EliteCommander

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Falul 'Taham - The Immaculate Aegis

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Shipmaster Falul gave a low snarl, though he avoided transmitting such to the Imperial vessel. The response itself was not terribly threatening, but the implications underneath still forced Falul's hand. With the information that had been presented to the Imperials, they had no reason to demand his presence, considering that he had stated an urgent need to leave. Perhaps there was some possibility that the Galactic Empire was not the enemy he was led to believe, but that notion seemed less likely than not. While he perhaps did not have the certainty he would have liked, Falul had to make a choice, and if they could prevent their enemy from sending out a signal, then it might not be a binding one.

Falul replied, simply and calmly, to the Imperial. "Very well. By your request, we shall remain." He said before closing the channel. In this case, he would do as the Imperials asked, though they would come to regret it soon enough.

"Prepare to fire on your targets on the Resurgence's signal." Falul ordered his officers.

Uril, Falul's second-in-command, activated the holographic display from the table in the center of the bridge. It formed a three-dimensional display of every ship in the vicinity, based on sensor data. The others seem to intend to board one of the vessels, Shipmaster. It could be an opportunity to gather useful information, but I believe it a risky strategy."

"Agreed." Falul replied, turning his chair to face the display. "But we likely do not have time to dissuade them. If this is the path we are taking, then we shall take advantage."

"Shall we prepare boarding parties?" Uril asked.

Falul zoomed in the display on the Imperial vessels. "No, I do not want to lose ships to this folly. We will send two cloaked phantoms. Special operations. We require small teams that can move quickly. Have them aid the others, but have them focus on identifying and recovering any useful information or technology, then leaving as quickly as possible."

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Falul 'Taham - The Immaculate Aegis

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Falul was concerned with the arrival of the three Imperial Venators, but it was not until Erthos' message describing his plan that Falul grew visibly agitated. He let out a growl, slamming his fist into the arm of his chair. "Grah! Scan these Imperial vessels and search for any concentrations of energy signatures. Mark targets for plasma torpedoes on any obvious weapons and engines, and any likely location for their reactors on all three vessels. Target the ventral lance on the rearmost ship, but do not power any weapons. Not yet."

Erthos, it seemed, was already just expecting him and the others to join with him in combat against the Galactic Empire. He was planning an ambush, and one of the other vessels was even planning to board. Now that the Aegis' spirit understood the technology it had been examining well enough, it could open a secure channel with the Resurgence and the rest of their small fleet. "Supreme Commander Erthos, I have still not agreed to fight your war. You expect us to fire first against these Imperials? Make no mistake, if I were certain they were my enemy, I would slay them without a second thought, but all they have done thusfar is offer you medical aid. And if we were to engage them, we should destroy them all quickly and not risk detection."

Though he voiced his dissent, Falul doubted that his words would make any difference. Erthos did not seem like a man who would be swayed from facing his enemy. In a way, it was admirable, but it may not have aligned with Falul's goals in the moment. He needed certainty. Falul needed to know who his enemy was, and for that, Erthos' tactics had actually inspired an idea. Erthos' ruse was drawing in their supposed enemy, and Falul was not beyond a ruse himself. If he knew that the Empire were going to try and force their will upon him, to demand a surrender or even just prevent him from leaving, then he would know that he could not avoid fighting them forever. If he made his intentions to leave known, and was refused, then that would make supporting the Resurgence the prudent course of action.

"Open a channel with the Imperial vessel." Falul ordered. Regardless of any doubts or questions that his officers might have had, they followed his order without hesitation. "Imperial vessels, since you have arrived to render aid, my ship's assistance is no longer required. My vessel's presence is required urgently with my people, so we shall be leaving imminently." He announced. Should he be refused, he would simply "accept" the Imperials' order to remain, but he would have his answer.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The Dunmer started to laugh. "I would have been more surprised if you had anything to say about me. There are no histories of me to keep. I suppose it was a fight to claim the Ring in Skyrim, but I did little of note with it after I brought it to Morrowind. There are other stories here that are far more interesting to tell."

The Dunmer pointed a finger to a large, transformed werewolf watching them from just off to their right. "This one died in battle with the Nerevarine himself. That werecrocodile lurking in that river over there? She killed a swamp leviathan alone and cut out the Ring from its stomach. And not in that order, either . Regardless of what anyone else tells you, though, I promise my pack and I did give a worthy fight before that Orc killed me. He had us heavily outnumbered."

Meesei heard the sound of a scoff from behind the Dunmer as the large, ferocious Khajiit finally approached. Meesei supposed she could have been a Cathay like Rhazii, given her height, but her general features still looked closer to Ahnasha's. In any case, she stood with her arms crossed, glaring down at the Dunmer. "Your efforts to save face in front of your 'successor' are almost as pathetic as you are. These 'champions' may have been strong enough to earn some small renown in life, but in death, they all bow to the superiority of Vykosa the Ascendant!"

The Khajiit, Vykosa, turned her eyes not to Meesei specifically, but to the rest of her pack. "Now, will you dogs bow too?"

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Falul 'Taham - The Immaculate Aegis

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As soon as the Aegis recieved the Daedalus' transmission, it was transferred to Falul's console. Though, he took the time to examine the co-ordinates that had been sent along with it, then go over the data he had on these "Transitory Mists". It was somewhat encouraging that at least some of the other shipmasters were like-minded to Falul in regards to their fallback point. Falul had read the information Erthos had given him on Kashyyyk and Naboo, which only made him suspicious of the motivation for suggesting them. They were supposedly in territory controlled by the Galactic Empire, and would have an Imperial presence. Falul did have aboard his vessel the means to hide the ship on a planet, but that would not be his first choice. This nebula that surrounded what was known as the Hapes Cluster would make for a far more secure base of operations.

After a minute or so, Falul replied to the transmission, sending it on an open channel to all of the other ships as well. "This is Shipmaster Falul 'Taham, of the carrier Immaculate Aegis. I am in agreement with the Shipmaster of the [i]Daedalus[i/]. Any planet with the presence of the Galactic Empire is unsuitable for our purposes. Should it become necessary for us to venture beyond our base for any materials or information, this 'Hapes Cluster' seems to have a central location in the settled portions of this galaxy."

Falul brought up a holographic display of the navigational data Erthos provided for them. It showed a map of this galaxy, and even at first glance, it brought up some concerns for Falul. "However, there is a potential concern we may face if we intend to cooperate. The map we were given of this galaxy...if it is accurate, then the settled worlds of the galaxy are far more widely-dispersed than in my own home galaxy. If your Earth has the same length of days as the Earth of my universe, Shipmaster Caldwell, then the Immaculate Aegis will require nine to ten days to complete the journey. I do not believe that all of our ships are capable of traversing the stars at similar speeds."

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Falul 'Taham - The Immaculate Aegis

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Falul had done what he could aboard the Resurgence. He had spoken to those he felt might advance his goals, and he had both the navigational data and other information provided by Erthos. While most of them likely had differing motivations, for the moment, he did believe that they each had the same goal of returning to their respective homes. The only one he was skeptical of was Erthos, because if it was true that this was his universe in a different time, then what happened here might influence the state of Erthos' own time. Out of everyone, Erthos' goals were the ones that could change most easily.

However, insofar as their short-term goals were concerned, Falul doubted there would be many differences of opinion. Regardless of what approaches they intended to take to find their ways back to their home universes, their ships would need a place to refuel and resupply. The Immaculate Aegis was a warship stocked with enough weapons and supplies to siege entire worlds, but it was still not a self-sufficient vessel. Falul was not going to gamble on this being resolved quickly, so they needed to find at least some place they could call a fallback point. Whether or not that would be one of the places Erthos had suggested remained to be seen. Falul's guards followed as he led them back to the hangar at which they had arrived, and back to their phantom.

Once back on his ship, Falul went immediately back to the bridge to resume his duties as Shipmaster. The ship's spirit had already interpreted the data that had been sent to the Aegis, and Falul had the datapad Erthos gave him sent to one of their Huragoks to examine. With luck, they would be able to make their own ship's systems compatible with, at the very least, the communications technology used in this universe. Though, he made sure the Huragok's first order was to have the data translated and sent to his own console. He needed to read about these planets Erthos had mentioned, as well as any others that might be in the area.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei shook her head to Janius. The Khajiit was no one she recognized, nor were any of the others she saw gathered around her. The thought had crossed Meesei's mind that she might see some of those she knew, but she had not put much consideration into meeting those she did not know. Any lycan from history could be among those in the Hunting Grounds.

While Jerrick and Vera were taking their time together, several of the other lycans finally approached Meesei's pack. The Khajiit was still the most prominent among them, but it was a Dunmer man who stepped the closest, and finally spoke. "So, today is finally the day we meet the successor." He remarked.

"The successor." Meesei repeated, crossing her arms as she looked the Dunmer over. Unlike the Khajiit, there was nothing outwardly remarkable about him, but Meesei gathered enough from the context to understand who he was. "I can assume you are referring to me. And so were you all bearers of Hircine's Ring."

The Dunmer gave a light shrug. "Hmm, not all. Some of us did not bear the Ring itself, some never held the title of Champion in life, but we have all been champions of our lord Hircine. And so, you are our successor. You, all of your pack, have the great challenge of holding the respect you have earned among the living, and extending it to those souls who have the greatest champions of Hircine in history to compare you to. Hmm, I suppose I can just wish you all luck. I am hardly in any position to doubt you; all I managed to do as Champion was to be killed by an Orc. At least, that's what anyone else here will tell you."

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Falul 'Taham - Briefing Room

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Falul had given his offer to the Humans, and a generous one at that. Though, as much as it frustrated him, he could see that they were not as efficient in their decision-making as he was. They had, a few times, referenced their own shipmaster and implied he was not among those present, which meant they were envoys who would have to relay their knowledge and opinions to their superior. It was an inconvenience, but not something he could not tolerate. For now, Falul had more he could do.

The mercenary had approached Falul, and seeing as he did not yet believe her to be beneath his attention, he did at least acknowledge her questions. "You may begin by demonstrating some measure of patience, mercenary. I do not have a task for you, but if this problem of returning to our home universes requires more than we have aboard our ships, that may change. Should I have need of you, then I would pay you as I pay my Kig-Yar: weapons and technology. If it is true that we are from different universes, then what I offer is technology entirely alien to your reality. I am sure you can find some value to that."

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Falul 'Taham - Briefing Room

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Falul softly growled to himself. Of course there would be questions. He at least partially agreed with the female, if only so he would not need to answer the questions himself. However, practically speaking, it would be better for him to simply give the basic answers they needed right away, especially as it pertained to the nature of the privileges he was giving them. "The ship's spirit, the Humans of my universe would call it an...artificial intelligence. A thinking machine. The spirit of my vessel is of Human design. An artisan-engineer is a master of the design patterns for our weapons and technology. And a Huragok is a creation of the Forerunners. Imbued with some of their knowledge, they bear the legacy of the Forerunners' technological prowess. A Huragok should be able to understand your simple devices without effort."

Even after answering McKay's questions one after another, Falul realized his answers were incomplete. They had no notion of what his universe was like, nor the civilizations within it. However, Falul did not want to waste his time with more explanations than he needed to, as long as the Humans were satisfied with his answers. "However, any of your research with one of my Huragoks must be carried out on my ship. On no circumstance shall I ever allow a Huragok to leave my vessel."

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Falul 'Taham - Briefing Room

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"Hmph, your accomplishments may be impressive...depending upon the strength of your enemies. But there is no purpose to weaving stories about a universe I have never seen. In the end, only action matters." Falul replied. He was not sure if the answers the Humans gave were just stories, but he had seen at least some degree of evidence that the Humans possessed some knowledge of science that would be helpful. Ultimately, that was all he needed right now. Their ability as warriors was secondary.

Falul nodded his head to McKay. "I will grant you all of the information my vessel's sensors collected when we were pulled to this place. The Immaculate Aegis is a military vessel, but there is an artisan-engineer and a scientist aboard you may collaborate with. I shall also grant you permission to employ the assistance of my vessel's spirit and, if necessary, a Huragok. As you are not of my universe, I will inform you that these are exceptional privileges that no Sangheili commander would grant lightly. But, these are...exceptional circumstances."

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Falul 'Taham - Briefing Room

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If there was anything in common between Falul and Ronan, it was that they were equally as unfazed by one another. Falul was familiar enough with Humans to recognize their aggression, or defensiveness, in this case. Falul's only direct reaction to either Teyla or Ronan was a quick snarl, though it was not completely clear at whom it was directed, if anyone. He simply continued with what he had to say, regardless of any threats or diplomacy.

"You are not the Humans I know, not the ones that have earned their alliance with my people. Yet, I wonder, do you still have anything close to the same traits as them? Do you have the same tenacity and cleverness that allowed them to stave off their extinction at the hands of a superior foe? Would you be worthy of the same alliance? If so, I might extend my...cooperation to you." Falul began, seeming at first to be speaking to the whole of the group. Although, his focus did soon return to McKay. "You spoke as if you understand what has transpired, at least moreso than most. Are you competent as a...scientist? Are you capable of providing a solution to bring us back to our homes?"