Posted by Civilian Runa Siff McKenzie (Teacher) in Earth - What Part of ‘Get On The Ship’ Do You Not Understand? (Tag Runa McKenzie)

Posted by Civilian Capall McKenzie (Colonial Intelligence Agent) in Earth - What Part of ‘Get On The Ship’ Do You Not Understand? (Tag Runa McKenzie)

Posted by Civilian Runa Siff McKenzie (Teacher) in Earth - What Part of ‘Get On The Ship’ Do You Not Understand? (Tag Runa McKenzie)
Posted by… suppressed (13) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Capall McKenzie was standing outside the port while McKenzies and Edmans of all sizes, shapes, ages, and temperament were busy gathering belongings and saying goodbye to those remaining behind. This was a banner day for the Clan: the majority of Clan McKenzie and Clan Edman, two of Earth’s most long tenured familial bloodlines, left Earth to travel to the edge of Federation space for the chance to start building a new world on the colony of Oed V. The day had been a long time in coming, and many were anxious to get on the massive colony ship that was in orbit hundreds of miles above them. Shuttles stood on landing pads waiting to begin shuttling passengers and belongings up, while some of the more tech-savvy waited in line for the transporters. Capall watched it all, with arms crossed on his broad chest, with a eye for detail and anticipating issues. He was a striking figure. Not overly tall like his cousins Mike and Seamus, but well-muscled with thick, ropy muscles that rippled under his long sleeves that protected his arms from the chill of the Aberdeen wind. He wore his kilt, the tartan of Clan McKenzie, with a pride born of one who had given up his clan only to be brought back… his past transgressions forgiven by all (most).

“Sir McKenzie, we have some that are wantin’ ta change their minds. They wanna go now.” said a runner that had come from somewhere far in the back of the growing throng. “Nae, they had tha chance. If they wish tae go now, the only way is if they trade with someone who is on the manifest.” Capall said. The runner nodded and went back towards where he came from to relay the message. Capall shook his head and said “I told you this was gonna happen.”

Capall McKenzie

Runa stood beside him in a long dark grey dress, her tartan shall, given to her by Capall was one of her most precious possessions, was wrapped around her shoulders. She held onto it as the wind wiped her copper blonde hair around and tried to snatch her shall too. Over the last weeks she and Capall had organized the loading of building materials, food, feed for the animals, personal household cargo of the families, temporary shelters (overly large yurts while they built more permanent structures), and the last 3 days they had loaded the live stock. The horses, the cattle, the sheep. It had taken far too long to get Angus and Aurora on board. Even Blaire had no luck. Runa had bruises to prove it. Runa had finally started taking Angus’ ladies from him. That got her the bruises, it also got Angus on the d@mn ship.

Runa watched the runner head back and laughed, “Of course it is. Now they realize how much they are going to miss out on. Da will sort it out. Anyone who changes their mind can come later. He will help arrange it.” There was commotion at the transporter. Runa recognized the people immediately. She put a hand on Capall’s arm before she moved over toward the pad. It was Elizabeth and her daughter. One of Argyle’s…Runa didn’t have words. She knelt down and spoke softly to the little girl before picking her up and entertaining her for a moment. She was scared of the transporter. It took Runa less than a minute before she was back with her mother and gone in a swirl of lights. Runa walked back over, “We should have started a week ago.”

Runa

“We should have started a damn year ago. Then we would have all the necessary infrastructure in place already and these people wouldn’t be traveling across the galaxy for almost a year just to piss in a hole in the ground.” He took a breath and steadied himself. “I know, Love… I know. Mike and Revna will be there soon. So will Seamus and Ragna. I know they will handle it… I just wish I was there to help.” and he shook his bald head and swore softly. “Why did Mike choose us… me… fer this? A solid quarter of these people still want my guts for Christmas presents. And now I’m supposed to be one ‘a the ones tellin’ ‘em what tae do? It’s crazy.”

Capall McKenzie

Runa set a hand on his crossed arms. “Because they know what they are doing. As far as logistics go, you and I are the best choice. Mike made it quite clear he trusts you and this gives the clan the chance to see why for themselves. Also, Mike and Revna know good and well what I will do if anyone gives us or you problems.” She grinned at him and kissed his cheek. “And Seamus and Ragna were the best to go on ahead. If Ragna can go, and everyone knows how much she hates the idea, but she is happy when we arrive, then that will settle a lot of nerves for everyone. If she’s not happy, well Revna will hide her before we arrive.” And Runa laughed. “It’s 4 months, not a year. And Seamus and Ragna are going to get a lot of the infrastructure started. Oed is already settled, so there are resources there and the work should go faster.” Runa met his gaze for a moment. “It’s a beginning for us, and it will be wonderful.”

Runa

Capall took a breath and said “You are, as usual, correct.” He looked down at her and smiled before putting an arm around her shoulders. “If you had only spoken to me when you saw me wrestle… perhaps we would not have lost so much time.” he said with a smile. At that moment a small shoving match started between two families and Capall inhaled deeply and let Runa go to go deal with it.

“Enough!” he yelled, his voice cutting over the din. “What is going on here?!” One of the older women looked at Capall and said “They cut in front of us! We were picking up our belongings and they just walked around us and took our place!” “What a cock ‘a shite! Ye always were a liar, Moira!” said another woman. “Oh, go shag your milkman again Phyllis! We all know the wee Donnal has his eyes anyway!” “I’ll kill ya, ya-” and Capall put his fingers in his mouth and let a shrill whistle that stood up to even the brisk wind around them. “I SAID ENOUGH!” and the women froze. Capall looked around and saw their husbands off to the side out of eyesight of their wives sharing a flask of something that Capall really wished he had a shot of right then, and he said “Listen to me very carefully. It’s a really big ship. And even with all of us going, it will barely be half full. So it doesn’t matter who gets on first or who is in line where. Get on a shuttle- NOT the same one- and get up there and get settled. And if I hear another personal insult, character blemish, or speculation of paternity from either of you… I will shove both of you in a space suit and strap you to the outside of the ship for the duration of travel. Got it?” The two husbands overheard and one of them grasped his hands in a silent plea to please do that. Capall’s mouth twitched, but he suppressed a smile and said “Now go. And no more fighting!” and he turned and walked back to Runa.

Capall McKenzie

Runa watched on, her best ‘disapproving teacher’ look on her face. As he came back she checked the manifest and quarters assignments to make sure those two were on opposite ends of the ship. Runa held in a smile until he was standing directly in front of her. “Capall, I do think you were channeling a little of Mike back there. As for talking to you when you were wrestling…I don’t think that would have ended well. I was far too wild back then.” She laughed softly.

“WHAT DO YA MEAN THE SHIP IS ONLY HALF FULL!?” Runa sighed and turned to see the runner, running after a very red faced, puffed up Magnus Duff. He’d been going back and forth since day 1. “If half the ship is empty why can’t we go?”

Runa took a breath, “Because Magnus we can’t add more provisions and supplies now. That’s why we needed counts weeks ago. To make sure we had enough for everyone. Now if you’ve changed your mind you can talk to Lady Tara or Lord Cuyler and they will help you make arrangements to join us later.”

“I was no talkin’ ta you, Edman. Magnus practically sneered it. He also smelled drunk. That was not good for him.

Runa nodded, “That’s right, I am an Edman, that married a McKenzie. Yer chiefs,” she emphasized the plural, “Are a McKenzie and an Edman. They combined the clans and now you,” she suddenly stepped into his space and poked him hard in the chest. He was more startled than hurt, “are a McKenzie and an Edman too. So I’m gonna forget that you forgot that. You are gonna go home and sleep it off, or you are gonna eat the Earth of your precious Scotland, got it?”

Magnus began to spit and splutter and get redder in the face. Runa sighed and at the last second, side stepped as he lunged at her and he fell, face first into the dirt, and got a mouthful of dirt and grass.

Runa

Capall was not like his cousins on many aspects. Seamus and Mike would have beat the stuffing out of the fat, belligerent sod for even thinking about laying a hand on their wives. No, Capall was not like them in many ways.

But he was a McKenzie.

Large hands grasped the back of Magnus’ next and shirt collar. Arms with cable-luke muscles lifted the sputtering man off the ground. A back and legs that seemed to be made of steel dew him back and then threw him headfirst into the crowd of people complaining about not being allowed to go now that they had changed their minds. Lore than a few were taken off their feet by the flying figure, and a voice as deep and forbiding as Seamus and Michael when they had reached their limit thundered across the staging area.

“I. Am. Done. All of you on the manifest, shake your arses and get on the bloody shuttles or may all the gods of old save you from what I will do tae ya!” People crashed and careened into one another as they bolted for the safety of the shuttles and transporters. Capall whirled on the crowd of mind-changers. “AND YOU LOT!!! You had yer chance and ya wasted it being selfish, stubborn, or just plain stupid! You want on innthis new chapter in clan history?! FECKIN’ WALK. Or get your assessment up and go buy a damn ticket to Oed. I don’t care what ye do, but if your arses aren’t on McKenzie lands on Oed in six months… stay yourselves here!” He was breathing heavy and his fists were clenched as his eyes bore into Magnus. “And you. If you ever step tae my bride again, I will feed you your own lips!”

A silence had fallen over the crowd as Capall called Magnus out, but a lone voice could be heard from somewhere by the line if people. “Well?! Ye heard the man. The McKenzie put him in charge! So do as the he says!” The speaker was an older McKenzie, and one of rhe ones who had pushed back on Lord McKenzie bringing Capall back into the clan. He looked at Capall and simply nodded once. Capall nodded back and then looked at Runa. “You ok, love?”

Capall McKenzie

Runa smiled at the exchange. Not that she doubted Mike and Revna, butvthatbexchange just proved it. She looked at Capall and huffed out a breath, “You ruined my fun.” Then she grinned at him and took one of his fisted hands in both of hers. “Yeah, I’m fine, My Love. Remember, I told you I can handle drunks. He was nothing.” She kissed him quickly. “I was in no danger, and like I said, he ate dirt.” Runa rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand, standing close to him.

“Runa!” She turned to see Devlin walking up. “Capall, you two alright? That was an impressive throw.” He offered Capall his hand.

Runa nodded with a grin, “It was. Reminds me if this guy I saw wrestle once…threw his opponent into a referee that was making bad calls.” Her grin grew wider.

Devlin shook his head m, “You know all kinds Runa.” He turned back as Kirsten and Ada made their way over, their tiny baby bundled against the cold in Kirsten’s arms. Devlin took the baby and rocked him as hebswayed back and forth. Runa was really happy for them. Devlin was incredibly happy and it showed. “Got everything on Bømlo sent up to the ship. Everything is done there. Yer da asked me ta have ya wait. He’s on his way.”

“Alright, we still have a bit before everyone is actually on board.”

Runa

Capall moved to the line and kept things moving. After his ‘motivavtion’, everything seemed to be going more smoothly. Even the ones that had changed their minds were busy trying to trade for spots on the ship, but keeping all low-key. Some agreements were reached, some were not, but in the end everyone who wanted to go was mostly going. Capall walked back to Runa and said “Ok. That seems to be settled for a moment. Where is your father?” He began looking out over the crowd from the small riser they stood on.

Capall McKenzie

“Right here,” the deep throom of Cuyler’s voice carried easily over the wind. Helka and Oodvar were both with him. Oddvar and Tara had returned a couple months ago, but the bug had bitten him, and he was eager to travel some more. With them was an older woman, who once had been tall and quite pretty, but age had stooped her and turned her hair snowy white. Old Gothie. She never left Bømlo, not even for the wedding. “She wanted to see you off,” Cuyler explained. The old holy woman shuffled her way over to them. She tapped the raven pin on Capall’s tartan and then tugged on the part if his tartan drapped over his shoulder. Capall had no choice but to bend down or his tartan fall off. She grinned and muttered in Norwegian. Runa turned red which made the old woman giggle. She kissed Capall’s cheek and let him go.

Runa bent down and the woman gave her a huge hug. She pulled a small leather bag from her waist and put it in Runa’s hands. Then she pointed at the bag on Runa’s waist and Runa gave it to her hugging her again.

“You two take care of each other.” Oddvar hugged Runa, shook Capall’s hand and gave him a bear hug. Then he led the old woman away.

“We will. Promise you.” Capall said.

Helka hugged them. “I don’t like crying, so Runa you write often. And Capall keep her out of trouble.”

“There is no way in all of creation that’s gonna happen.” Capall said with a grin.

“I have every intention of corrupting Capall and teaching him how much fun trouble with me can be,” Runa smiled sweetly at her mother. Helka burst out laughing, “Good luck, Capall. Just know we love you, but you chose her.”

Cuyler chuckled, “She is gonna ball the second you are gone.” Looking around, “We’ll take care of the stragglers.” He hugged Runa tight enough to lift her off the ground. Then he hugged Capall and slapped him on the ba k. “You are so much better than an intergalactic pirate. I’m glad she chose you.” Then he took a box from Helka, “Here, careful with it, it’s strong, but I have a feeling yer gonna need it on this trip.”

Runa

Capall looked around and then at the box. “With this lot, I hope its strong.” and he smiled and then took Cuyler in a massive bear hug. “This isn’t goodbye. It is see you next time.” he said as he released Runa’s father.

Capall McKenzie

Cuyler nodded, “If Oddvar has his way we’ll come for a visit when things are good and settled.” He tapped the box, “I have kept this hidden from my girls for years.” He saw Runa’s look, “You stay out of it. You ans Revna both.” He looked at Capall, “When you get there, the 6 of you share a drink. Do not let the girls have more than a shot. The rest is yours. It’s a BIG bottle.” Then he shooed them toward the transporter. “Go on, now. We’ll make sure the last of them get on board. Go get settled.”

Cuyler

Capall nodded and took Runa’s hand. “Come. The elders have spoken. Besides… I have a surprise for you when we get on board.” He nodded once more to Cuyler and Helka and moved to the transporter.

In a swirl of lights, they vanished.

They appeared on board the colony ship Beck in a massive transporter room. A crew member looked at a PaDD and said “Sir and Lady Mckenzie. Welcome aboard. Please, follow me. Your belongings are already in your quarters.” Capall looked at Runa and said “Well… here we go.” and he took her hand.

The crew member led them to a turbo lift and soon they were moving through the ship. “Per your request Sir McKenzie, your quarters have been arranged.” The doors opened onto a short hallway with only three doors on it, one on each side and one at the end of the passage. “The other suites are unoccupied.” and he led them to far door. It slid open to reveal a suite the likes of which only existed on luxury yachts and Risian resorts. Every comfort and convenience sat waiting for them and them alone, and floor to ceiling windows looked out on the Earth far below them. “Bedroom to port with master bath. Full kitchen and replicator, but we have fresh food as provided by your people. Cleaning will be done once a day when you are out. If you need anything, just press the bell icon and one of the stewards will be with you.” Capall thanked the man and when the door slid closed he said “Surprise!” softly and chuckled. “Your Da and I made sure we contracted with the best ship we could find. This is more ‘massive hotel with loads of cargo space’ than colony ship. We’re uprooting and moving hundreds and hundreds of years of tradition… might as well move it in style.”

Capall McKenzie

Runa walked along the massive ship. And when Capall said surprise she turned to look at him and grin. “See this is why Mike chose you. Make it like a vacation and people are less likely to get disconsolate. Some will still be annoying, but the majority will embrace enjoying the journey.” She walked into his arms and grinned at him, “So I will absolutely will not tell anyone you actually did this all for me. They don’t need to know that.” Then she looked him up and down. “Now let’s see if I can figure out how to unwrap you from that kilt.”

Runa

Capall smiled and said “Yes, please. But first… we really do need to make sure everyone is settled and there are no last minute issues.” He put a finger on her lips to silence the protest he knew was coming. “Responsibilities are a burden, yes yes.” he said with a laugh. “But the more we mind them now, the more time we’ll have to ourselves during the trip.” He kissed her solidly for a long time, and then said “Now c’mon. Help me wrangle this crowd and then I promise you I’ll show you how to get me outta this.”

Capall McKenzie

Runa grabbed his hand and dragged him behind her. The sooner they were done the sooner they got back. She stopped by the door and hit the comm button for the guests. =/\=All Clan members get settled in your rooms and then report to the lounge on Deck 9 in an hour.=/\=

“Now let’s go check the cargo first and the animals. That gives Da time to make sure the last shuttles have left and docked with the ship.” Runa might prefer to spend this time alone with Capall, but she knew how to get things done. Stragglers were ushered toward their rooms or the lounge, any one causing problems were treated to the wayward student lecture that never ceased to fix problems.

That however did not work on panicked and stressed animals.

Runa

Capall did not have a way with animals. But he was able to keep them from running out of their pens. He almost came to blows with a certain jet-black ram; but after he began swearing every other word the ram seemed to take it as sign of victory and he trotted back into his pen. Capall wiped his hands off as they left to go check on the cargo hold and he said “Give me a virus-riddled isolinear chip array any day over that.”

Capall McKenzie