NationStates Jolt Archive

Federal Merchant Ship DD453

The ship, DD453 was now on its way to the naval base at Fina where it would make its deliveries. On board the ship were a hundred crew and ten marines. In the cargo hold was one REAPER weapon recently purchased from Triad Corporation. Other items were one hundred Heartbreaker Infantry Support Tanks and Tons of metal pieces also being delivered to Fina. The ship was being escorted by the frigate, the Blocker due to its high number of weapons on board. Captain Simons shivered when he saw the weapon, he heard this was a deadly capital ship killer. He walked back up to the bridge where his first mate was directing things. They decided to avoid the main trade routes because of pirates and headed down a alternative route which was longer but safer. At least that's what Simons thought. The DD453 was brand new, one of the fastest ships in the merchant fleet. The scanners were on high alert, checking for any nearby unwanted intruders. At least there was a frigate to protect them. No pirate ship could match the frigate.

DD453 and the Blocker after a few standard hours were finally in the alternative route. They would see several beautiful stars nearby that seemed to light up the entire deserted system they were moving through. The system was deserted following the Great Civil War due to the huge massive bombardments that killed billions. Most of the planets had molten lava covering its surface, remains from the war. Simons wondered if the lava would ever disappear.

They were about to meet intruders....

OOC: Greal.

The space ahead of the two ships was empty. Only the distant stars and planets were visable on both scanners and through the windows. However, while there had been nothing one moment, suddenly, with a hiss, two vessels decloaked directly behind the fleet. No one could be sure how long they had been tailing the small convoy, waiting for a moment like this when they would be many, many hours from help and there would only be two ships in the whole area.
The two ships that decloaked would be unfamiliar to the Federal ships but, by the same measure they would also be strange looking to someone who knew of their owners. These were not like standard Danaversian Barracudas, they were much more streamlined, much more elegant and dangerous looking, unlike a standard Danaversian Barracuda, they did not have turrets and guns pointing from every angle to act as a deterrent, these ships were there to be discreet, to do only what had to be done. To do it quickly, effeciently, and ruthlessly.
The two warships were quick on the action though, targeting the Frigate from behind with some form of heavy energy beam and torpedoes of some unknown kind. At the same moment, they grabbed the Merchant vessel with a form of tractor beam, stopping it from running while they ground it's escort into dust.

The space ahead of the two ships was empty. Only the distant stars and planets were visable on both scanners and through the windows. However, while there had been nothing one moment, suddenly, with a hiss, two vessels decloaked directly behind the fleet. No one could be sure how long they had been tailing the small convoy, waiting for a moment like this when they would be many, many hours from help and there would only be two ships in the whole area.
The two ships that decloaked would be unfamiliar to the Federal ships but, by the same measure they would also be strange looking to someone who knew of their owners. These were not like standard Danaversian Barracudas, they were much more streamlined, much more elegant and dangerous looking, unlike a standard Danaversian Barracuda, they did not have turrets and guns pointing from every angle to act as a deterrent, these ships were there to be discreet, to do only what had to be done. To do it quickly, effeciently, and ruthlessly.
The two warships were quick on the action though, targeting the Frigate from behind with some form of heavy energy beam and torpedoes of some unknown kind. At the same moment, they grabbed the Merchant vessel with a form of tractor beam, stopping it from running while they ground it's escort into dust.

Frigate Blocker

"Sir, two unknown ships have been detected." reported Lieutenant Burns.

"How the hell did they-"

"Unknown ships are firing torpedoes and-" The Lieutenant was interrupted by a torpedo that struck the forward part of the ship. Scatter pack missiles were now launching and going after enemy missiles, many were taken down by the effective defense. However, the energy beam would meet no resistance since the plasma generator was not yet running. The beam blasted the port hanger into chaos, killing dozens of pilots and mechanics. The plasma generator itself was now damaged by the blast. The frigate was hopelessly outnumbered by the enemy and by the firepower. After taking more damage, the frigate moved off away from the merchant ship.

On board the DD453

"Damn! The frigate has been driven away, and we're being dragged away!" cursed Simons. "Order the marines to protect the cargo and hand out the small blasters we have to the crew. Whoever they are, they're after the cargo." Marines and armed crewmen were now protecting the crucial areas of the ship. A marine was putting explosive charges against the cargo in case the ship was falling ang there was no other alternative.

The two modern Barracudas stopped firing at the Frigate, stopping only for a moment to check that the damaged warship would not reenter the frey. When they were satisfied that the Frigate would not interfere, they turned their attentions to the Merchant Ship, still trapped in the tractor beams from both ships. Had it been a standard Barracuda that was starting this battle, they would be preparing for battle, getting ready to board the vessel for clearing it out. Yet...

The beam weapons struck again, drowning the vessel in a bright yellow light before there was a pop and the shields of the Merchant ship were gone, taken down in a flash by these mysterious warships. The inside of the ship was filled with a buzzing before the crew, including the Marines, appeared in a pop aboard their own Frigate, including the explosives that had been placed on the cargo.

With the crew, gone, and not a single fatality had been suffered aboard the Merchant Vessel. The Federal ship was released from it's captivity and, incredibly, considering that it doesn't have a device of it's own, vanished into nothingness, along with the two ships. The Merchantman was gone...

...along with it's valuable cargo...

Acerican Naval Command, Fina

"Grand Admiral Stylus is on the communicator, sir." said Captain Bucks.

"Thank you, Captain." said Admiral Spore, looking uncertain, then he walked back to his office. She's not going to be very happy about this. He walked into the office where there was the communicator screen.

"Admiral. What is your report?" said his, blond haired, female superior wearing a normal naval uniform.

"One of the REAPER weapons due to be delivered here has disappeared. We fear it's been stolen. The frigate, Blocker returned safely with few wounded..." said Spore, his voice giving out when she spoke.

"The REAPER weapon has been stolen? By whom?"

"Grand Admiral, we have no idea. It could be pirates, but I personally doubt it from what the frigate crews told me. They were well armed and enough to match our own battleships."

"A new civilization in the sector?"

"Who knows? I've deployed the Sector fleet and issued an alert for the area. I'm ordering merchant ships back in convoys, but it'll take some time."

"It will. Have you notified the civilian authorities?"

"Yes, Grand Admiral." answered Spore, slightly annoyed by having to say her full title.

"Have you notified Triad Corporation?"

"Not yet. I was waiting for your approval, not that really matters now."

"Why?"

"Merchant captains talk a lot. The rumors are already spreading that there's a powerful pirate fleet able to match our navy."

"Issue those alerts now."

"Yes Grand Admiral."

Nakamoto Dockyards Headquarters, city of Tenfour, Xiscapia...

"Transmission for you, sir."

Chief Executive Nakamoto, President of Nakamoto Dockyards and one of the three founders of Triad Corporation (also known as Triad Consolidated or Triad Consortium) looked up as an aide laid a piece of paper onto his cherry wood desk. "Thank you," the tall Asiatic kitsune murmured, opening the dispatch with long, pianist fingers. He was elegance given form, stately and courteous, a respected Xiscapian businessman who's hospitality was unmatched, one who made large anonymous donations to the poor and disadvantaged, in charge of a wealthy company with empowered, happy workers and staff. He was constantly being invited to all manner of balls, dinners and other social functions by other members of the Xiscapian social elite and old aristocracy, and was well liked by both his peers and subordinates.
An outsider never would have guessed that this polite, mild-mannered being controlled a company that produced terrifying war machines on a daily basis.

Nakamoto read the message quickly, dark orange eyes racing along the lines of text. He blinked once and dropped it into the trash reciprocal, where it was incinerated in a flash of light. No signal was given but the aide left the room immediately, leaving the President alone with his thoughts. After a moment of mute contemplation Nakamoto keyed in a few buttons on his communicator, linking though a web of inter-building lines to the Security area. Nakamoto Dockyards, and Triad Consortium as a whole, had an entire private military with mercenaries equipped with many of their own weapons to defend the entity and protect the interests of the Corporation. Now came the time when they would need to utilize this investment.

Undisclosed Location, somewhere within the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia...

"...and that is what we want you to do."

The Kyodai in the Syndicate criminal organization, stared at his Shateigashira, a superior in rank. The ladder, an enormously fat kitsune with a gray tail like an iron two by four, shifted in his plush seat, frowning. "Is there a problem?"

Kakuna, the Xiscapian with ebony skin, sable fur and long dreadlocks that nearly went to his waist, shook his head in exasperation. "Well, let me see if I've got this right: You want me to go into a territory where we have no backup, no supplies, no bases of any kind, with just two ships and seven Shatei, to work with these Acerians to track down a stolen shipment that was taken by some kind of pirates, retrieve the cargo from said pirates, and get it back to these foreigners, and while I'm doing all that you want me to establish a base in their nation."

The Shateigashira nodded curtly. "Yes. I'm sure the Acerians will be happy to provide you with all the troops and resources you need to complete this task. And remember, you and your Shatei are from Triad Corporation, just a security team. That means no crime while you're there, focus on the mission."

Kakuna gave a sigh, but just a small one. He felt like swearing, but cursing or showing too much discontent could get you killed around here. "When do we leave?"

"Your men and supplies have already been loaded outside."

Acerican Territory, Sporia...

Two starships appeared in real space, their I.D. tags marking them as Triad Corporation security vessels. The leader, a heavily modified Nakamoto Dockyards patrol craft, Princess of Blood (http://drman.deviantart.com/art/Assault-Transport-37787169), was shadowed by a smaller craft, the gunboat Longshot (http://rustiswordz.deviantart.com/art/Mortis-Gunboat-Digital-25106671). In the cockpit of the Princess of Blood Kakuna sent a message down to the planet requesting permission to land to met with Federation officials, then sat back and glanced over at his immediate partner. Tien (http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff28/greyknightghost/BlackOp-1.png) had barely said three words the entire trip, despite Kakuna's continual attempts to get to know her, always locked in her room, cleaning one of her many bladed weapons he supposed. Of course, it might have been because of his persistence that she had closed up so tightly.

"So...we're finally here. Seems like we've been traveling for days." He laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

"Twenty-three hours, twelve minutes and two seconds," she said coolly. It felt like a rebuttal.

Kakuna narrowed his golden eyes, looking sidelong at her. "Precise...I like that. Why don't you and me-"

A roll of the beautiful jade eyes. "This marks your seventh attempt to, what is the saying, 'get in my pants.' I do not appreciate having to spurn your advances."

The Xiscapian looked his counterpart up and down. "You're not wearing any pants," he said with a sly grin. It was true: Tien was clothed in some kind of advanced armor, which Kakuna had never seen her take off, much to his disappointment.

The door behind them hissed open and the third and final member of the team aboard the Princess of Blood stepped though. He was five foot three inches of orange colored Vulpes Vulpes kitsune, a nervous little sentient with a knack for building or repairing things...and an even bigger talent for destroying anything that happened to be comprised of computers or had an electrical current. Dien was his name, and he was a tinkerer, a hoarder and somewhat reclusive, pupils wide and watery from behind blue-tinted glasses from too many hours spent staring at a computer screen. Dressed functionally in jeans and a T-shirt bearing the words "I am Root", he contrasted sharply between Tien's armor and Kukuna's black trenchcoat and fatigue pants. "Have we arrived?" He looked up at the planet though the cockpit window, licking his dry, pale lips.

"Yup," Kakuna nodded, picking up his Shuriken Shooter from where it rested against the bulkhead, taking care to swing the double barrels in Dien's direction, making the other flinch. The Kyodai enjoyed messing with the technician, he was so easy to intimidate it was amusing. "Now all we gotta do is wait for ground control to get their shit in gear and we can be outta here and down there."

Danaversian Space, Havalia...

The Scout Ship (http://premium1.uploadit.org/MaxOutrider/ShipImages/Marauder-Corvette.jpg) was floating silently, running on minimal power. At the moment, in stealth mode, not moving, it gave off about the same energy signature as an ant drifting though the void, easily lost among the background "noise" of cosmos. It was here that the Coalition had suffered their first defeat, and a crushing blow it had been: The battle had quickly turned into a slaughter, as the Booleans turned their fearsome disabling weapon upon the combined fleet of Xiscapians, Alversians, Setunalites, Aluminan, Greali and Greywatcher battlecraft, leaving warships floating helpless left and right to be annihilated by Danaversian weapons. The Setulanite Task Force Eternal Pain had been all but wiped out, their flagship and pride of the formation the Battleship Eternal Pain destroyed, and all the other nations had suffered at least two lost ships, save the Alumina. The survivors had been forced to flee, and even now the counterattack was sweeping across Allied space, and would continue to do so all the way to the Motherland itself if a way was not found to neutralize the enemy power.
This scout was here to help in that endeavor.

Naturally, the Coalition could not pick though the wreckage and analyze exactly what happened, nor could they come away with any captured enemy ships or pieces of enemy ships, so the Xiscapians sent a scout. They knew several Boolean ships had been destroyed, and it was critical to the construction of the defense against the Weapon, as it had become known, to have a sample of the device. For now, the ship was waiting patiently for Danaversian ships in the area to move away on their regular patrols before it could motor into the site of the conflict and pick though the bits. Onboard, the kitsune with gray fur sat in the pilot seat just in front of the statis chamber and behind the controls, arms folded, watching. He had already mapped the entire system and all relevant vessels and structures in the area, and now awaited only the opportunity to strike.

Havalia, Danaversian Space

Near to the small Scout ship were a series of Danaversian Congor Fighters, darting amongst the wreckage of the Coalition fleet, left where it was by the Danaversian victors, as their fleet split up and returned to it's original post or else joining in the great offensives that were currently burrowing into Calaveran, Alversian and Setulan space. Losses were heavy and the progress was slow for the moment. However, once the Danaversians broke the main back of resistance, then the offensives would take no time at all. They would be like a flood, sweeping over Coalition space. It had started with this great victory at Havalia. For the moment though, the Fighters were darting through the wreckage of Battleships, Battlecruisers, Cruisers and Destroyers along with the fighters that were also hit by the mass of fire exchanged early in the battle, before the slaughter had started. For the moment, they were content to patrol the wreckage near the planet. On the orders of someone within the Empire. They were not sure who, but they were happy to do it, even if it did not mean battle.

One of the Congors was flying close to the wreckage, keeping a casual eye out for any signs of Coalition Salvagers or Freelance Scavengers who would kill for the military technology that floated amongst the ruins. They would not get close to the Wreakage with the Fighters there. They were more than capable of holding off any Pirate.

The Danaversian looked up ideally from his controls in time to see a small Ship in the middle of the debris from a destroyed Alversian Cruiser. Deep, black eyes widened in shock as he yanked hard on the controls, twisting away from the Scout, narrowly missing it. He turned, barking into his Vox as he did so. The Scout seemed to have notice his near miss was already making a run for it. The Congor turned onto his tail, following his moves as he tried to twist away. Two more Fighters ducked beside him, all three now waiting for the moment when they could hit the back of the apparently defenceless ship.
Finally, he squeezed the trigger of the control stick , watching in satisfaction as the green lazers tore into the stern of the small vessel, watching as explosions ripped along her hull. He knew he had his kill. She could not survive that kind of damage. The brief pursuit had drawn him far away from the debris and the bigger warships but that was no concern to the Fighters. All he saw was a victory for his Empire and perhaps another Slave like that taken in the battle.

This was his last thought though, as the next moment, he saw a flash of brilliant purple light, a flash and it was all blackness. All three ships had been destroyed in one go by a vessel that had decloaked just off the stern of the crippled Scout ship. The vessel was unmistakeable, long, sleek, with two engines mounted on vertical arms at the stern of the vessel. The black Panther on the hull could not be mistaken.

A flash for the Kitsune and he was in an area completely different from his own vessel. The first thing he would notice would be the air he was breathing, it would be thin, very thin, the type he would have been used to if he had climbed up a very tall mountain and sucked in the thin air there. He was in almost total darkness, with only a dull blue hue non thw wall that barely added anything to the visibility. Other than that, there was little to suggest that this was any kind of ship. Along the wall were one or two complicated panels in a different language to what he was used to. However, what would make the most obvious sign was the one person who waited to greet him.

She was an Alumina, the standard Alumina, tall, slender with strong, black armour encasing her body, highlighting every curve. Only her face was visible, with cream fur with burning green eyes, even for an Alumina, she looked painfully young.
"Yiu oma ociomh saa womdeeb Vaca, atopa yium kota" She said in her own language, looking at him coldly but not without curiousity.

Space, Xiscapia

At the same time, a Dreadnought left it's transwarp tunnel not far from the Space Station Protector, the Dreadnought was the APS Crossfire, carrying a very important Passanger. A message was sent to the Xiscapin Station.

This is the Alversian People's Starship Crossfire delivering the Prime Minister and Entourage for a meeting with the
Emperor.

Acerican Territory, Sporia

"This is Ground Control. You are approved to go through Station 5 and 6." That meant that there'll be a "hole" in the force field to let the Triad Corporation ships go through and head down to the space port on the planet, where officials would meet the crew and brief them. The Stations were massive and more heavily armed then a whole fleet of naval ships. They got the order to open the hole, and the generators began taking out the force field in the grid until there was none. The stations waited for the visitors to fly through.

Acerican Territory, Sporia...

The Princess of Blood and the Longshot slipped though the designated points, past the glittering shield and down to the world that sparkled like a gem on the speckled cloth that was space. "Lotta space traffic 'round here," muttered Kakuna, dodging between two merchantmen banking for entry into lower orbit.

"Intelligence on the Acerian Federation indicates that they have a massive merchant fleet," supplied Dien from behind the two, glancing nervously at the business end of Kakuna's weapon. "These that you see before you are probably just a few of the hundreds upon thousands of freighters and cargo haulers that make up the trading network they have constructed."

"And they never had problems with pirates before?" asked Tien.

"They are far from the regular space lanes and inhabited, industrialized worlds," Dien nodded, "and the main focus of their Navy is to protect their shipping. However, it is estimated there may only be one warship to every two to ten thousand merchants, so they often find themselves traveling under light escort, or under none at all. If a gang of successful pirates were to settle in here, it could devastate them."

The two Triad Corporation vessels landed easily at the site and, ramps lowering, deposited their crews onto the soil of the alien world. Kakuna sauntered nonchalantly down the stairs, hands in his pockets and chewing on a rolled cigar, while Tien stepped s down each step with dignity, narrowed eyes scanning the area, and Dien scurried behind them, arms full of technological odds and ends. From the Longshot emerged five other beings: Three hulking, nine-foot-tall Korr armed with a plethora of weapons and heavily armored in black, beetle-shell-like suits, a human a mere two feet shorter than them wearing a gas mask and hefting a laser rifle (http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Image:AER9LASERRIFLE.png), and what appeared at first glance to be a human. This final character held no visible weapons, but upon closer examination it could be seen that her skin was actually segmented plating, and several of them appeared to be concealing cavities which could, possibly, hide any manner of blades, guns or explosives. Her hair was flowing and a lovely viridian color, but it was synthetic, her eyes looked vibrant and full of life, but they hid a machine, her lips appeared full and moist but they had never touched any others. And so this group of eight converged, strangers in a strange land, Kakuna with Tien behind him, the strange android flanked by the human.

"See you didn't get splattered by a freighter," Kakuna grunted, lighting up his dog-eared smoke.

"There was less than a one percent chance of collision with any other vessel in the atmosphere, Kyodai Kakuna," answered the women, her voice mechanical and dead. "I do not make mistakes."

"Yeah, yeah, Unit 187" The colored kitsune was busy looking around for some sort of welcoming entourage, standing on tip-toe, trying to see over the massive Korr. "Where's our fanfare?"

"En route," murmured Tien, looking past them all to the approaching beings.

Unknown Ship, Danaversian Space...

The pilot, removed from his chair abruptly, fell sprawled out onto the deck, a gasp escaping his lips from the combination of surprise, fear and the thin air. He was dressed in a black suit (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Image:StormCommandos.JPG) that seemed to make the eye curve around it, vision sliding away from the surface as though repelled, some sort of stealth suit obviously. The helmet was not with him, and instead showed the muzzle of a fox, silver fur covering an elegant snout that ended in a black nose, orange eyes squeezed shut. After lying on his stomach for a moment he sprang up, wheezing slightly, sword out of the sheath and the blade held out across him, stance defensive.
"Yiu oma ociomh saa womdeeb Vaca, atopa yium kota."
After catching his breath, he began to shout.

"Bạn sẽ không mất tôi còn sống! Tôi sẽ giết tất cả các tác phẩm mới nhất của bạn-" He faltered, eyes adjusting to the gloom, staring at the Alumina, katana lowering a fraction. He frowned. "Ai là bạn? Ở đâu này? Thế nào là ý nghĩa của điều này?"

Xiscapia...

APN Crossfire, this is the Xiscapian Space Station Protector. Please dock at Bay Four. Your party will be taken down to Xiscapia via shuttle after the proper screening.

The Alumina looked at him in surprise, something that was uncharacteristic od her race. She was looking over him more with more curiousity than anger or coldness, something that should have been the trademarks of her appearance. She was only slightly taller than him, a mere 6'2'', not at all tall for her race, while she was slender, the curves being displaying through her armour which, like his, seemed to be built with stealth in mind. She looked over him in silent fascination, not quite sure how to respond to his question, if it even was one. Bemused, would be the best term for her expression. When he had finished talking, there was only silence. Curiously for a warship of any kind, a deathly silence filled the darkened corridors, no alarms, no converation, nothing.

The young Alumina looked down at him, eyes wide with surprise. For a moment, she seemed at a loss of how to reply but..with a great deal of effort, she spoke,
"Hall...ow?" She tried to say, the word tumbling awkwardly from her lips, her light fur seeming dark against the blackness of the ship's interior.

Protector

Once the Operations Officer of the Crossfire had confirmed the Station's orders, the large Dreadnought manovered into position, helped by her AI, and settled into the bay, waiting until she had stopped before a door hissed open and four Democratic Guards stepped from the ship, followed by the Prime Minister herself.

Sporia Space Port

Princess of Blood and the Longshot had landed near the eastern part of a massive hanger that covered the entire area, due to the size of merchant ships in reserve. The visitors were greeted by ground vehicles and heavily armed marines that would bring them to the light rail where the rail would bring them to the Acerian Naval Command, where officials were waiting, and wondering why Triad Corporation had sent a security team. The Acerian marines were a bit amazed by the alien's weapons similarity to their own.

OOC: The posts will be longer once they meet the officials.

Sporia...

Kakuna shifted uneasily at the indication that they would have to leave their ships behind to meet the Acerian officials. If something happened, it would be a long walk back to the hanger, and if hostilities commenced for some reason...well, there was no such thing as an excess of firepower. "I don't like it," he muttered to the others as they walked, strode, shuffled or clanked their way towards the tram, leaving behind the three Korr and the Alversian to guard the two vessels. "Makes me feel all exposed like, without a ship."

"I assure you, Kyodai, if for some reason there is a conflict I am fully programmed and equipped to handle any situation." said Unit 187.

"Would you not call me that?" Kakuna growled.

"Yes, Kyodai."

"Do you really think they'll try something?" Dien squeaked.

"I doubt the Acerians will prove hostile. They have no reason to fight us." Tien sniffed contemptuously, fingers sliding down the long sheath of one blade or another, back bent ever-so-slightly with the weight of a sniper rifle broken-down into its individual components.

They all clambered into the waiting tram, each with their own greeting to their Marine escorts.

Kakuna grinned at one of them. "How ya doin', plastic boy?" He asked in a friendly manner, referring to the armor that the men wore.

Tien simply nodded in their direction.

Dien licked his lips, eyes darting from the faces of the soldiers to their weapons. "Hello, sirs," he raised a hand slightly in a gesture of goodwill, trying not to drop his small pawnshop's worth of electronics

"Greetings, organic beings that show some modicum of sentience." This was from Unit 187.

Kakuna sank down into a chair, Shuriken Shooter lying across his knees, legs up on the seat opposite. Carefully balancing his armful of devices and computers, Dien sank into the one beside him. Tien and Unit 187 remained standing. "Eh, how much time 'till we get there, Con người??
"How many of your minutes will have elapsed between now and our arrival at the destination?"

Unknown Ship...

The Xiscapian frowned. Was that Galactic Common she was trying to speak, or was it some sort of animistic sound? She obviously did not know Xiscapian, and he berated himself for speaking it to her: There were few non-kitsune who knew the language. Cocking his head he lowered his sword entirely, taking a slow, easy step towards her, trying to not alarm the being. "Hello?" He said in accented but clear Basic. "My name," he spoke slowly, "is Roko. What is your name and rank?"

Space Station Protector...

The military base was also a massive service station for XIN and allied vessels, and it accommodated the seven kilometer long Dreadnought easily, the form of the vessel swallowed up into the twenty-mile long bulk of the Protector. The Prime Minister and her Guard were met by the resident Ambassador and his cadre of Marines, who stood by while each individual Alversian was checked for weapons and other dangerous devices. Those they had with them were cleared, and the party was led to a shuttle bay, where they were flown directly down to the Imperial Palace in Rio Casa, the seat of power in the Kitsune Empire. Despite all the beauty and elegance of the sprawling granite-colored castle and the snow-covered grounds and frosted gardens around it, the place was a stronghold with some of the heaviest security in the Alliance. Aside from regular guard patrols and constant scanning sweeps of the entire area, there was any number of prowling spirits and watchful droids, hostile beasts and automated defenses, traps and concealed weapons to dissuade or stop any trespassers or offenders. Every last inch of the Imperial Palace in a five mile sphere above, below and extending outward from the structure was under surveillance, and the guards were trained to shoot first and to never ask questions, their first duty, aside from protecting those within, was to kill or destroy any unauthorized persons or objects in the area, no matter who or what.

In this 'bubble' resided the Emperor of the Kitsune Emperor of Xiscapia, Lord Foxfire Rose. He stood now on a grassy white veld in the Inner Courtyard among the closed, bare cherry blossom trees that stood sentinel in neat rows on the landscape, surrounded by guards and servants, awaiting the arrival of his counterpart from Illesia, and Alversia. He had spoken to her via long-range communications, and he knew what she looked like, but the relatively young ruler had never met Sammi Owens in person.
Now, finally, they would converse face-to-face, on a subject most uncomfortable for Emperor Rose. Still he smiled serenely, waiting calmly, aware that some things must be done, no matter how painful.

The Alumina, seeing him step forward, took a step back of her own, seemingly unwilling to get any closer to what was, for her, a strange and mysterious creature. Her Superior had ordered her to meet this Individual and to bring him to the Bridge...but she couldn't understand him and, judging from his movements and words, he did not understand her. She shook her head from side to side quickly to indicate that she did not have a clue what he was trying to say. She was still in the basics of Galactic Common and understood only a few words. Luckily for her, one of the words she did understand was 'name'.

"Ty sota en Luscia osh e ot o Dobap ik saon womdeeb. Yal wama rudsy saop wa galkh yal ik arna yal walrh loja haeh. E wer cmekp yal pi Dobpoek kiw, ni girriw ta." She talked away happily on her own language, turning and walking off as she finished. After a moment she stopped and looked back to see that Roko had not moved but stood with a blank look on his face. She frowned for a moment, looking around in deep thought before beaming widely as the solution came to her,
"Follow." She said in a heavy accent, pointing to Roko then to herself, "Follow." She then turned the corner and headed up the black corridor.

The corridors themselves were empty and quiet, it was an unnerving place to be. In the dark, with no noises apart from the occasional beeping of a console, no other Souls in sight apart from the Kitsune and the Alumina, breathing in the thin atmosphere, him with nothing else to look at other than her swaying hips as she walked.

Rio Casa

First out where the Democratic Guards, allowed to keep personal sidearms for their mission to protect the Prime Minister. They knew that the Emperor's own protection would ensure their Charge's security. But it was better to be safe than sorry.
The Prime Minister herself was young, late twenties at most, with short blonde hair and a slender body. She strode up to the Emperor and bowed low in her respect,
"I am honoured to meet you, Emperor Rose." She spoke formally, for it was custom for Officals to refer to each other by title until asked otherwise.

Sporia...

The marine commander explained that his men were ordered were not allowed to speak. They were simply escorts. But when Unit 187 asked when they would get there, in terms of Acerian time, the commander said,"Only a few minutes, this is fast travel."

The train moved off the moment they were on board, and was moving quickly and comfortable through the massive hangers and city until halting slowly until it stopped altogether at the station. "Welcome to the Naval Command D Entrance" read a large sign that pointed the way into the entrance. There were now ground soldiers everywhere. Mostly soldiers from the famed 56th Legion. Of course, their visitors had no idea who they were. The marine commander led them into the dull gray building, which was nearly as big as the hanger.

Sporia...

"Welcome to the Naval Command D Entrance," Kakuna read from the sign in an exaggeratedly loud voice while Tien rolled her eyes again. "Creative. Must've taken 'em a few brain cells to come up with that one."

"Please try to be professional," Tien sounded exasperated.

"I am a professional," Kakuna countered.

"At what?"

The kitsune grinned. "Not this!"

"Obviously."

"Do you think they'll have the proper ports for all this?" Came Dien's muffled voice from behind his stack of electronics.

"I am sure they will be equipped with multi-functional electrical outlets for computing and electronic devices as needed." Said Unit 187 calmly.

"Eh, look at this." Kakuna nodded to the structure they were being led to. "Battleship gray. Why are all government buildings either that color, puke green, shit brown or some disgusting yellow color?"

"Because those are the only colors left over after the public gets though with them," said Dien dryly.

Unknown Ship...

"Okay," Roko said amiably, sheathing his sword and walking behind the adolescent Alumina. He was getting use to the thin air, though he thought it best not to exert himself for a little while, and he didn't mind the dark or silence: Kitsune were a burrowing people, and the dim, echoey confines of the strange vessel reminded his distantly of being under the earth, safely in a hole. He looked around the ship with interest, but it all seemed as dull and unexciting as any other large-scale starship, so he studied his guide instead. He had to admit she was as graceful as just about any female kitsune he'd ever seen, but not especially attractive, at least in his eyes. No doubt she was taking him to the bridge, where he hoped someone would speak Galactic Common fluently enough for him to arrange passage to an Allied base nearby.

Imperial Palace...

"And I am equally honored to make your acquaintance, Prime Minister Owens," the Emperor bowed just as low as she had, no more, no less. "I offer my condolences to your nation and people in these troubled times, and assure you that Xiscapia is doing everything in her power to assist all our allies. We should move indoors."

The Black Guards parted behind them to allow the Emperor and Prime Minister to go though into the Palace, standing in their rows without a move or a breath. If one had not seen them move before, they could have been mistaken for statues, and indeed though they stared straight ahead their helmets afforded them a full three hundred and sixty degree view around them, and each one watched the Alversian Democratic Guards. They had not forgotten the case of mistaken identity during the Rebellion that had led to a Democratic Guard attack on the Imperial Palace to attempt to capture the Emperor. In the ensuing battle between the Black and Democratic Guards no one had been killed, but kitsune and Alversians alike had been knocked out, had bones broken and been cut and bruised by the mixture of long-range and hand-to-hand combat. Measures had been taken that such an embarrassment would never happen again, but the personal bodyguards of the Imperial Family and their associates never forgot the casualties they had sustained at the hands of the elite units of the Democratic Republic.

In the warmer, dry halls of the Palace the Emperor walked at a leisurely pace across the tiles colored a navy blue by the iron sky outside the tall windows, giving the appearance that he was walking across a bottomless void. "Come," he invited Owens, "walk with me, Prime Minister."
Two Black Guards shadowed them from either side of the corridor.

The young Alumina brought him through a variety of corridors and up a variety of stairs before, eventually, they reached what was obviously the bridge.

It, like the rest of the ship, was almost completely blackened out, only the blue and red lights cast an eerie shadow upon the five beings who inhabited it. There were no more than those five beings, all Alumina, all female. All towered above Roko, yet none of them paid him any attention, preferring to focus on the star's flying past the viewsceen. There were just four consoles, surrounding the standing Alumina on three sides, each tapping with surprising quickness on each one, turning to face a new panel each second, working quickly and easily.

In the centre though, there stood another female, this one was as tall as a standard Alumina, making Roko's guide look like a child in comparison. Though her armour and the darkness it was clear that she had black fur with blue eyes. She looked down at Roko as if he were something that had landed on her ship by accident,
"You are on the Warship Vaca," She said in the soft Aluminan voice, yet also in perfect Galactic Common, "state your name and identification." It was not a request.
She didn't even think before her next statement,
"You are a Kitsune of the Xiscapian Empire. Your breed is Vulpes Vulpes" Again, not a question. But there was the smallest hint of a smug smile.
The others were ignoring him, all but the youngster who was still looking at him intently until suddenly, she looked away.

"Dobap Luscia was able to guide you to the bridge," Not a question, "She has not yet learnt the language of the Galaxy," another sarcastic smile.

Imperial Palace, Xiscapia

"Thank you, Emperor, those condolences will be carried to Alversia and conveyed to the people that they're oldest Allies stand with them. To be honest, your Emperor," She smiled lightly, "We suspected that you would do nothing less."

As the Democratic Guards walked after their own charge, they too were remembering the day when they had stormed the Imperial Palace, under the misinformation that the Emperor himself was a Traitor to his own people. It had been a hard fight. No fatalities, but the Democratic Guards remembered that it was the Imperial Guard who had surrendered to them, even if only on their Emperor's orders.

"Of course," Owens nodded in agreement and fell into a position just beside the Kitsune, her Guards forming up to protect her from any Threats. Owens marvelled at how the Emperor had changed so much since the last Prime Minister who had been here, her Predessor. She knew that, in the shoes of Aiden Mallon, she had some big shoes to fill indeed. He was on Alversia, living out his retirement in a Villa next to the Lake Mavas shoreline. She knew that the old Prime Minister and Emperor Foxfire, who now sported full body fur and an enlongated snout since they had last met. She sighed gently and kept pace with the Emeperor, waiting for him to speak.

Sporia...

"Welcome to the Naval Command D Entrance," Kakuna read from the sign in an exaggeratedly loud voice while Tien rolled her eyes again. "Creative. Must've taken 'em a few brain cells to come up with that one."

"Please try to be professional," Tien sounded exasperated.

"I am a professional," Kakuna countered.

"At what?"

The kitsune grinned. "Not this!"

"Obviously."

"Do you think they'll have the proper ports for all this?" Came Dien's muffled voice from behind his stack of electronics.

"I am sure they will be equipped with multi-functional electrical outlets for computing and electronic devices as needed." Said Unit 187 calmly.

"Eh, look at this." Kakuna nodded to the structure they were being led to. "Battleship gray. Why are all government buildings either that color, puke green, shit brown or some disgusting yellow color?"

"Because those are the only colors left over after the public gets though with them," said Dien dryly.


The strange group of visitors were led into the building. Driods were everywhere, everything from maintenance to command was somewhat being operated by driods. There were officers everywhere ignoring the aliens that had arrived. Most of them had work to do. Of course some of the officers were naturally curious about the aliens that looked very strange. Some of them were armed to be sure. Their marine escorts led them further down the hall away from the gathering crowd. There were countless rooms full of officers discussing situations all across the Federation.

The visitors were then led into a briefing room where there were two officers waiting there. One was a rather high ranked blond haired female officer and the other was the a tall looking Acerian male that could crush anyone's spine like a toothpick.

"Greetings. I am Admiral Rosia, in charge of this sector. This is Colonel Bonus, representing the Army." said the female officer, speaking into a translator device.

Sporia...

"Heya, Admiral, Colonel," Kakuna spoke around his cigarette, giving a little wave and a minimal bow, "I'm Security Captain Kakuna, and there are my officers, Tien, Dien and Unit 187. We've been sent from Triad Corp to help you recover a stolen shipment of weapons." All mentioned made the appropriate bows, standing arrayed behind Kakuna. 'Security Captain' Kakuna dropped himself into a chair, leaning back casually, putting both feet on the table in a deliberate sort of way, a thin trail of smoke rising up from his cigarette to the ceiling. He took a drag and blew the excess into the air, eyes roving Admiral Rosia's fine figure.

Tien wrinkled her nose, eyes narrowing, obviously not comfortable with the tobacco smoke in the more confined space, but she refrained from saying anything, instead taking up a position behind the Kyodai. Dien was bustling about, locating electrical sockets and plugging in some devices, other drawing off over circulating streams of energy from inside the building, at home with his gadgets. Unit 187 stood silently by the door, expressionless eyes taking it all in.

"So," Kakuna held the smoke between two fingers, his other hand tapping out a tuneless tattoo on the table, "what've you got for us? We've got a little Intel to go on from the Corp, but you guys know the space here, you know your merchants. Did you manage to get scans and images of the attackers? Did any of the crews see these guys? What kind of firepower did they have? What can you provide us with to help us search for these people? Where can we set up a base of operations?" His yellow eyes almost seemed to be laughing at them, mocking them in all their serious professionalism.

Warship Vaca...

"My name is Roko," Roko said pleasantly, bowing slightly deeper than he would normally, "and I hold the rank of Major in the Xiscapian Grand Army." He glanced to 'Dobap' Luscia, but she had already looked away, and he looked back to the one who had yet to introduce herself. He assumed her to be the Captain, or Commander or whatever rank they used here, of the vessel.

"Dobap Luscia was able to guide you to the bridge. She has not yet learnt the language of the Galaxy."

Roko smiled back, genuinely, detected some hostility from the other and not knowing why, drawing on his First Contact training. "Perhaps I could teach her some basic Galactic Common before I leave here. If I may make one request," he glanced to one of the screens, "can you transport my scout aboard? I'm sure that I could repair her in just a few days and cease to be a burden to you, if you would be so hospitable to allow me to stay here until then."

Imperial Palace...

They walked in silence for nearly half a minute, passing by elegantly carved statues of great kitsune and ornate oil paintings of monumental events in Xiscapian history. Sammi would be able to see busts of many people she did not recognize, and in one painting hundreds of kitsune stared up at a massive, bulky ship rising into the sky from above a network of fields, the beginning of the Exodus, or Great Voyage, thousands of years ago on Old Xiscapia. Another further along showed the march of Xiscapian and Alversian soldiers and vehicles on the Korr capitol on Korrilia, the closing of the Korr War that had cost over two million Allied lives in the final battle alone. Memories assaulted the Emperor, he had actually been present, in disguise, at that battle, twelve years ago. He knew Owns would have only been perhaps thirteen at the time, and he had ascended to the throne long before she had even been born. He reflected on that as he spoke solemnly.

"I have seen three Alversian Prime Ministers, not including yourself, come and go. The first was John Valour; he was in rule when your people made contact with mine, and I must say he threw everything the Democratic Republic, as you called yourselves then, into the war effort. It was enough to tip the scales in our favor, and an entire generation owed him and the soldiers of Alversia a debt they could never repay. He was a good man, but I never met him, sadly, and as I'm sure you know, he died of heart disease not long after the war ended.

The second was Herman Jacobi, I'm afraid I only met him in person once, I believe he only served a single term as Prime Minister. Those were relatively peaceful times, I remember, and he did make several groundbreaking achievements between our nations," the Emperor smiled in remembrance, "he was quite pro-kitsune. That was the first true immigration between states, responsible for the Alversian population here and the kitsune population in the People's Republic, and ultimately the Halfbreeds. If I remember correctly, he found the job too stressful and resigned, which gave way to Aiden Mallon, your predecessor.

Mallon was a man of steel, even in his age: When we met during the time of the Rebellion and were attacked by an assassin, he didn't even blink. He tried to talk the kitsune down, and I saw firsthand his skills as an orator, which he is famous for. It didn't work -the assassin was quite deranged, sometimes I think it's the only breed assassins come in- but he was as good a listener as he was a speaker." The Emperor glanced sidelong at Owens. "That man was a rock, and he's getting a well-deserved retirement. The point is, Prime Minister, in the twelve years I have known Alversian Prime Ministers, they have always been good people, and I have no doubt you will be the same. As the People's Republic has the Kitsune Empire's support, you have my vote of confidence." He smiled at her warmly.

"That being said, Prime Minister Owens -may I call you Samantha?- , this is my first meeting with you. The transmission I received indicated your visit was of supreme importance, and that you would travel such a great distance only supports such evidence. And, somehow, it involves, among the topics of war and trade, alliances and enemies," he stopped and faced her fully, studying her, "my nephew. I will confess, this topic has me at a loss. Would you care to elaborate on that?"

The Alumina Captain looked down at him as if he had just said something particularly offensive and rude to her,
"Such a duty is not necessary," She said it flatly, yet still managed to fill her voice with both irritation and anger. She allowed her gaze to drift over to Luscia, who obediently left the Bridge with a simple salute, the door hissing shut. The Alumina Captain was then able to focus her full scorn on Roko, and it was clear that it was scorn that she was feeling with him,
'Small, incompetant, ineffecient little Species. It was a mistake to rescue him. It will be the last time that I will take the advice of a mere Cadet'
However, none of this was visible on her furry visage as she slowly shook her head in the same manner that one would speak to a small child,
"We have not beamed your vessel aboard our ship, we have destroyed it to prevent it falling it into Enemy hands," She scowled visibly for a moment before resuming her normal speech,
"However, we believed that you would need your database and so we have downloaded it into a small device for you," She did not seem to enjoy reporting her own effeciency, "You shall recieve it once we have completed out assignment and returned to Allied Space, Luscia will guide you to the Medical Bay to treat your wounds." She said it coldly.
She had noticed a cut on the Kitsune's arm and she was not going to have a wound on her ship. If only the Kitsune knew what was in store.

Luscia returned to the bridge and gave a small bow to the Captain. She touched the elbow of the Male delicately and pulled him towards her,
"Follow," She said again, "Follow."

Rio Casa

"Please, Emperor, my friends call me Sammie," She blushed slightly, not quite believing that she was talking to the Emperor of the Xiscapian Empire as an equal. Then again, she was not really his equal. As he had mentioned, she had some very big shoes to fill. All of those fine Prime Ministers down the years and now she had to prove herself worthy to follow in their footsteps. Though the Prime Minister's heart filled her soul with warmth. She could understand why Aiden Mallon had been so close to the Emperor.
"Yes," She said it gravely, "as you undoubtably know, your Nephew has to be hold responsible for the destruction of the Greali Imperial Homeworld and with his level of power..." She trailed off, looking him in the eye, "...we're afraid that he might do something like that again...except on a Coalition World" She was unsure how to finish the sentence.

Sporia...

"Heya, Admiral, Colonel," Kakuna spoke around his cigarette, giving a little wave and a minimal bow, "I'm Security Captain Kakuna, and there are my officers, Tien, Dien and Unit 187. We've been sent from Triad Corp to help you recover a stolen shipment of weapons." All mentioned made the appropriate bows, standing arrayed behind Kakuna. 'Security Captain' Kakuna dropped himself into a chair, leaning back casually, putting both feet on the table in a deliberate sort of way, a thin trail of smoke rising up from his cigarette to the ceiling. He took a drag and blew the excess into the air, eyes roving Admiral Rosia's fine figure.

Tien wrinkled her nose, eyes narrowing, obviously not comfortable with the tobacco smoke in the more confined space, but she refrained from saying anything, instead taking up a position behind the Kyodai. Dien was bustling about, locating electrical sockets and plugging in some devices, other drawing off over circulating streams of energy from inside the building, at home with his gadgets. Unit 187 stood silently by the door, expressionless eyes taking it all in.

"So," Kakuna held the smoke between two fingers, his other hand tapping out a tuneless tattoo on the table, "what've you got for us? We've got a little Intel to go on from the Corp, but you guys know the space here, you know your merchants. Did you manage to get scans and images of the attackers? Did any of the crews see these guys? What kind of firepower did they have? What can you provide us with to help us search for these people? Where can we set up a base of operations?" His yellow eyes almost seemed to be laughing at them, mocking them in all their serious professionalism.


The Admiral sighed slowly, then she pressed a blue button on a electronic panel and there was screen that, running through the data the Acerians had obtained. "Here are the scans of the attackers, given to us by the frigate, The navy don't recognize this particular ship, but maybe you do." She began giving hard copies of the images to the security team."Familiar? This ship had a ton of firepower and is a match for our battleships, which is why we are on high alert."

"As for help. You've will have the support of the sector fleet and the 56th Legion. This is a very serious matter that needs to be fixed." she said, glancing at each of the security team member.

Sporia...

Kakuna tapped some ash off on the table, giving a low whistle as he looked at the scanner-rendered images. "Looks like a Danaversian Barracuda," he passed a copy over to Tien, who examined it critically. "If it were made by us," she murmured, tracing the smooth, streamlined sides of the ship.

"Run this data though your fancy little gizmos," Kakuna handed off some of the hard copies to Dien, who began feeding them though a machine that spit out scrolling data across the upraised screen.

"But who are these guys?" Tien mused. "Those definitely aren't standard Barracuda Battleships, and I've never seen anything in Alversian records that look like that."

"Don't matter," Kakuna blew out and let the smoke exit his nose, brushing some cinders onto one of the papers. "We'll get 'em in the end. So you say," he spoke to Admiral Rosia, "we'll have assets in the local fleet and the 56th Army Legion to assist us? If we have to confront those ships one-on-one, we'll need a whole armada backing us if we want to come out alive. Once we go after the stolen shipment, it might start a war with the Danaversians, and you'd better be prepared to fight it."

"The Danaversians are an amphibious race that control a vast empire beyond our space," Tien supplied. "The Kitsune Empire is currently at war with them in a Coalition of several other nations. Their ships are average at best, and their soldiers and officers aren't very intelligent, but they have numbers on their side and are very determined and persistent. If they manufacture their own version of the R.E.A.P.E.R device it could tip the scales entirely in their favor, and if we are too aggressive in pursuing the shipment, they may declare war on this Federation as well."

"And the Danaversians don't just declare war," Kakuna butted in, "they'll let you know when there's an armada on your doorstep."

Warship Vaca...

Not necessary?!

Roko felt a flare of anger. They hadn't beamed aboard his ship, not because they didn't have space, not because they didn't have time, but because it was not necessary? It was a grave insult, and Roko could see it written on the piggish Captain's face that she already disliked him. He was quite put off by her attitude which suggested that Roko was not a guest aboard the ship, but more like an irritating being which had to be tolerated. Evidently hospitality was not something this socially-inept brute valued.

"However, we believed that you would need your database and so we have downloaded it into a small device for you. You shall receive it once we have completed out assignment and returned to Allied Space."

"I'm afraid," Roko's tone had turned from friendly to clipped, "that that is unacceptable. The database contains information that I must have on my person, I'm afraid I cannot trust it in the hands of another. If you would kindly give me the device for my own safekeeping...?"

Imperial Palace...

The Emperor nodded grimly. "I understand your concern. However, you must be aware of several factors to fully comprehend why the world of Nova Reginix was destroyed by my nephew. You see, his sister, my niece, and he were separated at that time, although I understand that they had reunited since then. They are as close as two people can be, but in their lives, they have known nothing but pain and abuse. When they came here, to me and to Xiscapia, their reactions to the love and care myself and the Empress fostered upon them were radically differently. Nightshade, I am pleased to say, has adjusted and accepted what happened to her, while Silvertooth...has not. The only thing stopping him from trying to hunt down and destroy everyone who has ever done him wrong is her, and when they were separated he lost his...anchor." The Emperor smiled without humor, and for the first time Sammi Owens was struck by how old the kitsune before her really was.

"With the concentration of so many Danaversians, the loss of his sister and the growing anger, Silvertooth stopped trying to restrain himself. The result nearly killed over four billion innocent civilians, and entirely obliterated a Danaversian army, armada and the star system they inhabited. I do not believe he could do such a thing again on another Coalition planet as long as Nightshade is present. She alone can sooth him and keep his emotions in check. Long-term we have tried therapy and mental relaxation, but it is ineffective and we ultimately find that there's no one but Nightshade that can relate to him in any degree." Though his voice was steady and strong the Emperor's eyes were bright and shining, and Sammi would realize that the ruler of Xiscapia was trying not to cry.

"Silvertooth," the Emperor paused and cleared his throat, delicately dabbing at his eyes with a small cloth produced from the recesses of his robes, "carries a burden that he alone can bear. I am determined to find help for him, but no psychologist anywhere in the Kitsune Empire can handle the task. His mother and father, and those that came after them, damaged him greatly, physically and emotionally. In time, he will either have to overcome his pain, by himself or with help, or he will be destroyed by it. No one can yet see an answer."

"If it is necessary," The Alumina Captain did not seem at all phased by the change of his tone, nor of his stance and apparent anger of his ship being destroyed. She did not regret what she had done, for it had been the most effecient thing to do. The Kitsune may not have realised it, but he was currently in high warp, many lightyears from where his ship had been destroyed. Like it or not, Roko was accompanying them on their mission, he would not be realised until it was over.

"Dopah Luscia will return your database upon the completion of your medical treatment." She finished and turned back to the screen, leaving the younger Alumina to lead him back through the ship, through a baffleing mixture of corridors and stairwells, there appeared to be no lifts, and during the whole time, they ran into just two Alumina, both of whom ignored them.

Soon, they were in the Medical Bay, a single tiered room which held numerous bays but, like the rest of the ship, seemed empty. There was no Doctor nor Nurse. Luscia walked to a panel and, from it, took out a small device and handed it to him. She turned to walk off but, again, she looked back to see that he was holding it in confusion.

Normally, she should have ignored him and left him to heal himself, like all Alumina were expected to do so. Instead though, a strange feeling of curiousity filled her heart and she walked back to where he was sitting on a bed. She gently took the device from him and began to move it above his arm, slowly regenerating the skin where it had been cut.

She did not speak, but looked shyly into his eyes for a moment before darting back to her work.

Rio Casa

"Of course, Emperor," Sammi nodded, rather taken aback by just how old he looked with upset and curious about the tears that seemed to be contained just behind his eyes, She was silent for a while, allowing him to gather his emotions togather before speaking calmly,
"You must understand our concerns though, if the only thing stopping your Nephew from destroying Alversia itself is your Niece, who may not always be there. I understand his pain, I understand why he has done it and can I presume that he will not perform such an act against any Coalition planets?"

"Well," began Admiral Rosia, slightly nervous, "The navy will have three more fleets that are available for your use only if the situation become very serious. The Acerian Federation will risk being aggressive, even if it results in war. You have any suggestions on where to begin?"

OOC: Tired and sick.

Sporia...

"Well," Kakuna took another drag from his cigarette and thought for a moment. "Hmm...I've got an idea. You're a nation of traders, yeah? So I bet some merchant somewhere's heard of the Booleans. Listen, give us the authority to go where we need to in the Federation, barring your military restricted areas and the like, and I think I know where we can get some help from."

Tien licked her lips. "Booleans? I think I know-"

"Shh, shh, shh," Kakuna stood up quickly and put a finger on her muzzle, "No use in spoiling the surprise, love."

"Hey boss," Dien waved from the other end of the table as Tien removed Kakuna's fingers from her mouth with a bone-crunching grip, "I think I've found a weak point on these things!" He pointed to one of the Danaversian ships.

"Oh yeah?" Kakuna asked, massaging his fingers. "Whazat?"

"Looks like there's a section here," he pointed to what appeared to be a weld line that bisected the port side of the vessel, "that has shields that overlap. This produces a 'depression' which makes them thinner and weaker than the rest of shields. If you can sink a torpedo or a powerful blast right there, it could penetrate and possibly cut the ship in half!"

"I knew we brought you along for a reason! Keep up the good work." He turned back to Rosia. "Admiral, we've got an op to set up. We'll call you if we need you, but keep a fleet watching out, just in case. Things could get really ugly, really fast." He dropped the smoke and ground the ash and paper out on the carpet, getting soot and embers all over it. "We'll let you know if anything turns up, right now you just sit back and watch the magic work."

Warship Vaca...

Roko frowned in puzzlement as the device went over his flesh, 'knitting' the skin back together. It seemed so...old fashioned. As an SRS trooper, Roko had to know a plethora of specialized tasks: Fighting from long range, with energy weapons and firearms, CQC and hand-to-hand, the ability to repair and pilot a wide range of vehicles, the wherewithal to live off the land, being intelligent enough to use diplomacy, and, among many others, the know-how to heal himself and others when needed. Almost all Xiscapian medical technology and techniques involved the use of bacta for cuts, burns, bruises and general injuries, nanobots to repair both superficial, internal and serious damage, artificial cellular regeneration or cloning, and the use of cybernetic parts to replace lost or support wounded limbs. Simply forcing his skin to come together to cover the wound was little better than stitching it together, like some witch doctor.
Nevertheless, he was grateful.

"Thank you," he said quietly as he caught her eyes, unsure if she could understand him or not. "You've been very kind." He smiled, careful not to bear his teeth. "May I have my database back now, please?" He spoke like one might to a frightened animal or lost child, softly, slowly and carefully.

Imperial Palace...

The Emperor nodded, speaking gently. "He will not: He saw Nova Reginix as a world that harbored only murderers and greedy, power-hungry men, little different from the Danaversians themselves. On any Coalition world, with such a concentration of innocent lives, he would not be able to do so and face the shame of being responsible for the deaths of so many not involved."

Sporia

Colonel Bonus was about to say something, but Admiral Rosia cut him off saying loudly, "Alright, you have The Navy and the Army's permission to go where you need in the Federation. I shall order the fleets into standby mode, so when you need them, they'll be there in a minute's notice. Would you mind, if we have a "representative" accompany your ships?" Colonel Bonus wasn't looking too pleased, but he was listening intently to what the security team would say.

The Alumina completed the regeneration, putting down the device when she was finished and examining where the wound had been. She was good with the device and so there was not even a mark to show where he had been wounded, it was all perfectly healthy skin, the healing process sped up several hundred times by the device to leave no remains of the wound as well as cleaning it and sterilising it. She seemed pleased with the outcome and gave a small uncertain smile in response to his encouraging one. He stuck out a hand and Luscia knew what he must be looking for. She took a small device from her backpocket and handed it to him, the symbols and data were all in Aluminan,
"Follow," She said again, "Follow." She had to show him the rest of the ship.

Rio Casa

"That is all the promise I need Emperor," Sammi bowed again, "I know it is a difficult time for us all. However, more Allies join us all the time and it must not be long before the Danaversian and Boolean threat can be repelled. For good this time, I hope."

Sporia...

"A rep?" Kakuna shifted uneasily, tail flicking, and glanced at Tien. She remained stone-faced and unmoving. "Sure...I guess. If you like." He nodded, but it seemed as though the request had thrown him off.

Unit 187 silently slipped out of the room, into the hall outside, communicating with one of the Shatei guarding the ships on a closed, encrypted frequency, her voice unheard except by the one she was transmitting to. "Get both vessels ready for launch, and prepare the Princess of Blood to receive an additional guest."

Warship Vaca...

"Thank you," Roko stowed the device in one of the compartments on his belt, confident he could dechiper the alien symbols once he was returned to Kitsune Imperial space. He stood, rubbing the healed area with one finger, and followed the 'Dopah.'

Imperial Palace...

The Emperor smiled sadly. "The Danaversians have a history of persistence to the point of stupidity. If we all join together and halt their advance I have no doubt that they will be forced back, but I cannot say if anything short of total obliteration of their military will ever stop them."

They walked quietly for a time though the ornate halls of the Imperial Palace, the frescoes and busts giving way to tapestries and high skylights, casting steady, fractured shadows from the steel sky across the floor, ever followed by the Black and Democratic Guards. The foyer they came to now was gloomy and contemplative, with a few marble benches cushioned with velvet embroidered pads for visitors to sit and think, or simply relax. The middle of the room held a small fountain, the trickling water providing a soothing medium for thoughts to form, melodic and quiet, unlikely to interrupt or disturb those who sought wisdom here.

Foxfire Rose turned to his counterpart. "What else is there to speak of?"

What further matters are there to discuss?"

Luscia led him back through the ship again though the maze of corridors until they were in what appeared to be a Dormitory. It was a long and narrow room, lined with bunks along each side, stacked four high and each filled with a sleeping Aluminan Female, again here, there were was no noise, though that was more expected than in the other parts of the ship. The young Alumina led him to a bunk someway down the line but on the floor and pointed to it, not at the female sleeping in it,
"Me," She pointed to the bed, then to herself, then to Roko, making the intergalactic sign for sleep. She hoped he understood that he would have to share a bed with her, either that or sleep in the Mess Hall on the metal tables.

Rio Casa

"Well, Emperor," Sammi took a moment to admire the serene scene around her. One could not tell, just from looking, that these grounds were walked by some of the most powerful people in the Coalition, discussing everything from tactics to day-to-day running of an Empire. Ironic, she supposed.
"We are curious about this Race known as the Setulans. We understand that a considerable number are fighting on Miller as a part of a 'Joint Division'? I was curious as to your opinion of these beings."

Sporia

"Splendid. You'll find our representative trained for this sort of thing. She'll (The representative) bring a blaster if you do not mind. I wish luck to your "expedition"." said Admiral Rosia, smiling at the assembled security team. Colonel Bonus noticed Unit 187 leave the room, probably to inform the other crew members they had another member to add. Two Acerian Legionaries were at the end of the hall, intently watching Unit 187.

Sporia...

"Yeah..." Kakuna suddenly bared his teeth, in what they would realize was a smile. "Thank you, Admiral, Colonel," he gave another tiny bow, "we'll get your shipment back for ya, never fear."

Dien was already packing up his devices and, burdened once more, made for the door. Tien bowed and the group left.

Outside Unit 187 had locked eyes with an Acerian Legionarie, and only the arrival of the others of the team ceased the never-ending, unblinking stare. Together they walked back to the tram.

"A rep." Kakuna snorted. "A Qonndamn rep! Shit, I didn't anticipate this."

"You should have." said Tien contempuously.

"Who knew they would've wanted to watch?" The other gave a long-suffering sigh. "What am I going to do!?"

"Is this representative an enemy?" asked Dien in confusion from behind his omnipresent armful of devices.

"Not necessarily," answered Tien with a dour smile. "Perhaps this person can be used to our advantage?"

"Yeah?" Kakuna seemed skeptical. "How do ya see that?"

Tien just gave a knowing smile.


Warship Vaca...

Roko took care to move quietly, but none of the sleeping Alumina stirred, and in any case he entirely forget about it when he managed to understand what Luscia was trying to communicate to him. "We," he pointed to himself, then to her, "share," he pantomimed himself getting into it, then her, "sleep," he mimicked her action, "together?" He pointed to himself and her again. He wanted to make absolutely sure that he understood what she was saying. In the Xiscapian Imperial Navy, two or more crewmembers sharing a bed was known as "hotbunking", to save space and allow for increased efficiency if both or all those sleeping in the same bunk had the same station. In his culture it was no big deal, but he knew that the Alversian People's Navy did not do this, or at least they did not do it frequently, and he had noticed that he appeared to be the only male on the ship. Such things led to...awkward questions and uncomfortable situations in other societies.

Imperial Palace...

The Emperor smiled in a way that told Sammi he had found her question amusing. "They are not unlike your own people, Sammi. Strong, courageous, loyal, bold...huge." He actually grinned. "I believe your average Setulanite ranges from seven to eight feet in height. They, that is, the current Republic, rose up from the ashes of a long civil war, and their first expansion was hampered by a race known as the Kewen. The Xiscapian Second Exploratory Fleet happened upon the colony as it came under attack, and arrived to prevent the total annihilation of the defending force, although the colony was lost. Since then we were to dispatch Rear Admiral Lintel as an ambassador, but the Danaversian war forced her and her fleet to come back to the Motherland and what we know now of them is though their Ambassador, Prime Minister Marchamp. He is staying here, at the Imperial Palace, though at the moment I believe he is with the Empress in Tenfour.

"The Joint Division was created, more or less, at that battle. The Eighth Marines and the First Republican Rifles preformed so well together against Kewen infantry that it was the next logical step to form them into a single unit to combat the Danaversians. I cannot tell you much about Colonel Green, as I have never met him, but I hear he is a very strong, extremely stubborn man when it comes to tactics and morals. I would not be surprised if he and Rear-Admiral Cavourna were related."

Luscia nodded, evidently pleased that he had understood her message. She did not enjoy being unable to speak with this new arrival on the ship, something that was interesting and she, as a young Alumina, still had that inbred curiousity. He was also someone she could be friends with, for, as the junior Cadet on ship, she was virtually an Outcast, she would remain one until she proved herself in battle and could be accepted into the crew. Normally, Alumina Cadets came aboard vessels in pairs, so that they could keep each other company. She has been unlucky enough to be in an odd number of recruits. So while the others kept contact with each other, her head was silent unless she was needed for something. She was not bitter of course, for she had been told of the Navy since her birth and she knew what to expect. But it still made for a lonely existance, especially when she was more used to playing in open fields with many children or working with many females. Now she was alone and she hated the quiet.

She took along to the other parts of the ship, showing him on a grand tour of the warship, from many empty rooms to others filled with silent Alumina working on their own. None looked up to acknowledge her, none saluted her. She seemed temporarily crestfallen before moving on, cheery as ever. Her finally location was the hold, a room that was even quieter than the rest of the ship and apparently even darker.
She had no reason to bring him here, there was nothing but spare parts and room for medical supplies, but she had something to tell him,
"You," She pointed to him, "Me, talk here. Secret."

She hoped he understood that she could not talk to him in the rest of the ship without attracting further mistrust from her Peers, so she must talk to him where there would be no one around. Somewhere like the hold.

Rio Casa, Imperial Palace

"Now that, I am pleased to hear," Sammi smiled in relief, her Grand Admiral has informed her of meetings with the Setulans and they certainly seemed effective to her,
"It's a pity that we could not deploy the Colstream or Grenadier Guards for the battle, but there was not enough time to transport them to Miller," She smiled, "I certainly look forward to meeting this Prime Minister in person, if I may?" She asked Foxfire, turning to face him.

Sporia

Acerian Legionaries were now leading the security group back onto the "trains". Basically no was inside except for huge crates marked "Acerian Federal Army" in huge black words. There were Legionaries guarding those two. Others were curiously staring at the visitors.The train moved on, with the massive city of six hundred million being seen all around them.

Finally they arrived at the spaceport. The Legionaries leading them back to their hanger by vehicles. The Security team's space ship, as it turned out, was washed while the team was gone, to make it look cleaner. The representative as it turns out, was already there. The representative was a red haired female with plenty of training in various areas of the military. A strange looking case was next to her on the ground. She merely watched the visitors for a moment, studying them.

Legionaries had heavily guarded the ship's surrounding area. With even support tanks guarding the entrances.

Sporia...

Kakuna was busy looking at the Princess of Blood as they disembarked the tram. "Shit," he groaned, "they washed her. Now it's going to smell like cleaning fluid in there until we land somewhere else."

"Kyodai, is appears the representative has already arrived." Unit 187 was watching the redheaded women.

"Would you not-" Kakuna's eyes dropped and he saw the Acerian. "Oh my, what have we here?"

They were approaching her now, and the ways they looked at the women were all different. Kakuna's yellow eyes were roving up and down her form, a stupid grin on his face. Tien was calmly staring directly at her eyes, as if trying to see what sort of person she was. Dien, from around his devices, was looking at the case beside her with undisguised interest. Unit 187 was carefully locating and analyzing any weapons or technology the representative was carrying on her person.

"Hello, pretty lady," Kakuna was turning on the charm, tail brushing his arm, bowing slightly and holding out a hand. "My name's Kakuna, what's yours?"

"Are you the representative we were told would be accompanying us?" Tien asked sharply, cuffing Kakuna across the back of the head.

Warship Vaca...

But Roko did not understand. "Why...secret?" He was slightly frustrated at their inability to communicate more clearly. "Why not talk," he pantomimed words coming out of his mouth, "out there?" He waved his hand airily, indicating the rest of the ship, and cocked his head, tail curling, trying to clarify with tone and body language that he was asking a question.

Imperial Palace...

"I believe so," the Emperor nodded seriously. "The Empress has been keeping the Prime Minister busy, showing him Xiscapia, and no doubt he has heard much about your people. I'm sure he will be eager to meet you, we can arrange a conference."

The Alumina looked puzzled for a moment, frowning lightly before understanding what he meant. She brightened up for a moment as she began to communicate as well as she could,
"Me," She pointed to her again, "Talk you ship bad" She nodded, pointing to the roof of the hold before pointing to herself again, "Me talk here you good" She nodded happily, hoping she had made her point. It was difficult trying to talk to him like this.
But she had an idea.
She went to one of the metal boxes nearly and rummaged through it for a moment, before pulling out a small communicator. She smiled as she went to work on it with a long thin wire she pulled from a pocket. After several seconds of work, she fitted it onto her chest, took a deep breath and spoke,
"Hello?" She said, speaking perfect common, "Is it working?" She looked at him uncertainly.

Rio Casa

"I have been in many conferences during these past few weeks, Emperor," Sammi replied respectfully as they continued to walk, "If it is not inconvenient for you, I would prefer to meet him in less formal circumstances."

Sporia

The red haired Acerian representative looked curiously at the approaching security team. She stared at Tien in the eyes, apparently studying him also. "Yes, I am the representative. My name is Layla." Unit 187 would show she had one pocket computer and one sidearm blaster that was in its holster. The strange dull gray case on the ground next to her held plenty of intriguing things, but right now Layla was waiting for the security team's next response. Layla had a reputation for deceiving people. Many pirates were fooled by her and ended up in naval traps. Of course, she was officially an observer, unofficially however...

OOC: Tien is female.

Sporia...

"Oww," Kakuna rubbed the back of his head, looking at Tien with mock indignation. "What I do?"

The other ignored him. "We are going to be embarking shortly to begin the first stage is tracking down the stolen weapons shipment. I trust you have been briefed?" Tien had locked eyes with Layla, and attempting to outstare her was like trying to win a staring contest with a cat.

Dien moved past them up the ramp of the Princess of Blood, brushing the Alversian Shatei going the opposite direction. "The ship's been prepped, sir," he reported to Kakuna.

The black kitsune nodded. "Good, you've made the contacts we need?"

"Yessir."

"Follow our lead." Kakuna glanced over at the others of the security team. Tien, having received a confirmation, nodded and strode up the ramp. "I'm Tien, by the way. He's," she nodded at the ship, indicating Dien, "Dien, and the he's the leader." She pointed to Kakuna, as if his name wasn't worth saying. The Xiscapian made a face to her retreating back and motioned to Layla. "C'mon, we gotta get underway."

Unit 187 was now concentrating on the case by Layla's feet, trying to scan it and find out what was contained inside. She needed to make sure the Acerian didn't have anything that could disrupt their mission, intentionally or not: A bomb, a long-range communications device, a nanobot swarm, a jammer or any other dangerous objects.

Warship Vaca...

Roko blinked. "Ah, a universal translator," he relaxed. "That makes things much easier." He smiled. The Xiscapians had their own translators which, after some exposure to any given language, could shift the users words into that language and translate any spoken language into the selected dialect of the user. It was a simple enough program; linguistics had structure and patterns, and discerning these took little time until the computer could draw parallels between the test language and the selected one and translate.

"So," he asked, looking curiously at her, glad to be able to speak fluidly and without pause, "why can't we talk in the rest of the ship? Is it prohibited?"

Imperial Palace...

"I'm sure something can be arranged," said the Emperor easily. "Ambassador Marchamp should be back here sometime later today with the Empress, you can meet him then."

"Yes," Luscia nodded, the device itself was not a translator, for she could not take one of those without it being missed. Instead, she had taken a different device, one designed for converting power relays, and reprogrammed it to measure speech and to convert it like a translator. It was quite a fiddly job but one that would be worth it in the end. For she could now talk to this strange creature,
"The crew will not like it if I talk to you. You are an outcast. You are not a member of the crew and so you must not be treated as one. It is our custom. I'm sorry," she seemed embarressed, "We are a very cold people."

Rio Casa

"I am glad that that could be arranged," Sammi nodded appreciatively, "I am sure that a less formal surrounding will help all parties to relax and be open on the subjects that one must normally be tactful of, for political reasons of course."

OOC: Gotcha. Thanks.
IC:

Sporia

Layla smiled, apparently excited by the mission. "Yes, I have been briefed." She followed them up the ramp. This was another strange security team, but combination of them would win. The strange case was stubbornly resisting all attempts to be scanned. Before Layla entered the ship, she clicked a few times on her pocket computer and the base, on wheels went up the ramp too since it was far too heavy to be lifted, following Layla into the ship.

Sporia...

Unit 187 followed the case carefully, almost like a cat stalking a rodent, although she did not have to point her artificial eyes at it to watch it; the android had sensors all over her body, and indeed she watched everyone from dozens of different vantage points at once. Unit 187 could not feel distrust or unease -she couldn't feel any emotion- but the fact that the case was resistant to her scanners and that it had it's own mobility indicated that either something very valuable or very dangerous was contained inside.

Kakuna watched the box roll past, tail flicking. "Now I've seen everything," he said, bemused, walking to the cockpit.

Dien had already disappeared into his cave-like room, a dim place lit only by the glow of half a dozen computer screens, with a bunk with sheets twisted around the bottom in the corner, crushed pop cans and empty bags of chips, sweets wrappers, pizza boxes and mini-dinner containers strewn about on the deck. He was already working on further analyzing the attacking ships and the methods and technology they had used to so quickly and effectively drive of the escorting frigate and take over the merchantman.

Tien led Layla and her roving baggage to the stateroom set aside for the Acerian federal agent. It was small, perhaps twelve feet by ten feet by eight feet, and contained only a bunk in the far right corner, a closet directly opposite, a fine wooden bedside table next to the bed, a clean metal desk in the middle of the room, and a wall panel with communications access to the rest of the ship. The quarters were lit from the ceiling and upper part of the bulkheads by a few Guilda energy crystals, the bulkheads were colored a soft beige color, and the floor was smooth, cold steel. "This will be your residence for the duration," said Tien, "there is an adjoining bathroom though here." she tapped at the wall panel which activated a hidden door, opening silently to display a small bathroom with a sink, toilet, shower bath and medicine cabinet. "You eat when you feel hungry, the kitchen area is to the stern, and you sleep when you want to if we don't need you. The cockpit is at the bow, the other quarters are around you, the kitchen, armory and engine room are near the stern, and there is a hold below you. For the moment we are planning our next move, so you may join us in the cockpit when you are ready."

She left, and Unit 187 could be seen outside as the door opened and closed, standing still in the corridor outside.
Watching her.

Warship Vaca...

"I've noticed," said Roko in dry humor. He frowned. "It is your custom to treat guests like they are being shunned? How strange. So, if I am not a member of the crew, what shall I do? I don't think your Captain plans of letting me back to my people any time soon."

Imperial Palace...

The Emperor looked sidelong at Sammi. "Topics like what, pray tell?"

"No," Luscia shook her head, "We are on a mission to attack a Danaversian outpost deep inside their own space. We cannot leave the mission for one person. It is ineffecient." She smiled at the use of the word, for it was one of the ones that would be most associated with her people.
"You will be given a job by the Captain," She responded, "It will be effecient use of your time"

Rio Casa

"I feel that discussions of culture, history or losses are better to be conducted within more informal situations. It makes it more comfortable to be able to talk to someone as a person rather than a Head of State, which is what we both are, technically." She smiled, "It can be awkwardly formal."

Sporia

A minute after Tien left Layla in her room, Layla noticed Unit 187 outside, keeping an eye on her. She ignored the driod when she left the room to go join the security team at the cockpit and plan the next move. The case was left behind in the room, but it sealed itself onto the floor, making it practicality impossible to open without making a ton of noise or prying it. Layla meanwhile joined the gathering crew, she was studying them again.

Sporia...

Unit 187 was gone when Layla came out, and she wasn't anywhere to be found until the Acerian got to the cockpit, where she saw the android standing by the door, watching Kakuna and Tien.

"...the best thing about you would have to be my arms." Kakuna was saying conversationally.

"Thanks, I would offer to shag your brains out," Tien said sourly, electing a start from Kakuna, "but it looks as if someone has beaten me to it."

"Damn," the kitsune muttered, looking around and spotting Layla. "Oh, you're just in time for the meetin'. I've already sent a message to our contact, he'll be sending us the proper coordinates in a jiffy."

"They've contacted one of the merchants here and paid him to give us the coordinates to Boolean space," Unit 187 explained to Layla, turning to face her.

"And if anybody knows where that shipment went, they do," Kakuna swiveled in his chair. "The Danaversians might be smart enough to steal that tech, but they definitely ain't bright enough to reverse-engineer their own. They'll have to send it to the Booleans, and they're a nation of traders, ya'know."

Tien nodded. "And traders can be bought..."

"'zactly."

"What say you, Layla of Aceria?" Tien turned her brilliant jade eyes on the representative, almost as if in challenge.

Warships Vaca...

"Oh, that's rich," Roko sniffed, "I'm not good enough to be treated as an equal, but I can be worked as one." He looked at her, then turned away abruptly, embarrassed to have spoken ill of his hosts.

Imperial Palace...

The Emperor seemed amused, but almost as quickly he became serious again. "Is there anything you would like to talk about in that nature, Sammi? It may be my own paranoia, but you seem troubled by something. Perhaps I can help."

"No," Luscia shook her head from side to side quickly, "You are right. We are a strange people. If you remain on this ship then you must work, or else you are needlessly taking up space and resources. Our facilities are minimal, yu must work like us to gain access to them." She seemed embarressed herself, "I've never met another Being before...not in person"
Luscia seemed to be a niave and rather unknowing Creature but she had an almost child-like curiousity and a kind heart that was hard to find amongst her Comrades. She seemed to be genuinely interested.

Rio Casa

"I am merely suggesting that an informal situation will make for a more relaxed and enjoyable meeting," Sammi lied smoothly, deciding not to tell him of her feelings of incompetance alongside such a powerful and wise Ruler. With another one, she felt she could be outclassed again. She did not care about what they thought of her, more what they thought of Alversia. What she did reflected on the planet and it's people. She did not want to let them down.

Sporia

"It sounds like a plan." said Layla, looking back at Tien's eyes defiantly. This would be a awkward mission that would turn complicated reckoned Layla, she just hoped everyone would stop almost being hostile to her presence.

"You mean one of the merchants from Aceria?" she asked. It almost seemed like there were more merchants then troops in this part of the Federation.

Sporia...

Tien's eyes slid away from Layla's and she answered a moment later. "Yes, a trader from this planet."

"Many merchants come though Kel, to pick up rock and sell their own stuff in the markets," said Kakuna. "This one was a previous contact that owes the Syn- I mean, Triad Corp, a favor." The kitsune looked guilty, but was saved by the beep from the control console behind him, spinning quickly around to answer it. "Ah, here we go," he muttered. "I'm uploading the coordinates now..."

There was a few moments of quiet before Kakuna sat back from the controls, clapping his hands. "There we go, and we're on our way, lads and lassies." Outside the ship they could see the Longshot already firing her engines, and there was a quiet but deep thrumm noise as the engines of the Princess of Blood powered up. "Hold on to your various appendages," they felt the ship levitate off the ground, thrusters glowing with heat over the ground, and it slowly but surely lifted off into the sky, the smaller gunship tagging along behind. Once in the atmosphere they quickly picked up speed, breaking out into space, past the stations and starships, gunning into the void beyond. There was a few seconds of travel and the two craft vanished into hyperspace.

"So," Kakuna turned back around in his chair, "Booleans, eh? Somebody get Dien's tail up here, he knows about this sort of thing."

"I shall retrieve him, Kyodai," Unit 187 turned and glided silently from the room, off to get the technician.

Kakuna chuckled. "Good luck, he likes that little cave of his..."

"Layla," Tien spoke, framed against the blue-white streaks of hyperspace, "tell us a bit about yourself. We like to know who we work with." She smiled, but there was no warmth in that alien visage. Kakuna looked on with interest, though he pretended to be busy with the ship's computer.

Warship Vaca...

"Another non-Aluminan, I suppose," Roko turned around, sighing. He honestly pitied the youngster, this was no environment to thrive in, and she seemed so bright and curious while those around her ignored her or held her in contempt. Much like his predicament now.
"What sort of work will I be doing?" The kitsune wanted to know, tail curling. He was good at repairing things, though he wondered how often anything broke around here, and he doubted they would let him anywhere near the computers on a military vessel. He might be stuck cleaning or doing some other menial, mundane task.

Imperial Palace...

"Sammi, Sammi," the Emperor shook his head tenderly, and stepped over to a nearby bench. "Please, sit with me." He settled onto the bench, robes draped around him, and smiled gently. "You don't need to conceal anything here. I'm your friend, you know." He made his statements without seeming in the least bit arrogant or condescending. "Take off the mask of formality, we can be open here."

"The Commander will have to choose for you," The Alumina shrugged, "I cannot tell you what she will pick, though I doubt that it will be an important job. To our people, yout Species is known as being..." She stopped, seemingly embarressed to reveal her people's opinions of this fox-like Race, "...rather incompetant." Had her cheeks not been covered in a short fur, she would have blushed,
"I don't think you're incompetant, I think you're wonderful." Again, silence after the revelation,
"What were you doing all the way out here on your own?" She asked, "were you lost?"

Rio Casa

"It is merely my nerves, Emperor," Sammi didn't know why, but in the presence of the Emperor of Xiscapia, she felt she could be open, she could be honest with him, "I am unfamiliar with the protocols of meeting with Heads of state and I do share a faint worry of such an event."
Slight was an understatement, her stomach felt like it was churning over and over again.

Princess of Blood

Layla hesitated for a moment, then began speaking, even sincerely, which you don't often see happening. "I'm a native of Sporia City, assigned to the Black Legion, the elite unit of the Federation. The Black Legion is mainly our intelligence agency. I've been in a number of successful missions, mostly against pirates and rogue traders. It was a surprise that my superiors picked me for this mission." She was saying this to nobody in particular.

Princess of Blood...

"Rouge traders?" Kakuna raised an eyebrow, dropping all pretense of being involved with the ship. "I wouldn't imagine a few pissed-off merchies would be especially dangerous."

Warships Vaca...

And my people think yours a bunch of puffed-up, self-important pussycats. Roko thought, but kept this to himself. After all, Luscia had done nothing to deserve the insult, and she couldn't help the race she was born to, however rude they might be.
"I don't think you're incompetent, I think you're wonderful."
Roko lowered his head slightly, embarrassed and flattered, ears twitching.

"What were you doing all the way out here on your own? Were you lost?"

"Lost!" Roko gave a hearty laugh. "No, I was not lost," he smiled in amusement, secretly hoping she didn't think him that incompetent, "I was scouring the battle wreckage for technology. The Boolean weapon devastated the Coalition armada at the battle, and the best way to find a defense for it would be to have a sample of the weapon itself, to analyze the effects in a controlled environment. I was supposed to find one on a destroyed Boolean vessel and take it back to Xiscapia for analysis, but..." He shrugged. "The rest, as they say, is history."

Roko felt no qualms about revealing the nature of his assignment to Luscia: No doubt the rest of the crew had pieced it together or already knew, and he felt like he had found a friend in the young Aluminan cadet.

Imperial Palace...

Foxfire Rose smiled knowingly. "Please, Sammi, call me Foxfire. I am sure even Adrian Mallon himself felt nervous when he first entered politics and met the officials. I know I did," he chuckled, "at my first ball as the Emperor, I met one of the former Empresses who had resigned from her position," his eyes were clouded with memory, "I was so quick to bow I knocked over her wine glass with my shoulder and spilled it all over her robes!" He laughed out loud now. "And there were a few times...see, when I was younger I was used to wearing jeans and shirts for farm work or when I was at Rio Casa U, and as a soldier I had my battle armor and uniform. I was uncomfortable in Imperial robes, and I tripped over the hem once or twice and fell, if I was lucky no one saw me but the servants and guards..." He chuckled again. "You're not alone, Sammi, I'm sure if you met me twenty-five years ago you would not be so nervous. You have nothing to fear from myself or Ambassador Marchamp."

"Oh," Luscia was quiet for a moment, seemingly embarressed about something. She broke the silence a couple of minutes later, looking Roko in the eye more with curiousity than anything else,
"Are we really puffed-up, self-important pussycats?" She asked. Roko seemed to have forgotten that the Alumina did have telepathic abilities, up to the point where they could the thoughts of those around them. Memories and dreams were beyond the reach of all but the most powerful of Alumina.
She did not seem angry by the revelation though, merely curious at the words chosen, they're suggested savagry,
"Are we really that bad?" She asked, a little timidly, shying a little away from the Kitsune, tail twitching.

Rio Casa

"Thank you Emp...Foxfire," Sammie said the words awkwardly, for she had never referred to the Emperor of Xiscapia as anything other than his title. It seemed so strange to speak to him so personally,
"I'm sure I can hold the burden of the People's Republic," She smiled, "Though may I question you as to information on Mr Machamp? I have not had the pleasure of meeting him. What is he like?"

Princess of Blood...

"Rouge traders?" Kakuna raised an eyebrow, dropping all pretense of being involved with the ship. "I wouldn't imagine a few pissed-off merchies would be especially dangerous."



Princess of Blood

"Well, rouge traders are a bigger problem then you can imagine. Hiring mercenaries, funding pirate ships, etc." explained Layla, slightly anxious. "Anyway, that's my story. I'm assuming you're Xiscapians yourselves?"

Princess of Blood...

"'Cor," Kakuna nodded, now cleaning the interior of the barrels of his Shuriken Shooter. "Best people ta be, least that's what I think." He chuckled. "Yup, we might not look it, but we're all really peas in a pod. 'xcept Unit 187, cor, she's an android."

Tien was just sitting quietly, wrinkling her snout at the mention of her, Kakuna and Dien being so close. She kept staring at Layla, and one got the sense that she, along with Unit 187, didn't trust the representative at all.

Warships Vaca...

"Wha-?!" Roko felt his heart skip a beat, and he jerked, startled. It was so easy to forget that this race could read minds as easily as any other breathed or ate; only the more powerful and well-honed Xiscapian priests (and, it was rumored, certain government officials and soldiers) could engage in such things, although it was considered the height of rudeness to do so without requesting prior permission. This was something he was going to at least have to broach with her, even if he couldn't stop any of the others from leafing though his thoughts as they pleased.

"Look," he rubbed his head, as if trying to make sure there wasn't anyone else in there, "you can't do that, okay?" He managed to sound annoyed and amused at the same time. "You can't just go around picking up people's thoughts like that. It's...impolite." He paused, knowing how stupid he probably sounded to the youngling who had probably grown up listening to the thoughts of those around her and having her own explored in turn. "Just...don't do it to me, alright? It makes me feel violated, and if you can't resist, just keep it to yourself, alright?" He sighed, running a finger along his muzzle, entirely forgetting her question in his distress.

Imperial Palace...

"He seems quite receptive to our own opinions and culture, however different they are from his," responded the Emperor. "The man has a good head on his shoulder's, that's for sure. Beyond that, I don't really know, he's only been her a short while and I've only met with him a couple of times. He is a good man, though, I can tell that much."

"But..." Luscia also seemed to forget her question in observing the Kitsune's distress, "...it's more effecient to read your mind. Because then I know instantly all that you want me to do. It's quicker and more subtle than shouting. The whole ship is silent because we communicate telepathically to each other." She seemed confused by his apparent concern and anger, though there was a little shame creeping in as well,
"I'm sorry," She said finally, "It's a force of habit, something we get used to. Are we still...friends?" She asked, concerned. Then she thought of another question,
"Why is it...impolite?"

Rio Casa

"Then it sounds like we shall get on fine," Sammi smiled in relief, "Is he here for war business also? Or is this purely a Social visit?" She was pleased that the Emperor judged him so, for if Foxfire Rose held him well then he musn't be that bad a person.

Princess of Blood

Layla was silent now, observing the crew members. How was she going to help them on the mission if everyone distrusted her? She might be pushed to use "extreme" measures if this went on. Meanwhile, the case she left behind, which was locked to the ground, was sending signals back to the Acerian Federation. This signals were virtually undetectable, unless, you were operating the case itself.

Princess of Blood...

At that moment Unit 187 returned with Dien, who struggled to mask his annoyance at being taken away from his computers. He hated being interrupted, but he didn't want to risk Kakuna's wrath by appearing dissident. Instead he sat down next to the kitsune at the console, looking at him and ignoring the others, impatient to be getting back to his room.

"So, Dien," Kakuna said loudly, "what do you know about the Booleans?"

Dien looked around, adjusting his blue-tinted eyepiece. "There's not much to tell, really." He shrugged. "Like Mrs. Layla's people, they're a nation of traders and merchants, very wealthy but focused on business and money. Some believe they got involved in the war because they felt the Coalition was or will be threatening their own markets, although it is more commonly held that the Danaversians forced them into it. They're technologically advanced in most areas, roughly on par with Xiscapian technology, perhaps slightly substandard or superior in some areas, although most if not all of their vessels are unshielded."

"Unshielded?" Tien seemed surprised. "Really?"

"Yes." Dien sat back, enjoying having an audience's attention now. "Weather it's a strange personal preference or some sort of technological deficiency we, and that it, Imperial and People's Republic data, don't know. They are also a people of honor; if you save the life of a Boolean, they will owe you what is known as a life debt, if you spare the life of a Boolean, and you are later threatened by the same or one with a close connection to him or her, they will be mandated not to harm you so their debt may be absolved."

Kakuna was nodding. "That's very interesting, Dien."

The other glanced at the security team leader. "Really?"

"I think we can use that information to our advantage," he gave a knowing smile, looking at Layla as if inviting her to guess his intent. "Don't you, rep?"

Warship Vaca...

"Well...yes, of course we are," Roko fumbled, "but, you see, I cannot read your thoughts, nor can I close my mind to prevent you from seeing things I might rather you not. You hold an advantage over me that I have no way of safeguarding against, and in this manner you can lift my most private thoughts from my mind at your will, and I would not even know if you did so. It's like eavesdropping," he paused, "it's like listening in on a private conversation." He struggled. "It's just not right."

Imperial Palace...

"War business, I'm afraid," the Foxfire. "He, along with Colonel Green and the late Admiral Marcus Grant, were to be the Setulanite delegation to me and Xiscapia, handling diplomatic, Army and Naval matters respectively. We are trying to immerse him in our culture, for I think he has little to do but make reports and watch the progress of the war, and if he is to be the diplomat of the Kitsune Empire we feel he should know as much about us as possible. So, in a way, he is here for a social visit, but only indirectly."

"But..." Luscia frowned, as she failed to understand the purpose of the rebuke. In her mind, she had done nothing wrong, the excuse that 'It wasn't right' did not compute with her race. It didn't matter weither it was right or wrong, as long as it was effecient. That was what she was thinking of at that point in time,
"...it's effecient," She tried to argue back, but found that she couldn't, "Do you not have any telepathic powers? I thought you did. Beings of your Species have communicated with us before in that manner" She said in bafflement.
"I don't...understand," She concluded, trying to sound dignified and failing miserably.

Rio Casa

"Of course," Sammi had expected nothing less, for Xiscapians were famous almost universally for their hospitality. She was not surprised that they had taken it upon themselves to keep him entertained during his time here. That the Empress herself was heading the tour was also less of a surprise. She smiled at the thought,
"Then I very much look forward to meeting him. It will give him something to report on, though I doubt his dispatches are dull at this time in the war."

Princess of Blood

Layla hid her annoyance of being called "Mrs. Layla" and said, "Then we have to save the life of a Boolean basically?"

Princess of Blood...

"Exactly!" Kakuna grinned rougishly, clicking his tongue, winking and pointing at her. "You're all right, rep, you can stay."

Tien rolled her eyes.

"So," Dien was looking around at the others. "We're going to go find a Boolean and save his life in exchange for...?"

"The universe's most valuable commodity: Information." Kakuna answered.

"And how do we save this poor wrench's life?" Tien asked. "It's not like we can wait around to catch one if he falls off a cliff."

"Well, we might have to, ah, create one," Kakuna smiled. "But I doubt we will. Anywhere there are merchants, you find a certain class of people-"

"Pirates," growled Tien.

Warship Vaca...

Roko smiled despite himself. "No, I don't have telepathic powers of any kind. Some of my race do, but I don't possess anything like that. Listen," he felt like he should be coming down to her level, but she was taller than he was, "what is right is not always efficient. What is efficient is not always right. But you, I, and all of your people, whether they like it or not, are living, breathing, feeling beings. Your people just hide it exceptionally well. Love, joy, anger, hate, revenge, annoyance, sadness, these are all emotions we all feel, including the Alumina. They aren't efficient, but they're natural, as critical a part of us as our tails, and they're influenced by the actions of others. Your picking apart my thoughts would make me unhappy, and even if it is efficient, it hurts our relationship. Do you understand what I'm saying to you?" He stared at her seriously.

Imperial Palace...

"I'm afraid not," the Emperor nodded, looking off into the distance, and changed the subject.
"These Belkans that have allied themselves with your people...what are they like? We have had some small contact with them in the past, at the Chalybs Colony, a brief exchange of gifts, a non-aggression and mutual defence pact between the Imperial forces, but nothing in-depth." He turned his head to look at her, one ear twitching in that curious way kitsune ears often did. "How did you come to know the Belkans?"

"So..." Luscia looked at him, trying to get a sense of his argument. Truth was that she didn't understand it. Everything in life had to be as effecient as possible. That was what she had been told by her Commander. Feelings were irrelevant, feelings only got you hurt. They needed to be removed because they were a weakness,
"...if I don't read your mind. We can still be friends?" She asked hesitantly. She looked at him and saw someone with experience far beyond hers. Yes, she was physically larger, but he was the Adult, she was the Youngling trying to find her way in a confusing Universe.
"If you are unhappy," She said slowly, "Then why not block out the emotion so you are not unhappy? That way I can be effecient and you won't be sad."
She seemed to be thinking hard about it.

Rio Casa

"It's a funny story really," Sammi smiled, "They appeared in our space after the Battle of Havalia and informed us that they wished to join the war on the side of the Coalition. We had had no contact with them prior to this, but they have seemed friendly and we are in desperate need of assistance after our recent losses," She stated, "I must admit that I have not met with them myself, only recieved reports from the Admiralty on their character, but, even as we speak, they have a fleet engaged alongside our own in action."

Princess of Blood

"Now we have to go find pirates attacking a Boolean." Just awesome. This sounds easier said then done. Next time, she'll stay on desk duty, directing merchant ships through the field.

Princess of Blood...

"It might take a little searching," Kakuna admitted, "and we'll have to elude their patrols, but I'm sure we'll find one eventually."

"It won't be difficult," Tien said confidently. "I have extensive knowledge of pirate activities from my time in Vila's pirate fleet, and I can coordinate us into an area where pirate operations are probable."

"Well, there we go then!" Kakuna threw up his hands and stood up, stepping aside as Tien strode past him to begin working at the control terminal. The black Xiscapian picked up his Shuriken Shooter and started cleaning it, something he did when he was bored, nervous or afraid, though just by looking at him one couldn't tell if he was feeling any of those things.

Dien had moved aside slightly to accommodate Tien, and he now looked over at Layla. "Have you fought pirates before, Mrs. Layla?"

Warship Vaca...

Roko sighed. She might have been capable of jury-rigging a working translator, but she was still very much a child. "It's not that simple," he sat down on a nearby crate, "I can't just turn off my emotions. Sometimes I wish I could," he smiled wistfully, "but it's not possible. And in any case, I wouldn't want to, there's more to a person than their mind. For my people, and for most races I think, emotion is a critical part of life. If knowledge and the use of the mind is the bread and water of life, emotions are the sugar and spice." He looked at her. "You do feel, don't you?"

Imperial Palace...

The Emperor's ears flicked again. Sammi was probably not well-versed in kitsune body language, but the Emperor was slightly agitated, wondering how to broach the subject. "I would be wary of the Belkans," he said finally. "I do not believe they would turn on the Coalition, and they are powerful allies, but I do not believe they share our same ideals, and their intentions are suspect. As they say, keep your friends close," he was staring directly at her, "but your enemies closer."

"Well, yes," Luscia was still not quite understanding his argument. It was from a whole different culture to hers, one where emotions were encouraged? That went against everything she had ever been taught and raised to believe in. Emotions were damaging. The peaks were not worth the pain and suffering of war. Perhaps she could understand his reasoning if she were in peace. But she was not. She was in war, her Mother had been in war, her Grandmother had been in war. Alumina were trained to fight a war that never seemed to end. Even in times of relative peace, it was always just an excuse to build up for the next attack. Alumina could not afford to have emotions. Their conflict was too personal to allow them.
"but emotions weaken a person. If your best friend were to be killed, then you would be overwhelmed with grief, anger, mourning. And when you got back into fighting, you would want revenge. That could cloud your judgement and get you both killed. It is not a good way to fight a war." Again, she tried to sound dignified and smug, but she failed and she knew she had, because she grinned afterwards to show that she was not really being serious.
She just liked talking.

Rio Casa

"I know," Sammi nodded, "There is no doubt that they are in this fight against the Danaversians to the end. But I suspect that they have entered more in the hopes of gaining territory, rather than defending sovreign space. They wish to increase their own influence and seeing how the Danaversians are fighting at the moment has offered them an attractive oppurtunity. They will be useful to us until after the war's conclusion," She shrugged,
"After that, any territory they wish to capture will be done alone. The Republic will not be invading the Danaversian Empire beyond what is needed to end the war"

Princess of Blood...

"It might take a little searching," Kakuna admitted, "and we'll have to elude their patrols, but I'm sure we'll find one eventually."

"It won't be difficult," Tien said confidently. "I have extensive knowledge of pirate activities from my time in Vila's pirate fleet, and I can coordinate us into an area where pirate operations are probable."

"Well, there we go then!" Kakuna threw up his hands and stood up, stepping aside as Tien strode past him to begin working at the control terminal. The black Xiscapian picked up his Shuriken Shooter and started cleaning it, something he did when he was bored, nervous or afraid, though just by looking at him one couldn't tell if he was feeling any of those things.

Dien had moved aside slightly to accommodate Tien, and he now looked over at Layla. "Have you fought pirates before, Mrs. Layla?"


Thinking fast, she said, "Yes, many. Though it would be through secret missions or watching the battle on a naval ship. The pirates attacking the merchant fleet of Aceria is more of an annoyance then anything, but they don't affect our trade levels due to sheer numbers of traders." She was watching Dien, studying him.

Princess of Blood...

"Ah," Dien looked away, apparently bashful at the attractive Acerian's intense concentration on him.

Kakuna looked over at her, though, frowning. "What sort of secret-"

At that moment the console began to beep incessantly, and Tien's fingers were flying over the controls. "We're seconds away from realspace, scanners detect energy signatures that could be engine exhaust, shields flares and weapons fire."

"Shit," Kakuna rushed up beside her, pushing Dien aside and settling in, weapon forgotten. "If it's more of those fancy-assed Barracudas we might be in trouble..."

Unit 187 was standing directly behind Layla. "Do you have training and experience in ship-to-ship boarding combat?" She asked the women.

The Princess of Blood exited hyperspace in Boolean territory.

Warships Vaca...

"Yes," Roko was unsmiling, face (as far as Luscia could tell on the alien visage) deadly serious. "To retard your emotions is to form a protective bubble around yourself, so you can never feel anything, ever, good or bad. I have no doubt that if your Captain thought it would be the most efficient thing to do, she'd put a blaster in her mouth and pull the trigger, if she was ordered to, she'd kill you or me without hesitation. And it wouldn't affect her at all. That's what this military is doing to you. If my best friend died, I'd weep and be angry, and I might not be fit for combat duty. Maybe I spring back. Maybe I don't. A wiser man than I once said that the universe breaks everyone, and after that many are strong in the broken places. Your people will never fulfill their full potential anywhere if they never allow themselves to feel, and I wouldn't want to see the same thing happen to you. Not while you still have it." He smiled wanly, and she was struck by how much older and more world-weary he was than her.

Imperial Palace...

"And if it is required we invade Danaversian territory to win the war? What then?" The Emperor seemed very concerned. "Sammi, when the time comes, the Coalition must strike a blow so devastating, so painful, so deeply wounding that the Danaversian Empire will never threaten us again. We cannot afford another conflict like this, worlds and nations have already fallen to them. In every war, the Alversian and Aluminan militaries have forced the Danaversians back to the DMZ- and no further. Surely you see that after so many violations no sensible person would expect you to honor that oath? Temporary peace has not worked. Treaties have been broken, repeatedly, so they are little more than a formality. If we cross the DMZ, if we take the fight to them, if we confront them on their own ground and make them feel the cost of war, perhaps they will lose their taste for combat all together. If that is what is required, the Kitsune Empire will join the Belkans, however imperialistic it might seem, in conquering Danaversian territory," he took a deep breath, "with or without the support of the People's Republic. This must end now, with us, least future generations curse our cowardice and indecision when they come under assault once more. Break the mold of the past, as I did during the Korr War," he smiled wistfully, "become the Prime Minister who defeated the Danaversians, once, and for all."

"Oh," Luscia stopped smiling and looked at the ground, fidgeting nervously. She supposed she should listen to this Kitsune, for he looked as though he had seen the Universe and seen what it had to throw at life in general. She did not. Her people were cold and emotionless because it was the most effecient way to fight a war, without heart or compassion. She who falls behind is left behind. That was the Alumina way of thinking. She didn't understand why there was such a struggle between emotions and coldness. It was all horribly confusing to one so young, especially one who was witnessing this argument for the first time,
"So I should keep emotions?" She asked, looking for guidance, "because they're good for me?"

Rio Casa

"We have tried to invade their space before," Sammi admitted, "But as soon as we crossed the DMZ we were confronted with more ships than we could imagine. Hundreds of shoals, coming in from all directions, suddenly we were in threat of being cut off, FTLi field were going up everywhere. We had to withdraw before we were destroyed, but it was a valuable lesson for us."
Sammi sighed,
"Everything that we have faced so far, the ships, the determination, is nothing compared with what you'll get when you enter their territory. If you occupy their space, then there will be no peace, only war. We shall invade as far as might be needed to force a treaty, but we do not have the resources to even dream of remaining there."

Princess of Blood...

"Ah," Dien looked away, apparently bashful at the attractive Acerian's intense concentration on him.

Kakuna looked over at her, though, frowning. "What sort of secret-"

At that moment the console began to beep incessantly, and Tien's fingers were flying over the controls. "We're seconds away from realspace, scanners detect energy signatures that could be engine exhaust, shields flares and weapons fire."

"Shit," Kakuna rushed up beside her, pushing Dien aside and settling in, weapon forgotten. "If it's more of those fancy-assed Barracudas we might be in trouble..."

Unit 187 was standing directly behind Layla. "Do you have training and experience in ship-to-ship boarding combat?" She asked the women.

The Princess of Blood exited hyperspace in Boolean territory.


"I have plenty of experience and some training in manning Aceria naval weapons." replied Layla, she waited patiently to see if they had indeed encountered Danaversian Barracudas. She had very little information on them, but from what she heard, they weren't easy to defeat.

Warship Vaca...

"Yes," Roko nodded, "emotions are healthy. I'm not saying it'll never hurt," he sighed, "but in the end, I think you will find that your instructors were ignorant. The good will outweigh the bad." A smile finally crossed his features.

Imperial Palace...

"Of course," the Emperor nodded empathetically, "occupation is a ghastly thing. But if we must invade to enforce peace, then that is what we shall do. We must trust that the will and spirit of our freedom-loving people is stronger than than of any fanatical Danaversian."

The space the ships had dropped into was already occupied it seemed by another being, or beings. The vessel in question looked like a black millipede floating in space, being pursued by Corvette sized Ships that were all over her like lice. The vessel was firing back and the Corvettes were suffering, but any scan would show the Merchant Vessel was in trouble. Powersystems were failing, shields were down and most of the defences had been knocked out by the attacks. The vessel was struggling.

Warship Vaca

"Okay," Luscia brightened up considerably upon seeing Roko smile, "I shall keep my emotions openly and be happy all the time, instead of sitting and reading over boring Engineering manuals. I want to read Jana and the Swan again," She looked at Roko's embarressed face a giggled, "It's a very popular novel at home. I loved it. I would never go anywhere without my copy. It was also so light, so joyous, so full of emotion," Then Luscia seemed to slump, she looked at the ground, "They wouldn't let me bring it with me here. They said it was not befitting of the Defence Forces and that I should forget it."
She was silent for a while, then she turned back to Roko,
"Should I obey my Officers and ignore the book? Or should I try and emotional connect with it?"

Rio Casa, Xiscapia

"It will be a tough and bloody fight I fear," Sammi sighed, "And such discussions are such a long way off for the moment. We are still defending our own space and that must take priority at the moment." She said with a light firmness, not to rebuke Foxfire but to rebuke herself, to remind herself that she had to remain focused on where the war was now, not where it would be.

Princess of Blood...

"Looks like you might need it," Kakuna nodded past the blast-proof cockpit glass to where the merchant was being pursued by eight warships, leaving four of their fellows floating disabled behind them from the trader's guns with a ring of debris from where armor had flaked off. Behind the Princess of Blood the Longshot was waiting patiently for orders, and Kakuna did not disappoint. "Longshot, your targets are the crippled vessels at the following coordinates..."

A short time later the gunboat peeled off and began to pepper the damaged picket ships with laser fire and antimatter missiles, not very sophisticated or especially dangerous, but to a disabled pirate ship they would prove lethal. The Princess of Blood continued on her same course, following the battle, and inside Kakuna began speaking orders with a military-like precision that one would not have guessed he possessed. "Dien, jamming and scans, I need to know where and how to enter the lead ship, we could use some more firepower. Tien, battle gear now, Unit 187, synchronize yourself with the turret cannons and turn those bastards into space dust, you, rep," he didn't even look at Layla, concentrated on piloting, "you're with Tien, get whatever weapons and armor you've got, you'll be boarding soon. Let's move!"

Dien was working at the controls beside Kakuna, doing rapid scans on the eight corvettes, searching for weak points, hanger bays, airlocks, bridges, cargo holds and other areas that could be exploited. He set up a jamming field which turned all communications into static, ensuring that the pirates at least couldn't coordinate with each other, and began to analyze the merchantman as well, all at once. Unit 187 stepped up to a herhethiro unnoticed console and plugged herself in, linking herself with the heavy autocannons that now extended on the topside of the Princess of Blood, which swiveled and began blasting away at one of the corvettes, fire splattering along the beam, careful not to hit the merchant. Kakuna himself maneuvered the ship "up", so his ship was gliding "above" the pirates, and, angling down, began to unleash hell upon them. The freighter-sized armed star cruiser that was the Princess of Blood was much better armed than the gunboat Longshot, full armament consisting of the topside turret, quad-linking bow laser cannons, duel torpedo launchers, a tractor beam on the underside and a swiveling ion cannon, all of which were utilized now. Kakuna estimated that it would only take one volley per enemy vessel, but if not there was plenty more where the first salvo came from. He transferred control of the ion cannon into automatic mode and had it target the closest corvette, firing away with mindless intensity while he held the triggers on the rest of the weapons.

Tien stood and motioned to Layla to follow her as the Princess of Blood rocked as she spat out torpedoes, the alien being keeping steady on the heaving deck as the gravitational flux capacitors struggled to adapt to the rapid changes. A short walk found them in the armory near the stern, a smallish room filled with racks, boxes, lockers and containers of every kind and type of weapons imaginable, from vibroswords to nanobot swarm cannons, a man portable R.E.A.P.E.R, handheld phasers, poisoned-dipped darts, missile launchers and many more. Tien made some motions Layla couldn't see and her armor split open, retracting and sliding so she was exposed from her neck to just before her pelvis, night black fur shown to cover her excepting her bare nipples. She seemed quite unabashed as she replaced the power pack that fitted snugly into the chest and began to examine the varied weapons available to their use, picking up a few shurikens as she browsed. "We'll have a little while yet, but you might want to consider battle armor or a space suit," she nodded to a rack that held several sets of the previously mentioned, "pirates aren't very bright, but they might have a few surprises waiting. I'd hate to see you explosively decompress when we've only just met."

Warship Vaca...

Roko shrugged, but he smiled with his eyes. "Whichever pleases you. I won't pretend you won't get in trouble with your superiors if you display too much emotion, or if they find out you're reading that story, so you might want to express and display your feelings in private. What's important is that you don't lose touch with them. Emotions matter."

Imperial Palace...

"We must look to the future, Sammi," Foxfire said quietly. "An old mentor of mine once said that he who fails to plan, plans to fail. I have no doubt that our forces will prevail, but what they do is not under my control, only my influence, as I prefer it. As a Head of State, I must concentrate on the diplomatic and governmental aspects that a war entails; this includes what might happen afterward. I do not know how much direct involvement Alversian Prime Ministers have in the affairs of their armed forces; if your duty calls you to coordinate and direct them, then do so. I, however, must focus on what is to come. I must trust my commanders to do their job, as they trust me to do mine."

Princess of Blood

Looking emotionless from what she had just seen, Layla looked through sets Tien motioned to, "I guess the battle armor suit will do." picking it out. Layla also had her own weapons, including a holstered sidearm that she brought with her all the time, but she decided to use a weapon from the arsenal.

The Pirate Corvettes watched as one of their number erupted into flames, while the disabled vessels were finished off. They broke off their attack almost instantly, knowing that tangling with such a heavily armed vessel, along with the powerful Merchant Vessel and the other ship that had arrived. There was only so much that they could take. They turned and withdraw, all apart from one Corvette that had been disabled and simply waited for distruction. At the same time though, a message came through from another source,

"This is the Boolean Merchant's Vessel Vladistov. We are deeply grateful to you for your assistance, but we must request that you do not destroy the remaining Vessel. To kill a wounded enemy displays neither valour nor courage."

Warship Vaca

"Okay," Luscia brightened up considerably, pleased to have that conversation out of the way. She wanted to show emotion and, with the Kitsune, she knew that she could. However, she dare not perform in such a manner with the rest of the crew, especially not the Commander. She would not like it, and it did not do well for one to antagonise one's superior. So she decided that she would come down to talk to Roko alone. Where she could be herself, happy and cheerful and enjoy life.
However, for the moment, her curiousity was overwhelming,
"What is Xiscapia like?" She asked, "Is it a nice place?"

Rio Casa, Xiscapia

"I have little say in how the military runs," Sammi admitted, "I am a Politician, not a Soldier. I am not well placed to make such important decisions. I shall leave that up to the people who have experience and know that they were doing." She smiled, "We will, of course, do all we can to make this War the last, but one cannot set the future in stone."
She gave a small laugh,
"It was actually a Mercenary who told me that, a one Nathaniel T. Barnes. We were in the same Class at School and, when I asked him what he wanted to do with his life, that was the answer. Everytime I see his face on the Holonet I think of that. Silly story really," She shrugged.

Princess of Blood...

Layla had picked out what appeared to be a downgraded version of Light Assault Mecha armor, a sort of armed power suit (http://worgun-tyre.deviantart.com/art/armor-8-13225594). It wasn't as bulky or as strong as actual LAM armor, nor was it as sleek and flexible as Tien's own strange brand of protection, but it would do for the purposes it was needed for. Tien cast around at their stock of weapons, from so small they could fit on your finger to so massive one would either need superstrength or an antigrav lift to move it. "Take one, take a dozen, they all kill or disable."

Seeing their enemies flee Kakuna allowed his ship to motor easily alongside the freighter, wary for more pirates. He wouldn't put it past them to attack a second time once they thought the merchant and his newfound defenders had let their guard down, and, being a criminal himself, was well aware of how they thought and acted. The Syndicate didn't like pirates any more than anyone else -they disrupted shipping- and some would say they had stricter anti-piracy policies than some governments, but there was some kinship there.
"Wasn't plannin' on finishin' 'em off, mate," came Kakuna's laid-back voice over the vox, "we'll just see what we can get from 'em first. This is the Triad Security vessel Princess of Blood; that gunboat over yonder is our sister ship the Longshot. If you'll kindly wait around while we end this thing, I think we can help each other."

The Princess of Blood slowly moved down towards the helpless corvette, firing a few more ion blasts to keep the vessel from becoming active again. They docked easily and Kakuna sat back, knowing it would be up to Tien and Layla to clear out the ship and take prisoners where they could get them. Any information they could gather from this band of rouges might be as valuable as the merchant's information; several local governments paid high prices to be tipped off as to the location of pirate nests.

Warship Vaca...

"I think so," affirmed Roko slowly. "I suppose it depends on what you like. I come from a village outside the city of Skagway, Xiscapia's northernmost city, of the eastern continent of Forworn. It's mostly wild, lots of hills and jungles with great rolling plains to the east, but to the south it's largely wasteland, lots of old ruins. My little town isn't the most populous city in the Kitsune Empire, but it's cool and the people are friendly, it's got a very relaxed atmosphere, being so isolated. It's almost like time stops," he sighed wistfully. "The city, Skagway, that's where you find all the clubs, the nightlife, that sort of thing. There must be only a dozen or so major cities on the whole planet, I think most of the population is spread out in individual townships and villages." He shrugged. "Most of the planet is very quiet and peaceful, it's in the cities where things get exciting. Me, I always preferred the cities, country life's a bit too sleepy, but it's nice to go back once in a while." For a time he was quiet, staring off into the distance, thinking of home. "I wish I was there now."

Imperial Palace...

"Is that so?" Foxfire chuckled. "Yes, our mercenaries are rather colorful characters." 'Colorful' was an understatement and possibly nicer than the assorted vagabonds deserved. "We have found use for them in the past...no doubt they will continue to use their talents that benefit the People's Republic and the Kitsune Empire." He smiled widely. "If only accidentally."

Prince of Blood

She picked out a few of the weapons. Gripping the unfamiliar weapons, she readied herself for the ship searching. She had done that a few times once and got herself caught in a few crossfires. She managed to survive them by a combination of luck and speed. Hopefully pirates here were like the ones raiding the Federal ships.

Warship Vaca

"It sounds...nice," Luscia said, eyes on the ground, she was slumping, shoulder to Roko so he couldn't see her face, "Very peaceful."
There was a pause,
"I wish I was home too," She said it quietly, as if worried that someone might be listening in from above, "my villiage is in the South Plains. It's all green fields and great farms that give us our food. The sky is always blue and we hardly get any rain. My village has only a few dozen people living there, many are Elders who live in our traditional houses, unwilling to leave the old ways behind in a modern world. The houses are surrounded by trees that offer us shade in the heat.

I lived in a nice house. It was small, but there was always enough room for me and my mother. We were never cold and never hungry. I was always so happy there, running amongst the rows of cherry trees, playing with my friends. We didn't care about the war. We heard the adults talking about the Fish and we heard the stories of what they did to us. We hated them but we were somewhat curious as well. It is a common bedtime story to fighten Children into submission, tell them that a Danaversian will steal them from their beds if they misbehaved. Right now, the cherry trees will be in blossom, the white petals coating the paths like snow..."

She stopped for a moment. If Roko looked, he would see that she was crying,
"I hate it here," She said, barely keeping her voice under control, "I want to go home to my friends." She took a seat, her furry cheeks wet with tears, "I don't want to kill. I don't want to die" the last part was a frightened whisper.

Rio Casa

"They do have their uses," Sammi conceded, smiling, "Subtely is not one of them and, to be honest, with the fees they charge these days, it'd be cheaper to send in a Cruiser to do the job," She laughed, "but then I guess you lose the...deniability."
She stopped for a moment to think,
"Mind you. I wouldn't want them retire. Certainly not yet"

Princess of Blood...

"Let's go," said Tien shortly, fitting a small holdout pistol neatly into her hip holster. She led Layla back out to the port airlock, the final bit of her suit, the helmet, engulfing her head. Now, instead of her angular vulpine visage, there was a cold metal muzzle and two burning blue eyes, Tien's body entirely encased in armor. Kakuna watched on the viewscreen from the control area as Unit 187 gracefully strode up to meet them, the feminine trio entering the sealed area to board the pirate ship. The black kitsune chuckled to himself at the sight, resting his feet up on a console while Dien continued to pick away at the corvette's defenses and systems composition with the scanners of the Princess of Blood. "Just look at that, eh? What have you got for us on this corvette of ours, tech boy?"

"Ah," Dien looked up, fingers flying over the keys, swinging the image of the ship (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Image:Tartan.jpg) towards Kakuna. "The vessel is some six hundred meters in length, with an estimated cargo capacity of a thousand tons. From what the scanners are reading and what we've seen thus far, it is an ideal pirate ship: Very fast, armed with twenty laser cannons, and shielded enough to take a sufficient amount of damage one would expect from armed freighters or light escorts and still be able to operate. I would estimate the hyperdrive unit at about a two point oh, and a crew of about seventy persons; however, these are pirates, so the actual number might be as low as thirty, seeing as their vessels are always understaffed. I do not anticipate there will be much trouble in taking it intact, and it will be a valuable addition to our already considerable firepower."

Meanwhile Tien, Layla and Unit 187 walked down the utterly silent airlock tube and came up to the blast door that secured the corvette's airlock from outside space. Unit 187 stepped up to it and, with a few movements and no fuss, hacked the control panel and activated the door, allowing them entry. She went beyond the decompression door of the airlock first, still appearing entirely unarmed and defenseless, while Tein disappeared into the shadows behind her.
The boarding team was on the move.

Warship Vaca...

Roko's eyes misted over with imagination, and it was a moment before he realized Luscia's distress. He was totally, totally unprepared for it: His training dictated meeting with aliens in a diplomatic setting, or, if things didn't go so well, killing aliens in a diplomatic setting, not soothing a young, wounded soul such as the Alumina before him. Roko opened his mouth and, unsure of what to say, closed it again, and moved forward, putting his arm around her shoulders and patting her on the back, murmuring vague words in what he hoped was a comforting way. "Shh," he wiped a tear from her cheek with one gloved hand, "just calm down now. I've made us both homesick. I promise you, as long as I'm at your side, you won't have to kill, and you won't have to die." Unless your superiors decide I'm corrupting you, he thought grimly.

Imperial Palace...

Foxfire actually laughed. "I don't think they have any plans to retire, not for many years yet anyway. Deni ability can be achieved elsewhere, I think it's their appetite for destruction that endears them to the XIN." A mirthful smile crossed his vulpine features. "I had to fortune -should I say misfortune?- of meeting them both, once, at a state dinner of all places. The Empress was...not impressed. Oh, she was not pleased with them being there at all." He shook his head, still smiling.

"Here we go." said Layla so quietly she wasn't even sure if Tien heard her. Going into the shadows, who knew what laid ahead? Armed to the teeth pirates? She hated fighting INSIDE ships. One time, a firefight with a group of pirates turned the walls along the hall into holes and left half her team dead. Lets hope this security team knows what they're doing. They did seem to. For the time being.

Within the Corvette itself, it seemed like there was no one home, for no one was present to greet the Party as it entered the vessel. The ship was dark, emergency lights flashing red, the corridors lit only sporadically by showers of sparks from one damaged console or another. Great holes had been torn from the roof and walls. It seemed like there was no one home. However, ahead, there was a shadow, then another, then another. They seemed to be forming around the party, almost like a circle, surrounding them, trapping them. Yet there was no fire, no blaster shots. Nothing.

Warship Vaca

"But I hate it here," Luscia tried to curb her tears but the built up emotion, long supressed, was hard to stop. As soon as she had wiped her tears away, more sprang up on the Youth's face,
"I hate the silence, I hate the crew, I hate how I only have two hours to myself and how I'm not allowed to read my favourite stories or play my favourite games. I hate how the crew hate me, how they make me feel so small and insignificant, I hate the way they talk about the Danaversians and how we have to kill every last one of them. I hate it. I want to go home but they won't let me. It's ineffecient," She gave a sorrowful smile, "And when I beg, they punish me..." She left that hanging in the air as she stared blankly at the wall, tears falling to the floor.

Rio Casa

"Oh, I can imagine," Sammi laughed at the thought of Kartosh and Skyler meeting with the Empress, how she would have disapproved. She was a Kitsune who knew what she wanted, Jade.

"I must admit that I have also seen them invited to state balls," Sammi stated, referring to Nathan and Chloe, "the younger female was most civil, most agreeable company. Nathan was a nightmare," She laughed again, "In the end, the Guards threw him out, before he started a war of some kind."

Corvette...

Tien was no where in sight, leaving Layla just behind Unit 187, with their backs to the airlock, facing the growing number of what they could only assume were pirates. Unit 187's face was still and expressionless as always, and she stepped forwards, arms at her sides, voice soft and nonthreatening. "Please, put down your weapons and put your hands in the air. We do not wish to kill any of you."

Warship Vaca...

Roko sighed. This had not been in the contract when he'd signed up. I'd say they were only doing what's best for her...but they're not. They're doing what's best for the Alumina as a whole, and when they see their entire race under attack, the thoughts and feelings of one individual don't matter. I wonder, did they all go though this, or is she just a anomaly, a glitch in the system...

"Listen," he said quietly, arm still on her, "I know it's hard. I can't even imagine trying to work here, I would eventually either go mad or be turned into a machine. But if they saw you here, now, like this, I don't care to imagine the punishment you'd face. You've got to be strong," he shook his head sadly, "or you will become like them, and your spirit will die."

Imperial Palace...

"Indeed," the Emperor nodded thoughtfully. "I have never met Chloe in person, but she seems to emanate class; almost as if she was of the nobility, or born into great wealth. I sometimes wonder at her past. Nathan," he gave a slight shrug, "is no mystery. He is who he is, that is what can be truthfully said of him."

Somewhere in the darkness, a voice called back,
"We'll...we'll...come...out...n-n-n-now..." the voice sounded feeble and weak, seemingly devoid of any and all strength. No one was coming to challenge the trio of Thugs, even though they were passing areas that had clearly been set up for defence and would have easily repelled a Marine boarding team of quite considerable size. Yet there was no response from the Pirates, no quite attack and no storm of blasterfire. Nothing. The ship was quiet.

Warship Vaca

"I'm...sorry," Luscia wiped her tears away, still hugging herself tightly, almost withdrawn into a small protective ball. However, now she dried her eyes and her voice took on a stronger tone, no longer broken,
"I shouldn't be telling you this, but you're the only Being since I joined the Navy who'se shown any interest in me, taken any time to talk to me. I have no one on this ship and I get so terribly lonely that it's nice to talk to someone...even a complete stranger," She looked up from the floor, right into his eyes,
"Didn't you ever get lonely? On your own spinning hundreds of lightyears from your own space? No one to talk to?"

Rio Casa

"She did seem very well invested in the customs of Xiscapian Nobility. I didn't think much of it at the time, I was a Senator then, but now, looking back on it. She didn't seem like someone who had learnt them overnight. They came as naturally as one breaths air," Sammi paused for a moment, deep in thought, "She is a mystery, but I suppose that her blend of rationale and competance makes up for Nathan's lack of both." She smiled, "Perhaps that is the key to their success? They elimate each others weaknesses"

Corvette

No blasting from the pirates made Layla slightly nervous. In Aceria, they always fought back to avoid the death sentence that would be placed upon captured pirates. Her blaster rifle was aimed at the direction of the voice, instinct.

Corvette...

Unit 187 waited with the infinite patience of an automation, standing utterly still, relentlessly scanning the darkness for any threats or indication that this was all a trap. The gathering of figures and the fortifications told the android that a resistance had been planned, but for whatever reason the pirates had elected to back down, or were at least biding their time. She doubted that, though the weaponry arrayed against them was formidable, it was due to the presence of the Security Team, and speculated that there was some other reason for the peacefulness of the enemy. What it was she could not say, but it was probably good for their mission, seeing that the more pirates they could capture alive meant less work having to clear the ship and a higher chance of gathering valuable information.
She waited, aware of Layla behind her and Tien somewhere in the area.

Warship Vaca...

"No," Roko answered shortly, but he looked away. "I was trained for these missions; being alone with my thoughts doesn't bother me." He wondered if there was some other answer she would have been wanting or expecting, but it was too late to do anything about it now. He was in no position to second-guess himself.

Imperial Palace...

Foxfire smiled genially back. "Sammi, that is the key to the success of most any partnership, the one between our respective nations included. Compensating for each others weaknesses and playing off the others strengths forges bonds between them and us, until it is a mutualistic symbiotic relationship, where one depends on the other, and rightly so. I do not believe Xiscapia nor Alversia would be where they are today without the influence of the other."

Still the Pirates did not move. There was no movement from them. It would take the Team to advance for any signs of opposition. They would find a dozen people, dressed in a Uniform and covered in boils and sores, eyes sunking and hair missing. They seemed barely able to stand, nevermind repel an attack. One of them, obviously a Commander, tried to hold up his sword, but instead it clattered to the floor. He then collapsed. None of the crew were able to either talk nor move.

Warship Vaca

"Oh," Luscia looked to the floor again, "I wish I could do that. We don't train for something as ineffecient as lonlieness" She almost laughed, "Well, I suppose we had best get back to duty," She sighed, "I do not have much time left to prepare for duty." She removed the small translator,
"Go," She smiled again, and instantly replaced it with a standard Aluminan frown.

Rio Casa

"Of course," Sammi laughed, "Our two peoples have merged excellently, it seems that we are a more than compatible match in the Universe." she sighed, "I have always thought back to how we first initiated contact. Of course, you were the Emperor of that time." She laughed

Corvette

These pirates would just give up without a fight? It seemed a bit unlikely. She was deciding whether to communicate this concern to Unit 187. She gripped her blaster even hard and aiming at any potential targets.

Unit 187 could tell immediately that the wretched people before her were in no condition to put up an armed resistance; they looked on the cusp of death as it was. The android stepped up to the fallen officer, scanning him, trying to discern exactly what was ailing the man. "Tien," her audio output unit was soft as the kitsune dropped out of the shadows, "go to the bridge and secure it. Access the databanks and logs, see if you can find out what's happened here. Eliminate any resistance."

Tien did not seem at all miffed at being commanded by a machine, she simply nodded and vanished once more. The automation turned to Layla. "Go, and try to find any living, conscious, coherent crewmember. Try to find out from them what's happened, but if they try to harm you, don't hesitate to destroy them." The primary objective was, of course, to secure the corvette, but there were benefits to learning more about this disease that was allowing them to pass the crew so easily. They would at least need to find a cure, if they wanted to keep the ship so operatives could crew it without having to wear full biohazard suits, and if they managed to find it before the current crew all died from the effects of the disease, they might be grateful enough to be coerced into loyalty to the Syndicate.

Warship Vaca...

Loneliness is 'inefficient'? Roko smiled inwardly at the thought. I suppose if it's something you've never experienced it would not appear to be a problem...

"Aye, aye, ma'am," he saluted, mocking her slightly, and left the room. He supposed he was to go back to the bridge now, and report for duty, seeing as he had not been given any orders except to accompany Luscia, who had now sent him away. He was determined to pull his weight around the ship, and not give the Alumina any reason to badmouth his performance and give them more reason to hate him. Now, however, he found himself unable to navigate the confounding system of passages and corridors that made up the ship. Knowing he'd have no chance of getting to the bridge on his own, and doubting that any of the other crewmembers would assist him, he stepped back into the cargo hold.

"Ah, if you would be so kind as to lead me back to the bridge...?" He smiled sheepishly.

Imperial Palace...

"Yes," Foxfire seemed solemn. "I knew the Xiscapian people had to lay down their pride, or face destruction. We couldn't stand alone any longer, those among us looked around and saw the devastation, the war without end, as the forces of the Supremacy marched on the Motherland itself. We were in danger of being overwhelmed, and so I knew that I would have to be the one to change the course of history. My executive order sent that probe out, and it found your people, ready to lend a hand." He smiled. "Or several million, actually."

Luscia smiled at him and lead him back through the maze of corridors and stairs towards the bridge again. She did not speak to him, nor try to speak to him. She ignored him like the rest of the crew until they were finally back in the presence of the tall, imposing Commander, who looked to Luscia to signal that she was dismissed. The Cadet nodded quickly and left the room in a hurry. The Alumina then focused her scorn back on the Kitsune, looking him over with evident disapproval,
"So," She made the word drip with her scorn, "What training," a smile, "have you gained in your own Navy?"

Rio Casa

Sammi smiled,
"It was the least we could do. Your race seemed to noble and suffering so much strain that was not your own. We saw many links between your conflict and our own against the Danaversians," She smiled, "It was not a difficult choice, and one that we have not regretted for even a moment."

Corvette

Layla opened her mouth to argue, but thought better not to argue against a machine. She aimed her rifle around looking closely at each crew member, every single one of them seemed to weakened. After a little searching, she found a crewmember wearing a tattered uniform. Could this be the commander? He was conscious but obviously not in very good health. "Are you the commander?" she asked, to see if he could respond. She kept her blaster ready at all times.

Corvette...

Tien encountered no resistance on any kind on her way to the bridge; just more of the crew, barely standing or lying still, infected, their eyes swiveling to follow her passage the only movement. They all seemed paralyzed, almost; she didn't think they'd be any threat even if they could move, in their horrid condition. In no time she had bypassed the security and hacked though the relatively primitive computers in the control area, searching for anything useful. She found several references to "orders given" "home planet" "defense forces" "Admiral", and soon pieced together the truth: These people were no pirates. Or, at least, no ordinary ones. They were a military force, part of the defenses of a certain remote world, sent on this mission by...what?
Not their commanders, she had gathered.

Then, abruptly, a file, what appeared to be a dossier but was actually some sort of contract. A quick cracking of the firewalls in place told her that someone named Bongo the Hutt, of all things, had sent some sort of paramilitary force to...gas an entire planet. Specifically, the world this ship and her fellows originated from. The toxin had infected all the inhabitants, all six and a half billion of them; their last and only hope apparently lay in the hands of this Boolean merchant who, they had been told, possessed the cure. Privately, Tien doubted it; more likely this Hutt wanted whatever was on board the freighter, and once these people had tied down and boarded it, his own men would come in, sweep them aside, and take whatever the cargo was for themselves. She wondered what could possibly be so valuable that the Hutt would commit mass genocide to do get it, not that she didn't think he would, being a Hutt, but there were certainly more subtle methods that could have been applied.

Warship Vaca...

Roko gave a slight shrug. It had been established that this Captain didn't like him, and he wasn't too fond of her, either. "Reconnaissance, personnel recovery, counter-terrorism, piloting, service and repair of multiple vehicles, unarmed, bladed, firearms and energy weapons training, assassination and sabotage techniques, sublight and FTL communications disruption and interception methods, basic programming, unprogramming and reprogramming drones, droids and A.I. avatars, torture resistance techniques and diplomatic negotiation, under both benign and hostile situations." He finished smoothly. Chew on that, pussycat.

Imperial Palace...

"Nor have we," Foxfire said immediately, still smiling. "Indeed, it interests me how many parallels exist between the Danaversian and Korr Wars. In both cases, one side nearly fell, and the only thing that prevented the collapse was the timely intervention of your people. In both cases, it is brains against brawn, so to speak, superior tactics and technology against brute force and overwhelming numbers. In both cases, all still bear the scars of those conflicts, yesterday, today, tomorrow." He seemed to grow somber, remembering. If Sammi had done her homework, she would know that Foxfire had fought in the Korr War; met his wife during it, been wounded on the front line in it, lost a brother because of it.

The Crewman did not respond and did not resist, indeed, they could not resist, for they were unable to even stand to oppose them. There was a quick thump of metal on metal behind them and, if they turned, they would be confronted by a Being almost totally encased in metal (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aAMgJW-puHc/SKsa9BWvk2I/AAAAAAAACpI/-GYkNJvPTqc/s320/Techno1.jpg). He gave a bizarre form of salute and looked around at the diseased crew,
"Good Gods," He sighed in a booming voice, "All this was because of Zanna Flu? They could have just bloody asked us for the damn vaccine and we would have given it to them. None of this circus."
He was tall, powerfully built and looked around in bemusement,

"All that damage done to my bloody ship for this." He sighed, turning to face the others, "So, you are the Cavalry to my Wagon eh? The Sniper to my Sapper. I owe you a great deal." He laughed, "Let's get the Walking Dead here treated and then we can talk payment!" he clapped his hand, "You didn't save my ship from eternal hell for charity I imagine."

Warship Vaca

"So you are considerably underachieving then," She replied dryly, watching as space flew past. The six Cruisers were now deep into Danaversian Space, well on the way to attacking their target,
"If you are to be useful on this voyage, then you shall perform secondary system diagnostics. The Dobah will show you how our systems function." Luscia looked delighted at being given a chance to speak with Roko again, quickly dampened by a thunderous look from the Commander. She indicated to her own console, suggesting that he should move to her Console where she could teach him all he would need to know.

Rio Casa, Xiscapia

"Oh the Danaversians, I am not worried about," Sammi laughed, seeing the dull expression on the face of the Emperor, steering him away from painful conversation of the Korr War,
"They will shout and yell and bluster, but, at the end of the day, a Barracuda is no match for a Dreadnought or Battlecruiser. However, I do worry about their Allies." She sighed, "The Booleans seem a great deal more powerful and much, much more potent."

Corvette

The crewman with the tattered uniform, to Layla's disappointment, did not answer, then that being almost completely covered in metal came out from behind, surprising Layla aiming at the target, but then it seemed he wanted to talk about something.

Unit 187 swiveled on heel, standing from her position by the diseased crewman, her posture betraying a defensive stance, ready to fight. She kept her eyes locked on the Boolean, unblinking, as Kakuna's slow voice came over the communications. "Think you guys should know, that merchant's not sitting around, he's coming to you..."

"Thank you, Kyodai," Unit 187 said without moving her mouth, sensors fixed on the merchant before them. Tien was back with them now, bridge secure and data dumping to the Princess of Blood, watching quietly. She seemed bemused by the strange alien.

"No we did not," Tien said at the Boolean's last words. "There's something we'd like in return...several somethings, actually. But now, yes," she gestured at the fallen forms that littered the deck, "let's help them."

Warship Vaca...

Hmph. Roko couldn't help but be slightly miffed. I'll show you 'considerably underachieving', kitty-with-a-pineapple-shoved-up-her-ass. He walked over to Luscia once again, refusing to give the Captain the respect her position entitled her to and unwilling to speak, least she find something wrong with his voice.

Imperial Palace...

"Indeed," Foxfire seemed to come out of his revere, shaking his head ever-so-slightly. "They are an unexpected factor, but I do not think they are in this war of their own free will. At least," he paused, "not any more. I suspect the Danaversians may have forced them into this somehow; their involvement makes no sense, not at this point, not for the reasons I can think of. If they are indeed a people of merchants and traders, war must be seen as a terrible thing, for it disrupts any economy and saps precious resources in the building of armor and ships, and it would be avoided at all costs. They would not fight simply because it strikes their fancy."

"It takes one to bloody know one," The Merchant laughed loudly at her admittance, "But I can respect honesty when I see it." He took two small sprays from his belt and threw one each to the others who had come into the ship, "That is the cure," He explained, "Some like to fight their wars with weapons and guns, I like to fight mine with medicine and profits. Let's get these Buggers fixed up and then see how I can pay off my debt to your Mobsters."

Warship Vaca

Luscia took Roko to one side and began to show him the console that he would be using for the remainder of his time aboard the Aluminan Warship. It was a confusing mixture of circles, cut into buttons with long lines of buttons between them and two small screens in dark green with flashing black numbers appearing every couple of seconds. Luscia demonstrated how to work the console, showing him how most commands required at least four fingers pressing buttons at the same time while looking at the two screens and monitoring a strange pulsing light in the top right hand corner. It should also have needed telepathic ability but, as the Commander had identified that he was not a telepath, she had ordered it adapted for his unique circumstances.

Luscia quickly ran through the basic hundred and six procedures that he would be required to perform on a fixed cycle, making amendments depending on what he had found. Each command would be noted carefully and immediately moved on to the next one. Luscia's fingers were like blurs moving across the screen,
"Your turn." She said simply after a while.

Rio Casa

"Perhaps they have promised something, or been promised something that will make the sacrifices and impact of a war on a merchant society worthwhile," Sammi seemed deep in thought, "I can only assume that they will in this war for the long run and that that event is not good for the Coalition." She had already heard reports that the Boolean warships were a much more formidable task than their Danaversian counterparts and Captains were often struggling to overcome their ships when met in an uneven battle.

Corvette

Layla was quiet, not trusting herself to speak to the Boolean. Well the good news was they found a Boolean who would help them. Of course Layla was distrusting him. Her past experiences told her to be careful when negotiating with this guy.

Corvette...

It took nearly an hour to 'disinfect' the entire corvette, even with all four of them working with the sprays, but despite this none of the crew was yet in a position to talk as they were still recovering. Now Layla, Tien, Unit 187 and the Boolean merchant all stood on the bridge of the corvette, work finally done, now simply waiting.

"We're tracing a stolen weapons shipment," Tien explained as they sat around a table, Unit 187 standing by the door, watchful. "Danaversians in some kind of elite Barracudas, cleaned out a merchantman right inside the Acerian Federation, stole a few hundred tons of minerals and metals, some tanks, and a certain extremely powerful weapon. You wouldn't know anything about that," she was almost casual, "would you?"

Warship Vaca...

Roko swallowed, staring at the console, and slowly lowered his fingers to it. He tried to remember the motions, and abruptly something came to him, a technique a half-forgotten instructor had once taught him long ago. You will not always have your hands free, the kitsune had told him. Sometimes you will have a guard watching them. Sometimes they will be bound. Maybe even broken, or cut off. When that happens, your single most valuable asset will be your tail. Most aliens, they look at it, they think, 'It's a bushy plume, nothing more', but they're wrong. It's flexible enough to act like a third hand if you need it, it doesn't have the same dexterity, but you can use it to hit a button, flip a switch, hide an object, even snag a weapon.
Use their ignorance and your natural tool to your advantage.

Tip twitching, Roko lifted his tail up beside him, pressing the tip down on one of the buttons. It wasn't very comfortable, and he had to extend it a bit to get the tip to press down with any force, but now he had one key pressed down and ten fingers still left. Sighing almost silently, the kitsune got to work. At the end of it, he'd only gotten just under half the combinations correct, frustrated both by the complexity of the system and the lack of a telepathic link.

Imperial Palace...

"No," the Emperor sighed, "their involvement is a bad event, everything that we know about the Danaversians has to be refactored with the Boolean element in mind: Now our enemies have quantity and quality." Foxfire was silent for a while longer before standing without a sound, smiling down at Sammi. "Come, Prime Minister," his somber tone had vanished like ice in bright sunlight, "I have found there is nothing better for stress than a hot bath."

The Boolean finished his job and stood back with the others, looking for all the worlds like a Being satisfied with a job well done. He was packing up the sprays when the question came from Tien. He turned to face her, marginally higher than she and laughed aloud in a deep booming voice,
"Robbery! You accuse the Plundered of looting!?! Ha ha" A deep laughter that rang throughout the ship,
"My dear..." He squinted at her, as if trying to place her, "...Xiscapian right?
I can assure you that I have heard neither head nor tail of any Danaversians stealing anything from anybody. If I did know, then all of the Confederacy would know by now!! I hold a secret as well as a child can hold his liqiour!!" He paused for a moment deep in thought,
"However, if you did need to find of such a dastardly though no doubt resourceful scheme, then perhaps I could trouble you to look at the Archives of the Military Forces on Boole? To such...fine and slender fellows as you and the resources your Thugs can give you," He whispered loudly, almost pantomine levels, "You're not government are you? Thank the Gods!!"

He boomed again in relief at the answer, "My my do I dislike Government intervention in a Being's Private Affairs!! As if they do not have enough to worry about without stepping on the big people!! Well, seeing as you do not salute a flag and answer to a drivelling Politician who likes his shoes licked clean twice a day, then I shall hazard a guess I can escort you to my homeworld!! Consider it my debt as I'll be floating dead into the sun before I pay an ounce of my hard earned credits to a bunch of Pirates!!"

He clapped his hands together and headed to the door,
"Come on!! Come on!!" He shouted, "What are you dawdling for!?! We have mischief to make!! Laws to break!! Thirst to slake!! I shall be pointing my ship at Boole and not turning back!! If you cannot keep up then may I suggest a faster ship from my own range!! Very cheap!! Well...cheapish." He laughed again,
"Onwards!! Leave these nice people the antidote will you?" he said it quietly, "Don't want an entire Species on my shoulders now do I!?!" Back to shouting, "Very damned heavy!! They wouldn't fit in the bed either!!"

With that, he was gone.

Warship Vaca

Luscia seemed amused by his unusual method to use the controls, but the combination of her expression and Roko's tactics seemed to have drawn a cold fury from the other Alumina on the bridge. Luscia sensed this and quickly, her smile dropped to a frown. However, it came up again as the Crew was distracted by a beeping sound on one of the consoles, the Alumina there on it in seconds,
"A Vessel nearby. It is a Boolean Merchant Vessel calling for assistance. Scans indicate 32 Lifeforms aboard. The vessel has been heavily damaged." The Alumina did not look up and neither did the Commander flinch,

"Continue on our present course, do not drop cloak" She stated, for Roko's benefit.

"But you can't!" Luscia suddenly burst out, "You can't leave them there to die! It's...it's...not right..." Her anger immediately melted away to fear and timidly under the glaring stares of the Bridge Crew, all of them turned to face her, to bore into her eyes. What she suggested was the ultimate crime. Outwardly, they were furious, internally, they mocked her niavity.

"You would have us stop and pick up Survivors?" The Commander advanced on the smaller female. Luscia keep her position but her frame shrunk under the anger,
"Tell me, Cadet, how do you propose we decloak without detection? Tell me how we accomodate another 32 people aboard when we can barely keep one extra? How do you propose we leave the fleet a ship short? How do you know that Boolean and Danaversians ships are not closing in at this very minute? The Danaversians will reward your kindness and compassion with slavery, humiliation and death, a painful death. Is that what you want, Cadet Luscia?"

The Youngling had no answers to the questions being thrown at her. She had protested because it had seemed the right thing to do, but now her impulsive action was being punished. She was being made to look a fool in front of a crew who's dislike of her would turn into outright hatred. She had gone against what their Mothers and Grandmothers had done. She had broken the primary rule. Luscia peered around the shoulder of the angry Alumina and her eyes bore into Roko's with a plain message,
"Help me."

But none came and, satisfied that there was no answer coming, the Commander began again,
"You have disgraced yourself, Cadet Luscia. You have disgraced the name of your Family, your Service, your ship but most importantly, you have betrayed the very people you swore to protect." She shook her head, "You are dismissed from active duty Cadet and if I can hear that you have attempted this coy act again, then the punishment will be severe."

Luscia left the bridge, not looking in either direction but with her head down and her shoulders slumped. The eyes of the crew chased her fleeing form until the doors hissed shut. They went back to normal duty as it nothing had happened.

Rio Casa

"Of course, Sammi smiled. She had not been expecting an invitation to a bath but it was a common Kitsune pasttime and she did not feel she could ignore the offer. The Booleans were worrying, brave but powerful. They were not a pleasant enemy,
"I hear that the Alumina have completed a method of defeating the energy draining weapon from Havalia," She spoke as she walked, "They are going to announce it to the Coalition any day now."

Corvette...

Tien glanced around to Layla and Unit 187, ears perked and mouth slightly open in surprise, as if to say, Did anyone else just see that? Unit 187 stared back impassively, waiting, and the Xiscapian couldn't read Layla's expression, so she just shook her head irritably. "What are all you staring at? Start loading the crew into escape pods and get this tub ready for launch." She turned and strode to the door, then stopped, half turning. "Oh, yeah, and throw in a few of those spray-on cures too, I don't want the gooky stuff of six and a half billion sapients on my paws."

A few minutes later over a dozen pods were floating around the corvette and Tien and Layla were back on the Princess of Blood, while Unit 187 stayed behind to uplink to the corvette newly dubbed the Hardwired, while the Longshot came up beside, the Alversian commander reporting that all the disabled enemy ships had been successfully destroyed. Kakuna was grinning widely as Tien and Layla came back onto the bridge, pushing a lever on the control panel all the way down to take them into hyperspace to follow the Boolean merchant. "Hot damn, a whole new corvette! If we pull this off they'll make me a Shateigashira for sure!"

"I wouldn't be so definitive," Tien warned. She knew the cutthroat policies on the Syndicate, and even if Kakuna did beautifully all the way, if he screwed up at the last minute they could easily demote, or worse, fire him. In the Syndicate, getting fired meant swimming though vacuum without a spacesuit.

"Whatever, let's just follow this damned foreigner to...wherever the hell he said he was going."

Warship Vaca...

The only thing needed for evil to triumph is for good sapients to do nothing.
Roko had heard that saying once, and indeed it's what the entire Spacer's Code was based on: Don't kill unless you have to, keep your blaster pointed at the floor or the sky and your sword sheathed, and never ignore a call for help. He knew the Alumina had probably just condemned thirty-two beings to die in the cold depths of space, and if he had disliked them before, he hated them now. What made it even worse is that he knew he was helpless to do anything about it: If he opened his mouth to protest, it would only serve to turn their cold gazes on him and get Luscia in even deeper trouble. So Roko did the only thing he could do: Turning on heel, tail limp and ears flat, he strode off the bridge, seething inwardly. It would do no good to go to Luscia; even if he could get to her, they would be watching, and Roko wasn't certain she'd want to talk to him anyway. The Xiscapian wandered the confusing labyrinth of the interior of the Aluminan cruiser for some time, angry, saddened and confused by the alien customs and ways, before finally coming to what even he recognized as being a mess hall.

Sitting down at one of the tables without partaking in any food, despite the hunger he felt gnawing in his belly, Roko stared off at the dull bulkhead across from him, not really seeing it. He couldn't believe what he had just seen...he had always known, in a sort of detached way, how cold the Alumina were, but to see if first-hand astounded and dismayed him. This is no way for someone to live, he thought. You go in a more-or-less normal being, and you come out an unfeeling machine. He shuddered. They're not much different from the SASM in that respect. And to reprimand a cadet for showing a little compassion...well, I guess she'd have to. Couldn't have someone showing any soul infect the entire crew. His thoughts turned from the bleak future into the past. I wonder why they picked me up, then. No doubt that Captain's already regretting it, she probably thinks I poisoned her Cadet or something... He smiled grimly to himself. All the better, though, unless Luscia does something stupid...

Imperial Palace...

"Best that they do it sooner, rather than later, then," Foxfire replied as they strolled down the elegant hall, weak light from the winter sun spilling though the grand windows and pooling on the tiled floor. "Our own scientists have been working to develop weapons and countermeasures which would ease the defeat of the Booleans in battle as well. With so many great minds focused on the problem, and the brilliance of our commanders in the field, the balance may be tipped once again in our favor." He smiled, supremely confident. "I am glad though, Sammi, that the Alumina at least recognize that they cannot fight this war alone any longer."

The Boolean Merchant Vessel, which had been repaired somewhat and no longer leaked plasma from virtually every opening and gap, turned around the destroyed Frigates and pointed to a random point in space and, in a second, jumped into Hyperspace. The vessel headed through this for several minutes before it flashed in front of a large planet with a dark orange surface, not unlike a desert. However, the view was mostly concealed by floating cities in orbit, vast networks of rings that docked ships and seemed to contain a multitude of houses and buildings of various sorts. The orbit of the planet was also filled with vessels. Some of these were the same type as the Merchant vessel, only in better condition, while smaller beetle-like vessels scuttled between those vessels of a peaceful nature and those of a more sinister purpose. The Scarabs and Stingers were locked in their own orbiting ring, seperate from the rest. However, the large, black, smooth vessels still conveyed a sense of menace.

A signal came through from the Merchant Vessel,
"Welcome to the centre of the greatest system in the Universe! The Capitalist System! You wanna buy it, buy it here!! You want to sell shit, there many eager buyers waiting to eat it up!! Not literally of course!!" a booming laugh, "However my noble Saviours, this is where we must part ways!! If you follow me into the dock without paying then you shall be branded as Communists or, even worse, as Cheapskates and no one would want that!!! Another laugh, "Land in the main ring at these co-ordinates and the rest will open up like the pages of a good book!! Farewell gents and lasses!!" With that, he was gone.

However, as his Merchant vessel broke off from formation, it's place was taken by two Stinger attack ships. A message was sent,
"State your name and identity"

Warship Vaca

Amongst the Alumina sitting on the hard, cold, steel benches, there seemed to be little chat. They were more interested in eating the gunge that had been placed before them. They ate it because it was effecient and, taste is irrelevant. Those who did break the silence spoke only of engineering problems and solutions. Personal discussion seemed to be a mute point amongst the crew.

However, almost as one, the Crew turned to face the door where the figure of a younger Alumina now stood. The crew stared intensely at her, their fiery yellow eyes never leaving her form as she walked slowly up to the serving machines. What little discussion there had been was quickly stiffled by Luscia, who was determined not to look up into the eyes of her Oppressors. However, it was clear that every step was heavy and painful, as if she was drowning under their scorn. She finally made it to the machine and poured herself a small amount of the sludge into a metal bowl. However, she quickly placed it back onto the counter and turned. She fled quickly from the Mess Hall, hounded the whole way by the taunting eyes of her crew mates. Once she was gone, the crew returned to their previous activities.

Outside, if Roko felt so obliged to follow her, he would find Luscia slumped in a corner of one of the corridors, curled up in a little ball, tears running down her cheeks, her young, thin figure racked by silent sobs, a thousand yard stare filling her eyes.

Rio Casa

Sammi laughed at that statement from the Emperor,
"Oh yes, the Alumina have finally conceded that they need the help of us lower species and, now that we are in this Alliance, they are determined to make it work." She smiled whistfully, "They are a Pandora's box I am afraid, the Pridelands. One tends to find it better not to think about their customs and to generally go along with what they plan."

"Uhh..." Kakuna leaned forward, speaking into the vox unit, wondering what they were supposed to do now that they were here. "This is Captain Kakuna of the TSV Princess of Blood, with the TSV Longshot and the TSV Hardwired in tow, we're a Triad Corp Security Team that has business in this sector. If you could direct us to the cheapest docking berth you have we'd be much obligated, expense reports and all that, y'know." He laughed.

Warship Vaca...

The walk of shame.
When Roko saw Luscia exit the mess hall he immediately stood and followed, previous thoughts forgotten, and found her hunched over against a bulkhead. At this sight the Xiscapian simply dropped to his knees and put both arms around the Alumina youngling, hugging her close, tail curling around one leg, not saying anything. No words he could utter could make things better or set the situation right.

Imperial Palace...

"Pandora's box?" Foxfire seemed puzzled, ears perking slightly, blinking once. "I'm afraid I'm not well acquainted with that cautionary tale, but I do know enough to be aware of what it entails, and thus I must ask why you compare the political side of the Pridelands to a curious container object which holds great evil."

"If you have the currancy, then we have the berth," The voice replied and the two Stingers turned and headed into the ring of buildings and vessels. They were lead to a small docking bay nearby, with room for the three vessels. However, it was far from luxerious. Wide gaping holes were present in the roof, floor and walls, seemingly held together by forcefields or badly repaired sections of cheap metal. There was no lock on the door, no security systems and nothing apart from a small, basic computer to log the Ship's arrival. They were the cheapest of cheap.
"This is our cheapest berth," The voice replied, "We are relying the price now."

A screen in the ship flashed with the number of credits that was being asked for. It was a relatively minor number but, even so, not cheap by far. If one wanted into the heart of a business Empire, then one had to pay the price.

Warship Vaca

Luscia threw her arms around the kitsune as he knelt beside her, sobbing bitterly at the treatment from the crew. There was no limit to how much she hated this ship, this crew and her Commander most of all. She did not want to be a machine, she did not want to lose her soul like all those others in there. The one in front of her was the only one who supported her, who cared for her as she was. She clung on to him, her only pillar of strength.

Two days later...

"Drop Cloak, raise shields and prepare for battle," The Commander ordered calmly, watching as her crew went to work, virtually without her guidance. They had reached the station at last and now the half dozen Cruisers were deploying for an attack on it and any vessels that happened to be docked with it.
"Commander," One of the Crew reported with a frown, "I am not reading any weapons or lifesigns. The station is being scrapped," She sighed deeply, "All vessels in the area are salvage shi..." However, even as she tried to speak, an explosion tore through the front of the vessel. In a flash the Commander and her Bridge Crew were gone.

What had attacked the ship was obvious, swarms of vessels had swept out of nowhere, seemingly materialising out of nowhere and ambushing the stranded Alumina warships. They had been misled, this was not a station at all, it was scrap and now they would pay for it.

Down in the corridors of the Vaca, the lights dimmed to a deep blue, throwing the Crew into stark contrast against the licking red flames and scattered bodies, a warning was broadcast,
"Warning, Vessel has been boarded, all crew prepare to repel boarders."

Roko, who was down towards the stern of the ship because he was not needed in a battle scenario, would see Danaversians approaching, running through the darkened corridors towards him in one large, sweaty mass of armour and flesh. They swiftly cut down two Alumina who tried to confront of them and headed towards Roko, yelling battlecries.

Rio Casa

"Aluminan society has continued to function in the same manner as it always has done," Sammi replied, "However, nothing that is so old is without flaws. The Alumina may be geniuses in some manners but in others they are...stubborn and inflexible. I feel that the Supreme Lioness, while no doubt attempting to lead her people to safety, is going completely the wrong way about it."
She looked over quickly to see if anyone was listening, dropping her voice to a whisper,
"Admiral Reynolds reports that nearly half the Aluminan ships on the DMZ have been redeployed and there have been multiple raids into Danaversian space against none hostile targets." She sighed, "It's a worrying trend."

Princess of Blood

After disinfecting the Meeting the Boolean was intriguing but she let the Xiscapians do the negotiating. After the Boolean suddenly vanished, Layla was bewildered but she didn't show it on her face. Lucky, she already had the basic details of the Boolean on her cam. While wondering what a Shateigashira was as the Princess of Blood, her thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of the Boolean system, which was stunning in a way and reminded Layla of Aceria. The Booleans certainly loved to trade, like her homeland. Would they help the security team on their quest to find the REAPER weapon?

Boolean Star System, TSV Princess of Blood...

Kakuna sighed audibly. "Oh well, it's not my money I'm spending!" He signaled to Dien, who had since turned his complex scanning device to the analyzation of the Stingers that had guided them in, the docking computer, and just about every other piece of equipment or technology he could see. The bookish kitsune nodded and disappeared into the stern of the ship, returning a few moments later shoving a rusting red anti-grav dolly on which was stacked a crate. "I hope they take Imperial credits out here..." He muttered. Behind them the Longshot and the Hardwired had also landed, and the others were emerging, Unit 187 leading the Alversian and three Korr across the cracked and dirty hanger floor. "Keep guard here," she instructed the four, "one to both the Longshot and the Princess of Blood, and the other two to the Hardwired."

Outside the group of nine split up: Layla and the four Shatei would stay behind to guard the ships, while Kakuna, Tien, Dien and Unit 187 would head out into Boole proper and see what they could find.

Warship Vaca...

Roko was thrown to the deck as the blast shook the ship, instantly aware that something had gone horribly, horribly wrong. As he staggered to his feet he could see corpses and fire all along the corridor in front of him, the hull torn away in places and the only thing separating the interior of the cruiser from the empty void of space glowing force fields, and he knew the attack had failed. They had set a trap, they had been waiting for them, for all their intelligence, efficiency and planning the Alumina had been too blinded by their arrogance, and now they would sacrifice for that error with their lives.
He couldn't become a part of that offering to the Karma.
He wouldn't let her, either-

The SRS trooper staggered as the Vaca took another hit, leaning against a bulkhead, the warship groaning under the strain of the pounding it was taking. It's falling apart... "Luscia!" He cried out, voice echoing up the halls, lost in the roar of noise as the Aluminan vessel took another volley. He dragged himself up the hall, eyes wide, looking left to right, panting, mouth slightly open. "Luscia!" He screamed again, but it was hopeless: The cruiser, while not especially large, was big enough to lose someone in, and she could have been-
No. He would not allow himself to think about that.

Suddenly, up ahead, a yammering battle cry he had only heard in holo recordings, and there was a mob of Danaversians, their phaser blasts sweeping aside two Alumina soldiers who moved to stop them. There was no where to hide: The corridor was smooth and, though dark, it was obvious that they had seen him, so Roko chose the only option available: He met them head-on. The Xiscapian yanked his pistol out of the recesses of his armor and, holding it in two hands with his fingers wrapped around the butt, one on the trigger, began firing in a cool, disciplined manner into the mass. One fell, then another and another and another, but, as he had heard in official reports and first-hand accounts of soldiers with thousand-yard stares, they just kept coming, utterly ignoring their own losses. It was like throwing a glass of water at a raging wildfire, and before he knew it they were on him.

His sidearm was sent spinning away into the gloom from a massive blow to the shoulder and he nearly fell, pressed in on all sides by the sweaty black mass of alien soldiers. One hand grasped the hilt of his katana, and, using a style he had been taught upon being inducted into the ranks of the scouts of the Xiscapian Grand Army, utilized both the sword and the scabbard, beating the foe behind him across the face with the sheath while his blade came out and cut though the opponent in front. He fought viciously, and Roko never knew how many enemies fell before him until there was a stunning pain in his jaw, the side of his head felt like it had been pressed into a vice, and darkness upon darkness wheeled until he fell away in black oblivion.

Imperial Palace...

They were close now, stepping out into the courtyard, headed for a large building set along the far wall, where steam could be seen rising from the thatched roof and a single servant stood by the ricepaper doors that marked the entryway. Foxfire was frowning as if trying to work out a complex mathematical problem in his head. "It appears that the Supreme Lioness, like many Heads of State throughout time and space, is attempting to use the military as a political tool. If I know the Alumina like I think I do, they would never waste resources on targets which do not serve the enemy directly, and I do not believe they would assault civilians without cause, not after all this time. Tell me," he glanced side along at her, "who is currently the Commander of their Navy?"

As soon as the group left the hangar, they were in the main corridor, a pentagon-shaped passageway, with two glass walls that showed the vessels gliding swiftly by. The corridors were a dark, rusted brown colour and empty, almost completely empty.

they were met by a group of Boolean Guards who stood in a semi-circle around the Criminals, blaster rifles levelled, ready to let loose on the small group. The Boolean in the centre was smaller than the Soldiers and seemed to have less bulk on his person. He raised a hand and announced to the small group,
"Halt there, kind people," He boomed, sounding quite like the Merchant, "I have never seen your type and, as I am a mere cog in the great clock of beaurocracy. Therefore I will not ask your business and I shall ask that you fork out the dosh. Come along now, otherwise I will have to as...well not I, but my friends here will have to ask you to leave." He chuckled, "Money please?" He held out his hand.

Elsewhere

As Roko woke up, he would be aware of a light and airy house, similiar to something from Terra in the 1950's. There would be another difference he would notice, a voice sounded from behind him, silky in manner with a distinct purr,
"Oh yes, he's finally awake. Mmmhmm, he is cute, worth the price anyway." The voice laughed, "Hello Gorgeous," The voice whispered in Roko's ears.

Rio Casa

Sammi stepped into the baths with Foxfire, noting as usual, the wonderfully understated but still quite pretty styling of the building. It was hard to tell that it was the Bath of the Emperor himself, but then many things of the Emperor were misleading.
She gave a smile,
"I believe the Commander of the Navy is an old Friend of yours, Pantheria-Commander Nigripes, now known as Pantheria-Marshall Nigripes as she is now. I can only suspect that the Supreme Lioness is indeed using the Navy as a tool, I hear that Pantheria-Marshall Nigripes has become highly popular within the Defence Forces and perhaps the Supreme Lioness fears the popularity." Sammi sighed, "Of all the Races to succumb to such politically dangerous manouverings, you wouldn't think it to be the Alumina would you?"

Boole...

Dien was the only one who looked intimidated, staring at the weapons as though he had never seen a blaster before, shuffling back slightly and hugging his usual pile of gadgets and gizmos close to him. Tien snarled softly and thought about ripping the guard's face off, then quickly reminded herself there wasn't any money in it and restrained herself. Unit 187 amused herself for a moment by calculating how much time it would take for her to disable or kill all the guards (8.2 seconds) and then terminated the program: They needed information from these people, and the android logically followed that destroying a few of them would not predispose the rest to assistance. Kakuna grimaced and nudged the barrel of the blaster closest to him away so it was no longer pointing at him. "Obviously you haven't met our kind before: Where we come from, you don't stick weapons into the faces of paying customers." He signaled back to Dien.

The gangly Xiscapian turned around and tugged the hovering cart towards him, easing a box off and handing it over to Kakuna, who in turn shifted it to the Boolean in the middle of the port authorities. Inside was the docking fee, a hefty pile of credits which took up most of the room, but tucked along beside it was a large golden man's ring with a cut black gemstone in the center, and two red pearl earrings along with. Either one of the items alone was worth roughly half a million standard credits. Kakuna smiled as the Boolean opened the box. "For yourself and the Misses, sir," he bowed, "it's not every day one is met with such...tasteful...accomidations." He could barely keep the sarcasm out of his voice, but he hoped the little bureaucrat was as corrupt and greedy as he thought these people were. It was good to have friends in low places, and even if this one didn't turn out to be the asset the Syndicate hoped, he could always be used as a stepping stone to higher authorities.

Unknown Location...

Roko's eyelids fluttered and he awoke with a groan, not actually conscious yet, acting on instinct and autopilot. He began to take stock of his surroundings, starting with smell. There was someone very close nearby, and possibly a few others further distant: Having an acute sense of smell for a being that was used to relying on his vision could be confusing, though he'd practiced considerably during his training as a soldier. His nose told him the being wasn't Boolean, definitely wasn't Danaversian, in fact, it smelled like...fur? But not kitsune fur, or Aluminan, or even Veelic...
Impossible.

"Oh yes, he's finally awake. Mmmhmm, he is cute, worth the price anyway." A chuckle. "Hello Gorgeous,"

Abruptly he became aware of a curious draft, and that's when it hit him: All the memories, the thoughts and hopes and doubts and fears he'd had on that Aluminan battlecruiser, and he sat up from where he was lying with a violent, drawn-out cry. Only now did he see his horrifying predicament: He had been stripped of his armor and was wearing-
By Qonn. He flopped back down, squeezing his eyes tightly shut rather than take in the thing, but he could still feel the air between his legs, afforded by the maid outfit.
It was horribly feminine too, with all this lace and frills where he had never imagined them.

He'd been captured, captured, by Qonn he'd heard stories about what they did to prisoners, he could feel the ropes on his wrists and ankles tying him down to the bed, oh no a bed not a bed anything but that-

He exhaled loudly.
Get a grip, soldier!

Okay, so there was someone, some unseen presence behind his head, out of his range of vision, but he could hear and smell her...at least, he thought it was a female. He had been restrained to what he was pretty sure was a bed, by fibrous ropes, and all his armor and weapons confiscated in favor for this...uniform. It was thoroughly humiliating: They hadn't thought to provide him with any undergarments, and the entire outfit was somewhat irritating. If this was what was happening to him, they were going to try to humiliate him first, they weren't planning on enslaving or torturing him...at least, not yet, he thought. Calming himself, he opened his eyes slowly, controlling his breathing.

"Who are you?"

Imperial Bathhouse...

A simple wooden panel had been engraved with a single word above the entrance: Onsen, literally translating to "Big Bath" in Galactic Common, marking this structure as the communal bathhouse in the area. As the Emperor walked up the small set of wooden steps he bowed slightly to the attending servant, who bowed back and spoke softly. "Xin chào, tôi Chúa." Foxfire nodded back. "Xin cảm ơn bạn của tôi, tôi gươm của bạn long lanh." As Sammi passed him the servant smiled at her, bowing deferentially and speaking in a voice with a light Xiscapian accent. "Welcome, Prime Minister Owens, to the Imperial Onsen."

The interior was pleasing after the frozen outdoors, the temperature hovering close to a hundred degrees F, visibility reduced to a few dozen feet due to the gaseous water hanging in the air. They came immediately to a massive, steaming bath the size of a small lake, dwarfing even the competition-sized baths found in Rio Casa. It, Sammi would know if she had studied Xiscapian culture, was fed by a hot spring: Most bathhouses in the Motherland were naturally heated, the way the kitsune liked them. The area, with it's wooden floors covered with tiles and ricepaper walls, was bare, save for a small forest of large tropical plants on the edges of the bath. Foxfire nodded to her, as if only now hearing her words. "On the contrary, Sammi, I had suspected this would happen ever since we had the pleasure," there was something faintly malicious about the word 'pleasure' when used in the tone Foxfire did, "of hosting an Aluminan diplomat here. A house divided against itself cannot stand: Sooner or later, then as before, two Alumina would come into conflict, and, knowing their nature, I know both would contrive to defeat the other as thoroughly as possible, no matter the cost in currency, infrastructure or lives. I simply did not expect to become aware of the situation so quickly."

He turned from her and opened his robes, and there, as if by magic, materialized a servant who took the maroon-colored garment almost lovingly. Foxfire was now clad in a strange sort of tunic, a beige, smooth material which came down almost as long as his robes before them. She noticed that he did not kick off any boots: Surprisingly, he seemed to have met her, and walked all this way, barefoot, like the farm boy he had been decades ago would have done. The tunic too he removed, handing it off to the same servant, and Sammi could see the muscles of his lithe body rippling beneath the orange and white fur that covered him from head to toe, from his back to his tail to the buttocks just beneath and down his legs. He might have been entering his forties, but Foxfire was still almost as fit as before, when he'd led an active lifestyle as a farm hand turned soldier. Fully nude now, the ruler of the Kitsune Empire slowly descended into the water of the bath, sinking in with a long grateful sigh, now looking to Sammi.

A different servant was beside Sammi now, a female this time of tawny hue, holding out her hands expectantly. "Your clothes, Prime Minister?" She murmured, eyes downcast to the floor.

"Where I come from, Visitors from a Race that we are at War with must not be trusted until they pay up. At which case I will hug you and call you my Brother because no one who forks out this much cash is an enemy of mine!" He announced, taking the payment and opened the box. He sucked in rapidly and took out the ring, holding it up to the light as if trying to see if it was real or fake. He waited a moment, deep in thought. Then he shook his head and threw the ring back to the Syndicate Representitives,
"You were planning to bribe me in front of these fine Gentlemen. That would be like robbing a bank in front of a Policeman!" He boomed in deep laughter, "However, it would against my honour to accept such a fine bribe. If you tried one of my lower Beuracrats perhaps, but not BaseCommander of this entire Section." He chuckled as his men lifted their weapons, seemingly built into the shoulders of their armour,
"You may go through. If there is anything else please don't hesitate to ask." He stepped aside, as did his Troops, opening up the entire corridor to them.

Unknown Location

"Who am I?"

The Being walked around until she was in front of Roko, easily visible. It was a grey Wolf, the tall creature wore tight leather clothing over the key areas but had not extended it to the other areas of her fullsome and curvy body. She looked down at him with a pouting look,

"Me? I am your new Mistress," She giggled and sat behind him, playing with his hair, "I've never had a Fox before. You'll be the first," She whispered in his ear, "and you can clean the curtains as well." She licked him slowly with her rough tongue.

Rio Casa

Sammi nodded as she entered the Bath noting the pleasant interior and, although it was hotter than she normally liked, in this case it was actually pleasant. She looked to the Servant and nodded, taking her clothes off and handing them to the Kitsune with a small element of embarressment. Alversians generally did not enjoy nakedness to the same point as Xiscapians but, under the circumstances, she supposed it was understandable but still...she took of the rest of her clothes to reveal a tanned, young body, untouched by dirt or scars.
"Unfortunately, we do not have all the facts and what we do know is mere assumptions based on our own Intelligence," She sighed, "It is difficult to gain information from a Race that won't tell you anything."

Kakuna grinned, catching the ring with one hand. "Well played, sir," He pocketed the valuable, noting with satisfaction that the Boolean had kept the earrings: They were small enough to be hidden, and thus he had no doubt secreted them away out of view of the guards. The move had not been for nought, after all. The black kitsune led his little group past the Booleans and up the corridor, not really knowing what they were searching for. We need someone who knows what this 'Bongo the Hutt' is up to, and how he might be tied to the Danaverisans, he thought. Looks like it's time to see if the Boolean Confederacy possesses a black market...

Unknown location...

Roko stared, shocked into silence. This was the absolute last thing he'd expected. Yes, restraints, yes, unfamiliar surroundings, maybe even nakedness or prison garb, but this was something else. She was beautiful, in a sexy, coy sort of way, like a wild and sinful female preying on unsuspecting males like himself. And yet nothing was making sense. He grimaced and tried to pull his head away as her sandpaper tongue grazed against the side of his face, repulsed by the strangeness of it all. "Curtains? Mistress? What in Qonn's name are you talking about?" Offense was beginning to creep into his voice. "I'm a soldier in the Xiscapian Grand Army you know, you can't keep me here like this." A thought seemed to strike him. "Where am I, anyway?"

Imperial Bathhouse...

The servant withdrew with a bow, leaving the two rulers alone among the steam. Foxfire politely averted his eyes as she entered the water, well aware that most other races did not like to be looked at when in the nude, his own body submerged up to his shoulders. "I can only imagine your frustration. Perhaps..." He trailed off, looking at her squarely now. "Since we have such forwarnings, do you think they would accept a diplomat, either from the People's Republic or the Kitsune Empire? If there exists a chance that we could...ease this along, or divert it in some way, I think we should attempt it." He looked at the PM, eyes serious. "I will not due for them to be trying to bring each other down while our real enemies are banging at the gates."

As the group passed, the Boolean Commander passed the rings back to the last person in the group, whispering in his ear as he walked, the smallest of them all it seemed and the Kitsune least likely to fight,
"I've seen your type before. I'll tell you now that it won't work with us. If you want something, buy it and get out, if not then tread veeeery carefully. I'll be watching you." He left that last threat in the air as he and his troops marched from the area, not even leaving a single guard on the dock to the Syndicate ships. Why should they protect such a badly paying Customer?

The corridor opened onto a vast trading 'hub' so to speak, complete with a dozen terraces of Vendors and salemen and so crowded with Booleans that it was hard to move. They were all shouting at each other, all laughing. None of them payed attention to them apart from one Vendor who ran up,
"Hey! You!" He shouted at Kakuna, "You look like you're having trouble with the Ladies in bed! What you need is this! It's lean! It's clean! The results are there to be seen! Ignore the doubters! Ignore those 'Doctors' and ignore the Lawsuits! THIS is what you've been waiting for for a very long time!!" He looked at 187,
"Is he not as good as you feel he should be? Then you need Vertigrow!! Only a Hundred and ten Credits for a week of the best satisfaction of your life!! How many will I put you down for!?!" he asked, looking wide eyed at the Kitsune.

Unknown Location

"Mhhmmm?" The Wolf asked rubbing her body against his, "I don't like your tone," She said pouting, "It makes you seem all strong and masculine and I don't want strong and masculine, I want a nice little Maid who's sweet and broken." She got up and moved out of view again,
"Since you asked so rudely, I feel you need this," sounds from behind, the rustling as she got back onto the bed, sitting as his knees. A couple of moments later, Roko would feel two alien sensations immediately after the other. The first was a strange sensation between his legs, like something was challenging him in foreign areas. The other was a whipping crack, then a stinging sensation under the rear of his skirt,
"If you ask nicely," another crack, "then I might consider answering your question."

Rio Casa

Sammi slipped quickly into the water, sighing in relief as her body disappeared underneath the warm water. She thought of Foxfire's proposal and nodded,
"Yes, a Diplomat may be an excellent idea, someoe to try and maintain the Alumina long enough to defeat this threat. But who could go..." She pondered for a moment,
"The only man we have that could speak with the Alumina as an equal would be Admiral Reynolds..." as soon as she said it, she shook her head, "...no, he's military and the Supreme Lioness could see it as support from the People's Navy for Nigripes. Worse, she could start to drain away support from Reynolds' area of operation," She sighed deeply, "the last thing the Coaltion needs is a weakening of the De-militerised Zone at such a critical time. Do you have any thoughts?" She asked.

Kakuna looked down at the Boolean merchant, peeling his lips back in what could have been a grin but nevertheless exposed two rows of sharp, yellowed teeth. "You want a tip, mate?" He walked over to the alien, breathing his foul breath into the wrinkled green face, stepping on his feet to immobilize him in place. "Don't insult potential customers," Tien moved to the right of her superior, Unit 187 to the left, as if closing in, "otherwise they might take...offense." Unit 187 was staring blankly at the trader, eyes dead, with Tien snarled softly, fingers edging along her belt. "Got it?"

Dien was standing slightly behind the group, looking around with interest at the alien world, trying to scan as much as he could into the database for review and analyzation later. He didn't enjoy the rough tactics his comrades employed; he would much rather do what was needed from afar, safe behind firewalls and security programs, and get paid without having to venture out and expose himself to the action. Nevertheless, he had to admit this was all fascinating, exciting even, on the trail of a stolen shipment of weapons though exotic locales, with just enough danger that he felt involved without being threatened.
He could get use to this lifestyle.

Unknown Location...

"Ohh! Ahh-" Roko ground his teeth together, muscles clenching and unclenching, tears springing unbidden at the corners of his eyes. The pain was intense and stinging all the more because he was fully aware of what was happening to him, and the humiliation burned almost as bad as the agony that was being inflicted on and and inside him. "Okay!" He choked out, twisting and crying out involuntarily again, panting. "Okay, okay, just stop, please..."

Imperial Bathhouse...

Foxfire pondered the question, staring away into the steam without really seeing it, lost in thought. "The Empress has her duties to attend to, and the Vanadict is tied up in administrative at the moment...I do not think the Alumina would respect any XDC Ambassador I could send, nor would they welcome any member of the military." He sighed. "I can think of one option...Nightshade, my niece. She's not an official emissary, but she is good with words and more peaceable than her brother, and I think she might be of high enough stature that the Alumina might accept her as a diplomat." He smiled faintly. "I'm sure she would accept, but the question is, would they?"

A Boolean approached the Group, ignoring the gossip around him,
"You are new here and if you have never been here before, that means one two things, either you're here to buy or here to sell and I don't think I mean simple fabrics or pleasant items. You're here to buy information. As to what? Well...I am your man," He stood back, "If it happens in the Confederacy, then I know about it, you need info, look no further than me." He smiled proudly. "What are you looking for and, more importantly, are you willing to pay?"

Unknown Location

The Wolf came around to the front again, no longer whipping but keeping her instrument in place to add to the humiliation. She placed the crop under his chin and lifted it so he was looking up into her eyes,
"Now you have something you wanted to say little girl? And don't forget to address me by my title and to be polite. Manners never hurt anyone," She giggled, it was clear both physically and mentally, that she was really enjoying herself with this new Captive.

Rio Casa, Baths

"Yes," Sammi said it almost without pause, "yes, that would be an excellent idea. To take someone of high status but also without any real affiliation, as for them accepting her..." She thought again, "...it will not be easy but hopefully logical will overcome stubborness. Your Neice would be willing to mediate?"

"Huh?" Kakuna drew back from the cowering vendor, staring at the newcomer. "Let's get down to what I need before we talk about payment. My associates and I are tracking a shipment that was recently stolen off of a Acerian frigate by raiders we've identified as some sort of Danaversian vessels. We believe it's either here, or it passed though here at some point recently." He moved a little closer to the Boolean. "What's your name, friend?"

Unknown Location...

Roko stared at his captor, the fur on his face damp and rumpled from his tears, suppressing a sob. His legs were wide open and he could feel the hot, burning sensation between them, the foreign invader shoved in tightly, she was so close and he was hurt and helpless and held down like an animal. "I..." He whimpered, swallowing hard, holding back fresh tears, "I...mhmm, sorry, Mistress," His eyes slid away from hers, ears twitching and flicking, tail curling up over his groin.

Imperial Bathhouse...

"I have no doubt," said Foxfire confidently, "she has had little to do since she came here, no doubt my niece will be eager to go out and do something, even if it may ultimately end up being a futile task." He smiled, but this expression gradually gave way to a look of curiosity. "Does Alversia not have any regular diplomats to the Alumina?"

"My name?" The Boolean stopped for a moment, then smiled and looked back, taller than Kakuna by quite a margin, "my name is Bob. The information you need, I have, but it will be expensive. It was a highly secret operation that no Boolean is even supposed to know of, but I have found it and I will divulge the information upon payment. You have my honour." he smiled and bowed slightly.

Unknown Location

"Mmmhmmm," The Wolf gave a smile, "you are learning quickly little Fox, that I like in a Slave." She moved around and quickly removed the invader before coming around again, kneeling down to him, clothes shifting and revealling herself in the process, "this is the planet of Escan, deep in the Danaversian Empire. My name is Mistress and I am your Mistress," She smiled again, "If you do not want this to happen again, then you will do your duties as required. Then your life here will be painful and easy." She gave him a more caring smile.
"Is that understood?"

Rio Casa

"Sadly, our people are not quite as patient as we like to pretend," She gave a sheepish smile, "We can remain on planet for a few weeks if needed, months if there is no other option, but it is not a forgiving World, Foxfire, not forgiving at all. They can be difficult to live with, though I'm sure your Neice will do admirably."

"Okay, 'Bob'," Kakuna said the name with a sneer, like he didn't believe him, "I'll pay you, but let me tell you something: I have the power to make you one very rich motherfucker. This world," he cast a hand around the marketplace, "has had no contact with the Kitsune Empire. In Xiscapia there is a massive trade in sex, and it's anxious to grow and spread. I know you've all seen that video of that poor captive female being forced to do humiliating things for the Danaversians, I know there were those who liked what they saw." He winked. "I know they would pay a lot of credits for the privilege of having their very own for the night. I can bring them here, but I need a middleman, someone to control things from this side, a partner. There's no shortage of greedy merchants here; fortunately for you, you're the first to get to us. Why don't you consider that before you name your undoubtedly outrageous price?"

Unknown Location...

"Ahhyaa!" Roko cried out as he felt the pressure released, sighing, his whole body relaxing, tongue hanging out. He couldn't keep his eyes off the figure of his strange torturer as she knelled before him, and he felt himself grow aroused in spite of the pain. Finally he dragged his eyes back up to hers, and the Xiscapian nodded mutely. "Yes Mistress," he muttered, thoroughly subdued.

Imperial Bathhouse...

Foxfire smiled warmly. "I have every confidence in her, Nightshade is not easily insulted or discouraged. She might not be comfortable among the Alumina, but I suspect she will fare better than most others," he took a breath, "she may even thrive. She enjoys a challenge."

"Gentlemen, you are both correct and incorrect. Yes, we have seen the footage you are referring to but you are very much mistaken to think that any Boolean took pleasure from watching that Noble Warrior degrade and humiliate herself for a bunch of mindless, brainless, footless Barbarians," He was scowling fiercely at the thoughts but then he seemed to snap back to a fake smile,
"however, you are correct that my price will be outrageous. I am privy to knowledge that Governments don't even know for certain so my price is this," he handed over a datapad with the price and, needless to say, it was a lot, enough to buy a frigate or two.

Escan

"Okay," She said it brightly and untied him, allowing the Kitsune to stand and see himself fully for the first time. The Wolfess was only marginally smaller than Roko himself and, when standing level with her, she seemed so much meeker and unintimidating in her manners and signs, but she still held the whip and toy,
"There are things that need to be cleaned. Can I leave you to it so I can break your friend in?" She asked suspiciously, "You're several miles from the nearest port, so I wouldn't try to escape."

Bathhouse, Rio Casa

"It will be one big challenge alright. Not only is she to deal in a murky world of politics where the wrong decision could tip the balance of the war against the Coalition, she will also be surrounded by Alumina and, as personal experience tells us both, they are not an easy people to get on with at the best of times, nevermind a serious internal threat such as this," Sammi sighed, "Though I am confident."

"No one liked seeing that kit do the things she did, 'xcept her captors, but I'm talking about the people who are willing to do that voluntarily." He grinned. "For a price, of course. Now, you interested, or should I find someone else?"
The price was shown.
"Done," Kakuna handed back the datapad. Ah, the joys of being a part of a criminal organization with endless wealth. He knew the price could have been enough to purchase a good sized battlecruiser, and Imperial credits and Confederacy credits were not quite identical, so it was cheaper than he had thought, though probably not a product of his temptations. He looked at 'Bob', who he found he had both some liking and a marginal amount of distaste for, expectantly.

Escan...

You wouldn't. Roko thought snidely, looking down at her. He was sure that if he could get the drop on her he could overpower her, even in this ridiculous outfit, he was a trained scout and battlefield assassin...though he didn't much feel like one at the moment. Then his brain caught up with his ears. "Friend?" He blurted out, then winced, hoping not to be struck. Instantly, his thoughts went to Luscia. By Qonn, has she been subjected to the same fate as me? "I mean," he looked down at the floor, past the flared hem of his dress, legs close together, praying silently. "yes Mistress."

Imperial Bathhouse...

"Let it suffice to say that Nightshade has survived more...difficult situations than the considerable arrogance of an Aluminan court and the complexity of their politics." Foxfire sighed, settling into the water up to his neck. "When one has had parents as she had, a sibling as she has, all other obstacles pale in comparison, a sorrowful and misfortune occurrence, but one which I feel has prepared her for anything an enemy could throw at her. Or even," a dour smile, "a rude friend."

"I'm a businessman so I'm always interested," Bob said mildly, "If the girls are willing, then I'm more than happy to act as a go between and suck up all the lovely dosh that both sides leave behind during such an important and productive meeting. And, once I have seen that your payment, not that I doubt you of course, just your currancy, I shall tell you the information you are willing to pay through the tonsils for. I have just one question before I divulge this,
"Are you government? If so, then the there's a small increase in the price, to the tune of 1010.5% If I have to pay my damn taxes, then you bloodsucking Bastards can give it back."

Escan

"Yes, another Alumina," The Wolfess stayed her hand, though she went to hit him initially, she thought better of it, "She was captured on the same deck as you. Consider yourself lucky you're only here to clean the house. She'll be used in much less dignified manners." She looked down at his dress, "and keep your legs open at all times. I want to see what I've bought. Now get cleaning," She nodded to a feather duster on the table as she swaggered into the next room, whip ready for the poor Alumina who waited for her.

Rio Casa

"I am aware of her past," Sammi nodded in understanding, "She and her Brother have had quite a bit of coverage since their rescue from the Hutt dungeon. If I recall correctly, it was a Mercenary team that provided the bulk of the rescuing force?" She asked, thinking of Kartosh and Skyler.

"No," Kakuna snorted, "Do I look like I'm government? If your Confederacy wanted something from you, do you think they'd send the likes of me?" He shook his head. "Nah, private interest. Now hurry up and tell me what you know, we can work out the finer points of business later." Privately, Kakuna wasn't sure he wanted to work with the Boolean anymore: The bastard had his head stuck so far up his own ass it was a wonder that he didn't choke on his own shit. I hope they're not all like this.

Escan...

"Yes Ma'am," Roko bowed his head and picked up the duster, watching the one who had only identified herself as Mistress walk away. Keeping a carefully blank expression, eyes vacant, mindlessly dusting off some piece of furniture or another, he mused. Captured on the same deck as me...please Qonn, let it not be Luscia. He'd heard what the Danaversians did to captive Alumina, how they raped them many times a day, how they hacked off limbs, forced them to soil themselves, chained them to walls and let their bodies, minds and spirits slowly deteriorate over the course of years... He shivered. In comparison, he was getting off easy, no shackles, light work and a healthy environment, so far anyway. Escan... He'd never heard the name before, he must be deep inside the Danaversian Empire indeed. He'd never even been told where the Vaca had been striking, and abruptly Roko realized there was very little hope for rescue. It was a well-known fact the Alumina did not even go back for their own, never mind others, and even if anyone else in the Coalition knew he was here, which he doubted, they would never be able to reach him.
He'd have to rely on his training, and himself, to get him out.

Imperial Bathhouse...

Foxfire nodded. "As I am informed, the operation did not begin as a rescue: No one even knew the twins existed, never mind that they were being held in Jorga's fortress. The objective was the shut down Jorga's trade with the Rebellion to cut off their supply of weapons and thugs. The mercenary duo Kartosh and Skyler, with the APN representative Alexander Cavoura, who I believe was a Flag Captain at the time, as well as the Aluminan agent Nigripes, infiltrated Jorga's stronghold but were captured. When they were send to the dungeons they discovered Silvertooth and Nightshade, and a short time later all were brought up before the Hutt Lord, probably for interrogation: My neice and nephew had only arrived there a few days before. I recall there was a Danaversian Barracuda in orbit as well, the Commander was working closely with Jorga, so he had troops in and around the base." He smiled sadly. "Silvertooth killed Lord Jorga before he was even strong enough to stand on his own, and the whole team made it out relatively unscathed, as I recall."

"Good man!" Bob slapped him on the back, "I never doubted you for a moment! Now, this information, the Danaversians have some secret society, that seems to get the lion's share of their technology in return for doing some weird secrety stuff. Now, as their job is to protect the Empire, I would guess that the chances are that it was them that did it." He said, handing over another datapad, "All of the information ever gathered on this bloody Cult is in this. Consider it a part of the price." He grinned, "Anyways, I would suspect, that the Hutts were an attempt to lay-off any investigation from your Navies."

Escan

The one known as Mistress returned half an hour later, dragging an Alumina in on a leash. She was scowling fiercely and resisting every tug from the Wolfess. It was not Luscia, for this Alumina was older and had a darker fur colour. She was wearing nothing at all, certain parts of her fur crusted with blood that had obviously been spilt in transit. Her hands were tightly bound between her shoulders and thick shackles encased each of her ankles. She was gagged, her throat seeming to fill with the device, while she was in clear discomfort from both the other items of equipment and the piercings they had stuck her with. She looked up at him from her knees, one eye blacked over completely and half shut,
"Maid. Meet Slave." The Wolf stated, "Give her a kiss." She commanded, "and keep your legs apart and that tail up if you don't want the whip."

Rio Casa

"It must have been a joyous day for you." Sammi suggested, sitting in the back with Foxfire, "When you realised that you had a Nephew and Niece you had never known about." She stopped, realising that he had gained those children at the cost of his brother. She hoped she hadn't offended him.

Kakuna looked at the datapad, then back to Tien at Unit 187, both of whom stared back, expressionless, before finally looking at Bob again. "A cult, huh..." He drawled, tapping at the datapad idly. "Hmm. Valenta System, third moon of Valenta III, in Boolean space, reported possible sightings from a merchantman...anything you can tell us about the Valenta System, friend?"

Escan...

Roko stared at the poor creature in profound horror. She looked at if she had been in a fight with a half dozen thugs armed with piercings and sex toys...and lost. He glanced at Mistress for a moment, hesitated, and bowed his head. "Yes Mistress," he said deferentially, and obediently leaned over, legs spread and tail up, and kissed the slave on the check. Roko quickly straightened up, backing away, eyes locked on the single good eye of the Alumina.

Imperial Bathhouse...

Foxfire stared away into the hot bath again, not saying anything for several seconds, eyes misting over. At last he blinked once, slowly, and turned to her. "Yes..." he said distantly, "it was one of the happiest occasions of my life. But they did not trust me, or anyone else for that matter, after being rescued they hijacked their own rescue ship, convinced that they were being taken to Xiscapia only to be executed. Imperial forces managed to intercept them, but all was not well..." He gave a shuddering sigh. "All is still not well. As I have said, Nightshade has improved significantly since she came here, but Silvertooth...I cannot say. He is antisocial, reclusive, secretive, moody, and frequently dismissive or even openly hostile towards all but a select few. I only wish I could find help for him, or I fear he may walk the same path my brother tread." Foxfire smiled sadly. "Do you know of anyone who could help him?"

"That world is dead," The Boolean shrugged, "There is nothing on it of note. The moon...perhaps, no one tends to go near it. If there is a building there from this secret and sacred Society, then that is where it would be." He looked up at something, "So I suppose you and your Pirate Armada will be gone?" He asked, looking around, "If you are to go, then I shall say simply all the best and that I would be delighted to ferry your Pleasure women into Boole" he laughed.

Escan

"Gooood," The Wolfess praised and dragged the Alumina back into the next room, the female struggling to keep up on her knees. She turned and looked into the room,
"The Master will be home soon and then he'll expect this room to be squaekly clean. If not, then you may find him much more savage than me. And he can be quite deaf to pleas. Be grateful that this Kitty is here to keep him amused." She giggled at herself, but a flash of fear appeared before she left back into the next room. The sounds coming from it would...unmistakebale. Needless to say, one was enjoying themselves and the other was not. Not volunteerily anyway.

Rio Casa

"Hmm..." The Prime Minister frowned for a moment, racking her brains for a solution before it came in a flash of inspiration,
"Perhaps the Veela can help? They are based in small, isolated villages and spending time with them is intensely relaxing. There isn't even really a programme it's just...peace...and guidance. Perhaps it would help" She suggested lightly.

Kakuna laughed. Pirate Armada...not quite, but I like the sound of it. "Yeah," he nodded, grinning, "if this works out, you and me are going to be seriously rich." He snorted. "Richer, anyway. I'll be in touch." He turned to the others, now serious. "We've got a location...now we go in for the takedown." Tien nodded, hand on her katana, and they all turned about and began to head back to the ships. There wasn't a moment to lose: They might decide to move the shipment again, and this time it might get lost for good.

Escan...

"Oh Qonn..." Roko muttered, trying to block out the noises, dusting furiously, legs firmly closed now, tail down over his naked rear. At least it's not Luscia...but then, where is she? Dead? He closed his eyes, ceasing work momentarily. Let her be dead, then, better that then here. He cast a nervous glance to the door, adjusting his outfit, fidgeting. The Master will be home soon...

Imperial Bathhouse...

"The Veela..." Foxfire nodded approvingly. "Of course. Why didn't I think of it before?" He looked at her, sitting up in the bath, and there was fresh hope in his eyes. "Do you really think it'll work, Sammi? Do you think they'll be able to help him?"

As Roko was cleaning, the sound of a door opening, then being slammed shut was clear from the other side of the house. The heavy steps and growling noise suggested that the Master of the house was home. The sound of footsteps grew as the Wolfess rushed to meet him,
"Welcome home, Honey," She virtually squelled in delight at his arrival, but was only met with a grunt. Rustling was heard, as if she was trying to hug or kiss him but was being shrugged off. Silence reigned for several moments before she spoke again, trying to keep her tone jovial,

"Oh, you must come and see our new Slaves. I told you I would buy them today."

A grunt,

"Here's the first one," He was clearly being shown the Alumina. The Wolf's voice came through, strong and hard,
"What are you doing to it?" He demanded, anger clear in his voice,

"I...I..." The Female now sounded afraid, "I thought you told me to break them in, I followed your instructions down the letter, even the rude language. I..."

"...you really are a stupid Bitch!" The Wolf yelled at her in absolute anger, fury unrestrained, "I told you that I would break them in! Me! Their Master! Not some stupid puffed up Dog in a bloody plastic vest! What the hell do you think they thought of a worthless slut like you!? Break them in!? They probably died laughing!!"

The Wolf's angry steps sounded again, stomping through the house until he came into the room with Roko. He stopped dead at the door, looking at the Kitsune with a mixture of shock and disbelief,
"Who the hell are you?!" He demanded, "What the fuck are you doing in my house?! Get the hell out!!" He roared, until the Wolfess, eyes wet with tears, slipped in around him.

"T...t...this..." She tried to say, paralysed with fear under his furious gaze, like a rabbit caught in the headlights, "I mean...he...he is....n-n-new..."

"...what?" The Wolf asked, looking back at Roko, who he compared with easily in size but was much bulkier, with muscles straining against his shirt. As he looked at the Kitsune, his eyes took on a combination of realisation and a red hot anger that surpassed anything before.

"You STUPID BITCH!!" He turned to face her, less than an inch from her petite face and screamed so loudly that the Female turned her eyes away to protect them from the noise, flecks of spittle splashing across her face,

"He's a male!! He's a fucking male!! Had you not noticed!! Are you fucking blind as well as stupid!? What in the name of all the Gods made you think I would want to bang a male?! Why in..." He stopped as she sobbed aloud, cowering in the face of his anger. He seemed to lighten up slightly, as if he had seen the light, he looked down at her with a small smile,

"Oh, I see now, I get it. You bought him for yourself didn't you? When you knew that I wasn't going to be there, you decided to spoil yourself, to waste my money on this sham of a slave," he spat at Roko, "because you wanted some action. Is that what you're saying Darling? That I'm not enough?" his voice rose steadily as he spoke, the old anger flaring up in his eyes.

"No!" The Wolfess cried, whole body trembling, trying desperately to contend her innocence and stave off his rage, "He...he was cheaper than the others and we needed a Maid to clean the house...I saved you a thousand credits," She sobbed, "I thought you'd be pleased."

"Pleased? Pleased!? Why the hell am I pleased!?" I saved that money for a bloody reason!! TO BUY TWO SLAVES!!! Two Cats that I could use to my whim because I was bored with ONE!! Now I'm stuck with one because you couldn't drill it into your thick skull that I wanted TWO Slaves!!" In his anger, he shoved her back, the smaller female tumbling to the floor, yelping as she did so.

The Wolf stood over her, about to strike down again on her helpless frame. But he held back, instead storming from the room.
"I'm going to the Bar!!" He yelled through, "If I decide to forgive you then I'll be home late, if at all." He glowered again and left the house, slamming the door shut behind him.

The Wolfess slowly rose from the floor, trying hard to keep her sobs back in front of Roko. She was shivering heavily, from either shock or fear it was hard to tell. One could call it poetic justice. But no creature with a heart could take satisfaction from watching the broken form of the Wolfess, standing so small and fragile, so broken and afraid, in her leatherwear that had offered no protection from her Mate's scorn and abuse.

She looked at Roko,
"Well, get back to cleaning," She tried to command, but there was no authority, no command in her voice. She sounded so meek and timid that Roko could have walked from the room without a word of opposition. However, the Male had brought his new Alumina with him to the bar and now it was only Roko and the Female. It was a far cry from just moments ago. Tears flowing freely from her cheeks.

"Do...do Mates appreciate you on your world?" She asked him in a quiet, small voice, almost as if she were afraid of the answer.

Rio Casa

"Well," Sammi thought again, pleased to see his reaction, "They do have a knowledge of the force, they are a very patient and wise people. If Silvertooth does have issues he needs to get off his chest, then I can think of no one better to help him learn control." She said it as she thought, remembering how Grand Admiral Reyes had come to her not too long ago and requested such a permit from her for a friend of a friend. She had not specified but the Alversian had been more than happy to grant the permit to her Half Breed Admiral and she would be happy to do it again.

Princess of Blood...

Kakuna elected to have the Longshot and the Hardwired, with Layla and the four Shatei, stay behind in a deserted star system: The Princess of Blood was the fastest, best armed and had a cloaking device, no use in letting everyone know they were there by bringing multiple ships, and they might need reinforcements later on. He, Tien, Dien and Unit 187 would go in and try to take back the shipment quietly, if it had not already been unpacked and scattered. If it had been, things would get more complicated as they tried to locate all the missing weapons, but it was essential that they maintain stealth until the inevitable time they would be discovered. Kakuna didn't want to tangle with this mysterious cult if he didn't have to: He wasn't here to take them down or destroy their operation, although any damage he could do would be a bonus, all he wanted was the take the shipment home safely.

Now the Princess of Blood threaded her way among the moons in the Valenta star system, careful to keep inside the gravity wells of the planetary bodies to maintain their cloak, Kakuna at the helm, Dien scanning relentlessly to try and pick up this supposed base, Tien cleaning her weapons and Unit 187 watching silently. They had seen no ships on entry, nothing to indicate any activity: Indeed, it seemed like the system was really and truly dead.
But they had to be sure.

Escan...

Roko had dropped the duster as soon as the male walked in, stance changing minuscule into combat mode, ready to defend himself. The male, while as large as Roko himself and considerably more muscled, did not pose that much of a threat: He seemed to be the kind who preyed on the weak and defenseless, like his wife, and wouldn't stand for long in hand-to-hand against one who was at least his equal. But the wolf made no motion towards Roko, and after he left the Xiscapian relaxed, looking down at the Mistress, unmoving. Now's my chance! He thought excitedly. If I can subdue her and get that Alumina unchained, we might have a chance... Carefully, Roko knelt down beside her, looked at her, feeling the slightest twinge of pity despite himself. She's beaten and abused so she has to beat and abuse someone else...a vicious cycle, to be sure. "Yes," he said finally. "Males treat their females respectfully and vice versa, and it's the same among the same sex couples. That," he shook his head, speaking of what just took place, "is illegal where I come from."

Imperial Bathhouse...

Foxfire nodded. "I will need to speak to him about it, I cannot make him go if he does not wish to, but I think it will help him..." He looked at her. "I thank you, Sammi, I had nearly lost hope for him. Perhaps the Veela can put him on the right path."

However, almost as soon as they entered the system, it would be clear that there were a half dozen ships in the area, all Danaversian, but all reading with strange energy signatures, the biggest of which had the strangest of all. The base was small, on a moon covered in jungle, but underneath, scan-proofed of course, was a massive complex and it was in here that the weapon was based, although, it was also on the biggest ship, a Danaversian prototype of the REAPER.

Escan

"It used to be so different between us. When we engaged ourselves, he was so happy, so charming, he always smiled and laughed. His eyes would light up when I came into the room and he had no need of Slaves, he sacrificed his Slave pay on our wedding to buy me my dream wedding dress." More tears, "Now he doesn't look at me except to shout at me, he never wants anything to do with me. Where it not for our Society's taboo on Seperation, he would have thrown me out years ago. Instead, he gets drunk, using these poor females to keep himself entertained while I rot in this house, unloved."
The Wolfess looked at him, looked at what Roko was wearing and sighed deeply in regret. However, she glanced into his eyes and she stiffened momentarily, seeing something that Roko had not intended her to see,
"You want to escape." She said, panic rising in her voice, "You want to run off and leave me here with him..." She stopped for a moment, as if thinking hard. She looked at him,
"If I help you to escape...can I come with you?" She asked timidly, afraid of the answer but with hope rising in her voice as well, a spark of life returning to her eyes "please...I have nothing here anymore."

Rio Casa

"It was nothing," Sammi shook off any praise or appreciation, "Anyone else would have done the same and I do think that, if anyone can help him, it will be the Veela," She repeated with conviction.

"Aww, son of a Danaversian whore!" Kakuna swore loudly as the scans came back on the large cultist warship. He groaned. "Now we have to destroy the fucking moon and the ship?"

Unit 187 was watching the monitors. "Kyodai, if you can transcribe me to that vessel which is equipped with the R.E.A.P.E.R.-like weapon, I calculate an sixty-seven percent chance of myself successfully destroying the ship. Even if I am not able to complete that mission, I have an eighty-three percent chance of successfully destroying the weapon itself. This action will free you, Shatei Tien and Shatei Dien to concentrate on recovering the shipment, and may provide a distraction. Therefore I recommend it."

Kakuna stared. "But you'll die! There's no way we'd be able to get you on and back without-"

"My body will be destroyed, but I will live on," the android answered. "You forget: I am backed up inside Triad databases, and inside all my counterpart units. Therefore, I shall not perish, but I will have acquired a different form the next time we have contact." They could have sworn that still, emotionless face smiled.

Kakuna nodded. "Alright...now, to get you there...Dien, open up a beaming frequency, it's now or never boys and girls..."

Even as he spoke Unit 187 vanished, on her way to the enemy ship, while the Princess of Blood crept down to the moon.

Escan...

As soon as she'd made it clear she realized his intentions, Roko put his guard fully up, ready to strike and silence the female if she tried to fight back or cry for help...permanently, if he had to. But the request was so alien, so outside of what he had been expecting, he stared at her, momentarily confused. "Take me with you...?" He asked slowly. "I'll make you a deal. You get me and that cat in there," he pointed to the other room, "as far as the nearest transport, and we'll take you the rest of the way." He felt ridiculous, standing there in the maid's outfit in a situation entirely unbecoming to a soldier of his status, striking a deal with his slave master, but if there was anything the SRS troopers were good at, it was adapting.
Qonn knew he'd done enough of it recently for a lifetime.

Imperial Bathhouse...

Foxfire nodded. "You are far too modest...but that is a virtue. Better humbleness than arrogance." He nodded sagely. "When I first came here, to the Palace, I was very struck by how different we are, kitsune that is, even between classes. I was a down-to-earth, barefoot-boy-born-in-a-barn character, suddenly surrounded by people who were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Some, like Jade, are good, honest people, they use their influence, power and wealth for good. Others, like Sir Urteil, use their resources to gain more resources, and lord it over others, and I now begin to wonder if there are not entire races that can be typecast in these settings..."

On the ship, a couple of Marines rushed to meet the Kitsune as she beamed into the Barracuda. They took up positions nearby, carefully concealed behind cover and other items to block return fire. As soon as 187 had fully beamed into the corridor, a long, dark, dank corridor like any other on any other Danaversian warship, they opened fire on her, red phaser beams hitting the Android with regular accuracy. More were incoming, not trusting that the three that had been sent would be enough.

Escan

The Wolfess nodded eagerly, pleased to have any oppurtunity to get away. She looked down at her clothes and blushed,
"I think I need to change," She sighed and took a key, handing it to Roko,
"This is for her ankle shackles. There's a knife in the kitchen to cut her bonds."
However, as she came down from getting changed, now wearing much more conservative clothes, she looked shyly at Roko,
"I would let you change as well, but my Mate has forgotten his wallet and he could be back at any moment." She looked up and out of the window, catching a glimpse of a Cult Danaversian and a dozen Danaversian Warriors, walking through her gate and down the garden path,

"Oh no!" She cried, looking at Roko and the Alumina, "Run!" She called desperately, "Go out the pack. The Spaceport is directly west. I'll try to hold them off and join you later," She did not sound hopeful and tears of fear were running down her cheeks,
"Good luck...I'm sorry for what I did...I hope you can forgive me."

Rio Casa

"Alversia has it's own Class system, though thanks to Replicators and our former occupation, there is no real distinction between them. The line is blurred," Sammi smiled, "And I think many Species can be typecast, such as the Alumina or the Veela...I have not heard much of Sir Urteil, I know he is onboard a vessel of the Alversian Navy but other than that, I know nothing of him."

Prototype vessel...

The beams simply reflected off Unit 187's armored exoskeleton, burning into the deck and bulkheads as she took the brunt of the assault with a sort of weary patience, unfazed by the attack. The on board targeting computer came to life and quickly locked-on to both of the enemy Marines, a small list of characteristics and classifications, including the force it would be estimated that was necessary to destroy the threats, appearing beside them. She seemed to consider for a moment before raising her arms, where two blaster rifles had folded out of the limbs and were now extending to fire. The energy blasts had roughly the strength of your average rifle, but they came with mini-gun like speed and lethal precision, incinerating or knocking aside the cover to kill both the Danaversians. Weapons still out Unit 187 began to run down the corridor with sweeping, grace strides, showing none of the clunky mechanical movement of the more traditional droids. They had been ready for her, but obviously they had not been aware of exactly what was attacking them.

Moon...

The Princess of Blood hovered a few dozen feet above the ground, still cloaked, as Dien began to scan the area with parameters extending for miles, searching for fortifications, ingress and egress points, barracks, hangers and anything else that could house a threat. Kakuna, at the controls, was watching the monitors while Tien began to preview the weapons the two kitsune would take with them on their quest to locate and recover the stolen weapons.

Escan...

Roko glanced out the window, blood running cold. Danaversian regulars...and some strange one leading them he didn't recognize from any reports. He looked back over to the Mistress, opening his mouth, thinking to argue with her, but there was no time. He just nodded, gripping the kitchen knife tightly, and tugged at the Alumina who beside him, well aware of the fact that she could barely stand and that the two, especially together, would stand out more than a kit at an Alversia Mr. Universe competition. Nonetheless he burst out the back door, skirt flaring ridiculously, concentrating on where the wolfess had said the space port would be and not what was about to go down behind him.

Imperial Bathhouse...

Foxfire let his shoulders rise and fall. "He's an Xiscapian aristocrat, very wealthy, very powerful, very Old World. He has his hands in just about 'every pie', as they say, but he's very quiet about it. He enjoys needling those he sees as fools and the 'rabble', and is generally a..." He paused. "If it were not that I never speak ill of my peers and colleagues...let us say that he is not an easy person to get along with. But," the rust-colored kitsune sighed, "he has his uses, and his resources have proved quite valuable in the past."

Prototype Vessel

The Android was soon confronted by over two dozen Marines, all of whom had been rathered in position waiting for her, hiding behind cover as the others had been, but these ones were carrying much heavier weapons, including a couple with what was effectively anti-tank Artillery, firing armour piercing shells at the Xiscapian. They maintain position, throwing grenades into her to add more damage to this strange attacker. They were more than prepared to repel this kind of scum.

Surface

On the surface, the REAPER location would soon be obvious, two floors underground. Surrounded by thick concrete and armour and Qonn only knows how many Guards.

Escan

The Wolfess watched as her two Slaves rushed out into the fields behind her home and sighed deeply to try and steady her fear. She began to quickly dust and tidy, as if she had always been doing it. She was doing this when the door cracked open to admit the Slimy, thin Danaversian and his bigger, more common Guards,
"Why hello Gents," She said in a mild, welcoming voice, trying desperately to stall them, "My Mate is at the bar I am afraid, you'll have to come back later to..."

"...spare me to the situation report," The leader replied coldly, "We know you purchased a Kitsune today and we want to take him in for questionning."

"Kitsune?" She asked, trying to sound surprised, "I haven't bought any Slaves yet, I am about to. Would you like to escort me?" She asked, licking her lips from nervousness.

There was silence for a moment as everyone looked to the Unblinking Leader.

Roko and the Alumina, struggling to keep up with him after her punishment, would be able to hear, over the noise of the Outdoors, the faint pulse of a laser pistol being fired from the direction of the house.

Rio Casa

"I see..." Sammi looked surprised, frowning, "I have never heard his name being mentioned but I assume that he is quite...important...in what areas, may I ask?" She said in her best Diplomat's voice.

Prototype vessel...

Servomotors whirring, Unit 187 jerked herself back out of the line of fire, bolts of energy and shells whizzing inches away. The grenade shrapnel lodged itself in her outer armor or bounced harmlessly off, and the phasers were as ineffective as ever, but the armor-piercing rounds were another story. True, at this rate they'd punch a hole though the hull and suck out all the atmosphere at this rate, doing her work for her, but she had to destroy the vessel in a more definitive manner. Ducking low she activated a sequence that caused a plate in her chest to fold out, exposing a stubby grenade launcher barrel. The android began firing incendiary grenades, lobbing them over the boxes at her attackers while keeping up a steady stream of blaster fire. Even if the flames and shots didn't kill them, there would be enough smoke and confusion to allow her to get close enough for an incapacitating shot or hand-to-hand kill.

Moon...

"Got a lock," Dien muttered, pointing to a section on the computer-generated map. "About twenty feet down, looks like it's locked up tight, I can't get a bioreading from up here but you can bet on a large number of guards."

"Any fortifications? Static turrets, perimeter defenses, that sort of thing?" Kakuna asked.

"Negative," Dien shook his head, "but that doesn't mean they're not there, I can't even get an accurate layout."

"Okay," Kakuna sighed, looking over to Tien, who gazed coolly back at him. "We know where it is...let's do this thing."

On the surface Kakuna and Tien gazed around the barren wasteland that was the exterior of the world. Tien wore her usual set of armor while Kakuna had simply applied a sort of second skin fiber over his regular trenchcoat and boots, allowing them both to be cloaked and somewhat protected. Kakuna nodded to Tien, hefting the Shuriken Shooter in his arms, and they started off towards where they thought the entrance might be.

Escan...

"Shit," Roko panted. They didn't buy it, but the question is, do they know exactly where he are? He feared that it didn't matter, that the whole escapade was over before it had begun, but didn't allow himself to dwell on that and concentrated on running faster. It was awkward, trying to make speed in his strange git-up, but the Alumina was faring much worse than he, slow and staggering after her ordeal. The SRS trooper looked around desperately, searching for anything that looked remotely like a spaceport."

Imperial Bathhouse...

"You wouldn't have heard of him," Foxfire said simply. "Like I said, he keeps a low profile: His name barely appears on official reports here, I doubt many know of him in the People's Republic." The Emperor rose up slightly, water splashing at his waist, leaning against the side of the bath, a study in relaxation. "Sir Urteil, on the outside, is a pillar of the community, helps the police against the Syndicate where he can, makes regular donations to charities and institutions, funds everything from political campaigns to scientific research. No one is sure exactly what he does behind the scenes, I don't know much about his other dealings because they don't appear to hurt anyone, but they are probably shady in nature. Most people overlook it, they know all the good he's done, so it doesn't seem possible that he could be involved in anything unethical or illegal, but our own..."

He paused, looking at her. "That is, the Palace's own Intelligence, indicates that he is not all that he appears." Foxfire smiled, but there was no humor in the expression. "A women of your perception, Sammi, all you would have to do is meet him to realize he's a dangerous being. He doesn't invite prying, and in the old days, that is, back during the Korr War, his enemies would frequently find themselves on the wrong side of his rapier or pistol in a duel. He has his own influence, his own interests, his own secret agenda, so while certain agencies like the XIA watch him, they don't dare do so too closely or obtrusively, because the kitsune has done nothing wrong and, on the surface, doesn't seem like he would be one to do so. You will probably meet him, once you attend a ball or party hosted here at the Imperial Palace, and I think there you will get a better idea of what he is like than anything I could ever tell you." His vulpine eyes roved her head and face before returning to her own eyes. "Not an enemy, perhaps, but when you have friends like Sir Urteil," a dry laugh, "who needs enemies?"

The Danaversian Marines were quickly in retreat, not trusting this being to hang around long enough for them to take her out. They were knew that she was not an Organic being, for she was using guns stored in her hands to gun them down. They withdrew backwards, will turrets dropped from the roof and rose up from the ground, turning their fire upon the Android with rapid blaster rounds into the Android. The other Marines were preparing another surprise for her.

Surface

The Area was certainly well guarded. There were four sets of electrified fence, all guarded by Marines and Turrets of both Anti-Infantry and Anti-Aircraft Capacity. There were a couple of tanks all guarded what seemed to be a small entrance down underground. Even that had two Turrets just out of view. The whole lenth of the electric fence was protected by mines apart from the entrances and the small roads connecting them.

Escan

The Alumina was indeed struggling to keep up, the toll of the last couple of days having a terrible effect on her. Her whole body was on fire, the piercings feeling so alien against her fur. She wanted to cry at her treatment, wanted to sob at the way they had so abused her. Nothing felt right anymore, nothing felt right anymore, noting felt as it had before.

However, while the Spaceport was still visible in the distance, a smaller one was to the left, empty, and filled with Danaversian Congor fighters. However, there was one main problem with it. The Congor, though big, had seating only for one and the Alumina could barely stand, let alone pilot a space fighter.
She came to a decision,
"Go." She coughed, bringing up some fluids that should not have been in there, "Please, leave me." The advantage of a race that did come back for you was that you expected to be left behind.

Rio Casa

"I see," Sammi was not sure what to make of the information on this Individual. Foxfire Rose did not seem like the sort of person to let such a dangerous Kitsune wander freely through the Empire, though she did recognise the very clever game he was playing. Keep a good Public image and the public would protect you.
"Perhaps I shall meet him." She said, licking her lips.

Prototype vessel...

Unit 187 withstood the onslaught without moving, letting the vicious fire wash over her. If she was a biological she would have been reveling in her invincibility, but that was not the way of an android: Instead she coldly analyzed the situation, figuring out the best way to proceed. Internally the grenades cycled from incendiary, past fragmentation and stun, to ion, and fired two in a carefully controlled burst. The fields washed over the turrets, incapacitating computer-controlled systems and disabling the turrets until someone with the right tools and know-how could come along and fix them. The corridor was now quiet and still but for the residual blue electricity playing over the turrets and the flames dancing on the corpses of the dead Marines splayed on the deck. She walked forward, then broke into a run, scanners peering well ahead of her in the darkness. If there was anything waiting for her, she wanted to know about it well before she was in range of whatever nasty weapons they might have waiting for her.

Surface...

Kakuna studied the defenses for a few moments, Tien at his side, both looking over the various fortifications. Finally Kakuna gave a long, raspy sigh. "Okay, this is how things are going to go down..."

After a brief time, the mines on the far west side would explode abruptly, the fencing there coming down with a sizzling hiss as the violence tore it from it's mounts. Fire began to pour though the gap, with all the dirt and smoke throw up it was hard to tell from exactly where or from how many sources, but it was deadly. One appeared to be some sort of high-caliber weapon that would tear though troops and light armor, such as that on the turrets, while the other would detonate on contact, these primarily being directed at the tanks and turrets.

Escan...

Roko stopped, looking from his unknown partner to the hanger, torn by indecision. Unlike the Alumina, the XGA prided itself on never leaving any of its members behind, and Roko had carried out his share of rescue missions over his time as an SRS trooper, but he had also been trained to know when one needed to cut their losses and back off. He knew that if they tried to make it to the larger, more distant starport, they were finished: The head-start they'd gotten while the lupine female had stalled the soldiers was the only reason they hadn't been gunned down already, neither of them could move very fast. Finally realized the truth: He could escape now, or neither of them would. Silently, the kitsune handed the Aluminan soldier the knife. "Don't let them capture you again," he said softly, nodding to her, trying to quell the regret already beginning to rise up in his stomach.

It was dark and cool inside the hanger, and Roko stole along the rows of fighercraft to one near the middle, where if troops arrived before he could get it off the ground he would at least be protected by the volume of vehicles in front of him. Climbing the ladder to the cockpit he felt his skirt flare, and he was abruptly struck by the thought that if word of this ever got to Command he would either be made a hero or a laughingstock. He slipped into the control seat of the single-man strike craft, looking over the controls, feeling the seat brush uncomfortably against his neither regions. All SRS troopers were trained in piloting and driving alien vehicles as well as their own craft, and the Conger, fortunately, was a common, easily replicated ship. He stabbed the launch button, gripping the joysticks as the fighter rose into the air, priming the phaser cannons.

Imperial Bathhouse...

Foxfire gazed at her. "I have no doubt that you will," he said, "I hope you can fence...verbally as well as literally."

The Kitsune Android was allowed to proceed forward deeper into the ship, destroying various defensive turrets and killing a variety of Danaversian Warriors stupid enough to try and stand against her. After a couple of moments however, a deep fizzing sounded from within the walls, followed by a bright flash as two electrified forcefields snapped across to block her path forward and backward. Even attempting to touch it would not be advised for man, Kitsune nor Android. More Danaversian Warriors, hundreds of them, advanced to where she was situated, all armed with EMP weaponry and electro-static guns, intending either to capture her or at least destroy her.

Surface

The explosions quickly put the base on high alert as large numbers of Danaversians retreated into the bunker, sealing it shut in all it's underground vaults with several foot thick, blast proof doors. Those left on the surface were left to their fate, growling in anger and awaiting the death that they so craved, firing into the mud, being cut down one by one.

Escan

The Alumina nodded, avoiding eye contact with the Kitsune as he ducked in and amongst the various fightercraft waiting for pilots to lead them into combat. She sat alone in the dark, shivering as the cool air touched her damp fur, eyes screwed tight, breath ragged, trying to stop her hands from shaking. She tried to wake herself up from this, like it was all a dream. She was still on her ship. She hadn't been captured and violated, forced into the most humiliating position possible and abused by these Fish and Wolves. No. She was in her bed on her ship, safe and warm. No. Even better. She was at home.
She seemed to relax as she thought of it, thinking of the small village, with a river in which to keep cool when the sun got too warm, somewhere were the food was not tasteless muck and people laughed. A tear fell from her cheek, she couldn't even remember what laughter sounded like...

...She heard the fighter starting up behind her and she knew that the Kitsune was ready to leave. She also faced a dilemna looking down at the knife in her hands. She knew that if she waited until they were close, then she might kill two or three before they restrained her and forced her back into previous servitute. However, she also knew that if she just killed herself, then they would simply take her body and process it, forcing it down the throats of other enslaved Females. She took a breath. She knew what she had to do.

Sneaking awkwardly up to one of the Fighters, she worked for a moment at it's underbelly before bringing out one of the smaller Fuel Cells that powered the craft in orbital flight. She wrestled with it for a few seconds before it glowed red and she heard the characteristic drip, drip, drip that signalled that it was leaking high combustible fuel. She took a scrap of metal from nearby and ran the knife along it. Sure enough, it produced a spark and a small flame. She dropped the flame next to the tank but made sure that they did not touch. Yet. She took a strip of material from a greasy cloth nearby and measured the distance she would need. She wrapped it around her hand and, satisfied that all were in place. She took the knife and slowly drew it across her throat.
She did it slowly, as if she could not dare to do it to herself, little tears of fright running down her cheeks as she heard the Danaversians finally approaching. As they entered the hangar. She completed the cut, choked for a moment as she felt the blood faintly pulse down her chest before she collapsed backwards, into the puddle of fuel, her cloth covered hand falling between the flame and fuel perfectly, as she had always intended.

The explosion seemed to shake the very foundations of the Hangar itself, blowing a substantial part of it upwards and away from the main building, scattering it in all directions. The Danaversian Squad, just about to enter the Hangar, disintergrated, as did the dead Alumina, the Congors in the hangar began to explode one after the other, a chain reaction that threatened the entire building. The Aluminan Warrior would have been pleased to cause such a headache with her last breath.

Rio Casa

"I shall try my best," Sammi smiled, "I very much looking forward to meeting him at some point in the near future." She sighed happily, "I must admit, bathing is a rather relaxing place to talk." She nodded.

Prototype vessel...

Behind her there was only smoke, fire and death, blood and sparks, corpses and parts, the remains of those aliens and automation's that had tried to bring her down. Her exoskeleton armor was beginning to flake off now, here and there could be glimpsed dark holes and bits of wiring, but the machine herself was no worse for wear, at least not yet. She found herself hemmed in by force fields, once blocking her from going forward, the other stopping her retreat. She took a moment to analyze the situation: She could not go directly though the field, and she did not have the time to deploy effective countermeasures, which left only one option...
Down.

Lying flat with her front to the deck, Unit 187 grasped into the metal, fingers penetrating and curling over it like a hand though foam, and lifted upward. With a horrible screech the metal plate peeled away, rivets popping like gunshots, and she threw the piece at the force field with violent energy. Some of her sensors watching to see what affect this would have, but she concentrated the rest of her efforts on smashing, blowing though, melting and generally busting though the floor beneath her. At last she had made a good-sized hole to the next deck down, and she lithely fell though this, landing on her feet, ready for anything. The move should have brought her the precious time she knew she needed to find a core, munitions dump, engines or the weapon itself and destroy the vessel using those tools.

Surface...

A Danaversian caught a shuriken right in the throat, the force spinning the amphibious being in a perfect three sixty, his rifle firing reflexively into the air as he dropped. Kakuna grinned, ejected the spent clip and slammed another one home, trenchcoat flying, having the time of his life. Around the kitsune turrets, fencing, tanks and bodies burned, the ground a mass of pitted craters and soot, a study in destruction. Beside him Tien whirled and kicked the weapon right out of one of her foe's hands, sending him back into the dirt, defenseless. Before he could react she slashed out with her sword, a vicious downward slash that cleaved the soldier in two, purple blood spraying. Being an expert in close-range combat, she was covered in the stuff, excelling against the stronger but slower Danaversian troopers, many of their last visions the sight of her knives flashing in the sun.

"Better hope you don't get Dan AIDS from that or something," Kakuna cracked as they met back up at the entrance to the subterranean layer.

"I am quite confident that if I am shielded from the vacuum of space, I am also protected from STDs," the other responded. "Dien, if you'd be so kind...?"

"Ha!" Dien's voice, abruptly full of bravado, came over the commlink. "Steel doors are no match for my armor-piercing missiles! Stand back, you two!"

The Princess of Blood appeared overhead, bow pointing down at the tunnel, before a couple of low-slung rocket cells swung out on the underside. There was a hiss and a roar as two missiles shot out and flew down the tunnel, impacting the door there with great force. There was a muffled thump and orange flame tinged with smoke belched out into the surface air, shaking the very ground. Even before all the fires had died Kakuna and Tien were rushing in, past the rubble and fallen rock into the facility.

Escan...

Roko pulled the throttle back sharply and the fighter shot out of the hanger seconds before it tore itself apart in a cataclysmic explosion, a huge gout of flame rising up from the ruined structure. Roko watched it on the monitors, not able to see the Alumina, the soldiers who had been approaching, or indeed anyone. They must have been incinerated in the blast, he thought numbly, she went out like a true warrior should. He angled the fighter up, gazing around the green landscape that folded out below him, strangely wishful. It's so much like home... Then an enemy Conger fighter came screaming out of the upper atmosphere and brought the SRS trooper to his senses. He spun sharply, avoiding the blasts, and replied in kind, sending his foe spiraling down to crash with a plume of smoke and lash of flame.

The Conger shot away into orbit, Roko leaning on the joysticks, trying to tease every last MPH of speed out of the nimble vessel. He knew his best chances lay in surprise and speed, if he could get out and away before they could react he stood a good chance of making it to Coalition space...assuming they weren't fast enough to actively hunt him.

Imperial Bathhouse...

Foxfire smiled. "I am glad you are open to the experience; most Alversians quite abhor the baths we kitsune enjoy so much." He stretched luxuriously, moving the water so it lapped against the sides of the bath. "If you like it so, I'm sure I can put in a good word for contractors to install a bath of your own at your residence...or perhaps even Parliament?" He gave a mischievous grin, then chuckled. "All those Senators, red-faced and clutching bath towels, imagine! It would be worse than the day I attended to hear them debate about the constructing a new class of warship..."

As she dropped through the Floor the Warriors arrived at her location on the deck above to find that she was gone and a large hole was all that remained. With a growl of anger, they turned on their heels and sprinted for the next floor down, determined to stop this thing before it did any more damage.
However, ahead of the Android was a sign in Danaversian pointing to a door. When translated, it read, "MAIN ENGINEERING."

Surface

Just beyond the flames were another half dozen Danaversian Warriors standing in confusion at the flames that had just burst through their steel doors. However, beyond them and curling down another level was another steel door, impossible to reach with missiles due to the tight nature of the tunnel leading to it. It was also guarded by no less than eight turrets sticking out of the ground, floor and walls. As soon as the two Thugs appeared, it would open up with a storm of phaser fire that push them back again.

Escan, Orbit

In orbit above Roko was a large Danaversian defence station, bristling with guns, while floating lazily around it, like fish to a shark, were four Barracuda warships. They did not seem to notice the little fighter initially, but a moment later, a demand came through from the Station, an imcomprehensible demand in the baffling language of Danaversian.

Rio Casa

"I am able to enjoy the finer things in Xiscapian Culture yes," Sammi smiled and laughed at his reference to the Senate, "Yes, I imagine that such a move would attract certain attention towards the other members of the Senate and their physical form." She laughed again,
"however, I would need to ask the Senate to make an amendment to the Prime Ministers house, as I will only be living there for a short while before someone else moves in, someone who might not appreciate the Xiscapian bath." She chuckled.

Unit 187 hurried though, there was not time to lose, the Marines would not be long in coming. Stopping by the doorway she opened it, caught the frame, and twisted the metal sideways, jamming it in the opening so it would no longer be able to admit anyone though. She knew it would only slow them down long enough for them to deploy some sort of explosive or cutting laser, but it might provide her the necessary space to preform her duties. She walked fully into the Engineering Bay now and looked around, scanning the area for hostiles, consoles and points of weakness.

Surface...

Kakuna glanced around the tunnel side, then quickly withdrew, muttering what he had seen to Tien and endeavoring not the attract attention too soon. "I've got an idea..."

"You? An intelligent thought?" Tien asked sarcastically.

"What?" Kakuna acted mock hurt. "You think I just stand here with my wang in my hand and droll?"

"Yes." Tien nodded. "That's exactly what I think you do."

A few moments later a spherical object came flying up the tunnel, ratcheted off the wall, and crashed into one of the Danaversian soldiers. The amphibian fell heavily, the gray thing obscuring half his body, and suddenly dozens of orange and red tentacles, pulsing wetly with bits of shredded meat hanging off, wriggled out of sucker-like mouths ringed with teeth and crept past his armor and penetrated his skin, ripping away the organs and pulling them into the mouths. He screamed once, horribly, and expired, blood splattering across the slate-colored armor plating of the creature. Before the other five could react it launched itself at them, and within thirty seconds they were all dead, squishy hearts, lungs and other bits being yanked into the strange being and devoured noisily, purple gore decorating the sides of the tunnel. The turrets by the door turned and opened fire and one shot propelled the thing into motion, making it bounce unpredictably off the walls, ceiling and ground, the turrets all trying to track it and creating a storm of fire as their targeting systems struggled to compensate.

While this had been going on Kakuna charged up the tunnel, swinging a large, sack-like satchel charge over his head. A few yards up he throw the bag at the door and ran as fast as he could away, diving to the ground and covering his ears, tail drawn up around him. One of the turrets fired at the bag and hit it, setting the carrier alight, but it banged against the door nonetheless and exploded brilliantly, destroying the door, the turrets and the beast in the process in a white flash of light, heat and noise. After a few moments Kakuna looked up to see Tien extending her hand, helping him to his feet. "Poor Rover," said Kakuna sadly. "He was such a good Nublien Garsmith..."

"Yes," Tien said dryly, "it would eat anything you put in front of it, even if it happened to be your fingers, arm, or tail. It never stopped bouncing around its cage until you fed it or paralyzed it, and-"

"Yeah, yeah, okay," Kakuna waved a hand, unshouldering his Shuriken Shooter while Tien levelled her own grenade launcher beside him, "I get it. Let's just get these fucking weapons and go."

Escan, Orbit...

"Tôi đã có quan hệ tình dục với các bà mẹ của bạn!"* Roko screamed back over the comm link, shutting it down even as he did so. He doubted the warships would be able to hit him, and he was fairly confident he could outfight or outrun any enemy fighter patrols, but if the station got organized in time to start firing on him, or they sent out large numbers of interceptors to take him down, he would have little chance. The Conger shot away into the darkness, fleeing the planet, engines burning brightly.

Imperial Bathhouse...

Foxfire laughed again. "There is something I would like to see argued in the Senate: The placement of a bathhouse in the PM residence." He shook his head, sides shaking with mirth, tailing lifting out of the water. "Your Senators can get so heated, it's amusing. Debates are fine, but heavy democracies like that can be very hectic."

OOC:
*I had sexual relations with your mothers!

The Engineering Section was virtually empty, save for a half dozen Engineers who roared in anger and charged at the Kitsune Android, determined to keep her away from the core. Meanwhile, the rest of the Warriors were advancing on the Engineering Section, logically reasoning that that was where she would be heading in an attempt to destroy the ship. There were now over forty of them advancing down the corridor, heading to finish off the Android.

Surface

Behind the blast doors were a few more Danaversians and just a couple of turrets. The rest of the garrison had withdrawn further into the Bunker to defend other, more valuable research being carried out. At the same time, the Barracudas in orbit began to close in on the planet itself, intent on taking out this ship which had launched this attack.

Escan Orbit

While the Warships and Orbital station were unable to get a lock quickly enough to prevent the fighter from darting off into space, a half dozen Congors were more fortunately and fell in behind him, racing to catch up with him. Even with his skills and training, odds of 6:1 were not one's that Roko would feel comfortable with. However, just as the lead Congor was about to open fire, having finally closed the gap, the Danaversian exploded into flames and metal, the others twisting away as a silvery warship dropped a cloak ahead of them. It was the Vaca, badly damaged but the Vaca nonetheless. Moments later, Roko had been beamed directly to the spartan and singed Commander's Quarters to find Luscia standing waiting for him,
"Roko!" She cried in delight, embracing him in a huge hug before stepping back and taking in his appearance more fully, her expression mixing between horror and amusement,
"Wha...?" She started to ask.

Rio Casa

"That is the beautiful thing about democracy Foxfire," Sammi laughed, "Everyone gets their say, no matter how trivial." She chuckled and relaxed back into the water, enjoying the relaxing effect on her body.

Prototype Vessel...

The first engineer died in a spray of blood and brain matter as Unit 187 shot him in the head with a good five feet of space between her and him, a certain fluidity to her movements, taking things as they came. The next made it two feet before he was put down by a blast to the stomach, causing his entrails to smoke and shrivel as he fell face down on the deck. Finally one hit her, but it was like running into a brick wall: He bounced off, stumbling to the deck, and she stepped on his head, crushing it with a single, precise blow. The fourth swung at her with some sort of tool but she swept her arm into him and sent the Danaversian flying, the amphibian smacking against the wall violently and dropping down slowly, dozens of bones broken. Another, directly at her, but she let him come and drove her fist into his stomach, the limb coming out though his back, puncturing organs and shattering his spine, impaling the screaming alien on her arm. She flung the dying one away and seized the final foe, who had been watching in horror, unable to approach as his comrades were ripped apart. The last thing he saw as her cold, lifeless hands wrapped around his neck was her emotionless kitsune face, staring not at him, but at the core behind him.

The android let the last opponent slump to the deck and stepped up to the control panels that regulated core temperature. She began to make them do things they were never intended for, ignoring the banging on the door, concentrating on damaging the core as much as she could. Within seconds there was a high, screeching roar as it began to overload, and she stepped back, ready to defend her work on the unlikely chance that they did make it inside. However, this proved not necessary: There was a bright flash of light and a roar which destroyed even Unit 187's shielded audio instruments, and the then she fell away into the outer darkness, incinerated by the violent reaction.

Surface...

There was a short thhhht noise and the three guards dropped dead, a dozen shurikens inside each of their corpses. Kakuna let the clip fall to the ground and loaded in a new one as Tien moved past him, chucking EMP grenades liberally and dodging fire as she went. "The thing about these," he lifted the Shooter, "is that full-auto empties in two seconds. As fun as it is, I'm not equipped to carry three thousand magazines..."

"Strange, I could swear I've seen you with that many porn mags before," Tien muttered, peering though the smoke and haze into the torn-apart laboratories and testing areas.

"Well, there's guns, and then there's pussy," the other grinned.

"Found it," Tien rapped her hand against the side of the large ship-mounted R.E.A.P.E.R. weapon sitting in the middle of one of the labs.

"Great, now we can finally go home..."

"Hold on," Tien interrupted, "what about all the tanks they stole?"

"The Heartbreakers?" Kakuna snorted. "Yeah, I'm going to get back a hundred fucking MBTs for those pricks, just let me call up a bulk transport here..."

"Yeah yeah, point taken," Tien slapped a beacon on the side of the R.E.A.P.E.R., marking it for beaming. "Still, you don't-"

She looked around, confused. Kakuna was gone.

"Kakuna?"

"Done!" He shouted, trotting back, grinning. "Wanna see what a thousand pounds of explosives does?"

"Where the hell did you get a thousand pounds of bombs?"

"Dien beamed 'em down-"

"Qonndamnit, we're supposed to be beaming weapons up, not weapons down!"

"Well, I like closure. Bite me."

Tien grinned a grin that was more like a snarl. "Don't tempt me. Dien," she called into her commlink, "get us and the R.E.A.P.E.R. out of here."

"Right you are, miss, good timing too, there's a Dan Baracudda sauntering on down and it looks none too happy..."

Abruptly they found themselves in the hold of the Princess of Blood, and the ship turned towards the sky and shot away, blazing past the Danaversian Battleship as the compound exploded with a howl behind them, collapsing in on itself as smoke and dust plumed into the atmosphere. There was a whine and the ship shot away into hyperspace, bound for Sporia.

Warship Vaca...

"Arrg-" Roko fell into her embrace abruptly and stumbled back, falling on his rear, legs open, stunned and confused. It was always a bad moment when you were unexpectedly beamed away from a location, especially when you thought you were about to die, but the humiliating position was almost too much. Quickly curling his tail around over his crouch and pushing his legs together, arms hugging them, he shook his head, deck cold on his bare buttocks. "Long story..."

Imperial Bathhouse...

Foxfire laughed. "True, very true. But there's a certain wonderful efficiency to our style of government too: If I need something to get done, I don't need to cut though a field of red tape. Of course," he became serious, "everyone is very careful to elect the right person to this office, if they hold so much power. The people can still bring me down, but it's not easy." He shrugged, and settled back into the water. "Scholars have debated for years about the benefits and drawbacks of our respective styles of government, but they both work well, so..." He grinned. "No worries, eh?"

"I've got time," The young Alumina replied shyly settling beside him, sitting in a manner similiar to him. "If you want to change, I can have a uniform replicated for you. I am in command now, as most senior capable Officer so I call the shots," She gave a faint smile which dropped quickly, "Did any others escape?" She asked hopefully.

Rio Casa

The Prime Minister chuckled agreement,
"As a predecessor of mine said a long time ago, Emperor Rose, if something is not broke then there is no need to fix it." She settled into the water again but then glanced at a nearby chronometer, "Dear me, is that the time? We have been here for a considerable time." She laughed "How time flies when you're having fun."

"If you want to change, I can have a uniform replicated for you. I am in command now, as most senior capable Officer so I call the shots,"

Hit with this last piece of information, Roko was slow to respond. "That...would be wonderful." He stood, listening to her next question and he pulled, yanked, tore and ripped the indecent uniform off himself until he was standing nude with the dress in ragged fragments on the deck around him. "No...I don't know how many were captured, but the one who was with me was killed during our escape. She died honorably, like a true warrior should." He bowed his head for a moment, thinking back. "She sacrificed her life for me, you know."

He shook his head, looking back to Luscia. "So your in command now? How'd that happen?"

Imperial Bathhouse...

"Hmm..." Foxfire looked over at the timekeeper too, tail swishing beneath the water. "It might be time to retire back to the Imperial Palace, I cannot take up too much of your time as I'm sure you are anxious to return to the People's Republic. There is a war on, after all." He sighed. "This won't be your last visit, someday we'll meet during peacetime for more relaxing talk, I promise." He smiled softly, rising out of the water onto the steam-filled deck. "Come, I must see you off."

"I suspected that she might," Luscia nodded while heading over to one of the Replicators still operation, inputting her commands, "The bridge was hit," She shrugged, "and I was the most senior Officer to survive the damage. Our warship took heavy damage in the battle. Two Ships were destroyed, two, including us heavily damaged and two more with moderate damage. The whole force suffered badly in this attack," She scowled darkly while handing over the uniform,
"It has not been easy for me to take over but the crew have accepted me finally and now I command them as easily as I do my own body." That was replaced with a shy look at the Kitsune, "I was worried about you." She said in a small voice.

Rio Casa

"Thank you," Sammi smiled as she too eased from the water, "It has been a most interesting discussion Foxfire and, though at times like this I do regret it, duty calls me at home. We are due to debate the possible launch for a new class of Cruisers to help with the war effort." She sighed, thinking of the long debates in the Senate,
"and I would more than enjoy a chance to return in peacetime, when the demands on my time are not so...extreme." She smiled herself.

Roko pulled on the Aluminan uniform, grateful to finally be back in real clothes. "I was worried about you too," he told Luscia, taking her hands in his as he looked into her eyes. "I thought you were dead...or worse, captured." He brought her a little bit closer, gazing up at her face. "You've been such a great support to me this whole time...everyone knows the Alumina don't go back for their own. But you did," he gripped her hands, "you came back for me, you only knew me a few days, I was nothing like any of the crew, but you still didn't leave me behind." His voice cracked. "I think...Luscia..." His stare was intense, "will you come back with me? To Xiscapia?"

Rio Casa...

After drying off and dressing again, Foxfire and Sammi stood in foyer with the high-ceiling on the gray tile near the huge wooden doors, a cadre of Black and Democratic Guards accompanying. "I also enjoyed your company, Prime Minister Samantha Gerrand," he bowed, "and I do hope we will be able to do this again. I shall take your words and advise under consideration, as I hope you shall do the same with mine."

"I...I..." Luscia looked at him, as if trying to see if he was lying, her own ability to scan his mind forgotten. She continued to stare at him for several moments, a hundred thoughts and feelings running through her mind. She felt him close to her, pressed against her uniform, his hands tight in hers. She gazed down into his eyes, only an inch or so lower than her own, tears welling up in her eyes,
"I...yes...yes I'd love to," She blurted out, seizing the moment, throwing all of her Race's logic and reasoning out the window and going with what her heart desired.

Rio Casa

"I shall indeed take your advice under consideration Emperor Rose, as anyone who wished to learn should." She bowed deeply to the Xiscapian as her Guards formed around her in preparation to take her to the Hovercar outside which in turn would lead her to the Vessel awaiting in space to return her to Alversia. As she settled back in the car, she thought to herself about what she had just discussed with Foxfire and what was coming up for her to do in the next week. She sighed to herself as the car pulled out of the Imperial Palace and towards the Space port. Never done.

"Thank you!" The cry of joy was almost a sob, the shorter, more solid Xiscapian wrapping his arms around Luscia and embracing her, suddenly feeling more alive than he ever had before. "Thank you..." He whispered, hugging the Alumina tightly on the ruined starship hundreds of lightyears from home.

Rio Casa...

The Emperor stood on the steps of the Imperial Palace, robes drawn about him to protect his body from the chill, watching the hovercraft until it vanished around a corner and was out of his sight. The kitsune heaved a sigh and turned his gaze to the sky, pondering the interaction that had just taken place. The girl (Sammi was very much a women, but the age gap between them was so large Foxfire thought of her as a girl) was inexperienced, yes, uncertain, perhaps even lacking some of the confidence needed to be an effective ruler, but all that would change with time. She had shown herself to be highly perceptive, well-versed in the ways of even people not her own, and intelligent, excellent virtues for a diplomat to possess. She didn't have the battlefield bravery of John Valour nor the quiet wisdom of Aiden Mallon, but Sammi was her own person, and that was more than he had seen from many others. She would be, he knew, a memorable Prime Minister in her own right.

Luscia embraced him tightly, feeling his arms wrapped around her, daring to kiss him lightly on the lips before rubbing her cheek against his. She did not gain any pleasure from such an act, her pleasure glands were elsewhere on her body, but she knew that Kitsune did gain pleasure from such an act. She was cautious as well...she didn't know how to respond to him. She was inexperienced about such things.

It was not long before the Vaca was able to return to Coalition space, running into a Xiscapian scouting party who were, ironically, returning from searching for Private Roko who had been missing for a while in the wreakage of Havalia. The Alumina had not informed the Kitsune Empire of their rescuing of Roko and so he had been posted as missing. Needless to say, the Empire was not happy about the silence on the matter but they accepted, as they had to, that communications silence was more important than informing them of a lone survivor. Luckily for Luscia and Roko, they were able to board a transport and return to Rio Casa with the Search Party. The raid was a complete and utter disaster for the Alumina, with close to 2,000 casualties for little to no gain. It was galling for such an effecient race that such an attack had been a total failure. The ground forces blamed it on the Pantheria-Marshall Nigripes while the better placed were able to see that it was the Supreme-Lioness who was wasting Aluminan manpower and ships on wasted attacks.

The Aluminan Defence Forces did protest the absence of Luscia for a little while but, overall, the individual was not important, especially one who was as much of a liability as the Youngling. It was better for them to have her away from the establishment. So, for the Aluminan Soldier, the spur-of-the moment decision to pursuade the Captain to rescue the small, damaged Scoutship turned out to be one of the best of her life as she settled down to her new life as the first Aluminan to live on Xiscapia, with Roko as her Partner and Mentor.