[Exalted] Above the Flame

[Heaven's Reach ST]

High overhead the planet of Kether Rock, dozens fire and earth manses used as bases for geothermal power taps direct power to the orbiting space station fair overhead. The massive space station served a number of different purposes, observation of the planet below, training above the planet, a command center, assignment and resting station, as well as an access point to the celestial mountain.

Dozens of ships were docked, about to dock or orbiting the station, and here was where Captain Hawkins and his crew were requested by the Marshal command to come for mission briefing and new crew assignments, so the ship was now docking for that purpose.

A vast open bay which had only a mystical force field of sorts opened out to space and allowed the Voidswimmer to simply pass though and land inside the space station. Several large adamant windows allowed one to look out into the bay allowing the new crew a chance to speak with each other as well as watch the ship come into the dock.

Waiting with the new crew members was Marshal Commander Dren Celia, Battles Caste Sidereal, the Sidereal assigned as commander to several dozen Marshals in this area of space, of which Dan's crew was one.

- And now we begin, as of the moment, some of you are on the station, about to be assigned to the Captain's command crew.

- Star Marshal Hawkins, Karren and Sophia are on the ship.. Kestrel and Salvatrice are waiting at the dock

[Dan Hawkins]

This was a new one for him. Already his crew boasted more Exalted than any of the other Marshal teams, adding two more, well it would be for something big. He had not been fully briefed on the new crew members, told only to prepare berths for them. He wasn't wearing his armor, it was not needed, and had his pistols at his hips.

"As far as I know, leaves haven't been canceled. Unless that changes get the crew Ready to disembark in shifts Dyna. After I meet with my superiors, I'll brief you on what's going on if no one has."

He trusted his partner and confidant completely. At his other side, Karren stood. He looked to her and nodded. "Looks like the trend continues."

[Karren Gaunt]

"Aparently," Karren agreed, a laugh silently danced in her eyes, "We can only hope these newcomers and what trouble they get us into are as much fun as Sophia's turned out to be."

Full lips parted in a good-natured smirk to reveal pointed teeth, the physically-imposing redhead adjusting a black vest proudly marked with the insignia of the Voidswimmer. A green t-shirt, urban-patterned fatigue pants, and very serious pair of combat boots filled out the rest of her garb, as close to formal wear as she allowed herself to get. There was no love lost between Karren and anyone in authority, and that smirk promised Marshall Hawkins would have at least a few crew members in the infirmary by the time the ship left port again if shore leave went as planned.

The smirk was displaced in a moment of concern, "But seriously, do we know anything about these two besides their names and the fact they're Exalted? That's a lot of room for things to go wrong. Much as I hate to, if there's anything I can do during shore leave to help set things up..."

[SalmonMax]

Meanwhile, in the station's docking terminal, Kestrel waited impatiently. Patience had never, in truth, been one of her virtues; now less than ever. And it didn't help that there were a pair of armed Marshals over in the doorway, keeping an eye on her. Well, her and the rest of the room, but she figured they were mostly here for her. After all, if she was going to try something to escape, this would be an opportune moment.

Of course, why would she do that when she had everything to gain by staying? But that's what you got for relying on bureaucracy. Rigid. Paranoid. And slow.

Kestrel was naturally antsy around law enforcement. It came with the territory. She was a thief...though she took umbrage at such a common term. She was a thief in the same way Pulafo was 'a sculptor of note,' or that the Linthia Clan Patriarch was 'an underworld figure.' Very few who indulged in the mere misappropriation of property ever registered on the radar of the mighty Star Marshals. That was a point of some pride for her, even if it was a little bothersome NOW.

She'd been discovered by her Shard and made nearly immortal fairly young, and still looked it. Kestrel could pass for a nineteen or twenty year old, or perhaps up to twenty-five. She had the kind of face where it was a little hard to tell, and she knew the facial cues for biasing her appearance one way or the other. Dusky-skinned of parentage both mixed and unknown...she'd been found before she was ever raised. At odds with her skin, her eyes were a strange light green shade and her hair was by birth very pale blonde. She always colored it though. Right now she was fond of purple, so that's what it was. Shocking, vibrant purple. Her exotic appearance might have worked against her; making her easier to notice, easier to remember. Kestrel found ways to make it work for her though. She found ways to make just about everything work for her. Even the Marshals.

Of course, they'd insisted she come to this unarmed. She'd chosen a roomy, comfortable outfit that still left her arms bare, and had plenty of room underneath the baggy pants for her to wear a pair of charcoal grey and black tights suitable for stealth. If it was needed, she could rip the outer garment off in a flash. Not that she'd leave without at least making an attempt to liberate her things. She'd worked FAR too hard to get them to just abandon them. Artifacts wrought with Essence, mostly...priceless and all but impossible to duplicate since the days of the Engineer. Now they were packed in her gear, under the watchful eyes of the Marshals.

Not that she needed those things to be deadly, if it came down to it, but they were so convenient. And...she liked them. They were hers. Even if the original owners might disagree.

With an aggrieved sigh, Kestrel went to the large bay window made of clear, smoked adamant, and pressed her face against the smooth surface of it. Space was just outside, calling to her. Not for the first time, she wondered if the path she'd chosen was going to get her and a lot of other people killed. Not for the first time she reminded herself that there were worse fates, if it came to that.

And it would be quite a ride for all concerned.

(pic in spoiler)

[Sunstar]

Sophia on the other hand was wearing a black and red top and matching mini-skirt and heels. She wanted to look her best for the new folks coming aboard today.

"Sorry if I'm late, Dan, Karren!" She said with a smile.

The idol lunar seems to have no weapons on her person at all. Dan and Karren both know that her fists and feet are weapons in and of themselves.

The young lunar looks at both Karren and Dan. "So how soon can we expect the newbies to come ashore?"

[Dan Hawkins]

Dan chuckled. "We know nothing more than we ever do Karren. It seems to simply be how the Marshals operate." He looked to Sophia and nodded. "You are not late. Once we finish docking I plan to go down and meet out new crewmembers, as other disembark for leave. I will handle the pertinent arrangements, if you like you may go and enjoy yourself. Without killing anyone, or doing lasting harm."

"Considering where our orders originate, these two must have something big in the works."

[Karren Gaunt]

"Big is good," Karren replied, nodding pleasantly at the other Lunar as she came in, gladly putting aside the mantle of seriousness, "You know to com me if you need me, Dan. Won't be able to get into *too* much fun here on the station."

She chuckled, remembering good times on wilder worlds where no one objected to a good, fair bar fight. Well, only *mostly* fair unless the redhead was lucky enough to find another Exalted to spar with anyway. "Want to come along, Sophia? Some of the newer security personel haven't had a chance to experience what shore leave with Luna's Chosen is like, and two is always better than one at making a good time."

The smile on her lips was devilish, that of a big woman who believed in working hard, playing hard, and fighting hard without thinking too deeply about any of it.

[Heaven's Reach ST]

As the ship continued to dock, a woman walked out the door into the Voidswimmer’s Bridge, where the various members of the command crew were discussing matters, she drew a few glances, of different sorts, her beauty was exceptional, but she herself was clearly not human, her skin being the crystalline form of a vara adamant caste, with intricate inlay work under her skin that only enhanced her already considerable beauty to inhuman levels. Intricate circuitry of orichalcum, moonsilver, jade and even the rare starmetal could be seen on the surface of her body, all of which contributed to her exotic look, of course, the fact that she was wearing nothing but her skin meant all of the intricate work could be seen.

Some folks had tried to speak to her about it, but the Vara Engineer had responded with the following “Clothing as you mean it is a human convention, among the Vara only three reasons exist for wearing anything at all, protection, decoration or espionage, outside of those reasons, there is no reason for me to yield to the human foolishness and hide this lovely shape and form from anyone’s view.”

At the moment she went over to one of the ships computer interfaces and dozens of wires extended from her hands to interface directly with the computer systems. “Engineering has been transfered to the bridge, we are prepared to shut down the ships engines when docking is complete, Captain.”

There was one other person of note on the bridge, though she hadn’t spoken up yet, the young woman was incredibly cute, personable and had a great deal of influence over her father, the Captain, but she served as the ship’s Acting Communications Officer, and she responded formally, using her father’s title as Captain rather then dad or father. “We have interfaced with Marshal Command, Captain, we await your orders to complete the docking and power down procedure.”

*******************************************************

Meanwhile, at the station, while waiting for the ship to complete the docking, Marshal Dren turned to look at Kestrel and a moment, then at the guards, all of whom were dragon blooded, and he made a gesture in their direction.. the guards left, closing the doors behind them, as the Marshal Commander pulled out a pair of spherical blood red stones. “These are Oathstones, we would like each of you to take one, on the understanding that you will do your best for your crew new crew.. we ask nothing else of you, and you are not required to take them, but if you are, we might be able to provide a few other.. amenities of one sort of another.”

[Dan Hawkins]

"Dan" nodded. "Take us in and complete final procedures. Once we are anchored in, and ready, disembark the first shift on leave. The next may follow at the standard rotation."

He looked at Dyna and sighed. It was a good thing there were only women on the ship, there would be far more misunderstandings if that were otherwise. She was a striking and beautiful woman, Someone to which much of his more open mindedness was owed. Still her attractiveness meant she never lacked for someone to sleep next to if she wished it, even among the women of the crew.

Althea on the other hand was his sixteen year old daughter, maturing from girl to young woman, and she was far more capable dealing with others than he was.

He offered a thin smile. "Our other home away from home again."

[SalmonMax]

Kestrel raised a skeptical eyebrow. Other ameneties...carrot. Where was the stick?

"What's the oath, and how will it be enforced?" she asks lightly. "And while you're at it, what ameneties? We're way past the time for being coy."

She glances at the other woman the Marshal spoke to. "And who's she?"

[Karren Gaunt]

Not sure what to make of Sophia's silence in reaction to her offer, Karren shrugged and tried to not take offense.

"All right. You know how to com me if you want to join in. More the merrier, Sophia," she commented with a flippant salute and turning on one booted heel, long strides leading her out of the bridge as she composed a list of people in her head to invite who had first shore leave *and* hadn't been with her before. It wouldn't be fair to treat someone more than one, fun as it would be for her to put together a party of the more eager fighters.

Oh, the good fun a party like that could raise, though. Might even come back with all of them on their feet, too.

The red-head put the tempting idea aside with a chuckle as she paused in front of the lift that would take her down to the normal crew quarters level, one hand on her chin as she continued to refine her options.

[Sunstar]

"Huh? Oh! Sorry Karren! Sure I'll come along."

She said following Karren towards the lift. Sophia's a bit less of a party animal than one might expect from a Lunar of her caste and job. But still, rude to turn down a invite, especially from a good friend.

"So what's the first stop once we go ashore?"

The white haired lunar said looking at her friend.

[Karren Gaunt]

*Ding*

The lift's arrival presaged Karren's answer, a cluster of crewmen and women offering respectful little salutes before going on their way and leaving the lift empty for the two of them. The taller Lunat ducked her head a little to enter and waited for Sophia to follow before pressing the button.

"Well," she began mock seriously, looking down at the other woman's face, "We and our brave crew of volunteers will locate the nearest bar for visiting spacers that looks like it has a liberal policy on what counts as rest and relaxation. Lay claim to to a couple of tables. And get to serious work not worrying about plans farther than five minutes out until we get recalled back to the ship. Dan should have more info on our new crew members by then, and we should definitely get to know how they're going to fit into the crew."

Karren took security on the Void Swimmer seriously, the only reason she hadn't raised a fuss when given what rank she had.

"In the meantime, I'm fixed on five of our six possibles, although I'm wavering between Cerwyn Nicbryne and Jessica Boehm. Don't know enough about either to take one over the other..," she continued to rattle off as the lift dropped towards the crew quarters and the airlock.

[Heaven's Reach ST]

"The oath and it's nature is up to you, all we ask is a something involving loyalty to your crew mates, it's not required for you to make any oath at all, Kestrel, but if you are willing to, we can provide equipment, minor artifacts, resources, contacts and influence, you get what you offer. As to the nature of enforcement, these are from my manse in the celestial mountain, they work like the eclipse oath, except it is up to you to accept the offered stones after you make your oath, it can't be invoked just on a whim, like the solar eclipse can, which is why I prefer, trust after all, works too ways, binding someone to an oath unawares isn't exactly designed to evoke trust." Dren replied to Kestrel's questions, before turning to the quiet woman who had yet to speak that Kestrel asked about.

"As to your other question, I believe the Lady Salvai can introduce herself, she's going to be the science and medical officer aboard the ship, but I believe she may be a bit distracted over her concern regarding her daughters, sense they are elsewhere in the station for their own safety, though both of them will be part of the crew, well, as much as possible for them."

Dren then turned back to Kestrel. "So, do you intend to accept, or do you need time to think about it?"

**** **** **** **** **** ****

Meanwhile, back aboard the ship Dan was busy going over manifests, crew, equipment, discussing the physical status of the ship with the chief engineer, what was needed to fine tune things and fix any minor issues, as well as insure that the Voidswimmer was at maximum efficiency.

Aletha however, had decided to accompany Karren and Sophia, she found the stuff her father was doing at the moment rather boring, Shore leave with her father's lunar mate sounded like it could be a lot more fun. Pausing a moment to let her father know that she was going to be on the station, she ran to catch up with Karren, Sophia and the others. "Karren, Sophia.. wait up."

There were about a dozen places that Karren could find with somewhat different ideas about recreation, from a few with fighting pits, to one or two where you could find escort services or the like, though this was a station with the Star Marshals, so there were things that one couldn't find that could be found elsewhere, though some were undoubtedly the sort that she would avoid with Dan's daughter in tow, even here on this station.

Aletha Apparent Stats: Strength 1, Appearance 4, Charisma 5

- She is about 16 years old, cute as a button, but clearly she's going to be devastatingly beautiful in few more years.. Aletha is also a Siren and Serenity caste, not something that is commonly spoken about outside the crew, but is known to the two lunars.

[Sunstar]

Sophia gives Karren a goofy salute

"Roger Karren! Might I make a suggestion for a few bars we can stop by....."

She notices Aletha coming towards them.

"Heya Kiddo! Good timing. We were just about to grab a couple folks and go out for a night on the town. You in?"

She said hopefully.

[SalmonMax]

Kestrel didn't answer right away as her greed went to war with her desire for independence. The skirmish was fairly one-sided, and she gave Marshal Dren a reproving grin.

"You're working on the wrong side of the fence," she said with a laugh. "You're cunning enough to be a top notch criminal. I see how this works though. You've got me looking so hard at the oath I never see that what really will get me is the payout. You get me hooked on those 'amenities,' and you can ask more and more each time I need them. No thanks. If I need amenities, I'll get them myself. And I'll work with your crew because it's the deal, and because it's in my interests to do it."

She glanced at 'Lady Salvai.' "So you're offering the science and medical officer an Oathstone too, huh? Sounds like a pretty swank crew position for a criminal like little old me."

"What's your story, lady?" Her pronunciation made it clear she wasn't saying 'lady' as a title.

[Karren Gaunt]

One recruitment drive, disembarking, and short walk later, the three Exalted and five of their mortal crewmates found their way into the Drunken Monkey, Karren at their head as she opens the door and surveys the room. A nice half-moon patterned circle of room. Just the right level of half-lit gloom save for a fighting pit bathed in vivid yellow light and cameras to replay the best blows to holoscreens across the bar. Lively chatter greased along by drinks poured by two lovely women employees. The shorter one looked to have a little fire elemental in her, not the only xeno or augmented human in the place by far.

Oh, this was going to be good. Clean enough to not get her in trouble with Dan for taking his daughter here. Edgy enough to have hopes that one or two of these might be good enough to warrant one of those 'regulated fights' she spotted advertised by the door.

The imposing redhead drew in a deep breath, planted one hand on her hip, and said in her best commanding intonation, "Okay, Crew of the Voidswimmer. Your mission is to find a table empty enough for all of us that has a view of the pit. All of us except the Captain's daughter or maybe Sophia will go in there at least once tonight. Dan may have signed you up for the crew, but you're not *Officially* in until you've been through one of my shoreleaves and I've gotten to know and love you enough to let you carry me back to my quarters if I'm bested. First round of drinks is on me, Private Harris gets to help me bring it back to the table the rest of you will find. So, any questions?"

She grinned wryly, golden eyes agleam as she singled out Harris, one of her mortal hapless crewmates.

[Dan Hawkins]

Dan watched his Lunar partners leave with his daughter, and sighed. "One day I am going to run out of good luck with those three. "My partners will realize there are better men than I out there, more amenable to their tastes, and My daughter will discover boys.. And I will have to be a more dutiful father." the last part didn't seem to distress him as much.

Dyna of course knew these thoughts, his sole worries. It showed the depths of how much he cared for them, as well as how implicit his trust was in her, that he would give them voice. Still he continued going over his duties as captain, knowing his work would never truly end.

[Heaven's Reach ST]

Dren stared at Kestrel for a long moment, waited to see if their third associate would respond, and she shook her head slightly. "My story is my own for now, perhaps I'll tell more of it in the future, but I don't feel like telling it more then once, so let's wait until we're aboard, then I'll explain it.."

Dren smiled ruefully then turned to Kestrel again. “You are entirely too smart for your own good, girl, but I like you, as such I feel the need to add a bit to what you have said. No one is an island, I realize that by coming to use you indicate an understanding of this already, but even as a solar eventually you will find yourself in the need of firmer allies.” He paused for just an instant.

“Now, we are not the only possible allies out there, but I think we could work together, for now, your being assigned a position as a scout and reclamations officer. Which is a fancy way of saying the sorts of things you already have been doing, to a degree, for us. Should you desire to continue that sort of thing on your own, just don’t do anything that would involve us, and we’ll get along fine.. but girl, assuming that you don’t end up dead in the next few decades, your lifespan stretches into centuries, and then millennium, it’s an opportunity most people don’t have, you might spend some time considering what you want to do with that time.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile elsewhere on the station, Private Harris blinked a moment as she was singled out, then the chorus of no's from everyone, some of them had done this before, though they expected that with the captain's daughter along things were likely to get less wild then they could. Then again, the girl was showing an adventurous spirit, perhaps they would get just as crazy, or even crazier.

There were no difficulties finding a group of tables that fit Karren's requirements, and soon enough the crew as sitting down have a few drinks just as about a dozen folks entered the arena below, it was apparently a group fight, four on four, but it was clear after a moment, that the other four the area were there to referee the fight and keep it from getting completely out of hand.

Aletha looked down at the fight a moment then back over at Karren, and shook her head slightly. "Not really my forte, the bar sure, and I can fight, between dad and my teachers I'm fairly good, but I imagine your going to try the arena at some point?"

------------------------------------

And at the same point, aboard the Voidswimmer, Dyna was speaking with Dan. "Well, it looks like they want to add two new exalted to our crew, you know anything about them yet?"

[Justin OOC]

(wrong account)

[Dan Hawkins]

"I know one is a Night Caste, something we are somewhat lacking in, for being a patrol ship." The other, I do not know Dyna. I'm expected to take them on blind it seems, something I am not enthusiastic about."

He scowled, as he finished the last of the requisitions for supplies, and the maddeningly blank personnel file transfers. "Somehow I do not believe I will like the second one."

[Karren Gaunt]

Meanwhile elsewhere on the station, Private Harris blinked a moment as she was singled out, then the chorus of no's from everyone, some of them had done this before, though they expected that with the captain's daughter along things were likely to get less wild then they could. Then again, the girl was showing an adventurous spirit, perhaps they would get just as crazy, or even crazier.

There were no difficulties finding a group of tables that fit Karren's requirements, and soon enough the crew as sitting down have a few drinks just as about a dozen folks entered the arena below, it was apparently a group fight, four on four, but it was clear after a moment, that the other four the area were there to referee the fight and keep it from getting completely out of hand.

Aletha looked down at the fight a moment then back over at Karren, and shook her head slightly. "Not really my forte, the bar sure, and I can fight, between dad and my teachers I'm fairly good, but I imagine your going to try the arena at some point?"

Taking a long pull on her beer and measuring the men below were about to wade into combat, it was a moment before the imposing redhead answered, a huge grin on her face, "Me? Absolutely if I see someone who it looks like I can go enough rounds with to make it interesting. A person's got live a little when given the chance, and there's nothing so fun as an honest spar. If I could get your Father down here before we need to blast off to save Creation..."

Karren sighed a little wistfully, knowing *that* dream had long odds, "Still. We do what we can to make our own fun. And leave our problems back aboard the ship. So, which of you recruits wants the honor of having their turn in the pit first? This is your night, too, after all."

[SalmonMax]

"The sorts of things I've already been doing?" Kestrel repeated with a teasing grin. "You mean stealing. It's okay, you won't hurt my feelings if you use the bad word. My cards are on the table, after all. As for the rest...I'm more about living well than living long, you understand. Not that I have a death wish or anything, but I'll take quality over quantity any day. That extends to how I pick my allies as well, which is why I work alone most of the time. If your boy has what I'm looking for...we'll see. If not, then we'll be parting ways when this has played itself out. No debts owed on either side, no expectations."

[Sunstar]

Taking a long pull on her beer and measuring the men below were about to wade into combat, it was a moment before the imposing redhead answered, a huge grin on her face, "Me? Absolutely if I see someone who it looks like I can go enough rounds with to make it interesting. A person's got live a little when given the chance, and there's nothing so fun as an honest spar. If I could get your Father down here before we need to blast off to save Creation..."

Karren sighed a little wistfully, knowing *that* dream had long odds, "Still. We do what we can to make our own fun. And leave our problems back aboard the ship. So, which of you recruits wants the honor of having their turn in the pit first? This is your night, too, after all."

"Yeah, I think if Dan got down here, we'd win way too quickly with just you, me and him alone, Karen"

Sophia said shaking her head

"I'll wait a bit. Wanna take a look at the competition first"

Sophia said observing the fights, mostly looking over the different techniques the fighters are using.

(any style's I'd recognize?)

[Heaven's Reach ST]

Dren raised an eyebrow for a moment, then nodded. "Well, enough talk, lets go speak with the Captain of you new ship, follow me if you would." With that, the sidereal began to walk forward to the docking bay, clearly expecting both of them to follow him. Soon enough he was at the ship loading docks, and contacted the ship communications device. "Marshal Dren and company requesting permission to come aboard, Captain Hawkins."

***********************************************************

As Karren, Sophia, Althea and members of their crew who were with them looked down into the pit, the fight began in earnest, though it was clear from inspecting that nothing extra ordinary was going on, this was a straight up fight, the styles in use were mundane, there were no charms in use, at least such it seemed at the moment.

The rest of the crew who was with them listened to Karren's question and shook their heads, no one was quite ready for pit quite yet, they wanted to relax a bit first.

[Dan Hawkins]

Dan nodded. "There we go." He looked at Dyna. We will hold this discussion later. Come with me it isn't every day that a Senior Marshal escorts new crew to the ship." He picked up the COm. "Permission Granted, We will meet you in the Loading bay." He rose and walked down to the dock, still clad in his armor, and Smiled as Dyna kept pace. She was completely nude, of her own choice. There was really no forcing her into it.

This was the first time he'd had crew escorted like this, normally they just showed up, and he was glad that his Orichalcum armor shone with a brilliant blaze. It wasn't showing off, but more that he took great pride in his armor, much as he did his ship, and his crew.

[Karren Gaunt]

As Karren, Sophia, Althea and members of their crew who were with them looked down into the pit, the fight began in earnest, though it was clear from inspecting that nothing extra ordinary was going on, this was a straight up fight, the styles in use were mundane, there were no charms in use, at least such it seemed at the moment.

The rest of the crew who was with them listened to Karren's question and shook their heads, no one was quite ready for pit quite yet, they wanted to relax a bit first.

"Fair enough. I suppose it's only right that I lead from the front," conceded the red-head with a chuckle as she took in the various toughs in the bar, not really seeing anyone likely until she fixed her golden-eyed gaze on one hulk of a man in the corner, his skin a Dragon-marked shade of granite and a jade hammer mid polish in his hands, "Sophia, Althea, keep the party going while I try and flush out some entertainment."

Oh. Very promising.

Karren stretched and rose out of her seat, taking long, easy strides for her mark, a devil may care grin on her face as she honed in, a huntress on the move and not likely to lose her prey at this close a range. "Hey," she easily called and looked him up and down, "You got a name to go with that hammer? I'm Karren Gaunt of the Void Swimmer, and you look like you could help me have a good time tonight."

A jerk of her thumb toward the pit made her imediately intentions obviously, but the hint of good-natured wickedness in her smirk promised more if he proved... interesting.

[SalmonMax]

Kestrel followed Dren through the airlock and waited as the hatches cycled, thumbs hooked through her belt and head lolling a little to one side. She thought she was ready for anything, but what she saw was pretty astonishing...even for her.

Big guy, dressed up to look like the Golden Engineer himself. No. Not really. But that's what it seemed like in the first glimpse of that vast ocean of orichalcum that greeted her when the inner door slid open. And of course, then there was the naked Vara behind him.

...so it was one of THOSE ships. Did the Marshals have those ships? Seemed so.

Her eyes roved over all that exposed artifact, and Vara, rather freely, and a smirk bloomed on her face.

"That is a very nice suit, captain. Any idea what the street value would be? Just for academic purposes."

She winked at the Vara, as if sharing a private joke with her.

[Rubio OOC]

A booth with semi-working sound dampening was hardly ideal for getting much of anything productive done, but Zed found that the atmosphere in such places generally helped him relax. Which was good, as the story that the datapad in his hand told him was a rather depressing one.

"So much for honest business."

He sighed and let the datapad drop on the table. Agrarian exports on Porter's world. He had no idea what had possibly convinced him that it would be a good idea to try to invest in the futures market of a world that nobody had heard of that could produce farming equipment to frontier settlements. Sighing and cutting his losses, he sent a message that would close out his portfolio with that particular broker and blocked the address. He liked to imagine that some overworked digital spirit in one of the lowest parts of the Grand Celestial Mountain was moaning in anguish as yet another close-and-block order came in from the electronic bureaucracy that governed Zed's various accounts.

Meh. Easy come, easy go. Just went. So let's see about reversing the flow.

He stepped out of the booth and approached the bar, looking for something to take the edge off the evening when he saw the statuesque amazon going for the dragon-blood by the pit. Oh this oughtta be good. His eyes lit up as the woman, clearly no stranger to combat, spoke to the man. Though he couldn't hear the words, her body language was all challenge, and the jerk of a thumb toward the fighting pit was unmistakable. Correction. This is gonna be great!

Taking a sip of his drink, he walked toward the pit, trying to circle around toward the action. Momentarily hidden by the crowd, he dabbed some of the drink on his chin and spilled a bit on his collar. Then he simply held his breath, pinched his nose, and tried to blow out past it. His head was pounding in short order and he released the air.

Now appearing flushed and sloppy like just another drunk, he draped his arm around the being to his side. "Hey. I god two obols on tha woman with the guns and tha legs!" Swinging his head around, he raised his voice, using the tone that got others worked up into excitement. "Gimmie shum odds!"

[Dan Hawkins]

Dan nodded. "I do indeed know it's value, I made it, in a past life." The fact was he remembered making it well because it was Nova who actually made it, the personality that actually had subsumed Dan. Still he smiled.

"An odd question from a new crewmember, to be sure."

He was aware how it all looked and sighed inwardly. The other meaning her words could have a subtle dig at his pride, he discounted, there was no reason to fly off the handle here.

[SalmonMax]

Kestrel's face lit in a moment of astonishment, then gave Dren a knowing grin.

"You didn't tell him." She laughed and hopped over to stand beside Dan, opposite the vara, where she leaned forward a little and pointed. "You didn't tell him."

She looked up at Dan and positively beamed at him. "You will find that I am a very odd crewmember, to be sure."

Then to Dren she asked, "Should I tell him? Can I? Is it classified? If I tell him, does that mean you'll have to kill him? And if so, can I sell tickets? Because I'm thinking that might actually pay for another suit of that armor."

Clearly still delighted, she spun and offered a hand to Dan. "It's a pleasure working with you, Captain. I am...Keh..." she rolled her eyes theatrically sideways to look at Dren out of their corners and get the go-ahead.

[Heaven's Reach ST]

Bar

"The name is Tyran Rockfist if you must know, you've peaked my interest, if you want a challenge, I can certainly provide, but not without making it worth my while, set some stakes, something other then money too.. that's boring." The earth aspect terrestial stood to his feet, and it was clear he was just as huge as Karren was, a massive mountain of a man who fit into some of the stereotypes about earth aspects, at least in terms of physicality.

Ship

"Your free to tell him whatever you like, he's cleared for it, both of them are. If you don't tell him, I certainly will have too after this. I will add something neither of you are likely of just yet though, our investigations have indicated both of you were circle mates in a previous incarnation, which is why we chose to assign you to his ship."

Meanwhile Dyna shook her head slightly and tisked though her manner indicated more amusement then irritation. "Humans and your obsession with proper dress."

[SalmonMax]

"...estrel," she finishes. "The Kestrel. That Kestrel." She leans over to peek at Dyna behind Dan's back. "I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong. It just sets a mood, you know?"

She resumes holding her hand out to shake, but seems unimpressed by the Circle mate revelation. "As I understand it, and I've done some reading, these soul-core-exalted-things are the ones that reincarnate. Maybe it remembers yours, but as far as I'm concerned we're starting with a clean slate."

[Dan Hawkins]

He shrugged, "I've asked her to wear clothes, but it takes too long to convince her to do so."

He shook Kestrel's hand, recognizing the name from the files, and he nodded. I do indeed recognize you. I trust that since I'm welcoming you to my crew, and not taking you to a penal colony, that you've got some deal with the higherups. I'm not fond of that idea, but obviously they think what you can offer is worth it."

he nodded. "Welcome aboard. I have two cardinal rules on my ship. Respect your crewmembers, and I am the captain, on the ship you follow my orders without question."

They were fair, and the order should tell something about him.

[SalmonMax]

Kestrel chuckles and shakes his hand.

"Don't worry. Dren's layered a few extra rules on too. Tiresome things like...no getting yourself or crewmembers arrested...and so on. More to the point though, even I know better than to shit where I eat. Right now I eat here. So that's that. As for the deeeeeeal, well, you may not like the idea of it..."

She grinned.

"But I'm pretty confident you'll like the execution of it. You see, Captain Dan...you are going to take down the Linthia in this sector. And I am how you're going to do it." The space rogue dropped a wink. "Still don't like the deal?"

[Dan Hawkins]

He looked at her. "I'm intrigued, though perhaps it's best we discuss this in somewhere more secure." He looked at Dren who nodded. "Dyna, can you please show Kestrel to her quarters on the officer deck? The room next to the one that's tentatively yours? Do you have any bags Kestrel?"

He looked to Dren. "I believe my Superior officer and I have something to discuss first before I meet the two of you on the bridge?"

He speared Dren with a hard look, waiting to hear if there was going to be anything further for him to add.

[SalmonMax]

"I'd better have a bag. They still have most of my gear. Customs or something."

She popped over to Dyna's side and offered an arm. "So. Quarters? Wait, I've always wanted to try this."

Kestrel poked Dyna's arm to test its consistency. When it was very much metal she shrugged.

"Neat. So do you have an actual sense of touch, or is it like wearing armor?"

The two headed off into the ship, with Kestrel aiming one last glance back at Dan before she vanished from sight.

[Heaven's Reach ST]

Kestrel & Dyna

"I'm as soft as human flesh when I wish to be..in fact, I can look and feel human when I wish to, though Dan gets even more, insistent about that silly clothing convention when I do. My sense of touch is as good as yours, and with the right charms installations it can be even better then your sense of touch, but then, as a solar you can tap your own charms for such things, and you don't even have to go in for fitting and installation. As to like wearing armor, only when I actually.. wear armor, which I have options for if I chose."

She paused. "Officer quarters are this way

Dan and Dren

Dren started to turn around to introduce the other exalt, who wasn't there. "Huh, she left, well if she doesn't want to be part of this crew, fine, we'll see what other options are. You were suppose to get two new officers, Captain, but it looks like that number if one for the moment, I'll have to check potential crew manifests, your medical science officer is on hold for the moment." He then turned back to Dan. "Alright, Captain, your requests, concerns and desires?"

[Dan Hawkins]

"You're telling me I have to work hand in hand with a Solar Thief, one that is highly skilled, and likely going to bring untold difficulty to my life."

He looked at Dren. "Some more information would be nice, to start. A medical officer would be nice, we have several with limited medical training, but no specialists. It hasn't yet cost me crew members, but I do NOT wish to continue taking that risk."

[Karren Gaunt]

Bar

"The name is Tyran Rockfist if you must know, you've peaked my interest, if you want a challenge, I can certainly provide, but not without making it worth my while, set some stakes, something other then money too.. that's boring." The earth aspect terrestial stood to his feet, and it was clear he was just as huge as Karren was, a massive mountain of a man who fit into some of the stereotypes about earth aspects, at least in terms of physicality.

Karren looked momentarily nonplussed before chuckling, chin in one hand, "Heh. And here I thought a good fight followed by a night of good company would be interesting enough. Alright, since you want to be *technical*... You fight me in the pit till one of us knocks the other down, we trade stories over drinks afterward, and the winner of our little bout..."

She mocked-paused to consider this, grinning all the wider, "...Gets one favor from the loser, nothing *too* illegal, suicidal, or anything that directly hurts our loved ones, but an honest favor none the less, to be redeemed tonight or next time we meet. I'll fight anyone for the fun of it after a stiffling few weeks stuck aboard ship. but since you'd like stakes, there's my first offer, Mr. Tyran Rockfist."