Revan part 2, the wanderer, Revan Options

[Lord Revan]

The transport swerved again, and like before, Kartah’s head slammed into the shoulder of the Naryyn next to her. How did they find us; this tub doesn’t even produce heat!

The vessel spun, everyone in the troop cabin fought against the force of the multiple gee turn. Though not privy to what the pilot was doing, Kartah could make an accurate guess.
The ship came to rest, and the pilot came stomping out of the cockpit. “We’re going to need another plan, those falcons aren’t going to miss next time and becoming a fireball does not sound appealing.”

Kartah pulled of the safety harness, “The Swifts are too fast to simply avoid, and whatever told them of our whereabouts was able to see through the fog.”

The Iso Naryyn and avian creatures digested this, and Kartah realized that she was the only High Naryyn on this transport. No, I knew that; I just forgot.

The pilot shook his head, “Then we’re out of luck, Most of the weapons on this are not meant for such quick, let alone, armored targets.”
Kartah crossed her arms, So we don’t have the firepower to fight them head on, nor the element of stealth the Iso Naryyn utilize so well…

“Do we know where the other vessels are?” The pilot shook his head.
“Something has to be jamming us because the psychic resonators can’t pick up anything at all.” He muttered, brows furrowed and hands clenched into fists in frustration.

Silence crept in, Kartah saw no one, Naryyn or otherwise, offer a suggestion. Suddenly, her headset which was the only piece of tech she had other than her assault rifle and sidearm, emitted an audible and an icon on an eyepiece flashed yellow.
Replacing the device on her head, Kartah looked to see what was happening. Yellow lights meant a simple hail to establish proper communications.

Kartah however did not answer the hail, those honor guards are probably trying to find our location by hailing us. I can’t risk-
Her thoughts were interrupted by a male voice shouting over the line.

“Come on, pull back!....... 3-17, I said, pul-.” The transmission went up in static and what sounded like explosions. All caution escaped Kartah at that moment.
Without warning the other passengers, she charged toward the lift and jumped down to the ground below. Servos in her armor whined as she hit the ground and rolled.

Following the signal’s source, she looked down the edge of their cliff-side cavern. A sheer drop awaited her if she took another step.
Suddenly the avian creatures were all about the cavern, they made empathetic gestures and whistling chirps. Kartah was bewildered; the creatures’ meanings were completely lost on her.

“High Naryyn forces, this is Master Gunnery Sergeant Kartah of Gamma company; I’m uploading my coordinates now, respond over.” Static bombarded her ears, but a blue light winked on her display, an acknowledgment.

Now the Iso Naryyn were out of the dropship, most taking positions to hold the cavern if necessary. Three minutes clicked past on the eyepiece's timer.....
Another five minutes....

Finally, Kartah’s suit picked up the rumble of a vehicle engine. As it neared, she recognized the distinctive noise: a powered exoskeleton worn by the 815th.

Kartah sighed explosively, she was overjoyed to have heavy armored support, but she would have liked having the conventional armored divisions.
The legionnaire flew out of the mist, skidding across the mossy ground below. It raised its armored hand and waved up to her. “Got you in my sights, ma’am. I’ll wait here.”

The Sergeant nodded and gestured for the Iso Naryyn to follow her. “We have reinforcements now.” She explained as they made their way down the cliff.

The avians nimbly dropped from rocky outcroppings that looked far too flimsy to support something of their size, but not a single one plunged to its death.
One of the Naryyn behind her remarked, “They’re much more lightly built then we are, so what applies to us might not for them.”

Kartah was fascinated enough not to bring up how she hated people getting into her head. Finally, everyone got down and met the legionnaire.

The pilot looked around thirty-two, equivalent to early three hundreds. Rather old to be a volunteer, she mused. He nodded simply, but Kartah reminded herself that this was a man of the ‘85th.

The trooper’s suit sat with its knees folded back in a kneeling position. Kartah observed its blackened armor and pinpoints of half-melted alloy.
Noticing her look, the trooper replied. “My mates and I were on recon when a squadron of interceptors and a dozen artillery batteries opened up on us.”

His face sobered, “We lost Blur and ’37 while escaping the ambush; ’59 and ’26 were caught on the receiving end of another ambush.”

The legionnaire shook his head, sighing. He strode back and forth. “I was separated from the rest of the battalion when the destroyer came out of the mist and gave us a smoldering hot reception.”

The man stopped and locked eyes with Kartah. “I don’t know if the others are alive or dead, or trapped somewhere. Sergeant, the lizards aren’t going to let us go on our way, that destroyer needs to be taken out.”

“That’s where we are disagreed, chief. We need to take that ship and us it as a staging ground for our campaign.”
The legionnaire looked skeptical, “I hear you, sarge, but that’s not going to be easy.”

“Few things worth achieving are, petty officer.” The trooper nodded.
“Alright, ma’am, maybe we’ll find the rest of my mates along the way.”

Adm. Satith...

Twenty-five vessels hovered above the crater that the Nova Shard and the Stalker had chosen to set down in for repairs. Satith stood on top of a bluff looking over the two ships. Technicians and engineers rushed to bring both vessels back online as soon as possible.

Satith turned and marched toward where his warriors sparred with weakened energy weapons. Two or three would be locked in combat for extended durations without landing a single strike on one another or making a defensive error themselves.
Whenever on did land a blow, their energy blade smiply gave off an electrical discharge which was painfull but did not warrant a medic. Abruptly, the admiral and his warriors froze.

According to Intel, this place was known as Vvardnefell, so far none of the locals had bothered their force, but something was amongst them.
The active ships raised in altitude and fanned out without having to be commanded, everyone without inhibitor implants could taste the alien presence around them.

The water nearby churned as if alive, three vessels of unknown material and design broke surface and approached. Their architecture was devoid of sharp angles and the ships-- equal in tonnage to frigates and a hvy. cruiser-- made not a sound.
A energy blade crackled to life on his wrist, and Satith stood defiantly in the face of the oncoming threat. All of his fleet came about to place the new ships in their sights. All troops on the ground also brought their weapons to bear, from the platoons of marines to the legions of 885th legionnaires.

Satith made a gesture to hold fire for the moment, he didn't wish to start a battle if it could be avoided. A light appeared in the middle of the shoreline. A flame of pure silver, then formed black armor pieces. An Ascendant!

The spirit approached, "Your show of restrained force is intimidating, but unnecessary High Naryyn Lord."

Satith lowered his blade slightly, a show of good will. "Dark Naryyn, why is it you are here? Surely you realize that it is our mandate to destroy such as you."
The Ascendant inclined its head, one eye blazing brighter than the other to create a look of feigned confusion. "We are aware of this, the force of Commander Xaries have already met with us and set aside their differences to join forces against the traitors."

The Admiral was caught off-guard by the straight-forward nature by which this Ascendant spoke. "So Xaries did forsake the Council..... Ascendant, it is not an available option to shirk the duty given to us by the Patriarchs."

Satith spoke resolutely, "Leave now, and the lives of your brethren shall be spared this day."
Without a word the Ascnedant faded and the Dark Naryyn ships pulled off. Satith ignored the glances his peers gave him, he had no vandetta against the fallen, but if they entered the crossfire then none would recieve his sympathy.

This post has been edited by Lord Revan: May 18 2007, 03:33 AM

[Lord Revan]

Subject: Renegade Engagements
Priority: Beta
Sender: Mute Testimony
Recipients: All citizens
Date: 17th of the Twelfth Cycle, Third Age (Exaltation)

[Message start]- To all civilized beings listening to this transmission, I speak to you now to shed some light on the events surrounding the rebellion taking place.

The attacks and deaths of millions were perpetrated by the same race that has served as the Honor Guards of the Patriarchs and council members.
Every border world of the empire has been touched by the betrayers.

This is neither a propaganda transmission, nor a smear campaign to dirty our leaders. Even now, I am broadcasting from one of the many battle fronts of the conflict.
This struggle can only be branded as complete xenocide, of more importance than any preceding it, even the Dark Naryyn heretics.

[Message end]

The message was displayed on every holo-screen on every High Naryyn colony. And all listening paused as the neutral voice read the text.
And on hundreds of planets on the edge of their power, millions of marines, pilots, psionists, commanders, admirals, and legionnaires were fighting on colossal war without even knowing its scale…

Xaries…

Just a few kilometers southeast of Adm. Satith’s fleet, another leader of high esteem was working diligently. Xaries felt a cool breeze blow over his face.

He glanced around him, dozens of trained medics and psionists were tending to the many wounded and dying amongst the ruined structures of the city “Ald’Ruhn.”
There were also locals aiding them, offering curious concoctions to the afflicted and manipulating supernatural forces not to different from his own.

“Commander,” Xaries turned to see one of the officers standing uncertainly, headset replacing helmet.
“Yes, corporal?”

“Sir, we’ve gotten reports of some unknown animal attacks recently, maulings and half-eaten corpses mostly, all natives. But we turned up a body being roasted by a campfire without any tenders.” The officer continued grimly.
“At first we thought it was simple cannibalism due to desperation, but the ground is scorched in places. And we keep finding tree-toed claw tracks.”

“Commander!” The com-unit crackled painfully.
“Report,” Xaries replied, momentarily turning away from the officer and the humanitarian workers.

“We have heavy contacts, not Rogues, not locals, no-” The rest was cut off by something sounding like screaming.
Xaries spun back to the officer, “We don’t have time to look for wild animals; redeploy your troops to investigate what happened to the second task force, now!”

The officer snapped to it, yelling new orders to his subordinates. Xaries wanted to accompany them, but he had to remain in the temporary command post for the time being.

Three squads compromising fire team Beta, charged out into a full rush. As the armored troops disappeared their commander sighed. Another issue, just what we needed. Between the Admiral, the honor guards, and the indigenous population, we already have a handful to work out, now this…

Prefabricated automatic outpost defense turrets stood like sentinels in many of the alleyways and plazas of Ald’Ruhn. Everyone of them stood five feet above the ruined buildings.

Groups of three marines moved through the streets, snipers in light combat mesh lay prone or crouched on what was left of the cities rooftops, and everyone of Xaries’ personnel with experience in, or abilities in healing were spread throughout trying to keep the wounded in stable condition.
A single flying creature flew over the ruins, as it glided a single sidearm round rang through the air…… and all one hundred pounds or so of cliff racer fell like a rock.

Revan…

He slept well that night, when he came to Revan left Rhys to sleep. All of us need to rest, but I have things to do. Earlier, a healer had informed him that his armor had been destroyed in the explosion.

I’ve been wearing that same set for eighty years… Losing it was like losing an old friend. It only made him wish for a new one worse.

Clad in common robes, he made his way to the labor center. The area was occupied by other Naryyn, warriors and otherwise. Revan seated himself after collecting several pieces of sapphire alloy, a diverse assortment of tools, black mesh body armor, and a finger-sized fragment of a power crystal.

Spreading out all the materials and instruments, Revan set to work, shutting out all the distractions around him.

Kartah...

A vague silhouete glided through the mist, the Rogue destroyer came into view. Hovering low, only eight meters above the ground, it slid into a seemingly unsuspicious grove. Its thrusters thrummed and died out as it came to a halt.

Floating above the drop-off point, one could surmise that its crew was confused by the absense of any of their fellows. The many particle cannons scanned over the land again and again as if diligence would conjure up the convoy.... or the enemy.
As the armored bulkheads protecting the hanger bay parted, letting out a flight of transports, a large, blurred object detached from the ferns and launched itself through the gap.

Above the destroyer, the Iso Naryyn frigate it had been hunting for materialized. And, due to the sloppy procedures on part of the Plys'Iea, dozens upon dozens of High and Dark Naryyn were able to transfer ships in the brief period of astonishment.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Kartah dropped down into the service corridor just behind her subordinates. Three of her marines were mopping up the maintinance detail that had been unfortunate enough to have been assigned to this particular ship.

"See, they aren't so tough without our armor." One proclaimed.
"Payback all around," Another muttured as he charged down the hallway ahead of them.
"He seems angry."

"That's not anger, that's personal." The third corrected. Kartah grinned and caught up with the armoed troopers. More than half of the fireteams had made it aboard before the destroyer recovered, but a few had been too slow and missed their chance.

Let's keep the jokes coming, we'll need every one we can get before this is over. The Sergeant cocked her rifle and took her position in the center of the formation.

[Lord Revan]

Great, now I'm reduced to triple posting, are my recent updates that unremarkable?

Well, I'll try and update on Tuesday, regardless. Hopefully a (somewhat) despearate measure (or two) will make this more interesting.....

[The Metal Mallet]

Sorry Revan, as I have said earlier I've been busy back here. I have been reading it, just haven't gotten around to commenting for the last couple of updates.

Your quality of writing has been consistent as always.

[jack cloudy]

Wuh, I forgot to comment? Dang.

Well, you're doing great so far. It has only gotten a bit harder to read due to the countless perspectives you're weaving in. Don't see many stories like that though, so it is a refreshing change.

[Lord Revan]

Yeah, that's true. At first I could write a whole update from one person's point of view, now it's pretty much the opposite, I have to use multiple POVs to make an update a certain length...... Anyway, I'll try and work on that, for now, I must rest.

[Lord Revan]

Short one, sorry. I'll probably have time to work on the next on tonight.
--------

Topping the rise, the squad leader held his clenched fist just above his shoulder, hold here. The fireteam came to a halt around him.
Slowly, he brought his right hand back to his heavy repeater. The group kept arm’s lengthy from one another as they advanced cautiously.

He led the half-crescent formation, everyone tried to keep an eye on every direction. They could all feel it, it sent chills down their spines, the carnage was all around them.

They were just outside a collapsed cave entrance, the ground was drenched with Naryyn blood. Dead marines were strewn about, their armor torn and ripped off like it was tinfoil.
The squad leader ordered, “Defensive positions, into that cave.”
All the marines obeyed, forming a phalanx of sorts with their backs to the collapsed ceiling.

“Commander, this is fireteam Beta, we’ve found the target area…… All of fireteam Alpha is KIA near a cave. There’s no sign of what or who attacked them, but I’ll start giving you real-time footage momentarily.” He spoke through his helmet’s mike.

Suddenly, his armor gave a shrill warning tone that nearly made him jump out of his skin. The squad leader turned to see a small flock of giant insectoids coming toward them.
His panic sky-rocketed, he’d seen one of these things back at the prison facility, the only that had saved him was when it chose to eat another marine, giving him time to slam down a pressure door and escape.

There won’t be any running now, His mind told him. Cold sweat broke out despite his suit’s attempts to smother the heat. Training kicked in however, and despite his hysteria, the squad leader joined his troops in the cave.

Two rockets speared forward, knocking an equal number of the huge bug-things out of the air. The monsters landed heavily, but they brought themselves to their feet regardless of the blood flooding from between their armored plating.

Marine sharpshooters put them down, aiming for the newly developed weak points. The remainder of marines opened up on the landing bugs, it only slowed them down.
He turned to the missile troopers, but both were out of ammo and switching to assault rifles.

Oh, hell! Over the thunder of his own repeater and the weapons of his marines, the leader spoke hoarsely. “Commander, are you getting this?”

Xaries…

The fireteam was done for, he’d known that before the first shots had rung out. “Yes, Corporal, I’m seeing what’s happening.” A small screen in front of his right eye played the scene.

“There’s not much I can do that will save you or your men, we’re spread too thin. Fighting is suicide, try and get past them and I’ll see about getting a couple of scouts or APCs to rendezvous with you on the way back.” The words were ashes in his mouth, there really wasn’t much he could do other than promise transport if they got away.

“Ye…. yes, sir we hear you…… Signing off.” Xaries ordered the transports to make way to the rendezvous. “You did the best you could without endangering more lives.” Said a gentle voice.

Surprised to hear a response to his unspoken questions, Xaries spun to see the Matriarch behind him. “Sometimes our best isn’t enough.” He replied.

She nodded gravely, “The worst mistake ever made is one that we learn nothing from.”
“Provided that mistake allows for a second shot.” They both lapsed into silence for awhile. Until an Iso Naryyn messenger appeared and bowed to both.

“Excuse me, your honors, but the Redoran Council has asked for both your presences.” Xaries nodded and the Matriarch fell into step behind them.

"Do you have any idea what the Redoran want?" Xaries asked.
"This is their world, and their people are paying the price for our war just as much as we are."
"That's a valid point, but their warriors can't wage this war. So why do they try? Nevermind."
The Matriarch answered anyway. "You wouldn't fight against an oppressor just because it outmaches you?"


"Yes! But these people are liabilities in this war. They could try and avoid being caught by the hammer and anvil. All their attempts to fight back cost both us and them more lives and it accomplishes nothing!" Xaries replied hotly.

This post has been edited by Lord Revan: May 29 2007, 08:41 PM

[The Metal Mallet]

Ahh futility, such an interesting emotion to work with. Go on when you can, Revan.

[Dire Cheesecake]

Heh, so I've been sort of looking over this, and I gotta say, I have no idea what's going on. Sci Fi Elder Scrolls is it? Seems kind of interesting but I can't seem to figure it out.

[Lord Revan]

Well, this is contemporary with Oblivion for starters. Thousands of years before the modern races came to be a species of aliens settled on primitive Tamriel..... Nevermind, you can just take a look for the archives of the order info thread that I made. There's a link to it in my signature.

This post has been edited by Lord Revan: May 30 2007, 04:23 PM

[jack cloudy]

I wouldn't diss the Redoran that fast. Sure, so far Tamrielic magicka has not been shown to match Narynn psychic skills. But every little bit counts and they can come up with some surprises. For example, I wonder what a disintregate armour/weapon spell would do. In my imagination, it is always a blob of acid. It could wreck the tracks of a tank or something. Oh, and don't forget restoration. even if the natives are comparatively worthless in combat, a bunch of healers on the rear lines will be appreciated.

[Lord Revan]

I wonder if common disintegrate spells would work on titanium-like substances well..... Whatever can't harm the High Naryyn can't harm the Plys'Iea either, as they wear the same armor (a problem that will be solved later on).

And on restoration, there have been a few Naryyn healers and medics mentioned. Still, it would be difficult (and a lot of work) from a military prospective to integrate a new race of beings who don't even speak the same tongue as the common fighting men and women (provided all the volunteers even speak more than their own native language) into the war effort (let alone that they lack knowledge of the Naryyn's anatomy). Add to this that Naryyn have what could be considered a group mind. As such, any Naryyn (even lacking extensive experience in healing would be better able to understand the exact nature of a wound than even the races most similar to the Naryyn.

Do you think someone (even with the proper skills) would throw themselves in a foreign environment (explosives and the like) with little protection or understanding of the ever-changing situation (the Naryyn can neither give them radios, nor include them in telepathic communications).
High Naryyn combat armor is designed to function in volcanic, arctic, and other harsh environments (like the vacuum of space) so even an scorching hot fireball, a chilling cloud of frost, or a miniature bolt of lightning would only buy time not stop them.

This post has been edited by Lord Revan: Jun 2 2007, 02:10 AM

[Lord Revan]

I started writing all this just awhile ago...... Well, here's about thirty or fourty minute's work (I think)
--------

Lieutenant third class Kyle Thane didn’t care how much the healer tending to him suggested he should let his body recover from its recent trauma.

“Look, I’m a legionnaire, and when a legionnaire wants to do something, no one stops him or her from doing that. And I do not want to lie down and rest.” According to typical 885th bluster, yes, no one ever stopped them from doing whatever they pleased…… At least, if they wanted to avoid misfortune in the chaos of the next battle.

Well, most officers could cross us, but there are exceptions. Thane thought to himself as he got out of his “bed” and dressed in the black robes on a nearby table. How can these people wear black? How can they expect me to wear black?

All the while the Iso Naryyn healer turned and went to help the other wounded; too busy to worry if a High Naryyn fool refused to listen to her.
Shamelessly, Lt. Thane stumbled into the dimly corridor. I do not get it; these guys are so grim and..... dark Kyle shook his head, If the royal-helms up in command got over their prejudice, they’d instantly become bunk mates with the Iso Naryyn I’ve seen.

This thought made him roll his eyes at the prospect. In spite of his stubborn desire not to remain bed-ridden, Thane couldn’t keep his newly regenerated muscle tissue from shaking uncontrollably.

Bloody healer, The lieutenant collapsed against the dark lavender wall, fighting the urge to throw up his morning rations. She probably knew I’d get up and leave if she told me to stay put....

Kartah.....

For ten minutes, the squad rushed through countless hallways only to find no opposition. The lack of contacts, friendly or otherwise, was starting to wear on the group’s senses, Kartah’s included.

“Where is everyone? Has anyone heard anything from the other boarders?” Kartah asked when they finally paused to get their bearings.
“None, Sergeant.”
“I didn’t get any notification of a break for dinner.”
“None of the lizards are here either; like they just vanished.”

Habitually, the sergeant checked to make sure the next round was chambered in her rifle. “Let’s move carefully from now on, the ship can’t be abandoned so we aren’t alone.”

“Ma’am, if I remember correctly, we should be close to the bridge. In fact.....” Said corporal Lash, the most by-the-book of the squad. The corporal led the others to a distinctly more armored pressure door.

“Stay frosty, everyone, this has to be where the cold-blodd-” Kartah as interrupted when the bulkhead opened suddenly and three well-placed, high-velocity railgun spikes exploded on her subordinate’s visors.

Before she could even finish exhaling the first syllable of the last word, a single oddly-dressed alien flew through the open door and delivered a series of well-placed strikes with its fists to the armored marines.
Kartah could not be sure how accurately she could explain what happened, but the honor guard creature had already dispatched her fellow soldiers and had slapped her assault rifle out of her grasp.

One moment she was standing dumb-struck in front of the open bulkhead among the unmoving forms of her squad, the next heartbeat, Kartah slammed into the wall behind her, the creature that had murdered her squad had its large, muscular hand firmly gripping her head.

The sergeant could only see through her right eye, the only part of her face that wasn’t covered by the alien’s scaly hand. She was suspended; the creature holding her was taller than her six-foot-tall marines by a full head.
This was the first time Kartah had seen the unarmored form of her enemy, its scales were grey-white. Her attacker’s partly open jowls were wide enough to engulf both her hands in the backmost part.

The alien wore partly metallic, partly cloth garments of deep green. On its elongated head rested a form of headdress of the former kind. Its animal eyes were rimmed unnaturally by a green ring, in the center, around the diagonal slit that was its pupil was a less noticeable yellow smear.

A pair of flexible spines flared up from somewhere on its back to be visible above its shoulders. The spines had a familiar violet light, the bioluminescent glow that Kartah had seen from the Marhun Kar raptors.

"Hello, my prey, trapped are we?....." The words were barely audible over the burning of her neural implants. The alien’s mouth did not move to pronounce the words yet it spoke them, and Kartah realized it was speaking telepathically… and that was making her implants backfire.

As she arrived to that conclusion, the hunter tilted its head slightly and made what resembled a grimace. "Ah....." Suddenly the searing pain stopped, a long whining tone replaced it then that too was gone.

Darkness took her at last and Kartah went limp in the alien’s grip…

This post has been edited by Lord Revan: Jun 2 2007, 06:39 PM

[jack cloudy]

Agkh, countered me at every point. Ah well, then just let them do the heavy lifting at camp.

About the last update, things are looking down again. Those Honor guards are fast! It makes me wonder how Revan ever managed to keep up with them near the beginning of the story.

[Lord Revan]

Hey, if needed, the High Naryyn have the legionnaires to lift stuff. Or they could just use the dropships for that.
anyway, that Plys'Iea is an enhanced super-blah,blah, blah. Anyway, the Honor Guards wore the same armor as the High Naryyn; notice that this one wore none at all..... and could communicate telepathically (not an evolved trait of its species). Also, the exo-sensory appendages don't tend to glow purple, but there's a reason why this one does.

[Lord Revan]

Sorry, but it's a short one. Still, we see the return of one well-liked individual.
--------

The Manor District of Ald’Ruhn was the only site in the city which was intact, more or less. Part of the ceiling had been blasted off, but the damage had not been enough to mar the essential nobility of this place.

Xaries was now in more ceremonial attire than his normal combat suit of a ship commander. He was forced to wear the uniform in the middle of a war zone partly because this was a call of politics.

But mostly the reason was the same as why the occasional marine was not in his or her fully-powered armor either: the walkways and floors would crumble beneath them if they were wearing the armor.

Another exception to the district was that the Redoran still dominated it. None of the marines in here were on duty, though the prefabricated barracks were erected outside, their facilities were not enough to accommodate the marine forces.

“Do you think the Redoran see this as a take-over of their society?” Xaries asked suddenly.

“Certain ones do, but others do not. The majority want us to leave them and their realm alone, regardless of our reasons for being here.” The High Naryyn Commander shot her a look, but let his surprise go after a moment.

“We don’t have the right to simply probe them without their conscious knowing. What might not be a violation to us could be to them.”

The Matriarch returned his stare, her crimson eyes glittering slightly. “This comes from the one who feels these people are helpless. But if one truly wants to keep his or her own motives private then they should be more discrete.”

Xaries noticed the tone and could surmise what the Matriarch meant, being what she was. She raised an eyebrow in response, but remained silent.
Still, that was enough to cause the commander to abandon his own thoughts. However, the woman seemed only amused at his embarrassment reaction.

Now entirely aware that the Matriarch would read his thoughts as much as any other, Xaries reinforced his erected barriers. Many of the Redoran guards halted or slowed as they walked by, their expressions hidden beneath their native helmets.

Finally, the trio arrived at the door to the council chamber. Both Xaries and the Matriarch waited patiently and silently for the messenger to return from within.

The person we all thought was dead…

Cold, why is this place so blasted cold? He thought sourly to himself. The much abused armor whined as it aided the figure’s trek across the snowy tundra.

Suddenly, the figure came to a sudden halt, sensing that he was not alone, or in good company.
Some distance away lay a small city, but the presences the figure in combat armor felt were in a different direction. Turning in the direction of the activity, the Naryyn psionist began to move in that direction when he stopped again.

“Seer,” he said plainly, facing the Iso Naryyn woman. “Where have you been off to recently? Churning up more animosity between our races?”

The seer shook her head calmly, “You know better than that, son of Markus.” Marthyn absently wondered how his companion could ignore the cold; his face stung slightly while the rest of his body was relatively comfortable.
The woman, however, wore much less in comparison, yet seemed perfectly fine. “You might have revitalized me, Seer, but do not think for a moment that will earn my servitude.”

“Servitude?” She repeated. “I do not desire an ignorant minion; I am but offering a method of redemption.”

The last word caused the High Naryyn to tighten his grip on the firearm in his hand; however, the woman paid no heed to his reaction.
“What could make up for failing my mission? I couldn’t…… I won’t kill my kin. And I must now pay the price for such weakness in devotion.” Marthyn furrowed

“By accomplishing one of greater importance, of course.” Her casual tone only served to greater fuel his frustration and shame.

“Do not speak of honor as something which can be bought as a commodity!” He roared.

“You don’t even know what I have in store.” The seer replied, oblivious to Marthyn’s emotional outburst.
“Fine, so what do you intend to do?”

A smile spread across her face. “Why, the same goal that your ‘Order’ has so fanatically pursued… Reunion.”

This post has been edited by Lord Revan: Jun 5 2007, 04:23 AM

[Shinnok]

Up to your usual standard of execellent story telling, left with quite a cliffhanger too. Anyway keep up the good work.

[jack cloudy]

Oh, persuasion. And Marthyn is back, woohoo! More, please.

[The Metal Mallet]

Nice to see Marthyn back and with some changes in philosophy as well. Look forward to seeing how things go for him from now on.

[Lord Revan]

This thread has now reached post #200 Looks like a continuation thread is in order. Yes, Marthyn is back, and ready to help kick Plys'Iea boat (feeling giddy at the moment). And if anyone is wondering, the Seer happens to be Nara (she's not really a kid, lol).