Aether Shanties RP (PM if interested/Started)

[Arcanist]

Jason could feel his underlings stare a hole into the back of his head. Normally, he'd chastise them for such disrespectful behavior towards a superior, but in this case he couldn't blame them. He was pacing back and forth, trying to calm his shaken nerves.

'None of this makes any sense. Get to what? A weapon? Treasure? Information? And where? Why is this so urgent?' He bent over the workbench he had claimed as his desk, taking in a deep breath, attempting to collect his thoughts to no avail. It was no use - his curiosity had gotten the better of him. 'My team can keep an eye on the engine. Right now, I need to find out what the flying fuck is going on.'

"Fry, you're in charge. Keep an eye on the engine. I have other work to do."

"Sir, if you don't mind me asking... what's going on?"

"That's an excellent question. One I intend to answer..." Sam said he'd be performing an autopsy of the second Beth. That might be the place to start. He broke into a brisk walk through the ship's lower deck, arriving at the entrance to the sick bay and knocking on the door. "Sam? You in there?"

 

[3quency]

-Annis-
"You, of all people should realise, this is no joke, Annis. To question orders from our esteemed Admiral, from the Emperor himself is so unlike you. Perhaps you should go and lie down for a while, hm? Get the doctor to take a look at your vitalvbreathing apparatus."

Annis' eyes narrowed and she turned her head as much as she could in the mask to glare at Exeter.
She couldn't help it. The man was loathsome. Sloppy, arrogant, and worst of all, those snide, self-satisfied asides. If she was ten years younger she'd have cut him down where he stood. But she was not, and there was always a chance that Rear-Admiral Lanester would complain. Though that was a bit of a stretch of the imagination.

"I am merely expressing concern. Of course it is not my place to decide our orders, but when a ship that is probably the furthest from Old New York in the entire fleet receives orders to travel there, it is only intelligent to wonder why, Mr. Mate." She said, her voice returning to it's usual low hiss. It took a special kind of soldier to turn a Rank into an insult, and Annis had grown up serving alongside them.
The only way she could have fitted more venom into her words was if she had ordered Vasco to start pumping some into her veins.


-Isaac-
"Is there a reason? Ye had a bad experience, or a bad dad, or some spirit told y' not to..."
Some spirit? What on earth did she believe about him?
She shook her head again, focused her eyes on his. And he was a little lost again.
"Not even a beer?" she suddenly blurted, and Isaac forced himself to focus, for more than a minute for crying out loud.

Oh. What reason could he give her? My superior in the Spy Network died coughing up blood after trying a sip of wine. Did I mention I was partially responsible for the massacre of a Neobedouin tribe? How the hell did you manage to get aboard this ship, Isaac?
And then his lips started moving of their own accord.

"I just... it was how I was brought up. In the Empire. That I'm from. Yeah."
Well it was somewhat plausible. He had told most of the crew that he used to be an Imp, and they did have a bit of a reputation for being stick-in-the-muds.
"You know how most families just work around the notion that certain activities are Very Bad Things?"
He shrugged and smiled nervously.
"Alcohol was kind of mine."

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Garrett noticed the stern look that Exeter gave when he walked passed and entered the navigation room for all ranked officers aboard the Invincible. It was a place that he had been into, on occasions where his particular knowledge had been required by Adrianna. Fortunately, since he was with her earlier, he already knew the mission brief, and had no need to enter anyway. His thoughts turned to the route in which they would be taking both coming and going from the relic site.

'Lets just hope we don't fly near Sentinel Bay; given their defenses, the ship would be shot down, even with its armour.' Garrett said to himself, remembering that he had helped with the designs of the turrets that defended his home. They were essentially cannon sized versions of his Cerberus rifle, and to a ship like the Invincible; they would make short work of it. To take his mind off of things, he unsheathed his sword, a smile formed as he gazed upon the blade's red colour.

'Besides, someone has to keep an eye on the crew whilst the officers are away.'

 

[Terratina.]

Just as Vasco was finishing sewing stitches into another patient in his efficient, yet delicate manner, Annis strode in, announcing that he was needed in the navigation room in her sharp, but short manner. He finished the last stitch and turned to tidy up the little mess left on the tray. In his little lair, everything had its place. The medicines in the secure medicine chest, the refrigerator for those that needed cold storage, and the locked cabinet containing the more un-beneficial substances like morphine and medical alcohol. The smoke and the chill from the refrigerators swept through the sick bay, giving the impression that this place was more of a morgue than a place of recovery, the only warm things you would find here would be the thick blankets, placed there to give some comfort to those that lay on the cold metal beds, and Dr. Roque's bedside manner, cordial, but concise.

With the paitents seen to and the place tidy, he left and Vasco sighed as he realised that with his little tidying session, he was a few steps behind Annis and she wasn't the type to stop for well... anyone. Not even the doctor with bad lungs that had saved her life and risked his rank in defending her. Then again, being a doctor was a thankless job, and the talk of the 'Squawking Sawbones' who said little and did even littler among the lower ranks didn't help. It was just another insult from the ensigns, there often was a new one every year. While Vasco didn't pay any heed to such babble from those who had yet to require his services, he often smiled at the imagination of the lower ranks. He strode onwards with his ever steady, calculated pace: Cane down; step; cane up; step. On reaching the steps, he sighed again as steps were anathema to those with chronic bronchitis.

Nevertheless, when he overcame his nemesis and reached the navigation room, just in time to hear the new orders, he saw something; or rather, someone, who he hated more: Exeter St. John. For all the respect he expected from officers, he was not a respectable figure with unshaven face and askew uniform. No wonder many of the crew gave him the opposite of what he expected, it was like worshipping a splintered wooden idol. One was that rotten to the core. As the raggedy appearance reflected the poor mortal character of the man, one that beat the helpless and forced his way through everything and everyone. Vasco had first accepted that as a leftover from his pirate days, but as Capricorn needed more and more treatment, Vasco didn't take kindly to the fact that this man was so willing to undo all of that hard work, not to mention poor Capricorn's suffering.

And right now, he had gone for Annis, "...Perhaps you should go and lie down for a while, hm? Get the doctor to take a look at your vitalvbreathing apparatus."

Vasco had remained silent as he didn't care for the details of their orders, it didn't particularly affect him or his work. However, Exeter had insulted Vasco's work, and his patient.

"I am not just the 'doctor', Exeter, j...j...just as you are not just the 'ex-pirate'." Vasco fiercely rebuked, "Besides, the m...m...maintenance was done but a few minutes ago and I shan't see my work insulted."

 

[Tips_of_Fingers]

-Exeter St John-

Before Exeter could respond to Annis' veiled barb, Vasco - the bird-masked doctor - spoke up.

"I am not just the 'doctor', Exeter, j...j...just as you are not just the 'ex-pirate'. Besides, the m...m...maintenance was done but a few minutes ago and I shan't see my work insulted."

Today was turning out to be a bad day for hierarchy and obeying orders. Exeter allowed himself a moment to think, exchanging glances between Annis and Vasco. He had the urge to draw his sword and slay them all there and then, be done with the farce. But he knew it couldn't be; He had to play out his role in the performance, for the Emperor's sake. For his father's sake.

He allowed a smile to drift back onto his lips, his head bowing in apology. "I am sorry if I caused offence, Vasco, but I was merely concerned for our quartermaster here. We are all aware of how important your skills are. Especially for keeping her alive."

He turned to Annis, a look of genuine concern and regret on his face. "I apologise if I offended your loyalty to the Empire. I was genuinely concerned." He looked down at the map, nodding thoughtfully.

"It is, of course, intelligent to wonder at these orders. After all, you dance with death everyday." He pointed to her mask. "I was just making sure the machine is in exceptional working order. Which-" he turned once again to Vasco, "after good Dr. Roque's assurance I now know is the case."

Exeter's voice now took on a listless quality as he looked down at the floor. "It would just be a shame if death suddenly decided to stop allowing you to live..." He raised his grey eyes at Annis' own and gave a warm smile

 

[Sehnsucht Engel]

After Beth rushed out of the tavern first, she went towards the ship with the crew following her. It soon became apparent to her that she had had too much to drink. She did eventually end up at the ship, but she wasn't sure which way she had used to get there. All that mattered was that she was there now. She walked up the gangplank and realized that she must be one of the last to come aboard the ship. There were a few stragglers behind her, but the ship seemed ready to fly and the crew was working hard while singing.

"But the skies be ours, And by the powers, Where we will, we'll roam."

Stepping onto the deck, she raised her fist above her head and sang together with her crew.

"Yo Ho, all hands, Hoist the colors high, Heave Ho, Thieves and Beggars, Never shall we die!"

Fighting could be heard from the streets of High Tortuga, but those who didn't make it to the ship in time would have to be replaced. She wasn't sure if they actually were missing anyone. It could just be that the pirates in Tortuga had seen it as a great opportunity to start another brawl.

She headed for her cabin, as it was the only safe place to keep the map she had been given. Beth wasn't sure what to think about what had happened earlier. Was it real? If it was, should she force her crew to fly to the place indicated on the map? There was no telling what they'd find there.

She passed by Isaac talking with Jessie and stopped to listen to them, but their conversation had nothing to do with what they should be doing.

"Isaac! Is she your job?" Beth placed herself between them and looked at him. "No? I didn't think so. Do your job and chart us a course for Helium City."

Even when she was drunk, she needed to be able to order her crew around. She continued below deck in the direction of her cabin. A few pirates acknowledged her by nodding, when they met in the hallway.

"Excuse me Captain, are you in there? I'd like to request permission to perform an autopsy on your future self."

The doc was waiting outside her cabin. She felt sick thinking about her replica. My future self? Was that it? Sheska passed by the doc and opened the door to her cabin, neither of them had noticed her yet.

"Cap'n Beth?"

Beth stepped up behind them and cleared her throat.

"What are you doing sneaking into my cabin, Sheska?" Trying to sound serious while drunk wasn't the easiest and a grin spread across her face, because she had caught her in the act.

"Doc, the thought of having an autopsy performed on me before I've passed away is disheartening." She didn't like his tone of voice either, it sounded too excited. It could be useful though. It may tell them something about the replica, like if they were really the same person. It was hard to believe anything of this was happening, but until she awoke from this nightmare, she would have to act as if it were. She couldn't appear weak or useless if it really was happening. "But, I'll allow it."

"Beth, Issac, the engine's ready to fire. Cast off at will." The intercom crackled, carrying Jason's voice up to her.

She checked her pocket watch. The clock was four in the morning. This wasn't what she had hoped to be doing at this time.

"Sheska, make sure everything is ready for us to fly, by the time I get to the helm."

Beth entered her cabin and closed the door behind her, pushing Sheska back out again. It was a small cabin, with a bed and a desk. Her predecessor had been of the opinion that a captain that lived better than his crew had to fear mutiny. She did have a few books and a log on the desk. It was the safe she needed right now, in which she kept most of her possessions. Opening it, she put the map in and paused for a moment. She hoped that someone would walk into her room and tell her that it hadn't happened, or anything to make her feel better. There was a bottle in the safe. She closed the door to it and turned the handle to lock it again.

I'll be damned if I let this turn me into an alcoholic.

She left her room, it was time to get them out of here. Hopefully they could return soon.

"Yo ho, hoist the colors..."

 

[Texas Joker 52]

-Sheska-

Sheska nearly jumped and had to suppress a yelp as she turned to see her Captain. She had no idea how Beth had gotten behind her, but she had to admit, the surprise did help ease some of the tension she still held. "Cap'n, I was looking for you. I thought that you were in your cabin, resting off the rum.", she said before standing a little straighter as she was given an order.

"Right you are Cap'n.", she said, then she paused before adding, "If you need to talk... Well, let me know Cap'n. Right men, be ready to cast off! We fly the moment we're able, so get to moving!", she bellowed the last to the crew, striding up to the top deck of the ship.

She couldn't afford to show much concern or unease around the men. She was known to be a hardass, and a tightass when it came to the ship and its functions. They didn't like it much, but the fact they were used to it meant that if she eased up much, or looked distracted, it would only draw them away from their work. They couldn't have that.

But the Captain worried her. She needed to have a talk with her once they were on their way. Answers to what was going on would have been nice, but she had a feeling the Captain didn't know much more than she did. Her main goal was to help set the Captains mind at ease and allay any worries she had.

 

[3quency]

"Isaac! Is she your job?" Beth placed herself between them and looked at him. "No? I didn't think so. Do your job and chart us a course for Helium City."

Isaac's face went bright red but he managed to keep his expression under control. He nodded to the captain.
"Helium City, aye-aye Captain."
Ah, that shouldn't be too hard at all - simple heading of south,south-east. He could already picture a couple of sensible routes in his head but he'd need to check the wind-maps before he could plot a decent course. If he was going to stay up on deck to plot it he'd need to get a bit higher - the helm or the crow's nest. And since nobody was up in the 'nest currently that would be the best bet.
As he started to move off, he caught himself and spun around to face Jessie. He smiled apologetically and forced some words out.

"Better go do that. Guess we'll... finish this later?" he tried to meet her eyes whilst he was saying this but it was hard. Once he got some sort of response from her he was up the rigging faster than a gecko.

The wind snatched at his hair and his maps from up here, but experience and and a firm grip kept Isaac's control of the situation as he consulted the fluttering papers. He matched them eye-for-eye with the landscape below him and mentally calculated distances, directions and weather patterns. After about half an hour he was decided, and clambered back down. Now all he needed to do was plot it against the ship's main map and they could be away.
It'd be for the best if the captain was around when he did, so off to her cabin he went.

He only hoped she was in something of a better mood now.

 

[Driekan]

"Isaac! Is she your job?" The captain placed herself between them and looked at him. "No? I didn't think so. Do your job and chart us a course for Helium City."

Jessie's left eyebrow arced slightly, but other than that her expression was almost completely unchanged. The smile slipped minutely, but it was such a tiny change that most would never notice it. She said nothing, nor did she stare at the captain as she gave the order and then moved on, instead just taking a single step further out of her way.

Her gaze drifted about while Isaac addressed the captain, looking for work left to be done, watching the crew go about it. Pretty soon he was done, and turned back to face her.

"Better go do that. Guess we'll... finish this later?"

The smile returned, though somewhat less boisterous "aye. 'Nother time." She winked as he turned, then set off to work the mainsail, blending in with the people already at that task like one more productive cog in a big machine.

 

[blaze96]

"Thank you captain." Samuel said in reply before going back to the room. His walk was quick and it was obvious he was still excited about the possibilities of this. When he reached his room he saw Jason standing outside.

"Ah Jason what brings you here? Please come in." He said as he opened the door and walked back into the infirmary.

 

[Arcanist]

"Would you mind if I observe the autopsy? My duties are done, and I'd like some sodding answers." Jason was sure his frustration showed through is voice, despite his best efforts to reign it in. "If this Beth is really from the future, maybe her body could tell us a little about what we're getting into."

 

[blaze96]

"Very well, I have no objection to it. Just be warned, autopsies get more gruesome than combat." Samuel said as he began.

He removed the clothing from the body and set it aside. If it turned out this was actually a future version of the captain then those were her personal items and he would return them to her. He had done preliminary medical examinations of the crew from time to time so his next step was to retrieve the most current records he had kept of Captain Beth. He opened the ledger he kept for her and opened it to his most recent mark.

"Once in a lifetime thing I have here. I'll have to make sure I keep proper documentation of everything. Perhaps I'll even make a book on this one day." He said to himself as he got out all the tools he would need.

"Now, down to business." He first checked the temperature of the body and found nothing abnormal. Next was to check the body for scars and marks, of which he found plenty. He brought the book containing a list of marks on the captain. He couldn't keep the smile from his lips if he had tried.

'A birthmark in exactly the same spot, same type too. This is most certainly the captain.' He thought to himself as he continued.

'Hmm more scar tissue than current records indicate there should be.' He made note of it along with the birthmark on a new page of the ledger now that it was confirmed. Samuel had bowl of water and a rag nearby and started cleaning the stomach wound of blood and debris, being careful to not accidentally damage it.

'Shame she wasn't alive for long, I could have learned so much in an interview.' Once the wound was clean he checked it for size and type also checking the back for a similar wound which he found. He spoke as he wrote it down.

"Size and shape of wound on stomach and back consistent with puncture from a blade, more likely than not a sword of some length. Bruises on body consistent with being in some sort of fight. Likely cause of death, blood loss due to wounds sustained from a sword during a fight."

He then began to check the bones of the extremities and found that the bones of her feet felt as if they had suffered some form of break. The only thing that had probably kept her walking was sheer adrenaline, he noted the bone fractures and continued on. Her left arm also had damage indicating a bone that had been broken but hadn't healed right. It was usable with nothing cosmetic but it was an indicator this was their captain as it had been noted in records before. Though this kind of thing was common with those who couldn't receive proper medical care for long periods of time. A crew member had fashioned a crude splint and sling for her at the time of the injury so it wasn't anything of real concern. He had gleaned all he could from merely observation and hand tests so it was time to open the body. He made sure to put a mask on before doing so and kept his hair back so as not to contaminate the body.

Upon opening the body cavity carefully so as not to damage it he immediately saw where the blade had run through the body as there was organ damage in the area. Cuts and punctures to the intestines consistent with having been run through. The other organs in the body cavity were normal however, except for the liver which was showing signs of cirrhosis consistent with heavy drinking of alcohol.

"Wounds to organs consistent with stabbing. Damage to liver consistent with heavy alcohol usage, recommend captain lessen alcohol intake." He said as he wrote it down.

'Now this is what I was hoping for, how a proper examination of a future self can lead to preventative patient care.' He though as he continued. Finding nothing else he closed the cavity and sewed it back up so that if the Captain ordered a proper burial it wouldn't be a more gruesome sight. Though he personally wished he could keep it for preservation and possibly further experimentation.

He moved on to his last point of study, the neck and head. There was no damage to the neck as he suspected since the future version of the captain had been able to speak. He noted some bruising on the face consistent with a fight and continued on. There were no signs of a wound to the head but still decided to check for brain damage, finding none. He made note of everything and then put down the ledger. Samuel took the future captain's personal items and put them in a basket to bring to her. After covering the cleaned and sewn up body with a sheet he took the basket of personal items and stuck the ledger under his arm to carry the basket with both hands. He was ready to walk back to the Captain's chamber.

"So anything in particular you want to know before I or we go back to the Captain?" Samuel asked Jason with a smile.

 

[Arcanist]

The autopsy went without incident. Jason had seen limbs blown clean off his fellow engineers when they'd been too flippant in stoking engines, or burnt to death when they mishandled welding sticks, so he found Sam's warning somewhat quaint.

"Size and shape of wound on stomach and back consistent with puncture from a blade, more likely than not a sword of some length. Bruises on body consistent with being in some sort of fight. Likely cause of death, blood loss due to wounds sustained from a sword during a fight."

'That doesn't tell us all that much, unfortunately. She was in High Tortuga, a place full of people with both swords and a desire to use them. But to nail Beth like that would take quite a bit of skill, not something I suspect any two-bit pirate could do...'

"Wounds to organs consistent with stabbing. Damage to liver consistent with heavy alcohol usage, recommend captain lessen alcohol intake."

'Heh, good luck with that one. Beth is a pirate: heart, soul, and liver.'

"So anything in particular you want to know before I or we go back to the Captain?"

"Any idea as to the dimensions of the blade that ran her through? I have a catalog lying around somewhere that could give us a hint as to its make. I doubt an ordinary thug on the streets of High Tortuga could best Beth in swordplay, but if it's an Imperial make..."

 

[blaze96]

"Straight blade, decent size, definitely an imperial blade. Probably an officer's sword judging by the fact she was run through and the size of the puncture. Saw plenty of them when I was still a doctor for the Empire." Samuel replied before starting to leave the room.

"Also I'm glad you didn't make much of the autopsy. I've seen many sailors both pirate and imperial a like end up vomiting or fainting once I begin to examine the body cavity and weigh or examine the organs by pulling them out." He commented with a laugh.

"Funny that I can handle holding a human heart in my bare hands but the food here gets me."

 

[3quency]

Isaac marched down the ship's corridors, making his way to the captain's cabin. He was still mentally adjusting the route for a slightly more efficient ride, but he had more than enough for Beth to give some orders with regards to getting the hell out of High Tortuga.

As he was walking, he ran into Samuel and Jason, leaving Sam's work room.
He nodded politely to the pair and stopped momentarily to peer into the room.

THe sight of the captain's body was unsettling. He knew it wasn't her and he knew she'd already been dead but it still felt... un-natural almost.

He looked at the Doctor, and jerked his head slightly to indicate the body.

"And?"

 

[Redryhno]

Meanwhile, on the top deck, Eddie continued to do everything he could to get them out of port as soon as possible, tying off ropes where needed, urging the crew onwards, and everything he loved about the sky. One of the biggest reliefs he got was from leaving port, he didn't belong there, and his body knew it too well, he belonged out here, getting a ship ready for sailing, pillaging, shooting, and his stunts was just icing on the cake that were his loves.

He hummed along with the rest of the crew, knowing his voice wasn't suited to singing anything. Finishing with his duties, he climbed the rigging up a bit and watched the last few tasks be completed. Simply for the fun of the view of High Tortuga and the Mermaid.

He breathed in the air, and sighed, a new outing. Obviously it was going to be filled with people to kill, things to rob, and places to blow up, not necessarily in that order or combinations there of. Not like he knew anything that went on below-decks with the engines or the weird machinations that clicked, whizzed, buzzed, and belched out more smoke than a broadside attack.

"We fly the moment we're able, so get to moving!"

"When else would we start flying Sheeka? Just as'oon as we tie up at the nex' port? Not like I know much about those engins, but I don'think we can tow one of 'em. Catch me if I'm wrong Ms.Hound!" He dropped down from the rigging, aiming for Sheska's general clear area, feet first.

 

[Arcanist]

"Straight blade, decent size, definitely an imperial blade. Probably an officer's sword judging by the fact she was run through and the size of the puncture. Saw plenty of them when I was still a doctor for the Empire."

"Hm... That explains who we're competing against, but still not why..." Jason thought briefly on this revelation, and it didn't look good. If the Empire was interested in it, and it was important enough that Beth would transcend time and space to warn us of it, some serious shit was about to go down.

"Also I'm glad you didn't make much of the autopsy. I've seen many sailors both pirate and imperial a like end up vomiting or fainting once I begin to examine the body cavity and weigh or examine the organs by pulling them out."

"Way I see it, you're an engineer, same as me. You just happen to put people back together, rather than machines. Besides, once you see a person split themselves clean in half because they didn't vent an outlet properly, most gore seems quaint in comparison."

"Funny that I can handle holding a human heart in my bare hands but the food here gets me."

"I may give Frank shit, but it's true most Skyfolk food takes a while to settle. But enough pleasantries, we should report to Beth." Jason motioned to leave, but stopped as Isaac poked his head through the door. His head made a motion to the corpse on the operating table. "And?"

"Definitely Beth, and she was killed by an Imperial."

 

[Texas Joker 52]

-Sheska-

Sheska set about walking about the top deck, inspecting everyone's work as they neared time to set off. That was when she heard the voice of their Cannon Commander called out to her from above. She looked up and snarled. "Get down from there you bloody idiot! You can't climb as well as I can, and you haven't got the claws either.", she shouted up at him, just before he said the one thing she wished he didn't.

"Catch me if I'm wrong Ms. Hound!".

She quickly took a few steps back, glad that she wasn't stupid enough to even try to catch the death-seeking bastard. When he landed not a few inches from her, she leaned forward, her lip curled, teeth bared, and a growl working in her throat. "Eddie, if you try that again, I'll be sure to put a bullet in your balls. Maybe then you won't have a want to do that sort of thing. Now if you've done your work, see about helping the rest of the crew.", she told him, jabbing a claw not too gently against his chest, then motioning to the still-working crewmen.

Turning, she looked about the deck one more time, then nodded in satisfaction. The ship was ready, now all they needed was the Captain to set them off and on their way.

 

[3quency]

"Definitely Beth, and she was killed by an Imperial."

Isaac frowned. It made sense, he supposed. He'd spent some time eliminating all of the other possibilities in his head, and short of a very good surgery job, the sort of thing the Ggun would pull, it had to be Beth. Still a bit of a shock though.

"...Huh."

Well it looked like they were all heading the same way, so Isaac stood just outside the door and politely awaited the other two.

 

[Redryhno]

"Eddie, if you try that again, I'll be sure to put a bullet in your balls."

"Ouch, Sheeka,"Eddie said, rubbing his chest where the claw had poked him,"But a bullet to'the balls does a bit more than I think you think I thin-wait, hold up, I lost myself there....uh-huh, right....that's it! Anyways, the point's that I missed once, poor guy lost most of 'is insides once...come to think of it...no,no...that's not it"He said this all more lost in deep thought than menace or threatening, then smiled, ear to...well, a smirk actually,"So, when's the Cap'n saying we're leavin'?"