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Reality Fault

Realms: Hunter Logs

Part Six: Deal With A Dragon

Scarlet Chimera, berthed at Goldshore Docks, Asherah City
Ashtoreth, moon of Adarra, Mishka Quadrant

The previous day saw the crew come to a decision regarding their "cargo" and Molly, establish what their next move will be, and gather a cargo for Skamandrios, a sub-moon of Boros and the Fengwu's original destination. It also saw the crew decide upon a name for their liberated pirate vessel: the Scarlet Chimera.

The morning has come, and breakfast is somewhat better than the previous day; at least no high explosives appear to have been used in its making. What remains now is for the crew to make any final preparations for departure to Boros, a trip which would take perhaps one day, and that without needing to use pulse-drive. The perfectly legit cargo is stowed and ready for transport off of Ashtoreth.

With no other preparations to make, the Scarlet Chimera leaves atmo and makes the short trip to Skamadrios. To say that space traffic control is 'unamused' at the ship's unscheduled altering of course to Ashtoreth is an understatement, but since the ship is now properly documented there's little they're going to actively do about it. The ship is permitted to land with little fanfare or grousing.

Scarlet Chimera, berthed at Oblivion Falls
Skamandrios, submoon of Boros, moon of Adarra, Mishka Quadrant

Skamandrios is a bit dryer and less hospitable than Ashtoreth, but it's still reasonably temperate. The thermals make landing a bit tricky, but compared to docking a gunship with a carrier undergoing evasive maneuvers, Solbiort finds it easy. The ride itself is a bit rough, though no major accidents occur in any underdrawers in the Oblivion Falls traffic control tower.

When the ship lands, already at the berth they can find three unassuming, patiently waiting men in suits and ribbon-ties common on Fringe worlds. They stand near the berth entryway as if they can wait there all day -- and for the past week as well. All three, however, carry themselves in the relaxed/not-relaxed manner of hired guns. Even to Nigel their appearance says 'Tongs or Syndicate.'

Solbiort watches thoughtfully from the bridge, then murmurs in the intercom, "Corporal, to the bridge."

Molly comes up onto the bridge after a few moments. "Yes, Captain? What-" She spots the three immediately. "Oh. They must be from Five Dragons that Gorman was talking about. The ones our contacts were to be when we arrived here, to reprogram the pulse-beacon."

Solbiort nods, "All right. Nigel, vhere is a pulse-beacon reconfigured? I vant you and Raj there, please."

Nigel pushes his hands into his pockets, chewing his bottom lip as he thinks about it, "Well, it's just a little piece of machinery. I could put it in my pocket and they could do it standing in the cargo bay."

Elgyn, already at Solbiort's side, stares at the three men intently, as if assessing a potential threat. "But you don't know them personally," he comments in response to Molly's explanation.

Molly shakes her head. "No, I don't. I just know that the coordinators for this operation made arrangements with 'Five Dragons' here on Skamandrios." She glances to Solbiort. "They'll be expecting payment."

Solbiort nods slowly to Nigel, thinking... then says, "All right. Vould prefer they not come on board anyvays." She glances amusedly at Molly and says, "Sheh-sheh, Corporal. I had not forgotten."

    Captain Solbiort Skialdmeyjar is definitely a tall, burly, and intense woman, standing an assertive 6'6". Snug breeches on her sturdy legs are tucked into tall black boots, which smell pleasingly of years of quality leather care. Riding low on her right hip is the holster for her heavy pistol, while on her left the utilitarian pommel of a large knife protrudes from a rune-covered sheath. Her well-worn leather tunic is brilliantly embroidered on the back with fiercely snarling, winged heraldic beasts tangled in battle, leaving her well-muscled shoulders and arms bare. Each wrist sports a wide, decorated bracelet, while a slender cord about her throat carries several long, colorful beads. Her pale-skinned face is framed in short wings of flame-red hair, and behind her sways a long, thick scarlet braid plaited with a few glittering ornaments. Her deep green eyes study the world with confident amusement.

Molly nods, "Just confirming, Captain. Where do you want me?"

Solbiort sighs, rising, "Vell, let's go talk. Raj, vill need you for negotiating. Corporal, stay out of sight. Nigel, be ready vith the machinery but stay out of sight until negotiating is done. Elgyn, cover us. Any qvestions?"

Elgyn checks the load in his Hogleg. "You want me in plain view or lurking?"

Solbiort says, "Out of sight. Neh need to start out nasty."

Nigel says, "Not so much a question. I want Raj or Elgyn with me if I go somewhere with them for the reprogramming."

Nigel, at first glance, is your typical stringy grease monkey. The black hair that covers his head is continually mussed and contrasts with the blue of his eyes, which are usually squinted as if he's trying to remember something. Normally, he's dressed in a rather oversized jumpsuit, patched in several places and bearing the permanent oil and grease stains of someone who is constantly up to his elbows in an engine. His hands are fine-boned and constantly moving, fiddling with something or just tapping his fingers. He's even of unremarkable stature, standing perhaps five foot six in his bare feet. The only thing that truly stands out is a rather elaborate brand on his right cheek. The figures are ideograms and read "rude."

Solbiort nods to Nigel, "You vill haf one of them, ya. Und I do not think I vant them vandering off vith our goods anyvays. So. Ve are ready? If so, let's get this over vith."

Molly nods, "I'll wait in the commons with an ear on the intercom; terminal if you need me."

Elgyn grunts, the backs of his palms itching. "Seconded, Captain." Solbiort nods and strides out, heading for the cargo bay hatch.

    Elgyn Musere is more akin to a bronze sculpture than a person. His posture and face suggest a preternatural calm, but his gray eyes shown an intensity lurking in wait, like a predator stalking its prey. His hair is done up in modest dredlocks, tied back with a strap. His physique is well muscled, and much of it can be seen thanks to a sleeveless and open brown vest. His dark flesh also has a wide variety of tribal tattoos in blacks, reds, and whites, covering his shoulders and biceps, much of his chest, and his wrists. And that's just what you can see. Most of them appear to be unfamiliar designs, but they include a lot of sharp points (as akin to blades), and palindromic patterns. He also wears plain brown trousers and soft leather moccasins, with a leather belt and pouches about his waist. There is a large and oddly shaped knife seated in a thigh baldric, and a Colt Peacemaker revolver tucked into a shoulder holster. He stares at you with a vague interest, as if assessing your threat potential...

Raj follows Solbiort and Elgyn off the bridge. Solbiort casually checks her pistol is loaded and the holster is unsnapped. Then she straightens and pulls the heavy hatchway door open. She studies the three waiting men thoughtfully.

The three men straighten as the ship's hatch opens. None of them keep their hands concealed, and none are obviously armed even though Skamandrios isn't known for the gun control laws on the Central Planets. The one to the right steps forward towards the group, inclining his head in greeting. "Welcome to Skamandrios," he says in flawless, accentless Lingua. "We had heard of the incident which took place near Demeter. We have been informed that there was a... change of ownership of the ship you are flying."

Solbiort nods once warily, "Sheh-sheh. Will the same arrangement stand?" Elgyn has taken up a hidden position inside the bay itself, behind cargo crates, as the Captain speaks to the men outside the ship. He waits calmly, ears perked for the first sign of trouble... Nigel waits back inside the ship until it's known whether or not the arrangement still stands.

The man -- though of Chinese heritage, his eyes are a vibrant blue, and he is of average height and build -- tilts his head to the side, considering. "Possibly. That is one thing which I was asked to determine. Five Dragons is still quite willing to proceed with the arrangement, but obviously some alternate conditions will have to be worked out."

Solbiort nods, folding her arms and resting one shoulder against the doorjamb. "Go on."

"Actually, the original arrangements involved the transfer of a rather large sum of money, a sum which we have been told is no longer aboard your ship. However, we would like to see what sorts of accommodations can be made. Would you be willing to meet with Five Dragons to discuss this?"

Solbiort considers silently for several heartbeats... then finally says, "Certainly. You may come aboard."

The man ducks his head. "Forgive me, but I should have been clearer. Would you like to meet with Five Dragons, the person, to discuss this?

Elgyn purses his lips, suddenly liking this situation even less. Solbiort says, "You vere quite clear, sheh-sheh. Five Dragons is velcome aboard to discuss this. I'm sure he or she vill understand, though, as new owners of a... ship of unusual background, ve are a bit leery of vhat arrangements have gone before. And so ve vould prefer to stay here." She turns her head and calmly says to Elgyn in Midgaardian, "May have neutral incoming. Tell the doc and the girl to stay out of sight. Don't brandish the weaponry openly."

The man nods. "Understandable. Would neutral ground be acceptable, or must it be here? Please understand that Five Dragons has a very busy schedule."

Solbiort smiles faintly, "Skamandrios is yours. Ve are on neutral ground now, actually. You do not like it?" She adds dryly, "-or as neutral as ve can get, I suppose."

The man inclines his head again. "You make a good point. We would like some time to confer with Five Dragons regarding this. We do stress that if you are uncomfortable with the arrangements, both parties may go their separate ways with no ill will."

Elgyn quietly slips from his hidey-hole and triggers the intercom, making sure to target the bridge only. "Nigel, we may have further visitors on board... ranking folks. You and the Corporal continue to stay out of sight till we notify," he hisses into the receiver.

Solbiort nods politely to the speaker, "Sheh-sheh. We appreciate that. Vhen should ve expect an answer?"

"Within the hour. Ah, forgive my lack of manners. I am Yuan-Shao Liu, one of Five Dragon's lieutenants."

Solbiort nods politely again, bringing her palms together in greeting, "A pleasure to meet you, honored Lieutenant Liu. I am Solbiort Skialdmeyjar, Captain of the Scarlet Chimera."

Liu nods politely. "The pleasure is ours, captain. Thank you. We shall be back as soon as possible." With that, the three men discretely leave, politely without having all three of them with their backs turned at once. Solbiort will wait until the three men have withdrawn, then pull the heavy door closed.

Raj says, "Well, no surprises there," and shakes his head, "I've got no idea what they're going to want instead of a big box of money."

    Raj is a compact man, dressed in plain clothes somewhat more suited for work outdoors than polite company. He keeps his dark hair cut short and brushed back.

Solbiort stands by the latched hatchway, thinking. She nods a bit worriedly to Raj, then thumbs the intercom, "Hokay. Ve're clear for now, but I vant us to remain on high alert, please. That means someone on overvatch at all times vhen the hatch is open for cargo movement. Elgyn, I leave that up to you. Anyone else got good info or thoughts to share?" Nigel is tucked away in engineering, mostly just poking around, doing the same sort of familiarizing himself sort of things he's been doing since the ship first made pulse jump.

Raj says, "Well, I've not heard of Five Dragons, so I don't think this is one of the 'big guns,' so to speak. The boys they sent around were polite, which is a good sign. That's about it, so far..."

Solbiort nods slowly, pacing back into the ship, "Good. Raj, vill vant you to do the negotiating vhen this Five Dragons arrives, ya?"

Raj says, "Six-of-one. I'll need to know what we've got to work with, how far you want to go, and the like. All we want is the pulse-beacon jiggered, right? Do we know what it's supposed to say when they're done?"

Elgyn seems to be quietly mulling the situation. "Forgive me, Captain, but... remind me exactly why we need their services? After all, the situation is different considering we, and not likely-well-known Browncoat instigators, have the cargo."

Solbiort says, "Elgyn, the plan Gorman had vas to reconfigure the ship's pulse beacon before going to Fleur de Croix, vhere the Indep medical facilities are." She sighs, then adds, "Vorst comes to vorst, I guess ve could ask Nigel to handle it. Shuh muh, Raj, but I don't think ve have much to vork vith, honestly."

Elgyn bobs his head. "This plan, I understand. The reason why escapes me, though. Were they worried about the beacon being detected once getting into orbit?"

Solbiort shakes her head, "Ask Miss Molly." She looks up and yells, "Hey, Corporal! Cargo bay!"

Raj says, "Do we think the folks on Fleur are looking for a specific ship, and that's what Five Dragons is going to make our ship report as? Isn't that going to make it hard to pass ourselves off as the Scarlet Chimera at the next port? Or is this one of our ship's little talents -- to swap those setting around?"

Solbiort says, "Vould like to know myself. I think maybe it's because ve need a legit code, and Nigel can't do that? Oh, vait, I remember now -- the one ve'd buy from Five Dragons is of a legitimately-registered but othervise non-existent Trans-K transport. That's got to be it. Although don't know vhy the Indeps vouldn't vant us if ve didn't scan legit. Like they've never seen that before there?"

Elgyn sighs. "I am only... concerned. As polite as they were, it is a truism that the widest smiles can hide the sharpest teeth. I am not sure I want to be indebted to such as these." Solbiort nods silently to Elgyn.

Raj runs his hand through his hair and says, "Well... as part of the new registration and all, we should be free and clear. Do we need to change the pulse-beacon to say any different?"

Solbiort shakes her head slowly, "I... have no idea, Raj."

Molly shortly arrives in the cargo bay; this time she seems to at least not have hidden in the 'vaporator. "It's because the one we're getting from Five Dragons is a legit code," she explains, catching the last of Raj's comments. She nods to Solbiort. "Yes, exactly. The plan was to come to Skamadrios, get the legitimate pulse-beacon code, and then for all intents and purposes this ship would disappear. It would take weeks for the Alliance to figure out the ruse."

Nigel wanders back into the cargo bay at the end of that conversation, hands in his pockets, "We'd need a lot of pull or someone better than me to get into the Alliance system to create a fictional vessel."

Raj says, "So, we have a legitimate pulse-beacon now. Why would we change it to a fake-but-non-existent one now?"

Nigel says, "So that our name isn't attached to anything fishy."

Solbiort folds her arms, tapping her fingers restlessly against one arm, then finally says, "Raj, how's this. Ve listen to their offer, but if it's too much ve politely decline. Ve head for Fleur. If they vant their folks, they'll come up vith some vay to connect vith us. Ve're trying our best to help -- they can meet us halfway."

Elgyn chews on that. "That's a feasible option. Listening should be innocent enough," he finally agrees.

Raj says, "I'm guessing anyone that was looking for the Fengwei has probably heard about our daring reversal and capture of this ship, and sneaking in anywhere probably isn't going to do us much good. Even if we do find out what Five Dragons wants, and we want to do it, we might simply want to bank that pulse-beacon against future use..."

Solbiort nods, "Good point."

Molly nods. "None of the pulse-beacon codes in the ship's library will stand up to medium-term scrutiny. They'll get you in and out of some places quickly enough, but it might be a matter of days, if not hours, before someone in shipping compliance realizes they're fake codes with no matching registry. Five Dragons offered to sell us a perfectly legitimate pulse-beacon code which is already in the Alliance registry of ships and which a typical BUSHIPS compliance officer would check off as legit without digging any deeper. So it would literally take weeks for the Alliance to correlate the shipping schedules and such for Skamandrios to match the new pulse-beacon code to this ship. If they were even ever given reason to do so."

Raj nods, "...and if we switch between the codes in our library, here and there, they may never figure out which way we went. So the plan at this point is to visit with Five Dragons, find out if we want what they've got, and if we've got something we're willing to pay for it -- but we don't need a new pulse-code and can walk away if we've a mind to, right?"

Solbiort says, "Ya. Although if ve vant to drop off the Indeps smoothly, and ve can afford it, vould be good to buy the code." She nods slowly again. "Hokay, ve haf a plan now. Elgyn, make sure somevon is on vatch on the bridge at all times too, please." Nigel nods at Molly's explanation of the library of codes, brows wrinkled slightly as he stores the information away.

Elgyn scratches his chin, and looks at Molly. "Think you're up to that, Corporal?" he queries. "All respect to the doctor, I'd prefer someone with combat experience -- and experience with this ship -- in that position."

Solbiort murmurs in Midgaardian, "Not her on guard. Not yet."

Elgyn blinks, looking at Solbiort. "Why not?" he replies back in kind.

Molly rubs the back of her neck. "Considering what's at stake here, I don't think I should be left on guard here. I don't want you worried that I'm going to do something like try and take the ship when you're in the middle of negotiations."

Solbiort says, "We don't know her that well yet. She knows it." She smiles at Elgyn and adds, still in Midgaardian, "You're a nice boy, and she's a nice girl... but let's get to know her first."

Elgyn looks like he would argue, but when Molly herself rules herself out as a candidate... and it doesn't help that the tone in Solbiort's voice makes him a little flustered. "Well...." he trails off...

Solbiort says cheerfully in Lingua, "I'll take first vatch, how's that?" She strides for the hatchway, humming quietly to herself.

Elgyn nods slowly. "Aye, Captain," he says to his Captain's back -- and mutters to himself, ears slightly red.

Nigel starts to say before Solbiort leaves, "I think we may want to put in cameras..." he trails off as she wanders off, shrugging.

Solbiort pauses, looking back, "Good idea, Nigel. Can you start doing that?" She shakes her head, adding in an exasperated tone, "Vhat captain doesn't have vids in cargo?!"

Raj says, "That's surely something I can help with. We can all make a list of good places to hide, and try to make sure they're covered."

Solbiort nods, "Excellent, sheh-sheh, Raj. Nigel, if you think of any other improvements you feel the Chimera needs, make a list of those too, ya? Ve can start implementing slowly." Nigel nods and grins broadly, thinking of the prospect of being given free rein to add gadgets.

Elgyn looks at Molly. "Is it wrong, Molly, for me to have instinctive faith in you? It was, after all, what encouraged me to want to keep you by our side, and see you through this mess."

Molly blinks at Elgyn, opens her mouth, then shies away a little. "It's... no, Elgyn, I'm flattered, but... I don't want to risk making things go awry when I feel like we're so close to putting this to closure."

Solbiort raises an eyebrow at Elgyn's words, but politely says nothing to him. She grins amusedly at Nigel (perhaps guessing what his expression means!), and heads on out to the bridge. Elgyn nods slowly. "I suppose I can accept that." He was attempting to speak in an undertone to Molly, but misses that Solbiort seemed to notice anyway.

Raj says, "Motion sensors are cheap and cover a wide area, but aren't very specific. If nothing else, we'd know when folks were where they weren't supposed to be. Upgrade from there, Nigel?"

Nigel rubs his chin, still chewing on his lip, "Hrm... I'd like at least one camera here in cargo. It's too big a space to leave blind, but starting with motion sensors works for me."

It's actually about an hour and a half later when the same three men -- Yuan-Shao Liu leading them again -- arrive at the ship again, politely waiting at the hatch to be noticed. Solbiort alerts everyone, then heads back down to the hatchway. Since there's no one else with the three men, she warns everyone there's a possibility of things getting ugly, so be prepared. When Raj is with her, she opens the hatchway. Raj arrives, smartly dressed in a very dark business suit, carrying a small briefcase. Elgyn is once more in position, absently snorting from his hidden over-watch at the fancy-Dan that Raj has become. Nigel ducks into the infirmary when the people reappear.

Liu inclines his head politely as the hatch opens. "Good afternoon again, Captain. Five Dragons will be along shortly."

Solbiort is faintly surprised at that, but she conceals that reaction and simply nods politely. "You vish to enter first?"

Raj returns the bow, "Thank you, gentlemen. Would one or two of you like a quick tour of the lounge?"

Liu smiles. "Thank you, yes. You are most thoughtful. Myself and Shang Kai would like to see the lounge first, if we may."

Solbiort stands aside for them to enter, then closes and latches the hatchway behind them. She'll follow quietly behind, letting Raj do his thing. Raj turns and leads Liu and Shang into the ship, "This way, gentlemen."

Elgyn quickly moves out of sight... as they're bringing them upstairs, he'll quickly be obvious from his position of the catwalk. Once he's sure they've closed the outer hatch he moves instead to the bridge, figuring Raj and Solbiort can handle themselves... it's threats from without that are important now.

The two men do a cursory inspection of the lounge, one holding a somewhat discrete surveillance detector, which he tucks away in short order. Liu smiles to Solbiort and Raj. "Thank you for the courtesy. Five Dragons will be arriving shortly.

Solbiort nods politely. Raj also nods, and says, "Then let's go back down to greet Five Dragons on arrival. Gentlemen?" He heads for the hatch to await Five Dragons.

Liu coughs, "With respect... forgive me, Raj, was it? We would like to wait for Five Dragons here in the lounge if at all possible."

Solbiort glances at Raj, "Von vith you, von vith me?"

Raj stops at the doorway, "If you'd prefer. I'll keep you company here, then. Captain, if you would greet Five Dragons?"

Liu nods, "That will be quite acceptable, thank you, Captain."

Solbiort nods to Raj, then gestures for one of the men to accompany her. She pauses to murmur in Midgaardian on the intercom, "First mate, cover cargo discreetly please. Get the engineer to cover the bridge." Then she heads down to the hatchway with whichever of the two wishes to accompany her, to open it and wait for Five Dragons.

On the bridge, Elgyn spots the arrivals, apparently Five Dragons and entourage. Three are in similar suits-and-ties to the three who preceded them, and are relatively nondescript. The sixth is noteworthy -- not only that she wears a dark green cheongsam quite brazenly embroidered with a complex dragon pattern in gold thread -- but she is also easily the tallest woman Elgyn has seen off of Midgaard... with no Chinese features at all, pale hair, and quite sharp blue eyes. Judging by the five prominent dragons in the embroidery, this is likely Five Dragons.

Elgyn stares at Five Dragons. Just... stares. "[Stupid son of a drooling whore and monkey]" he swears. Then he moves faster that he would have thought possible, and not trip over himself. "Captain, we've got a major problem. It's Ranaka," he hisses into his comm.

Solbiort pauses... then casually shuts the hatchway. She thumbs the intercom, "WHAT?!"

The man who went down to the cargo bay with Solbiort pauses as she closes the hatch, "...excuse me, captain. What is going on?"

Elgyn keeps speaking in Midgaardian, not wanting the others to overhear even though he wants to curse his lungs out. "The woman at the center, the one clearly the leader... is that bitch Ranaka."

Meanwhile in the officer's lounge, Liu looks up at the com, frowning a little. "What is that language that the captain and the first mate share?" he asks Raj. "I do not believe I have heard it before."

Raj says, "I'm not really sure myself. I believe I've heard it now and again, but I can't really place it."

Solbiort snaps on the intercom, in Midgaardian, "Right. Get Nigel on the bridge now and get to support Raj now to get that other guy down here and let's get them out of here soonest as politely as possible." She turns and beams with forced cheer at the other man, "Shuh muh, nothing is vrong -- just forgot something. Vould you care to go speak vith your lady for a moment?"

Elgyn triggers the intercom. "Nigel. Bridge, now. We've got a potential situation." he barks, louder than he should. He then moves into the officer's lounge. "Would you both please come with me?" he asks of the gentleman and Raj, between clenched teeth. It's as polite as he can manage right now. "There is something we need to... discuss." Elgyn does have his hogleg held openly, but not in any threatening position. Nigel blinks, raising his head from the puzzle he had been fiddling with as he waited. He shoves it back into his pocket and moves as quickly as he can to the bridge, muttering a little under his breath, jaws clenched.

The man with Solbiort arches a brow, thinks for a moment, then shakes his head once. "No... at this moment that will not be necessary. You are certain nothing is wrong?"

Solbiort smiles more pleasantly, "I do not believe so, neh. Vhy? Is somet'ing vrong on your end?"

To Solbiort, the man says, "Nothing that I am aware of, except that the open hatch has just been shut."

Solbiort looks at the hatch thoughtfully, stalling for time although she's careful not to turn her back on the man. "So it is. There is that, ya. Is that a problem?"

Meanwhile, in the lounge Raj says, "Certainly, Elgyn." He turns to Liu and says calmly, "If you'll follow me, Liu," and follows Elgyn back down to the cargo bay.

The temperature has dropped at least ten degrees as Liu notices that as 'non-threatening' as a hogleg is, it's still being held by Elgyn. "This is highly irregular, sir," he says frostily. "May I ask what your intention is?"

Elgyn smiles curtly. "My intention, sir, is to be ready at all times. I hope you wouldn't suggest I not carry arms aboard my own ship?" he queries with exaggerated calm.

Raj says, "I'm not sure what's changed, Liu, but it might be best if we rejoined Shang in the cargo bay."

Liu stands slowly, his expression icily neutral. "Yes. Perhaps we should." Elgyn folds his arms, jutting his chin in the direction of the door, making it clear Liu should exit first.

In Cargo, Solbiort thinks furiously as she stalls for time... then pulls a diamond hairpin from her hair and waits for Liu. On the bridge, Nigel watches the approaching party closely, noting the interaction between the two females, the older seeming to act as either majordomo or translator to the rather striking one. Raj exits the lounge, leading Liu and Elgyn back to the cargo bay. Liu steps towards the exit, pausing next to Elgyn before stepping through the hatch. "I will hope you are not going to make a grave mistake. Sir." He does, however, move in the direction indicated, following Raj.

Raj mumbles, "...me, too."

When the others enter cargo, Solbiort looks faintly relieved. To Liu she says, "Ve are so terribly sorry, honored Liu, but as it turns out ve are not able to offer your lady anything of vorth for such a great gift as ve vere asking for. Vill you please give her this from us, along vith our regrets, and as ve agreed previously ve shall both go our separate vays vith no hard feelings." She hands Liu the diamond hairpin, then rests a hand on the hatchway preparatory to opening it. Elgyn is clearly tensed... with Ranaka's return comes a lot of the old demons from Midgaard. He stays back from them all, letting Raj and Solbiort make nice with the men... he doesn't have the stomach for it, and expects at any moment he might need to explode into violence. So he's not exactly feeling chatty.

Liu pauses before accepting it, then takes in a deep breath and lets it out. "While I am discomfited with the..." he glances at Elgyn, "...abruptness of this turn, and would normally be more than pleased to let you be on your way... I would ask you to reconsider. It was not mere bluster when I said that Five Dragons is indeed quite busy. It is quite singular that she came out to your ship herself."

Raj shakes his head, "I'm sorry, Liu, but apparently the situation has changed quite abruptly, and we will need to confer. Please accept our apology for this sudden inconvenience."

Solbiort murmurs dryly, her accent thickening with tension, "Indeed. Ve could not possibly do proper honor for such a fisit."

Elgyn chews on that -- and then, to his own surprise, he blurts in Midgaardian, "Perhaps we should have Raj talk to her, if only to give our apologies. She sees us, and things turn messy."

Solbiort puts her palms together and bows politely to Liu, "Ve are defastated, but unfortunately 'tis as Raj has said." She gives one short hand gesture to Elgyn, without taking her gaze off the two men. Elgyn freezes in response to the gesture, but nods. He does seem slightly ashamed, though, at not having been more in control.

Liu's demeanor has now dropped approximately to the temperature of liquid hydrogen. "Perhaps it is best I respectfully remind the honored captain that to turn away an invited guest at the door is considered... improprietous."

Solbiort says, "It is indeed, vhich is vhy I offer your lady one of the last of the Fergussen family jewels from Bellerophon. They are quite rare." Elgyn stifles a groan. Damned if we do, damned if we don't, he thinks glumly to himself. On the Bridge, Nigel shifts nervously, watching the conversation, making himself stop with the chewing on his bottom lip. His hands have moved into his pockets of their own accord, fingers sifting through their contents somewhat restlessly.

Liu shakes his head. "Captain, I will be frank: I do not know what your intentions are, but this will be taken as rudeness, and I cannot guarantee Five Dragons will not be insulted." Shang, however, blinks at the jeweled pin, looks at Solbiort, looks at the jewel again, gets a two-plus-two expression, and hisses out the side of his mouth to Liu, "Chang Fei."

"Sha?"

"Chang Fei!"

Liu shakes his head. "Not now, Shang. Captain, I would ask you one final time to reconsider. I do not know from what world you hail from, but courtesy is in some form universal."

Solbiort straightens at the implication, and says quietly, "I hail from the same vorld as your lady originally hails from, Lieutenant. Give her Mad Red's regards." Elgyn's grip tightens on his shotgun at Solbiort's words. Solbiort opens the hatch and firmly waves the two men out.

Raj steps forward and says, "Gentlemen, I'm sure the Captain is well aware of the... unusual nature of this turn of events, and the possible consequences. Thank you for your concern and your advice, but I'm afraid the time has come for you to depart." He steps to the hatch and says, "This way, please..." Solbiort takes a deep breath, stepping back so she's out of Raj's way, carefully remaining calm.

Liu blinks. "Your accent isn't from Osir-" Shang elbows him quite abruptly and Liu glares at him intently for a moment, an intensity which evaporates almost immediately. "Mmmph. Right. " He looks to Solbiort, inclines his head fractionally -- enough to be polite -- and departs with Shang in tow.

Solbiort pulls the hatchway closed immediately thereafter, locking it and leaning against the door. She sighs gustily. Raj puts his briefcase down, turns to Solbiort and says, "Perhaps you would care to explain exactly what happened here."

Solbiort says, "Sheh-sheh, Raj, for helping get them out. The Five Dragons is a voman from my vorld who vas disgraced publicly for improper behavior."

Elgyn shakes his head, not yet untensing. "[Things never go smooth]," he mutters in Lingua, stepping forward.

Solbiort gives Elgyn a faint, rueful smile at his comment. She looks down at her hands, opening and closing them slowly, then looks up at Raj again. Tiredly she says, "The voman who exposed and publicly disgraced her... vas me." She reaches out and thumbs the intercom, "Nigel, di-di, vhat are they doing, please?"

Nigel presses the intercom button, still keeping an eye on the group outside, "Uhm... the tall woman looks like she's not best pleased... and the older woman looks like she's just heard a joke that's not quite funny enough to laugh about. I sure don't want to get in that blonde's gorram way."

Solbiort grins, "Goot so far then. Vait... two vomen? Can you get a good shot of the other one?"

Nigel presses the button again after a moment, "Why do I get the feeling we just got in her way?"

Solbiort says, "Because ve did, Nigel."

Nigel snorts quietly, "With what, captain? I don't have a camera up here with me."

Raj says, "Ah. And you didn't know who this person was until you saw them on the camera." He takes his briefcase and leaves, saying, "Let me get out of these, and into something more useful. Back in a moment."

Solbiort nods to Raj, "Ya. Shuh muh I couldn't give you more varning."

"Captain, I suggest we leave as quickly as humanly possible. I don't want to find out what resources she has at her disposal," Elgyn suggests.

Solbiort nods to Elgyn, "Continue to hold cargo. Must see other voman." She darts out of cargo, running for the bridge, and dashes into the bridge seconds later, "Vhat you got, Nigel?" In Cargo, Elgyn nods... and standing alone, eyeballs the hatch. He tests it, as if wondering how sturdy it is.

Nigel glances over at the captain, then waves at the glass, "She's middle-aged. Looks like a Chinese mid-level corp exec." Solbiort settles into the pilot's seat -- she's going to need to re-compute navigation once she's had a look at the other woman... and verified the first one is indeed Ranaka.

From this vantage point Solbiort gets a good look at the party of five. Four appear in typical, nondescript suits-and-ribbon-ties. The fifth is Blondie in a cheongsam, who is most definitely Ranaka. She looks about ready to chew neutronium and spit plasma. The other woman Nigel pointed out appears to be politely suppressing a smile, and is talking with Ranaka, apparently calming her down. The middle-aged woman turns to Liu and Shang and says something to them; the two take the other three toughs and moved towards the entrance to the berth, away from the ship.

Solbiort mutters, "Ta ma duh!" at the sight. When folks start to depart she sighs in faint relief, then intercoms, "Molly, mei-mei, can come out now. Ve're leaving."

It takes about a minute for Molly to emerge from whatever hiding place she found this time, which from the scent of it appears to have been the produce locker, judging by the faint flecks of frost on her shoulders. At about that time, Ranaka and the middle-aged woman converse, and Ranaka storms off, heading outside the berth with the other three; Shang and Liu remain at the doorway. The middle-aged woman turns back to the ship... and simply stands there politely and patiently... and to both Nigel and Solbiort she is holding Solbiort's hairpin.

Solbiort nods, unsurprised -- she wondered if they'd still want to talk. Nigel clears his throat, "Uhm... captain, isn't that yours?"

Solbiort nods to Nigel, "Ya. Not sure if it's a polite 'sheh-sheh but neh sheh-sheh' or a 've're going to eat your head for this'... but will find out." She murmurs to Nigel, "Back in a moment. Hold the bridge, please." She intercoms, "Raj, you available to join me in cargo yet?" then heads down there.

Elgyn blinks as Solbiort strides in. "Something wrong?" he rumbles, gripping his shotgun.

Solbiort says, "Neh, hope not. The other voman is vaiting outside vith the hairpin, and the others have left. Guessing there's a message, and hoping it's a calm one."

Elgyn purses his lips. "Should I back you up, or stay with the ship?"

Solbiort says, "Go high cover in here. Raj vill be down in a moment."

Elgyn nods... he opens his mouth to speak again, but shuts it when Raj arrives. Raj joins the knot of folks in the cargo bay, dressed for real work and visibly armed, and says, "What's next?"

Solbiort says, "Raj, can you handle opening and closing hatchvay, please? Other voman still outside vith the hairpin; others have left. If anything bad happens, slam hatch and be damned vhich side I'm on. You got that?"

Raj nods. "Ready."

Elgyn blinks. "Captain, no... if someone should put their fat in the fire, let me do it."

Solbiort smiles at Elgyn, "Di-di, your heart is in right place... but is me who insulted Ranaka, not you. Cover Raj, hold cargo." She takes a breath, then nods to Raj, "Now."

Elgyn looks like he wants to protest... but he was given an order, and nods with a sigh. Raj steps to the hatch, opens it, glancing into the berth, then motions Solbiort forward. Soli steps forward so she can be seen in the hatchway. She puts her palms together and bows politely to the woman, then waves a hand to indicate the older woman is welcome to enter if she wishes. Elgyn is back in position and watching, his heart beating quickly. He wipes his sweaty right hand off on his pants: a slick gun hand won't do. Nigel watches tensely from the bridge.

The woman's half-smile widens a little, and she bows. "Thank you, Captain," she says. Like Liu, she speaks Lingua without any sort of accent, even traditional Chinese. Her voice is calm and quiet but eminently professional and polite, albeit tinged with a note of humor. "Please understand that Liu and Shang are somewhat edgy right at this moment and have threatened dire things if I am let out of their sight. I hope that can be rectified, however."

Solbiort smiles, leaning to see how far the woman can move and still be under observation. She obligingly steps so the two can see her also, standing calmly and without fear to show she means no harm to the older woman. She murmurs politely, "Tzoo-foo nee, mei-mei. How may ve be of assistance?"

"I wish to ask forgiveness, if I may. She is perhaps overprotective at times, but -- as you are no doubt aware -- easy to rile. Some expect one with the name 'Five Dragons' to be... larger than life, and so are not -- normally -- disappointed when they meet Ranaka."

Up on the Bridge, Nigel thumbs the intercom, "So far no one's tried to kill anyone else out there... and I want someone to explain this ruttin' fiasco to me soon."

In the main cargo hatchway, Solbiort raises an eyebrow, but simply nods politely, "Please, there is nothing for vhich to apologize. If anything, I should apologize for vasting... the Five Dragon's time." She wonders a bit bemusedly how Ranaka got a reputation for overprotectiveness, but says nothing.

The woman smiles and bows again. "Not at all, Captain. It is I who should apologize for wasting your time. In the past this has kept more than one assassination attempt from coming to fruition."

Solbiort laughs suddenly. Then she grins, then bows again more deeply, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Five Dragons." She studies the older woman with frank interest... then says slowly, "Sheh-sheh... for taking care of my former Vangrsystir, lady."

On the bridge, Nigel blinks and presses the button again, "And now the captain is laughing like a loon and bowing to the little Chinese woman."

In cargo, Elgyn blinks at Nigel's report. "Hunh," he mutters, having nothing to say to that.

In the berth, the older woman says, "The pleasure is mine, Captain. I have asked Ranaka to return to the compound for the time being. May I and Liu come aboard to discuss what alternative arrangements we might make?"

Solbiort nods, "Of course. Vill you gif me one moment, please, to notify my crew? Ve vere... a bit concerned."

Five Dragons nods, "Of course, Captain. And I can understand your concern. Fate and Chance played an unfortunate game with us this day. It must have been something of a surprise to see her."

Solbiort unsuccessfully attempts to suppress a snort of amusement, muttering, "You haf no idea..." then grins and shakes her head, "Forgif us please, lady. One moment..." Five Dragons nods, turning to the other two in the shadows and calling Liu over. Liu himself looks a little discomfited, confused, and still a little standoffish. Solbiort bows politely again to the older woman, then steps back into the hatchway and half-closes the hatch. She whispers hastily to Raj, "Raj, this is the real her -- go change clothes and look good like before, please?" She then intercoms, "Hoya! This is the real one, and it's not my angry former vangrsystir. Everyvon behave nice, please?"

Raj nods and sighs, "OK. I'll be a minute. I've had more practice getting into this gear than that." He jogs off, taking the stairs two at a time and muttering.

On the Bridge, Nigel relays down to cargo, "One of the suits looks like he might be the woman's son or something."

Solbiort chuckles at Raj, then nods to Nigel's message, "Good to know. Thanks, Nigel. Can you continue to cover bridge for a vhile, vhile ve negotiate?" She grins up at Elgyn on high cover, adding, "Vhat a relief."

Elgyn blinks and nods. "I should say."

On the Bridge, Nigel replies with a simple, "Why not."

Solbiort grins, in Cargo, and intercoms to Nigel, "Sheh-sheh, di-di."

Shortly thereafter, with careful courtesy, the Five Dragons and her bodyguard are escorted to the starboard Officer's Lounge and served some tea. Elgyn continues to lurk in the cargo bay... though as Soli and Raj lead Five Dragons and her people back to the lounge, he does make a point of nodding to Liu, and showing he's no longer carrying the hogleg... which is a slight white lie, since he'd just hidden it during the transition, and retrieved it once he took up his post once more. Raj returns post haste, entering the lounge looking only slightly less crisp than before. "Good afternoon, ma'am. I understand the... difficulties have been squared away?"

Solbiort politely introduces everyone. Though Liu remains a bit stiff and chilly (he barely acknowledged Elgyn) Five Dragons is somewhat warmer -- professional but warmer. She smiles up to Raj. "Yes, they have, thank you." She tilts her head to the side with the introductions. "Ah, yes. I was told of your names ahead of time, and told something of your... reputations. But they certainly don't do any of you justice." She inclines her head to Solbiort. "Chang Fei, 'Mad Red,' whom I believe still has over four score reckless flying citations outstanding."

Solbiort grins cheerfully, "Ah, my reputation far exceeds my actual deeds, I am sure!"

Five Dragons looks to Raj. "And as I recall, you have the reputation amongst some folk as being very steadfast in your contracts."

Raj smiles slightly, "I'm happy others speak well of me."

"And unless I miss my guess, Captain, there is also your well-nigh ever-present companion from Ulundi, and a doctor who ran afoul of Boss Higgins and was branded for it. All survivors of the pirate attack on your transport. I am quite honored to be amongst you."

Solbiort smiles and nods politely, amused at how well informed Five Dragons is, but letting Raj do the talking at this point. She is quietly heartened the woman has yet to return the hairpin, also. Hopefully that's a good sign. Up on the Bridge, Nigel blinks and sits down in the pilot's chair, whistling low through his teeth, "Damn. This woman knows everything." Elgyn is thinking much the same, lurking by the nearest intercom in Cargo... though he's used to folks being slightly aware of him through Soli, he doubts anyone else knows his planet of origin.

In the Officer's Lounge, Raj opens his briefcase and says, "From what we've been given to understand you had an arrangement with the prior crew and owners of this ship. Sadly, we no longer have access to the substantial amount of hard currency they are reported to have planned to pay you. However, we might be interested in the goods you were offering should we be able to come to some new arrangement. Can you confirm your merchandise is still available, and the basic nature, just so we know we're all talking about the same things?"

Five Dragons nods to Raj, smiling. "Yes. The original contract called for a legitimate pulse-beacon code to match a Trans-K transport. I am, of course, not aware of why they required it, but considering the sum they were willing to pay when they already had a programmable pulse-beacon... well, that and considering who they were, I could only imagine quite a great deal of mayhem at the Alliance's expense. I realize you do not have the money the... previous contractors have. Nevertheless, I am still open to the sale of this item."

Raj nods, "That is exactly our understanding. Given our plans are not exactly the same, our needs are more than a little different, and the lack of hard currency in the original amount, what might we be able to offer you of similar value?"

Five Dragons considers. "I have given this much thought, and I do not think there is any easy way to match what they were offering." She looks quite seriously between Raj and Solbiort. "Between you and me, I imagine that more than a few people invested quite a great deal in their venture and are now on the verge of bankruptcy if they do not find restitution. Be that as it may... the normal going price for a legitimate pulse-beacon code is... an obscene amount of platinum. Several hundred thousand at least. However.... I had mentioned Fate and Chance earlier, hadn't I? It may be they are continuing their game."

Solbiort listens silently. She'd not previously considered at what cost the capture of the three cryoboxes below had come. Internally she frowns, not pleased at the amount of blood money she's dipping everyone's hands in. In Cargo, Elgyn ponders as well where that money went. Maybe the fleeing pirates took it with them? he muses internally, wondering at their fate.

Five Dragons sets down her teacup. "On Morrigan, one of the other moons of Adarra, we have made something of a windfall. Morrigan used to be a major terraforming machinery source for the Alliance, here in the Mishka Quadrant. Algae farms, gravity conditioners, air processors. Very expensive terraforming equipment, and quite strictly regulated. The most expensive and exotic is the gravity conditioner. A moon the size of Ashtoreth needs three hundred and eighty four gravity conditioners to simulate near-standard gravity at the surface of the world along the equator. There is a client on Einsort, one of the moons of the thermal gas giant Fujisan, also here in the Mishka quadrant. It is a blackrock. They want a single GC unit."

She picks up her teacup. "I was going to decline the contract, but it appears we may yet be able to carry it out. If you are willing, the cost for the pulse-beacon code is thus: go to Morrigan, pick up a GC unit from our people there, and deliver it to Einsort without the Alliance knowing about it. We will of course work with you as to the how of the operation." In Cargo, Elgyn scratches his chin. As illegal activities go, that's not so bad... in the Officer's Lounge, Five Dragons continues, "I will understand if you need some time to consider. This is not an easy thing I ask of you. Please understand, though, that a legitimate, registered pulse-beacon code is not an easy thing to acquire, either."

Nigel shoves his hands deeper into his pockets, spinning back and forth in the pilot's seat on the Bridge. It takes nearly all his self-control not to push the intercom before he says, "Yes, I know you need those golden apples, Herc, why don't you just hold up the sky for me while I go grab those for ya."

In the Officer's Lounge, Raj nods and says, "A 'simple' delivery like that seems within the scope of our plans, but the devil is (as always) in the details. Can you tell me what the time frame is on this delivery? We may have other commitments that would prevent us from pursuing this and, as you say, we will need to consider your offer. What would be the best way for us to contact you, in the future?"

She nods to Raj. "Within the next six weeks. The client is working within their own limited time frame. It would take a week via pulse drive to reach Einsort at this time of year."

Raj says, "I think we now have enough information to make a decision. Thank you so much for coming to see us, and again, I apologize for any misunderstanding earlier. If there's nothing else, I'd be happy to see you and your escort to the hatch."

Five Dragons smiles as she stands. "No, nothing else. Most of all thank you for seeing me after the earlier... unpleasantness. I am glad it is all cleared up. When you come to a decision either way, please come visit at my compound and let me know. You normally could message us via the Cortex but the client has asked to keep any mention of their contract off the Cortex completely for their own reasons."

Raj nods, "Quite understandable." He escorts them to the hatch, and as they leave he says, "We'll contact your people with any questions we might have, and be in touch as soon as we've come to a decision. Thanks again, ma'am."


Solbiort lets Elgyn know she'd like to talk to him privately when he has a moment -- he can find her in their room when he's ready.

When Elgyn enters he finds Solbiort sitting on the bed, her elbows resting on her knees. Her flame-colored wings of hair obscure her face, and she's silently studying her bracelets, turning her wrists back and forth as she considers them. In fact, she's actually really just examining the right one, slowly sliding the jade wristlet around to see all its carved sides.

Elgyn had been exercising when he got the call -- she notices he always tends to do that when he's stressed -- a channel for all the excess energy, to refocus and regain calm. When he enters he seems much less ruffled than he was earlier, as well as freshly showered. "Captain?" he queries, his tone almost formal.

Solbiort doesn't immediately look up, just sliding the jade wristband back into place and sighing softly. Then she straightens, brushing back her hair and looking at Elgyn. She looks... a little tired. "Elgyn, hoya." She thinks a moment, then says quietly, "Do you ever... miss your home?"

Elgyn's solemn facade cracks a little at mention of home. "Sometimes, Captain," he admits softly. "It was... home. It was... a good place to grow up," he adds, his tone hesitant, clearly wondering where this is going.

Solbiort nods silently, her gaze far away for a moment... then her emerald eyes return to Elgyn, and she shifts to Midgaardian, saying softly, "I miss home. Ranaka... seeing her certainly brought back memories for me. Did she for you also?"

Elgyn's calm cracks more, and he cannot seem to hold Solbiort's gaze for long. "Yes," he replies dully. "And most of them unpleasant."

Solbiort smiles a little sadly, and holds out one hand, "Come, broddir. Sit with me."

Elgyn visibly hesitates -- something he does not add was that it brought back other memories too... memories of warm nights curled up with her; of them showering together after working out; of her affectionate, sleep-ridden words. But he finally takes her hand and sits, looking at her uncertainly. "What is this about, Captain?"

Solbiort sighs, draping one arm about Elgyn's shoulder and leaning a bit, "Just... a little homesick, I guess." Her smile turns rueful as she adds, "Not like we can curl up around the fire with Ranaka, after all. Gonna have to be careful who we send with the message to the compound of the Five Dragons, too." She sighs softly, just sitting for a moment... Elgyn realizes this is a side of her she does not allow out in public.

Elgyn nods solemnly, leaning back against her... finding this closeness comfortable and yet not, at the same time. "Raj perhaps. He seems like he can handle himself," he suggests. He pauses. "What do you think Ranaka will do? You knew her better."

Solbiort shrugs slightly, "Eh, who knows any more, little broddir? True, she's my cousin, but I only knew her when she was but a child. I would never have said she'd... break her oaths as a valkyrie." She rubs her face a bit tiredly, then murmurs, "Poor kid."

Elgyn makes a face. "Poor kid?!" he says incredulously.

Solbiort smiles quietly at Elgyn, "Ya. She's alone and lost from her home. I'm guessing it wasn't entirely by her choice either." She tilts her head, considering Elgyn, then says softly, "What? You have no empathy for someone who is utterly alone in the universe, estranged from home and family?"

Elgyn suddenly stands, facing her. "She made her choices, Solbiort. Things didn't have to turn out the way they did." He puts his hand to his chest. "I lost my home. My family. My purpose. But it was through no fault of my own. She committed a crime, and she pays the penalty for it. I save my empathy for those who deserve it."

Solbiort looks up, calmly studying Elgyn... then reaches out and takes his hand, drawing him back down to sit with her, "I will not argue she made a bad choice. But tell me, should one bad choice determine the rest of your life? Is there no forgiveness possible, in your view of the universe, for those who repent?"

Elgyn finds he doesn't have the anger to defy Solbiort, and ends up sitting next to her again. "For those who repent, perhaps. For those who make up for what they did with thought and deed. But when I saw her, on the bridge, I did not see repentance in her eyes. I saw the same Ranaka," he mutters.

Solbiort smiles, "Oh, I'm not suggesting she's repented. But she makes me think... makes me look at myself and wonder if I'd have done the same in her boots, or if I'd have had the strength not to..." Her voice trails off for a bit and she looks down at her jade bracelet again for a moment, then softly murmurs, "...and she makes me ask myself why I haven't gone back home, when my family keeps asking me to. I... find myself wondering, if I'd been there could I have stopped it? Could I have saved her? In a strange way... am I partly responsible for what happened?" She sighs quietly, her face turned away again, "Well... at least she's found a strong lady to protect her."

Elgyn squeezes Solbiort's hand. "Solbiort... I don't pretend to have all the answers," he says in a much gentler tone. "In what these eyes see, though, you had to do what you did. Did what you do have consequences for her and for your people? Yes. But you cannot change a person through any actions of your own. They have to change themselves. And if they persist in those shameful behaviors, then it is up to brave souls like you to do what is right. To stand up and say 'No.'"

Elgyn's eyes look boldly into Solbiort's. "I know why it is you do not go home. I know why it is that you left. You don't belong there anymore. You've grown, grown beyond some of the archaic, stilted, backwards beliefs of your culture. Is it any wonder that it was you -- only you -- who acted, when this was going on for months and months? When everyone knew, and did and said nothing?" He is quiet for a second, then adds, "You would never have done as she did. I believe this, in my heart."

Solbiort chuckles quietly, leaning back against the wall behind the bed and drawing Elgyn to lean comfortably against her, "Ah, is that why I do not go home, my little firebrand?" She smiles faintly, brushing Elgyn's hair back, then thoughtfully says, "I do not think I blame my people for not seeing it. It was, quite simply, unthinkable..." She grins amusedly at Elgyn, adding, "I'm not sure I'm willing to call the inability to conceive of damaging a soft, gentle boy an 'archaic' or 'stilted' belief, either."

Elgyn annoying feels his ears warm at Solbiort's caress, and he tries to will the pleasant sensations away. "You give your people more credit than I would, Captain," he says softly, "-but you know your people better than I do," he adds, in an attempt to be mollifying. Solbiort smiles quietly, her gaze distant again. She simply sits for a while, one arm about Elgyn, occasionally lightly stroking his hair. Elgyn calms a little, and starts enjoying himself again. "Why do you think, then, that you do not return?"

Solbiort finally sighs softly, shifting a bit, and murmurs, "Well. Enough of my wool-gathering." She turns, gazing thoughtfully down at Elgyn... then smiles, "I shouldn't burden you with my homesickness, should I. Inconsiderate of me, at the very least." She sighs again, then says, "Hokay. You remember this afternoon, ya, when I asked you to immediately get Nigel onto the bridge, so you could go support Raj and politely escort the lieutenant out?"

Elgyn blinks at the sudden shift in topic, then nods. "Yes..." He suddenly thinks he gets then what her point is before she even says it. "My politeness was lacking, I take it," he says dryly.

Solbiort chuckles, "Got it in one, little broddir." She sighs softly, then adds, "Now we're going to have to play extra-nice to make up for it." She lightly brushes the tassel of her braid against her lips, considering. "Need to send two with the message, and best if they're both combat capable, but can't send you because they'll be jumpy about you now. Can't send me because Ranaka will be jumpy about me... which means Raj and Nigel... and Nigel's even less tactful than you, unfortunately. Hmm..." She suddenly gets a sly smile, "Unless..."

Elgyn sighs, running his hand through his locks. "Forgive me, Captain. Seeing Ranaka rattled me... and to be honest, Ranaka likely wouldn't be fond of me anyway... I'm sure she knows I was central to her censure..." he replies, and then his brain catches up with his ears. "Unless what?"

Solbiort grins lazily, one hand gently brushing Elgyn's hair back again as she considers, "Well... if it was Ranaka who blew up, and we managed to stay calm as the wronged party... then that would wipe out your discourtesy with the hogleg." She chuckles quietly, "I think I will send Raj... and myself! Odds are Ranaka won't see us at all, since I'm sure they'd like to keep things calm and polite too... but if she does, and if she doesn't restrain herself-" her grin gets mischievous, "-then we win!"

Elgyn smiles. "Your keen tactical mind serves you well as always, Captain," he murmurs fondly at her. "That's an excellent plan."

Solbiort chuckles quietly again, "Ah, flatterer. You're wasted, I tell you."

Elgyn's brow crooks. "Wasted on what?"

Solbiort smiles slowly down at Elgyn, her eyes a little wistful... then shakes her head slightly and shifts back to Lingua, "Chust teasing, di-di."

Elgyn clearly is confused, but is willing to leave it at that. He gets up then, and starts to walk out... but then stops and turns back. "Captain... do you want to go home?" he asks bluntly.

Solbiort relaxes back on the bed, her arms folded behind her head. She considers a moment, then smiles again, "Does it matter?"

Elgyn does not return the smile. "It does if I'm the reason you do not," he says softly.

Solbiort raises a lazy eyebrow, "Indeed? And vhat vould you do if you thought that vere the case?"

Seconds pass without a response, Elgyn remembering a turn of phrase told him once by a squad member: 'If you love someone, set them free.' "I...would not wish to stand in your way, Captain," he finally whispers.

Solbiort smiles tiredly, "Doesn't exactly answer the qvestion, but appreciate the sentiment, di-di." She stretches lazily, then waves a hand, "Ah, go on, di-di... I'm keeping you from stuff, I'm sure."

Elgyn feels as if he's looking at Solbiort from across a giant crevasse. His mouth is dry, and he almost doesn't find the words. "Solbiort..." he begins, using her given name for the second time in the space of ten minutes -- a record from him, "I would follow you until my dying breath. You know this. But I serve you out of gratitude, out of honor. It is my greatest wish that I have value to you as your karl, your shieldbrother... your friend. But a true friend would not..." he trails off. "I don't want you to sacrifice your happiness for me. I'm not worth that."

Solbiort raises her eyebrows in faint surprise at that... then swings her legs lithely over the side of the bed to sit back upright. "Hokay, di-di, let's get something straight here." She pats the bed next to her, adding, "Come sit again... think you need it." She gives a faint laugh, then murmurs, "Think ve both do. Come, di-di." Elgyn's expression is bemused, but he finally joins her, swallowing to moisten his mouth and feeling dry as a desert. Solbiort grins amusedly at Elgyn, drawing him close, "I'm sorry, but is von of those annoying archaic, stilted beliefs -- touch is important. Now, vhere vere ve. Ah... you are thinking you are forcing me to sacrifice my happiness for you, ya? So... vhere you get the idea your presence makes me so unhappy, eh?" She thinks a moment, then adds a bit indignantly, "And vhere you get idea I not appreciating you as huskarl?!"

Elgyn imitates a fish, his mouth opening and then closing as she rattles these things off to him one by one, unable to respond under her unrelenting verbal assault. "Captain, I... it was not my intention to put words in your mouth. You... you have never made me feel this way. And I had never presumed you might be unhappy until now. But the way you spoke... I assumed there was something you kept hidden from me -- that you felt you might be happier at home, but would never say so because of... well, me."

Solbiort grins, lightly ruffling Elgyn's dreads, "Vorrying too much again, di-di, ya? Trying to take my job, mm?"

Elgyn flushes and ducks his head. "Forgive me, Captain... seeing Ranaka has stirred up a lot of... old stew," he rumbles.

Solbiort says, "Mmm, vould seem so!" Her smile slips a bit when Elgyn's gaze shifts from her, but a moment later she has it back together. She hugs Elgyn once, not squeezing too hard, then nudges him gently, "Now. Off you go, ya? Qvit vorrying so much."

Elgyn oddly takes a little longer to respond than normal, still embracing Solbiort back for several seconds before finally sitting back. "As you wish, Captain," he replies. While not quite completely reassured, he does seem mollified. He gets up again, but pauses once more, "Your words do leave an impression, Captain."

Solbiort says, "Goot. In that case, vorry a little-" she grins, holding up an admonishing finger, "-worry about being polite vhen you're supposed to be so!"

Elgyn looks duly chastised. "There is that, Captain... but there is more." He gets this far-off look, "When I saw her again... the first thing I wanted to do was challenge her to an honor duel. I was shocked by how much I hated her. How angry I was that I could not respond the way I desired to on Midgaard. But I see now... she likely suffers worse than any punishment I could inflict." Solbiort nods once, watching Elgyn silently. He smiles ruefully, "You need not fear my acting rashly now, Captain. I believe you can consider that loose end tied off. It is done, and I am well."

Solbiort nods again, "Goot, am fery glad to hear it. Now... vould like some time to vork on finances, und am sure you haff stuff you vere doing." She smiles and waves a dismissive hand, "Let's be useful, ya?"

Elgyn nods, "As you say, Captain." He leaves without further ado.

Solbiort keeps the smile on her face until Elgyn's closed the hatch... then she sighs tiredly, slouching wearily back on her bunk. She looks a little wistfully at the jade wristband... then shakes her head once impatiently, "Tch! Not going to happen -- vaste of time." She rubs her face tiredly... then determinedly pulls over her terminal and busies herself with ship finances.

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