by Max Barry

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Oateria wrote:(Holy cow, Harley Quinn to Harley Quinn on steroids)

Mandrat grabbed a small pill container out of a glove box. “First off, bingo, right on the dollar. I gotta find Madilyn Jones or my quarter report is SCREWED. Secondly, a good point is raised there.” she again pulled down the PA microphone and was ready to scream into it, before looking back at snow, who gave a look saying “I will kill you if you wake up my pup”. Mandrat gave a slight whimper, before saying calmly in a heavy Zerdan accent “Please don’t call the bus driver ‘hot stuff’ while driving. Or at all, really, that’s a little weird, no?”

(I mean, how do you want Mandrat to be; i'm just testing waters at this point.)

The lady shrugged and nodded.
"No means no; I'll back off."

The woman took a step back and sat down, a bit humbled but not offended in any case. Snow gave a "hmph" that seemed almost human before she snuggled closer to her pup, and gave it a few licks to ensure it's fur was clean.

"Well...I suppose we could look for clues at her old place." One person suggested.

Galliadurm wrote:-snip-

The Aerlanicans seem a bit nervous when told they will have to use their memories of their home to create this pocket dimension. When asked why this is the case, many say that it's been eight years since they've seen their land unscarred by war.

The Aerlanicans then explain that the Federation is young and was birthed from the corpse of the Commonwealth of Aerlanica. From the corpse, however, another state was born; the Empire of Aerlanica. The two sides fought against each other in a destructive, bloody and violent civil war, where chemical, biological and incendiary weapons were used liberally, more or less annihilating the land, poisoning the rivers and scorching the fields leaving nothing more than a dying wasteland.

They discuss for a considerably long time, one individual volunteers. She's a woman, dressed in military fatigues and who appears too old by Galliadurm standards to be in the military, however apparently not so for the Aerlanicans. She states that she will be the one to try and remember, on account of her having lived the longest within "The Valleys of Splendour". She asks to be taken to the pocket dimensions, with instructions on what to do before they get there.

As for the concerns about the Rift Engine, the Aerlanicans laugh, wave their hands flippantly, and claim that there is nothing to be worried about as they've done it "hundreds of thousands of times and nothing's broken yet." Upon close inspection of the "Rift Engine", as is shown to Captain Anent's team during their clean up, Captain Anent is shown a large, cylindrical apparatus of crude, utilitarian make who's paint has bubbled and warped in places. It could most likely be dismantled without issue, however the Aerlanicans do warn Captain Anent that it does have some minor radioactive components, heavily shielded, of course, but still radioactive.

North South North West Kansas wrote:Kiki raises a brow, looking at William. "Um , sure."

Wafflepocalypse
Cory looks at Harold. "What the heck are you on about?"

Tyramon where did we end up??

William looks to Kiki and raises an eyebrow.

"Mind telling me how my eye looks?"

Kiki saw that William's heavily damaged eye was slowly gaining colour.

Wafflepocalypse

"Tell me, both of you, ever heard of "Gracie"?" Harold asked.

Darcy shook her head.
"No?"

Aerlanica wrote:(I mean, how do you want Mandrat to be; i'm just testing waters at this point.)

The lady shrugged and nodded.
"No means no; I'll back off."

The woman took a step back and sat down, a bit humbled but not offended in any case. Snow gave a "hmph" that seemed almost human before she snuggled closer to her pup, and gave it a few licks to ensure it's fur was clean.

"Well...I suppose we could look for clues at her old place." One person suggested.

(I like the idea of the woman trying to gain members for a chaos cult with Mandrat as the deity out of infatuation for her, while Mandrat is generally oblivious to the whole thing, only realizing what's going on as they stray farther from Mandrat's whole "make people happy but Mandrat's version of happy is chaotic and somewhat hopeless" modus operandi towards something a lot more sinister, although if you have another idea I'm all for it)

Mandrat called out to the back, "where would that be?" as she carefully pressed on the brakes, waiting for a response.

******************

The Aerlanican government-in-exile and Rei Khan are asked by Oateria if they would be interested in entering a military-political-economic alliance that would help prevent the three nations from becoming undemocratic states again in the future.

Aerlanica wrote:The Aerlanicans seem a bit nervous when told they will have to use their memories of their home to create this pocket dimension. When asked why this is the case, many say that it's been eight years since they've seen their land unscarred by war.

The Aerlanicans then explain that the Federation is young and was birthed from the corpse of the Commonwealth of Aerlanica. From the corpse, however, another state was born; the Empire of Aerlanica. The two sides fought against each other in a destructive, bloody and violent civil war, where chemical, biological and incendiary weapons were used liberally, more or less annihilating the land, poisoning the rivers and scorching the fields leaving nothing more than a dying wasteland.

They discuss for a considerably long time, one individual volunteers. She's a woman, dressed in military fatigues and who appears too old by Galliadurm standards to be in the military, however apparently not so for the Aerlanicans. She states that she will be the one to try and remember, on account of her having lived the longest within "The Valleys of Splendour". She asks to be taken to the pocket dimensions, with instructions on what to do before they get there.

As for the concerns about the Rift Engine, the Aerlanicans laugh, wave their hands flippantly, and claim that there is nothing to be worried about as they've done it "hundreds of thousands of times and nothing's broken yet." Upon close inspection of the "Rift Engine", as is shown to Captain Anent's team during their clean up, Captain Anent is shown a large, cylindrical apparatus of crude, utilitarian make who's paint has bubbled and warped in places. It could most likely be dismantled without issue, however the Aerlanicans do warn Captain Anent that it does have some minor radioactive components, heavily shielded, of course, but still radioactive.

..That right there is something very odd that should be taken into consideration. It is as clear as day to them the fresh memories of what was used to bring that kind of devastation to their land, and yet they are willing admit to using a machine that could be prone to significant error and is composed radioactive material hundreds upon thousands of times without "nothing being broken yet". Their land begs to differ. Captain Anent wanted to respectfully express his honest opinion on that while also bringing up the fact that non-radioactive components can be delivered to them so that they won't carry that obvious mistake into their new world. If not just that, that Rift Drive could be remodeled into something that both parties can be sure won't lead to the same catastrophe. Of course, Captain Anent wouldn't be suggesting this if the means to do so were without of reach. They've already seen the proof; that one insectoid probe. Spatial-tethering technology the size of a grasshopper.

After concerns on that matter were shared, that Aerlanican volunteer was told she didn't have to physically enter the currently vacant pocket dimension in order to perform this task she's up for. It could be done where she stands, all she has to do is take a dive into those memories when the que was given to do so. The construct to be used to create this pocket dimension will also have to be willingly paired with her mind for the duration of this process.

Captain Anent adds that said process will only take around ten minutes without interruptions, and the small tingly sensation she was experience indicating the process has begun. It also doesn't have to be performed right at this second, the Aerlanican volunteer will be allotted the necessary time she needs.

With that said, it'd be better if they started now as time may not be on either's side. The Primaeri may have went on their way away from the planet, but that doesn't mean they'd stay away for long. After all, they found their favorite pastime here, who's to say they'd just walk away from that. In short, those involved in Galliadurm aren't too sure they'll get off with just two great situations of the cosmic kind.

Oateria wrote:

The Aerlanican government-in-exile and Rei Khan are asked by Oateria if they would be interested in entering a military-political-economic alliance that would help prevent the three nations from becoming undemocratic states again in the future.

(I'm slightly on board with that, but howabout two factions; one faction follows Mandrat's orthodoxy, but the other drifts towards more sinister pastures. How's that sound?)

"Uh...show me the map quickly? I think she may've lived in an apartment near the Green Manor."

"An apartment?" Mandrat asked, confused.

"Yeah, inflation is a bitch now ain't it?" Another said. "I heard Jonathan Blinds, when he lived in Twilight's Hollow, lived in a small apartment right next to an overhead train line."

They looked at the map, then decided on one such apartment block in close proximity, but not directly next to, the Green Manor, handing back the map to Mandrat and pointing it out.

"Westgreen Estates...pretty uncreative but what can you do?"

******

Aerlanica agrees, but urges Oateria to not paint a target on their back; Tyramon and the Primaeri still have their superweapon, and provoking them is suicide.

Galliadurm wrote:-snip-

The Aerlanicans state that, while the Rift Engines were made after the Civil War, ensuring a more reliable device requiring less guesswork, shooting-from-the-hip, and "good enough"s would certainly be a wise idea, on account of the fact that a large rift was never opened in atmosphere, and testing it on someone else's land was not exactly the best way to ingratiate oneself with said populous. Therefore, the Aerlanicans reliquish control of their Rift Engine and hand it over to Captain Anent. They were also surprised to hear the insects went through "rifts"; the Aerlanicans were under the impression they simply went invisible because they didn't know such technology could be that small.

The Aerlanican volunteer shrugs and nods, saying that pairing minds isn't really that out of the ordinary on account of "Psykers".

When asked what a "psyker" exactly is, the Aerlanicans descend into a rather heated discussion about their proper name, with such names as "Psionics," "Psychics", "Psycasters" and such being thrown around. When they are gently, yet firmly, reigned in by one of their number, they explain that these...individuals with psychic capabilities...are as said; Individuals with Psychic capabilities. They were injected with a mutagen called "Psyform", with this drug being administered to what is known as the "Waste-Rangers", a contingent of Aerlanican Special Forces skilled in infiltration, reconnaisance, ambush tactics, saboutage, and defeating superior forces using a combination of the aformentioned skills.

Irrespective, the Aerlanican volunteer stated that she had a friend who was a waste-ranger who demonstrated his abilities to her. His fate is unknown, but she is certain he is training more Waste-Rangers on the Shakar homeworld, dubbed "Shakaria". With the experience under her belt, she confidently asks to be shown to this device.

Aerlanica wrote:(I'm slightly on board with that, but howabout two factions; one faction follows Mandrat's orthodoxy, but the other drifts towards more sinister pastures. How's that sound?)

"Uh...show me the map quickly? I think she may've lived in an apartment near the Green Manor."

"An apartment?" Mandrat asked, confused.

"Yeah, inflation is a bitch now ain't it?" Another said. "I heard Jonathan Blinds, when he lived in Twilight's Hollow, lived in a small apartment right next to an overhead train line."

They looked at the map, then decided on one such apartment block in close proximity, but not directly next to, the Green Manor, handing back the map to Mandrat and pointing it out.

"Westgreen Estates...pretty uncreative but what can you do?"

******

Aerlanica agrees, but urges Oateria to not paint a target on their back; Tyramon and the Primaeri still have their superweapon, and provoking them is suicide.

The Aerlanicans state that, while the Rift Engines were made after the Civil War, ensuring a more reliable device requiring less guesswork, shooting-from-the-hip, and "good enough"s would certainly be a wise idea, on account of the fact that a large rift was never opened in atmosphere, and testing it on someone else's land was not exactly the best way to ingratiate oneself with said populous. Therefore, the Aerlanicans reliquish control of their Rift Engine and hand it over to Captain Anent. They were also surprised to hear the insects went through "rifts"; the Aerlanicans were under the impression they simply went invisible because they didn't know such technology could be that small.

The Aerlanican volunteer shrugs and nods, saying that pairing minds isn't really that out of the ordinary on account of "Psykers".

When asked what a "psyker" exactly is, the Aerlanicans descend into a rather heated discussion about their proper name, with such names as "Psionics," "Psychics", "Psycasters" and such being thrown around. When they are gently, yet firmly, reigned in by one of their number, they explain that these...individuals with psychic capabilities...are as said; Individuals with Psychic capabilities. They were injected with a mutagen called "Psyform", with this drug being administered to what is known as the "Waste-Rangers", a contingent of Aerlanican Special Forces skilled in infiltration, reconnaisance, ambush tactics, saboutage, and defeating superior forces using a combination of the aformentioned skills.

Irrespective, the Aerlanican volunteer stated that she had a friend who was a waste-ranger who demonstrated his abilities to her. His fate is unknown, but she is certain he is training more Waste-Rangers on the Shakar homeworld, dubbed "Shakaria". With the experience under her belt, she confidently asks to be shown to this device.

Rei Khan agrees.
Oateria

Aerlanica wrote:(I'm slightly on board with that, but howabout two factions; one faction follows Mandrat's orthodoxy, but the other drifts towards more sinister pastures. How's that sound?)

"Uh...show me the map quickly? I think she may've lived in an apartment near the Green Manor."

"An apartment?" Mandrat asked, confused.

"Yeah, inflation is a bitch now ain't it?" Another said. "I heard Jonathan Blinds, when he lived in Twilight's Hollow, lived in a small apartment right next to an overhead train line."

They looked at the map, then decided on one such apartment block in close proximity, but not directly next to, the Green Manor, handing back the map to Mandrat and pointing it out.

"Westgreen Estates...pretty uncreative but what can you do?"

******

Aerlanica agrees, but urges Oateria to not paint a target on their back; Tyramon and the Primaeri still have their superweapon, and provoking them is suicide.

(Sounds good!)

Mandrat hit the gas pedal, and the bus prepared to speed forward, everyone holding on for dear life, before the bus slowly inched forward and kept a slow, steady momentum towards the apartment block.

Rei Khan wrote:Rei Khan agrees.
Oateria

Oateria tells the Rei Khan representatives to land in the Raziel International Spaceport and Airport, and tells the Aerlanican representatives to land in a government-owned farm just south of Raziel, where they'll be transported to the Executive Administrational Building.

Aerlanica wrote:The Aerlanicans state that, while the Rift Engines were made after the Civil War, ensuring a more reliable device requiring less guesswork, shooting-from-the-hip, and "good enough"s would certainly be a wise idea, on account of the fact that a large rift was never opened in atmosphere, and testing it on someone else's land was not exactly the best way to ingratiate oneself with said populous. Therefore, the Aerlanicans reliquish control of their Rift Engine and hand it over to Captain Anent. They were also surprised to hear the insects went through "rifts"; the Aerlanicans were under the impression they simply went invisible because they didn't know such technology could be that small.

The Aerlanican volunteer shrugs and nods, saying that pairing minds isn't really that out of the ordinary on account of "Psykers".

When asked what a "psyker" exactly is, the Aerlanicans descend into a rather heated discussion about their proper name, with such names as "Psionics," "Psychics", "Psycasters" and such being thrown around. When they are gently, yet firmly, reigned in by one of their number, they explain that these...individuals with psychic capabilities...are as said; Individuals with Psychic capabilities. They were injected with a mutagen called "Psyform", with this drug being administered to what is known as the "Waste-Rangers", a contingent of Aerlanican Special Forces skilled in infiltration, reconnaisance, ambush tactics, saboutage, and defeating superior forces using a combination of the aformentioned skills.

Irrespective, the Aerlanican volunteer stated that she had a friend who was a waste-ranger who demonstrated his abilities to her. His fate is unknown, but she is certain he is training more Waste-Rangers on the Shakar homeworld, dubbed "Shakaria". With the experience under her belt, she confidently asks to be shown to this device.

Another of L.A.C's agents, who has been dying to meet these Aerlanican refugees up close and personal, has now been sent to fulfill the offer that was accepted. Laith himself could not come as the man is still straddled across that imaginary fence counting sheep. Yimmi, although she also wanted to come back to see Amelia again and to assist this third agent, wasn't allowed to by her Father on the grounds that danger may still be present. There were no arguments against this for the most part, but Yimmi did feel sad believing she's missing out on a "last chance". Not realizing in the moment she'll be able to see her "guardian" again in time. The young girl had grown fond of Amelia, was it her calming voice or her "unique" look? Or because she was looking for another friend?

A shame Yimmi will have to wait in order to see that through, though. For now she will have to stand by and watch as this third agent makes his appearance. Though not from the portal that would've been conjured from one of the insectoid probes. He had already left the camp with the quickness, driven by intense curiosity and the selfish need to keep himself from being included in cleaning duty. Not because of general laziness mind you, but because he's not very fond of sand considering the physique these refugees are about to see. It didn't take this agent long to reach the scene, his transporting apparatus is a fairly quick one; an apparatus with the appearance of a tilted, fragmented four foot long rod the lower half of his annelid-esque body is coiled around. This particular rod, akin to the stone crate, possessed no wheels and is afloat.

The agent himself wore apparel similar to what Laith and Yimmi were seen wearing, a tad bit more adjusted to fit over his elongated body like a coat's sleeve. The upper half of his body shared hominid traits, except for the apparent lack of joints. Upon arriving, this agent announced himself clearly with the demeanor of a simple professor but with the voice of a boy who hasn't yet gone through puberty, stating that his first name is Luan. He is obviously an adult though, seemingly a little bit older than Laith. Stating he would like to see the engine now came second to giving out his name, with enthusiasm and a sliver of high expectations. The man's eyes didn't show this, however. They were only partially vertically opened.

Captain Anent didn't want to break focus on the subject at hand in spite of Luan's sudden appearance, the subject on psykers really had the captain hooked (not a pun~). Seeing as the nature of psionics hasn't been explored to the same degree as most of the fields Galliadurm's gifted minds has dipped their collective fingers in, hearing that such things can be paired with serums has inspired a whole list of questions. Questions that he won't be asking right now, now isn't the time for that. This Aerlanican volunteer, upon making the request to see this device up close, was told the device couldn't be pulled into this space from where it is at.

As a machine with the purpose of creating pocket dimensions that'll be tethered to this reality, it must remain in that space between space in order to function properly. Activating the machine where the Aerlanicans are at right now would also feed into that anomalous field just beyond the quarantined zone they were previously asked not to go into, Captain Anent explains. He finishes with saying what he said before, all she has to do is picture her land in its fertile prime when the que is given.

Oateria wrote:-snip-

The apartment block was, as with many things, partially collapsed. It was once a beautiful whitewashed construct with various pots and plants set on balconies, however most of the balconies, along with nearly a quarter of the building, had been reduced to rubble by all manner of weapons. Significant fighting had taken place around the bottom of the building, but had not gone into the building proper.

The foyer, which once sported glass sliding doors (now shattered and rendered useless) had a variety of smashed potted plants that were long dead and a front desk riddled with bullet holes.

"There should be a ledger," the woman "closest" (in proximity and infatuation) to Mandrat said, "it should have all the names of the residents and whereabouts they live...maybe behind the front desk."

Mandrat made motions to produce an oversized magnifying glass only to recieve a growl from Snow, who was carrying her pup.

Angry mothers; whatever race they are from, do not mess with them if you are partial to living.

******

The Aerlanican representative appears in this said government-owned farm, leaving rather curiously circular symbols within the crops.

As a matter of fact, their arrival is so secretive that it is only when the farmer recieves a rather sufficient fright when members from the Aerlanican government knock on his door and asks if they can have a cup of tea...while armed to the teeth with all manner of armaments and exasperated, tired and apathetic looks.

Galliadurm wrote:-snip-

Coming face to face with...well...a giant half centipede/millipede half person for lack of a better term certainly raises a few eyebrows however they shrug; what is normal anymore. Captain Ernwaith shakes hands with this entity as force of habbit and in an partially successful attempt to normalise the interaction, before offering to show the engine. He's showed to the familiar cylindrical aparatus the size of a modest sized automotive vehicle. He's informed that this creates a rift between dimensions, and allows all manner of things to pass through. Upon piecing it apart in a way where the Captain doesn't don any protective equipment, he shows the insides of this engine.

Now.

Aerlanican Engineering, especially in respects to their current situation and more advanced tech is very much "does it work? Cool, good enough." More emphasis is given to making the thing, than making the thing be comprehensible. Indeed, upon Luan seeing the insides of this engine he is met with an indecypherable mess of wires, components, computer boards attached here and there in haphazard fashion. Hell, if the Galliadurm engineering is like an elegant artwork, Aerlanican engineering is the end result of a pipe bomb going off within an art supply store. An Aerlanican Engineer is enlisted by Luan to point out what all the different parts are and how they connect together with ease; an impressive feat in itself.

The Engineer then correctly identifies the various components within Luan's vehicle, commends the construction and concludes with "you know you can make a gun out of that."

Irrespective, Luan has somewhat of an idea how a rift engine is meant to work; First, the Rift Engine "tunes" itself to the two dimensions, sort of "hamonizing" in a way. Next, two beads of exotic matter are forcibly created in both sides of the rift and any event horizons of the jury rigged wormholes are forcibly broken. The implication is clear that if a Rift Engine were to be improperly used it would have a devastating explosive effect. When informed that they're effectivel flying around with a medium-yield anti-matter bomb as a transportation tool, the Aerlanicans say; "We know, we've used them like that sometimes, it looks pretty neat as well."

When asked how they managed to get it working, they said it took Seventeen ships and a "few thousand" people. The implication being the Aerlanicans looked to ships being blown up by their engines and their people being vaporised and simply concluding "ah well, next times the charm." This repeated seventeen times and no one raised a hand and asked "hey should we be doing this? this seems a bit wrong."

The sheer spite to continue in the face of impossibility is admiral, if stupid. Furthermore, the fact that Aerlanicans seem to have an overwhelming sense of self preservation for the species, but not for the individual is...concerning to say the least. It is then revealed most are suffering from some form of depression, PTSD, trauma or anxiety disorder which is the only understandable concept in the whole exchange.

The Aerlanican Volunteer requesitions a folding chair and sits down in it, giving a thumbs up that she's ready to proceed.

Aerlanica wrote:The apartment block was, as with many things, partially collapsed. It was once a beautiful whitewashed construct with various pots and plants set on balconies, however most of the balconies, along with nearly a quarter of the building, had been reduced to rubble by all manner of weapons. Significant fighting had taken place around the bottom of the building, but had not gone into the building proper.

The foyer, which once sported glass sliding doors (now shattered and rendered useless) had a variety of smashed potted plants that were long dead and a front desk riddled with bullet holes.

"There should be a ledger," the woman "closest" (in proximity and infatuation) to Mandrat said, "it should have all the names of the residents and whereabouts they live...maybe behind the front desk."

Mandrat made motions to produce an oversized magnifying glass only to recieve a growl from Snow, who was carrying her pup.

Angry mothers; whatever race they are from, do not mess with them if you are partial to living.

******

The Aerlanican representative appears in this said government-owned farm, leaving rather curiously circular symbols within the crops.

As a matter of fact, their arrival is so secretive that it is only when the farmer recieves a rather sufficient fright when members from the Aerlanican government knock on his door and asks if they can have a cup of tea...while armed to the teeth with all manner of armaments and exasperated, tired and apathetic looks.

Mandrat instead pulled out a small flashlight with a sticker on it saying "Wolf Moms approve!" and hopped over the desk, grabbing a blue binder and opening it up, scrolling through the list of names.

********

A couple Oaterian army soldiers were inside the house already, waiting for the ambassadors. The farmer originally got upset at them, yelling "You told me you were out of gas!"

One of the soldiers shrugged, saying "We were missing Aerlanican representatives."

They climbed into a Military luxury bus, outfitted with Oaterian-produced snacks.

*********

Oateria climbed off the bus, clutching his suitcase tight and pulling down his baseball cap against the wind, tucking his brown hair into it. His hair was curly, and he had the makings of facial hair. He was somewhat chubby and fairly tall. He wore a navy cloth jacket and a white shirt with the silhouette of a badger on it. Tugging his suitcase, he looked at the old buildings of his new home: United Region Academy.

He smiled for a second, all his hard academic work paying off, until he realized a terrible truth: he had zero idea where he was supposed to be going.

Muttering a cuss word, he walked to a wood bench and turned on his cell phone, looking quickly in his email account for the application he filed for housing, when someone walked up to him.

Oateria wrote:

Oateria climbed off the bus, clutching his suitcase tight and pulling down his baseball cap against the wind, tucking his brown hair into it. His hair was curly, and he had the makings of facial hair. He was somewhat chubby and fairly tall. He wore a navy cloth jacket and a white shirt with the silhouette of a badger on it. Tugging his suitcase, he looked at the old buildings of his new home: United Region Academy.

He smiled for a second, all his hard academic work paying off, until he realized a terrible truth: he had zero idea where he was supposed to be going.

Muttering a cuss word, he walked to a wood bench and turned on his cell phone, looking quickly in his email account for the application he filed for housing, when someone walked up to him.

Mandrat flicked through the binder before-

"here we are; Seventh floor, room 7B."

"Alright, well let's get climbing. Find the stairs."

It was up to Mandrat whether to take said stairs, or use the defunct elevator.

The Aerlanican delegation, consisting of one Roodem lady (short with red hair and a freckled face) as well as one aide and a handful of soldiers boarded the bus. The Roodem lady was wearing a simple white blouse with a blue dress jacket and blue dress pants...as well as more functional joggers; she was ready to run.

An alarm sounded, and she quickly took a tablet. She looked over to an Oaterian soldier and smiled.

"Anxiety medication; it can get pretty bad sometimes."

Country-Humans

It wasn't so much as someone walking up to him as him walking into someone. As he turned on his cellphone and looked for the email for his housing, he slammed into someone which resulted in him tumbling over. A strong hand grasped the back of his shirt before he fell face first onto his phone and hauled him up to his feet.

"Hey watch it you unco-ordinated fool, you could've knocked my IV over."

Looking up, Oateria came face to face with...a scarred face. Her right eye was covered with an eyepatch bearing a solitary, eight pointed star upon it, and her cheeks were heavily scarred, many of them knew. Her shirt was second hand and was a button up shirt, and a jacket hung over her shoulders like a cape. Her pants were plain cargos that had seen better days, and her shoes were the military kind.

As for the IV...well...one was attached to her wrist through a small plug firmly embedded within her. However her grip relaxed and she dusted Oateria off.

"Hey! Rei Khan! You know this guy?"

Aerlanica wrote:Coming face to face with...well...a giant half centipede/millipede half person for lack of a better term certainly raises a few eyebrows however they shrug; what is normal anymore. Captain Ernwaith shakes hands with this entity as force of habbit and in an partially successful attempt to normalise the interaction, before offering to show the engine. He's showed to the familiar cylindrical aparatus the size of a modest sized automotive vehicle. He's informed that this creates a rift between dimensions, and allows all manner of things to pass through. Upon piecing it apart in a way where the Captain doesn't don any protective equipment, he shows the insides of this engine.

Now.

Aerlanican Engineering, especially in respects to their current situation and more advanced tech is very much "does it work? Cool, good enough." More emphasis is given to making the thing, than making the thing be comprehensible. Indeed, upon Luan seeing the insides of this engine he is met with an indecypherable mess of wires, components, computer boards attached here and there in haphazard fashion. Hell, if the Galliadurm engineering is like an elegant artwork, Aerlanican engineering is the end result of a pipe bomb going off within an art supply store. An Aerlanican Engineer is enlisted by Luan to point out what all the different parts are and how they connect together with ease; an impressive feat in itself.

The Engineer then correctly identifies the various components within Luan's vehicle, commends the construction and concludes with "you know you can make a gun out of that."

Irrespective, Luan has somewhat of an idea how a rift engine is meant to work; First, the Rift Engine "tunes" itself to the two dimensions, sort of "hamonizing" in a way. Next, two beads of exotic matter are forcibly created in both sides of the rift and any event horizons of the jury rigged wormholes are forcibly broken. The implication is clear that if a Rift Engine were to be improperly used it would have a devastating explosive effect. When informed that they're effectivel flying around with a medium-yield anti-matter bomb as a transportation tool, the Aerlanicans say; "We know, we've used them like that sometimes, it looks pretty neat as well."

When asked how they managed to get it working, they said it took Seventeen ships and a "few thousand" people. The implication being the Aerlanicans looked to ships being blown up by their engines and their people being vaporised and simply concluding "ah well, next times the charm." This repeated seventeen times and no one raised a hand and asked "hey should we be doing this? this seems a bit wrong."

The sheer spite to continue in the face of impossibility is admiral, if stupid. Furthermore, the fact that Aerlanicans seem to have an overwhelming sense of self preservation for the species, but not for the individual is...concerning to say the least. It is then revealed most are suffering from some form of depression, PTSD, trauma or anxiety disorder which is the only understandable concept in the whole exchange.

The Aerlanican Volunteer requesitions a folding chair and sits down in it, giving a thumbs up that she's ready to proceed.

Honestly, who would blame them? For as long as they can remember, much of which Luan and the rest of whom are involved doesn't know the full scope of, the Aerlanicans have been neck to neck with clear opposition capable of driving them further and further away from their homes. Both members of the L.A.C and the Urerbog Jouyen branch have had proverbial front row seats to a tiny piece of the catastrophe that oh so gracefully landed on their doorstep, twice. Luan personally believes it unwise to judge the disaster in front of him, having put two and two together. These refugees and the Aerlanicans who were mercilessly slaughtered less than twelve hours ago were obviously not in the spot to make sure every nook and cranny was set right. They were forced to grab what they had and go.

Although on a much smaller scale than the one these refugees face, Luan is fairly familiar with situations like this. So instead of reprimanding the Aerlanican engineer's work like an arrogant little mule he could be, Luan offered to revamp the internal structure with the materials "he brought with him", materials that weren't anywhere in sight. He makes sure to reaffirm he isn't going to turn the Rift Engine into something barely recognizable. From engineer to engineer, that would be heavily disrespectful especially if doing so isn't completely necessary. In spite of how dangerous this machine before him is, it isn't like the machine is a terrible waste. It works, after all. It just needs to be safe and work. That which Luan is capable of fixing, but it won't be quick, he adds.

The process that this Aerlanican volunteer is about to undergo, on the other hand, will be nothing but quick. With thumbs up being given as well as the aforementioned que, Captain Anent starts up the machine from the camp through a conduit on his person. And true to the man's word, this volunteer only felt the faintest of tickles all around her temple. Alongside that is the feeling of that part of her mind that connects her to those memories of her homeland before it fell to infertility and destruction was being read through like the pages of a lionized novel. Captain Anent was sure to limit how much the machine between spaces scanned through so that her personal memories wouldn't be touched. He has respect for that.

Before long, this process came to an end, having only lasted for about a good two to four minutes. The sensations around her temple ceased as well after a while. And after finalizations were made; touches to the new land these Aerlanican refugees are about to call home that were made as a gift for them since they didn't bring that devastation with them to this earth. Things could've gone south quick had these refugees believed the L.A.C were allied with or belonged under the Primaeri regime. Fortunately, things did pan out well.. safe for the gargantuan patches of former sand that has been turned to glass. Perhaps this could be turned into a special area where children could visit.

Unless the area has been radiated by the projectiles fired from the Primaeri regime's shiny silver vessels. Should this be the case, that area will be blocked off until the radiation has either being synthesized into something beneficial or "returned" to space. (Luan's lower-half is worm like. c:)

Aerlanica wrote:Mandrat flicked through the binder before-

"here we are; Seventh floor, room 7B."

"Alright, well let's get climbing. Find the stairs."

It was up to Mandrat whether to take said stairs, or use the defunct elevator.

The Aerlanican delegation, consisting of one Roodem lady (short with red hair and a freckled face) as well as one aide and a handful of soldiers boarded the bus. The Roodem lady was wearing a simple white blouse with a blue dress jacket and blue dress pants...as well as more functional joggers; she was ready to run.

An alarm sounded, and she quickly took a tablet. She looked over to an Oaterian soldier and smiled.

"Anxiety medication; it can get pretty bad sometimes."

Country-Humans

It wasn't so much as someone walking up to him as him walking into someone. As he turned on his cellphone and looked for the email for his housing, he slammed into someone which resulted in him tumbling over. A strong hand grasped the back of his shirt before he fell face first onto his phone and hauled him up to his feet.

"Hey watch it you unco-ordinated fool, you could've knocked my IV over."

Looking up, Oateria came face to face with...a scarred face. Her right eye was covered with an eyepatch bearing a solitary, eight pointed star upon it, and her cheeks were heavily scarred, many of them knew. Her shirt was second hand and was a button up shirt, and a jacket hung over her shoulders like a cape. Her pants were plain cargos that had seen better days, and her shoes were the military kind.

As for the IV...well...one was attached to her wrist through a small plug firmly embedded within her. However her grip relaxed and she dusted Oateria off.

"Hey! Rei Khan! You know this guy?"

Rei looked up from her arrow, which she had been sharpening. "I...think so? Oateria, if I'm not mistaken." She replied. She'd changed since high school. She now had a white streak in her black hair, and she seemed more reserved than she had been. "Don't knock over people medical equipment, Oateria."

Galliadurm wrote:-snip-

(Oh! My mistake sorry!)

The Aerlanican engineer shrugs and states that it is perfectly fine for him to go ahead and fiddle around with it; after all, considering the technological advancement of the Galliadurm citizens, there shouldn't be much of an issue with them giving it a much needed upgrade.

Throughout the procedure, the Engineer calls over their surviving peers, and they observe the strange entity at work. They point out what various components are, or at least what they're substituting, and whereabouts they go or what they do. They ask many questions, but are attentive and polite; they are aware they know next to nothing compared with this entity.

Irrespective, Luan has to give it to the Aerlanicans; they've made more with less. It's clear the Aerlanicans were given nothing less than a scrap heap to make much of their things, but they've made much of their things from said scrap heap. While the design is crude, the structure is...slightly sickening...and there are many flaws, the fact is they've made functional aparati from junk and wreckadge. However Luan can't help but wonder how many different spacecraft was used to make this one...how many ships met their demise to craft the Perseverence.

Working together, it takes several dozen hours, many coffee breaks and a few power naps, but soon Luan has not only upgraded the Rift Engine, but has learnt how to make one. It doesnt mean much considering they have much more advanced dimensional tools, but still, it's a nice piece of knowledge to have.

As for the Aerlanican Volunteer, she pushes past her destroyed home and focuses on her childhood memories, trying to remember them as best as possible, as accurately as possible. When the tingle withdrew, the Volunteer stood up and looked around, a bit confused and preterbed that she wasn't there. With a sigh, she turned to Captain Anent who hadn't seen her memories, nor what their home looked like before destruction.

"It didn't work, did it?" Her voice asked, the slightest quake of age within it.

Rei Khan wrote:Rei looked up from her arrow, which she had been sharpening. "I...think so? Oateria, if I'm not mistaken." She replied. She'd changed since high school. She now had a white streak in her black hair, and she seemed more reserved than she had been. "Don't knock over people medical equipment, Oateria."

The woman who caught Oateria shook her head.

"It's fine," She said with a sigh, "Wouldn't be the first time."

The woman walked over towards Rei and sat on her left side, resting her shoulder on Rei.

"So, Oateria...what's got you in a blind rush?"

Aerlanica wrote:(Oh! My mistake sorry!)

The Aerlanican engineer shrugs and states that it is perfectly fine for him to go ahead and fiddle around with it; after all, considering the technological advancement of the Galliadurm citizens, there shouldn't be much of an issue with them giving it a much needed upgrade.

Throughout the procedure, the Engineer calls over their surviving peers, and they observe the strange entity at work. They point out what various components are, or at least what they're substituting, and whereabouts they go or what they do. They ask many questions, but are attentive and polite; they are aware they know next to nothing compared with this entity.

Irrespective, Luan has to give it to the Aerlanicans; they've made more with less. It's clear the Aerlanicans were given nothing less than a scrap heap to make much of their things, but they've made much of their things from said scrap heap. While the design is crude, the structure is...slightly sickening...and there are many flaws, the fact is they've made functional aparati from junk and wreckadge. However Luan can't help but wonder how many different spacecraft was used to make this one...how many ships met their demise to craft the Perseverence.

Working together, it takes several dozen hours, many coffee breaks and a few power naps, but soon Luan has not only upgraded the Rift Engine, but has learnt how to make one. It doesnt mean much considering they have much more advanced dimensional tools, but still, it's a nice piece of knowledge to have.

As for the Aerlanican Volunteer, she pushes past her destroyed home and focuses on her childhood memories, trying to remember them as best as possible, as accurately as possible. When the tingle withdrew, the Volunteer stood up and looked around, a bit confused and preterbed that she wasn't there. With a sigh, she turned to Captain Anent who hadn't seen her memories, nor what their home looked like before destruction.

"It didn't work, did it?" Her voice asked, the slightest quake of age within it.

The woman who caught Oateria shook her head.

"It's fine," She said with a sigh, "Wouldn't be the first time."

The woman walked over towards Rei and sat on her left side, resting her shoulder on Rei.

"So, Oateria...what's got you in a blind rush?"

Rei wrapped an arm around her, putting away the arrow. She was careful not to mess with IV. She gave a small smile, looking at Aeri.

Her father, the Khanate, had died three years ago, and Soviet had taken it hard. He'd disappeared, and Rei hadn't heard from him in a year. She wasn't very concerned, Sovi could take care of himself just fine. Tsara, her younger sister, now resided a few miles from the College, so Rei could easily help her. Tsara was 16, and Rei was doing the best she could.

Her thoughts returned to Aeri and Oateria, as she waited for the latter to answer.

Aerlanica wrote:~snip~

Luthar sighs, but does as requested. Standing in the middle of the room, he glances around at all the faces somewhat self-consciously.

"Is not tha' I don' wanna free this place froms them evil Priests 'n such, I jus... gots a bad feelin' that we's missin' somthin'."

He pauses long enough for Brigit to lean forward and ask, "How so?".

"Well... we knows It ain't gonna git us cuz th' Treety worked, but there's somthin' that can."
Luthar reaches for a chain around his neck and pulls out the same 'worshiper' he had shown Jonathan and the Marquis much earlier. The sapphire at the heart of the four-pointed star flickers dully with ethereal light.

"No person can interfere with Her light like dat, an' It haz no power here now. ...so what's doin' this?"

▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪

"Honestly? That's how I felt when we first got here. Something felt off, and I don't just mean about this area. But now..."

Celeste looks around them, raising an eyebrow at the skull but dismissing it with a roll of her eyes.
"I think this is something I could get into. Seems like a little bit of harmless fun! Besides, do you really think that guy could be part of something dangerous? He looks like he struggles to put his shoes on in the morning!"

She laughs a little at that, but seeing Katrina's only partially abated wariness, quickly becomes serious again.
"Look, if we see anything particularly sketchy or unnerving, I promise we'll get out of here as fast as possible. And we won't commit to anything until we're sure it's safe. Sounds good?"

Aerlanica wrote:~snip~

"I'm afraid I disagree."

Feeling the blade push harder into his neck at those words, he merely raises his eyebrows in warning.
"Before you do anything drastic, my vitals are being monitored. If I die, your men outside follow."

It's not entirely a bluff. The man's standard-issue cybernetics are constantly reading his neural waves and blood pressure, but nothing is being actively broadcast outside of the subway station. However, those same cybernetics are providing a link to the small charge on the generator for remote detonation, so someone searching for a signal would find something emanating from his body.

"I'm not your enemy, just mistaken in my operating strategy."

▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪

The two Rathorian just entering the city are unsure where to start searching for their comrades and spend nearly half an hour skirting quietly around the military base that has suddenly come alive with activity. Eventually, knowing how the other two agents think, they are able to narrow it down to one of two locations, and they split up to check each.

Letting out a slow breath, the sniper has centered her scope on the first of the targets designated by her partner and is about to fire when the other HELIR operative makes a soft sound behind her, just enough to catch her notice. She spins around, halfway to pulling the trigger before she recognizes the man.

After a quick exchange of information she agrees to hold fire while he and the intelligence agent get into a better position. On his signal, she will start taking out field commanders so the other two can try to rush through the confusion.

Aerlanica wrote:(Oh! My mistake sorry!)

The Aerlanican engineer shrugs and states that it is perfectly fine for him to go ahead and fiddle around with it; after all, considering the technological advancement of the Galliadurm citizens, there shouldn't be much of an issue with them giving it a much needed upgrade.

Throughout the procedure, the Engineer calls over their surviving peers, and they observe the strange entity at work. They point out what various components are, or at least what they're substituting, and whereabouts they go or what they do. They ask many questions, but are attentive and polite; they are aware they know next to nothing compared with this entity.

Irrespective, Luan has to give it to the Aerlanicans; they've made more with less. It's clear the Aerlanicans were given nothing less than a scrap heap to make much of their things, but they've made much of their things from said scrap heap. While the design is crude, the structure is...slightly sickening...and there are many flaws, the fact is they've made functional aparati from junk and wreckadge. However Luan can't help but wonder how many different spacecraft was used to make this one...how many ships met their demise to craft the Perseverence.

Working together, it takes several dozen hours, many coffee breaks and a few power naps, but soon Luan has not only upgraded the Rift Engine, but has learnt how to make one. It doesnt mean much considering they have much more advanced dimensional tools, but still, it's a nice piece of knowledge to have.

As for the Aerlanican Volunteer, she pushes past her destroyed home and focuses on her childhood memories, trying to remember them as best as possible, as accurately as possible. When the tingle withdrew, the Volunteer stood up and looked around, a bit confused and preterbed that she wasn't there. With a sigh, she turned to Captain Anent who hadn't seen her memories, nor what their home looked like before destruction.

"It didn't work, did it?" Her voice asked, the slightest quake of age within it.

You're good.~)
And would you look at that, that Rift Engine has been given the unpatented "Gallianese Touch". What with its components both internally and exteriorly now being a mesh between arbrúl altered stone and what could be viewed as rare space metal. Not only because it belongs to space-farers either. Long before this machine reached Galliadurm, it has been moving through the continuum with experience being garnered with each tear opened. With that in mind, it's quite shocking to Luan how they haven't lost themselves to the "white abyss". A little bit of that arrogant mule coming through, don't mind that. Still though, he is willing to continue to give credit where credit is due. From Luan's personal experience, many of this earth's countries have all tried to "evolve" into a space-faring nation like their predecessors before them.

And in spite of having more time and being surrounded by a lesser amounts of danger, their "spick-and-span" vessels have all came crashing down on them. Even Galliadurm hasn't been able or willing to create vessels capable of reaching towards the stars, albeit for a plethora of reasons. Revealing that they're space-capable will surely incure the wrath of their neighbours, neighbours who has tried their damnest to make sure Galliadurm as a whole "doesn't exist". This going beyond assaults and the like, more along the lines of getting everyone to believe the nation isn't a real one in the same way the powerful people before them made sure everyone, if not the greater majority, believe the devil is a myth. And as it would happen, the devil and the gargantuan artificial island Galliadurm calls home are related to one another.

That bit aside though, Luan is as pleased to announce the presence of the revamped Rift Engine as Captain Anent is with what he is about to show to this Aerlanican volunteer. Actions are better than words could ever be to the old and wise, he knows this. So with that in mind, Captain Anent asked this volunteer to look to her left. The insectoid probe from before has flown over to her with a couple of feet being put between them, and has begun disassembling itself in the way it did before in order to conjure a portal. This portal wasn't like the previous one, however. That one hid the location the portal was tethering itself to, this one isn't doing such a thing. On the other side of that portal is being shown that land she envisioned. Vacant, but still wreathed in fresh air. Previously far-reached, but obviously within grasp now. After this was done, Captain Anent allowed silence to take over.. this is surely going to be an emotional moment.

The portal being opened to reveal the refugees' new home has also caught Luan's attention, he doesn't look all that pleased. The fresh air coming from that portal being mixed in with the aroma of cherry that still fills this part of the forest is about to make him sneeze. "..Achooo!"

Aerlanica wrote:Mandrat flicked through the binder before-

"here we are; Seventh floor, room 7B."

"Alright, well let's get climbing. Find the stairs."

It was up to Mandrat whether to take said stairs, or use the defunct elevator.

The Aerlanican delegation, consisting of one Roodem lady (short with red hair and a freckled face) as well as one aide and a handful of soldiers boarded the bus. The Roodem lady was wearing a simple white blouse with a blue dress jacket and blue dress pants...as well as more functional joggers; she was ready to run.

An alarm sounded, and she quickly took a tablet. She looked over to an Oaterian soldier and smiled.

"Anxiety medication; it can get pretty bad sometimes."

Country-Humans

It wasn't so much as someone walking up to him as him walking into someone. As he turned on his cellphone and looked for the email for his housing, he slammed into someone which resulted in him tumbling over. A strong hand grasped the back of his shirt before he fell face first onto his phone and hauled him up to his feet.

"Hey watch it you unco-ordinated fool, you could've knocked my IV over."

Looking up, Oateria came face to face with...a scarred face. Her right eye was covered with an eyepatch bearing a solitary, eight pointed star upon it, and her cheeks were heavily scarred, many of them knew. Her shirt was second hand and was a button up shirt, and a jacket hung over her shoulders like a cape. Her pants were plain cargos that had seen better days, and her shoes were the military kind.

As for the IV...well...one was attached to her wrist through a small plug firmly embedded within her. However her grip relaxed and she dusted Oateria off.

"Hey! Rei Khan! You know this guy?"

(I just thought a funny idea-What if the sect of "Mandratism" that more closely follows her motives decides to get drinks after worship in the exact bar in Raziel where she ruined a guy's life?)

It should have taken them less than two seconds to guess which one Mandrat would pick. Mandrat originally grabbed a firework but seeing Snow's dissaproving look grabbed a grappling hook instead, throwing the whole thing into the elevator and diving in after it.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs they saw Mandrat doing a handstand, before tumbling onto her back. The woman smitten with Mandrat quickly helped her up.

Mandrat dusted herself off. "Thanks. Never caught your name, by the way."

********

"Nah, I understand. We had a civil war that was over in two weeks and didn't do much damage to us, I know tons of folk in the army who take them anyways." Said a major. "Private Lakrin, start driving to Raziel. He wants us there within three hours and it's a two hour drive to the admin building."

"Sir, yes sir!"

The major sat down and turned on the television, which was set to Oaterian hockey. "Help yourself to the snacks if you like. We have a full buffet ready at the signing for yinz."

Rei Khan wrote:Rei wrapped an arm around her, putting away the arrow. She was careful not to mess with IV. She gave a small smile, looking at Aeri.

Her father, the Khanate, had died three years ago, and Soviet had taken it hard. He'd disappeared, and Rei hadn't heard from him in a year. She wasn't very concerned, Sovi could take care of himself just fine. Tsara, her younger sister, now resided a few miles from the College, so Rei could easily help her. Tsara was 16, and Rei was doing the best she could.

Her thoughts returned to Aeri and Oateria, as she waited for the latter to answer.

"sorry-I have no idea where I'm supposed to be-sorry-andiwastryingtofindoutsorryand-"

"Oateria, it's fine. Relax."

He took a deep breath. "It's funny too, I think this is the first time anyone's called me by my full first name in a while. Most of the kids at the summer camp I counseled for called me OT. You guys know where the dorms are?"

Rei Khan wrote:-snip-

Aeri smiled slightly at Rei's embrace. As she too awaited Oateria's reply.

The Children of Eternity wrote:-snip-

Jonathan approached and looked at it, frowning.

"I'm not one to immediately assume...however the treaty did not exactly protect "her" capabilities from interference. Irrespective, this is still a cause of concern; if the Abyss found a loophole, it means I was not as thorough as I thought...that is a fault on my behalf Mr Luthar, and for that I am sorry."

He scratched his chin further.

"This means that while my loophole of immediately granting Aerlanican Citizenship to people will work, on account of me being the Aerlanican head-of-state, it means he's also working against us with similar loopholes...one method this could be is that while the abyss may not be able to harm us..."

He paused.

"...the priests will." He murmured.

He sat down on the chair in thought.

"Now how to protect you..."

Jonathan thought for a considerable amount of time, often murmuring nonsenses to himself, before he looked over towards Anne.

"I wonder...could I?"

Jonathan looked around to the gathered girls, and raised a finger.

"How would you like to test a hypothesis with me?"

"A what?" Autumn asked.

"An educated guess," Jonathan explained, "consider my capabilities-" he tapped his head, obviously refering to his psychic capabilities, "-for a moment...the barriers of my mind are weakened and allow me to investigate and pierce through the barriers that separate your minds from other minds...now what if instead of that I tried to weaken your "barriers", akin to that of what Psyform did to me."

"You're trying to give them psychic powers?" The Marquis asked. "Is that possible for you?"

"Only one way to find out, and either something horrific happens, or we get nine or so new psykers on our side...Father Prunty, you are somewhat skilled in this affair, would your skilled mind say it possible?

******

Katrina slipped her fingers between the body suit and her neck nervously and let out a chuckle. The psycic suggestion within her mind once again regaining control.

"You're right...I've nothing to worry about when you're around." She said with a smile. "After all, you seem to have your head screwed on a bit more than I do today...I'll trust your judgement on everything...just...I'm trusting you ok? so don't throw me under the bus."

Celeste chuckled.
"After everything I've done you really think I would do anything to harm you?"

Katrina let out a small laugh.
"Well...no I guess not...besides all your ideas so far seem to be pretty...sound...if a bit odd...thanks for the...the body suit by the way it's...it's comfy and looks good...wish I was brave enough to wear it as openly as you though so...yeah...bloody hell I was confident yesterday what the hell's happen?"

"it's probably just the warehouse," Celeste said, trying to keep her psychic interference last night a secret, "Seriously, you're getting freaked out with these old decorations?"

Katrina laughed a bit.

"You're right..." she grasped Celeste's hand and squeezed, "...I've nothing to be afraid of."

Rathoria wrote:-snip-

The Major looked at the HELIR troop and approached him. He briefly inspected his body before withdrawing a pistol. With a sigh of relief, the Major tapped the woman's shoulder.

"He's Rathorian."

"You sure?"

"Last I checked the Rathorian Military kept a very tight lid on their supplies; they're professional like that."

The atmosphere loosened as a wave of calm washed over them. The woman let out a chuckle and shook her head.

"Should've led with that big guy; we would've let you walked in without issue." She said with a smile, sheathing the knife, and seemingly oblivious to the fact that a few seconds earlier she had it pressed against his throat.

"Fasionably late as always I see?" The Major asked. "Problem is, why're you dressed as a Waste-Ranger? You're practically asking for a bullet to the back of your skull if you're seen of course."

Galliadurm wrote:-snip-

It is not just fresh air that is blown from the portal. Another scent is smelt; beautiful fragrance long lost to the cruelty of war. The Aerlanicans pause once the portal is open, thunderstruck by nostalgia, and gazed through the portal. While the Lazarin and Shakar never have seen Aerlanica in it's beauty, they too are struck by awe, and even the Galliadurm have a hard time keeping their jaws from dropping slightly, and their astonishment overtake them.

The Volunteer shudders briefly, hesitant. She is unsure if what she is seeing is just on a screen through the portal.

She reaches out, her fingers stopping ever so slightly before the threshold. Wish a hesitant prod, her hands pass through and her breath is choked within her throat.

She steps through, and soon Luan, Captain Anent, and the rest of the assembled cohort pass through.

They step into one of many valleys, the sky above clear and dotted with clouds that brush against the peaks of mountains impossibly high and crested with sparkling snow, clear and clean. The brisk, crisp air that flows around them in a soft breeze carries with it the scent of fresh mountain dew, the herbs of the peaks, and a million different wildflowers which they now see filling the floor of the valley, scattered over it liberally like colourful confettee after a birthday party, as colourful as they are numerous, spread across grass impossibly green, greener than even the grass of Galliadurm by leaps and bounds. Tall, proud and vibrant pines, oaks and many other trees stand tall and proud in clusters across the valley floor and occasionally straddling a crystal clear river, before they blanket the approaches to the mountains, eventually becoming snowcapped before the rocky peaks claim all.

The river is clean, slightly cold, and tastes lovely, within it swim schools of fish, some with sparkling scales and vibrant hues and other more dull. Gazing upon these new arrivals are curious animals, including a pack of large wolves who's brown-grey hairs end in frost-white tips.

The Volunteer drops her rifle as tears fill her eyes. No words escape her mouth as she simply gazes about. The captain, unsure as to what the tears are, approaches her and places a hand on her shoulder.

"Is...everything al-"

His words are cut off as she embraces the Captain in a rib-breaking hug as she herself breaks down into inconsolable sobs. The Aerlanicans are obviously quite emotional as they gaze about, many of them attempting to hold back tears and many of them failing. The Shakar and Lazarin are more awestruck by this visage of beauty and wander about, while the Galliadurn cannot help but feel a slight pang of jealousy at the sight of this landscape, but also a pang of pity at the same time for what the Aerlanicans had lost.

Elysium, Heaven, Eden, Paradise...they are synonimous with Aerlanica. This act by Galliadurm is something the Aerlanicans will never forget.

Oateria wrote:-snip-

(That'd be an interesting ritual haha)

The woman smiled as she perhaps held Mandrats hand for a bit too long.

"Sophia...I'm glad to have met you...maybe we can catch up aft-"

"Stick to the mission...let's search her apartment."

******

"I...thank you but I should stay frugal in what I eat; this is a diplomatic mission, not a time to escape the hardships for what the Aerlanicans are suffering through," the woman said, "I have to keep the unity."

The woman looked to the hockey and frowned.

"What's this game called?"

******

The woman currently being held by Rei shrugged.

"We do, but howabout you just hang out a bit with us; can't hurt can't it?"

Aerlanica wrote:

(That'd be an interesting ritual haha)

The woman smiled as she perhaps held Mandrats hand for a bit too long.

"Sophia...I'm glad to have met you...maybe we can catch up aft-"

"Stick to the mission...let's search her apartment."

******

"I...thank you but I should stay frugal in what I eat; this is a diplomatic mission, not a time to escape the hardships for what the Aerlanicans are suffering through," the woman said, "I have to keep the unity."

The woman looked to the hockey and frowned.

"What's this game called?"

******

The woman currently being held by Rei shrugged.

"We do, but howabout you just hang out a bit with us; can't hurt can't it?"

Mandrat looked towards a fourth wall.

"Gee, can't find a date for eternity and when you do get one she's obsessed with you. Ain't that just the way?"

"What?" Called out an Aerlanican soldier.

"Nothing!" shouted back Mandrat, who cartwheeled into the apartment, pulling out a comically small magnifying glass before twisting it to give it a normal size.

********

"Apologies. I'm always impressed with the nobility of your ambassadors. As for the game...This is hockey. Usually, the privates will kill me if I don't have it on baseball, but this is one out of the four months of the year where there's no games. Randecan Exterminators versus the Mes Roges Roosters."

********

Oateria felt slight relief for the acceptance of his apology.

"Yeah, that sounds good. You guys going anywhere, or just relaxing out here?"

Oateria wrote:

Oateria felt slight relief for the acceptance of his apology.

"Yeah, that sounds good. You guys going anywhere, or just relaxing out here?"

The apartment was sparse but largely intact, with one main room serving as a combined kitchen-dining room separated by an island. Over to the left was a corridor with four doors serving four rooms. As Mandrat walked around she saw a picture frame hung from a wall. Quite a few bottles of alcohol, many empty, were scattered about, and a fine layer of dust was settled over everything.

It showed who Mandrat assumed to be Madylin Jones smiling brightly, hugging a man with brown hair and brown eyes. Before them sat two girls, beaming brightly, no older than seven or eight. By the vertant grass and living tree, this was taken before the civil war. More such pictures were placed about; Madylin and the man at their wedding, the former dressed in a beautiful white dress, while the latter dressed in a crisp suit and tie. Madylin holding two children at once dressed in a hospital gown, exhausted but joyous. More family pictures were placed about almost obsessively. A few photo albums were also strewn about, with similarly themed photos, some remnants of alcohol spills present.

"She's a mother?" Asked one, surprised.

Mandrat walked to the first door in the corridor and opened it up. Inside was a pair of beds, neatly made and untouched for some time. Stuffed toys covered them however the room had been empty for years. Wallpaper was peeling, and a heftly layer of dust covered everything. The wardrobe was untouched and still held the attire for young children, even eight years on. School bags were left discarded by the door, one of which had a stain of long dried, blackened liquid.

"What you make of this, Mandrat?" Asked one.

******

"Tell me about these games, I'm not sure if I've heard of them."

Country Human University

"Just relaxing for the time being." the woman said. She extended her left hand out to Oateria. "I'm Aerlanica by the way, but you can call me Aeri."

"Well...no offense but...what happened to you?" Oateria asked.

Aeri sighed.

"Abusive relationships...I wanted a breakup, he broke me...I got rid of the f%$@er though so we're even."

Aerlanica wrote:It is not just fresh air that is blown from the portal. Another scent is smelt; beautiful fragrance long lost to the cruelty of war. The Aerlanicans pause once the portal is open, thunderstruck by nostalgia, and gazed through the portal. While the Lazarin and Shakar never have seen Aerlanica in it's beauty, they too are struck by awe, and even the Galliadurm have a hard time keeping their jaws from dropping slightly, and their astonishment overtake them.

The Volunteer shudders briefly, hesitant. She is unsure if what she is seeing is just on a screen through the portal.

She reaches out, her fingers stopping ever so slightly before the threshold. Wish a hesitant prod, her hands pass through and her breath is choked within her throat.

She steps through, and soon Luan, Captain Anent, and the rest of the assembled cohort pass through.

They step into one of many valleys, the sky above clear and dotted with clouds that brush against the peaks of mountains impossibly high and crested with sparkling snow, clear and clean. The brisk, crisp air that flows around them in a soft breeze carries with it the scent of fresh mountain dew, the herbs of the peaks, and a million different wildflowers which they now see filling the floor of the valley, scattered over it liberally like colourful confettee after a birthday party, as colourful as they are numerous, spread across grass impossibly green, greener than even the grass of Galliadurm by leaps and bounds. Tall, proud and vibrant pines, oaks and many other trees stand tall and proud in clusters across the valley floor and occasionally straddling a crystal clear river, before they blanket the approaches to the mountains, eventually becoming snowcapped before the rocky peaks claim all.

The river is clean, slightly cold, and tastes lovely, within it swim schools of fish, some with sparkling scales and vibrant hues and other more dull. Gazing upon these new arrivals are curious animals, including a pack of large wolves who's brown-grey hairs end in frost-white tips.

The Volunteer drops her rifle as tears fill her eyes. No words escape her mouth as she simply gazes about. The captain, unsure as to what the tears are, approaches her and places a hand on her shoulder.

"Is...everything al-"

His words are cut off as she embraces the Captain in a rib-breaking hug as she herself breaks down into inconsolable sobs. The Aerlanicans are obviously quite emotional as they gaze about, many of them attempting to hold back tears and many of them failing. The Shakar and Lazarin are more awestruck by this visage of beauty and wander about, while the Galliadurn cannot help but feel a slight pang of jealousy at the sight of this landscape, but also a pang of pity at the same time for what the Aerlanicans had lost.

Elysium, Heaven, Eden, Paradise...they are synonimous with Aerlanica. This act by Galliadurm is something the Aerlanicans will never forget.

The beauty of this new land is unmatched, isn't it? A lot of effort was put in to reproducing and stabilizing the new world these Aerlanican refugees will be living on for the foreseeable future. Making sure time flowed accurately without any hiccups, making sure the "gift" left behind for them will prove to be as much as a boon for them as their Rift Engine is (this will be left up to you. o-o), and making sure life as a few of them knew it will flourish and become a tad bit more easier. Among other things. That last part depends on whether or not they are willing to continue their fight with the Primaeri and their other enemies more known to them than they are to the two Gallianese citizens standing with them in this special moment. Whatever route they choose to follow will be theirs to tread however they see fit. Hopefully in time this won't end up biting Galliadurm in the ass, it likely will though. "No good deed gone unpunished", and all that. It has happened before.

Now while Captain Anent was receiving the embrace forged from a thousand years worth of pull ups, given the good amount of firearm discipline this Aerlanican war genius momentarily disregarded when she dropped her rifle as joy-born tears flowed from eyes who has seen a thing or two. As those tears moved down from her face and onto his stain free garbs, that "pang of jealousy" came from Luan. But for reasons one may not think of. Why do they get to keep that Rift Engine? Of course he knew the reason and was made aware of the statement Captain Anent made to the refugee-turned-pilgrims prior. And yes, he knows how to make another one solely from the materials available on Galliadurm. It just boils down to him pouting since he'll have to part ways with something his hands and tools diddled with. He'll get over it. The urge to feel pity for these people, something that would drag down happy moment from its perch, is being left behind for the feeling of happiness.

Happiness in knowing the way they first responded to all of this, including the encounter after the initial crash, has led to both parties benefitting from this in ways they'll come to know in the near future. For Galliadurm, creating two completely stable and furnished pocket dimensions may garner attention from some cosmic onlookers. This here is but the second pocket dimension that was created by Galliadurm's gifted minds. The first is a nameless pocket dimension that was built over two hundred years ago where Gallianese citizens dwell in to this day.

Aerlanica wrote:-snip-

Ameli stepped up and peered through the lens.
"Wow! The image is so clear! You must have really high-quality lenses! You must learn a lot about blood and stuff with such good imagery. But it looks normal, no? I've seen depictions of blood under a little-eye, and it always looked like this - well, fuzzier, of course, but this is just normal blood. Are you looking for something in particular? Maybe I can help?"

******

Echo was still kept calm by Vara until Vara left, closing the door behind her. Echo immediately began looking around and growling softly. He then proceeded to investigate the room, sniffing everything to make sure the place was safe.

******

Eveline paused, then nodded.
"No, it's fine. Let's do it."

******

The girl nodded.
"Very well, Miss. But I don't suppose that will help me get out of here, will it?"

******

Carmelia approached him.
"So...where exactly do you want to go? I can't take you to, well, our main holy place of course, though anyways it is a mess there."

*************

Once again, the group was led to a town. Talide forces then escorted them to the same capital with additional security, and the same guest house was provided. Fitting all the soldiers would be quite a tight fit in the guest barracks, though.

The king was given the option of whether he wished to meet with Lord Talide immediately - in which case he would be led to the same throne room in much the same fashion as the Princess had - or if he first wished to rest.

North South North West Kansas

(Corali was waiting on a second steak I think?)

As Corali waited on the steak, she wandered over to the window to look outside.

Galliadurm wrote:-snip-

The Aerlanicans give outpouring of praise to Galliadurm, and promise the world and more to the Gallianese. The Aerlanicans state that if the Gallianese need anything, the Aerlanicans will provide as best they can. The Gallianese are also welcomed to visit any time they wish, and Luan is informed that they will take good care of "his" Rift Engine.

There is little more than happiness and joy within their hearts and minds, and they wish no more than to run freely through these lands. However, work must be done, and thus they set about grabbing all the supplies with them and dragging them through the portal into "New Aerlanica". With them they take temporary generators, as well as large amounts of components and equipment including solar generators, heaters, mobile fridges as well as the Rift Engine and the Fusion Reactor of the ship, which is turned off currently to save the fuel which will be necessary to "fire" the Rift Engine. Furthermore, they bring rifles and armaments to defend themselves, and to also hunt. They ask the Gallianese for seeds and other crops to plant and grow food from, and begin constructing a rudimentary settlement with log cabins, tents and steel shelters.

The Sole Survivor, as she has become known, wanders aimlessly and calmly throughout the wilderness. Still refusing to talk and easily startled, she is cared for as best as possible by the other Aerlanicans. Furthermore, the last remaining fragments of the ship that can be dragged away are dragged with them, and many Aerlanicans remain behind to help carve up and dismantle the remnants of the ship. Soon, the ship is little more than slag being carted away to be melted down, and the campsite no more than a burnt crater in the ground.

For the first time in a while, the Aerlanicans have a weight lifted off their shoulders. No burden of their most egregious sin, no destroyed and dead home, no threat of annihilation, just peace. The children laugh, rush about and play as they did before, and the former crew set in for their new life living peacefully.

However, a small portion of the Aerlanicans approach the Captain Anent. So curious, and endeared to, the Gallianese society they are, that they wish to join. Granted, they have no idea what consists of Gallianese culture and society, but they wish to live amongst their most noble and kind benefactors.

(As for the glassed land in the desert; it is non-radioactive. It's safe...just gotta clear away the corpses first)

Tyramon wrote:

Once again, the group was led to a town. Talide forces then escorted them to the same capital with additional security, and the same guest house was provided. Fitting all the soldiers would be quite a tight fit in the guest barracks, though.

The king was given the option of whether he wished to meet with Lord Talide immediately - in which case he would be led to the same throne room in much the same fashion as the Princess had - or if he first wished to rest.

North South North West Kansas

(Corali was waiting on a second steak I think?)

As Corali waited on the steak, she wandered over to the window to look outside.

"When you got excited, the blood flashed green." Tabitha explained. "I'm trying to see if it was just a fluke, or if it is something big. After all, i'm trying to see how your power works.

Tabitha sighed.

"But whenever I tried to get you excited, it didn't flash any further...which is curious if a bit disheartening...does your blood usually change properties? Well I suppose you wouldn't know."

******

The place was, indeed, safe. There was a vent but it was firm and secure, and the location in the immediate vicinity of Moonglow and the pups was secure.

Moonglow looked at Echo and laid down on her side, a bit tired but otherwise fine.

** *** **

As Vara walked along the halls, she looked out of the hangar and saw four fighters in the distance, with two individuals watching, seemingly infatuated.

******

Ann smirked, and nodded.

"Alright, but don't tell me I forced you to, ya hear?"

She motioned for Eveline to follow.

"Come on."

She stood up and turned to leave the recreation hall.

******

Nelly paused, and sighed.
"No...unfortunately not. The Royal Emperor owns me and thus I'm not allowed to directly interfere with him...but I could at least try and make your life easier...hopefully..."

She pursed her lips.

"Any other way I can help?"

******

Hawthorne paused.
"That certainly complicates matters but...I suppose take us to Witta...or at least just me to Witta...I want to make sure she's ok."

******

The King Ernst made a curious request. He wished to meet with "Lady Widianaya" and Lord Talide. He seemed quite adamant about meeting Lady Widianaya, and said he was willing to pay any necessary price to do so.

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