Captain Michele Winters - New Contracts All Around
Joel Cannistraro
[[OOC - my apologies. I worked this up but never sent it]]
((The Evening Star))
Sound. Unfamiliar sounds. Disregard and just sleep, her brain told her as she tried to ignore the unfamiliar sounds that wanted to interrupt the dreams cycling through her mind. The sounds began to grow louder and deep within her mind an alarm sounded. the peaceful dream was replaced by claxons sounding off. Urgency, danger, reaction was needed. Michele's mind went from what she thought was a peaceful sleep to a combat ready status thought in the blink of an eye and she rolled onto her side, snapping her eyes open.
DeVeau: We’re in another one.
Herrick: So it seems.
One of the two voices was unfamiliar to her. The second, her gaze shifted from the woman to the man and she paused. Her mind was likely playing tricks on her. She thought the voice had come from Commander Herrick, an officer she served aboard the Butler with. Her eyes were on what appeared to be Herrick but clearly in a dress. Michele rubbed her eyes with one hand as she tried to stand only to realize she was still wearing the far too revealing sultry dress these game makers had put her in previously.
Herrick: How did you get here, Winters?
Winters: I have no idea Commander.
Michele looked from Herrick to the other person on the, whatever they were on. Although she had not yet met Captain Promontory, she knew him from his bio that she had previewed before coming aboard the Thor. A gentle nod to the Captain let the man know she recognized him and was there to support them in escape. She glanced back to the woman. With a better look this time, Michele believed the woman was Lieutenant Commander DeVeau. She had tried to cover all the Thor's key officers in her debrief and usually her memory was sharp in these areas. Something was slightly off though. Michele's head hurt a bit, and her memory of DeVeau was clouded. oO Must be whatever they are using to knock us out. Oo She tried to shake it off as she stepped closer to the Captain and looked around the set for observation.
Promontory: Response
DeVeau: It’s a musical.
Herrick: And we’re the main act?
Winters: Oh you have got to be kidding.
Promontory: Response
The music continued to play, suggesting the scene wasn’t going to wait on them. Herrick took a set of papers and began reading them. Michele continued to search the set, stage area for hositles, exits, and anything that could be sourced and turned into a defensible weapon. Singing was not on her agenda and this playing around was getting rather annoying to the Starfleet Marine.
DeVeau: I suggest we play along and play along while going way over top. I may have an idea.
DeVeau: Come aboard the Evening Star…
Michele shot a glance from DeVeau to Herrick as she paused and he started to chime in.
Herrick: The… uh last and… brightest voyage!
Where Alora’s voice was melodic, Josh’s was a few octaves lower and crooner-esque. As the next face appeared, he tried to shuffle to the side to find an exit. Michele glanced over to Promontory who was stepping up. She looked at him and shook her head in a negative motion as she stepped back and continued to scan the area.
Promontory: Leave behind your dismal wars,
Winters: ::softy:: You see anyway out of here?
The first officer shook his head. There were no doors that he could discern, just the one they’d come through, which was now shut.
Ensemble: Glittering constellations,
Bright moonlight on the rails!
No one speaks the truth ‘round here,
We just sell it well!
Herrick: Bright moonlight…
A large set of text appeared on the screen: SMILE MORE!
Herrick: …on the rails!
Michele glanced around the room for rails. Was he just singing what was on the papers or was he relaying information to the team?
The large screen came to life again and this time it simply read. DANCE.
Michele narrowed her eyes and bit her tongue. She hated the idea of playing along. Playing along got her nowhere in the last scene she was in. It got her no new knowledge of what was happening, why it was happening or how to stop it from continuing to happen. The only thing it got her was knocked out and put into another scene. At least she was now with the Captain and XO. Her target package was achieved in that alone and she was thankful for it.
Winters: ::began swaying from side to side:: ....Bright moonlight on the rails.
She echoed in a softer singing voice as she gestured to Herrick and then panned her hands out around the stage. Her eye's caught his and hoping he understood she was checking for clarification of his lyrics or observation.
Promontory: (smiling) …it well!
Herrick: Ignore the fading glitter! oO And my dance skills. Oo
Michele continued to sway from side to side as she moved back behind the others. She looked past the glitter and squinted to find what he might be suggesting....Nothing caught her eye, at least nothing that she saw as an exit or even a potential defense from what they were dealing with.
Winters: ::gesturing to DeVeau:: Come aboard the Evening Star!
PR3ST1G: The people adore what’s novel,
They want something new,
Fresh and shiny and over bright,
And chase the next debut.
But in every age an empire falls,
And walls crumble to ruins
The song that once defined an age,
No longer has its tune.
Stepping in time, Alora pressed a little closer to the other officers. She couldn’t see anyone else she recognised, and wasn’t sure if they were other kidnapped victims or holograms like most of the people in the previous show. Meanwhile, the woman kept singing.
PR3ST1G: Every table holds a secret,
And every smile hides a scar,
While every guest arrives pretending
They know exactly who they are.
Promontory: Harken my crew, hear too my words,
Within the singing,
We can weave messages like… birds,
With secrets underwing
Winters: ::humming along and trying to simply stay close to the Captain::
Herrick: Response
Promontory: Rumors swirl, I know a secret,
Performing as if we’re the star,
To return to a better ship,
And from the Tangle go afar.
Michele finally caught on to what the Captain was singing or at least saying.
Winters: ::gesturing out towards the others:: Let's set a course for adventure, aboard the Evening Star.
Herrick: Response
ENSEMBLE: Welcome to the Evening Star,
Where heartbreak comes with dinner!
Where singers sound just like saints,
But the curtain hides the sinners!
Welcome to the Evening Star!
Leave your work and disengage!
Where all the songs and dance routines
Fill up the empty stage!
ENSEMBLE: Welcome to the Evening Star!
We hope you enjoy your trip here.
Where every crack is gilded gold,
And every star grows dim and old,
Ignore the mildew and the mold,
Some things shine brightest as they fold!
Then, the Captain did something completely unexpected. He began to tap dance. Well, it would have been tap dancing, but he didn’t have tap shoes, so it was really soft shoe. Michele slowed her swaying and looked on as the Captain tapped his heart away. She wanted to giggle like a little girl as it turned into a seriously funny sight.
Promontory: Welcome to the Evening Star!
(quietly to the crew) I’ve been here five years!
Leave your work and disengage!
Time passes differently here in the Tangle!
Where all the songs and dance routines
I’m open to ideas, but that’s a director! (indicating the Astrachthoni)
Fill up the empty stage!
Winters: Welcome to the Evening Star!
Where our crew isn't far!
Caught in a strange adventure they are!
Soon, we'll be making another run on the Evening Star!
Herrick: Response
Ensemble: Welcome!
And with that, everyone struck a pose and froze. Smiles wide, teeth reflecting the lights, no one moved for a good ten seconds. Then, suddenly, everyone moved. Michele was confused as to what was actually happenign at this point. Here eye's darted back and forth as she looked for a defense to be used against the hostile who held them.
PR3ST1G: Ah! Snape, Joni, Adora, Mirelle!
As she spoke, her hands clutched at an envelope that she had produced from somewhere in the folds of her…well, it was a dress, but sort of half robe, half dress really. As they turned to face her, one of the tentacles lifted and waved in a way that seemed rather beckoning. Glancing back at her companions, DeVeau turned and approached the woman. Michele began to feel even more uncomfortable as DeVeau approached the woman.
DeVeau: Yes…miss?
Herrick/Promontory: Response
PR3ST1G: As you all know, this is the final voyage of the Evening Star, and then we will all have to find new employment.
DeVeau paused, then sighed dramatically. Michele inched forward. oO Final voyage? New employment? That sounds bad. Oo
ADORA: IT WON’T BE THE SAME…YOU’RE A LEGEND.
DeVeau: It won’t be the same. You’re a legend!
And instantly, more dialogue directions followed.
JONI: I BET YOU’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO RETIREMENT!
MIRELLE: YEAH, BUT HEY, IT’S RETIREMENT! AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, YOU CAN SIT BACK, RELAX, AND DO WHATEVER YOU WANT!
SNAPE: YEAH! NO MORE LATE NIGHTS AND BRIGHT LIGHTS WITH PEOPLE WHO DON’T CARE OR APPRECIATE YOUR SINGING! The dialogue was followed by stage directions: EVERYONE LOOKS EXASPERATED AT SNAPE. SOMEONE GIVES HIM A SLAP UPSIDE THE HEAD.
Michele looked around at DeVeau and Herrick who seemed hesitant. She gathered as tempting as it was, they were not sure about going as far as to smack their Captain. Michele was a Marine, not an actor. She was also from the Ronin, smacking the Captain would land her in the brig or sent back to the Ronin with explaining to her own CO.
oO Always can blame the Tangle or whatever this is. Oo Michele stepped up swiftly and gave Captain Promontory a light but firm whip of her finger tips to the back of his head. It would look worse than it was but give the illusion to their captors she was complying.
Winters: Speak for yourself!
Herrick/Promontory: Response
A brief pause followed, and Michele thought she might have gone too far with the head smack and looked back to make sure the Captain was ok. Finally, a second later, she recovered. She lifted the envelope in her hand, but didn’t bother handing it to anyone.
PR3ST1G: I may not be a headliner anymore after this voyage, but I do still have friends in the business. Joni, Snape, I know you have plans to get married on the last day, and you are all so close, so I made sure you’re all posted together.
DeVeau: You have?
Alora glanced at her companions before asking - and she didn’t even need the prompter to tell her what to ask!
DeVeau: Where?
PR3ST1G: I’ve made sure you’re all going to be together. And even better, you’re going on the brand new luxury cruise liner - the Solar Empress!
On the screen flashed a brief introduction to the new cruise starship - opulent, premier, and luxurious.
Winters: The Solar Empress. Impressive, does that come with a new contract?
Michele was not asking anything serious but the question was more to stall the woman and help them get their bearings on what was happening or about to happen. Was this Solar Empress a new ship literally or part of the act they were in.
Herrick/Promontory: Response
Winters: I don't know about you guys but I think a new contract is warranted for such a prestigious gig.
PR3ST1G/Promontory/Herrick/DeVeau: Response
Michele stepped closer to Promontory and leaned her shoulder against his.
Winters: Oh, I think we are well worth the time. Especially if you want us to keep raking in the big money for you.
Michele looked to Promontory hoping he understood what she was getting at.
PR3ST1G/Promontory/Herrick/DeVeau: Response
Winters: It's gonna be a blast when this party really starts. The fireworks are going to be off the charts.
PR3ST1G/Promontory/Herrick/DeVeau: Response
TAG/TBC
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