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DimentioXuanxang - Entryway
Of course.
It wasn't surprising when two of the kids he essentially grounded decided to speak up and chide his character to the new people out of the blue. He couldn't even be mad because one of them was so clearly steamed in a temper that she forgot it was three of them that made a mistake - one of them being the Captain herself - and the other one was so smug at the 'burns' he and she were dishing towards him that, well, quite frankly it was cute, he couldn't help but crack a smile.
"Good! We've got a fuckwit here that thinks we're still in the service! Why don't you get started with him?"
"Aww, you do care about me! Well, if it's alright with Ms. Vanadris, a lesson or two in diplomacy and etiquette wouldn't hurt." He said to them. Around which he spotted Nirrti coming out of the ship the other two did, and immediately walked towards the Cafeteria. Joey said nothing about the robot, random as it seemed, but mostly because the robot left for the cafeteria before he could get a word in.
Then Gabriel walked up and said, with a cold, serious tone and look on that face of his, his piece regarding how things looked.
"Correct me if I am misunderstanding the language, a member of leadership committed a mistake, and as a result the crew at large is punished?"
Oh yeah, this guy wasn't having any of this shit, Joey could see it in his eyes. It was a look he was all too familiar with.
"One Member of leadership and two of these Star Marines more specifically, working in unison on a financial agenda that backfired. I won't go into detail here, you're welcome to ask me about it in a more open area of the ship, or hear from their side of those involved both directly and indirectly. What I will say is, the lay of blame is not completely on them; a third party exploited an opening their actions unwittingly created to a disasterous degree. Knowing this, accountability and responsibility for this punishment, falls on me." Joey said, his tone lowering to a more professional level, and his smirk dropping into a non-expressioned frown.
It was at that point that Gabriel laid it out.
"A failure in leadership weakens the organization as a whole. To punish the subordinate for the failings of their superior only inspires a lack of trust and loyalty."
He then walked right back to his superior's side, leaving Joey standing there with that serious look frozen on his own face. It wasn't because there was anything wrong with what was said. On the contrary, those two sentences cut like a knife because they were tempered in truth. Joey didn't know much about these second fangs this guy's a part of, but the way he says his piece and just formally walks back to his superior's side without another word screams the kind of professionalism he has not seen since his old military days. More than that, it reminded him of his family back home.
...It didn't last long.
"Hahahahaha! Well said, Gabby; Harsh but fair. House Aoshen taught you well, Know a few folks who could learn a thing or two from second fangs like you. ...Yeah I admit, I've never been cut out for disciplinary work. We got another guy on the ship who's far better at it, but he's out somewhere at the moment, and the only other person with authority here wanted nothing to do with this mess - right call honestly. ...To be clear, I was serious about everything I said. Of feathers or spikes, Only option I got is laying on the bed I made." He said non-chalantly. The whole face just pulled a 180 faster, going from serious to a big grin as he laughed and followed shortly by a smaller more laid-back smile as he continued to speak, scratching the back of his head. It's like he completely switched personalities on the fly to a point of whiplash-inducing. He then turned to Doruva.
""Why, thank you my dear sir. I appreciate the welcome, Joey Albion. And don't worry about your Kanarusian. I would have thought that you were from House Vulcaria if I were not gazing upon you at this very moment."
"Thanks, My dad stressed the importance of the many languages of the universe in doing our religious work, so I got taught quite a bit. ...Anyways, don't worry about our Shenanigans on board. Dysfunctional Crew aside, Caesar over there has a point that these kids are some of the best people on the field when push comes to shove." Joey said to the Kanarusian. It was around that moment that the Captain mentioned about the robot that came through as well and walked towards the Cafeteria.
"Is that Mech sapient or something, or just very well-programmed?"
"Good question... I'm a bit curious about that myself."
"Said Mech also reminded me that we should be making our way to the cafeteria so that we can give Lord Doruva of House Aoshen his 'all you can eat'..."
"Yeah, we probably shouldn't keep them at the entryway for much longer." Joey responded. With that, he followed Natasha to the Cafeteria with everyone else.
Xuanxang - Cafeteria
As soon as he enters the Cafeteria, he noticed the robot he and Natasha saw walking out...and Three more faces that he didn't recognize. Seems like no one else knew about them either, which means they're not new crewmen he just never knew about, which means they somehow got on board a different way from the others.
One was a giant mech, one was a Kelta - a race Joey was all too familiar with both due to his family, and due to his hobby of archaeology - and carrying with him a third member, that being a baby of a different race - a very unusual sight for a Kelta right there. The Kelta and child was one thing, but the fact that the mech/android got into the ship without arousing suspicion is both impressive for it, and alarming for this crew...
He walked over to Ki'Tlex in particular, eyeing him top-to-bottom as if analyzing him.
"Ki'Tlex, huh? ...Yeah, I knew you look familiar. Your penultimate discarded was a good sole. The fact you have that kid there tells me a lot about your current. More than enough reason to welcome you to this ship. ...By the way, Queen Anne's Revenge, right? ...Queen Anne, isn't that...? Nah, I'm probably just overthinking it. Anyways, welcome aboard you lot." He said to him. First it was to the Kelta, and the strange terminology he seemed to use with him, but then it shifted to the android that was with him. For a moment, Joey was lost in thought about it, before then shaking it off and finishing the conversation.
Afterwhich, Joey sat down on a table away from the others on the crew - really it was more for them than for him, and proceeded to eat up some of the Rations himself. While he did deal out this punishment, he was by no means excluding himself from it. Unlike others though, he didn't seem to mind very much in regards to it. Perhaps it was because he had an odd sense of taste, or perhaps he has no taste at all, but while people like Ash was having a difficult time eating up a ration, Joey seemed to be eating the same kind of ration on his plate like it was a snack.
He then saw the particularly strange one - Narvia was it? - rushing in, apparently losing track of time and apologizing to him and Natasha for being late.
"No worries, kid. If anything, you're pretty much right on time. Take a seat and enjoy yourself...well, best as you can." Joey responded to her with a smile and some laidback energy.
It was around then that the discussion went to what to do next. Ashton suggested they go after the pirates who ransacked their money, while Laurey pointed out why that would be...redundant. Ki'Tlex and Queen Anne - apparently former pirates themselves, chimed in essentially in agreement.
"...The Cyber-Ladies and Kelta Gentleman's got a point. It's been a bit since they stole those millions - to also answer the Queen's question: Millions; might sound unlikely that they spent it all by now, but you'd be surprised how fast pirates burn through stolen goods. Moreover, these pirates hacked and subsequently bombed the stock market, and that caused just as much commotion as we did back there. MS1 said that stock market blow hit more than just us, those guys probably kicked a hornet's nest as a result. Might be easier for us to sit back and let karma run its course on them." Joey said, in agreement with Laurey, Ki'Tlex, and Queen Anne, leaning on his chair with his hands on the back of his head relaxed.
"Pardon the interruption..." Maria's calm voice said through the Cafeteria's doorway. She and the now awakened Alan walked into the Cafeteria, looking at everyone without a sound.
As soon as Alan looked at Joey - who waved at him with a smile - he immediately did a 180 spin and attempted to walk out of there as if he saw nothing and was done with his food, but Maria's strong grip took hold of his arm, making him walk still in place. The boy then groaned as he looked at Joey annoyed. Joey was the last person he wanted to see on this ship, after waking up from that whole debacle at the Bazaar. He had enough of him when he was travelling with the blonde-haired bastard and while in the Circle of Hell's cell. He hoped he'd never see him again after he left them on Plenty, and now he was actually on this ship with them.
"Did I piss off some Rau've God back on their planet or something?" He thought. He then looked at the new guys. Two humans, a Kanarusian - that's a rather rare sight to see - two androids, a weird looking alien guy and a...Is that a fucking baby? The hell's a baby doing on this ship?
"Everyone, meet Alan and Maria, two more Star Marines. Alan and Maria, meet Doruva, Gabriel, Melinae, Nirrti, Ki'Tlex, Queen Anne's Revenge, and lil' Kottle, new recruits." Joey said, essentialy fast-forwarding introductions while giving Maria a nod, as if to tell her to continue.
"...New Information has come to light in the medbay. The situation's changed," Maria stated. Joey then sat upright on his chair again, his attention grabbed...
...With a deep breath, Maria began her report to the Captain and her comrades. Maria was never one to use her mouth as much as others would, especially for long reports like this, preferring to use Telepathy to give out information.
Slightly turning the knob of the cybernetic implant on her head, she used telepathy to access everyone's mind, both inside the cafeteria, and outside it. For the new people who just joined them, she essentially gave them a mental 'tap', or sorts to invite her into their heads so that she could speak through it. Through the link she found with Ki'Tlex and Queen Anne, she also request that Queen Anne and Laurey finds a way to relay this information to Nirrti.
"First and foremost: Amy is down. She is currently in a self-inflicted comatose and is resting in a healing capsule until further notice. ...There was an anomaly in her magic that led to something happening in her mind, some aspect of her id she sealed off coming loose. We suspect she put herself to sleep to keep whatever broke free from attacking us in reality. As much as it may pain us, this battle is one she wants to fight alone, interfering with it may be dangerous both for us, and for her. Until she wakes up of her own accord, no one is to disturb her." Maria began explaining to the others. Joey looked to the floor in contemplation as Maria talked, recalling that person covered in a blanket that was being carried towards the Infirmary. He didn't get a look at the face but, that likely had to be this Amy she's talking about.
"Do we have any reason as to why this happened now all of a sudden? I mean, I know basically nothing about this Amy, and I'm pretty sure most of the new guys here are essentially on the same boat. Is this something that's happened before?" He asked her, looking towards the new guys that arrived there, implying a need of context for those just joining with them.
"I myself only knew of her for a short amount of time. However, both Iris and Doctor Millard has confirmed that this is the first time this has had happened since she met them. Iris in particular has been with Amy longer than any of us. This happened during the situation with Alan while both Amy and Iris were asleep, so we don't know what caused this. ...But based on what we know and the testimony of the captain and everyone else, ...We do have a suspect. Alan, if you would please?" Maria said. She then turned her heads towards Alan, who looked at her confused for about 2 seconds before realizing what she wanted him to say and stepped forward.
"Let's see... to make a long story short: Back at the bazaar, I was with Maria, until we found Klein. He ran off and I gave chase wanting to ask him a few ..."questions". While chasing after him, I got shoved by someone from behind, could feel the whole hand on my back but thought he was just some passerby in a hurry. I continued to chase Klein until I cornered him and gave him a chat. That was when I noticed something off. I ignited my flames from my hand to...'encourage' Klein not to ditch us again, and noticed it was still on fire even when I thought I switched it off, worse yet it was spreading. By the time I got back to Maria, my whole body was on fire and I could feel it trying to get out. I did what Maria said, focused my arms upwards to let it all out, and it just bursted out into an inferno. You guys know the rest." He explained. Joey listened to Alan's testimony in contemplation, piecing together what this meant regarding Amy.
"...So basically, whoever made Alan a magical time bomb is the potential culprit behind Amy's situation?" He asked. Maria nodded in response.
"...Captain Zhang said she saw two false moonstrike members painting on the Xuanxang, and left the bridge to confront them outside the ship. It's likely their true aim was to serve as a distraction, keeping Captain Zhang away from the Bridge so that someone - the culprit - would be able to sneak in and attack Amy in a similar way to how they attacked Alan. ...Bear in mind, this is merely a theory, there are things about this case I have no answer for, such as how they got in and out of the ship without anyone else still on board noticing. However... I have reason to believe that whoever did this, is a Star Marine, one of the ones who didn't join us on this ship. Whether they're acting alone, or with Squad 0, I can't say." Maria explained, ending her telepathic report. Joey stared downward in thought, before scratching his head.
"...So someone attacked Alan, attacked Amy, vandalized the ship as a distraction for the latter...probably not a coincidence that this happens at around the same time as the Pirate attack on the Bazaar's wall street. ...Right, I take back what I said before: We should contact Moonstrike." He said, his face now giving off a more serious vibe. They hurt not one, but two members of this crew, and that alone was enough to make him want to hunt them down. Moreover, All these circumstances didn't sit right with Joey.
These weren't ordinary pirates...
"Do we have any reason as to why this happened now all of a sudden? I mean, I know basically nothing about this Amy, and I'm pretty sure most of the new guys here are essentially on the same boat. Is this something that's happened before?" He asked her, looking towards the new guys that arrived there, implying a need of context for those just joining with them.
"I myself only knew of her for a short amount of time. However, both Iris and Doctor Millard has confirmed that this is the first time this has had happened since she met them. Iris in particular has been with Amy longer than any of us. This happened during the situation with Alan while both Amy and Iris were asleep, so we don't know what caused this. ...But based on what we know and the testimony of the captain and everyone else, ...We do have a suspect. Alan, if you would please?" Maria said. She then turned her heads towards Alan, who looked at her confused for about 2 seconds before realizing what she wanted him to say and stepped forward.
"Let's see... to make a long story short: Back at the bazaar, I was with Maria, until we found Klein. He ran off and I gave chase wanting to ask him a few ..."questions". While chasing after him, I got shoved by someone from behind, could feel the whole hand on my back but thought he was just some passerby in a hurry. I continued to chase Klein until I cornered him and gave him a chat. That was when I noticed something off. I ignited my flames from my hand to...'encourage' Klein not to ditch us again, and noticed it was still on fire even when I thought I switched it off, worse yet it was spreading. By the time I got back to Maria, my whole body was on fire and I could feel it trying to get out. I did what Maria said, focused my arms upwards to let it all out, and it just bursted out into an inferno. You guys know the rest." He explained. Joey listened to Alan's testimony in contemplation, piecing together what this meant regarding Amy.
"...So basically, whoever made Alan a magical time bomb is the potential culprit behind Amy's situation?" He asked. Maria nodded in response.
"...Captain Zhang said she saw two false moonstrike members painting on the Xuanxang, and left the bridge to confront them outside the ship. It's likely their true aim was to serve as a distraction, keeping Captain Zhang away from the Bridge so that someone - the culprit - would be able to sneak in and attack Amy in a similar way to how they attacked Alan. ...Bear in mind, this is merely a theory, there are things about this case I have no answer for, such as how they got in and out of the ship without anyone else still on board noticing. However... I have reason to believe that whoever did this, is a Star Marine, one of the ones who didn't join us on this ship. Whether they're acting alone, or with Squad 0, I can't say." Maria explained, ending her telepathic report. Joey stared downward in thought, before scratching his head.
"...So someone attacked Alan, attacked Amy, vandalized the ship as a distraction for the latter...probably not a coincidence that this happens at around the same time as the Pirate attack on the Bazaar's wall street. ...Right, I take back what I said before: We should contact Moonstrike." He said, his face now giving off a more serious vibe. They hurt not one, but two members of this crew, and that alone was enough to make him want to hunt them down. Moreover, All these circumstances didn't sit right with Joey.
These weren't ordinary pirates...
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