PT 013: Xho in Med Bay

Xho06/11/2020

*will drop Orgoll off at her room, and then go see if she can find the captain.*

USS Adventure06/11/2020

((I am on family time RN. Sorry. Can we regroup in like...two hours, roughly?))

Xho06/11/2020

((Sure!))

USS Adventure06/11/2020

((Finishing Great British Baking. We can play when it is done. Sorry.))

Xho06/11/2020

((No worries! Thanks for tellin' me though.))

USS Adventure06/11/2020

((Ok, I am here.))(edited)

Xho06/11/2020

((nice!))

USS Adventure06/11/2020

((So, where do you go looking for the Captain?))

Xho06/11/2020

*will start with checking if he's on duty, then try his room first.*

USS Adventure06/11/2020

He is shown as being off-duty. But when you go to his room, it is empty.

Xho06/11/2020

*tries sickbay next.*

USS Adventure06/11/2020

You do find him there. He is asleep in a chair next to Duo/Dalarei's bed. Dalarei also seems to be asleep.

Xho06/11/2020

*doesn't wake him up, feeling rather guilty that she wasn't there, and instead sits on the ground quietly nearby.*

USS Adventure06/11/2020

Dr. Viex is watching you both from a corner as they work. They don't say anything, though. Vlad doesn't seem to be on right now.

[9:51 PM]

Eventually, Grax sort of slowly wakes up.

Xho06/11/2020

*nods to Viex, but stays quiet otherwise.*

USS Adventure06/11/2020

Grax: "...Commander. ...everything ship shape?"

Xho06/11/2020

Yes. I was hoping to speak with you alone. But clearly you needed sleep.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

Grax: "Nonsense. I'm fine."

Xho06/11/2020

Is he... he is not all right. That is a very stupid question.

[9:53 PM]

... I have *read* about other humanoid physiology, sir. If you did not need sleep you likely could not have fallen asleep sitting up like that.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

Grax stands up and straightens out his uniform. "With enough practice Commander, you can learn to sleep anywhere."

[9:54 PM]

"...Dr. Viex, can you do your work in your office, please."

[9:54 PM]

Viex nods and leaves.

[9:55 PM]

Grax: "...what did you want to talk about?"

Xho06/11/2020

I wanted to know if you feel I should resign or not. And if so, whether to wait until we're back. ... also, I thought it might be a good time to check in again.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

Grax: "Oh, that's easy then. No, I don't think you should resign."

[9:57 PM]

Grax: "And I'm fine."

Xho06/11/2020

((Damn, only 11 SM on that.))

[9:58 PM]

... *are* you fine, or are you *saying* you're fine to get me to stop asking if you are, in fact, fine?

USS Adventure06/11/2020

((He seems sincere))

[9:59 PM]

"...I am totally saying I'm fine in the hopes you'll believe me and stop asking."

[10:00 PM]

"But, for what it's worth, I *do* think you should not resign and continue under whatever captain they replace me with."

Xho06/11/2020

Fair enough. ... you could *order* me to stop asking, sir.

[10:00 PM]

Why would they replace you?

USS Adventure06/11/2020

Grax: "Because I am going to quit. In three months I have managed to get us lost adrift in Void Space, made enemies with at least two larger powers who could now be threats to the Federation and mentally broken one of our officers through negligence and hubris."

[10:02 PM]

Grax: "I...can't justify remaining as captain to myself."

Xho06/11/2020

... have you replayed the records of our initial contact with Legion, sir?

USS Adventure06/11/2020

Grax: "I have not."

Xho06/11/2020

I have. Several times.

[10:05 PM]

There was not really a point at which we made an incorrect decision.

[10:05 PM]

Or even a point at which several suboptimal decisions cascaded into a problematic outcome.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

Grax says nothing but gives you a sort of curious look.

[10:06 PM]

((Can Xho give a Picard speech?))

Xho06/11/2020

((Probably not! We're about to find out, though. ))

1

[10:07 PM]

You took the most rational option in each case.

[10:09 PM]

The outcome was not feasibly predictable. Nor, I feel, was it even a negative outcome. Dalarei feels his life is better as Duo. One, if he were consulted, would say the same. Both are better served as a single person. ... Also, Duo is not mentally broken, merely wounded. He will be all right, we simply need to find the solution.(edited)

[10:11 PM]

Also, it was not *your* decision that he remain joined. He could have been separated had he wished; he chose to be as he properly is. This is a temporary state only.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"...we still got lost."

Xho06/11/2020

That was part of meeting Legion, sir, which likely could not have been avoided, as there are many Ones in many locations, including aboard derelicts and wrecks, each of which we are generally obligated to investigate for persons in need of help, barring more pressing business, according to regulations. We would have met Legion or some portion of it eventually, and most likely the outcome would have been worse. Dr. Forgewight aside, most of us could *not* contain dozens of Ones.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"Their Professor, no less. ...although, I bet ours could to if he set his mind to it."

Xho06/11/2020

Certainly.

[10:15 PM]

However, it could just as easily have been me, and that apparently goes... poorly.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"...Commander...thank you."

Xho06/11/2020

*nods.*

[10:16 PM]

... and we would not have been friends with the Kymal in any case. Their goals are antithetical to ours.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"Thank the gods."

Xho06/11/2020

And our relationship with the Bureaucracy... was never likely to be a positive one. We may manage official neutrality at best, but... even that is unlikely, as they are expansionist.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"Indeed."

Xho06/11/2020

... I see no reason you should be replaced, sir.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"...I guess I don't either, Commander. ...do you review the records from all of our missions?"

Xho06/11/2020

Most of them.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"...are you really considering resigning?"

Xho06/11/2020

Yes.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"...have I ever told you about the last ship I served on?"

Xho06/11/2020

No. ... I have read your file, but do not have it memorized, and of course, portions are redacted.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"I served under Admiral Gallagher, then Captain Gallagher. Wonderful man, great sense of humor, he would like you. But under him was the SO, Wilkins. Wilkins was...he was an asshole. Just through and through a complete asshole. All smiles when he talked to you, this fake pleasant crap."

[10:26 PM]

"One day, we're flying this cargo, think it was liquid electrum. Good for coinage, but can also be forged into all kinds of things for small devices. We're over the Astrian Sea when our left most engine burns out. We had a Pidgeon Mk III, you ever served on one of those?"

Xho06/11/2020

No. Much of my service has been on bases with gates. I have studied our engines to the extent I have been able; is there a resemblance?

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"Not even close. The arcane parts are just to keep us aloft, the engines themselves still used combustibles to move. So, when it blew, it caught fire, which began to spread to the rest of the ship."

[10:30 PM]

"There's a whole quarter of our engine team in that section with the engine, about 20 people. But it's spreading fast, and we can't get sprinklers on. What's your response in this situation, Commander?"

Xho06/11/2020

Difficult to say. If our crew was present I would ask Dr. Forgewight. Options would include an emergency water landing or potentially jettisoning the cargo and relying on the remaining engine to make an emergency landing. ... I am not really up on emergency procedures for crafts other than ours, unfortunately.

[10:33 PM]

Evacuation procedures would surely be first.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"Jettisoning the cargo, might've helped. Not the direction Commander Wilkins took."

[10:35 PM]

"Wilkins determined the mission to be a priority and noted that we had three functioning engines which could carry us to our destination, if a bit slower. But, the fire spreading could've endangered the cargo, so he jettisoned that deck, instead. With twenty crewmen, some of them injured inside."

Xho06/11/2020

*Wha--*

[10:35 PM]

*lowers her voice.*

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"We put in call to the extraction team. Some were able to flit in and get most of them out. But others were not so lucky."

Xho06/11/2020

*What*?

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"If it makes you feel better, he was stripped of rank and booted from the ship, but I've seen a lot of Commanders like him. Most I've met are rank climbers, they value the brass first, the mission second, the ship a distant third and the crew an even more distant fourth. Cause a Commander with a lot of nice wins in his record moves up."

Xho06/11/2020

... please tell me you were court-martialed for repeatedly punching him in the face, sir.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"Another crewman held me back. That crewman eventually became the new SO."

[10:39 PM]

"But anyway, you're not like that, though. Well, you might have ambition. But you understand the value of the crew, and that the importance of your real job is to watch for them."

[10:39 PM]

"Not even just the crew. People."

Xho06/11/2020

I could teach you some methods to escape a hold. ... likely security would be of more assistance, but.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

He smiles, acknowledging the joke. "That's why you were the one who could get through to Mir. Why you were able to break rank and listen to Viktor and the other Forgewight in the face of what other agencies said. It's how you were able to get through to Qhudos, and yes, I do check field records."

Xho06/11/2020

*nods.*

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"...I have seen too many Commanders treat people as fodder for whatever goal they need. I don't want to lose one of the few who can see past that. ...not again."

[10:42 PM]

"...anyway. You asked what I thought."

Xho06/11/2020

... again, sir?

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"...let's pump the breaks on that tonight, Commander. You're not the ship's counselor and I think I've dug into my past enough."

Xho06/11/2020

Fair. Very well. If you will not resign, I will not resign.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"I like it. Mutual career destruction pact."

Xho06/11/2020

I suppose it is. ... acceptable.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

He extends a hand to shake.

Xho06/11/2020

*shakes his hand.*

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"...I totally should've beaten the little shit."

Xho06/11/2020

Elbows and heels are generally efficacious in escaping someone's grip.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

He chuckles a bit.

[10:48 PM]

"I've never been great at fighting. I've found I'm better at talking my way out of trouble...sometimes...maybe."

Xho06/11/2020

I have noticed that. I confess I find you difficult to read at times.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"Really? Hm."

Xho06/11/2020

Quite. I suspect some of that is deliberate; you seem to prefer to... play your cards close to the vest, yes? ... you're not ill, are you, sir?

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"I don't think I am."

[10:52 PM]

"But I do prefer to keep some aces up my sleeve, to continue the card analogy."

Xho06/11/2020

... I am not sure what that means.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"I do think there's an importance to keeping what you know a bit uncertain. Just seems safer."

Xho06/11/2020

Should I be concerned?

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"No. But you should always be cautious."

Xho06/11/2020

... why would I be cautious of *you*, sir?

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"I just meant of the world. ...or...worlds. Sorry, think I misread you there."

Xho06/11/2020

Ah. I see. Should I be concerned about you, specifically? In that case.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"...let me put it this way. I like to think I am in the right. I like to think I have the best intentions. And I *know* I would never put this crew in jeopardy if I did not think it necessary."

[11:03 PM]

"...but...I ignored my top officers about continue to circle that plane, which caused our shields to become irradiated, which led us here. So...I can maybe use a slap every once in a while to keep me on track."

[11:03 PM]

"...does that answer your question?"

Xho06/11/2020

... curse my inadequate grasp of Common. No. Should I be concerned about your health and well-being specifically, sir. Perhaps I should spend less time punching illusory people and more time relearning the language. It is *exceedingly* x'dzxk. ... in need of a fireball.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

He starts laughing. "Sorry. I'm...no, it's fine."

[11:06 PM]

"...I think I should go sleep in a real bed for a while."

Xho06/11/2020

Yes. *But* you did not answer my question.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"You do not need to be concerned for my health. Mostly because with some rest I will be fine, but also because Dr. Viex is up my ass about that anyway."

Xho06/11/2020

Ah, good. Let me know if there is anything else I can do. Otherwise, I will stay with Duo.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"If you could watch him, I'd be really thankful. Thank you, Xho."

Xho06/11/2020

Jhael, sir. If you are aiming at being informal.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"...thank you, Jhael."

[11:11 PM]

He leaves.

Xho06/11/2020

*nods.*

USS Adventure06/11/2020

((Do you have anything to do with Duo?))

Xho06/11/2020

((Sure, if you're up for it!))

USS Adventure06/11/2020

The elf-side of Duo wakes up. His One is in the homunculus still.

[11:12 PM]

"...Commander."

Xho06/11/2020

Duo. ... the captain was here a moment ago, but had to go and rest. ... sleep.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

He nods. "...One won't talk. They don't like the way the machine sounds."

[11:14 PM]

"...I think. ...I don't know what he thinks anymore."

Xho06/11/2020

If necessary that can be changed. However, we are all hoping you'll be yourself again sooner rather than later, in which case, it would obviously not be necessary.

[11:15 PM]

I apologize for not being here sooner.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"The others told me. ...I'm sorry."

Xho06/11/2020

*makes a face.*

[11:16 PM]

It is a small ship, I am sure everyone knows.

[11:16 PM]

... at least that means I do not have to *explain* it repeatedly, I suppose.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"...I don't know about everyone?"

[11:17 PM]

"Maybe it's just the lead staff."

Xho06/11/2020

It will filter down.

[11:18 PM]

I have been on multiple small bases before; it is how information circulates.

[11:19 PM]

... I do feel I should continue pretending to breathe, however. People may find it disturbing otherwise. What do you think?

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"....uh...I don't know. ...maybe?"

[11:20 PM]

"...I assume you know what's best, Commander."

Xho06/11/2020

Why?

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"Well, you are the commanding officer, ma'am."

Xho06/11/2020

Yes, but unusual magical events are not my area of expertise. You know significantly more about such things than I do.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"...Duo does, sir."

Xho06/11/2020

You *are* Duo. You may be somewhat impaired at the moment, but when Dr. Forgewight lost his arm that did not make him someone else. I lost every bit of my hair and a small chunk of my brain and that did not make me someone else either. ... they were fortunately able to regrow the brain. Less so the hair.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

".......I see. I do not know what I knew though, Commander. And I...am not as certain as I was."

[11:26 PM]

"That was all One. ...maybe I was just the vessel this whole time."

Xho06/11/2020

No. One had the confidence and brashness of childhood. Dalarei the experience and hesitance of an adult with responsibility. They are both clearly present in Duo. The psychological tests bore that out; it is not merely my opinion.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

He nods.

Xho06/11/2020

Are you having second thoughts about rejoining?

USS Adventure06/11/2020

"No. I don't want to go back."

[11:30 PM]

"Being just Dalarei after being Duo...it's like I only just learned who I actually was. Duo is more us than we ever were apart."

Xho06/11/2020

That is what I thought. I know it's difficult, but try to remember that the division is only temporary.

[11:32 PM]

Even if the so-called Ascended are not able to assist, we have a number of clever and creative mages who would be happy to work on the issue.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

Dalarei nods. "Thank you, Commander. ...I wish I knew what to say to help you."

Xho06/11/2020

I will be fine, once the *extreme* embarrassment wears off. Fortunately regulations do allow undead to serve, given they meet certain requirements, so even if that is what I qualify as, I can retain my position.

[11:36 PM]

And as you can see, my hair *did* grow back.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

One: "Oh good, so that is your real hair."

[11:37 PM]

The voice that comes from the homunculus is a bit strange. It's more child-like and creakier. But it is effective.

Xho06/11/2020

I would choose a much better wig than this.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

One: "Dalarei thinks it looks nice."

[11:38 PM]

Dalarei: "...now he is willing to speak."

Xho06/11/2020

Thank you.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

One: "...it's what we would've said."

Xho06/11/2020

You are going to be all right.

[11:40 PM]

Have you been able to complete any of the interest inventories we gave you? Do you have any idea what sort of job you would like to do on the ship?

USS Adventure06/11/2020

Neither of them says anything this time.

[11:41 PM]

Dalarei: "...sorry."

Xho06/11/2020

There is no hurry.

[11:42 PM]

I encourage you to envision the possibilities.

[11:43 PM]

Perhaps you would enjoy security--it is a more active lifestyle, one with a great deal of physical work. Or there are always the magical sciences.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

One: "Could we work scanners under Duma?"

[11:43 PM]

One: "We like finding things. Exploration."

Xho06/11/2020

That is very possible. Planar cartography is an extremely critical part of what we do here.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

Dalarei: "Especially with our current maps lost."

Xho06/11/2020

Even later. Our larger purpose is exploration, after all.(edited)

[11:46 PM]

We do also have sociologists whose goal is to collect data from the sentients we encounter on a societal level.

[11:47 PM]

And anthropologists.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

Dalarei: "...Duo never really planned. I knew what you gave us was important, but it was like I knew what I wanted before I wanted it and could figure out how to get it right away."

[11:47 PM]

One: "Two minds in sync."

Xho06/11/2020

Planning can wait; I am encouraging you to imagine the possibilities.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

Dalarei: "...I...I um...you know I had a crush on you when I first came aboard."

Xho06/11/2020

*nods.*

USS Adventure06/11/2020

Dalarei: "I kind of don't anymore. Not because of this...or cause you're not attractive, you are...I just...I um..."

[11:50 PM]

One: "We know what to say."

[11:51 PM]

Dalarei: "I wanted you to know...you are a good friend, I think."

Xho06/11/2020

*nods.*

[11:52 PM]

You're important to me. And to Planefleet as well, do not forget.

USS Adventure06/11/2020

One: "I help!"

Xho06/11/2020

When I say "you," I mean Duo. You are one person, regardless of your current difficulties.

[11:54 PM]

*gives Dalarei a hug, and then gives One a hug too.*

USS Adventure06/11/2020

They both seem to appreciate it.