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

[Harbertia]

Sshalah glanced with her aggressive over at Raoul as Thanica departed, then down towards Pheonix with a sigh that came out as a huff before she turned to follow Thanica to the mess.

[Theyra]

Novo Vohru Andai
So that is the plan, a suicide mission to rescue Carter and the others from KC. Novo had to admit to himself how easily things can go south during this mission. Never mind if everything goes as plan and they get out without anyone being the wiser. But, it looks like she is committed to this and honestly he thinks that he will go along with this plan. It is not the best but, time is of the essence and who knows when they will get an opportunity like this. Novo has been with the crew since the beginning and he felt a sense of loyalty that he never had before. He was not there during the last mission when he felt he should have and now he can really help to do something important this time. So Novo left the Medbay to prepare for the coming mission. It may be his last but, it is best to die for something than die for nothing.

Vak'ol Vum
The plan was simple and yet it could go wrong so fast. Vak'ol wondered as he thought about Thanica's plan. Maybe if they had more time, they could think of a better plan but, time is not on their side. Vak'ol gripped his fist in anger, he was useless during the last mission and he would rather fight a losing battle than to sit on the sidelines again. Weird he thought, he has not felt this way in a long time. Vak'ol had put away his warrior nature the day he lost control of his powers and retired to civilian life as a chemist. But, now being thrust back into conflict somehow reawaken his warrior self and while he is still unable to use his powers. He can still fight and it sounds like Vak'ol will have to remember everything he was taught at the Onyx Lords Academy to help get through this mission. If it goes south which the chances are it will. Vak'ol departed the Medbay and went to the cargo hold to practice his martial arts.

[Bingellia]

Mihal

As with some of the others, Mihal quietly left the room. There were several things which the civilian needed and wanted to do, but following Thanica for some more information seemed pertinent to the situation. Still, Mihal made a mental note to pull at least one of the marines aside for them to teach him Command military protocol and knew he'd need to go try on the uniform he would wearing for this mission, if the crew even had it.

Looking at the ring on his finger, there were also personal affairs to work out in the event that he didn't come back. Unfortunately, the toughest questions for both involved Aarla. With both him and Thanica going aboard the battle-cruiser, someone still aboard the Defiance would need to hold to the detonator. Someone that Mihal would have to trust to keep it quiet, or else there would be blood.

Regardless of the answers to these questions, the crew needed more then just that vague plan in order for this to work while they got the pieces into place. He didn't like the idea of leading this band, but someone needed to step up while Carter was gone. It may as well be him, since he'll be wearing the rank under pressure.

[Europa Undivided]

Somewhere

Karesan Stralbane walked through the hallways of the ship, looking over the wounded crew of the Defiance. He was not surprised. He had seen worse than this; he has seen warriors cjopped in half at the waist, only for them to return to the battlefield as cybernetic soldiers, their entire lower bodies turned a robotic platform. He has seen Rebel scientists dissect Ragon newborns without anaesthesia, perhaps in sadistic vengeance for the transgressions that the Jokari endured under the Ragon yoke. He himself had held hearts of children on his hand, the souls of those who have fallen, the agony of those that were slaughtered. It was madness…

Still, the current scene that was unfolding was better than being locked away in the stasis pods. He had been given, per his request to the Gollar, two plasma pistols and a Kravsagar bought directly from one of the wandering fleets of the Refounders, who had come to see the Gollar as a potential catalyst in upsetting the balance of power in the galaxy.

Then, he saw them.

Ragon.

"What are Ragon doing here?", he asked no one in particular. His hand glided towards the handle of the Kravsagar, the eyes of the Purified glowing red with vengeance. He still remembered the screams of his brethren as they were taken out to the slaughterhouse, and the screaming drove him mad. Now, he was here, with two Ragons in front of him. The sight made the Purified's blood boil, but before he could draw the blade, a hand stayed his own.

It was a cold, metallic hand, but it pileated with the powers of a psyker. It was… a Jokari Untainted. A Corsair Lord, one that wore robes over his armor.

Telepathy ensued between the "Why are staying my blade against our ENEMY?", he asked with a searing hatred in his mind.

"They are… not like the rest. Why do you think that they are being well behaved now instead of eating all of the wounded here, Purified?"

"I KNOW that you know. You know that they murdered millions of our people and turned the rest to livestock. You know that BETTER than I do as you have seen our Republic fall with your own two eyes!"

"Yes. I have.", Kaleso answered, calmly. "But I have seen that every race has exceptions. Now… please…"

"You…", the Purified shuddered in realization. "You are Kirasa's other brother. Kaleso."

"I am, yes. How do you know my sister?"

"She's my wife.", came the answer.

Kaleso paused. "What?"

"I think I was clear?"

"How did she-, never mind. What is your name, brother?"

"Jalan.", he replied, using his old name. "But your sister said that I was better off named Karesan, like your youngest."

Karesan loosened his grip on the sword hilt, and then let go completely. "Well, if you say that these Ragon are not like the others, then I believe you."

"Jiasak.", Kaleso greeted.

Karesan responded readily. "Jiasak."

"So, are you interested in joining our… motley crew? We will be rescuing our captain."

"Hmmm. Where else can I go, eh?", the Purified stifled a laugh within his helmet, amused at the realization that he can't go anywhere else. "Alright, I'm in. But just because you are my brother-in-law."

"Just so you know, the captain is held inside a Kiellar Battlecruiser."

Karesan scoffed. "That's not a dare. That's a normal day."

"Shall I introduce you to the others?", Kaleso asked.

Karesan nodded. A little introduction wouldn't hurt in these circumstances.

"Yare!", Kaleso called out to the Sarufi, who was curled up on one corner of the room. The dragon's eyes flew open, and she stood up on all fours.

"Yes, yes, Kale.", she sleepily responded with the nickname she bestowed upon her Jokari friend. "Who is this? Why does he have a mask scarier than yours?"

"Yare, this is my brother in law, but I met him for the first time in person a few moments ago.", Kaleso replied. "I have no idea why my sister likes him..."

"Hey.", Karesan scowled. "That's not fair!"

"Anyways, you should meet the Commander first, then everyone else follows.", Kaleso said, scratching his head.

He led the newcomer to the Commander, to whom Karesan bowed with a modest bow. "Commander.", Kaleso said to Thanica. "A friend of mine."

[Arengin Union]

The Zearataca
(Co-written by Dyelli Beybi and Arengin Union)

---

Ouroboros explains what he wants and what is at stake which leaves Carter with a choice to make.

---

"This will be difficult for you to understand, so let me start with a story of what should have happened to you and the crew of the Destiny," Ouroboros narrated in his slightly nasal tone. Despite being from earth, he continued to speak one of the Kiellar languages, "In this story, you and your crew return home not so long from now. You return to earth with stories of another galaxy on the brink of war and you return in possession of extraordinary technology that corroborates your story. Of course the Governments of Earth are very interested in the technology, but when you warn them of the existential threat a blink of an eye from their front door, they don't listen. They can't find the wormhole, they can't see the threat presented by the Kiellar and Ragon, but they can see the threat posed by each other."

He paused, "You return a hero, but you grow into a Cassandra, yelling warnings that nobody heeds. Then, a century later, long after you have been burried, all your warnings come true. Does this sound like a realistic story to you, Captain?"

Carter had a face of both confusion and some curiosity as Outoboros spoke, he couldn't avoid feeling some shame in his hypothetical story, he couldn't exactly say it wouldn't be accurate. Even when the crew had departed Earth, tensions between all nations had been high and were likely still even after their disappearance. But what did that have to do with anything?

"I wouldn't say you are wrong..." Was Carter's sole response.

"I'm not," Ouroboros replied, matter-of-factly, "I was born, twenty? thirty years? Some time after you died and were buried. My life was good for a while, right until the Ragons arrived, following the trail left by you and your crew all those years ago. That wormhole, Captain Carter, doesn't just go backwards and forwards through space. If you use it, just right, you can move through time as well. My mission went catastrophically wrong; we went back too far, I was almost killed, important documents were lost as my ship disintegrated. I am now more machine than human, my broken body suplemented by machine parts. It has given me an unnaturally long life but with very little joy. The mission, however, has to go on. For those who died and are yet to live. That is why I call myself Ouroboros, I am the snake, folding back in on itself to bite at the event that caused my creation. I aim to change the outcome of this war and you, Carter, have the information trapped in your head that will let me do it."

Carter struggled to comprehend what he was hearing, traveling through time, Ragons invading Earth, what was going on? He knew that they had somehow been teleported somewhere via a wormhole, it was the only possible explanation and yet he wasn't sure how far they had been sent in time or even how back. And now Ouroboros added more questions to Carter's understanding of what they had gone through, the way back to Earth, back Home.

What was his mission? What do I have that he would want? Were the only questions Carter could make out amongst the oceanic puzzle that his mind was going through at the moment.

"Y-you were on a mission, it went wrong you say..." Carter said rather bewildered as he used his cuffed hands for further expression, "What went wrong with it? What could I possibly have that you'd want... My crew and I arrived here at random, I dont even know what date it would be Earth wise and much less a key to travel in time. Even Olori-" Carter cut himself off as he remembered, he remembered Olorisa as part of the equation, but it couldn't be possible she would have any sort of answers, he programming was shaky at best and her navigation memory not any better, unless there was something else...

"What went wrong with my mission is irrelevant," the Commodore concluded, "I suspect we did not build a ship that was sufficiently robust to stand up to the forces time travel exerted on it, though that is mere speculation. You returned to Earth after Dana Chrichton performed hypnotherapy upon you and was able, through your description of the bridge at the time of your accident, to establish the exact location of the wormhole. I want that location. I want to study that wormhole. If I am able to figure out how it works, I will be able to move a Kiellar fleet from one side of the galaxy to the other in seconds, rather than weeks. We can mass Kiellar forces and wipe out the scattered Ragon fleets one-by-one rather than needing to face them across a wide front."

Carter flinched back at the Commodore's words, he have had the key to go back home this whole time and he had never once questioned it. The alternate version of himself had done it, once more the Human found himself in a completely alien situation, one that raised more and more questions. He understood what Ouroboros wanted, why the Command had sought them out so desperately, a mere rogue ship would usually have no interest for the overall government of the Command but this one had always been the exception and they hadn't realized it until much later.

Carter felt the urge to accept, be on board with this plan and prevent a horrible destiny for his planet, be able to finally go back with his friends and Thanica and worry no longer about this galaxy. But he felt an eerie feeling of untruthiness at the Commodore's words, the intentions of the Kiellar and how they could easily turn on Earth as soon as they were done with the Ragons.

"If I do this willingly... If I give that location, what assures me that you wont use it against Earth, against our galaxy... How can I know where your loyalties lie?" Carter asked with a stern expression, he then added a "Commodore..." With a voice of suspicion.

"I would do my best to ensure Earth remained... undisturbed," Ouroboros promised, "I will confess, I have my concerns about a reinvigorated Kiellar Command, but I see few other alternatives and whatever you might think of the Kiellar, the Ragon are much, much worse."

"I'm aware of that..." Carter said with a shaky voice, as much as he had come to trust Raoul and Sshalah, he had to recognize that though they were good individual, their species as a whole had proven to be actively hostile. They would destroy everything, destroy his home, destroy Thanica.

"I also want safe passage to Earth, and I want my crew to be safe from harm... Especially Thanica, where is she?" Carter asked.

Ouroboros was siment for a moment, "Thanica? You mean that Dhasath? Do you mean to say she isn't dead? Are you implying you have feelings for that creature?" the Commodore sounded incredulous, "Carter, to be with a creature like that is... unnatural. She is no more human than a chimpanzee. I believe her kind are also responsible for the Ragons' hunt for our kind... on top of which is is your destiny to have offspring with a human. I met them, many years ago. They were good people. That Dhasath's continued existence is an anomaly created by my appearance in this timeline, one which has dangerous ramifications. She is an issue I intend to correct."

Hearing those words, the words no different from that of a Ragon, that the Dhasath were an error meant to correct even Carter knew was something he could not allow to happen.

"Then you'll have to find someone else... I don't care what my destiny is, I dont care what this war is about, if this is who is going to win it then I'll take that location to the grave!" Carter said defiantly, the Human looked "Thanica is just as Human as I am, her people are just like us... maybe more Human than you, all those years with the Kiellar have rotted your mind, I wont let it do the same to me..."

"That is regretable, but not unforseen. That you would compromise the fate of our home for that creature... I would say think of your descendants, but sadly you have not met them. They will be good people, whose actions, I hope, will not have been in vain."

He flicked his wrist, motioning for the guards to approach and remove Carter, "I am sorry, Captain, that it has come to this. I will save our planet with your help, whether you wish to give it or not and in time you will meet your children and you will realise that I was right. I would usually give you the opportunity to think upon your actions and come around, but we have very little time. Fortunately for both of us, we have ways of making you talk."

"You think yourself a savior, you and the rest of the Command are no better than those animals," Carter said with anger as the guards began to take a hold of him, the Human began to resist as he tried to lunge at Ouroboros who remained calmly seated. The soldiers struggled to restrain the Captain, soon there was four of them dragging him away.

"I'll never talk, I'll never be one of you!" Carter shouted as he was dragged away farther from the Commodore, eyes of anger and hatred looking at him as he kept struggling.

"You're not like me, you're just a faceless robot, nothing but a puppet for them. They're no be-" Carter was cut off as the soldiers forced a muzzle onto his face, shutting him up and yet he kept struggling against them, his muffled yells could be heard even from inside the room, Ouroboros remaining unfazed.

[The Imarian Monarchy]

Romovae

Like most of the crew, once she was finished speaking to Thanica, she went her separate way, but rather than following Mihal, she went to Engineering to speak with Vrondich and Rabaech about the status of the ship. After dropping some things off in her space on the ship on the way. She works her way to Engineering. Upon entering, she hollers "Vrondich, Rabaech, either of you in here? I'd like to know the status of the onboard systems."

[Puranas]

Ilyak self destructing had thrown Hikari, both figuratively and literally. Surprised by the machine’s sudden sabotaging the cease fire, the Oni wasn’t thinking much when the shockwave slammed her into an outcropping of rock with a heavy impact. Laying there dazed, the display inside her helmet crackling as her suit took the brunt.

Missing the resulting flurry of weapons firing as she lay prone in the snow, Hikari could easily be presumed as dead with how still she was. It took the Gollar reinforcements checking each supposed body to realize she still lived; ironically, just as she began coming around.

Later, aboard the repaired Defiance

One arm in a sling and walking with a noticeable limp, Hikari stayed on the perimeter of the group as Thanica gave her speech and the others voiced their support of the Dhasath. Hikari, though, remained quiet - Lee’s death was something she still felt could have been avoided and, in her mind at least, was her responsibility.

Catching sight of Mihal leaving when the group began breaking up, she lumbered after the man.

“They made this personal,” the irritated tone to her voice adding a charge to her words sure to cut through his thoughts when she caught up to Mihal, “I don’t know much about Carter’s group...”

She clenched her free hand into a fist and slammed it against the wall.

They killed people I promised both you and Sshalah to bring back,” the emotions coloring her voice now in such a mix that it would be hard to pick out just one, “Mihal, I could have saved Lee. Could have brought him back to the ship if they hadn’t stopped me.

“Then that damn robot had to blow himself up,” she growled, “and cost us more lives!”

[Europa Undivided]

Ilyak self destructing had thrown Hikari, both figuratively and literally. Surprised by the machine’s sudden sabotaging the cease fire, the Oni wasn’t thinking much when the shockwave slammed her into an outcropping of rock with a heavy impact. Laying there dazed, the display inside her helmet crackling as her suit took the brunt.

Missing the resulting flurry of weapons firing as she lay prone in the snow, Hikari could easily be presumed as dead with how still she was. It took the Gollar reinforcements checking each supposed body to realize she still lived; ironically, just as she began coming around.

Later, aboard the repaired Defiance

One arm in a sling and walking with a noticeable limp, Hikari stayed on the perimeter of the group as Thanica gave her speech and the others voiced their support of the Dhasath. Hikari, though, remained quiet - Lee’s death was something she still felt could have been avoided and, in her mind at least, was her responsibility.

Catching sight of Mihal leaving when the group began breaking up, she lumbered after the man.

“They made this personal,” the irritated tone to her voice adding a charge to her words sure to cut through his thoughts when she caught up to Mihal, “I don’t know much about Carter’s group, but Aarla was there when you got me out of that Gollar cell.”

She clenched her free hand into a fist and slammed it against the wall.

“And they killed people I promised both you and Sshalah to bring back,” the emotions coloring her voice now in such a mix that it would be hard to pick out just one, “Mihal, I could have saved Lee. Could have brought him back to the ship if they hadn’t stopped me.

“Then that damn robot had to blow himself up,” she growled, “and cost us more lives!”

Yare-Lokem

As Hikari ended her tirade, a white form slinked alongside them with seemingly incredulous speed. A red eye flashed on Hikari, and she would have known then and there that it was Yare-Lokem. “I feel like I have a part in this failure.”, she confided. “I failed to tell anyone what little information the machine had revealed to me.”

Taking a slow pace to match the walking of Hikari and Mihal, the Sarufi bowed her head, unsure of herself, or of what would be their reaction. “The machine known as Ilyak 69 is part of an... esponiage mission. Kaleso already mentioned before that Ilyak was a Commander type Gnosara, and so, I was told that once all existing possibilities to fulfill the mission parameters were exhausted, he will, for the lack of a better word, ‘bail out’. We simply did not... well, we did not expect that self destruction was what he meant.”

The dragon’s red eye glowed again. “Have you met the other Jokari that came in the ship? The one wearing a brown overcoat, a sword in a sheath, a mask and a hat on? I think Kaleso has some connection with him as well.”

She paused. There was another thing that was worth mentioning about this newcomer. “He is not just any Jokari. He is a Purified, which by all means and purposes was a livestock for the Ragon until he was rescued by Jokari rebels and modified with psychic magicks and cybernetics.”

One again, the dragon paused. “I think you need to tell Sshalah and Raoul to watch their backs. This newcomer... you see, was raised as Ragon food and hates them with a passion. Kaleso is restraining him, but I can’t give any guarantees that he won’t suddenly stab or shoot our Ragons when they are looking the other way. He was about to stab them with a Kravsagar a while ago. Fortunately Kaleso was there to stay his blade. He appears to be willing to help us with freeing Carter, but... just saying.”

[Bentus]

Saesa
The Defiance

---

“Guess it’s your lucky day, doctor.”

The sound of the soldier’s heavy footsteps was followed by the door sliding shut, and then Saesa found herself left alone in the silence of the medbay. Her ears were still ringing from the sounds of blaster rounds flying over her head, and Saesa’s whole body shook with each fear-filled pound of her heart. For a few moments, she continued to lie behind the crates, unwilling to believe that the Kiel had actually spared her. She held her breath instead, expecting the woman’s cruel machinations to reveal themselves just when she allowed herself to hope. But slowly, the seconds of silence ticked by, until Saesa’s hearing had recovered enough that she could start to make out other noises echoing throughout the ship.

Distant alarms wailed through the halls, while the creaking and groaning of the vessel’s damaged superstructure fought back against the harsh winds of the frozen moon. A few flayed wires sparked somewhere nearby, likely from a power couple that had been exposed in the firefight, rather than from the crash itself. As the adrenalin steadily began to leave her body, leaving her feeling drained and empty of energy, Saesa allowed for a nervous sniffle to escape from her lips. Wincing as she felt the scratches and bruises on her limbs - unsure when she’d actually got them - she slowly pushed herself up, cautiously peering over the top of the protective crates. What greeted her, was an empty room.

She...really left. Saesa remained motionless for a few more moments, the weight of her own breathing, the knowledge that her heart still beat in her chest, confirming to her doubting mind the truth: she was still alive. All at once, a sense of relief poured over the scientist as she half-laughed, half-cried. A mixture of emotions threatened to overwhelm her as her mind simply revelled in its own continued existence. And then a wet, gurgling sound caused the near-hysteric scientist to fall silent. Turning around towards the source of the noise, Saesa’s eyes widened as she saw Amlai’s chest struggling to rise and fall.

“Oh my god, Amlai!”

Racing over towards where the alien lay, Saesa once again felt a hand gripping her chest. The Kolmoik was surrounded in a slick pool of her own blood, and she nearly slipped in the thick liquid as she knelt beside the woman’s body. Looking up and down the alien, Saesa grimaced at the sight of the entry wounds. The blaster had vaporised a gaping hole of the woman’s flesh, exposing the burnt remnants of damaged muscles and organs. Gagging at the smell of the singed injury, Saesa looked up fearfully towards the woman’s eyes. She wasn’t sure if the alien was still even conscious, but she knew from the trickle of blood from between her lips that her body was struggling to continue breathing.

“J-just hold on, okay? The others will be here, and - and they’ll know what to do!” Saesa stuttered, doing her best to try and sound confident as much as for her own sake as the alien’s. Looking down at the blaster wound, the scientist noticed that a stream of blood continued to ooze out from anything that wasn’t cauterised. Swallowing nervously, Saesa tore off a piece of her shirt only to find that it was already partially covered in some of the alien’s blood. Trying not to focus on the sight of the injury, the scientist pressed the cloth onto Amlai’s midsection in an effort to at least stem the bleeding. Oh my god, what am I doing, what am I doing… Saesa ignored Amlai’s grunts of pain as she applied pressure to the injury, her own arms shaking in shock at what she was having to do.

Feeling some new tears beginning to slide down her cheeks, Saesa’s hands were quickly drenched in the alien’s blood as she turned to try and call out through the medbay’s sealed door. “H-help! Somebody! Amlai’s been shot!”

---

The Present…

Standing in the bridge as Thanica gave her speech to the gathered crew, Saesa remained silent. Staying towards the back of the crowd, her expression remained distant as the woman’s words drifted around her. She was only half-paying attention, listening to the speech in a daze as her thoughts continued to linger on the sight of the Kiel’s blaster slowly turning towards her, of the flash of light and the feeling of terror that had gripped her chest. Saesa had enough general medical knowledge to recognise shock, but the doctors that had patched up her minor cuts and scratches had told her nonetheless. But it was one thing to read about a medical curiosity in a textbook, and another to experience it firsthand.

The sound of Thanica planting her weapon on the table in front of her nearly caused Saesa to jump. Shifting her gaze towards the gun, the scientist grimaced as she recalled the damage that something like it could do. A part of her almost expected to look down at her hands and see the Kolmoik’s dried blood still staining her palms. But then, the meeting was over. Blinking in surprise as she was pulled out of her own thoughts, Saesa moved herself out of the way of any of the other crew members. Glancing at them from afar, she saw some with looks of anger and determination, while others still wore grief and mourning. What am I even doing here? She wondered, before freezing when her eyes met those of the psyker staring at her from across the room.

Saesa felt a chill touch her spine at the girl’s piercing gaze, but she felt unable to look away. Aarla’s expression was impassive, but there was an unmistakable danger lurking just beneath the glimmer in her eyes. It was as cold as it was calculating, reminding Saesa of how a carnivore might consider its prey. It was almost like a surgeon’s scalpel in the way it picked at her from afar, judging where it was best to make the next cut. But then, and as if she had made up her own mind, Aarla simply turned away.

Blinking in surprise at the reaction, Saesa watched as the girl shoved her hands in her pockets and strode out from the bridge, not even bothering to offer the rest of the crew a backwards glance as she left. Frowning for a moment, the scientist had to shake herself out of her reverie before she missed the Commander as she left. Navigating towards the mess hall, Saesa paused at the entrance one last time. Trying to ignore the Ragon that loomed over the room, the scientist did her best to push aside her lingering doubts.

You have to do this. There’s no getting out of it now, you know that.

Clenching her fists as she took a nervous breath, Saesa steeled her expression as she walked purposefully towards Thanica. Meeting the woman’s eyes with what she hoped was a look of determination, even though she really didn’t want to look away in case she lost her nerve, Saesa forced herself to just say what she’d been meaning to say.

“Thanica,I…” There was a slight pause. “I want to help.”

[Grenartia]

Phoenix, Medbay, and then the Mess

Sshalah, her arms still crossed, turned her angry looking eyes down toward Pheonix; "How can you suggest such a thing?" She let her arms fall and moved closer as best she could in the crowd.

Phoenix was just about to go into the moral and ethical justifications for her suggestion, but before she could speak up, Thanica started.

Thanica Vari

"Did someone keep that thing they put in my head?" for a moment Thanica looked shocked and concerned, "I would not wish that on anyone, not my worst enemy and certainly not a former comrade. I am not going to have any part in turning anybody into a walking time-bomb. That technology is the work of the Enemy and should be destroyed along with all traces of how it was constructed and forgotten so that no person can be tempted to use it."

She looked over at Sshalah. She was never quite sure how the Ragon would react to ideas though she was very glad to have her support on this one. Once this was all over they'd need to see what they could do to get her home... if that was where she still wanted to go, "I don't blame you for thinking about going down that road, but I can't go along with something like that. I know we aren't on an ideological crusade, we've mostly just been running away, but there has to be a line somewhere... and besides, that chip was designed to briefly take over someone while they were asleep and complete a single task before killing them. Getting someone to act as a Captain for a prolonged period of time is going to be a lot more complicated."

Hopefully that was the end of that discussion. She looked between the crew members. There were some new people she didn't know; she would need to introduce herself to them properly once this was over, "Alright, I get the impression people don't want to flay me alive and that people are generally in favour of my idea. Obviously I'm not going to make anyone come along. It will take a few hours to make the necessary modifications to the captured ship -"

"Which is our cue to leave and do that." Vrondich interrupted, tapping Rabaech on the shoulder and motioning in the direction of the door.

"- until then," Thanica continued, "If you have anything else you need to discuss or set in order, do it now... unless you're not coming. For anyone who's a new addition to our group, I'm Commander Vari, the one in charge of this vessel while the Captain is indisposed. I am going to go to the mess for a drink. If you have any questions about what the hell is going on, come with me and I'll fill you in."

Sshalah glanced with her aggressive over at Raoul as Thanica departed, then down towards Pheonix with a sigh that came out as a huff before she turned to follow Thanica to the mess.

Thanica's speech did a good job of shutting Phe up. And she could tell that at least Sshalah thought worse of her. If Thanica felt the same, she did a good job of hiding it, which is something she expected from someone with a military background. She leaned against the wall of the medbay as the rest of the able-bodied crew shuffled out of the room, while Lev tended to his patients in the background, and contemplated whether or not it was a good idea to follow Thanica to the mess hall. After hearing the girl she had gotten into an argument with prior to the mission lament Lee's death, she decided to do it.

A few minutes later...

It seemed many of the others had the same idea. Had this been the US Air Force, she would have gone through the entire procedural song and dance that would have been expected. However, circumstances were different, so she simply decided to wait for an opening and discreetly approach Thanica after it presented itself.

"Commander, I apologize if my suggestion earlier was distasteful." she began. "I only presented it to make sure you had all possible options available to you. If you think less of me for it, that is regrettable, though I understand why." She briefly paused, before continuing. "In any case, it may be helpful for you to know my primary duty in the military involved rescuing and extracting missing and captured personnel from behind enemy lines. If there are any aspects of the mission other than getting a fake captain that you don't have fully ironed out yet, I offer my expertise."

---

Olorisa, Engineering

Romovae

Like most of the crew, once she was finished speaking to Thanica, she went her separate way, but rather than following Mihal, she went to Engineering to speak with Vrondich and Rabaech about the status of the ship. After dropping some things off in her space on the ship on the way. She works her way to Engineering. Upon entering, she hollers "Vrondich, Rabaech, either of you in here? I'd like to know the status of the onboard systems."

"Apologies for the inconvenience, but the Chief and Assistant Engineers are currently not on board this ship. As for the results of your query, as far as my sensors indicate, all systems are operating nominally. Is there any other assistance you require?" the dutiful AI responded.

[Dyelli Beybi]

Thanica Vari - The Mess

One again, the dragon paused. “I think you need to tell Sshalah and Raoul to watch their backs. This newcomer... you see, was raised as Ragon food and hates them with a passion. Kaleso is restraining him, but I can’t give any guarantees that he won’t suddenly stab or shoot our Ragons when they are looking the other way. He was about to stab them with a Kravsagar a while ago. Fortunately Kaleso was there to stay his blade. He appears to be willing to help us with freeing Carter, but... just saying.”

Thanica caught the tail end of that, "No," she butted in firmly, "Raoul and Sshalah are valuable members of the crew and we are not going to be telling them to watch their backs. Send your 'purified' to me. I won't have anyone on my ship who's a danger to my crew and if he doesn't like it he can go back to the Gollar. I'm a Dhasath. If I can work past my prejudices against the Ragons, so can he."

Phoenix, Medbay, and then the Mess
...

It seemed many of the others had the same idea. Had this been the US Air Force, she would have gone through the entire procedural song and dance that would have been expected. However, circumstances were different, so she simply decided to wait for an opening and discreetly approach Thanica after it presented itself.

"Commander, I apologize if my suggestion earlier was distasteful." she began. "I only presented it to make sure you had all possible options available to you. If you think less of me for it, that is regrettable, though I understand why." She briefly paused, before continuing. "In any case, it may be helpful for you to know my primary duty in the military involved rescuing and extracting missing and captured personnel from behind enemy lines. If there are any aspects of the mission other than getting a fake captain that you don't have fully ironed out yet, I offer my expertise."

Thanica smiled slightly, then motioned for Phoenix to come and sit next to her. She waited for the human to be seated before pouring them each a glass of the Kiellar fire-water she seemed so fond of, "Can I be really honest with you?" she asked, but didn't wait for a reply before carrying on, "Yes, I found it distasteful, but no I don't think less of you for the suggestion. A few months ago I might well have smiled, told you it was a great idea and told everyone to clear the room for surgery."

Saesa
The Defiance

---

Clenching her fists as she took a nervous breath, Saesa steeled her expression as she walked purposefully towards Thanica. Meeting the woman’s eyes with what she hoped was a look of determination, even though she really didn’t want to look away in case she lost her nerve, Saesa forced herself to just say what she’d been meaning to say.

“Thanica,I…” There was a slight pause. “I want to help.”

"Actually..." she reached across for another glass, pouring a glass of Razlak for her as well, "Join us, you might as well hear this as well, it isn't a secret."

She motioned at her top. It was nothing unusual for Thanica, a black tank-top, a little on the tight side, "I know I'm pretty and I can be charming and I've used that as a weapon in what is a very dangerous world for me. When Vrondich put his mutiny together he asked me to front it because of that. He figured I could win people over, and I did. I know you weren't around when they elected Carter and I Captain. I didn't want the role and I didn't think I could do it. I even tried to palm it off to Carter by calling myself 'Commander'," she smiled slightly, shaking her head at the memory. It seemed so long ago now, "The way people looked at me though, it was like I was some kind of paragon of virtue and I wasn't; I was playing the same game I always had. But when the crew asked me to take on that role, I knew I was taking on a massive responsibility. I had to be the person they thought I was. I had to be better than Thanica."

"And you know what happened between me and Carter," she added, her expression turning grim for a moment, "I have never felt like this before about someone and the thought of disappointing him... I've been working to be the saint people seem to think I am," she said, just a little facetiously, "And you know what, if I reacted with horror before it shows it must be working a bit!"

The speech was possibly more a reflection of Thanica's self-doubt than it was a description of her changing character, but it did offer an insight into the working of Thanica's mind. She took a shot of Razlak, pouring herself another, "Saesa," she said, turning her attention to the Kiel, "Of course you can come. It was never in doubt, if you wanted to."

"You're probably wondering why I'm trusting you when you haven't always been too keen on our merry band of misfits," she raised an eyebrow, tilting the bottle in the direction of her two companions to see if either were wanting a refill, "I'd rather be the sort of person who trusts you anyway. We all deserve a second chance. Also, I'm guessing you've figured going back to Command won't be easy. They'll assume you joined up with us and probably think any protestations of innocence are just to save your own skin. As for your role in this, fancy being the Lieutenant left in charge of the ship? I won't suggest you go onto the Zerataca as at least one of their commandos has seen your face. Your role would be to keep nosy people from finding too much out and keep the ship ready to fly off at a moment's notice. We could be returning in a hail of blaster fire."

"If we survive, whether you help us or not, I'll do my best to find you somewhere to go where you can be safe," she promised, "If that's what you want."

[Europa Undivided]

Thanica Vari - The Mess

One again, the dragon paused. “I think you need to tell Sshalah and Raoul to watch their backs. This newcomer... you see, was raised as Ragon food and hates them with a passion. Kaleso is restraining him, but I can’t give any guarantees that he won’t suddenly stab or shoot our Ragons when they are looking the other way. He was about to stab them with a Kravsagar a while ago. Fortunately Kaleso was there to stay his blade. He appears to be willing to help us with freeing Carter, but... just saying.”

Thanica caught the tail end of that, "No," she butted in firmly, "Raoul and Sshalah are valuable members of the crew and we are not going to be telling them to watch their backs. Send your 'purified' to me. I won't have anyone on my ship who's a danger to my crew and if he doesn't like it he can go back to the Gollar. I'm a Dhasath. If I can work past my prejudices against the Ragons, so can he."

Phoenix, Medbay, and then the Mess
...

It seemed many of the others had the same idea. Had this been the US Air Force, she would have gone through the entire procedural song and dance that would have been expected. However, circumstances were different, so she simply decided to wait for an opening and discreetly approach Thanica after it presented itself.

"Commander, I apologize if my suggestion earlier was distasteful." she began. "I only presented it to make sure you had all possible options available to you. If you think less of me for it, that is regrettable, though I understand why." She briefly paused, before continuing. "In any case, it may be helpful for you to know my primary duty in the military involved rescuing and extracting missing and captured personnel from behind enemy lines. If there are any aspects of the mission other than getting a fake captain that you don't have fully ironed out yet, I offer my expertise."

Thanica smiled slightly, then motioned for Phoenix to come and sit next to her. She waited for the human to be seated before pouring them each a glass of the Kiellar fire-water she seemed so fond of, "Can I be really honest with you?" she asked, but didn't wait for a reply before carrying on, "Yes, I found it distasteful, but no I don't think less of you for the suggestion. A few months ago I might well have smiled, told you it was a great idea and told everyone to clear the room for surgery."

Saesa
The Defiance

---

Clenching her fists as she took a nervous breath, Saesa steeled her expression as she walked purposefully towards Thanica. Meeting the woman’s eyes with what she hoped was a look of determination, even though she really didn’t want to look away in case she lost her nerve, Saesa forced herself to just say what she’d been meaning to say.

“Thanica,I…” There was a slight pause. “I want to help.”

"Actually..." she reached across for another glass, pouring a glass of Razlak for her as well, "Join us, you might as well hear this as well, it isn't a secret."

She motioned at her top. It was nothing unusual for Thanica, a black tank-top, a little on the tight side, "I know I'm pretty and I can be charming and I've used that as a weapon in what is a very dangerous world for me. When Vrondich put his mutiny together he asked me to front it because of that. He figured I could win people over, and I did. I know you weren't around when they elected Carter and I Captain. I didn't want the role and I didn't think I could do it. I even tried to palm it off to Carter by calling myself 'Commander'," she smiled slightly, shaking her head at the memory. It seemed so long ago now, "The way people looked at me though, it was like I was some kind of paragon of virtue and I wasn't; I was playing the same game I always had. But when the crew asked me to take on that role, I knew I was taking on a massive responsibility. I had to be the person they thought I was. I had to be better than Thanica."

"And you know what happened between me and Carter," she added, her expression turning grim for a moment, "I have never felt like this before about someone and the thought of disappointing him... I've been working to be the saint people seem to think I am," she said, just a little facetiously, "And you know what, if I reacted with horror before it shows it must be working a bit!"

The speech was possibly more a reflection of Thanica's self-doubt than it was a description of her changing character, but it did offer an insight into the working of Thanica's mind. She took a shot of Razlak, pouring herself another, "Saesa," she said, turning her attention to the Kiel, "Of course you can come. It was never in doubt, if you wanted to."

"You're probably wondering why I'm trusting you when you haven't always been too keen on our merry band of misfits," she raised an eyebrow, tilting the bottle in the direction of her two companions to see if either were wanting a refill, "I'd rather be the sort of person who trusts you anyway. We all deserve a second chance. Also, I'm guessing you've figured going back to Command won't be easy. They'll assume you joined up with us and probably think any protestations of innocence are just to save your own skin. As for your role in this, fancy being the Lieutenant left in charge of the ship? I won't suggest you go onto the Zerataca as at least one of their commandos has seen your face. Your role would be to keep nosy people from finding too much out and keep the ship ready to fly off at a moment's notice. We could be returning in a hail of blaster fire."

"If we survive, whether you help us or not, I'll do my best to find you somewhere to go where you can be safe," she promised, "If that's what you want."

Yare-Lokem

The Sarufi simply bowed her head. “Well, Commander, I believe we share the same sentiment. I have seen the value that our Ragons have in relation with the rest of the crew.”

Before Yare could speak another word, the sound of a pair of leather boots clacked in the hallway behind them. Thanica would turn around at the sound to see the one she wanted to be sent to her presence. It was the Purified, wearing a brown overcoat over his black shirt that’s didn’t seem to have any sort of armor except for two shoulder plates and the metal mask whose eye slits glowed with yellow light. He had the distinct hilt of the Kravsagar jutting out of the sword-sheath that hung on his belt, while two plasma pistols lay securely on his side. The Purified spoke with an average voice with an accent that the humans might recognize as somewhat of an ancient Celtic.

“There is no need you to worry about me shooting at your big Raggies when they aren’t looking at me.”, Karesan said with his hand firmly planted on the hilt of his blade. “However, I will be clear: I will make an exception of the two called Sshalah and Raoul, and them alone. If we come across other Makureste in the battlefield and it just happens that I was the one who found them first, I will not hesitate to destroy them unless if I am told not to. This is my oath, not because...”

He paused, realising that the commander was a Dhasath. He had only known the species from faint tales and vague stories, as no Dhasath still lived in the periphery of former Republic Space. However, he did know that the Ragon considered them to be especially delicious and ate most of them to extinction. This is, in fact, the first time he had spoken to one.

“You. You are a Dhasath, are you not?”, the Purified said as his hand went away from his sword. “Dhasath and Ragon together... heh. How... ironic. No Dhasath remains alive in the periphery of space of the dead republic... for obvious reasons.”

Kaleso was soon there, walking in with his standard garb of a robe worn over his silver Corsair armor. “Commander Vari. I believe that I have yet to introduce this man to you.”

“You have not.”, Karesan said.

“Well, Commander Vari, this is Karesan Stralbane, my brother in law and a warrior for the Rebellion of Restoration. I trust that you have heard of the Rebellion, yes?”

[Dyelli Beybi]

them with a passion. Kaleso is restraining him, but I can’t give any guarantees that he won’t suddenly stab or shoot our Ragons when they are looking the other way. He was about to stab them with a Kravsagar a while ago. Fortunately Kaleso was there to stay his blade. He appears to be willing to help us with freeing Carter, but... just saying.”

Thanica caught the tail end of that, "No," she butted in firmly, "Raoul and Sshalah are valuable members of the crew and we are not going to be telling them to watch their backs. Send your 'purified' to me. I won't have anyone on my ship who's a danger to my crew and if he doesn't like it he can go back to the Gollar. I'm a Dhasath. If I can work past my prejudices against the Ragons, so can he."

Phoenix, Medbay, and then the Mess
...

It seemed many of the others had the same idea. Had this been the US Air Force, she would have gone through the entire procedural song and dance that would have been expected. However, circumstances were different, so she simply decided to wait for an opening and discreetly approach Thanica after it presented itself.

"Commander, I apologize if my suggestion earlier was distasteful." she began. "I only presented it to make sure you had all possible options available to you. If you think less of me for it, that is regrettable, though I understand why." She briefly paused, before continuing. "In any case, it may be helpful for you to know my primary duty in the military involved rescuing and extracting missing and captured personnel from behind enemy lines. If there are any aspects of the mission other than getting a fake captain that you don't have fully ironed out yet, I offer my expertise."

Thanica smiled slightly, then motioned for Phoenix to come and sit next to her. She waited for the human to be seated before pouring them each a glass of the Kiellar fire-water she seemed so fond of, "Can I be really honest with you?" she asked, but didn't wait for a reply before carrying on, "Yes, I found it distasteful, but no I don't think less of you for the suggestion. A few months ago I might well have smiled, told you it was a great idea and told everyone to clear the room for surgery."

Saesa
The Defiance

---

Clenching her fists as she took a nervous breath, Saesa steeled her expression as she walked purposefully towards Thanica. Meeting the woman’s eyes with what she hoped was a look of determination, even though she really didn’t want to look away in case she lost her nerve, Saesa forced herself to just say what she’d been meaning to say.

“Thanica,I…” There was a slight pause. “I want to help.”

"Actually..." she reached across for another glass, pouring a glass of Razlak for her as well, "Join us, you might as well hear this as well, it isn't a secret."

She motioned at her top. It was nothing unusual for Thanica, a black tank-top, a little on the tight side, "I know I'm pretty and I can be charming and I've used that as a weapon in what is a very dangerous world for me. When Vrondich put his mutiny together he asked me to front it because of that. He figured I could win people over, and I did. I know you weren't around when they elected Carter and I Captain. I didn't want the role and I didn't think I could do it. I even tried to palm it off to Carter by calling myself 'Commander'," she smiled slightly, shaking her head at the memory. It seemed so long ago now, "The way people looked at me though, it was like I was some kind of paragon of virtue and I wasn't; I was playing the same game I always had. But when the crew asked me to take on that role, I knew I was taking on a massive responsibility. I had to be the person they thought I was. I had to be better than Thanica."

"And you know what happened between me and Carter," she added, her expression turning grim for a moment, "I have never felt like this before about someone and the thought of disappointing him... I've been working to be the saint people seem to think I am," she said, just a little facetiously, "And you know what, if I reacted with horror before it shows it must be working a bit!"

The speech was possibly more a reflection of Thanica's self-doubt than it was a description of her changing character, but it did offer an insight into the working of Thanica's mind. She took a shot of Razlak, pouring herself another, "Saesa," she said, turning her attention to the Kiel, "Of course you can come. It was never in doubt, if you wanted to."

"You're probably wondering why I'm trusting you when you haven't always been too keen on our merry band of misfits," she raised an eyebrow, tilting the bottle in the direction of her two companions to see if either were wanting a refill, "I'd rather be the sort of person who trusts you anyway. We all deserve a second chance. Also, I'm guessing you've figured going back to Command won't be easy. They'll assume you joined up with us and probably think any protestations of innocence are just to save your own skin. As for your role in this, fancy being the Lieutenant left in charge of the ship? I won't suggest you go onto the Zerataca as at least one of their commandos has seen your face. Your role would be to keep nosy people from finding too much out and keep the ship ready to fly off at a moment's notice. We could be returning in a hail of blaster fire."

"If we survive, whether you help us or not, I'll do my best to find you somewhere to go where you can be safe," she promised, "If that's what you want."[/quote]
Yare-Lokem

The Sarufi simply bowed her head. “Well, Commander, I believe we share the same sentiment. I have seen the value that our Ragons have in relation with the rest of the crew.”

Before Yare could speak another word, the sound of a pair of leather boots clacked in the hallway behind them. Thanica would turn around at the sound to see the one she wanted to be sent to her presence. It was the Purified, wearing a brown overcoat over his black shirt that’s didn’t seem to have any sort of armor except for two shoulder plates and the metal mask whose eye slits glowed with yellow light. He had the distinct hilt of the Kravsagar jutting out of the sword-sheath that hung on his belt, while two plasma pistols lay securely on his side. The Purified spoke with an average voice with an accent that the humans might recognize as somewhat of an ancient Celtic.

“There is no need you to worry about me shooting at your big Raggies when they aren’t looking at me.”, Karesan said with his hand firmly planted on the hilt of his blade. “However, I will be clear: I will make an exception of the two called Sshalah and Raoul, and them alone. If we come across other Makureste in the battlefield and it just happens that I was the one who found them first, I will not hesitate to destroy them unless if I am told not to. This is my oath, not because...”

He paused, realising that the commander was a Dhasath. He had only known the species from faint tales and vague stories, as no Dhasath still lived in the periphery of former Republic Space. However, he did know that the Ragon considered them to be especially delicious and ate most of them to extinction. This is, in fact, the first time he had spoken to one.

“You. You are a Dhasath, are you not?”, the Purified said as his hand went away from his sword. “Dhasath and Ragon together... heh. How... ironic. No Dhasath remains alive in the periphery of space of the dead republic... for obvious reasons.”

Kaleso was soon there, walking in with his standard garb of a robe worn over his silver Corsair armor. “Commander Vari. I believe that I have yet to introduce this man to you.”

“You have not.”, Karesan said.

“Well, Commander Vari, this is Karesan Stralbane, my brother in law and a warrior for the Rebellion of Restoration. I trust that you have heard of the Rebellion, yes?”[/quote]

Thanica had to shake her head to the last question, "Which rebellion? There are so many. Also you forget I am an ignorant auxiliary. You're lucky I'm literate and numerate."

"Pleased to meet you Karesan Stralbane and welcome to the crew," there was one further that needed to be said about the situation with Raoul and Sshslah, "I'd like you to broaden that to any Ragon on my crew. There aren't any more at the moment, though Maker knows how many there might be in those pods. I would hope not many as it's one more person I need to convince not to eat me."

"And yes, I am a dhasath," she confirmed, "There are a number of dhasath-like aliens on the crew called 'humans'. Apparently you can smell the difference even if you can't see it. Personally, I can't tell them apart... A bit pale by-and-large?" she shrugged, waving the razlak bottle in Karesan's direction, "I'm sure you lot are in need of some catching up and I won't hold you long, but I want you to know I get why you feel anger, I understand your pain and I won't judge you for it. But, obsessing over revenge will only keep your wounds open and while you might make yourself even with your enemies through it, by rejecting it, you can become superior."

[Bingellia]

Mihal of Obe-Defiance Mess

From a combination of fatigue, fixation on the risks of the very near future, and a desire to avoid the issue, Mihal silent as Hikari and then Yare began trying to discuss the events involving the events that had occurred on the frozen moon with him. The wounded would heal and, while the deaths were tragic, there were three of the crew that could still be rescued, and Mihal thought it better to focus energy there at present

Entering the mess with a sigh, he stood away from the table as he waited for the others to speak with the commander. It was surprising to see Saesa here and seemingly volunteer to assist the crew for the mission, although less so once he remembered that she had been spared by pure chance. She's finally one of us, he nearly smiled.

As the discussions carried on, the Kiel took a seat on the table, deliberately choosing to place himself to the right of Thanica and waited as the introduction of the new Jokari that Yare had mentioned had wrapped itself up. Reaching into his jacket, he nearly pulled out his pack of cigarettes, but let it fall back into his pocket remembering how few he had left. "So, about this plan," He finally spoke, "do you have anything more to that already in mind?"

[Europa Undivided]

Karesan, Kaleso, and Yare

"Why, the most successful one of course.", Kaleso replied as Thanica was clueless about the Rebellion of Restoration, which had for the last 200 years been somewhat of a thorn to the side of the Ragon in the dead worlds of the Republic.

Karesan clocked his head at Thanica's request to broaden his oath of exception, and his red eyes deemed a little bit. "Well, if you say so.", the Purified replied, bowing at the Dhasath. "The fact that my brother in law here hasn't been attacked is one of comfort. However, if one wakes up from a pod and the first thing it does is that it tries to eat me, or anyone else here for that matter, blood will be shed."

Yare yawned. She had been cramped in the vents when that Kiellar psyker attacked the Defiance, and she used much of her telekinetic power to keep the sleep well gas at bay. Now, she needed to rest before they began the mission in earnest.

"Are you yawning?", Kaleso turned to the Sarufi as her one good eye sagged. "While we're talking things out here?"

The Sarufi's red eye shimmered. "Kind of, I need it."

Kaleso sighed, before turning back to the Commander. "Well, do we have a specific plan now, or?"

[Dyelli Beybi]

Thanica Vari

Thanica raised an eyebrow, "Yes, we have a plan, but it's exactly the same as it was five minutes ago. Those of us who look like KC troopers put on uniforms and pretend to be crew. The others pretend to be prisoners. We go aboard and say we're doing a prisoner transfer. Escort the prisoners to the brig. Take over the brig, hopefully without raising the alarm, then go back to the ship. If we trip the alarm we drop the ruse and try to get out quickly."

"I don't know what the Zerataca looks like, what the internal layout is, how they run security, how many guards there are, whether they'll want to look on our ship when it docks, whether they'll want to debrief our Captain, who will be sent over as liaison when we dock, if Carter is being held with the other prisoners or somewhere else, if any of our people are incapacitated or even dead. There is, also, no way we can find that information out within the time-frame we have for this mission. We'll have to improvise. A lot."

[Europa Undivided]

Karesan Stralbane
Kaleso Stralbane
Yare-Lokem

The Purified raised his eyebrows at the Dhasath’s plan, quietly remarking how dissimilar it is to the highly elaborate stratagems crafted by Rebel leaders whenever their fleet sends its warriors and war machines into one of their lightning raids. However, there were times when the situation was such a dark one that they needed to improvise in literally every turn, and though such encounters produced more than acceptable casualties, they fulfilled their purpose and got most teams out of it mostly intact. Still, without knowing the layout of the Zerataca and relying completely on the gullibility of their enemy, this plan hatched by the Dhasath here was a dangerous ploy. That didn’t matter much though. Even the elaborately crafted plans by the Rebellion had similar patterns to this simple strategy, and he nodded in approval.

“That plan sounds like certain suicide with extra steps.”, Karesan remarked.

He then smirked, displaying his own humour. “I like it.”

The other Jokari leaned over. “That’s not a dare for us, really... well, except for the ‘making sure they don’t notice us’ part, but I concur.”

---

Lightyears away, near Kiellar borders

There was darkness, the void of space. There seemed to be nothing in the shadow of the sun... until the glistening forms of several Jokari capital ships emerged from cloak, as well as a dozen escorts.

They are Corsairs.

“What do you mean ‘they captured one of our Sorcerors’, comrade?”

“It appears that the distress signal indicates that a raiding party got stuck in an enemy ship and were apprehended when Kiellar reinforcements arrived. Thankfully, we are able to track our comrade Sorceror through his psychic beacon.”

“Where is he?”

“Here.”, the Jokari pointed out to his captain on the holographic starmap that showed the location of their captured comrade psyker in real time. “By the direction the Kiel ships are taking, it seems that they are headed towards... this system.”, he said as a red highlight appeared one of the stars that littered the display. “D100, a barren system that lies directly in the path towards the nearest Kiellar outpost at Iolon. They would come out of hyperspace here before being able to continue on to Iolon.”

“We cannot allow any of our race’s secrets fall into enemy hands. If the Sorceror is interrogated and spills anything, our chances of resurgence become lower. Knowing the Kiellar, they will probably be very creative in their methods...”

The Corsair Lord weighed his options. They did not know the scale of the enemy convoy, but considering their previous engagements, their foe would be slightly outnumbered by the Corsair fleet at the most.

“Ready the fleet to warp into D100 and lie in wait. Our engines are better than theirs, so we will arrive far ahead of them. Tavrush!”

---

So the Corsair vessels awaited, their sinewy forms hidden by the thick asteroid belt. There was nothing to see, however, as they were also cloaked, thanks in no small part to their advanced technologies.

“Comrade captain, hyperspace signatures appearing in 6’oclock. The beacon of our Sorceror is emanating from one of them like a lighthouse!”

“All ships, open fire on the enemy escorts. Do not damage the prison in the rear! We need our comrade Sorceror to be alive and well. Preventing his imprisonment is our goal here to begin with!”

Not another passed from the captains of all the other ships of the fleet as dozens of ion torpedoes and plasma missile ship came in, screaming like banshees. Point defenses took some of them down, but the volume of missiles that accompanied the ion torpedoes was too much for the token corvettes to take down. The ion torpedoes quickly did their work, dismantling enemy shields in quick succession. Then, the light show began...

[Dyelli Beybi]

Karesan Stralbane
Kaleso Stralbane
Yare-Lokem

The Purified raised his eyebrows at the Dhasath’s plan, quietly remarking how dissimilar it is to the highly elaborate stratagems crafted by Rebel leaders whenever their fleet sends its warriors and war machines into one of their lightning raids. However, there were times when the situation was such a dark one that they needed to improvise in literally every turn, and though such encounters produced more than acceptable casualties, they fulfilled their purpose and got most teams out of it mostly intact. Still, without knowing the layout of the Zerataca and relying completely on the gullibility of their enemy, this plan hatched by the Dhasath here was a dangerous ploy. That didn’t matter much though. Even the elaborately crafted plans by the Rebellion had similar patterns to this simple strategy, and he nodded in approval.

“That plan sounds like certain suicide with extra steps.”, Karesan remarked.

He then smirked, displaying his own humour. “I like it.”

The other Jokari leaned over. “That’s not a dare for us, really... well, except for the ‘making sure they don’t notice us’ part, but I concur.”

Thanica Vari

"It's not as chaotic as you think. We have the IFF codes so as long as we move now, they'll identify is as friendlies. Also, a lot of us were KC troopers so we know how to act. There's no reason we should have internal plans so asking for directions is reasonable. They'll probably send someone to show us where to go. Unless one of us does something really odd, it's unlikely that they'll see any reason to question our cover. If give it even odds," she said, trying to remain upbeat for the sake of the crew.

"If we delay though it increases the chances of someone bring dead when we get there or the prisoners bring moved... Not to mention the fact that they'll change the codes and we won't be able to pass the ship off as friendly. If we dither and don't act now, the odds of failure increase," she finished off. Hopefully the explanation had highlighted the time-sensitive nature of the job as well as the things the crew has in their advantage. It never hurt to emphasise the positive.

[Bingellia]

Mihal of Obe

Mihal held his tongue when Karesan first spoke up then chuckled faintly when the Jokari actually finished his joke. He didn't have much to say in regards to the recap of the plan. It was the best they had and Thanica was right that the plan relied on borrowed time, so he decided to go right for the point. "I've got three questions," Mihal glanced over to Thanica. "Who do you want doing when we go aboard, do we already have the uniforms to pull this off, and how long do we have to prepare the best we can? I can go spread the word before I get ready myself."

[Kylantha]

---

Sho'chavuk | Anja

---

Once all seemed calm outside, Sho'chavuk stormed out of the mess hall and to the medbay upon realising that Anja was not breathing. While communicating to whomever was there that Anja needed immediate help, he was understandably very frustrated and nearly unintelligible. He then watched with a blank expression as Anja was taken from his arms and tended to by whoever was in the medbay. He couldn't remember who. He couldn't remind himself to thank them later. All he knew was that something was wrong with the little one, and it bothered him greatly. More so than ever before. It was a feeling he struggled to understand. Stronger than what he felt even for Zhopa.

Anja was loaded into a pod that was much too big for her, and a respirator attached to her snout. Sho'chavuk meanwhile watched closely, rubbing his hands together and muttering to himself in a low voice. Anyone who would hear it could guess that it was a prayer of sorts. After that, when it seemed Anja was stable and on a road to recovery, Sho did not speak. He walked slowly up to the pod's side and clambered up on top of it so as not to break it. He then stared at Anja through the clear material, his nose twitching as he crooned at her insistently, stretching his neck as he did so. Getting no response from the cub, he sat down. And after several minutes more of watching, he curled up and soon fell asleep. . .

---

Sho'chavuk awoke to the sound of voices flying about him. He opened his eyes to see almost everybody assembled in the medbay. His nose twitched again. He checked beneath him and whimpered softly, seeing Anja still unconscious. At least now he could observe that she was breathing. Soon, little one. he bumped his snout against the glass, then listened to all the others as they spoke. It seemed there was to be yet another mission, this time to save Carter and the others who had been taken. Sho sighed and looked about the room. Some people were missing. Some looked badly hurt. What a mess.

Sho wanted to volunteer. But his recent adventures had caused him to grow tired of fighting. This feeling confused him. Angered him, even. The thought of joining the others on this mission didn't even cross his mind anymore. He'd have to go out there and leave the cub, deal with problems and return. Normally the thought of combat brought up a feeling of ecstasy within him. But recently he felt nothing but indifference for it. He didn't know it, but Khuzme or any other Tz'ath who'd concerned themselves with anything other than war would. He had attached to Anja and his instincts called upon him to ensure that the cub was protected at all times. Since he wasn't aware of this though, he fought off the feeling and let Thanica know that he was with her, as long as Anja's safety was ensured. Additionally, he also asked her to promise him something, but in secret.

"As your crew member, I will continue to eagerly assist." he said, sounding confident in his decision. "But if I do not return, Captain, please ensure that the little one goes to Khuzme. She will know how to care for her."

[Dyelli Beybi]

The Mess Hall: Thanica, Sshalah, (co-written by Dyelli Beybi, Harbertia and Europa Undivided)

---

Sho'chavuk | Anja

---

Sho wanted to volunteer. But his recent adventures had caused him to grow tired of fighting. This feeling confused him. Angered him, even. The thought of joining the others on this mission didn't even cross his mind anymore. He'd have to go out there and leave the cub, deal with problems and return. Normally the thought of combat brought up a feeling of ecstasy within him. But recently he felt nothing but indifference for it. He didn't know it, but Khuzme or any other Tz'ath who'd concerned themselves with anything other than war would. He had attached to Anja and his instincts called upon him to ensure that the cub was protected at all times. Since he wasn't aware of this though, he fought off the feeling and let Thanica know that he was with her, as long as Anja's safety was ensured. Additionally, he also asked her to promise him something, but in secret.

"As your crew member, I will continue to eagerly assist." he said, sounding confident in his decision. "But if I do not return, Captain, please ensure that the little one goes to Khuzme. She will know how to care for her."[/align]

"If I have anything to say about it, you will return," Thanica assured the Tzath, "Though of course I will take her to Khuzme if you don't... but you will. Say, do you think you could get into the ducts on the Zerataca? I'm not sure exactly what you could achieve in there, but having someone who can move covertly has got to be an advantage."

Sshalah moved to sit across from Thanica. Not sure how to start. Having eaten a full meal at last, and having time for her body to slow down again- which naturally happened after a meal- being cold blooded. She took soft breath looking down at Thanica before speaking; "I'm," she took another breath, "I am glad you are alive. I, was among those to have responded to the emergency. I, know Mihal will be playing the role of Captain in our ploy, and that you are acting Captain. I'd like to be acting commander again. I understand that some of us, such as myself, will have to out of sight and I'd like to be your contact with them."

"If you want," Thanica inclined her head slightly, "Though I had thought you might be okay with playing a prisoner and helping to take the brig. If understand if you didn't want to act that role, but your strength could be decisive for us." She paused before adding, "It is your decision though."

Sshalah frowned a little, "After what they did to you I'd be afraid of being tagged or collared. I'm a Ragon and such isn't my thing. I was a prisoner before and it was horrible. We really don't know what they'd do to me once I'm aboard, and the only reason I escaped the cell on this ship was you- I was more- released rather then escaped. Given as we don't know the layout of the ship we'll be invading, I'm not confident that under such complication I could be freed again."

"The bindings would be insecure and easy to break out of, and I hope you know I would not abandon you; in my plan we would never be more than a few feet apart," Thanica assured her, "Though I respect your decision. If you stay behind, make sure the ship is ready to go at a second's notice... and keep out of sight! If you are spotted on the loose our cover will be broken."

"I'd like to stay as well," Yare-Lokem said suddenly as she slunk into view into the area adjacent to the table, "I'm the closest person the ship has to a pilot other than the Commander, and our dear human called Krystyn was also taken, so once we get them back to the ship... Well, you know what my job will be. I expect that Krystyn would be sore tired from whatever crap the Command tried with him, and you, Commander, might be incapacitated in one form or another in a totally hypothetical firefight that I hope will never happen. Also, I am not very good at the cramped corridors of a Kiellar Battlecruiser, and I'd rather not get stuck somewhere while you smaller folk have to pull me out, or something."

"Okay, but you'll both need to be very, very discreet," Thanica replied. It made sense to keep a pilot back, even if she wasn't super-happy at losing another big, strong crew member from the assault group, "Saessa is going to play the role of the vessel's second-in-command if someone comes aboard. She will run interference to make sure you don't get spotted... but you'll still need to be careful. It's not like you're T'zath we can hide in the vents."

Kaleso nodded. "As for me, I'll pose as a prisoner, for sure. The Command must elated to see me in chains again, as I have... what, burned down twenty thousand of their citizens under orders from the Corsair Prince with the cannons of the Resurgence? Either way, Karesan here will be coming with us as well. Fighting inside star ships has been something that he has done for quite a few times already."

To this Karesan clocked his head to the side. "Seeing as how returning to the Rebellion is completely impossible at the moment, I will aid you in this endeavour, though I must ask who are we supposed to rescue again?"

"We are rescuing our Captain, Carter, and two other crew members," there was an edge of familiarity to her tone that suggested she was closer to Carter than a typical Captain and First Officer, "They'll look like Dhasath to you so should stand out."

---

Meanwhile, on the Zerataca... (co-written by Arengin Union and Dyelli Beybi)

The soldiers of Command had managed to get Carter away from the bridge and back to the brig area, the Human had quit struggling and walked alongside the faceless helmeted troopers who remained at his corners at all times. The chain-lock muzzle covering his mouth and the cuffs immobilising his arms caused the Human severe discomfort and aches alongside serving as reminders of the Commands control over you as a primitive prisoner. The Human and his entourage passed by a series of hallways with enclosed rooms whose purpose was never to revealed to the Human, and later to another series or hall were the surrounding rooms that were fully transparent and where experiments were taking place, some of these were on the very prisoners Carter had seen before on the main brig.

There was a white aura around the passing escort, as Carter glanced around with curious and also terrified eyes at what was happening. There were aliens of all corners of the galaxy chained up into metal beds, being punctured by needles and machinery of unknown purpose, strapped down with collars that shocked them at the first sight of struggle, and even some going through vivisection. This was looking less like a place of science and more of a torture den.

There was no screaming, at least none that Carter could hear as all of these prisoners had the same muzzle that he had been forced to wear. And as the group kept moving, the sight turned from various aliens, to Dhasaths, members of Thanica's own race who were going through the same thing as those other prisoners not too far back. They were just like Carter, same body, same struggle and all of them having done things that earned then a ticket to this butchery. It was too hard to look at, but Carter couldn't make himself not look, it was one of those sights that are too much to not see.

"Keep moving!" A rough voice exclaimed from behind as Carter felt a strong push from behind him. He kept moving, trying to keep the same pace as the soldiers. Eventually the group arrived to the main cells, hundreds of cells similar to the makeshift ones at the Defiance except these held little to nothing within them save for a flat metal bed a sink, and what could only be assumed to be a toilet.

"You couldn't have taken more time huh!" One of the guards said in an annoyed sarcasm as the soldiers kept escorting the Human, a loud howl of some of the prisoners could be heard as they finally approached the cell where Carter's fellow captives were in, two guards had been especially assigned to guard this particular cell and were readying to open it for the incoming inmate. The loud howls and chanting of the prisoners kept on but was soon shut off as the guards themselves began shutting up the rowdiness with their batons and other measures.

Silence was now back into the atmosphere as Carter stood in front of the cell. One of the guards then called in through his headset and a voice spoke through the PA system.

"Prisoner reentering cell 202, other inmates step back and stand behind the red line!" The female voice spoke with sternness, the two cell guards taking hold of Carter by use of a long stick which connected with his muzzle, effectively forcing him to turn and walk at the guards will. The cell was about to open, the soldiers preparing their rifles to shoot at any of the other prisoners if they stepped out of the line.

"Stop!" Another voice suddenly spoke on the PA, the guards and soldiers looking up to the control tower of the cells and to a Kiel in fancy uniform and with eyewear akin to lenses, though much thinner and surrounding his head, the Kiel in question seemed old and skinny, but was obeyed almost immediately as the troopers awaited his orders.

"This inmate is to be moved to cell 203, orders of the Commodore. The Military Science Branch will send a handler to retrieve him soon." The Kiel voice spoke with casual demeanor, his voice had a somewhat uncaring tone and nasally voice. The troopers quickly obeyed and Carter was hauled into the cell directly in front of his comrades. The guard unshackled the muzzle and Carter was no longer impeded from talking or moving his jaw freely. The cell doors were closed and through a small gate Carters cuffs were taken off, he was finally at the brig awaiting whatever fate Ouroboros had for him, curiously enough he had managed to keep the ring within his hands all the way to here, the Human looked at it with wonder for a few seconds, asking himself who or what Ouroboros really was

After a few minutes of adjustment, he became aware of a slightly-built female Kiel watching him, leaning nonchalantly against the bars of his cage. She had a lithe build and a hint of blue dye in her dark hair. Her uniform held the pips of a junior officer. She surveyed him with evident curiosity, meeting his gaze boldly as he caught her watching, "So, what makes you so special?" she asked.

The human had been taken by surprise by the Kiel's sudden appearance, but only slightly as at this point he had gotten used to being surprised in this world. The question left him pondering for a few seconds, unable to come up with an answer that didn't overly complicate things, at this point what was the use trying to hide things anymore? "I'm the key to winning the war apparently..." Carter responded coldly, his fingers fumbling with the ring as he set himself down against the cold wall besides his bed.

"I know that bit," the Kiel appeared young, though you never truly knew with them, "What I don't get is why, when you're refusing to divulge information essential for our survival, the Commodore had ordered that we don't do anything to you that might cause permanent disfigurement? Same with the female, though not, interestingly, the other male of your species."

A small smile was apparent in the Human's expression, followed by a snark Carter shook his head with unspoken but clear disapproval. Even now that he had refused Ouroboros the Commodore still made sure he wouldn't be harmed, at least not physically.

"Sometimes the information to one's side survival may be the end of another..." Carter retorted the Kiel's first insight. In regards to Krystin, and the danger he was in Carter had only one thing to say, "you touch my friend and I'll make sure its the last thing you do..."

"Or... The Kiel countered, "I'll start cutting bits off him and you'll make sure it isn't the last thing that happens to him. You can threaten me as much as you like, you can kill me, but if I get you to talk it will save billions on lives. Kill me after, I don't care. If I save the galaxy I will have done my duty, a thousand times over," she shook her head, "How you could willingly jeopardise the lives of half the galaxy... you disgust me."

His hand still holding onto the ring, Carter kept silent for a few seconds but he and the Kiel locked eyes during that time. They were of different worlds, different mentality, different Galaxies, even if he tried to reason with her he didn't feel it was worth it and yet he held his ground.

"And you people surprise me... What is the point of destroying the Ragons if the galaxy is stuck with the Command ruling it. It'll be the same world of shit for everyone but you. And more so for the Dhasaths..." Carter finally snapped back, "You treat them no better than the Ragons, if cooperating means you'll win I rather see the lizards win. At least they're honest..."

"More so for the Dhasath?" a while range of reactions seemed to cross her face, "You silly human, the Dhasath have more to lose than the Kiellar if Command is destroyed. There are no Dhasath in Ragon space. All dead. They tried to breed them, of course, but you can't... some evolutionary trait to do with their horrible planet; the females become infertile under stress. There's what, 30 million of them scattered across the galaxy? If we lose, they all die within a generation. The Dhasath genocide will be on you, if you don't help us."

She pushed away from the bars, having made her mind up to leave, "I still can't figure out what makes you special. It doesn't really matter though. I'm giving you a last chance to rethink your decisions. If this is about spiting the Commodore, learn some humility and think of all the people your pointless act of resistance will kill. Contrary to what you probably think, I don't enjoy violence or inflicting pain, but If I fail to get what we need, the countless billions who will die are on my conscience, as well as yours and we will, most assuredly, both burn in hell for our sins. So I will hurt you and your crew, if I have to."

Carter stood up, his hands clenching into fists and the ring still within their grasps. He once more locked eyes with the Kiel as they both engage in a short stare battle.

"You really think your side is that better... I'd tell you to ask your Commodore what the Commands plans for the Dhasath truly is but I doubt you even question the nature of your orders. Do with me what you want, but I will never talk." Carter remained standing up, facing the Kiel with defiance that had been all too characteristic of the Humans if Carter was anyone to judge them from.

He got a confused look back, "What in the 'verse are you talking about? Nobody has any 'plans' for the Dhasath. Are you trying to screw with my head or are you actually putting the galaxy in jeopardy over some delusional conspiracy theory? What the hell is wrong with you?" the Kiel demanded, her voice raising in anger, her jaw tightening as she balled her hands into fists. Then, abruptly she gave an irritated sigh, closing her eyes. When they opened again, she was back to her previous calm demeanour, "You remind me very much of a serial killer I once tracked down who refused to say where the bodies were. To begin with at least. I think I understand this now, you are a sociopath attempting to make us play your twisted game. That is your choice. I will give you some time to reconsider, but I return I will torture you. It will not stop. We will keep you suspended between life and death until you give us what we need. Or you can tell us what you want and go back to your home planet with no need for further unpleasantness. That choice is also yours."

She shrugged, then left, never having given her name, leaving Carter alone with his thoughts... for a few minutes at least. Slowly building in the background was a faint buzzing, static noise that grew slowly louder. It was coming from the ring Ouroboros had cast aside. After a couple of minutes of steadily building sound, words could be dimly heard over the static. It was English, spoken by a female. She sounded bored, with a slight foreign accent that was next-to impossible to decipher over the interference, "... do you read me? Over... I still don't think it's working."

Carter raised an eyebrow, he shaked his head several times with the thought that he was going insane. But he heard the static once more, glimpses of words could be heard. The human wasnt sure how to react, if this was real or just the Kiel playing with his mind.

"H-hello..." Carter spoke softly, "is someone there?" He asked again.

"You don't sound like... Who am I talking to?" the voice came back, "No, wait, what year is it?"

His mind in disbelief and still holding doubts Carter hesitated to respond. The voice sounded female, it didn't seem to be Kiel, it didn't seem to even know where it was calling.

"This is," he once more hesitated beforr continuing, "Captain Nathan T. Carter... I don't know what year it is, I... I only know I'm in a Kiellar Command prison, how is this... do you copy!"

"You're the Carter? You're in prison? Who is Kiellar Command?" The speaker seemed slightly confused by what she was hearing, though also excited and slightly breathless, "Is my dad with you? No wait... if you're there it will be fine. It has to be, it's destiny. I need to give you both a message..."

Shuffling his head and his brain riddled with various questions Carter began to ramble in inquiry, "Who is your dad... w-who are you, where are you, what message!?"

Thread static for a moment, "... Come on you piece of... Oh you're back! Listen, I don't think the anchor is settled yet, we don't have long but I'll try again though I don't know how long that will be for you. There's a weakness in the lizard empire..." annoyingly much of what came next was lost in the static, "parasites... Prefeton experiment... tear themselves apart looking for the hosts..." the static was getting frustratingly bad, though it cleared for just one more moment before sound was lost altogether, "... Tell dad I miss him and we're looking at a way to get him home. If he doesn't believe you, tell him you spoke to 'Windflower'."

"W-what..." Carter uttered in shock, he didn't know what any of this meant, but he knew that whatever it was he had to remember. He had to know more, who this was and what else they knew. Yet no more words came from the ring, at this point Carter knew it was more than it appeared to be.

"Hello!" Carter spoke, "Can you hear me!" he repeated desperately to no response. Damn it, "Windflower," Carter thought....

Whatever this had been it was clearly something beyond his comprehension, at least so far. This weakness, the "Lizard Empire," it sounded all too similar to the Ragons or at least what Carter knew of them. But what did it mean this Prefeton experiment. The more he thought of this the more questions there were as Carter once more sat down looking at the ring with glowing eyes of curiosity and thoughts.

[Bingellia]

With the appearance of Sshalah, especially since the Ragon seemingly decided she wouldn't be going aboard the Zerataca, Mihal quietly decided it was time for him to leave the mess and get his affairs in line for the mission. There was much he had to do between getting taught protocol by the marines and personal issues, and he only had so much time to do it.

"Can we speak privately, Doctor," Mihal spoke plainly to Saesa as he stood up, "It shouldn't take too long."

[Europa Undivided]

Karesan, Kaleso, and Yare

As the Ragon woman entered the mess, Kaleso nudged Karesan at the shoulder before telepathically telling him to move out as Thanica and Sshalah were going to have some kind of private conversation.

"Are you sure it's alright?", Karesan asked with a hint of suspicion and possibly concern in his voice. "Is there absolutely no chance of the Ragon suddenly, you know, biting her head off or something?"

"Believe me Karesan.", Yare said from the ceiling as she crawled above the heads of the two Jokari like an insect. "Those two are a special case of prey and predator becoming unlikely friends. It's just like the fable of Anasiet, where Jonsekt and Anasiet became friends even though one was the top of the food chain."

"The Ragon back there basically owes her life and freedom to our Dhasath Commander.", Kaleso added simply. "But again, all of us here technically do owe her quite a bit of gratitude for freeing us from the cells when the mutiny started. Yare here sees her as a sister..."

"A little sister no less.", Yare said as she finally decided to droop down to the floor. "Though it is kind of strange to think that way when she is three years older than me."

Soon, they entered Kaleso's quarters, which were some of the cleanest and most organized ones of them all. There was also a desk and a chair, complete with several books being scattered on the desk to make up the only disorganized thing about the room. Whatever Kaleso did, he did well, and keeping a room neat is one of them.

"So,", Karesan said as he sat on the bed beside Kaleso. "You're a Corsair Lord, right?"

"You are correct.", Kaleso affirmed after removing his armor, leaving the plain coat underneath.

Karesan looked at the Jokari, bewildered. "So why are you not the one in charge here?"

"I don't want to.", was his simple answer. Changing the topic, Kaleso asked a question. "Why did my sister fall for you?"

"Perhaps because I have irresistible looks?"

Kaleso scoffed. "No, I know my sister. What I do not know is you."

Karesan leaned on the wall. "I'll tell you my full story once we rescue your captain from the knife ears.", he answered, glancing over at the two plasma pistols and Kravsagar on the table, where Yare also lay sleeping.

"You are quite shrewd.", Kaleso answered as Karesan put off revealing how he got here. "Well, fine, whatever, that's a promise, eh?"

Karesan nodded. "An oath."

[Kylantha]

The Mess Hall: Thanica
"If I have anything to say about it, you will return," Thanica assured the Tzath, "Though of course I will take her to Khuzme if you don't... but you will. Say, do you think you could get into the ducts on the Zerataca? I'm not sure exactly what you could achieve in there, but having someone who can move covertly has got to be an advantage."

Feeling assured by Thanica saying this, Sho grinned and nodded. "Thank you kindly."

Right after, the Commander asked Sho if he could infiltrate the ventilation system of their target ship. He scoffed at the inquiry and flashed a Tz'athi equivalent to a thumbs-up. "I can definitely do that." he laughed haughtily, a glimpse of how he was before. Now he was feeling a bit better. Like.. Himself.

Once he had confirmed with Thanica that he could and would gladly do as she asked, he thought for a moment. Indeed, what exactly could he do while hidden in the vent system? Scratching his chin in thought, he stood nearby as the others continued to discuss. Then the ideas started to come in, bit by bit, and he was with himself most pleased. "I must write these down to remember," he mumbled excitedly to himself, quickly leaving the room to find some kind of writing utensil and something to scrawl on. Upon finding a wrench and a sheet of loose paneling in one of the halls, he sat and carved his ideas into the metal with the wrench which he had sharpened with his teeth.

"Excellent!" he beamed once he was done, flinging the primitive writing tool upwards, where it wrenched itself in the ceiling with an audible bang.

He had drawn himself crudely in different roles, depending on what the crew's immediate needs would be. Shortly afterwards, he carefully laid the sheet metal on the floor and rolled it up neatly. This he would use later on. Hopefully it wouldn't make as much noise when he unfurled it for viewing later...

Sho'chavuk returned to the mess where the Commander's discussion with the female Ragon and others had just concluded. Waving the rolled up metal sheet, he jumped up onto one of the benches in front of Thanica, making them rattle worryingly before spreading the sheet out. The drawings were no longer as clear, but could be understood.

"Here is what I can do, depending on the situation." he tapped on the sheet with a finger, "I will do as directed, but I may need to be briefed on who I will be working directly with and what I should be focused on throughout this adventure."

[Bingellia]

Saesa of Anac and Mihal of Obe

---

Listening as the Dhasath commander offered her a sympathetic smile, Saesa hid her immediate reaction to the woman’s plan. It was true, she was surprised that Thanica was so quick and willing to trust her - especially when it came to such a dangerous plan. But then again, maybe the mutineers didn’t have any choice but to use all the help that they could get. Hesitating as she felt a nervous twisting of her gut, Saesa’s eyes drifted towards the drink that was being held out towards her. What did she know about commanding a vessel? Sure, she’d been on the bridge of navy ships here and there, and she’d been in social circles with officers and admirals, but what if someone recognised her? Or what if they got attacked?

These were all questions that chipped away at the scientist’s courage, gradually making her feel like the ground was slipping out from under her as the gravity of what they were about to do sunk in. No, they need my help. And if they fail… Saesa’s thoughts trailed off. If the mutineers failed, what would happen to her? Furrowing her brow as she pushed aside her doubts, Saesa grabbed onto the offered razlak and forced it all down her throat in a single motion. She immediately grimaced at the fiery liquor, but stopped herself from showing any other outward indications of burning at the back of her throat. Placing the cup back on the table, she offered Thanica a firm nod.

“I’ll do it.” She stated plainly, before another voice pulled her attention away.

"Can we speak privately, Doctor," Mihal spoke plainly to Saesa as he stood up, "It shouldn't take too long."

Turning her head, Saesa was surprised to see the other Kiel approaching her. Mihal’s expression was unreadable, but it also didn’t appear to be outwardly hostile. Of all the crew she’d met so far, Saesa had to admit that he was the one that confused her the most. He wasn’t a murderer, or a soldier, nor was he a terrorist from some distant alien world. And yet somehow he seemed to walk easily among them like he belonged.

“Sure.” Saesa responded, offering the man a polite smile as she followed him away from the gathering. As she did, she remembered their earlier encounters, from how she’d had Zero-Six-Seven hold him at gunpoint, to how she’d found herself trapped in the hospital bed. Could he still be holding a grudge from back then?

Mihal smiled faintly as the doctor followed him, first away from the gathering into the mess then into the Defiance’s halls. He may not have been a genius, but Mihal did understand people enough to understand that the change in her attitude was drastic and abrupt. Something happened in the medical bay during the raid that either shattered some view she held or, according to a more cynical side of him, had her acting as a double agent.

Given that the KC had shot the doctor, he was personally leaning towards the former. Meaning, whether the doctor realized it, they could at least relate to one another and maybe offer each other a bit of peace before truly risking it all for the first time in either of the civilian’s lives.

With a sigh, Mihal seemed to relax as he led the two of them into one of the Defiance’s stairwells.

“So,” he chuckled faintly, “you’re one of us now.” Honestly, even if she was playing a role to save her own skin, Saesa struck him as the type to have remained somewhat prideful in that situation instead of the eager, if a bit uncertain, volunteer.

“I have to admit,” He barely left her time to respond, “I wasn’t expecting you to volunteer like that. It’s a sudden change, and I know it’s not an easy one.”

Bristling slightly at Mihal’s words, Saesa reacted defensively as her gaze narrowed at the man. She couldn’t tell if he was hoping to drag out some kind of confession from her, or if he was here to gloat about the situation that she found herself in. One of them now? Honestly, who does he think he is to just talk like that…

“I volunteered because - like it or not - I don’t stand a chance if you all get yourselves killed.” She replied bluntly, folding her arms across her chest. “And if that plan’s anything to go off of, you are getting desperate. Do you seriously think that Command won’t recognise that something’s off about a ship - which they’d lost contact with - coincidentally showing up oh-so-conveniently with all of you as captives?”

Saesa scoffed at the thought, not that a part of her couldn’t help but admire the willingness of the crew to put themselves in danger for each other like that. “And just because I’m helping, that doesn’t mean that I’m anything like the rest of you. I’m not a killer, or a criminal. There’s clearly been some kind of a mistake, and I’m going to find out who did this to me, and then I’m going to fix it.”

“You have a point,” Mihal replied, “this plan is made out of desperation. It’s suicidal and stupid, but the Command grabbed the humans and ran. There is something unique about them, or else they would have just murdered us like pests.”

“And,” he kept his expression neutral, “I do recall you almost ordering a psyker to break my neck like a child with a twig. Ordering someone to kill is the same as doing it.”

Mihal went quiet for a second as he pondered his next move and became a bit unnerved as he spoke, “Have I told you how I ended up here? I was framed, for reasons unknown to me. If it wasn’t for that, I would have never turned traitor. I had too much to lose.”

He held up his right hand to show off his silver ring, on it was a cameo bust of a Kiellar woman “My family clawed their way to where they were on Herilla. Upper-middle-class, and I was brushing shoulders with corporate heiresses because we settled the world.”

Tugging the ring off his finger, Mihal offered it to Saessa as he outstretched his hand. “This ring is an heirloom, and I don’t want some soldier to loot it off my hand if things go poorly.”

Saesa blinked in surprise as Mihal’s hand reached out towards her. She had her suspicions about his claim of being framed, and her knee-jerk reaction had been to brush aside his words. But instead she found that the words got caught in her throat at the unexpectedly sincere request. Standing speechless, Saesa’s gaze drifted downwards towards the ring. The thought of Mihal - or any of the mutineers for that matter - having lives and families beyond their ship had never crossed her mind.

“I…” Saesa began, unsure of how to respond before reaching out and carefully taking the heirloom. “I’ll take care of it for when you get back.” She replied firmly, her lips twisting into a slight frown as she tried to reconcile her images of Mihal as her captor and apparently as a man longing for his family. “I’m sure that she must be missing you very much.”

“Thank you,” Mihal faintly nodded as Saesa delicately took the ring from his hand. “There was no she, actually.” Or he, either, Mihal mentally added. He paused to gather his thoughts, while his lower lip quivered ever so faintly,

“To say I miss my family is understating it. Hell, I wanted to start one” Mihal shook his head, trying to bury the thoughts and memories flashing to the surface, “but I can’t go back.”

Saesa frowned as she studied the carved ring in her hands, the visage of a woman staring back at her with a soft smile on her features. “No.” She admitted, her voice passive. “No, I don’t think you can.” It was an undeniable truth. Saesa knew that Mihal must have somehow made an enemy that was above his station. Framed or not, she knew that might as well have been a life sentence for one of Mihal’s ilk. Sighing, she placed the ring into a pocket as she turned her gaze back to the other Kiel. “You should go prepare for the mission. Even if you’re Kiel, you speak like a lowborn - another officer might pick up on that if you’re not careful.”

The Doctor had a point, she always seemed to. Mihal was wasting valuable time talking now and knew it. He had made his request and it was accepted, so now there was nothing to say to anyone that couldn’t wait until the crew was boarding the Zerataca.

“We both should prepare,” Mihal replied as he started to climb the stairs up the decks. He was about to turn up out of sight, when he stopped and turned back around, looking to the doctor as he added, “Thank you for your time, Saesa.”