Standing next to the crystal contraption is a middle-aged, naked male Karnor with silver and black fur. His initial disorientation has gone, even though it's only been a few seconds since he declared his surprise at being corporeal. "Six thousand years," the PersoCom for Captain Gabriel Akkers states in an oddly calm voice. "They're all gone. Abby, Lance… Nora," he says, and looks to the real Akkers and Tasha. His face seems a bit sad, but his tone of voice carries no accusation or bitterness. "This is Belle, and the command systems still aren't fully active or integrated. Do you want me to bring it all online, Gabe? I'll need Nora and Mariel's PersoComs active for the task."

"I do not see why not," Layth remarks from where he leans on a door frame. "Is there risk to activating them?"

"That's Layth," Gabriel (the real one) notes, "And this is Tasha. They are part of the crew now. Eli is also with us. You can get things started with the command systems, the others will need to be initialized before they can be uploaded back into the main computer network."

Seated before the console controlling MOTHER, the Silent-One optical computer, Tasha looks over her shoulder and watches her love's PersoCom with widened eyes and perked ears. She seems to want to speak, her mouth opening, but something in the man's sad gaze seems to give her pause until Layth's calm answer stirs her. "That would be nice, Gabriel … Gabe? Gabriel … two," she answers belatedly, and a bit quietly.

The illusory Karnor puts a hand to his chest and makes a small bow from the waist. "It is a pleasure to meet you. You may refer to me as P.C. Gabe for convenience." It straightens up and looks at Layth. "You talk and wear clothes, so are a living sapient being?" it asks the Lapi.

"That rates as the second-most ridiculous question I have ever been asked," Layth notes. The Lapi then shrugs a bit and nods, "Yes I am living and intelligent."

"Are all rabbits now like this?" P.C. Gabe asks the others.

Tasha blinks at P.C. Gabe's inquiry of Layth, shaking her head a little at the strangeness of it all as she turns back to the floating hands of MOTHER. "Layth is an uplifted rabbit, likely created by the Joint Expedition mothership that crash landed on the Sinai sky island of Rephidim," she explains, finding it easier to talk when she isn't staring at a naked copy of the man she loves.

"Some are still just animals," Gabriel adds. "Karnors do not have wing and hoof modifications either; Tasha is a hybrid, and my mate."

"There are different versions," Layth notes, "I'm of the stronger line."

"Can I pet them?" the fake Akkers asks next.

"Pet what?" Layth asks.

"Petting Tasha is my job," Gabriel clarifies. "You can pet the giant bunny though," he adds with a grin.

"Remind me to tie you in a knot later," Layth remarks to Gabriel.

P.C. Gabe doesn't seem about to carry through with the petting just yet. Akkers produces a marker pen from a pocket and holds it out to the avatar. "Take this. Walk the decks until you can't hold it anymore, and then go back and mark the walls and floor a meter before that point."

"Y-yes," Tasha confirms Gabriel's declaration with an unusual hint of shyness. If she weren't already so red, she might show a blush. "Layth was with me when we discovered the Fenris under the Gash of Fenris. I am the leader of that expeditio-" The woman sputters, ducking her head at the mention of petting and trying to look very focused on the hands before her. "That's my job, Layth," she informs the buck a few seconds later.

"Not that kind of knot, Tasha," Layth remarks and sighs.

The naked version of Akkers takes the marker, salutes sharply, and then wanders off down the corridor towards the back of the ship.

"That went better than I was expecting," Akkers mutters once his double is far enough away.

"What were you expecting?" Layth asks.

"I don't know… a fight?" Akkers suggests with a shrug.

"I can satisfy that right now?" Layth offers and pops his knuckles loudly. He even grins.

"Well, that was awkward," Tasha declares as she stares at the floating hands before her, blankly. "What was I supposed to do- … Right, activating Muriel's PersoCom on your orders, Captain." She glances back at Layth's remark then, raising a brow and signing something at MOTHER.

"It's enough to know just how dull my personality was, when I can see it walking around," Akkers says with a chuckle, holding his hands up. "The naked part surprised me. That alien girl managed to have clothes on her avatar."

"She was also insane," Layth points out as he continues to grin.

Something flickers into existence briefly over Layth's head. It looks like a cafeteria cup, which then vanishes and leaves behind a blob of water, which falls right through the Lapi without any physical effect.

Layth blinks and looks upward. "Pray tell what that was?" he remarks.

Gabriel blinks, and glances back at Tasha. "Apparently there are limits as to what MOTHER can simulate on its own. Tasha, slot in Mariel's crystal."

"Just remember, Tasha … I'm faster and stronger. And I know how to over-starch your underwear," Layth threatens.

At Layth's threat Tasha wags her tail, turns, and makes a face at the buck. "It must be a glitch in the system," Tasha insists in an all-to-innocent tone. "Activating Mariel's PersoCom now." Tasha reaches over and slots the crystal chip, then leans back and signs MOTHER to engage it.

A new Karnor appears in the corridor, this one female with brown and gray fur and looking fairly young. "P.C. Mar-" she starts to say, then screams and tries to cover herself with her arms and curling her tail up between her legs. She turns away from Akkers, muttering, "Captain, this isn't what… " until she sees that she's now facing Layth. "Augh! A giant rabbit!"

Layth covers his face and sighs. Muttering something to himself in Olympian, he pulls his shirt off and throws it to the naked Karnor. "Here. I don't bite," he says.

Looking back again, Tasha's ears wilt and she shakes her head. "I'll see what I can do about clothing; Layth, maybe you should bring our own clothes in case I can't fix this." She turns back and begins signing at MOTHER again.

Akkers sighs and smacks himself in the forehead as the hysterical projection struggles into the shirt. "Tasha, Mariel wasn't a bridge officer, so doesn't have access to MOTHER. You need to transfer the Fenris data to her directly."

"Agreed," Layth says and leaves the room to search out some spare clothes.

"How did Nora get wings? Where is Mariel?" the PersoCom asks, then yelps again as P.C. Gabe returns up the corridor, still naked.

"Yes Captain, on that too. Clothing and memories," the Vartan confirms. She pauses in her sign, watching MOTHER sign back, then continues as quickly as she can. When Mariel inquires about her, she explains distractedly, "I'm not Nora; I'm Tasha, a Vartan. I'm just wearing Nora's transponder so I can interact with MOTHER."

It takes longer for P.C. Mariel to assimilate the new data, and she is nowhere near as stoic about it as P.C. Gabe. "I'm dead? Dead and turned into goo!" she sobs. "It's not fair! I never even got to drink beer or lose my virginity!"

"I am sure the P.C. Gabe can help you with the latter," Layth remarks as he enters, carrying a pile of old medical gowns in addition to the spare clothes brought by the group.

"Not that I haven't tried to be Nora," Tasha murmurs. When the PersoCom of Mariel begins to weep, she flattens her ears and ducks her head. "I'm seeing about clothes now, Captain. Layth, be nice."

The distraught Mariel throws herself at the shirtless Layth, clinging to him! "Bunny man, buy me a drink! Where's Nora?" A few moments later, she wails again. "Nora, she… MOTHER… " And then it's back to sobbing into Layth's fluffy chest while P.C. Gabe tries putting pants on.

The problem with getting virtual clothes for the PersoComs is that it was never part of their data, and MOTHER doesn't have access to the virtual reality systems in the Medical Bay yet.

Layth looks … confused. "Do we have any drinks?" he asks at a loss, "What am I supposed to do with her?" So, he does the first thing he thinks of, he pets her.

The petting seems to work, and the girl begins to settle down a bit. At least she doesn't have real tears or mucous to get stuck in Layth's fur.

Akkers clears his throat, and says, "Technician Mathers, pull yourself together. You are Mariel's legacy now, so show some composure. That man you are assaulting is Layth, and this woman who looks like Nora is Tasha. They are the new crew, along with myself and Dr. Zerachiel."

"I wouldn't quite call this assaulting, she is just … " Layth starts to say then gets the most strange look on his face, "She just bit my nipple." He taps the Karnor on the head and notes, "Yes, I am real."

This also seems to snap Mariel out of her mood, and she actually manages to stand up straight and salute. "Aye… Aye, Captain," she says with a quivering lip.

Tasha's ears shoot up when Mariel mentions Nora and MOTHER and she quickly turns around. "Um, P.C. Gabriel, Layth … Someone, would you … Oi, never mind." The Vartan takes a deep breath and manages a smile at Gabriel's introduction. "I can't get MOTHER to create clothes," she continues, "So, good on you Layth. Nora is … is ready when you all are. Mariel, we'll need your help to restore the ship's command functions."

"Clothes? Of course MOTHER can't… oh!" Mariel says. "I could… fix that, Captain. Permission to try and integrate the medical simulation subsystem into MOTHER?"

"Uh, yes, otherwise we'll run out of spare clothing," Akkers says, nodding. "Eli's heart may not be up to having a bunch of naked girls running around."

"That is what a cold shower is for. Or the proper snipping of problematic organs," Layth notes.

"It's bad enough I had you walk in on me, Captain," Zerachiel calls from down the corridor, in the Bio Lab. "Or your PersoCom, rather."

Now that the situation have calmed down a little, Tasha takes a moment to study Mariel, searching her face. This is one of the people that couldn't be saved, one of the fluid-filled vats that used to be a person. She wants to memorize her face.With eyes almost as keen as a eagle's, she tries to do just that. "Poor Eli," she agrees. "On your orders, Captain. Are you ready for this? I'm not sure I am."

"I'll start with the main bus interlinks, so we can access the main network more directly," Mariel says, and heads into the Avionics Bay. A panel is pulled free, and the girl wiggles her way into an access space.

Akkers takes a deep breath, and then nods to Tasha. "Wake up Nora," he says.

Layth leans over ant watches Mariel's backside disappear into the access shaft. "I should have held off on bringing back the clothes," he remarks to Gabriel, perhaps to get him to laugh instead of think on grimmer things.

"I wonder what I would have looked like as a Karnor," Tasha wonders aloud. Her ears perk, then flatten, and she nods a little. "Well … I do know. Yes Captain, engaging Nora now." After turning fully back to MOTHER's floating hands, Tasha signs the command to begin Nora's PersoCom simulation.

Nora Argentine's PersoCom does not appear as quickly as the previous ones. When it does, she appears as a fit Karnor woman, with red fur and features very similar to Tasha's – almost too similar, in fact. A pair of ghostly wings grow from her shoulders, like an afterimage that can't quite decide if it should be real or not. She doesn't say anything at first, and just takes in her surroundings. "Oi, you must be Tasha's lover, Layth?" she finally asks the Lapi. "I guess she really pulled it off." She also bows to the Captain, and only then tries to cover herself up a bit with her hands. "Is that you in there, Tasha?"

"Not her lover," Layth remarks as he collects one of the medical gowns and brings it over to Nora. As he drapes it on her, he notes, "That duty has fallen to the Captain."

Akkers manages to look embarrassed.

"Wha- ?!" Tasha nearly falls off her stool when Nora speaks to her, and in her own accent! The Vartan scrambles to catch herself before she hits the deck, then turns and gazes back with wide eyes, "W-w-w-what? Oi, what? Nora?! D-did I make a mista- … " Her jaw drops, eyes widening until her eyeballs might well roll out of her head. "The PersoCom!"

"Well, I'm glad t' see you took care of my Captain," Nora says with a smile. "And that you didn't go insane from the data transfer. I also see you managed a clever work-around with the artifacts. I was very surprised when I woke up like this, and not in the body of a child!"

"It is not a permanent solution. You have limited range," Layth explains as he ties the gown cinches tight. "A permanent solution has not been attempted yet."

"You have strong hands," Nora comments to Layth. "Tasha hadn't focused on those. Can we eat and drink? I have a really powerful craving for beer. There must have been some cross-contamination during the update when MOTHER was accessing my backup data. After what she did to me, I hope you slagged 'er before leaving with the crystals, Tasha."

Akkers has been quiet so far, with a stunned expression on his face.

"I, um … " Tasha stands up, clutching her side where she fell against the stool. "I've been following your request as best I can, Nora. We saved Gabriel, Eli, and Dr. Caravelli. We, we made it to Abaddon, then Sheol … " Tasha steps out of the MOTHER control bay, her tail low, but wagging a little. "I've done all I could to honor your memory," she insists, head lowering.

Nora reaches out and actually pats Tasha on the head. "I have some of your memories as well. So you and Gabriel are lovers now?" she asks, keeping her voice even.

"We only have travel rations, which are not unlike trying to eat your shoe. The water is stale, too," Layth remarks as he steps away from the Karnor simulation.

"Y-yes," Tasha admits, gazing at the floor like a guilty child. "I, we … I wasn't sure if I should … I knew when I saw him, I hadn't ever felt like that and … in taking care of him, I … " She risks a glance up, and adds, "MOTHER d-destroyed herself trying to d-destroy us."

The virtual wolf puts a hand under Tasha's chin to make her look up again, so that they're eye to eye. "I may have influenced your feelings a little, Tasha. After all, I find myself strangely attracted to Layth now. But are you happy? I know I felt something, once, but nothing ever came of it between Gabriel and I."

Akker's ears go down. "That's right. Nora didn't have a chance to update after… " he mutters.

"I think I shall check on Eli," Layth notes as he heads towards door. "Just do not kill each other." With that, the buck is gone.

"Layth is … is a good man," Tasha admits as she's forced to look at Nora. She seems to have a hard time meeting the other woman's gaze, rather like a Karnor showing signs of difference to a superior. That, or plain nervousness. "But, Gabriel is too. You, you two … ," her eyes flick to the downcast Gabriel, her ears wilting, "You promised to marry him," she admits, looking back, "And … and I knew that … I was prepared to, to give him up for you, because you … deserved it, more."

The PersoCom looks shocked, and peers over Tasha's shoulder at Akkers. "Gabriel?" she asks.

"Yes, I proposed the night before… before we went into hibernation, after we made love for the first and last time," Akkers admits, looking… old. "I didn't know if we'd ever see each other again, honestly. I… needed you to give me a reason to hope. And you did. But I'm almost relieved that this you doesn't remember any of that, Nora."

Tasha bites her lip, wishing she could just disappear right about now. "Stupid," she chastises herself in a low whisper.

Gabriel puts his hand on Tasha's shoulder, and gives it a squeeze. "You gave me a reason to hope, Nora, but Tasha… she's given me a reason to live. I hope you understand."

Nora leans forward and actually gives Tasha a kiss on the cheek. "You've been good for him. Better than I was, I see. It's best not to mourn for what might have been, after all. And I'm just a ghost."

The Vartan swallows hard, looking up at Gabriel's face. She bites her lip, "Oh Gabriel," she whispers, "I'm so sorry for being so … So awkward." She blinks at the kiss, her gaze flicking to Nora now. "You, you forgive me? And I know I'm not the … The best; I'm just a fool airship drover beyond her means, but I've tried as hard as I can. I've tried to be like you, Nora. I, um, look up to you." Feeling a little better, Tasha lifts her head and stands straight, reaching over to take Gabriel's hand. She smiles at him, then adds, "I … I even tried to pilot the Themis-Skoll."

"It's called growing up, Tasha," Gabriel tells Taha with a wink.

"Is it here?" Nora asks, showing some actual excitement now. "My baby? My Titan? You dug her out!" Her face is lit up, and she's grabbing onto Tasha's upper arms as well.

The Vartan jumps a little when her arm is grabbed, then winces guiltily. "I wish we could have, but no," she admits, shaking her head. "MOTHER tried to use the engines to incinerate us – but the Themis-Skoll did escape! We saw the damaged body rise into the air, and never saw it crash! It, it might be in … in Sinai's orbit … "

Nora's grip tightens, along with her grin. "Damaged body?" she asks between clenched teeth. After a moment, she releases Tasha, and takes a deep breath to regain her composure. "You owe me a new one then," she says a bit coldly. "Or else get this old horse flying again. Now… I think I need to help someone in the computer core… "

Tasha's eyes widen, then she puts a hand on her hip, finally showing some of her old defiant fire. "Oi, hey now! It wasn't my fault, MOTHER tried to kill me and I still thought it was all magic! I lead all this," she gestures around herself, "fought monsters and guilt and … stu … stupidity, to get here! Don't you, you give me that! I miss it almost as much as you do! My scores were going up!"

Nora pauses at the door to the Avionics Bay, and looks over her shoulder with a grin. "Oh? When we recover it I'll have to challenge you to a virtual match then," she says and gives a wink. Then she's on her hands and knees calling through the access panel to Mariel.

Tasha, seemingly to expect a retort, opens her mouth but ends up just looking perplexed when Nora challenges er. She blinks a moment, watching the other woman depart, then calls after her, "And I'll win! Jus' you wait!" When Nora is finally gone, she tosses her hands in the air and turns to Gabriel. "Well, there you go," she growls, almost accusatory, except the tone isn't quite right; she's happy-angry. "Now you're all mine!"

"Yup," Gabriel agrees with a big grin. "You're stuck with me now."

"Eureka!" Zerachiel calls from down the hall, and pops his head out of the Bio Lab. "Lapi cells are compatible with the sequencer and incubator, and I think the amniotic system can be brought online after we produce enough… is everything all right out there?"

"Can I put my pants back on now?" Layth calls from somewhere. Probably back in the bio-lab.

"I hope you feel better," Tasha tells Gabriel. She grins back at the man, then stands a little taller, "I do. Much, much better."

"What? Oh, yes, thank you Layth," Zerachiel can be heard to say. Much louder, he calls out, "Once you get the whole pants issue fixed, I could really use Remiel's help, if you don't mind waking him up next?"

Gabriel smiles, and gives Tasha a wink of his own. "I'll feel much better if the mattress in the captain's quarters is still in good shape," he whispers.

"I'm on it! Nora and Mariel are back, too," Tasha calls back. She leans over and gives Gabriel a big hug, then steps back and heads for the crystalline chamber. "We'll have to test that later," she says after hopping on the stool. "Engaging Remy's PersoCom, and preparing the rest, Captain!"

A few moments later, another brown and gray Karnor appears and immediately complains about the lack of pants…

All of the PersoCom crystals have been gone through, and thanks to Nora and Mariel they all have clothes – the ones that remained physical, at least. A few were little more than collections of skills and data with almost no personality at all, and they opted to remain in the realm of the computer network. Some of the PersoComs, like Nora and Gabriel's, were able to work in both the electronic and physical realms at the same time.

"My best bud here can help me give the engines a complete maintenance check," a somewhat loud virtual Karnor says as he reaches around Layth's back to give him a one-armed shoulder hug. "He can be my hands!" Fred Kohler's personality was very much intact, and he even laughed at hearing the circumstances of his own death. "Only goes to show: never send a non-virgin out into a volcano!"

"No offense there, Mariel," Fred quickly adds, noting how the youngest Karnor blushes.

"Then I suspect we are all doomed if we ever find another volcano," Layth remarks dryly, "None of us fit that qualification." His head tilts as he glances to the loud Karnor as he says, "Just remember to explain completely what you want me to do. To the machines, that is. I don't understand most of what I see here."

"I think I remember finding a couple of pictures that belonged to that man … ," Tasha remarks in whisper, eying Fred Kohler curiously. Shaking her head, she says, "Now that we're all here, maybe we should decide who's doing what. I'd also be nice to know what your ranks and duties were; Layth and I don't know the Fenris crew as well as you do, and we're eager to be useful."

"Well, ranks don't really apply to PersoComs, but going by our originals, I'd be a Captain," P.C. Gabe explains. "Nora is Lt. Commander, the doctors aren't military, Fred is Chief Technician, and Mariel is Junior Technician. We all have access to the computer and may be able to swap skill sets as needed. We have the knowledge to get Bellerophon on her wings if needed."

"I'm best at physical computer systems," Mariel notes. "Because I'm small, it's easier for me to get into the access ways."

"I'm a Lapi," Layth offers, amused. "And have no skills that apply here whatsoever."

"Big stuff is my specialty!" Fred boasts. "Life systems, propulsion and vehicles. And Layth here has the strength and reach to do stuff for me that's beyond the manipulation range of that doo-dad that's animating us."

Tasha nods. "Thank you." She smiles at P.C. Gabriel and the others, and says, "Layth and are are from Sinai, so our best ability is that we're physical. Well, except I contain some of Nora's PersoCom downloaded to my brain," she taps her head, "which besides making me a little crazy, has allowed me Silent Sign, access to the computer systems, and control of MOTHER."

"Navigation and command systems are my main area of expertise," Nora says. "Along with MOTHER. I think I can reconfigure some of the bridge consoles for Karnor use."

"Oh, I am the tissue donor for whatever odd body replicator thing Eli has been fiddling with," Layth notes to no one in particular.

"Please, leave mine as Silent Sign – that is, if I'm still allowed on the bridge and so on. You know everything I do, Nora, and know it better," the Vartan says, turning to her counterpart.

"Only living people can give commands and pilot," Nora notes. "We have no idea how this Sifran kludge works, or if it will shut down at any time. For safety, a real person needs to supervise anything being done."

"I suppose our main focus is to see if Bellerophon can fly to Abaddon or not," Akkers suggests, looking to Tasha. "If the Titanians can use stators to land and take off, then so should we."

"Layth knows how much my supervising works," Tasha says, grinning widely. "Then, that makes me navigator, at least. Nora, you'll have to help me understand the ship's systems. I have all this stuff in my head, and you'd know better than anyone how to help it make sense. And, I get the feeling there's much I don't know at all." Glancing at Gabriel, Tasha nods. "Besides using Orpheus as a base, and searching for any further technology – we do need to locate the cloning systems . We've accomplish a lot here. Getting Bellerophon ready to fly should be priority, second only to safety and security. Orpheus is still infested and we may yet be in danger."

"Navigation needs to be reworked completely anyway," Nora notes. "We have none of the nav beacons from the Expedition, and no external support of communications. A lot of protocols will have to be scrapped and the whole thing pared down to the basics."

"She yells a lot, then gets distracted by something shiny or a firm butt," Layth offers the room. "I will do all I can, I only ask you explain as we all go. Neither of us have the education that any of you do. We will likely be a bit frustrating and I apologize for that. But, working together I expect we should be able to make this ship fly. If nothing else, we can't allow Blammo's engineering work better than this ship does, correct? He has the mind of a gourd."

"Can't help much with securing the base," Fred notes, "beyond making sure the weapons work. What about that Titanian you brought?"

"He has been fixing one of the Titans," Layth notes, "But Tasha fears his kind raiding the base and has been loathe to involve him much."

"Blammo seems nice, but he's a Titanian, and I'm worried his ship crew will see this place as a looting opportunity. For better or for worse, I'd like us to continue the Joint Expedition's original purpose, and I'd prefer that legacy not be pillaged for spare parts and Titanian toys. Still, we may need them," Tasha explains, nodding to Layth. "I'm thinking of giving him that titan for his help. Maybe another one, to keep the Titanian crew relations positive."

"Can you maybe bring one of those scavenger things for us to look at?" Mariel asks a bit timidly. She's clearly not used to being consulted in such matters.

"The glass spiders? I could try to collect one, certainly," Layth offers.

Tasha grimaces, shaking her head, "It ate the box I put it in and stole my camera," she admits. "But maybe if they're contained in something, what's the word … Organic! … Organic, or in water, they'll be transferable." The Vartan then glances at Nora, telling her, "It's your doing that I know words like 'organic,' you know! Without you I'd still barely be able to read."

"Thanks, Mr. Layth," Mariel says, smiling to the Lapi.

"So these things eat through metal but a wooden box might stop them?" Nora asks. "Is there any live wood in the biodome still?"

"Layth, Chrys, or Chrysxanthos. There is no need for an honorific," Layth tells Mariel.

"Plenty," Tasha confirms. "They seem to be working just fine, for all I can tell. The spiders seem afraid of the place." She then grins, and adds, "You can also call Layth 'magic bunny.'"

"That's a pretty name," Mariel agrees, and then perks her ears at Tasha. "Magic? Like… pulling from out of a hat?"

"I know some magic tricks," Fred says. "Anyone bring a deck of cards?"

"What?" Tasha stares at Mariel a moment, then shrugs. "I don't know about hats and Layth, but I used to play dice games on The Rake. Actually, … You don't know about magic, do you? Real magic?"

"Isn't that an oxymoron?" Nora asks. "Magic isn't real."

"Yes, it is," Layth notes.

"I wouldn't be alive if not for 'real' magic," Akkers points out. "And it's not limited to just Sinai anymore. There are mages on Abaddon now."

"My mother says it steals your soul," Tasha says with mock-spookiness. "But it is real. We used it to cure the survivors of tumors."

"Most mages are a bit strange. One is rather bossy and rude. I suggest avoiding them," Layth offers.

"I wonder what your mother would make of us then!" Fred says with a laugh.

"She would likely sleep with each of you from the stories I have heard," Layth says.

"My mother thinks I have run off with a First One to sail the stars," the Vartan admits, running a hand through her hair. "She also wanted Gabriel, and eyed Eli and Remy. And, she's big."

"How big?" Fred asks.

"Big enough," Akkers replies.

"Hmmm, I like 'em big though," Fred says… and winks at Layth.

Layth gives Fred an odd look. "I would be too much for you," the Lapi then claims.

"I think magic is the least of our worries," Nora says. "We're here because of Sifran technology, which may as well be magic."

Tasha has to laugh, shaking her head. "Enough about mum- mom, she might hear us and come looking for me with Captain Eyeshine." She grins lopsidedly, and adds, "Now that we know each other, it seems like Layth will help in 'big' engineering, the vehicle pool – do we even have vehicles? – and in the medical and biology areas. I'll work with Nora on navigation, command engineering, titan piloting – something else we may not have – and MOTHER. Remy and Eli will do what they have always done, I'm sure, and maybe more. Is there anything else?"

"Gabe Jr. and I will shakedown the command and piloting system," Akkers notes. "And someone needs to get us decent chairs on the bridge!"

"I'll try to scavenge some from the outside base," Layth offers, "Just get me a list of what we require and I'll see what I can find."

"How dangerous is Orpheus right now?" Nora asks, sounding a bit worried about Layth going out on his own.

"Dangerous enough. I can manage," Layth says with a small shrug.

"What about sleeping arrangements?" Fred asks. "I'm pretty sure we PersoComs don't need any sleep, but it would be nice to have a personal space."

Tasha nods slowly, first to Gabriel then Layth. "I'll figure out how to get one of the pads to work, then get you one." She then raises an eyebrow as she turns to Nora, asking, "The arm containing the Celestial Empire quarters seems to have its lower areas infested with metal spiders," she explains. "We havn't seen anything else, but the ship is very old and we've only explored that wing, the bay, and some of the in interior. Why," she leans forward, grinning, "are you worried about poor Layth?"

"There are crew quarters. Pick one you like and put your name on the door," Layth suggests to Fred. "We have some weapons and I can use the cart to travel as much as I can find clear pathways. I do not think I will be in too much danger. Plus, I am durable."

"Yes, I am," Nora says. "I wouldn't want his fur getting mussed up. So nobody has checked the Terran areas yet?"

"Why should I not be mussed up?" Layth asks.

Tasha actually giggles a little, brows lifting at Nora's concern and commentary. "I see," she says, a hint of mischief in her voice. "And no, we haven't."

"Oh, you can get mussed up if you want," Nora says, patting Layth's leg. "I'm sure I can brush you back out again."

Layth pauses. "Are you … flirting with me?" he asks. The buck then grins and notes, "You may have competition with Fred. I can feel him eying my backside."

"I don't mind sharing," Fred notes, and winks at Tasha this time as he says it.

"I don't flirt… " Nora claims, but looks uncertain. "I may have just picked up something from Tasha is all… "

"This is both incredibly amusing and a little disturbed," Tasha remarks to the real Gabriel, turning to him. "I never thought I'd infect someone with my personality! But it's only fair isn't it, since I have some of Nora's? I think I should get to work before I start feeling jealous of myself – Nora! Oh gods, why didn't I just let her take my brain so I could at least have this battle in my own head?"

Layth tilts his head and looks to Fred. "We'll see about that," the buck says vaguely and even lifts his brow. "Now, all of us have much to do. We should get working; this ship will not fix itself and us living folk have limited supplies."

At the end of the table, Mariel has a very Spring Meadow-like expression over the goings on.

The rest of the day was spent learning to work together, with Layth, Fred and Mariel working in the engine compartment (or rather, Layth working while they gave him ghostly directions) and Tasha, Gabriel and Nora working in the bridge and Avionics sections. Zerachiel and Caravelli's PersoCom shuttled between the Bio Lab and Medical Bay, and finally gave Akkers a list of materials they needed.

Many of the items were raw materials that could be found in a biodome, along with some other medical elements that they though should have survived, since they were stored as solids or powders in vacuum. Gabriel promised to search first thing in the morning, going by ship-time which was synced to Abaddon's day cycle.

And so, after a meager breakfast of rations and gathering of supplies (including live-animal cages from the kitchen), Tasha, Layth and Akkers were ready to leave the ship and venture into the Terran section of Orpheus.

"Today we go upon a most important quest, the sacred chair. And lo, if we are successful, the chosen will no longer suffer the curse of sore butt," Layth intones in a far too serious way. "Also, I hope we find clean underwear. We're running out."

"The 'freshers obviously need to be knocked up in priority," Gabriel notes. "Fred can work on those himself, I think."

Tasha fidgets with her holster, trying to get it to fit right. "Sore butt is a serious matter; you have no idea how many times I had to just walk around droving The Rake." She yanks a strap and, seeming satisfied, pats her gun and looks up. "And you stay away from my underwear Layth," she insists. "Now, let's head for the Terran section and see what we can find." She waves over her shoulder, then heads out.

"Fine, you can wash your own underwear from now on," Layth agrees as he follows after Tasha.

Akkers opens the rear cargo door, and looks like he's about to ask Tasha if the sore butt was from a bad seat or something else, but then clearly thinks better of it.

"I used to before I had my magic bunny, you know," insists Tasha as she leads into the ship. "And Layth, how are you feeling? I know we're all mostly Karnors here, you aren't lonely are you? Feel useful?" Thankfully, Tasha is looking forward, so those sharp eyes don't notice her lover's expression.

"I've spent months on a dust-filled caravan of Khattas, some of whom had gas bad enough to peel paint, Tasha. The company is survivable," Layth says. "And since they've been explaining things to me, I can at least accomplish some useful things."

Outside, the docking cradle and scaffolding are just as they left it, but several things are different about the hangar floor. For one, a lot of the loose debris has been moved into a single big pile. For another, the kneeling Titan has moved. It's standing up now.

"Good, Layth. I'm glad. And, don't mind me; I tease you because I like you, although I apologize if Nora has inherited any of my other, um, interesting qualities." Stepping off the ship, Tasha sighs, looking back, "The Vartan part of me wants to stop now, and stare at the Bellerophon for an hour. I guess we can't do that?"

"Well, her waggling her behind at me is a nice counter to Fred doing the same," Layth says in all seriousness. "And no, we should continue. It looks like Blammo has gotten the titan in better shape."

Leaning over the railing, Akkers says, "He's not down there. I don't see the buggy, so he must have taken it off scavenging on his own."

"That could be a problem. We need it to carry chairs," Layth mutters.

"We can find them and get them later," Gabriel suggests. "Or I can carry them myself! As long as I get to sit in one that doesn't pinch my tail."

"Uuuugh, come on eyes. Now that I'm no longer afraid of MOTHER, I seem to have lost my ability to resist … shinies." Tasha stands there, then slowly begins sidestepping towards the rail as she keeps her head turned and regarding the Belle. "Is he gone … then? I wonder where he went." She never manages to actually look over the rail.

"Then you cannot sit in Tasha's lap, either," Layth notes and grins. "Let's go check the titan."

"Why was I cursed with being a Vartan," Tasha mock-complains. "I thought I had gotten over this – can you be in love with a ship and a man at the same time?" Taking a breath, Tasha heads for the lift, still looking at the ship out of the corner of her eye.

"Nora was very close to Themis-Skoll," Gabriel points out, and looks over the Bellerophon as well. "And some ships just look like they're flirting with you… "

"So long as you do not try to make love to the ship, yes," Layth says.

Once down the elevator, the can see that several pieces of the Titan's armor have been removed from the back of the legs, leaving the mechanical innards exposed. Whether or not those innards are intact is anyone's guess – they look ridiculously complicated.

"Wow, the titans have pants too," Layth observes. "Why would they be off?"

"Maybe he had to work the mechanicals by hand to get it back on its feet?" Gabriel guesses.

"I might … ," Tasha mumbles as she departs the lift. "It's a shame the Themis-Skoll didn't survive. Nora isn't the only one who misses it. Maybe we can still salvage what's left … " She shakes her head, finally managing to get her eyes off the Bellerophon with a titan so close. "This one's a poor substitute," she remarks, "but it's remarkable Blammo has fixed so much. As curious as I am, we'd probably better leave it."

Well, if someone puts their hands in my pants I know I get to my feet," Layth says, "So … possible."

"So, which way is the Terran section?" Layth asks

"Opposite arm than the one we entered through," Akkers says, pointing to the far side of the hangar.

"Well, without the cart, we had better start walking," Layth says and heads in that direction. "Come on, you can play with the Titan later."

"It doesn't seem right to toy with someone else's Titan … ," Tasha says, looking back at the machine as she heads deeper into the ship. "I'll just have to find my own some day. But then, I have the Bellerophon too … " Her gaze doesn't leave the vehicle until it's out of sight.

The door to the opposite arm of Orpheus is identical to the Imperial side one, opening into another engine section. There aren't any obvious signs of 'nibbling' on the machinery here, which is quiet – a possible sign that Blammo hasn't been into try and start it all up yet.

"There, the green line," Akkers says, pointing to the guide-lines on the floor. "That should take us through to the Terran zone."

"Culture zones were marked in colors?" Layth asks as he looks to the green line, then follows it.

"No, that just means it goes to the residential area," Gabriel explains. "It was a real issue too, finding colors everyone could see properly."

Tasha reaches down and grabs her torch light, checking to make sure it still works. "So, Gabriel, how different is Nora now? It's like she's my older sister, just with my old, bad qualities, and smarter than me," she inquires as she looks around.

"Do you have problems seeing colors?" Layth asks. "What species do?"

"Vartans have keen eyesight, although I don't think there were any on Orpheus," Tasha offers in response to Layth's question. "Since I'm only a hybrid, and I see better than anyone I know, I can't say much about Karnors. It's one thing I didn't inherit."

"She's… a bit different than I remember," Gabriel admits, "but then I was dreaming about her for sixty centuries, so my recollection could be a bit off." To Layth, he notes, "Well, not all of the Karnors can see all colors well, and some Nagas can't see red very well, and the Silent-Ones are less color oriented as well."

"And Vartans have problems with shinies," Tasha admits with sigh, shaking her head. She glances at Gabriel, and informs him, "But don't try tempting me with them! That's unfair – unless it's a ring."

"Interesting. What of the Comfederate races?" Layth asks.

"Not sure about them, but avians tend to have keen eyes," Akkers notes, following the line with Tasha and her light. "Probably not as good in the dark as us mammals of course. I honestly don't know if the snakes can even see in the dark at all."

"Eeee can see by sound," Tasha informs Layth, tapping an ear with her light. "Captain Eyeshine told me that when we were in Babel a year ago."

"Yes, but is that all they see by?" Layth asks.

"Some snakes can sense heat, so I imagine a few of the Imperials would have that ability," Gabriel says, a bit distractedly. He seems to be looking off to the left and right as they progress. "I don't see any more buggies nearby."

Layth tilts his head, then looks to Gabriel. "Does that worry you?" he asks. "You seem concerned about something.

"I … I don't know, Layth. I've never heard of Eeee seeing very well; that doesn't mean they don't, though. Kujaku I don't think see any better, either, but I've only met two. Aqulians see very well – we fliers tend to group together and talk, you see." Tasha follows Gabriel's gaze, flashing her light into each doorway. "Do you think I could try on an Expedition uniform, Gabriel?"

"Was just hoping one would be conveniently nearby, but I don't even know where Blammo found the first one," Akkers notes. "There could be a motor pool somewhere in here." He turns back to smile at Tasha, and says, "I'm sure we can find something that'll fit with a few modifications to the back."

"Oh, really?! That'd be great!" Tasha wags at Gabriel, then leans over to give him a one armed snug before she turns back to the task at hand, still smiling. "I've been thinking, if the Bellerophon flies again, we'll be a force in the world. Captain Eyeshine said a ship is like a tiny nation, and our nation is … bigger than most. I'd like us to present a good face to the world, including looking the part."

"Look for anything that seems out of place, Gabriel. We should not become too complacent and feel safe. This place is dangerous," Layth remarks as he continues on. "Focus on the now, not the future."

There isn't a lot to see that might be out of place. It's all a confusing jumble of giant machines, after all, at least until they reach the far wall. Here a familiar pressure door waits, with the Star and Anchor symbol next to a blue disc with green shapes on it. "The Terran zone," Akkers says, and goes to the manual door crank.

"I will keep watch and cover in case something emerges. If you need help, ask," Layth says as he draws out his pistol and readies it.

"Darn, I was hoping you'd volunteer for the wheel turning," Akkers jokes, as the door is painstakingly cranked open a bit further with each turn.

"I am uneducated, not stupid," Layth quips.

"More unusual than us, Layth?" Tasha grins a little. "I still can't believe this is all a ship – a ship!" She then turns her light on the crank and moves to help Gabriel. "I'm coming," she offers.

"Gigantic zombie slugs that desire to mate with us for their offspring would be stranger," Layth suggests. "And not impossible in this bizarre place."

"I … I just don't know where he gets these things, Gabriel," Tasha whispers to the Karnor beside her, looking back at Layth with a mock-concerned expression. "I fear for his sanity."

With two on the wheel, the doors open faster, until there's enough room to walk through at least. The corridor beyond is dark at first, but then flickers of red emergency lighting begin to dot the tops of the walls, until the passage is revealed to be… wood paneled. It extends about thirty feet until it reaches another set of doors, also wood paneled and obviously not bulkhead ones.

"No zombie slugs," Layth says. No telling if he is serious or not, he's already walking towards the next set.

Tasha peeks inside, then slips between the open doors, having to side step to get her wings in. "Terrans seem to appreciate wood in their ships. As someone who grew up on an airship made of wood, I'm finding it nostalgic." She pauses a few steps in, blinking and tilting her head. "Nostalgic?" She shakes her head at herself, then continues on.

Gabriel just chuckles.

The far doors are reached soon enough, and are very ornate looking affairs, with relief carvings of trees and humans and wolves and, ironically, rocket ships. The handles are brass, including old fashioned key-holes.

Layth checks to see if they are locked.

The handles click, and turn smoothly – the doors are unlocked.

"What are these long, winged things on the doors, Gabriel?" Tasha points at one of the rocket ships.

"A subtle trap, I am certain," Layth says. Still, as he opens the doors, he does so slowly so he can check for trip-lines or trigger traps.

"Old fashioned rocket ships," Akkers notes. "Pure fantasy. None ever looked like that except in children's adventure books."

There aren't any obvious booby traps, and sunlight spills in through the opening. It's nearly blinding after the darkness and dim red lighting.

Layth winces at the brightness. He pushes the doors the rest of the way and blinks like mad to try and get his eyes to clear.

Light pours down through giant skylights in the ceiling far, far above. It illuminates a street, with sidewalks and benches and even places where trees once lined the avenue. Shopfronts that could have come from the Merchant's Quarter in Rephidim face outwards, with what might be balconied apartments rising overhead for another ten stories until they nearly graze the roof.

"Rocket … ships?" Tasha pauses in the way eerily similar to the PersoCom created Karnors when they try and access the ship's systems, then shakes her head. "They're … reactive mass … engines? In a … tube?" The Vartan winces too, squinting and turning her gaze towards the blinding light. She shades her eyes, and as they adjust she asks, "Is this really the Terran area? It looks like a street!"

"Yeah, home sweet home for a few thousand of us at one time," Gabe says, shielding his eyes a bit with a hand.

"Indeed. It is very ordinary," Layth remarks. "There are places that look like this on Sinai. You travel thousands of miles and years … and the greatest thing you have ever found was … home."

"Is this what Terra looked like, then? The planet you came from?" Tasha slowly lowers her hand, looking around wide-eyed wonder. "It's so strange. This ship came from beyond Sinai – beyond all the planets – and it looks just like … home."

Gabriel looks in surprise at both of his companions. "You two have been spending way too much time together, I think," he comments.