, however.
Tasha remembers her days of acting superior, as well as Blackwing's own self-assuredness, and so tempers that with a good helping of having delt with a considerable amount of rich and powerful people in her short run of fame -- as well as before, when they treated her like nothing. Now, it's her turn, and there will be no one around to tell her not to be full of herself! It's mission critical, after all.
Thus Tasha walks down the spire as if she owner the place and were courteously providing it for others' use. She smiles, she walsk without seeing people or really looking at them -- that learned from Katherine in her 'Katie Kaboom' public persona -- all while holding Liza's hand. She makes sure to keep pace with the Lapi, not wanting toappear to be dragging her along, but rather guiding and present. Helpful, attached to Liza's presence. She's supposed to be subservient after all, just noticably so. Both are important, or so she's decided.
"Ninety-percent of the businesses here are Khattan," Aaron notes in Olympian. "Junior species gathering spot to the left, about ninety-degrees. I recognize the imagery from Expedition City."
"I don't know which to chose. We could rub our superiority in to the juniors, see if we can charm our way in to something interesting, or stick to the Khattan areas and see what they'll offer our wealthy selves," Tasha offers. Being nearly as new to Galactic space as the other two, she knows about the sides, but much less so about their day-to-day details. The micro to the macro, but then that's part of their task today, to learn. "I'd like to get a look at some of the ships, people, and equipment in use. The Wyvern-class, the Clanships, the Clansmen. Purchasing anything would be a little risky without our own accounts, so shopping is probably a bad idea. Or, just riskier. Maybe, um, gauche."
"Your eyes are better than mine," Aaron notes. "Especially from this angle. I think some of the patrons outside the shop are wearing armor though. I just can't tell who they are." The shop in question has a glowing hologram over it of a fried-cake toroid and a cup of brown liquid over it. "Do Vartans have a taste for sweets? I've seen Silent-Ones, Humans, Karnor and Eeee eating donuts on Abaddon."
"We're omnivores, and it's by individual. I like them, so does my mother. Captain Eyeshine doesn't. What's probably more important is the social aspect; they might be there as a social outting, because someone back on the ship wanted some, or because it's a tradition. Or, just because one of them saw them and wanted to stop. But there's often a social angle, especially with Clans." It's a little bit guesswork on Tasha's part, but it feels right and she's know a lot of Vartans in her short time. "now, lets see ... " She sweeps her gaze past the group, trying to see without appear to be looking, another Katie Kaboom secret.
The colors certainly help. There are two armored Vartans in blue and yellow - Clan Sulimack, from the battleship. But their helmets are down (and one of them is clearly female). The third Vartan is in a blue and yellow uniform, and the Silent-One next to him is also in a uniform. The two cheetahs past him are armored though, but also have their helmets down. Like many shops, part of it is inside a crystal structure which has a transparent ceiling. There don't appear to be soldiers inside, but it isn't so clear to make out just who is inside.
"I see Clan Sulimack peronnel, what looks like two escorts and a ship's crew officer -- probably someone of rank if they have guards. The Silent-Ones have the same arrangemnt. I think we're looking at a restaurant dedicated or at least favored by higher ranking ship personnel. Maybe a meeting place, you know the type." The Bloody Duffle. Faaron's Dome. Even the Fallen Friend. Places where all kinds meet to share goals and secrets, away from prying eyes. But ... "It seems too fancy and open for it to be that kind though, unless I am very off in my scale." And she might be, and she knows it.
"I can smell it now," Aaron says, with his slightly more sensitive (and educated) nose. "Coffee. Neutral ground. Oh, that was a pun! Ha! I surprise myself. They must be talking shop."
"I agree. It's a good place to show off, but you'd know about that more than I would." Tasha turns to look at Aaron now, then leans in and makes a show of listening. "Are we going in, sir?"
"It looks interestingly low-class," Aaron replies in Khattan, but does wait for Tasha (as senior bodyguard) to take the lead. Shojo does not understand Olympian, of course, but he knows to follow along.
Tasha listens, but not knowing Khattan misses the direction. She doesn't miss the expectant look, however, and so nods. "Yes, sir," she replies to her best guess, in Vartan. Releasing Liza's hand, she nods for Shojo to retake it, then walks ahead to the entranceway.
One of the armored Vartans loitering outside gives the group the once over. He's got a sheathed sword on his hip. It's clear as they get close that the two officers are drinking coffee and discussing the one subject they'd both have common interest in: the Dainty Mauler and its crew. The Silent-One's glove can apparently handle speaking in Vartan as well. Inside the shop are a variety of familiar creatures: a single, think Khattan woman off in one corner nursing her drink, and looking like she's had a rough day, two Eeee at a table with a Korv, a box of donuts between them. All three of the Confederates are wearing light armor, but appear to be unarmed. The loudest group is a pair of humans and a pair of Karnors at the same table, telling eachother jokes. Behind the counter is a teenaged human girl wearing an apron and a cap and standing in front of an extremely complicated machine that might be Titanian if not for it being so clean and shiny. There are also lots of donuts and pastries on display, and a
and above the machine is a menu that seems to be entirely about different ways of preparing coffee. A large tip jar displays a mix of hard currencies as well.
"Welcome to Dunk 'n Dine," the girl chirps when Tasha enters. "How can I make your day more buzzy?"
Tasha smiles, but doesn't answer and also pretends not to see. She looks up at the menu, though, making a point to seem to look (and actually look). Deep down she finds herself more than a little nervous; after all, she's been decidedly on the poor side of the rich-poor divide most of her life, even feeling more comfortable as a Titanian than a regular member of Abaddonain peoples. She wonders if 'showy, but inwardly shy and anxious' is a persona she could get away with, made so much easier because it's half true. Would a sentient being remade as art and pet feel nervous? She doesn't know. Maybe someone, somewhere out there ... Maybe ...
As it goes, she looks at the menu and remains silent and maintains her detached, somewhat airy and just friendly enough indifference. Katie would often tell her baout how hard it was being someone else all the time, about wearing a mask, creating a persona. Now her knowledge of Katie's experience shapes the mask that shields her, emotions, doubts, and ultimately safety. But what to chose? What to do?
She keeps looking, formulating a plan.
"We also have sausage sandwiches," the girl prompts. "Pork, fish or cricket, caffeinated or spicy as options. And you all look adorable." That last one might have been a bit of a white lie, given Tasha's 'it didn't fully take' appearance.
"We would like two small cups of whatever the woman in the corner is having," Aaron orders. "As long as it has cream and chocolate in it. And two large blends suitable for Vartans, two pork sausage sandwiches and a dozen assorted donuts."
Tasha's muzzle twitches. Just enough, but enough to show. Neither planned nor inticipated, it's what apparently comes of her irritation at not attaining someone's approval for looking different. An old scar, and a sore one, easy to prod. It's a slip, but she decides to go with it. Normally she'd choke down her offense, play it off with a joke, or simply roll with it which has been the most common reaction these days as her life has provided her with a significant buffer of self-esteem. As Tasha, art, she's here to look amazing -- and so failing muster hurts more than it ought to.
She builds a plan to look at the serving woman and then walk away with the others, as snooty as she can think of, but before she can act Aaron interupts. She inclines her head to him and steps back.
"There are real Karnors here," Aaron notes to Tasha. "You don't have to do the Puppybird act until we meet with our patron. Just be glad he has client envy. We can make enough to get you changed back soon."
The barista is busy with the complicated looking machine now, so the little deception may have been for the other Terran's benefit. Easier to make people think their patron is weird than that Tasha is.
"Yes, sir. Sorry sir." Anotehr incline of her head and Tasha falls in to line beside Aaron. Once they're aside and waiting for their order, she asides, "/Please/ never call me that again. It's bad enough when /she/ did it./" /Also, it hurts. Also,/ " ... and /thanks/. I'm not used to this."
"Wait, that was an actual nickname?" Aaron whispers back. Someone else arrives from the back area, carrying two plates with very large flatbreads wrapped around sausages. The drinks are taking longer.
"Blackwings used it. A lot." The hybrid folds her arms, shifting from super snooty it somewhat annoyed and more militant in stance and demeanor. The extra complications add layers, or so she hopes, and lets her vent a little steam by a bit of glaring. "I don't think the Human girl was impressed. I think I might be getting a lot of fake appreciation soon. I was hoping for more. Even back on Sinai they saw me as a Nohbakim."
Since Tasha has their currency (a collection of the ubiquitous credit-sticks), Aaron lets her pay while watching closely how it's done, while Sojo collects the sandwiches and box of donuts. He knows that Tasha is the safest one to let carry the drinks.
"Who knows how these mezzodes are supposed to work," Aaron whispers. "Maybe they revert back if they don't get regular treatments or something? We should find out, in case your appearance isn't unusual at all."
"Long lasting and permanent surgery should be possible. There are also replacement parts and, artificial parts, and so on. But those are common and so boring. We have true genetic makeups, so anyone that scans us will see we're not cheap robotis, surface work, or anything like that. That's what will make us rare. We're 'almost' like the real thing -- and therefore difficult. Almost like one-off Karnors!" Tasha carries the rinks to a nearby table, waits for Liza and Aaron to sit first, then seats herself and Shojo next. "Did you see the Titanian dreadnought, sir? I heard it was involved in an incident some time ago, with an alien vessel. Part of a fleet of vultures, but the alien ship was lost, according to Library. I also heard it was seen engaging a Celestial hulk -- the Thennenin relic-ships -- or maybe that was another vessel. Not Library, my apologies. Rumor."
"I think this is the only place you can even see live Titanians," Aaron notes, and sips his coffee. Both he and Liza have drunk enough things to not make a face if something is too bitter or sweet. "That Confederate monstrosity is another matter. Who knows what strange tricks it could be hiding."
One of the Eeee turns an ear towards them now, while the Terran table has gone a bit quiet. The Khattan woman is also trying to watch and listen without appearing to.
Liza and Shojo remain quiet, but have been eavesdropping the whole time. Shojo understands Eeee after all.
"I find them fascianting, if crude. Every one unique, every one a kind of art. Inferior, but less inferior than some of the other designs. The Terrans just make things up! There's probably some art in that, too, but reliability would be my concern then." Tasha takes a sip, an honest sip learned straight from the best of Karnor. It amuses her to potentially out-sip actual Karnor, entirely because the best of them taught her how and now the best of them has agreed to her snootily putting their species down.
Shojo sips more slowly, since the cap on his has a sort of hooked spout on it to accommodate beaks.
"So many warships," Aaron replies. "I hope it is not an omen of trouble. Or more importantly: I hope it doesn't scare off our patron before he even arrives."
The Khattan woman stands and stretches, then drops her half-full cup into the waste chute and saunters out, trying to look unhurried.
"Since when has war ever scared off profits?" It's a little risky, but Tasha thinks the truisim must run everywhere. If there are hot shot pilots out here, war, too, must remain the same -- and there was a lot of profit to be made in all the wars she'd heard of. "Even if they fight, the station has endured this long, it will endure longer."
"But we might not. I think we're looking at a barfight. I as hoping to lure the Vartan and Silent-One over, but I think we just ended up ruffling feathers with the others," Tasha murmurs a moment later, leaning in.
"War also makes news," Aaron points out, gesturing with a donut. "The woman who left is going to try and sell the news that a wealthy Khattan patron may be showing up," he whispers back. "We should approach the Vartans directly I think."
"Think so? On both counts? Alright, it's safer both ways." Tasha leans back, then twists in her seat, towards the Vartans. "Speaking of reliable, I see Clan Sulimack." She makes a show of squinting. "Yes, I think I do. Sir, do I? My eyesight is a little too intriguing."
Aaron makes a show of leaning around Tasha to see the group loitering just outside. This time one of the Vartans does turn and look over the outside counter at the group. "Probably here to protect us from the Titanians," he comments. "Unless there's some sort of wargame or Titan duel planned. Might explain the Erinyes command ship."
"Or perhaps they're here to seize the Terran coffee and donuts? What do you think the proper weaponry for that would be? Hand-helds? Melee-only? Titan duels?" Tasha makes no show of hdiing her stares now, clearly having decided to pay attention to the group, and by elaborate act making it difficult for them not to notice her party. At least, not without causing offense. "I've never fought a battle over a coffee shop, But then, I never fought many battles. Duels, of course, but not battles. Do you think there's a subsection in the Library where it's appropriate for art to fight other art?" She risks a glance back at Aaron. "Wouldn't that be something?"
"I know that certain Houses would do that," Aaron claims, he looks around again, and notes, "The Terrans have the advantage. With the help of the Confederates, they can consume all of the coffee and donuts, leaving nothing for the victors. We should probably find out if they're working for our patron as well though."
There's a decidedly Karnor snort of laughter from the other table.
"Knowing who their sponsors are might be important," Aaron whispers.
"As you desire," goes Tasha, who rises. After hearing the snort she gives an elaborate bow in the direction of the snort, one of those she learned in Olympia. She won't have it said that her fake House is a sore loser (and would prefer not to start a bar fight). That done, she turns towards the Vartans and approaches them openly. "Clansmen of Clan Sulimack, my employer would like to meet with you." She offers the Silent-One a curt nod as well before returning to her attention to the Vartans, primarily the uniformed one.
The armored Vartan looks over Tasha with one eye. It's then, up close, that Tasha realizes she doesn't know what the rank insignia mean. "Oh really?" the man replies, and has another sip of coffee. "Let me guess: guy who hired you all hasn't shown up, and you're looking to entertain some troops to cut your loses?"
Tasha holds her hands out to her side. "That is for him to say. If the Terrans attack, we will promise you a share of the coffee and the donuts. If that isn't enough, you can have my plate of sausages." She then points her taloned hand at her face. "As you can see, any promise I make over sausage is to be taken seriously. Please accept our invitation or the small and delicate cat-rabbits will terrorize me later for my failure of service."
"Follow us when we leave," the Vartan offers. "Which will be after the long-legs leave."
"Shall we terrorize or flatter them away for you?" But Tasha doesn't wait for the response, inclining her head and backing away. "I will pass on your message."
After she returns to her table and has her seat, she leans in. "He agreed, we're to follow him out after he's done talking to the spotties. I'm not sure who he is -- I can't read their ranks -- but his demeanor makes me think he's someone in the line of command. Maybe in charge of pilots. He's surly, and suspicious. We should avoid annoying him."
"Who ever heard of a surly, suspicious Vartan?" Aaron whispers. "We can bribe them with the remaining.. no, too late, we ate all of the donuts. Finish your sausage, so we can move quickly.."
"It's my only bargaining chip!" Tasha insists before pushing the rets of her meal in her mouth. She chews it down, the gives a shrug after swallowing. "I never was very good at business. I think the Silent-Ones are getting up -- time to go."