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"Unbelieveable," said Tulan. "Absolutely unbelieveable." "Listen I can explain-" "You shall explain nothing, Campbell. This one does not care whatever reason you had. The fact remains that once again at the start of a new opening gig, you find yourselves at the center of chaos because of this wretched little savage." The Sole Calibrators, along with Leiah and James, found themselves once again all seated around the viewing screen. the broadcast from their boss laced with both disgust and frustration. The raptor did not expect to have to be in this situation again, sitting in his jeans once again as he tried not to cower in his chair, whilst Lirem tried to add: "Boss, listen, we've done the gig, we're gonna get the money and it's all resolved now! Just-" "[b]SILENCE.[/b]" The sound that came from the monitor was of an unholy song. A song of bile and rage that turned Arutulelan's entire body into the most piercing of night black, making them cringe with utmost fear as it turned towards James. "YOU...have wasted our time plenty enough. This one knew you would be more trouble than you would be worth, and your services shall no longer be required. You are to eject him from the ship before you leave Illium, by force if you have to." "W-wait boss!" said Jax. "Hold up, it wasn't James' fault, he-" "[b]Don't[/b]...ever...question me Krungut. Unless you would prefer to spend the rest of your life picking bones out of ventilation systems." "If you make Jax leave then I'll leave too!" said Areh standing up. "You can't just make one of us leave like that, that's not fair!" "Life is not fair, Mr. Narohl. And this malefactor who could not even bother keeping his hired suit clean, is not part of this group nor will he ever shall be. Unless you would prefer all of you to dismantle without this one's services, you would do wise to obey your employer. Do you truly think you can survive by what little common sense runs through your heads?" "...I...I-i-i-" "Then sit. Down. And do as I say."

Areh did exactly as he was told whilst his superior continued. "As for the troublemaking lizard, he is no longer welcome here after sabotaging our venue for a second time, regardless of who is to blame. This one can longer trust you to stay out of trouble long enough to not screw things up." "So you'd rather have let the councilor die?!" said James. "She's the one fucking paying you, I was saving you guys your money!" "They would have compensated us either way, so that is not an excuse." "Fuck you! I'm doing my best trying to keep up with everyone, and I like to think I'm doing pretty damn well for someone who just landed here like three or four months ago, so don't fucking give me any attitude!" "...attitude?" "Yeah! You're all about making us go all over the galaxy to help people, why is this any different?!" "...this...is not attitude. THIS...is what you call outrage. Outrage, at having an entire operation for setting up a venue, planning all of the appropriate pieces and negotiating a price, become almost completely destroyed just because one insignificant creature becomes so desperate for attention...that he would dare sabotage our venue." "I didn't fucking blow up the stage or something, I threw a woman down a balcony for fuck's sake!" "And you think THAT is going to make you sound any better?" "Oh please, you're a fucking mobster, you've done worse in your life." "...yes. Yes I have. So why do you continue to antagonise me? Unless you fear death itself." "Pfft, I don't fear death anymore." "No...but perhaps you fear something. And if you do not leave, then my hand shall be forced." "I am not leaving. I've done nothing wrong, sir. I don't regret saving the councilor from being assassinated." "Very well...if you so choose to be this obstructive...then perhaps I shall assist you to be on your way. Do you have a weapon?" "I got two guns now, why?" "Just...curious. You had another weapon, didn't you?" "...wh-wh-what?" "The weapon that was confiscated from you at Citadel Security upon arrival...an unusual thing, almost four feet in length, shaped like a cutting tool of some sort...an aura of violence that surrounds it." "Wh-what the fuck you know about it?" "...how much do you think I know James Campbell? Do I perhaps know enough to bluff through the fact that it is apparently a family weapon that only one of your bloodline must carry...or is it perhaps you, that is the one bluffing towards C-Sec?" "Y-y-you don't know anything. You don't know a damn thing about it!" "Perhaps not. But the fear in your eyes tells this one plenty enough to know that you most definitely...fear it. The way you just gave it away without a care in the world, almost glad to be rid of it. This one can reach very far and wide across the galaxy to obtain most things...especially something that unusual should it want to come back to you-" "[i]NO![/i]"

James almost fell from his chair as he tried to back away, clutching a hand to his chest with a sudden onset of fear. "N-NO! FINE, OKAY, I'LL LEAVE! I-I'll just leave, no problem just...j-just don't bring that thing back to me...please. I don't want that thing near me again." "Very good. You may assist in helping Mr. Campbell leave once he packs his things." "W-wait what about Leiah?!" asked Areh. "She can stay. She is not a troublemaker, but it is her choice entirely on whether to stay or leave." Leiah said nothing and softly looked away, not entirely sure of what to do until James spoke softly to her: "You can...stay if you want. You don't have to stick with me." "A-a-are you...sure?" "Yeah...besides, you hate Illium, this place is a fucking shithole with gold lining all around it." "Hehehee...I'm...I'm sorry I'll...I'll talk with you later okay?" "Alright. I'll...I'll just pack my things then." The group said nothing as James walked away slowly, back to his own room where the moment he shut the door, he sighed with exasperation and pushed his back against the wall. He looked at the simple bed, the small satchel of things he had kept with him, and his armoured suit which now contained both a heavy pistol and a submachine pistol. He was lucky that he managed to convince the police officer that it was his. "That assassin had gloves on anyway, they wouldn't have gotten prints off of it...might as well have a second weapon. Hhhhh...once again, I try to do something good and someone has to shit on me. Heh, normally the gangsters would be the ones helping me but the police were a lot nicer...dammit...why can't he just fucking listen, such a drama queen for a blooper-...fuck whatever they're called, handar or something?" James walked over to the bed and sat down upon it, looking towards his satchel with another sigh as he felt a shiver run up him. He wasn't sure how far Tulan's powers could reach across the universe. But he was more afraid of him making it possible than any logic telling him that he couldn't, asking himself: "Could he...could he really get that...thing back to me, just like that? He probably could, I mean he's a gangster and all I bet he's done this lots of times...and I wanna keep those fucking scissors far away from me as possible. I can't let myself fall back in his clutches...I just can't. Not when I feel like I'm so close to getting home...I know I am. Long as it's safe somewhere inside containment...nobody will get hurt. ...well...I can think of worse places to get dropped at, least someone on Nos Astra might be able to help me get back home." He began to pack up his things softly, checking his satchel to see it had everything before deciding it would be best to just wear the armour rather than carry it individually. He didn't want to waste anymore time incurring the wrath of Arutulelan, especially by what he was able to threaten him with as he suited up. While in the midst of connecting his tail-armour however, he heard a knock on the door. "Come in."

The door opened to reveal Leiah, looking rather uncomfortable as they both knew what would have to pass. She spoke first as he continued putting his armour on, wringing her hands softly. "I...I know you did the right thing, saving that councilor." "I know. I don't regret it, just shithead over there gets too greedy about money. Probably fits this city well." "Heh, yeah." "How are you? You okay after the party?" "Oh yeah yeah I mean, I was just...yanno, I'm fine! Thanks for talking with me back there." "It's fine. So...do you want to stay with the group?" "Um...kinda but...not sure. I mean, on the one hand I've been with you longer, I'll worry about you out there as a friend, and...I don't want to look like I'm betraying you with something." "You're not. I won't hold it against you if you do, you still have your life to live and everything. I'm not gonna stay in this galaxy forever, I have to find someone who can get me back home and I don't wanna leave you stranded on Illium. Besides you hate this place anyway, the city I mean, Nos Astra and everything and I can see why." "I guess...so...you don't mind at all if I stay here, just out of convenience?" "Nothing to do with me, like the boss said, you're not the troublemaker." "Keelah...and all this time I wanted to be." "Hahahaha." "Well..." She walked into the room and slowly wrapped her arms around his waist, lithe tender limbs that seemed almost fragile to him as he hugged back gently. "I hope you find what you're looking for James. Thank you for all you've done for me." "You too Leiah...thanks for not making me look like a...a...bosh'tet out there." "Hehehehee! Trust me, it wasn't easy." "I know...oh, wait, I have to tell Areh something then I'll go okay?" "Okay." The raptor rushed off into the corridor and headed towards Areh's room, hearing that he was inside but thankfully no music was playing. He knocked on the door as politely as possible. "Uhhh Areh? You in there?" "Yeah?!" he replied from within. "You uh...need something James?" "Yeah listen, um...before I leave, don't wanna make the boss mad or anything, I have to tell you something." "Okay...what?" "Remember that turian tank driver we fought back on that mining planet?" "Yeah on Epho, why?" "Well, I met him again."

The door suddenly opened within the space of two seconds, the quarian male peeking out suddenly. "...what?" "I saw him. Well, I heard him. He was in league with the assassin." "Wait, WHAT!? Wait, the assassin at the party was...working with the people back on Epho? You sure about that?!" "Sounds like it, they were arguing with each other at the docks when I was fighting them, or rather their mech which I had them kill by accident." "How did you do that?!" "I dropped a crate on it. Well, they did." "...do you know what they look like?" "No." "Dammit." "But I know one of their names." "Huh?!" "The guy who was the driver? His name was Squaron." "Squah-ron?" repeated Areh. "...Squaron...let me just check something, um...okay, listen, don't go anywhere just yet, I might be able to fix something." "Okay." The door closed shut and soon Areh was frantically typing away on his terminal. The raptor stood and waited, watching down the hall for anyone to speak with until Leiah approached him, looking rather inquisitive about his loitering. "Forgot something?" "Areh wanted me to hang here, said I might help with something." "Oh?" "Yeah uh...turns out the mako driver back on that rock planet? Working with the assassin back at the party." "Wait really?!" asked Leiah. "Well that seems quite a coincidence." "Suuuuure is. Anyways, Areh asked me to hang here so I'm hanging." "Oh...um...can I ask something?" "What?" "What was...Arutulelan talking about before, about a weapon?" "...I don't want to talk about it," replied James softly. "Why not?" "I just don't alright? Just...I don't want to talk about it." "Okay," said Leiah. "You just...seemed really scared about it, I got worried." "I have my reasons. I just wanna keep myself as far away as possible from...I'm sorry." "Alright...can I ask you another question, not related to you or anything." "Um, kay?" "Do you think Areh likes me?" "What?" Suddenly the door opened as Areh popped out, smiling beneath his mask with a bunched-up excitement popping through his fingers. "I got it! I GOT IT!" "Wh-what's going on?!" asked Leiah. "OH, great you're here, come with me we're gonna talk with the boss! JAX! LIREM, NOREM, I FIGURED SOMETHING OUT! You two go to the meeting room, I gotta get everyone else!"

As the two headed up towards the meeting room before everyone else, they were soon joined by both Liren and Norem. Jax came running up behind them with an excitable quarian dragging him by the hand, pulling him like a child. "Wh-whut's going on Areh?!" asked the krogan. "Come on come on come on!" "Whut whut?!" "I figured something out! I figured it out! I just told the boss and he's gonna make another call to us right now in a few minutes!" "Whut about?" "About what James found out, the whole business with the assassin now sit down and just wait!" The six of them sat down and waited, looking rather nervous for another meeting the Arutulelan again. Two minutes later the screen turned on, as the hanar glowered in darkness towards them before starting with: "This one has received some new light upon the situation concerning our mutual friend. Mr. Narohl has compiled a steady case of information that has proved this." "And?" said Areh. "You want me to tell them or should I sir?" The hanar turned towards James on the screen and explained firmly. "...it appears that you are not as useless as this one expected you to be, despite your reckless ways. Your confrontation with the assassin and her cohort has revealed who they are, as Areh will now explain to you." The quarian nodded and brought up his omni-tool to explain compiling various data samples. "The group that we encountered are known as Facinus...that ring a bell to any of you?" "Wait what?!" said Lirem. "Are you sure of that?!" "One-hundred-percent." "...awwwwwww shit." "Wait who's Faseenus?" asked FG. "Facinus are a turian separatist group from our homeworld Taetrus," explained Norem. "They wanna separate the planet from the Turian Hierarchy, basically abandon its government and become a free independent state." "...so...basically a bunch of anarchists?" "More than that, they're terrorists. They're ruthless killers who'll gladly cut down a hundred citizens just to make a point. Case in point, that group of workers we saw being dumped to the side down at Epho's mining shaft." "Damn..." "Did they recognise you?" asked Lirem. "No...he didn't seem to know who I was, probably because I was too far away and not wearing a suit of armour." "Good, that means they might not come after us then. Did you mention any names?" "Nope, not even mine." "Alright. So, why did a terrorist group start mining on Epho?" "We believe they are gathering materials," said Tulan, "possibly for some larger operation. The fact that an assassination attempt was made upon councilor T'Kina adds greater interest to this problem." "And what have you found out so far?" "Nothing as of yet." "What were they mining anyway?" asked Leiah.

"A rare compound of samarium," replied Areh, "known as one-three-seven. It's super-magnetised meaning that it can be used for incredibly intensive electronics, something BIG even." "That is a supposition," said the hanar, "do not get ahead of yourself Areh." "S-sorry, but you have to admit it's really suspicious. What does the councilor do exactly?" "She largely oversees the docking legislations of a section of Nos Astra, dealing with various ships that travel back and forth from this one area. A position no greater than a supervisor of a shipyard." "Was that the same dock I was fighting at?" asked FG. "No. There is nothing suspicious of her, the only activity of late from her being the fundraiser we attended for new renovations to a failing shipyard. Half the profits were going to the workers of the place who she felt responsible for." "Wow what a nice lady!" said Leiah. "I told you she was nice," replied FG smiling. "Did we get paid yet?" asked Krungut Jax. "It will be soon, but she has assured us that we will be paid sumptuously for our troubles. She even passed a message to me saying that she felt terrible about the ordeal almost ruining our night, and will add a bonus to our pay...as well as provide free advertising for other friends of hers." "Hey that's awesome!" said Lirem. "BAM, Glad I Am, right guys?!" "[i]U-uuuugh,[/i]" moaned Areh, "s-sure, whatever, but does that mean James can stay?" "...he can stay," said Tulan stiffly, "provided that he obeys whatever this one demands of him. However, for the sake of our own protection, he is no longer associated with the band publicly and must make his own excuses elsewhere. You are not to attend backstage with the band at any moment during a performance. As far as everyone else is concerned, you are but a face in the audience and nothing more." "Mmmm alright," said James softly, "I uh...I understand. Thanks for letting me back in." "You were never with the band in the first place, and this one would prefer to keep it that way. Despite all you have done, you are far too troublesome to deal with on a public level, so you may only join this group as a nameless mercenary outside of our performances. Does this one make himself clear, Mr. Campbell?" "Perfectly sir." "Good. From now on we keep an eye out for any turian groups out in the galaxies. Keep a close watch on any news broadcast or otherwise. This one would advise either of the Hallahers to set up a feedlink on the news from Taetrus to make sure of any further activities." "I'm on it boss," said Lirem. "Good. You may rest for now until we receive payment, of which this one shall speak with you again concerning other missions. Good day." The transmission cut off as the team heaved with one sigh of relief, glad to be over with such an awkward conference. Every conference was awkward with Tulan, he always knew how to keep people on edge with the right tone. James smiled over to Areh'Narohl and said: "Hey uh...thanks for helping me out there." "No prob," said the quarian, "I mean that was really useful info there so it's not like what you did was a bad thing." "Same here," said Jax, "I mean, chasin' down an assassin? That's stupid but ballsy. I like that." "I just can't believe you kept that gun from the police," said Leiah, "I mean, what if that was evidence?!" "Pfft the police can't find an assassin, come on." "They might have." "She was wearing gloves," said FG, "and I dunno how they trace guns here, but-" "They won't trace it," said Lirem. "I saw that when you came in that it was an unmarked Locust model. Dangerous though, I'm kinda surprised they didn't take it off you, that's an infamous kind of model." "Whysat?" "The gun that killed two presidents?" said Norem. "Least that's what humans call it, usually preferred by hitmen so it's perfect for an assassin." "You telling me I just got myself a sweet-ass submachine gun, for nothing?" "Mmhmm." "...fuck [i]yes,[/i]" said James gleefully, "I'm gonna enjoy using that for our next mission!" "Well it's not as strong or fast as the Tempest but you got accuracy and practically no muzzle climb in exchange." "That explains why she'd pick it then. Don't need so many shots if you can aim for the head."

With the conversation soon winding down, they headed back to their separate rooms and tended to themselves. The turian brothers set up a feedlink to their homeworld keeping notes on any activities. Jax and Areh went to watch another monster movie that they had planned, whilst James taught himself how to use the omni-tool better through Leiah's advice. He had neglected the strange tool somewhat over the past few weeks, and felt it was high-time to finally learn its operations inside-out. With Leiah's guidance, he learnt how to use the flashlight, make video recordings, access and record data within its codex and obtain an upgrade that turned it into a hardlight blade. Omni-tools had different aggressive functions, ranging from brutal punches to violent stabs, which of course James approved of as he began figuring out. The more he fiddled with the device, the more he began to like it, utilising its recorder option whilst talking with Leiah two days later. "I really hope I can keep this thing now," said James. "Oh, why's that?" asked Leiah. "Well...if I can take it out of this world, that means...I could show Koopin all the worlds I've been to, and all the friends I make!" "Oh yeah! That's a good idea!" "Hey you know what, maybe next time the gang's all together for something I can ask them to say hi, be like aaaaa scrapbook!" "Heheeheh, that's a great idea James, I'll start off for you if you like." "Sure, go for it, just yanno say hi and stuff about where you live, what you like and such." "Okay, [i]mm-hmmph...[/i]" She cleared her throat and turned towards James' omni-tool, sturdying herself like she was about to interview. "Hi theeeere, my name's Leiah, and um...I'm a quarian, and this is the galaxy! I was born in the Migrant Fleet on the starship Guuha in 2168, and I'm an engineer, like most quarians." "Nice to meet you Leiah," said James politely, "could you tell us more about what a quarian is?" "Oh, well, quarians are a nomadic race who travel on starships and live on them, because we used to have a home planet until we...kiiinda accidentally made an entire race of AIs that took over us and forced us off our planet and...the galaxy didn't like that. We also can't really go and make another planet our home because our immune systems got so weak over time living on ships that it...well, makes things really difficult." "Well that sucks." "Oh, totally. I mean quarians aren't really liked because we keep getting blamed for that, as if we ALL wanted robotic servants waiting on us hand and foot and get all surprised they wanted to rebel! I mean, keelah come on, it's been two hundred years!" "Right, right...heh, getting off on a rant there are ya?" "S-sorry...I didn't mean to ruin your vid." "Nah it's fine, it's more honest like that. Anything else you wanna-" A knock on the door interrupted them as Lirem's voice came through. "Hey uh guys? The boss wants to talk to us." "Okay coming!" replied James before murmuring, "...should I leave this thing on?" "...go for it," said Leiah with a giggle.

Heading off towards the meeting room once more, Arutulelan once again appeared on the monitor as the crew all sat round it, the raptor barely in his seat before the hanar said: "Please turn your recording off." "WH-what?!" "Turn it off, before this one breaks it off." "...a-alright, sorry." Fearfully turning off his recorder, the raptor sank back in his seat whilst glaring sheepishly at Leiah, who shrugged simply with disbelief as Tulan said: "We have received the payment from the T'Kina estate. A bonus has been generously given as compensation for our troubles. The councilor also stated clearly that an added bonus was given to James Campbell directly, in the form of ten-thousand credits." "Woah really?!" "Yes. Not only did she find the signed poster and was grateful for all your autographs, but once she realised of what you did she was very grateful to you for saving her life. Your bonus has now been added to your account." "Holy crap that's awesome, tell her I said thanks!" "She also wished to pass along a message to you. She has found someone who is willing to help you with your cause concerning interdimensional travel, a researcher known as Mr. Comstock." "Comstock? ...well, wow, awesome she came through, I didn't even think she would find someone." "According to the councilor, this Comstock heard of your inquiries through her while she was discussing with others after the fundraiser. He says he is willing to meet with you by sharing his email so you can arrange a time and place to visit." "That's awesome! Aw man I can finally find a way to get home, thanks sir!" "The councilor you should thank. This one is simply a messenger. As for the rest of you, there is another mission that requires your assistance across the other side of the galaxy. Now that we have what we need we can leave Illium finally. This one tires of seeing such amethyst complexions upon your faces." The screen turned black with dismissal as they received their new mission, popping up on the terminal as James looked with a rather eager expression on his face. He also received the email of Mr. Comstock for later usage.

[b][i][u]Assault on Intai'sei[/u] A small human settlement is under attack by the Blood Pack group on the planet Intai'sei, in the Argos Rho cluster. The sparse few cities that lie on the planet are too far apart and underfunded to assist by any means, and the council is too indecisive upon using finances to assist such a barren colony. This comes from a desperate plea more than anything else. Head to the settlement of Abersei and destroy the Blood Pack group before more casualties occur.[/i][/b]

"Awwww yeah," said FG, "assault on a city that sounds like fun." "Hell yeah it is," said Jax, "man I missed urban warfare, that shit's so intense!" "Wait...weren't the Blood Pack those guys that tried to kill me and Leiah?" "Sure were...guess whut that means." "What?" "It's time fer revenge." "Could you not be so eager to kill people?" said Areh. "Hey, Godzilla gets to enjoy it why not me?!" "Well hold on, it's not like he ENJOYS killing people, it's more the fighting other monsters he enjoys." "Pfft, really? Come on, he hates people, he hates all humanity." "Well not enough to wantonly murder all of them precisely, if they get in the way then it's their fault, he doesn't care either way. Just definitely not enough to hate SPECIFICALLY the human race." "Uhhh guys?" said Lirem. "Why don't you continue your conversation over at the cockpit huh?" "OH, uh sure. Anyways, you remember how in 'vs. King Ghidorah' that..." James did not bother hearing the end of this conversation as he walked back to his room and unpacked once again, feeling relieved that he did not have to leave after all. The convenience of this ship at his command, or rather at his request to travel between star systems, was not something he could live without in this galaxy. Whether he would have found another willing crew or not, he wanted to take his chances with the struggling rock band spiralling into debt. At the very least they were more entertaining. He decided to follow up on the email of Mr. Comstock, having not used a computer in quite a long while as he slowly began typing out on a newly registered email he had setup around a week ago. He soon ended up in a full-on transcript once Mr. Comstock replied back with an absurdly fast speed, as if he was waiting for him before they moved into a text messenger program within the email's functions.

[04:26] <Velocistar237> hey there! wow you were real fast replyng to me [04:26] <SkyhookKnight> Hi, thanks for getting back to me. [04:26] <SkyhookKnight> Yeah I was busy on my laptop when I got your email, glad we could talk so soon. [04:26] <Velocistar237> same here, you got no idea how bad i been lokin for something to do with interdimentional stuff [04:27] <SkyhookKnight> Glad I can help. May I ask what your interest in it is exactly? [04:27] <Velocistar237> well... this is gona sound kinda weird but there was this insident once involving a friend of mine who once got involved with stuff like that [04:27] <SkyhookKnight> I see. What happened exactly? [04:27] <Velocistar237> um okay...a friend of mine disapeared into a dimentional...hole or something, kinda like a black hole but not...i know that sounds kinda stupid but [04:27] <Velocistar237> he disapeared a few months ago and ive been trying to find someone, anyone who can help me! ive been running ragged all over the place looking for help [04:27] <SkyhookKnight> Councilor T'Kina said you were a student right? Where at? [04:28] <Velocistar237> im a student yes at goomba university, and i was researching it with my friend, then something happened so im looking for someone who can help me [04:28] <SkyhookKnight> What happened exactly? [04:28] <Velocistar237> something like a black hole swallowed up my friend...but not a black hole, like something cold and icy like a rip in the universe itself! [04:28] <SkyhookKnight> How do you know it wasn't a black hole? [04:28] <Velocistar237> i know what a black hole is, i know how it acts, but this thing was NOT a black hole...can you help me? [04:29] <SkyhookKnight> What exactly do you want me to do for you? Why do you need someone like me? [04:29] <Velocistar237> i need someone who knows how to make interdimentional rips in existence, like in space itself or even just understnd how to do it [04:29] <SkyhookKnight> This all sounds very theoretical. Where exactly did this happen? [04:29] <Velocistar237> ummmm not too far from the citadel? [04:29] <SkyhookKnight> I never heard of anything happening like that near the Citadel. [04:29] <Velocistar237> because it was tiny, like not a huge hole in the galaxy but like a tiny tiny humansized hole and it sucked my friend away! i just want to know where he went [04:30] <Velocistar237> i want to know where he went, even if it means leaving this galaxy myself ill follow him, he's very dear to me and i cant lose him [04:30] <Velocistar237> not ever...please...help me [04:31] <SkyhookKnight> I'll see what I can do. Do you have any data reports on this phenomenon? [04:31] <Velocistar237> i hope so, a lot of it got lost in the chaos of my friend being taken [04:31] <SkyhookKnight> We can arrange a meeting and try to compare notes, at the very least I can help steer you towards the right direction. Are you free sometime? [04:31] <Velocistar237> i have an assinment to do that will take me a bit, maybe we can meet up in two weeks? [04:31] <SkyhookKnight> That's fine, let me know when and where you are so I can arrange a meeting between us. Hope to see you soon Mr. Campbell.

Over the next few days, while waiting to reach their next destination, Leiah tried to contact her parents for some family talk as well as to try and get James in on the call. The raptor was eventually just waiting for Leiah to call on him until then, wandering the ship aimlessly until making his way to the bar. No one wanted drinks, not even Jax and Areh at the cockpit who were still continuing their conversation of monster movies and the dichotomy of the different incarnations of Godzilla. James could not understand a word of it, and simply wandered off without them hearing him as soon passed by Lirem's room. He heard a song being strummed from inside, a soft melody of a guitar that would stop and stutter halfway through with very little effort. James thought it was a song in the making, curious to hear the work in progress as he put his head up against the door trying to listen. Eventually Norem's voice came from inside asking: "Did you call mom yet?" "No," said Lirem. "You should, she always asks about you." "You can tell her, I'm fine." "I'm not your secretary." "Whatever..." Another mournful pluck of strings before Norem sighed at his brother. "What's wrong? The last concert was great, we still got paid and got to finish the rest of our set." "Oh no yeah, totally she was...she was great." "...your heart's not into it anymore is it?" "Nah nah I...still love being a rock star bro." "You know Areh's not around, you can tell me anything." "I'm good, don't worry." "Bro, I know when you're lying, now come on." Lirem stopped playing before he sat up, the rustling of bedsheets being heard as he said: "...it's not that I don't enjoy it anymore. I love playing on the stage." "But?" asked Norem. "I feel...it feels more and more like a job than actual fun. It's like...I feel more a follow-up act than the main star, yanno, like people aren't there for me or you, they're there because they want their money's worth." "I don't understand." "Knew you wouldn't." "But that doesn't mean I don't care Lirem. How long you felt like this for?" "...few months maybe? I thought at first I was just maybe tired or something but...no it happens everytime. I mean I give my performance best as I can but that's just me playing a role, that's not me being ME, you know?" "Ahhh...I gotcha. You feel like you're playing another rock star for a performance, rather than being yourself at YOUR performance." "YES, that's exactly what I'm saying! ...you're way better at words than I am." "You never studied." "Fuck you." "Hahaha...well, whatever troubles are in your heart I'll help you out." "...you promise not to tell Areh right? That kid worries like crazy over everything and I know this is all he has." "I know, I promise. Is this why you don't wanna talk to mom? Because she'll say something?" "I trust you more than I trust her. You understand me, you've been with me through all this." "Mmhmm...wanna split my candy?" "Hell yeah."

The raptor soon left as they stopped talking to enjoy the silence, wandering still through the empty small corridors before noticing something odd. Heading back towards his room in order to wait for Leiah to come calling, he saw Areh's room had been left unlocked. Curiosity beckoned him as he cautiously approached, noticing that the room was empty and that no one was coming up from the halls around him. He took no more than two steps inside the room to not look suspicious. From an outsider's point of view it was a very childish room. A large single bed stuffed in the corner, a toolkit lazily slumped on the floor beside it and a large variety of toy monsters and plushies nestled all around the room. Sitting on shelves and the terminal's desk, beside the crystal shards from Makhaira, were modelled creatures from stiff plant-like monstrosities to winged pterodactyl-like beasts to three-headed dragons, all lined up in various styles. The toys, models and the odd gaming collection were all surprisingly well-organised in a particular manner, while everything else was just lazily piled around the room. It appeared to be junk at first but James saw tools among the piles as well, not to mention the odd box of something still-packed like a movie set or so. It was strangely organised yet also incredibly messy at the same time, but he was soon distracted by what showed on the terminal. Areh had propped up a picture on the screen, showing the people from the Makhaira station all lined up with numbers and letters carved into their bodies. The combination was in sets of three people each standing closely to each other, reading as:

[b]D-1-2 E-W-F G-S-6 5-4-3 W-A-F D-V-8 5-A-1 1-W-A 9-1-8 E-F-S 4-W-A 6[/b]

"...the fuck? Why are they all lined up in threes, that one guy on his own with the number six, I don't...I don't understand this either but...I think...I feel-NNNGH!" Suddenly he experienced a blinding headache, trapped within a violent haze of red as something screamed inside his ear. A high-pitched whining like a flashbang grenade, stopping him in his tracks and causing him to fall onto his knees. The monitor began to flicker, the monster models shuddering with some strange unknown force evident within the room. The sound of something rumbling came from all around him, the heightened pitch constantly shrieking from inside his head. He struggled to crawl towards the door, trying to escape whatever force was upon him. But he was unable to reach that far as the scream turned louder, striking nails into his brain as he screamed back, desperately trying to make it stop as he rolled onto the floor in foetal position. Hundreds of stabbing pains ran through his senses, his eyes sharpened into brittle glass that even blinking was like sandpaper scraped across them. His nose burned with fire, melting from the inside as his throat turned hoarse, his screams strangled out by whatever source was in the room. When he felt his claws start to twitch and twist the very veins inside of them, he began sobbing in pain, his eyes forced to turn towards a strangely soothing light, coming from the terminal. The numbers and letters began to rearrange themselves slightly, his vision blurring with agony as he tried to focus, a voice coming from his lips despite James not saying anything. [i]"Skyllian...Akuze...Mindoir..."[/i] One last scream came from the raptor as sudden images ran shrieking through his head, monstrous worms and merciless slavers gunning him down like razor blades across the inside of his skull. The moment the pain stopped, he woke up outside of Areh's room, sitting up against the wall and seeing that it was no longer open, not even able to access it. He struggled back onto his feet and slowly walked back to his room within a tearful haze. Then he began to reconsider knowing that the absence of other people would only make things worse. As he stopped in the middle of the corridor trying to clear his head, shaky on his feet with an odd lull in his eyes that faded slightly from their green pallour, Leiah came running up towards him from ahead, saying: "Hiiiii! ...you okay?!" "Y-yeah," mumbled James, "I...um..." "Oh gosh are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost! Look your nose is bleeding!" "I hope not, I-...h-huh?" He gently dabbed his snout to find that indeed there came blood from his nostrils, dripping hotly down his lips. He winced slightly as Leiah gently patted him. "Did something happen?" "Yeah um...I...I fell. I dunno what happened, I think...um, maybe I...I think I was making something to drink in the bar, and I...must have mixed something wrong or it was too strong maybe." "...did you try to drink Jax's ryncol?" "Mmmmaybe?" "Pfft, you bosh'tet." She tapped him lightly on the head. "That stuff is like ground glass, even a little of it's gonna churn you inside out, jeez. You should know anything made by the krogans is BARELY edible to anyone else." "Heh...yeah, tha-that must be it, I'm sorry, I'm being an idiot." "Yes. Yes you are, now come on, you have to meet my parents!" "Wait what?" "They've got time off to talk now, come on, they wanna see the brave guy that saved their little girl's life!" "Awwww come ooooon, why does everyone say that about me?" "Huh?" "...nothing, I'm just being silly, let's go see them." "Okay doke! Better get you cleaned up too, don't want you looking like you just came out of a boxing match or something, hehee!" Dragging him by the hand she strided off to her room as James tried to forget the past few minutes. He wondered on whether he should ask Areh about the mysterious code, hoping that it was nothing more. Maybe he forgot that he drank something that disagreed with him, half-believing his own excuse through sheer ignorance of the fact. But for now it was all he had, and without any further explanation for such a harrowing experience, he could do nothing else but put on a brave face in order to not look terrible in front of Leiah's parents.