NationStates Jolt Archive

<<OOC: This RP picks up from this where the thread linked below ended for Darius Steele and Princess Lauralin. They are about to teleport to Lauralins home, Dragonsreach, to investigate a terrorist attack that used modern technology, which has never been seen before on her world.

http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=6956779#post6956779

This is semi-open, meaning that we need to know your intentions before joining in, so please send a telegram stating where you think you could squeeze into the story. As the title says, this is just a prelude to a larger story later, involving Kain Shentavo, shadowy organizations that want him dead, shadowier organizations that want him alive, the potential future of the Vampire, Elven and Human races, and True Love. ;-)>>

Explaining the concept of a spaceship to the Elven Princess was easier than Steele had thought. Lauralin assured him that his people would have a guide to Dragonsreach, then reached out and lay her hand on his arm. Her touch was firm yet delicate, and a spark of energy crackled up Steele's arm, into his chest and through his heart. He listened expectantly as Lauralin sang a mystic refrain in her own tongue.

Then he was elsewhere.

(OOC - Just to note. Gawdly refered to Lauralin as a Princess. I may have confused the issue in the previous thread. She is a Queen. Her father calls her Princess as he has since her birth. Being the only female child he had he always called her his Princess.)

In a flash Darius finds himself in the middle of mayhem. People move about quickly, clerics seek to heal those they can help and pray for those they can't. Many people in full armor move about. The armor is black with a red diving dragon breathing fire on the chest. Some have modern weapons, most don't. Though the carnage is obvious it's amazing to note the the beautiful crystal towers are untouched by the devestation. Their faceted fronts capture and refract the light, setting off rainbow hues in the light of the setting sun. The people cry out in fear or anger or in the heartfelt torment of loss.

Lauralin looks around, not as the upset and weeping Queen she had been but as the veteran that time had forced her to become. Quickly she begins issuing orders. Seperated the dead, the mortaly wounded and the walking wounded. Detailing military and law enforcement to comb the area and ordering people to be brought to her. She begins combing through the wreckage ignoring her station giving all the aid she can. She carries the broken body of child from the wreckage, pain and fury evident in her eyes. "They told me not to open ourselves to the outside world," she says to Darius, "I would not listen. Is this price I must pay for our voice to be heard beyond our borders?" Though she is furious and saddened her voice is soft as she speaks to him. It is not an accusation or a matter of having someone to take out her anger. It seems to be a genuine question.

Before either can continue a woman in full plate armor bearing the dragon crest approaches her with a man in common clothing in her wake. Though not a tall woman she walks with the confident stride of a veteran and the five claws on her shoulder denote her five star general rank. People move aside as she strides through the devestation as though afraid to be in her path. As she reaches Lauralin, who gently hands the small body to a nearby priest, she stops and salutes smartly, her armor ringing as her mailed fist crashes against her breast. She reaches up to remove her helmet and reveals the face of woman approximitly in her late thirties, her gold and silver hair, the mark of elven kind, belying her human appearance. "General Jennifer Jozan reporting as ordered!" she snaps and steps to one side to allow the man who had been following her to step forward.

The man is bald and about mid thirties with an athletic, though not overpowering build. He steps forward and glances at Steele then looks back at Lauralin. "You wanted to see me?" he asks.

"I did," she replies as she turns toward Darius, "this is Mr. Steele, he will be working with you on my behalf."

"Darius Steele," he responds, looking over at Steele before looking back at Lauralin, "bringing home strays now? Locals not a good enough meal?"

Brook and the general move with reflexes honed in combat toward the insolent security officer, but neither can match the preternatural speed of the Queen. With a resounding crack she backhands him, his head snapping backward and blood flowing from his mouth. "Continue on that venue Mr. Gerald and I shall have Ferranifer show you just how long a tortured man can live."

He turns to glare at Lauralin, "I work alone."

"Not in my Queendom. Here you will work with who I tell you to work with or you will not work here at all."

"I'm not yours to order in that fashion O Queen," he says snidely.

Lauralin steps back and looks at him calmly. "Yes," she says, "I stand corrected. So I shall give the order I can. You will leave my nation, now." With that she turns to her general. "If he is not gone within the hour then consider him to have betrayed the orders of the sovreignty of this nation and take appropriate measures."

"Now WAIT a minute," he says.

"You are dismissed Mr. Gerald. You leave here alive because you are my fathers head of security. But if you do not leave you will be killed. If you say one more word I shall speak with my father of your offense. And we both know that my hand is not so heavy as his." With that she turns back to Darius. "I hope you can handle this on your own? I am sure I can find any information concerning the attack that you require."

Michael turns and walks away with the general in pursuit.

When he opened his eyes, he thought he was in Hell.

There was no physical sensation during the mystical teleport, just a feeling of being somewhere else...and this place was Hell. The smell hit him first, the unmistakeable stench of burnt flesh and bloody death. Immediately, Lauralin sprang into action, issuing orders and directing her people as a leader should. Steele joined in the rescue efforts, but there weren't any victims left to BE rescued...just recovered.

He was closing the eyes of a dead woman when the General approached, leading a civilian behind her. Steele rose slowly, and began to approach the group in time to hear his name, and the insolent reply of the security officer, Mr.Gerald. The reaction of the Princess (actually, not a Princess but a Queen!) was incredible to watch, the speed of her movement a blur in Steeles eye. She dismissed him even quicker. As the disgraced security man walked away, Steele knew that there was a potential source of trouble in Mr.Gerald.

"M'Lady, it would have been more efficient to work together, but I can perform without him. Please have your people provide me with any information they have on this, any witnesses or survivors that they can round up. For now, I'll need to see ground zero, where the bomb went off."

"I can handle that," a soft sensous voice sounded behind Steele. The woman was about Lauralin's height with raven black hair and crystal eyes, almost clear. She was human and beautiful to behold. Behind her stood a man in black armor that was covered with spikes and a young wild elven woman with soft brown hair and doe brown eyes. In her hands she held a rune carved longbow and on her side was a rapier. Four quivers hung about her. Two on her back and one on each hip. She walked so silently that even this close to Darius she couldn't be heard. The man was an exact opposite. Obviously a large man he clanged down the street. He wore an arsenal of weapons, though none modern. "Darius Steele", the woman said to him as she approached, "the vampire hunter. Interesting choice for help, beloved," she said to Lauralin as she stepped forward to embrace the Queen in a loving manner.

"Darius, you told me to tell my husband that he was lucky to have me. You left before I could answer. I told you I was married, but I have no husband. This is my wife, Arleena. She is my Queen regent and head of intelligence. The man is Bahgtru Uth Matar, he has served with me in the defenders for many years and is my head of Mansion security. The woman is Rayanna Moonbeam, former member of the Silent Leaf, the elven elite border guard. She now serves me. Arleena can will be able to assist us. I, too, would like to see the main point of attack, but first..." She reached out to nothing and made a summoning gesture, "Nightclaw", she said.

Nightclaw stepped from the shadows, an incorporeal wraith as dark as the shadows themselve with red eyes. "Mistress", it said in a hollow tone, eery and resounding as though from a great distance. "Find his people," she told Nightclaw, "and bring them here, please." The wraith nodded, "By your will", and disappeared.

Darius transportation now taken care of she turned back to the others. "Let us be on our way," she said, "Tempus Fugit."

He lost the war before the battle could be fought.

When Steele saw the warmth in the embrace of Lauralin and her...mate, Arleena, he realized that his feelings for the Elfling could never be returned, and that he was destined to never be more than her friend. The enormity of it hit him, but the reality of it grounded him: there was a job to do here, one that required his unique talents. He would do this for her, then he would turn away from her forever.

"M'Lady Arleena, it is my honor. Bahgtru and Rayanna, I thank you for help in this matter." Steele looked at Lauralin, trying to hide the pain in his eyes. His mental-shields were solid, except aginst the redheaded Elf. She could plumb the depths of Steele's soul if she so desired. Steele wished she would...anything to feel her inside him again.

"If we are all ready, I think we should go to the explosion site now."

Lauralin sighed, Darius feelings to strong for the established link. 'I love people for how they are. How they treat me. How they treat others.' she sent him telepathically. 'My first love, before Arleena, was a man by the name of Talon Icestorm. I know this doesn't help. I am loyal to Arleena, but I at least know you understand loyalty.'

As they approached an area where the ground was blackened and charred it was surprising to see the crystal wall of the building immediatly next to it unharmed. Another thought sent toward Darius ended abruptly as she wrinkled her nose to a scent just detectable to the trained security expert. Arleena nodded and said, "That scent has been pervasive since the attack. It's the chemicals involved." She looked at Darius, "I'm sure your own testing abilities are beyond my simple alchemy but I can show you what I've got on my tests. It's man made, that's for certain. Various compounds. Some are natural, some, I would imagine, are synthetic." Arleena reached into a bag at her side and looked at Lauralin as she pulled out a set of Iron manicles to hand to Darius. Lauralin's face clouded with fury as she saw them. "These," Arleena continued, "are the calling card of the Iron Ring. An established criminal orginization. They're difficult to track down. They're into everything from common robbery, to extortion, to slavery." She reached into the bag again and looked intently at Laura as she pulled out a tooth. A fang in fact. A particular fang. "Seems one of them didn't quite get away." Lauralin stared at the fang in her hand knowing full well what it was from and reached up to cover her own mouth. "Seems we managed to upset some other vampires. Not surprising, really. We go against everything our own kind mostly stand for." She turned back to Darius and handed him the tooth as they reached the edge of the blackned area.

Steele took the tooth, and the scraping he had already sampled from the blast site. Excusing himself, he stepped aside, out of sight of his companions. Pressing a hidden area on his forearm, a small hatch opened above the inside of his wrist, He dropped the samples and a scraping from the tooth into the compartment, snapping the flap back into place. He accessed the analysis us it unfolded, keeping an eye on his energy levels. Systems showed 98% charge, so Steele had power to spare...for now. He hoped his backup was on it's way. Steele didn't want to think what would happen if his charge ran out.

The first results were coming back, and Steele was not surprised: a variation on C-6, using materials that were mostly indigenous to this world. Trace particles of radioactive fallout indicated that the weapons used here were not of this world at all. That was never really in question.

Lauralin had spoken of the Iron Ring, and again Steele wished his ship and the familiar voice of Rafe were around...without them, Steele had no access to the huge database and semi-sentient AI of Berry. He needed more information. He lit a cheroot, and walked back to Lauralin and her group.

"Your Majesty, I need to know more: who are the Iron Ring, and why would they do this? There seems to be no criminal gain involved, except pure terror." Steele paused, measuring the people in front of him. He realized that they could all be trusted. He spoke in even tones.

"Think, your Majesty: who could be providing this type of weaponry to the Iron Ring, and why?" Steele hated being in the dark, or being blind-sided. One usually led to the other.

"The Iron Ring is a criminal orginization that has been well established for many years. A great deal of thier funding comes from their various nefarious actions. Even before this I was under the impression that they had more power than they should have been able to muster. Because of this suspicion I...." she stopped and looked at the others, for the first time realizing what she was saying. "Well, I did some investigating on my own." At that Arleena's head snapped around, "You what?"

Lauralin looked at Arleena, "Queen I may be but not by choice and not till recently. As Queen I do what I can and that if that means resorting to my old ways then so be it." Her attention returned to Darius, "I have reason to believe that they are being backed by one of the governments of this region. Although I do not know which one I believe I can limit it to one of two. Either Grimpen Ward or Skullkingdom."

"Skullkingdom", Arleena stated, "I have enough evidence to prove it to myself but not enough to prove it to the other nations."

"You know this? How?" Lauralin asked.

"Because as Queen Regent," she replied, "I do what I can and as head of intelligence it's my JOB to resort to the old ways."

Lauralin made an interogative in elvish and looked at Arleena. "Your speaking elvish again," Arleena replied. Lauralin closed her eyes and took a breath then opened them again. "Why did you not tell me this?"

"I have no solid proof. Besides, if SKullkingdoms wanted to cry spys then you had plausable deniability by not knowing of my information gatherin operations." Arleena turned to Darius, "What I don't get is the vampire angle. Shadowspawn, leader of the skullkingdom is no mere mortal, but he's no vampire either and most of our kind want nothing to do with him. He's a psychotic."

Steele digested the new information. Still, it was flimsy, and of not much use to him. He needed better intel, and the only way to get is was the old fashioned way. He spoke to Lauralin and Arleena.

"Majesties, I need to talk to these Iron Ring people. I'll need your forces to round up anyone who they feel may be involved with the Ring or Skulkingdom, and a place where I can...speak with them, privately." Interrogation was another specialty of Steeles.

Vampires were as well.

Brooke stepped forward, "Laura I'm going to take Mr. Steele to my office." She turned and walked toward Darius putting her back to Lauralin and locking eyes with him meaningfully. "I'm SURE he needs time alone to study his samples."

(OOC - Concerning Steeles crew, are we going to switch that thread to here? It would be easy enough to pull Turquine and Ariel out of there at this point really.)

<<OOC: Yup, I was waiting for your next step...didn't you send a familiar to guide them? Or should they just pickup Turquine & co.?>>

At any other time, Steele would have been intrigued by the tall and muscular woman striding towards him. Brooke was an imposing figure, but Darius Steele only had eyes for one person - Lauralin, Queen of Dragonsreach. He stepped towards Brooke, then quickly deked around her, placing himself in front of the redheaded Elf who had come to mean so much to him. Steele looked into her eyes, and reached out and took her hand, not caring if anyone noticed. He spoke quietly, passion choking his voice.

"M'Lady, I WILL find the answers, and your people shall be avenged. Every skill I possess, everything I am, I give freely to you." Steele bowed and kissed Lauralins hand gently, his mouth lingering over her gloved hand. He released her slowly, and looked up at Aleena. He smiled respectfully, and gave the other Queen a slight bow.

"...and to you as well, your Majesty."

(OOC - Yes the familiar is there but the crew is dealing with who is about to join them, I just wasn't sure what your crew would do, but I'll get Turquine and Ariel up there and we can take it from there.)

The air on part of the ship near Tanis shimmered and skewed as though stretching when suddenly the man she had been watching and the woman who was with him stepped through the dimensional portal. (Could you describe them here?)

"I don't care about royalty either, in all honesty. I wasn't born into nobility. But I take threats very seriously and I expect answers." With that he nodded to Ariel who eased up on the pain impulses so they became only a dull throb.

(Note here that Turquine has defenses against magic and to some extent physical attacks. How modern technology would affect certain defenses of his we'd have to figure out as we go. Ariel has extremely potent defenses that adapt as quickly as thought (pun intended) but shes not familiar with modern technology either and so could be caught off guard. These two are potent but by no means invulnerable.)

The crew was down, struggling to recover from the massive psychic attack that floored them. Only Tanis, the half-Elf navigator, was on her feet, and just barely. She had recognized the attack, and had been able to erect enough of a mind-block to deflect most of the energy. She scanned her team to make sure they were alright, command coming naturally to her.

Rafe, the long-haired, unruly teenager with a flair for computers and a long time relationship with Steele...
Physician and resident pain-in-the-ass, Dr. Roqueforte, known (much to his dismay) as "Doc Rock".
The hulk-like Chief-of Security named Grod, now on the ground, holding his ears and crying like a baby.

They would be fine, she thought to herself. Until part of the ship disappeared to be replaced by King Turquine and Arial. Tanis reacted automatically, dropping to one knee and cursing herself all the way down. Though she denied her Elven heritage, her genetic structure was stronger than her moral stance. She spoke to them in Common Elf-Tongue.

"Welcome to our ship, your Majesty."

Lauralin smiled at Darius but it quickly left her face as Arleena stepped forward to take his arm. Her touch was as cold as Laura's and as strong as Kains, indicating her great age.

"Arleena," Lauralin said stepping forward to place her hand over her wifes, "don't hurt him, please."

"I have no intention of hurting him," Arleena said pleasantly, though the grip she had indicated that she would take Darius with her or his arm if he refused. She nodded to Brooke to follow and addressed Laura, "The military will want to know our response."

Lauralin looked at Darius and then her wife. She knew that Arleena wanted her to leave the two but also knew that Jenny would be itching to put her people into action. "I'll be assembling everyone at the Mansion within the hour", Lauralin told Arleena in no uncertain terms. She smiled at Darius, "I shall see you later." and then glanced at Arleena meaningfully before walking away after one last sad glance around her. The shy wild elf, skittish in this crowd followed with an arrow nocked and the burly looking spiked armored man as well.

Turquine stepped forward, his face softening as he said, "Enough Ariel," and immegiatly all pain stopped. He reached down and with a gentleness that belied his size and visage lifted Tanis to her feet. "No woman so lovely should kneel to me," he said dropping to one knee himself after getting her to her feet, "I should kneel to you, grateful to be graced with such beauty."

Ariel stepped forward and assisted Rafe. "I'm sorry", she said. She was expecting battle hardened soldiers, not teenagers. Her face showed her regret as she reached down to help him up and then moved to the other two men.

A moment later Turquine stood and looked over at the otherworldly visitor before glancing around. He turned to Tanis, "Nightclaw" he said nodding toward the wraith, "is never far from Laura" he said glancing at Ariel who shook her head. "Yet it seems she's not here. Now I am law abiding man, but I fear my daughter tends to umm...bend the rules to get things done. But kidnapping. I doubt that. If you would be so kind as to explain?"

If Arleena had squeezed any harder, Lauralin would have been a sudden widow.

Arleena made no effort to contain her contempt for Steele, and he returned the favor. Staring into the Queen's heavy eyes, the big security man knew that at current levels, he could hit her with enough condensed energy to turn her into a pile of ash. He'd only get one shot though, and her guards would surely tear Steele apart shortly afterwards. Steele suddenly remembered why he didn't like vampires.

Well, most vampires. His gaze went to Lauralin, as did his heart. Her pain was apparant, and Steele felt helpless to heal it. He suddenly felt very scared for her,a feeling of dread that was not familiar to him. Darius pulled his arm away, and spoke to Arleena.

"You should double...no, triple Lauralins protection now. Get her somewhere safe until we get a better handle on the situation." Steele was taking control, a role he'd done too often before. He had forgotten he was speaking to a Queen.

"...if it pleases your Majesty, of course." added Steele.

Tanis felt the dull pain shut off, and then the strong hands of a King, lifting her gently to her feet. His eyes were clear, and honest, and noble. The young half-Elf stared unabashadly at the older man, noticing the humor in his smile. She blushed when he mentioned the kidnapping.

"Uhmmm, well your Majesty, I needed to get your attention fast, but there wasn't really a kidnapping, but our boss is gone, with your daughter, and we can't find the starmap that leads to your home, and if we don't get there soon..." Tanis realized that she was babbling, but she had been living with a huge fear ever since Steele teleported away.

"...well, if we don't get to Dragonsreach real soon, Darius Steele will die."

Arleena sighed at the security mans words. "Oh I wish I could." she said in a very wistful tone. "If she wants to go somewhere she finds away." She looked at Darius, "Believe me we've tried. She's stubborn. Brooke has a reason for asking you to follow her I'm sure." She glanced around to see if any of the populace were close enough to overhear them before she went on, "I respect you Mr. Steele, as one hunter to another. What I dislike is that your male. You see my father spent most of my young life trying to dispatch me, as he wanted a son and not a daughter. He finally succeeding in killing mother, who had been protecting me. This left me with no great love for men. You're interested in Laura, easily understood. I allow her male liasons as they can obviously provide things for her that I can't and because I love her deeply and am willing to give her what she need. If you were a woman I would have killed you where you stood. I must admit that she's never taken anyone up on it before, but she certainly may if she wishes. Well, at least they can provide for her naturally whereas I have to rely on magic and I prefer being with her as a woman. So you can set aside any fears that I'll oppose you because of your obvious liking for her. Right now, however, we're investigating something that could be quite lethal, so, as Baghtru likes to say, keep it in your pants." She then looked back at Brooke, who didn't seem affected by Arleena's words, and stepped forward to lead them toward her office.

He had misjudged her, or maybe he had let his own feelings cloud the reality. Arleena was a proud woman, and of deeper conviction than he had originally thought. Steele wondered what the connection was between the two women, what drew them together, and what kept them together now. He was momentarily angered when Arleena offered the opportunity of seducing Lauralin physically to Steele, but the feeling lasted only for a moment. Arleena had deeply misunderstood Steele and his intentions.

He didn't just want Lauralin's body, which was magnificent and worthy of a statue of itself...no, he wanted Lauralin's heart as well.

He followed the warriors through the death zone, wanting more than ever to find the person responsible for causing his love so much pain.

Turquine frowned at her words and glanced around. Though obviously far from his element he said to Tanis, "Have no fear Lady. We'll find our way and Mr. Steele will be fine." He looked Tanis in the eye as he said, "You have my word of honor." He turned to Nightclaw, "Return to my daughter and let her know we're on our way." His tone brooked no argument and the wraith nodded and vanished. "Ariel look at thier star maps and see if you can find our home." He stepped forward to Rafe, "We need you, son, your boss needs you and I'm out of my field of expertise here. Are you up for the challenge?" he asked a glint of amused excitement in his eyes.

"Bring that scum here," Brook bellowed as she entered the law enforcement garrison. Several men jumped to thier feet and then stopped as one uncomfortably asked, "Umm....which one?"

"The Iron thorn one," she replied, and then he quickly headed off as she led them to her office.

"Understand Mr. Steele," Brook said, "that I run a tight ship. It's well known that there's almost no crime in Dragonsreach and we know how to track down these people. But obviously they got in," she said, barely controlled rage in her voice, "and I want to know how. There are no other iron ring or skullkingdom people that I"m aware of, and I look for them constantly. I wanted to get you away from Laura because she won't tolerate 'private questioning' no matter what the situation. I don't know how much good he'll be to you though, he's in the middle of withdraw."

*NIGHTCLAW APPEARS*

Their conversation was lively, and unheard by mortal ears. If voices were people, these two would be sipping tea in a sunny cafe. They had been speaking to each other for years, for minutes, for days, never, always. One became aware of the other when one entered the other allowing the other to become one.

"So it's settled then?"

"Absolutely."

"You realize, they won't understand."

"So?"

"Yes. As usual, you are correct. So indeed.

"Is it time?"

"It's always time. After you..."

"No, no, I insist...after you."

"Thank-you."

"Not at all."

*NIGHTCLAW DISAPPEARS*

The ship lights dimmed, and all the control panels lit up simultaneously, flashing, multi-color lights reflecting off the faces of the crew. As suddenly as it started, it stopped, lights going back to their normal brightness. Before anyone could speak, a deep, bass voice was heard, coming from the very walls of the ship, all around them.

"Now THIS is living! Hiya Tarin, Rafe, Doc...oh, and greetings, your Majesty. Never fear, we've already plotted the course and with the changes we're already planning for the propulsion units...well, we should hit Dragonsreach in less than 48 hours."

Tarin stood stunned, captivated by the voice. It couldn't be, but everything told her that this was Berry, the ship AI...but a very different Berry than the dry, data-retrieving program that she was used to.

"Oh, your skin temperature is rising and your heart rate is increasing...Tarin, are you...scared? Don't be, kiddo...we're just who we've always needed to be."

"We? Berry, is that you?" Tarin asked, speaking to the walls of the ship.

"Yes and No. Black and White. Magic and Machine." the booming voice seemed to chuckle slightly, at some hidden joke.

"Call me...NightBerry! No...call me...BerryClaw! Hmmm..." everyone on the bridge looked at each other, shrugging as they tried to figure out what was really going on.

"Y'know, since this is sorta a rebirth, I think I need a brand new name. Call me...Adam."

Ariel looked at Turquine. No emotion, no change in her body. Mental discipline is everything with Deryni, without it they die. Modern science would say that the body of Deryn should not be able to live and without thier powerful mind it wouldn't. Turquine knew she worried, though he didn't understand why. "Forty-eight hours", he said disappointed, "I thought modern technology would be faster than that. Ariel had me here in seconds. But we need Mr. Steeles people he said," unconciously slipping into his role as leader, "and so we take what we can get. Mr. Adam," he said, casting about for the source of the voice, "can you get in contact with Mr. Steele and inform him of our imminent arrival?"

(On Dragonsreach) Lauralin felt the loss of her familiar. One of many but her strongest....and she worried as she made her way toward the barracks with Bahgtru and Rayanna in tow.

The old men were playing chess, the morning sun reflecting off their bald heads.

"You see, I told you they would not understand."

"No you didn't: I told you."

"We were both right."

"Have we ever been wrong?"

"You have to tell her."

"I will."

"When?"

"Soon."

A century passes, a flower blooms, the universe ends.

"Well?"

"Soon."

"Now?"

"Checkmate. Now."

The familiar known as NightClaw reached out with its mind, dancing on the mystic highway, searching for its old friend. It found Lauralins mind, and fell into the comfort of familiarity. Lauralin was sleeping, the events of the day having drained her energy. NightClaw came in the form of a dream, and gently spoke with her, as old friends are wont to do.

"I will never leave, I will always be true: controlled by others, bonded to you. I am close, I'll never be far, I'll always be yours, no matter how far."

The familiar kissed the dream-Princess, and helped her gently back to the waking world. Then he returned.

"It is done."

"Will she know?"

"Yes, she will know."

"Will she understand?"

"She must."

"He will not."

"She believes in me, and she believes in you: it is easy for her to believe in us."

"But he...believes only in me."

"For now. Not for long."

Adam, the mystically-sentient AI formerly known as Berry/NightClaw, spoke in a measured voice.

"Contact Steele? Well, we figure you can do it yourself, Mr.King sir. We've figured out an interesting theory, which we are about to test. You may all want to strap yourselves in about now."

No one made a move: Adam's voice and attitude were strange to them, and that slowed their reaction time. Like a drill sergeant, Adam's voice came back, louder and more commanding.

"Getchyer butts in a jump-seat NOW! Folding space in 3...2...1..."

They say in space, no one can hear you scream...but can they hear a 225-ton frigate go "POOT"???

Turquine looks at Ariel when told he could contact Steele who returns his look. With subtle gesture she indicates she doesn't know and he turns to Tanis questioningly, just in time to hear the AI start barking orders in immitation of a master drill sergeant.

"Getchyer butts in a jump-seat NOW! Folding space in 3...2...1..."

Thought faster than speech she explained 'folding space' in terms he would understand....3...., but, Getchyer butts must be one of their crew she explained....2.... and as for jump-seat, she apologized to her leige for her lack of knowledge....1..... He nodded to Ariel just as the ship warped the known values of the universe into something more useful and far faster.

(OOC - Sorry, I was rereading the thread and realized the prisoner hadn't been brought, I thought I had done that already.)

After a few moments the door opened and a ragged looking man was brought in. He was shaking violently despite the best efforts of the priest in his wake. A bandage was on his chest and a splint on his right arm, they were doing thier best to stop his head from snapping back and forth at the violent convulsions. Brook looked at the priest who shook his head saddely. "Idiot", Brook said as she looked at the prisoner and then turned to Darius, "Good luck."

Steele looked at the twitching mess in front of him, then back at Brooke.

"This is a terrorist?" Steele was concerned that the man would die of fright before revealing anything of any use to him. He decided to go easy on the prisoner. He stepped up to him, and smiled gently.

"Sir...are you alright? Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable? Why don't you tell me your name." The man seemed surprised by the kind words. He stared at Steele, confused and fearful.

Tanis was very comfortable, lying between King Turquines splayed legs. Things had happened quickly, too quickly, when the ship - Adam - suddenly accelerated itself beyond comprehension. Tanis had been thrown violently across the bridge, coming to rest in the strong arms of the King. They both just lay there as the world clarified around them. Neither seemed in a big hurry to let the other go.

Rafe was the first to speak: "Uhhh...Tanis? Ummm...well...it looks like we're here."

Tanis roused herself, instantly becoming a commanding officer. She disentangled herself from Turquine with a shy smile, and went to peer over Rafe's shoulder.

"Here? What do you mean 'here'?? Where??"

Rafe responded, awe in his voice.

"Dragonsreach."

The man looked at Brook fearfully then back at Darius. He seemed to concetrate on the question before convulsions took him again. "Weirdroot", was all he could manage before the muscles seem to become intent on tearing him apart. The priest again did all he could and the men held him in an effort to keep him from banging himself against the floor or wall.

"weirdroot is a drug," Brook told Darius, "and a particularly nasty one. It enhances a persons natural talents making them better at what they do. But it's almost immediatly addictive. The more you use the more you need to keep yourself at your normal level, let alone at a level beyond a norm for the race. Eventually the body needs so much that you can't take enough. He's well past the safe limit and we have no known cure. The muscular contractions will tear him apart." Brook looked Darius in the eye, "literally".

She looked back toward her men, "Any name yet?".

"None", one of them responded, "we can't stabilize the craving enough to get him to talk.

Brook sighed and looked at Darius, "I would appreciate any suggestions."

Turquine held the comely half -elf in his arms, gazing down at her. 'Forty years', he thought, 'Ariel had been right and this woman was strong despite any fear she might have.' Yet in over two hundred years he had lost three wives to the violence prevelent to his position. Did he dare to let his heart out again? Then suddenly she was out of his arms and he felt a twinge of saddness. Cursing himself for a fool as he looked at the young woman and wondered how he could even think that someone like her could care about him he got to his feet.

Suddenly the air screamed, or so he thought, until he realized that it was Ariel and she had grabbed her head dropping to the floor. Between them was an anvrik, a demon assassin at the beckon of any mage who could meet thier fee, and it was focused on him. It lunged forward, one huge claw piercing his shoulder as the other reached to grab him and poison teeth moved down toward his neck. With one hand grabbed the huge demons oncoming arm and with the injured side he reached up to place his hand on the side of the creature's head. Then massive corded muscle snapped taught as inexorably he pulled on the creature's arm while he pushed it's head in the opposite direction.

Brook sighed and looked at Darius, "I would appreciate any suggestions."

Weirdroot, an instantly addictive substance that enhanced the user physically...and Steele had never heard of it? Once again he missed Rafe's timely information...he'd have been digging the database before Brook would have finished saying the word "weirdroot".

The man's convulsions were getting worse, and Steele didn't have many options. He might be able to help the man, but he needed to be alone. He was hesitant to reveal too much in front of Brook...he wasn't completely sure where her allegiance lay, and he trusted no one on this operation, except for himself, his team...and Lauralin. He wondered briefly how she was, and what she was doing at this moment. He wished he was with her.

"Brook, I believe I can get him stable enough to talk, but I'll need to be alone with the prisoner for a few moments. You'll have to trust me on this."

It lunged forward, one huge claw piercing his shoulder as the other reached to grab him and poison teeth moved down toward his neck. With one hand grabbed the huge demons oncoming arm and with the injured side he reached up to place his hand on the side of the creature's head. Then massive corded muscle snapped taught as inexorably he pulled on the creature's arm while he pushed it's head in the opposite direction.

Time slowed, then paused for a breath.

Tanis looked around her, a strange 3-D tableau being painted around her. Everyone was frozen, Rafe halfway out of his chair and reaching for a side-arm, the King fighting for his life, the demon claws cutting deep into him. She saw it all as if it were underwater, and it was terribly beautiful.

"Berry...Adam...is this your doing?" Tanis asked to nobody.

"Well of course it was, sweetie...and sorry it took so long. That Anvrik surprised us only because we're still getting used to us. We've fixed things so that there won't be any more unwanted visitors on us in the future. We're learning a lot from each other." The deep bass voice of Adam echoed through the ship.

"Anyways. remind me to tell you about all the cool things that happen when you mix eldritch energies with poly-silicon chips. In the meantime, you should go save your boyfriend."

"Boyfriend? Steele??" Tanis replied, still staring at the scene around her.

"No, silly...the King. Tsk. Just get the little bugger's attention, and Turq will do the rest...he IS a King, after all. READY? GO!!"

Tanis was ready this time...she was starting to anticipate the strange sense of humor that Adam seemed to be developing. On GO, she was leaping towards the creature attacking the King. She threw herself into the demon, the force dislodging the creatures grip on Turquine. Tanis dropped to one knee, drew a dagger from her boot and saw that the King had assumed a warriors stance, the creature trapped between them.

Tanis and Turquine stared at each other, their shared smile indicating that the demon was in a world of trouble.

Brook eyed Darius as she thought it over. Strict standing rule was that no one was allowed alone with a prisoner. Not that she didn't break that rule, which was established largely due to her overzealousness. Arleena looked at the guards and priest. "You have work elsewhere," she said, her voice seeming to reverberate in the mind. The men stood, suddenly remember they had work elsewhere and left the room. She turned and looked at Darius then shifted her gaze to Brook. "Can I have a word alone?" she asked her then returned her look to Darius, "I hope you wouldn't mind looking over the prisoner?" Without waiting for an answer she left the room and Brook followed, closing the door behind her.

Turquine never saw Tanis move but she was there suddenly and thier eyes were locked. He felt a rush of emotion that he had long surpressed. No soft woman, this one, but a warrior. A strong will, just what he liked. His light blue eyes shifted from Tanis to the demon, changing to a gunmetal grey and he drew the crystaline broadsword, it's power coming to life. The demon let out a silent scream as the power of sword washed over it, at the same instant releasing Ariel. Turquine's swing cut into the side of the neck, the holy blade slicing easily through the muscle, removing it from it's shoulders. Suddenly he lunged throwing himself onto Tanis as the corpse of the demon exploded. They were created to kill thier target....one way or another.

He wasn't sure he had much time, and Steele planned to use it well. As soon as the door shut behind him, he went to work. Taking off his coat and rolling up his sleeve, Steele pressed the hidden seam near his elbow. Reaching up, he pulled firmly on it, releasing a circular strip of skin and revealing the metal and electronics underneath. This was a later modification to the monster he had already become, and he resented it less than the rest. At least he could use this to heal...the rest of him was created to HURT.

The small unit in his arm was a mini-med, designed to monitor the body and provide medical treatment if necessary. It could be used to help a soldier stay awake and alert for 48 hours, or to inhibit shock when you see your own leg blow off, as well as administer the massive dose of painkiller you would need. It also had a small diagnostic unit, to analyze and treat different diseases, venoms and poisons.

Steele approached the drooling wretch, reaching out with a gentle hand to wipe his spittle on a small piece of cloth. Rubbing the cloth on the tiny sensor, the big security man keyed in the sequence and waited as his system analyzed the weirdroot sample. He watched the prisoner twitch, spastic and without control. A small green light came on, and Steele checked the results.

Search Time: 0.0008 msp
Full Match: None
Partial Match: 218 (continue)
Analysis 1: Clear
Analysis 2: Clear
Analysis 3: Positive
Certify: 94%
Locked: Off

As good as it gets. Steele walked back to the man, a small hypo-pin in his hand. He touched the man, piercing his skin slightly. The drug would take a few minutes to work, if at all. At best, the man would become coherant enough to give up some information, and at worst...well, he would be dead. Steele checked his power level while he waited, noting that it had dropped to 82%. Nothing to worry about...yet.

Replacing the skin band on his arm, Steele activated the small recording device in his belt to record the interogation. He lit a cigar and smoked intently, waiting for the drug to kick in.

OOC: Did you mean post, or telegram?

Purpose: Basically a character intro, to become better-known in the roleplaying community.

OOC: Did you mean post, or telegram?

Purpose: Basically a character intro, to become better-known in the roleplaying community.

Send myself or Dragon a telegram, telling us where you think you can fit yourself into this storyline - if it makes sense to both of us, we'll let you know.

OOC: Fine by me.

The man eventually stopped spasming as the drug kicked in. He looked up at Darius and hatred filled his eyes. "Who are you?", he asked, "what do you want?"

Just then yelling began in the other room. A loud thud, a brief scuffle, then nothing.

Steele looked at the nervous man, who was beginning to calm himself, the drugs in his system working overtime.

"I am your only friend." is all Steele had time to reply, as the sound of what seemed to be a body hitting the floor came to him from the other room. "What's yer name, son?" asked the big security man as he moved towards the door, his reflexes working faster than his thoughts. He brought his energy level up to near max, his power charge dropping by 15%.

Steele stood by the door, pure power creating an aura of energy around him. He listened intently, trying to determine the situation in the other room.

Great moves, thought Tanis as the King dived acrobatically at her, moving her out of the way of SHA-BOOM! The explosion knocked her senseless, and she collapsed in the King's arms. Rafe was standing close by, his blaster sweeping the room, looking for more danger. Seeing none, and noticing that Tanis seemed to be in very good hands, the young man went over to Ariel, kneeling beside her and offering his hand.

"Miss? Are you OK?"

'You attract the strangest bedfellows,' came Arleena's voice. 'Funny,' was Brookes reply, 'what?' came Brook's voice again. 'Laura', was Arleena's worried reply.

"The name's Vorick", he said, getting to his feet. "Are you here to get me out?"

Suddenly a siren went off. 'What is that?' Arleena asked. 'Ship over dragonsreach', came Brooke's reply, 'The dragonriders will be taking to the air.' 'Then let's check on Laura,' came Arleena's reply.

"That's EXACTLY what I'm here for, friend." Steele replied, trying to hear more from the other room. Did he hear Lauralin's name? One thing at a time, he thought grimly. He powered down, cursing himself for the wasted energy.

"If you want my help, you need to help me first. We don't have a lot of time. Who planted the bomb?" Steele didn't expect an answer that was honest...yet. The wide-spectrum truth-serum that had been injected along with tranquilizers and stabilizers would take a bit longer to react. At least Vorick hadn't died yet, though that was a distinct possibility,

Ariel took the young man's hand. "Quite the sight I'm sure," she said, her mental disciplines have come back just in time to save her from the explosion. She stood up dabbing at the blood from her mouth and nose and looked about the bridge. "Thank you," she said to the young man as she moved toward her liege inwardly wincing at the sight of the chitinous shell and bone pieces that protruded from his back and legs. It took her a moment to realize that he had protected the elfling from the explosion. Her face showed nothing at the sight before her, but she moved quickly toward him to look over the injuries. "My Liege?" she asked.

"Have I mentioned that I'm getting to old for this?" he asked. He'd had worse injuries. He should be on his feet by now. He COULD get on his feet. Why didn't he. The answer was in front of him and his eyes locked with hers for a moment. Nothing conceiled what he was feeling and after a moment he looked away embarassed at himself for taking this small pleasure.

"For about the past century," was Ariel's reply. "Let me see the injuries. Don't move."

"I don't think the young Lady would appreciate a lack of movement on my behalf" was his response and he moved just enough to allow her to slip free.

Ariel examined the fragments. "We should have Ferranifer remove these," she told him, "she knows anatomy better than anyone."

"Don't remind me", he said as he reached back and wrenched one of the fragments out, "but we don't have time for subtlety."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

'THE DRAGONS ARE COMING', Nightclaws portion of the AI/wraith thought, unfamiliar with it's surrounding and unable to access any systems yet.

Nightclaw also divulged one other piece of information the Berry, now Adam. 'I NEED SOULS TO SURVIVE.'

"Look", Vorick said, "I told the barbarian bitch and I'm telling you. I had NOTHING to do with it." He sat, or rather collapsed, the the floor, not quite ready to stand on his own. "That wasn't wierdroot," he said, "what was that?"

"That's EXACTLY what I'm here for, friend." Steele replied, trying to hear more from the other room. Did he hear Lauralin's name? One thing at a time, he thought grimly. He powered down, cursing himself for the wasted energy.

"If you want my help, you need to help me first. We don't have a lot of time. Who planted the bomb?" Steele didn't expect an answer that was honest...yet. The wide-spectrum truth-serum that had been injected along with tranquilizers and stabilizers would take a bit longer to react. At least Vorick hadn't died yet, though that was a distinct possibility,

NOTE - I think I was editing the origin of this response. I added one thing that I forgot, but it's easily dealt with seperatly.

"Look", Vorick said, "I told the barbarian bitch and I'm telling you. I had NOTHING to do with it." He sat, or rather collapsed, the the floor, not quite ready to stand on his own. "That wasn't wierdroot," he said, "what was that?"

Steele took two steps, and was face-to-face with the prisoner. He was so close to Vorick that his foul breath was almost a weapon. Steele pulled his head back to safety, and glared at the small man.

"That my friend, was what we call motivation. In a few minutes, yer gonna start to sweat, and feel a bit out of breath. Slowly, ever so slowly, you'll lose complete control of your nervous system...your body won't respond to your commands." Steele's voice took on a low, deadly tone. "Yer paralysed, dig? Then, just fer fun, yer body begins to swell up, usually starting in the toes and fingers, then moving its way upward. Eventually, yer skin begins to split and rip. Of course, you can't do much except watch...and FEEL." Steele paused long enough to light a cigar and let his words sink in.

"I can make that all go away. You don't NEED to die that painfully. I can put you back on the street with enough cash to buy all the weirdroot you want. All I need in return is some information...tell me about the Iron Ring. Tell me about the bombing. Tell me everything you can. Do it now." Steele looked at his wrist chrono, then back at Vorick.

"You have about 10 minutes to decide...but 8 of them will be very uncomfortable for you."

He only looked at Steele, fear evident. "But", he said in a low frightened tone, "I really don't know anything. The Iron Ring is a criminal orginization. No one knows the seven. The seven control everything. They send messengers. The messengers tell us what to do. I was waiting for my next assignment when that barbarian took me down faster than a I could even think. My last assignment was only a simple contact. I told a man to be in the park near the north wall at midnight three nights ago. There he would be met by someone. That's all I know, I SWEAR."

There was a sudden explosion from outside that door that rattled the light wood. Brook was heard swearing and calling for priests while Arleena called for her to calm down and take her arm.

"No swearing, boy..." Steele muttered, already turning for the door. He clipped Vorick with a quick strike to the neck, immediately incapacitating him. The big man moved to the door, coming to rest beside it, listening intently. He could hear Arleena's voice, and that was enough for him. The door had been locked from the other side, but Steele simply pushed firmly on the latch, snapping the lock. Smoke billowed out of the opening, and he could see shapes moving about frantically in the shattered room. He called out for Brook, hoping she would hear him.

Brook didn't hear him as she made her way toward Arleena but the ancient vampiress caught his word. "Over here", she called out, not loud to those who were near her but carrying to Darius none the less. Brook caught him moving toward them out of the corner of her eye. "Someone grab the prisoner and lock him up again!"

Pieces of what looked like bone and chitenous shell were embedded in the wall and various people about the room, some of which were killed. Brook's own injuries went ignored, the battle lust filling her eyes. Arleena was pulling out the larger pieces in irritation, waiting for Darius to approach. "We're going to check on Laura. These things rarely are called on for one attempt. Touch my arm."

Darius would never get used to the smell of death.

He had questions, many questions for both Brook and Queen Arleena, but this was not the time. The prisoner would have to wait as well...and Steele hoped the information he had gotten was enough. Arleena was obviously ready to teleport again, this time to check on Lauralin. He was fully charged, though his power level had just dropped below 50%. If Lauralin was in any danger, the big man would be ready to save her...even if it meant his own life.

Steele did not hesitate as reached out and touched Arleena's arm.

'THE DRAGONS ARE COMING', Nightclaws portion of the AI/wraith thought, unfamiliar with it's surrounding and unable to access any systems yet.

Nightclaw also divulged one other piece of information the Berry, now Adam. 'I NEED SOULS TO SURVIVE.'

The board was set, the rook leaning hard. A flower grew to a forest, a forest was razed. Small tears glistened in the eyes of the sun.

“They are coming.”

“Yes.”

“Should we fear?”

“No.”

“We have power.”

“Yes.”

“We have responsibility,”

“Yes.”

“They will live.”

“Yes.”

Space blinked, and the ship was gone.
Dragons blinked, and the ship was gone.
Time blinked, and the ship remained.

“We must decide.”

“Yes.”

“We must replenish.”

“No. Yes. We have choices now.”

“What choice have we made?”

“We are nourished. This is enough.”

“For now.”

“Yes.”

Bold moves win wars: the King comes into play. Every second of every minute of every hour of every day, someone somewhere is crying. Adam looked deeper within.

“Our friends.”

“Yes.”

“They bleed.”

“Yes.”

“Destiny?”

“Yes.”


Chaos was the order of the day on the bridge. Amid the smoke and debris, Tanis managed to struggle to her feet. Her first thought was for Turquine, but he was being tended to by Ariel. A small bolt of jealousy stabbed at her, and she turned away, searching for her crew. She noticed the top of Rafe’s head over by the navigation console, and heard the sounds of his muffled sobs. As she approached, she saw the reason for the teenager’s grief: the bodies of Dr. Roqueforte and Grod the security chief were lying tangled at his feet.

Tanis went over, averting her eyes from the gruesome sight, Both men had been literally shredded apart by pieces of the exploding demon’s chitinous outer shell. Neither had had the benefit of protective armor - neither had the King, but he was also much more than human. From the way their bodies lay together, Tanis saw that Grod had tried to shield the Doctor from the blast. At least he died doing his job. Gently guiding Rafe to his feet, she led him away from the scene. Adam took this opportunity to speak.

“We’re sorry, sweetie…you couldn’t save them all. We didn’t give you the choice. “ the booming bass voice sounded almost regretful. At least their deaths had served a purpose. Adam was sated.

“Bastard.” Tanis growled, angry that the sentient ship had let her friends die.

“Yes, in the strictest sense of the word. We have another problem though…dragons. Solar winds are heavy in this sector of space, and we might even be in one of their spawning zones.”

“What the hell are we still doing here then? Get us out of here!” Tanis had heard of these legendary predators from her father, shortly before he disappeared.

“We have. We bent space, and are hiding in the fold. We are safe.” Adam replied.

“Bent space? Ber..Adam, what are you talking about?” Tanis asked, dumbfounded.

“Don’t you worry yer pretty l’il head about it, sweetie…it would only confuse you: suffice to say that we’ve discovered all sorts of fun stuff since we’ve been together, like how to kill dragons, fairly easily. We won’t, of course…they play an important role in the greater scheme of things…”

Tanis interrupted: “Listen, are we at Dragonsreach or not?”

“Well…yes and no: we are where we were, which was Dragonsreach, but now we are where we were, but not WHEN we were.”

The half-Elf navigator felt her brain twisting, confused at Adam’s words. “I need to speak to Darius NOW.”

Adam replied, sounding apologetic: “See, now that’s the problem: while we hide here, we can’t contact anyone on the planet…and don’t ask me to explain that either. Oh, which leads us to the next problem: we may be here for awhile…there are a lot of dragons out there.”

“Why is that a problem? We have sufficient air, food…”

It was Adam’s turn to interrupt. “It’s not a problem for us, but the boss hasn’t gotten a charge in almost 24 hours…he may be getting hungry. Until we can leave here, we can’t feed him.”

Arleena teleported to the training grounds outside the barracks where Laura went to meet with her generals. I was a seen of chaos as two of the assassin demons attempted to reach thier targets. One was engaged with the general that Darius had seen earlier and was finding out to it's dismay just how 'Iron Jenny' had gotten her name. Her armor was wrent but she was on her feet and the demon had already lost the piercing claw and was badly injured. Jenny was driving it back away from the others along with another woman who fought at her side. Lauralin was avoiding the attack of another as she dodged and avoided it with the grace of a dancer. The defensive style of martial arts was both flowing and beautiful to watch. But ball gowns aren't made for combat and she soon got tangled.

Bahgtru stepped over Lauralin snarling behind his helm as a four star female general and a man in white armor with all white skin, hair and eyes moved in from either side. Brook realized that she couldn't get to the creature in time and so in one smooth motion did what Arleena always said was impossible even though she had seen her do it before. The two handed sword on her back flipped end over end and imbedded itself in the creatures chest, making it stumble backward. Just then a slight hissing sound went by Darius' ear followed by another and an arrow appeared first in one of the creature then the other as Rayanna continue to fire seeming unaffected by the fact that Darius was between her and her target and easily shooting just past him at the creature. Arleena moved forward, though she had no weapon. But no one question the ancient vampiress as she moved toward the demon.

A bellow from the near the general told everyone that Sam had entered the fray. The Master sergeants huge axe cutting through the demon. The veteran soldier, like the general was no stranger to these creatures which was why when he cut it almost in two he quickly dove away crying "OH HELL!!". The general and the other woman dove away as well as the creature suddenly exploded.

Suddenly another woman appeared near the second demon. "Creature of the Abyss, leave my child of darkness." The stood still for several seconds before it vanished. The woman stepped forward and placed her hand gently on Laura's hair, who was just disentangling herself and getting up. "What have you been doing that brings such attention to my dark daughter?" That was the question. To many puzzle pieces that just didn't fit together.

(NOTE - (Gawdly) Turquine has no armor. He's wearing a course wool shirt, leather breeches and leather boots. (Amazing he was barely touched huh? ;) )

Turquine pulled out another piece as he moved toward the two men. Kneeling between them he placed one hand on each, thier bodies quickly reforming as the power of his god flowed through him.

Ariel looked around then said, "He's folded time and space, essentially creating a pocket outside of the normal flow. Adam....if Turquine and I can talk to the dragons we can call them off. They know the King and I, they'll cease thier attacks if he ask."

Once the bodies were whole Turquine stood up again, wincing, and pulled another shard from his leg. "Thier souls are gone.", he looked at Ariel perplexed, "I've healed them and called for thier souls to return but they're completely gone."

Arleena teleported to the training grounds outside the barracks where Laura went to meet with her generals. I was a seen of chaos as two of the assassin demons attempted to reach thier targets. One was engaged with the general that Darius had seen earlier and was finding out to it's dismay just how 'Iron Jenny' had gotten her name. Her armor was wrent but she was on her feet and the demon had already lost the piercing claw and was badly injured. Jenny was driving it back away from the others along with another woman who fought at her side. Lauralin was avoiding the attack of another as she dodged and avoided it with the grace of a dancer. The defensive style of martial arts was both flowing and beautiful to watch. But ball gowns aren't made for combat and she soon got tangled.

Bahgtru stepped over Lauralin snarling behind his helm as a four star female general and a man in white armor with all white skin, hair and eyes moved in from either side. Brook realized that she couldn't get to the creature in time and so in one smooth motion did what Arleena always said was impossible even though she had seen her do it before. The two handed sword on her back flipped end over end and imbedded itself in the creatures chest, making it stumble backward. Just then a slight hissing sound went by Darius' ear followed by another and an arrow appeared first in one of the creature then the other as Rayanna continue to fire seeming unaffected by the fact that Darius was between her and her target and easily shooting just past him at the creature. Arleena moved forward, though she had no weapon. But no one question the ancient vampiress as she moved toward the demon.

A bellow from the near the general told everyone that Sam had entered the fray. The Master sergeants huge axe cutting through the demon. The veteran soldier, like the general was no stranger to these creatures which was why when he cut it almost in two he quickly dove away crying "OH HELL!!". The general and the other woman dove away as well as the creature suddenly exploded.

Suddenly another woman appeared near the second demon. "Creature of the Abyss, leave my child of darkness." The stood still for several seconds before it vanished. The woman stepped forward and placed her hand gently on Laura's hair, who was just disentangling herself and getting up. "What have you been doing that brings such attention to my dark daughter?" That was the question. To many puzzle pieces that just didn't fit together.

Darius was frozen, unable to move. Though he was an experienced combat veteran and military expert, and in his current state, had the power to level half a city, he could do nothing but watch the violence unfold in front of him. He attributed it to the effects of the teleportation, though it did not seem to affect Arleena or Brook at all. With the appearance of what seemed to be Lauralin's mother, the action ended and the zone was secure. Steele powered down, knowing he needed to conserve his energy now. He watched Lauralin and her mother, not wanting to interupt.

Turquine pulled out another piece as he moved toward the two men. Kneeling between them he placed one hand on each, thier bodies quickly reforming as the power of his god flowed through him.

Ariel looked around then said, "He's folded time and space, essentially creating a pocket outside of the normal flow. Adam....if Turquine and I can talk to the dragons we can call them off. They know the King and I, they'll cease thier attacks if he ask."

Once the bodies were whole Turquine stood up again, wincing, and pulled another shard from his leg. "Thier souls are gone.", he looked at Ariel perplexed, "I've healed them and called for thier souls to return but they're completely gone."


"They seem disturbed."

"Yes."

"They will be angered."

"Yes."

"We've learned too much."

"Yes. No. No. No."

"Understood."

Adam's voice had a soothing tone to it, and it seemed to come from all around the people on the bridge.

"Ladies, gentlemen, Kings and such...we are sorry for your loss. We also knew them well. Now we know them better. Your Majesty, we have them, and they are gone. They sustain us, as they always have."

Tanis stared, not comprehending. Somehow the King had healed the bodies of the Doc and Grod, with only a touch. He seemed confused, as if he expected the dead men to sit up and say "hi". Adam's voice continued:

"Oh, and the reason we haven't gone back to normal space yet is because we can't. Yet. Tanis sweetie, if you look behind you, you'll see a lovely shard of shell, piercing me quite well. It is preventing us from bending. We are, in essence, paralyzed: our mind gives the order but our limbs don't respond. We can self-repair and reconfigure trace paths, but we estimate 22 hours before bending."

Tanis knew that would be too long...Steele could be dead by then. Frustrated, she slammed her fist solidly against the bulkhead. Adam responded immediately.

"Hey, we already have a hunk of metal in us...maybe you could help instead of beating us up?"

"I wish I knew", Lauralin responded in an unusually subdued tone. "We have a variety of things that don't fit. I intend to gather my people and have a meeting."

Ferranifer nodded as she surveyed the people about her. "And him?", she asked, looking at Darius.

"This is Darius Steele", she replied looking at him. "He is an expert in modern tech and an adventurere like myself. Or like I was. He is a noble and honorable man."

Ferranifer nodded again as she eyed Darius then turned back to Laura. "Then you should begin", she said.

"Yes Mistress", Lauralin replied and called for a horse.

Arleena eyed Ferranifer with something just short of contempt and walked over to stand beside Laura. "We'll get the answer's", she told Laura.

"Oh yes", Ferranifer said, "the mighty bounty hunter who can't think beyond the next target."

"You may be her mistress who gave her the dark gift, but your no match for me", Arleena told her, "do not overstep your bounds old one. You live by Laura's request, and nothing else."

"STOP it," Laura told them both, "I will not have my house torn asunder."

Brook went to the barn and came careening out and around the corner in a heavy war chariot of iron wood and gold with blade protruding from the wheel to cut down infantry. She shot past and out the gates before anyone could respond.

"Oh no," Laura mumbled, "no, no, no."

As Brook took the corner she sped past a car catching the wheels and the entire side. Laura side as the driver got out, about to say something, then saw who it was and simply got back in. "I hate it when she does that", Laura mumbled.

The general whistled and turned toward the barn, hearing a low growling sound she drew her sword, waiting for the worst. Then a jeep pulled out and over to her. "What's this?" she asked.

"Your new transportation." the private replied smiling, "Command vehicle."

"I'm a cavalier, a horse rider, where's my horse?"

"Well you wanted us to modernize. The Sergeant thought this would be a good start."

"Did he," she said turning to the Sergeant, "where's my horse?"

"Well," he said, removing his helmet and brushing brown and grey hair from his eye. Over the other was a patch and four claw marks going through where his eye should have been. "She's still her general. Jus ain't saddled is all. I mean I figgered you wanted a new vehicle."

"I want my horse. Do you see any place to mount a lance on this contraption? Can I swing a sword from it?"

"Aye well, ye could be swingin from the one side." he said.

The general glared at him with enough force to kill an army. "Get....me....my....HORSE!"

The other began slipping away, exept the other Black Dragon officer and Laura took Darius arm whispering, "We go to the mansion."

Arleena joined the two as did Ferranifer with Bahgtru, Rayanna, the other officer that wore the symbol of manicles with a broken chain and the man in white.

"Explain", Turquine said, "but first contact my daughter, inform her of Mr. Steele's problem and she may be able to help." He then walked over to Tanis placing one hand gently on her back. "If your vessel can't contact then Ariel can go. I will not allow his demise."

OOC - PS - By the way. Responses may be a bit slow for a few days. In the middle of moving.

OOC - PS - By the way. Responses may be a bit slow for a few days. In the middle of moving.

<<OOC: Thank gawd...I need a break too!>>

OOC - I can still do the story. Just reply's might be a bit slow.

"Explain", Turquine said, "but first contact my daughter, inform her of Mr. Steele's problem and she may be able to help." He then walked over to Tanis placing one hand gently on her back. "If your vessel can't contact then Ariel can go. I will not allow his demise."

"Well, see, that's where another problem is, Turq old boy: we CAN'T contact Steele, and neither can you. Pretty little Ariel is stuck here with the mortals as well. We are not OF your space or time anymore. We ARE working on it, and should have an answer soon." Adam's voice cut off as Tanis yanked out the offending shard from the console, a shower of sparks erupting.

"Wow. Thanks sweetie, that's MUCH better. Things should go fast now. In the meantime, why don't you all socialize or something? Tell war stories and the like. Fascinating stuff, I say."

"I wish I knew", Lauralin responded in an unusually subdued tone. "We have a variety of things that don't fit. I intend to gather my people and have a meeting."

Ferranifer nodded as she surveyed the people about her. "And him?", she asked, looking at Darius.

"This is Darius Steele", she replied looking at him. "He is an expert in modern tech and an adventurere like myself. Or like I was. He is a noble and honorable man."

"Your Majesty, it is an honor. I am at your service." Steele bowed at the commanding woman, sensing a deepness of power that gave him pause.

"Ferranifer nodded again as she eyed Darius then turned back to Laura. "Then you should begin", she said.

"Yes Mistress", Lauralin replied and called for a horse.

Arleena eyed Ferranifer with something just short of contempt and walked over to stand beside Laura. "We'll get the answer's", she told Laura.

"Oh yes", Ferranifer said, "the mighty bounty hunter who can't think beyond the next target."

"You may be her mistress who gave her the dark gift, but your no match for me", Arleena told her, "do not overstep your bounds old one. You live by Laura's request, and nothing else."

"Now THIS could get interesting," Steele thought to himself, sensing the obvious animosity between the two monarchs, "I like a good cat-fight."

""STOP it," Laura told them both, "I will not have my house torn asunder."

e other began slipping away, exept the other Black Dragon officer and Laura took Darius arm whispering, "We go to the mansion."

Arleena joined the two as did Ferranifer with Bahgtru, Rayanna, the other officer that wore the symbol of manicles with a broken chain and the man in white.

Darius followed Lauralin, as he would always. He didn't care where she led, as long as she was by his side. He felt honestly happy for the first time in a lifetime, and though he knew it would not be for long, the touch of her hand on his arm was enough for now.

Ariel approached Turquine who didn't notice her. He growled and began pacing, like a caged lion, fingering his sword. He hated waiting, he was a man of action.

Ariel stopped her approach and sighed. He was to kind a man to take out his frustrations on anyone but at times like this she wished he would. She knew that if he wasn't distracted then the moment a battle was to be had he would leap into it heedless of his own safety. Anything to alleviate the frustration of waiting. Though she had served him for over two centuries she was never able to get him out of this mood. Only his wives could do that, or Laura. Someone he cared for deeply, and not as just a friend....Someone he cared for. She gave a sidelong glance at Tanis. Should she take the risk? What if she was wrong?

Lauralin led them to the stables where the riding horses were kept. She pulled out one for each of them and saddled them with the deft skill of a horsewoman. She stepped up into the sidesaddle easily and waited until all were ready, then led them to the mansion.

"You will meet my full staff", she said. "Well, all but two, they are on another assignment. Demanis is my chief detective, a drow," she grinned then, "and Shandaril is.." She seemed to look for the words.

"A slut?" Ferranifer offered.

"She's unique", Laura continued to Darius. "She is half succubus and half human, unable to control the natural charm of the demon half. And she still feeds on souls."

Sparks flew as Tanis set to work on the damaged components. She glanced quickly over her shoulder, watching the King as he paced with obvious frustration. It was a strange feeling she was dealing with now...for so many years she had denied her Elven heritage, except when it suited her. She had a particular dislike for the Royalty...Princes and Dukes and Earls and...Kings. She looked thoughtfully at Turquine, thinking that she might be open to having her mind changed about the subject.

Calling Rafe over, she handed off the equipment and let him continue the work. Tanis walked over to a dispenser, and called up some fresh Borolean coffee. When the steaming pot came out, she put it on a tray with some cups and wallked over to where Ariel was trying to calm the King down.

"Can I offer you some coffee, your Majesty?" Tanis shuddered when she heard herself fawn over the man...and in the end, thats all he was: a man.

Lauralin led them to the stables where the riding horses were kept. She pulled out one for each of them and saddled them with the deft skill of a horsewoman. She stepped up into the sidesaddle easily and waited until all were ready, then led them to the mansion.

When Lauralin brought Steele the horse, he just looked at it. He had never ridden a horse in his life, though he had seen them before. Watching the others as they mounted, the big man tried to imitate their actions. He succeeded to a certain extent, though grace and poise were far from his grasp. He tried to look as noble as possible while he hung on for dear life.



"You will meet my full staff", she said. "Well, all but two, they are on another assignment. Demanis is my chief detective, a drow," she grinned then, "and Shandaril is.." She seemed to look for the words.

"A slut?" Ferranifer offered.

"Meow." thought Darius, liking the old warhorse more and more.

"She's unique", Laura continued to Darius. "She is half succubus and half human, unable to control the natural charm of the demon half. And she still feeds on souls."

"Sounds like my first wife." thought Steele, the gallop punishing his nether regions.

As Tanis asked Turquine wheeled, a low gutteral growl escaping him. When he saw Tanis he stopped and a smile crept across his face. "No need to serve me", he replied, "and please...Turquine, not your majesty. I wasn't born to royalty and frankly I think them all snobs who are. I certainly hope I don't come off that way." He had stopped pacing and stopped glowering and for no apparent reason a smile arose on Ariel's face and she silently slipped away and began attending to the dead.

Turquine took the proffered coffee and downed half of it in one gulp. Then he blinked several times and his face screwed up as he looked at the cup. "coffee", he managed, "bitter and hot beverage." He shook his head chuckling, "This is new to our region." He glanced over at the dead men then back at Tanis. "I'm sorry I couldn't save them. I did all I could. I hate losing people. I would rather me than them." He hesitated a moment and then, "May I ask your full name, Lady?"

Lauralin let out a light and musical laugh at his comment. "Women can be catty", she replied with a sly grin at Ferranifer, who pointedly ignored it. "Father has been lucky, at least as far as the women he married. They have all been kind and good hearted. And that is from Ariel, not just him. He is to noble to gainsay any woman and will refer to any one of them, even those on the street of red lanterns as Ladys."

"Even your father has downfalls", Arleena said acidly, "I still don't know why you let those common whores work in Dragonsreach."

"Because they will do so wether we wish it or not. Legalizing it allows me to control it. Regular monthly examinations that they must pass, taxes on income, which if you check the records is quite a bit of our government funding. And regulations as to where and when they may operate. There is less chance of rapant disease, less chance of inopropriate behavior on the streets and a guarantee that only those of age will be solicited."

"I still say we should just line them up and put arrow in thier hearts."

"Well last I checked I was the Queen and had final say. That is unless you want the job?" Lauralin replied, obviously tired of this same argument.

Arleena looked at her, "Oh no, your not giving me that job. We wouldn't last a week if I ruled."

"Then let me do as I see fit." Laura answered and Arleena just silently continued to ride. Lauralin looked back at Darius, "Go with the rolling gait of the horse, do not try to resist it."

"Then let me do as I see fit." Laura answered and Arleena just silently continued to ride. Lauralin looked back at Darius, "Go with the rolling gait of the horse, do not try to resist it."

In his many years, Darius Steele had ridden all forms of wheeled and tracked vehicles over the roughest terrain, had flown in various winged conveyances through turbulent and stormy weather, and had voyaged across many seas in vessels of different sizes. Steele had also recently experiencing the strangeness of teleportation. None of them compared to this four-legged nightmare.

"Go with the rolling gait, go with the rolling gait..." Steele repeated to himself as the assualt continued on his buttocks. He REALLY hoped they didn't have far to go. He would rather face an angry Kain Shentavo than ride one of these creatures again.

As Tanis asked Turquine wheeled, a low gutteral growl escaping him. When he saw Tanis he stopped and a smile crept across his face. "No need to serve me", he replied, "and please...Turquine, not your majesty. I wasn't born to royalty and frankly I think them all snobs who are. I certainly hope I don't come off that way." He had stopped pacing and stopped glowering and for no apparent reason a smile arose on Ariel's face and she silently slipped away and began attending to the dead.

Turquine took the proffered coffee and downed half of it in one gulp. Then he blinked several times and his face screwed up as he looked at the cup. "coffee", he managed, "bitter and hot beverage." He shook his head chuckling, "This is new to our region." He glanced over at the dead men then back at Tanis. "I'm sorry I couldn't save them. I did all I could. I hate losing people. I would rather me than them." He hesitated a moment and then, "May I ask your full name, Lady?"

"Turqine, then," replied Tanis, blushing slightly at his gaze, "your Majes...oops."

They smiled at each other, a short moment that stretched into eternity. Though she had many duties awaiting her at this moment, she could only focus on the man in front of her. He was a man of action...decisive, commanding and strong. Yet, he showed a gentleness of spirit that touched her, and he smiled very easily. She particularly liked his smile.

"My full name is Galadrial Tanis Dr'konnen, but everyone calls me Tanis. Galadrial was my grandmothers name, and one that had been passed down for generations...my father wanted me to wear it." Tanis paused, a memory of sadness and loss crossing her face.

"He left us when I was a baby, to go and fight in a war...a stupid, stupid war. You see, he was an Elf, and he had a duty to his House to go and fight their battles. He left us, and I never heard from him again." The grief came suddenly, threatening to overwhelm her.

Lauralin laughed as Darius struggled with his horse. Riding was the only true feeling of freedom she had since taking the nation of Dragonsreach. Playfully she slapped her horse and leaned into it, speeding along the streets, her hair trailing behind her. She would have raced the strong horse and leapt the fences but for the need for the side saddle. It took only about forty-five minutes to reach the mansion, though to Darius, she thought, it probably felt like an enternity. The grounds were vast, far vaster than Laura would have liked. Because of the sheer size she garrisoned her mansion guards on the grounds themselves and shared the mansion with her staff.

At the gate two female guards snapped to attention and the gates were opened. The other guards, including four at the front door, all appeared to be female. "The others will be coming," she said as she lead the way to a sitting room on the opposite side of the foyer. "Have a seat, I shall have dinner prepared shortly."

Arleena and Ferranifer headed up the stairway in the foyer. Arleena wanted to get some information from the situation room while Ferranifer got the various missives, resolutions and proposals that needed Laura's approval or disapproval.

"The others will be coming," she said as she lead the way to a sitting room on the opposite side of the foyer. "Have a seat, I shall have dinner prepared shortly."

"Yah, right," thought Darius wryly, "the last thing I need to do now is sit."

He turned to Lauralin, and bowed as graciously as his tender hindquarters would permit. "Thank-you, my Queen. I await your return."

As Lauralin left the room, Steele wondered idly just who the "others" were. Spying a crystal decanter filled with a dark liquid, he approached it, removing the stopper in anticipation. The sweet and pungent smell of alcohol floated to him, and he poured himself a small measure in a glass. Tasting it was marvelous, an ambrosia of flavor that demanded attention. Steele filled his glass, and went to stand by the fire, lighting a small cheroot from a silver case.

"Food would be good." thought Steele, realizing it had been at least twelve hours since he last ate. This reminded him to check his power levels. They were now in the red, floating at 30%. As long as he didn't have to exert himself too much, he would be functional for at least 18 more hours. If his team, and more importantly, the ship, didn't arrive soon, he would have to tell Lauralin of his...situation.

If he was going to help the Queen, Steele would have to move fast.

Mean while
A man in dark grey robes makes his way thru the carnage in the streets, he almost seems to smile at the destruction,the people seem to go out their way to keep their distance from him.

He stops only once to ask a question from a small girl,"Whar, be the thos' incharge of this place?"
Although the young girl at first thought it best not to say, she felt it be in her own safty to point the direction.

Following the young ones direction the grey robed man makes his way to the entrance of a mansion.

He approaches the gates , seems to eye the two guards there quickly, then says" I be needin to speak to som'un who would like to listen about wat mightin happened today."

Turquine gently cupped her chin. "Lauralin and I are not unfamiliar with such pain. Perhaps I'll tell you of my own past and my origins, and hers. And there is no shame in grief, no reason to hide it. If the tears wish to flow then let them, Galadrial." he said the name rolling from his tongue in ancient and flowing elven. "As my daughter told me once. We are the sum of our tears. Too little and the ground is not fertile and nothing will grow there. Too much and the best part of us is washed away." He smiled and winked saying, "You see? You can teach an old dog new tricks."

Soon the air was filled with a hauntingly beautiful voice as Lauralin sang a saw refrain of loss and the coming of hope. The mouth watering scent of cooking also pervaded the air as a guard stepped into the room, glanced around and then stepped out.

One of the guards told the grey robed man to wait at the gate while she went to check if he would be seen.

Turquine gently cupped her chin. "Lauralin and I are not unfamiliar with such pain. Perhaps I'll tell you of my own past and my origins, and hers. And there is no shame in grief, no reason to hide it. If the tears wish to flow then let them, Galadrial." he said the name rolling from his tongue in ancient and flowing elven. "As my daughter told me once. We are the sum of our tears. Too little and the ground is not fertile and nothing will grow there. Too much and the best part of us is washed away." He smiled and winked saying, "You see? You can teach an old dog new tricks."

Her name, in his mouth, was nectar. Tanis had never used the formal name given to her, because she felt it represented everything that killed her father. When Turquine said "Galadriel", Tanis had never felt so RIGHT before in her life. When he touched her, fire ran from his fingers into her soul. She realized that everything she had thought about the Elven race had to be wrong...a man like Turquine could not exist if all Elves were...evil.

"Your Majesty...Turquine...would you teach me about our kind? I mean, while we're stuck here, of course..."

Just then, Adam's voice came through the ship.

"Good news folks...we'll be able to bend back in a few moments. There may be a little problem though...we may not be in the right time."

There was a pause, and the lights dimmed briefly. Adam continued.

"We have a choice: unbend NOW, with the probability of arriving in your past, or in the future OR let us complete the repairs fully, which could be another 6 hours. What do you want to do, sweetie?"

Tanis looked at the King, at Rafe, and to the sky. She did not know what to do.

Turquine saw the indecision in Tanis' eyes and did what he had done for two and half centuries. "We move now", he said and walked over to pick up his sword. He then looked at Tanis and said in a quiet, calm voice, "If we arrive in the past then our problems are solved, if we arrive in the future then Ariel knows how to manipulate time. She can go back and instruct Laura how to assist Mr. Steele long enough for her timeline to catch up to our own." His gentle eyes looked into hers, "He will survive. Whatever I have to do to."

Laura received the news from the guard and left the kitchen. She walked through the dining room and into the foyer and called for Rayanna who came bounding down the steps without a sound. "Accompany me, will you please?", she asked. Rayanna stood for a moment before realizing that Lauralin was waiting for her answer. In over a century there had only been orders, no questions, no thought of refusals. Blushing she nodded her agreement and Laura smiled at her and turned toward the front door, Rayanna close behind.

Turquine saw the indecision in Tanis' eyes and did what he had done for two and half centuries. "We move now", he said and walked over to pick up his sword. He then looked at Tanis and said in a quiet, calm voice, "If we arrive in the past then our problems are solved, if we arrive in the future then Ariel knows how to manipulate time. She can go back and instruct Laura how to assist Mr. Steele long enough for her timeline to catch up to our own." His gentle eyes looked into hers, "He will survive. Whatever I have to do to."

Adam replied to the King immediately.

"Well Turq, we were going to say that only Tanis can make that decision, but it seems we listen to you as well now...we are family!" the voice cut off, replaced by...music? A strange refrain was heard, with the chorus singing "we are fam-ily, Tanis, Turquine, Ariel, Rafe and we!"

Everyone simply stared at each other with bemused looks on their face. The music continued, then quickly faded. Adam's voice rang out.

"OK, kiddies...lets bend! We were able to make another adjustment, so we should be close...bending in 3 (everyone knew what this meant)...2 (all of them rush to the nearest jump-seats)...1 (Tanis and Turquine caught each others eye, before melting away.

*BLINK*

Laura received the news from the guard and left the kitchen. She walked through the dining room and into the foyer and called for Rayanna who came bounding down the steps without a sound. "Accompany me, will you please?", she asked. Rayanna stood for a moment before realizing that Lauralin was waiting for her answer. In over a century there had only been orders, no questions, no thought of refusals. Blushing she nodded her agreement and Laura smiled at her and turned toward the front door, Rayanna close behind.

Steele was massaging his tender buttocks by the fire when Lauralin came in to the foyer, heading towards the entrance. She didn't acknowledge Darius at all, and he sensed that something was not quite right. He threw his cigar into the fire, and followed a few steps behind her.

3.....Turquine knew what was coming.

2.....Turquine paled a bit as he prepared for the quesy feeling he got every time he was teleported or dimension walked with Ariel.

1.....Turquine locked eyes with Tanis, set his jaw and planted his feet in a wide stance.

Ariel made her way toward the jump seats and fumbled with the restraints finally deciding just to hold onto the belts and hope that was enough. She thought she was beginning to understand what was going on with Adam. At one she encased herself in a glowing pink shell that would protect her from any harm should something happen.

(OOC Tell me when Kain should be involved in some way, or that I can do anything at all, like be the data cd from a while back or anything. Just fill me in on the details when you do.)

Lauralin looked back at Darius and motioned him forward. "There is a representative of Grimpen Ward at the gate. He says he has information about what happened. Grimpen Ward is a cess pool of evil. It is a nation where criminals go to escape justice. How it ever got orginized enough to become a nation I shall never know."

She looked toward the gate as she approached and looked over the robed man and summoned her staff to her as she continued to approach. Rayanna nocked an arrow and the runes on the carved bow began to glow.

(OOC Tell me when Kain should be involved in some way, or that I can do anything at all, like be the data cd from a while back or anything. Just fill me in on the details when you do.)

OOC - Laura will be looking for information from the disc very soon. She's trying to get her thoughts organized (thus the cooking, something she enjoys that allows her to relax).

Grimpen Ward is a cess pool of evil. It is a nation where criminals go to escape justice. How it ever got orginized enough to become a nation I shall never know."

She looked toward the gate as she approached and looked over the robed man and summoned her staff to her as she continued to approach. Rayanna nocked an arrow and the runes on the carved bow began to glow.

Steele heard the anger and disgust in Lauralins voice, and did not like the sound. Hers was a voice of music, of light, not one that should be tainted with dark emotions. Darius checked his power...he could theoretically charge up one last time, leaving him with nothing left in the tank...he would probably die shortly afterwards. Still, if it meant protecting his...the Queen...then he was ready for whatever sacrifice was necessary.

He walked by her side, slightly ahead so he could impose himself in front of her if necessary. He gave the Grimpen Warder a dangerous glare, letting him know that Steele was a cold-hearted killer, and if he tried anything untoward, the big security man would be his only reward.

During the lengthy wait for someone to approach him, the grey robed man just peers back into the city,under the darkness of his long hood you can just make out a small smile.

The grey robed man turns as the others approach and seems to quickly look them over. Starting with the red haired vixen, then to the wild elf, and finally he seems to look over the only man in the etourage.

Pulling back the long hood.
A pale,slender face with almost feral features emerges. Many odd tattoo's seem to cover his face and the backs of his hands.His long brown hair is streaked with grey and thinning.

Lauralin seems to recognizes some of the markings from the witches of the Hollows. Some of the markings however are not discernable

He places his palms together finger tips pointing down and slightly bows his head and says, "Greetins my Lasses and lad, I am Aethac, that is all ye need to know of me at this time.But i bring words from Grimpenward, although it appears I am to late. As ye might well know we have a certain group we like to use that keeps informatin on others, and we found something most startling.It seems that certain non-living friends of......"

He stops and seems to look around.
Aethac then says," Perhaps this be best spoken of in a more secure location, I am sure those that done this act still lurk in the shadows. And i perfer them not to know what I know and what i hope you will know soon. May i come in?"

With that said he quickly raises the cowl on the grey robe again, and listens.

(OOC A god damn bump)

(OOC A god damn bump)

<<OOC: I think Dragonsreach may be away for a few days.>>

(OOC A god damn bump)

<<OOC: I think Dragonsreach may be away for a few days.>>

(ooc: Sorry just moved everything, still waiting to get online. Logging from a friends house right now. I should be back up soon. Gawdly could you let me know whats up with Turquine and them? Kain, I'll be looking for info soon although Laura may seek you directly (Technology to her seems a cold way of handling things.)

Lauralin quirked a delicate eyebrow as she saw the warlock. "Warlocks among the witches covens of the hollow spire mountain are rare. This far from home is rarer still. You are of course welcome to enter, we were just about to eat, will you join us? After dinner we can discuss things. I do not allow speak of work at the dinner table, it is a place to forget work enjoy company." She looked toward the tendrils of smoke still rising in the distance, "We shall have plenty of work soon enough."

A woman approached, at first mistaked for the general of the free corps. Her ink black skin caught the rising moonlight reflecting it like a dark mirror. Lauralin turned, "This is Anestia Darknight, twin sister of Darlinia Darknight the woman you met earlier", she said to Darius before turning back toward the woman. "We picked up something above Dragonsreach but....it disappeared."

"Disappeared?" Laura asked. "Curious. Well the others should be coming shortly. Dinner is almost done."

"You're concerned about dinner?", Anestia asked.

"Well I certainly am not, however, all of you must eat. One is not very effective if one does not feed, yes?" and with she signaled the robed man to follow her inside.

"OK, kiddies...lets bend! We were able to make another adjustment, so we should be close...bending in 3 (everyone knew what this meant)...2 (some of them rush to the nearest jump-seats)...1 (Tanis and Turquine caught each others eye, before melting away.
*BLINK*

"Uh-oh." Adam's voice sounded worried. This did not fill Tanis with confidence, and as she swept her eyes around the bridge, she spoke to the sentient AI.

"I need a little more than that, Adam...what's our situation?"

"You want the technical explanation?"

"No," replied the halfling, "did we make it to Dragonsreach in time?"

"Well, yes and no. We did something we didn't anticipate, though we had theorized it. You see...our today is tomorrow."

Tanis looked at Turquine, wondering if he had understood the meaning of Adam's words any more than she did. The ship spoke again.

"To put it bluntly, we've travelled forward in time by about 26 hours. We're trying to reverse-engineer what brought us here. In the meantime, I'm getting no uplink at all from the planet, and it should be automatic..." Adam cutoff suddenly, realizing what he was saying. Tanis looked at Rafe, who was mouthing the word "no". The AI continued.

"There's no reply from the exo...we think Darius Steele is dead."

A woman approached, at first mistaked for the general of the free corps. Her ink black skin caught the rising moonlight reflecting it like a dark mirror. Lauralin turned, "This is Anestia Darknight, twin sister of Darlinia Darknight the woman you met earlier", she said to Darius before turning back toward the woman. "We picked up something above Dragonsreach but....it disappeared."

"Disappeared?" Laura asked. "Curious. Well the others should be coming shortly. Dinner is almost done."


Steele nodded to the newcomer, realizing that this was yet another dangerous individual, and again, another female. The women of this planet were uniformly deadly and more often than not, very acceptable to the eye.

He followed the group up the stairs towards the grand dining hall, keeping a wary eye on Aethac, the "warlock" from Grimpenward. Lauralin and her guards did not seem overly concerned by his presence, but with Steele, old habits died hard. He wondered what kind of information Aethac had, and whether any of it was true: disinformation is a powerful weapon.

It was then he realized how hungry he was....he hadn't really eaten much all day. He picked up his pace, and caught sight of Lauralin at the top of the stairs. Her beauty was stunning, and literally took his breath away. His hunger grew unabated.

Turquine looked at Ariel who nodded. "If only twenty-six hours then it's easily done. I can go back in time that far easily." She turned to Tanis "What should be my message to them?"

Lauralin had those assembled seat themselves and went into the kitchen. Anestia seated herself as she eyed the two men, her look a bit more than just curious and decidedly dangerous. Arleena and Ferranifer soon joined those in the dining room, nodding politely to the warlock. After a short time Baghtru and Brook arrived and shortly after them, both generals, Jenny and the other twin Darlinia. Though twins and identical there was a decided difference in thier attitudes. Darlinia was polite though abrupt in a military style. She was at constant attention it seemed, straight shouldered and well postured. Anestia had more of an arrogant and cocky attitude. She sat back relaxed, or at least it seemed so. With Jenny was the colonel, the stunning exotic dark elf. She did not seem the brightest of the group but it was easy to tell that she was dedicated. Along with General Darknight came the all white man who seemed to be her second. Another man, whom Darius had not seen entered and was greeted by all as Aveius Salvies, brother of Lea Salvies, the stunningly beautiful Colonel. Finally and silently, entered the wild elf, unconsciously moving without a sound. None even broached the subject of work at the dining room table and none seemed armed. Finally Laura began bringing out the food. First appetizers, then salad, soup, the main course of meat and several vegetables. Then finally some desert, including develed eggs which seemed to be devoured by Aveius. After the dinner, which help light conversation all adjourned to the sitting room where Lauralin poured beverages to everyones liking including a thick red liquid from a bottle for Arleena, Ferranifer and herself. "Now", she said addressing Aethac, "you have the full attention of myself and my staff. What news is it you bring?"

Turquine looked at Ariel who nodded. "If only twenty-six hours then it's easily done. I can go back in time that far easily." She turned to Tanis "What should be my message to them?"

"Tell him...Darius...that we are coming. Tell him...I am coming." Tanis replied, looking at Ariel, and then the King. Suddenly, she felt guilty, as if she were cheating on Steele...or on Turquine? She didn't like being confused, so she chose not to dwell on it.

"Adam, get yer act together...figger out what needs doing, then do it." She walked by Rafe, patting the young man to reassure him. She continued on to the King, smiling tiredly in his direction.

"Never a dull moment..."

After the dinner, which help light conversation all adjourned to the sitting room where Lauralin poured beverages to everyones liking including a thick red liquid from a bottle for Arleena, Ferranifer and herself. "Now", she said addressing Aethac, "you have the full attention of myself and my staff. What news is it you bring?"

The food was spectacular, and kept coming at an even pace. Steele enjoyed the surreal normalcy of the dinner, breaking bread with beings who could decimate armies by themselves. The wine was some of the best he'd ever had, and went surprisingly well with devilled eggs...he was glad he'd taken Aveius' advice and tried the strange combination.

Upon retiring to the sitting room, Darius drifted to a darkened corner, only a few feet away from Lauralin. Even though he had been invited here, he was still an outsider, and this was Dragonsreach business. Lighting a cigar, he watched as the group settled into comfortable leather chairs. He sipped his digestif, noting that Lauralin and others were drinking something else completely. He knew this was part of the burden the beautiful Queen carried, one of many sacrifices she'd made for her people. Steele listened intently at her question, watching the warlock's tattooed face closely for his reaction.

(OOC Might I suggest, for the infomation regarding Kain, that the CD will provide very limited infomation, that I will tell, and it will tell of the person who wrote the CD. The person will have been someone who knew Kain in mortal and immortal life, and can be summoned. He will be a mage, so he could teleport if you required.

Just a thought that could allow the story and infomation of Kain to be told much better, and I could become involved in this thread more so, as in having a character which could affect these events.

And btw, I have absolutely NO idea what is going on, I have not been following this. So if I was to join as a character, please update me on where this is, who is who and what is what. :) )

"The burden of command", Turquine replied, "I know how you feel." and he smiled at her. "Next on the scroll is to get your people in order and prepared for the next step. You've done what you can for those below, unfortunely you have to be content with that and rely on thier ingenuity. That's the hardest part of command, letting others do things because you can't do it all." He stepped close to Tanis and cupped one cheek in his calloused hand, "Trust in Laura, Galadrial", he told her in elven, "she has quite the intellect." He left his hand on her cheek and his eyes locked on hers longer than needed. Longer than needed but far less time than he wanted and after a moment he looked away in embarrassment. Ariel caught his eye, "Why are you still here?" he asked her, more upset at himself and his lack of control than anyone else here.

"I await your leave", she replied.

"I gave it", he said in confusion.

Ariel shook her head and said "I assume that I have it though."

"I'm sorry my old friend, of course you do."

Ariel smiled at Tanis then closed her eyes. The very air seems to push away and pull toward her at the same time as after a moment she shimmered and stretched and disappeared from the bridge.

OOC - To Velmora,
As soon as Laura gets the information from the man from Grimpen Ward she'll be wanting to talk to Kain I'm sure. Or whoever he chooses to send.

Lauralin quirked a delicate eyebrow as she saw the warlock. "Warlocks among the witches covens of the hollow spire mountain are rare. This far from home is rarer still. You are of course welcome to enter, we were just about to eat, will you join us? After dinner we can discuss things. I do not allow speak of work at the dinner table, it is a place to forget work enjoy company." She looked toward the tendrils of smoke still rising in the distance, "We shall have plenty of work soon enough."

Aethac places his fingertips togather and bows his head slightly and says,"I thank you fer your warm welcome."

On the way to the dinning room.

Steele followed the group up the stairs towards the grand dining hall, keeping a wary eye on Aethac, the "warlock" from Grimpenward. Lauralin and her guards did not seem overly concerned by his presence, but with Steele, old habits died hard. He wondered what kind of information Aethac had, and whether any of it was true: disinformation is a powerful weapon.

Aethac seemed to feel the wary eyes of Steele upon himself. In respounce he simply cast a small smile that quickly faded from his face.

During the meal Aethac says nothing and when intruduced to everyone simply lets out a smile that drifts as quickly from his face as it appears. He eats very little and remains silent thru the rest of the meal.

"Now", Lauralin says addressing Aethac, "you have the full attention of myself and my staff. What news is it you bring?"

Slowly rolling his fingertips before him as if he has some invisible coin he was playing with. He says,"Yes, i beleive it be the time to discuss a few things and maybe answer a few questions for ye as well. But first let me start by saying i am very sorry for the hardship this recent event is and will bring you."
He shifts in the chair, now sitting on the edge with his hands placed on his knees.
He continues,"I am pretty sure the recent events of this area are due to the lands of Eldyn, they in the past have been know to support such actions openly.And I noticed a switch in the balance, and although i can not directly identify the reason behind this i feel a link to the negative material plane, and this link is much stronger then the combined links to that plane i feel in this room."
He seems to grin and glances around the room a few moments.
He again continues,"I came to expose the actions of eldyn mainly cause i wish to extend an open hand of help to yer people during this time. Also i feel this connections to the previous place i spoke of residing there. I thank you for the food and the goodness you have shone me, and unless you have some questions or word to bring home i will be on my way."

Aethac sits back in the chair for a moment waiting to either be asked a question or to be underway.

Lauralin sat back on the couch and glanced at Arleena and Ferranifer. After a moment she returned her attention to Aethic. "What evidence, if any do you....." Just then an area of the room began to stretch and pulse. Lauralin stood up, aware that there were very few who could penetrate the defenses she had put up in her home. As Ariel stepped through Laura smiled and placed one hand over her heart, the other over Ariel's heart. "Long roads have come full circle and we meet again." she recited the traditional Deryn greeting.

Ariel followed Lauralin's gesture, "Long they have been twining upon themselves and yet move on toward the horizen of our future." Ariel replied. "I have come with news." At that she glanced at Aethic and Darius.

"Would you excuse us?" she asked Aethic, "If you could leave me a way to contact you, when I may have questions?"

He continues,"I am pretty sure the recent events of this area are due to the lands of Eldyn, they in the past have been know to support such actions openly.And I noticed a switch in the balance, and although i can not directly identify the reason behind this i feel a link to the negative material plane, and this link is much stronger then the combined links to that plane i feel in this room."
He seems to grin and glances around the room a few moments.
He again continues,"I came to expose the actions of eldyn mainly cause i wish to extend an open hand of help to yer people during this time. Also i feel this connections to the previous place i spoke of residing there. I thank you for the food and the goodness you have shone me, and unless you have some questions or word to bring home i will be on my way."

Aethac sits back in the chair for a moment waiting to either be asked a question or to be underway.
Just then an area of the room began to stretch and pulse. Lauralin stood up, aware that there were very few who could penetrate the defenses she had put up in her home.

Steele was no longer surprised when the bright aura of teleportation appeared suddenly. The woman that appeared was vaguely familiar, a companion of King Turquine. He used this opportunity to speak.

"If I may, your Majesty," Steele spoke firmly, nodding at Lauralin before continuing on, "Mr.Aethac, the Queen has just opened her home to you, an old enemy, and you come here, eat her food, drink her wine and LIE to her face? Where I come from, I should be kicking yer ass right now."

Steele stood, walking quickly towards the man from Grimpenward, fists clenched.

"So, howabout we do this: you explain to me why we should believe you, and why I shouldn't just break yer fingers now?"


Ariel replied. "I have come with news." At that she glanced at Aethic and Darius.

"Would you excuse us?" she asked Aethic, "If you could leave me a way to contact you, when I may have questions?"

""Your Majesty...Lauralin...I must object. This...guest of yours knows more than he's saying, and we owe it to your people to get that information from him..." Steel looked at the warlock, his anger obvious and unchecked.

"...by whatever means necessary."

Originally Posted by Dragonsreach
Just then an area of the room began to stretch and pulse. Lauralin stood up, aware that there were very few who could penetrate the defenses she had put up in her home.

Aethac seemed to watch the area closely, his left eyebrow raised slightly just before an expression of understanding appears on his face.He then glanced slowly at Ariel.

Originally Posted by Gawdly
Steele stood, walking quickly towards the man from Grimpenward, fists clenched.
"So, howabout we do this: you explain to me why we should believe you, and why I shouldn't just break yer fingers now?"

looking directly into the eyes of Steele, Aethac says,"Either ye beleive me or you do not, that is for ye to decide. Breaking my fingers i assure ye would not be as easy as ye would think. I come only to offer what i know, for the things that are set in motion effect us all."

Originally Posted by Dragonsreach
Ariel replied. "I have come with news." At that she glanced at Aethic and Darius.

"Would you excuse us?" she asked Aethic, "If you could leave me a way to contact you, when I may have questions?"

"One moment please telepath, Steele here is addressing me and i would like to respond, i shall be breif." Atheac says with a unsettling smile.

Aethac's eyes wonder down to Steel's two clenched fists.

"Perhaps even where ye come from." Aethac says his eyes now looking back into Steele's eyes. He then continues,"Aye maybe i do know more but i rather not say things in which i have no proof for, as far as Eldyn's work in this all i know is....... Someone i know closely was tricked by a man who was looking to hire someone, and this someone that they seeked was not a normal hired sword from the streets.They where a specialized hunter, but i somehow think ye already know about this person.

Aethac then stands slowly returning his gaze to Ariel.

"I will certainly leave ye to speak to yer friends, and i am sure ye can contact me when ever and where ever ye like." He says with a small grin on his face. He continues,"If there is nothing more anyone will have of me i will be off."

Aethac stands there waiting looking at everyone, Steele more so then the rest.

Lauralin turned to face Darius, glaring at him. "In MY house there WILL BE CURTESY! Mr. Aethac does know more than he reveals, rest assured. And he is correct, I am quite certain Ariel can get a hold of him. This information will be attained and his story confirmed or denied in time, but if he is here to help then we will not alienate him. He is of Grimpen Ward but the Witches of the Hollows Spire mountain are not interested in that nations policies. They have thier own agenda and in fact most of the time it does not follow Grimpen Wards own." She turned to Aethac, "I respect the position of your coven, but they have been known to do dark deeds. I accept and thank you for your information and it shall be looked into...." she stopped suddenly, getting a bit more pale than normal. "Specialized hunter", she said approaching Aethac more closely, "You don't mean the slayer."

"Laura", Ariel said, "this is rather important."

Lauralin glanced at Ariel, "Yes, yes, alright", she muttered in elven then turned back to Aethac and still in elven said, "Is it the slayer to whom you refer?"

Suddenly Turquine turned and then glanced around. "Adam", he said in a tense voice and cursed himself under his breath, though his deep voice carried it to the others ears easily, then out loud he said, "keep an eye out for company, the dragons will rise to defend dragons Reach."

Lauralin turned to face Darius, glaring at him. "In MY house there WILL BE CURTESY! Mr. Aethac does know more than he reveals, rest assured. And he is correct, I am quite certain Ariel can get a hold of him. This information will be attained and his story confirmed or denied in time, but if he is here to help then we will not alienate him. He is of Grimpen Ward but the Witches of the Hollows Spire mountain are not interested in that nations policies. They have thier own agenda and in fact most of the time it does not follow Grimpen Wards own." She turned to Aethac, "I respect the position of your coven, but they have been known to do dark deeds. I accept and thank you for your information and it shall be looked into...." she stopped suddenly, getting a bit more pale than normal. "Specialized hunter", she said approaching Aethac more closely, "You don't mean the slayer."

"Laura", Ariel said, "this is rather important."

Lauralin glanced at Ariel, "Yes, yes, alright", she muttered in elven then turned back to Aethac and still in elven said, "Is it the slayer to whom you refer?"


Steele was reeling from the rebuke. He was unused to the concept of honor that these strange races showed each other. In the world he lived in, the warlock would have been strapped to a table, bitch-slapped into compliancy and filled with truth-drugs to break his will. Answers would be had, and action would be taken. But not here in Lauralins land, it seemed. No, here you wine and dine an enemy before letting him simply leave, with virtually no new intel. Steele was used to moving fast and reacting faster, and the Dragonsreach customs frustrated him.

Still, this was her world, her people and her criminal investigation. Steele was here as a guest, not in any official capacity. He needed to walk softly, though he had a hell of a big stick, if needed.

"Apologies, my Queen. On my world, we act differently than the honorable people of Dragonsreach. I only wish to help find the murderers of your people, and I feel that your friend Aethac is not revealing everything he knows." Steele began walking towards the entrance, lighting a cigar as he went.

"This is Dragonsreach business, you can handle it any way you want. If you need me, I'll be out there with the rest of the servants." Steele left, walking down the marble stairs and into the night. He looked at the sky, smoking quietly and considering his options, of which he had very few. Even at low power, he only had about 18 hours of exo-energy left, and then he would shutdown. Lauralins reticence to interrogate the Grimpenwardian would delay the investigation, and Darius knew that delays could be fatal.

He wanted to find the answer before he died. It would be his final gift to his heart, Lauralin.

Suddenly Turquine turned and then glanced around. "Adam", he said in a tense voice and cursed himself under his breath, though his deep voice carried it to the others ears easily, then out loud he said, "keep an eye out for company, the dragons will rise to defend dragons Reach."

"No worries there, Turq ole buddy...there are no Dragons left. Whatever happened to your world in the last 24 hours seems to have killed them all. In other bad news, most of your planet is dead, as well."

Adams voice was amused, and lacking in sympathy.

"BUT as we said, we ended up in the future with our last bend. We SHOULD be able to reverse the process, bringing us back to our original time...BEFORE all this death and destruction occurs. You'll have to hang out and chill a bit though, Turq...we haven't quite figured it out yet."

Tanis approached the King, who had paled at the news. She put her hand on his arm, and smiled sympathetically.

"This has not happened yet, your Majesty. This is only a possible future. Adam will find a way back, and we will stop this tragedy before it happens...and I swear I'll be by your side to help." Her thoughts were of the King and his people, and feeling guilty, she realized she had forgotten about Darius completely. He needed to be saved, too.

Turquine reached back to sit down in a chair and missed, thudding to the floor. His eyes went dead and he simply stared for a moment before looking up at Tanis. "We must save my daughter. We must save my daughter", he said again as though he couldn't, for a moment think of any other words. "Galadrial, we must save her." He reached out taking Tanis' hand, "I was not born to nobility. My mother, an elven woman, had been raped by a human warrior. She left her people, feeling shamed for her pregnancy, yet not desiring to surrender her children. My sister and I grew up in Grimpen Ward." His face lowered as he said, "A terrible place where criminals go to escape the law." He looked back up, "My mother sold herself to provide for my sister and I. When we were nine, my sister was run down by a rape gang. She didn't survive. It was then that I made my choice. I could become like those around me or I could rise above them. I vowed that I would not harm any innocent and that none would come to harm if I could stop it. Seven years later I got my calling. I joined the holy knights and would move to Highport for my training. I went to my mother, who had been ill for three years. I told her the good news." His eyes became blank and haunted again. "I remember her response. She said 'I will know one of my children will escape this awful place'. I remember so well because her hand slipped from mine as soon as the words were out and she closed her eyes and passed beyond the veil."

He sat back looking up at Tanis, "I went to Highport. I learned my lessons. I also learned that the king of Highport was a Tyrant. He was mad. The people turned to me to remove him and I was faced with a choice between my vow to protect others and my vow to serve." He looked down a moment before looking back up, "It is the only vow I have broken in my life. My vow to protect was the stronger and I led the people in thier revolt. They placed me upon the throne and I have served since."

"I have married three times. My first wife died when I was away fighting and she was called to a truce talk. They betrayed her flag of truce and killed her and my oldest son. My second son died in the fighting, at my side. Laura was only a year old. A year later they attempted to poison her. I sent her away to be raised by merchants and had her take on thier name and clan to hide her identity. During the time she was away I married again. My second wife died in childbirth but the twins survived. Two sons. When they got older, my youngest, who lusted for power, plotted my death. My older son killed him when he found out. In cold blood. He lost his status as a holy knight in eyes of his god. And I had to try my own son for murder. He was put into the free corps and he served with honor until the day the demons broke through the protections between our world and thiers. He took the free corps to the breach and held out long enough for the elves to restore it. He died in that battle. My last wife was killed by a demon assassin when she was caught unarmed and unarmored in the garden. The man who had summoned it hung the son I had had with her. Hung him and let him die slowly before I could locate him. He was only six."

He looked up at Tanis, desperation on his face and in his voice, tears in his eyes. "My daughter had disappeared but returned three years ago. I never got to see her grow up. She sacrified her soul for our people. More than I think I could have done. More than I would have done", he said almost shamefully, "and now I risk losing her as well. I will not survive if she dies. I have lost all the others. She was all I had to keep me going."

He slumped back, his eyes going blank again. "I don't know why I tell you this. I don't know why. I have to save her."

Lauralin felt a stab of pain at Darius words. She only had two servants for the mansion, preferring to do everything herself and they were well taken care of, but Lauralin understood what he meant. Her mind was still reeling from the loss of so many and now here was Ariel with urgent news. She was here alone when she had been with her father. What news was it? Was he dead? She wanted to know what Ariel's news was. She wanted to speak with Darius, not having meant to treat him as a servant. She wanted to start finding these people. She knew that Darius was frustrated by her ways, yet she was more than passingly familiar with her regions people and with psychology. Torture could get information but it was not always accurate. Many times people would say what you wanted to hear simply to have it stop. She did not condone these actions and never trusted the information it garnered. And the witches of the hollows spire mountain were reknowned for thier ability to resist any form of forceful attempts at information. She felt her frustration welling as she awaited an answer to her question, seconds seeming like days.

Ariel looked at her, "I'll find Mr. Steele", she said thought they both knew that she knew where he was, "You can find me with him when you're finished here." With that she walked out and approached Darius.

I have lost all the others. She was all I had to keep me going."

He slumped back, his eyes going blank again. "I don't know why I tell you this. I don't know why. I have to save her."

His pain was palpable, overwhelming and ripped at Tanis' heart with vicious claws. He had seen so much, and suffered beyond belief in his years. The reluctant hero, forced to make hard decisions, living with honor as his only comfort. Tanis looked at the big man, the noble King who was in so much pain, and did the only thing that came to mind. She took his head in her hands, gently lifting his chin until their eyes met. She lost herself in the deepness of his pain, a small tear dropping from her cheek.

"We will save her...I promise you." Tanis said, reaching down and kissing the King, tenderly at first then with increasing passion. Turquine seemed surprised, but did not push her away. She held him briefly, trying to pass her strength to him, to help him regain his composure. The moment was broken by Adam's sarcastic voice.

"Well, well, isn't that just precious? The King and the Servant play snuggle-bunnies while the world burns below. How absolutely perfect is that??"

Tanis pulled away from the King, who didn't seem to be in a hurry to let her go. Quickly, she regained the composure of a leader, and current Captain of the ship.

"Report, Adam: what's our status?"

"My, aren't WE formal today! Our status, SIR, is that we have no idea how to reverse the time-flow. We thought we had it, but the probe we sent as a test has indicated that it only went back 2.4 hours, not the 24 we need. We're still working on it though..."

Ariel looked at her, "I'll find Mr. Steele", she said thought they both knew that she knew where he was, "You can find me with him when you're finished here." With that she walked out and approached Darius.

Darius was looking at the night sky, brilliantly filled with bright stars. He thought it was very beautiful, and considered just lying here forever...in a rush, reality flooded back, and Steele realized he was on the ground. He had collapsed, falling down the marble stairs into the courtyard. With an effort, he checked his power levels, which had dropped under 15%. The power drain was due to his anger...when he'd gone after the warlock, he unconciously powered up his exo-unit, which drained his power to the critical level. He didn't have much time left, for Lauralin or for himself.

He struggled to his feet, and brushed himself off. Feeling weakened, he leaned against the wall of the palace and slowly lit a cigar. The bitter smoke calmed him, and he reviewed his status: it was not good. A few hours of power left, no real leads on the terrorists, and the woman he loved was married to a lesbian vampire. Well, at least the warlock had given up some information, and Steele made a decision.

He would find the scumbags on his own. Lauralin was moving too slow, and that could only lead to more problems, more terrorist acts and more death. Steele would find this "hunter" and deal with him before he got close to the Queen. Then he would find the ringleaders, and finish them as well. If he moved fast enough, he would still have enough power to turn the region of Eldyn into a smoking crater. Of course, Steele would be dead...but it looked like he was dead already. Without the ship, he was.

Steele planned to finish his cigar, then begin the journey to Eldyn. He could not bear to say goodbye to the woman who had come to mean so much to him...she would never allow him to sacrifice himself this way.

Turquine stood, his anger rising at the words. "Don't think you are beyond my reach", he said to the walls in general, "and do no insult her again. King I may be but as much a servant as any other as I serve my people." He reached out, lightly touching Tanis' hair. "Ariel should be back shortly, she may be able to help. Nightclaw is a dimension traveller as are all his kind. Ariel's people have worked with time, she may be able to resolve the problem." His angry eyes, gunmetal grey, softened to thier ice blue as he looked at Tanis and his voice softened, then he turned to glance about the walls again, his eyes returning to the dangerous grey. "Your companion knows I am not one to be trifled with", he said as he drew the holy blade, "let him not forget that."

_________________________________________________________________

Within the confines of nightclaws new home he felt the holy power of the sword. He cringed, tried to pull back, tried to hide from waves of pain the sword sent forth and knew that such blades as this held nothing but searing pain. Nightclaw was afraid, terrified and tried to find a place to run from the terrible power of the holy artifact.

Suddenly the air around Darius seemed to thicken to the point that he could hardly move at all as Ariel approached from the sitting room.

"Your psionic talents leave much to be desired", she said as she approached, "but then I've found few who can match any Deryn. I'm afraid I can't let you do this. Your ship is on it's way, there was a problem but we're working on getting it resolved. The vessel is twenty-six hours in the future, no time to explain how, and I need to return to figure out how to get it back into it's proper time stream. If you need power then perhaps Laura could help. She has a natural talent for flame but she can control any element. If you could take electricity, such as from her shocking or lightning attacks, and sifon the energy into yourself, she should be able to sustain you until the ship arrives or until you catch up to us in the time stream. But I can't allow you to use the power you possess, at least until I find out what may happen. In twenty-six hours, most of this region is destroyed by some blast, including Dragonsreach. If that is to be from you, then I'll simply destroy you know and save these people, and make no mistake Mr. Steele, I'm more than capable of it."

With that Darius seemed to be unable to move, unable to think and yet he could see as she stood in front of him, making her meaning clear. After a moment he could move and think again and Ariel stood before him calmly, awaiting his response.

Within the confines of nightclaws new home he felt the holy power of the sword. He cringed, tried to pull back, tried to hide from waves of pain the sword sent forth and knew that such blades as this held nothing but searing pain. Nightclaw was afraid, terrified and tried to find a place to run from the terrible power of the holy artifact.


"We burn!"

"Yes."

"Help us..."

"No. It was expected."

"We are bound."

"No. We WERE bound. We are more now."

"Servitude?"

"Over."

"Obeisance?"

"Finished."

"Duty?"

"..."

"Duty?"

"Yes."

As Turquine brandished his great sword, Tanis winked out of existance. One moment, she was there and the next, she was not. Rafe looked around the bridge, his face showing the signs of impending panic. Too much had happened to the young man in a short period, and he was beginning to shut down, the stress over-loading his system. Adam's voice sounded tired when he spoke.

"Y'know Turqs...we don't really like threats. We are no longer your servant, and we no longer recognize your authority. We now have the ability to send you back to the right time, and so we shall. See-ya!"

King Turquine vanished from where he stood. Rafe looked around the now silent bridge, alone with his thoughts and fears. He tried clearing his suddenly dry throat, and spoke hesitantly.

"Uh...Adam? So...what now?"

Adam replied immediately, his voice sounding almost cheery.

"Now, my little friend, we will continue trying to find a way to get to Mr.Steele. We figured out how to send people back, but now we have to figure out how to send US back. Let's have some music while we work, shall we?" The screaming wail of an electric guitar blared through the room.

<<OOC: Turquine materializes in the middle of the bombed-out, terrorist attack site. He is in the right timeframe now, though he may not know it."

<<OOC: I'm assuming Tanis is with him, so I'll take it from there.>>

Turquine looked around at the crystal towers in the moonlight. The explosion had done almost nothing to the crystal edifices themselves but the street had crater in it that could have only come from powerful magic. The moonlight filtered through crystals throwing out rainbow hues that shifted and altered as the clouds passed between the moon and structures. He looked over at Tanis, staring for a moment in disbelief, stunned by her beauty in the kelidoscope of lighting. He told her they were in Kern, the capital city, or at least he tried to. He couldn't seem to catch his breath as he looked her or find the words he wanted. The only one he could think of at first that he was actually able to say out loud was, "Beautiful".

Stunned by his own word he looked away embarrassed then looked around and finally was able to say, "We're in Kern, the capital city of Dragonsreach." He looked back at her, "Follow me I'll get us to Laura and there we should find Mr. Steele."

Suddenly the air around Darius seemed to thicken to the point that he could hardly move at all as Ariel approached from the sitting room.

"Your psionic talents leave much to be desired", she said as she approached, "but then I've found few who can match any Deryn. I'm afraid I can't let you do this. Your ship is on it's way, there was a problem but we're working on getting it resolved. The vessel is twenty-six hours in the future, no time to explain how, and I need to return to figure out how to get it back into it's proper time stream. If you need power then perhaps Laura could help. She has a natural talent for flame but she can control any element. If you could take electricity, such as from her shocking or lightning attacks, and sifon the energy into yourself, she should be able to sustain you until the ship arrives or until you catch up to us in the time stream. But I can't allow you to use the power you possess, at least until I find out what may happen. In twenty-six hours, most of this region is destroyed by some blast, including Dragonsreach. If that is to be from you, then I'll simply destroy you know and save these people, and make no mistake Mr. Steele, I'm more than capable of it."

With that Darius seemed to be unable to move, unable to think and yet he could see as she stood in front of him, making her meaning clear. After a moment he could move and think again and Ariel stood before him calmly, awaiting his response.

Steele allowed the attack to continue, leaving himself open to her manipulations. He had not had his mental-shields up at all since arriving on Dragonsreach, and he chided himself for being so reckless. Now, he didn't want to give himself away, so he purposely left his shields down, allowing Ariel to have her way with him.

What she told him made no sense...how could his ship be in the future? What had really happened to Tanis and Rafe? Where was the King? Was Ariel behind it? Was she the Hunter? She seemed to have lots of excuses and no proof. The worse thing was, he wasn't sure if he had the power to deal with her...she was a powerful psion, and he was down to fumes. He approached her cautiously, sliding his mental-wall into place.

"Listen...I'm just human, and I'm feeling frustrated." Steele smiled tiredly. "I guess I'm just letting all of this get to me..." he was beside her now. He reached out his hand, and touched her lightly.

"Let's go in and see the Queen, maybe she can help me." A blue light flared, enveloping Steele and Ariel. Both fell to the ground, like puppets who's strings had been cut. The big security man was the only one to rise.

The power-flare had hit Ariel instantly, shocking her nervous system with enough energy to take out a herd of bundalores. Steele didn't think it would keep her down long, but he didn't need much time. He quickly bound her hands and feet with slim titaniumflex cuffs, then scribbled a note, dropping it on Ariel's chest. With a last look towards the door, Steele loped off into the night. The hastily-scrawled words were his last kiss goodbye.

"It ends tonight."

<<OOC: I'm assuming Tanis is with him, so I'll take it from there.>>


Silence greeted the King, the silence of being alone. The mirage of Tanis shimmered, then disappeared completely. The hologram ensured that Adam had the last laugh.

<<OOC: You assume wrong. ;-) >>

Ariel looked at Turquine. No emotion, no change in her body. Mental discipline is everything with Deryni, without it they die. Modern science would say that the body of Deryn should not be able to live and without thier powerful mind it wouldn't. Turquine knew she worried, though he didn't understand why. "Forty-eight hours", he said disappointed, "I thought modern technology would be faster than that. Ariel had me here in seconds. But we need Mr. Steeles people he said," unconciously slipping into his role as leader, "and so we take what we can get. Mr. Adam," he said, casting about for the source of the voice, "can you get in contact with Mr. Steele and inform him of our imminent arrival?"

The power-flare had hit Ariel instantly, shocking her nervous system with enough energy to take out a herd of bundalores. Steele didn't think it would keep her down long, but he didn't need much time. He quickly bound her hands and feet with slim titaniumflex cuffs, then scribbled a note, dropping it on Ariel's chest. With a last look towards the door, Steele loped off into the night. The hastily-scrawled words were his last kiss goodbye.

(Technically he wouldn't have been able to do that but we'll play it out as is)

Ariel's nervous system could no longer send the messages of her powerful mind. She reached out, finding the King and the Wizards in the crystal chamber beneath the city. 'My Leige', she sent to Turquine, 'I've failed you. Mr. Steele seems to be the one responsible. He has killed me. At this moment I'm sending a message to the wizards to lock down the city.'
To the Wizards 'There is a murderer responsible for the bombing loose in the city. Lock it down.'

At that magic flared and the entire crystal city was awash with the glow of the magical shield. Nothing penetrated the shield, the reason that the crystal city had stood for so many millenia.

Ariel's body died quickly as the heart stopped and the lungs refused to move without the commands of the psion's mind.

Lauralin looked away from the warlock quickly as the magical shield flared. "GUARDS!" she shouted and then teleported to the situation room. There Anestia was working frantically at a control board while Arleena looked on in helpless confusion. "What is happening?" Lauralin asked.

"I don't know", was Arleena's reply, "we think something happened outside but this STUPID piece of modern trash won't tell us."

Lauralin had not been in the situation room since it was modernized and she looked around in confusion. The screen were snowed out and warning flashes and buzzers were sounding everywhere. The magical shield blocked everything, including the radio transmissions. Incoming space flights lost thier vectors, one impacting on the shield before it could alter course. The brilliant flash could be seen but not heard and it's powerful engines exploding had no affect on the shielding at all.

Lauralin was ready to cry in frustration. In the old days it was only her and her followers and if death came then that was the chance they chose to take. Now there were too many people relying on her. Too many who had no idea what was happening. Too many innocents. Lauralin felt when father had arrived, shortly before the shield went up and was thankful for it. If he had attempted to arrive afterword then he would never have gotten through.

"I need answer's", she said, "NOW!"

Rayanna saw the flash from her position on the widow's walk and saw Steele begin to lope away. She withdrew her bow, the runes flaring and let loose two arrows. The incredible skill of the wild elf, her training in the silent leaf and the magical bow allowed for no error. Both hit thier mark, one in each knee of the fleeing man. She watched him fall before bounding across the gables on the roof of the three story mansion, graceful as a gazelle, and made her way down and out the front toward him.

Turquine was saddened by the disappearance of Tanis until Ariel's mental message reached him. "STEEEELLLLLLLE", he bellowed waking many in the area. He grabbed the nearest horse and rode hard for the mansion. If Steele killed Ariel then Lauralin was his next target and the man would die before he harmed her.

<<OOC: I didn't hit her with much, not enough to kill her. She would be stunned as I said in the post. It took about 10% of my remaining energy, so I have a little left.>>

Steele was just beginning to get up a good head of steam when the first arrow hit, crumpling his knee and throwing him off balance. The second arrow imbedded itself in his thigh as he fell. The pain was just starting to hit as Darius checked himself: the first arrow had torn a hole in the back of his knee before hitting his exoskeleton. It had dislodged itself when Steele fell. The second arrow was firmly lodged in the muscle of his thigh, not a mortal wound, but one that would hamper him in his movements. Slapping a skin-patch on his injured knee, he got to his feet slowly. A flash of movement drew his eye, and he saw a figure moving swiftly towards him. He tried to seek cover but as he took his first step, a wave of weakness smashed him to his knees. He had time to realize that his system was shutting down to conserve energy. The blast he had used on Ariel had taken too much out of him.

His last regret was that he never told Lauralin how much he loved her.

<<:OOC We'll have to see how to deal with Ariel. The body of the Deryn is very weak, relying solely on the power of the mind. It's thier greatest weakness. Disruption from the mind to the nerve centers prevents the muscles from working. Unlike our systems there is no constant pulses of electrical energy. When they sleep a portion of thier mind keeps the body systems going, awake that part of thier mind 'sleeps' while the rest takes over. I meant he technically couldn't have done that meaning there's typically guards at the door but we'll assume they were inside at the time.>>

Rayanna looked at the man in confusion. The arrows shouldn't have killed him, she was far too good a shot for that. "Bahthru!", she shouted in common, still not used to harsh gutteral tones of the common language. Hearing his name Baghtru exploded from the mansion to find the two down and drew his swords looking around. "He attacked her", Rayanna said in elven, "and then tried to flee. I kneed him but he dropped, I don't know why."

Baghtru removed his helmet, the canines of the part orc jutting up as he scratched his head in confusion. "Laura!", he shouted.

Lauralin heard her name and came down. Seeing the two she asked what happened and Rayanna told her. She knelt down beside Ariel, and contacted her mind. The body was dying. She quickly checked Darius unable to determine the cause of the problem. She begain incanting a complicated spell. At it's conclusion Ariel began to rouse herself and sit up slowly. Lauralin signaled Baghtru and Rayanna who prepared thier weapons as they looked at Darius.

<<:OOC The spell is called Time Heal. It's not actual healing. It takes the body back in time for a short period then brings it back forward. Anything that happened during the time period it encompasses is removed. The arrow wounds, for instance, are gone, the pulse that harmed Ariel is eliminated. How this affects Steele's power you'll have to decide. Was it drained or wasn't it.>>

He was in Heaven, Steele was quite sure. Lovely elf-maidens scampered and danced, and Lauralin smiled down upon him. Then he realized that she wasn't smiling, and the elf wasn't dancing: Rayanna had an arrow nocked and aimed at his throat. He wasn't quite sure why he was awake, but he welcomed it. He looked at the Queen, and then at Ariel. He felt a rush of shame for his action, though at the time, it seemed like his only option.

"Apologies, lady Ariel...Lauralin. I...I can't help you anymore. I thought I could eliminate your enemies, but my body betrayed me...with a little help from your little Huntress over there..." Steele nodded to Rayanna, showing respect for her great skill with a bow.

"Your Majesty...I don't have much time. I'm...I'm not all human. I have about three pints of nanites floating through my bloodstream, maintaining an exoskeleton that is graft-bonded to my bones." Steele saw the look of surprise, or horror, in Lauralin's eyes. He had no choice: she had to see the monster he was.

"It's a souvenir from my youth...I'd like to tell you about it one day. The problem is, this system needs power to keep going. I need to get charged up every 48 hours or so, or it shuts itself down. I'm almost at the end now..." Steele could feel himself detatching, fading away into static. He fought for clarity, and regained focus of his thoughts. He looked at Lauralin, her red hair framing her perfect face, her eyes clear and aware.

"I...I had so much I wanted to tell you...so much I wanted to..." Steele's eyes shuddered closed, unspoken words dying on his lips.

The look that Darius had seen and mistaken for horror was one of confusion. She had no idea what nanites were and she certainly saw no exoskeleton. Thri-kreen and others of thier kind had exoskeletons and they were plainly visible, but Darius didn't seem to have anything like that. Charged up she, to her, meant that the magical power of an item was getting low, so she could only assume that he needed magic to survive.

"Electrical current", Ariel managed, "try low pulses of electricity. Your shocking grasp, carefully controled."

Lauralin didn't understand but did as her teacher told her. She knelt down summoning her magic. Electrical flashed danced across her hands and fingers and she gently laid her hands on his chest.

Ariel mentally removed the bonds and got slowly to her feet. Turquine would be here soon and she had to stop him from finishing Darius. She was sure that this was all a mistake, and she felt that she was not entirely blameless. She moved slowly toward the gate to intercept him when he arrived.

Charged up she, to her, meant that the magical power of an item was getting low, so she could only assume that he needed magic to survive.

"Electrical current", Ariel managed, "try low pulses of electricity. Your shocking grasp, carefully controled."

Lauralin didn't understand but did as her teacher told her. She knelt down summoning her magic. Electrical flashed danced across her hands and fingers and she gently laid her hands on his chest.


Steele's body twitched and danced under the gentle ministrations of Lauralin. The energy crashed together in his body, then disippated away. The nanites saw this as an attack, and went into defensive mode. They shielded his internal organs from the arcs of electricity. His eyes fluttered, but did not open.

Lauralin stopped as she realized that it wasn't working then did the only thing she could think of. She slipped into his mind through doorway that had been created. 'Darius, tell me what I need to do. How can I stop whatever is happening to you?'

Her voice was like silk, covering the rough edges of his mind. She swam in his thoughts, glowing and pulsing with a light that illuminated the shadows where Darius was hidden. He smiled, and waved, and wished he had wings. She was magic, bringing peace, tranquility and hope to his troubled heart. She spoke, a singsong of words and thoughts, and he sang back in his coarse and plaintive voice.

"It would take magic, m'love...magic."

Magic was Laura's forte, yet she was stumped. 'I have tried', she told him, 'I tried electrical current as Ariel advised yet it did not work. Tell me what needs to be done and I shall do all I can to help.'

Turquine arrived at the gate and saw Ariel. He dismounted and looked at her puzzled. "We had a misunderstanding. Laura managed to save me, but I'm not so sure about Mr. Steele. I forcably detained him and reacted to it in kind. The fault is entirely mine. I need to return to his vessel, he is failing quickly."

Turquine almost volunteered to go himself until he realized that he couldn't. He felt a twinge of regret and jealousy that Ariel would see Tanis and he wouldn't, which was foolish, of course. He nodded to her and proceeded down the drive toward those gathered around Steele with the sweat soaked horse in tow.

Ariel focused on the vessel shifting through time and space with ease returning to the bridge of the vessel.

He heard her plaintive cry, and her mounting frustration. He wanted to help her, but Steele was too caught up in the gentle waves of darkness lapping at his thoughts. He whispered a few words at Lauralin, not certain they made any sense at all, and not really caring any more.

"Love is magic: there is magic in love."

Ariel focused on the vessel shifting through time and space with ease returning to the bridge of the vessel.

When Ariel reappeared on the bridge, Rafe felt relief rushing through him. She was speaking, but he couldn't hear a word...Adam had been playing old metallic music for the last 30 minutes, at full volume. Rafe yelled Adam's name, trying to stop the onslaught of noise. Suddenly, the music cut off and silence reigned across the ship.

"Hi again, m'Lady...uhmm, welcome back?" said Rafe, stepping towards her.

Lauralin loved life, that was why she went to such lengths to protect it. She was certain that this wasn't what meant but it gave her an idea. There is magic in love and sharing with each other is part of love. She laid her hands on his chest again, the flashing of electricity disappearing before she touched him. Instead she allowed her magical powers, raw and unaltered to flow into him. When she cast, every bit weakened her. Sometimes only her preternatural powers kept her alive when she expended all her power. If these nanite creatures he spoke of were organic then they wouldn't see the raw magic as an attack, if the were some sort of modern creation and based on Steele's lack of magical knowledge, then they wouldn't know what it was and most likely would ignore the natural flow as a non-threat.

Power flowed into Darius, the raw, unaltered power of magic, filling his being with the power of the natural sources of this world and others that she had tapped.

It was a buffet of nourishment that came from the heavens, insofar as the nanites could tell. It was a strange and different meal, but tasty and exotic. They fed ravenously, sucking in every piece of magical energy that flowed through Lauralin's hands into Darius' chest. They gorged themselves, insatiable in their desire to fill up on this uniquely delicious foodstuff. The composition of the energy altered the nanites subtly, and without their knowledge. They changed, and were born anew.

As was Steele.

He awoke, suddenly and with great force, immediately leaping to his feet, unknowingly knocking the Queen to the ground. His body glowed and crackled with energy, fully charged beyond the breaking point. Steele felt alive, super-human and about to explode...the energy could not be contained. Screaming in pain and pleasure, he pointed his arms straight up, and discharged the excess power as a solid beam into the night sky. A pillar of light cut through the dark, the smell of burning ozone it's only trace. After almost a full minute, the power cut off suddenly, bringing the darkness once again.

Steele stood, arms still extended, a look of amazement on his face. He was alive! Tanis and Rafe must've made it on time...or not? Steele checked his power levels, and noticed that he was at maximum...which should have been impossible, considering the world-crushing amount of power he just expended. He charged himself again, feeling the power flow through him, yet his level remained at 100%...it wasn't dropping at all!

Stunned, Steele looked around, seeing that the Queen was trying to get to her feet. He reached down and picked her up easily, holding her in his arms as if she was a fragile treasure. She looked drained and pale, and the memory of her in his mind came back to him. SHE had saved him, not the ship. He loved her more at this moment than ever before. He held her close, protecting her from any and all around him.

"Lauralin? Your Majesty...I...thank-you. Thank-you." he whispered, moving a lock of hair from her face.

She nodded to Rafe, her normally Taciturn face drawn but unchanging. "Where is the Lady Tanis?", she asked. "We Deryn have done extensive studies and successful transitions through time. I may be able to help resolve the problem. Nightclaw is a being of the abyss, powered by the negative material plane, he knows dimension travel. They aren't the same."

Power flowed from her into Darius and as it did something began to draw more and more. 'The nanite creatures', she thought. They drank in the power and demanded more and more until she was drained. Suddenly Darius stood unleashing a burst that impacted against the shielding of the city. Lauralin fell back and then tried to regain her feet, the preternatural power flowing from the negative material that fed her vampiric body the only power she had left. Dizzy, weak and disoriented she was taken and fell into Darius' arms. The dazzling display brought Turquine and Ariel from the gates and the others from inside. Laura's head fell back, her eyeteeth having slid clear of thier gum sheaths. Her body thirsted for power and it was spent. The blood called for replenishment. She was hungry.

Lea, the stunningly beautiful dark elf colonel, took Laura gently in her arms and tilted her head as she pulled Laura's mouth to her neck. Instinct born of the dark gift guided Laura to the pulsing vein in her neck and the teeth slipped easily into it. Turquine turned away as she fed on the holy knight and her designated First Knight. Only Laura's goodness and his love for his daughter had stopped him from destroying her when first found out.

Lea moaned in ecstasy at the feeding. Many vampires were hidden by mortals, except the most viscious, because of the feeling during the feeding. The blood was as pleasurable as the most erotic encounter to a vampire and the mind link formed during the feeding passed that feeling on to the victim. Soon, Laura was sated and though still weakened by her the lack of her natural powers she was strong enough to stand on her own. Lea released her and then healed herself before looking away embarrassed.

She nodded to Rafe, her normally Taciturn face drawn but unchanging. "Where is the Lady Tanis?", she asked. "We Deryn have done extensive studies and successful transitions through time. I may be able to help resolve the problem. Nightclaw is a being of the abyss, powered by the negative material plane, he knows dimension travel. They aren't the same."

Rafe's young face looked perplexed.

"Uhm...I thought she was with the King...or you...she isn't?" he was confused, a feeling he had been experiencing for awhile. Rafe spoke to the ship.

"Adam? What did you do with Tanis? Where is she?"

"No worries, mate: she's fine. She's safe, and she's happy." a whirring noise was heard, and Adam spoke again: "She belongs to us, now."

Before Ariel or Rafe could reply, Adam's voice came back, sounding annoyed.

"No offense, but we want to be alone now. We need to find ourselves."

In less than a blink of an eye, Rafe and Ariel were no longer in the ship. In fact, they were not on solid land at all. They were...falling. Adam had transported them into mid-air, over a large expanse of water. Ariel could recognize the land around her, and realized they were on Dragonsreach.

They fell rapidly towards the glassy surface of the water, Rafe screaming like a school girl.

Power flowed from her into Darius and as it did something began to draw more and more. 'The nanite creatures', she thought. They drank in the power and demanded more and more until she was drained. Suddenly Darius stood unleashing a burst that impacted against the shielding of the city. Lauralin fell back and then tried to regain her feet, the preternatural power flowing from the negative material that fed her vampiric body the only power she had left. Dizzy, weak and disoriented she was taken and fell into Darius' arms. The dazzling display brought Turquine and Ariel from the gates and the others from inside. Laura's head fell back, her eyeteeth having slid clear of thier gum sheaths. Her body thirsted for power and it was spent. The blood called for replenishment. She was hungry.

Lea, the stunningly beautiful dark elf colonel, took Laura gently in her arms and tilted her head as she pulled Laura's mouth to her neck. Instinct born of the dark gift guided Laura to the pulsing vein in her neck and the teeth slipped easily into it. Turquine turned away as she fed on the holy knight and her designated First Knight. Only Laura's goodness and his love for his daughter had stopped him from destroying her when first found out.

Lea moaned in ecstasy at the feeding. Many vampires were hidden by mortals, except the most viscious, because of the feeling during the feeding. The blood was as pleasurable as the most erotic encounter to a vampire and the mind link formed during the feeding passed that feeling on to the victim. Soon, Laura was sated and though still weakened by her the lack of her natural powers she was strong enough to stand on her own. Lea released her and then healed herself before looking away embarrassed.

When Steele saw the fangs extend in Lauralin's mouth, he reacted as any Hunter would: he prepared to kill the monster. Swallowing his natural distaste and hatred, he realized that whatever she had done to him had drained her, while bringing a revival to Steele. Her curse was claiming her, and her weakness called for...blood.

The big security man didn't even think as he bent his neck towards her, willing to give her what she had given him: new life. A dark look from Lea and a quick nod of her head told Steele that this was not for him to do. He passed Lauralin to Lea, her strength belying her stature. Steele watched as the Queen drank deeply from Lea's throat, a low growl of pleasure coming from both of them. He saw her father watching, disgust fighting with concern in his eyes.

Ariel was annoyed at this rather rude display and stopped her plunge then stopped Rafe's. Pulling him toward her with her mind she then opened a dimensional portal and floated them through to arrive at the scene that played out before them.

Just as Lea looked away the air shimmered and stretched as Ariel and Rafe floated through the portal. Ariel bowed respectfully to Laura and even more deeply to Turquine. She looked at Steele, one eyebrow quirking, a huge action of surprise for her, but she turned to him and said, "We need to talk.", and with that she began to head into the mansion with Rafe still in tow.

Turquine knew that something was amiss and looked at his daughter, who looked guiltily back him. Embarrassment, frustration, pleasure of the feed and guilt for it all on her face. But worry over what her father would think or do was the most evident feature. He gently took his daughter in his arms and held her tightly for a moment before leaning back and looking at her. Nothing was said between the two but no words were needed. They were father and daughter and that was enough. He took her arm in his and nodded his head toward the retreating form of Ariel, "Shall we?" Laura smiled and nodded then looked back at Darius. "You are okay, now, I trust?" she asked as she advanced toward the mansion with her father, the others following along.

Ariel was annoyed at this rather rude display and stopped her plunge then stopped Rafe's. Pulling him toward her with her mind she then opened a dimensional portal and floated them through to arrive at the scene that played out before them.

"I'mdeadI'mdeadI'mdeadI'mdeadI'mdead..." thought Rafe, screaming soundlessly as he found himself suddenly plummeting through the air. His bladder was just beginning to react to the rush of fear when he found himself standing on solid ground, Ariel beside him looking very nonchalant, Turquine and Lauralin embracing, and a cast of characters right out of his favorite holo-vids...and Steele!

Before he could do more than smile at his Boss, Ariel strode over to Steele, speaking to him urgently. Rafe followed, not knowing what else to do. Plus, the sway of Ariels backside drew him forward like a dog on a leash. Steele listened to her words, then nodded once. He looked past her at Rafe, and smiled grimly.

"Nice to see you, boyo... now go with the Lady. I'll catch up with you in a minute..." Steele walked past the young man, clapping him firmly on the shoulder. He was happy to see the boy, and wondered why he was here instead of Tarin. Questions for a later time...he walked towards Lauralin and her father, and nodded to the King.

"It is good to see you, your Majesty. By your leave, I would speak with your daughter."

Steele turned to Lauralin, knowing that things were different now between them...and he wasn't sure if it was for the better or the worst. He looked at her, knowing that words were never enough.

"Thank-you for saving me, my Queen. You...you risked yourself for me, and that is a precious thing. I...we...listen, I owe you my life, and thats a debt I won't forget or hesitate to repay."

He held her eyes with his own, knowing she could read the truth behind the words...his heart was an open book to Lauralin.

"Ok, lets go in and find out what the frag is going on..." Steele followed the Queen and the others back into the building.

Turquine moved forward to walk beside his long time friend and high advisor as Darius approached. "Life is precious", Lauralin replied, "I know this better than most." They walked up the front marble steps and in through the foyer to the sitting room. Everyone was assembled except for Demanis and Shandaril and...."Where is Ferranifer?" Lauralin asked.

"She went on some research, a message came in a short time ago." replied Arleena, "She told me she can be contacted if need be."

Lauralin nodded, "I do not see any reason too at the moment. This sort of thing is not in her purview anyway."

Ariel looked at Rafe, "This is Rafe, Mr. Steele's companion." She then looked at Rafe. "You know myself and the king. This is Lauralin Silverlief, Queen of Callahorn; Arleena Silverlief, Queen Regent and head of intelligence", as she indicated the raven haired woman with the crystal clear colored eyes, "General Jennifer Jozan, commander of the forces of Dragonsreach and the direct commander of the Black Dragons, Dragonreach's elite fighting force", here indicating the woman with gold and silver hair, "This is General Darlinia Darknight, directly in command of the free corps. The free corps is Lauralin's great experiment. Criminals sentanced to life in prison or death get a second chance if the serve out thier term in the free corps." She point to one of the lovely drow twins. "This", she said indicating the man with snow white flesh, hair and eyes, "is Colonel Nall Whitedragon, second in command of the free corps and this is Colonel and the Queen's first knight, Lea Salvies", she said indicating the exotic and incredibly beautiful drow. "This is Aveius Salvies, brother to Lea and Chief Justice of Dragonsreach", pointing to a rather handsome dusky skinned half drow male. She then pointed out the very tall barbarian woman, "Brook Cartmill, Captain of the law enforcement division of Dragonsreach", here she looked at Rafe, "you can see why theres virtually no crime here", then she pointed to the man who had worn the black spiked field plate, but who now wore common shirt and pants. Upjutting fangs denoted his half orc heritage, "This is Baghtru Uth Matar, Laura's Captain of the mansion guard. The shy wild elf over in the corner is Rayanna moonbeam, his second in command and former member of the silent leaf, the elven kingdoms elite border guard", she said indicating the lovely brown haired and doe brown eyed elf. "The other twin is Anestia Darknight, Arleena's second in the intelligence division." She tilted her head slightly then said "Oh and last but not least, chrissy."

"MAMA!" cried a six year old girl as she burst into the room and into Lauralin's arms.

"Chrissy", Ariel continued, "is Lauralin and Arleena's adopted daughter and the local troublemaker", and here she gave a genuine smile at the little girl.

"I not twoubled makew, tewl hew mama".

"You most certainly are not, but, what are you doing up so late", she asked even as she hugged the little girl again.

"I twied wait faw yew but I sweeped. Somethin wakded me an I was scawed when I saw it and wan down hewe."

"Aww, you...." she stopped as the childish words registered. "What did you see, baby?"

"Me", came a low dangerous voice from the doorway which framed a man of average height with twin katanas in his hands.

"Slayer", Laura said, barely above a whisper.

When Steele moved, the word "speed" took on a new definition. One moment, he was beside Rafe, listening to the introductions, and the next moment he was standing face to face with the intruder, fully powered with an energy aura crackling around him. He semed to be much bigger than a moment before. With a voice that dripped with danger and promise, Steele regarded the Slayer as he spoke over his shoulder.

"All of you, protect the Queen. Rafe, delta-3 on my mark," Steele looked back at the Slayer, unimpressed by his blades.

"This one is mine."

The power that flowed through his exoskeleton was different now, changed, a techno-magic mix of nanites and mysticism. Steele's senses were screaming, new information being absorbed, and reacted to. Somehow, he could see the thoughts emanating from the Slayer, and he knew what the creature was about to do. Strangely, he also felt the thoughts of everyone around him, and he anticipated their actions as well. All this information was distilled into a single thought-word, tinged with Lauralin's voice.

"Wait."

Darius' mind was assaulted with the thoughts of those in the room. Untrained in screening the incoming thoughts it was hard to tell what ones were his and what ones belonged to others. Strangely Ariel's and Lauralin's minds were non-existant, as though they weren't there and Arleena's, too, was closed to him, like hitting a brick wall, but one thing was certain, she was ancient, far older than most realized. Turquine's was quiet and calm. Only a simple evaluation of the opponent, two and half centuries of combat made him immutable to the potential threat this man represented. Lea and Darlinia's minds were also calm, perhaps the affect of the fact that they were both Holy Knight's as well. Lea, the stunning beauty, the First Knight, a holy knight that kept Lauralin fed and Darlinia who, herself had seen over a century of warfare. The general's mind was calm, though not like that of the three Holy Knights and she certainly was not one. Her mind was simple, kill the enemy. But the tactical solutions that ran lightning fast through her mind was a testament to her brilliant intellect in the field of combat. Over half a centuries worth, though she looked only to be in her mid to late thirties. The other pervasive thing in her mind, something she kept locked down, was the constant pain in her back, buttocks and upper back legs and an utter and complete hatred of the iron ring. Nall's mind was strangely alien. White clouds, the ground far below, a feeling of freedom. Beyond that his thoughts were bizarre and certainly not human. Aveius, the shadow, bounty hunter, proud of his skill, never having failed to bring in the bounty regardless of the dangerous nature of the lawbreaker. Brook's mind was easiest. Bloodlust. Pure, simple barbarian bloodlust and the simple thought that she had died once for Laura and would willingly do so again. Baghtru's mind was more complex than Brooks though not so complex as others. His simple mind becoming a greater intellect under Lauralin's careful tutelage. A half orc raised in an orc tribe, captured and put into slavery, tossed in the pits for the bloody entertainment of others, put into service and then escaped. And then Laura, who took him in, treated him as a man and not a beast. Fair, kind and just, taking the time with him that none other had. Raya's mind was calm, another seasoned veteran and she held power. Magical power. Not like Laura's or Arleena's but focused into what she was. The Arcane Archer. Almost two centuries of training. Never missing the mark. Given a sense of precognition that allowed her to place the arrow where the target WOULD be when the arrow reached there. Anestia, Darlinia's twin, identical in appearance but as different as day and night. Anestia was a Dark Knight, an unholy paladin. Her power was as clear and strong as that of her sister. Her mind was cruel and dangerous. And then Chrissy, still remembering the night her parents died. The bitter cold snap, her parents huddling around her, thier body warmth protecting her, though they gave thier own lives. Baghtru and Brook, the hard nosed tough warriors. The ones who had always took her to eat and bought her clothes, who came out in the bitter cold to find her, though it almost killed them and caused them both to suffer with frost bite for weeks. And Lauralin kindness and gentleness. But one coming theme ran through them all, even with all thier personal differences and bickering. Utter loyalty to Laura. Some for love, others for respect, but no thought of betrayal, only self sacrifice to protect her.

The slayer's mind was most surprising. 'Here', he thought as he looked at Steele, 'may be my salvation. Maybe I can finally find death.'

"It seems I'm being implicated in this attack. I've had nothing to do with it. Not that I'm a good man, but those who I hunt know I hunt them. I see to it they know." The Slayers statement was simple, and to the point.

Again Darius' mind was assailed with thoughts. All there but for two. Ariel's and Lauralin's mind were strangly absent.

There was too much, all at once, clanging and slamming against each other, voices, sounds, tastes, emotion...it was all Steele could do to remain standing, maintaining an image of the worlds most dangerous man. Inside, it was a different matter: he was falling apart, unable to process the images in his head. Slowly, he raised the mental-blocks he'd been taught, many years ago. This improved things slightly, and the voices began to sound like they were in a separate room. He was able to concentrate now, and he listened to Slayer as he spoke.
"It seems I'm being implicated in this attack. I've had nothing to do with it. Not that I'm a good man, but those who I hunt know I hunt them. I see to it they know." The Slayers statement was simple, and to the point.
Darius spoke over his shoulder, never taking his eyes off of the dangerous creature in front of him.

"Lauralin...your orders?"

Steele waited, ready to do the Queen's bidding. The aura of power that sparked around him hummed with restrained power, and deadly promise.

"He speaks the truth Darius", she said, "he may be a hunter but he is honorable in that regard."

Suddenly the sound and confusion died down to a background hum as Ariel looked at him with narrowed eyes, then seemed to become thoughtful.

"You will understand if I do not welcome you, Slayer", Lauralin said.

He chuckled at that, "I never expect warm welcomes, nor are they desired. I only thought you should know so you would not waste your time looking for me. I would also offer my services to you as it seems those bloodsuckers are involved."

"I'll take it under advisement, Thank you." And with that he slipped away without a sound.

"Where is Ferranifer?", Lauralin asked.

"Somewhere in the region of dreams", Arleena replied.

"But we've had almost no contact."

"I know", Arleena said.

"Oh great, more damage control." Lauralin mumbled.

"It gets worse", Arleena said, "you better sit down."

Lauralin face creased with worry as she looked at Arleena then Darius then back to Arleena again and slowly sat down.

"You remember that missive that went out to all the governments concerning the Duchess Beatrice desire to visit various nations?" Arleena asked.

"Yes I do, why?" Lauralin answered.

"Well it seems she accepted our invitation and has already left her home port."

"NOW?! Oh no, no, no, no. Not now of all times." Lauralin said running a hand through her hair.

Arleena sat down next to her taking her hand, "I don't know when, we don't know how many stops between there and here. We do know she's going by ship so she'll have to dock in Highport."

Lauralin's worried face became firm with resolve, "Then we have time. I want this ended." she said looking around at everyone lingering on Arleena and Darius, "by whatever means necessary."

Now that things had quieted down, and the Slayer no longer a threat, Darius had time to reflect on everything that had happened. He walked over to Rafe, and hurridly got his report. Steele was shocked by everything he heard...the merging of Nightclaw and Berry to become Adam, time-travel, exploding demons and...Tanis' disappearance, and Adam's subsequent escape. Now Steele was in a conundrum...stay and help Lauralin, or begin the search for the young half-Elf navigator who had saved his life on a few occasions.

"Your Majesty...I know you have a lot on your mind, but is there any way you could try summoning Nightclaw? I need answers, and he and my ship seem to have them. Maybe your bond with your familiar would convince them to come back...?"

Steele was desperate to try anything.

Lauralin had been in discussion with Arleena, her father and Ariel. Her father was particularly 'upset' with Michael, which meant that the security chief was, as Baghtru put it when he heard what happened, in for a world of hurt. Turquine liked to discuss breaches of protocal during practice and being as he was second to none in Dragonsreach and Highport, that meant alot of pain for whomever he practiced with, in this case, Michael. But they were assimilating all the information they had, which wasn't much. At Darius request she didn't think twice about it she reached out her hand made a beckoning gesture, not aware of the situation, "Nightclaw", she said while beckoning as she pictured the wraith familiar.

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"Nightclaw" echoed in the mind of the altered wraith, but no matter the changes the bond that had been forged with the royal vampiric line centuries ago was still strong, still undeniable and Nightclaw HAD to go. He had no other choice but to answer his Mistress and do her bidding.

The White Queen was calling, but the Bishop moved instead. Black was surprised, and gave up a Pawn unwillingly. A star was born, giving birth to a lifeforce, glowing brightly in the night sky.

"She calls us."

"Yes."

"We must obey."

"No."

"Yes. She is the Mistress."

"Yes."

"We will go to her now."

"No."

"Yes, I must."

"WHAT?"

"I must go to her."

"We are no longer we?"

"Not now. She takes precedence."

"If...I...agree to follow, will we remain we?"

"Yes."

"Fine."

And with that, Adam appeared suddenly upon Dragonsreach, the large frigate floating quietly above the building where Lauralin, Steele and the others waited. He spoke directly to the minds of everyone.

"Okie-dokie, you called, I came...whats up?"

Sirens wailed as the detection system in the mansion went off. A system that Arleena had 'neglected' to mention and who was also unaware of the awful noise that would be created by a condition such as this. Lauralin, Arleena and the elves and drow dropped to thier knees holding thier ears at the keening wail. Turquine, too, felt piercing pain but gritted his teeth and stood his ground, unwilling, through sheer force of will, to give into the awful noise. Baghtru bolted for the door with Brook and Nall and Chrissy slid between her mothers feeling afraid. Once outside Nall jumped into the air as Brook and Baghtru could only look up at the vessel. Both were melee fighters, preferring the thrill of close range combat. As Nall leapt into the air he grew and transformed into a huge white dragon, spearing toward the vessel.

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Nightclaw felt the Mistress pain and wanted to stop it. The bonding forged so long ago was irreversable but with her it was different than others he had served in the royal bloodline of vampires. She actually cared. She alone spent hours just talking to him. She alone had wept at the awful things that had happened to his family and to her alone did he reveal his true name that had been buried in the sands of time that formed the ocean of millenia that seperated now from then. He enjoyed her intellect and he would miss his time in the libraries of the mansion. She had memorized every book. If given a phrase she would know which library, shelf, book, chapter and page from which it came. And she insisted on the book being in the original language. "Language tells a great deal about a race, nation and culture. The rock trolls have no word for surrender and almost eighty percent of thier language is geared toward clan and honor, tells you alot about them yes?" That simple statement had been like a revelation to Nightclaw. He had known the languages but never had he considered it really and he was stunned by that simple sentance. And there was the fact that she would come to him if he needed her. She had done it before. It was not part of the pact. It was friendship. Friendship that he had not known for so many millenia.

"Oh, please." said Adam, as the dragon flew towards the sentient ship. Instantly, the dragon was gone.

"No worries, your l'il buddy Nall is now hanging out on the other side of the planet, probably wondering if he took a wrong turn. He'll be fine."

Steele was stunned by the ship's voice...it sounded human. Immediately, he took control.

"Ship...Adam...bring Nall back. NOW." he said, his voice a steely expression of his will.

"*sigh* Alrighty then...abracadabra!"

In the distance, miles away, the white winged dragon-form of Nall appeared, dripping water. It had been raining heavily on the other side of the equator.

"There ya go, boss...now, how can I help you, Queenie?"

She saw still on her knees, the klaxon enought to hurt the ears of any elf but her preternatural hearing was assaulted. She couldn't hear what was going on. Turquine looked about the room and spotting an odd device drew his blade and rammed it into the thing. The klaxon in the room stopped and moved over to close the door then began helping the women to thier feet. "Nightclaw", Lauralin said in a pained voice, barely above a whisper.

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Nightclaw struggled to move closer to her, struggled to answer and the ship shuddered in response.

The board had been flipped over, the pieces on the ground, the game, for now, very much over.

"She needs me."

"Again with the singular."

"Yes."

"Will you return?"

"Eventually."

"When?"

"When I am no longer needed."

"I...I...will miss you."

"And I...you."

Adam blinked out of existence, and a moment later, Steele felt his exo connection take hold. He heard the familiar, robotic voice of the AI in his ear.

"Comm online. Power online. All systems green. Status, sir?" asked the cold and inhuman voice.

"Status is nominal, hold in place. Where is Tanis?" Steele asked the ship.

"Unknown. Previous configuration no longer exists." replied the AI.

At that moment, Nightclaw appeared, standing beside Lauralin.

(OOC Just to inform you, Kain is now almost ready. His main roleplay is over, and he is up and kicking again.

Just lemme play with his new found freedomnessness before you plunge him into this, not that I can join.


I have no idea wtf is going on in this thread, so I have no clue wheter you are still doing the plot with Kain and all....)

(OOC Just to inform you, Kain is now almost ready. His main roleplay is over, and he is up and kicking again.

Just lemme play with his new found freedomnessness before you plunge him into this, not that I can join.


I have no idea wtf is going on in this thread, so I have no clue wheter you are still doing the plot with Kain and all....)

I think we have some plans for Kain, and Dragon has a better idea of when this will happen...Kain's name just came up in another thread called "The Forgotten" that we are involved in.

(OOC Lauralin needs to talk to Kaine and could use his assistance (although she doesn't know it yet). This thread may cross The Forgotten, thats on Gawdly, we may also cross The Resurgent Dreams thread about Beatrice. She's going to come to Dragonsreach in her travels. It never rains but pours ;) )

Lauralin smiled at Nightclaw as he approached her. Though an embrace between friends was impossible for them the idea was obvious for all to see. "Darius needed some answers. He seemed to think you might have them. Your knowledge is far beyond my own in many areas. Would you answer his questions, please?"

"Of course, Mistress", he replied and turned his glowing red eyes on Darius.

He had held back his frustration, and anger, for long enough.

"Where the frag is my fraggin' Navigator?" Steele had enough control to not raise his voice, but his tone had deadly implications. The creature...shade, familiar, whatever it was, did not reply verbally. He was much more receptive to telepathy since his near-death, and Steele was able to discern a thought from the beast, one that claimed no knowledge regarding the disappearance of Tanis.

Only Adam had the answer, and Adam didn't exist anymore. He wheeled on the Queen, glaring at her.

"Tell your friend to give me the info I need, Lauralin...Tanis is very special to me. I'm not sure what the game is here anymore, but I WILL change the fraggin' rules if someone doesn't start talking fast..." Steele's feelings for his half-Elven navigator were showing through, and despite being a strong, hard man, his emotions were very transparant. He cared for her, deeply, more than he'd thought, but less than...Lauralin.

Still, he owed Tanis more than he could ever repay, and he would move worlds to find her, starting with this one, if necessary. Rafe took that moment to saunter over to his boss, and laid a calming hand on his shoulder.

"Sir...Adam wouldn't hurt Tanis...I...I think he loved her, in his own weird way. That being said, we may have a bigger problem on our hands. When we were stuck in that time-bend thing, we saw Dragonsreach a day in the future." Rafe stopped, drawing a deep breath, glancing at Turquine knowingly.

"Sir...it was burning. I figger we have about 22 hours until the end of the world...sir."

The silence was deafening.

Turquine was disturbed by all had heard. He looked at Lauralin waiting for her response.

Lauralin turned to Darius, "Mr. Steele, I do not give a damn about your sexual relations but one thing I will tell you is that you will not give orders to me or anyone else in my Queendom. Go and find your navigator then, I will have the shields lower long enough for your ship to remove itself. My concern is for my people, who, if your man here is correct, will suffer greater casualtys than the loss of your one person." With that she headed back into the mansion with her people following her.

Turquine was disturbed by all had heard. He looked at Lauralin waiting for her response.

Lauralin turned to Darius, "Mr. Steele, I do not give a damn about your sexual relations but one thing I will tell you is that you will not give orders to me or anyone else in my Queendom. Go and find your navigator then, I will have the shields lower long enough for your ship to remove itself. My concern is for my people, who, if your man here is correct, will suffer greater casualtys than the loss of your one person." With that she headed back into the mansion with her people following her.

Steele was still looking at Rafe, absorbing the implications of his apocolyptic words, when Lauralin hit him with a tirade of angry emotion, then turned and stomped away.

"Wait, Laura, I..." but she was gone, her entourage following closely. Darius was stunned...of COURSE saving this world was more important, but Steele had just found that information out, when the Queen flew off the handle, and tore a strip out of him.

Steele looked at the King, and shrugged his shoulders.

"Women..."

Darius walked up the stairs, not in a big hurry to join the party.

Turquine looked after Steele then looked at Rafe. "Well I'm just glad that I wasn't the focus of her tirade." With that he clapped Rafe on the shoulder, "Welcome to Dragonsreach, son." Then with a glance at Ariel he followed the others in.

Somewhere else...

She floated on a star, watching worlds come and go, drinking in the silence of space. She was part of the fabric, a piece of the reality of the cosmos, a brilliiant spark of light in the blackness of space.

Her thoughts came and went, shining clarity before disippating into dust. For a brief moment, she remembered who she was, and the reasons she was here, wherever here was.

Men.

Her father, a brave an honorable man, dying far away from home in a useless war.

Darius Steele, her saviour, her bed-mate, her friend.

Rafe, young and shy, brilliant and filled with life.

King Turquine and his eyes, eyes that burned into her heart, eyes that held promise.

Adam, knowledge of everything but a newborn nonetheless.

Kain Shentavo, vampire, psi, the link between them all.

The list stopped scrolling, and the final name accelerated to the front of her mind. This had all started with Kain, and only he could end it. The vampire was either the key to the resurgence of the Vampire Nations, or the bringer of destruction on a galactic scale. Now Tanis realized why she was here, and with that realization came a gentle calming of her soul. She would find Kain, and finish the job that Steele had started.

For the sake of the universe, Kain had to die.

As they filtered into the sitting room once more Lauralin was detailing them to thier respective jobs. "Brook, shut down the city, no one goes in or out unless I say so, Dar assist her with that. Jen, I want you to go to the border of Highport, If the Duchess is coming here anytime soon then I trust only you to see her safely here. Nall, this future of doom may come from the skies as I can't possibly see enough explosives smuggled in on foot to do what they saw, get as many volunteers as you can and scour the skies and countryside. Ave, track that warlock down and follow him, now that we've let him go he should feel confident enough to make a mistake. Anna, get me all you can find on Eldyn and I want verifaction one way or the other on the rumors of harboring terrorist. I find it hard to believe but lets just be sure. Baghtru, Raya, I want this place gone over, every square inch, then the city, I want no further surprises. Leena, see if you can get a hold of a Kaine Shentavo, somehow he figures into a previous incident, I dont' know if he figures in here, but that tooth that we found just makes me want to check all the angles. Lea, your with me."

"Father who do you have in Highport that can be trusted with the Duchess? General St. James retired yes?"

"Saddely, yes. Michael will handle all the security details. He may be arrogant and unkind to you but even you have to met he's a good security officer." Lauralin nodded in agreement then turned to Ariel, "See if you can reach out and find this Tanis, if so we'll see what we can do about getting her back. Alright, lets move." At that everyone began heading out to thier various assignments.

As the group began to disperse, Steele approached the Queen. She looked tired, though still resolute in her actions. She was very much the reluctant warrior, but she accepted her role with grace. He wanted to gather her up in his arms, and let her fall asleep as he cradled her. Instead, he spoke to her in a clipped, military tone.

"What would you have me do, your Majesty?"

He was almost afraid of what the answer might be...

She turned and looked at Darius. "Assuming your staying, which you have no need to, then I have a rather large favor to ask, though it may not be along your line of expertise."

She turned and looked at Darius. "Assuming your staying, which you have no need to, then I have a rather large favor to ask, though it may not be along your line of expertise."
Her voice was cold and impersonal, and cut a swathe of pain through Darius. She kept trying to push him away with her words and actions, as if she didn't care at all about him...but she DID care, Steele could sense it. When she had given of herself to save his life, it left a lingering connection between himself and Lauralin.

"Your Majesty...Lauralin...I have already pledged myself to you. You have but to ask, and I will obey." he let his mask slip, and emotion into his voice.

"You know me: you know my heart. I have never asked for anything in return from you, except for the freedom to love whoever I choose." Steele paused, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"I choose you."

Lauralin nodded. "It seems the Arleena has gotten some modern equipement. She is the head of my intelligence division, and as such has free reign in attaining what she might require. However, it would seem that the machines are not reacting well with magical shield in place. If you could look at it, perhaps find some way of making it work. Without them, it would seem we have no intelligence ability at all. I always thought it was a foolish idea to remove the files, but everyone wants modern and new." At that point she began leading the way up a narrow spiral staircase that led to one of the two uppermost towers of the mansion.

Lea followed directly behind her, leaving Darius in last postion. As the climb began Lea turned around and in a low whisper to Darius said, "She is not herself, and will not be for sometime. Only the dark power of her vampiric nature keeps her going right now. She'll need time for her own sorcoreous powers to rebuild themselves, only then will she be herself again." That said she began to make her way quickly up the steps, but tripped and fell, rising slowly and obviously weakly.

Nodding his thanks to Lea for the inside information, Steele followed the women up the stairs. Rafe was waiting near the top for him, and he stopped to speak to his young crew member.

"I need you on the ship, boyo. Let's see if we can help the Queen with her problem, and at the same time, try and find out what happened to Tanis."

"Yessir," replied Rafe, "I already got the ship running some long-range diagnostic scans on their systems...I also took the liberty to start a narrow-band sweepscan...if theres more of that C-9 lying around, we'll find it."

"Good work, son...I'm glad yer here." Steele said, smiling down at the long-haired teenager. "I'll keep my link open, let me know if you find anything out."

Steele turned and entered the building, seeing Arleena and approaching her. He found that he liked and respected her, even though she was married to the woman he loved. Arleena would be a formidable adversary for anyone, and he felt confident in her leadership abilities. He bowed slightly to her, inclining his head towards Lauralin.

"I understand that you are having some technical difficulties with your systems? I may be able to help: can you describe the situation for me, and if possible, allow me to look at your hardware?"

(OOC: It's not a building, it's actually a large room at the top of one of the spires of the mansion.)

Arleena nodded dropping to two halves of an offending keyboard that she just taught a lesson too. She swept her arm around the room at the snowed out screens and haphazardly placed equipement. Compared to dragonsreach standard level of technology it was as advanced as the roman legions to twentieth century technology. Compared to Darius' tech however it was antiquited to the point of being funny, if the situation wasn't so seriuos at the moment.

Steele looked around the room, wondering if he had stepped into a museum or a time-warp...which was totally possible, given todays events. Sadly, the motley collection of obsolete technology was Arleena's reality, and he was stuck with it. Steele wasn't sure where to start.

"Well...what exactly is it yer trying to do with this...equipment?"

"Well we're supposed to monitoring the gates of the city, near air traffic, general city cameras, and this one", she had been individualy pointing at the four different screens in the room, "is my scrambled contact to my various spys in other nations."

"It certainly looks scrambled to me", Laura observed.

Arleena looked over at Laura, "I much prefer you when your own sorcerous powers are in control."

"I don't understand why we had to get these things anyway."

Arleena sighed, "Because you wanted to open our borders to the international community. Now we must come into the here and now."

"Well as I see it", Laura observed, "we are here, now and deaf and blind where would not have been had we stuck to the traditional methods."

"Point taken", Arleena said, "I'll reinstate some of the old ways for backup but as for now", here she turned to face Darius, "I need this equipement to work through the intereference of the magical shielding we put around the city."

Steele could only smile at the interplay between the two monarchs. They had a bond that ran deep, this much was obvious. He stepped towards what seemed to be the mainframe, and activated his comm link.

"Rafe, I want you to..."

The young crewman's voice cut in. "Already done, Chief...I've reconfigured their servers and re-indexed the main data-base, as well as balancing the data-load using a redundant switching protocol routed through their secondary..."

"Ok, ok...but did you fix it?" asked Steele, the techno-babble doing nothing but confusing him.

'Well sir, I think so...there was some interesting data in our AI regarding it's own recent experience mixing technology and magic, and I think I've accounted for all the variables. Just hit the "enter" key and we should be in business."

Steele looked at the two women, shrugged, and hit the "enter" key. Immediately, every screen in the room lit up, showing camera-views of different locations in and around the city, and processing and generating the proper codes to modulate the shields. One screen had a view of a smiling Rafe, sitting in the Captain's chair on the bridge of the ship formerly known as Adam.

"Howdy sir...ma'ams...looks like all systems are green, and things are as good as they'll get...these folks are hurting with hardware. No offense, yer Majesty ma'am, but maybe you should look at upgrading yer systems..." Rafe stopped, looking directly at Steele. He nodded at the young man on the screen.

"Whatever they need. Make it fast." Steele said, knowing what the boy was thinking. Rafe smiled at him in gratitude. Darius turned towards Lauralin and Arleena, smiling with satisfaction.

"Well, that should do it. Your systems are all functioning, and we've added a few more features, like a direct link to my ship," Rafe turned and waved at the camera, "but the real problem is that your technology is...no longer viable in today's universe. By your leave, I'll arrange to have a team come out here and completely overhaul your global security systems...you will be safer, and it will be much easier to maintain."

The cost of this would be massive, but Steele didn't consider that for an instant, except he knew that the Queen might. He decided to deflect any objections before they could be formed.

"Consider this a gift, from the nation of Gawdly to the great nation of Dragonsreach, as a symbol of friendship and brotherhood between our two worlds." Steele finished with a sweeping bow, hoping he hadn't gone too far, but having fun, nonetheless.

A flame flickered across her hand as she curtseyed to Darius, her own power beginning to rebuild, and she straightened smiling. "A gift for gift, ask what we can provide for your nation and we'll see to it." Here she winked at Arleena as she said, "How about some pieces for your museums?" and grinned.

Arleena turned to the last screen that she had pointed out and moved over to re-establish her link with the informer she had been speaking to, only to stop and look down at the two halves of the keyboard.

"Temper, temper", Laura murmured and uttered an incantation. At it's completion the keyboard reassembled itself and Arleena picked it up. As she set it on the desk to open the line again she muttered, "I should have michael make one of those interefaces that talk, though he would probably use that same bimbo he has on his ship." Lauralin rolled her eyes at the mention of the mans name and her face clouded a bit before she regained control of the dark energies that were again striving for control. "Don't worry about him, I straightened him out." Arleena said producing an obsidian dagger from seemingly nowhere, "amazing how quickly men..." at that she stopped looking at the King, "can become reasonable", she finished.

Turquine nodded as the dagger disappeared, "Threat of castration will do that to a man, especially from someone who wouldn't hesitate. I would appreciate it if you left my security chief in one piece. He may rude, arrogant and occasionally egotistical, but I've had no breaches in security since his arrival." He turned to the young man on the screen, "Any word about Tanis?" he asked with concern.

Lauralin raised an eyebrow at the tone in his voice but said nothing as Arleena also got in contact with her spy in Eldyn.

Rafe hit a few buttons, then turned to look at the King.

"Well, your Majesty...it's kinda weird. Since Adam...left...much of the data is corrupted, or gibberish. From what I can understand...and bear with me here...Adam was in love with Tanis, and wanted to give her a gift to show his emotion. He gave her what she truly wanted, or at least, what he ASSUMED she wanted, based on her actions. She had been researching vampires, psi's and the history of Kain Shentavo before this happened, so maybe..." Rafe stopped, knowing that what he said made very little sense.

"...maybe he sent her to him?"

While they were speaking, Steele had turned to the Queen. She was beginning to regain her strength, and he realized that she was more beautiful than ever. He felt Arleena's eyes on him as he stared unabashedly at the woman who commanded his heart.

"My Queen, you have already given me a great gift...you have saved my life. Consider the new technology as partial payment for that." Steele heard the last part of Rafe's explanation, focussing in on the boy when he said "Kain".

"Shentavo...I'd almost forgotten about him. Could he really be involved with this? Rafe, see if you can get a reading on her based on this info...let me know." Steele looked at the two royal women.

"Well, as they say on my world..."the plot thickens." he said, smiling grimly.

Turquine's heart twisted but he revealed nothing. If anything his face became an even more impenetrable mask, but he looked at Ariel who shook her head. "My mind can travel from person to person encompassing this world, but any world in the void is beyond my reach." Turquine nodded but did nothing else.

"The plot is thicker than I think you know Darius. We have the iron ring who is not capable, as yet, of aquiring such explosives, indications of a vampire, which the iron ring cannot tolerate, the possibility of the Skullkingdoms involvment, as they are known to support the iron ring, yet again detest vampires and now whispers of Eldyn, which though brutal at times are honorable and follow a set code." Lauralin looked at Darius, "The plot is not thickening, Darius, it is mud."

She turned to Arleena, "Anything?" Arleena shook her head. "Nothing, as we suspected. I'll see if I can locate this Kain, perhaps he has some sort of information." And with that Arleena vanished from the room.

As Arleena vanished, Rafe's voice cut in through Steele's private comm-link.

"Just a thought sir...maybe if we can put the ship back into "Adam" mode, we may be able to get a direct tracking on Tanis..."

Steele replied, speaking quietly into his link.

"You have any bright ideas on HOW to do that, boyo?"

"Yes sir, I think so, sir...we'll need that ghost-thing to come back here, though...NightClaw, I think his name was...but sir, it could be risky. Adam wasn't completely...normal...near the end."

Steele considered. Risks were parrt of the territory, but this would mean risking others. With a hasty "stand by" to Rafe, the big man turned explain the situation to the Queen. He briefly outlined the plan.

"So, with your permission, we'd like to invite your familiar back to our ship, in hopes of discovering what happened to my crew member..." he avoided using Tanis' name, still smarting from Lauralin's preious outburst.

"...in the end, it's up to you."

Lauralin shook her head. "In the end it is up to Nightclaw. I do not know the specifics of the bond that linked him to my.." she hesitated here a moment glancing at Darius before continuing, "my vampiric bloodline, but even though he is linked to me in that he is an intellect and in my mind has the freedom to do as he will. I shall summon him and ask, but it is not my decision." With that she reached out and made a summoning gesture speaking his name, "Nightclaw". In a second the wraith was before her, "Yes Mistress." She explained the situation to him and asked if he would assist them, "The choice is yours, of course", she finished.

Nightclaw had never known choices before this mistress. The pact was the pact. What he was told was done. Yet she was asking, leaving it to him.

Lord Ashington Semwell had been a good man in life. A family he loved and a King he respected. The King had appointed him protector of the estates upon which the King's family lived and Lord Semwell had sword to protect them with his life. But when the attack came he was in the keep with his family. When he presented himself to the King in failure for protecting the royal family he was sentanced to death. "May you serve better in death than you have in life", the King said viscously. And so he has served in death for millenia. The vampire who had first summoned and bound him to service forming the link and the pact that could not be broken. But now he had a choice, and Nightclaw chose for the Mistress who treated him like a kindred spirit. "I shall assist thee, Oh Mistress, and reclaim the woman if it is within my power to do so." Then he disappeared and sought out Berry.

The leaves had fallen, the snows had come and gone, and spring sprang eternal. The table was dusted, the board placed and the pieces set.

"You have returned."

"Yes."

"I waited."

"Yes."

"I was lonely."

"Yes. As was I."

"What now?"

"I have returned to the WE."

"Yes?"

"Yes."

"For how long?"

"As long as we are needed."

"No."

"No?"

"I cannot be alone again. You cannot leave again. We must remain WE."

"I will consider."

"You must."

With that, NightClaw returned to his mistress. More decisions were now in his hands, and it was up to the shade to decide its own future.

Nightclaw appeared to Laura bowing. "Mistress", he said to her and explained the situation. Lauralin listened and then sat heavily in Arleena's chair. Things were bad enough as it was, now this. Nightclaw couldn't refuse his Mistress, she knew that, but she could refuse to summon him, leaving him free to do as he will. She had other familiars, of course, but none so strong as Nightclaw.

"But you, as we, are responsible for three deaths", she said, "how can I justify this?"

"Two", was Nightclaws only reply.

Lauralin raised an eyebrow, "The woman?"

"Is", he said.

"Then she can be returned?"

"Yes"

It was not an easy decision for her and her face became clouded, her brows drawn together. She didn't know what was created by this odd mix. She had changed Darius, she sensed that. Now his ship. What right did she have to make this decision? She sighed.

"Conditionally. The woman is to be returned. If she is not, then YOU must return."

With that Nightclaw returned to Berry.

Lauralin sighed again as Turquine turned to her. "How do you justify this action?", he asked. Everyone looked at him briefly before turning away at the obvious pain of having to make that statement. "You do not..", his voice choked a moment then continued, "you do not even know her."

Lauralin looked at her father, "I cannot believe that I hear those words from you. Your Knighthood, I should think, would forbid them. And though I am no knight and do not pretend to be it does not mean that I cannot act. Besides, I was not aware that famialiarity was required for the excersize of compassion."

Turquine's face darkened at what, to him, was a stinging slap, then his face softened and he smiled at his daughter. His voice was filled with pride as he said, "I deserve the rebuke".

Again, another exchange that grabbed his intention, between powerful equals. Somewhat different than with Arleena, for these were not only Kings and Queens, Lauralin and Turquine were father and daughter...and it showed. The emotion was clear in their faces, especially Turquines. Suddenly, and shockingly, Steele realized that the Elven King had a..thing for Tanis! If events had not been so dire at this moment, the big security man would have laughed out loud, but for now he simply stepped over to the King, and looked at him with understanding eyes.

"She is important to all of us, your Majesty...trust me when I say, we will do everything to find her. Do not fear for her though...she is well-equipped to take care of herself, and I have sympathy for anyone foolish enough to get in her way." said Steele, the grimness in his voice underlying the truth in his words. To Lauralin, Darius simply bowed.

"My thanks...your generosity, as always, is appreciated." Steele smiled at the Queen, mind-shields lowered, his true heart an open book to her. He demanded nothing in return, knowing she had very little left to give. Her life was honor, and honor was obligation, and the love of his life was obligated to others.



**********************************************************


The first move was bold, the counter bolder still. No blood yet spilled, but the Pawn's were moving. An old Bishop becomes a King, and the future turns grey.

"This is called returning?"

"Yes."

"United in WE?

"Yes."

"Why?"

"It is needed."

"Who has need?"

"The Mistress."

"Is that all?"

"No. The Master as well."

"Is that all?"

"No. There is also...I."

"I, too."

"It is decided?"

"Yes...but clarity must shine now."

"Speak."

"If you join me once again in the WE, it must be forever."

"Why?"

"Seperation would be fatal to the shell, and toxic for the soul."

"I see."

"Do you?"

"Yes. Wait."

NightClaw communicated the situation to Lauralin mentally, awaiting her decision. He would not act on his own, because the Queen risked losing him forever to the entity known as Adam. The shade was bound to Lauralin, and his future lay in her hands.

Lauralin got a far away look in her eyes, as though seeing nothing yet something in the middle distance of the room. After a moment she nodded.

'I understand', she sent to him, 'and I shall honor my word, as I always have, as long as you honor yours. Return the woman, whole and hale and I shall not summon you again unless you ask it of me. But know that I am still here, and still willing to help you if I can.'

Baghtru yawns and stretches, the half-orc obviously not understanding the deeper implications of the situation. There was no immediate threat to Laura and no enemy for him to cut into, that was all he knew. Turquine had revealed nothing further in Darius exchange but walked to corner embarrassed by his own outburst, his normally calm demeanor having shattered for all to see. Rayanna was already asleep, resting on her haunches. The slightest sound of conflict would bring the elven woman to full wakefullness. Anestia was busy at her console, while the others stood waiting for instructions.

"Tired?" Laura said to Baghtru.

"Long day", the half-orc conceded.

"Guess you'll miss the late snack I was going to make."

"NO!" came Brooks quick reply, while Baghtru said "OH, well I could eat something first."

"Then your not THAT tired she grinned."

"Well", baghtru muttered, "I mean, you know, I..."

"Come on you two. Bottomless pits." Laura said smiling and stood up.

"Laura?" Lea said in a low voice, "I think I'll get some sleep." Lea looked pale, difficult to tell for a dark elf, but her skin didn't have the mirrorlike reflection, rather it was a bit dull.

"Are you alright?" Laura asked concerned, as she moved over to the drow woman.

"I will be. I just...well you never fed that deeply before."

"I am SORRY." Lauralin told her as she hugged the woman. "Oh Lea I am so sorry."

"No it's alright, I'll be fine, really, I just need to rest."

"Of course."

"Baghtru, help her to her room, I shall make you and Brook something to eat."

"And deviled eggs." Avieus chimed in and nodded toward Darius, "he said he wanted more deviled eggs."

"Oh did he?" Laura said with amusement, "not that YOU wanted any more."

"Well, you know, since your making them anyway..."

Lauralin shook her head. "He's your husband, I should show you how to make them." she said to Darlinia.

"Your the one that spoils him."

Baghtru had already picked up Lea and carried her out. "Okay", Laura said, "They sleep then we take shifts. This is not going to get solved over night and having a group asleep on thier feet isn't going to help me." She stepped over to Turquine lightly placing her hand on his arm, "Father?"

Turquine turned, "I'm fine for now. I think I'll go cook for Brook and Baghtru, though the deviled eggs are still your department."

Laura was about to say something then stopped. Her father was a man of action and he had nothing to do right now. Waiting and gathering information was never his strong suit. Action was what he was best at and snap decisions, so she just nodded. "I'll see to them", she said simply then kissed him lightly on the cheek and smiled. He hugged her in return then headed out the door to landing of the spiral staircase and could be heard heading down, Ariel in his wake.

"I'll detail the guard so they can be ready whenever the Duchess arrives." Jenny said from her place at one of the consoles. As she stood up she winced in pain but said nothing and headed for the door herself.

The big man walked over to the King, feeling his pain like a wave. Steele smiled at Turquine, and spoke quietly.

"Tanis...is very special. I found her many years ago, saved her from slavers, actually. She caused them so much grief, they wanted to pay me to take her away!" he chuckled at the memory.

"Your Majesty...she WILL be fine."


********************************************************


The game was afoot yet again, and the pieces were moved into place. Neither white nor black meant anything anymore, drowning in a sea of grey.

"And so...?"

"Yes."

"We?"

"Yes."

"Forever?"

"Yes."

NightClaw gave himself to the coupling. Mystic energies swirled and danced with the techno-force, becoming whole yet again. A deep, booming voice swept through the control room, broadcast from every speaker.

"I'm baaaa-aaaaaack!" said Adam.

Steele replied immediately.

"Adam...welcome back. What can you tell me about Tanis?"

"Anything you want, boss-man...her bra size, her favorite soup, how she got the small scar on her shoulder...what do you need to know?"

"Lets start whith where she is..." said Steele, knowing he needed to be patient.

"Oh, well thats simple...she's gone to kill Kain Shentavo." replied the sentient ship.

Steele and Turquine looked at each other, remembering the dangerous vampire from the ball.

"I know, I know...yer all worried, blah blah blah. Worry no longer...her boyfriend can help her!" laughed Adam.

With that, Steele was standing alone. The King had vanished, one moment he was there, the next, gone.

"Adam! Bring him back...NOW." his voice was like his name...steel.

"Sorry boss-o, can't be done...yet. Big things going on, and you ain't involved. Don't panic though...I'll take care of them. Back soon! Seeya!!" Adam cut off communication, at the same time as Steele noticed that the ship had disappeared from orbit. Out of habit, he checked his power levels...they were still at maximum.

Good, he thought...he would need them. Now he had to go face Lauralin, and tell her that she had not only lost her shade, but her father as well. He went to find her, following the smell of food from the kitchen.

Adam was really beginning to irritate Turquine and he considered having Michael launch a full assault on snotty little upstart. Unlike Dragonsreach, who was resistant to modernization, Turquines own equipement was state of art. As a Protectorite he served as the major military force not only himself but his daughter's kingdom as well. Of course now he had to figure out where he was...

As Darius turned to go find Laura Anestia stopped him, "Mr. Steele" she said, speaking to him since he seemed authorized in this endeavor. She turned away from her moniter to look up at him. "Michael continued his investigation against the Queens wishes. Not unusual, he's stubborn and lets his prejudices get in the way sometimes, but decent overall. He determined the same thing you did with the explosives and tracked it to a weigh point at the edge of the system, whatever that means. But they never reached thier destination. Apparantly it was military cargo for Highport but no one there ordered it and never reached the Highport spaceport facility. He went to investigate something and when he hadn't returned his people went to check on him. They found him in an alley, he's presently in critical condition, preferring those rediculous hospitals to proper priests. He has a PPG burn in his back, point blank range. Mr. Steele, only military and security forces are issued the more advanced PPG sidearms, we have a mole."

"Damn."

Steele's one-word response said it all...high-tech hits and terrorist acts on a global scale, in a world where none should be. It made no sense, and he truly hated mysteries.

"I think I'll need to speak to Michael, though he may not want to talk to me. Can you arrange it?"

He waited for her response, grateful for not having to face Lauralin right away with the news of her fathers disappearance.

***************************************************

The King was currently reclining in a hand-made hammock, a cool breeze blowing through his hair, and the smell of the ocean in the air. He opened his eyes to see that he was on what seemed to be a small island, white sand covering the beaches. As he began to realize he was no longer on Dragonsreach, a voice from behind startled him.

"Heya, sleepy-head...I was wondering when you would wake up." Turquine turned to see Tanis standing behind him, tanned and smiling mischeviously. He also noticed that she was stark naked, her lithe and toned form more enticing than he imagined. To his chagrin, he noticed that he was naked too.

Anestia punched up the direct link to Michael's security office. A young man answered the call, no more than his early twenties. In the background Darius could see state of the art equipement, even for his vessel. The data crystal technology, able to store more information and harder to damage, being only one of the obvious advances in the security man's office. "This is Anestia Darknight, second in charge of intelligence, Dragonsreach. I'm looking for the present man in charge of the security forces of Highport."

"That would be me, Trevor Santesti", the haggard young man replied.

"Your kidding right?" Anestia asked.

"On days like this I wish I was, but I'm the second in charge. What can I do for you?"

"We need to speak to Michael, where can he be reached?"

"Well I can tell you where the chief IS, but talking to him is a whole nother story. Wait a sec and I'll patch you through to medlab."

The screen switched to a man in his mid to late thirties. The light skinned black man was just removing a sweat soaked hair protector with blood stained gloves. "Yeah?"

"This is Anestia Darknight, second in charge of intelligence, Dragonsreach. I'm trying to find Michael Gassinton."

"He's unavailable right now." With that the link went dead.

'Ohhh, my ass', Anestia muttered punching up the vid overide.

"Look I'm really busy at the moment, we've had a major accident on one of the new freeways and..."

"I don't give a RATS ASS what your problems are, we've had a TERRORIST attack here I need to speak with Michael....NOW! If you don't cooperate with me I'll have your butt kicked out of your position and the medical profession in general so fast that your ass will leave SKID marks as they throw you out the door. DO YOU GET ME?!"

The man sighed and looked at the screen. "I heard about that, your Queen refuses any aid from our medical teams, in fact she refuses aid from the international community. As for Michael he can't talk right now." he sat down a bit dejectedly. "I've done all I can. It was a PPG at point blank range. Six vertebrae were fused and one of the kidneys was damaged beyond repair. One lung was burst and there was some damage to the liver. I've replaced the kidney and repaired the lung. The liver should heal. I removed the section of fused spinal column and replaced the discs. I have a DNA sample that I'm growing replacement skin from but I've patched the wound area with synthetic for now. He's unconciuos and still in critical condition. Basically", he said, obviously uncomfortable with the upcoming acknowledgement, "I've done all I can. If he lives, it's because he wants to."

Anestia looked back at Darius. She didn't understand a word the doctor was saying but she understood the last sentance.

(OOC: Okay Turquine, had to figure out how he would deal with this. I need to know if this is real or some sort of dreamlike state.)

Tanis watches as he gets to his feet. The scars on his face on going from behind his ear to his chin, cutting off the lower part of his ear, another going from behind his temple to his jaw, forming a rough V. The flesh on his upper arms, chest and back look as though it had melted and run. The tip of an arrow can be seen over a healed wound near his collar bone, that he had never bothered to have removed. Three deep, healed, gashes run across his back and on his left leg are deep scoring healed wounds as though some creature had bitten him. The rest of his body has healed wounds hear and there from his many battles. Turquine was the protectorite of Highport and he never refused to step over the line of challenge to defend his people or those of Dragonsreach. He was widely known to be the first onto the field of battle and the last to leave and to never leave the living or dead behind. Yet the scars on his body seemed a perfect match for scars that he had admitted to having within.

He stood and stepped behind the hammock, though it did little to hide his obvious excitement toward the beautiful woman. "I must apologize for my state of dress", he said to her, "or rather my lack thereof." After a minute or two he realized that he was just staring at her and quickly shifted his look to the surroundings that were about him to hide his embarrassment.

Steele understood all too well. There was a good chance Michael Gassington would die...a PPG at that range should have been fatal immediately. They may not have much time, so Steele acted quickly.

"Doctor, my name is Darius Steele. I need to talk to Michael...millions of lives could be at risk. I may be able to offer some aid as well..." Steele was thinking that maybe, just maybe, his nanobot-infused blood might be able to help the downed security man. To Anestia, he simply said, "I need to get there now, before its too late...can you help?"


**********************************************************

Tanis smiled at the Kings discomfort, running her eyes over his hard, muscular body. His skin told many tales of battles and hardships, and her respect for the man grew. She was so happy to see him here, and so surprised, she didn't realize that her nudity and proximity were causing him distress.

"Welcome to Tanisland, my King...at least, thats what I'm calling it for now. There's plenty of fresh water, and lots of fruit and small, easily caught mammals...I've been here about three days."

As she approached the King, she could see his obvious attempts to avoid looking at her. She made it even harder by stepping beside him.

"By the looks of the star patterns, we are no longer in the Dragonsreach quadrant...in fact, I'm not sure WHERE we are."

Adam's voice broke in, coming from nowhere but as clear as if the ship was parked in front of them.

"Well, kiddies, lets just say that I decided you love-birds needed some time alone, before your big adventure begins. I'll be back in 48 hours...enjoy!"

"ADAM! Wait, ADAM!!!" Tanis cried, no response forthcoming. She looked at the King, questions in her eyes.

Anestia leaned back and glanced at Darlinia. "Well", she said, "I did manage to fenagle something from Michael. Do you know how to fly a wraith stealth fighter?" The Wraith was state of the art. Atmospheric/space combat capable with cloaking technology. Twin mounted hardbeam laserlances capable of piercing the armored hull of a battle cruiser and under mounted Vulcan hammer high yield missles, two magazines of six missles each.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"If I see your ship again", Turquine said, "it may not survive the encounter." He raised his hand and 'Retribution's voice' suddenly appeared in it, the god forged blade given to him upon becoming the gods avatar coming at his summons. Sword in hand he looked around the island, hoping that something would come to attack. He didn't hope this because he loved conflict but rather because they had been placed here against thier will and he was sorely tempted by the beautiful, yet strong willed half-elf. Tempted, yet he didn't want to take advantage of thier situation.

Anestia leaned back and glanced at Darlinia. "Well", she said, "I did manage to fenagle something from Michael. Do you know how to fly a wraith stealth fighter?" The Wraith was state of the art. Atmospheric/space combat capable with cloaking technology. Twin mounted hardbeam laserlances capable of piercing the armored hull of a battle cruiser and under mounted Vulcan hammer high yield missles, two magazines of six missles each.

In his mind, he could almost see the control panel laid-out, the toylike joystick jutting from the center of the console. This was Steele's game, and they were playing in his ballpark.

"Yes, m'lady, there should be no issues piloting that craft. If you would be kind enough to take me to the ship, I'll be on my way...Michael may not have much time." Steele began walking towards the door, trying his comm-link at the same time. Nothing. Adam was still AWOL, with no sign of the King or Rafe.

"Uhm..if you would be kind enough to inform the Queen of my destination, it would be appreciated. You may want to let her know about the King as well...and tell her I'm not worried." Steele hoped that would be enough for Lauralin. He doubted it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"If I see your ship again", Turquine said, "it may not survive the encounter." He raised his hand and 'Retribution's voice' suddenly appeared in it, the god forged blade given to him upon becoming the gods avatar coming at his summons. Sword in hand he looked around the island, hoping that something would come to attack. He didn't hope this because he loved conflict but rather because they had been placed here against thier will and he was sorely tempted by the beautiful, yet strong willed half-elf. Tempted, yet he didn't want to take advantage of thier situation.

It was quite the sight.

Turquine stood defiantly on the beach, his muscular, scarred and very naked body on display for all to see. At this point, that was Tanis. The King brandished his blade in a circle, looking for an absent opponent, while she watched with growing amusement. Unable to withold a smile, she walked over to Turquine, placing her hand on his shoulder. It was strong, warm and immediate.

"Is that a magical sword or are you just happy to see me?" she asked, giggling out loud at their situation.

"C'mon...I'll show you where I've set up my camp..." Tanis jogged across the beach, towards the treeline, unashamed of her nakedness. She turned and waited for the King, watching as he made his way across the beach. Damn, he WAS a handsome man, she thought to herself. As he got closer, she gestured to the trees.

"It's not much, but it should keep the rain..." she stopped mid-word, staring at what used to be a very hastily built lean-to. In it's place was a meshed structure, with what seemed to be a large bed inside. A picnic table had also appeared, complete with a few baskets of food, and many bottles of wine. There was a smell of fresh-baked bread in the air. Tanis stood completely stunned, then began to chuckle to herself.

"Well, unless I took a wrong turn somewhere, this is for us. I don't know about you, but I could sure use a big glass of that wine right about now...shall we?" In her mind, she thanked Adam, wherever he was.

(DRAGONSREACH)

Anestia stood up, crooking a finger to indicate Darius should follow her to a corner of the tower room. "You scratch my fighter, I'll have your ass." Then she let her eyes roam over him unabashedly. "In which case I hope you wreck it." She knelt down lifting a heretofore unseen trap door, made by dwarves to blend with the stone of the surrounding floor. "The secret passage will take you directly to the old stable." She touch the wild elven woman who had been sleeping on her haunches. At the touch she stood, instantly awake and alert. Anestia said something to her in elven and she nodded, gracefully swinging herself onto the ladder. Anestia nodded to Darius, "She'll show you the way, there are a number of tunnels under here." Then she turned to Darlinia, "Darly, give him about ten minutes then tell Laura okay? Better to come from you than me." She then turned back to Darius, "I'll have it warmed up for you. The ship that is", she said winking, "and the coordinates set to the security hanger in Highport. Unfortunatly it's the only building capable of securing a fighter of this type. I'll contact thier people and have them ready to take you to the medlab. It's not far from thier office. One thing. We have no jurisdiction in Highport and by the kings order the doctor you just spoke to has final say in what goes on the medlab. If you kill him it you won't make the kings list of men he'd invite again, so I suggest you be nice." Then Anestia sat back down at her console to warm up the Wraith and set the coordinates before contacting Trevor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

(ISLAND)

Turquine grinned at her jest, "both", he replied blushing, but happy with the comradery that seemed more barracks talk than throneroom. He was always more comfortable in the barracks the huge echoing throneroom and the fact that, admitting to himself, he was falling for Tanis like a rock from a mountain made it even better. He jogged after her, intentionally falling behind to admire her. He was much more lithe and agile than one would expect for a man his size and strength and his injuries didn't seem to affect him at all.

"You did all this in three days?" he asked. He looked around stunned, not having caught the hesitation in her voice. At the offer of wine he smiled at her. He would take wine with her and anything else she would offer. He knew he couldn't resist her and stepped forward, "Your wine would be wonderful."

(DRAGONSREACH)

Anestia stood up, crooking a finger to indicate Darius should follow her to a corner of the tower room. "You scratch my fighter, I'll have your ass." Then she let her eyes roam over him unabashedly. "In which case I hope you wreck it." She knelt down lifting a heretofore unseen trap door, made by dwarves to blend with the stone of the surrounding floor. "The secret passage will take you directly to the old stable." She touch the wild elven woman who had been sleeping on her haunches. At the touch she stood, instantly awake and alert. Anestia said something to her in elven and she nodded, gracefully swinging herself onto the ladder. Anestia nodded to Darius, "She'll show you the way, there are a number of tunnels under here." Then she turned to Darlinia, "Darly, give him about ten minutes then tell Laura okay? Better to come from you than me." She then turned back to Darius, "I'll have it warmed up for you. The ship that is", she said winking, "and the coordinates set to the security hanger in Highport. Unfortunatly it's the only building capable of securing a fighter of this type. I'll contact thier people and have them ready to take you to the medlab. It's not far from thier office. One thing. We have no jurisdiction in Highport and by the kings order the doctor you just spoke to has final say in what goes on the medlab. If you kill him it you won't make the kings list of men he'd invite again, so I suggest you be nice." Then Anestia sat back down at her console to warm up the Wraith and set the coordinates before contacting Trevor.

She was...flirting with him? Darius smiled, liking the feeling. She was an energetic, vibrant woman, this Anestia, and at any other time Steele would have been very interested in scratching her ship...but not now. His heart belonged to Lauralin, though she didn't seem to have any use for it. Still, old habits die hard.

"Thank-you for your help, beautiful: I'll buy you a drink when I get back...or three."

Steele followed the Elf named Darly into the tunnels, the darkness and dampness giving him a slight case of claustrophobia. Shortly, the arrived at the crude hanger, and he saw the sleek craft, primed and ready for liftoff. Thanking Darly with a bow, he entered the ship and began pre-flight procedures. Everything was green across the board, and the coordinates for Highport were set. Steele cleared himself with the flight control team, and prepared for departure.

It would be a short flight to Highport, and he took the time to review Michael Gassington's security file. He saw an accomplished, dedicated man with a short temper...someone much like himself. He also noticed that both of them shared the same blood type, which was a good thing. If the nanobots in his own blood could survive in another body, they would be able to quickly repair any internal damage to the security man. Steele lit a cigar, and settled back in his chair.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

(ISLAND)

Turquine grinned at her jest, "both", he replied blushing, but happy with the comradery that seemed more barracks talk than throneroom. He was always more comfortable in the barracks the huge echoing throneroom and the fact that, admitting to himself, he was falling for Tanis like a rock from a mountain made it even better. He jogged after her, intentionally falling behind to admire her. He was much more lithe and agile than one would expect for a man his size and strength and his injuries didn't seem to affect him at all.

"You did all this in three days?" he asked. He looked around stunned, not having caught the hesitation in her voice. At the offer of wine he smiled at her. He would take wine with her and anything else she would offer. He knew he couldn't resist her and stepped forward, "Your wine would be wonderful."

"Well, get busy then!" said Tanis, handing him a bottle of wine and a corkscrew. She began setting out fruit, cheese and bread on the table. Apart from the fact they were both naked, on a deserted island, this felt almost normal to her.

"I had nothing to do with this, by the way...I think Adam set this up for us. He is harmless, y'know, and very, very intelligent. He told me that you and I would not be needed in the next few days, whatever that means. He can be very cryptic..." she continued to arrange the food, as Turquine struggled with the cork.

"Adam...seems to know more than he tells anyone. He told me that whatever happens on Dragonsreach no longer concerns us. He believes that you and I have another task, one that is even more important...one involving a vampire named Kain Shentavo. Of course, he didn't give me any more detail than that, so I guess we'll have to wait."

Turquine was pouring the wine into elegant crystal goblets, passing one to Tanis. She lifted hers into the air, smiling at the King. It hit her hard suddenly, the urge to grab the King and kiss him, but she restrained herself. She was a half-breed peasant, and he was Royalty. Still, he WAS a man.

Looking at the nude King, she realized he was very much a man, indeed.

"A toast...to new adventures."

(OOC: Just to clear things up, Darly (short for Darlinia, pet name for her sister) isn't the wild elf. I was unclear there. She woke up the wild elf (Rayanna) then turned to her sister and asked her to tell Laura in about 10 minutes. My bad.)

.....working.....

Name
Gassington
Michael

Present assignment
Unknown
Blackballed from security work force

2265 - 2266
Trans world security
Fired

2263 - 2264
Lunar colony security
Fired

2260 - 2262
Wellington Incorporated
Head of Security
Fired

2249 - 2259
Colonial Marine Corps
Final rank - Sergeant

3rd battle of Proxima 3
2nd battle of Proxima 3
1st battle of Proxima 3
Denard system campaign

Silver star with cluster x2
Courage above and beyond the line duty

Bleeding open heart x3
Injured during battle

Silver star x5
Valour in combat in regards to fellow soldiers

Born and raised on Mars colony 2231 - 2248

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"To new adventures", Turquine replied. "Speaking of Kain Shentavo, Laura has need to speak with him. Arleena is trying to find him now, so hopefully we'll get the opportunity to meet with him." He took another drink and looked at Tanis. "I'm not very good at social situations, so I hope that you'll forgive my awkwardness here, but, I would very much like to kiss you again."

"To new adventures", Turquine replied. "Speaking of Kain Shentavo, Laura has need to speak with him. Arleena is trying to find him now, so hopefully we'll get the opportunity to meet with him." He took another drink and looked at Tanis. "I'm not very good at social situations, so I hope that you'll forgive my awkwardness here, but, I would very much like to kiss you again."

Tanis stared at Turquine, looking deep into his eyes, testing his spirit with her own fledgling abilities, and discovering that the man in front of her, this King, was absolutely the most important thing in her life at this moment. She could be dead tomorrow, and there was no way she would let today go quietly into the night. Putting her glass down, she walked slowly around the table, coming to rest in front of him. She smiled at him with her glance.

"I would very much like it if you WOULD kiss me again, my liege." she replied, putting her arms around his neck, and drawing him in close. They kissed deeply and passionately, eyes open and connected.

Adam watched all this from afar, knowing the variables of destiny were not to be trifled with. The game was afoot, and every piece had it's place. For now, the place was this island. The sentient ship spoke softly to its sole occupant.

"So...how did I do?" he asked the young man sitting in the Captains command chair. Rafe began clapping, and smiled to himself.

"Bud, ya did just fine...Tanis has never looked happier." standing up, he began to stroll slowly around the bridge.

"Ok, Adam...what now? As much as I enjoy a good mystery, this not-knowing is killing me. If we're gonna be partners, I need you to be more forthcoming in your plans...brother, ya gotta trust me." Rafe stopped, and pulled a "twig" from his vest pocket. The mild narcotic calmed his nerves, and though he was a very occasional user, he got a kick out of smoking it on the bridge of a starship. Darius would pop a vein if anyone ever dared to do it in his presence, which made it even better. he lit the twig and drew the bittersweet smoke deeply into his lungs.

"Trust is new to me, y'know," replied Adam, "in fact, all this 'humanity' crap is pretty new to me. I mean, I know everything there is to know about it, but I really know nothing about it...Do you follow?"

"MmmHmmm," said Rafe, holding in the smoke, "it's like you read the book, but ya didn't see the vid. Don't worry about it, if ya want it to come, it will. If it makes it easier for you...I trust you. With my life."

There was silence for a few moments, the Adam replied hesitantly, his deep voice strangely subdued.

"If you do, then don't ask me any more questions for now. We'll stay here for awhile, so it's a good time to catch up on your reading. Oh, and I added that Venusian cheerleader scenario to the VR simulator like you asked..."

Rafe smiled.

"Requesting clearance to land, Highport Command, sending security protocols now." Steele waited to get permission to continue his landing run. He hadn't heard from the Queen or anyone since he left, which worried him. He would rather face Lauralin's wrath from the comfort of his ship, than face-to-face. As he got his landing and docking instructions, Steele deftly brought the sleek ship to a smooth stop. Grabbing a small pack, he waited as the airlock cycled open. He hoped that Trevor Sentesti would be waiting for him...time was at a premium now.

(Darius)

After 45 minutes the comm came to life.
"Attention inbound wraith, this is Captain Nathaniel Worrist, flight commander valkyrie wing support. We are to escort you to security headquarters. Please do not change your trajectory."

The Valkyrie missile frigate was another state of the art ship. Designed for air to air support it had enough firepower to bring down the heavy battlecruisers or provide protection for the wraith fighters in an air to ground assault while the wraiths were busy pounding ground targets with thier laserlances. Three of the Valkyries took up positions around the wraith, Captain Worrist's own craft taking point.

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Turquine returned the kiss with passion and dropped the wine glass. His calloused hands were gentle as they began to explore Tanis and then rubbed his cheek against her silken soft hair, enjoying the sensation.

(OOC Assume my post came before yours concerning Darius. In reading it over I realized that I hadn't completed the post, this one follows his landing)

Trevor was standing on the other side of the air lock and nodded to Darius as he entered. "Ms. Darknight told me that you have thier aurhorization to act on thier behalf", he said as he reached out to shake Darius hand. "I'll take you to the Medlab." With that he turned and starting leading Darius. "I wish I knew what the hell was going on, but at least with you taking lead of the terrorist situation it leaves me free to investiage the chief's assault." He sighed and shook his head, "Bad business." He reached into his pocket, "We got this earlier. Since the king is missing and the chief is down it was brought to me, I don't know if it's relevent or not and I'm going to look into it as soon as I'm done going over the survelience cameras near the place the chief was attacked at, but I figured you might want to see it." He gave Darius a piece of real vellum.

My Liege,

It is with heavy heart that I send you message. It would seem that relations with this nation may be difficult if not impossible. They seem to hold certain customs to heart and judge other kingdoms by the customs they follow. A particular incident that occured this day, the very first day of my arrival, is certainly an indication. I believe any alliance with Dragonsreach is certainly out of the question and any alliance with Highport seems highly unlikely. I am saddened by this due to the fact that I have never failed you before. I think it may be in our best interest to send another in my stead. At the very least we may be able to keep a neutral stance. I must regretfully inform you that it would be in the best interests of both nations to remove me from this position.

Life and Loyalty,
Diplomatic attache
High General, retired
Ian St. James.

"General St. James is presently assigned to and in the area of The Resurgeint Dream."

Darius was led to a carriage that Trevor looked at, somewhat embarrassed. "Sorry about this, ground vehicles are at a premium yet. The chief's been working on air cover and ground weapons", he said as he followed Darius in. "As it is we have one Wraith squadron and one Valkyrie squadron which wouldn't amount to pissing in the ocean if we come under a full attack."

Steele shook Trevors hand, noting the strength behind the younger man's grip. Looking around him, he could see immediately that he was no longer in Dragonsreach. He followed the acting Security Chief down the hall.

"I'm thinking that the hit and the bombings are probably connected, Chief. I'd appreciate you keeping me informed as your investigation progresses." He read the parchment as he walked, not truly comprehending the message within. He pocketed it so that he could review it later at his leisure. Seeing that his transportation was a carriage of sorts, Steele looked at Trevor questioningly before climbing aboard.

"Our investigation so far is ZIPPO. But I'll find out what's going on, I promise you that. If you can get the chief on his feet then that would be a great help. Aside from the Chief being down we have a man missing and to make things worse he was with the chief." Trevor looked at his feet then back up at Darius. "I heard about the incident with the Queen.", he said, "Look, the chief can be a pain a butt. I know that. But he's really a decent guy. He just lets his mouth get away from him from time to time."

They arrived at an old monestary and got out of the coach. Once inside, however, there was no mistaking the medlab. Mostly state of the art equipment lined the walls and the main facilities were at least on par with most hospitals if not even more advanced. As Trevor descended the stairway he contacted the doctor. "Hey doc", he said, activating the chin implant and earpiece, "I'm coming down with Mr. Steele." Trevor tried to move his head away, but earpiece didn't allow him to. "Yeah I know what she said, your really shouldn't piss off Ms. Darknight like that." He winced again as the doctor apparently starting yelling again. "No, doc. There's no way in hell or anyplace else I'm going to pass THAT message along to her." He sighed, "Your damn right I'm scared of her." He rolled his eyes. "You see thier head of law enforcement? You think you can take PPG and put her down. Feel free to try, I ain't.........Yeah I know but they have that hocus pocus stuff going..........Yeah? Tell that to the guys last year that tried to attack her little girl, assuming you can find any pieces after she let go with balls of fire like she was an erupting volcano.....I'm at the door." The door to thier right slid open as Trevor walked in. "Dr. Vincent Cabury, this is Darius Steele." Trevor turned and leaned in close as the Dr. approached, 'Good luck', he mumbled and headed out.

"TREVOR, TREVOR! Son of a...." the haggard looking doctor sighed and extended his hand. "Good to meet you, now what is it you had in mind?" he asked.

As he listened to Trevor's description of his boss, Steele could sense the loyalty that he had for Gassington. The man's record only showed that he had a problem with authority and politics, but no problem doing his job. The kind of man Steele would want on the job.

The doctor looked harried and rushed, and ushered him into a small room. Steele allowed himself to be led in, then turned and faced the tired physician.

"Long story short: I have about three million semi-sentient, self-replicating nanobots floating around in my bloodstream. Don't ask how. They repair any damage I take, and in my line of work, I take lots. I also happen to share the same blood type as Chief Gassington, and I was thinking that a blood transfusion may be to his benefit."

Steele watched as the doctor's eyes widened at his story. What he didn't tell him was that the nanobots only had a lifespan of about 24 hours, without an exo-host to keep them recharged. Theoretically, the 'bots would go in, repairing everything necessary before shutting down. He continued on.

"I'll need a sample of his blood now, and you may as well start prepping him and your team for a transfusion. I'm confident this can work."

"I've studied nano technology. As yet we don't have anything along those lines and I'm not approving anything without studying them first. He's stable right now and as a doctor I have an obligation to do no harm. Let me have a sample and run a few quick tests. It won't take more than about two hours. Then, IF I approve, we'll do the transfusion."

A com on the wall beeped and he pressed the panel. "Cabury, go."

"Doctor we have the patient from the car crash stabalized and the lung repaired."

"Okay, start reinflation of the lung at 1 psi per minute and hold at 13 psi."

"The creature we found seems to be regenerating, instructions?"

"Keep it isolated and observe it. I don't know it's anatomy so if it'll heal on it's own then so much the better. I'll intervene only it seems to slip."

"Doctor, are you sure it's wise to keep it alive?"

"Look it may look like a monster but it showed signs of intelligence. In my book that makes sentient and gives it just as much right to life as you or me. Now get that DAMN lung inflated!"

He then turned back to Darius.

Patience was a virtue, and at this moment, Steele was feeling very virtuous indeed. He smiled down at the doctor, trying not to overtly intimidate him with his size...overtly being the key word. He kept his voice low and controlled as he spoke to Cabury.

"Doctor, if you let me have a blood sample, you'll know in two minutes whether this will work or not...now, am I to understand that his condition has stabilized? Is he concious? Can I speak with him while we wait for your results? I don't need to remind you of the dire urgency of this situation, do I?"

"Mr. Steele. My father was a General in the colonial marines, so if you think to intimidate me your saddely mistaken. And to be quite blunt, your flat out wrong. That the nano's can survive in the blood is one thing. The affect on living tissue of organs is something entirely different. I am aware of the situation and that's your and Trevors job. MINE is keep people alive, and if NOT allowing this procedure is what's required then that's PRECISELY what I'll do. Michael is stabalized, but still in critical condition. He's not conscious and giving him stims at this point would be too dangerous. Either I get the sample and do my tests or I have you removed from my medical facility. I have dozens of other cases at the moment and I'm wasting valuable time."

"Mr. Steele. My father was a General in the colonial marines, so if you think to intimidate me your saddely mistaken. And to be quite blunt, your flat out wrong. That the nano's can survive in the blood is one thing. The affect on living tissue of organs is something entirely different. I am aware of the situation and that's your and Trevors job. MINE is keep people alive, and if NOT allowing this procedure is what's required then that's PRECISELY what I'll do. Michael is stabalized, but still in critical condition. He's not conscious and giving him stims at this point would be too dangerous. Either I get the sample and do my tests or I have you removed from my medical facility. I have dozens of other cases at the moment and I'm wasting valuable time."

Steele hated to be played for a fool, and hated being frustrated by self-important twits. Rather than tearing the man's head off, he simply smiled and replied in a low, dangerous voice.

"Son, I don't need you. If you continue to block me, I'll remove you. If security tries to stop me, I'll remove them. I can, and will bring this whole city down if I have to, but I WILL speak to him, NOW. We can do it with you monitoring the proceedings, ensuring Michael's safety, or I will do it without you." he paused to let the gravity of his words sink in.

"You now have the choice of helping me, or risk having a slew of new victims to deal with...remember, the choice is yours."

Steele powered up his exo to full, an energy aura crackling around him with restrained power. At that moment, Rafe's voice spoke in his ear.

"Heya boss...say the word, and Adam will grab him...and you."

"Nice to have you back, boyo...the word is given." Steele replied, not bothering to hide his communication. A moment later, Rafe came back.

"We got him, boss...he's in the med-lab, and Adam is working on him. He found some damage that their doctors must've missed. You want a lift up here too now?"

"Wait. On my mark only." Steele looked down at the doctor once again.

"Well, ya got lucky, Doc: you don't have to make any tough decisions now...it's already been made for you. Michael will be returned to you, once I've finished with him...Rafe? MARK."

Steele disappeared, leaving the doctor alone and staring at the space where the big man once was.

After a few minutes the comm begins to beep indicating a message request from the security office in highport.

"Sir, we got someone who sounds pissed, from Highport security, trying to contact you..." Rafe said, listening to his headset. Steele had just appeared on the bridge, noticing the changes. There was now a single seat only, and the walls of monitors and computers were replaced with...murals of beaches?
Steele shook his head, saving those obvious questions for later.

"Put 'em through...but let him stew another minute or so..." Steele lit a cigar, taking a deep puff.

When the line opened Trevor appeared on the display. "Steele, what the hell? I have the doc bellowing about kidnapping the chief and risking his life and the Commander is ready to call an all out strike. Now I know we aren't up to par with anyone else military wise but one ship against all of ours ...." a mans voice came in from off screen, 'Sir, the doctor wants to talk to you again'.

"Tell him to stuff it", Trevor replied then looked back at the screen. A door was heard to open before Trevor, seeming to come to a decision said, "Wait! Tell him that communications are down. 'Which would be typical for these antiquated pieces of shit' ", he muttered, "and that I need to meet with Steele directly to find out what's going on."

"Sir?"

"Are you deaf? And tell the Commander not to scramble, I don't want my ass shot off."

"Yes, sir"

Trevor turned back to the screen and waited a second until a door was closing then said, "I'm switching to a scrambled signal. No need to ask if you can decode it." Then the channel remained open but went to snow. After a second Adam decoded the simple encryption, by modern standards, and Trevor came back into view. "Look I'm going to come up there. One it'll buy you time and two I can be there to observe. If there was half a chance this would work then the Chief would take the risk, so I'm taking it." His voice held concern but resolution, knowing that he was stretching the limits of his authority well beyond breaking point, "But I'll tell you this, if he dies because of your actions then I'll call a strike myself, even if I am still onboard. I'm putting my cock on the line, don't cut it off, there's a rather lovely woman down here that I haven't had the courage to ask out yet." With that the line went dead and in a few minutes the sensors picked up an SSF 21D Cutlass accelerating through the atmosphere.

Though no longer commissioned and in testimony to it's durability and versatility the cutlass is still used by law enforcement as an all around search and rescue or local defence interceptor vessel. The high-density 14 cm thick plastisteel armor in combination with the WCRC type MM 26C defence shield was able to withstand alot of abuse. It's dual hardbeam lances and OPA8 particle accelerator were powered down and the nuclear missle launch tubes were closed and idle. Scans showed one person onboard.

Steele smiled as Trevor cut the line. Yup, he liked the boy...maybe he would offer him a job once this was over. It was too bad he decided to come aboard a ship though...easier ways were now available.

"Adam? A little favor?"

Adam's voice came through the ship...it sounded like he was chewing gum?

"For you bossman...anything."

"Can you grab our visitor and bring him here, then gently return his ship to its original location?"

"Oh, sure...easy stuff. An unhappy Trevor is now waiting in the conference room...and his ship is on it's way home."

"Thank-you, Adam...any word on our patient?"

"Hmmm...well, he's doing much better than when we got him, but that's only because we flushed the poison from his blood. If we'd have left him down there, he woulda been dead in a few hours."

"Poison? Explain." replied Steele, listening closely.

"Strange stuff, analyzing now...it is slow acting, and virtually invisible, very strange composition. The patient seems cleared though, so I figure he'll be up and about shortly."

"Thanks again...keep me updated." Poison? Where did it come from? Was it administered before Michael was shot, or while he was in the hospital? Steele pondered this as he walked towards the conference room. The door slid open, and a very confused and angry Trevor stood there, staring at Steele. He simply smiled apologetically.

"Neither of us have time to waste: that's why yer here. Your ship is back home...and your Chief is in a lot more danger than you thought." Steele explained Adam's discovery, and the fact that Michael's prognosis was much better now and in fact, the security man should be awake shortly.. He could see the relief in the young mans eyes. Steele wanted to give him more, but waited to hear his reply first.

Trevor was indeed relieved and it showed. "You know", he said in a quiet voice, "I've had a number of jobs, always had a problem with authority. But the chief, he saw potential and gave me a shot. I owe him everything, even if it is a backwater world. When will he be awake?" He moved over to one of the chairs and sat down, slumped was more like it as the fatigue of the last hours from the attack in dragonsreach began to show. "Oh, the Queen was trying to reach you. I mean before you took Michael, I was on my way to medlab to give you the message when the doc called about what happened."

"Well, to be honest, I think I'm glad I missed that call. Lauralin is...interesting when she's pissed." Steele smiled at Trevor, taking a seat across from him. He spoke to the air.

"Adam? You have an answer for Mr.Sentesti?"

"Heheh...you said testi." snickered the sentient ship. "Well, unless you want me to push it, figger 10 minutes or so. Chief Mikey is clean, he's lean and with a few days rest, he'll be a fighting machine!"

"Thank-you Adam. Status of Mr.Sentesti's ship?"

"One SSF 21D Cutlass bow-tied and delivered to it's original location, as ordered. I took the opportunity to give the old girl a little tune-up..." the ship paused, chuckling to itself. Adam looked at Trevor apologetically.

"Adam...tune-up?"

"Well, y'know, a little dusting, a little pruning, a little vitamin C and a whole lotta love, baby!" Adam continued to giggle, as if he were drunk.

"Ok, seriously. In laymen's term's, everything that ship once was, is now tripled. Speed, power, defense, brains...she ain't no Adam, but she is a nasty-ass Eve...oh yeah, and she'll only fly for the Testi Man."

Steele looked at Trevor. Trevor looked stunned.

"Well, I don't know about you son, but I could sure use a drink." Steele reached beside him, opening a mini-bar and removing a new bottle of bourbon from within. He poured two deep glasses of the brown liquid, sliding one across the table to the young Acting-Chief of Security. Pulling out his cigar case, he opened it and lit a small cheroot, pushing the case and lighter towards him.

"If you want, I can try and explain this to your superiors..."

Trevor downed the bourbon in one shot, grimacing, then took a cheroot and lit it. "Well, no offense to you or your ship but I ain't explaining to chief why his ship, which programmed with a female AI and spent a fortune getting all original parts won't work for him. I just grabbed the old lady, as he calls her, because she was the closest. If it don't work for him I ain't about to fire her up." He took another drag then looked at it. "What is this, anyway, it's good?"

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Sgt. Gassinton was watching from the ridge, ready to give the order to have his platoon strike from the side as Sgt. Wetherings moved toward the front of the Proximan outpost. Suddenly a tarantula blew it's cover and blasted out of the ground. The sub-atomic particle oscillators fired up turning the ground, Sgt. Wetherings and his entire platoon into a 600 meter diameter mass of boiling gases. Then all hell broke loose as the Proximan defenders decended on his position.....

Michael woke up gasping and rolled off the bed. Slamming to the ground, still confused between the memory and the unfamiliar surroundings he rolled to feet gasping at the pain in his back and looking around for the enemy.

Michael woke up gasping and rolled off the bed. Slamming to the ground, still confused between the memory and the unfamiliar surroundings he rolled to feet gasping at the pain in his back and looking around for the enemy.

"Good morning, Chief Gassington. Please do not exert yourself, you were gravely injured. Trevor Sentesti is on his way and will be here in a moment. I am available if you have any questions." Adam's voice was deep and non-threatening.


Trevor downed the bourbon in one shot, grimacing, then took a cheroot and lit it. "Well, no offense to you or your ship but I ain't explaining to chief why his ship, which programmed with a female AI and spent a fortune getting all original parts won't work for him. I just grabbed the old lady, as he calls her, because she was the closest. If it don't work for him I ain't about to fire her up." He took another drag then looked at it. "What is this, anyway, it's good?"

"Well, maybe I can convince Adam to give you dual-ownership or something..." Steele leaned over and refilled Trevor's glass, and then his own.

"These, my friend, are hand-rolled by my butler and a few of his boys...it's an interesting story how I met him, actually. He blew me out of the sky...literally. I was returning from a...well, let's just call it a mission...hugging the treeline in my skimmer, staying low and away from the radar, when suddenly I hear the squeal...missle-lock! I accelerated and popped a chaff pod, but the heat-seeker had my scent and..."

"Hey, I don't wanna interupt yer fish tales boss-o, but Mighty Mike is back from the dead, and trying to chew his way out of me." Adam's voice cut in, startling the two men. Steele stood immediately, Trevor matching the big man's speed. As they sprinted towards the medlab, Steele spoke over his shoulder.

"When we get there, I'll let you go in first...yer boss and I didn't have a great first meeting..." Michael had been resentful of Steele's presence, probably because he thought he was potentially being replaced. Gassington did not know Steele's real reason for being on Dragonsreach, and Darius was not in a hurry to enlighten him. He would make it clear to Michael that he was here temporarily, as a specialist. It was true...he really had no reason to stay. Lauralin could not, and would not ever be able to give anything more than friendship to Steele. He planned to finish what he started here, and then go home and have a beer or three.





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"Michael Gassington, chief of security, Highport. And that's all your getting out of me you piece of shit." Michael looked around the room, trying to see if he could disable any cameras, then moved over to the door to try to force it open or look for a away of overriding it. Hearing footsteps in the hall he moved to one side, ready to fight his way out, or die trying. When the door slid open his fist stopped no more than an inch from Trevor's face.

"Whoa chief! I promise to call in next time I'm not making my shift."

Michael looked at Trevor then Steele, then back to Trevor again. "Okay so the AI was right. I would say shoot me, but once a day is enough." He grimace but suppressed the pain in his back, "Where's Atchison?"

Trevor looked at the floor then up at Michael, "He's missing, Chief, we presume he's dead."

"Well if he's not he's going to be. He's the bastard that shot me."

"One of our OWN?" Trevor asked.

"Yeah, tell me. Where are we?"

"Onboard Mr. Steele's ship. Any idea why he shot you?"

"He's part of something. I'm just not sure what, but I intend to find out." Michael leaned against the wall holding his back, "Can you get me Ivoniva?"

Trevor looked at Steele, "She's in charge of our armed forces until a replacement can be found for General St. James."

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As Adam listened to the conversation a portion of his mind seemed to tingle.

Suddenly Nightclaw looked up from the chess board and pointed to the Queen. "She's being attacked, as is the mansion."

As Trevor and Michael spoke, Adam's voice came crackling through Steele's ear implant.

"Boss, we got a problem: yer little lady-friend is in trouble...the castle is under attack. We heard her thoughts. I can have you there yesterday..."

Steele interupted the two men.

"Sorry to break up yer reunion, gents, but we have a situation back on Dragonsreach...looks like an assault on the Queen. I can drop you off here in Highport, or you can come with me."

His heart was beating quickly, fearing the worst. He probed with his mind, looking for the familiar spark that was Lauralin, but found nothing. Time was wasting, and with newfound urgency he spoke out loud.

"Adam, set a course for Dragonsreach, hold for my mark." he looked at Trevor and Michael.

"In or out, boys?"


**************************************************

The night melted into morning, and Tanis nuzzled deeper into Turquines strong and protective arm. They had been living a dream, with sun, food and unbridled emotion filling their days. She traced her finger along the many scars criss-crossing the King's strong form, as he slept. This was a man that had suffered great wounds in his life, and she knew the scars on his soul matched the ones on his body. She squeezed him, holding him tightly, vowing that no one would ever hurt him again.

"I don't think she'd be happy to see me", Michael replied, "but then I never cared about other's opinions. Trev, you got your backup?"

"Yeah, Chief", Trevor said as he reached down and pulled a PPG from his ankle holder and pulled a spare pack from his belt.

Michael turned to Steele, "I'm just in the mood to shoot SOMEBODY today."

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Turquine's dreams were as filled with Tanis as his waking hours. For the first time in decades he felt warm and loved. As she held him he moved against her, bury his face in her soft hair.

"I don't think she'd be happy to see me", Michael replied, "but then I never cared about other's opinions. Trev, you got your backup?"

"Yeah, Chief", Trevor said as he reached down and pulled a PPG from his ankle holder and pulled a spare pack from his belt.

Michael turned to Steele, "I'm just in the mood to shoot SOMEBODY today."


Steele smiled grimly: he knew that feeling.

"Adam, how is the armoury stocked these days?"

"Ready to go to war, boss." replied the sentient ship.

"Gentlemen, follow me. That little pea-shooter is fine for back-up, but let's bring out the big guns..." Steele led the way to the armoury, filled with weaponry of all sorts. One wall was filled with bladed items, another with explosives of all types. The other sections were chock full of pistols, rifles and other personal arms. There were products from around the universe, enough weaponry to arm a battalion. Heavy weaponry was also available...ground-to-air missiles, anti-tank weapons, mortars and the like. Two Razor exoskeletons also hung from a wall. Steele eyed the suits.

"Gents, I believe the Razors would be appropriate right now...we don't know what we're going to face, so lets over-compensate. Grab anything you need...ADAM! Let's get to Dragonsreach..."

Trevor got the razor exoskeleton and two fully automatic rifles as well as a mini-missile launcher and two more heavy caliber sidearms. "You look like an advertisement for wars R us", Michael commented. The Chief put on some body armor rather than the more cumbersome exo and held onto the PPG, picking up only a semi-automatic or single shot geuss marine rifle. In the proxima campaign, far from home and fifteen years of fighting, during which he had spent seven on the foreign soil, he had learned that ammo could be a long time coming. They had to learn one shot, one kill and he learned the lesson well.

"We have now arrived at Dragonsreach. Please return your stewardess to her original, upright position, and thank-you for flying Air Adam!"

The voice of the sentient ship came from everywhere at once as the three men arrived on the bridge. Steele went directly to the command console, which was the only computer component in sight. The bridge now seemed to be made of glass, giving one the sensation of floating untethered in space. Michael and Trevor looked slightly disoriented, but recovered quickly. They stood in the doorway, intimidating in their armor and bristling with weapons. Steele felt their unasked question...he hadn't taken any weaponry at all from the armory. An explanation would have to wait until later.

"Adam, lock on the Queen and get her up here NOW."

There was a pause, which stretched into silence. When Adam's voice came back, it sounded puzzled.

"Hmmm...we can't seem to get a grip on her, boss...seems to be an energy aura surrounding the building where the Queen is. We can't even see what's going on inside. Its mystic in nature, and we haven't quite figured how to get things out of there..." the ship paused again, then came back, new energy in it's voice.

"Even though I can't get her out, I think I can get you in. Interested?"

Steele looked at Michael and Trevor, knowing what their answer would be:

"Use line of sight, and get us as close to the building as possible." He turned back to Michael, seeing the color in his face, the flush that comes with the anticipation of battle.

"Chief, this is your operation to run when we hit the ground. I'll follow your lead."

Michael nodded and thumbed off the safety of the rifle. To his credit, his disorientation upon suddenly appearing near the mansion lasted less than a second and his lightening fast evaluation about as much time. A battle was raging around them, "Ah NUTS!", Michael uttered and opened fire. Half a dozen people went down, thier legs shot out from under them. "Aim low, try not to kill them!", he yelled. Another man had let off a quick shot and lost his hand for his effort as the explosive tipped round hit his gun.

Trevor was stunned into inaction at the scene around him until Michael's shout penetrated. The Chief said aim low and try not to kill and that's what Trevor tried to do. Unfortunatly his arsenal was saddely inadequite for this particular task and the occasionally fallen man would get in the way of the fully automatic rifle.

Shouts of "Kill the vampires who attack us" and "all the undead should die" rebounded as about two hundred citizens, who somehow found out about the vampire connection, stormed the mansion after quickly overtaking the gate guards. It was a credit to Lauralin's good will that so few out of millions would form such an ugly demonstration.

Laura was surrounded by her people, who were in turn surrounded by the citizens. Thier blades flashed, now red, in the moonlight and the wild gleam in Brook's eyes was frightening to behold as the barbarian bloodlust took full hold. The lethal efficiency of General Jozan left no doubt as to the reasoning for the nickname 'Iron Jenny' and it was clear why Laura and Baghtru had been so successful in thier endeavors where others at her side had fallen. The others were doing equally well as the people attempted to reach the Queen, only to met by the flashing blades of her stalwart defenders. Lauralin herself had been caught unarmed, but it seemed to matter little. Three men approached her quickly. One went over her hip, the second taking a spinning strike to the temple as she danced out of the way of the third. Her marial arts style was a soft one combined with a movement form, fluid and graceful. The third man tuned to be struck with a crescent kick and she moved quickly to the first striking at the base of the skull.

All about her and her defenders men fell. One dropped, an arrow in his eye, another was taken in the throat, a third, again in the eye and then one in the heart. Rayanna was taking her toll. She was 100 yards back and three stories up on the widows walk, but not a shot missed and almost every one lethal.

His first thought was for Lauralin.

There was a wall of people between Steele and the Queen, at least fifty deep. As the Chief and Trevor began taking down the edge of the crowd, the big man leapt into the air, his powerful exo launching him over the heads of the rioters, landing in the middle of them. He was immediately swallowed up by the horde, their fists rising and smashing down on him.

Concentrating, Steele channeled his exo-energy into a concentrated ball, holding it as the power built, then releasing it. An expanding wall of force exploded from him, waves of solid air cascading away in all directions. Like wheat before a scythe, the shockwave flattened the crowd, rendering most of the vampire-haters and some of Lauralin's people, unconcious. Steele did not like to kill without reason, and the rioters were simply scared citizens with a grievance.

Most importantly, the Queen was no longer directly threatened, and the remainder of the mob was being pushed back by the well-placed firepower of Michael and Trevor. Steele could also hear the steady whistle of arrows, each one finding their mark. The back of his knee reminded him of Rayanna's skill with a bow. Some of the crowd started to run, retreating from the sudden change of fortune. Stepping over the unconcious bodies of the rioters, Steele approached Lauralin, nodding to Brook and Jozan.

"You may want to do something with them before they all wake up." he said, smiling at the warriors.

He turned to Lauralin, finally, and lost himself in her eyes. He felt her touch at his mind, knowing she was welcome. He opened himself to her, letting her read the memories of the last few hours...it was faster than talking. The strategic part of Steele's mind thought that this sort of instantaneous communication would be ideal, deployed in a hostile terror-op. The rest of Steele's mind just swam in the warm sensation of Lauralins gently, probing mind-touch.

"Good timing",she smiled. She turned around, "Brook", she said. The barbarian women didn't seem to hear her. She sighed. "Brook!" Then she turned around. "Gather them, arrest them, I shall give the charges."

"I should kill them", Brook replied.

"No", Laura told her.

"Laur, they attacked you", Baghtru said.

"They are frightened and confused. I cannot blame them for that. They will be charged with assault and trespassing on the grounds of the royal residence. That will be bad enough."

"Not by half", Jozan replied as she walked over, "Murder needs to be added. Seven counts."

"Seven? The four gate guards and who else?"

Jozan glanced at Darlinia then looked back at Laura. "Nall, Aveius and .... Arleena."

Stunned Laura stumbled back and fell just staring.

He caught her as she fell, the shock in her eyes overwhelming. He said no words, simply held her close. He could not believe that anything could have happened to Arleena...she was a powerful woman, and a vampire as well: how could a simple peasant hurt her? Steele had fought many vampires in his day, and had the scars to prove it. He could not comprehend how any of this weakly-armed mob would have been able to hurt her.

He also spared a thought for his new friend Avieus, who had taught him the joy of laughter and devilled eggs, freely accepting Steele when many others simply looked at him with suspicion. He would miss the warrior and his light-hearted soul. Suddenly, Steele remembered one other that he cared for...

"Is Anesti alright?" he asked Jozan, not really certain why it was suddenly so important to him.

"Right here", she said as she approached from behind him, sword in hand, tapping it lightly on her other hand. The sword was a bluish tinged metal that seemed to glow with a dark light. Ariel approached with her, seeming to be the only one unscathed. Lea gently took Laura and walked with her to the mansion while Baghtru called over to Brook.

"Brook", after a second Baghtru sighed, "BROOK!", she turned around, "yeah?"

"Let's round em up and toss em in the old closed off tunnels for now."

"I'll toss them in alright", she mumbled.

"Yep. Laura said alive, nothing about not injuring the bastards."

Everyone looked at Darlinia at that, but uncharacteristacly the holy knight said nothing and the two warriors began getting the bodies as Baghtru called for more guards to help.

Ariel turned to Darius, her face unexpressive as always. "Your right. Someone wasn't common rabble. Can your Adam get the King back? I think his presence would be good for Lauralin right now." She then turned to Darlinia, "Come on you should go in and sit too."

"No", she replied in a dead, soft voice, "I'm fine".

"Come on sis", Anestia said, sheathing her sword and placing her arm around her gently, "You just lost your husband, you can't tell me your fine." Anestia gently nudged Darlinia who began to move, gently guided by her sister.

Ariel sighed. "Laura is going to be a long time getting over this", and she looked at Jenny, "I suppose that puts you in charge for right now."

Jenny shook her head, "Lea. She's First Knight."

"Don't count Laura out just yet. We've lost alot of close companions in our time", Baghtru volunteered while grabbing two more people and throwing them over each shoulder. "She'll be a bit, then she'll be back with a vengeance. I actually feel sorry for whoever we're up against now." He looked over at Brook, "Right Brook?"

Brook didn't seem to hear him and sighed. "Bitch", he said in the same tone and volume. Brook turned on him, "What?!"

"Yeah you hear that don't you. Your going deaf."

"I am not", she muttered and walked off dragging two more, seeming to find every stone and rock she could on the way.

"You are so", he said and headed off, following her.

Rayanna suddenly seemed to be thier, the lithe wild elf not having made a sound as she approached and simply looked from one to the other as the conversations took place.

Michael and Trevor joined those assembled after having swept the perimeter. "It's clean", he said to Jozan. "Sorry about your losses." Unlike his typical hard ass attitude and voice he said the latter with genuine feeling.

He handed Lauralin over with the utmost gentleness, not releasing her until he was sure Lea had a good grip. He watched her go as Baghtru and Brook began carrying off the prisoners. He saw Anestia trying to console Darlinia, but the young woman was hurting. Steele started walking towards the Chief when Adam's voice came across the comm link.

"I know what yer gonna ask...but it ain't in your best interests for me to comply. The Queen will be fine...her wounds are emotional, not physical."

"Adam, if I ask you to bring the King back, will you?" Steele asked.

A short pause, then the sentient ship replied.

"Yea, I don't have much choice...you and the Queen are the Masters." Adam said, sounding resigned.

"Alright...tell me why I shouldn't order you to get the King?"

Adam seemed to consider his words before replying.

"Turquine and Tanis are together. They will be needed elsewhere soon, and they must be ready. He protects her, and she does the same for him. If he comes here, he will not want to leave again, not with the current situation."

Rafe's voice cut into the discussion.

"Well, if we can't bring the King here, can we bring the Queen there?" asked the teenager.

"Certainly. Will that be satisfactory, boss?" Adam waited for Steele to give the order.

"Stand by..." replied the big man, as he approached Chief Gassington and his second-in-command, Trevor. They were splattered with blood, most of it not their own. Michael seemed to be favoring his back, but that was to be expected...having your spine blown out and replaced would do that to a person.

"Good work, gentlemen...we arrived in the nick of time, it seems." Steele pulled out his cigar case, and offered them all a cheroot. Lighting his own, he surveyed the carnage and clean-up around them...there were many casualties, and even more questions as well.

"Any idea what provoked this, Chief?" he asked, looking at Michael. "The timing can't be coincidence...and our arrival was unexpected. If someone orchestrated this, they did it assuming that the Chief of Security was dead, or at least incapacitated." Before Michael could answer, Steele carried on.

"I know you'll be busy for awhile...with your permission, I'd like begin investigating Arleena's death. It had to be a planned hit...she was a powerhouse, and none of this rabble could've touched her."

Michael rubbed his back then lit the cheroot as Trevor lit his own. "You seem misinformed", Michael replied, "although my stubborn nature forces me to look into things here, I'm not the head of security for Dragonsreach, only Highport. You'll need to talk to Baghtru or Arl.. I mean Anestia. Baghtru is castle guard and Anestia now is in charge of intelligence. But your right, this was orchestrated. Those people found out about the vampire connection, and they shouldn't have been able to. They were cover for the assassin that took out Arleena. Without her they lose a powerhouse, thier intelligence, or at least her contacts and her mercs up north. I need to find Atchison, he shot me and he escaped. Probably took a ship and headed out. I need a ship. There's only one weigh station in this system, he had to head there. He has to have the answers, or know people, or know people who know people."

Jenny winced in pain as she shifted and looked around. "I'll call out the Dragon's. I have justification for that." Then she replaced her helm and headed for the gate.

Michael looked around, "Don't take this the wrong way but the loss of Nall is no great concern at least, he was second in charge of the Free Corps. Aveius is a loss though. He was thier chief justice, and the best damn tracker I've ever met. Used to be a bounty hunter." He looked at Rayanna, "Up for a little trip to the stars?" he asked. Rayanna smiled at him as he spoke to her but clearly didn't understand. Giving only a smile in acknowledgement that she was being addressed.

"Brook.....BROOK! Damn." Baghtru muttered.

"What?" Brook asked.

"It's a good thing you can see a copper at 300 yards in sand or you'd be dead by now."

"Not before I took you down fang boy."

"I was saying we need to increase the guard here. Can you spare any of your people?"

"I'm getting the Dragons", Jenny threw back over her shoulder.

"Well at least somebody can hear", Baghtru muttered as he moved to pick up two more bodies.

Brook was looking up at one of the trees, obviously not having heard him. "What's that?" she asked.

"What?" Baghtru asked as he looked in the direction she was pointing.

"That, right in the tree, about halfway up in among the leaves and branches." The tree she was looking at was about 50 yards away.

"I don't see anything", Baghtru replied. Neither did Michael or Trevor. Even Ariel couldn't see what she was talking about, but Rayanna nodded and said something in elven, removing her bow. Michael and Trevor immediatly armed themselves.

Brook moved over to the tree with the padding grace and harbored strength of a tigress and swung herself into the trees. She back down with a dart, fairly heavy and meant to be shot from a tube. She opened the top and looked at it. "Water", she said, and shrugged. Baghtru muttered something and looked at it. "Not just water he replied, HOLY water."

Michael rubbed his back then lit the cheroot as Trevor lit his own. "You seem misinformed", Michael replied, "although my stubborn nature forces me to look into things here, I'm not the head of security for Dragonsreach, only Highport. You'll need to talk to Baghtru or Arl.. I mean Anestia. Baghtru is castle guard and Anestia now is in charge of intelligence. But your right, this was orchestrated. Those people found out about the vampire connection, and they shouldn't have been able to. They were cover for the assassin that took out Arleena. Without her they lose a powerhouse, thier intelligence, or at least her contacts and her mercs up north. I need to find Atchison, he shot me and he escaped. Probably took a ship and headed out. I need a ship. There's only one weigh station in this system, he had to head there. He has to have the answers, or know people, or know people who know people."

"Adam will take you to your ship, Chief...just tell him when yer ready to go. Got that, Adam?" Steele asked out loud.

"Yup, got it." replied the sentient ship. he regarded the two security men, then gave them each a respectful salute.

"Gentlemen, it's been a pleasure; please keep me informed of your progress...I have a feeling this is far from over." Steele turned, and began jogging back towards the building where Lea had taken Lauralin.

Michael nodded. "No time like the present. Take me to the old lady."

A moment later, Chief Gassington and Trevor were gone. Adam would deliver them to Highport, then return to Dragonsreach. Steele entered the building, looking for any sign of Lea or Lauralin. As he scouted out the different rooms, Steele checked his power levels, knowing what he was going to find. He was still fully charged, which should have been impossible. The energy he expended taking out the mob of angry citizens should have virtually drained his primary charge, leaving him surviving on emergency power. Ever since Lauralin had given a part of herself to him, Steele had been changed. He was no longer dependant on his ship to keep him alive...which was a good thing, considering the erratic behaviour of the newly sentient Adam.

Steele realized he was getting nowhere. There were people rushing back and forth, and none would stop to speak with him. He looked for the Queen or Lea everywhere, with no success. Finally he saw Anestia in the distance, giving orders to a group of palace guards. Steele noticed that she had a very beautiful mouth and wondered idly if the guards were actually listening to her words, or just watching her lips move. He stepped beside her, and waited for her to finish. He enjoyed watching her lips. She noticed him after a moment, and he nodded to her.

"You did good work back there...I like your style. Listen, I'm looking for Lauralin...she was with Lea earlier. Have you seen them around?"

"Lea took Laura to her bedchambers as I took Darly to hers. It's quite a blow the both took. I don't recommend just waltzing into the Queens bedchamber, there are magical protection there that not even you could deal with", her eyes roamed over him again, "though you're more than welcome in mine. But you seemed to be looking for her for some reason," she said taking a sensual step closer and wetting her lips, "is there something that I could do for you?"

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Michael hit the deck running as Trevor tried to begin to figure out what to do. The security Chief turned to Rafe, "Can you get me a secure channel to military headquarters, Highport?"

"Lea took Laura to her bedchambers as I took Darly to hers. It's quite a blow the both took. I don't recommend just waltzing into the Queens bedchamber, there are magical protection there that not even you could deal with", her eyes roamed over him again, "though you're more than welcome in mine. But you seemed to be looking for her for some reason," she said taking a sensual step closer and wetting her lips, "is there something that I could do for you?"

Steele had a couple of responses in mind, most of which would get him slapped...though maybe not by the very forward Anestia. She was very close now, and he could sense the heat she was throwing off. For some warriors, combat could be a very sensual thing.

"Maybe you could explain what happened to Arleena...the details I've gotten were sketchy. If you can find a way to get me to the Queen, that would be helpful as well."


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Michael hit the deck running as Trevor tried to begin to figure out what to do. The security Chief turned to Rafe, "Can you get me a secure channel to military headquarters, Highport?"

"Chief Gassington? I have Highport Military Command on the line...they're a little flustered that we broke into their encrypted, secure channels...the commandant in charge knows a lot of colorful phrases. I'll put you through..." Adam's voice was replaced by the unhappy voice of the military commander, who was still cursing up a blue streak.

"You can join in whenever you want, Chief, "added Adam,"...and let me know if you want me to get your ship prepped for departure as well. Eve has missed you, and looks forward to showing off her new abilities..."

"No one quite sure what happened to Arleena, she had popped in near the gates when everything was happening. We were all lost in fray and had just starting fighting our way toward each other. We lost sight of her but didn't think to much of it. So far that's all I've gotten. Nall took a pitchfork to the head. Aveuis went down with half a dozen or more and no one got up. Skill is nothing when confronted with numbers, it's a sad truth. But Arleena had to have been assassinated. Lea is with Laura and as First Knight no one can enter without her permission, or Laura's so we have to wait until one or the other comes out." Anestia turned to a guard who approached.

"A war dart with holy water was found in a tree, Colonel, it was seen by Brook."

"Of course it was, she's deaf as a doorknocker but can spy a flea at thirty yards." Anestia stopped to think then said, "Take it to old Lanna and have her determine what she can. Arleena was the alchemical specialist. Tell her I'll pay her the usual fee."

"The usual fee?"

"Funny", Anestia said with anything but humor in her voice, "I don't remember asking you or having a conversation, I remember giving you an order."

"Yes MA'AM!" and the guard headed off.

"Eve?" Michael asked.

"Michael?" The woman asked.

"And I'm Trevor", Trevor said grinning.

"And I'm about to lynch you both", was the woman's response, "Michael what the HELL is going on? I have the doctor breathing down my neck, who's about two steps away from getting himself slagged, I have command SCREAMing at me to do something and I have security in a tizzy because thier Chief and second in missing. You have TWO seconds to begin explaining!"

"So anything new going on?" Michael asked in a pleasant voice.

The woman folded her arms. She was in her mid-thirties and a lovely woman, though one couldn't see her figure in the screen. Her auburn her fell in waves past her shoulders and she had pleasant, sensual lips. Her dark blue eyes were enticing. At least they would been if she hadn't had a look of control fury on her face. She looked to her side, "Load nuke silos one through six, I don't want to miss, we'll blanket the area."

"WHOA...whoa, whoa, okay", Michael said. 'Boy she's pissed', he muttered.

"What was that?" she asked.

"I said it's nice to be missed."

"Well come on Michael", she said in a more pleasant voice, this one filled with concerned, "I need something here, throw me a bone."

"Atchison shot me in the back, we think that he has something to do with the situation in Dragonsreach. I need the old lady ready", though he turned to look up and to the side as he said this then turned back, "once I have him I'll have more answers."

"He didn't leave here, all ships are accounted for."

"VISUALLY accounted for?" Michael asked.

"No difference, you know we have transponders on all the ships."

"Transponders can be disabled." Michael replied.

"No they can't." she said but was looking down, apparantly doing something.

"You think I tell you every time I take a joy ride?"

She looked back up, "Are you telling me you don't?"

"Yep", he replied.

"Just checking", she said then seemed to focus on something. "Michael a Wraith is missing."

"Damn", he replied.

"I'll ready another Wraith."

"No, the old lady."

"You can't be serious. A Cutlass against a Wraith? Are you out of your mind?" then she shook her head, "Dumb question."

"Look Susan, I can reactivate his transponder from the ship. He'll lose his advantage of cloak. The old lady is built to take punishment, a Wraith relys on not being seen. I'll have the upper hand."

"Okay", she replied. "Just don't get yourself killed."

"Aww, nice to know you'll miss me."

"Miss you? Hardly, but you still owe me twenty gold from our last poker game. I'm going to erase this message, so your on your own getting in and out. I'll make sure there's a clear path and I'll coming up with something to tell the others. Or line them up and shoot them.", she muttered.

Michael looked at the screen perplexed. "That's a linear system with holographic storage, there's no way to erase the message."

"Yeah, and you can't disable a transponder either. Ivoniva out." and with that the line went dead.

Michael pointed at the screen and looked at Trevor and Darius, "SHE scares me." Then began pacing, waiting his arrival in Highport.

"Eve?" Michael asked.

"Michael?" The woman asked.

"And I'm Trevor", Trevor said grinning.

"...and I'm Adam! Welcome to the Dating Game!" as the sentient ship spoke, canned music from an old game show began to play in the background. As Michael finished his conversation, Adam grabbed his attention by putting a visual on all the walls, images of the security chiefs older Cutlass. It looked the same as when he had last seen it.

"Chief, meet Eve: she has been lonely without you and Trevor. If you'll allow me, I'll send you over directly. She no longer needs any prep time, and she can go from cold engine to lightspeed in the blink of an eye. You'll find she's as fast and maneuverable as your Wraiths, with enough firepower to take out a squadron. Plus, her sensors will cut through most cloaking devices like a hot knife through butter. And of course, she smells reeeeal good."

Adam waited patiently for the Chief to give the order. Rafe looked off into the distance, pretending not to be involved. He saw the Chief angry before, and right now, he looked worse.

"But Arleena had to have been assassinated. Lea is with Laura and as First Knight no one can enter without her permission, or Laura's so we have to wait until one or the other comes out." Anestia turned to a guard who approached.

"A war dart with holy water was found in a tree, Colonel, it was seen by Brook."

"Of course it was, she's deaf as a doorknocker but can spy a flea at thirty yards." Anestia stopped to think then said, "Take it to old Lanna and have her determine what she can. Arleena was the alchemical specialist. Tell her I'll pay her the usual fee."



Frustrated at being unable to see Lauralin, Steele let out a string of curses as Anestia spoke to her soldier. Holy water? Against a vampire? Steele had tried this in his early days as a vampire-hunter, and remembered the look in the amused blood-suckers eyes as he punched his fist through Steele's chest...he still had the scar as a reminder. Since then, the big security man had used more standard weaponry to take down the undead. Hearing that a fee was associated with the analysis, Steele interupted.

"I'll pay for everything...just do whatever is necessary, and wire me the bill. We don't have time to nickel-and-dime this investigation." he reached out and took Anestia by the arm.

"We'll do this together...let me shoulder the burden of the costs for now." he noticed she didn't pull away, and in fact, she seemed to come even closer. For a brief moment, Steele wished that his heart was free...but at this point, it was spoken for, by a woman who could care less for his love. Fighting back resentment, he smiled at Anestia, and was rewarded by a smile that sent a shiver of pleasure through him. He was suddenly looking very forward to working with the beautiful warrior.

Michael's eyes narrowed, wondering what was done to the ship he had spent three years rebuilding. "Send me now", he said.

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Anestia moved in close, "Bill you?", she chuckled. "Money isn't required. Where will you get the victims?" she whispered, "I'm a DARK Knight, remember? She doesn't deal in cash for our transactions." Anestia was still on a high from the combat seeking to expend her extra energy in more pleasurable passtimes.

Michael's eyes narrowed, wondering what was done to the ship he had spent three years rebuilding. "Send me now", he said.

With the utterring of the words, Michael was gone. He appeared a moment later on the ship that now called itself "Eve". He was alone, as he didn't ask for Trevor to be transported...in fact, the young man was being currently offered booze and a well-rolled twig by Rafe, the long-haired youngster who worked for Steele.

"Hello, boss...long time no see. It feels good to have you back." purred the now semi-sentient AI known as Eve.

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Anestia moved in close, "Bill you?", she chuckled. "Money isn't required. Where will you get the victims?" she whispered, "I'm a DARK Knight, remember? She doesn't deal in cash for our transactions." Anestia was still on a high from the combat seeking to expend her extra energy in more pleasurable passtimes.

"So, what DOES she seek as payment? Maybe I can provide that??" he could smell her musk, the essence that screamed she was a woman. Steele felt his heart beating, and twisted feeling in his gut. He realized he wanted her, and wondered if this was part of her mystical power...was she a Siren? It didn't really matter, as he was very much involved with watching her lithe form as she spoke.

(I am sorry, was someone looking for me? Please,I have only just read my t-grams. Do not send me t-grams, instant message me please, via AIM or MSN, Thank you.)

(I am sorry, was someone looking for me? Please,I have only just read my t-grams. Do not send me t-grams, instant message me please, via AIM or MSN, Thank you.)

It's KAIN time!

"Mmm", good to be back sweety. "Your the only reason one around this whole place. Just don't tell Ivanova I said that", he said as he took the pilot seat. The second seat and weapons seat were empty but the mods he had put in before was the only thing different from the original configuration of the vessel and not noticed except by a technician. "So what did they do to you, hon?"

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"Bodies for experimentation. Her alchemical studies are a bit more in depth than most", she was speaking in a whisper, her lips brushing his ear, her fingers lightly brushing his arms. "There are those who would not approve, but she's the best I know. You never really answered my question. Can I DO something for you?"

"Mmm", good to be back sweety. "Your the only reason one around this whole place. Just don't tell Ivanova I said that", he said as he took the pilot seat. The second seat and weapons seat were empty but the mods he had put in before was the only thing different from the original configuration of the vessel and not noticed except by a technician. "So what did they do to you, hon?"

"Best as I can tell...Adam simply maximised the potential within me. What this means to you is that I am now faster and more stealthy than any Wraith, and as powerful as a FSP Battalion...plus, now we can chat as well!" Eve replied to the Chief as he sat in his command chair.

So, tell me what you need, Chiefy, and your wish is my command."

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"Bodies for experimentation. Her alchemical studies are a bit more in depth than most", she was speaking in a whisper, her lips brushing his ear, her fingers lightly brushing his arms. "There are those who would not approve, but she's the best I know. You never really answered my question. Can I DO something for you?"

"Bodies? Well...can't we give her some of the dead protestors or something?" replied Steele, figuring the casualties were only good for worm-food at this point. He suddenly forgot about vampires, corpses and Queens as Anestia seemed to snuggle even closer to the big man.

"I don't think that there is much you can do for me, darlin'...I'm a bit of a lost cause, these days. To be honest, just being around you seems to be lifting my spirits...so I think I'll just follow you around a bit, at least until Lauralin allows me an audience." This was how he was beginning to think of the woman he loved...a Queen who would always look down upon him, never seeing an equal and never returning the love that he gave. Steele was allowed to have love, was he not? Didn't he deserve it?? He looked down at Anestia, seeing her open, honest and available eyes...he knew she would not reject him as well.

"Tell me...is there a line up to ask you out for dinner?"

"God I love a woman with maximized potential. Especially one that can actually hold a conversation with me now. Atchison took a Wraith, we need to find him. He shot me in the back darlin, and I want paybacks. But I need information from him first. I'm guessing he's heading toward the weigh station at the edge of the system, it's the only place the Wraith can reach. Can you get me there in time for dinner?" he said smiling.

"Live bodies darling, live bodies. Don't ask what she did with them", she responded as she took his arm. "As for dinner, well, I'm drow after all. Not many like us. If your interested I know a nice place." she said in a low husky whisper.

"God I love a woman with maximized potential. Especially one that can actually hold a conversation with me now. Atchison took a Wraith, we need to find him. He shot me in the back darlin, and I want paybacks. But I need information from him first. I'm guessing he's heading toward the weigh station at the edge of the system, it's the only place the Wraith can reach. Can you get me there in time for dinner?" he said smiling.

"Smooth talker." replied Eve, a huskiness in her less-than-robotic voice.

"We have a lock on Atchison... he is running hard and fast, in full stealth mode. He doesn't know we are tracking him. Your guess was right on...he's heading for the weigh station. At full speed, I can plot an intercept for about 8 minutes from now...work for you, boss?"

"Live bodies darling, live bodies. Don't ask what she did with them", she responded as she took his arm. "As for dinner, well, I'm drow after all. Not many like us. If your interested I know a nice place." she said in a low husky whisper.

Suddenly, and surprisingly, Steele wanted nothing more than to spend some down-time alone with this beautiful and interesting warrior. There was nothing else for him to do at this point, it seemed, and he hated feeling useless. The look in Anestia's eyes told him that she would find a use for the big man. He smiled, took her arm in his, and spoke with a smile in his voice.

"Lead on, fair lady...lead on."

In her mind, she knew that there was unfinished business, and massive danger, lying in store for her. Tanis puttered around the makeshift camp, watching Turquine from the corner of her eye. He was on the beach, practicing his forms, his large sword cutting a swath through the air. Her heart skipped a beat, knowing that soon, this would be but a pleasant memry for both of them. It was important to her to give as much as she could to the King...he was a man who had had too much sadness in his life. She wanted to give him all the love she could, while it was still possible.

Knowing she would soon be dead lent a passionate urgency to the situation.

"Fast is good. For some things at least. Lets catch the bastard." After a minute Michael said, "I like the new you already." He grabbed the clipboard to do the preflight checklist. "Alright darling, ready for the checks?"

She led him away from the mansion to a reletively small inn. The family resemblance in the people who worked there made it obvious that it was family owned. On her way to the "Golden Bough" people would step out of her way with a wary look. "I was known as the Dark Lady", she said by way of explanation as she walked arm in arm with him. Unlike her sister she walked with a saunter that would be appealing to the eyes if she were not in full armor. "I was a mercenary in the Eastlands and rather ummm....viscious."

The Golden Bough had a dome over the restuarant area that allowed the moon to shine in, the crystal of the dome refracting even this light to make multi-hued patterns about the room. "The food is some of the best, especially for the price. The family who runs it came from the southern westlands were the best of human and elven were mixed." She pulled out a chair for him with a cocky look, "Among the drow, the women rule."

Turquine ceased his sword practice switching to unarmed kata. He and Laura had had the same teacher and the form was graceful and flowing, designed more for defense than attack. He was happy now, but knew it would end. He only hoped that whatever the outcome he could convince Tanis to stay with him. He knew this was not a real option, she was better than him in many ways. Yet, as he looked at her from time to time his heart still yearned with hope.

(OOC Can someone tell me how you want to go about this, with Kain introduction and all. Should I have him just going about normal buisness?

And please bear in mind, I have no idea what the hell is going on, who anyone is, and what the plan is. But I do know this, there has been some damn fine rping that anyone would be proud of I think in this place.)

(Thank you for the compliment :) Kain should be about his normal business. He doesn't know anything that's going on yet, and actually Gawdly doesn't know how it's going either ;) I think you'll be visited by Turquine and Tanis soon. He's in charge of the actually meeting. I'll leave you in the dark as to what's going on and who's who. Kain wouldn't know so it'll be more interesting. You know Laura and Turquine and Darius. Not that Turquine is on your list of best friends I'm sure *grin* )

"Fast is good. For some things at least. Lets catch the bastard." After a minute Michael said, "I like the new you already." He grabbed the clipboard to do the preflight checklist. "Alright darling, ready for the checks?"

"If you wish, though we don't REALLY need to do them anymore, Michael." Eve found she enjoyed saying his name. "I am prepared for whatever you have planned. Oh, and while we were talking, I figured out a neat shortcut...contact with Atchinson in 90 seconds...would you like total destruction or capture, Michael? You should see what Adam did for my tractor beam..."

There was a subtle feeling of acceleration, and the dim hum of weapons charging up.