Private To Infinity...

[Commodore Helix]

Helix watched the preparations with some apprehension. He wasn't sure why he had complicated matters more by including Lirka Ka , but if it got the wretched Sephi to shut up for a few nanoseconds, then it was probably worth every penny.

The Ka woman had ceaselessly bothered him about visiting Otherspace when he had foolishly let slip that he had been there. Otherspace seemed too innocent a name for such a place, and "been there" was too innocent a way to phrase his imprisonment there. He loathed the place, but he could not deny that there were objects there of some use.

He'd been tossing around the idea of this venture for a while, but had continued to put it off. He hated to admit his fear of being trapped there again, of what his now vastly-greater intelligence would do if it experienced those eons of isolation again. Better to focus on the goal: to sniff around, and set up an outpost there for future and more heavily-armed expeditions.

On this trip was a lone Horla-Class corvette, himself, a few droids, and a slobbering, energetic young Helslug, who seemed happy just to be included. This one was but a pup, and he had already had to repeatedly dissuade it from eating his battle droids. Still, its annoying exuberance was worth it. It was their ticket into and out of Otherspace.

"We will not be here long." Said Helix, addressing the droids. Both physical B1H models and flickering blue holodroids were present, though they seldom got along. The metal droids resented their hardlight counterparts, and something of a rivalry had emerged. He was pleased to note that they were capable of being professional enough to keep the usual practical jokes, hazings, and other nuisances out of his view.

"Just long enough to take some readings and samples, and return. Still, this trip will be dangerous, as befitting its high priority. Lirka Ka of the Kainate will be joining us as an..." he tried to pick a polite word. "...observer. Kindly show her due courtesy, or failing that, keep your commentary to a minimum."

He turned and adjusted some instruments that were monitoring the slug.

 

[Lirka Ka]

Lirka had walked the Galaxy for many, many, years. In those long years she had learned much, witnessed dark relevation, the death of worlds, the collapse of empires. Yet, there was a single piece of wisdom that she had taken to heart in the nigh two centuries of her existence: being a childish nuisance was ultimately very effective if one could be persistent enough.

By all metrics she didn't particularly want to annoy poor Commodore Helix as much as she had. But the opportunity presented was simply too great to pass up, and there was no better company she could have desired for her most pertinent of pilgrimage. One who knew first hand the depths of nothingness that they dubbed Otherspace, an unknowing herald for another revelation like those she had been gained upon the plains of Rhand.

Yet with thundering metal footsteps on the floor of the Horla. The commodore would be disappointed in Lirka's inability to keep quiet as the monstrous metal goliath entered the bridge. While her emotionless helm may have stayed on, it took only the most minor of observation to note that the Kainite was feeling mighty chuffed with herself for getting this mission on the way.

"Why thank you, Commodore."

She reasonably shouldn't have been on the bridge, distractions and what not. But Lirka did have a nasty habit of going wherever she pleased. Beside, she wanted the best view in the house when they entered the holy plane. Though the form of the Commodore's newest...creation drew the Once-Sephi's lenses for a time. It served as a nice reminder why she enjoyed the Mechanoid, such ingenuity. His art almost reminded Lirka of her own. Almost.

Words hummed from the Kainite's helmet once again, leaving distortion to the side for their little bout today.

"How long till we breach the metaphorical veil, Commodore?"

Nanoseconds was a reasonable timeframe to hope for silence from Helix's newest guest.