Galaxy's Edge Space Bar

[Myitt]

Myitt scoffs.  "The Empire is not in the express business of saving lives," she says, defensively crossing her arms in a mirror of Tamora.  "And you can rest assured that your host was not harmed.  Not by me, anyway, and not as a result of your death."

Corliss raises an eyebrow at the newcomer, who is dressed like some sort of fanciful knight, but turns his attention quickly back to the holoscreen.

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

~Ossanlin~

Ossanlin watched as the strange being thought about his question.  His glance softens a bit...obviously the Alvie, whoever they were, had forced their ways on him.  Perhaps his thoughts had been coopted as well...his answer suggested a linear thought-process...perhaps a non-linear question was beyond his comprehension.  <You're being too literal...not reading enough into the question.  You have an identity, but you must decide what it is.  Really I'm asking what do you want to be?>


___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ____

~Rathien~


 "You know I found myself wondering the same thing.  I could've killed you a few moments ago, probably.  You always have the most interesting little gadgets, senrin.  Two reasons really.  First off you know how I abhor collateral damage.  My entroper shot would've  been precise, but the damage from your little explosive suit could've leveled this entire building.  Second, it was not The Kill." 

Rathien pauses for a moment, takes another drink, and then continues.  "You remember that time on Lursa seven I'm sure.  That is the only time I ignored my instinct and your little android lackey almost ended my Dream because of it.  It was such a perfect plan, and the bounty was so large.  Never did it occur to me that you would deliberately use yourself to spring my trap, and have that thing waiting in counter-ambush.  See, I had a very strong urge not to pull the trigger on my phase rifle right when I needed to.  I ignored it and the shot lit up my position like a ferin sholoth storm for that artificial construct."  Rathien's smile twists sickly at the mention of Al.  "Since that experience I've learned to obey my feelings...and my sixth sense told me to come in for a drink."

His wide grin returns, his fangs showing again, as he continues.  "And as a child on Ildiar I used to enjoy toying with my prey.  Not to mention that this place looks ripe for the picking.  The Hunt is always more interesting when you're outnumbered."  This time his grin doesn't falter.

[KitsuneMarie]

"So I've heard," Illim nods in response to Salem's observation about the Bar's stronger peculiarities. "Well, maybe that means her claims are unsubstantiated."

The vaguely notices the door opening behind him and Salem's communication device trilling quietly, but pays no attention to how the situation might affect him or his dining partner until Salem's jump of surprise seems to launch his vocal chords into the range of a schoolboy's. "Or, you know, maybe it means his claims are," he remarks dryly. "If that's, indeed, what's going on here."


Serid is about to respond to Ossanlin when two other Andalites approach, one of them bearing an appearance so unsettling Serid can hardly look at him. He listens to their open thought-speech conversation in silence a few moments before taking a step back to allow them to finish.

The conversation may not have pertained to him directly, but it was consoling to hear Ossanlin speaking to others with consideration and generosity. Perhaps this Andalite--if he could even be considered such with his extraordinary powers and mindset--truly could help him.

[RAFrukh]

Theta's brows came down slightly, <How does one assume an identity, when your identity can be none other than what you are?>

Several seconds passed in which Theta was silent. He began to calculate a more satisfactory answer.

<We...do not know what we want to be...we...>, Theta stumbled. Perhaps he should start associating with nonandalites. Being around his kind seemed to stir up emotions he was trying to hide.

<We...want to be home. We want to be with Pizali, and Chugilor on Jaegis. We want to stop the Alvie from ever assimilating us, Gremytt-Pekulon-Thelan...the likelyhood of this occuring is less than 8.47%. Transtemporal transportation is difficult.>, he added the last part, again, for himself. To keep on with his drone-like attitude, and to reason that there was no reason to become emotional about something he had no control over. It wasn't logical.. But his hearts were begining to burn, like kindle forthe bonfire.

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

~Ossanlin~

<Does that mean you want to be an Andalite?  If that is what you want, then that is what you are at heart.  We may be able to help you achieve a more organic form, however you would need to make sure that your connection with this Alvie collective is completely and totally severed for the rest of your life.>  Ossanlin pauses for a moment.  <You violated one of my Warriors with your nano-machines.  If you truly want our help, you will instruct us upon how to remove or destroy all Alvie technology within the host without harm.>

[RAFrukh]

Suddenly, Theta clamps his eyes shut, exceptthe one that has been replaced with the interphasic scanner and has no eye-lids. He tries to shut out the world for just a moment.

<We do not desire to be andalite. We do not desire to be Alvie. We desire to go backwards in time and assure this never happened. But that will not occur. The Alvie have damaged us...there is no going back...no...no...>, he tried to shake his past on Jaegis out of his head.

When Ossanlin mentioned removing the mechanical parts from Claxter, including the one that kept them linked his eyes went wide, <No! We will not bear the solitude...the confusion, the isolation. It is terrifying! Terrifying! No! I wont go back to it! You military type are all the same, you think you know everything! Look what you did to me! LOOK WHAT YOU DID!>

Theta was breathing heavily. He shut his eyes hard again and turned his head away, ashamed, angry, confused, and feeling more alone than he had when he was not linked to claxter.

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

~Ossanlin~

<These Alvie have corrupted you, I was hoping you would wish to repair that corruption.  If you do not, then we have no further dealings.>  Ossanlin shakes his head.  <Any normal military Andalite would scoff and refuse to even associate with you.  I wish to assist you but if you do not wish to be helped, then there is no point in my attempting to do so.  You must want to be helped before you can be.  I have done nothing to you and you have no reason to bare your fangs upon me.> 

Ossanlin sighs.  <Claxter will be purged of these nanites whether you want it to happen or not.  Claxter is a true Andalite, and one that would rather accept death than slavery.  He no longer runs and hides from his problems.  Forcing people to change their very being is wrong in every way.  You have no right to do that no matter how superior you think you are.  You remind me of a typical military Andalite, forcing his own misguided reality upon others for his own personal gain.  What right do you presume to have?  If we are unable to remove the nanites with our own technology, you will tell me how to do so.>  Ossanlin's 'voice' echoes strongly in a commanding tone at the last sentence.

[Terenia]

"That is reassuring, at least," Zorish says. "Even if it is contrary to my original reports. He runs a hand through Tamora's hair, looking uneasy. "And the Empire is entirely concerned with saving lives. Host bodies are not much use if they are dead."

"Tell me, then, Myitt. What circumstances surrounding my presence convinced you that I was a threat? Are traitors to the Empire so paranoid that they think every single Yeerk with an Imperial badge is out to annihilate them?" He smiles wanly, "Some of us do have better things to do with our time."


Efaen notes that the bar is quickly becoming more crowded. She sidles around Salem, having no interest in the human. Instead, she approaches Illim from his other side.

<You will be returning to the rebel base of operations,> Efaen says, trying and failing at hiding her disgust towards the Yeerk. <Based on your eagerness to assist Corliss in assaulting me, I presume he is your superior. Is that correct?>

[Chad32]

Claxter didn't much like the direction this conversation was going. He didn't want Theta to get upset, though he didn't relly know what to say. The nanobots needed to be removed, but Theta was so afraid of being alone that there was no telling what he would do.

<<My Prince, I feel we should help Gremyyt with his phobia of being alone. If we remove the nanobots before he becomes more comfortable with his individuality, he might find someone else to do this to. We can't just quarantine him. That would be cruel.>>


Derrel was feeling uneasy with that bounty hunter. Luckily he didn't have a bounty on his head, though Illim was a rebel. Someone out there would probably pay for his murder or capture. Then Efaen came and talked to Illim, and he felt crowded.

[RAFrukh]

|THETA-PI

Theta put on an emotionless face again.

<War Prince Xaero-Oligar-Ulahaan was in command of the Dome-Ship WarVeteran. We were assigned as an aristh to the WarVeteran. There was a group of six arisths and warriors, including ourself, that went to Jaegis to rendezvous with the WarVeteran. Four out of those six decided to stay on Jaegis, and live their lives in peace; Ourself, Pizali, Chugilor, and Sewitan.

<When the Dome Ship came to retrieve Irigow and Vetaq, Prince Xaero came to visit pizali, Chugilor, and us. He tried to persuade us to rejoin the military. We refused, and he said it was a shame that we were not like Sewitan. He had managed to get Sewitan to leave us. Sewitan had just come up with a way to dissolve metallic bits in milliseconds.

<Even before the Dome Ship left, the Alvie Sphere arrived. It was magnificent really. The simplicity of the perfect sphere. It was at least 8 times the size of a Dome Ship's Dome. The WarVeteran battled it for some time. One minute later, the Dome Ship had suffered heavy damage. The Alvie sphere had suffered some damage, but was adapting to the WarVeteran's shredders. Sewitan, the genius that he is, suggested fluctuating the frequency of the shredders so they didn't have time to adapt. He even asked to weaponize his new metal dissolving technology.

<But Xaero refused. He sent the scoop a message. A personal message for me. <I am afraid,> he said. And he ran. He jumped to z-space before anyone could say anything. Sewitan's technology could have saved us all. But then the units came. They assimilated me, and Chugilor. They killed Pizali. No one knows why. Even being connected to their mainframe for years, I don't know why they killed her...>

Theta realized his head had drifted. He was now looking into the distance. He looked back at Ossanlin, <We did not take control of your Aristh, War-Prince Ossanlin,> the title was said with a sneer, <We merely supplied him with superior, mechanical abilities, while connecting us so that we could both be more efficient.>

Theta turned his whole body towards Claxter and was silent for a moment. Then everything somehow became even quieter.

<We have ordered the nanoprobes to disassemble the cybernetic implants and exit the body. We will be a nuisance no longer.>

He turned back to face Ossanlin and walked closer, <Perhaps you are right, War-Prince Ossanlin, in that I am not unlike your military type. We all have one thing in common, you, Xaero, and us. Fear. Fear of the unknown. For Xaero it was fear of the Alvie. For us it is the fear of solitude. For you...it is the fear of me. Our apologies, War-Prince Ossanlin. We will leave you now.>

Theta turned and headed towards the bar. Not even stopping, he thought about what he just said to Ossanlin. Did it make any sense? Yes, to him it did. But wait...there was something else...

<While we are still opposed to the military, We must confess you have done us more good this day than even Claxter has. You cause our hatred of the military to surface, and that helped us to return more to our state of individuality. We express our gratitude for that. That is all.>

Theta entered the bar...

[KitsuneMarie]

As Efaen approaches, Illim brings up Derrel's shoulders slightly, his host's dislike of being cornered reflected in his own actions. He stuffs the remainder of his burger in his mouth and scoots down a stool away from Salem, attempting to force Efaen back as he moves.

"Something like that," he says after swallowing. "But you've oversimplified the situation a bit. Not that you probably give a damn." He grins, although his eyes are flat.


Serid watches Theta depart, feeling pity for the creature. "A sad tale," he remarks to Ossanlin in a murmured voice. It reminds him of his own: snatched irreparably from a happier past by forces out of his control. Still, it is undoubtable that Theta's journey back to a physical state closer to his birthright will be more difficult than Serid's.

[pyrebird]

Van shrugged off the Clangst's protests, "Look, we aren't anywhere near where you're from, chaasi? Also, promiscuous or not, a little bit of the loosening up is good!"

Van stretched, his arms and sighed, "Well, why not I try this out first, and ease you into a conversation with someone, chaa? Just a little fun, introductions, junk-nyah, junk-nyah, and the other things." He paused, and continued, "I mean to say, I'll do the flirting, introduce you, get them comfortable with you as my friend, and all that. Thing."

The Pirate approached the Clangst, and poked him, "Nichaa, I mean, you need the break! Your crew isn't here, and they don't need to see you having all the fun," He grinned, and spun away, his voice taking a more sing-song tone, "They would get jealous, Ogreon-ku!"

Van brushed his fingers through his hair, with an impish twinkle in his eyes, I think this will be fun! Very fun! Hmm, I ought to be on the casual. Bad pickup lines and the like. Girls find that cute, if done right! And Ewa would think I wasn't too serious about the others. I need to make her feel special, in turn. Be earnest.

Especially since the weird look-alike couple... His eyes glanced at off at where he last saw Elayne, Is, eh, a couple. Off-limits. Damn! Mar-zhen and her?! Mar-zhen and her! All crazy stuff.

[RAFrukh]

|OGREON

Ogreon's head drooped, "This just doesn't feel right..."

He looked up...and saw the Andalite. But it wasn't just any andalite. It was a cyborg...

"Alvie...", Ogreon whispered to himself, his eyes followed the abomination as it went up to the bar. Ogreon tried to back away quietly.
|THETA-PI

Theta walked up to the bar, taking note of the beings around him. Several humanoids, a strange arthropod-like species...

He approached the bar and looked at the bartender, <We assume you will have something strong. Something that could overwhelm a mechanized immune system?>

The bartender went into the back. Theta heard a piano playing. When the bartender came back out, Theta said, <Nevermind. Thanks anyway.>

Theta looked around. He scanned one or two people with his interphasic scanner, and found someone who'd been here for a while. He walked up to him(Salem).

<Pardon our intrusion please. Is that piano playable?>

Theta remembered his short time as a poet/song writer. He felt like releasing his emotions in music.

[Aluminator (Kit)]

Salem smiled nostagically as Rathien described his prior big escape from the hunter. He'd had to run from Rathien on multiple occasions, but that had been the closest call. All worth it to imagine the look on Rathien's face when he realized he'd been tricked. Salem wasn't about to let on just how close of a call it'd actually been. He smirked at Illim before he moved a little ways away with the female Andalite.

"I remember," Salem said, smirking at the hunter. "Your mistake in toying with some pray is in thinking that the prey won't toy with you in return." His eyes flickered to Rathien's weapons. Could he draw his weapon and get a shot off before Rathien did anything? Not likely. The hunter was fast- faster than Salem- and probably one of the smartest adversaries Salem had ever dealt with. He wouldn't allow himself to be shot quite so easily. The least Salem could do was avoid saying something that would betray the advantages he currently had and didn't have. Best to keep the hunter guessing.

"Your insistence on finding the right kill, the right challenges, that'll get you into trouble some day, Ildari," Salem said. He grinned, "So tell me, am I worth more dead or alive these days? Are you still taking jobs from the Yeerk Empire?"

He turned as the mechanized Andalite approached him, his hair on end. He made sure to keep Rathien in his peripheral vision. He wasn't going to let the hunter's talk of "being outnumbered" bring his guard down.

"I think so," Salem replied to the Andalite. "I don't think I've caught your name. I'm Salem," he shot a smirk at Rathien. "I'm a little curious... those implants of yours... what're they all for? Is that an Andalite military program I haven't heard about?"


When Al saw Rathien walk in, he watched him carefully. Would the creature recognize him? Probably not right away. He was using a different image than he had when they'd last met. Still, no telling what he could tell.

Al made his way across the room and stood near the bar's jukebox, keeping an eye on the hunter.

[Terenia]

<Oversimplified?> Efaen echoes, his movements making her shift away from him slightly. Her stalk eyes scan nervously; the bar has become rather crowded, and her Andalite sensibilities dislike the lack of open space. Still, she presses on. <I need to get in contact with the rebel leader, to ensure that my Prince approves of my own passage to the rebellion. Your superior seems to be a bit busy at the moment-> her main eyes cast an unsettled glance towards the Terenia look-alike. <I was wondering if you could assist me.> The request comes out in almost a painful tone; she is not used to asking Yeerks for anything, and it is obvious enough from her demeanor that she does not like it one bit.