Location: The Galactic Bazaar → Xuanzang’s Lobby Interaction: Flame, Ashton and Natasha @Letter Bee, Klein, Finbarr @The Man Emperor, Everyone Else present Mention:
Narvia didn’t take her sweet time to get through the portal after Star Marines defeated all the Goblins since the alternative wasn’t a good idea. She didn’t feel like being arrested by the Galactic Bazaar’s police forces for helping out the other Star Marines. It caused her to give out a sigh of relief for making it back onto the Xuanzang. Many things were going on in her mind, and she was heavily scared and didn’t enjoy that one bit. All she wanted to do was shopping with her boyfriend, but it looks like that was dashed. It was like as a Star Marine, and there can’t be any normalcy in their lives or something.
Narvia slightly sighed but slightly looked on her face when Ashton spoke about how many returned to the Xuanzang. She shook her head slightly but took a few minutes before responding to him. ” I’m here, Ashton. W-What the hell was that? I wanted to go shopping with my boyfriend.” Narvia said. She took a few seconds to, in her frustration, realize she said boyfriend and gasped slightly. It made her blush a bit and cover her face in embarrassment by what she had said.
Therefore, there was a bit of silence from her for a while, but she recognized a new person among the group: Klein. Narvia didn’t know Klein since she was part of the Dragon’s Brigade Fleet and far away from the fighting in some ways. However, her godfather’s fleet fought no matter what, but she wasn’t involved in the war that much. ” Hello, nice to meet you, Klein.” Narvia said with a smile on her face. When Flame blatantly interrupted Ashton’s welcoming back and told Klein to lower his mental barriers so Avelyn can mentally scan him. She had been taken aback by Flame, but Ashton agreed with the sentiment because of Crowley primarily.
Narvia didn’t want to add conversation anymore since she might embarrass herself again. She did that by saying boyfriend, and there was only one person she was near during that Alan’s magic going haywire. It was Finbarr, for that instance, and it was a bit of a problem for her to be so open as she is. However, then Natasha came into the Lobby and talked about some things. ” Alan’s magic w-went haywire for some odd, weird reason. I-I don’t know how that happened, though, since I didn’t think that was possible for it to occur.” Narvia responded to Natasha. She was giving out an honest reply since she doesn’t know how that happened.
Narvia was most shocked when Phi was mentioned saying she disappeared, and that hurt her so much. She couldn’t help but tear up slightly from what was said because Phi did make her a plushie seal. ’ Phi, why did you have to disappear?’ Narvia thought to herself. She was a bit torn on what to do next, but she does have Finbarr to make her feel better from all these horrible events. It did give her an honest thought about how much more will it take to feel normal rather than feeling like she’ll never have that. ’ W-What did Nikolas say? Oh yeah. Don’t give up if you do, then how will you ever fight for what you want in your life.’ Narvia thought with regaining her smile. It wouldn’t be a good idea to stay depressed or give up since that would be hurting her godfather’s wishes.
The Epsilon Gamma, Gravia Military Defense Headquarters that is located on Mars, near the Hadley Estate. Primarily it protects Conner's home from outside threats that would be deemed threatening to Conner's plans. There was only one good news from the war that ended one month ago: Narvia F. Hadley was Killed in Action against the alien menace. Conner had been waiting for Narvia's death for a while. He can start on the next phase of his plans that involve Mars.
Conner had been in his overseer office and decided to call a single person from three separate divisions in his Military Company. All of them are women of differing skill sets, but they are required to get different orders for his next plan that involves the filth that infests his home. Only one of them has done their best to uphold the ordeals of his Gravia Military Company through their determination. All because they don't want to fail their husband nor daughter, which would be Silvia. He waited but didn't have to wait too long for them to all arrive at his office.
These three women saluted their Overseer as they must or might have to be reprogrammed by Conner for their failure. Meadow was the only one that was eager enough to get on with the meeting while she could tell Silvia and Alicia was nervous. " Overseer, what do you desire of the Experimental Division? I thought our Division would be needed for the final phase." Meadow said respectively. Her Division deals with experimental weapons that the other divisions would deploy.
Conner looks at Silvia, Meadow, Alicia and sighs at Alicia's improper conduct of not wearing the Estate Guard Uniform for the third time. He shakes his head in disappointment, but he thinks of the answer that he should give to Meadow in specific. It doesn't take him long to give her an answer. " Your Overseer wants the Experimental Division to ramp up the deployment of our next generation sniper rifles and ammo." Conner said towards Meadow. It shows that the Time Table has changed about specific targets, but Sarah did talk to him before this reassignment.
Meadow nods at the order that her Overseer has given her, but she gave out a small please can I still have your attention type of sigh. Also, she knows how much annoying filth can be in a home that you want to live in it but him being kind to them is too much. " I have another question, Overseer? What do you plan to do with the roaches in your home? I would love to kill them for you to show my loyalty. Since you despise what flows in their veins, don't you?" Meadow asked, trying not to overstep her boundary. All she wants is the knowledge she has killed something for her Overseer, and hopefully, he will give her the go-ahead.
Conner rubs his forehead slightly and sighs, looking directly at Meadow's eyes. His stare was to the point, and he pulls up Meadow's Statistics in the Gravia Military Company. So, it seems like her stress levels are too much, and she requires a bit of a break to recoup herself. ” Meadow. I now order you to take a month off of being the Experimental Division's Head. You are right, I despise what flows in their veins, but I was moved by Sarah's argument that killing them now wouldn't be good since I have my priorities as such. Therefore, you can bring all these questions to Sarah's face instead. If you step out of bounds one more time, I will have to reprogram you." Conner said in a slightly angered tone. He despises when the people underneath the Dedicated get a thick head thinking they can favor him.
Meadow shivered down her spine when Conner stared directly at her in that way. She also noticed the stats from Conner's Omnitool and deeply sighed for her action against the Dedicated's Decision in deciding the fate of those roaches in Conner's home. " Y-Yes, Overseer. I will get on that leave. I will talk to Sarah whenever she isn't busy with her shopping at Shopping District Sector Nine." Meadow said, saluting to Conner. She couldn't stop shaking after being threatened to be reprogrammed, but it seems like their Overseer is hard-pressed to keep his priorities straight. Therefore, Meadow left the Overseer's office, but she would tell her Division about the new orders before she goes.
Conner turns his chair and gets a bottle of expensive red wine, that's a one-hundred-year-old vintage 2375 AD. He sits the bottle of wine on his desk and pours himself a glass, and takes a taste testing sip of it. The recreational use of alcohol that he usually drinks is usually the way to relax and chat with his toy soldiers in a more casual tone. " You two have been quiet as a mouse. Guess your Overseer scared you with the threat to Meadow of Reprogramming?" Conner asked curiously. At the same time, he is holding his wine glass in his left hand and looking over their statistics from his omnitool.
Silvia looks towards Alicia and back to Conner. She dislikes the threat of reprogramming them back to a pawn to follow his orders to the letter. It took Silvia a few seconds before she decides to respond to Conner's question. " I can't believe you, Overseer. Was there a reason you asked for us three specifically? I know I've killed in your name all those poor people they didn't need to die in the name of who you are loyal to." Silvia said with a tone of disbelief and hate. She doesn't want to kill any more people in the name of the Gravia Military Company because it's hurting her mentally and everything.
Conner sighs at Silvia's tone, but he knew that the top assassin has been having trouble of late. All that death that Silvia still remembers to this day that she's never allowed to let go but get a brief respite after reprogramming her. " There is a reason why I asked for your specifically Silvia. I want you to assassinate the heads of the Faletti Corporation. If you refuse, you will be transferred to Astervole One. Therefore, you won't be able to see your daughter Julia S. Morgan or your husband John I. Morgan until you accept." Conner said with a tone of emphasis on Astervole One.
Silvia's reaction was utter disgust and fear in her reaction to hearing Astervole One. Her disgust was that Conner wants her to kill her biological parents, Brenda and Austin. It was a hard choice, and she starts crying with a hard choice, and she knows she cannot harm the Overseer nor his children. " I-I hate you! You are making me choose between my biological parents or the happiness of my daughter and husband. Y-You monster, do you have a SOUL?" Silvia asked with tears going down her face. She loves her parents, but she was kidnapped by Conner's Military Company and hasn't been able to see her parents ever since. He even forced her to be with John I. Morgan so they can have a daughter.
Conner enjoys the reaction from Silvia; it makes her one of the more helpful toy soldiers in his arsenal of soldiers. He can tell her words were cracking, and she had to question if he had a soul or that it's become black. " Give me the answer now, Silvia. I wish I could tell you if I have a soul, but I felt incredible loss when my mother had died." Conner said. He wants to know her decision now so he can start dealing with his other plans. All because Conner wants Silvia to be the one to end her parents' lives so he, in essence, can be able to Hostile Takeover her parent's company with her permission.
Silvia feels a shiver down her spine when he orders her for her answer now, and the response that she got was horrible. She did remember Rena's death on the news all those years ago but didn't think it affected the Hadley In-Vector Corporation nor the Gravia Military Company that badly. However, it did, and now she has to follow the orders of a madman that wants to take over Mars. " Overseer, I will do what you ask. I will kill Austin E. Faletti and Brenda J. Faletti. So, I can stay with my daughter and husband. They deserve my love more than my parents." Silvia said with tears still going down her cheeks.
Conner was pleasantly surprised by what Silvia had spoken, and it felt like she wanted to say more but didn't. He didn't care what Silvia would say anyway about what her family could have done with him because not that many people mourned for Rena's death. All those rivals he had somewhat laughed that his mother died, and they deserve their desserts. " Wonderful, you can start the Operation whenever. It isn't a time-sensitive operation but as long as you are truthful about killing them. I will let you have free reign to see Julia and John since they are your family. I do hope you will succeed in killing them. They are an obstacle to my plan and are near the top of the priority list of mine." Conner said. He saluted Silvia to leave and prepare for the correct time to kill her mother and father.
Silvia hears the good news from the Overseer since all the other times she was assassinating someone, it was time-sensitive. The Operation's name is probably Faletti's Fall, which the other operations didn't have a name but the target's name only. She is grateful that she'll be having free reign to see her child and husband but before she left. Silvia does the salute to Conner and then leaves the Overseer Office to prepare for the Operation and see how her eleven-year-old daughter is doing.
Alicia gulps that now she's the last one left and has to deal with Conner's demeaning presence to her specifically. She tries to be strong in adversity, but all those traumas that she has to contend with are that Gravia Military Personnel picked her off the streets. It didn't help that Alicia was one of those statistics of being homeless with no family to take care of her nor anyone wanting to, and Alicia hoped to gain some normalcy in Conner's PMC. Her husband Justin and her daughter Alma despises her because she frequently falls back on her crunches of alcohol and drugs. " W-What am I supposed to do, Overseer? Y-You know how much I fail and everything." Alicia said, nervous and shaking. She remembers all the hate Justin gives her, but they have to stay together for the new generation of PMC soldiers.
Conner's reaction to Alicia's fear and nervous feelings and gave out a sigh about that to make sure there were no future problems. He looks up the Whitfield family's statistics to see how badly they are doing. They are doing badly money-wise since Alicia is spending her wage on drugs and alcohol to fix her. " Alicia, I think I should reassign you before you do something that will cause me to reprogram you. I'm going to give you a look over all these identification codes, Alicia." Conner said. He shows the identification codes to Alicia by having them shown up on his omnitool's primary module. Primarily it is because there are many divisions inside of the Gravia Military Company.
Alicia felt like this is a chance to make amends for her failures, but she's in disbelief that her Overseer wants to help her. She took the news of reassignment in stride because it'll help her be happier. However, the identification codes went over her head while seeing them on the Overseer's Omnitool. " Umm, Overseer, sir, what do all those identification codes mean? I-I know you taught all Gravia personnel to read, but those are a bit confusing for me." Alicia said, a bit confused.
Conner felt like Alicia was at the orientation when they talked about each Division's identification code, but he guesses she glossed over it. He slightly laughs at her confusion since it'll be better to give her a crash course on the identification codes again. " I can see why you are failing every task I give you, then I did tell everyone to pay attention during orientation of the identification codes and the numbers you will receive. I'm not that bothered in telling you about these codes again." Conner said.
He didn't suspect that everyone paid attention to it, but that's an optimistic viewpoint. " These are the identification codes of Codex, Tribulation, Argia, Dergia, Jergus, Trial, Riel, Kiel, and Marin. The Gravia Military Guard Division has the Codex Code, which you are part of as personnel. It is why you were assigned to defend my Estate." Conner said. He feels like Alicia would get some whiplash from talking about Silvia and Meadow's divisions on top of hers.
Alicia had gotten whiplash from hearing about the identification codes and her specific assignment as an Estate Guard. She ignored orientation since she didn't understand anything about what was being said. However, it makes sense why she was assigned as an Estate Guard, but she hardly pays attention to the tasks at the Estate. " Umm, what do the others mean? Overseer, i-is there an F-Flower B-Based G-Gravia D-Division?" Alicia asked. She only has one other comfort outside of drugs and alcohol, and that's plants. Her husband dislikes Alicia's obsession with them because they won't make any difference.
Conner smiles when he hears her question about specifically Flower Based Division since there is one. If Alicia paid attention to the orientation of his toy soldiers, she would have been appropriately allocated instead of improperly. " Yes, there is a Gravia Military Botanist Division. It's underneath the identification code of Kiel. Therefore, Alicia, your new identification number will be 6EE5A9-Kiel effective immediately. Also, please report to the Botanist Division to help yourself make plants your heart's desire. I will contact Justin L. Whitfield and order him to stop yelling at you for being a failure. You are no longer a failure in my eyes, Alicia." Conner said. He knew Alicia didn't fit as a Gravia Military Estate Guard but didn't know where she could exactly work. She was too nervous about speaking up about her inaccuracies in how she was feeling.
Alicia sighed in relief to be assigned what she wants to be part of in the Military Company she feels safe. She feels a bit off to hear the Overseer contact her husband and order him to stop bitching at her. It took her a bit to salute Conner, her Overseer and finds the Gravia Military Botanist Division.
After all that, Conner continued to drink his red wine and looks at the files of Lana, Freya, and Ashley that who still has records on his desk. All because he knows sooner or later, Conner will regain his Estate without the need of bloodshed or people ignoring his orders. Conner only needs one more vindication as Conner had gotten from the Coalition-Ascendancy War, and that's Nikolas's Retirement. Therefore, he will wait until that is official so he can do it through proper channels. " I can't wait to see the look of utter dread on Lana's face when I tell her that Nikolas isn't going to rescue her." Conner said with a smile on his face. He slightly laughs at how enjoyable that will be to see from the dread on her face.
” I’m here, Ashton. W-What the hell was that? I wanted to go shopping with my boyfriend.” Narvia said. She took a few seconds to, in her frustration, realize she said boyfriend and gasped slightly. It made her blush a bit and cover her face in embarrassment by what she had said.
Finbarr chuckled as Narvia spilled the beans on everyone present, including the adults and the kids and the cyberlady and what have you. He had been waiting for her to say that to the other folks, as he wanted it to be a pleasant surprise. They just came together today, after all... or was it yesterday? Day and night work weirdly in space, and it might seem that they don't exist to begin with as they don't usually orbit around a star at planetary orbit speeds.
"Yeah, I know what you're thinking, friends." Finbarr crossed his arms together, watching the surprised expressions drop one by one. "But you know that this had a long time coming, no?"
Then came the surprise. Klein Harris, the Belter from Ceres, tall as he was fearful. Finbarr remembered how he deserted everyone right before the battle of Proxima. He also remembered that he himself had thoughts of wanting to leave the force. It would have been easier for him to escape than most others, since he had the ability to manipulate space and time.
And now, the prodigal child returns.
"Nonsense, what harm can he do?" Finbarr looked up at Klein, his hands deep in his pockets. "Hey, you got nothing to fear, ah? If there is nothing to hide, that is. And you just wanted to go home, after all... just like everyone else."
He reached up and tapped Klein's scalp with his hand, smirking before turning towards Jude. "And here I thought that we won't any more new ones today... though Phi's disappearance is a regrettable thing... where did she go last anyway?"
Trajan Pyke
The Galactic Bazaar
Trajan didn't bother talking to the new arrivals this time. He was too busy, walking towards the medbay with all haste while carrying the still comatose Alan, whose body still exuded great amounts of heat like a fireplace. His mind only had the concern for the welfare of this fallen warrior of magic, nothing else. He had fought Goblins literally with just one hand, his warnings falling on deaf ears as the charged straight at his superheated chainsword. And now all of that is done and done.
"Excuse me." Trajan brushed lightly against some of the people in the ship, his footsteps fading as he fled into the medbay.
There's not much he knows about magic, or how it works, but all he knows is that this boy needs to rest.
Klein Harris
The Galactic Bazaar
Of course they were hostile. At least most of them were. Flame cast furious glances towards Klein, causing him to move back just a tiny little bit; that guy could be scary when pissed off. Their captain didn't seem to know him, and simply addressed him collectively as part of the 'new faces' group, which he assumed included Jude too.
Thankfully, though the majority of the Star Marines were either angry or highly suspicious or a combination of both, Finbarr and Narvia, the loving couple of the emerald timekeeper and the dragon of space, seemed nice enough. Narvia greeted him politely, as expected of someone of such noble heritage and a quiet disposition. He liked her best, out of all of them. He might have even considered going that route, if only she wasn't already taken. And Finbarr? He was as nice in spirit as he was destructive in war.
"I know that it is a shock to see me again." Klein started, looking down towards the floor. "But... I had attempted to return to the Solar System, to my home on Ceres, only for my path to be blocked again and again. I realized that I cannot return if the government that has turned us into weapons yet exists."
Luckily for him, his electronic devices had been wiped after the incident in which he encountered Crowley and his band of ladies, and if he had to speak with them, he used burner devices. As for his memories... that could be difficult... he could erase his own... no, he could manipulate hers if she stood close enough. And considering how dark the inside of his mind was...
"So when I found out that there was a rebellion seeking to destroy the Ascendancy, I saw my chance."
He still looked down. "We have a common enemy, and we were friends once, too. I just ask for one chance."
Jude was one of the last to enter the portal back to the ship, only doing so after they confirmed everyone else had either already left, or were right behind them. Once they, and everyone else, were on the ship, Jude finally let their guard down. A metallic, rattling, harsh sigh escaped from what approximated their mouth, probably terrifying anyone who could hear it, as Jude sat down on an errant loading container. If it were possible for a day to go from 'the best' to 'the worst' this would definitely be a top 3 contender. The group broke slightly away, after Ashton's roll call. All Jude offered during that was a sort of mumble-grunt, and their raised hand.
Jude hung back on the sidelines, like they always did, and observed the conversation Ashton, Flame, and someone Jude didn't recognize were having. 'Klein' was their name, and from what Jude could glean from the conversation, they were a deserter at the least, though clearly more if even Ashton wanted him to submit to a full mental and digital shake down. Such an intense breach of privacy didn't sit well with Jude, even if they didn't know the full story, but they kept their mouth shut for the moment as more people were speaking. Natasha Zhang, for one. Jude was to be under her command now that he was transferred to this squad. She invited them and Klein to introduce themselves (after running down what else had gone poorly today). As Klein was occupied with his other conversation, Jude opted to speak for them a small bit.
"I'm Jude Styles, from another branch of Moonstrike. I was sent to check in on the other Star Marines, a bad time I guess... That one is Klein I think." Jude replied, turning back to the other conversation. Finbarr and Narvia joined in as well. Apparently they were dating, but more importantly, they shared the same opinions on Klein-- he should be being treated better, as an eager addition to the team. Even if a scan was justified. As for where Phi went, Jude shrugged. Maybe that was part of why he was sent here. If so, they chose a poor person to try and relate to others, or do anything socially, really.
Finally, Klein spoke up, and his reasons for returning mimicked Jude's exactly. They both simply wanted to see their families again. It was not a noble goal, probably not one 'deserved.' But Jude would fight for that right, and earn it through good deeds. They'd earn Klein's family back too.
"I know this isn't my place, but you should take Klein in." Jude suddenly said, hopping off of their box. "And also, I'd like to formally transfer here. And, and I don't wanna take no for an answer on that!... Okay?"
If the nails of her right hand weren’t a ceramic plastymer, Laurey would have chewed them down to their beds. Hunched in the shadow of her (their) mech, glass synapses funneled electric dreams into her mind. The local feed was double hot. Videos and stills of the incident were circulating. Laurey watched, flitting between and knitting them together, as the ever growing list of transgressions and broken laws piled up. Terrorism was the general consesus. Laurey almost agreed.
Voices.
She switched to the ship's external cameras and found a portal, through which faces she knew and faces she didn’t stepped. Feelings fizzed within Laurey. Relief, fear… pride. She could feel the cold fingers of her cybernetics modulating them, keeping them “acceptable”. Yet it was still too much; not long ago Laurey was wanting to leave, would have left these psycho kids to their fates, found her own way to contribute to The Cause. Now if any had died, even those she knew least, she would have mourned… that couldn’t be the sum of awkward passings in hallways, of muttered words and meal times. Had everything changed at Plenty?
Was she a criminal?
Was she still -
An awful noise cut in. The world lurched sideways, crates groaning in their nets. Tools clattered down from the mech. Laurey peered out from behind a leg.
A jeep sat in the loading bay, shuddered as its engine was killed. Laurey’s insides fluttered again when she saw Avelyn. That boy… The brief moment of confusion was chased away as her augmentations regurgitated a name into her mind, and the memories of where she’d seen him. Joey.
The two had come in pretty hot.
A thousand questions spoke over each other in her head: are you okay were you followed is there anybody left out there where are we going are we going to be alright is it okay to stop hiding are you angry at me are you okay?
Laurey slunk away and hurried up to the lobby.
She arrived in time to hear the roll call, and an awkward slip. Cute. Inevitable. Surprising it hadn’t happened sooner; hormones, trauma, confined spaces. Also: irrelevant.
Then Laurey was volunteered for some snooping. The subject of all this suspicion was a feathery haired man with a beak of a nose. Laurey thought he looked like a crow. She nodded.
A momentary nausea passed over her at the news that Phi had left. She had forgotten about her up until her name was mentioned (were there others she’d forgotten?). The girl could be captive, or she could have done the wise thing and ditched. Or she could have turned coat. Laurey made a mental note to check the telemetry, Phi’s room (did she have one?), and ask Nat more about it once they weren’t in deep shit.
Deep shit. Why had things gone so wrong? It was enough to make her entirely forget the chunk of time missing from her memory. She felt pressure building inside her temples.
“Can Klein -” the word had a familiar taste to her mouth, like home. She paused, then snapped, “Can Klein not wait?” Her breathing was erratic, her thoughts, “Sorry. News and speculation about us,” she rapped her omni tool against her head, hard enough to bring a hollow thudding, “won’t take them long to watch security footage and find you guys. Us. Or lockdown the port. Surely? I see two options: either we confess or get the hell out of Dodge.”
Her eyes searched the others. Nat, Ashton, Jude. Avelyn, Nero. There was almost a plea in them: something, anything. Rebuttal, agreement. Just action.
Once they were clear, she picked up the song where she left off to clear her mind again, already starting to feel the effect of so many minds mingling with her own combined with heavy use of active magic. Had she not pushed this far, she might have had the presence of mind to push the back of the car down when braking to keep the wheels on the ground, or at least wear her seatbelt. Alas, she did neither, and the unexpected tilt introduced her forehead to the windshield frame, a fitting dot behind what was by any metric a shit day. Too tired to chew the well-meaning maniac out for excessive use of force against the Bazaar police, Avelyn got out of the car, giving Joey a quick “Thanks for the lift.” as she passed him and went to find the good doctor to get something to kill the headache before it killed her and to figure out just what in the name of everything both holy and unholy happened in that market.
Exiting the cargo bay, she found everyone in the lobby, discussing some newcomers. And a casualty. Well, not KIA, but AWOL. That could be even worse if Phi for some reason turned traitor. ‘Contingency plan, Avelyn. Now might be a good time to start thinking about what you’re gonna do if these people fail… Or when they fail.’ She thought glumly before turning to Flame to speak. “You want someone’s brain picked apart?” she started cheerfully before turning to Natasha and switching to a much less chirpy tone, “It might be worth scanning everyone else as well with one of our number gone, it’s not unheard of for people like us to lose their marbles and go back to the Ascendancy. Now, I hate breaching people’s privacy as much as the next guy, but if someone else wants to up and vanish without a word or worse, I think it’d be good to know in advance. Only problem being that there’s no one to check me. Also, what Laurey said. First, let’s get far away from here while we still can. Second, I’d rather Klein waited a few hours, my head hurts enough as it is. Lock him in a storage closet in the meantime if you don’t trust him to wander around.” she added in a tone that left one wondering if she was serious or not, “Speaking of the headache, doc, little help? It feels like someone stuck a fork in my brain.”
The gobbos didn't last very long, at least as far as Nero's reckoning was concerned, but then he'd dropped in - Literally - at the tail-end of their exictence, so he just didn't know what the story was on them or why they even fell dead and dissipated after a while, anyway. Point is, they died out, and Nero got into the Finnbar Express portal to anywhere to get the hell out of here and back to...the Xuanzang! He'd heard Ash shout for a headcount on who was here, and Nero just sort of raised his hand, going "Uhh, me!". No, Nero did NOT know how to roll-call properly. He didn't even know what his serial number was, or even care if he had any official rank while he was in the military. There seemed to be come kinda' problem with that guy, Klein. Nero wasn't sure if he was just independent or if he was supposedly as bad as Crowley's Cronies. Flame seemed to think so, and he wanted 'im to go through a mind probe by Avelyn. Seemed fair. The bigger, better chuckle here was that Navi had gone and blurted out 'Boyfriend', and then got an Oh Crap face.
"Well, it was only a matter of time."
He said so, grinning for a moment. This was the part where Natasha walked in, wanting to know what the hell was going on. Apparently, someone wanted to graffiti the ship, and Phi had actually jumped ship, though we don't know why. Nero gave an emphatic shrug.
"Hey, your guess is as good as mines. I got a call about someone going outta' control, white flames everywhere, and I tell you guys en route to the thing that some people were lookin' to round up anyone that'd been at the Circle of Hell, and Mr. White Flames was onee they mentioned in particular. So, I took over a gunship and went all distract-y nonsense, but then something in my fucking shadow tried to eat me and I crashed into a ton of goblins on the ground. I tell you, this is the goddamn weirdest birthday I ever had, which reminds me."
He turned to everyone else.
"Cake's in storage if anyone wants at it. I just figured I should have one."
Yup, just a fun-loving time on his birthday: Go shopping, beat people up, distract the cops, fight off a shadow monster, and escape to tell the tale. Nero ended up talking about the same time as anyone else volunteering an explanation. However, escape, in fact, was a good point being brought up by Laurey. Even more than Avelyn mentioning that she wanted to check to see if everyone's heads were alright, this lit the proverbial under Nero's ass. They might know that it was this ship that their magic asses came from. So, he turned back to Natasha, now.
"Fuck marbles! She's got a point! We gotta get the hell outta here, like now! Unless you want me to drive, that is."
Oh, that was a viable threat. Nero started off towards the cockpit section like he was about to start them off. He wasn't really going to try to pilot the Xuanzang without having any idea how a starship's navigation worked, but the thought of him driving after what they saw in the park - or even in general - should get some crew action going.
Trotting down the lines of maple leaves were two men, both members of the Ascendancy military, but no one would really know, because one was an old man embroidered with wrinkles, but nevertheless showed the athletics that rivalled the next man, or rather next boy according to some alien culture, one of the age to bend a rhino's horn. They were off-duty, wearing their own off-duty exercise clothes, the boy having thick opaque glasses on him.
"I guess not. But I don't know Faro, it doesn't feel...you know, the way you described." Alexander shrugged his shoulders as he jogged along with his instructor. Officially, the man occupied his leadership training, but some recommendation (plus some inner arrangements) led to the elderly instructor basically being his tutor and companion for probably the rest of his academic training.
"Christ, at this pace you're already gonna graduate with lofty positions lining up for you. Your tuition is well-secured. What else? A medal? I don't see how you can feel insecure about it."
"I know, I know." He nodded his head, having heard this multiple times. "I shouldn't feel that way. But then again, there's just something that tells me otherwise."
"Look, maybe you need a girlfriend or something." Alexander gave Faro one of the most 'are you serious look' he had ever given him, despite his eyes never been seen. "I'm serious! Look, why don't we catch our breathe a little?" Faro nudged the young Alexander as they stopped by a park. A park with a pretty garden, tables scattering the lawn and a porch containing a piano for public use. They took a seat at an empty table right in front of the porch.
"Don't get me wrong. It's not the goofing, hugging, kissing and buttering biscuits type that you teenagers like to do, though admittedly they are parts of it, but..." Faro's lips perched, to an increasingly intensifying furrowed eyebrows of the young mentee. "Being a husband, a parent, a grandparent and soon to be great-grandparent, it teaches you something."
"Like what?"
Faro shrugged, "That the world doesn't love you? I hate to sound like a doomer to a young talent like you, but for all the love people like governor Saxon, that kid Kotaro, or any of those starry-eyed over your genius mind, you don't need anymore of that."
Alexander stopped, laid back on his chair and sighed. For all its worth, Faro was right. With all the achievements weighing on his shoulders at the mere age of 18, he knew this well. He never really was in short of 'love', but he was in the absence of it.
"No I get it. Thanks. Shall we head back or something?"
Faro tapped on the table strongly. "Come on, sit down, relax and enjoy the music." He said as Alexander flopped back down onto his chair, his eyes glancing over the piano placed under a porch. Someone was getting ready to play. Something about her in particular caught Alexander's attention immediately as she sat down on her stool.
She could have easily been mistaken for any other woman, but her sky-blue eyes and long orange-brown hair were so distinct that Alexander couldn't help but notice. Despite the impression and the seemingly melancholic song she played beautifully on that piano, he much had a feeling that he had met this girl before. He had a person in mind as he quietly slipped his way around the porch, as she finished the song, was given a round of applause from the crowd of park-goers.
"Hey there, great performance." He quickly gave a thumbs-up, one which she graciously thanked him, before continuing. "Just a tiny thing I wanna ask. Do you happen to know a person called Anna Agonskaya?"
The girl remembered thoughtfully, "Yeah, I was friends with her, but it was a long time ago. Haven't met her for a while."
"10 years?" His follow-up was instantaneous.
"Yeah, how did you know?"
A big smile formed on his face, Alexander pinched the side of his glasses and lifted it from his eyes. Now, she too would be able to recognize him, with those colorful eyes that pierced through the layers and appreciated the person behind them. Her first real friend.
"Alex?" Her eyes widened by the seconds. Her joy overwhelmed all composures, "Alex!" And she threw herself at her old friend, whom, at this point, was already prepared to be smothered.
"I miss you, Sarie." Alexander said, as he pulled her even closer than she already is.
"I should be the one telling ya that..." She grumbled. "Ya went away so suddenly."
"Sorry." He said. "I should have gotten your contact. It was lonely for quite some time for me too."
"It's fine. Ya probably couldn't anyway. We couldn't afford personal cells back then." At this point Sarie finally let go. "We were on cheap home lines, so we'd just say hello and goodbye at best. What have you been up to these years?"
"Oh, it's wild. Long story short, I'm now preparing to be a military officer."
"Officer?" Sarie laughed as she gazed him up and down. It's also surprising that she was, if not a little bit taller, as tall as he was. It's kinda crazy because younger, he was visibly the taller friend. "Whoa, look at ya! I never would have thought ya'd be mingling around with the tough guys and gals."
"Uh huh..." He plainly raised his right hand and showed his palms clearly. The scar from that incident ran straight through just above his thumbs. "I'm not that physically deficient."
"But you don't look that kind of guy to begin with. You're smart, compassionate, kind,..." Sarie said and Alexander shyly glanced away at the comment. "For me, I'm just a craftswoman, doing wood stuffs. Nothing fancy."
"Where do you live?"
"Just a few bus ride down the street. I'm here today with a couple of friends I met at a political convention." She waved them over, two guys apparently. Political conventions, though? Damn. That's not something Alexander thought would come out of her mouth. They shared brief introductions with each other, and newly they didn't know who he was. Looked like the whole genius of Alexandria thing did fade away for good once he left. Overall they seemed like the average joe, perhaps a bit awkward socially, but Alexander couldn't help but feel like there was this mocking tone the moment he mentioned he was in the military. Welp, they probably thought he was one of those edgy teens seduced by the cringy ads. Alexander also introduced Faro to Sarie too, which went better. The old man was classy. The two friends excused themselves from their group for a few minutes.
"Well, now that I found you again, let's not lose contact again. You have a phone now?" Alexander asked, to which Sarie nodded excitedly. They briefly exchanged numbers. "You wanna hang out sometime as well? You know...just the two of us, catching up on life."
"Sure! There's Ascendancy Day coming up in 2 weeks." Sarie said. "If everything goes right to schedule, I should be free on the last two days. We can hang out then!"
"Perfect. I'll send you the details later." Alexander gestured at the phone. Sarie returned him a nod and a warm smile. It was good to have him back. "I have to go now. The old man's waiting."
"See you, Alex." Both waved goodbyes to each other before returning to their respective groups. On the returning trip to the academy, Alexander felt pretty close to being interrogated by Faro for that hug earlier. But the day was definitely better for him. He already made plans to have those two days off, and overall was pretty happy. Finally something he could actually look forward to.
Natasha tried to hide how much she was stressed right now, her head hurting and her blood running hot due to the Star Marines and various crew folk needing her to be their 'taxi service' as well as their Captain. Running ahead of Nero and plopping herself down on the cockpit seat, she remarked to the not-so-psychotic-soldier boy, "Oh, no, I saw how you piloted that gunship on the news. No one wrecks my ship while piloting it except for me, no offense meant."
And with that, she began preparations for liftoff, preparations made more difficult by the fact that the hangars were being locked down and her ship had been flagged as the vessel from where the 'Magical Terrorists' had come from. At least she stocked up on supplies, including shipboard ammo, which reminded her to check her accounts later on - They were still absurdly rich, right? Well, that can wait, as lifting off without authorization while trying to avoid collateral damage took all of her attention right now.
The Xuanzang exited out of the hangar into open space without further incident, except for a few spooked maintenance workers and pilots of maintenance craft, which nevertheless added several additional charges to the Crew's rap sheet. A pursuit followed as various Rau've made starfighters scrambled to intercept them, forcing her to activate her Spacewarper engines for a random jump into deep space so that she can at least have time to get her bearings and perhaps talk with Moonstrike One through FTL comms later on.
All the while, she didn't get what she should do, didn't know what to feel during this sudden upset of fortune. Everything was going so well and she was looking forward to a breather and relaxation and even allowing these kids a glimpse of a normal life. Speaking of which, she apologized further to Nero should he still be nearby, saying, "Sorry about what I said earlier - Just... I didn't expect to get booted off the Galactic Bazaar, of all places." Then it occurred to her, "By the way, you and the other Star Marines were attacked, right? That's why there was a Pillar of Fire and Security were after you guys." Opening the comms, Natasha said, "All right, everyone - To the Conference Room. We need to tell Moonstrike One we might have a new enemy!"
-------
Moonstrike One's Holographic Sigil was still a moon with two crossed longswords underneath it - One of her sigils. However, it seemed to vibrate as the modulated voice behind it said, "Operatives, it seems that we are seeing a coordinated attack on Moonstrike interests, considering the fact that news has arrived, from the Galactic Bazaar, that the local stock exchange was attacked by 'pirates' serving one 'Captain Aaron Falcon' - Another escapee of the Circle of Hell. This attack on the local stock exchange also stole many of the assets acquired by RealAscendancyStockBets' speculation on Plenty, speculation which, by the way, caused several thousand innocent people to be arrested for 'economic sabotage'..."
The hologram then turned to Ashton and Flame, the former which had frozen in shock at the consequences of his attempt to be 'clever, while the latter clenched his fists, "...And also gave the OIS a pretext to put hundreds of thousands more people under surveillance. But that's beside the point - Most of the money your crew acquired due to speculation has been stolen from your accounts, let it be a lesson for not coordinating with us."
She then continued, "Now for other news. The Kanarusian Federation has agreed to support Moonstrike and is sending one of its members to join your ship as a liaison. He was originally supposed to meet you all in the Galactic Bazaar, but after being informed of the 'incident', he has agreed to meet you all in the Crab Nebula instead."
And then files were sent to their Omni-tools detailing what information about Doruva was allowed for them to know, before Moonstrike One then continued, "By the way, Realist says hi."
Millard is a man of many things, a great lover of people, a great husband, and a hard worker. Amongst every part of this is true, some to more of an extent than others, as he had been working for multiple days on this singular thing. He has been giving multiple physicals to the different people aboard the ship. Yes, it might have been a strange thing for some, but on the honor as a Doctor, he will keep secrecy. To each and every person on this ship…even when he finds it ill-advised to keep it secret and untreated. Yet he is just a Doctor, so what is his word good for?
Either way, all of this work and overtime was to get done one of his most ambitious projects to date. A data system that will keep constant updates of a person, and catalog the data of the person from at least 4 hours ago. This works with the constant stream of information nanomachines within each person will keep track of and send the information to the receiving system within the Xuangang. There Millard had made an easily equitable modification that can be added to Omni-tools to access this information.
Millard had spent the last 72 hours working on this project non-stop. Taking breaks to relieve himself, yet nothing else. He knew this project needed to get done as fast as possible, the crew could have been in a dangerous situation and Iris would not have been able to use her Miracle magic. Yet once he finished, he sat back and sighed in relief that he finished. His mind was nearly fried as he almost passed out, yet words filled his head like nails against a chalkboard, as Maria spoke to him in his head.
Millard was awake almost immediately as he stood up and turned on his television, he saw a terrible news report, a terrorist attack, and the kids were all involved. Millard knew they didn't do anything that deranged, Maria's message told him that, but he was still worried as hell. He stood up and knew he needed to do something, yet when he tried his body nearly shut down as he almost toppled over, but he stood up long enough to send a message out to the ship to get all hands on deck to help him set up for medical.
==================Everyone back at the Ship==================
When Millard got out he was ready for anything, he was ready to treat anything, specifically because he thought Iris might have been caught up in the fighting and could be hurt and or knocked out. Yet when they got back through a portal, he didn't see Iris at all, and that was when he got worried. She might have not been close to him, but he had spent plenty of time working on this project and interacting with her, so if she got hurt, he would be upset and worried. Yet his fears are relieved as he saw her come out of the ship.
Millard sighed in relief as he went over to her and held out this strange device, it looked like a long silver rectangular stick, while he did this he said to her, "Good to see you're okay. You had me worried when I didn't see you come out of the portal." Millard shook his head and then continued, "Anyways here. This is an attachment you can place on your omni-tool to allow you to look at the data and information on each person. It should work with you magic".
==================Conference with Moon Strike==================
After their hasty retreat, Millard was gonna take a quick nap to try and be ready for what could be a space chase, yet it seemed their Captain had made a call to all the crew to meet in the Conference room to tell Moonstrike what had happened.
Millard agreed, yet knew he was going to not participate too much in the conversations. His minds was too one tracked and fried right now to allow him to deal with more Bureaucratic nonsense. Yet off he went to be told some very interesting information, apparently, some of their crew had been playing the stock market and gotten them targeted by some pirates. And not only that, it also included them getting all their money stolen. Millard was never here for the money. If he needed money he would have stayed a Doctor, they pay him great and he had a pension from his military time. But to lose all his money, he's happy he spent a good little bit to get supplies and the equipment he needed, or he might just strangle the little shit stain right there.
Millard was not in a good mood as he said with a huff once the call was over, "Alright I'm going to bed, I'm too tired for this shit. Wake me if you need me, this week I've been working too damn hard and too damn long to play the role as the Disappointed Father". As he passed by, he gave Natasha a pat on the shoulder as he continued, "You're move, show them why you're Captain". Millard then went off to sleep, leaving Natasha to do reprimands, after all, it is her job to dish out punishments for fuck ups like this.
Sure it was just money, but it also got one of the crew hurt, brought most of the crew into a fight, probably got them Black-listed from the Bazar, and now had most of the crew at a loss for money. Sure they weren't hurting from the monetary loss as a whole, they had enough funds in physical valuables to keep them from being out of money altogether, so they could keep up with maintenance costs and equipment. However, this definitely was a time to bring in punishment so they know who's boss and what happens to people who do stuff on their own and fuck up. Yet who knows, what does Millard know anyways? He was just a combat medic, and a squad leader, and also trained to become an officer. But who knows what is the right response here?
The Blackfang floated lazily within the Crab Nebula, awaiting the arrival of the freighter that it was supposed to meet right here in these clouds of stardust. This ship was deceptively small, being no more than 40 meters long, but it was still a state of the art vessel made by the shipwrights of the House of Aoshen, the second most powerful faction with the Kanarusian Federation. The symbol of the House, a sun surrounded by a pair of circling dragons within a roiling lightning storm, was painted on both sides of the frigate, showing just who owned the thing, and that to mess with it was to invite the wrath of the creatures that the Ascendancy spoke great ill of in its propaganda campaigns.
On its prow, a single railgun was mounted, capable of dishing out devastating damage with each shot. Two pairs of point defense cannons were emplaced on four hardpoints in even intervals across the vessel's sides, while rocket pods provided most of its long range offensive firepower. The signature azure paintjob of all of the ships marked as belonging to the House of Aoshen covered much of it, though bands of matte black would distinguish it as a warship, and another symbol, a sword hanging over the galaxy's heart, showed that it was, in fact, property of the intelligence agency of the Federation, which was a united effort by the seven houses.
"Can you feel it, Mizrahir?" Doruva whispered to the captain of the Blackfang, whom he had known for some time. "They're coming."
"I don't even know why you volunteered for this thing." Mizrahir grumbled as the shipboard radar told them that the Xuanzhang was here. "Those children, they turned quite a few of your comrades into dust..."
"Exactly, Mizrahir!" Doruva smirked. "Think, Mizrahir. They were most certainly kidnapped from their homes to serve the twisted institution of the Ascendancy. They're powerful. And I see that with their aid and desire for vengeance, we might be able to topple the existing structure, and hopefully someone that has more positive views towards us gets in charge. If the House were to give me more help, maybe even end up making a puppet-"
"Curb your bubbling optimism before I vomit." Mizrahir waved him away. "Get the hell out already. We just hailed them and the shuttle is prepped."
"Why, yes, if you say so." Doruva skipped away. "You're missing out."
Mizrahir grumbled and sighed deeply as Doruva eventually got on board the shuttle. Why must he suffer like this?!
It won't be long now. The shuttle had departed from the Blackfang, and a message for a docking procedure had been sent well in advance, and was well received. What form will the scion of Aoshen take form, then? A great serpent of yore? A walking lizard? Or merely a man?
Maria's psychic message sound ed off in Iris's mind, interrupting her nap with Amy. Iris twitched awake, not knowing if the message was really from Amy or her guilt for taking some time off. Not hearing anyone or anything else at the moment, Iris looked back towards Amy and smiled. Amy was still asleep and looking very comfortable. Iris nuzzled back into Amy.
Although the Iris felt a great deal of comfort cuddling Amy, this sense of anxiety lingered in her mind. The "what if that was real" scenario eventually led to action as Iris left need to go grab her omni-tool from her other clothes. Once obtained, Iris sat on the side of the bed, holding Amy's hand, and then searched up the local news coverage.
What Iris saw almost made her gasp. Every local news channel was covering the pillar of flames. Before continuing, Iris turns it down lower and dims the screen to not disturb Amy. So from she could tell, that was probably Alan then 'oh now other members are joining. I should probably head out their myself, where is it? Iris looked where it was and let it a a disappointed sigh. It was too far for her to get their in a reasonable amount of time. She didn't have a vehicle not a movement spell. If their was solid earth then I could do it but just metal passageways I would need Samuel to move me. Best to just let them get back and then I'll help out. Until then, Iris went back to laying down, just keeping an eye on the battle and when they are getting back.
Now might not be the best time to get excited over what happened with Amy. But just staying on standby while laying in the same bed as her makes that difficult. Remembering the fun parts, the awkward moments, and the... nice times of the date. Iris blushed as she simply remembered the moment they had. The trust they put in each other felt nice. Iris tried to come up with more eloquent words for her feelings but all she could muster was it felt nice. While letting herself get taken away with her own feelings, the other star marines came back.
Iris hastily got up and then gently shut the door to Amy's room. She started to jog to their location and was halfway when she realized she was jogging their in her nightdress. With an audible fuck, she chose to continue to the other star marines. Alan was in a critical state and it was her job to take care of him. She might not care for him particularly but keeping her taste in nightdresses to herself isn't worth letting the doctor taking care of the injured by himself. Steeling her resolve to not get embarrassed, she ran the rest of the way their.
As she arrived, Dr. Millard immediately spotted her. He didn't seem to pay much attention to her outfit and instead handed her a strange device. The remote to the system they have been working on for a bit. Iris was very excited as she had no idea how long it was going to take to finish it but it seemed that Millard really put in the hours to finish it. Iris smiled as she seemed to examine the remote, "Thanks Dr. Millard, I know this was really time intense but hopefully it will be worth it. I'll go do my job."
Walking towards Alan, she got increasingly worried as she hasn't scene an injury like this before. The crystals protruding, no growing out of him, reminded her of Kaisoken crystals. How this happened Iris doesn't know but what she does know if with this new system she could heal him. Using the system was pretty simple. The interface was just a list with a headshot and a name to the right of it. Iris opened Alan's file, a quick security password was needed. She knew the password. As Iris entered the password, she wasn't sure what she would see. She saw a very revealing Alan. His body was updating every minute. The body she could see was a bit hungrier and more importantly, uninjured. She looked up the file up and down and have her magic a chance.
She didn't know what would happen exactly but what happened was good. A white light began to envelop Alan from where Iris set her hand on his leg. The light suddenly stopped around his midsection. Iris found it strange but what could you expect from a first time use. She moved her hand up because it felt like it would help and it did. The light began to stretch further up and eventually it made to his head, Iris's hand ending up in his forehead. The magic finally took as the light doubled maybe tripled in intensity. The injuries disappeared, the crystals vanished, his temperature was back to normal. However his memories remain the same. So hopefully he doesn't start panicking when he comes to.
Iris quickly let herself out as she really didn't want to start their afterwards. She knows she was going to get yelled at be one of her higher-ups. Just if she going to be chewed out, it will be wearing a full set of clothes, not in her new gown. She ran off to her and Samuel's room and got into her jeans and put one of Samuel's shirts. Then a meeting was called for moonstrike
As she arrived the only thing she got out of it was she are poor now, and we are going to the crab nebula. Well at least I got one date with Amy. I'll fill her in about this later. Plus I need to patch things up with someone
After the meeting, Iris went up to Samuel seeming a bit meekish, Iris said "Hey Samuel, I know I probably definitely worried you by not responding and stuff. And I'm sorry about that but..." Iris eyes seemed to wonder off, as if she was looking for an excuse. Eventually she sighed and looked back at him, now looking a bit more negative realizing their is no excuse, "I ignored my Omni-tool because I was out doing something with someone. Can we talk about it more in the room?"
Samuel had made it back to the ship with everyone else. Once he made it through the portal he checked around quickly making sure that nobody was coming and surrounding them. There he felt a sensation that left him with a sense of relief, his strength was returning to him. Samuel started to look around in search of his sister and found her start coming out. At first, his face was filled with pure relief, well it was that until he saw her in a nightgown. Samuel then knew she was sleeping. He wasn't upset, he was just worried. As he went over and was about to give her a hug, but the Doctor appeared and gave Iris a device as he began to talk to her and let her head off and fix up Alan.
Samuel waited patiently for her to finish, yet before she finished he found himself being taken to the conference room to wait for Natasha to give orders. There he sat waiting more, as a part of him came out that doesn't show up often. As he sits, he looks down to his lap as he twirls his thumbs. He slightly rocked his legs and knees as he quietly waited. He didn't listen much to the meeting, all he did during it was sit and wait. Once the meeting ended Iris was there and she came over to talk to him. As when she came over he looked up at her when she spoke, as when she continued he looked like he was waiting. Waiting for her to give him the reason why she didn't answer, as when she figured out the words his expression didn't change all that much as she asked to talk about it in another room, he said, "Sure". When they were walking over, his expression held something akin to sadness and dread, yet anytime he knew she was going to look over at him he tried his best to hide those feelings away.
When Samuel agreed to talk about the rest of it in a different room, Iris filled with relief. Iris took Samuel to their room for the discussion, after all, the subject matter should be private. Once they arrived in their room she turned on her heels and gave Samuel a big hug. Iris then spoke with a softer tone to Samuel, "I'm so glad you're safe. I got the message from Maria in my sleep and I couldn't tell if it was real. Eventually, I was able to find out but by then you were already there." Iris's hug around Samuel tightened, realizing he must have been worried worst than she was. After holding him there for a while, she gestured for them to lay in bed to continue the talk.
Samuel had followed Iris to their room. As once they entered he felt his feelings swell up as Iris turned and grabbed a tight hold of him. Samuel almost melted into Iris as something strange almost came from his mouth, "I-I'm sor...s-so glad you're safe". Samuel had melted a little and had lowered himself into Iris as he started holding onto her tight as well. When Iris gestured to lay in the bed and continue the talk, Samuel was more than happy. Once he finished talking he slowly guided the both of them to the bed where he would be on the outside and softened his hold on her to allow her to talk unimpeded. Yet as he laid, tears almost appeared, but he kept them in.
Iris wasn't too shocked at how Samuel was reacting. No matter the reason, she shouldn't have ditched him. And when thinking about why she did it made the guilt worse. Originally, Iris was going to postpone letting Samuel know about… all of what happened. Samuel is usually pretty stressed with the usual things relating to being rebels and having an absolute spaz of a sister. Iris let a breath out and looked at Samuel, "I didn't respond to your messages all day because I was on a date." Iris wanted to say more, about how she didn't mean to ignore it, or anything but she felt it was better for Samuel to speak first. Iris felt increasingly nervous, she was a bit of a wanderer and would break away when they were out but she always kept in contact. In the moment she was ignoring the messages it felt fine but when setting how worried he was she couldn't help but feel the weight of her carelessness.
Samuel looked towards Iris as she let out a breath, he knew this meant she was going to keep this hidden. He saw her looking at him as she tells him why she didn’t respond to his messages. She was on a date...Samuel started to think who it could be, he started to think who was where, who she could have been interacting with her, and then who could be close enough to her. Samuel started spacing out in his thought as he started to think of who was on the ship when they were out: Natasha, Laurey, Millard, and Amy. Samuel then started to put together who could it have been, Natasha was too old and Millard needed to find Iris to give her that object. So it was left with Laurey and Amy, Laurey seemed to have hidden away in the vehicle bay based on the grease on her, so…"A-Amy?"
Iris blushed as Samuel guessed Amy. Iris gave a slight smile to Samuel revealing him to be correct. She let out a light giggle and asked, "Was it that obvious?"
Samuel took in the idea he was right. He doesn’t know how he should feel about it though. His feelings towards others seem to conflict with how he should feel for his sister. He knows that she isn’t doing this to go and spite him...right? After all, she was going to try and hide it until this situation...but he just doesn’t know how to take it. Iris went on a date with an...he takes a breath in and out as he says, "A little." He gives Iris a small smile.
Iris could tell the admission of who it was made it difficult for him. He was taking a while to speak and he seemed to have some things sparking in his mind. Why it was hard for him to comprehend was beyond her speculation for now. Iris felt reassured by Samuel when he smiled back. This newfound assurance gave Iris the confidence to dive a bit deeper into how Samuel felt about it. His opinion was important to Iris, they been together through everything. Even with her confidence she still found herself having a hard time making eye contact when she asked Samuel, "So what do you think of me going on date with Amy?" A part of Iris was curious about his thoughts, hoping they would be simple and encouraging. But this is Samuel, and his feelings are rarely that optimistic or one-dimensional.
Samuel was happy that Iris seemed to have taken to his reassuring smile as a good sign. Yet the next question she asked was not one he was hoping for, she wanted to know how he felt. He wants to keep his true feelings quiet, after all just by looking at Iris she seems to be happy. So Samuel said what she probably wanted to hear, "I'm happy you found someone who is so kind. You seem happier with her being there, so it makes me happy".
Samuel's true feelings had flown over Iris's head. She didn't think much of it. When they lay down like this, Iris beliefs that they are being truthful to each other. They've always been open with each other so why would she doubt him now. Iris was probably just nervous because she had ignored him. Iris started to smile and grabbed her pillow and held it to her chest. She hid her face and looked towards Samuel, "Do you want to know what we did? Wait, would it be weird to tell you? You decide." Iris wanted to share parts of the date, after all, she lost her kiss today.
Samuel was happy that Iris seemed to have not pushed, he held his small smile as he saw her get giddy about what she's done during the day. He thought for a moment if he should listen, but he was more than happy because it seemed to make Iris so happy. Samuel said with a light chuckle, "Sure!"
Iris's eyes lighted up as Samuel seemed like he wanted to know about the date. Iris's voice came off bubbly, "So we went out to the Bazaar earlier in the day. We walked around for a bit then we went clothes shopping at one of those fancy places. We were buying stuff for ourselves and got some stuff for a sleepover. She grabbed this cute black nightgown." Iris sat up with realization, "Oh, when we were walking I offered my elbow and she actually grabbed on to it!" Iris looked so hyped.
Samuel listened to Iris's rant about her day. He didn't really have much to say during her talk. He just listened and watched how excited she was. He kept his smile as she spoke, as she finished Samuel said, "You two seemed to have fun".
Iris was excited to share her first date. "Yeah! After that, we got some snacks and started our way back to the ship for the sleepover, and then…" Iris's voice trailer off as remembering what happened at the sleepover quickly went to the fun parts. Iris had gone bright red and turned away from Samuel in embarrassment. She had a little giggle into her pillow as she remembered the kiss.
Samuel listened more until Iris seemed to have lost all of her excitement and nerve as she turned away from him. At first, he thought something was wrong until he saw her shoulder and knew something was embarrassing instead. Samuel went over and grabbed Iris’s shoulder as he said, "Hey iris are you okay?" Samuel made a concerned-ish sounding voice. One enough to be known to be one of a slightly prodding sibling as he continued, "What happened?"
Iris spoke into her pillow, "So, we did some things. And. Um. Let's see. We were in our nightgowns. She is really pretty. We talked about some private stuff and we sat together on the bed. Then… we got a little more intimate" Iris was so embarrassed at the moment that she couldn't pull herself out of her pillow. Iris then thought to herself, Oh God, I left all my clothes in her room. Is she still sleeping? Shit, I should text her that I needed to go do some stuff. Iris pulled her Omni-tool out and sent Amy a text about having to go out to heal Alan and what the meeting was about. @6slyboy6
"Uhh-uhh, uh-oh". Samuel was slightly blushing as to know his sister had done more intimate things with someone. He still felt weird but those feelings are being filled with a new feeling he can’t really describe, all he knows is that it doesn’t feel normal. As he sat there with a strange look thinking that was what she was doing while they were out and saving Alan.
Iris wanted to break the awkwardness she created at this point. She is pretty sure she doesn't have to say anything more to confuse him. Best to end it on some more wholesome notes for this. Iris quickly turned back to Samuel, "Hey, I know I ignored you today but I promise that I'll keep in contact next time. Your my brother and my best friend and I'm sorry that I ditched you. I love you bro." Iris went to bump her head against his.
Samuel was slightly stunned for a second but was brought back when iris quickly turned to him. Her familiar bravado returned, as she began to speak to him. A smile crossed Samuel’s face as she spoke, the last part was what got him as tears welled up and came as he bumped his head against hers as he says as well, "I love you too Iris". Samuel was content laying here with Iris, even if it is a brief moment, he felt happy.
The hologram then turned to Ashton and Flame, the former which had frozen in shock at the consequences of his attempt to be 'clever, while the latter clenched his fists, "...And also gave the OIS a pretext to put hundreds of thousands more people under surveillance. But that's beside the point - Most of the money your crew acquired due to speculation has been stolen from your accounts, let it be a lesson for not coordinating with us."
"Oh, great. Just great." Finbarr shook his head, not bothering to look up as he inspected the unignited hilt of his trusty plasma blade. He had added a few decoration to it, with a pair of intertwined silver snakes being etched unto the surface. He glanced towards Narvia, silently lamenting the kind of misfortune that their future together had just suffered. He was this close, this close towards achieving his goal, and now, it was all gone, just like that. Not only that, but a lot of people have been turned into collateral damage by the reckless actions of someone, no, some-two. "I was planning to invest my portion into worthy causes..." Finbarr trailed off, his tone betraying a lie. ""Welp, life is life, and life sucks."
Fortunately enough, they were going to have a visitor soon, one going by the moniker of Doruva Aoshen, scion of the House of Aoshen. Finbarr remembered the Kanarusians from their previous field operations while fighting their fractured houses; shapeshifting reptilian beasts gifted with elemental magicks that made it difficult for regular forces to deal with them. They were as capricious as they were cunning, the propagandists said. And now they'll have one as a friend!
As the conference continued, Finbarr's mind wandered to whole other dimension. His imagination filled with fried onions dripped in oil, just like the ones that were his favorite back on Titan. The lyrics of the French onion song that was used for marching rang within his head. Oh, and burgers. One can never go wrong with burgers...
Finbarr continued to fly around the tenth dimension until the end of the meeting, wherein he quickly zoomed towards the mess. He was an itty bit famished after running around the Galactic Bazaar and fighting Goblin monsters, and since they were just waiting around for the Kanarusian liaison to arrive, he figured that he'd make use of his time in a way that didn't involve turning into a cat and going to a ten hour nap. They weren't particularly short on money, or ingredients, and as such, he did what he daydreamed about: make fried onions. The smell of frying would filter in from the mess hall of the Xuanzhang, and there he was, perhaps waiting for Narvia to ask him about their future finances. Or anyone, really. He would truly appreciate if someone were to volunteer to taste test.
In the tense lull between Natasha scrambling after Nero and the stomach inverting lurch of a Spacewarp, Laurey’s eyes settled upon Narvia, and her runaway brain tripped over a discarded observation and fired her thoughts before she could censor them.
“Congratulations Little Lady. Enjoy it,” she mimed checking a watch, an outdated yet enduring gesture, “We’ve only got about three minutes left anyway.”
But they didn’t.
They jumped.
The acid that stung and tasted vile was not nearly as bad as the nausea Laurey felt. It didn’t fade, but lingered, like cobwebs. Or oil. At that point she realised she had laid a hand upon Klein’s shoulder for support, having stumbled forward. She squeezed it, trying to play it off as intentional but her weakness turned it into some weird caress. She flinched back, as though burned.
“Alright boyo, you heard the captain,” sweat was beading on her brow. Not just nerves. How long since her last hit? Should her heart sound like a rotor blade in her ear? “Let’s move.”
They walked.
“As the catalyst for the sweep of our crew, it just seems right that you’re the first, no? Don’t worry, I won’t tell if you have weird stuff on your devices. Well, not too many people at least. But Avelyn man, oh boy,” Laurey shook her head with sage sadness, “I heard that if you resist she has to try harder and harder, until your jelly just leaks right out of your ear.”
They were poor.
Poorer. Laurey didn’t much feel like telling everyone just how much she’d spent on drugs; narcs, man.
The stock thing had sent a message, that was the important part, that was what served the cause.
Kanarusian, useful. Laurey was going over the documents when Moonstrike's final remark stunned her. Realist. Gone. When? Emptiness opened inside her, a cold dark hole in her chest. The ambrosia she’d tasted, that purging fire in her mind, she knew she craved that like a drug, divine, certainly, but just pleasure flushing through her brain all the same. It was the purpose that had come, like a blanket over the soul, that sense that there was something worth working towards, that total lack of doubt. That was more. It was a threadbare dream now, eaten by the waking world.
But surely it was all part of the Great Plan, right? Realist left without a word for a reason.
“Tell Realist I say hi too!” Laurey chirped at Moonstrike, unsure if it was even still there. Yes, everything would be A-okay.
She spun to Klein, cracked grin and outstretched hands, “Hand ‘em over then.”
Hah! Worked like a charm! He didn't have any clue at all on how to pilot this ship, but it was the perfect way to get Natasha to get their asses moving in a hurry. So, rather than disappointment, the career stabinator was grinning as she got them underway. Of course, he watched her operate the controls now, making future threats a little more credible, should they come up. Once they were underway, their captain turned to apologize, but Nero just laughed.
"Relax... I just wanted you to get moving, no argument, and ya did. So, no worries!"
It was weird that he was in such a good mood from all this. Maybe it was all due to the action he was getting. He wasn't sure. The merriment barely even paused when Natasha asked him if they were attacked and if that was the cause of the sudden uncontrollable FWOOSH in the park. He just sort of shrugged at her.
"I dunno. I heard about it second-hand, went there to assist."
Anyway, there was a conference being called and all hands had to get there. Nero turned to move, but noticed then for the first time that there was a pain from when he'd crashed. Several battered areas were starting to make themselves known again. He needed to make a quick stop before hitting the conference room. They won't mind...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
So, Natasha had elected to bring everyone to one room to get information to and from Moonstrike One. During this time, Nero was the one there who was listening and eating a slice of cake. It was pretty good, too. Once Natasha was done reporting the incident, the avatar of M-1 made a point to 'glare down' Ash and Flame for their stockmarket manipulations causing harm. It caused a bunch of people alot of trouble, including a number of arrests made, plus someone actually pulled off a data robbery. This left them with not very much money, all of a sudden. Nero stopped for a second, then looked down at his plate.
"This cake just got expensive."
He shrugged, though. Money like that was something he didn't know what to do with, anyway. Anyone who DID have an idea already went and took care of business at the bazaar. Him? Musical needs along with his sweet tooth were addressed. Also, he had a chainsaw, which was pretty fucking sweet, in of itself. Still, it looked like Ashton's fantasy about him retiring to a farm with a girlfriend was gonna have to wait. He didn't even know anyone he liked that way, anyway. The Star Marines were mainly just his fellow Star Marines, maybe even friends. They weren't close like that to him.
Anyway, the news disappointed a number of them, probably those with bigger plans for those bucks that they just couldn't delve into now. Milliard looked especially pissed, and decided to head off to bed. Nero kind of muttered "Dammit.", because he wanted a bit of a pain-killer for his tumble earlier. He'd probably be able to walk it off, but it was from a crash, so it might take a little while if unassisted. Eh, maybe Laurey had something, 'cause she had need of that stuff earlier, but lately didn't seem to have the problem. The young man would've asked her, as the conference seemed to be letting up after the report of Realist's surprise departure and a new ally, but uhhh...something else caught his attention: Finbarr.
Finn had clearly been daydreaming there, and while he had been, his stomach had provided a bit of context. Forget the doc, forget pain-killers. Nero may've just finished a portion of cake, but as he saw the other boy take off for the mess kitchen, he'd have a quick follower. Well, quick-ish. Anyone watching Nero carefully would notice a bit of a limp from the injuries he was ignoring. It made him fall behind a bit, but it's not like he didn't have any reason to wander in. He had to return the plate and fork, regardless.
"So, onions, eh? Dis for the guy that's coming on board, or can anyone try?"
Anyone working the kitchen would remember that while Nero wasn't an accomplished chef or anything, his cutting skills in any context were wizard, and he still could cook for himself. Finbarr was just better at it. So, at the very least, he had a competent assistant to work with, if he needed it.
As soon as she entered the portal, the first thing Maria did was follow Tyr to the Med Bay with Alan, using telekinesis to assist in getting Alan properly on the bed. Not an easy feat when crystal stalagmites were forming on his back, likely piercing through the bed and making Alan be forced in an awkward position, held up by those same crystals. After it was done, Maria stayed there to keep watch over him when Iris came by dressed...in a nightgown.
"...I saw nothing." She telepathically said to Iris. Likely it would have been a spoken in an awkward embarrassed tone, but her apathetic nature made the statement feel as neutral as anyone else said, instead using her body language to attempt to show it by holding her hands over her eyes.
She watched as Iris worked her magic to heal up Alan, the crystals successfully retreating back into his body, the wounds they made healing up. He was still unconscious, but thanks to Iris, he was stable, needing only a little rest and he'll be back on his feet. When Iris left, for the Meeting the Captain called everyone for, Maria chose to stay in the Medbay with the unconscious Alan. It's not like she needed to be presently there; her Telepathy makes for a good radio on what the meeting's about.
Speaking of which...
"As Laurey says, if you are intent on a full crew scan, then it is best we have the psychics scanned first. Preferably by telepaths other than themselves. However, for me, it will have to be a quick sweep scan of your mind. I cannot afford to leave the infirmary for the moment. You will have to come here, or send people here if you like for me to go deeper." She explained; she indeed needed to be there when Alan woke up.
...He had a lot of explaining to do about what happened there.
Joey, on the other hand, did head to the meeting, but not before he saw the walking rob-errrrrrrrm-'Cyborg' greet him/her/itself to the Captain and requesting permission to officially come aboard the ship as a part of its crew...and being completely ignored. Don't know quite how Natty didn't notice around maybe a half-ton of metal - spitball estimate - right behind her. But situation was fairly chaotic as is, and if there's anything she gives a big ol damn about more than anything else, it's how her ship's treated.
Either way, it fell to him to do the task for her, walking to...them, and patting his hand on Jude's back, the slap hard enough to cause a slight reverb the insides may actually feel, like a slight vibration running down what's left of the body.
"Pay her no mind, kid. She gets like this sometimes when there's a risk of this ship getting scratched. She'll probably be like this for a little while. Frankly though, there's no need for the formalities. You're friends with the other magical girls and boys here, and that basically makes you one of us by proxy. Name's Joey Albion, welcome aboard." Joey said to the hulking metal person, his eyes closed as he gave a big optimistic smile to greet them.
Arriving at the meeting, Joey is finally looking at the one in charge of this Rebel Shindig, "Moonstrike One", for the first time. Needless to say, he didn't feel that impressed by what he saw. An image with sound only, and a distorted voice at that, seemed to suggest that this was someone who didn't want their identity revealed to whoever they're talking to.
"Now why would that be...?" he wondered. He said nothing though, just listened on the current plights of the crew.
And HOOO, BOY, Was it a plight. Joey instinctually blinked and went wide-eyed in disbelief, trying to fathom and process the mess he was hearing.
So apparently this all started when a part of the crew - kids of course - decided to play "Wall Street Kid" in real life. Particularly, Ashton and Flame - Nice names for nice kids, by the by, can't help but wonder if they chose those names or if their parents were an odd sort - used a Stock Forum, "RealAscendancyStockBets", to fuck with the Ascendancy's Bottom Line financially, and got them all stinking rich... while likely not considering how Tax Evasion works. Then a bunch of pirates - apparently led by the guy He, Maria, and Alan all got jailed for allegedly being associated with - crept into the Bazaar's stock market building, while everyone was occupied by the whole "Towering Inferno" thing - Surely a coincidence - and robbed the whole damn crew blind while simultaneously painting graffiti on the ship, likely to frame them for their actions.
The Heroes of the Galaxy, ladies and gentlemen.
...But that's not the whole story regarding this stock thing. The Doc was right to get angry at Ashton, but then he turned discipline over to Natasha.
"Wake me if you need me, this week I've been working too damn hard and too damn long to play the role as the Disappointed Father."
"What about Disappointed Husband, Doc? ...Ehh, second thought you get some rest. Suppose I should play that role, now that I'm here." Joey asked. Then turning his eyes over to the Projection of Moonstrike One's Logo.
"First off, don't think we met. Name's Joey B. Albion, Part-time First Mate of this ship. Not usually around here a lot so I often let Abby and Millard take over duties till I get back. ...Come to think of it, Where is Abby?" Joey asked as he looked around. It only just occurred to him that he hasn't seen his big ol Kaisoken buddy for a while since being on the ship. He's probably just downstairs in the engine room, but he's down there for quite a while if he is.
He shook off the thought; probably just focused working on stuff. He then turned back to Moonstrike One.
"Anyways, I'm basing this on a hunch and... totally not also the fact that I've...basically jerry-rigged everything on this ship from communications to the internet's browsing history to be relayed to my ship whenever I'm not here. But I'm fairly certain the captain is guilty of this little thieving attempt as well. Jokes and...actual-information-I-totally-didn't-steal aside, I know Natty well enough to know that she wouldn't pass up an opportunity to screw over the Ascendancy royally, consequences be damned. Yeah, fun fact about your captain, kiddos: She can be pretty...vindictive like that, sometimes to the point of pettiness, sometimes even recklessness. Not sure if the Doc or Abby told you this yet, so at the risk of repeating what you already know - being on this ship's a two-way door of responsibility. Natty takes care of all of you, makes sure you guys are safe and fed, disciplines you if you do something bad, ...and in exchange, everyone makes sure she doesn't go off-the-rail and get everyone killed..." Joey said, ending off his monologue by staring directly at Natasha for a few seconds, before then turning towards the others once again.
"I'll be straight with you guys: Since the captain screwed up, I'll be the one dishing out the punishment in her stead. So, at the cost of bombing any chance I have at a good first impression - overrated concept anyways - here's the deal: Effective in oh...Three hours - or however long it takes for our new guest to get here - The menu's gonna be changed for the next few days to Breakfast Rations, Lunch Rations, Dinner Rations, and if the kids on the ship behave themselves, maybe even some rations for dessert. Sure M-1 here can accommodate and give us ration supplies for a little bit if we ever run out. In the meantime, if there's any food on this ship that's not ready-made meals, probably should start scarfing them down now, Cause Kanarusians are known to have pretty big stomachs, so whatever's left likely gonna be going to our new crew member as a welcome gift. Oh, and payment is gonna be docked for about the same amount of time. Be sure to give Captain Natty and the Song of Ash and Fire over there the tab when you're done." He said. He them a brief moment of pause to process what was said, and most likely process their emotions at being punished for the crimes of these three in particular and most likely resulting in anger. Where obvious where they'll redirect whatever frustrations they may have, either on them, or more likely, on him. He then turns around, facing away from M-1's logo and towards the door, taking a few steps before stopping.
"Oh, and if M-1 over here doesn't mind, let me end this meeting with this: The stealing of your money, the punishment I've just throw down, the fact that M-1 here could just take a highly-advanced super AI from the ship without any of you realizing it, they're all the least of your worries right now. There's something else you lot's gotta keep in mind. Based on what I understand from what M-1 here's been saying combined with all the coinky-dinks that's happened back there - and what Maria sent me via 'Mind Mail' regarding what Nero told her, there's some pretty dangerous people who probably know about this ship being a part of Moonstrike, who seem to be targeting Moonstrike specifically, and likely know about you Star Kids being a part of it. For now, best we keep our heads low until we come up with a way to bounce back. On that note, if M-1 doesn't mind, I think we can adjourn this meeting." He said. Throughout the meeting his small laid-back smile was always there. It was only when he tried to state his warning about the current situation and placing a directive did that smile fade out into a stern frown. Without giving anyone a chance to say anything - Moonstrike One included - he walked out into the hallway.
"Anyone needs me, or just wants to try and kill me for the menu-change, I'll be in my room getting things ready for the Kanarusian's arrival." He said in the halls, yelling it so that as many people on the ship could hear him as he could muster, ignoring any potential yelling, questions, and perhaps some not-so-pleasant words that would come out from his 'punishment' as he walked back to his room.
Location: Xuanzang’s Lobby → The Conference Room Interaction: Jude Styles @Kafka Komedy, Finbarr and Klein @The Man Emperor and everyone else. Mention:
There was a certainty in Narvia, and that was she loved Finbarr greatly comparing to all the times she cried and everything else. Narvia was embarrassed that everyone on the ship expected this to happen that Finbarr and Narvia would become an item. Her face was blushing with everyone's insights, and it was too obvious. 'This is so embarrassing.' Narvia thinking to herself while blushing. It included even Nero, who injected his usual grin at what he said about the same thing.
All the conversations around her were interesting, especially what Klein had said, and all she did was smile at everyone. Narvia softly gives a slight gasp, but it was cute enough since he wanted to return to his homeworld. All the while, Narvia intends to reunite with her biological family, but she's happy to be with her new family too. "I hope you do return to your home on Ceres, Klein. I'm trying to stay positive that I will reunite with my family, but it's hard sometimes." Narvia said. Her tone of voice was much more encouraging than usual because of having Finbarr as a boyfriend.
Narvia happily waves at Jude Styles, and he was one of the most unique of the Star Marines. She is cute as can be with her enthusiasm and happy to gain more Star Marine friends. "I am delighted that you can join our group, Jude! Everyone should be treated nicely, no matter what!" Narvia said, delighted. It was only fair since he agreed with Finbarr and her how Klein should be treated.
Narvia looks over to Laurey, who looks like hell, and Avelyn talked about how badly her head badly hurts like someone stuck a fork in it. She thought in her head, but it felt a bit silly and shouldn't be said since it gave her a strange image. 'Uhh, that image is strange. Why do I do that too myself sometimes?' Narvia thought in her head with a weird look on her face.
Narvia saw how Natasha's body language was sluggish by stress and possible blood loss, how she was wobbly a bit. She did follow Natasha to the cockpit, and the captain did talk about not allowing Nero to wreck her ship. They did leave the Galactic Bazaar in a hurry, which was one of those things that happened. When Natasha called out a conference to the Conference room, something different probably would happen. 'I wonder what will happen... I hope nothing bad.' Narvia thought to herself.
~~~= The Conference Room =~~~
There was one thing Narvia noticed before the meeting with Moonstrike One started, which was Nero eating a piece of cake and the look on his face was this is pretty good. However, when the meeting started, her facial features were shocked by what Moonstrike One said. Narvia did hear Finbarr speak up about what was said when Moonstrike One looked over to Flame and Ashton. Her body language showed signs of shock that caused Narvia to look down at the floor. All the money, which they got, vanished without a trace. She couldn’t cry over that since she didn’t know what else she would invest in with all that money. ”T-This sucks, everything gone in an instant.” Narvia said. It didn’t help that tons of innocent people were arrested by the Ascendancy for what Ashton and Flame did. She deeply sighed with an ounce of regret and looked over to Finbarr with a similar look as she does.
Therefore, Maria’s voice was in her head, and it gave her a slight tingling sensation, and she forgot how cool it was talking to Maria. Narvia didn’t think she had anything to hide from Maria nor Avelyn’s mind-reading abilities. She hoped there was nothing wrong with her, though, but she gave a soft sigh. ”Maria, I don’t mind you doing a deep scan on me. It is so lovely you and Alan are back with the other Star Marines, though!” Narvia excitedly said with Maria’s name. She was usually one of the people that enjoys volunteering herself for things.
Narvia looked towards the blonde adult male with teal eyes, and he introduced himself as a part-time first mate. It made her raise an eyebrow. Joey mentioned Abby and the Doctor, but it has been a while since she saw Abby too. ”First question, Joey, how can you be a part-time first mate? I thought it was more of a full-time job than my godfather Nikolas R. Zahrin said about it. I haven’t seen Abby since the mission on Plenty.” Narvia said with a worried tone in her voice about Abby. She stayed in her room, the kitchen, and other areas but never went to the Engine Room.
Narvia overheard what Nero had said about his cake being expensive, and it caused her to giggle at what he said. There was one thing that Nero was good at, and that was saying a particular mannerism only he’s good at since she was trying not to cry by all this bad news. ”Hehe, that’s funny, thanks for that.” Narvia said to Nero. She had her particular smile again, and her giggles are cute as can be. It didn’t take long for her to notice Finbarr saying the oldest saying in the book, meaning life isn’t fair. However, there was a mention of meeting a Kanarusian by the name of Doruva Aoshen. Narvia’s knowledge of the Kanarusians was much more limited than the other Star Marines because the Dragon’s Brigade Fleet only deployed her twice in the war. She heard gossip from some of the Dragon’s Brigade Fleet about the tenacity of the Kanarusians but never once met one in combat before. ” I can’t wait to meet this Doruva Aoshen!” Narvia said a bit excitedly.
Therefore, Joey went on a monologue of portions it reminds her of Nikolas’s monologue, but her godfather’s monologue was more cryptic than anything. She makes mental notes of each thing that Joey had said in his monologue, and it was more to the point than anything. It makes it better than Nikolas’s monologues. Thankfully, it didn’t have cryptic messaging or whatnot in it. ”A-Alright, I will keep that in mind, Joey. I need to stay alive to reunite with my mother and my two older siblings.” Narvia said, keeping what he said to heart. The two-way door of responsibility had a nice ring to it. In addition, Joey would be punishing them with only able to eat rations as long as the Kanarusian, Doruva Aoshen, was onboard. She remembered only once during her first mission in the Dragon’s Brigade Fleet that she had to eat rations and were terrible.
Narvia gave out a small sigh and looked down to the ground, but Joey had good points in what he said. It was a reality check that not everything was so easy that everyone could live without being in a bit of danger. Also, the last thing he said in his punishment monologue was a bit funny in her mind. ”I feel like I’ve been punished my whole life. I miss my mother and older siblings so much. All for what my father chose me to do instead. Still, I would have to ask, Conner Leo Hadley, why?” Narvia questioned slightly. Also, her tone was more depressed than anything. She takes everything in stride, but she wasn’t an ounce angry at Joey for what he had said; it makes so much sense.
When she noticed Joey was leaving the room and telling everyone that the meeting is adjourned with what he said. What happened at the Galactic Bazaar showed many dangerous people out there, from within or without specific organizations. It seems like it would be better to do what he said to stay out of mind and out of sight for a while until the heat cools down. She didn’t say much anything else after what she said otherwise. It didn’t take too long for her to leave the conference room either, and she slowly walked in the opposite direction that Joey was going. She did hear him say that you can go to his room if you want to talk to him. As such, it mostly was because she was a bit troubled in her head and needed to cool her head a bit.
Narvia was walking the length of Xuanzang’s hallway to her quarters, which she stopped right in front of her door. She stopped before opening her room and put her forehead on the wall near her quarters. It brought up all those bad memories, all those missed birthdays, etc., but Narvia felt pretty bad nonetheless. However, Narvia did support her boyfriend, all the other star marines, and the other crew members. She deeply sighs at the whole situation and slowly moves off of the wall with many thoughts in her head. It takes her a few seconds of standing there motionless until she enters her room and sits on her bed and picking up the Seal Plushie she named after Phi. She hugs it, and she has tears coming down her face, and Narvia can’t help these tears for reasons she doesn’t know. ”W-Why did all this have to happen at once? I-I miss you, Phi, Lana, Ashley, and Freya. W-What went through my father’s head to destroy our family unity?” Narvia questioned herself to no one in particular.
Only up to five minutes at most passed, while Narvia was sitting on her bed crying while hugging a plushie. She gasped at losing a bit of time since she remembered that she would allow Maria to deep scan her mind. Therefore, Narvia wipes her eyes off her tears and places the seal plushie hugging back on her bed facing her other seal plushie. She slowly gets up from her bed and sets her white hair tie that she got from her mother on the desk to have her hair straight. All she did was brush her bangs out of the way and put hair ties to make them much easier to allow others to see her eyes.
After all that, Narvia got out of her room and walked to the Infirmary since Maria would be. When she arrived at the Infirmary, she gasped at how Alan looked. He had all those crystals coming out of his body and still out like a light too. She had a bit of shock on her face since she has no idea how or what could have caused those crystals to do that. ”I-I am sorry for not arriving here sooner, Maria.” Narvia said to Maria with a smile on her face. The look on her face was still in shock at how Alan looked, but whenever he does wake up. Narvia wants to tell Alan that she and Finbarr are now dating; hopefully, he will wake up soon.
"So, onions, eh? Dis for the guy that's coming on board, or can anyone try?"
Anyone working the kitchen would remember that while Nero wasn't an accomplished chef or anything, his cutting skills in any context were wizard, and he still could cook for himself. Finbarr was just better at it. So, at the very least, he had a competent assistant to work with, if he needed it.
"Oh, these?" Finbarr wiped some of the grease off his hands with a paper towel, glancing back at Nero with his same reactive set of eyes. The crackle of the frying onions filled the air, and the aroma of well cooked food wafted throughout the kitchen, what with at least six of those placed neatly on a plate. "Well, you heard what was said earlier by the Joey person back on the meeting. Kanarusians have a huge appetite because they're shapeshifters, are magical, and are about twice as big as a fully grown man. So yeah, I'm getting onto these before the whole shabang with the liaison comes down. Besides, this brings back some memories of home..."
Finbarr fell silent. He remembered that many of them have little to no memory of their old lives because of the trauma of the experiments. He was one of the lucky ones. Would that even be a blessing to begin with, anyway?
"Anyway, you can help me by cutting up those..." Finbarr pointed towards a bunch of uncut onions lying in a tray on the counter. "You're good at cutting stuff up, yeah?" He added with a slight chuckle.
Nero remembered his past properly - apart from the parts that Dr. Vallance sealed up, though they were released now - though they were all basicallu unpleasant memories. So, his response to Finn's cooking was more-or-less a shrug with the respons of "You musta' had a better one than me.", noticing that this was the other Marine basically in nostalgia mode. It wasn't something that he himself had because of his orphan-hood. Technically, these post-war times were the best he's ever had in his life. It was why was willing to participate in other people's stuff, getting involved or even giving a damn about others. They were alright, so he looked after 'em. Besides, it's not like anyone else had ever been comfortable around 'im. So, when Finbarr offered him the job of cutting, he smiled.
"Fuck the hell yes."
Yeah, look at Mr. Yan Can Cut up here in this place! It was some rapid-fire work that you'd see only happening in those advertisements for really sharp knives, and he barely had to even look. He did return to a bit more serious after a bit, though.
"This punishment's bullshit, though. I'm not giving up my snacks. Most of us didn't even DO anything. In fact, if I read it right, everything but the stock trading was a setup, and we did everything in our power to get the hell out, safe and sound. Hell, I didn't even spend much money, really. If Jonny Asshole wants to treat me like it's still the Ascendancy here, he can suck it."
In a quick and flashy manner, he produced one of the knives as akin to a middle finger, handle lodged between his other fingers, for emphasis. Nero didn't think much of people giving him hell for things he neither had anything to do with nor had any means to even prevent.
"Good, good." Finbarr nodded at Nero as the latter took out one of his knives. Had it been anyone else not included in their merry little troupe of magic children, he would have locked them into a space time bubble while asking a thousand questions, but this was Nero. The guy who slices and dices.
"I know, it's ridiculous." Finbarr shook his head, remembering the punishment thing. "It's not like you and I were the ones that went on to gamble in the stock market. It was our two love birds."
Then he remembered that he and Narvia are a thing now... But he'd call their pairing something else. Something that doesn't have 'bird' on it.
"Good for you that you got to spend some of it." Finbarr shrugged. "I haven't even touched it. I would have put it all in a box or something, for future use. Now that dream is all gone..."
It was actually kinda' funny, calling those two lovebirds, and not because of the irony involved. Those two were just generally chill about it publically., as far as Nero knew, or cared. He didn't actually care, either. Still, the two of them flubbing this shit up WAS something to get on their case about, and only their case. The dumb idea of punishing everybody for shit was all on Jonny Fuckwit and his ability to make poor decisions. In any case, Nero picked up on the nature of Finn's lament.
"I get it. You had some big plans, or at least wanted it secure for something big later. Those two actually thought I should go into farming. Me! I just bought some shit because I didn't have any big ideas. I know you just had yours dashed, and...well...dreams like that are just dreams to guys like me."
He stopped, not only because it was Real Talk, but because the onions were done.
"I got into this for the revenge, to get the satisfaction of putting an end to the fuckers that started this mess, and all the ones that caused me hell. That's what we wanted to do, that's what I got on board for. Everything else is extra. Being treated nice, having spending money, eating decent food - that's gravy. Thing is, though, I like the gravy. I just don't think it's always gonna be there, so I shouldn't plan on it.
Now, a smirk came to his face, before a shadow would briefly envelope them both. This was an extension of his Shadow-Step that prevented sound from leaving his shadowy form, which was currently encompassing the two boys. Nero just wanted to be sure they weren't monitered.
"That said, I'm not giving over anything I bought, snack or otherwise. I'm hiding my shit. I've explored every nook and cranny of this spaceship. Anyone else who wants to get in on the action, you lemme know. I think this is a proper use of our powers."
"Same, really." Finbarr took out one of the finished fried onions and placed it onto a plate covered by paper towels, letting it soak up the excess oil. "I'll be keeping my stuff as well... luckily for me, I don't really have a lot of anything here. So hiding it wouldn't be too hard..."
He noticed that the Nero was projecting a Shadow-Step around the two of them, eliciting a little chuckle from him. "Ah, good job with the silencing thing, by the way." He reached out and patted Nero at the shoulder. "So, uh, after we bring down the government. That is, if we do succeed... what are you going to do after that?"
That shadow was just to their plans to rebel against the so-called first mate private. It was gone once they were talking normally again, meaning if anyone WAS listening, it would be as though it stopped after Nero was talking about the problem of big plans, and then there'd be an awkward pause until the next thing heard was Finn asking about the bringing down of government and what comes after. To that, Nero shrugged and sighed.
"I dunno. The twosome figured I should settle down, but I don't think it's in my nature to. Fighting and sneaking around are what I'm good at. I'm probably a merc for life. I mean...realistically...if we take down government, and anyone looking to take charge has to work real hard to re-organize things, do you think they'd really leave us alone? Yeah, sure, we might disappear, but the best way not to be found has got to be to keep moving."
"Or to be somewhere far away and isolated." Finbarr shrugged in response as he placed the last of the fried onions on the plate. "That is what I was planning, anyway. Get my family off Titan and then go to... Somewhere quiet. We've always wanted that. Oh, and I'll be with Navi too."
Sniffing, Finbarr turned towards Nero. He took off the apron that he had been using and placed it back on the counter. "But, if we are to do some extra work to stabilize things and get paid for it... why not. Its not like it all ends when the head of the snake is cut off, anyway. There will always be those groups that would try to make a counter-coup, or something like that."
There was kind of a fiendish 'Oh...heh heh heh' kind of a look when Finn mentioned Narvia, even a chuckle from the knife-wielder. Not that it was much of a secret anymore, but rather that though Navi kind of blurted stuff out, it was funny to hear it from the horse's mouth, so to speak. Still, he nodded at what Finbarr had to say.
"Least it won't be bored. Now, do we do anything special with this stuff, or is that the end of it? I got some things to do, and some cake to eat. Jonny Appleguts isn't getting any."
Yup, the naming convention he'd started with the crystal lemon bar maker had found a new target.
"Maybe some mayonnaise and dressing." Finbarr shrugged in respond to Nero's question. "And yes. John Appleguts will not lay a single finger upon these. Because I'll be taking it all."
Then and there did Finbarr just pop one of the fried onions in his mouth. His face contorted a little bit as it was still hot, but he downed it nonetheless. "Mmm, good and simple. Anyway, you're free to get some, but if your cake just happens to be better... Well, nothing's stopping you."
Since Nero's face soured when Finn mentioned mayo and dressing for the onions, we can safely conclude that - apart from the onion piece he slipped into his mouth when his hands were working the magic - he would not be partaking.
"You kidding? It's a fucking great cake. Almost made me forget that one of the people after us is another shadow user. So hey, if you see a shadow-thing and you think it's me, better double-check it!"
Oh, oka- Wait, WHAT?!
Nero saw something, but Finbarr didn't seem to comprehend just what the other boy was detecting. He would just shrug in disbelief as Nero walked away, seemingly in a hurry.
It was a good thing Laurey pushed her to spend at least a small portion of her share immediately. Ah well, easily gained is easily lost, after all. They stocked up on parts and materials for their little arts and crafts project in advance, they weren’t going to starve, and with Kanarusian Federation now on board they probably wouldn’t run out of fuel or places to hide either.
What truly ticked her off was Joey. What bodily orifice was he talking out of? What, was he gonna suggest curfew next? “Or you could trip and hit your head on the table ten times you capless box of shale...” she muttered under her breath when she realized he was actually being serious with what he was saying, “If membership here is a two-way tunnel, where the fuck were you, XO? And funny you talk about recklessness. If you need help remembering ten minutes ago, I’ll gladly help jog your memory tomorrow. In the meantime, look up the definition of ‘less-than-lethal’.” she hissed in his direction halfway out of the room, “If anyone needs me, I’ll be in my quarters with a bag of ice on my head. Nobody catch on fire or anything.”
It was good to lie down after a day like that. Very carefully, no rapid head movement. Today’s events themselves shouldn’t feel good in any way, and while what happened to Alan and the fallout affecting them all was indeed fucked, she was finally useful in some capacity.
But over and above all that, the day’s events got Avelyn thinking. She had to talk to the captain in private. She hoped to do more work for her before asking for personal favors, but today proved they weren’t as inconspicuous as she thought and bad shit could happen just like that. And the sooner this problem was addressed, the sooner she’d stop being a massive weak link of the entire crew. There was still wiggle room, but that only extended as far as OIS thought she was either dead or still captive, and would end the second they learned she was alive and rogue. ’You’re some piece of work, aren’t you? Calling for memory checks when you would roll over on them in a heartbeat if it helped you.’ she thought, ‘Fucking hypocrite, that’s what you are. BUT… If they help you with this, you’ll owe them a lot. It’s an angle...’ Yes, waiting was no longer an option. They’d talk once the captain’s had some time to decompress from the Bazaar shitshow and the Kanarusian was on board. No point overloading her with bad news and problems to deal with.
The next day, with a shower, a fresh change of clothes and without a headache, found her heading to where the Kanarusian liaison was supposed to board. Arriving shortly before the shuttle docked, she was curious about both the newcomer himself and his thoughts about them. She hadn’t encountered any Kanarusians during the war, and she knew better than to trust Ascendancy propagandists. And after all, the new arrival wasn’t a friend yet, more of a potential ally, all the more reason to make sure there was nothing suspicious in their head, right? While waiting, she typed up a message on her omni-tool.
From: A. Vernal To: Cpt. N. Zheng Subject: Something you should be aware of. I’ve got a little personal problem that could potentially affect the crew as a whole in a pretty significant and unpleasant way. Meet me when you have a few minutes once the new guy is settled in. Bring Klein if you want to have him scanned, might as well get everything out of the way at once.
Location: Xuanzang’s Lobby → The Conference Room → The Infirmary Interaction: Maria [@Jest]. Mention: Everyone in conference room
Tarak had just left the frying pan with everyone as people started appearing from the ship. Tarak wasn't worried about many things, his head was on a swivel though, waiting for everyone to recollect and get moving. As it was fast, yet a few people were acting strange, Iris appeared in some very interesting sleepwear, he'll probably figure out why soon enough. The next thing was their newest group member, Jude, seemed to have given a soapbox introduction which was not the time for it, but it was good she seemed to think it was a good time, it meant she felt safe, and that’s what matters.
Yet Natasha appeared and how she acted was very apparent that she had lots on her mind. Her walking was wobbly, his shoulders were tensed, and her eyes looked tired yet filled with anger. 'Oh boy, this'll be a long one'
They left the Galactic Bazaar in a hurry, getting a bit onto Nero and what he did with the helicopter, which gave Tarak a good understanding of why she was so stressed. When Natasha called out a conference to the Conference room, Tarak knew something fun was going to happen.
~~~= The Conference Room =~~~
After MoonStrike had told them about what the attack was, Tarak held the bridge of his nose. He knew something was slightly off when Ashton and Flame gave them all of that money. That's why had sent it through multiple dummy accounts and then finished off with having it be sent through an old friend to a secure account. It was an old way of doing it, but learning from colleagues during his Mercenary life and then during his life as a Soldier and trading with smugglers to get what he wanted while with the Ascendancy.
Tarak is upset that there was such an easy mistake made and he didn't think to look into it further. Yet it seemed people had already gotten the gist of the situation: Pirates have stolen your stuff, don't do it again without us, you will have new members of the crew join soon, and then their 'newest' member spoke. Joey wasn't newer than them, it was just the fact that he wasn't here for when they got here, and it seemed he took up the lead for dishing out the punishment.
Well first he seemed to give a bit of background that they didn't know, Natasha was a lot more destructive than what they thought. Tarak had a suspicion, but he didn't want to really believe it, giving the benefit of the doubt and all, but it is a good learning experience for him. Yet what seemed interesting about Joey, even with his words of him being a 'part-timer' he keeps himself up to date quite well with his not-so-secret-anymore communications. Tarak was interested in Joey, he seemed like a very strange person, his demeanor never changed, even while passing down the punishment. He even passed a few jokes through it, either he was a tough man, or he was trying to do something.
The next pieces of info to leave Joey's mouth did make Tarak nervous, someone was now hunting them. Their pursuers knew who they were, what ship they were on, and who they were working for. Tarak was nervous about who it could be, but it never showed, his face was the same expression as ever, blank with a slight bit of sternness to it.
As even before anything else could be said Joey left, as Tarak gave a slight nod to him and turned towards the others and said, "Looks like it's time to start preparing"
~~~=Later On=~~~
After maybe 20 or so minutes, Tarak finally left his armor and showered. At this point his nervousness had left, he was sure it wasn't anything they couldn't handle. If they wielded magic, they were capable of fighting it, after all, that was what they were made to do. Either way, Tarak had left his room with a loose shirt and some shorts and made his way to Maria. He knew everyone was to get a phycological evaluation and a mind scan in case anyone was a mole. Tarak had no real worry about it though, after all, he had nothing to hide.
As once he entered the infirmary he was greeted with a familiar sight, Maria sitting in a chair far too big for her, and some person on a table unconscious Tarak entered with a nonchalant, "Hey Maria, I came in for the compulsory mind scan, unsure if you'll find anything out of the ordinary though". Tarak said this as he took a seat in front of her, knowing that she'd probably prefer that he was more close to her height when she did this.
