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Realms: Hunter Logs

Part Nineteen: Thunder Distant No More

Shadow
Moon of Eclipse, Osterfrau Quadrant

The wreckage of the Far Thunder frigate is only just starting to cool as the Scarlet Chimera plunges into what remains of Shadow's atmosphere, following the one gunship which managed to escape destruction. The Sparrowhawk gunship was barely able to dump their space velocity and right itself as it dove into Shadow's atmosphere, keeping itself from burning up but making a harsh, obvious ion trail through Shadow's upper atmosphere.

Nigel has relaxed now that the fear of imprisonment has passed somewhat. He actually even seems chipper after having gotten to play with the laser. Solbiort amusedly growls, "So, this is vhere ve rescue them? ...or ve get blown out of sky by Far Thunder base vhich is yet not found?"

Elgyn blinks. "There's a hidden Far Thunder base on Shadow?" he queries with bemusement.

Solbiort grins, "Don't know -- base hasn't been discovered yet!" She comms to Raj, "Hey, is prisoner hokay still? Also, ask her if Far Thunder base is on Shadow, ya? Vorst that happens is she vill not tell, after all." She grins ruefully, cautiously following the Sparrowhawk's screaming descent.

"I can do that," Raj says into the nearest comm, and makes his way toward the infirmary.

Elgyn scratches his chin. "I hope we gained something out of this."

Solbiort raises an eyebrow at Elgyn, then goes back to focusing on her piloting. Nigel notes idly as he watches his terminal, "We gained Wintarsen and Danviere's likely survival."

Solbiort nods, "Sounds good to me."

Elgyn grunts. "Hopefully. Hopefully even if there are any surviving leaders of Far Thunder, their resources have become so depleted that trying to find them now would be throwing good money after bad." His brow knits. "Then again...who's to say Far Thunder didn't get what they wanted?"

Solbiort murmurs calmly, "No von. Time vill tell. For now, ve see vhat ve can do for these folks."

As Solbiort brings the Chimera into Shadow's atmo at a pace that at least leaves some sort of safety margin besides 'life-risking,' and Nigel is seeing nothing unusual on the grid; Raj enters the infirmary, where the infiltrator has been hurriedly bedded down. She's still there, trying hard not to move and make the wound worse than it is.

Raj steps into the infirmary and gazes at the Far Thunder infiltrator strapped to the bed, with a slight frown. After a moment he says, "The Captain wants to know if you'll tell us anything about your forces, if any, on Shadow." He leans against the door, resting his hand on his hip and says, "I don't really expect we'll rely much on what you tell us, but a gesture of cooperation would go a fair piece toward making her happy about keeping you alive."

The infiltrator looks somewhat resigned -- and a little pale -- as she shakes her head groggily. "Any forces in the base were involved in the space operation. There weren't that many there as it is, and most went to crew the frigate. I'd be surprised if there's more than a single caretaker left."

Raj nods, saying, "I'll let the Captain know. We'll let you know how this plays out. Anything you need right now?"

She shakes her head again. "No, nothing... I'm so hopped up on painkillers I don't think I'd even notice if my leg was sawn off."

Raj says, "Someone will check back soon." He steps out into the corridor and contacts the bridge. "Prisoner says shouldn't be anybody on Shadow that wasn't already in space. Maybe one station keeper -- that's it."

Solbiort nods, "Goot, glad to hear it. Now ve see if she tells truth." She tries contacting the crashing, damaged ship, "Far Thunder Sparrowhawk, do you vish pickup of survivors?" She doesn't expect much -- they're likely quite busy just now -- but simply knowing help is on the way can be good for morale.

Elgyn listens for an answer curiously. "Wonder if they'll even accept help..."

There is no reply, which probably makes sense considering the starboard aileron deploys improperly and rips right off the fuselage. The gunship is having one hell of a rough time landing and looks like it'll be less of a 'land' and more of an 'potentially incendiary plow' in one of the medium-sized craters that pockmarks Shadow's surface, one of the ones that seems to have a moderately breathable atmosphere within. The ship plunges down into the thick clouds which seem to float just at the level of the crater's rim, disappearing from view. A few moments later in that general area there is a faint orangish glow barely visible through the cloud cover. Elgyn winces. "That does not look good," he says unnecessarily.

Solbiort sighs, watching, and comms the Chimera's crew, "Hokay, they had very bad landing. Everyvon stand by for medical emergencies incoming." She hastily heads the ship that way, scanning for where would be most efficient to put down in order to recover any survivors. Nigel gets up quietly and heads directly to the infirmary, knowing that this is going to keep him very, very busy. He barely acknowledges the infiltrator as he gets into the infirmary and starts readying his crash cart and other emergency supplies.

As the corsair lowers itself towards the crater, Solbiort sets the grid to show a rough map of the terrain in the crater. The terrain is mostly flat, with several indentations and contours; the gunship seems to be in rough shape, having plowed a shallow furrow through at least a mile of volcanic basalt. Without going through the cloud cover, that's all that can be seen. She lowers the ship cautiously through the cloud cover, listening for any maydays. She also follows the path taken by the stricken ship -- but angled off to one side. No need to set themselves up for an easy tail-gunner's shot.

As the ship breaks through the thick clouds, the bleak landscape of Shadow becomes visible. Beneath the heavy, ponderous clouds above, the interior of the crater is heat-blackened stone, carved into rivulets and twists where lava cooled in odd, disturbing shapes. Despite this, some handfuls of sickly plants seem to have taken root in the cracks and crevices -- little more than rock brush, though. However, the most obvious feature is the furrow the gunship left, and the gunship itself. A mile long, with gouges where the ship's engines tried desperately to soften the landing, it terminates in the still-recognizable hulk of the Sparrowhawk.

Solbiort makes a small 'tch!' noise. Unless there are obvious survival bubbles left behind the ship, she drifts the Chimera towards the crash site. She's rather concerned at the lack of maydays... seems a bit suicidal to her. There are no obvious survival bubbles, parachutes, or escape-flitters visible; on the other hand, if the grav screens or -- Buddha help them -- the airbags were operating and they were strapped in well, some of the crew might have survived. Solbiort frowns... then simply sighs softly and shakes her head. She rumbles quietly, "Setting down. Raj, Elgyn, stand by in Cargo to go search for survivors vith me. Molly, maintain bridge. Nigel's already in infirmary."

Elgyn unstraps. "We go armed, Captain?"

Solbiort mutters, "Absolutely."

Elgyn nods. "Just checking." He gets up then and heads for his cabin. This is one occasion where he wants his hogleg with him, for sure. He also gets his field medical kit, in case survivors need stabilizing before they can be taken back to the ship. Loading his shotgun, he slings it over his shoulder and goes to Cargo.

Solbiort settles the ship down carefully, leaving it warm and the engines running... then nods once to Molly before swiftly heading out for Cargo. She pauses only to scoop up a handful of re-breathers, giving several to everyone who's leaving the ship. She flips down her night-sight goggles, checks to make sure Nigel and Molly can both easily hear the group... then checks in the airlock to see if there's enough breathable atmosphere outside. She comms to Molly, "Vonce ve're out, lock down until you are sure is us again."

Molly replies, "Affirmative, Captain...." Elgyn straps on his rebreather, looking a little trepidations... he's never been on Shadow, though he's obviously heard what happened to it... it was the destruction of Shadow that brought Ulundi into the war, after all. And from how it seemed from out the window...

Solbiort nods at the report from the airlock, then pulls on a rebreather. "Ve'll need re-breathers, for us und for survivors -- not enough oxygen othervise." She waits until everyone in the airlock with her is ready... then opens the airlock, staring out with a mix of curiosity and irritation. So this is it. Shadow. She sighs softly, studying the downed ship. If there don't appear to be any snipers in place she simply steps forward, pacing carefully towards it but remaining near or in cover as much as she can -- which is blessed little in this hellish environment. "Let's go." Elgyn moves into place behind and to the left of Solbiort, trying to pay more attention to potential danger than the gruesome awe of the blasted landscape...

A harsh wind fills the airlock; it's cloying with moisture, but while not terribly strong and a little warm, has a sharp edge to it. There's very little on the ground to slow it. Up ahead, butting atop a bank of obsidian basalt, the prow of the gunship hangs over the ground. The hatchway to the crew cabin is open. As yet, the night-vision goggles aren't showing any human-sized thermal traces where there's nothing visible. Solbiort glances back over her shoulder, making sure Molly's closed the Chimera up tight. Behind the crew, the airlock hatches slide shut, leaving them in the windy dusk of the crater.

Elgyn doesn't mind the twilight, even without night goggles... he's got his ears and nose to back him up. He reaches down and makes sure his holster is snapped shut -- he doesn't like the idea of anyone trying to grab his own pistol, in case he does find a downed Far Thunder lackey. He spreads out a bit from Solbiort as he comes closer to the wreck. Elgyn and Raj do a quick look around the area; Elgyn doesn't spot anything in his quadrant, but Raj sees a faint thermal trace, a couple hundred yards away and stationary.

Solbiort reaches the open crew cabin hatchway and checks carefully. Is anyone immediately in sight? Also, was the cabin door opened by a person, or perhaps ripped out by landing? There appears to be a light coming from the gun ship's cockpit. While the hatch was partially blown open by explosive bolts -- some of which failed -- it doesn't appear to have been ripped off in landing. Within the cockpit -- it looks like it could hold three -- one of the couches is occupied. The person is a middle-aged man wearing a combat flightsuit of common make in the Alliance, but without the helmet. He is still strapped in, and appears to be breathing shallowly though his eyes are closed.

In Chimera's infirmary, Nigel takes a moment to look over the saboteur once he has his emergency supplies set out and arranged to his liking. He trusts Elgyn and Raj both to make sure a patient doesn't die, but part of him won't allow himself to not have a look. The saboteur is in rough but stable condition. She doesn't seem to be particularly talkative at the moment, though considering the trauma she went through, that's probably understandable.

Solbiort notices the man in the cockpit and scans for any others there, perhaps collapsed. She also murmurs, "Elgyn, von here." She adds quietly, "Raj, moment und I'll back you up for checking crew cabin und galley." Raj nods and steps back a bit, to better cover the approach. Elgyn nods and approaches carefully, keeping as much distance as he can between himself and the pilot as he does a spot check...

At Solbiort's voice, the man rouses himself. "Uhn..." he mutters, wincing and visibly favoring his side. He half-opens his eyes, "Captain... Skialdmeyjar... I presume."

Solbiort glances back and nods, "Ya. You got anyvon else aboard? Ve're taking you to our infirmary. Stay still, ching."

The pilot coughs, a little wetly. "It'll be close; my spleen ruptured in the crash. There are two more out there; told them to wait and see what happens, but I hope they don't get excitable."

Solbiort raises an eyebrow -- he can tell which internal organs did what? That's not a skill she knows! -but she simply comms Nigel, "Downed ship's pilot claims ruptured spleen. Elgyn's working on him now." She adds to Raj, "Hokay, ready vhen you are to check rest of ship." Elgyn is wondering much the same thing as he steps forward, gingerly checking the man's torso for the suggested wound, and others...

Nigel comms back with a terse, "Keep him immobile as possible."

Solbiort nods once to Elgyn, then follows Raj, covering him. Raj says, "Captain, I'm seeing a faint thermal trace a couple of hundred yards off. It's stationary, but I don't see much in the way of details."

Solbiort pauses, considering... then simply nods, "All right. Clear ship first, then ve check it out."

Solbiort and Raj find nothing surprising within the gunship -- it's little more than two rooms, separated by a non-pressurized hatch. The after compartment is in disarray, having borne the brunt of the crash. Elgyn checks the man; he's about as stable as he can be, with internal bleeding and internal injuries. Elgyn administers some local hemorrhage inhibitors which should, at least for the time being, slow the bleeding, and some antibiotics for the immediate septicemia.

Elgyn switches on his comm. "I think the pilot can be moved, Captain... his insides are in a bad way, but not life threatening, yet. Should I move him now or should we find the others?" he queries quietly.

Solbiort comms to Elgyn, "Ask Nigel -- he is medical expert here."

Nigel comms back to Elgyn, "Leave him be for the moment. Best to know everyone's whereabouts and conditions so we can do triage."

Elgyn nods as he's busy putting a rebreather on the pilot. "Copy that."

Solbiort nods once the ship's been reviewed, "All right. Vhere is this thermal signature, Raj? Ve check it out next."

Raj points, showing Solbiort the direction of the contact, "It's about 200, 250 meters off that way, right near that sharp outcropping. You can still see just the hint of heat to the left of it."

Solbiort nods once she's spotted it, "All right. You cover me." She steps forward about 50 yards, making sure she pauses near a rock outcropping of her own, suitable for diving behind if necessary. Then she calls out, "Crew of Far Thunder ship! Ve vill be moving your injured companion to our ship. You are velcome to join us." She goes silent, waiting for a response -- if any.

There is no immediate answer. Then a shouted reply: "Captain? This is Siddhanarta. What are your intentions?"

Solbiort laughs, then says, "Nihao, boy. You vant to stay here, or go vith us?"

"I don't want to particularly stay here, Captain. But I would like to know what you're planning."

Solbiort grins, "Fortunately for you, I do not believe all are expendable to the cause. I am vishing to get me und my crew off this rock safe und sound. Vill take injured from your ship. Vill take you if you vish, but vill expect you to throw down veapons first, of course. Decide, ching!" She adds after a moment's thought, "Can pick up base personnel remaining too, if they vish."

Elgyn hears the yell, and triggers the comm again. "Captain, do you need me with you?" he speaks quietly.

Solbiort murmurs quietly back, "Neh, Raj is covering." Elgyn frowns, but holds position... he's also glad he asked. He didn't want to muck things up again by charging in all gung ho.

From ahead the air seems to ripple and solidify into a lone standing, armored figure. A short-range 'wavecast on a standard unencrypted channel comes to life. "This might be better than shouting, Captain," Siddhanarta says. "The wind here... it gets in your ears; makes it hard to hear. Or shout over. I'll throw down my weapon. I can speak for the caretaker officers at the base -- they're not combatants -- though the base is on the other side of the planet. But I would like to ask what your intentions are regarding Wintarsen. Do you really intend to revive him and let him lead the Browncoats again?"

Solbiort gives the man an incredulous look, "Gwai, neh! Vhy vould I force him to do somezing he doesn't even vant to do?!"

Siddhanarta is quiet for a moment. "All right... beggars can't be choosers. And if you don't pick us up, then Kota will, and I doubt she'll be as or more gentle." Slowly he pulls the autorevolver and holds it up by the barrel. "Toss it? or hand it to you?"

Solbiort says, "Mm... lay it down, ching, und step avay. Also, your companion? Should be three from the ship." She grins, adding, "Also ching to take off invisi-suit, so you can lay down nice forearm blade."

The figure crouches down. When it stands it's not holding the autorevolver. "There was the flight commander aboard the ship; the flight engineer, Dartha...." He pauses. "I pulled him from the ship, but he's unconscious over here." He starts to unlatch the breastplate of the armor, leaving the helmet on for now.

Solbiort nods, shifting so she doesn't obstruct Raj's line of sight. Her hand is resting on her pistol, but she doesn't draw it. "You both need rebreathers?" She considers, then adds, "He is injured, or just unconscious?"

"We have rebreathers in our helmets, and the optical stealth is useless without the full suit. He's unconscious -- his suit's damaged, though; it's not able to tell me what's wrong with him."

Solbiort nods, "All right. Come forvard vhen out of suit und have dropped all veapons, und ve escort you to Chimera, und take care of your companion."

In the infirmary, Nigel comms, "Triage and emergency care."

After a few moments, Siddhanarta is in a typical Alliance blue jumpsuit and the suit's helmet, and with his hands upraised walks forward. Solbiort murmurs over the comm, "Elgyn, come cover this guy. Raj, cover me -- am going to check out last boy." Elgyn nods and beats feet to Solbiort's location, looking curiously at the still helmeted fellow doing his striptease. Solbiort pauses, amending, "Neh. Raj, I cover you. You know how to not detonate suit."

Raj grins, and moves forward. "I'll do my best..." As Raj works on the flight engineer's suit, Siddhanarta and the flight commander are moved to the Chimera -- Siddhanarta to an empty and locked room, and the commander to the infirmary. Nigel manages to stabilize the commander and start him on the road to recovery, though he'll be fighting a nasty infection for several weeks and will have a hellish time with the antibiotics. Still, he can remain conscious and will survive the incident.

Raj examines the man's damaged armor, carefully trying to work the one latch, then another. He pauses, takes a deep breath, then says, "Don't go anywhere; I'm going to need a few tools... unless you know some trick to getting this damnfool thing off I don't." After a moment, Raj stands and walks over to the Captain, mumbling, "Didn't think so." He adds quietly to the Captain, "This thing's more than a little damaged. It'll be a miracle if I can get this off him without him or me going up with it. Let me get my tools and I'll be right back." Solbiort nods, and Raj trots off in the direction of the Scarlet Chimera.

Solbiort takes a moment to gather up Siddhanarta's weapons. She carefully tucks the pistol into her belt, remembering he'd mentioned it was a gift from his father. Then she comms the ship, "Elgyn, see if you or Nigel can hook Banner-Corporal Andrew Siddhanarta up so he can call Far Thunder base. Don't vant them shooting at us vhen ve come in for them."

Nigel comms back, sounding a little grumpy, "Should probably stay in the infirmary, captain, but I'll give it a whirl if someone else can't rig the gorram thing up."

Solbiort grins quietly, "Sheh-sheh, Nigel. Ve see. You haf a moment still; take your time vith patients."

Elgyn is keeping Nigel company, as he's now got two enemy wounded in his sickbay, when Solbiort's call comes in. "Should I do that now, captain? I don't want to leave Nigel alone, but I also don't want to pull Molly off the bridge..."

Solbiort says, "Neh, can vait, Elgyn. Slow und safe is best."

Elgyn nods, glad his judgment was sound in this. "As you say, Captain."

Raj returns shortly, wearing his heavy body armor and a full helmet and carrying a steel tool chest. As he nears the Captain he says, "You probably want to stand back a bit here. I'm going to be a while working on this, too." Solbiort nods amusedly and does so. She also pulls on her heavy flying gloves. If she has to suddenly pull Raj away she'd rather not burn herself.

Raj works steadily but quickly, but right before the main detonator micro-capacitor starts to whine he's fairly certain it's still a fifty percent chance. So he isn't surprised too much when the damaged components do something they're not supposed to do and the det-sequence triggers. Solbiort jerks forward, reaching for Raj to yank him away from the conflagration, "Ah, gwai!" Raj rolls away from the explosion, cursing as he rolls to put out the small flames playing on his armor. Solbiort slaps the flames swiftly off Raj, then helps him up, "You hokay?"

Raj says, "How the hell can they do that to their own damn people?"

Solbiort shrugs, shaking her head, "This I do not know. Vould not allow it done to me. Come... ve see how others are doing und pick up last folks here." She comms the ship, "Crew, vere not able to save Far Thunder ship's engineer. On our vay back."

Siddhanarta and the flight commander from the gunship are secured aboard the Chimera. Siddhanarta becomes withdrawn with the news of the flight engineer's demise, though he does tell the Far Thunder base to stand down. The base is halfway across the continent, so it might be more efficient to get Kota's gunships to apprehend them. Speaking of which, the gunships have now long recovered from the blast of the Far Thunder frigate, and between them and the satellite drones from the Tsao, as well as several incoming DFIVs, Shadow is once again (for the time being) secured and quiet as the Chimera lifts off out of the crater.

Solbiort lets Siddhanarta know of her regret that they could not save his crewmate, and promises to keep his heritage weapon safe. Then she heads for the bridge, settles into the pilot's seat, and contacts the Tsao, letting them know the survivors of the crash have been retrieved. She also gives them the location of the Far Thunder base, that there are likely very few left there, and that the order to stand down has been given to them. Could the Tsao pick them up? Solbiort quietly flies out of Shadow orbit as she does so, surreptitiously heading for the black.

Kota replies, "Chimera, we can do that. I'll have a cutter sent there to apprehend them." She pauses. "Our grid is showing you departing Shadow, Captain." She sounds a little weary, but intrigued. "Where are you going to? You're carrying several people who are charged with a number of very serious crimes."

Elgyn finds himself oddly angry when he finds out there an actual base on Shadow... like it's somehow a trampling on the grave of so many dead. He finds it even odder that he's not angrier than he is. He almost wanted the survivors to be 'true believers' that would fight to the death. He has not quite purged himself of the anger that welled up in him all this time as the Far Thunder situation developed -- wanting to be a soldier again; to have an enemy to kill. But he says none of this as he listens to Solbiort talk with Kota; just silently brooding.

Solbiort smiles, "Sheh-sheh, Commander. Am heading for Newhall, of course, to deliver prisoners to authorities there." And, she thinks, away from any more potential suicidal lunatics here... She adds quietly, "My doctor says two of them should not be moved currently."

"Understood, Captain. I'll inform Security on Newhall to expect your arrival, then. We'll secure Shadow and make sure that this was the last of Far Thunder."

Solbiort sighs a touch wearily herself, "Sheh-sheh, Commander. Vill be glad to see last of them." She shifts the ship into speedier departure now she doesn't need to try sneaking, and heads swiftly for the black -- away from fanatics, politicians, and the unjustly dead.


It's the day after the battle over Shadow with Far Thunder, and the Chimera is safely in the black, headed for Newhall to deliver both prisoners and cargo. Solbiort has carefully gathered up the one undamaged and two damaged invisi-suits, along with their helmets. Each one has been wrapped and boxed separately in something as fireproof as they have aboard, and stacked separately in an empty cabin.

Since the battle ended, Nigel has been spending every single second he can in Engineering. Whatever patients he has are getting adequate care, and probably are even doing a bit better for not having to deal with the scarred little doctor's moods. The other mercy is that his normal sarcasm is absent -- mostly because he's been answering everything possible in one-word answers. At the moment he's working on tightening down and securing the covers over every single access hatch.

Solbiort strides into Engineering with Elgyn, glancing around as she speaks to Elgyn, "-to Newhall first, but definitely think Ulundi aftervards. Vhy?" She spots Nigel and smiles, "Nihao, Nigel. All is vell here?"

When Solbiort and Elgyn wander in, Nigel is working on securing the hatch over the access shaft that Solbiort had to rescue him from a few weeks ago. He's talking to himself under his breath, shaking his head and scowling as he mutters and tightens down bolts. Solbiort's greeting makes him jump, but he does manage to bite down on a yelp before it escapes. He glances over and jerks his chin in greeting.

Elgyn shrugs. "I would simply be glad for the opportunity, Captain. Now that this mess is over and done with, I am very curious to lay some of my other worries to rest," he explains, glancing over at Nigel absently.

Solbiort grins, lightly clapping his shoulder, "There you go -- vill be goot for you, pretty!" She continues walking, pausing to look down at Nigel curiously, "Who you talking to, di-di?"

Elgyn smirks. "The hatch, maybe... cursing it out for sticking, or something."

Nigel clenches his jaw for a second at Elgyn's smirk and takes a deep breath, twisting his wrench a littler harder than is strictly necessary, "Just going over how many more of these gorram things I have to batten down. The whole ruttin' ship is full of bitty little holes jus' waitin' for someone to get stuck."

Solbiort chuckles, studying the hatch, then says curiously, "Isn't this the von I pull you out of a month ago or so, di-di, und you vere... bit upset? Vhat happen there?"

Nigel stiffens a little more as Solbiort mentions that situation, "Yeah. This is the one. The cover was loose. Didn't want someone to break a leg on it. Then I'd have to fix it and deal with a broke bone."

Solbiort crouches easily, lightly touching Nigel's shoulder, and asks, "Di-di Nigel... you are all right or no?" Elgyn is about to make another humorous remark when he notes the tone in the Captain's voice... and makes an intuitive leap enough to shut it.

Nigel reaches up and rubs his forehead with his fingertips, brows drawn together in something that might be a scowl and might almost be a pout if that weren't just a little too childish for him. "Yeah, yeah. I'm just ruttin' fantastic. I've spent about ninety percent of my time since that clusterf... since the battle wondering when someone is going to double-cross us and if we're all going to all end up in some Alliance brig dosed up on neurotoxins thinking we're rainbow fairies from Earth That Was."

Solbiort grins in spite of herself as Nigel manages to smudge machine oil on his forehead. She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a hankie, solemnly offering it to Nigel, "Think ve should be all right now, ya? Far Thunder is out in open now, und secretive societies tend not to do vell vhen they are no longer secret."

Elgyn nods in agreement. "Besides that... Solbiort was right about keeping a few things secret, even from our would-be-allies. If we need to, we can just disappear again." Solbiort smiles and nods at Elgyn's comment, still watching Nigel.

Nigel scrubs at his forehead with the hankie, arching one brow and smirking, "Yeah. The secret society is gone, but what if the Purplebellies want to cover up that this horseshit ever happened? We might still disappear..." His eyes flick down to the access hatch and he pushes himself up, wiping his hands off on his coveralls.

Elgyn shakes his head. "They can't, though. Because we still have an ace. We know where Wintarsen is, and they don't."

Solbiort says, "Vell, am thinking that is vhat changing pulse beacons is for... so ve can flee to safer place. Fortunately ve are knowing a few still." She watches Nigel almost glare at the access hatch, then curiously asks, "Vhat is about access hatches you are so disliking, di-di? Is somezing ve can help vith?""

Nigel give Solbiort a look like she's speaking a foreign language, "Got nothing against access hatches. Couldn't keep the Chimera runnin' without 'em. I'm against 'em being open so someone can break a gorram leg or get trapped." As he speaks, he starts moving a couple of boxes over to sit on top of the hatch, "They don't, huh? Just how long was the human ruttin' chameleon on our ship?"

Elgyn opens his mouth, then closes it, looking doubtfully at Solbiort. "If they knew that, though, they would have had no reason to go to Shadow, would they?"

Solbiort says, "About a month, ve are thinking. Vill qvestion her more thoroughly vonce you give us go-ahead on it not killing her. Und Elgyn is correct -- if they are knowing about our hidey hole, vould not have bothered to meet us here." She calmly adds, "This is qvite reasonable vith access hatches. Does not explain your reaction, though, vhen I find you stuck in von. Nigel, am seriously asking -- you are all right or no? Anything ve can help vith?"

Nigel sits on one of the boxes and crosses his arms over his chest, "They don't know because they ain't talked to her yet." He takes a very deep breath and says in the most flat, calm voice he's ever really used, "I will not go back to jail, captain. Will not. Ever." He looks from Solbiort to Elgyn and back again, "Higgins and his gorram hotboxes might'a been the worst end of it, but I don't even want to be in a regular one. Never."

Solbiort straightens from her crouch to lean her hips against a box and study Nigel thoughtfully. "Hotbox... ah. Und there also you get the branding, ya?" She sighs, considering for a few moments, then says quietly, "Shuh-muh, di-di. Am happy to help you achieve this goal, if you vish."

Elgyn thinks about that... can not going somewhere be a goal? -then decides not to belabor the idea... what's important is how Nigel is feeling, not semantics. "We're not going to any prison, Doc. We did what we did to keep Wintarsen free... and if that goes for a stranger, it goes double for everyone on this crew," he says firmly.

Nigel rubs his palm over the brand, still scowling and holding himself like a schoolmarm in a room full of Companions, "Yeah, that's where it came from. Listen. I will do every gorram thing I can to be a good Engineer. I'll even be the best ruttin' doctor I can, but I don't think I need to be on the bridge next time we fly to almost certain death."

Solbiort tilts her head thoughtfully at Nigel, "Vas not certain death, di-di. I vas piloting." She grins, adding, "Also, you are perhaps vanting somevon else playing vith bridge computer connections to your Engineering?" Nigel literally squirms as the captain throws logic into his perfect ultimatum. Solbiort looks with innocent inquiry at the twitchy little engineer.

Elgyn hesitates, then tentatively puts a hand on Nigel's shoulder. "Besides... let's not forget that your help was critical once the Far Thunder ship went up. Only everyone working together kept us out of harm's way. We do that kind of teamwork consistently... death is never certain." Solbiort nods in agreement with Elgyn's assessment.

Nigel shrugs, covering another little squirm, "OK, so maybe I was overreactin' just a little." One hand reaches out and rests against the nearest control panel, "Though I can do a lot of that from down here." He looks up at Elgyn and says simply, "We get caught, it's going to be. I'd rather die."

Elgyn looks curious. "Why? Death is very final... imprisonment is not. With that, there is always hope of escape..."

Solbiort considers a moment, then says slowly, "Vhat is, about bridge, you are not liking, di-di? Surely there it is least, um, 'caging' place on ship?"

Nigel says, "Might be the least confinin' place on the ship, but there's also those big gorram windows lettin' me see the guns firin' at us." He smiles tightly at Elgyn, "Ever been in a serious jail, Elgyn? I mean more than overnight for one of the captain's larks?"

Solbiort says with dignity, "I haf nefer dragged Elgyn along to jail vith me! If I am going on bender, leave him safe at home!" She ruins the effect of injured dignity by cheerfully adding, "Need him safe to bail me out later!" She grins with unabashed cheer at Nigel, adding, "Occasionally even plan ahead and have ship berths off planet purchased before bender for next day, so irritated cops don't change minds later!"

Nigel finds his scowling ruined by one corner of his mouth twitching up. Elgyn nods sagely. "Has happened more than once. I always get her out." He muses, "But no... I've never been in a real prison."

Solbiort says gently, "Ya, you have, Elgyn. Vhitefall, vhere first ve meet."

Nigel lets his expression become a full-out smirk, "OK. I'll keep that in mind. Won't throw the baby away with the bathwater just yet."

Solbiort chuckles at Nigel, "Sheh-sheh, di-di. Am glad to hear it."

Nigel pushes himself up off the crates and looks around, "I'm still sealing off the access hatches, though."

Elgyn blinks. "Whitefall? That wasn't a prison, that was a...." he trails off, conceding Solbiort's point. "Wasn't so bad though, that I remember. Of course..." He looks at the less robust engineer sympathetically, "...we are very different people."

Solbiort nods firmly to Nigel, "Probably vise. Need any help?" She glances at Elgyn and murmurs dryly, "Vas neh pleasure-ride either, ya? As I recall you vere vorking on getting dead fast instead of slow?"

Elgyn blinks, then understands. "You weren't talking about the encampment. You meant the rock slide," he says softly. He sighs, which becomes a raw chuckle. "Well, you've got me there..."

Solbiort nods quietly to Elgyn, "Prisons are vhere people find zem, di-di."

Elgyn clearly sees it in a whole new light. "No one should have to go through that," he murmurs, looking back up at Nigel. "But we meant what we said. We'll keep each other safe, hmm?"

Nigel nods quietly and actually smiles a little bit, though his eyes are still looking uncertain, "Yeah. OK. You keep me out of bitty gorram holes and I'll keep you from electrocutin' yourself."

Solbiort nods quietly again to Elgyn, "Absolutely. Crew must vatch out for each other, like family." She grins at Nigel, "Now this is valuable thing you promise me, di-di -- have neh idea vhich vires are dangerous to grab, after all!"

Nigel says, "Captain, no more disrespect than normal, but if you touch my wires, I will smack your hand."

Elgyn can't help but laugh! "...snrgghgckk... no more disrespect than normal..." he giggles.

Solbiort laughs aloud, then grins at Nigel, "See? Already you are vatching out for me. Excellent vork, engineer!"

Nigel rolls his eyes and starts to move toward another hatch, this one in the wall, "Yeah, yeah."

Solbiort chuckles, relaxing as she sees Nigel returning to a more customary level of snarkiness. She grins at Elgyn, adding, "So... ve continue valking Chimera, or you have anything else you need here?"

Elgyn brings himself under control. "I think we're all set here, Captain..." he finally says agreeably, giving Nigel an almost fond look and a slap on the back. "We should leave our prize engineer to his business."


After breakfast, the routine maintenance-walking of the ship, and regular unarmed martial arts practice with Elgyn, Solbiort stretches and thoughtfully comments, "So... you vant to talk now, Elgyn, about us?"

Elgyn was in the middle of toweling off his sweat when the question was popped, and there's a moment of silence before he speaks. "I suppose we should, Solbiort." he replies from where he's sitting, wrapping the towel around his hands. Her name comes easily to his lips now, and he uses it often, except in clear circumstances where her title should be used.

Solbiort smiles, collecting up her vest and weapons belt and slinging them over a shoulder, "Goot. Do not vant to make you vait vhen you vere so patient before. So, ve go shower und talk?" She heads for their shared cabin. Once there, she tosses her clothing and equipment aside and is soon in the shower. Her voice rises over the hiss of water, "So, vhat you thinking so far, Elgyn, about us?"

Elgyn is mostly stripped by now, and squirming a little as he waits his turn. It's not so much their state of dress: he's always been comfortable with his body, and hers -- except, of course, during those times when his feelings for her were in flux. And it has not been this way since Midgaard, six years ago. "I am thinking, Solbiort, that perhaps I have put you too much on the spot. That I have expected too much of you."

Solbiort says, "Howso?"

Elgyn shakes his head. "I have no good frame of reference for how these things go, but it..." The towel is pulled tight around his fists, and he squeezes it. "When I told you the other night... that I performed the rite of Ascension for my sake alone, I can see now that it was not entirely true. All of it... my words, my true name, my request... it all hinged on you. I was afraid of losing you... but in doing so, I have made you a prisoner of that fear. I wanted it to be... romantic. I wanted to sweep you off your feet, as it were. But I see now that I have only made things... more difficult."

Solbiort turns off the water and starts wringing out her heavy mane of hair. She leans to grin at Elgyn past the open doorway of the shower stall, "Pretty, am prisoner of no von. Am simply shuh-muh your own fear bind you so. You are not yet realizing I am valkyrie of my vord? Vill nefer be tossing you aside -- you vill have to tell me repeatedly if you vant me to leave."

Elgyn shakes his head. "That is not what I am talking about, Solbiort."

Solbiort straightens and leans against the doorjamb, still wringing the water out of her hair as she considers. When it's heavy and straight with water like this, it's easier to see just how long it is, hanging below her rear. She holds up a hand and quietly adds to Elgyn, "Must tell you von more thing, pretty. This romantic, sveeping-off-feet? Is not somezing done to valkyrie... is somezing valkyrie does. If this is important part of sexual love relationship for you, then shuh-muh again, because vith great regret cannot give this to you. Do not know how."

Elgyn blinks and actually chuckles. "No, I suppose not. I suppose I knew it then, too, but as I said: I have no practical experience of romancing anyone. Not one of my own, and certainly not a woman of Midgaard. But that is not my concern." His eyes do not meet hers, but they seem more pensive than embarrassed. "Solbiort... we have been together a long while. We care about each other, hmm? We would do anything to protect the other from hurt."

Solbiort nods in agreement. She pushes her damp hair behind her and paces, silently barefoot, into the room to start dressing. "Ya. Your turn in shower."

Elgyn sits up and strips out of his skivvies and enters the 'fresher, turning on the spray. "It is this desire that makes trouble for us now, Solbiort," his voice comes out. "I have told you how I feel -- I have bared my heart to you. But now, suddenly you are put into this uncomfortable position because of it. Because... you do not want to hurt me."

Solbiort curiously asks, "Elgyn... how you think this is any different from any ozzer time vith you? Have alvays been careful vith you, so you are not hurt. Am not alvays successful, but alvays careful I try to be."

Elgyn's silhouette nods. "It is different, Solbiort, because it involves a major change in our relationship."

Solbiort pulls on her leather breeches and sprawls lazily across her bed, "All right, if you say so, Elgyn. How so is this?"

Elgyn is bemused at Solbiort's non-understanding. "Following it to its natural course, Solbiort, would involve much upheaval along the way. With Five Dragons... potentially, with my people and with yours. Do you not see that?"

Solbiort leans her head on her fist, waiting for Elgyn to come out of the shower, "Neh, not really. How is my being careful vith you supposed to change now chust because of vanting to allow sex into relationship? You are saying I should treat you less careful now?"

Elgyn's head ducks, and there is the sound of a fist lightly pounding the fresher wall. "Solbiort... this is not about sex. It was never about sex," he says evenly, but in such a way that it sounds like he's trying to restrain himself.

Solbiort sighs, rolling onto her back with her arms behind her head and her hair tossed to one side to let it dry. "Shuh-muh, di-di... didn't mean to annoy you." She considers for a while, then calls towards the fresher, "Tell you vhat, di-di, vhy ve not start over? Tell first, ching... vhat you vant?"

There is a groan from the shower. "No, it is my fault... I suppose I am not explaining myself clearly." The spray shuts off and Elgyn emerges, grabbing a towel to wipe his face, listening to her before looking at her more evenly. "Solbiort... I love you. And I am sorry that it took me so long to say it. But because I buried it, things are not so clean between us. You said it yourself... you have been looking at me so long as your huskarl that for me to say this now is... disorienting. And it makes things difficult for you, because... you do not love me the same way."

Solbiort sighs, sitting up to regard Elgyn, "Vould ask vhy for so long you hide this from me... except you have already said vhy -- because is not 'proper' vhere you come from. Now am vorried as to vhy you are telling me this at this time. Is that you are feeling emotionally overvhelmed, as you said vorried you before? Or is because truly you are vanting to be horse, or chust vanting qvick cuddle? Or somezing else entirely? How I am to know? Und even if you tell me... how am I to be certain you are telling complete truth this time?"

Elgyn sits, absently drying himself off. "There is emotional turmoil. There is also a genuine desire to be your horse. Is there still trepidation about what would be to come if I asked that we take that step? Certainly. But I realize now that taking that risk would offer a greater reward than remaining safe in consistency. And it would not be in service to what I want. Nor would hiding the truth from you."

Solbiort says gently, "Vas because of pretty Lexi you tell me this now?"

Elgyn grimaces. "It is because of a lot of things, Solbiort. Not the least of which is that I see I have been stuck in limbo ever since the war. You saved me, but there was no... progress. No forward movement. No true making of a life. Five Dragons, Kali... my talks with Molly and Nigel... even our fights. They have all been signposts along the way."

Solbiort says, "Signposts of vhat?" She blinks, taken aback at hearing Elgyn feels the last eight years have been a rut for him.

Elgyn says, "I want what my father and mother had. I want a family. I want to not simply take what I've been given, but to actively work for it. You have given me so much... and I want to be worthy of it. I have been a child, Solbiort. I want to be a man."

Solbiort sits back, wondering for the first time if maybe what Elgyn really wants... is something she can't give. Gravely she murmurs, "How you think this is accomplished, Elgyn? To be vorthy?"

Elgyn waves a hand. "I hadn't been learning how to care for animals just for the food, Solbiort." He considers. "Well, partly for the food. But I have been trying to learn so that I might actually have hard skills that really make me a valid contributor to this ship. If I am not... well, then 'First Mate' is a pretty title, but nothing more."

Solbiort rumbles quietly, "Maintaining vatches und keeping t'ings running smoothly is part of job also." She pauses, then adds thoughtfully, "But am thinking this is not actual issue. Vhat you vant, di-di, from me? You vant different relationship, this I know -- but vhat exactly is it?"

Elgyn lifts his gaze to Solbiort's. "I want you to love me. I want to feel like I complete you, as you do me. I want to look into your eyes and see them burning, and to feel that fire consume me. I want to sire children and teach them, with you. I... I want you, and I want you to want me." He sighs and looks away again.

Solbiort reaches out to gently take Elgyn's hand and, if he allows it, to draw him down to sit next to her. Elgyn does indeed respond to her gentle urging, and sits with her. She strokes his hair lightly and murmurs quietly, "This is a fine thing to aspire to, pretty, und I have similar dream... but mine is... couched in cultural terms I vas raised vith." She sighs softly, adding, "To me, family is two vomen und their horse. Am thinking more und more you told me truth that day vhen you tell me nefer you can be horse."

Elgyn murmurs, "I... do not know. It's true, I do look at things the way my people and many others do... in terms of pair-bonding. As I considered it, though, it did not seem impossible that I could be content with such a grouping... but in my mind it would involve someone that we would be... similarly close to. That there would be a commonality that would draw us all together. But when you told me of Five Dragons... suddenly things became far more complex."

Solbiort puts her arm around Elgyn's shoulders and smiles, "Complex. All right... tell me vhat you mean by this, ching?"

Elgyn's brow knits, as if trying to figure how to explain. "Five Dragons... from all I have seen is a good and decent woman. I respect her, and I am thankful for all she has done for us. But that... that is all." Solbiort nods inquiringly?

Elgyn wilts slightly, as it seems that is not enough. "Solbiort... I do not know what drew you to her. But when I look at her, I do not see potential. Perhaps, if we had not met her as we did, if we had gotten to know her as a person rather than an employer... but we did not. When I look at her, what I see is that you would be the only thing we have in common. And that is not a relationship that I think would work. Not when the relationship deigns that I sire her children."

Solbiort raises an eyebrow, "Excuse, ching? Vould be our children, not hers."

Elgyn blinks. "I... do not understand. I thought..." He shakes his head. "I thought the valdojer was supposed to be the mother."

Solbiort says, "Ya, hearth mutter. Children are of both mothers, not just of hearth."

Elgyn's eyes widen, and he nods. "I see. Forgive my misunderstanding. But... it does not change the thrust of my argument."

Solbiort sounds puzzled, "You are thinking perhaps I am not enough?"

Elgyn looks at Solbiort. "Ancestors above, Solbiort, no, it is not that. But should there not be an equal relationship between all?"

Solbiort looks more puzzled, "Neh. How could there be?"

Elgyn steeples his fingers together. "Perhaps, then, you should explain to me how it is among your people more thoroughly... clarify how it works, rather than how I think it works."

Solbiort smiles, hugging Elgyn, "Happy to, pretty. Valkyrie takes care of family -- is protector und provider as needed. Hearth mutter manages home, maintains family. Horse helps hearth mutter as needed vith home und children. Of course, vith you as huskarl vould be slightly different... probably more likely you help me instead. But ve could find nice boy for helping vith home und children if that vould make you more comfortable. Understand you are vorrying muchly about man-ness, und thinking helping valdojer vould not be man-ness enough."

Elgyn tsks. "You are confusing the way it is with men most other places in the Verse, and the way it is with men on my world. When it comes to family, there are no jobs which are only men's work or only women's work. There are only tendencies. Proficiencies. But that is not what I am talking about. I am not talking about duties. I am talking about... relationships. I am talking about feelings." Even as he speaks, Elgyn starts to suspect that he already knows the answer... Solbiort nods inquiringly again, and Elgyn finally meets her gaze again. "Tell me honestly, Solbiort... is it possible for a horse to be chosen, where there is no love present at the time of joining?"

Solbiort says, "Of course, Elgyn," and puzzledly adds, "und vhy I vould ever not tell you honestly?" She continues, "Is not fair to horse to insist on passionate love instantly -- is better und kinder to allow it to grow naturally, from closeness und affection. Is also sometimes goot vay of making sure nice boy has goot home to live in, vith goot vomen to take care of." Then she smiles, "Elgyn, pretty, am thinking you are perhaps doing this vrong. Look... you are asking me to change how I have taught myself for over 5 years to see you; to allow sexual love instead of brotherly love to happen. Vhy then is so hard for you to see this possibility in yourself for Five Dragons?"

Elgyn starts to answer, then stops, her words clearly having some impact. "I suppose I am just used to the idea of love already being present. Love exists, therefore the process of becoming shieldmates is just a formality for what two people have already decided."

Solbiort chuckles. "Mm. So to you love means only sexual love? Vhat of love betveen siblings, or parent und child? Love of extended family or community? How about love of conflict und battle, or of flying? All these loves may be present in me at vonce, und yet I do not marry them all, just as much as I do not demand my valdojer be vildly, passionately in love vith me before ve hand-fast." She gently cups the back of Elgyn's head in her hand so he's looking at her and rumbles quietly, "Elgyn, tell me this, ching. Know already you love me und I love you also. But vhen ve first meet, you not know this, ya? Und nor do I. So... vhy you not are villing to give Five Dragons same chance now as you give me then?"

Elgyn was about to explain that what he feels for her is not simply sexual -- there is that, but there is also more -- but instead he tries just listening and hearing, and then thinking on what was said. Solbiort smiles, not removing herself from where she's touching Elgyn, and waits for him to consider. He finally sighs. "I am not... unwilling. I perhaps wish that when I think about it, that I did not feel so... uncertain." His hand reaches up to cup her forearm gently. "I have never been as sure about how I feel for you than anything in my life. So it is therefore... disconcerting, to have this doubt in my mind, when it comes to your potential valdojer."

Solbiort studies Elgyn's face thoughtfully, her emerald gaze intent on him... then smiles slowly again, her face warming as she does so, "Ve are in no rush, pretty. Am still courting the lady myself. Am asking only that you follow my lead und give yourself time, und her benefit of doubt. This is acceptable?"

Elgyn's gray eyes meet Solbiort's green... for the first time noting the odd contrast. Her eyes the green of his forests, and his the color of her snow-capped mountains. He finally nods, his answering smile almost shy. "I can do this, Solbiort," he finally agrees.

Solbiort's smile turns into a grin -- almost a mischievous one, as she murmurs, "Then am thinking there are things I am knowing you vant vhich I can do too, pretty. Admittedly, can only teach vhat I know, und vhat I know is Midgaardian..." yes, that's definitely a mischievous glint in her eyes! "-but is still fun!" As she's been speaking, Solbiort has also been leaning ever so slowly forward... and her hand is warm and still cupping the back of Elgyn's head... as she draws him into a gentle, leisurely kiss. Elgyn's eyes are wide and almost adorably vulnerable as she leans in... when she said they needed to give it time, he thought she meant for all of it. But as her lips touch his all misgivings fall away... in time his arms reach out confidently to embrace her back, as she makes clear that the talking is over and done. For now.


The ship departs Shadow, leaving the blasted world behind to be secured by the Tsao. On the way out of the Eclipse subsystem, they pass close enough to a Cortex node to fire off messages to any and sundry who need to be informed. Solbiort for her part sends messages to the Colonel, her mothers, and to Five Dragons.

A couple of days pass in the black as the crew gets the ship back into shape after the battle and all that's happened. Once the ship is secured again, and the only maintenance to be done is routine, the crew can settle in for the long journey to Newhall -- and they can now work on getting some more satisfactory answers. Solbiort will alert the rest of the crew when she's got time to go talk to their prisoner. She'd damn well like some answers, and she'd guess she's not alone in that.

Elgyn, who seems modestly more relaxed in the days after the conflict, is the first to agree to this little sit-down... he's fairly curious about this Siddhanarta after what Solbiort's said about him. He's kept tabs on him, of course, but chosen not to engage in conversation, as yet. Siddhanarta has remained in the cabin, and has remained quiet and has not caused any trouble. The other Far Thunder personnel have for the most part been too injured to do more than rest in the infirmary. Nigel has come out of Engineering more often and has even been talking to the folks in the infirmary. Though "talking" is really sort of a shorthand for grumbling and muttering dire predictions on their state of health if they don't behave. Solbiort is always curiously cheered up when Nigel does that!

Solbiort has carefully secured the prisoner's heritage autolock and his blade in her cabin, to be returned to him later. Right now she simply makes sure her autolock is emptied, on safety, and peace-tied. Then she heads for the prisoner's cabin. Elgyn, noting Solbiort's preparations, muses over whether or not to keep his krisara with him... on the one hand, he doesn't like to go anywhere unarmed... on the other, the prisoner's abilities are untested, and they likely don't want him dead anyway. So Elgyn errs on the side of caution and unstraps his blade, sheath and all, and leaves it in his cabin.

Raj scans the stored backlog from the public channels for any news about the recent battle and queues up pings to various folks, just to touch base and see if they ask any questions. Raj worries, "How much about what we're doing is known to the world at large?"

Solbiort shakes her head, "Don't know, Raj; shuh-muh."

The news that the crew has gathered on their way to Newhall shows just the start of something growing. So far there's nothing that directly links the ship and crew with the battle over Shadow. With the broadwaved announcement that Wintarsen was alive and had apparently evaded an Alliance attempt to apprehend or kill him, there's been an increase in Browncoat activity. The latest news wave that the ship gets before passing outside of Eclipse's outer markers was there had been an anti-Alliance demonstration on Demeter which turned into a near-riot. Solbiort sighs at hearing that, "Idiots."

A bit stunned at the reports of demonstrators, Raj says, "I'm surprised they let news of that get out at all. They usually keep a pretty tight lid on news of any folks making unhappy noises." He taps on the screen and continues, "Either the newies are feeling their oats, or that right there is the tip of the iceberg."

Solbiort nods glumly to Raj, "Hope they don't behave so schtupid that poor Vintarsen feels he must speak to shut zem down.

Raj rolls his eyes, "Oh, yeah, a nice talk like that would really settle things right down."

Solbiort says, "Anyvays, ve talk to Siddhanarta now, ya?"

Elgyn seems to be absently worried himself. "Well, I guess that Far Thunder very likely didn't get what they wanted, then... if the ships lost at Shadow wasn't the last of the Browncoat movement." He looks at Solbiort. "Maybe Kota let it get out in order to stick it to any Far Thunder leadership left?"

Solbiort says, "Neh, am thinking they got vhat they vanted, in a vay, Elgyn. They vork hard to create more dissent to justify existence. Now they have it."

Raj says, "What were you thinking of doing with her, Captain? Just letting him go, trying to 'turn him in,' or... what?"

Solbiort glances at Raj, "Who The infiltrator? She damage our ship. She vill be turned over to authorities."

Raj says, "Well, all of them. We rescued two of them, and the third is a boarder. Any thoughts on what to do with them?"

Elgyn shrugs. "We're going to Newhall; we turn them over was my thought of what was going on. Then we have no more passengers. Good thing, right?"

Solbiort says, "But for now, am very much vishing to know who Hoth is, und vhy these hwoon dahn do all this go se. Can come along if you vish." She turns and heads purposefully for Siddhanarta's cabin. She's had enough of Far Thunder's pompous secrecy.

Raj follows the Captain, muttering, "Don't know how this is going to play out, but it should be fun to watch..." Nigel knows he's likely not to be an asset to the talks with Siddhanarta and so stays out of the way, mostly hovering in the infirmary. Molly, for her part, is monitoring over the com from the bridge. Nigel finally realizes that he's doing no good with his hovering and wanders to the Bridge, throwing himself into his normal seat, greeting Molly with an almost-pleasant grunt.

Solbiort yanks the cabin hatch open and studies the man within. "Banner-Corporal Andrew Siddhanarta. Am thinking vould like some answers."

Siddhanarta is in his cabin and standing politely as the crew enters, purposely keeping his hands visible. He nods. "Considering what's happened, there's nobody left to order me to not tell you those answers. And more importantly no reason not to."

Solbiort turns the desk chair around and settles in it, then waves a hand, "Sit. May take a vhile -- know I'm not only von vith qvestions. First, vould like to know who Hoth is, und vhy you all do all this crap."

Elgyn folds his arms as he moves to one side of Solbiort. "That's a surprisingly agreeable stance to take," he mutters to no one in particular.

Siddhanarta nods to Solbiort, sitting down and setting his hands on the table. "If it had been up to me, Sergeant," he says to Elgyn, "I'd have told you all this before you went to Shadow. It might have prevented a lot of trouble. But the decision wasn't mine."

Solbiort leans back, folds her arms, and waits (relatively patiently) for the prisoner to work his way through his story to the answers. Elgyn tilts his head. "As the saying goes, 'that and a plat will get me a cup of coffee'... then again, you did surrender. So tell us."

Siddhanarta says to Elgyn, "You did ask." He looks to Solbiort. "Hoth is a general on the Military Council. He had taken over the Far Thunder project after Lokei -- Commander Kota -- left the project, shortly before it was terminated. She left not because the project was to be terminated, but because she had come to disagree with the means of the project. Hoth took over and orchestrated the details of the apprehending of Wintarsen."

Solbiort lets her breath out in a soft sigh. A small part of her had worried all along that a Midgaardian led this Far Thunder, this ship of fools... now her conscience is clear. "Continue."

"Once Wintarsen, Danviere, and Xing were taken to Ariel Max-Sec, Hoth shut down the majority of the project on the orders of the Military Council. Only the detachment in the Max-Sec remained operational." He lets out a breath. "I was contacted about a year and a half ago for reactivation of the project. Hoth had come into some intelligence that... well, I'll try to explain as best as I can." Nigel narrows his eyes at the comm and reaches out to push the button, but then talks himself out of it.

"Ever since the War, the Alliance pretends that our laws apply throughout the 'Verse. In theory, every habitable world flies the Alliance flag. In practice, there are not enough forces to cover everywhere. It's more than just the Alliance military being spread thin; it simply can't physically be everywhere. We all know this; but it's actually worse than the Alliance makes it out to be. So it focuses its main law compliance operations in the Central planets, has a moderate presence in the Border Moons... and does what it can with what it can in the Fringe. Each year the region of 'control' expands a little bit -- a few extra law compliance officers here and there, for example -- but when you come right down to it there are vast regions of the Fringe which aren't under the Alliance domain."

Elgyn nods a little in response: Siddhanarta seems to have a good grip on the reality of the situation. Solbiort grins ruefully. To her way of seeing things, the Alliance brings this on themselves by not allowing staunch supporters of peace to maintain their own systems. Nevertheless she simply nods once to indicate to Siddhanarta that he should continue.

"Three years ago, one of the Alliance intelligence activities was doing some long-term surveillance in the Fringe, out in Xianyao Quad -- about as far from the Central Planets as you can get. After a few months of monitoring traffic and sending out probes -- there's hardly any Cortex nodes out there -- they started to see patterns in some pirate and bandit activity. It was organized, and getting more organized. And stronger, with a trickle and slow but steady recruitment. Someone out there was starting to put together a ragtag pack of bandits and brigands. At least, that's what the activity thought at first."

On the Bridge, Nigel glances over at Molly and snorts, "It's a pipe dream, y'know? People are too different to be completely unified."

Molly nods a little idly to Nigel. "That's what pa and auntie believed, anyway...."

"What they found was that this was not a random pirate band getting bigger. This wasn't a small gang of thieves and scofflaws. It's a small, tightly knit group of fighters and raiders. They'd been preying on some of the moons of Yao Sui, and the occasional raid on Pixie. The monitors sent word back to Central, but at the time there was no available law compliance forces to deal with the 'pirates.' They sent some support to local forces, but these pirates proved to be too wily and too cunning to get caught in the usual anti-piracy traps."

Solbiort grunts. "Not much out there... St. Albans, Pixie, Hope. Couple moons vhich could be terraformed if anyvon cared. Think that's it. So?"

"Well, there are a bunch of habitable moons around Yao Sui, but those three are the main worlds out there. So far, this didn't sound like anything serious. The activity tried to infiltrate it. The agents got a little bit of information out before they were discovered. Even with what they learned, though, between Reavers (and despite Alliance propaganda, the Military Council does believe they exist) and pirates and the Syndicate and Tongs -- and most of all the Browncoats -- the Alliance can't do a thing about them. And that's where the numbers start to get ominous."

Solbiort struggles, and ultimately wins, a small internal battle to not roll her eyes in exasperation. She takes a slow breath, then says patiently, "Do go on."

Raj says, "Wait... ominous? Some folks don't want to let the Alliance simply run things, and that's ominous?"

Solbiort murmurs to Raj, "Let him tell story his vay, so ve at least get all details, I am thinking."

Siddhanarta sighs. "If it was just that, Daybreak, then I'm pretty certain that we could just leave it to the Marshals. As it was, that was the problem. The Alliance was going to let the Marshals and local law compliance handle it, and if they got too much for them, they'd see what they could do about sending a frigate out that way.

"Well, it may not have looked like a serious threat, but the agents were able to learn that this was not just another pirate band. The leadership of it were aiming for something big, very big: they were expanding their numbers and they were being smart about it, neither growing too fast nor growing beyond their resource base. The activity ran the numbers: within six years this little 'pirate band' was going to be able to trounce your average Alliance fleet. And by the time the Alliance would recognize that this was a problem, it'd be well past that point. With all the attention the Alliance was spending on Browncoat terrorists and privateers left over from the War, there'd be pretty much nothing standing in this band's way. The 'pirates' would have an increasing following, if from nothing else than Indeps and people who were on the fence about the Alliance and people who just plain didn't want a frigate to land on their village. They'd have their pick of the Border Moons to plunder.

"The analysis stopped there. Any further speculation was meaningless. The Military Council was convinced that the problem could be contained before it got to that point. But to Hoth and some of the other Far Thunder officers, who had practiced information warfare in the War, they could tell that even before the pirates were considered a major threat to the Alliance, there'd just be too much support for the 'pirates' from people who were terrified or just wanted to be left alone. It all came down to one issue: the Alliance would not be able to fight these pirates and the Browncoat remnants at the same time. So... most of the former leaders of Far Thunder set out to finish what they hadn't quite finished in the war: completely eliminate the Browncoats as a threat. Once that was done, the Alliance would be able to deal with this band on the Fringe."

Solbiort studies Siddhanarta incredulously for several heartbeats. Finally she says slowly, "That... that's it? That is the only reason -- a bunch of pirates -- that's why you treacherously murdered hundreds of innocent people who believed in the Alliance -- because you were too stupid to ask for help?!" She sits upright, her booted feet making a sharp retort on the ground, "You people don't deserve to rule!"

Elgyn is startled by Solbiort's reaction, perhaps because his mind does not absorb the information as quickly... but even after a few more moments of pondering, he does not completely follow all of Solbiort's words. Still, he keeps quiet... he does not want to suggest a lack of confidence in his captain. Solbiort swears in Midgaardian, whirling and slamming one booted foot into the cabin's desk in a vicious sidekick, then turns and glowers down at Siddhanarta, fists clenched, and yells, "Did you brainless monkeys ever think other folks might care if the Alliance rose or fell?!"

On the Bridge, Nigel blinks at the console as it sounds like the captain is trashing the room she's in. He licks his lips a little nervously, "Should we go down there with some restraints or something?"

Siddhanarta says quietly, "Haven't you listened to what I've said? In five years, this 'bunch of pirates' would steamroll the Fringe and the Border Moons wouldn't be far behind. We did ask for help. We wanted help, desperately. Ideally enough help to take out these pirates before they became that much of a threat. We were denied. The Military Council and the Parliament rejected any support. There were 'more pressing matters' to attend to, they said, namely the Browncoats and insurgents and dissidents. They can't even spare anyone to deal with Reaver sightings, to the point where most of the Alliance military believes they're boogeyman stories. And none of us -- not one of us -- ever wanted to rule." Elgyn isn't sure he believes that last bit... but he supposes he's willing to believe that Siddanharta believes it.

On the Bridge, Nigel snorts, "Didn't want to rule, my lily-white arse. What the gorram hell do they think they're doing now?"

Solbiort says, "Not from the Alliance Military, you idiot! From the people of the Fringe -- the ones who'd like to live free of attack! You know... the citizens of the Alliance? Or was your precious Far Thunder so puffed up with its own importance that it couldn't even conceive of competent civilians that weren't its own puppets?" She snarls and adds, "Don't even try telling me you hwoon dahn didn't want power -- you love your secrets too much to say that. You can lie to yourself about that, but not the rest of us!"

Siddhanarta shakes his head. "Then there's nothing else I can tell you if you do not believe that."

Solbiort throws out an arm in an expansive gesture, her accent still oddly perfect, "What have you pretentious monkeys accomplished?! You've wasted valuable time, people, and material -- to play more of your stupid pretend-war-games, when you could have been helping the citizenry stop the pirates themselves. So don't cry to me about how there's nothing more you can say if I won't believe that. Why don't you try listening to what you're really saying instead! Wintarsen wasn't there, but did you try to do anything to help, to get folks to listen?! Neh! You had to blow yourselves up and pretend you were heroes!"

Solbiort turns away suddenly, taking long, slow breaths. She finally murmurs softly, "I cannot believe the extent of the stupidity I am hearing here. Vhat a complete und utter vaste." Siddhanarta remains silent. Solbiort sighs after a while, turning to lean one shoulder against a wall, and fold her arms. "All right, vonce again ve're going to have to clean up Far Thunder's messes. Vhat else haf you done, so ve at least know vhere you've crapped."

He shakes his head. "That's it. That's the extent of it."

Solbiort smiles ruefully, "'It.' As if that's not enough." She sighs, dropping into her chair again, "Vell. Anyvon else got any qvestions?"

From the Bridge, Nigel punches the comm button, voice crackling into the cabin with the rest of the crew, "So what's up with the ruttin' pirates now?"

Solbiort grumbles, "They're still out there, di-di. It's not like Far Thunder did anyzing useful, like killing zem." Siddhanarta remains silent. Solbiort growls, "Instead, they shoot innocent vomen who look like your professor, und try to kill you und her." Her voice is bitter, "Maybe they only like easy targets that cannot shoot back."

Nigel snorts and pushes the button again, "So, what you've managed to do is discredit yourselves, make the Border Moons more nervous, and kill a bunch of innocents in the bargain? Really smoot there, arsehole." Solbiort nods silently in agreement with Nigel, her gaze still smoldering. On the Bridge, Nigel's jaw tightens as he's reminded that Natasha was almost a casualty. Molly can watch him go pale and his eyes go flat before he struggles back to his normal state of irritation.

Raj says, "If the regular military was working on the Browncoat issue, the only motivation I can see for you folks cracking Wintarsen out was to accelerate the campaign against them. Why weren't you working with the military to do that? Why a separate program? That hardly seems efficient."

Elgyn rubs his forehead, thinking he finally gets it... well, most of it. "This is nuts," he sums up.

Nigel snarls and pushes the button again from the Bridge, "It's not nuts, it's downright genocidal and stupid... I swear...." He makes an inarticulate sound and then takes a very deep breath, "I'm going below..." He pushes out of his chair and leaves the Bridge, headed for Engineering. Once there he starts taking apart a spare cooling unit, hands jerky and abrupt, eyes narrowed. This is a type of meditation for him and the virulent things he mutters under his breath about Far Thunder indicate just how badly he needs it.

Siddhanarta says, "As I said... we made the request, several times. Requests to deal with the 'pirates' were rejected out of hand. Requests to allocate funds to private security forces on the Fringe were rejected. Requests from Hoth to reactivate Far Thunder to help against the Browncoats were also rejected: the Military Council had not liked the way Far Thunder operated during the war, and they didn't want to use it again in a law compliance action, which is what the Browncoats had become."

Solbiort chuckles, her eyes bleak. She wonders if Siddhanarta's figured out the true pirates in this story are Far Thunder itself -- feeding off innocents for its own goals. Raj nods, "So your leadership decided they knew better and went ahead and did it anyway. Turned out real well, too." He sighs, "Look, unless you're going to tell me this was your decision, I really don't hold much against you... except for the trying to kill us parts... but this really didn't work out too well, did it? What do you think they're going to do now? What do you want to do now?"

Siddhanarta says, "Now? Well... Hoth is more than likely bound by law now. The remainder of Far Thunder appears to be aboard your ship. What I want to do now is pretty immaterial."

Solbiort raises an eyebrow, "Hoth didn't even have the decency to be vith his men vhen they die for him? Bright Lady, I am..." she just shakes her head, "I am speechless. Vell. Hokay. So who vas he?"

"No more decency than any member of the Military Council is with their troops when they die on the Fringe. Hoth is General Justin Chiang."

A bit stunned, Raj asks, "This is it? Did the cruiser destroy the rest of your group in the battle? Where is the rest of the conspiracy? Sure thing the 'big brains' weren't on the line here..." Solbiort gives Siddhanarta a faintly amused glance, not bothering to point out he's making her point for her. Instead she glances to Raj, then back at the prisoner.

Siddhanarta says, "The 'big brains' would be on Sihnon with Hoth -- with General Chiang. To the best of my knowledge, the group with Chiang and the base on Shadow were the remaining Far Thunder centers of operations."

Raj says, "Well, where were they, then? There was almost nobody at the base, and unless the rest of them are on-board and we don't know about it, they've likely gotten away. You may think they've 'bound by law' now, but it seems to me the top brass hardly ever gets any shit on them."

Siddhanarta says, "Chiang didn't leave Sihnon that I knew of. That's where I knew he was, at least."

Solbiort sighs, "Vell, isn't this just too shiny for vords." She's silent a long moment, drumming her fingers on one knee, then simply looks up at Siddhanarta, "Vell, qvestion still stands, boy. Vhat you are vanting to do now?"

Elgyn looks at Solbiort. "Pardon me, Captain, but... we're giving him a choice? He speaks awful pretty, but it's not for us to decide. We should give him to the proper authorities and then just wash our hands of this."

Solbiort says, "No. Am thinking if any other survivors are around, are likely to be vanting similar things as he. Fanatics often think alike."

Siddhanarta shakes his head. "What I want is immaterial. Even though I didn't agree or condone some of what Far Thunder did, I still went along. The question is what you want to do."

Solbiort sighs, "Hokay, vill try again. If you could valk avay tomorrow, Siddhanarta, vhat vould you vish to do? Start Far Thunder up again? Go fight pirates? Try to repay or help suffering families of your victims?"

The prisoner replies, "For a lot of reasons, no, I wouldn't start Far Thunder up again. Beyond that I really don't know, because I haven't thought about it." He pauses. "I know what I want to do. I know what I should do. But neither are things that Security is going to let me do."

Solbiort says patiently, "Und those things are...?"

"The thing I want is to see what can be done about the 'pirates.' The Alliance is now tied up with this new wave of Browncoat activity so their ability to roll over the Border Moons got easier. It might be a hopeless fight and a problem without a solution but fanatics like me can't resist hopeless causes like that. On the other hand, the right thing to do would be to find some way to repay or make amends for what Far Thunder did... which I probably don't have to tell you, all of the Alliance's mercy was spent with the armistice that ended the War. But that's the answer to your question."

Solbiort growls quietly, "You lot vorked very hard to make it hopeless. Sheh-sheh for nothing." She sighs, looking away, "Vell, at least sounds like rest of surviving Far Thunder vill hopefully give up trying to increase mess. That is von thing to be grateful for."

Raj says, "Think they'll take us off their 'people to kill' list, too? That would be nice."

Siddhanarta says neutrally, "As I said, a lot of work was put into trying to get both the Military Council and parliament to realize how much of a threat was growing on the Fringe."

Solbiort nods glumly to Raj, not looking at Siddhanarta any longer, "Hopefully all the folks hiding from their assassination attempts can come out now." Then she rises abruptly and moves to the door, "Think I haf had enough. You," she looks at the prisoner, "you haf anyzing else you vish to say?"

"No. Nothing."

Solbiort nods, looking away from the prisoner to Raj und Elgyn, "Lock up vhen you leave." She departs, absently brushing her hands off on her breeches as if to get something nasty off them, and goes down to Cargo. She intends to work out for a long, energetic, stress-reducing time.

Elgyn gets up, looking annoyed. "All right, then. That was loads of fun," he grunts, not exactly as exasperated as Solbiort, but certainly with nothing else to contribute. He only waits long enough to cover Raj, so they both leave at the same time. Raj and Elgyn leave the cabin, dogging the door behind them with a certain sense of finality.

Things are a little tense the rest of that day, various folks feeling various ways about the conversation with Siddanharta. Tomorrow is a new day, however, and during breakfast Elgyn is the first to speak. "So, Captain... I assume we're just going to let things be from here? I mean... okay, Far Thunder had a large, unnecessarily convoluted, and essentially stupid plan to manipulate the Alliance military. But things would appear to be over now... and the mess left behind is for the Alliance to deal with, right? So... we just hand over our prisoners and go about our own lives, correct?" he says slowly, trying to take Solbiort's measure.

Solbiort glowers silently into her mug for a few moments, then grunts once. "Vill be goot to have them off ship. Feel like poor boy needs cleaning after all that gos se."

Elgyn's brow knits. "Is there something wrong, Captain? Something that I'm not getting?" Nigel snorts and continues eating, glaring at his breakfast as if it has committed some dire sin. He's back to monosyllables and hiding in Engineering most of the day.

Solbiort mutters, "Schupid, schtupid hwoon dahn!" She sighs, finally looking at Elgyn, "Don't know vhat is next, pretty. Don't vant to see another var -- ve can't afford it. But am vorried these uang ba dan have forced it to happen now." She sighs again, stretching out in her seat. "Is not fault of Alliance that Far Thunder is full of go tsao de idiots. Is hard for me to remember that right now, though."

Nigel says with a mouthful of eggs, "He's not exactly an innocent, you know. He went along with all the gorram idiocy until it got actually dangerous."

Solbiort nods grimly to Nigel, "Ya. All of Far Thunder can freeze in deepest gwai for all I care. Am more vorried now about innocent bystanders they haf endangered."

Nigel nods, mumbling something that can just barely be made out to contain Natasha's name. He spears another forkful of eggs and shoves it into his mouth. It turns out it was a little too enthusiastic a shove when he almost pierces his tongue in the process. The little doctor squeaks and clenches his jaws, face going scarlet starting from the neck up. Solbiort raises an eyebrow at Nigel... then grins in sympathy and pushes a glass of water towards him, "Maybe am thinking might be best if you not eat und talk at vonce, di-di?"

Nigel mmfs and swallows the eggs and then takes a drink of water, reaching into his mouth to make sure he isn't bleeding, "At least not about all this shite."

Elgyn grimaces. "You make a good point, Captain, and I am not happy about it either, but you shouldn't take all that on your shoulders. We are not to blame for the mistakes of others. All we can do is what we can... and we will be doing that. But it is no reflection on us -- what Far Thunder has done," he argues gently.

Solbiort grins, "True." She looks at everyone else. "So. Vhat should ve do? Currently am thinking ve need to sell cargo on Newhall, und then head for Ulundi, for Elgyn to finish business there. Know Nigel vanted to check Newhall's cortex for more on Orinel. I vould like to stop by family home also. Anyvon else have business in this neck of system?"

Raj shakes his head, "Nothing leaps to mind, Captain. The sooner we get back on an even keel, the better."

Solbiort sighs and nods, "Am happy to talk against schtupid hasty actions like Far Thunder's, und vill certainly fight any pirate who attacks... but right now vould like nothing better than to be able to have some nice trading fall our vay." She looks at Raj, "Vas your Odessa und Brother... vhat vas his name... they vanted some goods imported from here also, ya?"

Elgyn tilts his head thoughtfully, uncertain about bringing up his next question. "Do you think... you might want to visit home, Captain?"

Nigel pipes up around another mouthful of breakfast, "Oleg."

Solbiort says, "Ah! Ya, that vas his name, Nigel. Sheh-sheh." She looks at Elgyn inquiringly, "Ya, Elgyn. Has been five years. Vill probably leave you all on moon spaceport, though." Elgyn is a little bemused by Solbiort's response, but then quickly realizes that yes, bringing Raj and Nigel planet-side might be very unwise. Amusing? Hell, yes. But not wise. He starts to say, though, that he could always accompany her if she wished... and then realizes that would be a bad idea as well. Things are, while not uncomfortable exactly, certainly in flux. He doesn't want to put Solbiort in the position of having to wear her bracelet again, for less than honest reasons.

Raj nods, "Yes. We had spoken about setting up a semi-regular run, or at least making our trips their way more frequent."

Solbiort nods to Raj, "Hokay, that is something you can vork on setting up then maybe, Raj?"

Raj says, "Once we get into port and I can make some calls... we'll see. There's always something or someone that needs to go somewhere." He munches for a moment, then says, "If we're going to be making more regular runs, we can start advertising for passengers, too. We've got a lot of empty cabins we could fill."

Solbiort sighs, then mutters in the same tone she'd use to say a dirty word, "Passengers." Nigel scowls a little at the idea of a bunch of strange people running around the ship, but doesn't say anything.

Raj says, "A very wise man once said, "Customers: Can't live with them, can't set them on fire," then shrugs. "They're a mixed blessing..."

Elgyn tilts his head. "Is there something wrong with that idea, Ca..." He stares at Raj as he speaks and then appears to be trying to choke down laughter.

Solbiort says, "Ah, vell. Hokay, so ve vill set up vhat regular runs ve can through Raj. Nigel, can you figure out graceful vay to lock down parts of ship so passengers can be easily confined?" She grins at Raj, "Am betting vas your Brother Oleg!"

Nigel says, "Graceful? Probably not. Effective, sure."

Solbiort nods to Nigel. "Hokay. Let us know vhat you need, if anything, to accomplish that. Also, Raj, don't forget ve could possibly do runs for Five Dragons also." She sets her empty mug down, then looks around, "Anything else? If not, let's get on vith our lives, ya?"


Eavesdown Docks, Newhall

As the ship lands at their berth, what greets them is about a dozen burly persons in gentry suits and ribbon-ties who practically scream "plainclothes sheriff's deputies" -- or at least some sort of plainclothes law compliance -- and a dour, unhappy, serious-looking older man of Asian descent who leans on a cane. Solbiort can identify him as Colonel Yuan. Her eyebrows go right up as she sees him! "Holy cow, the Colonel?! Nigel, our invalids are ready to go? Elgyn, Raj, get Siddhanarta to Cargo, ching!" She straightens her vest and pushes her bangs out of her face before she opens the hatch. "Colonel, nihao."

Nigel nods, arms crossed over his chest, "Yeah. they're ready to go. They won't die from being moved." Oddly, it sounds like he might be disappointed with that. Solbiort grins over her shoulder at Nigel at that!

Elgyn blinks as Solbiort practically flies from the bridge spouting orders. "Who?" he queries of Nigel, looking befuddled. And then he shrugs and goes to Siddhanarta's cabin, knocking on the door before opening it. "Time to go, soldier," he informs the man as he steps in. Siddhanarta makes neither comment nor fuss as Elgyn enters, instead standing and letting himself be led down to the cargo bay.

Outside, Yuan nods to Solbiort. "Captain," he says. "Your 'wave said you had prisoners. These gentlemen are marshals who will be more than happy to take them into custody."

Solbiort grins, her eyes icy, "Shall be glad to see last of them. Two vill need stretchers, though. Got Siddhanarta here, though."

The landing instructions had the Chimera put down in a relatively remote berth, with some privacy. A trio of enclosed land-mules is nearby, providing further cover. Despite this, there are a few curious faces poking around the corner now and then before being shooed off by law compliance officers near the entrance to the berth. One of the marshals asks, "Why bother with stretchers?" Yuan holds up a hand, silencing the officer. "That's acceptable."

Solbiort stares just as icily at the marshal, "Because ve are better than they." She looks back at the Colonel, adding, "Did not expect you here, Colonel. You have time for tea later perhaps?"

Yuan says, "I'll have to see. The Military Council asked me to see this end of it through to the end, so the next day or two will be rather busy for me. But I think I may perhaps have some time."

Solbiort nods, "Vould be nice. Have something for you."

Yuan arches a brow. "After the events of the past few weeks, something agreeable would be welcome."

There's the clank of feet on the rungs of the nearest ladder well as Siddhanarta is set down first with Elgyn following, hand on the man's shoulder as he guides the soldier to Solbiort and the marshals. "Captain," he greets, giving a nod to the law enforcement officers and looking curiously at Yuan.

Yuan glances at Siddhanarta, then looks to Solbiort. "With your permission, Captain, these officers will take custody of him, now."

Solbiort chuckles politely, "Vell, do not know if is agreeable, but hope you vill be pleased vith it." She nods silently at Siddhanarta, her face expressionless, then sighs, looking back at the Colonel, "Ya, ching." Yuan nods and makes a slight gesture. Two of the marshals move quickly to take hold of Siddhanarta and pinion his arms behind him, one clamping binders on his wrists before they move him ungently and with haste into one of the enclosed land-mules. Solbiort murmurs quietly to Elgyn, "Go vith marshals fetching from infirmary, und make sure they do vhat Nigel vants, ya?"

Elgyn nods smartly, and addresses the marshals as they come back aboard. "Follow me, officers. I'll take you to the others," he says respectfully. Six of the marshals move forward to board the ship, bowing politely to the captain each in turn as they cross the threshold. Their politeness is a bit at odds with the rather venomous looks they give the invalid prisoners.

Nigel has scampered off to the infirmary and has been getting the patients ready to go. Leveling a gaze at the marshals, he announces, "I worked hard to keep these people alive. I don't want to see them injured." Nigel doesn't give this bunch of prisoners even a warning not to overstress themselves. Normally, he at least gives an appearance of caring, even if it is gruff.

The marshal in charge of the small detail nods to Nigel. "Understood, Doctor." That does seem to mute some of the rancor they apparently have, and they are at least rudimentarily careful in putting the prisoners onto stretchers. Elgyn smiles a little at Nigel pushing them around, but is careful for the marshals not to see that as he just stands by, letting them do their job before accompanying them back.

Solbiort smiles ruefully from where she's leaning against the hatchway, arms folded as she watches. When most of the marshals are busy she murmurs quietly, "Am hearing rioting already started. Has gotten vorse?"

Yuan grunts a little, and nods. "Belief that Wintarsen is out there has spread. We have cells rallying to his cause even though they have no idea where he is or even if he's alive. Far Thunder sabotaged the node they used to make that broadwave, and it went out to all of Eclipse before we could even attempt to put a cap on it. We think they hoped to broadwave Wintarsen being killed and defeated ignominiously. Instead...."

Solbiort nods slowly, "Hokay, how ve stop this? Know Vintarsen vant nothing to do vith this any more, Colonel.'

"You and I may know that, but there's half a hundred terrorist cells, and ten times that number of would-be insurgent groups and people for whom the war never really ended, who do not know. I'm not sure how we stop this, and considering the scope of the... unrest, it isn't for us to decide. Parliament is in emergency session, and they are debating what measures to take."

Solbiort says slowly, "Vhat if Vintarsen himself tell them go home, Colonel?"

"I honestly don't know. That might send most of them home. It'll certainly take the edge off of this situation. But there'll be some who won't be convinced. We'd just have to hope that they're in the minority." The marshals carry the remaining prisoners off the ship and into the land-mules. All but two pile into the vehicles, one apparently the detail lead who stays near the colonel.

Solbiort glances at the detail standing nearby, then grins at the Colonel, "Vhen vould you like to meet for tea, Colonel?" Elgyn has rejoined his captain, and is curiously watching this interchange, wondering how Solbiort knows this individual, but not wanting to interrupt. Solbiort almost reflexively loops an arm about Elgyn's shoulders, drawing him close enough to lean against her if he wishes. Elgyn is slightly taken aback by this show of affection in front of the Colonel, but certainly doesn't shy away... though he tries to continue to keep a composed, polite expression up as Solbiort and Yuan talk.

The Colonel thinks for a moment. "The tribunals of these three will probably take up the rest of the day, and sentences carried out tomorrow morning, if called for. It would be inappropriate to make a social call on such a day, so if you are still on Newhall on the day after tomorrow I would be pleased to take tea with you then."

Solbiort smiles and nods politely, "Ching feel free to let me know vhere to meet you, sir." Curiously she adds, "Vhy so svift sentencing carried out?"

"Depending upon the person and the charges, the Military Council wanted the situation and the punishments to be dealt with quickly so we might concentrate on the issues at hand. Though from what you told me only one such sentence will likely need to be carried out tomorrow. The other two will be... processed. And sent on to Sihnon."

Solbiort says slowly, "Vhat you think sentencing likely to be, ching, Colonel?"

"I would be reluctant to speculate, Captain, but I am sure an appropriate sentence will be passed down. Military tribunals are generally fair, just... and quite, quite inventive."

Solbiort nods quietly, "Hokay. Vould be nice if they could vork tovards aiding those they have harmed."

"I am sure that the infiltrator you apprehended aboard your ship, at least, will in some way do so. The other two, though, will likely be processed and sent to Sihnon for... further questioning about Far Thunder's activities."

Solbiort nods thoughtfully, "Hokay." She smiles ruefully, "Sheh-sheh, Colonel. Look forvard to tea vith you."

Yuan smiles a little and nods politely to Solbiort. "As do I. Good day, Captain, Mr. Musere." With that, he and the remaining marshals return to the land-mules, and the three vehicles pull out of the berth area.

Solbiort watches them leave, not moving from where she's leaning against the wall... then she looks down at Elgyn next to her and grins, "Ship's all ours now -- finally!" She pulls the hatchway closed, then comms the rest of the ship, her voice exuberant, "Hoya! All clear, crew!" Elgyn just smiles quietly at his captain, letting her go to spread the good news. This matter is over and done now. And as he watches Solbiort smile, he can't help but feel content. Perhaps all is not well everywhere... but for now, Solbiort is happy, and that's enough for him.

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