The Defenders Renewed (Group Thread Open To All)

[Wolfias]

Adam 'Graywolf' Stone the nephew of a former Defender that was forced to retire due to injuries in the line of service. As Jamison waxes nostalgic of his adventures as one of the Defenders, he'd tell what he knew wasn't classified information around a campfire. In the desert on nights pain wouldn't allow any sleep, with his only surviving family not lost in a car accident too fast for conditions. Woken at 3:00 AM Adam fumbles for the phone finally hearing Uncle Jamison was killed after being jumped unlocking his truck.

The truth is an enemy of the Defenders assassinated his Uncle each of the Elders of the Navajo Nation gather together for a traditional ceremonial funeral of the late Jamison 'Whitehawk' Stone. During the traditional ceremony within the Navajo Smoke Lodge surrounded by each Elder, by trial to see if the Spirit of the Wolf or one of those that protect Mother Earth hover over Adam. He's told to seek out the Defenders and that the Spirit of the Wolf would dwell within him, to provide weapons Spear, Bow and Knife of the Star People.

A spearhead, knife blade and arrowheads is made many eons ago into weapons out of a Meteorite alloy. Known to destroy evil in whatever form it might happen to hide itself in. After the ceremony he's told to open a letter in uncles dresser, doing as told a Defender Pin fell into his callused hand this Pin began pinging his location to the Watchdogs. Reading on finds he is to walk into the dessert on a Spirit Quest to be taken into the Heavens. Muttering "Another one of your drunken dreams is it, huh Uncle?"

Little did he know where he'd end up reaching coordinates he was given in ole' Uncle Jamison's letter. Lifting the photo from the Dresser for an instant a ghostly image of a white Hawk screams at Adam, he is startled to toss it back onto the loose pile of photos atop the dresser. Picking them up each picture is of him at a Navajo event in his life, unknown to him it's leading in one inevitable direction to Defenders. Taking a seat in the Rocker draped in a light gray white hawk tribal weave blanket, runs his hand over the hand crafted arm of his uncles Rocker.

As the full moon nears it's zenith Adam stood up, lifts uncles tribal bead work bag pulls the strap over his head. After walking to Wolf Peak he's to round the bend and continue onward straight ahead to enter a circle of rocks. Instantly gravity increases 3 G's slam him to ground Adam thought, finds himself in a large metallic room to witness his first Earth Rise. "What the Fuck? I'm on the fucking Moon?!" Standing up, still weak in the knees from what has just happened. Walks with a slight limp to look out the round window, he can't help but be quite speechless over the amazing scene before him.

 

[silvertongue217]

John watched the two woman interact unable to hide the smile of pleasure on his face. Another old friend of theirs had come back heading his call. It was thrilling! To see old friends and new. Just like the defenders of the past, and they were all committed dedicating to making the world a far better place.

His friends

"Think nothing of it Cloe" John said with a wave of his hand "I talked to your mother when I sent out the call she let me know you were out in nature I am glad you had a chance to commune and yes you will be happy to know I did my best to maintain the greenhouse in your time apart I even expanded it a little! However I doubt I did as good as job as you did"

He stepped forward giving her a hug and stepping back "we were just about to go to breakfast you can-"

Before John could finish the nearest terminal lit up. A video feed came up of a young man looking lost in the teleporter room. John didnt recognize him but the video feed tagged his pin and confirmed he had access.

"I better go see who that is" John remarked looking over at the girls "I shall meet you two in the mess" He said jogging off in the direction Cloe had come from.

...........................

"State your business here" John growled his costume having already morphed onto his body "where did you get that pin?" he asked eyeing him and on guard.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

When most everyone got to the cafeteria, Peter was already there. Laid out before him was more food than most people ate in a week. Looking up, he wiped his mouth slightly embarassed. "Oh... morning everybody. There should be plenty left; Greg's spiders replace what I take way faster than anything I might make. It's quite a sight to see..." he said, looking back at the food prep area.

The other striking item nearby was a rather bright light on a stand aimed down at him as Peter ate. Whatever it did must be good for his body as the slightly gaunt physiology that others saw yesterday was gone. It was a little unclear if it was a trick of the light or if he physically was improving, but his color was already returning and it seemed as though his definition and tone were deepening, carving his body like he'd spent the last 10 years in a gym rather than in a lab.

The bottle of water deformed in his hand as he pulled huge gulps from it before he dug back in, manners be damned. When Gregory walked in, he smiled and waved at the Defenders resident tech genius. He gestured to the light stand behind him as he spoke. "Sorry, but I asked if you had one of these and your spiders brought it out of storage. If this is too much of a power draw, I can unhook it." The base was meant for 10 times the number of people that were currently living in it and had the power facilities to spare, but Peter lived here when everything had to be monitored for usage. It was a habit to make sure you didn't draw too much for yourself when you're living on a base on the moon.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Cloe smiled, pleased to hear the greenhouse had not been neglected. She looked forward to settling back in there; it had always been her home away from Earth. She watched as John trotted off and then turned back to Avery. She looked into Avery's familiar brown eyes, framed by flaming red hair, and grinned. Being here, like this, it was almost as though the past five years hadn't existed. She linked her arm through Avery's, Caro chirping merrily on her shoulder, as they continued to the mess. She hoped they still had some vegan friendly fare available.

"So, when did you get back?" Cloe asked Avery.

"Two days ago," Avery replied with a smile, "We've already been on two mission. John's got us right back in the thick of things. It's lucky, too, as if we don't move now there could be a great deal of trouble."

Cloe nodded, expecting as much when she saw the footage. She knew what one of the missions was, and she was tempted to ask about the other, but she figured she would find out soon enough.

"And has anyone else returned? Anyone I know?" Cloe asked, her hope clear in her voice.

"Well, John and myself obviously. David is back, Lita should be coming in today. We have a kid named Peter DeAngelo - bet you can guess whose son he is! Oh, and Peter too! We retrieved him yesterday, but I've not seen him yet. I was going to say hi, but I got a bit distracted-"

Avery stopped her chattering when Cloe looked at her, deep green eyebrow cocked. Avery rolled her eyes.

"Don't star-"

"And did you keep in contact with John during the disbandment?" Cloe asked, genuinely curious. Perhaps things between the two went better than she had predicted.

"Now, but now I'm back we-"

Cloe held up her hand to stall Avery's explanation and merely patted her arm where their bodies were joined. Cloe was amazed that Avery was still so clearly hung up on John. She had assumed, and hoped, that some time away from the base would help her to find someone that was free to return the boundless love that the woman was capable of giving. Apparently not.

"Don't try and explain, not now, we have time to catch up later," Cloe said with a wry grin, not wanting to get back into one of their oldest debates. Avery let out a heavy sigh just as they pushed through the mess hall doors.

It wasn't at full capacity, nowhere near, but the moon base had the stirrings of what Cloe remembered her Defenders HQ to be like. A few people turned when they entered, and she and Avery offered them all a smile. Then, Avery was tugging her over to the table and introducing her to the new people.

"Well, I wasn't sure I'd say this, but I am glad to be back," Cloe said, eyes sparkling as she looked at the familiar faces. Peter, David, Lita... She made the rounds with Avery, hugging those that she knew were huggers and shaking hands with those who weren't.

 

[silvertongue217]

SPECTRE POV

"Ah theres the Peter I know" David said coming in with Maya in toe. Both of them were dressed down and not in costume with Maya wearing an old defenders T shirt and sleep shorts that showed off her long tan legs. David was wearing a similar shirt and pajama pants and his hair was sticking up and wet as if he had a shower.

"Eating and cracking jokes" David said smirking at him as he grabbed a plate and began to pile it with breakfast food "Its good to see you back in full form"

.........................

SPIDER POV

"I agree" Gregory said coming over with his own plate "And dont worry about the power thingie honestly with us being so little were barely using the generators I had to shut down most of the areas of the base as well the spiders are still repairing them but right now there lacking oxygen"

"I havent seen the commander yet" Maya hesitantly said speaking up as she sat next to David "You dont think hes going to have any problems with me being here correct?"

Before any one could say any thing two more people walked in. Gregory turned noting Avery coming in with another girl in tow.

A girl that looked strikingly familiar

"Natura?" David said rising and smiling in happiness "Its so good to see you!"

They came over with the old friends shacking hands and hugging where needed chattering happily with one another.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Peter smiled as David walked in. He chuckled at his comment, nodding along as he had his mouth full at the wrong time. He was about to respond when Gregory walked in and answered him regarding the power draw of the sun lamp. Peter slapped his forehead as he listened. "Of course, I should have known. Well great then, I think I'm gonna..." Peter cut himself off when he saw Avery entering with someone he truly did not expect to see again.

Seeing Natura walk in, Peter hopped over the table and ran over, scooping her up in a spinning hug. "What are you doing here? I thought you wanted to help the world in your own way and left for the jungle for good." Granted, Peter left the Defenders first and wasn't party to a lot of discussions that happened as the Defenders broke up. Also, he wasn't in the best head space when he left either. After surviving his accident, he was a shell of his former self until he decided to leave and talk to the CDC. There was a lot he missed out on despite being a member and living in the base with everyone else.

"Oh, and I hope you don't mind me using one of your grow lights. Seems it has the right wavelength distribution that I need these days." He added, apologizing and gesturing to the huge light still set up over his spot at the table.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

~Cloe~

Cloe was smiling as she chatted to David, so pleased to see him. They were chatting enthusiastically about what they had been doing when she was swept off her feet and I to a spinning hug. She laughed, the sound dancing through the room like a leaf on a spring breeze.

"What am I doing here?" She said, eyes widening. "After everything that happened with you before you left I thought I would never see you again!" When Peter set her down Cloe smiled at him, some of the vines on her form fitted cat suit sprouted pretty little white flowers. "Never mind all that though, we're here now! And please," she gestured to the lamps, "use whatever you need. I do not own the lamps. Even if I did I would share. I dare say I will join you under the light if you don't mind? Teleportation always leaved me a bit deflated."

And it was true, normally all of the flora on her were bold, love filled colours. Some of the mosses and leaves had started to sag, the unnatural transport form knocking them about. Cloe looked over at the lamp and then back at Peter, realising for the first time that this was something new for him. She ignored it though, five years had passed. Perhaps he was just tiring of the base lighting.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Avery chuckled to herself as she saw Peter hop over the table and pull Cloe into an enthusiastic hug. She broke away from her conversation with David and made her way over to the buffet. She loaded up two plates of food, one for herself and one for Cloe, making sure to give her only the foods she knew she used to eat. She then went over to Peter and Cloe.

"So good to see you back here Peter!" Avery said as she handed Cloe the plate. She smiled at Peter before excusing herself and leaving the two to catch up. Avery then sat down with Gregory and Maya, tucking into her own breakfast. As she did her stomach gave an angry rumble and she realised that she and John had been so busy with each other that they hadn't had dinner the previous night.

"So, you're Maya I presume?" Avery said, offering the girl her hand and a bright smile, "I'm Avery, it's great to meet you!"

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Peter smiled as he caught Cloe blushing, or at least her equivalent. He was always a sucker for Cloe and her plants, but he never let her know that. It was good for him as they always let him know where he stood with her. He was never the best at reading people, but it was easy with Cloe as her blooms and vines would let him know.

"Sure, when you're done making the rounds, feel free to grab some breakfast and join me to soak up some rays. I'm sure the Chlorophyll Company would show their appreciation for it." Such was his nickname for the plants she wore. He smiled and hugged her again before looking at David and Avery.

"Morning... Sorry about last night. I was still out of it from spending so long in my cell. They'd been starving me out for weeks prior to my rescue." He said, glancing at the sun lamp again, rather than the food. "Things have changed and I'll let people know at the briefing. I'd rather tell everyone all at once. I'm sure the Chief will need to know to adapt his game plan accordingly." He said. Gone was the scared emotional man from yesterday and it was as if Peter had been with the Defenders for all these years. The power in his voice and even his body language had improved along with his physique.

"Anything you guys wanna know ahead of time or can I get back to..." he glanced over his shoulder at all the plates still laid out. "All that? ... geez, I didn't think I grabbed that much." he muttered to himself as realization hit him.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Cloe smiled at Peter and took the plate Very offered. She went around the table and made polite introductions to all the new members before she grabbed a chair and slipped it next to Peter's. She hoped she wasn't intruding as there were a couple of plates full of food at his setting. She was still smiling at Peter's 'Chlorophyll Company' comment as she settled into her seat. Cloe had forgotten about his name for her flora. It brought a nostalgic warmth to her chest.

~Avery~

Avery shook her head, taking in Peter's words and watching as his eyes darted back to his food.

"Nothing that can't wait until the briefing," she said, patting him on the shoulder affectionately. Though his words had concerned her she saw no cause to disrupt the morning reunion.

 

[silvertongue217]

RUNNER POV

"Its uh a pleasure" Maya said blushing at the beautiful girl. As always she felt awkward around beautiful tongue tied as she struggled with trying to be a "normal" girl like her mother stressed upon her while also salivating at said girl. Her personal demons that of for lack of a better word liking chicks rose up battling with her strict catholic upbringing.

"Uh so your Johns girl right?" Maya asked hearing Gregory snicker in response. She always found it best in situations like these to remind her self of who the said girl was with. It made it easier in a roundabout way the reminder they were with some one (more than likely male) and therefore off the table.

"I havent met the commander" Maya said glancing at the door nervously "Every one seems convinced he wont mind me staying aboard however I am not sure"

 

[SinisterSpiders]

~Avery~

So the gossip had already started, Avery thought with a smile.

"Yes, I suppose I am," she conceded with a smile, watching as the poor girl struggled to speak. "And John won't mind in the slightest, I promise you that. You're welcome here, so long as you're on our side. I trust that Gregory showed you to a room last night?"

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Accidental double post!

 

[KimaniNight]

Two bagels with plenty of lox, and coffee with real cream. Or, as the Commander had joked with her in the past, a cup of cream with just a hint of coffee. Either way, it was perfect, Lita thought.

Lynx, she mentally corrected herself. She was Lynx now. And she was probably going to be Lynx full time for the foreseeable future.

Looking around, Lynx concluded that it was an interesting mix of people in the Defender's lunar base. Plenty of old memories and new faces, with the perfunctory round of hugs and handshakes from those old memories.

Here's hoping that one of those memories isn't repeated, Lynx mused, as she found a quiet corner in the mess hall for her breakfast. As she observed all the energetic movement around her, she felt herself becoming more optimistic, with any worries that the new Defenders might soon come to the same ignominious end that the old Defenders falling to the wayside.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Peter walked back over, smiling as he saw Cloe settling in beside his seat. He slid the lamp over so that it was shining on them both before he sat back down and picked up his fork again. "Sorry, I'm so spread out. I didn't even think I took that much food in the first place... I'm just so hungry this morning." He explained, looking over at her and catching a whiff of the flowers among her plant life. He felt instantly calmer as her fragrance filled the air around them and dug back in.

As they sat there, one other thing was undeniable. Peter was hot, and not just handsome. The air around him was as warm as any breeze in the rain forest. It was also much warmer than what the lamp was putting out. Again, this was definitely different for Peter.

There were so many questions following his accident, but he couldn't answer them while staying with the Defenders. That was his reason for leaving. At least, that was what he told Cloe and everyone else when he left. As he looked over at Cloe again, he wiped his mouth and sipped his juice to clean his palate.

"How are things in your stomping ground? I see you still can't get rid of your noise maker." He joked, recalling the memories from her first days on the base. The bird did not take kindly to the cramped quarters and spaces and would squawk all night. In time, they both calmed down and the two together were so much better than either one alone. Peter rubbed Caro's chest with a smile, signalling he was just kidding.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

~Cloe~

"He's a tough old bird, this one," Cloe said as she stroked Caro's chest. She notice the coquette didn't mind being back on base so much as he had the first time. Perhaps he sensed Cloe's joy at her return, or perhaps he was saving all his annoyance up for the night. Either way, she hoped he would settle in quicker this time. "The forest is the forest," Cloe sighed with a definite frown, "I am doing all I can, but it just never seems enough. Though I could bore you to tears about that, I could talk for days. The lab is going well; my parents and I are making great developments. But what about you? Did you find the answers you-" Cloe stopped mid question. The miniscule white blooms on her shoulders tilting towards Peter.

Cloe's blooms were suckers for warmth and light. The sunlamps they were sitting under were made to mimic the conditions of a warm, naturally sunny day. Something they would normally glue themselves to. Instead the petals turned towards Peter. Cloe's eyebrows furrowed. She pushed her puzzlement aside, they were on the moon base, surrounded by artificial light and air. Her flowers had a right to be confused until they settled in.

"Did you find your answers?" Cloe asked, reaching out and touching Peter's arm. Then she gasped, eyes widening in surprise. "You're so hot Peter!" She said.

Immediately she regretted it. Several more flowers joined the blooms and her cheeks went red. The air surrounding her old friend was hotter than it had right to be, hotter than the lamp even. She pushed on though, more worried about her friend than her poor (and rather embarrassing) choice of words.

"Are you feeling okay? Do you have a fever?"

 

[SinisterSpiders]

~Avery~

Avery continued eating and talking to Maya and Gregory for a bit longer, then some movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. Lita! The feline woman had settled down into a corner on her own, her sharp eyes surveying the room with unabashed interest.

"Excuse me for a moment," Avery said, an apologetic nod to Gregory and Maya. She got up and grabbed her plate. She turned to walk away but then stopped. "Oh, and Gregory, I would like to have a word with you before the meeting."

Avery then quickly washed her dishes and put them away before heading to table where Lita was settled.

"Lita!" Avery said, pleased to see the woman for real, without all the distance and tech between them. She pulled up a seat, turning it around backwards and leaning on it, letting her wings fall behind her neatly. "It has been far too long. How are you? How is your research going?"

From a distance it may look odd; a cat-looking-humanoid sitting with a bird-winged woman, or a plant covered woman chatting to a handsome man, or even a ghostly pale gentleman beside a young guy furiously tapping away at the keyboard. Yes, it may look strange to some, but this was the Defenders, and Avery was pleased they were getting back into the swing of things.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Peter was about to answer Cloe's question when he felt her brush his arm. He bit his lip and winced as he realized he'd have say something now. He dropped his head as she followed up with more questions when he didn't answer right away.

Setting his fork down, he turned to face Cloe, taking her hand in his. Partially, he wanted her to know his sincerity but also to feel just how warm he was. "I will tell the full story at the briefing. I'd rather tell everyone at once, but since it's you, I can tell you that there's something different about me now. There always was, but it's been dialed to 11 now. Surviving my accident is only part of what I can do now. There's more and I'll show you soon enough. Just know that I'm in good health. I'm so glad to be back. And I'm ready to really help the Defenders in ways I've never been able to before." He said, smiling as her full body blush manifested in extra blooms. They just made her look even cuter somehow.

"As it happens, we'll probably see each other a lot more now. The treehouse still has the best simulated sun shine on the base; I'll need that now." He said, glancing up at the lamp above them. "I hope you won't mind me hanging around more." He grinned, squeezing her hands. As he did, they didn't feel as hot; they just felt like normal body temperature. The skin to skin contact felt like it always did. As he finished speaking, he let her hands go and waited to see if she had anything to say.

 

[KimaniNight]

"We're making real progress in getting a more exact mathematical model to describe our present climate change," Lita replied. "And identify some of our worst offenders. Which is why I'm here," Lita added, gesturing to the mess hall around her. "And why I'm giving up being Lita to be Lynx full time again." Lynx smiled and extended a fur covered hand toward Avery. "And how are you these days?"

 

[SinisterSpiders]

~Cloe~

Cloe would have been lying if she had said that having Peter's hand against her own wasn't distracting. It was, very much so, but she made a genuine effort to listen to his words. As he explained that he had changed she could see something there, some unwanted tug of emotion, but he quickly changed the topic.

Cloe hadn't discussed it with John, but she had assumed she would be able to move back into the greenhouse instead of the barracks. Ever since her powers blossomed, she had not been one for sleeping in a bed. She settled for it in Brasilia to please her parents (and because they lived in the middle of the city), but on the moon base she had the greenhouse to call her own.

"I won't mind that at all," Cloe said with a bright smile, her fingers flexing at the sudden absence of contact with his. "I believe the expression is mi casa es su casa. I have just come off a six month stay in the Amazon, human contact is more than welcome. I am just glad you are not sick, that would be a terrible welcome back for you."

~Avery~

Avery made a mental note to call Lita Lynx from now on. Some heroes, like herself, were happy to be known by their normal names when on base, other seemed to enjoy assuming their alter egos more permanently when part of the team. She figured Lita - Lynx- to be the latter. She would make an effort to respect that.

"Oh I am well. I tried the diplomacy thing for a while, but I tired of it. These things," her wings shuddered behind her "are somewhat hard to hide. After a few years I just needed a break. I have a nice home in the outback. Plenty of privacy, clear skies. I liked it there."

 

[KimaniNight]

"I think I have an idea about the difficulty of being inconspicuous," Lynx observed, mischievously waving her own tail about. "And the joy of privacy." Lynx's smile was a bit lopsided, since she had just given up the seclusion of an Antarctic research station. "But we have a purpose, Avery, and this is where we need to serve it."

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Avery grinned. If there was anywhere she felt understood it was on this base. She nodded in agreement with Lynx.

"You're right of course," Avery agreed, looking back over her shoulder at the people gathered. "I hope we can sort it out properly this time; get Jane and the Syndicate to stay down for good. We have enough to worry about with our planet, without having to deal with them too."

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Peter smiled at how excited Cloe seemed to be at the prospect of the two of them hanging out more in their down time. They always got along and Peter really liked her, but he never took it any further. Cloe was so young at the time he left and it felt a little wrong to think of her that way. Her beauty was undeniable; living the way she did and her connection to nature kept her in great shape. That wasn't enough for him to look at her as anything more than his little sister, though.

That was before he left though. It had been more than 5 years and Cloe had bloomed in more ways than one. That much was evident, but Peter hadn't seen that process and it was hard to shake his old feelings even now. He turned back to his food, gobbling down some more food, though still not feeling full. Glancing over, he started asking about her folks and trying to catch up on 5 years of news. He was happy to let her talk as it let him eat, but still spend time with an old teammate. Plus, it kept him from having to talk about his time away.

 

[Zagreus_D]

--Romeo POV--

Romeo woke with Reveille, but after showering and dressing, he went straight to his altar room to feed the lwa, and make his prayers and offerings for the day. There were many more lwa than simply the Gede to honor, and he had not taken the time to thank them all and ask for their blessing when he had hastily set his altar up the day before, so he did not want to rush through the formalities this morning. He took his time to honor the spirits and ancestors properly, but he wore a white scarf tied over the top of his head, to signal to the spirits that he was not seeking possession at this time. He offered the spirits the usual fare; rum and a cigar, dry beans, candy, and shining pennies.

When he was done, he grabbed Baron's traveling cane (the original would stay safely with the altar from now on), and the jewelry preferred by Nibo and Brigette, and stripped the scarf off of his head.

He finally emerged in the mess hall conspicuously late, and glad to see there was still plenty of food left. He made a plate for himself and looked around for a place to sit. It felt like being a college freshman all over again. So many unfamiliar faces and it seemed like everyone knew each other so well already, but it still felt like a welcome adventure, and Romeo felt confident that he would be one of the gang soon enough.

 

[Zagreus_D]

--Imogen POV--

There was something very liberating about moving down a city street in full costume, it made her feel invulnerable and just a little bit wild. She could say or do anything that she liked, and none of it could touch who she really was... It would just become a part of the persona, the character of her own creation who could live completely because she would die the moment that Gen chose to discard her. Improv.

Improv was a woman out of time and place, her clothing belonged more to 17th century Italy than to modern day California, but San Francisco had always been a welcoming haven for oddities of all kinds. The people she passed smiled, or laughed, or occasionally offered a cat call or two, but she simply drank in the attention, offering an embellished bow to the most lively of her admirers.

Her contact had given her directions to a teleportation site, an old church near the bottom of Nob Hill. She could have easily made the appointment in street clothes, wearing sunglasses to conceal her identity, but she decided that she preferred to meet the Defenders in full costume. Improv knew exactly where she belonged and why, while Imogen still felt a touch nervous at the idea of convincing a bunch of real heroes that a mere actress might have a purpose among them.

She let herself into the church with the key given to her by her contact, and carefully locked the door behind her. It took her a while to find the teleportation pad, and she had to pull the instructions out of her pocket, to figure out how to activate it. Finally though, the machine lit up, and she pressed the button to send herself to the moon.

She arrived feeling disoriented and nauseous, but she recognized at once that there was another individual in the room, a man. "Greetings from planet earth!" she managed to quip despite her nausea.