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Adrift

A dramatic presentation by Eritheyl Skypainter

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Scene One: Disassembly

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Cast:

Fleet Admiral Aik'ex Creeshoc ----------- as titled, head of the Collective
aetherfleet. Picturesque model of lucidian command, stoic and bound
first by duty to the State.

Toledric Swiftwind, Junior Armament --- young and headstrong trill,
a hopeful novice in the occupation of aethercrafting.

Maleehin H. Shevat, Viceadmiral -------- second-in-command to the
Admiral. A faithful, if not overly comfortable, right hand trill.

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ROLE Aik'ex (F): Fleet Admiral Aik'ex Creeshoc

COSTUME Aik'exCostume (Aik'ex): Dressed head to toe in a sharply-angled suit, riddled with pins and medals indicative of her status in the Hallifaxian Aetherfleet, this imposing lucidian bears a brutish and rough exterior. Bearing no modicum of softness or emotion, her face is composed of only the most precise facets that rest in a stoic, unmoving visage. Though her crystalline eyes swirl a hazy and lax grey, the manner in which she poises herself and directs attention, without so much as a word or movement, betrays her constant aura of command and respect.

ROLE Toledric (M): Toledric Swiftwind, Junior Armament

COSTUME ToledricCostume (Toledric): As evidenced by the copious tufts of down feathers that crown his head, this trill could not possibly be more than a quarter century in years. Equally suited for the pursuit of athleticism or study, his figure sits rather undeveloped in his cerulean trainee attire; limbs lanky and seemingly disproportionate, neck ever craned in a vain attempt to stand taller than his comrades. Bands of white and soft cream cross his russet plumage, his wings still rather large for his frame. Nevertheless, he carries himself with an almost humorous sense of dignity that further exemplifies his youth and ambition.

ROLE Maleehin (M): Maleehin H. Shevat, Viceadmiral

COSTUME MaleehinCostume (Maleehin): This trill is of a seemingly respectable, yet not overwhelmingly advanced, age. Standing over seven feet in height, he is oddly built as one of his race, his arms bound by ropes of muscle not commonly seen among trill. Dressed in clothing rather unassuming and casual for his setting, he notably regards his surroundings with a familiarity that shines fiercely within his amber eyes. His plumage is simple, if not somewhat plain, elongated feathers of stark white tipped with singular bands of dusty grey.

EFFECT E1 (1): BOOM.

EFFECT E2 (15): The calamity of a sudden explosion sets the Opera House itself quivering, though only blackness remains upon the forefront of the stage.

EFFECT E3 (14): Piercing the fading din, a stern voice narrates, "Our tale is set in a place well-traveled."

EFFECT E4 (14): "Though host to adventure and expedition, it remains shrouded in enigma far beyond the scope of mortal ken."

EFFECT E5 (14): "The time, irrelevant. The players, unremarkable."

EFFECT E6 (14): "The circumstances, however...", the narrator trails off.

EFFECT E1 (1): BOOM.

EFFECT E7 (14): "...of the utmost importance, and indeed the forefront of this act."

EFFECT E8 (15): As the narrative voice falls silent once more, a gentle whir manifests just on the edge of hearing.

EFFECT E9 (11): A shower of sparks dances across the stage from the far right, the barest illumination further compounding the anticipation brought on by the now ground-shaking thrum.

EFFECT E10 (15): One by one, patches and windows of light become visible as they begin to compose a complex and intriguing backdrop.

SCENE Ship: Unrealistic proportions and careful arrangement allow a rather complex array of scenery to fill the stage, revealing a mock up of a fairly simple aethership. Monitors scrolling with incomprehensible data hang from truncated arms and walls of polished metal, an overwhelming majority of the additional surface area studded with flashing buttons, switches and even smaller monitors. Arranged in a linear fashion, a battle turret, empathic grid and command chair rise above the stage in tiers, allowing the audience full view of their inhabitants. The entire affair stretches quite high over the stage itself, hosting floor-to-ceiling bordered windows. Adorned with shrouded lighting and undulating screens of multicoloured fabric, they work to mimic the wild eddies of aetherspace as the ship drifts about on its course.

EFFECT E11 (15): Before long, the whole of the stage is set alight, remade into a miraculously large expanse resembling the interior of a commercial aethership.

TOLEDRIC: ENTER SILENT

AIK'EX: ENTER SILENT

MALEEHIN: ENTER SILENT

EFFECT E12 (15): The visible crew, comprised solely of lucidian and trill attendants, sits poised at life-sized reproductions of various aetheric modules - a battle turret, empathic grid, and central command chair.

EFFECT E13 (15): Grinning widely, the youngest trill is the first to break the still of silence, excitedly rising to his feet and stepping back from his turret module.

TOLEDRIC: See?! I told you I could clear them in one shot!

AIK'EX: (flatly) Do not boast, comrade. Such arrogance will only welcome misfortune.

TOLEDRIC turns about, acknowledging his commanding officer with a simple shrug, a wide smile still gracing his features.

AIK'EX: (to another trill seated just before her) Instruct the algontherine to provide a refined diagnostic and system endurance test. This will not be our last brush with such beasts, and I would like to ensure that we are prepared for further trials.

MALEEHIN: There are no abnormalities to report, Admiral.

AIK'EX: Are you certain of that, comrade?

MALEEHIN: (in a practiced monotone) Yes. I am certain of that.

AIK'EX nods in affirmation before turning her eyes offstage, her demeanor one calculative and studious.

AIK'EX: (briskly) Junior Armament, please return to your module.

TOLEDRIC: Hoo, more gorgogs? I would even go for a scyllus at this point!

AIK'EX: (still focusing upon the distance) Our sights are clear for a time, but another swarm could catch us unaware.

TOLEDRIC pinches a bent feather from his left wing, turning it curiously about in his fingers.

AIK'EX: Junior Armament.

TOLEDRIC: Mmmm??

AIK'EX: Your module. Please return to your module.

TOLEDRIC: (rushing over to the unmanned turret) Ahh!

AIK'EX: Viceadmiral, are your diagnostic scans revealing anything outside of the ordinary?

MALEEHIN: (with a heavy sigh) No, Admiral.

MALEEHIN: Everything is fine. Everything will -be- fine.

AIK'EX: One can never worry quite enough.

MALEEHIN pinches the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, casting an irritated glance to the regal lucidian.

TOLEDRIC: The rest of the fleet is rather quiet, I wonder if...

AIK'EX arches a stiff brow, turning her attention to the young trill.

TOLEDRIC: If...if they've all been...

TOLEDRIC: (throwing his arms into the air) EATEN ALIVE BY PARASITES?!!

AIK'EX stiffens further, her core pulsing an erratic series of reds and oranges.

AIK'EX: Junior Armament.

TOLEDRIC: Mmmmm?

AIK'EX: Please be quiet.

MALEEHIN snickers to himself, but quickly straightens his posture and clears his throat as he catches the Admiral's notice.

AIK'EX: I understand that you grow bored with such expeditions, but it is within the best interest of the Commonwealth that you focus solely on the task at hand.

TOLEDRIC: If they would make these things a bit more exci-

AIK'EX: How can one not find excitement in readying the Fleet.

MALEEHIN hangs his head in despondence, clearly anticipating an oft revisited speech.

AIK'EX: We bring glory to the Collective through our endeavours.

AIK'EX: Were it not for us, the securing of aetheric rings would simply fall short of success.

MALEEHIN:(hesitantly) Ad...miral?

AIK'EX: Were it not for us, the Citizenry would devolve into chaos and disorder in the face of opposition.

MALEEHIN fidgets in his seat, jamming button after flashing button with his nimble fingers.

AIK'EX: (glowing a passionate and joyous citrine) Were it not for us, th-

MALEEHIN: Admiral!

AIK'EX directs a cold, conflicted stare towards her second-in-command.

AIK'EX: ...Viceadmiral?

MALEEHIN: The entirety of the Fleet has ceased transmission synchronization. North Wind, Frost's Bite, Mockingbird...all silent and unresponsive.

AIK'EX continues her stare, suspicion making itself known as dull flushes of aquamarine and sickly ochre beneath her skin.

AIK'EX: And the algontherine's diagnostics?

MALEEHIN: (frantically pressing another slew of buttons) Our transmitters are operating at full capacity. The problem is not with our ship.

TOLEDRIC turns his attention to the unseen depths of aetherspace, wings unfurling in growing curiosity.

AIK'EX: Adjust the auxiliary monitors. Bring me port and starboard views at standard magnification.

MALEEHIN: Doing so, Admiral.

EFFECT E14 (13): Chromatic swirls drift across the surface of the dual screens, the images growing fuzzy and indistinct before steadying once more.

AIK'EX: Where...

MALEEHIN: Your eyes are as conclusive as the grid scans.

TOLEDRIC twists his head around, eyeing the Viceadmiral expectantly.

MALEEHIN: The Fleet is gone, Admiral.

AIK'EX: (to Toledric) I did warn you about welcoming misfortune, comrade.