(2) [15:42] Captaion Mags << " Standing by." She eyes the undisciplined show the fighters are putting on. "We do want to observe all safety precautions."

[15:44] Dragon Slayer Fighter Pilot Jeetz << "All scans show clear Captain"

[15:51] Capt Kahn "Magellan Shuttle.. This is Shadow Fox Control."

[15:51] Margaret Magdelena: "Roger Shadow Fox Control."

[15:53] Kwan-Jieun Kahn (kiaseye Resident): Capt Kahn << "Magellan Shuttle this is Shadow Fox Control. You are cleared to dock. Make sure all arriving personnel remain on level 4 until given permission to move around the station"

Shadow Fox's docking facilities prove to be a convenient design - instead of entering through a narrow bay, or linking an umbilical to the smallness of a hatch, the shuttle lands on the "roof" which opens, and is tractored slowly to the station's deck as Bella snaps more pictures. From the shuttle's perspective, the sides of the station rise, enveloping the little craft. Eventually it settles, accompanied by a subtle change in weight as the station's artificial gravity negates the shuttle's weaker field.

Kaori hoists her carrylab onto her back and picks up a pack in each hand before going to the still-closed hatch and looking out at the other craft on the deck. Bella tucks her padd into the side pocket of her bag, and waits behind the acolyte for Maggie to open the hatch.

Maggie flicks more switches. The engine stops. She notes when the pressurization of the bay is about complete, and flicks another switch to gradually equalize pressure between the the bay and the interior of the shuttle before she opens the hatch.

As she waits, Kaori continues looking out, using the time to put on her most inscrutably calm Myeong Gai face.

Finally, Maggie pops the seals on the hatch. The three step out, automatically looking around for whoever is to welcome them.

Cdr Hannah says, "I have the Conn" as Capt Kahn turns the deck over to her. Slowly, Kahn walks to the upper deck.

Kaori has just a moment's warning as a half-familiar trace gathers strength as it comes up the stairs. Warned, she manages to keep her calm face on when the familiar voice, more sober than last time she heard it, says "Welcome to Shadow Fox."

Kaori decides on an approach and steps forward. "Myeong Mai be with you." She bows to Captain Kahn. The ritual has its uses. So does having a pack in each hand. No gesture of surprise is possible. "I am Jo Kaori, of the Myeong Gai Order." She bows again, though it's a less deep than the first, emerging not from Myeong Gai ritual but from Genjese habits of politeness. "Thank you for your welcome."

Capt Kahn holds back a smile; she's not much for formalities.

Isabella Ingram radiates eagerness, and steps forward quickly in Kaori's wake. "Hello. Bella Ingram, Central Planets News. And you're - Aren't you Captain Kahn? The famous fugitive pirate? The one who blasted Mercedes Verne's new ship into shards before it was launched?"

On the surface, Kahn sems to ignore both the Myeong Gai ritual greeting and Bella's animated information hunt as she waits to get the all clear and the report of the other expected guests' arrival in her headset. FInally she says, "A little longer, then you will be able to go to level 3."

Kaori keeps her mind open for any indication that Kahn has a memory of meeting her before despite the heavy drinking she'd been doing that evening. "Of course," she says aloud. She sets the two packs on the deck and waits, hands folded.

Bella fills the time with more words. "Captain, I hope you'll let me interview you while we're here. Our audience will want to know about - well, everything, but how you've ended up on this station will be a highlight."

[16:20] Cleopatra Gama comms* This is Sabre 7 Scout requesting permission to land in Shadow Fox Station Hangar Bay. Over.

[16:21] Cmdr Hannah<< "Wait Sabre 7. We have a shuttle that needs to depart and need to clear the landing area first."

[16:21] Cleopatra Gama: "Affirmative, station. Standing by."

Kaori steps back to the shuttle for a moment as Maggie's preparing to leave. "Maggie - it's been good to travel with you," she says, and withdraws as the hatch closes.

Capt Kahn says, "Follow me. We need to clear the landing bay for an arriving shuttle as well as this one's departure. Stay close to me, though - you have not been given permission to roam the station yet."

As they step onto level 3, Kaori looks around the large open area and finds a reason to smile. "Pineapples? How refreshing." She walks over to their hydroponics tank to keep a look, keeping track of what's happening through Maggie's surface thoughts. She's getting better at seeing and hearing through others' eyes and ears.

Margaret Magdelena (Magdelena Resident): initiates systems check preparing for take off.

[16:23] Margaret Magdelena: "Shadow Fox Station Control. Request clearance for departure."

Cmdr Hannah "Magellan Shuttle you have permission for departure. Safe travels."

[16:25] Margaret Magdelena: "Thank you, Shadow Fox. See you next time."

For a moment Kaori wonders if Kahn will view the distance from her side to the pineapple tank as "staying close", but - these are pineapples! Live! On a relatively bare-bones military station! As she stops in front of them, she decides she's close enough to Kahn, whether or not Kahn agrees. She takes a look at the pineapple's status monitors, confirming their good health with her own visual and tactile examination. At the same time, she continues scanning the station with her empathic and telepathic senses, feeling her way around the human life of the station.

Her questing mind picks up Kahn's trace first. Unsurprisingly, Kahn is thinking to herself <The Myeong Gai never follow directions. They think they are special.> The thought is right at the surface, barely needing telepathy for it to be perceived.

Kaori leaves part of her attention on Kahn, of course - not a trusted companion! - and continues her examination of the pineapple, keeping amusement to herself. The roving part of her attention becomes fixed as another familiar trace enters her range of awareness, but she lets herself smile naturally this time - it's Cleo Gama. There's one person with her, presumably the doctor who will be part of the expedition. She steps to the foot of the long ramp to wait for Gama and the very disciplined mind that accompanies her.