NationStates Jolt Archive

Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhJyiCaFxbo)

A loud noise was heard in the horizon in one of the jungles of New Ganoxa. A noise so loud that the nearest settlement which was about twenty or so kilometers away was complaining to the government about the problem, which wakes up it residents every three hours. This noise did not sound sound organic, this can be confirmed through the constant expeditions set forth by R&D. No this was more of a large mechanical device to Dr. Robert Helsing's analysis.

Dr. Helsing, sitting in his office at the Meridia Island compound of the R&D Department, was discussing another possible expedition to root out this noise and discover what was causing it. Two holo images of Chairman Wraith Kotor and General James Grenzer were in front of Helsing's desk, showing them sitting on the chairs.

"This noise problem seems to be a worthy pretext to explore deeper into the jungles. If only we could get initial backing by the gover-"

"Doctor during your last visit into that jungle, you were nearly eaten alive by that rather giant plant." Kotor pointed out.

"I am aware of the danger, and I will be cautious this time."

"Cautious? This time? Doctor, please. Your expertise is too valuable to be wasted. Why can't you reconsider?"

"Well, for one part, my last real field assignment was nearly a year ago on Milokeenia, and well its starting to get irritating around here. I don't know who is in charge of human resources around here, but the assistants I have gotten lately tend to be more accident prone."

Grenzer was heard snickering, "Its not funny, James."

"What? I didn't say anything. Anyways, sir, we really need to investigate that noise that coming from the jungle. I think we would need our best man to find the cause of this as soon as possible. Not only for the sake of the settlement but also for the sake of curiosity."

Kotor's image looked at Grenzer's, "Well I suppose you're right, Dr. Helsing you have your support. Grenzer assign whatever resources you'll need for this operation."

"You're putting him in charge?" Helsing looked over at Grenzer smiling.

"Of the military part, yes. You'll be in charge of the civilian side of the mission. And please, for the love of god, get along. Just seeing you two bicker was hard enough during my last visit here."

"Yes sir."

In the air a squadron of Signal Corp fighters were making scans of the jungle, trying to find anything that would be causing the noise. Some of the pilots were baffled by the scans, as it was showing some sort of disturbance in the area. Every time they pass through, it would show static or wouldn't show at all. Being given the exact radius of the disturbances, Grenzer chose to raze down the jungle.

"You know you could have killed off rather important discoveries..." Helsing sighed.

"Sue me." he simply stated, Alright men as soon as the jungle clears, I want a 100 click radius secured around this point," he pointed at the area with the heaviest disturbances.

Six hours had passed before the jungle was cleared, the smoke began to dissipate silhouetting a rather large object. Soon Helsing's jaw dropped at what was finally revealed. It was a rather gigantic ship, almost 5 Forellia class battleships long. The ship before them had a framelike structure in the front with two struts protruding from the front of the frame, to the back was a more bulky infrastructure, witha large bubble in the middle and command room on top. Two structures were jutting out the sides of the ships in the rear, rather bulky ones, each connecting to another structure heading downwards, most likely engines. Inside the frame resemble more of a ruined city.

"This is a truly wonderful find!"

Grenzer noticed Helsing's sudden change in attitude, after his apparent complaints of him burning the forest to the ground. He shrugged and just took in the ship before him. Suddenly a subordinate with a Colonel insignia, appeared beside him, giving him a clipboard. "I see, the perimeter has been secured, and beginning to set up shop around the ship. Good, work." he saluted to the colonel, dismissing him.

Grenzer organized a few hundred squads of men, after calling in more forces to secure the area, to escort the hundreds of Ganoxian scientists exploring the ship. Dr. Helsings team decided to enter through the bubble canopy hopefully stumbling upon the command room.

After hours of getting lost down narrow pathways, pipe-laden mazes, and other such obstructions they had stumbled upon the command post of the ship. It had a very familiar feel to it, you had a command chair, consoles for subordinates and other such devices you would normally find a on a bridge. Helsing blew the dust off one of the consoles to his surprise, the letters written on the board was in English. Whispers were heard among the team behind him, even from the soldiers. "Alright, you there!" he said to one of the soldiers that was escorting him.

"Um me sir?"

"Yes give me your commlink," the soldier threw him the device,"James, come in James."

"Yes Rob what is it?"

"Has anyone found the power systems to this thing?"

"Hmm let me see. I...haven't really gotten...oh here we go. Yea Team 1-1-A found the reactors about a few hours ago. The lead scientist there, Dr. Trasela, thinks it might be a thermonuclear reactor. Hes working on getting it running now."

Hmm Sila is well suited for that, as our lead physicist, after all. "Alright keep me pos--" soon lights start to flicker and systems start to turn on. "ted."

"Looks like hes got it running..."

"Thank you James."

As soon as Dr. Helsing put down the commlink, music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH0H_idMtHI&feature=related) started to play. "Oh c'mon now, who brought a music player?!"

"No one has a music player sir. Its coming from the console."

"What?!"

Kyoooon Kyoooon

Kyoooon Kyoooon

Watashi no kare wa

pairottu

"What language is that?" asked an assistant.

"Its Japanese. It says Whoosh Whoosh, Whoosh Whoosh. My boyfriend is a pilot."

"Ooh a love song!" said a female assistant.

"It could be. Well lets get to work shall we?"

Over the course of the day, Dr. Helsing's team took shifts on trying to configure the consoles, learning the controls of the ship. Even though its in a familiar language, it was still a chore trying to find out which is which, and navigating the computer system. The soldiers found a room, where they kept busy with playing cards and telling stories of their "conquests" of the opposite sex. Helsing sighed, a shame they don't feel at least a bit interested in this ship, except for one, Specialist Jenius, who was fiddling around with a console dubbed, Military Command Console. "I see? Interesting."

"Found something?" Dr. Helsing came from behind.

"Oh! Sorry sir, I didn't mean to mess with this I'll let you--"

"I don't mind, now about what you found?"

"Oh yes. It appears this craft was a colony ship with spacecraft carrying capabilities. According to the log, they had left Earth in the year 2012 as part of their colonization program. They were heading corewards when they suddenly lost contact with Earth, not knowing what to do they continued on. The log doesn't specify and it appears it was forced to land here."

"Hmm. Good work. Continue on."

"You don't want one of your assistants to see it?"

"Oh them, between you and me, sometimes I don't think they know their ass from their elbow. Educated idiots if you know what I mean," they both chuckled, "no you keep trying to find something, I'm glad to see one of you soldiers are showing interest."

"Alright!"

"Oh yes whats your specialty?"

"My specialty sir?"

"You're a specialist aren't you?"

"Oh..Oh! computer technician."

"Hmm that explains it." he smiled.

"Sir, General Grenzer is on the line."

"Alright I'll be right there." he patted Jenius' shoulder, "continue, continue." he gestured.

"You what?!" Helsing yelled out with some of the assistants staring at him in confusion, "and you didn't want to ask me first."

"Well you would have said yes anyways so we thought--"

"Well yes, I would have. And 'we'?"

"Kotor asked me to send the message, so I spoke on your behalf saying we would comply. Theres no problem right?"

"No! No, no its alright...just...let me in on the loop next time. So when did you put out the message."

"About an hour ago."

"Alright, this should be interesting to them. Can you play it for me?"

"Yea sure. Here."

From: Chairman Kotor, Ganoxian Alliance Council.
To: GFFA members, allies of the Ganoxian Alliance

We have discovered a rather large vessel on our world that predates our colonization. Its a rather large vessel reaching over 5000 meters in length and as tall as a small mountain. Our scientists and military has begun exploring this vessel and investigating its nature, purpose, and design. As such, we wish to share this find with our allies. We cordially invite our allies' respective scientific communities to help with the investigation.

OOC: To fit Doctor Tennenbaum into this, I'm going to have to make a few adjustments. This assumes the RP takes place after her first appearance making supersoldiers.

Also, all spoken text in italics is in Rioplatense Spanish, the dialect of Buenos Aires.

IC:

Buenos Aires, D.F., Argentina, Earth SSR

"...and thus, one can easily derive the solution from Einstein's equations."

Dr. Edelmira Tennenbaum Orrozco, Ph.d, J.D. (and licensed to practice law in a number of places), Masters in Quantum Physics, Genetics, Astrophysics, Biology and Chemistry and all other sciences, was as usual lecturing her students to death. With her highstrung mannerisms, her eccentric mannerisms, and her entertaining use of a segway plus the smell of that odd wax solution she always seemed to be standing in, she could be a bear in lecture. Her readings weren't light either.

But, that didn't seem to matter to Doctor Tennenbaum, as the eminent scientist paced back and forth to the amusement of the students in the lecture hall. Actually, one might be better off using the word "putting" to describe Tennenbaum's motions, as she tapped the blackboard with a pointer and had her assistant Javier scrawl equations on the wall as she moved back and forth on the segway as she talked.

She then stopped and looked at the students. With a focused timbre in her voice, she then spoke to the audience, leaning on the control panel of her segway, "Right. Any questions?"

Some of her students couldn't help but begin snickering. Bad mistake; these were more than likely freshmen who didn't know not to mess with the Wunderkind of the Pampas. Their laughter became louder, and she then pointed at them with an irritated smirk.

"You there, in the upper rows. You must have questions. Tell me, do you wish to ask about Einstein's equations!?"

The snickering students were temporarily stunned, as Tennenbaum dropped the smirk and grew irritated, almost spitting her words now with contempt."Or do you wish to mock me instead?! I hear the snickers, the cackles at the little Jew woman. Yes, let's hope she falls off that contraption for our amusement! It's not like you have to PASS this class and get a good mark!

Braying Jackasses! BRAYING HYENAS! IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING PRODUCTIVE TO SAY, SAY IT NOW, OR I WILL COME UP THERE!"

The errant students then shut up, and then cowered in fear. She then smiled and said, satisfied, "Right. Tonight, read chapter 24 in the MacInnerley, and my paper on Einstein. Optional is the philosophical paper by me on the implications of the Bomb. There is an online quiz, do it by midnight tomorrow or you will fail! Class dismissed!"

As they left, Javier sighed and said, "You can grow a thicker skin, you know."

Tennenbaum then scoffed at the thought of simply ignoring such people. "And what? Endure the slings and arrows of reckless fools? Never. My mother and father taught me never to back down from anything, and some braying jackasses won't stop me." She let out a "humph" and said, "Right. I'll be in my office. I have to get to the lab for a couple of hours of work, then I have to substitute for Professor Marcos's lecture on Chaucer."

Javier then pointed on something on his PDA.

“Doctor, look. It is an announcement from the Ganoxans.” He showed the announcement to the good doctor, as she looked eagerly at the site.

From: Chairman Kotor, Ganoxian Alliance Council.
To: GFFA members, allies of the Ganoxian Alliance

We have discovered a rather large vessel on our world that predates our colonization. Its a rather large vessel reaching over 5000 meters in length and as tall as a small mountain. Our scientists and military has begun exploring this vessel and investigating its nature, purpose, and design. As such, we wish to share this find with our allies. We cordially invite our allies' respective scientific communities to help with the investigation.

Tennenbaum smiled. An easy challenge for the eminent scientist. She chuckled at the ad, and emitted a Noblewoman’s Laugh* to shake the foundations of the lecture hall. Javier recognized that laugh; then again he learned to accept a number of her quirks. It was her, “Cancel all my appointments, I’m going on an adventure and fuck you if you don’t like it” laugh.

“I’ll get the shuttle ready,” Javier said, “and cancel all your appointments, and order the appropriate apology cards and gift baskets.”

“Nice to know you can read my thoughts, Javier.” Tennenbaum smiled, and warmly zoomed off to her office, eager to prepare her things….

*OOC: TV Tropes Wiki defines the Noblewoman's Laugh as follows. This was filed under Anime, but it can easily apply here due to Tennenbaum's outlandish lunacy. Google up the site, as TV Tropes is infinetly entertaining. ;)

Women from Japanese or pseudo-Japanese aristocratic families often exhibit a tendency to laugh like crazed loons or the distaff versions of mad scientists (aka the Evil Laugh) when contemplating how they'll humiliate their enemies. They can also optionally hold a straightened palm vertically to the side of their mouth, as if calling out in a prim manner.

Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N226hWkWpT4&feature=related) was still playing in the bridge of the large ship.

Time drifts away

Love drifts away

Looking at me so sadly,

Looking at me so sadly

You are off to war, without a doubt

All the men, everyone,

as if possessed by the devil

The music was really nice and Helsing didn't mind it, as most of his assistants would agree its really helping with their work, not too mention hearing a past nation's piece of culture. So far the team had found out how to control the vessels flight systems and military defense systems, to which they left alone not wanting to endanger the rest of the teams inside the ship. "How goes the search James?"

"Well to my interest we found the carrier part of the ship." he chuckled bit, knowing for sure that Helsing is making a face right now.

He was right,"Oh great!" he said sarcastically.

"Hey! I don't make remarks about your work! Anyways we have found a cache of weapons there. A sort of heavy mech (http://www.new-un-spacy.com/sdfmacross/destroid-monster/destroid-monster.gif) and a whole wing of fighters (http://www.steelfalcon.com/Macross/Images/VF1valkyrie.gif)."

"Yeah okay. So what do you have thats not military related?"

"Hmm. Alright, let me see. Team 2-5-C, Dr. Waliston's team, has found the life support systems and will be getting them running in about an hour, Team 3-8-Z, Dr. Korela's, has found the vertical propulsion systems and working on that." Grenzer reported

""Good. We have some idea on how to control those systems, including the military part of the ship."

"Really now? Looks like I have to pay a visit up there."

"What.. I.. can't.. he--" Helsing tried to fake himself losing contact.

"I know you can hear me Rob...stop pulling that off."

"Damn it."

"I'll meet you at the bridge in one hour."

"Fine see you then." he retorted.

"Doctor!" Helsing looked at Specialist Jenius, "I found something."

Helsing walked over to the soldier sitting at the military control console. As soon as he got up to it another music bit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBhz2wmb7NE&feature=related) started to play. It was rather upbeat and a nice sound to it as most of the music he heard so far. Enough pondering about that he had to see what Jenius wanted. "Yes?"

"After reading the log a bit more, I found the commanders' names and the name of the ship."

"Thats great, I was getting tired of everyone just calling it the big-ass ship." Although Grenzer gave it the name, Project G, a typical military description.

"The names of the commanders are Major Misa Ichijyo and Captain Hikaru Ichijyo. They seemed to have been married and had a daughter Miku Ichijyo"

"Ooh! A husband and wife on the same ship!" yelled a female assistant, Helsing was surprised she came behind him so suddenly.

"Well whats the ship called?"

"Super Dimension Fortress-02 Megaroad-01."

"The Megaroad..."

Tennenbaum's shuttle had arrived on New Ganoxa soon enough, with a relatively smooth landing and the requisitioning for a squad of escorts to take them to the site proper. Javier followed his boss loyally, as he got Tennenbaum onto the segway and mounted the Crawler attachment--a series of spider legs to propel her along rough terrain. The mods took some doing, but they got readied.

Now the question on everyone's mind was the site, and though Tennenbaum's mind was ununusually quick, it was musing still over its potential location. Tennenbaum asked the people in charged eagerly and forcefully in her Virginian accent, "Where, pray tell, is the vessel to be investigated? I had heard we were invited to investigate a site, but I cannot do that if I cannot understand where it is."

"The Megaroad? Hmm quite a name for quite a ship."

"Yes, I agree. At least we can stop calling it Project G," he smiled.

"Hey I didn't get anything from you!" Grenzer retorted.

"Well you didn't give me a word edgewise."

"Yeah, yeah. Well looks like the men will stop calling it the big ass ship now. Well we have received our first foreign scientist, a Doctor Tennenbaum. Shes being escorted as we speak."

"Alright."

____________________________________

The squad was a bit puzzled as to why this doctor, had to use such a unusual form of transport. Sergeant Marcus, the squad leader pointed to the north, "The sit is just over that hill. We have transport ready to drive you there. Please this way to the motor pool."

As soon as the transports came just to the top of the hill the Megaroad could be seen, all sorts of military and civilian craft buzzing around it, tents and other temporary buildings surrounded it, hundreds of personnel working tirelessly on researching it.

The squad was a bit puzzled as to why this doctor, had to use such a unusual form of transport. Sergeant Marcus, the squad leader pointed to the north, "The sit is just over that hill. We have transport ready to drive you there. Please this way to the motor pool."

As soon as the transports came just to the top of the hill the Megaroad could be seen, all sorts of military and civilian craft buzzing around it, tents and other temporary buildings surrounded it, hundreds of personnel working tirelessly on researching it.

Tennenbaum marveled at the site as the transport bounded across the way to the site. Well, at least privately. Openly, her exterior remained calm as ever as she analyzed her surroundings. It was obvious that the vessel itself was of some importance, such was the level of investment around it. It was also evident that the Ganoxans had gotten a lot of work done too.

She then smiled and looked at the squad leader, saying, "So, do you know how much they've done so far? I'm rather eager to know where I'll be stepping in, Sergeant."

"Well ma'am, we have people working on just about everything on the ship. From engines, to life support, and even got our top researcher, Dr. Helsing, working on the controls in the bridge of the ship, right up there." he pointed at the command tower atop what was a bubble-like structure according to the plans of the ship. (http://www.new-un-spacy.com/flashback2012/megaroad01/megaroad01.gif)

Meanwhile on the bridge, Dr. Helsing was getting a bit tired from 16 hours of staring at a computer screen, skimming through the log. No one bothered to turn off the music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3RIQnD-Erw&feature=related), even though they learned how to turn it off, it was soothing. He was tapped on the shoulder by a female assistant, Sheryl. "Hey doc you should get some rest!"

"Huh, what? Oh...oh yea. Maybe I should. Thanks for your consideration."

"Anytime, I'll take over for awhile. In the meantime we have a few beds in what was left of a crew quarters. To our amazement some of the stuff there was preserved. Including some of the previous owner's decorations."

"Hmm. Don't tell me posters of..."

"Mhm."

"I thought so." he got up and headed for the crew quarters.

"Silver moon, red moon." Sheryl hummed to the tune.

"Well ma'am, we have people working on just about everything on the ship. From engines, to life support, and even got our top researcher, Dr. Helsing, working on the controls in the bridge of the ship, right up there." he pointed at the command tower atop what was a bubble-like structure according to the plans of the ship. (http://www.new-un-spacy.com/flashback2012/megaroad01/megaroad01.gif)

"Dr. Helsing, huh?" Tennenbaum then looked at the plans of the ship that appeared and studied them intensely. Pulling out a pair of spectacles and examining them intently, she muttered to herself as she looked over what could best be described as a map of the vessel. The name evidently inspired some acknowledgement in the good Doctor, who had read some of his papers before when they became available to the Commissariat of Science's SciNet. She had agreed with some, disagreed with others, and tried to test them all.

Javier leaned in close and asked the good Doctor, not entirely puzzled by her behavior, "What's wrong, Doctor?"

"Nothing wrong, Javier. Just amazed at the size of it all. So much archaeotech in one place, it's hard to tell if there isn't meaning behind it all." Mumbling to herself as she scanned it, the Doctor continued her assessments which were decidedly skeptical and awestruck, all at once. For a moment, her exterior, usually snippy, was melted with the air of wonder. She could be seen stroking her chin, as she muttered, fluidly switching from English, German, and Spanish.

"Hmm.....how did this thing fly? What powered it? How many could it have held....perhaps thousands?"

She then pulled out a notebook, stained with all manner of food particles, spots of indeterminate origin, ink streaks, and chicken scratches that passed for human handwriting. She then wrote down her questions in them, and then an idea popped up. Turning to Javier as the transport pulled up to the site, Doctor Tennenbaum asked her assistant in English for the benefit of those around her, "Tell me, Javier. How many people do you think this ship could have held?"

Javier replied, hesitantly, "Perhaps several thousand or more, altogether."

Tennenbaum then replied, "A good assessment, one I was considering as well." With a smile, she then tapped the map, saying, "This ship is not as big as one of our Mao Zedong Mark IVs or an Eclipse, but it certainly is nothing to sneeze at. If the measures are right, there must be significant accomidations to hold so many people."

When they got out, Tennenbaum moving somewhat clumsily on her modified Segway and Javier following, she took a good look at the machine she was witnessing. It was a massive ship, though bigger existed.

"Hmm. I wonder if they have handicap access," Tennenbaum mused.

OOC: Go ahead and lead Tennenbaum inside to Dr. helsing, if ya can.

As the guests got out into the hangar area, which was made operational for traffic about just a few hours ago, Marcus began to lead the scientists through the hangar area and the rest of the ship. Passing by the fighters that were found and the two very big mechs.

They entered into the interior of the ship, going through all manner of corridors and pathways, taking what elevators were made operational and using access ramps where ever they could so that the good Doctor could climb up. It took them about thirty minutes to get to where the command tower would be. "Alright we're almost there. Okay we're here." He knocked on the door and it slid open to reveal Dr. Helsing.

"Has our guest arrived?"

"Yes sir. She righ--"

Dr. Helsing walked over to Tennenbaum not noticing the apparatus she was using for transportation. "Great to meet you, doctor. I am Doctor Robert Helsing, lead researcher of the Ganoxian Research and Development Department. I am sure you have loads of questions to ask, so please come into the bridge."

Marcus rose his hand, wishing to speak."Ah yes Sergeant, your men can rest over there," he pointed over to the crew quarters.

"Uh, yes sir." he turned to his men and gave em a fall out order.

"Right this way." Helsing gestured.

As the guests got out into the hangar area, which was made operational for traffic about just a few hours ago, Marcus began to lead the scientists through the hangar area and the rest of the ship. Passing by the fighters that were found and the two very big mechs.

They entered into the interior of the ship, going through all manner of corridors and pathways, taking what elevators were made operational and using access ramps where ever they could so that the good Doctor could climb up. It took them about thirty minutes to get to where the command tower would be. "Alright we're almost there. Okay we're here." He knocked on the door and it slid open to reveal Dr. Helsing.

The size of the ship was evident from Tennenbaum's quick tour of the vessel. Normally, a Dornalian vessel would have taken less than ten minutes to traverse, mainly due to her special method of transport but also due to the fact that Dornalian vessels also featured convieniences such as moving sidewalks and well thought out planning.

She made copious notes in her notebook as she passed by, especially noting the presence of the fighters. They seemed oddly familiar, but why?

"Has our guest arrived?"

"Yes sir. She righ--"

Dr. Helsing walked over to Tennenbaum not noticing the apparatus she was using for transportation. "Great to meet you, doctor. I am Doctor Robert Helsing, lead researcher of the Ganoxian Research and Development Department. I am sure you have loads of questions to ask, so please come into the bridge."

Marcus rose his hand, wishing to speak."Ah yes Sergeant, your men can rest over there," he pointed over to the crew quarters.

"Uh, yes sir." he turned to his men and gave em a fall out order.

"Right this way." Helsing gestured.

Dr. Tennenbaum nodded and followed Dr. Helsing to the bridge, saying, "Thank you, Doctor Helsing." She then began speaking as her segway moved to the bridge, eager to share her conclusions with her counterpart. Speaking in a slightly curt and very businesslike tone, she began to ask the Doctor questions.

"What have you discovered about the method of propulsion and lift so far, Doctor? I have seen the preliminary schematics of the vessel that I am sure were gleaned from initial examininations, and it is a vessel of significant size. At least several kilometers, with space to hold several thousand. A vessel such as this surely needed a sophisticated system of lift, propulsion and power management to keep it passengers alive throughout the voyage."

"Well we know that the ship was powered by a thermonuclear reactor. From our initial reports from our people in the engine rooms is that they used a anti-gravity system for lift and sublight rocket boosters as a back up. From reading the logs it was said that around 80,000 civilians along with a couple thousand military personnel were onboard this ship. I would say they lived in a high quality status, a surprise on my part as I thought this ship would have been cramped." Helsing replied catching his breath.

"Well we know that the ship was powered by a thermonuclear reactor. From our initial reports from our people in the engine rooms is that they used a anti-gravity system for lift and sublight rocket boosters as a back up. From reading the logs it was said that around 80,000 civilians along with a couple thousand military personnel were onboard this ship. I would say they lived in a high quality status, a surprise on my part as I thought this ship would have been cramped." Helsing replied catching his breath.

Tennenbaum's eyes widened. She had expected several thousand--as in a huge amount of people, not a few thousand--but eighty thousand was no small change. She then shook her head and spoke with some surprise and agitation.

"I...see.....eighty thousand, all in this five kilometer vessel, in surprisingly comfortable conditions." Tennenbaum couldn't believe it. The ship seemed an oddity in other ways as well besides the population situation, and she voiced them immediately, and somewhat forcefully.

"A ship of this size powered by a simple nuclear reactor. I can understand the anti-gravity lift system, and the auxiliary rocket lift. But all this--all this technology, all these comfortable living conditions, all that propulsion--powered by one nuclear reactor?!" The Doctor then let out a harumph and then said, "Surely there must have been more than one, or something not discovered yet about said atomic device."

Javier then said, "That is true. But Dr. Helsing said there was but one."

"Was I talking to you!?" Tennenbaum snapped at Javier. "Do not interupt my thought processes, I will thank you not to do so again."

"I'm sorry, I meant a few thermonuclear reactors. I haven't really gotten that much sleep lately. There is many parts of the ships we have not discovered yet due to the fact of debris preventing us from moving in. Arm Slaves are clearing the debris as we speak but will take some time."

Suddenly the song, Zero-G Love started to play again, "Hmm?"

"Oh sorry I found the repeat button. I just love that song." an assistant replied.

"God..." Helsing sighed.

"I'm sorry, I meant a few thermonuclear reactors. I haven't really gotten that much sleep lately. There is many parts of the ships we have not discovered yet due to the fact of debris preventing us from moving in. Arm Slaves are clearing the debris as we speak but will take some time."

Suddenly the song, Zero-G Love started to play again, "Hmm?"

"Oh sorry I found the repeat button. I just love that song." an assistant replied.

"God..." Helsing sighed.

Tennenbaum winced at the appearance of the bubbly, sugary pop music. Javier replied to her panicked cry of, "What is that!?" with, "It's something Japanese." Tennenbaum was obviously not satisfied at the reply, for she snapped at him, leaning in close and wagging her finger in his face, "I don't care if its something Arabesque, I don't care if its a Hajarran Love Ballad, I don't care if its a poopy-flavored lolly! DO SOMETHING!" Javier immediately fingered the man who had activated the music, and said, "He did it, complain to him!"

Clasping her hands over her ears, she violently turned to the man who queued up the song and drove up to him quickly with her segway. Violently tapping him on the shoulder, she screamed at him, speaking more quickly and frantically as she complained, "Turn that music off! I can't think with that music on. I'm coming up with a solution and you have the gall to turn that music on! SO TURN IT OFF!!!!!!!!!"

"Well like I said I found the repeat button not the off button all I can do is turn it to another song. How about this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N226hWkWpT4&feature=related)? It seemed to be popular among the former crew before this ship crashed as I saw it referenced in several of the logs I read."

"Korela stop making excuses the turn off button is right behind your elbow..."

"What oh I didn't noti--"

A loud whack was heard and suddenly Korela had a rather large bump protruding from his head. Helsing went over and turned off the music. "Now where were we?" he corrected his glasses.

At this time, Dr. Walliston, was exploring the inner part of what most of the personnel called Megaroad City, after the name of the ship. Most of the debris and other obstructions were cleared by some civilian model Savage-class Arm Slaves and other types of heavy machinery making it possible to drive vehicles through the city. Dr. Walliston's team however were traveling on foot, at the behest of Walliston. Throughout the ruins he spotted buildings that were once busy shops, bustling dance clubs, and crowded restaurants. Walliston stopped and looked up, "Restaurants? On a ship?"

He spotted a sign as he looked up, it belong to the building he was facing. It said Nyan-Nyan in Mandarin Chinese. Nyan-Nyan? He wondered why it was called that? He shrugged and went inside however, to his dismay, there was quite a large mess. Tables were overturned, glasses and dishes were shattered, menus and other means of paper all about the floor. He went into the kitchen to find even a bigger mess, and a very very ghastly smell. Although the smell he could bare after the incident back at the R&D Meridia Island compound, just looking at the busted stoves and fryers made him even more depressed.

"Doc! Doc! Are you in here? Doctor Walliston are you in here?" a female voice sounded through the place.

"I'm in here!" he yelled

"Doc? Oh there you are!" said Sargent Tomira Milson, "Now how many times have I told you NOT to go wandering off without notifying us first! I swear its like babysitting my kid brother when I was in middle school." she crossed her arms.

"Look at this place!"

"Are you even listening to me?!" she noticed a certain look upon Walliston's face.

"I wonder if this place was crowded from wall to wall every night? The aroma of the food filling their nostrils, the laughter and chatting of people telling others about their day. The yells of the kitchen crews trying to get out their orders quickly before the customers complain. Oh what a place this must have been."

Milson looked on as Walliston was talking, She couldn't believe why this man was so interested in a place that could be considered a dump by most people's standards, even her. "Look, Doc, lets just g--"

"What if we rebuilt it?"

"Wait, what? Rebuild it? A restaurant in the middle of nowhere on a ghost ship?"

"Well there are people on the ship now isn't there?"

"Well its just scientists and soldiers?"

"For one thing, if we rebuild it, this will provide a resting place for other teams , so they can relax. This would be a nice place to eat nice, hot food instead of those bland rations they serve us."

"Hey there not that bad!"

"Anyways this would be a fine tribute to the previous owners and customers that used to frequent here."

Tomira was about to say something, but closed her mouth. Nothing she would say would change Walliston's mind, he was set on this for some reason. All she could do was pick up the commlink and say, "Get me General Grenzer, Doctor Walliston has something in mind that would need some more support."

"Thank you."

"No problem, I just expect free meals for me and my men." she smiled

"Done!" he smiled back.

"Well like I said I found the repeat button not the off button all I can do is turn it to another song. How about this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N226hWkWpT4&feature=related)? It seemed to be popular among the former crew before this ship crashed as I saw it referenced in several of the logs I read."

"Korela stop making excuses the turn off button is right behind your elbow..."

"What oh I didn't noti--"

A loud whack was heard and suddenly Korela had a rather large bump protruding from his head. Helsing went over and turned off the music. "Now where were we?" he corrected his glasses.


Tennenbaum wiped the sweat from her brow, and said, "Yes, where were we?" She seemed amused by the sudden blow to the head, but if there was any amusement--well, she kept it muted. Javier, meanwhile, was just glad it was all over, and that Doctor Tennenbaum didn't have to flip out for now. The good Doctor began talking in a very businesslike tone, seemingly embarassed at her outburst.

"Ah yes. You had corrected our incorrect assessment of the power management systems of the vessel, saying that there in fact several thermonuclear reactors instead of just one as we had thought previously. Power systems aside, what else has been found on this vessel? The plans seemed to indicate..."

She then coaxed the words out incredulously.

"...some sort of city, or elaborate habitation facility documented in the interior. The latter I am inclined to believe, though the former has been done before on vehicles such as Eldar craftworlds and space stations of great size."

Tennenbaum then folded her arms and said, returning to her previous tone: "Then again, your men have been working on this vessel longer than I--so the question still stands."

After bringing in more men from General Grenzer, Walliston began cleaning up the restaurant. All the menus that was stricken across the floor were collected, amazingly some were intact. The tables were overturned to their original placings, as they followed a seating chart that was found in some sort of main office upstairs. Some of the tables and chairs had to be repaired however but it was no big deal, but the kitchen was another matter. Walliston had to bring in engineers, because the damage was so extensive. A waste of resources to some, but for Walliston it was the only he could use the original equipment without bringing in some that would cost him money.

After a few hours or so, the place looked like it had been before, according to a picture hanging on the wall in the main office. The engineers were able to save the cooking equipment allowing anyone who would be the future cook, a safe working environment. Men started to bring in supplies and put them in their designated pantries and freezer shelves. Another hour or so and Walliston was ready for business.

At first people started to trickle in taking in the opportunity to take a break from work and sitting down in such a nice cool place. The lights, which were powered by a Palladium reactor from one of the Arm Slaves that was nearby, seemed to be pleasant. A few of them sat down at the tables and actually ordered some ramen. A couple hours passed by, and a power nap for the tired Walliston, and the restaurant was booming with customers. Loud chattering could be heard from the patrons, talking about their day, their discoveries, their past stories. Talking of their homes and joking with their peers, with every so few minutes a group would laugh loudly. People were getting out of their seats, and soon another group would take there place. Business seemed to be good. At the entrance the occasional sigh of relief and could be heard, as they would walk in and as they walk out there is always that groaning sound followed by some sort of indecent language such as, "Fuck! Damn my job!"

"Hey Doc! Three more orders of ramen, they sure love it."

"Yeah I wish they would order something else!" said as he was mixing up some more ramen.

"Doc?"

"Yeah Tomi?"

"I've been meaning to ask you. How do you know how to cook like this."

"Well Tomi, thats a long story."

"Well...I got time. The other waitresses' can cover me."

"Well I used to work in my family's restaurant, so I could afford tuition fees for college."

"Tuition fees?"

"Yeah, this was before the Cyveron War, and the Free Education Act of 15 BE. I had to hide the fact that I was really going to the Severail University of Technology, instead of the Roan Culinary School. So for seven summers, I studied at Tech, while also learning of new ways to cook to fool my parents. Then during my last year, they came to see me at Tech, and were very disappointed in me. They took me home and told me that I was the one that would take over the restaurant when they were gone. I respected their wishes but I was very depress that all my hardwork was wasted. I wonder to this day who tipped them off. A week had gone by, although I was still very disappointed, the Cyveron Invasion hit our town in Gertorca. The restaurant and my parent were destroyed in the fighting. I was so angry, signed up for the military taking part in the defense of Kpor."

"You were at Kpor?"

"Yea so I finished school after the war and became a research scientist for the military then got discharged to work in the R&D department."

"Wow what rank were you out of curiosity."

"Well Sergeant, I was a Colonel before I discharged."

"A Colonel!" she yelled, everyone looking at her with the look of "what the hell is she on about." They soon resumed their normal proceedings.

"Yea. So now you know," he turned his head and looked up, the place reminded him about his parents. "Well orders done, get it over there before it gets cold!"

"Yes sir!"

Meanwhile on the bridge, Dr Helsing was compiling some of the reports he had received and put them on a table for Tennenbaum to view. "Well right now we have explored these few parts of the ship," pointing mostly at the rear part of the ship," so far we have discovered the reactor rooms, the engine bays, the hangar bays used by their military as well as some civilian ones and found some hydroponics and life support systems, which is obvious for saying this, quite large."

Meanwhile on the bridge, Dr Helsing was compiling some of the reports he had received and put them on a table for Tennenbaum to view. "Well right now we have explored these few parts of the ship," pointing mostly at the rear part of the ship," so far we have discovered the reactor rooms, the engine bays, the hangar bays used by their military as well as some civilian ones and found some hydroponics and life support systems, which is obvious for saying this, quite large."

"As to be expected on a colony vessel." Tennenbaum nodded as she studied the reports. She began trying to sort everything out, and as she picked up the reports, the Doctor began trying to fumble for her reading glasses. Like usual, the Doctor had misplaced them, and after a few moments and a frown, she turned to Javier and said, "Help me find my glasses, please." Javier nodded, and began patting her down. Eventually, he found them in a random pocket, and Doctor Tennenbaum snatched them by force.

Putting them on, she then examined the documents and nodded, saying, "I see, I see. That rather leaves the frontal portion to be explored, then. The life support systems are intriguing, as are the hangars." Reading them a bit further, she then noted, "There were several fighters within the military bays, I noticed. They correspond to what look like variants of the Komsomol I and II fighter craft, known to the wider world as the Valkirye."

Tomi came back with another order of food for the great chef Walliston, looking rather tired from all the walking she had done between tables. She sighed and looked back at the crowd which was lively as ever. "Tomi you should take a break." Walliston said, cooking up some chasumen and fried rice.

"Yeah I suppose you're right=," she sat down sighing of exhaustion, she began to play with a pair of chopsticks, pecking at the counter.

"So Tomi, whats your story?"

"Huh?"

"Your story! I told you mine, now its your turn."

"Oh! Well...I don't know where to begin."

"Alright, where were you from?"

"Oh I lived in Corel."

"Hmm. Thats not that far from Kpor."

"During the invasion i was just about five years old when my older brothers entered the service to fight the invaders, they fought in the defense of Kpor."

"Is that so? Wait a minute!? Milson, Milson. Where have I heard that name before? Well, goddamn! You're Toli Milson's kid sister!?"

Tomi dropped the chopsticks and looked at Walliston, "You knew Tolinas!?"

"Yeah we were in the same squad, he kept telling me about his family. He talked a lot about you. How is that old bastard doing?"

"I don't know, we lost contact with him during the Exodus, I haven't heard from him since."

"Oh...thats a damn shame, but don't worry, Toli is a tough one. I'm sure hes alive."

"Thanks, Doc. Well after the war, only Tolinas came back and not Grey my eldest brother. He was given a mercy killing when he was being assimilated by a Cyveron. As far as we are told, he died a hero's death."

"Yeah, I lost alot of friends that way, its hard to forget their faces," he shook his head.

"So after the war, my brother kept telling me his war stories. After a while, I joined up with the Army as soon as I turned eighteen."

"Hmm, I hear that alot, but wait. You're in the military for nine years and you're just a Sargent?"

"I'm a Command Sargent,"

"Oh yes, I forgot my military days of naming ranks," he smacked his head.

Tomi laughed, "Thats quite alright, Colonel."

"So Tomi, what unit you're in?"

"Well, you would recognize it, its yours and my brother's unit, 124th Brigade, Coli Company."

"Oh! The ol' 124, how I miss thee."

Tomi laughed again.

"What?"

"Old men and nostalgia."

"Hey! I'm not that old."

"I'm kidding, Doc," she giggled.

"Well can you do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Can you take this order over to that table, your break is over," he smiled.

Meanwhile on the bridge...

"Ah yes, the Konsomols. I had only begun to overlook their plans since the trade ministry told me about their trade, again without my knowledge as I had to find out from Chairman Kotor. I would have done so myself it it weren't for that incident back at Meridia Island," he sneered at Korela.

"What? It was that new guy, he did it!"

"Korela, I saw the security holos."

"What?!"

"You bribed him to take the blame for you, and now hes outside in this very jungle trying to find a new specimen."

In the jungle, the new guy runs through the forest, holding firmly to a jar with syrupy contents as vines begin stretch over the jungle canopy and floor, "What the hell is that thing?! AHHHH!!"

"Hmm thats funny I thought I heard something, must be my imagination. Anyways I'm naming the experiment after him, if I can remember his goddamn name and he will take your place as the lead researcher.

"That means!?"

"You'll be HIS assistant."

"Aww man," Korela slumped over, depressed about his immediate demotion.

"Anyways, Doctor, you can inspect the fighters if you wish or you can take your team to the interior city, which some have referred to as Megaroad City, to explore it. Its your choice really."

Meanwhile on the bridge...

"Ah yes, the Konsomols. I had only begun to overlook their plans since the trade ministry told me about their trade, again without my knowledge as I had to find out from Chairman Kotor. I would have done so myself it it weren't for that incident back at Meridia Island," he sneered at Korela.

"What? It was that new guy, he did it!"

"Korela, I saw the security holos."

"What?!"

"You bribed him to take the blame for you, and now hes outside in this very jungle trying to find a new specimen."

In the jungle, the new guy runs through the forest, holding firmly to a jar with syrupy contents as vines begin stretch over the jungle canopy and floor, "What the hell is that thing?! AHHHH!!"

"Hmm thats funny I thought I heard something, must be my imagination. Anyways I'm naming the experiment after him, if I can remember his goddamn name and he will take your place as the lead researcher.

"That means!?"

"You'll be HIS assistant."

"Aww man," Korela slumped over, depressed about his immediate demotion.

"Anyways, Doctor, you can inspect the fighters if you wish or you can take your team to the interior city, which some have referred to as Megaroad City, to explore it. Its your choice really."

"That's Komsomol. Other, lesser individuals back in New Dornalia did not spend time backengineering it only to have some Communist bureaucrat name it after an organization of wet-behind-the-ears Marxians to have it mispronounced. Do pronounce the 'm,'" Tennenbaum insisted, seeming rather annoyed by the mispronunciation. After listening to the anecdote and then shooting a glare at Javier with the understood meaning of, "Don't you do this," Tennenbaum's interest became piqued by the talk of an interior city.

"An interior city?" Tennenbaum's tone grew curious as she looked at the crude schematics and the reports she had seen earlier. "An entire city, aboard this vessel? I had heard of life support systems and habs, but not an entire city. Do show me around." She seemed almost disbelieving that someone would put an entire living, breathing city aboard such a vessel. Maybe aboard a Mao Zedong, or an Executor--but aboard a ship like this? Unheard of.

"Oh," he chuckled, " excuse me for my mistake, I had only recently received the information pertaining to the Komsomols from he trade ministry who seemed to have made a typo in their report. As such I wasn't really interested in names really, just into the engineering of the unit."

He listened to Tennenbaum's apparent interest into the city, "I'll escort you to the city, we'll take an elevator terminal just recently repaired and take a truck into the city."

Once they got out of the elevator it was just a short truck ride when they arrived in Megaroad City. Tall buildings every which way they looked, "It would seemed that the civilians lived a normal, city life. They had jobs, homes, and places to relax and entertain themselves. They even had a holoprojection field, showing a nice blue sky in the day, and turning it off at night to reveal the starry background that is space. As you can tell they even had streets for vehicles and such, but from reading the log only some officials and military personnel were allowed to drive such, and the civilians had to use the subway and bus systems."

Helsing noticed something peculiar, something that just stood out. He began to stare at intently before speaking out, "Nyan-Nyan? If you don't mind I wish to check this out,"

Helsing got out of the truck and went inside to find a very busy crowd. Taken aback from the laughing and several conversations happening at once, he wondered who was responsible for this, then he saw what appeared to be Doctor Walliston inside the kitchen. "It can't be?"

He walked into the kitchen, and saw Walliston cooking up some beef teriyaki. "Albert you can cook?!"

"Whoa! Robert, I didn't hear you come in! Yeah I can cook, I keep telling you about it, but you seemed to be in another world at work."

"You rebuilt this place!?"

'Oh yeah, thanks to Grenzer, and the lovely lady over there," winking at Milson, who sort of blushed.

"Wow, I have to say this is very, very good."

"Why don't you take up a table over there, you can bring in your guest if you want. I overheard on one of the soldier's commlinks."

"Ah, yes. Maybe I should," he walked out of the kitchen and outside of the restaurant entrance, "If you don't mind, can we stop and eat here, this could be 'research' on how these people lived," he smiled.

The city itself was something else to Doctor Tennenbaum. It resembled neither a hive city nor a barracks complex, but a honest-to-God city. One under a lot of rubble and debris, granted, but still a city. She could only think to herself, "How can anyone make such a place in such a ship?" Javier, meanwhile, busily made photographs and wrote notes about what was going on.

Then, came the offer of food, the Nyan-Nyan restaurant--presumably an onomanopaeia of some sort--and the amusing sight of Dr. Walliston cooking a mess of beef teriyaki. A short chat later, and then Tennenbaum said "Very well, Doctor Helsing." Tennenbaum wasn't too hungry, though Javier, judging by the sudden eagerness in his eyes, greeted the food eagerly. The rumbling of stomachs a few seconds later persuaded Tennenbaum and all others there of the inevitable fact that Javier wanted something to eat.

Thus, they sat down, and looked about. Speaking to the General, Tennenbaum then asked, "General, I'm Dr. Edelmira Tennenbaum-Orrozco--the middle name is the name I use with my Doctor title. I'm working on this project--what did your men find out about this restaurant so far?"

Grenzer looked over to Tennenbaum, "Its great to meet you Doctor, but you're asking the wrong man, Dr. Walliston is the one you should be talking to, hes the "lead researcher". I only provided the tools and manpower necessary to rebuild and maintain this great establishment."

A few minutes later a Tomi walked over with a tray, with a meal for each guest at the table. "Compliments of the great chef, Doctor Albert Walliston! Ramen with beef teriyaki." she said putting the plates with their respective.

Helsing leaned over to Tennenbaum and Grenzer, "Where did Walliston get this girl?"

"Hey, I heard that!" Tomi said as she was near the kitchen door.

"Wow, thats some great hearing she has, I wonder if its an implant?" Helsing said.

Walliston looked at Tomi as she came into the kitchen. "Now why did you do that for? I don't think adding great in front of my name is really necessary."

"Aw, don't be so modest, Doc! You're a great cook!"

"I'm the only cook!" he said.

"Thats not true, theres the army cooks outside on the jungle floor," she added.

"Oh, thats very reassuring," some sarcasm surfaced on his face.

"They're not that bad. Maybe it was for you back in the caveman times."

"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not that old! Anyways I don't think much has changed in cooking technology for the past fifty years, tell me do they still use that oversized pot and serve your bowl with a ladle?"

"Well, yea..but," she sighed,"fine you win. Man you sure have chosen the wrong profession, would be a great lawyer!"

Walliston chuckle at the comment, "No more of this great chef stuff alright."

"Alright Doc."

"Call me Al will ya," he insisted.

"Alright Al," she smiled.

"Call me Al will ya," he insisted.

"Alright Al," she smiled.

As Javier ate his noodles and beef teriyaki with great satisfaction, Tennenbaum couldn't help but giggle a little at the repartee between Tomi and Walliston, er, "Al." The sounds of the talk could be heard from the kitchen. She ate a little more slowly, as she observed the events to her amusement. Javier's slurping became a little much, however, for it became rather loud just as the verbal duel finished. She then turned to the eager assistant and shouted, "For heaven's sake, Javier! You are not a little boy, you are a decent human being." Giving him a gentle tap on the head, she then said, "Stop slurping, and eat with your mouth closed. We're are neither cavemen nor mongoloids."

She then sheepishly grinned to Grenzer and said, "My apologies for that awful display, General. Anyway, I have business to attend to with the Doctor. I must render my compliments to the chef and ask him about the site." Getting up, Tennenbaum had Javier help her into the segway, with plenty of curses and mutterings along the way. She then skittered up to the kitchen door. Before going inside, she pushed a button on her segway and replicated a hairnet and a pair of gloves. Putting these items on, she then moved into the kitchen.

Seeing the Doctor at work, Tennenbaum coughed and greeted Walliston with a cheery and inquisitive, "Doctor Walliston, was it? I am Doctor Edelmira Tennenbaum Orrozco--you may call me Doctor Tennenbaum, I follow the Latin American tradition of using my father's name as my surname--my father's name happening to be in the middle. Anyway, I wanted to ask you about the state of this city. What have you found?"

If Doctor Walliston was not too busy, he could see she was a strange individual. Standing in a pool of wax, riding a segway with spider legs and a customized computer console, wearing a lab coat that concealed a shirt, tie and slacks of rather rough look, plus tousled hair and reading glasses she forgot to remove and a Virginian Accent despite her Latin American origins, this Doctor Tennenbaum was a unique individual indeed.

"Whoa!" Walliston dropped his spatula when Tennenbaum came in, looking rather surprised at the sight of her spider segway. The kitchen was filled with the aromas of the food, so he couldn't really smell the wax, but he found it weird why someone would be covered in wax. He shook his head when she introduced herself

"Oh, yes. Doctor Helsing told me about you earlier," he said turning his attention back to the dinner plate, "The state of the city seems to be better than expected. Most of the buildings seemed to be intact and in good condition. I think they had some sort of shielding on when they crashed here, but in time it shut down. From other reports and investigations from the residential areas, or what we assume was the residential area, was that these people had a high quality of living, if not luxurious. I wonder what it was like here at night, the neon lights, all those people walking, enjoying themselves, its just outstanding."

"Hey Doc, can you please stop talking to the old hag and get me that Tonkatsu, the customers are waiting," Tomi said.

'Tomi watch your mouth, heres the plate, shoo shoo!" he gave the plate to her.

"Hey Doc, can you please stop talking to the old hag and get me that Tonkatsu, the customers are waiting," Tomi said.

'Tomi watch your mouth, heres the plate, shoo shoo!" he gave the plate to her.

Tennenbaum glared at the waitress with the fury of an angry god. Getting uncomfortably close to the waitress, she then proceeded to grab Tomi by the scruff of her neck and lift her up with unnatural strength, yet with just enough care to NOT disturb the food. Her eyes met Tomi's, and a piercing glare that could cut steel was now in ready supply, followed by a slap.

"Do I look old to you? DO I LOOK OLD TO YOU!? Answer me, you moistened tart! Do you have any idea who you mocked, you pusillanimous mongoloid!? It's fun to mock the funny Jew woman now, bu--"

Javier then wrangled Tomi free from Tennenbaum's grip and sent Tomi on her way, with a simple, "My apologies, miss. The Doctor is sensitive about her age..."

Doctor Tennenbaum then scoffed and muttered, "Evidently, some people have neither respect nor tact." Javier grinned nervously, knowing the phrase could be easily turned on the Argentine. The Doctor then turned to Walliston and then said, "Right. Clearly these conditions are not your standard issue habs. They are rather elaborate, and much like a city. I think it's time to view this from an engineering standpoint; it would certainly help in the understanding of this place."

Intially surprised about being grabbed and lifted by the woman, she quickly got mad herself. She grabbed her sidearm, but failed to pull it out on Tennenbaum when Javier suddenly wrestled her from her tight grip. She quickly pulled away from Javier, and was about to pull it out again when she was intervened by Walliston. "What are you doing? Just keep it cool. Put the gun back and just walk away, theres no need for this," he peeked down into her eyes, eye glasses at the tip of his nose, "alright?"

"Ooh, if it weren't for that guy I would have...! Fine! You got lucky grandma!" she snorted, walking away.

"Hmm? Oh yes, well as far as I can tell the city was completely encompassed by a shield except for where the foundation was at. If you like we can explore the city some more?"

Intially surprised about being grabbed and lifted by the woman, she quickly got mad herself. She grabbed her sidearm, but failed to pull it out on Tennenbaum when Javier suddenly wrestled her from her tight grip. She quickly pulled away from Javier, and was about to pull it out again when she was intervened by Walliston. "What are you doing? Just keep it cool. Put the gun back and just walk away, theres no need for this," he peeked down into her eyes, eye glasses at the tip of his nose, "alright?"

"Ooh, if it weren't for that guy I would have...! Fine! You got lucky grandma!" she snorted, walking away.

"Hmm? Oh yes, well as far as I can tell the city was completely encompassed by a shield except for where the foundation was at. If you like we can explore the city some more?"

Tennenbaum shook her fist at the impudent Tomi. With a glare, she shouted, slipping back into her Buenos Aires accent temporarily, "I'll get you, you impudent whelp! No one messes with Doctor Edelmira Tennenbaum Orrozco and insults her age!" She picked up a plate and was about to throw it at her, when Javier stayed her hand with a stern, "NO."

Doctor Tennenbaum put the plate down and said, returning to her Virginian accent, "Ah yes. Where are my manners?" Smiling, she then went back to her businesslike self, saying, "Right. I see, the city was encompassed by a shield...no doubt it explains why the city was able to retain its shape for so long. I would like to explore the city some more, if possible, to get a closer look."

She then frowned and said, "I pray that awful woman doesn't have to follow us, though."

After switching out her waitress uniform for her BDU, Tomi began to get ready for another tour with Walliston. Grabbing her two sidearms, she checked to see if they were ready before holstering them on her belt. She grabbed her assault rifle and pack and slung them both on. As she walked outside to meet with Walliston, who was already packed and ready to go, her face began to show disgust. The sight of the old hag made her boil with anger, so much that she was about to raise her rifle to take a few shots at grandma. She forced her arm down showing some restraint for Walliston's sake. Tomi walked up to Walliston poking harshly in the chest.

"Ow! What I do?" he cried.

"You didn't tell me grandma was coming with us!" she nodded towards Tennebaum, giving her a dirty look.

"Look, just get your men together and just escort us, that is your mission after all. Just please bear with it."

"Alright squad move out! Feroster get your lazy ass off the floor before I kick your fucking face in!"

"Y-yes sergeant, right away!"

Tomi pointed her finger at Walliston, who flinched. "You better be sure she stays at least five meters away from me or there will be hell to pay. I won't be liable for any 'unfortunate accidents'."

"Alright, alright!" he waved his hands.

Tomi caught up with the rest of her squad kicking Feroster in the buttocks. "Pick up the pace!" she took a peek back at Walliston, muttering "Whats so special about that old hag anyways...?"

Tomi caught up with the rest of her squad kicking Feroster in the buttocks. "Pick up the pace!" she took a peek back at Walliston, muttering "Whats so special about that old hag anyways...?"

Of course, Tennenbaum had by now commenced walking about with the rest of the team with her assistant, who lamented having to leave the restaurant due to its food, which he duly described as "Totally awesome." He even left a big tip and paid the whole bit, though he probably didn't need to. The Doctor, meanwhile, was admonishing him to "Never visit that restaurant again, as long as that whore works there!"

To her dismay, "that whore" was right in front of them, and when she uttered her last sentence, Tennenbaum's super-sensitive indignancy centers and exceptionally good hearing caused her to perk up, and as Javier made sure she didn't bump into anything, she replied to Tomi's angry musings with an angry smile. She then said, forcefully in her Virginian accent, "I'm special because I happen to possess one of the finest scientific minds in New Dornalia, thank you very frickin' much. I have solved equations you never will, built weapons of mass destruction you never will and engineered medical miraces you never will. I can practice law in no less than several different lands, too. The only thing I can't do is sing--" Stuttering, she forced out, angrily, the words, slipping into her Argentine accent and back like she had done before, "BUT THAT'S NOT IMPORTANT!"

She then slammed her fists on the keyboard of the segway, before Javier told her to calm down. Tennenbaum then said, finishing her sentence with a quick flash of the middle finger hidden behind a palm, "And I am NOT old! I am thirty three, just worn out by hard living because of people like you!"

Turning to Walliston, she then exclaimed, "Doctor, I suggest you tell that awful bint to watch her mouth...again!" Turning to the environment around her, her anger suddenly dissipated as soon as it came, as her face took on a curious expression. She then asked Walliston, "Doctor, I see we're in a rather large grouping of buildings....what would you say they were used for? They rather look like either commercial buildings or habitations to me....however, the nature of the place proves to make that answer elusive."

"My, my," Walliston shrugged and sighed, "I would say this was the sh--"

Walliston's eyes widened as he heard the gunshot that buzzed Tennenbaum's ear. He wondered where it came from, and looked at Tomi. He couldn't believe what he saw, Tomi was still facing away but her arm was extended backwards, the smoking gun in her hands. She turned to face them staring blankly at Tennenbaum and Walliston, she then simply smiled. "Oh! I missed!"

"Bragging about your little science projects will not impress me old lady. Have you ever faced another being in hand-to-hand combat and take his life? Slowly pressing that knife into his chest, while he desperately pushed your arm back. The look on his face, crying for dear life, when you insert that knife into his heart, blood gushing from his chest and splashing on your face. The sound of death escaping his lips, as he groans in agony, blood trickling over his mouth while he cried out for his mother. The squirming of his body until it drops stone cold under your legs, giving you the satisfaction that hes dead. No I don't think you'll ever experience that in your safe little world. Now Doctor, I'd advise you never speak to me again."

She turned away humming a rather harmonious tune to herself, as Walliston looked on in shock as to what she had said. Her sudden change in attitude was astonishing and fearful at the same time.

"My, my," Walliston shrugged and sighed, "I would say this was the sh--"

Walliston's eyes widened as he heard the gunshot that buzzed Tennenbaum's ear. He wondered where it came from, and looked at Tomi. He couldn't believe what he saw, Tomi was still facing away but her arm was extended backwards, the smoking gun in her hands. She turned to face them staring blankly at Tennenbaum and Walliston, she then simply smiled. "Oh! I missed!"

"Bragging about your little science projects will not impress me old lady. Have you ever faced another being in hand-to-hand combat and take his life? Slowly pressing that knife into his chest, while he desperately pushed your arm back. The look on his face, crying for dear life, when you insert that knife into his heart, blood gushing from his chest and splashing on your face. The sound of death escaping his lips, as he groans in agony, blood trickling over his mouth while he cried out for his mother. The squirming of his body until it drops stone cold under your legs, giving you the satisfaction that hes dead. No I don't think you'll ever experience that in your safe little world. Now Doctor, I'd advise you never speak to me again."

She turned away humming a rather harmonious tune to herself, as Walliston looked on in shock as to what she had said. Her sudden change in attitude was astonishing and fearful at the same time.

Tennenbaum glared and shook her fist, before Javier once again had to intervene, snatching the Walther PPK she carried as a sidearm from from her holster and she squirmed, shouting, "I'm going to experience it in a few moments--Javier, what on earth!?" Javier then pocketed the pistol and said, "Leave the poor woman alone. She clearly needs some space, so leave. Her. Alone." The last part was said with some force, to drive home the point. Javier found that was a need sometimes, especially with the Doctor being as tempramental as she was.

Tennenbaum glared at Javier, only this time, he didn't back down. The Doctor sighed, and then said, "I suppose I should feel sorry for her, though. Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome was never easy to cure." She then followed Walliston, returning to normal and saying, "As we were?"

Walliston's mouth gaped at the two women's actions just now, looking at both intently. Where the hell am I? Am I dreaming? I don't know whats what anymore. He began to grab his forehead in despair before instantly coughing, clearing his throat. "Excuse me. Yes those buildings over there should house the information you are looking for," he pointed over to the city center, the rather large building, a rectangle in the middle with four cylinder like structures at the corners.

Walliston pulled Javier aside whispering, "These women are starting to be a handful eh?"

Walliston's mouth gaped at the two women's actions just now, looking at both intently. Where the hell am I? Am I dreaming? I don't know whats what anymore. He began to grab his forehead in despair before instantly coughing, clearing his throat. "Excuse me. Yes those buildings over there should house the information you are looking for," he pointed over to the city center, the rather large building, a rectangle in the middle with four cylinder like structures at the corners.

Walliston pulled Javier aside whispering, "These women are starting to be a handful eh?"

With that, Javier rolled his eyes. He then said, with the weight of years of abuse and bullshit piling up and the weariness of a labor of love showing through, "Yeah. You have no idea....." Terse, yes, but as established, his words spoke volumes about having to clean up after Doctor Tennenbaum. The Doctor, meanwhile, was writing down notes furiously, and getting close to one of the structures, skittering her segway at its highest speed, causing Javier to follow her to make sure she stayed upright. javier motioned for anybody available to come with, in case.

As she got to the building that Walliston indicated was the city center, Tennenbaum then said to Javier, "Hand me a chisel and a scanner." Getting said tools, she chipped a sample off the building and scanned it intently. "Hmm....interesting....rather common high-tensile building materials. Alloyed steel of some sort for weight-saving and durability. Glass. Nothing out of the ordinary, though it would need a shield to withstand the pressures of interstellar travel, if it was ordinary glass and structural materials, and other mechanisms...."

"Yes, in other words, this is like a normal building that you would find on a terran world. Other studies have concluded this as well, with the exception of the defense shelters which were used to keep civilians safe in case of an attack. The reports have said that the shelters are air tight and could maintain at least a 100 in each for a couple weeks."

"Are you guys done with the science project?" Tomi said walking out of the front entrance holding her rifle. "Its clear to go in."

"Oh right! Doctor, when we go in I have something to show you in the sub basement, that might interest you."

"Yes, in other words, this is like a normal building that you would find on a terran world. Other studies have concluded this as well, with the exception of the defense shelters which were used to keep civilians safe in case of an attack. The reports have said that the shelters are air tight and could maintain at least a 100 in each for a couple weeks."

"Are you guys done with the science project?" Tomi said walking out of the front entrance holding her rifle. "Its clear to go in."

"Oh right! Doctor, when we go in I have something to show you in the sub basement, that might interest you."

Tennenbaum's eyes raised, and her interest was piqued at the mention of something in the sub-basement. Her segway skittered into the building, and Javier followed. He notably provided a buffer between the Doctor and her erstwhile adversary, as Tennenbaum glared at Tomi with connotations of, "Watch yourself." Javier then coughed and he followed the Doctor inside....

"Let's see....there should be an elevator....some way to get down." She looked around the room for a few moments until she spotted an elevator, or at least what she thought was a usable lift. She then walked up to it and pushed the button.

After getting off the elevator, Walliston led the group through the sub-basement. There they found several teams inspecting a series of vats. Each of the large vats had a corresponding human-sized vat below them. As Walliston came up to the teams, a Dr. Littleton, met with Walliston. "Yes David?"

"We have something interesting Albert, we have a live one."

"What?!"

"Yep. We found her just now, I was about to call you."

"This is great! Doctor Tennenbaum can you come with me, Tomi you too."

"Me? I have no interest in this!"

"Just come on..." he nagged.

After a short trip they came up to another vat, but something seemed different. There was a gigantic woman in suspended animation in one of them. Walliston and Tomi looked in awe at how such a being could exist, who was she? "It would seem that the vat had malfunctioned during the crash and put her in a suspended animation. Right now we are working on how to safely bring her back, but our findings seem to come short. We were wondering that you could help us with this sir," he looked over at Tennenbaum, "and madam."

After a short trip they came up to another vat, but something seemed different. There was a gigantic woman in suspended animation in one of them. Walliston and Tomi looked in awe at how such a being could exist, who was she? "It would seem that the vat had malfunctioned during the crash and put her in a suspended animation. Right now we are working on how to safely bring her back, but our findings seem to come short. We were wondering that you could help us with this sir," he looked over at Tennenbaum, "and madam."

Tennenbaum looked at the vat and the power systems in it. She then motioned to Javier, and pointed to what were presumably the power hookups, instructing him to "Take a look at them, and see what information you can find." She then leaned forward and studied the vat, skittering about as she effectively circled the contraption, mumbling with a "Hmm" and a "Hurm" and all sorts of contemplative noises and hums.

She eventually stopped at the front and then leaned over the vat. Taking a small sample of the fluid inside, no more than a nanoliter, she then plopped it onto a suddenly replicated slide and her segway's computer analyzed it.

"Let's see....hmm....judging by the chemical composition of this fluid it is some sort of agent meant for life support, obviously. Though....hmm....just a thought....why a human-sized tank under the main? And there are numerous chemicals in here as well...I wonder....for some of them seem linked to cell modification. Also, they seem to correspond o materials that react with energies of various kinds."

She then wrote down the observations in her own notebook, and Javier then proceeded to say, "Doctor, the power systems connect to the rest of the grid, but they are damaged. Powering up will require restoration of the power systems to full condition." She nodded lost in thought, before saying, "Maybe what we're looking at is some sort of shrinking device. A device that needs the power repaired and the fluid exposed to some sort of outside energy to shrink the subject. Though why besides the size?"

then proceeded to say, "Anything you find, Doctor Walliston? I'm all for restoring the power systems to normal, hooking some medical monitoring equipment onto her and then slowly attempting to wake her up. Naturally, I would like to see what you want to do."

"Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment, Doctor Tennenbaum. We have some portable Palladium reactors on standby right now over there," he pointed to a bunch of crates, "the only problem is that we need to simply adapt them to the power conduits."

Tomi looked up at the giant woman in the tank, wondering how such a thing can exist. She soon thought of other memories of unknown phenomenon appearing before her eyes, such as the force storm that swallowed Ganoxa whole. Tolinas flashed in her mind suddenly from remembering such horror, her eyes were tearing up. She sniffed and wiped her eyes before anyone could notice. "Al, I'll be over here if you need me, I'm going to take a break."

"Alright Tomi, thank you." Walliston said.

"Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment, Doctor Tennenbaum. We have some portable Palladium reactors on standby right now over there," he pointed to a bunch of crates, "the only problem is that we need to simply adapt them to the power conduits."

Tomi looked up at the giant woman in the tank, wondering how such a thing can exist. She soon thought of other memories of unknown phenomenon appearing before her eyes, such as the force storm that swallowed Ganoxa whole. Tolinas flashed in her mind suddenly from remembering such horror, her eyes were tearing up. She sniffed and wiped her eyes before anyone could notice. "Al, I'll be over here if you need me, I'm going to take a break."

"Alright Tomi, thank you." Walliston said.

Tennenbaum didn't pay attention to Tomi's breakdown, and just heard the background noises that corresponded with it. Outwardly, she said nothing. Privately, she was glad Tomi, that "awful woman" left when she did. No sense in having some bint with hangups mess everything up now--at least that was her rationale.

She then moved over to one of the crates, and pulled out an Energy Screwdriver. The Dornalian tool of choice for MacGyvering one's way out, she then set it to sonic mode and used it to open a crate. Eyeing the resulting item carefully with the same circling manuevers as she did before with the tanks, she then pulled out her notebook, flipped it to a blank page, and began scooting back and forth between the Palladium Generators and the tanks, making calculations as she tossed Javier crumpled up pages to throw away or archive for later.

Eventually, she then wrote up a boiled-down set of instructions on how to wire the Palladium Generators to the vats, and then handed it to Walliston, saying, "I may have an idea on how to solve the problem. These should use commonly available parts, including an easily obtained set of transformers, a series of adapter plugs, and wiring of various kinds--among others. It's all there."

OOC: Energy Screwdriver was adapted from Doctor Who, the old British sci-fi show which featured a sonic screwdriver that did everything used by the main hero. Also, a laser screwdriver used in recent episodes by one of the bad guys. I've just combined them in one.

"I'll see you on the shuttle, now get out of here!"

"Tolinas, no! Come with us!"

"I have to get these civvies to their transports, now go sis!"

"Tolinas. Tolinas! Come back! Come back..." suddenly there was a bright flash.

Tomira woke up from her dream, rubbing her eyes and moaning, "Not another one..." She looked around, wondering where she was, until she remembered she was at the city center looking after Dr Walliston and the old hag, Tennenbaum.

"Sarge, you okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Just a bad dream."

"Oh. Okay just curious is all." Corporal Griggs implied.

"Hows the doc doing?"

"Well hes working with Tennenbaum on getting that vat to work, so far it seems successful."

"Damn ol' hag..." she muttered quietly clenching her fist.

"Sarge?"

"Its nothing, continue."

"Well the doc is trying to revive that giant."

"What? Why?"

"I dunno, ask the doc."

Tomira looked over at Walliston smiling at the vat, "I don't want to disturb him just yet."

"Alright."

Walliston checked an inventory clipboard and found all the necessary materials needed for the adaptation of the Palladium reactor. Several men and a Arm Slave began to move the materials into place for Dr. Tennenbaum to work with. "There you go. All of it."

Walliston checked an inventory clipboard and found all the necessary materials needed for the adaptation of the Palladium reactor. Several men and a Arm Slave began to move the materials into place for Dr. Tennenbaum to work with. "There you go. All of it."

"Right. Thank you." She then motioned for Javier to come closer, and then fed the paper she wrote into a slot on her segway. The result was a quick photocopy of the plans and materials list, which she then thrust into Javier's hand to the tune of, "Start working on this." The assistant then nodded and moved to begin working, pulling out his own Energy Screwdriver. Meanwhile, Doctor Tennenbaum turned to Walliston and then said, "Doctor Walliston, with your permission, I'd like to get some of your staff working to speed up the process. As wonderful and diligent as Javier is, he is only one man."

"Yes right away, just direct them and they'll take it from there," he looked over at Tomi, who looked a little down. He excused himself and started to walk over to her. Tomi noticed him and looked to the side, while he sat next to her. "Whats wrong?" he asked.

"Its nothing," she replied.

"It must be something, I mean you just painted a pretty graphic image an hour ago."

"That was back in one of my past missions, back during the Uktala crisis."

"The Uktala Crisis...you mean you were..."

"I was sent in alone to take care of the rogue president Ulunas Olgandi."

"He was the one threatening to disrupt the Unification Accords..."

"Yeah...they sent me in, during one of his extravagant balls that he would hold each year to raise funds for his political ambitions. I arrived at the ball as a baroness from Kiltia. The boys in intelligence dressed me up to his specific 'interests' so that he would show interest in me. After I seduced him into coming into his room, I kissed him, slowly reaching for my knife. He saw the knife coming down on him, resisting with all his might to stop it from coming down. Terror in his eyes as he begged for his life, but I sat there emotionless, blankly staring at him, as I slowly pushed the knife into his chest. Blood was everywhere, on my blouse, my face, my mouth."

"This was your first mission wasn't it...?"

"Yes...and yet I wasn't phased by it at all. It was my job, to take care of problems."

"Well, Tomi, I'll be there if you need someone to talk to."

"Thanks Al. Thanks alot."

"Yes right away, just direct them and they'll take it from there," he looked over at Tomi, who looked a little down. He excused himself and started to walk over to her. Tomi noticed him and looked to the side, while he sat next to her.

As Walliston played social worker, Tennenbaum played Bob Vila. She busily marched--well, more like skittered--to a group of soldiers, and then promptly deputized them, saying, "Gentlemen, I need your help." Printing out copies of the Instructions she gave to Javier, she then said, "I need you to carry these out. Javier will assist you. In turn, assist him. You will be duly recompensed."

With that, she then pointed to Javier, who was busy trying to move a crate, and said, "Get to it." The men saluted, and shouted, "Aye, ma'am!" They then ran to Javier's side, and began following the Instructions they were given. Glancing at them occasionally, they found her handwriting occasionally hard to navigate. Javier, in between sweating, helped them out with sighs and occasionally clearing up which parts were which. All the while, Tennenbaum skittered up close to act as an overseer, Javier wondering why she didn't pitch in before realizing her condition would have made it impossible without her exoskeleton.

A few moments later an assistant came up to Tennenbaum, "All done ma'am, we are switching on the generator now."

The Palladium Reactor began to hum as it began to start up the cold fusion process. A few seconds later the power was on and the vat began to bubble viciously. Suddenly a bright light filled the room, even blinding Walliston and Tomi, who was far away from the work area. After the light had dissipated the giant woman in the large vat was gone and normal-sized woman was in the vat below. Dr. Walliston ran back to the area, just in time too. The vat began to drain the fluid into specialized tanks and opening, the woman falling out only to be caught by Dr. Walliston in the nick of time. Walliston looked at the woman, she seemed normal, beautiful blue eyes with dark green hair, but her ears were noticeable, they were pointed, although this initially wasn't a shock to Walliston.

'Get a med team over here quick!" he ordered.

A few moments later an assistant came up to Tennenbaum, "All done ma'am, we are switching on the generator now."

The Palladium Reactor began to hum as it began to start up the cold fusion process. A few seconds later the power was on and the vat began to bubble viciously. Suddenly a bright light filled the room, even blinding Walliston and Tomi, who was far away from the work area. After the light had dissipated the giant woman in the large vat was gone and normal-sized woman was in the vat below. Dr. Walliston ran back to the area, just in time too. The vat began to drain the fluid into specialized tanks and opening, the woman falling out only to be caught by Dr. Walliston in the nick of time. Walliston looked at the woman, she seemed normal, beautiful blue eyes with dark green hair, but her ears were noticeable, they were pointed, although this initially wasn't a shock to Walliston.

'Get a med team over here quick!" he ordered.

Tennenbaum held her arms up to her face, to guard her eyes from the glare of the light. After everything stopped, she looked at the scene, stars dancing in her eyes due to the sheer intensity of the lightshow she just expeirenced. As she wiped her face and tried to readjust to normal, she saw Javier sprint to the woman and Walliston's side, along with no doubt a complete Ganoxan medical team--though she couldn't tell.

Tennenbaum skittered over to the scene carefully, and then began scanning the woman, frantically trying to do something to focus again. She then said, amazed at what she found, "Amazing....she's got a humanoid pulse, a humanoid lifesign...." As she muttered and poured over the medical results, Tennenbaum wondered what would occur now.

tagged for later entry

A bright light pierced through her eyelids as she woke up. After her eyes adjusted she looked around to find doctors and nurses walking around, busy like bees. Suddenly she heard, "Doctor come here shes awake!"

"Call Doctor Walliston, get him down here quickly!"

Who is this Doctor Walliston? the woman thought.

A moment later Walliston walked into the room, and sat beside the woman, "Hello there, I am Doctor Albert Walliston, you can just call me Al. What is your name by chance?"

"Helia Rein. Are you from the UN Spacy? Did you rescue the colonists?"

'No, I'm not going to lie. We discovered you in suspended animation in one of the," he flipped through some documents, "miclone vats. Its been almost a hundred years since, I'm afraid."

"What!? You must be joking?," she laughed looking at the doctor who was serious,"Wait you're not joking? This can't be happening."

"It would seem that the Megaroad was under attack by something, as we don't really know what or who, and crashed here a hundred years before our people's arrival."

"Your arrival?"

"Yes you're on New Ganoxa, the new homeworld of my people."

"I see..."

"Can I ask you a few questions so my superiors can get off my back," he chuckled.

"Alright...ask anything."

"What is your race?"

"Zentradi."

"Helia Rein. Are you from the UN Spacy? Did you rescue the colonists?"

'No, I'm not going to lie. We discovered you in suspended animation in one of the," he flipped through some documents, "miclone vats. Its been almost a hundred years since, I'm afraid."

"What!? You must be joking?," she laughed looking at the doctor who was serious,"Wait you're not joking? This can't be happening."

"It would seem that the Megaroad was under attack by something, as we don't really know what or who, and crashed here a hundred years before our people's arrival."

"Your arrival?"

"Yes you're on New Ganoxa, the new homeworld of my people."

"I see..."

"Can I ask you a few questions so my superiors can get off my back," he chuckled.

"Alright...ask anything."

"What is your race?"

"Zentradi."

Tennenbaum's eyes widened at the mention of the Zentraedi, as did Javier's. Tennenbaum thought to herself, not daring to speak her thoughts, "I thought...they were just myths...relics of pre-Apocalypse literature and folklore. My God." She then bowed her head and began reciting the first few lines of the Sh'ma before realizing what was going on, looking about sheepishly to see if anyone noticed. In her experience, it was always wise to keep one's Jewishness--especially if said individual was a Modern Orthodox Jew--somewhat muted. Tennenbaum then shook her head, and got closer to Helia.

"Helia, was it? My name is Doctor Edelmira Tennenbaum Orrozco--you can just call me Doctor Tennenbaum. I work with Doctor Walliston. I'd like to ask you a question too if you don't mind...."

She then coughed and said, "What were you doing on the Megaroad, if I may ask?"

It had been some time since Abh scientists had been out around other nations with a joint research operation. With an alliance member now asking for some scientific support in an endeavor, it wasn't long before a ship was dispatched to lend some assistance. True to his fashion, Noline was fashionablly late to the party.

Dr. Bebaus sat aboard a comfortabel Abh liner along with his lone companion. Still serving his punishment for taking part in the Colonial debacle, Erickson sat across the aisle in his brown robes. His single lightsaber rested hooked to his belt while he sat in meditation. As part of his punishment, Erickson was relegated to serving in the ground forces of the Abh Empire and act as security for foreign dignitaries at times.

The Abh scientist smiled inwardly as he studied the human. It would be an interesting experience having a Force user as his assistant.

The shuttle continued its path through plane space until it approached the exit point of the Sord. Blue light flashed and the bubble surrounding the shuttle as it emerged, disappeared. Gliding through normal space, the Abh made final approach to the homeworld of Ganoxa. They settled easily into orbit and made their pressence known.

Greetings from the Abh Empire to its fellow Galactic Federation member of Ganoxa. We have a long standing tradition of aiding our comrades when they have need or simply to revel in their achievements. Today we would like to share both with you. Dr. Noline Bebaus of the Bebaus family has come to lend his scientific ability while Force user Erickson has come along as well to lend assistance. We are requesting permission to land and see how we may be of help.

Noline tapped the edge of Erickson's knee. "Time to wake up, son. Science and discovery awaits us."

"I was part of the military squadron of Queadluuns known as Zero squadron. My purpose on the ship was to protect the colonists and ensure their safety. During my off time, I would spend time with my fiance, Kyle Thompson, cooking for him. May I ask what became of him? Even if he would be long gone now, I would like to know."

"I'm sorry, Helia. We barely begun reading the ship's logs and it will take some time for us to review it."

"I see. Thats unfortunate."

"Do you mind if we continue?" he asked with a bit of concern.

"No, continue."

"What happened to the Megaroad before it crashed?"

"We were under attack from an unknown threat that just appeared. All pilots that were off duty were given the order to scramble. I kissed my fiance as we parted ways to our respective squadrons, it was warm and comforting. As I was in the miclone vat the ship began to shift course. I closed my eyes and before I knew it I woke up here."

"I see..."

Meanwhile in orbit, "I copy Abh Shuttle, please follow the given coordinates to the Assembly Area. Ground control will steer you in from there over."

As ground control spotted the shuttle coming down they relayed instructions to the shuttle to land in the hangar area of the Megaroad.

Tennenbaum nodded as she listened to this woman speak, writing down notes as she did so furiously in her unique script. It was obvious the woman had been seperated from a lover, and it was obvious she had been here for a long time.

She then perked up, and then shook her head. Javier walked up to her, before the good Doctor held him back, saying, "No....it can't be...." She raised her eyebrow and looked about, before shaking her head and saying, "Can't be."

Javier looked about, and shrugged. The Doctor sometimes did these....things....and frankly, they had no logical explanation whatsoever. She wasn't a psychic as far as he knew.

As this occurred, Tennenbaum looked at Helia and said, "Helia, what were the colonists you were escorting trying to do? I'm rather curious, as they seemed to feel the need to build an entire city here..."

"The colonist were trying to live their lives normally, but our mission as a colony was to spread the culture of the human-zentradi from earth. Several other ships of this class were being built and probably were sent out like this one. Maybe some were successful, and some failed as we have. The city was built into the design of the ship, the colonists were simply occupants," she said.

"The colonist were trying to live their lives normally, but our mission as a colony was to spread the culture of the human-zentradi from earth. Several other ships of this class were being built and probably were sent out like this one. Maybe some were successful, and some failed as we have. The city was built into the design of the ship, the colonists were simply occupants," she said.

"I see." Tennenbaum sketched this info into the notebook, her eyes gleaming with fascination. Humans and Zentraedi living together. Huh. The old stories spoke of an eventual reconciliation, thanks to the work of a songstress a while back. And now, she stared living proof of those tales in the flesh. This would indeed prove something to explore, and she made a note of that.

She also made a note to explore the idea of further exploration further. But for now, it seemed Helia needed to adjust to her bearings. Tennenbaum then said, "Tell me, Helia--do you need anything?"

"Water if you don't mind. I am very parched if you can imagine. Also can I get a few of Minmay's songs, I like listening to "My Boyfriend is a Pilot" and "Zero-G Love" when I'm alone."

"Yeah, we do have her songs, we'll record them onto our players and give them to you," he smiled turning his head towards a nurse,"can you get this woman a pitcher of water?"

The nurse nodded, "Right away doctor."

"So, what are the Zentradi like?"

"We were once a warrior race that knew nothing of culture and simple things such as love and kindness. We were bred for war, for which we were giants compared to miclones. Until we met the mic--I mean humanity, we were engaged in a lasting war with the Protodeviln, the Supervision Army. After the war with humanity, which ended with Earth annihilated and the Zentradi fleet of 4.8 million scattered or destroyed, the Zentradi, those that wished to help humanity and learn more about culture helped rebuild civilization along with the denizens of the Macross."

The pilot of the Abh transport followed the landing instructions to the letter. As they entered the atmosphere, anti-matter fuel cells were put in stasis while the artificial gravity was disengaged. Both Bebaus and Erickson experienced a moment of weightlessness until they were dropped back in their seats.

A burning shilouette of their ship turning through the window in the atmosphere could be seen until it cooled and sailed easily through the skies. Honing in on the hangar areas, the transport came to easy land as retractable legs jutted out to meet the ground. A rear hatch slid open and extended a walkway for both Erickson and Dr. Bebaus to walk down.

The Abh breathed in the air of the planet. "I was never quite fond of the ground world, but something can be said about natural air. I suppose that's why the first Emperor's planted botanical gardens and keep a steady supply of trees in Lakfakallae."

Erickson merely grunted, unsatisfied with the whole proposition as they waited for someone to show them the rest of the way.

"Water if you don't mind. I am very parched if you can imagine. Also can I get a few of Minmay's songs, I like listening to "My Boyfriend is a Pilot" and "Zero-G Love" when I'm alone."

"Yeah, we do have her songs, we'll record them onto our players and give them to you," he smiled turning his head towards a nurse,"can you get this woman a pitcher of water?"

The nurse nodded, "Right away doctor."

"So, what are the Zentradi like?"

"We were once a warrior race that knew nothing of culture and simple things such as love and kindness. We were bred for war, for which we were giants compared to miclones. Until we met the mic--I mean humanity, we were engaged in a lasting war with the Protodeviln, the Supervision Army. After the war with humanity, which ended with Earth annihilated and the Zentradi fleet of 4.8 million scattered or destroyed, the Zentradi, those that wished to help humanity and learn more about culture helped rebuild civilization along with the denizens of the Macross."

On cue, Javier pulled out a chilled bottle of water for the woman to drink from his gig bag, and handed it to the Zentraedi woman. He then said, "Here you go." With a shake of his head, he then said, "I am sorry I cannot get you your desired music. Hopefully, the nurse can."

Tennenbaum, in the meanwhile, was busy taking notes. It seems these people had their own Apocalypse, only they chose to go to space because of it, instead of languish on Earth. Interesting, to say the least. As for the music....well, she didn't make the connections yet.

An hour had passed as Dr. Walliston continued to ask questions, trivial ones concerning her life on board the Megaroad. He watched Tennenbaum take down notes vigorously. I'm only have casual conversation, he sighed. He looked back at Helia who took another sip from the bottle Javier gave her. She smiled at Walliston as she seemed refreshed. "So what was you husband like if you don't mind me asking?"

"He was kind and caring, a great fighter and a great lover. He respected me and I did to him. We met during the Space War, when my Queadluun crashed into one of the Zentradi Thuverl Salan destroyer. He saw me stuck inside the ship, I told him to forget about me and get back to the fight. He refused and came down, although I was initially angry that he disobeyed my order, I couldn't help but feel a tightness in my chest as he cut out the cockpit door and carried me on his VF-1 back to the Macross. After the war we settled in Macross City living near the Macross, flying missions to keep the peace among the settlements, until the Quamzin incident. Afterwards we were stationed on board the Megaroad and were about to get married."

"I see. I see. Thats really sad...I apologize for the loss."

"Nothing to apologize for, its now in the past. The only thing I can do now is press on."

"Thats good..."

In the hangar all sorts of personnel and machinery flurried about. Engineers working on the military aircraft and mecha, studying their layouts and hypothesizing their purposes. Crewmen checking inventories, keeping sure that the personnel stationed all over the ship got their supplies. Soldiers guarding places of interest and escorting arriving research teams who pout in shuttle by shuttle each hour. "You must be the Abh scientist, Doctor Noline Bebaus. I am Doctor Robert Helsing, director of the Ganoxian R&D department and this expedition. I do apologize for my tardiness as I was quite busy if you can well imagine. Come with me and we'll get you set up for the expedition."

An hour had passed as Dr. Walliston continued to ask questions, trivial ones concerning her life on board the Megaroad. He watched Tennenbaum take down notes vigorously. I'm only have casual conversation, he sighed. He looked back at Helia who took another sip from the bottle Javier gave her. She smiled at Walliston as she seemed refreshed. "So what was you husband like if you don't mind me asking?"

"He was kind and caring, a great fighter and a great lover. He respected me and I did to him. We met during the Space War, when my Queadluun crashed into one of the Zentradi Thuverl Salan destroyer. He saw me stuck inside the ship, I told him to forget about me and get back to the fight. He refused and came down, although I was initially angry that he disobeyed my order, I couldn't help but feel a tightness in my chest as he cut out the cockpit door and carried me on his VF-1 back to the Macross. After the war we settled in Macross City living near the Macross, flying missions to keep the peace among the settlements, until the Quamzin incident. Afterwards we were stationed on board the Megaroad and were about to get married."

"I see. I see. Thats really sad...I apologize for the loss."

"Nothing to apologize for, its now in the past. The only thing I can do now is press on."

"Thats good..."

"Do continue," Tennenbaum said to Walliston as she listened to them speak. The notes were being filled with volumes of words. Ships she didn't recognize. Names she barely knew. Things in general to look for. Walliston didn't think of it that way, evidently, but to her this was just as much a debriefing as any. Any information worth exploring was important to write down.

And yet...that nagging feeling. Why was it so? Tennenbaum shrugged and struggled to ignore it again. Then, she asked Helia, "You mentioned a war, now? Between humans and Zentraedi? How did it end with reconciliation?" She figured she was probably misunderstanding the woman, but....it didn't hurt to probe.

"After we destroyed the flagship of the Boddole Zer Main Fleet, the three million ships that were left fled the system. Afterwards those affected by culture coexisted with humanity on the newly rebuilt earth. Although there were some who got tired of culture and resorted back to their old ways, which led to the Quamzin incident. After the incident, Zentradi and humans lived peacefully, although there were some of our brothers and sisters who did not know the culture we so enjoyed." she explained.

"Three million ships, wait didn't you say that there was four-point-eight million ships?"

"Yes we inflicted one-point-eight million casualties due to a combined effort of the Grand Cannon, the reaction weapons from the Macross, and Lord Vrlitwhai's fleet."

"No apologies necessary Doctor. I imagine we are on the tardy side as well. This is my assistant, Erickson, who will be accompaning me throughout this expedition."

The Force user simply nodded his head. Noline shook his head. "Lead on Doctor. We shall follow you. Erickson, grab our bags."

"First of all welcome to the Megaroad. Through recent discoveries we found that this ship was a colony ship bound for the core of the galaxy some time ago. Right now our people are studying the engineering and architecture used in the making of this ship, to better understand the previous inhabitants and probably can use whatever we find for our people," he said casually walking with Noline and Erickson,"Over here, we have set up a station for newcoming scientists and other personnel for expeditions into the ship itself. There they are given supplies, PDA's and Tablets for recording information, and a squad of troops to escort them and protect them from any random dangers that may lurk in this ship. Would you like to see the bridge of the ship or would you want to venture into the city?"

Doctor Walliston decided to take a break from surveying Helia for any questions, so she could get comfort herself with the music downloaded from the Megaroad database. The sight of her enjoyment was encouraging to Walliston. He entered the break room next door, he grabbed a cup and poured in some coffee that was smelling good down the hall. He took a sip, taking in the strong taste and sweet aroma filling his nostrils. The taste to him was unique and unfamiliar, not sure what or who produced this, he wished he could have this particular brand back at the Meridia Island compound, which to his chagin, tastes like sewage.

He looked across the room, soldiers and nurses chatting with each other, flirting with each other. I guess the ol' wounded leg trick still works, Walliston thought to himself. Suddenly he spotted Tomi drooping about, staring into her cup of coffee. Staring blankly into the blackness to the point of spacing out, not noticing Walliston walking by her so suddenly, and asking her, "Mind if I sit here?"

It took a second for her to react to the question before replying with a "Huh?"

"Do you mind if I sit here?"

"Oh...yeah I suppose."

"Okay then," he sat down concern on his face showing for Tomi," I have to ask though, whats bothering you lately, you seem more down then before."

"I was thinking of what she was saying..."

"Who?"

She nodded towards Helia's room. "Ohh! Were you listening in?"

"Well its not everyday I see a giant human turn into a normal one!"

"True, but you could have came in and met her."

"Anyways," skipping the subject,"I was thinking of what she said earlier about her race..." she paused.

"Yeah. Go on."

"About how they were engineered for war, their purpose was for war, they lived for war, knowing only the rush of mortal combat. Reminds me of myself growing up."

"I see..."

"I was born into a war, I only knew war, I am the same as them."

"But Tomi, did you listen to the later part?"

"No..."

"Most of them changed their ways, sure some have reverted back to their old ways, but some of them made the difficult journey to try and change. How about you Tomi, are you willing to try?"

"I don't know, Al. Its pretty hard to change habits, my curse. I don't think it will be that easy as you say. My anger is buried so deep, that I can't just dig it out on a whim."

"All you need is time."

"True," she paused looked down at the black coffee, always feeling comfortable around Walliston for some reason. She looked up at Walliston,"Thanks for this chat."

"For you Tomi, anything."

"Yes we inflicted one-point-eight million casualties due to a combined effort of the Grand Cannon, the reaction weapons from the Macross, and Lord Vrlitwhai's fleet."

OOC: Jolt didn't let me put htis up yesterday.

IC:

Tennenbaum nodded, taking more notes as she listened. The mention of the Grand Cannon, reaction weapons and Lord Vrlitwrai made her curious, and Walliston's leave-taking left her the one to pick up the slack in asking what was what. She thus began asking about the subjects mentioned.

"You mentioned a number of things. Grand Cannons, Reaction Weapons and Lord Vrlitwhai. Who and what are they, if I may ask?"

"The Grand Cannon was the last ditch effort by the Old UN Spacy after the population on earth was annihilated. From what I read upon from a mission report, the Grand Cannon utilized the earth's own gravity to build up energy into a concentrated beam, inflicting heavy casualties on the Boddole Zer Main Fleet giving us a gap in their lines to move through. The reaction weapons used a nuclear warhead to destroy enemy ships, which provided the miclones with a means to clear a way with their VF-1s while our Zentradi fleet used their main weapons. Lord Vrlitwhai, known as Britai to the miclones, was the commander of the fleet that helped humanity against the Boddole Zer Main Fleet and later became commander of the NUNS." she explained, grabbing a glass of water and drinking it.

"First of all welcome to the Megaroad. Through recent discoveries we found that this ship was a colony ship bound for the core of the galaxy some time ago. Right now our people are studying the engineering and architecture used in the making of this ship, to better understand the previous inhabitants and probably can use whatever we find for our people," he said casually walking with Noline and Erickson,"Over here, we have set up a station for newcoming scientists and other personnel for expeditions into the ship itself. There they are given supplies, PDA's and Tablets for recording information, and a squad of troops to escort them and protect them from any random dangers that may lurk in this ship. Would you like to see the bridge of the ship or would you want to venture into the city?"


Noline gave a cheerful laugh as he walked with Dr. Helsing. "I'm not exactly a naval engineering expert mind you so I would not be able to decipher any alien technology concerning a ship's systems. But I would have a look just to simply see what a new design looks like compared to our own."

As Erickson caught up with the bags, Noline took a look around at the rest of the complex. "I believe we will be fine in the equipment department and my associate here will see to the security matters. We will probably only require a guide to show us around. That and whatever interests your government might have in learning from this ship."

Helsing pushed up his glasses, "Ah I see, I'll get one of my assistants to show you around the ship and get you better acquainted with it. Lets see," he pulled out a PDA, pushing a stylus to it a few times, "ah yes Sheryl Lanson will be perfect. She was always complaining of how boring it was on the bridge. She will meet you here in a few minutes, please wait here. Also enjoy your visit to the Megaroad."

"The Grand Cannon was the last ditch effort by the Old UN Spacy after the population on earth was annihilated. From what I read upon from a mission report, the Grand Cannon utilized the earth's own gravity to build up energy into a concentrated beam, inflicting heavy casualties on the Boddole Zer Main Fleet giving us a gap in their lines to move through. The reaction weapons used a nuclear warhead to destroy enemy ships, which provided the miclones with a means to clear a way with their VF-1s while our Zentradi fleet used their main weapons. Lord Vrlitwhai, known as Britai to the miclones, was the commander of the fleet that helped humanity against the Boddole Zer Main Fleet and later became commander of the NUNS." she explained, grabbing a glass of water and drinking it.

Tennenbaum sketched these things out further in her notes. By now, she had used up one pen and had thrown it out, and had gathered a new one from her segway's storage area. She then began scribbling more notes. So far, the details seemed to match the accounts she read and had seen in the old archives. Interesting, this proved to be.

The mention of the VF-1 now began to pique her interest, as Tennenbaum said to Helia, "Interesting....you mentioned the VF-1 Valkirye.....my people use a variant on that model."

As she spoke, the pen ran out of ink, and Tennenbaum fumed. Out of frustration, she threw the pen into the air....

Tomi was walking in when she suddenly caught the pen that Tennenbaum threw. She was initially coming in to have a chat with Helia at the insistence of Walliston, but instead stomped over to Tennenbaum with veins popping from her temples. "Hey old hag, watch where you throw these things, you almost took out my eye with this!!" she yelled.

Helia looked at Tomi, noticing her attitude and appearance, which reminded her of a former friend before the Megaroad crashed into New Ganoxa. She was almost exactly like her causing her to ask herself if they cloned her, but she disregarded it as a mer coincidence. "Seriously just throwing anything around like you please will get someone hurt!"

Helia began to laugh at the two arguing to which Tomi looked over and simply blinked, "Whats so funny?!"

"Aw nothing, you just remind me of someone I knew,"

Tomi didn't know whether the comment was an insult or a compliment and simply said, "Oh."

"Can I ask you something, what brings you here?"

"Oh I just wanted to chat with you, unlike Miss Socially Challenged here drilling you with questions, I guess I came to give you a break."

Helia liked her already, "Oh alright."

"Let me just ask this one thing though, what are you going to do now?"

"I guess I'll just continue on, and live here. Seeing as I have no one really."

"Well not anymore, you have me now!" she stood grinning, pointing her thumb at her chest.

"Oh I just wanted to chat with you, unlike Miss Socially Challenged here drilling you with questions, I guess I came to give you a break."

Helia liked her already, "Oh alright."

"Let me just ask this one thing though, what are you going to do now?"

"I guess I'll just continue on, and live here. Seeing as I have no one really."

"Well not anymore, you have me now!" she stood grinning, pointing her thumb at her chest.

"Miss Socially Challenged? Excuse me?" Tennenbaum turned to face her erstwhile opponent and put her hands to her hips in defiance, and then stuck a finger out to point at Tomira, saying, "I was interviewing Ms. Rein, not subjecting her to an interrogation, as you mistakenly assume."

Moving closer to Helia and crossing her arms on her chest, she then uttered, with a smile and pride in herself, "And frankly, my dear, if anyone here is Socially Challenged, it is you. With that loud mouth, lack of respect and enough baggage to weigh down a North Korean porter, I wonder how anybody deals with you."

"Javier!" The assistant, who had been doing some shadowboxing off to the side, ran to Doctor Tennenbaum. Tennenbaum then asked Javier, "What was the name of that restaurant again?" Javier said, tapping his chin, "I believe it was the....Nyan Nyan? Like how the Japanese say the sound of a kitten's meow?"

Tennenbaum sketched out a list and then handed it to Javier, saying along with that, "Order these items, including a nice bowl of ramen for Ms. Rein here. I think we should buy her some food...oh, and get her some iced tea." Javier coughed, and then Tennenbaum took out several crisp, clean bills, both local currency, US Dollars, and New Dornalian Currency and then sent him on his way.

"Now then, where were we..."

"You just did not call me fat? I Know you didn't just call me fat! Listen you old hag NO one calls me fat and gets away with it!" she gave her a good shove, putting some force into it.

Helia on the other hand, was initially confused at the comment, wondering why Tennenbaum thought Tomi was overweight when she was clearly in a fit condition.

"You just did not call me fat? I Know you didn't just call me fat! Listen you old hag NO one calls me fat and gets away with it!" she gave her a good shove, putting some force into it.

Helia on the other hand, was initially confused at the comment, wondering why Tennenbaum thought Tomi was overweight when she was clearly in a fit condition.

"You stupid bin--"

With that, Tennenbaum never got to finish her comeback. A resounding thump and *clang* announced to Helia and Tomira that the good Doctor took a rather nasty spill. Of course, that wasn't going to be the only bad thing to occur. This is Doctor Edelmira Tennenbaum Orrozco we're talking about!

Sitting up in a pool of leaking hot wax and rubbing her head in pain, both would notice a dramatic change in the Doctor. Her stare looked vacant, losing its fire. She also could be seen looking about fearfully.

Then, Doctor Tennenbaum, now Edelmira, looked around. She then got up and said, "Blech!" in her native Rioplatenese accent. Wagging her hands like a little kid touching slime, she then began yelling in her native tongue.

"Eew! Edelmira touched the gunk! It's sticky and yucky and nasty. And her head hurts! OOOWWWW!!!!!" Edelmira then ran about around the room, going, "EEW! EEW!" before bumping into the vat. She then stopped and looked at it, going up to the glass like a little kid with a fishtank and putting her hands up to it.

"Double owie....Ooohhhh.....it's all colorful....and shiny....."

She then turned to Tomira and Helia and said, "Edelmira wants to know who made it. She likes it very much."

Helsing pushed up his glasses, "Ah I see, I'll get one of my assistants to show you around the ship and get you better acquainted with it. Lets see," he pulled out a PDA, pushing a stylus to it a few times, "ah yes Sheryl Lanson will be perfect. She was always complaining of how boring it was on the bridge. She will meet you here in a few minutes, please wait here. Also enjoy your visit to the Megaroad."

Noline gave a curt bow. "That sounds perfect. Thank you for your assistance, doctor."

The Abh turned around and had his Force User companion drop the bags and take break while they waited for their new guide. Bebaus hoped that she would at least prove interesting as a distraction.

Tomi smiled as Tennenbaum took her spill but immediately was shocked at her immediate "transformation" when she began running around the room. "What the fuck?" she mouthed not actually saying the words.

When she bumped into the vat Tomi began to feel annoyed by this version of Doctor Tennenbaum then her previous incarnation, almost taking out her pistol to finish her "suffering". She was interrupted when Edelmira bumped into a vat containing a sample from the jungle that a certain new guy had found in the jungle prior to this expedition. "How the hell should I know?!" she replied.

Sheryl Lanson appeared behind Noline and Erickson. She was a typical blond with blue eyes, carrying her lucky pack, a worn out pack handed down her family tree all the way to the Age of Discovery on Ganoxa. "Excuse me if I'm late it was a long trip from the bridge, well not to waste anymore time lets go shall we?" she smiled, leading the way.

Tomi smiled as Tennenbaum took her spill but immediately was shocked at her immediate "transformation" when she began running around the room. "What the fuck?" she mouthed not actually saying the words.

When she bumped into the vat Tomi began to feel annoyed by this version of Doctor Tennenbaum then her previous incarnation, almost taking out her pistol to finish her "suffering". She was interrupted when Edelmira bumped into a vat containing a sample from the jungle that a certain new guy had found in the jungle prior to this expedition. "How the hell should I know?!" she replied.

Sheryl Lanson appeared behind Noline and Erickson. She was a typical blond with blue eyes, carrying her lucky pack, a worn out pack handed down her family tree all the way to the Age of Discovery on Ganoxa. "Excuse me if I'm late it was a long trip from the bridge, well not to waste anymore time lets go shall we?" she smiled, leading the way.

Unfortunately for Tomira, Edelmira Tennenbaum had issues with English language comprehension in her "kid mode." As a result, the communication was mostly going to be one way--as in, Tomira's Spanish language comprehension getting what Edelmira was saying, and definetly not vice-versa.

Edelmira looked at Tomira with a "deer in the headlights" stare, and scratched her head, somewhat shocked at Tomira's candor. The strange scientist then wagged a finger at the sergeant, saying with that odd forcefulness and rambling manner kids use, added with the rapid pace that the Spanish language could sometimes take, "You're mean, lady. Edelmira's mommy told her to not to swear and to use her inside voice. Why don't you use your inside voice? You're very loud. And mean. Like Edelmira's little brother, who doesn't use his inside voice and won't share his toy soldiers because he thinks Edelmira has cooties."

Bebaus swept a low bow as the woman appeared before them. "A pleasure madame. Please, lead us along."

Erickson hefted up the bags once again and fell in line with the rest of them. Noline nudged an elbow at Erickson and tilted his head at the blond woman. "Watch out for that one. She is on the tenacious side."

Tomira seemed to be annoyed by the old hag's apparent transformation into annoying brat. Veins started to appear all over her forehead when she finally grabbed that finger and bent it backwards a bit, ensuring that she didn't break it only to cause pain. "Listen you! I am not going to get told around by some fucking loony."

Helia looked on, I don't even know whats going on anymore, is this a dream.


"I heard that!" Sheryl retorted to Noline's comment.

A few minutes later the group was in the city section of the ship. As they looked up they could see the starry night sky, through the lit up buildings. The engineers had repaired the electrical systems of most of the grid and old advertisements and other lights turned on. "Hmm. Looks like they got it up faster than I thought. Anyways we're in the commercial district of the ship. Here the people passed the time of traveling through the vastness of space by attending concerts, dance clubs, eating at restaurants. They also worked here and it seemed that they had their very own economy here."

Tomira seemed to be annoyed by the old hag's apparent transformation into annoying brat. Veins started to appear all over her forehead when she finally grabbed that finger and bent it backwards a bit, ensuring that she didn't break it only to cause pain. "Listen you! I am not going to get told around by some fucking loony."

Helia looked on, I don't even know whats going on anymore, is this a dream.

"YEEEOWCH!" Edelmira lept back in pain and recoiled back. Corssing her arms together and curling up slightly, she then glared at Tomira, sticking her tongue out and giving her a raspberry. Edelmira simply said in turn, "Yup. You hit like her little brother too. Dirty and nasty like." She then sat there, then scooting up to Helia.

"Hey lady. Hey lady. Lady!" Edelmira poked her somewhat in the upper arm, and then stopped. Looking at Helia in the eyes, Edelmira then knelt down in front of her and began talking. Well, not that Helia would be able to understand.

"You're pretty. Like one of the ladies from Daddy's books of paintings. I think he mentioned one by Bott-bott-Bottlecello. Something like that. Edelmira's daddy told her art is essential for living. Wouldn't you agree?"

Dr. Bebaus jabbed Erickson in the side with his elbow to accentuate his point about the woman as she overheard what he was saying. "See?"

Noline looked around the vastness of the area that they were in. Realization set into the Abh scientist when he understood what Sheryl was telling him. "You mean this entire city was a ship? A city-ship...."

It had been some time since the Abh had been near city ships. The first in fact sine their early history.

Helia was a bit surprised at the apparent attention she was getting from little Edelmira, trying to say a word, but was constantly interrupted then she acknowledged her question with a "Yeah..." Finally Tomira walked over to the bed and grabbed Edelmira trying to tear her away from the bed that she was clinging to. "What are you doing you brat!?" speaking in Torendan, a Ganoxian dialect of Spanish.

Sheryl turned around and gave a simple nod, her hair floating through the air. "Mhm. As with our recent reports this ship held about 80,000 along with just under 2000 military personnel in the rear part of the ship. We assume there was a fleet escorting it." she explained some more.

Helia was a bit surprised at the apparent attention she was getting from little Edelmira, trying to say a word, but was constantly interrupted then she acknowledged her question with a "Yeah..." Finally Tomira walked over to the bed and grabbed Edelmira trying to tear her away from the bed that she was clinging to. "What are you doing you brat!?" speaking in Torendan, a Ganoxian dialect of Spanish.


Fortunately for Tomira and Helia, Javier was about to come back with plenty of Japanese takeout. As it so happened, he wandered onto the scene, saying, "Hello? Doctor? I've got the food you req--"

He nearly dropped the food once he saw what was going on, and said, "Oh. My. God." Putting it gently onto the floor, he then ran up to the scientist and poked her, getting her attention. With that, Edelmira's expression brightened, and greeted Javier with a sudden, forceful hug. As Javier could be seen clearly struggling, Edelmira could be heard saying, "I missed you so much!"

Javier managed to wave her back, saying in his own Spanish dialect, "That's good, Edelmira." Motioning to the spilled segway, he worringly asked, "What happened now?"

"Oh. Edelmira has been talking to these people. There's one very mean lady, and one very nice one. The mean lady seems to be the only one who understands Edelmira, but she bent Edelmira's finger back so Edelmira won't talk to her. She called Edelmira a brat. The nice lady doesn't understand her. But she's pretty. Like an artwork." Edelmira was as animated as any young girl, only as animated as a thirtysomething year-old woman in the mental age of a young girl could be.

Looking about, Javier then put his hands on Edelmira's shoulders and said, "Edelmira...I think it's time you got back onto the segway now and stopped bothering the nice lady and the mean lady. Besides, do you remember why we're here?"

Edelmira put her finger on her chin for a moment, and then in a 'Eureka' moment, declared, "Oh! We're here because of the spaceship! Edelmira remembers the nice lady and mean lady came with the spaceship."

"Well, this is the spaceship. So I need you to get into the wax, and behave. Okay?" Javier noted the need for this rather insistently.

"Okies." Edelmira pouted, but Javier was steadfastly for resolving the situation. Now. She then got up, marched to the tub, and then, Javier did something that was going to look wierd for all of them. He pulled out a tube of hot wax solution, and then poured it into the tub which was attached to the segway, which he stood up beforehand. Then, he stood Edelmira in it.

Upon doing this-and scrubbing off the excess-Edelmira siezed up, and then that arrogant, fiery look returned into her eyes.

"Thank you, Javier, for returning me to normal. I was beginning to think I'd never leave Candyland." Adjusting her coat, she then said to Helia, "I do apologize, Ms. Rein. But I had a failed surgery years ago which causes these sorts of unfortunate things to occur...." Turning to Javier, Doctor Tennenbaum then frowned and said, "Where's the food?"

Javier brought it closer, and she said, "Excellent. Give that bowl of ramed I requested to Ms. Rein to her, please." Javier did so, taking out a bowl of ramen in a takeout container and handing it, plastic spoons and forks and all, to the confused Zentraedi.

Helia and Tomira just stared at Javier who put Edelmira into the segue and turned her back into Tennenbaum again. To Helia it was a familiar sight, but to Tomira it was just the same annoying piece of...well lets not get into that shall we. Helia was a bit relieved at the sudden regression, as Edelmira was a bit too rambunctious for her liking and it would be great to actually understand her.

"Pinche tu madre," Tomira cursed to herself,"got anymore surprises for us? Next thing she might go nuclear on us!"

Helia was a bit concerned at the comment of the use of reaction weapons as she grabbed her plate of ramen, the chopsticks, and began to eat. "Is this from the Nyan-Nyan per chance?"

Helia and Tomira just stared at Javier who put Edelmira into the segue and turned her back into Tennenbaum again. To Helia it was a familiar sight, but to Tomira it was just the same annoying piece of...well lets not get into that shall we. Helia was a bit relieved at the sudden regression, as Edelmira was a bit too rambunctious for her liking and it would be great to actually understand her.

"Pinche tu madre," Tomira cursed to herself,"got anymore surprises for us? Next thing she might go nuclear on us!"

Helia was a bit concerned at the comment of the use of reaction weapons as she grabbed her plate of ramen, the chopsticks, and began to eat. "Is this from the Nyan-Nyan per chance?"

Javier nodded and said, "Indeed it is. My supervisor found it quite good, so she wanted to order from it again." He then sighed and said, facepalming "Regrettably, as you have seen, she has also become involved in problems with one of the staff. Sergeant Milson over there." As much as he liked working for the Doctor, Doctor Tennenbaum could be quite irrational at times.

To that Tennenbaum replied with no small contempt, eating her plate of teriyaki, "Well, she started it. Rather called me old maid. I'm only in my thirties, I'll have you know." After eating some more, she continued her contempt streak, turning to Tomira with a simple, "And frankly my dear, I heard that. For a contemptible individual such as yourself, atomic weaponry would not suffice." She finished her phrase with a smile that simply hinted that she had the ability to follow up on that "promise."

Tomira was about to grab her pistol and unload her clip in Tennenbaum's face. The bullets going though that head of hers would make her smile. Until she saw Walliston eying her, giving her quite the dirty look. She immediately eased off the holster and smoothly raised her arms up as if yawning. Walliston walked into the room continuing to stare at her firmly before looking at the rest of the group. "Everything alright in here? I was hearing such a ruckus from the other room." he looked at Tomira again.

"What?!" she blinked.

Walliston sighed heavily, "Anyways I was visiting the new guy, um what was his name," he clasped his forehead before sighing again,"I lost it."

Tomira was about to grab her pistol and unload her clip in Tennenbaum's face. The bullets going though that head of hers would make her smile. Until she saw Walliston eying her, giving her quite the dirty look. She immediately eased off the holster and smoothly raised her arms up as if yawning. Walliston walked into the room continuing to stare at her firmly before looking at the rest of the group. "Everything alright in here? I was hearing such a ruckus from the other room." he looked at Tomira again.

"What?!" she blinked.

Walliston sighed heavily, "Anyways I was visiting the new guy, um what was his name," he clasped his forehead before sighing again,"I lost it."

Tennenbaum's left eyebrow raised up, which then led to her asking, "New...guy? We're to have someone new with us?" Intrigued, the good doctor putted forth to Walliston on her segway, by now used to Tomira's outbursts and homicidal inclinations. She merely shrugged off the death threat and let out a "Humph."

"Doctor Walliston, if you can't remember what his name was...what did he lok like?"

Sheryl turned around and gave a simple nod, her hair floating through the air. "Mhm. As with our recent reports this ship held about 80,000 along with just under 2000 military personnel in the rear part of the ship. We assume there was a fleet escorting it." she explained some more.

"Which would only make sesne given that city-ships have a large contigency of civilians and cannot adequately defend themselves solely against an attack. I would imagine all naval military power travelled where ever the ship went if it's the only one of its kind."

"Oh no! the new guy is a research assistant at the Meridia Island Compound that we sent to the jungle to retrieve a new specimen for us. I was just visiting him because he was severely injured by something in this very jungle. Only if I could remember his damned name. Anyways hes in the next room, wrapped up in bandages right now, so he can't speak."

Sheryl looked at her PDA for anymore updated information, "According to the logs this was to be the first of many colony ships to head for the galactic core. So there were multiple colony fleets," Sheryl replied.

"I see."

Bebaus took one last look at his surrounding then followed on with Sheryl. Erkickson was close behind with their belongings as he followed in tow.

"Tell me, what is your government looking to gain from all of this and where are we needed in this great labyrinth of history?"

"My government, the Council, has shown interest in the architecture and engineering that was required to build such a large ship. Also in our efforts to understand we want to also know how they lived and prospered on this vessel. As you may see they had a living breathing city here. In the future we would like to construct our own vessel such as this to replace the long and large convoys that we have been using to colonize this system. So the only thing we require is that you just have a look around and give us your insights of this ship. Of course I'll be here to guide you two handsome gentlemen." she winked with a curt smile.

"Oh no! the new guy is a research assistant at the Meridia Island Compound that we sent to the jungle to retrieve a new specimen for us. I was just visiting him because he was severely injured by something in this very jungle. Only if I could remember his damned name. Anyways hes in the next room, wrapped up in bandages right now, so he can't speak."


"I see...." Tennenbaum raised an eyebrow, and looked rather skeptically at Walliston. "I was thinking we would have foreigners come by rather soon. After all that message was addressed to more than just me."

"Well...I recently had a chance to review the alerts I have missed on my Blueberry," he pulled out his PDA, "hmm lets see. Ah Yes a Abh scientist and a Jedi escort has arrived about an hour ago. There are getting a tour of the city by Sheryl Lanson."

"Who is she?" Tomira asked.

"Dr. Helsing's assistant, pretty damn good one too, but she seems to be a flirt at times."

"Oh one of those!"

"Yeah..."

"Well...I recently had a chance to review the alerts I have missed on my Blueberry," he pulled out his PDA, "hmm lets see. Ah Yes a Abh scientist and a Jedi escort has arrived about an hour ago. There are getting a tour of the city by Sheryl Lanson."

Tennenbaum's eyes widened at the mention of an Abh scientist and a Jedi escort. The Abh scientist especially. Walliston would be able to see Tennenbaum's jaw drop, and all the muscles on her person tense up as she recalled memories from her past. The only Abh scientist she knew...was from a supersoldier project long ago. A cherished individual who was also a pain in the ass.

Dr. Noline Bebaus.

"Excellent. Both to escorting the handsome gentleman as well as studying this city. I may not be an expert on ship designing but I believe that this is within our reach. Tell me, who will we be working with? Or is this just going to be a cozy working environment with you and me?"

"Well," putting a finger to her chin, "I was going to let Boris take over but I'll clear my schedule for you two." she giggled a little. "There is this little restaurant on the corner of this street called the Nyan-Nyan if you want to take a break," she smiled.

New Ganoxa (System MW-C-H-4771 - Dominion Designation)
Furthest extent of stellar gravitational influence
52 hours ago

"...large...world...predates our colonization..."

Information. Sustainance. Purpose.


The long range probe slowly came to life; its tiny fusion core flaring as more reactant was pumped into it.


"...tall...small mountain...scientists and military...begun exploring...nature, purpose, and design..."


Analyzing.

Begin full system scan? Y/N

Y

System scan initiated. Please wait...

Alert! Potential hostile vector detected!

Accessing database...
...
...
...
...no matches found.

Begin pulse transmission.

---

The Daiamid
New Union City, Concordia
Concordia System, United Dominion of Feazanthia
Cetra (Fornax) Galaxy
6 hours later

"Impossible!" sputtered the S'jetti Kiith-sa, her voice amplified over the Daiamid building's comm system. "The odds of this vessel...whatever it is...being from-"

"It is a colony vessel of a kiithid civilization. From what we can analyze, it may in fact predate our own. That is more than enough information for the Gaalsien." The speaker this time was, in fact, the elderly Gaalsien Kiith-sa. "We have the support of the Sobani and the Somtaaw. Is that not enough for the timid S'jet?"

"Perhaps this timid S'jet decided to actually analyze the data instead of mindless scripture, hmm?" shot back the S'jetti. "Regardless, if you would actually take the time to analyze the situation, Gaalsien-sa-"

"We HAVE analyzed it!" shouted the Soban Kiith-sa. An enormous example of his already-larger-than-average kiith, Kevin Naar Soban-sa's voice carried even without the use of the Daiamid's comms. "And we have found the Gaalsien analysis spot on!"

"And so," came a cool voice from the center of the circular room that caused every head to turn, "you decided to call an emergency session of the Daiamid in order to bully the other Kiith into compliance, hmm?" Praetor Torroth Halcyon Nabaal-sa appeared as his podium rose from the lower floors in his trademark dramatic fashion.

"M-my Praetor!" stammered the Gaalsien Kiith-sa. "We believed you were touring the Outer Rim reclamation projects! We did not wish to-"

"Oh, do not worry, honorable Gaalsien," said Halcyon dryly. "Despite the fact that your summons apparently was misplaced in the daily pulse transmissions, my liason within the Daiamid happened to inform me that not only was this session taking place, but that I had also somehow forgotten my toothbrush at my domicile. You will all be happy to know that my toothbrush was located with enough time to spare for me to drop in on this little chat."

This earned several chuckles from the more outspoken opponents of Kiith Gaalsien.

"Regardless," continued the Sa of Sas. "And I cannot believe I am saying this, but I am forced to agree with our elderly sister and her supporters. Even if this turns out to be a wild skaal hunt, the potential in this mission is too great to pass up. For all we know, this "vessel" that the Ja-Noaks-Ahns have uncovered may be a sister ship to the one that brought our ancestors here." This earned appreciative nods from the Gaalsien, Soban, and Somtaaw delegations. "And, should this theory be incorrect, it still may very well hold records that will prove...useful...to our mission. Now, honorable Soban-sa, I know you wanted your own fleet to be the one to carry out this operation..."

"My Praetor!" exclaimed the S'jet-sa. "You cannot be serious!"

"Oh, but I am," said Halcyon Nabaal darkly. "However, as I was saying, the Sobani wanted to be the first into battle and I am not about to deny them that privilege; but I am directing orders to Phia'sa Hood to make the task force of multiple fleets from multiple Kiith. No one Kiith should have full access to this valuable information, ni? And, honorable S'jet-sa, before you protest, be aware that I have already ordered the operation to launch. The battle should begin shortly..."

---

System MW-C-H-4771 - Dominion Designation
Parallel to the furthest orbital
Current Time

Slits in reality opened. The very fabric of our universe split and curled like a dying fruit as slate-grey objects were hurled out of them. As the universe healed its wounds and closed the chaotic vortices, blue-white flares sprang from the "rear" of the objects, marking them as vessels.

Three carrier groups and a bombardment group. Representative fleets of Kiith Soban, Somtaaw, Manaan, and Nabaal. All reassumed their formations and deployed gravity wells in the hopes that whoever these Ja-Noaks-Ahns were they had not mastered FTL jumps through heightened gravity.

No transmissions were made, but no targetting solutions were acquired either. Cannons remained in their fixed positions, and launch cylinders remained closed.

But they began moving towards New Ganoxa at a frighteningly quick pace.

General Grenzer was sitting at his makeshift desk at base camp near the Megaroad. He sipped his coffee, which was a strong black, after reading on all the reports that came to him. Suddenly a subordinate came to him, frantically handing him a clipboard. He spit out his coffee and began issuing orders in a quick manner. "Get me a goddamn transport now!"

A few minutes later at the capital of New Kpor Grenzer entered his main headquarters with five subordinates smothering him with reports. Long range sensors have reported at least three unknown fleets coming in fast and they don't appear to be friendly. He looked over a tactical display of the system showing where each of the battlegroups were and the defense systems that were in orbit. About six battlegroups were stationed at the Iron Gate Ship Yards, while 7 were at New Yulia, a newly established colony on the outer edge of the system. Only five were available at New Ganoxa.

GSF Battlegroup F01, L02, O03, C05, and F06 were in orbit, along with the newly developed Mobile Planetary Defense Platforms. Grenzer deployed the Orelas group, O03, to meet with these vessels.

Fleet Admiral Tenjin waited patiently for the unknown vessel to come, he didn't care if they were really invading or just traveling through, he was determined to hold the line for his people.

"Deploy fighters and have the fleet change to Red Alert status."

"Well," putting a finger to her chin, "I was going to let Boris take over but I'll clear my schedule for you two." she giggled a little. "There is this little restaurant on the corner of this street called the Nyan-Nyan if you want to take a break," she smiled.

"Sounds wonderful."

Bebaus turned towards Erickson. "Why don't you go find our friends from New Dornalia and see if you can't help out?"

Erickson scowled at the Abh. "I am supposed to be assisting you and acting as your guard."

Noline looked from the woman back to Erickson. "I don't think I'll need any protection from our friend here. If she attacks me, it won't be unwanted."

The Force User rolled his eyes and walked off where the rest of the teams were working. Bebaus turned to the woman and bowed politely. "Shall we?"

"Phia Soban," came the voice of the Hadat'ne. Elson Soban couldn't help but stroke his red beard as data from advance sensor probes began streaming across the neural cable at the base of his skull.

"Phia Soban," came the voice again.

"Yes, Hadat'ne. What is it?"

"Enemy strike craft are being deployed. Should we launch the Kites in response?"

"Negative, Hadat'ne. Not yet. Let them think their light craft will stop us. Open channel to fleet." He waited three breaths as the tightbeam channels between the individual task force flagships was engaged. "Deploy defensive drones. Weapons lock off. Pick your targets and wait for command."


In the void of space, turrets suddenly went active. Magnetic capacitors charged as fusion generators pumped energy into them, and launch cylinders opened to reveal their deadly payloads. From the carriers, swarms of three-meter-long craft launched and took up defensive positions around their parent ships and their host fleets.

Soban whispered under his breath.
"Your move."

"Admiral, we are detecting the unknown vessels. Energy readings are showing possible weapons being powered up and small craft are being deployed/ Course of action?"

"They seem to be hostile after all," he looked over to his tactical officers through his Tactical Display"Have the fleet move in with the fighters to engage after our volley. Prepare their Arm Slaves for boarding missions. I want half of the destroyers to stay with the Keitaros to protect our artillery assets."

"Sir all carriers are prepared to launch their missiles,"

"Launch volley. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxml4TtIX2I)"

Almost simultaneously, 12 960 missile tubes coming from fifteen carriers flared up as missiles raced across the void. The Orelas, however, had launched the new Multiple Dispersal Ballistic Missile compliment it had, which each missile would unleash a deadly payload of ten 30 megaton warheads in a omni-directional pattern or shotgun pattern, amid the swarm of missiles aiming at the enemy fleet. A few moments later the fleet began to move in fighters streaming ahead towards the enemy.

Meanwhile in the rear artillery ships charged up their Super MACs and unleashed their volley upon the oncoming hostile forces, while destroyers set up a screen to protect them. Tenjin sat motionless waiting for results.

Sheryl beckoned the Abh scientist to follow her into the restaurant, which was just as lively as it was before when Dr. Tennenbaum visited, after waiting for Bebaus they were shown a table by waitress and sat down. "So you're buying the meal?" she smiled.

Noline smiled as they were seated. "Of course my dear. My honor would demand nothing less. Now, what do you recommend here?"

"Oh! I hear their Kitsune Udon is the best in all of Ganoxa. Waitress!" she waved her over. The waitress pointed a finger to her while Sheryl acknowledged. The waitress walked over and took out her notepad and asked, "What will it be?"

"I'll have the Kitsune Udon and some iced tea, what about you?" she looked at Bebaus

Tennenbaum then stopped siezing up and shook her head, especially as Javier was giving her a very strange look. She wiped her hands on the segway, and muttered, "Yes, right. Why don't we take a short break and get our guest acclimated back to the world at large?" Marking down a list of things to research--not the least of which was the miclone vat--she then turned to Helia, saying, "Keeping in the spirit of things, what would you like to do right now to relax? I am sure you're terribly tired of all these question and answer sessions." Naturally, Tennenbaum dropped the part where she was doing this to one-up Tomira and cover up her own seizure....

"Well--"

"What about going to the Nyan-Nyan?" Tomira sneered at Tennenbaum.

"The Nyan-Nyan?! That place is still here?!" Helia sat up with surprised and a bit of excitement in her face. The thought of the Nyan-Nyan was almost appealing to her as the memory of her fiance. Of course it was it was the place they first met. She had just gotten some time off and decided to relax at the Nyan-Nyan's bar, taking in the culture their as she drank some fine whiskey. Suddenly a human sat next to her and offered her a drink she initially refused but finally gave in to his persistence, but she really gave in to his charming nature. Coincidentally he was in the same squadron, but on a different team, which had always been far from her own.

"Yea me and doc fixed it up not too long ago," Tomira said."

Helia stood up and was about to head to the door, until she realized she was in a hospital gown. "Um..?"

"I'll get you some clothes," Tomira smiled.

"Well--"

"What about going to the Nyan-Nyan?" Tomira sneered at Tennenbaum.

"The Nyan-Nyan?! That place is still here?!" Helia sat up with surprised and a bit of excitement in her face. The thought of the Nyan-Nyan was almost appealing to her as the memory of her fiance. Of course it was it was the place they first met. She had just gotten some time off and decided to relax at the Nyan-Nyan's bar, taking in the culture their as she drank some fine whiskey. Suddenly a human sat next to her and offered her a drink she initially refused but finally gave in to his persistence, but she really gave in to his charming nature. Coincidentally he was in the same squadron, but on a different team, which had always been far from her own.

"Yea me and doc fixed it up not too long ago," Tomira said."

Helia stood up and was about to head to the door, until she realized she was in a hospital gown. "Um..?"

"I'll get you some clothes," Tomira smiled.

"Yes. Generally, it is not proper to go into public in only a hospital gown," Tennenbaum mused with an amused smile. Javier looked at Tennenbaum somewhat puzzledly, and to that Tennenbaum merely said, "I just made an observation, dear Javier, no need to imply offense or denigration." Shaking her head, Tennenbaum then continued with, "Nevermind, then." Turning back to Helia, Tennenbaum continued with cheer and friendliness, "After we get some clothes for you--Helia, was it?--we can then proceed to the Nyan-Nyan. Besides, if not for the food, then the familiarity and friendliness of it all."

Tomira had almost said "You think Captain Obvious!" but kept to herself when she searched for some clothes in her rucksack. She got out her civvies and handed them to Helia, who graciously accepted. It was a simple blue jeans and green t-shirt, which was fine to the Zentradi. She quickly changed in the dressing room and walked out, "Shall we?"

A few moments later they entered into the restaurant, nostalgia hitting Helia. Walliston walked up to her and asked, "I did as much as I could to make it like it was. Is it accurate?"

"Yes," she said, noticing every detail of the restaurant, as if time had not touched it, "Its as it was before. Its perfect."

"I'm glad." Walliston smiled.

Tomira had almost said "You think Captain Obvious!" but kept to herself when she searched for some clothes in her rucksack. She got out her civvies and handed them to Helia, who graciously accepted. It was a simple blue jeans and green t-shirt, which was fine to the Zentradi. She quickly changed in the dressing room and walked out, "Shall we?"

A few moments later they entered into the restaurant, nostalgia hitting Helia. Walliston walked up to her and asked, "I did as much as I could to make it like it was. Is it accurate?"

"Yes," she said, noticing every detail of the restaurant, as if time had not touched it, "Its as it was before. Its perfect."

"I'm glad." Walliston smiled.

"Charming, charming...." Tennenbaum paused to think on Helia's familiarity of the place. Leaning on her Segway and smiling, she said to herself openly and softly and wistfully, "Through the years, a man peoples a space with images of provinces, kingdoms, mountains, bays, ships, islands, fishes, rooms, tools, stars, horses and people. Shortly before his death, he discovers that the patient labyrinth of lines traces the image of his own face." She then caught herself, and said, chuckling to Helia, "I meant nothing by that. I simply found the quote apt. It was by a famous author from my land, Borges. A commentary, as I interpret it, on the power of memory and experience."

She then took in the environment, and evidently was not surprised. Though resembling a basic Chinese restaurant, it was to Helia a place of great significance.

Noline scratched his chin for a moment as if thinking about his options. "I'll have the Kitsune Udon and a glass of water please."

Klaxxons roared across the Dominion fleet as multiple warheads painted each ship.

"That didn't take long," sighed Elson Soban casually as the approach vectors of each missile pointed at not only the Highland March, his flagship, but also the ships in his carrier group. "Launch countermeasures and Kites, begin evasive maneuvers. Let's see if they can shoot in the dark."


Small missiles launched from the outer hulls of the battleships and carriers and began rocketing towards the oncoming Ganoxan ordnance. As they approached the enemy C-FRAC projectiles, a reaction began to occur within them.

In space, stealth is really a non-issue. The amount of waste heat expended by your standard fusion torch drive is enough for a passive sensor to pick up far outside the effective range of any weapon that chooses to obey the laws of physics. Even "quick burn" tactics are ineffective, as life support systems and standard reactors still put out more waste heat than can ever be masked. Thus, sensors cannot be fooled. However, sensors can be blocked. Without a direct line-of-sight between the guidance system on your standard missile and the target, the missile becomes a rather light and useless payload delivery system that happens to typically move far slower than your standard KEW. And, without a guidance system, the chances of that payload intercepting the orbit of any warship worth its weight in carbon drop considerably.

This was the problem Dominion countermeasures were designed to exploit. Taking advantage of the nanite foundries equipped on most super-capital ships, these tiny missiles were loaded with charged fullerene nanobottles. Within these nanobottles was enough ionized antihelium to level a small city.

Of course, in terms of planetary-scale combat, such a small amount of antiparticles would be inconsequential. However, these missiles were built out of dense materials with low ionization potentials. As the timed fuse expired, the nanobottles were destabilized and the antihelium allowed to react with its opposite. With nowhere else to go, the resulting energy burst ionized the material around it and expelled out outwards. The net result was immense clouds of plasma rapidly accelerating outwards from the initial blast point and, while fairly harmless as a weapon, the electromagnetic disks were intended to block line of sight effectively between the enemy warships and the Dominion task force.

Simultaneously, the aforementioned advance probes went active in relaying accurate and up-to-date targetting data around the detonations. With this data, the Dominion task force opened up with its own weaponry. As drones began moving to intercept the incoming warheads before they could re-acquire, countless cannons sprang to life and spewed a veritable flood of self-guided kinetic kill vehicles at C-fractional velocities, closely followed by the Feazanthians' own missile volleys.

Although the regular missiles were initially confounded by the enemy countermeasures the AI on the MDBMs decided that there was something wrong and immediately switch to shotgun mode, unleashing their volleys of dumbfire warheads at the hostile vessels. Cruisers and carriers opened up with their gauss minicannons to intercept incoming missiles, while those that passed the initial screen were caught by the temporal shielding of ships and were eventually eaten up. Tenjin looked at the battle about to unfold, the fighters had closed in interceptors and multirole fighters engaging the drones while bombers and light bombers began their attacks on the ships. Not far behind, the battleships (http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a287/GeneralZhukov3333/?action=view&current=ForelliaBattleshipMkII.jpg), cruisers (http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a287/GeneralZhukov3333/?action=view&current=Morisato-classCruiser.jpg), and destroyers (http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a287/GeneralZhukov3333/?action=view&current=KotorDestroyerMKIII.jpg) closed into the enemy fleet to open fire with their broadside cannons hopefully to whittle down their shields for the next phase of attack. Meanwhile Keitaros (http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a287/GeneralZhukov3333/?action=view&current=KeitaroClassAP.jpg) had their Super MACs firing, still streaming out more slugs.

"Windsor and Vice Squadron have been wiped out! Darkblade Squadron taking heavy fire."

"Halcyon squadron cover Gold Squadron as they return to O1."

"GS1, proceed to A2 area, cover Talon Squadron for their bombing run."

"Roger!"

Tenjin couldn't help but overhear the chatter from his tactical officers as the battle ensued.

While waiting for their food, Sheryl looked around the restaurant then noticed something at the door. Then noticed that it was Doctor Walliston and he brought some friends with him, looking at Helia, Tomira, and Tennenbaum each. "Looks like we have company," she nodded towards the door.

Noline scratched his chin for a moment as if thinking about his options. "I'll have the Kitsune Udon and a glass of water please."

Upon hearing this, Tennenbaum turned to the direction the voice came from. Tensing up once more, she discovered one Dr. Noline Bebaus ordering food. Sneaking up behind the good doctor, she tapped him on the shoulder with a calm look.

Then, when he did eventually turn about, she greeted him with a "Doctor Bebaus....it's been a long time." What happened next was something Javier, even in his history of witnessing the Doctor's oddities, was taken aback by.

There would then be a sudden, forceful slap in the face. Not enough to knock the man out of his chair, but enough to let the Abh know he had caused Tennenbaum plenty of irritation and she had a lot of emotion stored up.

"That's for your pretentious, domineering attitude during our last adventure!" she shouted with a cry, tears welling up.

Afterwards, the Doctor grabbed Bebaus in a fierce, yet somehow comfy bear hug and proceeded to reenact the legendary "Sailor kissing a nurse" picture from the end of World War II. Tipping him slightly to avoid knocking over her segway, she planted a kiss on the lips that lasted for no less than several seconds, before she stood him up and let the man go.

Without breaking a sweat and melting into an affectionate, if somewhat embarassed smile, she then "And that's for your care and concern during your last venture, too. Welcome back."

Bebaus felt the tap on his shoulder and when he saw who it was behind him, he let out a mental ah shit. She probably think's I'm flirting. What Tennenbaum got instead was an innocent smile on his face which in turn got smacked off. The Abh scientist turned to Sheryl for a moment.

"I'm not exactly sure I deserved that."

The next act sent Bebaus's toes curling as the last thing he expected from the doctor on the segway was a kiss let alone a passionate one. In all honesty, the doctor had to admit she was a good kisser and that he enjoyed it. Sitting back down, he looked at Sheryl again.

"Not entirely sure I deserved that either."

Smiling, he turned his attention back to the Dornalian doctor. "That is probably the best greeting I have had in some time. As odd as that sounds. Hopefully our encounter this time will call for another such greeting only minus the slap. Please sit and join us."

Bebaus felt the tap on his shoulder and when he saw who it was behind him, he let out a mental ah shit. She probably think's I'm flirting. What Tennenbaum got instead was an innocent smile on his face which in turn got smacked off. The Abh scientist turned to Sheryl for a moment.

"I'm not exactly sure I deserved that."

The next act sent Bebaus's toes curling as the last thing he expected from the doctor on the segway was a kiss let alone a passionate one. In all honesty, the doctor had to admit she was a good kisser and that he enjoyed it. Sitting back down, he looked at Sheryl again.

"Not entirely sure I deserved that either."

Smiling, he turned his attention back to the Dornalian doctor. "That is probably the best greeting I have had in some time. As odd as that sounds. Hopefully our encounter this time will call for another such greeting only minus the slap. Please sit and join us."

"Why thank you, Doctor." With a smile, Tennenbaum motioned for Javier, still in shock, rather forcefully to come to her side and help her into a chair. Javier shrugged and did so, navigating her deftly with the help of some waitresses into a seat to the side. She then said, with a smile and a blush of embarassment, "I do apologize for the sudden outburst, Doctor dear, but I find that your presence invokes a mixed bag of emotions."

She then flagged down the waitress at their table and said, "Garcon, dear, I'd like a plate of beef yakisoba if you have it, ramen with extra soy sauce if you don't." Tennenbaum then rummaged in her pocket, and pulled out a twenty in the local currency. She then pushed it into the waitresses's palm, and said, "And make sure all our orders arrive promptly, garcon. That's the first of several generous tips if that occurs."

That done, the Argentine then turned to Bebaus, and said, keeping her smile intact, "So, besides kisses and a slap and a meal, what brings you here to this fine cityship?"

Tennenbaum never ceased to be a whirlwind on her segway and with her orders. For the Abh scientist, this would prove to be an interesting expedition. "Well I was sitting here for lunch and getting aquainted with Sheryl here. It looks like she will be the one assisting me on whatever the government has need of the Abh for. So I figured it would be nice to sit down and talk. Makes the work environment less awkward when two people get to know each other, don't you think?

Which reminds me, I sent my assistant off to find the other team here. I guess he will be wondering around for some time since you are now here with me."

Coming from behind the doctor again, someone this time cleared their throat instead of slapping him. "I appreciate your concern. I had actually found the Dornalian team some time ago and followed them into this cafe where you two were on your date. The good doctor's intent seemed clear to me though I much rather preferred to see her slap you. Far more amusing to me."

Noline feigned a pout. "Erickson, you are not going to win any medals for that behavior. Letting your charge get slapped is not a high mark in my book."

The Force User took a seat with a shrug. "It was worth the mark down."

Once seated, he gave everyone a polite nod and kept the folds of his cloak close around him.

Tennenbaum never ceased to be a whirlwind on her segway and with her orders. For the Abh scientist, this would prove to be an interesting expedition. "Well I was sitting here for lunch and getting aquainted with Sheryl here. It looks like she will be the one assisting me on whatever the government has need of the Abh for. So I figured it would be nice to sit down and talk. Makes the work environment less awkward when two people get to know each other, don't you think?

Which reminds me, I sent my assistant off to find the other team here. I guess he will be wondering around for some time since you are now here with me."

Coming from behind the doctor again, someone this time cleared their throat instead of slapping him. "I appreciate your concern. I had actually found the Dornalian team some time ago and followed them into this cafe where you two were on your date. The good doctor's intent seemed clear to me though I much rather preferred to see her slap you. Far more amusing to me."

Noline feigned a pout. "Erickson, you are not going to win any medals for that behavior. Letting your charge get slapped is not a high mark in my book."

The Force User took a seat with a shrug. "It was worth the mark down."

Once seated, he gave everyone a polite nod and kept the folds of his cloak close around him.

With that, Tennenbaum smiled and giggled. "I say let the man have his schadenfruede, his enjoyment of others' misfortunes, Doctor. After all, you have a tendency to be rather uncouth--and sometimes, one must get you back on track. I will admit I am prone to theatrics, but is not the whole galaxy a stage? So says Shakespeare, though he only meant the world he was living in."

She then continued, noticing the robe and Ericsson, "And, his people have good direction--having done plenty of research in cooperation with People's Acolytes." It was obvious Tennenbaum knew of Ericsson's profession as some sort of Force using group, but sensed from his expressions and the way he seemed to be a tagalong that the man was not here willingly, so she dropped it at that.

Moving on, she coughed and said, matter-of-factly, launching into her staccato, Virginian-accented lecture speech, "But enough about Your Man Friday. I will say I have found some unusual materials on this ship myself, whilst you were carousing about, Doctor Bebaus. For one thing, this city-ship is just that. A city on a ship. Structural analyses indicate that were it not for the fact it was on a vessel of great size, it would be an ordinary East Asian Human city circa the 21st-22nd centuries, I estimate, with possible influences from discoveries of alien technologies. I say possible because of some things I found in the basement of one of the facilities with one of the staff members here, a Doctor James Walliston. A tank capable of shrinking and expanding living beings."

Noline let it all go with that. Being an Abh, he didn't mind Tennenbaum or Erickson's banter. It tended to be expected when he was around others. Instead he focused back on the task at hand with this large world.

"City ships are not unusual to the Abh. You could say that many of our own palaces and cities have evolved from the city-ship concept. What remains for us to figure out is what is useful about all this. You say you found something that shrinks and expands living beings? Any clues as to its purpose?"

Tennenbaum muttered, motioning to Helia, "I'd ask the kind lady currently reliving old memories, from time and time ago. Miss Helia Rein was found in the tank, and she was the individual who was shrunk from a rather large size into something most humanoids can be familiar with using its unusual powers. As of yet, the tank works using some sort of powered chemical reaction." Motioning to her assistant, she then said, "Javier, please print out the results I obtained from the sample I took." Nodding, her own Man Friday printed out the results, and passed them to his boss, who then passed them imperiously to Bebaus, like a little kid who got an A on her test, with a somewhat arrogant and dramatic, "'Look upon my works ye mighty....and despair.'"

She then giggled, and finished her bit with, a resoundingly motherly, "Read this, and then ask Ms. Rein for more information. And do try to keep the charm to a minimum. She is married."

((I do apologize for the long intervals between posts. I am currently battling the flu, and it's hard to type when you feel like you're gonna die.

A post is coming.))

Noline took the printout and began reading over the findings. It was an interesting read as he studied what Tennenbaum had found so far about these tanks.

"Well it all looks fascinating and I would love to see this object for myself. Perhaps we can head that way once we all finish here."

Tennenbaum then giggled, and finished her bit with, a resoundingly motherly, "Read this, and then ask Ms. Rein for more information. And do try to keep the charm to a minimum. She is married."

Bebaus laughed and smiled at her. "That's a pity but I believe I am adequately accompanied by you find ladies. My appetite should be satisfied with this company."

Erickson in the background facepalmed quietly as he tried his best to stay aloof of it all.

Bebaus laughed and smiled at her. "That's a pity but I believe I am adequately accompanied by you find ladies. My appetite should be satisfied with this company."

Erickson in the background facepalmed quietly as he tried his best to stay aloof of it all.

Tennenbaum chuckled, and ended with a bit of a nervous tinge to the laughter. Waving it off, she smiled and replied to Bebaus's commentary with a playful, "I should hope it is, my good Doctor." Then, never hesitating to show off her knowledge of fine literature as well as the sciences, she cautioned the Abh scientist, "A Don Juan, we do not need. Tan largo me lo fiaís* indeed!" Clasping her hands together, she looked away for a moment and remarked quietly, "Hmm. That seemed to rhyme."

-------

As this occurred, the appropriate means of communication in country, be they GFFA comms or the Dornalian Embassy on New Ganoxa, picked up some word of a foreign fleet assaulting the Ganoxan lands. It was with this that an emergency message was sent to Earth via all available signals--the enemy FTLi no doubt serving to hamper communications. The presence would mean that it would take a little longer to get to San Diego, home of the JRCCC....

Upon delivery to the Joint Revolutionary Command and Control Center for processing and appropriate deployment of forces. The message flashed onto a console within its War Room, and an aide reported it to the Commissariat of National Defense and the Comrade Premier himself. Upon reciept, both of them began looking for a force to deploy.....

*OOC: Phrase from the Tirso de Molina play The Trickster of Seville. Roughly translated, means something akin to "I have a long time to answer for my sins yet!"

Sheryl was a bit surprised by the slap, and even more disappointed by the kiss Tennenbaum gave to Noline, sighing to herself, At least theres still the other one, referencing to Erickson. She looked over and saw Dr. Walliston and Tomira who promptly sat down. Tomira had her arms crossed, apparently disgusted with Tennenbaum's presence rather than her behavior towards Noline as she had no interest with but one of the scientists there. Walliston on the other hand was smiling at the whole ordeal.

The waitress smiled, accepted the money and put it in her pocket, at the behest of Tennenbaum that all the food was free and supplemented by the military, to which Tomira slightly giggled with Walliston smiling along. After some chatter, Sheryl looked over Bebaus' shoulder to find an uncontent Erickson standing over him. She nearly laughed at the comment he made, but restrained herself to a slight giggle.

I would have probably done the same thing! she thought after Bebaus made his comment.

She eyed Erickson and thought of ways to get him to go out on a date. As soon as she thought of one, Dr. Tennenbaum began her narrative, making Sheryl lose track of her "plan" to take Erickson. Walliston nodded as Tennenbaum mentioned him.

"Well I was about to get married," Helia corrected Tennebaum. The feelings of the three ladies were a bit mixed after Bebaus made his comment, with Helia blushing and looking to the side, Sheryl on the otherhand was too busy looking at Erickson not caring what the hell Bebaus said, and Tomira was about to reach for her sidearm to silence his cheesy remarks before getting a glare from Walliston, which was the only thing she actually feared.

The waitress smiled, accepted the money and put it in her pocket, at the behest of Tennenbaum that all the food was free and supplemented by the military, to which Tomira slightly giggled with Walliston smiling along. After some chatter, Sheryl looked over Bebaus' shoulder to find an uncontent Erickson standing over him. She nearly laughed at the comment he made, but restrained herself to a slight giggle.

"Well I was about to get married," Helia corrected Tennebaum. The feelings of the three ladies were a bit mixed after Bebaus made his comment, with Helia blushing and looking to the side, Sheryl on the otherhand was too busy looking at Erickson not caring what the hell Bebaus said, and Tomira was about to reach for her sidearm to silence his cheesy remarks before getting a glare from Walliston, which was the only thing she actually feared.

The variety of responses kept Tennenbaum entertained, and she especially was puzzled by the giggles upon giving the tip. "Did I do something wrong?" was her reply, to which Tennenbaum was informed by her assistant that the food was in fact free. Rolling her eyes, she let out a harumph and said, "So I see my money is no good here."

"No, it is not that, Doctor. It is that they are being generous," was her assistant's reply. Tennenbaum was tempted then to ask for the money she gave Javier back, but she decided to let him have it. No need to make a mess now.

The threat to pull out a gun from Tomira, however, led Tennenbaum to dig into her treasury of quotations to deliver an apt reply. Bemused by it all, she simply said, "Thank you, Doctor Walliston. A famed man once said, 'Human beings must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it.'"

Walliston glared at Tomira ahead of time, to which she put up her arms mouthing "Okay, okay!" He turned back to Tennenbaum, "Thank you doctor. Now if Miss Lanson would stop gazing off into the stars she would have introduced us to Doctor Bebaus here."

Sheryl leaned her elbow off the table before noticing that Walliston was talking to her. She immediately sat up, to which Walliston let out a heavy sigh. "Oh! Sorry about that! Hehe. Doctor Noline Bebaus meet Doctor Albert Walliston."

"And I'm Command Sargent Tomira Milson," Tomira added.

Bebaus sighed as he pushed some locks of blue hair back behind his ears. It was a rough task being the male companion of so many women but it was something the Abh scientist resigned himself to. Erickson on the other hand simply kept himself away from it all not wanting to get drawn into a fight because Bebaus couldn't keep himself under control.

After awhile, Erickson felt someone staring at him. Once he realized that it was the woman that had been accompanying Noline, Erickson touched his forehead and gave a slight 'hello' to Sheryl.

When the introductions came, Noline stood up as his gentlemanly manner would call for. "A pleasure to meet you both. My friend here is Erickson. He's quiet shy but try to not hold that against him. He is a nice fellow once you get to know him."

Bebaus sighed as he pushed some locks of blue hair back behind his ears. It was a rough task being the male companion of so many women but it was something the Abh scientist resigned himself to. Erickson on the other hand simply kept himself away from it all not wanting to get drawn into a fight because Bebaus couldn't keep himself under control.

After awhile, Erickson felt someone staring at him. Once he realized that it was the woman that had been accompanying Noline, Erickson touched his forehead and gave a slight 'hello' to Sheryl.

When the introductions came, Noline stood up as his gentlemanly manner would call for. "A pleasure to meet you both. My friend here is Erickson. He's quiet shy but try to not hold that against him. He is a nice fellow once you get to know him."

Tennenbaum nodded and as usual barged in with her own appraisal of the escort. "I will agree, the man is rather nice. Quiet, but he seems suitable."

---------

"Well, it seems clear enough. We gotta stop these assholes, whoever they are. No one pushes our allies around!"

Comrade Premier MacIntyre slammed down his bottle of Glenlivet, and shouted into the phone as he, well, shouted. He was clearly indignant, and not willing to let this go.

"Who can we send?"

The reply was, "Well, we have Admiral Shoemaker, just back from the Hueco Mundo op. He's got a force ready to go."

"Then send him in at all due speed. I will not let the Ganoxans fall," was MacIntyre's resolute statement. Though somewhat buzzed, he knew enough that the Ganoxans had benefited from Dornalian investment, and he was not willing to let that slip.

"Also, there's a scientist of ours there. One Edemira Tennenbaum."

"Well." MacIntyre paused, and shivered. Tennenbaum was one of New Dornalia's best. He then said sternly, "Then have him get his ass there, yesterday. I want Tennenbaum extracted and the Ganoxans saved."

"Roger. Be aware, there may be FTLi. It could be a bit."