Jammers Summary: Chapter 3, Turn 31

----------- = Meanwhile, elsewhere...
*********** = Later...

With the raft underway, Kain slips out from the trance he was in. His eyes look about with a clarity they lacked before, and so Kain, refreshed of spirit, though still physically a wreck, drags himself to his feet, heavily favoring his burned leg. "I can be of.. ah.. some small help now," Kain says slowly.

Scanning the short deck, Kain limps to Seguld's' side. Laying a hand on the top of the gnome's head, he closes his eyes and bows his own head in concentration. Within a few short breaths, Seguld begins to feel slightly better.

"Sorry.. I.. ah.. couldn't heal you any more Seguld," Kain says with a slightly forced smile, "but after I have rested again I can restore.. ah.. our company somewhat more."

"Billy," Deigatt says, "please tend to the wounded hand make sure they har secure. Heveryone who needs rest should try to get some now. Talus hand I will keep first watch."

Caught in the middle of a yawn, Talus gives Deigatt a sour look before taking position as a lookout.

Placing a hand on Talus's shoulder Ferric says quietly, "I am not ready to retire yet. You can relieve me when you awaken."

Talus looks at Ferric gratefully, "Thanks Ferric, though it may be a while before I awaken. A few hours sleep will take the edge, wake me then for the next watch."

Ferric stands gazing into the depths of space about him as though he is deep in thought.

Once the raft is underway, Robert slowly moves around the resting and recuperating, covering some with what blankets he can find, and making the odd pillow out of loose clothing to keep the injured comfortable.

After doing his best to see that all look reasonable, Robert slowly makes his way to the rear of the raft, nodding his head towards Deigatt and Ferric, sits down with his crossbow and watches the dwindling planet and looks for signs of pursuit.

As the rest slip off to blissful (if pained) slumber, and Deigatt and Ferric take up watch, Pate moves to stand next to the minotaur. He gazes off to the stars a moment, holding his scarred abdominals. Having only received "the Device's" mundane healing, his stomach still looks a sight, bright pink and covered in jagged line of catgut knots. "Never realized how beautiful the stars could look," he says. "Amazing what a little life or death tussle with a troop of angry Scro can do for your outlook, isn't it?"

The minotaur looks down at Italapate. "I cannot share your levity, Hitalapate," he says lowly. "I ham deeply discouraged by what's happened to hus."

"Not levity, Deig, not this time," Italapate says, levelly. "Only a small feeling of happiness, and not a little guilt over that feeling." He looks at Vais on the helm, then looks back at the stars. "Vais is only a machine, so you can't blame him, but he doesn't understand how horrible the feeling of joy is at my... our... continued survival at the cost of a comrade's life. In the battle, it was so fast, but I saw Galan take a bullet or bolt, I couldn't tell which, in the head. I knew he was done, but I couldn't think about it, I had to get to Talus. But, when it was over, all I could think of was 'thank the spirits it wasn't me', and I felt horrible for thinking that, for I didn't wish Galan to die. The 'device' sees numbers, and I envy him that, for, by the numbers, we did quite phenomenal. But, it doesn't help that Galan can't appreciate those figures himself."

The minotaur nods and glances across the makeshift vessel at Vais on the helm. Then he says to Italapate, "The Device makes me huneasy, Hitalapate. Hit has been helpful to hus since we liberated hit, but I do not hunderstand hits motives."

"Deig," Pate whispers, after all, the raft is small, and you can never tell how far a voice can carry.. "Vais said some things that bothered me... but then, when doesn't he? Anyway... I wanted you to tell me that you simply missed... that you didn't throw me into the Scro on purpose. You can assure ol' Pate, now, right?"

"Hit was not my hintention to do you harm, Hitalapate," Deigatt replies. "But I confess that my hanger may have spiked my aim. I have wondered hif... I fear I ham not quite yet the disciplined warrior that I would like to be."

"That's great," Pate smiles, a weak, self-deprecating grin, as he pats Deigatt on the shoulder. "I knew you didn't do it on purpose. For what its worth, I'm sorry. I thought you were going to throw me, then cast. I'm sorry I keep screwing up... I'm trying... trying too hard. And if 'disciplined' is what you truly want to be, I have no doubt you will be the best, most disciplined minotaur in all the spheres."

Deigatt grunts. "I fear the Device's comments do not contribute to the company's morale, halthough the same could be said hof some of hits members."

Italapate watches Deigatt for a moment, his eyebrows raised quizzically. He opens his mouth to comment, or to ask..... but then he closes it with a frown. He tries again, but again closes his mouth without a word. Then he looks away, and watches the stars a bit more, winces in pain, tentatively stretches... gives up. He turns and says, "Well, I suppose... I suppose I will try to sleep....."

"Rest well, then," Deigatt tells his friend. "I'm glad you survived the battle."

A couple of hours into the flight, Robert slowly leans over and falls asleep.

---------------

After three hours of travel, Raken's eyes slowly open. He lets out a groan, then looks around. "We... won?" he croaks. "Water" he asks, waiting for a drink before attempting to sit up. He takes in the environment, and asks "What happened?"

Vais, sitting on the helm, quickly fills him in.

Once he has recovered enough and has prayed for spells, Raken begins the long task of healing the wounded. He starts with a simple cure spell on himself to give him strength, then begins on everyone else. He starts with the worst off party members, spreading his healing out to get as many people on their feet as quickly as possible.

Leera spends most of the trip sleeping, healing from her wounds. As the days pass, her cough first goes away as the healing spells repair the damage to her lung. On the second night the cough returns, and gradually worsens. By the end of the journey, it's become a persistent hack.

Nilaroo spends the trip constantly checking his rope work and tooling that is holding the raft together. His industriousness is less and less interrupted by rest periods as his wounds gradually knit together.

Grigree is very quite on the trip to Ironpiece. Though he keeps to himself, he helps out with the watch and mans the few remaining ropes when necessary. When the crew discuss future plans, the hadozee doesn't comment. He only shrugs and mumbles non-committally at any questions posed to him.

His free time is spend staring out into the void with a distant lock in his eyes. From time to time he'll sit up straight, look around slowly, then walk around the raft, inspecting the bonds which hold the ship together.

***************

Early on the second day, Deigatt raises the issue of the company's status regarding its contract with House Moune. "Comrades, the loss hof hour ship complicates hour relationship with House Moune. Technically, hour contract his voided, has we har no longer hin possession hof hour vessel, per se. Hit would be happropriate for hus to report hour recent hactivities to Lady Moune, hand I'm confident she would hagree to hend the contract formally."

Holland listens quietly as he studies his spell book. Once finished he mutters a few words as his hand weave a pattern. Holland then looks at the items that were recovered from the Scro ship.

The minotaur looks around to each of the crew members as he speaks. "But," he continues, "I propose hinstead that we seek to reinstate hourselves has the hadventuring company hof House Moune. We will need a new ship, surely, hand we cannot hexpect to find one has easily has we did the Silent Star. But we har a strong hand resourceful team, hand we har hindebted to Lady Moune for the confidence she has hin hus hand for the hopportunity she provided hus. Has a company hand has hindividuals hof honor, I propose that we work to reinstate hour contract with House Moune to hour mutual benefit."

Talus comments, "By the word of the contract we may be free, but I feel we should still be bound by its spirit. House Mourn trusted us and gave us great chance. I believe we should honour the contract." The half-elf shrugs and adds with a grin, "If we make it back alive that is."

Ferric remains decidedly silent but watches closely as the company's members discuss their course of action in regards to House Moune.

Italapate lets out a gleeful laugh at the idea that the contract has been broken. "Heeeheee! Wheeee!" he chuckles. "Yes! That's right! Null and Void! I am the happiest little shaman of Coyote on this here raft! Yessir!" He composes himself a little, clearing his throat, then chuckling again. Finally, "Oh, yes, well, sure, we can pay back Moune for the Helm _we_ won for her. But now we can do it on our own terms. No stupid little nauseous feelings for 'naughty' little thoughts. Heh. No curses over our heads. Now we are bound only by our (read: Deigatt's) honor... the way it should be."

"House Moune has never done anything but treat us fairly. Hoom, although a ship is more than a footman for carrying around a helm, the helm truly makes the vessel. House Moune still has my allegiance, until they choose to revoke it or reclaim the helm." Nilaroo watches for response.

"I don't recall that hany hof hus were coerced hinto signing the contract with Lady Moune," Deigatt observes. "Hand most hof hus volunteered to work for House Moune before the contract was even hoffered."

Pate nods, though he still is quite happy at the thought of no contract. "Too true, my friend, too true. But.. well, I don't think you can blame me for enjoying the fact that there is no curse lingering over our heads. And if you do," he smiles, "... tough. Hated it... thoroughly and completely. Now it is dead. We can pay back Moune as a matter of honor, decency, and pride, but we don't have to do so with any threats hanging over our heads. I was too giddy at the thought of hanging around with you guys, and I signed the contract so that I might do so... but, (and don't take this personally), I would _never_ do that again."

Holland sits quietly, his hands going about the process of reloading his starwheels as everyone talks. Holland then says when there is a lull in the conversation, "I managed to pick up a few items off of the Scro. I got this potion, ring as well as 5gp, 35sp and 25cp and that handful of weapons." Holland points to the gold ring (set with a red gem of some sort). "This radiates alteration magic, the potion radiates necromancy, and this scimitar radiates alteration and enchantment."

Robert frowns, then murmurs a spell of his own, "The ring appears to involve fire elemental powers, the potion healing powers, and the scimitar combat and charming abilities."

After a short discussion, the distribution of the magical items is put off.

---------------

At lunch on the second day, as the newly healed crew savor their meal, Vais says from the helm, "I have not been completely honest with you folks, and as I would like to remain with you, and have grown fond of you while stitching you together (contrary to what some may think, I bitterly regret the deaths I've witnessed), I would like to more fully explain. "

"My history as I presented it is factual, I simply misrepresented my purpose. All metagolems, constructed beings into which an extradimensional spirit has been conjured, like myself have a purpose, a goal which they are compelled to achieve. Some few, having completed their goal become free willed. Such is not possible for me, however, as my goal can never be completed. I am compelled to seek out the knowledge of the multiverse, learn it, and then dispense at my discretion, to those who will do good with the knowledge. I am not compelled to serve the crew of a particular ship, my healing skills (though quite real) are simply an adjunct to my primary function, a useful cover for me to adopt when needed." Vais pauses for comments.

"My compulsion is not slavery or mystical domination as you perceive it, but instead a feeling, a drive to learn and expand, very similar in fact to the way you folks are driven to find adventure among the stars. I feel being with you will be quite educational. I have spent years within many libraries, and shipped on the vessels of several nations and races, but I have yet to follow the life of an adventurer. I would like to continue with your group." Vais says.

Pate looks up from his cheese and dried meat. He wears a curious expression, as he finishes chewing. Finally he swallows, shrugs, and says, "Okay," drawing out the long "A" sound at the end of the word. "I don't think any of us were thinking of kicking you out... especially with your demonstrated prowess with a sewing needle," he gestures toward his midsection. "May you function long enough to learn all there is to know about 'adventuring'."

***************

Late in the evening on the second day the little raft reaches Ironpiece. It hangs in space like a huge, bright oval painted with tans, greens, and blues. Wispy clouds streak its face. The planet is hundreds of miles across, at least, and is disc shaped like a coin.

"Seguld," Deigatt asks, "what can you tell hus habout Hironpiece? I have not visited a discworld before."

Seguld barely opens his eyes, as he lays with one hand still across his chest. In a forced voice he says, "GuessIDon'tHavetaSayIt'saDiskworldThen..." He forces out a strained chuckle. "You'dBestBeCarefulOnTheApproach, SDB's'VeBeenKnown TaMakeUseOfWeaponsALittleEagerly. ItGives'EmAChanceTaTest'EmOut. IfWe'reLucky We'llBeMetBySomeGoodOl' SpudnikSpaceSuperiorityFighters. Present'EmWitEvidence Provin'TheScroHit, An'WeMayGettaPleasantEscort."Seguld then continues, "WeThenGitOurselvesTaThePort. TheyCallIt PortWalkaway. Well, That'sWhere TheNon-NativesLive, SoYouShouldBlendIn. KeepVaisUndercover'ElseSomeone'dProbably WannaTake'imApart TaSeeWhatMakesHim WorkAn'AllThatStuff. Y'knowHowMyKindCanBe." Seguld forces another soft chuckle.

"Anyway... OnceWe'reTouchedDown, IThinkIShouldDoTheTalkin'. Ferric'an'Holland Should ComeWit'Me,Ferric'llRepresentMoune, An'HollandWillServeTheCompany - I'llBeTheNegotiator." He smiles through the final statement.

"We'llBeNeedin'AllTheCoinsAn'Gems. TheBlackEnergyStones An'TheOrcStatue'llGive UsSomethin'TaDealWit'. WeShouldBeAbleTaGitSomeKindaVessel." speaks Seguld as he settles back down, "LetMeGitSom'MoreSleepNow. ICan'tBeWeakWhenWeArrive."

Holland sits quietly, his hands going about the process of reloading his starwheels as everyone talks. Holland then says when there is a lull in the conversation, "I managed to pick up a few items off of the Scro. I got this potion, ring as well as 5gp, 35sp and 25cp."

Holland tucks the loaded starwheels into their places and then continues, "It might be feasible to sell our helm. With the proceeds as well as the assets we currently have, Seguld's negotiating skills and our war trophies, we might be able to purchase an entire ship. Perhaps something like a Lamprey or if we can find one that needs some repairs and is thus cheaper, a Viper."

Leera stirs... "Can we do that? Doesn't the half the helm belong to House Moune?"

Holland says, "From what I gather from the wording of the contract, no; the spirit of the contract is a different matter though. However, either way, we would need to have an intact ship in order to continue our relationship with the House of Moune"

Talus frowns and replies, "In the time I was on Bral I heard of the prices helms were bought and sold for. If we sell this helm it may be all we will be able to get is one of those which you need to feed with enchanted items to power the ship. The helm is the most valuable item we own. I believe we should sell it only as a last resort."

Holland shrugs, "There are a lot of different factors that won't be solid until we reach Ironpiece. I just wanted to voice the suggestion."

-----------------

As the raft approaches a pair of very odd looking spelljamming vessels approach. Both appear to be cylinders with a multitude of thin copper bars sticking out the front, and a pair of landing skids beneath. A pair of gnomes in outlandish black uniforms (festooned with tools) sit inside. After a brief conversation which only Seguld can follow, permission is granted to land at Port Walkaway.

Finding the port, located on the only major water body, isn't difficult, and soon the ship and crew have landed at the bustling gnomish town. Somewhat surprisingly, passersby pay the raft no particular attention at all. One might think ramshackle, patched together lifeboats land here all the time....

No one comes to greet the ship, and Seguld explains the fighters dealt with customs, so deciding what to do seems to be the next order of business. The town is small and pleasant enough, though it appears to be mostly gnome sized there are enough other species walking around the spaceport for their to be taller accommodations.

Date/time: 6:00 pm 14th day of the 6th Month, 5049 OC