Cats, Cops and C4 “She almost got away!” Amy exclaims out of
seemingly nowhere. The girl had been whisper quiet and very, very clingy after the drama of
today’s trial and Chenk could understand why. “She was caught in less than five minutes and held
in an iron grip until she was placed in stasis.” Still, just because he understands doesn’t mean
he’s going to let her wallow in delusion. Things are alright and if he has to assure her of that
until he’s out of air to do so then he will. “She c
ould still break out!” Amy
exclaims still clearly panicking. “Not without outside help, and right
now the whole world is seeing that she has the personal displeasure of a living
goddess.” He says calmly. He’s not sure if the words are going to mean anything
to her until she calms down a little more but the tone is important. This is a
frightened child. Reason isn’t the cure. Then there’s a soft rumbling sound and Vera gives Amy a hug from behind. The girl seems
to almost melt into the embr
ace and at Chenk’s surprised look Vera gives
him a smile but doesn’t say anything. “So, do you think you’ll be
called up again?” Kye’Lan asks. “Possibly. The Judge seems to be
dedicated to making sure there is no ambiguity in her judgment or question
to the case. She’s taking the In-Absentia proceedings very seriously.” Chenk states.
“Of course, as her hired bodyguard you’re going to be called in as well at least
once. And Mei’Lan for her involvement, and well... everyone. Hunh. My entire
out of
ship social circle is going to be part of this.” “Do you have no friends
outside of immediate family?” “Human men tend to make their friends
with who they work with, so with me, that’s the soldiers and crew of The Dauntless and
the other officers at the station.” Chenk says. “That’s it?” Gabriela presses. “With the ship alone that’s
over five thousand people.” “I thought The Undaunted
started out as Five Thousand?” “No, that’s how many dedicated soldiers there
were. The ship itself
has a crew of several hundred, not to mention the researchers, legal
staff, maintenance and other dedicated branches.” Chenk explains and Gabriela considers.
“So are you going to get that ear healed?” She reaches up and runs her hand
along it. Her ears bend near the top, or rather her left ear does. The Right
ear has been torn off at about the halfway point. From Chenk’s understanding
it’s a kind of ethnicity among Rabbis. “I think i shall, however everything was
moving at a very exciting
pace and I hadn’t had the time to actually get anything done.”
She answers and Chenk nods. She gives Vera a strange look and seems to be considering.
“It is however clear to me that you all will likely be very necessary for the emotional
and mental health of the young miss. So I do hope that after this unpleasantness
clears, or more likely drifts out of our lives as the court case can take many,
many years, that you can visit often.” “That shouldn’t be a problem, heck if you let me bring s
ome friends
we can teach Amy all sorts of things.” “Like what?” Amy asks. “Well, what happened to you was
scary right?” He asks and she nods. “Well it would have been a lot
less scary if instead of getting hurt you ended up bouncing that killer off
the nearest wall with a punch right?” She smiles. •×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×• “Thank you so very much milady, I
know I am an unworthy wretch before your divine might and justice...”
The rescued Nagasha,
named Halliza, stammers out before her and Bazalash
holds up a hand. There is silence. “This IS justice. It was my error, a criminal
runaway from my court that harmed you. This is proper and just recompense. You need not
thank me for what I owe to you.” Bazalash states. Halliza is looking much better now. It
turns out the girl was both massively addicted, for which she’s on several medicines
to deal with withdrawal symptoms and had been infested with carrion grubs, or
as humans would call
them, alien maggots. Mind control Axiom techniques is her main concern, but mind altering substances that numb you
so thoroughly that insects begin to infest you? She will have to see what can be done
about that as well. Perhaps Halliza could... She shakes her head and the Jungle Nagasha gasps. “Oh no, nothing to be concerned about. Just
my own intrusive thoughts.” Bazalash says before placing her centre left hand on the
smaller Nagasha’s shoulder. “Now Halliza, this home is on loan to me an
d I will be
departing in after my business on Centris is finished. Should you still be in my care at
this time you will be free to join me. However, while under my care I expect you to
be at the very least productive.” “In what way milady?” Halliza
asks in a stuttering tone. “Calm yourself, this will not be onerous.
Before you found yourself living in the circumstances you were in, what did
you want to do with your life? Who, or perhaps what, did you want
to be?” Bazalash asks her. “It’s
stupid... I couldn’t do it.
I just... wasn’t good enough.” “Tell me child.” Bazalash orders gently. “I wanted to be an adventurer. To go out and do
something incredible! To be something incredible! The kind of woman that can just pick up what she’s
doing, go somewhere and have something happen but it’s never a bad thing because she’s just so
amazing! I wanted to do things that no one else had, see what no one else did and go to where no
one else had ever been! But... but I was just a sucker
in the end. A silly little snake with her
head in the...” Halliza’s self pity is cut off as Bazalash lowers herself to her level and puts her
middle right hand on the girl’s other shoulder. “The proper term is Explorer.” Bazalash says.
“You will need to learn how to pilot and maintain differing types of spacecraft. Astrogation
using both modern techniques reliant on Galactic Infrastructure and Ancient Astrogation methods for
when you are beyond the reach of civilization. You will need to l
earn both Biological and Geological
Sciences to test new worlds to determine if they are safe and what resources they have. You will
need to learn numerous Survival Techniques, Combat Techniques and Linguistics for dealing with the
worlds and potential primitive races as well, to say nothing of the Flora and Fauna. Finally, some
amount of Cartography so you can make maps while on the surface of foreign worlds will be immensely
useful, also Archaeological studies so that if you come across a
ncient ruins you understand
how to study them without causing damage.” “Milady?” Halliza asks in wonder. “Being an Explorer is not easy, and to let you go off unprepared would be irresponsible of
me. Your education will begin tomorrow, although it will be a half day as you also have
an appointment with a psychologist to get to.” “I am unworthy... I cannot possibly be...” Halliza whimpers as the situation fully crashes
into her and she’s overwhelmed by it. A soft cloth wipes away her tears an
d
Bazalash tips her head to look up again. “That’s enough of that. You are my ward now. My
responsibility. Your dreams are my goals, your health my priority. Calm yourself, and clear your
mind. Tomorrow is the first day of many to come.” Bazalash assures her and the weeping doesn’t
have tears this time, but it’s no less deep and powerful as some long guttered and snuffed out
spark of innocence and hope flares back to life. •×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×
• Many hours later, as Halliza is in her new
bed and sound asleep, Bazalash is still moving. There is work to be done, much work to
be done. It’s clear that far too many people are slipping between the cracks. Still too many
people being left to rot and be destroyed. Bazalash secretly despised Ecumenopolises in all
their forms. The sheer mass of people always meant that the inevitable slums, undersides of society
and the poor souls that just slipped through the cracks were just shunted to s
ome forgotten corner
in truly disgusting numbers, and forgotten about. “My Lady? You have a guest.” Jahlassi says. “It’s her home, we’re just borrowing it.”
Bazalsh says easily knowing who it is. “She claims she’s being polite.” Jahlassi replies. “And of course she knew I
would say that.” Bazalash mutters to herself. “Please see her in Jahlassi.” “Ah good choice of room Bazalash. It has an
amazing view.” Rikaxza says slithering up to the massive crystal window that Bazalash
had been reading
by. Nighttime or not, the sheer light from the traffic above and
the city poured in a melange of technicolour lights of every hue. Each one a tribute to
the different ways that races saw the galaxy and formed a back light that emphasized
the majestic size of both Primals. “So, another Ward. Is she going to be
getting the Zhaltraki Experience?” “Yes.” “Really?” “If the Zhaltraki Experience is to
be directly asked what they want out of life and then having everything they need to
achieve it
provided, then yes.” Bazalash states. “A thousands years of teaching
and hands on experience?” “He wanted to make sure that
the galaxy was a better place no matter where he went or what he
did. You think that’s easy to teach?” “You think that’s even possible to do?
No matter where or what is a big ask.” “It took a thousand years for
a reason.” Bazalash notes. “I’m not sure I could do that kind of parenting myself. That level of attention
and expectation is a bit much.” “Perhaps if you did
n’t have
entire demographics for children?” Bazalash remarks and Rikaxza chuckles. “Maybe, but you know that compared
to some other girls out there you know I’m downright chaste.” Rikaxza says.
“And you’re as sexual as your nickname.” “Did you really come here to discus my love
life?” Bazalash asks in an unamused tone. “How can one speak on an absence?”
Rikaxza pokes with amusement. “Yes, because the one thing you
can’t live without is romance.” “It can be more than just romance girl, a
g
ood solid...” Rikaxza begins and laughs into the hand that Bazalash uses to shut her
mouth. She then gently pulls the hand off. If they fight not only will it be immensely
pointless, but they’ll end up destroying things they’d rather not. “Alright, to the
thrust of things. How is he, and how are you?” “Me?” Bazalash asks. “You have a history with mind control effects. A
hatred for them too. Someone using two different types so blatantly, whether it’s the girl in
stasis or not, well... how a
re you holding up.” “Speaking of hatred I was sure that...” “What? Nah, you’re the other team! It’s no
fun if no one plays against you! This is not a legal admission by the way.” Rikaxza
says and Bazalash cannot help but actually snort in amusement. The fact that Rikaxza
had gone from gesturing grandly to holding all of her index fingers out in front of
her as if asking for a moment to speak had just... tickled something in her.
“There we go! She’s got a soft side.” “Do you have any idea ho
w much you
have to actually care to dedicate yourself to actual justice? Not
just upholding arbitrary rules, a computer algorithm can do that. Actual Justice.
Real Justice, it needs compassion and mercy both, you can’t do that without a soft side.
But it has to be under the armour.” “Well that’s what armour’s for. So you’re
alright. You know how to take this and honestly, your perp did you a solid when she shanked
that poor girl. Now you have another ward to take care of now that Zhaltraki
’s
finally slithered out of the nest.” “And what would you know about Empty Nest Syndrome
Miss Mother with an army of her children and their children and their children and so on still
with her?” Bazalash asks and Rikaxza laughs. “Nothing! I’m always surrounded by adoring
family! But you, always just a few wards at most. Your adoptive sons and daughters. Or Son
and Daughters. A thousand years of constantly having someone you could speak to, not as The
Trytite Lady, but as yourself, as some
one who cares but is stern in her expressing it.
I’m just glad you have someone to care for, it brings out your best. You were fairly
testy before you started the habit.” “... You were mass smuggling weapons
at the time and provoked three wars.” “Three rebellions, the people spoke.” “The people died, in droves, horribly.” “And that inspired others to
pick up the weapons and fight until something better was made.” Rikaxza says. “Something you could have done the
entire time.” Bazalash counte
rs. “So could you.” Rikaxza replies. “It was not my place, I had no right
to just slither in and grab a throne!” Bazalash states. “There’s already enough
horrific precedent when someone stronger and older decides they just unilaterally
know better and enforce it at cannon point!” “That’s right, it wasn’t
your place to just slither in and change it. Nor was it mine.” Rikaxza says. “You interfered.” “No more than any other Nagasha,
maybe a touch more extravagantly, but at that moment it didn’
t
matter if I was Primal or not.” “You still slithered all over a situation that
became much more volatile for your presence.” “We may be the big girls of the galaxy, but we’re still of the galaxy. We can’t just
hold ourselves away from it. We’re part of it.” “As you’ve said many times,
and as I have said many times, we are the Big Girls of the Galaxy, we
must be aware of what damage we can do.” “... this is about the time Zhaltraki would
say, 'And what good we can do?'” Rikaxza says. “...
you miss him!” Bazalash teases. “Of course I miss him! He’s adorable! How
you raised someone that towers over me like a building to be so damn cute is a mystery
and I already miss the little bastard!” Bazalash can only laugh.
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