[h3]Ruvulla aep Rarvaum and Vaehach aep Samla[/h3]
Cowritten by Enmuni and Bingelly
[hr]

At the first sign of shade, Ruvulla was quick to muscle her way in, making no particular effort to invite others to join her. Save for Vaehach. She waved to get his attention, then struck her hip with her fist and raised an open palm in a common Command greeting. 

"Come, join me," she beckoned, "We haven't been properly introduced."

Vaheach nodded, then returned her greeting in turn. He quickly struck his own hip and raised his open palm.

"No, we haven't," he answered curtly as he approached. "Vaehach aep Samla."

“Ruvulla aep Rarvaum,” she replied. “It’s some luck we’re having, isn’t it? Released, yet on a desolate world, and with a Ragon, among other things.”

She sighed, “And there’s cooperation…for the time being. Good, all things considered, but by what you’ve said, I gather you share my concerns about organization. I take it you’ve seen your share of war as well?”

"Do the Gods quarrel?" He sighed. "Yes, I fought. I've been fighting for almost my entire life."

“Right,” she grimly agreed, “So we’re in similar positions. I’ve seen enough to know that we’re not in an ideal manpower situation. With the Ragon, yes, but I’m sure you’ve noticed we’ve got other problems too. Which will impact our chances negatively.”

She tilted her head expectantly, clearly hoping for some particular sort of answer. 

"Chances of what?" He cocked an eyebrow. "There are three choices ahead of all of us. Die, stay on this dustbowl, or get off-world somehow. Most of the lot will want to take the third option."

“Yes, and to get there, of course, we’ll have to [i]survive[/i]. Let me put it to you this way. I’m not just a soldier. I’m a doctor. I’ve seen a lot of different sorts during and since the War,” she explained quietly, “And I’ve never seen anything like that thing that ran off. Or the skeleton in the spacesuit. We don’t know what they’re going to do. And these humans? They still don’t know what they’re facing here. So about half of this group is unpredictable. Then you factor in the Ragon, who may be tame, for now, but who could very well change its mind. And the Dhasath, the Dhasath look out for the Dhasath first, Vaehach. You know that. Which leaves us. We need to be aware of our position. I, for one, have been an adult longer than most of these people will ever live. If you’re the same, we both have experience. We both know better than most here what we need to do in order to get off this rock. And so on. We need to make sure we’re heard, and that we back each other up. You know?”

"Naturally Ruvulla," he nodded. "But I will feel far more comfortable once I have a blaster, a bayonet or, better yet, both in my hand. Until then, I don't expect to outfight either the locals or our travelling companions should they be provoked. I also don't favor my chances breaking off alone here, nor should you. Cohesion is built over time, and a squad needs to work together to survive the enemy."

“Correct. I just want you to be aware that I intend to watch your back. We can’t know what these others might think is a good idea,” she affirmed, “I just already heard one of the human [i]soldiers[/i]—” She said the word with a hint of derision. “Whinging about what we’ve got to do. There’s no telling if they’ll go rogue, you know. As I understand it, they’ve got a lot of media that glorifies lone actors going rogue. Something to keep an eye out for.”

"Duly noted," Vaehach chuckled lowly.

“But that’s just my assessment. I’m sure you have your own,” she added, “If you’re willing to share, of course.”

"They'll adapt or they'll die." He answered bluntly. "Just as we have to the latest situations. I believe them to be an adaptable people, just as the Dhasath. Aging and dying as early as they do, it shifts the perspective."

“Let’s hope they leave those planetary mindsets behind promptly,” Ruvulla affirmed.