The captain is in, pacing back and forth while flicking through the MID's unfamiliar functions in search of a map, keyed up from lack of sleep, mind in turmoil. It would be midday on the Ariel now -- or maybe not, after the extraordinary story Miles had told. Doubles who weren't clones, parallel universes, time travel for God's sake.... did their crew even know they were gone? But the situation was what it was. The only way through was to deal with it.

Bel had chosen an upper bunk, both warmer and more defensible, just in case; the kit of Moira uniforms was arranged there, but Bel hadn't changed out of the more familiar Dendarii colors. The room was sparse, the furniture of unfinished wood (an unimaginable luxury on Beta Colony, but roughly built and little-maintained here). One of the beds had been used; apparently Bel had a roommate, though they weren't here at the moment. Perhaps that was them at the door--?

....it wasn't.

The face was older, of course, but there was no mistaking it. Bel stepped back automatically to invite the man in, startled recognition showing clearly.

"Well. This ship is just full of unexpected surprises." Miles had laid down the rules: cover stories all round, and fortunately there was a simple one for this. "Greg, isn't it? I haven't seen you since that memorable trip to Vervain."


[[I'm laughing so hard right now POOR MILES XD;;;]]