The Galactic War: Rogue Element ~The Beginning

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Ossanlin gives Keslin an even, weighing look.  It's obvious from his demeanor that he is a different Andalite from his usual, congenial self at this point.  The Ossanlin standing in front of Keslin right now emanates a strong aura of command and one can simply tell that he will give orders and knows that they will be obeyed.  Still, even if Ossanlin is more commanding during this situation, he is certainly not without his tact nor his intellect.

<You know your people better than I.  You have earned a portion of my trust, therefor I will trust in your judgement.  However, if you yourself are not going, I will place Serid in command of this mission, and whomever you select must be willing to follow his orders implicitly and without hesitation.  Serid knows enough to listen to advice and will accept your selected person's council.  On the other hand, if you decide to go yourself...I will order my Warriors to follow your command directly in the same manner.  I leave the choice to you, but hurry.  Each second we don't press them is another second they have to regroup and prepare.>

[Terenia]

Keslin hesitates only a moment before responding, "I will go."

<<What?>> Chris yelps. <<Dude, Tess will kill us!>>

He forces a thin smile. "I am not willing to put any of my people at risk, and I think they will be reassured to see me in charge of a mission. They are still uncertain about you, and your kind." He rolls his shoulders back and, belatedly, tucks his trembling hands into the pockets of his jeans. "I would like to bring one or two of my people with me, though. Nefitt, at the very least. It would be good to have a medic on hand that understands human physiology."

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Ossanlin nods.  <Very well.  It's your mission, choose whichever of your people you wish.  My only requirement is that you include at least as many Andalites as you do rebels.  Serid is a security specialist.  He is also extremely adept at interpreting and understanding human mannerism.  I recommend you bring him, and I recommend that he be your second in command.  Serid will also be able to determine the best Andalite candidates to fill out the team, and will be able to arm your people appropriately.>

[Terenia]

"Serid then," Keslin agrees with a nod. "And Nefitt, for his medical expertise. I would prefer not to send too many of my people in. We can't exactly afford to lose anyone." He hesitates. "Firin. He will likely be displeased with the idea of being used for his host's blades, but energy shields do not protect against physical blows. He may be useful."

<<And if there's any newer Yeerk technology there, he'll trip over himself trying to get his hands on it,>> Chris adds with a quiet laugh.

"That gives you two Andalite places to fill, Ossanlin," Keslin says, smiling grimly.

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Ossanlin nods...he's not had much interaction with the Tyrennian's resident Hork-Bajir controller, aside from noting his voracious appetite for all things technological.  Strange that an intellectual Yeerk would be given a Hork-Bajir host...though the fact that he is intellectual doesn't necessarily mean he filled an intellectual role in the Empire.

<Unfortunately I do not have medical personnel of my own to spare.  Varekil is the only one remaining on my crew, and he's much too precious to risk.>  Ossanlin glances at Aetheas in consternation.  His loss would hurt badly...Efaen was unstable.  Claxter...he needs Claxter at the helm.  An idea flashes across his mind.  That new rescue was a close-combat specialist, and Claxter had vouched for his reliability.  Not to mention he would be in a sore spot if he tried anything...and...he was expendable.  Ossanlin dislikes the thought, but it's true.  It wouldn't hurt too badly if he fell in the raid.  He opens a ship-wide communication.  <Warrior Ferxal-Escoth-Dhoraim, please report to the bridge.>

He returns his gaze to Keslin.  <That makes two...the third should be Elic...he's a quick, reliable shot and has a level head despite his youth.>  Ossanlin nods as Serid approaches.  <We need to arm everyone who's participating with ASAR's, ARC's, and pulse detonators.  Give everyone a quick demo and then get to the hangar-bay.  We need to act quickly.>  He moves his main eyes to Keslin a moment before moving them back to Serid.  <Keslin here is in command of the mission.  Make sure everyone understands this.  You are to follow his orders implicitly and without question. You will be his second.>


Serid's eyes widen a bit but he nods.  <Yes, Prince.>

[Chad32]

Ferxal had gone back to slowly walking around the dome, having lost interest in the Taxxon, when he heard the summons. He took off at a steady trot towards the bridge, not too slow as to make the captain impatient, but not too fast to ram into someone unexpectedly.

<Ferxal Escoth Dhoraim reporting as requested, sir.> He said as he entered. His stalk eyes scanned the bridge, this being the first time he'd been in the bridge of a Mark III Dome. It was quite nice. His main eyes, of course, were on the Ossanlin. <You wish to speak with me, Prince Ossanlin?>

Claxter couldn't help but turn a stalk eye towards ferxal, seeing how his old Dome mate looked after a few years. Ferxal noticed him, but didn't seem to recognize him.

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Ossanlin gives Ferxal an appraising look.  <Your file says you are a close-combat specialist.  I am sending a team aboard that freighter to capture it.  If your file is accurate, your skills would be appreciated.  If you do not wish to participate, you may return to the dome.  I realize you are here involuntarily...I can't let you go without endangering my people, but that does not mean that I will force you to fight for us.>  He glances at Keslin with his main eyes before returning them to Ferxal.  <Also, Keslin will be leading this venture.>  Ossanlin indicates Chris with a hand.  <He is a Yeerk with a voluntary host named Chris.  If you wish to participate, you will need to follow his orders directly and implicitly for the duration of the mission.>  He waits for a response.

[Chad32]

Ferxal would have loved nothing more than to put tail into Hork-Bajir flesh after his miserable time in space, and was just about to say it would be his pleasure...until Ossanlin said a Yeerk would be leading the raid. His main eyes went to Keslin, and his stalk eyes stopped scanning as he was taken by surprise with this. First he had brought them on his ship, and now he was letting one of them lead Andalites? This was too strange for words. Then he called a loyalist to the Electorate and was asking him to take orders from one. Just because he was great at close combat? Or perhaps they were understaffed and he was expendable. Ferxal didn't want to think that perhaps Ossanlin was hoping there would be an "accident" in this mission and he fell in battle. The Prince was surely more honorable than that.

He didn't want to be led by a Yeerk, but he didn't want to just go back to the dome and stand around. <I will accept this task, sir. Tentatively.> He said. <If you wish to work with these...people...I suppose I should see what redeeming qualities they have.>

[Terenia]

"Glad to hear it," Keslin says, giving Ferxal a placating smile. Despite his own misgivings, his natural tendency towards diplomacy takes precedence. "Your expertise is appreciated, Ferxal -- as is yours, Serid."

He glances at Ossanlin. "I suppose we will go to the docking bay to prepare. If you could please do me the favor of telling Firin and Nefitt that their presence is required. Your thought-speak is far more effective than my comm link, and knowing Nefitt he won't be looking at his anyhow."

He closes down his computer station, pausing to check that he is, in fact, still armed. His Dracon weapon has not gone anywhere, still firmly holstered to his side. He is glad, not for the first time, that it was returned to him. The weight of it is far more comforting than Andalite shredder beams.

"Serid, Ferxal? If you will?" He moves to exit the bridge.

[Chad32]

Ferxal followed Keslin to the docking bay. <What are the objectives of this mission? Simple shoot and loot?> Ferxal asked. Despite that he was going to be taking cues from a Yeerk, he hoped this would be fast enough that it wouldn't bother him. He'd have to keep an eye on the controller, both for his protection and so he didn't get turned against, but if he focused on fighting the enemy it would be more or less like any other supply raid.

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

<Of course, Keslin.  I would suggest you have everyone stop by the armory on the way.  You do not have to take any equipment, of course, but an ASAR will be more effective than any handheld weapon...and while you will not be able to give an ARC any thought-speech commands, there is a manual entry panel on the processor portion of the device...you could touch it and command it to remain in HUD mode indefinitely, or you could conceivably attempt to wear it in such a manner that the panel is in constant contact with your skin to receive mental commands.  Under less-pressing circumstances, we can most-likely develop a fairly non-invasive implant which could act in the same manner without the hassle of requiring physical contact with the panel.  There are pulse-detonators at your disposal as well.  I leave the decision up to you, but all of those you're bringing along on this mission have the option of being armed with an ASAR, an ARC, and a pulse detonator should you so desire.>

Ossanlin opens a wide-band communication through the ship.  <Nefitt and Firin, please report to Keslin immediately.  Nefitt and Firin, please report to Keslin, thank you.>  Ossanlin nods at Keslin and glances at Serid and Ferxal.


Serid glances from Ferxal to Ossanlin and then to Keslin.  He takes a deep breath.  He'd lived amongst humans for years and knew there were rebel Yeerks even then...still, he'd fallen happily back into his role as an Andalite warrior after undergoing reversion, and the thought of actually taking orders from a Yeerk...well, it was Prince Ossanlin's command...he just hopes it isn't folly.

He turns his main eyes to Keslin.  <I can show you to the armory if you want...sir.>



Firin watches the show with the ship's cameras through his hijacked connection when a loud thought-speak voice echoes through the dome.  He nearly jumps out of his skin when the War Prince calls him by name.  Had he been discovered....****...**** ****...he shouldn't have done it.  He hadn't done anything bad but...wait...report to Keslin?  He quickly terminates his computer's link with the Tyrennian sensor system and does a Z-Space ping on Keslin's transponder location.  The bridge...curiouser and curiouser.

He turns toward the verdant plain that he knows hides the door leading to the bridge concourse and sets out, Rythil's strong, swift gait carrying him quickly out of the dome, through the concourse, and to the bridge.  "Keslin...I was...uh...summoned?"  He looks around the clean, smooth lines of the Andalite ship's bridge.  He feels a bit of serenity pushing through Rythil's sudden unease.

<<You like this ship...don't you?>>

<<It's very pretty...if only it wasn't filled with genocidal, self-righteous Yeerkophobes...>>

<<These 'genocidal Yeerkophobes' have done everything to make us comfortable...I think you need to give them a chance...the same chance you gave me.>>

<<...>>

[Terenia]

"Loot and shoot?" Keslin asks, echoing Ferxal. "No, not at all. We take what hostages we can. If they surrender, the better for us. If not, we do what we can to keep the hosts unharmed. This ship could use extra manpower, and I won't turn down an opportunity to free an involuntary. Who knows, perhaps some of the Yeerks aboard that craft can be persuaded to see things my way."

He glances at Ferxal, but his attention is pulled away by the arrival of Firin. "Firin," he says with a nod. "I'm going to need your help, friend. I'm afraid it isn't the most elegant of missions -- we need your host's strength. But there is an opportunity for new tech."

Ossanlin's suggestion of an implant makes Keslin uncomfortable, but he doesn't allow it to show on his face. Instead he nods in understanding. "A trip to the armory, yes," he agrees. "Serid, thank you. Ossanlin -- we'll be in touch." He hesitates, then gives the Andalite captain a small salute that is half in jest, half serious.


Nefitt, engrossed in his computer screens, blinks in alarm and discomfort at the sound of Andalite thought-speak, resounding through his mind like a living thing. In his weeks on the Dome Ship he has not become accustomed to the sound that is not a sound at all. He doubts he ever will.

<<Andalites,>> he mutters internally to his host, who has nothing of use to say one way or the other in response. Kevin never does.

With a weary sigh, he pulls himself to his feet and pockets his computer. Taking his time, he reaches the bridge just as Keslin and the others are about to depart. "Keslin?" he asks, raising bushy eyebrows.

"Nefitt," Keslin says with a small smile. "Hey. We may need your medical expertise. We're going off ship to the transport."

"Alright," Nefitt says reluctantly, his eyes moving warily to Serid and Ferxal. "Where do you want me?"

"When we get to the ship you hang back. If anyone needs immediate medical attention, whether it's our people or theirs, do what you can," Keslin says. "Just don't get yourself killed, eh?"

[Chad32]

<I am not experienced with leaving the enemy alive.> Ferxal said. <I have been told standard issue shredders do have a stun setting. I don't know how effective a flat blade will be against Hork-Bajir, though perhaps if I hack their blades off they will be more willing to comply with capture.>

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Ossanlin nods and frowns a bit at Ferxal's comment, but admonishing the Warrior at this point would be to immediately usurp the command Keslin had just taken, so he says nothing.  He nods at Keslin and bows his tail a bit.  <Good fortune, I would see you all back alive.>  He watches as the group leaves the bridge.


Serid nods and makes his way through the dome.  <The armory is this way, sir.>  He says little more as he makes his way down the ramp-well a level to the primary armory.  He uses his security clearance to unlock the door and strides in.  The room is approximately twenty meters by twenty meters and has racks lined all around with ASARs, standard handhelds, impact detonators, and myriad other equipment.  There is also a stable-field cabinet with complete ARC units hanging in suspension.  <What equipment do wish to use, sir?>  He turns his main eyes on Keslin, bowing his tail in deference.


Firin frowns a bit as Keslin details the mission.  "If that is what is required...I suppose it would be nice to see what kind of tech the Empire is showering on its lackeys these days."  He huffs a bit, but he can feel Rythil's blood pumping.

<<You're excited.>>

<<If I can't put blade to these grass-eaters, then I'll put blade to the Imperials.>>

Firin follows behind Keslin and the Andalite called Serid.  Strangely, Keslin seems to be leading the mission, as opposed to an Andalite...curiouse r and curiouser.

[Terenia]

"Our Dracon weapons were designed from your Shredders," Keslin responds, giving Ferxal a raised eyebrow. "If the Empire saw fit to include a stun setting, I have no doubt it was part of the original design. See to it that you use it."

He follows Serid, nodding at Nefitt as he falls in step behind them, taking note of the medic's unhappy expression.

<<Maybe we should have brought Farrah,>> Chris says.

<<No,>> Keslin responds. <<Farrah's background in neuro-surgery is far too valuable to risk. Nefitt is an experienced medic, but such skills are more easily replaceable.>>

<<Dude, when did you become so damn cold? No one is replaceable, eh? That's what we always said on the ships.>>

Keslin presses his host's lips together. <<That was before the Andalites decided to show us just how expendable our people can  become. We're in a difficult position, Chris. We have to pick and choose.>>

His internal dialogue is interrupted by the entrance to the armory. Keslin steps in, looking around. "Everyone, take what you think you will need, but do not overdo it," he commands. His eyes fall on Serid. "And please, Keslin will do. You don't need to call me 'sir'."

For himself, he sticks to his Dracon weapons, complimenting them with the Andalite technology that he feels comfortable using -- that which is most similar to Yeerk technology. He chooses several impact detonators and an ASAR, as well as one of the ARC units. Once he is armed he steps back and watches the others. Nefitt stands beside him, his own arms folded over his chest, clearly uninterested in the Andalite weaponry.

"Keslin," he says quietly, his lips barely moving, his eyes staring straight ahead. "I do not trust them."

Keslin sighs a little, a silent exhale through his mouth. "I know, Nefitt," he responds. "But right now I need you to do your job, alright? It's what you're good at."

"We've reached all of the rendezvous points," he presses. "We should begin planning our leave of this place."

Keslin glances over then, sharply. "Not now," he says firmly. "We'll discuss this after the mission. A Council meeting, eh?"

Nefitt snorts disdainfully in response, making Keslin frown as he turns his attention back to Serid.

"Serid, I need a standard medical field kit for Nefitt," he says. "Something small and easily transportable. Any specific requests, Nefitt?"

Eyes narrowing slightly, Nefitt looks Serid up and down, his expression hard. After a long, tense moment, he nods imperceptably. "No medicine," he says flatly. "I don't know what Andalite medicine will do to a human or a Hork-Bajir. First aid equipment only. Can you handle that, Andalite?"