Jacqueline Yune arrived on the deck and found the cabin. She was too focused on how to teach a stranger to notice that the sign "Ens. VELASQUES" on the door seemed new. The astrogator knocked on the door, which opened immediately while the lights turned on. Confused, Yune hesitated on the doorstep, but something unceremoniously pushed her into the cabin. She stumbled forward, between a bunk and a desk. Then she heard the door close and the locks click.

Someone was lying on the bunk, covered by blankets.

"Hey!" Jacqueline yelped as she was pushed. She had been so engrossed in her numbers and mathematics she had been caught totally by surprise. "What's going on? Hey, let me out!"
After trying the door, it took her a moment to realize someone was probably playing a joke on her. Her birth insulated her from the pranks and hazing a young officer might otherwise encounter, so this was new. "Ummm... hello?" she said shyly to the person on the bunk. She advanced towards that person, trying to get a better look.

Hrolf emerged from the blankets, eyes blinking with the lights. He had fallen in his deep sleep, tired after his watch, and was utterly confused by the presence in his cabin. He brushed away his blurred vision and checked again, but he had recognized the voice.

"Jacqueline, is that you? Whatcha you doing here?", he mumbled.

Jacqueline gasped and clamped a hand over her mouth "Hrolf!" She was ordinarily much too shy to have said anything, but it would also be really embarrassing to admit that a trick had been played on her; just as tough to go back as to go forward. What could she say? The one time she had been in love was a huge disaster and she didn't know what to do. She found herself wishing that at least she had time to get her hair and her makeup right first; as a noblewoman's daughter at least she knew fashion. "I, um, sorry to just barge in like this. I... do you want to, um, I mean, get something to eat? With me? Or maybe, just stay in? Together? Not like a date, because that would be against regs but... but, well, like a date" Jacqueline said, shifting shyly, blushing and her voice trailing off. "I, I likeyouHrolfreallyquitealot" she finally blurted out

Hrolf considered Jacqueline for a bit. He knew the astrogator was hugely shy, so he was amazed and flattered that she had overcome her reserve, and endeavored to finally confront him and confess her infatuation. He could have delved deeper, into what trauma had pushed Jacqueline into his cabin, so to say, but Hrolf was a simple and direct man. Besides, Jacqueline was expecting a response from him.

Hrolf stood out of his bunk. From the height of his two meters, the blond Sword Worlder was towering over the petite Asian. He was in his underwear, the cabin was cramped, and they were standing physically closer than ever. Jacqueline could see he was genuinely tensed, as normally his emotions were tightly controlled.

He reached out for Jacqueline's shoulder, locked his blue eyes into hers, and stated with a smile "I like you too, Jacqueline."

He hesitated and added "Very much."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:34, Mon 27 Feb 2023.

Jaqueline fiddled with her uniform nervously as Hrolf considered her. She returned his smile brightly after he said he liked her, excited and relieved. "I, I'm glad!" But she hesitated, unsure of what to say next. Hrolf's proximity and the fact that the muscular Sword Worlder was in his underwear was very distracting and didn't help her think.  The silence stretched out awkwardly for a moment, before she added softly "If we're going to kiss you're going to have to lean down."

Hrolf chuckled. "A Standarsson bows to no one!"
He put his hands under Jacqueline's armpits and lifted her like a doll. He threw the petite Asian upwards, then caught her again, his hands clasped under her posterior, and raised her effortlessly until her face was facing his.

After this show of strength, the muscular pilot proceeded to kiss her.
He panted, but not from the effort.

[OOC : this player - RegisP - is 1.88m tall (6'3) and happens to be married to a petite Asian of 1.55m (5'2). The day we wed, after the deputy mayor uttered "you may kiss the bride", I lifted Alyssia and, while kissing, spun her like hammer throwers do... All the guests started laughing ;)) Good memories...]

"Hrolf!" Jacqueline giggled happily as Hrolf tossed her in the air. She blushed as she felt his hands near her rear, and kissed back passionately; this wasn't her first real kiss, but it was damn near. When they broke the kiss, she smiled at him. "Okay, you're the helmsman. Tell me where we're going."

Hrolf returned a wide smile : "we're going to a delicious place. We may not arrive there simultaneously, but we'll get there in short order".

Still holding Jacqueline, he folded her a little to get into the cramped space of his bunk and-laid-her-on-the-green (...blanket). He then proceeded to open her uniform jacket and whispered "Let's make you at ease... Tell me what your favorite position is, and if you like several, in what order. Tell me which acts you would like me perform to you, and what you will not do.".

Hrolf sounded very experienced, but then his looks were head-turning, so he must have had many lovers.

He stopped to contemplate the woman's bra and let his hand linger for a moment. "Now, what I like is...", but at this very moment his communicator rang.

"What the frack...!?" exclaimed a very annoyed Hrolf, who knew he had to answer. Standing up, he shrugged helplessly at his friend. He read the message, read it again with an incredulous stare, then sighted and shut the device.

He turned to Jacqueline: "I am sorry, Your Imperial Majesty, but we have to postpone this activity. A crowd of courtesans is waiting for you right now!".

He then proceeded to put on his uniform. Someone outside knocked on the door.

Jacqueline's heart fluttered as Hrolf laid her on the bed, opened her jacket and flirted with her. She tried to look sexy and alluring, something she didn't have much practice with. She wished she'd worn something sexy under her uniform, but of course, she only thought she was going to be tutoring someone. "Well, I'd always dreamed of..." she began, touching Hrolf's arm, but gasped as the communicator went off. She squeaked, mortified, and hurriedly did up her uniform when Hrolf told her there were people outside. What at time for that!

When the door opens, Hrolf gently nudges Jacqueline out "We can't be seen together. I'll follow shortly. It's a navy funny custom. Enjoy it and go along!"

Jacqueline is cheered with shouts of "Hail to the Empress of the Instellar Void!" "Glory to Jacqueline the 1st!", coming from a dozen of mixed people, junior officers for whom this is their first time staffing a heavy cruiser (or larger), and mainly non-commissioned crew.

They cover Jacqueline with origami flowers, confetti, necklaces built with art, but from material like noodles. Participants don't mock the astrogator personally, but rather laugh with her at their own farce.

When the lookouts at both ends of the corridor signal the free passage, Her Imperial Majesty is brought to a hangar. Again, everything is improvised, such as her throne made from crates of Emergency Rations draped in mylar space blankets.

"Thou, Imperial Highness, Who Graces the Ship with Her unclassifiable Elegance, Please be our Fashion and Good Taste Authority", a herald recites. Then Jacqueline is offered the choice between many foods prepared by members of the Engineering team. They did their best to invent new tastes, but the result is poor, except a few surprises.

- How does Jacqueline adjudge this culinary competition, and award the (chocolate) medals ? Creativity is expected from her part!

There is also a cocktail-making competition. All cocktails are conceived with smuggled alcoholic beverages. The participants have already tasted it and are happy. Jacqueline has to take a sip of two dozen glasses, how will she avoid getting drunk ?

During all that, "volunteers" await every orders, ready to get the Empress everything she wishes, be it drinks, food, change the music, stand and sing the Navy anthem, dance a hula, whatever silly thing strikes her fancy. The sillier, the funnier!

Jacqueline is at first annoyed that they interrupted her moment with Hrolf, and nervous that they might know about how she feels. That quickly changes to embarrassment as the crew drape her with the origami. She hadn't expected to be the center of attention. It's a rare situation for her to be in, at least in the Navy. Jacqueline closes her eyes and for a long moment and says nothing. At least in the Navy... When she opens them, nothing has physically changed, but her demeanor, carriage and tone of voice are all quite different. "I shall condescend to try them, but I expect your best efforts!" she says imperiously. Most of the crew had met the shy Sublieutenant Yune, but they had never seen Lady Jaqueline of Strouden. If they want an Empress, she can do that; it had been a while since she had been in a high society environment, but the training didn't go away. She gets into the spirit of things and confidently issues orders to her 'servants' and demands both song and dance. She judges the culinary competition using all the high-flown language one might expect used to describe a noble's dessert. Although the food isn't the best, it's part of the fun to pretend they are masterpieces, and Jacqueline awards the medals "For their noble ans self-sacrificing dedication to their very hungry Empress".
The cocktails, on the other hand, cause trouble. Although she engages with much the same spirit, she is tipsy by the end of it.

The focus of the little crowd of merrymakers waved when Jacqueline closed her eyes for what seemed an eternity, and silence was about to settle in. Iita, watching from afar, cursed under her breath, afraid that the unobtrusive sublieutenant would flounder and start to sob, ruining the joke and the party. Then it looked like Jacqueline's personality changed, and all participants were relieved that she went along.

There were even glances exchanged as Lady Jacqueline got into the part : "Is this really Yune!?", they exclaimed between themselves ; "Look how she's acting the role - she must be a great actress where she's from!". And the roar went louder as the farce went better than expected. Overall, the audience was clearly seduced by the new Empress of the Void, her witty remarks, her comebacks and above all her grace. Hrolf was the most flabbergasted of all, as he thought he knew Jackie, the simple common girl who liked cheerleader's routines (that's all he had remembered about her); so the tall man stood still with his mouth open.

The remaining cocktails were quickly gulped, and "DJ. A.I." started mixing Zeng's latest hits. Iita had requested "dance" music, so everybody was quick to hit the dance floor. Jacqueline couldn't control her feet from keeping the beat of the rhythm.

- does Jacqueline leave all the regalia of her current status (3d-printed crown, scrub-brush scepter, mantle made from survival blanket...) and join the dance ? If yes, how does she react when she's invited to lead the conga dance?

After some hyperactive dances, the IA settled for a waltz. Everybody both looked for a dance partner and eyed who the Empress was going to dance with. Hrolf was alone at the back, eyes staring at her, impenetrable.

- Will Jacqueline walk a few decisive steps to Hrolf, to invite him to be her dance partner, thus exposing their relationship to the whole ship (because - gossip)?

At some time, Jacqueline excused herself because her feet hurt, or she was sweating [or for any other reason]. But as she came back from her break, Iita was waiting for her and held her arm. "Jacqueline, uh I mean your Highness", she said with a concerned face, "It seems your noble behavior ringed so genuine it has impressed two officers. You've been chosen as an arbiter for a disciplinary dispute that both parties don't want to bring to the attention of the captain, as it might ruin one career -or both.".

Iita brought the sublieutenant inside a shuttle in the hangar. "This is not an exercise", she whispered, worried about an unexpected, serious, consequence of the party she'd set - "Be wise!".

Compared to the dance floor, the atmosphere was tense and quiet aboard the shuttle. Iita formally introduced Lieutenant Mammady Kaouthrak - who Jacqueline knew as the Lieutenant Bridge Engineer - and "Colonel", the Spy Guy. Both swore again that they would respect Yune's decision with no recourse to appeal.

Kaouthrak, a short, nervous Suerrat, exposed his griefs immediately : "Allah is my witness that Colonel here has insulted me! First, despised reminders to call me KaouthRAK, not 'the Suerrat', he repeatedly enjoyed calling me by my race, to diminish me. Then he exposed loudly and to everyone that Muslims are backwards people, and Seurrats were barbarians and rebels. In the end, even the Prophet can withstand so much, and Colonel deserved what he got, even more! (but Allah is Merciful)"

The Colonel, in his casual uniform, looked detached and at ease: "I didn't know Suerrat had such a quick temper...", he stated, annoyed, while palpating his reddened and inflated chin. "One cannot express freely here... I just exposed the facts, that  the Suerrat claim to be a Major Race as they would have independently developed interstellar travel. However this was based on generation ships, not jump technology, so the claim is invalid. Every educated person knows that. I also reminded him that the Tech level of Ilelish is only A - fact. And that the history of Ilelish is marked by the Ilelish Revolt and secession - fact. Then the Imperial Navy had no choice but to sterilize a large portion of the planet's equatorial region - fact. All those undeniable truths - and yes my personal views regarding primitive creeds - seem to have been too much for the self-control of our little red fur ball here, who jumped down my throat. This is an inappropriate conduct for a Navy officer and I demand reparation!"

All eyes were now on Jacqueline.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:07, Mon 13 Mar 2023.

Jacqueline was enjoying herself. When she behaved this way she was usually nervous about messing up and embarrassing her family; it was rare to show her noblewoman side and be in good humor.

She loved to dance, although it was very different styles of dance that she was used to, and hit the dance floor, although only after making a big show of taking off her 'crown'. Jacqueline demurred when asked to lead the conga, since she was not familiar with it, erroneously assuming it was complicated.

She didn't ask Hrolf to dance with her, at least not at first. Rather, she stepped towards him, and through her smile and pose invited him to ask her. She only asked if he didn't first. This sort of dance suited her perfectly, and she could waltz as well as any lady of the court.

Jacqueline tried not to let her stress show when Iita brought her in to arbitrate the dispute. She wasn't in a great state for it. Still, she looked thoughtful and listened respectfully.
"The Ilelish revolt was a thousand years ago. It's silly to hold that against someone." she pointed out. It also made her think of Feri... but despite its importance to her it wasn't important right now. "You might as well say the same of me after the Solomani Rim War, I'm Solomani. I'm going to have to side with Kaouthrak here."

The crowd cheered when The Empress of the void joined the dance, then forgot about her and evacuated the participants' stress through dance moves. The dances were helluva fun. The conga line was hilarious, because everybody looked ridiculous and childish, and reveled into it!

The waltz led to a sort of drama between Hrolf and Jacqueline. First, when the Empress strided to him, Hrolf did not react, kept a straight face, didn't look Jacqueline in the eyes, being in his "hiding my emotions" mode. So Jacqueline had to ask him to be her dance partner. Hrolf reluctantly agreed. Then, there was this difference in size - when Jacqueline was facing Hrolf's chest and her arms could barely reach his shoulders. From an outside point of view, they would probably look "cute", but for both of them the term for their feeling would be "embarrassing".

Then Hrolf couldn't keep up with the rhythm; it looked as if he had been paralyzed or drugged. He didn't show how supple he was; on the contrary he was the clumsiest of all dance partners. He stepped on Jacqueline's foot, then stopped brusquely to apologize, while Jacqueline was guiding him, so he stumbled forward and nearly fell on her!

At that moment, every dancer and every beholder was probably giggling at them. Hrolf bowed down and retreated, dropping Jacqueline alone in the middle of the ballet. [This is probably when Jacqueline escaped to the bathroom]. Jacqueline racked her brains to get the cause of Hrolf's change of behavior, then it struck her: he was impressed by her noble manners! Hrolf did not see her as "Jackie-the-mate at the gym" anymore, but "Lady Jacqueline of Somewhere", and deemed himself unworthy of her - not to mention that he wasn't of noble lineage nor education himself, and did not want to risk creating problems with her family ("This is what we do to villeins who knock up our daughters", the daimyo said, before pushing Hrolf from the top of the castle's walls - the rotting corpse of the ex-chief pilot hanging high at the end of a rope would serve as a due warning for the masses).

------------in the shuttle-------
Colonel sighed loudly. "Maybe you do not understand what's at stake, Yune", he said in a frustrated tone. "This is not a debate between historians. Or it should have stayed this way. What I exposed was not an insult, yet Lieutenant Kaoufrak lost his nerves and sucker punched me like a thug! I was on the brink of challenging him to a duel, but then I realized our Captain-Baron might hold it against me and besides, a duel is held between equals. Please hand down an appropriate punishment for the Suerrat's aggression!"

Mammady Kaouthrak was standing on all fours, and snarled "It was a regular left hook!"

Jacqueline was an easy dancer and had been having a real good time. She didn’t mind at all how much bigger Hrolf was than her. She was mortified, though, when she realized she had accidentally driven him away. She should have known better; she had never hidden her noble status exactly but neither had she revealed it. She would have to do something to make it up to him. If she’d ruined everything… that was too much to even consider.

On the shuttle:
Jacqueline nodded softly. Now she understood “As rude as his behavior was, you can’t assault a fellow officer.” She said to Kaouthrak. “Did you have to spend time in medbay?” she asked Colonel

Maybe Hrolf was also upset because he had warned Jacqueline in msg #17:"We can't be seen together.". Jacqueline having done just the opposite, maybe he was sulking because she didn't follow his instructions. Some Swordworlds tended to have a patriarcal culture, where women were supposed to follow recommandations. Was the pilot's clumsiness a way to express his displeasure? Why did he not vocalize it? As Jacqueline's mother said: "Men are such a complex species, never speaking their mind, you can't understand them, plus they are oversensitive and hormone-driven. No wonder so many of them end up single!"

On the Shuttle:
Kaouthrak grumbled: "You haven't been the subject of Colonel's 'jokes'. He's not rude... he's the perfect asshole jerk!"

Colonel replied to Jacqueline in a haughty tone: "I am strong enough to endure baby-Suerrats' feeble assaults. If I had gone to the medbay, you should not ignore that I'd have to fill a report, bringing a long-deserved end to this Barbarian's career in the Navy - but to the price of staining my Honor. Now, what severe punishment will you inflict on it?"

Iita whispered in Jacqueline's ear: "You can't let Colonel get away with it?! He pushed all KaouthRAK's buttons and now complain about the consequences. I already want to punch his arrogant racist face!".

"That's enough." Jacqueline said to Colonel with all the authority she could muster. "I can't approve of punching a fellow officer but no officer has any business talking about his fellow officers this way, Colonel. We must bury this feud before it gets worse. Kaouthrak did give Colonel a punch, and fair's fair; one punch for another. So, Colonel, get Kaouthrak a glass of punch; I think it was over near the cocktails. Non-alcoholic for our Muslim friend. Then we'll drink toasts together to the noble-and unfairly maligned- Ileshi people. Else I'll have to demote you to Lieutenant Colonel, and that'd just be a mouthful."

[sorry, busy week]

Colonel was not impressed by Jacqueline's authority, and opened his mouth to protest and argue.
"Remember you swore to respect the arbiter's decision!", Tsetsegma interjected.

The master spy sank in his seat, joining his fingers by the tips. Eyes half-closed, he seemed to introspect. An awkward silence fell in the cabin.

Eventually, the Intelligence officer opened his eyes and smiled : "A punch for a punch... what a preposterous decision, and such an awful pun! Very well... I shall virgin-punch the Suerrat!", he guffawed. "But just one request,..." - he raised his finger as he turned to Kaouthrak - "you gorillas sure can pack a punch... I should have reacted faster to the assault. KaouthRAK, will you teach me your moves, your four-legs biffs, at the gym, on the ring? I've got to be able to defend myself..." And he extended his hand.

It was Kaouthrak's turn to guffaw : "You mean you offer me a way to pummel your dickhead... legally? Of course I'll teach you my strikes - the hard way! You'll be an expert in Suerrat's quadridextrous fight in no time!". The Lieutenant shook his opponent's hand with a carnivorous grin. With a regretful sigh, he added "However, Allah is Merciful and Compassionate and so must I be. I won't hit you too hard.".

Arm in arm, the previous enemies stepped off the shuttle and strode to the cocktails table. They clinked glasses. Kaouthrak went on lecturing on the basics of islam, and Colonel tried to drown his boredom in stronger and stronger beverages.

The other guests cheered when they saw the Empress again. The party had declined in intensity, the participants being tipsy and tired. Iita looked at her watch. "We've got a little time left before the shift nears its end and we have to clean the place - the XO's agreed to turn a blind eye to the party only if it happened during off-duty hours... Let's finish in a gran finale!". She hailed the crowd: "Let's do the Pyramid dance!"

----The Pyramid Dance----
A fad at Tseng. The principle is easy: a high-energy music is put on; Jacqueline stands on the throne and improvises some aerobic dances. A giant image of her is projected on the opposite wall.
Their backs to the "Pharaoh", a step below, three "vizirs" mimic her moves, then 9 grand-priests before them try to synchronize, etc, until all participants dance in unisson, as the inmates of the Philippine's inmates of the Detention and Rehabilitation Center. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPDRC_Dancing_Inmates. The dancers can watch themselves from above doing the mass choregraphy routine via another projection on the ceiling.
-------------
A great responsibility weighted on the shoulders of the Astrogator. Should she be unable to follow the music beat and/or improvise gracious moves, her next imitators would not follow properly and the choregraphy would fall into chaos (...and laughter!). But if she succeeded leading a spectacular choregraphy, the video of it would spread among the crew - and beyond! - and Jacqueline would become a respected instant celebrity!

[Now, roll for DEX + any skill you find appropriate, -2 because of the stress and tiredness! :)]

Jacqueline blinked a few times after Colonel left with Kaouthrak, her imperious routine faltering. "I was nervous that wouldn't work out right" she admitted Iita. She smiled, pleased. "The most serious matter went the best. Now I just need to figure out how to smooth things over with Hrolf."

When she returned to the party, she would have liked to refuse the dance but it was too late to back out at this point. Unfortunately, between being tispy and tired she rather made a mess of things, and when the laughter broke out she did her best to be in on it and laugh at her own performance.


22:42, Today: Jacqueline Yune rolled 3 using 2d6-1.  Dance at -2.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:50, Fri 31 Mar 2023.

- First song : a rhythmic song (think "September", by Earth, Wind and Fire). Jacqueline dances to the right, dances to the left, waves her arms like she does her morning gym. The 3 Vizirs follow, the grand priests follow, the crowd find the moves are lazy and shouts of "more energy!" and "bo-ring!" are heard here and there.

- Second song : a high-energy song about a someone having her lover in close orbit, revolving around the helpless singer (think Dead or Alive's "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)"). Jacqueline decides it would be a nice idea to spin, herself : so, for the duration of the piece, she rotates, always clockwise. The Vizirs rotate non-stop, the audience rotates. Jacqueline turns faster, and all participants spin like Whirling Dervishes...

Obviously, when the music stops, Jacqueline finds she is dizzy. She stumbles right and left, hunched with nausea, yet she has to continue to dance!
All the participants mimic those gestures, some with parody and exaggerated moves, some with true head spin. For an outside observer [nudge nudge Captain], all dancers look like a crowd of drunks trying to find their footing...
However during this, all participants are excited beyond measure and shout "Em-PRESS, Em-PRESS, A-no-THER! A-no-THER!"

- Third song : (think "we will rock you"), by Queen - simple verses, rhythmic claps - the crowd manages to clap approximately at the same time, even though Jacqueline is completely lost and out of tempo. Then the guitar solo "attacks" and Jacqueline feels like air-guitaring; she jumps left and right waving her imaginary guitar, and - as a true rocker-queen - falls back down; but knees high, she keeps on shredding "the guitar" (and her coat) like some demented epileptic teen. While doing that, she accidentally rolls over the top step of the pyramid, and lands on the Vizirs. They do the same and plunge on the step below.
At the end of the song, all dancers are crawling on the floor, looking - and probably being - "stoned".

The pyramid dance is obviously over and a complete failure as far as art, show and synchronous dance are considered; but everybody is giggling at the unforgettable moments - the following days Jacqueline will be high-fived by lots of people who come the other way.

There are two positives effects out of this catastrophic choregraphy, though

Aside, a drunk Colonel had decided to come to blows; while the sober Suerrat dodged the Colonel's fists, he also was trying to follow the dance moves. When the pyramid crumbled chaotically, the dazzled Colonel fell on his bottom and laughed like a demented donkey. Crisis averted!
This message was last edited by the player at 21:48, Sun 02 Apr 2023.

Hrolf had observed Jacqueline during the show and smiled.
He found her much less noble and impressive now!

Baron Thenroy Reziilka strode through the narrow corridors of his battlecruiser, his eyes narrowed with suspicion as he picked up the sounds of raucous laughter and music drifting down from the upper decks. He paused and listened, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword as he recognized the unmistakable sounds of a party in full swing.

Behind him a sniveling junior officer was hurrying to stay at his heels. Ensign Jansen was a sickly looking man, thin of stature and with a pointed nose. He had a worried look on his face as he tried to keep up. When he had informed the Captain of what was going on he had thought he would get his reward and get to slink away but instead the Captain had ordered the officer to "Show him" and then proceeded to march at such a pace that Jansen could barely keep up.

The doors opened and a hush spread through the crowd. Laughter and conversations faded, someone quickly killed the music and they all turned to face him. Among many of the crew their faces were filled with a mixture of fear and apprehension. Behind the Captain, Ensign Jansen tried his best to become one with the shadows of the doorway.

"Do you think this is a game? Do you think this is a simple job where when your shift is done you get to forget your work and have a few cocktails? Need I remind you that many have already died and many more will perish if we do not end this pirate threat now.

He stormed towards the group, his eyes scanning each of them in turn, and then turned his attention to the junior officer still hiding in the doorway.

<b><red>"Ensign Jansen here felt he had the need to inform me what was happening on the ship right under my very nose. It is a disgrace that I have to find out about this from him."

He marched back and grabbed Jansen by the shoulder and dragged him out into the spotlight.

"I don't know what is more a disgrace. The behavior of my officers, or the actions of a coward and a traitor willing to sell his colleagues out for his own career."

Jansen had been nervous before but now seemed to melt under the blazing reprimand of Captain Theroy. Thenroy barked out a sharp forced laugh.

"I lie, of course. Frivolity I can forgive. Excessive pride in a job well done I can forgive. A secret party that brings the crew together to work as a more cohesive unit, I can forgive. But betraying the trust of your fellow officers? Putting their careers in jeopardy just for a chance at a quicker jump up the ladder?"

At this point all of Thenroy's anger was focused like a laser beam right on Jansen's shaking form.

"Cowardice and disloyalty? That, I cannot forgive."

He raised his voice and turned his back on the ensign and addressed the crew again.

"I expect this place to be spotless and everyone ready to report back to duty by the next hour. And I expect that Ensign Traitor here be suitably punished with a lesson about loyalty he shall not soon forget."

With that, he turned on his heel and stalked out of the room, his black cloak billowing behind him as he headed back to his quarters, leaving the officers standing in stunned silence.

As soon as the Captain had crossed the threshold of the warehouse, Iita shouted: "GET ENSIGN JANSEN!"

A quick chase followed, and the Ensign was quickly tackled by a posse - drunk, but superior in numbers.

Iita seized the microphone: "All hands on deck! - so to say. Stay here! You heard the Captain...
We've got 40 minutes to clean the place and 15 minutes to shower and change before taking our next shift.
Don't be stupid and summon all cleaning droids, they should do the job in 30 minutes. Chop chop!"

[Let's see... That'll be a Leadership roll (+1)... coupled with Intelligence (+1) to organize all these people functionally together. They are "stoned", say -1, but the fear of the Captain is a powerful stimulant: +2
Iita Tsetsegma rolled 11 using 2d6+3.  Leadership.]


Iita rapped orders, and the crowd scattered in small groups to get their hands on cleaning droids and machines, while some stayed there do dismantle the throne and evacuate the participants who couldn't stand up anymore.

The chase team, led by a newly acquired habit, presented their prey to Yune: "Empress, what punishment would you find suitable for this rascal?!". Some buckets of vomit and waste had already been emptied over the Ensign's head.

Jacqueline gasped in shock when the Captain came in. She did not want to look a fool in front of the Captain, whom she admired. Lady Jacqueline disappeared and Sublieutenant Yune returned. She was greatly relieved when the Captain said he could forgive them. "Yes sir, we'll take care of it" she said when the Captain told them to have everything cleaned in one hour.

She took a deep breath and tried to resume her noble demeanor, tough when she had been drinking and after the shock of the Captain's appearance "You should have just joined us Jansen. A bit of unwinding is good for efficiency. Have some drinks. You'll have to lose your uniform, though, we're off duty. And I don't see any other clothes around." She meant in his underwear, not naked. "And if we're going to clean this up we shall need some entertainment while we work. You shall dance for the amusement of your Empress and her loyal subjects."