Galactic CrossFire - Peace/War? Victory either Way!

[ArlEammon]

Spoiler

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We... Kind of want to know WTH's gonna go on with this great big battle first though. Be fair. (And what actions anyway?)

I could probably do something for the Aetheri soon, but thematically, I'd like to put it off a bit more... You want a summery of our actions on an empire wide level?

(I thought I said to post what the hay' was going on with each of your posts. But maybe thats another game I was thinking of. Anyway yeah, from now on post a summary of each action you do at the bottom of the page.)
(It seems I've been slacking off, but I lost track of what was going on. sorry)

[Greystone]

Aboard the Lar duthin Hli

The Demon screeched again and turned away from its prey. The Verona thing turned and forced itself to move closer to Jal. With a cry it let loose a inferno of black fire. Jal was protected from death by the power, but the nearby Spican had no such luck and was thrown into a wall, unclear whether dead or alive.

The demon raised its clawed hand over the Magi "hahahahahaha your puny magic cannot stop this" and it began to bring its claw down.

Suddenly the Goh Oathborn moved in the way of the strike, causing the demon to stop in confusion. Miraculously all four were alive, showing themselves to truly be the best the Goh had, though one was bleeding heavily from a side wound. All four of their glows suffused themselves in a tendril which drilled directly into the Demon's skull. Though it caused no outward damage the she-demon screamed again.

From where Verona's heart would be a blinding white light grew, it spread covering her entire body. With a flash everyone on the bridge flew away from her. When they opened their eyes, Verona still stood.

She was now over 7ft tall, with mucsles rippling. Her skin still was ebony and her hair was still a dark crimson, but her eyes now glowed with a blue fire. Most striking was the pair of wings growing from her back...They were white and feathered. Verona stood with all the regalty of a fallen angel...or an ascended demon.

That is until she collapsed "h...what happened?"

The dark energy suddenly ceases throughout the fleet. A holy magic so blinding it causes many to lose concentration. Then there is nothing but the aint thrum of energy.

[Moral Wiz]

Aboard the Lar duthin Hli

Jal winced, then smiled. He was the only one. The rest of the Aetheri were looking... slightly amazed. Though some seemed grim, now they'd recovered their sense

Jal''s quickly there, the Oathborn by his side, to help Verona up. His touch is gentle, but his strength is well and truly there to help the changed Verona.

We won, more or less.

He puts his bladestaff behind his back, and laughs a little, before muttering under his breath

Khan's so going to kill me for this

He looked around. They had the bridge now. Most of the crew were dead, or near enough to it. Magi bent over the fallen, offering either healing, or a painless end, speaking in patchy Khal.

Ah. But one is still standing.

The, still unarmed Aetheri aide, after making sure the Princess was able to stand, walks slowly over to Ycharr Tvari, his green robe stained with bood on the rim. Grinning, he speaks in passable Khal

Tchaikoan! You're well and truly beaten. Surrender.

[Greystone]

The Space Battle

For up until the Khal counter-spell, The Goh had been gaining serious "ground". Even the two Super-Khal ships had been stymied in their aim by The Solar Hammer's battleship escort. Suddenly the spell was counteracted. The Goh suddenly were put back on equal footing with the Khal...and it wasn't very equal.

On a strategic level, the Goh were still doing well, still pressing the attack, but the Khal began to inflict serious casualties. Especially on a fighter level, where strategy didn't matter nearly as much, were only the Goh aces managed to keep up with their counterparts.

The Solar hammer and its escorts focused on the Mith drikn Vwy. The combined fire, didn't quite destroy it, but knocked out the plasma scourge. Unfortunately the focus allowed the Khal flagship to breakthrough, dealing a decisive blow to a battleship standing in its way.

The Solar Hammer and escorts turned to meet it.

Elsewhere Commander Vithis and Brianna managed to keep the odds even with every trick and magic they could find, attempting to keep the Khal on the defensive.

Brutius

Brianna cursed as she repeatedly lead forays and attacks against the Khal fleet. She had ordered Direca to aid the Aetheri, specifically the StormHand. Suddenly sirens went off and she knew in her gut that her end had come. On the camera's she saw 13 Khal warriors attack her ship, lead by a beast or Storm. She knew that she wouldn't die, like a rat trapped on a sinking vessel, she would die as a warrior.

"Crew, you are some of the finest men and women I have ever fought with. You have all trained under me, and bled for me." she pauses "If I die, or get captured I need you to hold this bridge and turn command of this fleet over to Direca or Vithis, Understood?"

Her men were proud of their brave Commander "Yes Ma'am"

She turned and walked into the Security Bulkhead. Her Oathborn had reassembled, this time with a strength of twenty five, four who were the other half of Verona's eight and The Master of her Oathborn, Knight-Commander Julius Kasti. With them were the ships three mages. They saluted, and so did she.

Her wound had healed, due to her increased metabolism. She stood, tattered cloak fluttering, waiting for the inevitable.

(These Oathborn are MUCH better than normal Oathborn, keep that in mind)

Aboard the Lar duthin Hli

Verona was dizzy. She had only a vague recollection of what had just happened. She looked at the concern on the Aetheri's faces then she looked at herself and gasped in surprise. She began to tremble slightly in shock.

She pulled herself together, self-pity could wait "Well do what you came here to do and lets get off this...ship" she said with false bravado.

(I want to here Khan's reaction to all the magic)

Isabel

Isabel felt her spell begin to unweave and she knew drastic measures needed to be taken. She spoke in a clipped authoritative voice "Bring me the murderer"

Two of her special Moonguard dragged in a older blue Goh, his hands shackled and gagged. The guards set him up on a alter. Isabel walked to him and the others began to start chanting more furiously. Isabel matched their chants and drew back her hand.

She placed it on the prisoners chest and he screamed through the gag as blood began to spill from every orifice. A black substance crawled from his chest ,around her hand and into the air.

With his death her magic fueled the Goh curse into even higher proportions once again causing The tech-priests magic to fail their fleet. She smiled grimly, it was a Magical dual and what the costs!

StormHand

Commander Direca had sent Colonel Spera and a battalion of Goh marines to help the crew of the Stormhand. They hit the Vela from the flank and The Colonel attempted to use his green fire powers to spearhead the way directly to help the Captain.

[Moral Wiz]

Spoiler

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Great. Now Raz can post lots of stuff, and then the INQ can start meddling.

Alliance System

The Capitan of a certain ship re-opens his comm channel

Hello Kreel. You still there?

Anyway, we've got confirmation. It seems like it was a Khal attack, but they pulled out to some other battle. Anyway, the Navy's on alert, but it's not quite battle stations now.

We can probably recieve diplomatic visitors now, if you want to dock. Most High Khan went with the Goh, but we can get you comms to anyone in the Union.

He pauses, waiting for a reaction

[Krrth]

Aboard the Zshar wylri Xirkath


The three Kreel stagger for a moment.

What was that?

I don't know, but lets get moving with our mission so we can find out.

Agreed.

Greetings. We are the Kreel. May we speak to the commander of this vessel?


Kreel Scout

We would be happy to dock. Please indicate where, and we will do so. We do not have any trained diplomats on board, but we will do our best.

Spoiler

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Attempting diplomacy w/ the Khal

[Raz_Fox]

Space Battle

Unfortunately for the Goh, the Khal were well and truly on the attack. The assault on their flank had broken them, but the independant Khal Tchaikoans had regrouped in small clusters of battleships and now hit the Goh from every direction at once. Small teams ripping apart a bigger enemy - this was truly Khal warfare.


Zshar wylri Xirkath

"Come aboard." Standing before the three Kreel was an angelic being, tall and proud, smiling warmly at them. "Welcome. I am Tchaikoan Silariin, ally of the Khal and commander of this vessel. I understand that your ships have been attacking ours, but your choice to not destroy our damaged ship speaks well for you.
How may I help you, Kreel?"


Brutius

The Kharlong made their way into the room where their lesser brethren, the space marines, had died. Their towering presence and intricately carved armor instilled a germ of fear in every Goh's heart, much as they tried to repress it. Finally, the Kharlong himself walked in, gazing intently upon Brianna.
"I recieved one of your ansible signals - you wished to duel the commander of the Khal? Here he stands before you - Kaharach Tichan, Ruler of the Greater Khalardis Empire and - if my titles are to be believed - scourge of the stars, ruiner of empires and war made flesh. If I recall correctly, you wished to duel me? Look upon me once more - there is still time to recall words said in haste..."

Tichan himself is smaller than most Khal, only a head taller than Brianna and nearly as lean. Any expression on his alien face is blocked by his obsidian helmet, but his tone was slightly mocking. On his back were two mastercrafted katanas, and at his belt were several short scisks.


Lar duthin Hli

"Surrender? A warrior of the Khal may only surrender to a worthy opponent." Tvari reaches out and places one taloned hand upon Jal's shoulder. "And I believe you are a worthy opponent, Aetheri. Would you mind helping me up? It's simply that I'm having trouble moving at the moment..."


Rik'zhell d'nr Pwtath

"High Enginseer, the alien side of the equation has been added to. We no longer posess the greater side of the equation, holy one - even with the unknown variable." "Then if we cannot be greater than their side, we shall be congruent to it. Begin Rkell's Theorem, brother. If we cannot defeat them, we shall mirror them. Harness the magic being sent our way, and reflect it unto them - we are the children of ice, and force applied to us shall move accordingly without friction!"


Stormhand

Tatharan ducked under the wild swing and grabbed it, twisting it out of the sorceress's hands. It still held its black flame in his hands, so he slammed its burning haft into the face of one Aetheri guard and into the chest of one opposite him. "You just can't get the staff, can you?"

Then he noticed the sounds of battle behind him and growled in frustration. "Catch!" He threw the staff back at the sorceress, knocking her over for the minute he needed. He spun around on his good side, smoothly pulling out a pistol and energy cartridge. He locked the cartridge swiftly into the pistol, ignoring the annoying Aetheri trying to shoot him in the back. He ducked forward, under a blow designed to decapitate him, and aimed for an alien with green flames wreathed about his hands.

Krak! Krak!

The mage fell, holes blasted cleanly through chest and forehead. Tatharan spun around and whipped the butt of his pistol across his assailant's face, kicking him back as he reeled. As far as Tatharan could tell, the rear assault was failing fast - and the main assault was doing brilliantly. Barely three Aetheri stood about their commander, who had regained her footing and was... Tatharan sniffed. Interesting indeed. Let's see how she reacts.

Rilithe saw the Vela captain loping towards her and her men again. He stopped as her guards raised their weapons and winked with his one good eye. "Come on then, show me some real fighting. Really, I could have just killed her whenever I wanted to for all the good you lot are doing!"

[Krrth]

Kreel and Tchaikoan Silariin

The Kreel seem unmoved by the appearance of the captain.
Greetings, Ally of the Khal. We came to help stop what appeared to be a senseless attack, on the premise that that if we help someone now, they will help us in the future. However, things do not seem to be....right. We are missing some piece of information. So, we come to talk.

Spoiler

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Of course they seem unmoved! They're frikkin crystals! As far as anyone knows, they don't even HAVE facial features!

[Greystone]

Space battle

Goh tactics ranged from the simple to the incredibly complex. That and the slight return of luck had a massive Goh counterattack, led by Commander Direca and Vithis. The battle, no matter how much either side gained or loss stayed in a bloody stalemate.

Brutius

Brianna remained cool, fear having no place in her life or doubt. "I believe our transmission was mis-translated" she said cooly "I merely swore to that Captain that if they sent borders again that they should attack me themselves"

She draws herself to her full, considerable height "It appears that they have honored my request. I shall do no dishonor to myself or you by going back on my word"

She stares back with a calm acceptance into the Kaharach's eyes "Will our men stain the deck with their blood or will it be just you and me" she holds out her hand and smirks just a tad "I make no promise at what my defeat will gain you, for surely my crew will not surrender, but it is your choice"

She bows low, in a sweeping arc meant for only the most formal of rituals.

"To introduce myself, I am Brianna of the Goh, Govenor of this province, The princess of fire, the daughter of the Sun Emperor. I have led thirteen successful campaigns and have felled Empires. You may be far more skilled then I" She falls into a defensive stance "But I will show you that the Goh do not fall easily"

StormHand

The blast did enter his chest, but the bullet to the forhead skipped painfully off a white shield that jumped up and saved the Colonel's life. The blast knocked him back into the wall though, where two Vela surrounded him.

The Goh marines had been briefed for Khal, not the fast moving Fox warriors, but began to at least put up a decent fight, pulling the pressure off the Aetheri a little bit.

(The Colonel isn't a mage, he is a warrior...with magic, like all Goh commanders)

Isabel

Isabel gritted her teeth as the Khal attempted to reflect the spell. She decided it was time to show these Khal what a real Witch was. She began to chant a different spell while her followers kept the weaving luck.

Dark tendrils lifted from the Corpse, and instead of a dead man, a pile of ash remained. Isabel then attacked the Tech-Priests minds directly with tendrils of unholy energy, seeking on sucking their bodies dry, or at the very least disrupt them.

[Raz_Fox]

Space Battle

Khal are extremely unpredictable and wild. Half the time, Goh strategies were foiled by the Khal deciding to do exactly the opposite of what was expected of them. The other half of the time, the Khal stumbled directly into traps and unfavorable positions.


Brutius

Tichan pulled out his twin katanas. "Not all Khal are obsessed with bloodshed - the two of us duelling together would do fine.

One last warning to you... princess. It would be... unwise to assault me with magic. A physical assault is the wisest course of action when facing the child of Syrii itself."


Silariin

"You... have the right of it, for the most part. The Khal are warlike and invaded the system - just to have another war. However, they were counter-attacked, and now I think the battle is going on for the sake of the battle. I would wager that half the Tchaikoans in the fleet have forgotten why they are fighting in the first place.
We certainly were not expecting to fight mages, however. We do not have any strong connection to the warp, and we dislike fighting magic."

[Krrth]

Kreel and Tchaikoan Silariin


But why? This is a senseless waste of resources. There are many planets in the galaxy that can be colonized, and much bigger threats than your neighbors. What is the point in useless combat?

[Halna LeGavilk]

Brothers [lit. battle brother], we praise the name of [untranslatable=Rik] that you are here to meet the Khal [lit. the one true people]. We must warn you that the Khal are eager to fight [lit. duel in space] and cannot be warned from this path.
As fellow masters of technology and mathematics, we must warn you that the Khal will never stop fighting [lit. a battle eternal] but if you leave, we will not [closest translation=bear grudges, seek vengance]. As brothers and sons of [untranslatable=Rik], we give you [mercy?] and warn you.
The Khal will always war. Will they war against you, [enlightened? smart?] ones, or against the warrior races?

Farez frowned at this message.... They might have a point... He quickly typed in a message back.

Brothers in Science and Technology,

I am Farez, Guide of Fraon. I am also called the Master of all Technology, though I despise that title. I wish for a meeting at [coordinates encoded]. I will be there. In the meantime, my ships will keep fighting, until you have proved your good faith.

Farez teleported over to a frigate, and phased away to the coordinates.

[Raz_Fox]

Silariin and Kreel

Silariin shook his head. "Saikoan Nthar Lunak, if you would explain to the Kreel the Khal mindset..."

Nthar Lunak clicked his beak. "It is... not a waste. For us, the point of the battle is to fight, to test the measure of an opponent and to lay waste unto him. It is not useless - many have fought and died this day, and the battlefield that the stars have become is glorious of itself. We fight because we must - we cannot live without conflict."

Silariin nodded. "Not all allies of the Khal share their mindset of conflict above all - the Vela fight to hone themselves and show their worth, the Spicans stand by the Khal to balance their darker nature, the Nebensee wish to show the galaxy their craftsmanship. Whatever their motives, all the major races of the Greater Khalardis Empire watch this battle with interest for their own reasons."


Rik'zhell d'nr Pwtath

The High Enginseer nodded when the Ansible screen lit up with the reply of the enlightened ones. "Rik'venn, Rik'jhelv and Honored Rik'xkell, take a group of Acolytes and take the Rik'ttlun scrid Szrkyll to these coordinates. Pull up the advanced probability shields to avoid damage."

[Greystone]

Brutius
Brianna nodded and sprang into the attack. She moved like lightning but the Kaharach could move his blades faster than she could move her arms, and he was very strong. She quickly realized that to hit him at all she had to move faster, using footwork. She danced around, attempting to always stay in a blindside.

While she fought, Brianna fell into a habit she had developed, the ability to talk without throwing her focus. It took most warriors off-guard to do both.

"If not all Khal are obsessed with bloodshed, and you are the leader" she ducked below a slice barely "Then why is this conflict still occuring. I must admit I do not understand"
Her clawed gloves rang off his armor, but barely a scratch was left.

[Krrth]

Kreel and Tchaikoan Silariin


We understand wanting to make yourself stronger, and better warriors. The goal of all sentient creatures should be to improve themselves unto perfection. Why must you kill the civilians, though? How do you deal with those who simply do not wish to fight you? Who want to be left alone, in peace?

[Moral Wiz]

Kreel Negotiations

Excellent

Co-ordinates are broadcast, specifying docking hatches, ect. The Aetheri clearly wish the Kreel to dock with the ships already here.

I'll be down to meet you, and escort you myself. Don't worry, this isn't really my department either

With that, a somewhat nervous and sweaty Capitan Hal Vreer headed off to the appropriate cargo hatch, a small detachment of Aetheri with him. In uniform, not power armor. Not all ships had the Aetherlight's armory.

[Krrth]

Kreel Negotiations
The scout vessel maneuvers to the specified location. Once docked, the hatch opens and a single Kreel steps out.

Greetings to you all. I am *set of musical notes*. How may I address you?

Spoiler

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Kreel names sound like various musical notes. It's a side effect of how they speak.

[Moral Wiz]

Kreel Negotiations

The Capitan blinked, first at the odd looking Kreel, then at it's name

I'm... sorry, can you repeat that?

As the Kreel repeat his name, the Capitan quietly activates a recording device, to make sure he gets it right. It's probably polite to just ask for a name to work with, but this isn't the Capitan's territory, and to the black with it if he starts a war due to bad manners

[Krrth]

Kreel Negotiations

I'm sorry, I see you are having a problem with my name. We have encountered this before. You may call me Scout, or whatever other designation you prefer.

[Moral Wiz]

Kreel Negotiations.

The Capitan smiles

No worries, Master Scout Kreel.

With that, he turned, and indicated a direction, before having himself and the guards set off on it themselves, evidently intending to lead the way

Eventually, they come to the bridge. The crew are more or less idle at this point, though all look up at the Kreel's arrival. The Capitan ignors this, keeping his smile, no matter what.

Now, we've got a line to most of the High Chosen's court. I don't think we have a formal diplomatic corps, but you'd probably be best served in speaking to one of them. Who'd you like to speak to?

Inquisitorial High Fleet

Drake smiled as the Magister's Fist completed it's run to the outskirts of the battle. The Other ships were fine, though many still had Vela aboard. Still, now the Inquisition could plan properly

Slowly, the Fist turned, and the bride crew looked out, over the battle. The initiates gasped at the massive nature of the fleet action being fought, though Drake simply looks a bit irreverent, and smiles

That's got to be the largest distraction I've ever see...

Then, he feels it. The black touch unmistakable

Manifestation...

The Inquisitors all look worried at that, though Drake looks more... cold

Where... was that coming from?

Still trying to pinpoint it, sir. Loads of interference around here

Drake sighs.

We can't afford to worry with mysteries, Lieutenant. Not right now Whatever it was, it was canceled out. Let's leave it at that.

Stormhand

Rilithe does her best to appear cold, though as each of her guard falls, her sorrow and fear increases

But can't let them see...

With all her remaining bravado, she smiles at the Vela warrior

How's this?

With that, she tried to bring her staff down again, fainting a right sided blow, then shifting to a downward one. No black flames flow across the staff now.

[Krrth]

Kreel Negotiations

Whomever is appropriate. I do not know much of your people, and we have not dealt with other races in a long time. Our standard procedure is if contact is necessary, establish a "embassy", and a trained diplomat will arrive shortly. Until then, we are to use our best judgment. So, Whom would you recommend I speak to?

[Moral Wiz]

Kreel Negotiations

Sounds reasonable

The Capitan sighed

Till, then, I don't know. Most of the people I'd recommend are at the Investiture, a large celebration of ours. Everyone from the lowest Sorcerer, to the High Chosen will be there.

You probably want at least a High Sorcerer though. Possibly a Most High, or even the High Chosen. We can, in theory, get anyone. How high a ranking person do you wanna risk talking to?

The Capitan smiled at the last, even though his 'diplomacy' was starting to slip

Lar duthin Hli

Jal looks surprised at the acceptance, but nods, and helps Tchaikoan Tvari up as best he can. A minor charm to the shoulder stenches most of the bleeding, though the blood loss will keep her arm weak until there is time for more

Though it will leave her at risk of unconsciousness for quite a while. Jal smiles at her, as reassuringly as he can

I humbly accept your surrender. A well-fought battle. Your crew stood for a long time against a horde of demons. The Khal are indeed, as Most High Khan says

And please, call me Jal. Jal Ir’Rannantre, aide to the aforementioned Most High Khan. High Sorcerer, Old One of the military, and general irritable bastard.

He smiles at that, a little bit of confidence returning.Jal looks round at the bridge, and actually takes the time to survey the whole fleet action. Teachings of pacifism or no, he can't help but whistle at the sheer extent of the fleet battle that was developing. But he groans as he sees the black and gold ships in the distance

Please tell me I didn't just almost let a demon manifest fully practically in front of the Inquisition

Yeah, looks like it

Theoi smiles, and starts fidling with the Khal controls, and some equipment he'd brought with him. A pair of Magi run to assist. Jal, who looked like he was about to curse, resists the impulse, and with an effort, even smiles at Verona and Tvari.

We'd best be going now. The others'll catch up. Tchaikoan, I'm afraid we're going to need your ship. And... it might not remain intact for much longer. Any of your crew here that also wish to surrender may freely accompany us out of here, but they'd better be quick about it.

[Krrth]

Kreel Negotiations

Whomever is high enough rank to deal with us, and available. A High Sorcerer will be fine. We can always go up from there if necessary.

[Greystone]

Lar duthin Hli

Verona nods quickly, then gesturing at Tviri to follow, the Oathborn support their mistress to the shuttle. Verona was starting to feel it, the same power that she had felt in the sword, except that it was her. The rush of absolute power that came to her was exhilerating and very frightening.

One of the Oathborn, a Red named Feros, removed his helmet once on the shuttle and offered his sword to Verona. Kneeling in front of her he said "Princess, strike me down as is your wont, I have failed to protect you"
The other four followed suit. Verona looked agast, which was apparent evn on her transformed features. She stood and laid her now clawed hands on his brow "None of you failed me, I failed myself. Peace brothers."

They looked up and realized, despite the ebony skin, blue eyes, and pointed canines, she was still beautiful, like some beneficent Angel of Mercy.

Well she forgave them, Now all they had to do was forgive themselves...and then explain to Brianna.

[Moral Wiz]

Kreel Negotiations

None of them'll say they're available. On Investiture? They'll all claim to be at a ceremony. It's an open secret though that people can be reached. Especially for important things like this.

[Krrth]

Kreel Negotiations

I....see. What would be the best way to go about convincing them that this is important? I can have the rest of my ships weave a giant light show in the sky to get their attention.

[Raz_Fox]

Silariin

"That is why the Spicans stand by the Khal - to ensure that civilians are not slaughtered, to make sure that subjugated peoples are treated well and simply join the Khalardis Empire. The Khal themselves can be amazing and noble, but they have a darker nature that we Spicans try to dull."

Brutius

"Because we live for conflict, for the battle and the victory. Bloodshed is a necessary part of this - but it needs not be the most important part. We live for moments like this, the duel, the battle. And there are none who can deny us."

Tatharan

Tatharan easily dodges out of the way. "Not fast enough, sorry." He lunges forward, grabbing at the staff and looking into the sorceress's face. "I believe that the battle has gone against you, milady. You have lost. Why do you not give up?"

Lar duthin Hli

"We Khal are excellent pilots. If you wish, Jal, I could pilot the Lar duthin Hli at your command..."

[Krrth]

Kreel and Tchaikoan Silariin

How do you deal with others though? Those who do not wish to be subjugated? Those like us, for example. We would rather be left alone. When our neighbors are attacked, we may help...especially if we might be attacked next. However, we harbor no ill will towards any but the Ancient Enemy.

[Moral Wiz]

Stormhand

Because it would shame my crew.

Because... I am a High Sorceress. This is my ship.

She's sweating now, most notably. The words take effort. But she keeps on trying to wrench her staff away from the good Capitan, with all the strength she can muster...

Lar duthin Hli

Jal smiles slightly, but holds up a hand

Thank you, but no, honorable one. We Aetheri have been studying the Khal since our last encounter. We know the essentials of your controls, ect, and have a few tricks of our own

And besides, after surrendering, I'd hate for you to not only give your life, but give it against your people in battle. I'm not that cruel

With that, Theoi and the others looked up

We're done. She won't fly quite as well as she would under Khal hands, or a full bridge crew, but she's a beautiful ship on her own. She'll fly well.

Shame really

Jal ignores this, turning to the captive Capitan.

That's our cue, I think. Shall we go?

With that, hopefully, all those remaining alive upon the bridge exit. As they draw level with Verona, he puts a hand on her shoulder

Sorry. I shouldn't have suggested you use a demonblade. My fault..

He doesn't stop running for the shuttle as he says this, but looks Verona in the eyes, his regret apparent and genuine

Kreel

Oh, we'll just need to tell them. That's not hard. But it means we have to know who to contact. We can't annoy everyone, even for something like this

[Krrth]

Kreel Negotiations

Very well. We can pass the message along, and have them contact us on the second planet. They may visit if they wish, although I doubt they would find the environment comfortable. Perhaps our Emperor would be willing to take time out of his busy schedule to talk to them. I believe he is currently with part of our fleet defending one of your colonies.