Despite the schematics, something was clearly different than the plans for the hall that Naleena and Dahlia dropped into. It was long, like the corridor approaching the bridge, but the doors and hallways along it had been walled off. Behind, in the opposite direction of the bridge, it was pitch black, though with image intensifiers and ambient light, a rolling mist seemed to roll out from the blackness and lick its way outward, down the hall. Nothing moving came from the corridor, nor did anything show up on thermal imagery, except a coldness.
In the critical first few seconds when the bridge could be seen, it was revealed that the Medusa’s main control room was spacious, yet complex in that multiple control stations cluttered the interior. Perhaps meant to allow for redundant coverage if there was a failure, or a desire to perform intricate multitasking, the result was ample cover for those within. Nevertheless, two of the three figures in the room could be easily viewed (the third being a merc with an assault rifle covering the main entrance).
One figure was a man of average height, with long locks of black hair, a swarthy complexion and small, brown eyes. Visible under his opened, dingy brown great coat, he wore a dark green flannel, unbuttoned shirt which revealed a body worn by untamed drink and abuse. Black silk pants that had lost much of their sheen from grime, and scuffed black boots adorned his lower body. Gleaming from his gnarled fingers were rings of gold and diamond, gauche and obvious, and in one hand he held a Predator pistol. The looked like he wanted to use the gun, but could barely hold it, and his nervousness, or perhaps drunkenness, led to him being covered in a film of his own sweat, to the point that his hair was soaked and dripped. He stood atop the low dais in front of the captain’s chair, like a parody of a pirate at the helm of his own ship.
The other was a woman, standing below and to the side of the man, behind him slightly if one was looking at them from the main entrance. And if the man looked out of place, she looked like she was from another universe.
The woman was clad in perhaps the most outlandish armor ever seen. It fit her gorgeous form with molded plates, scintillating and shifting in violet hues. The forearm and lower leg areas were built up, and various, enigmatic gear was clipped to a belt that hung suggestively. As importantly as what the armor protected, was what it appeared not to protect. Visible were her hips, thighs, shoulders, upper arms, abdomen, and cleavage, almost as if the armor wasn’t meant to protect at all, but evoke. In these places, her delicate, porcelain skin looked so vulnerable as to tempt the violent impact of a bullet, or a gentle, caressing touch.
From the armor’s back sprung six long black blades, apparently with some dorsal attachment that let them spread out like exotic, sword like spines. The spines moved, with a mind of their own, slowly undulating in anticipation. Then perhaps the most bizarre feature of all was the elongated helm adorning her head. It possessed a large visor and was shaped in the image of a dragon’s head, an array of equipment sprouting from the helm’s sides like wings.
Nobody sane could ever put on such an outfit for combat.
And yet, the effect was to conjure forth a hypnotic reaction, whether of desire or disbelief, awe or mockery, a concern that the woman should be feared more or an inability to take the woman seriously. One could not look at the armor and simply disregard it. It was as if a person was forced to react to the fantastic appearance.
The helm visor was tinted, yet left visible the full face of the person behind it. Iyana stared out from within, a vision of a violet valkyrie summoned out of an extreme fashion event, or movie, or even some adolescent’s science fiction video game.
Iyana said to the man in the great coat, in what was a harmless voice, charming and inviting, like a dream, “You know, it isn’t as if I can’t fend for myself, Luscious. But is it wise to keep fighting? If Jess is committing a transgression against the Kings and Queens with her mutiny, we can go above her head and bring her down. You're sure you don't want to just leave the ship?"
"This is my ship!" Luscious growled.
"That it is, and you have proven it, my dear Luscious. I see how you have an endearing nobility after all. Jess has misjudged you. Perhaps I have too, since you seem so ready to finally defend what is yours from that rabble that's coming. Rest assured I'll do my part as well."
Luscious sat in the captain's chair, picked up a wine bottle on the dais next to it, and took another swig while waving his Predator pistol in the air.
Naleena remained cloaked and silently moved to her left taking cover behind an instrument panel, and quietly drew her Carnifexes. Dahlia remained in the maintenance passage.
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