Splintered Light
Chapter 3.3: The Stowaway, Pt 1

Alistair was more than happy enough to consider the diplomatic meeting aboard the University's Airship 'The Joshew' a success.  Captain Clarke had turned out to be a reasonable and level headed Coyote, which was a good thing considering the Joshew's capabilities when it came to waging war.  The Wave Rider  could hold its own, but the Tiger had no doubts that the University's flagship vessel would have been more than able to reduce his ship to a smoldering mass of flotsam in no time.

The Joshew's crew, as it turned out, had very good reasoning when it came to being so cautious about the North Star.  According to the airship's Bosun the Wyranese vessel had been transporting stolen University property and the UPU would rather have it all destroyed at the bottom of the sea than abide it being delivered to what he referred to as 'fringe elements'.  Alistair needed no clarification, of course; the Falcon was a fellow Ilysean and, despite the Tiger's open-minded attitude when it came to other nations he was well aware of what problems Wyra could cause if it gained access to powerful UPU technology.

Alistair had agreed unilaterally to the UPU's demands to make certain that any items that had been transported to the Wave Rider would be made available for inspection by representatives of the Joshew.  In addition, he would make the rescued members of the North Star's crew available for questioning-- although this demand was only accepted on the condition that at least one of the Wave Rider's officers were able to be present as well to ensure that the process was conducted within acceptable guidelines.  In return Captain Clarke assured him that the crewmen from the North Star would receive fair treatment on board the Joshew or else could be taken as passengers aboard the Wave Rider.

On the way back to the lift Alistair explained the plan to his three companions.  He asked Dr. Brownell to see to her patients in sick bay and not interfere when representatives from the Joshew came to speak with them.  He requested that Tobias share the results of the diplomatic meeting with his brother the Bosun and have Rolf prepare the ship's crew for visitors.  Viktor, he ordered to oversee the exchanges from above and make certain that he had some of his rigging crew at the ready with crossbows and pistols; although the Tiger didn't expect any issues he wanted to make a show of good faith and provide eyes overhead to ensure that any guilty crewmen from the North Star wouldn't try to make an escape.

The two crewmen who had brought them up to the airship were also the two to bring them back down to the Wave Rider.  The Human, who Alistair had previously heard to be named Alex continued to maintain a jovial and respectful tone while the large Doelichian Dog, who the Human referred to as Davit, remained as quiet and stand-offish as before.  In fact, the only words the Dog said the second time around was when they stepped off of the lift and onto the Wave Rider's deck.  "We'll stay here and wait for the rest of the investigation team, Captain."

It wasn't so much a request as it was a statement and the gall with which the Dog declared it definitely rubbed the Tiger the wrong way; he managed to hide it well.  "As you wish.  I'll have my crew gather up the survivors we brought over from the North Star."

Alex spread an arm outward to block the Captain's path.  "Captain, a moment if you please?"

Alistair stopped and turned to regard the man.  "Yes?"

The Human offered a pleasant smile and extended his other hand for a shake.  "A lot of the folks up there are scholars and workers rather than seamen and sailors, so not everyone up there understands what you're going through with all that's going on but from one sailor to another, thank you."

Despite for how at-a-loss he felt over certain elements of the interaction with the Joshew's officers, the Tiger had to admit that little pleasant surprises of hidden etiquette still led to profound realizations that some people still knew how to conduct business.  Smiling himself, Alistair accepted the hand and gave it a firm shake, speaking in earnest as he did so. "It's a shame you already have berth aboard the Joshew; I'm always on the look out for level-headed sailors."

The Tiger had a feeling the man's smile was genuine by the faint redness that showed on his cheeks.  "Not sure if that's an offer exactly, Captain, but I appreciate it none the less.  Davit and I still have a three month contract with the University, but if you're ever in Pryce you're welcome to look me up."

The statement caught Alsitair off guard and his smile faded.  He'd been to Pryce occasionally, usually delivering weapons and ammo and, on a few occasions, troops.  Without many craftsmen or tradesmen, the decent-sized coastal town was actually most well-known for its mercenaries.  Off to the side Davit called an end to the discussion with a flat statement "Funny how quick they change their tune when they find out we're sell-swords, eh, Alex?"

The Tiger cleared his throat, and reached up to take off his hat before smoothing out the fur atop his head.  "I have nothing against sell-swords, I assure you.  Just as painters or musicians charge for their skills artists of all sorts have a right to charge for their talents.  Please excuse me."

Alistair offered a bow of his head to the two men and headed back toward his cabin.  Truth be told, the Tiger was not overtly fond of mercenaries, but he also respected that his opinion was just that: an opinion.  He held no actual animosity toward men who fought for gold but he also found it hard to find common ground with them and so he decided it was best to remove himself from the situation.  Diplomacy, his father used to say, didn't have to be hard work as long as you knew when to leave the table.

Back alone in his cabin, the Captain sat down at his desk and let out a deep breath.  He doffed his hat again and reached into the top right-hand drawer to pull out a flask.  Alistair was not one to drink when stressed; frankly, he had no intention of consuming alcohol before such an important event as concluding his business with the men from the Joshew.  There were, however, certain kinds of drinking that were perfectly acceptable.  Unscrewing the cap, the Tiger tilted the small metal flagon into the waiting glass, pouring out the light amber liquid with a strong herbal scent.  Alistair had always been a fan of tea; whether hot or cool it helped him think in a way that alcohol never could.

The Captain had just screwed the cap back on when he paused.  Although often distracted with any number of thoughts in his mind, Alistair was hardly oblivious to the world around him.  Like many other Tigers, he had finely tuned senses that often picked up more than he noticed.  Perhaps a faint smell, or the hint of a sound, or even the unfelt sensation of the movement from the air itself, but he realized quickly that he wasn't as alone as he'd first expected.  Standing, the Tiger drew his pistol as his other paw went to the sword at his hip.  "Come out into the open.  Do so now, or you risk violence."

The sound of his wardrobe door opening pulled Alistair's eyes to the right.  Maintaining vigil with his gun pointed at the movement the Captain waited at the ready.  A pretty Human woman with curly red hair emerged from it.  Whether she was pale from lack of sun or an overabundance of fear, the Tiger couldn't rightly say, but he was able to tell at first glance that she was unarmed; she appeared to be dressed in a nightgown, which was far too shear for her to have anything hidden on her.  Once she was clearly visible with her hands held upward, palms toward him, she spoke in Menhzilian with a hint of a Wyranese accent.  "Please... do not hurt me, sir.  I... I mean no harm."

Alistair knew enough Wyranese to carry on a conversation but he preferred to stick to a language with which he was more comfortable.  The Tiger took a step closer to the woman, pistol still on his paw though his other left the hilt of his sword. "I can accept that you mean no harm, my lady, but I am curious as to why you're in my cabin... you understand I'm sure that this is a most... awkward encounter."

She nodded after a moment, staying where she stood.  "Yes.  It is."

He moved around to stand next to his desk, leaning back against it so he could sit while still facing her.  While her nightie left little to the imagination he was required to forego manners and maintain his watch of her just in case she tried something.  "I am Captain Alistair Jacksoni.  Perhaps you could start by introducing yourself as well?"

Her reply was simple and to the point with nothing but her name at first, but she quickly expanded on it.  "Emma von Kreideburg... representative for Baron Otto von Kreideburg aboard the Nordstern."

That gave the Tiger a moment's pause and he slowly lowered his gun.  "Would it be safe to say then that you are the Baron's daughter... mein Fräulein?"

Emma maintained her posture with her hands up.  "Yes, Captain Jacksoni... though the proper form of address would be 'mein Freiin', assuming we are to be formal."

There was something almost chiding about her tone, or perhaps the hint of a smirk as she spoke the words that caught him off-guard... or perhaps it was the fact that she was wearing almost nothing, but it took Alistair far longer than he would have liked to formulate an answer.  When he did, he offered it as casually as he could considering the abnormal circumstances.  "Well then, I suppose it would be best for us both if--"

The sound of a pistol firing outside his door brought an end to the discussion.  He glanced at her for a moment, realizing he NEEDED to leave, but still uncertain as to the situation involving his new 'guest'.  "I will please ask that you remain here for the time being... Do not try to--"

The sound of another gun's retort put an end to the pleasantries and he quickly threw open the doors to his cabin in preparation for anything... but what he found proved that he wasn't TRULY ready.  Many of the Wave Rider's crew were gathered in a circle on the main deck; several of them were holding sailors from the North Star while others were just watching on in shock and surprise.  Alex was within the circle with a sword and pistol out while Davit was holding two smoking pistols; the bodies of two Human women lay splayed out on the deck with holes in their heads, surrounded by a growing pool of blood.

Alistair didn't bother stopping his indignant roar.  "What is the meaning of this?!?!"

The Bosun from the Joshew was beside him in a moment, ascending the stairs in a posture that suggested confidence.  The Falcon motioned to the scene as he spoke in Ilysean using a tone that suggested more clarification rather than pacification.  "The agent involved with the theft was tracked to the Nordstern.  She is a master of disguise, and so, to be certain there will be no doubts, Captain Clarke has ordered all Human women from the Nordstern to be executed."

The Tiger slammed his paw on the railing, shouting in Mehnzilian despite the Bosun being a fellow countryman. "I was promised that the sailors from the North Star would be given fair treatment!"

The Falcon blinked.  "Apologies if you misunderstood, Captain, but the UPU cannot risk the secrets this woman stole getting into the wrong hands... and women are not sailors.  We have reason to believe that there were five Human women on board the Nordstern."

Alistair couldn't believe what he was hearing.  "So you're going to kill them all just so you can get the right one?"

Bosun Aescwin's feathers puffed up slightly and his wicked-looking claws took hold of the railing as he looked down at the two men gathering up the bodies of the dead women.  "Unfortunately the woman we seek is a master of disguise.  Her name is Alarice, and she has thousands of crimes to her name.  It is impossible to be certain that an 'innocent' is not actually her, and so we gathered up all surviving women-- the other three were apparently killed in the initial assault."

Captain Jacksoni shot a glance at the man to his left.  "...Apparently?"

The Falcon's appraising gaze leveled itself on the Tiger.  "Unless you know something that we don't."

Alistair did in fact know something the Falcon didn't-- and 'what' he knew was scarcely 10' from where they stood.  The Tiger carefully weighed his options.