Galaxy's Edge Space Bar

[Aluminator (Kit)]

Salem frowned and listened as Elayne and Zorish spoke. There was very clearly something here he wasn't understanding.

"Tamora... that's the host?" He frowned at Zorish, "And you're new here, right? A new version of an old customer." He muttered, "Just like Keshin," remembering the new version of the bounty hunter that had showed up at the bar not long ago. He ****ed his head as he continued to look into Tamora's eyes, trying to follow what must have happened. "That makes you... Terenia?" He stuck out his hand, "Nice to meet you... again. I'm Salem."

That would make sense. He'd last seen Terenia in another host. If she'd 'abandoned' this 'Tamora,' it was possible that the host had been killed, though Salem hadn't heard about it. Not surprising in this place.

He shook his head, "I don't have a way of contacting Myitt, but some of the others on this little rock might. That is, assuming it's actually the Myitt you're looking for." He nodded towards Elayne, "She's right. This place is impossible. Alternate universes and alternate people all seem to intermingle here."

[Terenia]

Efaen gets her hooves under her, swaying slightly as her center of balance shifts. She closes her main eyes for a moment, waiting for the bout of dizziness to pass. A stalk eye finds Claxter in the meantime.

<<He is a Yeerk,>> she says flatly. <<They are all dishonest. At the very least we now know that this so-called rebellion is not as friendly to Andalites as it pretends to be. Perhaps such actions will allow Prince Ossanlin to see that direct relations with such an organization is dangerous. If nothing else, he would do well to have an Andalite operative in their midsts, ensuring that they are not acting foolishly.>>

She opens her main eyes then, balance returning, and turns her thought-speak outward then, including Prince Ossanlin as well as Corliss and Illim and anyone else who may be standing nearby. <Prince Ossanlin,> she dips her stalks respectfully at the Hork-Bajir who had addressed her with Ossanlin's thought-speak. <It is good to see that you have recovered from your injuries. I hope that the battle did not leave any lasting damage.>


"I am Zorish Three-Five-Eight of the Yenn Kulpat Pool," Zorish says warily, examining Salem's outstretched hand before clasping it. "Tamora is the original owner of this body. I trust if you know of Myitt, you know of Yeerks, correct?" He drops his hand, shifting uncomfortably. This isn't at all the situation he expected. The vast majority of people here seem to be from other universes entirely. The thought puts him on edge, but not so much that he is eager to end the conversation.

"Terenia," he repeats the name. "I had never heard that name prior to this irritating little message, but I should like to speak with her as well. She is the supposed killer of my host body, whoever she is. I would prefer to speak with Myitt first, however. Do you know who might be capable of contacting him?"

[Chad32]

Claxter began demorphing, not commenting on the audacity of her still wanting to work within the rebellion. Now that this was done, he wondered if he should investigate the reappearance of whoever the Human woman was supposed to be, or remain with the others. Was she tamora? Infested or not? Or perhaps another Terenia? Hopefully not. Having another efaen to rescue would be weird. Also kind of interesting, but mostly weird.

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Ossanlin nods to Efaen.  <I appreciate your concern thought it be unnecessary.  Whether there is any lasting damage...>  Ossanlin thinks about the energy that Mar had infused him with.  <...remains to be seen.  It is of little concern at the moment.>

<The actions of Corliss bother me, would you be able to recount your version of the events that took place up to the point at which Corliss discharged his weapon?  Claxter already provided his own interpretation.>  Ossanlin limps to a stop next to Efaen.  Now that she's conscious, there's really no need to return to the Mirage.

[Terenia]

Efaen lifts her stalks, giving him a little nod. <After Warrior Claxter and I ensured that you were safely aboard The Mirage I informed this Yeerk,> she shoots Corliss a withering look, <that he would be unable to return to the rebellion until I spoke with you more thoroughly regarding my placement. He clearly was not willing to accept those terms and stunned me as I was taking my leave. No doubt he intended on taking me aboard his ship and leaving for the base without your approval.>

She scuffs a hoof against the gravel, self-righteous anger beginning to rise in place of her wooziness. <If I may be so bold, it was hardly the act of a creature who truly stands against the same enemy as you, Prince Ossanlin.>

[Myitt]

Corliss is shaken out of the shock of seeing Terenia's twin.  He slumps in frustration and, admittedly, regret. 

"She can't make up her damned mind, Ossanlin," he grates.  "And yes, it was stupid and rash of me to shoot her, mate, but she can't keep us on this rock interminably!  I didn't even know if you were going to regain consciousness in a day, or a week...though I'm glad you're well again..." He runs a hand through his hair.  "Look, someone who looks very much like Terenia just walked by, and unless I'm completely mad, the only one here who can look like Terenia is her."

He points at Efaen in accusation.  "So, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to let you two discuss what Efaen cannot decide for herself, and I'm going to find out who the hell that really was.  Illim, you can join me if you like, it's your call, mate."

As he passes Efaen he mutters a hasty, "Sorry."

[Chad32]

<No. If you have to leave right now, then leave right now!> Claxter said. He didn't care if some Terenia/Tamora lookalike just walked past. If he was in such a hurry to shoot Efaen, then he should leave regardless. He moved towads Corliss threateningly. <I want you gone, or I will make you gone. You didn't even need to take Efaen right away. You were just using the rush to leave as an excuse to force her hand. If you just had to leave imediately a minute ago, you still have to leave immediately.>

[Terenia]

<Your apologies are unnecessary, Yeerk,> Efaen says scathingly. Her tail twitches slightly as he passes, but she does not attack. Instead, she turns her attention back to Prince Ossanlin and addresses him and Claxter privately.

<<The filth is lying. My convictions have never wavered. I merely seek out your approval. I think it is more important now than ever that an Andalite is present amongst this rebel scum. If you truly must place your trust in them, would it not be to your benefit to have at least that much insurance?>> Her stalks watch Corliss as he moves away, narrowed in distaste.

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Ossanlin looks at Claxter.  <Enough Warrior!  Do not allow your personal emotions and feelings to affect your judgement.  This is not an Electorate-controlled territory, you have no authority.  He will leave when he leaves...however if he assaults anyone else under my command, I will be forced to detain him until a rebel envoy can retrieve him.>  The thought is as much for Corliss as it is for Claxter.

He takes a deep, rumbling breath and sighs, turning his gaze back to Efaen, including Claxter in the conversation as well.  <<Efaen...you are a Warrior in the Electorate's Galactic Military...I assume you understand what that means.  I had wanted to place you with the rebels from the start but you were rather of a different opinion then.  When it became obvious that you would not allow yourself to be stationed amongst the Rebels, and when Reven denied my stipulations under a situation of Military knowledge, the only logical course of action was to officially report your recovery to Homeworld Command.>>

Ossanlin tries to stand up a bit straighter, but still leans a bit on one hip out of weakness.  <<There is no way that I would be able to sanction your placement with the Rebels now.  If you choose to leave with Corliss, and I would consider it to be a foolish decision considering what just occured, the Military...and I...would have no choice but to consider it an act of desertion and a complete abandonment of duty.>>

[Chad32]

<Yes my Prince.> Claxter said after a few moments. He walked back towards Ossanlin.

I suppose you should also leave them be, for now. I would have liked them to leave, or for you to watch them, but Prince Ossanlin could reprimand us if we monitored them. However, unless Efaen insists on leaving with them, I would like to ensure she is never alone with them. He said to Theta/Gremyyt.

[AmberKatira]

Yeerks... That tickled something in the back of Ewa's brain.  Wasn't that the name for the sentient parasitic slugs?  But that had been an old human story.  It was ancient.... and even in its time it was completely fictional.

Something inside Ewa relaxed.  However strange the rest of the scape might be, Yeerks--human myths--were something she could handle.

Still, this place doesn't look like it's from any of the canonical works...

"What is it you think we should know of the Yeerks?" Ewa asks Zorish, stepping even closer to the table.

[Terenia]

Efaen is silent for a long moment, long years of Andalite training wrestling with her desire to do what she feels is right. Perhaps it is the influence of years as Terenia's slave, but she finds herself speaking to the War-Prince far more freely than she would have years ago.

<<I certainly do not wish to fall out of favor with anyone, sir,>> she says in a somewhat softer voice. <<And I apologize if I have overstepped my bounds. I initially refused a place amongst ther rebellion because I was certain that Terenia would do all that she could to make me a slave again.>> She lifts her stalks slightly. <<My decision was altered because I truly believe that I will be of little use to you or any other Prince elsewhere. I do not wish to be returned to the Homeworld, forced to live as a civilian, and I believe that I can be of great assistance to you. Please understand that I do not speak out of pertness, but rather because I truly desire the toppling of the Yeerk Empire.>>

She takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly while she lets her plea sink in. <<I understand that you have already contacted the necessary authorities, and I do not wish to be labeled a deserter. But Ossanlin, you may trust these rebel Yeerks, and perhaps one or two of them are even deserving ->> she seems to sneer a little at the concept << - of your trust. But the entirety of the rebellion? How do we know that they do not plot against us as they plot against the Empire? Or that they seek an alliance with you merely to lull our people into a sense of safety? Forgive my bluntness, my Prince, but it seems foolhardy not to at least attempt to arm yourself against such possibilities.>>

<<The rebel leader has agreed to my presence on base free of Yeerk control,>> she continues, refusing to meet her Prince's eyes. <<It is an opportunity that should not be overlooked. If you must lie to the military and tell them that Terenia has captured me once more, then so be it. That is a dishonor I am willing to endure. One I am already being forced to bear. It is better, at least, than being considered a deserter.>>

She sighs heavily, clearly unhappy with the fact that she is speaking so openly to a commanding officer. <<Again, I apologize for overstepping my bounds...sir...>> She ducks her stalks further, awaiting his reprimand.


Zorish glances at Ewa, biting the inside of his cheek in annoyance. This place was grating on his nerves, with its slew of patrons that either did not know anything or knew the wrong things. He begins to address Ewa as 'human', but the word catches, as it is clearly incorrect. He clears his throat and begins again.

"The Yeerk Empire is the most powerful governing and militial force in this arm of the galaxy," he says matter-of-factly. "Or it will be, once we take care of those meddling Andalites. The only species that do not know of us are those who have not yet achieved space flight. A class which you are certainly not a part of. Unless you are a native to this rock."

[Aluminator (Kit)]

Salem listened carefully as Zorish spoke. Another Yeerk, using the same body... he doubted there was any insight here into the Terenia he'd met, but it would never hurt to learn more about an individual. Zorish was imperial, from the sound of things, and proud of the advancements of the Yeerk race. As he should be.

And the woman who'd asked about the Yeerks... was she fishing for information, or just curious? Salem gave her a sidelong glance. She definitely had his nerves on end now.

In any case, he was starting to see an opportunity, if only a very small one. If he could get Zorish to use Corliss's communicator, that would give him another transmission he could monitor, and possibly use for contacting the Rebellion. He wouldn't be sharing any further information with Temrash, but it would be worth it if he could find a way to speak with someone besides Corliss.

The trick would be getting Corliss to deal with Zorish. He didn't know whether Corliss would refuse to deal with someone in an imperial uniform... or maybe even start shooting. Best to start asking questions.

"Yes, yes, the Yeerk Empire is grand and powerful. Can I buy you a drink and see about introducing you to someone who can contact Myitt?" he asked, gesturing towards the bar, and away from the noisy crowd that'd gathered around this table. "I haven't seen Terenia for a little while now, but hopefully getting you in touch with Myitt will be pretty simple. How did you say you knew her again?"

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

<<You state benefits that I have been aware of since your liberation, and ones that I had wanted to exploit.  That opportunity has passed and we all must tolerate the way things are.>>  Ossanlin sighs, again trying to straighten his body.

<<I welcome frank opinions and thoughts as long as they are not insubbordinate or meaninglessly insulting.  One of the reasons I wanted to place you with the rebels is because I thought that you would be more content there, with an active role in more ways than one, but you denied that opportunity.  You may be willing to suffer the dishonor of being labeled a controller Efaen, but that does not mean that I am willing to lie to my superiors about such things.  You apparently fail to see the ramifications.  Or perhaps you think me too stupid to see them.  It is not merely a lie...the lie would also, by its own nature, state that I lost control of the situation and allowed a Yeerk to take another morph-capable host...a second abomination.  That would shame my own reputation...and should you so desire, you yourself would then have the tools necessary to blacken my name further if you return to service after this stint with the rebels...as you clearly disapprove of my associations with them.>>

Ossanlin sighs again.  <<I apologize, such accusations are uncalled for, but a typical Andalite would see these underlying currents and try to manipulate them to their own advantages.  Perhaps you are not typical.  The fact remains that I am not willing to lie to my superiors because you feel that you will play a less-active role in the war on a ship.  Frankly, Efaen, I do not know you well enough to risk anything for you, and I have no reason to.  I trust one person and one alone within the rebellion.  Reven has been honest with me, but politicians are skilled at deception and manipulation.  He will say and do whatever is necessary to protect his people and himself, and rightfully so, but that means that he cannot be trusted fully.  I owe my life to Myitt, and that leaves a bond stronger than most others.  She's a far better spy in the organization than anyone could have...besides, do you really thing Reven would allow you to contact me with any information?  And what's to say Corliss won't simply place Terenia back in your head the first moment you are alone?  I don't put it past him...he tried to do it once before and he's more than happy to shoot you in the back for apparently no real reason.>>

[Chad32]

<<Quite frankly, I am torn, my Prince.>> Claxter said privately to Ossanlin. <<I want Efaen to be happy, but I also want her to be safe. Even if she goes back and fights for equal gender rights instead of Yeerks on the battlefield, her happiness will be given away so some females down the road might have the chance that she wishes for herself. She's caught between a dracon and a wall, as it were.>>