KDY - Anthelion - New Arrivals in the Night

[Jazen]

(This if for Dire's Crass, Rabbit's Sheresh and Tal's Sihara should she wish it. Other Anthelion crew members can pop in to say hello if they wish, but its mainly to greet our newest members, so try and keep that in mind. ^_^)

The launching of a new ship was always a momentous occasion....and as such, it always had a momentous amount of work that had to be done. Final checks on the ship to be made, crew members arriving constantly that had to be greeted and directed to their respective areas, paper work that seemed to only grow and never end. It couldn't be helped though; the command staff had seen fit to put the Anthelion's launch day faster then expected for both its captain and her new second in command. Effectively, they had to cram all the items that they would have normally had time to pick at a more controlled pace before into the four days they had been given before the fated day.

So even now, on the eve of their launch, Tyros was still wide awake in his quarters and office, picking away at the never ending information scrolling across his datapad. The information reflected across his simple, empty grey eyes, which ticked back and forth as he read the data that scrolled before him for any problems or complications. Like the device he held in his hands, Tyros's mind was logging that information into his mind for later. For the most part though, everything that had come before him had been correct and to the letter, with only a few requests or changes to be made. It was a tribute to how effective this new crew he was a part of was. That warmed a small portion of his brain at the least, enough to allow a small smirk to past his lips despite the workload still before him.

The last vestiges of information about the craft for the fighters passed across the screen, the new requests for craft just needing finalizing upon their arrival and to ensure that all items were indeed on board. Tyros closed his eyes for a brief moment, dug into that maze of information that his brain held, down to where his trip to the hangars were stored and recalled every detail that he could. The Hawk, the support craft, the shuttle, the number of ships and individual squads......yes, everything was in order. And matched to the information on his screen. Without even opening his eyes, he clicked the authorized button on his datapad before laying it down to rest back in his chair.

Tyros knew he needed to sleep....he'd been up since noon the day before doing his various duties, to both the ship and the new crew. The only thing that kept him going was own experiences of being active for long hours....and the Winds. Or the Force as he learned those outside his world called it. Whenever he felt himself slipping, he had called upon that mystical power to refresh his mind and body, to keep himself sharp and alert. It was something he'd grown up with and knew how to use effectively...and it was during times like these that he was thankful he had it.

But sleep would have to wait just a little longer. Two new pilots were set to arrive today, along with someone who Tyros had been told would be serving as the ship's councilir and healer. He hadn't need of the Force during that talk to know that their healer was someone who could use the Force; he could hear it in the changing tones of Zharra when she had informed him. The Captain wasn't a bad person....but she had a dislike for those like him who used the Force. It made for a rather awkward position...but he'd known it wouldn't be easy since the admiral who had assigned him to the ship had told him before hand. He simply had to be careful how he used his abilities while he served under her; and maybe one day she'd come to respect and call upon his gifts like those who'd put him here hoped. Adding another user of the Force to the mix was likely not to help the matter....but at least then he wasn't the only one on the ship with it.

Zharra had been called away to yet another meeting with those in charge, so the task of greeting their new crew was left to him, a task he'd had to handle before. Information on the two pilots was already starting to crease his screen and surely there was data on their new healer as well. With a breath, Tyros glanced over at the chrono slowly blinking to his right, the time just before 21:00 hours. They were set to arrive soon. Straighening in his chair, Tyros pulled the files on their newest acquastions to his screen and started peeling his eyes over the data before him as he waited.

And when the clock struck 21:00 hours, the buzzer to his room hissed, a signal that someone was on the other end requesting to be let in. Tyros instinctly reached out with the Force to that presence, the fingers of the Winds tapping lightly against them to search for any outlying signs of malice. The Captain would have his head on a platter did she know he did this for anyone who buzzed into his office or into her's when he was around, but what she didn't know wouldn't cause her distress. And there was something to be said for knowing if danger was lurking just beyond the metal door seperating them.

But there was only eagerness behind that door, along with a calm sense of waiting. One of them, at the very least, is punctuncal. Impressive. Without lifting his eyes from his pad, Tyros's voice, strong and firm, was relayed through the comm.

"Enter."

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

It had been quite a surprise, being contacted by the Republic Navy.

The former jedi had been home, on Shili, in the middle of a nice run when the sudden vibrations in the force had her stopping, nearly falling from the branch she’d been running along. Well…she had fallen, but at least it was more of a…controlled dismount. What she read had her curious, immediately returning to her hut (and the small ship behind it) so she could contact the Admiral who had sent her the rather vague message. What she heard had her even more curious.

As a former jedi, still in good standing, her assistance with the interrogation of Aunna Borgonia (and what a mess that had been) and her growing reputation as a body guard of note, they had a potential assignment for her aboard one of their new ships. But why had they chosen her, she had asked, especially for the roll of a councilor? Healer she could understand, but they certainly had plenty of medics and doctors…and certainly they could have found plenty of people to fill the roll of councilor. The answer had intrigued her. Apparently her records from the jedi showed her to be “a caring and sympathetic individual with an open mind, an open heart, and a profoundly deep outlook on life.” Some part of her was flattered…the rest of her thought it was complete osik. Besides, it still didn’t explain why they wanted her and not one of their own.

That’s when it came out.

Apparently this particular captain, Zharra, had a rather strong grudge against force users…jedi, in particular, and they were trying desperately to break her of it. They had already put one force user with her (as her second in command, no less), but he wasn’t jedi…and had some withdrawal issues of his own. Therefore, it was their hope that Sihara could help in several ways: being a former jedi she could show Zharra that not all jedi were bad through long term interaction, being a force user she could connect more to Tyros (the second) and provide him some support, and through that she may help in drawing him out of his shell.

The next day found the lithe Togruta on her way to Kuat.

So…here she found herself now, flimsy files in hand and standing before a closed door that she’d been told to report to. Supposedly it was “XO Elrune’s” door…the force user she’d been told about. Partially out of respect, and partially because she simply didn’t wish to be rude, the gracefully marked Togruta kept her senses firmly to herself and the immediate area. Shifting the pack that held all of her belongings to her other shoulder, her sword slung in its sheath across her back as well. Ah well, nothing for it then…one hand reached up and pressed the notification button. At least she was on time, she disliked being late.

In mere moments, she was greeted with not a word, but a probing. Those toughened mental defenses solidified further, barring those tendrils access to her mind on instinct before reaching back toward them. She didn’t go so far as to reach for his mind, but simply garnered a feel for the person probing her through their own extensions. Obviously this was the correct door and the second in command was on the other side. Eagerness? Not so much, but there was certainly a calm sort of curiosity and anticipation as a small smile spread across her face. Content to wait, she was almost surprised by the firm tone that echoed out from the com.

“Enter.”

Well, he certainly was terse, wasn’t he?

The thought made her chuckle as she heard the door unlock and she entered on flowing steps. Now, it’s rarely easy to say that someone carrying a rather large pack, a sword across their back, and covered in brown leather light-armor is anything even remotely close to elegant, in appearance or movement. Somehow the former jedi Togruta managed it…at least in bits and pieces. Carrying this sort of burden wasn’t a problem for her, with or without the force, and so her steps were light and quiet as she came in, pausing before the man’s desk. Pulling her heavy pack off and settling it softly on the floor, her headdress tinkled and jingled softly, slipping over one shoulder before she stood straight once more.

Holding out her flimsy files, neatly kept in a closed file folder, she would wait until he took them before introducing herself to him, a light smile on her face as golden-green eyes studied the man before her. ”Sihara Horula, ship’s councilor, reserve healer and former jedi, at your service. I’m told I am to report to a Lieutenant Commander Tyros Elrune. I hope that I’m in the correct place.” A light chuckle escaped her, a bit of those sharp canines showing in her smile for a moment. ”If I’m not, then I’m afraid I’m not only going to be late, but rather embarrassed.” She was, however, ninety percent certain that she was, in fact, in the correct place.

Gently she probed around the man, careful to give him some ‘personal space’ while still satiating some of her natural curiosity. He certainly seemed closed…shut more tightly than a vault, and likely just as difficult to crack. Ah well, she’d see what happened…there was no point in jumping to conclusions. Perhaps the admiral had exaggerated and he was simply being cautious around a new person.

[Jazen]

There was a moment, a slight moment at that, of surprise when his light probing of the one at the door was not only met with a solid wall of defense, but the feeling of someone doing the exact same thing to him. Whoever it was didn't try to garner what his thoughts were like he'd done...but he felt those tendrils of the Force lightly brush over his form. It was enough to get him to raise his eyes in curiosity when the door hissed open to see who entered. What came as no surprise though, was that the person was one of the three newest members of the crew.....he knew the person would be Force sensitive.

He just hadn't expected her to be the first one of the three; he had assumed one of the military types would have been first through those doors. Guess he'd guessed wrong.

He sat up in his seat, placing the datapad down gently as his eyes studied the Togruta woman now approaching. She didn't look like any of the Jedi he'd seen in his times, wearing a light brown leather armor over her body rather then robes, a sword strapped to her back instead of one of those sabers at her side and a large pack slung over her shoulder. Likely her personal items. Her appearance was answered by the fact that she was not a direct member of the Order. Not anymore anyway. The file he'd been given reported that she had left the Order on her own terms. However, she remained in good standing with both the Jedi and the Republic and as such, was called on several occasions to assist. And this time, the call to her placed her here. There was a slight wonder if the Force had a bit of ironic humor in that thought...place another Force user with one who disliked them. No, the Force wasn't that mean. People were though.

He calmly took the files she produced to her, flipping the folder open to glance at the information inside as she introduced herself. His grey eyes skimmed over the data, recalling from memory the details he'd already been given, matching words in the file to words he'd seen. Everything seemed to be in order and with a nod, he closed the folder and placed it gently down in front of him. Then he stood, bowed his head slightly to her and offered his hand to shake before answering her words.

"You will be neither, for I am him. Lieutenant Commander Tyros Elrune...a pleasure to meet you." He felt her probing him again, a move that he did not act or speak out against. He was not a hypocrite that would probe himself while telling others not to probe him. He'd grown up with those that mixed their presence with his regularly, it was not something he wasn't used to. But it had been a while since someone else had had the ability to do so. She would find a closed book, sealed off from any deeper intrusion then the light outskirts of his presence. Much like she was letting. After shaking her hand, he indicated to one of the seats behind her before continuing, his tone conveying almost empty emotion...yet with the strong backing that others seemed to find stock in.

"Ms Horula, I welcome you to the Anthelion. Your file speaks well about you, though being a former Jedi and a recluse, there is not much to learn from it. Only that you are gifted in the healing arts, have a level of intelligence many wish to have and that your lifestyle was a choice you made yourself.

I'll be honest; I'm not happy that there is only enough to make a guess at your character. However....that only means I have to learn about you through interaction. Do not misunderstand this as negativity however; it is a comfort to have another who can access the Winds like I can. I shall warn you though. Captain Zharra is not warmed to our kind and is fairly strict on any use of the Winds that she can see...or not see. Caution you will have to take in regarding to her in matters that we call upon the Winds for, for she's not exactly the nicest woman when that topic is breached.

But that can wait till you meet her personally. Just mind how you handle that meeting. So...." he said, taking his seat again and clasping his hands together, eyes studying her let again, "tell me about yourself, Ms Horula. Or what you feel you can tell me about."

[Rabbit]

[Sheresh has been DYING to be unleashed upon the unsuspecting populace. LOL So, I've given into her demands, now that my life is not completely consumed by homework...! Lemme know if this works...]
----------------------------------------------------------------

It was 21:05.

Osik! Osik! Osik! Sheresh chanted a litany of Mando'a curses in her head - where it was perfectly safe to do so.

She wouldn't speak a peep of Mando'a out loud and did her best to studiously pretend that her past didn't exist. But, old habits died hard - and cursing most of all.

She hadn't meant to be late. But, she also had never been on a naval vessel of this staggering...magnitude. Sheresh was not particularly adept at traversing the labyrinth-like passageways and even though the sections and decks were numbered, the system was all Rutian to her. She had set out from her berthing at least twenty minutes early, but she had still managed to get herself turned around. A Wrootian ensign had finally taken pity on her three decks down and had given her precise, fool-proof directions to the XO's stateroom.

Her issued leather boots beat a steady rhythm on the metal-plated deck as she jogged down the length of a long p-way. A door loomed up ahead of her - a door that the Wrootian had insisted would belong to the XO and his stateroom. The young half-Zeltron Mandalorian "darmanda" almost felt that door was legendary in it's own right - a treasure of mythic proportions at the end of an epic quest.

(She'd always been one for theatric exaggeration... Even if only in her own mind...)

Sheresh took a moment to pause just outside the door and catch her breath. The chrono on her wrist stubbornly pushed the time up - 21:06. 21:07. But, at this point, she was irrevocably late. There wasn't much she could do about it. But, bursting into her new XO's office unkempt and out of breath wasn't much of an option either. She squared her shoulders and took a few steading breaths, as she glanced down at herself to make sure all was in order.

She never really knew about herself, truth be told. Grease was her constant companion - even if she had upgraded to fighter pilot status, Sheresh's background as a mechanic was a hard one to leave alone. The young sergeant couldn't count how many times a stain had escaped her notice until five seconds before the dress uniform inspection... And, right now, she really wasn't in the mood for the wayward smudge or incriminating scuff.

Thankfully, it now appeared that the only mark against her would be her regrettable tardiness.

Oh, that'll be so much fun to explain. Well, you see, sir...I sort of have this trouble with determining direction...

Oh, yeah. That'd go over well.

Sheresh smoothed back some of the wayward strands of her brilliant red hair as she took her final, steadying breath. In her defense, she could tell direction perfectly...when she was several hundred miles above the ground or outside of atmo. But telling direction in the belly of a ship, where all the bloody walls and floors looked the same?

Forget it.

Though, that would probably have to change. The Anthelion - pride of the Republic fleet - was now her home for an indeterminate amount of time. If she didn't want to be late to every meal, meeting, and muster, it would probably behoove her to figure things out...

And soon.

And, with that resolution in mind, Sheresh pulled her shoulders back and rapped her knuckles firmly against the stateroom's metal door. It wasn't her best first impression, but it would have to do...

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Just a swift note on Sihara's markings: She does not have the distinctive 'white eye patches' that so many seem to believe all Togruta have. Rather, she has a scrolling and 'vine-like' marking down either side of her face, starting just above and about middle of where her eyebrows would be and curling along the outside of her eyes to the outside of the cheek bone and twisting out across the cheek to end pointing toward the outer corners of her jaw (though they don't reach that far). The markings where eyebrows would be start at the top curve of the bridge of her nose and follow the same curve as the main markings, but end at just short of where normal eyebrows would. Other than that her body markings look like very long/large curving and bending blades of grass or curving calligraphy-style lines.

link /// link /// mature(ish) link to body markings

---

“You will be neither, for I am him. Lieutenant Commander Tyros Elrune…a pleasure to meet you.”

As he extended his hand for her to shake, she took it and smiled, chuckling mentally at him. He was just going through the motions and she could tell. From his eyes to the dull, almost disinterested, pulsating flow of his presence and his very voice she could tell. It seems I do have my work cut out for me, don’t I? Hah…Sihara, didn’t Orion tell you never to jump to conclusions? As he motioned her to sit, she would adjust the scabbard and sword slung across her back so she could sit lightly on the edge of one of the seats facing his desk, hands settling lightly in her lap.

As he spoke, the feeling of her presence was not only warm and gentle as a spring day, but as playful and mischievous as a fresh breeze. Obviously something (or several somethings) he’d said had amused her to no end, those honey and clover eyes dancing and sparkling as that smile became more pronounced. A recluse now, am I? Oh dear, the temple has done me an injustice with that, haven’t they? When he continued about here being hardly anything in her file to make a guess about her character, however, that aura changed, hardening and losing some of its warm charisma. Now that was unfair of them. She hadn’t looked at the files herself, trusting the military to have gathered everything it needed, and she knew that the Council didn’t skimp on giving information to the Republic (most times)…there should have been more than enough to give him something to work with. The fact that there wasn’t bothered her greatly, showing visibly in the slight darkening of her face and eyes as that smile faded.

When he finished speaking she was quiet for several long moments, the discolored scar on her chest burning slightly.

”You aren’t the only one who’s unhappy about that, Commander Elrune. I took the word of the Admiral who assigned me here that everything was in order and that that file had everything required. I do know about the Captain as well. I was informed of the situation well enough for my tastes and you don’t need to worry about tact on my part. I’m a healer and a councilor for a reason. That alone should say all it needs about my character…I don’t enjoy seeing others hurting or distressed…that would be counter productive, don’t you think?”

She shook her head just slightly, sighing a little as she let go of her annoyance and regaining that previous warmth. Speaking of distress…she could feel a wave of the stuff approaching rather swiftly through the force, the underlying source seeming to be this very room…and the time. Another crewmember, perhaps?

”As for myself…I will tell you that I’m far from a recluse. I have chosen to live alone, yes, but that doesn’t mean I don’t involve myself highly with the environment and people around me. I’m Togruta, it seems to be part of our nature to be involved and comfortable around others…I’m not much different, I simply lived my life as a jedi, so I had to become accustomed to working alone. By the way, you have another guest…she, I believe it’s a she anyway, is outside and seems rather upset at being late.”

Truth be told, Sihara couldn’t say for certain that the newcomer was female…it had been an educated guess. As she’d let the distress and irritation of the person filter through her senses, she had caught hints of fussing over appearance along with being more than a little upset at being tardy. It was her experience that the majority of people who fussed over appearance were female…but then…she’d never been part of the military and only had a small idea of just how importance appearance was to those involved in it. Had it been Tieres outside the door, she very well may have guessed incorrectly. As things stood, however, she radiated calm to the poor soul. It certainly wasn’t going to help them any if they came in frazzled. Finally a knock came at the door, the Lt. Commander allowing the newcomer to enter in short order.

Well, she is a beauty, isn’t she? Looks to be Zeltron, so it’s no wonder, I suppose. Offering the woman a smile and a nod, Sihara stood from her seat and waited quietly as the introductions commenced. It was a matter of courtesy, her standing; something that Orion had bred into her early on in her training…something she still remembered and kept close to her heart. Many things Orion had taught her remained close to her heart, however, like the way she would only gently probe others without really nearing their thoughts. Emotions could say a great deal…more than enough, most times, and it was these readily available sensations in the force that she read…much like one might read body language. You could ‘look’ without ‘touching,’ and her heightened senses served her well and often.

For now she would be silent and listen, watch, feel…a calm and gentle presence absorbing whatever information came to her (fairly) passively.

[Jazen]

There were always two things to do when meeting a new person, at least in Tyros's experience. Learn about them from whatever intel you could get on the person, both from outside sources and from the person themselves and then from what you could see with your own two eyes. So as Sihara took a seat after he'd offered it, and throughout his speakings, he was studying her, physically and with the Winds. And those dull, grey eyes had long grown adjusted to picking out every square inch of detail about someone or something. And remembering it.

Tyros had seen Togruta before, albeit at a distance most the time and usually never more then a fleeting glance as he headed to another destination. However, upon learning about one joining their crew, he'd seen to it to study what he could about them, culture, appearance and history wise. And just from looking at her, he could see she had something that made her different from her fellows. This was the absence of the distinctive white around the eyes; instead, her face was adjourned with markings that were said to be part of the Togruta culture. It was likely something she was born with.....the lack of white around the eyes, not the markings. Perhaps; he logged that into the questions he could ask later.

What was slightly strange to him was how....warm and gentle she felt in the Winds. And not just that, but he felt a distinct presence of what he could only guess was....playfulness mixed with a hint of mischievous, like a brush of wind that suddenly rose to surprise all those in its path. She'd not felt that second part until after he spoke....had he done something to spark it? The growing grin and those eyes told him so...something he'd said had been amusing had it? A strange reaction to say the least....though considering she wasn't a normal part of the military, it could be expected that she would react differently to a soldier speaking in the most professional manner. It was strange to Tyros to feel that kind of presence; mostly because it came from a fellow Winds user, something he had not come into contact with for a while. It was....nostalgic. Back from a time when life was simple...to a degree.

And before my life was thrown into disarray. His eyes would flicker, flicker....to a low color of blue before fading back to the dull grey they normally took on. It would surely cause a question in her if she spotted it...but it was one of those questions he could answer later. If he felt like it. For now, he focused on her when she responded to his questions, those eyes keen to her as he listened. And felt. He could see the change in her demeanor, feel her warmth fade away slightly, watched that smile shrink away a bit as her face started to darken. Tyros never flinched, never twitched or showed any outward change in his form as he listened to her; but his mind was all over the place, dissecting the information given to him and trying to find answers to questions if they came up.

The first bit contained the source of her shift, which was for the same reason that he was slightly put off. The lack of information about her. According to her, there should have been more. Not in the file he'd been given....perhaps her file contained more, the folder still rested under his hands on his desk. And though it was unlikely, the chance that more of her information was on its way was not impossible. Considering the short time frame for this reassignment, there was a possibility that there was more that he would receive. Either way, if her file contained the information he wanted or she told him the information first hand, it would be fine. When that was out of the way, her mood slowly started warming back to the way she was when she came in as she started answering his first question. It wasn't a lot...but Tyros never wasted any information given to him. And it was helpful information; it corrected a statement he'd said.

He felt the coming presence at likely the same time as she did, her words coming shortly after that presence came before his door. His senses left Sihara for a moment to graze against the newcomer, to get a feel for her like he'd done to her. And he felt....someone who knew they were behind schedule, yet were trying their best to make it appear as if they had everything under control. A light irritation for being late, a feeling that he'd felt from the Captain before...appearance, how charming, completed the set. Some of them one might not notice normally...but the Winds granted a deeper look on all life in that kind of regard. The tardiness was not exactly a great start but the fact that she wasn't bursting in and interrupting them balanced that out. Almost.

"Thank you Ms Horula. I'm sure these minor issues will be resolved soon enough. Until then, I look forward to working alongside you. It will be enjoyable to have someone to talk to regarding the warm power that we can draw from that understands of what I speak of.

And I believe your right. A mistake on my part perhaps; I should have allowed time for separate meetings. Please, wait for a moment while I address our new guest. Giving his comm a press, he spoke the same way he'd spoke to to allow Sihara in, a single word with authority. "Come."

When the door hissed open, Tyros stood to his feet and clasped his hands behind his back to look over the newcomer. It wasn't hard to tell who it was out of the new additions to the crew. Looking her over, he could see the hints of Zeltron in her appearance and only one of the new recruits was Zeltron. Or half as her file stated. Sergeant Shereshoy Kelborn; one of their two new pilots. With a hand, he ushered her forward as he continued to study her, his eyes wandering over her frame. Zeltrons were known for their beauty and their playful nature..something he hoped she could keep in line while on this ship...as well as having a key advantage in the relationship game due to having the same pheromone ability as the Falleen race. That would be something to watch out for; they already had a Zeltron on board, so he had a slight idea of what they could do. Hopefully the two of them wouldn't be trouble. Individually or as a pair.

Nodding to her, he waited for her to come and introduce herself and hand him her files, glancing a nod to Sihara as well. Once she handed him the files, he'd offer her a hand to shake as he spread the file to skim it after they had broken contact. "Your tardy Sergeant. However, I will overlook it...this time. Please, take a seat. You may retake your seat as well Ms Horula, if you wish.

I am Lieutenant Commander Tyros Elrune and I welcome your aboard Sergeant. I'll leave it to you two to greet one another. And then, please tell me about yourself Sergeant." With that, he'd wait till they sat before retaking his own seat and putting himself back into the studying position he had been in before.

[Dire Wolf]

Damn, Crass looked sexy.

With his hovering luggage back trailing behind him, his garment bag curled into itself at his side, and his black soft cover under his arm the Zeltron officer walked into the Anthelion's airlock almost casually. His uniform was anything but casual, though. The suit was jet black with crimson trim, with golden buttons that seemed to be a little over sized and ornate.

Labyrinthine as the ship may have been, it was far from terribly confusing. Royalty as he was, the man had spent most of his life on all kinds of ships. Big and small. Most of the ships above the size of corvette were something of a maze, and after awhile he simply learned how to navigate them. It was hard to explain.

Those eyes of his drifted along the drab and boring honeycombs that were the halls of the Anthelion, and occasionally drifted to the slightly better view that was a military female. Most of the time it was slightly better. Though the republic utility uniform was stupid looking in his opinion... so maybe the women would have looked better if they were in something less colorblind.

Though there was one. A petty officer by the look of the rank insignia on her chest and her cover, her green tinted skin and purple tattoos catching his eyes a bit more than the tan of everyone else. Though it may have been because he'd met her about a day before while she was off duty. They gave him an absurdly long time to get to KDY, and he saw no purpose in reporting in a full 24 hours early. So he hit the clubs, where he met the mirialan woman who was just down the hall. Iona Visz. She'd said that she was a mechanic on a ship, but for the life of him he wouldn't have believed that it was the ship that he'd be serving on for his next enlistment.

"Hello-Good Morning..." she offered him a little smile and a crisp salute. Though her face had no small amount of surprise, "... sir." He looked at her through impartial eyes, though the small smirk at his lips spoke of his amusement. He hadn't expected a one night stand to be a person he'd be in close proximity to for the next few years. "Good Morning, Petty Officer Visz," he returned it, and then cut. She cut directly after, "fancy seeing you here. I would like to chat, but I have to report in. I'll see you around," he gave her a smile and a nod before walking off. Hopefully she wasn't under his command. Otherwise it'd be fraternization.

Unfortunately for him, she was.

He found the XO's office not long after, and turned only deactivate his luggage bag's anti-grav pods and place them against the wall. The garment bag was set atop the rest of his luggage, and he stood casually beside the door after giving a page. There were people talking within, he could hear and sense (their emotions) as much.

Something told him that this would be a fun post.

Hopefully the Captain of the ship wasn't a complete tightwad. Which wasn't anything he ever understood. Crass preferred to be the kind of leader someone followed because a person wanted to, not because they had to. Most people didn't understand that being the AIC (***hole in charge) was counter productive most of the time. But then some people were proud of it.

Crass really, really, really hoped that this Captain Zharra understood that.

[Rothicus]

The ship wasn't terribly aesthetic, at least not by Josef's standards. Looking at the vessel's image on his datapad once more, he tried to find some manner in which he could appreciate the design a bit more, but the best he could come up with was slightly satisfying conclusion that the rather blocky figure complimented more utilization of space. Perhaps it allowed for more weaponry, hardware or such, Josef didn't exactly know. He didn't go to university to be an engineer. Allowing his face to contort in a rather odd manner, his mouth drawn in a slight frown, he looked away from the small device, to the sterile, cold corridors of the vessel. He'd spent too long at Camp Jast, gotten too used to the sky over his head and the wind in his ear, even two weeks in transit wasn't enough to shake the feeling of nature out of him. Sliding the pad into one of his ample pouches, his armor shifted to accommodate the movement with ease, only emitting the slightest hint of noise as the mesh brushed against the durasteel.

So much better than those damnable polyester fatigues back in basic.

Looking to his surroundings, he adjusted the duffel that resided on his back, the voluminous bag bulging with everything that the RA would allow him to own, at least for the moment. He was, however, glad that he'd opted to carry his armor in a more pragmatic manner than some of the other 'marines' he'd seen boarding the craft. Sure, he might be a mule(and a good one, at that), but he wasn't terribly stupid... after all, no self respecting gropo would stand for a minute when he could sit for an hour. With his M25 slung under his left shoulder, Josef began walking again... just as to where, he didn't precisely know. His first order of business would be to stow this gear in the armory, or rather, to locate the armory. Then the whole stowing the gear thing. Yeah.

As he turned another corner, then the next, Josef's mind wandered, thinking largely on his new home as well as matters concerning his kith. The latter concerned him a bit more, as it was something that he felt struck a bit closer to home, considering that he was the only person from the 127th that was assigned to the Anthelion. For lack of a better term, it distressed him. Though it wasn't that he was separated from his comrades, rather he believed they went into combat-putting their lives on the line-while he rotted in the bowels of a frigate. Of course he'd learned, like every good citizen of the Republic did, and relearned later as a guardian of such, that no machine can function without parts. Every one, no matter how small, played a part in its operation; every role was different, but they all worked towards the same goal. Josef, though he realized this, still had issues coming to terms with being the cog that he was. He was, however, convinced that the fates would see things through.

They always did, in their own, mysterious ways. Knowing my luck, I'll likely wind up becoming some kind of Naval- With an unexpected thump his thoughts were jolted from his mind as his right shoulder rudely collided with an E-4's left. Regaining his composure in a moment, Josef quickly turned to attend to the petty officer's being, apologizing for his lack of attention both verbally and physically, his body taking on a much more rigid stance with the glance at her insignia, despite his unfamiliarity with-wait.

What in Hell's name? Her insignia? Nonsense.

Everyone worth their salt at Camp Jast knew that no such thing as females existed, they were simply Sith propaganda and urban legends. But this was no myth, what stood before him passed in his eyes as his image of a perfectly healthy, human female, and clad in a Republic uniform no less. Blinking once, then again, Josef knew he must've looked quite idiotic to her, and apparently this fed into some sort of dissatisfaction she already held, taking only a spare glance at his armor before donning a rather contemptible look. Reeling only the slightest inch from the visual response, Josef asked,

"Something amiss... ma'am?" Hesitating to use the title, Josef was chewed out to no end in boot for improperly addressing a non-commissioned officer, but considering that he wasn't terribly familiar with the rank structure of the Navy, even further amiss with the visual insignia, it was the best option he had available. Her expression didn't change, at least not for the better. Within a moment she'd responded,

"Nothing is amiss, private." Yeah. He'd done something wrong. Though, she didn't give him much of a chance to find out just what it was that had offended her, as she continued on her way, her steps echoing only for a moment before being drowned out by the nominal activity of the hallway. Turning as she left him, Josef watched with an intriguing little curve in his eyebrow, being just as bewildered with her departure as he was with her arrival. Turning back to his original direction, his boots tracked down the onyx floored passageway, the boots ringing out for a good hour or two until he finally meandered by the armory, almost by accident.

An interesting beginning for a new chapter in his life, to put it mildly.

---

Having ditched the items too volatile for his personal quarters, Corbett had wasted little time transferring what was left to his footlocker and personal space in his barrack. Rather pleased with what he'd managed to accomplish, he donned one set of his BDUs and proceeded to explore the ship further, not being required anywhere specific for the next few hours. Rather curious with it all, Josef had taken to guiding himself about using blueprints accessed on his datapad, looking down every hallway he'd managed to come across, and most of the significant locales: the mess hall, the route to the bridge, medical bay, the mess hall, what would amount to a training area, the mess hall, and the mess hall. It probably didn't help with his efforts that Josef was hungry.

In point of fact, he was always hungry. Odd that. Been that way since Jast. Pondering on the fact for a moment, he allowed himself to become lost in his thoughts, his mouth curving oddly as he did. Drifting where ever his feet would take him, he wandered about the halls, now in what seemed to be the officer's deck, and was rather going for a loop. Pocketing his pad, Corbett eyed his surroundings, his gaze running afoul of another naval officer, this one being of zeltron blood. An unfamiliar people, at least on Josef's part, save for maybe one or two encounters in both university and basic. Still, he gave the commander (though just what rank he possessed was beyond Josef) his due respects, stiffening himself as he approached, he assumed a rough form of attention when he was within a stride or two of the man. He'd scope out this wing of the craft, at least until a superior caught wind and had him haul his carcass back to the enlisted billet. Perhaps he'd meander into the room the one before him was heading for, explore some more, but perhaps on a more important note, bridge the gap of branch rivalry, if only just a hair.

It wouldn't really hurt to know anyone on board, either, this being his home now. Corbett started early on mending the branch rivalries though, beginning to feel a pang of envy while eying the rather dashing look of the zeltron's uniform...

[Jazen]

The red headed Zeltron sergeant had barely entered the room and given Tyros her papers before his senses, still keyed to motion outside the room to a small degree, found another presence come into existance just before the hissing doors. For a moment, the thought that it might just be someone passing by did cross Tyros's mind....but he knew better. He knew since he set the meeting for all of them at the same time that they would be arriving close together, or would hopefully do so. As such, it came as no surprise when the comm pinged again, this time a male voice requesting the right to enter.

"My apologies Sergeant, hold your answer but for a moment. We have another guest.....correction, guests." He had meant to only refer to one person, who he assumed would be the final member of the new officers joining the ship, the other Zeltron known as Crass. But no sooner had he sensed the man approaching did he sense another approach....and that had him a bit surprised. As far as Tyros knew, there wasn't anyone else he was meeting today...so that person was either following Crass, lost or came to speak to him about something with the Captain away.

He would just have to find out. With a confirmation through the comm, Tyros calmly waited as the two outside the door made their way inside, standing once again as the two of them introduced themselves upon entry. As he had expected, the first through the door was the third file he'd recieved and the final officer he'd been scheduled to meet today. The other however....wore the fatigues of a soldier rather then a navy officer...and looked the part too. He could still be an officer...but from the look and feel of him, he was not.

The Zeltron Crass, dressed ina jet black suit that Tyros was sure wasn't standard, especially with those golden buttons that seemed to be jsut big enough to draw more attention to them then was needed. The way he felt in the Winds mirrored his attire and matched it perfectly too; it portrayed a man who was confident and proud. And the man knew it. There wasn't any worry or doubt in this man's presence, like the Sergeant who'd come first had felt. No, this man was perfectly calm and ready....a sign of experience no doubt. And considering the information Tyros had gotten in his file, there was little question that the man hadn't earned it.

The other man....was dressed in what Tyros was sure was combat attire for a soldier on the front. Armor, weapons, the way he walked...all of them had the feel of those men and women Tyros had seen while in basic camp, the drill instructors they sometime's borrowed from the Army's boot to make the training in combat skills more profound in their naval troops. Tyros felt...confusion, the man had gotten lost and had no idea he'd walked into a meeting of officers. Enthusiam, something expected from many new recruits. And....hunger. The last one was strange, something he just managed to catch a wift of....but it was slightly amusing nonetheless.

Joyous. A Zeltron who is confident and a grunt. And if I recall correctly, the two Zeltrons before me are set to be part of the same wing. Even greater joy; I hope they'd as discplinced as our other Zeltron crewmember....hopefully more so, at least while on duty. I can tell this will be an experience...a "riot" as they call it.

Once both of them had entered and either stood, sat or introduced themselves, Tyros waited for Crass to offer his file before shaking the man's hand...and then offering the same hand to the soldier.

"Good day gentleman. Close enough on time I suppose Commander, but I figured you'd be the first to be here considering your status and rank. I guess it can be forgiven...this time. Please, join your comrade in taking a seat and introducing yourself.

As for you Private, I believe your in the wrong place. The soldier barracks are two levels below us... unless your here with an enjuiry. It matters not though, welcome aboard all the same. However, I must request that if your not here for any reason in particular, that you say your farewells and go about finding your room. Call it a hunch but I don't think you've gotten situated yet with your own quarters.

[Rabbit]

"Your tardy Sergeant. However, I will overlook it...this time. Please, take a seat. You may retake your seat as well Ms Horula, if you wish."

Sheresh winced.

Oy...so much for positive first impressions, she thought with a mental sigh.

In her defense, she'd never been on a ship before - all of her previous commands were most decidedly grounded on terra firma. However, she wisely refrained from pointing that out. She was in the Commander's territory - she wasn't about to stick her metaphorical foot in her mouth.

I am Lieutenant Commander Tyros Elrune and I welcome your aboard Sergeant. I'll leave it to you two to greet one another. And then, please tell me about yourself Sergeant."

The young sergeant glanced over at the Togruta standing quietly on the sidelines and then at Commander Tyros. She wasn't sure what was Naval courtesy, since the Army was often covered in doors and therefore, saluted in doors. And since she wasn't currently covered...

Ah, screw the Navy!

She settled for nodding crisply at the Commander and then at the Togruta - who, she assumed, was the one identified as "Ms. Horula."

"Greetings, Commander; ma'am," Sheresh stood at a polite parade rest and clasped her hands behind her back. "Sergeant Sheresh Kelborn, reporting for duty as ordered."

That was about she managed to get out, before the door opened again...

----------------------------

Sheresh was a little overwhelmed.

Scratch that, she was a lot overwhelmed. She had just been summoned into the XO's office and asked to make an account of herself, when others arrived directly on her heels. The red-headed sergeant didn't even have enough time to continue introducing herself, before the door slid open and admitted two more bodies, both male.

Her eyes widened when she recognized the tall figure in the dashing black suit - Commander Vossk. Something like a blush tinged the tips of Sheresh's ears and she was suddenly quite thankful for her her pink-hued skin. Most sentients weren't observant enough to detect her blushing - and she blushed a lot, it seemed. It really didn't take much.

She hadn't expected to run into Commander Vossk so soon. He really was quite legendary in the Air Corps and he was the sole reason she was standing on board the Anthelion in the first place. He had recruited her to be part of his squadron; Sheresh's heart pounded at the thought. Of all the assignments one could hope for fresh out of flight school, this was top notch.

So, don't make an idiot of yourself, Kelborn, she scolded herself sternly.

Her eye fell on the insignia on his black lapel and for a moment, confusion clouded her professional poker face. Last time she'd seen him, he'd definitely been a commander. But, now, a lieutenant's bars winked at her under the bright light; Sheresh's eyebrows pulled together in a brief frown.

What...? she dared peek a glance at him, but then decided it was better if she just pretended she hadn't noticed.

It wasn't her place to ask personal questions, really. No doubt, the rumor mill would churn out a thousand explanations for his change in rank.

It's really not any of your business.

The half-Zeltron pilot glanced demurely away from Lieutenant Vossk's dashing figure and decided it might be a little safer to consider his more plains-clothed companion. Ogling her commanding officer was probably not the best way to make a professional first-impression...even if Vossk did draw every eye in the room. Sheresh took a slow, surrepitious breath and reigned in her scattered emotions - anxiety, awe, curiosity, excitement. She had been raised to be better than her emotions; she wasn't about to let them take over in so crucial a moment.

As for you Private, I believe your in the wrong place. The soldier barracks are two levels below us... unless your here with an enjuiry. It matters not though, welcome aboard all the same. However, I must request that if your not here for any reason in particular, that you say your farewells and go about finding your room. Call it a hunch but I don't think you've gotten situated yet with your own quarters.

Interesting... Sheresh looked the soldier up and down; next to the Zeltron officer, he was rather nondescript.

She didn't know him, or even know his name, but she felt an instant kinship with him. They were the only two enlisted personnel in "officer country" at the moment - that alone made her feel slightly less vulnerable. She eyed him, curious, too. How did a grunt manage to find himself up in the XO's office, anyway?

Sheresh shifted on her feet - the XO had encouraged them all to sit, but it felt awkward taking a seat when so many others were still standing. The young NCO glanced around at the small gathering - it was a diverse group. She eyed Commander Tyros - she wasn't even sure what kind of human species he was, but his long, so-very-not-in-regs hair caught her eye.

Interesting...

He felt nice, though...or, as nice as a high-ranking officer could, considering the circumstances.

Then, there was the Togruta, silent and beautiful on the sidelines. Sheresh pondered her for a moment - she had always thought female Togrutas quite lovely, in their own, exotic way. This one seemed less...wild...than most of the others Sheresh had encountered. Then again, all of the Togruta Sheresh had ever encountered, had been Mandalorians on Concord Dawn.

Concord Dawn... The name sent a stab through her heart and she hastily looked away from the nameless Togruta. Her eyes slid back over to Vossk - he was all confidence and military poise. She rather envied him that. She tried to be poised, she really did. But, somehow, Sheresh had never quite grasped the concept of "quiet intimidation". Even as...well...as her father's daughter.

A long-haired XO...a Togruta...a full-blooded Zeltron...a human grunt...and her. A half-Zeltron mix with a past she tried hard to forget. Sheresh sighed softly under her breath.

If this initial meeting was any indication, the Anthelion wasn't going to be a boring tour of duty.

Not in the least...

------------------------------------

[Goodness! What epic posts! LOL I think I might have posted out of turn, but Tal said to go ahead... I apologize for the general cruminess of the post. -.- I'm not feeling too great atm, and I'm not sure what to have Sheresh do, besides watch everyone and make her own impressions... And thanks to Tal for setting me straight. .__.;;]

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Okay, I’m making this my exit post. Carry on if you will, and since I’ve not seen our other companion, feel free to move along without him or pm him to see if he’s active or whatever you like, but he’s not been around since the 15th of May, soooo…*shrug*

---

As the woman came in, Sihara watched her quietly, hands clasped lightly before her. For a moment they seemed to survey each other before the commander spoke, drawing Sihara’s attention toward him again. He certainly was a gruff and cold man, he even made Theron…for all of his angst and aggression…seem warm. Then again, she was…biased.

“You may retake your seat as well Ms. Horula, if you wish.”

”I’m fine, thank you. Standing is a bit more comfortable at the moment…” Her lekku curled at the ends as she felt the others near the door, her gentle and serene voice trailing off just slightly. In that brief interlude, Tyros spoke again and her eyes flickered between him and the woman standing quite properly before her commanding officer. She couldn’t help but offer a soft chuckle as the sergeant glanced over at her before giving a crisp nod to Tyros and then herself. This is going to take some getting used to, I can tell, she mused, letting one hand drift up to follow the curve of one of her montral and still it’s vibrations, if only for a moment.

“Greetings, Commander; ma’am. Sergeant Sheresh Kelborn, reporting for duty as ordered.”

“My apologies Sergeant, hold your answer but for a moment. We have another guest…correction, guests.”

Yes, perhaps it is time for me to go. It seems the commander will have quite a bit on his plate here. It was more of a matter of consideration for the suddenly ‘swamped’ officer, than it was for her own comfort. Groups of people didn’t necessarily bother her, but no doubt Tyros needed to introduce himself to the new crew members and get their files, so it would be best to stay out of the way. Still, as the next two entered, she waited quietly once more. Gold and green eyes studied the names and insignias of the two gentlemen…another Zeltron and a human…as they came to a stop just before the desk.

It was more than a little interesting, seeing the variety of the soldiers gathered here. The woman, Sheresh, was dressed appropriately, her uniform neat, appearance tidy, but not a thing about her ostentatious or overbearing, or even overly noteworthy aside from her pretty face and decent form. The Zeltron man, however, was crisp and pressed, nearly immaculate, and had the distinct bearing of an officer…his rank bars said as much as well. He was good looking enough, kept well in shape, and he seemed to know how he appeared…to some degree or another. The last, however, had the look of someone who’d not been prepared for a meeting with a ranking officer. It wasn’t to say he was disheveled or unkempt, but he simply wasn’t tidy or put together…there was a difference, after all. He looked to be army, or something similar…he certainly didn’t wear a naval uniform or insignia.

I wonder if he meant to be here at all, or if he simply happened upon the wrong room? Her attention, however, was drawn back to the swirl of emotion that was Sheresh. Was she…timid? Perhaps flustered would have been a better description? Either way, Sihara glanced first at the woman, then at the Zeltron officer, then nodded to both men just slightly. Perhaps one of her personal superiors? There seemed to be quite a bit of recognition there…or perhaps someone she’s heard of before and looks up to? It’s difficult to tell. Of course…it COULD simply be that she finds him attractive. A slight smile lingered around the corners of her mouth as a bit of amusement tinted her presence before dieing down again.

After Commander Elrune finished speaking, Sihara quirked one brow, the white marking curling above her eye lifting slightly with the motion. In the silence that followed for mere moments, she decided now was her chance to speak and excuse herself. ”Well then…I suppose I should take this moment to say something before I excuse myself and let you all get to your business without any further ado, hmm?” Her words were light, calm, and tinted with an air of both amusement and something akin to mild curiosity and mischief. ”I’ll introduce myself as Sihara Horula, you’re ship’s councilor and a civilian officer…of sorts. While I would much like to stay and get to know each of you a bit better, I do believe I’ll have an office for that sort of thing somewhere aboard the ship, so perhaps it would be best to save such things for a more appropriate time.”

A soft chuckle escaped her as she turned her gaze first from Sheresh, to the human man, and finally to the Zeltron officer. He felt…how interesting…a full force sensitive? Heh…well the force does work in odd ways. ”I don’t believe in people simply seeing councilors when they have troubles, but long before then. After all, if I don’t know you how could I possibly hope to help if you ever should need it? So, with that said, consider it your formal invitation to come and see me at any point, even if it’s just to have a chat on a day off.” With that, she would lift her heavy pack from the floor and onto one shoulder with what seemed to be minimal effort, followed by her sheathed sword onto the other shoulder. Turning to Tyros, she’d smile brightly, her presence radiating a happy serenity.

”If you don’t need me for anything else, Commander Elrune, I’d like to go and find where in this vast ship I’m supposed to bed down and get settled in. It’s been a long journey here.”