" She's crazy as a bedbug." Rhic shook his head. slipping the spine into his belt. " I Have never known anyone to cross the O'sahdii and live. I've been through kinds of hell I hope you never see. If this psycho lives it's gonna make the Najuhlim invasion look like a picnic." Rhic looked up at the sky as if looking for something.

    "Guess we know why everyone is so interested in this world now, if it were an O'sahdii colony there may still be tech left behind...like that horse, thats no human cyberoid, that stuff he wrapped the girl up in is nano tech. Companies on Thuderhead or Styx would sell their firstborn to The Najuhlim to get their hands on something like that."

    Genocide huh? Gotta love a woman who knows how to show some brass. Just remember to bring along a few regiments when you meet her in person."

Leo smiled still, "No, no, he and I have an understanding.  I mean, if you want advice on something, I think I can commune with him... but we more or less understand that all our purposes are genuinely parallel and so I hit things he dislikes with a bit more oomph and in return for being his backhand out here while he's away... I get an additional dietary requirement and..." he glanced at the circuitry markings that still adorned his arm even while the gauntlet was deactivated, "...a few other perks."

That said, he checked the wound on his shoulder, he winced but the inside of the exposed wounds, along with connecting circuitry lines lit up with a soft light, not unlike that of his Psiblade, and when it dimmed the wounds were gone replaced by his lustrous blue skin.

"Here Rhic... let me try this on you too... I can't do this very frequently... but I think I'll have time to rest after this so with another organic repair command to spare, maybe this will let you be on your feet a little better again," he thought it was polite to give the other man warning before placing a hand near the largest wounds on Rhic.

"Not that I think being held by a beaut- T'Risa," he corrects himself slightly, "Is entirely a bad place to be, I just don't think that you should have to be there if you prefer to walk on your own," not being one particularly skilled at hiding when something was wrong, it was clear that restoring Rhic's independence was not his sole motive in recovering the companion, though only as his eyes moved slowly off of T'risa did he quickly catch himself and tuck some kind of anklet again into his boot rim.

Leo was far easier to get along with after he had hit something.

Rhic Healed 11, Leo Healed 12(didn't really add right in the roller the first time) each move actions so this is okay even for one tactical round if something jumps to its feet screaming with rage.

T'risa nodded "Plans to bring in the regiments are afoot. That's why we want the HPG repaired. We're far enough away from Tau space I doubt I could reach anyone else and make sense on my own....but with what I just did. I think every Battle Witch in Tau space will be calling Grand Admiral J'dai to find out what's going on. The future just got a lot darker."

She watched with curiousity as Leo stepped in trying to help Rhic. She stood off to one side with her arms folded as she stood poised, looking unamused as Rhic blundered his way through communicating while he healed. "And you agreed to these modifications of yourself with little thought of possible consequences. Oh well, I hope our paths continue to remain parallel. Ask it for all the information it has on She, the Q'sa, the Onai and Skandlings. We need to know more of our enemies. The Q'sa have always been a thorn in the side of the Empire, but She has stirred them to come here. I'd like to know why she has brought them here. Ask it if it has the ability to contact the O'sahdii."

She turned to face Blue Steel "So you are machine sentient. Are you aware of the entity with which Leo has made a pact? You have rescued Maran, and for that I thank and trust you, but I suggest we move back to the base of operations we've established on this planet. Are you willing to come with us?"

Leo shrugged and with a shine of humor in his voice, "If it had been my first contact with them... then yeah, I might have worried a bit, but... I'd have to Dream it for you... there's no other way to explain it than feeling for one's self.  I have to ask... didn't you see the blackness pouring off of those creatures?  I saw the minds whose power SHE was feeding from... in that bursting moment.  Not to mention that consequences are for those who have time.  I'm a survivor... choosing the future... that's someone else's job," he refrained from saying it was hers, just to be polite and show a little sympathy.  His face said he shared much of her trepidation, "Tell you what... I have more than just social freedoms to fight for I basically signed myself up to be a personal spearhead in this little genocide you promised.  We can't afford to be afraid.  Afraid is what got the races being subservient to SHE, 'fear is the mind killer', I'll ask about HER minions but I don't have the mind for lots of technical mumbojumbo... I can remember it, recite it, but for practical purposes I'm likely to only make much use of 'Apply force here' diagrams.  We may not get much, I'm not sure what the rules are."

That said, he took a moment to slip into communication with Prometheus...[Private to Prometheus: Sir... I imagine you have a fair idea what just happened, if not, I'll bring you up to speed... I think we're going to need whatever edge we can get as far as your intelligence on HER minions, and the survivors of your children... I was thinking there might be some key to contacting them still around, but, I'll need you to tell me what to look for before I start looking so I don't skip anything.]

  " yes, I know I am. we all do?"" tossed his head." I am Blue Steel, of the Steeds, this is Maran my friend and my charge, We look after young people who need a friend. Blue looked toward Star and Sun" I know of Prometheus, But we are only his children, it has been some time since he spoke to us directly.there were more of us on this world but things happened."

   "You don't seem surprised that we are alive, the others who found me were confused. I would have stayed and explained but I 'heard' Maran and had to return to find her. and my friends"

T'risa filled with indignation. "I didn't see them, Leo, she swallowed me inside her. I was not aware of anything passing here. It is sad, but this genocide has to be. She leaves no room for alternatives. She is absolutely sure that it is her place to rule us all." T'risa's cheeks filled with colour "I merely sought to make her pause to think for what she is asking. Promising her genocide for her and hers seemed an apt way to do so."

She watched Leo as he sank into a trance, looking puzzled at Blue Steels comments as she turned to answer. "I have been on this planet for only 24 hours and we're about to start an intergalactic war the likes of which no-one has seen. I've seen dreadnoughts been destroyed, entire villages of people being taken over, battles a plenty, technology recovered that was surely lost. To be honest....A steel steed is one of the more normal things I have seen today....you have friends? Please invite them to join us. We need to be on our way soon."

 "All this has happened before." Blue replied sadly,"Since I became aware the Steeds have helped those who were threatened by the Skandling, ancestors of the ones you call Q'sa."
 "Worlds rich and bright have fallen to them. They view your kind as nothing but farms and cattle. The Nephilum are simply fodder for them. The O'sahdii gave us the means to fight but their numbers are few and they are not warriors. They need the Nephilum to fight for them, which is why I believe the Skandling despise you people."
 "There were quite a few of us here to help evacuate the people of this planet,many of us were caught in the cataclysm. Our cores are difficult to destroy. If they still function some have the ability to sense them. I can tell you how to reactivate them. They will serve willingly...It's our purpose."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:48, Wed 18 Aug 2010.

T'risa looked depressed "I had hoped to avoid genocide, but I am ardent this is the last time this race will threaten us again. What do you call them? What can you tell us about them? We will rescue your survivors when and where we can....and should it become necessary to evacuate this place again we shall bring them with us and not leave them behind."

T'risa wander over to look more closely at Maran and Blue Steel while Leo communed with...whatever it was he was communing with. Her cool eyes watched both Maran and Blue Steel carefully. "Welcome back to the present day, Blue steel. Maran, we'll need to return to the human outpost quickly. Before they return and in greater numbers. We killed many, but this planet seems infested with them."

T'risa though over everything that had happened since arrival. It seemed as though their next course of action would have to be to investigate the destroyed dreadnought for technology and information.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:07, Fri 13 Aug 2010.

Leo refocuses on T'Risa, "I didn't mean to mitigate your strength.  You are very impressive in more than just one or two ways... I felt it might be helpful to know that I can sense HER influence in others.  I left a message for Prometheus... I'll probably get more information the next time I really sleep."

He understood she had a lot on her mind at the time but he didn't much care, "It might do you in particular good for us to get back to the ship and rest.  In fact, I am feeling kind of insistent in this moment... Anyone objecting to moving out?" he said checking over their transport... the last thing they needed was to all have to walk.

   Sun Runner completed his sensor sweep of the area, finally satisfied that the hostiles had been eliminated, for now.  He runs to Bright Star to make sure she is still functional, then asks her to follow him, if she is able.  He walks forwards, heedless of the carnage strewn around him, approaching Leoulin first.  He catches Blue Steel's attention, trusting his fellow Steed to already know precisely what Sun would ask.  Once he receives Blue's response, he turns his wolfish face to Leoulin.
   Immediately his sensors flood with data on the Tau O'maeda male as his automatic scans take the full physical measure of the man standing before him.  Slowly Sun Runner bows his head in respect, then lifts his grey optical sensors meeting Leoulin's own.  He growls out a greeting in the old language of Avandii.

"H'leth A'halut'ii.  M'va O'halut Sun Runner."

[Private to Leoulin: ..."At your service, Purifier, I am Sun Runner of the Steeds."    He greets you as a servant would a Master, which would seem very unusual from Leoulin's cultural perspective:)]

T'risa watched the next one approach, as it evidently communicated with Blue Star she surmised it must be another awakened artificial sentient. Her suspicions seemed to be confirmed as it spoke to Leo.

"We can talk on the way there. There are others you should acquaint yourself with. If this is the last of you in the immediate area we should go."

    Love the color, Purred as she looked up at T'risa. using one of her forepaws to try and brush her fur clean she was soooo not going to lick herself in front of people. the urge was driving her mad though. " Is it a custom tint, or do...ummmm humans come in that color now? she looked to sun then sighed. " I am Bright Star by the way, everyone just calls me Star though, I am the brains of this outfit, and the personality as well. old runner there is a bit of a...

T'risa looked at the little one. "I'm not human, I'm Tau. We're tangentially related to humans, in that we share common ancestors, but we're seperate and have different technologies, customs and cultures. My people have evolved separately from Maran's. I'd be happy to discuss these things with you at length, but perhaps later, after we've returned to the Crow." T'risa accepted Stars word, as she looked over the cat, a powerful urge to pet her coming over her. Her hands reached out to pet, but resisted. "Bright Star is a very beautiful name for one such as yourself. My name is T'risa K'Mahda. I am appointed as a Colonial Authority Marshal, there are others we need you to meet. Let's please leave this area so we can formulate plans on how to retrieve the others of your race trapped here and stop Her once and for all." she waited an instant before continuing "If you like you can sit in my lap for the ride home."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:37, Sun 15 Aug 2010.

Leo patted the Wolf-Steed, "I may be what you say, but don't give me any of that awe and reverence crap, call me Leo.  Do what you figure is best at all times and we'll sort it out later.  Sun Runner... it's a good name, a little tribal heavy, but strong.  Let's go then..."

He was more than ready to leave.

    " Maran, I'm Rhic," Rhic said to Maran as the others exchanged pleasantries.  We are Colonial Authority Specialty Action And Rescue. The lady Is Marshal K'mahda; the other one is Leoulin.  We were sent here to investigate the trouble at the dig sites, and Leo was sent here to help you and your friends get to safety.  I'm sure this is pretty confusing to you but if you give us a chance we might be able to explain it. If your willing to trust us enough to let us give you and your friends a ride back to the main compound and some clean sheets, hot food, and other people."
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 22:59, Mon 16 Aug 2010.

  " I don't remember such wonderful colors among ...ermmm Humans. star replied as she brushed up against T'risa's leg the impulse from her new personality mods catching her off guard. usually her brushing against a human mean a human got knocked down, the new body definitely had it's advantages." Things must have really changed while we we're napping.

Unable to resist any further, T'risa drops to her haunches delighting in the sensation of Bright Star's fur against her fingers. Her fingers moved up and down the thick pelt, the smile on T'risa's face growing larger by the minute.

"You know the knowledge of your existence may upset some of our scholars. They dispute that humans were around first. Insisting that the Tau were. Do you know how long you were asleep?"
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 21:46, Wed 18 Aug 2010.

 She replied to Rhic more than to anyone else, since he seemed more reassuringly human. The lady with the blue skin and orange hair was just a bit unnerving to her right now.
 "Hi Mister Rhic. I'm Maran. I was here with my parents and an archeological team studying the ruins. Something started killing everyone. It killed my parents first, then it attacked again, so they locked me inside the recreation center/Mess hall and went to hunt it down. It wasn't like these things here though."
 She pointed toward the dead things that littered the ground around them and along the avenue back the way they came. It made her feel sick to look at those dead bodies. It was too much a reminder of the deaths in their camp. She swallowed hard and wiped away a tear as she thought of her parents and of her friends. She straightened up and tried to act more adult. She didn't want to seem weak in front of strangers, even if she was just barely a teenager now.

  " I see," Rhic frowned, following her gaze as she looked back up the road. and took a deep breath then smiled sympathetically." Lost my folks way back when. things got pretty bad,I was a kid when aliens landed and started killing people,saw my share of bodies in the street too. So lets get you away from this mess and somewhere where you can take a long hot bath and have a meal that someone actually cooked."

 "Oh! A real bath in a bathtub? And real food? I'd almost die for a bath! And real food sounds great! Processed meals are ok, but they never really taste just right, ya know?"
 She laughs at Bright Stars comments. Yeah, the lady did look a bit strange.
 "I've never seen a blue skinned person before, though my friend back home dyed her hair orange once for Halloween."

    Yep, clean clothes too. I even heard rumors they're might be ice cream hidden on our ship somewhere.", Rhic Nodded with a smile and a laugh. Motioning toward the heavy Grav sled it's enclosed bed large enough to hold Blue steel and the rest easily." If your ready Maren we'll get out of here.

"You are at a younger age than I was when I met my first pink person. At first I though he had some kind of horrible skin disease, but it's all a matter of perspective. From where I am...pink skin is unusual." T'risa continued petting Bright Star asking her if she minded being carried as she led the way to the vehicle.

   Bright star melted into a boneless heap as T'risa began to pet her purring loudly as she enjoyed the sensations, she rolled over sticking all six feet in the air " Take me I'm your's she sighed as T'risa picked her up.

T'risa cradled the cat in her arms constantly petting it, her subconscious enjoy the feeling of warmth and harmony. "Don't tempt me, I could happily do this all day." She frowned, before continuing to pet Star. "We need to hurry up. The others will need us soon."

   everyone loads up into the cargo Sled, loading Blue into the rear of the sleds once inside everyone can see and talk to one another without problems although the interior has become a bit cramped. lifting off Rhic heads to the landing field under blues direction and everyone transfers to a small hyperspace capable ships boat and heads back to link up with the crow.
    Once inboard Blue can link to the ships boat computer and pilot the craft by direct access to it's systems. flight time is about one hour, that will put you in the area of the crow about the time M'kira spots the fleeing spy,

Please move to the Furesh Scout Crow thread.