Woryeh 2010/09/08(Wed)12:36 No. 228104 ID: bab140
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Setting up the pool is amazingly simple. All you needed to do was fill it with water and dump in a container of dehydrated... stuff that was probably engineered in a lab somewhere else in the Empire.

You and Zyeryh both lie in the pool, and if you felt subtle defensive instincts before, you suddenly feel ready to kill anything that so much looks at Zyeryh strangely. It is an intensive desire to protect. It subsides quickly as you reassure yourself that neither of you are in any danger.

After lying in the pool for about an hour, Zyeryh turns to you. "...I don't know what's meant to happen, shouldn't something have happened by now?"

Woryeh 2010/09/08(Wed)12:37 No. 228105 ID: bab140
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She notices that there's a few tiny larvae crawling on you. You notice this too.

"No, no I'd say something happened."
"...oh."
"Yeah."
"...I was expecting something more noticeable for some reason."

There's an awkward pause. You gently brush the larvae back into the pool. They do not feel like children whatsoever. Just like any other insect crawling over you. You feel like you should be reacting to your own offspring with far less apathy.

"...so, is that it?"
"Well, you're not leaving this pool until I do."

With the amount of instinctual thoughts flying around your head right now, you think you'd only wander back in in a daze if you tried to leave anyway.

Woryeh 2010/09/08(Wed)12:37 No. 228106 ID: bab140
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Eventually, after some time, the two of you leave the pool.

"I... really felt like this was going to be something more significant than it was."

Zyeryh looks even more upset than before. You hug her.

"Perhaps I had unrealistic expectations, but that just felt like one large nothing, and then suddenly a bunch of larvae that feel more like pests than anything else... is there something wrong with me?"
"No, no, it's better than being attached to them. I mean, think how horrible that'd be, given what's going to happen and what they're going to do to each other."
"You need to work on trying to make others feel better, Woryeh. But I appreciate the effort."

You put a protective dome over the pool to satisfy your drive to guard it, and lead Zyeryh out of the medical room.

The floating drone tracks you both down not long after you leave the medical room.

Woryeh 2010/09/08(Wed)12:37 No. 228107 ID: bab140
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The two of you are, yet again, brought back to the human base.

"Approximately four hours ago, we intercepted an unidentified alien vessel. It did not respond to our attempts to communicate, and appeared directly inbound for our base of operations here. The vessel was disabled and brought directly to us for further study."

From the image, you think you vaguely recognise a senokeshi ship. One of several enemies or targets of the Empire before you and Zyeryh were sent here. Zyeryh is suddenly very still, staring widely at the image.

"We found one survivor inside the alien craft. Said survivor is why we bring you two to us today. Are you aware of what this species is, and what the intentions of this vessel were?"

Zyeryh talks very quietly. "Woryeh. I think they've captured Ti Ru. The senokeshi I told you about. Whatever she's doing here, she can't mean any harm... What are we going to tell them?!"

>>228107
Not lying has worked out pretty well so far.

Just sayin'.

>>228107
Tell them the truth. As much as you know. They are allowing you to live unharmed; you can expect the same reaction as far as Ti Ru is concerned I think.

Do you have a record of the communications feed that she sent? It would help your case.

>>228106
Also, I mean, haven't your kind not done this the way they would naturally for, um, a while? It's understandable that your expectations might be kind of off, y'know?

emotions for how to handle kids is taught by your own parents, and since you didn't have any, your emotional compass is off.

anyway, tell them he is a know enemy of the empire.

>>228107
That it's another refugee from the empire, fleeing for her life in hope of some sort of safe haven and to bring warnings.

That's pretty much the truth and should make them quite friendly towards her.

>>228188
You could probably add that she did unexpectedly contact you not long ago, but tends to be really, uh, opaque in terms of what she's saying, and got cut off, so it was not exactly clear that she was going to suddenly show up here.

>>228106

Ah, the humans are rubbing off on you. You guys did fine. I think it's normal for any species to be worried about their reproductive performance. I suppose it's possible that the goop you dropped into the pool had a numbing effect or something; the Empire is good at getting you guys to have an inordinate amount of surviving offspring after all.

>>228219
No, everything they experienced is normal. This isn't the end of the 'birthing' process. When the final larvae emerge... it will be a momentous occasion.

>>228107

"That's a Senokeshi ship. If I'm not mistaken it is "WITHOUT REGRET" the vessel of Ti Ru. We've contacted her before, she's a refuge of the empire along with many of her race."

"I can't say for sure why she is here, but our last contact ended a bit...abruptly. She might be in trouble. Perhaps she came here seeking us?"

Perhaps when the subject of the ship is over we can broach a few other topics. Like establishing one or two 'do not enter' areas of the base to help curb our territorial instincts. We also might want to mention that Zyeryh has given birth and the offspring are now safely in the pool so she is back to peak performance.

Woryeh 2010/10/12(Tue)15:41 No. 242610 ID: 8d7dd2
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You reply in hushed tones. "Tell them the truth. It's worked so far. If they spared us and we're self-confessed infiltrators for the Empire, or ex-infiltrators, there's no reason they'll harm her."
"Okay."

She inhales deeply. "That ship is a senokeshi ship. They are a species the Empire is seeking to add to its collection. The only survivor is the only crew member, as the rest of the crew were killed or otherwise fled from an Empire attack. Her name is Ti Ru, she's a senokeshi, and I have been in contact with her to establish how long it is until the Empire will pose a stronger threat to this world."
"This matches what we have managed to translate so far from her language."
"I don't know why she's here, but I don't think she would have come here unless she saw no other option."
"We are still investigating. She has been extremely co-operative so far, and has even attempted to assist in demonstrating how her ship works. We are currently doing our best to accommodate her and analyse her language. Fortunately, there are universals-"
"With all due respect, sir, I don't think we need to ramble at the salazzarine. They're likely familiar with most of this. I mean, that one said she knew the zenokeshy or whatever it was."
"Right. ...That pretty much concludes what we needed for, really."

"Wait, we have things we want to discuss-"

You're ushered out.

Woryeh 2010/10/12(Tue)15:41 No. 242611 ID: 8d7dd2
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"Woryeh, I don't like how things are going."
"No, really? I thought they were moving along without a hitch and that we were being treated like the upper caste!"
"Shut up! My head is still swimming with hormones and if I feel any more irritated today I will take it out on you! Violently!"
"Okay. Let's go check on the pool-"

There are humans here.

All around the base. Your cluster of it. Your living quarters.

This is exactly the thing you didn't want to happen and wanted to talk about.

Everything. They're taking everything away that isn't attached to the walls or floors or ceilings and more things that are.

You and Zyeryh give each other one mutual look of growing concern, of sudden dread, of an apprehension from a source far older than salazzarine civilisation.

Woryeh 2010/10/12(Tue)15:41 No. 242612 ID: 8d7dd2
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You both charge towards the medical centre, shunting humans to the sides. Some of them react with body language characteristic of confusion. Others seem to try to flee and shout in their stupid human languages, muffled by their stupid human suits.

You reach the medical centre-

It's empty.

The pool is empty. Not so much as a drop of water remains.

You feel a strange decoupling of your consciousness from your body as your brain swims. The room tilts. You walk carefully over to the empty pool and jab at the air every so often, expecting to tear open a membrane of a sleeping cocoon.

You turn back to look at Zyeryh. She hasn't moved. Not from where she stood, at least. She is slowly closing her arms around her body and sinking to the ground.

Woryeh 2010/10/12(Tue)15:42 No. 242613 ID: 8d7dd2
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"Oh. There you guys are. We need to check these devices for consistency with the rest of your base..."

You breathe in and out and in and out and try to calm yourself before you do something drastic. But what can you do? Can you let them get away with what they've done? To violate your agreements, to violate your territory, to take your children and casually destroy them?!

And even if you don't do anything violent right now, you are completely certain Zyeryh will in your stead. You don't think you could bring yourself to stop her if she did.

"...Uh, are you okay?"

>>242613
Don't do anything drastic until one little thing has been clarified. Ask them where your children are.

GOD FUCKING DAMMIT

Why the hell did the humans come into your base? You what, they made you leave the door unlocked as a condition of negotiation? They didn't even know about the larva pool? THIS IS THE THING WHICH SHOULD NOT HAPPEN

This is a problem that can only be solved with violence. Pin this guy to the wall, by his insulating garment if possible. Try to avoid his torso and abdomen or this won't work. Demand to know where the contents of that pool went. If he doesn't know, throw him aside and leave him bleeding. That should assuage both of your need for immediate action. Then you can go hunting for someone who does.

If these humans knowingly drained the pool, there's no way in hell they would pass up a chance to preserve your larva. Thus, you can save your babies or die trying. If they unknowingly drained it, well fuck that sucks, but there's not much either of you can do about it. Just lock the door and/or tell them about it next time.

"where are they?"

>>242613
"Return. Our. Young."

>>242613
Try to explain what is wrong, but flip the fuck out and fail to use words coherently. Don't kill anyone, though!

Then attempt it again, but a bit calmer. Repeat as necessary until your position is clarified.

>>242613
Hug Zyeryh. :<

Don't assume that everything is FUBAR until you know for certain. They may have just *moved* the whole pool setup. And remember that the person here - as well as many of the other people here - are likely ignorant grunts. They probably don't know what they're doing and they shouldn't be blamed for what they were ordered to do by their (asshole) superiors.

So, that said, ask them what happened to the pool and the larva inside. And tell him that if he says anything other than "they've been safely moved somewhere", he should start running and take everyone else with him.

Be violent, but nonlethal. I think you're allowed to freak out at this point.

>>242622
>>242613

Oh, and think about this. If your babies ARE safe, you're WON'T be doing them any favors by flipping the fuck out and getting yourselves in trouble. You don't want to be locked away or dead while your babies are raised by humans or worse, do you?

You have to stay calm AT LEAST until you find out WHAT happened. If your babies really ARE toast, THEN you can flip the fuck out. Preferably after determining the exact person who you should flip the fuck out on.

Kill.
Fucking.
EVERYTHING.

>>242649
No. Bad thought. That won't help. That won't bring your kids back. Ask them, they may have just moved the pool.
Plus, even in the worst case, it was just a pool, 99.9% of those larvae would've dies anyway.

>>242615
The humans broke in almost effortlessly the first time. It's safe to say they've been coming and going as they please since then.

They may have taken you a little too much at your word about salazzar not caring about young larvae, but that doesn't matter. It's obvious they have no respect for you as sapients, and want to rob you of what little autonomy you had, and now they've gone too far.

>>242683
So how would retaliating benefit you? it's 2 vs. >7 billion, and sallazarine aren't daleks.

>>242683
I'm not sure how you managed to read that as a declaration of war.

Anyway, scratch that. This is a trap. They expect you to respond with violence, and give them an excuse to imprison you.

"you've been nice to us so far, so I'll give you one shot to fix this..."

Violently thrust an arm at the empty pool

"TELL ME WHERE OUR CHILDREN ARE, OR WE'RE GOING TO KILL YOU ALL!"

Side note: try and hold Zyeryh back for a moment. Remind her that finding our children is more important than revenge.

"Perhaps I should clarify. We don't bond emotionally with our children as individuals until they have winnowed down to a few survivors and moved on to the next stage of development. However, we are very protective of the brood as a whole.
We are resisting a maddening urge for violence right now, and wish for our brood to be returned immediately."

Woryeh 2010/10/15(Fri)17:02 No. 243930 ID: 8d7dd2
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A thousand different courses of action run through your mind.

"Where. Are. They."

You violently point to the empty pool. The human appears confused.

"Return. Our. Young."

With your other blade you grab at your pounding head. Something deep within the recesses of your mind screams to kill, to rip, to tear to shreds these creatures that have done this. You stab in the air towards the empty pool some more, smacking the tip of your blade. The pain does not improve your mood.

"There was only some form of fluid and some insects floating in it. I wasn't told that it was important, and someone else drained the contents for analysis!"

You scream and start hacking at the side of the pool. The human backs away to the other side of the room.

"WHERE. ARE. THEY?!"
"I don't know I'll go find my supervisor oh god don't kill me please!!"

The human runs out of the room.

Woryeh 2010/10/15(Fri)17:03 No. 243931 ID: 8d7dd2
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You spin to leap after Zyeryh and restrain her from doing anything you'll regret.

She's on the floor. Lying on her side, curled up. You reassess your approach. You run over to her and sit next to her.

"...this is all your fault."

You scoop your arms underneath her and start trying to gently lift her to a sitting position, much like your current position.

"All of it. All of it is you fault. All of it is you. You never cared about me. You only cared about me as a vessel for larvae. And when I didn't comply you just tore off my limbs over and over, and slashed me to pieces! I hate you. I hate you..."

You hug her. Most of what she's saying sounds rehearsed. It doesn't surprise you - you constructed your own monologues over the years of enmity between the two of you. The fights began too quickly for either party to even be able to deliver a long, hate-fuelled rant against the other.

But she doesn't sound certain of anything she's saying.

"I h-hate... I... you're the reason this ever happened!... they're just insects! Parasites! Why do I care?!"

She clings to you and starts making quiet whining noises. They upset you greatly. She's trying as hard as she can to make her devastated emotional state as quiet and nonintrusive as possible.

Woryeh 2010/10/15(Fri)17:03 No. 243933 ID: 8d7dd2
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"Because they're your babies and you're a good mother who cares about her larvae even this early."
"I don't know anything or what I'm doing and, and, I don't..." She whines a little louder. You can't stop yourself from making similar noises yourself. It's becoming something increasingly out of your control.

"There's nowhere we can be safe! Nowhere! Everywhere and everyone just wants to take us to pieces and see how we work and force us together and see how our larvae work and take them to pieces and it's... I can't take it anymore!"

You feel the fibres of her blades shifting into more aggressive alignments. Her dulled blades grow sharper. Her embrace begins to become slightly more painful.

"We can negotiate still!"
"It's all your fault, Woryeh! We could have had this planet! This planet! It could have been ours and this would have never happened!"
"You're digging your blades into me, Zyeryh. Stop."
"It could have been ours and we would have somewhere nice to live and safe and free of all of this and of the Empire and of being treated as experiments instead of us and-"
"Zyeryh. I'm asking you nicely. Please stop digging your blades into me-"

Woryeh 2010/10/15(Fri)17:03 No. 243934 ID: 8d7dd2
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You involuntarily yelp in pain as one of her blades digs deep enough into your body to draw blood.

You stare ahead blankly, as you try to process the fact Zyeryh seems to be turning on you right now. She's only strengthening her grip. You can feel her forcing her blades into your back more and more.

You need to do something fast before you act on your remaining desire for violence and before your old hatred for her resurfaces strongly enough for you to do something you know you will regret for the rest of your life and hers.

"i promise, if i fail to get them back safely, i will take as many of them out as i can, you claim you had no idea i would do it. live on for me,, for them."

>>243934
Tell her to calm the hell down. Any act of violence that either one of you inflicts on each other, or anyone else you might come across, is going to make you feel good for probably less than a minute, as you realize you've just mortally wounded the only other member of your species on this planet and significant other/realize the humans are totally going to just dissect you for real or something. :V

>>243934
Angry sex is the answer.

Well actually maybe you should tell her how much you love her. That you still want to take over the world with her. You just need a chance. An advantage. We're stuck right now, forced to behave as little more than research subjects, barely even keeping in contact with them.

>>243934
You could remind her of that shapeshifting thing the humans had. That fucker could have picked you apart easily. If you had tried to carry out your orders about subjugating this planet or tried any plot for conquest you would probably just have been found out faster and died.

This situation is undoubtedly shitty, but you don't really have that fucking much of a choice at the moment. There's two of you planetside and billions of them. If or when the refugee ships get here then you might have a better position to negotiate. But at the moment you're kind of screwed.

But neither of those are probably what she wants to hear. More emotional arguments probably work better, so remind her that you love her and that this entire fucking mess is actually the fault of the empire. They're the ones that paired you together and sent you on this doomed mission.

She's wrong, it isn't your fault, it's the humans. Not even the humans, it's the STUPID humans... but they're still in a position of power, you can't just kill them. You need to calm down, or you might not ever get your kids back.

KISS HER YOU FOOL

>>243934
Remind her that YOU care about her and your children far more than the Empire does, and far more than the ignorant humans.

Tell her that your children might still be alive, and hurting you isn't going to bring them back. If she ever wants to see them again - if she ever wants to be safe, and have a safe place to raise children, she needs to trust you and understand that for once in your long time hating each other, you both want the same thing, and you're willing to do anything to make it happen.

Woryeh 2010/10/16(Sat)17:49 No. 244396 ID: 8d7dd2
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"Please! Zyeryh! Calm down! You don't want to kill or disable me, do you? This isn't my fault! It's the Empire's fault for forcing us into this situation in the first place!"
"What if I do want to kill you for everything you've done to me?!"
"Do you?"

The fibres of her blades shift and the sharp edges dull once again. She whines again, still trying to suppress her anguish, still trying to appear more angered than desperately unhappy.

"I love you, Zyeryh. I want what's best for you, what's best for us, what's best for our children. I've always wanted what's best for us. Every time I tried to stop you in the past... I was scared you'd fail without my interference and end up killed!"
"I... I love you too, Woryeh. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, this isn't fair. This isn't. Fair. I'm losing my mind, Woryeh. I'm trapped. I hate this maze of labs I've been stuck in all my life. The only freedom I've had has been this place and now I don't even have that any more."
"I know. I'll think of something. So will you. You're good at coming up with plans, remember?"
"Yes..."

You both hold each other for a while. You ignore the pains in your back. It's only surface damage.

Woryeh 2010/10/16(Sat)17:49 No. 244397 ID: 8d7dd2
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You suddenly realise something. Zyeryh seems agitated too.

Everyone is gone.

It's entirely silent.

You both stand, blades at the ready, circling around the room. You speak to each other as quietly as possible.

"Do we have any weapon stocks left?"
"That you didn't sabotage? There's a personal cache in my quarters. Hidden in my dormancy cocoon, actually. Maybe they'll still work-"

You both drop to the ground when a loud siren fills the base with its staccato bleeps. It appears that the base has, finally, realised there has been some form of intrusion. Only days and days too late. But there's another sound.

A more familiar sound. The communications alarm.

"- ATTENTION ALL PERSONNEL - INVASION FLEET REQUIRES SITUATION REPORT - REPORT REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY -"

You both look at each other.

"...I am so close to just slitting my own throat here. It's one nightmare after another!"
"No. Calm down. I think we can do something."

Woryeh 2010/10/16(Sat)17:49 No. 244398 ID: 8d7dd2
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You close your eyes and feel your head warm as you frantically try to create and analyse as many plans for this situation as possible.

The automated alarm is triggered by a signal sent from an approaching Empire invasion, to let them know the level of opposition expected in advance. If there are no humans in the base, it would be a simple case of getting to the communications room and sending a misleading report.

If there are, they will need a lot of placating to persuade them you haven't turned on them - if they haven't already. After all, they have already taken your young away. They can't have been so stupid as to do it by mistake when they picked up on Zyeryh's state before either of you two did.

The situation is complex. You feel a sudden lancing pain as your two hearts desynchronise for a beat. You fight a growing dread that the end of your life is rapidly drawing close to you. That can't happen. Zyeryh needs you. Your children need you. All of you need to survive this. You just need to. You've come this far. You've survived all of the Empire's experiments. You've survived their scorn, their disdain, their stripping you of your every right. So has Zyeryh. You'd sooner die than let what happened to you and her happen again to your own offspring.

Your head is starting to approach uncomfortably warm.

>>244398
Well then, you need to do two things. First of all get the humans to notice that the Empire is very rapidly approaching and that you're going to attempt to lull the empire into a false sense of security.

Second thing is to lull the empire into a false sense of security. Which might be a bit difficult to do since they have had reports showing that no real progress has been made. Possibly you could play the double agent card, telling them that you have been feeding the humans with incorrect information and you're going to keep on doing so while they approach, thus making sure that the human defensive resources are not properly used and can't be focused on the real threat.

Meanwhile you do feed the humans correct information and make sure they can in fact focus on a very real threat. Or not, depending on what you feel like. But succeding in winning the empire a victory here will probably just lead to more dangerous missions, the impossibility of staying together with your partner or raising a familiy with her and no real respect or adoration for your work. So that's probably not going to be a very good thing.

But if you win a big victory for the humans they're going to be indebted to you. Which might be useful, still, you don't really have alot of leverage. But you might gain some in exchanging information about what various tech they might salvage can do.

>>244433
Leverage. You need leverage.

This is a good plan for leverage.

also while doing that you may be able to trick a grunt into telling you where the kids are.

Okay head getting hot here let's simplify things.

1) Shove human into Dormancy Cocoon
2) Demonstrate to Empire your human specimen you have captured for experimentation.
3) Beg forgiveness afterwards.

The humans owe you, so you can use that for leverage, whereas the Empire needs to feel like you're on their side and you're making progress.

Don't overhead. Calm down. You need to think, but if you burn up you're going to end up unable to help anyone!

Woryeh 2010/10/17(Sun)16:56 No. 245187 ID: 8d7dd2
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You consider your actions and beckon Zyeryh over to you. Confused, she still complies. You consider throwing a human into some form of restraining device, but you'd prefer not acting in a way that can be easily interpreted as hostile.

You both race to the communications room. ...Not a single human blocks your path. Perhaps they've already noticed.

You both assume your positions in front of the screen and stare expectantly at the screen for the transmission.

A garbled, distorted image appears on the screen, met by a slightly less garbled angry yelling voice. It doesn't sound like anyone you've heard before.

"kzht YOU ARE DEAD YOU HEAR ME DEAD kzht---...---ksht LOSING SHIPS THIS FAR AWAY THIS IS INEXCUSABLE YOU WILL SUFFER FOR YOUR REBEL WAYS! SUFFER!"

Woryeh 2010/10/17(Sun)16:56 No. 245188 ID: 8d7dd2
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The transmission becomes a burst of static and is replaced with the image of a salazzarine.

"You two the ones who set this up, I presume?"

You both look at each other, thoroughly perplexed.

"Well, that's what she told me, anyway. Force the Empire to invade some heavily defended world, suffer massive losses, make the commandeering of a couple of ships slip by entirely unnoticed. You know, break off from the Empire, found a new independent colony, grow and expand, go back and save the rest of our kind, that sort of thing?"

There's a long pause.

"...What?"
"I... what?"
"You know. Eezeree. Former Praetor. Told us you two were sabotaging the Empire and we had to make sure we were on the invasion fleet. I think there's another ship full of salazzarine on the way too."

There's yet another awkward pause.

"So what do we do now?"
"Well, if you want we can probably send some transports to pick you two up if you want. If you make sure your friends down there don't shoot them to pieces."

Zyeryh wrings her blades together. "...I... I don't know. We're... there's a lot of reasons we can't leave just yet."
"It's going to be a while for the transport to get down there."
"We'll tell them."
"Okay. And, uh, thanks for the help, I guess. Even if you weren't really aware you were helping us?"

The screen goes blank.

Woryeh 2010/10/17(Sun)16:56 No. 245189 ID: 8d7dd2
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"So what do we do now? Charge directly at the aliens who stole our babies and hope they won't try to sabotage what might be the one chance we'll ever have to escape this planet alive, or just stay in the base for the rest of our lives and hope they never come back?"
"I think it's obvious what we have to do."

Zyeryh starts charging off to the base airlock.

...You had actually meant "stay in the base and hope they never come back", but Zyeryh's idea is probably a lot better.

You both run into a few suited humans who are very alarmed to see the two of you burst into the room, blades raised in imminent attack position.

"They just wanted to know what salazzarine infants were like! They're still alive! They're perfectly healthy oh god I want my arms to stay on my torso!"

Zyeryh tilts her head, her blades still raised. "If you can get us to your base, I'll consider respecting your wishes."
"Done!"

Woryeh 2010/10/17(Sun)16:57 No. 245190 ID: 8d7dd2
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It's yet another boring trip. It's a little more tense than usual. You and Zyeryh sit back in the vehicle, while the humans act as though a sudden movement will lead to their swift decapitation.

You know you shouldn't let your guard down at any moment, but this is too amusing. You slightly regret not having chosen to go with intimidation earlier.

You consider your plan of attack once you reach the human base. You know enough of the base layout to get to the room they generally tended to take you two to, and you remember where the room you found Zyeryh being poked and prodded was as well. But you have no idea what to expect. For all you know, that... thing that caught you before might be waiting to greet you once you step outside the transport vehicle.

You hold onto one of Zyeryh's blades. She tightens it around yours.

This is it. This is the moment that will define everything. This is the chance to get your young back, to make sure the transport comes down safely and to get off this remote rock you've been marooned on for three years.

You feel more than a little apprehensive.

>>245190
Only natural to be apprehensive here. But try to keep casulties to an absolute minimum here. You might still be able to salvage alot of this, if nobody has a tragic loss of limbs that is. The order to take away your kids might not have come from very far up the hierarchy and could possibly not have alot of support. Because really this is a quite retarded way to go about this from their side.

So, one thing you should do is demand a communication device to contact someone alot higher up in the organisation with. See if they know anything about that.

If they don't then you might get some help in retrieving your kids. If they do then you go in there, grab your kids and then get on the transports back to the fleet and find some planet without humans to settle. Because you really don't have enough ships to conqour and if they're a bunch of backstabbing traitorous cold blooded bastards then you're way better off at some other planet.

>>245204
And once again the best plan I have is "go with this guy." :V

Even if you lose a couple kids in this process, you can always make more. :3c

They're probably just dumb humans who want a closer look at your kids. I don't think they thought you would be offended since they were under the impression that salazzarines didn't care about their young if they're still a bunch of grubs. Just stay calm, remember that as much as you hate them you still need them.

Make it clear that the humans can have all our tech, but we're taking our babies back. Also, let's not forget our bird ally. We should find and talk to him/her.

>>245190
>get off this remote rock
I suggest you suddenly remember that Eezeree originally wanted *EARTH* to be the new salazzarine staging colony. You should probably figure out if that's still the case or if they've found a new planet since then. If it's still Earth... you're going to have some 'splainin' to do to Global Overwatch. Of course, they were watching the whole situation back then, too, so they might already know that and have something prepared.

But you can think of that more after you get your shrimp back. :)

I think >>245204 said it best. Try not to kill or overly maim anyone. Most of these people are just low-level scientists... someone obviously ordered them to do this. Find out who, and why.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Humans took your kids because they want to use you the same way the Empire does – breed you like crazy as warriors to help buff up their offensive and defensive capabilities.

if worst comes to worst, as last poster said, perhaps we should claim to have telekinetic powers that connect to the empire or something. Bluffing and such.

Woryeh 2010/11/17(Wed)09:03 No. 257441 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129001339989.png - (36.04KB , 512x512 , 119.png )

The vessel reaches its destination. The humans onboard let you go freely, helped by Zyeryh waving a claw in both a derisive farewell and a not-entirely-subtle reminder of your species' natural weapons.

"We're in."
"Yes."

You both come to the realisation you have no idea where you are. After a few anticlimactic minutes of waiting for Zyeryh to decipher the near-inscrutable text of the signs dotted around, it becomes clear that there are, strangely enough, no humans around.

At all.

You look around uneasily. The sterile, subtle chill of the air leads you to wrap an arm around Zyeryh for your warmth. And maybe hers. But yours, primarily.

Woryeh 2010/11/17(Wed)09:03 No. 257442 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129001341850.png - (32.21KB , 512x512 , 120.png )

"Labs are straight ahead. Do we walk straight into the labs, or do we go for a more diplomatic approach... ssss... Diplomacy is not likely an option given previous reception, but-"
"Zyeryh. There's no-one here."
"I know, ssh, I'm thinking! ...Wait. ...No-one?"

You both move cautiously down a corridor, with Zyeryh choosing to lead the both of you towards any area marked secret, or classified, theorising that your children are likely being kept under top security.

You meet a familiar friend. Lights sprout off its surface, which would be almost intimidating if not for their complete uselessness.

"Salazzarine detected in secure sector. Requesting assistance. Requesting assistance. Requesting assistanc-"

Woryeh 2010/11/17(Wed)09:03 No. 257443 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129001343273.png - (26.54KB , 512x512 , 121.png )

You see an opportunity unlike any other.

With a swift cleaving motion, you finally get your revenge on the irritating floating ball of annoyances and interruptions. With further motions, you rip it to pieces, tearing out as much of its circuitry and mechanisms as you can while it continues to calmly and casually call for help.

Woryeh 2010/11/17(Wed)09:04 No. 257444 ID: 8d7dd2
File 12900134489.png - (22.52KB , 512x512 , 122.png )

"Yes! If we take out their surveillance drones we'll never know we're here! Good thinking, Woryeh!"

You hesitate for a moment.

"...Yes. Good thinking."

The two of you continue. The level of light seems to decrease as you go further.

Woryeh 2010/11/17(Wed)09:04 No. 257445 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129001346694.png - (13.56KB , 512x512 , 123.png )

There's a sealed door. You can't make out any form of controls to open it from this side.

"There's a control pad to your right."

You can't make out any form of-

"It looks like some form of scanner."

You can't see-

"Oh. I think it might be a handprint scanner."
"Well, that's useful. How do we-"

You hear Zyeryh slash at something in the dimness.

The door slides open.

Woryeh 2010/11/17(Wed)09:05 No. 257446 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129001351747.png - (6.33KB , 512x512 , 124.png )

"For some reason, it's designed to open if it loses power from its control pad. I can't even begin to imagine how any sapient creature would consider this a good design, so I can only assume it's either some form of cost cutting mechanism or this was deliberate."
"You think it might be a trap?"
"Maybe. I don't even know where we are any more. Maybe the signs I've been following have been set up specifically to guide us to a waiting cell."
"I can't see anything. I'm going to need you to guide me."
"Well, now you know what it's like."
"What?"
"Nothing. Let's go. No turning back. If they have any competence whatsoever, they'll just be waiting further back."

Woryeh 2010/11/17(Wed)09:05 No. 257447 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129001352978.png - (19.05KB , 512x512 , 125.png )

You suddenly feel blinded by a sudden burst of light. You hear Zyeryh screech, her eyes far more sensitive than yours.

"Well, well, well. Aren't you two familiar. Care to stop and talk for a minute?"

>>257447
Well, you haven't killed anyone; you've just broken some security measures. So, sure, since someone is actually willing to explain what's going on, I mean...

"depends on what you want to talk about" keep your stance up, you need to wait until Zyeryh recovers from the light burst.

One person, unarmed and all alone? He's probably a distraction for someone else to try and capture you. It would be a mistake to stand still for too long.

Just make it clear you're here for your children and you don't like to wait/be messed with right now. Any resistance he offers will be met with force.

>>257447
Keep moving.
"Direct us to our children and we'll talk on the way. Powerful instincts make rational discourse a troublesome proposition."

We will talk only if he's going to tell us where our children are. Then give them to us. We've had enough of humanity, and we're leaving.

>>257447
Probably not much else you can do right now. If they're even slightly competent then you won't be able to get to whoever that is or it wouldn't help you in the slightest to get to him.

Woryeh 2010/11/23(Tue)16:38 No. 259270 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129055910482.png - (9.22KB , 512x512 , 126.png )

"We're here for our children. We're not here to talk about anything else. We're here to take our children and get off this planet and away from the likes of you."

"Sorry you feel that way. No. Wait. I'm not."

The figure rushes at you with alarming speed. You don't even have time to react before it is right in front of you.

Woryeh 2010/11/23(Tue)16:38 No. 259271 ID: 8d7dd2
File 12905591174.png - (20.64KB , 512x512 , 127.png )

"I have heard more of your kind's excuses and pleas for mercy than you could ever, ever imagine, salazzarine. Do you know what happened when I listened?"

Zyeryh hisses and sharply pulls you to the left. The unseen weapon, or limb, or something strikes the metal wall next to you.

"They took my eye. I had hope. I had hope that not all of you were so ruthless, so cruel, so sadistic. I listened to another plea for mercy."

Zyeryh screeches and pulls you onto the ground with her. The wall above you squeals as metal scrapes against metal.

"Yet I remained convinced that an entire species could not be weighed on the actions of soldiers. Then I was captured."

Zyeryh struggles to pull you back, as you struggle to figure out where you even are in the darkness with Zyeryh shunting you around.

Woryeh 2010/11/23(Tue)16:38 No. 259272 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129055913164.png - (17.74KB , 512x512 , 128.png )

"They cut me to pieces. They poured over every last piece of tissue they could pull from my body. All my squad found of me was my brain and my spinal cord."

The figure's tone is calm, precise, exactly matching the almost surgical precision it seems to be trying to use against you and Zyeryh. Zyeryh can see the best out of all of you here, though. You hope. She keeps pulling and moving you out of the way, but the speed at which this human - if it's even human - figure attacks is alarming.

It could kill you at any point it wanted. It's currently giving you a speech on why it would want to kill you. And you're still alive.

It's toying with you.

Woryeh 2010/11/23(Tue)16:39 No. 259273 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129055915015.png - (14.82KB , 512x512 , 129.png )

"I wonder how it works for your people. Sent here to conquer a world with so few, sent off to succeed against all odds or die... They don't care, do they? They don't care if you live or die. It'd match what I've seen of your suicidal battle strategies, of your disregard for each other."

It stabs at where you were. Except this time you moved.

Zyeryh was right behind you.

She hadn't moved yet.

The scream she makes is deafening.

>>259273
Shout "ZYERYH!" while grabbing her and run back to base. She needs emergency medical care, and this guy won't let that happen.
DON'T THINK! JUST DO IT! NOW!

>>259273
Okay, this guy seriously outclasses you. I have no idea how on earth you're supposed to fight him.

So figure out if Zyeryh's okay. You can assess that reasonably well, right?

>>259273
What the hell? WHAT THE HELL!?

You captured US, you took away our CHILDREN! Now you're killing my mate! How are you any different from those that took your eye? Kill me, then, if you want to doom humanity to the invading fleet! The rebel ship will be here soon and if we aren't there to meet it, you can be sure there will be no alliance!

>>259273
Ok, here's a chance, strike at him right now. Hopefully you can get him to back off for a little while, or maybe even hit something vital. Atleast it might give you enough time to get her out of here and back to some medical facility.

>>259300
>>259377
Actions, not words.

You can't win this battle, so don't fight it. No suicidal tactics.
Your mate is injured, so get her help. No indifference to the lives of others.

Take her to receive treatment! Hurry!
Proving him wrong will hurt him more than anything physical you could accomplish.

>>259300

THIS!

Woryeh 2010/11/28(Sun)07:40 No. 260372 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129095883157.png - (13.77KB , 512x512 , 130.png )

"ZYERYH!"

You immediately step behind her, grabbing her as firmly as you can, trying to avoid her wound. She is bleeding heavily, but she's keeping her own arms clamped to her torso.

Salazzarine are quick to recover from most injuries that would potentially kill other species, but the closer an injury is to their core organs, the slower it takes for that injury to heal. If her vitals are unharmed, there is still every chance she will die of blood loss if she isn't treated soon.

You drag her away as fast as you can as she whimpers in fear and groans in pain.

"A tactical retreat? Clearly you are leagues ahead of your peers, to be able understand when a situation cannot end in your victory."

You don't respond. Words are wasted breath. You need every breath you take to get Zyeryh and yourself to safety.

Woryeh 2010/11/28(Sun)07:40 No. 260373 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129095884969.png - (20.62KB , 512x512 , 131.png )

"What I don't understand is why you're burdening yourself with dragging the wounded along with you. How does this benefit you?"

You remain silent. Zyeryh starts talking, quietly, struggling to speak coherently.
"Woryeh, I don't want to die, I don't want to die I'm scared it hurts Woryeh please..."
"Hold on. Just hold on. Please."

It doesn't sound like you're being followed.

In fact, you can't hear anything at all apart from the sound of Zyeryh scraping against the metal floor, and her desperate babble.

You want to shout at this metal monstrosity. You want to shout and scream and slice and rip and sever, but you would only prove it right. And it would only waste precious time you need for Zyeryh.

"I'm scared, Woryeh, it's cold, I feel sick, I'm sorry, I'm sorry this happened, I am, I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault. I'm going to help you. I'm here for you, Zyeryh. Stay with me. You mean everything to me, Zyeryh, and I'm not letting you die down here while my hearts are still beating!"

It's light enough to see the long trail of blood you're leaving behind you. You had no idea she was this badly injured.

Woryeh 2010/11/28(Sun)07:41 No. 260374 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129095886882.png - (20.45KB , 512x512 , 132.png )

In fact, you had no idea that there were going to be humans waiting at the other end of the corridor. It makes sense, of course, and you stop, lower yourself to the ground, and tightly hug Zyeryh one last time as you expect nothing more than a terrible death at their hands.

You feel slightly faint. You feel you must have overexerted yourself, that you must have pulled Zyeryh away too quickly, too long a burst of speed with no recovery. Your head feels especially warmer than normal.

"Please. Please help her. If there is anything, any shred of decency, any trace of compassion, stop my mate from bleeding to death." You can't fight back an involuntary whining noise, and just hug her tighter. They talk and you don't know their language well enough to know exactly what they say, but they sound...

They don't sound hostile. They sound... concerned.

Woryeh 2010/11/28(Sun)07:41 No. 260375 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129095889423.png - (28.24KB , 512x512 , 133.png )

Events pass by like a blur as you find yourself next to her, suited humans doing their best to try and figure out the extent of the damage. They talk to each other and one of them arrives holding a jar, which they offer to you.

You take it. It's filled with fluid and heavier than it first seemed. Inside the slightly murky fluid swim four- no, five little red wriggling larvae. As you watch, one of them starts eating another. Four of them. It's mildly upsetting to watch, but you know that this is simply how it works before your young gain anything approaching awareness.

You at least feel relieved that you have them back. Zyeryh will be relieved too. You show her the jar as she lies on the table. Still in pain, still unsure as to whether she'll even survive to see tomorrow, she looks considerably happier to see her children still alive and unharmed. Unharmed beyond expectations, of course.

You don't question why the facility has some supply of salazzarine blood to keep Zyeryh alive. You think, after what you've been through, you'd rather not know the answer.

Woryeh 2010/11/28(Sun)07:41 No. 260376 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129095891479.png - (27.31KB , 512x512 , 134.png )

Eventually, you get an explanation.

The machine, Agent Steel, was tasked with ensuring that the base was not invaded by Empire forces while the majority of the human personnel were preoccupied with other affairs, including the sudden and abrupt departure of the senokeshi ship and its one occupant, Ti Ru, but mostly relating to the Empire's attempted invasion of Earth.

Your young had been taken for investigation and to ensure that they were in fact surviving in the environmental conditions present on Earth. There had apparently been an error in communication, as the initial orders involved asking the two of you for permission or at least explaining this decision at all to either of you.

You explain about the ship and the transport heading your way. After a long period of silence, followed by a sudden flurry of untranslated discussion, they agree to let it be and not to hinder your attempts to leave the planet.

They also recommend that you inform whoever is piloting the rebel ship to get as far away from Earth as possible before their ship is flagged by Earth defence fleets as a hostile.

Woryeh 2010/11/28(Sun)07:42 No. 260377 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129095893340.png - (34.99KB , 512x512 , 135.png )

You return to Zyeryh. She's bandaged and still looks to be in some pain, but far less than before.

"...I'm not sure what I was surprised by the most. The machine stabbing me or the humans doing their best to try and help me. I don't have any major organ damage that won't clear up in a day, at least."
"Did they tell you that?"

She gives you a look. "Woryeh, remember every time I've mentioned I have an unnatural level of insight into how we work? That includes me. I know exactly what's wrong with me and it's worrying but not permanent or fatal. I'll be fine. You're still going to have to help me, of course. You're carrying that jar."

She sounds like her normal self. That's both a relief to you and slightly grating at the same time. "Well, we need to get out of here pretty quickly. That transport's going to be here any moment."

Woryeh 2010/11/28(Sun)07:43 No. 260378 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129095900079.png - (16.19KB , 512x512 , 136.png )

You both sit somewhere on the surface of Base Kappa-4, surveying the night sky.

In the distance, you see bright flashes and shapes where the Empire fleet's advance is being kept in check by ships you don't recognise.

"Well, this is thrilling."
"...After what just happened, do you want exciting?"
"Point."

She shifts around uncomfortably, trying to find a position to sit in which places the least stress on the hole straight through her torso.

"You're sure you're okay?"
"I'm sure I'm not okay, but I'm pretty sure I'm not going to suddenly drop dead from this. Any further to the right and I might have lost part of my digestive tract and part of a filtration gland but I was lucky."

Woryeh 2010/11/28(Sun)07:43 No. 260379 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129095901537.png - (10.83KB , 512x512 , 137.png )

She shifts over to you and hugs you. You hug her back. In the sky, you see an approaching red star. The transport is getting closer.

"What happens to us now?"
"We get taken aboard a ship filled with salazzarine who hate the empire and consider us close to heroes for somehow sabotaging the Empire by... not really doing anything."
"What if it's all just a trap and we just get sent back to go infiltrate another planet?"
"Then I guess we just actually do it, like you wanted to this time. Keep the world for ourself. Live like royalty."
"I guess. If we don't start trying to kill each other again."
"No. Chopping off each other's arms, maybe. Not such a big deal."
"You know, I think I read somewhere that there was a primitive salazzarine culture where couples used to give each other one of their arms as a pairing ritual."
"Hahahaha. Pairing through paring. ...Guess we're, I don't know, what, paired seven times over by now?"
"Seven? More like seventy!"

Woryeh 2010/11/28(Sun)07:43 No. 260380 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129095902834.png - (13.18KB , 512x512 , 138.png )

As the transport gets closer, the two of you talk and reminisce on the few good times you both shared, both early into your mission and from when you reconciled again. You both watch the jar with your larvae, now reduced to two. You both wonder what parenting will be like.

At least, you both agree, it will be better than living as a test subject for nearly all your life.

"...And if worst comes to worst, well!"
"Hmm?"
"I'm sure I can come up with a plan to resolve everything!"
"Heh. Yeah. I'm sure you can!"
"As long as you help, of course."
"Of course."
"Well, ship's here."

The two of you stand, holding the jar between you, and get ready to board the transport.

Woryeh 2010/11/28(Sun)07:44 No. 260381 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129095904248.png - (19.88KB , 512x512 , 139.png )

You were sent here to infiltrate, along with Zyeryh. The two of you rejected your intended purposes, and chose to follow your own paths.

Those paths split, but eventually, those paths rejoined. And the new path you now share stretches far and promisingly in front of the both of you.

Wherever it leads is uncertain, but one thing is definite. It leads away from the Empire. It leads to a better future.

It leads to freedom.

Woryeh 2010/11/28(Sun)07:44 No. 260382 ID: 8d7dd2
File 129095906091.png - (15.54KB , 512x512 , end.png )

- End. -

d'awww!

>>260382
GOOD END :D
<3

Cir <3