h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*Uli stirs*

~ The cat gently floats off of Lizzy's lap, and remains suspended mid-air. It's fur flattens as if someone is stroking it. ~

Just ignore the cat, Captain. Whomever's doing these things won't show themselves and if we wait for an explaination we shall never get on with anything. Best just to ignore it.

*the cat's eyes widen impossibly, and she goes rigid, lest she cause herself to fall to the ground*

*thinks, "ignore me?! easy for HIM to say, he's got both his feet on the ground!!!"*

*sighs wearily and resigns himself to the fact that he cannot get anywhere like this.*

Alright, alright. But please promise me one thing, all of you, that you will not attempt to leave this cabin until I get some sort of understanding of the goings on on board my ship.

*his shoulders slump visibly and he goes over to sit on the bunk next to Sarah and Lizzie, putting a protective arm round the pair of them as they sit together. The sword is placed by his side next to his free hand.*

I will say one more thing before you all begin. I am a man who is torn between what he knows to be right and what he has witnessed in these few short hours since sunset. I am a different man, because I cannot ignore or explain or justify what I have seen and heard.
I may not like what I hear. I may not understand what I hear, but by thunder I am willing to listen, to absorb and to try to comprehend and come to terms with what you all have to tell me.
While I was unconcious, I had a very strange dream. Madam Uli somehow saved me. I very nearly didn't make it, you know. I felt I had been forsaken and the thought that I would never see my family again drove me to despare. I had to come back.

*he finds himself staring deeply into Sarah and Lizie's faces as he says this last part about being unconcious. He blinks as if to clear a vision and turns back to the other occupants*

I have the feeling I owe madam Uli my life. Now I hope you can see, through my sincerity, that I am willing to listen.
Dr Rangle, for a moment there I didn't believe you, I was humouring you. I apologise. Please forgive me, i thought you mad. But having just realised now how I feel. I can start to comprehend what you say.

*turns to his First Mate*
Mr Richardson, Albert. Tell me again why Volkert wanted the ship turned around. I recall now something i thought was a dream, but would appear not to be.Are we heading towards Baltimore? If so, why and how did he manage to 'persuade' you. Tell me truthfully Albert. It will bode well for you as I decide what to do with you. You have been a loyal and trustworthy Mate all these years. Why this sudden change of heart?

Is somebody caring for Madam Uli. I thought I saw her stir. Dr Rangle perhaps you would be so kind as to check on her, while Mr Richardson narates to me what has been happening.

*leans into Benjamin's arm and smiles at him whenever he looks in her direction. puts her arm around his waist and waits for her turn to speak*

*Cuddles up against her father and grins widely at the suspended .*

*whispers to Sarah, so that only she and Lizzie can hear*
I'll speak to you in private later my dear, once I hear what these people have to say
*squeezes her arm reassuringly and pulls Lizzie in as close as he can, smirking at the cat's predicament, while not understanding these parlour tricks, but cannot see any obvious mirrors or strings normally associated with this sort prank*

*smiles at her husband and nods. whispers also* I have much to discuss with you, Benjamin.

*eyes the poor cat and wishes she could help somehow*

*Amelia nods to the captain and walks over to where Uli is laying on Lizzie's bed. She checks the temperature of Uli's forehead with the back of her hand. (It seems normal enough.) She reches down and gently lifts one of her wrists to check her pulse. (It's probably a bit quicker than it would usualy be, but that doesn't distress Amelia much. Whatever Uli had just done to the captain seemed to be extremely physically taxing, and a change in heart rate wouldn't be much to worry about.*

Amelia: We might want to have some food and water ready for her when she wakes completely. If someone will watch her long enough for me to take a trip to the galley...?

Captain, the only proof I have for the extraordinary stories we must are these.



Please be particularly careful with the tubular object, Sir, it is a weapon.

Now, as you can see, these devices are beyond the ken of Earth's most skilled artisans. They are not of this Earth. They are from my home world. The vessel you heard me speak of does not sail the seas, it flies between the stars.

Oh, and we must keep these out of the cat's reach. I believe it will try to steal the...electricity from my devices.

Puss, dear, while you're up there would you keep an eye on Uli. Just let us know if she moves, please. Thank you.

*looks over Benjamin's shoulder curiously at the strange objects*

Amelia: Thank you, Sarah. *smiles, exits in the general direction of the galley*

As for changing course...

Volkert advised me that he knew the ship faced certain doom if we continued east. Volkert further claimed that the source of this information was the ... It was the ghost of the Mary Celeste's first captain. Volkert can hear him, but I cannot. I can only say that Volkert has, as has Uli for that matter, abilities that are beyond those of my people, and Cetacean technology is really good...

*Looks at the objects with interest.*

Why can't you share the 'lec... 'lectricty with the cat, Mr. Richardson?

Lizzie, Dear, I don't have enough electricy for all my equipment. I have none to spare for the cat.

~ The cat floats over to the vicinity of Uli as Amelia looks her over, then at the mention of Captain McLellan spins around towards Richardson. One paw oddly waves up and down at Richardson. ~