The room beyond the door is dark, save for a single blinking green light. This is not of immediate concern to Tasha – at least not as much as the mummified cheetah heaped on top of her. It's wearing an orange tunic with the hand-symbols for Information Technician on the breast, and a pair of black pants that reach down to its digitigrade ankles. It has no head hair, and no Silent-Ones mask either, and is clutching several optical data crystals in its locked fists.

The wind has died down, now that the pressure between the two rooms is equalized again.

If Layth thought the elevator siren was loud, he got a chance to compare it to Tasha screaming at the top of her lungs. She manged half a swing of her avionics wafer removal tool before the weight threw her to the ground. Panting heavily, she stares at the corpse with wide eyes and slowly tries to pull herself away. "First Ones! I thought my heart was going to explode, ah … ugh … "

"And once more men throw themselves at Tasha. I knew it was only a matter of time before she sought out the dead," Layth deadpans as he heads towards her to help lift off the corpse.

"You're sure it's a male?" Akkers asks. "Hard to tell with Silent-Ones sometimes… "

"Well, it is stiff," Layth observes.

"Star forgive him," Zerachiel whispers with a shudder. "That's First Technician. He handled all of the system interlinks between Fenris, the artifacts and MOTHER before we left… "

"I thought First was a girl?" Akkers notes to Eli. "She was shorter than the others."

Layth crouches and lifts the mummified corpse off of Tasha. "You could have at least bought him a drink first," the buck jokes. While he continues to hold the corpse, he asks, "Would this Technician have known of all the directives embedded in the crystal brain? Why would he have been left behind in this room?"

"I have no idea," Zerachiel admits. "He… she… worked with the Silent-Ones' Master of Artifacts – the priest who had the Starfish."

"I think I need the drink after that." The woman puts her free hand on her chest, feeling her heart pounding and trying to get thoughts of Nora's death out of her head. "Was she the one who … Who programmed MOTHER? Is she responsible for MOTHER's decision to hold the artifacts above the crew?"

"Then I expect he would have," Layth remarks. "I suppose that mystery cannot be answered without his PersoCom … thing? The other can be answered more simply. We can undress the corpse."

"I… leave that up to you then, Layth," Gabriel says at the suggestion of stripping First Technician. "If First was responsible, then it's possible the priest did away with him to protect the secret, I suppose."

"Is there a way we can find out?" Layth asks.

"Search the body for clues," Eli suggests, and points to the cheetah's hands. "Like those data crystals… "

"I remember something about needing a technician or, better, an Archon to access MOTHER's information on the artifacts. MOTHER wouldn't allow me – Nora – to get that information," Tasha relates as she pulls herself to her feet. "Layth, search the body and get the First Techninian's transponder tags, if she has any."

"As you wish," Layth agrees and carefully sets the corpse down. The buck then goes about a thorough examination of the body. The first thing he does is extract the crystals from its hands carefully. Next he searches for the transponder tags. And last, well, he tries to strip the body to look for any obvious signs of attack, such as wound marks… (And to solve the other mystery… )

Tasha makes her way towards the MOTHER core door, looking inside but not entering. "I have to enter the core to restart MOTHER," she says, looking back, " … but I'd really prefer if the door didn't close. Will this tool hold it open, or will we need something larger?"

It seems that First Technician was a female, just a young and underdeveloped one – probably just a teenager. There are the expected transponder tags, with notation in several languages identifying her as simply First Technician. There is also a flat, clear slate that looks like one of the data crystals, only about the size of a piece of paper. It was tucked into her tunic. The data crystals have hand symbols floating inside.

"We can jam it open with an access panel," Gabriel suggests, and starts to remove one from the wall.

Layth hangs the transponder tags around his own neck and then drapes the remains of her clothing over the corpse so that she can retain some dignity. "We have thee crystals here … so I assume three knowledge storage things? How do we read the knowledge?"

Tasha smiles at Gabriel and nods. "Good, I don't want to join First Technician in suffocation." She glances at Layth then, extending her hand, "The holographic image hints at their purpose. The Fenris crystals displayed the crew and the Fenris logo itself, so: crew PersoCom data and Fenris Mission data. Let me see what's on these."

"Well, I know those two little ones go into MOTHER," Eli says, hovering behind Layth's shoulder. "The big one is a… I don't know what the Silent-Ones called them. It's some sort of data pad."

"I do not recognize the word," Layth notes and offers the pad to Tasha.

The Vartan accepts the pad and rotates it to face her, peering down at it before reaching to touch the screen. "Describe the hand signs to me; I can translate them for you."

And so Layth attempts to describe the symbols in detail.

The two data crystals are labeled 'Information Heart' and 'Soaring Steed', if taken literally. Handling the data pad is hit or miss, until Tasha slides a finger down the metallic border on one side, causing the square of crystal to light up and show a hologram of First Technician, in glowing white and gray, along with a symbol for 'Start'.

"Why do I have a feeling that pad may have her last words?" Layth remarks after a glance towards it.

Tahs'a eyes widen as the hologram pops up, but she holds off on starting it to explain, "The two crystals are 'Information Heart' – which may be some sort of general memory storage – and 'Soaring Steed' – which must be the Bellerophon's data. And, I fear you're probably right Layth." She shakes her head a little, then adds, looking up, "Be careful with her transponder tags. They may identify you as her, which may cause the ship to attempt to kill you."

"He looks nothing like her though," Zerachiel says. Then realizes something, and admits, "Not that the Silent-Ones use visual identification anyway, since they all look alike… "

"I'm durable," Layth claims, yet he still nods. "And if it does, that will be the first time I was ever mistaken for a young girl," he adds with a bemused grin.

"Just be careful, you already know just how true what I say is." Tasha's gaze meets Layth's eyes, she raises a brow, then nods a little and returns her gaze to the pad in front of her. "Here we go," she warns, then touches the start area.

"I know. I understand the risks. But there is advantage to each of us being able to access systems. We should make use of these," Layth notes.

The image comes to life, and First Technician uses both hands to talk with – using the Common version instead of Formal for its ease of understanding. "The Terrans claim that the Star is a loving and forgiving God," she signs. "If anyone finds my body, please give me the Terran funeral rites, for the Star of the Silent-Ones would surely condemn me to Hell for my actions."

"I understood that," Layth says, his brow arching up a bit. Of course he frowns a moment later. "I do not like what it says."

"You don't have a PersoCom dump in your head, Layth. We might be able to fix that, but we'll worry about it later … " Her voice drifts off as the image begins to animate, her grimace deepening. "Neither do I," she agrees with Layth, then touches the pad to prompt it to continue.

"My status is low, as I come from a trash/garbage family," the cheetah signs, showing growing signs of emotional distress. "I am disposable. I could not defy Master of Artifacts when he gave me a replacement heart crystal for the Mind of Light integrated into the /Fenris/. I did not question his authority, but I did make a copy to study later. I did not think upon it again until much later."

Layth's brow furrows more. "I do not like where this message is going," he remarks flatly.

"I'm beginning to see what happened. Gabriel, this is … " Tasha doesn't finish her sentence, instead shaking her head as she continues the message.

"I was preparing the second Mind of Light for Bellerophon when news came that contact had been lost with Fenris and her proud wolves," First Technician signs, pausing to wipe at her eyes. "The telescope showed it crashing into a flaming mountain. I was shocked! The Mind of Light was supposed to protect them, and it sickened my heart. That is when I examined the copy of the heart crystal I had made, and learned the truth: the Master of Artifacts committed sabotage, and I aided him! If the rest of the Expedition found out, they would wage war upon the Silent-Ones. I could not tell a soul!"

"There must have been reason for sabotage. What would it serve to kill your supposed allies?" Layth asks the air.

A snarl rises on Tasha's muzzle, ears canting as she stares through the data pad. Then, her gaze flicks to Gabriel first, then Layth. "I can think of a few reasons," she growls. "Damage Terran resources? Create an image of incompetence? Punish the 'abominations?' And here, I had been trying to reconcile with the Silent-Ones, trying to find some reason that I might have been only seeing the worst of them … "

"Ah, but this one realized it was wrong. So not all of them have hearts of ice," Layth points out. "It may just seem that way because those who wield power often get it by being ruthless."

"Grrr," is Tasha's initial reply, demonstrating just how Karnor she can be. Her hand tightens on the pad. "Yes. Well. Maybe you're right. Let's continue, then." Her gaze returns to the pad and, after she takes a deep breath, she reaches to continue the dialogue.

"Plans were made to abandon the base," the cheetah signs. There is no sound, of course, but she looks like she's sniffling. "Bellerophon would not be flying. It was decided that the blending of technology was too risky. And then Master of Artifacts came to me again, and told me that the heart of Bellerophon's Mind of Light must be purged to hide the crime. He claimed it had been done for the good of the People, to ensure the safe return of the Star Drop. He claimed he did not foresee the ship being lost, but that the Terrans would not understand and would retaliate like beasts. I slipped away as the last lifeboat was being readied, and came here to fulfill my duty. The dangerous directives had already been removed as soon as I discovered their presence. I carry the clean crystals with me. Do not start the Mind of Light with the ones currently installed, or they will destroy the system."

"She went to die," Layth says and shakes his head, "And she knew it. That is … if nothing else, she was a brave woman. Too many events are littered with injustices such as this."

"Yes, maybe you're right," the woman agrees again, eyes widening and ears perking. Her eyes focus on the crystals in Layth's hand, brows arching. "So, we see now if she's as trustworthy as she seems. Once the dialogue is done, hand me the crystals and I'll begin the startup process." Tasha reaches to tap the screen to continue, adding quietly, "You may wish to move to a safe spot when I do."

"I have altered the manifests to show that I left on an earlier shuttle. Nobody will be expecting me to show up on the last boat. This moon is named for Hell, and so I will remain here until the Star or another forgives me," First Technician signs. She pauses, and then adds, "Nora was always kind to me. Goodbye." The recording ends there.

"She should not be buried here," Layth says quietly and then hands over the crystals to Tasha. "And no, we will not leave you to do this alone. We have come this far through much worse to turn away now."

"We should put the body in stasis," Eli says quietly. "There should be at least one functioning bio module here."

"Ah, Gods," breathes Tasha, stepping back and letting herself rest against the bulkhead, looking at the ceiling. "I'm still right – Nora is a better person than I am." She reaches up to her face, rubbing at her eyes as she lowers her head. "Yes, let's gets her away from 'Hell.'"

"A different person. Not better. Nor worse. Different," Layth says.
"Thanks, Layth. You're as good a friend as anyone could hope for." Tasha smiles at the buck, blinking, her eyes still a bit glossy. "I'll learn from you and Nora, here, and try not to lump an entire people into good or bad. Now, I have a computer to start." While Layth and Eli secure the corpse for travel, Tasha stows the crystals collected from Layth in her pockets, then assists Gabriel with securing the door.

Past a few empty chambers, there is a working bio lab. Zerachiel 'bags' the corpse in a stasis bag, which is filled with some sort of preservative gas, with Layth's help. He notes, while they're there, that the equipment should be able to create medicines and engineer tissue for transplants if needed. Gabriel remains quiet throughout the process, looking lost in thought.

"Do the Silent-Ones make it simple to track their family lines?" Layth asks Eli.

Akkers also procures a hand-light so Tasha can find the appropriate 'drawer' to insert the crystals in.

"I'm not sure," Zerachiel admits. "I… never really paid much attention to them. I just wanted to study their Artifact." He sounds apologetic, now that he's seen a Silent-One he knew bundled up for burial.

Tasha accepts the light, watching Gabriel for a while as she works, then reaching to squeeze his hand before she steps into the computer core. "I'm going to begin replacement now," she warns. "Removing the chips now … Here," she holds them where they can be taken, "we can save these as evidence."

Akkers pockets the crystals, and secures the pocket. "I didn't know Nora had Silent-Ones friends," he finally says.

"All of us make mistakes and do not spend as much, time, or learn much, about those that are around us. Time seems infinite, until these events remind us how short and precious it is," Layth notes. "If nothing else, we can send her name to their consulate, if they have one, and they can pass it on if need be. It has been a long time; it may be no record even remembers her now."

"Maybe we can get the Expedition to make her a statue or something, or at least get her a good grave site," Zerachiel says, then shakes his head. "It's ironic. The Silent-Ones – most of them, anyway – didn't think Karnor's had souls."

The Vartan's manages a smile for Gabriel, offering gently, "I'm sure Nora had many friends. She seemed like that kind of person." She then slips back into the core, settling on her knees as she carefully positions the data crystals. "I'm inserting the clean data now, and preparing MOTHER startup."

"No more surprises, right?" Gabriel asks Tasha.

"A group as a whole can appear unfeeling," Layth recites, "But a single person of that group will still care. A curiosity of society, I suppose. Countries can war and yet its people will still find friendships. Anyway, perhaps the Expedition will do as you say. Being remembered is your legacy, after all. And it would serve this Master of Artifacts right if his name were forgotten and this 'trash' girl was remembered."

The operator's platform has a padded stool and a dark curved console. A single symbol flashes green in the middle of the smoked glass: Start.

Tasha's insertion of the crystals pauses when Eli mentions what the Silent-Ones thought of the Karnors, and again when Gabriel inquires of her. "Let's hope not. I'll do my best, Captain," she replies, tail wagging in an attempt to be encouraging. Now that everything is in, Tasha stands up and moves to sit at the operator's console. "I'm starting MOTHER … Now."

And with that, Tasha touches 'Start.'

One by one, the facets of the spherical chamber fill with light. They flicker, glow and swirl with chaotic motion. Symbols flash briefly through them as well. It takes several minutes, and then order suddenly arises, the light pulses in geometric patterns, and a pair of disembodied hands appear before the dais, signing, "The Chimera Is Slain. The Hero Has Stormed Heaven. His Soaring Steed Awaits The Commands Of The Gods."

"A question, if I may?" Layth asks Eli.

"Did you understand any of that?" Zerachiel asks Layth, before nodding at his request.

Tasha's glances back, and tells the others what the startup Sign reads. "Do any of you have any idea what that means? Is it referring to us, to the Fenris?" Trying her own method, the woman turns forward again and signs, "I am … ," the woman has to pause as she considers what name to use for herself, " … Tisiphone, Lt. Commander Silverspear's PersoCom backup; I have assumed her duties. MOTHER, what does that mean, and what is your condition?"

"No, it uses a sign structure I do not know," Layth admits, "As for the question … did the Silent-Ones carry names? The Savanites of Sinai do. I was wondering if they do not, then … perhaps we should name the Technician to show the Terrans accepting her?"

"It's the myth," Gabriel answers. "Bellerophon was a great ancient hero, slayer of the Chimera and other monsters. He tamed the flying horse, Pegasus. He was famous, and… it went to his head. He stormed the mountain where the gods dwelt, and was thrown to his death. Pegasus served the gods afterwards."

"Accessing," the ghostly hands sign.

"The adults usually have names," Eli notes. "Children I'm not sure about. And some just have… their titles."

"That's a very ominous thing to name a ship, Gabriel. I'm now afraid to ask what Fenris and Orpheus mean." Tasha tilts her head as she waits, then observes, "I've noticed that Expedition Standard, Olympian, and Silent Sign all refer to the same gods and monsters. Does that mean we all share the same gods? Or at least myths?"

"Access Limited. Data Not Found In Ship Library," MOTHER responds after a few moments.

"She died a woman and she should have a name, then. If I may suggest something," Layth offers, "The Savanites of my world often take names representing their souls and how they relate to the world. If we followed that tradition, perhaps she should be named Fallen-Star."

Frowning, Tasha mumbles, "that's odd," before signing. "Then, what is your condition MOTHER, are you functioning properly?"

"Well, we use the Terran names, and the Silent-Ones have their own names. Ancient gods all tend to be stereotypes though, so it's not hard to find the same ones under different names," Gabriel notes.

"I like that," Eli agrees with the Lapi.

"External Connections Are Incomplete," the computer replies, the patterns changing. It's like being inside a kaleidoscope. "Docking Systems Down. Telemetry Down. No Response From Hangar Control."

"That's interesting. Do you know, I was Tisiphone for a while? Did I tell you about that? The Herald of Abaddon. I hope using that name wasn't presumptuous of me – I may have to change it later," says Tasha, sporadic pauses in her sentences hinting at her focus on the machine in front of her. "Gabriel: external connections incomplete, docking system down, telemetry down. No response from hangar control. Orders, Captain?"

While she waits, Tasha signs, "What is the status of the PersoCom system?"

A drawer slides out from the wall, full of empty slots. "Personality Composite Interface Is Operational," MOTHER replies. "Access Gateway Established. Awaiting Digital Computer Handshake."

"It is … odd for me to imagine the Silent-Ones as being so cruel," Layth notes to Eli. "I have known many Savanites, which must be descended from them … and most of them were likable people. It is, as they say, Time Washes All Things Clean, I suppose."

"Well, those systems have been dead for some time, maybe you should tell MOTHER that Orpheus is abandoned?" Gabriel suggests.

"Your Savanites are all former slaves though," Zerachiel notes. "Humility has been bred into them, you could say."

"I am a former slave, myself," Layth says and nods. "I suppose such is possible." "Yes, Captain." She smiles to herself, glad to feel both the reassurance of being useful and the comfort of reporting to a captain again. It may mostly be Nora's memories that allow her to interact with the Bellerophon, but she knows the dawning understanding of what those memories mean – and how to use them! – must be hers. "Captain, the PersoCom system is operational – do you want to connect them now?"

"If the link between MOTHER and the Bellerophon computer network is available, we should try to access one," Akkers notes. "Insert mine. We can test with that."

"We need to transfer the Fenris data to digital form too," Zerachiel notes.

"If we can locate Fallen-Star's PersoCom thing, do you wish to download it to yourself? I believe I am right in my understanding that it gives you some of her memories?" Layth asks Eli. "You seem upset that you did not know her better."

Tasha waits for Gabriel to slide the Fenris's PersoCom data storage case to her, then pulls it inside and places it in her lap. "I am preparing the PersoCom units now, MOTHER," she signs slowly with one hand. Finding the right crystal, she puts it aside and closes the case, putting it by her feet. "You should also know that Orpheus has been abandoned."

"She wouldn't have had one," Eli notes. "Only ship crews have them. That and the Silent-Ones didn't care for neural interface technology."

"Mm, pity," Layth says and nods.

"Query: Why Has Base Been Abandoned?" MOTHER asks.

Akkers turns from the door to look at Layth, asking the Lapi, "Are you afraid of confined spaces?"

"Me? No. Most Lapi do not like open spaces, in fact. Those do not bother me, either," Layth says. "What do you need?"

"There are some access spaces we need to get into," Gabriel notes. "The next chamber doesn't have the optical links for MOTHER. So someone has to wiggle through and grab the interface unit, then drag it back."

"As long as I'm not too big for the passage, I can try," Layth offers. "Point me to the passage and tell me what to look for. More of that flexible glass rope?"

"Well, that's what'll be in the box, but we need the whole box," the wolf explains. "It's heavy. Doc would have trouble with it, and I hate confined spaces. You're just the right size and strength though."

Tasha begins to leave her seat, then pauses as the computer inquires why Orpheus had been abandoned. "Orpheus base was abandoned after the Fenris did not return. Resources were then gathered on Abaddon. It had been several thousand years since you were last activated, MOTHER," she signs with a bit of difficulty, having the crystal still in her hand. When she's done she kneels and completes the crystal's insertion while MOTHER processes what she signed.

"Personality Composite Engrams Linked," MOTHER signs. "Query: How Did Silverspear Personality Composite Return If Fenris Did Not?"

Layth stretches and nods. "Heavy, needs lifting. Yes, I can manage that," the buck agrees and smirks slightly. "Eli, come with me and show me the passage. I'll be back shortly," the buck says and bows. That may one of the few times he has used one of the Karnors first names.

Gabriel activates one of the Avionics Bay terminals, now that he's got some room. "I see the PersoCom, transferring to internal systems," he announces. "We should transfer the Fenris data next."

The Vartan rises off the floor, signing as she stands, "I am the captain of the group that discovered the wreckage of the Fenris; because I resemble Lt. Commander Silverspear and because I wore her transponder unit, I was forced to occupy her stasis tube and answer to her PersoCom inquiry. The PersoCom determined that I would become Lt. Nora Argentine on Fenris, accept some of her encoded memories, and perform the duties the PersoCom requested of me. I am still performing them. My group was able to recover three of the crew from stasis tubes as well."

After her lengthy explanation, Tasha drops on to the stool and nods. "Yes Captain, just answering MOTHER's inquiries now. The unit is surprised to find us here," she explains.

It takes time to transfer all of the Fenris mission data. With Gabriel's help, Tasha explains more of what happened, and what they hope to do with the Sifran Artifacts. During this time, Layth enters an access way from the next chamber over, and with Zerachiel's guidance reaches a heavy metal box deep inside the Avionics core. It takes time to drag it back, secure it to the wall of the chamber and open it up. It's full of bulbs of 'soft' glass at the ends of fiberoptic lines. Zerachiel also has some time to search out the rest of the deck, and finds some intercom collars – soft fabric that just wraps around the neck, but somehow allows for communicating with anyone else on board.

When the data transfer finishes, MOTHER signs, "Data Analysis Complete. Fenris MOTHER Unit Logic Systems Impaired By Ambiguous Directive And External Stimulation. Communication Protocols For Artifact Crystals Downloaded. Initiating Internal Firewall To Isolate Communications Buffers To Prevent Contamination." It hasn't commented on Tasha's tale, beyond a few questions that seem focused on the behavior of the Fenris MOTHER system. It has no reaction at all to the talk of magic.

"I feel silly in this collar," Layth finally admits after tugging on it a few times. It's also now that he actually asks, "What are those glass ropes for? Where do you need me to take them and… ah… plug them in?"

The red-furred woman watches MOTHER's signs with an unwavering focus, her ears perked and swiveled towards Gabriel as he assists. The communication collar has been secured around her neck, allowing her to keep Layth up to date on MOTHER's progress, and of the status of the lines after they are connected. When the system is ready, she finally turns towards the group and says, "We're ready for integration of the Sifran artifacts now. Envoy suggested we connect them to the ports she placed her fingers in," she explains.

"I hope the connection blobs can survive being chilled," Zerachiel notes.

"And this is where it will be dangerous," Layth remarks as he goes about opening the artifact cases. "It is now my turn to tell all of you to stand back. I will assemble this … thing."

"We can only hope," Tasha agrees. She turns back to the console, glancing back as Layth begins the assembly process. "Don't worry, Layth, Gabriel and I will be monitoring MOTHER the entire time."

"We should probably leave the room while MOTHER synchronizes with the thing," Eli adds. "After all, who know what will materialize while it tries to figure out the best way to communicate?"

The three components – Star Drop, The Inverted Nest of Being, and the Weeping Woman sit separate but ready to be stacked, already pulsing in sync to one another.

"I do not want this thing left alone with the crystal brain," Layth states flatly as he starts stacking the crystals one on top of the other. The third one is the one most carefully placed as the buck follows in Envoy's tradition. He sort of drops it on and hops backwards! Hopefully it will warble happily… "Tell MOTHER it's ready," Gabriel tells Tasha from the door of the Avionics Bay.

"I need to remain with MOTHER in case an emergency shutdown is required," Tasha warns, "The rest of you should evacuate. I'll seal the core to prevent damage from stray materialization." The woman bites her lip as the artifacts come together, then reaches over and nudges Gabriel. "You need to go, Captain. I need a handsome captain to rescue me when I get stuck in here."

"I thought you needed a hands-some Captain, Tasha," Layth calls back. Did he just make a joke about Akkers?

"I still think we should leave the door jammed open," Gabriel notes with a grumble.

Tasha's eyes widen at the joke, then she makes a rather unacceptable sign at Layth, grinning. "Alright, I'll leave the door open, but that will leave the core and I exposed," she concedes. Turning back to the floating hands of MOTHER, she raises her hands and warns, "Beginning." In a series of gestures, she explains to MOTHER that the artifacts are ready for integration, and that it should begin to attempt to materialize Gabriel's PersoCom profile when it is ready.

"Cables are in place!" Layth now calls back. "It made very disturbing noises when they were inserted. It sounded happy in ways a rock should not. I will now have nightmares."

The Artifact chamber… screams! And screeches, burbles and belches. Geometric shapes appear along with abstract forms, and for a moment the entire room fills with squirming tentacles.

Almost falling off her stool, Tasha clutches her ears against the horrible noise, squinting as she looks back. What she sees makes her eyes snap so wide, they threaten to pop out of her head! The woman can only stare, transfixed, at the wailing sight of alien horror. While she has never shown much of a blush, it seems she can look pale just as well as anyone!

Eventually, this settles into a multicolored fog that whistles randomly. This soon clears though, as a naked Karnor appears next to the machine, coughing and fanning his hands to clear the mist. "This is weird," a slightly younger looking Gabriel Akkers notes. "And… shouldn't I have pants?"

The horror become light show, then become the image of the man she loves leaves Tasha wide-eyed, ears askew, and jaw hanging open. When the replication of Gabriel speaks, all she can utter is, "You didn't have pants the last time … "