The town of Haven is so busy preparing for the spring solstice festival, that for once they could care less what is going at the "embassy". But, for the sake of not upsetting people, it's been suggested Kai and WolfSinger take her shuttle back to Nimby's refuge.
Kainudy waits up on the Embassy roof for WolfSinger, and wonders where on Nimby to land the shuttle.
WolfSinger climbs up the stairs. "ya know, you really oughta give her a name...."
Kainudy blinks, "The shuttle? I've been thinking about it."
WolfSinger barks, "well, why not? She's kinda nice. "
WolfSinger's tail swishes as he pads over to the shuttle.
The dragon reaches up to rub the camouflaged side of the shuttle, coaxing it to open the canopy. "What name would you suggest?"
WolfSinger barks, "well, I once knew this pretty wuffess named Kahanoohr......"
Kainudy climbs up into the cockpit, and then reaches out to help WolfSinger up. "Kahanoohr? Does it mean anything?"
WolfSinger barks, "I don't know.... I never really did fully learn the Jupani dialect. She was chief's daughter from a clan that adopted me in a sense...."
Settling down onto the flight tongue, Kainudy asks, "And the shuttle reminds you of her?" The dragon smirks slightly.
WolfSinger climbs in and settles down on the comfy tongue-seat. "Well, I always kind of think of her... But they're both pretty and nice in their own way."
Kainudy thinks, ( He finds the shuttle pretty? ) She sets her head down on the padded hump at the front of the cockpit, and the canopy seals itself shut again. "We should be at the island in a few minutes. I'll keep the camouflage up until we're ready to land."
WolfSinger barks, "okay.... so where did you get her anyway?"
Kainudy lets the fleshy contact paddles cradle her head. "Get her? Kraken assigned her to me. She followed me to Tharhome while I rode down in Copernicus' shuttle."
WolfSinger barks, "Kraken?"
Kainudy gets the shuttle into the air, and says, "Her mothership. Literally."
WolfSinger barks, "oh..... some people have all the luck. ::his tail wags happily:: When I talked to her she mentioned a Kraken, but I thought it was a planet."
On Nimby's Refuge Boros is down in the underground hangar doing more repairs on the damaged shuttles, finally almost done. Above, it's quiet, a few felitaurs have gone out to hunt for food, or for each other, whichever hunger is driving them at the moment. The large tower near the volcano at one end of the island is done, and the lush landscaping that will eventually cover it is growing in nicely.
Kainudy says, "You weren't far off in that guess, actually.."
WolfSinger chuckles. "well, if you ever wanna get rid of her, let me know..."
At the far end of the dirt landing field, just at the border of a small field, the air begins to ripple slightly, faint distortions filling an void space approximately 7' by 3'. The local fabric of reality rustles and draws aside, as the air shimmers faintly, Devereaux steps into view like a man appearing through a doorway. As he clears the Transit Gate, the air smoothes and the portal closes behind him. He folds his arms, and has a good long look around him.
In the orbital mining station, where the main gate controls are located, another portal event is recorded with little interest. Darn things pop up randomly all the time.
Small shards of wood, surprisingly, trickle out of a tree nearby Devereaux, alighting gently on his shoulders.
Kainudy takes it slow as she turns the shuttle out over the city. The camouflage can't react fast enough to fly particularly fast. "She's not really mine to give, WolfSinger."
Devereaux familiarizes himself with his first 'firsthand' view of the Refuge's layout. Idly brushing the splinters aside, he puts Bob on alert, primes his threat-warning Precognition, and sets out towards the tower purposefully.
Devereaux makes no attempts to skulk, since he sees his best chances in dealing openly and fairly with these people.
WolfSinger murrrrrs happily to himself, enjoying the ride.
The open doors to some underground installation can be seen in a hillside that borders the landing field, but the 15 story tower is the center of attention here. A pair of felitaurs can be seen landing on the roof from this distance.
Deep inside the shedding tree, a damp figure smiles softly and continues to carve slowly a piece of wood.
WolfSinger barks, "so, what were you thinking of naming her?"
Scattered along the way are some random stones, about the size of a large softball.
Kainudy watches the harbor slip away via the pilot interface. "I've never been very good with names. Kraken is the name of a mythical sea-dragon, so I think the shuttle should be named along the same theme."
WolfSinger barks, "hmmmmmm.... there was a star constellation on my home planet named Draco..."
Devereaux strides on, having no need to scan actively on what is to be the most overt of contacts. he trusts his tried-and-true Danger Sense along with Bob to warn him of threats to his person, as he draws closer to the tower, and looks for signs of the main entry way.
Off to one side, with some freshly planted vines framing it, is an entry way big enough for 3 taurs across to go in and out. It's open.
Kainudy suggests, "I think I'll call her Tethys, after the ocean nymph."
WolfSinger barks, "oooo.... that's a nice name."
Devereaux strolls towards the entrance, feeling more confident and at ease with each step. he begins whistling his perennial favorite song under his breath, an ancient but to him beloved tune titled 'Hammer To Fall'.
Michael watches quietly from the tree, letting his robes dry.
Some odd mrrowwls come from the roof far above, but the entrance room is empty. Floor is covered with a mattress like substance, and plants are everywhere, it's like a high tech arboretum. A few statues of the first mother and her various mates are put in small alcoves here and there. A central shaft is just ahead.
Still camouflaged, Tethys circles around the island once, then begins an approach to the tower.
Devereaux looks around the room as he steps inside... not bad at all. He's always had a fondness for arboretum and atriums, and is on quite a pleasant train of thought along those lines when his gaze sweeps over the statues...
While not necessarily a true religion, the "first mother", Chareka, is aptly named. She literally established the 50 clan lines during her life, and the statues represent her, and one of her 50 mates, in the act of establishing those lines.
The 'tree' peers up at the slightly shifty piece of sky as it comes closer.
Devereaux stops short, and his whistling falters. His eyebrows rise just so, and he can't help turning a slow circle to examine each and every statue. Bob ahems in his ear, "Down, boy."
Devereaux ahems faintly, nods once, and continues on through the room... but his chin is lifted, a spring is in his step, and his slightly-wider-than-normal eyes possess a faint gleam.
Kainudy turns off the camouflaging, and extends Tethys' bird-like landing legs towards the top of the tower. Seems a good enough landing spot..
WolfSinger barks, "as good a place as any...."
Kai's landing only barely startles the two Chirr'T'Thar on the roof, enjoying their work break, and each other.
Devereaux is in a much-improved mood, the Chirr'T'Thar having risen a notch or two in his personal appraisal.
Kainudy pops the canopy and pulls her head out of the pilot contacts. "Just wait. Copernicus will find some complaint about it." The dragon does grin when she says it though.
Devereaux reaches the central shaft, and looks in.
WolfSinger barks, "well, where are you supposed to keep her? in your room?"
It's a large, straight shaft, wide enough for a couple of taurs across. It opens all the way to the roof, and every 15 feet is an opening to one of the "floors" of the tower.
The figure in the tree, not expecting to be seen (especially with the ship there as cover), takes a short cut and leaps out of the tree onto the ground, instead of climbing down.
Kainudy climbs down from the shuttle, and says, "They haven't given me a room.."
WolfSinger barks, "where have you been staying, then?"
Michael examines the shuttle curiously, keeping an eye out for anyone who might be popping out of it.
Devereaux hmmms as he looks up the shaft, assesses the range to the rooftop, and opens a much brighter portal behind him. Turning, he steps into the Dimension Door, instantaneously stepping out of its twin, which has appeared on the roof by the lip of the shaft.
Kainudy says, "Out in the open mostly.. oh, hello there Michael!"
The two felitaurs, grooming each other now, totally ignore the gathered crowd on the roof.
Devereaux's portal vanishes behind him, leaving him standing near the center of the roof, looking at WolfSinger, the shuttle, and Kainudy, who is in turn apparently addressing Michael somewhere below.
Michael smiles and looks away from the bottom of the ship. "Hello, Kainudy-dragon."
WolfSinger blushes as he sees the 'taurs, and turns away. "sheesh... I need a date...."
Kainudy hops down to the floor and shouts down to Michael, "What brings you out here to the funny farm, Michael?"
Devereaux's face flushes slightly at the sight of the 'taurs, and the strong innuendo of what they must have been doing. Now THIS is a fascinating race. He turns back to Kainudy and steps forward. "Evening, Kainudy, seen Jenora lately?"
Michael blinks, "Funny farm?"
WolfSinger yips! "where did he come from?"
Michael curiously enough, doesn't seem phased at all by the 'taurs. Even more curious, he is carrying with him a small, plush Chirr'T'Thar.
Kainudy blinks and notices Devereaux, "Not recently, no.."
Michael steps up to the tower and begins to scale it.
Devereaux hmmms. "She was supposed to meet me here... hope she's all right." He steps up beside Kai's length. "So what brings you out to the refuge, with your..." He smiles with a hint of softness, "...shuttle?"
Copernicus, waking up after a good meal of...well, whatever that critter was, gets up and stretches luxuriously before taking to the air, and heading back towards Nimby.
Devereaux looks around the tower top, keeping an eye unobtrusively on the 'taurs, and waits for Kainudy and company to finish their chat.
WolfSinger watches Dev closely.
Kainudy asks the human, "What did you need to see Jenora about?"
Devereaux says, "She was going to show me around the Refuge."
Devereaux says, "I hear they've got holovid here..."
Devereaux sounds a touch wistful.
Michael nimbly moves up the tower, quickly finding and using the most sturdy holds.
Kainudy blinks, "Holovid? I didn't think the Chirr'T'Thar engaged in non-interactive forms of entertainment."
Devereaux tilts his head slightly, and closes his eyes for a moment. "Interactive...? I can only imagine..."
Copernicus appears over the volcano's steam plume, and banks down towards the rooftop of the tower. Noting Kai, WolfSinger, Michael and a human?
Kainudy says, "Well.. I don't know that there's much to see on the island, unless you like buildings and machines."
Michael ascends the last of the 70 meters to the top of the tower, scrambling over the lip, a bit out of breath.
Kainudy blinks, "It's usually easier to come up along the inside of a building, Michael."
Devereaux says, "Jenora was watching SOMETHING, Michael's EMP disrupted the reception. Perhaps she was watching the Chirr'T'Tharr..."
Devereaux eyes nestled pair of 'taurs.
Kainudy says, "Ah, another reason not to trust electronics."
The two taurs have curled their wings around each other, and are sound asleep. Typical felines.
Devereaux shrugs noncommittally.
Michael smiles, looking around and nodding hello. "Easier, perhaps, but not as much fun."
A stiff gust of wind, and with a flutter of large wings, Copernicus lands next to the shuttle and chuckles, "Kai, we've survived in spite of technology for half a million years, be nice. And yes, Ceres was upset, someone killed her favorite hysterical fiction program. One of those sappy romance shows."
Tethys steps over the dozing 'taurs so she can extend her tentacles into the pond.
Copernicus blinks as the shuttle hops around to get a drink, "Weird. At least we don't' have to burp our shuttles."
WolfSinger barks, "oh... hello, Coper..."
Devereaux smirks faintly at the technology comments. "Romance, hmmm? Chirr'T'Thar romance?"
Kainudy says, "I think they'd qualify as war movies for you, Devereaux. Lots of explosions."
Michael leans against the parapet, regaining his breath, nodding hello as Copernicus lands.
Copernicus flicks his ears in greeting to the crowd, then turns to face Devereaux, eyeing the human with some suspicion, "No, it's some odd show, "32 Lives to Live" or something. I don't believe we've met. I'm Copernicus Skygazer Talorn of the Chirr'T'Thar. "
Devereaux raises an eyebrow slightly. "War movies? I'll have to take a look." He turns to Copernicus and smiles disarmingly, extending a hand. "Captain Nathaniel Baldwin Devereaux of the United Systems of America. Call me Devereaux."
Kainudy adds, "He's an interstellar spy, Copernicus. You could use him. He's acceptably paranoid."
Copernicus ponders the out raised hand for a moment, then remembers, and encloses the hand in his rather large paws and gives it a gentle shake, "Oh, the one my litter mates told me about? We really aren't very good at subtle information gathering."
Devereaux chuckles and shrugs slightly. "Actually, I'm a national Security Agency operative. A spy, yes, but focused on how it applies to my nation's defense."
Michael puts down the plush 'taur he was carrying and removes his robes, shaking the salt-induced stiffness out of them.
Michael angles himself politely so as not to blind anyone.
Devereaux says, "Nice armor, Michael."
Kainudy eyes the little toy felitaur.
Devereaux nods to Michael.
Copernicus hrrms and nods, "Well, I'm sure we can find something for you to do? United Systems of Ahmerika? I take it you're not from around here?"
Michael nods to Devereaux, "Thank you."
WolfSinger eyes the plushie himself. "ooo... can I have one?"
Devereaux says, "Well, Copernicus, if your people need a source to assess threats to your security, I believe I can help."
Michael puts his robes back on, and smiles to the wolf, "No sorry. I've only got one."
Copernicus shrugs, "We'll have to talk later. There are a lot of things going on in this system, and as we do have our gate and a large mining operation here, it's kind of important to know what's going on, shame you don't have fur though, humans kind of stick out in Haven. Oh? What is that Michael?"
Devereaux shakes his head. "No, I'm not. I'm here as the result of one of those funny Cosmic Coincidences. You know, vicious aliens capture spy, spy sabotages captors ship, ship drags spy into a sibling universe and explodes, spy is stranded on alien world."
Devereaux says, "Well, I'm rather proud to be human, but if having fur would help me blend in, it can be arranged."
Kainudy says, "Cousin universe, actually. I'm pretty sure."
Copernicus sighs, "Well, this seems to be happening an awful lot, and it's not our gates fault. Nexus legends speak of such things, and it seems they've started back up."
Devereaux ponders, and nods. "Could be. I do want to sit down and discuss it sometime soon, Kainudy."
WolfSinger barks, "hmmmm? Nexus legends?"
Devereaux nods. "Got yourself a nice little inter dimensional focal point, don't you? I hear your race ended up here by similar circumstances."
Kainudy watches Copernicus for a few moments, then decides he's not going to try and blame her for the rash of gate incidents.
Michael steps closer to Copernicus, "I had heard you had children, and they are near one winter old."
Copernicus purrs, "A thousand years or so ago, the colonies that are now Haven and Turning Point were part of a high tech space race, that utilized some of the random portals. Not sure what happened a thousand years ago, but they stopped, and the colonists were cut off.""
Devereaux nods in perfect understanding. "I know how that is. I've pulled ops on a handful of forgotten colonies."
Copernicus hrrms at Devereaux, "Well, in a minute I'll find you a room, and I can explain, sort of, how our solar system got misplaced by being squeezed through this pouch." as he pats the leather pouch by side. He nods to Michael, "Yes, they are about a year old."
Devereaux's gaze locks onto the pouch, and he stares at it appraisingly. "Can't wait to hear." He looks at the sleeping taur couple, "Or to discuss some of your, ah... cultural conventions."
Copernicus presses a stud on his arm band, and in moments Boros, the grumpy pre teen felitaur, is there. "Boros, find Devereaux here a room. I'll be talking with you soon."
Devereaux grins faintly with that last.
Michael extends the stuffed animal towards Copernicus. It looks to be made of some soft, tough woven material, in a colorful patchwork material... Proportioned a little humorously, its eyes are, oddly, very realistic.
Michael says, "Consider this a gift for them. I will turn it on later, if you like."
Boros hmmfs, "Sure, we've got plenty of rooms. Follow me." and he hops into the gravity tube towards a lower floor.
Copernicus takes the felitaur plushie and looks at it, "Very pretty. I hope it's pretty durable too. ;) What do you mean, turn it on?"
Devereaux nods to Copernicus. "I look forward to it." He nods to Kainudy in a gentlemanly manner, "Evening, my lady. Good night, Michael." He nods to the as yet unnamed WolfSinger, and turns to the shaft. "This a gravchute, I take it?"
Michael says, "There's a bob in it...I think it should work."
Devereaux s eyebrow arches again at the durable comment, but he declines comment.
Copernicus nods absently to Devereaux, "Yep."
Michael turns to Devereaux and nods goodbye.
WolfSinger wufs goodnight to Devereaux.
Devereaux nods, and steps into the shaft with practiced ease, vanishing from sight.
Copernicus blinks, "A bob in it?"
Michael says, "Yesyes...Kind of like Devereaux's bracelet. It talks and such."
Kainudy says, "A talking doll?"
Copernicus hrrms, "Well, assuming they don't destroy it, they should have a field day with it."
Michael smiles, "Oh, no, acapath wool is very strong."
Kainudy settles down in a sunny patch. "So is it okay to leave the shuttle up here, Coper?"
Copernicus nods, "Good. We've had to seam-weld all the access panels in their nursery to keep them from taking things apart. Er, no Kai, so long as your shuttle behaves. It makes a mess, you have to clean it up. ;)"
Copernicus purrs, "Say, WolfSinger, you said you were a shuttle pilot? I assume a non living shuttle?"
Copernicus is still examining the plushie, intrigued. He chuckles and figures the cubs will love it.
Michael turns the doll over and around, "The go-box should last a long time, I think. I can fix it, if it stops."
WolfSinger nods, "but Kai's shuttle did let me fly her...."
Michael stretches.
Copernicus hrrms and nods, "Well, Zilvar will eventually be giving you a shuttle, but as you'll be working with him, and so will we, I was thinking of having Ceres check you out on one of our shuttles."
The shuttle in question walks over to the other side of the roof now, and gives WolfSinger a 'slurp' with a wet tentacle in passing.
Michael says, "When would you like me to turn it on?"
Copernicus turns back to Michael, "Well, thank you very much Michael, I'm not sure what this "bob" is, but I know they'll like it."
In the typical fashion of a curious feline, Copernicus nods to Michael.
WolfSinger's tail wags excitedly. "oooo.... neat... Where's Zilvar been, any? I've been waiting for him to get back to me."
Copernicus purrs, "He's busy organizing things up at the base. Trying to deal with a couple hundred felitaurs for one. ;)"
WolfSinger acks! as the shuttle licks him. he gives her a SSSLLLUUURRRPP!! right back. :>
Michael takes the doll gingerly from Copernicus and puts it on the ground.
Michael sits down beside it and places his hands on either side of its head, barely touching it.
Copernicus watches, his curiosity piqued.
Michael's palms begin to glow yellow, illuminating the plushy fabric of the 'taur, as he begins to move his hands over it in confusing, but meaningful patterns.
Michael pulls his hands away and raises to his knees, looking down at the stuffed toy.
The stuffed 'taur blinks its eyes and looks around.
Copernicus's ears go back, "A robot?"
Kainudy blinks back at the doll.
Michael smiles and sits back. The plush doll smiles and tries to pounce him with a little 'peep!'. "Roobat? What is a roobat?"
Copernicus ers, "A mechanical device that can move around, do it's own work and stuff."
WolfSinger's tail swishes happily.
Michael scritches the stuffed 'taur, which purrs happily. "I guess so. Do your children like roobats?"
Michael smiles wistfully, "I know mine would have."
Michael stands and the toy tumbles off his legs onto the ground, clumsily trying to regain its footing.
Copernicus nods, "They'll love it, hopefully not to pieces. Your children Michael?"
Michael smiles and watches it finally find itself, to romp over and wrap its stuffed little arms around Coper's foreleg. "Aye."
Copernicus chuckles as he tries to pick the doll up, "As if two real cubs weren't enough. I hope to meet your children some day Michael."
Michael smiles wryly, "You already have."
The toy snuggles into Coper's arms, leaning up to beep him on the nose.
Copernicus flicks his whiskers, "Oh? I guess I wasn't paying attention in your village, who were they.." and blinks at the toy?
Michael giggles softly. "Most of them, actually."
Kainudy hmms? "You fathered an entire village, Michael?"
Copernicus's whiskers twitch as he ponders that a lot of them appeared older than Michael, and remembers the odd problem with the sensor readings of Michael. A subspecies of some type maybe? One that is short lived, another long lived? Who knows. He just nods, "You obviously get around. :) Well, thank you for the gift Michael. I know the cubs will love it."
Michael smiles toothily, "In a manner of speaking, much more."
Michael nods to Coper, "If the go-box runs out, let me know. Say 'Aka', and it will stop, 'Ka'aka', and it will start again." The toy freezes and resumes action as he instructs Copernicus.
WolfSinger barks, "I must be the only one here without kids, then...."
Copernicus smiles at WolfSinger, "Well, if you'd like some practice, we always need babysitters." with a predatory smile on his muzzle. ;)
Kainudy chuckles..
WolfSinger yips! "hey... I'd like some of my own some day..." =>
Michael smirks. "A lot of trouble they are...But as much fun finding as raising."
Copernicus nods and purrs, "Well, let me take it down and show them, I know they'll love it. Follow along Kai, we can get you and WolfSinger a room I think."
Michael waves and heads towards the parapet.
Copernicus purrs, "Take care Michael. Have a nice swim. Thanks for the gift." as he disappears down the gravity tube."
Michael smiles and bows, hopping over the edge of the platform and scrabbling down the side of the building.