Chapter Eight: Drake's Dream!

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus Tag!

(Part 1 of 2)

Side Scene with Hercules

Sat outside the door, Hercules finally had chance to wonder over the contents of the box and thought back to their words. It's from Veracruz... That could only mean... The AUL base? He had to know, so he peeled back the crumpled lid to look inside.

The hard plastic box is scuffed, banged-up, and dented. Its outside cover is very much crumpled, but Hercules need not be the tanker and armorer that he is to know the box itself is not compromised; it is only cosmetically damaged though that damage is understandably permanent. Hidden under the heavy golden and white wrapping, on the front of the high-quality box, Hercules discovers a small series of simple latches with a small sign of wordless instructions he finds quite easy to follow. This is a box that appears to have been designed to be opened only deliberately. Turning these latches per the instructions, he unlocks one of four trays. The tray slides neatly open and the first sense to light up in Herc's brain are not his handsome eyes, but his Greek chef-trained nose.

The discovery is one that could surprise anyone. The heavenly perfectly-mixed scent of fresh honey, nuts, and pastry tells him all - this is true baklava! The ingredients are top-notch. The evident painstaking preparation and attractive presentation are of equal quality. Something in Hercules's cultured mind is even familiar with the superior shop it comes it is baked in, for he knows that shop and the proud family that runs it survived the Rain of Death. As far as Hercules knows, it is still active today in what remains of Istanbul, Turkey where baklava is rumored to have originated way back when that famed city was known as Constantinople. Unattainable in the United States and most other parts of the world, God alone knows how this box made its way across the Atlantic Ocean and into the hands of AUL devils in Chessel Corporation in of Veracruz, Mexico!

Hercules is one of very few people aboard the Broadsword that can immediately and accurately come to one certain conclusion - the culinary contents of this box are nothing less than rare and precious. Twenty-four pieces of pure, perfect baklava! Four trays of six each, one of which is now open. The only way it could be better is if it had just now come out of the oven! Hercules also discovers that the curious heavily-wrapped container it has been stored in is high-tech and medical in nature. Powered indefinitely by a European E-clip (Yep! The same kind that runs Mega-damage weapons), the perfectly-tuned refrigerated box keeps such things as fresh as humanly possible and this particular box has - at least recently - gone above and beyond its call of duty. Now here before Hercules, one trayful in all of their brown, glistening glory seem to beckon to the boy inside of him.

Or at least that boy's many taste buds. =)

Spoiler: Turkish Golden Treasure

THIS!

(Image credit: Wikipedia)

But then... it happens!

A horrible sensation slowly but certainly begins its tingling creep up the spine of the young tanker! Hercules knows somehow! Some way! Scary Jerry is again on the loose! For the moment, the how matters not - only that it was. Scary Jerry was coming - coming for the baklava!

Unbeknownst to the brave wrestler and chef, the details of Scary Jerry's freedom were not for the faint of heart.

It was only when two of the bigger guys physically sat on him did Jerry turn his attention on Adamantium and start fighting back.

This was the case! Adamantium had finally gotten Scary Jerry! For all of about... five seconds. Then... with Scary Jerry between his largest fellows, this took place.

Spoiler: Feel sorry for Adamantium

It is a pity I can only find this scene on YouTube in German, but at the same time, I am grateful to have found it at all. The move Scary Jerry uses happens at mark 0:21. I think it's a doozy. I bet you will too. =)

The blast doors opposite Drake's opens and in stride Acting Captain Piper flanked by Doctor Hitomi and Spaceman Sam. Her green eyes glaring looking like a woman on a mission, Piper looks extremely irritated in her crisp UEEF uniform. Sam appears much as he normally does, as stoic and friendly as a automated CVR-3 body armor can be. But what Hitomi is wearing is a whole different story. She is dressed in a way that no one on board the Broadsword has been perhaps since the storied UEEF vessel was first christened in space-dock. If ever!

Spoiler: Imagine Hitomi - who could easily trade clothes with Street Fighter's First Lady of Fighting, Chun Li...

(Image credit: Pkgpng.com)

Spoiler: ...in this.

Her shiny gorgeous black hair cascades down her back, partly freed-up, partly tied. She looks very comfortable. Round yin-yang earrings dancing with her every step only add to her beauty. Oh. And she smells delightful if one likes the enticing scent of freshly-made cocoa butter.

(Image credit: The wonderful jungon Kim at ArtStation.com)

"Herc!" Hitomi gasps in shock at the sight of the felled Wild Card. Running up beside him, her doctor's eyes take over examining him for his true condition. "Hey! Can you--"

Then it happens. Scary Jerry comes racing out of Drake's! The animal soul in him that the Broo love so much is tall in its resolve and heavy with his stoked fury. A single bestial word escapes the madman's grim lips in a single banshee-like cry.

"BAKLAAAVAAA!"

Scary Jerry's bruised and battered team follow behind him in an effort to catch him, two unfortunate men are limping in the most-humiliated fashion. The looks on their collective faces show that they know they can't reach Hercules in time to aid him. Hitomi sees Scary Jerry and in one sudden instant, she places herself between Hercules and Scary Jerry - one hand bunched up into a stressed-looking fist, the other up one bare shoulder and into her lovely ebony hair. The look on her womanly face is one of terrible, aching loneliness. That look would give pause to a heart of stone.

"Jerry, please!" she cries. "I really need a hug right now!"

Scary Jerry's absolutely joy overtakes him like a racing car. He reaches for Hitomi without hesitation, without thinking. Hitomi's hands are a blur. One hugs him securely around his waist, the other rises up to his chest and kind of pats it. Perhaps in apology. Being about his height, she smiles brightly in gratitude into the Special Forces veteran's soulless eyes.

Then a strange sound is heard.

*Psssh!*

Staring into Hitomi's eyes, Scary Jerry freezes. His wide cracked eyes hesitate and then look downward. To his amazement, he discovers a Broadsword medical airhypo positioned just under his armpit, the needleless point embedded firmly into his skin. He sees the airhypo is held in place by the position and force of their hug. He knows its contents are now running madly through his system.

He stares back into her face and finds that Hitomi's cheery expression and grateful smile has in no way changed.

"That... that was good!"

"Arigato gosai mas ("thank you very much" - Japanese) for the hug, Jerry-san! I feel better already!"

"Piper?" Not-So-Scary Jerry squeaks as his gawking team of killers screeches to a sudden halt behind him.

Piper glares at him like a demon possessed. "Yeah, that's right! I've had enough of your crap, Jerry! It's peace and quiet time now!"

He wobbles. He whispers to the still-innocent-looking doctor. "How long... will I be out?"

"About four hours, hon. There's enough in there for my date and me to watch a movie together." Hitomi nods.

"Your daaate?" Scary Jerry looks down at Hitomi' dress and finds out he is losing the ability to stand on his own two feet. Hitomi takes her airhypo back and helps him as he begins to slowly ooze and transform into something resembling a puddle of soldier-become-wet-noodle there beside Hercules on the Broadsword's floor. His last delirious words for a few hours are: "WHY are you all so mean to meeee?" *thud*"

Even Spaceman Sam seems to sigh in the deepest of relief along with the women as all three turn.

Hitomi, with her extensive skills and experience, comes to realize that his injuries are only skin-deep. With Hercules's nigh-superhuman physique and hardiness, the most-muscular of the Wild Cards squadron will be fully restored before he even goes to sleep tonight. Hercules gets his breath back and finds his body ready to return to normal activity - the clear results of his diet, hard exercise, and Pankration training. "You'll be fine in a few hours. Want some painkillers and salve? And... just what is that in the box that smells so incredibly-good?" All three of Hercules's crewmates offer to help him back to his feet.

Spaceman Sam drawls. "Baaabe," begins Sam with the slow sure nod of a surfer as he openly checks her out from head to toe.

Hitomi raises an eyebrow in surprise.

"That's, like, the box Lieutenant Mack was gonna offer to Hercules before the movie starts." Sam nods eagerly to Hercules. "Like, totally out there how you got your hands on it first! You know it's the only box of that we've got on-board. Right, dude?"

"Question is," Piper rubs her shoulder. "What are you gonna do with it?"

Battered, bruised, and confused, Adamantium walks out of Drake's bar and into the corridor with you without a care at all for the box or its delicious contents. "Chick!" one calls out to Hitomi. "You... were hiding that airhypo up behind all that hair? You just... just dropped Scary Jerry! Single-handedly!" The rest of Adamantium stops and stares at the Japanese-Polynesian.

"I had orders and a little forewarning. I just used that to my advantage, that's all." Hitomi winks at Adamantium before indicating Piper and Spaceman Sam. Then she turns back to Hercules.

Another one of the Adamantium crew exclaims as they make another startling discovery on their laptop. "Hey! Somebody's even broken into the popcorn crates! We were gonna have first stab at it!"

"Hey, too bad," Piper declares. "You had your opportunity. First come, first served, I say!"

"Yeah, fine," another Spec Ops soldier complains. "But what buncha assholes got to the popcorn ahead of us?!"

(What does Hercules do?)

 

[Purr]

(Part 2 of 2 inside the Broadsword's Briefing Room with Elinor, Mario, Ylva, Mack, Cera, Beema, and Trouble)

She surveys the popcorn flavors on offer, but finally settles on good ol' buttered. Special flavors were nice, but she wanted a taste of home just now. She "nuked" her bag, grabbed a drink at random...

(ellipsis mine)

"Nothing fish-flavored, I'm afraid. And these here are probably bad for you, better leave them for us." A nod towards her box of popcorn, then a look around to examine the available seats.

Mack sits with her back to the wall, munching on popcorn while Cera, her own bowl at her side crunches away as she plays with the remote for the holographic projector. In time, the extremely-young Ura Meltrandi auxiliary specialist gets access to the movie you've all agreed to watch and reaches in for another salty handful of popped corny goodness.

"Good popcorn! Love this butter!" Mack mumbles between bites.

"While having precious little nutritional value..." Cera frowns, then takes another bite, "...it is pleasing to the taste buds." Cera can't help but smile and you all see it.

The sight of Beema nearby and waiting caused her to stare in thought for a moment. Ordinarily, she'd've said a horror movie wasn't the sort of thing a kid should be watching. But Beema wasn't an ordinary kid, was she? Shaman-in-training, which probably included talking to the dead-not dead like Bong. And from all Elinor had learned of the Broo (which, admittedly, wasn't that much), it didn't seem like anyone was sheltering this child. She'd been brought along on a warship, after all. She waved Beema over to her. "This might be pretty scary," she warned the Broo girl. "But it's fake-scary. This is fiction, not real. It's OK if you want to leave, but if you want to stay, sit with me?" She patted the seat next to her.

Trouble has his head inserted into the one bowl of plain popcorn (the only kind that won't make him sick) while Beema of the Star Watcher Tribe accepts Elinor's offer by crawling up on all fours and sticking her head into the same bowl as the Mewwoo. A small playful "battle" begins as the giggling animal-blooded pests "compete" to see who can get the most popcorn out of the bowl.

"Reewr!" starts Trouble.

"Awwooo!" Beema responds.

And so it goes!

However, all of this popcorn eating has one unintended side effect!

"Yeah, fine," another Spec Ops soldier complains. "But what buncha assholes got to the popcorn ahead of us?!"

Spoiler

Um, congratulations? =)

* * *​

Trouble is far too preoccupied to notice when Ylva "sneaks up" and pilfers him.

Spoiler: OOC GM note here

That's right, MechaKitten - no Perception check for you! And no Strike roll needed from Sil either; Ylva's got you fair and square!

"Meeeeew! Rwerwereer!" Trouble whines and mock-complains, his little paws waving frantically into the air, his mechanized face frozen into a well-practiced look of outrage and fear.

His yellow eyes wide with mock-panic, Trouble sends simultaneously over the polyphonic nexus and the mental speech natural to all of his tiny feline people. His boyish voice is full of anxiety that is in no way real though it might could fool a passerby that did not know him. ""HAAALP! Somebuddy! I are being kidnaaappeded!"

"Yeah," Mack rolls her eyes and smiles. "You look like you're in real 'trouble' there, kitten!'"

"Why do you act in this manner?" asks Cera in the manner known best to Traversers.

Trouble proudly sticks his chest out as he tries to affectionately lick Ylva's face with his pink sandpaper-like tongue. "Iz everything a Mewwoo like me could ask for! Iz.. action! Iz adventure... Best of all... iz draaamaaa!"

Beema hoists the bowl, loud with rolling uneaten popcorn seeds and comes to Elinor's side. "Mewwoo neva change! Always this way!"

A nod towards her box of popcorn, then a look around to examine the available seats. "What do you say, little one - near Elinor, maybe?" Not like there's much of a difference, really. "Seen the movie before? Heard it's... disturbing. Never got the chance to watch it, though... might need a little hero with me to brave it out."

Trouble pauses in his excitement to look up to Ylva's face. "You means it? You need cuddly teddy Mewwoo to be braves wif?" His little eyes and ears perk up. He had... a mission! Oh joyous day! "I helps you, Eeel-vaaa!" With that, Trouble begins clawing and pawing in the air while hissing at a holographic machine that wasn't even playing yet. "Reeeeeeewr!!" "Attaaaaack!!"

Beema the Broo, not knowing any better, begins audibly crunching down the solid kernels of corn. They get crushed between her teeth as if they were soft candy. Turning to Elinor and Mario, Beema shakes her head. "Telling you. Mewwoo neva change. They like dis even on Terrestria!""

* * *​

About then, an intercom call comes through the Briefing Room. You hear Captain Sharp's voice. "Captain to Wild Card lead."

Immediately, Mack is on her feet and answering the intercom. "Mack here, sir. Go ahead?"

"Lieutenant, are all of you up in the Briefing Room?"

Are we being that loud? Mack wonders. Then she remembers you were all onboard a hypercarbon-made battle frigate meant for travel between the stars; nothing like chatter could be heard between these bulkheads. "Yes, sir! Uh, most of us, sir. Where do you need us?" It tugs at her heart to possibly have to kill this anticipated movie time together with her battle buddies, but duty in the military, comes first. This is what everybody in the military called a "no-brainer."

"Stay where you are, lieutenant," Sharp sounds casual. Almost soothing. "There is someone here with me who has to say farewell to you for awhile. We'll be up there shortly."

"Aye aye, sir," Mack concluded and sat back down. Her thoughts, as always, were on her face. She thought aloud. "Who is Sharp talking about? Isn't the Broadsword traveling under the Atlantic Ocean en route to the loneliest place on the planet, the South Pole? Who could be going anywhere and where in the world were they going to?"

What do the Wild Cards (sans Herc) do?

 

[Sherwood]

Mario is thoroughly enjoying himself with the movie, lounging back in his seat as he snacks on popcorn and sips at his drink. When he hears the Captain talking to Mack about someone wanting to say goodbye, he muses, "Well, it might be the professor. He could have a line on another Traverser, and is heading out to chase down the latest recruit. Or I could be completely wrong. Who knows? I guess we'll find out soon enough." He does his best to put any worry out of his mind; it didn't sound like that Capt. Sharp was overly upset or concerned, so why should he worry?

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Watching the whole even unfold was shocking and confusing for Hercules, but he still felt himself relaxing as Jerry sank to the floor. His attention returned to the box he'd so diligently defended and his attention and diligence was rewarded with a scent sent from Zeus himself.
"Elvish honey, harvested from caves in the Saricayir valley on the Black Sea. Anthep pistachios. Pastry hand-made with the best flour in the region. Every one of these baklava is a piece of art.", he sighed as he sniffed at the delicious scents that slowly permeated the corridor, "And they are too good to keep to myself."
He got up, gingerly carrying the opened box as if it contained some ancient and precious artifact. He approached Hitomi and the Marines who stood over the senseless Jerry and handed one of the trays to them.
"Make sure Jerry gets at least a couple of them. You all deserve these."
He took a second tray and handed it to Captain Piper, "These are for you, the crew and Broo."
He finally looked at Hitomi, his heart ripping at her beauty and the fact that she was going on a date with someone else. He took the third tray and handed it to her, "This one is for my fellow Wild Cards."
The final tray he returned to the case and carefully closed the lid.
"I'll keep that one for now. Commander Kirin might want to try one once she's back with us."

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus (Tag!)

Side scene with Hercules, Hitomi, Piper, Sam, and Adamantium outside Drake's.

"Make sure Jerry gets at least a couple of them. You all deserve these."

The surprise and appreciation from Adamantium is clear on their faces.

"Whoa!" roars Cal with a slap on Herc's shoulder. "If you were gonna do this all along, why not do it in Drake's? Or did you just wanna see if you could make it outta the room with our boss after you?"

Gabi grabs the precious tray and immediately hands it to Padre. "Cal, don't ask no stupid questions! Point is, he and Mack are all right! We had no idea this was coming, you know?"

Padre, his very handsome Hispanic features made even more manly as he smiles down at the golden box in his hands, nods calmly. "This is a very generous act, amigo. Jerry will be pleased. God bless you. We should leave you in peace."

Hercules is rewarded at the sight a lot of pleased faces chewing into the sweet Turkish delight.

"Hey uh, Padre?" One asks.

"Yes, 'my son?'"

A sly smile and a glance at the tray follows. "Just how many of those pieces are supposed to be left for the boss?"

"Two." Padre stares back at his teammate with a matching grin that just screams, "Just try it, buddy! I'm onto you!"

After a short exchange between Hitomi and Padre apparently concerning Scary Jerry's medical condition, the Special Forces unit wave their fond farewells to Herc and Hitomi. As one, they turn and head back into Drake's with limp-as-a-wet-noodle Jerry on their shoulders.

He took a second tray and handed it to Captain Piper, "These are for you, the crew and Broo."

"Omigod, are you for real?! Eeeee!"
squeals the nineteen-year-old redhead acting captain from the future as she snatches up the tray and holds it greedily. "You and Mack are the best!"

Piper breaks into an excited ramble as she chews into a piece on the spot.

"Uhm!! This is sooo good! Well, obviously there's not enough for the whole crew here, but I can get some to us bridge crew because nobody thinks to include us up there! And I can let the Broo in on it too. At least a couple of them, you know. Uh, thanks! Bye!"

Then Piper zips out of the corridor like a ten-year-old with a fresh bag of cookies. This leaves Hercules alone in the corridor with Hitomi and Sam. Hitomi has been watching these exchanges closely.

He finally looked at Hitomi, his heart ripping at her beauty and the fact that she was going on a date with someone else. He took the third tray and handed it to her, "This one is for my fellow Wild Cards."

But this time Hercules is met with a raised finger and crossed arms. "Just a sec, please."

Casually, Hitomi asks. "Sam? Where are the other Wild Cards right now?"

"They're, like, up in the briefing room together, babe."

"And could you repeat what you said earlier about Lieutenant Mack?" Sam complies.

"That's, like, the box Lieutenant Mack was gonna offer to Hercules before the movie starts." Sam nods eagerly to Hercules. "Like, totally out there how you got your hands on it first! You know it's the only box of that we've got on-board. Right, dude?"

Hitomi stares at the offered tray, her gorgeous brown eyes blinking several times in rapid thought as she begins putting two and two together. She looks at the door to Drake's for one long moment.

"Herc..." Hitomi offers the same pretty smile she gave Scary Jerry a moment ago, right as she was nailing him, "...don't you find your request for me to deliver this to the Wild Cards just a little unusual? Especially since I'm the Broadsword's Chief Medical Officer and you are the Wild Card? Shouldn't you be giving this to your teammates?"

Her eyes linger on his face, her expression turning openly uncertain and troubled.

"You are still a Wild Card... aren't you?"

Meanwhile Spaceman Sam, not wishing to interfere, goes rigid and does his best impression of a starship bulkhead.

 

[Silanon]

There weren't many reasons to smile, today - lots of despair, questionable calls, and more. A lot to digest, for a mind like Ylva's - and very little of it encouraging, to say the least. And yet, at the sight of Beemas and Trouble's 'fighting', and Trouble's display of bravery soon after - some of it is forgotten. So childish, naive - like there's only popcorn, and the movie, soon enough; and no upcoming invasion or mission at all. But in some sense, that's refreshing. It's easy to see problems wherever one looks; this ship was sent here to brave the worst of it, after all. But the mind needs rest, from time to time; and seeing one who doesn't seem to care about much other than the next treat or task; it helps. It helps to see someone shrug off the pressure like that. Sure, some might say it's just the ship's cat; but it's also a Wild Card from space, and that counts for a lot. The Swede's hand runs over Trouble's back.

"You means it? You need cuddly teddy Mewwoo to be braves wif?"

"I do." Maybe not for the movie, really. It's just a horror movie, after all. But to face what comes next - and the doubts, the concerns - one just like Trouble might just be what's needed the most. One seemingly unfazed by the threats to come. Once more, the hand moves, along the back, towards the ears. The hint of a smile creeps up on her lips. They never change. That's what Beema just said. But that's really not a bad thing, is it? It'd mean that, until the end, there'll be one Wild Card not giving in to despair. Briefly, she glances over to Mack, and the words she said earlier. The desperation. Never change, Trouble.

The one who leaves, in the middle of nowhere? Mario's guess seems more likely than most, at least. "The professor would've been my guess as well. I'd say there's nothing out there, for anyone; but if someone finds something, it might be him. Well, I mean,we're not that far south yet, are we? But I'd say most others don't really have much of a reason to leave."

 

[Captain Hesperus]

The implication that he wasn't a part of the team of Traversers stung Hercules and he took a deep breath to order his thoughts.
"Yes, I am a member of the Wild Cards. But I feel like I'm the only one taking this upcoming mission with any seriousness. Despite my misgivings about the command decisions made regarding our current objective, I'm doing what I can to prepare myself for what we're about to set out on. We're heading to one of the most extreme environments on this planet, one that can take human lives without a moment's notice, and w'ere going there to face additional unknown threats to secure something that may or may not be effective in restoring Commander Kirin to a stable state. And what're the rest of my team doing? Considering tactics? Preparing their equipment? No, they're watching a freaking horror movie! Like as if we're just gonna step of this ship when we arrive, waltz into that wrecked Zeki ship, scoop up the Ice-9, then stroll straight back here for a ticker-tape parade and hot cocoa. Well, I might be a pessimist but I remember that all our previous missions have been knife-edge affairs where our survival has been far from assured, let alone capable of succeeding at our mission. And that was in environments we're familar with. Not a single Wild Card has ever operated in snow, let alone arctic conditions. Maybe our super-futuristic equipment will carry us through, because it's apparently proof against anything we're likely to face. Maybe our whistle-stop training with Adamantium will be of benefit, because those guys know what they're doing better than anyone. But I don't want to hear another anguished cry over the radio when another Wild Card dies, because people have taken this danger too lightly. My plan, when I came to Drake's, was to quiz Adamantium about cold-weather survival and what I could expect to face once we're boots-down in the frozen South. That plan has gone out the window slightly, but I can still access training material from the ship's database that'll help. Then, I'm going to interface with my Spartas to make sure we're both ready, both comfortable with the trial to come. Then I'm gonna do the same with my armor, my weapon and every piece of equipment I'll be taking with me. Once I'm sure of all the things I can control, then I'll be more ready to confront the things I can't control. Then I'll be something closer to 'happy' and more able to relax. But not right now. And that's why I'm not gonna be good company watching some damn movie."
He shook his head, his face stiff with emotion as Reggie's cries echoed in his memories.
"We sent video messages to our loved ones, telling them we were well and safe. I don't want those to be the last those loved ones ever hear from us."

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus (Tag!)

Side scene with Hercules, Hitomi, Piper, Sam, and Adamantium outside Drake's.

The implication that he wasn't a part of the team of Traversers stung Hercules and he took a deep breath to order his thoughts.

Hitomi studies Hercules. Hitomi's question was not so much an implication or anything of the sort, but instead a genuine worry and serious wonder for his welfare brought about by the obvious distance he alone had placed between himself and his fellow Wild Cards. If he was stung by her question, she was certainly sorry for it - the intent being only to learn where his heart lay. From her perspective as a doctor, there was plenty of evidence making itself known for her to have to ask him on a professional level, but she was asking as a friend at the moment. Her training in other departments spoke to parts within her, each with their own worthwhile perspectives to which she listened to if only out of habit.

And what're the rest of my team doing? Considering tactics? Preparing their equipment? No, they're watching a freaking horror movie!

"Yes, they are," she nods without seeming for or against the idea.

Hitomi listens to Hercules's every word, treasuring his trust while keeping an open mind. "Sure, the Wild Cards are up there in a room about to blow a couple of hours together." She puts one hand on her hip and smiles, a womanly chuckle escaping her lips. "Is that so much different than here? Hercules, I was in the Sick Bay getting ready when I got called down here by Piper with orders from her to tranq Scary Jerry." With smiling eyes, Hitomi glances upward to the deck with the Briefing Room in the hopes that the tanker can relate with her.

"On one hand, the Wild Cards are about to sit and watch a movie. On the other, Adamantium is down here in the bar, making noise, drinking alcohol less than 24 hours before a mission, requiring sedation, and shooting up Drake's with a Mega-damage shotgun. Now if you were Chief Medical Officer, which call would you rather be on?"

But I don't want to hear another anguished cry over the radio when another Wild Card dies, because people have taken this danger too lightly.

"Can't blame you there, but have you asked why Lt. Mackenzie approved this? Because I think you're missing out on something important. How about we see what Adamantium has to say?"

Hitomi opens the door to Drake's only to get blasted by the music, the rowdiness, and the lights all at once. Wild screams and playful antics carry through the bar as Hitomi waves to the first STORM member she can get the attention of. It turns out to be Cal. With a casual stride and a beer in his hand, the burly clean-cut professional comes out to the corridor. The doors to Drake's seal up again offering blessed quiet and even a little privacy.

"Hey, doc," Cal grins. "This a duty call or did you want to join us? You're definitely the best dressed!" Cal makes no attempt to hide as he looks Hitomi over from head to toe and grins a little more widely.

"I've got somewhere to be, but thanks. Wanted your take on some things?"

"Shoot."

"We're about 18 hours out of the South Pole before Pacifica will be near enough to send in the Broadsword for the Ice-9 mission, right?"

"Yeah."

"So why toss cold ones in a bar when you could be mission prepping instead? Unless you've taken missions in Antarctica before maybe?"

Cal leans in thought against the wall and looks Hercules over. He nods in silent acknowledgement to the Greek and to Spaceman Sam. The Special Forces veteran answers while continuing to admire the Japanese-Polynesian in her black and white dress. "Guess that's a fair question seein' as you're the one in charge of our regular psych evaluations. Everybody knows the Chief Medical Officer can take anybody on the Broadsword out of operational status on medical grounds. By UEEF protocol, not even Captain Sharp can override you if that happens," he sniffs. "But you've played more than fair with us so... Tell you what, doc? I'll spill if you show me that technique you used to take own the boss?"

Hitomi thinks but a moment. "You have yourself a deal, soldier."

Cal likes the sound of that. "Okay. So what's there to prep for yet? Hell, for many of us, this is our first time on Earth. Remember, it was the year 2045 when we hit the Black Binary. Now, here? It's 2025. So we've never been to either pole. The cold interstellar missions we've dropped on have been icy, but nothing like the wasteland the South Pole is."

"So why the beer-tossing instead of training?"

"Simple. Being here in 2025, the Broadsword is no longer part of a battle network, so Sam and the bridge have got all the data we can get at the moment. Until we arrive at the South Pole, we're pretty much stuck with dozens of unanswered questions like... we don't know what we're up against, terrain, expected weather conditions, who else might be out there, the condition of the Zeki ship, damn near nothing. Plus Sharp is keeping his mouth tight as a nun's bodice until we arrive for reasons all of us in Adamantium agree on - operational security. And as a crew on a Garfish that has done a huge amount of our missions totally solo, we're pretty much used to being dealt that hand."

"So when the Captain says be ready to drop in 25 hours..."

"...we're ready with the understanding that that's a "guess-timate. We might drop at 25 hours; we might drop sooner, or not at all. Unlike working from land, this unique Garfish we love so much is a mobile base of operations. We're traveling to the facts. So why not kick back until we learn something useful?"

Hitomi folds her hands behind her back and gives Cal a joking smile. "All work and no play make for more Scary Jerrys?"

Cal barks out a laugh. "God, I hope not! One's more'n enough!" Cal shifts and his eyes narrow for a moment. "Hey, why are you of all people asking? A confident lady like you getting pre-mission jitters or something? That's normal, you know."

Hitomi puts her line of questioning solely on her own shoulders. "Normal for you, maybe. I've been to many places, done many a thing, but this is the first time this girl has ever served on a UEEF starship, much less one from the future. Best to ask those who have gone before."

"Yeah, I can see that." Cal takes a swig of his beer and nods back, getting her gist. "What'd you do before?"

"Too much to tell in a short time." Hitomi makes a point of turning to Hercules. "How about you, Hercules? Do you have any questions for Cal here?"

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus Kaerri Psychie Sherwood Silanon Taaaag!
(Part 1 of 2)

Inside the Broadsword's Briefing Room with Elinor, Mario, Ylva, Mack, Cera, Beema, and Trouble.

"I do." Maybe not for the movie, really. It's just a horror movie, after all. But to face what comes next - and the doubts, the concerns - one just like Trouble might just be what's needed the most. One seemingly unfazed by the threats to come. Once more, the hand moves, along the back, towards the ears. The hint of a smile creeps up on her lips. They never change. That's what Beema just said. But that's really not a bad thing, is it? It'd mean that, until the end, there'll be one Wild Card not giving in to despair. Briefly, she glances over to Mack, and the words she said earlier. The desperation. Never change, Trouble.

"Reeeewr!" Trouble peers up at Ylva, pawing at her nose to get her attention. "Haaaay!"

"Earlier, you pickded me up an' catnapped me! It waz scaaaary! It waz sudden!" The cybernetic kitten turns about and offers his back to Ylva.

"Do it agains? Pweeeze?"

If Ylva elects to pick up Trouble a second time, he starts all over with the wide, frantic eyes, flapping tail, and wiggling paws in the air. "Mwoowowowowow! Raaaaowww!! Meeew!" "HAAAAALP! She iz catnapping me agaaaaains!!" all the while clearly loving every moment of the attention.

Mario is thoroughly enjoying himself with the movie, lounging back in his seat as he snacks on popcorn and sips at his drink. When he hears the Captain talking to Mack about someone wanting to say goodbye, he muses, "Well, it might be the professor. He could have a line on another Traverser, and is heading out to chase down the latest recruit. Or I could be completely wrong. Who knows? I guess we'll find out soon enough." He does his best to put any worry out of his mind; it didn't sound like that Capt. Sharp was overly upset or concerned, so why should he worry?

The one who leaves, in the middle of nowhere? Mario's guess seems more likely than most, at least. "The professor would've been my guess as well. I'd say there's nothing out there, for anyone; but if someone finds something, it might be him. Well, I mean,we're not that far south yet, are we? But I'd say most others don't really have much of a reason to leave."

Trouble pauses long enough to catch his breath and look straight at Mario. His little golden kitten eyes seem to sparkle as they regard Mario and Ylva. What comes out of his mouth is, "Eewereeewr!" but what comes into your minds is far more informative.

"Purr'fess'r doesn't find Traversers! I do! I founded Herculeses! An' Reggie!" The smallest Wild Card looks from one Wild Card to the next. "I founded Mack an' Mario an' Elinor an' Ylva too! I even knewses about Cera!" Trouble stands tall and raises his chin, his tail swishing energetically. "I know who iz Traverser an' who iz not! You gits no fakers when you haz me!"

Sitting with her back to the wall, Shirley can't help but smile at Trouble. Shirley's smile is both pretty and genuine. "So you saw me make a grand fool out of myself back at the Assembly?"

"Uh huh! Sure did! Hitomi wouldn't let me out of her purse, though."

"Are you an adult? Do you get any bigger?"

"Nope! Dis is as big as a Mewwoo ought to be!"

Cera tosses some popcorn Trouble's way while Beema looks on inquisitively. She sends her thoughts through the polyphonic nexus you are sharing. "The Broo are the only beings in the universe that can spot we Ura-Meltrandi when we don't want to be seen. You even have the Scrath beat in that regard. When we discovered Mewwoos, we wondered if you had anything to do with that. Turns out, you didn't. But the Broo see you as higher creatures despite your size."

Trouble puffs out his chest. "We iz the smartest creatures on alla Terrestria! Even da Broo comes to us for smarts, but den again, they haz opposable thumbs." He peers down at his paw. "Guess you can't haz it all! If anybody comes closestsest, is humans. Dat's yooou!"

Trouble's purring can now be heard across the Briefing Room.

 

[Purr]

(Part 2 of 2)

About this time, one of the doors to the Briefing Room hisses open and there at the door is Captain Sharp looking solid and tank-like in his pristine uniform. He peers at you from under his bifocals and smiles. "At ease, troops. Is this a private shindig or can old fogies join?"

"I'm not old!" You hear Reggie exclaim from farther back in the hallway.

"You will be," adds Professor Stein who seems to fill the hall more with his lionlike personality than his great girth. "Then you'll get to enjoy all of the things you hear us complaining about!"

"Better gray than gone, Albert!" Murph the Smurf chimes in with his gruff Southern accent. "Reg, you just enjoy bein' a teenager as long as you can. It don't last forever, young'un."

Shirley rises with a welcoming grin and joins them. "Hey! There's always room for handsome guys! Right?" she winks at Elinor, Toph, and Ylva.

They wander just inside the doorway except for Reggie who flies in with a brand-new hovering chair apparently made largely out of Army of Southern Cross bike parts. This was the design Hercules had helped him with and the chair is silent, rugged, and Mega-damage from top to bottom. No maniacal Anti-Unification League bully will be smashing Reggie's new chair!

"Nice chair, dude!" Shirley points to Reggie's amusement. "We're gonna need some surfer stickers here and heeeere and..."

The four men look to one another. "Who wants to give the news?" Sharp asks. Then he peeks down the empty hallway and closes the door.

Reggie holds Shirley's hand. He can't help but blurt out excitedly. "We're going to Brazil!"

Beema comes across the floor on all fours, sniffing Reggie's chair and then the young Jamaican lad. "Reggie! You go Brazil? Who go?"

"Hi Beemer!" As they share a big hug, Reggie replies, "Well me and The Professor and Sgt. Murphy too!"

Captain Sharp looks to Murphy. "'Sergeant?' Yeah, I guess it'll have to be back to 'sergeant' when you get there, won't it?"

"Yepper. Cain't have 'em knowin' about the Broadsword, can we?" Murphy replies.

Cera rises out of respect and salutes them. They salute back. Even Murphy who interacts now with far more ease than the first time he and the Ura-Meltrandi did when they crossed paths back in Florida. Cera, as always, is upfront. "Why are you going? What takes you from us?"

Fat Gandalf steps in. "My dear, we are on our way to rendezvous with Sharp and Murphy's old military unit. A clandestine bunch who, according to public record, simply do not exist. Since Pacifica and the Broadsword are making their way southward past the continent, we realized this was the perfect time to get dropped off. As for what we are doing there..." Professor Stein pauses and looks to Captain Sharp.

"Wild Cards, if anyone in the world is going to have the facts on what is going on with South America, the Merchant Republic, the ASC, and the Grand Cannon, it's going to be our old unit in Brazil. At this time, none of us are even allowed to give you its name. The hope is - by the time you've completed your mission in Antarctica, we'll know a great deal more about the situation with the Zeki in Brazil. Maybe even have some old faces we can trust to help out." Captain Sharp looks downcast for a brief moment as he looks to his three companions.

Spoiler: For Psychie

Psychie, Toph would know that this is the same unit her father, Hiroshi Kirin, was a part of when he died in Brazil taking on The Malcontents. Sgt. Kirin didn't even tell Toph the unit's name. But Toph did learn a few things:

1. Momma Kirin knew more about what was going on and was ordered to secrecy (not that she required it with her iron discipline).
2. Sgt. Kirin's unit was not publicly known even to the Brazilians. They were just one more unit along the Brazilian border, one that Toph would later learn other units did not mess with and left alone.
3. This is one of the biggest reasons of secrecy concerning the details around Sgt. Kirin's death (including the recovery of his body). Even Toph doesn't know exactly how her honorable father met his end. Only that he most definitely did.
4. That Murphy and Sharp were a part of Daddy Kirin's unit was no secret. Professor Stein, ever the civilian (and possibly Hitomi) probably knows a great deal even given his evident rank, clearance, and influence within the United Earth Government.
5. What Toph could pick up was this - the unit had its share of oddballs (some like Murphy, some like Sharp, maybe some like Scary Jerry?), and most ASC units didn't want to know about them or have anything to do with them. Toph never got a clear answer as to why. Whatever they did for the war against the Zentraedi was apparently just too dangerous for other units. So they were left alone which is evidently just how Toph's father's unit wanted it. That some still live all these years after the defeat of the Malcontents back in 2020 should probably not surprise a person with a military background like Toph's; some people grow roots and decide to stay in places they were not born in.

Sharp sighs. "Just wish I were going with you."

Murphy then proves he has the ability to nod gracious and still look grim as hell at the same time. "Top, you know damn well you're needed here. Since you're ready to take over, Piper can go back to bein' a Flight Lieutenant and you... sheee-it... you can go on kickin' ass wherever you go! But we gotta keep this short or we're gonna miss our flight window."

"Yeah," Sharp grins. "I'll walk you down in a minute. Just makes a guy wish he could be in two places at once."

"We'll miss you too!" Reggie offers to everyone. "But... wait. Where's Mister Hercules?"

Shirley opens her mouth to answer just as a strange thought hits her. "Ah... he's indisposed at the moment. Why don't you try giving him a call before you go? I bet the big lug wouldn't forgive himself if he missed out on seeing you go!" Then Shirley looks to the intercom as if she wishes to use it.

"Go ahead, Lieutenant," Sharp provides.

"Thanks!" She smiles as you hear her quietly tap the intercom. "Hey... Sam? I just remembered that package I was supposed to pick up? Can you--" The rest of her conversation becomes quieter as she turns.

"Troops," Sharp says to all of you, "you're welcome to ask questions while you can - but understand - there are a lot of answers... we're not at liberty to divulge."

 

[Silanon]

If Ylva elects to pick up Trouble a second time,

It's not even a question in Ylva's mind, really - within mere moments, Trouble does indeed find himself struggling in her grip once more. That bare hint of a smile, from moments ago - it grows at the sight of the full-grown, traverser-finding beast. And how could it not?

"Hey! There's always room for handsome guys! Right?" she winks at Elinor, Toph, and Ylva.

Well, there are reasons for that smile to retreat. A somewhat reserved nod in response to Mack's reaction; not that she'd ever object, of course - but there are better days to hang out with parts of the leadership than after today's meeting. She raises her free hand for a somewhat informal greeting, but refrains from rising - there's a cat-like hero to be kept in check, after all. Besides - this is supposed to be free time, not a formal matter, right?

The news they bring - a relief of sorts. With the Wild Cards and Adamantium chasing the isotope, and wishful dreams - it's good news that someone will attempt to deal with the actual problem at hand. The Professor - probably the best choice, not counting the troops. Murphy and Reggie - harder to judge. Mostly because she doesn't know them, really. Then again, she doesn't know much about the situation there, or anything, really - so they might just be the perfect fit for the task. Not her call to make, anyway.

The offer to ask questions - well, great. It'll be helpful to know more about their mission than her own. The way Sharp talks, just knowing about the other team out there seems to be almost too much. Back at home, they said she'd always have just one more question. Not here. Not today, at least. "No questions from me, Sir. The less I know, the better." While that might objectively be true in this case, a hint of bitterness resounds in those words. Not intentionally, not really - but that meeting still stings. Burying her frustration worked for mere minutes until Mack dug the issue up again. Sharp showing up here doesn't make it much better.

"Just - good luck out there. Stay safe. Light a candle for us if we freeze to death." There's better words to say, she's certain. She leaves those for the ones who knows these men better. Reggie's excitement - she should be able to relate better than she does, right now. She's been in similar spots,before. First time on the seafloor. The first time overseas. The excitement to get to Eglin, at last. Or to be here. Today, there's mostly a mess ahead of her, though. And ahead of Reggie as well, as far as she knows, at this point. It's hard to share the same excitement.

"And... it's good to know that someone's on it, Sir. The situation in Brazil, I mean."

 

[Captain Hesperus]

"I want to understand the risks of fighting in artic conditions, snow and ice and extreme cold I can guess. But what about hidden dangers? Fighting in the extreme cold of space has to be much different to fighting in the cold conditions of a planet. For example, there's gonna be a risk of equipment getting iced up, right? There's water vapor down here that wouldn't be present in space, a small amount of water vapor in some critical component or device that freezes could cause something to lock up, or to act like a bridge between circuits. And with it being in the region of the planet's magnetic pole, our navigation systems are going to be less accurate, right. Going even a mile or so off course could throw our nav systems off significantly. Maybe I'm being overcautious, but all I see is a big continent of 'Unknown' and that's even before we get to the Zeki ship and breach it's hull."
Hercules' face wrinkled sympathetically at having bombarded Cal with his questions and worries, hoping the veteran Marine wouldn't think less of him.

 

[Kaerri]

"While having precious little nutritional value..." Cera frowns, then takes another bite, "...it is pleasing to the taste buds." Cera can't help but smile and you all see it.

Elinor grins. "That's kinda the point of popcorn, really. It's just there for taste. And, well, it isn't bad for you at least, not like some junk food. So it's kinda win-win."

Beema the Broo, not knowing any better, begins audibly crunching down the solid kernels of corn. They get crushed between her teeth as if they were soft candy.

"Though," Elinor adds, "We usually don't eat the unpopped ones. I don't know why there's always some that aren't popped, but there it is -- we just try to minimize them. I don't think they're bad for you," she continues with a smile at Beema, "but it's the fluffy ones that are what 'popcorn' really means."

Fat Gandalf steps in. "My dear, we are on our way to rendezvous with Sharp and Murphy's old military unit. A clandestine bunch who, according to public record, simply do not exist. Since Pacifica and the Broadsword are making their way southward past the continent, we realized this was the perfect time to get dropped off. As for what we are doing there..." Professor Stein pauses and looks to Captain Sharp.

"Wild Cards, if anyone in the world is going to have the facts on what is going on with South America, the Merchant Republic, the ASC, and the Grand Cannon, it's going to be our old unit in Brazil. At this time, none of us are even allowed to give you its name. The hope is - by the time you've completed your mission in Antarctica, we'll know a great deal more about the situation with the Zeki in Brazil. Maybe even have some old faces we can trust to help out." Captain Sharp looks downcast for a brief moment as he looks to his three companions.

"That'll be a help when an' if it's our turn to go there, sir," Elinor nods. "But, well -- no offense and all that -- is it goin' to be safe for Reggie? That doesn't sound like the kind of unit that's child-friendly," she clarifies, hopefully making sure Reggie knows it's his age she's worried about, lest he get upset about his physical state. "Well, or civilian-friendly, but if you're going..." She trails off, having put her foot firmly in her mouth and not wanting to put the other in as well. Somehow she doesn't doubt the professor can handle himself just fine even in a combat-heavy Brazil, but it's just a gut feeling. While she trusts her gut, it's warring with the engineer/soldier in her that wants something solid to back it up, and there's just the Traversing, which, OK, he's the expert here in that, but it's not the same as real combat skills. Or is it? Uncharacteristic hesitation remains in her expression as she tries to think it out.

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus Tag.
(Part 1 of 2)

Spoiler: Instrumental Mood Music

"Halcyon And On And On"

It's not even a question in Ylva's mind, really - within mere moments, Trouble does indeed find himself struggling in her grip once more. That bare hint of a smile, from moments ago - it grows at the sight of the full-grown, traverser-finding beast. And how could it not?

Eventually, Trouble quiets down and winds himself out and becomes content to let Ylva's pet as she pleases, all the while making soft rumbling Mewwoo sounds of pure contentment.

"No questions from me, Sir. The less I know, the better."

Captain Sharp nods to Ylva at this. "You get points for being practical. I'll give you that."

"Just - good luck out there. Stay safe. Light a candle for us if we freeze to death."

"You? Freeze to death? That's not going to happen," Sharp adds with a serious smile. "Not on my watch."

Elinor grins. "That's kinda the point of popcorn, really. It's just there for taste. And, well, it isn't bad for you at least, not like some junk food. So it's kinda win-win."

Cera inspects the popcorn briefly. "I can learn to enjoy this 'win-win'. Winning is what we Ura-Meltrandi were made for." Her red eyes seem to gleam in that moment.

"Though," Elinor adds, "We usually don't eat the unpopped ones. I don't know why there's always some that aren't popped, but there it is -- we just try to minimize them. I don't think they're bad for you," she continues with a smile at Beema, "but it's the fluffy ones that are what 'popcorn' really means."

Beema listens closely to Elinor. "Poppy-corn!" she licks her fangs and sniffs Reggie. "Poppy-corn is chompy-good!"

"That'll be a help when an' if it's our turn to go there, sir," Elinor nods. "But, well -- no offense and all that -- is it goin' to be safe for Reggie? That doesn't sound like the kind of unit that's child-friendly," she clarifies, hopefully making sure Reggie knows it's his age she's worried about, lest he get upset about his physical state. "Well, or civilian-friendly, but if you're going..." She trails off, having put her foot firmly in her mouth and not wanting to put the other in as well. Somehow she doesn't doubt the professor can handle himself just fine even in a combat-heavy Brazil, but it's just a gut feeling. While she trusts her gut, it's warring with the engineer/soldier in her that wants something solid to back it up, and there's just the Traversing, which, OK, he's the expert here in that, but it's not the same as real combat skills. Or is it? Uncharacteristic hesitation remains in her expression as she tries to think it out.

Sharp, Stein, and Murphy all look to Reggie quietly and it is the young Jamaican who answers.

"Ah, Miss Hall? Actually the idea to go was mine!" Reggie offers a shy grin while patting Beema's arm. "See, I had some recent ideas about the laser weapons you used during the Vera Cruz mission? I was running them by The Professor, Miss Piper, and Sam when I realized - I was really looking at technology differently than just a couple of weeks ago!"

"Go on, lad." Professor Stein offers when Reggie pauses. "Share with the Wild Cards what you told us."

The young Jamaican nods and shares his thoughts in an easygoing tone and manner. "Wild Cards? Have... have any of you thought about the concept of... you know... technological contamination?" Reggie pats Beema's hair as the curious Broo silently sniffs his hair and arm. "Think about it! Ever since we laid eyes on the Broadsword, we've been opened up to a level of technology unknown to us! And you even before that when you discovered the Zeki Zentraedi in their hidden starship in Florida! Now especially that we've lived onboard the Broadsword and been allowed to go about as we please, I think we have been exposed to an understanding of future-technology in such a way that it has probably changed the way we think about what's possible!" Reggie lowers his hands on the arms of his new wheelchair. "Concepts, possibilities, the understanding that things like the Cyclones, the Mjolnirs, the Thundercrackers, even this super-special Garfish starship we're on - especially Sam! I think this has changed how I see technology - permanently! I can't go back to the Reggie I was before; I can't forget what I've experienced here. And so for the rest of my career, the rest of my life, I'll be seeing technology through different eyes unlike 99% of the people on Earth alive today! Whatever I help to create in the future, whatever concepts that come out of my changed head, I have the Broadsword to thank for it.

"At the same time, I think this 'technological contamination' is all the more important to know because like you, I'm a Traverser! I communicate directly with machines, even my new wheelchair!" Reggie looks down at his naked hands and grins a little as the wheelchair spins right to left with no hand on the electronic joystick inches from Reggie's fingertips. He looks up at Professor Stein who seems all the more larger from Reggie in his sitting position. "If I get separated from The Professor, his lessons both as my mentor in Technopathy and my being his junior technician, come to a halt. Maybe a permanent halt if the tides of this... war... we're in separate us. So... I asked him if I could come along..."

Professor Stein grins and strokes his lion-like head of white hair. "...and I could not help but agree." The Professor taps his index finger and thumb together in thought. "Reggie is in a... tender state of being right now. If his education stops here, what then for his future?" The Professor looks to Elinor. "We are off to rejoin allies we have not seen in years. If we find them and they accept us, I daresay Reggie will be safer than anywhere on the world save for Pacifica itself. And once there, he will be exposed to a new style of technology that Sharp and Murphy here are intimately familiar with, except there Reggie will have more than their concepts - he'll be seeing the real thing. And besides," Stein lets out a teasing sigh, "you can't let 15-year-old boys out of your sight for long! You know the mischief they'll get into!"

The Professor then looks to each of you. "As for your own education in technopathy. If you come upon questions or anomalies that you think require my direct attention, contact me through Hitomi. She knows how to get messages through to me. Until then, I highly recommend the following:

"1. Do not enter the Blue World alone! That realm has more mysteries than we can perhaps imagine!
2. Practice your technopathic skills often! Start with the small things. Work your way upward. Discuss with each other your results. You'll be teaching each other until I return!
3. When you want to use your technopathy with any computerized technology, then gently merge with it. Ask it questions. Some Cores can reach you in this world. Remember the words you've heard in your minds early on? You did not dream them. They were quite real.
4. Remember that besides Murphy, Reggie, and I, you are the only true Traversers alive! Iris? Trouble? All capable of mental communication, but they cannot Traverse.

"Your destinies are of your own choosing. Oh," Professor Stein looks about in annoyance. "And someone share all of this with our missing man, Hercules? Where is he?" He turns to Shirley.

"I don't know," Shirley replies.

"Well, when you find him," Stein tells you all, "keep him in the loop. Remember, you're all part of one very rare, very special family now."

 

[Purr]

"I want to understand the risks of fighting in artic conditions, snow and ice and extreme cold I can guess. But what about hidden dangers? Fighting in the extreme cold of space has to be much different to fighting in the cold conditions of a planet. For example, there's gonna be a risk of equipment getting iced up, right? There's water vapor down here that wouldn't be present in space, a small amount of water vapor in some critical component or device that freezes could cause something to lock up, or to act like a bridge between circuits. And with it being in the region of the planet's magnetic pole, our navigation systems are going to be less accurate, right. Going even a mile or so off course could throw our nav systems off significantly.

Cal and Hitomi listen calmly and Hitomi casually turns to hear Cal's answer.

Cal holds his elbow in one muscular hand while stroking his broad chin with his thumb. "You know, I think I get it now. You're ASC and a tanker, right? You've never been in space, trained for extraterrestrial confrontation or interstellar situations. Okay. I can deal with that.

"It's like this. Every piece of Mega-damage equipment onboard this vessel that's meant to go outside of it is treated against all that. Now, I can't speak for your hover tanks or AJAX or Logans because we in the UEEF don't have those. On the Broadsword, we deal exclusively with Alphas, Betas, Cyclone Veritechs and whatever kick-ass creations you guys in the 'make it happen department' come up with. You won't have any worries about the mechs locking up or the Cyclones freezing. Not unless they're out there for days and days on end. As Expeditionary Force Marines, we've dropped onto planets that make anything on Earth's atmosphere look like pure paradise. Sure, we can't take on the boiling heat of Venus-like planets and that kind of thing, but you'll never find those heat and cold extremes here. So you got nothing to worry about unless you put your mech or Cyclone into someplace you really shouldn't... like deep in the water offshore or something. You're probably fucked if you go too deep there. Otherwise, if it's Mega-damage and it's meant to go out, you're fine."

"What about navigation?" Hitomi asks in reference to Hercules's earlier concern.

"Ahh," Cal stops and thinks before answering. "If the weather's bad and visibility is low, you won't be able to depend on your radar which means the bridge bunnies will have you guide you in using the ship's sensors. If the weather's clear, you're probably fine. But the nice thing about being in what I understand is the Earth's most wasted wasteland is we probably don't have to worry about outside forces seeing us and blowing the Broadsword's cover."

Maybe I'm being overcautious, but all I see is a big continent of 'Unknown' and that's even before we get to the Zeki ship and breach it's hull."
Hercules' face wrinkled sympathetically at having bombarded Cal with his questions and worries, hoping the veteran Marine wouldn't think less of him.

If Cal was thinking less of Hercules, he made no sign of it. "As for being overcautious, well shit, everybody in Adamantium and Flight Nine - bless 'em - were the same way when we dropped onto our first worlds together. Terrestria was the first planet with an atmosphere we could breathe. Talk about a fuckin' wonderland! But your talk about breaching? Sounds like maybe you're taking it for granted that that's how the mission is going to go? I'll tell you straight, man. That's the kind of thinking that can get you into trouble. Truth is? We don't know what the situation is yet. We won't know until we arrive.

Cal reaches down to his thigh and pulls forth a wide, sturdy-looking datapad. The sounds of his finger tapping fill the corridor outside Drake's. He takes the tone of someone casually providing instructions. "SOP ("Standard Operating Procedure") is to send Adamantium in first to check out what Flight Nine, er, the Wild Cards are getting into. Then you go in armed with whatever we can find. We've had it happen before where we'd scout a target on a planet out and then Flight Nine would get dropped off in their Rifleman Cyclones and deal with it with the Sams above in their Alphas and Betas ready to drop down and deliver them if needed. So... don't take anything for granted at all. But... just to show you you're in good hands...

Cal leans over with a very confident grin on his grill and shows you and Hitomi the details on his datapad. "...take a look at this. You seen these yet? This is what Adamantium uses when we're on scouting missions. For heavier shit, we go with the Rifleman. But.. maybe... if Captain Sharp sees that the mission requires it, you Wild Cards will use the same. And hey! You're like Drake. You can fuckin' talk to your gear and shit! How fuckin' cool is that?" Cal gives Hercules a devilish smile. "So don't worry, man - just stick together, remember your training - you've got this shit covered and you'll do just fine."

"Whoa!" HItomi's lively eyes light up with a smile as she gets a good look at Cal's offered technical readouts of a brand new weapon attachment and something else entirely.

And while Hitomi is busy checking out the contents of the datapad, Cal takes the opportunity to unobtrusively check her out. =)

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Hercules listens intently to Cal and visibly starts to relax as the veteran Marine slowly picked apart the anxiety that had been clawing away at his sanity. He smiled gratefully and offered Cal a large hand.
“Thank you, you don’t know how much that helps me. Not long ago, the Wild Cards boarded another Zentraedi ship and we lost a close friend. That affected me a lot and since then, I guess I’ve been over-cautious about everything. I think I should get you a shirt with ‘Don’t Panic’ written on in big, friendly letters, because you sure are my Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.”
He turned to Hitomi and said, “I suppose I should get my dumb ass up to the Briefing Room with the rest of them, huh?”

 

[Purr]

“Thank you, you don’t know how much that helps me. Not long ago, the Wild Cards boarded another Zentraedi ship and we lost a close friend. That affected me a lot and since then, I guess I’ve been over-cautious about everything. I think I should get you a shirt with ‘Don’t Panic’ written on in big, friendly letters, because you sure are my Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.”

Cal the Professional grimaces at Hercules's news of losing a close friend. "Captain Sharp told us you Wild Cards went aboard a Zeki ship? Just one small squadron? All by yourselves? And you came out with the Veritech Hover Tank you were looking for, the destruction of the ship, an alliance with the Ura-Meltrandi, and Cera? The same artificial intelligence that served as War-queen Taniya's battle-bridge on her flagship? And now she's not only a 2nd generation Ura-Meltrandi, but a Traverser, and one the Wild Cards?" Cal slaps the side of his own face. "Papadopolis, I have to hear that story over some beers sometime - my treat! You hear?"

Cal rubs his square chin and looks pleasantly confused when Hercules mentions the shirt and legendary story. "Ahh, I guess maybe I need to figure out what's popular with civilians nowadays to know about shirts and hitchhikers." Then he grins and shakes Hercules's offered hand. "You're welcome. With all of Flight Nine KIA, Piper told us that you Wild Cards are our veritech support now. It's you we'll be calling in when, not if things get too hot for us to handle.

"We lost half our crew to follow Drake's dream." Cal's professional exterior seems to crack a little, but only for a moment. "I know every last one of them would be helping you out like this had they lived. You're part of the Broadsword now, Papadopolis. We look out for our own." Cal turns to Hitomi and says, "And you. Before you go, can you show what you did? You know. How you got Scary Jerry? Please?"

Hitomi thinks about it but only briefly. "I'm late for my date," she pulls out her empty air hypo and tucks it carefully back into its hiding place beneath her waves of soft night-black hair, "but it might help you to know. So! You get three minutes!" She glances at her watch. "Listen up! You be Jerry, okay?"

"Ready!"

The detailed reenactment Hitomi spontaneously provides is expressed as if she had rehearsed a class just for this lesson. Hitomi makes every moment count. As she smiles and opens up her arms to "hug" Cal and goes through the lesson, Hercules catches parts of her clear and crisp instructions and observations. One conclusion he can easily reach is this - the doctor, the martial artist, the woman, and every other part of Hitomi's psyche had basically teamed up on Scary Jerry, hitting him when the maniacal fellow was at his most-distracted. Hercules catches some of what she says.

"...Jerry isn't the first psychopathic natural-born killer with strong sexual desires and chaotic tendencies (to cross her path)..."

"...key is to keep his eyes on my face or upper body, anywhere but my hands..."

"...I read his file thoroughly..."

"...correct dosage and specially-mixed cocktail for an often-wounded guy like Scary Jerry with all of his serious lifelong allergies to synthetic painkillers like oxycodone..."

"...Sam and Piper helped me prep for the encounter..."

At about the three minute mark, Hitomi is hugging big Cal close to her with the air hypo that was concealed under the base of her hairline now positioned under Cal's armpit where his gear isn't in the way, his clothing is at its weakest, and his pulmonary system isn't far for the contents of the air hypo to have to go. "...and that's the story! Hope you caught that because we really have to go!

He turned to Hitomi and said, “I suppose I should get my dumb ass up to the Briefing Room with the rest of them, huh?”

"You've got that right." To Cal, she waves. "Bye now!"

"Later! And thanks!"

Cal stands there looking astounded at both the heroic, big-hearted, and curious tanker-Traverser and the incredibly-beautiful, skilled, and talented Chief Medical Officer as you make your way toward the elevator leading up to the deck belonging to the Briefing Room. In time, Cal, the handsome and burly veteran of many an interstellar battle makes his way back inside Drake's to join his fellows, both human and Beastie. Rejoining them takes but a minute. But Cal's thoughts and feelings of being impressed by Hercules and Hitomi stay with him for much, much longer than that.

Captain Hesperus Tag.

 

[Kaerri]

The Professor then looks to each of you. "As for your own education in technopathy. If you come upon questions or anomalies that you think require my direct attention, contact me through Hitomi. She knows how to get messages through to me. Until then, I highly recommend the following:

"1. Do not enter the Blue World alone! That realm has more mysteries than we can perhaps imagine!
2. Practice your technopathic skills often! Start with the small things. Work your way upward. Discuss with each other your results. You'll be teaching each other until I return!
3. When you want to use your technopathy with any computerized technology, then gently merge with it. Ask it questions. Some Cores can reach you in this world. Remember the words you've heard in your minds early on? You did not dream them. They were quite real.
4. Remember that besides Murphy, Reggie, and I, you are the only true Traversers alive! Iris? Trouble? All capable of mental communication, but they cannot Traverse.

"Your destinies are of your own choosing. Oh," Professor Stein looks about in annoyance. "And someone share all of this with our missing man, Hercules? Where is he?" He turns to Shirley.

"I don't know," Shirley replies.

"Well, when you find him," Stein tells you all, "keep him in the loop. Remember, you're all part of one very rare, very special family now."

"Yessir," Elinor replies. Her concerns about Reggie have, if not vanished, at least been allayed by the young man's reasoning, and moreso by Stein's support of it. Besides which, the farm girl knows the professor is all too right about leaving teenage boys to their own devices! She grins as she remembers some of the antics her own brothers have come up with over the years. The mischievous grin dims slightly into an acknowledging smile, and she nods in answer to Stein's last sentence. She hadn't thought about Traversers as a family before. Until now, she'd seen the Wild Cards as just a military unit, which it was, but hadn't thought further to the implications of just why they had all been chosen for this. Her smile faded entirely as she thought over her impatience with Hercules' attitude at the meeting. That hadn't been very sisterly of her. She resolved to do better in the future.

On the assumption that her intended listener would be able to hear anywhere in the ship he was addressed from, she called vaguely ceiling-ward,* "Sam? D'you know where Hercules is just now? There's some stuff he ought to know about."

*I'm assuming neither Sam nor Samantha are currently in the room. If they are, Elinor will speak directly to them instead.

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus Tag.

On the assumption that her intended listener would be able to hear anywhere in the ship he was addressed from, she called vaguely ceiling-ward,* "Sam? D'you know where Hercules is just now? There's some stuff he ought to know about."

At this, a rainbow-colored light flashes from the circle-shaped briefing room - a shining little star beckons from what upon closer inspection reveals is one well-used intercom. From the intercom, Elinor hears the tones of Samantha who is using the country drawl she was asked to implement - by way of Elinor.

"Well, aaah'll be! Miss Elly? You suuure got some fiiine timin' because hunky Hercules is a'comin' up the personnel elevator from Drake's right this minute! He'll be there in two shakes of a lamb's tail so you just keep your britches on now!"

Cera hears this and gives her dentella this shocked expression at the intercom followed by a look to Einor that just screams, "What... in the universe... did Samantha just say?!"

In but moments, Hercules's huge form can be seen coming down the hallway with Hitomi beside him, not in her UEEF military uniform, but in the aforementioned black and white dress. Hitomi exchanges some chatter with Captain Sharp, The Professor, Reggie, and Murphy which opens the floor to Hercules and his fellow Wild Cards. All of them look to see what he has to say.

 

[Kaerri]

Cera hears this and gives her dentella this shocked expression at the intercom followed by a look to Einor that just screams, "What... in the universe... did Samantha just say?!"

"Thanks Samantha!" Elinor hears Cera's question and laughs. "Hercules is on his way an' will be here soon, so just be patient." Seeing motion down the hallway, she turns her attention thataway.

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Hercules strode up the corridor and entered the Briefing Room with little preamble. He saluted Captain Sharpe and Chief Murphy before standing square in front of Reggie in his wheelchair, his face a dark cloud threatening thunder and ruin..
"So I see how it is. You get a new wheelchair and now you think you can just waltz off, headlong into danger? And Brazil of all places? It's as close to an active warzone as anywhere in this blasted world of ours! There's any number of things and people down there ready and willing to capture you, or kill you even. But this time I won't be there to save you. I won't be there to carry you on my back to safety.", he held his angry expression a moment longer, before breaking character, "So, you'll have to use that incredible brain of yours to outthink your enemies, won't you. I'm proud of you, mikrós aderfós*, and your father would be too. You've come so very far in so little time, I can't imagine how much more improved you'll be when we get back from the Great Frozen South. You better not start bulking those arms up too much, otherwise you'll make me look like a stick insect."
He laughed then, a proper Herculean laugh that echoed off the Briefing Room walls and filled the room with his mirth.
"But wait, I have something for you. A little taste of heaven to speed you on your journey. All of you."
He retrieved the tray of baklava from Hitomi and held it out for Reggie, The Professor, Captain Sharp and Chief Murphy.
"Finest Turkish cuisine. Not as great as Greek, but good in its own right."

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus Tag.

"Thanks Samantha!" Elinor hears Cera's question and laughs. "Hercules is on his way an' will be here soon, so just be patient." Seeing motion down the hallway, she turns her attention thataway.

Cera thinks for a moment, fidgets a little, and then with an even stare, the only Ura-Meltrandi Wild Card replies coolly in a manner that Elinor can take as understanding. "Patience... is the essence of good hunting. I see, dentella." Cera relaxes and waits.

* * *​

"So I see how it is. You get a new wheelchair and now you think you can just waltz off, headlong into danger? And Brazil of all places? It's as close to an active warzone as anywhere in this blasted world of ours! There's any number of things and people down there ready and willing to capture you, or kill you even. But this time I won't be there to save you. I won't be there to carry you on my back to safety.", he held his angry expression a moment longer, before breaking character, "So, you'll have to use that incredible brain of yours to outthink your enemies, won't you. I'm proud of you, mikrós aderfós*, and your father would be too. You've come so very far in so little time, I can't imagine how much more improved you'll be when we get back from the Great Frozen South. You better not start bulking those arms up too much, otherwise you'll make me look like a stick insect."
He laughed then, a proper Herculean laugh that echoed off the Briefing Room walls and filled the room with his mirth.

While Captain Sharp and Sgt. Murphy return Hercules's salutes, they remain quiet and grinning. Wide-eyed Reggie freezes in place when Hercules takes on his unusual tone. In moments, the youthful Jamaican about damn near has a heart attack except that Hercules, who knows how to deliver more than great food and explosive tank rounds, shifts gears right at the smoothest moment.
Reggie's hand goes to his chest and he begins gasping, a light smile breaks across his face and he lets out a long relief-filled laugh. "Okay! Okay! I'll admit it! You... you got me, Mister Papadopolis!" With this sure positive sign, other faces like Mack, Beema, and Cera light up a bit too. Reggie flexes his arms. "Yeah! Sgt. Murphy has been showing me some curling techniques! They're so good, they hurt!"

The old soldier rubs his brown and silver-speckled moustache and smirks. "Sometimes a little discomfort in th' short run'll pay off in the long run, son!"

Reggie moves his new wheelchair closer to Hercules and reaches up to hug him. "I'm going to miss... all of you! Everybody!" He saves his biggest smile for Hercules. "But I'll always remember what you did for me! You rescued me from the Anti-Unification League! That guy broke my chair and he was about to start breaking me, but then... you broke him!" Reggie makes swinging motions like he has a huge chair above his head and is bringing it down upon some unseen enemy. His Patwo comes out in his accent as his excitement increases. "De Wicked Man was smackin' an' crackin' until Mista Hercules come stormin' in like Rage made flesh! Then Wicked Man be wailin' and flailin' under the Greek Hurricane o' Doom, mon! Ain't no stoppin' Hulkin' Heroic Hercules, mon!" Reggie sniffs as he hugs the huge Greek.

"But wait, I have something for you. A little taste of heaven to speed you on your journey. All of you."
He retrieved the tray of baklava from Hitomi and held it out for Reggie, The Professor, Captain Sharp and Chief Murphy.
"Finest Turkish cuisine. Not as great as Greek, but good in its own right."

Mack lets out a soft gasp as she seems to recognize the golden treasures Hercules is offering. She seems to make some inward decision that sets the dark-haired Californian at ease. Meanwhile, the "boys" are quiet for long moments as one by one, the pieces of baklava disappear, leaving huge smiles and incredulous statements in their wake.

Then... it is time to go. Captain Sharp gives a grin and a look that knows many a solid farewell. "I'll walk you down," he says to Professor Stein, Sgt. Murphy, and Reggie Booty.

Sgt. "Murph the Smurf" shares one more glance with the red-eyed Cera. That glance lengthens into a long stare - and then the two very different warriors born on very different battlefields share a grin of understanding. Murphy tells you, "Y'all give 'em hell when the time comes now."

Reggie waves and gets one more hug from whomever is willing to share them. Beema and Mack eagerly comply as Trouble runs up for one last cuddle for what could be a good long while. "Stay strong, everybody!" Reggie tells you. "Keep Traversing!"

Professor Stein smiles at all of you, his long bushy white beard adding to the effect. "Keep Traversing indeed! Remember - you are capable of far more together than you are alone, my Traversers! Godspeed on your missions!"

They stay only long enough to hear your replies, then the four of them are gone, the door to the hallway sheathing shut. And suddenly, the Briefing Room gets just a touch lonelier. But that feeling does not last long, for the Wild Cards are a family of sorts too.

 

[Psychie]

Before he leaves, Toph goes over to Reggie and gives the young man a hug. "You take good care of yourself, ok? Don't make me come after you if you get in trouble!" She then tousles his hair and smiles at him warmly.

 

[Silanon]

Ylva responds to Reggie's waving in kind, and adds a smile to it as well - but refrains from going any farther than that. There are stories in people's minds; if nothing else, Reggie's words prove that much. Stories she hasn't been a part of, herself. How long has it been, thus far? A little more than two weeks? Not enough to get to know these people, really. Not good enough to require hugging and excessive farewells, at the very least. A little awkward, that. Like being on the farewell party of someone you barely met once or twice.

Where she doesn't speak much, she ponders instead. Keep traversing, they said. Easier said than done. Two weeks... can barely be called a start in the right direction. Without the Professor, and with Earth's destiny on the line - well, there are better times to learn things from scratch. Things that, furthermore, go against every intuition she's developed during the last decade or so. Well, maybe things will become easier with time, and experimenting. But time's sparse, and experimenting while lives are on the line is foolish. Leaves little hope for mankind's newest unexplainable power, for now. Grand Cannons sure as hell sound more promising than traversing. Offers the world a way to fight back, too, without solely relying on the Broadsword to pull its weight. Well, if things work out, one will lead to the other. With the trusty help of good old expertise amongst this motley 'family' if one really needs to use that word. And if not... well, mankind's regrets will be much more essential than not figuring out traversing by then.

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Hercules wraps Reggie in a firm but loving hug, gentle enough to show he cares, but strong enough to last Reggie until they meet again. This done, he stepped back to allow his teammates at the young man. Reggie sure won't have any trouble with girlfriends when he gets older, Hercules smiled warmly, not like I did, anyway.

Once everyone had said their goodbyes, he brandished the tray with the remaining baklava on it at the rest of the Wild Cards.
"This is for us, to enjoy with the movie. Although, once you taste this, it'll likely not last long."