Endurance: The Next Chapter (IC)

Feffon had been completely lost in translation. It was difficult for it to understand what was going on, and so it almost mindlessly followed Thray and Kydi. It had heard them say "ship", a word that it knew referred to the massive metal fish that the Invaders used to move across space. Hopefully this ship would take it somewhere else. This place was creeping it out, and it didn't feel safe staying here much longer. These people seemed nice enough that it could trust them for now.

"I...go?" Feffon shakily asked "I...want...want...um...home." The word "home" was hard for Feffon to remember. In its language, home was "Ufra", while the word "Omde" meant away. Omde sounded similar to "home", and so Feffon often got the two confused. Either way, it was the correct usage of either word. Feffon wanted out right now. It limped along behind them, its side still badly bruised from crashing into the wall.

---

The sound of claws tapping on concrete echoed through one of the other ransacked hallways of the abandoned ship. The source of this tapping was an Lt. Samaki Marais, a fish-like creature with a long snout and forest green scales. On his back was a water tank, and clear tubes ran from it up into his breathing apparatus, a pair of what appeared to be black headphones and a pair of black aviator-style goggles, both of which were filled with water. He walked with a slight limp, ignoring the other prisoners that frequented the hall. Occasionally one would run past and bump him or would get uncomfortably close and Samaki would send them a murderous glare, conveying the message that he was not someone they wanted to mess with. The ship appeared to have been completely abandoned and must have been badly damaged. Several lights flickered on and off ominously and a few wires sparked violently above. Most of the prisoners took one look at Samaki and stepped out of his way after seeing the badge stitched to the top left corner of his ragged jumpsuit that said "POW". Nobody wanted to mess with a POW that had fought the Kyrenians.

Samaki wandered more or less aimlessly, occasionally looking around for something to do, maybe a guard laying on the ground with his weapon in sight or directions to the armory. He jittered slightly and felt undertones of panic coursing under his skin; he needed a weapon badly. While he could do plenty of damage with his teeth and strength, having a gun would exponentially increase his survival rate. He soon turned down a new hallway, one that was practically deserted. That couldn't mean something good. Much like the rats running along the floor as the Titanic sunk, these prisoners knew where there was danger and how they could avoid it. Soon Samaki saw their source of danger. A dead Kyrenian lay on the floor in a pool of blood, his mortal wound appearing to be a sword slash. Laying next to the body was a handheld Kyrenian taser weapon, which Samaki took with eagerness. He took the body's belt as well, and fastened it around himself. The belt needed to be cinched very tightly. Samaki made note that he had lost a lot of weight, as well as muscle tone. The belt contained a holster, which would be useful for his gun. Now all he needed was a way out of here. The escape pods would have been used by the guards most likely, meaning that his best bet on a way out would be the hangar. Gun in hand, Samaki ran down an adjacent hallway, searching for the ship's hangar. Perhaps he could come upon the armory while on the way. A taser weapon would work for now, but more powerful firearms would be preferable.

Donfroste had chosen to stay hidden it's pretty easy to do that when your're so small. He had heard all the conversation the anger of the creatures the arguments then the door opened and some species came to rescue them apparently. He wasn't about to be left behind so as thy left he hurried along with them they didn't notice though. His little feet made a skittering sound as he followed the rest of the group he wasn't quite sure he could trust them so he strolled a few feet back form them just in case he needed to bolt.

Ketryn nodded in response to Kydi's question. "Yes, I'm an android," she replied flatly. "I'm from the Yarksonian race- they are not the most advanced species yet in some areas, but when it comes to experimenting in others they enjoy it." Ketryn, if her tone of voice could be changed with emotions, would have hissed the statement. Instead she had to say such a thing blankly. Because of this Ketryn couldn't help but add in, "you can't tell, but I dislike the last part about Yarksonians." She then glanced at Feffon and wondered briefly where exactly they could be taken- it wa a good question. Was her home even still around? Perhaps. If her home planet is still aroun, would she return? Probably not. This was the one time Ketryn could leave that dreaded place. They had ran experiments on others and just carelessly thrown away lives- why would she return to that?

Strange, hands behind back, lagged behind. Sure, it was a good thing that they were being rescued,  but it just seemed... strange. A combination of him being deep in thought and not wanting to interact with anyone kept him behind, but he had no intention to be left behind.

Strange noticed the hooded Invader's looks at everyone. Strange couldn't read the face, and he couldn't even guess what the Invader was thinking. What was he thinking?

Before he had another chance to think, Strange saw Dorado's corpse. After a few seconds of looking at it, he figured that it must have been dead for less than half an hour. Heck, he could still feel the warmth radiating from it. Strange inched away, realizing that this must have been still loyal to the... "Evil" Invaders. Perhaps that's where the gunshots came from?

Strange suddenly slowed down, and looked at Dorado's corpse. Gunshots? This is a heavily armed soldier... I'd assume that he'd have a gun, as well? He took a quick look at the hooded invader before looking back down at the body.

They... they must have took it. If they decide that we're enemies, we're in big trouble. At this point, they can do whatever they want to us. Strange quickly picked up his pace, keeping up with the group. The missing firearm problem was negligible... for now.

Ketryn only glanced at the dead body as they walked by it. Sure, she had seen many, and sure, it was the corpse of a Kyrenian, but she still disliked looking at the dead. She didn't even check it holster for a gun. In truth, the worry of such a weapon was nonexistent for her, anymore. There were several weapons that could harm her, but guns weren't one. Unless maybe they had some sort of super-heated or freezing option in blasts fired. That wouldn't be pretty. Ugh, she needed to he her mind off things.

Ketryn slowed her pace to walk next to Nyx. She seemed interesting. Ketryn nodded at the female life form. "Hello. What species are you?"

Nyx jumped, looking startled that anyone was talking to her. She turned to look at the girl beside her, and answered, "Aviannis, from Krenator."
She kept walking, and thought about Krenator for the first time since her capture.
"It wasn't entirely a nice place. Wasn't entirely bad, though, either. Varied climates and suchlike, lots of different kinds of people. I miss it."

Ketryn nodded, as expressionless as ever. "Interesting. Well," she tried to smile for a moment, but as always she couldn't so she continued talking, "Maybe when we get to the ship they can take you home." Ketryn sighed flatly, looking ahead. "I'm from the Yarksonian planet, Gariminos. Most see it as good, but I don't." Really, Ketryn had a strong dislike for the government of her species. They experimented on so many o their own kind for the sake of weaponry. In truth, she was supposed to be a weapon for them, as well- Used for closer combat.

"Anyways, what's your name?"

"Nyx. Nyx Raven. You?"

She really hoped it was true; that she could go home. She couldn't imagine being from a planet that you wouldn't want to go back to.
She wondered what everyone else thought of their home worlds, and then remembered the arguments some of them had been having, and decided not to ask.

"Ketryn. Just... Ketryn."

Ah chose not to include her last name, which was jus a series of numbers. Her model number. The first living model of the new Yarksonian complete cyborgs. She did have a different last name, but she didn't know what it was. Ketryn looked around as the group walked on before asking Nyx, unsure of what else to talk about, "So what's your species like?"

As Senn passed the body, he gave a hostile glance towards Kydi and Thray, but didn't say anything. He kept walking with his head down, as though walking as in a prison. It looked as though he truly still believed they were evil and there was obviously something in his gaze that spoke of a horrid incident with these aliens. But nobody could be sure, as t was clouded with his certain anger at the group for not listening to him.

As the group passed the dead body, Pomona was really tempted to go back and grab a bit to eat from it. But she recalled one of the invaders, who weren't really invaders now, more like rescuers if anything, saying something about someone not tasting good. She wasn't sure who it was and what species they were, but she was going to keep in safe and not eat anything that wasn't given to her. Besides, thanks to the huge cat-bird guys magic she would be able to go in for awhile, but eventually she was going to need real food and water. Pomona continued to keep up with the group, avoiding Senn, skipping along side them.

Ketryn examine the ship from the outside, first. Stealth ship. The name was scratched out, which made her wonder what had happened. Maybe it wa stolen? Or bought from it previou owners? Perhaps they jus chose to scratch out the name. Oh well.

Ketryn was the first of the freed prisoners to load onto the ship, her eyes looking around with that same dull expression of her's. She sat down next to Thydi, still looking around. She didn't care where they were going as Long as she wasn't imprisoned again. On another note...

"So where can I recharge?"

Samaki had found his ride out. There was a Kyrenian stealth ship in the hangar with its boarding ramp left open, allowing him access to what was inside. The ship said "The Silent Dirge" on the side in red paint, though he found this to be rather ineffective at keeping the ship stealthy. Initially, he was going to hijack the ship, but then realized that (a) he didn't know how to fly it and (b) if he let the Kyrenian pilots take it and then attacked them mid-flight, he could steal their weapons. A stun pistol was great, but it lacked the destructive force of a rifle or shotgun. It would be great if he could get his old cavitation rifle back, but Kyrenians didn't use cavitation weaponry and he didn't have time to look around the ship and see where they were keeping captured weapons. There were people coming, though, and he didn't want a fight right now. Once they were in space, the crew would be easier to pacify. Samaki quickly ran into the cargo hold and conveniently found an empty crate in the back corner where it would least be noticed. He jumped inside and pulled the lid over. Hopefully this would provide him some degree of stealth, and would allow him to surprise attack anyone who opened the lid.

Feffon's mouth dropped open when it saw the ship. It was very pretty, and seemed to shine in the light of the hangar. Feffon half-wondered what that sleek metal would taste like, but decided against it on account that it was already full and could smell much tastier inside. Could they have on board the legendary beef?! It floated on half in a trance, and began to look around, sniffing at crates to find the food.

Strange gave a curt nod to Kydi as he boarded the ship. Said ship was very sleek and seemed to be very advanced. Strange felt a tiny spark of admiration inside his chest. Quietly, he found an empty seat and sat down. Thankfully, it was next to the wall. This meant that Strange could get as little interaction as possible. He slouched in his seat, elbows resting on his legs. His hands came together, where he began to twiddle his fingers absentmindedly.

Here's to hoping they keep their word, Strange thought to himself. ...Why am I so nervous? I'm 90% sure that they WILL keep their word. Maybe it's not them who took the gun. Shh, chillax. There's a good chance that I'm worrying about nothing.

Donfroste was hesitant at first he still didn't quite trust these creatures but sense his options were waiting in a wreaked ship for another rescue and most likely get killed or go on the ship and maybe get killed. but then again it was a way out and who was he to look a gift horse in the mouth. he sped aboard and proceeded to take one of the seats in the front row, after a few seconds of unsuccessfully trying to climb up on seat he gained purchase with his left hand and hoisted himself up he then proceeded to spread out his limbs to cover as much of the seat as possible trying to make himself look more big than he really was. It was quite funny actually he couldn't even reach the restraints.

Senn sat in one of the passenger seats. He put his hands over his face and folded his ears down over his hands. He rocked himself slowly back and forth, trying to calm himself as much as he could. When people passed he stopped, a he didn't want to be seen in this state. He was a mess. The last time he'd gotten on a ship with Kyrenians it was a torturous time for him in which he was later imprisoned. He could still feel every needle and spike pressing into his body.

He clenched his face and tightened his muscles, and then finally breathed out. Feeling... better.

Pomona, bursting with excitement, was one of the first creatures back on the ship. She ran up and down the passenger area, not being afraid to make noise as she bobbed and weaved between other creatures and chairs. Pomona wasn't sure why she was so excited, she just was. She wondered for a second when was the last time she had been on a ship, and then she really paused to think. Pomona stood still for a moment, looking off into space trying to think of when she had last flown, but her mind came up blank.

That's odd. Pomona knew her people had rather primitive technology, but there was no way she had never been on a ship. She knew it. But she couldn't remember. Her mind was just failing her.

Somnus had boarded last, after making sure everyone else made it on safely, and was only just settling in when he heard the beeping.  He stood back up and took a few steps toward the console, looking over Thray's shoulder from a distance.  He wasn't sure what it meant, but usually beeping indicated something that requires someone's attention.  And that was usually bad.

He threw a glance around the room to see if anyone else had noticed.  It didn't seem like it, yet, so he tried to look calm.  This was something felines, especially Somnus, were very good at.  His tail twitched just slightly, despite his best efforts.  Just being on this ship felt wrong, despite how much he wanted to trust Kydi and Thray.  And this?  He had a bad feeling.

Ketryn nodded and turned around in her seat. She looked at her right wrist, opening up the small, skin-colored covering to reveal a retractable wire. She removed the wire and plugged it into the wall. Almost immediately the light tha went from behind her ear to the center of her forehead became brighter and more obvious. She nodded at Kydi, "thank you," she flatly stated. Ketryn looked around before finally asking, "so where exactly are we going?" That was the main question- if it was somewhere she liked, she would stay. If not, sh would have them leave her somewhere else.

Ketryn watched as Kydi walked off to Thray, listening to them as they spoke. Wait, another Kyrenian ship was here!? Great, just great! They were dead. So dead.

Ketryn sighed, emotionless. Don't panic- whatever she did, she couldn't panic. Panic is illogical- it makes it harder to think things through. Slowly, Ketryn unplugged her wire from the wall and walked towards Kydi and Thray.

"Here's what you do," she began, "they don't know you are currently carrying us or that you aren't technically allies anymore. Turn the ship completely on- let them sense you. Don't speed out. If this ship has a shield, no matter how weak, turn it on. Maybe send a transmission asking them not to shoot yet and saying that you were making sure there were no survivors there, okay? Don't power up weapons. Don't speed out. It will only look suspicious."