The morning brought many surprises, such as a lavish breakfast, Dr. Caravelli getting the box in the lounge to produce music and an impromptu fashion show as the visitors were offered some local style civilian clothing. For the men there was quite a range of choices in pants, vests and shirts, while the women were offered clothes that – while coming in lots of colors – seemed overly cumbersome, and all with multi-layered skirts to boot.

Ironically, it was Calligenia who accepted an outfit that was a bit clerkish, while Aisha politely declined and wished to wear her own hard-won Abu Dhabian fashions, which were far more flattering. "People will stare regardless of how we are dressed," was her reasoning.

Perhaps it's time for a new definition of silly. Or … at least it may get a new picture to go in the dictionary, a Lapi in a 'business casual' attire. Deciding he may as well try to fit in Layth has taken to wearing neatly pressed pants, shirt, and stylish trench coat style jacket. At least he decided against a necktie or bow-tie. As for shoes, well … with those feet he's on his own.

Of the Karnors, Dr. Zerachiel looks the most comfortable in the local attire, which simply makes the older wolf look like a college professor – his jacket even has leather elbow patches. Caravelli is constantly tugging on bits, despite the human tailor assuring him things fit perfectly. Gabriel stands out the most though, since he just can't seem to sustain a civilian bearing, reverting to military stances whenever his attention falters. The double-breasted suit does look dapper though.

Tasha chose to go dress according to local fashions, accepting the skirts and petticoats with a degree of both bemusement and interest. The lengthy skirts cover her legs entirely, hiding her hooves, though nothing short of a tent could hide her wings. Because her wings prevent her from wearing anything complicated or concealing on her back and shoulders, she opts for a bodice tied tightly in the back, while a length shawl covers her shoulders and hangs to either side of where her wings erupt from her back. "It's a little tight," she says, though not with any particular distaste. It's about as lady-like as anyone has ever seen her, and with choosing colors in muted reds, she manages to still look a bit firey, rather like a dressed up Fire Mage or eccentric school teacher.

Aisha is wearing blue and black zolk, her favorite colors for complementing her fur, and makes her seem all the more exotic compared to the others. Calli looks like a student at some elite academy, in that she managed to shed a few of the petticoats and wears a shorter jacket and vest over a plain blouse, all in shades of brown.

Once everyone seems satisfied with their choices, a young Karnor woman in a military-cut gray uniform (but without any insignia or rank markings) clears her throat and introduces herself. "Good morning. I am Pepper Vesuvius, your guide and secretary for your visit to New Zion," she says. She has a clipboard at her side, which she refers to. "Since this is your first day, you don't have any official appointments yet, although there is a request from the Museum of Antiquities to meet at your convenience."

"You need a parasol to complete that look," Gabriel tells Tasha with a grin, before turning his attention to Pepper.

"We require a secretary?" Layth asks, "Whatever for?"

"Well, to keep your appointments, arrange for your needs, and keep you out of trouble," the young wolf replies.

"Military Intelligence operative," Caravelli mutters.

"Is there a parasol here? Do you think I should have gone with the hair-bun?" Tasha glances at her boyfriend, curiously, then smiles at the secretary. "We'll be getting the attention of local groups and organizations before long, and Gabriel thinks we might even be approached by 'the press,' who are a bit like a professional rumor mill," she says.

"Are we expecting trouble? And following that, what appointments are we expecting? It is not as if we are very important," Layth also has to ask. Logic versus Military thinking.

"I'm sure that once your debriefing is fully analyzed, there will be some sort of follow up," Pepper speculates. "Until then, I'm to make you comfortable and try to maintain your privacy as well."

"We're probably more important than we think, Layth. There's a matter of magic and politics, and besides all the rest we're involved in. At the very least, we're an interesting story," explains Tasha. She bobs her head to Pepper, then says, "Well, what's this about the Museum? Is everyone interested in seeing what that's about?"

"My briefs are where the should be," Layth says after taking a few seconds to check.

"What's a Museum?" Calligenia asks.

"A place full of old stuff," Layth explains.

Whispering aside to Gabriel, Tasha says, "Layth seems humorless, but he's strangely funny sometimes."

"Like a temple or a garbage dump?" the doe asks.

"Important old stuff," Aisha offers for clarification. "History."

"Mmm, depends on the Museum. Some of the items are considered valuable, some are just old," Layth offers.

Tasha nods to this. "Likely, a museum full of technology and Expedition history. I think it has a Titan, as well."

"Tasha is not allowed near the titan. I fear she would destroy the city," Layth notes.

"They must want to view the Artifacts," Zerachiel notes, both Pepper and Akkers nod in agreement.

"She was doing okay in the simulation until she would run out of fuel," Aaron notes. He doesn't really look much different in the local clothing – mainly because he's still got his shiny vest on.

Layth seems to pause. "I just realized something," he says to Zerachiel and Akkers. "Given your respective ages, you may be classified as artifacts. We must be careful, lest you be put on pedestals for children to poke at."

"I won't destroy the city, Layth," insists Tasha, giving the Lapi a look. Something must have happened in the time since she last saw him, but there's something less restless about the woman, less fierce but more confident in her voice. Even her posture seems slightly different, and were it not for Lapi hearing and the time Layth's known her, he might have missed it entirely.

"They are certainly Historical," Aisha notes. "Does that make Tasha a curator?"

Tasha smiles at Aisha, and nods again. "Well, I do put them on pedestals."

"Or a tomb raider," Layth suggests.

"Well, if you wish to visit the Museum and bring the Artifacts, I will arrange for secure transport," Pepper offers.

At Layth's remark, the Vartan rolls her eyes. "Please, Pepper, before they make any more jokes," she says with a bit of a laugh.

"You claimed I had no sense of humor once, I am now trying to fix that. You're still unhappy. I cannot win," Layth complains. He even sounds like he's complaining.

"Like brother and sister," Aisha says, shaking her head.

"I'm not unhappy; not at all," Tasha says with a smile. "I'll explain later. We should get going, though. Pepper can arrange the transport and we'll get ready here."

"I hope it is a quiet transport. That train made my head hurt," Layth notes. "Please keep that in mind when arranging such, Miss … Pepper. Good ears and loud things do not dance well."

"I'll do my best," the likely Intelligence officer promises.

In the midst of the wondrous city built on technology, Pepper managed to procure… two horse-drawn carriages. The were relatively quiet, compared to a motor, but arguably harder on the Karnors' noses than on the Lapis' ears. It also helped that they were leaving the din of the city largely behind them.

Inside, the central dome houses a collection of flying machines suspended from cables, along with a colorful humanoid titan (although it may just be a mock up as well, since clearly it had to have been assembled in place). Each wing is devoted to a different area of accomplishment in ancient crafts and technologies, from computers to weapons, and one entire wing is devoted to something called the Leviathan.

Once they all arrive, Pepper excuses herself to inform the Museum administration that they're here. It is quite a show of trust, probably, leaving them alone in a building full of wonders.

"You cannot touch or take the weapons," Layth explains to Calligenia after reading off the wings names from one of the directories. He shifts the heavy case containing 'The Big Cheese' from one hand to the other.

Tasha's taken to looking up, an unsurprising choice for a woman who spent most of her youth in the sky. "I forgot to mention, Gabriel, but I told the Expedition officer that I'd rather not return to the Silent-One artifact to the Silent-Ones. I don't think they deserve it, and I don't trust them having it, either." Her keen eyes scan the details of the titan, and she grins a little for it. "It's a shame the Themis Skoll was destroyed."

"It looks like they've reinvented the aircraft from scratch," Akkers notes, looking at some of the fragile metal-and-cloth contraptions hung from the ceiling. "At least Themis-Skoll went out flying."

"And it is not as if we could have dug it from the mountain ourselves," Layth points out.

"I prefer Amazonian weapons," Calligenia notes, but looks down that wing anyway when Layth's head is turned.

"It may still be flying, we never saw it land," Tasha remarks. She's never seen airships like these, and can't imagine how they work; the titans themselves are a complete mystery to her as well. "And no Layth, probably not. No use worrying about it, anyway."

"Everything is big," Aisha notes.

"Compensation," Layth explains to Aisha.

"Layth is also big," Tasha points out, grinning.

"I don't have to compensate," Layth says simply, and smiles.

Aaron shifts his own case, holding the Star Drop, from hand to hand. "There are no paintings of nude women it seems," he notes. "Doesn't seem a proper Museum without those." Caravelli nods to the smaller buck. "Always my favorite part," he agrees.

"Are you not too old for such lusting?" Layth asks Caravelli. "Would it help if perhaps Aisha modeled nude for you?"

"It's all quite remarkable," Zerachiel says, gesturing around. "I mean, they had high technology in the past, but lost it over time. Who knows how many things have been lost and reinvented over the last six-thousand years?"

"What? He is not an artist, he is a doctor," Aisha points out.

"Well… ah, I just appreciate art," the wolf waffles.

"Do you think that titan is real, Gabriel? The Themis Skoll reacted to Nora's necklace, but really, I still have no idea how a titan works. I wonder if the mind link even works anymore? I'm still impressed titans can read their pilot's minds," says Tasha, who's still studying the massive machine.

"You should have seen the one Tasha and I posed for… " Aaron starts to say, but Pepper can be seen returning now with a tall, gangly human who looks as if he regularly sleeps in his suit, from the baggy rumpledness of it.

"A real titan wouldn't be put on display like this, I think," Gabriel replies to Tasha. "Besides, it looks too… new… "

"You could fly up and look," Layth notes, "Not that I recommend doing that… "

"That bustier may not survive flapping wings," Aaron adds.

"It does, doesn't it?" Tasha shakes her head, a little disappointed. "The real ones are probably hidden somewhere, for emergencies. Not that, I think, they'd let me near one – even if I'm sure those men last night had never been in one." Her gaze drops from the titam, and she turns to smile at the approaching museum employee. "Hello," she greets him.

"Are you suggesting the bustier may bust from her bust?" Layth has to ask before turning his attention to the arriving human.

Pepper clears her throat for attention when she arrives (something she seems to do a lot). "Everyone, allow me to introduce Professor James, Chief Curator," she says, and the man next to her sketches a quick bow, after which he has to readjust his eyeglasses. Pepper then introduces each of the visitors to the man.

"It is quite the honor to meet genuine time travelers," James enthuses, and offers his hand to Akkers, who shakes it a bit awkwardly.

Once everyone has been introduced, Tasha asks the man, "Miss, um, Vesuvius said you wanted to meet us? To meet 'time travelers,' or do you have other questions besides?"

"Oh, any number of questions!" the Professor says. "We have a few surviving bits of Landing Era equipment that we were hoping you could identify, for instance. And I believe you've also recovered several Sifran Artifacts that were thought long lost! Are they in those cases you're carrying?"

"Indeed," Layth says and lifts his case to indicate which question he was answering. "The cheese, star, and lady. Dangerous items."

Tasha nods her head. "They are, though I still have much to do with at least one of them, and I'd warn you to be very careful with them regardless. You're welcome to examine them, however," replies the Vartan. "Do you want to see this equipment now?"

"Well, you are welcome to enjoy the Museum too, of course," James notes. "As for examining the Artifacts… ah, we might prefer to that in a safer location, from what I've heard. And I couldn't bring all of you there in any case. But I can certainly call ahead to see if a visit could be arranged."

"Is that where they keep the real titans," inquires Tasha, almost coyly. Maybe it's just the outfit.

"Well, parts of them," James admits. "We suspect at least one was taken apart for use in the Leviathan."

"You have a wing dedicated to that … what is the Leviathan?" Layth inquires as he glances towards that wing.

"Oh my, it is… well, would you like to see it?" the Professor offers.

"I am curious," Layth answers.

"Let's go see that, I'm curious too now," Tasha agrees.

"Well then, just follow me!" James says cheerfully, as he spins around and leads the way into the wing with the big "Leviathan!" banner over it.

"What a strange person," Layth remarks to the others.

Tasha just chuckles as she follows along after the scholar, glancing up at the sign as she passes under it.

The first thing to catch the eye on entering the Leviathan wing is a massive metal dragon. It is jointed like a titan, but it seems unlikely that the limbs could actually move. In fact, it looks a bit less authentic than the titan mock up in the entry hall. Professor James doesn't even give it a glance at first, but then stops and turns to face everyone. "Ah! This… ah… this isn't the Leviathan, by the way," he explains. "It's a prop from the movie, Curse of the Leviathan. Still, very popular. We sell toys of it in the gift shop… "

"By the Star, that is… " Zerachiel starts to say, until it's revealed that the dragon is a fake. "… fascinating," he finishes.

"It is a giant metal Kiriga with an Eeee glued to its back," Layth remarks as he looks up at the monstrosity. "Since you say this is a 'prop' where is the real one? Does it look remotely like that?"

"Oh, the real one is just behind this wall," James says, gesturing to the standing wall behind the prop, covered with stills from the movie.

"May we see it?" Layth asks.

"I'll have to see this 'movie' some time, and maybe get one of the toys. Mom would love one," remarks Tasha. She doesn't look very impressed, but then again, her emotions seems a great deal more muted than months, even weeks ago. "And yes, can we see it?"

The real Leviathan is… large. It might just fit inside the titan bay of the Fenris if it was all curled up: a huge mechanical dragon reclines in the middle of a roped off area. It's a collage of gears, metal framework, steam pipes and sections of glass and crystal glimpsed beneath decorative brass scales and other draconian features. It cups some sort of console in it's forepaws which could put a pipe organ to shame.

"Now that looks impressive," Gabriel admits. "I can see some Imperial, Silent-Ones and possibly Coalition technology blended together."

"It is impressive but … " Layth starts to ask. The buck actually looks worried he's going to offend someone, but he asks anyway, "Why? What is the purpose of crafting a metal lizard thing? It does not seem … efficient. Complicated, yes, but efficient … no."

"That's … not a titan is it? Those, those are steam pipes, and those are gears … I never saw any gears in The Fenris, they're something I expect from expensive airships on Sinai, especially Chronotopian or Rephidimite ones." Tasha nods to Gabriel's review. "Yes, it looks very cobbled together. Some of it looks like it could have come from my world. It's like someone took all the technology they could and tried to make something out of it. Does it even work?"

"Ah, you have a good eye!" James says. "Doctor Von Bronson borrowed or stole from everyone to construct it. As for it's purpose, we think it was meant to be some sort of thinking machine. It has an artificial brain that is impressively complex. But we don't know how to power it properly or how to control it yet."

"Can we get close to it?" Layth inquires. "What does its controls look like?"

"Well… I could perhaps arrange for a closer inspection after closing time," James says. "Wouldn't do to have regular patrons thinking they could clamber around the thing. We've already had one person hurt himself on the new Juggernaut exhibit."

"The what exhibit?" Layth asks as he continues to peer at the odd machine.

"So, it isn't powered by burning things? Or, what was it called … ," Tasha tilts her head as she tries to recall the fantastic power sources of The Fenris, " … an atomic battery, or a … fusion reactor?" She looks to Gabriel for confirmation. "Wasn't the Themis Skoll driven by a fusion reactor? What is a fusion reactor? I just remember I 'breached' it repeatedly when piloting it, and whenever it went red, the simulation ended."

"How old is this … creation?" Layth asks.

"Well, it's about 80 years old, we think," James notes. "And we recently discovered that the power source Dr. Von Bronson used was actually the Holy Seed of the Imperials. He stole it, and supposedly activated the Leviathan, but without senses it just didn't work, and the Seed was somehow killed. Didn't stay dead though, if you believe the news reports about the new Imperial Life Dome!"

"You mentioned the seeds before," Layth notes and turns to look at the Karnors now. "What did you say they were? You had a name or description for them."

"They were the power cores of the Celestial Empire's mother-ships," Dr. Zerachiel notes. "Quite powerful living bio-reactors that, frankly, we don't know much about. They weren't called 'Holy' for nothing by the snakes, and outsiders weren't invited to see them."

"The seed was somehow killed?" Tasha's brows raise at that. "And the seed came back to life? Do you know what Dr. Von Bronson even hoped to do with this machine?"

"What did they produce that allowed them to power machines?" Layth asks, "Surely not steam."

"He destroyed his notes and went into seclusion," James explains. "Likely for fear of what the various authorities would do if they discovered his thefts. He had secret laboratory protected by a nasty deathtrap and some incredibly intricate robotic killing machines."

"And I assume he is now long dead?" Layth asks.

Zerachiel can only shrug to Layth. "They put out something the Imperials could use. Maybe similar to whatever the artifacts did to power MOTHER back on the Fenris. The Seeds are ancient, allegedly immortal plants from the dawn of time."

"He sounds like a certain giant crystal we used to know," remarks the Vartan, darkly. Shaking her head, she takes a step towards the strange machine and peers at it. "And, it's supposed to think?"

"Hm, we could 'plug' the cheese into the Leviathan after the museum closes," Layth offers, "Perhaps they can power it."

"Von Bronson died some years ago, yes, and his lab was sealed for close to 40 years we think," James notes. "It was successfully opened about a year ago."

"Are you crazy?" Aisha asks Layth. "Why would you want to power that monster?"

"We don't know what it was for, though, Layth. It could easily attack us, or explode," warns the Vartan, in what must be history's first instance of Tasha telling Layth to be careful about a crazy plan.

"To find out what it was for," Layth answers, "I can only assume it had some sort of purpose. Hopefully not one that involves destroying a city."

"It is very finely tuned to its power source, we think," James notes. "We could power it with existing technology, but we fear it would damage the more delicate elements."

"If we were to activate it, it'd be best to have something that could stop it nearby. It's titan-sized, so a titan might be best, and I'm not saying that just because I want to see one again. If it goes crazy, we're not going to stop it with our bare hands. I can even move well dressed like this," further warns Tasha.

"Have you tried though?" Layth asks, "Without his notes, how do you learn more about it without actually experimenting?"

"There is already a specialist in Sifran technology looking into the issue," James points out, and looks a bit pale at the notion of having mechanical monsters fighting inside his museum.

"Who is the specialist? Is he the one who wishes to examine what we brought?" Layth asks.

"I think he wants us to leave his relic alone, Layth," Tasha tells Layth, patting his arm. "We can't fiddle with every ancient relic we come across; others might want to be chased by insane machines too."

"Ah, well, they would certainly be the one to shed any light on what those Artifacts are for," Professor James says, nervously loosening his collar with a finger. "They were the one who opened Von Bronson's lab and recovered what survived of his notes, along with a working Juggernaut."

"What is a Juggernaut?" Caligenia asks. She's been quiet for most of the conversation, since she probably didn't understand any of it.

"That's a good question, I was wondering that myself," the Vartan says.

"Oh, the exhibit is over this way," James says, and heads off to the far end of the Leviathan. There something hidden behind some portable partitions there.

"It's going to be something big, bulky, and probably runs through walls," Layth remarks as he follows the human.

Tasha follows after the curator, giving the strange dragon-thing one last glance before she departs. "A Layth robot? Or, maybe my mother when she's really angry," she asks Layth.

"Or maybe it is a big jug twisted into a weird shape. A jug-knot," Layth offers.

Layth was entirely off the mark. Behind glass enclosures are the remains of several head-sized silver spheres, along with one complete one. The innards are exposed on a few of them, looking impossibly complex, while a series of illustrations above shows the Juggernauts in action: bursting with blade-tipped whips, dart shooters, bizarre appendages and even blades that served as a propeller.

"A ball of pointy death," Layth concludes when he sees the odd machine.

"Steam powered, somehow," James says, gesturing to the devices. "We've no idea how they operated, frankly. Von Bronson was a genius."

"Or he was simply insane," Layth offers.

The Vartan leans forward and peers at the strange robots, looking between the actual things and the illustrations, all the while shaking her head. "I think these are the technology version of zombies," she says after a moment.

"Those look like… metal guts," Zerachiel offers. Caravelli leans over the railing to get a closer look as well. "Micro robotics… using steam?" he mutters.

"Well, many geniuses suffer… personality issues," Professor James notes to Layth. "I don't think he expected these to be defeated by anyone."

"It's funny how that works out," says Tasha, who laughs a little.

"You shouldn't idolize insanity," Layth notes as he too leans in for a closer look. "I see little difference in a man that runs around stabbing and eating babies to one that builds machines to go stab and eat babies."

"In the end, a baby is stabbed and eaten," Layth concludes, "Same end result, different path."

"And you say he built the Leviathan, and its brain?" Gabriel asks, eyebrows raised. "Was that before or after he went mad?"

"Well, we aren't sure about the time-line in that regard," James mutters.

"How did he die?" Layth asks.

There is also a plaque on the exhibit, but it's currently covered with a sheet.

"I wouldn't be surprised if one of these killed him," says Tasha. She shakes her head again and steps back, having had enough of the death-dealing machines.

"Oh, in his sleep," James tells Layth. "We think. I mean, there wasn't any conclusive proof of foul play, but the man certainly had enemies in every government of Abaddon… "

"Mm," Layth says with a nod. "Well … I asked because if he was insane, I could easily imagine him having a desire to plug his own brain into his big machine and try to live forever. Those who believe them self great often have a desire to live forever, or so many stories go."

"Really?" James asks, then thinks about it. "I suppose the bronze statue makers take advantage of that… "

Layth takes a moment to look under the sheet at the plaque.

"So, you had an honest-to-goodness mad-scientist here?" Caravelli asks. "Human, I assume?"

"Oh yes, quite human," James says. "The autopsy proved that much."

"We're actually using his hold underground complex for current Sifran and Leviathan research," the man notes.

"Is that safe?" Layth asks.

Tasha hangs back, glancing down the hallway, then back at the Leviathan. She lifts one of the cases in her hands and cradles it in the crook of her arm, checking the latches on it.

"So, underground lair too," Caravelli says with a chuckle. "Mad-scientist super-villain then… "

"Well, it held his secrets for decades, and far enough outside the city to be considered safe," James notes.

The hidden plaque contains a recounting of how the Juggernauts were found, including photos of Von Bronson's secret lab and one of a strange one-horned creature in Mage's robes as well, credited with their discovery.

"Ah, your 'discoverer' was a mutant. No wonder you desire to keep them in seclusion," Layth comments as he puts the sheet back. "So long as this mutant isn't as insane as the former owner, I suppose reusing the base is safe enough."

The curator makes a startled sound once he finally notices Layth peeking under the sheet. "Really… ah… that plaque is being redone, so… I can't believe you peeked!"

"I do not see a sign saying 'no peeking'," Layth points out.

"I don't see how these balls could be so deadly," Calligenia says. "A Vykarin could stomp one flat easily."

Behind the others, Layth and the other bunnies can hear Tasha laughing quietly. Currently, she's opened the case and is making sure each of the memory crystals are secure and undamaged.

"It is implied that when something is covered, it is means not to look at it," the human says, flapping his hands at his hips.

The trip to the museum hasn't upset the memory crystals in any way, nor has proximity to all of the old (and not so old) technology.

"Or it implies that it is covered to avoid getting dust or paint upon it during repairs," Layth points out.

"Are you sure you're a rabbit and not a cat?" the professor asks Layth.

Satisfied, Tasha closes the case and re-secures its latches, switching the cases in her hands. Once that's done, she puts the second case in the crook of her arm and checks on 'the lady' Sifran artifact, as well.

"I was raised by Khatta," Layth notes, "Are you ashamed of the person who discovered it?"

"What? No… There are just… Circumstances have changed a bit is all," the man claims.

"Changed how?" Layth inquires. "If you expect us to take our items to this person, then we should know what dangers this imposes on us."

The Weeping Woman, as it's officially known, glitters and glows as usual, and presumably is generating a magic field near its surface like Spring Meadow claimed. But without a mage there's really no way to know for sure.

"Ah… none of you are magic users, right?" James asks instead of replying.

Tasha waves a hand over the odd statue and, satisfied it isn't reacting, shuts the case. She secures the locks on that case as well, returning it to her hand and hefting the other. "Vartans aren't big on magic use," she answers.

"You're a Vartan?" the human asks, blinking at Tasha.

"Karnors and Jupanis don't usually have wings," Tasha answers, smiling and not looking the least bit offended by the question, this time. She gestures back at her wings, then puts a case down so she can hike up her skirt and show her hooves. "Don't worry, I'm not a member of the Confederates. I'm from Sinai."

"No, but we came with a Caroban aid group and one of my friends is a mage," Layth notes.

"I… see," James tells Tasha, and adjusts his glasses. "I just assumed Sinai was full of fantastic creatures, so a winged Karnor did not make me think of Vartans. But I suppose that is the simplest explanation, really… Oh, mages… well, the one who opened up Von Bronson's lab to us was a mage too. It's just that there might be some controversy about her possibly being involved in the incident at the Imperial Life Dome and maybe being some sort of fugitive from the Mage's Guild. No need to feed any sensationalism by having her photo here."

"Ah, then that must be the one the Zerda was raving about being here. Perhaps we should inform Latania that she is here after all," Layth notes to the others.

"Oh… ah, she's not here," James says quickly.

"She is in the base, as you just explained," Layth notes. The buck has a good memory.

"I'm used to the suspicion and odd looks," Tasha assures the man. Her ear flicks, but it's a far cry from her previous reactions to having her race analyzed, and a lot of restraint for Tasha. She glances at Layth and says, "Don't worry the man Layth. We don't want to get involved in mage-Expedition politics. At least, I don't."

"Maybe we should just tell Spring Meadow, if anyone," Aaron notes. "Latania really didn't seem interested in getting involved."

"Yes, well, but the base isn't here," Professor James clarifies. "It's… out there. Hidden."

"True. Spring Meadow is her friend," Layth agrees.

"We're not here to spy for the mages, Professor. Just so you know that. I very much want to remain out of mage-Expedition politics, as we are independent parties at this time," continues Tasha, who gives Layth a bit of a warning look.

"This is the 'crazy Exile' that the fennec described as 'the most dangerous person in the world', right?" Caravelli asks, just to be clear.

"Most likely, yes," Layth says.

"Well, an Exile," Gabriel says. "A real live alien, as opposed to someone brought or created by the Expedition. Sounds interesting."

"Maybe," Tasha concedes. "But she seems caught in something, and it seems better to avoid being caught, as well. At least, for now."

"I… don't know," Aisha says. "But then, I'm not the one responsible for your cursed crystals."

"When will we meet this horned crazy person?" Layth asks.

"Well, I can take some of you to see her, with the Artifacts," James says. "I was told that under no circumstances were you to actually be separated from them. But our vehicle can only carry four of you."

"And you cannot acquire a second vehicle?" Layth asks. "Well, I must at least go. And I know Tasha will wish to as well. The others should be one of the Karnors at least, and perhaps Spring Meadow."

"I've already met that Exile," Aaron notes. "I'm fine staying behind."

"I need to go," Zerachiel says. "The Artifacts are my life's work."

"How insane is this creature?" Layth asks Aaron.

"She wasn't a mage when I knew her," the smaller buck notes. "She was doing freelance secretarial work. Dictation, and such."

"Ah, disgruntled secretary," Layth says and nods, "That explains much."

"I'll go as well. I'm not as interested in meeting this Exile, but I need to keep an eye on the artifacts to keep my word, and anything we can learn about them helps our mission," agrees Tasha. She glances at her party, and asks, "That's three of us. Gabriel, do you want to come? Any of you have a deep desire to be there?"

"Also, she was the lead in an opera," Aaron adds. "It wasn't a very good opera, but she looked cute in the costumes."

"I'll come, out of curiosity mostly," Gabriel replies, " but also because the Artifacts are partly my responsibility. Those things drove MOTHER to commit murder, and I would like to know how and why."

"So would I," says the Vartan. "Although part of it seemed to be Silent-One orders, there was something more to it. At least, that's what my instinct tells me."

"Are there any Silent-Ones that may be able to obtain information on that? And more to the point, would they tell us?" Layth asks.

"Ah, your Artifacts are that dangerous?" James asks, a bit nervously. "They're not driving anyone crazy right now, are they?"

"We are all perfectly sane," Layth claims.

"Yeah, perfectly sane," Caravelli says. "Sanely going to go to the moon on a Titanian ship held together with dents and harsh language."

"Well, Tasha isn't sane, but we humor her," Layth deadpans.

"The artifacts I'm carrying seem to be quiet. This one produces a magical field, but there's no mages here, and it doesn't seem to be doing anything besides," answers the red lady. She then laughs a little, and glances at Caravelli. "Hey, now, harsh language has gotten us this far."

"I wasn't saying it wouldn't work," Caravelli points out with a grin.

"And I heard that Layth. I wasn't the one suggesting we start up the 80-year old mad scientist thinking machine," Tasha points out.

"We still have time to try," Layth notes.

"Well, I suppose you're all… reasonably sane," Professor James agrees. "If Dr. Caravelli can help with identifying those ancient machines, I can bring the four of you to visit Envoy."

"I'll need you to fill out a receipt saying you've taken them, sir," Pepper points out to the human.

"A receipt? Are we property?" Layth asks.

"Just a transfer of responsibility, should anything happen to you," Pepper says cheerfully as she produces a dense looking form.

"Ah, do not worry. I am sure we will be back before something horrible happens to us. We would not wish to deprive you of the delights of your job," Layth notes.

"No alien monster is going to get the better of them," Aisha claims.

"Wait… monster?" Calligenia asks, suddenly interested. "Not that kind of monster, no," the golden doe replies.

"You do realize that on this world we are the alien monsters, yes?" Layth asks Calligenia.

"We've learned when to talk and when to run from flames and doom, we'll be fine," Tasha assures everyone. "It's not worth thinking about the other result, anyway! Besides, it's a Expedition guarded base, it should be safe. Now, do you want us to look at those pieces of technology now, before we all go? Or after we leave? Gabriel might be helpful, even Layth and I might."

"Oh, plenty of time for that later," James notes. "But if we want to get there and back before nightfall, it's best to go soon, even if it's not yet noon."

Tasha nods, then glances at the others. "The four of us will go, so everyone else will look around here, then? Layth, Gabriel, Dr. Zerachiel, is there anything else you wanted to do before we depart," she asks.

"I'm good," Gabriel says. "I've got our cloaks in the carriage."

"Or we return to our room and drop off those who are remaining and then ride the transport to the base," Layth says. There's a pause and the buck's lip twitches a bit. "Are you sure that we cannot try to turn on the Leviathan?" he asks.

Shaking her head, the Vartan asks, "Haven't you had enough of tempting dangerous artifacts? It's not even safe to try here, it's not like we're alone in The Fenris or what-have-you!"

"It is not an artifact, it's less than a century old," Layth claims. Tasha could swear she sees him suppress a grin.

"If you can convince Envoy first… " James starts to say, before realizing Tasha might snap at him for suggesting that much.

"I can explore the museum with the girls, so don't worry," Aaron notes. "Just be back before dark. I am not giving them their nightly bath in your place."

"But I am sure you will excel at it," Layth notes to Aaron.

The two does look doubtful.

"I'll just go get my assistant and… " the professor begins to say, and then pauses to clean his glasses with a rag. He puts them on and looks at the Lapis again. "My word, you… you're giant talking rabbits, aren't you?"

"And you just now noticed this?" Layth asks.

"Ah… well, I was distracted," the man says in his defense. "I mean… I thought you were a bit pale… "

Layth shakes his head slightly. "Is there a problem with being a … rabbit?" he asks.

Tasha blinks several times as the man just now realizes what the bunnies are, followed by her shaking her head slowly.

"Sorry, it's just… unusual," the human notes. "My sister has a pet bunny named Rags. Because that's what he reduces all of her clothes to… "

"How … ahh … cute?" Layth offers. "Do you want to introduce us to your sister or similar?"

"Oh no. That is… ah… can you talk to Rags about his bad habits?" the man asks. "Is that even possible?"

"We have rabbits on Sinai too," Aaron notes drily. "They don't understand us."

"I feel vaguely insulted," Layth remarks.

"Welcome to my life, Layth," Tasha says with a grin.

"Ah, I see," James says. "Well then, shall we be off?"

"Well, I suppose I should be thankful he didn't ask us to help Rags have a family," Layth mutters to the other Lapi. Louder, he says, "Let us depart."

"I hope he's better with maps than with people," Gabriel whispers to Tasha.

Tasha nods solemnly to Gabriel. "I hope he can see the road and find the vehicle at all," she whispers back. Then, louder, says, "Yes, let's go!"