What started as a dot on the viewscreen with a targeting circle around it, soon grew into a tiny, elongated shape of a speeding ship. Rega stared at the ship while gently tapping an extended claw on the glass panel of her armrest. In the silence, Kit startled her when he spoke.<br/><br/>"The targeted ship is aware of our presence and is hailing, Rega." he said.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">â€œGreetings Alien Vessel. This is the Rapture. Friend or foe?â€</span><br/><br/>"The Rapture? That's an odd name."<br/><br/>"Not much information on the name. The data file in the life pod has limited information, however, the term has a heavy religious connotation meaning to transport to the afterlife, a place this race refers to as Heaven." Kit replied. Rega continued to tap her claw on the chair and sighed.<br/><br/>"Any sign of Ether onboard the ship? Scan for Trinium as well. I believe they used it in the Paladin prototype."<br/><br/>"Scanning........." Kit stated, "No trace of either found."<br/><br/>"Zoom in on the hull." she said. The viewscreen switched to a close up of the hull plating, where the symbol for the Children of the Dying Son was displayed, the same that was on the chilled, floating wreckage left behind.<br/><br/>Rega still didn't know who Dren had done with. It could be another ship from this COTDS fleet, or he could have gone with the ones they were fighting. She didn't have enough answers. As a scientist, she was trained to study the facts and deduce only logical results. This wasn't Jon's ship, as a glance in his direction showed an obvious look of hatred and perhaps nervousness. None of the markings on this ship were on his pod either.<br/><br/>Besides, for Jon to belong to this ship or the fleet it was apart of, you would think his databank would have more information on it...<br/><br/>"Open a channel, audio only. Match speed so we're not approaching anymore." Rega said.<br/><br/>"We will not take hostile actions unless provoked first, however, our alignment to your vessel cannot be determined at this time due to lack of information. We're new to the area." Rega said, "This is the Nekan Science vessel, Mauna Kea."<br/><br/>Rega pressed a button to cut the transmission, sighing again.<br/><br/>"Jon, I take it by your expression that these people are not the good guys?" she asked.<br/><br/>------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">When he mentioned her mech she arched an eyebrow, â€œOh? Like is it going to shoot fireballs or something now?â€ she asked with a grin as she stirred her spoon about in the left over liquid. â€œI mean I appreciate you fixing the Cat up for me, but tampering with my baby could give me grounds for kicking your buttâ€ she teased as she smiled.</span><br/><br/>Dren chuckled sitting back in his chair, letting his spoon rattle quietly in his bowl, "No, just a few calibrations and upgraded subroutines. The armor plating needed to be repaired in several places and I found my Nekan tools put it together better than Mankind types. You should find it responds better as well. There was alot of unneeded code in the subroutines. Too many limiters in there. I did leave the previous configuration in there but give this new configuration a try. Your AI can switch it back if you don't like it."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">She paused for a bit before continuing, â€œSo since you seem to have devoted your whole life to saving your sister, is it safe to assume there won't be some pissed wife or mate coming through a space gate to kick me ass?â€ deciding to broach the subject of what happened to them with a bit of humor. â€œI can warn you now that Codoe is very cross with you and may have a go at your toes to try and sooth his injured prideâ€ the smile still on her lips as she looked over at him.</span><br/><br/>Dren picked up the empty bowls to take to the kitchenette, pausing for a moment to stare at the floor, trying to figure out how to respond. He noticed her attempt at humor and forced a smile, then by the time he turned to put the dishes in the sink, his expression flawlessly depicted that nothing was bothering him anymore.<br/><br/>"Your friend will have to get used to me eventually. I am not going to purposely avoid him because he can't act civil." he said, "As for a mate, no, I never really had time to pursue such a thing."<br/><br/>"Ohhh?" Yuri said, her brow arching and a thin sneer on her face, "What about that scientist?"<br/><br/>"A professional relationship. Nothing more." he said flatly.<br/><br/>"Really? You two seemed perfect for each other. You mean to tell me you never noticed all the subtle signs she was basically heaving in your direction." Yuri teased, "She has the hots for you so bad. She almost called off this trip when she realized you were the test pilot."<br/><br/>"Rega does not think of me in that manner, I assure you. Never once did she make any advance!" Dren retorted, "Don't listen to her, Angela. She's just trying to embarrass me."<br/><br/>"Dren, I feel sorry for her really." she said with a sigh, "To pine over someone who doesn't look at you the same. It's heartbreaking really."<br/><br/>"Yuri, stop this." Dren said, "If she was really interested in me, I'm sure she will move on as I will. None of it matters now. It's not like I'll ever see her again..."