After a day of train travel, two dusty and somewhat bone-rattled women step onto the train platform above the Pit. A Vartan stands nearby, holding up a pasteboard sign with "Tasha and Neesa" written on it, and dressed in some sort of civilian uniform that includes a brimless cap.
In what may be a new level of travel worn, Tasha looks only tired, rattled, and a little bit sleepy, but her Titanian style teeth and short, best-I-could-do hair make it look as if she might have actually devolved over her trip in to the stars. "That's new," she goes, pointing at the sign. "Lets go, Neesa-Neesa."
Tasha picks up her her halitool, which also serves as a convienet dufflebag rack, then proceeds towards the Vartan with her magical friend. "Hi," she greets the man, rubbing at her nose with her free hand as she does. "I'm Neesa, this is Tasha," she tilts her head Neesa's way. "Is something wrong?"
"I am to convey you to the party once you have arrived," the Vartan notes, his tone a bit nasal. He also looks the women up and down, and notes, "After, perhaps, a stop where you can refresh yourselves?"
"A party?" Tasha asks, head tilting. She then looks down at herself, frowns at what she sees, then eyes the man. "Is this ... a mandatory party?"
"The Viceroy would be disappointed if you could not attend," the man notes. "But likewise could not know when you would arrive. So logically, your presence isn't mandatory, but encouraged."
"Viceroy?" Neesa whispers to Tasha.
"Villem?" Tasha asks, ears shooting up. "Of Vasterlion Industries?" She blinks, biting her lip and looking torn for a moment, then nods. "Well, I'd better attend, then. I wouldn't want to disappoint the Viceroy. I'm Tasha by the way, this," she gestures to Neesa, "is actually Mage Neesa." Turning to said mage, the younger woman then explains, "We've been invited to Viceroy Villem party. The Viceroy is a confederate business, um ... I think the term is mogel. He's in the business of build bioroids and probably other things. We met just before the battle with Tesla, on the staging line." The red woman then gestures towards the vehicle. "It might be fun. I should attend, but you don't have to if you don't want to."
"Well.. if it's in the Pit, will our guys be there?" Neesa asks, then thinks to ask the Vartan directly. "Do you know if the local JEF officers will be attending?"
"The party is to celebrate the new well, and most of the Pit dignitaries are attending," the Vartan confirms.
Tasha appears to have wandered off in to a mental realm of self-concious worrying, because she turns away and with her back to the others, grabs one of her Titanian teeth and wobble-shakes it until her fingers hurt, but nothing happens.
"Fah," the red woman mutters, turning back and grinning sheepishly. "Uh, well ... " She stammers, looking between the two. "I suppose we'd better be there, then. We'll just, um, do the best we can." She then eyes the vehicle somewhat apprehensively, then shrugs and heads towards it like she's heading towards her own funeral.
The Vartan clears his throat before Tasha gets into a rather standard ground car for the Pit. "That is not for us," he explains a moment later, and gestures further down the platform to.. a lumpy shape under a tarp.
Tashs sits in the wrong vehicle for a long moment, ears layed back until she finally just goes, "Oh." Pulling herself up, she wanders towards the tarp instead!
Neesa follows along, asking, "What was wrong with that one?"
"Pro'ly not fancy enough," Tasha admits in a tune that suggests she probably should have expected as much, but was too out of it to do so. "Villem drives nice cars. I got to ride in one of them after the battle, when we went to attend Katie's, um, I mean, Miss Vesuvius's show."
"It needs an elevator," the Vartan notes, and pulls the tarp off of something very black and very shiny with very, very alive looking legs. It's as if someone took a spider and made it into a racing car.. or at least crammed it into sexy armor. There is no face, and if the thing has a mouth or eyes they are hidden. It does have eight large insect legs ending in massive claws, which unfold once the tarp is removed. There's a big, golden stylized 'V' on the 'hood', and the cockpit is bowl-shaped, with the passenger seating taking up the back half of the curve, and the pilot's seat at the front.
Brows shooting up unevenly, the younger of the two women approaches the vehicle with the kind of fearlessness that comes after a crazy Titanian space adventure. "It's a ... A bioroid car? A caroroid?" Ventures Tasha, who stops just short of one of the legs and takes a moment to look it up and down.
The outer armor doesn't look like it can detach, but also doesn't quite look 'fused' to the fleshier or chitin parts either. It makes Tasha recall the bay at Tartarus where the 'hybrid' experimental vehicles were using parts from the canal denizens as hulls. Maybe Villem's scientists managed to figure out how the local lifeforms can grow metal with biology.
"Interesting," murmurs Tasha, who now appears to have forgotten she hs places to go and has taken to inspecting the vehicle in earnest. "If he did ... That would be ... Hmm ... Save on resources ... "
The Vartan helps Neesa into the bowl in the middle of the bioroid's back, then offers his hand to Tasha.
Tasha's head darts at the movement, avian-canine eyes peering at it a moment before she remembers. "Oh. Thanks," she goes, accepting the hand and then climbing inside. Once in, she settles back, laying her halitool across her lap and on to part of Neesa's.
The Vartan takes the pilot seat, and begins to work various levers and pedals until the vehicle comes to life (literally) and begins to.. scutter.. towards the edge of the Pit's sheer cliff face. It's also when it become apparent there aren't any seatbelts or other safety restraints.
"This is going to be fun," Tasha notes as she watches the cliffside approach, a bit grin on her face and tail wagging, albiet retrainedly, against the seat.
Neesa doesn't seem as certain, and grabs onto Tasha when they reach the edge.. and go over. The claws of the Vasterlion Walker Bug easily grip the sides of the cliff, while the bowl of the cockpit rotates on gimbals to remain horizontal. The pilot does have to lean forward a bit as a result to see where to steer though.
"Heehee!" Goes Tasha, who, Neesa-locked, tries to peer over the edge but can't quite do so due to the magical grip. "You need to relax, Neesa!" She insists, not catching how hypocritcal it sounds. "Compared to the Maelstrom or facing off against the dreadnought, this is mild terror at best. Besides, most of us in here can fly."
"Yes, me not being one of them," Neesa points out. "It's different up in the air, on an island or airship.. this is on the face of a cliff! It's unnatural to move like this!"
"Shh! You'll hurt the roidocar's feelings," Tasha insists, still grinning like a madwoman. She reaches over to pay the side of the cockpit-bubble. "There, there! She didn't mean it, spider-car. Besides, I like you!"
The bubbles and other organic shapes of the Confederate sector lay ahead-below, and most notable is the 'well'. The drilling rig is still in place, but already in the first stages of disassembly. Large pipes snake away in various directions from the pump house, and there is a covered pavilion and several tents and temporary structures set up near to it - likely the location of the party.
At this Tasha points. "There's the well site! It feels like only weeks ago when I helped drill that -- I did the recon for it too! Of course, Eli and Fred were the ones who did the hard work of reconfiguring Bellerophon's sensors to scan for it, but at least I can say I did the scanning and the manual labor; Mel and I, of course."
"They must have gotten it all finished while we were away," Neesa notes, sounding calm but still not letting go of Tasha. "I'm glad the Confederates don't dress like they do in Babel. I wouldn't want Remiel being served by half-naked dancing girls or anything.."
"Oh, wow, Babel. That brings back memories. It's interesting just how much the two cultures have changed over the intervening centuries. Vartans never joined forces with Babel, the cultural differences, religious differences. It seems like the Confederacy of this world maintains more in common with the modern supersolar version than its Sinaian sister, which is especially surprising given both arrived here at the same time, while the Galactic has six-thousand years of seperation," remarks Tasha.
"Once a state of stability is achieved, it can last for a long time.. especially if there are outside forces maintaining it," Neesa says. "For the Galactics.. to me it seems like things are forced to be stable because the Khattans and Celestials like it that way."
"That was the impression I got, too. And, that's why someone could probably use some help, and sooner rather than later. I just hope I can convince Gabriel -- the Captain, I mean -- that it should be done. And of course, it's not as if the Khattans and the Celestials obey their stability rules. That will need to be discussed, too," Tasha tells Neesa, turning to face the woman in light of the intriguing conversation.
The slope begins to change, as the near the bottom of the cliff. Soon after, they're back on 'level' ground and moving towards the pavilion, where there are a variety of other vehicles parked. The bug veers off towards a smaller (but still substantial) tent, however. "You may refresh yourselves at the Viceroy's tent," the Vartan driver notes.
"By 'refresh' he means 'make slightly less embarassing,'" Tasha confides to Neesa, eyes rolling. "And me without Katie Kaboom to save me, this time. If people start staring, can you magic me in to a coma or something? Please?"
"I can't put you to sleep with magic, I'm afraid," Neesa admits. "I use a calming tea on Remy. I wouldn't mind the chance to comb my fur out a bit, however."
"Oh," Goes Tasha, ears splaying in disappointment. "Well, maybe Ka- Miss Vesuvius will save me. Or ... Wait, no." Eyes widening, it's Tasha's turn to grip Neesa. "No, no ... If you see her, warn me so I can hide somewhere. Or, I don't know, assassinate me. Or ask someone!"
"What?" Neesa asks as the bug comes to a stop under a canvas overhang. "Is it because of your haircut?"
"That and the teeth, and that I look like I've been in the wilds for two months. Ahhhh," frets Tasha, who scrambles up and grabs her things. "I need to hurry! Open, bubble ... Open open open- There!" And with that she flees from the vehicle and in to the tent to get ready.
The inside of the tent is.. well, chaotic. There are walls and dividers set up seemingly at random, with spaces that seem like closets or dressing rooms (only because they have mirrors and lights) and others that are full of metal crates, tanks of goo and other rather organically fragrant things. There's nothing like a bedroom or sitting room - but then, there are lots of exposed cross-supports overhead, where Eeee could comfortably hang upside-down.
Tasha looks around frantically, taking it all in, then suddenly declares, "I have no idea what I'm dooooing," in the hopeless wail of the over-stressed. Despite her declaration, she then heads towards the nearest mirror booth and searches out a comb, leaning towards her reflection and attacking her hair.
Neesa catches up soon after, carrying her travel bag with various grooming tools. "Do you want some hair shaping cream?" she offers.
Tasha glances back to blink at Neesa, then answers, "Yes!" followed by, "I don't know what that is!"
"Calm down," the more experienced woman notes, and starts to work on Tasha's wild mane, combing it into a shape that makes best use of what's left of it. "I can't make it look too fancy.. you've got this scruffy adventurer look going which is pretty charming. The fangs help."
Tasha doesn't look convinced to calm down, at least at first. She peers up on her under-construction head and Neesa's helping hands with worried dubiousness for nearly a minute before she shows any signs of relaxing. Whether it's the calm words, the assistance, or simplying having her hair worked -- which is a lot like a head pat -- the tense look on her face melts away, and her shoulders relax. Eventually she just slumps in to the chair and says, "So, you really think it's charming?"
"This is the Pit," Neesa points out. "It's the New Frontier on Abaddon. These people are generally rough-and-ready, dealing with monsters and the fact that they are, for the most part, made up of either adventurers or undesirables that don't fit in back in their respective nations."
"They always seemed so much more refined than what I'm used to. I guess for them, this is what rough-and-ready looks like. Cultural differences," the younger woman admits, having now given in to letting the older take care of her. "Sorry for over-reacting. It's just hard to look so, um, ragged when you know Katie is going to be around. At least Gabriel is used to me looking like this -- all the Elite are. I looked a lot, worse, when we first met."
"Remy said you used to dress like a flirty teenager with a chip on your shoulder," Neesa notes. "At least like this you look a bit more mature."
"I was a flirty teenager with a chip on my shoulder," the younger woman admits, smiling embarassedly. "But when we first met, I was wearing leather armor and skirt, dressed in heavy furs. The Gash of Fenris was cold, yah? I didn't change how I looked until we got back to Olympia."
"He told me about the Priestesses too," Neesa notes, combing just a little harder at that point. "It was before we were really in a relationship though.. I'm sure he's embarrassed about it now. There aren't any Lapi on Abaddon though that I can use to tease him with." She finally pulls the comb away, and decides, "Okay, this looks a bit like how those Belter humans wore their hair.. what do you think?"
In the end, Tasha's hair has gone from straight and the bluish side of blonde to short, spiked out, and punkish. The color isn't quite blonde; Tasha wasn't able to quite match her original color using the 'spinner' of the Titanians, and so what was once cool-blonde is now something that might be found on a Silent-One: goldish with streaks of white, and lighter or darker sections in an uneven pattern. Her body fur suffered in much the same way, if not quite so haphazard: She's red, but not the blue-based near-maroon of before, but something different. In a struggle to avoid being grayish-red, and thus pink, she intensfied the red to the point of being deep and intense, but wasn't able to get it right everywhere, leaving darker patches and areas of the pink she tried to avoid. Her white fur is now white at least, being much easier to do.
"Well, it's not so bad, right? Um, don't answer that. Lets just get going. I like the hair, at least -- and you're right about the fangs. I never really considered them as a fashion accessory, but they do work that way, don't they?" Pushing herself up, Tasha resists running a hand through her hair -- then realizes it won't actually mess anything up and dos it anyway -- before turning towards the exit. "I'll just wait over there, while you get ready."
Neesa's own preparations are much quicker: a few sweeps of the comb to get rid of frazzles and dirt, and then.. turning her robe inside out to reveal a differently patterned but cleaner side. Mages.. even their clothes are tricksy.
"This is the party side," she notes to Tasha. "Waterproof. Very useful around drunk students."
Tasha stares at the robe change with a mix of bemusement and appreciation. "I need to remember that trick," she notes, then she thumbs back towards the outside world. "Time to face the crowd. Lets go."
There's still some ground to cover between the tent and the pavilion, but it does give them time to see what's going on. The pavilion is open sided, with a bar and buffet at the center. There aren't any tables or chairs or private spaces, more or less forcing people to mingle. There are a lot of Confederate types, more than any of the other groups, but still plenty of familiar faces, including Rapatia (in a dress), the various Potato Heads, Riddle Smith and Malachite the Green Lancer, and even Scholar-to-Aliens keeping Archon Strength-of-Stones under close chaperone. The JEF men are also there, with only Gabriel wearing one of the new uniforms, while Eli and Remiel are dressed more casually. They seem to all be in the group gathered around Viceroy Villem Vasterlion the Third (and his wife, Vystalia). Some of the JEF recruit hopefuls are also there, names Fringe the Eeee botanist and Shojo the Vartan medic.
"I see a friendly crowd, lets get there before we're engaged, so we can relax a bit before facing the politicians and the rest," Tasha whispers aside to Neesa as they walk along. She still has her halitool, too, and her dufflebag, though not out of a personal desire to bring them in to the party. Each item contains potentially sensitive technologies, including Titanian ones, and so the young cadet decides she can't risk leaving either unattended. Carrying them with her doesn't make her stand out any less, however.
"I have no political responsibilities," Neesa says with a grin. "I'm just a girlfriend!" And with that she sneaks up behind Remiel and noses his.. ear. The doctor jumps, then grins and hugs the mage! "You survived!" he laughs. This prompts Gabriel to look around and spot Tasha. Both of his eyebrows rise to their maximum elevation when he spots her.
Despite holding a haliberd encrustered with power tools and looking like the love child of a Titanian and a Vartan, Tasha still manages to shrink a little, smile sheepishly, and wiggle her fingers at her mate in a anxious reaction that's probably more adorable than it has any right to be. "Hiiiiii," she offers a moment later. "I'm a bit, um, different now. It's, um ... Well ... a long story?" Then she giggles, nervously.
Gabriel walks up to Tasha, and says, "If this is what happens if you're away from me for a few days, I probably should lock you up in our bedroom for a while. Not that I wouldn't do that anyway. At least it looks like you did some interesting things, whereas I just got this uniform tailored. I think it's too tight in the butt." Then he just pulls Tasha into a very squeazy hug. "I'm glad you're back safe and sound. You are safe and sound right?"
Tasha melts in to her mate's arms, happy to lay her head against his chest and feel like she's truly home again -- home, and safe. "Oh, sure," she answers after she's had a moment of snuggling. "But I've actually been gone over two weeks. Time is funny, right?" She then scootches her head back enough to gaze up at the man, smiling. "The uniform looks good on you, by the way. I hope you don't mind this, um, disaster that I am right now. We spent some time disguised as Titanians."
"Is your fur like this all over or just where it was going to show?" Gabriel asks. "And.. the teeth.. are they yours or was there some dental disaster?"
"All over, I couldn't risk the possibility that for whatever reasons, the Galactics might detect I wasn't a Titanian," Tasha explains as she settles in to a combination of hugging and leaning against. "The teeth were supposed to be temporary. They're actually one of Bumper's daughter's teeth, which I used glue on. Glue that was supposed to be easy to remove. Easy to remove that was not supposed to mean, "Yah sure, pull tooth out! Easy!""
"Bumper? Galactics?" Gabriel asks, pulling back enough to look Tasha in the face. "You left to go fishing and try to learn about the Titanians. It sounds like you've learned a bit more than that."
"Welllllll, yes. Um, a lot more, actually. Um, summary: We met the Phin, the most recent Uplift of Terra, which are dolphin and currently embroiled in a complicated civil war; After that we helped them free a Harrower from its multispace confinement, and turns out I can speak to Harrowers and other beings because I touched one; Then, we narrowly escaped being assasinated by Tandi; After that we went to Caltrop Station, which is on our doorstep celestially speaking and met a lot of interesting people, and learned some things we need to discuss later; Following that we had to leave and the Titanians had to deal with a dreadnought invading their sun-sized particle accelerator; Then we came back but had to leave again, rescuing a sentient cell-based collective from destruction, a species known as the Niss; And then we stopped over at the station and returned home. Whew!"
After a moment to catch her breath, Tasha then adds, "Oh and I forgot to mention: I made this halitool for myself, I spoke to a space whale that lives in dreams want wants you to feel at peace, learned the Terrans actually have several new uplifts, and Karnors now look like Gallah and Gallee and we're considered 'throwbacks.' Also: Galactics really like Uplifting, so, it's good they're not here. Very good."
"Karnors have.. cousins?" Gabriel asks. "And we've become domesticated?" He seems mildly disturbed by the revelations. "Phins.. dolphins? And whales too? Or is that something Neesa created? What other Terran Uplifts are there? I'd expect a lot more after six millennia.. look at what they did on Sinai.."
"There are three, and there are plans for a fourth but external pressure is causing problems for Terra's Uplifting project. To put it simply: The rest of the Galactics are disturbed Terra is creatings its own and have voiced disapproval of allowing them another Uplift. The problem is such a concern the Phin are 'rebeling,' but in reality they're using it as an excuse to develope while still keeping the Galactics at arms length, but it's an uneasy plan. The current Uplifts are: current model Karnor, Pans which are people created from something called a 'chimpanzee,' Phins which are dolphins -- fish-like mammals apparently -- and then there's a thought to Uplift something called a 'gorilla,' or else species of Terran birds or other animals. The pressure caused on of the TerraGen Council to break ties and flee with the specimens, and his whereabouts are unknown-" and here Tasha leans in closer, "-which we need to discuss in private later-" before leaning back, "and there's concerns one of the Galactics
Galactics may attempt to steal the Phins or the newer projects."
"So.. Terra is still near the bottom of the Totem pole," Gabriel notes with a sigh. Then he slips over to Tasha's side, and gestures around. "Well, we're pretty popular here now. The Confederates are offering us just about anything we want for helping turn their fortunes around. And Mr. Vasterlion seems to be the one with the 'anything' to offer. You apparently made a good impression on him."
"He's my buddy!" Tasha says with a grin, turning to look the gathering over. "We fought Tesla together, but even before that we were talking. In fact, we met on the line before the battle; he stopped to say "hello" given his machine and mine were so different from the pack." After pausing to think a moment, the young woman then asks, "So what do we want?"
"Biosteel, most likely," Gabriel notes. "They've gotten pretty far with manipulating the local monsters to their ends. Having armor and hull material that can heal is pretty useful. It may also fend off the local fauna.. they're still testing that. Frankly, I was just going to turn Remiel and Eli loose and let them figure it out."
"I saw one of the test models on the way here, and I have to admit I'm really impressed with what they've done with biosteel. If we get some, I think I'd like some sent my way," the young woman tells her mate. Angling towards the others, she begins walking with him. "How are the new recruits? Oh: I should also note that the Titanians asked me to deal with Lord Yama, one way or another. They're offering me something, too."
"And just what constitutes 'dealing' with him?" Gabriel has to ask, then switches to the more pleasant topic of the recruits. "I'm pretty happy with them. There's still the Combined Rules of Conduct to finish hammering out though, since they can't do anything against their Knights Templar oaths, and we need to try and maintain a similar chain of command and some way of passing authority back and forth. But they're all good, polite.. very 'model' recruits really, which I think was half of the reason they were selected."
"So making me look bad, right?" Tasha nudges her mate, cackling and ending with a grin. "I'm thinking of returning to school. My adventure really helped me find my spirit again, and, um, well, I was also thinking that we should work out our own chain of command. Namely, you and me. I came to realize that it's hard for me to see you as 'the Captain,' and as my mate, and that's why I've been more distant than I used to be. I'm trying to avoid looking incompetent, which I can't do and also lean on you. Does that make sense?"
"Nope?" Gabriel replies. "We aren't a pack, you know, where hierarchy extends to personal relationships. I like that you aren't as.. aggressive.. as Nora was in terms of challenging me authority-wise.. while still managing to challenge me personally in a good way. You aren't even directly under my command.. I think. Cadets would be under a Sergeant.. which would be Fred, I suppose. He'd be under Nora, and Nora under me."
"Still low on the totem pole, is that how you say it? I guess my face isn't all I share in common with Terran. Alright, I'll just, um, try to deal with it better. Getting out in to space really helped my confidence, so, I feel less pressure to excel beyond reason, here at home. And if you agree, I'll probably be departing again within a week," Tasha goes on to say, still walking along with Gabriel. "There's an unknown time limit, but I need to handle Lord Yama before I can leave again. After that, well, I need to find someone -- if you agree, of course. See? I respect your authority, I know you're a better leader than I am. Plus, I kind of like it when you're being the alpha." And then she winks.
"Well.. I can rationalize all of this as being part of your training," Gabriel notes. "More self-guided training, since you don't seem to care much for the sit-down-and-listen method," he adds with a smirk. "So I've got you for a week before you head back to Sinai? Did you want me to come with you, or can I make some recommendations?"
"As Lord Yama will only deal with me, and since combat is a distinct possibility, I think it's best you remain here. You won't be able to negotiate with him, and the journey wil be faster by air. Plus, I don't want to risk you if he becomes hostile: Both because I love you and the JEF needs you. It won't be a vacation either, as I'll be heading directly to the site, and only stopping for supplies. That said, I think we should notify the Temple, and I believe a certain somebody might be interestd in dealing with a being the manipulated his ... forebearers. Interested enough to send military help, and give his blessing. In addition, the Titanians will be providing orbital suppoirt in case things get out of hand. Besides that ... " Tasha's ears go up, then she turns to watch her mate. "You know I love your strategic analysis. I'm all teeth and ears!"
Gabriel asks, "The Titanians? What exactly are they going to be doing and how will they know when to do it? I was going to suggest taking Shojo along - he's a good medic in practice, but he's never really traveled much or had to improvise. I'd like to see how he reacts in totally unfamiliar surroundings. Your ex-roommate Fringe is related to the Vasterlions somehow. Xenobotany seems like something potentially useful when dealing with a plant-based lifeform. It sounds like you plan on destroying Yama though. Is that the case, or is this a threat assessment expedition?"
"I agree about Shojo; In fact, Shojo was on my list both for his medical skills and his ability to fly. I also thought he'd appreciate the travel, but it sounds like you see even more in it than I did -- which is why you're the Captain, Captain!" The young woman grins again. "As for Fringe, I didn't realize she was interested in associating with the JEF, or even a recruit. I must have missed something? As for the mission, it'll be threat assessment first and foremost. I need to know who he works for and what his ultimate purpose is for allowing me to approach that place. He worries the Titanians, who have more experience with dealing with godlike entities. Lord Yama is proud, and destructive, though, and his mindset is difficult to know; He may well attack us for any number of reasons. If we can't subdue him and recover the machine, the Titanians are poised to strike him from orbit."
"Fringe isn't a JEF hopeful," Gabriel notes. "But we don't have anyone that could make sense of Lord Yama on a physical or biological level. It's more that he's convenient, and if anyone can make any use of biological samples from Yama it'll be someone like Villem."
"That's a good idea! I didn't think of using Lord Yama's sampls for anything; I was actually going to burn them in the off chance he could recover. After some of the beings I've met -- Harrowers, sentient cell collectives, ghosts -- and what the Titanians taught me, it doesn't hurt to be extra safe. Speaking of which, I was thinking the mages might have some sort of, um, what's the word ... planticide? Oh. herbicide. Lord Yama appears to be the Holy Seed's origin, so what works on the vines may work on him, unless the vines are some other kind of mysterious space plant I'm not aware of." As they near the others, Tasha lifts a hand to wave to Villem, beckoning him over before waving Shojo and Fringe over as well.
"The Seeds are supposedly immortal," Gabriel notes. "But the one the Celestials had in their life dome was stolen decades ago and apparently dead. It was the rejuvenation attempt that created their current life dome."
Villem spots Tasha and waves. "Oh my, you look traveled!" he says with a smile. "I must insist on a photograph before the end of the party." He thrusts a glass of clear liquid out to the hybrid.
"Well, that's something at least. But, immortal..? But you say their old one died. Well! I'm sure between us all, we can find some way of dealing with him. It's his boss the really worries me, though," Tasha notes to Gabriel, then turns to smile at the refine Eeee, accepting the drink. "And you look as, um, I think the word is dapper as ever! It's good to see you, Villem. I hope your wife is well. Would you mind giving us some of your time, so we can discuss some ominous matters?"
"Ominous matters? At a party? Full of people with excellent hearing?" the Eeee asks, smiling all the while. "How could I resist! Please take over here for me, Vistalia! I need to do something potentially heroic back in the tent."
"Please don't make more of a mess than is already there," the Viceroy's wife notes, and gives him a pinch on the cheek. "No fires this time. Remember your promise!"
"Of course, my love!" Villem pledges, and then leads Gabriel and Tasha back towards the tent.
Tasha grins at the display, then follows the Eeee. "It's bad of me I keep forgetting how well Eeee hear, isn't it," Tasha asks Gabriel, then she shakes her head at Villem, too. "It's because my hearing isn't very good! Too many years cracking a whip and listening the the screaching of pteras. And I was doing so well as a intergalactic spy."
"I would like to ride a ptera someday," Villem says. "Are they easy to breed? Think they'd do well on Abaddon?" When they reach the tent, the odd double-layer with 'stuff' in between construction makes more sense as sound-proofing to Tasha.
Tasha looks around the tent a moment, then nods in approval before turning to Villem. "Pteras make for terrible mounts, they're snake-like and hard to balance on -- I know from experience. They're also bitey, but that's probably because they can sense aggression and I was full of it back then. As for breeding, I can put you in touch with some breeders on Sinai if you like." She then smiles, glances at the exit, and says, "Shojo and Fringe must have missed my waving. Oh well, we'll get them later. Anyway, Mr. Vasterlion, how would you feel about potentially obtaining the remains of a demigod like being -- or angel if you like -- who may or may not be related to the Holy Seeds?"
"The magical energy-producing plants of the Celestials, eh?" Villem asks, and rubs his chin. "Assuming it does not entail actually stealing samples from the new Life Dome, I would be interested. There is a lot of mystery surrounding them, you know - including just what the energy they produce is and where it comes from. Enough power to warp space!"
"Overspace is what they call it," Tasha notes. "Not useful in a gravity well, but it's the Celestials primary faster-than-light travel method. Anyway! This being may be related to them, but is also distinctly hostile to nearly everything, except me and quite likely a being higher up than it is. Now, normally we don't go hunting around for being to judge and, as may happen, kill, but this one has the distinction of being the one responsible for the destruction of the original Joint Expeditionary Force and, as an ancient and manipulative hand that guided the stars, may still represent a danger to us. Besides that, there are things I need to learn from him, and he may not appreciate my digging too far, or my associations or choices. So, we may well be at odds, and that's where you will come in. If we can defeat him using our own powers, we may be able to recover samples -- or even if can't defeat him we may be able to escape with samples and cme up with a better plan."
"Sounds quite the monster," Villem notes, with a glint in his eye. Of course he's probably thinking of fighting in Vastille again.. "This creature is not on Abaddon though, is it?" he asks.
"No, it is on Sinai in a area refered to as a 'Forbidden Zone.' This complicates matters, because while it seems to be able to operate efficently, we cannot. Most of our technology will fail when brought to Sinai, and what doesn't that far may well when taken in to the intense SPF field of a Forbidden Zone. Furthermore, this being -- Lord Yama -- is in possession of the Tech Level II Magi Class Titan 'Caspar,': The last remaining brother of my own Melchior. It is armed with vibration claws and an energy cannon," Tasha explains.
"I've heard of Forbidden Zones," Villem notes, and frowns. "Aerial weather phenomena of some sort, like an invisible storm? Telescopes can't see through them from Abaddon."
"They are likely extrauniversal portals. Areas where our reality and another are drawn closer, for purpose of fetchng something, or else areas where the SPF has gone haywire and is disrupting space and time in an uncontrolled manner. Because they disrupt reality at the quantum level -- and maybe deeper -- they cause technology that depends on t to malfunction. Living beings seem more resistant, possibly due to their perception of self which can assert against reality. But, anyway, the whole point is we may need to use exceptional tactics and strategies to overcome this being without relyng on calling down the sky," continues the punked out cadet.
"I'm sure you can reason with it," Villem says and claps Tasha on the shoulder. "What do you need from me for this undertaking?"
"I hope so. I'm not happy with it, considering it doomed us here because it felt that was expedient, but I don't like the idea of preying on it if it is no longer a threat, either. We'll see." Tilting her head, Tasha then asks, "Your biological technologies, how well do they hold up in areas of high SPF? Do you have any body armor, or weapons, that might survive? Something to take samples with? A long range injector? Scanning technologies? Aerial personnel may help, too, to manage any equipment -- they will kept out of the combat zone and changeline detailed before the encounter."
"Ah.. well, we have some equipment we use on the canal creatures," Villem notes, scratching at his throat in thought. "They rely on rockets though, which I understand are unreliable on the surface of Sinai. Our armor is lighter than what you wore at the Battle of Tesla, and may not be as sturdy. Our plant-sampling equipment.. is mostly just shears for getting through the outer metallic layers. We do have good preservative packs though for any samples. I don't think those involve anything volatile. Most of what I can provide is rather immobile - laboratories and research farms."
"Then I'll ask our own Doctors Zerachiel and Caravelli if they can come up with something alongside our Chief Engineer. The mages may have some ideas, too, for herbacides. And if all else fails, there may be something left in the crater -- but I'd hate to have to destroy the countryside and the Titan in order to win. We will if we must, but it'd be a terrible waste in an already unpleasant event. So, anyway, I think we can count you in on the processing side of things, assuming we get any samples?" Tasha asks.
"Of course," Villem says, bowing his head. "It could revolutionize.. well, everything I suppose if the properties can be transferred to other organisms."
"I probably don't need to say it, but be careful with it. If we get it, it'll be unstable -- on many levels, including politically. We'll need to sort that all out, too." Nodding approvingly, Tasha then glances to her mate and asks, "Should call Shojo in, now? And Fringe?" She turns her attentions back to the Eeee, and notes, "We're thinking of recruiting Fringe for this mission for her special skills, and so if either of us have any equipment to provide, she can operate it and handles samples, analysis, and so on."
"My second-cousin has gone into the canals.. so this should not be too dangerous for her," Villem agrees. "Fringe is experienced in using our equipment as well. I've met Shojo as well.. he seems knowledgeable but untested. But then, he's a Vartan - so at least you'll have extra muscle!"
"I'll go fetch them," Gabriel offers, and slips out of the tent.
Tasha sneaks a tug of Gabriel's tail as he goes to leave, smiling as she turns back to Villem. "By the way, Villem, does your company or any of your rivals maintain external contacts? That is, with the outside world? Have you noticed any suspicious activity? Sudden growth or new technologies?"
"I'm not sure what you mean, Tasha," Villem replies. "Outside world? Do you mean Sinai and Ashtoreth? I have a few business contacts who bring in some materials from Arcadia.."
"No, from outside our planetary system: From the universe we came from, before the Expedition was trapped here. The greater realm of the stars, and of the Galactic powers," Tasha explains, watching the man's expression carefully.
"I.. is there something I don't know?" Villem asks. "We haven't really begun to explore what magic can do, but are you saying there's a way to contact the old civilizations?"
Tasha looks around for a moment, then frowns. "There are certain factions of the external powers that are aware of us, and may be operating here. They already tried to conqueor us once, and there may be other attempts I don't know about. Somehow, they found a way here, and that's problem. Abaddon and Sinai aren't ready to dal with that kind of attention. It may seem like it'd be wonderful, but they're six-thousand years ahead of us, and beyond that, far, far greater in technology, resources and scope. The time is approaching when we won't be able to ignore them, but we have to ensure it's on our terms, and handled carefully, or else they may devour us," admits the cadet, who shoots Villem a worried look. "Very few people know about this. I'm trusting you to keep your eyes ... Ears perked. Let us know if you hear anything."
"And keep it quiet. Do not attempt to contact them; Galactics measure their power in worlds and entire sentient species, they will not deal equally with you unless it's handled carefully and with the knowledge of their limits, and even I don't know those ... Yet," Tasha concludes.
"I don't need the competition from off-world," Villem notes. "I don't even have any ties to Sinai governments. Granted, that's mainly because I don't like having to do business through the Kampfengruppe and Khattan Emirate.."
"I don't blame you. As it happens, the Khattan Emirate is descended from the Khattan Trade Coalition elements from the original Expedition Fleet, and compared to the actual Khattan Trade Coalition, the Emirate is nothing more than a backwater, insignificant power. They are to their greater element as a stall selling food bugs is to your corporation -- maybe even greater. And they are the best businessmen the galaxy knows," Tasha elaborates. Feeling the man needs some reassurance after that bombshell, Tasha reaches over and pats his shoulder. "Sorry to scare you, but I need someone I can trust keeping an eye out. Can I trust you, Villem?"
"You are lucky that I have an unhealthy attraction to secrets and intrigue and adventure," Villem notes. "I also wouldn't have much of a business if I couldn't keep secrets."
"I have a good nose for people and working together, so it's a good match. Besides, these people are -- if not exactly our enemies -- then at least not our allies. Not yet. Some day we'll be ready, but until then, we'll need to be careful. Luckily you've got me! And what's a pan-galactic empire compared to that?" Tasha grins, winking at the Eeee.
"Crushingly wealthy and overwhelming and probably not as cute?" Villem guesses with a smirk. There's a rustle of the flap as Gabriel returns with Shojo the Vartan and Fringe the Eeee. "Are we getting free booze?" Fringe asks hopefully.
"Water," Villem says. "All we are serving today is water. Because this is to celebrate that we have fresh water now," he clarifies.
"I knew I should have scanned for a beer well," Tasha mock-laments, head shaking. She then eyes the two newcomers, then turns to Shojo, "Are you ready for moment when your interest in associating to the JEF become a life threatening adventure, exploring strange new lands, and meeting terrifying, otherworldly creatures?"
"Uh.. can I pack my beak-brush first?" Shojo asks, uncertain if Tasha is serious or not. "You've changed your hair.."
"And I stole a Titanian's teeth, you have to keep up with the changes exploration brings!" Tasha walks over to the larger Vartan, then puts her halitool and bag aside before laying her hands on his shoulders. "We have a mission, and you have been chosen to assist me, along with Fringe if she accepts. We will be going to Sinai to assess the threat of an alien being, and, if it proves hostile, potentially destroy it. This will be a joint operation, but at the very lest, it will be me, you, Fringe and other fliers. Can you do it?"
"Is.. uh.. Sinai?" Shojo asks, wide-eyed. "Aliens? I'm a medic.. are you expecting injuries?"
"Plasma burns, lacerations, pulverization, maybe loss of self-esteem. We'll be squaring off against a Titan powered by a demigod. You don't have to fight though, that will be for whatever combat personnel we can get. Or if the amount is: None, then it will be me fighting," is Tasha's answer. "You just need to make sure I stay alive, carry equipment, learn, and if necessary fly away extremely fast."
"That is, assuming he doesn't want to talk or doesn't like what I have to say," Tasha notes in afterthought.
"I can run away on command," Shojo promises. Fringe taps Tasha on the shoulder.
"Good." Tasha turns and smiles to Fringe after. "Yes?"
"I don't mean to sound crass or anything, but.. uh.." Fringe says, then leans in closer to whisper, "There'll be real bars and drinks and loose men right?"
"Maybe later. Mission now," Tasha whispers back, then turns her attention to the other woman more fully. "You heard what I told Shojo. We also want you along, as we will be dealing with a sentient, xenomorphic fauna of untold age, uncertain powers, and interesting properties. The journey will take us to Sinai, in to a dangerous area known as a Forbidden Zone. Will you help us?"
"There is nothing in that statement I do not like," Fringe says, clutching her hands together. "Adventure and excitement and really weird plants!"
"Great! We'll be leaving in roughly a week. You'll get more details the closer we get to the departure date, and you'll probably be assigned equipment, body armor, and possibly a weapon. I'll be your comamnding officer for the mission, and also the contact with the target. In addition to our current forces, we may be operating alongside forces from Rephidim Temple and with Titanians. I know the Knights do not like Titanians, but this is a potential danger we may need support on, and a lot of it. Besides, they're my friends. Is that acceptable?" Tasha looks to Shojo too, then to Gabriel to make sure the Titanian alliance isn't a problem.
"Will you tell us the story behind the haircut and the fangs?" Fringe asks.
"I disguised myself as a Titanian for two weeks. My Titanian name is 'Rustpuppy.' That," she gestures at her halitool, "is my Titanian hammer. Good?"
"That really just leads to more questions you know," Fringe says. "Where do we meet next? I'll make sure the birdy shows up."
"We'll begin planning tomorrow, and I'll see what we can arrange as far as quiet places to plan. You're both required to keep this quiet, except to your superiors since obviously I don't outrank them. You can ask the Captain or other officers for details or help outside the usual chain, since this is a special mission, and we'll make sure the Knights chain knows what's going on too. Otherwise you'll see me back at the Academy, though not tonight because I'll be with my big wolf. Any other questions?" Tasha asks, looking around to everyone gathered.
"Do you have any allergies?" Shojo asks.
"Actually," Tasha says after a pause, "I think I have the Captain's authority in this, so considered this mission classified to that level. If anyone needs to know, direct the questions to him or me." The reddish woman glances towards Shojo and shakes her head. "You'll be directed to Doctor Caravelli for that information."
"Ah, I like Dr. Caravelli.. although now that Miss Neesa is returned he may be distracted," Shojo admits.
"Tasha will need to be extensively debriefed as well before planning can begin," Gabriel notes.
Tasha turns and sticks her tongue out at Gabriel, then turns back to the rest and throws her hands up. "Well, that's enough doom for one party. Go back and have fun, I need to talk to the Captan a bit longer, then we'll come join you."
"Come along, there will be dancing," Villem says, and drags the two Templars outside.
Tasha wags her tail as the others leave, then turns to Gabriel and asks, "Good news or bad news?" As she roams back to her things.
"Bad news," Gabriel chooses.
"The Titanians think there may be a working gateway or gateship somewhere in the Primus System, and have told me that they're not the only ones who can reach it now. We suspect it's Khattan, but can't rule out someone else. Locating it would be good," Tasha answers, head in her duffle as she digs around for something.
"The Khattans have Silent-Ones gate tech now?" Gabriel asks.
"We don't know. They may have repaired the old gate somehow, or developed something else. All that we really know is that they have some means to reach this place, and it'd be best if we knew how and to what extent. The Galactics would be extremely interested in Sinai, both for our host of Upliftable creatures and the technologies here. We already know they tried once, and failed, so the entry may be a relic of that attempt -- but it's only a matter of time before whoever they are try again," Tasha notes as she begins pulling things out. Two large, shiny crystals similiar to the one in her sword and what appears to be an old book made from advanced materials.
"Data crystals," Gabriel notes. "And.. what's the book?"
"The datacrystals are the Terran Uplift Primer, used for priming new uplifts and therefore a great store of information on modern Terra and its practices, and the Galactic Encyclopedia: Patron Edition. You can thank the Titanians for their gold in helping us get these, which I bought from the Khattan Library. I figured we'd best become familiar with the outside world. As for the book ... " Picking the item up, Tasha carries it over, holding it in both hands, then presses it to her mate's hands. "It's for you! I know you like to read, so ... I got you a gift. It's the journal of a Belter; A gene-engineered Terran asteroid belt miner. Caltrop has a lot of them."
"There've been a lot of new developments back home it seems," Gabriel says, running his hand over the book and looking a bit sad. "It's still only been a year for me."
"I'm sorry," Tasha says, ears splaying out as she steps back and folds her arms behind her back. "I wasn't sure if I should tell you any of this, to be honest. If I should buy that for you. Have I made a mistake? I can keep it to myself, if you want? I'll get rid of the book, and ... And I'll handle the outside world myself."
Gabriel smiles and shakes his head. "No, this is all stuff I need to know.. and I can help you figure it out as well. My life is here and now.. which is what I really wanted all along."
Tasha lifts her head a little, ears rising. "Well, then that's what you have," she promises, pushing a smile back to her face. "With me, here on Abaddon. I'm sorry if I get excited about the greater galaxy, Gabriel. Sometimes I can be a little blind in the rush."
"There's always going to be something bigger and shinier to see, Tasha," Gabriel says. "But it's good to have someplace familiar and safe to return to."
"I think so, too. After journeying the stars, entering realities where time is different, and matter, and so much else, meeting so many people and learning so much, I was relieved just to step back on Abaddonian soil and hug you again." Stepping closer, Tasha holds out her arms. "No matter how far we go, we'll always come back. Even if the Titanians give me what they promise ... I'll come home again and again. Seeing the world showed me the importance of home."
Gabriel hugs Tasha, and then says, "Tell me they didn't promise you a spaceship?"
"I would except I'd be lying, and I've had enough of lying for a while," Tasha admits, ears splaying out all over again.
"I wouldn't trust anything you get from Titanians, except for a cold," Gabriel notes. "But I'm an old fossil from a bygone age, after all. I'll just have to convince you spend more time with me the old fashioned way."
"I don't need any convincing for that," Tasha promises, then leans up to kiss her mate smack on the muzzle before leaning against him. "But don't hate the Titanians. In their own way, they try to make the universe a better place. They just, um, do it like the swing of a hammer rather than the sign of a pen. They stll follow the old ways, as put down for them by their Progenitor. In ancient times, we were their allies -- Vartans, I mean. Us and the ... Cill I think they said. Allies, to rework the universe, cleanse the waste, and build the society the Progenitors dreamed of. But that was a long time ago. Of course, the Progenitors are a concern for me, and I may need that ship to save one of them."
"Before you try to save a god, you have to convince another one to.. surrender, or.. whatever it needs to do to be seen as harmless," Gabriel points out.
"I know. Doctor Moreau will have to wait a little longer. Once Lord Yama is dealth with -- however that happens -- I'll need to leave again. That is, if you approve of it. Doctor Moraeu of the TerraGen Council is out there somewhere, and I think I know where. I'd like to find him and bring him here where he'll be safe to continue his Uplift experiments in peace. It's our chance to give back, and to save new species from being consumed by the others. It's, um, very dangerous. Even more so than Lord Yama, maybe," Tasha admits, eyes closed and resting her head, listening to Gabriel's heart beat.
"But he's not a god," Tasha murmurs a second later. "he's just a man. A Karnor, like you, and a bit like me. A Karnor who believes enough in what he's doing to take on the universe."
"Uplift isn't exactly something done in a garage, you know," Gabriel points out, and rubs the back of Tasha's head. "Don't make any decisions until after you meet him and see what he's up to."
"Oh, right ... Yes, musn't get ahead of myself. There's still so much to do. There's always so much to do." Tasha exhales, then steps closer as if she could bury herself in her mate's arms. "I think I'm a little tired of that for now. Why don't we go back to our little, mortal lives and enjoy the party? And then the evening. I think I'd just like to be with you."