A church built as a pre-rec so those who wish to worship any of the old ways  would be welcome to.however...no holy folks signed up..Military or civie...until now..it has been vacant.

The Chapel was not hard to find, though it was in a sorry state. it was covered in layers of dust and the pews were all in disorder. Ethan sighed as he rolled up his sleeves. His silent prayer was that he would have the strength to carry on. He had just taken on two jobs, medic and chaplin and there was still counseling and everything else that went along with being a Chaplin. It only took a bit of looking to find cleaning supplies. Scrubbing the Chapel took much longer. He did it right, scrubbing ceiling to floor and everything in between. He had to scrub the floors on his hands and knees, which brought back memories of Loyola University. Of course the work also kept his mind off the little girl. He would be saying prayers for her soul until the day he died. He put his MP-3 player on and the earbuds in to make the time go faster. He sang along with AC/DC:

I was caught
In the middle of a railroad track (Thunder)
I looked 'round,
And I knew there was no turning back (Thunder)
My mind raced
And I thought what could I do? (Thunder)
And I knew
There was no help, no help from you (Thunder)
Sound of the drums
Beatin' in my heart
The thunder of guns!
Tore me apart
You've been - thunderstruck!
Rode down the highway
Broke the limit, we hit the ton
Went through to Texas, yeah Texas
And we had some fun
We met some girls,
Some dancers who gave a good time
Broke all the rules, played all the fools
Yeah, yeah, they, they, they blew our minds
And I was shakin' at the knees
Could I come again please.
Yeah the ladies were too kind
You've been - thunderstruck, thunderstruck
Yeah yeah yeah, thunderstruck
Oh, thunderstruck, yeah
Yeah
Now we're shaking at the knees
Could I come again please.
Thunderstruck, thunderstruck
Yeah yeah yeah, thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, yeah, yeah, yeah
Said yeah, it's alright
We're! Doing fine
Yeah, it's alright
We're! Doing fine
So fine
Thunderstruck, yeah, yeah, yeah,
Thunderstruck, thunderstruck, thunderstruck
Whoa baby, baby, thunderstruck
You've been thunderstruck, thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, thunderstruck, thunderstruck
You've been thunderstruck

  There is a knock at the door of the chapel, two marines  entered,  taking off thier hats,..Preacher Graham?  The Commander sent  somethings over. He said...even  though this building is  not a military building, its on his ship, and you are a crewmember..so we were told to bring these items here..

 7 other MArines  came in bringing some crates with  cann goods, cleaning supplies  and bedding as well as a small crate with the name ESN Theta stenciled on. there was also a cross with a circle around it...this here..its chapelin supplies  from the Theta...one of the first ships to go out  with the colonies...it was hit  by Demons...this crate was parft of the salvage...Commander thought you could use  it....and?...we are at you disposal for the next 4 hours...so..what do you need done , Sir?

Oh now what? I thought he was serious about having a chaplin, but...

 

...I am sorry God. I should trust you more. I will remember this lesson.
He was shocked and amazed. His eyes went wide and he ran both hands through his hair. He blew out, hard. "Uhhh...well I need this place cleaned, scrubbed top to bottom. The pews need to be in two rows. The confessional should be built in that corner, the dark one. People are more likely to confess in the dark." He was a bit overwhelmed. He opened the crate and found candles, holy water, insense burners, ampules, a large cross, some paraphenalia from other religions, ones he was unfamiliar with. He wouldn't even know how to set them up.

He decided not to set them up for fear of doing it wrong. "Those small shelves over there are for candles. Devout light them when they pray, sort lighting the prayer's way to heaven. All but the skinney ones, those go in the candleobras. The candleobras go up by the alter." There was so much to do he had trouble figuring out what came first. "The cross should go up behind the alter..."

He helped. He didn't just give out orders, that wasn't the Jesuite way. Orders were to be followed and given. He was able to help and so he did. It took far less time with nine able bodied marines helping. When they were done, just as with Nigel he told them about Mass tonight and told them to tell their friends. He thanked them all, shook each of their hands and offered to bless them if they wanted...

  the 4 hours  went  fast, the marines worked steady...most of the  work was done, thought there  was still some to do.

 Now and again a Civie  would pop thier heads in to see what was going on...then move off to tell other folks in "town"..or  go down to the  housing level to spread the  word.

The Marines had been such a blessing. They left and most of the work had been accomplished. There were still loose ends to handle, polishing the brass and putting the lectern into place among them. He could handle it, though. It was no longer overwhelming. He worked with earbuds in place switching now to something classical and soft to get him into the proper mood for Mass.

When he was done, or at least as done as possible, he knelt in the center of room and crossed himself. He asked God to consecrate this place and make it a safe haven for those who sought its refuge. He asked for a good turn out. Most of all though he asked for guidance. Since arriving here he had felt the hand of providence was in this. The fact that his skills could be of use, the fact that the Chapel had gone unused, and the curiousity of the civilians had led him to believe there could be room for God on this vessel.

He sprinkled a bit of holywater onto the floor and toosed it to the four corners of the room. He nodded and went over to light a candle. His candle was for the poor girl he had tried to help. Then he went to the doorway and prepared to welcome any who wished to come, even if it was just the curious.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:34, Fri 13 Jan 2012.

Angela had went to the Rec deck for some off time to herself, and a bottle of rum...until she overheard a group talking about the Chapel being opened for the first time.

She made her way to the chapel to go check it out leaving her unopened bottle on the table. She walked up to the doors where Ethan was standing and bowed her head to him. "Good afternoon Father." She didn't waist anymore time except for his greeting, making her way straight to the candles. She picked up the one burning candle and used it to light fifteen others slowly, saying a small, silent prayer to those who had fallen as she lit them.

A hint of a smile crept across his face. Then she greeted him as "father." he was quick to correct, "I cannot claim that title any longer. I will answer to Preacher, but I perfer Ethan." he stood aside and let her pass, following at a distance. He watched her lighting candles with purpose. rare these days for someone to have so many prayers, but she obviously knew what...or whom she prayed for. He stood silently, simply watching.

She was pretty...but there was something about her that was not quit right. He shook his head. Left the clergy to find the perfect woman and you'll have left for nothing. When finally she turned back around he motioned to the big closet like thing in the back corner. "I have the confessional opened. The Church won't recognize any absolution I give, but God will. Besides its more about the act of confessing than whom you confess too. I will be holding a Mass this evening, if you wish to participate you are welcome. Please tell others as well. Even those who are simply curious are welcome."

He waited for her to decide about confession...

As she turned around she lowered her head to Ethan. "I'm sorry Ethan, but I don't need confession...Confession is of the old way, when people didn't have self control like we do now." She looked up to him with a strong look. "I only came to set things right with my old wing mate who had fallen on mars during a harsh attack that nearly took my life. I promised them I would not forget them and I have fulfilled that promise to them." She looked to the confession booths then back to him. "I was stuck in a closet to recover for five years. I barely stay in my quarters which is much bigger."

She moves passed him but stops before  passing the door frame. "I'm sorry, but I will let others know that you are open." She looked back, looking like she was near to tears, before heading out the door, back to the rec dec.

Rec Dec>>>

Sad to watch her leave in such obvious pain, Ethan calls out to her, "If you just want someone to talk to, you can find me here."

Well if all the crew were as troubled as this girl, her had a lot of work ahead of him. Perahps he should trouble the captain? He went off himself to locate Hack.

<<Hanger Deck>>
This message was last edited by the player at 14:32, Mon 16 Jan 2012.

Returning to the Chapel he went into the small quaters behind. He changed to the uniform and kept his own overcoat. He went back out into the main chapel and waited for more "customers."

  A Man stops at the Chapel door. he  is  still glistening with sweat and soot from working in the foundry...he steps in  and asks,heard you was open?..was wondering ...if...i could talk to you about somthing?

Ethan gave the man a warm and welcoming smile. "Anything you like, come this way." He ushers the man inside. "Do you perfer the confessional or a pew? Either is fine with me. No one else is here, we are alone and you may speak freely."

well...a pew'll be good..ain't been in a real church since i was little...  The Man looked  around  and walked in, and sat downsorry for not gettin' cleaned up an' all...just knew i wouldn't  come in, if i went home first...

 he fiddles with his cap in his hands  and says, I play on the football team..we have that big game  coming up when we reach Olympus..well..4 folks from the Hermes  died  in Fuji...three of them were teammates...the other fella..well..he was a big fan..ya know..never  could play or nothin' but he liked us..did  stats  and such fer us...we  all sorta liked him..even if he was a desk officer...

 well...there is  words going on. like them Hades  folks  might have had something to do with it...but they didn't go after Miller, or Shadow..or  none of us linemen...these folks..they were backups..and a punter..and a paperpusher...i don't know  how to deal with this..I mean..in the game...I will make them pay..you bethca..every hit...its gonna be for one of them...but..when i'm at home...not playing..or workin' how do yoou understand this?