Zeros watched, stunned, as The Craver savagely beat the door inwards.

{Maybe you missed a click in there somewhere?}

[Or the recording you took meant something slightly different than we thought....]

Either way the result was spectacular. Not for the first time in it's existence The Automaton was glad for it's lack of ears. The Craver spoke. And Zeros responded as The Automaton stepped carefully through the smashed portal.

"Yes, well," Zeros was momentarily at a loss for words. The destruction would take quite some time to repair, much more than it would to fix the gun!  "Technically I don't have the capacity to speak any language naturally. My intention had been for you to enter your access code. But all I can say is what I've heard, recited as recorded, with a consistent modulation pattern." The Automaton picked up part of the magnetic lock, soothing the tiny electronic mind that was flickering out and trying to salvage as much of it as Zeros could. They felt immense sadness as it died. "Clearly my Craver is lacking in subtlety." The Automaton paused for a moment, surveying the wreckage and flicked a nearby light switch on to brighten the darkened room. Trying chase away the shadows growing in Zeros as it did.  "Hopefully I can increase my vocabulary in the future, to prevent further miscommunication." Zeros lifted The Automatons head and locked ocular inputs with Decius. "As menacing as your race can be, your linguistics are beautiful."The Automaton turned in the direction it could feel the repetitive clicking from. Other injuries needed mending. The Automaton quickly remembered something that had almost eluded Zeros. "Please leave the door here, repairing it will be quite a task without all the parts."

"If I may break the silence, I would like to announce myself." The robot gave a polite nod to the crew-members. "My name is Laudmas Achromb and as all of you can see, I am not completely made out of flesh nor do some other crewmates." With confidence, the ancient robot spoke while prompting to Valorum and Dhanyl. "However, I expect and ask that all of you would hopefully treat each other respectfully while we are working together on this ship to achieve each of our personal goals. Let us not take the fool-hardy decision of rushing to complete a single objective for one individual, while we could have co-operated all together and strive for the greater good of each and every one of us." 

"Hopefully, we could achieve the latter." Laudmas added.

"Now, I suppose the acting captain on-board the ship would like to continue and explain the current situation on board the ship. Would the acting captain kindly announce him or herself and explain the situation?"

"In case case you didn't figure it out from me sitting in the Captain's chair", Ylona began sarcastically, "that'd be me."

Seeing that everyone was present, she stood up and ordered: "Stand to attention, everyone. I am your superior at the moment, and I also want to take holo-recordings from each of you, since there ceremony is starting in half an hour and I doubt we will be finished by then." Glaring at those who didn't follow her order until everyone was at least upright, she switched on the recorder.

Once she had enough, she announced while switching the device off: "At ease. Captain Yerem was called in to explain his hiring choices to his higher-ups, who weren't happy to learn he'd hired Vodyani and Craver, among other things. They can't replace the crew this close to the launch, so nobody else will have to worry about their jobs. To make sure we don't offend them more, I'll pretend to be the Captain during the ceremony and you", she said pointing at Ricards, "are going to appear as first mate. That ranking of the holograms standing to attention down there isn't going to be the truth, however."

She took a deep breath, then plunged on: "Because what I called you here for is to discuss who will actually take over the captain's position. The Pilgrim leadership has offered it to me, but I'll be honest, I'm not good for it. The Savior would have been my first time ever to hold a position of authority. While I think I might manage being First Mate, I'm not going to be captain when there are so many people who actually have experience."

Her gaze wandering around the room, she lists: "I've read your dossiers. Rolak, you've already been second in command before. Same with you, Alice. Hadrian, you've been to an officer's academy. While I'm not sure what you've served as, Valorum, the way you walk makes it clear you're used to a high rank. Even our little spectator here", she finishes with a little gesture towards Dhanyl, "has at least experience in ordering scientists around. I'm a woman who just knows how to read star charts. So, for the sake of any of us reaching their goals, I ask that one of you steps up to the challenge."

Upon seeing him enter, Valorum offered the Sheredyn man a salute; more specifically, a Sheredyn salute, holding his left fist over his right shoulder. It had become a force of habit, really, since his time on Gemini III. Any Sheredyn he came across had his unwavering gratitude for their honorable conduct and a salute was the least he could do to show it. Curiously, the Sheredyn 'Ricards' immediately went to stand next to Valorum too, which, although he could not really show it, surprised the former Admiral. For once, someone who wasn't Vodyani was instantly comfortable with him. Something of a welcome change, particularly as the two stood to attention; while Valorum placed his free hand behind his back and straightened his glaive next to him for the holo-scan, Ricard's head turned slightly in Valorum's direction. Seeing the motion in his peripherals, Valorum could feel a sense of admiration emanating from the young man.

Perfectly comfortable and remarkably respectful, this one. He must know of my service...

As he shifted his attention back to the holo-scanner Ylona was using, if more from manners than practicality, Valorum began to wonder; how much did Ricards know? He'd at least know that Val was once an admiral, that was certain, but the history of his fleet? The outcomes of his engagements in Sheredyn systems? The impact of the treaties he signed? Though his past was not entirely a badge of honour, Valorum couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride thinking his exploits were spoken of among his old comrades.

-----

By now, Ylona had finished talking and Valorum was feeling a myriad of emotions about this turn of events.

Oh dear. That is...extremely unfortunate.

Embarrassingly, it sounded like Valorum was the only one who actually had experience leading expeditions into unknown territory. Granted, he usually had a fully armed escort and was steering an Ark between systems, but he'd been on scouting expeditions with only a ship or two before...once. At least if Ricards had officer training, then Valorum's exploits probably weren't just known to him; they were studied in depth. If he became captain, it would be good to have a subordinate who had a sort of prior history with his maneuvers. After a moment of silence, Valorum made a noise like he was clearing his throat before addressing Ylona with a praising tone:

"No soul brave enough to admit their faults should be forced to abide a task they do not desire. I respect your decision, m'lady."

He then changed his tone to one more serious as he regarded the others present.

"Regarding the matter, you are correct that I do have prior experience as a captain of ships. I would be more than honoured to take command, but there are some rather serious concerns to be addressed. For starters, I've had..."

He pauses slightly to look discreetly at Laudmas and Dhanyl in his periphery before continuing:

"...difficulties interacting with the crew. I'm hesitant to think that I would be trusted in such a position by most aboard the Saviour. Furthermore, I'd like to apologize, for if you speak truthfully, then I am mostly to blame for this happening at all. Therefore, taking the post of a captain I inadvertently removed could be...uncomfortable for most involved, to say the least."

As if to show his sincerity and shame, Valorum bowed his head, allowing the others to speak.

"My apologies, I was speaking about serving Miss Ylona as First Mate who I still feel is the most qualified to command."  Alice corrected herself, "I apologize if I did not make that clearer.  I agree that disruptions should be kept to a minimum."

(I did in fact word that oddly, but she was addressing Ylona)

Rolak was not happy. First he was lead on a wild goose chase by faulty sensors (damn pilgrims and their aesthetics over utility attitude), then he finds out that the captain that his...employers, had funded the mission for had been removed from his post by a bunch of uppity politicians. At least Lumerian politicians have the decency to stick by their decisions (and by further extent their investments) when they make them. Still...for Ylona to name him as one of the possible candidates for captain warmed his heart more than a little. She was a good kid, and was more fit for captain's position than she realized. She followed orders with a flexible attitude, had already connected well with every crewmember that she had come across, and even had the humility to actually call this meeting about the captaincy nstead of just taking the position without regards towards the feelings of the crew. That was captain material in his book.

"Sorry Ylona." Rolak chuckled, "But I'm afraid that since I'm technically here to make sure the investments of our benefactors stay in one piece, my being captain would create a conflict of interest between the 4 families and the Pilgrim leadership. So I'm not a viable option for the captaincy."

((I have returned ))

                The magazine room nearly darkens with Decius’ shrug of disappointment. Jadedly replacing the door on the floor inside of the now misshapen and bent room, he exits swiftly without a sound. His frame glows red as he moves through the halls prowling like a hunting cat for ideas. Passing the bunk room, a thought pops into his head. Entering the cramped space once again, he moves to the bunk claimed as his own. Studying the padding, it appears just right for his purpose. Tearing out the fibrous material proved harder than he had thought it would be, but still provided little resistance to four mechanically assisted arms.

                Leaving the room and moving up the elevator with the carcass of his soft, cottony bed trailing fluffy white entrails behind him, Decius looks to his consciousness. Requiring information on the authorities of the ship, he listens to the conversation in the captain’s cabin. Using parameters to clear out confusion and applying a sound kinetics program to the ship’s construction diagram, the small vibrations moving through the air can be singled out into clear voices.

                Taking note of the individual auditory signals and matching them to the roles and races called for on the list, a quick mental map of the important people on board is formed. Through simple logical extrapolation Decius decides the best way to act around certain entities and what mannerisms to adopt around others, as well as those to be befriended and those to be observed. Social situations and customs are easily compiled, whole scenarios played out in his memory banks.

                The elevator reaches the floor with a ding, and he steps out now aware of many around him; returning to the life support room, the Craver smiles inwardly with his newfound knowledge. Laying down his bedding in the warm, dark, damp, cavernous room he thinks to himself:

                “This is going to be easier than I thought.”

The ancient robot was still staring at the hologram. It showed a large insect with long, spindly legs that were protected with long, jagged spikes. It moved like a locomotive, and the ancient robot could imagine it puffing steam.

      "Experiences? I suppose I do have plenty of experiences. But good experiences with leading others?" Laudmas laughed. "Not something we can all count on." The ancient robot grinned a little but then, similar to how a grandfather would give a advice to his most favourite and youngest grandson, he added "But, if you want me to share my opinions, I believe it would be more ideal to listen to the words of other before judging yourself. Because of that rule, I'm afraid I would not like to boast my achievements. Though, I cannot always promise that." He said with a wink and a slight twinkle in his visor. "I would be honoured to become the captain, but for now, I would prefer to hear the opinions and voices of others. Let us continue."

Dhanyl already got bored when they started the introductions and because nothing interesting happened since then he tried to kill the time. Now, surprised that he got addressed he stopped the game of Tetris he was currently playing on his helmet screen, one of the few human games that managed to entertain him, and answered the vodyani.

"Leading experience? As our temporary Captain said, I've got a lot experience in 'ordering Scientists' around. On a Sophon ship. A Sophon ship with the main objective of finding and exploring new Stars, Planets and Anomalies. A ship whose crew consisted mostly of scientists. To ninety-six percent of scientists." 

While saying that he looked to Ylona, his voice slightly sharp and with a bit of condescension. He didn't like the 'little guest' at all.

"Also, the chain of Comand is slightly different on sophon ships than on ships of other races. The rank of the chief scientist and the one of the Captain are more or less equal. Decisions are made in agreement between them. The captain takes complete control in militaristic situations, so I have no experience with that. But as long as we are not under attack, I would say that I am capable of being the Captain of this ship."