MIRACLE AT KR-117

Cargo Hold <VES Minerva>

    Cargo shuttling robots handle a lot of the heavy lifting in this 100-foot-square, 40-foot-high hold, which is capable of carrying several months worth of food and supplies for the ship's crew with plenty of space left over for commercial and scientific payloads.
    A quartermaster oversees the arrivals and departures of cargos, checking manifests to make sure that what's on the list matches what's in the crate.
    A wide archway, accessible by the cargo bots, leads to the ship's shuttle bay.

Carlon is seated on the cot inside his crate, looking to the floor as usual.

Porter strides into the cargo hold, followed by a technician who is in the middle of saying: "-- acquired a quantum feedback loop in the transition coils. Now, it's nothing that can't be fixed with a few minor calibrations, but it is definitely something to keep an eye on." The colonel nods, stopping as he reaches the quartermaster's cubicle. "All the supplies should be aboard, correct?"

The quartermaster's aide on duty nods to the colonel. "Aye, sir. We're restocked and ready to go."

Carlon glances up at the sound of voices near the corridor, and watches from his spot with a mild amount of interest.

A sparkling presence manifests itself just outside the corner of your eye, and a rasping multivoice speaks: ~Lieutenant Colonel Porter, we have a request.~

Carlon's mild interest just shot up as the Hiver entered. He now sits on the edge of his cot, watching.

Porter glances around in no particular direction, finally focusing on a support beam overhead. He looks rather puzzled. "A request? Not used to getting requests from a Hiver, Mezentius. Never really got the impression you folks needed anybody else."

The rasping multivoice speaks: ~We wish to prove our allegiance to your kind.~

Carlon arches an eyebrow, and frowns slightly from inside his holding crate.

Porter blinks. "Really? All right, Mezentius. Go ahead with your request. I'm listening."

The rasping multivoice speaks: ~We ask that you take us to a specific destination. We can provide your navigator with the coordinates.~

Carlon just shrugs dismissivly, interest going down as he leans back again on his bunk.

Porter nods slowly. "Is it somewhere within reason, Mezentius? I don't want to go traipsing all the way to the other side of the galaxy just so you can try to prove a point."

The rasping multivoice speaks: ~We consider the distance negligible.~

"All right," the colonel replies. "Transfer the coordinates to the navicomp. We'll depart within the hour." He turns and walks toward the corridor.

Carlon hunches over on his cot, and goes back to watching the floor.

    ACTIVITY REPORT: Lt. Col. David Ransom Porter reporting.

    Our Hiver, Mezentius, has asked for a special favor - he wants us to take him to a set of specific coordinates in order to prove the Hive Mind's allegiance to corporeal life.
    We leave within the hour. All personnel are recalled to the Minerva.

A short while later, Lt. Col. Porter supervises the ship's refueling...

Ungstir Landing Pad <Resilience: Ungstir>

    Rough hewn walls of iron and basalt, grooved by machinery used to carve this spaceport facility out of the glinting black and gray rock, rise on all sides of the broad pad that provides ample room for starships to perch during their stay on Ungstir.
    Bright sulfurous lights seem to cast the chamber - with its atmosphere containment field forming a sort of life support bubble - in permanent daylight despite the gloomy darkness and stars that loom beyond. Through the field, silhouetted by the glow of the distant star Perseverance, one can make out the rolling, drifting shapes of rocks and planetoids - remnants of the world to which this chunk once belonged.
    Squat, dark-haired technicians with pale skin and gruff demeanors move from ship to ship, checking fuel levels and mechanical fitness of the vessels. An archway leads out of the landing facility and into what appears to be a sort of common area.

Hugh is hovering near the Gray Horse, Katya, Olive, and Teel with him.

Porter makes his way down the landing ramp of the Minerva, followed by a couple of technicians. "Get us refueled," he orders one of them. The technician salutes, then breaks off with his companion to start doing so. The colonel remains standing at the base of the ramp, observing the work.

Teel tugs on her ponytail. "I'm tellin y'right now, no matter what y'call it, it's a hoopin messed up Jonny on th'spot job. Evrybody's gonna be pullin th'person in ten directions at once, an th'pressure..." She snorts. "Sweet Mother Maybelline, I'm swearin that Kalson was stone cold sane when I first met'm, an look at th'poor hoop now."

Innokentevna sits atop the front nose gear of the Gray Horse, its boarding ladder pulled down. She talks to Olive, Teel and
Hugh, all gathered in the little ship's shadow. The courier glance across, her head tilting. "Gospadin Colonel ... veesh a pony to keep your sheep's company?"

Porter quirks a smile at the question as he processes it. "Oh," he finally replies. "Ship." He chuckles. "You'll be welcome to follow once we're on our way."

Olive nods and watches the Colonel closely, not unfriendly but more cautious.

The technicians complete their work in refueling the Minerva, detaching the hoses and returning them to their proper clasps. Porter nods to the techs, and then they start back up the ramp toward the Minerva.

Innokentevna shrugs her shoulders, nodding back to the Colonel. She then look down to Teel, as she scrambles up the scout ship's boarding ladder. "Da. Neet someone, tough as zee Rock, an' villink to stant for her solit. Be right back ..."

Porter climbs aboard the Minerva...

Cargo Hold <VES Minerva>

    Cargo shuttling robots handle a lot of the heavy lifting in this 100-foot-square, 40-foot-high hold, which is capable of carrying several months worth of food and supplies for the ship's crew with plenty of space left over for commercial and scientific payloads.
    A quartermaster oversees the arrivals and departures of cargos, checking manifests to make sure that what's on the list matches what's in the crate.
    A wide archway, accessible by the cargo bots, leads to the ship's shuttle bay.

Porter makes his way across the cargo hold, approaching the corridor. He stops a few steps from the doorway. Slowly, he turns and looks at Carlon. "Care to come and watch, Mr. Carlon? You may be a prisoner, but what the Hivers have to show us should be for your eyes too."

Carlon is still in his crate, twiddling his thumbs. He looks at Porter, and nods, smile coming to his face, "Thank you, Sir." he stands.

Porter nods to the guards. "Bring him along." He turns and strides out.

Command Center <VES Minerva>

    The central operations facility of this Wasp-class destroyer is a blunted trapezoid that angles from the 15-foot-wide forward bulkhead and graduates to 30-feet-wide at the aft end of the command hull.
    A holographic viewscreen provides amplified visuals of the surrounding cosmos, while square portholes can be found to starboard and port on the bulkheads until reaching the elevated console station "U" that cradles the command chair and the navigation console.
    A pair of steps can be seen port, starboard and aft, leading from the command well to the rail-encircled "U" that houses the science, communications, atmospheric monitoring and cargo management consoles.
    The "U"-deck and the top of the encircling rail are covered with navy blue impact cushioning. The lower command well, forward to the prow, has uncarpeted gray metal plates - some marked as AUTHORIZED ACCESS ONLY - BREACH CONTAINMENT RISK.
    Directly aft from the command chair, at the bottom of the "U," is the hatch that leads to the rest of the vessel.

[Loudspeaker] Attention, Minerva personnel. Stand by for launch.

Carlon walks in from outside, guards following along.

Porter is sitting at the nav console, tapping in coordinates.

Carlon takes a position near the entrance, guards standing on either side as he looks over the bridge.

Porter glances up from his seat at the nav console. "We're launching, Mezentius. We'll need the OS Drive once we clear the debris fields."

Virvril clacks his way onto the bridge and mkaes his way to stand next to the nav console.

~Acknowledged,~ replies the rasping multivoice that accompanies the sparkling blue presence discernible just outside the corner of your eye.

The ship rumbles as it lifts off the ground and arches skyward.

Porter nods to Virvril. "Afternoon, Colonel."

The ship fires her in-system thrusters, propelling away from the slowly rolling chunk of Ungstir.

Carlon stands still, watching as the bridge becomes for active.

<Outside> IDS Redoubtable floats silently though space, only visible by her red landing beacon rotating slowly underneath her.

The ship dips and rolls as she passes through a debris field not far from Ungstir.

Virvril says, "Afternoon, Colonel. Hassss our resssssident Hiver given any detailssss about our desssstination?"

<Outside> IDS Redoubtable changes heading, matching that of the VES Minerva, moving noticeably more nimbly than the larger ship.

Porter shakes his head. "No. But I ran a check. It's the KR-117 system."

Carlon takes on a mild look of confusion before going back to observation.

"All right, Mezentius, let her rip," Porter says.

Virvril says, "I am not familar with that ssssssysssstem...."

~Activating OtherSpace Drive,~ the Hiver replies.

Porter taps a few buttons. "You might also know it as La Terre, sir."

The ship roars and lurches as it enters OtherSpace.

Virvril nictates his eyes. "La Terre?"

Carlon just blinks, eyebrow arching.

The ship reverberates slightly as it speeds through hyperspace.

Nodding, Porter says, "Yes." He then states: "Six and a half minutes to our destination."

Virvril says, "Interesssssting.."

A few minutes later...

The ship bobs back and forth slightly along the blue-white funnel that forms a divide between space and time.

Porter says, "KR-117 on sensors."

Virvril says, "On ssssscreen..."

Carlon watches the viewscreen.

The ship drops out of OtherSpace as Porter adjusts course. Porter lifts an eyebrow as his console beeps. "Company."

<Outside> IDS Redoubtable drops out of OtherSpace just after the Minerva, adjusting her course to match that of the larger vessel.

The ship jumps once more, getting into the star system.

Carlon suggests, "Must've followed us after hearing the reports.."

Porter nods. "Colonel, if you don't mind, grab engineering and raise shields?"

Virvril nods, and slides into the engineering seat. He flips several switches quickly. "Sssssshields online at maximum..."

"We'll do one more jump to close the gap," Porter says.

The ship roars and lurches as it enters OtherSpace.

The ship drops out of OtherSpace, arcing away from the terminus toward a void among the stars, in the glow of the star called Ra. Her braking thrusters fire and she drifts on minimal momentum.

"Okay, Mezentius, we're here," Porter says, looking around vaguely. "You going to show us?"

Carlon watches the bridge with great interest.

~Soon,~ replies the rasping multivoice of the Hiver tendril. ~We await the arrival of others of your kind.~

Porter scratches his chin, but sighs and nods. "Great. Waiting is right up there on the top of my list of favorite pastimes."

Virvril says, "I believe an old Earth sssssaying goesssss, "Good thingssss come to thosssssse who wait?""

Porter chuckles, looking over at Virvril. "You spent a lot of time in the White Shield's library, didn't you?"

Virvril nods, "Many hoursssss....it isssss the only reasssson I have learned to over come my....inssssstinctsssss..."

Porter checks his displays. "Our shadow appears to have vanished."

Virvril says, "Curiousssss...I read no explossssions or drive activity...."

Porter nods. "We'll head across the system some."

The ship roars and lurches as it enters OtherSpace.

The ship shudders as it drops out of OtherSpace.

Porter's console beeps again. "And there they are."

You feel a slight force as the ship glides to a halt ...

Porter speaks into his commlink, "VES Minerva to all vessels in the vicinity, stand by. This is Lt. Col. David Ransom Porter, commander of the Minerva."

<Outside> IDS Redoubtable hovers silently over the eagle shuttle within boarding range, her shields dropped, but no link has been established.

Mnelmn floats into the command center, its trusty toolkit swinging from the ends of its tentacles pendulously as it moves along.
Carlon is standing near the entrance with his guards, watching.

Porter is sitting at the navigation console, adjusting the Minerva's attitude relative to the Redoubtable. The other vessel is seen on the horizontal now.

<Outside> IDS Redoubtable suddenly raises her shields and fires her vector thrusters, blasting away from the shuttle craft.

Porter watches the other vessel. "Peculiar behavior."

Virvril says, "Indeed...."

Porter watches his displays as little sirens start bleeping. "Incoming vessel."

<Outside> IDS Redoubtable fires her retro thrusters, coming to a halt a few hms away, now facing the Minerva.

<Outside> IDE Galub lurches in from Otherspace, engines slowing.

The ship drifts near the Redoubtable, shields raised.

Mnelmn sets its toolkit down near the engineering console with a dull thud.

Virvril says, "It ssssseems the fisssssh have been attracted to the light...."

Porter looks over at the Centauran. "Mnelmn, check with the technicians - they were telling me something about a quantum feedback loop in one of the transition coils. We'll need that calibrated soon." He sits at nav, with the Minerva herself parked in a void of space near the IDE Galub and the Redoubtable. The colonel chuckles.

<Porter's Commlink> <Marauder> And a warm welcome to you as well, fishy.

Porter speaks into his commlink, "Afternoon, Mr. Borono. Out for a Sunday ride?"

~Yes, sir.~ Mnelmn sends to Porter telepathically. It floats up to the consoles on the fringes of the command center and begins to converse with one of the technicians.

<Outside> IDE Galub shifts in course torward the Minerva, engines flaring as speed increases.

<Outside> IDS Redoubtable makes a quick intersystem jump, apprearing much closer to the Minvera, shields still raised, but making no hostile moves towards the other vessel.

<Porter's Commlink> <RedBaron> Brml. I'm afraid your transmission isn't coming in clearly, Mr. Porter. Subspace communication can be very unprofitable. Brml.

Porter lifts his eyebrows. "Galactix."

<Porter's Commlink> <Marauder> I'm reading the ... Galactix here, anyone else getting her, over?

<Porter's Commlink> <RedBaron> Brml! Battlecruiser spotted.

Porter speaks into his commlink, "That's the Galactix. He's with us."

Carlon raises his own eyebrow. "This is...at the very least, interesting."

<Porter's Commlink> <Marauder> Redoubtable to Minerva, youse guys are the military. Advise.

<Outside> FVAD Galactix emerges out of a white flash and fires his retroes, maneuvering to within a couple thousand hm of the Minerva. Pulling along side, he comes to a stop.

<Porter's Commlink> <RedBaron> Mr. Porter. I must suggest you use ship's coms. Your signal is too weak. Brml.

Porter chuckles. "Mnelmn, you mind taking comms?"

Grishkov enters the command center from the corridor, strangely nervous as he enters.

<Outside> IDE Galub continues on course toward the Minerva, shields and weapons at the ready as it lurches forth.

Virvril says, "They are taking a rather aggressssssive possssture..."

Porter nods slowly, observing. "I think the Galub is more worried about our other neighbor than us."

<Outside> IDS Redoubtable comes to a halt 2 hms away from the Minerva, shields raised.

<Porter's Commlink> <RedBaron> Unidentified contact on sensors.

<Porter's Commlink> <Marauder> Advise, possible Kestrel enroute.

Porter speaks into his commlink, "Acknowledged."

Mnelmn floats quickly toward the communications console

<Communications> <Heron> Chandler-class Midnight Runner on route to coordinates, if I'm who you guys are seeing.

<Communications> <RedBaron> Closing into escort position, Minerva. Brml. I do wonder what's going on.

The ship fires her attitude thrusters, lifting about 10 meters along the Y axis. Porter looks over at Mnelmn. "Kill those speakers."

<Communications> <Marauder> Copy your transmission Midnight Runner, we are observing approaching vessel at 2500 hm's speed, confirm.

A click ripples through the room as the bridge speakers are taken offline.

<Porter's Commlink> <Galactix> I have achieved station keeping, Minerva. I am sensing active weapons arrays and shield generators, shall I go to a state of alert?

<Outside> IDS Redoubtable mimics the Minerva's adjustment, still remaining within 2 hms distance.

<Porter's Commlink> <Heron> I just slowed down to there. I'm 'eadin' 1-3-9 for minus 0-4-3.

<Outside> IDE Galub pulls into a sudden reverse, moving slowly.

Porter nods toward Mnelmn. "Tell Galactix to stand ready. Anyone points *anything* at us, discourage them."

~Acknowleged.~ Mnelmn sends to Porter. It plugs the the console into its collar with a thin cord. It begins to speak into the console with its vocalizer. Mnelmn speaks into the microphone, "Galactix, please stand ready. If anyone takes aggressive action toward us, we request that you discourage it."

<Porter's Commlink> <RedBaron> Brml! Quite the traffic around here. We are slowed to a stop.

<Porter's Commlink> <Marauder> Welcome to the party everyone, tonight's host, the VES Minerva it would seem...

<Outside> Gray Horse slams on her oversize drives and gallops towards the collection of starships ...

<Outside> IDE Galub remains stationary roughly 22 hms away.

<Porter's Commlink> <Heron> Greetings and good day everyone.

<Porter's Commlink> <Galactix> Acknowledged, Minerva. Shields to full power, plasma beam cannons at maximum, anti-proton cannons at ready.

Porter looks up. "Anytime you're ready, Mezentius."

<Porter's Commlink> <RedBaron> Brml. We have full power to weapon's array. We're profitably prepared indeed.

<Porter's Commlink> <Marauder> Redoubtable to Minerva, we are standing by for instructions, over.

Carlon watches, fascinated.

~Redoubtable requests instructions.~ Mnelmn sends to Porter.

~We will proceed,~ the sparkling blue presence replies in its rasping multivoice.

Porter nods, then looks toward Mnelmn. "Tell them the Hivers are about to start their show. All we can do now is wait."

Mnelmn jumps a few inches into the air as the multivoice speaks, its tentacles curling beneath itself like a recently-killed spider. Regaining its composure, it sends a transmission to the Redoubtable. Mnelmn speaks into the microphone, "Please stand by, Redoubtable."

<Porter's Commlink> <RedBaron> Brml. Another unidentified vessel. It's a Cobra!

<Porter's Commlink> <Marauder> Everyone keep their damn fingers of the triggers, we don't need a battle. Yet.

<Porter's Commlink> <RedBaron> Fingers, Mr. Marauder? Brml.

A sparkling blue presence manifests itself just outside the corner of your eye. It speaks with a rasping multivoice: ~We are the Il'Ri'Kamm Hive Mind. We are that which was once enemy to all things corporeal. Our blind desire for vengeance against our Kamir masters has cost us dearly. We are much reduced from our past glory. That hunger to destroy corporeal life ended when we found our Maltarian brethren, fellow creations of the Kamir. Although we have destroyed two of the Kamir to save your galaxy from chaos, some among you still doubt the motives of the Ri'Kammi. We will now attempt to further demonstrate our allegiance to your kind.~

<Porter's Commlink> <Galactix> I have no intentions to fire unless an aggressor's actions warrant it.

A disturbance in the fabric of space begins to shimmer with a ghostly blue and silver light, expanding rapidly from a few meters to thousands of miles in diameter.

Porter widens his eyes at the sight, then looks over at Mnelmn. "That a threat to us?"

<Porter's Commlink> <Pacemaker> Greetings, all. This is the independent trader Outpacer... mind if we watch?

That sparkling blue presence manifests itself again, just outside the corner of your eye: ~Months ago, the megalomaniac Bartholomew Ritter ordered the destruction of La Terre. One of our tendrils was aboard a ship on the New Paris landing pad, and perceived this act in progress, alerting the Mind. We allowed the Lem'ing to believe the planet destroyed, but in truth - as we did with Val Shohob - we merely shifted La Terre to another plane of existence. Now, we return it to you.~

<Porter's Commlink> <Marauder> Odd choice of vessel for a trader there, Pacemaker, just keep your distance from us.

A greenish-gray globe begins to take form within the shimmering disturbance. As the ripples fade, they leave behind a planet, rotating serenely in the glow of Ra.

<Porter's Commlink> <RedBaron> Most profitable!

<Porter's Commlink> <Lone Wolf> WolfsBane to Minerva. Colonel Porder, yu do throw quide a pardy I mus admid.

~Unknown.~ Mnelmn sends to Porter. ~Request permission to move the science console for scanning purposes.~
Porter blinks. "Uh...that won't be necessary..."

<Porter's Commlink> <Marauder> Are you reading what I'm reading people?

<Porter's Commlink> <Heron> Holy bologna...

<Porter's Commlink> <RedBaron> By the Profits!

~The souls once lost shall be restored from the other plane, save one: Ritter,~ the sparkling blue presence intones. ~Return in forty-eight hours and you will be permitted to land, to be reunited with those who seemed condemned to oblivion by the actions of a madman.~ The Hiver presence diminishes to nothing.

<Porter's Commlink> Innokentevna ..... "Gospadi! An I .... . .... ov wodka een ... holt ... congrats Meenerva!"

Porter shakes his head in disbelief. "Tell them not to congratulate us, Mnelmn. Tell them to thank the Hivers."

<Porter's Commlink> <Galactix> Geologic and atmospheric readings confirm their claim....it is indeed La Terre...

<Porter's Commlink> <Marauder> Redoubtable to La Terre, do you copy, over?

<Porter's Commlink> <RedBaron> Brml, just...brml, one small questions if I may? I suggest vessels stand guard here incase anyone, brml, decided to 'reclaim' it?

An interference field blocks any communication or attempts to land on La Terre, and will remain in place for 48 hours.

<Porter's Commlink> <Pacemaker> Bloody Jesus Jay Christ! They did it again. The did the whole planet summoning again, like they did with Val Shohob.

<Porter's Commlink> Innokentevna ..... "Za vashe Zdarov'ye!"

Mnelmn speaks into the microphone, "This is not our doing. The planet was returned by the Ri'Kammi hive mind."

<Porter's Commlink> <Marauder> We concur, Red Baron, please advise on action, Minerva.

<Porter's Commlink> <Galactix> I can assume that task if required.

Porter nods, looking toward Mnelmn. "Tell them...we should have a celebration on the Galactix. We don't have anywhere else to be, do we?"

<Porter's Commlink> <RedBaron> We will stay behind if needed. Brml.

<Porter's Commlink> <Mnelmn - Minerva> Lieutenant Colonel Porter suggests that we celebrate on the Galactix.

Carlon nods to Porter, "I suppose I shall return to my holding area, sir?"

<Porter's Commlink> <Marauder> Copies. Requesting docking clearance to the Galactix, over.

<Porter's Commlink> <Heron> Roger, that, Minerva.

<Porter's Commlink> <Galactix> Docking clearance granted.

"Yes, Mr. Carlon," Porter replies to the prisoner. "But I'll consider letting you visit La Terre when the Hivers have cleared us to do so."

<Porter's Commlink> <RedBaron> We will stay out here and assume watch duty. Brml.

Carlon nods, "Yes, Sir." he turns, and heads off, guards following.

<Outside> Gray Horse brakes and comes around, quick and sure.

<Porter's Commlink> <Lone Wolf> Wolfsbane to Galactix, requesting docking clearence ole frien.

<Porter's Commlink> <Galactix> Clearance granted.

<Outside> Midnight Runner turn around to the Galactix, firing its engines up.

Mnelmn floats near the console quietly, crystalline eyes perceiving the newly-resurrected world.

Porter chuckles, shaking his head. "Well, Mezentius - if that didn't win you some friends..."

The ship adjusts course, fires her thrusters and approaches the Galactix.

<Outside> IDE Galub just floats there, turning to watch La Terre. Weapons are active and shields are to full power, sensors at maximum.

<Outside> Gray Horse powers up her thrusters again, on an approach vector to the Galactix

~It is possible that this is an illusion.~ Mnelmn warns Porter via a tightband telepathic transmission.

<Porter's Commlink> <RedBaron> Brml. We will return to G'ahnlo. Urgent business. Profits with you all. Brml.

Porter glances toward Mnelmn, then says, "We'll know in two days."

<Porter's Commlink> <Heron> Good day, Galub.

<Outside> Outpacer slowly begins to turn away from La Terre.

<Porter's Commlink> <Heron> Permission to dock, Galactix

<Porter's Commlink> <Galactix> Permission granted.

~Shall I request permission to dock with Galactix?~ Mnelmn sends to Porter.

<Porter's Commlink> <Pacemaker> Sorry, folks, we have profits to take care of ourselves. We'll catch up with some of you later on, maybe, and you can tell us about it then. Our regards to the Minerva.

Porter nods to Mnelmn.

Mnelmn speaks into the microphone, "Permission to dock is requested, Galactix."

<Porter's Commlink> <Galactix> Clearance to dock granted, Minerva.

~We may dock.~ Mnelmn sends to everyone on the bridge.

Porter nods.

<Outside> Gray Horse slams on her braking thrusters, coming to a quick halt

Mnelmn is floating near the communications console.

<Porter's Commlink> Innokentevna says, "Galactix zis ees Gray horse, rekvestink permession to dock."

<Porter's Commlink> <Galactix> Permission granted.

<Porter's Commlink> Innokentevna says, "Spasiba, slippink into aproch vector nov ...."

Marshall steps in just inside the chamber, his hands behind his back looking out towards the viewscreen but remaing still.

Porter taps a few buttons on the nav console. He looks up at the screen. "Damn. They really pulled it off."

Marshall is standing just inside the command center, hands behind his back and watching the viewscreen.

Fwylthin tries to slip as quietly as possible into the command center, but the soft *click* of his claws on the floor give him away. He stands cautiously in the back, brown eyes taking in the scene.

The VES Minerva pushes forward as it glides in and docks.

Marshall looks over his shoulder at the Castori, growling slightly he moves away down towards the others.

Porter smiles slightly, then stands at nav and looks around. "All right, folks, you're cleared to disembark to the Galactix for the celebration."

Fwylthin shifts nervously as Marshall growls, but remains where he is, eyes widening in curiousity at Porter's words.

~Request permission to stay aboard and verify that all systems are functioning properly.~ Mnelmn sends to Porter. ~No one has studied the effects of trandimensional materialialization of planets on that of ship's systems.~

Porter nods to Mnelmn. "Granted." He starts walking up the steps from the command well.

Marshall looks around the room, gives a short saulte at Porter and decide to march quickly after him.

Mnelmn floats over to its toolkit and picks it up. The toolkit trails behind it as it acceleratates, heading for engineering.

Porter nods to Fwylthin. "Come along." He heads out into the corridor.

Porter, Fwylthin and Marshall proceed to disembark...

Flight Deck - Deck 1 - FVAD Galactix

    This massive chamber has sufficient docking facilities for several large vessels, and multiple fighter squadrons. Smaller vessels are stored in smaller hangars arranged like shelves on the side walls. High above on the ceiling a large blister dome houses the flight control center. It is mostly glass windows, giving the flight controllers inside a 360 degree view of the deck below. Access to the flight control center is gained through a hover tube which hugs the hangar wall and the ceiling, running towards the dome.

Porter walks down the landing ramp, followed by Marshall and Fwylthin.

Hugh is hovering below the hatch to the Runner, looking up to the ship.

Raphael turns around and surveys the small crowd assembling on the flight deck. "I hate big crowds..." he mutters to himself with a sigh.

Fwylthin ambles down the landing ramp behind Porter, eyes blinking slowly as he glances around.

LeBeau is standing with teel and the Galactix drone "So wha hav yu been doing to keep yerself busy GX?"

The enormous bay doors slowly begin to slide open ...

Through the bay doors, the ICLF Hard Bargain comes in and docks.

Galactix Drone says, "Mostly in orbit of Val Shohob in keeping with my enlistment in the Vanguard."

Porter glances toward the arriving Odarite ship.

Mouse sticks close to Innokentevna as she looks around at all the people and ships here.

Innokentevna snaps open the small access hatch, vanishing for a moment, or atleast half of her, within. When she drops back down she has a small wooden box, slender, tucked beneath her arm. Katya then pads quickly up behind Teel. She makes sure the littler ungstiri is safe behind her, her other hand a firm confort on Mouse's shoulder. "Zo ... nov vhere .. an' vhy zee tark look, gospahza Teel?"

Fwylthin spots Innokentevna in the crows and grunts in suprise. Tentatively, he raises a forepaw to wave in her direction.

Hugh watches the hatch on the Runner shut before hovering over to the other Ungstiri, "Geeze, wot took yas so long?"

Teel glances behind her at the other Ungstiri woman. "Jus'stuff, Katya. Nothin f'y't'worry bout." She attempts a weak smile to cover her gloominess.

Once the Odarite freighter slows to a halt and is secured, the tiny hatch in the vessel hisses open. Out of it, comes a rather short black insectoid figure the size of a large Nall, roughly 4 and a half feet. It skitters forward, looking over the bay with large multifaceted eyes. It's mandibles click slowly in awe and wings flutter slightly.

Raphael turns briefly to study porter, then walks up to the man at a brisk pace, coming to a halt in front him. "Greetings, Raphael Campainha, at your service Lieutenant Colonel Porter." he says bowing deeply to the man.

A group of Vanguard officers, all with crisp new uniforms, stride past the group. They all nod. One might notice that they, like the Castori earlier, also have thick scars on the back of their skulls. They salute to Porter.

The enormous bay doors slowly begin to slide open ...

Through the bay doors, the Fortune's Passage comes in and docks.

Porter nods to Raphael. "Afternoon." He returns the salute from the passing officers, but his brow furrows as he notices the scars. "What the hell...?"

Mouse suddenly becomes glued to Innokentevna's side, dark eyes wide as they move from being to being, on hand lays protectively over a bludge in one of her front larger pockets.

Raphael smiles faintly to porter as he touches his scars. "Quite, had a little runin not too long ago you see." he offers as an explanation.

Marshall positions himself to the right of Porter's shoulder, turning to the group of Vanguard soldiers, raising an eyebrow as he spots the scars.

Fwylthin peers curiously at the passing group of officers, his paw instinctively reaching back to rub the scar behind his head.

"Tcha ... " Katya just lets her shoulders shrug. "Your troubles ... our troubles. Ve are here eef you vish. But you alreaty zat knov, da?" She then looks to her own shadow, crouching a bit. "Eets fine ..." her arm wraps around Mouse's shoulders. "Betveen dama Teel an' zee vanguart folks an' me, you coult nyi be safer. Both ov you."

Galactix Drone turns towards Porter. "Members of the Organic Resistance movement that were aboard me when I was trapped in this universe. The scars are from where I removed the controlling implants the Phyrrians had placed in them to suppress their free will. Most have more scars than just the physical, but their freedom in this universe is slowly helping them rebuild."

Raphael quickly withdraws his hand, realizing his own scar wasn't the cause of eruption and takes a sigh of relief as he smiles to porter and bows again, before retreaing, now grinning slightly.

A hatch at the side of the Fortune's Passage slides open with a hiss and out skitters Grix'ik'kikik. His claws and mandibles click together so quickly not even an Odarite could understand what he is saying.

Rik'ikk'kirr is standing five feet in front of the Hard Bargain, looking around.

"Ah," Porter manages in response to Galactix. "Thank you, Lieutenant." He smiles quirkily at that, then looks back at Raphael, only to see the man's departing back. His mouth opens to speak, then snaps shut. He looks back at the drone. "Staying out of trouble?"

As she stands back up, the courier looks about, pausing for a moment or two. Katya's gaze falls to the Minerva's commander, and she waits for a pause in his conversation.

Teel chuckles, a little bitter, but not too much. "Thanks, Katya. S'good t'know y'got m'back."

Grix'ik'kikik's multifaceted eyes fall across his fellow Guilder. He makes his way toward the insectoid, the sound of pots pans and other useless things hanging from his harnesses clank with each step he takes. <A momentous occasion this is, Guilder. Perhaps we can think of some way to profit from it.>

Mouse looks up at Innokentevna and smiles, "The Grand Marquis James Winchester III was a bit worried, having just woke up." The hand over the bludging pocket pats comfortingly.

Raphael makes his way back to his vessel, quickly boarding it.

LeBeau turns away from teh drone and heads over towards Porter "E'ening, Colonel. Yu seem to hav caused quide a sensation, e'en if yu only had a liddle pard to play en all dis."

Porter chuckles and nods to LeBeau. "Good to see you, Mr. LeBeau. Yeah, it wasn't my doing." He jerks a thumb at the Minerva. "The ghost in the machine."

Innokentevna lets her shoulders shrug, philosphic and easy, "Us rock gals, ve steek togezer."

Fwylthin glances curiously back at the Minerva, grunting. He scratches the top of his head as his furry brow furrows.

Marshall looks around the large dome briefly, before slowly striding away from the crowd.

LeBeau smirks and shrugs. "Well afder dat whole healing o dimension rifts, I figured dat da Ri'kammi ad lease deserve da benifid o da doubt. Doh I mus admid dat I do no miss having one roam aroun da engines o my ship. 've mo o less decided to leave dem alone if day leave me alone."

The bay doors begin to slide open as the IDS Redoubtable prepares for departure ...

The IDS Redoubtable fires its engines as it departs through the docking bay doors.

Galactix Drone watches the Redoubtable go. "A rather nervous individual."

Porter nods to LeBeau. "Not a bad philosophy. Though, it turns out they're still lurking in your drives in some capacity."

Rik'ikk'kirr bobs his head to Grix, moving torward him. <I must agree. Another market to trade would be most profitable. And all the polydenum here.>

Teel looks over at Porter. "Pulled th'wet cat out th'bag, y'did." Tugging on her ponytail, she looks even more gloomy. "So, whacha gonna do bout this? They gonna be hovrin roun this place like rats roun a dyin man."

LeBeau shrugs. "Perhaps day ar, if day helped da Otherians ged ento fasder da ligh travel"

Mouse pats her pocket and murmurs to the contents as she stays within the protective bubble of Innokentevna and Teel. Her large dark eyes move quickly from person to person while she takes in everything she sees with a certain amount of wonder.

"Da ... especially vakink up lightyears from home, eet can be disconcerting. Innokentevna gently squeezes Mouse's shoulder. It is Porter's words which, however, catch her attention, as she listens close.

Porter scratches his chin as he looks toward Teel. "Not sure that I need to do anything. Guess we'll make sure they get some proper leadership in place. Someone needs to be here to help the no-longer-dead adjust. Not sure what kind of hell they've been through. But Eye Balthazar went through the same thing, for hundreds of years, and he seemed okay when they found him."

Grix'ik'kikik rubs his anntennae together and glances around the deck, <Yes. The polydenum will be most profitable. But what about these people here? Have you any bits of junk in your ship that they might pay money for?>

Innokentevna quietly speaks. "A trementous shock zees veel be too ... on zose who thought zey hat someone lost ... an' zen vent on an built a nev life."

Teel blinks. Then blinks again. "Sweet Mother Maybelline, y'mean t'tell me that...th'Hivers're bringin'm back from th'dead?"

Porter nods to Teel. "All except Bartholomew Ritter."

Hugh just sighs and leans back in his hoverchair, just hovering a bit away. "Wow," he mutters."

Mouse's attention is suddenly on Teel and the man she's talking. To her pocket she whispers, "Don't worry, The Grand Marquis James Winchester III. Not goin' where dead are."

Fwylthin's good ear remains focused on the conversation, but his glance goes upward...tothe windows overlooking the docking area. He squints as if searching for something.

Rik'ikk'kirr shakes his head to Grix, <Sadly, no. I left all my wares back on Odari! Most unprofitable. It seems you have a couple...things? Yes.>

The flight control dome looks rather busy, as various flight controllers observe the activity below from their posts.

Fwylthin grunts softly and shakes his head in disappointment. He returns his gaze to Porter and those around him.

Grix'ik'kikik fumbles through his harnesses using all four arms. <Hmm... I have a few spanners and assorted tools, a kevlar vest, and that's about all. A shame really. I'm sure we could have fooled them into spending all their money on souvenirs.> He lowers his antennae and shakes his head sadly.

Teel looks very uneasy and even more gloomy. "Assumin they wanna come back. An whatta bout Ritter's cronies, still live an reborn? They might still try an take over again."

Porter shakes his head. "You'd have to ask Mezentius about that. I don't know. But if I were the people who followed them and died, I don't think I'd risk letting them be in power again. Would you?"

Rik'ikk'kirr lowers his antennae as well. <Most unprofitable...I need to set up my shop quicker and stash inventory in my bunk on the Bargain to avoid such unprofitable disasters.>

Innokentevna whispers quietly to Teel, "Ve learn't nyi to do zat again ... I am sure, zey veel too ..." She gives the other woman a true worried look. Quiet, for a heartbeat, and then Katya turns back to the Colonel, her query of a different sort, as she scuffs a foot across the deck. "Colonel, veell you be goink back to Ungstir or mofink on?" Her shoulders shrug, like a child caught stealing from the candy jar. "I theenk ... one ov your ovn, ees steel curl't up beneath my jacket on Ungstir. I can play taxi, eef you neet."

Porter smiles, chuckling at Katya. "Newt? Yes, we'll be going back in a couple of days. I just want to make sure everything is settled on La Terre."

Brushtail arrives quietly, gaze flicking about the massive landing chamber. The gray poof of his tail flicks about behind him as he adjusts his uniform with one paw. His left paw is wrapped in a small bandage, the shattered remains of a datapad visible in one pocket.

Grix'ik'kikik walks toward the Hard Bargain, letting the conversation end. He taps her hull with a claw and clicks his mandibles together.

Rik'ikk'kirr walks after Grix, clicking, "Sko, whkat pkrofitable akct kan wke mkanage hkere?"

Teel listens to the whisper, her gloom fading somewhat. "Da, I guess yer right. But ifn they can't figger it out this time, no takebacks."

Innokentevna shakes her head, and then answers back softly, a touch of pink in her cheeks. "Nyet ... gospahza Meloty. I am just afrait she veell feel like she hafe let you dovn or somethink."

"Ykour guessk iks as gkood as mkine." Grix'ik'kikik says in his best imitation of terran. Reaching into a pouch, he withdraws a battered datapad. The case cracked and the screen throroughly scratched. "Mkost unprokitable."

Mouse blinks as the converstation gets beyond her short attention spand and she starts looking around the bay with wide curious eyes.

Porter ahs, nodding to Innokentevna. "Feel free to fetch her for us, then. I appreciate it. Let me know what it costs."

Rik'ikk'kirr clicks, "Mkaybe thkey'll lket uks vkiew thke vkessel fkurther? Lket uks gko skee thke hkumans, thkrow okur bkusiness's nkames akbout. Aklways pkrofitable."

Brushtail's gaze settles in the direction of Porter. He begins padding over, ears pricked forward. The gray poof of his tail curls up behind him, flicking back and forth at random.

"Da ... Fate, she does nyi gif secont chances fery often." Katya's answer to Teel is even and determinate, simple and pragmatic. "Zey shoult make sure to value eet." She then looks up, a true smile on her lips. "Nyi a probleem, Colonel. Feerst, Solace ees right next door, to cofer expenses, an secont ... eef I remember right I am een your debt. For kvite a beet. Do nyi forgeet zat. Besites..." She shakes out her hair. "Eets my fault. I kept her up far too late vatchink zee stars. Nefer a malin'kiy seestra hafe before."

With a light chuckle, Porter nods. "Understood. I appreciate the help. And I'm glad Melody found a friend. Sometimes I worry she doesn't quite fit in with us soldiering types." He looks over at Brushtail and nods.

Teel snorts. "As long as th'Hivers an th'Kamir are around, I'd say fate gives ya second an third an fourth chances, Katya."

Innokentevna lets Mouse start to pace away ... well at least for as far as her arm can reach, still light upon the little one's shoulder.

"Sir." Pausing, Brushtail glances about, unsure of whether or not to salute. Apparently deciding not to, he nods curtly to Porter, then to Innokentevna. "How is everything?" The question could be directed at any of the participants in the conversation, as the Demarian pilot's ears flick from one to the next.

Porter lifts his eyebrows. "How is everything? The Hivers just resurrected La Terre, and they're bringing back all those people who died. I'd say everything is pretty damned good at the moment."

Innokentevna chuckles softly. "Maybe zey can help me keep my mouth shut een zee future, da?"

Fwylthin, from his position near Porter regards Brushtail with a wide unblinking gaze.

Grix'ik'kikik raises all four of his arms in a kind of Odarite shrug, "Pkerhapsk. Thkough I fkind our preskense hkere uneeded. Mkaybe our tkime wkould bke better spent back on Odari or perhapsk ikn a mkore pokplulated thoroughfkare."

Rik'ikk'kirr bobs his head, antennae wiggling, "Wke wkill dkepart." the shorter Odarite states, skittering into the Hard Bargain.

Innokentevna looks back to the Demarrian with a sharp nod of her head. "Nyi often, one geets to zee heestory mate."

Grix'ik'kikik watches his friend enter the ship, then turns and skitters toward his own vessel. He inputs the password and boards.

Mouse backs into Innokentevna as the large Demarian approaches the little gathering. Her hand covers a bludging pocket on the front of her jumpsuit a little more protectively. She whispers shhsss to it as her dark eyes keep watch on Brushtail.

Lights suddenly flicker on the Fortune's Passage as its reactor core comes online.

A sudden burst of flames shoots from the Fortune's Passage's engines as they activate.

Teel finally clenches up a fist and lets out what is bottled up inside her. "Not good enough. Not good enough! Fix Earth, then, ifn they wanta reverse stupid mistakes. Bring back th'rest of th'Rocks! Hoop, restore Ungstiri th'way it was in th'beginnin!" She unclenches her fist and lowers her head. "Hoopin know-it-alls, thinkin thissis gonna make evrythin alright," she mutters.

The bay doors begin to slide open as the ICLF Hard Bargain prepares for departure ...

The ICLF Hard Bargain fires its engines as it departs through the docking bay doors.

Fwylthin jumps a bit as the Fortune's engines ignite, then grunts and clicks to himself, shoulders shaking.

Innokentevna leans down then, to crouch next to the ungstiri young'ling. She whispers quietly, and politely too, in respect for the subject matter. "Efer a Temarrian seen before, Mouse?"

The bay doors begin to slide open as the Fortune's Passage prepares for departure ...

The Fortune's Passage fires its engines as it departs through the docking bay doors.

Brushtail nods. "Of course, sir." Finally cracking a rare smile, the Demarian relaxes a bit. "It is good to know our allies in the Hive Mind are not simply playing us for fools. Or, if they are, that there are now many more fools for them to play with." Tone neutral, the pilot replies, the smile still remaining lightly on his features. Blinking, he turns his gaze towards Innokentevna. "That's fair enough. History is made by those that forge new paths." The felinoid's ears twitch in Teel's direction, though he stands still as the vessels depart.

Porter watches the ship depart, then looks back toward Teel, his brow knitting. "They're not trying to make everything all right. The Ri'Kammi can't fix everything. We'd get awfully lazy otherwise. But they do appear to interfere in some matters. Val Shohob and La Terre both seemed to be destroyed, and they happened to manipulate both worlds out of this realm to another. Earth, Ungstir - they both still exist, and the Hivers either didn't think, or didn't care, to intervene."

Mouse shakes her head as she keeps her eyes on the Demarian, "Nyt, only pictures." she whispers back to Innokentevna. As its ears twitch she jumps a little. "The Grand Marquis James Winchester III is worried."

Galactix Drone swivels towards Mouse. "I must ask, but who is this Marquis you keep mentioning?"

Teeth bared in a smile, Brushtail doesn't seem to notice the reaction of the child. He stands quietly, watching the activity on the deck with both eyes and ears. The gray poof attached to his posterior curls around behind him, occasionally flicking down by his knees.

Fwylthin turns his head to look at Mouse, seeming to share the drone's curiosity.

Innokentevna starts then, and then stands. She sets her little box down on the deck, and places a hand upon Teel's shoulder. She squeezes, strong. "Tovarish ... Teeel, ve once toast't our lost een Rockhoppers, an' a hantful ov veeks ago, I lost my brozer Mikail because zome Sivatian shoult nyi hafe been gefen a license to trife a hovercar. Our home ees shatter't, an I volt trate eferytheenk I hafe to zee sunrise ofer zee Urals, from a snov cofer't dacha. An maybe, one day I weell. But truth? Eef I do, eet veell be because I earn't eet. Honest, hart vork, tay by tay by tay. To hafe eet just hant't to me ... like a bone gofe to a pet, eet voult nyi be right. Vhatefer Ungstir's future ees, eet veell be because vee deet eet ourselfs. Nyi because zomeone just gafe eet to us."

A sparkling blue presence manifests itself just outside the corner of your eye, and a rasping multivoice speaks: ~Soon, your destiny will be entirely your own, without the manipulations of the Mind or the Kamir. Our gift of La Terre is merely a good faith gesture.~

Mouse jumps back more as the machine talks to her, then stands up straight and proud, an attempt at fearlessness. She pats her pocket and a small black sharp little nose followed by a grey snout and long grey whiskers peers out with beady dark eyes, "This is The Grand Marquis James Winchester III." she tells the drone. The rockrat wiggles it's whiskers as it sniffs at the air.

Galactix Drone says, "Ah, I see. A pet."

Teel keeps her voice low and even, but the anger and distrust and worry is still there. "Maybe that's th'problem. Them interferin. I've gotten m'hoop inna sling more'n once fer th'Kamir. An almost got taken out by th'Hivers more'n once. All b'cause they keep tryin t'take each other out. An I can't help but feel sorry fer th'Mystics, findin out that th'Voice weren't nothin but a buncha overpowered lights with attitude." She places her hand on Innokentevna's and nods. "Da, guessin yer right, Katya. I'm jus'tired a havin'm..." She lifts her head at the sound of the voice, and simply says, "Good."

Porter nods to Teel. "They've been jerking us all around for millennia. Pretty soon, we'll start a new beginning without their interference."

Fwylthin sniffs the air a bit and exhales loudly, peering at the small creature in Mouse's pocket.

~Assuming we are successful,~ the rasping multivoice replies.

Mouse frowns at the Drone, her finger going to rub between the critter's ears, "The Grand Marquis James Winchester III is not a pet. He's my best friend." That straightened out as far as she's concerned, the child turns her attention back to the adults conversation.

Porter sighs, but nods. "Assuming we're successful."

Galactix Drone says, "It seems the Redoubtable has returned."
"Successful with what?" Teel rests a hand on a hip. "Don't tell me - y'got one last hooped up scheme y'gotta pull off."

Brushtail's whiskers quiver towards the small rodent, tail flicking quickly behind him for a moment as he sniffs the air gently. Ears flicking irritably at the sudden grating voice, he returns his attention to both the rodent and its owner.

Innokentevna looks to Porter, and for a heartbeat there is a sharp and mischevious smile on her face. "An eef you to nyi, come to Ungstir, an' vee shall shov you hov to geet along vhen you hafe nothink left."

LeBeau reaches over and places a hand on Teel's shoulder. "Day hav to fin da remaining pieces o da Kamir an cancel each oder oud. dat es da only real plan I tink day hav."

Porter knits his brow as he glances toward the drone for a moment, then his attention returns to Teel. "We have to track down the remaining Kamir and wipe them out. Mezentius doesn't think they're possessing anyone else, but are concentrated in one area, hiding. We just have to find the hiding place." He chuckles at Innokentevna. "Might just take you up on that."

Galactix Drone says, "Somehow I have the feeling the Kamir will stumble over their own self confidence."

Hugh yawns, waves to nobody in particular, and hovers back to his ship.

Innokentevna chuckles back to Porter, a touch of gallows humor in her words. "Just gife me varnink, da ... vhen you do zeese. I do nyi veesh to become one ov zose lost betveen zee stars, press't eento Vanderdecken's crev, vhen zee last ov zem pass on an' zee Gray Horse's startrifes fail.'

Porter nods to Innokentevna. "You have my word. Once we get a line on the hideout and make our move, we'll give you as much warning as possible. But, just know that we can't give too much warning without possibly alerting the Kamir."

Teel looks over at Porter. "Th'last spud that got possessed, was Ungstiri, da?"

"Yes," Porter replies. "A fellow named Denson."

Mouse notices the Demarian's interest in her and The Grand Marquis James Winchester III, so she moves around Innokentevna so that the Ungstiri woman is between her and Brushtail's line of sight.

Innokentevna chuckles softly. "She's fleet ov hoof. leetle varnink an' I can make any port. Or efen come an' help you out." And then she looks to Teel. She starts to answer, "da ... name't denso ..." She lets her words fall away, as Porter answers. And when she speaks again, its a little bit incongrous. "I hope you vere ... efen hant't vith heem. He vas ... fair to me, once, een a fery strange vay."

Smiling faintly, Porter nods. "No harm came to him. He's among friends again."

Brushtail steps to the side slightly, peering around Innokentevna to get a look at the small rodent. He leans around, ears intent on the small creature and its owner.

The enormous bay doors slowly begin to slide open ...

Through the bay doors, the IDS Redoubtable comes in and docks.

Teel distantly nods. "M'jus tryin t'think of places they'd hide. Th'Rock would be a good spot. Or Tomin Kora, Earth, Luna..."

Innokentevna shakes her head, her short hair tossling. "I am nyi sure eef zat ees plakhoye or khorasho ... bat or ... goot." And then her attention is distracted, as she looks up to the Demarrian. All it takes is a quick glance between the two ... or actually the three, to form her answer. She addresses Brushtail firmly. "Eet ees nyi kharasho manners, to make a snak ov Ungstiri nobeeleety. Efen eef he ees a rockrat."

Porter shakes his head, looking at Teel. "The Hivers could detect them somewhere like that. No, I think our friends the Kamir are probably as far from civilized life as they can get. All we have to do is find where that is."

Mouse moves around to stand in front of Innokentevna, both hands protective over the pocket that The Grand Marquis James Winchester III is in as she faces the Ungstiri woman. Round dark eyes stare at the Demarian as she looks a bit worried about her friend.

Innokentevna wraps an arm about Mouse protectively.

LeBeau smirks "I suppose dat es easier said den done Colonel. No to mention 'm sur da Kamir has dare spies, e'en among us"

~Their one ally among your kind has turned against them,~ the rasping multivoice interjects.

Porter nods slowly. "Neidermeyer."

"I shan't eat the rodent. It wouldn't make more than a snack, and it would be improper manners, as I've no place to cook it." Brushtail replies, looking mortified at the suggestion that he'd make a meal of the mouse. Taking another glance at the small creature, he speaks again, still smiling grimly. "Only a bite. Maybe two."

Fwylthin's ear twitches as the multivoice speaks again, and the Castori shifts from paw to paw where he stands by Porter.

Teel tilts her head. "Oh, that's good t'know," she says. "So, now y'gotta find some spot out in th - Neidermeyer? That guy who tosses people outta windows? He's a nut!"

LeBeau narrows his eyes a bit "Neidermayer, would o figured hem to be too busy tossing people oud windows. Doh id fids, two kinds o people wit delusions grandure an large ego. Bu wha aboud da Thul?"

The colonel crosses his arms, nodding. "Neidermeyer. Saw a holovid of him on Retribution before the base exploded. He made a deal with the Kamir - they told him everything that was going to happen. Earth going boom - all of it. He sold out."

~The Thul serve the Kamir,~ the rasping multivoice interjects.

Mouse moves her body so it blocks Brushtail's sight of The Marquis. She sticks her tongue out at the great Demarian, "The Grand Marquis James Winchester III is no one's dinner!" she quickly declares with a little tremor to her voice. Stepping in closer she leans against Innokentevna, careful not to crush the rockrat.

LeBeau says, "I don suppose id would be o some help to locade dose fad slugs an try to ged a location from dem. 'm sur dare ar mo den a few people dat would like to ged back ad does slime co'ered monsters anyway."

Raphael slanters down the boarding ramp, with a trailing Timonae female, making his way across the flight deck.

Porter shrugs. "Mr. LeBeau, I'd wager that the Thul are wherever the Kamir are."

"Sunuvahoopin..." Teel shakes her head. "We don'make no deals with th'Thul. None."

~The Thul sought the means to reproduce. We refused to provide it. The Kamir vowed to assist. There are only two Thul remaining. One is Shog. The other is a pitiful creature known as Voshtov. They required a female to mate with Shog. Thus the Kamir provided the Legion Virus prototype to create the Thul Resequencin Virus,~ the rasping multivoice states.

Brushtail sighs quietly. "I wouldn't eat the thing, as I just said. It's too small to be worth the trouble, and I'm not a tribal savage. I'm a Vanguard soldier." Still, he sniffs the air delicately, glancing at Mouse. "Really, I wouldn't hurt it. Or you, for that matter. I fail to find any sort of fondness for the taste of human flesh." There's no trace of humor in the pilot's voice.

Innokentevna can't help but shiver as LeBeau speaks a single word. Then she looks back to Porter. "I thenk zee only vay I ent't up valkink out vas because I vas less eenterestink zan vhat vas happenink een zee arena ... at zat parteeculr moment. I do nyi vish to zee zat matman again." She shrugs her shoulders, and then shifts her gaze to Lebeau. "Da ... I mite knov vhat happen't nov, een zee ent, but zere's steel a hantful ov hours I am meesink. Zey ove me."

Porter blinks, looking over at the Minerva. "Voshtov?"

Zaajika is looking around, awestruck, head nearly spinning around as she tries to take everything in. "What *is* this place, Raphael?" she asks, not noticing all the other people yet as she trails after Raphael.

~The transformed humanoid formerly known as Dimitri Volstov,~ the rasping multivoice states.

LeBeau mumbles under his breath faintly, "Fad liddle worms, still hav to ged some pay back fo dat one sliming all o'er my ship..." He then looks up at the name of one of the Thuls. "Voshtov? Oh please don tell me...'

Teel mutters, "He told you."

Porter shakes his head, looking at LeBeau. "*We* gave them Volstov. They made use of him, apparently."

Raphael turns to Zaajika and grins slightly. "This is the Vanguard's latest boomstick. Meet the Galactix my dear." he says, pointing to the drone.

LeBeau lets out a yell. "Dat two bid son o a bitch. I knew I should o led his pathetic ass fall ento dat chasm back en yer space!"

Innokentevna listens to the multivoice and just blinks. "Zen vhy zee hoopin' hells deet zey try an take *Urfkgar* ov all folk ... he mite be beeg, he mite be strong, he mite be ugly, but he's a *boy* ... " And then she pauses. Caught for a moment. "He ees, eesn't he? Hov can you tell vith a Zangali ..."

Mouse is leaning against Innokentevna, she gives the Demarian one more glance, "See that you don't." she says firmly to him. Her attention moves again, this time to LeBeau as she notices Teel and Innokentevna's moods. Dark eyes move from face to face.

Porter glances toward Innokentevna, chuckling. "I think they were just toying with Urfkgar. He sounded like a University of Agincourt professor for a while."

Teel looks over at Innokentevna. "Wait, Katya. Remember that time you lost?" She sighs. "Looks like y'came this close y'bein a Thul, anna female Thul at that."

Brushtail remains quiet, now simply waiting and listening to the coversations.

Innokentevna just gives Teel a shocked and then steel hot look, "You mean I coult hafe been ... Kveen ov zee Slugs?"

Zaajika looks at the drone sceptically. "Hmm." she says and then sees the others. She smiles excitedly. "Katya is here. But I have never met those others. What is everyone doing here?"

Fwylthin blinks sheepishly as a bass rumble emanates from the area of his stomach. Quietly, he ambles back up the Minerva's landing ramp.

LeBeau growls low and vicious under his breath and turns to Porter. "Colonel if yu need any help dealing with da Thul an da Kamir yu hav only to ask. Besides da obvious to stop da Kamir from wha e'er day ar planning I tink ids time Volstov an I seddle our liddle feud once an for all. E'en if dat means me ripping hes black heart from hes worm like ches wit my own hans."

Porter twists his mouth, nods slowly, and then clasps his hands behind his back. "Care to reactivate your Vanguard service, Mr. LeBeau?"

Raphael shrugs his shoulders. "Too much free time on their hands, had access to a ship I suppose." he replies looking over the massive chamber once again.

Brushtail's breath comes out again in a sigh at the young female, then he flicks his gaze up towards Porter, catching the man's words. Tail flicking, he shifts his eyes from Porter to LeBeau and back.

Teel nods slowly. "Da, lemme know ifn y'need m'help, Porter. I jus'want alla them outta m'life. Th'Hivers, th'Kamir, an th'Thul."

Zaajika pokes Raphael in the side with a finger. "Just like you then." she points out seriously, though her eyes sparkle with mischief. She begins looking around again, as if searching for something. "There's no bar?"

LeBeau appears to calm for a bit. "Wha es wit yu people, anytime I offer help da firs question oud o yer mouths es if I wanna reactivade myself?" He shakes his head an sighs "No, I like my freedome to much, an I always foun da uniform to stiff an itchy." He smirks a bit "besides I work bedder when 'm no held down by rules an regulations."

Innokentevna continues breathless, her eyes sharp. She takes a step forward, teeth on her lower lip. "Colonel Porter, eets zeems I ove you more zan I efer thought ... an zere's a Thul I voult hafe more zan vorts vith. No one steals me from me, da? I may nyi be able to fight, but I'm kvick, smart an seettink back zere ees a resource fev folks hafe access tvo. Anozer pair ov eyes. You call, I come, da?"

Raphael grins at Zaajika's remark and even lets a chuckle escape him. "Quite so I would imagine. As for a bar, I don't think the vessel has needed one. Until now." he adds the later with a wink to Zaajika.

Porter chuckles, then says, "Always willing to take on talent, new and old." He looks at Teel, replying, "If a few people want to come along on a civilian consultant basis, I'll allow it. But you'll have to come along with the Minerva when we depart Ungstir later this week. Not sure how soon we'll catch up to the Kamir, but when we do, we strike and end it."

Galactix Drone rolls up towards a nearby console and plugs into it.

Mouse smiles toughtfully at LeBeau, even if the adult doesn't notice. She lets her gaze wander again over the faces of the other adults as she turns back to face them. Her smallness accented by standing among the forest of larger beings. Hands still protective over the Grand Marquis she listens and becomes as most children do at times like this, unnoticed for the most part.

"If I had learned about all the people here, I would have arranged something." Zaajika says, and sighs a bit, eyeing the people curiously. "Oh, didn't you bring me here to look at La Terre?" she asks of Raphael.

Raphael nods to Zaajika. "Indeed I did, thought you'd enjoy seeing the local celebreties first though. If you're all done, we can pop back out and have a peek." he replies to her.

Innokentevna speaks quietly, eyes shaded by her dark hair. Clipped and even, short and precise. "You go after zee Thul, zees Shog, I vish een."

Porter nods to Katya, jaw clenched. "We go after the lot of them."

LeBeau takes a moment to ponder as he looks at the ground "If yu don mine anoder ship tagging along da Wolf es ad yer disposal. Ne'er know when yu migh need da extra fire power"

Brushtail glances down at his chrono, then up at Porter. Finding the Lieutenant Colonel engrossed in a conversation, he quietly slips away, padding back towards the Minerva.

Teel clenches her jaw, then nods. "Oh I'm in, all right. Sides, I promised Newt's ma I'd watch'm."

Innokentevna nods sharply, ducking her head, "I may nyi be as kharasho a peelot as gospadin LeBeau, but fint mee a science specialist an'I got a Cassantra Fife sensor suite on zat sheep. You can nyi geet much better zen zat. Oughta be good for fintink zometheenk or zomeone zat nyi vishes to be fount."

Mouse's attention piques at the meantion of Newt, but she doesn't say anything.

"Those are the Minerva people?" Zaajika asks, pointing at Porter unashamedly. She lowers her arm again, peering at Raphael. "I met a few of them once. I think I recognize that woman" she says and nods towards Teel. "And then there is Katya... Do you want to talk to them maybe? I am in no hurry."

Porter nods to LeBeau. "Fair enough." He smiles at Teel, then Katya. "Looks like we'll have plenty of help then. Excellent. Well, if you'll excuse me, I need to drop a line back to HQ about all this. They're going to want to send someone out to assume oversight of the planet, I presume." He starts walking up the ramp.

Brushtail begins padding up the ramp, moving fairly slowly. He pauses in his stride to glance about the hangar bay once, then continues up the ramp.

A soft thrumming noise, mostly indistinguishable from the background noise, begins to drop off and eventually ceases.

Raphael shrugs his shoulders again. "Makes no difference to me, can't say I feel like chatting with them, but go ahead, I'll be over here." he says to Zaajika, motioning towards the Redoubtable.

"Da svidaniya ..." And then she looks to Teel, unconsiously hugging Mouse closer and tighter to her. She closes her eyes and then just shakes her hed, "Deet I just do vhat I theenk i deet?"

Teel smirks at Katya. "Da, you deet."

Zaajika smiles softly at Raphael. "I think I would want to speak a little with Katya." she says. "Come with me, please..." she begs, and takes Raphael's hand, persistently tugging on him to accompany her.

Porter is on his way up the ramp. He nods to Marlan as he reaches the top. "Welcome to the party, Doc."

Volidana walks from Minerva looking about with curiosity

Raphael sighs and follows Zaajika. "Very well, I suppose it needn't be painful after all."

Marlan looks out over the area and asks, "Whats going on?"

"Gospadi ... you knov zis means zat he zat Thul has tvo ungstiri deyvachka's angry at heem ..." Katya's return smirk is just as grim. "Zomeone shoult feel zorry for zis Shog ..." A pauses, a heartbeat, a simgle dramatic count. "Because I certainly veell nyi."

Mouse looks up at Innokentevna with childish concern as the woman hugs her tighter. She doesn't resist the added secure feeling of being protected.

Porter smiles. "Bunch of rabble rousing. The Hivers pulled La Terre out of their hat, and won the day." He looks around the bay, then back to Marlan. "Allies for our fight against the Kamir. We no longer stand alone."

"Of course it will not be!" Zaajika says loudly, and moves with deliberation towards the group, smiling dazzlingly. "Katya?" she asks when she comes near enough to be heard.

Marlan raises an eyebrow, "La Terre? As in that planet that nutso made into asteroids?" she shakes her head, "Hivers sure as hell have a fine way of showing off." she looks off into the crowd, "Its good though." she says a bit more quietly, "Good though. We're better off not taking the Kamir on alone."

Porter nods in agreement. "Join the party. Have fun." He steps inside the ship.

   ACTIVITY REPORT: Lt. Col. David Ransom Porter reporting:

    The Hivers resurrected La Terre, just like they resurrected Val Shohob.
    More accurately, they revealed that they had moved La Terre from this realm before it could truly be destroyed - along with all the people who presumably died.
    Within 48 hours, the "dead" will live again and outsiders will be permitted to land on the surface.
    By this act, the Ri'Kammi have demonstrated their devotion to corporeal life, and they have won the loyalty of even those who have been their sworn enemies in the past. It is nothing short of amazing.
    We are currently docked aboard Galactix, near La Terre. In a couple of days, once La Terre is stabilized and a new government in place, we will return to Ungstir. From there, we will journey with our allies to Val Shohob before embarking on a search for the Kamir and their slimy allies, the Thul.
    The time is coming to end this madness, and start off on a fresh beginning, on our own merits.

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