Chapter Five: A Show of Hands

[Psychie]

A sudden look of surprise flashes across Mario's face. "Waitaminute! You guys are from the future, right? You might just have some tech in your files that we don't to be able to restore his legs to working order! I admit that I have no idea just why he can't walk, but his dad . . . died . . . on our watch, trying to stop the Zeki-Zentraedi. We owe it to him to try."

Toph looks over at the man and gives him a wide smile. "That is absolutely brilliant! I should have thought of that myself. Mario, you are a wonderful and insightful man. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Now, lets not get ahead of ourselves." She turns her attention over to look at Shirley. "You know Reggie better than we do. Do you know the reason why that the young man is wheelchair bound? It may be a problem that even the science here on the Broadsword cannot fix."

 

[Purr]

Shirley drummed her fingers on the table. She gave Toph a nervous half-grin. "I never worked up the guts to ask him. Plus, when it was his turn in the Red Baroness, all that just didn't seem to matter - he's got a personality that I just can't help but admire. He's just a good kid. I hope he and that Professor Stein fellow are working out O.K.." Shirley adjusted her injured leg. "Guess we'll ask him when we see him next?"

MechaKitten licked Elinor's "paw" a few times in gratitude for the head-scratchies. Being a cat, he was curious about this stuff on Shirley's leg. He strolled over to investigate while Shirley was speaking. It wasn't long before Shirley got annoyed with his sniffing and attempts to touch the Scrath-made cast. She picked him up, plopped him on the table, broke out her smartphone, and pulled up a game.

"Here, you little rascal," she pushed it in front of his nose. "Entertain yourself like the rest of us." An offline video game appeared with lots of swirling colors and moving objects. In moments, the mechanical cat was pawing rapidly and excitedly at the screen. Shirley let him. She was confident it would keep him occupied while doing her phone no harm.

Mack turned to Cera. "Sounds like we have the means and the method to help complete you now. You O.K. with what you are hearing?"

Cera nodded in a military fashion. "I hear and obey, Leader Mack. I am yours to command."

Mack frowned at her. "That's not what we're asking, Cera. Always remember - we're not Ura-Meltrandi. Not even Toph. She's from the Meltrandi of our time who served under Commander Lisara while your people come from..." she still had trouble wrapping her mind around it, "...our future. Point is - we're humans, Cera. We're trying to treat you like one. So, yeah, I'm asking you for your opinion, chick."

Cera fidgeted and remained silent for a moment. Then, she said, "I... I would prefer the company of females in the Broadsword's medbay." She indicated Mack, Toph, Elinor, and Iris. " If, afterward, you desire that I am worthy of martial training. Then perhaps..." Cera's tone implied she did not wish to offend, "...Mario's assistance could prove... useful?"

If this option were taken, those ladies would begin the task. Mario then would spend some time getting to know part of the Broadsword better with Spaceman Sam's assistance. Was this the direction the Wild Cards wished to take?

Meanwhile, MechaKitten continued to play batted around Mack's smartphone with curiosity and glee that only kittens possess.

Spoiler: Cats

Cats vs. iPads. =)

 

[Psychie]

Toph offers up a hand to Cera. "We are a team, Cera, and we will always be here for you. Even that silly male over there." She grins over at Mario to show she's just being silly. "I am not sure how much help I can be, but even if all I can do is be there for you, I will be proud to do so. Mario? Why don't you try to get the Professor on the ship's cell phone signal and get him to come to a safe point to be picked up by the ship. Just remember that the signal will quite possibly be tapped, and act accordingly. Too bad we didn't come up with some code phrases in advance to warn of eavesdropping."

 

[Sherwood]

Mario nods. "No worries there, ma'am. I'll be very careful not to give out too much info." He turns to Sam and asks, "Sam, can I get a look at a map of Florida, showing the location of Eglin Base, along with locations along the coast that either the Broadsword or another vessel can go to rendezvous with Professor Stein and bring him here? I am guessing that the best way to get him here will be with one of the two seater Veritechs of the team, once Cera's procedure is done. Unless you have another auxiliary aircraft that can make the pick up, that is."

 

[Kaerri]

A sudden look of surprise flashes across Mario's face. "Waitaminute! You guys are from the future, right? You might just have some tech in your files that we don't to be able to restore his legs to working order! I admit that I have no idea just why he can't walk, but his dad . . . died . . . on our watch, trying to stop the Zeki-Zentraedi. We owe it to him to try."

Elinor blinked in surprise. She hadn't thought of that at all. "What a terrific idea! I'm all for that if there's a way we can pull it off."

Cera fidgeted and remained silent for a moment. Then, she said, "I... I would prefer the company of females in the Broadsword's medbay." She indicated Mack, Toph, Elinor, and Iris. " If, afterward, you desire that I am worthy of martial training. Then perhaps..." Cera's tone implied she did not wish to offend, "...Mario's assistance could prove... useful?"

Elinor patted Cera's hand comfortingly. It wasn't her fault how she'd been raised, and this seemed to be a time when what she felt comfortable with was important. "I think we all are gonna need some form of martial training, even if it's just as a backup. You never know what's gonna happen, after all. And I think you training with Mario would be good for you in other ways, too. Earth's people don't judge by sex the way Zentraedi an' Meltrandi do, so it'll be good for you to get used to that while you're with us."

"Mario? Why don't you try to get the Professor on the ship's cell phone signal and get him to come to a safe point to be picked up by the ship."

Elinor nodded at Toph and Mario. "That sounds like a plan to me."

 

[Purr]

(Head hurts. Trying to put a post together anyway. Please pardon my goofs. Oh yeah, I almost forgot - this is a big post.)

Toph offers up a hand to Cera. "We are a team, Cera, and we will always be here for you. Even that silly male over there." She grins over at Mario to show she's just being silly. "I am not sure how much help I can be, but even if all I can do is be there for you, I will be proud to do so."

"And I think you training with Mario would be good for you in other ways, too. Earth's people don't judge by sex the way Zentraedi an' Meltrandi do, so it'll be good for you to get used to that while you're with us."

Cera, a bundle of nerves, fidgeted but her military programming and outlook steadied her like a great rock in a tumultuous sea of uncertainty. She straightened to attention and crossed the palm of her right hand over her breast. Her demeanor shifted to solid seriousness and righteous readiness. Cera told the Wild Cards, including Mario. "I believe you. I am prepared to allow you entry into my very being, for I am Ura-Meltrandi and as of this day, I am a Wild Card."

Iris beamed at this. Her eyes shone a pretty, happy green. She gently moved her huge body beside Cera and leaned into the Ura-Meltrandi affectionately. Cera looked up at her, willing to accept her affection, but completely unclear of how to respond to it. Cera smiled briefly.

Mack stood slowly, wobbled a little, and righted herself. "Sam? Could we make this happen now?"

"AYE AYE, MA'AM," came "his" nod and texted reply.

Cera's red-brown eyes narrowed like that of a huntress. "Broadsword, I must remember to find a solution that will allow you to speak. Under the duress of combat, when will we have the opportunity to stop and read your communication?"

Spaceman Sam paused as if in thought, then nodded a second time. The space suit placed its hands together in a rather Japanese manner of agreement and eager request. "WE WOULD APPRECIATE THIS UPGRADE." Then Sam strode over to stand beside Mario while another suit, feminine in design with red markings, approached the other Wild Cards. "PLEASE FOLLOW US TO THE MEDBAY FOR CERA'S COMPLETION."

Cera, eager in her steps despite her uncertainty, was the first to follow.

* * *​

Spoiler: Instrumental Mood Music

Crockett's theme (12" version) by Jan Hammer

Spoiler: Broadsword Medbay

This except the floors are starship-hull solid, colored soft white and singularly-colored, not this "shower stall" boxy tile look.

(Image credit: Morris Miselowski)

After several trips down strange hallways with even stranger identifying symbols and markers, "Spacewoman Samantha" (for lack of any other identification) escorted Toph, Elinor, Cera, and Iris onto an elevator where you were forced to make two trips, as Iris's body mostly took up all of the space in the elevator all by herself. After what seemed like one strange turn after another, you were escorted into a wide room with comfortable-looking bed, holoscreens that took up an entire wall with their display of the big blue ocean complete with the orange sun shining serenely above it all.

"WELCOME," read Samantha's tablet, "TO THE BROADSWORD'S MEDICAL BAY."

This was the Broadsword's medical bay. Like something out of a science-fiction show, it made anything the Army of Southern Cross appear dated, even inefficient, by comparison.

Forcefields, shimmering from floor to ceiling, walled off the two-dozen retractable beds with gently-shining barriers made of silvery force. These dimmed and faded as "Samantha" smoothly crossed the floor to a doorway near the rear of the medbay. The doorway slid open and the Wild Cards, sans Mario, entered. Inside was a second room with only a single bed. This one appeared even more high-tech than the others, with a strange helmet anchored with large wires and cords connected to the wall, along with a great number of screens and scanners filling a wall with medical data so detailed even Toph could not make sense of it all.

Cera stood before the bed, her hands clasped behind her. "Samantha" beckoned and Cera slowly slid onto the bed where her hair was tucked under the strange helmet before it was fitted over her head. A screen blinked with the words, "RELAX. BREATHE EASY. YOU ARE IN CAPABLE HANDS."

"Of course," Cera added with no doubt in her voice.

"PLEASE THINK OF YOUR TRAINING, YOUR EDUCATION, AND YOUR PURPOSE."

Cera took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She seemed to drop into a trance. "Finally," she whispered softly with a note of the deepest exhaustion in it. It was as if her very soul was weary from all of the waiting.

Data exploded onto several screens at once. Anyone with medical training could see vital signs, brain activity, and the like, but Toph alone could tell precious details that would make any modern-day neuroscientist positively drool in delight. Before you all, one screen in particular came to life. This, Samantha pointed out to you, like a mute teacher in a classroom. "RECONSTRUCTION DATA HAS BEEN COMPLETED. PURGING NON-ESSENTIAL DATA. RECONFIGURATION PROCESS MAY BEGIN."

Shaking her head, Mack had to raise her hand. "Uh, English for us non-medical types, please?"

Samantha turned to Mack. "YOU MAY NOW VIEW AND MODIFY CERA'S SKILLSET. DURING THIS PROCESS, YOU MAY SPEAK ALOUD TO COMMUNICATE WITH CERA. ADJUSTMENTS AND SKILL ADDITIONS WILL BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH CERA'S DESIRES, HOWEVER SHE IS UNABLE TO PROCEED. YOUR DIRECTION IS NECESSARY."

"Cera?" Mack asked.

"Yes. I am here, Wild Cards." Cera's lips did not move, but you heard her voice from speakers in the walls. It made her voice sound eerie and mechanical, yet there was also a sense of confidence and readiness there.

"Whoa," Mack looked about this change in communication. "O.K., chick. Explain just what are we supposed to do now?"

Cera instructed, "Examine my skills as an Auxiliary Specialist. My purpose is to design, create, and modify technology, both great and small. As I am, I can design mecha, fighters, even starships. But otherwise, I remain incomplete. Please, help me," her mouth twitched. "I require your recommendations. What should I know to best fulfill my purpose?"

Spoiler: Inside Cera's Mind

Surprise, Wild Cards! Welcome to Cera's character sheet!

Basically, since her beginning, Cera's character sheet was made incomplete. As you check out her data here, take a good look at all of the skill slots in yellow. She has no skills here and cannot decide for herself what to choose. While she has the final say, Cera desperately needs you to do help her along.

Enjoy and have a good time with this , friends!

* * *​

Name: Cera (pronounced "Sarah")
O.C.C.: Ura-Meltrandi Auxiliary Specialist
Experience Level: 2nd (18 RP points with 2 more go to until 3rd level)
Rank: Auxiliary Specialist (low-ranking)
Call-sign: None.

Alignment: Scrupulous
Age: Now 36 hours old (since she emerged from the tank; 10 years as an entity in the Ura-Meltrandi computer until she came to "life" as the first of her kind).
Sex: Female
Disposition: Curious, dedicated, proud to be Ura-Meltrandi, unsure of herself and anything not Meltrandi, including the Wild Cards.
Height: 5 feet, 6 inches
Build: Lithe and strong like a gymnast.
Hair: Deep brown, straight, shoulder-length, often worn in a pony-tail as in the terrific artwork below.
Eyes: Reddish-brown, often fierce, sometimes shy.
Ethnic Origin: Ura-Meltrandi


(Image credit: Leo Chuang Pinterest )

Cera while Traversing

(Image credit: Pinterest )

Personal Hobbies: Learning and mastering new technology, war history, modifying mecha and starships.
Special Aptitude: Quick Reflexes: +3 on Initiative Rolls

Attributes
I.Q.: 23 +9%/+4 (+1 bonus attribute from 2nd level)
M.E.: 19 +2
M.A.: 14
P.S.: 16 +1
P.P.: 18 +2
P.E.: 18 +2
P.B.: 17
Spd: 21

Hit Points: 20/20
S.D.C.: 16
Initiative: +3 (Natural Talent)
Attacks Per Round: Four
Strike: +2
Parry: +2
Dodge: +2
Roll: +2
Pull Punch: +4

Skills (GM Note: When your skills exceed 98%, list the true percentage. In case of skill penalties, the PC can take the penalty down from the true percentage if it's higher than 98%.)

Common Skill Set (Zentraedi/Meltrandi)
Barter: 43% +4%
Computer Operation: 76% + 3%
Language: Zentraedi: 109% + 2%
Literacy: Zentraedi: 109% + 2%
Mathematics Basic: 81% + 3%

R.C.C. Skills
Climbing: 59% + 5%
Military Etiquette: 64% +5%
NBC Warfare: 54% +5%
Radio: Basic: 69% +5%
Space Survival: 39% + 5%
Zero Gravity Combat
W.P. None! (Empty available W.P. slot - her early release from her gene-tanks prevented her from learning W.P. Energy Pistol +1.)
W.P. None! (Empty available W.P. slot - her early release from her gene-tanks prevented her from learning W.P. Energy Rifle +1.)
Hand to Hand: Basic

M.O.S. (using Technical Officer O.O.C. from Expeditionary Force Marines Sourcebook, page 32)
Electrical Engineering: 59% +5%
Jury-Rig: 49% +5%
Mathematics: Advanced: 89% +2%
Mecha Engineering: 54% +5%
Mechanical Engineering: 49% +5%
Weapons Engineer: 49% +5%
Vehicle Armorer 54% +5%
Protoculture Engineer: 59% +5%
Robotechnology Engineering: 54% +5%
Starship Engineering: 49% +5%

R.C.C. Related
1. Lore (Zentraedi): 49% +5%
2. Reflex System Mechanics 49% +5%
3. Empty!
4. Empty!

Secondary skills
1. Empty!
2. Empty!
3. Empty!
4. Empty!
5. Empty!
6. Empty!

Skills attained through experience
2nd level - Empty!

 

[Purr]

Mack felt a little strange talking to a bedridden Cera who was talking through a computer via its speakers, but she was willing to roll with whatever helped the Ura-Meltrandi. "That's your purpose? Build war-machines? If my brain isn't on vacation, I think I recall either you or Taniya-chick going on about how the Zeki-Zentraedi hold the edge in biology while the Ura-Meltrandi are ahead of them in technology?"

"Affirmative," the speakers replied from three directions.

"So, your purpose. Is that what an Auxiliary Specialist does? Or is your purpose something you decided for yourself?"

Cera's mouth twitched at Mack's comment. "They are... intermingled. An Auxiliary Specialist is a non-combatant role most often used in advisory roles. My body banks taught me that the most famous of Auxiliary Specialists in the First Robotech War was the advisor to Lord Breetai - a Zentraedi named Exedore." Cera frowned. "As to your second question, the thought of thinking for myself did not exist until yesterday. I serve the Ura-Meltrandi. I serve our empress. I was created to serve War-queen Taniya, but that is where my knowledge ends. I do not know if I was meant to serve in a menial role, designing Ura-Meltrandi technology from the dark recesses of a factory or stand by her side as an advisor."

Iris clicked her mandibles and tried to stay out of everyone's way. Her great insectoid body filled part of the room you were in, effectively blocking it. Iris appeared aware of this, but there was only so much she could do about it. The kindly Scrath peered at Cera. "Query: May This One make a recommendation?"

"You may," Cera replied.

Iris crossed her deadly pincers. "This One requests you recall the past. Remember. Our courageous War-queen Taniya has always treated you in a special manner. Whatever purpose or role you were manufactured to fulfill, our War-queen clearly saw fit to see it made whole with the help of these humans, these Traversers. Self dares to say - your bond - with these Traversers has quickly earned you a place in their ranks, too. You are now a Wild Card."

"How does that change matters, Unit One?"

"Do you not see? Our most-deadly War-queen Taniya wishes you to serve her. Those who have done so successfully have all had one trait in common - they thought for themselves. This One believes that you must do so as well."

"Then I will ask your recommendation as to my purpose! Unit One, you have ever been loyal to our kind. If it were up to you, what would you have me become?"

"A gardener!"

"A gardener?! Do not make light of my situation, Unit One!"

But Iris indicated all of you with a wave of her head. "This One spoke truly! With your technological knowledge, you could feed thousands with the utmost of efficiency!"

Cera sighed but her mouth seemed to turn upwards in a smile. "I had to ask. I just haaad to ask!"

Iris turned to you, her green eyes alight with eagerness. "Query: Do you not think Auxiliary Specialist Cera would make the most wonderful gardener?"

* * *​

Meanwhile, in the briefing room, Mario stood with Spaceman Sam and a wily MechaKitten. A wily MechaKitten that was still playing and pouncing all over Shirley's smartphone. The 1st Lieutenant had forgotten it on her way to the medbay (that Mckenzie luck strikes again!) and now the telepathic feline was batting at its screen and having the time of his life.

"Meeeeew!"

Spaceman Sam had just turned "his" tablet toward Mario when both of them heard a new sound, or rather, a voice in the briefing room. It was a faint male voice and certainly not Mario's. It sounded excited. It sounded aggravated. But most of all...

...it sounded like it was coming from Shirley's smartphone.

Spaceman Sam slowly turned to Mario with a posture that seemed to ask, "Now what?"

 

[Sherwood]

Mario raises up an eyebrow as he looks at the phone. He then walks over and ruffles the head of Mechakitten, "What did you do to Mack's phone, you silly cat?" He then picks up the phone, and in a very calm voice, says, "This is Lt. Mackenzie's phone, but she stepped away for a moment. I am Corporal Zuko, a member of her team. Can I help you?"

 

[Kaerri]

Cera's red-brown eyes narrowed like that of a huntress. "Broadsword, I must remember to find a solution that will allow you to speak. Under the duress of combat, when will we have the opportunity to stop and read your communication?"

Elinor looked thoughtfully at Iris. "Doesn't the Nexus work through our Traversing sense? Any way you could link Broadsword in on that?"

Cera instructed, "Examine my skills as an Auxiliary Specialist. My purpose is to design, create, and modify technology, both great and small. As I am, I can design mecha, fighters, even starships. But otherwise, I remain incomplete. Please, help me," her mouth twitched. "I require your recommendations. What should I know to best fulfill my purpose?"

No pressure, Elinor thought wryly. Somehow it seemed easier to take this girl into life-and-death combat than to muck about in her head! Still, Elinor had promised to help to the best of her ability, and so she would. She turned to the other Wild Cards to decide what was best. ((Although we're pretty much handling that OOC, right?))

Iris turned to you, her green eyes alight with eagerness. "Query: Do you not think Auxiliary Specialist Cera would make the most wonderful gardener?"

Elinor grinned. "I'm of farmer stock myself, so you know I won't say no. But if she's got all that technical know-how already, and has it in her to keep on beyond what she knows now, I'd stay stick to that. She might make a fine gardener, but I think she'd make the best technology master. If I'd settled for what I'd just be good at instead of what I could be best at, I'd still be back at the farm, not here tryin' to save the world with y'all, and that 'ud be a waste of God-given talent."

 

[Purr]

(Part 1 of 2)

Elinor looked thoughtfully at Iris. "Doesn't the Nexus work through our Traversing sense? Any way you could link Broadsword in on that?"

Cera's eyes opened briefly. Her gaze drifted around the medbay to a wide sealed door. That unmarked door seemed inconspicuous at first, and yet at second glance, one could tell it was armored. Where it led, none of you knew, but Cera watched that door with a mixture of suspicion and wonder. "I do not know. Either type of nexus, be it binary or polyphonic, seems to require creatures capable of technopathy to even be aware of its existence, much less make use of it. These 'bridges' need be created first, then traveled. When using technopathy on a machine, physical touch has always been a requirement." Toph then found Cera staring at her. "Do you remember when I first interacted with Toph Kirin's armor?"

Cera continued. "Think of those creatures with whom we have mentally interacted. Human Traversers. Ura-Meltrandi Traverser. Scrath. MechaKitten. All these creatures have one thing in common, but it is a thing the Broadsword lacks. This raises a question. Broadsword?"

Spacewoman Samantha turned to Cera, the blonde ponytail attached to "her" helmet flipping over one shoulder.

"Lacking the correct physiology, Unit One cannot speak. Lacking a Traverser's brain, you cannot initiate or take part in telepathy. Have you... heard or understood anything Unit One has mentally stated since our arrival?"

Samantha's tablet flashed. "NEGATIVE. DURING YOUR RECOVERY PERIOD, WE HAVE SUCCEEDED IN RUDIMENTARY COMMUNICATION VIA THESE TABLETS. UNIT ONE HAS THE ABILITY TO READ AMERICAN-ENGLISH." Samantha raised the tablet up to Iris. Iris turned toward it and, very gently, using her three-digit "hands", she tapped on the tablet. Then Samantha turned the tablet to face you.

"HELLO CHICKS!" it read.

Shirley leaned back against a table to take the weight off of her injured knee and laughed in admiration. "Somebody's been paying attention!"

Elinor grinned. "I'm of farmer stock myself, so you know I won't say no. But if she's got all that technical know-how already, and has it in her to keep on beyond what she knows now, I'd stay stick to that. She might make a fine gardener, but I think she'd make the best technology master. If I'd settled for what I'd just be good at instead of what I could be best at, I'd still be back at the farm, not here tryin' to save the world with y'all, and that 'ud be a waste of God-given talent."

Iris folded her pincers. Her antennae moved back and forth as if being blown by a breeze. "This One possesses similar motivations!" Iris peered down at Elinor. "How curious - the Dentella our most-deadly War Queen Taniya has chosen to protect and complete the first and possibly last of the 2nd Generation Ura-Meltrandi was not hatched from a warrior race, but like us, is a gardener!" Iris's pretty green eyes simply beamed in delight at the notion.

 

[Purr]

(Part 2 of 2)
"Mrrrreewr!" MechaKitten replied to Mario. In the young Italian-American's mind, he heard the voice of a boy. A rather odd-sounding boy. "Lookit me! I helpded! You wanted chat-chat wif Purr'fess'r, right? I tol' you I knows his number, so I callded hims for you!" He pushed his head against Mario's hand. His eyes squinted above his smile.

Mario raises up an eyebrow as he looks at the phone. He then walks over and ruffles the head of Mechakitten, "What did you do to Mack's phone, you silly cat?" He then picks up the phone, and in a very calm voice, says, "This is Lt. Mackenzie's phone, but she stepped away for a moment. I am Corporal Zuko, a member of her team. Can I help you?"

About that time, Mario could hear the words accompanying the frustration and confusion of the male speaker. "--asted feline! Put someone with opposable digits on the line, this instant!" Mario heard the familiar American-English voice of Professor Stein. Stein heard Mario too.

"What?! The A.T.A.C. Corporal from the Assembly? You are alive?!"

There was a stunned pause on the other end of the phone, but it did not last long. "What happened to Toph?! Is that little muppet still in one piece? Where are you?"

"Rwaaaawr!" MechaKitten interjected before Mario could get another word in. "We iz on da Broadsword! You haz Reggie?" Somehow, Professor Stein understood every word.

The stammering confusion that came as reply was hard to follow. "The Broadsword! How in God's good name-- Yes, yes, I haz Re-- Wait, I AM ASKING THE QUESTIONS AROUND HERE! Damned cat!"

Very pleased with himself, MechaKitten turned his face to Mario and meowed a few more times. "I iz SUCH a good kitty! You kin tells me. I doesn't mind!"

"Corporal Zuko!" the professor yelled. "Listen closely, young man! The Malcontent Zentraedi are attacking your Eglin base, your people are fighting back, but you must not go to aid them! Hitomi has gone missing, Hiram has been sentenced to the brig awaiting Dishonorable Discharge, all because that damnable General Steele has gone stark raving mad!!"

(And with that, Chapter Five: A Show of Hands is closed, friends! Follow this link to Chapter Six: All Hands on Deck!)