Where you lead I'll follow

[Elara Amadis]

“Call it Elara.”

What was she the threat detector? She moved over towards Kei she could see it on his face this was not to his liking too many variables for certain. She looked at the others as they looked at her waiting. She peered to her right looking to see what could be revealed, she listened and all she heard was the hollowness of the station as if it too were waiting for her to choose. She thought about the screen Left or Right.

When in a maze always go right, "Let's go right" She said it with as much affirmation as she could. The blue gas hissed as it came towards them this was a case where a sense of smell would certainly come in more than hearing and eyesight. All of them were through the door Kei being sure they all made it. As the door shut sealing them on the otherside of it, the stationg took a sudden lurch to the right. The group slid across the floor grabbing what they could to stay upright the dampeners must have came back on as it righted itself and once again they were all standing.

"This is all too weird" Elara did not like feeling like a mouse in a trap, she moved across to the next door standing there she looked for the little glowing lights most of them in this room had been blown out they were dark and unhelpful.

She looked at Kei, she had to remember she had point but he was in command. She looked at the wall lined up in silence sat three utility droids, old, very old. She walked slowly towards it.

Ever since joining the Wild Cards she had been finding her spot with them, it wasn't like Nar Shaddaa where she knew the streets, and had her own contacts. Now she was...working hard to do her best without knowing what lay ahead.

As she started to reach over to touch the closest droid, something screeched loudly, causing her to scream for within the screeching was a higher level piercing sound designed to shut her down, she put her hands over her ears as a training droid buzzed by emitting the sound. Elara thought to protect herself and the team taking one hand off her ears she tried to raised her weapon to shoot, as the utility droids came to life, knocking her off her feet.

[member="Kei Amadis"]

 

[Kei Amadis]

They went Right, down the Welcome path.

Checking over the men to make sure, he tapped the last one on the top of his helmet. They all looked shook up, Elara included and who could blame them. The erosion of the squad’s armor, even in small amounts was having the effect on usually hardened nerves, but before he could do anything to up morale they were ambushed.

Amadis was in front of Elara before you could blink, his helmet registering massive sound waves, a sonic attack enough to make you drowsy. Boot up to physically crunch back the leg of the droid, a saber took its head right off in a strong forward sweep, and the second didn’t last much longer, two shots hit his inverted beam, Djem so took it around in a powerful two handed sweep, cleaving it in two as he stood forward, though he had to physically hit their heads before the first assault ended.

“Engage at will, all droids” even the ones that had yet to come from the walls, he didn’t take any chances. Even through the dark at this range the fight didn’t last all that long, one of the men getting a static shock, and one passing out from another sonic wave which washed over the group.

Sealed further in again! Doors closed to keep them trapped in a sonic wave that didn’t stop, it just kept coming, but where from!

“Look at me Red. Trust me” Kei called with an intense look in his eyes. Reaching to catch her if she fell, or just holding his hands over her ears. A mild force stun would take her hearing, and might deaden her to anything sharp or uncomfortable, leaving her able to stand still, but still there was often physical effect from the sonic wave that could make her sway. Ripping off his own helmet, much less likely to be permanently hurt by this wave, given his youth was spent listening to core drive! Kei placed it over her head, if she protested he insisted until she let him, pressing his forehead to her hopefully armored head and gritting his teeth, damn he couldn’t see her hurt. For once he was the one showing teeth in protection of his mate!

Not the best idea in the world amadis! Blinking the drowsiness out of his eyes.

Even if she looked stupid with his size helmet on her armor, and would be mercilessly teased later, much less damage, or sound for that matter could touch her. Kei’s turn to be drowsy, until he pinpointed the speakers, drawing one of the weapons from her hip as he’d lost his in the fighting.

Through the darkness what was around them:

• A display of the station deck
• Welcome Signs, one with a cross through it.
• A junk Pile
• Droid Charging stations
• A happy camper, mini younglings tea set.
• Three locked doors – which the techs were already working getting open.
• A Shamanic Symbol Trinket, might be familiar to certain powerful redheaded wildcards.
• And…. one chocolate animal set in a box, looked like a whole selection of feline figures innocently arranged. There was only the smallest grin from Amadis, before he went back to searching, pocketing two for later, you never knew when the urge to bite could happen.

The same tapping, it was coming from the furthest locked door, the sound trying to drown it out...

[member="Elara Wahia"]​

 

[Elara Amadis]

Elara tried to focus she felt the assault deep to her core the ringing in her ears drowning out everything until [member="Kei Amadis"] stood before her his hands cupped over her ears. She tried to nod she "oowwwoooo" she sounded like an animal hurt even as her gold flecked eyes looked into his. She blinked several times, whimpering never had she endured such pain. If her ear drums ruptured they would heal but it would take a little time and that was too much of an opportunity for whatever was in the station to have an advantage.

She did not fight as hard as she could have when he put the helmet over her head it would soft some but not all of the pain. Once the Speakers were silenced and the room stood still. Elara was still lost in her own silence the ringing in her ears steady drowning out everything around them.

But she could still see, but her hearing in time would return. She saw only one thing in the room that had her interest the symbol that laid on one of the work stations. Her knees weak and the vibrations slowly wearing off she took off the helmet and put it back on Kei, giving him a half smile of thanks. She nodded to him there would be time for other things between them, but not at the moment.

She walked wobbly to the station her fingers traced the symbol, she turned putting her hand to her forehead. She needed to think, she looked at the symbol again. She tried hard to hide the sniffles that were plaging her right now, the tracks of her tears from the pain still glistened on her cheeks. Without turning to look at anyone, "I know this symbol, but I don't know why it is here"

Could they have taken the Shaman? Was her destiny to be written on this station? with all that was wrong on this station, what was one more item on a growing list.

She didn't want to say she was damaged right now, in an hour, maybe half her hearing should return she hoped.

The techs had only paused for a moment before they went back to work to open the doors, "Got it" came the first response. Elara still breathing hard from the pain moved to the door as the others peered out. She did not step out this time she looked down. No lights, so were the lights now gone from the game. Sometime in the back of her mind said, someone was playing with them.

"Someone is playing with us, we need to find out who." there was a shadow in the hall Elara looked out her instincts said run, catch. Then another door was reported open. Elara looked over at it. That door where did it lead. She stepped back looking for the deck schematics that should be on the wall. Over where they had come it the dirt covered it but it was there the small glint of its frame showing. She moved to it rubbing it clean with her hand.

She studied it, "ok, that one" she pointed to the one she had stood in, "goes towards engineering, and what would have been the hangars" She shook her head, "That one" the one they just opened, "Goes towards the command deck, and the remaining towards what they call promenade, looks like stores shops" Elara rolled her shoulders no one could see unless they were close how her skin shimmered between gold and silver.

She turned to Kei, "got a preference?"

 

[Kei Amadis]

Others around them were checking out the remaining items, one of them shot the welcome sign with the cross through it, no good, too obvious. Kei finally had it, the tea set, of course it was going to be the tea set. Stamping his boot down on top of it, finally the ringing stopped. Tapping the side of his head, he put his hands on his thighs to wait for the sonic dampening to clear, bending forward. Breathing a large rise and fall of air Kei looked up, Elara was a trooper in every sense. For her sakes he’d make use of hand signals more than usual again today, to spare her ears where he could, everyone would likely appreciate the break from his often loud voice given that ringing all were experiencing to some degree.

Note to the techs for the armor upgrades at the end of their mission! Sonic dampeners.

Watching her revelation, he didn’t answer for want not to harm her or strain her hearing, but remained by her side to show he was there, and always would be no matter what was ahead. All he did when she said they need to find out, was nod strongly to her, time to do just that.

Got a preference, she asked.

You, he might have said any other day, but today was too serious. Kei moved to look at the wall schematics with her. Pausing, the Jedi was silent, breathing in the force and letting that guide him. The images of the items on the floor were what clinched his intuition, and he pointed toward the stores and shops. As a soldier, he’d always say command first but today wasn’t just about him, it was about her, the promenade is where together they’d find their answers.

Tapping which had been communicating with them stopped. It was especially loud when they moved and much quieter when they were still, right now the direction they were moving in, it barely made a noise. Everything was quiet ahead, corridors drawing them to their conclusion. The promenade was littered with old stalls, shops, closed windows, things had been left in a hurry. A projection of a large face came before them, blue and artificial, the cybernetic head as big as a man.

Station Defenses, mission preserve life.
​

“*STATIC….* I have tried to stop you. *STATIC* It has tried to get you here. *ERROR IN FEEDBACK CORRECTION….* Haven’t got time” The head looked at Elara, “Keeps them alive for *STATIC* and for minimal crew so it can function. ERROR IN FEEDBACK OVERRIDDEN.*" and so the cybernetic face shorted out.

The face had singled out Elara specifically, because she might find those she lost, some, lurking in the shadows keeping out of the camera view, huddled and eating whatever scraps the replicators allowed them. Or she’d find them caged, fighting with their last breath, allowed to live to encourage the others to serve the station.

One supposedly mandalorian armored figure was standing at the far end, its eyes red, its skin gold, and its form hidden. “Welcome sister.” What was elara really going to find running the station and for who? Was this her brother, or someone claiming the kinship familiar of her clan, or even the shaman that had sent her on her journey? Standing beside Elara, all Kei knew is they were about to find out.

Spoiler

Completely up to you!

[member="Elara Wahia"]​

 

[Elara Amadis]

[SIZE=12pt]The promenade, the hub of everything on a station looked worn, and abandoned.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]The crack of energy drew her attention immediately, Elara found herself staring at the station system. It was staring at her, or through her she did not know which. This luminescent head that spoke in broken sentences staring at everything and nothing at the same time was more confusing. Elara moved closer to it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]It was confusing she tried to sort it raking her fingers through her hair she was ready to turn back go to the ship and tell Kei to take them home when a shudder of cold touched her face, the soft whisper of the word sister.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Elara turned pinpointing the sound and taking a step, drawing the blaster leveling it she felt Kei there saw him with her peripheral vision. She stepped with caution but not lowering her weapon.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Do I know you?” She asked as the figure stepped from the shadows. The gold skin shimmered like Elara’s but the eyes were different, so different. Blaze red staring at them almost daring them to do something, say something that would give him reason to pounce on them. That was the way of her species though stand fast and do not give up.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She did not recognize him his features were changed. Elara took another step now she could see him better he was not of her clan but he was of her species. He was a Firrerreo like her, his clan mark was on his chest plate. “Who are you?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]He stepped towards her out into the dim lights of the station to where now all could see him, “I am Tal you are Elan and Lara’s daughter, are you not?” He emphasized the word not. Elara with her arm still outstretched gripping the blaster pointed at him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“I am, we are looking for my family, and my clan” She was breathing harder the price to pay for controlling emotions, “Are they here?”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Tal did a slow nod, “some are here, others with the pirates, and then there are those below on the planet.” He rolled his head, “you look like you could be a good fighter”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Elara so tempted to brag bit her tongue, “I am, how long have you been here?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Months” a simple answer finally. He shook his head, “but you don’t know what you’ve come across do you, what is going on here.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Elara had one thought, “I want to see my parents and I want to know what’s going on here”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]And yet she knew it wouldn’t be easy, and that Tal was more than what he pretended to be. She had a sneaking suspicion he was not on their side.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“What is going on? You haven’t figured it out?” [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Tal laughed, he creak of metal began to grow, something was coming.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Elara’s brow furrowed she glanced to Kei questioning did they miss something?[/SIZE]

[member="Kei Amadis"]​

 

[Kei Amadis]

“That will be enough.” Kei stepped out, walking right beside her, “we need answers, not riddles.” There was a directness to him as he faced the golden skinned Tal, there usually was, even more so for his mate. Squads around them started checking the rooms, "found a survivor!, another here!" Offering rations to what looked like captives, they seemed not to care for regular food. Taking on water but that was it, throwing much of the food away, "get the medkits," wildcards were veterans, might even say old timers, Kei didn't need to say a word.

“What is going on here.” Amadis said directly. There was calmness not anger from the Jedi Master, he’d been through a lot to retain that steadiness. Especially at what happened next.

“Reunions.” Came the answer.

Kei felt the hairs on the back of his neck standing up, he could sense something was coming, and he had his hand rested on Elara’s arm, in part to let her know he was there, and in part to ask her to react together with him. You didn’t tell Elara, but you could ask. Steadying not pulling, sensing something about to be told, and wanting her to have that.

Around the corner came a face, something of a face, bitter twisted, stuck here for far too long, unable to leave. Face's she might not want to see after all, feral. Like all that made him who he was, was caged. The man was assisted by another, she may or may not recognize. His face lacked Elara’s red hair but that might be because of their extended stay locked away here for too long, part of their spirit had died within them. The younger woman, who had streaks of red beneath fading blond managed a pained smile, the man just leaned against the wall out of breath, his face a mask of drudgery more than pain, defeat, he had several wounds which looked to have been patched up.

|

“And family reunions are important.” Our golden figure backed into the shadows and you might not see him again, for now, because he was more part of this place than met the eyes. Behind their squad, the doors locked, cutting several men off into different rooms and leaving just one wildcard with Elara, Kei and their two arrivals.

LOCKED INSIDE. PRESSURE SEALED, several of the men hammered on the glass from different rooms, and so far they were stuck. All this was the least of Elara’s concerns, with the pair before her, Kei considered it was a distraction or trap to keep them occupied. Scanning around he looked back to her, not saying anything just keeping the hand to her, nothing he could say in a situation like this, being few of words at the best of times.

Elara’s clan weren’t just captive here, they were a living breathing part of this place, needed to run it, sustain it, this little gathering were the bridge crew, such as they were hunched over, hungry, and refusing or unable to eat food, maybe they were force fed to keep them alive?

Two AI’s, Elara’s clan woven in between, now them stuck in the middle of it.

[member="Elara Wahia"]​

 

[Elara Amadis]

This was something Elara had never faced something she had never even dreamed of she took in the words, she took in the actions, and just when she felt she was going to leap over grab Tal by his throat and choke a coherent answer from him, she felt Kei touch her arm, and bring her back. A reminder.

She did not close her eyes she stared at the man his twisted face but worse was his eyes they were as if life had been taken from them. All creatures had within them this flicker of their soul, of their life, it came out in the eyes and his....was gone. A shiver that seemed to start at the very nape of her neck trailed down her spine pooling in the small of her back. This man he looked familiar to her. Battle, or beatings had changed him.

The Girl however she haunted Elara, no innocence that young girls had, no sign of a carefree life, her two tone hair had lost it's luster, the colors faded from...lack of nutrition? lack of light? She looked so young and yet her eyes held an intensity that told anyone around her to step back. Was it her anger?

"You should eat" She found herself whispering, her clan, her people suffering. She felt the need to protect them all. "Who is doing this? Why are you here?"

It was then the girl laughed, Elara stared at her. "Who are you?" Elara took a few steps towards the girl. The girl smiled and tilted her head, "Maybe I'm you" She taunted back.

"Let them go." Elara made sure the blaster was now leveled at the girl.

"Don't do it girl" the man spoke with a deep raspy voice, reflecting how tired he was, how much pain he withstood. Again this man resonated with familiarity, but who was he and why did Elara know him.

"I can't, and now I don't think You can leave either" Was that true were they trapped, Elara didn't believe it, she knew they'd find a way out.

[member="Kei Amadis"]​

 

[Kei Amadis]

So the techs began working on the doors, got one open to let more bodies move about. Those of her clan about still refused the food, one or two ate in silence at her request, nobody looked grateful, just sad that another had wandered into this mess. Save one male, younger than the others, that said thank you to Elara. He took what looked like military issued bred from a soldier, and sat in a corner to break it open. Seeing one of their own, from their own clan gave them hope.

The pale looking Firrereo opened his coat, much to protestations from his angry female assistant, to reveal a covered lower half but an all too visible upper half. “Shooting her won’t work.” The times the male had tried, numbered maybe two dozen across his own self, closing his jacket. “Nobody dies here, I’m sorry girl.” While his assistant who steadied him just bared Fierrero teeth, "you can have them." Clearly she had anger, spirit left, how many strays had been caught in this web with promises of salvage, riches, a station all their own? Did she know Elara, or was she just another victim, or worse, she was surviving better than the rest, if you could call it that.

Beneath on his skin, across his chest, and it would be the same among many here:

Spoiler

Kei nodded, gaining understanding. “Elara, we’ll get them out, I promised you.” A promise he was going to keep. Gently and firmly trying to lower her firing arm with his hand. “You’ve got to lead them.” Give them hope, because they weren’t going to respond to him, not in their condition. Kei looked over those laying about which were more numerous than he first thought, though many were cut off in their own rooms with his men, all had their own quarters which were once shops. There were consoles, and screens to run the station from right here.

Amadis was already looking for weakspots, they had explosives, and he could take out the wall himself if he worked at it. Kei walked to the nearest locked door, giving it a solid shove in the force, which perked a few heads up in surprise. Sadly the blast door stood firm, and those heads sunk.

“Breach this one,” he said to his closest man, the wildcard laying charges.

A monitor flicked to life in both corners of the promenade, consoles below illuminated, showing their ship floating away. Stranded on a station, the ambiguous statement was floating away! Trapped by an AI, or two? What about Zacka and patches?

“Zacka, Patches, come in.” Kei said, calmly but directly seeking a solution. “Hold those explosives.” Could need them.

One problem at a time. “What control do you have?” Kei asked the pale figure.

“What I allow,” their yellow projected overseer descended again, so dramatic he liked his entrances. What he allowed, then why did he need them? The Truth was harder still.

[member="Elara Wahia"]​

 

[Elara Amadis]

Elara could only stare at the marking she knew it all too well, ingrained on her mind it was, the sign of her clan. It took every ounce of control she had within herself to not begin tearing things apart, throwing them across the room, or anything that would show her anger.

Lead them, she turned and looked at Kei she barely had enough in her at times to keep herself from trouble, lead them? She looked around again the faces, the traps, the rage the bubbled with her. She thought about this what could she say what would she want to hear now? At this moment?

"We are a strong we have not survived all these years to have something like this take our spirit from us. You must fight, you must remember who you are" She was slowly lowering her weapon. Slowly she lowered the weapon having to realize that no one here was in any shape to hurt them. "We will make this right" She didn't know how they would even if it was just relief they would make it right.

The ship was loose and now they were stranded here, if Elara had her way they wouldn't be stranded here for long. She wasn't found of being controlled and this thing was controlling everything.

She went to one of the doors, looking in to see what was happening. She tried the door willing it to open only to be met with the unbudging metal.

"What you allow?" Elara was moving now to where the tormentor appeared, "I will find you" She said

"Only if I allow"

Elara swung at the pixelated form wishing somehow she could do something to it. Then she looked at everyone around her. They were the source, and if they were dying then it needed more. Clearly something was wrong with the clan she wanted to talk through this with Kei.

She looked at him and motioned for him to come away to talk.

[member="Kei Amadis"]​

 

[Kei Amadis]

More sat upright as she spoke. Sitting up or standing was about all the prisoners were able to do. Nobody was weak here, they refused food in an attempt to leave on their own terms, even that liberty was taken from them. If they could fight the station, you could sense many would do, no matter what happened. The pale man beginning to converse with a small group of her clan.

“Keep at it.” Kei said to the field techs at the doors, a free medic checking over any clan member that would allow it. Every time they got close to cracking the security on the door, it would reconfigure itself, short circuiting it was going to be the only way through, brute force.

Walking with Elara out of earshot, was anywhere out of earshot on a place like this, with the station itself controlling events? Kei shot a look at their photonic host, and the clan, scratching his stubble.

~Ego. It has Ego.~ Kei spoke through the force, his voice in her mind faint as usual when he tried to speak via the force.

“What do you think?” He’d listen to her, be there for her. She would have to be clever, use signs, words only he'd know. If she wanted to tell him something without the station picking up, or quiet as a mouse.

Putting his ear close to her and keeping watch on their host who seemed distracted or tormentative at the soldiers attempts to open doors. Behind those concerned eyes, and lines that creased across the Jedi Master’s forehead. Kei had a plan, and she wasn’t going to like it. Force hope she had a better one.

[member="Elara Wahia"]​

 

[Elara Amadis]

She tried to get use to him speaking to her in such a manner it was an odd sensation to hear someone else's voice in your head while looking at them, their lips not moving. She smiled or tried to this odd sensation.

She nodded her agreement yes ego. Which meant if it had ego it had other flaws as well. She took a breath a deep breath to help calm herself. "A disadvantage" she whispered, now how to tell Kei what she thought without everyone else.

"It is hopeless, the creature the thing is too strong" All that she spoke so far was a lie.

She stood there unsure of what to do next.

To fight in the manner she knew would do no good, not against a computer. So they would have to do something unexpected. Something that would buy them time. She looked again now it was not just her clan in trouble it was the wild cards, and worst of all Kei. she hated that this put them all in danger.

She did have a thought, what did it want really, certainly not to stay on board a station that was falling apart with its resources dwindling away.

"Do you think the Silvers would like to meet such a creature?" she whispered to Kei.

[member="Kei Amadis"]

 

[Kei Amadis]

~I love you.~ He looked at her with strong eyes. By her words, she already knew what he was going to do.

Kei closed those eyes and opened them. Any pride rearing its head, he swallowed it, meet it? “Anyone should.” Taking a stride towards the holoprojection. “Got us, what do you want.” Amadis threw down his gun, and stood central. To Elara, “Come on sweetheart.” There was an intensity when he often spoke to her, the woman he loved. When he put another word in her names place, as before on Nar Shadda, it was to let her know to be ready, especially as serious as this was.

“Crew, parts, what.” Kei bluntly asked, no real tact, slipping an ion grenade off his belt, behind his back.

“Transport.” Our yellow arrogant tormenter? Answered.

“All this for a lift?” Kei looked back to Elara, his face showing his surprise.

“For them and for me.” The Golden AI retorted, bearing its teeth. Yes he was arrogant, yes he was what ran things, in here, but not out there, outside of this room was another’s domain…. as they knew. It dawned on Kei he was stuck too… the first AI had been lying!

About then the first AI came back, eyes as red as you might ever see, “you don’t get to leave, not after what you’ve done to me!” There was a story here of the first people to find this place, betrayals and using what they found here to keep themselves alive, but that was long past. All that was left were two robots, old memories, with different agendas and all these people pawns in the middle of some sick game between them, Elara’s people.

Kei had no time for any of it, seeing true colors of both. Time to go. Throwing the grenade near the nearest set of consoles, everything blew out, including most of their equipment, door controls, all of it.

“Never liked long goodbyes.” He grinned to Elara, but the grin was conern, not jest. “Let’s get your people home.”

Having a feeling it wasn't going to be as easy as all that, not just because his ride was floating away, but also because of whatever that sound of running water was.

[member="Elara Wahia"]​

 

[Elara Amadis]

[member="Kei Amadis"]​

​

That was probably the best guess she had made in the last few months. She nodded and smiled thinking she'd be sure to give him a big kiss when this was all done. Anyone should like to meet a creature so out of place, so arrogant that it corrupted everything it touched. she just couldn't help but look at her Clan slowly she pushed down all the emotions and looked at IT.

"Transport huh, well that's something..." They knew lots of Silvers who wouldn't think twice about coming to get them. All this for a lift, Elara knew better it didn't want just a lift it wanted to grow evolve. Everything that had any kind of consciousness wanted to grow and become more than what it was. Clearly IT wanted to more than to leave.

He hated long good byes if she remembered right he kept delaying their departure back on Nar Shaddaa. when she was doing her best to get them out far out, and away. She smiled though then she heard it, what was that?

it couldn't be water? How would that be possible?

She looked around quickly with the monitors out it was hard to tell anything. She dismissed it though running over to doors that would now open, and freeing her people as quickly as she could. ""Get up move" She knew they had strength and now they had hope so nothing should stop them.

How were they going to get out? WATER?

Yes yes the station had water, drinking water, bathing water, and now it sounded as though that reservoir had broken and all that was contained was now free, and rushing through corridors on the station. It would freeze instantly anywhere it touched the darkness of space. And it would short out anything that carried electricity, but it could also conduct and shock.

She tried to be gentle but her heart was pounding, "time to go" Everyone was on their feet confused and dazed looking lost. "GO!"

They moved towards the only door that led away from where they were.

 

[Kei Amadis]

Departures were only ever delayed for one drop dead gorgeous female fierrero and their special training regimes, other than Kei was entirely innocent! Rushing water now coming up their rear, meant any such thoughts didn't get a chance to play out! Doors of course were opened, others behind them closed, funneled water and perhaps funneled fierreros ahead? At least everyone could walk freely to rejoin each other, even if they’d be swimming soon. Another choice, take the easy way out, or force a locked door. Pipes starting to fill water to ankle level didn’t leave them a lot of time to think it through.

While Elara motivated those behind to move their behinds, sprinklers now came on to lessen the time they had. This time Kei didn’t rely on Elara’s threat detector level and took the lead, running his armored steps over the growing downpour, were these new armored suits waterproof? They were about to find out sure enough.

“Zacka Patches! Could use some good news!”

The voice of their old friend came over the comm channel, “young’uns!”, Zacka cursed something about adventures like this always ending with him losing his hat! Which had floated force knows where in the ship without gravity, “electric bolts of whose’a'whats’it’s got us floating away like an ole chudder fish flat out of water. Ole girl's got no drive in her!”

“How long?”

“Reckon 2 Hours,” three loud bangs came from somewhere behind Zacka, “patches says 3.” Patches didn’t speak much if ever, but you often heard his opinion anyway.

“Haven’t got one. Do what you can friend, about to get unfriendly here fast.” The Ambiguous statement wasn't much but she'd been through worse.

Times like this, typical Amadis training took over. Get safe, then get out. Next room back had a large hole, bought them a few seconds while it filled below them. Two more doors both corridors, one open towards where they came in, another closed towards the upper parts of the station. High ground or risk an escape?

While stood at the door, waving Elara’s clan hurriedly forward to help her, Kei slowly became still. Kei was doing his Jedi thing to anyone watching, silent, calm, drawing down into the force. “Into the station.” Was all he said, and the wildcards breached the door to go UP, which to their surprise released gushing water over the walkway, knocking a few of them back.

Did Kei want them to walk into the water? Yep, that was up, against the current, down was going to get them killed, and that ship was too far out to help.

[member="Elara Wahia"]​

 

[Elara Amadis]

Run run, Elara was picking up her kinsmen, "run, don't walk" She looked to Kei where was he, was he ok? Water was coming there had to be a way to shut it out, "Can we get into one of the halls and block the water?"

There was snapping, hissing, sparking around them as the water seeped onto the main corridor, the market.

"By the goddess tell him we will buy him a new hat!" Elara was trying to release the old man, his tired eyes stared up fixed only on the ceiling above.

She heard it two hours. They had to for two hours?!

She tugged on a cord again she wanted to yank it free but she didn't know how badly it would hurt him. He slowly turned his head looking and yet not looking at her, "dried up, spent. Leave me." Elara didn't want to leave him, he, he...was of her clan.
She tugged again harder, "girl, mind your elders"

She let out a cry of defeat, she knew even if they got them all free, many would die, but some would live. "But I can save you"

He smiled an old crooked smile, "you did" Then the old man began thinking as hard as he could he wanted to try and distract the creature, the entity long enough to let them get out.

She stood up she put her hand on his chest and stared into his eyes memorizing what she could of his face, his voice, whoever he was she would make sure he was remembered. She turned and ran towards Kei, into the station they would go.

She gave Kei and shook her head as she passed into the station, the water rising. She stopped to make sure Kei came through before moving, she would not lose her mate. Not to this. She reached out grabbing his arm, she would not let go.
If he went, she went, and she knew he would never leave the wild cards willingly, or her, so he was coming.

They would need to close the door to keep water out, even though the station had breaks in its structure, and decking. The water could find them at any time.

[member="Kei Amadis"]

 

[Kei Amadis]

Seeing the old man inside still, he handed him his pistol. “Your family is going home.” With that they shared a meaningful glance, and the old man bared some teeth. Pulled himself from the wires and other contraptions which were giving him sustenance. Barreling straight towards the AI’s sensors controls, if only to buy them some privacy. The frail man moved with some surprising ferocity as you would expect, if you knew Elara’s people. One of the things Kei loved about their race, never giving up, all heart.

Kei began to close the doors to where the AI’s and the old man would now struggle, pulling them in the force against the flow of water. The three of those behind it seemingly locked together in their own struggle as the door closed.

“Elara,” he looked forward, hoping she’d push the doors with him. Closing the rear doors with a heavy heave of their force, sweat across his forehead, the locks were fighting him all the way! Water had mostly filled the hole in the center of their room, beginning to creep up to the walkways. People were slipping and sliding everywhere, rushing water at least to knee height as it came from above, drenching them all. Above was where they were headed!


Ahead of them, and the second flow… their journey UP against the tide.

Sprinklers still spilling out, coming from the water mains, reserves, cargo, all liquid was funneled in this general direction. “Rann, spread the cards through the civilians. Then barricade that water flow best you can.” He would have asked Elara instead of Rann, but they were too alike, and this was her clan. He believed she’d be wanting to pick up those tired legs, same as he would that fell behind.


His mate held to him, and he to her. Tight as you could imagine, taking a cable safety rope from his belt and attaching it to hers. “Not losing you my love.” Or them. Picking the first man up, then helping a girl off the floor, water was still coming, “cable safeties.” He called to the squad, and much like a mountaineering team, they each linked together, acting as a network to hold to for the clan around them. If one fell, or slipped he was held tight by the others. Even so it was tough, slow going, and with rising water their time was ticking down if they were going to make the stairs.

[member="Elara Wahia"]​

 

[Elara Amadis]

Elara looked back she didn't have time for regret, remorse, or any emotion that would shake her from moving forward. She shook her head, looked at Kei would did not, and would not let go.

The water was rising, already it churned white caps ripple around them, she looked up, "We have to keep moving" For just a moment she allowed herself to feel the warmth of her mate, for a moment longer she calmed herself feeling the great strength he had.

Breathe.

They moved down corridor beginning to look a bit rag tag. She wasn't far she looked left right, signs one two.

"Left, we haven't been welcome since we got here, why change anything now" She was playing a hunch one that she hoped was right or she'd just laid a bunch more hurt upon them, some of them wouldn't survive more.

She hoped left was easier than right whatever it wouldn't matter now, they'd never know what was to the right, and she wasn't going to give it a second thought.

Except for one or two murmurs who wanted to go the easier route, well the perceived easy route. She didn't' have time to explain every decision, no sometimes you just had to do it. Suffer through it, celebrate later.

They pushed the door just past the lights on the floor lit up, not so much a welcome but at least it was something. The water was rising, the group moved as fast as they could. Wild Cards helping those who moved slowly, and younglings we recovered quickly helping anyone that would allow them to.

Elara began to do her thing listen and watch, step. Kei wanted to be on point he wanted to face whatever it was first, his senses were good, but she had those same feelings. Protect him, protect them, but keep moving for two hours, maybe they could make it back to one of the docks.

She nodded to Kei as she move to the door reaching out helping them through, she turned looking anxiously towards Kei as he moved forward, she hated this, really hated it. But the water was already beginning to follow.

The last of the group was finally coming through when Elara put her shoulder to the door to push it shut. The door groaned in protest, squealed from non use, but she wasn't taking no for an answer. It would shut.

Then she felt someone standing hear her, the younglings all pushing for all they had helping her push, helping her save their clan. Standing with their backs to the door Elara and three children half smiled that they had got the door shut.

She touched each on the top of the head, no words, only a touch of thanks, and encouragement.

Then she went forward to find Kei, there was a sound of metal ripping, that sent Elara running to find him.

[member="Kei Amadis"]

 

[Kei Amadis]

Kei’s arms were certainly tested in that hallway, rushing tide pushing against the legs, catching those who fell, or pulling them along with him. Combined strength each of the squad put in together, every man or woman hedl both hands, or the force to catch or support others. Many of the Firrerreo began to find their spirit and do the same, even if they were weak from their captivity, even their younglings at the final door closed!

Elara giving them encouragement, you could see their wills returning, one standing on thin legs. Soaked, dripping from his hair and face, Kei ruffled one of the younglings hair, getting a half smile, half teethed look of appreciate and exhaustion from the younger generation. Elara’s hunch paid off, she knew the game now, knew the players and their tricks. They’d found some safety and a moments rest and their will to fight. Moments.

CREEEEAAAAAAAAKKK

THUMP THUMP

CREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAKK

*Silence*

Problem was, they were inside their captor, he wasn’t looking to capture them, they were already in his maze and he held most of the cards. Which captor was coming next?

Deals with the devil:

“What I allow.” Our Golden friend was back projected. “Your word Elara, that I come with you unharmed, we’ll all go home. Decide.” Elara was singled out to decide their fate, named. The fate of one of our host AI’s, more stable than his counterpart trying to break in, but manipulative and familiar maybe. The thumping started up again. “Didn’t we already shoot this frakker,” one of the squad breathing heavy against their wall remarked angrily, how was he projecting himself everywhere!

CREEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

FROM THE FLOOR

Water pressure starting to split the metal and spray coming upward as mist below them, buckling under the pressure, soon this followed large cracks appearing in their floor. Calmly Kei was checking the walls, the doors, looking for something hollow or movable. He took a step back and reached out with his force senses. There were stairs, he could see, behind the wall! Whether he got to tell her in time before she gave her word… she could assume Kei would go up! Because the only way was up bby!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBmQTQEfn8U
[member="Elara Wahia"]​

 

[Elara Amadis]

The water a godsend and a curse, while it seemed to nourish some giving some elasticity to skin that was dry, and taut. Elara had not realized how hard her clan had it, while she knew that they valued their independence to be reduced to this was disheartening.

So far there was one relief, her parents were not among the faces she saw, that would have crushed the woman to know they suffered. Or perhaps they HAD suffered she quickly dismissed that thought be positive.

The water was rising it gushed from below them herding them in a single direction, the only direction UP.

The golden face of the entity that held them, taunted them again and called her by name. It learned quickly and it wanted off the station. They all wanted off the station.
The sounds around them only fed the fear that if they didn’t do something that they’d all perish either at the hands of the entities or the station would crumble around them.

She looked at the faces of her kin as they looked at her, waiting for her to decide.

Part of her wanted to lie to tell it safety was among the Silvers, but part of her bubbled with anger and pain wanting revenge on it.

Making deals with the devil, to gain a greater good.

Even as they kept moving, she grabbed the woman next to her to keep her from being lost beneath the current, the pressure changing, a swirl within the waters, an eddy was forming. If it became too strong it would pull them all into it.

They had no ship, least not for some time yet.

A metal groan sounded around them as if in warning that time was fleeting. But the few lives that were here was nothing compared to the lives on Voss. If they all perished now but spared the Silvers it would be worth it, for the station would die too.

“ONLY IF YOU GIVE YOURS THAT YOU WILL NOT SEEK TO REBUILD OR USE THE SILVERS AS SLAVES FOR YOUR OWN MEANS. YOU WANT TO LIVE, JUST LIKE WE DO. BUT NOT AT THE COST OF MORE LIVES, SO NOW YOU CHOOSE.”

She looked to [member="Kei Amadis"] she hoped he understood why she would do this.

 

[Kei Amadis]

Creaking floor slowed but didn’t stop, because our golden friend was only half in control here. The golden holo projection almost feeling if it could relief. Imagine an intelligence trapped, constrained, knowing there was so much more out there and not knowing what any of it would ever feel or taste like. Now picture it as a fiercely independent Firrerreo!

“Done.” The concealed door to the stairs opened, just as Kei was about to literally pull the wall away if he had to.

“I will hold the water at each door.” Our golden projection promised. “You might want to hurry. Our old clan friend only slowed the other”

Water always finds a way. Kei thought back to certain mines and being trapped in them. Amadis didn’t get in the way of Elara’s choice, only nodding to her, to tell her he was with her, side by side whatever her choices in life. Ushering tired people up the stairs, respecting she was the one to make this call, to take the passenger or not. That golden Fierrerro might have answers she sort.

Upward, as Elara's clan remembered more and more of who they were: Being who they were, Firrerreo's hated asking for help. So Elara's clan began to take charge, slower than before but still hurried. Kei's tiring squad assisting them, found themselves pulled along with her clan, even frail they had so much heart! Water would come under the stairs door if Elara and all the others came, but not in a gush if it was closed.

At the back, waiting for everyone to get through safely, Kei picked up one of the younglings to sit her on his shoulder, giving his hand to the second older one. “I want you to hold on to me as tight as you can” He said with a reassuring grin, had they been born here, is this all they knew? Even the younglings did not want help, giving him a half snarl, he winked and the girl's temper dropped, gripping his hand with surprising strength. "You can lead once we get up there." He added, and the youngling holding his hand seemed to almost laugh, hopefully not taking him literally!

That same angry female from earlier, was standing next to Elara, waiting for her choice for the golden AI, maybe linked to it somehow.

[member="Elara Wahia"]​