We're Off To See The Wizard

There's no way this is the place, Tsubasa thought as he circled above the small cabin in the Vagabond, his personal vessel. Some time ago, he had received a mysterious message from an equally mysterious source, claiming that he had been "selected." For what, he hadn't a clue, but his curiosity got the better of him and he decided to go to the coordinates that had been sent to him. Lo and behold, the coordinates lead to Kuat, and Tsu had expected the meeting place to be an at least decent looking building in one of the sprawling cities on the planet. But this?

"Maybe I got the coordinates mixed up," he muttered to himself. A few quick presses of some buttons on the dashboard later and his hopes were dashed. He was in the right place. "Well then, I guess there's nothing more to do than land and check it this place out." He took the Vagabond down to land a fair distance away from the building, and stood to gather his things before getting off the ship. He had his weapons of course, though he didn't think he'd need them; as far as he knew, the meeting here wasn't supposed to end in any sort of violence, though he would be well prepared should it come to that. But really, he rather doubted it would. He also grabbed an old grey cloak he had on board and threw it on, wrapping it around his shoulders, so that it hung off of him, almost to the ground, and stepped down the exit ramp into the field of wheat.

The scenery around him brought a smile to his face as his amber eyes looked about the area. The mountains off in the distance reminded him of those near the place where his teacher had first started to teach him the ways of the Matukai, and he'd had a love for mountains ever since. But even as the nature around him made him smile, the sight of that old run-down looking shack made him frown. What could possibly be the reason for whatever was going to happen to happen there? The place looked like it hadn't been occupied for some years, and truth be told, it made the young Epicanthix a little wary. But he had come this far, and there wasn't any point in turning back.

Tsu stood before the front door to the building for a moment when he reached it. Well, here we are. This place has seen better days, he thought as he craned his head to look at the old building that stood before him, noting the signs of wear and tear on it. The Matukai gathered himself and pushed the old door open, and his eyebrows lifted a bit at the long, wailing creeeeaaaak that came from the old hinges. Truth be told, the interior of the building didn't look too much better than the exterior. It was decorated with furniture that looked to be older than Tsu was, and everything seemed to be covered with dust. "Anyone here," Tsubasa called out, though he got no response. His hand brushed lightly against the hilt of the jagged vibroblade that hung from his waist under his cloak as he walked deeper into the room. "Looks like I'm the first one here," he muttered as he turned around. He almost sat on one of the old pieces of furniture, but opted against it and instead stood, leaning against one of the walls facing the door, waiting to see who would come next.

It had been a long time since Jessica had been to Kuat. One could say that she had never actually been there. That was mainly because she hadn't, and looking at the planet that was supposely so important to the shipbuilding industry she could honestly say that she wasn't very impressed. She had expected something a lot more glamorous. Cafeterias made into the shapes of corvettes, or even just a corvette transformed into a cafeteria. What she found was just like every other miserable world, and she could hardly stand misery. For this reason, she couldn't stand her own company, but there was not much reprieve with her droid fluttering around her head sporadially either. She didn't know what was worse, but with the absense of a blaster she was only able to actually take one of her problems into her own hands.

The pilot of the ship she had paid had managed to drop her not far from where she was supposed to be, as far as the message she had recieved went. Wexon seemed incessant that they attend this meeting, or whatever it was going to be, just make sure that they were on time. Well, she was on time, sort of, or rather she had the potential to he. The arrival would depend entirely on how long it took the cripple to wander from the landing pad towards the coordinates. Wexon would be leading, of course, because that meant that she had to listen less to the bugging gearhead and his lack of emotions. Emotions were important, they let you manipulate people. It was always a necessary thing for a doctor to be able to manipulate their patient - how else can you get them to agree to dangerous treatment? And dangerous treatment was fun.

The planet was mainly urban, and she found that ironically she was heading for one of the unurbanised areas for this attending. She wasn't complaining, of course. Having been aboard a medical frigate for several weeks, she had only moved onto another ship and effectively been cooped up in the medical bay before leaving the Ascension. Now she was on Kuat, and the outside was something she enjoyed rather much so. The mountains off in the far horizon offered her something to look at more than 15 feet away from her, and her pace was considerably slower to elongate the time she could spend in transit towards the meeting place. Wexon of course was maintaining his typical distance from her, hardly changing in his distance as he continued scanning the surroundings for any indicators, but received nothing.

Coming up over the brow of a hill, she found herself looking down on a grassy plain with a small hut in the middle of it. Narrowing her eyes, she glanced over at the droid who seemed to believe that was where they should go. Resting on her cane for a moment, she exhaled in an exhausted manner, hardly knowing why she was attending this thing in the first place. In any decently-run galaxy she'd be quite happily laying around in her office annoying the superiors and doing very little work, making just enough money to not have to engage in communication with anyone except the delivery services. And even then it was usually droid mail clerks. Beginning her descent down the hill once more, she began the final steps towards the decrepid building, eyeing the damaged exterior warily. A stiff breeze could probably knock that place over.

Her feet brought her slowly towards the front door, watching carefully on the way as another individual entered before her. She narrowed her eyes, untrusting of just what was going to happen. Clearly the building hadn't blown up upon the entry of one person, and that probably meant that they were not being led into an immediate trap. Besides, if this was the work of some sort of criminal organization, what use could they possible have with a woman such as herself? She was, of course, only probably the best doctor in the galaxy. She was hardly worth anything to a bunch of hooligans who could, for example, ransom her off to the Republic. No, that would be far too silly. Clearly. Wexon was waiting for her by the front door now, awaiting his organic partner before entering.

"Let's make our dramatic entrance shall we?" She glanced at the droid, taking her cane into her hand and rapping it roughly on the wooden doorframe several times before taking hold of the handle and letting herself in regardless. Her intrusion was clearly one of great importance as she found that she was in the company of just one other person. Sensing this as being more and more like a stalker's attempt at affection towards her, she thwacked the door behind her with the cane, knocking it shut and brandishing it defensively. "Not interrupting your private time I hope?" She offered the remark cockily to the man, moving herself towards the other end of the room, keeping his figure in her peripheral vision.

Contact. We have two organic signatures at the East entrance, it could be them.

Run a scan, match the results to our database.

The doorknob on the door Jessica just closed whirred and bleeped. Soon after, it extended on a long mechanical arm as the end split and blossomed open to reveal a tiny scanner unit. A beam of light swept over the room's two occupants. The scanner bleeped again and turned back into a doorknob, leaving the room in still silence once more.

Subjects identified: Tsubasa Arus and Jessica Chezz. Also, our ion scanner is picking up a droid signature. Cross-referencing with our database confirms it's 06.

Ahh, the good doctor returns. Well what are you waiting for, Phae? A secret password? Welcome our guests in and send Dr. Lenarksi to greet them.

Right away.

A long silence passed in the shack before a mechanical voice spoke over an intercom. You are expected. Please step into the broom closet.

________________________________________________________________

Pan hunched over her work. The microscope she peered into had been specially constructed for her...unique skull shape, but it still wasn't quite comfortable. When the intercom came on, she startled and hit her head on the worklight hanging over her.

Dr. Lenarski.

"VHAT?!"

Phae was taken aback, but only for a split second. Pan was one of the most brilliant organics who had ever met, but she had her irritable moments. Not that the droid could blame her: it's hard to be the only one of a known species and even harder not to remember where one came from. They're here.

The raptor-like scientist blinked as the days events sorted through her mind. Oh yes, she was supposed to great the arrivals and show them through Familiar Headquarters. She scowled a moment at the slowly swinging worklight and then looked at her research on the table almost longingly. She had been on the verge of something, something that might have had quite an impact on Project Familiar.

Oh well.

Pan stepped out of her laboratory and set off towards the East elevator at the brisk, bobbing pace of whatever she was. Research could wait, what was a Familiar without it's partner?

Where's the fire, Doctor?

Slitted eyes were turned irritably towards the young man and his bird leaning against the wall. "Mu'haro, I don't haff time for zis. Ze first off ze assembly are on zheir vay and I haff to make sure zheir first impression is a goot one. Shouldn't hyo be getting ready?"

The man shrugged Hey, I got here early, as a reward I think I should be able to slack off at least a little bit, don'cha agree?

Pan snorted and continued down the hall leaving the man behind. He could be so impossible sometimes.

The bird on his shoulder sighed and shook its head. You can be so impossible sometimes, you know that?

He only smiled and watched Pan turn the corner ahead. Only when I feel the need to be. She needs to loosen up a bit. It would do the organization good. Come on, let's go get ready for this thing.

{Crappy post T_T I'm so sorry}

Tsu continued to lean against the wall as he waited. And, the more he looked around the old house, the more doubts he had. There was dust. Everywhere. And the air was stale. But this was where he had to be, so he just decided to keep waiting and see what would happen.

It wasn't long before a woman entered the old house. It was an interesting entrance, given the way that she banged on the door with her can before coming in rather dramatically. Tsu's amber eyes slid over to her as his hand went to his weapon, but he released it once he realized that she must have been one of the ones that had been summoned to the meeting place. He snorted at her question. "Hardly. Watch dust isn't really all that entertaining, y'know?" His eyes went to her once more, and he noted the small-ish droid with her, that seemed to be in the shape of a bird. I wonder what that is... he thought to ask for a moment, but decided against it. "The name's Tsubasa. Can't say I've met you before."
'
He waited for a response before pushing himself up off of the wall and looking around some more. Some of the dust on the wall came off on his old grey cloak, but he didn't pay any mind to it. "So," he said to the woman," do you have any idea why we're he-"

A voice rang out in the room, seemingly from no where, cutting him off. Stepinto the broom closet? "What kind of joke is this," he thought aloud, to no one in particular. Even so, he made his way over a door and opened it. Inside was a broom closet. Filled with brooms. And a number of other pieces of equipment that served similar purposes. The young Matukai looked to the woman with a sort of "you've got to be kidding me" expression before stepping in. Nothing happened. "Great," he said, his voice carrying a tone of somewhat annoyed amusement, "I've come across the galaxy to a shack with nothing but dust in it and now I've been told to stand in a broom closet. What a trip, eh?" But he stayed within it, deciding to humor whoever had told him to step in. At least for a little while.

Sure, she’d healed up a bit, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t still showing some of the effects of her recent…vacation…with the Empire. There was still a slight limp every once in a while, a slight wheeze here or there, a twinge in her side or temporarily blurred vision in one or both eyes…it had only been a two days ago, after all. No sooner had she gotten back to Foerost than Sender had informed her they were to return to PFHQ. She’d sighed, but acquiesced to the requested meeting…after informing the General of her current freedom. Last he’d heard she was still in the…kind and…gentle…hands of the Imperial officers, and it wouldn’t do to have him send an extraction team for someone who was quite alive and no longer a ‘guest’ of their base on Muunilinst. Now, here she was, back in that old and dusty ‘shack,’ 04 (designation Sender) perched carefully on her shoulder.

”Phae, open the bloody door please…I don’t feel like standing around in your broom closet all day. Rahja Kel…”

”…and Sender…”

”…and Sender…reporting in,” she stated moodily as she spoke into the intercom and opened the door to the closet. Two sets of glowing red eyes peered back at the man and woman…and familiar…((assuming Jessica is in there also)) who stood within, before she motioned them to shuffle aside and let her in. Shutting the door behind her, she turned and slid up a panel on the wall and pressed the button for the intercom there. ”Okay, okay, we’re all in here…and cramped. Can you please, for love of the Force, lower the lift and UN-sardine us? By the way, hello Doctor, 09. Been a while.

”Really, Rah, you could stand to be a little more…well a little less…hello 06…”

The blue hued woman had turned her head just enough to glare at her familiar out of the corners of her eyes as Sender spoke, the swiftly fading cuts and purple and black bruising along her face swiftly silencing the AER before he shifted tactics and greeted his sibling. Huffing, she felt the lift begin to descend and settle at the bottom of the shaft before she watched the panel on the ‘back’ of the ‘closet’ open into hall that led down to the meeting hall. Grumbling to herself a moment in cheunh, she motioned for the others to pile out before she too exited the lift and started down the hall. It was a rather short hall, but with her pack, rifle, and Sender along with all the gear she already had ON her…it felt a hell of a lot longer. Huffing stubbornly, she made her way carefully down the short set of steps to find the meeting room already open. Good…at least now she could sit down after the walk to get here. Transports only brought you so close, after all.

After mumbling a ‘hello’ to Pan, she pulled off her pack and rifle with a pained groan and settled into her typical dark corner, feet propped up on another chair, back against the wall. With the stock of her slug thrower resting gently against her right shoulder, the rest of that long weapon lay settled at an angle across her body, the muzzle of the barrel pointed down to the floor. Sender had taken up his regular position upon her shoulder, just behind the butt of that rifle, tail flicking every once in a while to keep himself balanced. Bloody red eyes gazed silently out at them, seeming to glow from the shadows of her raven hair and the darkness of her cerulean skin, made darker still by the unlit corner she had chosen to sit in. All of this devilish display was only heightened by the black band around her upper left arm and the red, three headed, hound emblazoned there that glinted oddly in the dim light making the yellow eyes of the trio of heads seem to glow, her rank bars showing clearly against the band around her other arm. There was little doubt she would make at least one of them uncomfortable, sitting there in the corner, cradling her weapon as if ready to shoot them all should they breathe wrong.

…But that was Rahja for you…always one to make a lasting first impression.

{Working out the kinks of getting back into the flow of this thread >.> I'm hoping I remember what Pan looks like correctly, if not just buzz me}

Tsu's solitude in the closet was soon interrupted by the arrival of another. The newcomer was a woman, with blue skin, and some strange little droid perched on her shoulder. Tsu's eyes lingered on it for a few moments, wondering what it might have been, but his attention was soon drawn away to the woman herself. She was... fiery to say the least. A bit grouchy perhaps, for reasons Tsu wasn't even going to bother to try to discover.

His stomach shifted, informing him that the 'closet' (which was, of course, a lift) was on the way down to the floor below. Apparently there was more to the rickety old shack than met the eye. Hardly surprising, but it made this particular Matukai just a hair uneasy. He was armed, of course, with his weapons and body and the Force (of course), not that he thought this mysterious meeting was going to involve violence. Unless this grouchy woman goes crazy, he thought to himself with a snort.

The lift's short descent ended a few moments later, and the back of the so-called closet opened to reveal a hallway. A hallway that looked much nicer than the rest of the old run-down shack below, not that that was really saying anything. The woman stepped out before him, and he made no motions to get in her way. Once she was out, he followed, since she seemed to know her way about the place.

The walk down the hall was short, and it led to some sort of room with a... giant lizard... thing in it. Wonderful. A glance to the side told that the grouchy-looking woman had taken up residence in a chair in one of the corners, rifle propped up on her body. And there she sat, glowering at the rest of the world with that weird droid and its red eyes doing the same. Tsu only shook his head and looked back to the... whatever it was. The giant dino-lizard. He assumed at least showing a modicum of respect would be wise.

"Hi," he said, nodding his head. "So, uh... anyone wanna tell me why I got called here?"

New signature detected. We have verification that it is unit 04, I assume the bio sign must be Ms. Kell, then.

Arza stared ahead, deep within some labrinth of musing. A small noise of recognition to Phae's statement hummed between tightly pursed lips. It was...inconvienient at best for an agent of her constraining schedule to have to return so soon, he imagined, but unforeseen circumstances had arisen and needed to be addressed. Lower the lift.

____________________________________________________________

Pan surveyed the new arrivals with a steady eye, lingering over Rahja a moment inclining her head to the Chiss' greeting while carefully studying the multiple injuries. The poor girl; the Wizard was not the only one who watched the Familiars closely--she had heard about what had happened. One of their own agents...pah! This is why she believed everyone should be made to attend these meetings: to prevent terrible scenarios like that. Honestly, giving one of her new units to such an obvious moraless man.

Of course, he had come through for her in the end. Made a change for the better. Guided by the experience and will of his...blast. She hated when Arza's crazy, illogical schemes worked. Especially when she voiced so strongly against them.

The next woman she did not recognize outright, but the Familiar hovering around her told everything. Dr. Jessica Chezz, a miracle worker in her field and recipient of the 06 model. And next to her...another new face. He was unaccompanied. A greenhorn then...

A contact lens on her right eye glittered slightly--a personal project based on the Familiar's visor HUDs she had concocted one night when she could not sleep. It did a quick scan of the Matukai and projected a quick summary of his file before her. Tsubasa Arus, mercenary type, must be one of Arza's 'low-lifes with a heart of gold'. Epicanthix? Awfully short. Aha, champion of the Nar Shadaa Tir'ibasho Arena, formidable then. She would have to keep an eye on him, she never fully trusted these sorts of people. She crossed over to his small Project Familiar file (it would grow). He was to receive an REA. 10? Ha! This she had to see. Apparently taking her analysis of him as a hint, he greeted her.

She tilted her head to the side and down slightly, almost in the way a bird does to get a better look at something. "Hyo do not even know vhy hyo are here?" She made an irritated sound in her throat and rolled her eyes to the ceiling. "Eet iz off no fault off hyors. Zat blasted Vizard just does not know vhen to leave off on ze sublty."

Pan began to circle the table slowly, trying to keep her posture as straight as possible and not too predatory. Why Arza had her host these meetings, she would never understand. Perhaps he figured that even magic robots would sound reasonable after velociraptor scientist. Sean stumbled in, then, and flopped into the nearest curved, white chair around the table. He fixed her with a goofy smile (and was that a wink at agent Kell?) as Ayer drifted in after him and perched on the side of his chair, taking a slight bow to her as he did.

"Velcome newcomers, to Project Familiar Laboratories. Zese..." She motioned to Wexon, Ayer, and Sender. "...as some off hyo know all too well, are not simple droids. Zhey are ze end result off a lifetime off vork, resources, und risk. Zhey are ze reason many off hyo are still alive. Zhey are hyor dearest allies und closest friends. Zhey are Familiars."

Her tailed flicked slightly, hooking around her clawed feet. "I am Doctor Pantamine Lenarski, head off research und development. Zere iz von zing I vant to stress most first; Zis iz not just some petty club. It iz a secret petty club. Know zat I vill not tolerate a compromise off our security here." She bared her teeth--only a little but enough to reveal the rows and rows of ivory daggers that adorned her maw. "If zat iz a problem, I vill fix it. Peronsally. Iz zhat clear?"

Inescapably.

Maybe that's why he gave her this job.

Pan ignored him. Her tone, which had become almost a threatening hiss, once again shifted to a more stately, professional one. "Hyo are here because hyo are ze best." She paused her movement and cast another serious look around the room. "And I assure hyo, ve know who are ze best, simply because-"

We know everything. Phae dove through the door and alighted on the center of the table. Or pretty close, at least.

Hi dad!

The bird droid did his own survey of the room giving a nod to the present AERs and Pan. I am AER-00, designation Hephaestus-

Just call him Phae. We all do. No one can spell Hey-face-tious. Sean blurted from his seat, reclined comfortably. He had been present to these meetings since the very first. He remembered he hadn't been much different than some present today. The fellow with tattoos on his face had reacted in pretty much the same way he had. Seemed like so long ago now... He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. Sorry. Continue.

Thank you, Mu'haro. As I was stating, welcome newcomers, and welcome back otherwise. I am here on behalf of my creator to explain several recent developments, but first... Phae turned to fix Tsubasa with a red-visored gaze. Mr. Arus, you will be assigned your Familiar.

With a gesture of his wing and a remote signal to the holoprojector imbedded into the table, the lights dimmed and a holoscreen sprang into existance. A recording began to play immediately, or at least one had to assume it did as a searing bright light all but obscured the entire video. Incoherent yelling and screaming sounded in the background--something about goggles doing nothing. The only real evidence anything was being played at all was a date strip in the lower corner counting the seconds. Above this timer were the words Preliminary Field Test U-10. Phae looked expectantly at Pan.

"Sorry zhat's...um...vrong..." She was tapping wildly on a featureless, brass bracer with the tips of her claws. The holoscreen flickered and vanished. A draconic wireframe appeared in its place, hovering about a foot off the table's surface. More holoscreens continued to pop up, visually appearing to perfectly face the onlooker no matter which angle you looked at the hologram , displaying a series of diagnostic data and blueprints. Many of these readouts sported lots of fun words, like VOLATILE and CAUTION: SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH MAY OCCUR and HIGHLY FLAMMABLE.

This is REA model one zero, the very first in its series. We feel that its recent developments are best suited to your rather...unique capabilities. It's all yours, assuming you do your part. The contract is entirely verbal, what you do afterwards is your decision: Do you hereby promise to uphold the code of morals that has brought you into this room, to protect your Familiar as it will protect you, and to care for it as it will learn most from your own example?

Sean, who had been mouthing along with the words the entire time, mumbled one more addition to the end. Til death do you part. He was fairly certain only Ayer had heard, which was good as such a line might be rather unnerving to the newbies. His Familiar nodded solemnly, knowing that, while his partner had obviously meant that as a joke, it was all too fitting a line.

_________________________________________________________________________


That's your que, my friend. Good luck out there and... The old man's face cracked into a wrinkled smile at the small, lizard-like Familiar. ...try not to set him on fire too often.

((*tosses Rugs the leash*))

((I R SRY! Long post is long @__@....but they made me....))


”Are you sure this will work?”

”Of course it will work.”

”Alright, but how secure will this be? What are the risks of possible tracing or triangulation?”

”The wizard has taken exceptional care in coding my systems transmission.”

”Eressea…”

”Right…my apologies. The possibilities of signal decoding or triangulation is .000002 to 1…”

There was a long sigh as the woman swiftly ran over the options. Oh how she hated knowing the odds, but at this moment in time it was for the best. Turning the collapsed pike over in her hands, she shook her head before pulling her hair away from her face again. He was never going to forgive her for this if she went through with it…

”And how do you propose we go about this without giving away my identity?”

”I am able to transmit your words as text only, or I can relay an audio-only transmission with voice masking.”

”No…it would be best if no one heard me at all. As it is I’ll be reamed for this by him.”

The little REA droid gave an audible sigh of frustration, her wings flickering a mild yellow in her annoyance, but she wasn’t about to question her partner’s reasons. Of all of the REA’s she understood the need for secrecy with this case…though the fact that her partner’s…partner…was so zealous in his protection of the woman was both highly annoying and surprisingly admirable. She could appreciate the fact that he wished to cut ties to anything and everything that might prove a danger to her partner, but sometimes…oh sometimes the little droid just wanted to load up a clip of flechettes and see him try to dodge them all or block them with his lightsabers.

”Of course.”

”There is, however, one other option…”

The little reptilian droid cocked her head to the side as she sat back on her haunches and looked over at her partner curiously. What could the woman have thought up that she hadn’t already contemplated? ”You could do all the talking.” Those crimson photoreceptors gazed unblinkingly at her with the suggestion, head still tilted as if the little droid didn’t quite understand what she was suggesting. Apparently she would have to elaborate. ”Wasn’t it you that told me you could transmit your ‘voice’ over a com frequency sub-vocally? They don’t need to hear anyone but you, and no one but those directly involved know you’re my partner. You get my drift now?”

Well, she had to hand it to the woman…there were points that she was quite clever. She was quite correct, no one needed to hear anything going on this side of the secured link, but they could still hear her. If the little REA could have smiled, she would have…as things stood, however, she couldn’t and so her wings shimmered a bright green for a few moments before dulling down once more as she got her excitement under swift control. ”Yes, I understand quite well…and to try and keep ‘trouble’ to a minimum, I can link their audial replies to the ear piece I gave you.”

Now that earned a smile…albeit a mischievous one.

”Good.”

Systems Operations

Link 00509013 – Familiar Secure Comms REA 013

Encrypting…

Link Encrypted – Establishing Link….

Link Established – Connected 00509013 at 14:26.003

Transfer to Department?

Transfer from 00000.01 – Wizard Com-consol to 03001.05 PFHQ Meeting Room 05

Of course, in the transfer Eressea had dropped a subtle ‘hello father’ note to the Wizard with her digital ‘finger prints’ all over it, but other than that, she had gone along her business of getting herself and her partner linked to the meeting room (where she’d learned, in her time there, that the familiar ‘agents’ gathered after entering from the shack above). With a nod to her partner, Eressea connected her link to the earpiece she had synced to her systems so that the woman could hear her, or anything the REA might hear. Well…it seemed they were late. No surprise really, considering the discussion they’d had…and before that the training her partner had been doing out in the jungles.

”Just call him Phae. We all do. No one can spell Hey-face-tious. Sorry. Continue"

Ah, and there was Sean Mu’haro. Well then it seemed the party was about as complete as it ever, truly, was. Even as the two listened silently, Phae and Pan would no doubt see the blinking ‘signal connected’ light at the control panel along the wall. The little REA physically perked up upon hearing the fact that one of her cousins or siblings was finally getting assigned. No doubt there had been several assigned already, but she’d been the first assigned and while she may not have appeared to feel as such she harbored a bit of an ‘older sister’ mentality toward the others of her line…despite the fact that she wasn’t even the first of the line created. Ah well…who was that was getting…oh…well, the screaming and yelling said it all. It must have been 10 getting assigned.

Her partner could only put a hand over her mouth and blink, wide eyed, over at her familiar at the commotion in the background of their hearing, making Eressea shift slightly as her wings shifted to a mildly embarrassed rose color around the edges. ”He’s…my older brother, 10. My incendiary darts hail from the flammable compound that he utilizes. He…uhm…also has an…extremely…fiery…personality,” she explained so that only the woman sitting beside her could hear. All she got in response was a shake of the head and a snicker as the woman held up her hands in a ‘far be it from me…’ gesture. Of anyone, she knew about ‘fiery tempers.’ She was in love with one, after all. No sooner had the pact, and subsequent reply, been heard than Eressea took her opportunity to speak…hopefully before all hell broke loose with 10’s appearance.

”Forgive our tardiness, Pan, Phae…REA 13 – new designation Eressea reporting. My partner would like to apologize for our physical absence from this meeting, but due to our circumstances you understand why that is not possible. We are, however, here and listening. I would like to inform all present that I shall be acting as my partner’s proxy for this meet…for this meeting. Also…”

There was a short break in her speech as she listened to what was happening on her end of the com. When she next returned, a mild amusement sounded in her voice.

”…Also my partner wishes to thank Phae, Pan and the Wizard, as well as…as well as you, Mu’haro…and gives a ‘hello’ to Ayer.”



Rahja had settled in, closing her eyes and letting her head rest back wearily against the wall. For the most part she just didn’t want anything to do with anyone, and if they let her sleep…well that would be just fine with her. Typically the chiss miss wasn’t one to sleep on the job (and yes, this was part of her job now, since it was part of her contract with the Republic…and more so the Hell Hounds…to get to these bloody meetings), but frelling hells she was tired! Pan’s words to the green horn fell on deaf ears, but that didn’t mean that the little grey and black AER settled on her shoulder wasn’t listening intently. Of course, that was just about when Sean all but fell through the door, causing Rah to startle upward suddenly and nearly send him crashing into the wall.

Seeing…or perhaps it was more sense than sight…Rah muttered to herself in cheunh and huffed, though she smirked slightly at the wink despite herself. Nodding her head slightly in his direction, she allowed herself a gentle brush of her consciousness against his before stifling a yawn, groaning again quietly and muttering a ‘wake me when it’s over’ to Sender in cheunh before closing her eyes again and attempting to ignore the talking and movement in the room. It was…difficult…for her, however, and Sender knew it. Being a glorified assassin tended to do that to a person…they just couldn’t sleep if there was something going on around them that might possibly require their attention.

Pan’s half growled, half hissed, threat and Sean’s reply earned a derisive snort from her dark little corner. Both Familiar and Partner found the threat extremely entertaining. Considering their security clearance codes had to be one of the top rank reds, well…there was a whole nice chunk of her life she could never talk about…or at least had to be very careful about what she said and how…the notion of her compromising security here was…amusing…to say the least. Not to mention the fact that, dino-doc or not, the woman didn’t really frighten her.

Phae entered to a ‘hi dad’ from Ayer and a chipper ‘hey Phae’ from Sender, since…though he considered Ayer his brother…he felt ‘the Wizard’ was truly ‘dad’ and Phae was simply another older brother. Rah, in the mean time, had become blessedly dead to the world, giving only a minor twitch here or there to show she was asleep and not dead. Unfortunately, Pan’s mix up on what she showed had the beginnings of those dreams the chiss was having turn rather…ugly. No sooner had the field test holo been turned off than Rah sat bolt upright, panting and sending Sender into the wall, then her lap as he tried (and failed) to take off. Instinctively, one hand darted out to catch her familiar from tumbling to the floor, forgoing the safety of the rifle (which was thankfully still hooked around one arm by it’s strap) for the safety of her companion.

Blushing a deep purple along the tops of those sculpted cheekbones, Rah cleared her throat and settled herself to rights again, remaining silent rather than drawing more attention to herself by saying something. Well…she did say something, but it certainly wasn’t loud enough for the others to hear.

”You alright, Sender?”

”Yes…I'm alright…startled and my balance systems are still attempting to readjust but other than that…Are you alright? What happened?”

”Dream.”

Sender sighed and nodded slightly as he hunkered down on her forearm, making it quite clear that he wasn’t about to move. Giving him a quiet shake of her head, the woman settled her rifle against the wall beside her and folded her arms across her chest, allowing the AER to settle in the crook of one elbow and her chest as if it were the perfect nesting point. It actually was rather comfortable for him; but more than that, it was comfortable for Rah and gave her about as much of a chance to get physical reassurance from him as possible (or likely) for her.

Upon tuning back into the conversation, Sender was pleased to see it was REA 10 that was being adopted…he just hoped the temperamental familiar didn’t accidentally (or purposefully) char his matukai-looking partner. There was, of course, the typical ‘verbal contract’ (which was surreptitiously recorded for voice recognition, data imprinting, and general record keeping), followed by the entry of…wait…was that 13? Eressea? Oh-ho! So Miss “Why do we even need names when numbers work well enough” had finally accepted a name! That did leave him wondering, however, just who her partner was and why all the secrecy. Rahja, however, wasn’t so much wondering who Eressea’s partner was (well, she was wondering but…) so much as why the lucky person got to attend the meeting via com when she had to be here in person. For half a moment that raven-haired head drooped, as if thinking ‘fail,’ before sighing and watching the spitfire that was REA 10 enter the room.

It wouldn't be much of an overstatement to say that it took a lot to surprise Tsubasa Arus. In his thirty years, he'd been told by some wandering monk that he had the ability to touch the Force, taken from his home and trained on travels that spanned the Galaxy. He'd seen more strange things and strange types than he could--or cared to--remember. He'd been ambushed, he'd ambushed others. He'd been marooned, beaten within and inch of his life, and, on more than one occasion, he'd killed. The Matukai liked to think that he was a harder man than most to catch off guard.

It wasn't to say he couldn't be surprised, of course. No one was immune to that . However, when it did happen, it was usually abrupt, and gone nearly as quickly as it came.

But, rare as he might have liked to pretend it was to catch him off guard, he knew he wasn't one to often get outright flabbergasted.

But no, here he was, in the basement of some raggedy shack, being told by a talking dinosaur that he was supposed to get some magic droid companion... thing. All because he'd decided to follow the instructions left in some mysterious message from some mysterious person. Right.

I knew I should've stayed back on Nar Shadaa, Tsu thought, his mind running in circles to try to make some sense of what was going on. Maybe someone slipped something into one of my drinks in that cantina... Yeah, that's it. This is all some weird dream, right? Even though he already knew it wasn't, he pinched the side of his thigh. It hurt. Dammit. So much for hope.

"So let me get this straight," he started, incredulity leaking into every word. "You're giving me... a Familiar? Like the ones in the stories... except it's a droid?" The images and sounds of the 'field test' played through his mind again, and he shook his head, laughing in disbelief. "A temperamental, fire-spewing droid." Tsubasa's cloak swayed gently on his shoulders as he shifted, moving his weight from one leg to the other. "Of all the things I'd thought to find here, I can't say this" he gestured around the room, from the scientist raptor to that Sean person to the crazy-looking Chiss woman over in the corner, "was high on the list. Or even on the list to begin with."

He looked back to Pan and sighed, shaking his head once again, as if that would make any of this less confusing. "And you want me to make this oath? To protect it as it will protect me..." He paused, rubbing his temples for a few moments before he finally sighed and looked up at the projection of the droid that would soon be his. "I guess I don't have much of a choice do I?" He laughed a bit at that, and grinned. "Sure, I can agree to that.. Why not? What's the worst that could happen?"

--------------------------------------------------------------------

#10 Peered out through the one-way sheet of glass that he was behind, along with Arza. He peered up at the Wizard--at the man he knew as Father--and then back to the room beyond. Tsubasa Arus. That was the name of the man he was supposed to be assigned to. He knew some things about Tsubasa--that he was an Epicanthix, a Matukai, and a fighter--but other things would be left to find out on his own.

His small metallic talons clicked pensively on the surface of the metal desk he stood on. Again, he turned his head up to look at Arza. This step represented something new. Something strange. Fiery in all his ways 10 might have been, but he loved Arza--as much as a droid could love, anyway. And now he would be leaving. Leaving his home, leaving his brothers and sisters. Leaving his father.

Maybe there would be some exciting new things to set on fire.

"I promise nothing, Arza," he said, his holographic dragon wings turning a cheery red. "After all, nothing like a good fire to cleanse the soul, right?" He giggled, and a thin burst of smoke puffed from the tip of his tail.

Now was the moment. There'd be no going back from here. As he left the Wizard, he wondered what this new road would bring, and only hoped that this Tsubasa would be more understanding of his... tendencies than some of his brothers and sisters.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Tsu stood, arms folded beneath his cloak, as he waited for this mysterious Familiar #10 to appear. He didn't have to wait long.

A small hatch slid open in one of the walls, and out came his companion-to-be. The droid was small, with wings holographic wings that were projected from its back that looked very much like a dragon's. That much was fitting, since the rest of the little robo-lizard looked rather dragon like, from its small head to the claw-tipped feet to the tail that swayed gently behind it.

10 jumped up onto the table in front of Tsu--where the projection of his image had been a few moments before--and clicked over to the edge. For a few moments, he only stared at the Matukai. For a few moments, Tsu only stared at the droid, leaning in closer for a better look.

"You are Tsubasa Arus," 10 stated, matter-of-factly "I am REA #10, first of my line and master of f- 04, is that you?!" The little dragon's attention shifted completely away from Tsubasa and to his fellow Familiar, who was perched on the shoulder of some woman that 10 couldn't recall the name of. Rafael? No, that was a male name... Ra-something.

"I was reading over your file just the other day!" He half-ran to one of the corners of the table. The red in his wings deepened as his mood grew brighten. It was a good thing, in that he was happy, but, as the smoke that was starting to drift from the end of his tail indicated, he was getting just abit too excited. "I've always wanted to meet you! And you're here! I'm just so excited I coul-"

His words suddenly stopped while his mouth was open, and a tiny drop of fluid fell free, from the little siphon that came up from his throat. Down it fell, clear and pure. Some--if they didn't know 10's tendencies--might not have paid much attention to it. Tsu certainly didn't. That all changed when it hit the ground, though.

That's because, the drop--which was a highly... volatile chemical compound--exploded, for lack of a better word when it hit the floor.

There wasn't a big boom or anything of the sort; that only came with more of the chemical. But there was a small flash, a whoosh, a brief flare up of flame and a burst of heat.

If a droid could grin, 10 would have been smiling from... dragon ear to dragon ear. "Do that," he finished. Then his attention returned to Tsu, whose jaw was slack and expression incredulous. "I look forward to traveling with you, Tsubasa Arus. From what I've seen in your file, I think we'll get along just fine."

Tsu wasn't so sure. All he could see coming from this was trouble. "I don't suppose," he said, turning to Pan, "that I can trade him in, now that I've agreed to that oath?"

Incoming code sequence.

CAUTION: Encryption program detected. Running lateral analysis...

Code sequence identified - 00509013 – Familiar Secure Comms REA 013.

Decrypting...

Running program - <1337|-|4><ftw>

Connection established. Commline fully secured.

Redirecting: 00000.01 – Wizard Com-console to 03001.05 PFHQ Meeting Room 05

The data swarmed by on the office console, but wasn't immediately noted by the man giving his final goodbyes to his solar-powered child. When 10 left the room to meet his soon-to-be partner, Arza gave him a final respectful bow. This was going to be a tricky one...

He turned, his face becoming illuminated by the soft blue glow of his desk's datascreen. Minuscule threads of purple were just beginning to seep away behind a foggy veil of grey--eyes that flashed to review the display. A calm gait had him facing the back wall of his study, a real wood fire burning in the hearth before him--ventilated into the cave networks and dispersed invisibly onto the surface. A spark of light flickered deep shadows across the walls. The sweet-scented smoke of his pipe drifted in thin, lazy curls.

Aunna Borgonia... Why take such risk? He couldn't help but wonder whose idea this had been in the first place; the fugitive, or her Familiar.

___________________________________________________________________

Sean wouldn't admit it, but Sender wasn't the only one upset when Rahja's nap was flamboyantly terminated. He was halfway out of his chair before the Chiss recovered, pausing for a moment before returning to his seat. Ayer had spread his wings in preparation for flight at Rahja's his partner's actions, but repulsor engines now dwindled back into silence as he assessed the situation. Poor girl, the horrors she must have experienced in her life...

Sean started to speak, but was interrupted when Ayer stiffened suddenly.

A commlink has been established to this room... It was a quiet statement, an update on their invisible surroundings that a military life had turned into habit. Sean only inclined his head a few degrees in acknowledgment, not think much of it. This was the headquarters of Project Familiar, after all, what sort of network could possibly worm its way through such incredible technical defenses? The only thing Sean knew of that had such free roam of the facility's wavespace was one of its own prodigies.

Turns out that's exactly what it was.

"”Forgive our tardiness, Pan, Phae…REA 13 – new designation Eressea reporting."

13? Sean shot his Familiar a questioning look. Ayer himself seemed a little thrown for a loop and it took him several moments to bring himself back to the present. Sean mouthed 'Aunna?' the moment Ayer made eye contact to which the bird simply nodded once in return.

"My partner would like to apologize for our physical absence from this meeting, but due to our circumstances you understand why that is not possible. We are, however, here and listening. I would like to inform all present that I shall be acting as my partner’s proxy for this meet…for this meeting. Also…also my partner wishes to thank Phae, Pan and the Wizard, as well as…as well as you, Mu’haro…and gives a ‘hello’ to Ayer.”

If ever he had been the center of a 'Why is everyone staring at me?!' moment, this was it. Sean nervously fingered his vest pocket while Ayer considered some options. None of them weighed out very well; remain silent, all at once seeming rude and suspicious; explain everything, leaving them wide open to a few not-so-friendly questions; or smash the comm station now. At the moment, the final option seemed the most pleasant.

Sean took matters into his own mouth. You're welcome. Ingenious!

Ayer sighed to himself and decided that he may as well continue the brilliant trend his partner had begun. Hello Eressea...and company.

Phae and Pan looked uncomfortable for a minute, as well. Besides Sean, Ayer, and Arzahiem himself, they were the only ones who knew the conditions of 13's assignment and while they did not realize this, all of them were thinking/processing the same thing: Vex is not going to appreciate this.

Thankfully for everyone, the Calvary arrived in the form of a mighty,

enhanced,

cybernetic,

fire-breathing,

twenty-three inch tall dragon.

Hey, sometimes size isn't everything. For his credit, REA-10 at least started out dignified in his introduction; he even seemed to have done his research on Tsu! This all changed, though, when he spotted his older cousin and fell to the forces of fanboyism. Almost as if to prove the very size mantra, the REA decided to show its enthusiasm by blowing up the meeting room.

Ayer's self-preservation circuit linked with an auxillary operation of his Spyglass system tracked that tiny, glistening droplet as it made its short journey from mouth to floor. The inhuman eye of Pan, even further augmented with that HUD contact lens, saw it too and both tried to utter a word of warning and take cover before it impacted.

Sean, of course, was completely taken off-guard as his hair was blasted back by the rush of hot air rising from the roaring flare. He sat there for a moment, eyes wide, until he managed to conjure a smile with width to match. Cool! Why can't I get one of those?

Because you already have a better one.

The sniper shrugged. I guess you're useful now and then--certainly have more than your fair share of experience--but can you make things spontaneously combust?

That hurt a little more than Ayer would like to admit. He thought back to several days prior and his conversation with Sender. The REAs, the FIDES units... maybe he was just an obsolete model. The thought of being discarded intothe forgotten past of innovation chilled him straight to the processor core.

"I look forward to traveling with you, Tsubasa Arus. From what I've seen in your file, I think we'll get along just fine."

"I don't suppose that I can trade him in, now that I've agreed to that oath?"

That did a lot to lighten the little droid's spirits. Spontaneous combustion he may not have mastery over, but he was starting to think that 10 was hardly a master himself. The hints of pure surprise mixed with just an edge of horror that traced Tsu's expression was worth a thousand words and both Sean and Ayer shared a quiet chuckle. Phae shook his head in a disapproving manner and gave a nod to Pan.

The saurian scientist stepped forward to the newly bonded pair of Epicanthix and Familiar. "To do so vould somevhat defeat ze purpose of zis organization, now vouldn't it? No, I'm afraid hyor stuck vith dear number 10."

"Now-" She turned back to address the room as a whole. "As much as I hate to admit it, Mu'haro has presented us vith a dilema ve haff been vorking on for quite some time now. Luckily for ze birdies, ze dilema has been resolved. Hephaestus, if hyo vill."

The first of the Familiars, originally constructed long before the creation of PF itself, hopped across the table on servos weathered by years of use that hummed with the stresses of the advent of obsolete technology. My brethren, since your model's advent, nearly 2 years prior to this day, and arguably many more before--rough schematics, concepts, salvaged pieces of equipment, compiled by the man to which we all owe our existence--Familiar Enterprises has bounded ahead with leaping strides. Your cousins, the REAs... He gestured with one wing to 10. ...the FIDES... Another hologram leaped to life showing the baseline data and weasel-like schematics of the base FIDES line. They have all benefitted from the inevitable arc of innovation.

A porthole in the ceiling slid open, much like a camera shutter, and a mechanical arm with the sterile, curving white aesthetic of a piece of PF equipment descended from the aperture towards Phae. The Wizard and I believe that it is quite time for a system patch. It is time for us to bring ourselves alongside the rest of our family. The arm stopped and the odd extension at its tip extended to a spot just at the base of the Familiar's neck. A tap later from this tool had his plating sliding back to reveal one of those ports that operating manuals warn you never to touch ever under the penalty of eternal damnation and 250,000 credit fine.

I present to you on behalf of the brilliant research and engineering teams of Project Familiar... The light died out of Phae's visor and the droid went stiff. The arm had retracted and had a tiny piece of radiantly glittering something held delicately in a tiny claw. At this moment, the center of the table heaved, a series of mechanical segments arranged in a circle rotated and folded down until a deep cylindrical hole was formed. Brought up slowly from an integrated lift system was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike an AER.

It was slimmer, for starters, with that curved, polished aesthetic you can only get from top-of-the-line technology. The arm shifted about and slowly, gingerly, placed the off glittering component into the new model. Immediately, its visor illuminated with a lime green light. The AERb reevaluated Familiar interface system. Modifications and tunings are extensive and include an increased repulsor speed, more efficient energy cells, the latest in security bypass programs, and many more that I'll leave for you to discover on your own.

With an articulated, RCM assisted flair of his wings (a previously impossible maneuver), the barely visible blue glow lifted Phae smoothly off of the platform and back onto the table top. The repulsors made absolutely no noise whatsoever. Any questions?

Stifling a yawn, Rahja had settled back into her seat, red eyes fixed on Sean and his friend as they settled back down as well. Slightly raising one hand from where it had settled against her other arm, she waved off their concern subtly. She was fine, well…fine enough. Even as the new transmission came through Rah showed little to no interest in it, instead taking in the little hologram above the table and taking in the details scrolling above it to see just what she’d missed while she’d been asleep. If Sean was having any kind of ‘why are people staring at me’ moment, it wasn’t because of her.

“You’re welcome.”

“Hello Eressea…and company.”

Sender, still puzzling over who the partner might be, chalked it up to being another agent of some kind. Not all Republic agents were mandated to attend meetings for factions only loosely tied in with the military. Shrugging slightly to himself, he decided it just wasn’t worth puzzling over at the moment either way.

”Hello Eressea. I see you’ve finally decided to forgo the number for something a bit more personal…” Yes, he was teasing her about their last conversation, here in the PFHQ, where she’d questioned the logical aspects of having a name rather than a number.

”I took your words to heart, cousin,” came the simple reply as she focused on something a bit more important. Over Arza’s computer terminal new data would begin to filter through, allowing him to see just what she was searching for in their databases…after all, even she had ulterior motives for directly contacting PFHQ…((con’d. later))

As 10 entered the room and started speaking to Tsubasa…that seemed to be the echani-like man’s name, after all…then immediately brought his attention around to Sender, the little AER’s photoreceptors grew wide. What was it with the newer models and singling him out?! Looking over at Ayer, then back to 10, Sender chuckled sheepishly. ”Um…yes, yes I am. You were? You have? You know…is there some sort of strange “AER-04 Fan club” that’s been started? This is becoming a rather creepy…” But before he could finish his statement, the fiery little REA had already dropped his miniature payload of “OMGWTF-FIRE!”

Sender had noticed the little drop, of course, tracking it steadily as it fell, but the chemical composition of it was unknown to him. Rah, however, acted on instinct. Sensing the warning echoes from Pan’s emotions and the danger level in the force, she’d swung her body around, upturning her chair and using it as a sort of shield for herself and further shielding Sender by keeping him in front of her where he would be most protected from whatever the danger was. The woosh, heat, and light of fire had her curling further (and rather painfully), making herself as small as possible. Moments later she was up on her feet again, glaring through red eyes and fighting the urge to train her rifle on the droid, familiar or no. One of the patches along her ribs seeped through a little from the movement as the still healing injury re-opened slightly. Kolto or no, these things still took some time to heal. They wouldn’t see the minor dots of crimson, there certainly wasn’t enough of it to soak through the bandage and onto her shirt, but she felt it happen and that glare only darkened more as she righted the chair again and decided to forgo sitting.

If things kept going the way they had been, it was a pointless action anyway.

Sender, having moved to the chair shortly after the ordeal, could only gape at 10, then at Sean’s words, then hunker down and try to look as small as possible, automatically bringing up his Respite system as some part of him wished to simply vanish from the room (and while he technically couldn’t ‘vanish’ he certainly wasn’t showing up on any normal scanning or targeting systems). --Are we really that outdated, Ayer? Some part of me was hoping we weren’t…that it was just some sort of miscalculation…-- The message was sent before Tsubasa had a chance to ask if he could trade 10 in. While the sentiment (and expression on his face) did help him feel better…there was still a nagging uncertainty there that wanted to eat away at him.

Enter Pan and Phae: saviors of AER self esteem everywhere.

Pan’s words had him curious, but Phae hooked him. As the eldest brother and first of the Familiars…ever…Sender already had great respect for him and looked up to him. Despite his desire to vanish from the room at large, listening to Phae all but riveted the little droid to the seat, his counterpart watching stoically behind him, wondering just where all this was leading. Both sets of red eyes followed first bird, then the…arm (for lack of a better term).

“The Wizard and I believe that it is quite time for a system patch. It is time for us to bring ourselves alongside the rest of our family.”

Now that had Sender on his feet, hopping to the side to be sure that he was seeing just what he thought he was seeing. The scene was lost on Rahja, but Sender knew…oh he knew what was happening…that was the one way to get to the very core of the AER familiars.

“I present to you, on behalf of the brilliant research and engineering teams of Project Familiar…”

If he hadn’t known what was going on, Sender would have been horrified to see that light vanish so swiftly from Phae’s visor, but that tiny, glittering, chip…that was the very essence of every familiar, their ‘soul’. That sight, though she’d never seen it before, wasn’t lost on Rahja; now they had her full attention. As that center point in the table spiraled down and the small lift brought out that sleek, polished, form and the glittering shard was gently placed into it, the visor swiftly glowing a (now odd, compared to the red she was so accustomed to) lime green, those battered blue features softened into a small (but warm) smile, accompanied by an equally small nod of thankful approval.

“The AERb reevaluated Familiar interface system. Modifications and tunings are extensive and include an increased repulsor speed, more efficient energy cells, the latest in security bypass programs, and many more that I'll leave for you to discover on your own.”

Sender, by now, had all but hopped right off the edge of the chair as he subconsciously attempted to get closer to the new and improved chassis to get a better look at it…as if his photoreceptors hadn’t zoomed in enough to be able to see a speck of dust on it. Well, maybe that was an exaggeration…maybe. Watching those wings move almost as easily as a real bird’s, Sender’s talons wrapped tightly around the edge of the seat allowing him to lean as far forward as possible before he backed up and hopped back and forth slightly, attempting to keep himself from rushing Phae in his excitement.

“Any questions?”

”Only one…for all of our sanity’s sake (what little of it there is left in this room)…when can Sender here make the transition? If he waits much longer I'm afraid he might fry his systems…or worse, talk 10 into using that chemical of his to hold us hostage until he gets one.” The devilish smirk that curled one corner of her mouth upward showed (to those who knew her anyway) that she was teasing…mostly…but be that as it may, the sight would no doubt be slightly…disturbing. There was some sort of sick amusement she seemed to find in the thought of Sender and 10 holding them all hostage because of a chassis, but at this rate she wouldn’t put it past him. ”That or he might try to rape you, Phae…I'm not quite sure, but I don’t believe any of those options would end pleasantly, no matter how amusing some of them might be.”

Stunned, Sender had stopped hopping about, first opening his beak to counter her ‘frying of his processors’ comment. That opening had turned into a slightly baffled gape and head tilt at the thought of him coercing 10 into holding them hostage…she really shouldn’t have given him the idea. It was tempting. That confused gape turned into one of utter shock, his head sinking slightly in disbelief as well, at her even suggesting that he might attempt any such actions with Phae! ”That would just be sick and wrong, Rahja, and I would never do such a thing…no matter how good that chassis looks.”

Rah’s snicker following his comment only made him hunker down and bring up that Respite system once more, only just now having caught his verbal blunder. ”Oh be quiet. I didn’t mean that how it sounded, and you know it,” he muttered and made himself as small as possible.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uploading information for cross reference:

Name: Samantha Allurea Zaftig

Age: 26

Race: Human

Birth place: Kor Vella, Corellia

Height: 5' 5"

Weight: 127

Hair Color: Blond

Eye Color: Grey

Occupation: Military - Clerk

Department: Army

Rank: E-5 Sergeant

Previous Department: Army Air-Corps

Previous Stations:
“Doaba” Air-Base, Corellia – Seventh Air Division – Captain Jacob Xavier
Hollowtown Base, Centerpoint Station – 284 Company – Major Aunna Borgonia
Manaan Base, Manaan – 284 Company – Major Aunna Borgonia
Republic Army Headquarters, Coruscant – Headquarters Battalion 3rd Army – Colonel Ular Vinay

Skills: clerical, repair, advanced piloting (atmospheric fighter piloting – Firehawk specialty and space piloting), explosives

Languages: Basic, Corellian, Olys Corellisi, Kinetic Communication, Huttese, Smugglers cant

The information continued to scroll across Arza’s screen, finally stopping at the paraphrased history at the bottom of the profile.

Black Bha’lir smuggler’s daughter, mother died during childbirth. Raised by father, Raxus Zaftig, with older brother, Oren. Age 17, Raxus killed by pirates. Age 18, joined Republic Army Air-Corps and graduated to join Corellian Seventh Air Division, “Lucky Sevens.” Age 23, awarded 2nd class Corellian Bloodstripe for Courage after Deliberation, while facilitating the escape of other Seventh Air Division members from disastrous mission. Age 24, permanently removed from the Seventh due to injuries sustained during previously mentioned mission and transferred to the 284th Company as clerical assistant. Age 26, transferred to 3rd HQ Battalion after arrest of CO, Major Aunna Borgonia. Age 26, MIA from Army HQ, Coruscant, suggested traitor and warrant for arrest or capture issued.

…Searching databanks for Familiar based exact searches and photo IDs of subject. Waiting for authorization…

What made this search any different from something she could do through Republic based databanks? Simple really…Familiars used vocal and facial recognition patterns (at least) to ID subjects they came across as well as searches of other databases. Because PFHQ monitored their children, this information…these recognition patterns…would invariably filter through the PF systems and be stored for later use or review…or perhaps they wouldn’t ever be touched again (who knew with Arza and his band of wacky scientists). Eressea knew this well enough, and so when Aunna had spoken to her about needing to find this woman in hopes of clearing her name more swiftly…or at least getting some information about what had really happened at the trial…13 had suggested this. After all, what better way to find someone difficult to find than to pop up a red flag for “Dad” to be aware of. If any of his ‘children’ had come across the woman…or came across her in the future…they might be able to hone in on her more swiftly than if they attempted to find her on their own.

…Now all she needed (since attempting to access the databanks remotely required Arza’s authorization, and sent up that nice little “notice me” flag for him) was to actually get his authorization…

Really, Tsubasa had known the answer to his question as soon as the words left his lips. Maybe even before. But there was still hope, right?

"To do so vould somevhat defeat ze purpose of zis organization, now vouldn't it? No, I'm afraid hyor stuck vith dear number 10."

Nope, there was no hope.

He looked to the little droid. #10, eh? Gonna need something better to call him. Something that's not so formal...

#10 looked up at Tsu, cocking his head to the side. That little metallic jaw opened, and Tsu nearly recoiled to get away from the impending explosion...

...only to see a little puff of grey smoke escape. Oh. Well that was anticlimactic.

"Is everything alright, Tsubasa?" asked the familiar. Tsubasa could have sworn he heard some hints of what sounded like sarcastic amusement in the droid's voice. But that couldn't be? Could it? If the damn thing was both extremely prone to starting fires, and an ass to boot...

What did I do to deserve this?

"It's nothing," Tsu said. "Just... No, it's nothing."

#10 'shrugged' as it were and leapt up into the air. The tiny repulsors in his body carried him, and after a short flight, he landed on Tsu's left shoulder. There he perched, seemingly content to watch the happenings in the from his new vantage point.

Tsu glanced at the tiny dragon that now rested on his shoulder and then looked back to the table, watching the process of changing the AER with some interest. Obviously, #10 wouldn't be getting such an upgrade, new as he was, so Tsubasa didn't pay the absolute closest attention, but was interesting to see. "Heh, maybe you'll get an update like that somewhere down the line," he muttered, looking up at #10. "I can't imagine that they wouldn't do what they could to keep you as up to date as possible."

#10's holographic dragon wings folded behind his back, shifting to a contemplative reddish-orange. "Perhaps, Tsubasa, in the future. But given the newness of my series, there is no current need."

"Well I know that. And please, you can just call me Tsu."

"Right, Tsubasa." Little metallic claws shifted around Tsu's shoulder as the droid adjusted its position, as if trying to get more 'comfortable. "It's your nickname, I presume? Organics are fond of such, or so I've heard."

"It is." Tsu smiled a bit a #10. "And what about you? You don't have anything you go by other than '10'?"

"I do not, as it is my official designation number. Though I am aware that many of my brothers and sisters have been given nicknames by their companions..." A turn of his head had him looking at Tsubasa. "Do you have a name for me, Tsuba... Tsu?"

"I have a few in mind..." Tsu chuckled and crossed his arms under his cloak. "But we'll wait and see what comes to fit you."

It was about that time that the upgrade finished, and the newly-upgraded AER asked if there were any questions.

”Only one…for all of our sanity’s sake (what little of it there is left in this room)…when can Sender here make the transition? If he waits much longer I'm afraid he might fry his systems…or worse, talk 10 into using that chemical of his to hold us hostage until he gets one.”

Tsu smelled smoke as he heard Ifrit giggle and felt the familiar shifting on his shoulder to look in the direction of the Chiss woman. "I would never do such a thing!"

Tsu just looked at him. "I certainly hope no-"

"Unless, of course, Sender got access to a new chemical." Smoke puffed as #10 giggled again. "Then you'd all be doomed."

Target 013a: LOST

In the spectral world digital space and time, Ayer saw his brother vanish into thin, cyberspace air. The Runner's Respite never failed to through him for a loop and often he countered with an ever more in depth sleuthing with the Spyglass until that familiar ghostly outline reappeared around Sender. This time, though, he didn't pry. He knew why his brother wanted nothing more than to cease to exist.

He already felt he had.

However, this brought Ayer's synthesized sympathy for only a fragment of a second, rapping back a reply to that melancholy signal in a cheery heartbeat. Just wait. You'll never believe what signal was just initiated in the PF mainframe.

_______________________________________________________________

Synth-Organic Liaison drive detected...

REINTEGRATION PROTOCOL

Initiating system self-evaluation...
Evaluation complete: All systems operating at optimum efficiency.
Primary/subprocessors successfully integrated - SOLdrive ID {f}1518-oo "HEPHAESTUS"

This wasn't the first time Phae gazed through the visor of an AERb, nor was it the second or third or seventh. The last several weeks had been spent, apart from Familiar's usual covert dealings, testing and reconfiguring the chassis. It had been a far more challenging task than anyone--even the Wizard--had expected it to be. What was supposed to be a simple matter of replacing obsolete systems and patching dated programs practically became a complete reconstruction of the Familiar interface with little remaining from the original unit. This resulted in massive performance increase on par or possibly exceeding that of other models at the price of anything but a smooth road getting there. It hadn't been til the fourteenth operational testing procedure that the incompatibility between the new and old was made apparent.

However, testing had indeed proceeded and the AERb stood before the intrigued onlookers. And Sender. Most of the faults and kinks had been worked out of the system--for instance, the HUD color was now just stuck on an irritating light blue as opposed to reeling through the spectrum like an etherium hallucination. Progress thy name is Familiar! One thing was certain, the audience was most assuredly astounded beyond words. Even Sender, who was bouncing around erratically like some sort of finch fused with an alarm clock, seemed to be utterly silenced. Odd that agent Kell's mouth was moving, though, and sounds were registering, but he's be scrap metal if he could process what the sounds meant...

Audio recognition error. Debugging...

"-sick and wrong, Rahja, and I would never do such a thing…no matter how good that chassis looks.”

He stared at Sender for a moment deducing his options. 88.88% logistics program reading indicated that he would be better off just not asking. On the brighter side, Tsubasa seemed to have gotten over the initial shock of meeting his ward. There had been...concern over the assignment of the fiery-in-more-ways-than-one REA, yet intelligence indicated that if anyone could withstand it and possibly even teach him a bit of self-control, this Matukai was it. To your amusing inquiries, I regret to inform Sender that this is merely the prototype. However, our fabrication core at the heart of this facility should have the new models ready by this time tomorrow. As usual, our doors are always open but if you must leave us so soon the model may be delivered as well, granted in a more than subtle fashion. Phae continued to show off the sophisticated movements of the model as he spoke, gesticulating with his wings to a hologram which had materialized beside him (CLICK). The various locations he mentioned in the facility highlighted themselves as he mentioned them.

He twisted his "neck" around and gave 10 a bemused look. Of course, it may be better not to keep you and your idol in too close proximity for too long, not if you intend to go through with your little chemical transaction. AER unit 04 was not designed to store such a volatile chemical, anyway. This AERb, however, would likely be more than capable of withstanding such conditions seeing as it has been thermally treated to withstand temperatures in excess of 14,000 degrees.

Sean, who had been watching the proceedings with a minor grin the entire time, leaned over again to his Familiar. I take back everything I just said. I love you and this place so much. 'Bout time you got a patch, eh? He nudged Ayer lightly with his elbow causing the bird to stumble momentarily while his equilibrium subprocesses kicked in and righted him. Ayer tried his best to give Sean a death glare but just couldn't find away to lower his spirits to what he was seeing.

This...this means a lot to me. To all of us. Thank you.

Pan smiled (vinyl shriek- wait what?! Like genuine smile, not I'm imagining how to butcher you smile?). "Eet iz ze least ve could do. Ze Vizard vould not haff his creations disadvantaged as long as he could do somezing about it."

Ten AERb interface systems are in production, each custom fitted with each of your unique systems and capabilities--all of which have also been upgraded to the best of our ability.

Ten? Sean looked at Phae quizzically. He knew there had originally been ten AER Familiars, Ayer had regaled him with that story long ago, but that was just the thing; Ayer had told him about the initial failures of PF--one, two, seven--so why recreate their interfaces?[/color]

Phae lowered his head, the visor flickering to a deep blue color. When he spoke, it was in an eerily life-like melancholy tone that seemed to lack the tinny overtone ever-present in his voice before his reincarnation. I suppose it's time to tell you why this meeting was really called.

____________________________________________________________________________

The hologram of the facility flickered and vanished, replacing itself with a holoscreen a moment later. Arza eyed this as the data flowed down its length, pausing after the condensed biography--the Familiar File as most referred to it--to display the foreboding bold print.

GRANT AUTHORIZATION?

Samantha Zaftig...now this was a name he could not say he was familiar with (no pun intended for the umpteenth time). With an eye long practiced reading such displays, he skimmed over its contents, bringing up subfiles at every opportunity to cross-reference the data. The Familiars pick up a lot more than even they realize and this data was constantly streamed and stored in the central project database--a veritable fortress of a computer with enough information and security measures to rival even the Jedi Archives. Every bit of everything regarding Ms. Zaftig cropped up on numerous holoscreens surrounding the director.

And he read every single one.

And he liked what he read.

Authorization granted.

_______________________________________________________________________________

"Ve found 02."

(((Ta-da! Ina and Ofi are finally here.)))



<< I hope we're not too late. That farmer, though kind, didn't have very good directions. >> Ivory hands flashed in the air as the woman with similarly colored hair sat in the back of the small but luxurious shuttle preparing its descent for the fourth time in about an hour's time. Deaf, the woman, an Offshoot from Arkania and current junior senator of the planet, spoke with her hands. Irrina Icharus could have had all the technological advances to aide her disability but had preferred to forgo any such help. Though she enjoyed nice things, she was still a simple girl at heart. << It seems an awfully strange place to be holding a meeting such as this, Ofi. >>

Ofi turned her head from the senator and back towards the datapad in front of her. They were trying out something new, an easier way to communicate, and she knew the more she said, the more they'd know of any bugs in the system. But she also knew that although Ina was like her best friend and they talked all the time, she had to choose her words carefully. Unless they were joking with each other; then it didn't matter. This was not one of those times, for they were on their way for some secretive meeting. Very little details had been given except location and a brief reasoning.

She hopped of the seat then and flew to the opposite end of the shuttle's one cabin, leaving the datapad on the seat next to Ina. This was possible because Ofi was in fact not a human, nor any sort of sentient being like that. She was a droid, a special one designated AER-05, given to Ina on her 16th birthday. "Yes, Sena--Ina. She had to quickly correct herself; Ina didn't like the formal language when it was just the two of them. Of course, once they debarked, it would be all 'senator this' and 'mistress' that. "But we are finally here, are we not? And I don't the--our host will mind if we are late. It didn't sound in the message as if this was some sort of important diplomatic function." Ofi didn't let on that she herself recognized the place. She felt it would be better that way.

The droid's words scrolled across Ina's datapad, letting her know word-by-word what she had said. In the past Ofi would jack into the device, but they were trying out a wireless upgrade to the datapad so that Ofi would have more freedom of movement. Ina could read lips, but the bird-like droid didn't really offer much in the way of coherent readability. Besides, she much preferred to read it directly. It was really a perfect system for the two: She would sign, Ofi would read it, and then respond into the datapad, where Ina would read the response. And then again. And again. In social events, it went much the same, with Ofi translating and supplementing Ina's lipreading with the datapad transmissions.

Ina smiled wryly at the little droid who had become her dearest friend, even closer to her than her father in the last decade or so. << I do hope you're right. You know how much I hate being late. >> Her smile changed then, into something more of a laugh. She knew that she wasn't always the promptest of senators, but at least she wasn't always the last arrival to the Rotunda, either. Most of the senators paid her no mind, anyway, including the senior senator of Arkania. But that was a thought for another time.

Her mind turned to other matters, some of which she thought more important than a late arrival. She had been thinking of what Ofi had said of the meeting and remembered the message herself. Glancing at herself, she looked back at her gray metallic friend. << I hope I'm not overdressed. If this is just a simple informal gathering, not a big important meeting... >> The senator was dressed in a simple yet flowing gown of light sapphire, matching almost perfectly with her human-influenced eyes. The fabric came to a hem almost touching the ground when she stood and had a small train at the back that dragged along behind her. Her feet were clad in comfortable gray slippers. As always, her silver pendant was at her neck, her warning system of visitors' vibrations.

Even though Ina would not be able to hear it, Ofi chuckled mechanically. The sound of a droid laughing is most peculiar, but Ofi found herself doing it quite often. Ina had over the years recognized the movements--Ofi aided her laughs with a heaving of her bird shoulders--as amusement coming from her companion. "Now, Ina, don't worry about that. You look fabulous. Any formal pretense was now lost in mirth for the moment. "Besides, since when are you worried about being overdressed, my dear?"

After reading Ofi's latest response in the datapad, Ina smiled widely, as close as she could come to a laugh. In the past she had tried, but it always came out--told to her by Ofi and her friend Riqi--as a strange high-pitched squeak. Ina was grateful for honest friends who would tell her the truth. With never having heard herself speak or make any noise, she relied on them to keep from making a fool of herself. She sighed a quick response after Ofi had recovered from her chuckling fit. << You're right. You're right. >>

"I know." The bird cocked her head a moment towards the fore end of the shuttle. Then she turned back to Ina. "We will be landing any moment. Strap in." For her part, Ofi simply jumped from the seat to the armrest and dug in her claws. She didn't really need any further stabilization.

At the same time, Ina buckled herself in, and started wondering about the meeting ahead some more. The location of the meet was the one point that stuck out to her the most. It really was odd, despite what Ofi had said. But she was nothing if not flexible, and if anything in her past had taught her anything, that was it. That, and not to be afraid of anything, or to let anyone tell her what to believe or what she could or could not do.

Thirty minutes later the two of them were walking towards the small shack which had been listed as the location. Their shuttle rested a few dozen meters away, its pilot told to wait until their return. As she shuffled through the field, Ina decided that perhaps this was a rare time she had overdressed, wanting to be prepared for whatever this meeting really turned out to be. Ofi rode comfortably beside her in the senator's large shoulder bag, as if a pet would.

Standing at the door, after significant rearranging of the bottom of her gown, Ina poised a hand in front of the door, unsure of whether to knock or not. She looked over at Ofi and shrugged. All she got in return was an unblinking red stare and a blank screen on her datapad. Ever since they had left the shuttle and made their way through the tall grass towards this shed, the droid had been characteristically quiet. Another thing about this whole day Ina found odd. Well, she was a senator, wasn't she? And she had gotten there by taking initiative.

And that's what she did. Ina rapped on the door, hard enough to sting her hand a bit. It was the only way she knew she was knocking hard enough to make a sound to anyone inside. She could have just walked in, but decided on the polite route. After all, perhaps this was just a starting point, and the meeting was actually somewhere else on Kuat. And so she stood there, a slight breeze picking up and blowing around a couple strands of her pale hair that had escaped her coif, waiting.

(omg, so long. But the idea just kept coming and coming. Hope its okay v.v)

Shine was beginning to think the universe had it out for him.

The day had started out as he had hoped it would. It had been over a few days ago that one of this old "acquaintances" had dropped him a juicy tip. Someone was paying top dollar to have some apparently priceless pieces of art delivered to a man on Kuat. Half upon collection and half upon delivery. And by top dollar he meant a little more than a smuggler should get for an easy run like this, but less than the cost of transporting it via normal means. And no matter what angle you looked at it from, there was no catch. Grab the stuff, take said stuff to said guy, get said money, get the frell out; Shine should have taken offense that the man had said what needed to be done that way, but he didn't want to chance losing an easy payday.

So Shine had did what he had done plenty of times before. He flew to Alderaan(gasp, a respective planet needs a smuggler?!), collected the paintings from the man who was holding them and then headed back off towards Kuat, the goods safely stored in his hold. A part of him wanted to crack open the box just to be sure that paintings were what was really in the box; but the man he had collected them from had made him swear to keep the box shut. "It can only be opened in a specific temperature and humidly or the paintings will be ruined!!!" he had howled. And he insisted the buyer would know if Shine broke that promise and his pay would be withheld; the half he hadn't gotten yet. So he didn't break open the box; but he had thoroughly scanned it. And to his surprise.....it was actually paintings. For once, he thought then, maybe he could get a decent meal and some repairs to the Cat without having to dodge blaster fire for once.

Shine should have known better. His arrival on Kuat was right on time, but the buyer didn't show up at the intended meeting place on time. The location was a luxury summer home out on the edge of a lake, a fair distance away from where Shine had landed. Shine had waited, of course, and was in the process of leaving when a man, flanked by two burly Gran's, finally appeared from inside the house. Shine didn't understand why a man would need Gran's in a simple "here's your paintings, good luck" kind of deal, so when they were inspecting the crate, Shine made sure his holster was clicked open. It only took them a few minutes to check the paintings....and that's when Shine noticed what was wrong with this picture. Where were the appraisers who would verify that the paintings were good? Shine was just about to ask when the man cracked open the crate, took the paintings out and laughed.

That was the final straw for Shine. Screw the money, he thought, this is about to go south. As if the universe had heard him, a man came running out of the house, screaming about murder. Before Shine could react to that, the Gran's blasted the man and then whirled on him. Ducking blaster fire, Shine dove back into his rental speeder and floored the gas. And thus the chase had began; the Gran's were joined by several Rodian's and Weequays, the typical crowd of associated with crime lords or bad people in Shine's book, and they hounded Shine across the land. Of course, they couldn't fly to save their life and Shine was about to dodge them entirely when his speeder took a hit. He barely had time to bail before the craft when speeding into a wall.

Knowing the Gran's would be on in him in seconds, Shine quickly looked for an out. All he could see was open land......expect for what looked like an entrance to a cave. Cursing his luck, Shine made a run for it, diving into the darkness of the tunnel. He ran as far into the tunnel as he could while still able to see via natural light, then took a moment to collect himself. He figured his pursuers might see the destroyed speeder and assume the problem had solved itself; if he waited, they would probably leave and he could make back for the city. Approaching voices stole that away from him, so pulling out a flashlight, Shine flicked it on and headed deeper into the tunnel.

For what felt like forever, he moved on and on. The path was pretty much straight and there was no off passages, which boded well for him. But after a while, he felt that maybe his chances were better if he made a stand and ambushed his pursuers than going deeper into this tunnel. Maybe they had given up and it was safe. He was about to turn around when the ground suddenly slopped before him and he found himself on a slide down into darkness. He didn't slide long before he was shot out into the air above a giant underground lake. His body kicked in almost instantly, years of pilot's experience and training directing his actions before his mind fully understood what was going on. Legs closed tight together, the balls of his feet aimed down, knees slightly bent, his arms crossed and against his body while his hands protected his package, leaning back slightly and finally, his rear clenched as tight together as his legs.

All the training in the world could only prepare you so much and when Shine hit the water, he found the one thing he hadn't been ready for. The water was cold. The instant he felt his body slow enough in the water, Shine kicked upwards; powerful, but calm strides to the surface. Panicking would make him flail and only work against him. Luckily, he had only fallen about thirty to forty feet and the surface wasn't as far off as it could have been. But the cold water would quickly sap his strength and he needed to get to shore; now. As he broke the surface, he gasped for air, then started swimming towards shore. He could see it, it wasn't far. He swam and swam and just when he thought he was in the clear, he felt his body seizing up. He cursed inside and forced himself on, but he could already feel himself sinking. Just when he thought he was finally about to lose to the odds, something started pulling on him. Shine wanted to look to whoever or whatever was dragging him, but his instincts took over for now; he kept kicking. For what seemed like an eternity, he kept kicking until finally, his feet found something solid. With all the strength he could force his shaking body to muster, he shoved himself onto land, collapsing a few feet from the water's edge.

Panting, Shine flung off his wet jacket and rubbed his sides to try and get his body heat up. It was then that he noticed a sharp pain in his arm; he must have injured it in the slide. Only adrenaline and the numbness the water had caused had hidden that fact from him till now. Well; at least he wasn't in the water anymore. Shaking and constantly moving in an attempt to warm himself, he suddenly remembered that if it wasn't for his mystery rescuer, he'd be dead. A hole in the roof of the cavern provided some light when it hit the water, but the room was still fairly dark. Shine squinted and swept his eyes around the area, looking for whoever or whatever had saved him. But all he saw was water and cavern and rocks. Wait....was that rock moving? Blinking twice to make sure his eyes weren't failing him, Shine saw what looked like two glowing eyes staring at him.

"Um....hi there....little guy." The cavern made his voice much louder than he intended and in response, the eyes vanished for a moment. A few moment's later, they slowly peeked back out."It's okay, I'm not going to harm you. Your the one who pulled me from the water right? If you are, then I owe you my thanks."

The eyes seemed to blink at him, then a small, almost child like voice came from behind the rock. "Well....you seemed to need help. And I....well I was the only person who could help. Mr. Sticky isn't a good swimmer." 15 didn't feel the need to mention that the man had almost landed on top of him when he'd entered the water; he was still shaking off the shock it had given him.

"Mr.....Sticky?" A small..paw slid out from behind the rock and pointed to something on the ground before Shine. Turning his head to look at it, Shine saw a little stick man, which was made of some of the oddest color sticks he had ever seen. The fact that the little being had spoken had caught him off guard, but considering his situation, he needed all the help he could get. Bending down, Shine gently picked it up, looking it over in his hand. "You made him?"

"I.....like to build things. He would have been better, but there isn't much down here to work with." 15 stuttered near the end of his sentence, ashamed to admit that he'd built such a tiny little thing. He couldn't help it; he liked to make things when he had free time. His whiskers started to turn a pale shade of yellow.

"For not much to work with, you did a good job. I'd love to see what you could do with better materials." At this, a little bit more of 15 behind the rock came into view, enough that Shine could see that it's head was black, or at least looked that way and what looked to be yellowish bib covered its neck. Jumping up and down a few times more, Shine squatted down, placing Mr Sticky on the rock floor before sliding his blaster from its holster. 15 cowered again, but Shine chuckled a little. "No, its okay. I'm just showing I mean you no harm. So you have a name that I can call you by the way?" With that, he slid his blaster along the floor away from him before sitting back on his behind, reaching for his coat. He needed to make a sling.


"I.....don't have a name but everyone calls me 15 right now." 15 slowly poked out again and after a moment, the rest of his body came into view. Drawing a small glow rod from his jacket, Shine snapped it to life and put it on the floor beside him. The natural light wouldn't be enough for him to clearly see what he was doing. When 15 came close enough to the light from the glow rod, Shine let out a small whistle. 15 was a darker shade of brown over almost entirely it's whole body, with the before mentioned yellow "bib" It's head was a slightly brighter gray and its eyes blinked a pale white; that's when Shine realized that he was looking at a droid. 15 moved to inspect the blaster, then cautiously moved closer to inspect Shine. "Are you okay?"

"Oh this? It's nothing. Like I said before, if it wasn't for you, it would have been a whole lot worse." Tearing off a piece of his jacket, he looked around the cavern before turning back to 15. "Could you find me a pair of sticks 15? About as big as my forearm?" he said, indicating the needed length by running his finger from his hand to his elbow. 15 blinked his photo receptors to this, then bounded off into the water. A few moments later, he returned, holding sticks that were exactly the right size. Thanking him, Shine used the sticks and his jacket to make a splint, then used his scarf to make a sling for his arm. Nodding that it was secure for now, he turned back to 15.

"So how did you, you know.....end up falling from the roof?"

"Heh, I just didn't watch my step, that's all. Though in hindsight, I should have done things a little differently. Then maybe I'd be back on my ship instead of freezing my butt off in this cave."

"You have a ship? Your own ship that you get to fly among the stars?" 15 had switched to standing on his hind legs, and if Shine didn't know any better, he could swear 15 was smiling. And his whiskers were turning a very forestry shade of green. Not that Shine would know what it meant, but 15 was starting to like what he was hearing.

"Well, yes. I take it you've never really gotten the chance to be on one then." 15's silence gave him the answer he expected. Shine cast 15 a smile, then turned to look around the cavern again. "So tell me 15; what are you doing down here all alone?"

15 wobbled on his feet at the question, then made motions with his paws to the roof."I'm not alone. My father is watching me right now. I'm here for tests. I was almost done when....you fell from the sky."

"Your father? You mean who built you?" 15 nodded. "And he's watching you, therefore he would know I'm here?" Again, 15 nodded. Shine pondered this, then slowly got to his feet. "15......would you like to see a spaceship up close?"

15 moved with a motion that Shine didn't think was possible for a droid, and his eyes seemed to light up at the idea. "You...you really mean it? You'll show me your spaceship? And you'll take me for a ride in it?!....I mean, if its okay with you and my father?" There was no hiding his growing enthusiasm now; he was almost dancing on his metal feet.

Shine laughed before answering him this time. "Hey, I don't make lies. You saved my life, I figure its the least I can do for you. But first, your gonna have to help me get out of here. Is there a way out that you can think of or show me too?"

"I don't really know where the exits are;, but I know how to get back to where my father is and he surely knows. So I'll take you to him." Shine nodded at this and squatted down again, offering 15 his good arm. It took 15 a moment to realize what he wanted, but he quickly bounded up onto Shine's shoulder, carefully clamping down to perch himself there. Shine could hear the joy in his voice when he spoke now, although it still had that child like tone to it. "First we go that way." he said, indicating a nearby tunnel entrance.

Picking up the glow rod, his gear and his blaster, Shine stated traveling towards where 15 was pointing. The little guy didn't weigh that much for a droid, Shine thought, or at least if he did, he was very good at making sure Shine didn't feel it. The whole situation still seemed like a dream to him, but the pain in his arm at least told him he wasn't. And besides, 15 didn't seem hostile; this was also better than running around in the dark alone. "You know, 15 isn't really a name. Would you mind if I called you.....Vistal?"

15 blinked at his, shuffling unsure on Shine's shoulder, his whiskers going through a few colors before settling back on green. He knew he would get a name one day; he just hadn't expected it to happen this way or so soon. Still.......the name wasn't bad. "No....no I wouldn't mind at all. But what do I call you?"

"I'm Shine. Nice to meet you Vistal. So.....to kill some time, how about I tell you a story. Maybe about something from my home world." As the two of them moved off into the darkness, Shine started telling his tale.

Authorization Granted:

Establishing uplink…

…connecting…

…connecting…

Uplink established.
Searching database.
Processing, please wait…

”I have access…if someone’s come across her, I should be able to find out, but…this will take a while…” Settling in more comfortably on the bed, the little REA felt her mind swimming with the information she was processing, her systems feeling sluggish with the vast amount of information she was sorting through, giving her about as close to a feeling of exhaustion as possible for a droid. Shutting down all programs, systems and processes she deemed unnecessary at the moment, those holographic wings vanished and the color of her visor faded into nonexistence. ”Thank you, Father. I’ll try to be quick about this. <3” The ‘note’ was simple enough, but it got the point across, and no doubt Arza would appreciate the little thank you that would pop up on his screens.

”Alright…I suppose if it’s going to take a while I should hook you into the power supply as well. No point in running your power supply out. Give your father my thanks.” Giving the little dragon a pat on the back before lifting her and retrieving the wire from the REA’s chassis. Eressea gave a little ‘mhmm’ that sounded remarkably close to a cross between distraction and fatigue. Shaking her head, she hooked the thin cable into the ship’s supply before settling in herself.

”—PS: Aunna says thank you, as well.”



”You hear that bird? Don’t get all excited and wear yourself out…aren’t you the one that says ‘good things take time’?” For a moment all Sender could do was gawk at his companion, wings flopping down in the most flabbergasted look he could possibly give her. Picking himself (and his wings) up again, he flicked them and his tail slightly, hopping toward her and then up onto the back of the chair.

”So you do listen! Yes…yes I did say that, Rah…heh.” Score one for the Chiss…he mused, hopping around to face Phae and the others again. ”Though, Phae…I need to have my systems checked. Nearly died the last time I was here, but we haven’t had the time to come back. I think that might keep me from holding you all hostage….

Oh, and for the record, 10…I don’t have any new chemicals, sorry, and Phae…I wouldn’t use them, he’d do the work. I'm more the…diabolical mastermind sort. Besides, I couldn’t take all the fun away from 10 here…it’s what he does…blow stuff up…that would just be…cruel and…and wrong of me to not let him do so. Heck, I even had his first victim picked out…right Sean?” He’d turn his head to Sean and Ayer then, giving about as much of a smile as a metal bird could give. How’s that for being too detached and serious, eh? Yes, Sean, this is a lesson in “be careful what you wish for.” One, red, photoreceptor light would wink off and then on again as he looked at the two, Rah behind him and forced to lean on the back of her chair and head down so she didn’t double over with silent laughter.

”I knew there was a reason I liked you, Sender…”
”Only the one?”
”No, but right now this is the one that matters…”
”I’ll have to try harder then.”
”Please don’t…I'm hurting enough already…”
”If you’re sure.”
”Very.”

”…suppose it's time to tell you why this meeting was really called.”

“Ve found 02”

You remember that ‘why is everyone staring at me?!’ moment Sean thought he had earlier that…didn’t really happen? Yeah, that moment was happening right now for Phae and Pan. At least two sets of red eyes were watching them with the intensity of a raptor (we’re talking the bird here, not Pan’s type of raptor) and a hellhound (pun very much intended). ”Y-you…you what now?!”

”Hush, Sender, and let them explain because this is going to take some explaining…”



There was another in the room with Arza, shadowing his footsteps as he moved about the comfortable office, her skin shimmering and glistening in the firelight and casting shimmering blue and silver speckles of light onto the floor around her as she moved. Finally, as the meeting started in earnest, the little FIDES settled down near the fire, sighing quietly and watching her father continue to go about his business. When it seemed that he too had settled (if only for the moment), she’d finally speak up. You know…I wonder if she’s been delayed? That very innocent question belied the true emotions beneath. Not only was she concerned, but…she was hurt as well.

She’d read the file of the candidate to become her partner…a farghul by the name of Zharra, and a naval captain. On one paw that meant that she was likely a very busy person, but on the other paw it also meant that she should have been punctual to this appointment…if she was planning on attending. Those tiny audio receptors lay back against her head as she pondered this contradiction, the little mink-like shape curled into a comfortable ball on the hearth rug. Those ‘ears’ perked again, however, as the security signals on Arza’s consol lit up and began flashing, a similar signal pinging away in her own processors. Immediately she was up and bounding her way to the consol, carefully clambering up the side of it and gazing at the screen. ”Oh my…isn’t 15 out there today, Father?!” Detaching herself from the side of the consol, she scampered to the door, putting her front paws on it and looking over her shoulder to Arza. ”Should I go and try to help?”

FIDES 19…always concerned for her siblings…always concerned for everyone…likely one of the most open and tender ‘hearted’ familiars to be created. She simply couldn’t help herself, she’d had to ask. Of course she knew there were security measures and security officers…and Pan…but 19 just didn’t have it in her to sit back and wait to see what might happen to her brother without even offering to assist.




Late…of course she was late. As much as she had a distaste for being late to an appointment, it couldn’t be helped. Admiral Lox had requested a meeting with her over a secure comm and, of course, that meant it wasn’t a request. The discussion over her choices in crew had taken quite some time, then there had been the progress report on the Anthelion that he’d asked for, and then he’d gone through the briefing for the Anthelion’s first set of orders. All in all it hadn’t taken more than two hours, but the time he’d set had been what had really pushed the limits on her schedule. With ears back and tail twitching slightly in her agitation, the captain had finally been released from the KDY to go about her business.

There were just a few problems…but they could all be boiled down into one thing:

The message she’d gotten had…put her on edge.

It was typed (on paper no less), and sent via messenger to her. The messenger knew nothing about it, there was no return address, no name, no indication of where it was from, no information…nothing but a potential business proposition, a time, and a set of coordinates. Some business about a droid? It was fishy…the whole business was fishy, and for the longest time she heavily debated the intelligence of going or not. She’d nearly decided it wasn’t worth the risk when her curiosity finally got the better of her. Even after reminding herself that curiosity killed the cat, she couldn’t talk herself back out of going…all she could do was inform Tyros of her plans.

The man was…cold…to put it lightly, but at least he did his job. There were moments he seemed to have something similar to a personality, but so far she hadn’t seen much of it. This was no different, but at least it had gotten things taken care of.

”Well, Mr. Elrune, I’ve decided.”

“Should I be worried?”

”Perhaps…”

“So, what have you decided?”

”After much debate, and reminding myself that curiosity killed the cat, I've decided to go see a man about a droid...there is, however, one problem...well...one -large- problem, anyway. I know absolutely -nothing- about said man, or droid, or even where I'm headed. I simply have a time and coordinates. Therefore...I'm informing you, of the time and coordinates of the appointment and giving you instructions: If I do not contact you within two hours of my departure, I would like you to inform Admiral Lox and send someone to attempt to retrieve me.”

She spoke as if she were merely giving him instructions on how and when to remove a batch of muffins from an oven, not to send a search and rescue. That was one thing about Zharra, cool and calm as she was, she often herself joking (even if it was mildly) about potentially serious situations. If anyone picked up on the fact that she was joking that is.

“Expecting trouble, Ma’am?”

”Expecting trouble? Yes, but then…I always expect trouble. A lesson hard learned.”

One clawed hand produced a paper (not flimsy, mind you, but actual paper), upon which were typed the meeting time and coordinates. Handing it over, she’d pat him on the back and gazed out the window of the temporary office at the Anthelion, going through the final phases of its construction and preparation. Tyros had, of course, inspected the paper as well before folding it once more and putting it in his own coat pocket.

“Very…original method of sending information.”

Oh yes, it was certainly original for this day in age, but more than that…it was intelligent. Those brown tipped ears swiveled forward as the tip of her tail twitched slightly, hazel green eyes looking at her first officer from the corners of her eyes.

”Intelligent, most certainly…no way to trace the handwriting, no one to see who procured flimsy, no way to trace back a signal to a terminal, no one that I can think of even makes paper any more…it was even delivered via a messenger boy who knew absolutely nothing about where it came from, just that someone had dropped it off several days prior to the date to be delivered.” Looking up at the chrono on the wall, she adjusted her coat and moved her hat from where she’d been holding it between her arm and her side to rest atop her hair. Adjusting it as well, she smoothed out the rest of her uniform and looked back at Tyros.

”What I know, now you know…but…I'm quite late for said appointment, so…you have your instructions. I'm armed enough for my tastes, and I have my comm…” she stated, patting her sidearm lightly. Even without the blaster pistol at her belt she was at least decently armed, she did have claws after all, and was more than proficient in unarmed combat. Smiling once more, she’d pat his shoulder again and turn to leave the office, pausing at the door to look back at him. ”Two hours, Mr. Elrune, then send in the cavalry.”

“Aye Ma’am, two hours. I’ll make sure to bring a whole cavalry division, just to be on the safe side.”

Was that humor from the man? It certainly seemed to be…maybe there was hope for him yet. Chuckling she’d nod once, speaking as she turned and left. ”Very good, Mr. Elrune, very good.”

Now, nearly half an hour later, she was dropped off just off the road that meandered through the nature reserve, the shuttle from the KDY barely waiting long enough to make certain that the feline captain was off and had her bearings. They were busy, after all…not that she minded. As previously mentioned, Zha was late…and she hated being late. Loosening her blaster in its holster, she made her way through the fields in the direction of the coordinates plotted in on her datapad. It was only a matter of minutes before the roof of an old cabin could be seen over the crest of a hill, then the tops of the walls, then the whole structure. Pausing at the rise of the hill, those ears twisted this way and that as she listened to her surroundings, tail twitching slightly behind her. Moving around the cabin, giving it a wide berth, hazel green eyes caught the form of another woman standing before the door.

Now that made her blink in surprise.

What in the galaxy was a woman (Arkanian or Echani by the look of her), clad in a long blue dress that seemed more befitting the setting of Senate rather than the outdoors, be doing here? And just what was that in her shoulder bag? Moving closer, Zha kept herself quite silent, studying the scene as she approached. How very odd…those hazel eyes hardly missed the shuttle sitting some little way off, and upon closer inspection, it was the just slightly pointed ears that gave the woman away for what she was. Ah, an Arkanian, well…this ought to be interesting. Upon reaching the doorstep as well, Zharra nodded slightly to the woman, her golden-tan fur glinting in the sun slightly with the motion.

”Ma’am. Captain Zharra,” she stated, by way of an introduction. Looking from the woman to the…was that a droid in her bag?...to the droid in her bag, then up to the door of the shack, she knocked…and waited, on hand resting casually on her sidearm. This was the place she’d been asked to come to…she’d double checked. Standing there for a moment, those ears twisted and twitched as she listened for any sign of movement within. When none came, she moved to a window, peering within. Lifting one eyebrow she turned back to the woman waiting there as well. ”Nothing but layers of dust…shall we take a look inside?”

((Introducing Zharra *grand unveiling* ))

{Right, this thread's getting too crowded for me, and the objective for Tsu's been accomplished, so I'm moving towards gtfo'ing in the next post or so. As such, these posts will be short}

Of course, it may be better not to keep you and your idol in too close proximity for too long, not if you intend to go through with your little chemical transaction. AER unit 04 was not designed to store such a volatile chemical, anyway. This AERb, however, would likely be more than capable of withstanding such conditions seeing as it has been thermally treated to withstand temperatures in excess of 14,000 degrees.

#10 giggled, as he was so prone to do. "Now why say that?" He shifted around on Tsu's shoulder, to better look at the newly-upgraded AER. "Don't ruin the fun. That's boring."

Tsu shook his head. "Yes, 10, I think 'not fun' and 'boring' are one and the same. Most of the time, anyway."

Smoke puffed once again from 10's mouth as he giggled. "Why don't you upgrade Sender now, then? Then we could make the exchange, and you could all be hostages." If the little dragon-droid could grin, his face would have been split from ear to ear.

"Let's not get carried away," Tsu said, chuckling.

He glanced around the room, looking at the assortment of people, droids... raptor doctor ladies. It was all a very interesting mix. As they continued to chat, Tsu got the feeling they knew each other in some regard. He didn't really know any of them. Perhaps that would change with time, but he was ready to be gone. Get back to the Vagabond and set back to his drifting with his newfound companion.

What would he call him? He still hadn't thought of a name yet. Something would come in time.

"Anyway," he said, turning to the raptor-scientist-greeter-lady, "as fun as all this is, is there anything else I'm needed here for?"

Sean returned Sender's glance with a slightly surprised, approving expression. He'd been around this place long enough to get an idea of just how the Familiar coding operated. The zirconium zebra finches' personality development was impacted mostly in part with that of their partner's. In that area, Sender may have been considered at a disadvantage, but it would seem that he simply took it as a challenge.

Or just got sick of Sean's constant jabs at him.

Whatever the case, he had come along way and Sean was beginning to see that Sender may in fact be a slight reflection of Rahja after all. That rare glimpse he had captured so few nights ago, manifested within this artificial genesis of spirit. Touché. Well played, my friend!

Ayer returned his brother's wink.

Pan allowed the gapes and murmurs to subside before she continued with her news. "Two days ago, one off ze Ghosts reported stumbling across an odd bit off code. Ze fact zat it used to be 02's lifeline to ze databank is not ze unusual part--Vhat vas unusual vas zat ze GAI could still retrieve a faint signal after a bit off digging through ze uplink variables."

Another hologram jumped into existence in the same place the REA and PF facility wireframes had been earlier. This one was of several well-known weapons manufacturers. "Hyo haff no doubt heard off all of zees companies for better or for worse, no? Vhat not many know is zhat they all share ze same center--Sark Industries."

The moment of great enlightenment was brought to a halt as both Pan and Phae froze in the same instant. The hologram vanished. A breath went by before Phae spoke to the group at large. There has been a security breach. Remain here. With that he flitted hurriedly out the door, followed by the quick, bobbing gait of Pan.

Sean sat in contemplative silence, a sign that something must really be troubling him. He thought aloud. Security breach? Here? What could possibly be perceptive, powerful, and stupid enough to break into this place?

It's probably a false alarm.

What, like a mynock crapping on some sensor somewhere?

Ayer tilted his head to the side in an irritable expression. At the lowest levels of eloquence, maybe one did. Something seems more serious about this one, however.

Well then, He hopped up from the white, curving chair and shouldered his pack and rifle. What are we sitting around for, we ought to go help repel borders.

Ayer shook his head. While normally I would condone such chivalrous actions, it is usually best to do as the progneitor and the architect request of us, especially in cases such as this.

Sean looked around the room--to Rahja, to Tsubasa, Jessica, and finally 10. He considered his Familiar's words. Maybe you're right. But... Oh how he already knew what that pyromaniac's stance on the situation would be. Tsu, Ms. Chezz, anyone else who cares, I want you to come with me. Trust me: you don't want to be inside this place when lockdown procedures go off. You'll never leave again.

Ayer nodded approvingly and jumped up on his shoulder. progenitor and the architect are Phae and Pan.

Yeah, I know. Come on, let's get out of here.

_____________________________________________________________________


Tell me, my friend. Arza spoke in a manner more befitting to light banter than a crisis. What is the meaning of 'less than three?'

Phae, who had only just streaked in through the door to land with an attentive clatter on his creator's desk. He looked somewhat exasperated at this non-sequitur inquiry but long since knew it was easier just to answer and move on. He glanced hurriedly at the holoscreen. It's a heart, sir.

Ah!

Pan ducked through the door just as it hissed closed behind her, habitually swinging her tail to one side to avoid it. "Ze intrusion. So you haff visual?"

Sadly, no. He swiveled around to face her, regarding her evenly with calm, stone eyes. Pan's perpetual glare flickered to the floor for a moment--webweaver silken rug, very fine quality--then returned to Arza. Have a look for yourself.

Scans are revealing only one biosignature, but whatever it is it seems to be intent on FIDES unit 15's position.

A true, genuine expression of concern flashed across Pan's scaly muzzle. When she spoke, it was without the usual air of command and veiled threats. "Mynock?"

Negative. Larger. Though you can blame those infernal creatures for our lack of visual confirmation: camera 74 has been mostly obscured by mynock excrement.

Arza leaned down to address the other present in the room. Not this time, too much is at risk. You will have your moment soon enough. He smiled at the cosmetically cosmic FIDES, threads of purple eroding their way through the stone of his eyes.

His attention rose back to the issue at hand. Phae, I want you to take your little cousin to entrance lift Alpha. Her partner has just arrived, but I fear now to be not the most advantageous moment to enter. Initiate full external system lockdown. Inform the GAIs to continue monitoring all systems and remain alert to any form of digital infiltration.

Phae nodded and jumped down next to 19.



One by one, the external blast doors would begin to slide closed and their security systems would go on full alert. Most importantly, the database itself would lockdown: cutting off its contact with everything not located within the facility. All around the galaxy, Familiars would lose their lifelines. Come with me. There is little time.

Dr. Lenarksi, may I count on you to personally evaluate the situation?

Without another word, Pan turned and tapped several keys on a wall-mounted case. With a beep of confirmation and a pneumatic catcall, the heavy steel door slid open and bared its teeth. With cold deliberation, she leaned forward and extracted the largest one. The high-energy plasma cannon started its life to the sweet symphony of phase barrels coming to full rotation. "I vill take care off it."

Heavier deterence than your usual for mynocks.

She turned and stalked out of the office. "It's not for ze mynocks."

________________________________________

Come on, come on, Come on! Sean shouted to all who had followed him as the lift into the run-down shack sealed itself until further notice. A bit of the military in him had surfaced then and he felt as if he were back in the leadership training at boot--all it needed was a bit more rain, a bit more mud, and far less pleasurable company.

He took a deep breath and sat down on a loveseat. He immediately regretted it as said deep breath rewarded him with a lung-full of dust from the cloud that had exploded around him when he sat down. Alright, we should be good here. In this old shack. This old wooden shack. Tsu, ol' buddy do keep tabs on that sentient flamethrower of yours, will ya?

He didn't have the chance to wait for confirmation on this matter as everything but the kitchen sink didn't split apart, retract into the counter, and spew out a robotic bird. Phae made sure 19 was still with him before sending the silent digital command to the sink which quickly resealed itself, the faucet turn slowly to right with a series of audible clicks. Oh. Good thinking.

You just came out of the sink.

Stellar observation.

Thank you.

Ayer shook his head, giving a sigh that steadily dissolved into a light chuckle. We always knew you could have a great future as a plumber, Phae.

Sean, in yet another violation of standard behavior, terminated the joking with a more serious question. So what's going on?

Small intrusion, just a single biosign. Pan has been sent to identify it.

Sean leaned his head back against the seat cushion and laughed. It's dead. Can we come back in?

There was a knock at the door.

How about them? Sean stood up and started towards the door. Ayer flitted of his shoulder to keep from being dislodged and settled down on the counter next to Familiar company.

Careful Sean, don't forget we're on lockdown.

Invaders don't knock on the front door, prior experience supports this. All the same, he stopped in front of the door first looking for a doorstep scanner panel, then a more antiquated peephole like in those old movies, then--finding neither of these--to Phae. The old cast iron cardinal nodded to him, having a more than fair knowledge of who waited on the other side.

The latch clicked and the door slid open.

A younger man in a plain white shirt, a tattered khaki jacket, and faded black pants peeked out to address the Farghul and Arkanian. Hellooo? He took in the pair of ladies on his doorstep. PF's doorstep. Whatever. From what little he knew of Arkanian culture, he could tell that she was one of the "non-pure breeds." An AER's head was visible to him from within her bag. Those were best ones. She passes.

Next his eyes took in the kitty cat. A little...fuzzier than his preferences, but that was alright: she looked kinda cold and official anyway. Kinda like Rahja, but with a tail. She possessed no Familiar that he could see. A new recruit then. He wondered how long her reserved stature would last from this day forward. I give her four weeks, that's four times as long as it took me to snap. Alright, she can pass too.

Welcome to Project Familiar! The name's Sean, please come in, come in. He bowed lightly and opened the door wide for them. We were just in the middle of having the meeting interrupted, but we can recap for ya.

He sat back down on the loveseat, being sure to hold his breath this time to avoid the dust storm. Sorry the place is a bit of a mess, we're in bit of a crisis at the moment and our usual area of discussion has been otherwise compromised. Don't worry, that broom closet over there is actually an elevator descending into a giant secret gazillion credit underground mad science lab. Also, the sink eats people. He laughed aloud at the utter ridiculousness of all this.

His expression snapped back to stoic politeness. No, really.


________________________________________________________________________________


Pan stalked deliberately from around a rocky outcrop and got her first look at Shine from down the barrel of a T19. The weapon's steady hum crescendoed into a whine.

"Giff me von reason."