It's hard to tell the passage of time underground, and doubly so on a buried spaceship with skewed clocks. Tasha's own habit of practicing in the Themis-Skoll flight simulator until she's at the point of exhaustion, and then eating whatever is handy before collapsing into bed doesn't help. The boredom and alien surroundings – and the welcoming gestures of the local Lapis – have resulted in a token guard left outside the entry point in the mines. Even the ancient armor suits have been tied up to the satisfaction of the Warriors, giving them little to be on guard against.

There are also the notes that Aaron keeps leaving for her whenever someone comes or goes. The latest one says that he and Layth have gone to the forge, although no reason is given. It's nominally 'morning' in that the half-Vartan has just woken up and had breakfast.

Tasha sits with her arms folded on a tabletop and her head resting on her arms. Her ears are wilted, not from exhaustion or worry, but from sheer boredom. "Oi," she mumbles to no one in particular. Even her review of her time in the Themis-Skoll has proven repetitive. She isn't sure she can get much better at piloting the craft than she is, not without understanding the complex, ancient machine better.

There isn't much noise on the ship, especially with things on minimal power. Although Tasha does hear what sounds like a cough echoing down the long central corridor.

One of Tasha's ears perks up and swivels. She wonders if its Aaron, come to hand her another note. Her eyes flick to the note in front of her: Layth at the forge. The idea of a hot, sweaty Layth slaving over a forge lifts her spirits a bit, but doesn't do much for her lack of entertainment. She decides leadership is hours of panic and terror, spaced by even longer hours of boredom and paperwork.

Another echo whispers to Tasha – this time sounding like a curse word.

"Time to lead," Tasha remarks to the silent room. She pushes herself to standing, then takes a moment to secure her long blond hair with a piece of string. That done, she walks over to the door, opening it up enough to call out, "O's there?"

Something goes 'clang' down the corridor, in the infirmary where the Karnors are recovering – and presumably still comatose.

"Oi, Dagh!" Tasha isn't sure what the noise is, but if it's coming from the infirmary it's important. The Karnors were not to be disturbed, and she still isn't sure the Lapi, or the crazy machinery here, might not pose a threat to them. Grabbing a section of metal piping, Tasha races down the hall towards the Infirmary!

Infirmary
Clean metallic surfaces are the motif in the Medical Bay. Part infirmary and part surgery, the main section features a laboratory area and several beds, along with unrecognizable machinery. The rear of the chamber is taken up by several banks of stasis tubes on circular tracks, so that a particular one can be rotated to the front for access within a few seconds.

The hybrid rushes in to find one of the wolves – the big black and silver one, sitting up and trying to fend off the medical robot that keeps trying to put the respirator mask back. The clang must have been the serving tray being knocked off of the moving cart that brings the noxious wake-up potions. "I'm fine," the wolf rasps at the machine. "I just need to use the head, you damned nursy!" At the sight of Tasha, the bleary-eyed wolf says, "Nora, thank God! Call off this thing and get me some pants!"

"Uh," Tasha replies, blinking bemusedly. The metal pipe slips form her hands and clatters to the ground. It takes her a moment, but she offers, "Oi, 'bot, leave 'im alone will ya?"

The robot actual does so, although it doesn't retreat very far and keeps the mask held ready. The service cart cowers at the food of the bed, as if uncertain about getting the nasty-but-good-for-you beverage for the stubborn patient.

Hesitantly stepping forward, Tasha is too dumbstruck by seeing the ancient man up and around to correct his mistake. Mouth slightly agape, she asks, "Are … are you alrigh'? Do you need somethin' to drink? An' … an' pants … " She blinks at the man, then looks around, suddenly at a loss as to where pants might be, or really, what she was thinking about a second ago.

Now that the robot isn't fighting him, the wolf seems to relax back into the bed – even though it's changed to allowed him to sit up at least. "Water, please," he says with a dry throat. "I can't even smell I'm so dry." His eyes are closed again, so apparently he hasn't gotten a really good look at Tasha yet, beyond perhaps a reddish blob with yellow on top.

He'll figure it out sooner or later, 'e will. The bes' I can do for 'im now is to get 'im what 'e wants, and not shock 'im. Tasha nods, though the man can't see it. Walking over to the robot food delivery machine, she picks up the nasty-tasting drink and tries to push it in to the wolf's hand. "Jus' take it easy, aye? It's okay, everythin's okay now." With her other hand, she reaches up to his head to check his temperature. She doesn't know a thing about medicine, but its what her mother always did to check her.

"Your voice sounds different," the man notes before blindly drinking from the cup – and making a suitably disgusted face on doing so. "Or maybe it's my ears."

"No, you're righ'. It's a differen' voice," Tasha agrees, then awkwardly pats the man's head before stepping back. "You're Cap'n Garbriel Akkers?"

One eyelid opens, revealing a film-covered cornea. The Lapis that were decanted had the same thing, and Tasha knows the medi-bot has some sort of eyedrops to clear it. "What happened to you in hibernation that you aren't sure? Or did all of my fur fall out?" he asks.

Tasha leans forward to peer at the film-coated eye, then points at it. "Robot, can you do somethin' abou' 'is eye?" She glances at the machine briefly, uncertain if it'll actually obey her again, before looking back to the Captain. "It's no' you tha's changed, Cap'n. Jus' take it careful, aye? Let the robot do wha' it does, an' don' strain yourself. I'll be 'ere of you need anythin'." A pause, and Tasha adds, "Oh, an' … good mornin'."

One of the scarier-looking robotic limbs extrudes a nozzle, and sprays each of the Captain's eyes in turn. The wolf blinks several times to clear them, and then has another look at Tasha. "You've got wings," he notes, and then looks down. "And big… uh… hooves?"

"Aye," Tasha replies, feeling suddenly awkward and uncomfortable. Being a hybrid of two unlikely species, she's always felt out of place. Now, facing one of the original Jupani, a Captain of a glorious, ancient vessel, she can't help but feel all the more freakish. " Do … do you like it?"

Akkers blinks at the question. "Well, if you are an angel… or a devil… you're certainly sending a confusing message either way. You're alive though, aren't you? I'm alive… "

Tasha closes her eyes. Does 'e like it? Wha' am I sayin'? Oi, I better jus' tell 'im. He's jus' … Shaking her head to clear it, the Vartan puts a hand on the Karnor's arm and says, "Cap'n Aikkers, there's somethin' I need to tell you. I wan' you to relax, because this is goin' to 'urt your 'ead an' your 'eart. I wan'ed to wait an' tell you, bu' I'm jus' confusin' you tha' way."

The Karnor has another deep drink from his cup first, before saying, "Go ahead, I have my suspicions already."

"Cap'n's always know," Tasha, sounding as if she expected as much. Captain Eyeshine always seemed to realize something was wrong well before she told him, at least. "Firs', I'm no' Nora. I 'ave Nora's comman', an' the ship thinks I'm 'er, bu' my name is Tasha. Nora didn' make it." She leaves the man a moment to consider Nora's death in silence, feeling Nora deserves as much. It still pains her there isn't anything she can do to save Nora's life, at least, not yet.

"Damn, that's… she had a promising future," the Captain says, closing his eyes again. "Tasha. Nice name. Call me Gabe."

"I'm sorry. I spoke wit' 'er in the Persocom, an' I liked 'er a lot, too. She gave me somethin' I ought an' see to soon, bu' I can tell you abou' tha' later." Tasha's smile fights with the frown that wants to dominate her face. Telling this ancient man about his losses is far more sobering and painful than she expected, which, as it turns out, is also an aspect of leadership she's come to expect. "Thank you," she replies to the compliment, after a moment to gather herself. "Gabe, is it? I like tha'. It's friendly an' strong." She manages a smile, if just briefly. "Cap'n Gabe, The Fenris crash landed 'ere due to somethin' called a Quantum Uncertainty Field, un'er this volcano. It has been somethin' along the lines of six-thousan' years. Three of the crew remain, includin' yourself, an' are healin' here. The doc, who's sleepin' there, says you need more treatment than we can get 'ere, bu' we 'ave plans to 'elp you get that treatment. I am Aldara Tasha, bu' really jus' Tasha, an' I'm the leader of this group 'ere."

"So we've been rescued by Terrans then… or Confederates," the man says softly, then looks at Tasha again. "Or maybe those terms don't even apply any more. How old are you, Tasha?"

"Oi, um … " Tasha turns away, not wishing the educated man to see her count on her fingers. "Tha's where I pu' tha'," she mumbles, trying to cover her activity, before turning back and answering, "I'm aroun' seventeen, eighteen years." Her ears flatten, the woman disliking how dumb her answer makes her sound, so she pipes up, explaining, "Terrans an' Confederates are people from the Sea o' Stars, from far away, pas' the … the gateway. This is a Terran ship," to try and make herself sound smarter.

"Good Lord, I'm over twice your… well, I guess more than twice really," the wolf says, and tries to use his empty cup to… cover himself. "Tell me about yourself, Tasha. I'd like to know how you came to find us."

"It's nothin' I 'avn't … um … seen before," Tasha insists, gesturing at the Captain's cup. She knows the man would be well over half her age, were he not an ancient Karnor awoken from suspended animation, but for a reason she can't quite understand, he makes her feel very self-conscious. "Well," she begins, looking off across the room to grant the man some privacy, "I'm from Rephidim, an' I used to work on an airship. I met this bun, an' before I knew it, I ended up goin' to Amazonia – tha's where your ship is now – an' ended up findin' a religion, an' being somethin' o' a … " It strikes Tasha about now, that her recent life is very hard to relate without sounding completely crazy, or totally unbelievable. She may as well be reading from one of those novels in the Rephidim book shops, if she could read well. "A, well, goddess. The 'Ead Priestess sen' me 'ere, wit' me friends Layth, an' Aaron, to 'elp the settlement 'ere. Turns ou' one o' your metal suits was causin' 'avoc, an followin' it, we foun' this ship."

"I understood most of that," Gabe notes. "Except for the part about the bun. Did you mean a kind of bread?"

Tasha laughs lightly, shaking her head. "Oi, no. I 'ad to explain this to Nora too. I'll try an' do it better this time. See," she lifts a hand to indicate something much taller than herself, "bun's is Lapis. Tha's to say, they're like – 'ow'd Nora say it? – bunny people. Bunny people made by somethin' called a Trade Library."

"Do they serve the humans?" the Captain asks next, with an odd inflection to his voice.

"Well, I'm no' sure now. The Cap'n Astromancer's human, I saw 'im once from far away, at a bit parade, some maybe in Rephidim does in a way, bu' mos' of the Temple o' Rephidim isn' human. As for Lapi, well," Tasha shrugs a little, "they serve themselves, an' their leaders. We're actually in terms with the Lapi Queen, an' one 'o their Houses." Tasha's head tilts, and she adds, "Oh, an' oi, the Temple of Rephidim is actually a mothership."

"A lot has changed," Akkers notes after digesting things. "Your team is from Rephidim then? From this Temple?"

Tasha shakes her head, looking back to the man in a lapse of focus. Her ears flush, and she glances away again. "We're from the Temple o' Abaddon, or at leas' I am. The Lapi with me are mostly from the House Hydron an' such, bu' Layth's from the desert an' Aaron's from Rephidim, like me. Tha' is, tha's where we're from to begin wit'. Now, I'm doin' work for the Temple of Abbadon. This is sort o' my … holy quest?"

"Then you knew you would find us here?" the wolf asks next, just to be certain. "And there are no Karnors with you. But you must have at least one Karnor parent."

Again shaking her head, Tasha answers, "We foun' you by accident. Until I spoke wit' Nora, I though' this was all magic an' … Well, a ship 'o the Gods. I'm no' sure it isn' a ship 'o the Gods." Biting her lip, Tasha thinks for a moment, ears flattening, then nods slowly. "Me father is a Jupani, bu' I never met 'im. Me mum's a Vartan, an' she raised me. Oi, an Jupani's wha' we call people who look like you do. I've never 'eard o' a Karnor until I met Nora."

"Jupani. I suppose I will have to get used to that term," Akkers notes. "And you're taking us to a city in Amazonia. What becomes of us after that?"

"I won' lie, you're no' doin' so well. Somethin' about organ failure from bein' asleep so long. I'll do everythin' I can to see you survive, all o' you, bu' I thought you ought an' at least know. You're tha Cap'n, aye?" Tasha then hops up on to a unused medical table, sitting down and folding her hands in her lap as she leans forward. "The Doc asked tha' question too, an' we told 'im tha' was up to 'im. Bu', oi, the way 'e said it bothered me, like 'e didn' think 'is life mattered, like 'e thought we'd use 'em, or tha' this mission was more importan' than anythin'. 'Ow do you feel?"

"I'm not sure yet," Akkers admits. "I'm a military man, and apparently the only one to survive. My commanders are sixty-centuries and another world distant though. I'm still wondering why you look so much like Nora, frankly, and my immediate goals revolve around… err… pants."

"I don' know why I look like Nora. Maybe tha's why I'm 'ere after all: Nora needed my 'elp, no' so much the Lapi." Tasha then hops down, patting the Karnor on the arm. "Take a momen' to rest. I'm goin' to find you some pants." She starts off, but pauses, looking back as if afraid the man might end up vanishing if she leaves, but soon she's off again.

The Captain's quarters have so far been unvisited, out of respect. They're close to Nora's, just closer to the bridge, and have a fancy golden Star and Anchor on the door.

Tasha pauses in front of the door, thinking how eerie it is to see the Star and Anchor here in this ancient vessel. The mark only further cements a reality she's having difficulty grasping; that this ship and the Temple of Rephidim were once part of the same organization, which in turn, brought the people to Sinai. The fabled ark … "Oi, this is … Nora-Tasha, I'm goin' in," she tells the door, and any computer that may try and stop her. Then, she heads inside.

The door doesn't resist her entry. Inside… well, the Captain must have been a very organized man, and certainly looks to have expected to be gone for awhile. His desk is clean, except for a black box with his name on it and a flat piece of plastic-metal-something similar to the magic photo frames and display screens. The wardrobe is open, with various uniforms and other clothing sealed away in thin plastic as well.

"I still can' believe any o' this works," Tasha remarks to herself as she looks around. Her first duty is to get something for the Captain to wear, and, lacking any idea of what he'd want to wear, she grabs several uniforms and drapes them all over an arm. She's just about to leave, when she pauses at the desk. Curious, she reaches over and picks up the photo-like object, wondering if it contains anything about the man, wondering what his life was like before this tragedy happened. It makes her feel a little dirty, looking in to his business, but her curiosity about the man gets the better of her.

Once picked up, the screen displays the Star and Anchor symbol, and the T.S.S Fenris name and wolf-head silhouette. Below that, the words read, "Final Log Entry and Last Will and Testament of Captain Gabriel T. Akkers, Commander Sinai Aerial Survey Mission."

Tasha has a moment of uncharacteristic conscience. It pains her to even think about the object she's holding, and yet she can't seem to put it down. If she keeps holding it, it may well begin to play, and then what? This isn' any o' my business, this is 'is private memories. But she can't seem to put it down, as if her curiosity and concern for the welfare of the man in the Infirmary had glued it there. She stands there, wrestling with her conscience, wondering when she started thinking this way.

The slate doesn't offer any answer, beyond a blinking patch near the bottom edge of the frame.

Tasha sighs, then decides that dirty or not, she ought to know about the men she's taking in to the city. She can't let her feelings interfere now, as much as she'd rather they did. Duty, at least, is a very good reason to read the log. I'll tell 'im I did, she decides, then pushes the button.

The screen changes to menu. The listings are Captain's Log, Commendations, and Personal.

"I'll start wit' the log," Tasha explains to herself, trying to make herself feel better about the whole thing. She taps the log option, then looks for the last log to view.

The last entry is all text, and very dry and officious sounding. It's also full of terms and numbers that make no sense to Tasha. What is clear is the listing of the condition of the ship and crew, their plans for going into suspended animation, and final preparations. "We all regret the loss Technician Fred Kohler, who was caught outside the ship during the pyroclastic flow which has entombed us. He was a good man who did much for the morale of the crew. We put our lives now in the hands of fate and the skills of Lt. Argentine, who will recalibrate the ships remaining systems before entering stasis herself," the log concludes, following by what looks like a signature.

"I'll take care 'o them, Nora. I promise." Tasha returns to the previous menu, switching now to the personal section.

The options here are Last Will and Testament, Abigail Akkers, Lancelot Akkers… and Nora Argentine.

"Nora?" Tasha's ears shoot up, and she suddenly feels especially nosy. "Gotta keep readin', gotta know 'o these people are an' … an' … " Unable to quite explain the matter, even to herself, Tasha begins to view the entries in the order they appear.

The Captain's will is short. As a military officer he didn't have much to leave behind, but everything he did have seems to have gone to his son, Lancelot, including his medals and achievement awards.

"I 'ope you lived a good, full life Lancelot," Tasha offers, then switches to Abigail.

This time the whole screen lights up, showing a moving picture. The Captain is there as if looking at his own face in a mirror, and looking a lot healthier than he does now. "Abby," he says, "I'm sorry. You didn't want me to take this assignment, and when I wouldn't budge you… distanced yourself from me. I apologize for the things I said back then. You deserved better. You deserved a husband who was willing to stay home and put his family before his career. I don't know if you'll ever receive this, or if – God willing – I'll be able to tell you this in person someday. I was a fool, and… and the way we ended things has always been a shadow on my soul. If we at least meet in the next world, I hope you can forgive me then."

Tasha's ears flatten. She definitely didn't need to read that entry, and she feels stained for doing so. It does provide some insight in to the sort of man the Captain is. While useful in helping her judge him, it doesn't make her feel any better about having looked in to his life like this. She skips over the next entry, feeling whatever the man left for his son is his own business now. She decides to stop reading at Nora's entry, wondering if there's more Nora needed to do.

"Hello Nora," the Captain says, smiling this time. "I suppose if you're seeing this, then something has gone wrong. I'm sorry I can't be there for you now. But, I wanted you to know that what we had together was important to me. I just couldn't get past… my past mistakes, I suppose. I know you're strong enough to go on without me, though, and the commendations I've cited in the official record will ensure you get a command of your own. Although now, I suppose, this is your first official command. I'm sorry that I waited so long, especially until it seemed like the last possible moment, but I don't regret proposing, and knowing that you said 'yes' was all that I needed to get me into one of those godawful tubes. You made me realize I could still feel love, Nora, and for that I will be eternally grateful to you. And if everything goes as planned, I'll let you see this on our honeymoon so you can have a really good laugh at my expense!" The wolf then blows a kiss into the screen, and says, "My last thoughts will be of you, as are my current thoughts."

"I shoul' jus' stab meself now," Tasha says after a moment. She didn't realize it when it started, but she finds her eyes are teary. Putting the device down, she pauses to wipe her eyes. "Oi, Nora, I'm sorry," she apologizes, wondering if the woman's spirit can hear her. "I'll do wha' I can for them, an' … I'm really sorry. I better go now, I … " Taking a deep breath, Tasha heads for the door, checking her image in the mirror before departing. The Captain will have been waiting, and she'd rather not keep him.

Back in the infirmary, the Captain looks half-asleep – although he has a fresh cup of 'goo' to drink now. "Mmm, welcome back," he says. "Can't believe I got tired out just from a little talking. Too bad the sedatives don't work that well on me. I bet Doc wanted to wake up first."

Tasha walks over and places the clothes on the side of the bed, looking down on the man with a frown on her muzzle and a pain in her heart. She risks letting him hear the tone of her voice, uncertain if she'll be able to maintain neutrality now. "The Doc said you'd wake up when you were 'ealthy enough for it. You can talk to 'im now, bu' he's still healin', an' would talk through the 'bot." Feeling even more awkward, Tasha rubs at her left arm, looking around. "You … You 'ave a nice cabin."

"Ah, been sleeping there have you?" Akkers asks with a wry grin. "My bed isn't softer than any of the others though. And you didn't have to bring so many outfits. I'm pretty sure now that I'm not going to be dressing myself anytime soon. But there should be a drawer in the base of this bed that has a blanket."

"No, I … I've been sleepin' in Nora's quarters. I though' it was bes', since I'm the … The Nora now." Tasha kneels down, pulling at drawers until she finds a blanket. She moves the clothes to a free bed before taking the time to cover the man, tucking him in. "Nora an' I really looked alike, didn' we?"

"Yes," the Captain says soberly. "It really is surprising. But don't feel down about having to cover me up, you've still got these two younger men to ogle, after all. And they're both doctors," he adds with a playful wink.

Despite herself, Tasha laughs, although it sounds a little sad. She sits herself down, letting her legs swing beneath her as she sits in silence, after. Finally, she admits, "I, I read your log." A pause, and she adds, "I don' blame you if you 'ate me for it. I think I 'ate myself. I was tellin' myself I needed to know wha' sort o' man you were, if I'm goin' to take you from 'ere, but I was really … I jus' … I jus' wanted to know abou' you." She swallows, then adds, "I'll still 'elp you, wha'ever you think o' me."

After a moment of forcing down more of the foul medicinal liquid, Akkers looks to Tasha and asks, "You read it just now, but not before I woke up?"

"Aye," Tasha answers, looking away. "I never entered more than a few rooms, an' then tha' was back before we even knew wha' this place was. Just two rooms, Nora's an' another's. We left 'em alone, out o' respect. I thought usin' Nora's was alrigh', given the situation." Her ears wilt, and she reaches up to run her face, looking miserable.

"Well then, did you learn what you hoped to?" the man then asks calmly.

"More," Tasha admits, sounding as guilty as she looks. "Tha' was none 'o my business. Maybe I 'ad to, jus' a bit, because I'm leadin' this – bu' no' all o' it. Wha'd I expect to learn, anyway? An' 'ow would Nora feel, if she knew I read wha' I did? I'm a 'orrible woman." Remembering something, Tasha slides off the seat, then heads for the tube bay, retrieving the dog tags as she talks. When she returns, she offers the dog tags to Captain Akkers. "'Ere, you ought an' 'ave this. I was goin' to keep 'em, as a reminder, bu' I think they belong to you."

The man takes the tags, his hand trembling a little. "Thank you," he says quietly.

"It's the leas' I can do," Tasha says, stepping back. "You migh' be 'appy to know she received a Warrior's funeral an' burial. Tha's a high 'onor 'ere. She also entrus'ed me wit' 'ere memory. I mean, 'er real memory. A memory crystal. I'm to take it to Sheol, to the Terrans, an' find something that'll bring 'er an' the others back."

"Bring them back?" Akkers asks. "So much time has passed… maybe there is a way."

"I was 'oping your people would 'ave a way. Magic does a lot, bu' I've never 'eard of magic tha' brings back the dead," the Vartan says. "It sounded like she knew o' somethin' in the base tha' could do it, somethin' like these tubes."

Akkers nods after a few moments, but doesn't comment. "I do not see how you can get to Sheol though, unless you happen to have another spacecraft."

Tasha retakes her seat, rubbing her arm again. "There's somethin' called Gateway, far away from 'ere, tha' lets people go to the other planets. It was only foun' some years ago, bu' it's got a city aroun' it an' a airport. Tha's where we're goin', after we see to your 'ealing." The Vartan looks to the man, then glances towards the door. "If you'd rather I left 'ere, I'll go. I can wait outside."

"No, I appreciate the company," Akkers admits. "It helps me to ground myself and believe this is all real. You can have some pretty bizarre dreams in the tube."

Tasha begins to stand, as if expecting she'd be dismissed, but pauses and retakes her seat. "Like what?" she inquires, looking back to the man. "An', can I 'elp you any more? Anythin' you need?"

"While I'm connected to these tubes, I don't need anything much," Akkers says. "And the blanket helps. I'd like to know more about this new world and its people, though. Can you tell me about your parents? Your childhood? Bedtime stories you were told? And maybe a little about this place you're taking us to to be… magicked."

"Oi, well, if you really wan' to know about me, I'll tell you. I'm probably nothin' compared to wha' you've seen, bu' if it helps … " With a deep breath, Tasha begins to relate her life story, finding herself compelled to share much more about herself than she normally would offer a stranger – even a friend. Part compassion, part guilt, and part penance, she tells the man even some of the more embarrassing moments. Moments such as her year waiting tables at her mother's tavern, and how much she hated the outfit she had to wear. The time when she was so drunk she fell off The Rake, and woke up tangled in the line, upside down. She event tells the man about her father, or what little she knows about him, that he was a noble and handsome, but that he left well before she was born. "So tha's me childhood. I grew up on the docks, an' on The Rake. I've always been a bit o' the odd one out, bein' half-Jupani, half-Vartan. I used to bully people, an' flirt more, because I thought those things were the same as respect an' confidence."

"You've recently learned that they are not the same then," Akkers notes. "What brought about that epiphany? You seem young enough to still enjoy those… ah… youthful delusions."

"It was when I came to Amazonia. 'Ere, I'm the only one tha' looks like me. I can't bully anyone, 'cause they're all bigger an' stronger than me. I can' use me looks to get my way, because they're diffren' when it comes to tha' sort o' thing. I wasn' special anymore, an' I wasn' chased after, an' I wasn' strong. I looked at meself an' saw the truth, tha' I was just … aye, delusional. I wasn' wha' I thought I was. No one respected me, they jus' wan'ed to bed me, or were afraid o' me. All tha' I thought I 'ad was just fake – fake like me." Tasha shakes her head.

"A harsh way to grow up quickly," Akkers says, nodding. "And these Amazonians are the Lapi you spoke of? I pictured them as being… small and cute and cuddly, like walking toys."

"Oi, those are the city ones. The Amazonian ones are 'uge. They use the armor plating from the ship to make actual armor, an' one 'o 'em actually ripped the 'ead off a 'bot," Tasha insists. Feeling better for the talk, some of the miserable expression on Tasha's face melts away, and now she looks more concerned than guilty. "They think all this is magic, 'o the Gods. I'm no' sure it isn', an' I'm goin' to tell 'em it came from 'Eaven. This ship'll pro'ly become a Shrine to Abaddon, since it's a great work o' craft, an' o' the Gods. An' the Themis-Skoll's jus' too beautiful to let be taken apart." Tasha's ear flicks, and she looks momentarily wry. "Even if I can' figure it out, no matter 'ow many times I fly tha' imaginary battle. Who used to pilot it, anyway?"

"Nora was trained, and Lt. Omeara was the official pilot," the Captain explains. "We had no official weapons officer for it, since we weren't expecting any combat. Giant rabbits though, you say? I don't imagine they eat any meat then, do they?"

"They look kind o' green whenever I eat meat," Tasha answers, grinning a little. "They think I feed on blood, too." Then, she smiles toothily. "Bu' don' you worry, I wen' an' got meat for all o' you. I fig'ered you'd eat like I do, so I practiced cookin' for you when I wasn' in the Themis-Skoll or sleepin'."

"I crashed in to the ground," Tasha adds, after a moment. "I mean, when I first piloted the Themis-Skoll. I got my 'ead shot off by some bright light. I was so Dagh determined to prove myself worthy o' the thing, like I was livin' up to some standard, like I was tryin' to be a goddess again."

"Again?" Akkers asks, glancing at Tasha's wings. "Did you lose your halo then?"

At that, Tasha does laugh. "Ha! Me! With' a 'alo? I never 'ad no 'alo. It's jus' somethin' I tol' meself. I mean, the meself tha's the goddess, who's might or night no' be me." Blinking, Tasha holds up a hand. "Wait, lemme explain. See after I 'ad tha' understandin' abou' meself, I was at a loss. Then, someone said I looked a bit like one o' the goddesses shown in the Temple o' Abaddon, so we decided I shoul' try an' look the part, for influence. The thing 'o it is, I felt guilty. I was tryin' to be somethin' I wans', again, an' lyin' to these people an' a god! So, I swore tha' I'd do my best to live up the responsibility. Durin' my trainin', I spoke a lot with a monk, who ended up bein' someone a lot like me, jus' older. She's the goddess, not I. I'm jus' 'er … apprentice, I s'pose. Bu' the point bein', I was tryin' to be somethin' I wasn't again. 'Ow am I supposed to be good at somethin' I know little abou'?"

The Vartan laughs again, sounding embarrassed. "As it is, I gave up thinkin' I should be good, an' just started tryin' to be good. An, you know," Tasha's head tilts, "I've met a lot o' people who look like me lately. The Goddess looks like me, who looks like Nora. It's like I'm talkin' to meself through time, sin' tha' odd?"

"You must have had quite a shock when you saw our Titan then," Akkers notes, grinning again. "I know Nora did."

"Oi, I did," Tasha admits, smiling a little. "I think it was love. Aaron said he was goin' to 'ave nightmares o' a giant me pickin' 'im up. Do all the mecha look like tha' one? Did you get it for 'er?"

"For… oh, no, it was only a coincidence about the colors," Akkers says. "The resemblance to yourself is much stronger. And the Titans come in all manner of forms, depending on who builds and pilots them. Some do not have such humanoid shapes though, and are more specialized. I, personally, would never take a Titan into actual combat. But the elite warriors swear by them, even if they only ever battle against other Titans."

"I saw the world the Titans fight in. I never imagined somethin' so destructive. Are they no' good at fightin', then? They're more frightenin' an' powerful than anything I've ever seen. This 'ole ship is. Your world mus' 'ave been beyond belief! I used to think the Intimidator was the most beautiful ship in the world, bu' now, I don' think I'll ever seen the world the same way. I, well," Tasha gives a sheepish smiles, "I'm really rather jealous of you lot. I've been lookin' forward to your awakenin' since I knew it coul' 'appen. I think a part o' me hoped you'd take me away, off to your world."

"It seems like it's up to you to take us off to our world," the black-and-silver wolf says, grinning. "Although really, our world is likely long gone. Unless things have changed drastically, there is no passage back to Terra. But Titan combat is… well, do you have knights that lead troops into combat?"

"We 'ad Knights Templars, until they left us. I 'eard there are somethin' called Chevaliers down in Gallis, tha' are called knights in translation, an' they lead peasants an' own castles," offers the Vartan, who leans forward to listen.

"Well, the Titans are a bit like that. They fight one another, and lead battle groups. It is… a bit ritualized. Titan pilots are an odd breed. Unlike other warcraft, Titans have no ejection or escape system for the pilots. They go down with their machines."

"Oi, I'd be dead many times over," says Tasha, who quickly adds, "Sorry, I didn' mean … Well, I mean it, jus' … it's insensitive o' me. Um, oi." She clears her throat, then puts on a smile. "I'm jus' sayin', they're still a wonder, no matter 'ow crazy the pilots were. Me, I think I'd prefer to live – bu' tha' depends on wha' I'm fightin' for." She then stands up, walking over to the captain's bedside, and taking a moment to retuck the man in. "You should res'. You're lookin' worn, an' I don' wan' to lose you now. I'll be righ' 'ere, so don' worry."

The Captain closes his eyes, still clutching the dog-tags in one hand. "You're right, I still need to rebuild my strength," he says tiredly. "I hope to see one of your bunnies though when I wake up."

"You will, more than you might imagine," Tasha agrees. "I'm goin' to take a nap 'ere, in this empty bed. If you need anythin', I'll be righ' 'ere." Stepping back, Tasha takes a seat again, watching over the man as he drifts off in to sleep.

---

The Captain's nap is short, barely even two hours. "Is there anything to eat?" he asks groggily.

Tasha who, not having much sleep lately herself, has since fallen back in to the medical bed she picked to rest on, and fallen asleep. When the Captain suddenly speaks, her eyes shoot open, and she asks, "Wha- … ?" Sitting up, she rocks blearily.

The big wolf lets out a prodigious yawn, which ends in a choking sound because of the life collar around his neck. "I can't wait to get this damn thing off," he grumbles.

The Vartan grimaces at the sound, quickly hoping off her bed to rush over to the man's side. "I'd get it off for you now, if you wouldn' die on me," she insists apologetically. After scanning him for injury, she offers, "You wan' some soup? I made it meself. Findin' meat aroun' 'ere is a real chore, bu' I got some."

"Soup sounds about right," Akkers says, rubbing his throat a bit. "Not sure I remember how to chew yet."

"I'll feed you," the woman insists. "I'll be righ' back. I'll 'ave to work the kitchen a bi', we're still no' sure 'ow all it works." She steps back, and asks, "You wan' anythin' else Cap'n?"

"Whiskey, but I'm pretty sure we don't have any," the man says, lying back.

"Normally I'd be all for drinkin', but your whiskey is goin' to be somethin' like six thousan' years old, an' I'm no' sure wha' tha'll do," says Tasha. She gives the man a little waves, then begins heading out. "I'll see wha' can do." And with that, she departs.

Some twenty minutes later, Tasha returns with a smoking bowl of what-she-could-find stew, with a vegetables on a side plater. "Bes' I coul' do. Lapi don' eat meat. 'As to borrow from the Vykarins."

"I've seen Vykarins," Akkers notes, sitting upright now. "They eat… anything."

Tasha puts the bowl down on the end of the Captain's bed, then places the vegetable platter on her bed. "You 'ave? They 'ave Vykarins where you come from?" She sounds surprised. Apparently, space Vykarins never occured to her. She picks up one of the ancient spoons, and adds, "You wan' a bib?"

The wolf manages to hold the spoon, and raises an eyebrow at the bib comment. "I can eat soup, don't worry. And the Vykarins come from one of the Silent-Ones worlds. I forget which." He tries the soup, and seems to savor it for a few moments, before asking, "Fish?"

"Aye, fish. Dried fish, it is," Tasha replies. She lets the man feed himself, keeping her ears perked, and watching him with a certain intensity. "A Silen' One world? A whole other world? Wha' were the Silen' Ones like? Silent, I bet?" She grins a little.

"Not as silent as you would think," Akkers notes while he eats his soup. He suddenly bites down on the spoon though while looking past Tasha.

"No?" She blinks when hears the clink of tooth against metal, and leans forward to assist. "Oi, you okay? Your mouth no' workin'? Wha' is it?"

"Mmmfghfffulff?" Akkers says, raising his hand to point towards the door to the infirmary. It looks like Euphrosyne has returned, and is standing in the entrance wearing her full bronze armor. The Lapi watches the wolves curiously, nose twitching.

Tasha's head swivels around, and her eyes go wide at the sight of Euphrosyne. "'Syne! You're no' to come in 'ere unless there's a pro'lem," the Vartan insists, glancing between the Karnor and the Lapi. "Oi, well, this … This is … " She stands straight, then, in Amazonia, tells Euphrosyne, "This is Gabriel, 'e's from the Sea o' Stars – from the 'Eavens an' the … leader o' The Fenris, which this is." She gestures to the ship around her. "It's 'im an' is people tha' are the source of the starmetal." To the Captain, Tasha explains in Standard, "Oi, this is Euphrosyne, she's a Warrior an' one 'o the Amazonian Lapi. She's wit' me."

The Amazonian bows to the reclining Karnor, and then whispers to Tasha (although loudly enough for the Vartan to actually hear), "He looks a bit scrawny, but cute."

"She's very impressive," the wolf says once he gets the spoon out of his mouth. "You know, I've had dreams like this. I really am awake now, aren't I?"

"Oi, wha- … cute? 'E's … like me! 'E's no' … like … you," Tasha stammers, ears laying back. Apparently, along with space Vykarins, she hadn't expected the Lapi to actually flirt with the Karnors, either. My worl' is jus' gettin' wierder an' wierder, she tells herself, before clearing her throat. "Come an' meet 'im," Tasha bids the Lapi, hoping if Euphrosyne likes him, then the other Lapi will, too. Then, to Gabriel, she explains, "Oi, no, they're righ' real. An'," she leans over, then pinches the Karnor, "… 'ow's tha'? feel awake? Wha' would Nora think?"

Akkers barks at he pinch, which causes Euphrosyne to pause in her approach. Eventually she sits on the edge of the bed holding the still naked Dr. Zerachiel. She takes off her helmet, looks around, and then places it over the sleeping Karnor's privates.

"He doesn't look very godlike," the Warrior comments. "He looks my age, actually. He needs fattening up. I can bring some cornmeal."

Tasha glances back towards the Lapi as she arrives, only to have her ears go askew when the Lapi covers the doctor's privates. "Oi," she breathes, leaning back against Akker's table. "This is goin' to be somethi'." She nods to the Warrior, saying, "E's more like me, can' you see it?" She reaches up and points at her own muzzle. "An', 'e's been sleepin' 'ere since before there was an Amazonia. 'E's older than Dianus." To Akkers, she asks, "Feel like some cornmeal? She says you need fattin' up."

"What's she saying?" Akkers asks. "Fattening up? You're sure they don't eat meat, right? She looks like she's eaten a few men. Is that breastplate… accurate? It has a three-headed monster on it."

"You lie with Layth," Syne notes to Tasha. "And these men look capable." She lifts up her helmet to double-check. "Well, mostly capable. I suppose gods have other things that balance it out… "

"I'll translate," Tasha offers, repeating the same thing to Euphrosyne moments later. To answer the Captain's question, she shakes her head. "I've never seen one 'o them anywhere before, an' you can' trus' me, she don' eat meat. None o' them do. Tha' don' mean they're no' dangerous, they are, jus' no' in tha' way. The-" The Vartan suddenly sputters at Euphrosyne's comment, looking back to her. "Tha's diffren'! An' they've been asleep a while! They're no' doin' so well, they're dyin', so treat 'em gently."

Euphrosyne blinks, and moves the helmet to someplace less sensitive then. "So, they'll get better? Gods don't die. Unless they are killed. I don't think any have been killed recently though."

Akkers tugs the blanket further up his chest.

"I… like tamales," he admits. "Those have cornmeal in them."

"No, they need 'elp. They need the magic o' the Temples," Tasha explains to Euphrosyne. "They're no' like Abaddon. They can die. They 'ad families an' friends, an' this ship, it used to sail the stars. They're people 'o lived in 'eaven, bu' fell to Sinai. I guess they're like … los' souls." She glances back quirking an eyebrow. "Wha's a tamale? 'Syne? Know wha' a tamale is?"

The big rabbit shrugs. "Families?" she asks, finding something familiar. "You should have him give you a child then, before he becomes too weak. A child from a heavenly being would be something special."

"Um," Tasha stammers again, glancing back at the Cap'n. With a nervous laugh, she tells him, "She said you shoul' give me a chil', before you become too weak. A chil' from 'eaven woul' be somethin' special, she says." Grinning slightly, Tasha reaches over and rubs the Karnor's chest up. "Bu' you wouldn' like someone like me, woul' you? I'm jus' a poor Nora, or maybe I'm Nora come again, to make sure you don' die on me?" Tasha's grin becomes lopsided, and she twitches a little. Oi, I wun'er if tha's true? It makes her mind boggle – what if she is Nora, come again? Needing something to do, and do quickly, Tasha reaches over and punches Euphrosyne in the arm. It makes her hand hurt.

"He isn't eating his stew," the Lapi points out, and after a moment rubs her arm to make Tasha feel better. "Is it my armor? I can take it off if he is not a threat."

"I… uh… " Akkers says, taken off guard by the question. "I need to get my strength back first," he says, figuring that's a safe enough answer. "Why would she even… no, never mind. I'll just eat my soup. And veggies too."

"He thinks you're a dream," Tasha explains to Euphrosyne, holding a hand up. "'E's still male, too. If you take your armor iff you migh' give 'im ches' pains." Then after retrieving the spoon, she pushes it in to Captain Akker's hand. "Aye, eat your soup." The Vartan pulls the plate of vegetables over, as well, placing them on the same bed with the soup. "Lapi are jus' tha' way. They think 'o family all the time, they 'ave big families, an' they're always lookin' for more. The Amazonian ones, they live in their own worl', an' don't meet the other nations much at all. She thinks we're some kind o' Lapi, too. She thinks we think like Lapi do."

"Why is she undoing the straps to her breastplate though?" Akkers asks, between swallows of soup.

"She, wha-?" Tasha looks back, then catches her breath. Oi, when did I get stuck with makin' sure other women behave? An' now I'm feedin' men soup, and tellin' people wha' to do! I'm turnin' in to me mum! The Vartan doesn't try and stop the Lapi, instead just letting her do her thing. "Lapi aren' shy abou' these things," she says, sounding a little put upon, "an' neither am I, except I'm tryin' to mind your 'eart. I don' know when I started mindin' people. I'm younger than either o' you!"

The Captain looks away, or looks at Tasha, which doesn't help much. "The life collar regulates my metabolism so… anyway, you're taking us to a city full of baby-crazed giant bunny women who think we're just funny looking rabbits from heaven?" he asks. "I just want to be sure about this."

"I'm going to use the cleaning-room that Xavier showed me," Euphrosyne says after shedding the last of her armor. "The clothing-cleaner does not work well on our armor though. I'll take it to the kitchen to be washed out."

Tasha returns the Captain's look, but doesn't protest his looking at her. "Tha's righ'. Well, they're also war-crazed. The women do mos' of the fightin', an' rule jus' abou' all o' it. Euphrosyne there's from 'Ouse 'Ydron – Kerebos – which is wha' you see on 'er bres'plat – don' look." Glancing at the Warrior, Tasha nods. "I'll be 'ere lookin' after these men 'ere. An', cheers to you for meetin' 'im. Let the others know 'ow 'e is, tha' we'll be protectin' 'im an' 'is fellows when we leave 'ere."

Euphrosyne nods to Tasha, then gets up and carries her armor out of the room. There's a sharp crack as Akkers bites through his plastic spoon when the Warrior walks out. "I… broke my spoon," he says.

Turning around, Tasha puts a hand on her hip and raises an eyebrow, looking down at the man. "Oi, you did, did you? Saw a bit 'o bunny bun, did we?" She leans forward and taps his nose, "You soun' like mos' Jupani I know. I've 'alf a mind to tell 'em your all mine, the way you're carryin' on! You were almos' in tears when I tol' you abou' Nora."

"I'm still a bit in shock," Akkers notes. "And if the males are anything like that… I don't know if I could have held onto Nora if she were here… "

Tasha begins to glare, but quickly relents. She drops down on her haunches, laying her head on her arms as she watches Akkers. "I guess Nora an' I 'ave tha' in common, too. I don' know why I'm lecturin' you. It's no' like I'm any diffren'. I jus' don' wan' … to think … " Tasha's ears splay, and her tail tucks, "It's jus' too sad! I grew up on a ship! It's no' the same, bu' ships an' crews 'ave a soul! An' you, I shouln' be glarin' at you, I'm s'posed to take care o' you. I jus' don' wan' Nora to be forgotten. I don' like tha', no' at all, even if I'm jealous o' 'er."

"What?" Akkers asks. "Why are you jealous?"

Tasha's ears shoot up, and for a moment the Captain can pick out the edges of redness, Tasha blushing. "Well," she stammers, looking away, " … she's no' a Vartan freak like I am. I be' she 'ad a family, an' a father. Look 'ow smart she is, an' she sailed the stars! Everyone seemed to love 'er, to respect 'er. Even you, the Cap'n! My Cap'n doesn' even think I should be secon' in comman'. You 'eard wha' I said about bein' a fake. Even the goddess in the Temple, she was a goddess! 'O am I? Who's Tasha? It's like I'm meetin' all these better mes! An' then," she pokes the Captain in the arm, "I feel like I should look after you all, bu' I don' wan' to upset Nora, bu' I wan' you to be well. I wan' to take care o' you."

"Nora would have been a good mother," Akkers says, then smiles to Tasha. "You would be too, I think. You care a lot about others, it seems."

Tasha peers at the man from where her arms lay, then she wags a little. "I do, don' I? I don' know when it 'appened, bu' I do. You wan' to run away wit' me?" She grins a little, mischivously. "We coul' sail the stars, or at leas' the skies, an' you can be my secon' in comman'. We'll crew our ship wit' kids an' buns."

"If I survive the next week, I'll seriously consider it," Akkers says, and bites into a potato-like baked vegetable.

Tasha reaches over and pats the man on the head, then takes a moment to stroke his hair back. "You will. I may no' be a real goddess, bu' I am relentless." She grins again. "You'll 'ave to prepare yourself before we 'ead out. If there's anythin' you wan' from the ship, make sure we get it before we go. Oi, an' I 'ate to bring up trip prep', bu' I 'ave to ask you abou' the ship before I get all mushy."

"We'll need wheelchairs," Akkers says. "They're in the storage cabinet here. And thermal blankets, survival gear… can't trust the rations after so long. There's a box in my cabin I want to bring. And the memory crystals from MOTHER… "

"I 'ave the access codes to MOTHER, so I ca do tha'. Some'ow, Nora taught me Savanite Sign. I can finger-wiggle wit' the bes' o' 'em now." To prove it, Tasha lifts her hands and signs, "I saw the box, but didn't open it. I also need to know about the locked room with the Sifran artifacts." Then she adds, "I's jus' weird!"

"The artifacts," Akkers says. "I don't trust them, but I suppose we can't just leave them."

"Tha's my thought," Tasha agrees. "This place'll be sealed up af'er we leave, bu' who knows wha'll 'appen in another six-thousand years? I'm no' goin' to fail my job 'ere by lettin' some curious bun wreck 'avoc. While I'm 'ere, I'm makin' sure everythin' safe before we go." Her head then tilts. "So wha's in the box? An' wha' are the artifacts? Know any way I can put the Themis-Skoll in me pocket?"

"I've got a little model of the Themis-Skoll somewhere," Akkers says. "And the box has… personal things in it. The artifacts are crystal… things… that we think were made by the Sifras. I never liked the idea of having them connected to MOTHER though for monitoring."

"You connected MOTHER to … artifacts," Tasha repeats, her voice wavering. "I … I don' like tha' idea, either. MOTHER worries me, bu' I can' quite say why. Maybe it's 'ow it didn' think twice abou' tryin' to salvage armor off livin' people. Or somethin'. I'll be glad when it's shut down an' it's no' lookin' over me shoulder."

"Armor… " Akkers mutters. "Speaking of armor, was that the rabbit that knocked the head off of Nora's?"

"You need armor? Those big suits don't seem to work well. MOTHER's pilotin' the one outside, an' Nora's is done. An' no, was one o' the younger ones wha' did it. She was tryin' to save me. I was, oi, tryin' to 'andle the suit all by meself. Didn' seem to wan' to 'urt me, bu' didn' mind 'urtin' the buns. I see why, now." Tasha taps her muzzle, then taps the Captain's. "It was usin' somethin' tha' made my ears feel like bleedin'."

"Oi, wait, if it wasn' Nora makin' the suit move … was i' MOTHER?" Tasha glances towards the door, nervously. "If the suit was still workin', why'd Nora die?"

"Sonar," Akkers comments. "For mapping the environment. It's harmless… well… maybe not to someone outside of a suit. If she was in the suit then… she must have died in it, and MOTHER was operating it somehow." The wolf frowns.

"It was tryin' to repair the 'ull, an' it used tha' device to stun an' kidnap the Lapi. Then it took their armor an' their bodies, an' used their bodies for tryin' to fix you. Don't worry," she holds up a ahnd to forestall any concern, "we rescued the Lapi, bu' some are 'urt. The Doc said 'e'd 'elp 'em." her head tilts the other way, and she frowns as well. "Is MOTHER s'possed to move the suit? MOTHER did'n' treat 'er gently. MOTHER was operatin' another suit, too. 'Asn't said anythin' to me since I entered. Thinks I'm Nora."

"I didn't know MOTHER could do that," Akkers admits. "How did you find the Fenris? I mean, literally? We were buried."

"I'll keep an eye out. There's no' many guards left 'ere. Do you think MOTHER's up to somethin'? I, well, I never knew a machine could be up to somethin', bu' I'm startin' to believe a lot tha' I'd 'ave called you a right liar for a year back." Tasha then gestures towards the door with a hand. "'Ow'd we find it? Well, the Lapi 'ave been minin' this area for generations. They use the pieces of the 'ull to make armor. Seems like they foun' door to the ship, an' Nora's suit came out an' started attackin' Lapi to get the armor from 'em. Took 'em, too. We came, an' the suit was bus'ed up, then we found the cave it came from an' traced it back 'ere."

"So after 6,000 years, the door was unblocked," Akkers says, "by rabbits. Our rescue is due to my belly-flopping the Fenris in the first place and shredding the hull plating." The man looks a bit… blank after that.

"Better late than never?" offers Tasha hopefully, wagging her tail.

"Thank you for the food, Tasha," Akkers says softly. "I think I need to rest a bit more now and… digest things."

"Don' feel so bad. It soun's like you all 'ad it rough from the start, wha' with your gate no' workin', and the Expedition fallin' to bits." Standing up, Tasha takes a moment to move the plates somewhere safe, but easily reachable. "If you need someone to talk to, jus' look for me. You don' 'ave to spend you time alone, aye? I'll be 'ere for you as long as you need me." She pauses, and adds, "I'll leave you be so you can think, an' assign someone to guard the door. I'm goin' to take a nap, meself. Unles syou wan' me to stay?"

"I'll be fine," Akkers says. "Although you might want to put blankets over the other two, just in case the rabbits get more… ideas."

"Jus' in case? Oi, they're buns. They always 'ave ideas." Tasha grins a little, then, after covering the men up and tucking them in, she heads for the door. "Sleep well, I'll see you in thr mornin'." And with that she smiles, giving Gabriel Akkers a wave before stepping out.