Chapter Seven: Full House

[Purr]

(Part 1 of 2)

Captain Hesperus Kaerri (Tag!)

Silanon

"Had fun, both of you?" She looks over to Mario and Sheesa, finally, trying to lead the conversation elsewhere - somewhere less dark, preferably, to everyone's benefit. It doesn't quite work out, even for herself. "Missed a bit of talking, and seconds. Thanks for sharing, Piper. For talking. See, all of this ain't perfect. But it'll work out, and if it doesn't, you'll have the right people aboard to change that. Not like you'll have to do all of this on your own, either. Sharp's here. The Professor's here, too. And Wwarlock. Where's he from, actually? It's a 'he', right? Don't tell me I took biology lectures for nothing."

You see the left side of Piper's mouth curl into a smile and something inside of her seems to release a little. "Y'know... now that I've 'spoken' to Professor Stein? He's like a... grandfather I never had, you know? Your support? Well..." Piper's eyes glance at Elinor and Toph then all over the Mess Hall before they settle on Ylva, "...it means a lot." Piper's expression is as serious as serious gets, but without the sadness. The Wild Cards have given her something else to think on and Piper finds that she welcomes the respite for however it lasts, and realizes inside of herself that she relishes the offer of knowing it's there for her in the future.

And Wwarlock. Where's he from, actually? It's a 'he', right? Don't tell me I took biology lectures for nothing."

"He's a MWD from Earth. I mean, a Military Working Dog, a bomb dog, here on Earth. Born to the job in some place called Germany. At least he was before he was put on ice. The science geeks who designed the Cryogenic Chamber used him to test it. He passed with flying colors. His former K-9 was dead by that time, so he needed some one to pair with. A bunch of us made nice, but..." Piper grins as she sees a big familiar fluffy tail in the crowd heading your way, "...Wwarlock bonded with me of all people. Scary Jerry - and jeez, does that guy know animals - says Wwarlock and I were made for each other, but Cal thinks Wwarlock just knows that I'm a sucker for big warm fuzzy bears... aren't I?!" Piper reaches out for Wwarlock the moment as he excitedly approaches her. The King Shepherd's tail wags excitedly as he eagerly buries his nose into Piper's midriff. Immediately, Piper's hands are all over him and she's smiling like a kid.

* * *​

Sherwood

Mario looks a bit worn out, and somewhat confused by the level of tension in the room. He looks around for a moment, then turns to answer Ylva's question. "Yes, I had a damn good time, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I'm just hoping that Sheesa enjoyed herself as much as I did!" He gives the Broo woman another squeeze around the waist before claiming an empty seat for himself. "So, what's going on? What did I miss?"

"Mmmm..." comes the pleased murmur from deep within Sheesa's wild chest. "Mar-ee-yo... doubts?" Her emerald eyes glance at Mario's pectoral muscles and her hands make gripping motions as she suddenly, brazenly, reaches down and grabs the inside of his thigh and looks for his reaction. The following smile Sheesa gives is more than encouraging; it is assuring - Sheesa had an intrepid, wild, wonderful time with Mario - all on a physical and emotional level without the slightest hint of emotional baggage or future promises - the Broo are creatures of the moment. This Mario knows. The Italian-American's recent memories tell him that Sheesa was not shy at all behind closed doors, and being here in public might not alter that, public body images being the human idea that they are. The Broo have their own culture and rules, as the marks on Mario's chest can attest. Those marks are more than signs of true pleasure not easily forgotten - they are signs of what the Broo constitute as affection.

"So, what's going on? What did I miss?"

"Oh," Piper remarks as Wwarlock licks her hands, "just the fallout from me making an ass out of myself again." Piper grins shakily, but the grin stays. "Professor Stein did his Traverser thing with me. Says I'm suffering from PTSD. Recommends I get people I know to help. I believe The Prof. That'll happen and it'll help. These goddamned Invid have taken and killed my crewmates and friends; they're not taking my mind along with 'em. But when are the rest of us coming off of the ice?"

* * *​

Side Scene with Toph and Hitomi

Psychie

She looks over at the other woman and gives her a wry smile. "What does any of us want? To be truly loved by someone special. I've spent enough time around you to see that you are one of those rare people that I wish to get to know in a more personal and intimate way. I've only caught only brief glimpses of your true self, and I would like to get closer to you. Perhaps once I do, I will see some personality quirk that puts me off of being in a relationship with you, or vice versa. But just maybe, we will discover a true connection between one another. That is what I'm truly looking for."

Hitomi pauses, her eyes wide and unblinking with the hint of a smile on her lips. She seems suitably impressed. Toph knows she has touched something here. "Now there's the Toph I know. The one that takes our Jeet Kune Do workouts and lessons with such seriousness. I daresay you and I already have a true connection with one another. Same with Elinor. Our training together these past months has created and built that up. Jeet Kune Do is about as personal of a martial art as it gets."

Thinking deeply, Hitomi folds her fingers into a bridge and places her chin atop it as she asks, "But what is it you see in me, Toph?" Something in her expression seems wary, perhaps of flattery which a woman like her has certainly heard before. But with that wariness is coupled with real curiosity.

"Why me?"

Spoiler: This scene brought to you by Tamaryn

"Tamaryn - Angels of Sweat (Official Video)"


Partial lyrics
Theres something in the moon tonight
Theres something about it
You’re letting me go
Teardrops in her fields that arise
Illuminate then bury themselves
You step back in my room tonight
You’re slipping inside
From out in the cold
Two of us in the feelings that arise
Illuminate then bare me your soul

 

[Purr]

(Part 2 of 2)

"Oh," Piper remarks as Wwarlock licks her hands, "just the fallout from me making an ass out of myself again." Piper grins shakily, but the grin stays. "Professor Stein did his Traverser thing with me. Says I'm suffering from PTSD. Recommends I get people I know to help. I believe The Prof. That'll happen and it'll help. These goddamned Invid have taken and killed my crewmates and friends; they're not taking my mind along with 'em. But when are the rest of us coming off of the ice?"

As if on cue, the blast doors to the Mess Hall split open revealing Captain Sharp, Hercules, and Professor Stein. Behind them in a midst of Sams and Samanthas are a large group of humans wearing UEEF uniforms like yours but like them, their uniforms are somewhat faded, have seen probably more than they were intended to, and somehow have retained their ability to stay in the action. Unlike you when you first arrived on the Broadsword, they move with an ease that implies they know this atmosphere. Like you, they move together like one unit instead of a group of individuals.

Captain Sharp and Professor Stein pause and look behind them as the group moves into the Mess Hall like they own the place - perhaps it's because they do.

One section of the group isn't dressed like the rest. They're leading the others into the room. You can see it on their faces - they're checking the Mess Hall for hostiles with their eyes as if doing so were necessary. Like its second nature. There are eight of them, mostly men, all dressed in strange fatigues of woodland camouflage, armed with heavily-customized Mega-damage weapons you've never seen the like of, but none are wearing Mega-suits. Barrels down, they sling their armament, but keep their hands ever near them. Some of them have blackened face paint upon their skin. Only one of the men is clean-shaven (the rest of them have faces like the barbarians of old) and he's on point. He's thin and moves like one of the Broo when they look like they're hunting. He in turn is being led into the Mess Hall by a Broo with a very happy face. That Broo is Beema.

Young, wild-eyed Beema pauses. The clean-shaven man with the strange eyes pauses in step with her. His team pauses behind him and everyone else in the group stops what they're doing. Beema the Beastie squeezes the point-man's hand with both of hers. Deeply, she inhales a big breath and looses out the wildest, most soulful vocal evocation you have possibly ever heard. It is a howl. It echoes off of the walls and fills the room as she seems to do with her presence for that one moment.

"AAAAAAOOOOOOO!!"

Some of the Broo have been watching the doors since the moment they opened. Others, more occupied, swing, spin, twirl, and turn, in their direction. Chaos ensues! Faydra is the first to act. She smiles widely, her eyes flaming like suns, as she beelines it for the newly entered. Bong follows as do Coosi, Duskee, and more.

Sheesa, beside Mario, her hand on his thigh, suddenly and unconsciously grips his muscles with such excitement and unconscious force that it threatens to bruise him, for Sheesa and the rest of her tribe are locked onto the people coming in! Instantly, she is up and gone from Mario's side leaving behind the ease in his body as she releases him and vanishes from the table. With Sheesa, the entire tribe like one big wave, answer Beema's howls with howls of their own and come over the tables, arms open, leaping, scaling, rushing, in an irresistible surge of bestial emotion.

"AAAAOOOOOO!!" they answer as one.

"Oh my God!" Piper sees them and shrieks in surprise and happiness, falling off of her bench as she holds onto wagging Wwarlock with a crushing grip that doesn't inconvenience the canine in the least. For the first time that you've heard since you've been here, you hear Wwarlock barking repeatedly. Mack stares around her in complete confusion. Cera, who has been standing beside Iris for some time, simply continues standing in a very Meltrandi fashion. The group turn toward the Scrath who simply blinks in green-eyed greeting.

"She is friend!" Beema calls out. "Iris!"

"At ease," says the point man in Beema's grip in a slow drawl. His voice his slow, clear as a bell, deep and strong, and holds an authority that the others near him obviously trust. "Green," the thin man points to Iris's eyes. "She's not mad... so don't piss her off." The group all around nod and obey.

Then the Broo rush in and tackle, hug, and otherwise gleefully sack the humans en masse who try to do the same. Hercules, with his incredible stature, towers over them all like a monument dedicated to muscle but even standing near Captain Sharp and Professor Stein, he starts getting hugs from people and Broo he has never even met. Someone hand Hercules a MechaKitten (like, "Here! Have a MechaKitten!" and poof, there he is in Hercules's hand) and suddenly, two little shining golden eyes are happily looking up at him. A little pink tongue is licking Herc's thumb.

Trouble meows with his mouth even as his boyish voice is heard in the nearby minds of all. "Meeeew! Rwwwwweeeewrr!!" ("Fish-god! Lookit all da crew!!")

One way or another, the Wild Cards get more or less reunited at their table as the spaghetti is discovered. Piper is ecstatically hugging and being hugged by people in uniform. Every one of them look all tired like her, but less stressed. Worn, but still rugged and alive. Beaten down, but unbowed. This is the crew of the Broadsword from the future. Soon, there is so much conversation, emotion, and sound, it is absolutely impossible to keep track of it all. Even the Sams and Samanthas are getting questions (mostly about their new accents) from the old crew.

At best count, you think there are about 30 of them in total (including the camouflaged team of 8).

The camouflaged team mixes in with the rest but still staying in pairs and shortly, little Miss Beema with her chatty, rapidly-breathing mannerisms is introducing you to the guy who's hand she isn't letting go of. She tells the thin man and another one of his muscled mates beside him in hurried words, "Meet Wild Card! Hurk-yoo-leez! Elly Nor! Mar-ee-yo! Eel-va! Tof! Cera! They war-chief is Leader Mack!" The thin man listens to Beema as if her every word is solid gold. The love they have for each other is obvious to anyone looking. In some strange way, they may as well be siblings for all of the care they show each other in their body language.

Mack smiles and wordlessly reaches out to shake his hand. He accepts and grips her hand in his. Right in that moment, Mack freezes as if paralyzed only to partly relax a moment later.

As Beema points each of you out, the clean-shaven man has a smile that's a little too wide, eyes a little too excited even for a moment like this, and an aura about him that Beema seems either to have completely accepted, ignored, or is unaware of.

For fellow human beings like yourselves, looking into the point man's eyes is like looking into the eyes of a mannequin in a store. The clothes are right, the height is too. But he's not blinking. Just staring excitedly. He looks like a man, probably even smells like a man, but something in this man suggests something beyond surviving social turmoil or battlefield chaos. His stare ignites a bit of your natural fight or flight reflex - it's like looking at a loaded firearm and not having any idea where it's aimed. Looking into his eyes seems to make Piper's worst PTSD dreams look like television shows written for children. Despite his energy and enthusiasm, one look into this soldier's eyes and you know something's missing. Something's so not right here. There is an emptiness inside this happy-seeming guy that is all too real and it's unnerving as hell.

It's like this guy is missing part of his very soul.

"Hiii new friends!" He happily, eagerly claps some of you on the shoulders. "Beema's bragged! Can't wait to kill some fuckin' monstas with you all!"

Beema in her child-like enthusiasm looks up at you and innocently says, "Wild Card! Meet Scary Jerry!"

 

[Sherwood]

Mario grins at these newcomers, glad to see some more humans that seem to know what they are doing in a fight. He slowly stands and waits for the crowd to ease up around the group before trying to do any intros of himself or the others. Finally, the Italian man says, "Uh, hey guys! I'm Mario Zuko, former Sergeant in the Army of the Southern Cross, but now a Petty Officer in the UEEF. I'm one of the Wild Card squad, along with the other new faces here. Good to meet you all!"

He points over at the kitchen where the various pots of sauce and pasta wait. "We have some fresh spaghetti that we all whipped up, and there is plenty left for you guys if you are hungry. Bring your appetite, grab a plate, and dish yourselves some dinner with the Zuko family special recipe sauce over it and we can all chat and get to know one another."

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Hercules stood back and let the new/old crew members reconnect with the Broo and the other Wild Cards. 'Scary Jerry' worried him. He had looked into those eyes, seen the darkness that dwelled in the depths of them. There was pain there, pain and hate and repressed fury. Hercules had found himself unable to maintain eye contact with the man for more than a few seconds. He was stunned that Beema could connect with someone so mentally damaged as this. Perhaps that was part of her gift, part of the magic that existed within her that allowed her to claw her way into people's hearts and souls. He watched her as she guided 'Scary Jerry' in meeting the rest of the Wild Cards. She was as much his 'emotional support Broo' as she was the spiritual mascot of the whole Broo. Watching her made Hercules smile, her natural exuberance and acceptance of everyone and everything about them made him happy to be around her. He could see that she would be a worthy successor to Bong as the tribe's shaman.

 

[Kaerri]

Spoiler: Elinor Hall

Elinor's character sheet
Action Points: 8/8
Bonus action point: 1

Piper looks each of you in the eye. You notice her eyes are now cracked with redness as she speaks. "Listen. By the time we get your secret squirrel stuff all done with Doctor Yashida, we should be in the position to see Sam's Big Surprise. I... don't know what'll happen to us after that. Just want to say sorry for causing you Wild Cards any crud after you've gone through the trouble of supplying and feeding us real freaking food and all. And thanks a hugeness for joining us. Whatever the rest of Earth is up to, I think between you and my crewmates - wait. You are my crewmates. That's gonna take some getting used to. Well, between everybody, I think we're gonna give De Monsta some serious grief when the time comes!"

Having said what she meant, Elinor doesn't care to say more when she would just be repeating herself. It sounds like between them, she and Ylva have gotten their acting captain into a better headspace, and that's all Elinor had wanted. She listens attentively, but rather than reply verbally, she nods, sets down her fork, and gives Piper a cheerful thumbs-up.

You see the left side of Piper's mouth curl into a smile and something inside of her seems to release a little. "Y'know... now that I've 'spoken' to Professor Stein? He's like a... grandfather I never had, you know? Your support? Well..." Piper's eyes glance at Elinor and Toph then all over the Mess Hall before they settle on Ylva, "...it means a lot." Piper's expression is as serious as serious gets, but without the sadness. The Wild Cards have given her something else to think on and Piper finds that she welcomes the respite for however it lasts, and realizes inside of herself that she relishes the offer of knowing it's there for her in the future.

"Anytime, ma'am," Elinor replies. This time, it isn't the thought of repeating herself that keeps her words short, but something much more personal, something she isn't ready to share. Not in a crowd like this, anyhow; maybe one-on-one it would be different. But Piper's comparison of Stein to the grandfather she hadn't had reminded Elinor of the grandfathers she had had, particularly the one she'd lost. She'd been especially close to her Grandpa Will, who was not only her inspiration for flying (he'd once been in the old Air Force himself, and had had a biplane for cropdusting the farm) but her encouragement to follow her own desire to fly -- the encouragement that had driven her to join TASC, and then to become a test pilot. She wouldn't be recording a message for him; the old man had bid this life farewell before Elinor had even been assigned to Pensacola. But she still "talked" to him in her heart, and liked to think he was still watching over her.

Elinor mechanically finishes up the last of her spaghetti, remembering her grandfather, and wondering if she, too, had seen something of the longed-for elder in Professor Stein, when they'd first met in a tent on the Eglin tarmac.* He'd not only witnessed her disappointment at being dramatically rejected, but given her free permission to express it -- and she'd felt free to do so, unusual for her in the presence of a stranger. For herself, maybe it had been her subconscious recognizing a fellow Traverser? Grandpa Will's sister Joey would've called it women's intuition, something that just "was" without explanation; his wife Emmie would have retorted that intuition was just the brain's way of knowing what it didn't know it knew yet. (And Elinor's father would have said they were both right, and could someone pass the potatoes?) A smile appears on Elinor's face as she imagines the friendly "showdown" over the dinner table, with everyone chiming in, or having their own conversation, or just eating. Rather like here in the Broadsword's mess hall, actually.

* Chapter One: Binary Nexus

Commotion at the door draws her back into the present, and she looks up from her empty plate to watch the incoming stream of obviously combat-hardened soldiers. One in particular needs watching -- though Beema seems to have that under control just now.

The camouflaged team mixes in with the rest but still staying in pairs and shortly, little Miss Beema with her chatty, rapidly-breathing mannerisms is introducing you to the guy who's hand she isn't letting go of. She tells the thin man and another one of his muscled mates beside him in hurried words, "Meet Wild Card! Hurk-yoo-leez! Elly Nor! Mar-ee-yo! Eel-va! Tof! Cera! They war-chief is Leader Mack!"

Elinor waves when her name is mentioned, just so the new arrivals know which face goes with that name. Not that she expects them to remember it right off, just as she's already mixing up a couple of the Broo. She hopes no one minds if she has to keep asking who they are in the next few days.

For fellow human beings like yourselves, looking into the point man's eyes is like looking into the eyes of a mannequin in a store. The clothes are right, the height is too. But he's not blinking. Just staring excitedly. He looks like a man, probably even smells like a man, but something in this man suggests something beyond surviving social turmoil or battlefield chaos. His stare ignites a bit of your natural fight or flight reflex - it's like looking at a loaded firearm and not having any idea where it's aimed. Looking into his eyes seems to make Piper's worst PTSD dreams look like television shows written for children. Despite his energy and enthusiasm, one look into this soldier's eyes and you know something's missing. Something's so not right here. There is an emptiness inside this happy-seeming guy that is all too real and it's unnerving as hell.

It's like this guy is missing part of his very soul.

"Hiii new friends!" He happily, eagerly claps some of you on the shoulders. "Beema's bragged! Can't wait to kill some fuckin' monstas with you all!"

Beema in her child-like enthusiasm looks up at you and innocently says, "Wild Card! Meet Scary Jerry!"

Elinor's shiver is inward, and she can't quite meet his unnerving gaze for long. All the same, she offers Jerry a smile and a hand to shake. The man's trying. Least I can do is try back. "Lookin' forward to that myself, sir," she replies. "Can I bring y'all some spaghetti? Since I'm done and all, I might 's well make myself useful."

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus Kaerri Tag!

When Elinor offers her hand, Scary Jerry's own hand snaps out with the speed of a striking cobra. Elinor finds that the muscles in his wiry fingers and hand are like iron. They sheathe perfectly into Elinor's smaller hand like a bullet into a chamber as Scary Jerry grips it eagerly - one could even say, desperately.

"Spaghetti?" he stammers and glances at Mario and for a moment, looks at Mario as if he were a paper target on a range. Beaming Beema releases his hand, climbs up onto his back, web gear, and kit and hangs around his shoulders like a backpack all the while panting. She begins affectionately biting at him and the woodland-camouflaged bandana that covers his bald head. He nods with an energy similar to Beema's. "Oh!" he salutes excitedly with his free hand and fidgets joyously. Elinor has the feeling she can release herself at any time. "Elly Nor! Could we... have spaghetti?" Scary Jerry indicates Beema, himself, and his burly companion behind him who is similarly armed and dressed and trying to bury his face in his hands.

Scary Jerry kicks him in the shin. Hard. "Cal, there are ladies present! Don't be a dick! Introduce yourself!"

Cal takes the hit, winces, then seems to forget he was hit at all, just like that. "Fuuuck," he mouths the word and closes his eyes briefly as if in prayer. Then he steps forward. Slightly taller than Scary Jerry, Cal looks like a tanned farmhand just over six feet in height with a bodybuilder's frame; one built for action movement just like the soundless kit he's wearing. Their uniforms are wrinkled to hell, but at least they're clean. Both soldiers are armed to the teeth with grenades of differing sizes, explosives, two knives, and dozens (dozens!) of bullet-loaded magazines (not E-clips). You don't recognize the tricked-out badass projectile rifles slung over their shoulders or their holstered sidearms, but they look well-maintained and used. Well used.

If Scary Jerry is a leopard of undeterminable age, Cal is a lion in his prime. Cal's brown hair is shaggy and he has about two months of barbarian-beard on his face. His alert blue eyes can't look any of you in your own as they roll toward the ceiling. He steps up beside Scary Jerry, glances down at him uncertainly as if the bigger man has no control over what his fellow is going to do next and knows it Cal reaches out his hand to each of the Wild Cards minus Cera (who is still standing with Iris) and Trouble (who is now pawing at the nearest Wild Cards' feet for attention - who that is is up to you).

To embarrassed Cal's credit, he tries to give eye contact to Elinor as he salutes. He has a deep voice with a country edge honed well by military life. "Uh, yes ma'am. Sergeant Calvin, Marine Recon. We'd like some real foo--, uh, real spaghetti, please." Cal keeps glancing at Scary Jerry who is now playing with Beema with his free hand while smiling with way too much enthusiasm at the rest of you. At this point, he and Beema could be mistaken for family.

 

[Psychie]

Side Scene with Toph and Hitomi

Hitomi pauses, her eyes wide and unblinking with the hint of a smile on her lips. She seems suitably impressed. Toph knows she has touched something here. "Now there's the Toph I know. The one that takes our Jeet Kune Do workouts and lessons with such seriousness. I daresay you and I already have a true connection with one another. Same with Elinor. Our training together these past months has created and built that up. Jeet Kune Do is about as personal of a martial art as it gets."

Thinking deeply, Hitomi folds her fingers into a bridge and places her chin atop it as she asks, "But what is it you see in me, Toph?" Something in her expression seems wary, perhaps of flattery which a woman like her has certainly heard before. But with that wariness is coupled with real curiosity.

"Why me?"

Toph smiles at Hitomi, then says, "What do I see in you? Other than your amazing mind, stunning good looks, and your sparkling personality? With each smile you give me, my heart flutters. Every time you laugh, you light up my soul with fireworks. While I truly enjoy our training time in the dojo, I wish to cuddle up with you long into the night, talking about our favorite music, books we've read, or the latest movie we want to go see. I . . . want to be there for you, and hear you say that you . . . love me too."

 

[Silanon]

"...it means a lot."

"Anytime, ma'am," Elinor replies.

To this, Ylva simply nods in agreement. There's only so much one could add, after all, and none of it would be significant.

"He's a MWD from Earth. I mean, a Military Working Dog, a bomb dog, here on Earth. Born to the job in some place called Germany. At least he was before he was put on ice. The science geeks who designed the Cryogenic Chamber used him to test it. He passed with flying colors. His former K-9 was dead by that time, so he needed some one to pair with. A bunch of us made nice, but..." Piper grins as she sees a big familiar fluffy tail in the crowd heading your way, "...Wwarlock bonded with me of all people. Scary Jerry - and jeez, does that guy know animals - says Wwarlock and I were made for each other, but Cal thinks Wwarlock just knows that I'm a sucker for big warm fuzzy bears... aren't I?!" Piper reaches out for Wwarlock the moment as he excitedly approaches her. The King Shepherd's tail wags excitedly as he eagerly buries his nose into Piper's midriff. Immediately, Piper's hands are all over him and she's smiling like a kid.

It doesn't take long for Ylva to share the same kind of smile at the sight. There's something in dogs that brings forth the most innocent, flawless part in people, seemingly no matter what they've been through. She lets Wwarlock have a few moments of Piper's undivided attention, then picks up the topic at hand once more. Someone has to, after all, and Elinor... doesn't seem like she's quite present, right then...

"Well, dogs are clever like that. They find the ones who care. And people with free hands, at times. Good thing they chose him, huh? Made it through half the galaxy and back, and I barely crossed the Atlantic." Certainly one experiment gone right. Not that she intends to lead the conversation there. "Germany's not that far from home, actually. Heck, part of it has been Swedish, at times. About two hours of flight, maybe... never been there, myself. Just had a few people from over there; good people. Some of the best." Maybe the best, actually. How often did she ask Dr.Sonnenfeldt, her advisor, where he came from, and how often where there other sudden breakthroughs to be discussed instead? You want a summary of all the workgroups' latest results? Ask him about the past. The man was too busy with the future to look back, it seemed like. Maybe too dedicated to move on from whatever he'd left behind... it never mattered enough to really waste time on it; just barely enough to wonder, in moments like these. To speculate, with the others, only to drop the topic in favor of anything substantial shortly after. One day, she'll know. Though the world formula might be found first.


Before the conversation can get anywhere else, really, the past, as if summoned by higher forces, reclaims the mess hall. Kind of. And in front - well, she just heard that Scary Jerry knows his way around animals, and all, but... where some nickname's are a stretch, this one isn't. He functions, seemingly. Doing his part. Saying the right words. And yet, it's off. And off-putting. There's a thought that somehow sneaks through. That could be us, eventually. This man has seen what we're about to face, and he didn't come back in one piece. "Ylva Sveadotter", she offers her own name when it's her turn to offer her hand and a nod. Beema did a good job with the pronunciation, but it's still the first polite thing to mention that comes to mind. "Glad to meet you." Though she likely would've preferred a meeting before the Invids crossed his path. "You too, Calvin. All of you." Naturally, her look wanders back to Jerry, and Beema. Some kind of pair, those two. Maybe exactly what's needed. Didn't they just talk about how Broo and humans need to get along? Well, seems like this man gets along just fine.

 

[Sherwood]

Side Scene for Mario

After Toph is done with her video and chatting with Hitomi, it is now Mario's turn to send a message home. He feels nervous for some reason, not knowing just how well his message will be received. He settles in on the seat, his 'sterile' clothes feeling odd now that he's been in uniform for so long, but it is needed to protect the Broadsword and all her crew from the predatory nature of the ASC High Command.

With a nod to Hitomi to signal he is ready, he begins. "Hi Mom, Dad. Its your favorite kid here, just don't tell Marie I said that. I'm sorry to have put you through the pain of thinking I was gone, but it was an important ruse to keep a lot of people safe from the Zentraedi. Yes, I'm ok and safe as can be in the military, but I can't come home for a while since I'm in the middle of a special ops team doing a lot of important work. It will also be a while before I can make any live communications, and I had to do a bit of begging to be able to send you this recording."

"I don't know when I'll be able to send you another message, but I'll communicate as soon as I can and it's safe for us to do so. I'm currently hooked up with a great squadron, and I can't let anything happen to put these people and their loved ones in danger. Just remember that I love you with all my heart, and when this war is over, I'll have a ton of great stories to tell you guys."

He chokes up a bit, knowing just how painful it was when his brother was killed, and now he has a strong urge to give his parents a huge hug and tell them how sorry he is for doing this to them again. "Well, I need to get back to the grind. Just a quick final note: Tell Grams that her recipe for spaghetti is a huge hit with my new friends, even if I almost burnt the sauce. Please, keep your heads up and your eyes open. I love you all, and please share the good news of my not being dead with everyone. Mario Zuko, signing off!"

Mario sits for a moment, trying to compose himself, then stands. "Thank you, Hitomi. That message to my family means a lot to me, and hopefully you don't have much editing to do to make it safe to send out."

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus Kaerri Psychie Sherwood Silanon Taaaag!

(Part 1 of 2)

Side Scene with Toph and Hitomi

Toph smiles at Hitomi, then says, "What do I see in you? Other than your amazing mind, stunning good looks, and your sparkling personality? With each smile you give me, my heart flutters. Every time you laugh, you light up my soul with fireworks. While I truly enjoy our training time in the dojo, I wish to cuddle up with you long into the night, talking about our favorite music, books we've read, or the latest movie we want to go see. I . . . want to be there for you, and hear you say that you . . . love me too."

"Whooo..." Hitomi's eyes remain wide as she absorbs all that Toph has just shared with her. If ever the Japanese-Polynesian beauty has looked surprised in Toph's presence, it is now and it's something the older woman clearly has no problem expressing in present company. "I hope you understand - I'm nowhere near that feeling of intimacy at the moment. Part of it's the sheer amount and depth of the duties I've been up to my neck to recently, and part of it is..." Hitomi confesses, "...with all that's been going on since the Assembly at Eglin, I... haven't even remotely thought of a romantic relationship. With anyone."

Hitomi sits in her chair, a woman completely comfortable in her own skin if not the situation presented to her, and takes one long look at Toph. Her expression is mysterious though she probably doesn't mean it to be - there's confusion in there, wonder too. No hint of threat or disgust or anything negative really. Just life pitching her another curveball coming across her home plate that she didn't even know was in motion. So is it any wonder that she doesn't even think to swing at it?

Hitomi checks her Rolex and leans forward in her chair - she has made up her mind. "Tell you what, Toph," she says with a thin smile, "I'll seriously consider dating you, but I need some time to think on it. I've had far too much on my plate to--"

Suddenly, she sits up. Her eyes gloss over for a moment as they unfocus on Toph and she lets out a little sigh. Looking back at Toph, she points to her own left ear and holds up her finger to her lips in a request for momentary silence. "Yes," she says with serious professionalism. "I thought that might be the case too, Professor." She listens a bit more to the technopathic transceiver gently barking in her ear. "Well, she needs familiarity. I think she needs to see people she knows who are alive and well. We represent none of that. As much as she wants to trust us, it's probably much too soon to trust at that level." With a wince, Hitomi mouths the word "sorry!" to Toph then continues to listen. Then, "I think the sooner her people come off the ice, the better. For her, and for them. Oh, without a doubt. Yeah. Thank you, sir!"

With a sigh, Hitomi smiles widely and with real apology and hope for understanding in her eyes. "Sorry, Toph! That's going to happen a lot, I'm afraid!" Hitomi looks to Toph for her reaction.

* * *​

Side Scene with Mario and Hitomi

Mario sits for a moment, trying to compose himself, then stands. "Thank you, Hitomi. That message to my family means a lot to me, and hopefully you don't have much editing to do to make it safe to send out."

since I'm in the middle of a special ops team doing a lot of important work.

Hitomi's professional mannerisms include her complete lack of nonsense when dealing with the Wild Cards. "My pleasure, Mario. I hope you understand - there is no way I can let your family know about you or any of the Wild Cards being involved in a special ops team. That definitely has to go lest they or any buddies of theirs start snooping. You probably don't realize it, but that could lead them straight into trouble with the AUL. So for their safety, I'm leaving things like that out. The rest of your message, at least on first pass, seems clean though. Your passing on the success of your family spaghetti recipe is a really good card to play there - it not only reassures you are who you say you are, but that you're acting and mostly feeling normally - and that's what most families need to hear."

 

[Purr]

(Part 2 of 2)

Main Story in the Mess Hall.

"Well, dogs are clever like that. They find the ones who care. And people with free hands, at times. Good thing they chose him, huh? Made it through half the galaxy and back, and I barely crossed the Atlantic."

Piper looks sheepish as she smooths some of her short red hair over one eye. She continues to smile and ruffle Wwarlock's fur while answering Ylva. "Oh, without a doubt! If you ask me, which you didn't, I'd just add that it's not just the distance but the happenings along the way. Like they say about getting older, 'it's not the years - it's the mileage.'"

When Ylva speaks of Germany, Piper can't help but chuckle and reply. "Man... I just... can't believe we made it to Earth! I mean... it's really Earth!" She stares into Wwarlock's eyes as he licks her nose. "Can you believe we're really here, fuzzy bear?"

Scary Jerry turns ghoul-like in Piper's direction and if by some psychic bond, she seems to pause in what she's doing and stare back at him with uncertainty. Cal, standing tall beside the slim man, looks perturbed. "Oh, Piper!" Jerry grins devilishly. "You'll love Earth! It's just not where we are, but when!" With a natural violence, Jerry repeatedly stabs a scarred finger at Sam. "According to Sammy, we made it! It's 2025! We're in-between the First and Second Robotech War! You know what that means!"

Piper says, "Uh, what does that mean to you?"

"Pipes!" Jerry exclaims. "It means the Robotech Masters aren't here yet! It means the United Earth Government hasn't been wiped off the face of the planet yet!" Professor Stein overhears this and positively blanches in response. "And... and... you guys from The Army of the Southern Cross!" Jerry looks ecstatic. "You haven't been smashed straight into your graves yet with all of your pretty tanks and twirly-birdy helicopters yet! Shit! If you're here with us, you get to watch it all happen!"

Professor Stein looks at Captain Sharp who just listens intently with the coolest of demeanors.

Scary Jerry laughs and it sounds hyena-like. "But it's just like Drake said - 'we must give Earth the chance she needs, the chance she deserves!' Oh, Pipes!!"

"Stop calling me that," Piper grits her teeth cringes in annoyance, but not fear.

Cal steps forward, his large muscled body in stark contrast to Scary Jerry's lean meanness. "Captain Piper," he asks to her relief, "uh, ma'am, if Sammy's right and we're the only ship from the fleet that made it, that means the Hunters can't talk to Supreme Commander Leonard, the head of the ASC, and warn them. Right?" She nods. "So... just what... what the heck are we supposed to do when the Robotech Masters show up to destroy Earth?"

"I... don't know." Piper continues rubbing Wwarlock's neck and the dog and the woman turn as one toward the nearest Sam unit - Spaceman Sam. "But he does. How long, Sam?"

Spaceman Sam, one moment a still hypercarbon suit of CVR-3 and an animated laidback automaton with Californian surfer movements compelte with accent the next replies, "Rendezvous in, like, T-minus 13 minutes, ma'am. I recommend you dudes check it all out from inside Hangar Bay Bravo. The view, man... it's, like, gonna be out there."

"You mean," Piper asks, "like drop the hatch and see it live?"

Spaceman Sam slowly turns to her with a fist with one upraised thumb. "Toooootally, ma'am."

Cal, Piper, Sharp, Stein, and some of the others in the Broadsword exchange uncertain stares, but not Scary Jerry. With wide unblinking eyes, he grins with too much joy as he grabs Beema from the scruff of her neck and gently pulls her across his shoulders to look her in the eye. Beema smiles back, their energies mixing in a way only they know. "Oh, oh!" he starts. "Beema! I guess we'd better get some of that spaghetti before we go down there!" Piper nods her agreement and people, human and Broo, begin rising from their seats and taking food with them as they begin to leave en masse from the Mess Hall and toward the cargo elevator. Those who haven't yet partaken in the Italian feast either wait for Elinor's return with their plates or head off while they can still get some.

Beema chuckles crazily. She is completely happy in Scary Jerry's trusted company, as much or more than if she were with Hercules or Bong or any other that she knows. "Already had uber-nommies," the youngest Broo licks her lips in utter in the memory of the meal as Scary Jerry carries her like a shoulder-mounted rocket. She spreads her arms like she is flying through the air while Scary Jerry makes jet sounds. "The future is good! You will see!"

Do the Wild Cards want to say or do anything as the crew makes its way to the Broadsword's Hangar Bay Bravo (answer in Fat Gandalf's if you'd rather)?

 

[Silanon]

Side scene with Ylva

If there's some kind of order to things, Ylva's unaware. The other members - first Toph, then Mario - just disappeared to get it done. So, once the opportunity arises, Ylva does the same thing herself: Takes her leave from the current discussions, asks for directions towards Hitomi's newest hideout, and joins the doc there in a pace that's shifting between determination and hesitation several times. It's not that she doesn't want to get the word out, of course; it's more like there's many wrong things to say, and few right words for the occasion. Not just things that'd give away essential information - just the elementary question of how to tell someone that one's alive, but not even able to give a short call. After shocking them with an apparent untimely death.

Once she's changed into different clothes - that, at first, don't find much of her attention - and settled down in the spotlight, she takes a moment to focus. Bites down on her underlip, pondering the right choice of words. "Alright, let's get it over with. Are we good to go? Yes? Good. Thanks for this, Hitomi, means a lot. Ah, cut this, obviously..." A deep breath. Then another. "Alright. Hej mamsen, papsen, och Josh. Sorry for talking in English, hope that's alright." She speaks slower than usual, aware that her mother isn't the best with foreign tongues. At least not when they're spoken at rapid speed. "Makes it easier for people I care about. So - first of all, I'm the worst. Dying on the other side of the globe, and then sending a vid like nothing happened."

She mentions the date, but not the time. What time zone are they in right now, anyway? "So, that's after they declared my death. I'm alive. Still kicking. Sorry for letting you go through these past few days. Must've been hell, for all of you." A long pause. "Can't really talk about the why, and how. Sorry, can't help it. Never could, right, Josh?. So... I don't really know what to say. There's nothing I could say that makes things right. Just wanted to say I'm still breathing. And that I'm better than I've been in a while. Guess I found my place after all. Take care, over there. Stay safe. I don't know when I'll be able to send another message like this. Won't be able to call, or come over, either. It's best when I stay dead for a while longer, just couldn't leave you in the dark. So - don't spread the word too much. Please. I know you can't understand. I'll tell you everything when the time's right. Don't worry."

"There are great people all around me. Food's been less abysmal than usual, lately. Almost burned down the place by accident, though. So - just the usual. Couple of things changed, no details on that. All for the better, though. The place here is awesome. Damn, I wish I could send you a picture or two, you'd understand. Maybe once this is over." Another pause. "Think that's it. All the best. Stay healthy. Don't steal your kids' chocolate, Josh. Don't trust the news about me, these days; the media's been awfully wrong lately, I've heard. I'll keep you updated as well as I can. Hej då!"

A nod in Hitomi's direction. "Think that's it. Hope it's alright. No idea what's the right thing to say, even." Her eyes wander downwards, mustering the clothes like she's really only now noticing them. What is she looking at, exactly?

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Hercules nodded silently at the suggestion to go view the mystery location the ship had been taking them to. He still had his misgivings about Piper and his worries about ‘Scary Jerry’ but, he reminded himself, he was a newcomer here and he would have to endeavor to fit in, for the good of the mission. But right now, he almost yearned for the normalcy that came from being behind the controls of his mecha with nothing to concern his mind beyond ‘locate target, lock on, fire, locate target’.

 

[Purr]

Silanon

Side scene with Ylva and Hitomi

A nod in Hitomi's direction. "Think that's it. Hope it's alright. No idea what's the right thing to say, even." Her eyes wander downwards, mustering the clothes like she's really only now noticing them. What is she looking at, exactly?

Hitomi takes a long look at whatever her laptop is presenting her, then with a mild nod that seem born of satisfaction, she looks up to Ylva with a grin. "For presentations like these, I think it's really far more about avoiding saying the wrong thing and getting your people to worry more about you. I like your presentation. It's reassuring without being revealing and I won't have to edit much at all, Ylva. Nice work!"

Hitomi takes a look at Ylva's outfit. Like Toph and Mario before they changed back into their white UEEF uniforms, Ylva is currently dressed in sterile military fatigues that feel like a polyester/cloth blend. They are clean, sharp, with a greyish-black camouflage pattern without markings, identifying patterns, clothing cuts, or obvious materials of any kind. Virtually untraceable. =)

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Side scene with Hitomi

Hercules entered the room Hitomi had commandeered taken for the video messages. She had erected a nondescript plain sheet behind a stool in front of the distinctly run-of-the-mill camera and tripod. The only notable thing in the room to Hercules’ perception was the light, fruity scent of her perfume, a scent that made his heart skip a little. He nodded and smiled, his bashfulness stealing his voice, and took of the jacket he was wearing to reveal one of his own plain sleeveless shirts that he used for exercise. He sat on the stool and rubbed his suddenly sweaty palms on his thighs before nodding to Hitomi. The little red light on the camera turned on, indicating it was recording and he smiled.
”Geia sou Mamá kai Bampá.* I suppose the quote by Mark Twain applies here, ‘Rumors of my death were greatly exaggerated. I can’t tell you where I am, what I’m doing here or even when or if I’ll be able to come home, but I can say I am safe, among friends and doing what I always do. Staying safe and protecting this world of ours. I also have my tree, it’s growing well, perhaps I’ll find somewhere suitable to plant it someday. Tell my brothers I love them, even Stephanos. I’m still doing a lot of cooking, Mamá, but I still can’t get the herb mix for your souvlaki right. I’ll keep trying to figure out what you use and one day, I’ll figure it out. I have to go now, so take care of each other and I hope to see you again someday. Yassas!**”

With that, he nodded and the light went out. He smiled at Hitomi again and turned to leave.
”I do hope I see my family again.”, he said quietly.

*trans. Hello Mama and Papa
**trans. See ya!

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus Tag!
Side Scene with Hercules and Hitomi

"Excellent recording! It's almost like you've done this before!"

Hitomi smiles and though she can't help it, it's the stuff of paintings, songs, and muses. Hitomi's perfume was as described and a touch more - it was exotic, likely very expensive, and matched her like a custom-made dress. Her voice and mannerisms are equally-precise in displaying the woman Hitomi enjoyed being and had worked so long and hard to become. Once the recording is finished, the Polynesian-Japanese lady takes a deep breath and - with excellent pronunciation, she makes a modest request of the big Greek in his native tongue.

"Mia stigmí tou chrónou sas, parakaló?*

Spoiler: Translation

"A moment of your time, please?"

If he accepts, this is followed by a mild apology and thin, hopeful smile. "Greek is still new to me, but my Latin and Italian are more or less on-target. And if you stay, I promise - I'm not going to bite you!" Then her dark eyes flicker like candles in a dark room. "Don't you think we have a little unfinished business, you and I?"

She turns to her laptop, taking a moment to read it. Her fingers dance along the keys and then she reads a little something to him in English. A little something familiar, she is certain.

Middle of the week, every night,
I think of you and I suffer
And the Friday, is a sad day,
I remember our sojourn (our ending’s eve)

Every Saturday night
I cry and i am nearly dead
Because of you
Such day we used to go out,
How should I overcome
your absence now

Wednesday morning, a little cloudy,
a touch of loneliness
And Friday (is) a rainy day,
God is crying because i am alone

"I recorded your performance and had it translated, Hercules - this is a song of the lonely would-be lover. You're welcome to watch yourself here anytime." Hitomi smiles up at him in a friendly, thankful way. "You sing wonderfully - enough to make the dancer in me respond to your music - but we hardly know each other. Just so there is no falseness between us, you should know that I have eyes on someone who does know me.

She leans forward in her chair, cradling her elbow and chin in her hands in a way that would do the front cover of a magazine proud. "But there are two things I want to know about you. Can I still be your friend? And," she laughs amusedly but not mockingly with a serious look in her eyes, "is there some way I might help you get over your shyness? One of these days, another single lady might come along, and as it stands, I'm afraid you might just about run out of the room before she can even say, 'hello!' I think I can help. What do you say?"

 

[Captain Hesperus]

There it was. The answer.
Hercules froze as he made for the door, hearing each of Hitomi's words that landed with the finality of a coffin lid slamming shut. He squared his shoulders and rearranged his face into what he hoped would not be an expression of being totally crushed and turned back.
"I understand,", he replied, nodding, "And yes, I still consider us to be friends, Miss Hitomi. I don't think there's anything anyone can do to help me with the way I am. It's how I am and it isn't something I think I'll get over easily. If ever."
He smiled, "It's strange. The only women I'm not shy around is my mother and Tahel, my co-pilot back in the Legends. I don't know, maybe it's familiarity."

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus (Tag!)

Side Scene with Hercules and Hitomi

He smiled, "It's strange. The only women I'm not shy around is my mother and Tahel, my co-pilot back in the Legends. I don't know, maybe it's familiarity."

Hitomi had tried to let him down as easily as she could while remaining an adult about it - she had overheard too many stories of her friends going through heartbreaking drama - she didn't want Hercules to be among them. As Hercules smiles, Hitomi grows thoughtful, hoping to help while she still has the opportunity. She feels it is only a matter of time before one of her phones or the transceiver or even the ship's intercom comes a'calling for her many skills. Hitomi finds she wants to make the most of it while she is still able.

"What about Shirley? Elinor? Ylva? Cera? You've all only known each other since the Assembly or less, yet you seem comfortable with them - even with your very life."

 

[Purr]

(Part 1 of 2)

Captain Hesperus Kaerri Psychie Sherwood Silanon (Tag!)

Main Story with all of the Wild Cards together.

Captains Sharp and Piper hold a little conversation together - just the two of them - as the Broadsword crew, including the Broo, meander toward the hangar bay, one elevator-full at a time. The captains are at the spaghetti table with a pair of the Broo scarfing down what little remains - that is, until Piper shows up with a large vacuum-sealable bowl in hand.

"Hold up, you two! You on your seconds?"

"Thirds, Pie-pa!"

"Well, wait a minute, willya?"

The two Broo straighten and pause as Piper collects the last big load of spaghetti, sauce, and steak into her bowl and seals it shut with a hiss. This leaves only bits here and there, hungrily-eyed by the Beasties. "There," she grins at them. "Now have at, ya walking piranha!" Ever creatures of the moment, the grateful Beasties do so with gusto as the Sam units clean up around them. They even fling the occasional noodle at Piper, which of course gets thrown back at them.

Piper turns to Sharp. The older captain points at the bowl. "I don't imagine that's for Wwarlock, so..."

"Naaah. It's for Commander Kirin - when she wakes up. She's missed out on enough already, y'know?" One of the Sam units comes along and offers to put it in her quarters, which Piper agrees to with a nod and thanks.

"Good thinking. Thoughtful too. Piper--"

"You can call me Bethany."

Captain Sharp smiles. "I'll try to remember. Bethany, I think it's a good time Albert, Murph', and I to have that chat with your people. How about you?"

"Yeah. This is the time for it. But..." Piper fidgets, "...what do I do in the meantime? It's your show with them alone for a bit."

Captain Sharp glances and grins in the direction of the Wild Cards. "Did our Wild Cards ever get a tour of the ship?"

"Oh yeah! With all the craziness, I forgot!"

"See it through," Sharp grins.

With that, Captain Sharp joins Professor Stein and Murph' the Smurf and they head toward the elevators with the Broo introducing them to the crew in their mish-mash of ("PAN-GALACTIC!!") English. Meanwhile, Wwarlock joins you as Piper takes all of you on a short but detailed tour of the Broadsword. Trouble appears and, with flailing paws and diminutive pleas, displays his desire to be carried about by one of you (and I'm sure someone complies with the MechaKitten). About halfway through the tour, her comm-bracelet goes off to the sound of one of the Samantha units. "Ohhh, Captain Sweetcheeeeks?"

Piper mockingly glares at Elinor as if silently declaring, "This is your doing!" Yet underneath the glare, you can tell Piper is still amused by it all. "Go ahead, uh, Sam."

"Honey-gal, this here ol' ship has arrived at the destination! We'll all be here just a'waitin' as pretty as you please here in Hangar Bay Bravo when you git done with that there tour! Please don't dally too long, ma'am - daylight's a'wastin'!"

Piper doesn't take her eyes off of Elinor. "Copy... gal..." Then she shuts the comm-bracelet off and continues on the tour. "So, here's the armory - no one's ever died in here, so please don't try to be the first!" and so on until the Wild Cards have a decent-enough grasp on how to get practically anywhere on-board the huge vessel. With about 30 Broo, 30 remaining crew (including Marine Recon), 8 Wild Cards plus Iris, there appears to be too much ship and not enough people - that is, until you see the number of Sams and Samanthas in every part of your tour. Their ever-helpful presence adds something precious. During the tour, Piper gets a pinging sound from that same bracelet.

Reading it aloud, Piper tells you, "The Cookie Monster, Red Baronesss, Mad Dog, and the as-yet-unnamed Super Valkyrie VF-1S have completed their maintenance and are ready for deployment. All Cyclones (Rifleman and Predator class) and the Silverbacks are good to go, too."

Spoiler: OOC

If you or your Characters have tour-related questions, let me know in Fat Gandalf's, please. There is plenty enough of in-game information coming your way here. Also, I have updated the Hangar Bay with the latest vehicles and their readiness. =)

Before too long, Captain Piper, looking and sounding more relaxed, escorts you to Hangar Bay Bravo. "And that's why giving an in-person tour is tradition on the Broadsword," she says of the tour as you take an elevator ride below decks. "Sure, anybody can look at a map, but this? It's kind of a way for old crew to tell new crew, 'you're welcome here' and all that kinda friendly stuff. I mean, I don't know about you being born here on Earth with it being only May of 2025 and all, but for most of us from the future, the Broadsword is home! So welcome home, you guys!" Piper smiles and Wwarlock wags his tail because dogs are like that.

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus Kaerri Psychie Sherwood Silanon (Tag!)
(Part 2 of 2)

The elevator sets down with precise gentleness and its doors open to the sound of serious discussion going on. Captain Sharp is standing atop a Silverback Cyclone in SUV mode where he can be seen by everyone. With the huge hangar bay door behind him and the Broadsword crew standing before him, you see the stalwart tanker-become-ship-leader addressing the crew. Iris is nearby and she quietly waves a greeting your way. From the rear of the crowd, Beema and Reggie see you as if they were waiting for you. Beema comes running up while Reggie wheels himself forward.

Reggie points at Sharp with a stunned expression. He directs his words to all of you though he seems to be sure to include Toph. "Good timing! Captain Sharp is getting to the nitty-gritty, mon!"

Breathless Beema runs up to Elinor and without asking, just holds her hand like an older sister as the the Broo shaman-in-training explains, "Crew like Sharp! Broo like Sharp! Beema do too!"

They turn to listen to Captain Sharp's speech as the old tanker stands relaxed atop the hood of the Silverback SUV while Murphy and Stein stand nearby on opposite sides of him, because you know, just in case. "--And on the bridge, Beema says to me, 'Sharp! Is Taniya!' And I said, 'What about her?' Beema says, 'Taniya going to want something from you.' Sharp narrows his eyes and smiles like Beema does when the little Broo is very sure about something. "And do you know what she told me? 'Make her pay for it,' she said." The crew chuckles and some turn toward Beema with satisfied and knowing expressions.

"So, since Murphy's thing with Ura-Meltrandi was getting to him, I asked Miss Beamer there to escort him off of the bridge. That left Taniya on the bridge viewscreen and myself. Alone." Sharp pauses a moment to let that scene cement itself. "I won't bore you with the details of our conversation--"

"Bore us! Bore us!" someone in the audience says, but Sharp smiles and shakes his head.

"The bulk of what she had to tell me was big, so listen good, troops: The Ura-Meltrandi have seen signs of the Zeki-Zentraedi trying to absorb any of the Zentraedi still here on Earth. What they're up to, the Ura are not sure, but it can't be good. Perhaps they are assembling a fighting force to try and take over Earth again, perhaps they want to take the fight to their Robotech Masters as I understand the Zeki, like the Ura, have turned on their creators. Or... this could all somehow involve the Invid. We don't know.

"But holding true to Beema's advice, I told her I would pass this information along on one condition - Taniya tell me where to find Ice-9." Captain Sharp allows himself a smile here as a series of laughs and some applause build and rise from the Broadsword crew. "And she did. I'll share those dangerous details later, because all of this is secondary to your purpose, my purpose, our purpose here together on Earth.

Captain Sharp glances over at Spaceman Sam, the first Sam unit you met aboard the Zeki Assault Scout. "Captain Drake brought you here for a reason, but only Sam knows what that reason is. What is it? We're about to find out." Sharp looks over toward you. "Captain Piper? Anything you have to add?"

"Yeah," Piper says with heartfelt emotion as she motions to you, and all of the new crew, especially Sharp. "I'm damned glad you're here."

The Broadsword crew murmurs approval to that and several people you don't yet know come forward and point toward Sharp making an obvious request for her to join him. At first, she tries to wave it off, but she doesn't succeed - these folks really want to have her take on all this. And so, with a few steps of trepidation mixed with an odd burst of resolve, Piper joins Sharp on the hood of the Silverback SUV.

As she fumbles for the right words, several of the crew begin to chant something. At first, it's low and indistinct, but as more of the old crew hear it, the more begin to say it until someone shouts, "Heeeyyy Piiiper!" and just about everybody in the crowd shouts along, "'Just fly the damn ship!'" Laughter follows including from Piper. Lots of laughter.

"Yep! That's what Drake always told me to do!" she says sheepishly grinning. "Look, I only have two things to say. First, guys! Gals! I'm too fucked up to lead!" A touch of terror appears in her eyes, but the 19-year-old holds herself in check in front of her shipmates. "But Captain Sharp won't let me step down! Says I gotta be second-in-command until Commander Kirin comes outta the icebox. Is that messed up or what?"

But instead of support, someone that sounds like Cal shouts out. "To hell with that! We believe in you, Piper!" This is followed by enough positive remarks that even Piper has to sigh and roll her eyes with a smile.

"Fine, fine!" Piper concedes. "Second? Well... one Traverser got us here. Drake. Our best-kept secret. Now? Look back there." She points at you and everybody seems to turn around and face you. "Every one of them are Traversers. The Professor here too." Professor Stein gives a little bow of agreement. "We have an Ura-Meltrandi onboard." This remark causes a handful of crew who hadn't heard to damn near explode. "And she's one of our Traversers! On our side! So is our Scrath, Iris. You hear that? Our Ura! Our Scrath! We're allies, can you believe it?!" The comments from the crowd die out.

"We've got our Beasties..." she waves and happy howls, both human and Broo, erupt, Scary Jerry's probably being the loudest. "...And we've still got our Sams." The Sam units turn and in Japanese-style, bow as one. "What would we do without you?"

"So..." Piper licks her lips and shudders a little. "...we gotta learn to live together all over again. Without Drake. With Kirin. With Kirin's kid," she points straight back at Toph. "That's her with the pink hair. With more Traversers than we ever knew were in the whole universe. But one thing hasn't hanged. Our goal. Our goal is Drake's goal. Our dream, dammit, is Drake's dream! To save Earth from the blasted Invid! And," her voice cracks, "it's not goddamn fair that he's not standing here with us! Or Commander Kirin! It's not right! But it's what we've got - it's the cards we were dealt. And so..." she looks over at Spaceman Sam. "...I hand it over to you, Sam.

"Level with us finally. What is Drake's plan? What's our purpose? What did Drake tell you to do?"

Spaceman Sam answers in Chapter Eight: Drake's Dream!