NJ

“It’s time”

Together they escorted Rov to the Hangar bay, neither of them said a word, both lost in their own thoughts. As they entered the hangar Rae smiled, the Purple Horizon was already there and so was Ygraine. She leant over her mate and kissed him one last time.

“Farewell my love, be safe, be strong…you will be forever in my heart and in my memory.”

She blinked back her tears, she wouldn’t cry….not yet

“Thundersinger, please take Rov over towards Aurora’s ship, see that he is placed securely….no wait, belay that…watch over him, I need to speak with LoP

“LoP would you be prepared to take Rov on board your ship, we will send the transport ship as well, the more targets there are for the Pyrians to aim at the better, although I see that D’ has already figured out what is going on and has created a nice little diversion. Ygraine will be travelling with the Alpha at all times, she is a healer and she has infinite patience, she will stay with him until he wakes”

LoP nodded his assent

“Thundersinger take the Alpha and place him on board the Purple Horizon, LoP will take care of him from here…. And Thundersinger..thank you for your assistance, it will not be forgotten”

She turned back to LoP and rested her hand on his arm

“Thank you for everything….. this is going to sound strange coming from me…but I already know where you are taking him…I had a ‘dream’ … I saw things…people….and I knew then that this was the right thing to do, the only thing to do….and I have the strangest feeling that I will know the moment he wakes”

She shook her head and laughed

“I’m beginning to sound like one of your people LoP …now you’d better be going, the Pyrians won’t be fooled by the diversion for long..may the Divine smile on you my friend”

She waved to Ygraine, no words were necessary, then she turned and walked back towards Thundersinger

"I am going to stay here for a few minutes, I want to make sure they depart safely....please return to medical and check on Ani..I will join you shortly"

[This message has been edited by Raevenfromkhcmb (edited August 01, 2002).]

..." Certainly Raeven. I will stay in medical as long as you need me."
She leaves the hanger with out looking back.

Activating the privacy dampers around the command consoles, he turned to regard the General, X-T, the relationship between them had changes from other circumstances, twists of fate.

Whatever emotions either man felt went unexpressed on their faces, there was a time for personal business and a time for duty. D's voice never changed it's calm inflection as he spoke.

"The Pyrians have us in a difficult position, to use an olden term it is a 'mexican standoff' neither side will be able to overcome each other in brute power without significant casualties and damage. So it seems that we are at an impass.."

He crossed his arms.

"There is one other option.."

Taking his bracer, he plugged it's datacord into the console, pressing a sequence of buttons. A red & yellowish world appeared on the screen, it's surface covered by roiling clouds from high winds.

"This is Sirocco, it is a desert world, and although I cannot reveal the location of Sirocco there are some factors that make it important and relevant to our problem. Firstly the atmopsheric mix of this world is very similar to a world that the Pyrians have pyroformed, and quite deadly to most forms of life."

"Secondly it is the home of the Mantis.."

He paused to let that sink in before continuing.

"At first our pride was no more immune to the deadly atmosphere than any other life form, it took a century to find a way around that, until that point the Pride did an still does to this day, live in domes, underground habitats, and orbital stations, along with indivdual families who continue our nomadic lifestyle. The surface is still deadly and unforgiven, the ultimate test of survival."

He brought up another picture, this one of a rod-shaped microogranism.

"This is a symbiotic microbe, whose sole purpose to is consume the atmosphere of Sirocco as it enters the lungs, it's waste byproduct is oxygen which travels into our bloodstream as the poison is consumed, the microbe multiply rapidly, and in the presence of normal atmospheres they die or encyst, waiting for the time to become active again."

He looked X-T in the eyes.

"My lungs are filled with such encysted mircobes. On my world the atmosphere remains the sam because we only venture out when needed, and those population who live outside on a more regular basis are too few in number to effect a major change. Even so our scientists predict that in the course of the next thousand years the planet's atmosphere will begin converting to a more habitable one because of the existence of these microbes. The entire process will take another several thousand years, but only if the outside population base and number of microbes remain the same."

He paused again.

"If these microbes were mass manufactured and released into a pyroformed atmosphere enmasse, they would rapidly begin to multiply on their own, and eventually devastate it in a far shorter time than the natural progression of my world. The Pyrians believe that so long as nothing can threaten their plans then they are safe. We do not have the facilities to mass manufacture such a biological agent on a planet-devastating scale. Fortunately we do not have to do that...and they do not know that, what we can create is more than sufficient to hamper their efforts to pyroform our world, the resultant multiplication of the microbes would consume their converted atmosphere, and be spread by the billowing clouds of vapor and winds across the globe. Where, as they ran out of consumable atmosphere, they would encyst and lie dormant until the presence of the Pyrian atmosphere, when they would become active again."

He unplugged the datacord.

"The microbe is benign to oxygen-breathing life, but a Pyrian, they would be deadly. I propose we use the threat of the weapon to force the Pyrians into a better position, by using it on the areas being pyroformed."

He looked at X-T again.

"As our acting Alpha, the decision is yours."

D'

His face was a mask of sobriety as he entered and took his place near the General and Fleet Commander. A cursory glance over his status displays confirmed what he had expected to see.

"All ground units report ready for anything," he reported quietly.

He must have passed the careful study that the one called Thundersinger had just put him though. It didn’t bother him, she knew nothing about him and it must have seemed strange to her to see a Trancer entrusted with the Alpha’s life.

He activated the extreme close range communications and sent a coded tight beam message to Tyrant Command.

Purple Horizon to D’. I suggest that no fighters meet up with us as we leave. I want the Pyrians to think that the Purple Horizon is a courier ship. At least until that interference vanishes. The transport tagging along should also confuse them a little if they get a visual. I’ll take any extra time I can get to help keep me ahead of them until I can enter slipstream. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of my cargo.

LoP out.

He kept it short since he didn’t know how good the Pyrian’s comm. systems were.

Slowly the transport lifted off . Athena kept the Purple Horizon very close to the transport as the ships moved toward the hanger opening. Once they exited, Athena overrode the transport’s computer and linked the ships together through her control.

As one the ships streaked together into space at the transports maximum velocity. Athena kept her weapons masked but armed and ready. As per LoP’s orders, she would do everything in her power to protect the Tyrant Alpha.

As soon as she was safely away from the Tyrant planet, Tioki's ship disappeared into the slipstream.

"Thundersinger, you have done a lot for me in the past few days....but I have one more request to make. I need some time alone, ideally a few days alone. My whole life has been altered drastically, my son has no father and I have no mate, I must decide what is best for us....and I need some time to grieve for my mate and my old life. I want you to take charge in here, I trust you implicitly...I know my patients are in good hands. Ani is recovering well, but she still needs constant monitoring....if you have a problem you can ask Lassair if she would be willing to help out...but be careful, she still isn't fully recovered herself...and if their is an emergency...call me, don't try and deal with it on your own. And I promise that as soon as I have rested I will perform the scan you requested"

She placed her hand on the womans arm and squeezed it gently

"Thank you once again Thundersinger, I don't think I could have survived this crisis without you"

She smiled, picked up Javert and her made her way to her quarters. Once safely inside she began to cry, she let the hot, cleansing tears fall unchecked....the healing process had begun

Thundersinger gave her word but seldom,for when she did, she kept it to death and beyond.

Her heart ached for Raeven and the Alpha. She had known Rae but for a short time, but had trusted and respected her immediately.

... " Raeven, if there is anything that you need, any help that I can be, please do not hesitate to ask."...

Once she had seen Raeven out of Medical, she turned to the work therein.

"Hello, Thundersinger. I'm ccg, the Quarter Masters assistant. I'm here to see if you are in need of any medical supplies," ccg said.

[This message has been edited by crazycoolgirl (edited August 03, 2002).]

..."Greetings CCG ! And thank you for comming to check. We are indeed low on a number of items. Could you wait for me to make a list, it will not take long. Or, if you would prefer I can have some one runner it to the Quartermasters Office."

He looked up to meet D's eyes as he sighed softly, "They are leaving us with very little choice in the matter. We will no give up our home. We have spilt too much blood for this planet." He paused as he took a breath, "We will do it but only if you are absolutely sure it will have no harm on the everyone here. I do not want to keep the planet from them, only to lose it ourselves."

He studied D' intently as he nodded his assuredness and then spoke with a grave tone, "I trust you D'... we do it."

"Then we shall have to speak to raeven as well. Though perhaps just the threat of deployment will act as a deterrant to the Pyrians. You are concerned no doubt about the Pride's safety if we have to release it. Do not be, the parameters of the organism are very narrowly defined and have been refined over the last two centuries. The chance of danger is miniscule."

He leaned against the console.

"There is an old terran game, of guile and strategy. I believe it's name is Poker, the pyrians want this world for it's resources, and possibly to rid themselves of neighbors. While there are already worlds suitable to them farther in the system. If they believe and rightly that we have something that can seriously threaten them, then they would be inclined to negotiate. We need however, go have some of our teams collect atmospheric samples, and raeven to take samples of the organisms from my lungs."

He looked at his displays.

"Doubtlessly she will have objections to this, I am adverse myself to actually deploying such a weapon if we were forced to should they try to call our hand, but right now there are few choices at our disposal."

D'

[This message has been edited by D'Monix (edited August 04, 2002).]

"Very well then." Thundersinger said with a nod before turning and walking into one of the nearby rooms.

ccg stood patiently waiting for Thundersinger to return. Beside her, Silver was starting to fidget. ccg reached out and gently but firmly grabbed Silvers arm just as she was about to wander off. "Silver! Please! Don't touch anything!"

She completed the list quickly and brought it back to CCG.

..."Thank you for waiting, according to the computer all the things we are running short on are on The Quartermaster's master list. Do you need some personell to help out? I have a number that I am about to release on limited duty."..

Thundersinger leaves CCG standing there and sprints for Ani's treatment room. She finds Ani looking for clothes, her wounds not completely healed and in danger of rupturing open.

" Ani, get back in bed this minute. You are endangering yourself. Your body is no where near healed."

She puts action to her words and lifting her gently, puts her back in the bed and begins reemplacing the lifesupport and sensors.

Though Ani struggled, she was enormously weak from her injuries, and unable to protest effectively.

Thundersinger felt Ani relax slightly and started to let go of the other woman. Ani considered making another move, but realized the last thing that was needed right now was an altercation in the medical facility. There had to be a better way."Get out!" she growled again as she flung the other woman's hands from her before settling back on her side on the bed.

.. "Ani, would you like me to let your family know that you are able to have them visit? I..I am sorry, I should have realized that they must be frantic."..

She went to one knee beside Ani's bed, her voice pitched for her alone.

..." Ani, your mate, the General, XT, he is in charge right now, and things are not going well. I will contact him immediately and let him know how much better you are. We almost lost you Ani, you very so badly injured...Please rest,you need to !"

It was not until then that the full import of what Thundersinger had said sunk in. "The Alpha?" she said, a worried frown on her face. Although Rov was not her favorite person, she didn't wish him any ill. Thundersinger told her only that Rov had been injured, but Ani knew it was more serious then that. She also knew that to push the young woman, whose primary job was to protect the Alpha, would not be a course for now, perhaps later, when she could think more clearly.

"Please also let my sister wives know I am awake and fine. A nursing mother and two with child, they do not need the stress of worrying over me." She lay there a minute more before a smile came to her lips and she laughed softly. "And you'd better have someone bring Tyr to me, *that one* must be fit to be tied by now."

"Ani, I will let the General know,and I will let your family know that they can vist you, for a short while. I will go and let them know now. Would you care for a little fruit juice? Anesthesia often leaves one thirsty, and dry mouthed."

Ani nodded, suddenly realizing that she was very thirsty.

Thundersinger had a assistant take Ani a small amount of juice, and ordered a mild pain medication intraveineously.

Using the desk communicator in Raevens office she contacted Rufus and asked him to relay the news of Ani's status to the General.

Then she contacted Sca and advied her of Ani's request to see Tyr, and added that while visits would be short, the entire family could come and visit, a few at a time.

Athena, activate the transport's autopilot and direct it toward the slipstream. Keeps us close until the Pyrians attack the trancsport.

You got it!

The Pyrian fighters moved to intercept the transport. Their sensors showed one ship and the Alpha was aboard. As one they streaked in to attack.

Their weapons lashed at the transport which suddenly seemed to split into two ships. The samller of the two entered slipstream and vanished.

How would the explain this to their commanded?

ccg was about to reply when Thundersinger dashed into a nearby room after an alarm went off. ccg watched Thundersinger calm her patient, whom she recognised as Ani, down.

ccg waited until Thundersinger was done using the comm in Rae's office before approaching her. "Thundersinger, I think I might take you up on that offer of a few extra people to help. I only need two people though. I have Silver helping me as well."

Muttering to herself, she resumed holding up the counter. When CCG decided to accept the assistance of a couple of the light duty patients, explaining she didn't need any more because she had Silver, the older human groused, "Years of experience in history, social sciences, and ancients cultures. And here I am. Pack horse for NJ and her assistant." Sulking, she kicked a cupboard door, but that only earned her a warning look from CCG. She sighed. This crisis better be over soon, or she was going to need a really large drink.

"Mommy will tell you about her adventure sometime," she said soothingly "right now she'd just like her big boy to hold her." She smiled wistfully at Sca, she still had the feeling there would be little enough time for this in the immediate future.

He sighed softly and nodded to D's words, "Speak to Raeven... I know she will not like it. Many of the Pride may not but I will do what it takes to save our home." He looked up ot D', "Assuming that she gives us no hassle, how soon do you tihnk you can get this up and running? How long will I have to bluff... our poker opponent?"

Aurora crept up behind Cy. "How is it going?" The blond asked smacking the woman with a friendly pat on her back.

Cy yelped and jumped, holding a datapad out for a weapon. When she saw who it was, and then her weapon of choice, she started blushing and put it away. "Heya. It's going pretty well. Lights have stopped flickering."

"Thats good." Aurora rolled on her heels for a moment. "Seems like there isn't much excitement right now except for Medical and the offical office."

"You'd know best," Cy replied, a mix of grumbling and wining in her voice. "So do you know how the whole Pyrian thing's going?"

"No idea." Aurora laughed. "Isn't that great. They just say fix that do this...and I try and get it done. Seems like we are in the same boat doesn't it?" She smiled.

"I don't like boats much. Being in one with a Nietzschean would just make it all the better." Cy winked, cleaning up a little. "That kinda sucks though. You're about the only one who tells me these things besides Silver and Tioki, and I would think you'd have more information."

"If I push I can." Aurora thought. "But at the moment everyone seems to be handeling things just fine. My job is to just fix things." She smiled. "I was going to help with the Alpha but Rae got one of her old friends to do it."

"What's wrong with the Alpha?" Cy tilted her head, her natural curiousity showing through. "Who's Rae?"

Aurora realized suddenly she realised to much information. "Rae is the Alpha's mate, and the Alpha is taking a break for a while. He has to do some off world business."

"At this time?" Cy rolled her eyes. "It musta been pretty important buisness."

"Yeah." Aurora nodded. "Men, you know I can't figure them out." She smiled. "So, are you ready to take a break?"

"Are you sure it's ok?" Cy looked a little nervous. "I mean, I've been doing basically nothing for most of the day."

"Yeah," Aurora nodded. "If they really need us, they will com us." She smiled picking up her wriste. "Besides I might need you in the hanger later."

"The hanger?" Cy's eyes lit up. "All right! Break time it is."

Aurora helped Cy clean up her supplies before the two ventured back to the hanger.

She checked first on the security guard who had been shot in the fracas earlier. His wound was responding well to treatment, and hiswas almost ready to return to light duty.
" So who was the idiot that I coldcocked earlier? The nerve of him causing trouble at a time like this!"...

The entire ward went dead quiet and several turned interesting shades of pale.
Thundersinger raised an elegant eyebrow at their reactions, and continued..

..." He isn't the Alpha, and he certainly isn't the Matriarch...I've put down people who thought they were inportant befoer nad will most likely do so in the future. Don't worry about me! In here I rule, and out there."

He grin turned into something that showed teeth, but was no smile at all...

..." I am even more capable"...

"I am no more a proponant of this than you. But we are running out of options, and quickly out of time. "

He looked at his displays. "Deploy ciollection teams to bring back several cubic tons of the pyrian atmosphere converter plume, use dropship fuel scoops. Load India, Charlie, and Echo squadrons with jettisonable pods on their hardpoints." He ordered to the Flight Command. "Ask the Hangar crew to fill them with water, then fit the remainder of Bravo Squadron with the same pods, cargo to be determined. Double-check the seals on all pods as a precaution."

That done, he looked back at X-T. "With fortune we will not have to deploy this kind of weapon at all. The Pyrians are not a foolish people, they are strong and they take what they want, but they are not foolish."

"In their case, however, they are dealing with Nietzcheans, and our reputation for treachery and deception precedes us. But they also must know that when our people are pushed to the wall, that we will go to any length to emerge victorious, even lengths such as these."

He looked into the general's eyes.

"The Pyrians know that they have us against the wall."

He headed for the door, looking back at the general.

"It is this perception of us that I am counting on, that desperate times call for desperate measures."

"How this poker game goes will depend on the their frame of mind, and on your performance for the Pyrian's benefit, as well as your negotiation skills. I do not intend to deploy it against Pyrians even as a demonstration, to do so may force a conflict. We will give a demonstration to get their attention and give them pause, to force a negotiation on the basis of deterrant."

"Should it fail, they will either continue with their plans or move to destroy us. In which case the fleet will engage them as per the battle plan. And should that fail...."

He let the sentence drift off as he left the command deck, signalling on his communicator that he needed to speak with raeven as he walked towards the medical deck.

D'

"Where is Doctor Raeven, there is an urgent matter that I must speak to her of immediately."

When D' hesitates, she continues..

" I am competent to handle any request that you may have."

She is somehow different that the some what unsure of her self young woman he had worked with in the Tank...Her eyes seemed deeper, older, and there were faint hints of an odd accent to her words.

The comm officer nodded and soon nodded, "Channel open, sir."

XT turned to the comm screen, "Attention Pyrian command, we are once again opening communications in order to try to settle this matter without open conflict. Since you refuse to give us the information we requested, we will have to turn down your request to leave. You know that we have lived here since claiming the planet and consider this out home. I am warning you that we do have contengency plans to protect our homes... plans we do not wish to use but are willing to. We give you a chance to leave while peace is still held."

He made the cut off gesture and the screen went blank. He leaned over on the central display and spoke softly, "Now... the game begins..."

He reiterated the conversation he had made with the general in the command deck. (ooc: see above posts, it's too long for me to do again ) pointing out the exact parameters of the organism.

"The data is stored in my bracer, in case a situation arose where the organism needed to multiply to reinfest my lungs. The organism is very precise in parameters, and has been refined in three centuries. To an oxygen-breathing lifeform they would be quite benign, allowing the breathing of my homeworld's atmosphere. An atmosphere with most of the same qualities as that being produced by the Pyrian pyroformers. To a Pyrian, they would consume their available atmosphere, and once inside their respiratory system, they would suffocate the victim."

He looked at her.

"Hopefully it will not come to that, I will transfer the organisms data to you, we require enough for an effective demonstration. Sample teams are already returning with pyrian atmospheric sample canisters to facilitate this. The demonstration we require will not be targetted against the Pyrians."

D' watched her responses. "This will also require the approval of the chief medical officer, or at least her to be informed of this. As the chief of medical is Dr. Raeven, it is important she be told as well."

D'

She looked around Raeven's office, and decided that here would suffice. Making sure the door was shut, she waved D'Monix to a visitors chair. Instead of returning to the chair behind the desk, she took the other, turning it to face him full on.

..." Sir,what I am about to tell you may sound very unbelieveable, and I can Not explain it."

Thundersinger sighed, and forced down the terror and horror with in her. Though her face remained calm,some of the struggle showed in her eyes for a brief moment..

..." A few hours ago, I discovered that I have my mothers memories. Not a daughters memories of her mother, but my mothers Memories..."...

So deeply was she immersed in keeping those said memories from overwhelming her, she did not realize that she was blushing furiously...She pushed the memories aside and continued..

..." Tzu-Hsi was a physician and medical researcher of no small skill. I can use those to accomplish what is needed. The data the you have down loaded will not be all that I need. I will need a sample of the organism as it is now. That, of course, must come from you. I will need you for approximately two hours, to collect some of the encysted spores."..

She looked directly into those sand hued eyes, that were so steadily meeting her own..

..." You may have as many guards in the operating suite as you wish. I happen to have with me a top of the line Persied manufacture cloneing system. I can have a compressed cubic meter of weaponized spores ready in a very short time."..

Thundersinger paused, as fresh inspiration struck,..

..." I don't suppose you could aquire a Pyrian for me..Dead would do but live would be better. I have just had a thought, wondering how they would react to an attack by radiation absorbing Nanobots."..

He stood, went to get a cup of water from the cooler in the office, and sat back down, watching her calmly. Then raised his glass in a half toast.

"Let us hope that this will remain the best of all possible worlds.. I will be ready when you are, if you need to activate the organism before removal there is a small tank of siroccan atmosphere in my quarters. It is a very minute amount, measured to periodically activate them and keep my lungs at an acceptable level of dormant spores, in case I need to return home."

He set the glass down.

"As to your skills... Interesting... Racial memory is not an unknown trait, but one that does not normally surface in the Invictus genome from what I understand. But then again, if our genome is capable of genetic reincarnation then I suppose that anything is possible."

He leaned forward in his seat, "How are you dealing with this?"

"Sir, considering that this has Never happened to me before, and that for a time I was like a marionette being played by unseen hands...It was my body, but not me that operated on Ani...and on the Alpha"

Once again she went inwardly still, waiting , and again she could only admire his calm reaction.

..." I am dealing with it, but I will admit that it is a little too strange for complete peace of mind. Thank you, Sir, for asking."..

She turned briskly to far more important matters...she ushered him into Pre-Op,and put him in the hands of the surgical techs.

..." I will need to do a brief bit of blood work, and double check what anesthesia will work best on you. If I need to activate the cysts, it can be done after they are removed."

Did nothing disturb this one, she wondered...Was his control that immense,or did he just not care

[This message has been edited by Thundersinger (edited August 08, 2002).]

The comm officer monitored. "They're responding....looks like a data download. Virus check says it's clean. It's a large file...there's also a voice channel..." He said, keying on the speaker.

"Since you insist on making it an issue, we have sent you a copy of the treaty that ceded this world to us, even though we believe you will not abide by it as it was negotiated before your time here. We require this world's resources, and claim them as our right.

It is not our intention to harm, but the necessary environmental modifications are injurious to your species. It is in your best interests to leave before they occur..." Replied the eerie voice.

The downloaded file was displayed on an adjacent screen. On it was a large body of text, detailing the specifics of the Pyrian's claim to the planet...

As they walked towards operating room he regarded her. "Perhaps some this resides genetically, perhaps psychologically. It is a hard thing, a difficult feeling, to not be in control. It is one of the things that my Pride of origin values most, self-discipline and control over one's own actions. It would merit further investigation. But if you ever wish to talk... I will listen."

They entered the operating room, D' sent a messsage to XT informing him of the estimated time, then stripped off his clothes, his body was latticed with scars from old battles and wounds, and the emerald lines and swirls that traces around his arms and shoulders, punctuating the white spurs, polished and laser-etched with glyphs.

He regarded her, allowing a soft smile to break his features. "And.. My name... Is Hannibal."

He had ignored the techs, placing himself in her hands, and that both astonished and honored her. For in the Operating room,the surgeon was as close to being a God as one could be.
,
Thundersinger drew a minute amount of blood, checking the sensors read out carefully. the master medical computer advised her of the sedatives and anethesia's that had been used on him in the past.

A hypo-spray sent a preliminary seditave into him, and she helped him ease on to the operating table.

..." Sir..Hannibal, please don't fight the sedative, let it relax you. I am going to paralyse your lungs for a very brief time.
I will use an broncioscope to look into your lungs and locate a cluster of the cysts."

She detailed the exact procedure, as the sporific took effect. As he drifted into the twilight..

..." My name is Perigrine."..

A second spray took him to temporary oblivion. Working at full speed Thundesinger found and removed a sizeable colony of cysts. She handed the pre-agared petri dish to a waiting tech, then swiftly administered the antagoinist of the paralytic drug.

Carefully she administered a small stimulous to his vargas nerve. He began breathing on his own immediately, but she set a nasal cannula to positive oxygen flow. His breathing had been stopped for less than four minutes, but she would take no chances.

Carefully she smoothed the sterile surgical sheet that had been placed over his suppine body. He would be completely unconscious ofat least another hour. Thundersinger checked the saline drip, assureing herself that it was flowing properly.

She set a tech to observation as she left the operating room to see to the cloneing system. Raeven had trained her staff well and Thundersinger was pleased to see that they had aleady initated the sequences. She commended them and ordered them to take a short break.

Returning to the operating room, she transfered her patient to a gurney and wheeled him into the recovery room. Thundersinger made herself as comfortable as possible in the observers chair,and waited, with a watchful eye on his biometric stats, for him to return to consciousness..

[This message has been edited by Thundersinger (edited August 08, 2002).]

Growling softly, she watched the children playing, oblivious as children can be, of the danger that surrounded them. She thought of her and XT's unborn child and hoped this mess was over with soon. She also wondered what XT was up to, she hadn't heard anything in a very long time, and she didn't know if that meant good or not. An old Earth saying ran through her head-No news is good news-She certainly hoped so. Growling softly, she went into the kitchen to begin preparing the evening meal, though she wasn't sure how many there would be to feed.

"Sir, we really have no reply for them until the Fleet Commander returns from medical and we can begin a demonstration. May I suggest that perhaps now is a time for you to rest? I can stay here to watch over things, and can notify you of any sudden change in operational status."

He handed a flexi to XT. "News of your second's progress from medical. Perhaps you could visit her, as well as your other wives and children. Perhaps your presence will be some reassurance to all of them."

Rufus stood back, and returned to monitoring activities. He would go without sleep for as long as was necessary if in some way it could bring a sense of atonement for his recent failures.

ccg giggled as Silver muttered (for the fifth time) something about having a rather large drink. Silver stopped mumbling and looked up at ccg. ccg merely smiled innocently at the woman. Silver looked back at the floor and resumed her annoyed grumbling.

[This message has been edited by Thundersinger (edited August 09, 2002).]

He ran a hand slowly over his face, "I do need to go see them... this situation may have everyone on edge. I will go check on my family. You will keep me updated on anything that goes on. Understood?"

Rufus nodded.

XT then turned and began to leave the Command Deck. He paused at the door and turned around, "By the way, get someone to go over EVERY LINE of that treaty. I want to know if there are any other possible loopholes. And notify me when D' checks in." With those final instructions, he left to go and visit Ani and his family... he desperately needed to see them now.

D'

..."Hannibal, you are in the recovery suite, every thing went perfectly. The disorientation is from the seditive. It will wear off shortly."...

She kept he voice soft as she approached his gurney. she smiled to herself, for he was recovering far quicker than many.

..." The symbiots are reproducing rapidly.
The first cannister will be ready in an hour, and I can have more grown at need. I programmed in the parameters of Sirocco's atmosphere, and the symbiots..."..

Her voice trailed off, and she blanched slightly. Her eyes went bleak,and she whirled away from D'Monix.

..." Sir, consider your self all but discharged. I will have an assistant observe you for another fifteen minutes or so, and if there are no lingering effects, you may leave. Please excuse me."

She strode quickly from the recovery suite. A quick check showed the medical section was working smoothly. She sought out the senior medical assistant and gave them orders concerning D'Monix.

[This message has been edited by Thundersinger (edited August 09, 2002).]

"As for our husband, I'm told he was here while my life hung in the balance, but I have not yet spoken to him." Her head swung around to the door as XT appeared in the doorway, his eyes looking at her full of concern.

Flashing her a smile, he nodded his head with a look that conveyed the feelings of being a fellow inmate.

Finding his comm, he sent a message to Rufus, updating him on the situation.

D'

She sent a message to Thundersinger informing her that she would be back in medical in an hours time. She also requested a full report of the past few days activities.

She had spent her thirty odd years avoiding Nietzscheans as if they were plague carriers. Then to be so strongly attracted to reports of the Tyrant Pride, to seek them out and request membership....

Thundersinger had never been one to turn away from unpleasant truths, but now was not the time for dealing with them.

Raeven had requested a report on the status of the Medical Section, and would be returning within an hour. Thundersinger turned her hand to composing a thorough accounting...

Aurora headed down to one of the empty hangers. It was built for extra storage. "I need to pick up a few things for the air crafts." Aurora said to Cy.

"Cool, what do you need me to carry?" Cy replied, bouncing on one foot then switching to the other, and back again.

The conversation was momentarily lost as they opened the door to the hangar. Almost instantly, several hundred pairs of eyes turned to regard the newcomers. The villagers had been waiting for news since they had been evacuated, and all but forgotten.

"Uh...I'm pretty strong for my size, but I don't know how many of these people I can lift," Cy joked, looking up at Aurora.

Aurora paused in the doorway for a moment. "Oh they didn't tell me!" She growled.

"Have they sent you to help us?" one of the more senior minions in the crowd asked. "We're desparately short of... well, everything."

"How long have you guys been holed up in here?" Cy asked.

"Since they ordered the evacuation. Days."

"Damn Ubers," Cy muttered before thinking. "No offense Aurora, but I can't exactly say I'm surprised."

Aurora shook her head with a sigh. "No, no..." She waved at the humans. "I am not surprised either. Its the natural neitz way of thinking. Ummm," She looked at the people in thought. She knew she would regret this question but figured she would ask anyway. "What exactly do you need?"

"Well.... we're short on adequate bedding. Even with everyone out on their shifts as minions, we don't have enough. As well, food distribution and water supplies are woefully low, ma'am," the minion said respectfully.

Aurora turned to Cy with eyebrows raised.

"Um, well, you know more about this compound than I do," she said. "I do know a little bit about food, and I think I can grab some rations that will last them a few days as well as water. There might be extra bedding in the village, it's pretty deserted at the moment."

"No one is allowed in the village though," the minion said, quietly.

"What about grabbing, Silver?" she asked remembering the silver eyed human.

"I can send her a message, see if she wants to help out," Cy offered. "I could also see if I can contact Tioki."

Aurora nodded. "If you think thats the best decision." She smirked. She never did really trust those purple people.

"Yeah, it's always good to have an extra pair of hands. CCG might even help out if she's not too busy helping NJ." Cy rolled her eyes.

"You're assistance is most appreciated," the minion said, happily. "Is there anything we can help you find in the meantime? I take it we were wrong to presume we had been remembered."

Aurora shook her head. "I can find what I need in another hanger." She waved to the man. "We will get these supplies to you as soon as we can." She tried to smile reassuringly.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"You can cut the ma'am stuff," Cy told them. "This one treats people decently. And you shouldn't let these Niets push you around anyways."

"It is our job," the man said quietly. "We serve the pride."

Aurora looked to Cy with a new found appreciation. "I didn't realize you thought of me that way Cy." Aurora laughed. "I must be doing something wrong." She winked. "But," Her attention turned back to the human. "Its all in the way people see things. The Nietz see themselves helping you, while you see it as them as bending you to there will." Aurora sighed.

"Maybe those Nietzscheans don't have superior vision after all," she muttered, then pulled out her com to try and contact Silver.

XT scooped him up and in the same motion hugged Ani gently, kissing her tenderly. "I am glad that you are well, my heart. I was afraid there for a few minutes but I knew you were too strong for that." He merely smiled as his eyes managed to loose enough of their tiredness to twinkle a bit. For just a moment, he wanted to forget the frelling Pyrians and be with his mate.

(OOC: If anyone really just needs XT to respond before I get back on monday, then I ask that you judiciously use him. If you can wait, i will be glad to respond Mon evening.)

As tired as he was, she still noticed that he had brightened up considerably when he picked up his son.

"Thundersinger.....you look tired, I trust that you haven't been overdoing things. There weren't too many emergencies were there?"

She smiled at the woman

"before we get started...I just want to say Thank you. Thank you for allowing me the time to ...heal"

..." No real emergencies. I have prepared you a report. It is here on you computer. However there is this."...

She spent the next quarter hour detailing the Mantis Symbiot, and the current status of its availability.

..." I saw the General come into visit his wife. He looked exhausted, and I don't think that any one in the Tank has eaten.
I told Hannibal...Commander D'Monix..about my ..ancestral Memeories..I had to, so he would understand why I refused to disturb you. He took this information with great..equamnity."

At Rae's understanding nod she continued.

..." I probably should report to Khan for reassignment, but if I do so as tired as I am now I might fatal to both of us. I need to speak with Commander D'Monix, then, with your permission, that gurney in the storerom has my name of it."

"Thundersinger you have done a remarkable job, I know how hard it must have been for you to explain to D'Monix.....and I thank you for that. I'll take a look at the report later, you seem to have covered everything. Now please do what you have to and then get some rest....you deserve it. I am going to check in on Ani and make sure that everyone gets something to eat!"

She placed her hand on the woman's arm and squeezed it gently

"You are more than welome to stay here in Medical for as long as you wish...you have been a valuable asset, your skills, ancestral memories or not, are amazing, you know procedures that I have only ever read about....please take your time...consider your re-assignment carefully"

She smiled and made her way to see Ani

Resolutely she strode into the recovery room where Commander D'Monix was about to be released. She paused for the barest moment to observe him thoroughly, before he turned his penetrating gaze upon her.

..." Command D'Monix, may I speak with you privately for a moment. It concerns our current situation"...

She turns to Ani and says, I'm so glad you are on the mend, it was touch and go there for awhile. I would like to get to know you better after all this is over, as I haven't really had a chance to. She gives her a hug and tells her to get better fast.

She then turns to XT and tells him, You really should get some sleep, why don't we get Tyr back home and let Ani get her rest, she's looking like she's getting tired herself. I know things are bad, but an exhausted General is no good to anyone. Please, Love, at least come home and get a few hours sleep before you drop. You also look like you could use a bite or two to eat. A hungry Niet can get cranky in a hurry, you know, besides, I could use another snack, as this little one down here seems to be insatiable. She gives him a loving look, I haven't had time to tell you, and since it's starting to show anyway, I figured you noticed.

"LT, XT when was the last time you two slept...or ate for that matter. I need to examine Ani, so you'll have to excuse us for a while....go and rest. You can come back later"

He couldn't deny his curiosity.

"Of course, perhaps we should go somewhere more private?"

D' motioned towards one of the office areas. Indicating it also with a nod of his head.

D'

..." I've already disabled the security sensors in here"..

She smiled sadly to herself at the Commanders sudden, subtle wariness.. She went to attention, and spoke...

..."Commander, you are the only one I trust to understand what I am about to say".

She took a deep breath..

.." I request, for the security of the Pride, that I be placed in detention. I may be a weapon set against the Pride"..

She could see he understood instantly,as minute readjustments in his stance reassured her that he took her seriously.

..." My skills and reputation as a personal protection expert could have me close to senior members of the Pride, especially in such an emergency as we are in. I am currently experiencing assaults on my mind. I have avoided Nietzschean's through out my life ,as if they were the Spirit of the Abyss in the flesh.. Suddenly I find myself requesting admittance to the Tyrant Pride, conviently just before they are attacked."...

Moving very slowly, with no extraneous motions, she began divesting herself of all her weapondry. When every thing was removed, even the minute throwing spikes and several items most would not consider dangerous, she stepped carefully away from the pile and awaited his response.

Her eyes had never left his the entire time, as hard as it was, shamed as she was before the one who had so recently put his life in her hands. She had managed to keep her face, her voice calm and remote and that small victory had to suffice.

[This message has been edited by Thundersinger (edited August 12, 2002).]

Well, what do you say?

A small nod of her head confirmed those fears.

D' grew silent for a long time, resting his hand upon his chin, scratching his beard. He could see the hidden pain in her eyes.

Sighing, he nodded finally, reaching out, he placed a hand gently upon her shoulder. "I do not believe you to be an assassin, though I find your story intriguing."

"You have had ample opportunity to eliminate both myself and Alpha Rovniski on two unsurpervised instances, both of which you could easily have made to appear to be complications of surgery given the relative dangers of the procedures. And in Alpha Rovinski's case, his precarious condition."

He let a smile come through his features.

"And were I the target I would not be speaking to you now."

He looked in her eyes, and squeezed her shoulder.

"I will do as you wish. Until further notice you will be confined to the detention level..."

Clicking his comm, he notified detention and Rufus to be aware of the new arrival, then sent a message to Raeven that he needed to speak with her.

Bowing slightly, he pointed the way to the door.

"I shall escort you myself if you permit me."

D'

He took a breath and then looked to all of them there before nodding. "Alright, alright... you have convinced me. I will take this break to eat and get some rest."

When LT metioned her pregnancy, his eyes widened and brightened. He hugged her tenderly, "That is good news and I truly needed some of that right now."

He turned to Ani, kissed her softly and took Tyr into his arms. "We will come back later to check on you, dear heart." He wrapped his arm around the waist of LT, "Let's go..."

Glad that he had decided to go home for a rest, they all went out the door and went home, where she went to the kitchen and fixed them all a meal. She called all who would eat to come eat, then they all sat down to eat.

While they were eating she asked him what had been going on. I know the Pyrians have attacked, but not much more than that, could you maybe tell us a bit more? Not knowing anything is hard, I would rather know what's going on than be kept in the dark.

XT began at the beginning, telling everything, and afterwards, looking at him with love shining from their eyes, she and Sca went over to him and hugged him close. Sca tells him she needs rest and goes off to bed, and LT tells XT that as acting Alpha, he needs to be at his best also, to go get some needed rest. She sends him off to bed, then cleans up after the meal, then feeling tired herself, she joins XT to get some much~needed rest herself.

She found herself returning the smile,and nodding gently to acknowledge the courteous gesture. As she turned to head out the door, she decided to trust him even more.

She slipped the pseudo-skins off her left forearms spurs. The artist who had tintedthe pseudo-skin had done a remarkable job, no one had ever noticed...

..."Actually Hannibal, I am a fully accredited memeber of the Assassins Guild.".

Carefully she rotated her arm, so that the underside of her of her chisseled spurs could be easily seen. Embedded along the length of her first spur were twenty five small platinum discs. Each of the discs had a small embossed sigil.

..." My acknowledged assassinations"..

A row of of an equal number of tiny embedded rubies gleamed on her inner spur.

..." The Merc Company I apprenticed with after graduation, had an affectation. They got me drunk enough one long leave to agree. My primary position was sniper. They gave me a rather presumptious call sign.. The Left Hand of God..
They all chipped in to buy these rubies and have them surgically inlaid. At least they were willing to settle on having them on my bonespurs, rather than on my face as the company's other snipers did. They had the gaul to claim that it was an old Earther custom."...

She never though she would feel comfortable in the presence of some one taking her to be incarcerated. She laughed lightly, letting the tension flow from her. Beyond the next turn were the detainment facilities.

She stopped and turned to face D'Monix, and dareing greatly she stepped close to him. Thundersinger had made sure that her hands were clsped behind her back, as non threatening as possible. Her lips brushed hummingbird light on his, and she was turning to head on to her incarceration.

She'd even appreciated the knowing and empathetic smile she'd recieved from D' earlier. At times their relationship had been something of an enigma to her. She pondered the entire interaction of their family and D', especially now that Sca was XT's mate.

She dumped off the linens, and was given control of a powered cart to take heavier items down to the kitchen. Several close calls with immovable objects, and some very creative swearing from a passing guard, and the cart was given over to one of the Niet helpers. She was back to carrying items that were too delicate to stand heavy jostling, but not so delicate as to fail to survive a sudden contact with the wall. "Stay a while, Silver, she said. We could use someone with your talents, she said. Well, hah!" In mid rant, her implanted mike started to vibrate a warning, and she nearly dropped the boxes she was carrying. Suspiciously, she rearranged the armload so she could reach the trigger and said, "Who's there? Is someone trying to contact me?"

"Hey ho!" Cy called out. "Silver, Aurora and I just found a bunch of workers stuffed away in what was supposed to be some empty hangar. They were left there for a few days." Cy let that sink in. "They need supplies like bedding, food, and water. Can you set us up with something?"

[This message has been edited by Harper's (edited August 13, 2002).]

"You have... A most interesting resume.." He remarked softly.

Stepping to the cell with her, he laid his hand against the panel, sliding open the door. The cell was dim inside. As Hannibal showed her in.

"The light settings are voice commanded, they can be overriden by the security consoles but otherwise they can be adjusted to your liking.."

She turned slightly, as he spoke, his eyes gleamed slightly in the twilight, and Thundersinger realized that those sand-colored eyes were obviously engineered for low light conditions as well.

D' reached up, running a finger through her hair and down along her cheekbone to the jaw.

"We will find out what is the cause of these memories, hopefully your stay will be brief.."

Stepping back, he laid a hand against the lock. As the door slid closed he nodded.

"I look forward to seeing you again Thundersinger."

D'

..." Hannibal, ..please..my name..is Perigryne..."..

She inspected the small cell, and nodded approvingly. It was well secured. The cot called to her and in minutes she was lightly asleep. The survival habits ingrained over many years did not bow to exhaustion. Her dreams were of lambent eyes..

[This message has been edited by Thundersinger (edited August 13, 2002).]

Arriving back at medical, he knocked gently on Raeven's door, giving her a smile. "Dr. Raeven, If you have a moment I would like to speak to you of some matters." Continuing, he explained the microbes in his lungs that Peregrine had removed a sample of, and the plans to use them as a deterrant.

"Which brings me to the one who removed the sample, Peregrine seems to be a capable woman, you are doubtless aware of her newfound discovery of medical skills."

D' looked down slightly, his eye catching the ebon glyph on his spur, staring accusingly back at him, He remembered the day he had etched the glyph in, and he knew what he would have to do. A brief look of sadness crossed his face, then he pulled it back, resuming his calm mask.

"I had to put her under detention, under her own request. The revalation of these things troubles her, and she fears what else may lurk in her mind. Things that may cause harm to the Pride. If there is any way that you can aid her in finding out what is locked in her mind, and whether she is a threat to the Pride, then we must know."

“Thundersinger…Peregrine left me a detailed report, it contains all the information concerning the microbes…I hope that it doesn’t come to that, I don’t like to think that something created in my lab could cause such death and destruction…even if it is for the good of the Pride......forgive me D' it has been a difficult time for us all, of course we must use every advantage we possess to defeat our enemies”

She looked up and frowned

“As for Peregrines self-imposed detention….. before I…before Rov’s departure we spoke of her concerns. We decided that a cerebral scan might reveal the source of her memories…her feelings. She wants to know her lineage, her past and I promised to help her do that…but then when Rov was wounded…I didn’t have time for anyone else, I pushed Peregrines concerns to the back of my mind…I forced her to continue in the lab…she has many unusual skills…”

Raeven rested her head in her hands

“It should never have come to this..if I hadn't been so wrapped up in my own misery..my own problems I should have foreseen this. Where is she being held…I need to speak with her..I am indebted to her, I must re-pay her..please take me to her”

In that state of half wakeing, half unconsciousnes..a door opened, as if unlocked with malevolent intent...

She was cold, but that was the usual state of her existance, she was hungry,but again the norm, she hurt, yet that too was little different than the natural state of existance as she knew it. Eidetic memory encompassed the chaos about her, ripe with blood tang and death..the tramp of armoured feet, the ripsaw of weapons fire, and the crump of explosions near and far.

..." I want all of these...abominations".. a feminine voice spat, clogged horror,yet shrill with hate.
..."destroyed. Now ! I command here !"..

The child could not see who spoke, the mirrors that broke the monotony of the grey walls were one way, but the voices carried clearly. Some one had inadvertantly left the intercom on...

..."But Lady, they might prove useful.."
A deeper voice, male,dared protest..

..." By decree of the Matriarchy such experimentation is illegal, anathema ! Destroy these laboratory specimines at once.!

The girl child knew some how that she was what they spoke of. She had no concept of death. Her short existance had been limited to the sterility of this room, and the surrounding labrynth of laboratories, of constant training to develope mind and body as quickly as possible, and the constant testing that accompanied it. She had overheard that other's like her occupied similar roons, and that some had "tested to destruction"..That she knew.

A terrible explosion rocked her world, and she was tossed violently about. A beam collapsed, striking her on the back of her head.

She awoke some never to be determined time later, to chokeing smoke, heat, and greater pain that she had hereto fore known.
It was with great effort that she gained her feet, but she stood. There was just enough light to see that the door was wrenched ajar. She eeled her way through the opening
The girl child moved swiftly away from approaching voices. She had precise knowled of the layout of her world. Many times she had been blindfolded and tested by having to work her way through the tangled labrynth of rooms and corridors.

There were bodies sprawled bloodied and dismenbered here and there, but resolutely she stepped around them, or crawled over them. She had to hide many times as armed and armoured figures went about the work of destroying her world.

One word rang relentlessly in her minds ear..

..."Abomination"....

The door swung shut leaving that one word to echo endlessly through Perigrine's
reeling mind. She was glad that she had not eaten, but dry heaves racked her. When at last they had let her go,and her voice was steady, she requested the lights to full off.
She could do what she had to by touch, she had practised it many times. To herself she sang as she worked..."Death is waiting for his dance now..Fate has sentenced us to die.".. She set aside a length of hair, then others...
"There are no words to be spoken, just a look to say good-bye"..and her breath caught in her throat as sand hued eyes smiled in her mind. That was but a dream, and dreams were for the living. The braiding and splicing was slow work, as she was sure that they had infrared, and biometric sensors on her. Gross movements, or an elevated heart rate would certainly be noticed.

She was sure that she had enough time. The Pride had more important things to deal with.

('Ireland'/Garth Brooks)

[This message has been edited by Thundersinger (edited August 14, 2002).]

"I will take you there as you wish."

Leading the way, they traveled down two decks and through the corridors to the detention level. D' as usual did not speak much during the walk, his mind was on the pyrians, and on Peregrine, her troubled state bothered him.

Placing his hand against the security lock, they entered the corridor of cells. He ntoed that the far cell, Peregrines, was darkened. As they approached the security console, he checked the IR and lowlight cameras, she was moving, her body radiating heat.

He hit the comm swtich.

"Peregrine, this is Hannibal, Dr. Raeven is here to see you.."

D'

..."Certainly Hannibal, I am awake."

She unfolded from the lotus position she had settled in and stood to greet her visitors.

..."Lights, three quarters."..

She waited serenely.

"Thundersinger, or may I call you Peregrine? D' has explained to me the circumstances surrounding your self-imposed incarceration. You don't have to do this...Ani is the only patient left in medical, I can have you transferred to the secure room there.....we can carry out whatever tests we need to in complete privacy...and it won't look quite as strange to the rest of the Pride.... you know how quickly news travels around here, do you want everyone knowing your personal business?"

She switched her gaze to D', then back

"We're here to help you...but you have to trust us"

[This message has been edited by Raevenfromkhcmb (edited August 14, 2002).]

ccg was examining the list of supplies for what was probably the hundreth time when Silver came up and tapped ccg on the shoulder. ccg turned and faced Silver. Her eyes remained on the flexi in her hand. "Oh, Silver, I need you to move these.."

"Don't have the time," Silver cut across ccg, and then explained the situation with the workers in the hangar.

"What?!" ccg exclaimed.

The other two Nietzscheans helping with the suppliesstopped what they were doing and stared at the Quarter Masters Assistant. ccg waved at them to continue their work, then returned her attention to Silver. ccg ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. "OK. Give me five minutes. I'll put something together."

ccg quickly sent NJ a message informing her of the new situation, then grabbed another flexi and began sorting through all the supplies. A few minutes later, ccg had managed to put together enough food, water and blankets for the workers. She left the other two Nietzscheans to bring the other supplies to Medical, while she and Silver brought the workers their provisions.

[This message has been edited by crazycoolgirl (edited August 14, 2002).]

..." Please, yes, call me Perigrine. I was merely taking preemptive actions for the safety of the Pride. I may be no more than a weapon, but I have always chosen the hand that wieled me, and I would not have that taken from me."..

No, Raeven, she though, I have been here so short a time, and I know so little of you all. I do know of loyality, courage and honour. If those who sought to destroy me all those years ago learn that I survived, and that the Tyrants are harboring me. I have, unwittingly, come to the last people that I would have that fury visited on. Never again !" Her thoughts never broke the surface of the serenity that enfolded her.

..." Dr., if I may make an obversation.. Commander D'Monix has had no rest, and nothing to eat since the party. Might I suggest that the Chief Medical Officer order food and rest before the Commander collapses, at perhaps a critical point?"...

Perigryne ignored his sharp look. He had been carrying a heavy load. If by being insulting she ensured that he took care of himself, she would accept his anger.

..."Hannibal, being under anethesia does not count as rest."...

She memorised him as she had done all the times she had since she had acknowledged to herself....

No, you are Abomination. That swirled up from the depths, but she fought and won, never allowing the thought to break the surface.

... "Raeven, Hannibal, I DO trust you both"...

Perigrine preceded them down the hall back toward Medical.

"Very perceptive." he remarked.

Seeing Raeven's look of examination after Peregrine's comments on the status of his rest, he sighed, and decided to volunteer an answer.

"Ration bars..."

The mere mention of the subtance was enough to make most right-thinking beings turn a face, ration bars were designed for subsistence level caloric intake, but had the unfortunate side effect of turning to an ash in the stomach and hardening in the digestive tract if taken too long, while not life-threatening, they posed *other* problems. Predicatably, a small face of digust came over the doctor's grimace.

"and Fakir Techniques."

D' had once explained the techniques to the doctor and others, long ago, descended from indonesia and the indian subcontinent of old terra, the technique involved control of the body through the mind, to shunt out pain and hunger and sometimes even grant control over the vital functions of the body in the hands of a master. The techniques were part of his training as a youth, as it had been kept alive by the enigmatic and isolationist Mantis. D' had intoned that while the techniques could allow him to go for days on little to no sleep, eventually the body would not be able to stave off it's need for full slumber.

D' watched their charge walking ahead of them. "What do you think of her?" he asked.

Dumping her load of boxes carefully on the floor, she caught up with CCG and explained the situation. CCG was equally distressed, and started to put together a list of materials she could scavange from the supply depots.

Leaving directions for the helpers, CCG rounded up the supply locations she could rain immediately. Messaging NJ what needed to be done, they headed off to bring the first load to the hanger where the workers were camping out.

"We're on our way, Cy," Silver said. "I'm with CCG, but it would be helpful if you could meet us, and maybe bring a few Alphonses to help out with the heavy stuff."

He rose from his bed and left Medical, easily able to sneak past the watch nurses and guards. He made his way back to the command center, interested in what had happened to his men and what the situation with the Pyrians now was.

Rufus was still there, his face showing concern and fatigue. Others were working at consoles, studying monitors displaying text of some form....Khan glanced at the monitors, committing the text to memory for review at a later date, and moved to where the Security Chief pondered.

"So....what did I miss?" He asked, looking around in apparent confusion.

“Ration bars…no thanks…personally I find starvation a more appealing prospect. I recall the Fakir techniques and I know how effective they can be….but you know D’ I think in this instance Perigrine could be right..you look exhausted. When we get to medical you are going to a nap …. A good old fashioned close your eyes kind of nap. When you wake up I’ll have some ‘real’ food for you….oh and D’ before you start arguing, that’s Doctor’s orders!”

She watched Perigrine stride out in front of them

“What do I think of her?”

She raised her voice so that Perigrine would be able to hear her

“I think that she is a truly remarkable woman who has a great deal to offer this Pride. I believe that at the moment she feels that she is a threat to us, I also believe that we can find the root of her fears, restore her memories….make her whole again. It will be a long process….I know that you are needed elsewhere D’ but any time that you can spare would be greatly appreciated. She needs friends, stability and calm. In fact ..”

She smiled for the first time since seeing Perigrine

“Fakir …. Why didn’t I think of it before…if she can focus her mind in an environment where she feels safe…. Yes D’ I think that might work. A combination of conventional and alternative healing”

She caught up with Perigrine just as they reached the Med. lab

“Would you be prepared to try?

Raeven, she thought wistfully, I would be honored to be your friend, but now I must make you loathe me to save you.

..."Raeven, shortly before you came for me, that door opened once again."...

She was getting heartily sick of Recovery Room 1, but it was the one room She was sure was safe to speak in, so she headed for it once again.

Perigryne observed that her pile of weapons was untouched. That reassured her, no one had been in since she and D'Monix has spoken earlier. She turned to face Raeven and D'Monix.

..." Raeven, I appreciate all you have done for me."...

She raised her hand to forestall any comment and continued.

..." There is no need to seek my linneage, for I have none. I am a created thing, a lab rat if you will. If you do a detailed study of my genome, you will find the "markers" for most if not all the Prides there. I truely am a danger to the Tyrants. Not as a mole for the Pyrians, but, I have Rememberd...

She spat the word out making it a curse.

( ooc: read prior post, to long to insert )

...if it is discovered that I survive."..

“You are not an abomination Perigrine…don’t ever let me hear you call yourself that again. However you came to be in this world is unimportant now…. I am more interested in who you are now and what you will become. I will run tests to locate those ‘markers’…you memories may be flawed, or someone may have implanted false memories. If I discover that what you say is true…..”

She shook her head….if it was true then someone, somewhere had been and possibly still was, conducting genetic experiments. Raevens blood ran cold

“No-one will discover anything Perigrine, there are only three people that know anything about your situation, you, me and D’ and I can assure you that not one word of this will pass my lips”