Marcelus thanks the nurse for the treatment and the information. "I'm already feeling better. Thank you, miss. Could you administer this anti-rad shot, please? I have no plans to leave? I have indeed no plans to leave the shielded areas at the moment but the future is always in motion. But I'll definitely remember your advice and take a respirator with me should I ever feel the need to leave the secure zones behind me."

Addressing the newly arrived Jeren, he adds, "No, nothing to worry about, Master Jedi. Just a quick check-up. But I thank you kindly for your concerns. According to this nurse, out destination is quite dangerous indeed. Apparently, anti-radiation shots are advised and the atmosphere seems to be a bit toxic outside the shielded areas. Maybe we all should take precautions, we do not know if circumstances will force us to leave the safe areas or not."

I check the passenger manifest to see who that crazy guy was.

If I still have wounds after my prison stint, I'll have them seen to as well.

Rion enters the medbay, seeing Marcelus and Jeren across the room as he does so. The nurse breaks away from them to inspect his wounds as well. "Hmm...you don't seem to be that badly injured. Certainly, you seem to have healed most of your injuries through resting in the past few days. I'll see if I can patch up the rest."

Medicine check: 1eP+1eA+1eB+1eD 2 successes, 1 advantage

After a short procedure Rion's wounds are entirely healed, and he's feeling better than ever. He, Marcelus and Jeren all receive the anti-rad shot, alongside a Verpine who is likewise receiving the appropriate shots for ground service on Ord Hekate.

Marcelus nodds to his collegues. "Well, I wish you all a nice stay. I'll be in my room if you need me."

Then he takes the shortest route to his room where a hot bath is already waiting for him.

After a long time in the warm water, he emerges once again and dons his Lashaa silk suit. He takes a few minutes to brew a cup of hot tea, inhales the aroma and takes a blissful first sip. A sigh escapes his lips.

Having served his most basic needs, Marcelus activates his room's computer console to check his notifications and to find the ship's room service to clean his armour.

Rion's research turns up the name of the man who accosted you on the tram to be Mordecai Regentus Blaselock III, a former diplomat for the Republic hailing from Corulag, now retired in old age but still travelling the galaxy working to build up links between the Republic and its potential allies.

Having completed your various objectives aboard ship, you return to your quarters to find freshly-pressed dress uniforms available for Rast and Rion. TeeNine's armour plating has been buffed to a reflective sheen by the ship's mechanics, who have likewise treated the plating with a coat of rad-reflective varnish, while Jeren finds the clean robe stowed in his otherwise fairly meagre luggage. Finally Marcelus completes your party in his suit as you are led by the steward to the Officers' Mess. The evening passes pleasantly enough - the band appear to be paying their passage by performing for the captain, and the hubbub of the table is underlaid by smooth jatz sounds, the Twi'lek dancers seeming to have an evening off.

Lady Nash greets you and soon strikes up a conversation with Marcelus. Rast is deep in discussion with the commander of the ship's marine complement, while Rion, TeeNine and the Rendili Star's Chief Engineer talk technical, and Jeren and the ship's senior officers discuss the finer points of the route. Vibrek Noll is sat at the table, taking his food in the form of syringes that he plugs into his chest plate. However you notice the conspicuous absence of the gene-forged, Callom, until about halfway through the evening when he enters the room, crosses to his mistress' side and whispers something to her that causes her face to darken for a moment before her cheerful disposition returns and she continues conversing with Marcelus as if nothing had happened.

Returning to your quarters more than a little drunk after the evening's revelry, you each enter your separate state rooms. Before you take your rest however, you think to check your personal terminals. By the time you wake up, you all have a lot more to think about.

As Jeren enters his quarters and gets ready to meditate and gather his thoughts, he finds a message waiting for him. 'New orders perhaps,' he ponders as he moves to open the file. 'I wonder what my next assignment is.' But as he reads the message he rolls his eyes just a little bit before composing himself. It is not disappointment exactly, it is... Actually, he is not sure what it is he is feeling. But he was hoping he could get back to his studies sooner rather than later.

"It seems that is not to be the case," he mutters to himself. "Permanent. Wonderful," he adds with a sigh. As he would rather not delay his meditation -and his rest along with it- any longer, he takes his comlink and calls Marcelus.

"Hello. Again. I know we just parted, but it seems I have some news," he says to the other man. "I am to... keep you company quite a bit longer. And one other thing. There seems to be a friend on board the ship. We should speak to him."

Jeren his doorbell chime. It seems Rion is standing outside.

"Master Jedi, do you have a moment?"

Another sigh. 'So much for meditation,' he thinks with a smile or resignation as he puts down the comlink and opens the door.

"Just Jeren is fine," he reminds the other man. "Now, how can I help you Rion?"

Marcelus is busy reading his messages when his comlink chimes. "Marcelus Vaerson speaking, how do you do? ... Ah, it's a joy to hear your voice so soon again, Master Jeren. That was a splendid evening, wasn't it? ... These are great news, Jeren. The further assistance of an honoured member of the Jedi Order will greatly assist our cause. Welcome to the squad! We could maybe organize a little cocktail party to celebrate tomorrow evening... There is a friend of yours on this ship? Intriguing. Yes, I agree that we should speak with this friend. Could you arrange a meeting for tomorrow morning, please? We could have a little talk over breakfast."

"i don't think I ever told you my family name. It's Asharr...sound familiar? The reason I ask is because my father is a Jedi Master, Master Asharr, and my sister, Jyarr, is a Jedi, too. I don't have their talent with the Force, though, so I'm just a soldier."

"Nearly a year ago, both my father and sister disappeared, missing in action against the Sith. Do you know what might have happened to them? If not, is there someone you could ask?"

The only noise emitting from Teenine's small but functional quarters, is the the sound of his processors whirring. His body kept in a low-power stasis, completely still, while his internal processors overclock in an attempt to decode even a fraction of the encrypted data disk. The temperature in his room rises another degree as he vents his heat sinks.

"Just? I should think you are selling yourself rather short there," Jeren says truthfully. He then considers the man's words for a few moments before continuing.

"I believe I have heard the family name, which is probably why you felt familiar," he finally says. "I do not know what happened however. But I can put a request to the Council and see if they can shed some light into the matter."

Can he do that by sending a message even now? Or later if not possible at the moment?

Hyperspace blocks communications, so you'd have to wait until you arrived on Ord Hekate.

After having answered Jeren's call, Marcelus goes to bed. He lays down on his cushions with a blissful sigh, enjoying the luxury of a real bed for once. Soon his mind drifts off and Marcelus falls asleep, dreaming about the topless spires of Alsakan and Xenvaer's beauty.

The next morning dawns bright and early - sort of, as the ship's cabin lights rise out of the night cycle to the bright glow of day and you are awakened by the soft chiming of the morning bell. Unlike most of the crew, who are hot-bunking in cramped cabins and swapping over as their shifts dictate, you have a set of staterooms all to yourselves which you are very much enjoying. As you are relaxing over breakfast in the nearly-empty officers' mess however, a harrowed-looking ensign appears and asks for you. He brings bad news - Master Blaselock (III) has not been seen since the dinner last night, which he was supposed to attend. Indeed, you are the last individuals known to have seen him. You're asked to head up to the bridge to see Captain Kozik immediately, so that this whole issue can be cleared up.

Arriving there however, you see things are rather different to how you had assumed. The Captain is sat in his command chair, all bridge stations are manned by the department heads and senior crew - obviously the ship is on a war footing. By Kozik's side is a Verpine naval crewman, one wearing the insignia of the engineering division. "Gentlemen," the Captain greets you. "As you know, last night one of my passengers disappeared. He was last seen by you heading into the life support section of the ship, and that was more than twelve hours ago. We can't afford to have passengers disappearing, not on this of all voyages, so I'd prefer it if you'd go down there and see if you can locate him," he turns to indicate the crewman stood by him. "Allow me to introduce Iquizzil Vrixxi, one of my crew. I've asked him up here as he'll be accompanying you when you head down to life support. You'll need a trained technician to help you navigate the engineering section," the Duros stands. "Be careful gentlemen. I'd like Specialist Karm to stay in the medbay in case any personnel need medical help. I've no idea why he's disappeared, but I know you're the best personnel for the job."

"Well I don't know about you guys," Rast says, "but this sounds pretty exciting. I'll grab my gear, if it's all the same to you, boss." He nods to Marcelus.

"Greetings master Iquizzil, TeeNine Emfor = @your serivice." The droid says with a cheerful string of binary.

The bristles around the Verpines mouth twitch into what may be a smile, and he takes a few steps forward.

"Greetings to you too, master TeeNine. Might I add what a splendid paint job you have." He chirps back.

Turning to the others, Iquizil busily wipes his hands on the naval uniform before bowing and offering his hand.

"My Lord Vallin, Lieutenant Vaerson." He pauses uncertainly as if to show respect, glancing at Rion and Rast.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance Iquizzil," Jeren greets the Verpine. He pauses for but a moment then before adding, "I feel as though I should correct you on something however. 'Lord' is not a title commonly associated with my Order, if at all." He smiles then, as if to lighten the mood and lessen the seriousness of his words. "Besides, as I keep saying, Jeren will do just fine."

Visibly relieved, Iquizzil nods, "Oh, then please accept my apologies, er... Jeren. To be honest I had no idea of the correct etiquette, but a less formal tone is certainly welcome,"

Hesitantly he adds, "Do you wish to speak further with our Captain, or should we take a car to life support?"

Rion nods. "Hello, Iquizzil."

Looking to the captain, he says, "Would this missing passenger be an elderly gentleman, by any chance?"

Rast returned from a short jaunt down the hallway, equipment in hand.

"Yes, it was that old human we ran into. Retired senator. Where've you been, Asharr?" The Nautolan ribbed Rion with his elbow.

"Why, I've been deep in thought about the importance of teamwork, of course, and how much I value all of your companionship and witty banter," he replies.

"Alright, let's go find this guy--I have questions for him," he says. "I assume I won't be needing any explosives, since blowing up parts of the ship would probably be bad."

"Please don't," replies the Captain. "Head aft from here and take the tram back there. You just need to sweep through the area, but if there's anything suspicious going on I'd prefer to know. Life support is quite an important part of the ship."

Iquizzil obviously enjoys the banter between Rion and Rast, grinning amiably. The captains words break his amusement, and remind him he has a cover to maintain as well as a duty to perform. He takes a couple of steps aft, and gestures politely onward with a hand,

"Gentlemen, shall we?"