January 5th 2973 Earth Calendar -Commercial Stellar Orbit, Alpha Centauri

[jla_legion2]

"...Attention valued passengers. We have completed transition into Realspace and are now awaiting our gate window in the Alpha Centauri system. First and second class passengers may wish to gather in the observation deck for refreshments and a view of the stellar tide. Fourth class passengers must now return to their sleep closets.

Thank you for

Comments

[jla_legion]

Cosmic Boy, Rokk pondered to himself, Seriously? He competes to become one of the best athletes in the galaxy and Cosmic Boy was the best they could do? Rokk sighs as he slumps in his seat.

"What's wrong? You look like you just lost your best friend? It's all aces from here, kiddo. The merchandising offers are going to pour in now. Just watch." A satisfied smile creeps across Mr. Cuspin's face, "and think what that will mean to the family back home?"

Yeah. The family back home that struggles to make ends meet while he lavishes in the lap of luxery aboard a star-liner...way to make me feel better. He thinks as he smiles pleasantly at the man. As much as he despises the guy...he knows how to do business which means more money sent back home. He wishes it could be more, though...maybe it will now.

[jla_legion2]

The Magnoball champion does not go unnoticed, even in this crowd of the select and elite. He's already got a small line of fans loitering nearby as they hope to catch his attention and perhaps an autograph.

"Cos! I'm a huge fan."
"Mister Rokk! Great came!"
"Grife! Is that Cosmic Boy??"

The chatter at the edge of his hearing goes on like this for awhile.

"Mingle kiddo!" Cuspin grins, his face tinged not a little by avarice.
"This is what I'm talkin about! Go shake some hands and promote the image!"

[jla_legion]

Rokk gathers himself, then flashes a winning smile at the gathered fans. He gratefully shakes each of their hands with a confident grip as they approach and answers any and all questions posed to him...except those about his family. He's go no interest in revealing the private parts of his life and they've got no business digging.

"...It's very flattering for you to say that, thank you..."

"...No, it doesn't work like that..."

"...That's really nice, miss, but I'm not in the market for a wife just now..."

[jla_legion2]

The crowd does it's crush against the teen celebrity. There are a number of invitations for Rokk to join the various social cliques that have staked out their particular spots on the observation deck. Most of them get shooed away by Cuspin, as the manager explains that the 'Champ' needs his rest. Cuspid does entertain a few private conversations with more notable onlookers in the aftermath, his eyes glinting with the hint of profit.

After a while Rokk finds himself on his own in the crowd.

[clear_thinker]

In the observation deck, at least one of the second-class passengers isn't huddled near the viewports. This dark-haired young man has seen too many system jumps to be impressed by the view.

Instead, he enjoys a cold drink as he stays out of sight - watching the other passengers with the scrutiny that has become second nature to him.

[jla_legion2]

"Canapé sir?"

A tray of synthetic meat, spiced and fried sitting on little puffs of pastery, topped with artistic dollops of cultured fungus is presented to the young man by a member of the serving staff. The waiter smiles vacantly, his face a practiced mask of service.

[clear_thinker]

Lyle barely glances at the offered food before shaking his head.

"No, thank you."

There's something off, here.. the positions, the movements.

[jla_legion2]

"Very good sir."

A formal nod and the waiter withdraws and makes his way though the crowd of guests briefly before disappearing to the kitchen, his tray still half full.

[jla_legion2]

A large man of very comfortable proportions idles near one of the large view ports. A first class passenger, he is afforded his own personal view and seating at the observation deck. He watches the Stargate sitting above a crimson and emerald nebula as it begins it's visually spectacular charging sequence.

[jla_legion2]

"The item your requested sir."
A lean grey haired gentleman proffers a sleek datapad and he bends respectfully before the seated man.

"I trust the quality of reproduction is to your satisfaction."

[jla_legion2]

The eager glint in his eye is probably not missed by his assistant, but R.J. Brande isn't concerned about that.

"Thank you Marla." his thumb keys the display and a wide grin spreads across his face.

"Yes this will do nicely. A pity Metropolis Archives were unwilling to let us look at the original, but this will do very well."

[jla_legion2]

Marla Latham answers with a quiet bow and withdraws, leaving his employer to his reading.

[jla_legion]

Sleep closet??? Sprock that.

Winath was mostly farms, farms and then some more farms. You just didn't see views like these where he came from. So yeah, sprock the sleep closets.

Getting to the observation deck turned out to be allot easier than he thought it would. Just acting like he belonged there seemed to be enough for security.

Staring at the unreal display of colors and lights, Garth Ranzz let his jaw drop just a little.

[macchio_man]

"First time on an interstellar liner?"

Like many of the other passengers, Val had found his way to the observation deck. The view of the stars in motion was a favorite image to meditate upon.

[jla_legion]

Garth's back stiffens a little and he scrambles to cool up.
"Oh hey, you know. Never gets old right?" he replies with an affected bravado.

He looks around, and finding security is not in fact marching their way over to him he relaxes a little.

"Yeah, kinda new to me." he concedes a little quieter.

Never one to remain subdued for long, Garth sticks out his hand and grins.

"Garth. Garth Ranzz."

[macchio_man]

Val takes the offered hand for a quick shake.

"Val Armorr. So which planet are you coming from, Garth?"

[jla_legion2]

A young woman with blonde hair makes her way along the edge of the crowd. She had intended to stay in her cabin, despite her second class passenger status, but then she had never seen a Stargate cycle up before and the Alpha Centauri one was supposed to be pretty spectacular.

Taking a breath, Imra conjures an image of crystal towers in her mind. The towers grow and heighten all around her, until she is secure in the crystalline canopy. The myriad voices of the minds around her die down to errant whispers at the edges of her consciousness.

Fortified against the 'noise' the young girl from Titan makes her way toward the large view ports, hoping to find an open place to watch the show from.

[jla_legion]

Incapable of NOT noticing the beautiful blonde, Rokk decides now is the time to mingle. He makes his way through the crowd, shaking hands and smiling politely, until he comes to the striking young woman, "Hey, there. Name's Rokk. What's yours?"

His smile is charming and his cool confidence is disarming.

[jla_legion2]

She smiles.
"Hi I'm Imra."

There is a slight blush. "Thank you." she replies, her hand touching her hair.
"I get it from my moth..." and then she freezes, her flattered blush changing to one of mortification.

"Oh. Oh I'm sorry. That was rude. You're mental foundation is just really strong. I uh.." she blushes more.

"Um...Imra. My name us Imra..... Please to meet you?"

[jla_legion]

Rokk looks at her with a charmingly inquisitive expression on his face, Did you just read my mind?

Then aloud, "It's a pleasure to meet you as well. What brings you to Alpha Centauri?"