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[Redbelle]

*Transition*

 

The two hour trek to the Drowned Aspire proved as tough and challenging as the group had forseen.

 

They'd bid a temporary farewell to those who turned and rode off following the tracks that connected the port to the Asari fabrication plant. Jess knew, they manufactured the Silas armour there. Getting them to admit and sell them some for the Audron would be a tricky affair. She wished them luck.

 

For her's however, they trudged on without complaint. Noting that overhead, birds with giant wingspans and great curved  beaks, covered in fur flew around them. The life on this planet seemed to have adapted to the low atmosphere. A picked apart skeleton of some giant beast on the route told them the ecosystem seemed to be alive and healthy. Once or twice they thought they saw giant dog like creatures poke their heads up from some of the weathered rises they rode past but if anything else was alive out there, they were keeping their distance.

 

They rode on, taking water when needed, using their rebreather's sparingly, letting the steeds do the work that would have left themselves, half dead and delirious from exersion.  Easy picking's for the giant birds that the VI identified as Th'drok's. Non native, brought in to try and kickstart the local wildlife as well as a host of other lifeforms deemed suitable for enduring the planet's conditions.

 

There was a footnote at the bottom of the page, referencing that once, it was believed the planet hosted it's own unique lifeforms with a much, much more suitable atmoshpere. What had caused the change was unknown. Reading on the VI recounted the leading theory of a meteor impact. Yet while crater's had been found, no one could have caused such devastation on it's on or collectively.

 

As interesting as the information was, Jess stopped the sprawl as up ahead they saw wall's and the red, rusting upper top of a hull from an old mining ship that had obviously seen it's last planetfall. Now it served as a swelling. A not uncommon fate for such ships that were designed at the beginning of humanities effort's to begin mining the galaxy for resources. Hastily constructed, hard to maintain. They were ships built in earnest, meant to eastablish a quick presence for humanity in the galactic mining business. Since then the designs had been more carefully thought out and construction effort's better funded and managed with better, more sophesticated mining technologies packed inside. This ship was essenitally built to haul people and equipment to places and then take off with a heavy load.

 

Now it was junk. Albeit, junk of incredibly solid engineering. The hull thick and heavy from overengineering.

 

The walls were drawing up. Large hydraulic jaws that served as gates lay before them while two mannded towers on either side held a group of men who Jess saw pointing and waving to inside the compund.

 

They'd arrived.

[Kel Riever]

(Note:  The following happened on the way to the Drowned Aspire, and was a collaboration with Shotgun Julia)

 

Morgan hung back a bit with Dahlia while they rode. The asari was silent, which struck Morgan as a bit unusual for someone who often had a lot to say. No stranger to needing a bit of room for quiet, he rode for a while next to her, both of them taking in the wild and barren surroundings. With the flat land and thin air of Duellos, a person could see for miles. In a way, the untamed planet was stunning to look at.

 

"Well," Morgan asked Dahlia after a while, "Here we are, on our way to doing something interesting. How does it feel?"

 

Dahlia sat silently for a second before answering. "I'm just taking it all in, and listening to the sounds out on the trail. These steeds are nice and everything, but I wonder what it was like to ride their organic counterparts? No mechanical noise and just listen to nature around us. Nature is magnificent, isn't it?"

 

Morgan nodded once, and rode for a bit before speaking again, “So, you’re off Omega. Nice planet. Dusty, maybe, but not a bad place to start. Plenty of opportunity for someone like you if you want to go off on your own. Why stick around?”

 

“Well, I’d been held by a gang headed by a couple of Batarian heavies after they killed my parents when I was 75,” she looked over at him and said. “We were poor, and I had worked at our family store. Then the gang came and robbed us. We’d been robbed before, but nothing like this. The Batarian used a net weapon on me and they kept me drugged. They collared me and used me as a slave for five years.

 

“They were in the drug trade. Then, ten years ago, I was packaging drugs for them and providing other ‘services’ when Aria raided them. They’d apparently crossed territories. Aria found me. She usually puts girls like me to work as dancers and sets us up in apartments, but she put me through some tests. She said that I had promise and with proper training could rise in her organization. She saved me…. I owe her.”

 

Morgan tilted his head as he listened to Dahlia. “So you don’t want to run, even if you could.” He studied Dahlia. “Is that what this is about for you? Paying off your debt to her for saving you?”

 

She looked at the 'mane' of her mecha-steed, glanced at Naleena, then turned to Morgan. "I'd like to run off, yes, but it's not just about me. What about her? Aria gave Naleena a contract: to teach me. I'm guessing working with you is part of that. Honestly, I'm glad she's letting me work with you. Still, if I ran off now it would affect her, and there would be consequences. I may be young, but I'm not crazy.

 

"At some point, I may leave Aria's organization. Say after Naleena's contract, and I've earned enough creds to book passage onto another world. She's been cool with that so long as you don't set up shop and compete with her on Omega. Still finding a job wouldn't be easy."

 

"You'll find something to do." Morgan saw the others ahead of Dahlia and him, out of normal volume earshot for a voice. "If you can put aside that tendency to be impudent, maybe a little rude. You may know what you're doing sometimes but that doesn't mean someone else does. Some people prefer if you knock on the door before you come in. Do you know what I mean?"

 

"Yeah, I tend to just barge in, don't I?" she laughed a little and flushed a bit purple thinking about the second floor of the saloon.

 

"A little," Morgan said. He hadn't seen Dahlia embarrassed about anything before. It made an impression. "How about the others, Vayne, Jess. There hasn't been much time but I missed a good chunk of it on the Audron. You talk to them at all?"

 

"I've talked to Jess and Anika. Jess tried to get me to do mechanical stuff fixing a refrigeration unit she's building for Naleena. She started talking about working in the engine room on her ship and stuff like that," Dahlia said, "but then we had to go do something else. I mean what do I know about engines? I haven't had a chance to talk to Vayne, yet."

 

"You like the idea of working on the engine?"

 

"Not really. I've been doing more spying stuff for Aria... you know stuff like B&E, keeping tabs on her opposition, and her friends and reporting back to her," she said, "It's kind of fun, but I know it's small time. Still one slip, if I mis-time anything I could be dead. I guess that's why Aria put me with Naleena. She's supposed to be one of the best. And if she's letting me go with you, that says something."

 

"Maybe," Morgan considered. "I don't know if Naleena and I exactly see things the same way. But neither of us would throw anyone to the side of the road, unless they deserved it."

 

"But look at her," Dahlia said, "This isn't just about a mission. Goddess! She's playing the role of a bad ass gun fighter in a posse. And she's smoking... a pipe?"

 

Morgan spied Naleena riding along with Anika. Between the poncho, the sombrero, the black leather coat, and the...pipe, they certainly looked the part. "I don't know. Looks like it works from here. Although the plate mail krogan kind of throws the whole thing off."

 

Jess was on the other side of Anika. Morgan thought about the conversation they had in the room, and watched her in her full regalia, riding like the pirate queen she was. Well, a pirate queen in a western.

 

"We should move up with the rest now," Morgan suggested. "Being interrogated to your grave is a terrible way to die."

 

Dahlia laughed at Morgan's remark about the Vayne's armor, spurred her steed, and caught up with the rest of the group with Morgan, her scarf flapped in the breeze.

[Cainhurst Crow]

((Flashback Post, in Semi-Collab with Kel))

 

-Some time Earlier-

Vayne watched the others leave, raising a brow as he turned his attention to the store.

 

No way was he riding that metal monster so soon, and he relished the line it took to reach the front where the old human and turian were, so he could get his armor repaired. Vayne looked between the two, unsure of which one was this maud person, or if either of them were, or if either of them knew a thing about what he needed.

 

"Either of you know how to repair armor electronics?" Vayne asked, looking between the two with an arched brow.

 

The old turian behind the counter looked at the old man and said, "You know about that stuff, Ned?"

 

The old man said back, "Nope, Tirrus.  But I do know a guy who Calvin Brisbane once had work do for him, and that guy knew a feller by the name of Meebles who swore he was sharp with the tools.  And that feller named Meeples was the one who Gullet used to fix his merc suit this one time.   And it was all shot to pieces, with life support out, hydraulics out, heads up display out, barrier shields out, flashlight out..."

 

"Meeples huh?" Vayne asked curiously, eye shifting between the two as they spoke, "Sounds like a good guy. Is he?" Vayne asked curiously, wanting to get as much information as possible before seeing this guy.

 

"Sure, if you're lookin to get ripped off maybe." Tirrus said rolling his eyes, gaining a look of annoyance from the older human next to him.

 

"Now you stop with that there talk, Tirrus. Meeples is a good fella, fixes things up good and well." Ned said, looking to vayne as tirrus once more scoffed, "Yeah, he's real good, and charges real good for his work too. Cept if you offer to buy him a drink that is. Then he'll just drink you under the table 'stead of chargin ya."

 

Ned and tirrus looked at each other a long while before ned spoke up, "Ya'll have to forgive my friend here. He once had a bad time with Meeples on the count of his armor taking a bit long to fix up."

 

"It took a week, and only because he got drunk and was picked up for it by the sheriff." Tirrus said, giving vayne a serious look, "Look mister. Meeples is good, but he ain't no good, got it?" he asked, as if vayne would understand what that meant, "If you got a week to stay here, Meeples the one to see. Otherwise, well, best of luck to ya is all I gotta say."

 

Vayne had stayed silent as he watched the back and forth, aware most of the other customers had gotten a bit uncomfortable, some mutters about the crowd in agreement or disagreement. Vayne however looked between the two of them as he asked his final question.

 

"What do you mean, best of luck? You mean there isn't other places to get things repaired?"

 

Both tirrus and ned looked at each other, some kind of understanding between the two before they looked to vayne, "Look buddy, you may not rightly know this, but Duellos ain't exactly a rich kinda colony here. We're a little of what some of the other folks might call, back water."

 

"We got plenty of mechanics if you're looking to fix up ships, buildings, steeds, and whatever else have you. Guns and armor though, they's another issue all together. Sheriff don't like the idea of folks having guns and armor the law don't know about. They handle all kinds of reapirs of that sort."

 

"And as much as I don't like Meeples, by the spirits he ain't nearly as bad as what some of those law men do with tech they happen to take a likin to." Tirrus said, an angry click ending his sentence from his mandibles, "So unless you want to risk losing whatever armor needs repairing, and you ain't looking to stay here long, you're better off waiting till you get off world."

 

"Or buying a new one," ned said as he pointed a thumb to the back, "Got a few sets we can sell ya for a good bargain."

 

Vayne looked between the two, giving a nod as he took out 2 10 credit chits, putting them both down on the counter between the two, "Much obliged. Take that as a tip, long with the other stuff I'm gonna need."

 

Both shop keeps looked to the chits before looking to vayne, "What sort of stuff you looking for?"

 

"Gonna want to see those armors of yours first off..." Vayne commented as he looked about the store, eye scanning for what he might need, "How much for those belts you got hanging up there," Vayne asked as he looked up to some leather harnesses hanging near the wall, "And some omnigel dye."

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Vayne had gotten the message and coordinates to meet up with the others out in the desert, apparently they were getting ready to make their move on these cultist. He had mounted the metal death rocket, as he had taken to calling it, with his new and improved armor. If he was going to face these cultists, he might as well be prepared for whatever might come.

 

His armor was a bit more polished looking with the red racing like stripes he'd added in various places, matching a bit with the paint job of his mecha steed, though not nearly as the other stuff he had bought that he only put on once he had gotten some distance out of town. He had two rather large belts, both of which he fashioned over his chest, sporting a row of thermal clips he could get to for easy access. They were a darker brown color, going well with the red and untouched steel color of the tungsten plates, though the haphazardly fashioned stabilizer for his hump, a few miniature hydraulics rested on the small of his armors back, and linked to his omnitool, would do well to keep him from losing his balance as much. A lot of rewiring and additions had been put on thanks to the omnigel and some wielding, an easy feat thanks to the armor being made of metal instead of ceramic, on his sides, under his shoulder pads, and on the sides of his thighs, now had the tiniest looking strips of shield generating modules, helping to boast his armors shields without weighing him down too much with needing an additional generator. However, his arms had the most change, as the tops his hands, with a line connecting to his omnitools interface, was a rather noticeable looking cluster of modules, painted red and much larger then the others. These had needed to be connected to his suits power system, unlike the minute regenerating ones he'd reinforced his armor with, and had to be switch activated. Vayne had seen batarains use these to great effect during his time as a merc, and if he was going to battle in a poorer quality armor, he might as well get some extra bang for his current buck.

 

The ride was nice for vayne, the hot weather feeling quite cool to the krogan, and the vast deserts reminding him of his childhood home, minus the toxic methane-ethane atmosphere and puddles of boiling water. He still rode with his mask however, allowing the sun and wind as Death Machine thundered along, its heavy power cell and rumbling motorized joints scaring off a lot of smaller creatures.

 

He hated to admit it, but he was starting to like this thing. The VI was a pain, giving him updates he didn't want, sometimes veering sharply for pits or rocks and almost toppling vayne over, but it was a steady sort of ride, powerful, like a proper tank should be.

 

"Despite your ugliness, I think you deserve a name..." Vayne said, looking down at the mecha steed as the display showed a question mark in response.

 

"Currently no registered account found. What user account do you wish for this steed?" It asked in its same digital voice, vayne pondering a moment. This thing wasn't like the horrifying Kokouh, which stalked the sands and ate your eyes when you weren't paying attention. It was like a tank, a mini tank, his little quadruped armored vehicle.

 

"Too bad you don't have any weapons." Vayne commented as the display highlighted the steed, zooming in on the mecha-steeds mouth region. "Weapon system present in this unit. Would you like to know more?"

 

Vayne looked at the screen, then tilted his head towards the steeds mouth, "A hidden accelerator cannon? So you are a tank." Vayne said with a grin on his face, "What owner managed to make you, I wonder."

 

"Previous owner information is not found. Please create new user account."

 

"Alright then. I think I'm going to call you....Applejack." Vayne said as they rode off towards the others.

 

"User Account "Applejack" Recognized." The digital voice said as the two continued to ride as fast as they could, the loud noise the only thing around for miles and miles.

 

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

 

Vayne arrived a little time after the others had, spotting their group as he rode up to them, bringing applejack to a stop. He looked between them, eyes moving towards them and their various fashion choices as he raised a brow to them.

 

"What in the verse are you people wearing?" he asked, looking towards their hats as his eye locked onto jess, "Especially you." he said, pointed to her as he steadied applejack, who took a step forward involuntarily.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The sun was beginning to go down. Naleena took a puff on her pipe and checked her pocket watch. Her eyes were like slits as she scanned the area around them. She was getting hungry. She stopped her steed, pulled out her Carnifex, and attached a shoulder stock. She aimed the pistol  and shot what looked like a small deer that was grazin' out near some cacti about 200 yds away.

"Looks like it's gonna get dark soon. We'd better set up camp." Naleena looked over at Dahlia and Morgan. "The two of you should gather some firewood. Irina and I will skin an prepare this."

"What are you going to cook it in?" Jess asked.
 
Naleena eyed Vayne. "Since no one brought any cooking supplies, it looks like the hump part of his Tomkah armor. Don't worry Vayne. We'll clean it out after we're done."

Vayne let out a sigh, which soon turned into a chuckling grin, "Believe it or not, this wouldn't be the first time I've needed to use armor that way." he said as he cracked his neck, "Some folks will have to help me get it off. Just make sure you guys don't mess up the paint too bad, its still new." He brought his damaged suit of armor with him, and handed it to Jess. "I heard you have experience patching up things like this. Can you take a look at it?"

Jess looked it over and smiled. "Well this is a well a truely piece of prestidge equipment of the sort that we in the trade like to call.... Scrap. Bust beyond repair. Destined for the great recycler in the sky. Any good armoursmith would tell you to toss it and get some newer, more fancy armour."

Jess grinned. "Good thing you came to see one of the better one's who hasn't time for nimbying when a piece of equipment needs bringing back in line. I can't fix it as it was right now without the tools for the job. Luckily I have access to those. What I need is the time to do it. Till then, I can bypass those generators and rig you up with some standard battery powered units. The kind that strap around you on a belt. That'll bypass alot of that radiation the ME generator's would otherwise throw out. Some of those electrical componant's I can bypass and run straight to the battery packs. But so you know the batteries won't last long at full power. This piece of the past needs alot of work. But when I'm done, she'll dance, sing and whislte and give a run for it's money with any modern armour you care to mention."

Jess went to work on Vayne's newer set of armor. Anika built the fire, and Naleena cut pieces of meat and threw them into the hot steel "kettle." After the meat was thoroughly cooked, they sat down for a hearty meal of venison. After dinner, the group exhanged stories from their homeworlds. Dahlia told the legend about Omega: that it could be built into a structure like the Citadel but it was being exploited for eezo. Naleena told the story about Lusia and the Krogan rebellions. Vayne told about the legends of the Ancients on Tuchanka. Morgan didn't say much. Irina just said she was going to go for a captain cook around the camp. Jess rambled on about some legend of a Captain Jack Sparrow and weaved the tale well. Then it was off to bed. Vayne ended up cleaning his own armor and took first watch. Anika was sandwiched in between Jess and Naleena, but was facing Naleena. Morgan was spooning with Jess. Dahlia felt like a fifth wheel and was cold. Irina took second watch and draped her coat over Dahlia and sat by the fire while Vayne went to sleep and almost woke the entire camp with his snoring.

[Kel Riever]

Previously...( http://forum.bioware...res/?p=16708694 )

 

Earth, New York City

 

“Way to throw me under the bus, Richards,” Detective Molly Hagen said to the NYPD officer in the X3M squad car.

 

“What was I supposed to do?” Pete Richards threw an arm up. “Captain Ganis needs evidence for protection. I did what I was supposed to and talked to the family. They have a security guard, and are now appropriately freaked out. Is that what we were going for?”

 

“Freaked out is better than oblivious,” Hagen commented. The squad car was parked in view of the Severn’s building, late at night. Like the Citadel, New York was a hub of civilization that never fully shut down, so comers and goers of all types were still on the streets. “Maybe Ganis will come around.”

 

“I doubt it. One thing that won’t help, though, is doing something he didn’t approve of, like staking out the Severn’s building even if we aren’t supposed to.”

 

Hagen glanced sideways at Richards. “It’d be too much to ask to have you not follow me around, wouldn’t it?”

 

Pete snickered, and faced the detective. For a moment he focused on the dark beauty mark above and to the left of her upper lip, then he brought himself back to reality. “That’s my job. And you’d be here anyway, so what if something actually happens and I’m not here?”

 

“You think they could be in danger too, then?”

 

“No. No I just…,” Richards stopped as he saw a man in a brown coat stop in front of the Severn’s building. He wasn’t leaving and typed on an omni-tool.

 

Detective Hagen made to get out of the car.

 

“Hold on,” Pete said, putting his hand out. “I recognize him. That’s a reporter for the Times. Let me talk to him.”

 

Hagen stayed put, then warned, “If it’s a reporter, either of us bothering him will just raise his suspicions.”

 

“I’ll make it innocent,” Richards attempted to ease Hagen’s apprehensions. “No reference to anything other than asking about what he’s doing. Routine.” He hopped out of the squad car and went towards the man.

 

Molly observed. There was a brief interaction, a laugh was exchanged, and the man walked away while Richards took a turn around the corner. Richards was likely taking a roundabout route back to the squad car, which he had done before. When the man in the brown coat was finally far enough off, Hagen watched the building entrance once more.

 

“What a jock,” Hagen said to no one about Richards while she waited for his return.

[Kel Riever]

Morgan didn’t like the look of the Drowned Aspire compound from the moment he laid eyes on it.  Using the solid construction of a crashed ship was a smart idea and extending walls that would keep out undesirables wasn’t likely necessary, but could be understood out in this rugged world.  But there were several towers, albeit many seeming to hold sensors and communications arrays, and yet there was also a sophisticated gate mechanism and dry moat.  Basically, it was a fortress. 

 

The evening had caught up faster than expected, and because the compound closed its gates at night, the decision had been made to go in at sunrise.  Everyone had plenty of gear and know-how to camp outside in the cool, dry weather.  Morgan had felt the events of the camp were a bit odd, but glossed over the details.  The food was delicious, the company better than decent, and by the time everyone lay down under the clear night sky, Morgan had found himself wrapped around Jess, and Dahlia was near him on the other side, wrapped in a coat Irina had generously placed on her.  He fell asleep lightly, until Irina had woken him for the shift that would pass through into the wee hours.

 

Nothing eventful happened while Morgan watched, though some of the wildlife made for interesting sounds.  It was Vayne’s turn to catch the last guard until dawn so Morgan managed to wake him without being punched out before he caught his last couple of hours of sleep.  When he lay down, he was a bit stiff, but welcomed the necessary rest.  He blacked out almost immediately.

 

“Morgan.”

 

Iyana looked down at Morgan with lustful eyes.  She lay atop him, lifting herself on her elbows, stroking his chest.  As she spoke, Morgan could see her fangs.

 

“Morgan, it’s not like you to run away.  I know what happened.  You were scared.  And for that, I must apologize.”

 

Iyana and Morgan lay naked upon a bed covered in scarlet silk sheets, in a circular room of white.  Morgan tried to move but couldn’t, as if Iyana’s weight wouldn’t allow him.  On his back, he only saw the upper part of her body, leaning on him, porcelain, pristine and perfect.  But an enormous, black, snake’s tail slithered across his chest to help hold him down.  Morgan knew, somehow, that the snake’s tail was part of Iyana’s body that he could not see.

 

“Come back to me, Morgan.  Although, someone has to pay.  Forgiveness is not something we go by in our line of employment.”

 

A red line of blood started to drip out the side of Iyana’s mouth.  The irises of her eyes were becoming slits.  Somewhere within her throat, a low growl rumbled.

 

“I want you to bring them, Morgan,” Iyana said as she leaned in. “Bring them to me.”

 

Morgan jolted awake, and his eyes shot open wide.  He felt his face covered in sweat.

[Redbelle]

Huck cast his eye's out across the barren land infront of him from his perch in the tower. Night had closed in and the temperature had already fallen. WRapped up as he was he still felt the chill air on his right side that faced away from the heat rod that stood next to him, discharging it's eight hour power source to provide a touch of warmth in the chill night air. It would have been better had the tower been given windows. Or even a mass effect atmosphere bubble. But Old Man Jeb would have known of it. The planet revealed the will, vigour and desire of the faithful, turning away the weak from their door before they opened.

 

Huck cast his eye's over, away from the expanse before him and looked in the direction where the latest band of potential new inititiates had made camp. They were a large group. Not the largest he had seen. And varied in the races. He had counted two humans. The rest, not human. Back in the day that would have been a problem. But now? Alien races had been embraced once the Aspire had learned just how powerful their message was to people whose cradle of origin was not Earth. The message of becoming all you could be had touched the minds and the hearts of many of the other races and the Aspire had heard, resisted, then fell to the sheer swell of desire that had poured forth from people who wished to learn what the Aspire offered to teach.

 

Huck cast his mind back as the group had approached. A lone woman had split off and approached. Looking for all intent's and purposes like an cowboy from the old Earth western films........ Tourist.

 

She come up to the door. "Hey"!

 

"Hey"! He'd called down. "Gates closed till morning"!

 

"We're here to see your boss"!

 

"You deaf? Gate closed! Go wait with the rest of the potentials"! He had pointed off and over off in the distance, off to the side was a rock formation. Huck knew, it would hold and release the days heat during night and provide some measure of comfort against the cold night's air. "Keep the breather's on and Your heat sticks turned up! You can probably share with the other's waiting there"!

 

The woman had turned to look in the direction he had pointed. She turned back. Paused. "Others"?

 

"Rest of the potential initiates"! He called back down. "Made it just in time! Everyone spends a night outside the wall when they arrive"!

 

The woman seemed agitated. "We're just here to see your boss"!

 

Now Huck was annoyed. "No one see's Ol'Jeb till they pass a night on the outside! You don't like it? Crawl back home! Your either here to learn to break the limit's you impose on yourself or your wasting yours and mines time"!

 

The woman had shaken her head, turned and gone back to her group. They'd talked. They'd argued. They'd turned and headed for the rocks. Old Man Jeb said this was the planet testing the resolve of all who came here. They needed people of grit. Duellos tested grit. Those who had it were given welcome. Those who didn't were turned away. It was a kindess, Ol'Jeb had told them. They were an army of the faithful. Bent to become more and find the potential that their previous daily lives refused to allow them to reach. It was hard and gruelling but the lucky ones in that group, like Huck himself, would find meaning within their walls

 

Didn't mean it wasn't still damn cold.

 

Huck blinked and the memory was gone. Instead, just the lights of the heat sticks and glow rods off by the rocks where they and others were gathered. He drew his coat closer and huddled next to the heat stick. Just a few more hours.

[Redbelle]

Jess held a marshmellw to the Heat Stick. "Thanks for sharing luv's"! She told the couple who they had met. They had come fully prepared for the night, unlike Jess's group. Stripping her's and Anika's sheild belts however had allowed her to form an atmospheric shield that, though not fully functional, held back some of the heat the sticks gave off keeping the worst of the chill off the group.

 

"No problem. I'm glad you were here. I wasn't looking forward to this". The woman who called herself Lindy said.

 

"Now Lin's...... We both talked about this". The man called Mikal soothed. "The works drying up in the mine and they gave my contract to that new group who arrived. This is all we can do".

 

"We could go home.....".

 

"Your parent's and mine would never allow us to be together. And.... that's what you want right? To be together"?

 

Lindy turned and held a hand to his face. "I never got to see much of you in that mine".

 

"I had to work to put food on the table Lin's.....". Mikal said, then looked at Jess who continued roasting her marshmellow. "Sorry..... it's just..... life didn't exactly go the way we planned".

 

"Seldom does luvs". Jess sighed. Pulling her stick away and popping the marchmellow in her mouth. "Well, I'm turning in. Those belt's go down wake me up. i'm going to find a human hot water bottle to snuggle with".

 

Jess rolled over to her side, sliding herself over Dahlia who was under Irinia's coat as she slid over Morgan. "Make room luv". She grunted as she slid in beside him. "I just want you for your body tonight". She looked over at the others. They all seemed to have other's to snuggle up to. Except Vayne whose armour Jess had found came with it's own temperature regulator that was broken. A quick rewire and it was fixed. He was probably the warmest out of all of them.

 

Jess pushed Morgan back abit till he rocked into Dahlia. "Hey...". Came her weak, sleepy protest.

 

"Oh you know you want him tonight". Jess teased her as she moved her bicep under her head to act as a pillow and closed her eyes.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena and Anika were spooning with Naleena obviously on the outside. Irina had watch duty. She sat with her back to the fire with her back to the camp watching the area. Periodically she'd get up and make a patrol the area. She knew the region and she knew that her group had some expensive gear and would be a target for thieves. Anyone who tried would end up in a grave.

 

Morgan had been moving and his scent aroused Dahlia, and she turned to face him. She did so carefully so as not to poke him in the eye with her crest. She noticed Morgan was wide awake and had been sweating. The pupils on his eyes were dilated. He exposed his chest to the cold night air. It felt good to him at the moment, but soon he would be cold after the sweat evaporated.

 

“Morgan? Are you alright?” Dahlia asked, “Here, you’re going to catch cold.” She tried to share some of the coat with him.

[Kel Riever]

With the faintest hint of the next day’s silver light on the horizon, Morgan found himself looking at Dahlia who was sharing the coat Irina had wrapped herself in.  He wiped the sweat off with his gloved hand, and groggily replied, “Nightmare.  Enviro..suit…beneath the armor.”  The coat felt warm around him.  “Not as comfortable, though.

 

“Sonofa…,” Morgan then exclaimed, unraveling himself, sitting upright and putting his palms to his forehead.  He couldn’t remember all the details of his dream, but he remembered the last bit.  Morgan had opened the chest plate on his armor without realizing it, and he became aware as the cold air seeped in.  Quickly, he covered up. 

 

It was too early to get up and moving around.  Morgan stole a glance at Dahlia, who watched him with her purple eyes, dark in the night, framed by her white facial markings.  What did she see? Morgan couldn’t help but think as he lay down again, eyes wide open.  He didn’t get back under the coat, and waited for the environment skin suit to adjust his temperature again. 

 

“After we get up and get going,” Morgan said quietly to Dahlia, “once we get into that compound, I think you should stick with Jess and me, unless Naleena tells you otherwise.”  Morgan didn’t explain why.  He closed his eyes, trying to sleep once more, but he knew it would be useless.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Dahlia nodded in agreement, and saw him close his eyes. She took her hand and timidly brought it to his head, then stroked his hair around his ear gently. Dahlia understood about nightmares. She needed comforting after hers. Perhaps Morgan needs some comforting, now. She thought.

[Kel Riever]

Holy s**t! Morgan thought as he bolted upward when he felt Dahlia's hand pass his ear, so fast as to accidentally graze his forehead with hers.  It wasn't enough to leave a mark, but the scrape stung both of them sharply.  Morgan put his hand to his head, wincing, while Dahlia cried out in surprise.  

 

"Sorry!"  Morgan was on his feet.  He glanced down and made sure Dahlia was all right.  Confused, and frightened by something he couldn't currently explain, Morgan quickly made an excuse, "I'll check on Vayne."  He started towards the krogan, and stopped after a few paces, looking over his shoulder at Dahlia while he still rubbed his head.  Then he kept going.

 

Morgan was at a loss for words, other than thinking to himself, This shouldn't be happening.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Dahlia sat for a moment, confused, as Morgan walked away. Her eyes partly filled. I know I should let him be, but I can't. I was just supposed to learn. This wasn't supposed to happen. She sprung to her feet and pulled the coat over her shoulders and ran after Morgan.

 

"Morgan! Wait! I was only.... Did I offend you?"

[Kel Riever]

"No!" Morgan said as Dahlia was catching up to him.  "No," He repeated again when she did.  He was on the pale side, while he gathered his thoughts.  Morgan doubled back for his hat that he left on the ground.  He quickly snatched it up, placed it back on his head, and walked briskly towards Vayne, who he saw making sure a couple of dog like predators were keeping their distance at the edge of camp.  

 

"Let's not talk about this," Morgan went on.  "I can't think straight enough as it is."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Dahlia accepted Morgan's reply. "Alright, Morgan. I'll be back at the fire."

 

The ruckus jostled Naleena from her slumber, and she spotted Dahlia. "What's going on?"

 

"Morgan just had a bad dream, that's all," Dahlia replied.

 

"That's not all. What else?" Naleena asked.

 

"If you want to know, ask Morgan," she replied and sat down by the fire.

 

***

 

About then a yelp was heard east of the camp followed by some growling and a familiar voice. "Come on! You want some, too?" Irina was outside of camp and had bagged one of the two dog-like predators. Its mate was threatening her. She grunted threateningly and ran at it with her SOG knife raised in her right hand and her left arm wrapped thickly with leather. It whined and ran off. "Bloody vermin!" She walked back to the huge boulder near where she killed the other one, picked it up and brought it back to camp.

 

Vayne was speaking with Morgan.

 

"Here's what's been dogging us all night, Vayne. Bloody pests," Irina's right arm was covered in blood. It was not hers. "You've got to be careful with these. They've got rear fangs in their mouths. Quite poisonous. The toxin is quite useful in small doses for immobilizing enemies if you're using throwing knives or crossbows."

 

"Why didn't you just shoot it?" Vayne asked.

 

"Because people were sleeping." She said, "Damn, you people think you've got to use a gun for everything."

[Kel Riever]

At sun up, everyone was breaking camp.  The inquisitive could get a close up of one of Duellos’ predators thanks to Irina.  After a brief breakfast of mostly what was leftover from the previous night, the group packed up and made for the gate of the Drowned Aspire.

 

Mikal and Lindy, the traveling couple Jess had befriended the evening before, gave a wave and were on their way a bit ahead.  When the group mounted up and got moving, there was some small talk, but for his part, Morgan kept to himself, with the exception of engaging Vayne to make himself look busy in conversation.  All the chatter stopped as they approached the gate, however, which opened as Mikal and Lindy came close.

 

The evening sleep didn’t improve the looks of the compound to Morgan.  Two manned posts were on either side of the gate, which was some sort of swivel jaw construction designed to close one wall behind the other when shut.  Rotated open, it made a flat level entrance for people to walk on across a deep, dried moat.  Three armed men came out of the first post to meet the couple.  They were a bit ahead, but the conversation could be heard.

 

One guard inquired, “Church or business?”

 

“Church,” Mikal answered, “Though we certainly can work.  We’re just happy to find out all about this place and see if we can help with your community.”

 

“Glad to hear it young man.  You’re going to follow Carter here, he’ll take you up to where all the initiates meet for morning prayers.”  Another guard beckoned for Mikal and Lindy to follow him.

 

Thinking quickly Morgan tried to come up with some front.  If it came down to hard questions, they could be in trouble.  A once over of their group pretty much revealed what looked like three guards – Anika, Vayne and himself – one local, and a bunch of off-world types.  Jess had spoken up last night, asking to see their ‘boss’, and as she did then, she moved to the front to address the men once more.  Morgan spurred his steed forward to match her by her side.

 

“Hey,…” Jess began.

 

Morgan interrupted, “Enough with the niceties.  We’ve been out there to accommodate these people’s way and time is pressing.”

 

Jess looked at Morgan like he was crazy.

 

“Ma’am,” Morgan added.

 

“Excuse me, but this is our place,” one of the guards gruffly intervened. “What are the lot of you here for, church or business?  Because if it’s neither, you can all head back the way you came.”

 

“We’re here because of the Thresher Maw problem you’re going to have,” Morgan lied.

 

“What?”

 

“Sorry for my rudeness,” Morgan said, and glanced briefly at Jess before he put on his most serious tone, “But we need to see whoever is in charge, on business I presume, because we’re here to let you know about the Thresher maw problem that is going to hit Duellos, and more specifically, your compound.

 

The two guards looked at each other confused.

 

“We’re the EWL, Early Warning Liasons, sent from council space.  You know Thresher Maw spores are carried through space by intergalactic travelers, lying dormant until they hit a suitable habitat to infest.”  Morgan motioned to Jess, and then the two asari.  “This is our engineer, and our two representatives who want to let whoever is in charge know what’s coming.”

 

“Who are the rest of you,” the guard who hadn’t spoke yet asked, dumbfounded.

 

“We’re here to make sure this team gets where they need to go safely.  And of course,” Morgan motioned next to Irina, “Our guide.”

 

The guards looked at each other nervously.  One seemed ready to let them through but the other seemed uncertain, and challenged, “We should really send word on up and have you wait here for confirmation.”

 

Morgan shook his head sadly, “You know what, if you’ve got an handle on this already, we have to move on and warn other places.  We can’t have our experts tied up with you for endless hours.  If you’re in good shape, we’ll get going.”  He spurred his steed again and slowly turned around.

 

A cry went up from inside the nearest post. “Wait! I know what those things are!”  Stumbling out of a side door, a thin man with a long nose came running.  He stopped just after he exited, kicking up dust around his feet.  “Them Thresher Maws is as big as a building.  And they spits acid.  Let em on up.”

 

“Are you sure?…”

 

“Don’t you question me!  I’m in charge here,” the thin man scolded.  He then took on a nicer tone, addressing Morgan and Jess.  “You go on up, all the way straight in on Main towards the mining ship.  There’s a fortified building there, can’t miss it, and next to it is Administration.  Check in there for meetings and tell ‘em Tom Tanner sent you.  Get your name on the books because it gets busy as affairs build up during the day.”

 

Morgan turned his steed around, and tipped his hat.  “Thank you, Mister Tanner.  I’ll be sure to put good word in of your assistance.”

[Kel Riever]

I can’t believe that worked, Morgan thought to himself.  He was more surprised at whatever took him over and had him jump in to derail the whole conversation.  Morgan found himself unable to look at Jess as he rode next to her.  He couldn’t help but ask himself if she was angry with him.

 

Whether Jess was or not, the group spilled out into the compound before she said anything.  Within the walls, the place was as bland as the town they had seen stepping out of the starport.  Maybe more so, though it wasn't nearly the size.  The ground rose upward, with a road going straight to the crashed mining ship.  Side walkways showed what anyone would expect in a frontier habitat, but more crowded in.  And Morgan noted the distinct lack of any attempt whatsoever at flair.  Even the stores had practical, not colorful signs. 

 

The people, mostly human, seemed pleasant as a counter to the boring setting.  They said hello as they passed, talked in friendly ways, and were generous with each other.  A few exceptions, as one might expect even in an ideal dwelling, stood out.  People who looked uncertain, or perhaps not as cheerful as they went about, were treated especially well by those around them.

 

Morgan hadn’t ever been around any place referred to as a cult before, but for what he expected, nothing much was a surprise.  He wouldn’t have minded terribly either, if he wasn’t surrounded by a walled fortress with no place to run outside.  He imagined the kind of commune the Drowned Aspire was on Duellos lent itself to being ignored on account of being more trouble to get rid of than it was worth.  Besides, the locals likely were glad to know where they could dump their undesirables.

 

Mikal and Lindy were gone, having disappeared into the crowd.  But two individuals caught Morgan’s eye.  One was a traditional looking schoolmarm leading a pack of about thirty children of all ages through the streets to some event.  They followed obediently, and not with the usual ruckus that accompanied that kind of young group.  The other was a young woman, maybe nineteen or twenty, standing on the corner of the intersection, handing out actual newspapers.  Such an extravagance, using real paper to print something as short-lived as the news, was outlandish. 

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Before they left camp, Irina cut the poison sack out of the creature and carefully placed it in a metal container she had in her pack, you know, just in case they needed a non-lethal means of taking out someone. A blowpipe would come in handy. Damn, maybe if we find something that can be used as one, I can make some darts. Quick and quiet. Or something small and pointy.

 

She had her brief breakfast, grabbed her gear and followed the others through the gates. Keep it zipped, Irina. Keep it zipped. Irina rode through the community with the rest of the squad, but she had her eyes peeled for the shagger who stole her tools. See the VI on her bike got a picture of him. That image was burned into her photographic memory. Her bright red hair made her stand out. That and she looked a bit dirty, and like she didn't belong with the others. It wasn't that she wasn't attractive. Quite the contrary. She had dried blood on her armor, dirt on her face, and her hair was stringy. The look bothered Anika, but it didn't bother Vayne.

 

Irina kept her mouth shut and just watched.

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne looked about the commune structure, almost impressed that so many had been convinced to stay here, with such limited resources, in what used to be a scrapped space ship. Back on Tuchanka and a lot of krogan worlds, you saw old run down places used as homes, bases, and seats of government all the time, but usually that was on account of there being no other option available, and they were few in number anyway. Here though seemed like madness, that so many humans had gathered in such a place, and managed to make it all seem so much like the good life.

 

"You humans amaze me to this day, ya know that?" Vayne said to the group as the rode along, folks not giving such a warm and inviting atmosphere around the heavily armored and armed krogan riding a giant metal death horse, more or less giving him in particular a wide berth. "If this were a krogan settlement, there'd be armed militias at every corner, and a designated death pile by now..." he said as he gave a good look around. He made eye contact with a human using what looked like sheets of paper, smiling as he gave a nod to the kid and moved along, "Almost reminds me of Nassau, without the smell and all..."

 

As he looked about, he noticed more folks looking at them, not just him, their whole group. Vayne was aware that this cult seemed particularly keen on a human congregation. He didn't know how they might react to seeing aliens, let alone ones who looked, well, like their group did. Still, vayne decided that the best course of action would be to play along.

 

"Nothin to see here folks..." he said, loud enough for the crowd but not enough to yell, not that he'd need to seeing as how close some of them were starting to get just to get a look at them, "Just some friendly Maw experts passing through. Can't have that without at least one krogan and some asari,  council regulations and all..." he said in a joking manner, giving his best disarming smile he'd practiced when working with clients. It seemed to work a bit, they weren't staring, now they were muttering.

 

Vayne didn't care what they were muttering about, because what concerned him more as he looked about the structure, was that despite its disarmingly friendly nature and inhabitants, should something happen that would make said inhabitants want to not let them leave, they might have a bit of trouble navigating their way out of here. He looked behind them, the gates they crossed now closed, and how armored it was, all controlled by armed guards. He looked at the somewhat tight streets, envisioning what sort of barriers one could set up just from using various carts or stands along the streets of the cult.

 

It made him uneasy, and even though he was smiling and giving nods to the crowd, it was more then just the heat that was making him sweat.

[Redbelle]

Inside, Jess was laughing her ass off.

 

Seeing Morgan take point on getting them inside had been a surprise. But she had to hand it to him. It had worked. He'd established a credible problem in the minds of those they were hustling and then offered a potential solution, all the DA had to do was talk to them. They could string them along for awhile with the story theyd concocted. Provided they didn't try and investigate them. In her line of work the results were all that mattered. Still, the fact it was Morgan who had gone out on a limb showed a degree of forwardness and social daring she'd not seen and after the way he'd taken off in the night.......

 

She told her VI to compile anything in it's database on Thresher Maws so she could study them. Specifically how they could have come to exist on Duellos with it's special atmosphere. She'd heard they were able to survive on airless rocks so it wasn't unreasonable to assume they could survive on Duellos.... but she'd need to know more about the detail to pass herself off as an expert..... Or perhaps she could be the woman who engineered Thresher Maw defenses......

 

Could you defend from a Thresher Maw? She added the search parameter and while she waited for the results to come back, she sidled upto Dahlia. "Hey luv. Everything okay between you and Morgan? Kinda got woke up with the drama there". She paused, then asked. "Are you okay? Didn't seem to  be a resolution to what happened. Like it's all up in the air waiting to come down. Morgan's a bit of a complicated case you know. Believe me.... Even I don't know what he'll do sometimes".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Dahlia rode along side of Jess. She'd been pretty quiet most of the way. Then Jess sidled up to Dahlia. "Hey luv. Everything okay between you and Morgan? Kinda got woke up with the drama there." She paused, then asked, "Are you okay? Didn't seem to  be a resolution to what happened. Like it's all up in the air waiting to come down. Morgan's a bit of a complicated case you know. Believe me.... Even I don't know what he'll do sometimes."

 

"I... think so," Dahlia replied, "Morgan had a bad dream, and it woke me up about the same time he woke up. We talked for a moment.  I tried to comfort him, but he shot up and walked away. I thought I might have offended him. He said, 'no.' I guess that's good enough. Maybe he couldn't get out of the dream?"

 

***

 

Naleena was watching Anika keeping an eye on Irina. It was like watching a cat ready to pounce. "Anika, really. Let it go. I know you don't like her. My guess is that she doesn't like you either. And she seems batsh*t crazy, but I don't think she's a bad person."

 

"You're defending her?"

 

"No, I'm not defending her," Naleena replied, "I'm saying that right now we need to focus on a bigger picture. Her knowledge of local biology could come in handy. And she can handle herself in a fight. We saw that. So set it aside for now, and if you still feel the same after the mission I won't stand in your way."

 

***

 

Irina was looking around taking in the sights. The place was anachronistic. She, herself, was an anachronism, but this was ridiculous even for her. The newspapers were one thing, but what was in them? Were people voluntarily giving up their omni-tools and technology? She sidled up to Vayne. "I hate these f***ing cults. They lure people into them with promises of a better life. Then they brainwash them. You read about them all the time on the newsfeeds. Trust me, I've seen me share of them spring up in the colonies, and the wreckage afterwards. Some of them were 'peaceful life' cults that turned out to be mass suicide cults. Some wouldn't go along with it in the end. When I was in the Alliance we'd have to go in on humanitarian missions and help out the survivors in the aftermath. Poor sods. Bloody buggerin' mess. If you ask me, you've got to have an IQ of 2 to join one, and it takes three to grunt. Ain't never seen anything like this before, though. Watch your hump. Something seems very off about this place."

[Kel Riever]

The young woman handing out newspapers caught Morgan’s interest enough to ride over to her.  As soon as he headed her way, she noticed, and reached up to hand him a paper. 

 

“New here, I see,” the young woman said in a friendly voice.  Her attire was modern but her hat was made of natural materials.  “Welcome to our community.  I hope you enjoy reading Daily Aspirations.  It keeps everybody up to date on all the happenings here.”

 

A scan of the paper showed the face of an old man with a black, wide-brimmed hat, white beard and moustache front and center.  He seemed to look right at the reader and his face was serious, but welcoming.  The headline above the picture read, “Old Man Jeb Brings On More Excavators.”  Another front page article to the right was entitled, “Hooligans and troublemakers run out of town!”

 

“Young lady,” Morgan asked the woman, “Do you mind if I ask why you use paper instead of a standard news feed?  Especially since resources seem scarce out here in the desert?”

 

“Not at all!  I get that question plenty from first timers.”  The young woman smiled broadly, “Old Man Jeb wants us to learn how to be self-sustaining.  A network run by people, with all its maintenance, and upkeep and outsider needs…well that’s a lot of people involved.  It’s much easier to get the news straight from the source, without a bunch of electronic muddling.  Besides, we’re big believers in recycling around here.  We make the most of every material!”

 

“Right,” Morgan said cautiously.

 

“You here to find out about the church?”  The young woman seemed optimistic.

 

“Maybe.  We’ve got business to conduct here first.”

 

“Well, I know we’re a bit different around here, but you’ll find your worries evaporate like dew on the morning ground!  Give us a chance.  You’ll like it here.  It’ll grow on you.”

 

Morgan modestly bowed his chin in thanks, and then moved away.  He offered the newspaper to anyone in the group who wanted to read it.  A melody of ringing bells sounded out towards the direction of the mining ship, perhaps to indicate the time.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina grabbed the newspaper from Morgan. She stopped her steed and read: "Hooligans and troublemakers run out of town." Hmmm... what do we have here? Pictures? Yes! A ring of thugs were caught smuggling in stolen materials from the outside. They were arrested, exiled and their materials confiscated. The shagger who stole my tools isn't among them. Sh*t! That means they didn't catch all of them.

 

She caught up to Morgan. "Hey, did you read any of the articles other than the headlines? Apparently there's some smuggling going on bringing materials, and I guess that includes my tools, into the cult. They caught a few of the shaggers, and exiled them. And they didn't return the materials to the town either because allegedly they couldn't tell what was stolen, bought, or brought in by people coming into the cult. The bastard wasn't among them. He's still here," Irina said, "Look, I know that this isn't a top priority to you, but it does tell me things aren't as they seem. The fact they know about the ring and exiled a few with a message back to the town that they're policing this problem is just to placate the natives. It's sh*t."

[Kel Riever]

Morgan listened to Irina.  She was fairly ardent as she talked about her tools.  In her hide coat, her stringy red hair blowing in the wind from under her hat, and her eye black to kill the sun glare, she had that 'just about to snap' look to her. 

 

"I don't see why we couldn't keep a lookout for tools, but I don't think most of us would recognize them even if we saw them.  As much as they want to recycle and be self sufficient here, they probably need sophisticated tools to keep certain things running. 

 

"If you want to start searching market stalls, or chase down leads...if we can get anyone here to talk...I don't see why not.  But if you are going to split off, take someone with you to watch your back is the only advice I could think to give.  And stay in communication."

[Redbelle]

From on high, from the very top of the ship come new home, Old Jeb looked down on his flock and felt his leathery face crinkle with a smile.

 

The top of the ship had been converted, little by little over time. Hull had been cut away and replaced with transparent plas-steel that allowed the sun to shine in. A level of floor space had been completely ripped out and the level under had been reinforced and altered to recycle water and nutrient's from the soil that had been shoveled on top. Plant's and birds ruled here now. The plant's stretching up to the sun, brushing against the plas-steel and required constant cutting back and breaking back down into compost that was moved to other area's of the compound below. Breathing life back into the planet slowly but surely.

 

The top level was open to all but Old Jeb liked to walk here alone in the morning before the work teams arrived. The now domed upper level of the forested section had been seen as an extravagance.... but to him, it was a symbol that they could bring the planet back. To give back rather than rip away as he had done for nearly his whole life. It was to his shame that it had taken nearly all his life to realise that he had the power to be a nurturer. A provider. Someone who could forge others to show them what it had taken him a lifetime to figure out for himself.

 

The miner's had been the first to come around to his way of thinking. The miner's spoke to their families. Many had come around. Not all, but the call to work towards something bigger than themselves was to important for his flock. There had been seperations. But what had been taken apart could be restored. He encouraged his congregation to keep up ties with those who disagreed with them. Some failed to comprehend their mission. Thinking that they were simply another fad cult to have popped up on some remote planet.

 

Pah.

 

They might have once been a cult. But now? They were a church. There message had taken off from the planet and spread to other planets. Other places where his flock felt called to do the work of bettering the self for the sake of creating a brighter future for other generations. A perfect spiral of neverending perfection. Only it wasn't within their grasp.

 

Not yet at any rate.

 

Looking down into the compound he saw the gates open and new arrivals enter. They would have stayed outside the walls he knew. A tough but necessary first test to ensure they were worthy of hearing the message of self improvement. He saw a large group enter sat astride Mecha-Steed's and raised an amused eyebrow. It wasn't everyday they took people in with those mounts to their name.

 

A rustle came from behind him and he turned to see Samacen brushing a branch back to make his way forward. "Brudda". He said in his exotic lilting accent. "I don't know why you come up here sometimes. It's humid and aint good for yah".

 

"Variety lends a certain perspective Brother". Jeb said with a upward curl to the side of his mouth. "I like to come here to look at what we have built here on Duellos".

 

"Yah mean what you built man". Samacen stopped next to Jeb and both looked outside. "It's all because a you that we got what we got".

 

"What have we got Sam? A people who have rejected the easy path of technology in favour of good honest labour"?

 

"Like you say. It's about breaking from the norm. To pull back from the dependence. Doctor says our last group are starting to adapt to the low atmosphere".

 

Jeb nodded. "Any that stand out"?

 

"Some".

 

"And any who believe"?

 

"Harder to say. How do you measure belief"?

 

"Through the willingness to sacrifice Sam. Always, through sacrifice". Jeb saw a shadow and saw one of their ships fly in from an orbital drop and swing down to manevuer to the walled off landing and hanger sections of the compound.

 

Samacen watched the descent. "They bring gifts again you think"?

 

Jeb shrugged. "The gift's are not important. The message is important".

 

"What be the message telling you now"?

 

"That dark times lie ahead brother Sam". Jeb saw the gate rotate closed behind the last of the initiate's. "I wish it were not so. But the galaxy does not abide those who roll over and surrender. Only those who help themselves......". He trailed off and looked ahead vacantly before turning to Samacen. "Mercy. You didn't come to here me whittle on. What of the lower levels"?

 

"Mining is good. The crews are making good progress. We're converting the new areas for the faithful".

 

Jeb sighed. "So many faithful to keep contained".

 

"Far many who aren't".

 

"They'll come around". Jeb nodded down to the courtyard. "Now be a good lad and go and greet the new arrivals. I imagine they'l be the usual uncertains. Make them feel welcome. I want them to feel like this place could be home".

 

"Isn't it"? Samacen asked.

 

"Oh it most certainly will be". Jeb nodded in agreement. "One way or another. It will be".