Travesty (invite only)

[LocoColt04]

((OOC: To those of you invited, please check the OOC thread before posting. What you'll begin to read is nothing like what the RP will actually become, so it's important that you do so. There are a couple of specifics you should know outside of the story to make your introductory posts flow a little more easily. To those of you reading, when everyone else goes off in a completely different direction, don't be confused -- it's supposed to be that way. Thanks, and enjoy.))



It had been a long three years since that summer which seemed like forever ago. The photo album was flipped open to a page marked in bold letters, "1978." A couple pictures were nonchalantly placed atop the page, and a whole shoebox of photos sat on the table just inches away. One photo balanced delicately along the corner of the box. It was dark, but the pink neon of "Shaggy's" stood boldly against the darkened building and the black sky.



The club was bouncin' that night. The Bee Gees' "Night Fever" had just finished, and I was left alone on the dance floor, all spots on me. It was dag, yo. You don't understand. You couldn't even begin to understand. The ladies were wicked wild for me after my bangin' solo. The atmosphere was smokin' almost as much as the chickies. Earth, Wind, & Fire was now blasting from the booth, and the crowd was wild again. I graciously stepped off the floor so some of those jokers could bust a groove for the cocktails at the counter.

I plopped myself on the bitchin' couch in the back, unawares of the two ladies who followed. They was fun, goin' on 'bout somethin' or other while I picked out my afro to its primest puff. I felt a hand slip into my threads, but I didn't say nothin' about it. My chest ain't nothin' to show off, but it ain't nothin' to hide, neitha. Don't tell nobody I said this, but I's gettin' a little uncomfortable when she started gettin' funky fresh with me. I ain't no prude, but I like a little friendly before gettin' friendly, if you catch my drift.

Excusin' myself like a gentleman, I pushed through the crowd on my way to the bar. Hot Chocolate floated over the floor, and I broke into step right at the bar. "...where you from? You sexy thing..." I wasn't trying to get no attention, but I did. Wasn't my fault those chumps on the floor couldn't dance. I grooved most of the song, until some creamy white woman found her way with her hands over my shoulders.

I stopped, looking her in the eye, wondering what this was all about. White women don't have no interest in negros like me, I thought. She offered me a drink. Martini, dry.



"Yeah, a long time indeed," Jackson muttered to himself. He picked up the picture, setting it atop the page with the other two. Just as he reached into the box for another photograph, the whole apartment began to shake violently, and something exploded outside. He looked immediately toward the window, wishing he didn't have to get up and open the heavy curtains. Curiosity beat him out though, as he rose toward the window, slowly peeling back the thick, black drape. The fiery pit was a blinding yellow; not much could be seen from indoors.

Jackson took a deep breath and headed toward the door. The hallways of the apartment complex were chaos as people clamored to see the commotion outside. A congregation had formed around the fire, which was slowly dying off.

It was a craft of some kind, charred black from the flames. Large, it was unlike anything Jackson had ever seen. His curiosity compelled him one more to move onward, and he stepped toward the craft with unwavering vigilance. The shouts from his neighbors went on unnoticed as he reached his hand toward the onyx surface of the vessel.

Everything went white.

[DragonHeart]

The Karakadon slept deeply, her belly full of Tau flesh. Occasionally her hooves or her two tails twitched as she dreamed, no doubt, about her next meal. Oblivious. Even the scorching desert sun didn't bother the two-ton beast's slumber. She was a formidable opponent, undefeated by either her kind or the Tau, the kings of the desert.

Baruti crept forward, careful not to disturb his prey. The Hunt was a long and difficult trial and he’d no wish to limp home with his tail between his legs. That didn’t stop him from cursing the need for it, however. Sweat bathed his body; he wondered if he might wake the beast with his stench. Sand stuck to his claws, both an annoyance and a danger. The slightest movement could send the tiny grains scattering, a sound he was sure the Karakadon would hear.

He gently wiped his hands on his loincloth, the only clothing most Tau wore, especially during a Hunt. Grasping his lance tightly, the Tau warily studied his foe’s massive black hulk again. She was the largest he’d seen. If he didn’t end the battle quickly she would end him. Her horn alone was six inches thick and five feet long. Even he dared not engage her directly.

Baruti was no lightweight for his kind either, fortunately. Over eight feet tall, the tawny warrior was broad of chest but still lean and agile. Although aging, he still stood at the top of the chain, and his confidence wasn’t unfounded. An ordinary three hundred pound Tau didn’t think to win against a four thousand pound Karakadon, but Baruti’s chances of success were good, or so he hoped.

Just a spear-length closer...his hind claw unexpectedly shifted into a depression and slipped. Sand sprayed everywhere as he was thrown off-balance. Within seconds a thunderous bellow rent the air. The furious Karakadon lumbered to her feet, snorting and stamping. Her baleful scarlet eyes mad with blood lust, she swung her head and looked directly at him. She was ready to kill. Brandishing the wicked horn twisting up from the center of her forehead, she charged. The sand trembled and shifted beneath him from her sheer weight and the force of her hooves.

Baruti leapt up and dove to the side, just in time. She was powerful but much slower to react. He landed on three claws, keeping his lance up to defend, his own tail lashing wildly to compensate. The Karakadon continued passed him, unable to stop and turn fast enough. He whirled to face her exposed back as she struggled to reverse her charge. The muscles in his hind legs bunched and rippled as he readied his attack.

With one graceful move he vaulted to her back. He dug his claws into her sides to keep from slipping off. He felt her hot blood on his feet from the gashes he’d ripped in her hide. She bellowed again and tried to shake him off any way she could. He hung on tenaciously, refusing to surrender his hold. Roaring a challenge back, he lifted his steel-tipped lance and with one practiced thrust drove it into the base of her neck, burying half the shaft in her body.

The Karakadon screamed, staggered, and fell to her knees. Baruti jumped clear, knowing she could still crush him with her bulk. She fell to her side, thrashing and howling insanely. She tried to reach him even in her death throes. Long moments passed as she weakened. The sand darkened with her life’s blood until with a pitiful, broken moan, she died.

He approached the corpse, his expression solemn. He knelt beside her lifeless head and touched the base of her horn.

“Be at peace my cousin, for it is your time to sleep. May Chibale’s embrace comfort your soul and protect you while you rest in Sakhmet‘s golden cradle. May you stand as strong as Chibale, from whom all are borne, when you next awake. Dream well, warrior.” He intoned the Honor of the Defeated, though his kind would think him mad if they knew. Baruti alone honored all his opponents, not just the civilized peoples.

He stood. Once he removed her horn as proof of her death, his task was completed. The Tau were truly the kings of Chibale’s great sea of sand, the land of Sakhmet.

[Toph Bei Fong]

What is happening to you? Why are you being treated so?

The questions scurried throughout her mind as she laid her hand upon the soiled earth of Kosenagi. She had difficulty thinking as there were loud explosions being casted all around her as she was sent out to heal a squadron of the Etanryan forces. She laid her hands above their wounds and spoke incantations to heal them, one person to the next she repeated the same incantations. One of the soldiers had had their arm blown off but luckily it was nearby and she managed to mend the tissue, nerves, and muscles to one hundred percent. The arm was like new.

Why did the Relepti decide to take action now of all times? Most of the Etanryan forces were out on another mission in a different continent, and Commander Bendelin was on a covert mission on a planet called Earth. He was seeking out the last of the Naikenlar to aid them in their battle. Was this all a coincidence or did they know beforehand that they were going to be away? She had no time to use her intellect. The most important thing was to get the squadron healed as quickly as possible. She finally made it to the last one and healed his wounds effortlessly. The squadron was very thankful for her duties and one of the soldiers had the guts to kiss her cheek for gratitude. Her tail frizzed and froze while she blushed and turned away. She bowed to them and ran along to heal the next batch of soldiers that needed healing.

A few Relepti managed to push their way through a defense and made a way towards Jade. Luckily for her it was day out and it was almost noon so their shadows were fairly large. As one of the shadows fell upon her feet, she quickly let out an incantation. The Relepti froze in confusion and couldn't move its body. Jade moved her hand to where it kept its short sword. It tried to prevent itself from moving but couldn't control itself and gradually it drew the short sword out and slashed out at a comrade, then threw the blade towards the other Relepti, killing them both. Its eyes were wide with fury at what she made him do. The sharp claws of his hands waved around, and then suddenly stopped at his throat. A light cut was made and a trickle of blood flowed down his body. The fury changed to fear of this woman that can control shadows at her whim.

Die you reptilian scum! She thought as her hand swept across her throat, causing the Relepti to slit itself across its own with its long, sharp claws. Its eyes rolled into the back of its head as it gasped for its last breath of air as it tried to collapse to the ground, but stayed in the standing position. She walked away from him and his shadow, leaving him to collapse to the ground with a loud thud. She gave a sigh and looked among the settling battlefield where the small amount of Etanryan forces have gained another victory skirmish against the Relepti. Who knew when they would return, but for now the base was peaceful save for a few Relepti being slain.

I hope Bendelin likes that we kept the base tidy for him while he was away, she thought as she headed into the infirmary and plopped down on the floor.

[LocoColt04]

((OOC: I needed a way to write up a language my character wouldn't understand. Chances are, none of you will understand it either. I'm writing in Portuguese, and then running it through the Al Bhed translator for a strong mixup. Don't worry, it won't last long, and none of you will ever have to do the same unless you really want to.))




Yjecu! Ehdnicu ymandy!
"What? Wait..."
Yjecu! Ehdnicu ymandy!
"...huh?"

The buzzing sound continued as bodies began to swarm around him. The lights were so bright that he couldn't see anything, and the alarm continued to blare over the comm system.

Yjecu! Ehdnicu ymandy!
"Can someone shut that shit off? I'm gettin' a headache."
Yjecu! Ehdnicu ymandy!
Yjecu! Ehdnicu ymandy!

Slowly, the lights dimmed to a visible state, and the alarm was abruptly interrupted. Jackson rubbed his eyes, still blinded by the purple spots left in front of them. Something grabbed his wrist, and he heard another voice speaking gibberish.

"Mysahdu. Yxie, acdy tajey yzityn."
"What? I can't see anything. You idiots blinded me with your stupid alarm."

chck.

"I said I was sorry. Damn, give me a break. That thing I just placed on your wrist is a universal translator, so hopefully you won't run into any more language barriers."

As Jackson continued to rub his eyes, he apologized for his short temper. "So, you sound cute, but I still can't see nothin' babe. And what's this translator thing you're talkin' about? You cats from Japan or something? We ain't got no translators in America. And how'd I get in here anyway? I don't remember a door. You Japs sho' are strange."

"Japs? What's a Japs? I haven't really done any reading up on the cultures of Earth... we're not even supposed to be here."

Jackson sat himself on the floor and shook his head. "Here? Earth? Hey, it's about time I can see my hands again. Them lights you got are way too bright, babe." He looked up at the figure above, stunned.

"You seem... different," she noted.

"Right back at ya, darlin'."

"Your skin... it's so dark. No one on Kosenagi has skin like that. None of us Narytia, anyway. Nor the Etanrya. I haven't run into many Naikenlar, though."

"Narutowha? Knackenwho? Where the hell am I?"

"You're on the KSS Blue Templar. Welcome aboard, alien stranger."

"Okay, wait... so... I'm confused," Jackson stammered, "because this is... weird. Okay, so, you're not from Earth. I can dig that, babe. But you said you wasn't supposed to be here. Why are ya?"

"Come with me, and I'll explain."

The peculiar woman offered a hand to Jackson, pulling him with ease off the floor. The two began to walk down the corridor as the figures surrounding them went back to business. As they walked, they were passed by lanky elves and upright lizards alike. ...the hell? It's like I walked into one of those lame fantasy novels. This blows, he thought. Noticing her arms and legs, he wondered why his hostess was walking with such determination, and opted to break the silence.

"Those are some interestin' gloves you've got. They look uncomfortable."

"Gloves? I don't have any... oh. That's right. I keep forgetting."

"Forgetting what?"

With a bit of hesitation, she replied, "...that you're not from Kosenagi."

"I guess that's your planet, huh?"

"Yeah. These aren't gloves," she stated, sliding her sleeve up her arm, "rather, it's part of who I am. Part of all Narytians, really. I'm not really sure how or when it started, but for more generations than we can remember, we--"

"--had those metal braces sticking out of your upper arms? It's pretty cool, actually. What're them things for?"

"It's a natural reinforcement. Our legs are much the same. We're not even sure what kind of metal it is, or if it's even metal at all. It comes out directly from the bones in our arms and legs. It comes in handy, though. We never lose balance, nor do we tire from physical exertion."

Jackson stopped, giving the Narytian a blank look. "Whoa. Cool."

"I'm so sorry. In all of the confusion, I forgot to introduce myself. Keimey Cyh Ziyh, but no one ever calls me that. Just call me Kat."

"Okay, Kat. Jackson. So, why are you here again?"

"Oh, yes, that's right. Freak wormhole. Shouldn't have happened. We were en route to... well, actually, it won't make any difference to you. We didn't detect the wormhole and flew right into it... then it spit us out just above your atmosphere, sending us on a crash course for... wherever we landed."

"Outside my apartments."

"If you say so."

"So, mind tellin' me how I got up in this ship? All I 'member is a really bright light."

Kat looked at him, puzzled. "You mean, you didn't come in through the door?"

"Nope," he replied, "all I did was touch the ship. And then everything went white. And those alarms went off."

Attention all crew! Prepare for launch!

"Prepare for what?!"

"Is your translator malfunctioning?" Kat queried.

"No, no... it works fine. I ain't stayin' for no launch. You gots'ta get me outta this thing."

As the ship jerked upward, Kat looked at Jackson apologetically. Frowning, she took him by the hand and ran toward a large door at the end of the hall. Pulling him in, the two found themselves in a massive room lined with tubes.

"Get in; it's going to be a bumpy ride."

No longer able to argue, Jackson complied, stepping into one of the tubes. He blinked.


---


Upon opening his eyes, he found himself being watched by half a dozen people. They looked much like Kat, but they didn't have any metal along their forearms. He blinked again, wondering if he'd missed something. All I did was blink... where did all of these people come from? Dumbfounded, he shrugged it off upon considering the fact that he was on an alien vessel.

"I... I don't even want to know," he muttered.

One of the men motioned to him, beckoning him out of his stasis tube. He followed the group as they ushered him through the halls of the vessel, stopping at a bright white door with a blue stripe. "They're waiting. Go." As he looked back toward the doors, they opened. It was some sort of elevator, but there were no buttons. He stepped in, and the doors closed behind him. It began to climb upward, coming to an abrupt halt.

"Ow, my knees," he whined, watching as the doors opened again. The room was large, and had many consoles. I guess this is the control room, he speculated.

"Jackson!"

His eyes shot left as a figure jumped at him. He instinctively placed his forearms in front of his face, waiting for impact. The room was silent, and nothing touched him. Cautiously, he lowered his arms to find Kat's bright blue eyes mere inches from his own, studying him.

"It's about time you woke up. We're orbiting Kosenagi."

"Already?"

"Of course, you fool, it's been over six months by your time scale," shouted a voice from across the room.

Kat giggled. "You look different, Jackson."

"Didn't you say that earlier?"

"No, look at your face."

Jackson eyed the room for a mirror, but couldn't find one. Confused, he stroked his chin, now covered in a thick beard. "Oh, that."

"You still seem different though. I don't sense it from you."

"Sense what?"

Before she could begin, the door opened directly behind Jackson. "Captain on deck!" shouted the same voice from across the room. Everyone stood. Jackson whipped around, startled.

"At ease, and... hello."

[Merlin]

Death is an inevitability. Whether it’s at birth, from old age, or somewhere in between. Everyone dies at some point in their short existence along the never-ending path of time. Sizuru was no different. Descending from the cerulean skies over Kosenagi her death seemed all too certain.

~~“Commander Koroshisubana, slow your decent! Commander!”~~

The order was drowned out by the deafening sound of air rushing around her body as she plummeted increasingly faster towards the cold, hard surface below her. Even if she could hear the screaming voice over her communications badge, she would pay it no mind.

Five hundred feet and falling. Even if she had a parachute, it would be of no use. Of course, she had no parachute, nor any other technological means to stop her from slamming into the ground, fracturing every bone in her body and taking her existence in the blink of an eye.

One hundred feet… death was no longer a possibility but a question of time. One final glance at the ground below her… one final glance at her altitude meter before the end.

Ten feet. She grinned.

---------
A Releptian encampment was nothing to scoff at. Nearly two hundred soldiers armed with razor-sharp claws, capable of tearing apart flesh as fiercely as a child unwrapping a birthday present. The only thing worse than an encampment of Releptian forces, was an encampment of angry, hostile Releptians.

They were stationed several miles away from the Etanryan forces, waiting for the right moment to strike again. Unfortunately, their preparations were interrupted rather drastically by the explosive force of something slamming into the ground in the dead-center of their base. The resulting shockwave sent soldiers sprawling in all directions as dirt and sand blasted outwards from the epicenter. Even the distant Etanryans paused for a moment, wondering what had happened. Although they were too far away to see, they knew something was up.

As the dust and debris settled, the Releptians surrounded the epicenter, unsure of what awaited them. Various thoughts raced through their minds: a secret Etanryan weapon; a chunk of rock from space; a small vessel crash-landing in their base. Although their ideas were warranted, they were far from the truth. They stared intently at the crater created by the explosion, hoping for a glimpse of what laid hidden in the slowly settling cloud of dust.

A lone girl jumped out of the crater and landed on solid ground. No, it was more like she floated to the surface. One would expect her to be plastered with dirt, but on the contrary, she was immaculate, down to every last detail. She was wearing a uniform, a mix of white and black, fitting her hourglass figure snugly. The monotone colors were a stark contrast to her shoulder-length, fiery-orange hair and her brilliant blue eyes. In earth years, she appeared to be approximately 22.

The hair alone was a dead giveaway that she was not from Kosenagi, but Releptian soldiers weren’t exactly brilliant. By creatures bloodthirsty for battle, she looked more like a Narytian with each passing moment. They glared at her, moving ever more closely, ready to kill the young woman where she stood. The Releptians could care less if it was male or female. She was their enemy and they had every intention of killing her.

“Who are you and how did you get here?”

She said nothing, a slight grin forming on her face, her piercing eyes focusing on the speaker.

“Answer me, Narytian scum! Answer me, and I’ll consider sparing you until later…” The Releptians roared in unison, with what could only be described as their version of laughter. The speaker appeared to be the leader, his uniform more defined than the others. Her refusal to speak only increased the tension, the circle of reptiles closing in around the young woman, almost within range of their claws.

“Target acquired,” said the young woman, pressing a small device on her shoulder.

~~ “Proceed.” ~~

One of the soldiers rushed forward, his left arm swinging strongly, trying to slash her face with his claw. Suddenly, his arm shattered, the claw hitting the ground with a soft thud. The Releptian writhed in pain, grasping his bleeding, severed arm and collapsing to the ground. Ten more soldiers rushed towards her. Before they could even reach to strike her, their legs were instantaneously severed from their bodies, stopping them dead in their bloodied tracks. The Releptian leader stood in the distance, watching as his men died not one-by-one, but in groups of ten or more. He realized at that moment that she was not some lost Narytian, trapped in a Releptian encampment… she was a monster. Without even lifting a finger, a fourth of his regiment had been wiped out in moments. The blood-drenched encampment had become a deathtrap and the Releptian soldiers were too blinded by rage to realize it.

That anger soon changed to fear. The strange girl’s eyes were focused on the leader the entire time, her sickeningly evil grin sending a chill down his spine. She walked effortlessly towards him, unimpeded by the soldiers around her. No matter how many times they approached her, they died before they were within several yards. Some were decapitated, their reptilian heads quietly rolling around in the increasingly expanding pool of blood. Others, their bodies exploded, their limbs ripped from their bodies or their hearts forced out of their hardened chests. Their thick scales snapped and twisted like cheap lumber, completely useless against the unknown, invisible power before them.

“Stop screwing around and KILL HER!”

The last of the battered soldiers advanced on her position in a last-ditch effort to thwart her from reaching their leader. The throng of Releptians charged her like wild bulls, unwilling to submit to a singular being. It was insulting enough that she was by herself, but the fact that she was a female angered them to the core. They had slaughtered countless enemies, but the thought of being decimated by one woman was to shameful to think of.

“It’s about time you got serious,” the girl laughed nonchalantly. She pressed her hands together tightly, as if she was praying to some higher power for blessing. But this was no prayer. Her hands were encompassed in a blazing aura, most intensely at her palms. As quickly as the aura had appeared, it vanished without a trace. The Releptians cared little for her parlor tricks, not even batting an eye to what she was doing. The soldiers stampeded her with such ferocity, even a hardened warrior would be frozen in fear. Unfortunately for them, the girl showed no sign of fear, letting them come within inches of her body.

Suddenly, her hands separated and the area was rocked with a fiery explosion, scorching the Releptians to a burnt crisp. There was nothing left of their bodies, save empty scaled hollows of what was once a battle-ready group of hardened warriors. They had no idea how to fight such a being, for such a monster had never set foot on their beloved planet since the dawn of time. Death was inevitable. Everyone dies at some point in their short existence along the never-ending path of time. The Releptian soldiers were no different.


---------
“This is Commander Koroshisubana reporting in. The target has been neutralized and the talisman has been recovered.”

~~ “Commander, what the hell happened down there? We’re getting readings of a massive build-up in neural toxins near your location! Evacuate to a safe distance!” ~~

“Maybe that’s why I feel so damn… queasy….” Sizuru was not one to get sick by the site of blood, even if her clothes were soaked all the way through. “The hell is that smell…”

~~ “In any case, there is a vessel in orbit around the planet. We are going to Stealth Mode to avoid being spotted. Stay low and we’ll pick you up later.” ~~

“Fvcking bastards. You send me down here into a war zone and you’re up their bitching about a damned under-classed junk heap!” Her words fell on deaf ears. The communication line had already been terminated. She cared little. Her mind was becoming increasingly fogged, her limbs becoming numb as she succumbed to the toxic Releptian blood covering almost every square inch of her body. Such a high level of poison would have killed a being from this world long ago, but she continued to fight it, unwilling to be beaten by something so primitive…

“Just you wait,” she mumbled, her words half-slurred and almost incomprehensible. “Just you wait bastards.” Sizuru’s knees gave way and her body collapsed to the ground. Only a few thousand yards away sat the Etanryan base. She was so close, but her body was unwilling to listen. Even her mind refused to cooperate, ignoring her commands to push forward, if only a little. When the world around her changed from it’s vibrant colors to a monotone palette of grays, she knew her efforts were over. She succumbed to the fog and fell into unconsciousness.

[DragonHeart]

Standing at the gold-plated gate of Meshkenet with the Karakadon's horn clutched firmly in his clawed hand, Baruti frowned. The imperial city was oddly subdued, lacking much of its usual excitement. None came to welcome their warrior home from the Hunt he'd left on two days before. Any other day much of the city came to greet and praise him as often as they came to see the success of the noble Hunt. He was always embarrassed, but now he felt empty as he faced the lifeless streets of his beloved home. Forgotten.

He glanced at the white manes guarding the gate. Dour expressions twisted both their features. Ears flat and tails still, they were statues, proud but drained of spirit. Baruti was troubled by the display. What event could steal a Tau's heart so easily?

"Have you news for me?" He ventured, breaking the silence at last.

"Yes, Honored Warrior. The king left a summons for you. Go to him swiftly." The elder of the two replied, barely sparing him a glance.

"Stand strong," He bowed his head and took his leave of them. They saluted and turned their attention to their post.

Baruti did not run despite his growing fear. It was dishonorable to see the king without paying respects to the city and the sacred earth on which it was built. He strode down Sakhmet's Path of the Blessed, the very road she'd walked in the age when the gods and their children lived in one world. In his mind he recited the Way of the Faithful as he walked. Had his people gathered to honor him he'd have started it as a chant so Sakhmet might hear it and see the gift her chosen one brought in gratitude for her love.

As he passed the earthen homes of his people he occasionally glimpsed eyes peeking at him or heard their claws as they vanished from his sight. This was not the way of the Tau. He growled deep in his chest and continued. The king would have answers, he was sure.

And if he doesn’t?

He drove the thought away. He made his way up the temple steps to King Dyami’s court. He was admitted without ceremony; not even a herald to announce his presence. When he drew near the throne he was shocked to see the king’s eldest son Hakan seated upon it. He looked as dispirited as his people, though his eyes sparked back to a shade of himself when he caught sight of his father‘s favored warrior.

“Prince Hakan,” He said, as he knelt.

“I am relieved to see you home and safe once more,” Hakan replied. “How fared the Hunt?”

“Very well, my lord,” He said and presented the horn. “May the fallen sleep well.”

“As always, you’ve done a great service to us. I am sure Sakhmet treasures you above us all."

An acolyte entered at the prince's call and bore the great horn away to be cleansed and offered to Sakhmet. As soon as the task was done, Hakan's ears twitched and he glanced about, ensuring none were in range of his keen senses. Satisfied, he beckoned Baruti forth.

"No doubt you've seen the change in this city. I will explain why. Shortly after you left a Tau calling himself Nukpana came. He held with him an object we've never seen and called it Chibale's gift from the sky. When an acolyte came to take it, he snatched it away and claimed only the King himself could take it from his claws. My father believed him," Hakan's voice shook, and he steadied himself before continuing.

"My father believed him and took it from his claw. There was a great white flash of light and I heard my father's roar, but when we could see again he lay lifeless on the floor. Nukpana and his 'gift' were gone. He lives but doesn't move or speak. Rumors whisper in the streets that Nukpana is a Thuban demon from the north come to take the royal family and then our people with us. They say he walks among us as a ghost, waiting to take our spirits. I don't know what to do, Baruti. My father trusted you as none other. Please, I ask of you, guide us through this. We need your strength now. Please," Tears welled at the corner of his eyes but Hakan dared not let them spill. All at once Baruti saw him not as the prince, but as the king's eldest son. Eldest but still young and afraid. He wasn't much older than Fenuku, Baruti's youngest son.

For the first time since swearing loyalty to his king, Baruti ignored royal etiquette. He ascended the three steps to the throne and held Hakan for but a moment, hoping to comfort him.

"The king is young and he's always been strong. Sakhmet will shelter him. The king will live. As for this Nukpana, I know him not, but I will find out. On the dawn I will Hunt for you, my prince."

Kyrjath slowly drifted back into reality. Her skin bristled, shunning the morning dew. The sun barely peaked over the mountains, but once the warm rays touched her, the dew started to evaporate. She loved the sun on her skin, as she was a cold-blooded creature.

She had just woken from a deep sleep, and an interesting dream. She never dreamt, but over the last two years she had seemingly unitelligent dreams. Kyrjath never knew what to make of them, and her "mother" had been no help.

She had left home just over three months ago now. She learned much about the world in that time, and she was never going back.

Kyrjath's sharp eyes scanned the ground for breakfast. All she found was a mouse feeding on a small hibiscous flower. Not even a mouthful. It would live a little longer.

Sudden movement! Her eyes found a large creature moving around in the bushes several hundred feet away. When it crawled out, she saw that it was a swamp rat. A good-sized one too, it was as big as five rabbits. And it was breakfast.

She sat upright and stretched her long arms, which were already melting and morphing into strong wings. Her nose and mouth melted together, forming a large and powerful beak. The feathers now covered her entire body. She was ready.

Kyrjath sprang from her perch, flying faster than the rodent could react. Her talons out and ready to strike, she screamed a loud "KYYAAAAAARRR!!!" and made contact with her prey. The rat never knew what hit it. It was dead as soon as her talons hit its neck.

She cut into the creature's belly first. She ate as fast as she could, as solitary hunters are no match for the packs of scavengers that soon follow. Kyrjath looked every few seconds for enemies.

Her timing could not have been worse. Out of the same bushes that the rat came out of, two wolves emerged. They both were scrawny and panting.

Shit, I've barely eaten my fill... she grumbled to herself. She thought briefly on if she should fight for her kill. To animals she was just a hawk, but they didn't know she certainly didn't think like an animal.

The wolves took a step closer. Baring sharp teeth and drooling, they told her "Give it up now..."

With a quick slice of her beak, she tore off the leg of the rodent. She picked it up and awkwardly threw it past the hungry wolves, who wasted no time in racing after it. Kyrjath seized her chance and grabbed the rodent in her feet. Flapping her wings maniacly, she had lift. Combined with the weight of the rat in her talons and no moving wind to lift her in the air, she struggled to get away fast.

No such deal. The wolves, already finished with their free piece, ran right under her and snapped at the the carcass. One of them snatched the rat in its jaws and held on. Kyrjath felt the struggle and stammered in her flight.

DAMMIT! she screamed inwardly, as her hawk form had no vocal chords. She saw the second wolf aim for her feet with its open jaw. Not willing to give up her feet along with her prey, she released the carcass and the wolf closed on air. The rat fell to the ground and the wolves immediately feasted.

Kyrjath slowly few on. She caught a thermal of wind and glided through the sky. The sun was coming up fast and all of the earth was bathed in the morning light.

Then the sun was blocked; Kyrjath, aided by the wind thermal, turned her head to see what was blocking the wonderful sun.

It was a ship.

What the hell is that doing all the way out here...?

[Gorath Sodom]

“At ease. And hello?”

The commanding officer of the KSS Blue Templar stood somewhat taller than the average man. He had short silver blond hair and a long beard, blue eyes, and a somewhat muscled frame. His attire included a standard Grieful military uniform. The man seemed in a questioning mood as he gazed upon the earthling.

“Who is this? His appearance is most odd.” The blond man tugged on Jackson's disco threads, startling the earthling bit.

Kat answered his inquiry, “Um, excuse me Colonel Gziera. That's the earthling we found.”

The colonel stroked his chin and looked up, appearing to be in thought. “Earthling?”

Kat replied, “the one in my report, sir.”

“Huh?” He pondered some more. “Oh, your report! Now I remember!”

She sighed.

“Well, mister Jackson, was it? Welcome to the KSS Blue Templar. I am the commading officer of this ship, Colonel Tserg Gziera. I believe it is custom to shake hands on your planet, is it not?”

Jackson managed a slight nod.

“Very well!”

They extended their hands to shake, but the colonel was not aware of earthling frailty... crack!

“Ow!”

Gziera managed a slight laugh. “My apologies! I forgot you earthlings don't have any sort of exoskeleton on your limbs for increased durability.”

[Toph Bei Fong]

Jade woke up with a start as she heard the gate to the base open up and a stretcher being rolled in. It seemed as though a young girl was being rolled into the base to be checked upon. From her complexion it looked as though she had been in contact with the Releptian's blood. She went along with them to find out what information they had gathered. The medics said that they found her near the base, and that they inspected around the area, and gathered that she alone had eliminated a squad of Relepti camping out in the area.

“How did that happen?”
“We're not sure, Jade. All we know is that she's not normal.” The team brought her into the Hospital Branch's examination room. The walls were made from a mix of steel and concrete. They took her out of the stretcher and placed her on a bed. They swabbed her arm with generic alcohol and injected some anti-toxin into her wrist. It traveled throughout her bloodstream. It would take all the poison out from her body in a several hour interval. It also cleans out her system of any virus that happened to be drifting in her body. So when the girl awoke next, she would feel refreshed and full of energy.

For some unknown reason, Jade decided to wait it out with the girl and stayed by her side. Not only to watch over her, but because she was curious about this young girl that supposedly took out a whole battalion of Releptians. They were easy enough with a good dozen of soldiers, but with just one person is a feat in and of itself; and a young woman at that!

Several hours had passed and Jade heard a rustle in the sheets.