Telal’s Lair.
Part One.
Writers : Telal (Severce) and Xia (Charlotte)
Telal ‘Titan’ Leviathan
Hand of Lao’Taun | Command and Control Vessel
Classification: Titan
The teleportation cycle only took a few seconds, molecules elevated to energized states and transmitted, then reassembled upon the platform at the other side. When Xia would emerge from transport, she would find herself on a platform much like the one she had left on the Yughoshi. The difference was, the presence of Lao’Taun was no longer with her, the chamber was empty, silent and cold. Black carapace-like walls held a unique look, markings etched within the living fuselage had warnings and instructions about proper use of the teleportation system. The doorway to the corridor was closed, the bulkhead indicator above indicating that it had been locked, a process utilized on star ships when they were being boarded or damaged to keep compartmental seals.
The illumination, lamp-like recesses within the ceiling and walls flickered briefly as the smell of smouldering wiring kissed the air. The pedestals around the teleportation platform were broken open, sparking, smouldering and burning from being torn apart. Upon closer inspection she would likely notice that most of the platform itself was broken, the glyphs representing activation were dull and obviously had no power running to them.
At her feet, Lao’Taun’s trench coat laid a crumpled pile on the teleportation pad, Godsmourn wrapped within it as if it had been idly left there. The small security alcove just forward of the pad, could only be partially seen from where she stood, the volumetric interfaces flickering within, but there was no sign of movement.
The ship creaked and groaned, the sounds normal for a vessel that were usually drowned out with the actions of its crew. Nothing spoke, the telepathic connections to the Telal’s mindhive silent and barren.
*
The chamber was like nothing Xia had envisioned. Stark and barren; devoid of any signs of life. Even the air left her with a chill, that pinched at her cheeks, and the very air she exhaled could be seen before her face. Xia quickly looked about her for Lao’Taun but he wasn’t there. As she made a step, her boot toe kicked the edge of his trench coat, that was crumpled upon the floor, like it was taken off and abandoned. But the sound beneath the coat as it shifted along the floor, was a dull clink. Xia knelt down and drew back the coat, to see that his sword; Godsmourn was wrapped within its folds. Taking up the hilt and placing a hand under the length of the blade, she slowly rose to her feet, but all the while keeping a sharp eye out; ears straining to hear the sound of footsteps, or the presence of another in the vicinity.
Xia stepped over the coat, still holding the sword directly in front of her, but across her body. The ship made strange creaking sounds, like parts were barely hanging together, possibly from an attack that had taken place, or the ship itself was in a bad state of repair. Xia could barely make out the small alcove that was adjacent where she stood. Taking a look to the right of her, she noticed that the pedestals around the platform had been broken open. Xia took a few steps towards one, for a closer inspection. She could see inside the broken wires and the charges of sparks, as it was obviously still powered. The burning smell had her crinkle her nose up as it was displeasing. Looking about her on further inspection, the very base of the platform itself was broken. Xia stopped and then thought for a moment. If this was the teleportation platform, and everything in the entrance was broken, or ripped apart, something…very large had made its way onto the ship. Question was..what?
Xia then made her way towards one of the walls of the chamber, that was marked with strange etchings. Possibly warnings or instructions of how to go about the use of the teleportation pad. Xia raised her head, and noted that the bulkhead was locked, due to the flashing indicator. Perhaps what ever had arrived, the crew on the ship tried to keep contained within the chamber so it could not make its way through to the command center. All the lights flickered; a sign that the power grids of the ship itself may have also been damaged.
The Second Emmisary spun around and then closed her eyes, trying to reach out within her mind to Lao’Taun, but she simply could not feel his presense, at least not on board the ship. It was almost like she was shut off, closed off from the hive minds. It was an eerie silence with only the groan of the ship and her own heartbeat, filling her ears. Slowly, Xia let the blade of the Godsmourn lower, while she gripped the hilt tightly in her right hand. Eyes darting back and forth…waiting for something to happen.
*
As Xia would move towards the closed access way, she would be able to see into the security alcove. Some of the screens were shattered and broken, glass and debris littered the floor as two soldiers laid face down against the panels, slumped within their chairs as if they had been struck from behind. Each of the guards were armed with standard issue K-4 Rifles, and the one closest to the door had a blue level access card hanging from a chain off his belt. Purplish colored Nyshakrlzhao dripped from beneath their body armour, they both had slashes across their backs that had smashed the armoured plates and tore right through their bodies, the one closet to the door even had a smaller exit wound at the nape of his neck. Death was fresh, there was no sign of decay – the spilled blood still fresh and flowing.
Xia’s attempts to reach Lao’Taun would be blocked out, almost as if she was reaching into a tar pit, the signal would slow and seem sluggish as it returned devoid of response. No alert statuses were visible on the screens that were still working, just the usual background communications and diagnostics from various systems. The lights and screens would flicker once again, dimming the panels before the power system returned to normal. The alcove was basic, the dead soldiers, the screens, a basic supply locker and four environmental suits that hung in a transparent cabinet that were to be worn if something happened the chamber lost atmosphere.
It was deathly quiet, the sound of the soldier’s blood dripping into the floor plating was the loudest sound. The Telal seemed desolate.
*
The chamber had a certain smell, that one could taste in the air. Death. The dripping of blood that splashed upon puddles on the floor; a constant. The hollow draw of air through chamber teased her hair like death’s own fingers, when she approached the first dead body, and caught sight of the blue level access card. Stopping to lean Godsmourn the panel, she unthreaded the man’s belt, and slid the chain free, holding it up to take a closer look, whilst the chain dangled below, smacking against her arm. Knowing this would be handy, she placed the chain over her head, and then gripped the hair of the guard’s head and brought it back so she could see the mask of death that was on his face. As he had been struck from behind, the guard would not have seen the threat coming, and so his eyes stared straight ahead, mouth partly open. Xia let the head down gently, while she cast a look across at the second guard, who was slumped upon his screen. Xia saw that the armour worn by the guards had virtually been sliced open. Her guess; that whatever it was had long claws, possibly pinchers. Xia crossed the floor to him, and tipped his head to the side, to see an exit wound near the nape of his neck. She leant forward, and drove her finger into the hole, winding it around. Xia withdrew her finger, and brought it to her lips. The kill was still fresh. Blood was actually warm. This had Xia crease her brow. The attack in the chamber, was recent.
Xia simply could not reach Lao’Taun. When she searched from within her mind, it was almost like it was clouded, thought patterns almost in disarray, defective. Naturally, this bothered her, for her link to Lao’Taun was something she held dear. To add to that, her instinct was not so much to protect herself, but to be his guardian.
A spark of light came from the multiple panels and displays, which had dimmed from the initial attack, and then the light hum of power systems returning to normal had the panels illuminate and the systems once again seemed normal. With Godsmourn in her hand, she decided to check on the remaining furnishings, and what they contained so that she left nothing to waste. To venture further in an unknown vessel was a gamble at best, and she may not be suited to the artificial environment. Spotting a locker, that was off to the side, Xia noticed that there were four environmental suits held within. Clearly, what was beyond the chamber may not sustain life, or have insufficient oxygen levels. Xia took the handle and opened the supply locker, to reach in and take down one of the suits. She brought is up in front of her body to see if it was anywhere near close to fitting her and it was more designed to provide an air vacuum seal around the user’s form.
Xia undid the zips and slipped into the suit, pulling her arms through the sleeves, and wiggling her fingers into the gloves. Xia flicked out the blue level access card on the chain, so it was worn on the outside of the suit, in case she needed it for a control panel. On the shelf at the top of the closet was a row of helmets with a glass face, and Xia reached up and then placed it over her head, the airlock fastening on and you could hear the suit pressurize in seconds. With the suit fully fitted, she again picked up Godsmourn, and started her search for an exit.
*
While the main access door was locked, it was obvious that it was working as a compartment seal due to the fact there was no option to unlock or cycle it. It meant that standard access ways obviously were not available. In terms of alternate routes, Xia would find only two other possible alternatives. A maintenance crawl tube that ran down the left side of the room, it obviously ran the length of the deck. The second possibility was an environmental duct that jetted out of the ceiling in the security alcove.
Sparks flew from the panels around the transporter platform, showering to the armoured floor as the system completely shorted. The panels went dim and the dark completely as the emergency systems shut the power off to try and prevent a plasma fire from occurring. There was still no sign of movement, but within minutes the entire teleportation chamber was in blackness, the power systems having failed completely for that section.
*
Behind Xia was an eruption of sparks and electrical charges bloomed out and showered the floor behind her, the teleportation pad now completely shutting down. This meant one thing. There was no going back. To make matters worse, all the power systems for the chamber completely shut down, the very signals and streams of aero descent data fading into the blackness of the screens. This alerted her to a new danger. Without power, there would be no air, and the suit was now a lifesaver that she had put on just in a nick of time. When checking the exits, the main access door was locked, obviously it too was now a seal to keep whatever had entered before her, out. There were only two possible escape routes. One; a maintenance crawl tube, like you would have for an air-conditioning duct. The other, was an environmental duct that was protruding through the ceiling in the security alcove.
Xia had to make a choice and opted for the maintenance crawl tube. The Second emmisary strapped Godsmourn upon her back and then got down on all fours near the inlet, taking off the grid that covered the hole. Peering inside, it was as dark as the chamber itself, and where it led to was unknown. At the top of her helm was a small light, which illuminated after Xia activated a switch on the side of her helm. Least now, she could see her way forward. Xia drew her shoulders in, and then entered the crawl tube. The last thing you would see was the tip of Godsmourn, as she disappeared from view.
*
When Xia entered the maintenance tunnel, the bulkhead behind her closed and locked. It was obvious that something had happened that the ship had lost structural integrity in that section, there was no atmosphere and ice had began to build up on the inner hull’s surface. Save for her light, there was no lights in the tunnel, not even the emergency lanterns that usually activated during emergencies, something had been dragged through the tunnel, gashes along the walls , ribbons shredded through the polymer panels.
The first opening along the tunnel was on the left, a dim flashing blue light could be seen. It opened to the main corridor that ran the length of the deck. The further she went, the tunnel would get slicker and slicker, but she would quickly find herself lifting from the surface. The artificial gravity plating had obviously failed along with everything else. Globs of purplish blood bounced through the air coming in from the opening in the section. Straight ahead the tunnel was dark, empty and it was questionable how far the next opening was.
The tunnel was clearly marked, Deck 147 – Section Alpha.
*
Each placing down of her hand caused the sound to ring out like a dull echo. A metallic clank, clank, clank, as she continued to crawl down the long tunnel. No other light save from her own that was perched upon her head. Xia’s eye narrowed at the depth to which the tunnel went, and while she wore the protective suit, she could not escape the cold chill, that swept through the tunnel. Along the sides, large gashes left by something of size. Perhaps she was not the first to travel this way. Her heightened sense of curiosity was being fed by an opening that was just along on her left. A chance at finding what happened to Lao’Taun? Naturally she was going to take it.
Through the grill she could see a shining blue light, but it was not bright like that of a lantern. With her fist, Xia punched the grill out, so it would land on the floor below with a clatter. Crawling left, she dragged her body out of the tunnel, and rose to standing. But no sooner had her feet touched the floor, that Xia started to rise up, as there was no gravity within the ship anymore. Obviously it had suffered major damage to its hull by whatever attacked it. Xia tried to take a step and then planted her foot back down, where the magnetic strips in her boots took hold and she was able to get her balance.
Within the helmet, Xia took deep breaths, trying to gauge her location, when she noticed from markings on the walls, that she had come to be in a main corridor of that deck of the ship itself. Maybe this was a way of finding the command centre, and possibly life. One last glance over her shoulder out of the tunnel, she read the markings; Deck 147 – Section Alpha. Not that the sign was of much help at this point, but may provide a clue later on. Xia turned to her left, and slowly started to walk up the corridor, with her boots clanging on the metal surface.
*
This section of Deck 147 was labelled alpha, which denoted it was in the bow section of the Titan. The corridor she had stepped out into was dark, save for the flashing blue emergency lights down the centre of the ribbed tunnels. The control consoles were dark, and the whole deck was not accessible, down the corridor another closed bulkhead was ‘locked and sealed’ it’s transparent pane indicated something else however, behind it, was not more corridor, but shattered hull that had been opened up to space. The air in the corridor had a sweet smell to it, almost like honey.
Dark and dismal the innards of the Telal Titan were not welcoming to the new Luminary. On the port side of the deck, was a tram station, the door opened but the transparent panes were coated with blood. Several soldiers were inside, or what was left of them. Torn limb by limb they were in peices and scattered intermixed with various gear and crates. Two locked blue access doors were on the starboard side of the hall. Behind her was the bulkhead for the door back to the teleportation chamber which had been locked.
Behind her though, a noise – the harsh rattle of blood chortled breath. Leaning up against the wall in a HoL uniform was an officer, his legs had been torn off him and he was still bleeding profusely. “….” he sputtered blood from his lips and into his fogged up helmet as he tried to speak, trying to get her attention. It was obvious he had tried to help himself, his belt tied around his gushing stubs, pulse pistol gripped in his right hand as he shifted, wiggling back against the wall like some kind of worm.
*
The inner walls of the tunnel like corridor, had a streamline of blue lights that pulsated though dull due to the lack of power. Xia walked, her arms slightly outstretched, as though ready to draw her love’s sword from her back. That same feeling gripped the back of her neck as though her gut instinct was trying to warn her of impending danger. Her blue eyes narrowed to slits, taking in the darkened consols, that were completely dead. As Xia came to the end of the corridor, she saw that the bulkhead was locked down, and through the glass pane, there was no further to go. A dead end. She stood silently for a moment staring through, wondering what could have happened, and just how big this threat really was. Placing her hand up on the pane, it began to sink in that she may be the only survivor on the entire ship, if this was anything to go by. The two guards in the teleportation room didn’t even know what hit them. Pushing off the doors, she spun around and began to make her way in the other direction. Xia had absolutely no idea how large the ship really was, having not been briefed before she left with Lao’Taun.
Keeping her eyes out for any movement, she started her walk back down the long corridor. Every so often, checking left and right, while her boots clanked along the metal surface. It was a long walk. Nothing on either side, till eventually she came upon a tram station. Confused that there would even be one there, she decided to investigate, and headed for the opened doors, but that was when she spotted the sprays of blood that coated the inner windows. Stepping in, was when she saw the remains of what looked to be two soldiers, that had been virtually torn apart by perhaps the very same creature that had destroyed the teleportation chamber. Xia bent down to pick up an arm, and was tilting her head as she studied the torn edges of skin, the break in the bone. The damage was caused by being literally torn off from the body itself.
A strange gurgling sound echoed from behind her, causing Xia to drop the arm suddenly, spinning around to spot a man, who was leaning up against the wall of the corridor, but on the stubs of his legs. Both had been cut off, with blood pooling along the floor, and slowly rising in a drizzle of fine droplets, rising to the ceiling. The soldier bore the uniform of the HoL, and had markings to suggest he was an officer. Rank uncertain. He still wore the pressure suit, but his helmet glass hood was coated in blood, that had come from his mouth. Xia started to run towards him, but then slowed as she saw the gun that was in his right hand. His body twitching and shaking violently, clearly in a state of shock. He must have been another victim of the same creature, the one that had attacked all the others and disabled the ship. A quick glance up the corridor to see if anything was coming only to see darkness, and she returned to look at the man before her. Xia realised he would probably be unable to speak, and may only have minutes to live, so she opened her mind and asked him telepathically.
“What did this to you?….. Where is Lao’Taun?”
*
The look within the fallen officer’s eyes was dark, bloodshot and cracked orbs seemed to pulsate with some kind of fluid. When she opened her mind to him, he dropped the pistol, his chest heaving as he almost seemed frightened by her. The Nyshakrlzhao was fading quickly, gloved hand reaching for her but slipped off her suit leaving a smear of blood.
“…..Compromised…..you must…..go…..” his mind was weak, but a whisper within hers. “…it takes us….takes us all…….” He whined, voice almost screeching. “PLEASE KILL MEEEE…Kill us all……” he begged. “Lao’Taun? Lao’Taun we sent…..you both…back…….” the light behind the officer’s eyes dimmed, then faded into the absolution of death. All that he held, all that he was faded from him and from her. She was alone again, the soft groans of stress upon the ship’s spaceframe echoing down the corridor.
In the emptiness of the officer’s death, answers as vague or garbled as they were had been given. The lights in the tram car flickered, it had been dislodged within the tunnel that was part of the titan’s transportation network. Nearby the two blue access doors remained sealed and locked, the control consoles next to them requiring the proper access to be inputted before they could be opened.
The sweet smell seemed to intensify, just briefly as Xia would feel the lightest of sensations like something had brushed past behind her. As soon as it was there however, it was gone. Nothing could be seen or heard once the sensation departed.
*
“PLEASE KILL MEEEE…Kill us all……” he begged. “Lao’Taun? Lao’Taun we sent…..you both…back…….”
Kill him? Kill them all? Whatever had come before her, had done a pretty good job of that as it was. So far all she had encountered were either mutilated, or dead. Just like this one, who lost his life right before her eyes. His final wish granted by an unseen hand. But it was in his dying words, she heard something she didn’t expect. Lao’Taun was sent back? But that was impossible, his trench cloak and sword were left behind. Now her mind was filled with possible scenarios of what could have actually happened.
“No….he couldn’t have.”
Xia spoke to herself, for there was no one to hear her. The ship groaned, like a dying whale; a haunting sound that just kept occurring every ten or so seconds. How long the ship would stay in one piece remained to be seen. Which way should she go now? The tram lights flickered, gaining her attention, but it was this that brought her to see the nearby blue access doors, that were sealed shut. It was then she recalled, that she had the access swipe card on a chain around her neck. Thankful that she had retrieved it back in the teleportation room, she slipped it off from around her neck, and walked over to the control panel. Just as she was about to swipe the card, she sniffed the air inside her suit, and the smell was of honey. Xia blinked. It was a rich sickly sweet smell, like a whole bee hive been cracked open.
“Bees…make honey.”
There was no sign of any insects around her, but her mind was cast back to when she fought the Ttyamaugn, which was a great praying mantis. Could whatever attacked these soldiers be a large bee? There was only one way to find out, and she swiped the card over the control panel to see if it would unlock the doors.
*
The console responded to the access card being swiped, the two isolation doors which had previously been locked, unlocked and opened. The activation of the console diverted power throughout the system, causing power to flow back through the gravity plating and atmospheric control systems in that section. It was like a wind tunnel, air blasting from the two opening rooms until their inner doors shut, the sudden activation of gravity plating sending blood, debris and anything else that was free floating splashing to the deck. The ship seemed to groan, panels along the corridor shorting and sparking with the new arrival of energy.
The two rooms were not completely opened, they had dual doors, when the outer door opened, the inner door would stay closed, due to the difference in atmosphere and pressure until the outer door was closed. These were emergency measures designed to help keep the ship intact as possible during the worst stages of damage. The Telal was heavily built up, a lot of the internal ‘biological’ features of the Leviathan had been covered with technology, panelling, which was typical of the more humanoid concentrated ships. The inner door on the left was labelled ‘Damage Control Station’ and the other was ‘Medical Bay’.
*
All at once, the activation caused not only the doors to be opened, but the power flooded the systems with vigour, the atmospheric control systems coming back online. Everything that floated fell to the floor. Blood, weapons, and even limbs. Sickening splats that coated the floor once more. The force of air that blasted through the corridor could have knocked her off her feet, had she not been wearing the magnetic strips beneath. But her hand gripped the control panel all the same, to steady herself. It was now or never, and she entered the open doors, but the others inside stayed closed, as if to trap in the pressure of the room.
Now standing inside this room, she had two options for the doors were marked. One was the Damage control station, the other the Medical bay. Choices. There could only be one. The ship was still groaning, and the din grew louder with the flood of power; the shifting of the gravital plates. If she could restore the ship to be fully functioning, she might be able to find her way back to Lao’Taun. For while she was here, Xia was not able to protect him from whatever it was that ripped into the vessel.
Xia headed for the door marked Damage Control station, and opened it, stepping through. The door locked behind her, with another opening in front. All she could hope for now, was that the equipment in this room, still worked.
*
The Telal had many damage control stations organized throughout the ship. They were essentially small storage facilities with various tools, materials and assembly/industrial works geared towards maintaining and repairing the Leviathan and its various integrated systems. Racks with hull plating were stacked along one wall. Automated repair drones were housed in small storage cubes which were in lines like book racks at a library. A control panel sat near the racks, obviously designed to control the drones. Various volumetric imaging systems covered a table-like platform, obviously designed for selecting where repairs would be focused. Toolkits, both the briefcase-style and backpacks were stocked on another set of shelves.
The facility itself was clean, an obvious sign that whatever struggle had occurred was not something that visibly occurred within. Along the wall on the right side of the room was four emergency escape pods, designed for the damage control team if the ship was abandoned, all but one had been launched.
Another cabinet was labelled, ‘Defence Drones’, it was locked with a blue access tag. Just as Xia stepped into the bay, a spool of optics cable dropped from one of the racks on the other side of the room, a brief shuffle and then silence.
*
Gleaming clean steal that showed off a twisted reflection as Xia crept through the room. Her boots making a dull clank clank. Xia was quick to check her surroundings, gauging what was in the room that may be of use to her. One of the first things she did notice however was the emergency escape pods on the right side of the room. Well, there were spaces for four, but only one remained. Clearly those that were in service at the time of the attack, made a hasty getaway, to blast free from the ship. Xia checked to see if it was operational, in working order, and the lights illuminated on the control panel beside where it was built into the wall face. It could serve as a way out, if this search for Lao’Taun did not go to plan.
Leaving that for now, she continued to explore the room. This room was as much for maintenance, like a workshop as it was for supplies, and parts. Racks of hull platting, stacked against a wall; then she noticed automated repair drones, housed in small storage cubes. Rows of them, like blocks in a library, all marked with numerals and lettering. To the side, another blue access card control swipe panel. Xia toyed with the blue access card she still held in her hand, and then quickly swiped the card through the laser reader, to see if this did indeed activate the drones. Eyes held the blocks, till she spotted a backpack that contained a tool kit. Thinking this might be handy, even though she was not familiar with the materials on the ship, Xia felt it was better to be safe than sorry, and took it down, placing it upon her back.
Xia placed the chain for the key access card back around her neck, when she noted a spool of optic cable, that had dropped from a rack on the other side of the room. Taking the few steps to reach it, she bent down to pick it up, and studied it in her hand, before looking back up from where it fell. Had someone left it behind on purpose?
*
The single remaining escape pod was operatable, upon closer inspection a smear of blood could be seen on the panel for it’s access controls.
The cabinet that Xia swiped the access card for opened, the two YS-02 Defence Drones inside immediately began to power up, the two spherical drones were designed to provide cover for damage control teams as they worked through the ship during situations where the enemy had penetrated the ship’s defences. Armed with two pulse cannons each, and six mini-multipurpose missiles they were considered an anti-personnel drone. Their shield systems activated as they hovered out of the cabinet, immediately locking onto Xia. The programming of the drones had her set to be followed, their short range scanning system watching for approaching enemies. ‘Unit One online. Unit Two online. All systems nominal.’
When Xia picked up the spool of optical cable, a gasp could be heard. Another shuffle within the racks as a pair of light blue eyes gazed out from between the spools and crates on the third shelf rack. Wide eyes, filled with terror went dark as lids closed to cover them. Whoever it was, they were shaking like a leaf, trembling in her very presence.
*
The mechanical drawl of the awakening of the two defence droids, caught Xia’s attention as she was running her thumb along the length of the optical cable. Turning to face them as they emerged from their holdings, Xia watched them with a sense of unease. She was not terribly familiar with such technology, but it they aided her in making it through to the command bridge, than it was better than nothing. Their bold lasers swept over her form, from the head to the toes and then back up before the announcement that had her blink.
‘Unit One online. Unit Two online. All systems nominal.’
“Hmm.”
Xia was one of few words, and felt it beneath her to address droids. The only one, she truly spoke to if at all, was Lao’Taun. But for now, this was to be her only company…or so she thought. A gasp, then the shuffle of what must have been feet upon the metal flooring, and Xia spun around, her sharp blue eyes narrowing; Xia immediately became defensive. If it was one thing she didn’t like, it was being watched. The sound emitted from between a stack of crates and spools of wires, possibly electrical cables for use through out the ship. One box in particular was moving, as though something was in behind it, not wanting to be found. Xia cleared her throat, more than willing to slice the head off whoever was behind. So, she spoke to it.
“Speak up now…..show yourself.”
*
The box came flying off the shelf as it was pushed, full of bolts and screws it dumped its contents – the metal bits flew across the floor, scattering and rolling as the mess spread out. From behind the box a young Nyshakrlzhao girl wearing an environmental suit emerged, trying to take advantage of the mess she had made. Bolting like a scared animal she headed towards the isolation door that lead back out to the corridor, protective boots resounding against the deck flooring.
At the door, she waited for it to open, looking back towards Xia briefly. The girl’s bright blue eyes widened in fear. She slipped through just as the door began to open. Her tiny gloved hand hammering on the controls trying to make the door close faster. A worried whine escaped the child’s lips.
“Please….don’t…hurt me!” she cried, knowing there was no way the door was going to close fast enough to get away. In the childs left had was a plasma cutting tool, obviously something she had been using as a weapon. She held it up defensively in Xia’s direction, the plasma tip flaring a bright green.
*
“Please….don’t…hurt me!”
The commotion this young girl caused in her dramatic attempt to getaway, with bits and bobs flying in all directions, almost had Xia slip over, as she turned and placed a foot forward in her direction. Xia’s right foot slid, and she flailed and then made a sound, like “Whooop!” Her back foot dug in and Xia righted herself, but not before scowling at the child, who was waving a plasma gun in her direction. Xia’s black bangs fell over her eyes, before she flipped it back, and looked at the direction the girl was heading. Knowing what was out there, Xia realised the girl was running to her oblivion.
“You’re going to blast me with that toy?” Xia asked, raising an eyebrow, and then tossing away the piece of optical cable that she picked up earlier. Xia tried to figure out just what the girl was exactly, obviously she had managed to hide from whatever it was that had tore the ship apart. Glancing back over at the droids, she made a high pitched whistle, and then voiced her command;
“Follow.”
Xia took another two steps towards the door way, where the girl was just out of reach. Xia folded her arms, and practically glared down her nose at the child in indignation. This was the first child she had come across, and already, she didn’t care much for them. Messy things. Xia pursed her lips, and for a moment, you could swear she was a female version of Lao’Taun, through and through.
“Attack me if you dare…but it’s your funeral.”
*
The young girl shook her head, holding the plasma cutter up still towards Xia. She took a few steps forwards and prevented the door from closing. “Who do you fight for?” The Nyshakrlzhao girl asked. She was shaking, trembling with fear causing the flame on the end of the cutter to flicker as her hand jiggled in the air. “Why aren’t you leaving?” she asked, looking towards the escape pod. “Who are you lady?” The child had plenty of questions, eyes now showing curiosity along with the gear as she examined the suited Luminary.
The young girl’s eyes narrowed, trying to peer through the tinted visor of Xia’s suit, trying to figure out of she was one of the crew or not.
The ship groaned and creaked. As the young girl and Xia were having their stand off the volumetric projector over the interface table activated. A large volumetric map of the Telal Titan popped up, red flashing Titan popped up, red flashing indicators showed damage and various scrolling glyphs gave information on various damaged systems. 1246 decks high and nearly 20km in length, the Titan was a massive place – like a floating city in space. The Telal was the only elder leviathan assigned to the RTU and HoL, only to be dwarfed by the Yughoshi Chanyosa herself. Many decks were decompressed, hull breaches were numerous and communications, most internal and external sensor systems were offline. Overall the ship was a mess, the inner core of the Titan where the mind hives were was locked down. Flashing indicators appeared above engineering and the bridge as well as several other locations on the ship.
Every few seconds the volumetric image would distort. //Automated Drone Launch Systems – Offline//
Two ship wide bulletins also flashed, one showing the image of Lao’Taun, the other of Xia. The image of Lao’Taun flashed -Contained-. The other image of Xia flashed respectively -Unknown-.
