Biomechanical Nerds

[Chelley]

((this is a simultaneous side story. the characters in it are not part of the main crew and thus were not at Arbortoreum, though this story takes place at the same time as the main thread))

In his quarters, which were thankfully quite spacious, Patrick Morningstar was carefully putting away his belongings. He was still not certain how he had allowed himself to be talked into going on this trip, but he couldn't let Marie go on her own. He was the only one that understood how her body worked. The very idea that something might happen to her and she would unable to function was enough to make him follow her anywhere she wanted to go. That had now led him to the Harbinger Expedition. He had no particular job on the Harbinger, though if something came up, he was sure he'd be able to help. Right now though all he wanted was to get his stuff neatly put away. After that he would explore he ship and see what wonders it beheld.

"Marie? Alison? Either of you girls want to come explore the ship with me?"

He ducked as he came out of the bedroom. Most of the doors were too short for him, but thankfully the ceilings were not. He pushed his glasses back up on his nose and looked at the two ladies in question, waiting for an answer.

[Elliot]

Alison was in the door of her "bedroom", simply staring inside. See, she had packed the room full of various half-finished gadgets and random mechanical parts to the point that it was no longer a bedroom, but more of a junk pile. There was no way she'd be sleeping in there, it was just too cramped. "I...think I'll need to bunk with you." She scratched the back of her bald scaled head, turned to look at Pat while pushing her glasses back up her short beak, and gave him a cheesy smile. "If that's alright with you! I don't think I'll fit in there."

Marie rolled her mechanical eyes and sighed. Alison always was such a nerd, but then again that's she loved her. The same went for Pat, only he typically was a lot neater. Marie didn't need a bunk. Given her body's construction, she could rest pretty much anywhere, including on her feet, as it was only her brain that really needed any sleep. "Sure, I'll go! Might as well see where we're living for the next decade."

Alison spoke up. "I'll go too. And it could be longer. Who knows what's out there."

"Will it be dangerous?"
"Probably not for you, miss metal pants. Unless we get blown up."
"...I don't want to be blown up."

This time it was Alison's turn to roll her eyes. She adjusted her shirt as she took the few steps over to Marie, and gave the metal gazelle a quick hug. "I'm sure we won't be blown up." Marie for her part nodded and gave a half-hearted smile, though she was obviously still thinking about it. Alison nodded back to Pat. "We're ready if you are!"

[Chelley]

Pat chuckled at Marie's worry.

"Don't worry so much about it, Marie. The Harbinger is not likely to blow up and you won't be likely to be somewhere where you can be blown up."

Pat headed for the main door of their suite, smiling to himself.

"Let's go then girls. The Harbinger awaits."

He held the door open, waiting for them to go through before slipping out himself.

"Where shall we go first? Any ideas?"