Chapter IIa: Absolute Disaster

All right then. In light of Darcy's shouting, Moira keeps a straight face.

Stay safe.

Once she's back by herself, she takes a swig of the Seven Stars. She was basically raised on this, so it doesn't affect her, but it's the force of habit that helps level her concern. She will definitely be talking to Darcy after this.

Moira does a double take, but doesn't pry.

Well then. Combat with the Darcy Lass and a pint 'r two with the Doctor? Now ah hafta survive.

Kendall responds to Cass' suggestion: "Sure, that should be fine. However, my advice does not come for free. Lucky for you, my price would not reduce your resources or wealth in any way; I seek information. May I query your Space Fleet information data banks to gather data? I am not specifically searching for classified information, but more for information that is kept outside the attention of non-Space Fleet personnel. I am sure even your ensigns have access to the data I seek. However, I cannot share what the data is for, but you are more than welcome to set monitoring software in order to track my queries.

What say you?"

Marbo is thoroughly inspecting his tranq rifle, realizing he designed it for use in a presurized space, where it could fly, and the lack of any physical resistance upon ejecting the dart from the barrel would cause it to float forever, and it could potentially enter a gravitational sphere of a planet and come crashing down and obliterate something unintentionally.

His face shows great concern, and he reaches one of his hands towards moira.

"Engineering. Zlam."he says, mostly out of habit and without making eye contact, hes gaze tranfixed by the sudden realization of a variable he hadnt considered before this point when it was too late to repair.

"Request for some of your human relaxation beverage. If you had spare stores of it."

Moira stifles a curse.

This ain't easy ta come by, ya know!

But she smiles, more out of concern than anything.

Are yeh sure, Doctor? If yer, eh, biology is different than human, ah wouldn't want ta get yeh drunk before an important mission. Ye've worked so hard on this.

Cass raises an eyebrow in slight surprise. She had certainly expected a demand for quid pro quo, but she'd thought it would be more extravagant. "That shouldn't be a problem, as long as you tell me what kind of information you need before I grant you access. Once I have that, I'll instruct my staff to set you up with limited access to our data."

Ethanol, eh? Ah, why in blazes not.

She passes him the Seven Star.

Cass steps out onto the bridge and strides toward the captain's chair. "Onscreen. And can we detect any other ships in the system?"

Cass punches the comm. "Bridge to away teams. I hope your party dresses are on, because our first guest has arrived. Everyone ready for possible deployment?"

Moira shouts back. We’re the prettiest lads an’ lasses yeh ever did see!

Blinking, Cass pauses before saying, "Good to hear. Anything I should know about before we start the music?"

Cass goes very still, then adjusts the comm so that she's speaking only to Moira. "Moira, what's going on over there? What's wrong with Darcy?"

Marbo takes a sip of the flask, gargling it more than swallowing, until it has completely poured down his throat.

"Tastes like...Home." he says, pausing as he remembers how peacefully boring home is, the white sand beaches on all the islands, the vast undersea cities, the casual fishing lifestyle that most of his relatives have taken to, sitting on a solar sailboat and catching game fish with stun rifles.

His face steels after a second, his relaxed smirk growing into a hard scowl. He dons his dome shaped helmet, ensures that his suit is sealed at least 4 times, and looks to moira.

"Good luck. Marbo hopes to see you again after this."