trans_9 | Meet-n-Greet

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Meet-n-Greet

The rest of the crew assembled on the Observation Deck to meet the latest editions to their numbers. After the revelation that their worlds are gone, many of them are even more eager to see people they knew from home.

Several people are set up near the doors to provide the new people with omnicoms and comm rings. New crew-mates might see a tall man in green armor and snake girl among their number. There are also several authoritative-looking figures ready to introduce themselves.

There's a lot to tell the new people. It's going to be a lot to take in.

[ooc: Only new characters and Command Staff can start new threads for introductions, to limit the number of threads. Everyone else, just tag in and have your guys greet the newbies.]

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"If possible, I'd like you to bring me a list of your allies aboard the ship. I would like to assess what our strategic position is aboard the ship with a bit more information than 'several powerful allies' and 'other matters'. It seems we're at a disadvantage, but it's very encouraging that you've managed to procure some affiliates," she says in a dulcet tone. Edriss tended to do that, compliment a subordinate and then insinuate incompetence to put them in their place. "And I'd appreciate it if you did so without revealing my identity. You may have been careless with your own personal safety but I won't be pleased if you treat mine with the same disregard."

"I am never careless, Visser. Merely dealing with people who have foreknowledge I lack. I have not survived this long without keeping my wits about me. I can provide you with a list, though I would prefer if you didn't try to contact them. I can more than manage to keep from reveling you to the rest of the crew. There is currently an active sickness in the city, leading to much of the city being quarantined. Recently another sort of parasite, known as the Goa'uld, made an attempt to blow up the ship, using the tech. We saw it more pertinent to betray him, preferring to not try to survive on the ship with hull breaches and under his control. The humans and alien lifeforms on this ship have managed to organize and I was able to use my contact in security to further cement my safety on the ship by feeding him information behind the Goa'uld's back." His face didn't shift at the compliment, he merely inclined his head, accepting it without comment or complaint.

Preening at a Visser, just as much as insulting one, stood a good chance of getting you dead. He hadn't survived this long without learning that being passive and accepting and informative was the best way to make it out of encounters with Visser's alive.

< She used to bake with my mom. >

< That woman died. Don't cling to it. >

"You say you weren't careless, and yet you ended up nearly starved and saved only by the providence of the ship." Eva gives Iniss a look like she doesn't appreciate being disagreed with. "Of course I won't attempt contact. I'd rather keep myself as inconspicuous as possible. Are revolts fairly common here, then?"

"How many other species are aboard this ship, and how many of them are species that we know?" By which she means Andalites, mostly.

"Of course, Visser. You are correct." He didn't offer further argument, nodding in quiet acceptance. He had trusted what he had been told, that had been careless.

< I knew he wasn't a controller. >

< Shut up. >

"This is the only revolt I have been here, though there have apparently been several. As with any large group of humans or sentient beings, arguments break out. Alliances are formed. Leaders lead poorly and are overthrown."

He hesitated. "I do not know the full extent of the alien lifeforms on this ship, I have made an effort to begin learning them, but I have not completely finished my research. There are Andalites on board, but Visser, the identity of one of those Andalites is very...difficult to believe. Elfangor is on this ship. He serves as a member of it's council. Alive and well and more than able to be a grave threat to us, should he choose to be."

"How much does Stacy interfere with internal politics, then? Or is she apolitical until someone violates the rule against harm to other crew members?"

This surprises Eva, but she hides it. It didn't occur to her that the timeline incongruities went that far back in time. She gives the suitable exasperated look at Iniss not having finished the research; Edriss would have expected it done, of course, even though she wouldn't have had any way of knowing how long Iniss was aboard the ship. "Why would it be difficult to believe if we're already dealing with temporal anomalies? A pity he's on the council, though you say that he hasn't chosen yet to be a threat. You mentioned that some outright rejected you, so I have to wonder how the political climate in general is for our kind."

"She seems to stay uninvolved unless her rules are violated. Our presence does not violate them, but attempting to harm us does." He glanced at the others in the room, hands tucked behind his back. "She views us as crew. I do not know how she views our hosts."

He nodded, a human gesture, but it was an easy one to pick up. He knew he had been expected to be done already. "Of course, Visser. But my host saw him eaten, it was understandably disconcerting to find him alive, well, and as morally superior as ever. It seems Visser 3's abilities as an executioner leave much to be desired. He has taken little direct action against me, as it stands, though I do not know if this will last or not, once he deals with the current crises." He sighed, an actual expression of annoyance making it's way onto his face. "If I am forced to defend my rights as a crew to one more crew member, I fear I may be forced to take drastic action. But so far, it seems most are content to leave it as it is and just try to convince me that I'm doing a very bad thing."

"It seems Visser Three's incompetent in increasingly creative ways." It seems Rachel's execution abilities aren't foolproof either, she thinks. "Well, it wasn't as if i was intending to announce my identity to everyone within hearing distance. But I do think we might have to be proactive about removing Elfangor from power, if there's any indication he might turn his attention to us. I'd rather not wait until he has us bereft of options."

"As you say, Visser." He nodded, accepting the plan. "Unseating him may be difficult, they make a game of playing democracy. He was elected into his position."

< Well? What do you think? As you so aptly pointed out, you knew Marco wasn't a controller. >

< ...you're asking me? Uhhh. Sorry, but I haven't interacted with Mrs. Laroche since before she 'died', and even Temrash wasn't ballsy enough to approach Visser 1. So...she's scary? Good luck pulling anything over on her? I think there's a 50/50 chance she is who she says she is, and the other is she's just a better actor than you. I could maybe pretend to be you, if I wanted. >

< Not Helpful. >

< Best I can do on short notice, better pay attention. >

"My host was once a campaign manager for human politicians. Her expertise will be useful. I'll rely on you to be my informant, since you already know your way around the ship and have your associates here. I'll ingratiate myself with my host body's son and allies, including Elfangor, and set myself in an appropriate position for a sabotage, if the need for one arises. I don't suspect Stacy extends her no-harm rules to non-physical subterfuge? There are more ways to wage an attack than violence."

Edriss had been especially proud of that, of her little cult Sharing set-up that took hosts while shedding no blood. It was one of the many things Esplin 9466 never understood; he never appreciated the subtlety and craft that went into it. Even Eva, as much as she hates Edriss even dead, admires her techniques.

If Iniss knows her game, he doesn't show it. Eva tries to balance between feeling pleased with herself and utterly sickened by how easy it was to slip into the role. She tries to reassure herself that anyone could imitate the personality they cohabited with for seven years, but still, it shouldn't be so natural.

"No, so long as no harm is done, I believe she will let us do as we will. The council has nothing to do with her, as far as I can tell. She follows her own rules."

Even if she hadn't been doing as well as she was, Iniss would have been hard pressed to question her. There was too much fear of the Vissers taught to them from birth. "What would you like me looking for? I have several avenues I can explore."

< Are you really going to help her? >

< I'm going to survive. >

< What does THAT mean? >

There was a brief flash a memory, only a snipit. A hand wrapped around the cool hilt of a dagger, warm night air on his face.

Tom fell silent.

"Political unrest that can be exploited, mostly. Citizens who are dissatisfied with their council. Tensions between the humans and the other aliens. Reconnoiter first, and then if you unearth anything useful I might have you use your alleged undercover skills to widen the rifts. Perhaps you'll prove my first impressions about your carelessness wrong."

She hopes that the idea of redeeming himself in the Visser's eyes might motivate Iniss. As it stands, how much damage can he do spying? If she keeps him scared of acting out of line, she might be able to nip any ideas he has in the bud, and the information he provides could be useful.

Eva knows she's playing a dangerous little mindgame here, but she probably doesn't know quite how dangerous it is yet.

"Of course. I already keep an eye out for things of that nature." Mostly because if he didn't find something to pass his time with, he'd lose his mind. "There is an issue that might prove useful, sides are being taken. Human cloning and the right of clones are quickly becoming a hot button issue. Whichever way the council decides, there are going to be people dissatisfied and unhappy with the entire issue." He dipped his head, giving every appearance of being embarrassed by the criticism. "I will aim to please you in whatever way possible, Visser."

He was no fighter, he had never been a fighter...but a spy, an information specialist...well, he had studied humans extensively. This was no different than his time on earth.

"I'm sure you will," she says skeptically. Edriss never got to be a Visser by trusting her subordinates to fulfill all their pandering promises. "I'll need more information on the rights the clones are demanding. Whichever side succeeds, we should be able to manipulate them well enough if we have to. Be sure to be subtle; with such a numerical disadvantage we can't afford any more errors."

"Yes, Visser, as you say. If you have recieved your comunication devices, you should be able to use them to locate me or speak to me, should you have new orders for me, Visser. I will keep an eye on the clone debate and provide as much data as I am capable of collecting. What I know at the moment is that one crew member brought a clone that was created brain dead with her for organ harvesting, and some of the crew have decided this is something that should be taken from her. The arrangement is if the clone is property or not."

She shakes her head. "How typically sentimental of these humans, prioritizing the autonomy of a comatose body over the needs of other thinking creatures. You should be leaving now; neither of us would want to arouse suspicion, especially as you're a known Yeerk. Do your best to serve me well and I'll reward you."

"Of course, Visser." The stiff bow was all formality. "I will keep you updated. You need feel no need of being forced to leave your host, as well, the ship provides what we need without leaving for feedings."

And with that, he turned and left, posture slumping to assume a more teenage guise once more.

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Meet-n-Greet

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