The Galactic War: Rogue Element ~The Beginning

[Chad32]

"I know you're trying to do the right thing, Keslin. That I trust. You know I have a hard time trusting just about anyone after being betrayed back in the Empire, and one shock after another lately just leaves me on edge. I was just starting to settle down, you know? Get into the groove and not look over my shoulder as much, or sleep with a dracon in my hand. Now when we're all together on that ship, there's probably going to be more bugs in the room than an ant hill."

He watched the screen as the scan goes through Ossanlin's memories. "Looks like somebody's got a crush on that Andalite girl Efaen." He said, looking at Claxter.

"I do not understand your terminology, but I'm sure it is none of your business." Claxter said.

"Well I suppose if you have a beef with Terenia, it does kind of make it our business. I'm really not surprised at all. That girl is messed up, but if you look really really deep, you'll find that she at least tries to be a good person." Xevec said.

"She does not try hard enough." Claxter said.

[Terenia]

"All of us have been hurt by the Empire, Xevec," Keslin says quietly, frowning as Ossanlin's memories flash over the screen. Most of them are too fast to recognize, but a few key moments in his life play out more visibly, including the more recent events.

The commentary between Xevec and Claxter only makes Keslin's grave expression intensify. "Efaen is more a danger to us than Terenia ever was. She murdered a good number of our people, if you remember, Xevec." He licks his lips, sighing internally. "Regardless, both of them are our allies for the time being."

<<Already the pettiness is starting,>> he comments to Chris. <<How are we possibly going to survive?>>

[Chad32]

"I came to the base after the hot mess that was Efaen and Terenia. I'd rather not dredge up that old story again, but you people decided to keep her after her mind was wiped, so she's as much our responsibility as anyone's."

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Ossanlin glances at Farrah's hand on his shoulder, but makes no comment as he continues to will himself to remain calm.  His hands clench into fists, but his arms remain folded across his chest.  He glances up at the holo-screen...there would be no taking this back.  They weren't just looking at the events surrounding the time of the rebellion's destruction, they were looking at his whole life.  Suddenly he feels naked in a totally different manner.  All of his thoughts.  Hopes, qualms, embarrassments...ou t there for all to see.  He closes his eyes, shaking his head just slightly.  He'd always felt memory dumps to be a personal violation in the extreme.  They would see everything that he's ever been or wanted to be.  His time under Yeerk control...his times as a Silver Blade at the bar.  They would see his feelings for Alic...his human skin begins to blush.  Some of those were rather indecent.

"Is this nearly done?"  He does his best to remain stoic.

[Terenia]

"Just a few moments more," Farrah says lightly, her fingers giving his shoulder a sympathetic squeeze. The bits of his life that she can make out do not draw comment from her, and she watches impassively. Finally, the images wind down to the present and she swipes the screen away. The probes worm their way from Ossanlin's head.

"It doesn't prove anything," Nefitt says, still frowning. "Memory dumps show actions, not intentions or feelings. He may have acted to help us so far, but that doesn't mean that it isn't to betray us later. He could be trying to get us all in one place."

"Nefitt, you are more than welcome to stay here," Keslin says, raising his blonde eyebrows. "I know better than anyone that it is possible, while not preferable, to survive on one's own out here." His smile is grim. "But you only have so much food, and so much Kandrona. What will you do when it runs out? Die and leave Kevin to his own devices?"

That draws a physical flinch from Nefitt, whose eyes narrow. A muscle in his jaw twitches, but he relents. Clearly Keslin has struck a chord. "I'll follow," he says grimly. "But I obey Yeerk orders. Not Andalite orders."

"Understood," Keslin says levelly. "Last I checked, I was still a Yeerk."

Keslin smiles in what he hopes is a reassuring manner. "Claxter? Your turn."

[Chad32]

"I'd like to know more about this." Xevec said. "I'm pretty sure I could win a contest for being the most paranoid Yeerk in the area, even when we were all together, but I don't want to take off on my own either."


Claxter took a deep breath, and walked forward. "You might want to abstain from viewing anything from before I arrived at the Bar." He said. Though it's possible that his first battle when he ran away wouldn't effect them as much, since they had already been through more.

The probes went in, and his own memories flashed in the screen. They showed the same Corvus assault from his view, and his own interactions. His feelings of happiness from knowing Efaen was back, and his anger at Terenia for the things she said. It showed him honestly considering killing her if she tried anything, and his attempts to reconnect with Efaen. It also ran through his lessons with Aetheas, standing at the helm of the ship, and his offer to Joanne. It also showed how he knew she had contact with someone outside the ship, and didn't take away the communicator. He was glad when it was done.

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Ossanlin twitches his head as the probes are removed and takes a deep breath.  He doesn't display the surprise on his face when the Yeerks comment that the memory dump would show nothing but actions.  A relief, that.  Perhaps their organic computing technology wasn't quite as advanced as he'd thought.

"Get you all in one place?  Let's not forget that you all were in one place when the Electorate attacked you.  I promise you, they no longer consider you a threat even in the slightest."  He makes eye-contact with Nefitt, his eyes cold but intense, like a fire burning hot in the middle of a frozen lake.  <I realize that you have experienced terrible losses at the tails of my kindred, but you of all people should realize that a being cannot be judged by the quality of his species.  We, all of us aboard the Tyrennian, we all forsook our Homeworld.  We gave up everything for this purpose.  Because we all believe that Yeerks and Andalites can work together.  The Rebellion was our best chance at proving that.  That path to possible peace is worth the price.>  Ossanlin pauses, his main eyes wandering, his tone of thought changing so that it sounds almost as if he's speaking to himself.  <And I had a favor to repay...she spared me a life of torture long ago...I could not leave her to the same fate.>

His eyes return to Nefitt.  <We all need each other.>

[Terenia]

Farrah gives Claxter a small smile. "I'm sorry, but I have to take everything," she says apologetically. "It's protocol." She watches the screen as Claxter's life flickers by, confirming the events that Ossanlin's memories held. Once the transfer is finished, the probes slide out of Claxter's head and the holoscreen blinks off.

"Make a backup of both those files," Keslin says to Farrah. "I'll need access to them once I have a computer and a comm link again."

Farrah nods, moving over to one of the consoles to replace the memory probes.


Nefitt's lip twitches when Ossanlin begins using thought-speak, bristling at the mental invasion. "You will have to excuse me if I am not bowing down in thanks, Andalite," he says quietly. "Everyone here has given up everything. Our losses are no less painful than yours." He clears his throat a little, forcing the muscles in his shoulders to relax. "If your intentions are true, then your actions over the next few cycles will show it. In the meantime, I intend to err on the side of caution."

He turns away, eyebrows furrowed in frustration. "I'm going to get my supplies, Xevec. We can transfer them onto your ship before leaving."


Keslin watches Nefitt disappear into the back area of the ship with a slight sigh. "I don't think you can expect much more than that from him, Ossanlin," he murmurs. "Not right now, at least. It's better than I expected, honestly."

Forcing a smile, he looks up at Farrah. "Shall we proceed back to the Andalite vessel? I promise, it's far more spacious than any Skimmer."

Farrah nods. "I'll alert the other ships," she says.

Then her expression shifts, as Isren finally slips into control, having held back until the memory dumps were complete. She pulls away from the holoscreens that control the ship and goes over to Ossanlin, pausing a few steps in front of him, her expression caught somewhere between concerned and stern. She hesitates, watching his morphed face for a moment, then reaches out to take his hand. It is a gesture that is clearly repugnant to her, after years of propaganda against the Andalite people, but she smooths her expression out best she can, holding Ossanlin's gaze.

"I need you to promise me that these people will be cared for," Isren says, Farrah's quiet voice firm. "My human friends as well as my own people. I know what your memories say, but I need to hear it from you, genuinely. Promise me, Andalite. Oss--Ossanlin."

[Chad32]

"Sure Neffit. Let's go." He followed Neffit, and grabbed some supplies for the ship. His bug already had everything he needed for himself, and also his supply of explosives as an explosives expert. When they made a trip to the bug, he talked to his friend without Andalites hearing.

"We're going to need some kind of contingency plan in case things go wrong. Even if Ossanlin is on the level, I saw that they're being chased by the Andalites from Corvus. I'm not really sure what we can do, but it's certainly not going to be just hoping nothing goes wrong. My contingency usually involve explosives at some point, though. Also if there's going to be a pool for us to feed in, we need to make sure only we have access to it somehow."

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Ossanlin watches as Nefitt speaks, one eye quirking.  As if he expects anyone to bow to him.  He grimaces as Nefitt and Xevec leave, rubbing his own cheek for a second before speaking.  "It is as it is.  With Yeerks and with Andalites, many have trouble looking past an individual's species."  He glances over at Keslin, his trust for the Yeerk growing somewhat, despite his words about 'having access' to Ossanlin's and Claxter's memories.  "I'm certain we can overcome it...we just need time."

He shifts his eyes to Farrah as she approaches.  The quality of her voice has somehow changed...so, this one allowed her human to have control sometimes.  His expression softens as she takes his hand.  He doesn't pull away.  His eyes do widen in surprise, however, when she makes the comment regarding 'her human friends.'  The human had been the one in control, and this softer personality was the Yeerk?  Ossanlin mentally cuffs himself, why couldn't it be that way?  He would not fall victim to specism.

"Forgive me, I do not know your name."  Why has his voice softened?  Command...confidenc e.  But something about this Yeerk...she's obviously uncomfortable touching him, yet so concerned about the well-being of her people, that she seems almost vulnerable in spite of it.  "I take care of those in my charge.  And I consider everyone aboard the Tyrennian as my responsibility.  Do not think that that means you cannot leave.  I will not stop anyone from doing so, so long as the leaving is not going to harm the others in my charge.  We have a few months worth of portable Kandrona generators, and the Tyrennian's Apix 2 Colliders are more than capable of running a more-permanent Kandrona source.  We also have several months worth of human protein supplement, and the capacity to make more if need-be."  He nods to Farrah and her Yeerk. 

<You have my word that I will do everything within my power to care for everyone who places their trust and their faith in me.>  He squeezes the human's hand.  An odd gesture, yet one that seems somehow fitting for the situation.

[Terenia]

Nefitt spends some time collecting his limited possessions. They do not amount to much. Several pairs of scrubs, a tube of toothpaste, his comm link and computer cube. And his Dracon, of course, holstered at his side. The last thing he grabs is a small, metal briefcase containing several portable Kandrona generators, nutrient packets, and his portable pool.

As one of the only rebels with his own pool, Nefitt makes a habit of feeding alone. He also makes a point to keep the pool close at hand at all times. As he steps onto Xevec's Bug Fighter, tethered to the underside of the Skimmer, it is this portable pool that he finds a home for first, sliding it into one of the compartments.

"I will use my pool to feed," Nefitt says quietly. "But I agree, it is important to ensure that any pools for public use are out of Andalite hands. Or at the very least have our own people acting as guards." He settles into the weapons chair, staring through the viewscreen. "A contingency plan is not a bad idea," he muses. "Do you have any ideas more specific than 'involves explosives'?"


"My name is Isren Two-One-Six," the Yeerk responds, giving Ossanlin a brief smile that fades quickly, concern clouding her expression. "I appreciate your word, Ossanlin," she says. "I hope you understand that I intend to hold you to it."

She returns the quick squeeze of his hand, then pulls away, seeming grateful to break the contact. Straightening, she smiles more briskly. "I'll alert the other ships. How long of a trip is it back to your vessel?"

She moves over to the main computer consoles and taps out a message to the surrounding, cloaked rebel ships.

Lock onto the Skimmer's tracking signal and follow. We will be approaching an Andalite vessel. Keep all weapons powered down unless you receive other orders. I have Keslin in tow and we will explain the situation in detail once we are all together. - Isren

<<And let's just hope the word 'Andalite' doesn't send everyone running,>> Farrah comments blandly.

[Chad32]

"If we ever want to escape from the dome ship, we'll need a way to shut down the ship's weapons and engines, and ensure that we're not cut off from the hangers where the ships are. I'm not sure exactly what we'd need to do that, or where to get the supplies. I kind of wish I had my own pool, but I never got my hands on one."


"My Prince, will we be flying the old bug back to the Tyrennian?" Claxter asked.

[Terenia]

Nefitt's eyes narrow briefly, then he shrugs. "You have never had any special need for one," he says flatly. "I require privacy when I feed, so the private pool was a prudent use of resources."

He stretches a little, splaying Kevin's long legs in front of him and sweeping his dreadlocks over one shoulder. "I suppose any contingency plan of that magnitude will have to wait until we understand the vessel we are going to. I have never been on an Andalite ship before. Regardless, I am no technician."

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Ossanlin raises his eyebrows as the Yeerk breaks contact with him.  Some hard steel under that veneer of vulnerability.  He finds himself admiring this Isren somewhat.  "I appreciate your willingness to share information with me."  He glances over at Keslin before responding to her next question.  "It is not far...perhaps twenty standard minutes at full-cruise.  I will ask Keslin to provide the heading once we have boarded the bug-fighter once again.  I do have tail-fighters patrolling at standard perimeter, I will instruct them to remain clear."

Ossanlin nods at Claxter before continuing.  "I appreciate your willingness to give us a chance, Isren.  Thank you."  How bows slightly to Farrah before turning back toward the hatch to the bug-fighter.

<<Eleric, we will be returning soon, return to far perimeter and keep your distance from the rebel vessels.  We don't want to spook them.>>

<<Tyrennian, make preparations to receive several craft in the abnormal hangars.>>

He turns back to Isren at the hatch.  "How many craft should I expect to see?"

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Eleric arches an eyebrow at Ossanlin's orders.  More Yeerks...more worries.  But it was true, the Tyrennian simply could not maintain itself with such a short-handed crew.  If the rebels were the ones who could fill that void...well it was imperfect, but nothing would be perfect out here.

<Lightning-Strike, return to far perimeter patrol.  Keep clear of incoming craft, Prince's orders.>  Eleric fires his fighter around in a wide, sweeping arc, tail-sliding a bit for the fun of it.  His squadron-mates follow suit as they burn toward the opposite side of the patrol perimeter.