NationStates Jolt Archive

Conrad looked at the ambassador quizically and took a sip of tea.

"I detect a little ill-will towards the Captain."

"Men with loud voices should learn not to shout when dealing with elvenkind at all, Advisor. I find the Captain to be admirable at his job, but less than desirable in personality."

The aging advisor chuckled slightly and nodded his head.

"Yes, Captain Lysander is a bit rough around the edges. And he certainly has a loud voice," Conrad agreed. "What did he stop by for, anyways?"

"Apparently to apologize."

"Aaah. Yes, I must aplogize as well," replied Conrad. "I am partially to blame for that. Well, for the incident that he was likely apologizing for, not for him actually apolgizing. I think he did that on his own, believe it or not."

"Did he come here of his own accord, or did you prod him over here?"

"I am quite certain that it was on his own accord. Had I prodded him into it, i wouldn't have been uncertain as to his whereabouts."

"I'm trying to decide whether I'd be doing him a favor by revoking his ability to enter the embassy or not. While you may have been the instigator of his remark, I find hypocritical behavior unacceptable...either he 'cannot stand the sight' of me, or 'quite the opposite.' It is not a game I will play."

She took a sip of her tea, letting the flavor wash through her mouth briefly.

"However, I doubt you've come all this way simply to speak about Captain Lysander."

"Well, that and to make sure that you were doing well here," replied Conrad. "I don't normally worry about the Captain, but I don't see him get this way often...well, never, actually. Even with Snikkit around. Maybe you're just being too hard on him."

"The Captain is not the first man -- human or Drow, or any race, I suspect -- to become unbalanced when faced with an unknown. Perhaps the imbalance will teach him to control his tongue as well as he controls his sword."

"You speak very elequently," complimented the grey-haired advisor. "I do believe that it may well be an imbalance due to the unknown, though I think we are talking about different 'unknowns,' especially in our captain's case." Conrad stood, placing the empty cups back on the tray. "But I digress, you seem to have everything in order. If there is anything you need, I would be honored to arrange it for you."

"I am greatful for the offer, Advisor Conrad, and would be glad likewise to assist yourself or the Lord-and-Master in gathering information from or contacting anyone in Kaymiril, should ever the need arise."

"If you are half as observant as I have come to see that you are, then both of us know that we will surely take you up on that offer," replied Conrad, obviously refering to Kalgar and Anna.

"To be honest," she began, smiling, "I am surprised the offer hasn't already been acted upon."

"Indeed, as am I," said Conrad, also smiling. "Well, I should get going... Although, if you don't mind me saying so," said the advisor, stopping at the doorway, "for having such a strong distaste for Captain Lysander, his words seemed to have bothered you quite a bit...and more than just as an annoyance or simple insult." He turned to head back the way he came.

She allowed him to get out the door and down the hall before shaking her head.

"Emotional games, Advisor...but why, I wonder? And why play them with him, when he is ill equipped to recognise them? Let him be complete in his work. Maybe that way he'll speak the truth more frequently and have fewer outbursts."

IC: And once again, either a large sized drop pod assault force, or Snikkit, happened to yet another random hallway as the explosion ripped through it. It was probably loud enough to cause a tremor through the entire building, but that’s what happens when you shove a chunk of warpstone into a 1957 vintage toaster and press the ‘super-grilled-toast’ button.

And elsewhere in the fortress, Snikkit was poking around where the drow had stayed during their visit to the citadel. It had been thoroughly picked through and readied for its next inhabitants, but the elf-stench was their…

At last, Snikkit chose the very worst time to to cause destruction in the citadel. Lysander, who happened to be strolling along that wing of the fortress was still not in a mood to be messed with.

Instead of running to the location of the explosion, Lysander mearly waited for Snikkit to run from the location. With a strange calm about him, the Captain grabbed the rat by his neck and tossed him into a specially prepared cage.

IC: Son of bitch! How did he get here so quick!?

He tucked his legs up, and with the force strong enough to buckle a land raider's side, he smashed through the cage and took off running towards the embassy...

Tal took the latest set of papers from an aide before looking up and narrowing her eyes.

"Tell security to be on the alert...I sense trouble."

She bowed slightly. "Siyo, alur."

She left the Ambassador to alert security.

IC: Kitt skirted most of the sensors and alarm in his current disguise as one of the space marines until he reached the embassy.

They’d suspect any random space marine walking around. Maintenance? Naw, did that last time…

He stiffened as he picked up the drow’s scent, not her physical one, but her spiritual one. It was wafting out of a tiny hole that served as a ventilation port. He wasn’t even able to stick a power armored finger in their.

He grinned as a low flash of light occurred and continued on into the system disguised as a minute insect.

It was a bitch to do, becoming smaller or bigger than human, but it’d pay off to be able approach from the most unlikely quarter…

About half an hour after security had been placed on alert, the young female cub put her face in the vent. Something was coming.

She pulled her nose out, starting to try and reach in with her paw.

"Asari, alu ulu uns'aa. What are you doing, you silly cub?"

The young cat shook herself and bounded over.

"Put your face in the vent now, and you'll get stuck when you're older."

IC: That…was…close…

He could almost taste her now. He knew she was in the room just below him.

The tiny insect crawled out from the ventilation shaft, and before it even hit the ground a small flash of light filled the air and Kitt was standing before Tal grinning.

“Good day ambassador…”

Talraena narrowed her eyes at the intrusion, magickally nudging the cubs out of the room before their lack of caution could kill them.

"Kitt, seen recently attached to Snikkit, both of The Horned Rat."

He didn't seem right, so she looked at him. Undead. No...oh...oh no. Necromancer. Of all the vile...

"To what do I owe this visit?"

If he wanted to try anything...he'd experience trouble. The only thing preventing her from killing him on sight was her current residency in a foreign nation.

IC: His eyes flashed for a second, going from the red of skaven to a bright violet eye containing a cat-like pupil. It narrowed at it watched the drow’s body closely, observing something. Was it shock? Disgust? Or a disguised attempt to throw him off balance?

“Owe…not much. I’m just here as a favor..”

His hands slowly curled around a part of a sculpture, getting a feel for the drow and their style.

“That was exciting wasn’t it, when the cyborg arrived up?”

He was slowly tightening his grip, it was pretty obvious he was about to do something with it, but that was Kitt, he enjoyed giving his prey early warnings...

"Depends on your definition of excitement."

The Ambassador was still...but there is no doubt in her mind as to the gravity of the situation.

She was calm and collected...not tense enough to make a predator satisfied. Which meant she had something up her sleeve...

IC: Something felt wrong. Perhaps it was that icy cool tone she had. He suppressed that feeling along with any doubt he had.

“Well then…lets make some of our OWN!” he punctuated the last word by turning and throwing the sculpture at Tal with just a ‘small’ amount of force…

The sculpture flew through the air, and stopped dead less than a foot from the Ambassador herself.

She guestured, returning it to its place.

"While not a rare work of art, these statues are difficult to replace, so please handle them gently."

She stood up, holding out her hand as a weapon materialized into it...it looked like a scythe on a chain, weighted with a ball on the other end...but something was off about it.

She began twirling it in front of her, slowly in infinity loops.

"Do you want excitement, abomination? Does the prospect of your eternal banishment to the foulest of nether regions excite you?"

A reddish glow outlined her slim form, and a bluish glow emanated from her eyes.

"I am Talraena d' Kestal a Maril. Are you prepared for the trouble you have just unleashed upon yourself?"

IC: His left lip curled back giving him more of a bestial grin.

“I’d doubt you’ll be able to send me to the Gate, and even if you do…not like I’ll stay there for very long…but hey, at least this’ll be interesting…”

He decided to go with a good ol’ classic bull rush towards her center mass. Deciding if he did land a hit, he’d make it count by putting enough strength to crack the walls in it…

She whipped the chain and scythe around a couple of times, slicing the blade toward him.

Meanwhile, if he managed to evade her attack and come through, his blow would be stopped by the same "Force field" that had stopped the scuplture.

IC: He ducked under the blade and his left hand snaked out and grasped the handle and shoved to give him even more push towards the drow.

His fist collided with the damned shield to no effect he could see. Histoothy grin was wiped from his face, literally, as a rolling light went across his body to replace him with a black-leather clad youth. The human’s skin was deathly pale, where as his hair was almost raven colored, and it had the calculating violet eyes from earlier…

The thing about Drow weapons...

Especially among the nobles, is a weapon was attuned to its owner. The only ones who could handle it were the owners. For anyone else to grab it meant a roiling wave of destructive energy would be launched at them.

It was the equivalent of Chernobyl, directed solely at one being.

IC: The pain he felt as his hand was burnt off up to his shoulder before his constitution fought off this magik. He repelled off of Tal’s armor, wanting to get away from that weapon as fast as possible.

Where his left arm was, a rolling light went down and the skeletal frame was there. Another one and the muscle and other tissues were there, and last one replaced the skin.

He raised and flexed his replaced arm.

“That wasn’t very nice ambassador! But how to get past those irritating little toys? He told me you had powerful witches…but I thought he was bluffing…”

One of his hands started poking around inside a bag on his back, searching for the stone.

“This should fix you for sure…”

She felt her sheild drop and for the first time in this battle, her confidence faltered and she felt fear.

Then her eyes narrowed, and she began to swing the scythe again.

"Magick. Useful, yes. But not the only skill essential to Drow life."

She knew how to weild her weapon, yes...but how to fight...

She was d' Kestal. A diplomat. Not a warrior.

I need to destroy that stone.

IC: Kitt stepped backwards until he was behind one of the chairs in the room. He slipped his foot under it and lashed out throwing the heavy object towards Talraena’s left side, while with the speed of his species he dove towards the floor on her right side.

From there he hoped to get under her guard and smash his foot into her unprotected jaw when she went to block the chair…

She didn't do either of the expected actions.

She simply moved backwards out of the range of the chair, while letting her scythe lash out towards Kitt.

IC: Shit. Was the thought that came into his mind as he watched the scythe flashed out towards his hand.

She’s after the stone!

A quick flick of his wrist threw it out of reach and into his other hand, while he sprang towards the ambassador intent on landing a blow, even if it was chomping down onto her with his pointed teeth…

The Captain made chase after Snikkit. Something wasn't right, though. Lysander didn't remember him being that strong. That was not a good sign. He escaped and took off and Lysander lost the tracking signal that he had locked onto the rat. With a bad feeling in his gut and nothing better to do, the Captian retrieved his land speeder and attempted to track the creature down.

After about 15 minutes, Snikkit, or whoever it was, was located...at the embassy. What was going on?

She dodged backwards, but not in time to avoid the sharp kick to the ribs.

There were several sharp cracks as bones snapped under the force of the blow, and she was sent flying one way as her scythe went another.

She glowered at the enemy standing some distance away from her.

"El."

Her right fist slammed into a little knob at the base of the wall...identical to the other knobs. Little gold ornaments at about a human's chest level slid back, and flame poured out of them from all around the room, lined exactly so that there was no real room for escape...and few residual scorches.

The attack lasted about ten seconds.

IC: This bitch was REALLY starting to piss him off.

The ashes turned back into the black substance as Kitt’s left arm did as he reformed.

He let out an irritated sigh, “Why can’t you simply accept your fate and die!?”

He pulled back his fist and savored the sensation of imminent victory…

Meanwhile outside the embassy…

Snikkit hobbled up, this time Plank in his organic hand, some C-12 blocks on his waste, and the deathvermin close behind him.

Snikkit ignored the drow guards and their bellows to stop. He actually missed half of what they said after the loud roar of his built-in-assault-cannon opened up on the pair.

The deathvermin paused briefly at what remained wondering if that was the best course of action, but he followed Snikkit deeper inside regardless.

She moved to the side, just enough that it was her arm that took the blow directly, rather than her face, and her free arm slipped behind some wall panelling, pulling out a poisoned dagger which she slammed toward Kitt's eye.

This was it...her last attack.

IC: “You little sl-“he cut off in mid sentence as the poison took effect in the manner of a violent convulsions. He dropped the stone and fell to the ground as he retched up bile and blood.

He jolted one last time before he grew still and the glint in his eyes faded…

Then another smaller twitch happened, then another, and another. His hand yanked out the dagger in a spray of blood and ocular fluids.

“Now you did it…now I’ll make you suffer. Before I was just going to off you quick..”

His hands snaked inside and pulled out some scalpels and pliers, he wasn’t in too much of a hurry, if the guards hadn’t responded by now, they weren’t coming, and she looked in no shape to fight…

And then, this time, the fates intervened; probably all of the bad luck generated by Lysander was balanced out by this event bestowed upon Talraena, the wall exploded.

The age old tune, Flight of the valkyries, was blaring from a jury rigged speaker on the figure that stepped through the smoke.

Snikkit.

Kitt whirled around before he snarled at Snikkit, “What are YOU doing here!?”

Snikkit let out a chortle as he raised his power claw, “Its budget review soon, so I’m going to make myself look good.”

Kitt wasted no time and rushed towards the new arrival and wrapped his arm around snikkit’s power claw arm and started twisting.

The screeching of metal being torn filled the air, but Kitt forgot Snikkit’s numerous other weapons as three small warpstone flamers emerged and bathed the youth’s face in the green flames.

He screeched and tore off the arm with one last tug and hurled it at the wall.

Unfortunately this just resulted in even MORE warpstone energy being unleashed, all this magik and energy being tossed around was too much for the little stone that shattered and exploded with enough force to knock everyone down.

Now Kitt knew he was in shit unless he could hurry. He walked over to her and towered over her, the dagger she stabbed him with in hand.

He spit in her face, “I knew it’d just be a matter of time before you broke.”

He gently raised her face towards him and looked into her eyes.

“It won’t be as long as I wanted, but I’ll still get to watch your soul enter the gate..”

He moved to slash her jugular open with the dagger…

At last, Lysander had reached he embassy. He jumped from the Land Speeder just as an explosion rocked the entire structure.

"Talraena..." Lysander, clad in lighter carapace armor, sprinted through the doors and into the ambassador's office. The Space marine ran through the doorway and anylized the situation quickly. First objective: Eliminate threat to ambassador. The Captain, bolt pistol and power sword already in his hands, fired off a shot into the head of Talraena's attacker. Simultaneously, he put his blade to Snikkit's throat in a single fluid movement.

"Now that I have your attention..."

With Kitt down (again), Talraena looked over to the Snikkit/Lysander pair at the other side of the room.

"Thank you, Skaven," she murmured, before the effort used to speak caused a spasm in her battered and abused left lung.

She coughed a couple of times, harder than she should be able to, leaving a trail of red on her black skin and blue clothing...before she collapsed and lay still.

IC: Snikkit growled at Lysander.

“I think the ambassador require some medical attention immediately Ensign Lysander”

He started hauling himself up as if the blade wasn’t even there.

“Damn ungrateful Grondians, first they take our gold, now they accuse a Fleet Oversqueaker of treason! What’s next? An alliance with Corpsac!?”

"Talraena!" Lysander sheathed his power sword, dropped his pistol, and ran to her side, checking her vitals. "What happened?"

Her vitals were extremely weak...they barely registered at all. Blood was soaking through her clothes where bone shards had pierced through her flesh, and a faint gurgle was the only thing telling Lysander that she was still breathing.

The Roharanhan cubs made their way through the hole in the wall, scampering over toward their most recent care taker, but stopping when they saw Lsyander. The male arched his back and started growling, trying to defend Tal, but not wanting to endanger themselves.

IC: Snikkit pointed with his remaining arm towards Kitt...well…where Kitt was.

“Um…Kitt was trying to kill her…or kill any connection with the gold so I can’t find it. I’m pretty sure it was the second possibility…”

His mechanical and organic eye widened at the remaining life in the elf.

“Wanna try using skalm Lieutenant? Smells awful but it’ll stop anything short of complete disembowelment.”

"That wont be neccissary, Snikkit."

The entire area was already swarming with marines. Lysander extended one hand slowly to the male cub. He figured that it would get bitten, but he didn't want to chance the fuzz ball getting in the way. With the other hand, he retrieved a syringe containing emergency medical nanites and injected them into Talraena's blood stream. They would repair enough damage to keep her alive from the time being.

The male snarled, moving backwards, but the female inched forward on her belly, whimpering softly.

IC: Snikkit had wisely taken his leave to lay low for awhile until the balance was reestablished, however the deathvermin was a little curious by the smaller cat-like creatures…

He cautiously walked over and reached out to poke the male cub…

The cub whirled around as he was poked and lashed out, snapping down on the deathvermin's hand as hard as his little jaws -- lined with eight sharp little teeth -- were able.

Lysander scratched the female cub softly and picked the ambassador, bringing her to the medical team that just arrived.

IC: He heard the sound of his chitin-armor buckle under the young ones teeth and yanked his hand away.

He growled like a dog back at it and ran off after it hissed at him…

Lysander scratched the female cub softly and picked the ambassador, bringing her to the medical team that just arrived.
She laid limply in his arms, not even as much of a burden as the breastplate on his power armor...but only barely more alive.

Meanwhile, the male cub stood triumphantly over his sister, seeming to proclaim his dominance over all threats, before nudging her and scampering off to follow Lysander, because he had Talraena...and she normally had food about now.

A few hours later, Talraena was back in the citadel, recieving extensive medical treatment. Lysander was sitting quietly in the room when Conrad entered.

"I heard what happened," said the advisor, taking a seat. "How's her condition?"

"Not good," replied the captain, uncharacteristically subdued. "She'll live if our treatments work."

"You even passed up an opportunity to beat up on Snikkit to see to her," said Conrad. "That's not like you."

"I suppose that it isn't," answered Lysander. Conrad nodded.

"You care for her." The advisor's words hit Lysander like a knife into his chest, but he kept his face from phasing, except for a small raise of his eyebrows. Conrad looked at him quizically. "Why do you even try to deny it. It is painfully obvious."

"Perhaps...do you want me to admit that I think she is attractive?" asked Lysander. "I mean, of course she is. She's beautiful. That's not it, though."

"I'd certainly hope not," laughed Conrad. "I'd have to hit you." Lysander smiled slightly.

"She's...just, amazing. I've never met anyone like her before," explained Lysander. "I mean...she's...yeah, well, you know what I mean." Conrad nodded.

"As strange as it may sound, I atually understand your incoherant babbling."

"Very funny," said Lysander, with an obvious hint of sarcasm. "I know she probably hates me and that I'll never have a chance with her, but the thought of losing her was unbarable."

"Very deep...I have to say, I'm not used to getting the emotional outpour of a man who's supposed to be protecting this entire fortress."

"Oh shut up, you old fool. You asked for it."

"True enough. Now eat something, you're not good to us Emo AND hungry."

"Be quiet..."

Tal had risen to consciousness only a few moments before the men began talking, and she heard their voices floating in to her.

She heard it all as though through a dream, and idly wondered if she were dreaming...or, indeed, if she was dead.

The thought of losing her was unbearable.

'Does he mean it?'

She stopped paying attention after that, trying to recall details of the battle, and the last few moments before she'd blacked out, but her eyes drifted shut again and she was pulled back into sleep.

IC: Snikkit was racing through corridors searching for the elusive Kalgar.

Better than trying to catch that shadow, Conrad…

He burst into Kalgar’s private study.

“Lord-and-Master of the Great Forge!? Are ya here!?”

Conrad departed a short while later, while Lysander remained for another two hours. Conrad returned at that point and ushered Lysander out, claiming that security still needed its captain. In actuallity, he just knew that Lysander needed to do something. Conrad took a seat and waited.

***

Meanwhile, Captain Lysander returned to the embassy to aid in clean-up and survival search operations. As he searched through the wrecked rooms, he spotted the two cubs...

***

Kalgar looked up from his desk at the humanoid rat standing in front of him. The Lord and Master had a great deal of work to do, papers that had piled up during Anna's visit, other political matters, and the attack on the embassy. Luckily, Conrad assured him that everything was being taken care of and that he'd just need to contact the Valsharess once she arrived at her home and tell her of the situation.

"Yes, yes, I'm here. What's the point of asking if you are just going to barge in anyways?"

The cubs were curled up, shivering and hungry. They'd been forgotten during all the fuss, and had already cried to no avail. So now they were just huddled in their box in her office, hoping someone would come feed them.

The male still growled upon spotting Lysander, but it was more out of habit than aggression...he was hungry, too.

IC: “Well human television such as the ‘Sienfeld’ shows one such...’Kamar’...’Kramer’…whoever, bursting in repeatedly…but that’s beside the point. I’m certain you’ve heard what happened at the embassy?”

He looked for once, uneasy what with his missing power claw. He seemed diminished, weaker…

Lysander cautiously approached the cubs and held out his hands, trying to think of how to secure them.

"Um...here kitty kitty.. Come on...come here..." the captain moved closer to the cubs.

***

"Indeed I have, Oversqueaker Snikkit. What can I do for you?"

The male bared his teeth at Lysander, standing semi-in front of his sister, letting his hair fluff out to make himself seem bigger.
_____________________________________________________

Meanwhile, Tal came to a groggy form of consciousness, but she was definitely awake this time.

IC: “Well believe it or not…certain parties in the council dislike me and would use any situation to get rid of me…so is there any chance of sweeping this under the rug?”

The disliking of Snikkit would probably be a bomb shell of news to Kalgar, but it was true, 6 of the 13 council members wanted him gone and fed to the rat ogres.

"Oh for god's sake...I'm not here to hurt you." Lysander reached down to pick up the male.

***

Conrad spotted Talraena stir and shifted his attention from his book to her.

"Lysander was sent off...how are you feeling?"

***

Kalgar set his pen down.

"I'm afraid that it's not quite that simple," said Kalgar gravely. "The assassin escaped."

He batted at Lysander's hand with little sharp claws, snarling.
________________________________________________________________

"I feel about how the Lord-and-Master looked like he felt after Mercarius stormed the Citadel. What happened?"

IC: “Well this sort of thing happens all the time in the Under-Empire! Is it possible to pass it off as some rebel group?”

Kalgar was probably going to pay Snikkit back with plenty of interest for all the years before…

Conrad set his book aside. "Sounds most pleasant. I'm not entirely sure of the details regarding what happened. Lysander was there, when he returns we can ask him."

***

Ten minute had gone by and Lysander was still unable to get the cubs to come to him without fighting.

"Time for plan Q!' said Lysander, now flanked by two Honor Guard.

"Plan...Q, sir?" inquired one of the honor guard.

"Yes. A-P were not successful. That brings us to Q." Lysander held out a fish.

"Sir...shouldn't the fish have been plan A?"

"Quiet! Ok fuzz ball. Come here..." Lysander tangled the fish in front of them only to have them stare blankly and confused. The Captain groaned. "What's wrong with these things?"

"Should we try small peices or meat, or are you saving that for Plan W?"

"That's enough out of you, private!"

"Actually, he's saving that for plan B2," whispered the other marine.

"I heard that."

***

"It's not quite that simple, Snikkit," said Kalgar. "I can't just write off the attack as a random terrorist and let it slide. That's not how we work here."

"Are there any teams in the Embassy at this time?"
_________________________________________________________________

Asari mewed miserably, going back to the basket and curling up, while the male, seeing this snarled all the more fiercely at the humans.

It was funny...a baby the size of a housecat was and had been foiling three humans that were substantially bigger and stronger than he was.

Quite a feat for one so tiny and with so few teeth.

IC: “So what is the way things work here? Trying to screw over the minority!? Very classy Kalgar…just like the gold incident…”

He was getting a little bit of his old self back… to the annoyance of everyone else though…

"Yes there are," replied Conrad.

***

Meanwhile, Lysander became impatient and just picked up the male genty and placed it in the basket with its sisten...he then covered the basket and prepared to transport it back to the citadel.

***

"Yes, that is exactly how it's going to work," Kalgar replied. "Is there anything you need?"

"If they find a chain with a weight attached to one end and a scythe attached to the other, tell them not to touch it...I don't know how he survived it, but most people won't...there's only one person who can pick up that weapon...me."

She lifted herself a little bit at the next thought.

"The Roharanhan cubs. They haven't been fed since this morning...they must be half starved by now."
_________________________________________________________________

He snarled and snapped as he was being handled, but quieted when set with his sister.

IC: Snikkit was horrified at what he said. He was agape at the last comment. So much that his broken mind couldn’t even come up with some remark over their ancestral debt…

"I will pass this on," replied Conrad before finishing his tea and standing to leave.

***

Lysander placed some small peices of meat into the basket to hold the cubs over during transit. He took the land speeder back for went at a slower pace for the sake of the cubs and ended up arriving at the citadel and reaching Talraena's room just as Conrad left.

"I found them in the embassy," said Lysander, placing the basket on the floor near her bed.

***

Kalgar looked at Snikkit blankly for a moment before returning to his work.

IC: Snikkit stood stock still, as if his brain had shut down. He remained still even when the deathvermin placed him on a two-wheelie and started to cart him off…

She nodded, and she'd barely sunk back down before Lysander set the two down beside her.

They'd finished what had been left for them, and, still hungry, climbed onto the bed looking for more from Tal. They seemed to sense that she was hurt, staying to her right side and simply nudging at her hand.

She poked them in the sides, and saw that they'd had enough for now.

"Yes, I realize you went eight hours without food, but you'll have to have something in a couple of hours or you'll get sick...not here, okay?"

She petted both of them, and neither snapped at her. She looked up at Lysander.

"Thank you...I'd begun to worry about them...and thank you also for the save earlier. Day one at the embassy: standard, save for possible rogue assassins, anti-magick fields, having to use both emergency systems, and almost getting killed. He would have succeeded, if not for you and the other Skaven."

"It was...nothing, really," replied Lysander. When did he become humble and modest? "By the looks of things, you and Snikkit did most of the work, I just got lucky and showed up at the right time." It was strange...talking to her without being insulted, berated, or generally thrashed by her harsh toungue.

"I'm not sure whether or not Snikkit was behind the attack, or just found out about it...he said something about looking good for budget reviews. Lothra uss, harl!"

The male had tried to lick her face, so she pushed him away...trying to get them into their box and off the bed.

Lysander picked the male cub gently, followed by the female, and put them in their basket again.

"Budget figures? This doesn't make any sense," said Lysander, confused. "Even for Snikkit..." He looked down at the two cubs. "Take it easy for now, the 'hand that feeds' is currently indesposed at the moment."

The male growled when he was picked up, but a warning glare from Talraena subdued him swiftly.

The cubs didn't speak common, so they didn't understand a word Lysander had said...but the female decided that his shoe looked like something she could chew on.

Normally, Lysander probably would have been irritated at having his shoe chewed on by a spotted fuzz ball. This time, however, he just smiled and laughed softly. He looked up to see a space marine at the door.

"Sir, the High Marshal needs a status report."

"Ah yes...Nicholai always needs to know what is going on," replied Lysander. He placed the female into the basket as well. Both marines departed for about five minutes.

When he got back to the room, Lysander would find all three curled up on the bed asleep, the female nestled in the crook between Talraena's neck and shoulder, the male cozily settled between her right side and arm, and the Ambassador resting from the strain of being broken and having a more invasive healing than normal happen all in the same day. Her face was relaxed, allowing Lysander to see that she normally carried herself with her eyebrows slightly drawn together. Her breathing was steady and unlabored, which was the most important concern at this point.

Lysander sat down and gazed briefly at who would likely be the most beautiful woman that he would ever know. What a day...

The male woke first, and climbed gingerly away from Tal before going over and jumping onto Lysander's shoulder.

"Rrrr?"

Lysander looked over at the little fuzz ball on his shoulder and smiled a little bit.

"Nice to see that you're not biting me this time," said Lysander, scratching its ear. "Heh, you must be hungry or something...but not hungry enough to eat my ear yet, I guess. And yet, I have no idea what she feeds you."

The little fuzzball flattened his ears against his skull and started batting at the Space Marine's face.

"Rrrrr."

"All right... I guess I can figure something out." Lysander dialed up some aids. Hopefully they would be able to help and let Talraena sleep.

It wasn't to be... the female woke up as well, and just as hungry as her brother.

Unlike her brother, she KNEW who NORMALLY fed her, and she nudged Tal's cheek with her nose a couple of times, waking the Ambassador.

Her eyes opened, and she put her hand on the cub's forehead before looking for the other one and seeing him on Lysander's shoulder.

"They normally have milk with a little bit of raw meat pureed into it."

"Sounds logical," Lysander replied, picking up the female. "I have an aid on his way now. You can get some more sleep."

Instead, she pushed herself into a sitting position with her good arm -- the left still wasn't good for anything.

"How long have you been back?"

"I was called away for about five minutes," replied Lysander, handing the two cubs to the aid and watching him leave. "I've been here since then."

She looked over at a chronometer, calculating.

"For a while, then."

IC: An aide entered the room shortly there after pushing a tray clinking with silver ware and covered platters. He looked towards Lysander,

“Dinner for two, a number 6 and 12.”

One hand was already inching towards a hidden plasma pistol.

Inside, Kitt was smiling to himself…

"Excuse me? I didn't--" Lysander's eyes narrowed and in a fraction of a second, there was a sword at the Aid's throat and the marine was on his feet. "Who are you?!" Captain Lysander knew how things worked in the citadel. People rarely came if unsummoned and never mixed up orders. Something was off.

Talraena looked at the 'aide' and her eyes narrowed.

"Dos."

A whitish glow formed in front of her face and launched at Kitt...it was a spell powerful enough to completely annihilate most beings...normally. She was at half strength, so it was at half strength.

IC: Kitt slammed back against the wall reverting back to his true form. His right hand wildly discharged the plasma pistol in a vain and pain-filled attempt to hit either of them.

He fell heavily towards the floor smoking, but already the black substance could be seen filling his wounds as he ducked and rolled in an attempt to sneak under Lysander’s guard and try to hammer his fist where males are most fragile…

Lysander brought his guard up immediately, deflected any plasma rounds that came near him or the ambassador. Then Kitt tried getting under his guard. The marine may have been large, but he was anything but slow. He backed up and brought his sword around to slash through Kitt's arms.

She, meanwhile, kept concentrating on the maintenence of her spell.

This was Kestral -- the more dangerous side of it.

IC: Kitt screamed as the weapon sliced through his arms at the elbow like they were water. His momentum carried him forward enough to use his reforming hands to spring his body up and over since Lysander was still following through with his swing. Bringing his legs up and around the captains throat he kenw he had to be quick.

“Hey there!”

In another second he’d be able to break the good captain’s neck and kill the ambassador…

That cut was all that Lysander needed. His blade was no mere power sword; it was constructed much in the same way as a Force Weapon. The captain focused with all of his mental power, which, despite popular belief, was very formidable. Kitt's very soul was now being sucked from his body.

IC: Kitt could feel the stones being drained by whatever the hell the weapon was. He didn’t have the time to drop the captain; he had one last shot, so make it count…

With one swift motion he ripped Lysaner’s bolt pistol off and flicked the full auto button.

Even as he his strength started to give out he sprayed as much ammo as possible. The sheer buck of it launched him off of Lysander and back against this wall with a sickening crack.

And this time the bones did not reshape themselves back to normal…

The Kestral spell changed automatically when the bolts started spraying, going from attack mode into the shield Kitt had been unable to breach earlier.

Without it, the treatment the Ambassador had received earlier would have all been for naught, as several bolts were absorbed and others deflected.

Several bolts wizzed by Lysander's head. He blocked a few and one skimmed his face. The Captain took a few steps forward and rammed his sword into Kitt's chest.

She released the spell, relaxing slightly now that the strict concentration no longer needed to be maintained.

"I think he's dead, Captain."

Her slender body shook slightly from the unusual amount of effort she'd had to put into the spell, but she was a little more serene than she had been.

IC: Kitt coughed and gurgled a fountain of bright red blood. This wound was fatal and permanent. His head slowly looked up into the captain’s face.

The narrow cat pupil’s still darted, observing all the lines and creases. He seen the anger, but the cold calculating mind of a machine. It started getting black at the edges when he started grinning.

He opened his mouth to say something, but all that came out was a ragged cough and more blood…

"Who sent you?" The Captain's voice was stern and calculated. He wasn't asking for the knowledge, he was demanding it. Choice wasn't part of Lysander's voice.

IC: A thick wet sound came from his throat as he let out a distorted giggle.

“Wh-why it was Snikkit”

He leaned a bit and hacked out something that looked vital and fleshy, now his voice was raspy and quiet.

“Be sure to tell him to wire the money…”

Lysander absorbed the rest of Kitt's soul and vitality into his sword. With any luck, Kitt's memories would be able to be viewed later. He called in for several aides. Some cleaned up the mess and removed the body, and the rest either informed Kalgar of what had happened or alerted security to search for Snikkit.

"It appears that against all sense, Captain, I was fortunate you were standing guard here."

"Indeed... I never imagined for a moment that he would return here," replied Lysander. "Are you all right?"

"I'm not the one he managed to hit...you're talking all right, so I'll assume his attempt to strangle you was unsuccessful...but you should probably get that burn looked at."

"I should be fine," replied Lysander, smiling a little. "I'll see about getting myself checked out once I know what's been going on."

"Jaluks..." She shook her head.

"It doesn't look like it hit you too badly, anyway."

IC: Meanwhile Snikkit had recovered once again and was busy harassing a communications device.

“Where are the hohos!? Give me the delicious crème-filled treats…NOW!”

He stared blankly at the humming machine.

“Then you give me no choice…Aide! Get the forms to ready to declare this vending machine an enemy of the Under-Empire.”

The deathvermin started going through a small case with various forms in it…

Meanwhile, a citadel aide located Snikkit yelling at a random computer and delivered a message.

"Snikkit, you are to report back to Lord and Master Kalgar in regards to fixing the damage caused by the events at the embassy and...in regards to the gold trade"

IC: “Ahhh, so I see you’ve finally acknowledged the truth…excellent…”

He was so enraptured at getting the gold he ignored the first half, or to even wonder whether or not they might be lying…

“So lead on, noble paper-pusher! You are about to see an event that will put millions of souls at rest!”

The aide led Snikkit to Kalgar's control room and slipped away. In about three seconds, 12 space marines surrounded Snikkit and Kalgar emerged.

"I have heard some unsettling news, Snikkit."

IC: “Yes! That vending machine is out of hohos! I take it you’re going to correct this dire situation before the very demons of the warp take hold!?”

He started to try and wander pass the circle of marines, thinking nothing was amiss…

"I'm afraid not," replied Kalgar. "The assassin was found and killed just a few minutes ago. He claims to be working for you." The space marines closed the gaps and did not allow Snikkit to pass.

IC: “What!?”

Snikkit whirled around to face Kalgar through the screen of marines.

“You actually believe that thing!? Over one of such high rank in the Under-Empire!? How many centuries have we known each other!? And some random assassin comes by and accuses ME of having someone killed!?”

His hand was open and ready to go for his pistol…which of course the deathvermin had held onto for maintenance, and what with his power claw dismantled…things weren’t looking good….

“Why would I be in the same place as the assassin? And the agents of Eshin never speak, even under torture.”

He STILL couldn’t quite understand what was going on, but he was pissed, probably more so than Lysander, Talraena or Kalgar!

"I don't think that you were behind this, Snikkit," replied Kalgar. "At least, I certainly hope that you're not. However, I do believe that you know something."

IC: “Wha-what? You don’t!?”

Maybe he wouldn’t be skinned alive in Skaven Blight, just maybe he’d get to finally prove Skritch was behind it all….

“Well of course I know something! Everyone does! But you’re referring to a specific something concerning?”

"Perhaps concerning just who was behind this...What do you know?"

IC: “All I know is that that thing was one of the Resurrected, something Skritch has been working on with some other nations. That’s it! There’s only been rumors and some field tests I’ve gotten to seen! I betcha it was him! Skritch was always trying to screw me over!”

Well he actually was speaking with a tone of sincerity, if such a thing was possible in a being like Snikkit….

"Follow me." Kalgar led Snikkit into the control room, closing the door behind him. "All right, tell me everything that you know."

IC: “The project-thingy started maybe a decade ago. One of my fleets got lost in some Horned-Rat-forsaken system and the council sent Skritch to find out what had happened since the late council member Skizz was aboard one of the ships.”

He looked around as if worried that somebody might be listening, but he decided to place his faith in Kalgar.

“Word has it they were all gutted with everyone dead, normal happen stance, but someone else had arrived to investigate the wreckage. All the records of that encounter were expunged, but from various reports the ships weren’t seen before, even in the AoN database.”

“But anyways, Skritch started leaving the Secret Weapons Division base more and more to some location that was also expunged. Then pretty soon humans, at least that are what those bastards look like, started ascending in our military. Every attempt I made to stop this was blocked by the council who were giving new praise to Skritch and his new finding.”

“Field tests pointed out what happened, the bastards kept coming back again and again AND AGAIN! After that Skritch clammed up inside his research and he’s been unseen for the past few months.”

“I would’ve killed Kitt on sight, but as you know, he didn’t like to stay dead, and I didn’t want to tell anybody because the council probably wouldn’t appreciate it….and I lost that gambit…”

"I see...Very well, I will need to arrange a meeting with the Council of 13 and the Secret Weapons Division. Then we can sort this out once and for all."

Three days later, Talraena was back up and beginning to repair her Embassy. Her office was a disaster area...the wall was being repaired, and new carpeting was starting to go in.

She found her weapon on the floor behind her desk, exactly as it had landed, and banished it as she picked it back up.

After that, she cleaned the dagger, careful not to cut herself with it, and placed it back in its slot, before opening a portion of wood paneling to start pouring oil into it.

And this place is supposed to be completely ready for business in four days. I got nothing done at the Citadel, I'm not completely back to strength, and I have a week and a half of work to do in half a week. If there is a higher power, it hates me.

Once things at the citadel were taken care of, Lysander made his way, once again, to the embassy. This time, however, he was not alone. The Captain entered the embassy and approached Talraena.

"I'm glad to see that you are back on your feet."

"It isn't the first time someone's crashed into my office and tried to kill me...it's something you get used to in Kaymiril. Although I must admit, he was almost successful."

She snapped the panel closed and turned toward Lysander.

"While your visit is not unwelcome, may I ask the circumstances that bring it?"

"I actually brought some help," replied the Captain. "You already have cleanup crews, but I have some security personel to stay here until more can arrive from Kaymiril. There are also a few assistants to help you out if you need it. I was even able to find two aides fluent in your language."

Her eyebrows raised slightly.

"Impressive. You have my thanks, Captain."

Lysander took a moment to look at the office.
"Wow, the walls are scorched," said Lysander, commenting the obvious. "Looks like you have some fun ahead of you. How exactly did that happen, anyway?"

"Third line of defense. If an intruder gets past security, and I can't take the intruder down, the little knobs on the floor activate flame throwers."

She slid what looked to be a simple gilded ornament (identical to many others around the room) to the side, revealing a pipe with a small device at the front.

"That actually killed him...for all of two seconds."

"interesting...I wonder if we have any of those hidden in the citadel," said Lysander ponderously, before getting back on track. "I was wondering if, at some point after all this chaos has subsided, you would consider going out to dinner with me. Not because I did you a favor or anything...just, if you want to."

She thought for a moment.

"I would be willing to consider it, at the least."

Her surviving Kaymirilian aide entered with a slight bow, a sheaf of papers in her hands, and the Ambassador motioned her to set them on the desk. After she'd left, Talraena turned back to Lysander.

"I hope you will forgive me, but I must bid you good day, Captain. I'm sure you will understand...I have much work to do."

"Of course," Lysander replied, making his way to the door. "If you need anything else, you will find me in a random hallway of the citadel, chasing after and shouting obscene curses at a certain sentient rat. Good bye, Ambassador."

She slid into her chair as he began to leave, looking at the first paper in a stack that would increase to dizzying heights over the next few hours.

"Talraena."

"Talraena," Lysander repeated and nodded. "Lysander." With that, the Marine departed.

At the end of the hall, a warning (but playful) growl was Lysander's only warning before his shoe was viciously attacked by Narit, the young male.

Lysander lifted his foot up with the cat still attached to it, scooped the ball of fuzz up, and set him back on the floor with a scratch on the head.

"Crazy fuzzball," said Lysander has he departed.

The cat left Lysander alone after he'd left the building...but Talraena wasn't playing, and his sister was sleeping, so he couldn't help it...he was bored.

Lysander arrived back at the citadel about 15 minutes later and quickly ran into Conrad.

"Well...aren't you looking pleased with youself?" said the advisor. "You couldn't have caught Snikkit; I just saw him running through a moment ago. So...it must be something to do with the ambassador."

IC: Snikkit stared at the machine from earlier, and it stared right back at him.

Hello, how may I help you today?

The green words hung there on the screen, mocking him in it's innocent daemonic nature.

"BY MEETING RETIBUTION FOUL CREATURE!"

He drew his warplock pistol and shot it. the round punched deep into the machines center, followed by a muffled explosion as the things guts of electronics flew outwards.

Snikkit looked up from behind a trash can, triumphantly staring at the slain machine...

"Come bodyguard! We must continue our duty!"