The Galactic War: The Rebel Base

[Terenia]

Farrah watches Mal for a long moment. "May I sit?" she asks, taking the chair before he has a chance to respond.

Again, she is silent before speaking. "The oatmeal interferes with Yeerk biology, and its effects are felt most strongly through host consumption. Isren has not heard of any indication of inhalation or external contact interfering with tolerance. Then again, extended oatmeal-use is not a highly researched area." She frowns a little, listening to some internal commentary before continuing. "Let me make a distinction first. Melissa was never exposed to oatmeal in any way prior to being infested by Terliss. Terliss was the addict, and Terliss had been exposed to varying amounts of the stuff through a combination of consumption through his prior host, Aya, and through direct contact via a personal Yeerk pool. The only interaction Melissa has had with oatmeal was through what had already altered Terliss' biology. I can send you her scans if you'd like, but I assure you I have gone over them thoroughly."

There is a slight challenge to her tone as she watches him, daring him to accuse her of missing something in her own analysis of Melissa's bioscans.

"As far as my purpose here," Farrah continues, her tone becoming more brisk. "I arrived here after Melissa was exposed to the gas. I presume you know the way most people find their way here, through their Yeerks. That was not the case with me. I did not know what a Yeerk was until I arrived here. Melissa's partner and Sam came to Earth and recruited me specifically to help Melissa following the accident. They needed a neuro-specialist, and the fact that I was ignorant of the Empire and the rebellion did not matter much to them." Her smile thins a little. "I didn't find out that I was being recruited to an alien organization halfway across the galaxy until it was a bit too late. But my purpose here has always been healing."

[Estelore]

Mal nodded, and some of the hardness went out of his eyes. "I'm glad to hear it. As for the scans, if you could send them, I would appreciate it. I don't believe you missed anything, but I do believe we may look for different things than you would look for. Since you're here and have answered our questions, if there's anything I can do for you while you're here, let me know."

[Chad32]

"Yeah, living under ground isn't exactly an ideal life for us. Maybe we should look into finding a world where the war isn't happening, and wait it out there. There had got to be some other solar system out there with a kandrona sun where we could start over. Though I guess that would mean abandoning the cause of trying to help Yeerks like us who don't agree with the Empire, and the slaves they look down on."

[KitsuneMarie]

"This is the ideal place," Illim shakes his head. "It's safe and remote, and no one knows we're here. Sorry there aren't windows, but at least there's a reasonably decent surface this time." He seems to be a little irritated with the turn in conversation. "And there's always holographs. Make yourself an Earth, if you want."

[Chad32]

"Sorry. I don't mean to come off like I don't appreciate what we have. It could certainly be worse. My new boss isn't a raving lunatic, for one thing." Xevec said. "I've been wonderign if anyone would like me to help them rig some traps around here in case anyone finds us and tries to infiltrate. I'm just not sure if they'll let the new guy help with new security measures. Are there other explosives experts on this base?"

[Terenia]

Terenia's eyebrows raise. "That seems a little arrogant, don't you thnk?" Esreth asks, watching Rythil. "I mean, you make it sound like you're a completely different species from him--" she jerks her thumb at the male Hork-Bajir he had been referring to. "If you and he can enjoy things on a consensual, physical level, and you and his Yeerk can enjoy things on an intellectual level, I don't see what the problem is. Except maybe elitism on your part." She shrugs a little.

"I've had a Hork-Bajir host before," she continues. "Albeit briefly. He was every bit as 'simple' as any other Hork-Bajir not endowed with the gift of being a seer. That did not make him any less my friend, or any less enjoyable to spend time with."


"I know that," Edith says, rolling her eyes. "I just...hey, I can wish, can't I? I grew up on this stupid base. Sometimes it'd be nice to see something different. As for traps...I don't know what you mean, Xevec, but you can certainly ask Reven. I'm sure something like that would have to be approved by him."


Farrah nods ever so slightly. "I will send you the scans," she says, pushing herself to her feet. She pauses on her way out. "I must caution you, Maliss. If you decide to approach Melissa, do so under the guise of Soren. She does not trust Yeerks, and her injury has only magnified that mistrust into something fairly manic."

[Estelore]

Maliss nodded. "Of course. Thank you again. Do you know where Melissa tends to spend her time these days?"

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Rythil directs his gaze toward Esreth.  "You don't understand.  For nearly a whole month after we...helped...each other out, I felt guilty every day.  I still feel a little guilty about it now.  Yes, he consented and enjoyed himself...but...I feel like I'm taking advantage of him.  I pushed things, and even though he ended up enjoying it, I could tell he was uncomfortable at first."

He shakes his head.  "Humans feel guilt when they take advantage of children...I can't help but feel I'm doing something similar.  Yes, he's of age, and yes, he could raise young given the proper mate.  But I still feel as if I'm using my intelligence to manipulate him.  It's me who has the problem, not him.  He would probably engage in the activity with me again if I asked...but I feel as though he's just agreeing in order to make me happy, because it's what I want.  That's not what I want...I want someone who is with me because it's what they want."  He shakes his head again.  "Do you understand what I mean now?"

[Chad32]

"Well, traps are always a good line of security against invading forces. Especially since we're trying to hide, so it's not like we can install big anti air guns outside the compound. I'll mention it to Reven, or perhaps write out something for someone Reven trusts to pitch it to him." He said, glancing at Illim.

[KitsuneMarie]

"I'm all for strong defense," Illim shrugs. "Look, you draw up some specific plans and present them, and I'll see about getting them in front of Reven. Alright?" He smiles a little tightly and digs into his food again.

[Myitt]

Niko has been listening, chewing carefully, perplexed.

"Wait," he says, swallowing and gesturing with his fork. "Who says you have a problem, Rythil?"

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Rythil glances back at Niko, shaking his head.  "I have several...I'm a Hork-Bajir, which is a minority on this base, I'm a seer, which is a minority in my race, and I'm a homosexual, which is, as far as I know, a minority amongst all binary races.  I also seem to have a rather...active...l ibido.  Sometimes I have trouble thinking.  If it weren't for Fir, I wouldn't get any work done."  Rythil chuckles to himself, but it's a little forced.

[Myitt]

Niko shakes his head. "Well, with the exception of having trouble thinking straight, I hardly think any of those things are problems," he says quietly.

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

"Well thank you for your sentiment, Niko.  You've been friendly to me since the start, and I appreciate it greatly."  Rythil smiles warmly, patting Niko's hand before withdrawing both hands back to his plate.  "I just want to be with someone.  Like the way you are with Gene.  You love and appreciate each other, and you want to be together.  You can talk or hug or just feel close to each other."  He sighs, trying to imagine what it must be like.  "Sometimes I really wish I wasn't quite so intelligent.  Life would be so much easier then."


<<We would still be in the Empire if you weren't intelligent.>>

<<You know what I mean.>>


"I guess I'm just too social for my own good."  He smirks ruefully.  "Too much wistful daydreaming."

[Myitt]

Niko smiles and breathes a laugh, looking down at his half-full plate. "I think we all feel that way, sometimes, Rythil," he says, glancing up at the Hork-Bajir-Controller. "You're not alone, there. And yeah, like the human saying goes: Ignorance is bliss. Sometimes I really think that that's true."

He glances at Esreth and Terenia briefly, then looks back at Rythil. "Don't feel so hopeless, man." He grins. "If Dom can find someone, and he's the absolute epitome of 'too social' for his own good, then you can, too. I'm sure of it." He digs back into his food.