Board Thread:The Mech Bay Bar'n'Grill/@comment-24930445-20140526230330/@comment-24930445-20140602004711

Ghosts and Confrontations

 The Darwin made smooth entry into Krita’s main fighter bay and, as he powered down, Ben noticed Ry leaning against a shuttle not far away. Ben nodded in Ry’s direction, pointing him out to Sandy. “He’s here already.”

The bay was in motion, techs and mechanics hurrying about, caring for all manner of fighter and freighter. Ben was used to this from his experiences on other vessels, though he had rarely been on Krita before. What drew his attention was the tall man in the black leather duster and the woman in a waitress uniform at his side. Neither moved, forcing those going about their duties to shift around them like water flows around a rock. He was sure the man was the reason he had been pulled from a comfortable afternoon in Sandy’s company and he voiced this to his companion even as they lowered the ramp to exit Darwin hand in hand.

By the time they had reached Ry, the other two had also stepped closer. “I called Dev. He knows we’re coming.”  Jack sighed heavily, not sure this was such a great idea after all. “He knows why.”

As if realizing Ben didn’t recognize him from a very brief introduction that had been interrupted many years before, Jack held his hand out to the man. “Captain Stinel. Welcome home.”

For a moment, Ben ignored the hand, directing his comment to Ryax even as he nodded in Morghan’s direction. “This would be Jack.”  Ry simply nodded.

As if that nod was all that was needed for civility, Ben took Jack’s hand and shook it. “Jack. I’ve heard a lot about you, sir.”

Morghan didn’t miss the slight dig the pause in shaking his hand had made. “And I you, sir. We’ve been searching for you for a while now. Glad to see you’ve made it back.”

The waitress smirked, shook her head and turned to leave, muttering something about something not going to go well. Ben watched her leave, unsure of  who she had been, but letting it go as he introduced Sandy. “Mr. Morghan. This is Sandra Little. She was my chief pilot aboard the Colorado and one of our little group of survivors.”

Ever the gentleman, Jack bowed slightly to the woman. “Ms. Little.”

Sandy nodded in return. “Mr. Morghan.”

Jack smiled. “Call me Jack, please. Mr. Morghan was my da.”

Again, Sandy nodded, though she did not return the invitation to refer to her as Sandy.

Ben chuckled. “So. I understand you’re dead.”

Jack released a whispered ‘haaaa’, the sound more like a sharp but extended exhale of breath. Blushing slightly, he nodded. “Yeeah. Coward that I am, if I had my way, I’d still be.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Sandy shrugged slightly, nudging Ben with her shoulder gently. “Nothing wrong with coming back from the dead. We just did it the day before yesterday.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Jack shook his head and smiled softly at Sandy’s remark. “I bet she took it better with ye…”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">“Yeah, well, Ben didn’t wait years after coming back t’let her know. It makes a difference.”  The soft growl from Ry’s direction was the only comment he had made since being on board.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">An explanation of Jack’s comment was passed over as the lift doors opened with a whoosh and a very angry red-headed, barrel chested man stormed across the floor. “Damnit Jack! We’re not ready for you yet! You said you’d give us more warning!”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">It seemed as if Ry had blended into the background, keeping himself apart from introductions and niceties. Ben hadn’t been ignoring him, per se. He just knew that things were going to get tough, particularly for Ry, if this all went to shit.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Jack held his hands up and out as he turned to face Joke. “I tried. Gypsy glitched. Couldn’t get comms out. Where’s Kat? Lets get this over with.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Joke began cursing, then, realizing there was a lady present, he stopped short and bowed to Sandy. “Pardon, ma’am.” before turning on his heels and making the trip back to the lift.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Jack chuckled then mimicked Joke’s bowed to Sandy, sweeping his arm to indicate she should proceed the men in following Joke. As if to continue the previous conversation, Ben smirked at Jack. “I got hit. Hard…  twice.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Jack frowned in confusion at the seemingly random statement, then laughed. “I should be so lucky.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Ben frowned slightly, glancing over his shoulder to Ry as the group made their way to the lift. “Are the blasters locked up?”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Being in front, Joke didn’t realize the question hadn’t been directed at him. “Couldn’t get the one off her hip. Damn thing’s glued to her.”  He stopped suddenly and whirled on Ben. “What other weapons she carry?”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Ben stopped, then glanced to Ry for the answer, since the woman he knew ten years ago had changed her arsenal on nearly a daily basis.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Ry sighed. He wasn’t one to advertise her weaponry. He was reluctant to do so now. He considered that perhaps it would serve this Morghan right to discover for himself just how well armed she could be, but, in the end, he relented. “Boot knife in her right boot an’, if she has sleeves, a wrist sheath on each arm complete wi’ spring loaded daggers.”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Ben shook his head, muttering “She’s mellowed out.” before holding the lift open for Sandy. He glanced up at Jack as he passed. “Well, you came back from the dead once. Care to make it a habit?”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Jack shook his head, smirking slightly. “I’d rather not.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Ry continued. “Pretty sure we’re safe from any weapons. She ain’t shootin’ anybody. Not on purpose, anyway.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Joke seemed relieved, nodding as he muttered “Good… good.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Joke’s relief was short lived as he heard Ry’s last shot. “Least I ‘ave nothin t’worry about. Didn’t keep anythin’ from her.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">The lift doors opened onto the bridge and several heads turned their way as the group moved towards the captain’s conference room, one of the bigger ones on the ship used for briefings.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Inside, Kat had her back to the door and didn’t seem to even notice people filtering in. It had been happening all day and she had become immune. Her attention was focused on the device on the table in front of the man who’s chair she hovered over.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">There were others in the room as well. Travers had been standing, his hand flat on the table as he listened to the man explaining schematics to Kat and, seeing Jack, he slowly straightened and shook his head slowly. He wasn’t ready for this. He doubted he ever would be.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">When Ben entered, the woman who had been sitting near Kat and the unknown man gasped softly, her eyes going wide at the site of him. Ben frowned slightly, his initial thought was "Sandy". After a moment the differences became apparent, most notably red instead of dark blonde hair, but the cut was the same and it fell below her shoulders. <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;line-height:17.25px;white-space:pre-wrap;">The other woman was sitting but he guessed they were even the same height. <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;line-height:1.15;white-space:pre-wrap;">Green eyes watched him in shock and, once again, he had the distinct impression he was looking at Sandy, but.. not quite. He couldn't get past the deja'vu.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">The clearing of Travers' throat drew his attention away. “Kat.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Next to the woman sat a younger version of Joke. There was no doubt this man was his offspring as he stood and moved to stand near his father, leaning in to whisper in the older man’s ear. Joke shook his head and waved him off then leaned against the wall as he waited.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">“Wha’s this? Where are th’ specs on this? D’ye know how it keeps th’ field from collapsin when hit?”  Kat had lifted her hand off the back of the man’s chair and pointed at something on the device, only to replace her hand. She leaned closer, supporting herself by gripping the back of the chair with one hand and bracing her other on the conference table.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Travers tried again. “Kat.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">“One sec, Trav.”  She was intent on the answers the man had started to provide and hadn’t picked up on the elevated tension in the room.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Jack had been willing to let Devon handle Kat. He had stepped to one side and leaned against the wall, ankles crossed and hands buried in his pockets as he watched her intently. When she didn’t respond to Dev, however, he took matters into his own hands. Thinking back on it later, it probably hadn’t been one of his smarter moves, not that he had many when it came to her anyway.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">“Aloo Kittyscott.”  His voice was soft, though in the near silence of the room, everyone heard it clearly. He knew she had heard him too. He watched as her knuckles turned bright white when she gripped the chair tighter. He watched as she slowly stood from her stooped position and turned to face him. He never moved as she slowly licked her lips upon seeing him then close her eye. He didn’t understand the low growl and soft intake of breath from Ryax and Ben as she lifted a trembling hand and pressed it tightly against her eyepatch. Both men had been in motion as she very softly said “I.. gotta.. take a break.” then Kat crumpled to the floor.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Several things happened at once. “Shit” was all Jack was able to get out as he pushed himself away from the wall.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">The woman who had been sitting near Kat had jumped up, catching her then gently collapsing to the floor with Kat in her lap. Confused at what actually had happened, she glanced up at the men suddenly surrounding her.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">“Bloody hell.” was Traver’s input as he began punching comm buttons for a med team.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Ry was the first to reach the woman holding his wife. Scooping Kat up in his arms, he glared at Travers. “Where’s th’medbay?”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">“Belay that, med. We’re coming to you.”  Travers closed the connection and moved quickly around the table and out the door. “Follow me…  Joke, keep them here. I’ll be right back.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Ben shrugged to Sandy then glanced at Jack. “That could have gone worse.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Sandy shifted to stand in front of Ben confusion on her face. “Care to fill in any of the details?”

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">Quietly, Ben filled her in on the story of Jack’s supposed death. Suddenly he snapped his fingers and turned to Jack. “She <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:italic;white-space:pre-wrap;">was <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;"> seeing you, wasn’t she? Years ago.. on L’Rhianan?”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Jack nodded, sighing heavily. “Apparently so”

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">Within moments, Travers returned, answering Joke’s question about Kat’s health with a curt “they'll call when they know.”   Still on the move and without looking at anyone else in the room, he strode up to Jack. Without telegraphing his move, Travers punched his older brother in the face, bloodying his nose. “Ya bastard! Ya had ta do it your way! I can’t fucking <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:italic;white-space:pre-wrap;">believe <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">you!”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">“Devon!”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Travers spun on Joke. “WHAT?!”  With meaning, Joke nodded in Larry’s direction, his eyes then shifting to Captain Stinel.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">“Settle down chaps. Me thinks we overlooked something of great importance here.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">At that same moment, Sandy chose to voice something that had been bothering her almost from the moment they had entered the room. Leaning closer to Ben, she nodded in the direction of the man Kat had been speaking with. “Who is that man? He seems familiar somehow.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Joke face-palmed himself even as Travers growled in exasperation. “Fuck. This day just keeps getting better. Captain Stinel. This man.. the one we rescued from Jos’ moon base. I believe you know him, sir.  He calls himself Lawrence Lenits...”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Ben stiffened, his grip on Sandy’s hand tightening slightly.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Travers pressed on. “... and his companion, Lauren Dramnal. We thought we had been the ones to rescue you, but Kat assured me you were already planetside sixteen hours before we found him.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">No one had noticed Dalia slip in and stand next to Joke, her waitress uniform replaced with jeans and a tank top. Her words were barely acknowledged as she leaned close to her partner. “It didn’t go well, did it?”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Joke shook his head, his eyes never leaving the scene before them. With a slight movement, he shifted a little closer to Dalia and whispered “Think we can re-name the ship Cluster-Fuck?”  He was rewarded with a light backhand to the gut from Dalia.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">While Travers had been explaining, the man who had remained seated the entire time, slowly stood and turned to face Ben. Sandy blinked, then gaped as she realized her lover’s twin stood before them. She recovered quickly enough, her tone dry as she looked at Ben.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">“I take it you know each other.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">The dual “We’ve met” could have been in stereo. It was matched perfectly in tone and inflection by both men.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">“Spooky.”  Dalia and Dylan nodded at Joke’s observation even as Lauren laughed nervously before abruptly covering her mouth with her hand.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">“So you’re still alive. Might be the last one. Been taking care of yourself, Benjamin?”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Travers had started to explain Lawrence's importance when he was interrupted by Ben’s question. Growling in frustration, he flopped down into a chair next to his brother who had somehow found a rag to hold to his still bleeding nose. “I give up.”  Jack reached over and patted Travers’ arm lightly as both men watched and waited for the punches to fly.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">At Travers’ proclamation, Larry, glanced over at the man, then silently cursed himself for having broken eye contact with Ben first.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Joke couldn’t help it. He didn’t do well in tense situations. He leaned towards Dalia again and whispered. “I got twenty on th’ Captain.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Hearing this, Dylan shook his head then matched Dalia’s. “No bet.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Recovering, Larry returned his gaze to Ben and smirked, ignoring the digs as his own fighting ability, or lack there of. “Your universe, your name. I dropped it. Its Lawrence now.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Dalia had enough. Shoving herself away from the wall, she growled. “Alright… you boys done measuring? We have work to do here or am I wrong about some serious shit coming down the pipe?”  She glanced at Lauren then to Sandy and shrugged. “And they wonder why I like girls.”

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap;line-height:1.15;">Lauren giggled and Sandy merely nodded, though, if Ben had been watching her, he would have seen her jaw clench as she fought not to laugh.