EliteCommander

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Narak 'Chorna - The Immaculate Aegis

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Floats initially hesitated at Strevrols question, but after a high-pitched vocalization, it started to "speak" towards the translator with its sign language. Although, even just a short time reading the words projected by the translator demonstrated that the Huragok had a very liberal interpretation of the word "important." It started to speak about every single system it could think of, from shields to emergency lighting. Not only that, but all of the information it was giving about the systems had no common threads between them, and were often just trivial details.

Narak actually started to laugh, and eventually interrupted Floats. "If asked, a Huragok would give you every trivial detail about every single system, in terms you may or may not understand. If you wish to learn from a Huragok, you need to ask far, far more specific questions."

---

Dr. Fiona O'Connell - The Immaculate Aegis

---

"Yes...essentially." Dr. O'Connell answered to the Spartan. Given that two voices had come from the helmet of one of the others, she assumed that one of them was the AI. "As you probably know, Covenant slipspace technology is much faster than ours, but even that is not enough in this galaxy. For this universe, much quicker FTL travel seems to be the norm. Since there is no way we are going to be able to scavenge a hyperdrive for this size of ship, we need your help to improve the capabilities of the Aegis' slipspace borer. I believe it is possible without substantial changes to the borer itself. Covenant technology was all reverse-engineered from Forerunner technology, and the Prophets never really had that great of an understanding of it. So, most of their technology works quite inefficiently. One UNSC AI, Cortana, was able to upgrade the weapons and slipspace capabilities of a Covenant DDS-class carrier purely by improving that efficiency. She had access to a mountain of data recovered from the first Halo ring...but I also have copies of much of that data. And more. I intend to give you copies of all the data I have on Covenant and Forerunner technology, and all of the six years of post-war technological progress we have made. Between all of that, myself, and the experts from the other universes, I am hoping we will be able to get this done quickly."

As O'Connell led the Spartans through the ship, many members of the Aegis' crew, Sangheili in particular, took particular interest in them. Having visitors on the ship was unusual for them, but seeing Spartans was even more exceptional. It was possible that some had encountered Spartans at some point in their military service, either before or after the war, but most had only heard stories about them. To some Sangheili, the Spartans' legendary prowess was something to be respected, and to others, it was a challenge. Regardless of their thoughts on the Spartans, O'Connell was sure most of the warriors on the ship would have relished the opportunity to prove themselves against a Spartan. If it did ever happen, O'Connell just hoped it was in a sparring match rather than a shootout.

In an effort to keep the Spartans from focusing too much on the warriors they were passing, O'Connell decided to answer the AI's initial questions, and hopefully put the Spartans' minds somewhat at ease regarding the Sangheili. "If you want to know more about events since your time...where do I even begin? So much happened in the last year of the war, but it all went so fast after the first Halo ring was discovered. The first ring was destroyed by the Master Chief, Spartan-117. You, well, you obviously know him. He was really at the center of it all. The thing that first started causing division within the Covenant was after the Master Chief killed the High Prophet of Regret. The Prophet of Truth decided to replace all of the Sangheili honor guards with Brutes and task them with protecting the Prophets, either because he no longer trusted the Sangheili to protect them, or just because he saw it as a political opportunity to elevate the status of the Brutes. Either way, Truth eventually betrayed the Sangheili entirely, and shortly afterwards, the Arbiter, Thel 'Vadam, learned from a Forerunner monitor the truth about the Halo array. That being the fact that the Halo array is a weapon designed to kill all sentient life in the galaxy, and not some path to a religious 'Great Journey', as the prophets believed. So, that was the start of our alliance. The Sangheili learned that their religion was a lie, and the Prophet of Truth decided that the Brutes would be easier to control than the Sangheili, presumably. That, or he was just an idiot. Either way, Master Chief and the Arbiter both worked together to kill Truth, and then to destroy the Flood, which...is a whole other story."

Eventually, the group did reach the lab, where it seemed that the other scientists had started to question Floats Easily. Though, she was sure that either the AI, Spartans, or some other UNSC personnel would have plenty more questions for her about their galaxy's "future".

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Narak 'Chorna - The Immaculate Aegis

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While Dr. McKay was talking down Ronon, Narak turned his attention to the Huragok's guards. It was fortunate that they had not fired immediately, as they would have been easily justified to do. He supposed they had been instructed to show some restraint. He stood between the Sangheili major and Ronon, prompting the Sangheili to lower his storm rifle. "These Humans do not understand us, brother. Even if his foolishness had damaged the Huragok, he would not have been able to destroy it before you could slay him. There is no need to complicate this further, and no need to inform the Shipmaster.

The major gave a long, low growl towards Narak. "If he causes more problems, it will be your head, Artisan."

"I know it will." Narak replied, soon turning his attention back to McKay. A semblance of peace had returned to the room, but during the entire duration of the confrontation, the Huragok itself had either been blissfully unaware of any danger or entirely uncaring towards it. It simply continued its rapid examination of the Ancient device, from its software down to its physical construction. With its many hundreds of microscopically fine cilia, it could manipulate any part of the device with perfect precision. It had taken it apart entirely and, after a curious look at the power crystal, had already started to re-assemble it by the time McKay had turned away from Ronon.

"The Huragok can be almost...child-like at times. Even the most proud and stubborn warriors must learn to deal with their eccentricities, for there is nothing that will change them." Narak explained. He extended his hand out towards Floats, and since the Huragok had satisfied its curiosity, it readily handed over the device to Narak, who then passed it on to McKay completely intact and still in entirely working order. "We are yet to give Floats Easily any tasks. When deprived of purpose, a Huragok can become...bored. If you wish to start learning to understand our technology, perhaps it is time to start questioning it?"

Standing just beside McKay, Narak leaned forward onto the table, bringing his head down close enough that he could whisper effectively to McKay. "You should warn your ally to be much less impulsive, as soon as you can. I think you will find that I am the most tolerant, and most forgiving Sangheili on this vessel. Others will not seek to diffuse conflict; they will rise to meet any challenge."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ko'tanza smiled and, for a moment, seemed like she wanted to move, but the presence of her daughter in her arms kept her in place. "Oh, Sabine, if Ko'tanza could hug you right now, she would!"

Even Ko'tanza's somewhat louder voice prompted a few cries from Miruza, but she was able give her enough attention to calm her, for the moment. When Ko'tanza finally resumed, she spoke with a much more even tone, but still with the same amount of excitement in her eyes. "Thinking on it, this thinks it does make sense that only a scholar could keep a mind like yours interested. Khajiit partially expected you to still be with Pieter, honestly. She remembers you two being so close way back then. But, she supposes it has been many years since then; a lot can change in all that time. We have all probably become different people, in many ways."

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Narak 'Chorna - The Immaculate Aegis

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Narak gave a grunt that could be construed as a brief laugh, even to one unfamiliar with Sangheili mannerisms. "Your replicators sound reminiscent of the Flood, except in an artificial form. The Flood were a parasite that threatened to consume all life of our galaxy. They were insidious, deadly, and intelligent. The Forerunners created a weapon that killed themselves, and all other sentient life in the galaxy, just to cease the otherwise-unstoppable Flood. It is fortunate that you were able to destroy your threat without as much death." He remarked.

Overall, Narak did agree with McKay's assessment of the scale of their project. Indeed, even "months" seemed like an optimistic estimate, considering how long they had been working with Humans of his own universe on understanding their technology. Though, McKay's final comment was still more of a hit against Narak's pride than he might have initially assumed. Compared to others of his kind, however, Narak was one with much less of a propensity to react with violence. Most of what he felt was simple frustration towards himself, though he showed that frustration openly. "The San'Shyuum were almost as much of parasites as the Flood, leeching off of the understanding of the Huragok, while pretending to be the masters of all the Forerunners left behind. They defeated us in the War of Beginnings only through that technology. Before the San'Shyuum, before the Covenant, my people, on their own, broke free of our own planet. We created our own starships, learned to use slipspace, settled our own colonies. We had mastered...crude versions of the technology you see here on the Immaculate Aegis. Make no mistake, I am not like a youngling toying with an arum. I understand the workings of a plasma weapon, or a pinch-fusion reactor. I understand, to an extent, the physics of a repulsor engine, an anti-grav field, or a slipspace borer. One of my colleagues reverse-engineered the Humans' most advanced armor system and created a version of her own for their use, simply to prove that she could."

Narak gave a sigh, lowering his head noticeably. "But...our science was so shamefully stunted by our time in the Covenant. Until recent years, I did not even know our technology was not operating at its potential. We have always been a warrior species, but the Covenant allowed us to be only a warrior species. There are few like me, few who believe the pursuit of knowledge is as worthy as skill with a blade. I do not think most of my brothers realize how dire the problem is. I might understand our technology to an extent, but it is clear to me that there is so much more I must learn. There are aspects of mathematics and physics on which I am, as Fiona has described it, 'playing catch-up'. I believe she will be of greater assistance to you than I will be."

In the midst of the conversation, no one had yet been giving any instructions to the Huragok, Floats Easily. Without a task to dedicate itself to, it was easy for it to become bored, and curious. In McKay's vest, it saw a device unlike any other that McKay was carrying, and unlike anything it had seen. For a Huragok, new technology was almost an irresistible curiosity. While McKay was absorbed into his work, the Huragok reached out a tentacle that split into many, microscopically fine cilia at its end to grab his lifesigns detector. Despite the Huragok's fragile appearance, it had quite a firm grip and was easily able to take the device for examination. It could interface with the device directly, very quickly bypassing the need for an ATA gene in order to activate it and learn its functions.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Sabine..." Ko'tanza began, though she hesitated with much the same uncomfortable look as Tzirret. "...you are Khajiit's friend, but that is not an answer many will like. Some might not want blood, but enough do. Ko'tanza does not take lives, she heals them, she saves people. But Elsweyr...Elsweyr expects Do'rhajul to die. And if the invasion succeeds, there will no longer be the war holding us all together."

Eventually, Miruza did start to stir in Ko'tanza's arms and took some of her attention. She looked down, smiling at her daughter and rocking her gently in her arms, though she still continued speaking to Sabine. "But...this one thinks you probably don't want to talk about that. How has everything been for you besides being a legendary heroine that people write songs about? Do you have a family of your own too? Ko'tanza would love to know if there is any man brave enough to court the famed Dragonslayer." She laughed, somewhat teasingly.

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Dr. Fiona O'Connell - The Immaculate Aegis

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"Oh, well, I'm not an ONI agent, just a researcher." O'Connell clarified. "I am working on joint Human-Sangheili projects to reverse-engineer Covenant and Forerunner technology. Needless to say, I'm not a part of the permanent crew of the Aegis. Myself and my colleague were on board, en route to Sanghelios when we were taken from our universe. Just, um, follow me. Our lab is closer to the fore section of the ship."

Dr. O'Connell felt strange leading around a squad of Spartans, though likely not nearly as strange as they felt being on-board a "Covenant" capital ship, without needing to shoot their way through the halls. She had been informed that they had been taken from a time before the end of the Human-Covenant war. "Did your commanders brief you about where we came from?" O'Connell asked. "The war ended in 2552. The leadership of the Covenant was killed, and the Sangheili helped us do it. Actually, their ships comprised the vast majority of the fleet that destroyed Truth's fleet over the Ark. Oh, um, the Ark was a massive Forerunner installation that served as a sort of central hub and remote activation point for the Halo array...which you also don't know about."

O'connell let out a sigh. "There's a lot that has happened in the years between our two times, Spartans. The point is, we've found peace. We won the war. There are some Sangheili that hold on to their old beliefs, but many have pledged their loyalty to the Swords of Sanghelios. If we had not become allies, it is doubtful there would be any life left at all in our galaxy."

---

Narak 'Chorna - The Immaculate Aegis

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Narak nodded. "Yes, during the war, the sophistication of the Humans' artificial beings were the one way in which they surpassed the technology of the Covenant. Though, the Covenant's versions were...intentionally restricted. During their studies of the Forerunners, the Prophets learned that one of the Forerunners' most advanced associated intelligences betrayed them to the Flood. It was, henceforth, forbidden to create a machine that could think as a living being." He explained.

Walking around the table, Narak stood just behind McKay. He found himself curious to see the Human work, and to potentially learn from him. "I will admit, many Sangheili are still not sure if they should be willing to trust these types of constructs. I am not sure, myself. The Forerunners may not be gods, but their artificial intelligence, as best as we have learned, did betray them. But, their capabilities are undeniable. This artificial intelligence should be able to read that data with the same ease as you would read a book."

---

Thaz - Nal Hutta

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Thaz had her weapon at the ready and was standing on alert on the roof of the spaceport. Her active camouflage kept her hidden, and would allow her to set up her first shot unhindered. Though, it was not long before their target made himself known. There was only one creature in the group of reptilians that even came close to fitting the description they had been given, and he was an even bigger target than Thaz had expected. Almost immediately, Thaz raised up her rifle and trained her sights on the Gammorean's head, but did not even think about taking the shot yet.

"I see the target. Plenty of guards, and it looks like he has a sniper of his own." Thaz spoke up to Samus through their comms. "The sniper will probably see me when I take my shot, but...I will be fine. You need to keep the target in the open until Jerus makes his kill."

Thaz quickly contacted Jerus as well. "We have the target in our sights. Give us the word when it is time."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha shook her head. "I don't think I have more to say that Hal-Neesa hasn't already. We have a firm goal, and a few good ideas to go about it. As you said, it might help for us all to take the time to get our thoughts in order and bring up any ideas or questions we can think of tomorrow."

With her arms crossed, Hal-Neesa gave something of a light scoff. "If you must." As she had before, Neesa did not bother with farewells and simply walked away as soon as she saw fit. It did seem that they would not be doing much more for the evening, though Neesa did not bother making sure of that.

"Hmm, well she is being kinder than usual." Meesei remarked after Neesa left, smiling subtly.

---

For a few seconds, Ko'tanza laughed intentionally quietly. Miruza had managed to fall asleep amid the noise and activity of the camp, but she still wanted her to stay that way for as long as possible. Her soft voice made her tone somewhat harder to read as she started to answer. "Oh, Ko'tanza has heard many stories. There are so many fantastic and absurd versions of these tales, it is hard to find the truth. Young ones are always asking us about 'Sabine the Dragonslayer'. The one who wields Magnus' power, the one who tamed our most dangerous enemy like a dog. Personally, this one does not know how you handle all the attention of your heroics. One of the bards in our clan tried to write a song about you. No one liked it, though. Not...because of you, or anything. He is just a bad bard."

"But..." Ko'tanza began, her voice becoming as hesitant as it was quiet. "...what are you going to do after the invasion, if the General survives? Having him die in service to Hircine would make a good ending to a ballad, but if not, then surely you won't let him go unpunished?"

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Dr. Fiona O'Connell - The Immaculate Aegis

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While Falul had been the one to speak to the UNSC Admiral, the Shipmaster had insisted that Dr. O'Connell be the one to first meet with the AI's security detail the moment they stepped out of their dropship, so she had left McKay with Narak and made her way to the main hangar. Curiously, Falul had also not given her an armed escort. In general, O'Connell had found that the Sangheili tended to be cautious in matters of security. Granted, it was rare that they had outsiders on their ships in general, but armed warriors tended to be a standard part of any interaction with outsiders. It was true that the fleet were all supposed to be allies with one another, but the Sangheili also had a very...different idea of what it meant to be diplomatic. Human diplomats to the Sangheili for the Office of Naval Intelligence were required to study martial arts as a prerequisite. Perhaps it was just because Dr. O'Connell was not technically a part of the Aegis' crew, or perhaps Falul was a bit more calculating than she gave him credit for?

In any case, Dr. O'Connell saw the pelican land, and a Human would be the first being the Spartans would see as soon as they exited their dropship. "Oh my...Spartans. I...did not know there were Spartans aboard the Unbroken Hope." O'Connell remarked. Even in her own time, Spartans were far from commonplace. Being that she tended to work in Forerunner ruins and constructs out in the field, she had seen Spartan IVs before, on rare occasions, but she had never seen a Spartan II. Nor had she ever expected she would. Their place in history was almost mythic by this point.

Nevertheless, O'Connell quickly composed herself and cleared her throat. "I am Dr. Fiona O'Connell, Office of Naval Intelligence. Do you have the AI with you?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Though Ahnasha was about to speak up, Neesa immediately interrupted. "The problem itself is simple to conceptualize. The Champion's soul will fracture without being bound to something physical. The solutions are to strengthen the soul so it can exist on its own, or find a way to bind it to something else upon death that can keep it stable. It does not require necromantic jargon to understand that. And unless you intend to become a lich, Champion, I doubt we will be animating dead flesh. The closest we will likely come is in manipulating your soul, though working with souls is not inherently necromancy. If you have any knowledge of enchanting, you can likely understand it. You are meant to have specific knowledge of lycan souls, yes Breton? Then your time would be best spent on informing us how the presence of the Daedric spirit may interfere with, or aid, our efforts."

For Meesei, she was somewhat surprised that Neesa was even admitting to the fact that there was something she did not already know, much less that Ariel might have expertise beyond her own, even just in a small way. She supposed that Neesa was taking this seriously enough that she did not care for keeping up her appearances of superiority. "We can all meet tomorrow in the scholar's loft back in the Silent City. I will make sure we have a room to ourselves." Meesei remarked.

---

Ko'tanza let out an obviously exaggerated scoff. "Hmm, now you're sounding like Tzi!" She laughed, nudging Tzirret's leg with her foot. "But yes, Khajiit has felt a lot like death recently. It is hard to keep moving around and exerting herself like she is, but it is this one's duty. Ko'tanza is a healer, and this invasion will be the most dangerous thing she can imagine. She could never forgive herself if someone she cared about died because she was not there to help them. If Ko'tanza has to suffer for a while to save lives, then so be it. But...Khajiit has agreed to return to resting for the next few days, at least. She just wanted to make sure her part of the infirmary was set up the way she was familiar with. But do not worry about Ko'tanza, she will be fine. How have you been faring, Sabine? How has everyone been faring? We both would love to catch up with everyone."

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Falul 'Taham - The Immaculate Aegis

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In contrast to the Admiral, Falul was relaxed, having no inhibitions about speaking with Humans. He still found them to be a strange species, on the whole, but he was accustomed to them and familiar with their social expectations. Or at least, familiar enough with their customs to be able to speak to them in a professional capacity.

"I am contacting you in regards to the current efforts to eliminate the weaknesses of our fleet." Falul answered, once again quite directly. "The faster-than-light capabilities of both of our ships are not adequate to the standards of this galaxy, Admiral, but yours could be fitted with one of this universe's hyperdrives. As I am sure you have been informed, there exist few, if any ships at this time, in this galaxy with a hyperdrive that could be fitted to a ship the size of the Immaculate Aegis. Our most practical option now is to improve the capabilities of our existing slipspace borer. The scientist aboard my vessel informs me that this effort would be greatly assisted by your associated intelligence. An...artificial intelligence, as you refer to it. As I have been told, your artificial beings have been able to improve upon Covenant technology in the past, and your ship should be equipped with one. I request its assistance." Falul asked. He had explained his position briefly, and had made no effort to "soften" his rather bold request.