Vartans don't sweat, despite being covered in horse hide for half of their bodies. Karnors also don't sweat through their skin, depending on their tongues, noses and paw pads for cooling purposes. Tasha, likewise, did not sweat but had other odor issues. While also having the horsey hindquarters of a Vartan, she still possessed the scent glands of a Karnor, and after all of the day's activity the scent of her emotions clung to her like a running list of events.

Before leaving to talk to Gabriel (and arrange for some food for Tasha), Dr. Caravelli pointed this out, and advised Tasha to use the Medical Bay's bathroom and fresher before seeing the captain again, lest the scents cause distraction.

"There's all these things abou' bein' a Karnor I never knew," Tasha admits with some wonder, stepping towards the bathroom entrance. "No wun'er Karnors – Jupani back 'ome – were uncomfortable aroun' me. Vartans can' smell this stuff." Stepping inside, she strips off her inner ablative powered armor and enters the freshener. "It does make sense, when you stop an' think."

The ultrasonic waves and fans disperse the pheromones, and there's even an indicator light that shines green to show that Tasha is 'clean' at the end. It wasn't quite the same as the ones in the crew quarters - Tasha could feel a more forceful pressure from this one. But she's learned enough to know that medical areas work best if something called 'sterility' is achieved, even though she only ever heard that word in regard to not being able to have babies before.

Tasha takes a moment to eye the machine, wondering at its marvels before shaking her head. It seems to her, that with the fire of her anger and insecurity extinguished she can see so much that was behind the smoke and flames. The world feels clearer now, even as she feels smaller. But it's a good smaller, she thinks. Just a person, not anything else. Just Tasha, age eighteen – and that's all she feels she needs to be. "Dr. C is amazing," she murmurs as she dresses.

Ready now, the woman exits the room and smiles, telling Remiel who she assumes to be there,"You know wha'? I really do feel better. The world's all … different feelin', bu' it's good, you know?"

Dr. Caravelli is not there when Tasha emerges, but another Karnor is! Sitting at the end of Tasha's bed, Nora Argentine holds up the helmet of the Vartan space armor in one hand and seems to be contemplating the blank gaze of the visor. "He went to talk to Gabriel, so I thought I'd just come by to see how you were doing," the wolf comments, without turning to look at Tasha.

"Umm … " Ambushed and stymied, the red Vartan stares at Nora for several seconds before she's able to get a hold of herself – this was not how she had planned to meet Nora! "Well … " Oi, think brain, you're not that filled with wires! "I, um … " Remember what Dr. Caravelli told you! Tasha's manages to pull her gaze away, looking off at the medical robot nearby. It takes her a second to gather herself, but once she does, offers, "T-thank you, Nora. I was … I was worried abou' you, too." It strikes Tasha seconds after she says it that "Nora" may be too informal, given Nora's suggested issues. And so she adds quickly, "I mean, Lt. Commander Argentine."

The Karnor woman looks at Tasha now. "Worried about me? Really?" she asks. "Not upset that I didn't even tell anyone you'd stormed out of the ship?"

"No," Tasha says, shaking her head. With Nora looking at her, it seems even harder to look back, but she does manage to glance out of the corner of her eye. It still makes her uncomfortable. "I've come to know some things tha' I never really though' about before. Dr. Caravelli, he talked to me a long time, an' … " With so much nervous energy behind her words, Tasha starts to walk, moving towards the robot she had been looking at. She doesn't need to be there, but the movement makes her feel a little better.

"Well, I mean, to answer tha' … No, I deserved that. Maybe it wasn' righ', or good for anyone, bu' in the way it matters … I did. I'd 'ave done the same thing, if I 'ad this … this … " Tasha takes a deep breath, deciding it's now or never that she admits her wrong. Turning full towards Nora, Tasha holds her hands out, ears flat and expression pained, "This young woman botherin' me who didn' deserve wha' she 'ad an' couldn' see past 'er own beak to 'ow everyone else was sufferin'. 'Ow the person she looks up to suffered. 'Ow she's afraid of 'er, an' everythin' she did on this ship with 'er was jus' to make her … Me … feel better."

Nora blinks in surprise. "Wow, that must have been some talk," she finally comments. "Still, I should not have pushed you. It was unprofessional," she admits. It's not quite an apology, but it's something. "As the older sister, though, I'm pretty sure it's part of my duties in helping the younger one grow up."

"Grow up, or know 'er place?" Tasha steps towards her sister, head tilting, "Didn' you wan' to see me suffer? I've never even seen you look sad," she says in as gentle a voice as she can manage; An awkward tone, given she's not used to being a empathetic speaker. "If it really doesn' bother you – all of wha' 'appened, I mean – then you're the stronges' person I've ever known. Maybe these worlds 'ave ever known, an' even if it does, I still think you're tha' strong."

"Of course it bothered me, and yes I wanted to see you suffer a bit," Nora says. "I didn't think you'd go and find out what it's like to suffocate just for me though."

Tasha's eyes snap wide, the woman coming to a halt as sure as if she had ran in to a brick wall. "Y-you know abou' tha'? I … I only tol' Dr. Caravelli!"

"I found out from someone else after you'd left the ship," Nora says, looking apologetic now.

"Bu' I didn' tell anyone until I woke up 'ere … " Eyes searching as if they might find a memory, Tasha begins running through the rather small amount of people who could have known, and then blinks. "Fallen Star?" Her gaze flicks back to her adopted sister. "Fallen Star told you? Why-" And then something occurs to her that would have been lost in anger only nine hours ago: it doesn't matter. It's not worth hating Fallen Star, or even being mad. Tasha blinks again, then shakes her head. "No, I s'pose it doesn' matter. I guess … I guess you wan' to know why?"

"Why you did that or why you aren't angry with me?" Nora asks. "I'm curious about both."

Tasha nods her head. Pensively, she looks floorward as she gathers her thoughts and takes a seat on the nearby stool. "The truth is, I'm no' as strong as you are," she begins, nodding again – perhaps to herself. Turning her hand over, she runs a thumb across the shaved tract, the gesture helping her burn anxiety in dealing with a subject she hasn't been able to cope with. "The way you died, why you died, I've … I can' get over it." Her ears splay, guilty. "'Ere you are, bein' so brave, an' I can' 'andle it. I wan'ed to make it righ'. I wan'ed to 'elp you. Bu' now I know I wan'ed to 'elp me, too. I couldn' un'erstan' it. I still can't. When I look back, a lot I've done aroun' you … 'as been part o' tha'." Looking up, Tasha searches Nora's face, perhaps trying to find the answers she cannot find in herself and her actions. "Bein' my sister you seemed more alive. Hearin' you tell me when you woke everythin' was okay, I believed it. 'Cause I wan'ed to … 'Cause I wan'ed to. Bu' it's no' so easy, an' every time I think o' it it's li' a knife in my gut. An' it's no' my death. I feel guilty, an' ashamed. I'm afraid."

"Then why did you put on this armor?" Nora asks, gesturing to the Vartan space suit. "Weren't you afraid?"

At least Tasha has a simple answer to that. "I'm kind o' short-sighted when I'm mad," she admits, offering a small grin. "An' the Titan needed me, so I guess I'm shortsighted when I think someone needs me, too."

"What Titan?" Nora asks. "And just where did you get this armor? There weren't any Vartans on Orpheus that I ever saw… "

"Oi, see there I go again!" Tasha smacks her forehead. "I shouldn' 'ave mentioned the Titan!" Squinting past her hand, the red woman asks, "You really wan' to know abou' all tha'?"

"It's not like I have much to hold my attention right now, since I'm relieved of duty," Nora notes with a grin.

Despite herself, Tasha has to chuckle at that. "Aye, me too. Which, I guess I should tell you abou', too. All the same bits, together." Nodding, Tasha slides off the stool and walks over to the vacated Vartan armor, turning around once she's beside it. "Blammo foun' the 'Talon Lounge,' a bar for Vartans 'ere on board. 'Cept, they were all transferred to the Ark, which is Rephidim Temple now. Rephidim is where me mum was born, aye? The Vartans tha' should 'ave been 'ere, they're my ancestors, li' Apollyon Stormbreaker. Clan Harbinger."

"I knew there were Vartan mercenaries in the Expedition, but didn't realize we were supposed to have them aboard Orpheus," Nora notes. "I suppose the computers were still working when you found the place."

"Aye, the Bartender tol' me mos' of wha' I jus' tol' you. E' did some kind o' tes' to see who I was, an' if I was authorized. Then, 'e tol' me all our ol' equipmen' was in the upper hangar – li' this suit, the Garudas, an' a Gryphon." Turning to her suit, the Vartan reaches over and dusts off some crystalline flakes as she continues. "There's a lo' of these suits, bu' the Garudas 'ad all launched a long time ago. I was set to be depressed, then I found it. Melchior, a TL2 Magi Class Gryphon. A Titan."

"Gryphons are flying Titans," Nora says, looking impressed. "Not able to reach orbit, but they're made for planetside operation anyway. I suppose this is also why you've got some shaved fur visible?"

Tasha nods, stepping closer. She runs her finger along her lower arm, splitting her suit to reveal the track of shaven fur and the silvery tattoo underneath. "Melchior requires a neural interface with the pilot, so tha's what I 'ad done. I know i' was reckless – s'why I did i'." Another little smile splits her muzzle as she glances up at her sister. "You can un'erstan', righ'?"

"Mmmmm," Nora goes, eyeing the tattoos. "So… you've got brain implants too then?" she asks.

Tasha's grin melts. "Aye, I do." Leaning back, she brushes her hair aside to show the metal plugs attached to her head, "An' this is why my access is revoked. Dr. C says there's 'limbic intrusion,' so I'm, well … " Breath a sigh, Tasha sifts and drops right back down on the stool, again. "I migh' be dangerous." Ears flat, Nora's little sister turns a worried look her way. "Like MOTHER. MOTHER." The Vartan visibly shudders.

"You let the Titan take control of the neuro-probes?" Nora asks, looking shocked. "Didn't the… well, whatever installed them… mention anything about locking them or something?"

Tasha takes a deep breath, then exhales, her head bobbing in confirmation. "I 'ope some day I learn to think more on these things before I do them, bu' yes. I wan'ed to show Melchior I givin' back to 'im, to show I mean' to be 'is pilot. I … I wan'ed the Titan to li' me." she admits, head shaking. "Dr. C says it's because maybe I wan'ed to be controlled? Tha' Melchior is li' my … horse?" She shoots Nora a curious look, asking, "Di' you wan' a horse when you were young?"

"No, of course not," Nora says, setting down the helmet. Then she grins and says, "I had a motorcycle!"

Tasha blinks at that. "A motor … wha'?"

"It's… well… do you know what a bicycle is?" the Karnor asks, a bit at a loss.

The Vartan ponders this, then shakes her head. "No, nothin' li' tha'. Is it like a Titan? Or maybe an' airship? I 'ad wooden toys when I was young, an' … I guess I 'ad pteras?"

"Well, it's frame, with a wheel at the front and one at the back," Nora explains, using some gestures as well. "You sit between them and work pedals with your feet to make it go. Now, add an engine in there instead of pedals, and you have something with two wheels that you ride on that goes really really fast."

Tasha's ears perk at that! "It's li' a fast Drokar? A motor Drokar?" She now pictures a Drokar with its legs replaced with wheels and an engine in there somewhere, and given what she knows of Expedition technology, decides it must be very fast. Her tail wags. "I wish I 'ad one of those!"

"They are the best," Nora agrees. "I restored mine from an old junker. Took almost a year to get all the parts. Even had to refine my own fuel for it! But it worth it. Burned myself on the engine, stunk of gasoline and grease for a week… "

At that, Tasha laughs, nodding. "Tha's sounds li' me when I learned to fly, or more, li' when I learned to be a drover. I 'ave this scar on ly righ' lower leg from where I whipped meself so 'ard I limped for the 'ole trip." Despite the pain, that's a good memory for the Vartan. It was shortly after Captain Eyeshine gave her permission to apprentice, showing his first real trust in her. The memory makes her smile, but more so, it helps her understand Nora. That she, too, has good memories and bad. She finds herself saying, "I'm proud to have met you, Nora. I really am," with sudden intensity, followed by a sudden need to rub her eyes.

"Something wrong with your eyes?" Nora asks. "I can check if your food is ready if you're hungry."

"I thin' I migh' be abou' to cry, actually." Tasha reaches her other hand to wipe at her face, and as she looks up, Nora can see it's true. "I guess i' jus' got to me. I'm sorry, don' worry abou' me. You jus' seem to see a lot, once you're no' mad at everythin'. An' some things are beautiful – an' I guess they make you cry." She smiles, then shrugs. "Stupid, I guess?"

"Not really, just… girly," Nora says, and reaches over to… noogie Tasha's head!

"Wha' … 'Ey! Ow!" The younger woman squirms, then shoves Nora with a bit more force than she intended, so that she's suddenly leaning forward to keep Nora from falling right off the table! "Ah! 'Old on! An' I'm no' girly!" Or is she? Tasha almost drops Nora realizing it may be true – which would make her like Aisha. Hauling her sister back, Tasha grins, looking relieved. "Jus' for tha', I guess I 'ave to challenge you to a Titan figh'! We can do tha' righ', in the computers?"

"Well, should be able to access the games simulations from the tank interfaces," Nora notes with a grin, while gesturing to the suspension tanks with their neural interface systems.

"Will i' 'ave Melchior?" Tasha turns to regard the tanks with new-found appreciation. "It'll be li' one o' them Terran movies, the ones where the aliens – tha's me – were yellin', "die Terran scum," at the 'eroes – tha's you – an then we figh'?"

"Well, you could yell, sure," Nora says. "I haven't played it before, so I don't know what models will be available."

"Melchior's a 'melee Titan,' 'e uses a weapon called a shaard, which 'e was teachin' me before I was too tired to keep goin'. Funny, tha' bein' 'ooked up by my brain makes my body tired." Grinning, Tasha considers the mayhem such a simulation might provide, not to mention a chance to beat her sister, her rival! "'Ave you ever 'eard of a shaard? I was thinkin' o' 'avin' Fred make me one, if 'e can. It's a 'ard weapon, an' I could use practice." The woman's brows raise. "Think we could play righ' now?"

"I'm locked out of the computer right now, so it will have to wait until Gabriel cools down," Nora notes with a roll of her eyes. "What was his reaction to finding out about your implants?"

Tasha nods and frown grimly, completely understanding that situation. "'E sounded worried, an' mad. I can' really blame 'im, I'm worried too. E's already been through more than … 'Old on." Taking a breath, the Vartan turns back and, very clearly and deliberately, says, "Than. He. Deserves. Than 'e – he – deserves. He sounded worried, an' – and – mad. I can' – can't – blame him. He. Deserves. Better. He deserves better. He's suffered enough, and I didn't think about his worries when I left the ship, or anyone's except mine, which I'm sorry for. There!" The woman exhales, as if that effort in grammar were its own kind of workout. "It's easier once it sticks!"

"There. Alright, the rest:" Tasha smiles briefly, but the worry wrinkles her face, marring the small attempt to look relieved. "He's worried I may be a danger to everyone on the ship, and treated me like I was … someone else, I guess? That hurt a lot, but I was too mad and tired to let it get to me much. I know it hurt him to say that, to act like that. I remember how he looked, and sounded, and now I feel terrible for it." Tasha shakes her head, disgusted. "And here I worked so hard to bring him here, to see he lived, worried about what he thought of me and if I'd ever be good enough and … I do something stupid like this. And he's right. It was stupid and I didn't trust him. Not on purpose, but because I couldn't see past my own beak in my anger and blind attempt to prove myself to … whatever." Groaning, she leans back, flapping her wings for stability. "We're going to go fix my brain later, at least."

"Is it actually… damaged?" Nora asks, sympathetically.

"More than usual?" Tasha's grin is wry. "I don't know. Dr. C said I have limbic intrusion and a bunch of harmless surface centers, but there's a possibility that Melchior or the Khattan doctors encoded something within my "short term memory," whatever that is. They didn't find anything obvious, though. Melchior didn't do anything with me except, well, talk to me, kiss me-" Tasha shakes her head at that, looking a little stunned, even now. "-and then show me how to use a shaard. I don't even know why he would change my brain, he almost seemed bored!"

"Wow, you were able to bore a machine?" Nora teases, just as the med bay door opens and Gabriel enters, carrying a dish with a hamburger steak on it. "Oh… didn't expect you to both be here," he says, looking like a man who just realized he's ten steps into a mine field.

Tasha turns as the door opens, eyes widening. She exchanges a glance with her sister then, feeling the advantage and a need to break the ice, says, "I'm always happy see handsome men. Morning, Captain." She holds her hands out. "Especially men with food!"

"I probably shouldn't be feeding you before going to the doctor, but I doubt there'll be anesthesia involved," Gabriel says, bringing the dish in. "I've called Layth to provide escort for us, so we can leave as soon as you're finished."

Tasha accepts the dish with all the eagerness Gabriel's learned to expect when she's provided with food. As she once explained, eating aboard ship involved a lot of reaching and pushing, so she's a bit over-eager. Biting in to the burger, she admits, "I ruv Teeren fud," tail wagging. Glancing at her sister, she also offers her a bite.

"I can't eat," Nora notes, waving off the offer.

"Tra's 'orrble," Tasha says, sounding aghast as one can while eating a hamburger. She continues munching until her eyes suddenly wide, the woman looking around for her other plate of food. The concern doesn't prevent her from eating, however.

"We don't have that much meat yet," Gabriel notes, picking up the hint. "It takes time to grow."

"You will have terrible heartburn if you eat too much and have to lay down," remarks Layth as he too now comes through the doorway. He's outfitted in full combat armor over his flexible body-suit. He's even wearing a helmet, though ear holes had to be cut so that his ears wouldn't be cramped. A metal plate was then welded in a curve-back way to slope over them to shield where they exit the helmet. He's also wearing what looks like a loose combat vest complete with ammo pockets, probably for the machine pistol strapped to his side. "Or get sick riding in the cart. It is fueled and ready," he adds.

Nora waves to Layth and gives the Lapi a smile.

"Whra?" The Vartan turns and blinks at Gabriel before resuming her search. The burger is devoured – destroyed might be more accurate – very quickly, leaving Tasha to lick at her fingers as she looks around. Not finding it, she turns back, her expression suddenly pensive. "You know Gabriel, I'm really so-" As Layth walks in, Tasha pauses, waving him over to hear as well.

Layth's head dips slightly in greeting to Nora after she waves. The buck then does as bidden and walks closer to the bed. He does tend to stand there a bit impassively upon arrival, though.

"Alright, well, here goes." Tasha places her plate on the stool after standing, then runs a hand back through her hair as she studies the floor. "I'm sorry," she admits shortly after. Nodding, perhaps to some internal dialogue, the woman continues. "What I did was selfish, dangerous, and reckless. I understand now that I left for reasons between my sister and I, and … deeper reasons, and that I was blind to the feelings of others – and myself. I … " Looking up, the young woman meets Gabriel's eyes, then Layth's, and back again. "I'm really sorry. For this, and everything else. I don't know if it helps, but … I had to say it. You deserve it."

Gabriel blinks and smiles. "If I hadn't talked to Remiel, I'd be certain they messed with your brain after hearing that," he says, half-jokingly.

While normally her blushes aren't perceptible, with her neck shaved, Tasha can be seen to turn red at Gabriel's remark. "Well, um … I talked to Dr. Caravelli too. He's … He's a smart man. He helped me see things." Not usually one for heartfelt apologies, Tasha looks increasingly awkward as she stands there, rubbing at her ear then fidgeting with her hand.

"I don't accept the apology," Layth remarks in the usual near-flat way he often does. Not to mention his specific words are typical of him it seems, and probably has a deeper reason behind them, or a different meaning.

"Wha-" Tasha blinks at Layth, and for a moment she looks like she might be about to yell – but she doesn't. Breathing a sigh, she nods. "That's your choice, Layth. I'm not going to force it."

"An apology is meaningless until actions are taken to fix the problem," Layth adds, though not in an unkindly way. "You fix the problem, then there is nothing further to apologize for."

"So I don't want just words from you," Layth adds, "You are capable of better than that. So I expect better. I expect you to fix the problems and improve."

"I … I will, Layth," the young woman promises. "I hope I made some progress already," the Vartan glances at the woman beside her, "but if not, I'll keep going." She takes another breath, forces herself to smile. "I'm ready to leave, speaking of going. Unless you want me to wear the suit, Captain?" He gets a glance, too. "I assumed I wouldn't be carrying weapons or defenses, just in case."

"I don't think you'll need the armor," Gabriel says. "You're rested enough to walk on your own, aren't you?"

"I am," Tasha confirms. "Medical One is located beneath the upper hangar area, and can be reached by an elevator from the hangar. Maybe internally, too. My data slate should show a map when we reach the Khattan area."

"Oh, and the Melchior data slate explains the neural net, but it's in Vartan – and maybe Khattan," Tasha adds, glancing at the glossy black box nearby.

"Bring it along then, since I imagine you used it to have the procedure done in the first place?" Gabriel asks.

"I handed it to the Khattan ProgMat nurse, who did it," Tasha confirms. She walks over to the box and picks it up, sticking it under her arm. "The other box explains the Achilles environmental armor." Looking back towards Nora, Tasha offers, "It might be interesting to read, if you can read it, Nora."

"I can read Khattan, if it will display it," Nora notes.

"I can as well, but I lack the knowledge to truly understand it," Layth remarks.

"It might!" Tasha picks up the other box and brings it over, too. "Just no being funny and trapping me in the suit, okay?" She grins a little. "Oh, and find out how to get me a helmet that fits my head – I sound like I'm talking from inside a bucket!" She grins even more. To Layth, Tasha says, "I have that problem all the time. I'm just glad the thermonuclear reactor went well. Ready?"

The trip from Bellerophon to Medical One was thankfully uneventful. No rampaging glass-crab-worm-monsters or robotic Naga deities challenged them, and there was no sign of Blammo either. A door opens behind the desk, and once more a Khattan woman in a white nurse outfit appears. "Welcome back," she purr-squawks in Vartan to Tasha.

"Hi Khatta lady," Tasha squawks right back, waving. She heads for the desk, removing the black box from underneath her arm. "My Captain is concerned because there are signs of … " Tasha pauses, not knowing the Vartan word for 'limbic'. Pressing on, she tries, "Inner brain wires that might be changing the way I think. We saw them in the hospital room on our ship. He would like that removed or disconnected, so my mind cannot be altered."

"This place is too clean," Layth comments quietly to himself as he unhooks and removes his vest and places it on one of the couches. "While it may be the goal of many, to obtain it seems unnatural." His helmet follows suit and soon joins the vest.

"Well, the Khatta haven't lived on a natural world in a long, long time," Gabriel notes.

"You wish to undergo the fixation process then?" the nurse asks, still smiling. "Sensitive areas can be locked to read-only mode."

"Not true. They do now on Sinai," Layth points out.

Tasha turns and explains in Standard, "I said hi and told her about the limbic-thing, except I don't know the Vartan word for 'limbic.'" She watches the Lapi remove his gear a moment, then nods to Gabriel. "They make the best environmental systems," she recites.

When the nurse nears, she's handed the box. Tasha smiles at her, and squawks, "Let me ask the Captain." Looking back, Tasha asks, "I want to undergo the fixation process and lock sensitive areas to read-only?"

"Yes, that should prevent false memory implantation, if it can only read signals from your limbic areas," Gabriel agrees.

Nodding, Tasha turns back and confirms the goals of the surgery. Curious, she also asks, "Can you tell if any memories have been implanted so far?"

"I am afraid we cannot distinguish implanted from normal memories," the nurse notes. "Organic memory is a very plastic thing, and even the act of recalling a memory opens that memory for alteration."

Layth looks at Gabriel and shrugs. "I wish I understood what all of you are talking about," he finally says.

"Oh." To the others, Tasha explains, "She can't find out if I have implanted memories because my brain is plastic."

Gabriel seems about to make a comment, then just shakes his head. "Yes, that makes sense," he finally says. "We can only hope that Remiel is correct, and the connection was made strictly to access your faster, reflexive thought processes."

"I hope so. I don't see why Melchior would want to change my memories – all he did was talk to me and show me how to fight. He even seemed bored. Well, … he did kiss me," the woman quickly holds up a hand, "But that was for what Dr. C said, right?" Not waiting for Gabriel's reaction, Tasha turns to Layth and explains, "I have wires in my brain and body that let me pilot the Titan, but that can also be used, as they are, to alter my memories and control me."

"Which is why I'm unarmed," Tasha adds to Layth.

"You have two perfectly good arms," Layth points out in complete deadpan.

"The wires in my brain tell me that's not funny, and suggest I throw this box at you," Tasha deadpans right back.

"We are ready for you in the next room," the faux-feline nurse reports.

"I am afraid she will have to be put down, Captain," Layth remarks right back. He glances to Gabriel and then adds, "And now she is kissing machines? I do not envy the chaos in your future."

"Can you fix my friend's sense of humor? It may be about to die," the Vartan asks the nurse. Looking back, she announces, "It's time. Don't listen to Layth, he's an evil desert genie in disguise. Also, if I die, I want to be a PersoCom so I can keep Nora and Mariel company!" She then takes a step back, waves, then waits for any last minute words.

"Try not to do anything crazy?" Layth offers as his 'last words'. "Well, crazier."

"His species is unknown," the nurse replies, and opens the door to the next chamber – which is the lounge, set up like a small harem.

"I'll be watched by Khattans, they're nice. I should be fine." Tasha glances at Gabriel, then blurts out, "I love you!"

"I'm going in too," Gabriel says. "To watch as well. Those are just synthoids, not real people."

"I grew up with Khattans. Not all of them are nice," Layth points out, "Many scars came from them. And since Gabriel is going in, I may as well. I have to make sure both of you behave."

"Oh. Well, come on then." Tasha turns and begins heading inside, "And no touching my brain Layth!"

"That is not a concern. I can't touch your butt now that you're with Gabriel," Layth remarks as he follows.

The nurse leads Tasha to middle of the room. There are no beefy Vartan attendants this time, but there is a rather ordinary looking chair that Tasha is directed to.

"Not without asking me first anyway," Gabriel notes.

The Vartan walks in, then plops down on the rather boring looking chair. "This was much more involved last time," she explains. "I had to suck on that hooka-machine, then I woke up in a bare room in a mechanical chair. There were some exercises too."

"You sucked on a hooka? Are you certain you did not dream everything that happened then?" Layth asks. "The Khatta put strange things in their hookas. I remember the time that … ah, it isn't important."

"Well, who knows? Drugs, brain alternatives – I could be dreaming all this and still in Melchior," Tasha admits. That thought isn't comforting at all, and so she suddenly reaches over and tries to grab and hold on to Gabriel's hand.

Something lowers from the ceiling now. It's a mechanical arm, with various cables and connectors dangling from it. The nurse takes the ones that match the studs on the back of Tasha's skull and starts connecting them. "This should not hurt. But if it does, feel free to scream loudly to alert us," she tells Tasha reassuringly.

"That's what my mother used to say," the young woman replies, looking suddenly worried. She has plenty of horror stories of a young full-Vartan mother figuring out how to clean and care for a child who's biology she doesn't understand. It makes her shudder.

"I wouldn't trust a machine messing with my head," Layth remarks to Gabriel. "Not after seeing the demonstration in the bazaar of the automated meat grinder."

"Well, it worked last time," Tasha insists. "And it glows."

"What did that have to do with heads?" Gabriel asks the Lapi, as Tasha's tattoos start to flash on and off under her skin.

"The head contains meat," Layth answers, "And the machine was supposed to 'de-bone' before grinding."

Being the sort of species to be attracted to sparkly things, Tasha is immediately drawn to peer at her flashing tattoos. She lifts her right hand and watches it.

The hand twitches, and Tasha feels an electric tingle flow through her limbs! It lasts only a heartbeat though, before the tattoos stop glowing. "Nanowires are fixed," the nurse announces, and starts to unplug Tasha.

"So when i- hrrk!" The woman blinks several times, twitching, then looks back when the nurse announces the wires are secured. "R-really? Oh. Well, thank you." She rubs her hand absently, turning to announce, "Surgery's done."

There is only the slightest whiff of smoke when the last contact is removed and the arm begins to rise into the ceiling. "Are there any other services you wish to have performed on yourself or your companions?" the nurse asks.

Sitting up, Tasha leans to look back at the nurse, blinking. "I … don't think so?" She turns to her companions and asks, "Do any of you need anything? The nurse is asking. Do I need anything, Gabriel?" Asking brings her to a question she had hours ago, so she tuns back and asks the nurse, "Doctor C said things can connect to my body tattoos, what did he mean by that? Implants?"

"That seemed extremely simple," Layth remarks to Gabriel. "Or it is just that I am extremely simple."

"External probes could connect to the tattoos," the nurse confirms. "I know of no such systems other than Vartan combat armor which do so, however."

"Really?" Whatever the nurse is telling Tasha, it suddenly has her attention. Ears perked, she asks, "Is there any Vartan combat armor on Orpheus? I didn't see anything like that in the hangar."

"All such units would have been transferred with the Harbingers," the nurse replies.

"No combat armor for Tasha then," the young woman relates, ears wilting. "I guess I'm done then, and the others don't seem to want anything either. Not that Gabriel is talking to me." She turns and peers at the man.

"Need? Well, it would depend on what it can offer?" Layth says a bit uncertainly. "I am not sure any of this would even know what to do with me."

"They look a little blank – it must be all the Vartan. Or, maybe my head smoking." Again, Tasha asks, "Do either of you need Medical One to do any surgeries for you, or anything else? Go ahead and say so, they love this sort of thing."

"I think you're fine, Tasha," Gabriel notes. "I don't want them giving you a beak or something… "

"Err, nothing for me either, thanks," the Karnor adds.

"I'll ask – about what they can do, that is." Turning back, Tasha asks, "What could you do for us? Layth, the 'unknown species,' is asking. And you can't give me a beak, right?"

"We could bob his ears to a more manageable length," the nurse offers.

"I think he would object to that," says the woman. "I guess we're done then. Thank you again!"

The nurse bows, and leads everyone back into the lobby, before vanishing into her cabinet or wherever it is synths go to behind those doors.

"Well, that was exciting." Tasha smiles at the two men, then looks to Gabriel. "Does this mean I can have my access back, or am I dangerous still? And," she tilts her head, "you wouldn't like me with a beak?"

Layth heads back to the couch and collects his vest. After pulling it on and closing the front clasps, he grabs his helmet and slips that on as well. Fitting his lop-ears through the hole proves to be a bit of an annoyance, but he manages.

"Beaks are hard to kiss," Gabriel notes.

"And… we'll see about access," the Karnor says. "I imagine you're going to be busy getting your Titan to work, after all."

"Do you have experience in kissing beaks?" Layth asks.

"It's mostly about nuzzling, with beaks," Tasha explains. "Well, there are other things, but … Um, never mind!" She grins nervously, then walks over and scoops Melchior's instruction box up. When Layth asks about Gabriel kissing beaks, she looks very interested suddenly.

"No, and I prefer to keep it that way," Gabriel confides to Layth.

"Wise man," Layth remarks.

Tasha laughs, then shakes her head. "It's not bad!" She shakes her head again, then walks back to Gabriel. "You know, I think you're right about that. Dr. C helped me understand I don't need to lead to be appreciated, so, I'm fine with this. It's better this way. Besides, you're right. Melchior is green, but I haven't flown yet, and I don't even know what's in that big locker except, probably, the shaard."

"The what?" Layth asks. "A shard of what?"

"The shaard is the … ," Tasha takes a breath, then recites, "Your shard is your primary weapon and active defense. It is designed to absorb ions and heat. It has many configurations. It is not as durable against impacts as your own armor." To summarizes, she adds, "The shaard is the primary weapon of my Titan, Layth."

Gabriel smiles a bit. "Good, that means I just need to worry about Nora for now," he says. "I don't know what's gotten into her."

"Ah, something else I will not understand," Layth says and bobs his head. "As for your problems with Nora, I cannot offer much insight," Layth notes to Gabriel, "She hasn't spoken to me much."

"Being a person has gotten in to her," Tasha says with all seriousness as she turns to give Gabriel a look. "Nora has suffered a lot, lost a lot. And, she's begun to feel it. I don't think she's showing a lack of judgment at all, Gabriel. I think she's being a person. And what she did to me, well, I deserved that in a way. She wanted to see me suffer, because look at what I have, and she doesn't. I don't blame her, and I don't think you should either. It must be hard for her to watch us."

"I'll have Remiel talk to her then," Gabriel says, running his hand through his hair. "Now, we should probably check on the aftermath of whatever you and Blammo did in the Imperial sector, and figure out what else this Zone has that might be useful."

Glancing at Layth, Tasha explains further, "I barely understand it, Layth. It's a very complicated weapon. Think, um, of a large sword that's also a shield, but can come apart different ways to be other weapons – two swords, for example. I'm thinking of asking Fred to make me one, so I can practice, and use while not piloting. It seems a shame to let all that learning only be used rarely."

"I could speak to her if you wish. I'm an alien to all of you so it might be easier," Layth offers, "Or it may not. Plus, I can be beat on without too much worry of injury and I'm used to being yelled at."

"Hmm, maybe having a bunny to pet would calm her down," Gabriel considers.

Looking back, Tasha nods to Gabriel. "The bartender might know what else is here, and I have a map. I think I also have Harbinger clan access, since all these machines accept me without any further identification." Glancing back to Layth, the woman says, "It might help. She might be lonely. We should also look for things she might enjoy working with, like Khattan technical data slates, or a … 'motorcycle.'"

"You mean one of the animals from the park and not me, correct?" Layth asks.

"Well, you can talk though," Gabriel points out. "That should make you extra calming, right?"

Although she had held off on this early, Layth's teasing prompts Tasha to say, "Those bunnies are delicious," with a grin.

"Well, yes," Layth admits, "But I was hoping the whole 'Magic Bunny' nickname had been forgotten… "

"You said similar about me back when we were a couple, Tasha," Layth actually says and somehow manages to keep a completely straight face.

"Wait… what?" Gabriel asks, looking between the two.

"W- … HEY!" Tasha reaches over and smacks Layth on the arm. "Stop trying to ruin my relationship!"

"Ow. Such abuse!" Layth comments and rubs his arm. "I promise to keep everything on the purely friendship level with Nora," he then tells Gabriel. "I do not need two women hitting me."

Gabriel blinks, and then barks in laughter!

"He looks innocent and even, but I tell you, he's evil," Tasha insists to Gabriel. When Gabriel laughs, the woman just tosses her hands in the air. "I'm going to go look at my Titan now. You two just follow along whenever you're done with 'guy time.'" And with that, she heads for the door.

"I am not evil," Layth insists, "I am merely offering advice and observation from years of hard-won experience. Plus … you have to admit that the way she flares her nostrils when she's frustrated is rather funny. It keeps me from feeling too much of the alien among all of your Karnor and half-karnors that I can at least manage a laugh, if nothing else, on this team. Come on, before she blows something up." The buck then turns and heads out the door as well.