Camp Caroban
Set just beyond the edge of the Gateway Lifedome is a collection of tents and other temporary structures marked with the Spheres of Magic diagram. This is where visiting mages stay and work while on Abaddon for the time being, as the local governments prefer the magic users keep to one place for now. There are accommodations for perhaps a dozen people, along with one large tent with symbol for the Sphere of Life on it.

The first night in Camp Caroban was a stark reminder that the Abaddon Gateway Tower was set in the middle of the equivalent of a Forbidden Zone. The wind howled and buffeted the tents, and the earth would shake and rumble every so often. This wasn't especially disturbing to Tasha, who grew up on an airship, or to the Karnors who were used to dealing with rumbles and noises, but it made sleep difficult for the Lapis.

Morning brought with it the smells of breakfast and the grumbles of Journeymen. Spring Meadow explained the situation, saying that while magic was available, it was harder to work with. Part of this was simply the proximity of the Gateway Tower itself, since just like a Forbidden Zone on Sinai it gave a chaotic boost to magic. This meant that the few Chaos Mages in the expedition had to help with anything important or dangerous. Also, the level of magic was actually a little lower than what could be called on at Sky Island altitude. This wasn't an issue for the Master Mages, who used less power in their spells anyway, but it meant a lot of extra work for the Journeymen.

"It's like when Caroban was being built," Spring Meadow laments. "A few Masters control the ritual, while us Journeymen just try to provide the power."

"Then why do not the Journeymen rise up and overthrow the Masters and demand equal respect?" Layth asks the obvious as he goes about the morning rituals of stretching cleaning up.

"S'like you're a bunch of oarsmen, or Pteras on the whip," Tasha remarks before yawning. She takes a moment to stretch before grabbing her heavy leather survival coat and beginning the process of working her wings into it. "An' I smell breakfas' – at leas' some things never change."

"Because we couldn't get anything done on our own, unfortunately," Meadow sighs, as she digs into her bowl of cereal.

"Yeah, breakfast, but no bacon," Caravelli mutters. He looks disheveled, and keeps flexing his fingers to keep them from getting stiff.

Meadow points to the tent that's serving as the mess hall.

"I'm sure we'll get to eat like wolves soon, Remiel," Gabriel promises, as he follows behind Tasha. Zerachiel is too tired to get up still, having been up until the wee hours cataloging the anatomy of veggie-snakes.

"Do they even 'ave bacon critters 'ere? I'm no' sure wha' sort o' animals this plane' 'as," says the Vartan. She secures the hood on her cloak, then takes a moment to comb her hair out with a hand. "Anyway, looks li' we 'ave a letter off today, then we're meetin' with the Titanians. Better eat up, don' know when we migh' 'ave lunch." She leads the wolves on towards glorious breakfast, waving the others to follow. "C'mon, you lazies!"

Aaron hops about, looking pretty well rested. "It's like camping out in the wilderness again," he says. Aisha is still rubbing sleep from her eyes, and asks, "I don't suppose there is a bathing area?"

Calligenia is already in line at the mess hall, in full armor.

"It is not necessary to eat the flesh of others, you know," Layth comments to the Karnors as he pushes back his ears, finished with his morning prep. "Perhaps a change in diet will do all of you good."

"Unless Latania made some changes while fixing us, we'll still need meat," Caravelli notes.

"She may have, she is a doe too," Layth points out.

"Hmmm, I wonder how we get to the train depot?" Gabriel asks, looking past the edge of the camp. "We know it's there, but I don't see anything."

"No' necessary for you, bunny-bun. S'no' my fault your creator denied you the wun'ers o' bacon. Me an' me wolves 'ave critters to munch," Tasha insists, then smiles toothily.

"Maybe Cindy can tell us," Aaron suggests, doing some morning stretches. "She had the schedules, after all."

"The woman of pink hair and lovely disposition?" Layth asks, "Yes, she may have such and we at least know where to find her."

"And speaking of last night, have the does been presented with their cloaks?" Layth asks after remembering that point.

Tasha tucks her wings as she gets in line, then reaches past the person in front of her to tap Calligenia on her armor. "Is breakfas' as dangerous as the res' o' this worl'? Will I need me whip an' a gun," she inquires, and resists the urge to play with Calli's ears.

Aaron notes, "We have to get them fitted first."

"Cloaks?" Aisha asks. "Those big heavy things?!"

"I be' we could jus' cram all o' 'em un'er one cloak," Tasha kids.

"Cloaks. So the winds do not scour your fur from your bodies," Layth echos. "Not to mention their trade value… "

The doe ponders, but perhaps it was the violence of last night's weather that decides her. "Alright, I'll get one… "

"Ah, good. I will not have to brush you every night to remove the sand," Layth says with a pleased nod. He also goes to check on the food (and to make sure Tasha doesn't cause a riot or worse.)

There aren't a lot of choices for breakfast. A few hot dishes are available, mainly some sort of scrambled eggs or omelets, while most of the chow is grains or cereals in big bins. Aaron grumbles about a lack of waffles.

Tasha puts eggs on her plate first and foremost, but seems puzzled by the grains. She stands there looking at various types until, shrugging, she just shovels some of each on to her scrambled eggs. "Airship Omelet," she declares, then heads on down the line.

Latania is up and about, checking on things and nibbling on a muffin. She spots Spring Meadow and asks her about how soon a garden can be cultivated. "Ummm, sorry ma'am," Meadow says, looking miserable. "There's a reason they trade metal for soil here. It would be cheaper to get fresh fruits and vegetables from the passing caravans… "

The Cervani doe pulls out a journal and writes something down in it, while muttering, "Must check the Pit of Himar for a permanent clinic, and see if magic is any better there… "

"You may wish to make a trade agreement with the cloak dealers while we are here, Calligenia," Layth notes to the chocolate doe as he passes by her carrying his plate of food. "The cloaks offer a significant return on investment back on Sinai."

"I would prefer to see if Amazonian made ones are superior," Calli notes. "I don't care for simply taking advantage of an imbalance in costs."

"S'goin' to scrape up your armor," Tasha warns. "Bu' I can see your poin'. Jus' get one, jus' in case. A warrior always 'as a backup plan, righ'? S'foolish to turn down somethin' 'cause of stubbornness."

"Different materials, more rare," Layth comments and then shrugs, "I just wished you to be aware of it. Your decision."

Gabriel joins Tasha with his own meal (which includes a bowl of cereal). "It will be interesting to see what that Titanian ship looks like in the daylight," he comments.

Aisha finds a seat to enjoy her own light breakfast. "So, what did you all find in the 'town' last night?" she asks.

Tasha takes a seat with Gabriel and nods to him. "I jus' 'ope it's in one piece. Titanians 'ave a rep' among airship crews. Aye, see, they make these ships tha' 'ave all these wun'ers, bu' those wun'ers jus' as soon blow up as work righ'. I' doesn' seem tha' much diffren' 'ere, bu' for some reason their ships work where others jus' don', so we 'avn't much choice." She picks up a fork and begins stirring her eggs together with her grains, then begins scooping it up.

"Tasha found a bunch of brutish Titanians she wishes to travel with to the nearby moon," Layth explains to Aisha as he sits down next to her. "A crazy plan, I fear. But there are not many options."

"We had a Titanian gardener for awhile," Aisha notes. "But the heat was too much for him and he left."

The Vartan grins at Layth's words. "An' Layth was all 'no don' do tha' Tasha' an' 'doom doom gloom gloom Tasha,' bu' then he found a 'uman woman an' 'e was distracted."

"What?" Aisha asks. "What woman?"

"A pink woman," Tasha baits.

Zerachiel finally shows up, looking like he slept in his clothes (which of course he did) and with all the fur on side of his head flattened. He gets a bowl of cereal as well, skipping the eggs.

"Pink? What does that mean?" the doe asks. Calligenia doesn't say anything though, as she's still busy eating.

"The woman who ran the money exchange. She was helpful in explaining a bit about the towns, the people, and what to avoid," Layth explains. "It was also through this woman that we met the Titanians. I was willing to talk to people, she just wanted to keep moving."

"She being Tasha," Layth clarifies.

Looking up, Tasha sighs at Zerachiel's appearance. She pushes a chair out for him with a hoof. "Oi, you men are jus' a chore sometimes," she complains. Shaking her head, she turns back and insists, "Layth's jus' grumpy, as usual. If we did it 'is way we'd be nowhere or tellin' people 'ow their words are li' a thousan' flowers."

"Oh," Aisha says, and eats a bit more. "What about the pink part?"

"She has pink hair. It was unusual and very noticeable," Layth explains. "Not unattractive. Just … odd."

"Tasha is practically a Titanian herself," Aaron notes, from out of arm's reach. "They have much in common."

"Pink hair?" Aisha asks in surprise, and even Calligenia looks up from her food. "Are you sure it wasn't red, like Tasha?"

"I am quite sure. It was pink," Layth repeats.

"I am no', my ship never blew up. I jus' know when to go," the woman says. She shakes her head again and adds, "No, it was defin'ly pink. Pink as eyes af'er shore leave."

"Shore leave," Caravelli repeats. "I guess we're all going into town then? I could do with a break from this camp."

"Captain Akkers," Layth says after a bite of food, "Have you prepared your letter of introduction for the Expedition?"

"It's not quite a letter of introduction," Gabriel notes. "I have a series of military codes that basically say we're back, please send someone to debrief us. If they have the records of our registration numbers then they'll know we are who we say we are."

"I 'ope they even 'ave codes that ol'. Did you tell 'em where to look? Think they'll even believe tha' you're no' some kind o' spy or joker?" Tasha swivels her ears to listen to Gabriel, meanwhile staring at the side of Zerachiel's face. After a moment, she licks her paw and tries to smooth down the fur on the side of his head.

"Is it prepared?" Layth repeats. "We should see to sending it first thing."

Zerachiel looks embarrassed by the grooming, but doesn't stop eating to protest it.

"We need to find a way to get it to the train depot, or see if there is a radio we can use," Gabriel notes.

"That 'wireless' thing the Naga was talking about?" Aaron asks.

"Well, the other Karnor that guards the money exchange may also be able to help there," Layth notes, "So it would be good for us to stop by after we purchase the robes for the does."

Tasha finally stops grooming when she's satisfied the doctor doesn't have bed face, returning to watch the others. "It migh' be this 'wireless' they're talkin' abou' is in a more secured location, li' the train station or the inside o' the dome. Either way, askin' aroun' is our bes' be', I agree."

After getting the does and doctors cloaks at the Naga's booth (and visiting a bit, although the vendor doesn't have any fresh news on the Imperial Lifedome), the group goes to the moneychanger. Margie is on guard, and gives a wave as the group approaches.

"I leave the romancing of wolves to you, Tasha," Layth comments and nods towards Margie. "See what you can learn from her about 'wireless'?"

"Don' 'ave as much luck with women wolves, bu' I'll give i' a go – they see me as competition," Tasha tells Layth, before winking. Walking forward, Tasha smiles and wags to the Karnor. "Oi! 'Ello! Me an' me crew were wun'erin' where we migh' find this 'wireless' contraption, an' 'ow we migh' reach the train."

"That isn't what I would describe as romancing," Layth notes to the others.

"Wireless?" Margie asks, looking over the new (to her) members of the group. "Do you mean the telegraph office? As for getting to the train, you just hitch a ride with an incoming caravan, or you could rent some horses. The Kampies don't allow us to have motorized vehicles this close to the Gateway."

"Aye, the … tele'o'graph office soun's righ'. All this technology is news t'me; we don' 'ave 'wireless' on Sinai af'er all. An' tha's good abou' gettin' to the train, too." Tasha smiles, then steps forward and grins a bit, whispering. "The big bun over there says I ought an' romance you, 'cause e's a bi' 'tha' way,' iffin' you know wha' I mean. 'Course me boyfrien' is back there too, the ol'er Karnor gentleman. You coul' make a laugh by kissin' me." Then, Tasha leans back and says, "Bu' thanks for your time, aye!"

"I… excuse me?" Margie asks, looking stunned.

"She forgets how well Lapi hear," Layth comments to the others as well then just shakes his head.

Tasha laughs, shaking her head. "Tha's fine too," she insists, holding her hands up. "I'm jus' showin' Layth I'm no' afraid t'do somethin'. 'Ave a good day, aye? No harm done, righ'?"

The guard just continues to give the group a confused look, and finally just points down towards the airfield. "Telegraph office is by the airfield," Margie notes.

"Thanks!" Tasha gives the woman a wave, then walks on back to the others. "Well tha' was fun," she remarks to no one in particular.

"You confused the poor girl," Layth admonishes Tasha, "I will see to it Captain Akkers gives you a firm spanking. In public. Now, was there anything anyone wished to ask Cindy? Or see the pink hair?"

"We are in awe of your skills, Tasha," Aaron says.

"We can see that later," Aisha says. "It is rude to intrude on someone at work for simple social reasons."

"Humans have hair?" Calligenia asks.

Layth nods. "As you like. I assume we should head to the airstrip, then?" he asks.

Tasha just grins more at Layth's words, insisting, "Gabriel's welcome to i'. I wasn' bein' serious anyway, I jus' wan'ed to see wha' would 'appen." She then raises a brow at Aaron. "My skills work on you, Aaron," Tasha replies, then tries to grab his ear, before nodding. "The airstrip is where the tel'o'graph office is. Gettin' to the train'll mean gettin' a ride with a caravan." "Or we can each pick a Karnor to ride and Master Lightfoot can ride on your back, Tasha," Layth offers in dead pan, "We are, after all, poor little Lapis and you are almost like beasts of burden."

Closer to the airfield, but still in the outer circular road, is another bunker like building with various metal rods sticking up from the roof… including a pair that have a blue spark jumping between their tops.

"That must be it," Zerachiel says, pointing to the dancing spark. "Primitive way to send a pulsed radio signal, but it works… "

"You're some kind o' burden, tha's righ'," Tasha agrees. She nods to Zerachiel, heading towards the rod-encrusted building. "Tech's sure excitin' on Abaddon, isn' it?"

This building has three different entrances, and a different guard for each: Karnor, Naga and a Silent-One. They all watch the approaching aliens with suspicion.

"Mm," Layth muses, "Given that the Lapi do not represent any faction, should one of us ask to send the message? It may seem more impartial."

"I'd better send it," Gabriel notes. "It's military, after all."

Tasha pauses at the three species, then tilts her head. "I knew a joke tha' star'ed like this once. A Jupani, a Naga, and a spottie all … Well." She shakes her head, then does it again for Layth. "The Karnors are with the Expedition, even if by a thousan' an' more years. It'll seem normal if they jus' do it. They migh' be confused by the buns."

"As you like," Layth agrees.

Akkers goes to the Karnor guard and whispers to him, which the Lapi easily overhear as, "Can I send a message to Military Intelligence from here?" The guard nods, and lets Akkers inside after doing a cursory weapons search.

"While we wai' 'ere, you wan' an' chat up the guards? I can try the spotty an' you can talk to the Naga, Layth. The snakes seem to like you," the Vartan suggests. She then grins and adds, "S'probably 'cause neither of you laugh."

"Why does the Savanite wear a mask?" Calligenia asks. And apparently the Silent-One understands Standard enough to turn its face towards the doe. Any expression is hidden under the mask however.

"I would laugh if your jokes were funny," Layth remarks to Tasha and then winks at her. And so, he heads towards the Naga.

"Uh, it's how they tell one another apart," Caravelli answers quietly. "They all look alike, you see. Almost no genetic diversity. So the masks are all unique instead… " Tasha laughs out loud at the wink, swatting at Layth and getting empty air as he passes. "I knew 'e 'ad it in there somewhere," she insits after a moment. Grinning, she turns to the Silent-One and heads towards him, waving Calligenia to follow and find out. Lifting her hands, Tasha signs in her roughly acquired Formal Sign, "My friend would like to know why the Silent-Ones wear masks; we are new to this world, please forgive our questions."

"The air here smells more metallic than usual," Aaron comments to Zerachiel, and then gets a brief lecture on electricity and ozone.

The Naga places a hand on his sidearm as Layth approaches, his tongue flicking rapidly. "Yesss?" it hisses.

"Good day to you, I'm with the Caroban aid group that arrived the other day. Have there been any new incidents at your dome or areas of significant sickness hat could require their attention?" Layth tells the serpent. "I can carry any notes or requests for aid from the Empire back to them if you like."

The armored cheetah looks at Tasha for a moment, and then signs, "What are you?" Oddly, a little grill on it's gauntlet speaks "What are you?" in a tinny voice.

The reptile just stares at Layth for a bit, and asks, "Ssssinai? More magiciansss? We do not have what you ssseek, ssstop asssking… wait, aid? Sssickness? Explain."

"Caroban sent a group of Life Mages to help with the refugees from some sort of incident that occurred at the Empire's dome. Forgive me, but I do not understand the particulars, other than it was damaged and many had to flee and were inured or worse," Layth explains. "Caroban is here on a goodwill mission. They want to help the Empire if they can."

"Oi, I speak Sign, bu' tha's a neat trick with your talkin' glove," Tasha says, ears going askew as she's taken aback by the question. "Bu' fair 'nuff, since … Oi wait, lemme Sign it. Need the practice, aye?" Tasha lifts her hands again and signs, "I am a Vartan. My mother is Vartan, my father is a Karnor."

The snake mulls this over, unblinkingly, for a few moments. "The refugeesss are ssstaying at the airfield. I do not know their ssstatusss. If you do not want to sssend a messsage to the Empire, pleasse move along."

The Silent-One actually shudders at Tasha's explanation, and makes the sign of the Star across its chestplate. "Another Coalition abomination," it signs, a bit harshly.

"Good day to you then. If any requests of aid come through, you can find us near the gateway tower," Layth says as he bows deeply. The buck then turns and heads back to the others.

"Well, nice to see guards are guards wherever you go," Aaron notes to Layth.

"I believe it is a requirement of the military to forget all forms of manners," Layth remarks dryly.

"Except for military manners," Caravelli points out.

Tasha's ears shoot up, then wilt. "Oi, you jerk! Don' talk abou' me mum like that. Back on Sinai, you people are-" The woman grits her teeth, balling her fists, but stops short of actually swinging them. "They wear the masks to stop fists from breakin' their face," Tasha informs Calligenia with obvious, forced calmness. Lifting her hands finally, Tasha signs in a very deliberate fashion, "Good day."

Gabriel returns from the building, all smiles until he sees the sour look on Tasha's face. "Did I miss something?" he asks.

"Do you wish one of us to teach the Silent-One some manners?" Layth asks Tasha, "I am assuming he was not polite to you. The Naga wasn't terribly polite, either."

The Silent-Ones guard doesn't react at all to Tasha, and just stands there stoically – although with one hand on the pommel of its sword.

"Uh, it's wearing powered armor," Zerachiel points out. "Probably makes it two or three times stronger than even Layth. You don't pick a fight with a Silent-Ones warrior unless you have decent artillery."

Tasha points at the guard, "'E called me an abomination!! If 'e wasn' armed an' things weren' delicate, I'd tear that mask off 'is face and stick it-" The Vartan inhales sharply, then turns around and storms away from the guard. "Forget it! It isn' worth the mages' ire an' 'e's got 'is arm on his sword li' 'e can't fight one woman withou' it. Armor?" Tasha blinks. "'E needs fancy armor too? Fah!"

"Let's go," Tasha adds in disgust. In a lower voice, she mumbles, "If they're all li' tha', some day I'm goin' to get 'em for tha'. Maybe take on o' their titans or shiny, angry computer things and stomp all over their … " The rant goes on, and on, and on.

"Well… ah," Gabriel says, floundering for a moment. "I've got a ticket to present later on, to get any reply to our message," he notes, trying to keep up with Tasha without getting within smacking range.

Layth just sighs and shakes his head as he follows. "Some things change, most things stay the same," the buck mutters.

"They treat just about everyone like that," Caravelli notes to the rest. "She shouldn't take it personally."

"I can see why they were made slaves with attitudes like that," Layth remarks absently. "And someone should grab Tasha before she walks off a cliff."

"Woo, shake that… everything!" catcalls an eye-patch wearing Skreek dressed in Legionnaire garb, as Tasha seems to be wandering close to an unfinished part of the lifedome.

"According to the Nohbakim legends, they had even worse attitudes," Aisha says.

"Wha- … " Tasha stops, blinking as her ears go askew. She seems to have to work through her rage enough to process the cat-call, then suddenly laughs! "Well," she says after a moment, "at leas' no' all the people 'ere are withou' taste." She waves to the eye-patch wearing man, then grabs Gabriel's hand to show she's taken. "Okay," she says, "I'm okay now. Let's 'ead for … the airfield?"

"Oh? What did the legends say?" Layth inquires of Aisha.

"That they were powerful and arrogant and cursed the Nohbakim when they would not pay tribute to them," Aisha says. "Nobody takes them seriously though."

Gateway Airfield
Only a few hundred yards from the edge of the Kampfzengruppe Lifedome being built around the Gateway Tower, this open area of packed earth has several circular platforms made of concentric rings of ceramic tiles rising about an inch about the ground.

The nearer pads are host to makeshift campgrounds, with simple tents and lots of boxes, bags and other things lying around. This is the refugee camp, and Nagas mill about or pack their belongings onto carts. About half of them seem to be in the process of packing up to travel.

Taking up the farthest – and largest – landing ring is a huge ship. It looks like a sailing vessel, with giant masts and even a row of oars jutting out from the sides, but has features of an airship as well, with slender spines radiating out like those on a Babelite ship. Like The Wandering Sylph, it also has two giant cylindrical nacelles jutting from the sides. The body of the ship itself is as big as an ocean-going battleship on Sinai, making it as big as an airship envelope itself. It rests on several large metal skids, each one a different shape. Up close, it's clearer just how irregular the patchwork hull is, with different types of metal plates. A hatch in the side is open, with a long, segmented gangplank extending out to the ground.

"Tha' is the single stranges' ship I 'ave ever seen," says Tasha in awe as she takes in the Titanian wonder. "It's li' it flew into a thousan' other ships and ate or merged with 'em. I's li' me ol' room when I was a lil' kid! It's a flyin' disaster." A pause, and she adds, "I'm no' sure wha' to make 'o it, but I'm impressed."

"Forgive me, but that ship looks ridiculous too. What is it with ship designers that they must stick stuff out in random directions? It is an invitation to things breaking," Layth offers as his observation. "The only thing that would make it sillier is a smiling face painted on the foremast."

"If I ever get a ship, Layth, I promise it's nothin' li' tha," the Vartan assures Layth.

"You guys are darned picky about airships," Aaron notes.

"It's certainly the biggest Titanian ship I've ever seen," Akkers notes. "It doesn't look built for speed though, which is unusual."

"It is because we both have some taste when it comes to ships. As in, we don't want to ride in something that looks like it will eject us out the bottom when we use the head," Layth explains.

"I think the speed part is there, there an' there, bu' the slow part is there an' there," says Tasha, pointing at all the mismatching bits. "'The Rake' 'ad sym … symmer … Balance in design, was made 'o wood, an' was a proper ship." Shaking her head, Tasha shrugs. "Well, let's go say 'ello." And then, she's off again.

"That woman has the attention span of a skedat," Layth mutters to himself. Off he goes after her. Someone has to be around to pull her out of the throat of a Titanian after all.

There's a lone Titanian stationed at the gangplank, near a huge pile of… well, probably junk, but Nagai technological junk.

"'Ello! I'm 'ere to see the cap'n o' this 'ere ship," Tasha greets the Titanian, waving at him. "Nice pile o' stuff," she adds, trying to add in a compliment for diplomacy's sake.

"Yah?" the Titanian asks, looking at Tasha and the others. When he notices they aren't carrying anything junk-like, he seems to pause and actually think about what Tasha said. "You want Rushfighter?" he asks.

"Is 'e … the cap'n? Today's cap'n? Or did the firs' mate win," Tasha inquires, cocking her head to the side curiously.

This line of questioning seems to confuse the big wolf for a moment, but he eventually says, "Yah!"

"Oi, then … can we go inside an' find 'im? Or do you 'ave to get 'im?" The Vartan slows her words now, as if talking to a small child, or a very drunken sailor.

"And would he like a used Vartan?" Layth adds quietly.

"Uh… " the Titanian goes, and then unslings the hammer from over his shoulder and starts banging on the side of the gangplank with it.

The does both cover their ears at the racket.

Tasha slowly turns back to glare at Layth a moment, even as she flattens her ears over the noise. "I'ma get you," she promises.

Layth is too busy holding his ears down to comment to Tasha's threat of revenge. The noise is punishment enough.

Another Titanian pokes his head out of the hatch, and bark-growls something to the first. The first one holds up a bucket full of… something… and shakes his head. Then he points to Tasha.

The new wolf then marches down the gangplank, and asks Tasha, "No want trade for wigglers?"

"Trade for what?" Layth asks Aaron, "Is that actually language?"

"Are those… fishin' grubs?" Tasha leans forward to try and get a better look at the 'wigglers.' "We're 'ere to see abou' gettin' a ride somewhere."

To demonstrate, the big wolf reaches into the bucket and pulls out a thick, long, pink… and disturbingly phallic looking… worm. Which he waves a few inches from Tasha's nose. "Wiggler! Good eat! Num num!"

The worm even sprouts some sort of multi-tentacled tongue and licks the Vartan's nose.

"That looks like a … " Calligenia starts to say, but Aisha covers her mouth with a hand, blushing furiously.

Layth actually turns away. "Ah, something I do not need to see," he comments.

"Oh, yah!" the big wolf says, looking at the red orb of Sheol. "Why?" he then asks.

"I don't think this one is the captain," Aaron observes. "One would certainly hope not," Gabriel agrees.

Thinking the worst is over, Layth turns back around to watch the oddness.

"Got stuff to do! Big stuff," Tasha replies, apparently deciding the simply, "No want to walk to moon, need ride. For stuff!"

"Good stuff?" the wolf asks.

"Wow, I did not know stupid was contagious," Layth Lapi-whispers to Aaron. "We had best keep clear."

"Importan' stuff," Tasha explains. "Ghost tell Tasha go moon, so Tasha go moon."

"Ghost?" the Titanian asks, scratching the top of his head with his hammer. "You maybe talk captain. Want meet him?"

"Yah," replies the Vartan.

"Okay!" the big wolf says, and then turns and marches up the gangplank, only to stop at the hatch and wait for Tasha to follow.

"I'm comin'," Tasha declares, then marches right on after the Titanian. She waves the others to follow!

"This is … goofy," Layth comments. Still, he does follow along.

Once up the gangplank – and past the multiple hatches – it looks like the interior of the ship is as cobbled together as the exterior. There are exposed sections of wiring and mechanical parts, much of it looking as if it probably has no useful function, other than to take up space, or else it was just part of whatever the Titanians ripped apart and stuck together to make their own airship, and they never bothered to clear out the unnecessary bits. There are lots of dents that look like they were made by hammers – or very thick skulls – and once, there was a spot that looked for all the world like toothmarks in a panel. The steel and ceramic and other artificial materials are joined by wood in many places, and this seems to increase the further one gets into the ship. On the interior, there is more of the ship made of wood, decorated with furs hanging on the walls and large skulls or carapaces of alien creatures hanging as macabre trophies.

If one hasn't a weapon, the Titanians seem determined to make sure that there's a hammer within easy reach, no matter where one goes on the ship, and the hammers are firmly bolted and strapped into place – lest they fall and bonk someone on the head when the skies get bumpy, no doubt.

"I'm no' sure wha' to make o' all this," Tasha remarks to the others as they head inside. "I'm no' even sure this can fly, except it does, an' I still 'ave a hard time believin' it. The Fenris I didn' un'erstan', bu' it looked like it could fly. This looks li' the Fenris ate an' airship." She shakes her head.

"The Titanians are a race of idiot savants, surely," Zerachiel notes. Calligenia keeps pausing to look at the trophies, until Aisha tugs on her cloak to keep up with the others.

"In case of hammer, break glass," Layth reads off from a nearby case affixed to one of the walls. The glass is broken, of course … and the inside has yet another hammer in it stained with what might be blood. "But if you have hammer to break the glass, why would you need the hammer in the case?" the buck asks no one in particular.

At last, the group is led into a wider chamber that is built around a furnace in the floor that lights the room, and the surfaces are a mixture of wood and other materials, though the floor is covered in shaggy furs, and several large Titanians are seated around the furnace. A long hall stretches back from this furnace chamber, where there are several benches with the handles of impossibly massive oars – long enough to jut all the way out of the ship – locked into place above them.

These are no normal oar handles, though – They're not made of wood, but some other material, and there's enough mechanical gadgetry here and there to suggest that there's more to it than meets the eye – but these are Titanians, so it just might be only worth taking it at face value, where they're concerned.

"Cap'n!" the Titanian guide calls, and one of those seated around the furnace stands up… and up. He's dressed in black furs, and sports a barbaric metal helmet with spiral horns coming from the sides. "Yah, Blammo?" the wolf asks, then looks at Tasha and the others. "Bunnies?"

"I can' even begin to imagine 'ow any o' this works," Tasha murmurs. When her guide announces them, she steps forward – then pauses as the man stands fully. "Oi, you're a big one," she remarks, looking up, and up. "You're the cap'n, aye? I wan' to talk abou' if we migh' get a ride with you to Sheol, the moon. Ride to moon!"

"Not be rude, names!" the Titanian says, and thumps his chest with his fist. "I Captain Rushfighter, son of Gutripper! This my ship, Dainty Mauler!" "I tell you, it Precise Killer!" pipes up the green-clad first officer, who gets a bonk on his head for the interruption.

At the mention of 'bunnies', Aisha immediately grabs on to Layth's arm and all but hides behind him.

Layth reaches back and pats whatever part of Aisha he can reach. "Do not worry, they will eat Tasha first," he says over his shoulder.

"Oh, righ', name! I'm Aldara Tasha, ex-goddess of avenging murder! This," the Vartan swings a hand to indicate Layth, "Is Layth, 'e smashes like iron flowers on head. Hidin' behind 'im is Aisha, Buyer of Things, the one in shiny armor is Calligenia, Princesss o' Pain, an tha' male bun is Aaron, Master Worrier."

"Of clan Circerae of Dianus, the jewel of Amazonia," Calli adds, to better clarify things. The mention of Amazonia actually causes a stir among the Titanians, and Rushfighter even gives a little bow (although it could be to anyone, so no telling who he was more impressed by).

"Okay, that good, now we haggle," Rushfighter says. "What you got to trade for ride?"

Tasha shifts her weight to one leg, putting a hand on her hip and shrugging with the other. "What you want? We have big magic, smart mans who maybe fix ship, doctor who fix you up? Can't have mens, just borrow. Mens mine. Also have money, maybe other things you want? You tell us."

"Money no good," Rushfighter says. "We like machines, or shinies. Spotties trade lots for shinies. What magic?"

"Yeah, what big magic?" Aaron whispers to Tasha.

"Hm," Layth ponders. "Would the Titanians like the weird effects that the cheese crystal had?" he asks Aaron. "Perhaps we can trade travel for the experience of being drunk."

"But they like machines, so maybe the little demon one… but we can't give them those!" Aaron replies.

Tasha leans back to Aaron and whispers, "Maybe we can get the mages to help, I don' know! Aisha is the trader!" Back again, Tasha smiles at the Titanian and says, "Big magic! Make things grow maybe, if magic mens want to help. Want machines? Maybe we get? Maybe we have shinies too, or can get. What you think?" Carefully, Tasha reaches behind her back and points at Aisha, then waves her hand to try and get the doe to help out.

"Not give, but perhaps allow the usage of for a night?" Layth suggests.

Unable to turn around and discuss the matter, Tasha can be heard to go 'mmmm,' in a distinctly disapproving tone at the talk about the artifacts.

Gabriel is busy noting the decor. "Too bad we couldn't give them a monster to fight," he mutters.

"There is also the possibility of finding something in New Zion," Layth considers.

"I wonder. Do you remember the gladiator arena?" Layth muses now, "and how ZigZig defeated his opponent? Perhaps I could defeat him and become captain."

Tasha chews her lip as she thinks, then holds up a hand. "Talkin' to crew, you mind wait?" she asks the Titanian captain.

"Do you think that would be wise?" Aaron whispers at the notion of taking over the ship.

"Being here at all isn't wise," Layth points out.

"Aha!" Rushfighter suddenly bellows, and turns to his first officer. "Get wishlist!" The green-clad Titanian grumbles, but gets up and leaves the chamber.

"Perhaps Tasha could offer to sleep with him in trade for the transport," Layth suggests next.

"I don't think… " Gabriel starts to say. Caravelli interrupts with, "This fellow seems far to businesslike to settle for service in trade."

After making sure turning around won't offend the oversized captain, Tasha turns to face the other and says, "So, we 'ave: magic, which I'm iffy on bu' I though' it soun'ed impressive; shiny things,which I like bu' don' 'ave much of; technology, which we don' 'ave any we can give 'im; somethin' to hunt, which we don' 'ave either; fightin' 'em, which scares me; we-" The Vartan pauses mid-list to glare at Layth again, then try and swat him. "Gabriel's right here, you know! I'm no' for sale li' some streetwalker!"

Layth is hit and sways a bit to the side. He probably deserved it.

"An' given 'is name choice 'e migh' li' you better, Layth," adds Tasha, poking the bunny even after hitting him. "'Dainty Mauler'?"

The first officer returns, carrying some sort of loosely-bound book covered in animal hide. The captain takes it, pulls out a downright dainty pair of Pince-nez eyeglasses, and then opens the book.

Layth looks the Titanian up and down. "I could handle him in combat or otherwise," the buck claims.

"Otherwise? You mean we should offer you to sleep with him?" Aaron asks.

"It would cost you more than I imagine he will demand, though," Layth notes.

"'E'd break you in combat an' otherwise," Tasha says flatly. "Lookit 'im!"

"He's not that big," Layth says, "I've fought similar in the Pit."

The Titanian is muttering and running his finger across a page. "You gots… Ceremonial Vestment of Divine Wiggler Cult?" he asks.

"Can you describe it?" Layth asks the Titanian.

Looking up, Tahsa begins to reply, but finds herself at a loss. She looks to the others askance.

"Uh… no," Rushfighter says. He moves on to another item. "See… Frank… crystal?" he asks.

"What?" Layth asks, "I do not understand that."

Tasha blinks, then her ears perk and eyes widen. "None o' those," she says quickly.

"Okay, hmmm," the wolf says, as he struggles with whatever handwriting he's trying to read. "Disc of Eras?"

"Oi, wha's that?" Again, Tasha has to look between her friends in the unlikely event they can both translate a Titanian reading Titanian writing and know what the obscure item he mentions is.

 "I have no idea what he wants," Layth notes.

"Uh, shiny disc with stories in it," the captain explains, then looks down some more. "Pre… uh… motive… relijellious eye-cons… "

"Primitive religious icons?" Layth tries to translate, "Do we have any from Sinai?"

"Premotive … ?" Tasha scratches at her own head now, then just starts rubbing her temples. "Oi! Primitive religious icons! Do we 'ave any o' those?"

"Well, are you not a religious icon?" Layth asks Tasha.

"What does that mean?" Calligenia asks. "Like my clan icon?" she says, holding up a bronze medallion with the Clan Hydron totem monster on it. This elicits some oos and ahs from the Titanians.

"You can' give me to 'em, even if I am," Tasha replies, exasperated. "I 'ave me icon from the Temple of Abaddon, an' tha's it." Like Calligenia, Tasha fishes out her icon of the God of War.

"Yah! Those good," The captain says. "Why you want go to moon?" he then asks.

After glancing at Gabriel for a long, sober moment, Tasha takes a deep breath and explains, "Ghost from old ship tell Tasha to go to moon as last request. It from one crew to another. It airship honor." She then shoots the ex-captain an apologetic look, ears flat.

"Ghosts, okay," the Titanian nods. "Funeral stuffs. You come back ten days. We go to Star Sea then, drop you off on moon."

"Wait. How will we get back," Layth points out. "We don't want to be marooned on the moon."

"How we get off moon?" Tasha asks after a moment as she returns the icon to it's place under her shirt.

"Oh, you want pick-up too?" the captain asks.

"Ya," Tasha confirms. She then tilts her head and asks, "You see anything on moon? There people? Old buildings? Old ships?"

"What, old ships on moon?" the captain asks, looking excited.

Aaron just puts his face in his palm.

Layth sighs, echoing Aaron's movement. "We want pickup," he says flatly, "No know what on moon."

"No no! Maybe you see old ship! But no, you see no old ship. Never been to moon?" Tasha scratches her head a little. "Never go to moon and see things not … Not moon normal?"

"Maybe we come wit' you?" Rushfighter asks, with a shrewd look in his eye. "Find good junk."

"Ummm," Gabriel starts to say, then seems at a loss for words.

"The ghosts wouldn't like that," Aaron offers.

"Maybe yes, maybe no. Ghost may not like touch junk we find, could be bad," Tasha replies. Getting a suddenly sly look, she raises her hands and wiggles them, "Big bad! Make ghost angry! Make ship cursed! Many gremlins!"

"Gremlins!" Blammo barks, grabbing his hammer and looking around the floor.

"Won't they like many gremlins?" Layth asks, "It offers them a chance to use hammers more… "

"Yah, okay," Rushfighter says. "We drop you off. Blammo go with, he signal us for to pick you up when we get back… "

"Gremlins big ba- … I mean, gremlins are bad for Titanians," the Vartan informs Layth. To the captain, she says, "Okay, that good. Maybe ghost not be upset, no bad gremlins."

"We should also leave behind the does, I think," Layth suggests, "Safer for them."

Tasha nods in agreement. "If somethin' should 'appen, at least they can get 'ome or try an' get 'elp. Maybe 'ave them stay at the town 'ere? We don' know wha' to expect on Sheol," she says.

"They should stay with the camp, I think," Layth says, "In case we need to be rescued."

"I can fight," Calligenia says, crossing her arms.

"Rescued?" Aisha asks. "Uh… okay… "

"Or if we don' come back," Tasha says, grimly. Turning to the Karnors, Tasha asks, "Do you all wan' to come too? Gabriel, I'm sure you do, bu' wha' abou' you two, doctors?"

"Are you kidding?" Caravelli says. "For all I know all my stuff is still there!"

"Besides, you need me to… " Zerachiel starts to say, and then snaps his jaw shut. No sense letting anything slip that will interest the Titanians more…

Tasha blinks at that, ears perking. "I though' your 'ome was 'ere, with the Expedition! I didn' know Sheol was where you launched from," she admits in a frenzied whisper. "Tha'll be somethin'."

"Now that this is settled, why don't we let these fine gentlemen return to basking in their most intellectual culture," Layth says to his companions.

"Ten days," Aaron notes. "Don't leave without us!"

"Bunny!" Rushfighter replies with a big grin.

"Good idea, me brain big hurt," the red woman agrees. Turning back to the Titanians, Tasha nods, "Ten days! We be here! Now we leave, come back in ten day."

"Bye bye," says the first officer.

"I show out!" Blammo offers, leading the way and wagging his tail. He's sure happy for some reason…

"Nothing ever ends well when a Titanian smiles," Layth offers as sage advice. "I feel doom may be upon us."

"Really? I've felt that since I met Tasha," Aaron notes. "It keeps me warm."

"Oi, sometimes adventure is dumb," Tasha mumbles as she follows along, feeling like she may need to lay down for a while, and soon.

Once they're all outside, Aisha whispers to Layth, "Can you… carry this for me?" With a bit of strain, the doe holds up a small (for a Titanian) hammer. It has a bow tied around it.

"Where, and why, do you have this?" Layth has to ask the doe as he takes the heavy hammer from Aisha.

"Blammo gave them to us," Calligenia says, swinging her own mini-hammer (with a bow) around to get a feel for it.

Tasha takes a long look at the small hammer, then just shakes her head. "I don' wan' to know. Gabriel, let's investigate some alcohol." Snatching the older Karnor's arm, Tasha starts walking for town. Layth covers his eyes and groans. "This may mean you just married him, you know," the buck grumbles. He rests Aisha's 'hammer' on his shoulder and just trudges along. Somehow the does always seem to get him in trouble.

"It's not unusual for men to give me gifts for no reason," Aisha notes. "I mean… "

And then both does say in unison, "… we're bunnies."