Atop the roof of the PHTO Council building, an ancient Karnor has spread out a checkered blanket and some pillows, and lit a lantern against the encroaching night. The shadow of the Pit wall moves quickly on Abaddon, swallowing up everything as it sweeps from west to east. In its wake, lights come on - although not as many as one might expect. The western wall is where the Confederate Sector lies, and most of those people have no problem with darkness.
"Do you think me silly for finding such a sight novel?" Gabriel asks Tasha, who is carrying the pillows and bottle of wine.
"I do too," Tasha replies as she dutifully follows along, her tail wagging and face bright with a gentle smile that appears only around the people she loves -- and she loves Gabriel T. Akkers more than anyone else. "I remember the first night we spent in New Zion, too. The nights are beautiful here on Abaddon."
"Everything was always lit up on Terra," Gabriel notes, sitting down on the blanket. "You could barely tell night from day, and the stars you saw were mostly satellites. I like it like this. Quiet, and you can see the stars."
"I'd like to see Terra, some day," the young woman notes as she tends to setting up Gabriel's pillow first, making sure he's comfortable before putting her own pillow down beside him and herself along with it. She rests her head against his arm, and adds, "Encante had its lights, but they were mostly dim beneath the ocean. Caltrop was a Vartan's paradise, if it wasn't such a rough port. A lot like back home, in some ways." She then reaches over to give the man a kiss, and asks, "So you like quiet, do you? How'd you end up with me?"
"I didn't say I liked quiet people," Gabriel notes with a grin, and puts an arm around Tasha. "I was never that fond of the big cities. They made you feel small. Worldbreaking was what drew me to this life.. and I still missed out on that, but overall, I can see that the Expedition was a success."
Tasha takes the hug as opportunity to snuggle in closer, shifting her head from her mate's arm to his chest. "I wondered about how you saw life: The past and where you came from, but I didn't want to ask. I didn't want to bring up painful memories. Like the journal, I was afraid I would make you sad again," she admits, ears canting out as she looks up to watch the man's face. "And I don't think you missed out as much as you think. Because of people like you, the Karnor here had a chance to grow. If it hadn't been you, it would have been someone else. But it's not over, Abaddon is still growing and much of the world is uncharted wilderness. The world isn't even safe; Abaddon -- the entity -- said that life would return here. And there are other problems, too, that need us. We can still help. But, um, I know what you mean, about feeling small. Small and alienated, I feel that a lot, too."
"You aren't alienated, Tasha," Gabriel says. "You just have to decide that you want to belong. Are you upset about the reaction you got at your presentation?"
"Yes." Tasha admits, followed by a sigh and a reach to rub her face with the hand she's not laying on. "I feel like I embarassed Gustav, and that the Expedition Nations have forgotten the past. Oh, they say they are interested in rekindling the past, but when presented with a chance to address the being that destroyed that past they hesitated. No, they were disinterested. I was expecting at least a little anger, but the apathy was so univseral it might has well been red on Abaddon." The young woman shakes her head. "It's not that I don't understand why. I haven't been an explorer that long; I remembered what it was like just to survive. But, it still hurt. Maybe not because they didn't care, so much that I did and they didn't. It made me feel like a burden, like a ... A ... " She stares at her mate for a long moment, then says, "A relic. An out of place relic. I saw how different we were, and how much I've changed. I even felt guilt, because here I was, exploring, while Abaddon still needed
the basics. What was I doing? And why? And then I wondered, would I want to stop? Does Abaddon really need Tasha trying to lead it around, drudging up the past and running off on 'frivilous' adventures? Waking gods, and old demons from the past?"
"Tough question," Gabriel says, "but maybe I can help put things in perspective." He pauses and then asks, "What do you think the mission of the Expedition was?"
"Without you, I'd have lost perspective a long time ago," Tasha admits as she settles her head back down and watches the blanket of night be pulled over the Pit of Himaar. "But lets see ... The mission of the Expedition was to explore the Primus System for the benefit of the races that joined the fleet. At least, that was the official reason. There are others, but I don't think you mean them. Explorers ... Explorers and settlers, that's what the old JEF was. The Ark was built to colonize."
"All of the factions were ready to colonize," Gabriel says. "That was the real purpose. The promise of Sifran technology was more the lure for funding it all. But we all had special reasons to come here. And that's why there wasn't much reaction to your rallying cry to deal with the 'criminal' that stranded the fleet. We were supposed to be stranded. It was the plan all along, and if not for Henry Canaan it would have some other event or reason. The people that came in the Expedition were trying to escape Galactic society in the first place. The Abaddonians don't want to go back, or renew contact. You've been out there.. tell me about the current Karnors."
"That's sobering. And you know how I hate the word 'sober,'" the cadet admits, smiling a sad smile. "I've had it all wrong from the beginning. I know there are some memebers of our society that long for the old days, but it seems like they're a small minority. At least, it does now that I have their attention. Maybe I'm more like Henry Canaan than my favorite pillow." She shakes her head again, stirring her mate's belly as she does. "No. I never had it to lose. I saw it, and thought, 'I want to be a part of this, I want to see it.'"
Tasha then pauses, tapping the side of her head as she thinks a moment before answering, "They seem nice enough, a lot like Gallahs and Gallee, but without the same sense of classisim. Maybe a bit calmer, and more Human-like. That may just be their Galactic upbringing though, as everyone seemed highly educated and with a pervasive refinement that's hard to describe. They saw it in me, too, though: The Phin doctor that saw us was quick to see us as barbarians, as people 'from some dark world.' If I hadn't disguised myself, I'm sure the Karnor would have picked up on it. There's a gulf there. A gulf I didn't see between Abaddonian Karnor and Sinai Jupani."
"That's why we're here," Gabriel says. "The Terrans, anyway. To preserve ourselves. Terran history is pretty savage. Some on the Terragens Council believed the bigger Galactics would try to.. domesticate all of us, by one means or another. Advanced technology, economic pressure. We were spreading out to colonize what we could, to not have all our eggs in one basket. This system was perfect. Someplace unreachable for large amounts of time. If you talk to the Archon, he probably knows why the Silent-Ones came. For us, it was freedom. All those races on Sinai.. they'd never have been allowed back in Known Space."
"No, they wouldn't. If they happened now, they'd start an intergalactic war -- and I can't even comprehend how awful that would be. I've seen what your weapons can do, and the Titanians. It's enough on a 'small' scale, but a large one ... " The young woman closes her eyes, trying not to think too hard on the horrors of war. Instead, she turns her attention back to the causes. "Right now, Dr. Moreau is fighting alone against Galactic pressure, to create new life. I don't know much about him other than he engineered his escape, planned it in detail, and possibly has agents he created -- hybrid beings like me. There's the Phin, too, who are in a false civil war just to give themselves enough time to be established, and there's no guarantee they will make it. Even the Library jumped at the possibility a 'Titanian' was seeking Patrons. I fear what will happen, if the Galactics can ever come here with their full powers."
"Well, their 'full powers' won't work here," Gabriel notes, and grins. "Which makes this place very safe from them. The one Khattan plot to try and exploit 'magic' was quite the failure, according to Queen Jade-Eyes. The Khattans and Celestials are very conservative, especially of their resources. Mounting a new Expedition to conquer us would be impossible, unless they first conquered the Silent-Ones Star Empire.. which would also mean fighting the Confederates and Terrans as well. Maybe even the Titanians."
"They don't need their full powers here, though. A fleet of lesser ships -- or even just one or two powerful ones -- could conqueror these worlds. But it seems like they can't manage that yet, and they'd have to defeat the Mauler which, having seen it fight, is even harder than I expected. That ship is amazing! But, still, I worry. The Khattans aren't one group, and neither are the Confederates. A desperate Khattan House may still try, as they did before. But I worry about things -- you know I worry." After pausing to give her mate an apologetic kiss, Tasha continues again. "I saw a lot of the Titanians too, you know. I think if I return to space, I'll end up being a pirate, like they are. Not because I want to, but because it will be the only place for a captain like me, who associates with Titanians and 'rebels.' It looks like I may end up a pirate after all."
"Eh, pirating is pretty dangerous," Gabriel points out. "You have to be able to capture a spaceship. Which is like firing a bullet at another bullet and trying to get them to link up and.. have sex.. Admittedly, not my best analogy. The Titanians can do it, because they have some way of locating ships. Without that, you'd have to loiter around outposts, or have insider information (which means sharing the spoils)."
"Smuggling, on the other hand.. that's always been profitable," the old Karnor notes.
"It sounded more like a hint to me! But don't worry, that something I have a lot of experience with." Tasha lifts her head enough to wink, face-to-face, with Gabriel before plopping her head back down. "But when I said 'pirate,' I mostly meant that's what they'd assume I was. I associate with Titanians, and rebels, and I would have some strange spaceship. If not a pirate, then something close. A smuggler, or some other rogue. According to Kaa, very few people own private ships. But you said finding ships -- that I can do. I know how the Titanians do it."
Tasha then nods, albiet belatedly. "Smuggling would be safer, I think. I'll be nervous once I set out, and I don't think risking a confrontation with anyone would be wise. So I'd focus on evasion, and concealment. In what trades were available without too much risk. I'd want a crew, too. Loyal people, maybe a mix between here and there. Kaa ... I want Kaa."
"They taught you how.. or just showed you?" Gabriel asks, and then hmms. "Should I be jealous of this Kaa person?"
"They taught me how they did it, but didn't show me. I think they would if I asked, since Captain Rushfighter made it clear that if I betray them, they will make me pay for it -- and it seems that they can sense my position across space and time. They can trust me, but more so, they reinforce that faith by knowing I can't afford to betray them even if I wanted to -- which I don't." Rolling her head to the side, followed by her body, Tasha gives her mate a curious look before asking, "Now why would I want any other man? I didn't leave you for Shiny Katie, or Tomorrow's-Hope, and I don't plan to, no matter how anxious I was before. Tha's over. But as for Kaa -- Lucky Kaa they call him -- he's a young Phin pilot. 'The greatest pilot in the galaxy,' he says. I don't know if he's the greatest, but he's excellent at the very least. I flew with him! And Phin, they never need to sleep, but half-sleep, which makes for a great pilot. He said he'd try to find me after Encante's terraforming was complete, so
maybe you'll meet him. Poor Phin, he doesn't know what he's diving in to, though."
Gabriel is quiet for a moment, looking at the stars, and then uncorks the wine with the claw of his thumb. "Ever been to Ashtoreth?" he asks. "It's almost all water, with mer-people."
"Not yet, but I figured it'd come in time. We've been so busy with Abaddon and Sinai, there just hasn't been time for other planets. But, I've heard it's beautiful in an aquatic way, with marine life in abundance, and marine-people somewhat like Khattas and Khattans." As she talks, tasha scootches her head close to the wine bottle, giving it a curious sniff. Though never having met a drink she didn't like, wines had long been on the edge of her means and so her experience with them is meager and her curiosity great. "I hear Arcadia is nothing but living everything, though. And to think, somewhere in that crazy mess is the Door."
Nobody brought glasses, so Gabriel has a swig of wine from the bottle, before handing it over to Tasha. He also sticks his tongue out a bit. "Rather fruity tasting. The Viceroy gave it to me."
"If they don't depend on high technology to function, Phins might do well on Ashtoreth then," Gabriel notes.
Tasha rolls over on to her back, and so Gabriel gets to watch her take a swig with both hands on the bottle, laying back. She then hands the bottle back and grins. "Well, it's different. But, it's infinitely better than what the Winged Citadel has -- which is nothing. Not. A. Drop!" She makes a face, then rolls over before sitting up, legs pulled to her side. "The Phin's warship was hard to assess, but the Captain insisted they only used technology they understood, so, it seems like Terrans may not be that much beyond what we had in the Fleet. They do use 'walkers' though -- walking armored suites -- and cybernetic interfaces, and those may react badly to this system."
"I don't think Ashtoreth has the same issues as Sinai," Gabriel says. "That world seems unique in the way technology fails.. at least so far." He then leans down, pulls up Tasha's shirt a bit and blows into her belly, making a deliberately rude sound as he does so. Then he pulls her shirt back down and sits up as if it never happened.
Tasha had been about to make a insightful remark about Phins and their technology, but tthe sudden belly-blowing causes her to double over in a flurry of undignified giggling, which ends in some play-biting and a disheveled looking hybrid. She hauls herself back up, gives her mate a look then just shakes her head and drops her head back down on his own belly.
Once comfortable, she points at the top of her noggin and wags her tail.
Gabriel lean down and kisses the top of Tasha's head. "Short hair, long hair," he comments. "Looking forward to your field trip to the Life Dome, if Malachite can pull it off?"
"Like my short hair and fangs?" Tasha asks, scootching over so that she goes from laying beside to laying atop, like a big Tasha blanket of wings, fur and love. "I don't think 'forward' is the right word. I'm curious about the Dome, and about their revived Seed, but it's going to be fighting and I'll be thinking of Lord Yama the whole time."
"You need a motorcycle," Gabriel says with a grin, laying his hands on Tasha's hips. "And frosted purple tips to your mohawk. And an eyepatch. Then you'll be the perfect post-apocalyptic mutant biker chick. Best to enjoy this before Katie gets her hands on you again."
Tasha wraps her arms around Gabriel's head in turn, smiling with contentment. "Nora was the one who loved motorcycles, but I won't say I don't like them. But I have wings! I can fly -- maybe I could finish the vernier system I started with my Titanian armor?" She then makes a face, but scootches closer anyway. "I'm dreading the look Mr. Invention is going to give me, you know! Katie will laugh, she might even like it. But Mr. Invention ... Yeee."
"I can see him going one direction or the other," Gabriel says, and squeezes Tasha. "Either full on space-punk or demure school girl. And speaking of scary men, were you going to see that Raehab fellow again? I can't imagine you have any business with him, at least."
"I do like your ideas though. I think I'm liking this new me, this less stuffy and full of herself me. I've stopped trying to be Nora, and I'm tired of trying to be ... how did Raehab say it? ... 'Miss Perfect Hero Girl.' I lived most of my life as 'rough-and-ready,' like Riddle says. Trying to be clean, and proper, and perfect all the time was exhausting. I can't keep doing it; I don't even think I want to. Maybe, you know, I'm okay with this. This me feels more honest, more me." Tasha pauses in her analysis of fashion and self developement to grab the wine bottle then put it closer where she can hug it and Gabriel together. "Raehab? I'd like to. If I become a smuggler, he'll be my first stop here on Abaddon. He doesn't want to let me in on what he does, though. He sees the cadet more than some others do. Why? Is there something wrong?"
"Just wondering how much I have to share you," Gabriel says. "Helps me work out my schedule. I used to have to do that with my wife, too. But.. Raehab did have something to do with relocating those defecting Offworld Legionaries after they were cured. Moving people around could be a useful talent to have later."
"Has that been taken care of, then? I thought we were going to move them ourselves, but I've been so busy with other things I haven't thought to ask. There's so much to cover." tasha shakes her head, then scootches a little father up, covering at least Gabriel. This leaves her muzzle an inch from his, for easy romance. "But I'm not sleeping him, or anything like that. Not that he doesn't try! Every time. But it's fine, I like it and it helps keep the mood. Did you know he and Rapatia used to be lovers? And did you see Rapatia in her dress? Between you and me, I think I accidentally checked her out right there in the open."
"Because it was shiny, or because she was?" Gabriel asks. "And yeah, it was dealt with while you were recovering in the tank. We didn't really have the resources to provide new identities and such, only deal with the addiction. It was you that suggested contacting Raehab.. although you probably don't remember it. You were in a rather 'loose' state of consciousness at the time. Vesuvius handled most of it from that point, I understand."
"I've always thought Rapatia was attractive, but the dress made her sparkle. 'Literally' and 'figuratively,' if I'm using those words right. See? I study. But anyway, she has this confident, older woman charm, and she's fit and funny. I didn't think of her that way before, though, not until she was flauting it -- and she patted my butt! I should have known better to think she'd miss it, she could tell poor Shojo has a neural disorder just by looking at him, so her vision is even keener than mine." Tasha just shakes her head at it all. "She'll probably never let me live it down, either, but I think it made her happy. And did it get handled? I remember talking to the Captain -- we know too many Captains by the way -- after I woke up, or did I dream that? Or did you handle it after I left for the Pit again?"
"I kept my involvement to a minimum," Gabriel notes. "The Kampfengruppe are not a popular group, and the Offworld Legion is even less popular as it's what most people interact with. Even being seen as 'rescuing' members from it could have unforeseen consequences - especially when other groups might suspect us of 'rescuing' their own members as well."
"I feared the same thing, so I've kept it secret. No one outside of those involved know, at least, not from my muzzle. I had hoped to talk to them again, but at least it's one less problem to deal with. Lucky for me, I'm just a cadet and not responsible for these things!" Tasha grins widely, then licks Gabriel's nose before leaving her tongue between her teeth. "I'm thinking of dumping Harmonia on Eli, too. Once I return to the Lucifer, I can probably find Caspar's neural interface unit. Then, Eli can pilot Harmonia. It'd be a great benefit to our science, reseach and developement, and I think the two of them have something going on, anyway."
"They do spend a lot of time chatting," Gabriel notes. "Wouldn't Caspar's gear be made for a Naga brain though? If there's any sort of distinction at all in how the things work. I'm sure the Khattans would claim they were species specific so they could mark up the prices."
"Well, mine worked for me didn't it? My brain is mostly Vartan, but Vartans don't have Karnor sense of smell, so I'm not totally Vartan. And, if it won't work, maybe the medical bay on Orpheus can take care of the details. I hope so, because I can't look after Harmonia the way she deserves, I have too much to deal with and I'm not a good match for her intellectually. Eli is much closer, and Harmonia seems to have feelings for him, which I don't want to interfere with. Giving him command seems best for everyone. And if I get a ship, you can promote yourself to Commodore Gabriel T. Akkers," the young woman notes. She pauses long enough to take a long darught from the wine bottle, then kisses her mate with wine-delicious lips before settling back down again. "Caspar ... I keep mentoning him. I'm dreading that it will be another Balthazar. I've thought about writing our friend in the Temple, did I tell you that? He would remember."
"You mean the Astromancer?" Gabriel asks, one eyebrow raised.
"He's part Canaan, he'd remember. The revelation it wasn't entirely Canaan's fault, and that he was manipulated, might get him to move. But even if it doesn't, he might appreciate that we were thinking of him," Tasha suggests, her ears canting out a little and grin dimming, and expression Gabriel knows as the fear of doubt.
"Having Temple help might prevent others from helping though," Gabriel points out. "From what I've heard, they would effectively have to take over the entire site, including the Lucifer to justify any action."
"I wasn't expecting overt help, but covert. I figure he'd send a small force to assist me. They could meet me in Safar, which is a ally of Rephidim," Tasha suggests, then has another drink.
"You should talk to Riddle about it then," Gabriel suggests, and has a drink as well. "There's a risk in contacting the Temple about your plans, after all: they might object. I don't remember if they were ever told about the outcome of the first encounter."
"I don't think they were. We thought about it, but we decided to return with what we had rather than risk losing it, and didn't make further contact. You know what? I won't contact them. I'll handle it myself. If i can't talk my way through it, I'll just have to stick a sword in him," Tasha insists, smiling lopsidedly, though her eyes don't quite reflect that mirth. "And here we are together, and all I can talk about is the work we have to do."
"Well, talk about something happier then," Gabriel suggests. "Did you eat anything interesting on your journey?"
"Oh, I did! Fish tacos, fish i've never seen before, fish this and fish that -- The Phin really like fish. Then there was Black Hole Beer, which was the best, and all sorts of kabobs and meats. I heard the 'meat' was actually some sort of bean, or, made from synthetics? I assume that's just nonsense they tell newcomers. A bean!" The young woman rolls her eyes, then rolls herself back to snuggling at Gabriel's side, where she tucks her muzzle under his head. "Space-beans aside, I did, um, well ... I stole some food. I challenged Bumper to a drinking contest and I think I must have bet a few days, because they were gone after. And I was hungry! So hungry. As it turns out, I can definitely succeed as a food pirate. Don't tell my mother, though."
"Ah, I'm disappointed," Gabriel says. "First time out like that, and you didn't get a banana split or cream-filled donuts or a chupaqueso." The man rubs the back of Tasha's neck and reminisces. "My first time out 'on my own' I binged on corndogs and dogolate. I was soooo sick. But it was great, because it was my first really stupid act."
"It took you that long to do your first really stupid act? It seems like my life before this was mostly stupid acts. That and being angry," Tashad admits, looking up at the nostalgic Karnor. "Caltrop is a backwater by Galactic standards, so maybe I'll find these ... dogolit and chu-pa-quee-sos the next Galactic harbor I come across. I did see new people though! And there were so many things to buy, things I've never even heard of, new technologies, new clothes, new everything. And Bumper gave me gold to spend! If you're ever asked, which is the best Titanian: The answer is Bumper, followed by Blammo and captain Rushfighter."
"Gold?" Gabriel asks. "Titanian gold?"
The cadet's head bobs. "That's the kind! Tooth marks and everything. It sparkled. Letting it go to pay for things was hard," she answers.
"I only remember rumors that it existed," Gabriel says. "Untraceable, unique isotope.. there was talk of making it the new standard, since Khattan scammers had been dumping 'faery gold' on the markets."
"Well, the Library stopped asking instrusive questions once I threatened to take the gold elsewhere, even a foreigner like me could tell they wanted it. Badly. But you called it an isotope? I didn't irradiate myself by chewing on it, did I? It seemed like the thing to do," the hybrid asks.
"That's the thing, it's a super-stable high-neutron isotope of gold," Gabriel notes. "The faery gold was radioactive.. it had a half-life of five years, and would eventually decay to lead."
"The Titanian stuff is supposedly superconductive up to its melting point though," Gabriel notes. "Nobody figured out how they made it."
"I see money is just as complicated as everything else in Galactic Space," tasha observes, brows raising. "I'll have to remember that. But, to tell the truth, I enoyed my time with the Titanians. I wasn't expecting it, but I felt welcome. I felt like I belonged with them, even if I wasn't sure about their piracy and methods. They never judged me, not really, and I didn't feel like they'd be easily disappointed or look down on me. People call them barbarians, but it seems to me 'people' are too obsessed with automation and behavior rather than meaning and result. Titanians are incredibly capable because they do it all themselves." She then tilts her head a moment, lifting it and says, "I could ask about it, but it's probably one of the 'don't tell anyone or we come and hit you with hammer' mysteries. Plus, as an official Titanian and ex-crewman, I can't betray my people!"
"Oh, so you wouldn't even tell me?" Gabriel teases. "I never had my very own Titanian battle-wench before.."
"Sorry! I don't think they'd mind, but you probably like me better with my head on my body," Tasha insists, then she swats the man's butt from the side. "I am the wenchiest of Titanians, ask my mother! Oh and call me 'Rustpuppy.'"
Tasha then clears her throat and says in a lower, more gutteral growl, "Yah good Titanian name, yah. Fight fish, but want give kiss now! Maybe bouncy, if good ... "
And then the fearsome, if short, Titanian Tasha looms over Gabriel for an entirely different sort of plundering.
Everything else about the office is utilitarian. Metal desk, metal chairs, metal filing cabinets. There's no wood or organic material obviously present (and the 'paper' probably uses plastic or something - maybe it comes from the behind of a Confederate factory-bug). This makes the Ambassador herself the most non-bland element of the room, given her bright red hair.
It's been a few days since the presentation, which have mostly been spent relaxing with Gabriel. But Tasha still needs to check on the progress of Smith's inquiries, in order to plan ahead.
"You look more relaxed," the human notes, then taps her own canine teeth. "Keeping the teeth I take it?"
Dressed in her uniform, which contratss greatly with her newfound choice in fashion and dental work, the cadet nods as she walks further inside. "I've had a few days to relax! And I needed it. As for the teeth, well, everyone likes them! So, I figured keeping them was better than a few hours with Doctor Caravelli and a grinding tool," she admits, grinning and flashing her Titanian whites.
"Well, have a seat," Riddle offers. "I don't like it when people loom over me and I don't feel like standing myself." She gestures to one of the seats in front of her desk (which is suited to people with wings, thankfully).
"I know the feeling," Tasha remarks from experience as she takes a seat, ears perking. "Has there been any progress?"
"Mail travels slowly," Smith notes. "I know my request made it through the Gateway, at least. It could be some time before I get anything back. Things would be much simpler if radio-telegraph worked through the gateway portals."
"So not much then. You would think I'd be more aware of how slow mail is on my home world, but I never had reason or Shekels enough to send mail. Mostly, I just carried it," Tasha notes, grinning if having always-exposed canines can still be called part of a grin. "But you did ask me to sit, so you have something?"
"The request I sent through was to the Knights Templar of Sinai, of course," Smith notes. "As they are no longer affiliated with the Temple of Rephidim - and in fact have no national affiliations anymore - it seemed the best option. They have a small embassy at the Gateway though."
Tasha's ears perk, her head tilting. "Really? I hadn't heard much about them ever since they broke off from the Temple. Most of the rumors said they went off somewhere. I heard that they may have started their own country, or a city-state, but no one knew for sure, and we knew even less about what they were doing. Not that most of us interacted with them before," she says.
"They maintain various Sanctuaries around Sinai. These have become their current bases of operation," Riddle notes. "I assume they use magic for long range communication, at least. The Citadels on Abaddon has largely been shut down or abandoned, save for a few, like the Winged Citadel. We lost the Citadel of Fire to the boomer event, but there is still a presence there on Sinai."
"I'm sorry to hear that you've been having so many difficulties. I had heard about them earlier, of course, but we only knew about those related to the Pit and its immediate concerns, past and present, and an overview of the situation. We knew even less of the Knights Templar of Abaddon, which mostly came from my own knowledge of the matter," Tasha explains, frowning. She bites her lip with the teeth she can actually get around them, then says, "If this is a burden on the Knights, we can handle this ourselves. We knew there was difficulty, but if it's this widespread we don't want to complicate your situation further."
"This is the sort of situation the Knights were created to address," Riddle notes. "Asking the Sinai Templars for aide is perfectly reasonable."
"Reasonable but maybe not practical, but I won't argue the point. Respecting your pride aside, I remember my last fight with a god well and I'm not eager to repreat another three month absence," the cadet notes.
"It's best that that encounter remain secret," the woman notes. "Captain Frane would no doubt demand a moment-by-moment analysis. Did you plan on telling Shojo and Fringe about it?"
"About how a phantom Sifran god tried to possess me and my world-shattering Titan, and I was saved by systems we do not even understand?" Tasha asks, brows raising. "I figured one ancient destroyer-god was enough stress to put them under. They may not realize it, but Lord Yama's age and scope are beyond sentients as we know them. He is much more than a monster inhabiting a Titan, and with the Titan, even greater still."
"Oh, and Captain Frane knows about the basics -- it was hard to hide Balthasar's remains and my absence after all. Most people know that something went wrong, either with the Crystals or an unknown problem, but a few know -- the Archon for one. He needed to know," the cadet then adds.
"Old does not necessarily mean better," Riddle notes. "Even mayflies can bite. At least, the ones on Abaddon do. And the Archon.. hmmm.. he is the very image of youth trumping age, to have the position he does, even though it is mostly to keep him away from Star City."
"So I've heard, he seems to be a rebel as far as Archons go. As for Lord Yama, he manipulated Henry Canaan and the Celestial Empire since well before Humanity entered the stars, but there's always the possibility he was simply carrying out orders. He may also have the powers associated with a Holy Seed, but he cannot generate a Overspace field here at least, and there may be other limits on his power thanks to where he is. And then there's the possibility he may talk, as he did once before, or something else. I'm just trying to be prepared for anything," Tasha explains, spreading her hands as she does. "I've found with things like this, it never hurts to be too prepared or too paranoid. Being more paranoid might have saved me half my face."
"Shojo and Fringe have been spending time together, just so you know," Riddle says. "Mainly because they never met before your introduction. I believe they're with Malachite on the training field."
"Time together or 'time together,'" Tasha asks, cocking her head the other way. "Either ay, I hope they're getting what they need. I plan to join them when I can, and will probably run simulations in my own Titan using the data we have on Caspar. There's not much I can do to prepare for negotiation, however. He approved of me once, and so we can hope he will again. But I've changed some, and I was terribly injured, and so I can't be sure."
"Are you going to tell him about Balthasar?" Riddle asks. "I imagine the subject will come up."
"Him?" Tasha asks, knowing quite a lot of ominous and 'hims' that it could be, and wondering when it was that her life became filled with so many.
"Oh, do you mean Lord Yama?" Tasha asks, head going back the way it came. "Somehow, I think he already knows. He may well have always known."
"A disturbing notion," Riddle notes. "I assume I will be able to reach you at the PHTO building when I have news?"
"If I'm not in the field due to an emergency, I'll be in the PHTO building or else in the Winged Citadel attending class. And Miss Smith ..," Tasha bites her lip again, looking hard at the woman's desk for a moment before looking up again, "there's more to my meeting with Lord Yama than I can say. I couldn't say so openly, and I wasn't sure if I should say so at all considering it doesn't change the fact he destroyed the original Expedition, but may still be relevant in others ways -- and since I would prefer to keep them secret that might incline you to call off your help."
"If there is other information relevant to dealing with this being, then you may feel free to convey it to the Templars on Sinai if they agree to help," Riddle notes. "I'm just an Ambassador."
"So am I, in some ways," is Tasha's mysterious reply to the offer. She stares at the wall a moment, then looks back and says, "Sometimes I wish I wasn't Vartan, it'd make some things easier. But as it is, I'll do so if the need arises. This is a unique situation and the position I'm in is difficult, so please forgive me for being evasive. It's hard for me; We're not inclined to hide things from the people we care about. I do thank you for your time and your hard work, however. Is there anything else you need from me? I may go see how my team is doing."
"Don't worry about keeping secrets," Riddle says with a grin. "It comes with the territory. Plus, if I know yours that would take all the surprise and fun out of it. I do ask one favor though.."
"I guess I try so hard to be good to Abaddon, keeping secrets feels wrong. I tell you, I wasn't always like this. Too much crusading and trying to be as clean as possible, and ow I feel guilty over everything," tasha says with a laugh. She then smiles, which is now an extra-toothy expression, and asks, "Yes?"
"I need a drinking buddy for when I visit the Pit," Riddle says, straight-faced. "I can't exactly take my co-workers. I also expect a gift from Sinai. Something Khattan maybe? No idea what their liquor is like."
Tasha's ears shoot up at the request, then her tail begins to move. "I am the best drinking buddy, ask Raehab! I'll tell you about the time I challenged a Titanian to a drinking contest! Or I would, but I don't remember it." After barking a laugh, the younger woman then nods. "I'll drink with you. I'll get you a gift too, and I'll make it liquor if I can. Shouldn't be hard, I have friends in Abu Dabi who have actual refinement and so should be able to get something good, unless you want a barrel of dockside ale."
"That might be hard to smuggle through the Gateway," Riddle notes with a wink. "So something small would be best."
"I got two artifacts, a sword, and full armor through the Gateway. A barrel isn't going to raise any more eyebrows. But I understand, showing up to your office with a barrel of liquor might give the wrong impression, although it might help my reputation mtch my new look!" Tasha winks right back. "Small it is. I'll have send some mail after I arrive, so it will be there when I return to the Gateway. Oh, and did you want to stop by the Bloody Duffle, or do you know of someplace where I could leave my weapon in my dorm?"
"I imagine you can leave your weapons wherever you like," Riddle notes. "The Bloody Duffle? I can't say that I patronize it often.. there are some downtown clubs I like.. better view, you could say. Are you wanting to visit our old friend there?"
"I'm sure I'll see him enough if certain things work out for me. Besides, I shouldn't shock the old bird too much. I should get him some liquor too, now that i think of it, though." Tasha makes a mental note of it, then spreads a hand. "Downtown? Alright. I've only been to a few bars here on Abaddon, so it'll be nice to see something different than the usual dives. They may remind me of home, but if I wanted to be home, I'd be on Sinai."
"Figuratively speaking of course! Abaddon is my home. You know what I mean," Tasha adds, in case she was misunderstood.
"Well.. do you have a cocktail dress?" Riddle asks. "Something like what Colonel Rapatia was wearing at the party?"
"A dress that's a cockta- ... Oh! Well, no. But if it's like Rapatia's, I want one. That dress was amazing," the cadet answers, smiling at the memory.
"Maybe you can borrow one from Miss Vesuvius, if you run into her," Riddle suggests.
"I think it's inevitable if I run in to her. Without Miss Vesuvius I'd have blundered through my last social gathering, though I'm dreading her aide's reaction to ... this," says the younger woman, who gestures at her head with a hand. "To be perfectly honest, I don't really have very many clothes, and definitely not the kind Rapatia wore. I have uniforms, I have my casual clothes, and I have armor. I'm all very useless for anything that doesn't require one of those."
"Well, we'll figure something out when the time comes," Riddle notes. "I haven't had a proper Hen Night in ages."
Tasha gives a little shrug as she says, "Well, at least I'm a proper hen. Or, an improper hen if you point out I have a Karnor head, which I'm fairly sure is rude. But, are you sure you want me? I'm not against it, I'd love to go, but I'm new to Abaddon and I'm more at home with noisy dives than anything that requires a gown. I've tried to be, but I just don't have much time for it, or much experience. I have to rely on coaching from people like Miss Vesuvius, who has enough style for an army."
"Hon, style doesn't matter if you're drinking to win," Riddle says. "It's just that places with the best drinks are a bit shinier. Doesn't mean folks act much different."
"Oh, you're an honorary Silent-One aren't you?" the woman suddenly asks.
"Well, that's a relief then. I can dress the part and fake it well enough to get by. It's basically my talent," Tasha notes, smiling once again. She then nods a little to the question asked her. "Yes, I think I'm some sort of knight, actually. I'm not exactly sure how it works and I was afraid asking would be offensive. Winged-Gift is my name."
Riddle makes an odd, predatory smirk. "So, you would have access to the Silent-One's gymnasium, right?"
Tasha actually leans back a little at the grin, not expecting it from the usually proper -- if smartass -- Riddle Smith. "I ... I think so?" She ventures in reponse.
"Is it true the have a masseuse on duty?" Riddle asks. "There aren't any spas in the Pit or the Citadel.."
"Oh yes! He was amazing, I see what you're getting at. Everyone's very naked though. The Titan pilots are all men except fro me, and of course all Silent-One, so ... " Tasha grins a little herself, but tries to fight it. "You know."
"I don't see a downside to any of that," Riddle notes, waving a hand. "I'm sure Miss Vesuvius will be visiting any time now.. it's been long enough that she must know you're back. Go check on your teammates, before they break for lunch. Malachite may have gotten word back about visiting the Celestial Jungle of Doom by now."
"You seem to know a lot about everything, including my friend Miss Vesuvius. Are you a spy, Miss Smith?" Tasha asks, leaning forward and grinning. "Or should I even ask? No, no ... " She then holds up a hand. "You'll say something smartass and evasive and I'll just feel like I should have seen that coming. I know the type. I have a sister like that. Anyway ... " Pushing herself to stand, the younger woman extends a hand to the Ambassador. "It was wonderful to talk to you again. I always wanted to get to know you, but it never seemed appropriate, so I'm glad you reached out to me."
"I'm glad for a younger booze-hound.. er.. social drinker.. who enjoys a bit more of a hands on approach to problems," the human notes. "And of course I used to be a spy. That's the best way to meet people!"
"It sure seems to be. Maybe some day, I'll tell you about my spying if you'll tell me about yours!" The younger woman clasps the older's, then inclines her head before heading out. "Time to go be hands on. See you soon!"