04/07/01

"The basis of optimism is sheer terror."-- Oscar Wilde

164 to 170-1121.

Onward to Teucer.

Trevor has been using his personal skills to fit in, blend into the anonymous crew, and make certain the female crew members know that he is not gay. At least he'll get dates, and not get into any trouble whatsoever. He finds the organization on the ship is very "top down"; the ratings don't do much without a senior spacehand or officer. Not to mention the two guys who don't seem to have a job other than wander around and visit with the crew.

Trevor hears all the rumors and scuttlebutt about Mitchell sucking up to the captain and making everyone else look bad. He apparently swings both ways, since he's been spending time with the luscious Barbara. Trevor: <thinking> "Damn it, first it's all the women, now it's the men too?" Trevor being the regular guy that he is, is invited to the "blanket party" the crew has planned for Mitchell on the night before docking at Teucer. The soap will have to be stolen from First Class, to get actual bars (the liquid stuff wouldn't fulfill the requirements).

Trevor decides he should get word to Mitchell, so he doesn't get hurt too badly. He doesn't want to make a specific trip to see Mitchell, or send e-mail, for security reasons. Trevor waits until he's at the gym, and tells Malcolm to "tell Mitchell to find another place to sleep tomorrow night. Otherwise his sleep will be disturbed in an unpleasant fashion." Malcolm: "I see." One of the non-working wanderers happens to be nearby during the conversation, and raises an eyebrow. After he leaves, Malcolm informs Trevor that they were overheard. Trevor: "Oh well."

Megan and Gabrielle continue to work unmolested in First Class. Gabrielle asks one of the girls about the casino chips for tips, and is told that they can be exchanged through the Purser. Linda: "Yeah, I got a $10 Solar chip!" Gabrielle doesn't mention the denominations Dr. Neil has been passing her. Gabrielle and Megan start to cash in their chips, a bit at a time rather than all at once, in order to have actual Solars on their cards when they get to Teucer. These financial activities attract the attention of the ship's Purser, who has Gabrielle brought to her office.

The Purser wants to make sure the tips weren't the result of um, non-approved activities. Purser: "We don't want the crew getting too friendly with the First Class passengers." Gabrielle: "I thought we were supposed to be friendly to the First Class passengers." It's sort of the generic Speech #6: Fraternization. The Purser goes through the rote speech, barely glancing at Gabrielle, and getting her name wrong. It's obviously time taken out of the Purser's busy schedule of sucking up to the Captain and First Class passengers. She's wearing an incredibly well-tailored uniform, has perfect teeth, a little beauty mark, all the 'necessary' touches. Gabrielle takes note of the fact that the Purser is wearing a little too much perfume, and her lipstick is a bit too red, but she doesn't mention it. Gabrielle is dismissed, and Megan is called in a little later for the exact same speech. The Purser can't get her name right either.

The First Officer deigns to come among the unwashed ratings for the first time. He's a small man, kind of bookish, absentminded, and professorial. Or maybe he just looks the part. He passes on some information to the crew that is to be kept very quiet - there's a bit of a vermin problem, and that means two days of liberty for the crew while the problem is dealt with. Yahoo!! After repeating himself several times, he starts wandering on and on and on without knowing how to quite end, until the Senior Rating steps up to thank him. The crew discusses what they're going to do on Teucer with their leave time. Trevor listens in, since he doesn't know Teucer at all. Rating: "You don't want to wander away from the starport, and don't mess with the cops, but other than that, if a guy has a little cash, he can find what he needs. If you know what I mean." Nudge-nudge.

Mitchell comes in to see Barbara for his tutoring lesson on the night he's not supposed to return to his bunk, to find the lights down low, and Babs wearing a new, musky perfume. ("Ravage Me", or something.) Mitchell: "Is the ship equipped with a manual sextant?" Barbara: "No, whatever for? I have one, it was a graduation present." Mitchell: "Can I borrow it?" Barbara: "It's at home." Mitchell: "It's a hobby of mine. Do you think some one might have one on board?" Barbara: "I don't know. Wait a minute, I think the captain has one in his cabin, I remember seeing it once. Maybe you could borrow his - you are his pet." Maybe not. They discuss briefly the observation deck, and how some people take telescopes up there. Mitchell's plan is to get through his lessons, then head up to the obs deck for the night. Barbara's plan does not appear to be along the same track.

Barbara: "Can I fix you anything? A cappuccino? Glass of wine?" Mitchell: "Coffee would be nice." Barbara calls for room service, and some coffee is brought up that is much better than the coffee the lower ratings have been getting. Barbara: "You seem tense. Let me rub your shoulders." Mitchell does not intend to sleep with her, he's sure about that. (He's forgetting what happened the last time he refused a woman.) Barbara: "I have some good news for you - I've spoken with the captain." Mitchell: "Oh?" Barbara: "Well, after we get in to Teucer, he's going to put through the paperwork, and bump you up to Able Spacehand. And he's willing to sponsor your application to officer training. The next cycle doesn't start for a while, but he's willing to take you on as an officer probationary. You don't get all the perks, but you will get the responsibilities. Of course you'd have an officer's cabin. You wouldn't have to bunk with those brutes downstairs." The brutes in his party might resent that. Mitchell: "I appreciate everything you're doing for me." Barbara: "You have the ability, and you're wasted on the lower decks. You obviously have more experience spacing than your papers say, but I haven't wanted to pry. You'll tell me when you're ready. But I just feel we have so much in common..." She's running away from the Ephor of Polyphemus too?!? Mitchell: "I think we should wait until we have some time off the ship. You did say we needed to keep things low-key." Barbara: "That's true. What would I do without you?" She'll find out once the ship gets to Vantage! Mitchell leaves, and there's a crewman sweeping the hallway nearby. One section is really, really clean.

Mitchell heads up to the obs deck and finds the door locked. An officer he's never seen before spots him in the hall. Officer: "You there! What are you doing here? You should be below decks. You're engineering, aren't you?" Mitchell: "Yes sir. I was ordered to come up here and make sure this area was secured." Officer: "I've ordered some calibration tests on the maneuver drives before we come out of jump. Your friends in engineering are probably looking for you as we speak. I suggest you go." Mitchell: "Yes sir." He leaves, but not back to his bunk, since he's expecting trouble. He goes to the crew galley. Several people glance at Mitchell and smile at each other. Mitchell reads his study material and drinks coffee. Crewman A: "Studying so hard, boy the captain would be real proud if he saw him." All this in loud stage whispers, for Mitchell's benefit. Crewman B: "Maybe Malcolm isn't his only friend." Crewman A: "The way the captain talks about him, he must be something special." Mitchell leaves and goes to Engineering, where another unknown officer is yelling instructions. Over the loud speaker: "You're still 30% over the mark." Mitchell: "Reporting to duty, sir." Officer: "Well, get down there." They're trying to recalibrate the maneuver drives, but it's not easy. Mitchell manages to insert himself into the fray, and works hard to be the best man on the crew. (It's an illness - he can't help himself.) The officer Mitchell saw upstairs comes down, snatches the clipboard away from the more junior officer, and walks through the crew giving them very specific, very simplified instructions. He obviously knows what he's doing, and he's not afraid to get his hands dirty. Mitchell follows directions well. A bit too well. Officer: "You see - Taylor understands it! Why can't you be more like him? It's not that difficult! Show them, Taylor." Oh, Mitchell is getting some really nasty looks. Officer: "We will stay here all night if we have to, people."

Hours later, the officer is finally satisfied. Officer: "Fine. Now that wasn't too hard, now was it? Those of you who weren't scheduled for regular duty can go now." It's 6:00 o'clock in the morning, and everyone is too tired for a blanket party. Mitchell collapses on his bunk. Then some one comes in and bellows "All right, sweethearts, time to get up!" But it feels like they just fell asleep! That's because it's only been 15 minutes since they got to bed. Too bad. The ship is coming out of jump, and all the crew has to stand to. Mitchell asks about getting a couple of hundred Solars advance on his salary, which is not usual since he hasn't been on board a month, but Barbara approves it.

Trevor is chatting with some of the guys about the potential for entertainment on Teucer. Jim: "I know a friendly policeman on Teucer, he can get you whatever you need - male or female." Trevor: "I've never had to pay for it, and I'm not about to start now." Jim: "Hey, they're not the usual worn-out slags. We're talking young and fresh here. Better than what you're used to." Trevor: "And how old are these 'young and fresh' females?" Jim: "They're adults. Jeeze what do you think I am, some kind of pervert?" Trevor: "No, it just means I'd have to beat the crap out of you."

The captain has come below decks to give an inspirational speech to the crew. Captain: "Now before all you men and women take off, I want you to remember that you represent this ship and you should conduct yourselves in a way that will not reflect adversely upon her. There was this dog, and he was laying in the bush, and there was this leopard. And it was a very clever dog....And he said 'Boy, that leopard was delicious!' Anyway, this monkey..." Once everyone's brains have cramped up, he finishes. The captain really is incapable of getting to the point; any point.

171-1121.

Welcome to Teucer. Not a very exciting port, not that big. It's a nice, clean, sort of sterile UpPort. A lot of guards with weapons. Many Krypteia in black uniforms, and SolSec as well - some in green uniforms, some not.

Mitchell finds a nice, but not too expensive hotel and checks in. Mitchell checks in - it's all automated. He doesn't have to even see a human if he doesn't want to, which he doesn't. As he looks outside he sees the chief engineer, Barbara, boarding the ship with some locals carrying boxes. Shortly thereafter, she comes off in her civilian clothing. Malcolm sees Trevor and Doctor Neil emerge from the ship, separately. Doctor Neil is hard to miss, and is smoking a Vegan cigar. A police officer comes over to Doctor Neil, and has a bit of a chat with him, pointing out the "Smoking is a crime" sign. Doctor Neil shakes the friendly policeman's hand, and the cop puts his hand in his pocket and smiles. Then Doctor Neil indicates Malcolm across the way, and the cop glances that way and nods. Was that a "that's my friend over there" thing, or "kill that man for me, there's a good chap"?

Megan has survived the trip with nothing more than a few bruises on her rump. Gabrielle has had a small chat with her about not spinning on the passengers and glaring at them when they do that. Yes, it's annoying, but it usually comes with a tip. Megan muttered, but she understands. The two females leave the ship together. Megan: "Hey, it's not much, but at least they probably aren't looking for us here. Yet."

Malcolm finds the local tourist propaganda. "Teucer and Polyphemus working together!" Very well done, very slick. There are news stories about religious fanatics trying to foment problems, successful raids by government troops, the usual. Most of the efforts to get rid of the religious influence is through education, and long term projects. The more conservative religions are the ones getting the most attention and "mocking" in the press. Unlike the Marches, "terrorist act" here means discharging a firearm and almost hitting someone, graffiti, or slashing someone with a knife. (Because it's easy to make a knife, but not a gun.)

The UpPort is rather small, and the rooms fill up fast. Most of the crew will be heading DownPort to get a room. When Mitchell comes out of his hotel, he notices all the "No Vacancy" signs. He heads DownPort and locates the others. Through the really serious scanners (one of the engineering staff is stopped for metal filings in his pocket), past the signs warning about the current high pollen count. And there are some chemicals in the air from industry (odd for this tech level - it usually means they don't care). Everyone except for Megan is made very unhappy by the pollen, especially Dr. Neil, Gabrielle, Trevor, and Malcolm. There are shots available at the local medical clinics, where lots of people are lining up for shots. Gabrielle has one red eye, but the left one is perfectly clear and feels fine.

Trevor gets to the head of the line first. Nurse: "First we're going to do a little test to make sure you don't have sensitivity to the shot." There's a cell scrape, and then a quick shot. Very fast, very good results, and the ID card is updated with the medical information. Gabrielle asks to speak to Doctor Neil before getting her shot, but waits until after he's gone through and had the shot. He gets the shot, sits down, and after a few minutes he feel better. He dabs at his eyes behind the glasses, and Gabrielle notices a bit of blood on his handkerchief as he puts it back in his pocket. Doctor Neil: "Yes?" Gabrielle: <uncomfortable> "I'm concerned about something. How much do you know about what happened to me on Freemantle?" Doctor Neil: "On Freemantle? Just what you told me." Gabrielle: "If that's really all, this is going to take more time." Doctor Neil: "Why don't you ask me what you want to ask me and I'll figure it out form there. I'm a clever chap..." Gabrielle: "I was given some kind of drug. I don't know what it was, but the effects were...odd. I know I'm not making a lot of sense, but I don't' understand a lot of it." Doctor Neil: <patting her hand> "There, there. Take your time." He's very patient." Gabrielle: "Whatever the drug was, it gave very strange results on my medical tests." Doctor Neil: "People see what they're looking for. The med tech is looking only for what he is interested in, nothing more." Gabrielle: "Before we left Polyphemus, when we were all, um, visiting the same place..." Doctor Neil: "Well, some of us were." Gabrielle: "When you were off elsewhere. They'd take me from the cell, draw blood, and give me some sort of injection. But only me." Doctor Neil: "I'm sure everything will be fine, but you don't have to get the shot if you don't want to." Gabrielle waits awhile, but she gets worse. (Except for the one eye which is unaffected.) She feels fine afterwards. Doctor Neil is feeling tired. Very tired. Gabrielle: "You need to get a room." Not a problem here on DownPort - hotel rooms, cabins, little places on the beach. Doctor Neil gives Gabrielle his card as he's falling asleep. He hails an autocab and requests a nice hotel. Doctor Neil: "My secretary will take care of the arrangements." They get to a very nice hotel, and Gabrielle gets a suite for the doctor. A bellman brings a wheelchair and wheels the rather somnolent Doctor Neil up to his room. Gabrielle gets the doctor onto a bed, makes him comfortable and covers him with a blanket.

Mitchell finds Megan, who isn't being bothered by the pollen at all. [Probably because she had her shot at the SolSec Academy.]
Megan: "What do you want me to do sir? Am I with you?" Mitchell: "We have no idea where Doctor Neil and Gabrielle are." Megan: "We should stick together, sir. Your room on UpPort would make a good rendezvous point; I'll stick with you." Mitchell: "I'm more concerned about Gabrielle and Doctor Neil." Megan: "Yes sir, I saw them go off in a cab." Mitchell: "You didn't happen to get the number of the cab?" Megan: "Yes sir. Number 254, Teucer Cabs. At 10:47 sir." Mitchell: "We could ask the cab company, but I don't know if that's public information." Malcolm: "It's not." Megan: "We can ask Doctor Neil, he always seems to be able to find things out." It's pointed out to Megan that it's difficult to ask Doctor Neil for help to find Doctor Neil when you can't find Doctor Neil. Megan: "Oh." Malcolm: "The doctor would have gone to one of the nicer hotels. <He looks at the tourist info.> There is only one nice hotel near the starport." Then that's where they probably went. The Parthenon Hotel, in fact. Malcolm gets a small package in a little shop, and will act as the harmless delivery guy.

Mitchell and Megan enter the hotel first, heading over to the lounge. Malcolm comes in a few minutes later and goes up to the front desk. He plays the part of the humble servant arriving after his master, but without saying any names. The clerk recognizes who Malcolm means: Doctor Neil. Malcolm is not really happy that Neil's using his own name, but there's nothing to be done about it now. A hotel staff member takes Malcolm upstairs to confirm his identity. Staff: "And may I say it's a privilege to have the Ephor's brother staying with us." Malcolm stifles the sputter as he's escorted to the door of the penthouse suite, where the staff member knocks. Gabrielle answers the door. Staff: "Pardon the intrusion, miss. This man says he's a member of the Doctor's staff?" Gabrielle: "Yes, thank you." Malcolm enters, shutting the door behind him. Malcolm: "I've already been informed that they're very happy to have the Ephor's brother with them." Gabrielle: "Oh. Well, he did have me use his personal card to check us in." Malcolm: "Problem? Part of some clever plan?" Gabrielle: "Um, actually it's the result of the allergy shot. He's asleep." Malcolm goes in to check on Doctor Neil in the other room, to make sure he's actually all right. He's very soundly asleep, little blue glasses and all. Malcolm moves to check under the glasses, but Gabrielle doesn't want him to. (There are things that one should just not know; this is one of them.) Malcolm checks on the effects of the pollen shots, using the hotel terminal. "Approximately 10% of the people receiving the shots will have extreme drowziness for up to four hours. It is best to refrain from operating heavy machinery for several hours after receiving the shot, especially if it is the first time." It's a bit late for that now; best to let the doctor sleep it off.

Malcolm goes back downstairs to the bar, where all the customers look very healthy. The bartender sees the very fit man and falls into the subservient mode. Malcolm gets a drink in a nice cut crystal glass. Mitchell and Megan leave after they see Malcolm. A few minutes later, Malcolm finishes his drink and meets up with them down the street, where they talk as they go. Mitchell: "Well? Are they here?" Malcolm: "Oh yes. Doctor Neil checked into the best hotel in the port, using his own name, into the best suite. Our best hope is that we'll be on our way soon enough. I need to find a gym; I don't want to lose my edge." Mitchell: "You know where we'll be, and we know where they'll be. I'm thinking cells here - you know where we'll be, but they don't know, and I'd like to keep it that way for now. I'm not saying I don't want them to know, but for security's sake I'd prefer it." Trevor went off with a group of crewmen when he got off the ship, so they'll look for him later.

Mitchell goes back up to his room, with Megan. They arrive without incident, picking up some take out on the way. Two Navy people, just hanging - have some grub, toss back a couple of beers, watch some inspirational tri-dee. Megan: "I'll flip you for the bed." Mitchell: "Okay." Megan wins. She puts on her jammies (after a week together, in a cell, naked...). Or rather, she's in the middle of changing, when Barbara knocks on the door, wearing a slinky dress, holding a bottle of champagne and two glasses. Barbara walks in when Mitchell opens the door, sees Megan in just the top of her pajamas, and says "Am I interrupting something?" Mitchell: "No." Barbara: "I beg to differ." Mitchell turns to see where she's looking. Megan: "Uh...Hi. I was just getting dressed. <pause> It's not what it looks like." Barbara: "I think I'd better leave." Mitchell: "She's right. It's not what it looks like. You've been helping me out a lot on the ship, getting my certifications and all that -" Barbara: "Oh I see, and she's been helping you in other ways. I just hope you're happy!" She tears up, drops the bottle and glasses and starts to leave. Mitchell shuts the door before she gets out. Mitchell: "Look. Do you remember you said there was more to my past than I was willing to tell you?" Barbara: "All right. Go ahead." Mitchell gets Barbara seated, and sends Megan to the bathroom to get clothes on, which she does. Mitchell pours champagne for Barbara, who tosses it back and holds the glass out for a refill, which she gets. Megan returns to the room, in regular clothing. The room is very quiet. Mitchell: "I think I need a glass of champagne." He pours one for himself. He's not sure how he's going to explain this, he's not sure what he's going to explain. Megan goes over to Barbara and says "Look, there's no reason for you to be mad at my brother. We're just trying to save a little money. He'd turned his back to let me get dressed when you showed up. Nothing was going on, come on - he's my brother! My big brother. See, we have the Taylor nose!" Neither one of them is using the last name "Taylor", but oh well. Megan: "Look, why don't I go do some shopping, and let you two talk. He's told me all about you, and I'm glad we had a chance to meet." She leaves.

Barbara is a bit calmer, willing to accept the sibling story. Unfortunately... Mitchell: "She's not my sister." Now Barbara is really confused. Barbara: "But she just said..." Mitchell: "I know what she said. She and I have been travelling together for some time." Barbara: "I see. I won't get in the way. I obviously misunderstood our relationship." Mitchell: "No, it's not like that." Lengthy pause as Mitchell desperately tries to figure out what the hell to say. Barbara: "Is there anything else to drink in this place?" Champagne bottle's empty. they order up some Scotch, and start filling the champagne flutes with that. Mitchell basically tries to give Barbara a vague story about him and Megan being "working associates." Barbara: "Interesting work." Mitchell: "We got into some trouble. We've been travelling together, but there's not that kind of relationship." He's trying to walk a fine line here. A tightrope with punji sticks on both sides. He doesn't want Megan's feelings to be hurt, more so than Barbara's, but he's not a cruel man. No matter how you explain things, there are going to be hurt feelings. Barbara tosses back a scotch, slams down the glass, smoothes down her dress, and turns to leave. Barbara: "I understand. I obviously misinterpreted things. I'm sorry." She leaves.

Doctor Neil emerges from his bedroom to find Gabrielle in the sitting area. Doctor Neil: "I'm sorry, I must have dozed off. Nothing so refreshing as a noon nap. What is the state of things?" Gabrielle: "This is the Hotel Parthenon. And they're apparently quite happy to have the brother of the Ephor of Polyphemus staying here." Doctor Neil: <smiling> "Ah, excellent. Would you be so kind as to call room service and order up some fresh strawberries and cream? Nothing is too good for the brother of the Ephor of Polyphemus." Gabrielle phones and places the order. Room Service: "Of course! Right away, miss. Nothing is too good for the brother of the Ephor of Polyphemus." Déja vu all over again.

Malcolm, on UpPort is walking past a bar when he sees Megan inside at a table, with a bottle. He stops, she sees him and waves him inside. Malcolm joins the rather distraught and obviously liquored-up girl. Megan signals for another glass and pours herself and Malcolm drinks. Megan: "What shall we drink to?" Malcolm: "Stars at night, and clear sailing." Megan: "Good." She tosses back her drink, refills. Megan: "All right, here's one for you. To the Emperor. What's his name? Starts with A, I think. Alberto or something." Malcolm: "Alexander." Megan: "Right. <loudly> To Emperor Alexander! Now you have to drink." Several people in the bar look uncomfortable, and one of them leaves hurriedly. Malcolm takes a drink, and it's very good. Malcolm: "Damn. Where'd you get this stuff, girl? You just ask to buy a bottle?" Megan: "I bought a good bottle. That's one thing my Dad taught me - how to recognize good bourbon." Malcolm: "So. What did he do?" [Leaping merrily to the conclusion that Mitchell's to blame. Which he is.] Megan: "It's the boobs, isn't it? I'm too flat-chested. I mean she had...." She gestures to indicate large tracts of land. Megan: "I mean, I'm not that bad am I?" Malcolm, sensing where this is leading is not quite quick enough to prevent Megan from pulling open her jacket (he catches one side only) and showing off her ah, attributes to the appreciative bar patrons. Man: "No, that's beautiful!" Second man: "Awesome!" Third man: "Anything else you'd like us to check?" Malcolm: "Honey, you've got one of the best bodies I've seen since I got here. And I like them young and pretty." Megan: "Let's get out of here." She picks up the bottle and stands up to go. There's only one button at the bottom of her jacket fastened, but it does fall sort of half-closed.

After Barbara leaves, Mitchell goes off in search of Megan. He starts hitting bars, beginning with the nearest one to the hotel. Further down the mall, Megan and Malcolm aren't attracting much attention. Megan: "Have you got a room?" Malcolm: "Not here. DownPort." Megan: "I've got to get out of here." Malcolm: "DownPort?" Megan: "Fine." They cork the bottle and take the shuttle down. Not too many people, so they get seats. Megan: "I'm going to go use the little girl's room. Hold this." She leaves the bottle with Malcolm. Five minutes later she returns. Megan: <proudly> "Look! Paper cups!" She sits down and they share the bottle.

Mitchell eventually gets to the bar Megan was in, describing her to the bartender. Bartender: "Small, perky breasts? Pink nipples?" Mitchell: "Uh, yeah. Which way did she go?" Bartender: "She left with some caveman." Mitchell describes Malcolm. Bartender: "Yeah, that's him. they looked really friendly. Nice to see a couple of kids in love." Mitchell is not taking this well. Mitchell: "Where did they go." The bartender points outside. Mitchell leaves, looks around, and sees the shuttles. Mitchell: <thinking> "He wouldn't...He would. The bastard, he's going to take advantage of Megan....I'm going to kill him." Fuming, Mitchell heads down on the next shuttle.

Malcolm and Megan get DownPort and Megan is feeling her liquor. She wants to get somewhere to crash, close by if possible. They get a room and Megan starts to feel unwell, so she goes to the fresher and throws up. She staggers out, strips with Malcolm's help, drinks some offered water, then collapses face down on the bed, arms out and taking up the whole bed.

After stewing for the 20 minute ride, Mitchell is only about 5 minutes behind Megan and her wicked despoiler. Uh, Malcolm. Mitchell overhears two SolSec officers talking. Officer A: "...cute little thing." Officer B: "Did you see those pink nipples?" Officer A: "Oh yeah. That guy she was with though..." Officer B: "Yeah. Caveman. What was she doing with him?" Officer A: "I don't know, maybe he's got a really huge..." Officer B: "Why do I never get that lucky?" Officer A: "Yeah, right. They headed straight for the hotel. You know what they're up to." Mitchell looks over, sees the hotel and charges that way.

Inside the lobby, Mitchell asks the clerk if "his friend" has checked in yet, and describes Malcolm. Clerk: "Oh yeah. Hey, cute little chick he had with him. They were all over each other." Mitchell: "Oh, damn - he started without me." Clerk: "Well, you missed him by 5 or 10 minutes." A mere $20 Solars later, Mitchell has a room number, his own room down the hall, and his ID card keyed to both. He goes to the door and knocks. Malcolm checks and sees Mitchell outside, looking normal (the steam isn't visible as it billows out of his ears). Malcolm opens the door, just a crack, and says "Just a minute." He checks to make sure Megan is still asleep, which she is, although she's tossed off the covers. Malcolm steps outside, shutting the door behind him, which really annoys Mitchell.

Malcolm: "Right now, I've got one extremely pissed off, asleep female in there, probably dreaming of kicking some one. What the hell happened?" Mitchell: "That is between myself and Megan." Malcolm: "She's obviously upset, and it has something to do with you. What did you say to her?" Mitchell: "That, again, is between us." Malcolm: "Look, Ken, at least I can keep it zipped occasionally." Mitchell: "I want to speak with Megan." Malcolm: "I already told you, she's asleep. And do you really want to have this conversation in the hallway?" Mitchell: "Fine. Let's go to my room." This they now do. Mitchell: "What the hell have you been doing with her?" Malcolm: "Look, she's got half a bottle of Scotch in her. She got sick in the fresher, I helped her get into bed. That's it." Mitchell: "Before you go telling me to keep mine zipped, you'd better check your gigline, Marine." Malcolm checks and sure enough, as fate would have it, the last time Malcolm used the fresher, he didn't zip back up properly, and Mitchell noticed - assuming the worst. Malcolm quickly remedies the situation.

Back at the Hotel Parthenon, Doctor Neil has been on the phone complaining. Complaining about the furniture in the room, the art work, everything. The staff has brought in new furniture, new paintings. Doctor Neil is giving orders about where to put things, and going on about how their "luggage was lost", and they'll need a tailor, and a dressmaker, as "my secretary can't be improperly attired." People are sent for, and measurements are taken. Doctor Neil: "And I'll need some incidentals, toiletries and the like. My executive secretary will give you the list." The staff scurries around like crazy. Doctor Neil: "And now, Miss Vanek, if you would be so kind as to book me a table at the appropriate restaurant. And I do hope you're free for dinner?" Gabrielle: "Of course, Doctor." The clothing is absolutely impeccable, the best fabric, and the cutting edge of Rim style (still in monochromes and greys, but with little touches of color). After the tailor, barber, hairdresser, hotel staff, et al have left the suite, Doctor Neil relaxes in a chair while Gabrielle makes dinner reservations through the concierge. Doctor Neil recalls his half-brother mentioning Teucer in the past. Doctor Neil: "He doesn't like the inhabitants, hates the planet, and the pollen effects him even more than it does me. He couldn't wait to leave, and vowed he was never coming back to this miserable world. And it's going to be at least a week before news gets here, so I think it's time to enjoy what few advantages we have. The way things were going on board the ship, I don't think it would have been a good idea to stay on any way. By now there's been at least one incident with the crew, and the chief engineer has been attracted to Captain Taylor for some unfathomable reason. While I find it hard to believe, he's apparently determined to turn her down. I don't think she'll take it well. Now, I suggest we make the most of tonight, enjoy a good dinner, and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow." Gabrielle: "We'll be staying here for a while then?" Doctor Neil: "Until good fortune comes our way, or I come up with the perfect plan. But there's no need for us to end our lives staying in an adequate hotel, eating passable food." Gabrielle: "I agree." Doctor Neil: "If I were only twenty years younger..." It's said in such a wistful, innocent way.

Back in the cheap hotel with Mitchell and Malcolm. Mitchell dials some food in, as he attempts to collect himself, and convince himself that ripping Malcolm's head off would be beneath him. Mitchell: "So how much has she had to drink?" Malcolm: "Over half a bottle of bourbon." Mitchell: "I want to see her. I don't need to wake her up, but I want to see her." Malcolm: "Okay. So how'd you find us?" Mitchell: "Wasn't hard, just follow the SolSec agents." Malcolm opens the door. Megan is sound asleep, snoring, covers off and on her back. Malcolm: "Give me a second to make sure she's decent. Oh what the hell, we've seen each other naked for a week." They both go inside. Megan reeks of booze. Mitchell: "Where are her clothes?" Malcolm: "Hanging up in the bathroom." Malcolm rinsed them off. Megan is moving around and mumbling. The men leave, hanging a "Do Not Derange" sign on the door. Mitchell doesn't want to leave Megan alone in the hotel, or with the wicked Imperial, and is planning on staying in his room there. Malcolm: "Fine. But since this is your handiwork, I get the bed." He flops down on the bed and orders pizza. Mitchell: "Fine. I'll take the chair." Malcolm stays awake until the pizza arrives and he eats.

In the nice restaurant, the service is incredibly good. Four waiters are pretty much assigned to Doctor Neil's table. The meal is excellent and Doctor Neil is in rare form - very charming. Doctor Neil: "For a change, we have the advantage, and I've put things in motion." Gabrielle: <switching to Aquitaine French> "I hope things turn out the way you want them to." Doctor Neil: "Hope is what we've been operating on for quite some time. I don't want to consider the alternative. I think you'll appreciate the fact that I'm somewhat of a virtuoso in the art of survival." Now that's an understatement.

Once Malcolm is safely asleep, Mitchell takes the chair across to the other room, where he doesn't have to sleep in the same room with the damned Imperial. Mitchell can even have the bed since no one's using it. Oh-oh.