shipmaster | (no subject)

[Bel catches it, and turns it over in their hand.

For a moment, they take the more literal meaning, first pressing it to the suit, then attempting to scrape it over the surface. With a look back at Miles to make sure the Admiral wasn't taking a piss at them, they FINALLY break it. The light flashes, and the suit beeps: 100%

Instantly.]

... Where did you get that?

[ Miles is very proud of himself, okay. He grins as Bel's suit lights back up. ]

From our usual benefactor. The belly of the Queen herself.

... Survey would all but wet themselves to get a crack at the ecology here, you know.

Dear god, yes. Perhaps we can sell all this info to them once we get back.

What a price too! New world, breathable atmosphere, and if you hurry right now, you can meet sentient aliens.

We'll be millionaires by the end of it all. If we can get there.

What's this if? Planning on building a mansion made of killer ships and bug shells?

If I must. Though it's hardly my first choice.

Hopefully not the only. [They slide down the small embankment and back towards Miles.]

Any other good news?

[ Miles shakes his head. ]

Nothing specific. Everyone's looking to explore the ruins at this point. Certainly with the help of these spheres we ought to have fewer problems.

[ He brightens as another thought occurs to him. ]

Or we could hook up our signal to one directly.

[Bel straightens. That's a good idea. A really good idea.]

If they're even barely related technology, it should work, one would think.

My thought exactly. And I have a significant amount of wire here. Shall we attempt it?

I'll be the last one to get in the way. [Bel saunters over to pick up the spoils of their foray into the ship, laying out the comm unit and the wires.]

[ Miles settles himself down to work, then. This is going to take a while, but he's absolutely determined if not entirely skilled with what he's doing. ]

What d'you think Quinn will do first? Grab us by our ears?

[Bel is absolutely no damn help here either. Where is Baz when they need him?]

Probably kiss you. And while she's distracted, I'll get in clear.

[ Back on the ship, of course. Miles at least has had to scrape together enough daring escapes to manage something. ]

You mean kill me. Either way, ample distraction for you.

I'm sure she'll have a cryo unit on hand.

Oh, god. No more of that please. One revival is enough for this lifetime.

[ The comm unit sparks in his hands ... and then whirrs to life. ]

No? The Nexus record is three. And y- AH! It lives!

[ Miles will gladly not think too hard about how awful a third revival would be. He kneels next to their precious unit, watching the readout. ]

Up and running. Putting out a decent range too ... If they're anywhere in the system, they ought to be able to find us.

Oh thank god.

[Bel just, falls back flat, trying not to laugh with relief. It was just time and luck now. But the odds were so, so much better.]

[ Miles can't help but grin himself. Of course, if Quinn isn't in the system, then they're screwed, but ... ]

I wish we had something to drink to celebrate.

[They really can't afford to think like that.]

Well, there's water inside. But I'm really not interested in the visit just yet.

We should collect a few of those power eggs, though.

Mm. Agreed. And maybe later we can see if they left a few bottles of something stronger somewhere.

Oh, that would be a prize.

Not exactly a candlelight dinner, but I suppose one makes do.