Chapter Eight: Drake's Dream!

[Silanon]

"Might join in later, once the prep's done." Ylva's response lacks a certain enthusiasm - most of her responses would, right now - but it's a response, at least. A shrug. "Not like they gave us much to work with, like you said. And the Captain recommended rest. Meant to hit the gym, and read up on a few things. Should be plenty enough time left, after that." That is unless command decides that it's a good idea to let people properly prepare for the tasks ahead. Sure, there's probably a reason for the secretiveness, and all, but it feels unnecessary, for now. Or is it just her? Mario seems to share parts of the sentiment, at least. Oh well - nothing to do about it, right? Not like Sharp's in the mood to share more, evidently. Best she can do is to prepare what she can, even if it isn't much; and see what comes after that.

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus (Tag!)

Hercules turned to face Elinor, raising an eyebrow in parody. He wanted to make a snarky comment, but he reasoned against it. It does no good to tweak the noses of a senior officer, he reasoned before saluting the room in general and leaving. While he had a desire to throw something heavy around the sparring ring for a while, he had greater concerns. He took himself down to the mecha bay and adjoining armoury and collared the Sams and Samanthas working there.
“Mission has been decided.”, he said tersely, “We’re en route to Antarctica to recover the Ice-9 for Commander Zyorna’s recovery. We’ll be on site in 24 hours, and in the meantime I want to go over our armor, weapons and mecha to get them proofed against the extreme weather conditions we’re likely to face. I need one of you to find out what you can about the Antarctic weather conditions for the next 48 hours and I want to see the operating limitations for the available weapons and mecha. We don’t have a long time to get organised so let’s get to it.”

In Hangar Bay Bravo, the Sam units respond politely and eagerly to Hercules's orders. "Not to worry, my dude," drawls a cargo-laden Sam unit who nods to Herc in an easygoing fashion. "Like, after the Terrestria landing, Commander Zyorna made it Standard Operating Procedure to prep all protoculture-driven vehicles onboard for space-action. That kinda prep covers all Earth-style atmospheric environments from the heat of the radioactive deserts in the Middle East all the way to the subzero climates in Antarctica."

A Samantha looks up from her electrical work inside of The Red Baroness's giant leg panels. "Yep! We gotcha covered and yer mechs too! We done heard everything in that there briefin' an' planned accordingly, hun! But the one thing we can't do is getcha any info on Antarctica's current conditions. The Broadsword ain't linked to any of Earth's satellites an' ain't no one there ta tell us. We're not gonna know until we get there an' we're still 24 and a half hours out. Sorry, hun!" The glassy-helmed Sam and Samantha seem to look at the floor in apology.

* * *​

At the moment, there are no technopathic nexuses active in the minds of the Wild Cards. Those that existed expired just prior to the briefing. But this changes. Shirley gets everyone who isn't still with her on video-com. Being able to see you, she focuses her mind and on the outskirts of your senses, you can see an image of her face that no one else sees. You hear your name can hear her voice as certainly as if she were standing next to you.

If you accept, your mind opens to a polyphonic nexus that only Traversers and mentally-capable aliens like Trouble and Iris know. If everyone accepts, the Wild Cards (Trouble included) are present inside the nexus. You can also feel an emotion Shirley seems to be sending to you of her own free will - Shirley feels serious, concerned, and unhappy - all at once. You also sense fear.

She begins. "Wild Cards? We need to chat. Now that we're out of the briefing, I want to share with you what I couldn't say to the Captains or to Adamantium lest the Mackenzie curse rear its ugly head and I ended up saying the wrong thing again. Concerning my choice to go after Commander Kirin, it's like this - back on the Zeki Assault Scout, we very nearly died! I think if it weren't for Taniya, we might not have made it out of there alive. The Zeki-Zentraedi are far beyond anything I've ever faced or been trained for. If we'd faced just two or three more of those Beastmasters...

Shirley lets out a mental sigh. There's a part of her that's scared. "...well. I... I feel like Commander Kirin is our Taniya. Sam says she's faced these Zeki bastards and won. Drake put Kirin in charge of most combat situations. With Drake gone, we're left with Piper in charge. Piper has neither the talent nor the desire to lead. We have Sharp in charge - he's got the talent if we were all tankers, but despite his experience, I think he's as new to spaceships as I am. He has less experience against the Zeki than we do. So... if the Zeki really are in force in Brazil, I think our chances of taking them on are, frankly, a hell of a lot better with Commander Kirin present, if not in charge of the Broadsword. Even if all she can do is advise us from inside the Sick Bay, I'll take it.

Shirley shrugs. "But I can only imagine how the captains and Adamantium would've taken it if I'd said that! So... I apologize if I've pissed you guys off, all right? I already feel like I let you down in Vera Cruz by needing to be medevaced back to the Broadsword already. Now here I am in a position where no matter what decision I make, I'm going to piss off somebody!" Shirley closes her eyes and folds her arms.

"So yeah. Thought you should know. If you have something to say, now's the time. I don't know of a more private medium than this. I want to know because I don't want it to get in the way of our future teamwork. Then maybe we can go watch this movie together? I don't know about you but I could use the distraction before sacking out."

 

[Sherwood]

Mario accepts the connection to the polymorphic nexus without any complaint, and he listens attentively to the explanation from Shirley. He finally replies, "Ma'am? You don't need to justify your actions to me, but I want you to know that I do appreciate it. As I said before, as a former NCO, it was my job to take the orders from my superiors and make it work. It is lots easier when the boss I'm following is up to snuff and not an asshole. Now that I'm UEEF, it is not really that different. You give the marching orders and I follow them, be it to the mess hall or the heart of the Zeki-Zentraedi force."

"Now, lets not worry about that for now. I say we sit back, watch a few good movies with gobs of popcorn (I hope we have popcorn; it will not be the same without it) and relax. We don't get many chances to do that, so lets take it where and when we can."

 

[Psychie]

Toph can feel both excitement and anxiety fighting one another in her heart and stomach. She is quite happy to be involved in the mission, but the risks are just so great. But if there is any chance to bring her mother back from the brink of death, she's going to take it.

"Shirley, you know that no matter what, we are a team and we will work together to get the job done. I won't lie and say that I am not happy that we are on this particular mission, but I will do my best to keep my own personal bias and emotions in check to keep the team as a whole safe and get all of us back here in one piece."

Turning to look at Mario, she sends the thought, "Well Mario, I guess I can join you in your movie idea. Never seen this film you're all hyped up to see. What is it about?"

 

[Sherwood]

Mario grins at Toph. "Its a sci-fi classic! You'll love it, I promise. Its a movie made back in the, what? 1980's? Something like that. A group of Antarctic researchers come across a alien ship that had been buried in the ice for thousands of years, and there is a survivor that is not too nice. Trust me, LT. it will be great."

 

[Silanon]

What's the point of a call, if not to talk? And words - words just made it worse, Shirley Mackenzie. No explanation would've been preferred; at least from a certain Swede's perspective. One could have interpreted that silence in many different ways, all of them better than the one that was given. And so the first instinct is to do what seems simple; ignore the call, and move on from there. Let the time calm emotions, let deeds speak for themselves. Get over frustration and anger, in the gym. Do the best she can, moving on from there.

The call messes that up, completely. Asks for words now, where they'd be better later, if ever. Some problems are better left alone for a while; to get a fresh perspective. A couple of moments alone in the corridors aren't nearly enough for that. But just ignoring the call - would be about as short-sighted as Mack's reasoning. There's a world on the line, here, the only one mankind has. People need things to work out, here. And if Shirley Mackenzie thinks it's best to talk now - then that's how things are, just like with her decision.

And thus, Ylva reluctantly joins the call. Twice. For the first one, her own video feed shows a bubble gum's torment between the Swede's teeth; where she tries for a somewhat stoic expression, her jaws' grinding clearly shows that the briefing left an expression, and certainly not one of trust and joy. Oh well - that's gotta be what the call's about, right?

It is, but not immediately; first the change over to the new medium, the one beyond her understanding - the nexus. It works; somewhat intuitively, one might say. As far as there can be an intuition for these kind of things. Likely because Shirley does most of the work... not much more to do than to lean back against the corridor's wall, and let it happen. What follows - emotions that Mack allows to leak through. And words. A lot of those. Some less shallow than the explanations before - which really wasn't hard to begin with, of course.

Hard to say the right things, after that. That's what Ylva feared. No matter how hard one might try, emotions are not a switch that's turned on or off at one's leisure. Ylva takes her time to seek the right words. Ignores the others' talk about the movie, and chimes in when the moment's as good as it's gonna get.

"Listen, Lieutenant." Ylva only says the rank, not Mack's name. This isn't personal, for her. "I don't mind the decision. If you think that a single person's all we need - that's fine. I don't agree with it, and I might not be happy about it" - she clearly isn't, her voice gives that much away - "but it's not my call to make. And it's not your job to make us happy, it's your task to decide. You did so, and that's that." Maybe this is where she should stop. Where things can only get worse. But instead, Ylva takes a deep breath, and continues with the calm composure of someone who tries very hard to not let his frustration leak through too much. A lost battle right from the start, of course. "What I do mind is how we got there, Lieutenant. It ain't good leadership to ask for advice, and then brush it aside like it didn't matter. It ain't good leadership to be afraid of choices, and wrong words. And it most definitely isn't good leadership to bark down the chain of command for reasons as trivial as curiosity, with the best possible preparation in mind. We have twenty-four hours, Lieutenant, and nothing to do with it."

A shrug that no one can see. "This choice was easy for me, Lieutenant, even with Commander Kirin's current state. But right now, I'm not so sure, because maybe we need a better leader. Ours certainly had a very poor showing, today, in my humble opinion. And that's poison, and not one any isotope can cure."

Ylva takes a deep breath, wondering if she went too far. But what's worse - too many wrong words, or not saying a thing? Time will tell. "Guess that's it. Pretty much. Sorry. Meant to talk to you once things have calmed down on my end. Won't complain about these things again. I'll be fine tomorrow - this is too big for nonsense." Another brief pause - another deep breath. "Thanks for the explanation, at least. Helps to know that there's some kind of logic, not just empty platitudes."

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Hercules felt the familiar sensation of the call to the video-com. He put down the screwdriver he'd been holding next to his stripped-down Thundercracker and his hand hovered over the 'Accept' button. He paused, noticing that this didn't seem to be a priority com. Had it been a priority, there would surely have been a ship-wide alert. He took his hand away from the video-com, glancing over at a nearby Samantha who was working on some other equipment and had looked over at the chime of the video-com, but was now looking at him in what could be considered a questioning way.
"It's not important enough to interrupt what I'm doing. I'll get an update later.", he sighed, then applied himself to the task of weatherproofing the weapon.
Despite the assurances of the Sams, Hercules felt that the inimical environments of space and the Antarctic were not the same. He had pulled what historical records existed from various expeditions and military records of working in constant subzero conditions and the risks were significant. Conditions in space were static, as far as he knew, the temperatures and other risk factors almost at a constant. On Earth, at the southernmost extent, a great number of risk factor variations existed. Temperatures varied there, while they were mostly subzero, the extent was vastly different between the half-year long day and night cycles. And then there was the wind which would affect temperatures, something that didn't exist in space. Snow and ice would be issues as well, any moisture or condensation on the equipment would freeze and could cause malfunctions, jams or unexpected flaws to appear.
Without up-to-date information about the weather conditions at their destination, Hercules had to plan for the worst: that his team would be touching down in a centennial blizzard with visibility below 10 meters, temperatures low enough to cause metal to give instant frostbite to exposed skin, drifts of unpacked snow that could sink a mega-armored soldier up to their waist or deeper, crevasses hundreds of meters deep hidden by a deceptive few centimeters of ice. Thankfully, the risk of native animals was minimal, there was very little in the way of predatory beasts in the deeper areas of the continent, there existed too little food and too little water to support life there. If there was any hostile fauna, it would have been brought by the Zentraedi and would need to be dealt with accordingly.

Hercules paused at that thought. His mind went back to the battle with the Zentraedi creatures in the vents, the day Booty had given his life for the men and women he barely knew. The huge Greek's hand gripped the screwdriver tighter and tighter until the tough plastic handle creaked and cracked ominously in his hand. Never again, he swore to himself, not ever while I draw breath will I let another friend die.

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus (Taaag!)
(Post 1 of 2)

Despite the assurances of the Sams, Hercules felt that the inimical environments of space and the Antarctic were not the same. He had pulled what historical records existed from various expeditions and military records of working in constant subzero conditions and the risks were significant. Conditions in space were static, as far as he knew, the temperatures and other risk factors almost at a constant. On Earth, at the southernmost extent, a great number of risk factor variations existed. Temperatures varied there, while they were mostly subzero, the extent was vastly different between the half-year long day and night cycles. And then there was the wind which would affect temperatures, something that didn't exist in space. Snow and ice would be issues as well, any moisture or condensation on the equipment would freeze and could cause malfunctions, jams or unexpected flaws to appear.

Upon entering the Armory, Hercules finds he is far from alone. With the Broadsword crew awakened from their cryogenic sleep and with two weeks of acclimating, the Garfish-class starship begins to feel less like an empty vessel and more like a military home-away-from-home. Four of Adamantium's professional-looking and quiet crew are here along with an equal number of people in futuristic UEEF uniforms like the one the Greek is wearing. Some mill about, chatting and maintaining their weapons while others are on the firing range, booming away, mainly with energy rifles. The laser fire makes no sound, but the other weapons are anything but silent. As with all space marines, Hercules finds every one of them to be damned good shots with energy rifles.

After requesting and receiving a Thundercracker from a nearby Samantha, Hercules finds that taking apart a Thundercracker is an adventure in itself, for the weapon from the future follows a design unknown to Army of Southern Cross personnel. Given his background and education, he is able to see that, unlike many weapons of the age Hercules is used to, breaking down a Thundercracker does not require parts; it can all be done by hand if someone has the hand strength, which of course Hercules has in ample amount. If Hercules asks for help from a Sam or a Broadsword crew member, he learns this sooner.

Hercules finds there really are no improvements to be made - the Thundercracker appears in every way ready to be used in any temperature and climate. In the end, there is little to do with the machinery besides get to know its unfamiliar inner workings, perhaps polish it, or best yet - take her onto the range for some first-hand experience. There are a lot of good learning and discovery to be had on the Broadsword and this weapon turns out to be just one fun example.

Meanwhile in the corridor just outside the Briefing Room...

Hercules felt the familiar sensation of the call to the video-com. He put down the screwdriver he'd been holding next to his stripped-down Thundercracker and his hand hovered over the 'Accept' button. He paused, noticing that this didn't seem to be a priority com. Had it been a priority, there would surely have been a ship-wide alert. He took his hand away from the video-com, glancing over at a nearby Samantha who was working on some other equipment and had looked over at the chime of the video-com, but was now looking at him in what could be considered a questioning way.

Shirley begins pacing, waiting for Hercules to pick up. At first, she gives benefit of the doubt. "Huh. Either he's unwilling or unable. Sam?" she asks. "Is Hercules all right? Is he in some situation where he is unable to answer?"

"That's a negative, ma'am," Sam shakes its head.

"Is he having some kind of private moment? I can wait."

"Uh, doesn't seem that way, ma'am."

Shirley pauses mid-stride. "Does he appear to be aware I'm trying to contact him?"

"Sure does, ma'am."

Shirley moves to the video intercom. "Sam, you're the ship, right? Can you show me? Need to see this for myself if I can."

Sam has the capability and does so. There on the video monitor is the unmistakable form of Hercules in the Armory tinkering with what appear to be small arms. Sam shows her the following:

"It's not important enough to interrupt what I'm doing. I'll get an update later.", he sighed, then applied himself to the task of weatherproofing the weapon.

"Oh really? Thinks he can just ignore it when he's called by a superior officer and his squadron leader?" Shirley sighs. "Just like my dad said. 'Be careful, Shirl'. Care too much and some people will see it as weakness.'" She cools it and turns to Sam. "Hey Sam? Can you put me over the Armory's intercom?"

"Ready, ma'am."

Mack turns to the intercom, her voice stern and clear without any undue emotion. "Petty Officer Papadopolis, you are immediately ordered up to the main corridor just outside the Briefing Room. Fail to show and that'll be the last time you'll see a firearm for a little while." Then Mack hangs up without waiting for a reply.

"Oooh," come the cringing looks from a few of the nearby Adamantium crew. Then they go right back to chatting and go right back to doing what they were doing like nothing happened.

 

[Purr]

(Part 2 of 2)

To everyone else in the Wild Cards, Mack crosses her arms with a grin on her face while trying to relax. "Shall we begin? Let's get our feelings out in the open, get to know each other a little better, watch a good movie, rest, and tomorrow do what we're here to do. Herc wants to be caught up later? He can be caught up later. After he answers to me."

Mario accepts the connection to the polymorphic nexus without any complaint, and he listens attentively to the explanation from Shirley. He finally replies, "Ma'am? You don't need to justify your actions to me, but I want you to know that I do appreciate it. As I said before, as a former NCO, it was my job to take the orders from my superiors and make it work. It is lots easier when the boss I'm following is up to snuff and not an asshole. Now that I'm UEEF, it is not really that different. You give the marching orders and I follow them, be it to the mess hall or the heart of the Zeki-Zentraedi force."

There is a feeling of deep gratitude from Shirley as she hears this. The one thing about a nexus is that an emotion conveyed is an emotion received without a doubt. "Thanks, dude! My dad and I have totally different leadership styles and I'd rather not turn into him unless I have to. I want to be open with you guys. That's why I'm trying this my way."

"Shirley, you know that no matter what, we are a team and we will work together to get the job done. I won't lie and say that I am not happy that we are on this particular mission, but I will do my best to keep my own personal bias and emotions in check to keep the team as a whole safe and get all of us back here in one piece."

Shirley nods and grins to Toph. "Thanks for your support. I'm totally with you there. It can't be easy to juggle a military mission that concerns the only parent you've got left."

For the first one, her own video feed shows a bubble gum's torment between the Swede's teeth; where she tries for a somewhat stoic expression, her jaws' grinding clearly shows that the briefing left an expression, and certainly not one of trust and joy.

"What I do mind is how we got there, Lieutenant. It ain't good leadership to ask for advice, and then brush it aside like it didn't matter. It ain't good leadership to be afraid of choices, and wrong words. And it most definitely isn't good leadership to bark down the chain of command for reasons as trivial as curiosity, with the best possible preparation in mind.

Hearing this, Shirley lets her annoyance be felt though she answers in much the same professional tone as Ylva provided; nothing personal. "Oh, give me a break, Science Officer. You think just because I didn't go your way that I didn't consider? Think I'd already made up my mind? I didn't approach Scary Jerry because I liked the idea; I did it because I asked you and trusted you guys when you said it was a good idea." Shirley shakes her head causing her black curly mane to toss back and forth. Calmly and meaningfully, she lets the annoyance go while adding, "If I didn't want your opinions, Science Officer, I wouldn't bother asking."

A shrug that no one can see. "This choice was easy for me, Lieutenant, even with Commander Kirin's current state. But right now, I'm not so sure, because maybe we need a better leader. Ours certainly had a very poor showing, today, in my humble opinion. And that's poison, and not one any isotope can cure."

"Look. I know I'm not the next General Patton or Mattis or Yeager. From the very beginning, I've been flying by the seat of my pants here, just like every member in this multi-division Traverser squadron of ours. I asked for your perspectives because I wanted them. I came to my conclusions because of your input, not in spite of it." Mack looks stern yet she's trying to be relaxed. "I think Toph's point on crew morale is what won me over to the ICE-9 mission. Just look back into human history. You ever hear of a war being won by the side that had less morale? And how are we supposed to fight an enemy from 20 years in the future with any hope of winning? An enemy as bad as the Zeki? I know if I could go back 20 years in our time, I'd be laying waste.

Hercules remained impassive through the uncalled-for basting he received alongside the rest of his team. His mind was working behind the immobile features though.
”So on the one side, we have an abandoned ship with this isotope Commander Kirin needs to get back in the big chair. And on the other we have the Grand Cannon plans and components, all with Malcontents climbing over it. If we go for the isotope then, yes, we’ll have the Commander back with her experience and morale boost to the crew. But we’ll also have a situation where the Malcontents will have fully entrenched around the Grand Cannon, potentially with reinforcements and with an eye to getting the cannon working for their own purposes.”, he said finally, “If we go for the cannon, chances are that the ship with the isotope might be discovered by the Zeki. But why haven’t they gone for it earlier? Surely they’d know the location of it? If the isotope is so important, why didn’t they prioritize its recovery? And even if we do secure the parts and schematics for the cannon, it’ll still be a fair while before it’s operational. What benefits would Commander Kirin bring to a mission to infiltrate a well-prepared and manned position to secure intel and materiel?
”Personally, I don’t know the commander. I don’t know her capabilities beyond her reputation. But I do know the capabilities of the Grand Cannon and I know that if the Malcontents are reinforced by the Zeki, we’re not going to be likely to crack their defenses with our very tiny force, not without risking them doing something drastic with the Grand Cannon nor without showing our hand to the ASC and the UEEF. My vote, if I had one, would be going to Brazil.”

"Hercules, who isn't here, brought up some good points: Hercules' idea of going into the Brazilian territory where the Zentraedi have retaken the South American Grand Cannon before they entrench would be a good one except... they are entrenched and with healthy clones and mecha - enough to stop both the world's strongest army - the ASC - and the Merchant Republic in their tracks? What are we going to do against that? And how are we going to do without the ASC and Merchant Republic knowing about it? The UEEF can't help us either. Cera says even Captain Drake deferred to Commander Kirin for wartime strategy. So how are we going to crack Brazil without someone like Commander Kirin?

"As for the importance of the ICE-9, I don't know. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is how rare the ICE-9 is to the Zeki. Being evident masters of biology, it might not be precious to them at all; they're just the only ones that make it. I'm guessing the Zeki don't know about their lost ship in Antarctica.

Mack takes a deep breath and ponders aloud a different subject. "So what if we didn't make contact with the ASC and go to Brazil anyway? My duty as squadron leader is to try to keep us alive and get our missions performed in the military manner expected of us. How do we help humanity if we fly into a Zeki-supported battlefield and get ourselves killed? The Zentraedi force down there right now are unknowns that are too big for both the Army of the Southern Cross and the Merchant Republic to handle. And that's without the Zeki presence. And we think we can take them?" Shirley taps her fingernails. "Maybe we can. But not without every edge we can get our hands on. Like Commander Kirin. Personally, I think we screw ourselves and possibly get killed without her."

"Agreed," Cera suddenly chimes in. "Lord Zeki and his damnable Zeki-Zentraedi are the Ura-Meltrandi's most-hated foe underneath the Robotech Masters. Above all, the Zeki must not capture the Broadsword. If they could reproduce its secrets, they could rule the entire galaxy."

Mario grins at Toph. "Its a sci-fi classic! You'll love it, I promise. Its a movie made back in the, what? 1980's? Something like that. A group of Antarctic researchers come across a alien ship that had been buried in the ice for thousands of years, and there is a survivor that is not too nice. Trust me, LT. it will be great."

Cera tilts her head in thought. "What is a movie? Is this a training simulation to help us prepare for the Zeki ship?"

 

[Sherwood]

Cera tilts her head in thought. "What is a movie? Is this a training simulation to help us prepare for the Zeki ship?"

Mario grins wider. "Sweetheart, you are in for a treat. Movies can serve many different functions. Some are educational, others are for pure entertainment. This particular film is something called science fiction, meaning it is not real, but just intended for the fun of watching it. This film is pretty old, and its special effects are a bit outdated compared to the video effects that we can make up now days. Like I said, it is set in the middle of the snow pack of Antarctica, and the guys in the movie are researchers that by chance come across a horrible alien that is trying to kill them. They are not soldiers, so their response to this threat may be a bit unorthodox compared to what you might think to do. Just enjoy the movie! It is going to be fun."

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Hercules sighed again and gently put the overstressed screwdriver down. He turned to look at the Samantha with a blank expression.
"Apparently, being dismissed by my senior officer does not mean I'm allowed to do anything but standby and be available for every little thing.", he said to the android before leaving the armory and stiffly walking to the Briefing Room corridor. Once there, stood before Shirley, he came to parade attention.
"Petty Officer 3rd Class Papadopolis reporting as ordered, ma'am!", he bellowed at parade ground volume with a textbook salute.
He remained in this position, eyes fixed on a point 3,000 yards beyond the bulkhead four inches over Shirley's head, awaiting further instructions.

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus

The first thing anyone besides a Traverser (or even a Traverser for that matter) would probably notice about the gathering in the hall outside the Briefing Room is the quiet. Mack, Cera, and Trouble have expressions of concentration and notes in their body language seem to lend toward moving and active mind, but the only talking comes from Hercules. Trouble looks up to him from Cera's cradling hands. From the Ura-Meltrandi's body language, she appears to be learning the basics of "kitten-cuddling."

When Hercules enters, Mack does not pause in her thinking, nor does Hercules' volume indoors seem to faze her in the least. It only makes Mack think of her father, a Special Forces drill instructor, whose presence is even louder than his voice. When she is done with her mental sending, Mack curtly returns Hercules' salute with one of her own. "Petty Officer Papadopolis," she addresses with a stern frown. "After a briefing where a dangerous mission is declared, your superior officer calls upon you and you don't even bother to pick up? I'm 'not important enough' for you to? Maybe in Greece ignoring your squad commander is tolerated, but that crap doesn't fly with me. Go inside the Briefing Room and if anyone's in there, ask if it's available. The rest of us want to watch a movie together. If you can get your act together, maybe you can join us after someone else 'catches you up.' Dismissed." Shirley then returns to the squad's mental conversation.

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Another person taking a jab at the Greeks, Hercules’ thoughts were dark and tumultuous, like a storm in the Aegean Sea, bite your tongue. Bite down hard, like Sharp ordered.. Getting chewed out twice in a day was almost the final straw for Hercules. Now what? Was she ordering him to watch a movie?
“Ma’am, yes ma’am!”, he barked, marching into the Briefing Room, and then once there, saluted anyone in the room and barked again, “To all present, the Petty Officer has been ordered by Lieutenant Mackenzie to request the use of this Briefing Room for a squad briefing!”

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus
(Enter a surprise Side Scene with Hercules!)

Hercules enters the Briefing Room and fulfills Mack's order by delivering his full message as the door sheathes shut behind him. At first it seems that the quiet, peaceful Briefing Room is devoid of personnel. Even Sam units (though they are never far away). It is indeed empty, that is, save for one.

Surprised but absolutely silent, Little Miss Beema the Broo freezes in place. Her pointy little ears fly up. Petrified but not scared, she stares at Hercules. Then her eyes light up and she smiles widely as recognition dawns on her cheery face. "Ahhh! Is Hurk-yoo-leez! Yaaay!"

Beema comes out from underneath the room's sole table and freely offers the holo-remote to him. Her breathing increases rapidly as a pleasant idea springs to her mind, bringing the youngest Broo a great deal of sudden joy. "Hurk-yoo-leez! You say want watch movie with Beema? Yesss?" Alone in the Briefing Room, Hercules now has a highly-excited Broo-miss panting in anticipation at him.

What does Hercules do?

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Hercules was double-blindsided by the apparent emptiness of the room and then by the appearance of Beema. His lips curled into a gentle smile, an expression that he noticed had been absent more often than present the last week or so. He let out an explosive sigh, similar to a hot-air balloon when it’s main vent was pulled fully open, and his great broad chest deflated. He crouched down to get to her eye level to save her craning her neck.
"O gatáki mou*," he said quietly, his voice a deep grumble in his chest, as he ruffled her hair with a broad hand, "I am not good company right now. I am upset, I am angry and...."
He stopped, fumbling to find the words, frowning again when the most likely word appeared in his mind.
"I am scared. I'm scared of what will happen in just a single spin of this planet. We, you, I, Broadsword, Jerry, his friends, my friends, we'll be going to find this ship, a ship we know almost nothing about. We'll be in an environment none of my friends have experience in. Jerry and his friends probably know everything there is to know about staying alive in snow and ice, but I don't. Mario, Mah-ree-oh, doesn't. None of the lady warriors know.
"We fought the Zentraedi beasts before, lost a good friend in that fight. I don't want to lose any more friends. So I have to take this time I have seriously, I need to think and plan and guess any danger we might face. I want to watch movies, I want to spend time not bothering over the future. But I can't. I owe Reggie, because it was his papa we lost last time. And I won't let anyone else be lost, get killed by the beasts, or anything else we'll face. So I can't relax right now. I can't settle, can't ignore the danger. I'm sorry."
He looked her in the eye, his face solemn, his brows knotted like an illustration of some ancient warrior king brooding on his throne.
"I used to think I was good at what I did. A good fighter, a good soldier, a good mechanic, a good problem-solver. But the past month or so, I've had all those illusions stripped away to show me I'm not half as good at things as I thought I was.
"Jerry's friends showed me I'm not even half as good as them at fighting, my friends continue to show me that I'm nowhere near their level when it comes to talking to the machines. I'm not much good with the modern weapons you've all brought from the future, so I'm doubting my place in all this. If I wasn't already officially declared dead, I'd ask to be send back to where I came from. I don't feel like I belong here."

*trans: O my kitten

 

[Silanon]

Well - that went about as well as expected. A lesson to be learned for the next time, perhaps; but learning often requires moments of calm contemplating, and this discussion is anything but that. She allows Shirley to go through her speech uninterrupted; and then - with the same professional tone that might be the last barrier between having a somewhat decent conversation and saying something really stupid - moves to clarify the most grievous misunderstanding first. Kind of.

Hearing this, Shirley lets her annoyance be felt though she answers in much the same professional tone as Ylva provided; nothing personal. "Oh, give me a break, Science Officer. You think just because I didn't go your way that I didn't consider? Think I'd already made up my mind? I didn't approach Scary Jerry because I liked the idea; I did it because I asked you and trusted you guys when you said it was a good idea." Shirley shakes her head causing her black curly mane to toss back and forth. Calmly and meaningfully, she lets the annoyance go while adding, "If I didn't want your opinions, Science Officer, I wouldn't bother asking."

"Lieutenant, I didn't mean to say that you didn't consider our words. I meant to say you sure as hell didn't act like it after. Maybe Adamantium was happy with your explanation - I'm not. All you said, until now, was that you're afraid of losing a single life - while millions of lives depend on the grand cannons. Ma'am, we're headed into the deadliest war mankind has ever seen, from what I've heard. And if we're afraid of losses - then we might just lose that war without a single fight, because we miss our moment to strike when it matters. Sorry I couldn't follow your logic, with the entire world on the line. Now I know that maybe next time, I just ought to wait a few hours, in case there are better reasons; but if those aren't fit to be mentioned at a briefing because the Captains might take offense; then that has me worried, Lieutenant."

"See, we don't need you to be Patton, that's kind of my point. I don't believe in individuals, now less than before. Hannibal Barca was one of the greatest tactician of his time, but no one ever speaks of Carthage; when they didn't manage to send him proper reinforcements when he threatened Rome, they lost the Second Punic War shortly after. Gustav Adolf, the Lion of Midnight, led Sweden into the Thirty Years' War, but his grand plans collapsed with his untimely death. Lieutenant, sometimes the heroes get there, and sometimes they don't, and the latter is not an option for us. I believe in structures. I believe in grand cannons, because whoever's in charge when it happens will be able to point them skywards and inflict some damage. I believe in teams that can get the job done even when war demands its tributes. All those names you remember - they were only about as good as the people around them, and those won't change for us. I don't mean to say that Commander Kirin's presence won't be helpful for any future endeavour - I mean to say that in my book, relying on a single person to win us this war is not a sign of her brilliance, but of a faulty plan. She's good at what she does, from what I've heard, but still only a single woman. We decided against taking a closer look - but for all we know thus far, we might find a way through the entrenched malcontents on our own. The truth is, we won't know as long as we're too afraid to take a look. Lieutenant, what happens if the Commander looks at the fortifications, and says 'I don't know, but there might be someone who does'? Will we save the entire Earth population, one by one? If that's our plan, then... I don't know. It's hard for me to believe, after this meeting. You say you need the additional intel on the Zeki? That helps, Mackenzie. I'd prefer intel on the situation in Brazil instead, but it's the same kind of thought. I can believe in 'knowing what we're dealing with.'" Even when Mack just sounded way more desperate than the situation calls for, given what little is known. Perspectives differ, especially when they have fought the Zeki before and she... hasn't, really. Getting knocked out or shot down in an unfamiliar Logan doesn't really count, does it?

"See, all I want is to sit in an exclusive briefing like the one we just had, and not feel like it's an utter mess of unreasonable decisions. But that's just me, maybe. Maybe my focus is too much on dealing with an invasion, and too little on proper etiquette. I just don't get Sharp's - Captain Sharp's - reaction, when a simple 'later, and you'll understand the reason then' would've done the trick. I'm as much 'science' as I am an 'officer', ma'am. I like to follow a logic I can get behind, and your explanation right now sounded less like one, and more like desperation, and I still liked it better than anything that was said during the meeting. That's what rattled me, Lieutenant - there was just a lot of hot air, and nothing to do, and we're losing time when we don't even know how much's left."

 

[Kaerri]

"You ask me, which no one has but I'm answering anyway," Elinor says calmly, "I think the biggest problem we've got right now is that we aren't a team, or at least aren't acting like it. Pulling away from the group, be it physically, mentally, or emotionally, is just going to keep us separate individuals who happen to be trying to do the same job -- and honestly I'm not sure all of us're even doing that." There's a flicker of remembered annoyance caused by Hercules' not-quite-insubordinative look at her before he stormed out of the briefing room, then Elinor brings herself back under control. "The point I'm getting at is, sometimes we're gonna be doing things we like, and sometimes we aren't -- and sometimes, like now, we aren't all going to agree on what's next, but we have to do it together all the same. Watching a movie together might sound pretty trivial, but it's a shared experience, and the more we have of those, the better." She paused for a moment, then added, "On that note, I'm thinking of hitting the gym after the movie for a bit. Anyone wants to join me, they're more than welcome. Don't have to talk, just work together, or rather work out together, and maybe we can work out some of these bugs we've got while we're at it."

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus (Tag!)
(Part 1 of 2)
(In the corridor outside the Broadsword's Briefing Room)

Spoiler: Music

For some reason, this song is stuck in my head. So I figure, why not share it? =)
"Sarah McLachlan - Into The Fire"


Partial lyrics
"I'm into the fire - I'm reunited
Into the fire - I am the spark
Into the night - I yearn for comfort."

"Lieutenant, I didn't mean to say that you didn't consider our words. I meant to say you sure as hell didn't act like it after. Maybe Adamantium was happy with your explanation - I'm not. All you said, until now, was that you're afraid of losing a single life - while millions of lives depend on the grand cannons. Ma'am, we're headed into the deadliest war mankind has ever seen, from what I've heard. And if we're afraid of losses - then we might just lose that war without a single fight, because we miss our moment to strike when it matters. Sorry I couldn't follow your logic, with the entire world on the line. Now I know that maybe next time, I just ought to wait a few hours, in case there are better reasons; but if those aren't fit to be mentioned at a briefing because the Captains might take offense; then that has me worried, Lieutenant."

Mack listens to every word, considering Ylva's arguments as best as she can whether she agrees with them or not. There in the quiet of the Broadsword's gun-metal corridor, she replies mentally instead of vocally. "Yeah. That's a military issue there. We're on thin ice. We've already screwed up by ignoring Captain Sharp, not once but twice. I know Sharp well-enough to know that when that old tanker says he's not at liberty to talk, to take him at his word. And then we go and pull this! We're not civilians; we can't just blow off our commanding officers and not face serious consequences for it. As your squadron leader, I'm to blame." Shirley kicks at an unseen stone as if she were standing on some beach somewhere.

Mack turns to Toph and Mario for a moment. "Don't you guys ever do that again, please. You don't have to act like robots and go to some other extreme. I'm not looking for apologies or promises, either. Just listen and obey Sharp like he's your commanding officer - like he deserves. Plus... it's clearly my ass if you don't." Having said it, Mack looks ready to drop it.

Lieutenant, what happens if the Commander looks at the fortifications, and says 'I don't know, but there might be someone who does'? Will we save the entire Earth population, one by one? If that's our plan, then... I don't know. It's hard for me to believe, after this meeting. You say you need the additional intel on the Zeki? That helps, Mackenzie. I'd prefer intel on the situation in Brazil instead, but it's the same kind of thought. I can believe in 'knowing what we're dealing with.'"

Mack nods, listening. "Then at least we know from our very best source. There are always "What If's." I need action. I prefer intel from the best sources we can get. Right now, that's Kirin. Seriously, who the hell in Brazil is going to tell us about the Zeki-Zentraedi what we don't know themselves? Nobody. How long do we waste trying to find someone who can, if they exist? Especially when we've got a source like Kirin right here onboard?" Shirley frowns. "Plus we chance blowing our cover just by asking the ASC or Merchant Republic in Brazil, unless there is some other force out there I don't know about. Kirin's right here. And she needs us about as much as we need her." Mack shrugs, not liking the realities.

"Guys, I want to be in two places at once right now. Brazil and Antarctica. But that's not gonna happen."

"See, all I want is to sit in an exclusive briefing like the one we just had, and not feel like it's an utter mess of unreasonable decisions. But that's just me, maybe. Maybe my focus is too much on dealing with an invasion, and too little on proper etiquette. I just don't get Sharp's - Captain Sharp's - reaction, when a simple 'later, and you'll understand the reason then' would've done the trick. I'm as much 'science' as I am an 'officer', ma'am. I like to follow a logic I can get behind, and your explanation right now sounded less like one, and more like desperation, and I still liked it better than anything that was said during the meeting. That's what rattled me, Lieutenant - there was just a lot of hot air, and nothing to do, and we're losing time when we don't even know how much's left."

Mack holds out her hands in hopes that Ylva understands. "Well, see, I've served under Sharp at Eglin ASC base in Florida. I trust him. Unlike Steele, he's earned it. Anybody who doesn't trust Sharp, well, that's on them. And I get it. Trust takes time.

"But I think you've touched on something important, Science Officer." Mack clasps her hands and looks troubled. "'Desperation.' Yeah," she nods in admittance. "You're absolutely right. I think I am desperate." Mack looks away as if remembering the past. "When we went in on Steele's mission to recover the captured Veritech Hover Tank, I was expecting Malcontents. What the Zeki threw at us? Hell! Sgt. Booty... I think once the... what do you call them, Cera?"

"Wargoths, ma'am."

"Yeah. Wargoths. Fucking bomb-laden reptile-dog-things from God-knows-where. Sgt. Booty didn't stand a chance against that pack of Wargoths. That joint-tokin' badass brawler knew he was dead; dead enough to use his auto-grenade launcher at point-blank. That way the Wargoths wouldn't kill Mario or Hercules, too. Then the Zeki damned near killed us. If it weren't for Taniya, I'm convinced they would have. A single Zeki Beastmaster with only infantry support gave us real hell!" Mack looks at Ylva with sorrow in her eyes. "Cera? Were we just lucky?"

Cera stares straight ahead, hearing and digesting. "Fortune certainly played a part. Had it been two or more Beastmasters or even a single Dreadnought, they would have destroyed us."

Mack sighs in realization and nods to Ylva. "So yeah. I'm scared to fucking death to go into Brazil and get all of us blown to bits because despite being Traversers, we Wild Cards really have very little experience and very little idea of what we're up against. But the Zeki know how to fight us. Booty's death and our action on the Zeki Assault Scout proved that.

"If anything, the Zeki don't seem to quite know how to fight the Ura-Meltrandi. Alone, Taniya kicked their asses and enjoyed every minute of it. And from what I'm hearing, Commander Kirin is the closest thing we UEEF people have to a Taniya of our own. Not to mention how I got my own ass kicked in the Blue World. I stood no chance against those... spirit-machine things. If it weren't for The Professor, I would've joined Booty." Mack nods gravely. "So yeah. You've got me nailed to the cross here, Science Officer. I am very desperate."

"You ask me, which no one has but I'm answering anyway," Elinor says calmly, "I think the biggest problem we've got right now is that we aren't a team, or at least aren't acting like it. Pulling away from the group, be it physically, mentally, or emotionally, is just going to keep us separate individuals who happen to be trying to do the same job -- and honestly I'm not sure all of us're even doing that." There's a flicker of remembered annoyance caused by Hercules' not-quite-insubordinative look at her before he stormed out of the briefing room, then Elinor brings herself back under control. "The point I'm getting at is, sometimes we're gonna be doing things we like, and sometimes we aren't -- and sometimes, like now, we aren't all going to agree on what's next, but we have to do it together all the same. Watching a movie together might sound pretty trivial, but it's a shared experience, and the more we have of those, the better." She paused for a moment, then added, "On that note, I'm thinking of hitting the gym after the movie for a bit. Anyone wants to join me, they're more than welcome. Don't have to talk, just work together, or rather work out together, and maybe we can work out some of these bugs we've got while we're at it."

Mack brightens as Elinor speaks up. If anyone in the squadron has their head on straight, the Californian figures it's Elinor Hall from Georgia. The farm-girl has strong roots, a strong upbringing, and the wisdom to know when to keep her mouth shut and when to open it. And when she opens it, she makes it count.

"Elinor, I couldn't have said it better myself. This is why you got put in charge when I nearly got killed." Mack's smile is wide and grateful. "Maybe I oughta order everybody to watch the movie together?" she gives a small chuckle while, just for a moment, managing to look about as fragile as a human being can look without falling apart.

 

[Purr]

(Part 2 of 2)

(Side Scene with Hercules and Beema)

Hercules was double-blindsided by the apparent emptiness of the room and then by the appearance of Beema. His lips curled into a gentle smile, an expression that he noticed had been absent more often than present the last week or so. He let out an explosive sigh, similar to a hot-air balloon when it’s main vent was pulled fully open, and his great broad chest deflated. He crouched down to get to her eye level to save her craning her neck.
"O gatáki mou*," he said quietly, his voice a deep grumble in his chest, as he ruffled her hair with a broad hand, "I am not good company right now. I am upset, I am angry and...."
He stopped, fumbling to find the words, frowning again when the most likely word appeared in his mind.
"I am scared. I'm scared of what will happen in just a single spin of this planet. We, you, I, Broadsword, Jerry, his friends, my friends, we'll be going to find this ship, a ship we know almost nothing about. We'll be in an environment none of my friends have experience in. Jerry and his friends probably know everything there is to know about staying alive in snow and ice, but I don't. Mario, Mah-ree-oh, doesn't. None of the lady warriors know.
"We fought the Zentraedi beasts before, lost a good friend in that fight. I don't want to lose any more friends. So I have to take this time I have seriously, I need to think and plan and guess any danger we might face. I want to watch movies, I want to spend time not bothering over the future. But I can't. I owe Reggie, because it was his papa we lost last time. And I won't let anyone else be lost, get killed by the beasts, or anything else we'll face. So I can't relax right now. I can't settle, can't ignore the danger. I'm sorry."
He looked her in the eye, his face solemn, his brows knotted like an illustration of some ancient warrior king brooding on his throne.
"I used to think I was good at what I did. A good fighter, a good soldier, a good mechanic, a good problem-solver. But the past month or so, I've had all those illusions stripped away to show me I'm not half as good at things as I thought I was.
"Jerry's friends showed me I'm not even half as good as them at fighting, my friends continue to show me that I'm nowhere near their level when it comes to talking to the machines. I'm not much good with the modern weapons you've all brought from the future, so I'm doubting my place in all this. If I wasn't already officially declared dead, I'd ask to be send back to where I came from. I don't feel like I belong here."

*trans: O my kitten

In the Briefing Room, Hercules is not halfway through his expression of feelings when the Broadsword's smallest Broo puts the remote down on the table, comes over to him, and without any sign of asking permission, she begins crawling on him like a cat looking for a comfortable spot, all the while listening to the callings of his heart. Unable to wrap her arms around his sizeable chest, Beema settles for flopping down on his back and shoulders, hugging him, laying there with him, just being there with him, all the while panting excitedly and smiling.

Then she sticks out her chest and raises her hands fiercely. "'Hurk-yoo-leez no fear man! No fear machine! No fear da monsta!' Hurk-yoo-leez keeel de monsta!" When he looks her in the eye, she returns a look of unblinking acceptance, free of judgment. She pushes her face against his cheek in some Broo show of affection. "Shaman Bong say 'Fear is just anotha monsta.'

"Chieftain Faydra say 'Fear neva lie! Fear keep you alive! Fear is a sharp knife - fear aid you or fear cut you. 'Hug de fear,' she say!" Beema gives Hercules a big hug.

"Scary Jerry say 'Anybody who say they not skeered in battle is full of sheeet! Go-dang liar! You gotta use da fear. Make eeet work for you in combat."

Beema playfully paws at Hercules's nose. "Hurk-yoo-leez cannot be Scary Jerry. Hurk-yoo-leez must not fight Scary Jerry, but fight de monsta inside Hurk-yoo-leez. Beat heeem! Hurk-yoo-leez maybe think of his friend? What would friend wish Hurk-yoo-leez do? Beema say, friend only gone when you stop think of friend. But if you carry friend's words, they can carry you. Help you. Dat way, friend live foreva!"

Beema tilts her furry head and stares at the ceiling with her paw on her cheek. "Beema hear talk of Zyorna Kirin. Faydra and Bong say we go help Zyorna Kirin. Is good! Beema miss her too. But Beema wonda?" She playfully takes Hercules's head in each of her hands and tries to look into his eyes for reasons only Broo know. Her orange eyes glow faintly. "Zyorna Kirin always have opinion. Long has Zyorna Kirin mastad her fear. She is friend who is not keeled. Still here! So... Toph is Dreamstrider. Hurk-yoo-leez is Dreamstrider. Is true! So... why you no ask Zyorna Kirin? You no want talk to her? She is pretty. Hurk-yoo-leez only fear pretty women like Hee-toh-mee. Hurk-yoo-leez fear Zyorna Kirin, too?" Then Little Miss Beema curls up in Hercules's lap and continues to prattle on as if discussing this matter is the most natural thing in all the universe.

 

[Silanon]

After all those words, Ylva's first response is - silence. Perhaps there are words that should be said; there's got to be the right words, even for moments like these. But the simple truth is: She wasn't there, when things went wrong. Never fought those Beastmasters head-on, never saw a friend give his life away. And being unburdened by that past; it doesn't do much good, not now. If this desperation is what keeps the team away from Brazil - then her solid logic won't get them there. If they need to find a saviour before daring that step; then all there's left is to hope that the Commander gets it done. And hoping - isn't really Ylva's thing. Only means that things are outside of one's control.

"I'll be there for the movie." When Ylva finally breaks the silence, it sounds like she just tries to preempt the order, just in case. There's no excitement in her voice, at least. in fact, there's nothing, really - just indifference, like it doesn't really matter; like nothing she could say or do right now would matter, really. It doesn't, does it? If the solution is 'let's get the Commander back and hope she has a plan', then what's a solution-oriented mind supposed to do, with that? Without knowing what's ahead, other than 'Antarctica', the least specific information she's gotten in a while? Right - nothing. Might as well watch a movie, work out - or not. Won't change a thing. "Wouldn't mind the work-out, either." That sounds about as enthusiastic as the words before. Together, alone... does it really matter? Two weeks ago, there was a grand plan. Seems like that's how long nice illusions last, these days... what's left of that optimism, right now? Not much. Desperation. Without a single fight in-between. Perhaps, the Commander is indeed desperately needed - if not for her skills, then because others need to believe in something that they can't find elsewhere. Not like she's faring much better, is she? All this discussion, because there wasn't much logic to follow. Well, the talk didn't help much in that regard... neither does this brooding, right now.

At some point, her gum-chewing must've stopped - Ylva returns to it in lack of a better way to keep herself busy, but it lacks the ferocity from before. Soon, she interrupts herself to speak up one more time. Now that the basic stuff is out of the way, and there've been a few more moments to think. "Don't know what else to say. You know the Zeki, I don't. Not really. So you know best what it takes." Another brief pause, filled with chewing. "For what it's worth, I doubt it's a team thing, not really. Sure, it'd help to know better what to expect from Captain Sharp, or you, or the others. Time will take care of that. But the real thing is - for me, at least - that there's just nothing to work with. Antarctica is a fricking big place. The Invid are a distant nightmare that might be here tomorrow. The Zeki become more invincible the longer I'm here. And some deal better with that than others. Lieutenant, if you ask me, we don't need movie nights and practice - what we need to do is to prepare well, get out there, and get shit done. And I don't feel prepared, I feel lost in this mess, and not knowing what's ahead doesn't help that. Even if there are good reasons. Not that it matters. I'll be fine once it starts." Hopefully. If she thought that reasons would do the trick - then these explanations were a disappointment in that regard. Desperation isn't much of a motivator is it? Well, time will tell. She meant to work out the frustration, but that's - gone, now. There's an emptiness instead that needs to be filled. "Will be back in a bit if that's all. Just need a few moments."

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Hercules playfully nibbled on Beema’s fingers as she batted at his nose, even as he listened to her meandering conversation. Of course I’m not afraid of women, shyness isn’t the same- His brain dropped a cinderblock on the tracks of his train of thought, making him relisten to what she’d just said
”Toph is Dreamstrider. Hurk-yoo-leez is Dreamstrider. Is true! So... why you no ask Zyorna Kirin?”
He sat, suddenly overcome with thoughts. Commander Kirin was in suspended animation, was she even conscious? What mental state is she in? Could she be contacted via Traversing, even though she was in the sus-an pod? She’d be linked to the pod, monitoring her vital signs and neural activity. Could the monitoring devices be used by a Traverser to contact the Commander? It sounded like a crazy idea, but not something that should be dismissed out of hand.
He grudgingly entered the polyphonic nexus and the conversation with his fellow Wild Cards.
”Lieutenants.”, he began without preamble, “Beema just asked me something I don’t know and I want to run it by someone with more knowledge. Could we Traverse with the equipment Commander Kirin’s in to see if we can contact her directly, via the Blue World or something?”

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus (Taaaaag!)

Hercules playfully nibbled on Beema’s fingers as she batted at his nose, even as he listened to her meandering conversation.

This causes a series of laughs and giggles to erupt from the orange-eyed youngest of Broo aboard the Broadsword. She just loves this!

He grudgingly entered the polyphonic nexus and the conversation with his fellow Wild Cards.

Hercules finds the polyphonic nexus and its welcome to have vanished when he and Mack ceased their video discussion. In Professor Stein's classes, Hercules can recall the old fellow mentioning that live, visual contact is required to enter a binary or polyphonic nexus. In order for Hercules to achieve that again, the solution is simple. If Hercules so chooses, he can pick up the playfully wriggling Beema and take her out into the corridor where (for the sake of simplicity) the Wild Cards are, discussing movie and gym-related goodness while Trouble is busy attacking people's feets for reasons only kittens know (or do they?).

If this is so, the following scene takes place (and if for some odd reason it doesn't, hey, I can edit like anyone else!).

When Hercules reappears in the silent corridor, his large form and presence cause Mack and Cera to turn his way (but not Trouble who is in the process of "feercelee attackin' Mario's shoe!"). A moment of calm and quiet passes between Hercules and Mack. Hercules sees no trace of Mack's previous annoyance. It seems the Californian has, having had her say, seen no further reason to hold on to those feelings. A nod from Mack follows and her invitation into her polyphonic nexus is repeated.

He grudgingly entered the polyphonic nexus and the conversation with his fellow Wild Cards.
”Lieutenants.”, he began without preamble, “Beema just asked me something I don’t know and I want to run it by someone with more knowledge. Could we Traverse with the equipment Commander Kirin’s in to see if we can contact her directly, via the Blue World or something?”

Mack turns to everyone present and exclaims aloud despite their nexus or perhaps because Beema isn't part of it. "'Traverse with the equipment' housing Commander Kirin? Is that possible?" As the huge idea sinks in, all she can say is, "Whoa! Just... whoa!'

Cera stares at excited, playful Beema who is too busy teasing Hercules with her fingertips near his mouth to notice. She shakes her head at the youth who is far, far older than the two-week-old Ura-Meltrandi. In what sounds like a hint of admiration, Cera tells Beema, "Only your people think along these lines."

During her play, the Furry Girl's ears turn toward the sounds of the talking. "Heh! Is nothing strange," she lisps. "Easy! Commanda Kirin in Spirit World. Dreamstriders can go Spirit World. Bong tell me he helps Commanda Kirin now. Maybe if ask Bong nice and you bring gifts, he guide you to her, yes?" Beema muses. "Hmm. Must ask chieftain for Bong help. Ask with nice gifts like food for chief and Bong and maybe Beema! See? Easy! Heheheeh!" Beema's infectious alien laughter sounds like the stuff o mischievous as she bares her tiny fangs and reaches for one of Hercules's fingertips.

Mack says, "Is this possible before we have to launch?"

"Maybe. I ask Faydra and Bong for you. Hurk-yoo-leez say you wan' watch moo-vee. You watch and I ask?"

Mack looks to you for answer, especially Toph. Psychie "It's your mom. We can try to give this a go now or after Antarctica. Think we should give it a go?"

 

[Psychie]

Toph can feel her heart about to beat out of her chest at the thought of being able to contact her mother through the polymorphic nexus in the Blue World. With her mind racing, she says, "I - I don't know if it is even possible, given her current medically induced coma. But that just means sleeping, not dead, so we might be able to do so! If it is possible to contact Commander Kirin, I would love to give it a try. One plus side to this is that the systems here on the Broadsword are going to regard us as friendlies, so we shouldn't have to worry about being attacked by hostile Cores and risk getting brain burn."

She thinks for a moment more, then says, "If we try this, I would be honored to have the entirety of the Wild Cards with me to be able to meet my mother, even if it is only in the Blue World for now. Besides the safety in numbers thing, someone may be able to think of questions for her that I might not, especially given my . . . emotional state . . . when we try this."

Finally, she looks over at Beema and Hercules and says, "I don't know which one I want to give hugs to first, so both of you, come here!"

 

[Sherwood]

(but not Trouble who is in the process of "feercelee attackin' Mario's shoe!"

Mario can't help but smile as he wiggles his foot to give the terrifying and vicious hunter a moving target on which to pounce. Looking down at Trouble, he thinks back to his old cat, Snickerdoodle. He loved that fluffy little guy so much. He was always more of a cat person. Dogs were cool, but they just don't have the same panache as a cat.

Pulling his thoughts back to the here and now, Mario looks up at the group standing here. "Wow. Talk about thinking outside the box! That is absolute genius. I never thought about using the Traversing power to try and talk to the Commander. It goes to show how much we still have to learn about using this talent."

 

[Kaerri]

Spoiler: Elinor Hall

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

Elinor looks both surprised and thoughtful at the idea. "If she isn't a Traverser, we can't contact her directly," she begins in a sort of abstract voice, thinking aloud really. "It would depend on how the machines are connected to her, I s'pose. And you'd need to be very careful not to distract them from what they're doing while you're there. I think we'd better consult Professor Stein before we do any trials." She nods at Beema. "And Bong too, especially if we're goin' to ask him for help."