(no subject)

[paradisamods]

[By now it's clear that the attackers have fled the scene, scattering in several directions of the Dead Zone. All is safe, and at least the giraffes have stopped running in panicked circles.

The attackers certainly left their mark, leaving behind a trail of destruction that can be traced back to the site of the monolith's crash. Smoke still billows out as the fires die out, but there seems to be no sign of life among the debris.

What is that thing? You now know that whatever it is, it's responsible for bringing those creatures to Terre Haute. While the giraffes return to their "normal" lives and others begin to pack up for travel, there may not be another chance to explore the crash site. If you want to explore it, now's the time.]

[THE TRAIL | THE SHIP | THE BASE]

Comments

Well it is a party!

[gottaknockhard]

[He doesn't quite wince when not one, but two try to beat him to the chase, but it does put a strain in his smile back at Anne.]

Don't worry. I'm on a good streak. [The smile turns more honest for a brief second, before he replaces the handkerchief in his pocket and follows again, head bowed. Now that everyone is in a hurry...]

[ensorceler]

[ Wait what. She looks at Dairine, then the Doctor, then back to Dairine. ]

You may remain out here with me.

[toobravehearted]

[What the- Oh, Dairine. A look of solidarity and relief for Anne.]

Unfortunately I agree, Dairine. The ship is bound to be unstable with untold what ever in there. Not that I doubt your capabilities but I would feel happier if you remain here, to protect Queen Anne. [Diplomacy, he's practicing it.]

[wizard_redfive]

I'd rather go with him.

[Dairine instantly scowls. Doctor, you're supposed to be defending her choices! She not a kid.]

Trying to shake off a companion, Doctor? You should know that rarely goes well and that I have three years of alien combat behind me since we last met. And as for the "untold what ever," [She pats her bow, the quiver on her back.] ...I think I can handle it.

[ensorceler]

[ She looks angry at not only being argued with, but dismissed. Resisting the urge to slap the girl in the face... It's an urge she's used to resisting all the time with rude people, fortunately. ]

[gottaknockhard]

[See why he wanted to go alone? Hesitation always does this.

Spike is reluctant to join that conversation, but he's assuming "years of alien combat" refers to a video game or something. It's not his business, but he can sense Anne's look even when it's not directed at him.]

She's got a point. I can't say I'd count as a companion.

[toobravehearted]

[Is it that they all look to him to make this decision? Oldest, supposedly wisest, over 500 years of travelling in a box across the universe with companions and the same amount of time losing them. No, these aren't his companions, but he feels he's picking up responsibilities anyway.

He and Dairine are going to be having a serious talk before long because he is very unhappy with her by far right now.]

Don't presume to understand my motives Dairine and we will be talking about this later. Spike, you're completely right, we have only just met but I have to ask, do you have a means of defense with you? And your Majesty, I fully agree with you. Dairine however has proved to be resourceful in the past and she can follow instruction.

[He finishes talking while looking at the young lady in question, a pointed remark to remember the Crossings and for Rassilon's sake do as she is told.]

[ensorceler]

[ Anne doesn't know Dairine, but that's exactly why she doesn't want her to go. Carrying a weapon doesn't make her capable, and what does she mean by aliens? Foreigners? ]

Master Spiegel is most skilled in all manners of combat, as I have not only been assured but just witnessed myself. You are well guarded.

[ Reaching out, she'll place a hand on the girl's arm. ]

And we have our own roles to tend to out here. They should not be considered any less paramount.

[wizard_redfive]

[Rude? She's hardly trying to be rude. There'd be a lot more name-calling if she was. Dairine's just head-strong to everyone, royality or not.

Despite the promise of later discussion, Dairine's expression immediately brightens. Maybe this adventure will make up for the hellstorm that was yesterday. At the look, she gives him her best "good girl" face. Yes, she'll listen to him if no one else.

But then there's a hand on her arm and hell no, get off. Dairine steps away from the point of contact with a guardedly neutral expression.]

I never said they shouldn't. But I'd prefer not to stand on the sidelines, thank you.

[gottaknockhard]

[Spike glances at Anne one more time, at least enough to show that he appreciates her backing him up. Normally he doesn't mind being underestimated, but they're lagging behind as it is.]

I doubt it'll be that exciting. [Shrugging again, although that might be for show, Spike starts walking towards the ship. Whoever ends up following, he'll deal with, even if it isn't his place to get involved.]

[toobravehearted]

[Over his shoulder as Spike passes by, ] One can only hope that it's not.

[Then a nod and a pained look to Anne.] Thank you, your Majesty. I'll take your assurance.

[For Dairine, his finger is up in the air.] Queen Anne and myself have your best interests at heart and hearts. Don't treat it with such levity, please, Dairine. You are to follow my instruction and stay by my side at all times. If not, I shall be sending you back.

Right. Come along, before I change my mind. [Another nod for Anne, and he's trotting off after Spike.]

[ensorceler]

[ Anne's entire body tenses, nails digging into her palm as she attempts to soften her glare with a smile, though at best it only makes her look more prone to violence.

But she nods stiffly, her voice nearly monotone with her jaw clenched. ]

As you will, Doctor, for I would not dare cross a man's decision on the battlefield. Go with my blessing, child, and I pray Almighty God stays with you.

[ She's quick to whirl and depart at that, lifting up her skirts so she can stalk off without tripping over bodies. Need to go take her anger out on someone. ]

[wizard_redfive]

[A slight frown. She wasn't joking around! But Dairine nods.]

Understood.

[With that slight reminder from the Doctor to be nice, she bites her tongue at the "not a child!" retort that immediately springs to mind. She nods her head to Anne politely, the closest thing Dairine has to a bow. With that, she'll follow the Doctor. Unless someone else stops her.]

[gottaknockhard]

[He hears the last bit of that conversation, glad that the guy is going to be the one watching her. He only looks back at them just before they reach the opening, when he's pausing to take out his (admittedly empty) gun -- you never know, sometimes waving them around does some good.]

Either one of you bring a flashlight?

[toobravehearted]

[Reaching Spike he makes sure Diarine is no further than arms length. All business, it's clear on his face he's upset with her. He sees the bigger picture though, and expects her to go in the ship alone if he refused her coming; this way, he gets to keep an eye on her. As for Spike, he'll be keeping an eye on him too, companion or not. He's seen that gun Spike, and he's giving you a look. ] 

Torches. Yes, right. Let's see. A good question actually, I wonder if they would work.

[And he kneels and starts to empty out his pockets on the ground. A very odd assortment of lots of things that can't possibly all fit in them but they do. He eventually finds a slim penlight and a box of everlasting matches. Handling the penlight to Spike, ]  Give that a try, would you please?

[wizard_redfive]

[It was quite possible. That or she would have stormed off to find something better to do. Probably complain to Conan.

Dairine is rather confused by his suddenly cold attitude. Did she say something wrong? Still, she'll watch in interest to see if his penlight will work or not.]

Probably not unless we have one of those blue crystals. We may have to use the old fashioned kind.

[gottaknockhard]

[A crystal like the one Spike has hidden around his neck to keep his cybernetic eye functioning? Just so happens...

He turns it on and attempts to be surprised when it flashes to life. The same way he's attempting to seem oblivious to the look the Doctor is giving him.]

Looks like we're in luck. [He turns it off and tosses it back to the Doctor. As long as he stays in range, nobody has to know. (Speaking of him though, how deep are his pockets?)] Anything to eat in all that?

[toobravehearted]

[He catches his torch back deftly.] The crystals, Dairine, yes. Fortunately for us, we are good to go, and don't have to go old school with burning torches, either. [He waggles his penlight between his fingers, and gives her a thin smile.

Scooping up his things and putting them back in his pockets, different dimensions in his coat Spike, all very Time Lord clever, he's watching him closely.] Food? Right now?

[Rummaging around some more, he has a slice of toast, no really, it's still good, and hands that out. Also a cereal bar for Dairine if she's peckish.]

If we're done with the picnic though, please, lead on. When you're ready. [Smile.]

[wizard_redfive]

[When the flashlight turns on, Dairine immediately suspects something's up. She doesn't have her wizardry, so the power's not back. So there must be a crystal nearby. It wouldn't be too unthinkable that the Doctor got a hold of one in the short time he's been here, and she doesn't know the other guy particularly well.]

Right... [She'll leave it for now. What matters is they have light.]

[She's not hungry, but she'll take the cereal bar to be polite. Smiling at the Doctor, she tucks it into her pocket for a later time.]

Thanks.

[gottaknockhard]

[Spike had been joking, so being handed the toast is the last thing he expected. He accepts it dumbly, suddenly realizing that he is actually really hungry about now.]

Yeah, sure. [He takes a bite (which should count for a 'thank you') and heads on through to the entrance. It'll be gone about three bites later, to he can keep his hands free, and he starts to look around.] What do you think the odds are that they all abandoned ship?

[toobravehearted]

[With all his things safely put away again and penlight ready, he picks up his staff and follows inside. He doesn't have a crystal of his own, although they are entering a VERY big structure, and he finds it feasible theres a power source inside. Looking around, he can see broken pipes and wires hanging down from the ceiling of the level he's on and debris litters the floor.]

A ship this size? Where would they go? Apart from coming for us.

[wizard_redfive]

[Dairine follows the other two, making sure to stick close. With a structure this big, it'll probably be quite easy to get lost.]

Well, they did have a week's head start. Some could have left to survey the area or find supplies before we arrived. But most likely there's someone still on board. [Or something.]

[gottaknockhard]

[He's checking around a corner, although he's slightly more hopeful than anything. How many alien ships do they ever come across?]

Maybe one of them can tell us how they operated this thing.

[toobravehearted]

[His tone is grim as they get deeper in the structure.] Yes. Well. Or where they came from, but they didn't seem too talkative, what with everyone else taking to arms against them.

[Glad that Dairine is staying close, the chances of that someone being onboard he fancies to be quite high.] Dairine's correct, they did have that head start on us. That's not to say there's no one left behind.

[Shining the light around the corner and down the corridor for Spike, ] Control room. Do you think we might find one? As in, maybe we should start looking.


[[ooc: sorry guys, GMT says its time for sleeps! Will pick up in few hours if that's ok?]]

((Fine by me. c: Rest well.))

[wizard_redfive]

It's possible that they couldn't talk. Or at least be understood. I tried communicating with them and got charged at for my efforts. Not that all the weapons probably helped.

[Dairine nods.] With a ship this big, I'd leave guards at least.

[Yes, she's staying close. Half because she wants to be able to protect the Doctor if their luck goes south. But a large part of it is Dair really doesn't like these aliens. They remind her too much of the BEM mercenaries she ran into at the Crossings. Big, bug-like, and trying to grab her. If more are going to show up, she'd rather be near the Doctor, as he was her biggest help the first time she faced bug-eyed aliens. It was comforting to know he was there.

She peers around the corner, squinting at the visible part of the hall.]

What would the Control room look like?