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[shipmaster]

Threads, continuations and TDM INSIDE

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[dendarii]

And those who are physically deformed. But exceptions can be made.

[ He's certain he can talk to someone who can pull the right strings here. ]

[shipmaster]

...

I'll think about it.

[dendarii]

[ Miles nods at that, conceding the point. ]

We have no shortage of time for now, Captain.

[shipmaster]

[That Captain was one of those messages that carried quite a few undertones. The reinstatement that the amnesiac Miles had done was no longer a fit of whimsy, ill or partially informed.

For now, at least, Bel could put back on that far more comfortable jacket.]

I've mixed feelings on that. I'll still vote for a shortage.

[They pause, and lean down one more time (just once more), kissing Miles languidly before moving to disentangle and stand.]

We really should work on how to make sure the Fleet can get a lock on our signal. These things have a signal, there's got to be a way to boost it.

[dendarii]

[ Miles must remove Bel once they return to the Dendarii. But ... not yet. No need to make the inevitable real just yet. Perhaps other circumstances will arise between now and then.

Other things are almost certain to arise, damn it all. But he returns the kiss lightly anyway, before getting back to his feet as well. He is ... beyond strung out at this point. A seizure and a cascade aren't fun things to live through, much less one after the other. ]

So our first order of business is finding tools - or something intact enough to patch into.

[shipmaster]

So... Our mysterious metal hulk down there?

[dendarii]

[ Miles nods, looking at the sinkhole with the exposed wreckage. ]

Just so. If that's anything approaching a ship ... It must have something we can use.

[shipmaster]

Somewhere to rest, as well. [It is.. perhaps, a little pointed.

They pick up their makeshift knife, stretch and start towards the edge of the sinkhole.]

[dendarii]

I'm fine. [ Miles says automatically, following after them. ] Better than I was before, now that I remember everything.

[shipmaster]

Do you... remember everything?

[There was a wary sort of EXTRA note in that. That topic Bel wouldn't talk about before...

Sliding down the collapsed wall of the sinkhole was treacherous affair, but .. almost fun in its own way...]

[dendarii]

[ Miles is silent for a moment. Not only to focus on the slide, but also to flip through his memories. Hope at the bottom of Pandora's box, eh ... ]

Everything. I think. But some pieces don't make proper sense.

[shipmaster]

[As they go, the ship seems to get bigger and bigger. Distance strips away the illusions of a small vessel. Whatever is down there, however it got there, it's not insignificant.]

That might be something to talk about on the way home.

[dendarii]

[ That's a good sign, right? The larger the vessel, the greater the possibility of finding something they can use... ]

Mmm. In case there are other listeners. [ His voice lowers a bit. ] I am certainly Naismith, anyhow.

[shipmaster]

Oh, without a doubt. You were the only one worried about that.

[Definitely good. When they hit the bottom, Bel lands on their ass, but still is grinning up at it. There might be some explorer in them yet.]

But that was understandable, all considered.

[dendarii]

Of course it was understandable. I didn't know a damn --

[ And Miles lands flat on his face. Oof. ]

Thhhhing. Ow.

[shipmaster]

[The sound, nearby, is someone trying. And failing. To cover a snicker.]

[dendarii]

Laugh all you like. You hardly managed any better.

[ He awkwardly pulls himself back up. ]

[shipmaster]

[Oh no.]

You look like a red racoon...

[dendarii]

[ Miles swats at the Betan with one hand. ]

Eyes on our objective, Captain. Not my face.

[shipmaster]

Sir. [Only Bel really can put that much laughter into accepting an order. Possibly the only Captain that dares.

Still, they start towards the vessel, searching for the way in.]

[dendarii]

[ Miles refocuses on the ship below them. Surely there must be some way ... ]

-- Ah, over there. It looks like a gash in the ship's side.

[shipmaster]

It is!

... well, that answers if it's space worthy. [As if being under untold amount of sand didn't. They trot over the length of several panels to get to the punctured hull...

Hovering at the edge, to keep a low profile, they peer in.]

Clear, I think.

[dendarii]

No time like the present, then.

[ Miles carefully squeezes through the gap and lowers himself inside. ]

PSL from here on out

[shipmaster]

Dammit, Admiral. After me.

[They squeeze in after, a far tighter fit than Miles' slight form, and blink into the dim lighting... It seems to have opened into a straight enough passage anyway.]

[dendarii]

Hmm? Is that because admirals always stay behind, especially fragile ones like me?

[ You knew that was coming, Bel Thorne. Miles cheerfully picks a direction and sets out. The slanted floors make progress somewhat slow, but Miles is excited by new prospects if nothing else. ]