The Galactic War: Rogue Element ~The Beginning

[Myitt]

"We need a Space Port," Myitt says, waiting awhile for the conversation dies down to make her reply. "Someplace where this Sector Seven can't trace us, somewhere out of the way enough that even their Z-Space Vortex-surfing capabilities can't follow us, from one end of the galaxy to the other. Somewhere...safe."

Her shoulders sink. She doesn't show it outwardly, but her chest aches at the idea that Ossanlin is affiliated with the people who destroyed her friends and obliterated the only family she had.

<<Even if he isn't an active participant,>> she murmurs, her thoughts drifting in and out of Tara's consciousness. Her mouth twitches a little.

<<How many stupid ass things did you do, for the Empire, man?>> Tara replies quietly. <<He was young. Kind of had no choice. Let it go, for now.>>

Her attention snaps back toward the outside world when she hears her name. She blinks rapidly, clearing her throat. "We can turn our attention to advancing mutual Andalite-Yeerk technology once our people are safe, Ossanlin," she says softly, turning to glance worriedly at Keslin as he leaves.

Myitt's lip curls in disgust at Keshin's comment. "Excuse me, but as fascinating as it is to know that you're in this for yourself, I'm in this to help bring the people I care about out of hell and back. Are you going to work with us on this, or are you going to second-guess our best chance for survival? An alliance with these people?" She waves a hand at Ossanlin, around the room towards Enorryma's retreating form, keeping her voice low and cold.

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Ossanlin favors Keshin with another cold glance...no loyalties but personal.  Ossanlin deplores holding something like a life-saving drug over anyone's head, but it's the only way he can have any sort of certainty over the bounty-hunter.

His gaze returns to Myitt and taps a touch-panel, activating a small holo-display on his desk.  <You're right, Myitt.  Unfortunately I've not been able to turn over any suitable locations thus far...the only options I've found are places that no one can get to, including us.  If your people have any ideas...well, let's just say I'm open to suggestions.>

[Myitt]

Myitt pinches the bridge of her nose, shutting her eyes tightly. "Daniel and I can amass a list of really out-of-the-way places," she murmurs, peering up at Ossanlin, eyes bloodshot. "At least it will decrease our chances of being rooted out. I need to speak with my people. We need to reconvene what's left of our Council, and in the meantime see who else we can find at our nearest rendezvous point. Once we know who we have, we can pool all of our resources together."

She glances back at the open door, wondering whether to follow Keslin; after all, Tess was her friend as well. These people were all she and Tara had.

[Shenmue654]

Keshin glanced at the swarm of cold faces surrounding him. Trapped on a ship, surrounded by his enemies. People he at one point or another had tried to kill, or tried to kill the superior of. He had never breached his reasons for not joining the Peace Movement before now...but perhaps eventually it would be the time. Keshin moves his hand through Joanne's hair idly and tiredly, the weariness in his expression only exasperated by Joanne's pale appearance and countenance.

"I see trouble in high-minded ideals," states Keshin as evenly at he can, although his voice betrays his cagey demeanor. "We're a ship primarily made up of Ossanlin's loyalists and survivors of a tragedy that nearly destroyed the Peace Movement. Inviting people outside the rebellion at this point, or at any point, might be dangerous. I'm, as you said, a supposedly heartless turelek. I have seen what people will do for the wrong reasons. But yes, to succeed as an entity we must have a base to rendezvous with the others."

"As for my allegiances, I'm merely pointing out that there is no conflict," says Keshin with a shrug. "If I've never had a greater purpose or sworn a greater oath, than I can start over on the ship with no regrets."

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Ossanlin nods.  <I had assumed you'd have one rendezvous in the case of dire emergency...but you speak as if there are several.  Regaining the rest of your people is our first priority, as I have said.  I believe that remaining undetected is currently our best prospect.>  He glances at Keshin.  <We would not recruit or take any other action until we ourselves are stable.>

He pauses, giving everyone in the room one last glance.  <I believe I've said what needs to be said.  If there are no further questions, we will adjourn.>

[KitsuneMarie]

Tess pants, wide-eyed, as she stares at Claxter. "Seriously? A meeting?" she groans, closing her eyes and clenching her teeth. "I need... god... I don't know what I need, but this--" She cuts herself off with a high-pitched whimper. "I.... probably shouldn't be wearing pants for this," she adds with a pained laugh.


Illim enters his new quarters, taking a moment to look around, then frowns. "Typical. Not a chair or a bed in sight," he complains, then looks back to Terenia with a helpless shrug. "I guess it's back to the floor. C'mon." He beckons her in, sinking onto the polished floor and watching her.


Serid remains silent, his main eyes on Ossanlin though his stalk eyes travel from person to person around the room. He had been surprised when Enorryma had left with Keslin, but he had not voiced his internal thought: Since when has she cared about these aliens and their affairs? Still, these are the least of his concerns, still not quite convinced that this is not some kind of elaborate Sector Seven trap, meant to weed out the loyal from the rebels. To reveal the most closely-held beliefs of Andalite soldiers.

[Estelore]

As they passed hurriedly through the hallway, Enorryma palmed open hatch doors and sent a wide-band thought speech message to <Clear the $%&* way.> She kept her stalk-eyes trained behind her to make sure she didn't lose her following charges on the way.

<Tess, this is Norry. Your mate is with me, and we are on our way to you.>

She paused very briefly at one of the wall-inset storage units and pulled out a single-use field surgery kit. She didn't know what would be needed, but it had a sterile broadcloth that could work as a tarp, a blanket, a mat on the ground, or a drape for privacy or to protect exposed organs.

[Chad32]

Claxter wasn't sure how to react about her talking about pants. Should he help her get them off? Was that just a casual remark, and not to be taken seriously? He jumped when he heard Enorryma's thought speech. <I think I'll let T.O. Enorryma and your friends do what they can. I'm sorry I can't help with anything specific. I will give you some privacy if you wish to remove your pants.>

He left the room, and wandered awkwardly across the dome.

[Terenia]

Keslin follows Enorryma, taking her directions. The concern on his face is easy enough to read, and its origin is split between worry for Tess and wariness over Ossanlin.

"Enoryyma, correct?" Keslin says to the female Tactical Officer, hoping he is pronouncing her name correctly. "I wanted to thank you for assisting Tess earlier. She...her situation is precarious. Chris does not know much about human pregnancy, but from what Sam...our doctor back on base...has said, she could go into labor at any time." He licks his lips, the thought making him blanche a little. He has done well to hide his terror at the idea of bringing a human life into the world, but now that the reality of it is nearing he can't help but feel a little panicked. His worry for Tess overrides his fear, though, and he pushes forward, chewing his lip.


Terenia enters the room and obediently sinks to the floor. Her eyes are downcast, staring at her torn and dirtied jeans. She is silent for a long time before finally speaking, her voice cracking a little. "If they're gone," she says quietly, "I don't want to be here."

[Estelore]

<That is right. Children are to be protected; any culture which includes them in war is not a culture worth defending. I do not know if a human woman would assist a pregnant Andalite or value the safety and health of our infants, but I like to hope that would be the case. I have a very minimal knowledge of human anatomy, but these supplies should be enough to prevent infection or excess of bleeding, which are likely the main dangers here. Your young are born furless, so we will also need to keep them warm.> She rounded a last turn.

<We are here.> She palmed open the room hatch and turned on one of the suspension fields, creating a working platform in the air to set down the supplies, immediately starting to unpack them. She cleared a path for Chris to get through to Tess.

[Terenia]

When Keslin sees Tess, curled in pain, he briefly freezes, his own emotions overwhelming him. Chris clamors for control, and Keslin obeys, sliding back.

"Tess," Chris breathes, rushing to her side and kneeling beside her. For once, his hands are trembling without Keslin's control, as he brushes back the hair from her face. "Are you alright? What do you need?"

[Myitt]

Myitt follows the small throng of people out of the meeting room, frowning as Keslin and Enorryma hurry off towards the temporary quarters.

She wanders in their direction at a much slower pace, concerned about Tess but also eager to determine exactly when they'll reach the first rendezvous point.

Tentatively, she approaches Claxter and clears her throat. "Hey, um. Claxter. Can you tell us when we're going to jump back into real space? I need to know how much time we'll have to coordinate ourselves." She offers a small smile. "Thanks. You know. For...helping." Her shoulders sink awkwardly.

[Chad32]

<I don't know, but I can find out for you.> Claxter said. <You're welcome for helping. I don't regret doing what I did, and I believe that the Yeerks would be better off if they were led by people like you. I'm sorry for what Efaen did, and I really wish Corliss hadn't let Terenia convince her to come. I know it must be hard for you. Terenia is certainly taking it poorly. Perhaps you could say something to her. Some of your people care for her for reasons that currently elude me.>

[Myitt]

Myitt blinks at the deluge of topics, shaking her head.

<<Andalites,>> she sighs, trying to focus outwardly.

"Um, yes. Well. We'll worry about Terenia. As for my brother..." She swallows back bile, stomach churning uncomfortably. "I hope he is still alive. We've lost too many people to worry about Efaen or Terenia or anyone else bickering between each other."

<<Care to take your own advice?>> Tara pipes up. <<You just about tore Keshin a-->>

<<I know. I'm a hypocrite, alright?>> Myitt snaps.

She winces, her attention wavering again before returning to Claxter's main eyes. "Look, just find the ETA for me, will you please?"

[Chad32]

<On it.> Claxter said, once again making his way towards the bridge. He didn't mind, since it gave him something to do. He made his way to the proper station. <What's our time until we reenter z-Space, if you please?> He didn't expect it would be long, but he'd try to get some useful information to give Myitt an easier time.