an eoclu, Wick thought upon seeing the girl who answered the door. Her race was familiar to him from a previous job, though that transaction hadn't ended well. Dropping the small pebble he had been juggling with his mind while waiting into his open hand, he smiled at the woman as casually as he could manage and hoped she hadn't noticed it.
"Hello, I'm one of your neighbours from room seventy eight. I just thought I'd come over and apologize if my sister wakes you up with her tinkering or blows a hole in the wall on accident. She doesn't mean to annoy anyone, but she can get kind of loud and her experiments tend to be a bit explosive. But I promise it should be mostly safe, so uh....."
Wick scratched the side of his head, trying to remember if there was anything else he needed to say. It was difficult to think when the person he was addressing had their hands on a weapon, and he doubted if she chose to use it she'd really hesitate to.
"The name's Wick Silverstone. Mercenary for hire. My sister is Alice. Mind if I ask what your name is?" he asked.
Wick didn't mean any harm by the question, but he HAD just met this woman. He had no way of knowing whether she was some kind of well trained killer or just a nervous tourist on her way somewhere else. And because of this fact, he didn't know what not to sdkWhatever the case was, he didn't have anything to hide - save his powers - so he made no effort to keep anything about himself a secret.
"Hello, I'm one of your neighbours from room seventy eight. I just thought I'd come over and apologize if my sister wakes you up with her tinkering or blows a hole in the wall on accident. She doesn't mean to annoy anyone, but she can get kind of loud and her experiments tend to be a bit explosive. But I promise it should be mostly safe, so uh....."
Wick scratched the side of his head, trying to remember if there was anything else he needed to say. It was difficult to think when the person he was addressing had their hands on a weapon, and he doubted if she chose to use it she'd really hesitate to.
"The name's Wick Silverstone. Mercenary for hire. My sister is Alice. Mind if I ask what your name is?" he asked.
Wick didn't mean any harm by the question, but he HAD just met this woman. He had no way of knowing whether she was some kind of well trained killer or just a nervous tourist on her way somewhere else. And because of this fact, he didn't know what not to sdkWhatever the case was, he didn't have anything to hide - save his powers - so he made no effort to keep anything about himself a secret.
The next few moments were nothing but darkness to the disagreeing and disoriented group. Their thoughts and actions fell close to their diseased comrade, yet still not reaching the corpses level. May that be for their best or worst, none of them could really tell, especially with their lights out like that.
At least the room was now silent, filled with unmoving bodies as it was, expressions varying from Sergei's unchanging one to Dim's wrinkled aggression and the worried ones of the other two canid. And then there was that one. The corpse. No amount of abuse nor shooting could change the way the corpse looked, that same tranquil expression still firmly curling their lips slightly upwards. Completely oblivious of what was going on around itself.
But HMPH. Was it rude. That was, oh so quite the fake look. Who died happy like that.
There would be no retaliation on the side of the group as they were moved elsewhere, only the fact that Connell kept on clinging and clutching onto the corpse, his hand not letting go of it even as he was passed out and they were being dragged away. He was not leaving it, not letting them take it.
He had been... Looking... For so long...
Unfortunate for the canid, during the takeoff, his unconsciousness managed to make it possible for the corpse to slip past his grip, tight as it was, and they were parted.
At least that way Canary could be more shocked to find one of them more lifeless than she might have expected.
But that was for later...
Sergei, just like all the others, had gone out for the count and lights off for some time. Not exactly something you wanted when you were trying to ask someone questions - if you actually wanted for them to answer that is.
But... As it stood...
Humans were more used to drugs and such either way, so no matter the interfering, or any method or way to get Sergei to awaken while the others remained passed out, this was evident to happen regardless. They were... More resistant to such substances than the canids so to speak. A little more resistant in their own way.
And who was to say military men didn't have to be able to be listed as just a tad more resistant as a whole? You never know what their training might have included.
Training or not, exposure or not, let that stay a mystery, the human was still awake sooner than the others. But even with that, he was no miracle maker. The NATr still had a deep grip on him and had his senses blurred. He wouldn't be of much resistance in the end, for now.
But that didn't mean it was going to be easy.
Especially for The Ranger.
If he wanted to interrogate him. Well...
It was not going too well. For Sergei was... How shall we put it and place the not on the table?
Disappointed.
He had been spared from such examinations for many years. It looks like they finally caught up on him. But he had never expected for it to be so.... Boring..?
What was he on about?
It must have been the way he viewed The Ranger.
Sergei had expected something more... Threatening? Was that not how most interrogations went? They were always threatening others with knives, guns, people they cared for, any other way possible. He had seen it himself, many times, so the man was no stranger to such actions. Truly, they were... All too familiar to him...
But this? What he got here was just... A set of childish insults. The man had not changed a single bit, still deserved to be called a kid in his eyes.
"Usually one would say that a human has a human tongue. We did not evolve to have the organs of an amphibian." Cold. He did not seem to mind the rude tone of the Ranger. Instead, Sergei would just return the comment and cursing back with his usual monotonous manner of speech. He did not take the man seriously.
He had no reason to.
But the most he saved for himself, still. Not one to talk out loudly all that much - especially while still under the effect of the NATr, only capable of barely speaking still until he'd wake up further - Sergei kept things to himself. He could have returned the insults, worse, directed them right back at The Ranger. I do not know of the traits you took, but either you made some poor choices or you had nothing good to choose from to begin with. He could think to himself. Hmh. That sounded more like something Dmitri would have said. Or not. He was not that smart. Hah. How funny.
His expression did not change or go anywhere.
Sergei did not make friends. He had no close connections. Those never worked, ever. There was no reason for such actions or manners.
Dmitri was not smart enough to make a comment like that. Honestly, he would have just spat out similar 'insults' to The Ranger. Meaningless words tacked up together, stitched and sown together in an ugly manner with curse words, to seem like they somehow fit together and made sense. What a joke.
And the rest were not of his world of problems.
Still, expression went nowhere.
In a group, peoplegrew became alike.
He was growing stupid with these people.
They were ruining him.
Company. What a joke...
He wasn't a joke like the others. Though at the moment in such state, he wasn't in much of a shape to try and prove it to be otherwise. That he recognized.
But I guess this is what I get for inviting strangers to drink tea with me... His priorities were messed up. Best for the drugs effect to wear off soon.
Even if the man would have heard Canary, he had already made his 'fun' off The Ranger, no need for further insults. Worded aloud that is. He really should be playing this smarter, but he was disappointed already.
Things were starting to fall to the black, the action of being seated and quite firmly at that. Head would not lift much, but it did turn a little bit so that his hazel eyes could catch a blurry view on the person.
"Спасибо..." He actually thanked the woman. Whether that was out of politeness or if there was another reason behind it, that was not apparent. Still speaking quietly, it might be that having woken up did not mean that he was going to be back on anything anytime soon.
His head felt heavy, some things passed unnoticed. The Ranger might as well having gone mute, his complaining noises were nothing more than the other sounds around him.
Things just... mostly slipped past him at that point...
Like the whole scenario with Canary realizing that one of the canids was indeed dead already. The brown one. That body had not moved an inch on its own, even if fit looked so fresh, like the person had only just died minutes ago. But sure enough, that body was dead and lifeless, cold as can be even with the calmest of expressions.
Canary was right on there being no possible chances on reviving the canid. Truly, he had been long gone even before she had even noticed he was dead.
As they were leaving the Earth VI, the others would start to return to their senses as well, slowly, with some minor breathing difficulties.
The first to wake up, was the blonde. Oh boy. Connell was at it again. But first, after shaking his head and looking like he had just been awoken from a deep sleep by a phone call, he'd try stirring up. Making a sound similar to almost puking, he only just barely managed to keep himself together and his insides as his.
After that, he groaned, and then jerked up straight to see if Victor was still there with him. Ok, good. The man was still there... And hopefully Canary had been paying attention and was smart enough to either place the canids far apart enough from each other, or at least in such a way that Dim and Connell were the furthest of each other.
Victor would be fine being in the middle of them. He had started nothing. And he was going to be out for the longest. Man bruised easily, and also took longer to wake up when these kinds of substances were the cause in question. His body just did not take kindly to abuse all together.
Once Connell was sure that Victor had not been harmed further, other than the sadly bleeding injuries he had gotten from Dim and his dagger blade, the blonde turned his eyes to seek for the corpse.
He had already realized that he couldn't get off this seat he had been placed upon.
But boy, did he try and rip himself away from it when he noticed Canary near the corpse.
"You!! Back off!!" The man barked out. Looks like The Ranger wasn't going to get his relief or silence yet. That is, if he wanted to bother with someone else than Sergei.
At least the room was now silent, filled with unmoving bodies as it was, expressions varying from Sergei's unchanging one to Dim's wrinkled aggression and the worried ones of the other two canid. And then there was that one. The corpse. No amount of abuse nor shooting could change the way the corpse looked, that same tranquil expression still firmly curling their lips slightly upwards. Completely oblivious of what was going on around itself.
But HMPH. Was it rude. That was, oh so quite the fake look. Who died happy like that.
There would be no retaliation on the side of the group as they were moved elsewhere, only the fact that Connell kept on clinging and clutching onto the corpse, his hand not letting go of it even as he was passed out and they were being dragged away. He was not leaving it, not letting them take it.
He had been... Looking... For so long...
Unfortunate for the canid, during the takeoff, his unconsciousness managed to make it possible for the corpse to slip past his grip, tight as it was, and they were parted.
At least that way Canary could be more shocked to find one of them more lifeless than she might have expected.
But that was for later...
Sergei, just like all the others, had gone out for the count and lights off for some time. Not exactly something you wanted when you were trying to ask someone questions - if you actually wanted for them to answer that is.
But... As it stood...
Humans were more used to drugs and such either way, so no matter the interfering, or any method or way to get Sergei to awaken while the others remained passed out, this was evident to happen regardless. They were... More resistant to such substances than the canids so to speak. A little more resistant in their own way.
And who was to say military men didn't have to be able to be listed as just a tad more resistant as a whole? You never know what their training might have included.
Training or not, exposure or not, let that stay a mystery, the human was still awake sooner than the others. But even with that, he was no miracle maker. The NATr still had a deep grip on him and had his senses blurred. He wouldn't be of much resistance in the end, for now.
But that didn't mean it was going to be easy.
Especially for The Ranger.
If he wanted to interrogate him. Well...
It was not going too well. For Sergei was... How shall we put it and place the not on the table?
Disappointed.
He had been spared from such examinations for many years. It looks like they finally caught up on him. But he had never expected for it to be so.... Boring..?
What was he on about?
It must have been the way he viewed The Ranger.
Sergei had expected something more... Threatening? Was that not how most interrogations went? They were always threatening others with knives, guns, people they cared for, any other way possible. He had seen it himself, many times, so the man was no stranger to such actions. Truly, they were... All too familiar to him...
But this? What he got here was just... A set of childish insults. The man had not changed a single bit, still deserved to be called a kid in his eyes.
"Usually one would say that a human has a human tongue. We did not evolve to have the organs of an amphibian." Cold. He did not seem to mind the rude tone of the Ranger. Instead, Sergei would just return the comment and cursing back with his usual monotonous manner of speech. He did not take the man seriously.
He had no reason to.
But the most he saved for himself, still. Not one to talk out loudly all that much - especially while still under the effect of the NATr, only capable of barely speaking still until he'd wake up further - Sergei kept things to himself. He could have returned the insults, worse, directed them right back at The Ranger. I do not know of the traits you took, but either you made some poor choices or you had nothing good to choose from to begin with. He could think to himself. Hmh. That sounded more like something Dmitri would have said. Or not. He was not that smart. Hah. How funny.
His expression did not change or go anywhere.
Sergei did not make friends. He had no close connections. Those never worked, ever. There was no reason for such actions or manners.
Dmitri was not smart enough to make a comment like that. Honestly, he would have just spat out similar 'insults' to The Ranger. Meaningless words tacked up together, stitched and sown together in an ugly manner with curse words, to seem like they somehow fit together and made sense. What a joke.
And the rest were not of his world of problems.
Still, expression went nowhere.
In a group, people
He was growing stupid with these people.
They were ruining him.
Company. What a joke...
He wasn't a joke like the others. Though at the moment in such state, he wasn't in much of a shape to try and prove it to be otherwise. That he recognized.
But I guess this is what I get for inviting strangers to drink tea with me... His priorities were messed up. Best for the drugs effect to wear off soon.
Even if the man would have heard Canary, he had already made his 'fun' off The Ranger, no need for further insults. Worded aloud that is. He really should be playing this smarter, but he was disappointed already.
Things were starting to fall to the black, the action of being seated and quite firmly at that. Head would not lift much, but it did turn a little bit so that his hazel eyes could catch a blurry view on the person.
"Спасибо..." He actually thanked the woman. Whether that was out of politeness or if there was another reason behind it, that was not apparent. Still speaking quietly, it might be that having woken up did not mean that he was going to be back on anything anytime soon.
His head felt heavy, some things passed unnoticed. The Ranger might as well having gone mute, his complaining noises were nothing more than the other sounds around him.
Things just... mostly slipped past him at that point...
Like the whole scenario with Canary realizing that one of the canids was indeed dead already. The brown one. That body had not moved an inch on its own, even if fit looked so fresh, like the person had only just died minutes ago. But sure enough, that body was dead and lifeless, cold as can be even with the calmest of expressions.
Canary was right on there being no possible chances on reviving the canid. Truly, he had been long gone even before she had even noticed he was dead.
As they were leaving the Earth VI, the others would start to return to their senses as well, slowly, with some minor breathing difficulties.
The first to wake up, was the blonde. Oh boy. Connell was at it again. But first, after shaking his head and looking like he had just been awoken from a deep sleep by a phone call, he'd try stirring up. Making a sound similar to almost puking, he only just barely managed to keep himself together and his insides as his.
After that, he groaned, and then jerked up straight to see if Victor was still there with him. Ok, good. The man was still there... And hopefully Canary had been paying attention and was smart enough to either place the canids far apart enough from each other, or at least in such a way that Dim and Connell were the furthest of each other.
Victor would be fine being in the middle of them. He had started nothing. And he was going to be out for the longest. Man bruised easily, and also took longer to wake up when these kinds of substances were the cause in question. His body just did not take kindly to abuse all together.
Once Connell was sure that Victor had not been harmed further, other than the sadly bleeding injuries he had gotten from Dim and his dagger blade, the blonde turned his eyes to seek for the corpse.
He had already realized that he couldn't get off this seat he had been placed upon.
But boy, did he try and rip himself away from it when he noticed Canary near the corpse.
"You!! Back off!!" The man barked out. Looks like The Ranger wasn't going to get his relief or silence yet. That is, if he wanted to bother with someone else than Sergei.
Laurent leaped off of Rin's face and sat on the floor and licked his paws. "Hmm I am now, it would have been much more satisfying if I could punch you, but all well" he states as he glances over at Rin and then went back to licking his paw, tasting the small amount of blood he drew from Rin.
Then all of sudden the ship shook and the lights where turned off. "Hmmm that doesn't seem good, and from I'm thinking someone disabled the ship and from the sound of it, I think we are docked in another vessel" Laurent says as he looks around as the emergency lights came on, making the inside of the ship entirely dimmed. Soon the bulk head door began to open automatically confirming that the cat was right that someone took control of the ship. As the door slowly opened, frosty air came rushing in as if the door was opening up to the winds of a blizzard once fully opened a squad of four Frost conscripts rushed in surrounding Rin and completely ignoring the black cat.
Seeing that Rin was being surrounded by Frost Conscripts, Laurent decides he can escape but bumps into something there but wasn't there and then it decloaked
This hulking beast of a robot transformed its robotic blade into hand bends down and picks Laurent up into his cold hard hands. Laurent tried to get out of the robots grip but was subdued by the simple act of finding Laurent's weakspot behind the ear and pet him gently. The mysterious robot looks at Rin and says "Well I think time is up for my spying a bit...we don't mean you any harm Rin, so surrender now and nothing will bad will happen to you nor the con cat thats just submitted himself to my hands" he says in a bit of a posh robotic voice as if the robot was some high class sophisticated individual as he Laurent just melts within the robot's hand as it continue to pet him.
Then all of sudden the ship shook and the lights where turned off. "Hmmm that doesn't seem good, and from I'm thinking someone disabled the ship and from the sound of it, I think we are docked in another vessel" Laurent says as he looks around as the emergency lights came on, making the inside of the ship entirely dimmed. Soon the bulk head door began to open automatically confirming that the cat was right that someone took control of the ship. As the door slowly opened, frosty air came rushing in as if the door was opening up to the winds of a blizzard once fully opened a squad of four Frost conscripts rushed in surrounding Rin and completely ignoring the black cat.
Seeing that Rin was being surrounded by Frost Conscripts, Laurent decides he can escape but bumps into something there but wasn't there and then it decloaked
This hulking beast of a robot transformed its robotic blade into hand bends down and picks Laurent up into his cold hard hands. Laurent tried to get out of the robots grip but was subdued by the simple act of finding Laurent's weakspot behind the ear and pet him gently. The mysterious robot looks at Rin and says "Well I think time is up for my spying a bit...we don't mean you any harm Rin, so surrender now and nothing will bad will happen to you nor the con cat thats just submitted himself to my hands" he says in a bit of a posh robotic voice as if the robot was some high class sophisticated individual as he Laurent just melts within the robot's hand as it continue to pet him.
Rin promptly activated his hand daggers. He snarled, crouching, eyes darting around to the four giants surrounding him.
Damn.
"What the hell do you want!" he shouted, taking a wary step back. "And what are you gonna do to him?" he added, waving a blade in the cat's direction. "He's an ass, I know, but..." I need him. He ground his teeth. This was bad.
If only Vaxur were here. He would have shot them down, out of sight.
And Commander Wyr. She'd be able to look at them more comfortably, seeing as she was freakin' 7 feet tall.
He glared up at them all. One wrong move...
He'd show them.
Nobody messed with him. Not even the other military guys back at base.
"I'll kill you all if you do anything," he growled, raising his blades a little higher in a ready stance.
Damn.
"What the hell do you want!" he shouted, taking a wary step back. "And what are you gonna do to him?" he added, waving a blade in the cat's direction. "He's an ass, I know, but..." I need him. He ground his teeth. This was bad.
If only Vaxur were here. He would have shot them down, out of sight.
And Commander Wyr. She'd be able to look at them more comfortably, seeing as she was freakin' 7 feet tall.
He glared up at them all. One wrong move...
He'd show them.
Nobody messed with him. Not even the other military guys back at base.
"I'll kill you all if you do anything," he growled, raising his blades a little higher in a ready stance.
"We merely wish to speak with you as well as her majesty as well" the imposing robot said as he continues to pet Laurent as the cat was enjoying the attention. "We have jobs for you that will interest you as well, this cat won't be able to do that...not with your extraordinary skills" he explains as he continues to pet the cat. He stares hard into Rin's golden eyes and adds "I should be telling you that...these aren't the only soldiers here" as he glances outside the door and see's a couple of soldiers with with rifles with frost crystals on it and in uniforms similar to ones of the Soviet Union ready to fire at Rin if he pulls anything stupid.
"Surrender now and nothing bad will come of you nor Laurent" he adds as his imposing gaze went towards Rin again.
"Surrender now and nothing bad will come of you nor Laurent" he adds as his imposing gaze went towards Rin again.
Rin's shoulders hitched up, tensing at the sight of even more soldiers. He could fight them. He really could. He was in the mindset now, of being alone with no help coming. He learned his lesson. He didn't have to worry about holding back when he was by himself.
... Except.
He wasn't alone, no matter how much of a bastard Montagne was. He had to think of him too. He'd killed him once already. (He refused to show guilt over it. He wouldn't.)
He was completely surrounded. Montagne was literally in enemy hands. He would die as soon as the first soldier fell dead at their feet.
He hissed weakly.
He lowered his arms, plasma blades disintegrating with a sharp crackle. He reluctantly fell out of his fighting stance, but was still tense and wary, waiting for what the opposing force would do next.
... Except.
He wasn't alone, no matter how much of a bastard Montagne was. He had to think of him too. He'd killed him once already. (He refused to show guilt over it. He wouldn't.)
He was completely surrounded. Montagne was literally in enemy hands. He would die as soon as the first soldier fell dead at their feet.
He hissed weakly.
He lowered his arms, plasma blades disintegrating with a sharp crackle. He reluctantly fell out of his fighting stance, but was still tense and wary, waiting for what the opposing force would do next.
The robot made a confirmatory beeping noise and says "Good, now follow me, her majesty would like to speak to you" as he walks pass Rin still with Laurent in his hand lavishing in the love he was getting purring up against the mysterious 7 foot robot. If Rin didn't follow him immediately, he would a slight shove by a Conscript behind him wanting him to move.
Once outside the ship, they entered a really large hanger, buzzing about with activity. The hanger seemed to be covered in a small sleet of snow and ice crystals yet, it didn't feel cold even as the soldiers walk around with winter peacoats. The robot would glance over at Rin and greets "Welcome Rin to HMS Skadi, a capital Highland-class frost ship and the beginning of the Ningo empire...Ningo is Latin for snow by the way and my name is Commander Unit 73" as he continues on towards the head of this establishment.
As they walk through the frosty light blue halls of this winter wonder land, so many different individuals can be seen working with each other. Of course, one would see Frost Conscripts helping out the Soviet looking soldiers, while one can one describe as Ice men, individuals that literally made out of Ice or some kind of crystals working around with what seems to be large tall Ice knights with blue plumes on there helmets as they walk around with there diamond shaped crystal shields, swords and spears. Some even carry large Greatbows with arrows on there back of the shape and size of beach umbrellas. Even a couple of Doc-bots with a white camo can be seen rolling around the halls of the ship.
They soon enter a room, a rather small throne like room with a few soldiers and Ice knights on guard. The room was like any other on the ship but with much more regal decorations with multiple banners of that show a giant diamond like ice crystal on them as well as various assortments of jewels and ice statues. On the throne sits straght up with excellent posture a woman with blue skin and wearing Nordic like clothing made out of crystal and with a fancy spear/staff. She stands and walks to Rin as they get closer to the throne while the Commander Unit takes his place by the ice throne.
She walks up to her and bends down a little and says "So, you are the boy I have heard a bit about, hm? Rin?" as she gives him a close inspection taking in his experience. "For a boy who tried to take on an Ecolu, Devil eye and a conscript you don't look like much. Small, thin, and...childish" she states with a tone of voice suited for her spot as an authoritative position. She straightens up and says "Ah no matter, my name is Frost Queen Cathorine, it is a pleasure to meet you Rin" as she puts out her hand to greet him, a gesture you don't see coming from someone with the title of Queen.
Once outside the ship, they entered a really large hanger, buzzing about with activity. The hanger seemed to be covered in a small sleet of snow and ice crystals yet, it didn't feel cold even as the soldiers walk around with winter peacoats. The robot would glance over at Rin and greets "Welcome Rin to HMS Skadi, a capital Highland-class frost ship and the beginning of the Ningo empire...Ningo is Latin for snow by the way and my name is Commander Unit 73" as he continues on towards the head of this establishment.
As they walk through the frosty light blue halls of this winter wonder land, so many different individuals can be seen working with each other. Of course, one would see Frost Conscripts helping out the Soviet looking soldiers, while one can one describe as Ice men, individuals that literally made out of Ice or some kind of crystals working around with what seems to be large tall Ice knights with blue plumes on there helmets as they walk around with there diamond shaped crystal shields, swords and spears. Some even carry large Greatbows with arrows on there back of the shape and size of beach umbrellas. Even a couple of Doc-bots with a white camo can be seen rolling around the halls of the ship.
They soon enter a room, a rather small throne like room with a few soldiers and Ice knights on guard. The room was like any other on the ship but with much more regal decorations with multiple banners of that show a giant diamond like ice crystal on them as well as various assortments of jewels and ice statues. On the throne sits straght up with excellent posture a woman with blue skin and wearing Nordic like clothing made out of crystal and with a fancy spear/staff. She stands and walks to Rin as they get closer to the throne while the Commander Unit takes his place by the ice throne.
She walks up to her and bends down a little and says "So, you are the boy I have heard a bit about, hm? Rin?" as she gives him a close inspection taking in his experience. "For a boy who tried to take on an Ecolu, Devil eye and a conscript you don't look like much. Small, thin, and...childish" she states with a tone of voice suited for her spot as an authoritative position. She straightens up and says "Ah no matter, my name is Frost Queen Cathorine, it is a pleasure to meet you Rin" as she puts out her hand to greet him, a gesture you don't see coming from someone with the title of Queen.
Rin followed after the mech knight, blinking rapidly as he stepped inside the opposing hanger.
It was bustling with people- well, what looked like people- giants like the one killed earlier, humanoids in stiff uniforms, knights and ice creatures-
... And...
He shuddered slightly, uneasy at the sight of so much ice and snow. Unpleasant memories of being almost frozen and being deathly sick for weeks after a mission gone horribly wrong started to plague him-
Stop. Deep breaths. He exhaled, forcing his muscles to untense. He wasn't going to freeze. He was a Nyran, natural habitat being dark, cold and dry, according to Vaxur.
Emphasis on the DRY?
Shut up, brain.
He almost missed the fact that they entered a throne room, just barely masking his surprise behind a blank face. He looked up... And saw a Queen.
When she approached, he straightened, still and unassuming, all 5 feet and three inches of himself; when she inspected and commented on his less than satisfying appearance, he bristled; when she stretched out her arm, he eyed the limb with mild confusion and caution.
Perhaps that is how they greet people...?
Hesitantly, he took the offered hand, holding it awkwardly for a few seconds before letting go.
... Queen, so...
He bowed lowly, breathing out slowly, letting go of his irritation. She was authority... so he had to respect that (no matter that she was condescending toward him, she could kill them- or that he hated, HATED the extreme cold, he would take the desert anytime-)
At least she didn't try to beat him off the bat. That made her automatically better than the lords that tried to get him and his mother to fork over more money than they could. Or sell them off. "Highess," he murmered, eyes trained on the ground, holding his bowed position.
It was bustling with people- well, what looked like people- giants like the one killed earlier, humanoids in stiff uniforms, knights and ice creatures-
... And...
He shuddered slightly, uneasy at the sight of so much ice and snow. Unpleasant memories of being almost frozen and being deathly sick for weeks after a mission gone horribly wrong started to plague him-
Stop. Deep breaths. He exhaled, forcing his muscles to untense. He wasn't going to freeze. He was a Nyran, natural habitat being dark, cold and dry, according to Vaxur.
Emphasis on the DRY?
Shut up, brain.
He almost missed the fact that they entered a throne room, just barely masking his surprise behind a blank face. He looked up... And saw a Queen.
When she approached, he straightened, still and unassuming, all 5 feet and three inches of himself; when she inspected and commented on his less than satisfying appearance, he bristled; when she stretched out her arm, he eyed the limb with mild confusion and caution.
Perhaps that is how they greet people...?
Hesitantly, he took the offered hand, holding it awkwardly for a few seconds before letting go.
... Queen, so...
He bowed lowly, breathing out slowly, letting go of his irritation. She was authority... so he had to respect that (no matter that she was condescending toward him, she could kill them- or that he hated, HATED the extreme cold, he would take the desert anytime-)
At least she didn't try to beat him off the bat. That made her automatically better than the lords that tried to get him and his mother to fork over more money than they could. Or sell them off. "Highess," he murmered, eyes trained on the ground, holding his bowed position.
Cathroine smiled softly as he griped her hand awakardly, she helped him by cupping his hand having him to hold onto her hand tighter and then shook her hand. "That's what we call a hand shake here" she says to him and then enjoyed how he gave her a bow, but can tell he wasn't so...accepting individuals such as her. "You don't have to bow to me if you feel uncomfortable...you already proven yourself to me by facing off the three I mentioned earlier, so put your head up, Nyran" she says with a small smile coming to her face knowing that her mentioning who he was would throw him off a bit and she or 73 would explain how they know of Rin's race even being in a different galaxy.
"I understanding is that you are here so that you can go back home, yes? It would be quiet the shame to lose someone of your skills, but everyone wishes to go home at some point and what you want is no simple order" she explains to him. "Sadly for you, you ended up being with a con man who is now at the mercy of robotic fingers as they assault his weak spots" as she gestures towards Laurent as he continues to purr upon 73 and enjoying the treatment. "Hm thank goodness his morals aren't too out of wack or you would have been sold to slavery for a very high mark" she adds as she walks away back to her throne to have a seat. She gestures Rin to get closer so she doesn't have to raise her face. "No doubt he would have kept you as long as you could as he tries to get the money to negotiate with Lord Kampfer who would have no doubt have decided to take you prisoner and open you up like the scientist he is" she adds as she jiggles a little at the thought
"So Rin, I'm willing to help get home, but you are going to help me get my empire started...so what do say? There is no harm in saying no and you would be on your way to figure out to get home on your own. Plus I'm willing to answer any questions that you may have" she says as she leans forward on her throne, while her staff rested upon it as she holds her own head up by her hands in which her arms are rested on her thighs as she looks at Rin wondering what he will say and ask.
"I understanding is that you are here so that you can go back home, yes? It would be quiet the shame to lose someone of your skills, but everyone wishes to go home at some point and what you want is no simple order" she explains to him. "Sadly for you, you ended up being with a con man who is now at the mercy of robotic fingers as they assault his weak spots" as she gestures towards Laurent as he continues to purr upon 73 and enjoying the treatment. "Hm thank goodness his morals aren't too out of wack or you would have been sold to slavery for a very high mark" she adds as she walks away back to her throne to have a seat. She gestures Rin to get closer so she doesn't have to raise her face. "No doubt he would have kept you as long as you could as he tries to get the money to negotiate with Lord Kampfer who would have no doubt have decided to take you prisoner and open you up like the scientist he is" she adds as she jiggles a little at the thought
"So Rin, I'm willing to help get home, but you are going to help me get my empire started...so what do say? There is no harm in saying no and you would be on your way to figure out to get home on your own. Plus I'm willing to answer any questions that you may have" she says as she leans forward on her throne, while her staff rested upon it as she holds her own head up by her hands in which her arms are rested on her thighs as she looks at Rin wondering what he will say and ask.
Rin jolted up in shock, eyes wide as his mouth opened into a shocked little 'oh.'
How- Nyran- what-
He stood frozen, the Queen voicing his desire to go home- how long had they been spied on, how come he never noticed, was his instincts that DULL-
He managed to stop his trembling before it even started, ironically at the mention at what Montagne might have done to him- he knew, inside, that there was the possibility of him being worse off the longer he stayed with the conman, but... It still hurt said aloud-
He blinked back to life at the mention of an empire. He opened his mouth, then closed it, looking down hard at the floor. "Empire...? Why... And how- how did you know what I was...?" He shook his head. "An empire for what...?" he muttered confusedly, not aware that he said the question out loud.
How- Nyran- what-
He stood frozen, the Queen voicing his desire to go home- how long had they been spied on, how come he never noticed, was his instincts that DULL-
He managed to stop his trembling before it even started, ironically at the mention at what Montagne might have done to him- he knew, inside, that there was the possibility of him being worse off the longer he stayed with the conman, but... It still hurt said aloud-
He blinked back to life at the mention of an empire. He opened his mouth, then closed it, looking down hard at the floor. "Empire...? Why... And how- how did you know what I was...?" He shook his head. "An empire for what...?" he muttered confusedly, not aware that he said the question out loud.
Cathorine merely smiled as 73 began to speak up again as he was being distracted in petting Laurent. "Oh yes, we know what you are because of my previous occupation. I was known as the Supreme Commander of the Veracons, an ancient group of robotics that existed along with the Iridities here on this galaxy. We kinda stole the tech from the Iridities on opening wormholes and we were able to calibrate a wormhole to go into a nearby galaxy and we sent a prob there in which landed on your race's homeworld. We were able to monitor your species and planned to send ambassador over but we were defeated by Kampferian forces by this time and I think by that time a galactic government was being formed...of course from little data that has come back to me, I think its safe to say that it's grown to incumbence the entire galaxy in which you are part of" more beeping noises as if he was confirming info came from 73 and then he continues "I was with you both all along, I was cloaked the entire time as I followed you and Laurent the entire time, even though being somewhat bad for your health, but I am a bit more optimistic than her majesty in that you both would have become more of a team and I was right to some degree as you both took down the Frost Conscript"
More beeping noises came out of him, sounding like scans before Cathorine spoke up "Now back to the empire, I do not believe you understand the conflict that brewing around this Galaxy. AS far as we know, three empires, technically four but we'll discuss that one later, are all in a power struggle with each other. We have the Galatic Empire, with its ridiculous bureaucracy and questionable actions in the dark with its very questionable foundations based on planetary genocide, then we have the Kampferian Empire, an empire of technicology wonders, but really serves a testing ground to breed horrorfic experiments for the Dimenisonal Lord of Technology, Lord Kampfer and finally the Ovain Empire, a fuedalistic empire hell bent to plunge the galaxy into Lord Ova's abyss of her Dimension of Darkness" as she then took a breath and made sure Rin got all that simple info before continuing. "Of course there is another Empire, but really a threat that looms over galaxy and the universe...The Dendrils. A parasitic race under the leadership of Lord Erica, Dimensional Lord of Time and Space, in which strive to make the galaxy and the universe void of intelligent life" she adds as she continues to look at him.
"What I want to do is conquer this entire galaxy and kick out these Lords and send them back to there realms. I want to see this galaxy under one banner, one community and one army. My message has been spread around a little as you can see the different races here all working together" she says as she gestures towards everyone in the room. "I do not asslimate others into my rule but allow them practice what they wish as long as they serve for me and my goal" she adds as she sits up and proclaims that with pride. "I wish to see this galaxy go beyond its borders! I wish to see it go through the entire universe!!" she exclaims as the room full of soldiers and knights either stomped on the ground or cheered for m her little slogan, approving in what she is doing.
"So Rin, I'm not asking you to be here to see it through, but just the beginning and till we get the resources we need to build a modified worm hole for you to travel back too...so what do you say? Will join me for only a little bit on this crusade of mine?" she asks him as she gestures her hand out for a possible handshake if Rin agrees to.
More beeping noises came out of him, sounding like scans before Cathorine spoke up "Now back to the empire, I do not believe you understand the conflict that brewing around this Galaxy. AS far as we know, three empires, technically four but we'll discuss that one later, are all in a power struggle with each other. We have the Galatic Empire, with its ridiculous bureaucracy and questionable actions in the dark with its very questionable foundations based on planetary genocide, then we have the Kampferian Empire, an empire of technicology wonders, but really serves a testing ground to breed horrorfic experiments for the Dimenisonal Lord of Technology, Lord Kampfer and finally the Ovain Empire, a fuedalistic empire hell bent to plunge the galaxy into Lord Ova's abyss of her Dimension of Darkness" as she then took a breath and made sure Rin got all that simple info before continuing. "Of course there is another Empire, but really a threat that looms over galaxy and the universe...The Dendrils. A parasitic race under the leadership of Lord Erica, Dimensional Lord of Time and Space, in which strive to make the galaxy and the universe void of intelligent life" she adds as she continues to look at him.
"What I want to do is conquer this entire galaxy and kick out these Lords and send them back to there realms. I want to see this galaxy under one banner, one community and one army. My message has been spread around a little as you can see the different races here all working together" she says as she gestures towards everyone in the room. "I do not asslimate others into my rule but allow them practice what they wish as long as they serve for me and my goal" she adds as she sits up and proclaims that with pride. "I wish to see this galaxy go beyond its borders! I wish to see it go through the entire universe!!" she exclaims as the room full of soldiers and knights either stomped on the ground or cheered for m her little slogan, approving in what she is doing.
"So Rin, I'm not asking you to be here to see it through, but just the beginning and till we get the resources we need to build a modified worm hole for you to travel back too...so what do you say? Will join me for only a little bit on this crusade of mine?" she asks him as she gestures her hand out for a possible handshake if Rin agrees to.
Rin pursed his lips, deep in thought. Staring down at the Queen's hand, he knew he had to make a decision.
But would it be the right one?
This conflict... These Dimensional Lords, these Empires... Dangerous. He could feel it. There were already enough problems in his intergalactic system, but this...
He had a duty. He needed to protect the system. He needed to keep this war away.
He needed to go home.
He lifted a hand, then stopped before he touched the Queen's. "What if you're one of them?" he said lowly, question meant for her ears only. "How do I know that you will keep your word?" He kept his eyes trained on the ground. "How do I know that you will leave us alone?"
Because if his life was the price for the system to survive, for his team's protection- then, well...
No deal.
But would it be the right one?
This conflict... These Dimensional Lords, these Empires... Dangerous. He could feel it. There were already enough problems in his intergalactic system, but this...
He had a duty. He needed to protect the system. He needed to keep this war away.
He needed to go home.
He lifted a hand, then stopped before he touched the Queen's. "What if you're one of them?" he said lowly, question meant for her ears only. "How do I know that you will keep your word?" He kept his eyes trained on the ground. "How do I know that you will leave us alone?"
Because if his life was the price for the system to survive, for his team's protection- then, well...
No deal.
Cathorine, merely grinned hearing his response. She decided to toss this over and asks "Well Rin, what do you want me to do to prove to you that I will keep my word? Name it and I'll do it for you to trust me" she then shook her head as she was in thought and says "I understand your mistrust especially being with Laurent, but name it, what do you want me to do? This is on your terms now" as she continues to look at him wondering what he will say, still she her hand out still waiting for him.
"Well, getting me home seems to be out of the question," he mumbled snarkily. His mood sunk even more as he realized that he was about to be a pawn again- just so he could get home.
The £&€¥.
Seriously.
"Or maybe staying away from my side of the intergalactic system, but your bodyguards already did that. Splendid. There's nothing you can possibly do for me that I would love for you to do," he muttered, a little louder. He couldn't really bring himself to care.
He was just gonna be farther away from his family, wasn't he?
WASN'T HE?!
Oh god, was he having a panic attack? His vision started to blur. His head buzzed, and words slowly meant nothing as his heartbeat pounded on his ears. Was that possible? The bass beat in his chest was quickening-
His eyes cleared abruptly, and he blinked as tears started to drip, drip on the floor. Was he crying? His hands were shaking.
Why wasn't he home?
You have no home.
No. Stop
Then where is it?
He didn't know. Wasn't that why he was here?
No?
... No...?
The £&€¥.
Seriously.
"Or maybe staying away from my side of the intergalactic system, but your bodyguards already did that. Splendid. There's nothing you can possibly do for me that I would love for you to do," he muttered, a little louder. He couldn't really bring himself to care.
He was just gonna be farther away from his family, wasn't he?
WASN'T HE?!
Oh god, was he having a panic attack? His vision started to blur. His head buzzed, and words slowly meant nothing as his heartbeat pounded on his ears. Was that possible? The bass beat in his chest was quickening-
His eyes cleared abruptly, and he blinked as tears started to drip, drip on the floor. Was he crying? His hands were shaking.
Why wasn't he home?
You have no home.
No. Stop
Then where is it?
He didn't know. Wasn't that why he was here?
No?
... No...?
Cathorines grin turned to a slight frown as he spoke. 73 spoke up and says "Uh she wasn't even alive during but okay sorry I guess?" As he continues to pet Laurent even though he was enjoying it he was still listening on what's happening. Cathorine doe what regretted getting slightly smart with him and it wasn't right. She understood how it feels being a stranger in a strange land until her favorite squad of potato heads came and saved her and somewhat brought her up to speed and helped her up at this point. Speaking of which, she wondered where her favorite squad of sass soldiers were. She then shook her head and approached her and if Rin liked it or not, Cathorine gave him a loving hug. "It's alright if you need to cry" as he pushes him more into her chest.
"I know how it feels being alone and being a strange place" she says soothingly as she pets his head. "I'm sorry your visit to this Galaxy wasn't the greatest but I do truly feel for you and once we get the resources we will get to work for the wormhole for you to return too. Back to your friends and family" she adds soothingly being the mother that she was never was but she did. Even though she just met him, Cathorine began to feel Rin as her son that she never had. For her it brought a slight tear to her eye...
"I know how it feels being alone and being a strange place" she says soothingly as she pets his head. "I'm sorry your visit to this Galaxy wasn't the greatest but I do truly feel for you and once we get the resources we will get to work for the wormhole for you to return too. Back to your friends and family" she adds soothingly being the mother that she was never was but she did. Even though she just met him, Cathorine began to feel Rin as her son that she never had. For her it brought a slight tear to her eye...
Rin stiffened at the sudden embrace, eyes widening in surprise. More tears spilled over at the action, blurring his vision and-
She was warm.
He remembered his mother would hug him sometimes- not often, not that he complained, she wasn't very touchy- but when she did, it always encompassed him. And it was always... tender. And even if they were in the desert, he wouldn't mind the extra warmth of the hug- because it grounded him to reality. It grounded him from his feelings of loneness, reminded him that she was there.
The hug was uncomfortably warm.
He broke down, choking sobs rattling from his chest as he buried his face to a shoulder and cried. He cried for his team, his friends- Vaxur, Commander Wyr, the newfound attachment he had eventually reveled in- he cried for his mother, his deep unconscious fear that she would soon die of old age before he was able to repay her for raising him as best as she could- he cried for lost familiarity, for his longing for home, a concept he had such a hard time grasping, the crippling anxiety that lurked in his head-
He cried until he had no more tears left. His trembling lessened little by little, until he was just leaning on the Queen, energy spent. He didn't want to move. He couldn't move. He let out a small sigh.
"Sorry..." he whispered, almost inaudibly.
She was warm.
He remembered his mother would hug him sometimes- not often, not that he complained, she wasn't very touchy- but when she did, it always encompassed him. And it was always... tender. And even if they were in the desert, he wouldn't mind the extra warmth of the hug- because it grounded him to reality. It grounded him from his feelings of loneness, reminded him that she was there.
The hug was uncomfortably warm.
He broke down, choking sobs rattling from his chest as he buried his face to a shoulder and cried. He cried for his team, his friends- Vaxur, Commander Wyr, the newfound attachment he had eventually reveled in- he cried for his mother, his deep unconscious fear that she would soon die of old age before he was able to repay her for raising him as best as she could- he cried for lost familiarity, for his longing for home, a concept he had such a hard time grasping, the crippling anxiety that lurked in his head-
He cried until he had no more tears left. His trembling lessened little by little, until he was just leaning on the Queen, energy spent. He didn't want to move. He couldn't move. He let out a small sigh.
"Sorry..." he whispered, almost inaudibly.
Cathroine continues to pet Rin as he balls his eyes out on her. She definitely felt like the mother she never was as she continues to give Rin the love he needed. "Its alright, take all the time you need and want...I'll always be here" she says soothingly as she barely hears his "sorry". "Everyone has there episode and its always good to have someone to cry upon even if that person is a stranger to you" she adds as she continues to gently hold onto Rin, ready to let go when he was ready. Everyone just stared at the ordeal that had happen even Laurent stared at Rin for a moment before the sheer wave of pleasure came back to him and he was in 73's hands once more.
"Take your time Rin" she says so soothingly. She just wanted to get Rin to be at ease.
"Take your time Rin" she says so soothingly. She just wanted to get Rin to be at ease.
Rin shakily sighed again, then pulled back a bit so that, if he wanted to, he could look up at the Queen comfortably. (He didn't. He kept his eyes down.)
"I apologize for my outburst," he said lowly. His lips were still quivering. He bit the bottom lip in an attempt to still it.
A twinge of pain-
Ah, right. He realized his face hurt from the bloody scratches littering his face- they stung from the salt water that spilled from his eyes.
He probably needed to clean up a bit- the cuts felt worse than they were, right? And a change of clothes. He was tired too...
He was losing focus. He blinked several times. He needed to stay awake. The warmth of the Queen's arms wasn't helping his semi-dazed state.
"I apologize for my outburst," he said lowly. His lips were still quivering. He bit the bottom lip in an attempt to still it.
A twinge of pain-
Ah, right. He realized his face hurt from the bloody scratches littering his face- they stung from the salt water that spilled from his eyes.
He probably needed to clean up a bit- the cuts felt worse than they were, right? And a change of clothes. He was tired too...
He was losing focus. He blinked several times. He needed to stay awake. The warmth of the Queen's arms wasn't helping his semi-dazed state.
Cathorine merely smiles and says "It's alright, I understand" then she realized that he can barely keep himself awake and so with impress show of strength she picks him up into her arms holding him bridal style. She then began to walk to her room and says "I'll take care of you, you have had a long day and no doubt are tired" as she looks down at him and smiles. Cathorine was really getting into her role as a mother was definitely looking at him as her very own soon. "Do you want me wash you, my little Rin?" As she takes her finger caress his cheek and occasionally licking her finger so she can clean some of the blood off his face. It wouldn't be long till they got to her room which was definitely fit for a queen with a queen size bed and various oak wood furnturie while the floor was ice but didn't feel like ice though as the walls where are light blue walls with various paintings of different things as well as different banners.
N O T S P A C E – The Stella Viventium
Things were getting complicated again - and after all this time of having only the scantest of options on how to proceed with the hunt, the rapidly branching scenarios were becoming rapidly overwhelming.
So Aelyn-Paeryc and Alexia Petrovalyc sat down together and decided to lay out the facts and options as they knew them.
Sitting there, the two of them sharing the big, plush chair behind the expansive dark-wood desk, Alexia sat half on her husband’s lap, pressed snugly into each other by the seat’s confines. His arm draped over her shoulder, they looked like any normal young couple enjoying a film together on a Saturday night - rather than the heads of a city-sized colony ship watching a life-or-death battle unfold before their very eyes, upon a background of utter impossibility.
They went over the recent events, trying to make some semblance of sense out of it all. Their BrainPal™s, always in sync and sharing all input data, worked along with them, replaying footage, or jotting down notes. Somebody was going to go mad if this didn’t all get set straight once and for all - and what better time than one of these rare chances they got to spend alone together, just the two of them? They were a miraculous team, especially when they could focus on the same task.
1- They had gone to Earth IV in search of the robot Bravo who claimed it was from Sol. They had received a great deal of data before the robot’ self-destructed beyond repair.
2- A Mysterious Signal appeared from nowhere and, among other things, revealed the location of the lost planet Isandril which, until that point, had been hidden away within Notspace.
3- A race to Isandril. Upon landing in the ‘city’, the whole system was transmitted into Notspace. This included the Stella, the Kingsbane, a Dendril fleet, and an unknown fleet.
4- While inside the ‘city’ a number of developments had been made which had only now become known to them.
-Two unique sources of Notspace Activity were detected, resembling small Notspace Drives.
--One of these was found on the Kingsbane, only after it had entered Notspace. (Ruling out the possibility of their having been in possession of the technology beforehand.)
--The other was found aboard a derelict warship being tugged and occupied by the Dendril. This entity was then seen to be on the Isandril surface at the time of the attack.
5- A clue was found in the Isandril databanks; “IRIA”.
-The Dendril infiltrated the ‘city’, killing all of the science team and tearing down the petrostanium towers.
--This was believed to have been made possible due to influence of the entity seen between the Dendril fleet and the surface.
-Around this time, the entity aboard the Kingsbane was seen to diminish suddenly.
6- A second ’Mysterious Signal was emitted from the ‘city’ just as the Dendril were nearing its’ complete destruction. (This made it likely that the first Signal was somehow also emitted from the ‘city’.) Likely resulting from this Second Signal:
--A sudden, massive stream of data was sent from the Isandril databanks to the Stella. What information exactly had been transferred was currently unknown. The data was relayed through the brains of the dead research team, which had been partially taken-over by the Dendril. This killed the researchers completely.
--Full power and systems operation was restored to the Kingsbane, overriding the apparent laws of Notspace.
--A program in the Stella re-sleeving department triggered the download of the consciousness of Rya Valheimer into a pre-grown recreated body.
7- They were inexplicably transported from the heart of the ‘city’ back to their office on the Stella.
-Full destruction of the city commenced.
-All contact with Administrator Harkahn was lost, some time after he re-boarded the Stella with Security Chief Rivierre.
-The Dendril’s entity was traced returning to the derelict warship, which had also gained mobility.
-The Denndril fleet ignored the Stella completely and instead launched a full-scale assault on the Kingsbane.
8- The derelict warship under Dendril control was discovered to be the Spearhead of Mars - an ancient Martian superweapon from the Sol system itself, which Aelyn and his late brother had spent a great deal of time studying aboard during the preliminary stages of the Stella’s planning and design phase.
”So, to sum it up, a whole lot of impossible things are happening-” Alexia said, ”In an impossible place with impossible people.” Aelyn-Paeryc concluded.
That settled that, then. Now all they had to do was decide upon a course of action.
Two unknown sources of Notspacial activity - those would be worth investigating, right? Granted, it was not Notspace technology or even First-People history that A.P. was interested in - only finding Sol - but there was the possibility that such trails might lead to still more clues on the whereabouts of the legendary star.
But they had also been left a clue by Paeryc Petrovalyc himself - ’IRIA’. That was clearly the more direct route - if only they could find out what it meant. Nothing extraordinary appeared in quick-scans of the Stella mainframe - it was possible that the answer was now lost forever in the ruins of Isandril - but a deep-scan had been initiated, and the results were slowly, slowly churning out...nothing interesting. But the scan was still far from finished, so there was hope. Some hope.
What to do in the meantime? Wait and watch. Surely someone would find the Doctor soon enough so there was no need to fret over Harkahn. Aelyn would have preferred the Kingsbane as an ally rather than an enemy, but it seemed its’ stupid captain was dead-set against being nothing but a thorn in their side - so if the Kingsbane were destroyed by the Dendrils, so be it. Or if the Dendrils were destroyed - that much better! The Kingsbane’s captain was a rageful moron, but he could be negotiated with - and there was that nice, sensible Severin guy that A.P. was quite fond of.
So the question persisted - what to do?
The mystery of The Spearhead was quickly shrugged off as a ploy on the part of Codsworth - surely she could have found some ancient plans, built a replica, made it look old, and tried to entice Aelyn into believing that she knew where Earth was because she had the ship. No other explanation made sense - since they knew that the Dimensional Lords did not have access to Notspace - and they knew that’s exactly where Earth was.
So that was out of the way. What else?
They had already sent out orders to be passed down to the official channels, recruiting a new science team from the Stella’s expansive ‘stock’. There was never any shortage of brilliant minds on the Stella - usually there were more than they knew what to do with - and as Aelyn-Paeryc had once said, ”You don’t get to owning something like that without understanding the importance of people.” Luckily, he had a lot of people to spare. Even their stockpile of munitions was very slowly being rebuilt - and the hull-mounted weaponry which hadn’t been used in centuries was being brought back up into working order - the Stella would never be a battleship, but once all the weapons were up and running again, it would be able to pack a good punch - or defend itself at very least. Though, A.P. still continually mourned the loss of his precious ‘battle module’ - he really should never have been so arrogant as to go using it as a big bomb. Stupid.
So, with little to do but sit back, watch, and speculate, that’s exactly what the Petrovalyc couple did. It’s what they had been doing since their little list had been finished, since Rya had gone storming off to do whatever - just sitting together, watching the monitor and talking. Admittedly, untold eons had not done much for their sense of action - as a rule, action was usually only worth taking when certain opportunities presented themselves. Otherwise, most business was tended to by their gigantic sum of staff and crew and ‘people stock’. The Stella was a great, living machine, endlessly ticking away at the impossible hunt for the nonexistent - they were merely the users sitting at the desk, making decisions when the need arose, or altering the course of events to suit their needs.
This, Aelyn had mused once, must have been what Moses and Aaron felt like.
The two of them sat in idle, companionable silence for some moments. Before they could return to the subject however, a message came through BrainPal™ and, since they both always got the same information simultaneously, the two looked at each other in dumbfounded shock.
"The @#$%...?"
The content of the message alone was baffling enough given who was sending it – but the emotional ‘subtext’ was downright insane. Or, perhaps the better word was manic.
It took a few seconds for either one of them to react at all. Then, cracking a grin, Alexia said ”Drakis push her over the edge already?” A.P. gave a quiet laugh, and considered relaying that question to the sender – but Alexia shook her head – knowing what he was thinking, even though mind reading was not one of their particular talents. It did not take a shared BrainPal™ to emulate the kind of familiarity they had with each other after so long. And besides – there was only so much a BrainPal™ could do in the way of ‘reading minds’. Since it was only a computer, (albeit a very advanced one) it would be unable to translate the thoughts, intentions or emotions of the user into anything comprehensible by another human mind. It could report the status of the brain as well as any medical monitoring device, it could report what commands or input it was given by the user – but mind-reading was far out of the reach of the BrainPal™ engineers. The ‘emotional subtext’ feature was closer to ‘emojis’ real emotional analysis.
”This is your fault, y’know.” He said, giving his wife a prod in the ribs, at which she jumped. ”How’s it my fault?”
”Because I spend fifteen minutes alone with you and suddenly I can’t take anything seriously.” She gave a laugh to that. ”Seriously though, what do you think’s going on?”
”Good –question Ael. Try a” ”Diagnostic? Yep.” ”It’s not letting you in?” ”Nope. And” ”You tried getting in to lift the block on her other cybertech and” ”Blocked then too. Without any reason at all. Though since” ”She seems to at least be listening to you now, maybe” ”She’ll actually listen if we tell her to go see Doctor Harkahn.” ”Doctor Harkahn Junoir-senior you mean. Not Doctor Harkahn Junior-Junior.” ”@#$%ing brat you know what I meant.” ”We shouldn’t rush anything though.” ”Agreed…”
So he compiled a reply and sent it, and let the issue rest for a moment.
The two were just about to continue their speculations when suddenly, on the monitor…
The Kingsbane disappeared.
The couple watched on in stark bafflement as the impossible unfolded - or, rather, disappeared - before their eyes.
"What...the @#$%."
Fumblingly, the two got to their feet, moving closer to the floating monitor as though that distance of five-or-so feet might have made the huge cruiser reappear. They switched between different exterior cameras, each giving a slightly different angle of the same scene - no Kingsbane.
“That’s @#$$ing impossible.” They said, again, in unison. Nothing could transition into or out of Notspace except the Drives - and the Drives only existed on the Stella, now that the Isandril Engine was in ruins.
The Kingsbane had certainly not had any Notspace capabilities before now. They would have detected it lightyears away. They could not possibly have gone and captured some hidden tech since they were as stuck there as any vessel that wasn’t the Stella should be.
But, then, the anomaly. The source of Notspacial activity that Harkahn’s scan had detected.
All traces of activity that had lingered from the initial source were suddenly gone - utterly, as though no such disturbance had been present at any point. So, what - a Notspace Drive had simply appeared on their ship, only to blow itself up, then slip them back into reality before dying off completely? That made even less sense than all the other madness that was going on.
Yes, that would definitely be something worth looking into.
Right now.
When in only the company of each other, neither saw any reason to perpetuate their habit of polite BrainPal™ etiquette. It was time to act. Orders were sent to the Navigations department to fire up the Drives and get them back into Realspace as soon as possible. Forget the planet, forget the Dendrils and that other fleet - the only one they had really considered taking with them when they left was the Kingsbane anyway, and it seemed that the Kingsbane had beaten them to the chase.
It was then that the most disturbing blow of all came. The couples’ moment of peace was over.
”Alex. Alex. They’re locked down.”
”The Drives are locked the @#$% down.”
They were sending orders all over the ship, trying to get a read on what had happened to the Kingsbane and potentially putting into motion their transition and pursuit back through Realspace – but both ceased immediately upon the realization that somehow, the Drive chamber had been sealed off. Usually bridge control could access the Drives remotely – but all access was being blocked and nobody could figure out why, or from where – nobody knew anything. A.P. and Alexia too could usually access the Drives directly – and now they were being blocked out. The source of the block was nowhere – nobody – nothing. It made no sense.
Nobody could get a hold of Dorin Harkahn either.
”First Rya’s BrainPal™, now this. No reason,” ”No source, no motive,” ”Nothing. How the...how the actual @#$%.... We need to” ”Get down there now. @#$% I wish that teleporting thing would happen again ‘cause” ”It’s gonna’ feel like a damned long run.”
And so the two were off, sprinting out of the dark little office and into the brightly lit hallways of the Inner Administration wing.
”Ael, that’s not all. Check the scan. The other disturbance, the one from the Dendril ship, it’s” ”Gone.”
The couple had a very bad feeling in their guts - the premonition that something horrendous was about to happen and there would be nothing anyone could do about it.
In fact it felt as if they might already be too late…
Caru
”You actually met Sun Tzu?” Yascra said with a sudden, uncharacteristic eagerness in his voice and a spark of excitement, fascination in his usually dismal eyes.
Then, as if realizing the error he had made in looking like a person for a second instead of a hateful snake-person, he demured and scowled. ”Well, I doubt you’ve actually read the book if you think that. The whole premise of the work is on how to win a war - not just end it. I mean, if you end a war by losing it, that goes against the whole point. And it sure as heck isn’t about preventing war - he of all people knew the inevitability of war in a warlike people like humans. Just because he recognizes that the ideal way to win a war is without bloodshed doesn’t mean that he was some way ‘against war’, only that a bloodless battle leaves the victor with undepleted resources…”
The conversation had been utterly derailed, and any talk of the combat against the Lords was all but forgotten for the remainder of the ride. Things became philosophical rather quickly - and though every time Yascra spoke it was with a sort of scorn and irritation, he was still talking - and rather animatedly, too.
”But ‘friendship’ can only exist as long as there is hatred.” He was insisting twenty minutes later, when the railcar came to a stop and, without pausing the conversation, he stood and made his way into the station and on down the hallway. ”It’s just like how without ‘evil’ nothing can be ‘good’. Of course I love weapons and guns, and using them to destroy my enemies, because there need to be enemies if there are to be friends - see what I’m saying? Using weapons to slaughter the enemies who must come attacking my, uh, I mean THe people on the Stella - I’m sort of defending friendship. Not that I have friends, but you get what I mean. I fill people’s guts with lead and turn their heads into chunky salsa because they’re the ones trying to screw up other peoples’ friendship! But they have to do that in order for the other people to be friends, because otherwise everyone would be, just, neutral to each other a- oh, we’re here.”
They had come to a door - of course, it looked like every other door to Caru, who could not see the BrainPal™ label which read ’STELLA VIVENTIUM TRANSIT AUTHORITY’. They stepped through and into another room, which was featureless save for a matching door on the opposite end. A short, intermediary hallway.
But before they could reach the other door, about halfway through the little room, the door behind them slid open again. Yascra turned around sharply, startled - then looked distinctly as though someone had told him he would be working ten hours overtime without pay, and babysitting a rabid chimp at the same time. ”Oh @#$%.” He growled, scowling at the man who had entered the room, paying no attention to his female companion. His voice and demeanor were permeated with utter dread at this most miserable turn of events. ”It’s him."
Rya
Isn’t that B̶͏ ͠E̢ ̸̡T̡͡ ͡T̢ ̧͘E̵̛͠ ̶R͜͜ ̧̗̰̪̞̖́ͅ?̧̛̖̞͚̪̜̮̼̝͉
Of course it is.
Ever̕y̡͂̓ͣ̍thing will be J U S T F͝ ̶͆I͊ͣ͋̾̅͆ ̅̆͋̓̏ͦ̓N̅͊̃̚͠ ̂͂Ȇ̄̈́ͨ̿̉̉ ̐ͮͯͣͪ̚
̶̢͠E̛̕͟͞v̸̢̧͜ȩ͘r̛̕y҉́͠ò҉̀͝n̨͘҉͘e̸͝y͟͟o҉̢͜ù̷͡e̵̡v̶̵͠͝e̢͘r̷̴̕͞l҉̢̕o͠v҉̕e͏̕͢d̵͞i҉̸͡s̛͢d̡̕͏͘e͜͟͜͡͝a̕̕͠ḑ͜͢͢͡
͜e̵͘v͘͢͝ér̀hi̧n͏̢g҉̷J U͏̷ ̀S̕Twi͘̕l̸̕͡le ́͠I ͘͜N̸͟ ̛͘͠E ̕eadin͜jų͜s̷͢t͜F͡ ̧͟
thebestfriendyoulleverhaveisinyourheadyourheadin̢͢͜yo̶͜͜u̸r̕h̡͞e͡a̢̢dhead
It would not be allowed to penetrate her conscious mind. That was – for the moment, at least – of the utmost importance. The thoughts/feelings/memories/ideas/emotions/nothings were there ant yet, they were not. They would not interrupt her thoughts, distract her from conversations – not even distract her from other thoughts – there, but not there, but there, but not there. She would not be consciously aware of it – yet subconsciously it would be very much present.
dontbeso͜҉̺͔F̜͙͎̮R̪̦̣̰̭̮͞I̸̴̲̞G͖͜H̸̪͖̞͙̱̭̖̯͚͟T͓̪̘͎̥͟͟͡E̫̫̯̠͔̤͓N̶҉͔͔̝̱Ę̶̠̣D̨̨͙̥̝̝̻̖̝̥͉͘
THIS IS JUST ̮ͯͨ̄̐͐ͧ͛A͎͖̺͝ ̣̫̒ͨ͝P̏ ̤̬͕͚͍̽ͤͬͯ͛ͯ͢A̡̪̬̗̖͇͚̫̔́ͣͤ̑ͤͤ ͑̆̑ͯ̓S̿ ̲ͬ̌͠S̘̟͂ͨ̑̓ͭ͛̀ ͍͌̃͂͂Ī͗̍҉͓̫̝̖͎Ṇ̤͎̈ͤͫ̽ ̛͇̿͑̃̏ͤG̺͈̝̠̜̼̞̾̊̅̚ P̤̭̭̯̭͜ ͬ͠ hÂ̦̫͈̟̖̼̹̇ͥͥͩ͝S ̅ͤ̃̍̔͏̭͉̰͈͕͈E̫̰ͭ̎̃̈́ͪͅ
One of MY B ͇͈͙̞̝̞̝̒̏̄ͫ̆̈́͌A̢̩̜͗̋ͤ̌͂͛ͯ ͉̞͖͉̹̻̼̂̔ͯ͟D̙̫̝̽ͦ̾͢ D A Y S
Your old life is ̺̙̤̖͍̺G̹͉̪͎̱̱̤͙̪̠̜͈̱̟̻̬ͅ ͙̺̳̹̫͎͓̲O͍̩̱̟͔ ̱͚̹͈̣̹̪͕͚̟̩̼̜͙N͎̼̞̺ ̘̱͈̼̥͚̘̹͍̦͓̤͕̳͉͉̦͎E̳̺͕͎̹̟͓̙̥̰͙̳̣̱ the old you is ̫̱̤̤̕͘ͅD̶҉̜̝̪͍͓̳͙̕ͅͅ ̴̧̨͙̦̞͍̫͖̮͔̳͟E̶̝̞̯̮̻͡ ̕͏̧͏̭̦͈̙͎̳̠A̸̴̶̛̞͖͍̜̺̭̗̖̯̯͙̺̠̗̲ ̶̢̛̻̲̝̫̙̩̘̼̺͉͓̤̪̞Ḑ̵̡̞͓͎̬͖̤͎̠̬̤͚͇̫͕͇̠̖̗̙̕ you are H E R E for a ̜̤̼͔̰̙͢R̴̻͓̺̗̙̲͎̗̯̖̦̠̪̕͘͠͝ͅ E A S O
̷̸̵̡̞͈͓̯̖͙̳̗̪͇̖͎̣̖ͧ̎͊̚͜N̢̞̞̗̟̯̫̜̫ͭ̅̅͆ͮ̆̋͗ͥͪͯ͐́ͤ͛ͨͬͮͩ͞͞
do not doubt me. i am the way.You do not want to leave the Stella.You want to help the captain.You must trust the captain. The captain is your friend.
YOU who sh̜͎̰̼͍͉o̰͓̙uld have
͎̺̤͓̏N͈̰͙̘ͮͅȌ̈́̊̈̆̔ ̘͉̰̫̞̼̔̐́ͥ͗ͬͅFͦR͎͖̫̠͇̬IͩE̫͈̪ͨ́N̑ͯͬD̦͉̬͐̏ͪͥS͔̩̩ͣͫ͆̔͐ because t́͟͢h͜e̴̴̸ ̎͛̏ͯͦ̋̓ ̤̻̖̔̈́̐̀ͣ͠D̴̗̠̱͖̜̭̃̾ͫ̈́ͅE̙͚̻͔͓͓̣̅̓A̬̤̘̮͒D̯͔̻̝ͮ̄̋̄̐ ̐ͧ́ͪ͂̕h͛̐̏ͦ́aͯ͒͗ve̒̉̍ͦͪ̀
̶̙͍̖̲͇̲͓̈́̍̿̄̓ͣͯ̚ͅͅN̡̖̦̟̹̙̰̦ͯͪͤ̏̈͗̅̈ ̯̪̹ͮ̋͊Ȯ̧̢̺̖͎̖̗ͭ͒ͭ̇ͅ ̹͍͉͓̩̠̙̍ͨ̿F̨̼̰̤̦͓̑͐̅ ͖̗̳̠̹̙̖̻̩̅̽̀ͥ͠Ȓ̥̪̩̱̣͙̝̹́ ͊͆̒̎̆̒ͦ҉̶̻̻̲̤̣I̸̳̥̞͕͉͎͗̽͜ ̰͇̯ͯ́̑̂ͥͩ̐̏E̷̓̔ͮ͗ͫͩ̒̑ͥ͏̼̼̭ͅ ͇̭̤̻͓̺̜ͨͤ͂͆̆ͅN̤̤̱͊̓͟ ̨͔ͪ̐̾̓͋̚͢D͍͕̱̈́̉ͨ̇͌͝ ͍͌͝͝S̵̨̮̺̻͎̲͒ͬ̂ͧͣ
Consider yourself luckyconsidershouldyoudeadconsidermeconsider
WHEN I WAS A CHILD I CAUGHT A FLEETING GLIMPSE
OUT OF THECORNER O̡ͦͭ̄̚̕Fͬ̑ͦ̆̊̔̿͜ ̴͋͛ͣ̓̂ͮM̸̽̏Y E͊͐̄͐̅͊̒͗̿̍ͣ̅ͤͩ̉҉̛̥̙̘̠̣̰Y̴̡̰̗̼̗̪͓͈͇̦̭̫̰̘ͨ̾̃̈́ͭ̉̿ͧͬ̔̎̆͒̚͞E̷̢̧̫̠͉̳͖̰̤͕̟͉̼ͫͤ̅ͩ̋͑͑̌͂̿̈́̃̌̿ͦ͘͡
I TURNED TO̵̵̕ L̛҉OƠ̷K̨҉ ͠B̷̵͘ŲT̷̀ ̧̀͝IT WAS GỌ̸̴͍͇͎͇͎͈̘̝̰̲̭͖̬̮̀ͬͩ̇̌̂̇ͤ̒̃ͣͬ̊̐̈͜͝ͅͅN̵͉͉͖͍͖̘̪̹̼̞͈̟̫̩̘̯̭͌ͯͨͯͫ͌ͪ͛̂̏̍ͫ̅̈Ȩ͙̯͔͇̩̖͔͇̣̙̜͎̻̟̠̪̽ͮ̅ͮͨͯ̅̿͜͠͠ͅ I CANNOT PU͟T͢ MY FINGER ON IT NOW
THE CHILD IS GROWN THE DREAM IS GONE
̝̼ͦͯ̏ͪ͌̆̏ͤ̽͢I̛̪͕͕̪̭̯͖̝̒ͫ̌͆͜͝i̧ͫͩ͏͇͚̹̮̠̫ͅǐ͐̓͗͞͏̥̹̭͙͔̳į̓̄̊̒̏ͮ̋ͮ̌̀͏͉̰̮͎̭ͅį͔̜̫̹̺̬̭̼̂̃ͪ͑ͨ̃ͤ̚̕̕i̺̦̜͓̟͒̀̇̒͂̀̚í̶͖̪̭͎̝̭ͬi̢̧̯͇̫̪͈̱͎̽̔̎̄̎͞i͇̙̱̹̞̦͔̅ͮ̄̂̈͡ǐ̭̬͕̬͈͚̺̟̻̀͟͞ī̡̱̖̠͉̪͍̐̌͊̋̀ͅi̴̢̙͖͚̙̣̟̿̉̈́ͫï̧̤͉̼̞̦͚̲̄́̿̍̈́͟i̶͚̹̼͉̥̦͈̿͆̀̀i̴̦͖̮̍̇͗ͯ̾͒i̡͈̣͔͗ͨͣ̆͢ͅi͈̳͒̔ͦ͌̈͗í̵̦̖͓͎̳ͣi̮̗͈̫̲͈̽̈́i̶ͧͭ͂̿̓͏̶̗̗̳̟̬̟ị̢̬͍̥͎̭̘̰͆̈́ͧͮ̐̾̀i̛̥̱̰̫̪̝ͨ̀̀ͪ͒́̓͘ḯ̱͈͓̬̼̤͙̀̀i̋̽̆̔̅̀͋͝҉̖̰͠i̵̭͇͎͛̾͒̈́̊̈ͨ̄i̸̵̝̞̹͕̜͈̥̘ͪ̑ͣi͑̌̃̆͗̍͑̏҉̣̠̺͙̭̘i͚̦̪ͧͩi̡͎͖̟ͭ͂̈́̔͂̃̔̎i͉̳̺̦͉͒̓͟i̢̠͎̙͓̪̺̥̮͊ͪ͂͡i̴͍̝̙̳̠̋ͣͯ̚͜i̛̗̹̙̙͓͂̾̇̒́ͥ̚͝͝i̵̥̫͉͕̥ͩ͡iͤ̽͑ͩ҉̟̭i̺͉̰͖͕̳͉̘̊̉͑̽̓͆̍ͧ̚I̡͖̅ͭ̆̐̃̀̿ͫ͡ͅȈ̸̡͎̹̓͂̑͊I̴͔͍̭͖̝̣̐̋ͤ͒͌͌͘I̲̰̅̿ͥ͋ͥ͆̕͠͞Ȉ̛̜̞̪͓͑ͬ̓ͦ́̚I̦̰̤̼͚͉̲̍ͅİ̟͉̘̚͜I̻̼̝͈̲ͦ͋̊͐̍ͯI̸͚̩̥͚̳̜̣̪ͩ̊ͫ̆̉̈̓ͯÏ̡̟̟͇͚̭̾ͯ̀͘ͅȈ̯͉̗͉̻͖̫́̏͊̾̅͒̃̍I̤̣͇̯̲̳̟͕̪̋ͯ̉̓̂̆Ï̬̺͉͓̬͆ͥ̅̒ͯ̓Í̜̘̘͍̱̞̭̞̾͐̎ͪ͗̀ͦ͘͡͝Į̯̩͈̗̻ͧ̾̆͛̃̆̚͝I̸ͪ͋̐̃ͬ͏̞̟̙̙Ĭ̘͙̜͔͂̍ͣ̾̄̕͝ͅͅI̧̱̜ͯ̓ͥ̏̉̉͌̓͋Į̥͕̘̘̟̻̓ͬ̈́̀I̔̓̔́̈́ͨ͂̔ͪ҉̮̹̺̝̝̻͘͢ͅI̢̥͔͚͊ͨ̎̔ͩ̉̇̑͢͠Ĩ̷̡͙͈͚͇͖̪̮̇ͩͭ͆̀̎͠I͓̭̙̲̟͉̖͂̃̀̎̈̃̅̉ͯI̡̝̼̙̰̳͔̯͑ͨͨ̀ͅÎ̿̍̈̆̀͞҉̼̤I̢ͮ̈́͡͏̮̳̬̲̞̺I̴̘͈̹̙̼͇̝̭͗͌̓̽͆ͭ̎̓̕I̶̼̾̾̋͗ͥ̇͜͝Ȉ̳̞̗̗̖͎̮̥ͩ̈́̉̊̾͊I͈̞͑̃̐̑̑̚͞I̴͉͍̖͚̬ͦ̋ͭ̌̿ͥ̏̽͢ͅİ̸̵̙̤͇̖͔̘͙̄̚͜I̸̲̜̩̪̜̤͂̇̅̉I̭̮̣͇̩͙ͯͣ̉̈ͯͅI̛̺̜͇̠̜̪̯͙ͯ̉̔͢I͓̱̬͉̫̲̪͆ͯ̍̀͆̍̎̄͋I͓̫͙͒ͫ͌̾̌̋̽̏̀̚͞Í̷̟̖̥͇͛́́I̗̲͇̯̟̪̝ͮ̍ͣͪ̒̉̋́̚͜ͅĮ̮̯̲̤͉͗̑ͬ͋̃̔̐ͤ͟Ḯ̛̟̹̳͈̩̮̗ͫ̔I̛̝͉̲̖̲ͩ͋̅ͅĮ̶̘͓͎͇̦ͩ͊ͬ̊ͅǏ̃͂̃͋̽̓ͦͬ҉̟̻̹̰Į̟͍̙̖̬͍ͤ̂̋I̠̩̘̻̳͊ͤͤͩͅI̢̫͕͕͎͇ͣͯI͔̗͇̣ͦ́Ị̛̺͙̘̦̳̏̆̆̅͐ͪ̈́͟I͔̳̞̘̹̥̟ͦͩ̓ͯ̑ͅỈͨ͗ͩ͏̵̼I̢̲̪̦͚͇͛͑ͯ͐͢I͖͇͈̖̰̮̝͛ͯ̏̌̽̓̉͢͟I̍͂ͪ̓͆̾̾͝͏̟̯̮̻̼̯̹I̮̩̖͔̦͎͐̑ͣ́ͤ͜I͑̋ͪ͊ͫͨ͆͏̛҉̠̟I̪͈̥̠̫̲ͭ̔ͫ͗̀̀Í̏͐҉͓͢͞I͕͓̯̩̲̫͖͛͋́ͫ͛̑͘̕I̩̠̞̋́͐ͪ̅̐̃̐͘
{Voices? I'm not sure what you mean. Can you tell me more?}
If only one could be certain as to what was hidden behind those old, circular lenses on Drakis Volo’s face. For it seemed that he was deeply concerned about this girl - but all anyone had to go on was the frown and furrowed brow evident in leathery old flesh. The eyes, where all emotion radiated the strongest, were concealed - and so much was left to interpretation.
But the old man clearly had many reasons to be concerned. After all, the girl - a woman, but still a girl to him - was, to say the utter least, unwell. Something was going on in her brain that the old Chief could not begin to comprehend, and some small, insightful part of him was aware of the fact. Yet he knew just as well that there was virtually nothing he could do - save for sticking around - maybe providing a shoulder to lean on, or a raucous voice to distract her if even for only a moment. Maybe simply distracting someone from their problems was no healthy way to help solve them - but that didn’t matter.
She was laughing a little, crying a little - the girl was a mess and Drakis had a nagging gut instinct saying things were only going to be getting worse from here.
It took him a moment to realize what a ’pinger’ was - an old computer term. He’d not heard that one in forever - but it would make sense, coming from this girl out of time.
”Alright, let’s blow this popsicle stand.” He said, giving a dopey, if encouraging sort of grin and nodding toward the hallway beyond which they would be able to find the railcar station. As the two began walking in that direction, Drakis gave a very light, slightly hesitant touch to Rya’s shoulder as another means of - what, comfort? As if he could really expect that to go over well.
Drakis loathed having to walk around with his father’s old handgun strapped to his hip - but this wasn’t the first time that a tense and unstable situation had been present on the Stella - blood had been shed over the Captain’s decisions in the past, and while Drakis did his best to stay out of such matters, it was always best to be safe.
He hoped that Rya didn’t have any illusions that he carried it because of her – though, to some small extent, that was actually the case. After all, with Doctor Nathans suffering a bruised lung, it was obvious that the girl was dangerous – and just looking at her it was obvious that she was very unstable. Not a good combination – even if Drakis seriously doubted anything so awful would happen.
He faced an odd conundrum there, as the two walked back down the hallway that smelled faintly of disuse, and to the station and awaiting railcar that would take them to…whoever it was they were going to see. It was that Drakis very much wanted to get the girl to talk – get her out of her own head and just talking about anything – break the silence she was stewing in, maybe help her to escape some vicious cycle of thoughts that he was as of yet not privy to. But how could he bring her to talking about something that wouldn’t potentially set her off? He felt like he was dealing with an unstable proximity-bomb. He might have asked about Mars, or about her profession, or even about how she was liking it aboard the Stella – even though that was the most obviously ill-fated option which he would avoid like a plague – since Rya was obviously not at all happy with having woken up in the first place – let alone the madness that she had awoken into. She was an interesting external lens for which he could look at the absurdity of the Stella and everything that happened there, realizing that his life, and the lives of those around him – it was all absolutely preposterous.
So, unsure as to what he might drag out of her for conversation, Drakis decided to just go ahead and start yammering on about something. The usual nonsense topics – robots, something he saw, what he thought about something or other – some kind of story that made absolutely no sense – on and on, though in that ‘old man’s’ sort of way which made him easy to interrupt without offending. If she did decide that there was something she wanted to say, it was queerly obvious that he would drop whatever nonsense he was blabbing about in a heartbeat to hear it.
And so, whether it was over a topic that mattered or one that did not, the railcar ride would go fairly quickly. And, whether or not it was anything of any importance that he was saying at the moment, Drakis would interrupt himself when, after having disembarked the railcar and traversed some hallways, they came upon a door which both of them could plainly see was marked ‘STELLA VIVENTIUM TRANSIT AUTHORITY’
”Here we are~! Oh, uh, you should know beforehand – Pops is a little…eccentric. But don’t worry, he isn’t nearly as – as scary as he seems.” He’d almost said ’crazy’ but barely, ungracefully caught himself. He didn’t want to say anything that might be taken as an accusation of madness by his mentally deteriorated friend.
The door slid open, and Drakis’ face immediately burst into a wide, delighted smile. ”Well, bleach my @#$hole and call me a plumber’s-crack, if it ain’t Gaelan Yascra! How y’doin bud? Didn’t expect to meet you here – did you get the Doc’s message too? Wonder why nobody else came – OH! Who’s your friend there??”
The man Drakis was speaking to was clearly some kind of miserable, demonic cross-breed of an albino rattlesnake and a child molester. His head was bald, with wisps of black facial hair and distinctly oriental features, including narrow, almond-shaped eyes that glared at Drakis with the exhaustive loathing of a thousand dead suns. He was standing beside a cheery looking, slightly effeminate fellow in a pink shirt and khakis – the two couldn’t have been more opposites if one was a fat black guy and the other was a little white girl.
Gaelan Yascra looked as though speaking were agony – he sounded that way too. ” He's not my 'friend'. This is Caru. He’s a Dimensional Lord.”
”A What?!You mean like that Kampfer dick? Well why-“ "He’s the Lord of the Dimension of…@#$% it I’ll let him tell you himself. But I think he’s harmless and he might be of some use to us. I was taking him to Harkahn to get his…weird…pocket thingy hooked up to an outside connection and let him get caught up. He…fell out of a rip in space-time or something, I don’t know. Who’s that?” He nodded toward Rya – and Drakis was quick to answer.
”This here’s Rya – she’s, uh, new to the Stella. I’ve just been showin’ her around and stuff. Oh, Rya, this is Gaelan – he’s head of arms and armor, and the Stella’s chief defense specialist. Keeps us all safe! And boy does he have a lot of guns.”
So, apparently the general awkwardness had been severely compounded now.
Beautiful.
And to top it off, apparently they were all about to go meet with someone who Drakis Volo called 'eccentric'.
Things were getting complicated again - and after all this time of having only the scantest of options on how to proceed with the hunt, the rapidly branching scenarios were becoming rapidly overwhelming.
So Aelyn-Paeryc and Alexia Petrovalyc sat down together and decided to lay out the facts and options as they knew them.
Sitting there, the two of them sharing the big, plush chair behind the expansive dark-wood desk, Alexia sat half on her husband’s lap, pressed snugly into each other by the seat’s confines. His arm draped over her shoulder, they looked like any normal young couple enjoying a film together on a Saturday night - rather than the heads of a city-sized colony ship watching a life-or-death battle unfold before their very eyes, upon a background of utter impossibility.
They went over the recent events, trying to make some semblance of sense out of it all. Their BrainPal™s, always in sync and sharing all input data, worked along with them, replaying footage, or jotting down notes. Somebody was going to go mad if this didn’t all get set straight once and for all - and what better time than one of these rare chances they got to spend alone together, just the two of them? They were a miraculous team, especially when they could focus on the same task.
1- They had gone to Earth IV in search of the robot Bravo who claimed it was from Sol. They had received a great deal of data before the robot’ self-destructed beyond repair.
2- A Mysterious Signal appeared from nowhere and, among other things, revealed the location of the lost planet Isandril which, until that point, had been hidden away within Notspace.
3- A race to Isandril. Upon landing in the ‘city’, the whole system was transmitted into Notspace. This included the Stella, the Kingsbane, a Dendril fleet, and an unknown fleet.
4- While inside the ‘city’ a number of developments had been made which had only now become known to them.
-Two unique sources of Notspace Activity were detected, resembling small Notspace Drives.
--One of these was found on the Kingsbane, only after it had entered Notspace. (Ruling out the possibility of their having been in possession of the technology beforehand.)
--The other was found aboard a derelict warship being tugged and occupied by the Dendril. This entity was then seen to be on the Isandril surface at the time of the attack.
5- A clue was found in the Isandril databanks; “IRIA”.
-The Dendril infiltrated the ‘city’, killing all of the science team and tearing down the petrostanium towers.
--This was believed to have been made possible due to influence of the entity seen between the Dendril fleet and the surface.
-Around this time, the entity aboard the Kingsbane was seen to diminish suddenly.
6- A second ’Mysterious Signal was emitted from the ‘city’ just as the Dendril were nearing its’ complete destruction. (This made it likely that the first Signal was somehow also emitted from the ‘city’.) Likely resulting from this Second Signal:
--A sudden, massive stream of data was sent from the Isandril databanks to the Stella. What information exactly had been transferred was currently unknown. The data was relayed through the brains of the dead research team, which had been partially taken-over by the Dendril. This killed the researchers completely.
--Full power and systems operation was restored to the Kingsbane, overriding the apparent laws of Notspace.
--A program in the Stella re-sleeving department triggered the download of the consciousness of Rya Valheimer into a pre-grown recreated body.
7- They were inexplicably transported from the heart of the ‘city’ back to their office on the Stella.
-Full destruction of the city commenced.
-All contact with Administrator Harkahn was lost, some time after he re-boarded the Stella with Security Chief Rivierre.
-The Dendril’s entity was traced returning to the derelict warship, which had also gained mobility.
-The Denndril fleet ignored the Stella completely and instead launched a full-scale assault on the Kingsbane.
8- The derelict warship under Dendril control was discovered to be the Spearhead of Mars - an ancient Martian superweapon from the Sol system itself, which Aelyn and his late brother had spent a great deal of time studying aboard during the preliminary stages of the Stella’s planning and design phase.
”So, to sum it up, a whole lot of impossible things are happening-” Alexia said, ”In an impossible place with impossible people.” Aelyn-Paeryc concluded.
That settled that, then. Now all they had to do was decide upon a course of action.
Two unknown sources of Notspacial activity - those would be worth investigating, right? Granted, it was not Notspace technology or even First-People history that A.P. was interested in - only finding Sol - but there was the possibility that such trails might lead to still more clues on the whereabouts of the legendary star.
But they had also been left a clue by Paeryc Petrovalyc himself - ’IRIA’. That was clearly the more direct route - if only they could find out what it meant. Nothing extraordinary appeared in quick-scans of the Stella mainframe - it was possible that the answer was now lost forever in the ruins of Isandril - but a deep-scan had been initiated, and the results were slowly, slowly churning out...nothing interesting. But the scan was still far from finished, so there was hope. Some hope.
What to do in the meantime? Wait and watch. Surely someone would find the Doctor soon enough so there was no need to fret over Harkahn. Aelyn would have preferred the Kingsbane as an ally rather than an enemy, but it seemed its’ stupid captain was dead-set against being nothing but a thorn in their side - so if the Kingsbane were destroyed by the Dendrils, so be it. Or if the Dendrils were destroyed - that much better! The Kingsbane’s captain was a rageful moron, but he could be negotiated with - and there was that nice, sensible Severin guy that A.P. was quite fond of.
So the question persisted - what to do?
The mystery of The Spearhead was quickly shrugged off as a ploy on the part of Codsworth - surely she could have found some ancient plans, built a replica, made it look old, and tried to entice Aelyn into believing that she knew where Earth was because she had the ship. No other explanation made sense - since they knew that the Dimensional Lords did not have access to Notspace - and they knew that’s exactly where Earth was.
So that was out of the way. What else?
They had already sent out orders to be passed down to the official channels, recruiting a new science team from the Stella’s expansive ‘stock’. There was never any shortage of brilliant minds on the Stella - usually there were more than they knew what to do with - and as Aelyn-Paeryc had once said, ”You don’t get to owning something like that without understanding the importance of people.” Luckily, he had a lot of people to spare. Even their stockpile of munitions was very slowly being rebuilt - and the hull-mounted weaponry which hadn’t been used in centuries was being brought back up into working order - the Stella would never be a battleship, but once all the weapons were up and running again, it would be able to pack a good punch - or defend itself at very least. Though, A.P. still continually mourned the loss of his precious ‘battle module’ - he really should never have been so arrogant as to go using it as a big bomb. Stupid.
So, with little to do but sit back, watch, and speculate, that’s exactly what the Petrovalyc couple did. It’s what they had been doing since their little list had been finished, since Rya had gone storming off to do whatever - just sitting together, watching the monitor and talking. Admittedly, untold eons had not done much for their sense of action - as a rule, action was usually only worth taking when certain opportunities presented themselves. Otherwise, most business was tended to by their gigantic sum of staff and crew and ‘people stock’. The Stella was a great, living machine, endlessly ticking away at the impossible hunt for the nonexistent - they were merely the users sitting at the desk, making decisions when the need arose, or altering the course of events to suit their needs.
This, Aelyn had mused once, must have been what Moses and Aaron felt like.
The two of them sat in idle, companionable silence for some moments. Before they could return to the subject however, a message came through BrainPal™ and, since they both always got the same information simultaneously, the two looked at each other in dumbfounded shock.
"The @#$%...?"
The content of the message alone was baffling enough given who was sending it – but the emotional ‘subtext’ was downright insane. Or, perhaps the better word was manic.
It took a few seconds for either one of them to react at all. Then, cracking a grin, Alexia said ”Drakis push her over the edge already?” A.P. gave a quiet laugh, and considered relaying that question to the sender – but Alexia shook her head – knowing what he was thinking, even though mind reading was not one of their particular talents. It did not take a shared BrainPal™ to emulate the kind of familiarity they had with each other after so long. And besides – there was only so much a BrainPal™ could do in the way of ‘reading minds’. Since it was only a computer, (albeit a very advanced one) it would be unable to translate the thoughts, intentions or emotions of the user into anything comprehensible by another human mind. It could report the status of the brain as well as any medical monitoring device, it could report what commands or input it was given by the user – but mind-reading was far out of the reach of the BrainPal™ engineers. The ‘emotional subtext’ feature was closer to ‘emojis’ real emotional analysis.
”This is your fault, y’know.” He said, giving his wife a prod in the ribs, at which she jumped. ”How’s it my fault?”
”Because I spend fifteen minutes alone with you and suddenly I can’t take anything seriously.” She gave a laugh to that. ”Seriously though, what do you think’s going on?”
”Good –question Ael. Try a” ”Diagnostic? Yep.” ”It’s not letting you in?” ”Nope. And” ”You tried getting in to lift the block on her other cybertech and” ”Blocked then too. Without any reason at all. Though since” ”She seems to at least be listening to you now, maybe” ”She’ll actually listen if we tell her to go see Doctor Harkahn.” ”Doctor Harkahn Junoir-senior you mean. Not Doctor Harkahn Junior-Junior.” ”@#$%ing brat you know what I meant.” ”We shouldn’t rush anything though.” ”Agreed…”
So he compiled a reply and sent it, and let the issue rest for a moment.
The two were just about to continue their speculations when suddenly, on the monitor…
The Kingsbane disappeared.
The couple watched on in stark bafflement as the impossible unfolded - or, rather, disappeared - before their eyes.
"What...the @#$%."
Fumblingly, the two got to their feet, moving closer to the floating monitor as though that distance of five-or-so feet might have made the huge cruiser reappear. They switched between different exterior cameras, each giving a slightly different angle of the same scene - no Kingsbane.
“That’s @#$$ing impossible.” They said, again, in unison. Nothing could transition into or out of Notspace except the Drives - and the Drives only existed on the Stella, now that the Isandril Engine was in ruins.
The Kingsbane had certainly not had any Notspace capabilities before now. They would have detected it lightyears away. They could not possibly have gone and captured some hidden tech since they were as stuck there as any vessel that wasn’t the Stella should be.
But, then, the anomaly. The source of Notspacial activity that Harkahn’s scan had detected.
All traces of activity that had lingered from the initial source were suddenly gone - utterly, as though no such disturbance had been present at any point. So, what - a Notspace Drive had simply appeared on their ship, only to blow itself up, then slip them back into reality before dying off completely? That made even less sense than all the other madness that was going on.
Yes, that would definitely be something worth looking into.
Right now.
When in only the company of each other, neither saw any reason to perpetuate their habit of polite BrainPal™ etiquette. It was time to act. Orders were sent to the Navigations department to fire up the Drives and get them back into Realspace as soon as possible. Forget the planet, forget the Dendrils and that other fleet - the only one they had really considered taking with them when they left was the Kingsbane anyway, and it seemed that the Kingsbane had beaten them to the chase.
It was then that the most disturbing blow of all came. The couples’ moment of peace was over.
”Alex. Alex. They’re locked down.”
”The Drives are locked the @#$% down.”
They were sending orders all over the ship, trying to get a read on what had happened to the Kingsbane and potentially putting into motion their transition and pursuit back through Realspace – but both ceased immediately upon the realization that somehow, the Drive chamber had been sealed off. Usually bridge control could access the Drives remotely – but all access was being blocked and nobody could figure out why, or from where – nobody knew anything. A.P. and Alexia too could usually access the Drives directly – and now they were being blocked out. The source of the block was nowhere – nobody – nothing. It made no sense.
Nobody could get a hold of Dorin Harkahn either.
”First Rya’s BrainPal™, now this. No reason,” ”No source, no motive,” ”Nothing. How the...how the actual @#$%.... We need to” ”Get down there now. @#$% I wish that teleporting thing would happen again ‘cause” ”It’s gonna’ feel like a damned long run.”
And so the two were off, sprinting out of the dark little office and into the brightly lit hallways of the Inner Administration wing.
”Ael, that’s not all. Check the scan. The other disturbance, the one from the Dendril ship, it’s” ”Gone.”
The couple had a very bad feeling in their guts - the premonition that something horrendous was about to happen and there would be nothing anyone could do about it.
In fact it felt as if they might already be too late…
Caru
”You actually met Sun Tzu?” Yascra said with a sudden, uncharacteristic eagerness in his voice and a spark of excitement, fascination in his usually dismal eyes.
Then, as if realizing the error he had made in looking like a person for a second instead of a hateful snake-person, he demured and scowled. ”Well, I doubt you’ve actually read the book if you think that. The whole premise of the work is on how to win a war - not just end it. I mean, if you end a war by losing it, that goes against the whole point. And it sure as heck isn’t about preventing war - he of all people knew the inevitability of war in a warlike people like humans. Just because he recognizes that the ideal way to win a war is without bloodshed doesn’t mean that he was some way ‘against war’, only that a bloodless battle leaves the victor with undepleted resources…”
The conversation had been utterly derailed, and any talk of the combat against the Lords was all but forgotten for the remainder of the ride. Things became philosophical rather quickly - and though every time Yascra spoke it was with a sort of scorn and irritation, he was still talking - and rather animatedly, too.
”But ‘friendship’ can only exist as long as there is hatred.” He was insisting twenty minutes later, when the railcar came to a stop and, without pausing the conversation, he stood and made his way into the station and on down the hallway. ”It’s just like how without ‘evil’ nothing can be ‘good’. Of course I love weapons and guns, and using them to destroy my enemies, because there need to be enemies if there are to be friends - see what I’m saying? Using weapons to slaughter the enemies who must come attacking my, uh, I mean THe people on the Stella - I’m sort of defending friendship. Not that I have friends, but you get what I mean. I fill people’s guts with lead and turn their heads into chunky salsa because they’re the ones trying to screw up other peoples’ friendship! But they have to do that in order for the other people to be friends, because otherwise everyone would be, just, neutral to each other a- oh, we’re here.”
They had come to a door - of course, it looked like every other door to Caru, who could not see the BrainPal™ label which read ’STELLA VIVENTIUM TRANSIT AUTHORITY’. They stepped through and into another room, which was featureless save for a matching door on the opposite end. A short, intermediary hallway.
But before they could reach the other door, about halfway through the little room, the door behind them slid open again. Yascra turned around sharply, startled - then looked distinctly as though someone had told him he would be working ten hours overtime without pay, and babysitting a rabid chimp at the same time. ”Oh @#$%.” He growled, scowling at the man who had entered the room, paying no attention to his female companion. His voice and demeanor were permeated with utter dread at this most miserable turn of events. ”It’s him."
Rya
Isn’t that B̶͏ ͠E̢ ̸̡T̡͡ ͡T̢ ̧͘E̵̛͠ ̶R͜͜ ̧̗̰̪̞̖́ͅ?̧̛̖̞͚̪̜̮̼̝͉
Of course it is.
Ever̕y̡͂̓ͣ̍thing will be J U S T F͝ ̶͆I͊ͣ͋̾̅͆ ̅̆͋̓̏ͦ̓N̅͊̃̚͠ ̂͂Ȇ̄̈́ͨ̿̉̉ ̐ͮͯͣͪ̚
̶̢͠E̛̕͟͞v̸̢̧͜ȩ͘r̛̕y҉́͠ò҉̀͝n̨͘҉͘e̸͝y͟͟o҉̢͜ù̷͡e̵̡v̶̵͠͝e̢͘r̷̴̕͞l҉̢̕o͠v҉̕e͏̕͢d̵͞i҉̸͡s̛͢d̡̕͏͘e͜͟͜͡͝a̕̕͠ḑ͜͢͢͡
͜e̵͘v͘͢͝ér̀hi̧n͏̢g҉̷J U͏̷ ̀S̕Twi͘̕l̸̕͡le ́͠I ͘͜N̸͟ ̛͘͠E ̕eadin͜jų͜s̷͢t͜F͡ ̧͟
thebestfriendyoulleverhaveisinyourheadyourheadin̢͢͜yo̶͜͜u̸r̕h̡͞e͡a̢̢dhead
It would not be allowed to penetrate her conscious mind. That was – for the moment, at least – of the utmost importance. The thoughts/feelings/memories/ideas/emotions/nothings were there ant yet, they were not. They would not interrupt her thoughts, distract her from conversations – not even distract her from other thoughts – there, but not there, but there, but not there. She would not be consciously aware of it – yet subconsciously it would be very much present.
dontbeso͜҉̺͔F̜͙͎̮R̪̦̣̰̭̮͞I̸̴̲̞G͖͜H̸̪͖̞͙̱̭̖̯͚͟T͓̪̘͎̥͟͟͡E̫̫̯̠͔̤͓N̶҉͔͔̝̱Ę̶̠̣D̨̨͙̥̝̝̻̖̝̥͉͘
THIS IS JUST ̮ͯͨ̄̐͐ͧ͛A͎͖̺͝ ̣̫̒ͨ͝P̏ ̤̬͕͚͍̽ͤͬͯ͛ͯ͢A̡̪̬̗̖͇͚̫̔́ͣͤ̑ͤͤ ͑̆̑ͯ̓S̿ ̲ͬ̌͠S̘̟͂ͨ̑̓ͭ͛̀ ͍͌̃͂͂Ī͗̍҉͓̫̝̖͎Ṇ̤͎̈ͤͫ̽ ̛͇̿͑̃̏ͤG̺͈̝̠̜̼̞̾̊̅̚ P̤̭̭̯̭͜ ͬ͠ hÂ̦̫͈̟̖̼̹̇ͥͥͩ͝S ̅ͤ̃̍̔͏̭͉̰͈͕͈E̫̰ͭ̎̃̈́ͪͅ
One of MY B ͇͈͙̞̝̞̝̒̏̄ͫ̆̈́͌A̢̩̜͗̋ͤ̌͂͛ͯ ͉̞͖͉̹̻̼̂̔ͯ͟D̙̫̝̽ͦ̾͢ D A Y S
Your old life is ̺̙̤̖͍̺G̹͉̪͎̱̱̤͙̪̠̜͈̱̟̻̬ͅ ͙̺̳̹̫͎͓̲O͍̩̱̟͔ ̱͚̹͈̣̹̪͕͚̟̩̼̜͙N͎̼̞̺ ̘̱͈̼̥͚̘̹͍̦͓̤͕̳͉͉̦͎E̳̺͕͎̹̟͓̙̥̰͙̳̣̱ the old you is ̫̱̤̤̕͘ͅD̶҉̜̝̪͍͓̳͙̕ͅͅ ̴̧̨͙̦̞͍̫͖̮͔̳͟E̶̝̞̯̮̻͡ ̕͏̧͏̭̦͈̙͎̳̠A̸̴̶̛̞͖͍̜̺̭̗̖̯̯͙̺̠̗̲ ̶̢̛̻̲̝̫̙̩̘̼̺͉͓̤̪̞Ḑ̵̡̞͓͎̬͖̤͎̠̬̤͚͇̫͕͇̠̖̗̙̕ you are H E R E for a ̜̤̼͔̰̙͢R̴̻͓̺̗̙̲͎̗̯̖̦̠̪̕͘͠͝ͅ E A S O
̷̸̵̡̞͈͓̯̖͙̳̗̪͇̖͎̣̖ͧ̎͊̚͜N̢̞̞̗̟̯̫̜̫ͭ̅̅͆ͮ̆̋͗ͥͪͯ͐́ͤ͛ͨͬͮͩ͞͞
do not doubt me. i am the way.You do not want to leave the Stella.You want to help the captain.You must trust the captain. The captain is your friend.
YOU who sh̜͎̰̼͍͉o̰͓̙uld have
͎̺̤͓̏N͈̰͙̘ͮͅȌ̈́̊̈̆̔ ̘͉̰̫̞̼̔̐́ͥ͗ͬͅFͦR͎͖̫̠͇̬IͩE̫͈̪ͨ́N̑ͯͬD̦͉̬͐̏ͪͥS͔̩̩ͣͫ͆̔͐ because t́͟͢h͜e̴̴̸ ̎͛̏ͯͦ̋̓ ̤̻̖̔̈́̐̀ͣ͠D̴̗̠̱͖̜̭̃̾ͫ̈́ͅE̙͚̻͔͓͓̣̅̓A̬̤̘̮͒D̯͔̻̝ͮ̄̋̄̐ ̐ͧ́ͪ͂̕h͛̐̏ͦ́aͯ͒͗ve̒̉̍ͦͪ̀
̶̙͍̖̲͇̲͓̈́̍̿̄̓ͣͯ̚ͅͅN̡̖̦̟̹̙̰̦ͯͪͤ̏̈͗̅̈ ̯̪̹ͮ̋͊Ȯ̧̢̺̖͎̖̗ͭ͒ͭ̇ͅ ̹͍͉͓̩̠̙̍ͨ̿F̨̼̰̤̦͓̑͐̅ ͖̗̳̠̹̙̖̻̩̅̽̀ͥ͠Ȓ̥̪̩̱̣͙̝̹́ ͊͆̒̎̆̒ͦ҉̶̻̻̲̤̣I̸̳̥̞͕͉͎͗̽͜ ̰͇̯ͯ́̑̂ͥͩ̐̏E̷̓̔ͮ͗ͫͩ̒̑ͥ͏̼̼̭ͅ ͇̭̤̻͓̺̜ͨͤ͂͆̆ͅN̤̤̱͊̓͟ ̨͔ͪ̐̾̓͋̚͢D͍͕̱̈́̉ͨ̇͌͝ ͍͌͝͝S̵̨̮̺̻͎̲͒ͬ̂ͧͣ
Consider yourself luckyconsidershouldyoudeadconsidermeconsider
WHEN I WAS A CHILD I CAUGHT A FLEETING GLIMPSE
OUT OF THECORNER O̡ͦͭ̄̚̕Fͬ̑ͦ̆̊̔̿͜ ̴͋͛ͣ̓̂ͮM̸̽̏Y E͊͐̄͐̅͊̒͗̿̍ͣ̅ͤͩ̉҉̛̥̙̘̠̣̰Y̴̡̰̗̼̗̪͓͈͇̦̭̫̰̘ͨ̾̃̈́ͭ̉̿ͧͬ̔̎̆͒̚͞E̷̢̧̫̠͉̳͖̰̤͕̟͉̼ͫͤ̅ͩ̋͑͑̌͂̿̈́̃̌̿ͦ͘͡
I TURNED TO̵̵̕ L̛҉OƠ̷K̨҉ ͠B̷̵͘ŲT̷̀ ̧̀͝IT WAS GỌ̸̴͍͇͎͇͎͈̘̝̰̲̭͖̬̮̀ͬͩ̇̌̂̇ͤ̒̃ͣͬ̊̐̈͜͝ͅͅN̵͉͉͖͍͖̘̪̹̼̞͈̟̫̩̘̯̭͌ͯͨͯͫ͌ͪ͛̂̏̍ͫ̅̈Ȩ͙̯͔͇̩̖͔͇̣̙̜͎̻̟̠̪̽ͮ̅ͮͨͯ̅̿͜͠͠ͅ I CANNOT PU͟T͢ MY FINGER ON IT NOW
THE CHILD IS GROWN THE DREAM IS GONE
̝̼ͦͯ̏ͪ͌̆̏ͤ̽͢I̛̪͕͕̪̭̯͖̝̒ͫ̌͆͜͝i̧ͫͩ͏͇͚̹̮̠̫ͅǐ͐̓͗͞͏̥̹̭͙͔̳į̓̄̊̒̏ͮ̋ͮ̌̀͏͉̰̮͎̭ͅį͔̜̫̹̺̬̭̼̂̃ͪ͑ͨ̃ͤ̚̕̕i̺̦̜͓̟͒̀̇̒͂̀̚í̶͖̪̭͎̝̭ͬi̢̧̯͇̫̪͈̱͎̽̔̎̄̎͞i͇̙̱̹̞̦͔̅ͮ̄̂̈͡ǐ̭̬͕̬͈͚̺̟̻̀͟͞ī̡̱̖̠͉̪͍̐̌͊̋̀ͅi̴̢̙͖͚̙̣̟̿̉̈́ͫï̧̤͉̼̞̦͚̲̄́̿̍̈́͟i̶͚̹̼͉̥̦͈̿͆̀̀i̴̦͖̮̍̇͗ͯ̾͒i̡͈̣͔͗ͨͣ̆͢ͅi͈̳͒̔ͦ͌̈͗í̵̦̖͓͎̳ͣi̮̗͈̫̲͈̽̈́i̶ͧͭ͂̿̓͏̶̗̗̳̟̬̟ị̢̬͍̥͎̭̘̰͆̈́ͧͮ̐̾̀i̛̥̱̰̫̪̝ͨ̀̀ͪ͒́̓͘ḯ̱͈͓̬̼̤͙̀̀i̋̽̆̔̅̀͋͝҉̖̰͠i̵̭͇͎͛̾͒̈́̊̈ͨ̄i̸̵̝̞̹͕̜͈̥̘ͪ̑ͣi͑̌̃̆͗̍͑̏҉̣̠̺͙̭̘i͚̦̪ͧͩi̡͎͖̟ͭ͂̈́̔͂̃̔̎i͉̳̺̦͉͒̓͟i̢̠͎̙͓̪̺̥̮͊ͪ͂͡i̴͍̝̙̳̠̋ͣͯ̚͜i̛̗̹̙̙͓͂̾̇̒́ͥ̚͝͝i̵̥̫͉͕̥ͩ͡iͤ̽͑ͩ҉̟̭i̺͉̰͖͕̳͉̘̊̉͑̽̓͆̍ͧ̚I̡͖̅ͭ̆̐̃̀̿ͫ͡ͅȈ̸̡͎̹̓͂̑͊I̴͔͍̭͖̝̣̐̋ͤ͒͌͌͘I̲̰̅̿ͥ͋ͥ͆̕͠͞Ȉ̛̜̞̪͓͑ͬ̓ͦ́̚I̦̰̤̼͚͉̲̍ͅİ̟͉̘̚͜I̻̼̝͈̲ͦ͋̊͐̍ͯI̸͚̩̥͚̳̜̣̪ͩ̊ͫ̆̉̈̓ͯÏ̡̟̟͇͚̭̾ͯ̀͘ͅȈ̯͉̗͉̻͖̫́̏͊̾̅͒̃̍I̤̣͇̯̲̳̟͕̪̋ͯ̉̓̂̆Ï̬̺͉͓̬͆ͥ̅̒ͯ̓Í̜̘̘͍̱̞̭̞̾͐̎ͪ͗̀ͦ͘͡͝Į̯̩͈̗̻ͧ̾̆͛̃̆̚͝I̸ͪ͋̐̃ͬ͏̞̟̙̙Ĭ̘͙̜͔͂̍ͣ̾̄̕͝ͅͅI̧̱̜ͯ̓ͥ̏̉̉͌̓͋Į̥͕̘̘̟̻̓ͬ̈́̀I̔̓̔́̈́ͨ͂̔ͪ҉̮̹̺̝̝̻͘͢ͅI̢̥͔͚͊ͨ̎̔ͩ̉̇̑͢͠Ĩ̷̡͙͈͚͇͖̪̮̇ͩͭ͆̀̎͠I͓̭̙̲̟͉̖͂̃̀̎̈̃̅̉ͯI̡̝̼̙̰̳͔̯͑ͨͨ̀ͅÎ̿̍̈̆̀͞҉̼̤I̢ͮ̈́͡͏̮̳̬̲̞̺I̴̘͈̹̙̼͇̝̭͗͌̓̽͆ͭ̎̓̕I̶̼̾̾̋͗ͥ̇͜͝Ȉ̳̞̗̗̖͎̮̥ͩ̈́̉̊̾͊I͈̞͑̃̐̑̑̚͞I̴͉͍̖͚̬ͦ̋ͭ̌̿ͥ̏̽͢ͅİ̸̵̙̤͇̖͔̘͙̄̚͜I̸̲̜̩̪̜̤͂̇̅̉I̭̮̣͇̩͙ͯͣ̉̈ͯͅI̛̺̜͇̠̜̪̯͙ͯ̉̔͢I͓̱̬͉̫̲̪͆ͯ̍̀͆̍̎̄͋I͓̫͙͒ͫ͌̾̌̋̽̏̀̚͞Í̷̟̖̥͇͛́́I̗̲͇̯̟̪̝ͮ̍ͣͪ̒̉̋́̚͜ͅĮ̮̯̲̤͉͗̑ͬ͋̃̔̐ͤ͟Ḯ̛̟̹̳͈̩̮̗ͫ̔I̛̝͉̲̖̲ͩ͋̅ͅĮ̶̘͓͎͇̦ͩ͊ͬ̊ͅǏ̃͂̃͋̽̓ͦͬ҉̟̻̹̰Į̟͍̙̖̬͍ͤ̂̋I̠̩̘̻̳͊ͤͤͩͅI̢̫͕͕͎͇ͣͯI͔̗͇̣ͦ́Ị̛̺͙̘̦̳̏̆̆̅͐ͪ̈́͟I͔̳̞̘̹̥̟ͦͩ̓ͯ̑ͅỈͨ͗ͩ͏̵̼I̢̲̪̦͚͇͛͑ͯ͐͢I͖͇͈̖̰̮̝͛ͯ̏̌̽̓̉͢͟I̍͂ͪ̓͆̾̾͝͏̟̯̮̻̼̯̹I̮̩̖͔̦͎͐̑ͣ́ͤ͜I͑̋ͪ͊ͫͨ͆͏̛҉̠̟I̪͈̥̠̫̲ͭ̔ͫ͗̀̀Í̏͐҉͓͢͞I͕͓̯̩̲̫͖͛͋́ͫ͛̑͘̕I̩̠̞̋́͐ͪ̅̐̃̐͘
{Voices? I'm not sure what you mean. Can you tell me more?}
If only one could be certain as to what was hidden behind those old, circular lenses on Drakis Volo’s face. For it seemed that he was deeply concerned about this girl - but all anyone had to go on was the frown and furrowed brow evident in leathery old flesh. The eyes, where all emotion radiated the strongest, were concealed - and so much was left to interpretation.
But the old man clearly had many reasons to be concerned. After all, the girl - a woman, but still a girl to him - was, to say the utter least, unwell. Something was going on in her brain that the old Chief could not begin to comprehend, and some small, insightful part of him was aware of the fact. Yet he knew just as well that there was virtually nothing he could do - save for sticking around - maybe providing a shoulder to lean on, or a raucous voice to distract her if even for only a moment. Maybe simply distracting someone from their problems was no healthy way to help solve them - but that didn’t matter.
She was laughing a little, crying a little - the girl was a mess and Drakis had a nagging gut instinct saying things were only going to be getting worse from here.
It took him a moment to realize what a ’pinger’ was - an old computer term. He’d not heard that one in forever - but it would make sense, coming from this girl out of time.
”Alright, let’s blow this popsicle stand.” He said, giving a dopey, if encouraging sort of grin and nodding toward the hallway beyond which they would be able to find the railcar station. As the two began walking in that direction, Drakis gave a very light, slightly hesitant touch to Rya’s shoulder as another means of - what, comfort? As if he could really expect that to go over well.
Drakis loathed having to walk around with his father’s old handgun strapped to his hip - but this wasn’t the first time that a tense and unstable situation had been present on the Stella - blood had been shed over the Captain’s decisions in the past, and while Drakis did his best to stay out of such matters, it was always best to be safe.
He hoped that Rya didn’t have any illusions that he carried it because of her – though, to some small extent, that was actually the case. After all, with Doctor Nathans suffering a bruised lung, it was obvious that the girl was dangerous – and just looking at her it was obvious that she was very unstable. Not a good combination – even if Drakis seriously doubted anything so awful would happen.
He faced an odd conundrum there, as the two walked back down the hallway that smelled faintly of disuse, and to the station and awaiting railcar that would take them to…whoever it was they were going to see. It was that Drakis very much wanted to get the girl to talk – get her out of her own head and just talking about anything – break the silence she was stewing in, maybe help her to escape some vicious cycle of thoughts that he was as of yet not privy to. But how could he bring her to talking about something that wouldn’t potentially set her off? He felt like he was dealing with an unstable proximity-bomb. He might have asked about Mars, or about her profession, or even about how she was liking it aboard the Stella – even though that was the most obviously ill-fated option which he would avoid like a plague – since Rya was obviously not at all happy with having woken up in the first place – let alone the madness that she had awoken into. She was an interesting external lens for which he could look at the absurdity of the Stella and everything that happened there, realizing that his life, and the lives of those around him – it was all absolutely preposterous.
So, unsure as to what he might drag out of her for conversation, Drakis decided to just go ahead and start yammering on about something. The usual nonsense topics – robots, something he saw, what he thought about something or other – some kind of story that made absolutely no sense – on and on, though in that ‘old man’s’ sort of way which made him easy to interrupt without offending. If she did decide that there was something she wanted to say, it was queerly obvious that he would drop whatever nonsense he was blabbing about in a heartbeat to hear it.
And so, whether it was over a topic that mattered or one that did not, the railcar ride would go fairly quickly. And, whether or not it was anything of any importance that he was saying at the moment, Drakis would interrupt himself when, after having disembarked the railcar and traversed some hallways, they came upon a door which both of them could plainly see was marked ‘STELLA VIVENTIUM TRANSIT AUTHORITY’
”Here we are~! Oh, uh, you should know beforehand – Pops is a little…eccentric. But don’t worry, he isn’t nearly as – as scary as he seems.” He’d almost said ’crazy’ but barely, ungracefully caught himself. He didn’t want to say anything that might be taken as an accusation of madness by his mentally deteriorated friend.
The door slid open, and Drakis’ face immediately burst into a wide, delighted smile. ”Well, bleach my @#$hole and call me a plumber’s-crack, if it ain’t Gaelan Yascra! How y’doin bud? Didn’t expect to meet you here – did you get the Doc’s message too? Wonder why nobody else came – OH! Who’s your friend there??”
The man Drakis was speaking to was clearly some kind of miserable, demonic cross-breed of an albino rattlesnake and a child molester. His head was bald, with wisps of black facial hair and distinctly oriental features, including narrow, almond-shaped eyes that glared at Drakis with the exhaustive loathing of a thousand dead suns. He was standing beside a cheery looking, slightly effeminate fellow in a pink shirt and khakis – the two couldn’t have been more opposites if one was a fat black guy and the other was a little white girl.
Gaelan Yascra looked as though speaking were agony – he sounded that way too. ” He's not my 'friend'. This is Caru. He’s a Dimensional Lord.”
”A What?!You mean like that Kampfer dick? Well why-“ "He’s the Lord of the Dimension of…@#$% it I’ll let him tell you himself. But I think he’s harmless and he might be of some use to us. I was taking him to Harkahn to get his…weird…pocket thingy hooked up to an outside connection and let him get caught up. He…fell out of a rip in space-time or something, I don’t know. Who’s that?” He nodded toward Rya – and Drakis was quick to answer.
”This here’s Rya – she’s, uh, new to the Stella. I’ve just been showin’ her around and stuff. Oh, Rya, this is Gaelan – he’s head of arms and armor, and the Stella’s chief defense specialist. Keeps us all safe! And boy does he have a lot of guns.”
So, apparently the general awkwardness had been severely compounded now.
Beautiful.
And to top it off, apparently they were all about to go meet with someone who Drakis Volo called 'eccentric'.
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