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[shipmaster]

Threads, continuations and TDM INSIDE

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[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. ]

[shipmaster]

[The faint scuffle of a stumble behind Miles may let them know that hit the mark.]

I'm not apologizing. [It starts muttered. It's repeated singsong.

They follow after, trailing fingers in the condensation on the walls. Cautiously, they bring their fingers to their nose, sniff... and then taste...]

Water..?

[dendarii]

It was clever, I admit. Entirely necessary given my tendencies ...

[ But there's still a note of sarcastic scolding in his words. He stops for a moment, looking back at Bel. Then up at the moisture gathering. He touches a panel himself. ]

... Just so. I wonder if we could gather enough to drink.

[shipmaster]

We'll need to.. too valuable to pass up.

[For now they drop their hand and double step to catch up with Miles. A few doors ahead... and a small maze of turns. They try scratching an arrow into one of the walls, for now.]

[dendarii]

Mm. We don't have many water rations left, save whatever moisture we get from the Queen.

[ That's a good idea. Miles will mark the next one, then. ]

How large do you suppose this thing is?

[shipmaster]

It dwarfs the Triumph, at least. [The flagship of the Dendarii Fleet was no small vessel, but...]

What was the Barrayaran one? The Prince Surt?