Chapter Two: A Whole Old World

[Akirapryde]

Alice listened to Suki’s story carefully. Unlike the others, Alice listened with the ears of a scientist. Carefully dissecting each detail of Suki’s story and applying every detail to the scientific process. Gone was the details about the beauty, instead Alice listened to the details about the nebula. Her mind went over every detail carefully as Alice started to draw her own conclusions. It was clear that Alice was thinking hard about the details.

Once Suki’s story was completed, Alice guided Suki to a standing position. She gave Eric a nod and started to lead Suki out of the medical bay. As she passed Eric, Alice leaned closer to him and whispered low enough that only Eric could hear. “Eric” she whispered getting his attention. “Remember what I said back on the Kellington about that missing Comstar Explorer Corps ships. It happened about thirty years ago.” On that note, Alice led Suki from the medical bay.

When Adrian started to stir, the doctor turned his head towards Adrian. He rose from his desk while picking up his medical tools. The Japanese Doctor walked over to the side of Adrian’s bed. “Take your time” the Doctor said with a thick Japanese accent. “The confusion you are experiencing right now will pass quickly” he said taking Adrian’s arm carefully. “Your ship was involved in an accident. Many of your shipmates didn’t make it, but some of them survived” he explained. “Allow me to take some checks with you” the doctor said as he started to take Adrian’s blood pressure. “Tell me, how are you feeling” the doctor asked as he took Adrien’s vitals

As Eric walked over to the glass cabinet, the nurse got up from her desk. She walked up behind Eric with a smile. “Allow me to help you, Sir” she said with a smile and unlocked the cabinet. The glass door swung open with ease. Within the cabinet were the non-weapon belongings of the party. Eric found each party member’s clothing and belongings neatly cared for and folded. He could easily tell Suki’s pile by her white Comstar outfit. He could easily identify his own belongings as well as Alice’s Noteputer. Once the cabinet was opened, the nurse returned to her desk and continued to take her notes as the Doctor called out Adrian’s vitals.

[Ice Hellion]

Adrian gets back to his bed while trying to make the Doctor go away.

Don't touch me. I don't know you. I don't need you.

[CarcerKango]

Jake reentered the room just then, spotting Alice leaving, and he turns to follow her and Suki, feeling bad for inadvertantly brushing the latter off earlier when she needed help and comfort. A slight frown spread across his face as he took in the strangeness of the party's general circumstances again. Something wasn't right here, and he would be sure to figure it out.

[Akirapryde]

The doctor backed up a bit, “please remain calm, my friend.” The doctor held up his hands in a nonthreatening manner. “Please understand that we have lost so many of your friends already. Ensuring that you are okay is our highest priority. I have to be able to check you out to make sure that you are okay. But most importantly” he said glancing over at the Captain’s bed, “you have to remain calm.”

He paused a moment, “please understand. You and your friends were involved in a misjump accident. Our ship picked up the EM signature of the misjump. We diverted from our course to rescue you and your shipmates. I am our ships’ doctor, Doctor Noburu Hamasaki. It has been my duty to help you and your shipmates. But for me to help you, you have to remain calm.”

Alice led Suki through the corridors towards the ship’s lounge. It didn’t take long till Alice, Suki and Jake heard music coming from a door. As the three approached the door, they found the ship’s lounge. Several members of the Kuritain dropship were scattered around the large spacious lounge. A quick count showed that there were ten crew members and four pilots in small groups within the lounge. On the far side of the lounge is a podium with a Karaoke machine. A small group of crew members were singing along to a song on the Karaoke.

Music and laughter filled the lounge. Between the main door and the Karaoke station on the far side of the lounge were a number of tables. On the left side of the lounge was the access in to the serving area and Kitchen that served the lounge. Aside from the two doorways leading to the serving area and kitchen, there were three other entrances in to the lounge. The main entrance, and two along the right side of the lounge.

[Ice Hellion]

I am calm. You should see me when I am not.

With a sad smile

I know I am fine but go ahead.

Looking into his eyes with a serious look

But don't try anything funny.

[CarcerKango]

Jake, as he took in the room, focussed on the karaoke music, trying to see if he recognized the song. If he did, it'd be one more piece of evidence he could use for his theory. He snorted, feeling like a cheap detective.

[aipsylon]

Eric took his clothes out inspecting them before putting them on piece by piece. He felt a familiar weight in his pocket and was a bit glad the captain had not been awake for that part of the discussion. Glancing to the crew member that just woke up. "Hey, settle down and let them take a look, it will be pretty quick and nearly painless, then you'll be able to grab a bite to eat. There was an accident and we ended up in some escape pods, the crew of this vessle were kind enough to take you in treat you, and let you stay here, just one rule so far...don't leave this deck. All-in-alll, I'd say that is downright accommodating." He headed out passed Adrian and the one treating him, before heading down toward the mess for the second time.

[Aria Blackthorn]

Suki smiled as she heard the music and looked around. Something was troubling her. It took a few moments of listening before she could put her finger on it. She leaned in towards Alice, “The dialect they are speaking, it sounds strange to me.” After a few minutes more of listening, “I can understand most of it. But there are words here and there that I can’t understand or don't make sense to me.” As Alice led her through the lounge, Suki turned to her guide with a smile as she asked, “So you are from the Inner Sphere? Where?”

[Akirapryde]

As Eric started to get the doctor continued his examination of Adrian. “No, nothing funny here” he said while listening to Adrian’s heartbeat. “Everything seems okay. But your friend is right, you may explore this level, but you can’t leave this deck. What I am told, is that once we arrive on New Earth, you and your friends will be released.” The Doctor turned and walked back towards his desk. “I would suggest that you join your friends” he said speaking at Adrian. “A trip to the lounge and some food might help you regain your strength.”

Over in the lounge, Alice found a large table in the center of the lounge. Jake seemed very interested in the music being sung at the Karaoke machine. To his surprise, the effort in pulling off this con was impressive. The music seemed fitting to the era that they were pretending to be part of. Even the naval uniforms seemed to fit the con.

As Jake was looking around, Alice listened to Suki’s question. “I was born on the Clan Jade Falcon world of Sudeten. However, conflict forced my parents to relocate to Tharkad when I was very young. I was raised on Tharkad.”

Alice turned and watched Jake as he looked around, “do you see something that bothers you?”

[CarcerKango]

Jake shook his head, whispering, "Tell ya later," quickly. Away from prying eyes and ears, he added silently. He figured it wouldn't be a good idea to expose the trick in front of everyone...and before he'd fully figured it out. After all, he thought, I might just end up looking like an ass that way.