Auxesia - Stories on the Eidolon Wraith

[A/)- The Inner Phalanx]

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Nightmares and Guests

Hunt awoke rather suddenly and looked around the second his eyes had shot open. Realizing where he was, he sighed and looked over at Raven, whom was sound asleep to his right. He gave a faint smile and sat up to stretch. Eventually, he crawled out of bed and tucked Raven back in. He walked to his wardrobe to prep some clothing for the day. Grabbing a small bundle, he headed into the bathroom to shower and shave. In the far room, Miranda had fallen asleep on Foulke, sleeping through the events of earlier. She suddenly stretches awake, eyes wide open, noticing Foulke was absent from the bed. She scratches her shuffled hair, and gets up, walking around and picking her various clothes up off the floor. She goes to the bathroom, gently smoothing down her hair and then getting dressed in the bathroom. She steps out of her room, walking down the hallway. She sent a neural net message, letting it stand. [Text-> O'Brien: "Where are you at? I woke up and noticed you had left"] Emerging from the bathroom after a short while, Hunt had dawned a suit and adjusted his coat. His hair still being ever so slightly damp, he approached the bed and sat down on the edge by his partner, and slowly began to rub her side as she rested. Elsewhere in the ship, Michael Glass sat in his quarters staring at the wall, with a less-than-pleased look on his face. His leg was propped up in a cast, and the chair he sat in was designed for medical patients. The bitter emotions of his physical condition swam through his mind, but he continued to drown them out with thoughts of his future projects.

As if reading her thoughts, Foulke punched an apology message into his PDA. [Text-> Jackson: "Sorry, Cathy. Nesrin was having a seizure and I had to go help. Gonna go see Glass now." ] He walked back to the med-bay, and took a seat outside of Glass's office. He removed his worn LSF helmet, then pulled out his datapad and tapped on the keys a message to Glass. [ Text-> Glass: "Hey Doc. If it's not too much trouble, when can we continue the session?"]

Sapphire moaned in her bed. Being completely still within their slumber, they began dreaming of the moment a superior mind node had shown them the interiors of a Nomad city. Her mind recreating the moment, floating weightlessly in the blue organic city. The dream was very vibrant and strong. Suddenly, she saw the glow of the giant reactor chamber that powered something terrible, before briefly being dragged to the city. Suddenly, billions of Nomads surround her, breaking the uniform nature of the ant colony. They point at her and fire their Torpedoes at the same time. She feels like she's burning alive in reality, suddenly shooting awake. She immediately gets out of bed, groaning and whimpering in pain, her heart rate increased. Their words would burn once more in her mind. She immediately sprinted towards the bridge. Hunt, seeing her run out, he stood and chased after her to the bridge, grabbing a robe from the closet.

In his study, Michael heard his communicator beep. He slowly turned his head to look at it. He reached over to type with one hand. [Text-> Foulke: "I was rendered immobile due to an incident involving a flight of stairs."] He typed, giving his leg an experimental twitch. Meanwhile, Miranda smiles, looking at her datapad and tapping back a response to Foulke. [ Text-> O'Brien: "OK, good luck, hope you enjoyed last night"]. She puts the datapad in her pocket, heading towards the canteen for something to wake her up. Foulke read the text from Glass and couldn't help but bang his head lightly on the metal wall behind him three times. He groaned in frustration, taking a deep breath and then reading the next text. He put the pad away and began walking towards the canteen, waving to the sleeping Tacitus and Nesrin. Meanwhile, Sapphire runs up to her master console, quickly checking the scanners, there being a brief distortion in the readings less than a minute ago. "Damn. " she silently mumbled. Hunt walked up to her, catching up on the bridge. "Hey." He said, and offered out the robe. She was stark naked on the command deck as the VIs hummed around her. She moves past him, looking out of the window. "What's wrong?" Hunt walked over and stood beside her, staring out as well. She turns around, pushing him towards her console, pointing at the radar, pointing out at the distorted information. An EM disturbance. "Didn't you hear it?" She questioned, blank-eyed. Sapphire ignored Hunt. She lets go of her hands, walking to the front of the bridge, staring out again, "They were here.” "Oh." Hunt turned and walked over to the front with her. He wrapped the robe over her shirtless torso, letting it rest on her shoulders. "I see. What's the plan, then?" "What do you mean, what's the plan?" Taking the night robe, she puts it on, wrapping it around herself, shivering. She could have raised the thermostat with the whisper of a thought. "Well, if they were here, what's the plan of action? Reaction? What's on your mind?" Hunt wrapped an arm around her waist. "I came here seconds too late. It's gone.” Raven rasped. "What if they come after me in Kusari?" Raven blurts out in a panic, a worn hand pressed against her abdomen. She suddenly slaps herself across the face harshly, "No. Shut up.” "You'll be safe there. That building is a fortress. Especially the top floor." Hunt steps behind her and hugs her. He begins to sway with her slightly, squeezing her forearms. Raven nodded. ”I know, I know. I'm just being illogical. " sighing calmly. He rests his hands on her abdomen and continues. "It'll be alright."She squints up her face, inhaling, hissing in pain, "Ow... I really hit my jaw hard on the way out. Ooof." Sapphire turns around and hugs Hunt tightly. "Sorry." Hunt kept her close. "It's okay. I can understand your concern." He returns the hug. Raven nodded. ”Sorry… For waking up like that, heh. Breakfast?" "Sure." He smiled. Raven laughed. She looked almost happy. ”Let's go then. " she locks her arm around his sides, leaning in to him slightly. Letting out a small yawn, "Woke up too quickly, heh." They proceed to walk out of the bridge.

As he is walking the highways, Foulke suddenly stops in his tracks, hearing a distinct ringing in his ears. “Frick, not again..," he exclaimed, running towards the bathroom. Miranda rounds the corner towards the canteen, stepping into the large room and walking up, getting her usual cup of black coffee, taking a whiff of the strong brew before heading to a table and sitting down, flicking through the news in between sips of coffee. Foulke cries through the bathroom. " I'm not there right, I'm not there..," he repeated to himself as he sat in a stall, sobbing slightly. The mental sounds of gunfire and explosions seemed to grow louder and louder, and he could almost hear the pleas of his old friends crying out for help as they were blown away. He could not shake the feeling of anxiety and guilt that accompanied his episodes. "I just have to ride it out..." Miranda sits in the canteen, flicking through the news on her datapad, after finishing her coffee, she gets up, throwing the cup down. She looks at the dog tags hanging from her neck peculiarly... she felt off inside. Foulke. Foulke got up from the stall and turned on the sink. He splashed water in his face, hoping it would help him. His right hand grabbed on to the metal basin and bent the material. He did not know his own strength yet. Venus walked into the canteen, wearing black daily clothes, a simple shirt with fatigues. She looked around the place and got herself some coffee before finding herself an empty table. Miranda shakes her head, thinking she just has some morning pain or soreness, still clutching the dog-tags, she walks back to where she left her datapad on a table, picking it up and giving it an empty look. Foulke rushed out of the bathroom, a bit more calm than before. He paced around in the hallway for a bit, steadying his breathing, the panic attack in its final throws. "It's okay... Just like the techniques back in the training regimen."

Venus looked at the woman with her dog tags for moment, before focusing on her own coffee and appearing to be scrolling through some information on her PDA. Miranda grimaces, putting the feeling aside, but still needing to do something to get the creepy feeling off her mind. She begins quickly walking towards the exit, glancing over at the woman sitting drinking a cup of coffee. She shrugs in her head, still needing to introduce herself to all the... new faces of the Battlegroup for her. She puts a smile on, walking up near the woman sitting at the table. "Uh, hi, I believe we've not met yet" Foulke walks into the canteen, rushing past people and moving immediately to stand in line. Fidgeting, he tapped his foot repeatedly as he stood there, opening and closing his eyes abruptly at irregular intervals. Raven peered at Hunt. ”Do you want to get a cooked breakfast from the canteen?" she asks him, as they slowly loiter down the corridor. He shrugged. "Might as well." Raven smiled. "Oh good. I'm too tired to cook anyway. " she chuckled. She had a beautiful laugh. "Sorry, was occupied." Venus replied, standing up from her seat and holding out her hand just in time after closing her PDA, squinting up at Miranda. "Venus is the name." Miranda wipes the nervous smile off her face, relaxing a bit, shaking Venus's hand. ”A pleasure, I'm Miranda... lot of fresh faces around since I've come back”. Venus nodded "Hm... yes, I take it you are a regular then?" She asked in return after shaking the woman's hand. Miranda nods, taking a seat opposite Venus "Yes, I've been in the Battlegroup quite a well, just been on... medical leave the past several weeks. I've recently come back the last weeks... things seem to have just really built up in that time.” Venus smiled quietly. "I've been around for a while but worked behind the scenes. Zeta section with all its security clearances and so on but they eased up on it, so here I am." Miranda nods, fiddling with the tags around her neck "I've just been working convoys recently... just doing my job as a Templar back in the battlegroup.”

Raven rounded on Hunt as they walked towards the Canteen doors, "What are you going to get?" she looks towards Hunt briefly, as she reaches her hands out for the doors along with him, pushing it forwards. "Depends on what there is." He held the door open for her. "Eggs, maybe." She walked in, giggling, "Just eggs? Wow - you'd practically be committing genocide in front of me. " "Pffft." He chuckles. "What about you?" He walks in behind her. "What're you going to get?" They both step towards the queue, "Well. I could get a full Bretonian breakfast. Maybe.” Raven shrugs. "Might as well. I guess I'll join you for one." He wraps an arm around her waist and stands with her. Venus nodded at Miranda. ”I see, I'm a pilot for one of our fast response teams." Venus replied while observing how the woman fiddled with the tags. "Not everyone wears those, although there was someone else earlier who had similar ones." Raven looked around the canteen, seeing the various types of people around, "Wow, there's quite a few people here. " she muttered. Scanning to see if she recognizes anyone, she looks around the room, patiently waiting in queue. Venus looked up for a moment as the Keeper and Hunt entered the canteen as well, she gave the two a simple nod before looking at Miranda again. Raven responds with a wave. Miranda stops fiddling with the dog tags, looking at Venus surprised "Oh... sorry, I shouldn't be fiddling with them anyways. The one you probably saw with the other set was Guardian Foulke.”

Venus smiled into her coffee. "Correct, he called in an emergency earlier today." she noted. Miranda tilts her head. "An emergency call? I didnt he- er, I didn't see anything, I was probably asleep. What happened?" "Nesrin, the tall woman, she had some sort of seizure. He was the first one to respond to her aid. Although he appeared to be so fast that he forgot to get dressed." she chuckled. Miranda turns slightly red, looking down again with a guilty half-smile on her face "Jeez, I hope shes uh, alright…” "She's being looked after in the medical bay. She should be okay, probably a nightmare or maybe a glitch in her soft or hardware." Venus replied with a rather casual smile before sipping her coffee. Miranda nods, her face still red but calming down "Yeah, Good to hear, I'm sure she'll be fine, glad Foulke got to her in time before something worse happened.” Venus emptied her cup of coffee and nodded. "You mentioned a medical leave, everything back in order now again with yourself?" Miranda sighed. "Yes, some mental problems, everything is all in order now, no need to worry.” "Very well. Good to have you back at least even when I don't actually know you. I am confident you're capable." she replied a little formal in her voice but a kind smile still followed. She smiles, chuckling lightly to herself "Thank you Venus, good to know this Battlegroup is just as caring as when I had to leave.”

Hunt rubbed Raven's hip briefly. "Would it bug you if I got a few people together for a party for you, before you go?" He said quietly. She looks towards Hunt, "Can be a hang out than a party, eh. That almost sounds like you're happy to get rid of me, heheh. " they move toward to the serving area, she looks towards one of the servers. "Keeper. " they nod. "Good day. " she clears the throat. "A Bretonian breakfast please. No mushroom, no black pudding. " "Coming up. " She awaits with the tray on the side-counter, looking towards Hunt with a smile. "It's nice to see all these faces who are so committed." Venus agreed. "Most are new for me as well, at least most of the regulars are new for me as I rarely come out here." She eventually got up from her seat. Thanking Miranda for the conversation even when it was brief, it had field nice and natural to her as she wasn't exactly used to being public herself. She excused herself as she had other duties to look after in the Zeta section of the vessel and after a brief handshake she left the canteen. After ordering their meals and taking their trays, Hunt and Raven found a seat in the canteen and began to enjoy their food. Briefly looking down at her datapad, Raven places it back in her pocket, eating her food happily. "Oooohhhh this is soo good. " At the serving desk, Foulke grabbed a small coffee from the counter, moving to sit down alone at another table nearby to Raven and Hunt. He didn't know if his presence would cause more trouble in his current state, so he attempted to distract himself with his datapad.

Hunt was enjoying his food. He looked over at Raven. "So, how do you plan to announce it?" "Huh? Announce wha?" she wolves down on her food. "Your departure?" He lowered his voice slightly. "You're going on maternity leave." "Ohhh. " - she bites into a tomato. Hunt smiled at her enjoyment and continued to eat his meal. William couldn't help but move himself a little closer to the conversation, sliding himself in the seat. He tried to appear nonchalant, and even though it would be considered rude, the conversations of others would at least help keep him distracted. Raven looks up at Hunt again, "I don't know. Do we tell others?" Hunt prompted her. "I mean, it's kind of a big deal that you're going somewhere. Maybe personal reasons? Nothing specific." Raven inclined her head. "But I'll be gone for a year, and well - it can't be kept a secret?" she scoops some beans up with her fork. Hunt opened his palms. ”In the end, it's up to you what to announce. I suppose in this case you're right. I think they'll notice once you return that you have an infant." He takes a bite of his food. "So how do you want to proceed?" "I don't know. " she impales the sausage, biting it. "I guess we be honest?" Foulke's eyes snapped open a bit at the conversation, especially at the mention of infant. He couldn't help but look at the two for a moment, but then turned away rapidly. Raven briefly goes quieter, "Well... announce that it's a maternity leave?" Hunt nods. "Mhm. Will it be you or I who announces it?" Raven looked at him. "It'd be a bit wrong if you said it.” "Fair point." He acquiesced. "How far into detail do you plan to go?" He asked. Raven tucked into her food. "I can just say I'm going on maternity leave temporarily. Nothing more? That you'll be in charge, but ultimately, I plan to return.” "Right." "Just simple things. " - she chops up some of the bacon. "That'll do, then." Hunt takes a bite of his bacon slice. Noah Xonnel had already gotten back from his previous excursion out into space. Relaxing on his bed instead of meditating as usual, he looked at the ceiling, thinking about what happened this day. Foulke leaned a little bit more, this time teetering a little precariously. He placed his coffee cup on the ground in the event of needing a cover for looking so stupid, leaning like that.

Raven shrugged. ”I’m just a little afraid, I guess. But hopefully the converter chip will workout. " Hunt rubbed her shoulder. "Well, I'll be flying with you to drop off the relay so we can at least keep in touch. And I'll be coming out to visit as often as possible. I'll definitely be there for when he's born." Raven nodded. "I'm still slightly confused on a few aspects. I'll be on the planet when it happens right?" She asked. "Well, Glass suggested returning to the Wraith when its nearly time. We can relocate it to Honshu for that brief period, so he can help out." ”How do we know when it's time? I read it briefly, as it were twins, something about hormones and it being more likely to be early." She said, feeling the life inside her. "Contractions will start. We need to start monitoring for signs when it's within that 'early' period of time, to be safe." He continued. ”Worst case, we can invest in some equipment for a private medical room in the tower, and have Michael go there." Raven squinted at him, squeezing his fingers. "How long are the signs though? The distance of the Wraith from the Independent Worlds is - eh - far from Honshu.” Hunt bit into his sausage. “Well, when is the early timezone? When it's more likely, I mean." "I don't know. I can't predict the future. " she eats some of the egg. Hunt nodded. "I guess we'll go with the medical room idea, then." Raven looked at him. ”I don't mean to offend, but we don't have to rely on Glass. He's already managing medical as it is, we can always ask some of the other staff to be present. " Hunt shrugged. ”We can. I'm merely going off of his suggestions." Hunt took another bite of his food, then took a brief look around the room. He noticed Foulke and his weird posture. "Uh. You okay, Foulke?"

Foulke reached down to pick up his coffee, smiling at the pair. "Hey guys. Just picking up my coffee. Was lucky it landed upright." Hunt blinked at Foulke. "Ah. Right." He didn’t look any more convinced than the Keeper did. "I didn't hear the noise?" She quizzed. "Me neither." Hunt paused. Foulke struggled to blag his way out "You guys seemed really deep in conversation or something I wouldn't be surprised. Was kinda quiet, since the top didn't come off," he said, point to the paper cup. "I don't even lose focus on my surroundings." Raven dissented. Foulke, robbed of a verbal protest, chose a physical one. He raised an eyebrow at the line, shrugged and went back to sipping his coffee. "Right..." Hunt looked back over at Raven. "Any plans for today?" Hunt finished up his food and wiped his mouth with a napkin, picking up his tray and standing. He walked over to the disposal chute and dumped the unnecessary garbage off. He carried the tray to the sink and left it. Hunt turned and walked back to the table, sitting down again. She continued to eat, "Well." - only reaching half way. "Well?" "Let me finish. " she continues to eat. Foulke looks down at his datapad, looking to text Raven, but realizes he doesn't have her contact info. “Frick, it'd be really awkward if I asked now after that leanfest," he mumbled to himself. Raven picks up the last piece of the sausage, eating it, "awright. " - as she munches on it. "I'll take care of your tray." Hunt responds. "Oh. Uh. Thanks. " "So. Plans for today?" He asked. "Well. I have a private meeting in about twenty, I gotta fly over, so. " She stands up. "Alright. Keep me updated if need be. I'll be around." Hunt stands and steps around the table. He gives her a brief hug and kiss. "Take care." "Yeah-" she embraces it, returning the kiss, "I'll be fine. Don't burn the place down. " She walks out in a haste, knowing they're late already.

"Crap, I really need that info," Foulke said under his breath. He walked around, looking for someone who could help him. Hunt left the canteen and headed for the quarters, where he would put on his armor and assume the identity of the Curator. After pulling up his hood, he left and begun pacing the corridors, monitoring the neural net on his HUD. Rounding the corner, he spotted Foulke looking around, appearing a little clueless. Hunt stepped over and spoke through his modulator. "Guardian Foulke." Slightly startled by the sudden appearance of the armored figure, Foulke turned around and gave a light salute. "Curator. Just wondering how to get the Keeper's text address." Said Foulke. "For what purpose?" Hunt shifted his arms about under his robe. "Just want to talk with her, y'know? We were good friends before, it'd be nice to continue that," he said, trying to shoot his cup into the trash can ten feet away from him. He failed. Hunt watched the cup miss the bin. He turned his gaze back to Foulke. "Very well. One moment." He brought up his wrist-mounted console and typed away. [TEXT>Foulke: CONTACT RECEIVED.] Foulke nodded in appreciation, looking at his datapad. He quickly paced over to the trash bin, grabbed the cup, tried to throw it in from much closer, and still failed. He sighed sadly, before picking up the cup and placing down gently inside. He wished there was a basketball court on the ship. "Thanks. I appreciate it." The Curator nodded silently and continued his rounds through the corridors. Foulke waited for the Curator to disappear, before pulling out his datapad, typing out a message to Raven. [TEXT->Raven: "Tell me if and when we can meet. Have some stuff to talk about."] He put away the pad, leaving for an observation deck where he would stare out into space, waiting for a response. He didn’t have to wait long for Raven’s response. [TEXT>Foulke: " Sure. I'll meet up after I'm done with my meeting. "]

Hunt left the bridge not long after and hurried through the halls to the mooring bridge, awaiting Raven's arrival. Attending to himself as usual, Foulke polished the retractable blade that came out of his arm. As he worked on it, a multitude of possible modifications entered his mind. Ranged weaponry, non-lethal and lethal options, non-combat attachments... The possibilities were endless. His leg would be more useful if he had lost the left one as well. But that thought was a chilling one to ponder. "Hope she comes back soon. Sucks having to wait.". Loitering near the mooring bridge of the Wraith, Raven waits on the Barrier gate end for Tantalus. Hunt was waiting on the opposite end in his armor, stood in the center of the walk-way. The gray hull of an alien looking Nephthys heavy fighter guides in near the mooring bridge of the Wraith, its pilot looking around at the interior of the wraith from within. Everything looks relaxed from within, security clearances are checked up. The doors open up for the entrance, inviting him in. Noticeably, it was another chamber within, the second set of doors were open too. Almost like a blast door. Raven waited by the entrance, leaning against the wall, silently muttering, "D-dear... lord... " - she grasps her chest. Foulke stepped out of his room, freshly cleaned and dressed in his off-duty sleepwear. Seeing the hallways deserted as usual, he went over to the nearest rec room, crashing a couch and looking up at the ceiling. There was nothing much to do tonight. Tantalus steps towards Raven, dressed in casual clothing despite flying all day across the Sirius sector. He gives a quick smile at Raven, before rapidly fading. "Theres got to be someone you go to when you feel like this right?" He asked. "Y-y-yeaah. T-.. " grasping it harder, "Gettin'.. tight.. Cur - ... " She snaps her fingers, shaking, breathing painfully, but it gradually slows and quietens down. "ERI, s-show him to g-... " - suddenly collapsing, finding difficulty to breathe. A pair of android units walk along together, one of them rushes over, picking up Raven - carrying her off to the medbay in a hurry, the other one, dressed in a robe, approaches Tantalus. :: <Robotic sigh> Sorry about that. I can show you the way to your rooms. We were informed of an arriving guest. I assume you're them? <More excitedly> Who are you? We rarely get guests :: Seeing the drone carry off Raven, Hunt followed it to the med-bay, speeding up to a full sprint.

Tantalus raises an eye, beginning to speak up but sighing hopelessly while Raven is carted away. He moves his attention to the Android "It's, fine... I am the guest as well. One of Ravens old friends, on assignment and I asked her for a place to stay whilst I'm here" :: Ah. I see. :: The humanoid shaped robot lends out a hand, offering a shake. :: I'm Venator Ipaxator. :: Tantalus extends his hand out as well, firmly shaking the hand of the Android "Tantalus, a pleasure to meet you. Do you think perhaps you can show me to my room? As well as the ships amenities." Arriving at the medical bay, Hunt pointed to the nearest bed. "There." He said to the drone. He hurried around the room, collecting various instruments, containers and an IV rack. He returned to the bed and set them up. Foulke sat up from his lazy position and elected to watch people pass by in the hallways outside. He put on his trusty earbuds and set his datapad to play one of his favorite albums. It was all about the simple pleasures in life, really.

Meanwhile, the other droid places Raven down on the bed, commanding the other medical drones. They briefly inspect her struggling to breathe. ":: Hm. Clot. ::" The other medical units coordinate, ":: Checking. Area appears swollen, clot traveled up - possibly towards heart. Applying solution. ::" - They go to inject a blue fluid in to her vein. The android that brought her in backs off, " :: Apologies, Curator. :: "

Meanwhile, Ipaxator nods, " :: A pleasure to meet you too. And of course. This way. ::" they walk ahead down the corridors. After five minutes of walking, occasionally passing by people who were walking by, not really bothered by their presence, they finally reach a corridor. ":: Room A-10. ::" ":: It contains the basic - well - functions of a bedroom. Toilet, small kitchen area, and a living room - heat controls, neuralscreen and neuralnet connectivity - though do note external communications are currently disabled for keeping stealth. If you require to send out a message - ask the Keeper. Should you need assistance with something, simply go up to the console by the door to send out any internal queries. ::" The genderless entity turns to look at him, " :: Any queries? :: " Tantalus looks into the room, whistling to himself, turning back to the Android "I suppose just one thing, any recreation rooms on this ship?" Elsewhere, Hunt turned to the drone. "It's alright. Clear it, and prep some life-support with the obvious added safeguards, as well as get some anticoagulants ready if necessary. It'll help clear any remaining traces of a thrombus." ":: The real question is, if you have any clearance. ::" they note in a joking manner. There was an awkward silence. They come to a realization, ":: Oh. I lack the ability to wink- without my neural visor. Apologies. ::" ":: But yes - yes there are. ::" Tantalus chuckles awkwardly, briefly digging his datapad out to check the time "Well, take me to it I suppose, I've got time to kill before I like to sleep." Hunt paced around to the side of the bed to allow the drones to work, doing his best to stay out of their way and advise where possible.

":: Of course, I'll also direct you to the cantina and the lounge. ::" They take Tantalus a guided tour throughout the guest level, it seemed relatively simple in terms of direction. Though, it was notable the Cantina wasn't really busy at this hour, and the common lounge was moderately busy, a person would wave out and greet the two entering as they were around on a tour, finally coming to another room, which was more of a general bar area, it was kind of busy. People playing snooker, or enjoying a general chat, or enjoying another sort of game. They would direct him to the end of the corridor. ":: Well. That concludes the tour. Then again. ::" - they point up to the wall, signs being placed up. ":: If you get lost, heh. ":: ":: Oh right, the games room. I apologize, I forgot to show you. ::” Their communicator bleeps, ":: Hmm. It appears I'm required somewhere. I apologize again. ::"

Tantalus nods, looking around the room, kind of nervous in his blatant Order uniform. He looks at the Android "Thank you again, I can find my way back to my room" he waves the Android off looking around at the activity in the room ":: Of course. If you need help - don't be afraid to query. ::" Foulke cocked his head to look at the two arriving individuals, raising his eyebrows at the Order operative now manifested before him. He took off his earbuds and stretched his synthetic arm. "Well, that's not very common aboard this ship." Tantalus watches the Android leave before cocking his head towards the source of the sound, looking at the man sitting on the couch "Well, you can say this place is full of uncommon occurrences”.

Meanwhile, in the med-bay, the medical drones work around to deal with the issue, :: Blood levels stabilizing, heart rate returning to levels. Advising patient to stay admitted for minimum four hours for observation. :: Hunt nods. "Understood. Excellent work. I'll be remaining here for that duration." Back in the recreation room, Foulke scoffed, taking in the man from head to toe. "I have, well, several questions. The most pressing being: Who are you?" Tantalus sighs, putting a hand on his forehead briefly "Straight to introductions? Well, I'm Tantalus, agent of The Order”. A message is sent to Foulke's communicator, an automated announcement. It is a read only message; "We have a guest on the ship. Please treat them politely. Remember the code for guests. Don't be bitter, be better. Keep the environment happy and snappy. - Keeper Raven. " Foulke backtracked like a hunter in reverse. "I mean you just came in wearing an immaculate Order outfit and seem to be living with us for a while. You can understand the curiosity, man," he said, reaching for his communicator and stifling a laugh. "Didn't know she was sending out office posters..." Tacitus nods, reaching around the back of his neck to stretch "Of course, Don't expect me to stay longer than a week however. So maybe I ought to learn some names in that time, who may you be?" "William Foulke. Guardian, former Sentinel. I'll be reinstated some day, I guess. Just a little bit of mixups with the chain of command." he said. He waved to one of the couches in front of him, gesturing for Tantalus to sit. Tantalus nods acknowledging Foulke, taking his gesture and walking over to the couch, taking a seat and a deep breath "Hmm, after crossing the sector in a whole day, man this is relaxing." "You're telling me, guy. Usually we crash in the canteen because it's so close to the hangar, but couches are better, all the way," he said, slouching a bit in his seat. "So, why are you here, anyways? And if you say classified, give me one of the explanations where you tell me everything except what you're doing, so I at least have some context."

Hunt pulled over a stool to sit by Raven's bed, watching her through his helmet. Raven slowly opens her eyes, dumbly looking at Hunt, breathing tiredly with curiosity. She tries to raise herself. Hunt stood up slightly and helped her sit up. He supported her with his arm and gently grabbed her hand. The mask of his helmet folded open to reveal his face. Raven looks uncertain, looking at Hunt, "I...I feel so weak. D-damn... " She rubs Hunt’s hand weakly. "It's alright, dearest." Hunt stroked the top of her hand with his thumb. "You're safe. It was probably stress related, from all of your nightmares." He smiled at her. Raven looked down with a tint of sadness, "Or my pregnancy, or... the... same issue with mother." Hunt’s eyes followed hers. "That's why we have all of these measures in place to make sure you're okay." He looked back up at her. "You will be okay. Take some of the medical drones with you to Honshu, just to be safe, alright?" Raven, resuming strength to talk more, smiles. "Of course. " Silently cursing - getting up slowly, "I promised to meet Foulke. "

Elsewhere, Aria was walking through the halls in some casual clothes - a blue v-neck shirt, jeans and a jacket. Noticing the collection of people in the recreation room, she decided to investigate. Aria walked in and approached the two on the couches. "Uh. Hello." She said quietly. Tantalus looks at Foulke, briefly digging in his pocket "Assignment into Liberty, standard faire of some Liberty Navy personnel having no idea what to do. Reports say they're running around in the first stages of infection. Incubus is probably gonna fully envelop within a week and they'll run towards Rheinland or the 'Crons." Foulke saluted lightly at Aria with his right arm, before adjusting his tank top slightly and made room on the couch. "Yo, you're the one who kept me from doing that one thing last night," he piped up, smiling like an idiot. "Never caught your name." He turned back to Tantalus, shaking his head. "You kidding me? Another infectee in Liberty? They never stop coming, like, ever." Aria looked over at Foulke and nodded. "Yes. That was me." She walks over and sits on the couch, crossing her legs. "I'm Aria." She smiled lightly. "It's nice to meet you William. Who is this?" Aria turned to look at Tantalus, becoming uncomfortable at the sight of the Order uniform. Tantalus nods a hello toward the cyborg, looking back to Foulke "Well as long as liberty keeps being an idiot and thinking they're the Masters of fighting the K'hara, then they'll probably keep coming." Tantalus looks up from his grumble towards Aria, eyes widening at the greeting "Oh, name is Tantalus, I'm an old friend of Raven... she offered me a place here while I'm on assignment" "I see... It's nice to meet you, too." She shifted about in her seat slightly and gave a small smile. It was noted the young woman bared a remarkable resemblance to Raven. "Likewise." Tantalus cracks a smile at Aria and returns to his conversation with Foulke. Foulke stared at Tantalus for a second, forcing a smile at the comment regarding Liberty. 'I can't be an asshole. I've got orders. Don't. Fall for it,' he thought to himself. After a moment, he forgot the slight. He leaned in, and looked at Aria with a stone cold face, and then back at Tantalus. "Don't worry, Aria. He tries anything, I'll throw him out of the goddamn airlock myself," he stoically stated. He kept this look of seriousness for a moment before chuckling again and breaking into a smile. "Nah, I'm just messing with you." Aria smirked at the comment. "Funny. I think he'd have a hard time if he tried anything, though. I can kick pretty hard." She sat up, adopting a slightly confident posture. Tantalus chuckles, looking at Foulke and smiling nervously after the rather... tense moment. "Good to know I'm staying with very... capable people... regardless Foulke, it's my job. I do what I do to stop the K'Hara" Aria looked over to Tantalus. "We have to be capable. We can't afford not to be."

"I may not agree with the Order for personal reasons, but I can respect commitment to kicking alien bastards' asses like that," he added. Tantalus nods "The Order can say the same for Auxesia, although I'm not really like the rest of the fleet. I've been acquainted with Raven since her days in the Core. And I see this Battlegroup in a different light than some." Aria sighed. "If only your friends were as rational as you." "My only vendetta is against the demons and anyone who supports them, not the fellow man who they want to kill." Back in the med-bay, Hunt gently pressed Raven's shoulder. "They want you to stay for four hours. I can have him come visit you if you want." "Damn it." She picks up her datapad, texting Foulke. [TEXT>Foulke: "Uh. Slightly inconvenient heart-failure/something is stopping me from visiting you. But you can visit me in medical. I can't leave. "]

"Still, can't say you guys have always respected boundaries well, knowing your methods," Foulke said, checking his communicator. He tapped a few buttons to send a text, then put away the communicator. [ TEXT ->Raven: "It's all good. Currently hazing our Order guest." ] He snickered to himself. Raven drops her expression to a frown. [TEXT>Foulke: "Hey. Come on. He's not an /Order Guest/ - he's Tantalus. He's a person too. Don't identify people by their badges. "] Foulke pulled out the communicator again, this time keeping it out. [TEXT->Raven: "A person, you say? I've never heard of the concept before. Sounds ridiculous to think that could be a thing." ] Tantalus frowns slightly, fiddling a small cartridge between his fingers "Can't say we have, the Overwatch has done what they deemed necessary... that's how we've worked for 24 years, and that's why people think we're terrorists..."

[TEXT>Foulke: " ... " ]

[TEXT>Foulke: " Anyway. If you want to talk, I'm in medical for four hours minimum. " ]

Foulke took the message as an excuse. ”People don't like being lorded over by an entity that exists out in the edges of known space, waiting to strike out whomever they declare to be enemies of humanity. Without consulting or advising any of the proper authorities first. The idea of that secret police constantly assessing the population and playing the role of judge, jury, and executioner is what makes people nervous about you. Why they think you're terrorists. Because you guys do kind of take a dump over every legal institution," he explained, standing up and moving near the doorway, still checking his communicator. Tantalus shrugs, smirking calmly to himself "I won't deny your argument Mr. Foulke, but just remember how Sirius would be had the Order not been here 22 years ago, during the first Nomad War."

"[TEXT->Raven: "I'll be over now. Tantalus is getting pretty acclimated." ]

"He coming?" Hunt looked at Raven.

"Mhm. " she leaves the datapad to the side of the bed, being easily in view. She slides down in the bed slightly, pulling the covers up over her, keeping warm.

Hunt typed into his console and closed up his helmet, concealing his identity again.

"Well remember that Rheinland once tried to declare war on the entire Sector because of the Nomads, Liberty banned two future Lone Star Medal holders from her space, and fighter squadrons could destroy cruisers right inside Manhattan airspace. Things change, Tantalus," he concluded, moving into the hall way and waving goodbye. "I'm late for a very important date though, and although I'm enjoying our current conversation, I gotta jet. Hope you sleep well, Mr. T," he said, walking towards the medbay.

Aria waved farewell to Foulke as he left. "Well, uhm... Yeah."

Tantalus half smiles, watching Foulke leave, still fiddling with the small cartridge in his hand "Be seeing you Foulke." Tantalus watches him leave. Foulke arrived at the med-bay after a few minutes, still in his tank top and shorts. He knocks on the side of the door, slipping in. He tried to hide his concern with a smile, but the disguise was rather thin. "Sorry about the informal getup. I would have brought flowers, but we're kind of on a spaceship."

The Curator looked over as Foulke entered the room. He nodded silently. Raven looks around herself, noticing the IV rack and various equipment then returns their view towards Foulke, "Yeah, sorry, dying wasn't part of informal meetup plan either." She winks. Foulke steps in slowly, moving with far greater grace than before with his cybernetic components. He grabs a seat and sits down in front of Raven, glancing at the masked man for a brief moment. "Kinda wondering why he's here, though." "Are you implying I have no friends? Shame on you. " Raven shakes her head, "No, terrible humor aside, he was visiting me too." The Curator nods. "It's also my duty to ensure the Keeper's personal security." Raven rounds on Foulke. "Do you want to talk about something in private?" She asked. "This place is kind of a fortress, it's a little far-fetched to assume she needs he extra muscle.” Foulke squints at the Curator. “But if it's just a visit, I understand. What I want to talk about is... Well, it's kinda private, especially for you, so I'll leave it up to you," he says, scratching his ear. "I can leave if necessary." The Curator looked to Raven. "Well, you might as well, since it's a private matter." She said. "Very well. I'll be in the hall." Hunt stood and looked at them both. He gave a brief nod and left the room. He stood outside the medical bay and waited. Foulke watches him leave, before turning back to Raven for a moment and then getting up, beginning to pace around the room in his usual habit. "I've gotta ask one thing before I go on about the thing I was gonna say... Your name isn't really Sapphire Raven, right? I mean no offense, but it did always sound kinda ridiculous to me, and some people did say it even sounded a little... Racy," he said half-jokingly, attempting to calm his own nerves.

She blinks at him. "It is. And isn't. It's translated from Saffir Rabe. Although the family name is Raven. Same words, different language." She turns her head slightly, "I don't get what you mean by racy. " Foulke shrugged. "Well, just like... Never mind, not important. What I meant to ask was, ah..," he says, pacing around a bit. "I overheard you with Hunt a couple of times before, and um..." Raven blinks quickly, keeping neutral. "Let me tell you a secret. " she indicates him to come closer with her hand. Foulke leaned in. "About a child, going to Honshu, and before in the training room, a name.." he stammered out a bit, before getting closer to Raven and sitting back in the chair. She leans forward in response. "I saw you spying on us. Naughty. " she grins. He shrugs, looking down. "Well, you know I'm keen to be in the loop," he said, chuckling weakly. "Sorry about that." "You shouldn't be apologizing, we should be. For doing a terrible job at keeping it a secret. I'm not mad at you. I'm only going to be mad if you spread the word. " "But alas. It is true. " Affirmed Raven. "I've kept secrets before. I was a freakin' secret agent before, you know," he joked. "And I'm guessing Hunt's...?"

"It was two. "

"Two...?" Foulke whispers, somewhat confused for a moment. His face goes a bit dark for a moment, realizing what that might have meant. "Unfortunately, I... was an idiot at one point. I got shot. One died. " She looks down a bit, briefly sighing, "But life goes on." Said Raven. 'She's good at keeping her composure around me.' Foulke thinks to himself. "I'm sorry, that's..." he says, quiet for a moment. Raven shrugs, accepting that life isn't all glitter and sunshine. "The bigger question; why am I telling you this? Well - I'm announcing my leave soon. So I may as well. " Foulke looks up, disbelieving for a moment. "Leaving? I'm guessing to Honshu, right? Maternity leave?" He asked. "Yes." Replied Raven. "Oh, I thought for a second... Never mind," he sighs, relieved. He glances around the room, noting how different it was from so many months ago. "Things really have changed." he admitted, with a crushing weight on his heart brought on by how out of place he felt. "It has... Can I ask you something?" Foulke looks back at Raven. "Anything." "Are you fitting in well?" She asked. "To tell you the truth, no, not really. Only around Catherine, because of our history. All these single-name soldiers carrying themselves like spec-ops that just arrived here out of the blue, the new technology everywhere, the Initiative people, and this general Big Brother-y vibe... I really do feel like un étranger dans une terre étrange: A stranger in a strange land." he explained, looking exhaustedly sullen. "Didn't know I could feel like a relic at 28." Said Foulke. "Oh... I'm sorry. Davara Squadron is really - eh... hard to tolerate sometimes. They're not the primary people who make up the Wraith though, fortunately. " Responded Raven. "Why are they like that? They just don't strike me right." Asked Foulke. "Part of their special training to avoid emotional bondages. " "Oh, we've got special training regimens now?" he asks sarcastically, looking down. "I'm probably not helping matters right now, am I? You're trying to recover and I'm here busting your balls about things you probably wouldn't tell me anyways."

"Don't worry. You're being honest, I like that at least. " Said Raven. "Lying isn't one of my strong suits, as evidenced in the past. Honestly, it feels good to know I can still be safely honest with two people on this ship. Less than before, but..," Foulke says, trailing off. "I suppose it'll just take time. They're not bad people, honestly, just misunderstood. " Said Raven. "That's every person ever born, Bird. I just hope I can get around to it. Me and Cathy are kind of holding our own a bit against a bunch of strangers. Paranoia left over from the desertion, I guess." Raven sighed slightly. "Well. Eh... Would it help if I hanged out too or...? I don't know. " She said. "That depends entirely on you. You're the leader, and you've got things to do, and... Well, a baby to take care of now. Crap, shouldn't have brought it up." Raven shrugged. "Well. Eh. You act if I don't have time." Foulke looks around. "Yeah. Yeah, that'd be good, I guess," he admits. "I'm kind of surprised Hunt isn't here beside you right now, though. I heard that your tumble was a bit heavy." Raven raises a brow. "Hm? My tumble?" She asked. “The heart thingy. The reason you're in this medbay right now." Said Foulke. "Oh. Quite. I could have died if it was any later. " "Where is he right now, if you don't mind me asking? I just think it's odd that the scary intimidating armored dude is here, but he isn't, given this new context." Foulke asked. "He went to bring something from my quarters."

Following an unspoken conversation in his mind, Hunt jogged off down the hall to the quarters. Once he had arrived, he quickly exited his armor and grabbed Raven's diary. He set it down on the bed and grabbed his datapad, yanking a small chip out of it. He walked to his armor and plugged the chip into the wrist-mounted console. The armor sealed up on its own and began to move around.

:[" About time. "]:

"Don't be an ass. You're filling in for me. Just sit there and be quiet."

:[" Ugh. Fine, but I want my own terminal. "]:

"We'll sort that out later. Go stand outside the general med-bay."

Hunt grabbed the diary and walked out of the quarters, as his armor followed him out the door. Reaching the entrance to the med-bay, the suit stopped and went silent, standing guard like before. Hunt entered the med-bay and approached Raven's bedside, offering her the book. "Sorry that took so long." Raven looks over at Hunt. "Hey... It's okay. " she smiles warmly. "Well, congratulations Hunt. I suspected before, but I wasn't expecting it to be revealed like this, by a dying woman at her bedside." Foulke quipped, hoping to not get punched in the face. "I mean it could've been announced in way worse conditions. It wasn't likely to remain a secret forever." Hunt shrugged. "Not really, considering, y'know." he replied, using his hands to gesture at a large dome over his belly. "Well, what would've happened if she disappeared unannounced for a year, then came back with a child in her arms? I think it would've been pretty obvious where she was." Said Hunt. "The point was to not let the information leak outside of our group. You can imagine how many awful people are out there." Continued Raven. "Fair enough... Fair enough," Foulke said, getting up slowly and walking over to the door. He looked at it for a moment, and turned back to the three figures in the room. "Maybe one day I'll feel like I'm in the loop. Probably upon reinstatement, or hopefully promotion. Knowing the way this place functioned back in the day, I'm probably oblivious to a lot of shady things." Hunt crossed his arms. ”Well, it was kind of necessary. Safety first. No offense intended to you or anything, but it really is something that could be easily exposed and abused if the information fell into the wrong hands. It wasn't something we were willing to risk. It's at the point where it can't be hidden physically anymore, so..." Hunt took Raven's hand and stroked it with his thumb. "We have to protect what we value most." He smiled slightly at Raven. "I can empathize, Hunt. I truly can. I guess I was more referring to other things. Doesn't matter, though." Foulke evaded. "Look, I can imagine it's a little difficult coming back to so many changes. It's not easy. There's still a lot going on that you haven't even seen yet. When I have the time, I'd gladly give you a quick run-through of everything, if Raven agrees." Hunt looked at her. "Well, of course. "

"Well, that's... Thanks," he replies, nodding. "Well... I don't want to keep you from getting rest and spending time together. I won't tell anyone, not even Cathy," Replied Foulke. "Thank you." Said Raven. "Appreciate it." Hunt nods.

"Thanks for trusting me, Raven. And you too, Hunt." he concludes quietly, leaving the room and walking back to the living quarters.

---