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Orion Cafe <Comorro Station>
Above the door hangs a white oval sign in Terran Standard and Hekayan, proclaiming this place to be the Cafe Orion in sweeping round blue neon cursive. Upon entering the Cafe Orion, one might notice that there has been some serious attempt at making it seem far different then the rest of the locations to be found on Comorro Station. The ribs that arch over to serve as the ceiling have been covered up by navy blue fabric with fiberoptic lights running underneath; holes have been punched into it in the pattern of constellations and other space bodies from the Orion Arm, creating the feeling of being upon a planet's surface on a cool evening. They give the place a dark and cozy feel, without being too dim. The walls have been covered by various bits of wood, metal and plastic paneling, but between the gaps one can still make out the grey flesh that is the station. The menu consists of various simple but well-known Orion Arm food and drink items whose components can be substituted with local fare or grown on the ships. The items are delivered by a wait staff clad in black and white.
The wall opposite the wide double doors is taken up by a makeshift collection of letters, photographs and all the other various knickknacks that make up a life, but this sober little memorial to those left behind in the Orion Arm does little to pull down the atmosphere of the cafe itself. One length of the wall is taken up by a bar made of gleaming steel and topped by a slab of smooth glass which glows a gentle blue. In the corner across from the bar is a small, raised stage that gives just enough room for performers and their equipment. By day the cafe's floor is filled with round steel tables and matching chairs. At night, when the atmosphere livens up, they're replaced with a few gambling tables and a dance floor. Lively music usually fills the air and drinks flow freely... as long as one has something to barter with.
Micky is seated with his back in the corner as he drinks coffee and eats some sort of scrambled egg and potato dish. There's a duffel bag on the floor beside his seat. There's a datapad on the table. He may or may not be able to read the material on its screen.
James Sterling steps into the cafe, taking a moment to look the place over. He notices Micky in the corner and gives him a lazy wave, heading that way.
Micky scrapes the last of the food off the plate and then uses the fork to wave back once he's cleared it of food.
"G'day, Micky," Sterling greets, dropping into the seat opposite the old soldier. He eyes the just-emptied plate. "Good food 'ere?"
"Yeah, it ain't bad for bein' on a giant space whale. Not sure where they get it, but they try to make it like they does at home. Sorta. Dependin' on where your home was. And when it was..." Micky eventually just trails off with a word of advice, "Avoid the sausage."
Sterling nods, smiling faintly. "It's the future," he says. "I dunno how most o'this stuff works. Hey, you heard anything about that doco film guy?" he asks. "Ken Penny-somethin'? Damned if I c'n remember 'is name. Joca an' I were talkin' about 'im and 'e seems t'have gone missing. He was supposed t'help me find the right Earth, if that's possible."
"He was supposed to hire us for a job," notes Micky somewhat sourly before he shrugs. He scratches at his chin. "Rememebr some nonsense from back in June. He may have hooked up with that Opodian. Maybe he's in the soup sandwich distress they're in if you believe the news."
"I saw that," Sterling replies. "If he is on that ship, might be the last ride he takes." He calls up a menu and flips through it idly. "At 'ome there were folks thought the media was lyin' about things or bought by this or that politician or what-have-ya." He looks up at Micky. "Same still in th'future, is it? Or is that just conspiracy theory?"
"People are as stupid now as they was then. I reckon. I figure some of it is true, some of it isn't. The way it is. But, mostly people are stupid," says Micky as he takes a drink of his coffee which smells suspiciously of alcoholic beverages. "I figure him probably hookin' up with the Opodian is true. The distress signal is kinda funny. Not a whole lot of info. You'd think that the pertinent info'd be embedded. Maybe it is jury rigged by a panicker."
Sterling chuckles. "'There's a sucker born every minute,' ain't that what they used t'say? So who's this... Opodian, y'said? That's another one o'them animal people aliens; that much I remember." He stops paging through the menu and puts in an order for a black coffee and a muffin. "What makes ya think the distress signal's a phony?"
"Looks like a panda. Uh, some kinda space scientist. Discovered that rift that all them Kirvir and what not came out of. Whole little war after that with them Bright Cluster types invadin'. Wiped out Auk. Anywho, last I saw him, he was beefin' up his ship for some major research. I figure he probably found out where them new folks - the religious ones - are comin' from. There was an article back in June about them showin' up on Comorro. Then, last month there was stuff about them bein' Bible thumpers," expounds Micky with a shrug.
"I heard a little about some o'those things on my PDA," Sterling replies. "But I'll tell ya, Micky," he adds, lowering his voice, "those religious folks worry me. I didn't know they'd been on Comorro. I'm glad I missed 'em."
"Any group of people with a mission worry me," replies Micky.
Learner arrives from Commorite Hub.
Learner has arrived.
"You think the distress signals are fake?" Sterling asks, accepting his coffee and muffin from a server. He and Micky are sitting at a table in the corner, conversing.
Jocaira arrives from Commorite Hub.
Jocaira has arrived.
"I dunno enough about these new fangled comms to have a clue. Maybe some kinda interference. Maybe not gettin' the full story. I dunno. Just weird. They's part of a fairly big government and business venture. You'd think somebody'd have gone out there and found 'em. Maybe it is a secretive venture and nobody knows where the boat was goin'," shrugs Micky as he gestures vaguely with his half empty cup of coffee. "Weird doesn't pay. So, I ain't too worried about it."
"Monsieur Tomaaas?" A rather distinctly accented voice calls as the door opens, and Joca leans inside, crinkling her nose when she apparently does not see this 'Tomas' that she is looking for. "Paaah..." she says, and starts to lean back out, when she catches sight of James and Micky over at the table. With a jingle of bangles and belts, she saunters over to where they are. "Allo, boys."
Learner walks through the entrance to the cafe. He stands about a meter or two past the doors and casually scans from left to right, taking in the surrounding atmosphere. He is wearing a warm grey v-neck long sleeve shirt that hugs the form of his torso but doesn't threaten to strangle him. His slacks are black and of a different material so they have a slight reflective sheen. On his feet are two plain black boots that lace up along the shin. Most can see this because the slacks are highwaters. His long dark indigo hair is being held back into a pony tail by a single black ring and in his left hand is a steel gray PDA. He continues to take a moment to assess the crowd gathered.
Sterling nods, lifting his coffee mug to his lips and taking a small sip of the hot liquid. "You said this Op... Opidan ... panda bloke, he was the one that found a new rift. Maybe he was lookin' fer where the religious nuts came from an' he got too close, so..." He makes a fist of one hand and draws his thumb across his throat. He cranes his neck around when he hears Jocaira's voice. "G'day, boss!" he calls. "You lookin' fer somebody?" He glances past her to the newcomer near the door and looks him over briefly.
"He found the new rift to the Bright Cluster, yeah," nods Micky before he mixes up his nonverbal communication bag of tricks with another shrug. While he's talking, he's also doing some looking at the new arrivals. There's a shrug again. "Dunno if he found this one. Probably did if there is one. That's his thing."
"Allo, darling," Joca replies to Sterling, pulling up a seat at the table. "Ahn, you are talking of Monsieur Narai? I admit to some worry, if 'e is in trouble, 'e is among founders of se Danu Chroi. But of course, sey are se allies. I suppose sey would mention if sey needed 'elp? I 'ave not 'ad se chance to ask Monsieur Kethren."
Learner walks towards the group that has just grown to three at a table in the corner. As he walks through the throng of patrons he has no interest in, learner brings his decive mid level, taps a few bottons and brings it back down to his side. Learner looks up and finds that he has arrived. "Greetings," He says enthusiastically to the table. "Hello again, Micky. Am I interupting anything?"
"I never heard of the bloke until I heard about 'im on th'news," Sterling replies to Joca. He gives Micky a nod, then turns his head to focus on the newcomer to the table. He picks up his muffin and starts unrwapping it without looking at it.
"More the merrier," notes Micky before he eyeballs his cup of coffee, produces a flask, and tops the coffee off with a long pour of some clear alcohol. "How's the music business? Been workin' on the air guitar?"
Jocaira turns slightly to observe the other newcomer, canting her head to the side. Her expression is openly appraising, and she spends a bit of extra time taking in the long indigo hair. "Allo," she greets, and then glances to Micky. "Friend of yours?" James gets a shrug. "Ehn, I nevair met 'im. 'e was one of se people who wanted to buy Red Eclipse when Mastair Diri died, but 'e was in charge of a beeg empire sen."
"I am known to some as a Learner," He begins to introduce himself to the group in a factually stating tone of voice. "To Micky I am Dude. Others call me Riftwalker" He pulls aside an empty chair and occupies it. "I have grown to appreaciate the first of those three options, so you may call me learner." He shoots a quick cocked glance at Micky, his milky skinned face is of the puzzled variety. "The air guitar, sir?"
Kethren arrives from Commorite Hub.
Kethren has arrived.
Sterling breaks his muffin in half. "G'day, Learner," he drawls in his typical Australian accent. "You a musician?" He glances to Micky, grinning. "Or is th'booze doin' the thinkin' for ya, Micky?" The four of them are seated at a table in the corner of the cafe, chatting away.
"Nevermind," says Micky while waving one hand and using the other to pocket his flask. He answers Sterling's question with another, "Nevermind."
Jocaira's look of not-terribly-veiled interest deflates. "Ahn, Riftwalkair," she says, nodding a bit. The name explanation causes her to squint slightly, presumably as she attempts to parse all that out. "...hokayy... Learnair," she says, seeming somewhat uncertain as to whether or not that's the right choice. Micky just gets an eyebrow raise. "What is sis air guitar?"
Kethren stretches a bit as he comes strolling in, all his attention on some rapidly changing holograms floating over the pda he holds before him. Every so often the calico kitteny ferrety thing on his shoulder gives him a prod so that he doesn't walk into something. The white tiger at his side needs no such prompting.
Learner sets the flat device on the table next to his left forearm and taps at it every so often but never brings more than a modicum of attention to it. "Ah yes, music... you must have been mimicing an instrument and in my nubile state I took to mimic your mimics." Learner nods at Jocaira with a slight curve of his mouth. "Yes."
"You learnin' a lot, then?" Sterling asks Learner, taking a bite of his muffin. He looks over to the door at Kethren's entrance, but doesn't wave, as the fellow seems to be engrossed in his PDA. "Air guitar's when y'pretend t'play guitar when y'don't have one, or can't actually play one," Sterling tells Joca. "It's a weird thing some folks do, usually people who like heavy metal or grew up in the 80s."
"What is this? Some kinda intervention?" asks Micky defensively as he covers his coffee with a hand ontop of the cup. "What's with all these questions?" He then points his other hand at Learner, "See? See there? He knew what I was talkin' about." He points at Sterling next, "Him, too."
Jocaira squints at Micky, now. "What is an intervention?" She spends a bit more time squinting as she attempts to parse the track the conversation has taken. "...I do no undairstand, but... is fine. You can er... pretend to play invisible musical instruments all you like... I guess. Wait... your nubile state? -Sat- word I know. Well... I know sis is se future and all... suppose you could apply sis to yourself... Just be careful around se Synapse and se Internets, sometimes you might get se wrong attencion."
Kethren stops and blinks a few times at the familiar voices, his eyes coming slowly into focus. With a friendly wave he heads over to yon table. "Mind if I have a seat?" The tiger pads alongside him as he goes, but doesn't say anything. Cause she's a tiger.
Learner looks up and gives a trained smile to the new arrival. "The more the merrier!" He enthusiastically mimics Micky... again. "Ah, but I only knew after spending some time..." Learner pauses and peers at Jocaira, taking her advice, "...On board the station." Learner brings his attention from defending his previous understanding or lack there of with the imbiber and puzzles in Jocaira's derection. "And why is it that I should be careful?"
Sterling sips at his coffee, smirking over the cup at Micky. "Wouldn't dream o'takin' yer booze from ya, Micky," he says. "Even in th'future," he adds, nodding to Joca and Learner, "the Internet's full o'crazy shit. G'day, Kethren," he greets.
Never the less, Micky keeps his hand firmly in place over the cup of coffee. He slowly looks from person to person to being while chewing on his lip.
Jocaira nods in agreement. "Nubile is generally taken to mean young woman of marriageable age. And well you are for one a boy." She waves to Kethren. "Allo, Monsieur Kethren. Eyy, while you are 'ere, I mean to ask. You 'ear anysing wrong about Monsieur Narai? We see on se news but not certain if it is real distress."
Kethren takes a seat and raises an eyebrow at Joca "...Um, I know that he was going to be meeting with that documentarian who's been on the news lately... That was a week or two ago. Can't say as I've had much contact with him since he split off of Danu to pursue his own projects. Not that I saw much of him in those days either."
Learner recieves Jocaira's admonishment and nods solemnly. Listening to Kethren, he brings up recent news articles on his PDA. He taps a few commands to keep the screen from desplaying as a hologram but never the less what he peruses is clearly displayed. "Is it possible that the attack was by these missionaries that were reported some time ago?" He offers an interjection.
"So they are t'gether," Sterling says. "Ain't gonna get anything outta him if 'e's been blown t'smithereens." He snatches the rest of his muffin and bites it in half, frowning. He looks over at Learner. "What he said."
"We don't know nothing about nothing. Silly to jump to conclusions and slappin' labels on folks just 'cause they're the only ones we have even heard about. If there is a rift, the other side could be just as confused as this 'verse with all kinda races and stuff that ain't all actin' on one accord," says Micky as he finally stops protecting his coffee long enough to drink.
"Whuff. We do need to find Monsieur Pennebakair, 'e was going to make a 'olo about us, and 'elp Monsieur James find out about 'is Earth. Sis is not particularly good, non," Joca muses, and then nods to Learner. "...yeah I just would not want you, being new to area and all, to 'ave some strange person sink you can turn into sexy young girl? Sen se next sing you know someone is stalking you and sis is no fun." She cants her head to the side, nose crinkling. "So what is about sese missionaire? Pah sey are -nevair- good news. Going around and putting sere religion all ovair people..." This is followed by a little snort.
Kethren nods to Joca "Indeed. I don't personally care who or what someone wants to worship, but I will take issue if they try forcing it on my people."
Learner nods at Micky, "I have to agree with you, Sir, in spite of the fact that I had offered up the assumption." he taps more commands into his PDA bringing up articles of different variety. "Though, I must say that I am inclined to hear out everyone at least once." Learner turns his PDA over and sets it back down flat on the table before standing up. "Excuse me." He says politely before walking to the bar.
Sterling shrugs at Micky. "Y'gotta point," he says. "But yeah, we need t'find Pennebaker. He's a useful fella. How're we gonna find 'im, short o'goin' out t'where he went an' mebbe gettin' blown t'bits ourselves?"
Micky snags his PDA off the table and eventually manages to come up with an article he's looking for. "All right, yeah, there is a rift. Says the news. The other side is called the Holy Plenum. I guess they unleashed a buncha shuttles last month." He sneezes, continues, "The exploration ship is all big and high tech and stuff. We can't get our hands on nothin' so fancy. Not much we can do even if we could. Don't got no pilots. Don't get me wrong. A ship and a pilot would be useful. Lotta things we could do with 'em."
Jocaira just gives Micky a Look. "Gosh shucks yes it would be great to 'ave a ship and a pilot, but we don't. Why do you no call some of your buddies wis se ship and se pilot. Why do you no go out wis Monsieur Zu wis 'is ship? You are like child wis picture of toy." There is a pause, while she watches Learner walk over to the bar. "...huh. Interesting. 'e must be one who likes to 'ave a drink." There is another pause, as she comes back to the conversation. "'oly Plenum? What does sat even mean?"
Kethren shrugs "Probably some variant of "We're right cause our god says so." 's what it usually means."
"What is a god?" Learner asks, now with a sparkling blue drink in his hand. The glass is clear the the liquid pops and fizzles. "I heard that." He offers a polite smile and nod as he pulls his chair in with the other hand. "I discovered alcohol about a week ago. The substance is quite pleasant and I enjoy its effects however I've vowed to have no more than one or two as I seem to lose control of my corporeal faculties."
Sterling smiles at Jocaira's scolding of Micky, then snorts at Kethren's explanation. "Yeh, tell me about it." He smiles at Learner's sparkly fizzy drink, but widens his eyes at his question. "Oh, I ain't touchin' that one," he says. He finishes off his coffee and sets the cup on the table.
"'cause they're not stupid 'nough to fly around a rift where somebody just got attacked in a cargo freighter. Plus, they don't have a rift drive," says Micky. There's a pause. He squints at Kethren before he kinda mumbles, "I may have put you on the market for a custom ship. That's why probably why Ms. Xanya wanted to talk to you." He starts to stand, collect his duffel bag and datapad, "Just a heads up, you know? Anyway, how about the weather? Comfortable. I think so."
"Yeeeah, even if I were inclined to some'ow want to purchase and maintain a ship, -and- be stupid enough to go out scouting as you say? I do no 'ave se credit to just pop off and buy a rift drive, Monsieur Mickee. Likely not evair, unless I find -very- rich 'andsome boy," Joca says, trailing off into brow-furrowed confusion as he suddenly starts talking about the weather. This, however, is dismissed rather quickly. "Ehn, asking what a god is is like asking what love is. You will get diffairent explanation from every person and every person will sink sere answer is se right one. But... I can say, se missionaire who tried to bring sere god to my people? Did not like when sey were introduced to -ours-." Her lips curl upwards in a sniggering smirk, flashing a brief glint from a gold-backed canine tooth. "Hmm. I sink per'aps I would like a drink, and a loss of faculty. A nice bottle at 'ome is calling my name." Rapping her knuckles against the table, she moves to rise.
Kethren nods to Micky "Those drives aren't at all cheap, you know."
Learner nods at each member of the table in registration of their facet of the cacophenic conversation. "But this doesn't tell me exactly WHAT a god is. Surely there must be some peramiters or specifications for this entity, device or location." Learner says in protest, as though the answer was inadequate. He turns his attention back to Micky and his mention of the weather as Jocaira stands from the table. "I wasn't aware that Comorro varied in climate." He hold his hand out to test the atmosphere of the bar.
"Well, I hope /somebody's/ gonna do something t'find Pennebaker an' that panda fella," Sterling says, scooting his chair out from the table and likewise rising to his feet. He grins at Joca. "Loss o' faculty can be fun," he agrees. "But I reckon I'll go back t' me bunk an listen t'some more stuff about The Future."
"What's a couple of million hek-bucks between friends?" asks Micky over his shoulder just before he hits the door. Literally. He walks into it. He gropes for the handle, backs up a half step, and manages to leave without further damage to his dignity or nose. The door is fine.
"Well, ey, Monsieur Learnair. If you find out what a god really is, you let everyone know, okay? People 'ave not figure it out in many many years," Joca says, watching Micky walk into the door. There is a short, amused snort, but apparently this is not enough of a surprise to elicit a guffaw. "Good night, Monsieur Kethren. See you later, Monsieur James~."
Kethren offers a friendly enough wave "Gnite, all."
Learner is still sitting at the mostly empty table, unsipped drink still bubbling in hand, couriosity unquenched. He nods at everyone but give Jocaira an especially stern nod, "This god sounds more mysterious than previously implied to me. I will certainly do my best to deduce what god is and you can rest assured that I will offer you my observation." Learner takes a sip.
Sterling chuckles as Micky collides with the door. "Good eyes, there, mate," he calls. "Good luck with that, Learner. "'Night, folks," he says. He smiles at Jocaira and adds a "G'night, Boss," before heading out.