"Simply standing in danger and doing nothing to resolve it - that cannot be an atonement for my sins," states Ivan, firmly. "However, caring for the victims of the Seeker, helping them to regain their minds and lives, working for their benefit - perhaps that will be the form that my atonement will take. You are right that I do have the necessary talents to do that, unlike matters of combat."

Arkady nods. "There are a few more back at our colony as well, if they're not too far gone for the Rose to heal. Let us know what you need for them, the rest is up to you now." He looks over at the afflicted, then adds: "And speaking for myself: thank you."

"I do not deserve gratitude. Until I have atoned for my sins, I will not."

Aside from Ivan's self-deprecation, nothing more seems to prevent your return to the starship! You get back with the Rose, several physically-healthy patients for Dr. Vanderbilt, and Ivan who is willing and able to help care for them until they recover themselves.

Sir Sparhawk is vocally in favour of moving as soon as possible to restore the Queen.

Arkady makes sure the first order of business is to see if the first group of the Seeker's victims can be cured by the Rose. That done, he tells Sparhawk: "We can be coordinating with Vanire from here, so it is just a matter of how long it will take to get everything and everyone we need packed up for the trip. Let me find out." He then goes to check with David and the medical crew.

And since that's not likely to all be done within minutes, he then arranges to spend some time with his wife. And presumably vice versa. Hopefully the business of his 'flock' can wait...

Felix still wants the full medical team on hand, just in case. The Blue Rose's healing abilities are powerful but apparently woefully incomplete in certain aspects. Organizing that might take some time, but it hopefully wouldn't hurt to get that started then immediately move to secure the throne room before Raven can visit shenanigans upon anyone looking to do some interloping or the odd bit of daring do.

Unfortunately for Arkady's wife, it turns out that David is actually good at organisation; moreover, your group had been regularly reporting back, so he had time to prepare. Vanire has been kept in the loop, too, which means that David can tell you that all the Knights needed to end the diamond-crystal spell on the Queen's throne will be at the Capital, waiting for you.

This is why the medical team is already waiting for you when you get back to the Ship. It'll take a little time to get all of their equipment loaded into the trucks; while they are doing so, Sparhawk will visit the patients currently in the infirmary, and heal them up as far as the Rose can go.

Dr. Vanderbilt is incredibly impressed; aside from their trouble showing initiative, the patients are all in practically perfect health. She wants to put one of them through a battery of MRI scans to see if she can figure out exactly what's up - but there's no time for that now, because she's on the medical team, preparing to go and help out the Queen. There are a couple of nurses to take care of the patients - Ivan will join their group.

While they're there and there's time Felix will do his best to scrounge up some ice cream for Piper. He'll also inquire about the state of the embryo storage pods and whether or not the gestators are functional to a point that they could start a batch of small animals. Like maybe kittens?

Once that is all taken care of he's good to go.

Arkady cleans himself off, adds a couple of tasers and cattle prods to the junk in the vehicles, and gets ready to head out again. Oh, and he makes shift to move the Rose into something a bit more suitable than an ammo box. There are probably rather better Faraday cages in storage somewhere.

Out of habit Roger will check his camera script. He also checks on Felix's friend Blackwell's last location ping.

There is a non-dairy icecream which can be scrounged. Piper appreciates it. The gestators are not yet working, however.

Arkady can find a number of more suitable faraday cages - does he want one with small holes, leaving the Rose visible to casual inspection, or would he prefer a more solid container?

Roger's camera script has zero hits. The mystery root user has not logged in since the last time he checked. Blackwell's current location is apparently on the Zemoch border, where he seems to have camped for several days. Or, at least, his tablet has stopped moving.

Given this information, he will attempt to ascertain usage statistics to determine the probability that the tablet has been ditched.

The tablet hasn't been logged into since at least twelve hours before it got to the Zemoch border. However, accelerometer data suggests that it is being picked up and moved about at walking pace every day, regularly in the mornings and evenings.

Roger will divulge this information to Captain Argent, Felix and David, in that order.

Unless someone specifically asks for air holes, Arkady would prefer a more sturdy container. If needs must he'll modify one to be a suitable size. The Rose is apparently big enough that one can tell by picking up the container if the gem is inside or not.

Felix makes note of the information with a frown and will keep it in mind as he moves forward.