“Oh, sib, such a clever one.” Vyvyan gives a purring chuckle, saluting you with xir glass. “You do, of course, have to do something horribly shameful or TXR’s board will have no reason to oust our dearest Prime in disgrace, now, will they? But the D…
Of course they recognize you, Xuan. Of course they do. Before your departure from the palace your life was the daily subject of news in the Glorious Aso Empire.
The one you speak to and two of xir compatriots stop just to process that you’re you. …
“Aye, should, Sai.” the medic answers. “And I’ll check with dispatch too to see where they headed.
The ambulance is lifting off a few minutes later when Rajani comms you back.
“Last recorded position for their transponders or comms is in the Pa…
I sigh at Malcolm’s message and look around at the non-speedball contingent of the class. Well I’m not missing my appointment with the Commandant, certainly. If he isn’t back in time, it’ll be too damn bad.
Mark blowing a kiss to Nadja causes some…
Lilat clearly understands your message and stops, glancing around in fear before beginning to make a run for it.
Miyako and Haru follow your orders, but Kohaku stays nearby. The curtains catch flame and the market square begins to turn to chaos ar…
"No problem."
I roll my eyes after he turns away. Seriously? He doesn't know about the staring thing? He might be one of those people who just isn't very aware of themselves. Still.
I'm so ready to get out of here.
“I’m afraid not. That was the biggest drawback, since you are my favorite of my sibs. Once it hit its signal, the device would have vented the ships atmosphere then flown to its firey demise. It’s not like anyone would be able to tell how the crew p…
“They were flying before we hit dirt, Sai. Closest trauma is 5 minutes maybe, though they weren’t headed right direction for that. Could be needed somthing special, treatment wise.”
She looks you over.
“Can give you lift to the trauma if you lik…
I shrug
“I’ll see what I have. But I’m not making any promises. I think she like that band, what is it… T-crush? Other than that, I’ll see what I have. But I’m not making any promises. You could try the usual things you know, be thoughtful, compli…
I half-smile back in Bea’s direction.
Then Lucas starts in the with the Ashlee thing. I sigh look at the chrono on my Navi again. What’s with the boys and Ashlee these last few days? Rys, now Lucas, even Mark.
I look at him, annoyed.
“I would …
Xie waves a negligent hand, dismissing Cici and xir efforts and goes on to answer your question instead.
“Of course it won’t be a picnic, silly. But it will be so very profitable. Weapons, starships, defensive technologies, rations… war is excelle…
I blink at the message a little bit. I don’t think she really means hair. How to respond?
To: Bea: It's pretty the way it is, but I'll help. After dinner?
Unless its under her orders or in pursuit of some ship-related objective, the Commandant expects me to obey the rules, so despite the temptation I keep to the schedule until the appointed time.
The days have been a little lonely. I’ve always thoug…
And how many such things do we do until there is no one left to ‘deal with,’ Mother?
“Of course, Ma’am.” I answer. “I will do my duty to the ship”
I take a breath.
“Mother, I have a personal request. As you know it is almost the anniversary o…
I look around at the lights. Then with what the Commandant says…
“I-I don’t know. She has been perfectly tractable. The only thing that’s really been pushing her buttons recently is all the personal stuff meant for her template coming to her. Perh…
It’s both her bags really, both her giant handbag and shopping bag she had in hand when she met up with you. The send code is good, it’s rotating with the ship’s clock as it’s supposed to.
“Know who that belongs to, Sai?”
The inquiry comes from …
Xir mouth curls a bit, as if xie approves of your bravado.
“Oh yes, many things. Civil War. Dearest Prime’s head on a plate. Profit is only one of the goals to be sure.” Xie leans in with a sort of false intimacy. “I did warn xir about relying too…
I do, like, a half-roll of my eyes. Not exaggerated, but enough to express contempt at the idea Bea, or any of them, would be anything but a tool to me. I’m not an idiot, Mother.
The thought flits across my mind that maybe she wishes I had truly …
“You really should, it’s quite informative. Know thyself and all that.” Xie glances at the footage again, face making an indulgent pout before dismissing it. “Poor lamb.”
She takes a sip from her drink. “You’ve cost my principle a lot of money.”
You see Terci’s bag on the ground near the bench where you left them.
Your comm pings.
Error. Your intended recipiant is not on the network. Please check the send code and try again.
I keep my expression neutral and detached. My voice calm.
"It will take some time before I have any conclusions to report on that initiative. Her stability was wavering, considering the death of her roommate and the impact of Pendelton's issues. I…
“Why not?” xie smirks. “One should not waste the opportunities one is given.” Xie frowns a moment then leans forward studying you. Then xie laughs, slouching back again.
“You don’t know! Oh dear.” Xie shakes xir head still chuckling. “Dearest Prim…
I merely nod in acknowledgment of her instructions on Ashlee, then respond to her question.
“Dissolving our team in isolation is unwise and would foment disunity. It would be better to suspend speedball entirely.”
"Larsen is unsuitable." I say immediately, with a little heat. I consciously reign my tone in again. "He likes stirring st...things up just to amuse himself. And I said I was concerned about Rai as a possible subversive element, Ma'am, not that she …
My hand clenches to a fist where she can't see it when she talks about Pris. Apologies. Apologies? Pris wasn't a small sacrifice. Jesus, why don't they just ask for volunteers? They would probably get some. There are days I would volunteer. But even…