Chapter Two: A Whole Old World

[Akirapryde]

In the Medical Bay, the doctor nodded his head, “yes you are free to move about. But because your recovery was so difficult, I would like to remain with you should something happen.” He got up and walked over to the cabinet where the party’s things were being kept. He pulled out a set of clothes that had been placed in a plastic bag with a name in Japanese one it. “I believe these are your” he turned and showed Thorchan the bag.

It didn’t matter for Thorchan, nothing in the bag seemed to be something that would or wouldn’t be his. The contents of the bag simply didn’t click with Thorchan. The doctor walked back to Thorchan’s bed, “here let me help you get dressed” the doctor said with sincerity. With some effort, the two were able to get Thorchan changed in to a set of street clothes. After a few minutes Thorchan was dressed in an outfit that seemed to fit fairly well. “I don’t know what is taking that nurse so long to return with your friends” the doctor said with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

He helped Thorchan up from the bed, “steady now” the doctor said holding Thorchan up. “This is her first trip in space and I think she is taken by one of the pilots” he added. “I will help you get to your friends and get some food” the doctor said while helping Thorchan towards the door.

[Akirapryde]

Over in the Lounge, Lieutenant Strainer continued to talk with Kimiko. A bit of blood flushed her cheeks as gave a bit of a bow as she spoke, "I am pleased to meet you, lieutenant Straier." There was a clear but of nervousness about her as her mind raced. It was almost as if she wasn’t used to speaking to guys in this nature.

Almost as if trying to force her nerves to calm, Kimiko laughed. It was one of those nervous laughs that came from being unsure of what to say or do. She built on the conversation as she spoke, "if they had their way," she joked as she motioned over her shoulder towards her bodyguards. "I wouldn't see the outside of my cabin till we landed. They are bit over protective."

She let out a deep sigh as she looked around. Her mind continued to race to what say. "Before you and your friends came aboard, I used to live down here. This is my favorite place on the whole ship." A smile grew across her face as everything around her seemed to melt away. It was if she was starting to loosen up. "The music and songs would fill the air as the crew would unwind." She drew in a deep breath as her nervousness threaten to take over again.

She looked at the karaoke machine with a playful grin on her face. "lieutenant Straier, do you sing?"

[CarcerKango]

"Straker, ma'am, Straker," Jake said clearly, pronouncing his name so she'd get it right. "And yes, a bit. Not much fit for the ears of such company." Jake scuffed the floor with one foot awkwardly. "But if you'd like me to, I can try."

[Akirapryde]

Kimiko blushed a bit as she spoke, “I am sorry Lieutenant Straker.” Her French accent was still think as ever but her apology was sincere. She motioned for him to follow her. “Such company?” she questioned with confusion in her voice. She brushed it off as walked up to the karaoke machine, “will go first, oui?”

She flipped through the songs till she found one of her liking. “my favorite” she said as she dialed up the song and picked up the mic. As the music started to play Kimiko started to sing. (OOC: Jake I need a Perception Check at Base, please)


(OOC: Here is the song that she is singing for your enjoyment)

As the words filled Jake’s ears, he knew in that moment who he was standing next to. Her words were the ones that filled his headset while he was fighting for life within that vortex. It was her voice that directed him on the path that saved him and his friends. He couldn’t explain it, but it was her voice without any question in his mind. Everything that he was hearing right in this moment was the very sounds and words that he heard within the vortex. It was this moment that he had heard. Even the clapping of the audience to the beat of the song. It was all here in his ears. He could close his eyes and allow her voice to fill his imagination. Her voice reached deep in to his memories and awoke flashes of that life and death struggle. He was sure of it; it was her voice!

While Kimiko and Jake were at the Karaoke machine, Eric and Adrian saw the leader of the bodyguards speaking in to his hand. It was clear to both men that he was in communication with someone. Most likely reporting the situation. At the end of this song, Thorchan and the Doctor walked in to the lounge on the opposite side of the party and the bodyguards. The doctor helped Thorchan walk over to the table where the party was located.

[aipsylon]

Erik Hoped that in executing whatever he was trying to do he had not aroused too much suspicion. At any rate soon enough he would be on his way to the medical bay, and he was confidant between him and the captain they could get the one left in it out of the room. "Alice, Suki, either of you sing?" He knew he could not match that kind of a voice. "I mean we have to put on a good show, and it sounds like we need at least someone respectable to give us a good show, unless. Alice, do you know if Jake can sing?" Erik waited patiently on the answer as he glanced over it once more taking in the current situation to make sure there was nothing he had overlooked.

[Ice Hellion]

Still facing the woman bodyguard

I understand if you can't give me your name. I am Adrian.
Thanks again for helping me out.

Turning back to the others at the table,

I don't get a word of what she just sung.
Do you?

Massaging his legs and saying loud enough to be heard by the bodyguards too.

I think I really need to get back to medical bay.

Getting up slowly and turning to the exit, he saw Torchman being helped by the doctor and just stopped.

[CarcerKango]

(OOC: Took Perception check, rolled an 8.)

Gazing at the girl as she sang, Jake's mind flashed back to the hellish struggle to survive the anomaly and steer the party to safety aboard his Mark VII shuttle. Lost in thought, he came back to reality in time to notice that Kim was singing the song perfectly, without so much as a peek at the screen. He wanted to interrupt, but decided to let her finish singing, thinking only: Thank you, Kimiko. We owe you our lives.

[Akirapryde]

Kimiko frowned at the statement, “they told you? You weren’t supposed to know.” She placed the microphone on the machine and turned away from him. There was anger on her face as she looked down. “I remember that day…..that day when we picked up your distress signal” she said in a soft voice that Jake could barely hear. She rose up her head and turned to face him once more, “they had decided that the risk” she said motioning with her two hands as if quoting the word. “was too great. That you might be an assassination team. This is still an active combat zone.”

She paused taking in a deep breath, “they decided to notify the nearest New Earth ship. But that ship was over ten hours away. I don’t know why I went to the bridge that morning. When I walked on to the bridge to hear them talking about your ship. I heard the order to move on. I told them that we couldn’t leave you out there. I argued and fought till my aunt gave in. But she said that once we started the rescue, I was told to remain in my cabin till they were able to transfer to another ship.”

She turned away once more, “I didn’t want you to know. Because I didn’t want you to know that you and your friends were almost left behind. I can’t imagine how that could make you feel.” She turned back to face Jake once more, “I am sorry for keeping this from you.”

[Aria Blackthorn]

Suki listened to the song. The voice was beautiful and the song seemed uplifting. She didn’t understand the words, but it was upbeat. She found herself tapped her foot to the beat. Then she heard Erik speaking about if she could sing. “I can’t sing.” Suki wasn't sure what Eric had in mind, but it seemed like he needed a diversion. "But if you need, I am sure we can try" she added. She reached over with her hand to felt Alice's hand on her arm. She wasn't sure what Alice would say, but she knew Alice would be willing to help also.

[Akirapryde]

Alice was enjoying the song, but wasn’t moved by it. She set there holding Suki’s arm hoping to reassure the blinded teenager. Then almost out of the blue, she heard Eric’s statement. She turned to face him, “For over four hundred years, the genes that I have been created with have been honed and perfected by the best of humanity. I have a degree in physics and mathematics. Have taught at one of the Inner Sphere’s most prestige universities. What makes you think I can sing?”

As Alice made her statement, she shifted her eyes back to the stage. She saw that something on the stage that forced her to pause. Jake appeared to be failing with his female friend and Alice knew that the party needed time. She turned back to Eric, “but Suki is right. We can try.”