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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shadowdancer" data-source="post: 1905288" data-attributes="member: 515">Chapter XVIII Date: 169-993 to 172-993Location: Aboard the Bray Keaven, in jump space between Sentry and Fonnein“Mornin’, Ms. Smythe,” the lieutenant commander intones. “You’re up rather early today. Did your ‘engineer’s sense’ wake you when it smelled the coffee?” Martha nods absently at Kevon, then heads immediately to port engineering, just to affirm that everything's OK. She’s somewhat groggy and panicky, but moving with a definite sense of purpose. Only when she awakes enough to realize that it was just a dream does Martha begin to relax a little. Still apprehensive, she activates the iris vale leading to the low berths, standing somewhat out of the way. Nervously, she glances inside the room beyond, just to make sure there’s no Zho mind-rapist with an SMG ready to mow her down. After confirming that the ship is safe, the young engineer pings Doc Saro on personal comms. “Doc, sorry to wake you, but I need to get your opinion on something. It’s kinda important.” Answering the early call over the comm, Saro tells Martha to come by as soon as she is ready. A little while later, Martha enters the Doc’s cabin, her complexion pale and with a haunted look in her eyes. Saro sits her down and listens closely to her as she reveals her concerns and fears to him. “Sorry I got so busy yesterday, and didn’t get back with you. Yesterday was pretty hectic, and then -- well, Doc, I’ve started having the dreams again.” In a tumble of words and emotion, Martha relays the details of her most recent dream to Doc Saro. “When I got up off the floor, I even went and checked on engineering, to make sure it’s all OK. That’s how bad things around here are getting to me. So, Doc, what do you think? Am I losing it?” When the words finally slow and she makes her fearful query, Saro leans forward, looks into her eyes, and begins to speak in his most sincere voice. "Martha, I’ve seen how valiantly you’ve tried to deal with all these troubling events, going back to the loss of the Keaven’s previous crew. You have done an admirable job of maintaining your composure thus far, but the incident with the Oser was one stick too much and your anxiety level has become overwhelming, hasn’t it?” Martha nods wearily. "These last two months have been the worst of my life, Doc. I don’t know if I’m coming or going, and every time I think I get a hold on the situation, it changes on me.” She looks up at him, the corners of her eyes watering. Keeping his voice warm and reassuring, he continues, “Now, as I may have said before, I’m not formally trained as a psychiatrist. I do have some familiarity in the area and as an MD, I could prescribe some drugs to stabilize your anxiety. However, I am loathe to do so unless absolutely necessary. These medications often have side effects and in controlling the anxiety may adversely affect you in other areas.” “That’s what the counselor said at Alief, but like I told him, I don’t want to have to take medications. The Bray needs my attention, and if it’s lacking, even for a moment, we could end up in – an indelicate situation, to say the least.” “What I’d like to do is to see if we can use some alternative methods to help you lower your anxiety and to develop means to mitigate the stress brought upon by future events.” The young engineer nods again. “I’m game. I just can’t seem to calm down enough to think like the counselor told me to. You know, look at the situation from afar, and ask myself the right questions.” “I would start out teaching you some simple breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. After that, we can move to some more advanced techniques for mental focusing that I’ve learned from various practitioners during my studies.” Saro leans back in his seat, maintaining his eye contact with Martha. “What do you think Martha? Do you wish to start with these exercises? Or would you rather I prescribed some medication?” With a sigh, Martha straightens up in her seat. “Let’s start those exercises, Doc. I don’t know about those ‘more advanced techniques’ you’re talking about, but I definitely would like to breath easy again.” -----Shortly after Martha leaves the lounge, Vargas enters and helps himself to some of Kevon’s coffee. He joins the lieutenant commander at a table. Aidan strides in, studying his portacomp. He grabs some coffee and walks over to the table. “Good morning Kevon. Vargas.” After exchanging pleasantries, Kevon grills Mr. Silveron the Hsieu-Buowil-5 and other Imperial communications encoding, justto get a general idea of the courier’s level of knowledge. “So Kevon, what would you like to know about Hsieu-Buowil-5 encryption?” Aidan says. “It’s a fairly old method, which is why it took us a while to recognizeit. Some genealogical studies of older encryption methods led usgradually back to this old H-B-5. Fortunately, there are some well-knowmethods for cracking it.” Aidan rambles on for several minutes talkingabout the history of encryption methods and generally exhibiting aninterest in the technology. He is clearly a fairly knowledgeable hacker who isquite conversant with the intricacies of the actual algorithms and howto design and code them. Kevon also is well versed in communications technology, and understands the basics of communications encoding, even though he’s not a cryptologic specialist. The lieutenant commander politely nods occasionally, even though he’s glossing over most of what he’s hearing. He’s getting the information he needs, and sufficiently understands Aidan’s skill and knowledge by the end of their conversation. “Imperial communications encoding you say?” Aidan continues. “Hmm, I only know some of thealgorithms behind it as they relate to some of the encryption encodes.” He rambles off for a few more moments. “Sorry about drifting from thetopic there. Yes, not much beyond that though. Never really gotinvolved in that end of the family business. I was much more interestedin the computers and control systems. Really fascinating on some ships.” "Sorry, might still be sleepy but, what ‘family business’?” Vargas asks. “Did I say that? Errrm, I suppose I did. I tend to forget what I’m saying when I’m rambling about my passions. Don’t get me started on pentathlons. Right, so, the family business. Please keep this within the ship. Especially as might family might be pleased to deny it. You see, my family builds ships. And I sold them to the Imperial Navy for several years. Quite interesting being near the court and such, but not quite as interesting as diplomatic work. “Have you seen my ship models? And their holographic tricks? Those are some of my favorite models. Umm, the name’s Argentii -- Argentum Conglomerate. Silver’s a convenience used in the family, and I don’t want to advertise my connections. Anyway. Anything else you’d like to discuss on the computer? We should talk about some protocol enhancements to make sure the ship’s computers are completely secure and then . . . ” Argent starts to drift off into technical explanations again. “I see,” Vargas says. “So the ‘family business’ included military grade comms systems eh?” “Some part of it certainly. Not a side of the business I followed too closely. Afraid I was more of a salesman than anything else. Useless son of the aristocrats don’t you know.” -----For the rest of the jump, Ian concentrates on relaxing in his cabin, assiduously resting and healing. Vasilii, after some consultation and some aborted activity, does the same thing in the improvised sickbay. Saro cares for them both as well as counsels Martha. After a slow start, Vasilii does start healing, though he is still injured. Ian responds much better to Saro’s care, particularly because he really is resting.Saro does a good job of teaching Martha some relaxation techniques as well as does a bit of psychotherapy. His efforts appear to be quite effective at helping the young engineer deal with the stress caused by events of the last few months, and her sleep improves as the days wear on. She still will need to come to an understanding with regards to what the blonde “said” to her, but at least Martha feels more confident about being able to handle events that do occur. Swann and Aidan work on improving the computer’s security protocols. Swann watches Aidan very closely, and as far as he can tell, Aidan isn’t trying to pull anything sneaky. By the end of the week, Swann and Aidan have managed to improve the security of the system considerably. Kevon works on rigging up a cube transponder suppression system. Armed with information about the exact frequency and some characteristics of the transmission (provided by Martha), Kevon is able to construct a suppression system partly built from some of Aidan’s electronics parts. The resulting device is fairly crude and must sit right next to the cubes, but it should provide a some protection against picking up the cube squawks.  Martha and Vargas spend their time taking care of the ship (maintenance), repair some damage to Kevon’s former cabin (which will still need to be replaced), and assisting others in various tasks. -----Very early in the morning of the 172nd day of the year finds the crew at their jump emergence stations. Shortly after 0300, Kevon signals that the Bray Keaven is about to emerge from jump, and then the Bray Keaven appears in 069-526 system. Klesiter Alpha burns red a little off to port, and Fonnein, the main world, appears straight ahead. Traffic appears to be fairly light at the moment, and the Bray Keaven proceeds in system at 2G. Fonnein will be about 5 hours away at 2G. -----Martha runs the standard diagnostic protocols for emergence from jump space, then begins a more detailed diagnostic intended to prepare her for the upcoming annual maintenance work. Finding no red lights, she then pulls up the computer's library data on Fonnein and starts checking out the local facilities. -----Once out of jump and Kevon verifies the jump drive is properly secured, he runs through the approach checks, then monitors in-system communications. -----Swann monitors the location and vector of all ships he can through the targeting system, particularly any that appear to be approaching the Bray Keaven. -----As they head into system, Saro does a final inventory of his supplies to determine if there is anything he needs to try to pick up to replenish what he’s used in treating the crew so far, and perhaps some specialized tools to help Martha with her relaxation and focusing exercises. When that is done Saro heads for the lounge with his medkit at theready. He hase his vacc suit laid out and ready in his cabin, just in case. -----Ian turns to Saro to when he enters the lounge. “I’m feeling much better. Thanks, Doc!” Then he levels his gaze on Aidan. “Mr. Silver, I would again like your assurance that you will be on your best behavior. I understand that there were extenuating circumstances that you were reacting to during the Oser situation. It goes against my character, but I’m willing to give you a second chance.” Ian flashes a big grin, crinkling the scarred skin on the side of his head. “Indeed, I shall be on my best behavior,” Aidan promises. “It appears that that is what will best facilitate making the exchanges with the cubes. Not always the case in completing some of the tasks set for me. Although, rest assured, if the crew needs some of my bad behavior in a future encounter, it will be entirely at your disposal -- but only if you call for it.” Ian nods once and sits back in his chair. “Very well Mr. Silver.” He remains stay in the lounge conversing with the crew and Aidan. He listens in on any and all internal/external communications, just to stay on top of any situations that may arise. -----Up in the lounge, the helmet to Vasilii’s vacc suit sits at the end of the table, out of everyone's way but in reach if needed. He’s resting his head on his arms folded in front of him on the table. He looks at the rest of the group in the lounge through bloodshot eyes at half-mast. As Aidan is talking, Vasilii gets a look of angst on his face again. When Aidan finishes, Vasilii blearily lifts his head to look at the ship’s chronometer, turns to Aidan and points at the chrono. “Aidan, do you see that? To military types, that's Oh-Three-Hundred. To the rest of us, that’s Oh-Dark-Early. I don’t do Oh-Dark-Early, let alone anything else at 3 a.m., with the notable exception of sleep, so cut to the chase. What ‘tasks’ do you have ‘set for you’ beyond the exchanges for these cubes, and why would they require anything other than your best behavior?” “Not meaning to startle you Vasilii, just responding reminiscently. I have no other tasks at the moment. But, gunrunning to revolutionaries is something that can get a bit, umm, sticky at times. Especially when the other side of the revolution has some major commercial interests behind it. It’s a good story for sometime when you’re more awake.”When the conversation in the lounge is over, Vasilii says to the group, “Well, since I’m not going to get any sleep this morning, I’ll go see if I can find out what’s happening on Fonnein.”  He makes his way to the bridge and gets on the communications console to see if he can pick up any news feeds from Fonnein, even if it’s just audio or something in text.</blockquote>

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