Chapter One, How Much Longer?

[Roki]

"No, no, no...This can't be happening," Roki groaned, hed face buried in her hands.

"Which part, the horribly lost part, the lack of crew part, or the damaged-beyond-reasonable-life-support part?" Kestrel asked helpfully, grinning at her in her usual cheerful way.

"Auuuugh," the smaller feline mix yowled. "The companies haven't even contacted us yet! We're almost out of money, and worse, we're almost out of food."

"We could always eat one of those critters you keep in the bay..." Kes leaned back in her seat, plopping her taloned feet on the console and crossing her arms behind her head, the picture of being unconcerned.

Roki shot her companion a dirty look and looked as though she was about to say something not-so-polite before she reconsidered with a sigh. "I think we should look for crew before anything...We can't even get off this floating dump until we have crew."

"And we'll pay them with what, fuzzy animals and little bits of plant?" Kes smirked. "I suppose they'll have mechs too?"

"It's your fault we lost the last one," Roki retorted, her huge ears twitching in irritation.

"Whatever you say, Kitten," Kestrel purred flirtatiously, amused at the immediate flush that appeared in Roki's ears. "I'll see about getting a few hands who're looking to help the greater good through knowledge in that book thingy..."
"Encyclopędia. Encyclopędia Xenological. For the hundredth time."
"More like the 'one hundred and twenty fourth' time."
"You kept count?" Roki gawked.

"Of course!" Kestrel got up abruptly and walked towards the door with her hips swaying, laughing as if it was the most normal thing in the wold to keep track of corrections. "By the way, you are REALLY gullible. Maybe that's what makes you so cute, Kitten!"

"I am not cute!" Roki yelled indignately. "I'm refined and cultured!"
Kestrel didn't answer her, even if she did hear her.

***

A few minutes later Kestrel stood with hr handson her hips, staring up at a sign above a bar. The Flying Dutchman, in fact.

"As good a place as any, I guess..." she shrugged, strolling in after checking her outfit. Semi-tight pants, check. Belly showing top, check. Jacket to cover midget wings, check. Feathers sleeked back, check. Good, she was ready to seduce a few guys to do her heavy lifting.

She grinned. "I love being an exotic."

[Ljethan]

Saxo sat at the bar drinking. Normally he went for a single glass after work, but being workless had changed that. He had quit his last job after almost being buried during a small earthquake, all becaurse the company didn't update the mech's programs. After encounting the boss about the problem, he had been left with to options. Continuing working or quit with no pay. So here he was, alive but near being broke.

He would have liked being drunk at this point, but he couldn't affore it. All he could affore was the ceap liqure qith almost no effect, but it was better than nothing. He looked around the bar again for what seemed to be the hundreth time. A wast variety of people could be soon. Hubrids, Humans and the rest he didn't borther to define.

He caught a glimpse of a person he hadn't noticed before. A feline creature prehabs? Diffrent from the most 'felines', but not ugly at all. There was something cute about her. He drummed with his fingers on the glas. Shuld he ask her for a drink? Couldn't affore it.
Damn...
Would have to use the sober way and start chatting with her from scratchs.
He hated to be the kind of person that just walked over to someone and began to talk, but there was something about her that caught his interest.

"Well here goes." He said to himself as he got up. He didn't approach her directly but walked by the tables untill he came over to her. His clothes was not special, a casual grey shirt and black pants that had seen better days. Then again he hadn't planned on staying at the bar for so long as he had. "Hey there." He greeted her, then for a second he didn't know how to continue. Not wanting to stand there and look dumb, he quickly said; "Care for a drink?"
"...Aw crutzh." He thought in the back of his mind.

This post has been edited by Ljethan on Jun 9 2007, 05:51 PM

[Roki]

"Hey there space cowboy," Kes smiled cutely. "Sure, if you're buying. Scotch on the rocks, eh?"

[Cobalt]

Storming from a remote corner of the bar, a curious hybrid walked to the counter and put down a half-empty glass in front of the bartender.

"Excuse me. What is this, exactly?" Hercrone asked the human. The bartender raised his eyes from the countertop he was currently cleaning, and stared at what appeared to be a strange mix between a black wolf and something that could have been vaguely dragon-like... Her clothing, composed of a rune-embroided silk robe and an assorted red shoulder-sash, indicated someone of a rather wealthy condition.

"It's vodka ; that's what you ordered, isn't it?" the man replied matter-of-factly.

"Oh, is it?" the hybrid retorted, on a tone that wasn't especially aggressive, but nonetheless had an hint of arrogance. Cocking her ears, she looked down at her glass, then back at the bartender. "I beg your pardon, but it's awfully warm. And considering i've paid for it, i think it should at least be drinkable... Without mentioning you could also open the windows and let some fresh air in. I'm melting in here!"

"I'll have another drink prepared for you at once, Miss." the human said, forcing a smile at the hybrid, to which Hercrone replied with a mere grunt, just as if it would have been only fair. Turning around, she gave Kestrel and Saxo a brief look, before emitting a sigh. "I swear. What on Earth do you have to do to get a correct beverage around here?..." she told them.

This post has been edited by Cobalt on Jun 10 2007, 10:08 AM

[Ljethan]

"Sure." Saxo replied. He ordered two of said drink. It would make a cut in his bugdet but there was no turning back now. He recived the two drinks just as another Hybrid got into the conversation. "I dono." He honestly told her, as he gave Kestrel one of the glasses. "But when I finds out, you'll be the first one to know."

[Roki]

"Oh, you just have to charm them a little bit," Kestrel smiled, interlacing her fingers and resting her chin on them, batting her lashes at Hercrone.

"I wouldn't suppose either of you are looking for some potential employment, hm?"

[Ljethan]

"Well actually... Depends on what the job's about, requires and ofcurse who's asking." Saxo said, taking a sip. "As long as I don't have to be underground in an earthquake zone, I'm interested."

[Roki]

"Ever heard of the Encyclopędia Xenological?" Kes tilted her head, letting the crest of feathers down the back of her neck raise slightly, giving her the appearance of a curious bird.

[Cobalt]

Hercrone looked over at Kestrel and raised a curious eyebrow at the mention of a potential job. She was about to reply, when the bartender came back with her new drink, and a somewhat crispated smile on his face.

"There you are, Madam."

"Miss." Hercrone corrected him, bringing the glass to her lips with a grimace ; in the end, it didn't taste any better than the previous drink ; but at least it was cooler... Quietly sipping her vodka, the dragon-wolf hybrid listened to the exchange between Kestrel and the human.

"Encyclopędia Xenological?" she asked after seconds. "Is it a kind of study?..." she asked the falcon hybrid, suddently displaying a genuine interest.

[Ljethan]

"No, I can't admit that I have." Saxo said, scrathing the back of his head.

[Roki]

"Weeeell," Kestrel's tail flicked, flashing the plumage attached out and then sleeking it back. "It was started about a millenia ago on Earth time. We're documenting the known galaxy into a set of encyclopędias. Or at least Roki is."

She leaned back, sipping daintily at her drink. "We're a bit shorthanded right now. In every department."

[Cobalt]

Hercrone's small ears flickered at Kes' last statement, and she abruptly put down her glass onto the counter... actually so abruptly that the bartender was startled, and thought for seconds the hybrid was going to complain once again about her drink.

The dragon-wolf hybrid just ignored him, and looked at the other female. "Excuse me... Would you be looking for an adept mage, by any chance?" she asked her with a wolfish grin.

Displaying her palm upwards, the hybrid created a small volute of energy, having it take a vague shape of flame ; it crackled for seconds, slightly illuminating the setting around and causing the human behind the counter to roll his eyes...

"You know... Venefiology, as it is called." she added after seconds.

This post has been edited by Cobalt on Jun 11 2007, 03:01 AM

[Roki]

"Actually yes, our last one flew the coop," Kes smiled.

[Airowynn]

There was a familiar order of noises that signaled to Hercrone who had just entered and was heading her way and in no too good a mood. The first of these was, of course, the door opening. It really wasn't much to give her identity away, but then there was a whistle from someone who really didn't know who he'd just whisteled at. What really gave her away was the next noise, mostly the same whistler being thrown to the ground with a thud and a grunt. The quick steps that could be considered stomping if Adelaide wasn't so light and dainty in her movements, seemed to rush upon her friend.

"You are not going to believe this!" she said, seeming to totally igore the fact that her friend was talking to someone else. "That stupid company, Medusa I think it was or some other stupid name, totally fired me. They said I had an attitude problem." Silver eyes turned toward the bartender, who seemed to immediately shrink back a little. "Can I have a freaking drink please?"

"Y..yes, what can I get for you?" He had the eyes of a deer caught in someone's headlights.

For the first time sense she'd entered, Addy paused to think on it quietly. "I'll have a glass of white zinfandel," her voice was suddenly smooth and alluring.

He seemed to stumble over himself getting her order which she took abruptly. When she'd stepped back to her friend she rolled her eyes. "Men... Hey, where's that Bevin chick who was supposed to meet us?"

This post has been edited by Airowynn on Jun 11 2007, 10:34 AM

[Ljethan]

"You wouldn't have to be needing an field enchanter, by any cahnce?" He asked Kestrel. "Can use mechs, guns and..." He let go of his glas, but it didn't drop to the groud. instead it hovered, spinned slowly around itself before he took it again. "A little magic, though I doupt that I can competide much against you." The last comment was toward Hercrone.

[Cobalt]

Hercrone gave Saxo a hint of a smile, that was obviously trying to look modest, but rather betrayed the fact she had been quite flattered by his compliment.

The hybrid was about to reply to him, when mayhem coming from the opposite end of the hall caught her attention ; to a foreign ear, it would have sounded like a typhoon was currently getting across the bar... But the dragon-wolf hybrid knew better. As she looked up at Kes and Saxo, her smile got somewhat crispated, and she chewed on her lower lips...

Adelaide had always had a way with people and introducing herself that was... well... her way. Hercrone was perfectly aware of the fact the bartender had been quite annoyed at her own complains, and she was already regretting it. But now that the younger unicorn hybrid had walked by, he'd probably soon tear his own hair off...

"Well, Addy..." she started with a slight cough, trying to refrain her younger friend from entering into one of her endless speeches. "This lady right here was actually telling us about job proposals..." Hercrone replied to Adelaide, motioning to Kes.

[Roki]

"Indeed I was, we pretty much have everything but xenobiology and ship's pilot open. We don't operate with a captain either, the ship itself handles the taskforcing."

Kes smiled charmingly at Addy, not the least ut off by her temper. "I'm Kestrel. You can call me Kes."

[Airowynn]

Addy sized up Kes for a moment, the slightest hint of a smirk on her face and then it was replaced by some impossible mix of boredom and interest. "I'm a mech operator with my own mech. I also can pilot. Hercrone here and the third girl, Bevin, are two of the best mech mechanics in this region. What sort of offer are you going to make?" She sipped her wine and placed one slinder hand on her hip. "I'm Adelaide Morgan, I'm sure you've heard of my family. They are quite prominant in the scientific and trading communities as being top providors of mech and mech equipment." Rather than superiority, a hint of disgust could be heard in her voice.

Late, as often she was, Bevin walked in rather timidly. This really wasn't her scene..bars were so...gross. Then she saw Adelaide and gave a sigh. Maybe if she ran soon enough.

"Bevin! It took you long enough, honestly! You'd be late to your own funeral."

The husky hybrid grimaced and walked slowly over to them. "Hi, sorry I'm late."

"This is...K..K something. She might have a job for us!"

"You're the one that got us laid off," the soft-eyed girl replied, offering the slightest bit of anger, all she could really muster in such an uncofortable place.

"Let's not dwell on specifics!"

Bevin sighed and offered a worn out smile to Kes, then her hand. "Hi, I'm Bevin Mallory...I was one of the head mechanics for Medusa Industries. Now, thanks to Addy, I'm unemployed."

"I'll let you sleep on my couch, for Gods' sake, Bevin."

"You have a guest room."

"You're my mechanic, not my guest."

A soft growl came from her throat, but it got lost in the din of the room.

***

Two green eyes seemed to appear before the red fox face. "So, ummm...where exactly did Kes go? Don't tell me she's picking up ruffians in a bar again. You know what happened last time." Rhea crossed her slender arms over her chest. "It's not like we don't have enough problems. Maybe she should be using that charm of her's for a more useful purpose. You know, like getting us a nice wealthy sponser or at least some food."

[Roki]

"Well, I can offer you a job and free room and board. Right now we're waiting to hear back from our sponsors who should be wiring us some repair funds..." Kes shrugged, holding her hands out with the palms skyward.

***

"Pff, probably..." Roki sighed, exasperated, running a hand over her face.

"At least she knows how to find good mechanics..." she muttered.

[Cobalt]

Hercrone smirked ever so slightly at Addy's comment on her skills as a mechanic. Yes, the dragon-wolf hybrid knew a things or two about mechanics... officially... in truth, she couldn't even drive a mere hovercar without risking to crash it against the first wall... Her true speciality was magic, not fiddling among icky, rusted mech parts.

Turning her head as she caught a strange silhouette from the corner of her eye, she spotted Bevin entering the bar ; Adelaide had told her about the husky hybrid on several occasions already, but it was the first time Hercrone actually saw her. And unlike her younger friend, Bevin looked rather lost and clumsy around here... Cracking a warm smile, she observed the two others as they looked on the verge of entering a friendly fight...

"Well. I suppose we won't be made such a proposal again soon..." the dragon-wolf hybrid replied to Kes after seconds. "You can count me in as well, considering Addy will be a part of it."

This post has been edited by Cobalt on Jun 12 2007, 06:00 PM

[Airowynn]

Rhea's ears lowered a bit in a pout. "Hopefully this group wont try to pay me with goat and some chickens. I might be hungry, but I didn't have the heart to eat them." Perhaps with any other group the statement would have been marked down as just plain odd, but here the more odd an event was, the more likely to happen. At least that's how it seemed.

***

At the job offer, Bevin couldn't help but perk up. "I'm going to be evicted in three days, so free room and board sounds fine to me!"

Addy huffed. "It's better than sitting around at Medusa waiting for them to give me the most menial jobs. They think because I'm a woman I can't pilot," she half-explained to Kes and half complained to no one in particular. "I could beat any of those guys hands down."

[Ljethan]

(OOC: Sorry for being away, but have been preparing for the exame for today - got 11 - yay!!)

BIC:
"You can count me in as well, I have nothing on my scedual." Saxo said to Kes. "Just need to get my stuff n' I'll be at your service."

[Cobalt]

Hercrone smiled and pulled out a credit chit from her robe, pushing it onto the countertop.

"I'll pay for all of us." the dragon-wolf hybrid told the bartender. "... And you can keep the change." The human stared in disbelief at the card, but said nothing and just took it.

That was Hercrone : sometimes making a fuss of petty details, and some other times showing an unexpected kindness... "So. When are we getting started?" she asked Kes after seconds.

[Roki]

"Let me get a skiff from the ship and we can get your stuff. You can start now if you want," Kes grinned, standing up with a sense of lithe grace. The crest of feather gracing her skull fluffed up a bit, giving her the look of a small mohawk.

"And we need mech pilots, trust me. I'm equipped for the job," she tapped her head pointedly. "But I like ships better."

***

Roki groaned. "Don't remind me..."

[Ljethan]

"Well I can control a mech" Saxo told Kes. "how many mech pilots is needed? I might know someone that can help filling out those seats."

This post has been edited by Ljethan on Jun 14 2007, 07:46 AM