Orlando looked about the vessel, it had been awhile for himself, he had traveled quite a bit with Xuan's father, but that was a life time ago. Orlando, looked in the direction of the dock. He was able to see people out of the cars and looking around the entrance to the docks, he wondered if this was the problem that Max had warned them about.

"Xuan I think they see us, but just in case can you punch it out of the cove here, I don't want to get shot at today?" Orlando said pleadingly, he needed a drink and his flask was out, that was a bad sign.

In reply to Seeker of Truth (msg # 103):

Max was more than relieved to be on John's ship. His mind was throbbing from the short journey here, needing to rest and recover.

Smiling at John after his ships introduction of it's accommodations with only one interested in mind, the seats below deck. "John, this is a beautiful ship. As much as I'd like to explore it's curves and halls. I need to rest below deck for a few hours to recover."

Max would enjoy John's wayward ship later. He found a leather captains seat below deck. Reclining the seat back, he closed his eyes, cleared his mind for the needed rest.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:10, Mon 01 Apr 2013.

Looking to the others as they spoke, Aeviternus waited until the break in conversation as Max went below deck.  He then pushed the cowl back up and over his face and let it rest at the back of his neck where it was fastened to the rest of the suit. A boy of very plain features of no more than 20 years was just visible from the dim lights of the deck lamps.  Nothing striking about his appearance for good or ill was cast upon his visage, a face utterly forgettable.  The youth upon his skin was belied by the wisdom in his eyes though, however one would only notice if one were truly looking.

"You may find the shroud to be just the icing of the mystery cake, in this case;" he offered Xuan, almost as a challenge but of friendly competition, punctuated with another smile.  Looking out at the sea and bracing himself with a nearby rail, the boy spoke out to the air whipping across his face and tousling his dark, unremarkable hair; "I'll stay on deck unless or until it becomes intrusive to do so, if it's all the same to you."

Kirby took out his pistol, and braced for a shot if needed,"Gentlemen we aren't outta of dah woods yet, we could still be seen by dah men on the dock and if they've got anything other than pistols we could be in trouble, we're only just just out of the break. Can we take some cover, John would you head out to sea and head north for about 5 clicks then head west. I'd like to be outta sight of dah shoreline until we hit Mexico."

"John, how much petrol do you have, can we make it to the next port or can you hoist sails in the dark?"

Out on the dock the men seemed to not have noticed the Si Feng, with lights out and on black water, the ship was able to escape out to sea.  The men started running around...shouts could be heard far off in the distance.

The crew was able to breathe...

The next step...Kirby had figured that it would take about 10-12 days to get to Panama Canal, it was only a few days past that to his home....but the crew hadn't truly figured out their next leg of the trip.

Orlando's brother was miles away awaiting transport back to Earth, while friends and John's mother lay somewhere deep in the jungles of Brazil, time was of the essence on both accounts...

1. Everyone you receive 3 improvement rolls (please add your bonus roll if you have one) Rolls are for successful skills used or trained.
2. Everyone receives 2 hero points.
3. Everyone receives 3 improvement rolls on power skills.

Those that wanted them were able to adorn a life preserver shortly after boarding the ship. Others would find their way down to the cabin for rest. The trip would be a long one, and they would all have to get comfortable if the next few days were to be tolerable.

Having gone far enough for the lights of the coast to disappear, Xuan did as ordered and turned South toward Mexico. Though the vessel had plenty of fuel to keep them going for a few days, he thought it best to conserve where he could, not knowing for sure when it would be safe again to dock and refuel.

Moments after getting them on course, the lights returned and Xuan set to work raising the sails. Only just long enough to raise the sails. Taking advantage of the extra hands, he called for the assistance of the other men still on deck and issued sharp commands to direct them where needed. It wouldn't speed the process up greatly, but they would learn, and perhaps next time it would go quicker. Besides, these didn't seem the type of men that liked to sit idly by while there was work to be done. Xuan imagined they'd be thankful to keep busy rather than just sit around and brood over what had been and what was to come, as he would be.

"I would like to put a few nautical miles between us and a possible chase. I think if I take us on a course of due South for a day, we may reduce the chance for us to be found if a search is set. And by the morning, we cut in Southeast. If the winds are good, we can be as far as the Channel Islands by tomorrow afternoon. If not, tomorrow night. And we can refuel at Catalina Island if we feel it is safe, which is another few hours South after Channel Islands. I will take us through the night, and tomorrow, when we find calm waters, I will rest and one of you can take the helm. If you have never sailed before, lesson one begins now. Agreed?"

"Now. Which of you knows how to make good tea?"

     Sweating and breathing hard, Orlando was in a gleeful state, he was now starting to enjoy himself,"Tea, Captain, I'm on it." He quickly went into the cabin to prepare some tea.

"Aye, Captain;" Aeviternus called out with an eerie authenticity.  After having spent weeks in the space ship and studying, he was more than satisfied with all this movement and always willing to learn a new skill.  He was an attentive student and moved quickly where directed.

...

On a nautical voyage during an era in which men fought for freedom, like so many before it-

Travelling along the Gulf Stream's current, a vote of thanks was silently given to Mr. Franklin when they had been whisked up to almost seven knots again and the salt of the ocean stung the boy's face as the strong wind picked up from beyond the aft.  The hastened movement of the ship would further camouflage the riot that was in its infant stages, the product of an array of psychological feints and counters the boy had been organizing over the course of the five week trek to the U.S. in order to get him in position to remove a threat to the cabal.

The man's name was Smythe, and he'd been discovered by one of the Custa Sub Rosa's attempting to hide yet another Anelectine murder.  The fact that Smythe was on the same voyage to America was largely due to luck, but likely had something to do with tracking the boy who'd eluded him the entirety of the trip with a disguise as one of the servants.  He watched Smythe now from the bottom stair to the quarterdeck as the man made attempts at stopping a fight between two sailors in a heated argument over supplies.  The argument was taking all three men closer to the foremast and the young servant followed quietly, dropping to the deck when eyes were cast his way to continue scrubbing furiously.  It was getting easier to disappear, however, as more fights broke out along the boom while the Captain of the ship and his first mate exerted attempts to quell some of the quarreling.  The servant slipped in and out of small crowds as Smythe's effort to break up the first had dragged him headlong into a fistfight of his own.

The original scrap had made it fully to the fo'c'sle while numerous battles began and raged on around them, all the while the servant boy following like a jackal, waiting for the wounded animal to be separated from the pack.  He could see his chance arriving as one of the sailors delivered a sound left hook that left Smythe collapsing to the ground, legs quivering and eyes bulging with exaggerated blinks.  The two fighting sailors passed under the boy as he scrambled quickly up the shrouds of the foremast and poised himself at the joint of the mast and jib.  When Smythe attempted to regain his feet, the boy descended upon him, leading with a deadly knee and making a clean contact with the older man's spine.  Smythe fell heavy against the grabrail while his attacker gathered up a length of the nearby bobstay, one end already tied into a large loop.  Checking that the other end of the rope was belayed by a pin, the boy took full advantage of Smythe's disorientation and swung the loop over the man's wigged head.

The feel of the thick rope about his neck caused Smythe to turn and face the culprit, and upon laying eyes on the boy, breathed; "You!"

So entrenched in the character he'd played for the last month, the boy replied in his adopted accent; "Aye.  Me.  The Arcanum is a peaceful people... but for you we'll make an exception."  The last word was grunted as he simultaneously landed a wicked shove upon Smythe's chest, sending him careening over the gunwale and towards the churning sea.  The neck could be heard snapping as his body was jerked in the direction of the bowsprit before swinging sickeningly along the hull.

...

As Aeviternus fulfilled the next request from Xuan he mused loud enough for the warrior to hear over the wind and ocean; "I don't normally take to education from one who I know so little about...but for you I'll make an exception."

"One does not need to know anything about their educator to learn. They merely need to accept that the educator knows something that they do not. I would wager that some of the most valuable lessons in your life came from someone you knew very little about."

Despite the rough waters, Xuan's anxiety had all but vanished. Rough waters also meant a decent wind, and that ultimately meant a faster trip. They had made it far enough away that he didn't expect to encounter any trouble now, but that didn't stop him from being vigilant. It was simply hard not to enjoy the water after being away from it for so long. The push and pull of the waves, the smell and taste of the salty air; on his boat in the open waters, he felt for the first time in a long time that his life was on his terms. And although he didn't think he would care, he found himself pleased that his teammates were seeming to enjoy traveling this way. To top it off, Xuan was finally taking steps to get closer to his mother.

"To say you know little about me would suggest that there is more to know. A broad assumption. Regardless of the fact that you probably know more about me than you let on, I understand that you have not had the chance to get to know all of us as we have each other these past few days. If - since you are part of this team, you have a right and obligation to know who you are working with. Sailing does not require as much of our tongues as our hands, so I give you leave to assuage your curiosity. Orlando will have tea for all of us soon. So long as you do not spill, we can drink, sail, and talk. However, in the order of fairness, I think we should be able to riposte. Question for a question. Quid...quid pro bono."

With a twitch at the corner of his mouth, Aeviternus bounced back; "Quo.  I believe you're going for 'quid pro quo'."  There was humility in his own voice as he made the small correction.  "It's not my first language either, I think I may just have more practice."

Nodding at the proposition, the young man addressed a few of the remarks before asking his first question.

"An assumption it may be, but accurate all the same, I deduce.  I assert there is much more to you despite knowing you are a voracious student and very likely a teacher yourself.   What I know of you is completely gathered by observation.  The replete perfection you demonstrate in your knowledge bases, such as sailing, speaks of your learning habits and your wistful, high level perspective demonstrates a professorial background."

He paused, seeming to come to another conclusion.  "And you are correct about needing to know little about one's mentor in order to learn.  However I opine that knowing the source of the information can be invaluable in determining it's validity."

Aeviternus decided upon his first question for Xuan.  "Who is your father?"  His interest was as philosophical as it was valid to knowing a man, in his opinion.

     Much more at ease in the air Kirby still found himself enjoying the feeling of the open sea and it's hard won escape into freedom. He moved as fast as he could on the deck, enjoying the excitement and releasing tension.  Noticing the conversation he moved closer to the men talking, taking advantage of the privacy for the moment, "That's a fair question, hearing Orlando talk about him has made me curious as well." He was intruding, but had learned along time ago, that there were no private conversations in tight quarters with men you fought along side. They were about to enter into his families world and the more he knew about his companions the better, and this line of conversation would allow him to divulge information as well.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:37, Fri 05 Apr 2013.

Max heard Tibbs puttering with what sounded like a tea pot...curious Max thought. Not like Tibbs to be a tea maker, unless there was Baileys included. He headed towards the galley.

"Why Tibbs you're making tea, wonderful!" Max couldn't help but smile at Tibbs messing with a tea pot, which seemed so out of his element. "How you doing, for that matter how's the team doing?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:08, Fri 05 Apr 2013.

     Orlando fumbled a little bit, just due to the sway and pitch of being at sea. He looked over at Max," I think that we are doing ok, we seem to be out of the clutches of impending doom, and they are getting their energy out working on deck. We'll all probably crash and sleep for 3 days if we let ourselves. It's a little cold up there, some hot tea would be good, want some?" Orlando looked around and found what seemed like the things he would need to make a pot of tea, though he didn't recognize the tea leaf it had a pleasant aroma, he place the nettles in the pot.  He would make the tea Chinese style and use the seeper inside the pot.

     Once he found everything he needed he actually looked like her knew what he was doing.

     Moments later he poured Max a cup and sniffed it, "It's lite, I didn't let is seep long enough, it should be ok without sugar,  or unless you want some, let me run this up to the guys."

     Orlando walked up and brought the hot pot with three cups and placed it on a small cut out table next to the men, he sensed that they were involved in a conversation and quickly asked,"Want me to make something to eat, there's a little bit down there?"

     Taking the cue from the guys he went back down below and spoke with Max," I think they are good, they are talking up there, geting to know Aeviternus probably, which could take them a long time.  I think its good for us to get the hell outta the military base. It feels like we've been jumping from one hot fire to another. I'm worried that our next stop is gonna have bad guys waiting for us too, you see anything futuristic now, we're at open sea, the cars that came down didn't even shoot at us, we're good you think?"

Xuan hesitated. The question had caught him a little off guard. While he was fully prepared to divulge information on himself, he hadn't considered his connections, his father.  Part of the foundation of his upbringing rooted in secrecy, and protocol had never allowed that kind of openness. It suddenly struck him how very little he knew about his inquisitor. But this is the process with which to change all that. Am I making a mistake? He would answer, though his first instinct was to question the question. That was not the way this worked however. How much would he say? How much did Orlando and Max already know?

Just answer the question honestly.

"Quid pro quo then," he began, committing the term to memory. Not his first language? "Grand Master Wu Yang Zhuo, master of Wudang-to and master of Shuǐ yuánsù, which is a water elementalist. He is Second General on the Mountain, High Council member of Shìzú Guǐshān - The Ghost of the Mountain Clan is the closest translation - and one of the Seven Protectors of Tiānkōng Chuānkǒng - Sky Piercer. He is the CEO of a corporation that deals in mainly shipping and holding. And he is father to one, never re-married after my mother." The titles were said with almost a militaristic respect, presenting the answers as simple fact while omitting his own feelings and other certain impertinent details. And the translations were mostly for the benefit of Kirby, knowing that Aeviternus had already shown a firm grasp of the language, perhaps better than Xuan with English.

Without waiting for any comments to return, Xuan took his turn. "Now me. Who are you, really?" Some games required that you maneuver carefully before going making such a bold move. What he understood of the rules of interrogation were like that, warming the interrogated up before the strike. But this particular dance could end at any moment depending on the hunger of his partner, so he struck for the heart while he was still guaranteed a result. Of course, he knew the problem with this was that it would end up sparking even more questions.

You had to start somewhere.

Interesting, Aeviternus thought.  There was more about himself than his father in that answer.  Proud... very proud... but not of himself- instead of his teacher.  The boy's eyes glazed over for a moment as he processed the recitation of titles, laid before him as if the man were royalty being announced to a court full of his loyal subjects.  Only without the grandeur; without the expectation it would mean as much to the listener as the speaker.

But it did.

"To better explain who I am it is best to provide some insight into yourself."  The young face took on a calm not typical to its youth, like an old man deciding it was finally time to part with a family secret.  "All of you are free spirits.  When your body ceases to function, your soul will travel on to its destiny, fulfilling its ultimate purpose which is not likely here on Earth."  He paused to look for incredulity and, satisfied the men were at least humoring him, he proceeded.

"I could better illustrate what I am about to tell you with a process you would undoubtedly be uncomfortable with, so I'll speak plainly.  I am a bound soul; chained to Earth on a quest to find another like me, maybe the first of this... lot;" he said the last word with a touch of disdain and a glance toward the open sea.  Still looking askance he continued, "I do not 'die', at least not as you know it when a body I inhabit ceases to pump blood and fire neurons.  Instead I have friends that aid me in joining with another so that I may continue my quest."

Malcohlm said this would be my last life.  They are trusting me...Reciprocate.

Looking back at the men he finished the thought; "I have been on this journey for over two thousand years."

The youth returned in a flash, threatening to inflict the observers with the bends as his eyes flicked between Xuan and Kirby with a spark of wonder before resting again on Xuan;"Water elementalist.  I'm starting to understand your name and increased verbosity while surrounded by ocean."  Addressing his next question to both men, he blurted; "What is the other mission?  We seek Saul... but there is something else."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:50, Sat 06 Apr 2013.

In reply to Orlando Tibbs (msg # 119):

'We're good ya think' , rang through Maxs' mind. He honestly didn't know what to think.

These visions he dealt with most of his life were the truest of mysteries. He wasn't sure where they came from or why. On the evening of his transformation, the skull had gifted him far beyond his understanding and the ability to see snipits of the future was only known to the skull.

Max knew the visions were nothing more than a puzzle, peaces placed to make an clear picture. He also knew that in most cases he found there to be a meter of time set with them and events were tempered by choices made.

"Tibbs I honestly don't know if we're safe or not. The vision could have nothing to do with this setting, yet be a setting in the near future. I just know that many of my visions are not set, but a possibility of what could happen. It varies by free will of those involved."

Of all the blessed powers the skull magnified, the visions were the most challenging. Max thought humnas put limits on everything they do, physical or anything else. It spreads like a virus into their life. But there is no limits. There are only plateaus, and I must not stay there, I must go beyond them. This was Max's plateaus to go beyond and he would, no matter what.

"And Tibbs I think you're right about 'we' needing our time. I hope this little sea jaunt is that time we need."

Max looked around the galley.

"Do the guys need a snack. I know I could use something. Maybe you and I could whip something up from John's pantry and join them?"

With tea in hand, Xuan couldn't help but allow an appreciative smile. It wasn't perfect, but it was his tea, and Orlando managed an adequate job despite the lack of instruction. Westerners often seemed to have a different appreciation for it. When he'd asked about food, Xuan had only nodded in reply, so involved in the conversation was he, but not wanting to appear ungrateful.

Though he hadn't even thought about food before, it now dawned on him that he should probably have something. With his luck, his belly would growl again while in front of Aeviternus. If that happened, the man was likely to think that Xuan wanted to eat him. A further appreciation for the tea crept in. Orlando would not find much in the way of fresh ingredients in the galley, but there would be plenty of non-perishables he could put together with only frozen fish for meat. Max was still down there too, possibly asleep. Could either of them cook?

Looking at Aeviternus and considering his answer, Xuan was caught between confirmation and incredulity. Assumptions were made as to what he could do, but the reason behind why he was able to was a hard concept to swallow. That Aeviternus was being truthful, he had no doubt. It was more along the lines of accepting myth as reality. Xuan was taught of the Celestials and the Jade Empire, the Shen of legend and lore. These were lessons, used as tools for guidance as a child grew into adulthood, for when they made the choice as to what to take on and believe. To accept Aeviternus for what he was meant accepting the Celestials as truth, and perhaps more. It made his head spin from the implications.

Joining with another... this could mean that the essence of Aeviternus would merge with the soul in the body, not destroy it like a Demon. How does that work? Can there really be two? Is one more prominent, or is it a host-parasite relationship? Too many questions. Which to ask first?

If he could take a moment to consider... well, he was not the only one there that could answer Aeviternus' question. The Captain was a better candidate for that anyway, going back to the mission at hand. Xuan looked over to Kirby expectantly and sipped his tea, swimming in his thoughts.

"I think we could use a snack, even if we don't need it, it's something to do that's sort of normal," Orlando said. He started rumagging in the pantry looking for soup he could throw together, canned SPAM, anything...he welcomed the help from Max and engaged in some small talk at first and then took the opportunity to make more of their time.

Orlando asked quickly, "Can you see into the future at will?"

In reply to Orlando Tibbs (msg # 124):

Canned spam, Max thought though it is something akin to some asian based cultures, mostly islanders. He seriously doubted John would have such an item in his pantry.

Though Max wouldn't consider himself a highly trained chef, he and Lynne took about four years of various classes at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena. He could hold his own in the kitchen.

Max looked for some peanut oil and canned vegetables with some frozen fish, along with some common Chinese spices, which were packed probably to hold their freshness.

"Tibbs how about a quick stir fry dish with peanut oil, can vegetables and some Halibut, Chinese five ppice powder, ginger and some cracked pepper corn?"

As Max grabbed the wok and the oil for a quick pre-heat, he considered Tibbs question.

"Yes, I can at will see pieces of the future."

Lynne, his mom and this group of life and death experienced men were the only people who knew of this ability. He kept this secret close to his heart. He knew is potential for both good and evil.

Max kept cooking waiting for Tibbs response.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:03, Tue 09 Apr 2013.

Kirby helped himself to some tea while the other men conversed and prepared the meal. He took a few sips of the warm brew and let the aroma fill his nostrils. Darjeeling, with milk, would have been perfect but this asian-style tea would do. Few things could top Guyanese-grown Darjeeling served with a spot of milk. Thinking of home reminded him of his grandmother. Would she ever pour tea for him again? He frowned deeply and blinked hard to keep tears from wetting his eyes. Grandma Eh-eh was ill, perhaps deathly so, and the thought of not saying goodbye was unbearable.

Suddenly without a taste for the tea he set it down in round contraption he thought of as a “boat coaster”. One of various places around the boat one could safely place a mug of tea without fear of it crashing to the floor, deck.

Kirby cleared his throat to get the groups’ attention before speaking.

“Wes needing to discuss a few things. Ahvetrus,” he gave their newest member a apologetic look as he butchered his name, the name continued to be a struggle for the Guyanan-born soldier, “ah, wes need to get assessment of how much time Malcom and crew have. Des critical critical. But first, we needs ta tell yous about our uder mission. You see, there was this research group that headed into the jungle in Brazil ….”

Kirby continued to relay the details of the initial research mission, regarding the crystal skulls, and the group’s objective to rescue any scientists that may be living.

“Others please add anything you think I missed in a minute. But fors dat mission Aye have it in mind to get to Guyana, and muy family’s home in a place we local’s call the Kanhai Jandhi. Ders a lot of open land der and it’s not far far from the Brazilian border. Wes could easily set up der for the mission.”

“Wes can get into that more, but the important thing is time. If we go by sea it will take us days days to gets to Guyana. Aye don’t want to run outta time for Malcom while we float.”

“Ok, thoughts?”

"We could..." Xuan replied simply, to all of it. Of course. He misses his family, and wants to see them since we'll be so near. I understand. "But...I believe if we go to your family, we will find trouble waiting for us there. And worse, tragedy because of our arrival. These men that are chasing us seem to know more than they should about us. Will we not be placing them in danger if we go? While it will take us days, it could take our enemy only hours to investigate."

Xuan left it there, realizing that he possibly just made a stronger push for Kirby to go now. Would these people actually leave any of their family alone if they didn't try to get into contact with them? Certainly they made a play for the other Tibbs. Were none of their families safe?

It was a dark thought.

Orlando and Max soon found nothing parishable in the kitchen pantry, which was small, only dried and canned food was available, the fish was dubious and probably had freezer burn, it was going to take awhile to get it to defrost to cook.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:04, Tue 09 Apr 2013.

Torn between starting with what was important and that which was simply more convenient, Aeviternus opted to try to make things a little easier first- this discussion could be a valuable one and he didn't want to be a part of any of the challenges.

"Forgive my non-sequitor, but if it's easier for any of you I answer to the name Avery as well, or his nickname, 'Ace';" he forced out, clearly a little abashed about the awkward nature of the subject mixed in with the heavy context.  "The original owner of this body is still very much a part of it, so I will instinctively answer to his names or the one you have designated for me whether it is temporary or permanent."

Skipping straight back to the topic at hand, he visibly shed the discomfort and went all business.  "Malcohm will be able to sustain his people in their current state for four weeks before he must take action.  However I offer another possibility if there is a  choice to be made: perhaps helping Malcohm first would aid in our efforts elsewhere.  Between his people's technology and their gifts, there may be much they can offer to assist in our quests."  He held up one arm completely encased in a black-as-night material that none of them could place as an earthly construct as a case in point, nodding at it while he sipped his tea with the other.

Addressing Max," Sounds good to me, I'll need to start the generator to use the microwave." Orlando clicked the switch and started the generator and placed the fish in the microwave to defrost.

"You know, it might be useful to turn on your future vision now to see if you have any incling as to which way we should go?" Orlanod said.