Chapter Summary: Team Quest meets the crew of the Lucia, their home for the next few months.
Chapter Word Count: 5,401
"Welcome aboard the Lucia," Santana said, meeting them at the dock.
"The Lucia," Andy said. "Interesting name for a ship."
"Well, with the number of ships being commissioned daily, we try to give them names that will be remembered and that their crews can take pride in. But in this case, it was a random pick from a hat," Santana said. "Its crew will be what make it special."
Andy looked around the small ship in wonder. It was the first long range ship she'd really been on. Even with all of the things she'd done for the Clan over the past couple years, very little had involved space travel. There'd been the trip through the portal, and then the return through the rings, but all other times she'd been on Earth. So, she wasn't really familiar with Clan space ships.
"Is this typical, for a ship of this type?" Andy asked Santana.
"Long range scout, with a small crew? Pretty much," Santana said. "It's one of our designs, loosely based on a popular Galactic model. Much longer range, and better weapons. I think you'll find it comfortable for this mission."
"So, it's just the four of us and a couple crew?" Andy asked.
"A pilot and an engineer have been assigned to the mission," Santana said. "You'll meet them tomorrow."
"Thanks for showing me the ship now," Andy said. "Since Lady Shadow was busy."
"No prob," Santana said. "It's a joint mission between the Shadows and the Fleet."
"Do you think this Prophet Gohan actually exists?" Andy asked.
Santana shrugged, before answering. "Brit thinks there's a high probability that there's someone or something who can help us deal with them."
"This seems a little rushed," Andy said.
"Brit does things her way," Santana said. "The appropriate team had to be ready at the right time. And she can tell you more, but information on the Prophets of Zircon Nine was very skimpy until recently. We knew, a while ago, that they existed in legends, but that they were possibly real? That's new."
"Ah," Andy said. "So, not a Hail Mary pass."
"Nope," Santana said. "We've had a few ideas like this pop up over the last year, but we aren't desperate by any means. If this doesn't pan out and none of the other things pan out, we'll do it the old fashion way, with brute force. We might even just throw large rocks at them."
"Rocks?" Andy said, surprised.
"Large rocks moving at ship speeds can do tremendous amounts of damage when they hit something," Miranda said, appearing beside her.
"Got it in one," Santana said. "Kinetic weapons are very useful. Nothing beats a large chunk of iron ore traveling at a quarter of light speed. Even most ship shields have a hard time with that,"
"Oh," Andy said. "I would never have thought of that."
"You journalist, me spacer," Santana said. "I need to be aware of such things. Space is a dangerous place."
"Life itself is dangerous," Miranda said.
"Meeting with Brittany tomorrow," Santana said. "The entire gang. The two of you, Ixchel, and Romana, and your pilot and engineer. Don't be late."
"Yes, ma'am," Andy said, with a grin. "Will you be there?"
"Not needed," Santana said. "One of my captains will be there in my place. The whole shebang is coming out of my special projects budget, but it's a Brit production. I'll get copies of any reports so I'll know if you need additional resources but Brittany is the boss."
Andy, Miranda, Ixchel, and Romana stepped into the meeting room in the main base. Lady Shadow, a fleet captain, and two other fleet crew were already there.
"Ladies, have a seat," Brittany said. "Captain Lorent is the fleet representative for this project. Pilot Garnes will be your pilot, and Engineer Dart will be your suit and ship engineer."
"We have every confidence in Garnes and Dart as your crew," captain Lorent said. "They're top in their fields."
"Happy to meet you," Andy said, with nods from the others.
"My understanding is that only one of you has a hard suit," Dart said.
"Yes," Andy said. "I have an updated custom hard suit. Not quite like a regular trooper suit. But you'll see."
"Of course," Dart said. "I've worked on the new suits being rolled out to the top teams. And the Shadow suits. So it shouldn't be a problem."
"What is the primary task of this group?" Miranda said. "From its makeup I'm assuming there are other things you expect from us."
"The primary goal for this trip is to find this Prophet or society of Prophets, and find out what they know about the Bugs, and if they have any advice for dealing with the Bugs," Brittany said.
"Do you think they'll have good ideas?" Andy asked.
"Frankly, I don't expect to get anything useful from them," Brittany said. "But it's always possible that some small or large bit of information they have will provide an important insight into the Bugs."
"So, another facet to add to your overall model?" Miranda said. "It's a fascinating predictive device. By itself it has no meaning but when you look at it it provides insight."
"That's a point that few seem to get. The model is a tool," Brittany said. "It won't work correctly without certain abilities."
"Magic?" Andy said. "Or some kind of psychic ability?"
"It resembles a psychic ability," Miranda said. "But there's a large component requiring a certain kind of training from what I've been able to discern."
Brittany just smiled in response.
"The first step will be to track the Prophets down," Brittany said. "We know they had a monastery in Wind Clan territory but the exact location is unknown. The planet it is supposed to be one is almost as much a myth as the Prophets themselves are."
"What do we have to go on?" Andy said.
"Everything we know about the Prophets is in the databanks on your ship," Brittany said. "I would recommend that you spend the trip out to the Wind Clan territory going over the material and making your plan."
"You don't have a plan for us?" Andy said, surprised at the lack of a specific plan from the usually well organized Shadow leader.
"I've included several suggested plans," Brittany said. "Use them as a starting point if you must, but I suspect what will work best for the four of you is something you come up with yourselves."
"We'll look through the information," Miranda said, "and determine how to proceed from there."
"Good," Brittany said.
"The ship will be ready in seventy-two hours," Captain Lorent said. "That gives Garnes and Dart three days to finish reviewing the ship and prepare it for the first part of your journey."
The formal meeting over, the six women, Andy, Miranda, Ixchel, Romana, Garnes, and Dart moved to the mess to get to know each other. Although Andy, Miranda, Ixchel, and Romana had collaborated on other projects, they hadn't all worked together on a single one before. And their crew would need to get to know them as well.
"So, Dart, you have experience with different types of Clan combat and enviro suits, and you obviously are familiar with the long range scout we are taking. What else can you tell us about yourself?" Miranda asked.
"There's not much else to tell," Dart said. "I was on the second expedition to the Ring world, and I studied the transport rings in school. And was on the design team for Gold Team's current hard suits."
"So varied experience with different tech," Andy said. "Maintenance and design. That's good."
"And you, Garnes?" Miranda asked. "For Lady Shadow, and Lady Air to trust you with these passengers," she gestured at Romana, and Ixchel, "you must have a spotless record and a lot of experience."
"Yes, ma'am," Garnes said. "I was All-Fleet pilot for three cycles, and I've designed some of the software upgrades used in this model of scout."
"It's not actually a small ship, is it?" Ixchel said, as they waited for permission to board.
"It's a long distance scout," Romana said. "They need to be a certain size for efficiency and so the crew stay sane on long journeys. My original Clan didn't have many of them but the concept is well understood. I am not much of a ship designer but I am curious as to what modifications have been made by Lady Air's designers. Her designs usually add some practicality that other designers lack. I would space in a ship designed by her before one designed by Old Clan methods."
"So, her ships are better?" Ixchel said.
"Better than any others I've seen," Romana said.
"She's appreciate hearing that from you," Andy said, stepping up next to them. "Her crews love her ships and would refuse to fly in something she hasn't touched, but she doesn't get much recognition from outside the Fleet."
"The leadership of this new Serpent Clan is all talented," Romana said. "If we survive these Bugs, this Clan will go far. Not even the Council of Clans will be able to deny it its rightful place."
'What they've already accomplished, in the little time they've had is amazing," Miranda said, agreeing. "Though I suspect the Council of Clans won't give them the credit they deserve."
"Politicians are the same everywhere," Romana said. "They prefer to give credit only when it doesn't interfere in their own glory."
"Well, their own people will know," Miranda said. "We'll make sure of it."
The hatch to the ship slid open and a ramp leading up to it appeared.
"Welcome to the Lucia," Dart said, standing in the hatch. "Your personal belonging were brought aboard this morning, and you can have your choice of cabins."
"Aren't there two passenger cabins?," Andy said. "How are you deciding who goes where?"
"Pairs together," Dart said. "Each passenger cabin can safely hold four, but it works better with three or less."
"So, Miranda and I in one cabin; Ixchel and Romana in a second. And the rest?" Andy said.
"It's basic accommodation," Dart said. "Nothing fancy on a scout ship, but much better than the short range scouts."
"Okay," Andy said. "If they're all the same, which one doesn't matter for Miranda and myself."
"We'll take the first one," Miranda said. "Ixchel and Romana can take the one next to it."
"Good. My bunk is in a small alcove above the engine room, and Garnes has a cubby next to the control room," Dart said.
"We'll be ready to leave in two hours," Garnes said. "Make yourselves comfortable."
"Thanks," Andy said.
"Cozy," Andy said.
"You've seen the inside already," Miranda said.
"Yes, but not inside the passenger cabins," Andy said. "Do you want the top or bottom bunk?"
"As amusing as that would be, I would prefer something more conducive to our preferences." Miranda stepped over to the bunks and placed her hands on them. There was a brief glow, and the bunks were replaced by a single, wider bunk. "It's not huge like our own bed but it's a better fit for the two of us than separate bunks."
Andy plopped down on the bunk. "I don't know," she said. "Bunk beds do have a certain charm."
"I can put them back," Miranda said.
"No, no, I prefer this," Andy said, grinning. "More cuddle opportunities." Reaching up, she pulled Miranda down on top of her.
"Interesting," Ixchel said, looking at the bunk beds. "I find myself not in favor of this. It does not look like it can be changed."
"No, They aren't configurable," Romana said, poking the top bunk. "And if we're leaving, there's no time to fix it."
"Lady Miranda might have an idea?" Ixchel said. "Should I ask her?"
Romana sighed, but nodded. Ixchel turned and left their cabin, looking for Miranda. She knocked on the other cabin's door.
"Lady Miranda?" Ixchel said.
The door slide open, revealing Miranda standing at the door, and Andy sitting on a larger bed.
"Yes?" Miranda said.
"We were wondering what you were doing about the beds?" Ixchel said. "But you have a bigger bed..." She paused, seeing the bed.
"Bunk beds weren't really our thing," Andy said, "So Miranda fixed them."
"Oh," Ixchel said.
Romana poked her head into the cabin. "Can you help us?" She asked Miranda. "We cannot sleep like that, in separate beds. Ixchel's dreams won't allow her to sleep alone."
"And you?" Miranda asked.
"I find sleep to be easier if we share a bed," Romana said, blushing. "But it is not absolutely necessary."
"Miranda?" Andy said, giving her a wide eyed, innocent look.
"Really?" Miranda said. Andy nodded. "Just this once, I suppose." Sighing, she stepped out of their cabin, around Ixchel and Romana. Entering their cabin, she laid her hands on the two bunks. There was a golden glow and the bunks reformed into a single bunk in the room.
"There," Miranda said. "That should make you feel more comfortable."
"Many thanks, Lady Miranda," Ixchel said, bowing low.
"It was a simple change," Miranda said.
Garnes appeared in the passageway. "Ladies, we leave in ten. Please make sure all of your possessions are locked down and join us in the main cabin." She turned around and headed back to the ship's control center.
"Will do," Andy said. She turned to the others. "It's fairly safe as a scout ship goes, but they prefer that we be strapped in for launch."
"We aren't a large ship," Garnes said, after the others entered the main cabin, "as such things go. From the outside we look fairly large but it's almost all engine. Which is why we have a real ships engineer like Dart. A simple short range scout ship can be handled just by the pilot and navigator but they are rarely more than a day from a base. A long range scout ship such as the Lucia is meant to be out on its own for half a year or more with a small crew. So we have the engine, and enough supplies for six months."
"Though the food gets a bit boring by the end," Dart said. "The synthesizers can only do so much with what we have."
"It isn't that bad," Garnes said. "It just isn't gourmet or home cooking."
"We'll be fine," Andy said. "We've lived on less appetizing food for months."
"Although you aren't crew, you're expected to be strapped down for launches and heavy maneuvers. We have enough crash chairs for everyone," Garnes said.
"There are only four chairs in here," Ixchel said.
"Well, four passengers, four crash chairs," Garnes said. "I'll be in the control pit, and Dart will be in her engine room."
"Oh," Andy said. "Not really seeing us as only passengers, but we are aren't we."
"Yes, ma'am," Gages said. "When it comes to ship maneuvers the four of you are passengers."
"I have no desire to be crew," Romana said. "I'll sit in one of these crash chairs. They look more comfortable than what my ships had for passengers."
"We'll all sit here," Andy said, nodding. "No arguments. Can someone show me how to correctly buckle myself into the chair?" She sat in one of the front chairs.
"Certainly, Lady Andrea," Dart said, stepping over to her. "It's a simple mechanism." She pulled the straps from the back of the chair, over Andy's head and attached them below her hips. She then tightened the straps until they were snug. "How's that?"
Andy wiggled in the chair. "Comfy," she said. "Miranda?"
"As you wish," Miranda said, giving her a slight bow. Sitting in the chair next to Andy, she pulled the straps into place and buckled them in. "How is that?" she asked Dart.
"Perfect," Dart said after testing the straps. She then turned to Ixchel and Romana. "Do you need assistance?"
"I believe we have it," Ixchel said. She sat down and pulled on the straps. Romana checked them then gestured for Dart to check them. After an approving nod, Romana strapped herself into the remaining chair.
"Looks good," Dart said. She waved at Garnes. "I'll be in the engine room."
Garnes nodded. "Ladies, we'll be taking off in ten minutes. I need to finish my preflight checks and we'll be on our way."
"Well, this is different," Andy said. "Like taking a plane except better restraints."
"It has its purpose," Miranda said. "The pilot doesn't have to worry about us during launch and heavy maneuvers because she knows where we are."
"They are friendly, considering they are just hauling freight, as the saying goes," Romana said.
"Important passengers," Andy said. "It's not every day that you have both Miranda and Mother on the same trip. They are going to be extra careful."
"I am called Mother but have yet to earn that name," Romana said. "My people do not need me to be that for them."
"They do not agree," Miranda said. "But no matter. Lady Shadow believes that the four of us will make a valuable contribution to the Clan, starting with finding these Prophets and finding out what they have to say about the Kraal."
"It's going to be a lot of research and talking to people who might not want to talk, all without scaring them away," Andy said. "The first time you do it it can be scary but after a while it just comes naturally."
"I will have to take your word for it," Ixchel said. "The kind of interrogation I used in the past was not something that anyone could survive."
"That wasn't really you," Romana said. "At least not the you who is here."
"I would like to believe that but am not sure," Ixchel said.
"Doubt is fine," Andy said. "It is how you act that tells the tale. And so far you act like who you wish to be, not how your past defines you."
There was a faint vibration that could be felt through their chairs. Garnes' voice came over the ship's comm. "Launching in thirty second."
"And here we go," Andy said.
The vibration increased until it because a steady feeling. And continued for several minutes before cutting off.
"Launched," Garnes voice said.
"I've been on shuttles before," Andy said. "That felt very different."
"Different type of vehicle," Miranda said. "A shuttle is designed for short-haul trips in a gravity well. We're on a true starship now. It works a bit differently."
"Awesome," Andy said. "It's so tera."
"You didn't just say that," Miranda said, sighing. "The girls are fans of that show."
"It's very positive," Andy said. "The hero may not win every time but she never gives up and is always a role model."
"How do we get out of these chairs?" she said, a little later. "I can't reach the buckles."
"There's a switch on the side," Garnes said, from the entrance to her control center. "Press it and the straps release. Though you'll want to be careful. The inertial dampers are off during combat conditions and heavy maneuvers."
"Got it," Andy said, as her straps were pulled back into the chair. "So what's the plan?" she asked sitting up and putting her feet on the deck.
"Even at our top speed, it's three weeks to the Wind Clan capital," Garnes said. "The plan after that is up to the four of you."
"So, let's get working on it," Andy said. "Brittany said all of the known information on the Prophets was in the ship databanks. We'll need to go through it all."
"And we have plenty of time to go though it, so l believe we should start from the beginning," Miranda said.
It only took them a week to completely review all of the information. A long week.
"There really isn't that much information, is there," Andy said, after they'd finished. "Mostly rumors and legends."
"No eyewitness accounts of the Prophets," Romana said. "And this planet they are supposed to be from, there are no coordinates. No star system or reference to it."
"So, how do we find them?" Andy said. "We've assumed that they actually exist but nothing I've read feels like solid information. A story of one of the Clans going to them for advice, but it doesn't say where they go for help."
"The clue is in the information collected by the Shadows," Miranda said.
"Why were we given the Wind Clan as our initial destination?" Andy asked. "What is so special about them that will take us to the Prophets."
"Unknown," Miranda said. "I don't recall seeing anything about the Wind Clan in our research material."
"Lady Shadow was originally of the Wind Clan," Romana said, "Correct?"
"Yes," Andy said, "her birth clan."
"Is there something only she would see," Romana said, "because she learned it as a member of the Wind Clan?"
"If so we aren't going to see it ourselves," Andy said. "But I can't see Brittany doing something like that. If the Wind Clan capital was important to this expedition, then there is a reason. We should be able to figure out."
"Something we missed," Ixchel said. "Something in this trove of data on the Prophets that we missed."
"Shall we go through it again," Miranda said.
"We need a different angle," Andy said. "A different way to look at the problem."
"Let's separate the folklore from the rumor," Romana said. "And take it from there."
"As good an idea as any," Miranda said.
"There it is," Andy said. "Right there. The first rumored Prophet was from the Wind Clan. They had seers before they became one of the Clans. One of the seers guided them into becoming a Clan and was called the First Prophet."
"First Prophet?" Ixchel said. "And they somehow became the Prophets of Zircon Nine?"
"Did we know that about the Wind Clan?" Andy said. "That they had true seers?"
"We know now," Miranda said. "Though the trueness of their ability is debatable."
"You do not believe that seers are real?" Romana said.
"There may be beings who can view the changes that are wrought by time," Miranda said. "But I cannot say to have ever encountered them."
"Whether that is true or not, now we at least have the connection. And from there we should be able to start tracking down these Prophets," Andy said.
"If the Wind Clan seers still exist, they may be the ones to ask," Romana said. "Whether they are true seers or frauds, I believe they are our starting point."
"I agree," Miranda said. "But let's go through this information again. It is possible we missed a number of other clues."
"It won't hurt," Andy said. "And we still have two weeks before we can talk to some seers about this."
"Still nothing earth shattering," Andy said. "The legends are so old we might as well be reading tea leaves."
"Save that for the seers," Miranda said. "Otherwise all you'll have is mush at the bottom of a cup."
"Tried it before?" Andy asked, giggling.
"The girls wanted to go to a fortune teller," Miranda said, grimacing. "It wasn't a good time for that but arrangements were made for a reputable one to appear at a school spring festival."
"And how many non-disclosures did you make them sign first?" Andy asked.
"There may have been one or two," Miranda said.
"Tea leaves?" Romana said.
"Earth seers claim to see a person's future by reading the patterns made by the wet leaves of a tea plant," Miranda said.
"Before or after drinking the tea?" Andy asked.
"The gypsy claimed that it wouldn't work unless they drank the tea first," Miranda said. "I suspect she was trying to listen to the earphone in her right ear."
"She was cheating? After meeting you?" Andy said, laughing.
"We had a mutual understanding," Miranda said. "She was allowed to tell fortunes the way she always did, as long as she didn't tell anyone who'd asked for their fortune to be read."
"Not just the girls?"
"There were other children in the group who had famous parents," Miranda said. "It wasn't just about our girls."
"I remember you doing that kind of thing for the girls," Andy said, smiling. "You protect the twins, but you also protect any other children who cross paths with them."
"Children should not suffer for the sins of their parents," Miranda said.
"A noble sentiment," Romana said. "The world would be a better place if all followed the rule."
"Yes," Andy said.
"We need to discuss our plan," Andy said, later, rubbing her eyes after staring at the Prophet evidence for several long minutes.
"Keep it simple," Romana said. "The more complex a plan the easier it is to break."
"We go to the Wind Clan's planet, find some seers to talk to, check out a historical society or two, and get some clues," Andy said. "Can't be any simpler than that."
"You're visiting dignitaries," Garnes said, looking up from her pad. "You can't slide in and out of that planet without drawing attention."
"We don't want anyone to know why we're there," Andy said. "As low keyed as possible."
"Some attention will be unavoidable," Garnes said. "Just by who you are. Members of the Serpent Clan have not been seen in that sector for over a thousand cycles. And a member of the Clan Council?"
"We didn't bring any clothes to make a big impression," Andy said.
"We can make do," Miranda said. "But if part of this plan requires public appearances, we will need a better plan."
"It depends on if we are able to sneak in and out," Garnes said. "But I do not see that being possible. It is their home world and will be heavily protected, especially at this time, and we will be in an unknown type of ship."
"So, who are we then?" Andy asked.
"Mother's escort, of course," Miranda said. "The Serpent Clan Mother is traveling to some remote destination and she had a desire to see the fabled something on that planet."
"Fabled something? Why don't we just say we're there to see a seer?" Andy said. "Keep it simple, no real lies. Or we're there to consult with their Mother about the reinstatement of our Clan?"
"No," Romana said. "Why consult with the Wind Clan Mother specifically? Why would we, the Serpent Clan, have heard of the Wind Clan Mother?"
"Right," Andy said. "Keep it believable. So, just passing through to somewhere else? Do we need to say? How often does a Clan Mother travel outside of the Clan territory?"
"Very rarely," Romana said. "At least in my time, a Mother was guarded and kept from the sight of others."
"We'll just tell them we're on a quest, if they ask," Andy said. "And it's none of their business."
"If they have anyone like you, that won't work," Ixchel said. "I suspect we need to say as little as possible about our appearance. They can guess if they want to but it really is none of their concern why we are there or who we are."
"But they will ask about the ship," Garnes said. "It is obviously some sort of warship. Not many armaments, but certainly not a merchant or government functionary vessel."
"Maybe they have a famous seer and we're going to see her," Andy said. "I'm sure they have one, and we can fake it and be suitably vague to find out who they are and go see them."
"They don't allow other Clan ships to land on their capital planet," Garnes said. "We can dock at the visitor station and take a shuttle down."
"This is a modern clan," Andy said. "Can we request an audience with a seer or the head seer, before we go planet-side? And without announcing who we are?"
"It's doubtful that you can get an audience without explaining who you are," Garnes said.
"Do we have to say who we really are?" Andy asked. "I'd rather not cause too much fuss."
"You're one of the Winter Folk," Ixchel said. "That might be more valuable in this search than having the Serpent Clan Mother with us."
"You're Winter Folk?" Garnes said, eyes wide.
"So I'm told. But I don't really know anything about the Winter Folk," Andy said. "Just some of the legends that the Memory was able to find for me."
"You'll do fine," Miranda said. "They'll know less than you do, since the Winter Folk are mainly legendary figures from the clan past. And you can always tell them the truth."
"And what would that be?" Andy asked.
"That you discovered your Winter Folk ancestry and are on a voyage of self discovery, aided by the Serpent Clan. And I, your consort, am along to provide support." Miranda said.
"Clever," Andy said. "That gives us a reason for this journey, though why is Ixchel with us?"
"She's Mother's consort, of course," Miranda said, causing both women to blush.
"Why don't we have guards or guardians?" Andy asked. "Doesn't That look suspicious?"
"We don't need them. Your consort is a sorceress and Ixchel is a warrior of great renown among the Serpent Clan."
"A warrior who cannot wear the Clans armor?" Ixchel said, frowning.
"We do need to fix that, don't we," Miranda said.
"You can fix whatever prevents Ixchel from wearing Clan armor?" Romana said.
"In theory," Miranda said. "It's a simple matter of rearranging her genetic code to make it compatible with Serpent Clan DNA. But there may be negative side effects."
"Such as?" Ixchel said.
"Tinkering with a live beings DNA should always be done with caution," Miranda said. "My understanding is that even the Ascended only do so as a last resort."
"And the negative side effects, Miranda?" Andy said. "Can you tell us what they might be?"
"Not until afterward," Miranda said. "It's complicated, and not something I've spent a lot of time studying."
"Then why bring it up?" Andy asked.
"Because, if we do this it must be now, before we are scanned by any Clan security scanners. The changes will be noticeable if they see the before and after."
"I am willing," Ixchel said. "If it gives me the ability to protect Romana better than I am able to now."
"Tomorrow," Miranda said. "I must meditate and study your current DNA before i do this."
"We can wait here," Garnes said. "We have not been detected by the Wind Clan sentries yet.
"Good," Miranda said. "If this is successful, do we have a hard suit Ixchel can wear?"
"We have enough spare parts that we could outfit an entire troop," Dart said. "But That isn't the primary consideration. If you can correct the genetic coding issue that interferes with Ixchel being able to operate a hard suit, that still does not allow her the ability to use it. That takes training."
"We shall have to borrow it then," Miranda said. "From someone who has received the training."
"Who?" Andy said. "None of us have received actual trooper training."
"You, my dear, were given a form of trooper training," Miranda said. "And Ixchel was a warrior of the Serpent Clan many cycles ago, before the invention of the hard suit. I cannot give her your memories, as such, but I can give her a copy of your training experiences."
"You're turning into a regular Maguffin," Andy said. "Why can't you just find these Prophets for us?"
"An ascended being does have access to many abilities that some see as godlike. But there are serious limits. Finding the Prophets of Zan is beyond my abilities in this universe. Much of what I can do has a physical component. Everything I've proposed so far is on the physical plain."
"But you'll do what you can for Ixchel?" Romana said.
"Yes, but knowledge of this does not leave this ship. It can be dangerous. When we return, I may inform the Clan Council of what I have done, but it is my prerogative whether I do or not," Miranda said. "And you must all agree before I will proceed."
"I agree," Ixchel said.
"And I," Dart said.
"Of course," Romana said.
"Yes, I agree," Garnes said.
"You've got it, Love," Andy said.
"Tomorrow then," Miranda said, nodding.