Extending the Front (The Moross Crusade Dominion of Ceto)

[Crystal]

Crystal smiled at the thought of fun. "Very good." And she turned to look out the window for a first hand look. The scenery was very inviting indeed. Others that would come would want the planet for themselves. Moross would find the planet well worth the resources to protect it.

She made mental notes of the names of the islands and their shapes. Seasons, strange. Then again, she was used to having the weather regulated either through technology or by her own manipulations.

The Sith Princess glanced toward her comrades briefly to gauge their reactions to the scenery before turning her attention to the outdoors once more.

[member="Judah Dashiell"] [member="Loxa Visl"] [member="Piraiba"]

 

[Vascious Relens]

"Get lost on the way up here Darlin'?"

There was a noticeable pause before an unexpected man's voice finally responded to Judah's inquiry. "Your wife is having her child on the transport. She asked that I text you. We should be landing soon."

The Mandalorian looked down at the Galan once more. "The shuttle is scheduled to go to a Silk Holdings ship. Can you get there?"

Vascious wouldn't have abandoned the mermaid, but he wasn't going to spend several more hours with her if there was a husband she could be left with. Pregnant women just weren't very pleasant company when it came time to give birth.

[member="Judah Dashiell"] [member="Thessa Kai"]

 

[Thessa Kai]

[member="Vascious Relens"] [member="Judah Dashiell"]

A scream-turned whimper sounded in the background. She managed to catch the sound of Judah's voice just for a second, wondering what century Vascious was born in not to text. But she, obviously, had bigger things to think about.

Like pushing a kid out.

Hand reached-up and grabbed the older man's arm, squeezing harshly as another contraction worked through her system. The shuttle rumbled and an announcement to land came over the systems. Gritting her teeth, she found her voice. "Tell...Judah...to have the facilities ready...forrraaaghhhhh," she bit down again, breathing heavily, "a water birth."

Scale-speckled face glistened with worry and determination. Head seemed to float away for a second. She was already dehydrated. Black spots drifted in front of her vision.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Thessa Kai"] [member="Vascious Relens"]

"I'm currently on that Silk Holdings vessel. I will be meeting you at the entry way."

Shaky hands alerted their chosen medical center to the impending birth. Naturally, it was going to be in the water....Judah supposed due to Thessa's nature as a Galan. At the time, he hadn't really asked many questions. It wasn't like he was pushing out the kid. Maybe he should have asked more questions though. He felt grossly under prepared for the event at hand. Judah hadn't even put the crib together, it was still in pieces, laying against a corner of their bedroom.

Hurrying down to the docking area for the Pathfinder class, Chalu was hot on his heels. Judah and the Mon Calamarian had brought a personal shuttle up to meet with everyone, so getting back down would be much quicker than relying on the public transport system.

 

[Vascious Relens]

"ETA to ship," asked the Aesir as the co-pilot came down into the transport's holding area to see what all the fuss is about. "You have a woman giving birth, ETA," inquired the Aesir a bit more firmly when the man returned a quizzical look.

"Uh just a few minutes."

Vascious nodded to him and looked back down at the Galan who had reached up to grip his arm as hard as she could. He was old, but there was still significant muscle tone fighting against her grip. "We will be there in a few minutes. She says to prepare facilities for a water birth."

With that the Mandalorian ended the transmission and pocketed her phone since he had taken up the mantle as her guardian for the time being for some unknown reason. "Deep breaths girl, we'll be there soon."

This really was an odd predicament. He knew Amorella would have whole heartedly approved of him assisting Thessa, but he wondered what Solaiel would have thought. His nephew no doubt was responsible for creating many bastard children. Not likely that he assisted in delivering any of them though.

[member="Thessa Kai"] [member="Judah Dashiell"]

 

[Blackthorne]

"This is most beautiful," Loxa said as she watched through the windows at the scenery gliding past them. The Priestess leaned towards Crystal, soft words coming from within her hood - not inaudible or secretive, but simply respect of Sola as she continued the tour, "We must take every effort to maintain balance of the ecosystem here. Anything we construct must comply with environmental safety factors. Pollution is not something this planet can withstand or afford."

Her attention turned back to Sola then, thin brows lofting at the mention of their next destination, "Do you use... I do not know the word - ships that can traverse both air and water?" Loxa was not the most current on technology - so much of of her life on Aaris III had been lead within a nightsister witch clan, one that had been very isolated.

[member="Crystal"] [member="Judah Dashiell"]

 

[Lana Orion]

She found a spot that was not splattered with anything and sat on it. Quickly she began to eat, with her eyes darting around as she chewed, inspecting her surroundings. From behind, it might seem as if she was hearing voices again. But in actuality, she was just obsessive compulsive and a germaphobe. It wouldn't be long before she finished eating and returned to her quarters to clean. It helped to reassure herself of that while in surroundings such as these.

 

[Ashra'syle'nuruodo]

Watching the possibly crazy woman retrieve food and find a seat to eat Asylen became more convinced the other woman was insane. She stared as the other woman’s eyes darted around the room, she couldn’t imagine what use the gods had for a woman such as this but it wasn’t her place to question the will of the gods. She was a faithful servant of the gods and as such it was her duty to work with this woman in whatever capacity they chose.

As she watched Ashra’syle’nuruodo tried to use her new skills to better understand the other woman trying to use the powers of the gods to try and understand the sensations and feelings of the other woman.

 

[Crystal]

Crystal smiled in agreement "Absolutely stunning," she added. She leaned toward Loxa to listen to what she had to say. The Sith Princess agreed. "I agree. This world is beautiful." She turned her attention back out the window and listened as their tour continued and Loxa asked about the transports between the land and water cities.

[member="Loxa Visl"] [member="Judah Dashiell"]

 

[Lana Orion]

Lana was very aware of Asylen's eyes on her. She averted her eyes, but then they fell back into the same pattern. And the woman was still watching her. Why was she watching? Why? Why?

She blurted out "Why are you watching me?" And she looked away again, continuing to eat.

[member="Ashra'syle'nuruodo"]

 

[Ashra'syle'nuruodo]

Asylen didn’t reply to the crazy woman, she just quietly watched her feeling nothing but pity, she kept trying to understand the other woman’s motives her emotions were so random and unfocused they were hard to follow and interpret especially for someone as new to these powers as the Chiss woman. She had to give up, just trying to keep up with the emotions was exhausting for her. She didn’t let it show though. She maintained her composure as she got up to get a glass of water keeping her eyes fixed on the crazy woman not sure she wanted to let other woman out of her field of view.

[member="Lana Orion"]

 

[Lana Orion]

Even as the stranger walked away she was watching Lana. That made the small woman twitch. She picked up what was left of her food and disposed of it before heading for the door of the mess. It was time go. Too many eyes...

"Too many eyes.... Too many eyes..." She muttered as she shuffled toward the door.

 

[Thessa Kai]

[member="Vascious Relens"] [member="Judah Dashiell"]

She knew something was wrong. Call it pre-maternal instincts. The block spots in her vision expanded and her grip around Vascious' arm loosened. The world on her axis tilted severely and she felt herself slumping back in her seat, arms hanging limp at her sides. Blue-streaked driftwood colored hair washed over her face as her head tilted.

Even through the contractions, she was blacking out.

Before her eyes closed involuntarily, she caught one last glimpse of the burly, old warrior and just beyond his shoulder, she thought she caught a glimpse of a medical team as the shuttle doors opened. Funny, she didn't even feel the shuttle land. She didn't feel anything but eerie-blackness.

 

[Ashra'syle'nuruodo]

Getting a glass of water Ashra'syle'nuruodo watched the other woman leave the mess, it was probably for the best, she was probably scaring others in the room, or at least that was the feeling she was getting from the others around her. It was less exhausting trying to interpret their emotional state then that of the small woman but it was good practice so she took her glass of water and followed the crazy woman, keeping here eyes fixed on her, quietly following and observing as she tried to glean an understanding of the other woman through her scattered emotions.

[member="Lana Orion"]

 

[Lana Orion]

[member="Ashra'syle'nuruodo"]

She left the mess hall and muttered continuously as she headed back to her quarters. Others in the corridors were looking at her. Everyone was looking at her.

"STOP LOOKING AT ME." She yelled in the corridor before slipping into her quarters. And she sat on her bed and rocked.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Thessa Kai"] , [member="Crystal"] , [member="Loxa Visl"] , [member="Vascious Relens"]

"Keeping Ceto pristine is a concern. Most areas on the planet have rules and regulations regarding construction and the output of pollution. Nothing insane in nature...we just prefer not to let our planet become a toxic waste dump." Shifting slightly as the transport banked for its landing, Sola answered the next question. "We do not. Currently one must land and take a second transport down. Honestly its not something we think of. Perhaps because you are outsiders you see the need for one."

A noticeable slowdown was occurring with the transport and the water was advancing quickly towards their viewports. Landing procedures were initiated and Sola spoke up once again.

"We will be landing within moments. We'll have to disembark and then board one of the undersea shuttles. They will be located immediately to your right, on the water's edge. Can't miss it."

---------

Waiting anxiously at the doors, Judah expected Thessa to be waiting on him, grumbling and cursing their current predicament. Yet it was oddly quiet. There was no angry mermaid. The lack of his wife sent Judah on edge, there should have been something to alert him to her presence. Stepping in past the disembarking passengers, the sight of Thessa slumped over caught his eye. A team of Selkath paramedics were busy administering to her, most likely called by one of the passengers and moving in through an emergency dock.

"Thess..." Stepping closer, an arm immediately stopped him. One of the paramedics.

"Sorry kid, we're trying to work here."

"Thats my wife. And my kid."

"Either way, you're not coming with us. You're more than welcome to come to Lir Medical Centre, she's being transported immediately."

 

[Vascious Relens]

[member="Thessa Kai"] [member="Judah Dashiell"]

A hand came down onto Judah's shoulder from behind. It was a large man with graying hair, who give him a nod.

"It's alright, she's doing well. Getting her to the hospital will be the safest route," responded the Aesir with the same voice that had contacted Judah over Thessa's phone. Slowly the false god reached into his pocket and pulled out the communications device to hand to Dashiell.

"Do you know where the representatives from Moross are?"

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Vascious Relens"]

The man looked familiar but Judah had trouble placing him. Carefully he took the comm device from the gray haired man, slipping it into his pocket. He wasn't entirely sure Thessa was 'doing well'. People who were generally well didn't look so pale and get carted off to the hospital. Trying to pull himself together mentally, Judah thought back to where the representatives had exited while he had been waiting aboard the Silk ship.

"Not exactly. I heard something about visiting the surface. I doubt they would be hard to find from there.... This transport will take you right back down."

 

[Crystal]

Crystal nodded in agreement. "It would be a shame if this planet became a dump. And a terrible waste. We must prevent that from happening." She wasn't entirely surprised that there wasn't a transport that could go from space to under the water, it didn't seem feasible. Or at all efficient, simply because of the massive resources that would be required for constructing such a vessel. In fact, she wasn't even sure that it was possible.

"I don't believe it is necessary, we were merely curious as to your methods of travel here. I believe that nothing that isn't broken needs to be fixed." She offered a smile. They would be landing in a moment and boarding one of the vessels that would take them below the surface.

When the shuttle landed, she unbuckled herself from her seat and made her way off the shuttle. The air was refreshing as she stepped out and took a look around. It was certainly a different view than the one from above. In some ways, she preferred this view. She had all of her senses engaged in this experience, the smells, the feel of the sand and ground beneath her feet, the sounds. The Sith Princess could practically taste the water, which she presumed was salty. Most importantly, she could feel everything through the Force, an experience which was lost in the steel of the ships.

Crystal took her time as she moved to the water's edge. Her skin was basking in the sun. She hardly noticed her companions at all in fact, until she reached the transport and looked around to locate them before boarding.

[member="Judah Dashiell"] [member="Loxa Visl"] [member="Piraiba"]

 

[Lana Orion]

The rocking soothed Lana after a few minutes, and she was back to a semi calm state. She went to the refresher and stripped off her exposed clothing. They were sealed into storage until she had a chance to wash them. She climbed into the shower and turned on the hot water. As usual, she was burning the germs off of her skin, then scrubbing it. It was no longer painful to Lana, as she'd been doing it all her life.

When she was finished, she sterilized the shower stall and the rest of the refresher before leaving it. And then proceeded to sterilize all the way back to her bed, which was the last thing she would sterilize. She hadn't been in the bed yet, so it was sufficient to spray the top of the bedding with disinfectant. And now she could redress before taking a brief rest. Lana slipped under the sheets and closed her eyes.