Revenge is a dish best served hot (IC)

[RobRX]

'I do not know of his name. I know he is young, no doubt still untrained in the way of the warrior, perhaps working as a servant to subsist to his needs or perhaps as a debt to one of my retainers.' Kharag explained, trying to recall who the young Za'akis was. To no avail.

 

'We have to find him. I have no idea if my men have caught him. I know he ran away, pursued, but then the assassins appeared before us. We must spread up, see if anyone knows of his whereabouts.'

[ca_lazerdwarf]

"Where is the kitchen?" Dragonid asked, looking for the food preparers. "They would know more of the staff, perhaps know who else this server talked to, from there I hope we can find who hired him, who is behind this attack and all this senseless death" He stalked off, angry and frustrated. The fool assassins had allies among the Za'akis. Who knew how many. But he would find them and they would talk.

[RobRX]

'I will go find the young one.' The alien turned to Dragonid, still speaking in his mind. Kharag's lips never moved, he simply stared Dragonid in the eyes. If anything, the Za'akis never even needed to open his mouth to address himself. If he desire so, he could simply communicate with telepathy. 'You find someone able to repair that monstrous machine-man. We will find a way to interogate it.' Then he turned and left...only to stop and turn back again.

 

'If...such plan is suitable to you.' He added, remembering the Praetorian was his equal and not a mere soldier to order around.

[ca_lazerdwarf]

Dragonid nodded, and focused a thought back to Kharag with his mind. "That is a good idea. You know your men better, you will be better able to track one of them down. I will have to leave this compound to find a robotics specialist. Keep your eyes open." He looked Kharag over as he turned to leave. "And keep your head cool. Let me know if you learn anything."

 

Dragonid was relieved at the thought of leaving the Za'akis, at least for a while. This was not the sort of meeting he had hoped to have with Kharag's people.

[RobRX]

GM

 

On his way out, Dragonid encountered the Delaztri peacekeepers, currently busy extracting the damaged and broken remains of the malfunctionning cyborg. As they passed near him, he noticed the creature's body, lying limply on a hovering platform as they prepared to take it away. Creaking and rattling noises could be heard emanating from it, perhaps the cyborg's internal mechanism trying to desperately function despite Kharag's blow having completely shattered the more delicate mechanical parts of it's body. Sometimes, the torso and neck moved faintly, as if desperately trying to function again and hoping things would re-align inside it's crushed body.

 

Weakly, it turned it's cybernetic, faceless head at the saurian alien. And stared, making clicking and whirring sounds as it's multiple lenses rotated and moved around. "You...w-w-w-will fail." It said, it's voice still distorted and screechy, perhaps taunting him.

Edited December 30, 2014 by RobRX

[ca_lazerdwarf]

Dragonid approached the peacekeepers and their charge, waving for them to stop a moment. "You know much about failure, I will grant you that." he said to the cyborg with a sneer. "But Kharag is tougher than you or your employers imagined, and he has the strength of brother Praetorians at his side. Whoever is sent to fix the job you botched will also fail."

 

He looked up at the peacekeepers and nodded with respect. "Have you seen a thing like this before? I need to find out where it came from. How to make it tell us who sent it."

[RobRX]

GM

 

"No sir, not like that." One of Delaztri peacekeeper guarding the floating platform transporting the assassin, standing at attention and saluting Dragonid, gripping it's weapon tight and trying to stand as firm as possible, feet solidly planted on the ground. "Clearly this is a heavily modified cyborg. Modified to an extent that I have rarely seen; cybernetic replacement limbs are one thing. Prosthetic limbs are one thing but as you can see here, and I am not an expert I should add, this is much beyond the scope of mere replacement limbs. I would say figuring out what species that creature was before being mutilated would help but as you can see there is very little of it's flesh remaining."

 

The Delaztri gestured to one of the creature's shoulder, with exposed gray-blue skin. "There's the shoulder and some of the torso and leg but that doesn't quite narrow it down. We could call in a technical expert and xenologist on the scene."

Edited January 4, 2015 by RobRX

[ca_lazerdwarf]

Dragonid returned the salute, then returned to examining the remains.

"Yes, very good. A technical expert." Dragnoid agreed, "And call a medical team. I want this thing kept alive in case it can still give us more information, if possible. Whats left of it."

Whatever the thing used to be, it was an abomination of life. Dragonid felt a desire to track down this thing's creator, to put an end to it. But that was a later concern. Of first import was its employer, and any more had been sent for the same job.

[RobRX]

GM

 

"It shouldn't take long, sir, we'll get the expert in. This is a serious breach of security, it need to be investigated as quickly as possible. And as quietly as possible." The Delaztri peacekeeper said, turning briefly to look at the cyborg monstrosity, before turning to look at Dragonid again, briefly observing the saurian alien, looking somewhat uneased at having a conversation with a bipedal saurian no doubt.

 

Meanwhile, the Praetorian could overhear some rambling and shouting in the distance, which slowly but surely began to grow closer. There were people and they were discontent about something. "You! There!" shouted someone behind Dragonid.

[ca_lazerdwarf]

Dragonid turned to look at the approaching commotion. He stood up to display his full height, and bared his teeth slightly at the disrespectful tone of the address.

 

"Are you speaking to me?" He asked, bruskly, "Dragonid of the Praetorians? Do you need assistance? If it is not an emergency I have pressing matters to attend to" He had enough to worry about with this half-dead cyborg assassin, he had little interest in or patience with dealing with a mob. But he had a bad feeling they would not be simply brushed aside.

[RobRX]

GM

 

"Do you think your feral face intimidate me, stranger?" barked a Za'akis warrior, this one particularly large. Most of them weren't all that imposing in stature, leaning toward being thin and fit but this one was clearly out of the norm, a giant, above six and a half feet, which is far above the norm from what Dragonid could have gathered at a glance from the others, with the thick and broad body to match and a face that was presumably ugly even by Za'akis standard. As the brute yelled, his spit flew around.

 

"You dare call yourself...what was it, Praetorian? Aren't you supposed to be a peacekeeper and defender of the empire? Then how could you let something like this happen today?! You have failed, stranger! That is why I challenge you, in the name of the safety of my people and for the safety of this empire we have joined." The brute took out a pair of sword from their scabbard, vicious-looking serrated short blades and assumed a combat stance. Meanwhile, the other Za'aki turned to Dragonid making a panicked face which could only mean 'do something before it gets ugly'.

 

"Our duel will decide who take his place amongst the Praetorians. Clearly, this would have not happened had more of us been allowed to join their rank. It is the only way to ensure our safety. NOW! ACCEPT MY CHALLENGE!" Weapon ready, he was waiting on the saurian alien to answer his challenge.

 

Finally, the other Za'akis spoke up, hoping to prevent bloodshed: "Mohnak, calm down. This isn't how they do things. We have to respect their customs. If you attack him, YOU will be breaking the law and you will only shame yourself."

Edited January 19, 2015 by RobRX

[ca_lazerdwarf]

Dragonid glared at Mohnak, "I have more important things to do than appease your honor. Whatever attacked your people here is not done. More will attack, more will die, unless we can find who sent this piece of refuse." He motioned with contempt at the remains of the cyborg.

 

"If you want to protect your people, you will withdraw your challenage and assist me, not waste my time. If, after this plot is stopped your anger is not avenged, I will accept your challenge. Till then, take the advice of your calmer friend." He bared his teeth again, stepping in close and looking up at Mohnak. "You will do your people no good burnt to a crisp."

[RobRX]

GM

 

"I think a beast, such as you, knows nothing! Go back to eating carrion like the animal you are!" the giant snarled, baring his teeth at Dragonid, or rather his fangs, sharp and messy, in multiple rows. Nothing like the massive fangs of predatory beasts, but certainly well adapted to tear into meat. His breath was equally revulsing and Dragonid could recognise the pugnent, atrocious smell of the slime wine.

 

"A foul, primitive monster such as yourself would not be able to grasp what is good for others and what is not! Beside! Am I the only one here who found your presence strange? I think you might be in league with these assassins!"

Edited January 20, 2015 by RobRX

[ca_lazerdwarf]

"I am the personal guest of your king. That was my purpose here. Now my purpose is putting a stop to these assassins. If doing that requires me to beat down a drunken fool of a scaleless whelp I will do so. But Kharag will hear of how you hindered me when I am done with you. What do you think HE will do with you?" flicks of spittle dripped from Dragonid's lips as he shouted at the Za'aki. 

 

"Now do I get back to my task? Or do you want to fight right now? Ask your friends what you should do. I honestly do not care any more." He glared and waited for an answer.

[RobRX]

GM

 

"I CARE NOT WHAT KHARAG THINKS!" The drunkard bellowed out loudly. "If anything, today show he's failed us! How could he let these monsters get past his best guards to slaughter us. He allowed those with the false-flesh to kill our kind and he will pay as soon as I am done with you, beast!"

 

"Mohnak, calm down!" the other Za'akis blurted out, on the edge of panic as he had the wisdom to spot an incoming political incident of catastrophic level, especially if Mohnak's anger started to spread to other angry, wounded and inebriated warriors. "Or I will have to assist the Praetorian in disabling you. Or even kill you, if I have to."

 

"You'd stand with the stranger over your kinsmen!? Raahhrrr!" Mohnark roared, beating his chest. "Then joining this empire was a mistake! You too will sell yourself to them?"

 

"There is a time for war and a time for peace, Mohnak." The Za'akis then turned to Dragonid. "This is not good, I have no idea if these assassins were trying to spread distrust amongst our rank but they have certainly suceeded."

[ca_lazerdwarf]

Dragonid glared at Mohnak with contempt and prepared to shout him down again. But the other Za'aki's words rung true, giving in to the anger in the heat of the moment might stop Mohnak, but it would just bring further discord.

 

Still, the fires burned hot within him, it was not easy to stand down, though he knew he should. "Hold him back for his own good, he is not worth a fight right now. I will fight him when he is sober if he likes." He turned back to the cyborg, knowing he was exposing his back to Mohnak. He was not proud to admit that he half hoped Mohnak would take the opportunity to attack.

[RobRX]

GM

 

"Run away from this fight like the coward you are, lizard!" Mohnak shouted, spitting at the ground. "Crawl back under whatever foul rock you make your nest! Feed on the worms in the dirt!" He continued, trying to provoke Dragonid once again into a fight. Frustrated, the giant chugged down the flask he carried, most likely something vile and potent as merely opening the bottle sent a horrific smell all around him.

 

Then he loudly belched.

 

Belched fire.

 

Somehow that mixture was potent enough to ignite the air when spewed back out. Immediately the Delaztri peacekeepers aimed their weapon at the intoxicated warrior.

[ca_lazerdwarf]

Dragonid gritted his teeth at the insults, commiting to his plan to not start the fight himself.

 

Then he felt the heat from the belch behind him, the flames cracklng over him singing and charring his scale. He heard the peacekeepers raise their weapons. He had forgotten about them. If had worried that a duel with Mohnak would start a war, Peacekeepers firing on unarmed Za'aki would do it even more certainly. 

 

"No!" he roared as he spun around. Raising his hands he grabbed the fire out of the air, expanded it and formed a wall between the peacekeepers and the Za'aki. "Do not fire on him. If he wants a fight it will be with me alone. But it will not be now." 

[RobRX]

GM

 

The air filled with tension as a stand off occured between Dragonid, the unnamed Za'akis, Mohnak and the Delaztri peacekeeping forces. In the blink of an eye, the unnamed Za'akis had unsheated his weapon, a vicious-looking blade, while Mohnak assumed a combat stance, likely intending to fight bare-handed like Kharag would.

 

"I've had more than enough all these infuriating, endless discussion." Said Mohnak, loudly, ranting about his dissatisfaction of his current situation. "All we do here is talk and talk and talk! I'm not a diplomat, diplomacy is nothing but the tool of cowards and traitors, I only followed because I wanted to see the stars up close and maybe kill things no one ever killed before! So I followed my kinsmen. Only it turns out this place is filled with these incompetent hosts!"

 

"Common hospitality rules." The other Za'akis said. "And sadly the Delaztri have failed at providing a haven."

 

"Just admit it, beast. You and I are the same, we're just itching for a good scrap. All these...politics, it just end with people wanting to kill you in disohonorable ways. Now head on fighting, that's pure, that's simple and entertaining."

[ca_lazerdwarf]

"You could fight me now, and yes that would be simple." Dragonid did not know what he found more infuriating, the insults and accustations of this drunken fool or the fact that he was the only one here to be the diplomat. Like these men, he was a fighter, not a talker, he wanted to surrender to the urge accept the challenge, but feared to provoke war. He tried one last attempt at diplomacy. "But would it lead you to whoever hired these assassins? Would it prevent the next attack?"

"You are right I would rather find someone to fight, rather than waste time arguing with you. I would rather take the fight to the assassins, to destroy their employer and avenge your brothers. I would rather try to address the empire's failures."

He looked specifically at the second Za'aki. "If you value hospitatilty, you will help me. Am I not the guest of your King. Does that not make me YOUR guest. Help me and I will find you a worthy fight."

[RobRX]

GM

 

"There has been a misunderstanding here. Your hospitality is lacking, true, but I did not draw my weapon to shed your blood." The still-unnamed second Za'akis said. "I have drawn it because I am ready to shed his." He said, gesturing at Mohnak with his head, who snarled at bared his teeth at his (former?) friend, who promptly snarled back.

 

"Rrrrraaaah! Enough talking!" Mohnak roared out, making a single stop forward. Immediately the Delaztri peacekeepers changed their weapons setting and took aim at him, intimidating him to stop before any violence erupt, less he'd be shot down. Likely with weapons set to non-lethal, but it would still be rather unpleasant for him. "Will you fight me or not?"

 

"Sir Praetorian, the cybernetic expert is on his way. I suggest we defuse this situation now, before he arrive." suggested one of the Delaztri peacekeeper. "Give the order and he will be disabled and brought to justice."

Edited January 28, 2015 by RobRX

[ca_lazerdwarf]

Dragonid nodded at the second Za'aki, acknowledging his mistake. He was so tired of this mess, he was no longer thinking straight. "But fighting your brother warrior will accomplish no more than fighting me."

 

With a mighty sigh, he walks directly up to Mohnak. "You have issued a challenge, among my people the one who accepts the challenge can pick the time and place. I accept your challenge on those terms. The fight will be tommorow, after we have sovled this myster. If what you needs is a fight, I give it to you." He looked around at the peacekeepers and the other Za'aki. "The challenge is publicly issued, accepted and witnessed. Now disperse, or you WILL be arrested for interfering in this investigation." He raised his hand to the peacekeepers, prepared to signal them to action.

[RobRX]

GM

 

Mohnak laughed loudly. "So, you do understand us." The brute cracked his neck, the sounds being loud both from the neck crack and the slight rubbing of spiny ridges (a continuation of his cranial ridges) going down his neck and spinal column. "It's a shame you're a coward who likes to wait. I'm warning you, stranger; no foul tricks tomorrow. No. Foul. Tricks."

 

The alien then draws out a dagger made from the claw of some beast, likely some kind of predator from Za'ak and handed it over to Dragonid. "I will shed your blood. You will shed mine and seal the challenge."

Edited February 6, 2015 by RobRX

[ca_lazerdwarf]

Dragonid took the claw and examined it. "No tricks, it is an affront to my honor that you even need to say it." He took Mohnak's arm and cut a gash as the Za'aki asked, letting the blood drip to the ground.. Then the dragon-man returned it and extended his own arm for Mohnak to shed his blood in return. This had not gone the way he had wished, but he had no more time to argue.

"If we are done, then be gone and let me return to important matters. I am doing my best to repair the breach in Delaztri responsibilities to your people."

[RobRX]

GM

 

A thick purple ooze fell out of the cut on Mohnak's arm. Then the alien returned the gesture, cutting Dragonid's arm.

 

After their mutual bloodshed, sealing their pact, Mohnak seemed quite pleased. Or at least he was pleased he had managed to 'bargain' himself a mean to fight Dragonid, althought one had to wonder just what it truly was supposed to accomplish beside self-indulgence in one's desire for violence. "We will meet again. Ancestors watch over you." the (still) unnamed Za'akis said, as he left to keep an eye out in case Mohnak felt like starting some more trouble.

 

"What was THAT all about?" One of the Delaztri peacekeeper asked, confused at the whole situation, as he adjusted his helmet. "Now then, sir. If you would come with us, the expert will be here any moment now."