[Intermission] A 'Relaxing' Visit

[BetaWülf]

A Relaxing Visit

(Any alien peeps can join)
(the setting is a Covenant Colony with a Yanme'e Hive and large Methane domes to breed the two chitinous Covenant species. There are also Jiralhanae, Sangheili, Mgalekgolo, and Kig-yar habitats, but all are dwarfed in comparison to the Yanme'e and Unggoy habitats. It is kind of a shady Colony outside of the Jiralhanae/Sangheili habitats, small black markets and such)


Covenant production Colony Glorious Rebirth

Kex Kel, Kig-yar Security Chief.
Having a drink before the show.

Kex sat in the back of the smoke filled bar, seemed some of the other Kig-yar were having some fun with their hookahs in the curtained booths. Kex wasn't into those, however. He was an old fashioned booze hound, nothing like a good buzz, and if you don't stop drinking you'll never have a hangover as his pappy used to say.

Kex swirled his vertically ribbed glass around in a circle, making the fragrant magenta liquid spiral lazily. He quickly tipped his head and the glass back, letting gravity do the work for him as the fruity beverage sloshed down his throat. He sighed and leaned back in his chair, a mild steam wafting off his tongue from where the cold drink met warm flesh, part of the appeal he'd been told. Couldn't say it wasn't interesting, at least.

Kex looked up as the door to the bar swung open and gently rapt against the wall, five Kig-yar in Covenant uniforms skulked in and took over one of the booths, displacing a pair of Unggoy vagrants that had been searching for scraps to eat. Kex wasn't overly fond of the Covenant... all they did was restrict where all they could and couldn't pirate, and kept them from consorting with the Humans very much. Kex picked up his empty glass off the table and sauntered over to the bar casually, no need to arouse the suspicions of the Imperial goons.

He took up a seat at the bar and gestured for a refill, the T'vaoan behind the bar nodding as he ringed a Jiralhanae's glass with a mineral to make its toxic drink have more of a kick. Kex gestured for the T'vaoan to lean in when he came to pour some more of the fruit booze into Kex's glass. As the T'vaoan leaned in, Kex whispered into his ear-hole.

"What's with..." kex started, but paused as more Covenant Kig-yar walked in, "is up with all the Kigs from the Empire? Seems like a lot of the sell outs are here" Kex whispered.

"Oh, them?" the bar keep said as he ran a rag over the counter as if he was busy, "heard a Legion or some such just had a go at a Human world, lots of tired soldiers looking for a warm meal or body to curl up with. Heard they took a beating from the planet itself, massive earthquakes, lots of wounded too. Heard about one of them asteroid zealots, weird one with a scarf, got beat by a Jiralhanae Shaman for messing with something" he said, eliciting a grunt from the Jiralhanae further down the bar.

Kex took his drink and returned to his table to think, that scarf wearing tool sounded awfully familiar. Kex nearly choked on his drink as the realization dawned on him, it was that damn brat that he fought awhile back, a real self righteous one, disregarding Piracy as if it was some stupid Jiralhanae Moon Dance. Kex sighed and tossed back his head and the remainder of his drink, sighing as he considered paying the lad a visit to see if it was really him.

[Faclan]

Tags: BetaWülf

(No Kael as she is off trying to find Roh :< )

Cad - Kig-Yar Major
Settlements Medical ward.
Slow recovery.

Slumped in a recovery bed with bandages around his head, over one eye, and with his left arm and right leg in a cast it was pretty surprising that Cad was actually still alive. Normally Kig-Yar were known for being frial and 'easy to break'. But if nothing else Cad showed that while their bones may be fragile their desire to live was stronger. The Major having been transported as carefully as possible from the earth shaken battlefield to a ship and then from the ship to here. The Huragok on hand were quick to indentify that Cads arm and leg were both broken, his shin shattered in a few places where the rock had fallen on it - while his forearm had just been cracked from Eugines hard smack. And he thankfully had no major head trauma or lasting damage, at least what they could sense at the time, but with a severe concussion he may have some memory loss or weakened senses. But for now, after his bones had been set and wrapped to make sure they remained in resting positions and after his bloodied armor had been removed and replaced with less restrictive pants and shirt, the Major was mostly left to sleep.

Cad was still able to talk and see things out of his uncovered eye, but was currently just sleeping to try and numb the pain from his many injuries and allow for the treatment given to him to help heal him up. But the Majors scarf was still near-by, having been cleaned at his request and was neatly folded up on his bedside table.


Nek Dal - T'vaoan mercenary Captain
Walking the halls.
Oh Hai.

Standing aside to let a few Unggoy scuttle past him toward their own space Nek considered, again, why he was here. They had needed some repairs and supplies, and this...production planet was normally pretty low key and so would be easy to get those things. Nek still found it hard to believe that the Sangheili actually called this place that. The Unggoy and Yanme'e were just goods to them, like rifles or pistols, to be used in times of war to overwhelm the enemy. Disgusting. But as they were ironing the details of the deal out with the Port staff several Covenant ships had dropped out of Slipsace and headed right for them. But after asking the staff about them he was informed that it was a injured Legion and they were just going to try and recuperate here. Fair enough then.

Now all he had to do was wait as the repairs were made, most of it was smaller repairs but because both Nek and the dock master were Kigs it took awhile to get a payment deal worked out, both trying to get the best deal. But finally it was all over and Nek was heading toward one of the food locations to pick up some lunch for himself. Unlike how Kex seemingly managed to intake alcohol as food Nek preferred to have actual food - and had been told good things about the fruit at the place. He licked his beak a bit just at the thought of it. But the T'vaoan had seen from the floor plan of this area, thankfully a good distance from the Unggoy and Yanme'e areas, that he would have to go past the medical areas. Probably pretty full now with an injured Legion. As such when he did get at the door he scooted past it as quick as he could and headed for the hallway that would lead to the food court.

It was at this time that he nearly ran right into the walking wall of fur that was a Jiralhanae. Thankfully able to stop himself he slid to the side and bowed his head a little in apology before he sniffed a bit and recognized the scent. Looking up he smiled as his nose was correct and he found himself looking at Garatus once more.

"Ah Chieftain Garatus, good to see you again my friend...sorry to hear that the battle didn't go that favorably. Greetings to you as well Elder Shaman." He said with a head bob to the silver ape beside Garatus as the small group stood off to the side of the hallway.


Eugenius - Jiralhanae Advisor
Hanging around.
Windging at current affairs.

At least there was more alcohol here. There was that at least. They really needed to get these heathen uprisings under control if they wanted to ever have a fully successful mission. "We will need to do something like increase the amount of allied groups in this Legion Nephew...or more sermons, or examples, or sports, or something so the other Jiralhanae warriors will stop thinking that any snag in the mission will think its a good time for rebellion." Eugine mused as he and Garatus walked toward the Medical section of this settlement from the Jiralhanae section. Both of them had just partaken in a fine meal of Thorn beast to ease the woes of the mission - fantastically prepared - and now Garatus had wanted to go and check in on his foolish Kig-Yar pet that had disgraced their traditions and been justly punished for it. Stupid boy. Glancing out a window as they passed the Elder grimaced at the large hive in the distance and shuddered a bit.

"Mother Sheep (:3) you can smell those damned insects from here, in addition to all the methane permeating everything..." Grumbling some more Eugine fished out one of his refilled canteens and took a swig as they walked, slipping it back into his bandolier as they neared where Cad was being kept. But then one of the feathery chicken dinners moved in front of them from around the corner but wisely moved aside with bowed heads to his betters once he noticed them. But even Eugine reckongised that it was the one that had helped them find Garatus's mate...poor las.

"Good to see you as well Nek." Eugine said with a respectful nod as he moved to the side to allow others to pass as the group had their little chat.


SSA-012 (Remenants) - Yanme'e Swarm
The Hive
Awaiting judgement.

Failure, failure and death, dishonor...The three remaining members of the once twelve strong swarm had filed silently into the ships when the mission was finished and spoke to no-one the entire journey as The Master seemed lost in his own issues. When they finally arrived the Yanme'e had taken the lonely flight to the Nest on this planet and had awaited an audience with the resident Queen. The Guards keeping them under tight watch in case any of them had been damaged during the mission.

The three bugs were however thankful that this Hive, even though it wasn't their home, were still sympathetic to their plight of their Ultra falling in battle, and while they waited under guard several of the workers had brought them food to try and ease their sorrow. It had helped immensely and the bugs of SSA had thanked each one of them profusely for their kindness. But as the day had waned on the Queen had finished her other meetings and would see them now. The three bugs clutching each other a little in trepidation as they were escorted to the Queens chamber, the Hive a literal hive of activity but it quieted down as they ducked through side passages and up and down tunnels on their way to the center. Resuming once the procession had passed them but the pausing for the three had its own effect. It may be the last time those ever move, as judging by the report they may be slain. Moments of silence for the voices of the Queens that may be silenced forever.

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless, Restorer of Tribes, Slayer of Shadow Imps, Burner of Demons, the Butcher.
Memories....

Garatus casually poked at a chunk of Thorn beast lodged between two teeth with his tongue, how wonderfully it had been prepared! The meat was succulent, cooked extremely rare, and seasoned to perfection. Garatus looked over at his Uncle and nodded, his words were wise as always.

"Indeed Uncle, I plan to screen my Pack very carefully from now on, the new Creche will be solely of my Tribe, since I've yet to integrate them beyond a soldier here and there. As for the rest... I shall research them all very carefully, and keep only the most loyal and fierce in my ranks. Weakness leads to heresy, and heresy is unacceptable in any form. Fenarious is nearly old enough to serve, and I don't want a Pack that would be unsafe for him should he choose to serve under me"  he said, thinking of his eldest child and heir, surely he would follow in his fathers' foot steps?

Garatus noticed the strong smell of Yanme'e long before his Uncle mentioned it, it had overwhelmed his senses before they even left their Phantom upon arrival. He didn't mind the Yanme'e, they were generally enjoyable company and much like the larger beetle-like insects of Doisac, though obviously far, far more intelligent. "Yes... their... odor... is very strong here, I much prefer the smell of the Unggoy though, you get accustomed to it working so closely with the gas suckers" Garatus rumbled, regretting his insulting words about the Unggoy since he was raised by one.

Garatus looked down when a T'vaoan nearly ran into him, and simply rumbled acceptance of its apology at first. It took him a moment, but he soon recognized the T'vaoan as Nek Dal, the Pirate that required the aid of his birth Clan, and helped him... helped him to retrieve his mate. He recalled how sympathetic and compassionate Nek was, even though Garatus was consumed with grief and rage at the time and likely didn't respond to well to it.

"Ah, Nek Dal, it is good to see you again. I hope your endeavors have been met with... agreeable winds?" Garatus said, trying to use a Kig-yar saying out of respect and to a saying that would make sense for the other species.


Kex Kel, Kig-yar Security Chief.
Blah, I think I've had enough to drink... for now.

Kex finished his drink before paying and leaving the bar, too many Covenant tools around for his liking. On his way out the door he went past a duo of Unggoy, bloodied armor adorning their persons. Kex shook his head and kept walking, wasn't a fan of the fart breathers, too many of them with their high-pitched voices and rough chitin.

He instead made his way towards the medical center where the Zealot boy was likely being treated for his wounds. He passed by Nek Dal, a Chieftain, and Shaman, nodding to them all as he passed. The Chieftain seemed familiar, and the Shaman was unmistakeably that old racist bastard from their stay on Doisac. The Chieftain looked like the Patriarch, so maybe he had gone up the social ladder since last he saw the ugly thing?

He briefly recalled the Chieftain from back when he was a Captain, they'd gone on the Hunt together, along with a gas sucker and some high ranking Sangheili. Kex kept walking, as he really didn't want to get involved with any Jiralhanae, since he might be recognized if he was ever around a large number of them. Kex sighed with relief once they were out of sight, and the medical center came into his view.

He walked through the main doors, and looked around. Some gruesomely injured Unggoy and Kig-yar were strewn about, the most basic medical treatment keeping them alive, whilst the Jiralhanae who bothered to get looked at were getting all the attention. Disgusting. Kex went to one of the unoccupied desks and leaned on the counter. "I'm here to see... my cousin...." Kex said, taking a long moment to remember Cad's name "he's named Cad, a Covenant Soldier, Major last I knew" Kex said as he waited for the Unggoy attendant to point him in the right direction.

He hated the similarity of the medical center to a Covenant Jail. Just a long purple tunnel with door after identical door set down into the walls. It took him awhile, but he finally found Cad's room and activated the door, a quiet whoosh and he was inside. He grabbed an anti-grav stool off the wall and set it next to the bedside, careful not to show his face until he was sitting.

"Long time no see lad, how's your wounds feeling?" Kex said now that he was face to face with Cad, a mischievous grin on the crocodilian Kig-yars' face. "Hope they've been feeding you good, wouldn't want you getting weak on me" he said with a sly wink.

[Faclan]

Cad - Ruutian Major
Settlements Medical ward.
Wut.

It was lucky for Kex that the Unggoy female at the station he asked had a lot to deal with today with all the injured troops arriving that she didn't look at Kex that well. As the two Kig-Yar, Kex and Cad, looked nearly nothing alike as both were of different breeds. Though the Unggoy may have known that all the breeds could breed. Or may have just guessed that it was a big extended family. But Kex's clothes were a pretty big give away that he was not a uniformed soldier. But thankfully the Unggoy was busy, so Cad soon had a visitor to his room.

The pirate had a point though, the settlements medical rooms did look a lot like a prison, with long hallways with a bunch of rooms off shooting for them. Each room with a easy to deploy force shield to make sure that the patient wasn't disturbed. Hell it may have even been the holding area for Unmutals when the Hive and Unggoy homes were first made here. But that would just be conjecture.

The Major was breathing smoothly asleep as Kex scooted to be sitting beside the bed. And only started to twitch and awaken when Kex spoke up, and his thick fruit smelling breath wafted across Cads beak. Squirming a little like a small chick the major sniffed a bit and opened his un-bandaged eye to see who the hell was making all the noise and the smell.

To say the Major was shocked to finally recognize who was sat right beside him would be pretty correct. The Ruutian's face frozen halfway between a gasp and anger until he finally got over it enough to speak.

"How in The Gods did you get in here?!" Though it was clear from Cads voice that he wasn't 100% as the voice was quiet and cracked a bit - though his physical state was evidence enough. Silly boy still believing in the Forerunners and not Aecor.


Nek Dal - T'vaoan mercenary Captain
Main thoroughfare
Baaad business.

Nek couldn't help but chuckle a bit as Garatus did his best to use Kig-Yar lingo, the Elder having a more disgusted look, but Nek did his best to just smile and continue on. Though he stopped with his beak half open and he hissed a bit and looked down at the floor with his fist in his beak a bit, trying to think if ANY of his recent missions have actually been good? Not really no. Frowning a bit he looked back up at Garatus, just as Kex walked past - Nek nodding as Eugine growled at the Security Chiefs glares before he responded.

"Unfortunately...no. They really havn't been. Still alive though as is my family and crew...best to just focus on that." Turning his head around to make sure that he wasn't holding anyone up he turned it back to the front before continuing, may as well start at the turning point. "Recently, when I was at the Big Bazaar - a Kig-Yar trading station - a Ruutian elder wanted to discuss business on his ship. Only to reveal once I was on board that he was a Covenant affiliated ShipMaster and for my trading with the Humans, during that time I helped repair that females ship, that he was pretty much expected and allowed to kill me." Taking a quick drink from his belt canteen before he started to cough he shrugged and continued. "Clearly there was more too it that that," Nek rolling his eyes as the Shaman seemed confused. "Although he was expected to he sympathized with my desire to trade since its what we Kig-Yar do. But that he didn't like my open trading with the Humans and lowering our reputation in the Covenant and things like that." Another drink. "And so made it clear that he expected me to do it less, probably some informants in my crew making sure that I do it. It's why I'm here actually, doing some cargo moving for Covenant and to Covenant to make him happy."

Stretching a bit he shook out his mane some before back to smiling. "But at least this flight went well, so hoping that the seas ahead stay nice and calm."

[BetaWülf]

Kex Kel, Kig-yar Security Chief.
Stupid boy, still being stupid!

Kex shook his head and grinned, the boy was still being stupid, even though he should have had the sense beaten into him by the look of him. Laying there, all battered and broken, hadn't even tried to knife Kex. Foolish. Knife first, talk later. "How do you think?" Kex said sternly "Through your Gods' damned door" Kex said with a disappointed shake of his head.

"Ask a stupid question, you get a stupid" Kex said with a shrug "I came in and told them I was your cousin, seemed reasonable given our species' biological diversity, and the Unggoy probably didn't know any better anyways" Kex said, licking his teeth and scratching his neck.

"Heard in a bar that a 'scarf wearing Zealot' was in here, got beat on by a Jiralhanae Shaman, figured it couldn't hurt to see if it was you... little buddy" Kex said with a mischievous grin. "So, how're you holding up? You learn anything from our last encounter, or are you still ignorant of our traditions and our nature of Piracy?" Kex said seriously, hoping for an answer that he would like.


Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless.
Well then....

Garatus nodded briskly as the Security Kig-yar passed, one of Nek's associates as he recalled. He was surprised by Nek's forthright approach to his Covenant related dilemma, simply stating it to a Covenant official was... well suicidal at best. Garatus wasn't really concerned with this news however, trading with the Humans was a finite thing, soon they would be extinct, assimilated or in hiding. He was however disturbed by the poor tidings for Nek's dealer business.

Garatus stroked his beard as he listened to Nek, but was surprised his Uncle was confused, as he had caught on in the first place as intended by Nek. "Focusing on friends and family is important in these trying times Nek Dal, Moon's know I need to spend more time with my cubs, though I would suggest screening your crew, killing off the disloyal seems to be a necessary theme lately my friend" Garatus said.

"If you need some honest export work, without prying eyes, I could always use some help selling off the renewable resources of my territory. Deposits of gems, precious metals, fruits, dried meats and so on" Garatus suggested, since he never used his personal ship as a marketplace, and he trusted Nek for some reason or another.

Garatus leaned in close and whispered into Nek's ear-hole "though... I would recommend being more careful about what Covenant officials, like myself, you do and do not tell about your trading with the Humans... others would be less knowledgeable about the circumstance and more likely to behead you" Garatus whispered, hoping Nek Dal would be more cautious in the future in the many eyed and eared Covenant.

[Faclan]

Cad - Ruutian Major
Settlements Medical ward.
A new leaf?

As Kex responded Cad made sure to give him the best 'not amused' expression he could possibly give in his damaged state...though it was a good joke and pun he had to admit. Not that he would tell the Pirate that. He hissed a bit when he was told that the Unggoy just let Kex walk back to his room but right now he didn't really care as he was having enough trouble staying awake and understanding all of what the pirate was saying. Once Kex had finished Cad was silent, possibly fallen asleep, but soon blinked his visible eye a bit and seemed to be properly contemplating a response. At least he wasn't quoting scripture.

"I was always aware of our history and traditions...Kex? I think it was Kex. I just chose not to follow it." He shifted a bit and pointed at a bottle on the beside table and made a little motion that he would like it as he continued. "And in regards to our last meeting I've been thinking on it ever since I woke up on that asteroid. I Praise The Gods of course but I have to also thank you for not stabbing me then...or now. And if I learned anything?...Only that I don't look down on you anymore because of what you do. That and the fact that you won fair and square last time so that's deserving of some respect."

Sighing a bit Cad rubbed his beak and face with his unbandged hand before chuckling a little. "Those Apes give one hell of a smack, even the Elders."


Nek Dal - T'vaoan mercenary Captain
Main thoroughfare
Oh...

Frowning a bit at Garatus's suggestion of what to do with his crew he ehhhed and shrugged. "Right now I can't really afford to do that - too few free Kigs these days that don't care about what ship they are on that enjoy not raiding. Well that and if I were to get lucky and shove the spies out an airlock I'm sure Papa Suf would come and find me with some reprimands."

His mane did rise up a little and the bird lizard leaned in when Garatus seemed to be offering him a contract for work, that sure was something damned welcome after these trying months as Nek bobbed his head happily and smiled. "I would love to help out your tribe and yourself again Garatus, some steady work like that would really help."

But when Garatus leaned down and in toward him Nek's feathers poofed out a bit as he was told of his blunder. He seemed to have a habit of sticking his claws right in the nest these days. But he just gulped and nodded a bit as he took a deep breath and a drink. "T..thank you Chieftain for the warning. That was pretty...foolish of me." Taking another deep breath he did his best to smile again as he returned to a more neutral standing position and nodded - the Elder looking bored as he leant on his staff.

"So what brings you both away from the Jiralhanae sections of this outpost of chitin?"

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless.

Garatus nodded to Nek, it was too true about the Covenants power and reach, and those Kig-yar were good at espionage it seemed. The Chieftain made a not of that, the usefulness of the Kig-yar, and would perhaps like to associate himself with them more in the future. They were certainly more useful than the Unggoy, perhaps not as proportionately strong, but more cunning and versatile all the same.

Garatus stroked his beard and tipped his head to Nek "I think the export will favor us both, and it is fine my friend, I am just glad you did not make the slip in front of one of my colleagues, I shudder to imagine what one of the Sangheili's reaction would have been" Garatus said before listening to Nek's question.

"Out for a walk, just had an exquisite meal of Thorn Beast, the meat was as tender as a youth's heart" Garatus said with a satisfied smile, "I was also curious to see the city, I'd heard mention of it before but had never been. It is quite... interesting from what little I have seen, if not a bit pungent with the smell of Yanme'e" Garatus said, shifting his nose before snorting to try to expel some of the insectoid stink.

"What Covenant cargo brings you to this place Nek Dal? And would you care to join us as we walk?" Garatus asked with genuine curiosity.


Kex Kel, Ibie'Shan Security Chief.

Kex nodded to Cad as the younger Kig-yar spoke, grabbing the bottle the lad gestured for. "Yes, it is Kex, Kex Kel" Kex said as he handed the bottle to Cad. He listened to Cad, glad to hear that he had learned from their initial encounter. "That's good to hear lad" Kex said, nodding slowly.

"That they do, even the young ones are strong as I don't know what, been carried around like a doll by one before" Kex chuckled in regard to the Jiralhanae, "and there's nothing wrong with having a non-pirating profession, and you seem to be honoring the uniform nicely" he said with a small smile "You earned my respect that day youngin', you but up a fierce fight"

Kex sighed somewhat before continuing "And honestly, we've not been pirating very much or at all lately, trade with these people, sell to those ones, grovel to those other ones. Hard to keep busy without a little sword play now and then, Tel likes to try at it though..." Kex said, the ending more to himself as he spaced out with a sly smile, recalling a recent encounter with Tel.

[Faclan]

Cad - Ruutian Major
Settlements Medical ward.
Out of order respondin, and slight annoyances.

Thanking Kex with a nod Cad took a few sips of the bottle, pulling a little face each time, before it was finally finished. Likely some kind of medicine for those kind of faces for it of was some stronger drink and the Major was pulling those kind of faces what type of Kig would he be?! As Kex continued to talk Cad mostly remained quiet as he focused on understanding what the other Kig was saying and breathing. But he did roll his eyes a few times so seemed to have something he wanted to say - but waited for Kex to be done before he started. Though Kel wasn't a clan he was aware of but then again he hadn't been around Eyan for a looong time so that wasn't surprising.

"Tel? Is that one of the crews on your pir...mercenary vessel?" He asked quietly, correcting himself as he went before rolling his eyes. "And must you continue with that youngin stuff? I think you are barely a year my Elder - Kex." He cracked the knuckles on his unbroken arms hand against his beak before continuing. "Thanks for the compliment, I like to think I serve the Gods and the Covenant well, hoping that I'll be able to continue too after some recover. I would have to say I approve of less pirating, as last time we met you were pirating Holy property. Is that why you are here? Working for the ordained correct side?" He asked, sounding a little hopeful that perhaps Kex was starting to have leanings toward the Holy path.

But as an afterthought, and tell of Cads current condition, he then responded to the second thing Kex had brought up. "Carried like a doll? What circumstances led up to that? Were you being brought toward the stew pot or something?" Poor Kig seemed to have been smacked pretty hard on the head.


Nek Dal - T'vaoan mercenary Captain
Main thoroughfare
Business and future business.

"I'm glad as well Friend, as I prefer to keep my feathers on my body and not adoring some wall or book of heretics...yeah." Rubbing the back of his neck and coughing a bit Nek did his best to clear that near death sentence from his mind so he could focus on Garatus again. "And most likly it would help both if it is something you need selling and as long as its not with that certain group for me. Suf would probably prefer that and maybe see it as a nice change."

Since he was busy looking at the floor at the two large apes feet he had missed Garatus's appraisal of himself so when he did look back up he was smiling a little. But he waited till the Chieftain was finished before he chuckled a bit and replied.

"Funny you should mention Thorn Beast as that's one of the items I was bringing in. Its a very tricky thing to transport if you follow the instructions given because he kept having to expose it to air and baste it every few hours. Thankfully that thick concoction was provided with the box and good to hear we did it correctly." If a Human happened to be around he would probably think it was odd that Nek didn't balk at Garatus's comparison of the meat to a youths heart, but to Kig-Yar it was a perfectly acceptable as a comparison.

"And it is indeed an odd city, not often where a larger settlement is set up right beside a Yanme'e nest and even less so next to an Unggoy city. But gota use the space and all that," he said with a shrug before smiling and nodding. "If you would have me I'd be happy to join you for a walk. Not got much else to do while my ship is refueled and reloaded with cargo bound for a Sangheili settlement. Once I get that delivery done I can work for you if the offer is still there then." The T'vaoan nodded with a genuine smile as he turned to let the Jiralhanae pass so he could walk with them. Finally some good news.

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless.

Garatus stroked his beard as he contemplated heretics, how he'd stomped them out on that Forerunner forsaken world, and what it was that truly constituted a heretic. Surely Nek was not one. Then his mind returned to thinking of the Thorn Beast. He rumbled his satisfaction with the transportation and the finished product. Nodding to Nek in approval Garatus grinned "Indeed, correctly is and understatement, as it was most delectable" Garatus said.

Garatus nodded to Nek "More workers and soldiers for the Empire, ever growing, ever warring. And they have their uses, better the Unggoy and Yanme'e in the mines than the Kig-yar and Jiralhanae" Garatus mused as he imagined the Sangheili rather have both their races down there working 'til they died. The San'Shyuum appreciated their skill sets at least, and held the real power.

"Excellent" Garatus said when Nek decided to join them "your company is always appreciated, and the goods aren't going anywhere while you're finishing up your Sangheili endeavor" he said with a smile.

Garatus carefully moved past Nek in the narrow passageway so as not to squish the T'vaoan into the wall like Garatus recalled his elder brothers doing to him on purpose as a boy. He sighed out a deep rumble thinking about them both, even though they were somewhat cruel to him as a boy, he still loved and missed them now that they were gone. At least he still had Karonus and Eugenius, and his children nowadays. Unfortunately he never really got to know his half-brother and rarely saw him.

Garatus lead the way out of the narrow passage out into a street wide enough for them to walk less tightly packed. Garatus removed his cloak from from his bag and wrapped it over his shoulders so it draped down over him, the hood down and bunched at the back of his neck. He sniffed the air, and noted a large accumulation of smells coming from down an alleyway. "That way smells interesting" Garatus said as he pointed down the lowly lit alley before heading down it.

The alley was somewhat nasty, Garatus wiping his bare feet off on the ground once they were out of the alley. The alley itself opened up into a market, stalls manned by nearly every species were present, an odd yellowish light cast all about. It was mostly Kig-yar and some Unggoy, a Jiralhanae here, a Sangheili there, none of which seemed to care about the small black market this place seemed to be. Garatus noted one of the Sangheili had scars on his face, scars consistent with having had stitches... most interesting.

"Quite the little place we've found ourselves" Garatus said to Nek and Eugenius.


Kex Kel, Ibie'Shan Security Chief.

Kex nodded to Cad "Aye, she's one of the senior crew members. And I'm aware of the age difference, a minor as it is. I've got a half sister a month younger than me and I call her youngin' too, so don't get your quills ruffled over it" Kex said with a smile and wink. He rolled his eyes lightly when Cad said the correct side, albeit with a little grin.

"Aye, we're here moving Cargo for the Covenant. Had a little run in with a Shipmaster who threatened to murder us all if we didn't stop taking advantage of the Humans while they're not extinct" Kex said with a shrug "All I do is keep the crew in line and make sure our cargo is safe, so I don't concern myself with the who's and the whats" Kex concluded.

He rubbed the back of his neck as he contemplated a response to the Jiralhanae question. "I was working for some Jiralhanae on Doisac, one of their cubs decided Kig-yar were cute and decided I was theirs to keep. Luckily the Patriarch and didn't see it that way and got me released, I think I just saw him actually on my way here, he's a Chieftain now though" Kex said shrugging.

"So what battle were you in to bring you here? Other than the Shaman incident I'm assuming you were on deployment" Kex said.

[Faclan]

Cad - Ruutian Major
Settlements Medical ward.
Freeeendship?

"I bet your brother," had he misheard Kex or was he just messing with him? "Gets annoyed at being called younger too." His expression however continued to be more smiles when Kex confirmed that they were indeed moving gear for the Holy Covenant and not doing anything nefarious. There was always the option that Kex could be lying to him but Cad had the impression that Kex didn't lie to people he trusted or respected. Lied to everyone else for sure, but just a feeling that he didn't lie to that group. Or maybe he just wanted to believe that Kex could be 'saved'. Or that he wanted to live through today and not be shanked before Kex skipped off to go back to his Mistress. "Good that you are avoiding the Heathens, no need to be tainted more than you already are. But I Believe that you'l make the right choices in the end Kex. You seem like a smart Kig."

Setting the now empty medicine bottle back on the table beside his bed it nearly fell over but Cad was able to snatch it and set it up right before going back to listening to Kex. The Ruutian adjusting the badages around his head and seemed to be getting some color back into his eyes and spines. Good sign. More so when he started to snicker and then break out laughing at the little story about Kex and the Jiralhanae was relayed to him. "Hehehe...I could see why those tiny ones would want to take one of us for their own. Better than the adults. But I'm surprised you didn't try to convince that one to let you go with a drawn weapon...Though that probably wouldn't go over well with the adults so good you didn't."

His smiles went away however when he was asked about the battle. Sighing a bit Cad rubbed his beak before starting to explain. "The Accursed Humans had developed a type of Dome that seemed to absorb the Cleansing Fire. We were deployed to the ground to find a way to bring them down and remind them of their inevitable demise. But a massive earthquake split open the earth and nearly destroyed our forces. That's when my leg broke when a rock fell on it. I was doing my best to rest up but I saw Chieftain Garatus, good friend, in a fight for his life against a crazed Jiralhanae." He grimaced and rubbed his head a bit. "I limped over to help, blew up the aggressor with a Needle shower, but the Shaman didn't appreciate my assistance and I was cracked in the head. Woke up on the ship when we were leaving. I think that the Domes were brought down." Looking down at his covered legs and toes Cad moved them around some to see if he could feel and move them - both being yes. Which made him smile a bit more. "At least I can feel my legs again...Thanks for coming to see me by the way Kex. Since I doubt it was on your agenda for today."


Nek Dal - T'vaoan mercenary Captain
Main thoroughfare
Oooh markets.

"No arguments from me about them in the mines rather than myself. I would hope that the skills to repair, modify, and fly ships mean that I would avoid that. Again unless it was some kind of punishment for paste deeds - best not to dwell on that." Starting to walk beside Garatus he smiled and bobbed his beak a bit as they went. "It sure smelled good the few times I was near the box, I bet fully cooked it would have been even better - and I appreciate that you appreciate me being around. Makes you feel good that some people do you know?" Hissing a bit at the thought of his Mistress looking down on him he did his best to look ahead again as the Elder just rolled his eyes and walked with the others.

The odd party continued down toward one of the more built up sections of the settlement, Nek glancing to the side as Garatus pulled out a nice looking cloak and draped it over the thick Chieftain armor as they went (At least I think he has the armor on), nodding as he leaned back to get a look at the back of it as well in the typical Kig-Yar way of head bobbing. "Nice quality, though considering your station its not surprising." He just nodded as the large apes led the Elder ape and himself down the passage way. Nek squinting a bit at the tightly compacted smells, made worse by the Jiralhanae nearly blocking off each end of the passage way. But finally they were out and in a familar scene for Nek of a market. Suspect intention of not a market was always nice to see.

"Indeed...want to have a look around or do you have somewhere you need to be Chief?" Nek asked, leaning this way and that as he tried to get an eye on some of the goods being sold. "Maaaaay be able to sell some of the old stock here before departure." He mused mostly to himself as he rolled back the sleeve on his right arm, arm feathers poofing out a bit from being held in the jacket, to reveal his Human Tac-Pad - the T'vaoan starting to tap away on most likely notes or looking at his inventory for selling purposes.

[killakan]

Kotas 'Vadumai, Sangheili Ultra.
Kig-Yar Bar.
Celebrating a promotion.


Kotas had found the bar he was looking for, one that accepted all species. The last two either wanted to rip him apart for being a Sangheili or didn't serve the non Sangheili in his command. He had been just promoted, after two decades of being a Major the Sangheili commanders had faced such losses in the previous battle that they had to promote him to Ultra. They didn't like him and he doesn't like them, but they are honorable, if slow. He had asked for his command to be made of albino Sangheili and Jiralhanae as well as the standard Kig-Yar and Unggoy fodder. However they gave him their worst soldiers, the inept, the cowardly, and the foolish, but that was no matter, as he would turn his three lances into the best fighting force in the whole Covenant. Hell if the "experiment" was to be successful, they had to be. So, to boost morale and to get a feel for his troops, he sent them all here to drink and be merry in celebration of the progress in the Covenant.

[edtosivaree]

Ship Mistress Edto Xar'Sivaree
CNV Shadow of Retribution -> Random Bar
Relaxing after dealing with idiotic birdbrains.

"Ship Mistress. We will be arriving in port shortly. Currently, there will be no delays in our refit. We should not be here much longer than a Unit" Nadra 'Othamaee, Edto's Bridge Master stated calmly, taking his place next to her in the Bridge. Edto was quite aggravated that they had to make this stop. She had wholly more important things to be doing, but there was an unexpected critical failure in the Galley and they lost a significant portion of their food reserves. She would be punishing the one responsible for the, but she figured they could pay off the supplies instead. Seemed fair enough.

Edto waited patiently for the ship to dock, and promptly got up to leave. The ship could run its course without her overseeing the bridge at this point, and she had a shipment to oversee. Nadra naturally followed her. Given that she usually was never without an escort, she had forgone the Security team assigned to her personal protection in leu of the most pleasing company. Nadra certainly counted as the more pleasing company, given he did not think he was on babysitting duties when accompanying her.

Things would have been fine if the port hadn't screwed up the numbers on her crate. Edto pulled out her Datapad and checked her order. What was being loaded was half of what she had paid for. After speaking to several of the port crew working, she managed to figure out what happened. Her shipment was accidentally put on the wrong ship. After an exhausting conversation, she managed to rectify the problem, but it would take a cycle to fully provide the order.

"Might I suggest we allow the ship to enjoy the port for the day Ship Mistress. It would do a number on their collective Moral to be able to go and enjoy the Port. You run a Ship of the Covenant. The Port Security will ensure no one who is unauthorized to enter it, and we have enough Security to run 3 shifts to add additional guards," Nadra stated.

Edto thought about the idea for a moment. If they really were going to be here for a cycle, then the crew should, at least, get a chance to enjoy this screw-up. "Inform the ship of their shore leave. Exactly one cycle from the point in which the announcement is made. Have Ida 'Chadumee split up the Security detail to three shifts. If he feels we have enough, he is allowed to make it four shifts" She commanded. Nadra nodded and started to his task.

After a minute or two, Nadra put his datapad away and looked to Edto. "Any plans for the next cycle?" He asked with a grin.

---

Edto Xar'Sivaree entered a random Kig'Yar Bar, with her Bridge Master at her right. He stood a bit behind her, his Dark Red Zealot armour siding well with Edto's golden Ship Mistress armour. She refused to wear anything other than that. Nadra overstepped her and quickly barked at a couple unggoys and kig yar that were taking up space at the bar. Despite not needing him too, Edto did crack a slight smile.

Edto sat first and waved for Nadra to join her. Purely formality at this point considering the slightly younger Zealot knew full well that she would not leave him to stand. Once the two were sat, they ordered drinks. Edto felt quite a bit shorter than she was, given her feet didn't press to the ground in quite the same way as Nadra's, nor did she look so imposing upon her chair as he did within the crowd. Her Toy-like appearace certainly made her a little more weary of the eyes pointed in her direction.

However, it did not take long for the two to relax and begin talking among themselves about various ship business as well as trade the occasional story from the past. Surprisingly, Edto seemed to have far more impressive stories than the larger Sangheili if the looks on his face were to be believed. Both of them seemed a little confused at the ragtag group. They did notice that there was a Sangheili Ultra in the bar and was by the looks of it, the highest rank in bar other than herself and Nadra. Edto wondered if it were his troops that Nadra barked at.

[killakan]

Kotas 'Vadumai, Sangheili Ultra.
Kig-Yar Bar.
Enjoying The New Company.
The doors opened again and Kotas greeted the newcomers, thinking them part of his lances, he offered them to sit with them and bought them both drinks. When they do sit he sits with them, carrying the drinks. That is when he notices the Zealot armor on the Sangheili and the Kig-Yar's Ship-mistress armor. After he dilevers the drinks he calmly orders his men, who would probably compose of three-quarters of the populace in the bar, to settle in the presence of superior officers.

"Now, what brings you here, sir?" He asks, "We don't normally see Zealots communing with our motley of lances. Due to my reputation and condition."

The condition he mentioned was his albinism, honestly, it was hard to tell where the white Ultra armor ended and his skin began.

"I am Ultra Kotas 'Vadumai of the Outcast Lances, how may we be of use?"

[edtosivaree]

Edto Xar'Sivaree watched curiously as the Ultra approached, just to see that he ignored her completely. Or at least, that's how she felt. Edto, was the higher ranking Zealot of the two Zealots and should have been addressed first and foremost. Nadra had a strikingly similar opinion, standing up Aggressivly and meeting the new come face to face.

"You Disrespect Ship Mistress Edto Xar'Sivaree Ultra, apologize," He snarled.

Edto just raised a hand to stop the Zealot in his tracks, standing up herself. At a closer, more attentive look there was no mistaking her obvious Sangheili heretige despite her six foot stature.. There was a moment of silence before the female smiled. "Hold yourself Nadra, though I appreciate your vigor. I suspect this Ultra in his festivities, took me for a Kig'Yar Ship Mistress," She chuckled, taking off her Helmet. If there was any doubt left it was one now. She was Pure bred, 100% pure Sangheili. The Forerunner Brandings literally covering her skin all over.

Nadra 'Othamaee was obviously displeased, his hands clenched, but he sat down when Edto reached up and placed a hand on him. The Contrast between the two made Edto look like an adolescent, but her armor was clearly Covenant. The Fact that a Zealot was actively listening to her also inicated that she had power. The whole situation would look utterly bizare.

[killakan]

Kotas 'Vadumai, Sangheili Ultra.

Kig-Yar Bar.
Attending the Misapprehension.
"I am sorry Shipmistress, I think I have had to much to drink." He apologies for the misunderstanding, "I was only just promoted after two decades of being a major overseeing Jiralhanae and just received my first actual command, granted they are the worst that the superiors assigned but I will mold them into a machine of war. Pardon my rambling, do you wish to inquire further into me or my troops?"