Voyages in Andromeda (FT Char RP|IC, Open)

[Bingellia]

Thanica Vari

You're welcome. " Mihal chucked faintly as the color faded from his check. Thank the gods, he thought to himself, that he didn't manage to make a fool of himself in front of this women. As with Thanica, the interruption caught him by surprise. "That's one of the stranger things I've seen in the past few days, besides the friendly ragon," He blurted out with a noticeable degree of obvious sarcasm.

"But, yes, authority. There are other clothes and, as you've said, jewelry is an option." Mihal tapped his foot in thought, running through a list of accessories in his head. For starters, a bright sash will pop with the black tunic and keep the historic look intact. Personally, I'd choose something in scarlet, but anything will work so long as it's bright." He made an exaggerated shrugged, "But, I've never seen you in color. For all I know, it may kill you!."

Admittedly, jewelry was difficult as necklaces were, for the most part, already eliminated. "Jewelry, jewelry, jewelry..." His foot tapped ever quicker as he thought. "There's always something like the silver ivy or any of the other circlets from one of the empires of antiquity. Silver would probably be the most striking." Mihal chuckled as he looked down at his ring, "I might be a bit biased though."

"I wear plenty of colour!" Thanica protested, paused for a moment, then shook her head, a slight smile forming, "You know I'd never actually considered that. I'll surprise you one of these days by wearing red, or maybe even, horror of horrors, blue."

"Anyway... I'me sure a sash would look grand, but I'm a little worried about in getting tangled in the furniture if I'm trying to make a hasty exit and, lets face it, there's a pretty strong chance of that happening. If I tie it around my waist then it makes it harder for me to get to my weapons." she said, sounding quite practical, although there was something else behind the protestations, an uncertainty over her place in command that Mihal would have seen before, "So that brings us back to jewellery..."

It was her turn now to look a tiny bit uncomfortable, "Can we go with an arm-band or something more understated like that?" she asked, "I don't think I could pull a circlet off, it's far too grand."

She left it at that for a moment then, seeming to have decided that Mihal needed a better explanation than that, stepped in closer to him, lowering her voice slightly, "I'm still left wondering why you people decided to put me in charge. I mean Carter is a logical choice, he's got the experience of running a space vessel. I'm just some little Dhasath pilot. Of course, I was never going to turn it down; if you ask me to do something for the good of our new crew, I'll do it. I can't stop feeling like I've accidentally tricked everyone into putting me in charge, though I'm not sure what I did to make people trust in me."

Mihal of Obe

Mihal sighed dejectedly as he broke eye contact with the commander, "I can't ever fully understand what life has been for you until this point. That said, I'm way in over my head right now, just trying to survive. For gods' sake, I was never without at least a decent amount of comfort at any point in my life. My family has deep roots back home. Never extraordinarily wealthy, but well-respected now." Mihal's voice wavered slightly as he sniffled loudly, "I had a path to success just waiting to be taken, and now, now I'm looking over my shoulder to see if some maniac is going to stab me over some sin I never committed."

Taking a very deep breath and an equally long sigh, the Kiel managed to look at the Dhasath again. "I supported you, over anyone else in this hell, because you stood up and started this thing while not knowing what it may have cost you. Even removing the personalities, there's a ragon aboard and that could have gotten very messy very quickly." Mihal tried to force a smile as he cleared his throat, "Thanica Vari, you are the bravest Dha- no, one of the bravest people I have ever met, and I owe you for saving me from the mines."

"So," Mihal placed his hand on Thanica's shoulder, "if you think this outfit is fine, it's fine. Let's go pay, meet the scumbag, and then either win his game and get absolutely trashed in celebration or go back to the defiance and unwind until the game."

[Dyelli Beybi]

Thanica Vari

Mihal of Obe

Mihal sighed dejectedly as he broke eye contact with the commander, "I can't ever fully understand what life has been for you until this point. That said, I'm way in over my head right now, just trying to survive. For gods' sake, I was never without at least a decent amount of comfort at any point in my life. My family has deep roots back home. Never extraordinarily wealthy, but well-respected now." Mihal's voice wavered slightly as he sniffled loudly, "I had a path to success just waiting to be taken, and now, now I'm looking over my shoulder to see if some maniac is going to stab me over some sin I never committed."

Taking a very deep breath and an equally long sigh, the Kiel managed to look at the Dhasath again. "I supported you, over anyone else in this hell, because you stood up and started this thing while not knowing what it may have cost you. Even removing the personalities, there's a ragon aboard and that could have gotten very messy very quickly." Mihal tried to force a smile as he cleared his throat, "Thanica Vari, you are the bravest Dha- no, one of the bravest people I have ever met, and I owe you for saving me from the mines."

"So," Mihal placed his hand on Thanica's shoulder, "if you think this outfit is fine, it's fine. Let's go pay, meet the scumbag, and then either win his game and get absolutely trashed in celebration or go back to the defiance and unwind until the game."

Thanica reached out to take Mihal's hand in both of hers, "You know, I know it must be harder for you, to come from something and now be a fugitive with nothing. We're going to have some money left over, we'll need to get some livestock to keep Sshalah fed, and we'll need some communications equipment, but after that, do you want to spend the rest trying to add some of the comforts of home to the ship? I'm sure everyone on the crew would appreciate it, even if they don't think to ask."

"Mihal." she added, giving him one of her more charming smiles, "You know you have a talent for saying just the right thing at the right time? Shall we get me an arm band, something suitably aggressive like some kind of serpent creature. Adds to the pirate aesthetic, I think." she tugged at his hand gently, pulling him back into the shop, "Come on, after that we can go and find this bordello-come-casino owner and try to get him to play cards with us."

This time it didn't take her particularly long to find something she liked: a silver clasp that fit snugly around her upper arm, fashioned in the shape of some kind of dragon type creature. It had a ruby for an eye, and cost a bit, but the strange little gremlin had given them more than enough to cover everything, leaving them with plenty for livestock and soft furnishings, or whatever it was that Mihal wanted to get. Thanica had full confidence that whatever it was, she'd probably enjoy it. She did generally enjoy the finer things in life, even if she was rarely given the opportunity to do so. She paid one of the staff a small tip to run her old clothes back to the ship then stepped out to meet the creature who ran this place.

"Hello Captain." she greeted Carter as she and Mihal emerged, "What do you think?" she motioned at herself, taking a quick glance to be sure nobody was within earshot before adding "I think I am now dressed appropriately to distract some old Jokari pervert while Yp reads his cards."

[Arengin Union]

Captain Nathan Taylor Carter
Shopping District, Pleasure Heaven.

---

Vrondich shook his head, "Not the faintest idea. All I know is he, basically, always wins. You just don't do that in a game of chance. Also his offer is way too generous, three ship parts of your choice? Nobody makes an offer like that unless they are absolutely sure they are going to win. It's a baited hook in the water."

He shrugged, "Anyway, I'm going to go and check in on Rabaech, then I might see if I can't introduce myself to one of the gaming tables. Make sure our young Dhasath doesn't do anything stupid... at least until your AI is competent enough to pilot us around. She can be as stupid as she likes after that." he chuckled slightly as he headed back in the direction of the Defiance.

“Yeah, I’ll make sure she doesn’t have too much fun,” Carter said as he uncrossed his arms and set himself against the wall again while Vrondich walked away. Though he didn’t really know the guy that well he couldn’t say the same about the rest, not even Thanica so he had no real opinions on him. For all he knew he was a skilled engineer or just a total sham, but he and Rabaech had managed to get them here so that counted for something.

Carter then began to remember Earth, he remembered Indiana, the vast blue skies, the open fields and forestry valleys, the friendly people, they were all now gone from what he now knew and he didn’t even know if he could ever go back. There has to be a way back… Carter thought as he rubbed his hand on his helmet’s visor.

“A way ba-”

"Hello Captain." she greeted Carter as she and Mihal emerged, "What do you think?" she motioned at herself, taking a quick glance to be sure nobody was within earshot before adding "I think I am now dressed appropriately to distract some old Jokari pervert while Yp reads his cards."

Carter’s self murmuring was cut by Thanica alongside Mihal who had come back from their shopping and much to Carter’s own surprise Thanica had come back completely transformed. One couldn’t tell due to his helmet but his mouth opened up at the sight of the Dhasath. Raising his eyebrow and then switching to an impressed face Carter nodded.

“Looking like you could do that and then some more Commander.” Carter answered while his eyes looked at Thanica from head to toes, she looked fine indeed, but Carter couldn’t let that distract him for now, they had a job to do.

Getting a bit closer to Thanica so to avoid any curious ears Carter said to her, “Vrondich came by, it seems the Grandmaster is way too skilled at Savak. He’s only lost twice in over 70 years, he’s cheating.”

“But our eyes in the sky should nullify that little edge of his.” Carter added, stepping off a bit his eyes still eyeing Thanica from time to time while trying to act as calm and collected as he could Carter then addressed both Thanica and Mihal.

“So what now? Yp should be in positioned right?”

[Theyra]

Sshalah smiled softly. Novo was roughly a meter shorter then her which compared to most other creatures stood out. His two cybernetic eyes gave him a gaze that didn't concern Sshalah greatly, she was pleased simply to have someone approach her amiably. 'I have," she said looking over towards the Bathhouse past the Odeiri but certainly within earshot of the being, "I'm waiting for the main bath here. There are too many in it at the moment, and where I to enter now it'd overflow." She still looking a the bathhouse but lower continued, "Though they are offering a private bath- a hot tub." she grinned looking at the Kay-si, "for 4000." She chuckled having whimsy visions of her relaxing while being attended to- scale care- manicures- perhaps a massage. She then raised her head glancing slightly at the Odeiri and then back to Novo "that costs too much so," her tail moved a little so as to be in front of her feet, "I'm just waiting."

"Okay I see and I... do not think I can help with getting you that private bath, unfortunately". Novo looked up at Sshalah, I do not have much on me". He guessed it would not be a surprise that her size could cause some problems here. Now that he is up close to her and her being a Ragon. It was intimidating given their reputation and at least this is a friendly Ragon. Though he did his best to not seem intimidated. Come to think about it, Sshalah is the first Ragon he has met and well, it is going better then what he would had thought. Well, better than some nightmares he has had about the Ragon. Best not to think about that now and he pushed them to the edge of his mind. "Well, I could join you in the bathhouse since I am just wondering around if you want". He would have asked if she was hungry but, Sshalah may want more then a simple meal and he did not want to see where that would led.

[Kylantha]

---

Sho'chavuk

---

Sho'chavuk was walking away from where Sshalah was, getting the last laughs out of him as he did so. The strange glances that people were giving him didn't bother, and he continued to enjoy himself. Once he was finished, he stopped in the middle of the crowd which seemed to be parting for him. He placed a clawed finger on his chin as his eyes drifted up in thought.

"Why was it that I had followed her, the Ragon?" he asked himself, finger starting to scratch ever so lightly. "Ah. Yes. I uh.. Hmm. I seem to have forgotten. Oh well!" he shrugged, and that was that. And once again looking very proud, the Tz'ath continued walking, taking in all the sights and smells and sounds, but taking very little notice of them. At that moment he felt an itch. It seemed to be on the back of his neck.

"Ahah." he stopped again, looking around. His eyes landed upon a nice stall stocked full with very strange looking fruits. One of said fruits was moving, and interested Sho'chavuk, so he walked up and grabbed it. Though since he was only so tall as to have his ears and antennae over the edge of the counter, the shopkeep could only see a pair of furred arms. She seemed startled, but quickly craned her head over the shelf to give Sho an annoyed glare.

"Oh!" Sho'chavuk looked up at the lady, beholding her fur-covered face and jet black eyes. "Hello! I was just wondering what this thing is."

"Mhm?" the lady said, leaning against the countertop. "Looks like you were walking away with it."

"Oh? Ah, yes, perhaps." Sho replied shamelessly, once again moving to walk away. But he was yanked backwards by the lady.

"You're not going anywhere with my merchandise, you mangy little frick." she said through clenched teeth as she held him to her face.

Still unbothered by the shopkeep's exasperation, Sho'chavuk shrugged. "Oh well, I guess I shall eat it here then." he said before then swallowing the fruit. At that point the lady looked shocked for a moment, then angry. She then proceeded to flail Sho'chavuk around by his tail, hoping to get him to regurgitate the fruit. But that did not work. Once she realised there was no hope getting the fruit back, she threw him into the street and yelled at him not to come around again.

Apparently unaware as to why the lady was so mad, Sho'chavuk shook his fist at her and walked the other way. "I spit on your fur!" he barked at her whilst licking bits of chewed fruit off his face. "What a way to treat your customers! No shame at all, hm?" he nudged a trunked creature with his elbow, but only got a look of confusion in reply.

Immediately afterwards Sho'chavuk wondered what the other members of the crew were up to and when that thing that they needed to do was going to take place. Sho considered looking for Thanica, but could not imagine approaching her without a sack. So he decided to move to the upper levels and watch for them from there, all the while looking for other unfortunate people to bother.

[Dyelli Beybi]

Thanica, Carter and Mihal – (Co-written by Dyelli Beybi, Arengin Union, Bingellia and Korhal IVV)
Where Thanica kicks the heist off…

...

Getting a bit closer to Thanica so to avoid any curious ears Carter said to her, “Vrondich came by, it seems the Grandmaster is way too skilled at Savak. He’s only lost twice in over 70 years, he’s cheating.”

“But our eyes in the sky should nullify that little edge of his.” Carter added, stepping off a bit his eyes still eyeing Thanica from time to time while trying to act as calm and collected as he could Carter then addressed both Thanica and Mihal.

“So what now? Yp should be in positioned right?”

"Oh he's cheating as well? That... complicates things." Thanica pursed her lips thoughtfully, then shook her head, "This is still our best plan though. I have literally no idea where Yp is, but I'm going to trust that he's sensible enough to get into position when we get down to business. Right... shall we go and introduce ourselves to some of his minions?"

Tilting his head with some unsureness but in the end trusting Thanica's instinct Carter nodded, he then got into his role as a mercenary working for a wealthy Dhasath and her Kiellar companion. "You're the boss Misses," He said with a roughed voice.

Thanica flicked the shoulder of Carter's armour, her fingernail pinging against the metal, "That's Commander to you!" she corrected, then smirked, completely ruining any attempt to sound tough, "Mihal..." she said, suddenly having a thought, "If you see any of the other crew members while we're crossing the promenade, do you want to give them some of the money and ask them to please try to get some livestock for Sshalah? I'd rather we secure that sooner rather than later, just in case we need to leave in a hurry."

Mihal nodded as he reached for the small stack of credit chits he had on him to make sure they were still there. Much to his relief, they were. "Yes, that's a very good idea. Running into Sshalah herself would be best for that, but we might need her strength in the Casino."

"Yes, it's really a Vrondich kind of job, but I have no idea where he's got himself to." Thanica mused, glancing around for anyone who might be present, though she didn't immediately spot any familiar faces, "Keep your eyes out, I'm confident there will be someone."

Thanica hadn't spotted a crew member but she had spotted the Archelian across the promenade. While she hadn't spoken to the Archelian herself, she had been aware of her presence by the ship when they had docked and of the fact that she seemed to be a person of significance. She sauntered across in her direction, making sure that Mihal and Carter were with her, "Hello!" she called, "I am Commander Vari, pleasure to make your acquaintance."

The Archelian twirled towards the Dhasath, her masked face tilting towards the left as she examined the well-dressed Dhasath from head to toe. "Ah, so you are the one in charge of that stolen prison ship." she said as her warbot escorts simply stared at Thanica. "The pleasure is mine. I am Solken Saka, personal assistant to the Grandmaster. How can I... help you?" At this moment, Carter's communication device would ring. It was Yare. "Uhm, Captain?" the soft spoken drakonid said. "Your friend Krystyn is getting himself dead drunk here, and some are looking at him with savoury eyes. Kaleso and I are keeping an eye at him though. I thought it best to inform you, just in case."

Carter's eyes widened for a bit as Yare's words came in through his comms. Damn it, Krystyn shouldn't be wandering around in the open. With a low tone voice Carter answered, "Understood. Keep eyes on him, if he starts getting into trouble get him back to the ship. I'll deal with him later, Carter out." He then remained silent and completely still while behind Thanica who was talking with a masked individual who seemed important.

Yare called back again, as she had more news. "Kralmon-Lokar is in the same room as us. He is looking at Krystyn with interest."

Thanica, who hadn't heard of Krystyn's predicament, pressed on with her plan. She smirked slightly as the Archelian looked he "I understand your Grandmaster is rather good at Savak? He has some running wager with people who visit this place where they can walk away with ship parts if they win? I'm in dire need of certain components and would be interested in taking part in this wager. That is, of course, if the Grandmaster is interested in wagering against me."

“Oooohhhh, of course he is!” the Archelian exclaimed. “Well, especially more so as you are a Dhasath. It just happens that he longs to see and... have one of your kind. He will be very overjoyed to have the chance...” Here, the mask of the Archelian reformed into a smiley face of ethereal purple fire. She laughed a little before going on. “To have a Dhasath bond-slave... if he wins.”

"You know," Thanica remarked dryly, cocking her head to one side, "When you called me 'Dhasath', you could have added 'and such a pretty one as well.' That would have really added to the creepiness of your explanation... and built up my self-esteem a bit in the process." She flashed the Archelian a bright smile, "So how does this work, does your boss want an interview or just get down to business?"

"All Dhasath women are pretty, that is the rule." the Archelian said happily. "Grandmaster Konkara would only wish to ask a few questions, and then get down to business. That is how he operates."

"You had evidently never met my aunt Cafatia." Thanica seemed physically unable to not make an attempt at humour in stressful situations, "Oh well, take me to your leader!" She paused momentarily, "Carter," she turned back for a moment, "I heard you on the comms a moment ago. Can you ask whomever you were talking to go do that bit of shopping we were talking about? Ideally, now."

“Eheheheh. Very well, then.” the Archelian replied as she tapped the right side of her helm. “Time to call the Grandmaster.” Meanwhile, the Grandmaster, who was still slumped on his chair, was awakened by the ring of his communicator, which was a mix of technobabble and screeching. Lazily, he answered the call of Solken Saka. “What is it that you want?”

“Someone wishes to challenge you to a Savak game in exchange for your usual offers. The big thing is that she is a Dhasath.”

“Dha dha dha Dhasath?!” Konkara exclaimed as he fell of his throne, landing upon one of the maidens with a loud bang as the woman below yelped due to the Jokari’s weight. Standing up, Konkara regained his composure. “Tell her that I will be waiting for her ‘challenge’ on the centre table of the Casino Royale. My escort will be present as well. Tell her... that I have waited for this moment for 70 years.”

[Dyelli Beybi]

Carter, Yare-Lokem, Kaleso and Krystyn – (Co-written by Arengin Union, Korhal IVV and Endem - Edited by Dyelli Beybi)
Where Krystyn gets drunk then almost gets kidnapped, but at least the crisis of how to feed Sshalah is solved!

Carter immediately did as he was told, simply nodding and obediently exclaiming "Yes, ma'am," with a stern electronic muffled voice. From within his helmet Carter called back on Yare, "Yare, if you and company could make sure to acquire some supplies for the ship. Especially livestock, it be gladly appreciated, Carter out." He then set his hands in front as Thanica and the masked being talked.

“Very well, Captain.” the Sarufi said. “Though I am not sure if I can leave Krystyn here alone... I will have Kaleso watch over your friend while I go on to search for livestock for our resident carnivore. I am sure Kralmon-Lokar will know that he is not Dhasath, as my species has a good sense of smell.” she said as she turned towards her long-time ally and friend, “Kal, watch over the human. Make sure no harm comes his way.”

“And if I leave him?” the Jokari said with a smile as he grasped the hilt of his star-blade. He sure thought this was hilarious.

“I will be mad at you.” Yare-Lokem said as she ran off with a whole load of credits they gained from the casino.

The two warriors were very good at this game, it seems. She would wander around, her carbon nano-thread claws making no sound on the waxed wooden planking of the floors as she searched for things that could be of use. Her eyes landed towards an aquarium filled with dozens of docile marine creatures. The one manning the aqua sale was a Kalisi, who seemed out of place, as he was surrounded by merchandise instead of weapons. The Kalisi showed no animosity to the Sarufi despite the history their races shared, and instead simply asked what Yare wishes to purchase.

“That aquarium. Is it suitable for sustaining the diet of a Ragon?” she asked as she pointed towards it. “Yes, with the proper equipment.” the old wizened Kalisi said as he trudged towards a small holopad. “If you intend to bring in an aquarium capable of sustaining a Ragon’s diet, one has to keep a supply of growth enhancers for these things so that the amount of eatable livestock remains the same every week. Normally, a Kauyon is hatched and becomes large enough for a Ragon to be comfortably full in a month, but these growth accelerators cut that down to seven days.” he said as he held up a large jar filled with pills. “Feed these to a new born Kauyon to make it ready for consumption by one week.”

“Ehem, noted.” the Sarufi said, eyeing the Kalisi a little bit as she noticed the rusted sword leaning on the man’s table. “So, how much does it all cost?”

“5,000 credits plus 500 for the GAs.” the Kalisi replied.

The Sarufi then telekinetically checked the amount of credits she had. 7,000. Should be good enough. We have that huge heist anyways... she thought to herself as she handed the money over.

“An automated rail system will bring the tank and everything else to your ship.” the Kalisi said as he tapped several buttons. Soon enough, a forklift on the ceiling came around and took it to the Defiance.

She would return to a scuffle on the casino. Kaleso had an Archelian tied on his whip, keeping the masked fool pinned on the ground with his clawed foot. “How many times should I tell you? He is not Dhasath! He is a Hueman! Not that I like him...”

“Ah, of course you are- ugh! Lying, because... err, you want the price for yourself...” the Archelian replied in between shoves.

“This is just dumb.” the Jokari said. Another voice rumbled in, at this moment. It was Kralmon-Lokar. “That is no Dhasath. His smell is nowhere near succulent. It is like grease.” the Devourer said as he sniffed.

“I appreciate your concern for your... friend, Jokari, but do know that you may let him go now.”

“Whatever.” the Jokari said as he released his grip, and the Archelian went away screaming before Kralmon slapped his buttocks. “Get out and get someone to smell for you.” he said with a threatening glare; he wasn’t above consuming an Archelian if it came down to that. Yare then reported back to Carter. “Livestock secured. Anything else specific?”

Carter hastily answered, "Nothing for the moment. We're heading to see the Grandmaster, will keep updates. Out."

Krystyn lifted his gaze off the glass and directed it onto the place where a masked creature just was and then said with a voice that clearly exposed him as, very drunk "I am not Dha- Dja- whatever he called me" Then he turned back to the glass, lifted it up to his mouth and drank it's contents

“Oh my.” the Sarufi said. “He is very dead drunk.”

“And you’ll say we can’t leave him.” the Jokari mused as he enjoyed pinning the Archelian to the ground. “What shall you do now?”

“I was about to tell YOU what to do.” Yare snapped. “My friend, we have to get him back to the ship. Now. Or else we will be stuck as baby sitters here.”

“Hmph. How are we supposed to do that then?”

“I’ll ask him if he would like to return. If not, we will have to use a tranquilliser or something.” And so, she approached the Pole and asked him if he would like to return to the ship. “There are drinks in there.” Hopefully, he would cooperate...

Krysytn looked a little bit confused and then said "I guess" Then he finally stepped away from the bar, he took a step, second one, it was clearly due to his drunkenness he had problems with it, he then turned back and said "Wait, I need to pay"

“Great.” Yare said as Krystyn somehow managed to drop his payment. “Let us return.” She then whispered to Kaleso. “I am glad that worked out well.”

[Arengin Union]

Carter, Thanica, and Mihal-(Co-written by Arengin Union, Dyelli Beybi and Bingellia)
The Gang does some small talk as they consider their potential deaths and misery
Shopping District, Pleasure Heaven.

---

As they followed the strange automatize looking being, Carter walked close behind Thanica and Mihal. With a stout pace he kept his right hand on his holster as he let his other hand flow with his walk, with the armor and his military physique one could at least think he was an experienced traveler of the Neutral Zone. Yet, despite the whole rouged mercenary act, Carter still didn't know what he was doing, he didn't know where exactly they were headed and as they transversed the Pleasure Heaven more and more he felt creeped out by the things he saw which perhaps were normal for Thanica and Mihal but for him none of this was.

Carter walked a bit closer to Thanica, at the very least so she could hear him. "Are you sure that it's leading us to the right person?"

Thanica fell back slowing her pace to let the Archelian get a few steps ahead. She lowered her voice slightly as she replied, "If by right person, you mean the lecherous station owner who wants to claim ownership of me in a game of cards, then yes," she remarked dryly.

She paused for a long moment before asking, "The AI, do you think it can fly the ship yet?"

Alright, asking stupid questions Carter, get back into the game dammit. Carter again tilted his head before answering the question regarding Olorisa. Being in a completely alien galaxy was stressing enough as it was, and now being reminded of the danger that he, Mihal, and Thanica most especially were walking into was not helping.

Carter then answered, "I'm not sure. It should be running diagnostics and getting familiar with the ship's systems, especially piloting. It could be functioning today or perhaps tomorrow."

Thanica gave Carter a sideways glance. Her tone was unusually sober, "If this goes horrendously wrong, and after what Vrondich said I feel that is a distinct possibility, don't do anything rash. I obviously don't want to get left behind in this guy's dungeon, but you do what is best for the crew. If you can fly the ship without me, and you can get the parts without me..." she trailed of, leaving the thought hanging.

"That's utterly unacceptable." Mihal spoke lowly as anger added an almost gravely quality to his voice as he approached the two from behind. "We have not gotten this far just to sacrifice anyone like a pawn." He lightened his tone slightly, as he fought the dread brewing in the back of his head. "Besides, I have complete faith this will go well."

The response drew a smile from Thanica, "I'm just being practical, and besides, I'd feel awful if any of the crew got hurt on my account." She rolled her eyes in the direction of the Archelian, clearly trying to say something without saying it, "It would be suicide to go up against this kind of security."

"This will go well. I trust it will..." Carter interjected. "Back home, we had a say, one that defined who we were."

He then looked to Thanica, his helmets visors covered his eyes but he was looking straight at hers. "No one gets left behind," Carter turned his head again, within him there was doubt but he still had hopes.

Mihal swapped glances between the two others and looking forward at the guide. "So, who's going to actually sit across from the Grandmaster at the table?"

"Me." Thanica answered without hesitation, "If I screw up, I want to be the only one to blame."

A simple nod, as unseen as it might be, was Mihal's reply. Suddenly, he laughed, "So, I got all dressed up for nothing then?" He hoped a joke would lighten the mood as they prepared to step into the belly of the beast.

"Not for nothing," Thanica replied in a serious tone. It didn't last long, "You get to be my arm candy." Her teeth flashed in a broad, impertinent grin.

Carter chuckled a bit under his helmet, trying to act unaffected as best as he could about the whole thing. The group kept walking right behind the Archelian.

[Harbertia]

"Okay I see and I... do not think I can help with getting you that private bath, unfortunately". Novo looked up at Sshalah, I do not have much on me". He guessed it would not be a surprise that her size could cause some problems here. Now that he is up close to her and her being a Ragon. It was intimidating given their reputation and at least this is a friendly Ragon. Though he did his best to not seem intimidated. Come to think about it, Sshalah is the first Ragon he has met and well, it is going better then what he would had thought. Well, better than some nightmares he has had about the Ragon. Best not to think about that now and he pushed them to the edge of his mind. "Well, I could join you in the bathhouse since I am just wondering around if you want". He would have asked if she was hungry but, Sshalah may want more then a simple meal and he did not want to see where that would led.

Harb and Theyra Co-write
Sshalah smiled with her reply, "I'd like that." She said, with a look of relief and welcomed company. "I believe we have both been wandering around." she added, glancing at the bathhouse to see how close those attending the main bath where to departing. “Well," said Novo, "I guess we will wait then”. he then went to lean his back on a nearby wall. This is something that Novo did not ever expect to happen. He is going to be in the company of a Ragon. Plus, he is not going to be food or anything…. Now that he thinks about it. Novo wondered to what did Sshalah do to get locked up. Hopefully, nothing to do with eating anyone…. He hoped. “So what do you want to talk about while he wait? Sshalah, remembering how her conversation with Mihal went, and not specifically recalling Novo stated "Well," as she gathered the words, "you know my name, so that's a place to start." Even Thanica hadn't gotten the name until only recently, shortly before they left the ship to board the station, and she recalled how Mihal was unaware of her role in the mutiny, "What do you know about me?" she asked, so she'd know where he heard her name and what he already knew. Perhaps, she considered- Mihal had spoken to him or he overheard some conversation earlier. Given his friendly approach she wasn't sure. "Ahhhh…," began Novo, "not much really, just the name and what you are. I heard your name while I was busy with Sho'chavuk, on the fourth level of the ship. Sho'chavuk is a Tza'th if you have met him. Apparently, he eats metal which is something I did not know about Tza'th. Other than them, I have not really met most of the crew yet though I did meet Vrondich, the head engineer of the ship and the other engineer Rabaech as well. Pretty sure once we get the credits to repair the ship I will be helping with that. Since I am a engineer as well. How much of the crew have you met? I have met I guess three so far."

Sshalah gave her experience "I've met quite a few in the mess hall shortly after the ship was taken. Though I don't remember the names of them all. The Saufi Yare," she raised a single knuckle to her chin, "the Huemanns- specifically the Carter, Mihal the Kiellar, and I had a brief moment of worry regarding Kaleso. I've been around a lot of them but don't remember them all- the Tz'ath." she paused, "Sho you mentioned. Bothered me recently. I do not like him. I did not realize he was even near to us then." She indeed, had not- too caught up in the Huemann belongings and the questions of thier use to bother with the sounds beyond the room." Two individuals of left the bath house then. Sshalah turned to the Odeiri which shook it's shelled head, and thus Sshalah returned to look upon Novo, "How's Vrondich handling the election?" she asked. Recalling the scene on the bridge. She had not seen the Keillar since then. “I know about Carter," replied Novo, "the Human and some of the others you have said. I was in the mess hall when we where brainstorming ideas. I was in the back and…. well, I had no idea what to put out given our situation. Vrondich I think is taking it well, I think” Novo thought for a moment and blinked his eyes. “I do not know where he is now, I know he left the ship. So I guess he is doing something on this station. And about Sho'chavuk, I hope it was not too bad when I met him he was quite...eager to leave his room. Though I have some questions about what he did to warrant his…. choice of room on the ship”.

Sshalah's frustrations over Sho seemed into her expression, "I don't know what he did, only that he is a pest of which I can do nothing about. I know that called me a 'kit-snatcher' and climbed up me like some mountain in the middle of the promenade." she pointed some distance away from the bathhouse, her eyes a bit narrow but her jaw expressing embarrassment. She was silent for a moment not wanting to go further into what happened but simply leave it as Sho's fault for her becoming a spectacle. She then continued; "... where-"she looked down upon Novo with curiosity, "is he staying on the ship?" Novo certainly made it out to be an odd place, and now Sshalah's concern about Sho's presence, rather then annoyance at it, came to the surface. “I… see," Novo sounding like he regretted to ask about what Sho'chavuk did and he briefly looked away before returning his sight on Sshalah. “I will not ask more about that and I assume he is. I do not think he plans on leaving unless he wants to. What I mean about what warranted his choice of room on the ship I mean, where I found him". He moved in closer to whisper to her. "I and the two engineers found him in a stasis pod with restraints on. He could not move or even talk while we were trying to get him out. I do not know what could warrant a prisoner to be restrained while in stasis. So maybe we should keep an eye on him or in your case not care about him. Who knows what he is doing on this station”. Since Sshalah was sitting down whispering to her wasn't difficult given his size. But the simple fact that he did so was humoring, and it was warming to find another as concerned- she wasn't even mad at him for letting the creature out. Sshalah smiled a toothy grin and nodded delightfully. "We shall indeed keep such an eye on him," her mouth closed and she grinned deviously, "and let the Captain know. I've already told her how dangerious the Sho is." she looked at the now rather close Novo, the more amiable appearance returning to her, "so additional details will be of no surprise to her." She closed her eyes and smiled softly. "I'm not about to stop caring that he's aboard." She chuckled a bit opening her eyes.

The Odeiri was stepping out of the bathhouse with it's red leg and motioned with a tenticle that they could enter. The water level was lower now, and only three other beings where still in it though they where wrapping up- at least one of them literally so. Sshalah then stood, her height now more apparent than before as she motion for Novo to come with her as the Odeiri stepped to the side. The inside of the place was mostly tiled walled, synthetic marble flooring, and the main bath with several halls leading to additional baths and private sessions. On the wall closest to the entrance where rentable lockers for storing clothes, and a store- with various oils, soaps, conditioners, shampoos, towels for rent or purchase, sponges, brushes, creams, bath caps, bath masks, etc. A Ti Angu attendant behind the counter was stocking additional towels akin to those the three who had left earlier had with them. Save for a few individuals, most of the staff had obvious uniforms, white garb with a purple icon of a Dhasash in a hottub- like the one of the sign. Though the style of the uniforms changed from attendant to attendant based on anatomy. The Odeiri was heading off to the main control board- it's red leg the only leg not moving as it did so. Novo went inside and found a locker near Sshalah and put in what he had it in. Leaving on a towel that was wrapped around his waist. Sshalah put 12 credits into the largest locker, her back turned to Novo as she spoke trying to start a less - distressing conversation.

"I didn't get to really- relax back on the ship." She started, "I cleaned up after Thanica was made commander but the stations on board where not made for use by the prisoners. I was able to get something akin to a bath by collecting water in my hands- enough to clean them and with some cloth the rest of me and my face before putting this on." she said grasping the still to her tight work garb she was wearing before starting to get it off. It was her way of asking if, due to his height he had similar trouble during the travel to this station. Keenly listening to what Sshalah said. “Yeah I do not think many of us had a chance to relax since once we were all free, we found out the ship was damaged and we need some parts to fix it. Quite the day at least some of us get a chance to unwind”. With that Novo stepped into the bath and slowly slid down his bottom connected with the bottom part of the bath. Sshalah slid in shortly after- the water rose just a little, and she rested her arms upon the synthetic marble edge. "Thanica did say to enjoy." she smiled taking a breath, and stretching her neck, "It's been a very cramped experience on board. I imagine it's worse down in Engineering." she said to Novo inquisitively, a bit more relaxed now. “Well, minus all of the broken stuff, Engineering is not that bad”. Novo said in a relaxed tone as he closed his eyes. “I have never been to a bathhouse before so this is a new experience for me. I wonder though what else this station has to offer. Probably more than this but, I do not know if we have time for that. Though I do not know how long we will be here and so far things have been good”. He looked around the bathhouse before looking at Sshalah, "What do you plan to do once we are done with this bathhouse? More wandering or find the other members of the crew?"

Sshalah glanced over at one of the attendents and motioned for them to come over before she turned back to Novo; "I'd like to buy something else to where." she said, "I've been having trouble deciding. I tried on some ponchos," she raised a hand to her upper chest, "but they where too tight about the neck. So I'm thinking about getting some metal for my arms, and legs." The attendent, was close enough to hear her and standing at that distance. They looked vaguely Keillar but where shorter, and paler- certainly similiar but possibly mixed. Sshalah turned her attention to them for a bit, "I'll have tub ◌♮ ϡ milk cream, and ≍♮◌ oil." She stated as the person gave a faint bow and departed. She then returned her look to Novo, "Though a beaded dress has been recommended, and the idea has grown on me. Though finding a store with such here will not be easy, we don't have a local guide, and I'm not sure whre the visitor center is to inquire. After that I'll have to try to locate Thanica before she sets the plan in motion. She'll have to return to the ship with livestock so I plan to go there after I've got my shopping done- that is if she doesn't contact me on the communicator before hand." she said with a chuckle closing her eyes a bit- she might not have the same personal service she was after but this was close enough- and better in ways. She had company.

“Okay, and it is a good thing that you have a plan. I just was going to wander before heading back to the ship before Thanica’s plan does down. I just hope everything does well and we get the parts to repair the ship, it needs it. Maybe I will run into a member of the crew on the way back”. Novo slipped deeper in the bath until only his head was above water. “So how long were you planning of staying in here?" Sshalah frowned a bit, "To be honest.... I hadn't set a time to leave. I was going to take in the heat here, and take in as much leisure as I could before returning to the ship- the only recreation I know of on board is driking, and I've not even gotten drunk yet." she shrugged with a frown looking down at Novo, "I imagine I'll be spending a lot of time cleaning make shift livestock pins, and tending to them when I return- and I don't know when we'll stop at another planet nor where we are heading after this.... I just want to have a good time here, that's all."

“Yeah, who knows what planet we will go to next and how that is going to go. I have seen some of the Neutral Zone but, would like to see more of it. Preferably without getting tricked or losing all of my money and without any trouble”. Novo sighed, “my first time in the Neutal Zone was not the best, but I made do with what I had”. Come to thing about it, we could try and buy some games to help with the boredom on the ship. It would be nice to play some cards or something that does not include losing a finger like that one game that I was….. well forced to play”. Novo slowly stood up and the water as at his waist again. "So how is your time in the Neutral Zone so far minus the getting captured part”.

"It's," she lowered herself down to her neck now. "been better. Even putting my capture aside-" a 84 pound container was being scooted across the floor along with a glass bottle towards Sshalah and she moved herself up t oher waist again. When they finally arrived she use her tail to pull the objects closer to her- so she could open the cream for use, "-with my capture aside," she continued as the individuals moved on to other tasks, ", I've enjoyed it for the most part- the mutiny aside- and shopping alone until now." she grinned, "I've started my journey for the adventure of it, I'd never left my homeplanet before and going to the neutral zone I got to experience more pleasures then I thought I ever would. It was difficult at times to get use to- even then- but for the most part it's been well. I've just not been alone wandering it until today and I appreciate that no longer being the case. Do you have any games you want to look for?" she asked wondering if he had something specific in mind as she began sitting at the edge of the bath to apply what she had ordered. “It sounds like you had a better time in the Neutral Zone the first time around than I did. That is good that someone had a better time than I did”. Novo looked up for a moment to think, “I was thinking of getting a deck for a game of Tor’Hu, it is a old game that is played back on my homeworld. It is kinda popular in the Neutral Zone and it would be a good way to pass the time. If you have heard of that game and maybe some others like Ouss made be good to have. Though I do not know what we can use to bet with. Oh, wait”, Novo snapped his fingers, we could get a Ious board and it comes with the pieces. That can be fun, more so if you like strategy. Do you have any ideas for what to get?

Sshalah chuckled, "So long as I can move the pieces, hold the cards and read them I'll be fine." she said with a smile. "I didn't get the chance to play those games before, so you'd have to teach them to me- and find a board large enough - otherwise I'll need a glass to see and probably someone holding cards for me." she chuckled, "I'd probably be laying on my stomach just so I couldn't see what others have in their hand. I'd personally enjoy a game of tag or hide and seek but the ship makes it so I'd probably fail without adaptations being made to accomidate me. Some specific area of the ship marked for the game. It wouldn't cost us anything either which is an additional advantage. Still if I had to pick a sitting game," he paused to consider, "It'd have to be - wait- Lous? I love Lous! My uncle brought it over long ago. I haven't played it in years."

“Okay, it sounds like we have a idea of what to get then and good you have played Lous. Guess I do not need to teach you how to play that game. It has been a while since I have played that game and it would be nice to play it again. Hopefully, this station has some to spare and we have the time to get them”. Novo stretched his arms, "I do not think I will be in here much longer." Sshalah chuckled, "Well I've applied cream, and still have oil to apply latter," she said sliding from the edge of the bath into the water, "so I'll be here longer. It'd cold in space. Before you go I do have a question, your- eyes-" she had been observing him and noticed he wasn't getting his head wet though neither had she but in regards to her curiosity his not doing so stood out, "how do you wash your face and if you did get water in them what would you have to do?"

“Normally, my eyes are waterproof”, he pointed to them, “though I find being underwater with them to be… disorienting. I do not know why, so I close my eyes when I do go underwater. Novo stretched his arms again and got up from the bath, “Well, it is about time I am done here and I am going to find those games and have a nice time relaxing Sshalah. I did not think that I needed this but, I did. Thanks for that and goodbye”. Novo collected his things from the locker, put on his clothes and left the bathhouse. Sshalah watched him leave, the conversation had gone better then expected but she was again alone. But happier now, and had something to look forward to. With a smile she lowed herself further and settled in. Only the upper part of her face visible; the Odeiri now having to explain that a new set of customers would have to wait- until the Ragon left- in the most unalarming way possible.

[Ameriganastan]

"Please, don't fire! We have women and children on-board and we're not armed! We'll turn your bounty over if you just tell us what he looks like!"

A menacing assault cruiser chased a transport vessel through the neutral zone, the pilot doing his best to outrun the far superior ship.

"Stop moving!"

With one precise blast from his cannons, the transport ships engines were blown to kingdom come, leaving it floating dead in the water.

"Could board and find him. Course he could ambush me...yes, have a better idea."

This plan was based on no strategy. As he powered up every weapon his ship had, he actually licked his lips a little in anticipation.

"Boom!"

---

The Defiance, Lower Decks

A menacing Kalisi awoke from what for him was a wonderful dream. Though his happy mood quickly soured when he realized he was locked in some kind of tube. And soured yet more when his memories started flooding back. Especially the memory of his mercenary band clocking him with a steel pipe when he returned from his assignment.

"Those traitorous bastards! I'll skin them all alive! Let me out of here!"

Never the most patient man...dragon...thing, he decided to let himself out. Blasting the door off its hinges with a bolt of fire from his mouth. He stumbled out of his stasis chamber, itching for a fight but finding nothing but other stasis chambers.

"Where the fuck am I?"

[Dyelli Beybi]

A menacing Kalisi awoke from what for him was a wonderful dream. Though his happy mood quickly soured when he realized he was locked in some kind of tube. And soured yet more when his memories started flooding back. Especially the memory of his mercenary band clocking him with a steel pipe when he returned from his assignment.

"Those traitorous bastards! I'll skin them all alive! Let me out of here!"

Never the most patient man...dragon...thing, he decided to let himself out. Blasting the door off its hinges with a bolt of fire from his mouth. He stumbled out of his stasis chamber, itching for a fight but finding nothing but other stasis chambers.

"Where the fuck am I?"

"Easy buddy!" came a voice from across the room. It turned out to be a Kiel, though not one in command uniform. He was tall, with a short mohawk and umber-brown skin. He had a blaster on him, which he slung back over his shoulder in a non-threatening gesture, "You've just woken up out of a stasis pod, which you broke - thanks for that - and you're on the Defiance. The Defiance was a prison ship which has recently been commandeered and, I guess, is now technically a pirate vessel," he explained.

"The fact that you got out of one of those pods means you were in prison for something, though frankly I don't care and I doubt anyone else on-board does either. We're all wanted for something. Currently we're docked at some station called 'Pleasure Haven'. Most of the crew are over there at the moment. You can hop off if you want, head onto the station and try to make a dishonest living over there, or you can stick around with us, see if you like working with Captain Carter and Commander Vari."

It was a rather succinct explanation of the situation the Kalisi now found himself in.

[Ameriganastan]

A menacing Kalisi awoke from what for him was a wonderful dream. Though his happy mood quickly soured when he realized he was locked in some kind of tube. And soured yet more when his memories started flooding back. Especially the memory of his mercenary band clocking him with a steel pipe when he returned from his assignment.

"Those traitorous bastards! I'll skin them all alive! Let me out of here!"

Never the most patient man...dragon...thing, he decided to let himself out. Blasting the door off its hinges with a bolt of fire from his mouth. He stumbled out of his stasis chamber, itching for a fight but finding nothing but other stasis chambers.

"Where the fuck am I?"

"Easy buddy!" came a voice from across the room. It turned out to be a Kiel, though not one in command uniform. He was tall, with a short mohawk and umber-brown skin. He had a blaster on him, which he slung back over his shoulder in a non-threatening gesture, "You've just woken up out of a stasis pod, which you broke - thanks for that - and you're on the Defiance. The Defiance was a prison ship which has recently been commandeered and, I guess, is now technically a pirate vessel," he explained.

"The fact that you got out of one of those pods means you were in prison for something, though frankly I don't care and I doubt anyone else on-board does either. We're all wanted for something. Currently we're docked at some station called 'Pleasure Haven'. Most of the crew are over there at the moment. You can hop off if you want, head onto the station and try to make a dishonest living over there, or you can stick around with us, see if you like working with Captain Carter and Commander Vari."

It was a rather succinct explanation of the situation the Kalisi now found himself in.

"Pirate vessel?"

Xemtus put his minuscule brain power to work. Pirate vessel meant pirates. Pirates meant fighting and stealing. Fighting meant killing. He really liked killing.

"Well, fantastic. My kind of ship. Take me to this captain."

A low rumbling came from his belly. He felt like he hadn't eaten in ages.

"Actually, give me one second."

He sniffed the air, strolling down the other stasis pods. He finally stopped at one that smelled right. Not even bothering to figure out the proper way to open it, he opted to just tear the door off instead. Revealing a slumbering Sarufi. Whose eyes opened just in time to see...

"Lunch."

Xemtus tear into his throat with his teeth. He ate his fill quickly, stepping back and letting out a small belch.

"Sarufi. Always tasty. Anyway, lead on softskin. And do hurry. I have a persistent appetite."

[Dyelli Beybi]

"Easy buddy!" came a voice from across the room. It turned out to be a Kiel, though not one in command uniform. He was tall, with a short mohawk and umber-brown skin. He had a blaster on him, which he slung back over his shoulder in a non-threatening gesture, "You've just woken up out of a stasis pod, which you broke - thanks for that - and you're on the Defiance. The Defiance was a prison ship which has recently been commandeered and, I guess, is now technically a pirate vessel," he explained.

"The fact that you got out of one of those pods means you were in prison for something, though frankly I don't care and I doubt anyone else on-board does either. We're all wanted for something. Currently we're docked at some station called 'Pleasure Haven'. Most of the crew are over there at the moment. You can hop off if you want, head onto the station and try to make a dishonest living over there, or you can stick around with us, see if you like working with Captain Carter and Commander Vari."

It was a rather succinct explanation of the situation the Kalisi now found himself in.

"Pirate vessel?"

Xemtus put his minuscule brain power to work. Pirate vessel meant pirates. Pirates meant fighting and stealing. Fighting meant killing. He really liked killing.

"Well, fantastic. My kind of ship. Take me to this captain."

A low rumbling came from his belly. He felt like he hadn't eaten in ages.

"Actually, give me one second."

He sniffed the air, strolling down the other stasis pods. He finally stopped at one that smelled right. Not even bothering to figure out the proper way to open it, he opted to just tear the door off instead. Revealing a slumbering Sarufi. Whose eyes opened just in time to see...

"Lunch."

Xemtus tear into his throat with his teeth. He ate his fill quickly, stepping back and letting out a small belch.

"Sarufi. Always tasty. Anyway, lead on softskin. And do hurry. I have a persistent appetite."

The Kiel looked a little shocked by what had just happened, though only a little. There was some other emotion there as well, though it was hard to identify. "You know what, I think you'll like the Commander," he informed the drakonid, "This way." he pointed his gun in the direction of the shuttle bay that connected onto the cargo hold and was also where the ship had docked with the station pylon, motioning for Xemtus to go first. Xemtus's little display had left him with the strong impression he didn't want to turn his back for even a moment.

"The Captain and Commander are off the ship, currently in the big casino trying to fleece the owner," he said. Clearly he wasn't planning to leave the ship. "You can't miss the Captain, he's the one in the Kiellar marine armour that's had all the KC logos scrubbed off. It's pretty distinctive."

[Dyelli Beybi]

The Casino Royale - Thanica, Yp, Carter, Mihal, Kaleso and Yare (Co-written by Korhal IVV, Dyelli Beybi, Endem, Arengin Union and Bingellia)

---

Where the crew are introduced to Grandmaster Konkara, put the plan to rob him into motion and Thanica shows she is willing and capable of using seduction to get what she wants...

---

The Dhasath commander and her bodyguards would be ushered into a hall of excesses. It was the Casino Royale, and it was quite a thing that lived up to its name. Everywhere were tables where wealthy crime lords, war profiteers, cartel lords, cult leaders, and corporate masters threw down their bets, besting each other in a game of chance and skill. Somewhere, a Ragon was in a large hidden closet, feasting on an unfortunate Korellian, while several Kalisi mercenaries walked past the entourage of the Defiance, shooting them with glares that would make the faint-hearted faint. On the very centre of the casino, sitting across a table with four terraces nearby, was a Jokari. This Jokari was none other than Azar Konkara, Grandmaster of Pleasure Haven.

Standing in guard near him were two Kalisi mercenaries, who were clad in dragon scale armour that could stop a blaster round at its tracks. The Kalisi then held spears with energetic tips that glowed with the fire of death. Besides them were two Jokari warbots, who were humanoid war machines that held an energy sword that resembled a superheated katana on one hand, with an arm mounted lance cannon on the other. The Grandmaster himself wore a purple robe, emblazoned with fire dragons and exploding planets. He had an elaborate helm on his head, and his eyes glowed an incandescent purple. His eye colour meant that he was descended from one of the royal dynasties that ruled the Jokarun Empire from many years ago.

It was time.

Thanica took a quick glance about when she entered the room. They were already in public, so hopefully Yp was somewhere in here. He didn't usually look like a big enough high roller, though she hoped he had managed to bluff his way in. She would have.

Without waiting to be asked, she seated herself opposite the Jokari, crossing her legs, taking a moment to smooth down the hem of her tunic. She was fairly fair skinned, by Dhasath standards, though the muscle tone in her legs showed she had made an effort to stay in shape within the confines of the Defiance. She leaned back, spreading her arms across the back of the chair, a hint of a smile playing across her lips. Every move she made was deliberate, designed to draw Konkara's eyes to her and to fire his imagination, to put him off-balance so he made a mistake. Thanica was pretty and she knew it, though her sudden change from the crew's resident comedian to femme fatale might have come as a shock to her colleagues, "So you're the Grandmaster then?" she asked, "I'm Commander Vari. Now I understand we each have something" - she glanced down at herself, then offered Konkara a coy smile - "that the other wants. I understand though that you have some questions?"

"Well, yes," the Jokari replied smugly, "First of all, how did you manage to live past your species' average life expectancy? And second, what makes you people so succulent?"

Yp saw Thanica, he came near, looking the other way, having a finger in a glass of some kind of wine (because they absorb those things through their skin) he communicated to her "Good you finally arrived, I was getting bored in here" Konkara couldn't hear it unless he was a psychic that could read minds, but he probably wasn't...

... "Because I'm too charming to kill." Thanica replied to Konkara, a hint of her usual attitude towards life creeping into her response, "Plus for many years I wore a KC uniform and flew a ship under their colours. The uniform was a shield and I didn't get to meet many people outside of Command. It was a good way to keep safe, though it did get boring after a while." Her eyes sparkled with suppressed mirth, though what exactly the joke was anyone's guess. She sat up a little straighter. Either of those questions should have upset her, but Thanica was used to that kind of talk. She didn't particularly like it, but it didn't faze her. She smiled instead, partly because she knew Yp was in place, "As for question two, I could give you a lesson on Dhasath biology, but I don't think that's what you're asking; if you want to taste something of the effect we have on those carnivores, there are ways of doing that without actually hurting me. I do find that practical demonstrations are so much better than words, don't you?" If he was high, he'd be easier to dupe...

"Oh, yes, yes, I have been waiting for so long to feel what it is like," the Grandmaster said with excitement. The two Kalisi mercenaries standing guard exchanged confused glances; they knew that the euphoria induced by Dhasath flesh wasn't the best state for even a hyper-intelligent creature like a Jokari to play Savak, but they cared not to question their employer; they were only here for the rich pay cheque.

Thanica stood up, holding her hands up, "Can I approach?" she asked, nodding to the two mercenaries, "I'm guessing you two will want me to lose the weapons."

"Offffff course we do," one of them said as he pointed his spear at Thanica's blaster pistol. "Place that thing in the table, please."

Thanica did as she was told, unholstering the blaster, laying it down on the table without making any sudden movements that might alarm the guards, then unsheathed the dagger she wore as well, laying it down next to the blaster, "Now are we okay?" she asked, one eyebrow raised. She looked slightly amused.

Seeing as Thanica was forced to abandon her weapons Yp remembered about something. He put one hand on a place on his sleeve where one of his knives was, it was there, the same with the one in his second sleeve, if a fight broke out on this ship, he would decapitate someone with them, most wanted by him was, Konkara's head, ah, yes. Yp regretted he couldn't challenge the old man, the old died by the hand of the young, that was the sacred law of the universe for every Kel'Resh.

Throughout the whole thing Carter had remained completely silent, his arms crossed and his position completely still while standing just a few feet besides Thanica. He found the Grandmasters voracious and outright lascivious attitude very disgusting, to think he ate people who were not very different from Carter himself made him feel sick. But despite his personal issues Carter didn't make them know, he simply stood silent and firmly besides his fellow Commander. Though he noticed they all had gotten attention from less than friendly looking people here.

Ignoring the frankly disgusting sight across the table, Mihal flagged down one of the waitresses roaming between the tables and machines in the room. The woman, a young Qaz'i, looked very distraught at being forced to parade herself in almost nothing. "A shot of Exarch 52 chilled and a pack of Inza Blues, please. I'll need a lighter or matches as well," Mihal ordered, with a knowing looking being all he could offer. The waitress nodded as she headed off to retrieve the items, and quickly returned. "Thank you, miss." Mihal spoke as credits, including a generous tip for such a small order, swapped hands. "Enjoy your game, sir," She replied in an obviously fake happiness as she gave him the items. Placing the pack of cigarette-like products and the accompanying matchbox, which was emblazoned with the Casino Royale's logo, inside his jacket, Mihal sipped at his drink waited for the game to start.

“Very well, show me now what you’ve got, Vari,” the Jokari said with a look of perversion in his eyes as he crossed his fingers in front of his face, “Show me! And then we can begin with our little game.”

Thanica crossed the floor to Konkara, placing one hand on his shoulder, "First off, if I were you, I'd fire your guards." she told him, glancing at one of the mercenaries, "I'm not an assassin, but I'm still armed. They should have frisked me before letting me approach." Unlike her two companions, Thanica was enjoying herself. She didn't hate our feel any form of disgust towards Kaleso. He was what he was, no better or worse than any other predator in the galaxy she needed to contend with. Today though, she felt in control, and she liked it. She had turned all the things about her that usually made her a victim of people like Kaleso into tools to manipulate him. It felt like she was like giving this galaxy, that had been so cruel to her, a kick in a particularly tender spot.

"There is no need to fret for my safety, my dear," Konkara said as he looked at his warbots. "One move you make to attack me, and these antiquated war machines will strike in a moment's notice. But of course, the spears of my mercenaries can reach your end of the table, so there is that," he said, chuckling.

Carter continued his silence through the entire conversation, arms crossed and his helmet facing a bit down and the visor gleaming with the various lighting of the room. Several waitresses dressed very lightly passed by him, at times offering him various drinks and other products he knew not the purpose of and he simply shook his helmet to negate the offers. At times several of the other VIP's and their bodyguards would look at him and Thanica back and forth, perhaps it was odd to him that a Dhasath of all people would be able to afford such a thing as a bodyguard, much more peculiar that it was only one for such a price commodity, this had drawn attention not only to Thanica and Mihal, but also Carter himself.

"I promise you," Thanica replied, with a cheeky smile, "No matter how modern your war bots were, they'd never see me coming if I wanted to do you harm... but I don't. All I want is to fix my ship and be on my way. I appreciate, of course, that that might not be the outcome today, but a girl can hope. Tell me if you want me to show you where I'm hiding a weapon... but I have promised that I will give you a taste of Dhasath, haven't I?"

She leaned down over Konkara and, probably much to the dismay of her comrades, kissed him on the beak, lingering in the expectation that he would respond. From Thanica's perspective was about as exciting as kissing a boiled flisbic egg, but that wasn't why she did it; the narcotic chemicals that were present in her were also, to a lesser extent, in her saliva. She didn't need to pretend to be enjoying herself though; using her 'Dhasathness' to turn the tables on the creatures who would usually do her harm was so much fun! It might take a few minutes for the effects to start, but once he giggled, she'd know her work was done...

Mihal slammed back his drink. It may have been a waste of a good sipping drink, but the alternative would have been to gag and risk offending Konkara. Still, Mihal had his Inza Blues and reached into his jacket to take one out of the pack along with the matchbox. After lighting the cigarette, Mihal took a long drag as he placed the match in the now empty glass. "So, Grandmaster Konkara," Mihal spoke as he exhaled the herbal smoke, "what exactly are the rules for this little game. Both parties have too much to lose for just one hand. "

The Jokari fizzled and giggled as he received the Dhasath’s kiss; he wasn’t expecting such a thing to happen so quickly, but he was glad nonetheless to have a small taste. “Ah, that was nice,” Konkara said with a very, very miniscule slur. “You wouldn’t dream of killing me, though,” he said with a smile. “Your ship is that stolen Kiellar prison ship, right? Well, our scans indicate that your Skrim Drive is broken. I know what you need. You need to defeat me in this little game, don’t you?” He then turned to Mihal, “The only rule here is no killing is allowed. That is all.”

He was definitely a cheat.

Meanwhile, Kaleso and Yare arrived in the Casino Royale. The masked Jokari looked around, and lo and behold, there was his old friend... or, formerly old friend, sitting across their commander. “Well, well, look at what we have here,” Kaleso said with foreboding. “Shall we wait to see what happens and if our aid is needed?”

“Yes. Do that, we will,” Kaleso replied.

On the other side of the room, Thanica's eyebrows drew together, it was working faster than she had expected, though for good measure she tilted Konkara's head towards him and kissed him again before she slipped away from him, collecting her weapons before she returned to her seat, "Yes, that is my ship and yes, you have what I want, and it turns out I have what you want." She smirked at her comment, "But before we start, I think what my friend was trying to ask you is how many rounds does this go for? Do we bet on chips? How does this actually work? No killing is a good start, but if that is your only rule, I declare myself the winner and would like to have my stuff please."

“All standard rules of Savak apply,” Konkara said. “Unless if you do not know how to play the game? What galaxy are you from?” As for rounds, there are three. Three for each of the three cardinal systems of the old Jokarun Republic."

"Uhuh..." suddenly Thanica felt a whole lot less in control. She had assumed they would be betting chips, then Yp could tell her when to bet and when to fold, but they were playing rounds. His observations were helpful, but if Konkara was cheating with his card draw then she was going to lose. Yp would just get to watch and narrate her inevitable demise, "If you can give me a moment with my companions, we can begin."

She rose, stepping away from the table, beckoning Mihal and Carter over to her. One they were gathered she lowered her voice so that it didn't carry beyond the three of them, "I'm going to try something, but if Konkara doesn't bite, I'm about to lose," she whispered bluntly, "If I do, start thinking about other ways to get what we need. Look after the crew. Remember I took this risk so that none of you had to be in harm’s way; don't do anything stupid to get me out of his hands."

She spun on her heels, turning back to Konkara, with a bright smile, "My dear Grandmaster, surely it would be more fun if we played with chips until one person is exhausted? If we play this all-or-nothing three round variant, we lose half the strategy of the game."

"Oh, I see," the Grandmaster replied with a succinct smile. "Very well then. That goes well."

It was apparent that the Grandmaster was very confident on his skill and cheating, and Yp would probably take note of that. The Jokari flapped his wings a little, letting some feathers fall to the floor as they withered away from the wings as it was shedding season this time of the year. Oh well... "So, we play until one of us tires and gives up, then?" the Jokari said as he placed his clawed hand on the table. "Are you sure you want to duel a Jokari like myself in this manner?"

"No, silly!" Thanica smiled prettily as she seated herself again, folding one leg over the other, "I'm talking about playing with chips until one of us runs out: is exhausted. Say... you start off with you with 200 and me with 100, 5 chip ante? I'm giving you an advantage as I'm not worth as much as those parts I need." She had been sure he'd say 'no', but he had agreed without any sign of hesitation and Thanica was, once again, in control of the situation.

“Very well,” the Grandmaster replied. “Let us begin. A coin flip will decide who goes first. Tails for me, heads for you.”

Yp watched as everything was explained. No killing, we will see about it old bird, now, later, anytime, it's just a matter of time until your head is in my hands. All of these thoughts spiralled through Yp's mind as he cherished the idea of separating limbs from this bird, contrary to what many believe about Kel'Resh they felt emotions, except love, but in a twisted and horrifying way. He shifted his gaze towards the Jokari and connecting with the brains of Mihal, Carter, and Thanica he said I am ready. Yp noticed one more thing, he was confident in his skills, overconfident, he was tempted to link with his brain and scream that such confidence will be his downfall, a man, warrior or a card player can never be confident until his enemies are crushed, Yp was outraged, yes Kel'Resh were proud and narcissistic but a confident one could be considered a dead one. But he didn't, however tempting it was.

[Sapientia Et Bellum]

Daharr leaned in towards the whiskey glass that sat before him and looked down at the several frozen ice cubes that kept the drink held within cool. He saw the glow of his orange eyes radiate off the cubes and into the whiskey. He would sigh before lifting the glass and drinking the whiskey. It would be the first shot of the night and would not be the last. Thirty minutes would pass and Dahaar would be on his 16th shot. His eyes would go hazy as his worries faded away from his suffering mind. Daharr rose from his seat at the bar and slowly walked towards the exit in a somewhat clumsy manner. Once at the door, he would pull a single cigarette from his pocket and light it before taking several long drags.

"Would you get out of the fucking way!" came a male voice from behind Daharr that carried a tone of annoyance. Dahaar would turn to face the man, his eyes struggling to even make out basic facial structures. "The fuck do you want, man?" Dahaar would respond haphazardly without thinking. "I want your ass out of the god damn door way!" the voice would respond with a tone of increased aggression. Dahaar, being drunk, would immediately become angry with the individual. Instead of moving out of the way or responding with more crude language, Dahaar swung into the the mans barely cheek bone. His fist would make contact as the mans face was twisted against the blow. The man would quickly rebound from the punch, suffering from a bruise and a small amount of blood, and would punch Daharr in kind. The punch and the alcohol combined immediately caused Dahaar to fall to the ground unconscious. The man would spit on Dahaar and leave the bar. The bar operator, seeing the scene, rushed out and called for personal from both the ship guard and the medical bay in hopes of making sure Daharr would survive the fight (afterall, Daharr was one of the bars most loyal customers). Dahaar would remain on the floor until personnel arrived.

[Ameriganastan]

The Kiel looked a little shocked by what had just happened, though only a little. There was some other emotion there as well, though it was hard to identify. "You know what, I think you'll like the Commander," he informed the drakonid, "This way." he pointed his gun in the direction of the shuttle bay that connected onto the cargo hold and was also where the ship had docked with the station pylon, motioning for Xemtus to go first. Xemtus's little display had left him with the strong impression he didn't want to turn his back for even a moment.

"The Captain and Commander are off the ship, currently in the big casino trying to fleece the owner," he said. Clearly he wasn't planning to leave the ship. "You can't miss the Captain, he's the one in the Kiellar marine armour that's had all the KC logos scrubbed off. It's pretty distinctive."

"Noted."

He strolled past him, stopping for a few moments to glance back.

"I'm tired. Otherwise you'd be dead. I like the chase. Makes the food taste better. Fireball in the eyes. Take gun away. Eat. Though I don't like Kiel. Too chewy. That was also a factor."

He chuckled and proceeded out the way he was directed, wiping a little blood off his face as he walked.

"...Shit, what did he say? Something something, armor? Eh, I'll figure it out."

One time saving walk later and a few wrong turns later, he found himself in the casino.

"Ugh. So noisy. Where is the captain? Need to get his attention."

He grabbed a passerby by the arm.

"I'm full, so you'll live. But this is gonna hurt."

He snapped the mans arm like a twig, hoping the resulting scream of pain would get some attention.

"Where is the captain? I want a job."

The unlucky victim of his attention getting kept screaming. So he knocked him out with a solid punch to the jaw.

"Well? Speak up."

[Korhal IVV]

The Casink

As Xemtus pummeled the random bystander that he grabbed unto, the other people around them began calling for security personnel to come in to intervene. And come they did as these war profiteers fled away from the rampaging Kalisi. Xemtus would feel a few taps on his right shoulder. He would have turned to see at least five Kalisi mercenaries like himself, all armed with energy tip spear and clad in dragonscale armor. Flanking them were two Jokari warbots, their lance cannons pointed straight at him. "I will have to ask for you to leave, sir.", the obvious leader of the Kalisi mercenaries said to Xemtus as he then pointed at the random person Xemtus grabbed. "You may also let go of Soremi Ka of the Tri-Tacyon Engineering Corporation."

At this moment, another person approached. It was a Sarufi, but this one had cybernetic augments on his wings and claws. Both eyes were cybernetic as well, as he had lost his original ones in a freak accident. Nevertheless, the Sarufi warrior focused its mind upon Xemtus, and he was then pushed back by the Sarufi's telekinesis.

"I can smell the blood on you. Leave this establishment or else I will meld you with the wall.", the Sarufi threatened as he telekinetically lifted multiple blasters, aimed straight at Xemtus. "You will be put on the blacklist on the Prancing Drake Casino. Don't come back. Go on, chop chop."

[Theyra]

Novo Vohru Andai

Novo had just gotten back from his shopping trip and was placing his collection of games on the table in the mess hall. Hopefully, these games will help with passing time on this ship, even found some that were made for a Ragon. So now Sshalah could enjoy it if wanted to. With that, he was going to rest a bit in his room before a security guard from the station alerted him to a pass out a crewmember and wanted him to collect the crewmate. Novo replied that he would collect the crewmate and made his way to where Daharr was passed out.

Novo would arrive to find the bar was operating normally and quickly saw where the Kiellar was. Novo got down on one knee and turned him over to get a good look of him, "I do not remember this guy from the ship. I guess he is fresh from the pods", he figured. Rather than to try and wake up this drunk, he opts to pick him up and carry him on his shoulder. "Okay, so not that heavy, that is good", he said in a semi-strained voice. Novo was not used to having to carry humanoids around and he started to regret not working out more. "Back to the ship we go", he said and started to walk back to the ship.

[Sapientia Et Bellum]

Daharr

The sudden motion of being lifted by the alien as well as the constant bobbing would slowly rouse Daharr out of his induced slumber. His eyes, still fuzzy, would focus on the aliens face and recognize it as an individual he had seen around the ship. Daharr would speak incoherently "Wo... Arr.... Yo... U?" before passing out again. Daharr would be woken again by a sudden pain in his jaw area. He would move his tongue around his mouth to feel the several teeth that had been cracked and knocked out. He would taste congealed blood flowing into the back of his mouth but the effects of the alcohol would negate the pain. Daharr would ramble again "Whiskey.... Please..." Before passing out for yet another time. This time he would pass out for good until they arrived on the ship.

[Ameriganastan]

The Casink

As Xemtus pummeled the random bystander that he grabbed unto, the other people around them began calling for security personnel to come in to intervene. And come they did as these war profiteers fled away from the rampaging Kalisi. Xemtus would feel a few taps on his right shoulder. He would have turned to see at least five Kalisi mercenaries like himself, all armed with energy tip spear and clad in dragonscale armor. Flanking them were two Jokari warbots, their lance cannons pointed straight at him. "I will have to ask for you to leave, sir.", the obvious leader of the Kalisi mercenaries said to Xemtus as he then pointed at the random person Xemtus grabbed. "You may also let go of Soremi Ka of the Tri-Tacyon Engineering Corporation."

At this moment, another person approached. It was a Sarufi, but this one had cybernetic augments on his wings and claws. Both eyes were cybernetic as well, as he had lost his original ones in a freak accident. Nevertheless, the Sarufi warrior focused its mind upon Xemtus, and he was then pushed back by the Sarufi's telekinesis.

"I can smell the blood on you. Leave this establishment or else I will meld you with the wall.", the Sarufi threatened as he telekinetically lifted multiple blasters, aimed straight at Xemtus. "You will be put on the blacklist on the Prancing Drake Casino. Don't come back. Go on, chop chop."

"Don't give me orders, Sarufi. I've killed tougher than you."

Despite his threat, Xemtus very wisely didn't try and attack him. He was dumb, not suicidal. He'd been turned into Swiss cheese before he got the chance. But that didn't stop him from turning his attention to the other Kalisi as he mercifully dropped his victim on the floor.

"Brothers. I am Xemtus. Nice to see fellow Kalisi. Who among you is captain? I seek work with him. I'm a very adept mercenary. Please consider employing me."

Before he left, he turned back to the Sarufi.

"We will meet again. Possibly soon. My appetite comes back quickly. Just ask your frozen friend."

He snapped his teeth at him as a threat, but wisely decided to exit the casino as ordered.

[Foxfound]

Aside from an interruption when one of the stasis pods went offline - surely no one was dead, right? She... she'd be told about that - and another when some distant ship almost got blasted out of the sky, the new ship's AI had been engaged in simulated flying practice. Given that this ship didn't have any sort of training programs, she had to create the scenarios herself, but they were challenging enough to teach her even if they weren't the sort she'd probably encounter. She was getting decent at it; though she didn't know it, the abandoned plans for her to pilot the Destiny meant she was learning far faster than she would otherwise.

One of those unhappy emotions came up again. Worry. When would Captain Carter and the others return? She had overheard parts of their plan, and she hadn't liked a lot of what she heard. She should have protested. After all, wasn't it her job to keep the crew safe, at any, absolutely any cost?

She made sure that the question about the hologram system was at the top of her priority list. It was clear that the Defiance didn't have one installed, but if a suitable one could be added then she could help the crew more directly. Perhaps even help them on short-term excursions, and defend them if the armory had a particularly lightweight gun.

Another static 'sigh' echoed through the bridge before she returned to her flight simulations.

[Dyelli Beybi]

The Casino Royale - Thanica, Carter, Mihal, Kaleso, Yare and Yp (Co-written by Dyelli Beybi, Arengin Union, Korhal IVV, Bingellia and Endem)

---

Thanica is on the verge of winning when everything goes horrendously wrong. Prepare for the fight scene!

---

The game started poorly for Thanica, she seemed to be dealt one bad hand after another, though thankfully, with Yp acting as her 'eye in the sky', as Carter had put it, she was able to control her initial losses, folding without betting too heavily. When she did have a good hand though, one that outstripped Konkara's, she was able to push the bet up, make her chips back and slowly, begin to build her pile. Stripping them away from her opponent across the table. It didn't take her that long to realise that the deck was stacked. She should have had a winning hand half the time, though it turned out to be more like a quarter. This also had the unfortunate effect of making the fact that she seemed to know when to bet big a bit more obvious. She had planned to deliberately make a few mistakes to muddy the water, but the fact that she was getting so many bad hands made that a bit harder to pull off and she feared Konkara might be beginning to get the feeling she had some kind of sixth sense for when she was about to lose.

Carter, meanwhile, had been weirded out by the whole scene between Thanica and the Jokari, with an initial expression of complete disbelief at the kiss. Despote his initial reaction Carter still trusted Thanica's plan and approach, though he still was apprehensive and didn't k ow what to expect. The Human felt a lot more useless by the sight of the game of savak, he did not know how to play it or even if Thanica was doing it right or wrong, but all he could do for now was learn, just watch and learn.

As the Human kept observing the game, it was after a few rounds that Carter began to be approached by several... peculiar individuals.

A sudden voice surprised the Captain from behind, "Hey handsome," followed by a hand grabbing onto his arm Carter flinched a bit but he simply turned his head. A female Qaz'in with very little on in terms of clothes pressed her hand onto the Captain's arm.

The Qaz'i made a light twirl as she then tipped her feet to get closer to Carter's visor. "You seem bored... I can fix that, why don't I take you to the deluxe room eh?"

Carter kept silent for a few seconds, "I’m working." Was his only response.

With a disappointed look the Qaz'i simply brushed her hair and, walking away, said "Suit yourself, I'm here anytime..."

Konkara, with the narcotic chemicals circulating in his blood stream, had his thoughts fuzzier and more disorganized than normal. His once perfect memory of the decks that he always pre-set before a game was muddled; he forgot some of his cards. However, being the unwise fool he is, he didn't notice. Thanica might win this... perhaps.

"You know," Thanica commented as she realised she was ahead. Yp had given her the knowledge to know her current hand was a good one, "All I really want is repairs to the Skrim drive and cooling system. I don't actually need all the ship parts your flunkey was offering if I win. If you want to tap out and just fix my drive, I'd be happy to take that. You can say we crossed swords, and each came away with a taste of what the other had to offer." Thanica felt a little bad about cheating the Jokari, even if he wasn't the most salubrious character on the Station, so she gave him the opportunity to cut his losses, if he wanted.

"Nah. Not yet.", the crime lord said as he played a bad hand. "This is just... errr, a minor inconvenience..."

At this moment, one of the Jokari lord's Archelian aides leaned over to him and whispered something to his ear, which made him nod a little bit. "My aide said that we can just take a little bit of your saliva and mass produce it into a drug so that many others will enjoy the same thing you gave me just now...", he said with an obvious slur. One of the Archelian aides chuckled ever so slightly and looked at the Dhasath. "Illiyan Jako would be so thrilled to be given a greater business opportunity. Now, I am still enjoying this. Let us continue while I am still pumped up. Let me enjoy the sight of you a little longer."

The Archelian aide looked at Konkara's mercenaries with a confused look, and then looked away. "Must be the euphoria she gave him.", he thought.

Meanwhile, as Thanica began to play her luck trying to convince Konkara of cutting his losses and just repairing what they needed, Carter was flanked yet again by lowlifes of this place. At least four Kalisi sporting advanced looking armour surrounded the Human from behind while a fifth one with a purplish scale colour got right up his face. "Why is your Dhasath trying to outplay the boss huh?" The Kalisi asked, flickering his nose and at times extending his reptilian tongue only a few centimetres away from Carter's visor. "Better question is why'd you working for a Dhasath?" another Kalisi mercenary asked. Another Kalisis, this one red, approached Carter's face and eyeing him from helmet to boots said "He probably makes scraps working for her, only reason why he'd be wearing that, hehe!" "Where'd you get that Kiellad armour Dhasath boy?" "He likely stole it." "If he's working for a Dhasath that's likely the case!" Another Kalisi then loomed over to Mihal, he let out a warm and foggy breath as he smelled the Kiellar who kept still out of either fear or courage. "Kiellari always smells like burnt Hurtock meat..." the other mercenaries began laughing. A Kalisi then also began to sniff Carter, "His scent is oily..." "I'd say more of sour. Never smelled something like it." "You think he tastes sweet or mild?" The first Kalisi showed a voracious smile, his mouth already watering as he and his fellow mercenaries kept smelling Carter who remained completely still.

Mihal watched the game play out slowly but surely. It was exhausting to watch as Mihal gradually filled the ashtray with ends burned right down to the filter. However, it was quite obvious that the Kiss of the Dhasath was affecting the Jokari lord as he played. He had to admit, who or what Konkara was using to cheat did an excellent job at it, proven by the fact that he was very much still in the running. Of course, the game was not over yet unless Konkara conceded.

Mihal sighed. They did not need to be heckled now, and they would surely lose any fight if one erupted. "As much alcohol as we've drank over the past few days, I'm sure he'd burn going down," He spoke in as neutral a tone as he could, although a faint smirk crossed the Kiellar's face. "But, I'm feeling lucky, as I'm sure the Dhasath is, so I can offer you gentlemen a drink as we watch the game?"

The Kalisi mercenary nodded to Mihal ever so slowly as he then looked at the game. "Perhaps. I am thirsty, anyway."

Mihal waved down the same Qaz'i as before, and for once her smile seemed somewhat genuine until she noticed the mercenaries. "Another shot of Exarch for myself, and a round of? What is it that Kalisi drink? Just something strong I suppose."

The offer that Konkara was undeniably tempting, at least in terms of money. Still, chemicals synthesized from Dhasath had a reputation to be extremely addicting. The last thing anyone on this station needed was another method to keep people enthralled and to expand their ludicrous wealth. Waiting for the drinks to return, he looked over at Thanica and subtly shook his head at her.

Thanica spotted the gesture from Mihal. She wasn’t sure exactly what his reasoning was, but she didn’t want people Dhasath chemicals as drugs either, "You know..." she remarked as she continued to play, "If you want to enjoy the sight of me, then we don't need to be across a table. If you conceded, you could always buy me a drink," she suggested, "It will take a while for my engineers to get the drive working again and I'd only get in their way." Vrondich was undeniably right about Thanica being manipulative.

"On the subject of the Dhasath drug; let's keep that our secret." she smiled over her cards, "The more people who know about it, the more people will want it and the more people will be tempted to kill me to get to it. Call me selfish."

"Fine, fine, fine, I give up.", Konkara said with an air of frustration and exhaustion as he fell back to his chair. "You win, but only if you let me do the drug thing I talked about earlier.", he said as he stood up. "And yes, I will get you a drink. Now-" The Grandmaster stopped as he saw a familiar sight on the door of the Casino Royale. It was Kralmon-Lokar, and he didn't look very amiable right now. His eyes glimmered with the hunger of a voracious predator with its prey in its claws as he charged a firebolt in his mouth, the purple fire glowing from his throat. The Sarufi Devourer, exiled for heinous crimes from the Sixteenth Migrant Fleet, opened fire, the fireball aimed squarely at the table where the Dhasath and the Jokari were playing.

There was a flash of white and grey as Yare-Lokem darted out from nearby as soon as she saw the other Sarufi charging his flame, and managed to snatch Thanica out of harm's way, just as Kaleso wrapped his whip on Konkara's steel boot, dragging him roughly but swiftly seconds before a powerful fire blast landed on the table, blowing it to splinters as the Jokari warbots standing guard withstood the attack with their energy shields. The Kalisi mercenaries were stunned, but were alive thanks to their armour. Thanica, however, who had no armour on landed with an ‘Oomph’, the wind completely knocked out of her.

"I never took you for a liar, Azar.", Lokar said as groups of Sarufi made robots rushed into the place. "Once I claim your head and her flesh, I shall be ruler of Pleasure Haven. Say hello to your funeral pyre. Now, show yourself."

As the dust cleared, Yare looked at Thanica, who was protected by the Sarufi's wings. "Are you alright, commander?"

Thankina blinked up at Yare, then nodded, "I'm fine... thank you." she said, her voice a bit weak from the landing, "I think now would be the time for a ‘strategic withdrawal’."

At the same time, Kaleso looked down at his old friend, "You disgust me."

[Korhal IVV]

Pleasure Haven
A Hired Gun Seeks to be Hired

Meanwhile, the Kalisi mercenaries that confronted Xemtus simply glared at him from a distance as he exited, but the Sarufi captain looked at him with a sullen look. It was if he wanted to pin Xemtus to the ground with his telekinetic might before riddljng him with blaster shots. Nevertheless, he merely motioned to the other Kalisi. “Ask him his name and ask him for records. If he is looking for employment, he can find it in the frontline fighting for the Kiel-“

The Saruf was cut off as an explosion was audbily heard coming from the direction of the Casino Royale, and he then checked the holowatch he had on his foreleg. Looking at the security footage, he saw his kinsman attack the Grandmaster and his foe in Savak. Looking up in shock, he motioned with his head as he flew towards the elevator that led to the upper floors, while all but one of the Kalisi left to do the same. The last one, the leader, tapped Xemtus on the shoulder. “Who are you looking for again?”

The Fight Begins

Kralmon-Lokar approached with a deliberate walk, with every step filled with apprehension and authority. As Kaleso looked down at Azar, who lay at the floor, the Grandmaster got up and knelt down behind a table along with his kinsman. “Look, I have no idea who you are, but if you help me expel this idiot from this station, I will give you folks what you need. Just... don’t let me die. I guess I owe you my life, too. Had I been hit by that firebolt, I would have been dead.”

Kaleso snapped at Azar, annoyed. “You don’t remember me, eh?”, the Jokari warrior said as he ducked as a blaster bolt came flying from one of the Sarufi robots. “I am glad you don’t. Anyhow...”, he then scanned around, looking for Thanica. He spotted her with Yare, and called out to them. “This guy will give us what we need if we help him... expel the other guy.”

The Jokari warbots and Kalisi mercenaries fought back as the Sarufi robots stormed the place, scattering everyone else away as men and women screamed and pushed in fear. The Sarufi machines were not as good as the Jokari ones, but there were more of them, and they sparred with the Kalisi mercenaries in acts of swordplay, metal clanking against metal.

[Endem]

Yp'Trak Nird'Hoe
Pleasure Heaven

For every sane being it looked like Yp was not even sane but suicidal, as he let the bots pass him as they engaged the mercanaries, he saw Kralom walking, he decided if he can't get the head of the old bird, a drakonid head will do. He walked into the way of the Sarufi and said to to his mind

Maybe delay the murdering a bit, maybe after the old bird gave us what we need, unless you like your head not separated

If some looked carefully they would see two kinfes greenish color sliding into Yp's hands from his suit's sleeves.

Y'Trh'dçy
Pleasure Heaven
Unlikely hero

No! These people helped me, I can not help them back. The H'rë'sho'eñ started to run towards Mihal and Carter, he didn't care about bullets or spears, he was nearly bulletproof, it would take maybe a rocket launcher shot to take him down in one hit. He reached the Himan and the Kiel and knelled before them effectively protecting them from any shots, then he sprayed on the floor

"I can get you out of here, I'm nearly bulletproof"

Tyreh the Warrior
Pleasure Heaven
I don't like firefights

No, this wasn't for him, definitely not, thank you. Tyreh ducked as the fight begun and slowly made his way towards the exit, after reaching it he made his way towards the ship eventually reaching it. After that, he went to the cantina leaned on the wall and did absolutely nothing.

[Kylantha]

---

Sho'chavuk

---

From the highest points of the promenade, Sho observed a great deal of activity in the passageways below. He was on the lookout for things to consume and people to bother. But there were too many, and as his eyes jumped from one alien to the other, he began to feel sleepy. He was just about to doze off when an explosion erupted from somewhere else on the station. He was jolted awake by the sound, and was forced out of his nearly round position.

Unfurling out onto the ledge, Sho craned his neck over the rest of his body to locate the source of the blast. It was at that moment that he remembered- he had a job to do. An obligation to the most generous Captain. With the realisation that he might have let her down, his ears drooped for a second. "Oh bother." he muttered, before launching himself off of the narrow walkway and onto the next, continuing until the Casino Royale was in his full view. He could tell that he was in the right place judging by the smoke and the tangle of all sorts of creatures at the establishment's egresses.

"AH!" Sho's eyes lit up at the sight. "I should hurry, lest I miss out on the fun!" he said out loud and laughed in excitement the rest of the way.

Just before reaching the extravagant structure, Sho noticed there were skylights on the domes. He immediately decided that that was going to be his way in. "Haha! Like a ton of bricks!" he yelled in anticipation as his feet kicked off the last spurs, straight towards a stained glass skylight.

Below, the confrontation seemed to escalate as different warbots joined the action. They clashed with one another and did not tire until one or the other was destroyed. Civvies were scrambling every which way just to get out of the crossfire, and a few unfortunate ones were lying amidst the rubble having been hit by shrapnel or stray energy blasts. It was pure chaos. And so no one really noticed that a very small blue thing had crashed through the aperture until shards fell to the floor below. A Jokari warbot with a rotary autocannon in one hand looked up just in time to see the blue ball come undone, revealing a very excited looking Tz'ath.

"YAHAHAHAHAHA!" Sho laughed as he smashed into the warbot with all his weight, causing it to stagger terribly. Its shield-bearing arm flew around the back of its head, trying to get a hold of the little pest, but to no avail. Other warbots tried to shoot Sho'chavuk down, but they ended up only damaging the warbot, which was busy grasping air. Sho'chavuk seemed to know exactly which way those metallic hands were coming from, and dodge every swipe with great skill and much enjoyment. Soon though, he tired of the machine's frenzied flailing and ceased his rapid movements for a moment and opened his mouth.

The warbot reveled in its success, only to have its hand torn off completely. Sho now had the still twitching grasper in between his jaws, which continued to close like a trash compactor. He gave a toothy grin before spitting it out, knowing he had no time to chew, and then went for the warbot's head. It was completely crushed within a few seconds, bits and pieces of its inner workings flying off with every savage bite. And before it collapsed to the floor, Sho'chavuk grabbed the autocannon and used the machine's remains to shield himself as he fired wildly at every armed thing in sight. All the while he laughed and taunted, and then slowly began to move towards where the Captain was. He'd seen her for a fraction of a second earlier and was glad that she was not hurt on account of his forgetfulness.

Shouting to her and the others over his shoulder, he shielded himself with the downed warbot as more began to converge on him. "Captain, as it seems you are in grave danger, I would like to suggest moving your most authoritative hindquarters elsewhere!" Then looking to Kaleso and Y'Trh'dçy, "Hurry, hurry!", he said before suddenly charging forward to try and topple the oncoming warbots. He noticed that the metal corpse he was holding was quickly shrinking .

Then assuming that the Jokari had taken the Captain to safety, Sho'chavuk let the ruined bot go with mock sadness and shot up into the air. Landing on the end of one of the tables, he effectively gave himself more cover as he retreated towards another exit. While doing so he noticed Kralmon Lokar and took aim to shoot, but he was interrupted by a warbot who sliced through the table.

"Wah!" Sho jumped, having been genuinely startled. "How rude!" he barked in response, stepping aside just in time as the warbot's arm came down once again. While he gathered himself, another warbot--this time of the Sarufi--moved in from behind. Sho noticed this however, and he flipped backwards so that he landed on it, straddling its neck. He then proceeded to grab its head to try and tear it off, but only succeeded in causing it to trip backwards. As it did so, the Jokari warbot from earlier sliced it clean in half. Sho laughed at that, just as he fell to the floor with the Sarufi bot's upper half.

"AHA! You just made my job a lot easier!" he mocked, raising his new autocannon to fire. But alas, it was out. And it took Sho a moment to realise this. "Ah?.. Oh. Oh dear." was all he could say as he looked at the munitions indicator. In the corner of his eye he saw the warbot raise its arm once more to strike, and ducked quickly before it could lop his head off. "Okay, okay, I will leave now!.. Pah!" he said, sticking his tongue out at the warbot, "Don't follow me! I'll eat you!" he called, hoping indeed that it followed as he jumped up a gilded pillar to the floor above.