NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Once the actual ship departs, the RP will of course be closed, but until that time, the sign-up is here: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=586772.

Beyond the Sea (http://www.imeem.com/melonkisses/music/nWHnZPiT/robbie-williams-beyond-the-sea/)

The champagne had been uncorked, the strawberries sugared, and the lobsters…well, the lobsters remained alive for now, though that was sure to change within the hour. As the grandfather clock in the Grand Lobby tolled four o’clock, the gangplank lowered, and a group of cheery men and women in gold-trimmed suits stepped forward, ready to accept the first passengers with open arms.

From his perch on the bridge of the Azure, Captain Friedrich Burger observed the passengers below in their casual attire and Bermuda shorts—ironic, since the temperature in Hafenstadt that afternoon hovered somewhere around the seventeen degree mark. He reclined in his command chair and closed his eyes, stretching out his arms with a sigh. Captaining a civilian ship certainly had its benefits, but he missed the thrill of the navy, especially now with the Federal Republic digging itself deeper into conflict with the Waldenburger Empire—to the point now where the majority of Hafenstadt’s sailors were either already shipped out, or going to be within the next few weeks.

“Captain, the crew reports full readiness at all stations,” a voice said from the corner. Burger identified it as that of his First Officer, another Leistungi national by the name of Heinrich Mauer. The bridge, normally abuzz with activity, was strangely tranquil as crewmen checked their stations in preparation for the Azure’s maiden voyage, noting even the least significant of anomalies and reporting them promptly. Even with a history of ocean voyages stretching back to the late nineteenth century, Orion Lines had never yet lost a ship, and no one was prepared to lose one now—the Azure was constructed so soundly that naught but a rogue wave could phase her, and with the latest in navigational equipment, the pack ice which had caused so many Leistungi captain’s sleepless nights at sea was well-documented and well taken care of by Küstenwache.

With ports of call ranging from the tropical to the, well, Leistungi, passengers could expect an experience like none other. Orion Lines had managed to book the entire Koenigshofen philharmonic orchestra for the voyage, as well as the hit Zinairian pop group, “Green Stuff.” As always, the opening lobster dinner would be prepared by the same chefs who cooked for the Chancellor of Leistung and his family, and celebrity chefs from the world over had been flown in to cover the remainder of the voyage.

“Thank you, Heinrich,” Burger replied, his eyes remaining closed. “Monitor all systems and await my return from the Grand Lobby.” With that, he rose from his chair and descended to the passenger areas, and then to the Lobby to meet the arriving passengers.

OOC: Just RPing the arrival and setting up some sort of a backstory should be fine in the first post. Nobody has to RP their plane landing, then the car ride, then the cityscape, then the boarding--keep it all to one post.

Hirsch was delighted by the sight of the colossal boat as her car glided down the road towards it. The immense vessel dominated both her sight and her mind; she was excited by the thought of this once in a lifetime chance for an adventure. She parked the car and locked it before taking her suitcases out of the boot of the vehicle, one filled with clothes and the other with books and papers she needed to go through at some point. Sophia was a hard working woman and an intellectual adept, dedicated completely to her work for the Parilisan people.

Her mobile phone buzzed in her pocket and she sighed and set down her suitcases on the floor. The journey on the plane to Leistung had been a dull one and she had not properly talked to anyone for hours, so she was glad to be able to chat to someone, for even a short time. It was Nat Klein.

“We won!” he said. Sophia laughed. She had been quietly worried about the results of the Presidential elections for the whole of the past week and she was relieved by this good news. A broad grin on her pretty face, she congratulated her old friend and he wished her well on the journey. Just before she hung up he spoke again, this time the happiness drained out of his gentle voice. “Be careful, Sophie; there are hundreds of people out there who see an event like this and leap at the chance to kill, to destroy, to bring fame and glory to their sadistic schemes. There may well be terrorists on that boat, Sophie.”

“Don’t worry, Nat. I can look after myself.” She ended the call and tucked the phone into her pocket, before picking up the bags and heading down towards the huge ship.

<<This is BirkAir flight 1212 to Hafenstadt tower, requesting permission to land>>
The Il-96 soared trough the skies like a condor. A Birkanian condor, but a condor nonetheless. The large aircraft descended as it approached the airport, passing over the coastline. The silvery shape of the Azure could be seen clearly, illuminated by its own lightning.

The captain of the aircraft looked at this with curiosity. This was a ship far more glorious than Birkaine's ratty-looking liners. Maybe even bigger... Given the magnitude of Birkanian seafaring arrogance, they were probably already designing one twice as big. It would likely not see the sun, or it would explode in the harbor for no discernable reason... maybe it would even work, and be a nice ship, he wondered. He started imagining a cruise with his wife and two children onboard the glorious Birkanian vessel... maybe to Vihenia... there are nice beaches there.... and the weather is angellic... and the girls.... oh, the girls... but he was a married man, after all...

He then remembered that he was about to land an aircraft with 307 people onboard in a potentially-slippery runway without even having lowered the landing gear, and that the story wasn't even about him in the first place. The tires of the Ilyushin screeched aganist the pavement of the runway.

Hundreds of people came out of the airliner, and the aircraft then proceeded to have mechanical failures. Among the passengers were business men, tourists, diplomats, people who took the wrong flight and were now cursing at the airline representatives in a strange language, and finally a lone Birkanian girl. She was about 26 years old. Not too tall, not too short. Busty. Black, short hair and black eyes. She wore a long dress, not too adorned, and a jacket over it. She didn't carry much bagagges, probably because said baggages had fallen from the taxi. Damn taxi.

After taking another cab, the girl, a scientist forced to take vacations by her peers to prevent her from causing any more debacle, she headed towards the dock.

OOC: I couldn't decide which to use as the theme music...warning this is Taco's uncensored version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG3PnQ3tgzY) - the black face is Not removed.

The privately chartered HST (http://www.atddm.com/hst11.jpg) was no slender needle of an airplane but it alit with an odd metallic grace, the engines already in reverse to slow it to earth bound speeds. Then slowly it taxied to the private jetway and the umbilical engaged. Half a dozen private security materialized out of thin air as the best always do and formed a mini cordon to keep the multitude of avid sight seers, thrill seekers and rabid fanboys - as well as numerous reporters away from those about to disembark.

The groups, clumps and clots of media representatives, both respectable and yellow began shouting their questions before any one from within came in sight. But they were almost impossible to hear over the screams and sighs of Stars multitudinous fans. Half a dozen fainted when Star’s long time gal pal, lady in waiting and accompanist, Bria LaDare scampered, in her normal sprightly fashion down the passage way and took a peek out into the waiting area.

“Oh I knew we should have come in something less conspicuous” She hated being in the limelight.

“Oh don’t worry Bria! This is no worse than normal, and in fact far less since we are out of the region” Stars long time personal manager joined the young woman and looked at the madly animated crowd. He was secretly pleased. He’d paid enough, on the sly of course, to make sure that Star’s most rabid fans were on hand. He could never understand why neither Star or Bria could understand that marketing all depended on coverage, coverage, and more coverage. And that mad him realize that if he could get a stalker on board…. He almost smacked himself at not thinking of it sooner!

He turned and bowed as a soft growl sounded from behind him. Neither of Star’s snow white Borzois liked him in the least, and never failed to let him know that. “Star, dahlink! Don’t be afraid now, the flashes are just the photographers strobes”

Star gave him a lethal glare from her dark eyes. She knew what they were and had no trouble facing her fans. At least not the ones that didn’t want to kill and eat her. One of these days Gene was going to push her too far and she show him just how she had survived the Fall of Imitora when the rest of her family had been butchered. He wouldn’t like it very much, if he survived the massive crap he’d take in his bespoke suite pants Not a flicker of her thoughts crossed the raven haired beauty’s dramatic features.

“Oh don’t worry Mr. Shallot. With Boris and Doris here to protect me, and all the wonderful security I know you’ve provided, I shall be quite protected.” Dry ice wouldn’t have sublimed in her mouth, and her eyes were as wide and as innocent as her tone. Star long ago had quickly learned that he refused to believe her more than capable of taking care of herself. And just as quickly she learned how exactly to manage him.

Mr. Gene Shallot had been her domineering parents choice of manager and had in some fit of abnormal stupidity had signed the six year old Estrellita to first one ten year contract under his professional care, then a second. She had mustered every argument she could against the second one, but had lost again. Her parents hadn’t been willing to listen to a sixteen year old even if she had already finished the Tanaaran equivalent of high school. Now though, soon, very soon, he would find himself out of a job, a very lucrative one, because when she turned twenty seven in two months the contract would expire and so would anything he had to do with her. She had detested him for a long time and now it was nearly unbearable.

Star and Bria exchanged glances and sighing deeply – but her manager never noticed as he preened – she handed the two elegant and graceful Borzois off to Bria and took his arm, seeming to cling to him.

The trio entered stage right and paused to pose at the shouted demands of the photographers and video types. Star and Bria plastered wide sparkling smiles on their faces as Gene deigned to answer a few questions, then wished the young ladies off to where the chartered armored limo waited. Security of course made sure that they were protected on all sides as they moved through the airport and four heavily armored suv’s were ready to provide escort.

“Mr Shallot, do we really need all of this?” Bria complained softly, being as forceful as she dared.

“Of course we do” He replied with a film of bonhomie covering an exasperated snort. He really never had liked Bria who was some sort of poor relation to Star and really thought herself above the station of paid help. “We can’t have anything happening to Star now can we?”

Star closed her eyes behind her sun glasses and took another sip of the fine champagne he had ordered the limo stocked with. She wished that had been able to arrive a day or two early and allow her and Bria a look at the most interesting city they were passing through.
However Gene had been unable to acquire a venue for her to perform at and thus had not been willing to out lay the extra monies. That had chuffed him to no end, with many a muttering about cultureless Leistungians. Star and Bria had learned to seem to listen intently without hearing a word he said and they had put that technique to good use thorough most of the flight. Which hadn’t been long thankfully, given the speeds at which the HST flew. It did London to Hong Kong in less than three hours.

Unfortunately Star couldn’t get her hands on her inheritance until she turned thirty. That was a completely different issue from the contract with Shallot Engagements Ltd, but her family had been very conservative, believing that women weren’t competent to manage their affairs until they were ‘fully mature’. So until then she had to live on a monthly allowance. Which, while incredibly generous, was nothing compared to what she would some day be worth, or what Mr. Shallot controlled for the moment. He’d been willing to write off the cruise and all reasonable expenses as medical necessities after her therapist had agreed that she needed to get away for a time. He’d even been willing to lay out for the best of everything, but not for one extra day that he couldn’t turn a profit on. Last night she had played to a sold out house at the Mont Royal Palace Conservatory.

The sight of the vast cruise ship made Star smile. Two weeks, maybe more of utter freedom from Gene. He loathed being on the water even on so spacious and modern a ship as the Azure.

They arrived and not one two movie star handsome chauffeurs stepped out of the front of the stretch limo, looking as paranoid as only private security can. Once they had made sure that no one other that rapidly unloading vans of media and fans were about to cause trouble, they nodded to one another and opened the rear doors of the limo with deep bows, offering their hands to the two ladies to help them out. The agent had to make do on his own as the two chauffer cum personal protection agents nearly succumbed to the force of Stars mega watt smile. “Thank you boys” she twitched her nose at them adorably, as her dimples flashed.

Bria had to bite her lips from giggling. Star could win over anyone Except for Gene the Shallow, goddess pox his avaricious little soul! the demure young woman knew she didn’t have Stars dramatic flair. She could only admire the way Star was able to pose so confidently with Boris and Doris looking like the trio of aristocrat celebrities they were. Boris and Doris, their ‘pet’ kennel names, were in formal life - Ch. CD, CDX, UD< UDX, OTCH, NOC, AJP, AX, AXJ, AXP,…yadda, yadda… Cordoba’s Quizzing the Dragon and Ch ( all the same as they performed both solo and as a brace ) Cordoba’s Seeking the Flame. Brother and sister they were as perfect a pair of Borzois as existed in the registry of the Tanaara Kennel Club. They had also won best of breed and best of opposite at Crufts two years running and the same at Westminster. Those were the only two events outside the region that Star felt deserved their presence. She had been disappointed though both years that neither had taken home Best of Show, though she knew that ‘non native’ dogs rarely won either of those shows.

Then she was sashaying up the gang plank waving and throwing kisses at her adoring, and still screaming fans, dipping gracefully to pick up a lush rose one had tossed to her. She waved it gaily and the young man fainted in shock. Star ignored the scores of men’s thongs being tossed her way, and Bria blushed as she trotted after her bright eyed friend. She was very socially awkward when it can to men, not at all comfortable like Star was.

Gene trudged after them up the entry way, breathing deeply and telling himself it was his duty to see the two women safely to their palatial suite. But he grumbled to himself as he followed the pair, who had been greeted by the butler assigned to the Primavera Penthouse.

“Yes Ms. Basque, your piano arrived yesterday and I over saw it’s installation myself” Sanford Pimms, the suites assigned butler, replied to Star’s query.

“Please Mister Pimms, just call me Star. Jerome couldn’t come and I know he must have sent you a long email detailing all my faults” She smiled wistfully as she spoke of her family’s long term butler with fondness. He’d been more a father to her than her own had. And yes he’d had sent one to the Azure’s Primavera Suite’s assigned butler. He wanted his fellow majordomo to know exactly how easy going Star really was. No trail of stewards followed, all their luggage had also been delivered the day before.

Star looked around delighted as Mr. Pimms threw open the double doors to the lavish, two storey suite. “Oh this is just marvelous Mister Pims!”

"Jesus, what's with the scandal?" Jessica grumbled in the middle of the traffic jam. The taxi had to take an elaborate detour to arrive to the docks. 'What's all the fuzz about?' she thought first, followed by 'who is Estrellita Ellena?', after the taxi driver replied to her question.

Maybe she didn't know because Birkaine wasn't an especially enlightened country when it came to music, or maybe because it was hard for anybody to stand out globally in a world that somehow had a pouplation of quadrillions. Maybe it was because the heavy censoring the Birkanian Ministry of Happiness imposed on pretty much everything that remotely looked like media, or maybe it was because all of the above. Maybe the Birkanians did know Estrellita, and she was the only one that didn't... Her mind started to sink in deep thought, until it surfaced back to reality by the overly high (and increasing) price of the taxi ride.

She came out in the fancy docks, and waited in line to enter the ship, with her passport ready. She saw all the scandal taking place beside her. All of that for a musician? 'Hah! Our patriotic figures gather up crowds thousands of times as large, and ten times as fanatical' She thought and was once filled with patriotic pride, something easy for the narrow-minded Birkanian populance. She looked at the ship and started wondering about its technical aspects. Her thoughts navigated trough nuclear reactors, diesel powerplants, hydrodynamics, radar equipment and sonars, with lobsters, bear wrestling and french fries thrown in for good. Her reverie ended when she realized people were getting ahead of her on the line as she looked at the ocean liner with a stupid smile.

Still Alive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-S0WTPav9E)

North Arrow, Arnhem. Sixteen days prior.

The retort of nine millimeter rounds beat at her eardrums, the screams and calls for help drowned out as explosions rang out, throwing the female to the ground as the concrete planter box that had been providing cover moments before was obliterated by a rocket propelled grenade, debris and dust raining on her limp form. Three years of military training now kicked in as the commando had only moments to react to her now exposed position.

Extending her arm, the Force Recon operator desperately searched for the M14 (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/mrlexmark/BHDsniper2.jpg) that lay beside her, finding purchase as her fingers wrapped around the slack sling of the rifle and pulling the weapon to her body. The distinct sound of rounds passing through the air inches from her, some impacting and kicking up dust and debris, others continuing off on random vectors now began to return through the soldiers distorted hearing.

“Clarke!” the voice of her fellow squadmate just barley audible over the ambient sounds of active combat.

Alexa felt the hands of another Marine grab onto her shoulders, and now being dragged brought her weapon to bear, her eyes instantly selecting targets as the two soldiers neared the corner of a cement building, sending 7.62 millimeter rounds downrange before being pulled into cover by another operator of Alpha Four. Patting down her body, Clarke felt a small wave of relief came over her as the commando found nothing broken or bleeding.

Scrambling to her feet, Clarke began to analyze their situation, only to be met by the report of Roland’s M4 Carbine as he fired down the street, the three soldiers of Force Recon now fighting in three directions as the enemy closed in on the remains of the special operations team. The fight they were now in was not what intelligence had prepared them for, this was hell. Now a combination of insurgent groups, local militia, and civilians were bearing down on the last eleven commandos en masse, their strategy of constant wave after wave effective in dealing with a small group of military personnel equipped to conduct a quiet counterproliferation mission.

“Roland, toss a grenade down that street, we need to get cover!” called Mara as she stepped around the corner, spraying enemies in cover with her MP5 during a brief lull in their fire.

Retrieving one of the fragmentation grenades attached to his armor, the Marine removed the safety pin, holding the spoon as he pulled his arm back to throw. Stepping forward to lob the grenade, the soldier was cut short as a round sliced through his neck, a spray of crimson blood thrown from the lethal wound confirming the death of a fourth operator, the primed grenade clattering to the ground.

“Grenade!” screamed Clarke.

The two quickly dropped to the ground, attempting to take cover as the ordnance detonated only feet from them, a prayer shooting through their heads pleading for their armor to spare them.

Hafenstadt, Leistung. Current day.

The chilled sea breeze caused her to return to reality, her hair blowing with the wind as Clarke stared down into the waters below, the choppy waves lapping on the hull of the Azure as it sat idle in dock awaiting its passengers for the upcoming voyage. How Alexa had come to join those aboard was somewhat of a cruel punishment to the distressed woman.

Six of her friends had been slaughtered, six of her teammates cut down in front of her only two weeks ago, and now she stood on the promenade deck of one of the most extravagant luxury cruise liners on the face of the Earth to enjoy a vacation deemed mandatory by Central Command. She had been told that her and the remaining members of Alpha Four would get whoever was responsible for the events, that all of them would get a chance to avenge the deaths of their comrades, but CENTCOM had also said that it was not going to be now.

Now the remaining eight of the Special Operations team were forced to take leave, even under orders to enjoy their time off and that anything they wished to do would be paid for, courtesy of the Jennings & Rall government. Only, this was somewhere that Clarke felt so out of place, so distant from, that the stress of conforming to civilian life for just a week or two was now dually working to eat away at her. As Clarke stared into the azure waters below, her mind now had time to go over every possible way their deaths could be her fault, how she deserved this.

She could just pull herself over the railing, she could join them, just plunge into the frigid water below and it would be over. Looking out to the horizon, Clarke shut her eyes, letting the cold air wash over her body as she contemplated what what would have once been an idea so absurd that it would never have came to mind before the operation.

Around noon a lone supersonic buisness jet (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/48/Sukhoi-Gulfstream_S-21.jpg) which held the tailcode GM001 landed at Hafenstadt airport. It then taxied toward the other private jets, and after it same to a complete stop and shut down it's engines a single man dressed in such a way as to not draw attention to himself got out and into an awaiting car which shortly took off after that toward the docks.

After awhile, the car arrived at the docks and then proceeded towards the Azure. The man then got out of the car and boarded the ship. He then went right to his room and went to sleep after such a long flight from the REU(Republic of the Emmerian Unions) to Hafenstadt.

After a while of trying to sleep but not being able to, he got out of bed and went for a walk around the ship. As he did so, he took mental notes of where certain places are for future reference.

Michael Rhodes and his wife sat in the taxi on their way to the harbor. The plane ride from Takaram had been quite an experience, and as always, getting their luggage was insane. But they had made it. Michael paid the driver as he pulled their bags from the truck, while Laura gasped at the size of the ship. Michael had served in the navy for the last 24 years, so he had seen his fair share of big boats. But even the seasoned sailor had to admit that the Azure was an impressive ship. He picked up their bags and walked up the gangway. Now then, thought Rhodes, I we only have to find our room. This could take a while.

Hafenstadt

A young man of about twenty, short but muscular and bronze-skinned was climbing out of a sedan by the waterfront. He closed the door behind him and rested one hand on the vehicle as he leaned towards the driver's window.

"The bags are OK?"

"Yeah I brought them up to the ship this morning, they put them in your room."

"Thanks. The man dug out his wallet, carefully drew a finger through the notes inside until he found the right one, and passed it to the driver.

"Thank you. Hope you enjoy your trip."

"Take care." The man turned. "Zoe?"

"Here Alexis, one second," Zoe, an older woman, was still shrugging into a long coat on the opposite side of the car. "All right." she said, coming around the back and taking him by the hand. "Here's your hat," she passed him a black Army cap bearing the golden sun on the front, "The docks are right here in front of us, and the ship is just up ahead."

"Thank. Let's get on board then." Alexis murmured, as the older woman led him forward by the hand. His other hand went up to feel his dark sunglasses, making sure they were firmly in place.

"I'd tell you if they start slipping," Zoe observed.

"Sorry. Just not used to them." Alexis stopped as she did.

"Here's the gangway. Step up... all right."

Jimmy James Jr. took after his father. Very much so, in fact. Anyone who had ever met Mr. James Sr, would not have been surprised, and might even mistake Jimmy Jr. for his father. Mr. James Jr., arrived at the boat on foot. His black suit was tattered, his tie was gone, and he was soaked. He had been quite sad, that Kinkirk had had that doctors appointment, and Veronica and him were unable to accompany him on his hitchhiking tour of Leistung. It reminded him of how he always had a doctors appointment when ever his father want of on such endeavors. Ah well, at least now they would be able to enjoy a nice boat trip.

As Mr. James approached the boat, he had one of those moments, which sent him hurtling through the crowd towards a man of in the distance. However, other than knocking into many of the passengers, he achieved nothing from it, the man he though he saw was not there. He had had many of these sightings, ever since they had informed him, that his father's plane had gone down over the ocean. He quickly shook it off.

He turned towards the ship, and spotted his family. He walked towards them briskly, now being a little more courteous to the other passengers. At least as courteous as a shabby clothed, wet, 16 year old could be. "Veronica, Kinkirk," he said, when he had reached them. "Still growing I see," he joked, as he looked up at Kinkirk, who was now a good 6 inches taller than him. "Where are our bags," he turned towards Veronica.

"Well," she started. "There was a mix-up at the airport. It appears that someone else's luggage was loaded onto our plane," she smiled, hoping to make light of the situation.

Mr. James was not happy however. As he ushered them towards the ships entrance, he pulled his satellite phone from a Ziploc bag, and called the airport to complain. As they reached the entrance, his wife had their tickets out, and Mr. James said, "Well yes, I do think it's your fault. I want you to do something about it. Right now, someone is probably hocking my Hawaiian shirts at some two bit pawnshop!"

Two aircraft were vying for the next approach at Hafenstadt Airport. The first was a large, white Globestar (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14141453&postcount=45) transport, emblazoned with the words General Energies and a stylized 'GE' logo. It's large engines were pivoted as it made a STOL landing.

The Globestar had to move quickly, however, as it was soon succeeded by a custom-painted Vogel (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13857787&postcount=1), complete with a large red star logo and the words Red Star Industries along the fuselage. The two aircraft taxiied to the private hangars almost nose-to-nose.

Inside each was an equally important passenger. Inside the Globestar, Adelai Stugenov prepared for his departure. And in the rival Vogel, Vladislav Tikhomirov was equally prepared. The two were bitter rivals, major movers in their respective companies. They often bid and competed for government contracts, their companies designing and constructing the newest weapons of war for the Commonwealth.

The tails of the transports opened up, and the throaty sound of high-end sports cars roared across the tarmac. A black Aston-Martin Vanquish roared out of the Vogel as Vladislav drove his car out. He was met side-by-side with Adelai and his Ford GT. The men revved their engines at one another, and before their butlers could dissuade them, the two had shifted into gear, their cars screeching across the pavement.

The contest lasted until they reached the port, the slim figures of their cars bobbing and weaving through the waterfront. Soon, the sight of the Azure came into view, and the cars zeroed in on their target. Adelai won, his Ford GT screeching to a halt next to several other cars parked nearby. The Vanquish was close behind, and Vladislav opened the door, quietly fuming at his opponent.

So, why, do you ask, would two seemingly bitter rivals decide to be stuck on a cruise with one another? The answer was simple: they had been tricked and then forced to do it.

Bria finished changing first and it was in her usual muted but flattering style. She had slipped on a classic English style sundress – a full sweep of soft cotton with princess seams to highlight her petite figure and reversed inserts of different lengths offset the darker hues. The colors and pattern were meant to evoke the mysteries of an exotic spice market. Shades of dark and light moss green, sprinkled with a small print of rich paprika, cinnamon and olive hued paisley peacocks (http://www.atddm.com/tpp1.jpg) surrounded by vines. It would be dramatic but understated as she strolled about the liner.

Star took a little longer to change – she showered and blew Mr. Shallot out of her long onyx hair. Much more relaxed now she decided on a strapless top of feather light emerald silk and Capri pants of white. Her sandals matched Bria’s, they had found pairs in each of their sizes and they had agreed to wear them at least once on the voyage. They were comfortable having only a very low wedge heel, but interesting with tiny pewter owls adorning them.

Arm and arm the two young women (http://www.atddm.com/sandb1a.jpg) stepped out of the Penthouse suite with a laughing glance at one another.

“Maybe we’ll meet some men” They chorused as one with huge exhalations and smiles at their current, if temporary, freedom. The one area that her family and Shallot had been in perfect accord on was keeping as many men, fortune hunters and potential genuine friends alike, as far away as possible. Only the fact that he could not, contractually, force a duena on Star had seen them taking this voyage alone. He would have preferred losing Star’s contract to accompanying them himself. Plus he was more than half of the opinion that Bria wouldn’t let any one near Star anyway. A notion the pair had been very careful to foster.

“Some one tall and handsome” Star said dreamily. “Some one who would just sweep me off my feet and make me feel like a princess.

“Some one I can talk to” Bria smiled as she laughed softly at Star’s dramatic notions . She knew that Star truly placed little importance on looks, but a lot on competency in whatever endeavors the man chose to pursue. Her survival when the rest of her family had perished had just reinforced that.

They wandered about the ship, glad that none of Stars fans had managed to, or at least it seemed so at the moment, slip aboard. Neither of them appreciated Shallots having shipped in a plane load of them. Star might have been the toast of the Fatal Terrain Region but she seriously doubted if more than a few thousand worldwide even knew she existed.

Letting themselves wander in aimless fashion they meandered thought the ship, noting where the IMAX theater, the luxurious health resort and spa, the nautical museum, many restaurants, the casino, nightclub, library, pools, and live theater were located. The library was of interest to both of them.

However they also noticed some thing, or rather more specifically some one else, and Star knew quite well what the stranger was thinking. She’d thought it enough herself after the nightmarish deaths that had claimed all of her family save Bria.

“It doesn’t solve a thing” Star said firmly to the woman looking so longingly down at the cold water slapping the side of the Azure. Her tone was a bit flat, but not at all accusatory, and her dark gaze was compassionate

Clarke placed her hands on the railing lining the promenade, turning her head slightly towards the direction of the voice, returning to a somewhat normal state of mind. It wouldn’t solve anything, she knew that, and they were still out there, someone had to have been responsible; a tip off by rival corporation or government operating in the area, someone within the government, a civilian who aligned themselves with the groups.

“No, I know it couldn’t” her voice just loud enough to be heard by Star

Raising her head to meet the woman’s eyes, she detected a sense of compassion behind the gaze, something that Clarke hadn’t seen in years, an emotion relatively uncommon in her occupation. Despite her years of training and operations as part military special forces, part intelligence agent, she let down her guard.

“I wouldn’t even get a chance to get even”

Tazuren sighed softly as he leaned against the railing while he read a book he found interesting from the ship's libary. He glanced over at the women, and decided not to get involved as he saw that their wre two kinds of problems in the world: his own problems, and everyone's elses problems.

He continued to read his book for a bit more before his stomach told him that it time to feed his never-ending hunger. He then closed the book at left to go find some food to eat. He said softly to himself "Man, I wish it was colder then this."

He bowed softly to the women as he passed them and then proceeded into the interior of the ship. He rubbed his neck a bit as he muttered to himself about his bad sleep cycle. Soon after he found some food and began to eat by himself.

"Whoa, no rats..."
Jessica exclaimed in amazement as she wandered trough the ship. Had somebody heard her, one would have probably guesseed the current state of Birkanian cruise ships. At least the ones not converted into crude, barely-functional aircraft carriers.
Rumor had it that the pitiable state of civilian ships compared to the majestic and confortable military vessels was a recruitment tool.

She continued happily walking trough the ship. So many attractions, so little time. Well, lots of time. Her room was OK, in the lower decks next to the waterline. Rather than meeting new people or spending obscene ammounts of goverment money on overpriced clothing, she just wanted to relax... to relax from the noise and activity of the factories, the smell of rocket fuel and oxidizer, and the panicking screams of her and her coworkers as a now-rogue ballistic rocket prototype got off course and started to head towards the building they were on.... ahh... those were the days.

“I wouldn’t even get a chance to get even”

"I didn't get a chance then and thankfully never will" Star settled her forearms on the polished wood of the railing and looked outward to the sea. "I don't have what it takes to succeed at MHI (http://larrycorreia.wordpress.com/mhi-sample/)

Bria had faded into the background. She knew that if Star was opening up it was a good thing, even if but to a stranger.

“Besides” Star went on meditatively “Would those we lost want us to get even? Or would they say that they are better honored and remembered by living, not just enduring, not just surviving, but living to the fullest. I know that the ones whom I love, I would want them to live, and live large, not mope ‘n mourn ‘n wear ones soul out trying ‘to get even’. Or perhaps we need to realize that “getting even” means that we are supposed to live exuberantly, every day to the fullest?”

She grinned a little “But I’m Tanaaran and we have the Compact – they’ll be back, reborn sooner or later.” The grin turned a predatory “But we also understand vengeance, oh we so very much do. So why don’t you come have a drink with Bria and I. Maybe we can figure out if it’s needed.”

“I’m Star” She held out a strong long fingered hand

Extending her hand to return gesture, Clarke’s grip was firm as she shook the woman’s hand.

“Alexa Clarke” she said, a smirk forming on her face, starting to bounce back from the low point "I think we’re going to make great friends”

As if it knew that now was not the time for it, the mobile phone in her back pocket began to buzz, attempting to alert its owner to a new message. Letting go of Star’s hand, Clarke quickly pulled the device to waist level, a light tap to the small envelope in the bottom left corner brought up the just received alert.

Package delivered; try to stay out of trouble on your trip, we will handle things for the time being. Remember, relax.
- Bravo Six TwoAlthough CENTCOM had basically ordered her to enjoy a break from military life, Jennings & Rall still wanted to take advantage of an opportunity like this, an experienced Special Forces and intelligence operator on a cruise, able to enter numerous port cities around the world inconspicuously as a tourist was something very rare. Even though Clarkes phone appeared normal, concealed within its casing were a high fidelity microphone and high resolution video camera able to stream a constant feed of information to the Office of Intelligence; not to mention its access to the wealth of resources available to military and intelligence agents operating as spies in foreign countries that ranged from tactical maps, to building blueprints, to information regarding known terrorist groups, and of course, all said features being transmitted as encrypted data

“Before that drink, I need to make a quick detour to my room” her eyes moving back to Star.

<<...Stay deep...>> The captain of a distant Birkanian submarine said. He was in the middle of hostile Serbian waters, with the sonars scanning for any possible threats... he knew they were still out there, but he and his crew ignored how many submarines the enemy had. Silence was the key as the crew nervously gazed upon the green sonar screens in the almost pitch-black submarine.

The silence was broken when they all heard the cheap ringtone of an old cellphone interpreting The Entertainer inside the living quarters.

<<Did you hear that noise!?>>
<<What is it?!>>
<<The cellphone! It is in the living quarters, hurry up and turn that thing off!>> The officers whispered nervously to each other
<<I can't see a thing! Where are the living quarters!?>>
<<ENEMY TORPEDOES!>> The sonar operator shouted
<<SHH!>> The captain hissed as the crew ran around the living quarters looking for the cellphone. One of the sailors finally grabbed the cellphone. Instead of turning it off, he accidentally answered the call. The submarine did a sharp maneuver, and the cellphone fell from the sailor's hands and under a matress.
<<GET THOSE DECOYS, FAST! WE'RE GONNA GET SUNK!>> the captain shouted.

Miles away, Jessica was listening the sounds of the panicking crew of a submarine with curiosity.
<<Huh. Wrong number, I guess>> She hung up the phone. She still didn't knew if she had left the TV on back in her house.

On board the Blowfish (somewhere in Serbian waters)...

Lieutenant Hakulinen found the lights in the control room uncomfortably bright. Since they were hiding from the belligerents on both sides, they had no intention of surfacing any time soon, so there was no need to go to red lights to accustom their eyes to the darkness. And since there were no windows in the submarine, their lights couldn't be seen from outside, so the lights were on.

"There's a lot of chatter," the sonar operator reported. "They sound like a lot of hysterical schoolgirls."

Hakulinen stared with distaste at the bulkhead in the general direction of where he imagined the other submarines must be. He wouldn't have a man or woman on his boat who couldn't stay calm in the face of danger. "All reverse one third," he said. It was too dangerous to stay any longer. Some trigger-happy "commander" was likely to panic and slip a torpedo into anything that moved. "Let's go home."

(Just a little bit of random humor, referencing another RP I'm on, which has so far been mostly submarine warfare. Wasn't meant to be expanded on, though :P)

OOC: The Emmerian Unions, J & R, Birkaine - Why don't we keep the OOC to the OOC thread, and get rid of those posts that aren't IC?

~~~~~~~~~~~
"No reason we shouldn't" Star agreed then politely ignored Alexa and her cellphone, letting her have polite privacy.

“Before that drink, I need to make a quick detour to my room”

"Sure" Star nodded, returning Alexa's smile "In fact, since the Onion booked us a penthouse with it's own minibar and butler, why don't you come to our place when you get free? I'm not sure if any of the bars are actually open prior to sailing."

"We're in the Primavera Penthouse" Star called as she and Bria headed back the way they had come. She hoped that Alexa would show up, she seemed like a very nice lady.

"Nice to have met you" Bria called softly

After a while of eating his fill, Tazuren went back out onto the exterior deck and leaned over a railing, wondering how cold the water was. He sighed a bit and muttered to himself for a bit about the coldness of the waters off the northern coast of his country. He then turned around and pulled out the book he was reading before leaving to eat.

After a bit of reading against the railing he sat down right where he was, and rubbed his eyes a bit feeling a bit tired due to the sheer amount of food he had just taken in. He set his book down and rubbed his eyes a bit, before covering hyis mouth as he yawned.

He stood up shortly after that and when to his own room which took a while longer, as he was getting more and more tried by the moment. After he got into his room, he went right to his bed and layed down on it without bothering to get changed and quickly fell asleep.

Elsbeth ran up the gangplank, huffing and puffing. She wasnt important enough to have a private helicopter, limo or security guards to do things for her. She thought back to her journey. The economy class aeroplane: 6 hrs trapped inbetween a screaming child and a rather large man with the most awful BO. Great way to start the "hoilday of a lifetime". She flashed her ticket under the nose of the guard on board and dragged her bag the last few metres up the the gangway. Breathing a sigh of relief as a porter came running up to help her she finally was able to take in her surroundings. She gasped as she took in the humungous proportions of the room she was in alone. She really had to learn to open her eyes. She spun slowly in a circle trying to take in everythig at once. All of a sudden she realised the porter was still standing waiting for her to tell him where to take her bags. Blushing she rootled around in her bag for her room number and danced over to the concierge desk to check in.

After collecting her room key she followed the porter to Junior Suite 01. Gasping again as she swiped the card in the lock she raced over to her huge windows overlooking the sea. She had never seen a sight as wonderfully relaxing as the one before her eyes. The porter carefully placed her bags on the floor and left quietly as Elsbeth continued to stare at the rolling waves. It was a strange sensation as she could see the waves moving but she couldnt feel the boat rocking at all. After a few minutes of staring, she begain to notice an unpleasant odour. A lightbulb clicked on above her head as she realised it was herself. Time to freshen up then have a mooch round the ship to try and get her bearings. Her mouth dropped open as she opened the door into the bathroom. It was the same size as her kitchen back home! this shower may take a little longer than first intended...but when you had weeks/months on a ship this size....what did it matter?

From behind the two rivals, two limos pulled up, and from them, two very flustered men in black suits rushed over to them.

"Master Vladislav, I wish you wouldn't do that," his butler, Gerald said.

"And Master Adelai, you know how you're not to violate other country's vehicle laws," said Douglas, Adelai's butler. "Not after the incident in Motokata."

Both men frowned. Even though they were multi-billionaire geniuses of industry, they were being chastised like children. What's more, they were being chastised in front of thier bitter rival.

"My God, Tikhomirov, you almost made your wet-nurse wet himself," Adelai joked, waving Douglas to fetch his things as he headed up the gangplank.

"You're one to talk, Stugenov," Vladislav replied, "You're a bloody international menace."

"From all the weapons you've made, that's cheap talk," Adelai retorted.

The two argued all the way up the gangplank, their butlers sharing exasperated glances.

The trip inside the C-130 had been bad although Captain Fell was used to such trips. He was lucky to have even got the lift on the C-130, it had taken a several bottles of quality vodka being slipped to the pilot to get him to divert slightly and land him at Hafenstadt Airport. As he walked of the plane carrying all of his posestions for the next several months in his bergen, excanging casual re-marks with the other marines who were off to begin training exercieses with other CIS nations. As the C-130 began to taxi away, Captain Fell passed through the airport security without any hickups and as he left the airport he caught site of the vixen armoured landrover that he had managed to scrape to transport him to the ship. Walking over and climbing inside using the keys he got of his CO, he started the engine and pulled off.

After an hour of traffric, he finnaly got through to the port. Parking the Vixen in the pre-arranged pick up location, he grabbed his bergen and another bag from the back. Before walking up the gangplank he pulled out his sunglasses and put them on. Nodding to himself he straightened his desert camoflague shirt and walked up the gangplank, reaching the top he looked about for anyone to direct him to his room, as he had no idea himself. He may of been a marine but he was used to warships no luxury liners.

"Mister Pimms, could you see to setting out some finger foods and making some Mimosas, please. We've met the nicest lady and invited her up for drinks. We can fend for ourselves after that, just let us know in time to change for dinner"

Star didn't want the butler to feel he had to hover, though she had already noted that he was so very much like Jerome that she knew she'd feel right at home with him. Mimosas were just light enough not to get one drunk, but liberating enough to encourage confidences. And Alexa looked like she needed to talk to some one. Tanaarans were good at keeping confidences - and some times a stranger willing to listen, really listen was just what one needed.

First Night dinner was always one of the most formal of meals and she knew that she and Bria would want a chance to change into more elaborate outfits.

While they waited for Alexa to show up Bria broke out her Cello that had been brought in early along with the other instruments and began playing one of Bach's solos for the Cello (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FtF_0ljECE)

Star toed off her sandals and with her eyes half closed flowed gracefully through first the San Ti Shia, then other katas of the Sun style of Tai Chi Chuan. Letting the music wash over her she let all her concerns wash away, aware of only the serenity of the music and the movements of her body.

On board the Azure

John Charles was sitting in the cargo hold. He desperately wanted to withdraw one of the "special" cigarettes (Unknowingly to him, marijuana) he had recieved in God-knows-where, but he knew that he wouldn't be able to even come close to risking being spotted until the ship had left port. It would be much easier to blend in with the crowds later, when the crew had more people to take care of.

He had a few bags with him and a pair of knife/machete holsters for his trusty Kampfmesser 2000 and Kukri, both of which he had kept (Stole) from his time in training before he was dishonorably discharged. He used them for peaceful purposes; he wasn't violent unless provoked, which hadn't happened during his tour. He used these two blades to imitate McGuyver. Other things he had included suction cups (For scaling the sides of ships), blocks with spikes in them (Also for climbing ships), nets, various hallucinogens, rohypnol, IPECAC (He used them for his "giggle times", where he plays very assinine tricks on people), and of course, an arsenal of tobacco products. If he would stop chewing and smoking tobacco, he might have had a full set of white teeth, but considering that he was homeless and thus hadn't access to a toothbrush, it really didn't make a difference. His mouth was ugly as hell, simply put. He looked at his abused Timex he had stolen from another hobo back in the GWO, and figured it was about time for the passengers to get on board. He was constantly looking and listening for anyone getting too close for comfort. He almost gave himself whiplash when a rat startled him by jumping square on his face from a pipe before scratching at him. He promptly picked it up and threw it across the cargo hold before retreating back into the sea of suitcases, et cetera.

OOC: Harakazu...who are you? You need to be accepted in the OOC thread, and the RP is currently closed. Sorry if you didn't know.

The captain, having shaken the hands of the more…desirable passengers (taking the time to see that a pianist of some note was aboard his vessel), had beat a hasty retreat to the bridge to check up on the still moored ship. He walked briskly into the glass room and pressed down on the PA button before the other officers even noticed his presence. “Good evening passengers—this is Captain Burger speaking.” The First Officer turned abruptly towards him and whispered something to the helmsman.

“Captain Burger has the conn.” Without a word to the captain himself, Mauer yawned and straightened his cuffs, preparing for the inevitable meeting with the high-rollers on the Azure so many Leistungi First Officers had been forced to endure. The captain waved in the middle of the address, indicating that Mauer should begin his passenger rounds, and continued.

“Welcome aboard the LSS Azure, pride of the Orion Line's fleet,” he said, speaking in his booming, leathery voice which he had often thought was just as instrumental in landing him the job as his experience was. “Your voyage over the next few days and weeks will take you to a world beyond this world. We will venture to the coldest reaches of the globe, to the warmest coasts, and the some of the most unique places in the civilized (and non-civilized) world.” The men on the bridge collectively rolled their eyes as the captain continued on his tangent. “Our first port of call? Nord Cilla, in the Free United States—an ancient, cultured city where one can relax and take in the world around them. Ship’s officers, prepare the vessel for departure.” He removed his finger from the PA button and walked to the joystick which controlled the bow thrusters.

A green indicator light showed that the gangplank was raised and the lines cast off, and with an ever-so-slight flick of the wrist, Captain Burger turned the joystick starboard, the humming of the ship’s engines only barely able to be heard over the lapping of the waves and the classical track now playing over the public announcement system. The ship slid starboard and the captain took his hand off the joystick, turning to the helmsman. “Take us out, helmsman, all ahead two-thirds.”

The Cargo Room

John jumped when he heard the engines kick on. Since the cargo room wasn't meant for people, the engines obviously would be much louder. Clutching his chest after adrenaline had tickled his heart and a nerve pinch made each heartbeat sting, he stood up. Another rat in the room jumped on him again, and he gave a grunt as he threw it off. Knowing that anyone inside would've heard him, he quickly and quietly rushed over towards the darker corners before withdrawing his toy periscope (It was a toy, but it still worked) and stealthily heading towards another room. He might be able to make it to a standard room and pass as an ordinary passenger...

After a whlie of sleep, Tazuren woke up and went to take a very cold shower. Adfter he had completed his shower and dried off he got dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt and then went out running around the ship, skillfully dodging other passengers and crewmembers as he worked out.

After a bit of running he stopped at the bow of the ship and walked up to the railing and stood there, leaning over it a bit and he tried to calm his heavy breathing. As he heard the announcement, about cold areas he smiled a bit hoping to be able to swin in very frigid waters.

After a bit he grabbed one of the cellphones that he had on his waist and looked over some pictures of women as he said softly "Now which one of these women will be on this ship, the General did tell me that one of them would be aboard, so which one..." His voice trailed off as he became deep in thought about what was going on in his own country.

ooc: yay! i'm first XD

ic:

Adelai smiled at the destination spot. He'd spent a spot of time there when he was upgrading the Maritime Force's onboard OS. He wandered over to the bow of the ship, standing on the railing. Making sure no one could see, Adelai took out his camera phone and selected the video feature. He posed gallantly and proclaimed, "I'm on top of the world, woo-hoo!" ala Leonardo DiCaprio. Saving the video, Adelai sent the file to his little sister, Adela.


Meanwhile, Vladislav was getting settled, and a bit happy their first layover would be in Nord Cilla. The port was only a hundred or so miles from the Tikhomirov estate near Osius, and it would feel like a bit of a homecoming. And it would only be better if that damned Stugenov fell overboard on the way-preferably when the ship sailed near the Ritkanes Abyssal.

The ship was enormous, far larger than most ships the Kagetorian Navy employed, though admittedly, the navy received little attention compared to the other military branches, but the Azure easily made the top ten list of largest ships Ziyo had ever seen.
As he stepped out of his personal armor-plated limo, he took a glance around. They were all there. Though the Shogunate didn't have many enemies, security was still tight, and would no doubt be aboard the ship as well.
Hugging his suit jacket closer to his body, he started off towards the gangplank at a brisk walk, eager to go aboard, where they undoubtedly had heating. A handful of servants bustled after him with his luggage, after which they would return to the capital.

Ziyo was a little disappointed that the Kagetorian royalty couldn't secure a penthouse for him, but this was easily offset with the fact that many passengers aboard worked for international corporations whose income was upwards of 14 digits long.

As soon as he made the arduous trip throughout the massive vessel to the Royal Suite at the stern, he went and in and the first thing he did was sink down onto the bed fully clothed, and looked around the room. Plenty of amenities. A personal bathroom, a phone, a mini-buffet complete with more than a dozen bottles of different alcoholic beverages, and much more.

Mauer sighed heavily and walked up to the first penthouse door (a heavy, oaken door adorned with a golden eagle knocker), cocking his head slightly to the side as he heard the sounds of Bach through the door. He grabbed hold of the knocker and hit it twice against the door, smiling in a strange, almost forced way when a woman answered. He straightened his blue-black officer's cap and shook the woman's hand. "Guten Abend, meine lieben! Willkommen auf dem Schiff."

Noticing that the woman's face had suddenly dropped, he repeated himself. "My apologies--good evening and welcome to the ship." Mauer shook the woman's hand again. "Heinrich Mauer, ship's First Officer."

Guten Abend, meine lieben! Willkommen auf dem Schiff."
Good evening, my dear! Welcome on the Schiff."

Stars face had not really fallen, but she had retreated half a step back and into full formality when a complete stranger had addressed her so familiarly ...and his odd, stiff grimmace, he seemed to be unhappy or maybe very uncomfortable despite the supposed warmth of the overly familiar greeting..

"Heinrich Mauer, ship's First Officer."

Star spoke five languages, about middle of the road among Tanaarans, Bria spoke more. "Und guter Abend zu Ihnen erster Offizier Mauer" She replied in careful, formal German she had been taught -her tutors had hailed from Vienna Austria and she spoke what was technically called 'Upper German'.

Then Star switched over to English. "Is there a problem Officer Mauer?"

Bria had set her Cello aside and come to stand by Star, curious as to what occassioned this visit as the ship was barely underway. Boris and Doris flanked her but hadn't barked or growled at the knock on the door. They were well behaved dogs that had also been trained to not give themselves away. If the stranger at the door proved to be hostile they would be on him with no warning.

Star and Bria had met the captain as they boarded, and he had seemed a very warm and welcoming person. Though they were both aware that it may have simply been an affected mask to reassure passengers.

Clarke gave a small wave as the two walked off before making her own way to the suite she was going to be occupying during the voyage. Navigating the multitude of passageways that served to interconnect every compartment, room, and passenger are of the ship was difficult at best as Alexa attempted to locate the residence that she would be occupying during the course of the voyage. However, thanks to the posted signage, she was able to find the suite within fifteen minutes, not counting the five or six minutes spent gawking at some of the more extravagant features of the massive ocean liner.

Quickly swiping the provided keycard, the door of the luxury suite unlocked and she pushed it open, the extravagant nature of the room meeting her eyes almost immediately. The clean lines of the room’s architecture, combined with the tasteful palette of colors chosen by its designer. Taking a few moments to admire the suite, Clarke found herself somewhat impressed by the quality of the furniture and materials used, unlike some of the more economy styled cruises she had been a passenger on before.

The grey box sitting on the nightstand was the most obvious change from the natural state of the room, excluding the few bags of luggage placed by the door after being recovered from baggage claim. Walking over and picking up the rectangular box, sliding the top off revealed a suppressed sidearm, factory new with a small tactical flashlight mounted on the ventral Picatinny rail. Pulling the 92G-SD from the foam insert, Clarke released the magazine, checking the fifteen round magazine loaded with full metal jacket 9x19 millimeter Parabellum rounds.

Jennings & Rall could have gotten the weapon on the ship a number of ways, paying of one of the staff, pulling leverage with the owning company, just whatever they did she hoped to god no one outside knew of it. Moving over to the messenger bag placed on top of her luggage, placing the gun in the side of the case, separated from the laptop by a cloth divider. Stashing the bag in the closet, Alexa exited the room, closely following signs that indicated the general direction towards the penthouses.

Finding the door to the Primavera Penthouse, Clarke found someone who appeared to be from the bridge of the vessel shaking the hands with Star, noting the elegant uniform complemented by the unmistakable cap of a naval officer. Unsure of what to do, Alexa stood still for a moment a meter or two from the doorway, not finding it appropriate for her to interrupt.

(OOC: Is there a tailor on the ship?)

Mr. James was wondering around the ship. Still wearing his tattered, wet, suit, that was beginning to develop a stench befitting expensive cheese. He was hoping to find a tailor, a cobbler, and a good dry-cleaner, as he had not written off his hat and tie quite yet. At best he would have to settle for some shops. He cursed the darn airport for losing his luggage, apparently they had difficulty telling one private jet from another. What seemed more incredible to him was the fact, that they loaded both sets of luggage onto the other plane, and left his empty. But it was too late, out there somewhere, some less substantially rich person was most likely poking through his clothing, he wouldn't want it back now. He could understand why Veronica and Kinkirk wanted to stay in the room, between their lack of proper ship attire, and Kinkirk's seemingly worsening seasickness. He had hoped they would spend more time together on this trip, but with Kinkirk in such a state, Veronica would have to be with him.

Meanwhile Veronica, and Kinkirk, were in back in the Penthouse, taking a bath after their long trip. Most would find this normal, however, the penthouse, contained only one bathroom, with one whirlpool tub. A Barry White record was playing, and could be heard from the hallway.

Alexis was just closing the door when he heard footsteps coming, and then wrinkled his nose as the smell arrived a second later. He backed out of the hallway as the other man passed and nodded politely.

"Hope the rest of this boat smells a bit better," he said, when the man was safely out of hearing. "Anyway let's get out. Plenty of time to hide in the room if there's bad weather later."

Ramming his Army cap onto his head and not without his ever-present dark sunglasses, he made his way up to the deck, Zoe at his side.

"Find me a bar, he muttered, "and then leave me to myself for a bit. We'll meet up again later, just pass me the cane and I'll take care of myself until then."

After changing into something less foul-smelling, Elsbeth gently closed the door to her suite, double checking her keycard was safely in her purse. She ambled along happily, stopping at some points to admire the exquisite artwork on the walls and trying desperatley hard not to feel out of place. In the stories she had read about this ship in the papers back home in Masburel, she knew she would be rubbling shoulders with the social elite. An internationally renound musician and royalty being just a few of the esteemed guests on board with her. She sighed quietly to herself as she thought of her tiny cottage back at home and wondered if she should have really atayed there instead of "treating" herself to this holiday. Only time would tell if it had truly been a mistake runnign away or if this was a chance of a lifetime.

OOC: Yes, there is certainly a tailor somewhere. I would recommend asking someone in the main lobby for directions.

Heinrich gulped, realizing that in his haste he had not given the woman enough time to respond. “No, no, none at all, Miss. I simply wanted to welcome you personally aboard the vessel, and inform you that the ship will make port sometime tomorrow morning.” He gave a warm smile at the other passengers in the room and nodded curtly. “Dinner tonight will be served in approximately two hours in the King’s Pavilion with the other…” he cleared his throat and tiptoed around the real meaning of his words skillfully, “Penthouse, Royal Suite, and Junior Suite passengers. Lobster tonight, caught fresh in Hafenstadt Bay early this morning.”

Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a woman standing idly by, shuffling her feet in a mix between awkwardness and curiosity. Having already stumbled on his first meeting, he had no more powerful desire than to leave this first penthouse behind (at least for now), and so in a much too formal way he started for the woman. “Guten Abend meine lieben!” he roared, the woman’s head bobbing from side to side as if she were under attack. He shook her hand and continued on his way without waiting for her to speak, turning the corner and smacking his forehead as he boarded the glass elevator.

The unmistakable sounds of the gravelly Barry White himself could be heard even from the elevator as he descended to the floor below and walked across the breadth of the ship to reach the second penthouse. Mauer hit the knocker twice and cleared his throat again, preparing to speak in no less than twelve languages before the passengers even had a chance to think—no chances this time.

"Penthouse, Royal Suite, and Junior Suite passengers. Lobster tonight, caught fresh in Hafenstadt Bay early this morning.”

While Star was happy to hear that there was no problem, but she was still put off by his gruff and inhospitable manner. Shaking her head she watched in disapproving besmusement as he turned and accosted Alexa.

Star and Bria both winced when he roared at Alexa and Boris and Doris growled low.

Then he was, thankfully, gone striding or rather stomping briskly away and Star looked at Alexa with wide eyed astonishment and anger This would get mentioned to Mr. Pimms. She certainly hoped that the butler would mention it to the Purser and so on up the line.

"He didn't break your wrist did he? Come in, come in" She shot one last frowning look after the First Officer as she ushered Alexa into the penthouse.

"I certainly hope we are not scheduled to be seated at his table." Though she knew that that was very unlikely. Those passengers that were patrons of the Penthouse and Royal suites were almost certainly going to be at the Captains Table.

Bria brought Alexa a freshly poured Mimosa and added her own soft voiced hopes that the incident hadn't disturbed her. "Lets go out on the balcony and watch the sunset. The sight should wash him right out of our thoughts."

Boris and Doris wagged their tails gently at the visitor and each raised a softly furred paw for shaking.

Jessica's walk trough the ship took her to pretty much everywhere, from the upper class suites to the engine room, which she was quickly kicked out of. Her investigation -for the lack of a better word- was so extensive that one would guess she was mapping the ship for some reason completely unrelated to nuclear submarines and ninjas; and she finally decided to interact with some of the crew and passengers. She stumbled upon another passenger. She seemed to recognize his face.
"...Mister?" She called with a rather naive tone. The man looked back at him
"You look very familiar... have we met each other before?"

Tazuren looked towards the voice and asked "Yes miss?" He blinked a bit before looking back to the cell and saw her picture and name 'Jessica Han'. He then asked "Would you be Jessica Han of Birkaine?" He then closed the cell and felt it heat up a bit. He cursed a bit before throwing the cell as far as he could before it exploded brilliantly. "Great." He said as he held his head a bit "That was my hotline directly to High General Victor Yulianov." He turned towards Jessica and said "The General told me someone from Birkaine would be on this ship."

He then extended his right hand to her and said "I'm Tazuren Savu'len." He then lowered his voice before continuing "President of the Republic of the Emmerian Unions, but please keep that a secret." He sighed a bit as he wished he had time to change out of the sweats and into something more befitting a formal meeting.

----
<<OOC: Anything made by Birkanian tech tends to explode epicly or very violently when it's around Jessica Han, Birkaine told me so himself off of NS.>>

"Oh right! Abraham Linc- Wait, what? Oh! Tazuren... right... President Tazuren." She shook his hand "And yes, I am Jessica Han, lead scientist in the glorious ROCKET PROPELLED AMMUNITION RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMED FORCES OF OUR MAJESTIC BIRKAINE!!" She shouted, and raised her hands into the air in a dramatic pose, breathing heavily. She noticed how everybody was looking at her and, blushing, she lowered the tone of her voice "Erm... I was forced to take vacations" She said with a nervous smile. "And nice cellphone, by the way. Would make up for an excellent anti-personell munition. And wait... the General sent you to spy on me or something?" She frounced

He put his hand over his face as he chuckled a bit to himself "Just as fanatical as all other Birkanians, and no the General did not send me to spy on you, my reason for being here is due to doctor's orders." He laughed a bit more as he just couldn't understand the reason behind the fanaticism that drove the Birkanians.

He sighed a bit and then said "So, why were you forced to take this vacation? Could it be due to all those accidents that happen with the weapons made by you?" He leaned back against the railing as he rubbed the right side of his face along with the scar then dominated that side of his face.

"Well... for starters, the accidents weren't even my fault"

She finished her account on how the prototype ICBM had blown up over Birkaine's firmament. According to her, half of the Birkanian military was to blame, plus inadequate weather conditions, bad fuel, an unexpected electromagnetic surge, crop circles, innebriated technicians, and maybe a little design flaw on her part.

"But everybody's a critic!" She crossed her arms "I would like to see YOU designing a rocket"

He laughed a bit at her responce "That's not what the High General told me. And The newest weapon to come out of the REU's Experimental Weapons Research and Design Bureau was designed by me and uses all of the old MiG-21Rs that were in Birkaine. I have currently lent 6 of them and 2 of the weapon carrier's to the High General to test in one of the wars Birkaine is in."

He smirked a bit as he asked "Say, want to grab something to drink? As for me, I could use a drink. It'd be my treat." He rubbed the back of his neck abit trying to work out the knots in it due to his weird sleep cycle. "Or, are Birkanians forbidden from drinking alcohol?"

"Of course we are not forbidden" She said, in a kind of annoyed tone, holding her head high "Our nation gives us all the freedoms we could possibly want, President. You should learn a couple things from our goverment" She paused, then smiled again "Of course I would like to take a drink"
They started to walk to one of the restaurants of the ship
"You mentioned the Mig-21Rs... are you referring to the rocket-powered aircraft?" She laughed "What could you possibly do with them? They were useless enough as interceptors"

He laughed a bit before saying "Your style of government is good for your nation, my style is good for my nation." He walked with her before asking a bit casually "So, which room are you staying in Jessica?" He wanted to know if he had passed it on his run earlier.

"Yes those are the one, and with them, I've made them into long range cruise missiles that are ment to be launched from high altitude. Some are trainers while others are guided missiles and some are ment for human guidance, but those are form criminals you can only repay their crimes with a very firey death." He laughed a bit more as he went over who would be the first people to pilot the MiG-21RKMs "So, Jessica, what would you like to drink?"

Mr. James stumbled into the lobby. "Excuse me, sir," he said to a passing crewman, "do you know where I can find a tailor, and a dry cleaner?"

Veronica James, was in the main room when she heard the knock. She made sure her towel was fully covering her, before she went to answer the door. "Hello?" she said, as she pulled it open. Seconds later, Kinkirk, entered the main room, from the bathroom, completely naked. He had not heard the door over the music, and did not seem to notice that it was open. "Honey, where did you put the caviar?" he shouted to her.

Elsbeth was wandering through the what in her opinion could only be described as a "High Street", having an internal debate on whether or not to go back and get those georgeous little pearl earrings when she heard that dinner was to be served rather too soon. "Sh*t" she muttered and turned round to start walking back to her room. In her haste she crashed into a couple walking towards her. "Ohmigosh I'm so sorry!" she stuttered blushing beetroot red before deciding it was better for her own safety if she just ran away.

She arrived back at her suite panting and no less red. She paused, took a few calming breaths and went to her suitcase to find that beautiful evening dress her mother had made her pack. If she was going to be dining with the upper class she could at least pretend she was one too.

"Of course," the cheery-faced lobby worker replied. "Dry cleaning can be taken care of by your roomkeeper or butler, and there is a tailor on the fifth floor near the shopping center. You can't miss it."

--------------------

Heinrich faked a cough and turned his head quickly towards the hallway as the nude man darted back into the bathroom. Why can't the Second Officer do these things..., he wondered idly, turning back cautiously to see that the man was gone. "My humblest apologies, Mrs. James," he said quickly. "Welcome to the Azure; I hope you enjoy your stay." He nodded and turned to walk away, content to ask no questions as to where Mr. James was.

"Long range cruise missiles built from aging aircraft and piloted by inmates? How crude" Jessica laughed. "I wonder why would the General accept such an offer, seeing our magnificent Navy is already equipped with the proven long-range RT-105 ballistic fuel-air explosive unguided superheavy rocket-propelled naval munition..." She paused to breathe after the ridiculously long designation "...That I personally designed, you should know.." She said, in a somewhat seductive tone.

"And by the way, I would like something simple... maybe Vodka... Birkanian one if possible"
She concluded

He laughed a bit before saying "It was either I buy them from the General or he puts all of them into a river. Besides, it'd kill enemy morale when the last seconds of video from an enemie's most powerful naval vessel shows a crazed madman slamming into the bridge and spearing the captain or admiral before detonating in a massive blaze of fire and death." He breathed a bit from that long explanation.

He then placed the orders for their liquor once they got to the bar. He handed her the vodka as he said "Sorry about them not having Birkanian vodka, but at my home in the mountains in the northern part of the REU I have a very large supply of Birkanian vodka. Well, for very cold nights as that part of the REU is basically frozen all through out the year."

"Say, if you'd like, after this cruise is over I could personally give you a tour of the Experimental Weapons Research and Design Bureau." He smirked a bit as he wondered what her answer would be about the tour of the Experimental Weapons Research and Design Bureau would be.

"That's quite unorthodox." Jessica said as they sat down on their table. "Then again, who am I to say so? We were the ones that built the Mig-21R in the first place... you should have seen the development of said aircraft. It was very hard to turn a perfectly working fighter aircraft into a rocket-propelled interceptor, all that because of General Trukov's desire to make a respectable air force with the little budget he had. In the end he did get the budget, but all of that had to go into our national strategic defense program, plus the unfortunate SS-65, which you probably have already heard of" She said, and ellegantly took a sip

"And thank you for the proposal, Mr. president. I would certainly like to see what our friends at the other side of the region do. However... let's say I am a bit busy right now... because of a very... let's say unexpected happening." She lowered the tone of her voice "You do know what happened in the initial testing launches of the SS-65, right? Well, let's say that the missile wasn't the only thing destroyed"

He said a bit softly "I've only heard that it exploded pretty violently after launch." He rubbed his neck a bit before scratching the stubble on his chin, knowing that he needed to shave soon or he would get ingrown hairs "What else happened?"

He took a drink of his own hard alcoholic drink and winced a bit at it's bite, before chuckling "Not as powerful as Birkanian vodka." He sighed a bit as he thought about something he needed to do back in the REU.

"Well, you see" She started to whisper so that the other passengers didn't listen to her "The second missile did explode in midair, but the first exploded in the launch point. The installations managed to survive the blast, but the nearby parked aircraft did not. One of those aircraft was Mr. Razgriz's personal aircraft." She said, then took another sip "Now, the goverment won't pay for the damn aircraft, and everybody blamed the accident on me. ON ME! Why just me!? Of course I couldn't pay for that damned thing! I'm a BRBM eployee, not the bloody minister of defense!" She calmed down after attracting too much attention.
"In any case, you probably find this idiotic, but somebody had the brilliant idea of marrying ME to the Grand Duke of Belkaland just to repay for his aircraft!"
She drank the entire glass quickly
"How greedy do you need to be for that? The missile defense wing of the armed forces could have easily paid the one hundred millions that piece of junk costed! After all it is THEM who spend billions on bigger and bigger missiles. But no, have Jessica pay for it, right!? DAMN THE MISSILE DEFENSE, MAY THE BIRKANIAN NAVY LAST FOR TEN THOUSAND YEARS!" She got up impulsively, then sat down again before her patriotic outbusts had her singing the national anthem. "Er... in any case, the last thing I want to be is the duchess of Belkaland. The Duke is too old and I'm already married to my nation and my duty!"

Alexis had hardly gotten changed and stepped out of doors for dinner when he heard another person running up. He paused but that didn't stop her smacking into him. In the confusion he lost his cane, and he reached out hurriedly to steady himself against a wall.

"Sorry-" he started while fumbling for the cane. But the woman was already stuttering out an apology and then, apparently, running past.

Zoe was there to hand him the cane before he knew it, and he straightened up rubbing his head.

"She was in a hurry!" the caretaker observed, a bit acidly, as the pair entered the dining room. "I'll leave you here and we'll meet up after dinner if that's all right. I have some words for the staff here!"

"It's OK, don't worry about it." Alexis replied as Zoe helped him to a table. He reached up to set the omnipresent dark sunglasses firmly in place again.

Somewhere aboard the Azure

Mr. Charles was quietly waddle-running along a part of the deck, still carrying his "Hobo Sack" and various belongings. He tripped as he passed a couple of people discussing rockets, giving a somewhat comical "Oof" before getting back up. If the two had paid any mind, they might notice he had a slightly moldy smell.

He stood up and noticed that one of them had claimed they had built the MiG-21R, a plane referenced during his time in the Academy. "Urp, I do believe the Soviet Union died out before ye' was born, madam. Ya' look too young a lass ta be a bloody USSR commie."

*snip*

He nodded a bit "I see. I must admit that, that sucks Jessica." He sighed a bit and looked at his watch and cursed softly "Jessica, I'm very sorry, but I must leave you and get changed out of these sweats for the dinner I am to attend onboard this ship." He finished his drink and then payed the bartender befroe running off to his room to take another cold shower and to get changed into the formal wear he had brought along with him.

After a while he had completed his shower and got changed as well as his shaving. He then left his room and asked one of the crew mebers where the King's Pavilion was. After he got the information as to were the King's Pavilion was he thanked the crewmember and then took off for it. He slowed down from his run to a normal walk and adjusted his tie.

"No problem president Taz- GAH!" She looked at the interrupting hobo. She had seen far more disturbing things, but she was just not expecting a hobo onboard a luxury ship. She quickly regained her composture.

"Well, the soviets built the original Mig-21s. I am talking about the rocket-powered interceptor variant, known to us Birkanians as the Mig-21R... you know... as in Rocket.... umm... we turned our Fishbeds into interceptors, basically because back then we didn't have an air force good enough. Somebody had the idea they would be more effective as point-defense interceptors, Mister...?"

"Charles, but ya' can just call meh John. I do recommend the F-22, mah own government uses that rather extensuhvely for just 'bout everythin'. It was the fuhst 5th Generation Fighter, and it's the only one with such a record. Ayup, those flyboys can do a number with them F-22s. I was in the Army but never got ta work with 'em. Course, I never got out of the bloody Academeh, but I 'spose I was more cut out for the dry."

By "dry", he meant the Directorate of Reconnaissance and Intelligence (DRI), the GWO's military intelligence group. Of course, chances were nobody would know what the hell he was talking about unless they were actually involved with DRI.

Of course, despite all of John's claims, he was a mere hobo who had flunked GWO Army training, after a rather brutal prank on his Drill Instructor involving illegal substances (Which landed him 5 years in a Prison Light Industry Labor Camp as well).

Jessica cleared her throat, and tried to look classy
"Um... a pleasure to meet you Mr.... John... That's a nice recommendation from your part, but as you do not know, the Birkanian Air Force is a bit underfunded while the Navy soaks up the whole budget. So I doubt they could afford Raptors, but they lately overhauled their fleet, and switched the Mig-21s for Mig-37s and all." She said, referring to the innocuous-looking craft (http://voughtvindicator.deviantart.com/art/Mig-fighter-115817830) the Birkanians had recently got their hands on.
"Then again, I have the feeling the Raptor simply does not have... umm... the ammount of aesthetic oomph that the General would like"

"Ayar, the Navy 'n Air Force conflict. Well, my country simpleh merged the two, an' most of the Navy is subs n' aircraft carriers, an' ya gotta have lots of planes for the carriers. Now, ya might say the F-22 ain't carrier capable, but my country made a sort of change on it to make it do that, called the F-22N or some crap like that. And I'se actually like them F-22 looks, plus, they go faster or somethin' cause of their shape. I dunno, I didn't try out for the Air Force. An' what I hear of them F-22s, they're reeeeely hard ta see with them RADAR guns or whatever they use nowadays."

"You do have a point, Mr. Charles, but our Navy is much more oriented towards things such as missile cruisers and the like, plus enormous specialized antiaircraft vessels with counter-stealth x-band broad wavelenght etcetera etcetera AESA yadda yadda datalink yadda yadda yadda AEGIS system yadda." Was what the hobo heard, partially because of her thick accent, partially because it was technobabble, and partially because she was speaking while chewing on a piece of bread "We even have the zenítnyj flotílija, or a fleet completely devoted to antimissile and antiaircraft duties. Fascinating, isn't it?" She paused for a minute, and ordered another drink.

"By the way, would you like a drink? Glad to meet a fellow.... um... a fellow.. whatever you have in common with me."

OOC: As J&R is tied up I have permission to 'play' Alexa.
*************

Star, Bria and Alexa had chatted the long afternoon away, getting to know one another in that meandering way women have. it covered very thing of open import - neither Star or Bria would ever think of prying.

Alex found out the most notable thing about Tanaarans - the more they liked you the more informal they were. Formality was reserved for strangers, wars and duels. "Which tended to appall my family to no end, they've been relentlessly formal for the last eighteen hundred years and it was a tradition they weren't able to even think of foregoing. I was constantly in the canine companion’s house over it. But great grandmother demanded that I have a modern upbringing. And since she controlled it all she got her way, though she never bothered to explain herself to any one. Another family heirloom trait.” Star had chuckled ruefully. “And now with them all gone, I’ll never really know why.”

“Because she had gypsy blood and had the evil eye” Bria joked softly – it was obviously a long standing ‘fact’ that the two used as a catch phrase. “It was certainly good enough to scare the boys off.”

Star had thrown back her head and laughed long at that. Yes!” She chortled good naturedly. Then after a bit looked at Alexa “I loved my family but I didn’t like them very much, and I mourned all I’ve been able to. Though they’d eat me alive for being out of even half mourning still.”

She started to say more, perhaps to explain but just then Mr. Pimms discretely let the trio know that it was time to dress for dinner. “Alexa, please be our guest tonight, and sit with us.” Star looked over at the butler and requested that he please make sure that Alexa was seated with them. She well knew that it might cause a spot of bother to the liners staff, but she didn’t care. And she well knew that they’d bow to her wishes if at all possible. One didn’t lay out the sort of money for a penthouse voyage like this and not have ones every wish accommodated. But also she was always polite to the staff, requesting instead of demanding and thankful of any efforts from them.

The three young ladies split up each going to take care of their change of clothing.

Bria wore a floor length strapless gown in deepest ombre teal overlaid with a delicate web work of onyx bead work.

Star stepped out in an long sleeved, off the shoulder gown of rich metallic bonze silk that had an over layer of dark chocolate hued lace. It complimented her warm hued skin and showed off every curve perfectly.

As they left she was pleased to note that the butler had found steak bones for Boris and Doris – they were politely, but happily, gnawing upon them as they held them in between their paws as they stretched out beside the divan. “Thank you Mister Pimms. I’ll give them a good jogs with me before I retire. Please don’t think you need to wait up for us.”

Arm and arm the two strolled down the hallway the short distance to the glass elevators that served the penthouses, then down to the King’s Pavilion. They found Alexa waiting as they had planned, and the three lovely young women descended upon the maître d’ with good cheer.

Soon they found themselves seated to the right of the captains chair as the large round table.

Star and Bria’s outfits (http://www.atddm.com/stbr11.JPP)

Michael and Laura had spent much of the afternoon relaxing in their room, but now they were getting ready for dinner.
"Do I look alright?" asked Laura.
Michael turned around from fixing his tie. "You look fine. Now lets hurry, we're going to be late!"
They walked out of their room and headed up to the King’s Pavilion. They were showed in by the maître d’ and were quickly seated down at the table not far from the captain.

"You do have a point, Mr. Charles, but our Navy is much more oriented towards things such as missile cruisers and the like, plus enormous specialized antiaircraft vessels with counter-stealth x-band broad wavelenght etcetera etcetera AESA yadda yadda datalink yadda yadda yadda AEGIS system yadda." Was what the hobo heard, partially because of her thick accent, partially because it was technobabble, and partially because she was speaking while chewing on a piece of bread "We even have the zenítnyj flotílija, or a fleet completely devoted to antimissile and antiaircraft duties. Fascinating, isn't it?" She paused for a minute, and ordered another drink.

"By the way, would you like a drink? Glad to meet a fellow.... um... a fellow.. whatever you have in common with me."

"Reminds meh of our defense fleets. Speakin' o' the defense fleets, I heard they're seein' some action out in the big MP."

After her inquiring as to whether he'd like a drink, he promptly responded. "Yar, sure, I need a bottle o' scrumpeh (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrumpy). Maybe some Wodka, but I dun' think they got that here. Methinks only the homeland has that."

"Of course not. We also have vodka in our noble motherland. BIRKANIAN vodka, my friend!" She raised her finger as she shouted.

"And It's sad to hear you're in a war... To say the truth, we are also in one. Only the foolish dare stand in the way of our patriotic might, and all who do shall be CRUSHED and their fractured bits SHALL be grinded into the dust of the past, which in turn will be sweeped using the Vacuum Cleaner of Pride, and dumped into the Trash Bin of Shame!" She shouted "THE RECYCLE BIN OF ALLMIGHTY DEFEAT, JOHN!" She got off her chair and shouted the last part right on the hobo's face. Birkanian Commissars and Preachers had to undergo years of training to be well-versed in the ways of shouting patriotic stuff at the top of their lungs, but Jessica seemed to have been born a patriot. They ordered their drinks.

"Aye, vodka, but not wodka. Wodka is based on Vodka, but contains a higher al'kehol percentage an' has a slightleh diff'rent flavor, al'kehol aside. My country actually is the subject of a world war, I guess, afteh we blockaded another countreh after they joined a hostile alliance an' started gettin' weapons to kill our people with. That was about when I joined the Army, ayup."

The hobo kept the same "Farmer John who isn't surprised by anything" attitude, despite the woman's shouting.

"Oh, wodka? Never heard of that one. I might give it a try, and if it's good enough I will bring the recipe to my beloved country when I come back form this needless trip that separates me from my noble task in the BRBM! I am not meant for vacations, I am meant to be in a laboratory developping the weapons that will bring destruction to our enemmies, the weapons that WILL bring us to the ultimate victory! MAY THE BIRKANIAN CONFEDERACY OUTLAST THE SUN AND THE MO-"
Her preaching was interrupted when a passing passenger shoved a piece of bread down her mouth. The rest of the guests in the restaurant applauded the noble action.
"Er... sorry for that. I miss my country" She said, taking out the bread. "So, how did you get in?"

Adelai had retired to relax for a quiet drink, and could not help but overhear a conversation going on concerning nation's arms; more specifically, aircraft. His interest piqued, and he quietly ordered a vodka as he took a seat closer to the two conversing.


Meanwhile

Vladislav had moved to the stern of the Azure looking out at the expanse of sea behind them. He still couldn't believe his sister had tricked him into going. For some reason, her and the youngest Stugenov, Marcus, were on talkative terms, and had schemed against their elder siblings for whatever reason. He leaned against the rail and sighed.

"Well, I just walked right on board like most of the other people here. I'se supposed that I should spend extra to get on a ship like this's maiden voyage, ayup. I also heard this ship might be goin' by one of mah homeland's territorehs, the one I was born in, actualleh."

"You just walked right in?" Jessica asked "They didn't arrest you or anything? Wow, either means people here are very tolerant or that the security is so pitiful that we probably already have three suitcase nukes, spies, ninjas, several SpecOps, trained attack dogs and firearms onboard"

"Well, I did early check in and whatnot, really. Wasn't too much security or baggage checking or nothin'. Hell, I was able 'ta sneak this," he pulled his sweater up a bit to reveal the kukri handle protruding from his waistband, "and this," and he pulled his pantleg up a little to reveal the K-2000 knife holster around his ankle. "Don't worry, I don't stab people or nothin', I'se just use them for making trips a little easier, like that McGuyver guy or whatever his name is. I got them from mah time in the Academy, ayup."

As Mr. James was making his way to the tailor, still in his quite dirty, smelly cloths, he accidentally bumped into a rather hoboish looking man, who also had a particular odor. From what Mr. James had heard, he was going on about some Macguver Academy, or some such. "I am sorry, sir," he said. He then looked the man over. His cloths did not look the best, actually, the somewhat resembled the state of his own cloths, though of lesser original value and quality. "It seems we find ourselves in similar situations," Jimmy continued. "What with a formal dinner approaching, and nothing suitable to wear. I do apologize for bumping into you there."

"Oh, it's fine, I'se got bumped into all the time back in mah homeland. Honestleh, 'tis fine. Aye, we've most defuhnutleh got a problem, methinks. However, I'm generally sure that we don't have 'ta go 'ta the dinner, especially if we don't have the threads to go 'ta them. Methinks I'm fine sittin' here drinkin' scrumpeh."

"Oh, it's fine, I'se got bumped into all the time back in mah homeland. Honestleh, 'tis fine. Aye, we've most defuhnutleh got a problem, methinks. However, I'm generally sure that we don't have 'ta go 'ta the dinner, especially if we don't have the threads to go 'ta them. Methinks I'm fine sittin' here drinkin' scrumpeh."

"Nonsense," Mr. James replied. "Come with me, I was just heading to the tailor's, to get a new suit, you can get one too, on me," he smiled, feeling that he should do something, after bumping into the man as he had.

Elsbeth smoothed down her dress once more before taking a deep breath and walking out the door of her suite. Her dress was a simple blue A-line dress that fell to the floor. She walked nervously towards the Kings Pavillion but hesitated before she entered. She peeked nervously at the other guests already seated and nearly ran away when she saw the beautiful people (and the stunning outfits they were wearing) already seated and making conversation. She took a deep breath and walked into the room, telling herself she was just as stunning, her dress was just as flattering and forcing herself to walk towards the table rather than turning heel, and running back to her room to cry herself to sleep. She had never felt more out of place in her life but she was done running.
Elsbeth walked up to the table and cleared her throat, loathed to be interupting the conversation the other people were having.
"Is anyone sitting here?" She managed to choke out wishing that a convenient hole would just materialise in the floor so she could just disappear and be forgotten about.

"Is anyone sitting here?"

Bria looked up at the young woman in the flatteringly tailored blue gown "Oh no, not at all. Please I am sure the captain will be utterly stunned to see all of us at his table." She smiled widely her eyes twinkling. She patted the chair to her left gently as one of the many attentive waitstaff pulled it out.

Alexa was sitting between Star and Bria. With the new addition that would make four stunning young ladies to the Captain's right.

"I'm Bria, this is Alexa and next to her is Star. Star and I are from Tanaara and Alexa is from Jennings and Rall." Bria introduced the other two as a sommelier brought around a light aperitif wine for every ones enjoyment and others set the table with appetizers.

"Well, I did early check in and whatnot, really. Wasn't too much security or baggage checking or nothin'. Hell, I was able 'ta sneak this," he pulled his sweater up a bit to reveal the kukri handle protruding from his waistband, "and this," and he pulled his pantleg up a little to reveal the K-2000 knife holster around his ankle. "Don't worry, I don't stab people or nothin', I'se just use them for making trips a little easier, like that McGuyver guy or whatever his name is. I got them from mah time in the Academy, ayup."

"Interesting, Mr. Hobo. If I knew it was this easy to sneak weaponry in I would have certainly brought with me a few special gift from the Rocket Munitons Bureau back at Birkaine. Nothing too agressive, maybe just a few gallons of nitrogen tetroxide or hydracine. You know, to spend a little free time around"
Maybe she enjoyed making makeshift rockets with that type of fuel, maybe she loved just how flammable it was, maybe it was just that she accidentally enjoyed the "happy fumes" coming from the cocktails of corrosive fuel that propelled the gigantic rockets into orbit, the kind of stuff that made you see little blue Birkanian flags floating around your head as you cruised the milky way escorting purple-winged sheep with the national anthem playing in the background.
"Not in the way you're thinking. The thing's corrosive and burns your lungs. Plus I brought the adequate safety measures" She firmly stated to John before looking at Jimmy James. "By the way, thank you for the interruption, Mr. James. Do I get a free dress too?" Jessica said in a calmed tone, waving the glass of vodka a little.

Captain Burger smiled warmly at the young women now seated at his table, thanking God, Allah, and anyone else who would bother listening that he was no longer married. His ex-wife had come aboard one of his earlier cruises, before he was chosen as captain of the Azure, and the experience had been, to put it simply, rather awkward. The captain was expected to speak and be friendly not just with the average paying customer, but with the supermodels and the tennis players as well--the high rollers who would be less than pleased to see the captain's wife snooping around watching who he shook hands with.

"Good evening Alexa." He smiled at the woman and turned towards the two Tanaarans. "And good evening to you two as well. Always nice to escape the bridge for a few hours, wouldn't you say Heinrich?" He turned his head towards the First Officer, who had been sulking across the table, his head in his hands from the moment the women had taken their seats. Heinrich nodded his approval half-heartedly and ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath and setting in for what would in all likelihood be a much too long dinner.

"Perhaps I should check in on the Second Officer on the bridge, Captain?" he offered, barely containing his hope. The Captain either did not notice or chose to ignore it, as his response was as nonchalant as ever.

"Nonsense Heinrich!" Burger exclaimed, laughing as if his counterpart had just said something terribly witty. He turned to the women on his right and his voice took on a fake mocking tone. "The man needs a bit of time outside the bridge, wouldn't you say?"

Tazuren took in a dep breath as he checked his watch to see what time it was, and then looked around the King's Pavilion to see where he would be dining tonight. After he saw where the captain was he adjusted his tie and then walked over to the table, and sat down as he said "Please forgive my lateness, I was a little preoccupied."

He looked around the table and gave a soft bow to the women he had seen earlier as he had read the book he recently finished and needed to return to the ship's library. He sighed very softly as he tried to calm his nerves. He then closed his eyes and but his hands on his lap with both of the palms touching and began to breathe low and slow. After a minute, his stomach grolwed softly and he chuckled a bit nervously "I curse my never-ending hunger."

Mrs. James, and Kinkirk arrived at this time. As they approached the table, Kinkirk nearly bumped into the First Officer. He gave him a, "oh, you again," look, and then followed his adoptive mother to the table.

[QUOTE=Tanaara;14630658
*SNIP* [/QUOTE]

"So pleased to meet you. My name is Elsbeth, I'm from Masburel." Elsbeth smiled genuinely for the first time since she'd got on the ship. She took the seat Bria had patted and took a small sip of the aperitif wine. Turning slightly she looked at the captain out of the corner of her eye. He seemed "safe" and she relaxed more easily into her chair.

Elsbeth looked up as a man joined their congregation, followed quickly by another man and a woman, who appeared to be his mother. She was gratified to see that, at least for the moment, it didnt appear that the man she had crashed into earlier would be dining with them.

Mike Fell looked at himself in the mirror as he pinned his Captains rank pins which were in the shape of a silver wolf with two gold bars on its flank to his shoulders. As he owned no other formal wear other then his dress uniform, he had resigned himself to dragging it out of his Bergen where he had folded it carefully at the bottom. He had only worn this uniform twice, one of those times had been to see if it fitted. After his passing our parade it had remained safely locked away in his locker back at Fort Foxmount. Thinking of his locker brought back the rather funny memory that his locker still lay in the concrete remains of the fort, "I wonder if my card was in there" He mused to himself.

The dress uniform it self consisted of jet black trousers with a dark crimson stripe down the sides, a black long sleeved shirt and to go over that was his dress jacket which was also black, however around his waist went a red belt along with a clip which would of held his dress pistol. He slipped on his polished shoes and picked up the crimson cap of the bed, placing it on his head he looked at himself in the mirror. One thing missing he realised, walking over to his other bag he pulled out a small leather case, inside were his medal pins. He picked them each out one by one and pinned them on his right pocket. He placed only three on the left, The wolf's honour ribbon, beyond the call of duty ribbon and the Marshalls guardian ribbon. Now content with how he looked he headed out of his room and towards the dinning rooms, not sure where to go, he followed the well dressed people into the kings pavilion, as he entered he lurked at the edge to wait for a free waiter to clarify where he was meant to eat.

"So pleased to meet you. My name is Elsbeth, I'm from Masburel."

"Pleased to meet you Elsbeth..." Bria nodded but before she could say more Captain Burger was bantering with the stiffly uncomfortable First Officer and making mock of that very uncomfortableness.

"The man needs a bit of time outside the bridge, wouldn't you say?" the Captain said to the table at large.

Star looked about dramatically with an astonished air as she emoted. "You mean the two most competent men on the ship have left the bridge?! Oh woe is me, now we are certain to hit an iceberg.?" Star might have been taken aback earlier by the First Officer's attitude when he came to greet the liners most cherished passengers, but she really did not like mocking people in public. And it was so obviously apparent that the poor First Officer was terribly uncomfortable.

The next passenger to arrive she vaguely remembered seeing during the earlier stroll around the ship. He made a genteel apology for his stomach's grumbles after he had taken his seat."I curse my never-ending hunger."

Bria laughed gently with a smile that brought out her dimples "You aren't late, no need to apologise. It just is letting you know that it anticipates the fine lobster diner awaiting us as much as the rest of you does. I have heard that our chef is justifiably considered a national treasure"

She then introduced Star, Alexa, herself and Elsbeth to him and gave what nations they were from. Bria was very practised in this and had a quiet but disctinct knack for making people feel comfortable and welcome.

Star looked at the two teenagers who had been shown to the table, but she had no idea whom they were, so her smile was merely polite.

As she looked past the two teens she noticed a young man, but a few years younger than herself, in a well tailored military dress uniform. She didn't recognise what nation he was from but he seemed rather uncertain. Noting that there were still several places available at the Captain's table, Star held her wine glass up slightly, hoping to catch his attention. He was young, good looking and in uniform. He'd make an excellent addition to the table.

Star doubted if the two teens would add anything of note, the First Officer wished he was any where but here, and the Captain was malicious. With four lovely ladies, they needed more than the handsome man with the gorgeous long hair. The scar made him look very dashing she noted to herself.

The next passenger to arrive she vaguely remembered seeing during the earlier stroll around the ship. He made a genteel apology for his stomach's grumbles after he had taken his seat."I curse my never-ending hunger."

Bria laughed gently with a smile that brought out her dimples "You aren't late, no need to apologise. It just is letting you know that it anticipates the fine lobster diner awaiting us as much as the rest of you does. I have heard that our chef is justifiably considered a national treasure"

He smiled a bit as he hear her laugh a bit "Well I am always hungry. No matter how much I eat I am hardly ever, if not never, full. It's a real nightmare for the chefs at the place I work at." After she had mentioned that there would be lobster, and that the chef was a 'national treasure' his stomach growled a bit louder which prompted him to look at his stomach and say a bit hashly "You be quiet now, you will be fed, so hush."

She then introduced Star, Alexa, herself and Elsbeth to him and gave what nations they were from.

He held out his right hand to Bria and said a bit formally "It's an honor to meet someone as beautiful as you. My name is Tazuren Savu'len, and before I say my occupation, I'd like to know that you'd keep it a secret till after this cruise as the nature of my vacation here is due to doctor's orders to lighten my stress load."

It's an honor to meet someone as beautiful as you. My name is Tazuren Savu'len, and before I say my occupation, I'd like to know that you'd keep it a secret till after this cruise as the nature of my vacation here is due to doctor's orders to lighten my stress load."

Bria took his offered right hand for him to kiss or shake hers as he chose. Like Stars, hers were muscians hands - supple, long fingered, delicate for all their strength -hers were smaller than the taller Star's though. She looked up at him gravely, her compassion evident "Tazuren, then say nothing of it. If you are under oders to leave stress behind, then don't even mention it Relax and just be you." She suggested in her gentle voice.

Bria took his offered right hand for him to kiss or shake hers as he chose. Like Stars, hers were muscians hands - supple, long fingered, delicate for all their strength -hers were smaller than the taller Star's though. She looked up at him gravely, her compassion evident "Tazuren, then say nothing of it. If you are under oders to leave stress behind, then don't even mention it Relax and just be you." She suggested in her gentle voice.

He shook her hand a bit softly before placing a kiss upon it before letting it go. He smiled a bit at her compassion "My job deals with lots of politics, go figure. I was warned not to go into politics by my buddies before I left the military, but I went into politics." He laughed a bit at himself for not listening to them. "Though I must say, it has given me a chance to better help my fellow citizens." He rubbed his neck a bit as he tried to work out some knots in it due to his weird sleep cycle.

Elsbeth followed Stars gaze to look at the tall military type, hovering nervously by the door. Knowing exactly how he was feeling, she shot him what she hoped was a warm welcoming smile and moved her bag of the chair next to her as a signal that he should come and sit down. She turned her attention back to the eccentric captain and knew that a little extra eye candy wouldn't the current party.

"Though I must say, it has given me a chance to better help my fellow citizens."

Bria gave Tazuren a sympathetic look "Oh I have heard that politics are more dangerous and dirty than most wars. Still it is an honorably altruistic duty, seeing to the good of others."

The family had stayed well away from anything resembling the national political arena - prefering to simply see to the proper running of the various academies and universities that various family members were Deans, Chancelors or Presidents of. But any one who know the academic life knew that polititcs there were just as cutthroat.

"Perhaps the Azure's masseusses can help you with that stiff neck. I have heard they are very skilled." She added softly seeing him trying to ease the obvious soreness of his neck muscles. "I know that a good soak in a jaccuzzi, a stretch in a sauna then the hands of a skilled masseuse have always managed to unknot me. I'm not a happy flyer and I mostly arrive at places having worked myself into charlie horses." Bria said a little shyly.

Star on the other hand loved to fly, and was in the process of earning her own pilots liscense. That had been another bone of contention between her and the family.

As Mike loitered along the edges of the room he saw from two rather beautiful young ladys what he percived as freindly invitations to join the table, which was obviously ment for the more well of passangers on the cruise liner. Smiling back at the two ladies, Mike reached up and adjusted his cap which had somhow had turned slightly. It took about two seconds to finish adjusting his cap, as he started to approach the table his eyes looked over the passangers sitting around the table, noticing the empty chair between the first officer and a woman wearing a very stunning dress.

As he came up behind the chair he asked to no one in paticular, "Do you mind if an old soldier sits here?"

"Do you mind if an old soldier sits here?"

Elsbeth turned and smiled warmly at the "old" man. "I can't see anyone objecting, have a seat. I'm Elsbeth bytheway" she said, offering her hand to the soldier and indicating that he should sit down. She quickly introduced everyone else sitting at the table, taking control for one of the first times in her life. All of a sudden she turned back to the soldier, blushing red. "I'm so sorry I forgot to ask who you were. Please forgive me"

OOC: In advance, I apologize for the fact that we won't be hitting most of the ports of call. Ooo, foreshadowing.

King's Pavilion

The glance Captain Burger and First Officer Mauer had shot each other seemed to indicate their first agreement of the voyage--the King's Pavilion was meant for high-paying customers, and their collective experience in the Bundesmarine made them uneasy when a passenger, even one in uniform, circumvented the unofficial chain of command. Realizing that it would likely only be for one night, after which the man could simply be told to sit in the standard dining room, Mauer shrugged at the captain and the captain shrugged back, bidding the man sit. They did not realize that one of the passengers had already done so, and turned their heads back towards the women before they could notice.

Bridge

"Beautiful night, isn't it, Dieter?"

"A bit on the foggy side for my liking, sir."

The Second and Third Officers were the only real "named" officers (that being officers who were not simply referred to as "officer" when spoken to) on the bridge that night, the captain and First Officer having descended to the dining room for supper. Both were ex-Navy, but neither had any real concrete experience with passenger vessels; in reality it didn't matter much, as the helmsman did most of the maneuvering, but it would be a lie to say the bridge crew wasn't a bit unnerved by their commanding officers on that particular night.

The ship had been running without a hitch, and the chief engineer had even reported that the steam turbines were running beyond normal efficiency levels. Cutting through the waves at a brisk twenty-five knots, the fully lit ship must have looked like a city on water, and in a way it was--the some three and a half thousand people onboard dwarfed some of the smaller Leistungi mountain cities.

"Sonar reports no contacts, clear on radar," the Second Officer announced, reclining in his chair and closing his eyes. "Third Officer has the bridge."

Bria gave Tazuren a sympathetic look "Oh I have heard that politics are more dangerous and dirty than most wars. Still it is an honorably altruistic duty, seeing to the good of others."

He chuckled a bit as he said "Politics can be worse, espicially when there is a lot of red tape to go through, but sometimes it can be very fun." He leaned back a bit to stretch his back out a little bit, before asking "Say, what room are you staying in? If you don't mind my asking." He chuckled a bit nervously after his question, as he had always been a little nervous around women.

"Perhaps the Azure's masseusses can help you with that stiff neck. I have heard they are very skilled." She added softly seeing him trying to ease the obvious soreness of his neck muscles. "I know that a good soak in a jaccuzzi, a stretch in a sauna then the hands of a skilled masseuse have always managed to unknot me. I'm not a happy flyer and I mostly arrive at places having worked myself into charlie horses." Bria said a little shyly.

"I shall have to find out if the masseusses here are really good." He sighed a bit "Back home what I normally do for these knots is get into my own personal fighter jet from my days in the military and just put full brakes on and full afterburners and just sit there feeling the rumble of those powerful engines." He laughed a bit remembering the times when he would fly in combat.

"Back home what I normally do for these knots is get into my own personal fighter jet from my days in the military and just put full brakes on and full afterburners and just sit there feeling the rumble of those powerful engines."

Oh Star and I have the Primavera Penthouse. Gene, that's Mr. Shallot, Star's manager insisted that we have the best." Bria answered, wryly - her tone was without any air of self importance and her understated dislike of the interfering manager came through clearly despite the her attempt to damp down on it. Her gentle nature made it hard for her to dislike any but the worst, but he came very close.

“Oh that would just have me in shivers” Bria paled at the thought of climbing into a fighter for fun. Bria’s father had been a colonel, a test pilot in fact, in the Tanaaran military and had died in the crash of an experimental model when she was just a child. Having begged to tag along with him – and as a single parent he had felt guilty, for it was her birthday and he reluctantly agreed - she had been there the day it happened, witnessed the airframe falling out of the sky, ending in flames and a pillar of black smoke. She still had nightmares over it.

Turning to a slightly different subject "Have you every jumped out of a perfectly good airplane though?" She enjoyed skydiving, despite not liking planes very much. 'The falling free is almost zen like, so serene"

"Oh Star and I have the Primavera Penthouse. Gene, that's Mr. Shallot, Star's manager insisted that we have the best." Bria answered, wryly - her tone was without any air of self importance and her understated dislike of the interfering manager came through clearly despite the her attempt to damp down on it. Her gentle nature made it hard for her to dislike any but the worst, but he came very close.

He smiled a bit "I'm in one of the Royal suites. I don't mind as it allows me to keep out of sight a bit." He then chuckled a bit before asking "Would it be possible for me to stop by your room later, maybe for a drink?" He blushed a bit thinking how corny that question must've sounded.

“Oh that would just have me in shivers” Bria paled at the thought of climbing into a fighter for fun.

"That doesn't sound too fun." He then noticed her paleing, and asked worringly "Is everything ok? You seem to be pale."

Turning to a slightly different subject "Have you every jumped out of a perfectly good airplane though?" She enjoyed skydiving, despite not liking planes very much. 'The falling free is almost zen like, so serene"

"Not really per se, I have had to eject several times. A few times due to enemy fire and a few times due to mechanical problems." He laughed a bit as he tried to hide the fact his right hand was twitching a bit due to his experiences behind enemy lines. He sighed a bit as he said softly "I wish I had brought some Birkanian Vodka with me."

"A post dinner drink would be lovely. I'll let Mister Pimms know that I will be expecting you" She gave him her lovely smile again and took a sip of her wine. His blush made her smile widen and she touched the back of his hand lightly. "But only if you are comfortable with it. If you rather..." She thought a second and suggested "I have seen the library. We could chat there and get to know one another in a more ah...open venue. It's very quiet."

Bria's eyes had shadowed as memories rose from the depths of her mind and she nodded a bit tersely at his question. "My father died testing the plane that will be replacing our Butterflies “ Her tone very gently requested that he leave the matter be. The Tanaaran Military tended to give odd, innocuous names to their ferociously lethal warplanes.

"I wish I had brought some Birkanian Vodka with me."

“Oh I’m sorry” Bria said quickly, now blushing herself. “I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories. Being forced to eject, must be most unpleasant.” She laughed self depreciatingly “Here I go trying to change the subject and bring up one with as as bad of memories for you!.”

She looked around for one of the attentive waitstaff, signaling discretely for one of them to come take a drink order “I am sure that such a well stocked ship will have Birkanian vodka."

ooc: been away on 'business' can someone fill me in plz?

"A post dinner drink would be lovely. I'll let Mister Pimms know that I will be expecting you" She gave him her lovely smile again and took a sip of her wine. His blush made her smile widen and she touched the back of his hand lightly. "But only if you are comfortable with it. If you rather..." She thought a second and suggested "I have seen the library. We could chat there and get to know one another in a more ah...open venue. It's very quiet."

He chuckled a bit nervously "I'm ok with going to your room. I've always been a little nervous around women all my life." He breathed a bit to settle his nerves when he noticed her hand on the back of his shaking hand which then stopped shaking immediately. He smiled a bit as he said "Thank you."

“Oh I’m sorry” Bria said quickly, now blushing herself. “I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories. Being forced to eject, must be most unpleasant.” She laughed self depreciatingly “Here I go trying to change the subject and bring up one with as as bad of memories for you!.”

"It's ok. You didn't know." He turned his hand over and lightly grapsed her hand "I had to do, what I had to do, and if I didn't I would've been dead." He chuckled a bit "And I would never have been able to meet you Bria."

She looked around for one of the attentive waitstaff, signaling discretely for one of them to come take a drink order “I am sure that such a well stocked ship will have Birkanian vodka."

"They don't. I checked earlier when I was taslking to a Birkanian who is on this ship, and they don't have Birkanian vodka. Besides, It's extraordinarily rare to see that type of vodka outside the region my home is in, as it is basically highly compressed alcohol, and as such, very volatile. But, I have a lot at my home in the mountains in the north of my home country, for, very cold nights."

Bria let him gently hold her hand in his, the silken supple skin of her hand warmed by his touch. Her eyes, under her thick dark lashes met his, with a warm glance, as she said lightly. "And you not being here for me to meet would be a terrible thing indeed."

'But it's terrible that they don't have Birkanian vodka! What are we going to do if we are caught in an unseasonable storm and need something to burn?" Her voice was lightly teasing, but she wondered inside why he would need to keep large quantities of it stockpiled. Hopeuly because it was rare, not that he pickled himself in it.

And while her voice wasn't carrying far beyond them, Star had been quietly keeping an open ear so to speak. She gave her shyer cousin and the man she was conversing with a surprised look. Such flirtations were very unlike the generally shy woman. Star regarded Tazuren with a cool assessing glance as he paid attention to Bria and slowly nodded to herself. Though if he tried to get overly pushy, he’d find that she was very protective of the last of her family.

BMS Tödlich

The dark hull of the BMS Tödlich (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14114156&postcount=223), lead submarine of her class, cut easily through the waves, its patrol mission proceeding (as always) without a hitch. It was often joked that the size of the undersea contingent of the Bundesmarine was so large that one could not travel from one side of the world to the other without a Leistungi submarine tracking for a leg of the voyage, and that exact Leistungi nautical superstition was being verified without the Azure's knowledge at this very moment.

Despite the submarine's mission to be on the lookout for Waldenburger shipping, this evening the captain of the Tödlich was far more preoccupied with watching the Azure, a ship nearly as famous as some celebrities, as it passed off the port bow. The Tödlich had ascended to periscope depth and was running silently, quiet enough not to be detected on the Azure's bow sonar arrays normally used to track formations of pack ice as they drifted across bleak parts of the world. The captain always felt uneasy about placing a friendly ship in the crosshairs of the periscope, as if an accidental press of a button would send a torpedo in the direction of the vessel, and he hastily raised the scope and buzzed the sonar operator on the internal comm system.

"Sonar, conn, report all contacts."

"Conn, sonar, two targets on scope--Azure class passenger vessel bearing two-seven-niner, smaller..." the operator paused for a moment, trying to discern the class of vessel by the distinct sound of its engines. "...smaller vessel off the starboard bow bearing zero-three-zero, unknown nationality."

"Unknown nationality? Triangulate our position and determine our exact coordinates," the captain replied, already moving back towards the scope.

"Conn, sonar, Captain, we are nowhere near land; the vessel looks to be a littoral craft, probably lost at sea. Nothing we can do about it."

"Ah, affirmative, sonar." The captain turned to the Chief of the Boat, who shrugged. "Up scope," he said, bringing the periscope back up to the surface of the water. The ship was certainly small, no larger than a corvette, and much too far from land for a ship of its size. "Sonar, continue to report contacts, and keep an eye on our friend."

"Aye aye, conn, tracking unknown craft. Sonar out."

Bria let him gently hold her hand in his, the silken supple skin of her hand warmed by his touch. Her eyes, under her thick dark lashes met his, with a warm glance, as she said lightly. "And you not being here for me to meet would be a terrible thing indeed."

He blushed a bit at her warm look, before raising her and placing two soft kisses upon it before letting go of her hand. He chuckled softly as he scratched the back of his head a bit nervously. He then said softly "For some odd reason I always seem to get out of very hairy situations alive, and nearly without a single scratch."

"But it's terrible that they don't have Birkanian vodka! What are we going to do if we are caught in an unseasonable storm and need something to burn?" Her voice was lightly teasing, but she wondered inside why he would need to keep large quantities of it stockpiled. Hopeuly because it was rare, not that he pickled himself in it.

"Burn? More like detonate. Birkanian vokda bottles have a pressure valve that if you forably remove it, it acts much like an unguided rocket. I don't know why that is." He laughed a bit as he covered his right eye a bit with his right hand as it began to hurt a bit due to the very old injury he had received during training with the one who taught him how to fight by the sword before he learned to fight with a gun.

And while her voice wasn't carrying far beyond them, Star had been quietly keeping an open ear so to speak. She gave her shyer cousin and the man she was conversing with a surprised look. Such flirtations were very unlike the generally shy woman. Star regarded Tazuren with a cool assessing glance as he paid attention to Bria and slowly nodded to herself. Though if he tried to get overly pushy, he’d find that she was very protective of the last of her family.

He looked over at Star and bowed as much as he could safely before saying "You need not worry milady, I shall be a perfect gentleman to her. Besides, I'm ex-military and my old Instructor would kill me if he ever found out I tried anything other then what she wants." He chuckled a bit nervously as he didn't want to relive the nightmare of his old military Instructor yelling at him. If Tazuren feared one person in the entire world more then anyone it would be his old Instructor.

Though they were enemies, both Adelai and Vladislav could agree on one thing. They were grateful when a small skiff pulled alongside the Azures' hull, a device neatly taking them off and sailing away.

"I promise that our after dinner drinks and chat won't become anything like a 'hairy situation.' Though Boris and Doris will definitely want some petting’s." Bria chuckled "Those are Star's Borzois, but they shed very little and are too polite to climb into laps."

"Explosive? Oh they sound like they might be very useful when impromptu weapons are all that is available" Though privately Bria was certain that any alcoholic beverage that strong and stored in that manner was apart of someone’s stranger than usual home defense strategy.

She noticed his hand going to his eye, as if it pained him "Are the twinges in your neck getting more severe?" She worried softly, her look of concern coming back.

Bria hid a minor sigh of exasperation. Star was as over protective in her own way towards her as Star's manager was over her. But she wouldn't say anything. She knew that Star had nightmares where Bria had gone on the annual family trip and had perished along with the rest of her family. Though they were only remote cousins, they had been raised together, perhaps even closer than sisters, since the death of Bria’s father. Bria had been the one part of Star’s formidable family that hadn’t had any expectations or made demands of her.

Besides, I'm ex-military and my old Instructor would kill me if he ever found out I tried anything other then what she wants

Star’s smile eased a bit, and her shoulders relaxed back. She’d heard some horror stories about military instructors and half giggled “Then it is a good thing that your old instructor is not here. But Bria is certainly capable of taking care of herself. Enjoy your evening I am going to be heading to the dance floor. I feel the need to dance the night away.”

"I promise that our after dinner drinks and chat won't become anything like a 'hairy situation.' Though Boris and Doris will definitely want some petting’s." Bria chuckled "Those are Star's Borzois, but they shed very little and are too polite to climb into laps."

He nodded a bit "I see, at least they won't be like my pet timber wolf which likes to think it belongs on peoples laps and sheds a lot, or my pet Corsac Fox (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/Vulpes_corsac.jpg/407px-Vulpes_corsac.jpg) which likes to jump onto shoulders." He chuckled a bit before pulling the cellphone on the left side of his rear waist and pulled up a pictures of both of the pets and showed them to Bria.

"Explosive? Oh they sound like they might be very useful when impromptu weapons are all that is available" Though privately Bria was certain that any alcoholic beverage that strong and stored in that manner was apart of someone’s stranger than usual home defense strategy.

He laughed a bit as she talked about the vodka being used as a weapon. He then said "I once tested it as a Molotov against a large engine block, and after the fire cleared, the engine block was gone." He chuckled a bit more before saying "But, it's more useful as a drink, so I try not to waste it unnessecarily."

She noticed his hand going to his eye, as if it pained him "Are the twinges in your neck getting more severe?" She worried softly, her look of concern coming back.

He shook his head a bit and said "No. It's ok. It's just an old injury that I sustained which I was learning how to fight with a sword, which has never fully healed." He moved his hand away to show her the scar thaty went from his hairline down to his jawline and over his right eye.

Bria hid a minor sigh of exasperation. Star was as over protective in her own way towards her as Star's manager was over her. But she wouldn't say anything. She knew that Star had nightmares where Bria had gone on the annual family trip and had perished along with the rest of her family. Though they were only remote cousins, they had been raised together, perhaps even closer than sisters, since the death of Bria’s father. Bria had been the one part of Star’s formidable family that hadn’t had any expectations or made demands of her.

Star’s smile eased a bit, and her shoulders relaxed back. She’d heard some horror stories about military instructors and half giggled “Then it is a good thing that your old instructor is not here. But Bria is certainly capable of taking care of herself. Enjoy your evening I am going to be heading to the dance floor. I feel the need to dance the night away.”

He nodded a bit "OK, Have fun milady." He waited till Star was a bit aways and then softly asked "Is she always like this? She seems scary, and I wouldn't want her to be mad at me for anything." He breathed a bit calmingly as Star left for the dance floor, feeling the level of fright leave his body before looking back to Bria and smiling very warmingly.

Bria made a helpless little gesture as Star turned her attention back to her conversation with Alexa.

"Oh don't be afraid of her. Her bite is worse than her bark, but she barks more than she bites." She softly chuckled.

Taking the cell phone he offered her, she looked at Tazuren's pets. "Oh I have never see such a fox! He looks adorable, and his fur looks so very soft."

Bria made sure their eyes met after she had taken an obvious look at the scar - so that he could see the truth in her eyes. Her voice was low, but firm, carrying only to him "Don't be ashamed of it Tazuren. That scar makes you look very exotic and ever so slightly dangerous, as well as very distinguished." She didn't think it detracted from his handsome good looks at all, but gave him added character. Character, the inner person, meant far more to her than externals. And she was liking him more and more.

She leant back as the formally accoutered staff began serving the much ballyhooed fresh lobster dinner.

"Oh don't be afraid of her. Her bite is worse than her bark, but she barks more than she bites." She softly chuckled.

Taking the cell phone he offered her, she looked at Tazuren's pets. "Oh I have never see such a fox! He looks adorable, and his fur looks so very soft."

He nodded a bit "OK, but still, I don't want her mad at me." He chuckled a bit nervously before looking to his cellphone. He then said "The wolf is male, but the fox is female, it's a bit hard to tell with the way I took the pictures." He sighed a bit as he opened his right eye as much as he could without experiencing pain.

Bria made sure their eyes met after she had taken an obvious look at the scar - so that he could see the truth in her eyes. Her voice was low, but firm, carrying only to him "Don't be ashamed of it Tazuren. That scar makes you look very exotic and ever so slightly dangerous, as well as very distinguished." She didn't think it detracted from his handsome good looks at all, but gave him added character. Character, the inner person, meant far more to her than externals. And she was liking him more and more.

He blushed a bit at her words and looked away for a little bit as he bit his lower lip before looking back at her and replying "Thank you. Most people are put off by the scar over my right eye, but you are one of the few that isn't afarid of it." He chuckled a bit nervously before continuing "Why is that Lady Bria?" He had a look of slight confusion as his past told him that nearly everyone was scared of his scar.

"Why is that Lady Bria?"

Bria looked completely baffled by his comment of people being afraid of it. "Lord Tazuren, why should any one be frightened of a scar? I fault your instructor heavily for not having you wearing protective gear." She didn't know the circumstances, but the magnitude of the scar meant either no mask or a massive failure of the gear. And that made her shiver slightly as she forced down a flare of anger. "The maestro must have control of his blades at all times. If there is any fault to be laid it is at his feet. His failure not yours."

Leaning back over she cupped his face lightly between her palms "Scars are the visible proof of a life lived, not just sat by and watched. We Tanaarans don't go out seeking scars, but we don't bemoan or disparage them when they happen."

"I am not afraid of it...or you" She found herself blushing ever so slight and took her hands from his face.

"I must apologize for being so vehement. Star's senior father held the title Laurel Maestro of Arms for the Domination for many years. While neither she nor I have anywhere near that level of skill we were obliged to learn the basics if naught else."

King's Pavilion

Captain Burger tore into the lobster in front of him with practiced ease, wondering for what reason they had decided to replace the usual king crab legs with these lobsters--mundane, in his opinion. The conversation thus far at the table was surprisingly interesting, at least in his experience. Normally the entire table would have been waiting for him to indulge them in some sort of story from one of his voyages to the far reaches of the world, but at the present, the passengers seemed engrossed in each other, and that was perfectly all right with him--it became somewhat tiresome to tell the same "journey to the center of the Earth"-esque story on every cruise and voyage to foreign shores.

Heinrich had been quiet most of the dinner, and Burger couldn't help but wonder why he had volunteered for duty on this ship--he was a young, experienced sailor, and the Bundesmarine should have been throwing sacks of money in his general direction to sail their largest vessels into hell and back. There was quite a bit about Heinrich that was mysterious to the captain, and his file had not answered the simple question of why he was fired from his previous position, something which troubled Burger greatly.

He shook the thought from his mind and smiled as a song from his childhood drifted over to the table, sounds enveloping him in the cool air as he split a lobster claw and glanced around at the passengers, laughing and talking amongst themselves. There was no live band in the King's Pavilion, and the soft music served merely as a backdrop for the stories unfolding in front of him, his mind wandering back to his own experiences on cruises much like this one. Heinrich cracked a smile for the first time while simultaneously cracking a claw and Burger grinned back, raising his champagne glass and watching as the First Officer mirrored him before turning back to his dinner.

Bridge

The music drifted into the bridge, however light, and the Second Officer awoke with a start, darting his head left and right before drifting back off to sleep. Dieter, the Third Officer, rolled his eyes and brought the pair of binoculars back up, scanning the horizon idly. The bridge was not lit, with only the dim light of the viewscreens illuminating the uniformed officers and sailors as they went about their routines. A whitecap on the very edge of the horizon caught Dieter's eye and he adjusted the focus on the binoculars, bringing the small, gray-black object which had created it into clarity.

"Still no contacts on radar?" he quipped to no one in particular, turning towards the radar screen and seeing for himself that a tiny green blip had appeared on the edge of the panel. "Never mind--raise that ship on the emergency channel and remind him to remain two miles from the vessel at all times."

"Aye aye, sir," the Radio Officer replied, switching the radio to the appropriate channel and speaking clearly into the microphone. Dieter brought the binoculars back up and noticed with interest that the whitecaps had appeared again behind the vessel before being obscured by the ship itself.

"It's moving towards us," Dieter said, keeping his eyes trained on it. "Wake the Second Officer and raise the vessel on the radio please, Klaus." The Radio Officer threw his hands up in frustration and shrugged, his point made without words. "Right." The Second Officer had awoken and was making his way to the windows of the bridge, his arm outstretched. Dieter handed him the pair of binoculars and stepped back, pointing at the approaching ship.

"And you can't raise it in the radio?" Dieter shook his head. "Not even on the emergency frequency?" Another shake. "Five second blast from the horn--any seaman worth his salt knows that we aren't to be approached." One of the officers pressed down on the red button strategically positioned on the control panel and the windows reverberated as a clear A note cut through the night air, amplified by the fact that the horn was positioned directly above the bridge.

"No dice, sir," Dieter muttered, watching as the ship actually increased speed. "It isn't stopping."

King's Pavilion

Both Heinrich and Captain Burger arose with a jolt as the horn blew through the dining room, startling the passengers and waiters alike. Brushing bits of shell off their uniforms, the two men darted for the elevator just as their beepers sounded, leaving the table behind.

Bria looked completely baffled by his comment of people being afraid of it. "Lord Tazuren, why should any one be frightened of a scar? I fault your instructor heavily for not having you wearing protective gear." She didn't know the circumstances, but the magnitude of the scar meant either no mask or a massive failure of the gear. And that made her shiver slightly as she forced down a flare of anger. "The maestro must have control of his blades at all times. If there is any fault to be laid it is at his feet. His failure not yours."

"Please do not blame him for my distraction." He sighed a bit as he put his right hand on his neck as he remembered how he got the scar "It was with the final exam, which is much like actual sword on sword combat with no protection. There have been some deaths, but that particular Master is highly sought after and only trains those he see deems worthy.

Leaning back over she cupped his face lightly between her palms "Scars are the visible proof of a life lived, not just sat by and watched. We Tanaarans don't go out seeking scars, but we don't bemoan or disparage them when they happen."

"I am not afraid of it...or you" She found herself blushing ever so slight and took her hands from his face.

He closed his eyes a bit as Bria cupped his face in her hands and moaned very quietly at her soft hands on his somewhat rough skin "I thank you deeply for your very kind words Bria. I really do." He gently put his right hand on her left hand before she pulled it away as she blushed a bit "Is something wrong Bira?"

"I must apologize for being so vehement. Star's senior father held the title Laurel Maestro of Arms for the Domination for many years. While neither she nor I have anywhere near that level of skill we were obliged to learn the basics if naught else."

"It is ok Bria. I take it that the rank he held is the highest in your nation?" He then looked towards the food that was places at his spot at the table and began to eat it, savoring the taste "Wow, this is really delishous." He then heard the ship's horn blare and watched the Captain and First Officer dart away from the table and said "I wonder what is going on here."

"Is something wrong Bria?"

"I should have asked before touching you." She replied uncertainly, liking the feel of his hand against hers once again. It wasn't at all unacceptable in Tanaaran society - the Tanaarans actually tended to be very 'touchy' people as a whole. However the Family had always been deeply formal and well...to be blunt, reserved. Bria had never touched any one save Family on the face....then she realized that she had never even touched a Family member on the face.

"Yes the Maestro Laurel of Arms is the highest rank available, and the position is both a great honor and an equally great responsibility.

She too took a few bites of her meal, savoring the delicate flavors of the lobster. "Yes it is very delicious." She agreed, as she sipped a tiny bit of the white wine that was accompanying the seafood. Her eyes went startled at the ear shattering whistle and the officers reaction to it.

Star had been enjoying hers when the ships whistle sounded and the two officers jumped up and moved quickly out of the Kings Pavilion. She blanched as she remembered the last time she had heard a ship's whistle sound so.

"Star?” Bria looked concernedly over at her cousin and worried inside.

Star took a deep breath and forced herself to relax. “I’m sure every thing will be fine.” She carefully took a bite and chewed it delicately “Don’t worry about me Bria, I’ll be fine. You and Tazuren enjoy your dinners and have fun tonight!”

Mr. James had yet to arrive at dinner. He had gone to the tailors a bit late, and found them closed. He had then started to make his way to his rooms, but had become engrossed in some of the decorative parts of the boat, and by the time he realized how long he had been wondering, dinner had already started. He rushed towards the Captain's Pavilion. As he was nearing the elevator, he heard the ships horn blast. He reached the elevator, and pressed the up button, only to find the elevator was above him, and already going up. He would be delayed further to getting to dinner, and when he did, he would show up in a tattered dirty smelly suit. "What is taking this blasted elevator so long," he said out loud.

Wolf Hold marine force recon Captain John Fell had been enjoying the meal and also enjoying the conversation, that suprised him the most, he was used to men and women talking about much cruder things then these rich and mighty who seemed to take up the table. As he ate carefully and looked about the table, not really responding to any of the banter that was passing across the table, one subject almost caused him to respond, that of the timber wolf. The wolf was an almost sacred animal in the Wolf Hold and there was even a religon based on the worship of wolves, even though he himself wasn't part of it, the idea of taming an animal that was the symbol of freedom and should always allowed to run free appaled him and made him choke suddenly. Recovering as fast and inconspicously as he could, he almost involuntarily shot Lady Bria a venemous look but then continued to eat his meal. His eyes kept being drawn back to the rather beautiful lady next to him, she seemed different to the other passangers on the table, more normal, more like him then anyone else on the table. He was about to strike up a conversation but then the ships horn blew and the Captain plus the first officer ran off in a hurry.

John Fell was a Marine Force Recon officer who had spent 99% of his times on ships on board Marine or WHN ships, the ships horn sounded remotly similar to the klaxons onboard his last posting the WHS Mars a Kirov-Class Battlecruiser that had been posted to the Bay of Lupus during the CA led coalitons invasion. The last time he had heard those klaxons was for the incomming rocket attack from the Battlehawk navy, shortly after he had heard that sound, he had blacked out and woken up several hours later, in the middle of the confligration that had been the Mars. As his mind raced through those horrible hours in a few seconds, his hand shot to where his pistol should of been holstered and he immediatly looked around wildly. Recovering his senses he tried to calm himself down and not draw attention to himself as his heart rate wasn't caming down any time soon after that nightmare he just re-lived.

After not getting a response from the soldier about his name, Elsbeth focused her attention on the beautiful plate of food in front of her. The lobster looked so fresh, she was afraid to pick up her fork incase it started running arund the table. She listened to the conversations flowing around her. Without realising, her eyes kept flickering back to the soldier sitting next to her as she picked delicately at her lobster, and she saw him reach for something then try to calm himself down.
"Are you alright?" She asked quietly, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to the poor man.

Alexa’s eyes scanned the dining hall with an elevated sense of scrutiny, picking out the forms of crew members interrupting dinner service as they appeared to be fleeing the hall. Something was off; high ranking officers of a passenger vessel did not just up and leave without as much as pardoning themselves. There was an issue, a major one; Captain’s of ships as prestigious as the Azure were not pulled away from the company of its elite guests for anything but an emergency.

Taking another bite of the lobster, Clarke looked across the table at the others, the soldier seemed to be having some sort of issue resulting from the blast of the horn while the rest seemed to be quietly conversing about the incident. Without consulting Bria or Star, the Force Recon operator set down her fork, quietly getting up from the table and making for the door. As much as Alexa wanted to tell Star that she was going back to her room, it appeared that the pianist was busy consoling her cousin.

Pushing the doors aside, Clarke pushed the swinging doors aside, and by memory, now attempted to return to her suite.

"Master Alarm" (http://www.imeem.com/groups/-R1tHVjv/music/sk1JT9Ii/james-horner-master-alarm/)

Bridge, LSS Azure

Captain Burger drummed his fingers against the doors of the elevator impatiently as the steel box accelerated up, towards the bridge. The doors opened to the dimly-lit room, where anyone not required to be at their station for fear of crashing the ship was standing at the bridge window, peering out with binoculars at the approaching object. The two men made their presence known quickly and the Second Officer handed his binoculars to Captain Burger without a word, pointing with his arm outstretched at the fast moving ship.

“I assume someone has tried to raise it on the radio, correct?” he asked, lifting the pair of high-powered lenses to his eyes and tracking the vessel visually as it continued on its course.

“Yes, Captain,” the Second Officer replied. “The ship does not seem to be responding to our transmissions, even on the emergency frequency. On its current course and speed, it will clip our bow in approximately,” he looked down at his watch, “three minutes. The possibility does exist that the captain is incapacitated, though it seems unlikely—it made a course correction after our horn was blown.”

“Well then that’s right out,” Heinrich muttered, checking his own watch with a quick glance downward. “Three minutes, you say?”

“That’s correct.”

Heinrich glanced down again and then lifted his head to look at the flat-panel television showing the current bearing of the Azure. “Captain, we should begin evasive maneuvers.” The Second Officer guffawed and Dieter choked on a mint he had been sucking on for the last hour. Burger lowered the binoculars and turned towards him, his eyebrows slanted and corners of his mouth twisting downwards slightly.

“This is a one hundred fifty thousand ton ship, Heinrich—what do you suggest?” Burger asked, his mouth now twisted into a full and outright frown. “Turn and hope they miss?”

“Not at all, Captain,” he replied, raising a hand and looking up thoughtfully. “Well, actually, that’s close. If we bear down on him, he has no choice but to break or change course; it would wake him up if nothing else.” He paused for a moment while the captain pondered. “Whatever we do, sir, we should do it quickly. We only have two and a half minutes to turn the ship.”

Burger raised the binoculars again and placed the approaching vessel in his sights. He twisted the piece of plastic around the lenses themselves and focused in on the bow, then on the stern. “No flag, no bow markings,” he said, to no one in particular. “So it’s neither military, nor commercial, nor pleasure. Heinrich, can you see what that is there on the fore deck?”

Heinrich peered through the binoculars and crouched slightly, as if trying to get a better vantage point from fourteen stories up. He dropped the binoculars and did not pick them up again. A bad sign.

“It’s a machine gun, Captain.”

With ten simultaneous clangs the entire bridge crew dropped their pairs of plastic binoculars and darted back to their stations; Captain Burger was barking orders as fast as his windpipe would allow him. “Sound the general alarm and call crew to emergency stations—no one near the windows, no one on deck for any reason.” Dieter picked up the PA microphone and pulled the clear plastic cover off of the ship’s general alarm switch, flicking the red lever to its side and cringing as two piercing whistles sounded, followed by the dull, repeating alarm.

“All crew report to emergency stations,” he said, his voice amplified a thousand times by the ship’s internal communications system. “This is not a drill, repeat, this is not a drill. Charlie Charlie Delta off the starboard bow, all passengers seek cover immediately and remain there until given further orders.” Captain Burger had already darted next to him and grabbed the microphone mid-sentence.

“Deck seven crew, lower lifeboats to deck level and lock bulkhead doors. Do not open the bulkhead doors under any circumstances.” He dropped the microphone without hanging it up, turning next towards the helmsman. “Engines all ahead flank, forty degrees to port.”

Jessica heard the captain trough the radio. On the good side, she had won R$250 Rufoms from the current director of the Rocket Munitions Bureau back at the Motherland, who was willing to bet 250 Rufoms that nothing would happen to her in that trip.
She didn't seem very alarmed, just annoyed. Disasters seemed to always follow her - not just disasters, but apocalyptic calamities and all around messes. She just hoped this one wasn't as bad as the accident involving a Moskit anti-ship missile and a sheep farm, the unfortunate occurrence resulting from the maiden trials of some super dreadnought whose armored prow accidentally crippled most of the Birkanian fishing industry (and almost continued with the fleet of oil tankers) in one go, the accident with the nuclear cars... or just any of the parades of negligence she had been witness (and sometimes guilty) of.
"Well, in a moment like this, smile" She crossed her legs and arms, and stood there, with a happy grin. She wondered what it was this time. Stray torpedo? Mine? Pack of dead whales? Anti-whaling fanatics? A whaling ship? Damn, those environmentalist guys bordered on terrorism... the fishermen are just doing their jobs, anyways. But I digress.

She waited for the inevitable panic.

Michael frowned upon hearing the Captain's announcement.
"What's wrong?" asked Laura rhetorically
Michael shook his head. "This can't be good. Those sound like orders I would give before a major battle. Come on, let's get to deck seven and stay down there. If this goes south, I want to get you on a lifeboat as soon as possible."
With that, he grabbed her hand and started leading her through a path through the inside of the ship.

"I should have asked before touching you." She replied uncertainly, liking the feel of his hand against hers once again. It wasn't at all unacceptable in Tanaaran society - the Tanaarans actually tended to be very 'touchy' people as a whole. However the Family had always been deeply formal and well...to be blunt, reserved. Bria had never touched any one save Family on the face....then she realized that she had never even touched a Family member on the face.

He smiled a bit before saying "It's alright Bria. I didn't mind it. In fact I liked it. It's been such a long time since anyone has done that. So I don't mind it if you don't ask." He then looked towards Bria and said "I really do thank you Bria, I really do. You are such a caring woman, and I bet there are many who would kill to have you." He then laughed a bit before saying very softly "Wow, that sounded corny."

"Yes the Maestro Laurel of Arms is the highest rank available, and the position is both a great honor and an equally great responsibility.

"I see. I'd like to meet him or whoever currently holds that title, to see how strong I really am." He sighed softly before continuing "I constantly seek power to protect the ones I care about. And even though we just met, I will protect you to the best of my ablility Bira." He chuckled a bit as he thought that sounded very corny.

He then listened to what the captain said over the intercom and sighed a bit "Oh lovely, what is it now...." He sighed as he was a bit mad that he doubted he'd be able to even finish the meal he had at the table, but he knew that these things happen espically to fighter pilots who had to scramble during a meal, which was something he always hated.

"Wow, that sounded corny."

“No that did not sound corny at all” Bria protested, though she was blushing strongly now. No man had ever made a declaration such as that to her.

As the ship-wide announcements were made Star finished the last bites of her lobster and stood. "Bria we should return to the penthouse." Her look said that it would be wise to break out certain special supplies. Items that had come aboard in concealment and had thus not been inspected. Otherwise they might have been confiscated.

"Oh lovely, what is it now...."

His firm statement that he would protect her touched Bria deeply, and as she rose she implored “There are several trays of appetizers and finger foods at the penthouse, Tazuren. They aren’t as substantial as this lobster dinner but I know that Mr. Pimms laid on plenty just in case we had guests. Why not come with us? Please?”

And both she and Star needed to change. Their formal gowns were lovely but impractical if they needed to abandon ship.

Mr. James decided to abandon the elevators. "Never use elevators in the event of an emergency," he remembered. Someone would always inexplicably end up trapped in one, when for some reason or another, it got stuck. So instead, he wondered onto the deck, to get some fresh air. He was surprised to see lifeboats being lowered. "Must be some kind of drill," he muttered to himself, as he walked over to the railing, and looked out into the open waters.

“No that did not sound corny at all” Bria protested, though she was blushing strongly now. No man had ever made a declaration such as that to her.

He smiled a bit as he looked at her deep blush and smirked a bit "Are you sure it didn't sound corny?" He chuckled a bit nervously as he also blushed a bit himself.

His firm statement that he would protect her touched Bria deeply, and as she rose she implored “There are several trays of appetizers and finger foods at the penthouse, Tazuren. They aren’t as substantial as this lobster dinner but I know that Mr. Pimms laid on plenty just in case we had guests. Why not come with us? Please?”

He nodded a bit and stood up from the table as he said "It would be an honor to escort both of you to your room." He knew that should anything bad happen along the way he would have to be there as he is honor-bound by his word that he'd protect her. He nodded and smiled a bit at the metion of food at their room. He then said softly to himself "I wonder if it'd be alright to show her that......." His voice trailed off as he began to think deeply to himself about showing Bria his biggest secret, which he never showed anyone else in his life.

John had just finnaly calmed himself down, his breathing now more or less returned to normal and his heart rate was now begining to climb down, using his extensive training to help along the process. He heard the woman next to him ask him a question, he didn't hear what the question was but he could guess. "Yeah, I'll be fine, just some bad memories......really bad memories" Shaking his head to clear his senses, he looked up at one of the speakers as the alarm sounded and the Captains Voice echoed over the ships PA system.

"Charlie Charlie Delta off the starboard bow"

"You have to be taking the piss......." John cursed as he heard the code, it rang a bell in his mind, what it did sound similar to was the Charlie Charlie Oscar Code for the Wolf Hold Navy which ment that Hosile Boarders were incomming and if Bundsmarine and Wolf Hold Navy had similar codes, this ship was now in some trouble, he didn't know much about the Azure but he knew it most certianly wasn't a warship and it proably didn't carry many if no marines to protect it. His mind had now droped back into it usual state, cold, calculating and observant. He could see people heading down towards the lower decks, definatly a mistake. There was also a group preparing to head back to their rooms, even though the Captain had told them to take cover. He turned to the woman next to him "Stay here, follow whatever orders the crew give you, I think this is bad" Turning away and spying a waiter still inside the Kings Pavillion, he approched the waiter, straightening his belt so the empty holster was visible and his Marine Corp badges were to the front. Trying to gain the waiters attetntion he asked "Is there anything I can do?"

Star and Bria politely refrained from over hearing what Tazuren had said to himself. They moved quickly back to the private elvator that provided card key only access to the two penthouses. They never had to go out on deck, and the glass elevator took the trio swiftly up to the main level of the penthouse's private lobby.

Another swipe of their guest cards and the the doors were unlocked - with Mr. Pimm waiting vigilantly just inside, with Boris and Doris flanking him.

"Mister Pimms, this is Mister Tazuren Savu'len. Please care for him as you would for us." Star introduced the Butler to Tazuren "Tazuren this is the most estimable Mister Pimms, our Bulter"

Then she summoned the two elegant Borzois to her "This is Doris and Boris" The two dogs looked Tazuren over with condiserable intellegence showing in their dark eyes and slowly each offered him a paw.

"I m going to call down to Alexa's suite, she left very abruptly" Star commented as she headed to her bedroom on the second floor of the Primavera Penthouse.

"Tazuren, please make yourself at home and I'll be right back myself" Bria gave him a quick hug and moved quickly up the stairs after Star.

Mr. Pimms had made sure that all the doors to the penthouse had been secured when the alarms had first sounded and secured the over-ride. No card keep save the ones issued to Star and Bria or the master key locked in the ships vault would open from the exterior.

He checked the main door once again and looked at Tazuren. "Sir, would you care for something from the bar, or to round out dinner? I think this has rather cut it short." He was gravely concerned but would never deign to show anysuch emotion openly.

Star and Bria politely refrained from over hearing what Tazuren had said to himself. They moved quickly back to the private elvator that provided card key only access to the two penthouses. They never had to go out on deck, and the glass elevator took the trio swiftly up to the main level of the penthouse's private lobby.

As they led him to their room, he was on the lookout for anything suspicious in nature, after all he did tell Bria that he'd protect her. He sighed a bit as he continued to think about something to himself.

Another swipe of their guest cards and the the doors were unlocked - with Mr. Pimm waiting vigilantly just inside, with Boris and Doris flanking him.

"Mister Pimms, this is Mister Tazuren Savu'len. Please care for him as you would for us." Star introduced the Butler to Tazuren "Tazuren this is the most estimable Mister Pimms, our Butler"

Then she summoned the two elegant Borzois to her "This is Doris and Boris" The two dogs looked Tazuren over with condiserable intellegence showing in their dark eyes and slowly each offered him a paw.

He nodded to the butler before kneeling down and taking the offered paws as he smiled a bit "They are very well mannered, not like my pet wolf." He chuckled a bit as he remembered his wolf's usual greeting of tackling him onto his back. He sighed a bit as his stomach growled as he wasn't able to quell his hunger.

"Tazuren, please make yourself at home and I'll be right back myself" Bria gave him a quick hug and moved quickly up the stairs after Star.

He checked the main door once again and looked at Tazuren. "Sir, would you care for something from the bar, or to round out dinner? I think this has rather cut it short." He was gravely concerned but would never deign to show any such emotion openly.

He smiled a bit as he hugged Bria back before she went after Star, and nodded to the butler "I would like some food as my stomach is pretty mad at me for not fully feeding it." He then went to sit at the bar and took out what appeared to be a contact lens case. He set it onto the bar and opened it before taking out his contacts. He then colsed his eyes a bit waiting for Bira to come back.

Bria was humming to herself as she jogged lightly up the stairs. It had felt so very nice hugging Tazuren. And she couldn't help but wondering what it would be like to kiss him. Her finger tips darted up to graze against her lips as she entered her room, and began sliding out of the strapless gown. She was not overly big built nor really needing of it - she was very fit and did not sag in the least but still she slipped into a comfortable sports bra. Indigo dark jeans, a navy polo and Sketchers hiking shoes finished her outfit off. But before she left she grabbed her Elite TGP fanny pack. It was the best out there and had a world wide reputation. And being done in navy cordura it was almost invisible about her trim waist.

She was done first, started to leave then turned about and pulled a small pack from the closet. It carried her birding equipment - she was an avid Birder and had hoped to view a number of rare avis. It wasn't any sort of true survival pack, but it had a few possibly useful items stashed away in it.

Bria could hear Star calling down to Alexa's room, Star having left the door open, and she glanced in "Invite her up here, why don't you" she called before heading down the stairs, the day pack in hand.

Mr. Pimms had set a well filled tray of finger foods at Tazuren's elbow and offered him a tumbler of iced tea. "Is there anything more I can do for you Sir?"

Star had nodded, though she knew Bria couldn't see her as she heard the suggestion and called out "When she answers I'll do so. Be down in a moment"

She was only half changed, having not yet pulled on the deep burgundy long sleeved tee, but had finished zipping up the khaki Docker style slacks. A pair of athletic shoes lay waiting next to her abandoned pair of heels.

Bria reached the bottom of the stairs and headed over to Tazuren with a cheery 'I'm back and ready for...well, hopefully nothing more than a false alarm"

Chambering a round into the barrel of the 92G-SD Beretta, Clarke released the slide only when the gold casing of the nine millimeter Parabellum round could be seen. Reaching into the Messenger Bag slung around her side, Alexa retrieved both her Ciao and a wireless headset, placing the microphone over her right ear before connecting it to the mobile phone. Almost instantly the mic came to life, as if she had answered a call without touching the keypad.

"Clarke, Clarke, what the hell is happening down there, why is the captain preparing anti-boarding measures?"

Kilpatrick's voice wasn't unexpected, it wasn't the first time that the Office of Electronic Surveillance Agent had worked with her, only usually it was during operations abroad, not while she was ordered to be on vacation. It also wasn't surprising he was aware of the announcement just made; Jennings & Rall's intelligence services were notorious for keeping tabs on it's operatives as well as enemies, the microphone and camera of the phone were easily accessible by the government, and almost at any given time they were being recorded by computer or monitored by some agent.

"Kilpatrick, uplink to one of our satellites and get me Infrared imaging of the Azure's current location"

The screen of the mobile device instantly dimmed, now replaced by a loading symbol as the device received data from some server located thousands of miles away.

"Clarke, what is going on?" asked the OES agent.

The display now showed the glow of the massive ocean liner, the large IR signature complemented by a much smaller object in the vicinity of the Azure. The high pitched ring of the room phone cut through the silence, the half expected call not shifting Alexa’s attention as she attempted to zoom in on the hostile ship.

“I’ll patch it through to your headset; I think it’s your friend” Kilpatrick said before disappearing from the line, at least in noticeable presence.

“Star, are you alright?”

Alexa contemplated what her next move was going to be; she could stay here and come up with some work of fiction to feed to her friend, or try to explain that she was a special operations soldier with a nine millimeter who wasn’t somehow associated with the developing situation. Either one didn’t appeal to her, lying or attempting to tell the truth; why the hell did this have to happen on a cruise she wasn’t supposed to be on?

Elsbeth looked around. In a short space of time, everyone seemed to have left. The soldier who was next to her had seemingly pulled himself together, ordered her to follow orders and left. The lovely Star and Bria had left with the man who had been sitting on her left, she couldn't remember his name and...Alexa? had left just before them in a hurry. She looked for a waiter or someone to explain the situation to her. She was good with plants not wars but failing to attract anyones attention she decided it would be better to head back to her room and wait for anymore announcements over the tannoy.

After she let herself into her room she made her way over to the wardrobe where she had haphazardly thrown all of her clothes earlier that day. She rootled through the mass of clothes until she came to some that she deemed more suitable: casual black trousers, white v-neck jumper and flat sandals, perfect for running in (she knew from experience).

Now unsure of what to do, she sat on the edge of her expansive bed and waited for something to happen.

“Star, are you alright?”

"Yes, thank you, we're fine. Alexa, I don't like the sounds of the orders I'm hearing. Bria and I, as well as her new friend Mr. Savu'len, the man sitting next to her at dinner" Star clarified "Have decided that the penthouse is a better place to be. Would you like to join us? I thinking it might be better than sitting in your suite alone."

She paused for a second then added "The ship has done some course changes, and barricaded off ...I think they've brought the life boats down to block off the main deck, rather than to ready them for use. We might have more safety as a group. And besides neither Bria or I are helpless"

As the daughter of one of the fifty most prominent and wealthy families in Tanaara she had grown up used to living under the discrete, if unsleeping eye of 'personal security' and the Family's yatch had practiced anti piracy drills. Pirates in the Fatal Terrain region had become a problem for private yatch in the years since the Dark War. And the Fall of Imitora, while it had wrought havoc among maritime affairs, had not wiped the pirates out. Though the navies of the various Fatal Terrain nations had declared all out war on the murderous scum, it still paid to take precautions.

Mr. Pimms had set a well filled tray of finger foods at Tazuren's elbow and offered him a tumbler of iced tea. "Is there anything more I can do for you Sir?"

He shook his head as he kept his eyes closed and said "No, not at the moment." He sighed a bit as he began to grab some of the food and eat it as he waited for Bria to come back from her room. He opened his eyes a bit to see where the glass was and then grabbed it before taking a drink of iced tea.

Bria reached the bottom of the stairs and headed over to Tazuren with a cheery 'I'm back and ready for...well, hopefully nothing more than a false alarm"

He closed his eyes again and looked over towards her voice. "I hope so too. I really do hope so." He sighed a bit "Bria, there's something I want to show you. Something I've never showed anyone before." He sighed a bit hoping that she wouldn't be frightened by what he would show to her.

Mr. Pimms, once he had settled his lady’s guest comfortably, retreated to his post near the main door. Though the door was a security door, he still would be able to monitor the hall way via the small security wall pad.

Bria crossed over to where Tazuren was enjoying some of what the butler had laid out.

"Something I've never showed anyone before."

She gave him a very level look and took his hands "Tazuren, I will readily admit to not being more than averagely brave. But I don't think anything about you could frighten me much." Bria paused then continued. There were reasons the Domination didn't much interact with nations outside the Fatal Terrain region.

"We have Therianthopes, Vampires, Celestials and Demonics, among other non human races, living among us in Tanaara. And while I've met very few of them, I believe its the character of the person not physical aspects of them that one has to fear. And I sense nothing fearsome about your character." Her voice was earnest.

She gave him a very level look and took his hands "Tazuren, I will readily admit to not being more than averagely brave. But I don't think anything about you could frighten me much." Bria paused then continued. There were reasons the Domination didn't much interact with nations outside the Fatal Terrain region.

He sighed a bit and then opened his eyes fully, showing her his eyes which had red irises and slit pupils "These eyes of mine are a trait that runs with the males of my family." He looked away slightly before looking back to her "With these eyes of mine I can see perfectly in darkness and slightly into the infared spectrum."

"We have Therianthopes, Vampires, Celestials and Demonics, among other non human races, living among us in Tanaara. And while I've met very few of them, I believe its the character of the person not physical aspects of them that one has to fear. And I sense nothing fearsome about your character." Her voice was earnest.

"I am glad that you sence nothing fearsome about my character. I really am." He walked over to her and hugged her softly, as he closed his eyes, and sighed a bit "You are such a kind woman Bria. Don't ever change that part. Ok?"

Bria returned the hug, pulling him close.

"You are such a kind woman Bria. Don't ever change that part. Ok?"

"You really were afraid that I would 'freak out' over your beautiful eyes?" Her tone put "bunny ears" around the term as she shook her head ever so slightly with a disbelieving laugh lurking in her tone.

Then there was an ever so faint voice at the edge of his thoughts. One he was sure he heard only because the room was relatively quiet with no aural disctaction to pull his attention elsewhere "I can only do this by touch, and I'm not strong enough to make it louder. Can I say that I am green with envy? I wish I could see in the dark, then I wouldn't bruise my shins ever much often."

"You really were afraid that I would 'freak out' over your beautiful eyes?" Her tone put "bunny ears" around the term as she shook her head ever so slightly with a disbelieving laugh lurking in her tone.

He blushed a bit as she called his eyes beautiful, and asked "You really think they're beautiful?" He bit his lower lip a bit as he thought what her lips felt like against his before he shook the thought out of his head as he did not wish to make Bria mad at him.

Then there was an ever so faint voice at the edge of his thoughts. One he was sure he heard only because the room was relatively quiet with no aural disctaction to pull his attention elsewhere "I can only do this by touch, and I'm not strong enough to make it louder. Can I say that I am green with envy? I wish I could see in the dark, then I wouldn't bruise my shins ever much often."

He listened to words being put into his mind before asking "Touch telepathy? I've only heard about it very rarely." He sighed a bit before asking "Mind me asking what the full extent of it is?"

"You really think they're beautiful?"

She hadn't answered that at first, but before answering his other question...

"I am not in the habit of lying" Bria said with a half glare, then went up on tiptoes and pulled his face down to hers - he was fully eight inches taller than she "Yes they are!" her mind voice much more intense as she kissed him full on the lips. It wasn't expert by any means, she'd never kissed any one like this before. Then she was back flat on her feet.

"Mind me asking what the full extent of it is?"

"If we are touching and you think 'at me' then I'll hear it, but I can't read your private thoughts. Firstly it's not polite. Secondly my Donas, my Gift, is not strong enough to without a Starstone, and I've never applied for one."

She stepped back breaking skin to skin contact. "Most of us have some small but useful Gift, but it's not something we tend to talk about."

"I am not in the habit of lying" Bria said with a half glare, then went up on tiptoes and pulled his face down to hers - he was fully eight inches taller than she "Yes they are!" her mind voice much more intense as she kissed him full on the lips. It wasn't expert by any means, she'd never kissed any one like this before. Then she was back flat on her feet.

His eyes widened a great deal as he kissed him. As she pulled away he stammered a bit, partly due to shock and partly due to the fact that he had thought about it several times but didn't want to pursue it. Once he regained his composure he said "Wow, I really wasn't expecting that Bira. I really wasn't."

"If we are touching and you think 'at me' then I'll hear it, but I can't read your private thoughts. Firstly it's not polite. Secondly my Donas, my Gift, is not strong enough to without a Starstone, and I've never applied for one."

"Ah I see. Well, I guess that will come in handy should what is going on prove to be something other then a false alarm." He tucked his lower lip under his upper lip and licked it a little bit and blushed a bit to himself.

She stepped back breaking skin to skin contact. "Most of us have some small but useful Gift, but it's not something we tend to talk about."

He nodded a bit "Then I shall not tell anyone about it Bria." He sighed a bit as he was still in shock from Bria kissing him. He took a deep breath as he moved back to the seat he had at the bar "Mind if I ask why you kissed me Bria? It's not something that happens to me everyday."

"Wow, I really wasn't expecting that Bira. I really wasn't."

Bria blushed a deep red at that, and turned quickly away from Tazuren. Her voice was stiffly apologetic.

"My sincerest apologies Mister Savu'len, I didn't mean to offend or press myself on you. It won't happen again." She stalked away, her shoulders rigid as she crossed the expanse of the living room to stand looking out the sliding glass doors that led onto the penthouses private sundeck.

"Mind if I ask why you kissed me Bria? It's not something that happens to me everyday."

"Forgive my impulsiveness, I did not mean to offend the customs of your nation." Bria stared blindly out at the night skies over the wine dark waters about the Azure, as inwardly she castigated herself for her rude actions.

(double post)

Bria blushed a deep red at that, and turned quickly away from Tazuren. Her voice was stiffly apologetic.

"My sincerest apologies Mister Savu'len, I didn't mean to offend or press myself on you. It won't happen again." She stalked away, her shoulders rigid as she crossed the expanse of the living room to stand looking out the sliding glass doors that led onto the penthouses private sundeck.

"Forgive my impulsiveness, I did not mean to offend the customs of your nation." Bria stared blindly out at the night skies over the wine dark waters about the Azure, as inwardly she castigated herself for her rude actions.

He sighed a bit as he stood up and walked over to her and hugged her from behind. "It's ok. And you didn't offend me or the customs of my nation. And please call me Tazuren or even Tazu, Mister Savu'len is only for those that work for me." He sighed a bit before touching her hand and thinking towards her "And Bria, to be utterly honest, I really enjoyed it." He chuckled a bit nervously before saying a bit softly "It feels weird to speak without speaking." He sighed a bit more before he moved around to the front of her and kissed her forehead softly.

And Bria, to be utterly honest, I really enjoyed it."

You did? Bria asked, her mind voice surprised and more than a bit pleased, then she sighed with exasperation as he kissed her on the forehead "Then don't kiss me like I am your niece' Her demand was accompanied by action as she went back up on tiptoe and pulled Tazu's lips down to hers. "How am I to get any better at kissing you without practice?" Her mental voice was light and ever so slightly teasing. But under it she was totally serious.

"I enjoyed them too. Kissing you makes my toes curl" Bria admitted softly with a pleased sigh as the second kiss ended. She made no move to ease away from the hug, resting her cheek against his chest, and enjoying listening to the strong, steady beat of his heart. She found she wanted to stay like that forever.

You did? Bria asked, her mind voice surprised and more than a bit pleased, then she sighed with exasperation as he kissed her on the forehead "Then don't kiss me like I am your niece' Her demand was accompanied by action as she went back up on tiptoe and pulled Tazu's lips down to hers. "How am I to get any better at kissing you without practice?" Her mental voice was light and ever so slightly teasing. But under it she was totally serious.

He nodded a bit at her question then said "Well, sorry for kissing you like that." He smiled a bit as she kissed him again as he said metally to her "That is true Bria, one can't get better at anything without practice." As they kissed he put his right arm behind her head as he put his left hand around her waist.

"I enjoyed them too. Kissing you makes my toes curl" Bria admitted softly with a pleased sigh as the second kiss ended. She made no move to ease away from the hug, resting her cheek against his chest, and enjoying listening to the strong, steady beat of his heart. She found she wanted to stay like that forever.

After the kiss ended he breathed a bit before he said softly "Your lips are very delicious Bria." He chuckled a bit thinking that it sounded corny. He then bit his lower lip a bit before asking "I wonder what Star would think if she saw us like this Bria." He held her close to him not wanting to let go but moved a way slighty as he said "Wait for a moment please." He then waled over towards the bar and put his contact lenses back in. He then took off his suit jacket, tie and shirt showing faint scars of his arms as well as a black undershirt, as well as several straps which held a small combat-type knife with an unsual blade design along his spine which he also took off "That stuff was getting a bit stuffy for me. I don't wear formal stuff very often."

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<<OOC: The blade design is similar to the Hound design here, but the rest is completely different: http://fc26.deviantart.com/fs44/f/2009/093/c/5/Anima__Kyler_knives_Wallpaper_by_Wen_M.jpg >>

"I wonder what Star would think if she saw us like this Bria."

"She would want me to be happy" Bria replied without hesitation, then she laughed, "but she'd also say something like..."And I have been given to understand that relationships that start under intense circumstances, they never last. So lets hope this is not a pirate's version of Cruise Control." and look totally serious. She has a sense of humor, it's just terribly repressed. The Family was so very formal, but I had the advantage of not being part of its world until my father died and they took me in."

Bria shrugged off the tiny twinge of sadness thinking about her father always brought. She had never known a mother, her father having had a host mother carry her – his wing woman, who had died years before, had provided him the stored ova via her will-. The Family had thought it rather uncultured that he had never wed, especially as the great majority of Tanaaran Unions were group marriages, and single parents were vanishingly rare. But her father had been the orphaned cousin of great grandmothers youngest sister’s cohusband and it would never do to have even a rather distant relative of the Villa Real y de Cordova de Basque raised by the state. Taking a moment she explained to Tazuren her past, the death of her father when she was nine, and the Families stance on certain things.

“So I had nine years of a more …liberal life.” She smiled as she walked over where Tazuren stood by the bar and ran a finger down the scars on his arms. “I find all of you beautiful.” She wanted him to understand that she viewed his scars as marks of valor, not something to be ashamed of much less be disgusted by. Those were points of view that she found incomprehensible and abhorrent.

"She would want me to be happy" Bria replied without hesitation, then she laughed, "but she'd also say something like..."And I have been given to understand that relationships that start under intense circumstances, they never last. So lets hope this is not a pirate's version of Cruise Control." and look totally serious. She has a sense of humor, it's just terribly repressed. The Family was so very formal, but I had the advantage of not being part of its world until my father died and they took me in."

He chuckled a bit as Bria talked about what Star would say. He sighed a bit as he sat down on the chair and stretched a bit "Well I can't say anything towards 'the family' as well, I've never met them, but I also want you to be happy Bria. I don't like seeing anyone sad." He looked at the knife and said softly "I really hope I don't have to use this thing." He sighed a bit more as he knew the true dark nature of the knife.

Bria shrugged off the tiny twinge of sadness thinking about her father always brought. She had never known a mother, her father having had a host mother carry her – his wing woman, who had died years before, had provided him the stored ova via her will-. The Family had thought it rather uncultured that he had never wed, especially as the great majority of Tanaaran Unions were group marriages, and single parents were vanishingly rare. But her father had been the orphaned cousin of great grandmothers youngest sister’s cohusband and it would never do to have even a rather distant relative of the Villa Real y de Cordova de Basque raised by the state. Taking a moment she explained to Tazuren her past, the death of her father when she was nine, and the Families stance on certain things.

“So I had nine years of a more …liberal life.” She smiled as she walked over where Tazuren stood by the bar and ran a finger down the scars on his arms. “I find all of you beautiful.” She wanted him to understand that she viewed his scars as marks of valor, not something to be ashamed of much less be disgusted by. Those were points of view that she found incomprehensible and abhorrent.

He looked at her as she talked about her past and said softly "Sounds like you had a it of a rough life Bria. Similar to me. Believe it or not, I've never known my own parents, I was originally rasied by relatives until they died and I was put into an orphanage." He sighed a bit and then felt her run a finger along the scars on his arm and smiled a bit "You have such soft hands Bria, unlike my rough ones which tell of many years of comabt." He chuckled a bit before he leaned towards her and place a soft kiss on her neck.

"You have such soft hands Bria, unlike my rough ones which tell of many years of comabt

"Oh mine had their own callus's, but yes they fall in different places than your do." She agreed as she sat on the chairs wide arm, and leant over to lay her head on his shoulder. His kiss on her neck had sent tingles up and down her. After a few minutes of that comfortable postion she sighed and stood.

"Tazuren, I think if whatever it is that has provoked the captains actions is not something like a storm or occurance of nature. I think it is pirates or something like." She looked at him worriedly. "You are probably a better shot than I am so I think you ought to be the one carrying this"

Moving over to the piano she clicked a concealed switch on the side of the seat and the padded top lifted open slightly. Pulling it up the rest of the way she revealed another chamber within. Finding it's hidden lever she opened it and took out one of the two Diablo pistols from it's padded resting place, and brought it over to him.

"Oh mine had their own callus's, but yes they fall in different places than your do." She agreed as she sat on the chairs wide arm, and leant over to lay her head on his shoulder. His kiss on her neck had sent tingles up and down her. After a few minutes of that comfortable postion she sighed and stood.

He smiled a bit as she put her head on his shoulder. He gently rubbed her back softly as he put his head onto hers. He sighed a bit as he said "Bria, for some odd reason, I feel at peace, instead of having a constant feeling of chaos." He chuckled a bit before she stood up.

"Tazuren, I think if whatever it is that has provoked the captains actions is not something like a storm or occurance of nature. I think it is pirates or something like." She looked at him worriedly. "You are probably a better shot than I am so I think you ought to be the one carrying this"

He looked at her a bit curious wondering what she was about to do. He listened to the worry in her voice and then stood up and said "I'm sure everything will be all right Bria." He sighed a bit as she mentioned that he would problably be a better shot then her and replied to that. "Well, when I was becomeing a fighter pilot I had to learn how to use a sniper rifle and how to be an expert at it."

Moving over to the piano she clicked a concealed switch on the side of the seat and the padded top lifted open slightly. Pulling it up the rest of the way she revealed another chamber within. Finding it's hidden lever she opened it and took out one of the two Diablo pistols from it's padded resting place, and brought it over to him.

He watched her as she moved over to the piano and exposed a hidden compartment. He watched as she took the gun out of it, and then walked back to him with it. He asked softly "You and Star brought that with you two?" He held out his right hand to take the gun from her.