Chapter 2 — Inside the Crystal Marble

You enter (the passenger area) from the port (left) side of the craft. Passing through the airlock, you immediately turn to the left and walk into a large, open area about 5 m across and 4 m deep--the passenger lounge. Standing in the middle of the lounge and looking towards the front of the craft, you can see the passenger galley, an area 1 m deep and 5 m across, To each side of the lounge is a double stateroom. To the left, the nameplate says Jack Lannigen and Karl Deitz; the stateroom on the right side says Anton Schneider and Gunter Schultz. Turning around to face the back of the craft, you see a large section, 3m across by 4 m deep with no access of any kind. Turning to the right, you see the port airlock where you boarded and a single stateroom with the name Sali d'Alpha on it. A corridor continues past the stateroom before turning to the right. After the right hand turn, the corridor continues almost to the hull before ending in a locked door. Back in the lounge, facing aft again and then turning to the left you see the starboard airlock and a double stateroom with the name Vladomir Druganov on it. The corridor continues past the stateroom ending at a wall. At the wall there is a door to the right which is also locked. This is the door that Hendrix used to exit the passenger area with a code key, and you assume that it leads to the bridge or other crew area. The passenger lounge is on the lower level and is forward of the cargo area.

The passenger lounge serves as both a recreation area and dining commons for the passengers. All of the furniture in the room can be folded or collapsed for storage to allow for other furniture or activities. At present there are six chairs set up, facing towards the bow of the craft. The chairs appear more rugged than the other furniture and are securely anchored to tracks in the floor. These chairs also have seat belts and are intended for passenger use during take-off and landings.

All of the passenger accessible areas have carpeted floors. The walls and ceiling are covered with a substance similar to those of a hotel, but upon touching, one finds that the surface gives a little under pressure, like thin padding. This is to prevent injuries among those that are not experienced in zero-G conditions. Handholds are installed at frequent intervals on both the walls and ceilings to aid the less skilled. Underneath the carpets is a magnetic system which also allows magnetic footwear to be used.

The staterooms posses very plain accommodations. A fold down sleeping berth with velcro straps to prevent drifting around during sleep, a fold-down desk and foldaway chair, a number of cabinets for storage of personal belongings and a fresher. In a double stateroom, there is two sets of these items, except the fresher, which is shared. Strapped to each bed is a small bundle of clothing.

Each bundle contains four flight suit / coverall garments similar to what Hendrix is wearing. The suits are dark blue in colour with ample reflective, red trim, especially at the joints. All have the Beradoon logo and the first name of the individual appears on left breast of the suits. All are sized correctly, not too big and not too small. There are no pockets although there are several sections of velcro (the female soft stuff, not the male hooks) where pockets would be attached. Looking through the rest of the bundle, several velcro equipped pockets can be found, from large cargo sized ones for attachment to the pants section of the flight suit to smaller ones for the shirt section. After a bit of pondering, you realise that the flight suits are also used as suit liners under P-suits--pockets would be irritating and are therefore removed prior to donning a P-suit. A datalogger and a few zero-G toiletries complete the bundle.

The passenger galley contains an oven, refrigerator, water dispenser, dish washer, garbage disposal, food autovender (free of course), and storage space for food and additional cooking utensils. Sliding wall panels can close this area off to the rest of the lounge.

Located in all staterooms and common areas are communicator panels. These act as an intercom / briefing system for the craft. Besides the usual touch screen sections and voice activated commands, there is an emergency panic button.

Jack:
As Hendrix gathers the Hirees, Jack sails over and scoops up Blinky Bill from Simone's desk and follows the crowd into the hangar. Jack has a total disregard for orientation of doors etc although he orientates himself to speak to people so they may see his face relative to their own. Jack checks out his rack firstly and is pleased to see the liner/flight suit strapped to it, after securing his gear he quickly changes into the liner and then emerges to inspect the rest of the vessel. Time is short however, so he delays a proper snoop-about and satisfies himself with assuring himself of the location of the P-Suits. He then straps himself to a seat were there is an unobstructed path to them.

GM:
The P-suits are located inside both of the airlocks (2 per airlock). Additionally, there is another rack of 4 units on the wall opposite to the gallery. (i.e. when facing aft in the passenger lounge). This rack is against the large section with no access. All P-suits are of the heavier type favoured for EVA work.

Karl:
After Hendrix's briefing, Karl joins the others aboard the Crystal Marble. He enters his assigned cabin and stows his gear. He tries not to entangle himself with Jack as he dons his shipboard coveralls. In the end the German must wait while his roommate dresses, and then takes his turn. He then makes his way to the acceleration couches.

Anton:
Anton follows the others in silence still quite disturbed by the "intermezzo" in the office. Inside the ship Anton carefully measures the corridors and rooms he enters. He takes his things into his room and quickly unpacks the most important items, dresses up in the Beradoon space suit and waits for the ever silent Gunter to join him for a walk to the passenger lounge.

Vladomir:
Vladomir looks about during Hendrix's quick tour, and gives a curt nod to him upon hearing he has his own room. Vladomir waits for Hendrix to finish speaking, then makes his way to his stateroom; carefully. Upon a short inspection of his new uniform, Vladomir shakes his head. But changes into the suit and puts his jacket and hat on over them. As his shirt floats away from him, he looks side long at the wall and raises his eyebrows. Gingerly, Vladomir begins to walk up the wall with the boots, and over to the ceiling until he is standing upside down next to his shirt. With a broad grin, he lets out a short burst of laughter. Walking sideways around the room Vladomir stores his gear, gets back to the floor and heads to the lounge. Vladomir looks about inconspicuously, watching the others and mimic's them strapping into his chair. After fidgeting with his harness for a bit, he sits quietly with his arms folded.

Karl:
Having watched Vladomir struggle with his straps, Karl leans over and says; " [French] You seem to be having some difficulty. Do you mind if I check your restraints? Are you new to space travel? " Karl gives the man a reassuring grin.

Vladomir:
Vladomir ponders silently for a second, then nods slightly and opens his arms to allow inspection of his harness. In response to Karl's question, Vladomir merely nods.

Karl:
Karl checks the silent man's restraints, ensuring everything is correct. " [French] I served aboard a merchantman for a time, don't worry you will get used to the weightlessness. "

Sali:
Sali quickly stores her gear, with the exception of a personal item or two, in her stateroom and quickly changes out of her suit into the Beradoon flight suit. Removing her headwrap, she pushed her braids up under a flight cap and went to find a seat in the passenger lounge. Strapping herself in, she turns and flashing another brilliant white smile, addresses Jack in French. [French] "Salut, I'm Mlle Sali d'Alpha, I believe I am to be something of a administrative and public relations officer, if I understand things correctly. I must apologize for not to have introduced myself earlier. Readjusting to this beastly zero-gravity. It has been a while and I find it so tiresome. And yourself, how are you?"

Jack:
Flashing a grin as Sali takes her seat, Jack responds with, "G'day! I'm Jack VanLanigenn. I'm fine, thanks. I'm happy to be back in zero-G, too much gravity gets me down!" he grins at his own pun, "Have you worked with these guys before?" (Waits for response)

Sali:
Sali smiled distantly and replied, [French] "Pleased to meet you Mr. VanLanigenn. No, I'm afraid I have not worked with them before, although it is not far out of my line of business. I'm afraid I rather feel the inverse about zero-gravity, but that's part of the package." She paused and then said, in Wellonic accented English, "I presume you are Australian, yes?"

Jack:
[All in French] "Yeah! From Ross, born a habi-brat. After all these years Dirtside, I still can't get used to living on a mudball, the gee kills me. You from Tirane? I went there once, s'nice."

Sali:
Sali nodded and replied, in French, "Ah yes, I see. Ross? Name is ringing a bell but I am not placing it. Well, in any event, I am indeed from Tirane, Nouvelle Provence. A Mirambuacienne. Still quite attached to Mirambeau. And Tirane, but on the other hand, I think it is time to become acquainted with the colonies as it were." She smiled and shrugged again, adjusting her seat straps. "Well, we shall see, eh?"

Jack: "It's my first time with the company, I don't really know much about them. I guess I'm signed on for some kinda' security job, they're being pretty secretive about it and I don't really know much of what's going on."

Sali:
Sali smiled and nodded. Again with a wry smile, she replied [French] "I understand, I believe I am here as a communications consultant, but you know I am not sure. Well, I suppose so long as we are paid on time, I should not complain." Sali shrugged slightly, and then asked sprightly, "So, you do security work then? May I inquire as to what sort? I'm afraid I have that civilian fascination with these things. Too many action-adventure stories."

Jack:
A sardonic smile, "I had the same illusions once, the reality is somewhat different. I never got to charge heroically into a plasma-gun nest and save the pretty girl, thankfully. It seems a squaddies life is very similar to a 'dero's', you smell a lot and sleep under bridges. People would rather you 'moved on' as well, but I've made my choices, so I'll put up with my mistakes. I haven't actually done any security, I've just left the service so I'd like to do something different. Comm's eh? That sounds interesting, contact work? Your usual career or are you off on exciting job-change too?"

Sali:
Sali nodded and said, "Communications is my profession. Consulting. I've been a principal of Tira-Com Interlangue for the last several years, we do various international work, some contact work, but usually things like setting up networks and establishing systems for megacorps on edge-systems and 'frontier' locations, etc. Wherever communications and inter-cultural and inter-lingual issues meet. Or did, I've decided to freelance, with the idea of perhaps opening a bureau up the Arm, either with TCI or perhaps independently if the other principals are not amenable. But all things in good time. Normally I have not done, how shall we say, 'rough' work? More of the comfortable headquarters sort of planning, although I have not lacked the experience totally." She glanced over at Jack. "Rather posh I suppose, compared to your work experience. But I'll keep up."

Jack:
He pauses to catch his breath and looks about the cabin. "Funny little boat, it looks like it's outfitted as a pocket gunship judging by the power pack in the back. I hope we're leaving the Bunyips alone. Of course, I could be wrong about the power pack."

Sali:
Sali arches an eyebrow and pursed her lips. "Eh eh eh. I think perhaps that is getting closer to the adventure vids than I might like." Shaking her head she leaned back into her seat and closed her eyes.

Jack:
He grins, "Adventure, excitement and thrills! Me, I could do with a rest, I feel like an old man. Strewth! Eatin' doughnuts and drinkin' tea sounds pretty attractive."

Sali:
Laughing, she says, "Well, so long as people are not shooting at me, I should enjoy a change from the office work."

Jack looks like he wants to be wrong about the power pack, looking around he notes the Marble isn't going anywhere just yet and he unclips himself and glides over to the galley with a " 'Scuse me." Once there he gathers up a stout looking plastic container and glides back to his seat. On sitting he pads the interior of the container with a t-shirt and pops Blinky Bill inside, leaving the lid off. Looking back up to Sali he says "Don't wan't the little guy to get hurt in a blowout!"

Sali:
Sali looked back, and a queer expression passed over her face. Distaste? "Ah yes, it lives, no?"

Jack:
"You don't like 'Pod stuff?" He places his hands protectively over the container. "Takes a little getting used to, but any organics look funny to me. I never had much to do with the bio setup back at Ross and the Botany Bay' had a really abbreviated bio rig." Jack looks down at the little sampler and smiles "Mr 'Pod here is good company, doesn't say much though. The last place I was at, Aurore, was *covered* in slimey's. It looked like a 'Pods kitchen"

Sali: 
"Eh. No, I'm afraid I do not feel terribly comfortable with organic machinery. It has some moral issues for me. But I suppose I shall get used to it." Nonetheless, some distaste shows on her face.

After everybody has boarded and is getting settled:
A hiss and clunk is heard in the passenger area. Looking back towards the airlock through which everyone entered, You see a glimpse of one of the P-suited ground crew closing the outer door. Within a few seconds of the door being sealed, the inside door of the air lock closes as well, dilating into an iris.

A holo screen above the galley in front of the acceleration seats snaps on with video and audio feed from what must be the bridge. A much smaller flat screen video version can be seen on all of the communicator panels in the staterooms.

Auren:
"[French] Hello. I'm First Officer Auren Bouchier. Welcome aboard the Crystal Marble. We should be ready for departure in a few minutes and I urge you all to grab a seat in the passenger lounge for launch. While you're getting to your seats, I'd like to take the time to remind you of a few emergency procedures..."

While listening to the First Officer, you look beyond the words at the scene on the bridge. Auren, like the other crew that you can see is wearing a flight suit similar to your own. His face is partially masked by a flight helmet with opaque visor. Judging by the cabling floating to the side, it contains some form of integral HUDs (Heads Up Display). To his right sits another crew member, also wearing a flight helmet. The name tag reads 'Saad'. Towards the back of the bridge, behind Auren, you can see Hendrix floating towards another station. He is wearing a simple head set and smiles at the holocorder.

Auren: "... and the P-suits are available should there be a loss of cabin pressure or if it becomes necessary to exit the craft via the airlocks. Please note that the staterooms walls are not to be considered bulkheads for the purposes of decompression."

Auren:
"Mr. Rahim will be at the helm during launch from the hanger and for the short trip to the Darkening Star. "

The figure to the right of Auren gives a small wave.

Auren:
"Launch acceleration will be 1/2 G. Once clear of the station, we'll punch 2G acceleration until we get to a velocity of 100 m/s. The trip to the Darkening Star should take about 20 minutes."

Jack
Quietly to himself "[English] Oh Joy, two gee, you gotta love it!" He doesn't look like he's looking forward to even ten seconds of twice his weight. Jack rests his head back on the headrest and tries to sleep but it's not going to happen.

Another voice cuts into the channel, a women's, speaking fluent french.

Engineering:
"Bridge, this is Engineering. We are prepped for launch. All hoses and umbilical cords show removed. Ground Crew confirms."

Auren:
"Very good. Anything else, captain?"

Hendrix:
" Yes. I know you're all anxious to know the details of the job and I'll be down to brief everyone shortly after launch. The bridge is yours Mr. Bouchier."

_Two minutes until launch. Launch in 118 seconds_

Vladomir:
Vladomir pays close attention to the emergency procedures, looking a bit worried about the thought of trying to get to the P-suits in time. At the statement concerning the staterooms not being bulkheads for decompression he frowns a bit and shakes his head. He folds his arms in front of him again and waits as the countdown proceeds.

Karl:
Karl watches the man next to him and smiles to himself, thinking; {Some people never get used to it. Then again, mother never liked to fly. } When Karl's thoughts drift to his mother, a worried expression crosses his face. It had been a while since he sent money home to his mother. In the beginning, there was no such thing as out going mail from Aurora, due to the Kafer blockade. When it opened he sent all his back pay but that had been some time ago. Karl is very interested to hear just what his new job entails. The large man settles into his seat and attempts to get some sleep.

Gunter:
Gunter straps in, paying special attention to the safety briefing "So Anton, what is your past employment specialisation? I have just completed a second 5 year hitch in the Legion." Character thumbnail description: Gunter looks like somebody who has had a hard life in their 20s or somebody who is a fit middle age man. Average height with piercing blue eyes, and a smile that doesn't quite go away.

Anton:
Anton starts to talk while trying to strap himself to the seat:[French] "Ehum... Specialization ? Well, Gunter seems I'm was close support then... I spent the last decade in the German Air Force. So, Gunter what is the place you call home ? I'm from Uethen, BCV."

Gunter:
Laughs out loud [French]: "Home! The party line would be the Legion, but from way back in prehistory Halbinsel on Joi. Don't mind me I've always been a little nervous of these things."

Sali:
Sali says to no one in particular: [French] "Ah, I forget how much I hate this travelling."

GM:
_Launch in 15 seconds_

Auren:
*Sit tight everybody, here we go!*

_Launch in 10 seconds. Nine, eight, seven... two, one. Launch initiated._

Vladomir:
Vladomir stares at the display with narrow eyes, and quickly crosses himself.

Sali:
Sali mumbles something to herself and lays her hands out in front of her.  Closing her eyes, she appears to be only slightly more comfortable, if more experienced than Vladomir with the launch. 

With a slight jolt, the ship accelerates forward along the launch catapult track. Following the progress on the holo screen above the galley, the walls of the hanger can be seen flashing by, followed by the darkness of space. Ten seconds pass in silence. The sound of course correction thrusters can be heard as the view on the holo screen pans by several other small craft.

Rahim:
*Prepare for main thrusters in five, four... one. Main thrusters on.*

The increase in acceleration is un-mistakable as everyone is pressed back into their seats. Five seconds pass, after which the main thrusters stop. The ship is now coasting towards its target, the Darkening Star.

Vladomir:
With one hand white knuckled on the chair's arm, and the other holding his hat, Vladomir finally remembers to breathe and let's out a slow breath. He looks slowly side to side at the other passengers.

Auren:
*Okay, everyone, we've reached our cruising velocity. For the next fifteen minutes, you are free to roam about the passenger areas. There will be some course corrections with the maneuvering thrusters, so watch your heads. When we get closer to the Darkening Star we'll have to slow our velocity and you'll want to retake your seats for the deceleration period. I'll let you know a few minutes in advance of that point. Oh, and Captain Hendrix is on his way down to brief you as we speak.*

Vladomir:
Vladomir let's go of his hat, and sits patiently (and deliberately) strapped in. His eyes shift between the P-suits and the hatch, waiting for the briefing.

With that, the holo screen shuts off.

Sali:
Sali looks around, shrugs and begins to unbuckle. [French] "Voila, I suppose here we go." She turns back and then asks Jack, "Excuse M. Jack, your Pentapod device, it is not bothered by these launches?"

Jack:[Default : French] "Hmm? No, not if he's settled first. He hasn't really got the full range of emotional options that a normal animal would have, they never seem to panic although they can be frightened. I like that, when everything goes to hell we can always put Bill in charge 'cos he never loses his head." Jack looks around as Sali unbuckles. "Well, time for a snoop I'd say." he happily flings off the straps and carrying Bills container in his inside jacket pocket he goes over to examine the P-Suits, trying to see if they are named for each crewman. {"I *really* hope I get my own P-Suit, I don't want to have to wear someone else's."}

GM:
The P-suits in both the airlocks and in the cabinet to the rear of the passenger lounge have no name tags.

Jack:
Satisfied with the quality of the P-Suits, Jack glides over while keeping a wary eye out for sudden course changes.

Karl:
Karl unstraps and offers to help Vladomir. He then makes his way to the small lounge, sits and waits for Hendrix's briefing.

Vladomir:
Vladomir looks at Karl and shakes his head, determined to stay put as long as possible.

Anton:
As Karl makes his way to the lounge Anton swiftly loosen himself of the straps and walks up after Karl. Moving feels good. {It will be nice to get some briefing. No info before departure? Perhaps this was what mum warned me about after all.} Catching up with the big guy (Karl, in the lounge) Anton puts out his hand for a shake:[French] "Hi ! I'm Anton ! How is the guy with the hat ? He seems unused to 'spavell'."

Karl:
Karl returns the man's handclasp, and gives him a confused look. "[French] I don't think he travels well. What is "spavell"? " Karl gives Anton a grin and continues; " [French] I'm Karl, Karl Deitz. "

Anton: 
[French] "Ahh, Sorry those old professional terms just starts to slip in to my common talk. Spavell is short for "space travel" in aviator talk. I wonder when they'll brief us !".

Sali:
Upon seeing Karl and then Anton head back, Sali decides to follow them back to the lounge.

Vladomir:
Watching everyone leave, Vladomir sighs softly realising that he is going to have to get up once again. Waiting until everyone is already headed towards the meeting area, Vladomir unstraps himself with little difficulty. Pressing his hat firmly onto his head, he begins walking back to where the others are gathering.

Sali:
Entering the lounge she nods languidly to each of the men and takes a seat. After watching their introduction, she inserts herself into the conversation. [Character thumbnail description: A tall, slim woman with a medium mahogany complexion and clearly Saharan African features. An urbane manner & style suggests her Core origin.]

Addressing them in impeccable but neutral French, [French] "Good day Gentlemen, I am sorry I have not introduced myself as of yet, I was struck by that beastly change in gravity. My name is Mlle Sali d'Alpha. I believe," she smiles ironically, "I am to be your communications specialist. And you gentlemen are?"

Karl:
Karl gives the statuesque beauty a slight bow and then shakes her hand. " [French] I'm Karl Deitz. As of yet I have no idea what my capacity in this endeavour will be."

Anton:
Remembering his low social performance with Simone earlier in the office, Anton reminds himself that Mlle Sali actually did not overhear that embarrassing conversation. He slowly moves so the that Sali can see his face he waits until Karl has had time to present himself and then says:
[French] "Mlle, a pleasure to meet you! I'd be M. Anton Schneider. Don't worry by the pronunciation. I'm used to the here it pronunciated in french and I actually like it! (smiles) So you are communications specialist ? I don't know in what field my talent will be used. I'm both a military aviator and a journalist. But, as a journalist I will be at your service if you would need a spare hand.

Sali:
Sali arches a long eyebrow and replies in French, smiling warmly, "A pleasure to meet you M. Schneider. I am in fact a specialist in various types of communications and computer systems, although from a corporate or systems point of view." She shrugs slightly. "But you combine two fields I would not normally think of together. Bravo, very original, I should be very happy to have any assistance if necessary. Did you do this in the Legion? I am guessing you are a German or a Bavarian? Well, excuse these questions, I have, as I was saying to M. Jack, perhaps the civilian's romantic idea of these things, those terrible entertainment vids and so am terribly curious to know about this reality."

Anton:
Smiling Anton feels his face attaining a reddish tone. {Oh God ! Am I blushing ? I hate this childishness. It must stop.} His mouth intensively dry. {I would need a drink.}

Sali:
Sali smiles in a manner approaching a smirk but lets the progressing conversation rescue Anton Schneider.

Vladomir:
Not really partaking in any conversation, Vladomir purses his lips and stares at the door patiently.

Gunter:
Unstraps and follows Karl, Anton and Sali into the lounge. Upon hearing Sali comments, Gunter frowns. After Karl and Anton reply to Sali, Gunter politely interrupts: [French]: "Hello Sali, my name is Gunter Schultz. It sounds like you have some idea of what this mysterious job is. Are you a permanent Beradoon employee or a contractor such us myself?"

Sali:
She laughs pleasantly, and replies in French: "No, I am a contractor with no idea what is happening here. However, knowing my own background, I can not imagine I have any other role other than computers and communications consulting." Looking around she continues, "Well, I seem to be the only person of civilian background here, if I overheard and understood correctly, you are all ex-military, no? I hope I shall not need rescuing as in those horrible entertainment vids. That always seems to happen," she concludes with a wink and another peal of laughter.

Gunter:
Laughs: "Yes, those cheesy entertainment vids are a bit of a worry! Smiles: "Perhaps being the only civilian, you should be worried? No, the lady in the action vid mostly always survives to the end. Mostly."

Sali:
Sali nods and replies "Well, that is the problem, is it not? Mostly. Should not like to be the avante garde director's exception. It would ruin my investment strategies, dying before the actuarial tables say I should. And we can not disappoint the account managers, can we? But you all seem to be the famed and feared Legion, no?"

Vladomir:
Vladomir readjusts his hat slightly and speaks without looking away from the door. [French] "Sometimes there is no von there to save the pretty lady."

Sali:
She nods and says [French], "Precisely. I'm sorry by the way, I'm Mlle Sali d'Alpha. And you are?"

Vladomir:
Still looking patiently towards the door, Vladomir nods slightly. [French]"My name is Vladomir Pyotrovich Draganov. It is being vell to meet you."

Sali:
{Oh dear, how very engaging. I hope he's not another bloody maladjusted Ukrainian}. Smiling sweetly Sali perseveres. [French] "It is a pleasure to meet you M. Draganov. I presume you are Ukrainian in origin? I had the pleasure of working on some Ukrainian accounts once, on Tirane. It was an interesting experience from which I learned quite a lot."

Vladomir:
Vladomir, apparently snapping out of some sort of revere turns to face Sali. Appearing a bit abashed at his lack of manners, he nods towards the woman. [French] "My heritage is Ukraine, yes. I vas born and raised in Novoya Kiev, on Aurore. I have never left from there before this, so I am considering my self of being Auroran." Satisfied with his social graces, Vladomir turns back to the door.

Jack:
A huge sadness fills him, {Best give the poor bugger some room, must be hard.}

Sali:
Her eyes narrow slightly and lips purse at Vladomir's reply. She replies less fluidly than before [French] "Ah yes, M. Draganov. Aurore, I am sorry. Well, I sincerely hope your time will be well spent with us." She spends a moment regarding the man with a calculating regard, then returns her attention to the others.

Jack:
Raises an eyebrow, "More Legionnaires? Is this outfit a retirement option? I'm unsettled if Beradoon is hiring up big on ex-squaddies, it doesn't look good for future tranquillity." He looks about as Sali and the others continue and at an appropriate juncture Jack asks. "Excuse me, but exactly how many of us are ex-military? I was a Caporal in the Legion, are all the rest of you soldiers too?" (He's obviously not referring to Sali though)

Anton:
[French] "I'm an ex- interface pilot with the German (with a sigh) Colonial Air Force. Actually I consider myself foremost as a Bavarian. Everything was fine on BC until the Earthers started that petty war. However, I turned in for journalism a couple of years back. Then came the bl**dy kafers...Well I'm finished with that now I hope! But, sometimes you just want to feel the air rushing past you. And, I'm not that rusty."

Jack:
A look of blank incomprehension washes over his face when Anton mentions his nationality. "Err, yeah! Pilot eh? Thats better, I thought I'd signed up with another bunch of ground-pounders like me!"

Sali:
Looking intrigued, Sali leans forward. [French] "It would appear that many of you have encountered the Käfer, if I understood M. Jack and M. Schneider correctly, is this so? I'm afraid back on Tirane we've been so isolated from it all that it has a sense of being unreal, at least if you do not have family in colony."

Karl:
While listening to the conversation, Karl hears of Vladomir's birth place. Karl's usual bemused expression changes and becomes stern. " [French] I served six years in the Legion, the same Regiment as Jack. My last tour was on Aurora and I offer my sympathies to Monsieur Dragonov for what those swine Kafer have done to his homeworld."

Vladomir: 
Vladomir looks distant for a moment, his eyes crease in an almost unnoticeable look of pain. [French]"Da, the Kalinka are being beasts of the devil," Vladomir stops and crosses himself."