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"I have some upfront. You will get more as you work for me." Sean said, looking at the assembled group, "In addition to pay, you'll get other compensation, such as free room and board, as long as you work for me. Now, before we get started, I need to know what all of you can do."

He pops his head out "What was what? Did I do something wrong? I don't think I did unless being excited is wrong I wouldn't think it would be though..."

Most of them eyed each other nervously, seeing who they would be working with for the first time, and one man swallowed nervously at seeing a significantly larger man there. A woman with graying brown hair started nodding at familiar faces as she sobered up, and began barking orders.

"Charlie! Mike! You two get here." She pointed to a spot on the ground near her for the two to stand before striding forward into the crowd and looking for more faces. The two men did as they were told, and quickly, indicating that they both knew this woman and that she carried some authority. As she found more people she recognized, more people began to fall in next to Charlie and Mike. Eventually, there were 23 men and women--and two aliens--standing in a row.

The woman walked back up to Sean. "My crew," she stated proudly, chin high. "Combat skills, comradery, fair enough piloting that we're still alive today. All it would take is a ship to practice with and enough time to scrub off the rust."

Most of those left in the crowd looked unnerved by this display, the rest bewildered or suspicious. Those still trickling in, of course, had little idea what was going on and mostly were still hung over.

Lori still hadn't returned from finding people in the bars and slums.

The woman who seemed to be in charge nearly looked down her nose at him. "My crew," she said stiffly, "are my crew. We took on cooks and the odd random additions at times, so don't expect a chef or preacher. But we are a ship's crew, and there's a reason the word is 'shipshape,' Mr. Sean. Any additions you require can be auditioned right here and now." She gestured to the remaining crowd. "I don't know a damned soul among them, but I can vouch for us."

She stuck out a hand. "Reynolds."

"Good vibes," Reynolds said, nodding.

((Oh God. I just realized. Captain Reynolds. *facepalm* I did NOT do that on purpose. I'm so sorry. On the upside, her first name ISN'T Malcolm...))

"Yo!" she barked, looking over her shoulder at her crew. "We're booked. Find us a cook in that... mess." She gestured to the crowd in partial distaste, and the line broke up to go interview the rest.

One man came up behind Reynolds instead, and held out his hand to Sean as well. "Scarnofski," he introduced himself. "I'm usually first mate, so to speak, but I don't know what arrangement you like as far as who's captain. I can fill in for most jobs if Ms. Reynolds is your First, but it's good to know in advance."

((She was named for a friend, Lenden Reynolds. I have no idea if she's awesome or not, because she's very much a background character.))

Reynolds and Scarnofski traded looks. "Can't vouch for Lori," the woman said. "My understanding is that she's a pilot, and may not have been in any more combat than you have, good as she is. We've seen a bit..." She looked uneasy at giving out the bit of information. "...but it's all up to you how you wanna run it. If you want sound advice, name yourself commodore and sit back when the fighting sets in. We're... used to each other. That's handy in emergencies."

Erica flipped on the incoming message while sitting in her council room. Lankin's face filled the screen, a man in his mid to late forties with peppered hair and yellowish brown eyes. He had a pointed look about his face that reminded Erica something of a crocodile, particularly when he smiled. She absently wondered if he would shed a tear as he destroyed the planet as well. "The Matron herself, how flattering the famous recluse would answer my call."

Erica brought her hand up to her chin, pinching the end between her knuckles. "Calling to add to your threats, Lankin? We at Thesys don't deal well with ultimatums. You should know that."

Lankin chuckled, "Really? From my experience Thesians don't know how to deal with anything but threats, violence and bloodshed. We just may beat you at your own game. But no, the details still stand, you give use what we want or we destroy the planet, and you have only two days. But...there has also been an interesting whisper about, that Thesys is linked with the notorious ACO."

Erica scoffed, "Not even if there were such an organization." Erica smiled, but there was a slight tick in her left eye.

"Fair enough," Lankin grinned, "but I would have spared Thesys, if you had given me valuable information on the ACO, something to bring them down."

Erica flipped off the communication, without notice. She glanced at a young man in the room, standing by for her command. "Where is my husband?"

"He's not come back yet, Ma'am." The man said in a quiet voice.

Erica swore. "Damnit Xeen, of all the times to be missing." She pushed out of her chair and started moving down the hallway, the young man following after her. "I need everything we have on the ACO, everything." She said to the man behind her.

Erica paused and tensed in turn. "What does my husband have to do with the ACO?"