Session Start: Sun Aug 10 21:59:47 2003
Session Ident: #taw
* Logging #taw to 'logs\EsperNet\#taw.20030810.log'
<Katrina`> Session 90: Wooing the Girl
<Katrina`> Time Chart: September 17th, 2222
<Katrina`> Location: Near the Tsivrixsh Border
<Katrina`> Mission Objectives: Patrol
* Captain_Drake sits in the captain's chair, pouring himself a cup of tea. He sets the pitcher on a tray that he's managed to move up to the chair and leans back in his seat, holding the cup to his mouth. He takes a sip.
* Sardis stands on the control deck, his arms crossed behind his back.
* Cardinal sits in the XO's chair, typing a report and sipping on an unidentified beverage.
<Katrina`> GM: *the bridge is fairly empty right now, with only Ensign 2 working the piloting controls and Ensign 3 at the communications station. They are both unusually quiet for the new Captain, most of their annoying nature left behind as soon as he came aboard.*
* Captain_Drake is on the cafeteria, currently, talking with some other female ensigns from engineering. They all sit down at their table and begin to discuss various things.
<Captain_Drake> NRP: That would be Kat.
<Katrina`> NRP: Though picturing Drake doing that is a laugh.
<Cardinal> NRP: Especially considering the "other female ensigns" part.
<Katrina`> NRP: Drake in disguise!
<Cardinal> NRP: Drake in... drag! Excuse me for a moment, I need to go throw up.
* Captain_Drake sets his cup of tea down on the tray, cupping his hands together. Looking at him, it would be hard to tell if he's bored or not. He seems to take everything that happens with a certain air of calm and serenity, no matter what it is.
* Cardinal stops typing for a moment and takes a rather long swallow from her drink. She gets right back to typing.
<Kimera> NRP: No no no, you've got it wrong. Drake was a girl pretending to be a guy all along.
* Sardis glances around.
<Sardis> A slow day.
<Cardinal> You're telling me.
<Katrina`> GM: *all is silent out in space. Nothing is going on. Nothing is happening. Just like most of this week. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Just...debris. And nothing*
* Captain_Drake angles his head to look at the two.
<Cardinal> NRP: Is there any nothing out there?
<Captain_Drake> At least we can get some well deserved rest.
<Katrina`> NRP: Why, Ensign Nothing IS out there.
* Sardis looks to Cardinal
<Sardis> Where's Katrina?
* Cardinal shrugs.
<Cardinal> Ask Skippy.
* Katrina` giggles, taking some bites of her soup. She continues to chat with the engineering ensigns.
<Sardis> Skippy?
<Vile> NRP: *Suddenly the nothing comes to life, revealing it to actually be a race called the No`thin - A race of creatures that don't exist. This should be interesting.*
<Katrina`> GM: *the computer does not respond. Ever since the person who deleted it's personality did their thing, the computer no longer speaks unless spoken to and only responds to "Computer"*
<Cardinal> NRP: AAAH! GNOSIS!
* Captain_Drake glances at the latest science reports, noting that Katrina is logging in more time than Thedda. He glances at Cardinal.
<Captain_Drake> Where is Lt. Commander Thedda these days, Captain?
<Sardis> Computer, where's Katrina?
<Katrina`> Computer: Searching. *brief pause* Cafeteria B.
* Sardis nods and steps onto the elevator.
* Cardinal shakes her head. "I don't know, actually, I haven't seen her in a while."
* Captain_Drake gets that disapproving look on his face, but presses no further. He turns back to his reports.
* Cardinal takes a drink, shakes her head, and goes back to typing.
<Captain_Drake> Ensign 2: We seem to be coming up on an asteroid belt. Taking proper measures to slow down the Aquarius now as I run some scans. *he slows the ship down*
* Sardis steps into the cafeteria
* Katrina` smiles, nodding in agreement with something a blonde hair woman is saying. She makes a little gesture, saying something back.
* Cardinal suddenly looks very irritated at apparently nothing.
<Captain_Drake> Problems, Captain?
<Cardinal> ...Can we get some music playing, or something? This silence is driving me peanuts.
<Captain_Drake> Bored?
<Sardis> Miss Katrina. *walks over to her*
<Cardinal> ...Yes. Very.
* Katrina` stops in talking, turning around. She smiles at Sardis, waving at him. Some of the other women look a bit uneasy, but Kat doesn't seem to notice.
<Katrina`> Hi, Sardis! Want to join us?
<Sardis> Er... sure?
<Captain_Drake> You know ... *he pauses, drawing out the words, looking at the asteroid belt* I haven't flown through an asteroid belt in a shuttle in forever. Care to go for a spin with me?
* Cardinal saves the file she was working on and looks at Drake.
* Katrina` gestures at a seat next to her.
<Cardinal> Anything's better than this.
* Captain_Drake stands up. He grabs his comm, ordering Shiva to have a shuttle prepped and awaiting them.
* Sardis sits.
<Katrina`> How have you been, Sardis?
* Captain_Drake steps into the elevator, holding it open for Cardinal.
<Sardis> I've been... good.
* Cardinal stands up and smooths the wrinkles out of her uniform, then heads to the elevator, nodding at Drake as she steps in.
* Katrina` eats some more of soup, looking at her friends. They are all staring at Sardis curiously.
* Captain_Drake hits the hanger floor, cupping his hands together behind his back. He stands there impassively as the elevator moves downward.
* Sardis glances nervously to Kat's friends.
* Cardinal pulls a molted feather from her wing. "One of us should get the engineers to check the temperature regulators..."
<Katrina`> GM: *a moment passes, then the friends casually, though more subdued, go back to their conversations*
*** Strife` has joined #taw
* Captain_Drake steps out into the hanger, where a crew is getting a shuttle ready.
<Captain_Drake> Really? I can pass on a memo if you like.
* Sardis sits, unable to really get into their conversation.
* Katrina` turns to Sardis, looking at him.
<Cardinal> Please. Past a certain temperature, I molt like crazy.
<Katrina`> How's security been going?
* Cardinal steps off as well
* Kimera wanders into the cafeteria, on duty, and gets himself a drink.
<Kimera> NRP: Ack! Not again x.x
*** Kimera has left #taw
* Strife` did that. =P
<Captain_Drake> I should probably let Sardis know what we're doing. Lest he have a fit.
* Sardis eyes Strife. "Aren't you on duty?"
* Captain_Drake pauses, grabbing his comm. He clicks the activate button.
<Captain_Drake> Lt. Sardis?
<Cardinal> Knock yourself out, then. *by now, it's clear there was alcohol in her drink earlier*
* Captain_Drake makes a note to do the flying.
<Strife`> Oh, um... this is on my route. Yeah... That's it.
<Katrina`> Hi, Strife!
* Katrina` waves.
<Sardis> So... Kat..
*** Caladia is now known as Cally-Sleepies
* Strife` waves back to Kat and takes a sip of his drink, resting on one of the counters.
<Katrina`> Yes, Sardis?
* Captain_Drake shakes his comm.
<Cardinal> Broken?
<Captain_Drake> I think he could be in danger. He's not responding.
<Cardinal> *smirks* Let me try.
<Captain_Drake> Alright.
* Cardinal activates her own communicator. "Hey, Sardis, pick up."
<Sardis> It's a slow day and I was wonder---*sighs and answers his beeping comm*
<Sardis> Comm: Yes?
* Captain_Drake talks to Shiva in the background, gesturing at the shuttle.
* Cardinal winks at Drake. "Me and Drake are going to head out for a while, to break the boredom. Thing you can keep a handle on things 'til we get back?"
<Sardis> "... Alright."
<Strife`> So how's life for you Kat?
<Sardis> +Comm:
* Katrina` turns to Strife.
<Katrina`> Pretty easy going lately. It's like the galaxy is resting.
<Cardinal> Comm> Don't break anything, ok? *laughs lightly*
* Sardis frowns slightly and turns to Kat.
<Strife`> Yeah, peaceful can be good. A little boring, but good.
<Katrina`> It gives me time to catch up on my research papers.
<Captain_Drake> Alright, we're cleared, Captain.
* Captain_Drake opens the Co-Pilot door for her.
* Cardinal clicks her comm off. "Roger."
<Cardinal> Sure you don't want me to fly? I was top of my class.
<Captain_Drake> ...I... don't doubt that, Captain.
<Sardis> Strife`, don't you think you should go back to your duties?
<Cardinal> Pfft, whatever, knock yourself out. *steps in and sits in the co-pilot seat*
<Strife`> But sir! You never know when a bar brawl might brake out.
<Sardis> Then go to the bar.
<Strife`> ...or a cafeteria brawl! They're just as bad.
<Sardis> Strife.
<Strife`> ...food fight?
<Katrina`> NRP: http://512kb.net/flash5.htm
<Sardis> ...
* Katrina` looks confused between the two.
<Sardis> Anyway, Kat..
* Captain_Drake steps into the pilot's seat. He begins to flip some switches, lighting up various things. He takes his time, doing everything by the book.
<Sardis> It's a slow day and I was wondering if you'd show me a few of those moves you talked about with the sabre.
<Katrina`> Oh? *she sounds hesitant* Why?
* Strife` gets a sandwich.
<Cardinal> You know, you don't have to do half of that.
<Sardis> Well, like I said, slow day.. add some intrest to the day.
<Captain_Drake> I know. I just like doing things the way they are suppose to be done. *flip flip flip*
* Katrina` seems to be debating it, chewing on her lip. She plays with a string of hair nervously.
<Sardis> It's okay if you're not interested.
<Cardinal> Whatever works for you. *kicks back*
* Captain_Drake finally finishes and lifts off the deck. He pushes the controls forward and reasonably leaves the hanger at a nice, respectable speed.
<Katrina`> I guess we can. It'll be like training with mom.
* Katrina` finishes her soup, grabbing the tray and putting it up,.
<Sardis> Er... yeah.
<Cardinal> It's good to get off the ship, huh?
<Captain_Drake> Yes it is.
* Captain_Drake pulls away from the ship and heads for the asteroid belt.
* Katrina` shakes her head at Strife eating.
<Katrina`> Always working hard. *she giggles*
<Sardis> Indeed..
<Strife`> G'luck Kat! *waves, and goes back to eating*
* Katrina` steps up next to Sardis, patting down her uniform.
<Katrina`> Let me go get my saber. I'll meet you in the training deck.
* Katrina` waves and leaves.
<Cardinal> NRP: Thought that said "putting down her uniform" for a second...
<Katrina`> NRP: ....
* Captain_Drake enters the asteroid belt. It's not overly crowded, but it still adds for a bit of excitement.
* Cardinal looks out of the window boredly.
* Captain_Drake glances at her.
<Captain_Drake> Still bored, Captain?
* Sardis heads down to teh training deck.
<Katrina`> Engineering Woman 1: *waits until Sardis is gone* He's kind of creepy.
<Katrina`> GM: *the training deck is all but empty at this time of day. The security crew must be slacking off - again. Pretty much the entire deck is free for use*
<Cardinal> Yeah. Just... general boredom, though. Maybe a little homesickness...
* Captain_Drake reaches over and hits a button, sending the controls over to the co-pilot. He leans back.
<Captain_Drake> Want to talk about it?
* Sardis grabs a sabre from the training rack, testing it a little.
* Cardinal takes the controls, her minor intoxication not affecting her ability to fly.
* Sardis flicks it on and slashes the air a bit.
<Cardinal> I guess it's really been hitting me lately how different my life was before I joined the Alliance.
* Katrina` walks in. Her red hair is done up in a pony tail to get it out of her way and she is still wearing the casual Alliance crew outfit. On her hip is the DS sabre, attached firmly in a sheath. She walks over.
<Captain_Drake> Having a family and being a chieftian, right?
* Sardis watches Kat as she walks over.
<Katrina`> I'm here. *she smiles*
<Sardis> Yeah.
* Sardis smiles, too.
* Katrina` glances around, rocking back on her heels of her feet.
<Cardinal> Yeah... heh, it seems like life was so much easier then, looking back...
* Captain_Drake glances at her.
<Captain_Drake> Do you regret joining the Alliance, then?
* Sardis walks over to the training ring.
<Cardinal> Never. It's... been an experience, to say the least.
* Katrina` casually walks over to it also, looking at it. She looks at Sardis, sizing him up. It's obvious he's stronger and got more power, so she'll have to remain quick and nimble, lest he bring his full force upon her and it end it right there.
* Sardis flicks on the sabre.
<Sardis> I'm new at this so...
<Cardinal> But I can't help but wonder how Dhenira is handling things. She's a little young to have all of the responsibilities of being a chieftain dumped on her, and just so I can be out here gallavanting around for the Alliance.
<Captain_Drake> Duties usually do prevent people from having a proper family. You might want to ask Command for some leave time. Heaven knows, by your track record, you deserve it.
* Katrina` nods, understanding. She takes her saber out, activating it.
<Captain_Drake> GM: *an asteroid passes close by the shuttle*
* Sardis slashes the air once.
<Cardinal> ...This field's more dense than I thought it was...
<Captain_Drake> Yes. IT seems we're moving closer in.
* Katrina` stretches some, getting the stiff feeling out of her body.
* Sardis watches her stretch.
<Katrina`> Okay, I'm ready.
<Sardis> I'll let you lead, m'lady.
* Katrina` nods. She moves lower to the ground, almost crouching, holding the saber out in front of her, keeping it between her body and him. She suddenly speeds forward and slashes at him from down low, moving to nick his side
<Captain_Drake> GM: *a few more asteroids pass by overhead*
* Sardis tries to parry, shuffling his feet to avoid the nick. :P
* Katrina` is parried and she bounces away with a quick hop to put some space between her and Sardis.
<Cardinal> Maybe we should radio back to the Aquarius. Warn them about the center of this field.
<Captain_Drake> Good idea. *he leans forward, but finds the radio is being interfered with.* Damn. It seems the asteroids aren't letting us get a direct signal through.
<Cardinal> *sighs* It's never easy, is it?
* Sardis takes a step forward, slashing down at her.
* Katrina` raises the saber up in a horizontal angle, letting his blade smash into it from his overhead chop. She quickly steps to the side, removing her sabre and does a quick jab at his arm.
<Captain_Drake> no.
* Captain_Drake shifts, looking nonchalant.
* Sardis is struck by Kat, stumbling to the side.
<Katrina`> A-Are you okay?
<Cardinal> You seem confident.
<Captain_Drake> Lets say I trust your flying abilities, Captain.
* Sardis responds with a smile, slashing diagonally at her, with relative finess, but no skill.
* Katrina` stumbles back, looking on as the blade swipes inches from her. She quickly tries to get her footing back.
<Cardinal> Fair enough.
* Captain_Drake closes his eyes, though.
<Captain_Drake> It's peaceful out here, isn't it, Captain?
<Captain_Drake> GM: *as he says this, three asteroids tumbles towards them*
<Cardinal> Yep.
* Cardinal moves to dodge the asteroids.
* Sardis follows up with a quick sideswipe.
* Katrina` tries to move her blade over to parry, but takes the cut. She reels away, flinching, but not looking that hurt. She quickly slides into a defensive position, holding her sabre diagonally across her body for protection.
<Captain_Drake> GM: *the asteroids are easily passed*
*** Vile has quit IRC (Quit: ｫOzzy Osbourneｻ ::Shuffles about.:: I'm going to go shiggityglobbleshlopforksimit. <Sharon> What the hell did you just say? ｫOzzy Osbourneｻ SHARON! <Sharon> I'm right here, Ozzy! ｫOzzy Osbourneｻ .. Oh. Where's the fuckin' cat?!)
<Sardis> Er.. are you alright?
* Katrina` smiles and presses her advantage, jabbing quickly at his left side, stopping as it is a feint and ducks low, sending a brief slash horizontally across at his mid-section, in order to graze it.
* Captain_Drake pulls out a star chart, looking it over.
<Captain_Drake> I honestly cannot recall there being an asteroid belt here.
<Cardinal> ...Now you mention that.
* Sardis is struck again, but counters.
* Katrina` parries quickly, stepping back. Beads of sweat run down her face.
<Captain_Drake> It's a rather deserted area of space, but there were suppose to be some planets nearby, I thought. The Alliance never bothered to fully map them out since they were so close to Tsivrixsh Borders.
<Cardinal> You know, I hope I didn't just put two twos together there.
<Captain_Drake> You're thinking the planets were destroyed, yes?
* Sardis pants, eyeing Kat.
<Cardinal> *slowly* I... wouldn't put it past the Tsivrixsh...
<Captain_Drake> Seems kind of strange to blow up deserted planets. But, I guess anything to annoy the Alliance would fit their bill.
* Katrina` runs a sleeve over her face. She's obviously getting hot in the outfit she's wearing.
* Sardis gets into a loose fighting stance, breathing deeply.
<Cardinal> They're good about that...
* Katrina` slides into her defensive stature, holding the sabre up once again in a diagonal position.
<Captain_Drake> It'll be something for a science ship to look into, I suppose.
<Cardinal> Yeah, I'll file a report when we get back...
* Captain_Drake nods.
* Sardis takes a step forward.
<Captain_Drake> I hate to imagine the power that it took to blow an entire planet up.
* Katrina` doesn't back down. She just moves further into her defensive stance.
<Cardinal> *distant* ...So would I...
* Sardis takes the cue and slashes at her.
<Captain_Drake> Planet Killers are capable of it, I suppose. But all of them were destroyed in the war. *pauses, reflectively* Unless they made more.
* Katrina` just holds her sabre up to parry, already in the position.
* Cardinal doesn't respond
<Captain_Drake> Still, wasting one on a deserted planet would make no sense. *he dismisses the idea*
* Sardis makes contact with her parry, pushing down on it.
* Katrina` strains, rapidly losing ground. She realizes he's about to overpower her, so she goes for a quick roll to the side, hoping to let him cleave right into the floor.
<Captain_Drake> GM: *a piece of white cloth floats by the shuttle, stained red on parts.*
* Sardis is cleaved.
* Katrina` springs up, pointing her sabre at the side of his head.
<Cardinal> ...Unless, of course, they weren't deserted. You said yourself we don't know this area well.
<Captain_Drake> That's true.
* Sardis parries, grunting while he puts his weight into it.
* Katrina` stumbles to the side, thrown off balance, not expecting him to be so fast.
<Captain_Drake> GM: *it's also stained gray*
* Captain_Drake looks around on the scanners. There's no sign of recent damage.
<Captain_Drake> If I had to guess, I'd say this is several years old.
* Sardis jumps back, panting and sweating.
<Cardinal> From the looks of it...
* Katrina` regains her balance quickly, holding the sabre at Sardis, like a fencer would.
<Captain_Drake> A science team will find out more, though.
<Captain_Drake> GM: *a big asteroid passes dangerously close by*
<Cardinal> Yeah. Let's head back to the Aquarius, I don't want to wreck this thing. *moves to avoid*
* Sardis eyes Kat, sizing her up.
<Captain_Drake> Sounds good.
* Katrina` looks tired, but she doesn't seem ready to back down. She takes several deep breaths, trying to get in air while she can, but she doesn't seem hurried.
* Cardinal changes course after the dodge and heads for the Aquarius.
* Strife` watches Kat and Sardis' fight on a datascreen. Still in the cafeteria, eating.
<Katrina`> GM: *the girls are all crowded around Strife, watching too*
* Captain_Drake looks out occassionally at the asteroids. He says nothing, even after the Aquarius comes back into view*
<Strife`> .oO( Now if only this was my fanclub instead of Kat's ;.; )
<Cardinal> *hunts for a topic* So... do you fight well?
<Cardinal> .oO{...Good choice...}
<Captain_Drake> Fight well?
* Sardis rushes her, spinning around with an upslash.
<Cardinal> Never mind. I just like to know if those around me can hold their own if attacked... it's a Dharina thing, I guess.
* Katrina` leans back, part of her uniform's right arm slashes opened, sending the "3rd Year Cadet" stitched in flying up. She blinks, then twirls the sabre like DS taught her and slashes upward at Sardis in return.
* Sardis 's shirt ends up slashed off, he blinks.
<Katrina`> GM: *the women prattle about how cool it is that Kat is holding her own against a big bad Tsivrixsh. When the shirt is slashed off, they all chatter more*
<Captain_Drake> I'm more suited for commanding others than fighting, to be honest.
<Captain_Drake> GM: *the Aquarius' hanger opens for them to dock*
* Katrina` backflips away, learning that one from Ariel, probably. She lands on all fours, her sabre humming dangerously low to the ground, reflecting it's colors off on it.
* Cardinal moves to dock, thinking.
* Sardis jumps over her and slashes down.
* Strife` eats quietly, not about to join in on this idle chatter.
<Cardinal> I really hope Sardis did what I asked him...
* Katrina` pushes herself off to the left, rolling once. She seems to be getting into this, knowing it's not life or death. It's almost like old training sessions at home, though it never felt this weird with Ariel.
<Captain_Drake> I'm sure he did fine.
* Sardis draws a circle in the ground around himself with the sabre.
* Katrina` stands up, ripping off the ruined right sleeve of her shirt. She stands there, watching curiously at what Sardis is doing.
* Sardis stays within the circle, challengingly.
<Captain_Drake> GM: *the shuttle docks*
* Katrina` moves forward, cautiously. She watches him, to see if this is some new tactic. Deciding he wants her to try and knock him out, she gulps, wondering if she has the strength. She launches forward, though, with a quick horizontal slash.
* Captain_Drake gets out, looking around.
<Captain_Drake> Everything seems in place.
* Sardis attempts to parry, pushing against her blade.
* Cardinal steps out as well, stretching. Forgetting her wingspan for a moment, she accidentally clocks Drake.
* Katrina` slides back, but puts her weight into pushing against him. It's no real contest, though. Sardis is stronger.
* Captain_Drake falls over.
*** Dias has quit IRC (Quit: )
<Cardinal> Huh? *gets flustered - a rare occurance* I'm sorry, Captain Drake! *offers her hand, blushing profusely*
* Captain_Drake takes it, standing up. He picks a feather off his face.
<Captain_Drake> No problem.
* Cardinal rubs the back of her head, laughing nervously. "Guess I forgot my wingspan for a minute..."
* Sardis breaks the parry, slashing at her again
<Captain_Drake> Quite an impressive wingspan.
* Katrina` is slashes right across the stomach, her shirt uniform tearing enough to show her stomach. She quickly flees back towards the edge of the fighting room, suddenly seeming wary.
<Katrina`> NRP: Training ring, even
* Cardinal blushes even heavier, a bit of anger tinging her face even redder.
<Katrina`> GM: *the girls yell louder in Strife's ears*
* Captain_Drake stands there, looking at Cardinal
<Captain_Drake> Everything okay?
* Sardis spins the sabre, eyeing her.
<Cardinal> You j... oh, right, you don't know... *laughs nervously again*
<Captain_Drake> I just what?
* Katrina` stays back, her face red. From exhaustion or blushing, it's hard to tell. She doesn't approach, just steading herself.
<Cardinal> You know the reaction you'd get if you complimented a human woman's breast size? Same thing among the Dharina. But no sweat.
* Captain_Drake pauses, as if an anvil just crashed in the background.
<Captain_Drake> Oh.
* Strife` stays silent, but mentally cheers on Kat.
<Captain_Drake> I apologize.
<Cardinal> So... *glances to both sides, as if making sure nobody is watching* After I file that request... would you like to join me for a drink?
<Sardis> Done already? *pants*
<Katrina`> I... *she reaches up to play with her hair, a sign she's nervous, but stops* I think you're the victor, Sardis.
<Captain_Drake> Why not. There's nothing going on that Sardis can't handle.
<Cardinal> Hey, I'm proud of my wings. Just be careful who you say that to next time. *winks*
* Sardis turns off his sabre, eyeing her. "Why..? You could have taken be apart."
*** Dias has joined #taw
* Katrina` quickly shuts off her sabre, putting it in the sheath. She shakes her head humbly.
<Katrina`> No, you're good. Real good.
<Strife`> Awwww... She gave in.
<Katrina`> GM: *all the girls look disappointed*
* Sardis blushes, rubbing the back of his head.
* Katrina` shuffles a bit, then nods at the exit.
<Katrina`> I should go get another uniform. It was fun, Sardis. See you later! *she waves, then leaves*
* Sardis waves.
* Captain_Drake nods at Cardinal, stepping into the elevator.
* Cardinal steps on as well.
<Katrina`> Bridge.
<Katrina`> NRP: Drake said that
<Captain_Drake> Bridge.
<Captain_Drake> GM: *the elevator takes them to the bridge and he steps out*
* Cardinal steps off. She moves over to her (new) chair and sits, and begins typing the request.
* Captain_Drake walks over to his seat and sits down, sipping his tea.
<Katrina`> S.E.S.S.I.O.N E.N.D.S
Session Close: Sun Aug 10 23:43:14 2003