SoS B1 C4 X3: Preparation
Before Allarah wandered back to her own room, she decided to pay the Pact a visit.
The air of the Pact room was quite distinct from that of Hedon or the Federation. The motions of its people were heavy with solemnity but quick with urgency. Nobody spoke as they packed, and the leonine Parisan who admitted Allarah, did so with barely a murmured 'hello'. Their leader, a ruddy-brown, unimposing figure with shrewd, tired eyes and ears that stayed on a swivel, looked at her expectantly.
"Sadika1," she nodded to him. "You're busy, so I won’t take much of your time. I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry for your loss."
"Sadika, Allarah," he returned, inclining his head. "Thank you for your condolences. Congratulations on your promotion... or condolences. It's hard to tell with Lady Venistasia.”
"Better me than the Somnolent.” She smiled at him, maintaining eye contact. “May I ask your name?"
“I am Morkun." His gaze was unbreaking, his blinks rare. He was reading her.
"Shiendau Torjkhsethi2 Morkun. I have a great deal of respect for you and your people. If there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to ask."
"I will likely be taking you up on that, I'm worried about our journey and hope that things will go more smoothly than the odds say they will." He zipped his satchel and slung it over his shoulder. It was heavy with the weight of tools and gear. Behind him the Parisan was sheathing a great big sword.
“Who was the man you lost Morkun?"
“Vamir Eiu Khalazim. He was our scout, and not too bad with a wrench, either."
"Vamir Eui Khalazim." She nodded. "Feel free to come to me with any concerns. On that note, there was something I wished ask you." His ears perked, alert.
"What's that?"
"Clearly this trip will not be safe, and due to recent developments there are only three members of the Federation here. If there is the need to separate my group, would you be willing to house a member, and who would your prefer?" Her face was still and her eyes didn't stray from his. Those shrewd eyes grew sharp like blades as he picked her apart once more.
"I can't say I'm familiar with you and yours, but your crew member, Tskhan, was it? He showed interest in us during the dinner last night, and made for good conversation, that, and his Sophonce, make him a good fit among us. Why would you need to split?"
"It's mostly a precaution. I'm assuming the vehicle being supplied to us will be rather large, and only being three, two if I separate myself in the interest of remaining neutral to every factions needs, we won’t require the space everyone else will. If our faction's facilities put a strain on resources it would be better to disband temporarily." She moved to the door. "If that is what needs to happen, I wanted to ask your opinion. I refuse to force you to obey my will." She grinned, "And please, if I am about to fuck up, let me know."
"Don't you worry," he said, smiling. "We Aen are shamelessly blunt on such matters. I approve of your plan. It's cruel irony that we just so happen to have some free space for someone, should you need us to harbor them."
"Thank you. Well, I believe I've taken up enough of your time. Before I go, may I have all of your names?" He pointed to each of them in turn.
The Ka: "Gruist Tor Mart'tar'rji". The Ral-Mi: "Sorja Tor Sorja". The Parisan: "Nashu Mallim. Of course, you can address us all by our first names, no reason to stand on formalities unless you're picky about such things."
"Gruist, Sorja, Nashu." She nodded to each in turn. "Pleasure to meet you." She turned back to Morkun. "Again, thank you for your time. Sadika." She smiled once more and let herself out.
On their second departure from the castle, this time by daylight, they could see things much more clearly. It was now, for the first time, that they saw native Sazashi. It seemed they had been relegated to physical labor and the slums of the city, while the Verin enjoyed better amenities and the humans lived the best overall. Troubling. Someone in the Pact swore, and one of the Somnancy envoy smiled.
They were transported to the same bay they’d left with the grav-bikes in. Their rides from the previous night were now being tended to by Verin mechanics. Their new ride, the 10 compartment trundler, loomed in the room, a train without rails.
Aside from a few attendants, the mechanics, Sal-Khef, and a manual of how to operate the trundler, they had been left on their own.
Any who cared to glance at Allarah could see her slowly solidifying. Seeing the state of the Sazashi sparked her disgust, and the Somnolent’s smile only fueled her rage. Her spine stiffened, as her jaw clenched shut. A chill settled in her stare. She was no longer a living being, she was a creature carved from marble. If she had managed to challenge others thoughts of what she was, there was no question now. As she walked, movements weren't wasted, and she seemed to glide as she strode in front of the group.
"Does anyone have anything to say before I begin?" Ice filled her tones. It seemed more a challenge than a direct invitation.
"I do. What's the plan?" Tyodor said. He seemed pretty confident with his Irehearts looming over his shoulders.
Rage turned to blind fury. She turned to look him in the eye, her gaze unfaltering. His men did not frighten her. "Yes. How about that? I took the time to speak to each of you, and presented you with a question. This is a necessary evil and I have placed myself and Tskhan. Tyodor, I approached you with the request to harbor Immuena. Have you finally made a decision?" The chill in her eyes became spears of ice and it only seemed to further harden her frame.
Tyodor squared his jaw and seemed intent on a snappy response when a change suddenly overcame him. He reversed direction immediately, and inclined his head. "We shall take the Faecha," he said.
"Many thanks." She turned her gaze on everyone then, as if she had forgotten his existence. "I don't need to tell you how dangerous this is going to be, so I'll only say this once. We are a team, and as that, we are one. No one group will stand above the other and feign superiority. We work together, or we will die together. Every, last, one of us. Infighting will not be tolerated. The team that instigates and those that respond will lose certain privileges. First offence will lose electricity and heating for two days. That length will increase per every infraction. Meaning if it is an individual, the entire team will suffer, as it should be. Bickering will get us killed, and it's a childish display." Her eyes took another sweep of the room before returning to the group.
"I've taken the liberty to create a work schedule for today which I expect to be followed for the security of everyone. Weekly there will be meetings held by the leader of each faction and myself to discuss any questions or concerns you or your faction may have. I will be appointing Immuena as day manager. She was originally supposed lead, so this roll is well suited to her. I will be taking charge at night. Any immediate concerns will be directed to us." She paused a moment.
"I suggest you leave any issues you may have with the other groups here. There is plenty of time to kill each other when we get back. Are there any questions?" Throughout her speech her tone and eyes remained frozen. Still her stance did not change, and still she remained statuesque.
1.) Greetings or salutations in Saza.
2.) "I offer you my support."
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