Blaze of Glory

This small, light ship is one of the fastest in the Temple's fleet, brilliantly decked out with red, orange, and yellow sails. Though its registry and side-marks denote it as the 'Glorious Wildfire', it's known as the 'Blaze of Glory' by all sailors of the air.

The Officer's Mess is like everything else on the light, fast ship- a bit cramped. Still, it seems adequate. A wooden bench surrounds a U-shaped table, with cabinets and lockers on the ceiling and floor, and two doors leading out- one aft to the Main Mess, the other fore to the Captain's Quarters.

At the table, Captain Sendrick sits, holding a thin envelope in his hands. He glances in turn to each member of the assmebled party. "Sit down, Lady, Sahrs." he says in a gruff yet still poodle-haughty voice.

Envoy slides her way across the bench.

Roho takes a seat, resting his forearms on the table.

Chiaroscuro nods to the captain, and slides in next to Envoy, tail flicking a bit.

Mircus drops onto the bench, peering around the room.

"Now," the black-furred poodle says, "I have been given this envelope by Venerable Officer Nuttenboltschen, to be opened only when we get to Little Rephidim West and in presence of the entire expidition party. But as I never cared much for the orders of tha old grousebag, I'm going to open it now."

Envoy grins slightly.

Mircus blinks and appears slightly startled, stopping his fidgeting to give his (mostly) undivided attention to the captain.

Shendrick tears open the envelope, and begins to unfold the paper. "Mmm-hmm. M-hmmm." He frowns. "Anchor-over-Star… mmm. Mmm." His frown grows deeper. "Mmm." He looks around at the crew. "I don't suppose she told any of you about this." He keeps reading. "That wizened mother of a Waashu would do this… "

Envoy blinks, having assumed the Captain meant to read the letter out loud to them…

Chiaroscuro looks at the Captain, and frowns. "This does not sound good, Captain Sendrick."

Envoy blinks at Chipper now. "You understood that?"

Chiaroscuro shakes his head at Envoy. "Only his tone, Envoy."

Envoy blinks again… "But he always sounds like that."

Sendrick ahems. "If I may… ", he says haughtily.

Sendrick begins to quote the letter. "The missive is from the office of blah blah blah, to be opened blah. Since I know your captain well from *cough* blahblah, you will probably hear this en route."

Sendrick says, "Your original mission, as explained, was to explore the paquebot of Little Rephidim West, and detect some of the origins of the black goop that caused the total population elimination of the inhabitants. And I still expect you to do so. However… ", the captain pauses, and raises an eyebrow before continuing.

Mircus blurts, "What!? Total population elimination? Everyone died? Why? What happened?"

Envoy says, "Well, there were two survivors."

Sendrick just *looks* at Mircus. "The Waashu-biter can explain that *after* I have read this. Understood?"

Chiaroscuro grimaces. Even the Captain's heard that insipid nickname now.

Mircus just shrinks under Sendrick's gaze, "But… "

The poodle continues. "The principal reason I was able to fund this mission during the military defensive action… " Sendrick snorts. "Bah, temple can't say 'war'… is that a cache of weaponry is stowed in a non-publicly-disclosed bay on the paquebot. The exploration crew as well as ship crew shall retrieve these weapons, and stow them aboard the ship for the return flight."

Chiaroscuro's tail stops any flicking, his jaw hanging open slightly. "What?"

Envoy says, "So none of the weapons were used when the paquebot was originally attacked? It must have happened quickly then."

Roho mutters, "Good, I shall be the doctor for sword-runners. Serves me right."

Mircus flinches. This wasn't in the job description. Then again, nothing else was either…

"Gets better, Waashu-biter.", the poodle smirks. "And when the Temple says 'non-publicly disclosed', Aeolun, that means you could count the number who knew it on the points of the Star."

Envoy decides not to mention that real stars don't have points…

Sendrick says, "It continues: In addition, the weight of the weaponry will be certain to increase the weight of the _Glo-" Sendrick coughs. "_Blaze Of Glory_- to levels where travel will be slow. More to the point, slow enough that she ship can not simply outrun Eeee craft. In consideration for this, you will be permitted moderate use of the weapony, not to exceed blah blah… "

Chiaroscuro gasps. "We shall be attacked?"

Envoy blinks, "Just how many weapons are there?"

Mircus flinches again. He knew he never should have gotten out of bed…

Roho's paw clutches the edge of the table hard enough that a slight tremble is apparent, "So, Miriam has tricked us into fighting their war."

The grizzled black poodle says, "Blah blah, and all due haste should be taken so that this does not occur." He growls. "No lie, you ancient windbag. What else… All Temple members are expected to support the crew, and shall be aid if attacked, prerequisite on the discretion of the Captain. If so, pay for the mission will increase an additional silver per employee."

Envoy blinks. "I can only fight in self-defense. Is that alright?"

Chiaroscuro shudders. "This was just what I worried about when taking this mission… "

Envoy says, "What happens if Babelite forces attack the paquebot while we are aboard it?"

Sendrick looks around the room. "I'll eveluate you all later, and find out where you'd be best in a combat position- if should we get attacked. This ship still ought outrun most Eeee ships, if we take proper measures." He glances back down at the paper, and smirks. "Cordially, Venerable Officer Miriam Nuttenboltschen.

Chiaroscuro sighs, and nods to the Captain. "It seems we have no choice in this matter, Captain… "

Roho calmly states, "Captain, I just feel you should know that we're not remotely equipped to properly deal with combat casualties… "

Sendrick mutters, "If I had a choice, Waashu-Biter, I'd turn this ship around and head to Rephidim now. We're all in this together."

Envoy says, "Could we buy safe passage with the weapons?"

Sendrick looks to Roho. "I expect you to do your best, Doctor. I know you're capable, and if we find supplies on the island, you can take them." He looks aghast at Envoy… "We don't bribe our way through. Not on my craft. Heretic Babelians would probably turn the weapons on us anyway."

Envoy blinks. Bribe? There's that word again…

Mircus just stares at the table and sulks, none too happy with the latest developements.

Roho nods, "I shall do my best, indeed. It will not be my first time on a battleground. And when we get back, I shall have some words with Miriam." He stands up, "With your permission, Captain, I would like to return to sickbay. I feel it is probably time for young Naomi to learn some setting and bandaging, as soon as possible."

Envoy watches Roho, unsure of his temperment. She's obviously missing something here.

Sendrick nods to the Doctor. "Certainly." He turns to the rest. "And I'll need to recalculate some matters myself. You are all dismissed." he says, staring at the letter while waving a paw in a 'shoo-shoo' manner.

Chiaroscuro shuffles out of the seat, and stands… nervously glancing to Envoy.

Envoy gets up as well, and looks at Chipper. Even HE looks nervous now.

Chiaroscuro squeezes Envoy's paw supportively, talking to Envoy as he leaves the room… "Do you see now why I was worried about you coming along? I am sure things will be fine in the end, but… "

Mircus starts slightly, and stands slowly, trudging slowly after the others. First he gets sent on an airship, and now he finds out someone might want them dead. Wonderful.

Envoy pads along with the mongoose, and asks, "I don't know much about war, will you explain it to me?" as they enter their cabin.

Chiaroscuro nods to Envoy. "It is different here, I am sure, but I can tell you this," he says, shutting the door, "War is as unto Sheol… "