Interstellar Cruise Ship Scorpio - Earthbound IC

[Aureyon]

Helena listened silently as the people assembled at the table discussed an intrusion upon a passengers cargo on the lower decks. Her eyes raised in question and she stepped forward directly past the Doctor, and in front of Daniel, her eyes focusing on the Wanderer. She had many questions passing through her head as quick as a rushing river, and it was a bit disorienting. She eyed the wanderer and then she spoke slowly "Is..It..True?"

Awaiting an answer she looked around the room and surveyed the various members of the crowd that had gathered in the dining area. She eyed a great many of them with eyes filled with prospect; Many were of the foreign type, and they surely had technologies to offer her. She eyed the Bathosians, and the apparent robot talking to the one he called Doctor. What a strange group, she mused to herself awaiting an answer from the child.

[Enigma]

"Is what true?" Butterfly asked, blinking up at Helena curiously. Master Hand nodded slightly, and one of the bodyguard monks, a plump fellow who moved with light grace that belied his bulk, stepped up beside Butterfly and bowed.

"Please excuse this worthless one," he said, bowing his head. "Perhaps I may be of assistance? The Wanderer, you see, is the Great Innocent, who asks the questions we assume we already know."
"What?" Butterfly frowned, turning to look at the monk. "What is 'innocent'?"
"You are," the monk told her, bowing slightly, then smiled at Helena. "As you can see."

Butterfly frowned, completely lost.


"My module?!?" Dr. Thorne yelped when Daniel mentioned it. "Captain, I'm engaging in vital research down there! I must insist on inspecting the module immediately!"

"Captain, we can't let an unescorted man down there, we haven't found the intruders yet!"

"Doctor Thorne," Schizo said politely in a smooth, even tone, with his fingers pursed together in front of him, "would you like me to escort you to the cargo hold? I would like to continue our conversation on the way down, if you will."

"Yes! Thank you! You see, I won't be going down there alone! I'd be going with him!" Dr. Thorne beamed.

"Well, I don't know..." the Captain began.

"Well, this is more excitement than I usually see most nights," Jason Parker sighed, hauling himself upright. He paused for a moment, swaying slightly, then managed a slight bow. "My dear, it was wonderful to meet you, but I'm afraid I may have started the celebrations a little bit too early today. I shall contact your staff sometime tomorrow about that interview. Good evening to you all!"

With a smile on his rosy cheeks and a carefree wave, the retired journalist headed off towards his cabin.

Captain Sharp grunted, staring after him. "A rare early night!"

"Sir, about Doctor Thorne...?"
"I'm sure your men have everything in hand, Chief. Dr. Thorne, I'll let you and the robot go down on my authorization. See to it."
"Well, I suppose you two should come with me!" the Chief of Security said, unhappily.

[Azazeal849]

Seeing Parker suddenly get up from the table and shrug on his coat, Daniel crossed the room to intercept te reporter as he began to move unsteadily towards the door.

"You're leaving so soon?" he asked, injecting a note of surprise into his voice.

Parker nodded, his face flushed with alcohol. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to call it a night."

"Ah." Daniel said, and prised something small and black free from the bottom of his omni with a thumbnail. "Very well, Mr Parker. I hope that we shall meet again soon."

He shook Parker's hand. An eye for detail had revealed to him a small hole in the lining of Parker's coat, and as he used his other hand to steady the inebriated reporter, he dropped the small black something into it. The tiny microphone disappeared into the gap between the coat's inner and outer lining.

"Goodnight." Daniel said with a friendly nod, and went back to his table.

[Aureyon]

Helena nodded at having her suspicions confirmed; Now that she had seen the Wanderer with her own eyes, she could find it more believable. Nevertheless, it seemed that she had arrived at an opportune time. If she had been listening correctly, there was some action in the lower areas of the ship; something concerning this "Doctor Thorne", and something he had in the cargo hold. She took this as her signal to leave, as it seemed the dinner that had been planned was not going to happen.

"Well, thank you for confirming my suspicions. I appreciate your time.", Helena gave a formal bow to the assembled group and then turned towards the exit.

Let's hope it will be easier to find my way back to my cabin than it was to get to it in the first place., she thought to herself as she made her way to the exit of the Constellation Dining Room. Despite the fact that events seemed to be escalating at a progressively slow rate, she felt that it was best to stay out of it for the time being; Seeing as it didn't involve her.

However, on her way out of the dining room, she managed to plow into a man (Jackson), and she looked up in suprise, "Forgive Me, I hadn't meant to do that", a slight hint of a blush crept into her cheeks as the warm sensation of embarrassment flooded her body.

[Black]

Gabriel retrieved his bag of magic tricks and made his way with the bustling crowds towards his assigned quarters. It took him the better part of thirty minutes to make it to the crews quarters he was assigned to. Room S. 241. Opening the door to the room and throwing his back on the bed Gabriel took stock of his surroundings. A business class cabin offered moderate comfort, with a couch and a T.V. nestled nicely in the corner, a full queen bed at the north end of the cabin, a sizable bathroom and a closet for storage. Gabriel noticed a control panel by the door and walked over to it.

"Hmm, not bad," he murmured running his hands over the smooth computer inlay and sleek design. Immediately Gabriel went over to his bag of toys and opened it, pulling out a set of old-fashioned lock picks, a jimmy for hi-jacking cars, and a high-tech looking PDA with several cords hanging out of it. Poking his head out of the hall Gabriel checked up and down. He noticed no one in the hallway and stepped calmly out, sliding up to room S 240 directly across from him. Knocking rather loudly he waited for a reply. When he got none he slid the door open and stepped inside. It was exactly identical to his down to the last detail, including the computer control panel.

He stepped over to the panel and slid his hand along the underside until it connected very briefly with a welcome feel. Getting on his knees he squished himself under the console and set to work taking apart the maintenance hatch with his set of lock picks. Four minutes later and it popped off with a satisfied click. Gabriel took his PDA and nestled it securely into the computer system, hooking it up to the motherboard and then putting the console backing back in place. This complete he slid out of the room and back into his.

After putting away those specific toys Gabriel looked at his furnishings with a critical eye and stepped over to them. He lifted the couch easily and began a spot inspection of any bugs within the furnishings. Afterwards he checked the T.V. and followed through for the rest of the humble abode. When he found nothing Gabriel pulled out a sniffer which detected and sorted all manner of video-audio listening devices as well as a number of other types of sensors.

Gabriel listened to and watched the machine for a couple of minutes before giving a satisfied grunt and laying it on the bed. Afterwards he took out all his toys and dumped them rather carelessly and unceremoniously onto the bed. Pocketing a handful, in the case of Gabriel's massive hand it was more like two handfuls, and grabbing up his slim jim and lock picks Gabriel slouched out of his stolen clothing and slipped on his touristy garb.

Having left his apartment Gabriel moved very casually along the systems byways until he was standing casually before two armed guards who looked at the man in front of them quizzically.

"Sir, this part of the ship is restricted, you may go no further," one stated in a surly voice.

Gabriel made no motion to leave, just continued to stare at the two.

"Sir, you need to leave now," the same surly man stated again, this time more forcefully and stepping forward. He stepped forward again with a threatening gesture, drawing a stun baton at his waist and pointing it at Gabriel.

"Move little man," Gabriel growled, stepping forward with surprising speed and catching the guards hand before it could come down and touch him with the baton. Gabriel squeezed the hand very forcefully and felt it begin to crack before letting go and dropping the man to his knees with a quick jab to the solar plexus. Then he stepped back and raised his arms, dropping to his knees as the second guard advanced on him with a taser.

Gabriel received an unpleasant shock and arched forward, forced to the ground by an unseen guard who had advanced on him. In moments he was in cuffs and lead into the room the other two guards had denied him access to, taking him to a senior officer-- and incidentally closer to the Wanderer

[Enigma]

"Sir, a passenger just tried to assault us outside the Constellation Dining Room," panted the first guard into his wrist omni.
"Got it on camera. You just had to use the taser on him, huh?"
"Last time that girl was on board, the steward who went crazy kept fighting after being hit by a bass stunner, sir."
"I'm dispatching two men to your location. Once they arrive, escort our friend down to Sick Bay to get checked out before bringing him to the Security Office. Then we're gonna have a little talk about that toy of yours."


Junkai was helping himself at the buffet table with plates in both left hands when Penny suddenly tugged on his right ancillary arm, making him squawk in alarm. "<Child, can we not stop for food?>"

Penny glared at him, then pointed at the Wanderer's table.
"<This cannot wait?>" Junkai wailed, then reared away when she glared up at him. "<...If such is your wish, then I shall pass for the moment on my repast.>"

He put his plate down on the buffet table, shrugging at the human server nervously. "Sorry I, go must I!"

Penny grabbed his primary right arm and began dragging him towards the Captain's table.


The Chief of Security started to lead the way for SCHIZO and Dr. Thorne when he suddenly paused, listening intently before returning back to the Captain's table, giving Helena and Jackson an annoyed look as he stepped around them.

"Captain, someone just tried to assault two guards in the hallway. It may be nothing, but I believe it would be best if we send the Wanderer back to her cabin under escort, then lock down the corridor."

"Is something happening?" Butterfly asked, looking worriedly at Daniel and the monks.

"No, just a lot of butt covering," sighed the captain, tossing his napkin onto the table. He blinked and smiled warmly at the blue alien being dragged towards the table by a dark-haired human girl. "Greetings, my friend! Well, you saved us a trip!"

"Beylix return we?" Junkai asked, his ears pricking up. Penny paused, glancing around the table with a frown.
"No, just your cabin. Might be a problem, don't know yet."
"Eaten not have I," the blue alien slumped.
"Let the steward know, they'll take care of you as you go through the kitchen. Say, who is this young lady?"
"Eh? Penny!" Junkai winced as the girl stomped on his right fore instep. "I... promised a friend I'd see her to Earth."
"Doesn't talk much, does she?"
"Dread day sure to be," Junkai muttered sourly, glancing down at her.

"Well, we'll all go together. Chief, give me a report on both situations as soon as you can. My dears, would you be interested in a quick tour of our kitchen, followed by a tour of the service elevator?"

[Azazeal849]

Daniel looked at Butterfly, who just gave a shy smile and shrugged.

"Why not?" he said to the captain, clasping his hands, and pretending to be ignorant of the fact that stealing out through the kitchens was a shrewd move by the captain to keep Butterfly out of harm's way. With the corner of his eye he watched Schizo and Dr Thorne hurry out of the door, followed a few moments later by the Athenian woman in the green toga.

A strange woman to be sure, but not a spy. A spy would have been more subtle. Probably not worth worrying about unless she starts turning up in places she shouldn't.

As the woman bumped into someone going the other way, Daniel glanced one last time at the Botah and its Santosian escorts before following the others through into the kitchens behind the main dining tables. The room beyond was hot, and busy with chefs in white aprons who were shouting updates to each other as they laboured to get food from several different planets out for the ongoing buffet. Daniel took in details out of habit as the captain began to show them around. This chef was married and possibly from the planet Lilac, judging by the tattoo of a native simivulpa on his arm. That chef was left-handed, judging by the plaster over a knife cut on her right thumb.

As they threaded round the edge of the cooking area, past a chef who was grilling fish while another tossed a vegetable medley in a giant wok, Daniel found himself next to Junkai and his mute apprentice.

"Did you say you were travelling all the way to Earth, master Junkai?" he asked - partly to make conversation, and partly to satisfy his own curiosity. "Are you not...well, forgive me, a wanted man there?"