One stared glumly at the space where Mixe had been standing. Something about the young man seemed oddly familiar, though he couldn't quite place it.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC1bqV9O3P

"Well," he muttered, turning back at his tree, "I'm not getting any rest until I get this settled, and I won't get it settled until Luck resurfaces."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QwRxmUGE6

The Breath of Fire crossed his mind. It was badly in need of repair after the thrashing he had given it during his last assignment, and the Final Fantasy probably needed a little repair work as well. They could make for a nice distraction.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJz4eApNV7

One shifted out of the Dream Realm, appearing directly inside his personal workshop. His teleportation was perfect … well, almost. He hopped off the workbench and started walking to the back of the workshop where his two dreadnaughts silently awaited his arrival. The Final Fantasy stood silently in the bay on the right, while the dragon-esque Breath of Fire lay in the other, its dismembered wings lying nearby.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡgw7nZOysy4

"Armor plating on the chest and arms is gonna need replacing." One said aloud as he surveyed the Final Fantasy for damage. "Other than that, she held up pretty well."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQDpfmFHB8

As he strapped on his tek-boots, his mind turned to Mikaen, the wayward knight who had literally dropped out of the sky while One was taking a nap on the world of Vinta. The poor guy had been on the edge: no family, only a few friends, no place to truly call his own. Worst of all, Mikaen's fiancée had died some months previous, leaving the knight reckless to the point of suicidal.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ8P6BAS9b

Of course, that was before One started poking around. Now Mikaen had a nice home in Homestead, a whole slew of friends, and a pretty, kind, and strong tigreth girlfriend.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlPN3v9wou

"Or have you proposed yet?" One mused to himself.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6COF50uwn

A hologram of a young girl appeared, a look of curiosity evident on her translucent face. "Are you talking to me?"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXEHGQtLvm

"Just thinking out loud, Rebecca. I was wondering if Mikaen and Tirinia are engaged yet."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD76WaVWmC

She shrugged indifferently. "Meh. I never was much for the wetware concept of romance. You need a hand?"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9ovaFIkdG

"Nah, I got it." Rebecca's skrievers could repair the dreadnaughts in less than an hour, but One preferred to do the work himself, much to Rebecca's chagrin.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYoboX9SGT

"Hmpf. Fine. I guess I'll just activate the platforms and let you get to it then." Her hologram vanished, a distinctly annoyed look on her face.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KYvR7YxVE

One locked the last strap of his tek-boots as the lowest platform rose into place. Hopping on, he began a more thorough examination of his dreadnaught's damage.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7zQpzeXPs

He ran a metal hand along one of several gashes in the right leg of the Final Fantasy. "Ouch. Still, easy enough to fix, I suppose."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd5M0XUsZo

While helping Mikaen, One and the young knight had come across the Breath of Fire, a combat-model dreadnaught from Earth's recent past. Although the Final Fantasy wasn't a combat model, One had been victorious. Of course, that meant he now had two giant machines to maintain.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡosXdQDWSkA

The plating on the chest of the Final Fantasy had taken the brunt of the damage. After shearing off the rivet heads with Headache's fusion cutter, One pried one of the chest plates off and let it fall to the floor with a loud clang.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI8lLvO6Ud

He was just starting on the next plate when the door to the main part of One's floor burst open. Two rushed through the doorway, a croquet mallet in one hand and a bottle of booze in the other.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡqag46y2YI0

He walked unsteadily toward the dreadnaught bays, mallet at the ready. "Come out of there, Wong! There's no use hiding!"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡor87wZI1UF

"Nice mallet." One called out, smirking. "Very intimidating."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhqPris9gM

Two peered at him. Even from a distance, One could see that his friend's eyes were bloodshot. "Oh. It's just you."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrI1PA8FU5

One hopped off the platform and approached his best friend. "What's going on, man?"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0lJoi6XPU

"It's Wong. He keeps messing around with the Breath of Fire. I've had to chase him out of here three times today." Shaking his head, Two asked, "What about you? I figured you were gone for at least a year."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡueExzBrWBz

"How long was I away?" One asked curiously.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6giI5S57a

"About two months. I started to go looking for you, but I figured you wanted some alone time. Besides, I'm sure you didn't want to deal with my protégé."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNXXYDMpKD

Two continued to complain, but One wasn't listening. As he returned to his repair work, his mind was on Luck. Teach had promised to tell Luck where One was hiding, and the elder Dreamer was usually reliable in such things. One had left his nexus point open for her, which on reflection was probably how Mixe got there. Two months was a long time for her not to have joined him.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxy8OMCort

One's gaze fell on the Breath of Fire. Mixe suggested that the Breath of Fire could have represented something, but what? It was a broken dreadnaught that looked a lot like a dragon. It could symbolize the Rangers who built it, or Earth on a very basic level, but One couldn't see how either of those would make Luck run off on him.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrDFkjkbOj

"… and in the shower, no less! Fate's got enough reasons to beat the crap outta me without Wong playing the instigator! I …" Two paused, his eyes narrowing. "One? One, are you even listening to me?"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6EUDrlfaO

One shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Sorry. You were saying something about instigating something between Fate and Wong?"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdfsXz13t3

Two rolled his eyes. "Ah, forget it."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpDnCAZi2s

"I'm sorry, Two." One sighed. "I'm guess I'm still a little distracted."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKRFVROX8u

"I can tell. You just removed a perfectly good sheet of armor plating."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk2c5OcP7a

One's eyes darted up to the plate he had just pried off. Sure enough, it was undamaged. Rubbing his temples, he muttered, "Nice. Good job, One."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡQui4hkPeZz

A mischievous smile crossed Two's face. "This distraction wouldn't have anything to do with the Lady Luck, would it?"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMQPkPMykO

"Have you seen her?"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSyUuZAxWQ

"You mean you haven't?" Two looked genuinely surprised. "I figured she was with you. Sorry, man. I haven't seen her since before you left."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjdg7u2g0M

One sighed. "Maybe Teach or Karma has-"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7dExzxexa

A loud clang shot from the direction of the Final Fantasy. Two slapped One on the arm. "See? See what I'm talkin' about? I bet Wong's over there trying to install an arcade cabinet into the cockpit or something."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp6FbCMjHs

One and Two ran toward the direction of the noise. Sure enough, they found Wong standing near the Breath of Fire.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWn1QzFYdb

Two brandished his mallet as though to hit Wong, but One caught his arm. "Wait, Two! Look at his face!"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrnv3T6LXu

Wong's face was pale as a sheet. There was no trace of his usual, fool-hardy smile either; in fact, he looked positively spooked.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0onwH3QF0T

The reason was obvious a few moments later. An overpowering acrid stench issued forth from the mass of bones and charred flesh that occupied the pilot's chair of the Breath of Fire's open cockpit.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj2faJ3OTy

"Ugh!" One covered his mouth with the sleeve of his shirt to block out the foul smell, "What the hell?"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfFanSPC7J

"It wasn't me!" Wong said, his voice a high-pitched squeak, "I just wanted to look at the control panel, so I sorta hacked into the Dreadnaught's systems and opened the cockpit, and there was totally a melted guy there!"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmIcxLPTn7

"A likely story!" Two moved to grab the young Dreamer, but One stopped him.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx9c6oDT5M

"He didn't do this." One told them.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl4t732shI

Wong and Two looked at him, equally surprised.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Aomdbh5yg

Still covering his face, One peered at the body. There were dozens of small holes in the body, each barely a millimeter in diameter. His suspicions were concerned when he found a wire leading from the console jabbed into what had been the pilot's neck.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3OyJ1ID9K

"Impulse control system." Glancing at his fellow Dreamers, One said, "The computer tried to create a neural link with the pilot. Without the right equipment or a datajack, it essentially ripped out his nervous system."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsnuLzbosS

"And that melted his body?" Two asked incredulously.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU0VlWa4x6

"No, but with no life signs in the cockpit, the Breath of Fire shut off all the shielding to preserve power, including the heat shield that protects the pilot from the power core. Do you know how much heat the generator that powers this thing puts off?"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3OBHFPYZ7

Two winced. "Ugh. Sucks to be him. Hey, wait! If the pilot was fried, how was the Breath of Fire still able to function?"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡkICk7Kaf5t

"Like I said, it assimilated his nervous system, including his brain." One gestured to the body of the Breath of Fire. "It basically pulled out his brain in data format and tried to overlay it in the Breath of Fire's artificial brain."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nvGBerahN

"That thing has a brain?" Wong shuddered. "Eww!"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaHieAj0QL

"It's artificial, Wong … like a computer, though the base imprint was programmed using the imprint taken from an actual dragon." Tapping the datajack on the side of his neck, One continued, "The ICS is supposed to bridge with the pilot's mind, creating a constant stream of data between the pilot and the dreadnaught."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2AbZVo18z

Looking back at the pilot's remains, One said, "It's not made to hold the entire contents of someone's mind, though. No wonder the Breath of Fire went berserk; the pain of the extraction coupled with the compression to fit inside the artificial brain would drive anyone nuts."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSZ49th7CT

One tapped the blackened console thoughtfully. It was impossible to determine the race of the pilot; what was left of the corpse was blackened beyond recognition, its clothes crumbled to ash.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡspIksH8qRK

There was no real reason to look into it. After all, One knew it was most likely a member of either the Ronisgald Security Force or the Celestial Cathedral. Still, there was something about the body that struck One as suspect. Though he couldn't put his finger on what, he knew someone who could.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKqTQkLRlZ

Turning back to his friends, One asked, "Where's Captain Morgan these days?"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhNS04LZPK

The Dreamer known as Captain Morgan is a bit of an odd duck, so to speak. He may not be as weird as Wong Fo-lee, but he's definitely one of the stranger inhabitants of the Elsewhere Mansion. He is also happens to be the Elsewhere's resident doctor and biologist.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj2XJtduRp

When he was just a Sleeper, Captain Morgan (or rather, Morgan Nathaniel Upshire) was groomed for the medical profession from the moment he first learned to read. Private schools, special tutors, and endless tomes dominated his childhood. He grew up far too quickly and settled into the life that had been orchestrated for him.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡk30vT6ovAa

His lost childhood always bothered him, and naturally manifested in his hobbies. Once his practice had netted him a sizeable bank account, he used a large chunk of his money to build an authentic Spanish Galleon which he named 'The Popehat' for reasons known only to himself. On the outside, it was a faithful and sea-worthy replica of an ancient pirate vessel. On the inside, it was a technological marvel, both for medicine and for sailing.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqNddP0nEI

As his obsession grew, he moved his offices inside the ship. The children loved him. The parents shook their heads at the childishness of it all.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD9L28fwCQ

Then Morgan became a Dreamer. For some, it is a solemn moment. For others, it is more like an epiphany. For Morgan, it was as though his childhood had been given a second chance. One day, as the last few families left his office and headed to their cars, Morgan and the Popehat weighed anchor and set sail into the Atlantic Ocean. This was quite a feat for a clinic that was based in the suburbs of Salina, Kansas.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVsrijHlWZ

The Popehat appeared inside the Elsewhere Mansion a few weeks later, sailing on an endless sea located in one of the Elsewhere's many gray rooms. Since then, the Popehat and Captain Morgan have been a part of the Elsewhere Incorporate.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8YYDE2Jbg

One took a moment to get his sea-legs after walking onto the deck of the Popehat; stepping out from a structurally sound hallway onto a gently rocking ship can be a little disorienting.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2wk3U26FO

He glanced around for Captain Morgan, but the nautical Dreamer was nowhere to be seen.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT8ScrcFiB

"Probably up in the crow's nest." One muttered, peering up the ship's mast.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJgPX5A7OQ

The door to the captain's cabin burst open. Out strode a boy no older than eight years old, dressed in full pirate regalia including a hook and a peg-leg. Instead of the traditional avian companion, Captain Morgan had a black and white cat perched on his shoulder.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2lMHBPDmD

"Arg!" The boy shouted, "It's a landlubber!"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMautTFLW7

One rubbed his eyes, muttering, "Oh, lord."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHW9ctRSCO

"Lay your booty on the deck, you scurvy dog!" The boy pulled a wobbly old cutlass from its battered sheath and took a few wild swings in One's general direction.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SOrlowunH

"Yes, yes, scurvy dog." The cat said with an air of resignation. "I'm sorry, One, but he's in one of his moods again."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE9MZFJbKD

"It's cool, Simon." One lifted one Headache-encased arm and smacked the weapon from the would-be pirate's hand. It flew through the air in a wide arc and hit the deck point first.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡzubTNUF4ES

Captain Morgan pouted. "Oh, come on! You're such a damp cloth."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQS7ivPIXv

"We can cross swords later, Captain. I've got a bit of a mystery on my hands that I'd like your help with … if you're not too busy, that is."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l5zvWHtID

"Aha! Another grand adventure, filled with treasure and wenches, no doubt!" Captain Morgan said, letting out a loud triumphant laugh. "The Popehat is ready to set sail the moment you give the word!"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡchzSYNVjRD

"Or, y'know, don't." Simon leapt from Captain Morgan's shoulder and landed easily on the deck. After pausing to stretch his paws and yawn, he said, "We could just stay here. Nice day for a nap."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyy3hM17zI

The head of a brown cat poked out of a coil of rope. "Did someone say nap?"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhHf6T3bUw

"Like you ever do anything else, Wash." Simon sat up straight, looking strangely respectable for a cat. "I'm not saying it's a bad idea, mind you."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoBXrwV96y

Sighing, One said, "Look, I'm sorry, but I really need you in doctor mode right now."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhWdsVDSeX

"Of course!" Captain Morgan snapped his fingers. In a matter of moments, he went from a boy-pirate to a boy in a white lab-coat with a pair of spectacles on the tip of his nose … and a jaunty pirate hat on his head.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHlEoaMJBq

Sighing again, One asked, "Is the hat really necessary?"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtbmXBGXlf

"No time for questions! Quick, to my office!"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbXyglLFsf

One followed Captain Morgan into the cabin. The moment he passed through the doorway, One found himself standing in a pristine medical facility. Everything was clean and shiny, the exact opposite of what you'd expect after long-term exposure to the salt air.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm5IdXH863

Taking another moment to adjust to the change (the medical bay was well insulated from the movement of the ship), One hurried over to where Captain Morgan was preparing.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt2SUu8E0L

"Is my patient here yet?" he asked, pulling on a set of rubber gloves.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69AZBftjwG

"One moment." One waved his hand at the nearest bed, the burnt corpse of the dreadnaught pilot appearing there a moment later.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7FfCvA6s2

"My lad, " Morgan said, putting an arm around One's shoulder, "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there's nothing I can do. He is, as we say in the medical profession, dead as a dodo."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXWoQ3vPh9

"I know he's dead." One replied, suppressing a laugh, "I just need to know what he was."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrLRCFYNgo

"Fair enough. Let's see here …" Captain Morgan looked at the corpse, his interest renewed. "Given the bone and teeth structures, I'm guessing he's human, Galden, or Tylaen. This basic form's quite common, isn't it? Of course, with this much tissue damage, I'm not jumping to any conclusions."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0hcE7GcQw

He picked up a scalpel from an instrument tray and started poking at the remains.copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLG3GWpW6M

Feeling suddenly sick, One turned around, One said, "Will this take awhile?"copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡOufDrE7nXM

Ripping out a burnt chunk of flesh with a horrible squelching noise, Captain Morgan said, "Hmm. Could be a lung. Could be a liver. Yeah, this will definitely take awhile."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBoQmkFHGb

"I'll stop by later, then. I've got someone I want to check up on anyway."copyright protection334ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYW2LsElul