The Galactic War: Rogue Element ~The Beginning

[Chad32]

<That is correct. There will come a time when the medicine just isn't going to work anymore, and I believe it will be soon. I think curing her may result in true loyalty, but it's not a guarantee. I'm not sure what Keshin and Joanne could do to prove to Prince Ossanlin that they will change for the better without the medicine. I can only hope they don't die before that happens. To have someone die when you know you can save them...>

They reach the dome, and Claxter walks to Myitt's room where he believes they went. Joanne was indeed in there, but so was Terenia. He decided it was best to not even acknowledge her existence. <Hello, Keshin and Joanne? May I speak you you a moment outside, please?>

[Terenia]

Efaen jumps a little. She had been focusing on piloting the holographic spaceship, and in doing so her stalk eyes had drifted to facing front once more. She hadn't heard Eleric enter, and his sudden proximity makes her jerk the fighter off course. Quickly, she compensates, adjusting the manual controls.

<It is not that difficult,> she says, unable to help but smile a little. <So long as you remember to think in three dimensions, instead of two.> One stalk eye does follow his hand as it touches her shoulder. She doesn't flinch or pull away, though she doesn't return the gesture either, quickly returning her attention to the screen.

<What did Claxter want?> she asks after a moment of silence, trying to sound disinterested.


Terenia watches Keshin's little display, her lip curling. "Grow up?" she echoes lowly crumpling the protein bar wrapper in one fist as she slowly gets to her feet, taking a step towards Keshin. "Listen to me, turelek, and listen good. You are directly responsible for the murder and attempted murder of people I care about." She jabs a finger in Joanne's chest, her voice gaining heat. "You tried to kill me, you did kill another rebellion member, you've tried to kill Myitt. The only assurance I have that you aren't going to turn in the lot of us the second you manage to get off this ship is your word. And thanks to you I know better than to trust the word of a dapsen bounty hunter." Her eyes narrow dangerously. "I don't forgive attempted murder very easily, Keshin. I don't forget. And I don't trust you not to betray us as soon as a better situation comes along. So **** you. I don't want your help."

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Ossanlin watches Claxter and Aetheas go before turning back to his ship logs.  He hopes silently that Claxter has not forgotten that his first hands-on lesson with the Tyrennian's helm is supposed to be taking place very soon.  He raises his eyebrow as Aetheas discusses his own thoughts on the matter loudly enough for him to hear.  The younger Andalite seems to have a sufficient grasp of the situation, though not the years of experience to temper that understanding.  Claxter seems to grasp the danger now, though.

Keshin is a free radical...unpredict able.  Perhaps the curing of Joanne's disease would earn loyalty, but Ossanlin isn't sure that Keshin is capable of loyalty.  Or even of believing in a cause.  And yet, Joanne and Keshin had displayed the most gratitude out of any of the rescued prisoners, rebel Yeerks and humans included.  It could indeed be an act, but a portion of Ossanlin's mind, the ever-optimistic portion, wants to believe that there might actually be a grain of truth hidden in that display.

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Eleric smiles back at Efaen, noting the lack of negative reaction to his touch.  <Yes, the third dimension is important.  Once you have a feel for the controls, maneuvering possibilities open up.  You also need to note momentum.  Braking thrusters are very effective, but you can't turn right angles.  Every turn at speed will be an arc.>

Eleric furrows his brow in mock consternation.  <He just wanted to make sure I wasn't being irresponsible.>  He breaks into a grin, chuckling to himself.  <He seems rather concerned with what you're doing, but his training for command duties does demand some of his attention.  Hopefully we won't be interrupted again.>

[Aluminator (Kit)]

Aetheas seems lost in thought. <I hadn't realized the Captain was so cold, to cut this 'Keshin' off from a cure to serve his own ends. I suppose he shows a different face to members of his crew. I will have to remember that if I'm ever tempted to leave the Tyrennian,> he says, smiling a little to show that he is at least partly joking.

As they approach the room in which Claxter seems to believe 'Keshin' will be, Aetheas catches the end of one human's tirade, apparently aimed at the very Yeerk they seek for 'attempted murder.' Curious, Aetheas stops off the the side of the doorway, out of sight of the room's occupants, and listens with interest.


A transmission, aimed at Keshin, sears through the endless expanse of white Z-space through which the Tyrennian moves.

[Chad32]

<<He has a lot of things to take into consideration when making risky decisions.>> Claxter said. <<It isn't the way I would do things, but I'm not the one with the burden of leadership.>>

He isn't sure why terenia is yelling at Keshin, except that perhaps Keshin is trying to make some sort of agreement with the rebels inside. He and Joanne are not affiliated with any group on the ship, and that's likely a source of stress.

[Shenmue654]

"I don't expect you to forgive murder, actual or attempted," Keshin says while crossing his arms. His expression is impatient and tired. "However, you can see reason and understand that I am as trapped as you are. My medicine supplies are shot and my Bug fighter is gone. I am surrounded by Ossanlin's Warriors and any traitorous actions now would be suicide. I owe Ossanlin my life and some of my service for saving us back there, Terenia. I have no idea why he would do it, but for now you have me on your side.  Accept it or not, but do not get in my way."

Keshin turns around notice Claxter and blinks, looking momentarily awkward. He did just more or less threaten a person onboard, given his occupation. "Er...aherm. If we have quarrels, we'd of course take them upon landing off the ship. Do you have a message for me? About the Escafil option, possibly? "

Keshin blinks in confusion. An odd beeping sound was emanating from his pocket, too. Someone else had a message for him? ....they could not have picked a worse time to call for a job if they were trying.

Keshin simply facepalmed at this and mumbled, "....worst day of my life."

[Chad32]

Claxter could tell this probably wasn't a great time to tell Keshin the somewhat bad news, but holding it off may not be any better.

<I spoke to Prince Ossanlin about it, but he is hesitant to do so. He feels he needs to be able to trust you more before he agrees to allow you to become a nothlit. I do not have any immediate ideas on how you could prove yourself to him, but I would be willing to assist you in that. I'm sorry if I got your hopes up too soon.>

<I can come back at another time if you'd prefer. I am kind of on shift, and should be seen working.>

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

~Narration Post~


Iksilon commanded the office’s work-desk to slide down into the floor, leaving the semi-circular room completely empty of objects save himself, the disgraced Prince, and the two guards carrying him.  They laid his body on the floor and began to demorph.

<Leave us.>  Iksilon commanded.  The two bodyguards obeyed, taking up positions with the other two outside the office door before it slid shut and locked on Iksilon’s command.  Iksilon activated a couple of devices on his belt, and then knelt down, injecting Kyran with a stimulant.

The War Prince’s eyes fluttered open and caught the sight of Iksilon standing over him.  Kyran’s expression flooded with a white-hot rage that Iksilon had rarely seen in any Andalite.  His legs twitched as if to stand…his right arm as if trying desperately to reach for the Shredder still holstered at his belt.  Kyran’s eyes widened as his limbs refused to obey, then widened further as if in greater realization.

Iksilon smiled deeply at the War Prince’s helplessness.  There was just something about a large, alpha-attitude male laying helpless before him that gave Iksilon a thrill.  Kyran was handsome, by Andalite standards.  Iksilon felt a sort of physical attraction to him, though that attraction was more than adequately off-put by Kyran’s painfully-obvious idiocy.

Iksilon used the office’s suspension fields to lift Kyran’s paralyzed form up to his chest-level, the War Prince cradled by the invisible field.  <How do you like my little toy, Kyran?  It emits a high-intensity thought-speech wave that causes complete physical paralysis in unshielded thought-speech users.  I assume you’ve also discovered that it nullifies one’s ability to morph.  The military heads didn’t like it…it seemed too-perfectly targeted toward Andalites, they said.  But there are so very many uses.>  He walked up to the Prince and slowly caressed the being’s face with the back of his hand where he’d struck it before.

Kyran shuddered with involuntarily-restrained rage.  <Don’t you dare touch me!  The Alpha-Lord will have your head!>

Iksilon only smiled more deeply, and wound his arm into another full backhand to the larger male’s cheek.  <I cannot believe your stupidity.  I am the Alpha-Lord, you blundering idiot.  The official Alpha-Lord is a decoy.  The fact that you believed him to be the actual Alpha-Lord proves that you should never have been allowed a berth with Sector Seven in the first place.>

Kyran’s eyes widened in fear and disbelief.  <That’s not possible!  GUARDS!  GUARDS TO THE COMMANDER’S OFFICE!>

Iksilon chuckled, caressing Kyran’s cheek again.  <Another one of my little toys, Kyran…a thought-speech shroud.  No one can hear us.  It doesn’t matter how loudly you…scream.>  Iksilon’s smile deepened and Kyran’s eyes finally began to display actual panic and true terror.  Iksilon nearly shivered with pleasure.

<You know then…this was your last chance, Kyran.  It was supposed to be a station to keep you from doing any more harm…an assignment even you could not fail.  And yet, you’ve not only failed, but done so in spectacular fashion as is your usual mode of operation.>  Iksilon walked slowly around Kyran’s paralyzed form as he spoke, caressing the muscular curves of the larger male’s body as if savoring the feeling.

<You cannot be allowed to live, Kyran.  You’ve proven yourself incapable, and not only that, but dangerous as well.  You’ll die here, Prince.>  Iksilon’s calm expression deepened into another smile.  It wasn’t so much the thought of killing Kyran that brought about the expression…it was more the thought of finally removing a particularly painful and irritating splinter.  Ossanlin’s death and now Kyran’s…what a spectacular month.

<No…no, Alpha-Lord.  I can still be useful!  I have information, insights…I know everything about this facility and everyone who works in it!  I can only supply you with these things if I’m alive!>  Kyran’s entire body trembled, likely from a combination of shock onset and fear…blood was still dripping from the Prince’s severed tail-stump to pool on the floor, passing through the fields that held his body up.

<Useful?>  Iksilon smiled and patted Kyran’s rump.  <What…would you be willing to do, exactly?>  Iksilon allowed some silkiness to slide into his tone, walking back around to Kyran’s front, slowly drawing his tail-blade along the Prince’s hard jaw-line just softly enough to avoid cutting the skin.

Kyran shuddered with a combination of fear and revulsion, but spoke in forced tones.  <Anything my Alpha-Lord demands of me.>

<Mmmm….anything?>  Iksilon almost cooed with pleasure.  To break an alpha male…Iksilon merely savored the moment before flicking his tail-blade lightly against the point of Kyran’s neck.  The larger male flinched, but closed his eyes and nodded feebly, barely able to accomplish even that tiny motion.  The neck laceration was nothing but a small cut, certainly not fatal.  That wouldn’t do.

The petite Andalite pulled a small injector ampoule from his belt, unlatching the safety locks.  <Oh Kyran, I admit it would be fun.  Perhaps not so much for you.  But I’m afraid I just don’t have the time.  I have to start cleaning up your mess, and what a mess it is.>

Iksilon ****ed his head to the side.  <Ask yourself this…how would a vecol complete the death rites, hmm?  You can’t take your own head anymore…but fear not!  I have your answer right here.  It should do just fine.  Chloroxis.  Painless…like going to sleep.>  Iksilon paused, giving Kyran a few moments of hope before speaking again.   <But that’s just not any fun now, is it?>  Iksilon smiled as he moved the ampoule towards Kyran’s neck.

<No…NO, please Alpha-Lord, please…I can still be of use to you!>  Kyran struggled vainly against his body’s own paralysis.

<I added a little something extra…it won’t show up on any of the post-mortem medical scans of course, but I can tell you it’s nothing less than what you deserve.  At least you can die knowing that everyone will remember you as a disgraced, imbecilic, honorless vecol.>  Iksilon pressed the injector firmly against Kyran’s neck and activated it.

Kyran’s eyes widened in shock and then immense pain as he felt lines of fire race along his blood vessels and through his entire body.  His full-minded screams made Iksilon shudder with ecstasy.  Wordless howls of pure agony beat futilely against the thought-speech shroud.  But all too soon, the seconds of agonized screams had passed, and Kyran’s body lay still.  Iksilon disarmed the suspension field, allowing Kyran’s body to drop to the floor with a thud, limbs sprawling haphazardly.  He dropped the injector casually next to Kyran’s body and walked out of the office, disarming the devices on his belt.

Iksilon’s bodyguards flanked him wordlessly as they boarded the lift and rode to the first floor.  Nirdran and two honor-guards waited by the door.  For being so reluctant to remain, Nirdran had certainly taken to his new post quickly.  <Prince Lieutenant, thank you for your visit.  Will you require anything before you depart?>

<Only an oath that you keep this facility as it is supposed to be.>  Nirdran followed Iksilon out the door, slightly behind and to his right.

<You have it.>

<And one more thing…>  Iksilon watched Nirdran with a single stalk-eye, but kept his main eyes forward down the path as they walked toward his transport.  <Your old Prince just couldn’t bear the shame…I’m afraid you’ll have to have someone clean up your office.>

<Of course, sir.>  Nirdran’s dark smile sparked one from Iksilon as well.  Oh yes, this one had potential.

[Shenmue654]

Keshin's expression turns grim and a bit sarcastic. He crosses Joanne's arms and rolls his eyes. "I wonder what the War-Prince expects us to do, exactly," he says. "If we can't fight for him and we can't leave the area around the Dome ship and quarters, we can't prove that we can be trusted."

Keshin bites his lip, looking at Claxter. He's less than thrilled about the apparent debt he now owes to a naive blue Warrior of all things. "....Thanks for looking out for us, Andalite. We owe you one. But..."

The incessant beeping continues. Keshin glances back at both Claxter and the rebel, trying to show some form of gratitude, and says, "....it looks like we've got to be going. Give us any suggestions you have on the Ossanlin thing, if you get the time."

Keshin darts out of the quarters and into the nearest bathroom, cursing the complete lack of  privacy in an Andalite Dome Ship upon seeing the place. Still, it was better than nothing. He takes his communicator out quickly and activates it. <This had better be worth it.>

<Somehow, I really doubt that Kess. The way this is goin'......>

<I see what you mean.>

[Chad32]

<You're welcome.> Claxter said. He briefly wondered if Keshin remembered his nbame, but it didn't really matter at the moment. He gladly walked away from the room where Terenia was. <I'm heading back to the bridge, Aetheas. Today's the big day for pilot training, and I shouldn't keep them waiting.>

<It was a little odd to go trotting back and forth like this, but the piloting training had slipped his mind. If he had remembered, he may have spoken to Ossanlin about the box thing at the end of the shift. This would have meant Keshin and Joanne had to wait some hourse before getting an answer, but Claxter would have seemed more professional for it. Possibly.

He made it to the bridge once more, walking to the station and looking for Enorryma. <Prince Commander, I am ready to begin pilot training.>

[Aluminator (Kit)]

Aetheas eyes 'Keshin,' taking in the details of the host. She'd be one to watch out for. He frowns. She doesn't look dangerous. No moreso than any of the other human-Controllers.

<Ah,> he responds when Claxter says he's off to the bridge. It's funny, sometimes, to think that his own mentor is still in training. Aetheas feels he should say something, but all he manages is <Good luck, Command Warrior,> and a tail salute.

Aetheas watches Keshin with a stalk eye as he sprints off down the hallway, and steps forward, trying to get a view of who else might be in the room. These rebels they've given everything for are still a bit of a curiosity to him.


An uncertain-sounding voice emanates from Keshin's communicator. "Kess? Joanne? Is that you? It's Salem."

[Shenmue654]

The dawning look of realization of who is speaking to them, and eventual utter bewilderment on Joanne's face, would be almost comical if anyone were actually watching. "S-Salem?" stutters Joanne's distinctive tones as she hears his voice. It was so much of a surprise that Keshin simply dropped control, out of habit from doing so in countless physical confrontations. "Th-the dude from the Bar?! What're ya---"

<How did he even get this number?! It isn't exactly listed in the local phone booth! Or Empire database, for that matter.>

<I....I got nothin' Kess. I dunno. I jus' dunno.>

<Look, look. We can work this out. Let me speak.>

Keshin clears Joanne's throat and the next, nearly clipped several statements come out in his particular, female-but-very-professional voice intonations. "Yes, yes. This is Static Shock, Salem. We hear you. What do you want and how did you get this number? We offer it only to our clients and certain members of the Empire. They are not likely to pass it to you."

[Aluminator (Kit)]

"Keshin, I'm hurt," replied Salem mockingly. "Am I not allowed to check in?"

"I figured you'd try to impress her with your harrowing tale of how you wasted half a day cross-referencing frequency logs!" came Al's voice, sounding as though he were shouting across a room. This was followed almost immediately by Al's high pitched squeal of "Eep!" and a loud crashing noise.

Salem sighed, "It wasn't easy. Look, I've gotten myself into a bit of a mess. I've got a request for you. Should be pretty easy, I think, for someone in your line of work, and I'll pay more than it's worth. Do you remember that stuck-up War Prince named Ossanlin?"

[Shenmue654]

Keshin stared into space, trying to calculate exactly how this could have happened and what the Kandrona had against him personally. "It just so happens that we're sitting onboard that Andalite's ship, Salem," mutters Keshin in an exasperated tone. "We had a little...run-in with the Empire and for reasons we cannot fathom, the stuck-up War-Prince and his crew brought us onboard. What I'm saying is...."

Keshin sighed. "...that we stand absolutely no chance of killing him or anyone else from here, and we're down to three syringes of medicine. Whatever you're paying had better be something pretty special. Now normally..." Keshin's voice seemed to soften a bit. "..normally we'd do it for you anyway, because we don't like being in debt to someone. But normally we aren't surrounded by his men, sicker than usual."