It's well after dinner time when Tasha finally returns to the Council building and makes her way to the room Dr. Zerachiel has been living and working out of. There's still light coming from under the door, and voices barely heard through it, so chances are good that Gabriel is still with him.

Fed, refreshed after a long walk around the city, and with her confidence restored from the conversation with Ser Heraphel, Tasha has finally made her way back in order to apologize. She had considered doing so earlier, but she decided she wasn't in the right frame of mind. While her younger self might have simply barged in, her experience with politics and strife have helped her to gain an appreciation for timing. And, while she may not be perfect at it, she feels she's learned enough to know when to cool off before facing problems -- or, at least, facing Gabriel.

The though makes her cringe. Every time something like this happens, she feels a little more guilty about it. And every time, she wonders how she could hurt him. Or make him worry, or accuse him, or ... She shakes her head as she stares at the doorway, arms folded and ears back. Nora would hate me for this, though maybe she's part of this? Am I overeacting because of her fear of losing him, or is this my doing? Not knowing the truth, and deciding trying to seperate herself in to Tasha and Nora is becoming increasingly difficult, she decides to take the blame herself. It was my action, whatever my reasons. Nora's suffer enough for ten of her. Alright, Tasha. Chin up. Eyes forward. March.//

The two Karnors in the room stop their conversation and stand up, Gabriel coming straight for Tasha and grabbing her shoulders. "Are you alright?" he asks, sounding a bit worried.

The sudden show of concern comes as a surprise causing Tasha's ears to flush and her to avert her gaze; Gabriel doesn't need to scent her to see her embarassment. "I'm fine, I'm fine," she insists, trying to deflect the concern while waggling her right hand in a dismissive gesture. Realizing that she may sound insensitive, she forces herself to meet her mate's gaze and pushes a smile to her face, adding, "Thank you for worrying about me, but I'm fine. Really. I just got a bit ... carried away in the face of so great a concern. I just didn't want to endanger you." She then nods towards Eli, "Either of you. All of you."

Gabriel pulls Tasha into a smothering hug. "It's okay, Tasha," he says comfortingly. "You were scared. Fear makes us do panicky things."

Tasha feels a bit tense at first, but she soon relaxes, resting her head against Gabriel's chest. "Don't I know it. I just wasn't prepared for potentially being the ... The doom of a species. Species." her ears flay back all over again, her head shaking against the man's chest. "It even sounds absurd. But even so, if there's just a sliver of truth, it was too much. It's still too much, but I could have handled it better."

"It's hard, I know," Gabriel says. "There are the risks you see, the ones you don't see, and the ones that are in your head - and the latter are the worse. They make you second guess every decision, which can be deadly."

"It sure feels that way," Tasha agrees, dropping her head back against Gabriel's chest and sighing. She takes a moment to simply lay there, letting her anxiety drain away, breathing in o the scent of her mate; the scent of love and comfort in an uncertain world.

After several seconds she's feeling much better, gaining the presence of mind to note, "At the very least I was able to make some progress. Do either of you know a 'Ser Heraphel'?"

Zerachiel shakes his head, but looks thoughtful. "Ser is a Khattan title, I'm certain. I know I've heard it before."

"No, older. Much older. Older than you two," the young woman explains, leaning back and nodding to Eli, but not letting Gabriel go just yet. "That's right. He's a Khattan, and the one who assigned Apollyon Stormbreaker to the Magi mission. I had along talk with him inside of Melchior. He copied his personality for storage within the AI core, waiting to be awoken when he felt the time was right."

"Another AI with a secret agenda?" Gabriel asks. "In all my life before the Expedition, I never encountered an AI. Now I worry about them stealing my socks."

Tasha can't help but giggle at the joke. "Hey, I didn't even know what an AI was until I met you two. I'd have probably rambled on about how it was a spirit, or ... Well who knows? Now they all want to be my buddy." She grins a little. "As it is, I think he's up to something, but you know, I think I like him that way. I never realized the part of me who might have been the Empress never had anyone to talk to. He may seem like a harmless old man, but I can tell he's a clever man -- so clever he talked Apollyon in to coming even after he revealed the Khattans had had the Vartan origin Marker since before they met. It was part of why they met, and why they had always had such a close relationship, if Ser Heraphel is to be believed. The timeline is staggering, really."

"The Khattans thought long term, yes," Zerachiel offers. "And this entity admitted that it was part of a conspiracy? What else did it tell you?"

"Before I met him, I was shown a recording of their meeting. As it turns out, both he and Apollyon were associated with several secret socities, with Ser Heraphel mentioning "his Order of Mafdet" and Apollyon's "Order of Horus," which he used as a reason to compel Apollyon to take the mission along with the Marker and suggestions of what he may find inside the Hall of Souls, including Horus, who appears to be the Vartan Progenitor. Ser Heraphel also mentioned that the Disciples of Ahriman -- you remember the black robed ghosst, don't you Gabriel? -- and the "Children of Neith" believe that the Hall is here, in the Primus System, and that he had confirmation the Teutons had discovered Archon Eve and their Marker," Tasha explains.

"He later pointed out the names and mythologies vary from species to species, in particular their nature and relation with each other," the young woman concludes.

"Well, it's surprising they have anything in common at all," Gabriel notes, easing up on his hug but still keeping his hands on Tasha's hips. "Secret societies.. or mystery cults, I think. That should be the proper term. Holders of secret knowledge that sets them apart from the worldview of the rest of their society. It's just the spans of time that are involved which are impressive. And that apparently the cults can exist separate from the Markers, if the Vartans didn't know they had one."

"And there was one more thing," Tasha notes, almost having forgotten the most important piece of information in the rush of emotion. "He mentioned what I need to find is the Book of the Dead -- or the Book of Ascending in to Light -- if we intended to locate the Hall of Souls. He doesn't know its exact location, but he believes this book, found with Archon Eve, or, depending who you ask, Lilith and other names, may have it and that it is in the hands of the Teutons -- which means it may be here."

The hybrid nods. "That's right. This is where Hakeber's contact comes in. There's a high likelihood that asking about the Book may gain the Kampfengruppe's attention, but short of scowering Arcadia there's not much other choice. Like we planned, I'll go with her -- both to be available and to watch her back. If we can get the Book's location, so much the better." Tasha smiles at the two men, then adds, "It should be interesting. I'll keep the Disciple's swords with me too, to see if they catch anyone's attention. Oh and, um ..," her smile wavers, though she pushes it right back up again, "I also, well, talked to Archon Strength-of-Stones about some of this. He ... He didn't like that Balthasar is here. Even less that I plan to talk to him upon my return, to see if he's willing to be ready in case contact goes poorly."

"I don't trust that thing either," Gabriel notes. "I know the Silent-Ones can be a bit stuck-up, but Balthasar makes me feel like I'm an ant."

"He makes me feel that way, too. Except when I'm in the pilot seat, then I feel like I'm balacing on the edge of a sword with a long fall to either side. Not to mention the power ... The power to do almost anything, if he's to be believed. And the sense of being judged. Until I had met him, I'm sure I'd never felt that mix of emotions anywhere else, even piloting Harmonia. To say he's daunting is a tremednous understatement." The young woman rolls her head to the side, looking up and somewhere beyond, fronwing. "But he's my big intimidating pseduo-deity, for better or for worse. I promised him I'd help him, that I'd give him a chance to find another way to live. The Archon would have me destroy him, and he has good reasons for wanting me to do so, but I can't just betray him. I took him away because I believed he could be find a better purpose -- that he deserved more than to be thrown away because we fear him. Not just him either: ourselves, with his power. If I betray him, I also betray Q

"No, it wouldn't," Tasha conceeds. "That wouldn't be a betrayal either, as I've arranged them for myself as well. My thought is that attempting to assail him physically might be useless. While his gilded parts are vulnerable, the Sifran artifacts are not. His Mind of Light may or may not be the true seat of his conciousness, and his mastery of force is far greater than ours -- a war with Balthasar would be horrifying! No, there needs to be another way. My thought is that while his 'flesh' is strong, his mind, his spirit is weak. I was able to interact with our Sifran stack without incident; I may be able to interface with his as well."

"Our stack was infected with mortal spirits, as it where," Zerachiel notes. "Machine minds seem to behave differently. It would be good to find a way to disconnect the Silent-Ones computer from the crystals if necessary."

"Maybe Ser Heraphel can help with that. He may be aware of an aspect of Balthasar that his remodelers were not, being as he and his group are the ones who created the Magi, and given how he has secreted himself and other functions aboard Melchior." Tasha looks back, ears lowering as she shakes her head. "I don't like it, to be honest, but I'll do it. This all feels like planning to murder someone if they get in our way. Is it really fair to treat potentially sentient AI so callously? Have you ever wondered if they lash out at us, because of how we treat them?"

"You can't think of them as you would a normal person," Gabriel notes. "They are far too powerful, and far too.. alien. And so far we've found hidden personalities in Melchior and Caspar, so it seems reasonable to assume Balthasar has something hidden as well."

"That's just it ... they're not like us, but we never ask them what they want. To convey their feelings back to us. We just assume, we ... " Tasha sighs, head shaking before she asks, "I guess I must sound like I'm rambling? I just don't want to have killed him because we missed something. I don't want his blood on my hands unless there's no other choice in order to protect everyone else. I'll have killed someone I asked to show faith in me, and I'll have done it with my own hands."

"Welcome to leadership," Gabriel says with not very wry grin. "It isn't what you really were hoping it would be, is it?"

"I just wanted the center chair and the fancy uniform," Tasha admits, realizing a second later that despite it being a joke, there was once a time when what she said was true. "Not to mention the love and admiration of everyone."

"You'll have to settle for faith," Gabriel says. "Love and admiration make it harder to do your job."

"That does explain why I keep losing them," Tasha conceeds. "Maybe I should wear my mask more often, and take up Star worship. It seems like absolute faith makes it easy to put aside doubts." She grins a wry grin, the shakes her head. "Anyway, aside from the end of the world problems, I came by to apolgize, so, speaking of onnerous tasks of responsibility, let me say: I'm sorry for worrying you both. I meant the best, but I didn't handle it well. I was really just trying to protect you and everyone else."

"Protection goes both ways, Tasha," Gabriel notes, and gives Tasha a kiss on the cheek.

The young woman wags her tail, leaning in to kiss Gabriel back. She beams a smile at the man for a moment after, then announces, "Speaking of protection, time to go endanger Hakeber. I'll be leaving early tomorrow, so you better get your fill of me while I'm still here and not being chased by the Kampfengruppe."

"Fill you up, you say?" Gabriel says, while Eli turns away and becomes intensely interested in the dirty plate from the cafeteria that's on his desk. "Mmmm.. yes.. fascinating.." he mutters.

Tasha barks a laugh, then nips Gabriel on the nose. "We'll have to discuss that matter in a private conference later. Oh, speaking of which: try and get Eli to go out more. He needs a girlfriend. And that reminds me," looking over, Tasha's expression turns mischivous as she notes, "Harmonia may think a certain scientic is cute, incidentally. It's a fascinating trend as well," before looking back.

Hakeber is not a morning person. When Tasha finds her at the Winged Citadel, she's certain the girl is hungover - but it looks like she was just up all night (and possibly the night before) filling out reports. She's clearly been wearing the same clothes for some time.

Tasha walks over and pats Hakeber's arm as she sits down beside her, propping her head up with her free hand as she watches the drowsy Karnor. "This is the part of adventures they never tell you about."

"Uuhhhhhhhhh," Hakeber says, half the fur on her face matted down. "Did I finish? So much cultural information.."

"I know, it almost makes you want to stay home, doesn't it?" Grinning, Tasha asks, "So, think you're awake enough to hear about my new lead?"

"I will listen to you yodel if you get some coffee and donuts into me," Hakeber claims.

"I guess I can do that," Tasha agrees. She pats Hakeber again as she rises, then waves behind her as she wanders off to get food.

After a trip to the cafeteria and judicious ignoring of the No Food or Drink sign in the office, Tasha has the caffeine and sugar powered attention of the Knight Templar Scholar. "Okay," Hakeber says around a mouthful of dough. "What'd you find out?"

"Why, I spoke with the man who convinced Apollyon Stormbreaker to the Magi missions." Tasha slides her datapad over, the screen filled with details regarding a conversation with one 'Ser Heraphel'. "You can read that as we go. The short of it is: he thinks we need the Book of the Dead, also known as the Book of Ascending in to Light. And he would know, being a leader in the very cult that built the Magi, not to mention being the one who handed Apollyon the Origin Marker of Vartans."

"The Khattans had that?" Hakeber asks, as she scans the notes. "No Khattan Marker?"

"Apparently there was a factional dispute some time prior to their meeting, causing the, ah ... Keepers of Legacy faction to fly it, and themselves, in to a sun to keep it from their rivals," Tasha explains. "It's in the notes."

"They're tougher than they look, those kitties," Hakeber says. "I guess we're heading back to the big Crashland.. otherwise known as Expedition City?"

"That's right," Tasha cofirms, pointing to a passage listed on her datapad, "The Book along with the Human Marker -- it's round by the way -- are likely to be their most sacred possessions and guarded, well, religiously. It'll be tough, but I'm sure you can find a way to get some information about them."

"We'll need to catch the train then," Hakeber says, and rubs her forehead. "You'll let me sleep on that, right?"

"Sure, if you can. You can use me as a pillow if you don't mind the underarmor. Just get ready and meet me out front; I think I'm going to talk to the Titan mechanics while I wait," Tasha confirms before standing. "Grab me if you need any help, see you in a bit!"

Expedition City
One of the oldest settlements on Abaddon, this city marks the initial landing area for the Terran and Silent-Ones spacecraft and escape vehicles. Many of the ships are kept as memorials, although just about anything useful had been harvested to construct the other cities and life-domes. Still, most of the buildings here are constructed from spacecraft hulls, with the hulking mother ships serving as the city center. The whole area has a general industrial feel, and the cheetahs, humans and Karnors tend to mingle freely.

After talking to the Titan mechanics about the Lawbringers, Tasha meets up with Hakeber and catches the train. By that afternoon, they were both in Expedition City and discovering to their dismay that Hakeber's housekeeping skills are not as thorough as her others: there's a sign posted on the door about a biohazard.

"I admit to being vaguely curious and tempted to peak," Tasha remarks in with a micture of awe and concern. "But I suppose I've explored enough hazardous environments for a while." She winks at her friend, then asks, "I don't know the city very well; where do you recommend? Is it okay that we stay together, being I'm, well ... " She waggles a hand at her armed and armored Vartaness.

"As long as you're with me, nobody will raise an eyebrow," Hakeber notes, waving it off. "What sort of digs do you think we should get? Do we have a budget?"

"Well, I have a stipend from the PHTO, as well as vouchers for things I may need. I'm hesitant to spend too much though; after all, this isn't a mission of immediate and direct importance to the welfare of Abaddon. Lets try and find something cheap but not ... risky," the hybrid replies.

"It does in my book. Of course, that usually meant listening to my mother. Or my father, for that matter. And paying a different way ... " Looking somewhat less confident in her plan now, Tasha none the less insists, "That should be fine. Shall we? Or do you want me to intimidate anyone in to a better office? Tenure?" Her tail wags, then she winks again.

"Nah! Won't need anything like that," Hakeber says, and walks down.. to the next door. She pounds on it, and a rather surprised wolf opens it. "Hakeber? You're back? But your dorm is.. oh no!" he says, and tries to slam the door. Too late, as Hakeber has her back wedging it open. "Clemson! Be a pal!" she says, as she forces the door open. Clemson is not as big as Hakeber it seems.

Wondering if scholarship comes with the sacrifice of height on Abaddon, or at if Karnors are evolving to be shorter, less food consuming due to the resource limit, Tasha watches the antics from the hallway arms folded and ears askew.

After watching the two struggle a moment, Tasha asks, "I thought we decided against intimidation. Who is the poor man you're accosting, Hake?"

"What? Oh, he's my neighbor, of course!" Hakeber says. "And I'm not intimidating! I'm charming! Now hurry up and get in before he finds something heavy.."

"This really isn't how I should be conducting myself, you know," the hybrid remarks as she steps forward. Sticking her hoof in the doorward so her it won't get smashed, she leans in, poking her head through the doorway. "Hi, Clemsen is it? My name is Aldara Tasha, I'm with the Joint Expeditionary Force. I had planned to stay with my friend here, but we've run in to a bit of a problem with Hake's, um, tidying habits, so we're at a bit of a loss. I don't suppose you'd be willing to help us?"

This room is.. incredibly clean and organized. There isn't even any shed fur on the furniture. Clemson cowers a bit in the center of the room, until Tasha introduces herself. "You.. you're the alien?" he asks.

"Well not the alien," Tasha corrects, smiling. "But yes, a alien, if you want to get technical -- and I think you do?"

"I mean no offense," the man says, raising his hands. "But.. you've got a spaceship! That still works! Right?"

"He's a techie," Hakeber explains, closing the door behind them. "A bit jumpy. I fixed him up with an Eeee girl this one time and he passed out."

"I'm sure he's a very nice man, Hake," the red woman remarks as she steps in to the center of the room, looking around. It's only now that she's inside that he can see her, armor, wings and all. "Even more so for letting us stay with him. It's only right that I should indulge his interests in technology."

Tasha smiles, gesturing to the couch. "Then take a seat. Do you mind if I sit down? I apologize for the outfit, it was easier to just wear it over and we weren't anticipating needing to find another place to stay."

"Please!" Clemson says, ignoring Hakeber now.. who drags their bags into the bedroom. "Do you want anything to drink? Or eat?"

"I wouldn't mind something to eat, thank you." The hybrid inclines her head before moving to sit, drawing her two Disciples of Ahriman swords and leaning them against the side of the couch. After seating, she folds her hands in her lap and looks up. "As you may know, the JEF Bellerophon is a corvette-class heavy survey vessel composed of hybrid technologies donated by the Fleet's primary backers. What you may not know is that it was used, in part, to reoutfit the TSS Fenris, a light corvette which was dispatched to Sinai to attempt to locate Fleet elements in the early days of the Planetfall. The Fenris did not survive, but the Bellerophon did, abandoned until we located it and brought it here."

The scrawny Karnor is busy in the kitchenette, and returns with.. golden things on sticks. They're pretty big, and steaming. "Sinai! That's where you're from right?" the lad asks, offering the plate to Tasha.

"That's right. I was an airship drover before all this happened. Now I'm a pilot-cadet, assigned to the Melchior for general purpose duty," Tasha reaches over and accepts one of the curious morsels, lifting it to her nose and sniffing it before taking a bite.

It's some sort of sausage wrapped in fried batter. "Wow, I'd love to see the Melchior," Clemson says, and dares to sit next to Tasha on the couch. "I guess you two can stay here, if Hakeber behaves herself."

Speaking of Hakeber, the wolf pokes her head out of the bedroom and says, "We need to break into my dorm eventually to get some of my.. uh.. specialized.. stuff.."

Tasha smiles in appreciation as she chews on the new addition to her list of favorite foods, nodding. After taking the time to swallow, rather than just talking through as she might otherwise, she says, "Melchior is currently hangared in the Pit of Himaar, but as special thanks for your taking the time to help us, I'd be willing to arrange a special tour upon our return to the Pit. I can also introduce you to our leader, if you're interested. We're always looking for recruits, after all." The hybrid pauses to nod to Hakeber, then continues, saying. "But please, no pressure. Sometimes I get a bit carried away with looking for new people. We're a bit short on hands, these days."

"What, really? I could serve on Bellerophon?" Clemson asks, practically vibrating. "I'm great at Ancient Systems Analysis."

"Then you most definitely have a chance to serve on the Bellerophon," Tasha confirms, tail wagging in return. "The old ship needs a lot of work, and skilled hands to crew her. We can get away with a lot using automation, but having a full crew is ideal, especially in the engineering department. Here," Tasha reaches down, removing her datapad and beginning to manipulate it, "I'll enter an appointment for you for some time after we return, so Captain Gabriel T. Akkers knows to be ready for you."

Tasha laughs, hugging back. "It's always nice when I can help make someone's dream come true," she says, patting the man on the back, "just remember there'll be a lot of work ahead, and joining us means potentially risking your life. Exploration is dangerous work, but if you can handle that, then we have a place for you."

"Don't let him get hold of your leg," Hakeber warns as she emerges in a new outfit, looking less like she's been on a dusty train for hours and hours.

"It was just that one time, and I was drunk," Clemson claims. "Because someone spiked the punch.."

Tasha looks up, giving Hakeber a look. "Don't ruin his moment. Things like this only come, maybe, once if a life time. Twice if you're with me." She winks, then glances at er new recruit before giving Hakeber and even more suspicious look. "I guess being a scholar has its own dangers."

"We're young and wild, deal with it," Hakeber says. "Are you going to clean up? We need to hit a haunt to hook up with.. my guy."

"I should. Wearing a heap of armor probably isn't the best way to win him over, either." Tasha pats Clemson, then gently pries him of so that she can stand up. "We'll talk more when Hake and I get back. I have some official work to take care of before I can relax. Incidentally," and here she catss a glance Hakeber-wards, "my work can be dangerous on the political front too, I just thought I'd better warn you. I don't expect any problems within a Knight compound, but, just to be safe, I wanted you to know."

"We'll be off campus," Hakeber says. "Don't worry about it, I've got this down pat.."

Clemson looks doubtful. "Do you want me to get more corndogs for later?" he eventually asks.

"There you go," Tasha says, nodding to Hakeber again. "It should be fine, but as your guest, I feel I should warn you no matter how remote the risk. Anyway, I'm going to change." Heading for the bedroom, Tasha pauses to look back and nod. "Is that what those are? Please, that would be wonderful," she says before heading in.

Minutes later, a red-cloaked, scarf wearing and casually dressed Tasha emerges from the bedroom, looking less like a walking robot and much more curvey. "As shiny as my armor is, nothing beats a nice set of clothes. Ready Hake?"

"Let's go to the wrong side of the tracks and get to work," Hakeber says, punching her fist into her opposite palm.

"Are... we going to be punching people?" Tasha asks as she follows Hakeber on out, picking up her swords as she walks past them.

"I could have stayed home on Sinai for that," Tasha notes as they head out the door.