The walls around them were oddly clean-looking, despite looking as though everything around them had been pieced together with spare parts. Everything, including the floors and walls, looked like a strange, metal quilt, with several differently colored sections welded or riveted together. In spite of this, the area was well lit, spacious, and comfortable-looking.

Mark looked around them, his hands spread out at his sides. "Well, this is The Resonance. You'll have to pardon the mess." He looks towards the door. "That way's the Living Quarters, where we'll be staying, and that," He gestures towards a door in the opposite direction, "Is the Flight Deck. I just need to stop, there, and plot our course." He looks back at Merceigh. "You're welcome to join me, if you want, or you can wait in the Living Quarters. It won't take long."

Merceigh was rather taken aback by the inside of the ship. She looked around, drinking in everything and grinning a little. She followed Mark and then looked to the living quarters, deciding she was probably best kept out of the way of things. She didn't have any experience in this sort of thing, she was just military Captain. Well, she wasn't even that anymore! She sighed and shook her head, ducking into the living quarters.

She found somewhere to sit and eyed the area, thinking. She had left behind her nephew, the only living relative she had. She nestled down a little in her chosen seat and tucked her legs up. Still, she refused to put down her strong-front, acting unwavering. She was a peculiar female but it didn't seem to deter her at all. She waited for Mark, her mind wandering. Staying behind would have meant more death and destruction. It wasn't worth it. Any of it. She could have lost her nephew as a result and she couldn't do that.

Mark watches as Merceigh leaves without a word, the automatic doors sliding open smoothly as she approaches, only to close behind her. He lowers his gaze to the floor in contemplation. He knew all too well what Merceigh must be feeling, right now. She was leaving behind everything she had ever known, because of him, which didn't make him feel any better, either. Still, the only way, now, seemed to be forward.

He would have to make all of this up to her, one day..

Mark turns away and walks towards the Flight Deck, the door sliding to one side as he draws near. Just beyond the hatch was a small room fitted with two chairs. These two chairs seemed to be the only furniture in the room. It fact, they seemed to be the only two things in the room at all. There were no measurement gauges, no screens, and no buttons to push. All there was was the two chairs, which were spaced approximately two feet from one another, with what appeared to be two semi-circles on the floor, around them. Without a moment's hesitation, Mark takes his seat in the one closest to the viewing glass. No sooner had he taken a seat, then several automated beeps would sound throughout the room.

A series of whirs and clicks echo out as the semi-circle around Mark's seat opens up. From below, a thin, rounded plate of clear plexi-glass would rise up around him, coming up just above his head as several lights begin to appear in various places. Within moments, a display came up directly onto the glass, displaying a white triad and the words "Luminous Technologies" below it. A female voice would speak from somewhere in the room. "Welcome back, Mister Sellers." Mark smiles, slightly. "Thank you, Shiela. What do you have to report?"
"Sir. There are no anomalies detected. All systems are fully operational, and await your command."
"Have the solar panels had time to charge?"
"Affirmative. All energy readings show up at one-hundred percent."
"Chart us a new course, heading zero-two by three-eight. Once we're out of the atmosphere, I want us to shift into Slipspace, heading five-six by four-two."
"Charting course. Will you be remaining in the Flight Deck for the journey?"

Mark blinks and hesitates, for a moment. His gaze wanders back towards the door. "Yes, but only for a minute or two.We have company, onboard."
"Affirmative. Detecting one additional passenger. Female. Human. Shall I run the 'mood setting' protocol?"
Mark nearly falls from his seat."N-no! No, that won't be necessary.. maintain course and use present protocols."
"Affirmative.."

If Mark didn't know any better, he might have detected a slight tone of amusement in the computer's voice.

He sighs as he rises from his seat, triggering the display to cut off, automatically. The plexi-glass lowers back down into the floor as Mark heads back through the door into the receiving bay. He sighs as he looks over at the door leading into the Living Quarters. What would he say to her? What could he say, that hadn't been said, already? Mark runs his fingers through his cropped hair as he takes a moment to collect his thoughts.

Merceigh sighed a little and hugged her knees. There would be absoloutely no use moping around because she didn't want to answer endless questions on how she was feeling. She felt lousy, it would take some time to pass over but she was just a little exhausted and her emotions were runing high. She blinked around, still trying to get used to all of the new changes she would be dealing with. She frowned a little and rubbed her eyes, yawning softly.

If she had been used to the sounds and looks of the place, she might've been a little more comfortable. Besides, it could always be much worse, she could have lost Mark; who had come to be a very valuable and trusted friend. She knew it wasn't easy for him, all of this and her sitting around and sulking and looking miserable wouldn't lighten his mood. She could always find ways of making sure her nephew and regiment were looked after. She trusted her men and they wouldn't let it all fall apart.

She sighed softly and sat up a little, looking around. Where was she meant to sleep? She didn't really mind where right then, she was more likely to just doze off where she sat and curl up for however long it took for her body to catch up on sleep. None of this was Mark's fault. He just speeded it all up, like a catalyst she supposed. Without him, Stracken probably would have killed her outright along with her brother but she guessed she had been too late with her brother.

Mark takes a deep breath as he moves towards the door, which slides open as his approach. The Living Quarters was only a few small rooms set up much like a studio apartment would be. The main living space was expansive enough to walk around and stretch one's legs comfortably, and had a single twin-size bed tucked away into the corner, complete with a nightstand. A table was in the center of the room, with four swiveling chairs around it, but little else. Further off to one side would be a small counter, where there was what appeared to be a microwave, and a small box that could only be a mini-refrigerator. The room was illuminated by a series of luminescent lights, which could be dimmed or shut off via a set of switches next to the door, where Mark now stood. The room had only one other door, which led into the single bathroom onboard. The walls and floors, much like those found in the receiving bay, looked as though it had taken several smaller ships to build this one. In spite of this, the floor was smooth, and easy to walk on without tripping. The walls, however, were oddly bare. No personal effects adorned the Living Quarters. No pictures, distinguishments, medals of honor(he had acquired two, as two different people), or any other such belongings.

Along the wall opposite the bed, however, was a row of what appeared to be dressers. Should one open them up, they would find a vast collection of uniforms, outfits from different eras of pop-culture from several different star systems, footwear of all makes and brands, as well as an assortment of firearms that were standard issue in a number of military organizations across the Multiverse. Behind one of the closets would hang several different insignias and badges of various law-enforcement agencies from just about everywhere one could possibly imagine. This was Mark's life; an empty shell, whose only lot in existence is to live OTHER people's lives. Fictional men and women with more to say about themselves than Mark ever had, for himself.

Mark turns his gaze to Merceigh, who seemed preoccupied with her thoughts. Neither one of them would even be able to feel the ship move as it left Terra's Atmosphere, heading along the vector Mark had laid out. The ship wouldn't move to Slipspace, however, without his say so. "Merceigh, uh.." He pauses to clear his throat. "We'll be on our way, soon." It was all he could think to say. Lowering his eyes to the floor, he moves to sit near her, his back against the wall. "I know that you would rather forget all of this.. that you would rather be home, right now, with your men, and with your.. nephew." He pauses, again, to glance over at her. "I don't mean to keep bringing it up, I'm sorry.. I just-" He winces and leans back to bang his head against the metal hull and mumble incoherently before sighing. "Well, this is where we'll be for the next day or two, give or take." Give or take another day.. or two. "You're welcome to anything I have, in here, including the clothes in the closets," he nods towards the closets. "There's, uh.. a few articles for women, in there, somewhere, though you would probably prefer some of the uniforms." He smiles slightly, at that. "Anyway.. yeah."

He was clearly trying to seem pleasant through all of this, but his awkwardness around her seemed to only be amplified, now that they were truly and utterly alone, traveling through the vastness that was space..

Merceigh glanced up, startled almost as if she had forgotten Mark was still lingering around and she blinked over at him, green eyes still trying to make sense of everything and she sighed a little, running a hand through her hair. It wasn't his fault. Really, she wished he wouldn't blame himself. This was for their protection and her mens at home. The last thing she wanted was to be chased down twenty-four seven like some fox. Perhaps dog suited her better now.

She looked to mark and shrugged a little, "It's for the best." She assured and smiled to him weakly, "I would rather that than my men hunted down with me." She murmured and rubbed her eyes. She would miss Justin, he was the only family she had but she knew she had elft him in the best capable hands and the men would never do anything to put him in danger. She shook her head slightly, "I don't think Uniforms will suit now, don't you think?" She grinned and shrugged it off. Captain Gabriel was the woman with honours, medals and respect. Merceigh, well, she was just Merceigh, nothing else really. She had made her life and living off of the military and now, she wasn't quite sure what to do.

She had never been into space, Hell, she had barely managed to find the time to watch the stars back at the base. Once or twice there had been gorgeous nights were she could see millions. "Don't worry about it." She looked to Mark with a grin and she rubbed the back of her neck. She didn't want this to be awkward for either of them. She noticed the walls were bare. She guessed Mark didn't have a family or relationship because he lived such a dangerous life. She knew the feeling. She looked over to him and frowned a little, she guessed everyone deserved a chance and being happy and maybe he was, but being on the run, living other people's lives couldn't have been all that enjoyable at times. It seemed he was used to a solitary life, without company and she really hoped she wasn't imposing. She was good and keeping hidden, it might last for some time, if not all the time then at least she could be killed away from the Base. She was little good dead though. She frowned slightly and sat back, rubbing her head and trying to make sense of everything.

For a long while, Mark sat alongside Merceigh in silence, enjoying the company, for a change. After all, the two of them had been on the move for a large portion of the past week or so, fighting for their lives on a daily basis. It felt good, to him, to be sitting in one place, for a time. Mark closes his eyes for a moment, a smile upon his lips as he speaks. "Shiela.. open port-side viewing glass, please."
"Affirmative. Opening port-side viewing glass.."
A loud click and a series of whirs would sound from somewhere behind the wall opposite the closets(where the bed sat). Within a few moments, a dark line could be seen splitting across the wall as half of it seems to rise up to meet the ceiling, while the second half fell through the floor, to reveal a wondrous sight..

Laid out before them was the planet, Terra, now little more than a sphere of blue and green. Looking close enough, it's many oceans could be seen, white clouds floating high above the surface, giving the planet a textured look to it. Behind Terra, stars by the billions line the vastness of space that now envelopes them. Far off in the distance, some hundred light-years away, a small sluster of solar flares could be seen; brilliant specs of light that splayed out across the galaxy. It was all so surreal. So beautiful. The planet seems to get smaller as The Resonance continues on it's path out of the system, still awaiting Mark's command to make the transition to Slipspace. "I've always loved the vastness of space.. it really.. really puts perspective on things."

Merceigh blinked and watched the view slowly show itself as she got up and walked over, looking out at it, mesmerized by the sight. It was truly something which words couldn't describe for the young woman and she smiled softly to herself. Back there, everyone would be safe.... they would have to be. She wondered if everyone was watching the sky, she shook her head slightly, the smile never leaving her lips as she bit her lip, it was just fantastic. She looked to Mark as he spoke and she nodded a little, "I never really had time to even look at the stars back there, something was always happening." She laughed quietly.

"It's weird, my men always told me I needed a holiday, I guess this is what I get for putting it off so long." She smiled a bit and kept her eyes on the outside. It was just gorgeous. The view, everything. She had never been like this. So at ease, so tranquil without having to think about what might around the corner, almost as if she could unwhind right that mind. She was herself, she was Merceigh and up here, no one had to answer to her, give reports and she didn't need to justify everything she did and no attention would be brought to her if she acted like a young woman who wanted to simply talk to a friend or laugh and joke around. Back home, doing something like that could well have ended up in raised eyebrows.

"Y'know... I could get used to all of this." She looked to Mark, tearing her gaze away from the view. "Thanks."

The way she moved.. as though floating through the air.. Mark couldn't help but watch as Merceigh approaches the viewing glass, entranced, as it were. In the reflection was the face of a beautiful young woman, staring wonderously out at the vastness of a world she had never truely known, untill now. It looked, to her, as though everything were right with the universe. For all anyone knew, she was an ordinary, everyday girl, who's fancy had been taken by a glorious sight. It truely took Mark aback. Yes, he had always though that space was something of interest, but he had spent most of his life around it, and had never considered what it would be like to view it for the first time.

Mark smiles sincerely as Merceigh speaks. "It was.. nothing, really.." He knew not what to say. Instead, he would rise from where he sat to make his way to Merceigh's side, his hands tucked behind his back as he watched Terra become smaller and smaller, its details becoming less and less apparent untill the entire planet was but the size of a small golf ball, to them. Mark opens his mouth to say something.. but decides against it. Such an inquiry could wait. It was best not to spoil this time, for Merceigh.

Merceigh looked to Mark and smiled weakly, "People always say that. I don't think they really realize though." She spoke with a calm knowing air about her form. Merceigh couldn't ever repay Mark for what he had done. He had saved her men, her and everything she held dear by helping in sending Stracken on his way and she knew that Stracken's regiment wouldn't be able to track down her new base and that her regiment were safe. She just wished she was there to see it. Perhaps one day she could return, but for now, wounds were far too fresh to even contemplate returning. It might well cost lives for such a venture.

Besides, the view before her was astounding. She never knew that Terra, such a battle ridden place, could look so serene and beautiful and fights seemed petty all of a sudden. She sighed softly and looked to Mark, retying her hair up, looking thoughtful. "Will we ever return? I could get used to space I'm sure." She told him. Did he ever miss his home planet? His friends? Family? She knew she would miss her men and more importantly, her best friend Kaleb. She knew so much about that woman it was unreal but she knew it was all for the best.

Mark had never known a real family. His had been lost long ago, before he could remember, or wanted to remember. For a long time, all he had had was his sister. Years later, she, too, would dissappear. He has longed to know what became of her, though he fears the truth would be his undoing. For now, her memory would be enough. The memories of his big sister watching out for him. It was all he knew of her, besides her face. That, he would never forget. In fact, he had had a composite made some years ago, which he kept in the drawer of the nightstand. It was the only personal effect he had ever owned.

Mark maintains his gaze on the viewing glass as Terra continues to fall away from them. They would have to enter Slipspace, soon, or they would lose valuable time. "One day.. one day, I'll bring you back. I promise you that." He looks over at Merceigh and smiles comfortingly. "For now, we have to enter Slipspace." He turns, then, towards the table in the center of the room, gesturing with one hand. "We should sit down over here. It'll only be a moment." If they didn't, the force of the jump could send them into the wall at break-neck speeds.

Merceigh nodded to Mark "I'm sure I've seen more messy places." She laughed quietly. What with the way some of the men lived or left their places in a mess at times, Merceigh was pretty sure nowhere could be worse. She smiled at the thought. Her men had known discipline, leadership but they knew how to have fun and be social without disgracing themselves, like so many other people out there.

She nodded, "I think I'll come with you." She said and eyed him over, "Mark... Have you never had a family? Have you always been a wanderer?" She asked, realising how forwards she must have seemed and she sighed a little, "Sorry I just-" She cut off, "I can't quite comprehend it. You've so much at your fingertips, the universe almost and yet, you usually travel alone?" She queried, her tone gentle and she kept any pressure or command out of it. She was his Captain anymore.

Mark pauses as she asks the question, his eyes focused on hers, though it almost seemed as though he couldn't even see her. His hand remains half-raised, gesturing to the table he had indicated before as his features take on an odd uncertainty. The question had caught him quite off-guard. In truth, he had never thought on it. Sure, he had come to the conclusion that most people usually grew up with both or at least one parent, but his thoughts had never strayed beyond that. It hadn't occured to him what it must look like, to an outsider looking in; how truly alone he must seem. Finally breaking off his blank stare, Mark reaches up with the hand he had been holding out and lightly rubs the back of his head.

"I.." He didn't know what to say. So, he would take the high road.

"People.. in my line of work never really get the chance to get to make friends." His gaze returns to Merceigh as he continues. "You're the first person in a long time that I've spent more than a few days with.. and you're certainly the first person to ever come along with me to another galaxy." On a fool-hardy journey with a very limited chance of success, no less. "I guess I sort of.. chose to be alone."

A choice he had often found himself regretting, especially of late.

Merceigh smiled a little to him and nodded. Her mind was still back home. She glanced to her watch. It had stopped ticking. Eleven AM. The precise moment she had left her military life behind her. Born a Duchess, running from such responsibilities, into the Army where she had climbed the ranks and now this. She didn't regret anything, just wished everything would have panned out a little differently, smoother.

She looked to Mark and smiled weakly. He seemed calm and content with his life but she wondered. She shook her head slightly, "I'll come with you." She told him. She knew better than to flood him with questions, things such as that could get tiresome and bothersome for most people she had ever known and she would rather not make herself a nuisance at that moment. Merceigh had been in charge of quite a few contraptions in her time but nothing like this and she believed on learning on the job. Besides, she might as well put herself to some use.

Merceigh kept her gaze on Mark, looking sympathetic. She couldn't ever imagine being this alone. She had always had someone around her. Pft, and she thought she was tough! To brave the world without a companion or anyone who might help a situation, that took true courage and her heart went out to Mark, for him being so alone. She couldn't see herself leaving anytime soon. She made a vow to herself, she would help Mark through this all. As a friend and companion, no one deserved lonliness.

She watched him and murmured, "I understand." She thought she did but then again, she probably didn't. She knew what it was like to never have family around or anyone. The amount of times that would have lead to death in her military work. Well, it had lead to death. Her fiance had perished, her brother and now her nephew was on the line. With her out of the picture, it made more sense. She took a seat and looked thoughtfully over Mark.

Mark sighs, slightly, as he makes his way to the table, taking a seat next to Merceigh. His gaze travels to the viewing glass. This would be the last time they saw Terra, for a long while. It was strange; he had had thoughts of ending his career and settling down on Terra.. it certainly was a beautiful planet, once one saw through it's flaws. Perhaps, one day, when they returned, he would be able to finally retire from his life of always looking over his shoulder; of always being on the run, and of being alone. He looks over at Merceigh, for a moment, then taps a small device on his belt.

"Sheila. Prepare for the jump into Slipspace." he says, speaking clearly, so the computer would not mistake his request.
"Affirmative. Preparing to jump. Sealing all internal and external hatches, activating safety seats; please sit back and relax."

As Mark leans back in his chair, it would cup around his form, creating a vacuum seal that would hold him firmly in place, and making getting up impossible, as would Merceigh's, as soon as she sat back. This was a special precaution designed to keep them in their seats for the jump, something that would be akin to a space shuttle launch in terms of the amount of force being exerted and the pounds of pressure it placed upon one's body. The back of the seat would rise up, slightly, to cradle their heads, as well, though they would still be free to turn their necks and look around. In a few seconds, they would be making the jump, making this the last chance either one of them could gaze upon the green and blue sphere that was Terra, for a long time, to come.

Merceigh honestly wasn't used to all of this technical things. She was more... traditional. The military never used such things and she closed her eyes as the chair enveloped her and held her in place. Relax; the computer had said. Easier said than done but she managed. She'd seen worse. It sure beat staring down the barrel of a gun.Her eyes glanced around, still trying to make sense of everything.

Her eyes flitted to her home, Terra. She sighed a little and promised herself that no tears would be shed. Her nephew was being brought up right and her brother, well, of course she missed him but she was doing the best thing. bringing him somewhere like this? It would never have worked. She swallowed thickly and closed her eyes again.