Cath

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

Tanto WIP

Dex: 5
Melee Weapons: 8
Melee Parry: 8
Dodge: 7
Knowledge: 3
Intimidation: 7
History: 5
Mechanical: 2
Perception: 5
Hide: 8
Sneak: 7
Technical: 2
Strength: 4

Omega WIP

Dex: 2
Heavy weapons 4
Knowledge: 1
Mechanical: 1
Perception: 1
Technical: 2
Demolition: 9
Strength: 11

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

Tanto merely grinned, baring rows of sharpened tomia inside her beak. “What’s the matter? Afraid your gleaming new frame isn’t up to the challenge? My blades have a taste for metal forged in the lava lakes of Seppid IV; I promise your soulless alloys are of no interest. Now feel the fury of the Sunken Ones!” With that, she advanced towards Senjen at a frightening pace and lashed out with both batons.

“Oh dear.” Rex said levelly, skittering neatly out of the way.

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

Rex didn’t seem phased by Tanto’s outburst. In fact, if anything it sounded chirpier, as if trying to compensate.

“Correct! I am equipped for extended solo operations. That being said, this one is very glad to be requested for this job. Its just so much more interesting working as part of a team. I’m sure you agree, master Senjen.”

Tanto let forth a terrible screeching laugh. “The feeble-minded call it an art so they can justify any interpretation! I serve the Sallow Gods, and they thirst for retribution in its rawest form. You wish to test my resolve, don’t you? This journey wearies your mind. Come then, if it will hasten your leaving, let me show you.”

The batons slide from holes in each palm, thinner and longer than before. They didn’t alight with flame, but still looked deadly in the right hands. “I would highly recommend not pursuing this course of action.” Rex added quickly.

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

Rex sat neatly upright and cocked its head to the left as it watched Senjen speak. “Great question! My full name is REX-0259, a rugged, versatile ranger unit designed and built by Elenquatadir. I have a top running speed of 100 kilometres per hour, and am armed with an integral, magnetically accelerated anti-materiel rifle to hit targets up to fifty kilometres.”

Rex stood back up on all fours and looked at the Chekeri bot behind it. “My friend Tanto is also my opposite. She likes to work…up close and personal. She can shapeshift, like me, but doesn’t like when I talk about her capabilities.”

Tanto released what could only be described as a guttural squawk of disapproval. Her talons scraped off the engine cowling and she turned to face them both. “Only the twin fires of my blades will cleanse the souls of our enemies in their final moment. Plumes of smoke guide them to the divine beyond.” Her voice was awful, like nails on a chalkboard, and then it was gone.

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

The room was dimly lit by fluorescent strips along the path between the monolithic engine shard and the equipment affixed to the surrounding walls. It was calm save the rhythmic throb of power being generated for the thrusters.

Rex was curled up close to the door. They stretched out both legs when Senjen poked his head in, then got up and shook their body vigorously all over. “These two are having an adequate experience, thanks for asking. We hope we haven’t been getting In the way here…is there something we can help you with?”

Tanto stood in the middle of the room with her back to Senjen. Her claws were raised, grasping the engine pod. Her forehead rested gently on the riven surface. She didn’t move an inch while either of them spoke.

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

Light returned Senjen’s look and gulped. He knew what his friend thought, but this helpful segue only served to ratchet up the tension.
“Well, that’s settled then…” He said after an awkward pause.

HOPE picked up on something and looked at Light expectantly.

“I, uh, I was wondering. I never asked about your family. Do you know them?”

The female looked wistful for a moment. “It’s a world called Brissekh. I was part of a cult who cultivate a plant that spreads across the whole surface. They exiled me, and the Humans took me prisoner. They…”

She tailed off, so Light stepped in.

“Life has a way of bringing us chances for closure that we never expect. Maybe by ridding Veppecantel of its infection, you can tear the weeds from behind your eyes.”

It seemed wildly optimistic of a statement, having just met this person, Light thought. He immediately regretted signing it, but HOPE seemed to see the right side of it.

“Thank you. Maybe.”

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

HOPE shared Senjen’s look of concern. “Let’s hope we do not have to fight anyone at all. This is first and foremost a mission of mercy…The two Chekeri with you – they’re scientists?”

“Yes. One of them is our friend. The other is a medical AI from FGC. Both need protecting.” Light said. HOPE nodded, stroked the outside of his suit. “We’ll keep them safe, I promise. As long as Major finds his master, everything will be fine.”

She looked to Senjen. “We’ve been signalling her via the Veppecantel relay, but there’s been no sign of her. They might have disabled it by now. Maybe once we get closer, we’ll be able to see something? Otherwise, we’ll have to land and look for clues.”

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

HOPE looked uneasy, like she couldn’t decide whether to say anything more. “We only want to help. Senjen is very good at finding people. Or things, really.” Light reassured her. She bobbed her head.

“Her last signal came from a compound outside one of their capital cities on the planet’s surface. Major thinks it’s a Myrmidon naval college, built to train new crews for their ships, but I’m less sure. I think it sounds like a den for spies and all manner of miscreants. She shouldn’t have been there at all!”

Light looked at Senjen. He didn’t like the sound of that at all. “There there, we’ll find her and bring her back.” He said to HOPE, trying to be comforting. She just looked downcast.

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

“I don’t think you did, but at least that way no one could have stolen the ship while I was in the hospital.” Light said sheepishly.

“A touching story.” HOPE said. “It is clear you have both cultivated a firm friendship, which makes me confident we have chosen the right people to get us onto the ground again safely. The other options Major had investigated weren’t nearly so…appetising.”

“Oh…So your team has its own objective, beyond helping us complete ours?” Light asked. Something the Quadrarch had said alluded to this, but it had been skated over at the time.

“Yes, Major hasn’t told you? We are looking for his master - Lady Trevelyan. She was on the planet when the quarantine was declares; last contact with her was about six months ago.”

Omega whimpered at the mention of this name. HOPE shushed him gently. “Don’t worry, we’ll find her!”

She turned back to them again. “She was the one who brought him back to life after the accident. He’s very attached to her.”

Price of Life (EliteCommander and Cath)

“Oh, I thought that’s what you had been doing this past week…” Light said quietly and a bit pointedly. HOPE quivered with amusement.

“Our team has developed organically over time and spent long periods apart. We’re not professional soldiers, and all have other responsibilities in life. But the nature of our upbringing and the unpredictability of the cosmos means we have developed strong means of defending ourselves. To be fully transparent-“

Light flashed with his own amusement at this – it was a Human phrase that translated into a pun for QV.

“-This gelsuit also hosts our shared communications array and offers electronic warfare options.” She turned and looked at Omega when Senjen changed the subject. One large disc eye was peering out at them from the side of its giant head.

“He does speak, don’t you?” She called to him encouragingly. The Tindrel-approximate raised its head off the deck plate and burbled in what was probably a quiet voice for them but sent a ringing peal that echoed through the passageways. Light felt the soundwave pass through his suit and body. He knew that was how Tindrel ‘spoke’ and also mapped their surroundings, but something about it felt off.

“He finds it difficult to communicate in the way we do. But once you spend enough time with him you get to understand his ways. I only knew him briefly before the accident, but he was the kindest, sweetest bot you’ve ever met. His makers abused him too, sent him to clear the most dangerous tunnel systems all alone. I think in the end, even the softest souls can snap under the pressure of that.”

HOPE turned back to them. “What is the story with you two? You make an odd couple.”