HarperMadi
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- RP Date
- February YE:41
- RP Location
- Kyrok City, Xuno
====== Western Space | Dovanian Recruitment location ======
The DSS-Xuno was on standby, awaiting for any new recruits that would arrive to the meet up location. It was already an hour and they could only stay so long before they had to head back to Kyzu. Captain Han and Princess Violet Foreman were both in the bridge. It was a silent post that day, they kept the comms open and all their cannons were on high alert.
Violet was clearly still damaged from the bombings only a few weeks prior. Still bound to her wheelchair, “I don’t think anyone is coming today Captain. Must we have to wait another 30 minutes? It’s awfully boring out here.” She complained, still being in a sour mood after she was bombed by communist not that long ago. Also not wanting to just sit around and do nothing.
Not far away, a tumbling mass of twenty odd tons drifted ever closer to the cruise. It wasn’t on a collision course, but close. Every once in a while, starlight would glint off of the darkened glass, behind which curious green eyes observed her passive sensor readouts. She monitored the comm bursts, idly snacking on a ration bar before reaching up and flipping on the red backlight to her screen. These Xunoks were curious, and she’d seen the advertisement for needed scientists. Though they seemed to be doing well on their own, if her passive scans were any indication.
The ship named Oracle was running on silent, waste gasses from her reactor hissing as they were fed into RCS fuel tanks, hydrogen as her blood cooling her skin before being fed to the reactor. Hull plating was charged with a tiny voltage, spurring the lichen on its surface to change color, forming shifting patterns of dark greys and blacks, radar scattering across her hull, refusing to give a clear image.
“Captain! We’re detecting what seems to be an asteroid on our scanners. Which is strange sin-” The Crewman being cut off by another.
“Carl! We know that. Just shut up and send the report up.” As the other Crewman sent up the report to the Captain. Making it a swift data exchange. “Sir, should we engage?” He asked.
Captain Han had received the message and looked out of the bridge and saw nothing, “Open the communications, I want to send a message.” After the order was sent out, and the comms were opened, Captain Han spoke, “Unknown Fighter sized vessel. We know you’re out there on our scanners, though you’re technology is impressive, there is no cover out here. Respond.” He stated and waited for a response.
Violet was sitting there, excited and yet concerned. A cloaked ship was not really a good sign for them, and she was a diplomat, not a soldier. Though she is equivalent to a Dovanian Royal Guard in skill.
Thorn grinned at the comms burst, placing her hand on the comms controls. She decided to play the part of some ancient probe waking up, her comms giving a second-pulse cyclic beep, systems coming to life on the cruiser’s sensors, though she played her hand close to her chest, for now. She didn’t need them knowing the probe was manned, for now. A few moments later, the ship’s sensors and shields flared with focuses of multiple high intensity scans, blinding the burn of her RCS jets to move her out of any targeting window they might have had.
Adding in the background distortion and static fade of a long distance transmission, she started speaking in Lorath. “Your weapons are armed and targeting systems attempting to track this probe’s telemetry. This probe is property of Ironhart Research. Please acknowledge.”
A moment of silence went around the ship before Violet spoke, “And we found another Ironhart. Isn’t that great. Hello! I am Princess Violet Foreman of the Ichiko Household of Dovania. If you speak Trade that would be great, as I don’t understand you.” She then turned to the Captain and stated, “His majesty might want to see this, if it’s another Kyle situation, then we might want to inspect on it further.” Stating that also over comms.
The crackling and popping comm link opened in response. “Trade Language detected. Please disarm your weapons. This probe is on reconnaissance mission scanning for spatial anomalies. Warships are not part of the mission. If contact was made with Dovanian warship, redirect comms to Ironhart research. Please identify.”
Captain Han shook his head, “I am to have to believe that this is Thorn Ironhart then. The file matches this sort of behavior. Please be reasonable and state your business.” He stated, not in the mood to deal with more than one child.
Violet also commented, “Listen, if you’re not here for Dovanian recruitment, please leave. I already have to deal with 2 other Ironharts that I can’t handle a third.” She sighed as this was just a stupid conversation to her.
Thorn had to admit her curiosity was piqued. She’d never met any others of her family, or even closely related at some point in the distant past. But that was a problem for another day. “I’ll decloak when you disarm. Weapons on standby ready to fire, scanners sweeping for something that isn’t there. The only thing you have me on is mass, and you can’t target on mass. I already see your computers. So. Yes, I was playing with you. Gotta admit, you catch on pretty quick.”
Han motioned for the weapons to go offline, once they had he spoke, “We’ve been trained to be the best of the best. It’s rather motivating when you’re taught and trained to be the weakest thing in the galaxy. Brings out a reality check for us Dovanians. Now, please state your business.” He questioned her as he was too curious on why Thorn would be here.
“I’m bored and broke.” She finally opened up her side of the video, revealing a heavily scarred face, hair like molten chocolate floating free in the lack of gravity. Eyes like deep pools of emerald lit with fire peered through the screen at the captain, then Violet. High cheekbones and once alabaster skin tanned by alien suns caught the light as she turned, pulling a ration bar down to chew on boredly. “I saw the ads. Where’d you get my file?”
“We’re allies with Psychopomp and Section 6, so we get our sources.” He then turned to Violet, as she was in shock.
Violet looked at a few files and back up to Thorn, “Jesus lord and King of Dovania. She looks like a Nojahn, doesn’t she Captain?” She asked showing him profiles of Nojahn Citizens.
“Not sure what a Nojahn is.” Thorn shrugged, her hands moving across consoles to bring down her ship’s cloak. The bronze of her ship’s skin faded into the starlight and the faraday cage lost its charge, letting the warship see that she was powered by a fusion power plant, and her ship had a magnetic field consistent with a plasma rotor or constant fusion rocket. “Still, I heard you needed scientists. Turns out I’m for hire.”
Violet answered Thorn, “I’ll send you the coordinates for the Kyrok City Naval base, there you can land and meet up with officials to check you in. We’ll escort you into the system, as without us, you’ll be shot on sight. Kyzu is extremely protected. You’re most likely be stuck with me or his Majesty. Whom is also currently with another ‘Ironhart’ right now.” She explained as she sent over the coordinates.
Captain Han remained silent and started to get the ship ready to jump back to Kyzu. Making sure the engines and everything was all set to go.
“Roger that. I’ll meet you at the galactic northern edge of the system on this orbit. Jump drive spooling. Ten seconds to jump. Sorry if you guys are a little close for comfort.” The Xuno’s sensors would read the massive space time distortions of a jump drive built for a ship thousands of times her mass and running mostly unshielded as it started to kick its way out of normal space. “Sending orbital data, now.”
The DSS-Xuno had jumped after she stated her acknowledgment. Heading back to the Kyzu System. “Well that’s a powerful ship, we need to get our hands on one of those.” Violet claimed as they left.
=== Kyzu System ===
Readings of an objects jumping into the system, all cruisers were on high alert as they awaited for the object to jump in, weapons on standby and their engines already hot, all 41 other Cruisers were ready.
With a flash of radiation and light, big enough to hide one of Section 6’s carriers in, the eight meter long manned probe cloaked and lit its engines, for all intents and purposes looking like a spatial anomaly rocketing for the star at the heart of the Kyzu system. Moments later, the engine died and cooled, Thorn’s mass starting to tumble as she made minor corrections for an orbital encounter with a planet at the other side of the system. Quantum projectors flickered to life, and the anomaly coalesced into a small comet, hardly worth noticing.
Dovanian Cruisers still kept an eye that the fast object didn’t do any damage, keeping their distance and retaining their patrols. Messages of the object scattered out throughout the fleet and made it to Xuno. Kyrok City got the message loud and clear, all awaiting for the object to stop.
They wouldn’t have to wait long. Without her thrusters to accelerate her, the Oracle fell towards the star at the heart of the system, rounding it too close to be a powered starship. The gravity acting as a brake as the object made a close, almost too well calculated insertion into Xuno’s orbit, jettisoning something that slipped silently into the atmosphere towards Kyrok City, and it's waiting naval base.
Dovanian Military Personnel rushed to the pod that had suddenly landed in the Kyrok City Naval base. Forming up and taking defensive positions, they couldn’t be too sure. That’s when General McDavid approached the pod and remained 15 feet back, “I am General McDavid of the Dovanian Army. Identify yourself and keep your hands up upon exiting the pod.”
He was then surprised when Dovanian Royal Guardsmen had arrived in military vehicles and tanks rolled up. Out stepping was Housecarl Patrick, the highest and eldest Housecarl in Dovania, leading 10 other DRG, as they too approached the pod.
A demure, heavily scarred woman fell from the pod as it opened, coughing, crying as she looked around, babbling in a foreign language, but the skin tone, hair and eyes, her posture, all meant to play on their recognition of an ethnic group, despite the alien, if beaten, space suit she wore.
“Miss Ironhart, please stop pretending. You’re here on business not to get laid. Please follow me.” Housecarl Patrick stated as he pointed to the vehicles, “That will be our transportation, please come with us. If you’re hungry we have something more than rations.” He offered and ordered her.
“Fuckin’ spoilsport. So you’re not gonna bend my lost little butt over our limo and feed me caviar while you rip my hair back and make me scream? Fine, I guess I’ll hop in the truck, drink a ginger beer, and actually get to work for once in my life.” Thorn smiled coyly, leaving her pod behind as she approached. “How’d you know who I was?”
“I was informed by his majesty, here on Dovania, I am the most elite of the elite. You can’t get better than me, other than his majesty of course.” Patrick answered her, “McDavid you may take your leave. I shall handle it from here.” Waving off McDavid. He then joined Thorn, towering over her by over two feet, and more than two hundred pounds over her mere eighty five or so. His hair was a silver grey, and a shirt tame beard. Wearing the DRG uniform, a longsword on his hip and a Maverick on the other. “Dovania doesn’t like the behavior of Yamatai, so the attitude may tick some others off. However, If you’re looking for a young man to show you a fun time, we do have one at the Dovanian Royal Council building.” Throwing one of the other newer recruits under the bus.
“Depends on his species.” Thorn shrugged, more eager to start learning the local language and communicating with whoever she pleased. “That said. Princess Foreman mentioned I look like something called a Nojahn? You mind filling me in on that?”
“Well, there is around 150 million people on Xuno that has Ironhart blood. Most of them being from the ex-country if Nojah.” He stated before loading up into the vehicle, “Now, the language is a difficult one, but at least it’s not like Free Spacer. That’s something I don’t want to try.” Patrick pulled out a can of ginger ale and a large vegetable that resembled a cabbage. “Take the soda, if you want luxury food, check under your seat, should be some there. As for that other, we think he’s Elysian, however, we know he has something wrong with him. Must just be a random alien.”
“While I’ll admit to being a flirt,” Thorn looked for her own can of ginger ale, “I don’t actually want to date at the moment. Too much work to get to. However, I’ll also freely admit that I can read and translate three different Free Spacer languages. Not well, but it’s just a programming language, really. Hell, most of the Oracle is in Spacer.”
Finding the can, she tried to make out the letters and try to read it, though the only thing she recognized was the ginger root printed on the side of the can. “I assume my file’s been read by those pertinent to my hire and you know what I can and cannot do, and what you will want to offer me?”
A moment went past as the vehicles started up and moved out. “I don’t know. His majesty never informed me on that. He wants to personally meet everyone outside of Kyzu. It’s an honour that he grants to everyone. In fact, you’ve met him before from what he’s stated in his stories.” He claimed, looking at the woman, “Now bare in mind Miss Ironhart. You are on Xuno, you will soon find out why you don’t want to disrupt that trust we have given you.” He warned her before going on, “We have 10 minutes, care to explain why you’re here? Any questions? If not we can sit in silence.”
“Work hasn’t been great. Not many contracts these days, with all the mercenaries being taken up by wars and no real research going in the sector for me to get in on. Plus I’m wanted on several worlds. So yeah, bored, broke, and I heard my parents might be here. I’m even more curious, now that you mention that my family’s apparently an ethnicity on this world. So. Is there a man on your world with green eyes, brown hair, and five fingers?”
“Your parents are both here, military personnel right now, currently at the Dovanian Royal Council Hall. They don’t know that you’re arriving. As for your reputation, we require your skills, and I will inform you that Dovanian Tekk is only worth its weight in Platinum here. You’ll be paid reasonably for your work and you can purchase housing, food, equipment, clothing, ammunition, etcetera from us.” Patrick told her, “As for Nojahns, we’ve determined that they’re linked to the Ironhart family, abnormal singing, blood rage, heroism, though everyone here has it, and muscle memory.”
“Explains a few things about me. So you’ve already tracked down both of my parents and not shot them for selling me? I’ll shoot them myself, if some things aren’t explained. I’ll do some research during my work, here. But a portion of my bill is always payable in liquid elemental deuterium. Until I decide if Dovania is to be my permanent base of operations.”
“You will not do such thing, you must hear them first. Regarding pay, that can work.” He stated short and to the point.
“I’ll hear them out. I’ve waited twenty years. I can wait a few more months, or drop it, if the evidence is compelling. I am a lady of science, after all. And liquid deuterium is worth how much per kilo in this economy? Just as a gauge against my normal pay rates.”
“0.03 Tekk per Kilo.” Patrick stated, “We’re a deflated economy compared to Yamatai’s KS. Which is why we do not allowing outside currencies to enter here.”
“Funny, it’s about five KS per kilo in Yamatai, depending on your dealer. Cheap as Hell, still, but… I’m getting ripped off by my Yammie fuel dealer, aren’t I?” Thorn finally opened her soda and took a drink.
“Most of everything is government ran here. There are small corporations and businesses, they employ their people so we don’t have to pay for them. Though, they still get taxed. We do not also Implement living wages or have a minimum wage. If the private sector doesn’t pay, they can just work directly for the government.” Patrick told Thorn.
“I can understand that. I’ve seen that economic system work before. It’ll be interesting to see how it’s applied, here. That said. My parents. What makes you think they didn’t sell me? I was told I was sold, or that I was a stowaway most of my life. So if my parents are here, was I born on this world?”
“And who told you that? I know your father, served with him in two wars.” He stated to her, curious who she would say.
“The people who owned me.” The hair on Thorn’s body prickled, her hair fluffing as her features seemed to grow sharper, more intense, her eyes almost glowing with rage and pain barely held back by the cool, professional veil of a mercenary research partner. “The people who implanted rebreathers, circuit boards, replaced or ripped out pieces of me. Installed a control collar that was surgically removed only a few years ago. The people who sold me to others for the cycle to be repeated. For fourteen years.”
Patrick stated at her, his empathy remained, but his emotions dead long ago. His emerald green eyes looked at her, “Granddaughter, how far you are from the truth. How wrong you are about that.” He stated to her shaking his head. “You were too young to know.”
With a sudden chill, goosebumps rose on Thorn’s arms, and the emotional storm under her surface vanished in her surprise. “Granddaughter? Okay, I know I look twelve, but trust me, that’s a growth inhibitor. I’m way too old to be your grandkid. You look like forty. Maybe fifty. Tops.”
Patrick chuckled, “I’ll take the compliment, but I’m 79. I don’t age as well as other do also.” He told her as the convoy stopped. The vehicles checking in at the gate outside the Dovanian Royal Council Hall. Outside the city was bustling with people, Dovanian military were on constant patrol, along with law enforcement that looked like heavy infantry. The smells of the stores of food could be whiffed from inside the truck.
Normally, Thorn would be relishing in the smells, maybe even have taken off out of the truck to play tourist for a few hours, and barter in test tubes of various rare minerals she kept in her cargo pod. All she needed to do was call it down to the square. But that would wait. She was busy leering at Patrick, an eyebrow cocked as an exposed wire buried under her skin picked up power, causing the flashlight embedded where Thorn’s ear should have been to flicker as she sipped more of the soda. “This place is familiar. But all I’ve got is little flashes. Someone that looks… Maybe twenty. Smells like rust and gun oil. I don’t know. You kinda look like him. Maybe a hundred years ago, but now I’m not sure you know who the Hell you think you’re calling granddaughter.”
“I’m calling Lisa Alice Ironhart my granddaughter. This place, Kyrok, it’s new. You smell the war, the oil and muck. The rust of the tracks of older tanks. It was the largest war zone here in Xunok history, 3 million died here alone.” Patrick stated to her as they were getting through the first checkpoint. “I am Patrick Trist Ironhart. Your mother carries that name well, others lost it in their search for wealth and heroics. Though many still remember.”
Thorn’s face twitched, not sure she believed Patrick’s statement. But she also knew that her mercenary profile and criminal history, nothing public had ever contained her birth name, simply because she’d forgotten it, herself, many years ago. “Could you pass me some of that cabbage? I think I found a bottle of some kind of spread, here. I think it goes on the cabbage? I’ll get the briefing. Just prove to me that I’m from here. Original documents.”
Patrick looked at the bottle of “Mike’s Super Burn Hot Sauce” she had and handed her a cabbage, “Yeah, I use that one often. Helps with the flavor. As for documents, You’ll see them soon.”
Thorn ripped a leaf off the cabbage, dripping a bit of the hot sauce on the leaf, before rolling it up and munching happily on it, as though it did actually taste good. She wasn’t a fan of the heat, but she liked the sour dryness of the cabbage and the flavors of the hot sauce. “It does. Kinda might taste good on a ration bar. Maybe banana beef… Even so. You called me Lisa. Only two people I know of know that name in reference to me. Three, if you count a Nepleslian missing persons report filed nineteen years ago. I’m not sure I care to see the King right now. What the fuck happened, how do you know who I am, and why is this place so damn familiar? Why do some of these words on signs make sense? And why the Hell is our driver talking about the space woman babbling nonsense like a crazy person? On the damn radio!”
Patrick stepped out of the truck when they arrived, “All good things come to those who wait. Follow me please.” He stated sternly as he walked up the stairs to a large black building. The design and architecture were very rustic and made of Stone. The work took months to get right, the spring light reflecting off of the obsidian stones. “Are you coming, Thorn? Or did your systems break down on you?” He called as he continued.
“Tišina, ti!” Thorn slammed her fist against the back of the driver’s seat, stepping out of the truck and following Patrick. The building was newer than her memories, or even the fragments and flashes she had. But something far more foreboding had once stood here, and been bombed into oblivion during one of the many wars. At least that was the memory she had. “Okay, questions on my history can wait. How about my job. What is expected of me on this world?”
“Wel-“ Patrick began but stopped as he was receiving a call. “Yes? Of course… Understood on my way.” He hanged up then turned to Thorn, “Go to the Royal Quarters. That’s where you’re needed. I’ve been ordered to deal with something.” He kissed his two forefingers and pressed it against her forehead, then gave it a pat. “I’ll have to tell you more later.” He smiled as he quickly made his way back to the truck.
While Thorn’s instincts screamed at her to draw the knife she kept in the upper shoulder of her space suit and run it through Patrick’s wrist, she found herself frozen, and a warmth building in her chest. The gesture was one of paternal affection. She didn’t even tense, really. Her brows furrowed as she tried to recall any kind of way to the quarters he spoke of. As though she would know the way. Which she didn’t. She needed to ask for directions from a guard who looked at her quizzically, not understanding Trade, let alone from some short thing that looked barely twelve, though beaten and more scars than child.
“Did the only man who speaks Trade just take off? Or does anyone speak any damn Lorath?!”
A Dovanian Royal Guardsman approached her, her rank was of a Knight First Class, “Dovanian Royal Guardsmen all learn Trade. May I assist you Lady Ironhart?” She asked her, her posture showed that she was a great warrior.
“Patrick Ironhart told me to go to the Royal Quarters? I don’t know where that is. Could you please give me directions? I’m a little lost. And how does everyone immediately identify… I’m no damn royal, so don’t be calling me Lady. Please. It’s already been a weird day, and I think I made a mistake by not docking with the DSS Xuno and letting it bring me completely unguided.”
“Miss, I called you that because those whom are related to Dovanian Royal Guardsmen, especially the Head Housecarl, has that title. If you wish, I may just call you Lisa. Or Thorn. As for the Royal Quarters, follow me.” She stated as she turned and continued to the quarters.
“Call me Thorn, please. I’ve been going by that name for twenty years. Thank you for your guidance, Lady Guardsman.”
She lead her through the Committee Hall, a massive auditorium that houses over 2,000 Royal Representatives. Currently it was full, so she could hear the entire debate for the laws. They were shouting Xunok and Trade. Most of them ignoring Thorn as it was not their place to intervene. As they cut down to the hallway next door, she took her to a large, dark oak door, with a gold plate on the wall saying [Royal Quarters] “Here you go Miss Thorn. I must beg my leave.” She said starting to leave.
“Thank you, ma’am!” Thorn gave a wave, before turning to the door and knocking. She couldn’t read the sign in its entirety, merely “Royal.” So she had to trust the Knight’s guidance and she wasn’t sure she was comfortable with that just yet. She snorted to herself, crossing her arms and taking up as dominant a posture as four feet and three inches could muster. This day just kept getting better and better.
The door opened, on the other side was a large 6’11” beefy ass man. He weighed 445lbs and had a large auburn beard to match his combed hair. He was wearing a white T-Shirt and black sweatpants. Wearing slippers. “Hello.” Kyro stated.
“I was summoned.” Thorn stated coolly. “My name is Thorn Pine, owner, pilot, and Captain of the Oracle, Researcher for Hire. Heard a little rumor Dovania is in need of science peeps.”
“I am High King Kyro-vek Draguun of Dovania. It’s a pleasure to meet the granddaughter of my most experienced Housecarl, Thorn Ironhart. Please, come in.” He stated in a monotone voice, very low and stern. His scars all over him showed that he was no stranger to combat. His eyes were grey and dull. “Would you like a drink? Or possibly something else to calm the nerves.”
… Well, fuck. There goes that idea. “How are these people recognizing me so fast? I’d think they’d recognize Rose before me.” Thorn’s thoughts surfaced as she moved past the threshold. “Like Rose has fewer scars and no growth inhibitor.”
Kyro turned to her and sat down at his lounge chair, gesturing to the couch. “How? Many reasons. Draguuns and Ironharts are not that different.” He stated, “Also, I know an experienced woman when I see one. I’ve met Rose. She’s a mere copy of the genuine woman I see before me.” Kyro states to her.
“Considering she managed to steal my lady away, I may be a bit bitter with her. She’s no copy of me, though. She’s her own person, equal and original, and were it not for Sarah, I’d drop a cruiser on her. But she actually created this body as a copy of the one she’d resided in before her death. Then freaked out and lied to me. I would have done the same. So. How is it that I’m recognized so damn quick. Brown hair and green eyes seems pretty damn common on this world.”
“This should explain.” He handed her a file from the coffee table next to him. Within was a missing persons report, as well as images of her as a child there. Most of them were in black and white, though a few had colour. “They’ve been waiting a long time to see you Miss Ironhart.” He gave it blunt and with no emotion. He seemed to not have interest in the situation, though was paying attention.
Thorn glanced through the file, unzipping the chest of her flight suit and slipping the file inside against her body. “I haven’t looked like the girl in these pictures in twenty years. So. You summoned me here. Let’s have a ginger ale or something, maybe some herbal tea and talk through the terms of my hire. I think, considering you folks have already pieced together my criminal record, my mercenary profile, and my mission record, I doubt you’ll be disappointed.”
Nodding, Kyro stood, “The hiring is simple, help us in developing new technology, assist in gaining technological information from other factions, explore Western Space. There will be a few minor tasks however it’s of no matter at the moment.” He pauses for a moment, “You will be given the pay of fuel and equipment, as well as food that’s better than your stale ration bars. Our rations last twice as long and have more flavor, if you wish.” He offered his thoughts to her in his monotone voice. “What say you, Thorn Ironhart-“
He was cut off by Azazel Titan stepping into the room. His large black feathered wings behind him and his canines peering through his lips just a bit. “Apologise for being late, Sir. I was lost in this place from that task you gave me. I hope I did not interrupt your meeting with-“ It took him a moment before he relaxed after tensing up, thinking she was apart of Section 6.
Thorn looked at the Elysian… Well, part elysian at least. “Your fangs are showing. Thorn Ironhart, Owner and Pilot-Captain of the Oracle, and researcher under hire by the High King of Dovania. I accept your terms, King Kyro. On one final condition. I want every shred of information you have on me, my sister, and my… Why there was a missing person’s report filed on me. Everything.”
Kyro nodded, “Then our terms have been agreed upon. Now, please meet another new recruit, Azazel Titan. Introduce yourself.” Kyro essentially ordered him to as he sat back down. Even with the entire level of monotone and stern, there was the slightest tension in the air.
Taking a second to respond, Azazel turned to Thorn, “Azazel Titan, I am a genetically modified clone of my brother. My other brother has yet to have been released. I’m not with Crimson, as the missions that they would have sent me on were suicidal. I also am not joining Dovania. I’m simply seeking shelter temporarily, until I can meet my brother.” He stated to her in a young man’s voice, “As for my fangs, well, they always show.”
Thorn nodded understandingly, then shrugged. With her own augments and with how many different peoples she’d seen, she really couldn’t care less about Azazel’s physical form, merely his behavior and work ethic were concerns. “Okay. I’m looking for work. And every rumor about what happened to me. Including anything that happened because of my disappearance.”
Thinking for a moment, Kyro responded, “I will fetch that information when I have the ability to, as for your current job. I have a few legal issues that need to be settled out with you. Regarding clearance and citizenship. You were born here, it would only be appropriate for you to gain it. Also, I’m sure you still have questions for Housecarl Patrick.” He said as he walked over and grabbed Azazel by the shoulder, “You and I will have a talk, for now you may walk around the Hall or go with Miss Thorn. Which I will have those documents by tonight.”
Azazel was intimidated at first, though calmed himself as he knew that Kyro wouldn’t have done anything. “If it’s fine with everyone I rather not be alone. Miss Thorn?” He glanced to Thorn Ironhart for an answer.
Thorn nodded firmly. “I could use a guide. You know what, if you don’t mind, I have some platinum ore for barter. Probably enough for some street food. I’m gonna see if I can cash that and play tourist till I’m broke as a cut off college girl. As for my citizenship, the ability to get it is a yes. Don’t get the paperwork filed just yet. I’m still a citizen of the independent territory of the Oracle. Technically.”
Standing up, she stretched, content to go find some dark, small corner to go read her file in. “I’d request a written contract when those documents come through. Not to rush, but a girl’s gotta eat. Thank you for your offer, King Kyro. I shall be taking my leave, now. My grandfather can come hunt me down if he really is that. Azazel, on me.” With a flair of her hand and a commanding strut, Thorn bowed and left the room, motioning for the Elysian to follow her.
Azazel followed after, staying close. He too have a short bow before leaving, before he followed after the smaller woman. When they were far enough away, Azazel looked at her and asked, “Thorn Ironhart? Can’t say I have heard of you, though your sister is more well known from where I’m from. No disrespect Miss.” His tone was neutral, but his voice was young. Azazel looked no older than 21 at that. “With how easily they took to you, they could have given you some money. I don’t think they would just leave you out with nothing.”
“Could have, but didn’t. What’s that tell you?” She casually turned her head over her shoulder, continuing down the hall. With her glance finished, she turned straight ahead and let her hips sway as she sauntered down the hall.
In short order, she had managed to navigate to the street and opened up the datapad embedded in her wrist. Something in her suit blinked, gave a short beep, and like a rousing beast from its slumber, the Oracle turned. Gently, she puffed her way into a geosynchronous orbit above Thorn’s location, disguising itself as a derelict piece of debris before beginning its passive scans to support its pilot as her eyes and ears from afar.
Azazel lifted an eyebrow and asked her, “I don’t understand the nature of… that. Is there a purpose for you walking like that? Whatever it is, it’s… distracting.” With a questioning yet bewildered tone, Azazel stated the fact. Azazel was thinking she was going out to grab some food or meet back up with that Patrick fellow. Not strut herself outside in the Royal Council Hall’s courtyard.
“Don’t worry about it, sweetie.” Thorn reached down into a cargo pocket and pulled up what appeared to be a grey lump of regolith, streaked with a white metal. “Of the many things I’ve been accused of is illegitimate stellar prospecting claims. You know where I can sell some geological samples?”
“No clue, I would try to find a pawn shop maybe? If they have one here. I can’t even read the damn language here. If you need help I could try.” Azazel Stated as he reaches into his back pocket and retrieved a small book. It was for translation. However it was in small text and script. So he could only read so much of it without having it in front of his face. “Besides that, you seem to be, flaunting. Trying to seduce someone?” He asked
“Not someone.” Thorn commented, smiling coyly. “My ship’s having trouble detecting a network it can extract the local written language from to give me a translation packet. She’s getting quite annoyed about the matter. But due to my collection of implants, she can see through my eyes. If you have anything to help, I can probably learn the language in a snap.”
Azazel handed her the translation book, however it was not grammatically assisting in any way, just purely based on words. “Don’t know if this helps but, it might.” He said as he handed it to the smaller woman.
As Thorn took the book, her mind pushed through the fog of her rather long range connection to her pod, which would bump the signal up to her ship. Opening her eyes as they started to glow fiercely, she flipped open the book. Each page earned a flicker of her eyes as she smiled. “Oh, yes, it does. Might not have the local alphabet and grammar, but it does have words, and thus can translate spoken. With some discrepancies. With a little work, and someone willing to translate the alphabet into trade phonetics, the ship will pick up the written, and generate a grammar model based on anything I see.”
Azazel raised an eyebrow, but mostly ignored it, as he continued on. Heading out to the center of Kyrok City, “I’m going to start looking for a place to eat first. If you need anything, I could pay for your meal.” Offering Thorn.
Within a couple of minutes of trailing behind the set of black wings, Thorn’s eyes finally stopped flickering and she closed the book, looking up. “I’ll be okay. I was hoping to talk to some of the locals, see what the local political and social situation was like.”
Azazel stopped and grabbed a random woman from the street and directed her to Thorn. She was a Reevean woman, long black hair and blue eyes. Her skin was fair, and she was wearing casual clothing. The look on her face was of confusion, as she was just grabbed out of the blue. “Would this one be a good specimen?
“Šta?” She stated confused as she had no clue what was going on. Or why she was grabbed randomly by an alien. Next to her, was a small boy, his six fingered hands grasped against her pants intimidated by the Demonic looking angel.
“She would not. Let her go, please.” Thorn gave a sharp look to Azazel. Turning to the woman, she gave a curt bow, her eyes lighting up as her ship provided a rough translation of what she wanted to say. “Moj... isprike?”
Azazel let the woman and her child go, watching as they walked off, she gave a thumbs up motion with a frustrated expression towards Azazel. Which meant “Up yours”, “See, she’s fine. Anyhow, I assume you would be grabbing people then? If so then I’ll just observe your conversations then.” Azazel commented, thinking that he did nothing wrong. As he did not bring harm to the woman or child.
“Yeah, fine. C’mon, let’s get rid of these samples. You know the sounds the written characters make?” Thorn couldn’t help the feeling that the gesture wasn’t a nicely worded confirmation that all was good.
“I have no clue, I’m not a linguist. That would be the Princess, who is still recovering from the bombing some weeks back apparently. They have some sort of Communist rebellion here going on up north. So that’s a thing.” Azazel stated to Thorn as he was trying to find a place that sold food, just to keep a mental note later.
Though their time together would be short as a large man would approach Thorn from behind and pat the top of her head. “How did the meeting with the big man go?” The deep voiced Patrick stated to her. Almost before he finished, the small woman turned on her heel, a trigger grip finding its way into her hand as a shining silver barrel and lense rotating into position at the top of her right wrist. Her left hand braced as her arm shot up, pointing an energy weapon up under Patrick’s jaw, nonlethal as it was. She relaxed a little when she noticed his attire of more casual clothing now, only wearing a long sleeve black shirt, a leather belt, blue jeans, and a pair of black boots. Still keeping his Steel Longsword at his right hip, and a pistol at his left.
“Don’t scare me like that!” Thorn pulled her stunner back, lowering her arm and dismissing the weapon.
Patrick chuckled and petted her, “Sorry to scare you Lisa. How’s Kyrok looking to you?” He was more calm now that he was off duty, though his dull eyes spoke.
“So far, not bad. I would love to sell some geological samples and get something to eat. Perhaps get a phonetic translation of the written characters so that my ship can translate for me. Ja već imati prijevodi.”
“Ah, Dobar rad na učenju Xunoka. Very impressed, I can show you a pawn shop and a place called Eugene's Pizza. Dođi.” He stated to them as he walk off down the road.
Thorn’s eyes flashed as she sent the voice clip off to be translated, getting the information back after a quick pause. “I don’t know it too well. Just can get it translated. Ish. Anyhow. Wait, you have pizza?!”
Patrick nodded, “Of course we do, you think we’re primitive or something?” He asked Thorn with a joking tone. “And you there, you seem young. Where are you from? I assume you’ve already had an ‘interesting’ time with her.” He was referencing something, and Thorn could possibly pick up on that.
Azazel cocked his head following, “Excuse me? I don’t quite follow?” Obviously confused on what he was stating. “Do you have any idea what he’s saying Miss?”
“He’s asking if I slept with you already. To which, I say you haven’t shown it’d be advantageous.” Thorn shrugged. “As for pizza, you folks are still using internal combustion. Yeah, you’re primitive. No, you don’t seem to be savages… Yet.”
“Then I need to show you our war films then. I’ll take you to the pawn shop first, which is just down the street.” Patrick stated as he lead them down the street, “A pity that is, I was hoping to have some great grandchildren. However, who knows with the age I am.” Glancing back at Thorn when he said that, “I assume you have many questions for me.”
“A few. Taken with a grain of salt, but a few. But you’re not getting grandkids outta me. I don’t have any reproductive organs. One of the many things that got ripped out.” Thorn’s mouth twitched, almost frowning as she followed. “You can blame my dad for that.”
Patrick stopped and turned to her and spoke clearly again, as if he was back in uniform, “Who. Touched. You.” He stated very clearly, then followed with, “Who dares touches my granddaughter and turn her into a mechanical toy!” He shouted, gaining the attention of some people nearby.
“Of the five people who owned me, I couldn't tell you who did what. Who implanted a datapad, replaced my ear, installed a flashlight, or ripped out the glands allowing me to grow.” Thorn shrugged nonchalantly. Continuing, she seemed calm and barely remorseful. The response was what she had been looking for. The man truly cared about her, and at least thought she was related. She could use that. “Hell, I don’t remember when the rebreather was installed or my pain receptors dulled. I couldn’t tell you. But I don’t like slavers. I hope they’re alive, so that I can kill them, myself. Fourteen years of that shit and I’m fine.”
Calming down, Patrick stated as clearly as he could to her, “Slaves are illegal in Dovania, and they always will be. I will personally make sure that I can do whatever I can to assist with any issue you bring to me. If this happens again, your captures will not fear, fear. For I assend that level of comprehension. They will know me, the embodiment of Terror.”
“Understood. I’ll handle it, myself, though,” Thorn deadpanned, pulling her one and a half pound sample from her pocket. The ore seemed to be reasonably pure raw platinum, found in sedimentary rock. “What do you think I can get for this?”
Azazel looked at it for a moment then thought for a second, “Depends on how pure it is, could get quite a few coins out of it.” He commented on as he was thinking on how he sold all of his belongings as well to clear his trail.
Patrick however stopped outside the Pawn shop and opened the door, “Let’s find out the answer to that.” He gestured her in, as he was letting Thorn enter in before her. Holding the door open for her to walk in.
The pawn shop was what one would think of one, having glass windows with steel bars on them to prevent people from breaking in. On the inside was a plethora of different items, some of them being antiques of display. A few of them were old technologies and weapons from the earlier wars on Xuno. These weren’t of too much interest to Thorn, though she did glance over them for later examination by her ship. In stead, she moved up to the front counter.
Eyes glowed as she requested her translation from “Good afternoon. I have a sale for you. Do you speak Trade?” to “Dobar dan. Imam prodaju. Govorite li trgovinu?” She knew, however, that this translation was not entirely accurate.
The man blinked for a second before understanding what was going on, “I speak little. What you need?” He responded to her very carefully, making sure that his words were correct. His eyes shifted a bit as he processed his response.
Simple words, then. Cool. “Platinum. 63% pure raw ore sample.” She set the rock on the table. “For sale.”
After a minute of trying to remember what she said, he nodded after quickly realizing that she wanted to sell the platinum. Taking it then heading into the back room to give it some test.
Patrick and Azazel were in the meantime looking around the store. Azazel didn’t seem very interested, as his facial expression was more of boredom than of anything else. However, Patrick was a little less enthusiastic about some of the items that were on the shelves.
“Ovo kopile pokušava da proda lažni materijal.” Patrick stated as he glanced over some of the items on the shelves. That was until he stopped next to a uniform from Ichiko, it was a full uniform on display behind a glass case. On it it read ‘Ironhart’ with their Captain’s insignia. More than furious he swore under his breath, “Prvo je lagao o svom maču. Sada ima moju uniformu!”
Thorn looked over at Patrick and his irk. “What’s up?” The Oracle wasn’t translating Patrick’s words as well as she had hoped, moreover as fast as she needed. His accent and speed made it near impossible for the ship to pick out the words. Though she did pick up a few, such as “Uniform”
Before Patrick could respond, the man came back to the counter and placed the ore on the sample and stated, “65 Tekk.” He stated clearly to her, as he glanced over to Patrick, but it was already too late. Before he could even respond or react, Patrick decked the man into the reinforced glass window, and shattered it. The fragments of glass falling out and landing on the street outside, where no one was thankfully harmed.
Patrick was furious, though his expression hid it extremely well. To anyone untrained he would seem fine. Walking over to the bleeding man he picked up and started shouting at him so rapidly in Xunok that no one could understand. The man he held in both of his hands just staring in shock, before being thrown to the ground.
“You know, deda, you’re making it really difficult for me to sell my pretty rocks and buy us lunch. You could have asked where he got the uniform, rather than putting him through the glass.” Thorn held her forehead in one hand, picking up the stone. The Oracle popped up in her vision with a “No translation available” notice.
Patrick had calmed down and more or less was more focused on the man’s wife who had stepped in. A tad confused at what was going on, however didn’t seemed to be affected. “Mogu li vam pomoći?” She asked Patrick, as if she had meet him before. Knowing that this is a common issue between him and her husband. “I assume he was doing something stupid again?” She followed up with, seeing as there were definitely non-Xunoks there.
Patrick nodded, “My granddaughter needs to sell an item, and I need my uniform back. It belongs to the museum, not this sweatshop. Pardon me, no offense.” He told her, glancing over to Thorn and nodding his head to the woman. Gesturing her to go ask her to sell the ore.
Azazel just stood there staring at everything that just happened, “So… no one is shocked that a grown man just launched another man into a fucking window? Everyone is fine with this and I’m the only one shocked? Yes? Alright I know what I need to get use to now.” His expression was of confusion, as he tried to shrug off what he just saw.
“Yes, the man my grandfather is assaulting quoted 65 Tekk for the stone. Platinum ore, 63% pure, from an asteroid not far from this system. I’ll take that price with the uniform. Or I can sell you the asteroid’s coordinates.” Thorn’s levelheadedness gave an advantage in some situations, and she could ignore her grandfather making an ass of himself. “And I’ll want to buy something for my friend with the wings.”
The woman looked at her husband limping into the backroom and shaked her head. “I’m sorry you have to deal with him. The actual price would turn out to be around 68 - 70 Tekk, he tried to scam you because you’re new. As for the uniform, I’ll make sure Mr. Ironhart gets it back.” She then looked around and said, “We have many things, ask if it’s anything specific.” With a smile, she walked over to the case to open it.
“Of course, ma’am.” Thorn bowed. Turning to Azazel, she smiled sweetly. “Pick something out. Sorry about the mess. Though if Mr. Patrick Ironhart decides to get rowdy again, I have a stunner and am not afraid to shoot him.” She gave Patrick a sharp look as she placed the stone back onto the counter and began looking through cases.
“Trust me I say my husband deserves it. He’s lucky he’s not reported to the authorities. A couple broken bones are better than 70 years in prison for this level of theft.” She informed Thorn on as she handed Patrick his uniform, “So Sorry Patrick. I’ll go get that Tekk.” She ran into the back room.
Azazel blushed a bit, “I’m sorry, I must have misheard. You want me to pick something out?” He asked confused why someone would buy him something. This clearly gave away that he was not raised ‘In the real world’.
“Whether something you want me to wear to bed or something for you, I’ll pay.” Thorn nodded. “Don’t worry, I think that Partick won’t mind. As far as the lady and her husband go, I’d recommend monitoring of their wares and a sourcing audit rather than direct reporting. Let’s figure out who sold that uniform to him.”
“I’ll file a report when I get the chance. Until then, let’s try to enjoy today.” Patrick stated calmly, trying to calm down still. As he inspected his uniform, making sure everything was normal.
Azazel blushed but had a mixture of a confused and flustered expression. Feeling it would be rude to refuse, he decided to take a look around the store. It wasn’t until he got over to a small glass showcase that he saw a pendant, it depicted an unusual creature, it had antlers or horns. It was large and brown, with an all blue background. “What in the world is that?” He said looking down at it.
When Thorn looked at the creature, she noticed it looked similar to the crest emblazoned on the chest of her suit, though the antlers were different. The crest was, however, displayed in the glass case, on another pendant. “Not sure. But that metal wreathed silver stag I’ve seen before. It was on my suit when I bought it.”
Patrick had walked over with a bag of money, he tapped Thorn on the shoulder and gave it to her. It was from the lady, who was coming around to see what they were questioning about. Thorn took the bag with a nod and a smile.
“Oh that? That’s a Moose, it’s a large antlered beast that lives in colder climates. However that on your suit is the Ironhart crest. It’s a deer.” She smiles and explained it to the both of them. Would you like to see my favorite ones?” She then got down and pulled out some old pendants from long forgotten Xunok noble families. “Here are just a few I have on hand out here.”
Immediately, Azazel’s eyes were locked into the one that was shaped like a triangle, with a White background and the emblem having a detailed design of a Doe on it. “Wow…” slipped out of his mouth as he picked it up. Seeming very interested in it, flipping it to its back, it read [Kuća Kosača].
“Pretty.” Thorn commented, thumbing over the enamel and steel pendant of her own family crest as she looked over to Azazel’s selection. “Something familiar?”
He handed it over to Thorn, failing to speak for a moment, “Why not this one? You should get this.” He said, his face was a bit peachy.
Patrick saw the crest and smirked, knowing the family behind that crest and why it had that design. “If I wasn’t an educated man I would say someone has a good taste in symbolism.” Patrick stated wandering off around the store.
“It looks like mine. Maybe a splinter? The triangle as opposed to a metal ringed circle is the major difference I see.” Thorn looked closely at the emblem, wondering about the symbolism. “Who is this family?”
The woman explained as best she could with, “Well, they were like the Ironharts, however long ago they got into a disagreement. There was a ‘small’ civil war between them, and the Ironharts won. Making them poof from existence. They enjoyed their neutrality, unlike the Ironharts who swore loyalty to Nojah. I’m sorry if I’m rough on that as it’s very old and very little is known.” She sighed at her lack to answer properly.
Azazel blinked for a moment, “Sounds like- never mind…” he said turning his head and looking down the isle. His face remained a peach coloration.
“It’s… Familiar. Like I feel a love for space from this… I…” Thorn suddenly dropped the amulet, backing away as she felt the echo of a rumble of engines in her chest, seeing the fear in the refugees’ eyes. She could hear the screaming of alarms and feel the hope of the crew.. “The Ironharts didn’t get them all. They left. On a ship.”
Azazel turned back around and rushed over to her, however was cut off by Patrick. Who looked down at her and knew exactly what she was experiencing.
“You shouldn’t have found out about that. Seeing as you have, there’s no denying the fact that we did have our differences.” Patrick stated, as he saw Azazel pick up the pendant and look at Thorn with confusion and concern.
“I remember the ship.” Thorn’s already small voice was almost inaudible, shaken. “How long ago was it?”
“They disappeared 600 years ago. If I remember correctly.” The woman answered her. “I think it could be more or less. As the dates are not really confirmed…”
“I’ll take the crest.” Thorn nodded. “Goddess, that thing’s creepy familiar.”
Azazel handed it over to Thorn, he didn’t have any words to say. Feeling a bit uneasy, he walked out of the store and waited outside.
Patrick let go of Thorn and remained inside to wait for the transaction to be completed. As he was far more concerned with Thorn than to deal with this Azazel thing he had. “Just wait for the price.” He said not giving a hint at what it could be.
“What do I owe you, ma’am?” Thorn nodded to Patrick and handed both amulets to the lady, hoping to add at least one to her flight suit, and the Ironhart crest to the hull of the Oracle.
“Both come up to… 1.34 Tekk.” She stated with a smile.
Thorn fished around in the bag for two smaller gold coins, one reading 2 Tekk. She handed that to the lady. “Keep the change. It may not be much, but it will help with the window. I apologize for the mess, ma’am.”
“It’s no issue, you take care!” She answered as she went off to go clean up the glass.
Thorn bowed again, before looking to Patrick and walking to find Azazel. “You left your pendant!”
Azazel looked up from the spot he was sitting down against the wall. “I- wait what? No, I said you should get it. I thought it… suited you.” He trailed off looking back towards the street, which had no vehicles and only people. “Place seems far cleaner than What I’ve seen of Yamatai and Nepleslia.” Commenting on what he had limited knowledge on.
Patrick wasn’t far behind, pulling out a data tablet to check for the map, seeing where the Pizza joint, when he was interrupted by a message, he then turned to them and said, “I need to go. Just got a call from someone important. You two have fun.” He patted Thorn on the head and began to walk off.
“Hey, you’re gonna tell me what the fuck happened in my head, right?” Thorn asked, before turning to Azazel. “At least he won’t be beating up more shopkeepers while we play tourist.”
Azazel stood and looked down to Thorn, before turning away blushed. “I don’t know how to ‘play tourist’, but sure. Now… where are we off to.” He asked himself as he was completely lost.
Thorn looked around at the stores and the street, before spotting what appeared to be a food cart. “That! Street food. Tourism is about experiencing and learning cultures. So let’s explore!”
With a swift motion, she grabbed Azazel’s hand and pulled him towards the cart.
Azazel was caught off guard, but more or less was quick on his feet and managed to not get completely dragged.
People didn’t pay much attention to them, as this was just to them, two kids having fun. So it wasn’t any of their business. On every street corner there were two soldiers or law enforcement officers on high alert. Making the City of Kyrok on a constant state of Overwatch.
When they arrived at the stand, it had a short line, as it was still a little too early for lunch hour. Yet still, the smell of deep fried vegetables and what seemed to be tofu on the stand.
When Thorn managed to get to the stand to pay, she quickly breathed in the rich scent of spiced and fried vegetables, ordering what appeared to be a basket of fried squash like plants slathered in cheese and a cream sauce, motioning for Azazel to do the same. And such went the rest of the morning, into and through the afternoon, with Thorn dragging her feathered friend along to explore the city, and only managed to blow through half of her money. Eventually, the pair found their way back to the Royal Council Hall, with Thorn sending a message to the DSS Xuno via her ship’s encrypted comm relay to ping Housecar; Patrick that she’d managed to get herself and Azazel lost.
A message relayed to her that Patrick was currently in a war zone and could not respond at the moment. So she would have to do without and ask for directions from someone who could assist them.
“Well, Patrick’s not going to be joining us. Let’s get a hotel and crash out. Unless you want to see the night life out here. I might be summoned later, though. Drafts of my contract should be up, soon.”
“I really doubt that they would call you this late. I arrived late at night yesterday and they didn’t want to deal with me till today. So the pattern would remain… possibly. Als, from what I’ve picked up, only a few taverns are in Kyrok. The nearest ‘club’ is 45 miles away.” He said as he picked that up from some guys that were talking to each other about the lack of ‘entertainment’. “So maybe getting a hotel would be good, I mean, I still have my hotel room.” He said pulling out the key to the room he was given. “Maybe we can crash there?”
“Sure! We can try some of the lacy things that some ladies convinced me to buy.” The scratchy voice grew sultry as Thorn’s eyes semiclosed and her Geist added a half lidded glow. “Complete with feathery accents!”
Azazel had spent enough time around her to pick up what this meant, and he had absolutely no response. He wags completely caught off guard and only gave an embarrassed smile, being flustered. “Okay then… let’s head there then…” He turned to start heading out to the Hotel.
“Oh, no need to be so modest. You wouldn’t believe how many gorgeous young ladies said I was lucky to find such a unique cutie.” Thorn grinned, her eyes still glowing gently. “At least the ones who weren’t mildly xenophobic.”
He was honestly flustered and didn’t know how to respond to her. “I uh… I’m sorry I’m not use to being complemented…” he answered her, “It’s ah… it’s getting dark, and I don’t want anything to happen so… how about we start moving.” Azazel said as he was just intimidated by this woman. She was attractive, however he was just unsure how to respond.
“Yeah. Let’s make sure nothing happens to me, yea? Unfamiliar places get so scary after dark.” Thorn smiled again, though more a coy smirk. “I could use an angel to walk me home.”
Azazel froze for a second, then turned around and grabbed her hand, “A-Alright then…” then turned back around and went off towards the hotel. Street lamps and Military personnel were the only things in sight.
The DSS-Xuno was on standby, awaiting for any new recruits that would arrive to the meet up location. It was already an hour and they could only stay so long before they had to head back to Kyzu. Captain Han and Princess Violet Foreman were both in the bridge. It was a silent post that day, they kept the comms open and all their cannons were on high alert.
Violet was clearly still damaged from the bombings only a few weeks prior. Still bound to her wheelchair, “I don’t think anyone is coming today Captain. Must we have to wait another 30 minutes? It’s awfully boring out here.” She complained, still being in a sour mood after she was bombed by communist not that long ago. Also not wanting to just sit around and do nothing.
Not far away, a tumbling mass of twenty odd tons drifted ever closer to the cruise. It wasn’t on a collision course, but close. Every once in a while, starlight would glint off of the darkened glass, behind which curious green eyes observed her passive sensor readouts. She monitored the comm bursts, idly snacking on a ration bar before reaching up and flipping on the red backlight to her screen. These Xunoks were curious, and she’d seen the advertisement for needed scientists. Though they seemed to be doing well on their own, if her passive scans were any indication.
The ship named Oracle was running on silent, waste gasses from her reactor hissing as they were fed into RCS fuel tanks, hydrogen as her blood cooling her skin before being fed to the reactor. Hull plating was charged with a tiny voltage, spurring the lichen on its surface to change color, forming shifting patterns of dark greys and blacks, radar scattering across her hull, refusing to give a clear image.
“Captain! We’re detecting what seems to be an asteroid on our scanners. Which is strange sin-” The Crewman being cut off by another.
“Carl! We know that. Just shut up and send the report up.” As the other Crewman sent up the report to the Captain. Making it a swift data exchange. “Sir, should we engage?” He asked.
Captain Han had received the message and looked out of the bridge and saw nothing, “Open the communications, I want to send a message.” After the order was sent out, and the comms were opened, Captain Han spoke, “Unknown Fighter sized vessel. We know you’re out there on our scanners, though you’re technology is impressive, there is no cover out here. Respond.” He stated and waited for a response.
Violet was sitting there, excited and yet concerned. A cloaked ship was not really a good sign for them, and she was a diplomat, not a soldier. Though she is equivalent to a Dovanian Royal Guard in skill.
Thorn grinned at the comms burst, placing her hand on the comms controls. She decided to play the part of some ancient probe waking up, her comms giving a second-pulse cyclic beep, systems coming to life on the cruiser’s sensors, though she played her hand close to her chest, for now. She didn’t need them knowing the probe was manned, for now. A few moments later, the ship’s sensors and shields flared with focuses of multiple high intensity scans, blinding the burn of her RCS jets to move her out of any targeting window they might have had.
Adding in the background distortion and static fade of a long distance transmission, she started speaking in Lorath. “Your weapons are armed and targeting systems attempting to track this probe’s telemetry. This probe is property of Ironhart Research. Please acknowledge.”
A moment of silence went around the ship before Violet spoke, “And we found another Ironhart. Isn’t that great. Hello! I am Princess Violet Foreman of the Ichiko Household of Dovania. If you speak Trade that would be great, as I don’t understand you.” She then turned to the Captain and stated, “His majesty might want to see this, if it’s another Kyle situation, then we might want to inspect on it further.” Stating that also over comms.
The crackling and popping comm link opened in response. “Trade Language detected. Please disarm your weapons. This probe is on reconnaissance mission scanning for spatial anomalies. Warships are not part of the mission. If contact was made with Dovanian warship, redirect comms to Ironhart research. Please identify.”
Captain Han shook his head, “I am to have to believe that this is Thorn Ironhart then. The file matches this sort of behavior. Please be reasonable and state your business.” He stated, not in the mood to deal with more than one child.
Violet also commented, “Listen, if you’re not here for Dovanian recruitment, please leave. I already have to deal with 2 other Ironharts that I can’t handle a third.” She sighed as this was just a stupid conversation to her.
Thorn had to admit her curiosity was piqued. She’d never met any others of her family, or even closely related at some point in the distant past. But that was a problem for another day. “I’ll decloak when you disarm. Weapons on standby ready to fire, scanners sweeping for something that isn’t there. The only thing you have me on is mass, and you can’t target on mass. I already see your computers. So. Yes, I was playing with you. Gotta admit, you catch on pretty quick.”
Han motioned for the weapons to go offline, once they had he spoke, “We’ve been trained to be the best of the best. It’s rather motivating when you’re taught and trained to be the weakest thing in the galaxy. Brings out a reality check for us Dovanians. Now, please state your business.” He questioned her as he was too curious on why Thorn would be here.
“I’m bored and broke.” She finally opened up her side of the video, revealing a heavily scarred face, hair like molten chocolate floating free in the lack of gravity. Eyes like deep pools of emerald lit with fire peered through the screen at the captain, then Violet. High cheekbones and once alabaster skin tanned by alien suns caught the light as she turned, pulling a ration bar down to chew on boredly. “I saw the ads. Where’d you get my file?”
“We’re allies with Psychopomp and Section 6, so we get our sources.” He then turned to Violet, as she was in shock.
Violet looked at a few files and back up to Thorn, “Jesus lord and King of Dovania. She looks like a Nojahn, doesn’t she Captain?” She asked showing him profiles of Nojahn Citizens.
“Not sure what a Nojahn is.” Thorn shrugged, her hands moving across consoles to bring down her ship’s cloak. The bronze of her ship’s skin faded into the starlight and the faraday cage lost its charge, letting the warship see that she was powered by a fusion power plant, and her ship had a magnetic field consistent with a plasma rotor or constant fusion rocket. “Still, I heard you needed scientists. Turns out I’m for hire.”
Violet answered Thorn, “I’ll send you the coordinates for the Kyrok City Naval base, there you can land and meet up with officials to check you in. We’ll escort you into the system, as without us, you’ll be shot on sight. Kyzu is extremely protected. You’re most likely be stuck with me or his Majesty. Whom is also currently with another ‘Ironhart’ right now.” She explained as she sent over the coordinates.
Captain Han remained silent and started to get the ship ready to jump back to Kyzu. Making sure the engines and everything was all set to go.
“Roger that. I’ll meet you at the galactic northern edge of the system on this orbit. Jump drive spooling. Ten seconds to jump. Sorry if you guys are a little close for comfort.” The Xuno’s sensors would read the massive space time distortions of a jump drive built for a ship thousands of times her mass and running mostly unshielded as it started to kick its way out of normal space. “Sending orbital data, now.”
The DSS-Xuno had jumped after she stated her acknowledgment. Heading back to the Kyzu System. “Well that’s a powerful ship, we need to get our hands on one of those.” Violet claimed as they left.
=== Kyzu System ===
Readings of an objects jumping into the system, all cruisers were on high alert as they awaited for the object to jump in, weapons on standby and their engines already hot, all 41 other Cruisers were ready.
With a flash of radiation and light, big enough to hide one of Section 6’s carriers in, the eight meter long manned probe cloaked and lit its engines, for all intents and purposes looking like a spatial anomaly rocketing for the star at the heart of the Kyzu system. Moments later, the engine died and cooled, Thorn’s mass starting to tumble as she made minor corrections for an orbital encounter with a planet at the other side of the system. Quantum projectors flickered to life, and the anomaly coalesced into a small comet, hardly worth noticing.
Dovanian Cruisers still kept an eye that the fast object didn’t do any damage, keeping their distance and retaining their patrols. Messages of the object scattered out throughout the fleet and made it to Xuno. Kyrok City got the message loud and clear, all awaiting for the object to stop.
They wouldn’t have to wait long. Without her thrusters to accelerate her, the Oracle fell towards the star at the heart of the system, rounding it too close to be a powered starship. The gravity acting as a brake as the object made a close, almost too well calculated insertion into Xuno’s orbit, jettisoning something that slipped silently into the atmosphere towards Kyrok City, and it's waiting naval base.
Dovanian Military Personnel rushed to the pod that had suddenly landed in the Kyrok City Naval base. Forming up and taking defensive positions, they couldn’t be too sure. That’s when General McDavid approached the pod and remained 15 feet back, “I am General McDavid of the Dovanian Army. Identify yourself and keep your hands up upon exiting the pod.”
He was then surprised when Dovanian Royal Guardsmen had arrived in military vehicles and tanks rolled up. Out stepping was Housecarl Patrick, the highest and eldest Housecarl in Dovania, leading 10 other DRG, as they too approached the pod.
A demure, heavily scarred woman fell from the pod as it opened, coughing, crying as she looked around, babbling in a foreign language, but the skin tone, hair and eyes, her posture, all meant to play on their recognition of an ethnic group, despite the alien, if beaten, space suit she wore.
“Miss Ironhart, please stop pretending. You’re here on business not to get laid. Please follow me.” Housecarl Patrick stated as he pointed to the vehicles, “That will be our transportation, please come with us. If you’re hungry we have something more than rations.” He offered and ordered her.
“Fuckin’ spoilsport. So you’re not gonna bend my lost little butt over our limo and feed me caviar while you rip my hair back and make me scream? Fine, I guess I’ll hop in the truck, drink a ginger beer, and actually get to work for once in my life.” Thorn smiled coyly, leaving her pod behind as she approached. “How’d you know who I was?”
“I was informed by his majesty, here on Dovania, I am the most elite of the elite. You can’t get better than me, other than his majesty of course.” Patrick answered her, “McDavid you may take your leave. I shall handle it from here.” Waving off McDavid. He then joined Thorn, towering over her by over two feet, and more than two hundred pounds over her mere eighty five or so. His hair was a silver grey, and a shirt tame beard. Wearing the DRG uniform, a longsword on his hip and a Maverick on the other. “Dovania doesn’t like the behavior of Yamatai, so the attitude may tick some others off. However, If you’re looking for a young man to show you a fun time, we do have one at the Dovanian Royal Council building.” Throwing one of the other newer recruits under the bus.
“Depends on his species.” Thorn shrugged, more eager to start learning the local language and communicating with whoever she pleased. “That said. Princess Foreman mentioned I look like something called a Nojahn? You mind filling me in on that?”
“Well, there is around 150 million people on Xuno that has Ironhart blood. Most of them being from the ex-country if Nojah.” He stated before loading up into the vehicle, “Now, the language is a difficult one, but at least it’s not like Free Spacer. That’s something I don’t want to try.” Patrick pulled out a can of ginger ale and a large vegetable that resembled a cabbage. “Take the soda, if you want luxury food, check under your seat, should be some there. As for that other, we think he’s Elysian, however, we know he has something wrong with him. Must just be a random alien.”
“While I’ll admit to being a flirt,” Thorn looked for her own can of ginger ale, “I don’t actually want to date at the moment. Too much work to get to. However, I’ll also freely admit that I can read and translate three different Free Spacer languages. Not well, but it’s just a programming language, really. Hell, most of the Oracle is in Spacer.”
Finding the can, she tried to make out the letters and try to read it, though the only thing she recognized was the ginger root printed on the side of the can. “I assume my file’s been read by those pertinent to my hire and you know what I can and cannot do, and what you will want to offer me?”
A moment went past as the vehicles started up and moved out. “I don’t know. His majesty never informed me on that. He wants to personally meet everyone outside of Kyzu. It’s an honour that he grants to everyone. In fact, you’ve met him before from what he’s stated in his stories.” He claimed, looking at the woman, “Now bare in mind Miss Ironhart. You are on Xuno, you will soon find out why you don’t want to disrupt that trust we have given you.” He warned her before going on, “We have 10 minutes, care to explain why you’re here? Any questions? If not we can sit in silence.”
“Work hasn’t been great. Not many contracts these days, with all the mercenaries being taken up by wars and no real research going in the sector for me to get in on. Plus I’m wanted on several worlds. So yeah, bored, broke, and I heard my parents might be here. I’m even more curious, now that you mention that my family’s apparently an ethnicity on this world. So. Is there a man on your world with green eyes, brown hair, and five fingers?”
“Your parents are both here, military personnel right now, currently at the Dovanian Royal Council Hall. They don’t know that you’re arriving. As for your reputation, we require your skills, and I will inform you that Dovanian Tekk is only worth its weight in Platinum here. You’ll be paid reasonably for your work and you can purchase housing, food, equipment, clothing, ammunition, etcetera from us.” Patrick told her, “As for Nojahns, we’ve determined that they’re linked to the Ironhart family, abnormal singing, blood rage, heroism, though everyone here has it, and muscle memory.”
“Explains a few things about me. So you’ve already tracked down both of my parents and not shot them for selling me? I’ll shoot them myself, if some things aren’t explained. I’ll do some research during my work, here. But a portion of my bill is always payable in liquid elemental deuterium. Until I decide if Dovania is to be my permanent base of operations.”
“You will not do such thing, you must hear them first. Regarding pay, that can work.” He stated short and to the point.
“I’ll hear them out. I’ve waited twenty years. I can wait a few more months, or drop it, if the evidence is compelling. I am a lady of science, after all. And liquid deuterium is worth how much per kilo in this economy? Just as a gauge against my normal pay rates.”
“0.03 Tekk per Kilo.” Patrick stated, “We’re a deflated economy compared to Yamatai’s KS. Which is why we do not allowing outside currencies to enter here.”
“Funny, it’s about five KS per kilo in Yamatai, depending on your dealer. Cheap as Hell, still, but… I’m getting ripped off by my Yammie fuel dealer, aren’t I?” Thorn finally opened her soda and took a drink.
“Most of everything is government ran here. There are small corporations and businesses, they employ their people so we don’t have to pay for them. Though, they still get taxed. We do not also Implement living wages or have a minimum wage. If the private sector doesn’t pay, they can just work directly for the government.” Patrick told Thorn.
“I can understand that. I’ve seen that economic system work before. It’ll be interesting to see how it’s applied, here. That said. My parents. What makes you think they didn’t sell me? I was told I was sold, or that I was a stowaway most of my life. So if my parents are here, was I born on this world?”
“And who told you that? I know your father, served with him in two wars.” He stated to her, curious who she would say.
“The people who owned me.” The hair on Thorn’s body prickled, her hair fluffing as her features seemed to grow sharper, more intense, her eyes almost glowing with rage and pain barely held back by the cool, professional veil of a mercenary research partner. “The people who implanted rebreathers, circuit boards, replaced or ripped out pieces of me. Installed a control collar that was surgically removed only a few years ago. The people who sold me to others for the cycle to be repeated. For fourteen years.”
Patrick stated at her, his empathy remained, but his emotions dead long ago. His emerald green eyes looked at her, “Granddaughter, how far you are from the truth. How wrong you are about that.” He stated to her shaking his head. “You were too young to know.”
With a sudden chill, goosebumps rose on Thorn’s arms, and the emotional storm under her surface vanished in her surprise. “Granddaughter? Okay, I know I look twelve, but trust me, that’s a growth inhibitor. I’m way too old to be your grandkid. You look like forty. Maybe fifty. Tops.”
Patrick chuckled, “I’ll take the compliment, but I’m 79. I don’t age as well as other do also.” He told her as the convoy stopped. The vehicles checking in at the gate outside the Dovanian Royal Council Hall. Outside the city was bustling with people, Dovanian military were on constant patrol, along with law enforcement that looked like heavy infantry. The smells of the stores of food could be whiffed from inside the truck.
Normally, Thorn would be relishing in the smells, maybe even have taken off out of the truck to play tourist for a few hours, and barter in test tubes of various rare minerals she kept in her cargo pod. All she needed to do was call it down to the square. But that would wait. She was busy leering at Patrick, an eyebrow cocked as an exposed wire buried under her skin picked up power, causing the flashlight embedded where Thorn’s ear should have been to flicker as she sipped more of the soda. “This place is familiar. But all I’ve got is little flashes. Someone that looks… Maybe twenty. Smells like rust and gun oil. I don’t know. You kinda look like him. Maybe a hundred years ago, but now I’m not sure you know who the Hell you think you’re calling granddaughter.”
“I’m calling Lisa Alice Ironhart my granddaughter. This place, Kyrok, it’s new. You smell the war, the oil and muck. The rust of the tracks of older tanks. It was the largest war zone here in Xunok history, 3 million died here alone.” Patrick stated to her as they were getting through the first checkpoint. “I am Patrick Trist Ironhart. Your mother carries that name well, others lost it in their search for wealth and heroics. Though many still remember.”
Thorn’s face twitched, not sure she believed Patrick’s statement. But she also knew that her mercenary profile and criminal history, nothing public had ever contained her birth name, simply because she’d forgotten it, herself, many years ago. “Could you pass me some of that cabbage? I think I found a bottle of some kind of spread, here. I think it goes on the cabbage? I’ll get the briefing. Just prove to me that I’m from here. Original documents.”
Patrick looked at the bottle of “Mike’s Super Burn Hot Sauce” she had and handed her a cabbage, “Yeah, I use that one often. Helps with the flavor. As for documents, You’ll see them soon.”
Thorn ripped a leaf off the cabbage, dripping a bit of the hot sauce on the leaf, before rolling it up and munching happily on it, as though it did actually taste good. She wasn’t a fan of the heat, but she liked the sour dryness of the cabbage and the flavors of the hot sauce. “It does. Kinda might taste good on a ration bar. Maybe banana beef… Even so. You called me Lisa. Only two people I know of know that name in reference to me. Three, if you count a Nepleslian missing persons report filed nineteen years ago. I’m not sure I care to see the King right now. What the fuck happened, how do you know who I am, and why is this place so damn familiar? Why do some of these words on signs make sense? And why the Hell is our driver talking about the space woman babbling nonsense like a crazy person? On the damn radio!”
Patrick stepped out of the truck when they arrived, “All good things come to those who wait. Follow me please.” He stated sternly as he walked up the stairs to a large black building. The design and architecture were very rustic and made of Stone. The work took months to get right, the spring light reflecting off of the obsidian stones. “Are you coming, Thorn? Or did your systems break down on you?” He called as he continued.
“Tišina, ti!” Thorn slammed her fist against the back of the driver’s seat, stepping out of the truck and following Patrick. The building was newer than her memories, or even the fragments and flashes she had. But something far more foreboding had once stood here, and been bombed into oblivion during one of the many wars. At least that was the memory she had. “Okay, questions on my history can wait. How about my job. What is expected of me on this world?”
“Wel-“ Patrick began but stopped as he was receiving a call. “Yes? Of course… Understood on my way.” He hanged up then turned to Thorn, “Go to the Royal Quarters. That’s where you’re needed. I’ve been ordered to deal with something.” He kissed his two forefingers and pressed it against her forehead, then gave it a pat. “I’ll have to tell you more later.” He smiled as he quickly made his way back to the truck.
While Thorn’s instincts screamed at her to draw the knife she kept in the upper shoulder of her space suit and run it through Patrick’s wrist, she found herself frozen, and a warmth building in her chest. The gesture was one of paternal affection. She didn’t even tense, really. Her brows furrowed as she tried to recall any kind of way to the quarters he spoke of. As though she would know the way. Which she didn’t. She needed to ask for directions from a guard who looked at her quizzically, not understanding Trade, let alone from some short thing that looked barely twelve, though beaten and more scars than child.
“Did the only man who speaks Trade just take off? Or does anyone speak any damn Lorath?!”
A Dovanian Royal Guardsman approached her, her rank was of a Knight First Class, “Dovanian Royal Guardsmen all learn Trade. May I assist you Lady Ironhart?” She asked her, her posture showed that she was a great warrior.
“Patrick Ironhart told me to go to the Royal Quarters? I don’t know where that is. Could you please give me directions? I’m a little lost. And how does everyone immediately identify… I’m no damn royal, so don’t be calling me Lady. Please. It’s already been a weird day, and I think I made a mistake by not docking with the DSS Xuno and letting it bring me completely unguided.”
“Miss, I called you that because those whom are related to Dovanian Royal Guardsmen, especially the Head Housecarl, has that title. If you wish, I may just call you Lisa. Or Thorn. As for the Royal Quarters, follow me.” She stated as she turned and continued to the quarters.
“Call me Thorn, please. I’ve been going by that name for twenty years. Thank you for your guidance, Lady Guardsman.”
She lead her through the Committee Hall, a massive auditorium that houses over 2,000 Royal Representatives. Currently it was full, so she could hear the entire debate for the laws. They were shouting Xunok and Trade. Most of them ignoring Thorn as it was not their place to intervene. As they cut down to the hallway next door, she took her to a large, dark oak door, with a gold plate on the wall saying [Royal Quarters] “Here you go Miss Thorn. I must beg my leave.” She said starting to leave.
“Thank you, ma’am!” Thorn gave a wave, before turning to the door and knocking. She couldn’t read the sign in its entirety, merely “Royal.” So she had to trust the Knight’s guidance and she wasn’t sure she was comfortable with that just yet. She snorted to herself, crossing her arms and taking up as dominant a posture as four feet and three inches could muster. This day just kept getting better and better.
The door opened, on the other side was a large 6’11” beefy ass man. He weighed 445lbs and had a large auburn beard to match his combed hair. He was wearing a white T-Shirt and black sweatpants. Wearing slippers. “Hello.” Kyro stated.
“I was summoned.” Thorn stated coolly. “My name is Thorn Pine, owner, pilot, and Captain of the Oracle, Researcher for Hire. Heard a little rumor Dovania is in need of science peeps.”
“I am High King Kyro-vek Draguun of Dovania. It’s a pleasure to meet the granddaughter of my most experienced Housecarl, Thorn Ironhart. Please, come in.” He stated in a monotone voice, very low and stern. His scars all over him showed that he was no stranger to combat. His eyes were grey and dull. “Would you like a drink? Or possibly something else to calm the nerves.”
… Well, fuck. There goes that idea. “How are these people recognizing me so fast? I’d think they’d recognize Rose before me.” Thorn’s thoughts surfaced as she moved past the threshold. “Like Rose has fewer scars and no growth inhibitor.”
Kyro turned to her and sat down at his lounge chair, gesturing to the couch. “How? Many reasons. Draguuns and Ironharts are not that different.” He stated, “Also, I know an experienced woman when I see one. I’ve met Rose. She’s a mere copy of the genuine woman I see before me.” Kyro states to her.
“Considering she managed to steal my lady away, I may be a bit bitter with her. She’s no copy of me, though. She’s her own person, equal and original, and were it not for Sarah, I’d drop a cruiser on her. But she actually created this body as a copy of the one she’d resided in before her death. Then freaked out and lied to me. I would have done the same. So. How is it that I’m recognized so damn quick. Brown hair and green eyes seems pretty damn common on this world.”
“This should explain.” He handed her a file from the coffee table next to him. Within was a missing persons report, as well as images of her as a child there. Most of them were in black and white, though a few had colour. “They’ve been waiting a long time to see you Miss Ironhart.” He gave it blunt and with no emotion. He seemed to not have interest in the situation, though was paying attention.
Thorn glanced through the file, unzipping the chest of her flight suit and slipping the file inside against her body. “I haven’t looked like the girl in these pictures in twenty years. So. You summoned me here. Let’s have a ginger ale or something, maybe some herbal tea and talk through the terms of my hire. I think, considering you folks have already pieced together my criminal record, my mercenary profile, and my mission record, I doubt you’ll be disappointed.”
Nodding, Kyro stood, “The hiring is simple, help us in developing new technology, assist in gaining technological information from other factions, explore Western Space. There will be a few minor tasks however it’s of no matter at the moment.” He pauses for a moment, “You will be given the pay of fuel and equipment, as well as food that’s better than your stale ration bars. Our rations last twice as long and have more flavor, if you wish.” He offered his thoughts to her in his monotone voice. “What say you, Thorn Ironhart-“
He was cut off by Azazel Titan stepping into the room. His large black feathered wings behind him and his canines peering through his lips just a bit. “Apologise for being late, Sir. I was lost in this place from that task you gave me. I hope I did not interrupt your meeting with-“ It took him a moment before he relaxed after tensing up, thinking she was apart of Section 6.
Thorn looked at the Elysian… Well, part elysian at least. “Your fangs are showing. Thorn Ironhart, Owner and Pilot-Captain of the Oracle, and researcher under hire by the High King of Dovania. I accept your terms, King Kyro. On one final condition. I want every shred of information you have on me, my sister, and my… Why there was a missing person’s report filed on me. Everything.”
Kyro nodded, “Then our terms have been agreed upon. Now, please meet another new recruit, Azazel Titan. Introduce yourself.” Kyro essentially ordered him to as he sat back down. Even with the entire level of monotone and stern, there was the slightest tension in the air.
Taking a second to respond, Azazel turned to Thorn, “Azazel Titan, I am a genetically modified clone of my brother. My other brother has yet to have been released. I’m not with Crimson, as the missions that they would have sent me on were suicidal. I also am not joining Dovania. I’m simply seeking shelter temporarily, until I can meet my brother.” He stated to her in a young man’s voice, “As for my fangs, well, they always show.”
Thorn nodded understandingly, then shrugged. With her own augments and with how many different peoples she’d seen, she really couldn’t care less about Azazel’s physical form, merely his behavior and work ethic were concerns. “Okay. I’m looking for work. And every rumor about what happened to me. Including anything that happened because of my disappearance.”
Thinking for a moment, Kyro responded, “I will fetch that information when I have the ability to, as for your current job. I have a few legal issues that need to be settled out with you. Regarding clearance and citizenship. You were born here, it would only be appropriate for you to gain it. Also, I’m sure you still have questions for Housecarl Patrick.” He said as he walked over and grabbed Azazel by the shoulder, “You and I will have a talk, for now you may walk around the Hall or go with Miss Thorn. Which I will have those documents by tonight.”
Azazel was intimidated at first, though calmed himself as he knew that Kyro wouldn’t have done anything. “If it’s fine with everyone I rather not be alone. Miss Thorn?” He glanced to Thorn Ironhart for an answer.
Thorn nodded firmly. “I could use a guide. You know what, if you don’t mind, I have some platinum ore for barter. Probably enough for some street food. I’m gonna see if I can cash that and play tourist till I’m broke as a cut off college girl. As for my citizenship, the ability to get it is a yes. Don’t get the paperwork filed just yet. I’m still a citizen of the independent territory of the Oracle. Technically.”
Standing up, she stretched, content to go find some dark, small corner to go read her file in. “I’d request a written contract when those documents come through. Not to rush, but a girl’s gotta eat. Thank you for your offer, King Kyro. I shall be taking my leave, now. My grandfather can come hunt me down if he really is that. Azazel, on me.” With a flair of her hand and a commanding strut, Thorn bowed and left the room, motioning for the Elysian to follow her.
Azazel followed after, staying close. He too have a short bow before leaving, before he followed after the smaller woman. When they were far enough away, Azazel looked at her and asked, “Thorn Ironhart? Can’t say I have heard of you, though your sister is more well known from where I’m from. No disrespect Miss.” His tone was neutral, but his voice was young. Azazel looked no older than 21 at that. “With how easily they took to you, they could have given you some money. I don’t think they would just leave you out with nothing.”
“Could have, but didn’t. What’s that tell you?” She casually turned her head over her shoulder, continuing down the hall. With her glance finished, she turned straight ahead and let her hips sway as she sauntered down the hall.
In short order, she had managed to navigate to the street and opened up the datapad embedded in her wrist. Something in her suit blinked, gave a short beep, and like a rousing beast from its slumber, the Oracle turned. Gently, she puffed her way into a geosynchronous orbit above Thorn’s location, disguising itself as a derelict piece of debris before beginning its passive scans to support its pilot as her eyes and ears from afar.
Azazel lifted an eyebrow and asked her, “I don’t understand the nature of… that. Is there a purpose for you walking like that? Whatever it is, it’s… distracting.” With a questioning yet bewildered tone, Azazel stated the fact. Azazel was thinking she was going out to grab some food or meet back up with that Patrick fellow. Not strut herself outside in the Royal Council Hall’s courtyard.
“Don’t worry about it, sweetie.” Thorn reached down into a cargo pocket and pulled up what appeared to be a grey lump of regolith, streaked with a white metal. “Of the many things I’ve been accused of is illegitimate stellar prospecting claims. You know where I can sell some geological samples?”
“No clue, I would try to find a pawn shop maybe? If they have one here. I can’t even read the damn language here. If you need help I could try.” Azazel Stated as he reaches into his back pocket and retrieved a small book. It was for translation. However it was in small text and script. So he could only read so much of it without having it in front of his face. “Besides that, you seem to be, flaunting. Trying to seduce someone?” He asked
“Not someone.” Thorn commented, smiling coyly. “My ship’s having trouble detecting a network it can extract the local written language from to give me a translation packet. She’s getting quite annoyed about the matter. But due to my collection of implants, she can see through my eyes. If you have anything to help, I can probably learn the language in a snap.”
Azazel handed her the translation book, however it was not grammatically assisting in any way, just purely based on words. “Don’t know if this helps but, it might.” He said as he handed it to the smaller woman.
As Thorn took the book, her mind pushed through the fog of her rather long range connection to her pod, which would bump the signal up to her ship. Opening her eyes as they started to glow fiercely, she flipped open the book. Each page earned a flicker of her eyes as she smiled. “Oh, yes, it does. Might not have the local alphabet and grammar, but it does have words, and thus can translate spoken. With some discrepancies. With a little work, and someone willing to translate the alphabet into trade phonetics, the ship will pick up the written, and generate a grammar model based on anything I see.”
Azazel raised an eyebrow, but mostly ignored it, as he continued on. Heading out to the center of Kyrok City, “I’m going to start looking for a place to eat first. If you need anything, I could pay for your meal.” Offering Thorn.
Within a couple of minutes of trailing behind the set of black wings, Thorn’s eyes finally stopped flickering and she closed the book, looking up. “I’ll be okay. I was hoping to talk to some of the locals, see what the local political and social situation was like.”
Azazel stopped and grabbed a random woman from the street and directed her to Thorn. She was a Reevean woman, long black hair and blue eyes. Her skin was fair, and she was wearing casual clothing. The look on her face was of confusion, as she was just grabbed out of the blue. “Would this one be a good specimen?
“Šta?” She stated confused as she had no clue what was going on. Or why she was grabbed randomly by an alien. Next to her, was a small boy, his six fingered hands grasped against her pants intimidated by the Demonic looking angel.
“She would not. Let her go, please.” Thorn gave a sharp look to Azazel. Turning to the woman, she gave a curt bow, her eyes lighting up as her ship provided a rough translation of what she wanted to say. “Moj... isprike?”
Azazel let the woman and her child go, watching as they walked off, she gave a thumbs up motion with a frustrated expression towards Azazel. Which meant “Up yours”, “See, she’s fine. Anyhow, I assume you would be grabbing people then? If so then I’ll just observe your conversations then.” Azazel commented, thinking that he did nothing wrong. As he did not bring harm to the woman or child.
“Yeah, fine. C’mon, let’s get rid of these samples. You know the sounds the written characters make?” Thorn couldn’t help the feeling that the gesture wasn’t a nicely worded confirmation that all was good.
“I have no clue, I’m not a linguist. That would be the Princess, who is still recovering from the bombing some weeks back apparently. They have some sort of Communist rebellion here going on up north. So that’s a thing.” Azazel stated to Thorn as he was trying to find a place that sold food, just to keep a mental note later.
Though their time together would be short as a large man would approach Thorn from behind and pat the top of her head. “How did the meeting with the big man go?” The deep voiced Patrick stated to her. Almost before he finished, the small woman turned on her heel, a trigger grip finding its way into her hand as a shining silver barrel and lense rotating into position at the top of her right wrist. Her left hand braced as her arm shot up, pointing an energy weapon up under Patrick’s jaw, nonlethal as it was. She relaxed a little when she noticed his attire of more casual clothing now, only wearing a long sleeve black shirt, a leather belt, blue jeans, and a pair of black boots. Still keeping his Steel Longsword at his right hip, and a pistol at his left.
“Don’t scare me like that!” Thorn pulled her stunner back, lowering her arm and dismissing the weapon.
Patrick chuckled and petted her, “Sorry to scare you Lisa. How’s Kyrok looking to you?” He was more calm now that he was off duty, though his dull eyes spoke.
“So far, not bad. I would love to sell some geological samples and get something to eat. Perhaps get a phonetic translation of the written characters so that my ship can translate for me. Ja već imati prijevodi.”
“Ah, Dobar rad na učenju Xunoka. Very impressed, I can show you a pawn shop and a place called Eugene's Pizza. Dođi.” He stated to them as he walk off down the road.
Thorn’s eyes flashed as she sent the voice clip off to be translated, getting the information back after a quick pause. “I don’t know it too well. Just can get it translated. Ish. Anyhow. Wait, you have pizza?!”
Patrick nodded, “Of course we do, you think we’re primitive or something?” He asked Thorn with a joking tone. “And you there, you seem young. Where are you from? I assume you’ve already had an ‘interesting’ time with her.” He was referencing something, and Thorn could possibly pick up on that.
Azazel cocked his head following, “Excuse me? I don’t quite follow?” Obviously confused on what he was stating. “Do you have any idea what he’s saying Miss?”
“He’s asking if I slept with you already. To which, I say you haven’t shown it’d be advantageous.” Thorn shrugged. “As for pizza, you folks are still using internal combustion. Yeah, you’re primitive. No, you don’t seem to be savages… Yet.”
“Then I need to show you our war films then. I’ll take you to the pawn shop first, which is just down the street.” Patrick stated as he lead them down the street, “A pity that is, I was hoping to have some great grandchildren. However, who knows with the age I am.” Glancing back at Thorn when he said that, “I assume you have many questions for me.”
“A few. Taken with a grain of salt, but a few. But you’re not getting grandkids outta me. I don’t have any reproductive organs. One of the many things that got ripped out.” Thorn’s mouth twitched, almost frowning as she followed. “You can blame my dad for that.”
Patrick stopped and turned to her and spoke clearly again, as if he was back in uniform, “Who. Touched. You.” He stated very clearly, then followed with, “Who dares touches my granddaughter and turn her into a mechanical toy!” He shouted, gaining the attention of some people nearby.
“Of the five people who owned me, I couldn't tell you who did what. Who implanted a datapad, replaced my ear, installed a flashlight, or ripped out the glands allowing me to grow.” Thorn shrugged nonchalantly. Continuing, she seemed calm and barely remorseful. The response was what she had been looking for. The man truly cared about her, and at least thought she was related. She could use that. “Hell, I don’t remember when the rebreather was installed or my pain receptors dulled. I couldn’t tell you. But I don’t like slavers. I hope they’re alive, so that I can kill them, myself. Fourteen years of that shit and I’m fine.”
Calming down, Patrick stated as clearly as he could to her, “Slaves are illegal in Dovania, and they always will be. I will personally make sure that I can do whatever I can to assist with any issue you bring to me. If this happens again, your captures will not fear, fear. For I assend that level of comprehension. They will know me, the embodiment of Terror.”
“Understood. I’ll handle it, myself, though,” Thorn deadpanned, pulling her one and a half pound sample from her pocket. The ore seemed to be reasonably pure raw platinum, found in sedimentary rock. “What do you think I can get for this?”
Azazel looked at it for a moment then thought for a second, “Depends on how pure it is, could get quite a few coins out of it.” He commented on as he was thinking on how he sold all of his belongings as well to clear his trail.
Patrick however stopped outside the Pawn shop and opened the door, “Let’s find out the answer to that.” He gestured her in, as he was letting Thorn enter in before her. Holding the door open for her to walk in.
The pawn shop was what one would think of one, having glass windows with steel bars on them to prevent people from breaking in. On the inside was a plethora of different items, some of them being antiques of display. A few of them were old technologies and weapons from the earlier wars on Xuno. These weren’t of too much interest to Thorn, though she did glance over them for later examination by her ship. In stead, she moved up to the front counter.
Eyes glowed as she requested her translation from “Good afternoon. I have a sale for you. Do you speak Trade?” to “Dobar dan. Imam prodaju. Govorite li trgovinu?” She knew, however, that this translation was not entirely accurate.
The man blinked for a second before understanding what was going on, “I speak little. What you need?” He responded to her very carefully, making sure that his words were correct. His eyes shifted a bit as he processed his response.
Simple words, then. Cool. “Platinum. 63% pure raw ore sample.” She set the rock on the table. “For sale.”
After a minute of trying to remember what she said, he nodded after quickly realizing that she wanted to sell the platinum. Taking it then heading into the back room to give it some test.
Patrick and Azazel were in the meantime looking around the store. Azazel didn’t seem very interested, as his facial expression was more of boredom than of anything else. However, Patrick was a little less enthusiastic about some of the items that were on the shelves.
“Ovo kopile pokušava da proda lažni materijal.” Patrick stated as he glanced over some of the items on the shelves. That was until he stopped next to a uniform from Ichiko, it was a full uniform on display behind a glass case. On it it read ‘Ironhart’ with their Captain’s insignia. More than furious he swore under his breath, “Prvo je lagao o svom maču. Sada ima moju uniformu!”
Thorn looked over at Patrick and his irk. “What’s up?” The Oracle wasn’t translating Patrick’s words as well as she had hoped, moreover as fast as she needed. His accent and speed made it near impossible for the ship to pick out the words. Though she did pick up a few, such as “Uniform”
Before Patrick could respond, the man came back to the counter and placed the ore on the sample and stated, “65 Tekk.” He stated clearly to her, as he glanced over to Patrick, but it was already too late. Before he could even respond or react, Patrick decked the man into the reinforced glass window, and shattered it. The fragments of glass falling out and landing on the street outside, where no one was thankfully harmed.
Patrick was furious, though his expression hid it extremely well. To anyone untrained he would seem fine. Walking over to the bleeding man he picked up and started shouting at him so rapidly in Xunok that no one could understand. The man he held in both of his hands just staring in shock, before being thrown to the ground.
“You know, deda, you’re making it really difficult for me to sell my pretty rocks and buy us lunch. You could have asked where he got the uniform, rather than putting him through the glass.” Thorn held her forehead in one hand, picking up the stone. The Oracle popped up in her vision with a “No translation available” notice.
Patrick had calmed down and more or less was more focused on the man’s wife who had stepped in. A tad confused at what was going on, however didn’t seemed to be affected. “Mogu li vam pomoći?” She asked Patrick, as if she had meet him before. Knowing that this is a common issue between him and her husband. “I assume he was doing something stupid again?” She followed up with, seeing as there were definitely non-Xunoks there.
Patrick nodded, “My granddaughter needs to sell an item, and I need my uniform back. It belongs to the museum, not this sweatshop. Pardon me, no offense.” He told her, glancing over to Thorn and nodding his head to the woman. Gesturing her to go ask her to sell the ore.
Azazel just stood there staring at everything that just happened, “So… no one is shocked that a grown man just launched another man into a fucking window? Everyone is fine with this and I’m the only one shocked? Yes? Alright I know what I need to get use to now.” His expression was of confusion, as he tried to shrug off what he just saw.
“Yes, the man my grandfather is assaulting quoted 65 Tekk for the stone. Platinum ore, 63% pure, from an asteroid not far from this system. I’ll take that price with the uniform. Or I can sell you the asteroid’s coordinates.” Thorn’s levelheadedness gave an advantage in some situations, and she could ignore her grandfather making an ass of himself. “And I’ll want to buy something for my friend with the wings.”
The woman looked at her husband limping into the backroom and shaked her head. “I’m sorry you have to deal with him. The actual price would turn out to be around 68 - 70 Tekk, he tried to scam you because you’re new. As for the uniform, I’ll make sure Mr. Ironhart gets it back.” She then looked around and said, “We have many things, ask if it’s anything specific.” With a smile, she walked over to the case to open it.
“Of course, ma’am.” Thorn bowed. Turning to Azazel, she smiled sweetly. “Pick something out. Sorry about the mess. Though if Mr. Patrick Ironhart decides to get rowdy again, I have a stunner and am not afraid to shoot him.” She gave Patrick a sharp look as she placed the stone back onto the counter and began looking through cases.
“Trust me I say my husband deserves it. He’s lucky he’s not reported to the authorities. A couple broken bones are better than 70 years in prison for this level of theft.” She informed Thorn on as she handed Patrick his uniform, “So Sorry Patrick. I’ll go get that Tekk.” She ran into the back room.
Azazel blushed a bit, “I’m sorry, I must have misheard. You want me to pick something out?” He asked confused why someone would buy him something. This clearly gave away that he was not raised ‘In the real world’.
“Whether something you want me to wear to bed or something for you, I’ll pay.” Thorn nodded. “Don’t worry, I think that Partick won’t mind. As far as the lady and her husband go, I’d recommend monitoring of their wares and a sourcing audit rather than direct reporting. Let’s figure out who sold that uniform to him.”
“I’ll file a report when I get the chance. Until then, let’s try to enjoy today.” Patrick stated calmly, trying to calm down still. As he inspected his uniform, making sure everything was normal.
Azazel blushed but had a mixture of a confused and flustered expression. Feeling it would be rude to refuse, he decided to take a look around the store. It wasn’t until he got over to a small glass showcase that he saw a pendant, it depicted an unusual creature, it had antlers or horns. It was large and brown, with an all blue background. “What in the world is that?” He said looking down at it.
When Thorn looked at the creature, she noticed it looked similar to the crest emblazoned on the chest of her suit, though the antlers were different. The crest was, however, displayed in the glass case, on another pendant. “Not sure. But that metal wreathed silver stag I’ve seen before. It was on my suit when I bought it.”
Patrick had walked over with a bag of money, he tapped Thorn on the shoulder and gave it to her. It was from the lady, who was coming around to see what they were questioning about. Thorn took the bag with a nod and a smile.
“Oh that? That’s a Moose, it’s a large antlered beast that lives in colder climates. However that on your suit is the Ironhart crest. It’s a deer.” She smiles and explained it to the both of them. Would you like to see my favorite ones?” She then got down and pulled out some old pendants from long forgotten Xunok noble families. “Here are just a few I have on hand out here.”
Immediately, Azazel’s eyes were locked into the one that was shaped like a triangle, with a White background and the emblem having a detailed design of a Doe on it. “Wow…” slipped out of his mouth as he picked it up. Seeming very interested in it, flipping it to its back, it read [Kuća Kosača].
“Pretty.” Thorn commented, thumbing over the enamel and steel pendant of her own family crest as she looked over to Azazel’s selection. “Something familiar?”
He handed it over to Thorn, failing to speak for a moment, “Why not this one? You should get this.” He said, his face was a bit peachy.
Patrick saw the crest and smirked, knowing the family behind that crest and why it had that design. “If I wasn’t an educated man I would say someone has a good taste in symbolism.” Patrick stated wandering off around the store.
“It looks like mine. Maybe a splinter? The triangle as opposed to a metal ringed circle is the major difference I see.” Thorn looked closely at the emblem, wondering about the symbolism. “Who is this family?”
The woman explained as best she could with, “Well, they were like the Ironharts, however long ago they got into a disagreement. There was a ‘small’ civil war between them, and the Ironharts won. Making them poof from existence. They enjoyed their neutrality, unlike the Ironharts who swore loyalty to Nojah. I’m sorry if I’m rough on that as it’s very old and very little is known.” She sighed at her lack to answer properly.
Azazel blinked for a moment, “Sounds like- never mind…” he said turning his head and looking down the isle. His face remained a peach coloration.
“It’s… Familiar. Like I feel a love for space from this… I…” Thorn suddenly dropped the amulet, backing away as she felt the echo of a rumble of engines in her chest, seeing the fear in the refugees’ eyes. She could hear the screaming of alarms and feel the hope of the crew.. “The Ironharts didn’t get them all. They left. On a ship.”
Azazel turned back around and rushed over to her, however was cut off by Patrick. Who looked down at her and knew exactly what she was experiencing.
“You shouldn’t have found out about that. Seeing as you have, there’s no denying the fact that we did have our differences.” Patrick stated, as he saw Azazel pick up the pendant and look at Thorn with confusion and concern.
“I remember the ship.” Thorn’s already small voice was almost inaudible, shaken. “How long ago was it?”
“They disappeared 600 years ago. If I remember correctly.” The woman answered her. “I think it could be more or less. As the dates are not really confirmed…”
“I’ll take the crest.” Thorn nodded. “Goddess, that thing’s creepy familiar.”
Azazel handed it over to Thorn, he didn’t have any words to say. Feeling a bit uneasy, he walked out of the store and waited outside.
Patrick let go of Thorn and remained inside to wait for the transaction to be completed. As he was far more concerned with Thorn than to deal with this Azazel thing he had. “Just wait for the price.” He said not giving a hint at what it could be.
“What do I owe you, ma’am?” Thorn nodded to Patrick and handed both amulets to the lady, hoping to add at least one to her flight suit, and the Ironhart crest to the hull of the Oracle.
“Both come up to… 1.34 Tekk.” She stated with a smile.
Thorn fished around in the bag for two smaller gold coins, one reading 2 Tekk. She handed that to the lady. “Keep the change. It may not be much, but it will help with the window. I apologize for the mess, ma’am.”
“It’s no issue, you take care!” She answered as she went off to go clean up the glass.
Thorn bowed again, before looking to Patrick and walking to find Azazel. “You left your pendant!”
Azazel looked up from the spot he was sitting down against the wall. “I- wait what? No, I said you should get it. I thought it… suited you.” He trailed off looking back towards the street, which had no vehicles and only people. “Place seems far cleaner than What I’ve seen of Yamatai and Nepleslia.” Commenting on what he had limited knowledge on.
Patrick wasn’t far behind, pulling out a data tablet to check for the map, seeing where the Pizza joint, when he was interrupted by a message, he then turned to them and said, “I need to go. Just got a call from someone important. You two have fun.” He patted Thorn on the head and began to walk off.
“Hey, you’re gonna tell me what the fuck happened in my head, right?” Thorn asked, before turning to Azazel. “At least he won’t be beating up more shopkeepers while we play tourist.”
Azazel stood and looked down to Thorn, before turning away blushed. “I don’t know how to ‘play tourist’, but sure. Now… where are we off to.” He asked himself as he was completely lost.
Thorn looked around at the stores and the street, before spotting what appeared to be a food cart. “That! Street food. Tourism is about experiencing and learning cultures. So let’s explore!”
With a swift motion, she grabbed Azazel’s hand and pulled him towards the cart.
Azazel was caught off guard, but more or less was quick on his feet and managed to not get completely dragged.
People didn’t pay much attention to them, as this was just to them, two kids having fun. So it wasn’t any of their business. On every street corner there were two soldiers or law enforcement officers on high alert. Making the City of Kyrok on a constant state of Overwatch.
When they arrived at the stand, it had a short line, as it was still a little too early for lunch hour. Yet still, the smell of deep fried vegetables and what seemed to be tofu on the stand.
When Thorn managed to get to the stand to pay, she quickly breathed in the rich scent of spiced and fried vegetables, ordering what appeared to be a basket of fried squash like plants slathered in cheese and a cream sauce, motioning for Azazel to do the same. And such went the rest of the morning, into and through the afternoon, with Thorn dragging her feathered friend along to explore the city, and only managed to blow through half of her money. Eventually, the pair found their way back to the Royal Council Hall, with Thorn sending a message to the DSS Xuno via her ship’s encrypted comm relay to ping Housecar; Patrick that she’d managed to get herself and Azazel lost.
A message relayed to her that Patrick was currently in a war zone and could not respond at the moment. So she would have to do without and ask for directions from someone who could assist them.
“Well, Patrick’s not going to be joining us. Let’s get a hotel and crash out. Unless you want to see the night life out here. I might be summoned later, though. Drafts of my contract should be up, soon.”
“I really doubt that they would call you this late. I arrived late at night yesterday and they didn’t want to deal with me till today. So the pattern would remain… possibly. Als, from what I’ve picked up, only a few taverns are in Kyrok. The nearest ‘club’ is 45 miles away.” He said as he picked that up from some guys that were talking to each other about the lack of ‘entertainment’. “So maybe getting a hotel would be good, I mean, I still have my hotel room.” He said pulling out the key to the room he was given. “Maybe we can crash there?”
“Sure! We can try some of the lacy things that some ladies convinced me to buy.” The scratchy voice grew sultry as Thorn’s eyes semiclosed and her Geist added a half lidded glow. “Complete with feathery accents!”
Azazel had spent enough time around her to pick up what this meant, and he had absolutely no response. He wags completely caught off guard and only gave an embarrassed smile, being flustered. “Okay then… let’s head there then…” He turned to start heading out to the Hotel.
“Oh, no need to be so modest. You wouldn’t believe how many gorgeous young ladies said I was lucky to find such a unique cutie.” Thorn grinned, her eyes still glowing gently. “At least the ones who weren’t mildly xenophobic.”
He was honestly flustered and didn’t know how to respond to her. “I uh… I’m sorry I’m not use to being complemented…” he answered her, “It’s ah… it’s getting dark, and I don’t want anything to happen so… how about we start moving.” Azazel said as he was just intimidated by this woman. She was attractive, however he was just unsure how to respond.
“Yeah. Let’s make sure nothing happens to me, yea? Unfamiliar places get so scary after dark.” Thorn smiled again, though more a coy smirk. “I could use an angel to walk me home.”
Azazel froze for a second, then turned around and grabbed her hand, “A-Alright then…” then turned back around and went off towards the hotel. Street lamps and Military personnel were the only things in sight.
