Aberrant: Quantum Zero - Quantum Zero

[ProfPotts]

[Here we go. I've still not figured out what all these little tags & button do, so my narrative will be in boring old black & white for now. I know, I'm a little slow...]

*****

The view takes in a shot looking up at a magnificent pointed sky-scraper - the kind they made in the 1920s & 30s - flood-lit to impressive effect in the Manhattan night sky. Several helicopters can be seen circling near the apex of the majestic edifice, but they seem tiny & insignificant next to the massive airship, lit from within by subtle cycling rainbow hues, that rests moored to a mast atop the building. Background noise of crowds & cameras can be heard, & the articulate voice of a female presenter speaks as the view pans down the building towards ground level,

"... and there we see our first glimpses of the prototype Skymaster 3000 Airship, Masters International's bold new move to revitalise a once forgotten technology. However, the crowds gathered here tonight are hoping to catch glimpses of more than just the latest Masters' aircraft, as rumours abound that, as well as the usual legions of the rich & famous, several Novas will be attending tonight's annual Masters International Charity Benefit. Tonight's event is in aid of local orphanages: viewers will recall that the founder of the Masters business empire, Jonathon Masters, was himself an orphan raised in this city. But wait... yes, I can see the first cars arriving now..."

The view now shows the crowds gathered at the entrance to the building, parted by a promenade of velvet ropes & carpets. Cameras in the crowd produce an irregular cloud of flashes, adding to the sense that the crowd is a single roiling mass of humanity. Large men in tailored tuxedos cast watchful & menacing eyes, hidden behind mirrorshades, over this mass, alert to signs of danger. A long polished black car slides gracefully up to pause just long enough for it's passangers to dramatically alight amid redoubled bursts of camera flashes; & a surge from the crowd, both physically & in noise level, as the mass presses & strains at the possibility of recognising wealth & fame. As the first impeccably attired couple run the gauntlet of fandom & newspeople, the first car glides away, to be seamlessly replaced by it's clone with it's own cargo of beautiful people. As the cycle is repeated the presenter's voice provides a running who's-who of guests to this most elite of parties: celebrities, politicians, business elite, even minor royalty from some all but forgotten European nation-state, but not who the people really want to see. Famous or not, the crowd is waiting for a chance to see a real Nova...

*****

[Well, I hope that gives people a reasonable lead-in. Over to you guys for the dramatic (or not) entrances.]

[El Enano Gigante]

The next car deposits a dazzling young Asian woman in a shimmering Chinese style dress, arm in arm with her escort - a striking, slightly rogueish man in his mid-twenties wearing the best tuxedo that money can rent.

The presenter continues her monologue for the Opnet viewers at home ".......and I believe we have sight of our first Nova of the evening - Dr Mary Chen, one of the masterminds behind the the Skymaster 3000's revolutionary new propulsion system. I don't recognize the man with her; Dr Chen has been romantically linked with several prominent Novas, but this new man is something of a mystery......"

Chen and her escort make their way from the car to the front of the building, occasionally pausing to speak with members of the crowd or pose for a picture. One of the reporters at the side, eager for a soundbite, calls to the couple:

"Dr Chen! Any comments for our viewers about your recent break-up with Dr Von Syndrome over at Triton? "

Chen's escort smiles and steps up to the reporter, speaking with a faint Irish accent

"I'm afraid that Mary doesn't want to talk about that tonight. She's here to have a good time, help some orphans, and forget about any recent problems. I'm sure she'd appreciate it if you were to leave her alone"

The reporters face glazes for a moment and he backs into the crowd, leaving Chen and her mystery man to enter the building unhindered......

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

(OOC - bold is for power use, blue colour is for mega-attribute enhancements ::bigsmile )

[ProfPotts]

[inside]

Immidiately upon entering the building is the lobby. This room has tasteful wood paneling on the walls, a high ceiling, & a marble floor polished to a "Death Star" finish. The trim is of polished brass. A single curved reception desk stands empty in the middle of the floor, but more large tuxedoed gentlemen flank the banks of elevators to the left & right. Sounds of music & merry-making draw you past this room, through the large oak double-doors on the back wall, & to the party proper.

[Casino]

The double doors in the lobby open onto a large open room, also high ceilinged & wood paneled, but with plush carpeting. In the past this room housed the restaurant that was the "front" for Club Atlantis beyond, tonight it's been transformed into a bustling casino. Party guests & waitresses (clad in the famous Masters' "Bunny Girl" outfits) mingle amongst games of chance ranging from roulette to craps to blackjack. Money & drink are flowing freely, & the friendly "Bunnies" are taking every oportunity to persuade rich patrons to donate generously for the orphans. Opposite the room's entrance are a small set of wide stairs leading down to the dance floor & Club Atlantis.

[Club Atlantis]

Down the stairs from the casino area is the dance floor. This room is also large, but the decor is quite different than the earlier rooms. The walls & ceiling appear to be made of a kind of hi-tech video screen, & are showing scenes of a star-lit night sky above a clearing in a tropical rainforest. The building's air-conditioning system is carrying a pleasant warm breeze, laced with exotic floral scents, to heighten the illusion. The floor is an intricate mosaic in a style influenced by ancient South American civilizations. Orchids & vines of many varieties are set on carved stone plinths & spread around the room. Against the furthermost wall is set a stone construction resembling an Aztec or Mayan step pyramid; before this strange "temple", cutting it off from the rest of the dance floor, is an ornamental pool into which is flowing a small waterfall. Incredibly Nymph-like etheric figures of beautiful girls appear to be bathing in the spray from this waterfall (in an impressive, if expensive, display of Masters International's laser-holography technology).

Music is being provided primarily by a live African drum band of some kind - the musicians are all dressed in pseudo-native clothing - although their number also includes keyboards & guitars & the like. The sound is up-beat & pleasant, if somewhat unusual. Here the waitresses (& even the odd male waiter, although they are outnumbered by their female counterparts at least four to one) are dressed in stylised outfits that seem to be a cross between colourful Roman togas & stereotypical "native" tribal garb. Dispite the music most guests aren't dancing but are gathered in small groups talking & laughing. As in the casino the staff here are keen to collect "offerings" for charity, playing to their roles as priestesses of some great lost fantasy culture. On the left-hand wall is the bar, also designed to resemble an ancient structure of carved stone & covered in vines & flowers, although the bar-tender (an overweight gentleman who appears to be of Pacific Islander stock) is dressed in relatively normal, if loud, Hawaian-shirt & shorts.

*****

[Come on in, feel free to mingle! Just some more setting to interact with really.]

[El Enano Gigante]

As they pass through the lobby and into the casino, Dr Chen notices some of her colleagues and excuses herself to go and talk shop for a while. Inwardly, Gerry is a little relieved - Mary's a great woman, but she has trouble forgetting about work, and he hadn't relished the idea of spending the whole evening listening to talk of engines and circumventing the laws of thermodynamics. He was beginning to wonder if that was the reason he hadn't had to use his 'natural talents' to get her to invite him along..........

Straightening his bow-tie and avoiding the tray-toting bunnies, Gerry made his way down to the club in search of a real drink.

[ProfPotts]

The crowds of rich & famous swirl & flow in the eternal dance of high-society, but the entrance of Dr Chen & her companion is like a pebble thrown into this social pool. The disturbance to the natural social balance caused by their arrival breaks the party's rhythm as both the guests & the staff are caught by their beauty. Some stop & stare, others, more self-confident, move closer, trying to look casual about it.

Dr Chen seperates from her escort, & a small nucleus of admirers form around her, all pretending to understand the complex theoretical physics she begins to discuss with a few of the more knowledgable guests, all of whom are (at least) twice her age.

Meanwhile her companion, Gerry, draws more than a few glances, looks, & outright stares (mostly from the ladies, but some from fellow gentlemen) as he heads into the exotic decor of Club Atlantis. Moments after he's reached the bar it seems as though half the waitresses in the club have decided to serve him, as there is a general migration of females in his direction. The large bar-tender is momentarily gob-smacked, before regaining his wits & shooing away the girls, with orders to return to work. Tutting to himself about the difficulty to get good staff these days he turns to Gerry with the age-old question his profession is world-renowned for,

"What can I get you?"

[El Enano Gigante]

Gerry grins at the bartender, and looks along the rows of spirits on the back wall. He may not be super tough, but one of the other fringe benefits of being a Nova was the ability to drink all night and be none the worse for wear in the morning.

"I think I'll start with a whiskey, thank you"

As the bartender prepares to pour a measure, Gerry stops him -

"Is that proper Irish whiskey? See, I'm not too keen on that American rubbish...."

With the bartender's assurance, Gerry lines up a half dozen shots and turns to look around the room. He happily exchanges small talk with the various waitresses, admirers and hangers-on, waiting to see if anyone catches his attention. Surely he and Mary can't be the only Novas present.................

[brilyn]

Meanwhile...

Out in front a figure starts to push his way through the crowds.

A muffled "excuse me.... sorry.... coming through..... watch out......" follows the person as he trails in. People who turn to stop him in anger, look surprised when they take a look, and step out of his way.

At the edge of the crowd, the figure is finally seen, exposed and highlighted by the lights of the papparazzi.

A man, about 6' tall, strides forcefully out of the crowd in to the lights. He's wearing full black leather, and wearing a long black trenchcoat that swirls almost theatrically as he walks in front of the Press, sweeps the coat around himself, and bows dramitically in front of the cameras. People on the side-lines are seen to cover their faces, as much of the lights from the cameras are reflected off his skin, which seems to have a mettalic sheen. His face is hard to see, both from the bright lights, and large black shade that obscure his eyes.

He turns, and strides forcefully into the lobby of the building. ::cool

Once out of sight, the black leather clothing, the trenchcoat, and shades, all melt into a high-fashion business suit.

He smiles shyly and says under his breath "I always wanted to do that......" ::blush

[ProfPotts]

For a moment the guards in the lobby tense, hands moving to jackets, as they witness the theatrics of the metallic newcomer...

... then the doors to one of the elevators open (with a satisfying "ping"), revealing a striking, tall, & slender, black woman in a floor-length green-velvet evening-dress. Her hair is short & expertly styled, & she has deep, dark, eyes. At her appearance the tuxedoed defenders pause &, as she approaches the cause of all the fuss, relax. When she's standing next to the metallic man she takes a moment to cast her eyes up & down his body, before looking him in the eye, offering her hand, & saying, in a slightly husky voice,

"Good evening, Mr Chalmers, I'm so glad you could make it. My name is Ash, I'm a representative of Mr Masters."

She pauses for a moment to let her words sink in, then adds,

"Nice suit, did you make it yourself?"

[ProfPotts]

[Casino]

The crowd around Dr Chen starts to thin as first impressions of her beauty are diluted by (talk of) cold, hard, science. Those that remain include the very weak-willed who don't realise they're drooling, & a few who are actually interested in the finer points of sub-nucleonic particle interactions within a regulated plasma stream...

[Club Atlantis]

The occasional burst of spontaneous laughter, or rumble of serious comment, can be heard from the bar-side crowd as Gerry demonstrates his mastery of small-talk, all the time making sure that his whistle stays wetted with "proper Irish whiskey".

[as if anything that wasn't single malt Scotch was "proper"... ::tongue ]

He's introduced to many people, some famous & influencial (such as Mayor James "Jimmy" Walker, & his latest young blond female "assistant"), but fails to spot any Novas. One middle-aged, white-haired, man, dressed in the black suit & white "dog collar" of a priest does match his consumption of Irish whiskey though, & introduces himself as "Father Martin" with as much of an accent as Gerry.

"It's good to meet such a fine figure of an Irishman here", he comments, "as a relief from all these poseurs & wasters."

Some of his fellow bar-crowd object to that, but the Father just cuts them off with a swift,

"Aw, go-on with ya', you know you are!"

He slaps Gerry on the back, "chinks" their whiskey-glasses together & toasts,

"To the Gaelic spirit!"

[brilyn]

A couple of seconds pass.....

And the gentleman starts, realising that this woman was talking to him.

"no, no, just came across some EuFibre is all" he mumbles shyly, unable to take his eyes from hers.

About ths point, he realises that he hand is in front of his, and takes it firmly in a warm handshake. He seems to better take hold of the situation at that point.

"I'm sorry, I'm not really used to being the centre of attention, much less hold the attention of such a beautiful woman as yourself." ::bigsmile "Please call me Derek"

Derek's reverie is broken by the (inevitable) chuckle from somewhere in the lobby, realises that he is still holding Ash's hand. He let's go quickly, and blushes, looking at his shoes. ::blush

[El Enano Gigante]

He slaps Gerry on the back, \"chinks\" their whiskey-glasses together & toasts,

\"To the Gaelic spirit!\"

"And to your very good health, Father!" Replies Gerry as he generously refills the glasses with a bottle provided by the barman "It does my heart good to see so many people being so generous for such a worthy cause.....Do we know if Mr Masters hisself will be gracing us wi' his presence?"

Dr Chen appears at the stairs down to the club straining to see her date through the crowds. Gerry spots her and calls over to her to join them.

[ProfPotts]

[Lobby]

Ash smiles gently at Derek's antics, saying,

"You flatter me, sir."

She then offers her arm to him with the comment,

"Would you be so kind as to escort me to the party?"

[ProfPotts]

[Club Atlantis]

Dr Chen appears at the stairs down to the club straining to see her date through the crowds.  Gerry spots her and calls over to her to join them.

Father Martin glances in the direction that Gerry is calling, & his mood turns dark & bitter,

"Don't look now", he says under his breath, "but one o' those misbegotten whores o' Babylon is coming this way..."

"Masters may tolerate their kind but if it wasn't fo' the orphans I'd not set foot in a building with them."

[El Enano Gigante]

"It's alright, Father. The lady's an engineer, not a woman of negotiable affection. Plus, she's a friend o'mine. I know Masters has gone a bit over th' top wi' the ladies tonight, but think most of them are OK lassies at heart...."

Gerry can't help but find himself a little incensed at Father Martin's words, and his persuasive abilities come to the fore almost unconsciously.

(OOC - Soothe enhancement in full effect - hopefully......... ::cool )

[ProfPotts]

[Club Atlantis]

A sudden calm seems to come over the priest (as well as the nearby crowd) as he stammers, a little confused,

"I... that is... Oh, a friend o' your's you say lad? Well I... I suppose she can't be all bad then. You know you hear all these stories about her type - you know, 'Novas' - you just can't help but to think there's sometin' in 'em..."

He trails off, takes a large swig of whiskey, then beams a big smile ::biggrin ,

"Will ya' look at me! Bringin' everyone down I am, & this, supposed to be a party, no less! So she's an aberration in the eyes of God, nobody's perfect! Bring the lass o'er here & will all have a drink!"

The crowd seem cheered again by the return to party mood! ::laugh

[brilyn]

\"Would you be so kind as to escort me to the party?\"

Again, looking a little caught off-guard, Derek looks stunned.

After a moments hesitation, he gingerly takes her arm.

Then, with a big winning smile: "So, where to now?"

[Alex Green]

[Outside]

Alex stepped out of Limo and helped his, much more attractive, supermodel

"date" out. They both smiled at the reporters and crowd as cameras flashed.

He reflected again on his "thinking man's" approach towards finding a date

for the evening. *It was never this easy at college. All I had to do was

to go to that modeling agency and explain that while I had tickets, I didn't

have a date. If someone wanted to take a brand new nova up on a bind date

in front of the cameras... and here we are. Well, OK. I had to prove it,

but just showing that a pair of scissors couldn't hurt me did the trick.

Susanne probably looks at this as a publicity stunt, which may limit my

activities later this evening, but this is a "let's make contacts" meeting

so that is almost besides the point.*

Alex was wearing a flawlessly tailored Jet Black Tuxedo. Although a hansom man,

he was outshone by Susanne. She was wearing considerably less, and it

looked better on her. Alex was unremarkable for a nova. In his mid 20's

and 5' 8", he could almost pass for a baseline grad student, which was in

fact what he used to be. You would have had to have known him before his

eruption to know that the "healthy" and "athletic" parts of his look were

new.

The two of them went inside.

[El Enano Gigante]

\"Will ya' look at me! Bringin' everyone down I am, & this, supposed to be a party, no less! So she's an aberration in the eyes of God, nobody's perfect! Bring the lass o'er here & will all have a drink!\"

"That's the spirit, Father." grins Gerry. "Surely ye can find it in yer heart to forgive those of 'em as do good for the world? They ain't all like them Teragen fella's, afterall."

Gerry pours Mary a drink and puts his arm around her shoulders, and then does the same with the good Father.

"Let's all be friends, eh?" ::bigsmile

[ezekiel]

Suddenly the yelling and flashing out by the entrance stopped. It seems a man, some would say an angel, fell out of the sky in a blacker than black, fashion cut suit, a slightly off-white cloth tucked neatly in his left breast pocket. His emerald green eyes fixed the silent crowd around him:

"Please...continue."

His Baryton voice seemed to have little effect on them at first but the flashes slowly picked up when the photographers remembered what they were paid to do. As he entered reinforcements came to aid the agents holding the lines outside who desperately tried to follow him in to catch a glimpse at anything he might be doing. The "bunnies" almost ran to get any of his orders.

"Nothing, thank you."

After breaking the "bunnies" hearts, the man seemed to try to determine where he should go first...

[ProfPotts]

Murmers pass though the crowd as Derek & Ash enter the casino, with the high-roller guests trying to pretend they haven't noticed the young man's unusual hue. Ash nods & smiles at various guests as they exchange the usual pleasantries, all the while talking to Derek & seemingly scanning the room for someone,

"Derek, you really do honour us with your presence here tonight."

She catches the eye of a passing Bunny, & liberates two glasses of champagne, handing one to Derek,

"I'm sure it hasn't escaped your notice that many technology companies will be eager to recruit a man of your considerable talents."

Spotting whatever she was looking for she steers Derek towards the stairs down to Club Atlantis,

"We here at Masters International pride ourselves on caring for the needs of our employees. You'll most certainly hear offers from other companies that include larger salaries, but I'm sure an intelligent young man such as yourself has already realised the hidden strings attatched to such offers. With Masters you'd be given creative freedom, a friendly work environment, a not-unreasonable package of pay & bonuses, as well as many other 'perks'."

She smiles sweetly, leading him towards the crowded bar area,

"But, I'm talking too much 'shop'. Please forgive my rudeness."

The couple reach the bar, where Derek notices the dazzling Dr Chen, as well as a handsome Irishman & a priest, seemingly almost ready to burst into Gaelic song, entertaining a large crowd of party-goers.

Ash waits for a few moments as Derek adjusts (as well as he can) to being in the presence of Dr Chen's incredible beauty, then innocently inquires,

"Have you met Dr Mary Chen?"

As the famed Nova genius turns towards them Ash greets her, saying,

"Mary, this handsome young man is Derek Chalmers. I have a feeling he may be able to shed some light on some of those fluctuations you've been having with the Isis secondary drives."

Dr Chen looks Derek over saying quietly (to herself it seems),

"Metaloid epidermis reflective of erupted status, indications of evolved intellect."

She extends her hand towards him almost as an afterthought.

Derek is so absorbed by Dr Chen that he hardly notices as Ash casually mentions,

"Oh, & Derek? Mr Masters has paid all your outstanding student debts, I hope you don't mind."

[ProfPotts]

[Club Atlantis]

Father Martin tries his best to avoid looking at Dr Chen, as if even that would be some kind of mortal sin. He doesn't do too well, especially considering he's been attempting to match drinks with his new young Irish friend...

... Somewhat the worse for drink, he attempts to get Gerry, Mary, & the happy crowd to join him in a rousing chorus of some folkish drinking song (with rather blue lyrics it seems that a priest ought not to be familiar with... ::blush ).

As the striking black lady & her metallic hued escort approach, the priest leans close to whisper in Gerry's ear (with breath smelling like it's a higher proof than most of the drinks at the party),

"Careful lad. Th' Devil himself is comin'...", before beaming another huge grin ::biggrin .

[ProfPotts]

Alex & Susanne quickly negotiate the lobby & enter the casino, with only a few glances from the lobby security (appreciative in the case of the lovely Susanne - "supermodel" may be a step down from "Nova model" these days, but baseline beauty can still catch the eye - & suspicious in the case of Alex - after all, what guard worth the title ignores a man dressed entirely in black, even if it is very stylish?... ::ninja ).

In the casino the couple encounter more glances & side-on looks, although the attention of much of the party crowd seems to have drifted towards the Club down the stairs. Only the most observant stop to wonder why Alex's black tux appears to be reflecting absolutely no light at all...

Susanne takes a pair of champagne filled glasses off the tray of a nearby Bunny, passing one to her date as she looks around a little wide-eyed,

"Ooh 'Lex!", she bubbles like an excited schoolgirl, "There's so many famous people! I wonder if we'll see Janet Thorne here, she's my favourite actress, I've seen 'Goddess' about a zillion times! You're a Nova, do you know her? Do you know any other Novas? What's going on down there?", this last she adds as she peers down the stairs at the crowd gathered around the Club Atlantis bar.

[ProfPotts]

[Casino]

The attention of those in the casino is snapped away from the activities down the stairs when the gentleman who recently "landed" outside strides in. Pouting Bunnies soon surround him, despite his rejection of drink (& other) offers.

One voice suddenly breaks the general awed silence of the crowd, as a somewhat overweight middle-aged man in a cheap looking suit calls out,

"Officer Nathanson!", as he jogs over, breathing heavily. It takes a few moments for Terry to recognise police Chief Haig - during his brief time on the force he only ever met the man once, at an academy lecture. Still, he seems keen to be friendly now,

"Officer Nathonson", he repeats, as he catches his breath, "Good to see you. I've been meaning to catch-up with you, ask you why you quit the force - we could do with a few of your sort these days!"

A second man, also middle-aged, but looking to be in perfect health, & wearing an expensive tailored tuxedo like he was born to it, steps over. He offers Terry his hand whilst chiding Chief Haig,

"Come now, Chief, you know that Mr Nathonson wasn't invited here to be recruited back to your fold. His unique talents can be put to much better use elsewhere."

He then turns to Terry & introduces himself,

"William Masters, pleased to meet you. Glad you could come to my little get-together."

The Chief is looking a bit put-out, but Masters mollifys him with a quick comment,

"Don't sulk, Chief, I'll donate an extra million to the police retirement fund, ok?"

With a gesture Masters suggests that he & Terry head towards the Club (& away from the Chief...).

[El Enano Gigante]

As the striking black lady & her metallic hued escort approach, the priest leans close to whisper in Gerry's ear (with breath smelling like it's a higher proof than most of the drinks at the party),

\"Careful lad. Th' Devil himself is comin'...\"

Gerry follows Father Martins gaze, and tries to take in the measure of the man and woman standing before him. Beaming his best smile, he extends his hand to the newcomers

"Gerry Mandering. Pleased to meet you." Gerry turns to the man and feigns surprise "Jaysus, but you must be a nightmare to airport security.......... ::bigsmile "

[ProfPotts]

Ash smiles at Gerry's quick wit, & takes his hand, saying,

"Good evening Mr Mandering, I'm Ash. If I'm not mistaken you're on our telecommunications staff, correct?"

[El Enano Gigante]

"That I am, Miss Ash" smiles Gerry (does this man ever do anything but smile?) "I'm just a humble negotiator, but when Mary asked me along to this do - well, how does a man say no to someone like her? ::biggrin "

Gerry puts his arm around Mary again - ensuring that their status as a 'couple' for the evening is clear to all parties present........

"And what is it that you and your friend do, Miss Ash?"

[ProfPotts]

Gerry puts his arm around Mary again - ensuring that their status as a 'couple' for the evening is clear to all parties present........

Mary briefly turns her attention back to Gerry, smiling (it seems to be a contagious condition around Gerry ::biggrin ), & kissing him lightly on the cheek, saying,

"Ash is Mr Masters' assistant, Gerry. She's the one that keeps the company running."

Ash shakes her head slightly,

"Mary is exaggerating, Mr Mandering, my role is minor, really. It's the breakthroughs that she & her team make that keep the company going; & that's where we're hoping Mr Chalmers here - Derek - may choose to join our family. We have good reason to believe that he's a genius. And please, just 'Ash' will be fine."

[ezekiel]

\"Officer Nathonson\", he repeats, as he catches his breath, \"Good to see you. I've been meaning to catch-up with you, ask you why you quit the force - we could do with a few of your sort these days!\"

\"I'm sorry to have left without notice. I've been occupied...elsewhere.\"

Nearby Bunnies sigh in admiration

\"William Masters, pleased to meet you. Glad you could come to my little get-together.\"

"The pleasure's mine Mr. Masters. I'm flattered that you even thought of inviting me. By the way, I'd like to commend you for your efforts at bringing back the airship. She sure is a beauty! The airways could do with a little less noise pollution."

Terry follows Mr. Masters' lead.

[brilyn]

\"Oh, & Derek? Mr Masters has paid all your outstanding student debts, I hope you don't mind.\"

"huh? Oh right, no, I don't mind that at all....."

Reaches out to Dr. Chen, and grasps her hand.

"My name is Derek Chalmers. It's a pleasure to meet you Dr. Chen. I've been a fan of your work for some time, well..... the part of it that's been released to the public...." ::sly

[Alex Green]

Susanne takes a pair of champagne filled glasses off the tray of a nearby Bunny, passing one to her date as she looks around a little wide-eyed,

"Ooh 'Lex!", she bubbles like an excited schoolgirl, "There's so many famous people! I wonder if we'll see Janet Thorne here, she's my favourite actress, I've seen 'Goddess' about a zillion times! You're a Nova, do you know her? Do you know any other Novas? What's going on down there?", this last she adds as she peers down the stairs at the crowd gathered around the Club Atlantis bar.

"Now, now. I only left the clinic less than two weeks ago and this is all very new to me 'Anne." Alex swallows his glass with one gulp and places it on a passing tray. "The only novas I've met were actually at the..." (spots first the throng of on-lookers and then the novas) "...clinic. But let's go down and introduce ourselves."

En route Alex gracefully snares two appetizers from a bunny's tray as the couple walk towards the others.

[brilyn]

\"Gerry Mandering. Pleased to meet you.\" Gerry turns to the man and feigns surprise \"Jaysus, but you must be a nightmare to airport security..........  \"

Entranced by Dr. Chen, and Ash, Derek only seems to catch the last part of the quip.

"Airport security?" ::angry

"Dammit, I'm going have trouble there TOO!!!!"

After a red-faced moment, Derek visibly takes a deep breath, and calms down.

He turns and offers his hand to Gerry:

"Sorry guys, I'm just not used to this 'Nova' thing. And there seems to be much more of a downside to it than !N would let you believe... My name is Derek Chalmers, Mr. Mandering, it's a pleasure to make your aquaintance."

[brilyn]

\"Mary is exaggerating, Mr Mandering, my role is minor, really. It's the breakthroughs that she & her team make that keep the company going; & that's where we're hoping Mr Chalmers here - Derek - may choose to join our family. We have good reason to believe that he's a genius. And please, just 'Ash' will be fine.\"

::blush

"I think Ash is slightly exaggerating my abilities too. I just have good ideas from time to time, some of which actually turn out to be practical" *sheepish grin*

[Alex Green]

\"Sorry guys, I'm just not used to this 'Nova' thing. And there seems to be much more of a downside to it than !N would let you believe... My name is Derek Chalmers, Mr. Mandering, it's a pleasure to make your aquaintance.\"

(Walking up just at the last minute)

"Oh! Our host! Well, greetings Mr. Mandering. I'm Alex Green and this is Susanne Winter."

(OOC: Point of clarification: Alex's Tux isn't quite totally black, he has a white handkerchief and a white shirt.)

[El Enano Gigante]

\"Sorry guys, I'm just not used to this 'Nova' thing. And there seems to be much more of a downside to it than !N would let you believe... My name is Derek Chalmers, Mr. Mandering, it's a pleasure to make your aquaintance.....I think Ash is slightly exaggerating my abilities too. I just have good ideas from time to time, some of which actually turn out to be practical\" *sheepish grin*

"Good to meet you too Mr Chalmers - but call me Gerry. ::bigsmile I'm sure you'll adjust to Nova life quicker than you think. And don't put yourself down lad - you could think me under the table any day of the week.....Will ye have a drink?"

[El Enano Gigante]

\"Mary is exaggerating, Mr Mandering, my role is minor, really. It's the breakthroughs that she & her team make that keep the company going; & that's where we're hoping Mr Chalmers here - Derek - may choose to join our family. We have good reason to believe that he's a genius. And please, just 'Ash' will be fine.\"

"Well, 'tis a pleasure to meet you anyways Ash. ::biggrin "

[El Enano Gigante]

\"Oh! Our host! Well, greetings Mr. Mandering. I'm Alex Green and this is Susanne Winter.\"

"Tis a pleasure to meet ye both, but I'm afraid you've got me all wrong...." grins Gerry "I'm just a guest here, like yourselves. I'm sorry if this little scene I've created has misled you at all......... ::blush "

Gerry turns and catches Father Martin as he falls over backwards in mid-song, a little the worse for alcohol consumption.....

"I really should learn to tone down around those as can't keep up..... ::wink "

[brilyn]

\"Good to meet you too Mr Chalmers - but call me Gerry.  I'm sure you'll adjust to Nova life quicker than you think. And don't put yourself down lad - you could think me under the table any day of the week.....Will ye have a drink?\"

"Sure, thanks." *appreciative grin*

"and you can call me Derek. It's what I'm used to, at least."

"So, you work in telecommunications?"

[El Enano Gigante]

"That I do. Nothin' so technical as you're used to - I'm sumthin' of a Luddite where this kinda thing is concerned.." ::bigsmile "I just tend to do contract negotiations - where we can lay cables, dealin' wi' suppliers - pretty borin' compared to what you and Mary do."

Gerry refills Dereks glass, discards the empty bottle, and calls to the bartender for another......

"So what line are you in, Derek?"

[brilyn]

\"So what line are you in, Derek?\"

"Well, I was studying Engineering in college, with an emphasis towards the molecular/subatomic end of things. I have my BEng, so I'm qualified, but I wasn't planning to do some work in the 'real world' just yet....."

[ProfPotts]

\"The pleasure's mine Mr. Masters. I'm flattered that you even thought of inviting me. By the way, I'd like to commend you for your efforts at bringing back the airship. She sure is a beauty! The airways could do with a little less noise pollution.\"

Terry follows Mr. Masters' lead.

Masters leads Terry down the stairs to the Club, seemingly oblivious to the Nova's incredible effect on those around him as the crowd both stares & parts wherever Terry goes - almost as if he's used to that sort of reaction from people. As they walk he continues,

"I'm glad you like the ship. She's been a bit of a dream of mine since I was a kid - I'd hear stories of the original Skymaster, the airship my grandfather used to travel the world in, & wonder what it'd be like to fly in such luxury. This one's modelled after that first airship, but with all the improvements Dr Chen & her team have made the only similarities are skin-deep. Actually I'm not even sure of that, since the 'skin' is some sort of poly-mnemonic fibre, or somesuch fancy tech-speak."

The two of them stroll towards the group at the bar, Masters catching Ash's eye (& Terry catching everyone's eye). As they do so he goes on,

"I'm no scientist myself, but as I understand it the engines are plasma-based. We're using something similar on the Isis - that's our space-plane project, & I was hoping we could interest you in helping us out with that. I fully trust our people & technology, but with your abilities to hand we'd have a 'safety-net' in case anything did go wrong. NASA highly recommended you, & since I paid for two of the latest modules for the International Space Station, I doubt they'd object to me poaching you from them!"

Ash quickly goes to Masters' side, to whisper a few words in his ear, then proceeds to introduce everyone,

"Everybody, this is our host for the evening, Mr William Masters. Some of you may recognise the gentleman with him from recent OpNet coverage of the International Space Station as the policeman-turned-astronaut Mr Terry Nathanson."

"Mr Masters, Mr Nathanson, may I introduce Dr Mary Chen (whom you know, of course, Mr Masters) & her companion Mr Gerald Mandering. The gentleman in the dark tuxedo is Mr Alex Green, whom, I do believe, has also been on the OpNet news in recent months - something to do with Team Tomorrow & the University wasn't it?"

She smiles a sly smile at Alex as she continues,

"The lovely lady with him is Miss Susanne Winter, who, if I'm not mistaken, is pursuing a highly successful modelling career before she completes her Masters in Psychology."

Susanne looks a bit shocked, but pleased, to be recognised. Ash continues,

"The gentleman of the cloth being propped-up by Mr Mandering is Father Martin, here tonight to represent St Dominic's. And this charming young man," she gently places her hand on Derek's shoulder, "is Mr Derek Chalmers."

"Derek," explains Dr Chen, "was just telling us of his interest in molecular & sub-atomic physics."

"And, if I may, " adds Ash, "I belive Mr Green may have some thoughts on the matter as well."

Masters rolls his eyes at the prospect of a "jargonese" conversation taking place, & calls the bartender to hand him another drink,

"Thankyou Tiny."

He quaffs a mouthful of his beverage before asking,

"So, is everyone having a good time?"

He continues, taking in the whole room with a wave of his hand,

"What do you think of the decor? Personally I think it's a little over-done, but the tech-boys (& -girls, sorry Mary) wanted to show-off with all the video screens & holo-whatnot."

"It'sh a modern Shoddom, sho it ish...", pipes up Father Martin, "What with all thesh Novash & all..."

The priest laughs to himself then looks at the gathered group with bleary eyes & shares the joke,

"What'sh the differensh between a Nova & God? God doeshn't think he'sh a Nova..."