Ah, seems we posted in the exact same minute, @DisturbedSpec.
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Eri 'Moram - The Resurgence Briefing Room
"We shall return with nothing if we are killed fighting your battles. And we do not need a better ship to stomp out the final embers of the Covenant." Eri remarked back with a brief growl. "I do not make this decision for the Immaculate Aegis, but I believe I know my shipmaster well enough to know he will require proof of this. I will concede that the...conclusions you make are logical. If he gains power in this universe through the worship of its people, then there would be no guarantee that he would stop."
Eri leaned in onto the table, not breaking eye contact with Elizabeth. "But all of it relies on believing your word. How would I prove to my shipmaster that Anubis is the manner of being that you describe, and that he can gain power as you say? There are ten thousand warriors on the Immaculate Aegis, and you will find no equal to them in skill and ferocity, but based on what should my shipmaster give their lives to your cause? Faith? You may ask the warriors of the Unbroken Hope, the Sangheili have slaughtered billions based on nothing but faith...and we shall never do so again."
Eri 'Moram - The Resurgence Briefing Room
Among the discussion around the table, there was plenty for Eri to consider. She had to open up her datapad to find reference to the planet Kamino, which immediately raised some obvious problems. Kamino was an extragalactic planet, located far beyond the galactic plane within a satellite galaxy called the Rishi Maze. There was no way the Aegis would be able to reach it within any reasonable time without upgrades to its faster-than-light capabilities. Beyond that, Eggman was adding on more reasons for Eri to want to break a few of his bones, but all of those concerns were pushed aside for the moment when another being made its presence known.
Eri's first reaction was to shoot up to her feet, ready for a fight. She stayed her hand from her blade if only because of the reaction of the Daedalus' delegation, though it soon became apparent that she was no one they personally knew either. He was not even Human, as she appeared, but was...something else.
While Eggman's arrogance and general attitude might have irritated Eri, he did not come close to causing the seething anger that this Elizibeth's explanation of events inspired. She was claiming responsibility for stealing them away from their home, and was now demanding their aid to destroy her enemy. Though, towards a being that so obviously outmatched her, Eri did still have enough reason and wisdom within her to temper her display of that anger...by Sangheili standards.
"Why should we help you?" Eri remarked, staring daggers directly at Elizabeth. "'Intended targets' or no, you brought us into a fight that is not ours and are demanding we give our lives for you. You have deprived Sanghelios and its colonies of one of its strongest defenses; how many of my people will die because we are not there to protect them? You speak as if you are better than Anubis, but if that is true, then how do you plan to atone for these sins you have inflicted onto us?"
I do have something to post that ties in to the Aegis' FTL capability, but I think I will hold off a bit until you have a chance to post, @mattmanganon. I feel Eggman would probably be one to reply to all that reasonably quickly.
Eri 'Moram - The Resurgence Briefing Room
McKay's explanation did make some degree of sense to Eri, though it hardly improved her mood. If he was correct, then these "Ancients" had stolen them from their universe and deprived Sanghelios of one of its strongest defenders, all to force them to fight a battle they did not want nor care for. Of course, it still all sounded like guesswork, but Eri was not stubborn enough to outright deny the possibility. Whether the crew of the Aegis liked it or not, they were probably going to have to put more trust in the scientists of the other universes than Eri would have preferred. Despite all her efforts these past few days, she had found no other alternatives that they could pursue.
If the situation itself was not enough, one delegate in particular irritated her enough to send her into a low growl. His arrogance made a San'Shyuum seem humble, and his irrelevant rambling felt like it was just wasting their time. She did give the courtesy of at least listening to his words, though that did not much help matters as far as her mood was concerned. She might not have had any semblance of scientific or technical knowledge, but she was still perfectly capable of listening, understanding, and forming her own conclusions based on the information presented to her. Others were ignoring him and considering the notion of working against Anubis, but Eri was not beyond snapping at the arrogant "scientist".
"You, fat man." Eri began, snarling at Eggman. "Did you listen to the Human...McKay, anywhere in your blustering? These...emeralds you speak of, nothing of their description exists in my universe. Galaxy-spanning civilizations rose without them, and did not need them. If they existed in their universe..." She motioned to the Daedalus' delegates. "...then they would have mentioned them. If they were needed to cross to another universe, then these "Ancients" of his universe would have required them. So, we will likely need to solve this without them. If any of your "expertise" does not rely on these power emeralds, then speak. Otherwise, stop irritating me."
Eri 'Moram - The Resurgence Briefing Room
The holographic diagram of these supposedly advanced technologies that McKay was describing meant little to Eri. She had no point of reference nor technological expertise of her own to compare them to the technology of her own universe, though it also did not much matter to her. She was willing to, at least for the moment, believe that the Human was being honest, because whether or not the technology was truly advanced was not the issue. She was there to represent the Aegis, and in this matter, her perspective was likely close to that of Falul.
"You say that this technology comes from a species from your universe, but even so, why does that matter? How does that explain why we are here? Just for the fact that he is an opponent from your universe? These Humans are here from my universe." Eri said, gesturing to the UNSC delegation. "Why would this Goa'uld's presence mean anything more than theirs? How would fighting Anubis in any way bring us closer to returning to our own homes?"
Taylor's eyes rested firmly on William as he stood. Once again, its concern for his well-being did not show through in the slightest on its exterior. Though, his physical health was not the only thing that had Taylor's attention. His attitude concerned, and even somewhat offended it. Although Taylor was sworn to protect him, that did not imply complete agreement with him.
"You are...wrong, William." Taylor stated. At its current energy, it towered over William, and everyone else in the room. Looking down into his eyes, Taylor held its arms out wide to call yet more attention to its nightmarish form. "They did not take your Humanity. You still have something left to reclaim."
Taylor turned its head back around towards the para woman and the Ratman. "I want to burn to ash everything and everyone that belongs to Lorne...but I will first protect William. He must live. He must heal."
Taylor took a moment to observe William now that he was standing. He was weak, much moreso than it would have expected from burns alone. There had to be something more, some other way that pushing his abilities so far had harmed him. Not only that, but it realized that Lorne themselves may have done something even more troubling to him. Taylor recalled their conversation when they first met, as well as its own experiences at the hands of Lorne's doctors. While they certainly would not be safe for long in this abandoned apartment, it was possible they might not be safe anywhere. "You are my savior. But also my patient, my responsibility. You need more treatment, and I need more tools to treat you. But more than that...you said when we first met that Lorne forced you through surgery? Opened you up...perhaps left something behind? They tried to put things in me before, but my body was not kind to their implants. If they put something in you to track you, then I need to take it out. Does anyone have a place to go that Lorne can be allowed to find."
"You are...wrong, William." Taylor stated. At its current energy, it towered over William, and everyone else in the room. Looking down into his eyes, Taylor held its arms out wide to call yet more attention to its nightmarish form. "They did not take your Humanity. You still have something left to reclaim."
Taylor turned its head back around towards the para woman and the Ratman. "I want to burn to ash everything and everyone that belongs to Lorne...but I will first protect William. He must live. He must heal."
Taylor took a moment to observe William now that he was standing. He was weak, much moreso than it would have expected from burns alone. There had to be something more, some other way that pushing his abilities so far had harmed him. Not only that, but it realized that Lorne themselves may have done something even more troubling to him. Taylor recalled their conversation when they first met, as well as its own experiences at the hands of Lorne's doctors. While they certainly would not be safe for long in this abandoned apartment, it was possible they might not be safe anywhere. "You are my savior. But also my patient, my responsibility. You need more treatment, and I need more tools to treat you. But more than that...you said when we first met that Lorne forced you through surgery? Opened you up...perhaps left something behind? They tried to put things in me before, but my body was not kind to their implants. If they put something in you to track you, then I need to take it out. Does anyone have a place to go that Lorne can be allowed to find."
In the Hunting Grounds, the camp was every bit as busy as when they had left it. While Sabine was rounding up the rest of their pack to meet in Meesei's tent, Meesei herself went back to the Silent City to request the presence of the last person she needed to speak to. The rest of the pack was in camp and ready to retire for the night, so it was not difficult for Sabine to find them and bring them to the tent. As it was an officer's tent, it was large enough to have enough room for them all, even with Meesei's belongings. Aside from her bed, there was a decently-sized table and a few chairs in the center, along with an enchanting table and a small collection of books tucked into one corner.
There would be enough time for Ariel to get through greetings and briefly catch up with a few members of the pack that she had not seen in a while before Meesei rejoined them. Though, with Hal-Neesa in tow behind her, Meesei supposed that was not who Sabine expected would be joining them. Most of the pack went silent and seemed more guarded the moment they saw her, with the exception of Ahnasha. Meesei was not sure if Sabine had told Ariel anything at all about the vampire, but she supposed it might be best not to tell her anything more.
As opposed to taking any of the chairs, Hal-Neesa opted to move to the corner, standing with arms crossed while casting a disinterested gaze across the others. Meesei, however, moved right to the nearer end of the table. "I apologize for the wait, and...I think I will avoid keeping you in suspense any longer. It is probably best that I just get straight to the point. I recently visited Artaeum, and learned something both illuminating and troubling about myself."
The mention of Artaeum was almost casual by Meesei. She did not dwell on it, but it was enough to raise even Neesa's brow as she continued. "It relates to my soul. I learned it is not nearly so normal as I had thought. I am sure most of you know that, unless there is something else that draws them in, Argonian souls naturally return to the Hist upon death, and their memories and experiences return with them. My soul, it seems, was forged intentionally by the Hist with the latent memories of hundreds, maybe thousands of previous Argonian lives. I cannot recall these memories consciously, but they allow me to re-learn anything those lives once remembered very quickly."
Meesei hesitated, just for a moment. It was painful for her to deliver this news to her pack, but they deserved to know about it. She had considered that it might be better for the battle ahead that they not know, but she did not feel that this was a secret that would be right to keep from them. "But there is a cost. A soul was not meant to exist in this way, and it is unstable. My living body is all that is holding it together, meaning that, if I were to die, my soul may be destroyed entirely."
There would be enough time for Ariel to get through greetings and briefly catch up with a few members of the pack that she had not seen in a while before Meesei rejoined them. Though, with Hal-Neesa in tow behind her, Meesei supposed that was not who Sabine expected would be joining them. Most of the pack went silent and seemed more guarded the moment they saw her, with the exception of Ahnasha. Meesei was not sure if Sabine had told Ariel anything at all about the vampire, but she supposed it might be best not to tell her anything more.
As opposed to taking any of the chairs, Hal-Neesa opted to move to the corner, standing with arms crossed while casting a disinterested gaze across the others. Meesei, however, moved right to the nearer end of the table. "I apologize for the wait, and...I think I will avoid keeping you in suspense any longer. It is probably best that I just get straight to the point. I recently visited Artaeum, and learned something both illuminating and troubling about myself."
The mention of Artaeum was almost casual by Meesei. She did not dwell on it, but it was enough to raise even Neesa's brow as she continued. "It relates to my soul. I learned it is not nearly so normal as I had thought. I am sure most of you know that, unless there is something else that draws them in, Argonian souls naturally return to the Hist upon death, and their memories and experiences return with them. My soul, it seems, was forged intentionally by the Hist with the latent memories of hundreds, maybe thousands of previous Argonian lives. I cannot recall these memories consciously, but they allow me to re-learn anything those lives once remembered very quickly."
Meesei hesitated, just for a moment. It was painful for her to deliver this news to her pack, but they deserved to know about it. She had considered that it might be better for the battle ahead that they not know, but she did not feel that this was a secret that would be right to keep from them. "But there is a cost. A soul was not meant to exist in this way, and it is unstable. My living body is all that is holding it together, meaning that, if I were to die, my soul may be destroyed entirely."
Rukeewei exhaled deeply, running one hand back across the top of his head. "You want to take a late-night trip into one of the Planes of Oblivion? I...feel that is a statement that should surprise me. Should I be worried that I am...not terribly surprised?" He replied with a nervous, somewhat forced laugh. After a moment, he stepped away from the oven and approached Ariel at the table. He took hold over her hand, then gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Just let me know if I need to have someone cover for you at the shop, okay?"
"Thank you. Both of you. I really do appreciate your help." Meesei remarked. "You do not need to rush, but whenever you are ready, I will make a portal for us."
Meesei was patient to allow Ariel to get ready in any way she needed, making no attempt to speed her along regardless of how she took. Inwardly, Meesei felt the deadline of the invasion encroaching ever closer with each passing second, but that was not enough to convince her to be too demanding of someone like Ariel, who had earned every ounce of respect that Meesei could give her. Besides which, if she could not find a solution within the next few days, a few minutes likely would not matter.
Once Ariel was ready, Meesei created a portal for them back to the cavern, as close as was safe to their gate. Indeed, the very first sight that Ariel would see upon stepping through the portal was the imposing form of an Oblivion gate towering over them. The physical portion of the gate may have been different, but the portal itself perfectly matched stories and illustrations from the gates of the Oblivion Crisis.
"Sabine, could you gather up the rest of the pack and take them to my tent with Ariel? I just have one more person I need to speak to first, then I will be right there." Meesei asked once they were all in the cavern. Normally, Meesei would not have cared too much about her own accommodations in the camp, but in this case, she had borrowed one of the large, officer's tents from the Imperials to ensure she would have enough space for just this purpose.
"Thank you. Both of you. I really do appreciate your help." Meesei remarked. "You do not need to rush, but whenever you are ready, I will make a portal for us."
Meesei was patient to allow Ariel to get ready in any way she needed, making no attempt to speed her along regardless of how she took. Inwardly, Meesei felt the deadline of the invasion encroaching ever closer with each passing second, but that was not enough to convince her to be too demanding of someone like Ariel, who had earned every ounce of respect that Meesei could give her. Besides which, if she could not find a solution within the next few days, a few minutes likely would not matter.
Once Ariel was ready, Meesei created a portal for them back to the cavern, as close as was safe to their gate. Indeed, the very first sight that Ariel would see upon stepping through the portal was the imposing form of an Oblivion gate towering over them. The physical portion of the gate may have been different, but the portal itself perfectly matched stories and illustrations from the gates of the Oblivion Crisis.
"Sabine, could you gather up the rest of the pack and take them to my tent with Ariel? I just have one more person I need to speak to first, then I will be right there." Meesei asked once they were all in the cavern. Normally, Meesei would not have cared too much about her own accommodations in the camp, but in this case, she had borrowed one of the large, officer's tents from the Imperials to ensure she would have enough space for just this purpose.
Eri 'Moram - The Resurgence Briefing Room
Eri opened up her datapad to get a reference to the year the Admiral spoke of. She did not know the Human calendar off the top of her head, so she had to spend a few moments cross-referencing some information she had stored in the device with her own people's timekeeping. "As you define your dates, the Immaculate Aegis, the vessel I represent, was taken from the year 2558. Your intuition is correct, Human. The Hierarch of Truth betrayed the Sangheili, at the same time as our Arbiter learned of the lies behind our faith. The Arbiter allied with your kind, and led us with him against Truth and his Jiralhanae mongrels. We who follow the Arbiter's leadership are the Swords of Sanghelios, and we have been allied with the Humans of Earth for the past six of your years." She explained.
Granted, Eri had only given a basic explanation that left out a great deal of important information, but it would serve well-enough to identify Eri and who she represented. She highly doubted they would believe her, regardless, but it was still just as important that she say it. For now, it was far more important that they deal with their current situation. Ultimately all that she, and most of the others, cared about was getting back to their own universes. "We know frustratingly little about why we are here. We believe something has pulled us here, but we do not know what, or for what reason. Once everyone else finally arrives, it will all be explained to you."
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