Amma, the mouse-derived Beastwoman, just finished the avionics test when Captain Rose came into the Cockpit. Amma snapped,"Captain on the Bridge!" Lt.Cmdr. Hawkwing said,"We know. If you were cybernized, you'd know,too." Rose replied,"Amma DOES have a point. We do need a more cohesive command structure AND relation protocols. Adoption of standing human protocols might be a good idea. Half the crew is now made of Biologicals and most of them are NOT cybernized! My new daughter,Lime, among them." Hawkwing said,"That is off topic, Captain. The unknown dropship has set down and discharged seven individuals. Perro identified Aldus Panchetta,Princess Safira,their daughter Challoq,and Jin--adoptive mother of Toxic." "Also present is a woman we surmise to be Tall White Lady, who may have been changed by the 'Four Sisters Death-affect'. The Measure of the Bridge Between Worlds is with her, as identified by Amma." Perro interjected from behind them, his four eyes gleaming beadily. Hawkwing said,"I have Assistant Chief Engineer Narchi on-line to talk about the next part..." Rose almost laughed at Hawkwing's inflections. Ever since they were little girls together, Hawkwing was always out on the technological edge, looking for upgrades and such. Rose knew what she wanted to do. Rose said,"Alright...bring him up." Hawkwing brough up her right gripper and opened it up. A glow revealed itself to be Narchi in holographic form. Amma and Perro made noises of wonder, Amma saying,"Wow! Impressively small to be so clear." Hawkwing nodded,"It's GENETIC! I can pass it on to my daughters." Rose chuckled,"Who's off-topic, now?" To Narchi, she said,"You have information on the golden woman accompanying Aldus Panchetta?" Narchi nodded,"It's not good. She's a super-powered Althan Krommium android from over four million years ago! She might fall under Izkabell's influence if we bring her onboard. I finished the force-field upgrade for you. I suggest it gets installed right now! If evil Izzy put the hocus-pocus on Martya, she could order Periko to kill us all while doing so. The Android's Name is Periko. Sorry." Hawkwing complained, "Your language is VERY imprecise." "Fatigue. We living creatures NEED sleep. Less than our recommended amount for too long and we CAN die from it!" Narchi snapped it out tiredly, stifling a yawn. Hawkwing looked around and asked,"Is this true?" Amma nodded as Perro replied,"Yes. Dead as a can of fish after growing impairment past the first twenty or so hours of being awake. Perhaps 72 hours or so, according to most medical sources." Rose added,"Most of the biological crew are starting to become impaired to some degree. The stresses and fatigue are very dangerous in combination." Amma said,"I'm lucky mice don't need as much sleep as primates. OH! Captain--the ship CAN fly if we have to! I just finished the last Avionics test. We won't make much speed." Narchi nodded and said,"I'd estimate just short of Mach one. More than that runs a better than even chance of total structural failure. We have the remaining fusion drive reinforced with welded girders. Not pretty, but should hold." Amma asked,"Why not just shoot Izkabell? If we fear her so much, just blow her brains out?" Rose shook her head. "When we KNOW it was her sabotaging us,I'll kill her myself. Hawkwing--You have command until I'm back on-line. KEEP those people off my ship without hurting them. We'll have to confront Izkabell earlier than planned." She said to Hawkwing before leaving,"Notify the others in the plan, and tell them man their stations." "Yes,Captain." On the lower deck,Izkabell watched all this without expression. She started her own plans into effect. --TO BE CONTINUED!!--