((OOC: Okay, this game has been dead for a long time, and there are people wanting back in. That means some overhauling of the plot will have to occur to let them in without overwriting the existence of the currently-not-playing characters. What's about to happen is going to come out of nowhere, Diabolus ex machina, but it's about time the thread had a jump-start. Sorry if it sounds contrived. We're just trying to get this back to a state of playability.))
Reli's ears detected a faint, shrill whine in the distance- something about it was vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place the sound. Her eyes searched for a source, but by the time she figured it out, the Skrit-Na-modified Dual Shredder Cannon had torn up the turf and ripped jagged holes in the ship's hull to both starboard and port.
Reli's legs lost sensation and collapsed under her as a modified Dracon weapon struck her on its second lowest setting. She had just long enough to get a look at one of the creatures standing over her, a faint moment of recognition, before it fired again and rendered her unconscious. Her last thoughts before passing out, casting as widely as she could for any allies to hear, <The high-pitched noise... in-atmosphere cloaking field. Trap within a trap. Kelbrid- Pemalites- just- the bait.>
Later, passage of time unknown
Reli faintly regained consciousness, her entire force of will bent to staying perfectly still and keeping her breathing slow as in sleep. Vicious burning pins and needles raced up and down her legs and tail as the modified Dracon's effects wore off agonizingly slowly, and it was all she could do not to twitch and give away that she was awake.
Eventually the sensations subsided, and she turned her attention to the sounds around her. Voices speaking in an unfamiliar language similar but not quite identical to Galard... distantly, a masculine human voice calling for help, asking where he was- steps of people walking by on hooves, pods, paws, talons, shoes, and fleshy feet...
We're on a mercenary or smuggling ship. We have to be on one. There's no other way to explain this many species in one place, unless... no. Don't even consider it, not yet. If this were a Yeerk Empire refugee ship, this far into Kelbrid Space, I'd be a Controller already. Nothing else would make sense.
Hsiiisssssss... The sound of a pneumatic pressure-sealed door opening- that was definitely Near Space technology, Skrit-Na or Earthling. Ever since both races were space-faring, they'd been paranoid about vacuum and toxic atmospheres, so all atmosphere-capable ships were obsessively designed to make each compartment airtight.
Somebody walked into the room, one, two, three steps. A biped, on clawed feet. Then a guttural voice. Hork-Bajir.
"I know you are awake, Andalite. That particular weapon has very reliable stun durations. If you want to eat, you will follow me to the mess room. Do not try to give us trouble; your every movement is monitored on cameras fixed with remotely controllable weapons set to stun."
The Hork-Bajir waited for Reli to roll to her feet and follow him slowly into the hallway outside. The floor of her cell and the hall was a faintly gritty material that gave plenty of purchase for her hooves. The hallway itself was broad with a high ceiling, so unlike the claustrophobic vessels humans and Skrit-Na crafted. It's like the ship was purpose-built for varied species....
<I am Arhareli-Winwall-Ajaht. Where are we, why are we here, and what should I call you? Where are the others who were with me?> The hallway was long; there was time for questions.
"You can call me Ekkid. We are farther into Kelbrid space than you have ever been in your life, Andalite, and we are here because your powerful friends ask too many questions. Your friends are in our possession and have not been harmed by us, and those who were injured in the attack are receiving medical care. I do not know if all your companions survived the attack. Beyond that I am not authorized to give you more information. I am only to see to your physical nourishment, at this time. Your friends may or may not also be in the mess room; they are not my priority."
<Thank you for telling me as much as you have.>
"It is nothing you would not have learned, anyway, in several moments. Come, here is the mess room. There is a strip of edible grass against the far wall. Avoid the Taxxon and Kelbrid corner of the room if you value your hide; they will see you as food, and we do not take kindly to our guests injuring our crew, even the less civilized members of our crew."
<There were humans in my group! We can't let them be near feeding Taxxons and Kelbrid!>
"The humans, Na, and other physically weak species dine on the Hork-Bajir side of the room. You may fear for their sake and your own later, but they will not be in danger at mess."
Reli crossed the room carefully, staying clear of where the ravenous frenzy to her right, stepping onto the long strip of pale orange grass and tasting real, quality food for the first time in recent memory. Andalite-Solar lamps overhead and a small irrigation system kept the grass plot lush, and the luxury of it amazed her... but not enough to keep her from feeling a surge of disappointment each time an unfamiliar human entered the mess.
Please, Earth children, be here. Be alive.
