they say: you want a war? you got a war

[The best way to find out about new places is to go and have a little look yourself, and after seeing someone - or several someones - post about being in Chicago of all places, that's what Lyle decided to do. Well hey, he couldn't help being more than slightly curious.

Things clearly aren't going as planned, though, as when the sphere lazily turns itself on, Lyle seems to be slightly confused and already deep in conversation with one of the people in this strange little parallel ship-world, and it looks like there's a slight misunderstanding.]

Look, I'm sorry, but I really have no clue who you are.

"Sure ya do! We've known each other for years!" [Something seems to occur to the other man] "Unless you're tellin' me that I've got you and your brother mixed up again?"

[Lyle shakes his head, still looking baffled and maybe a touch suspicious] No, you've got the right name. [How he knows any of this is still up for debate, but never mind...]

"Well, whaddya know. I must be getting better at this! Though ya know even after years and years of knowin' ya I still can't understand a word either of ya say with that accent of yours!" [The man nudges Lyle good-naturedly before seeming to sober up slightly] "Hey, listen, I wanted to talk to you 'bout somethin'."

Huh?

"There's some sorta rumour goin' round that you're gettin' involved with some of the mob, Lyle --"

[Lyle interrupts, incredulous, not sure whether this is all some kind of joke or not] What the hell are you talking about?

[The guy throws up his hands in defence] "Hey, hey, don't kill the messenger! I'm just repeatin' what I heard! We just don't want them to take you out, ya know? I mean, after that reporter got shot and all --"

Look, I'm not getting involved with the mob, alright?

[And now he's looking mollified, if still a little skeptical.] "Huh. Well, if ya say so... Anyway, the missus wants me to run some errands for her, so I guess I'll see you around..."

[And with that, the guy walks briskly off, looking slightly shifty and leaving Lyle looking very bewildered.] Bloody hell... [He turns, spots the sphere, and raises his eyebrows.] Looks like I have an audience, huh. Anyone else have any clue what all that was about?

[There comes a time in the affairs of man, when he simply has to stand up and take matters into his own hands. Or in this case, stand up and do what the next best thing is when you're aware of what your limits are, which is to delegate. Which is precisely what Lyle intends to do. He grins at the sphere, looking mock-thoughtful from his position leaning against a corridor wall.]

Hey, Tieria, you know about stars and things like that, right? Which one do you think looks like a good bet for trying to hit first? [smirks slightly] And if he's not forthcoming with any information, I'm more than happy to take suggestions from anyone else.

On an entirely different note, if it's possible for anyone to point me in the direction of something that resembles a rifle, I'd be eternally grateful. [not that he's entirely optimistic about the likelihood of any sort of firearm being available on a luxury cruise ship, but you never rule anything out, especially in this place.]

[filtered to Neil;]
Hey, Neil. If something does turn up and I don't have to go all the way back to square one with this crazy idea, do you fancy trying to hit this thing together? Just think, we could be civilised and take turns.