Time passed. Night fell. One could tell because the crickets started chirping.
The conversation had been an idle one, broadening the servile's horizons and whetting his curiosity by degrees regarding the species and worlds which lay beyond the one with which he was familiar. It had inevitably wound down to companionably silence as the hours passed into the afternoon and day faded to the gray of twilight. Dolen stirred from his meditative calm and rose quietly at last, checking his weapons habitually.
"Are all prepared to depart?" he asked lightly, "Much the same as the night hence, only the destination and level of uncertainty as to the nature of its defenses is different."
Rispy put on his weapons and said, "I'm ready."
Kalli gave a nod of agreement and stood herself with a stretch.
Provided that nothing unusual might bar their path, the quiet descent from the balcony they'd availed themselves of the night before would serve as readily this night. The growing shadows lurking beyond would aid them as well as they might steal into the night toward their goal.
Things didn't end up going quite as smoothly as last night, and it appeared that someone saw them this time. But, as luck would have it, it wasn't one of the guards. It was Tobar. He was carrying a large sack full of notes. "What are you doing?" he said quietly. He made no move to call the guards or raise an alarm.
Dolen removed his helm, holding it beneath one arm as he studied the man for a moment in silence, thoughtfully considering his options. The most obvious and strategically correct avenue would be to eliminate the man and remove any witness who might reveal their identities or sound an alarm, this did not appeal greatly after speaking with the man earlier however.
"We are going to destroy this facility, as we did the other," Dolen replied calmly, deciding to offer truth on a whim though the idea was surely mad. "The manufacture and distribution of these canisters has created an imbalance in this world which may only lead to further corruption as time passes. This cannot be allowed. You should have heeded my suggestion, Tobar, as now you must make a difficult choice."
Tobar gave a faint smirk in the dark. "I do not believe that that shall be necessary." On the other side of town, there's the sound of an explosion in the distance rumbling that can be heard easily even from here.
"And why is that?" Dolen asked quietly, glancing only briefly in the direction of the distant sound before returning his full attention to the other man.
"I've already taken care of the matter," Tobar said, adjusting the pack over his shoulder. "And, I believe, not standing around on the streets would no doubt be a good idea."
"Then lead on and explain quickly as to why we should believe it to be thus," Dolen replied, gesturing past him. "You must forgive if I am somewhat doubtful even now of the self-proclaimed 'Enlightened' allowing such to occur without opposition."
Tobar headed on toward a private home, presumably his own, unlocked the door with a small key and ducked inside. Dolen followed and stepped within, but remained silently near the door to await the man's explanation to his question. That the other would have had access to the canisters in question was without doubt, yet other matters remained unlikely from the perspective of a paranoid militaristic command structure.
"Most of the time," Tobar said, "I end up working in the secondary research facility alone, observing and making notes, especially late in the day. Oh, you'll be able to see for yourself quite clearly, you don't have to take my word on it..."
He was nervous and shaking a bit. He was really not the type who usually betrayed the ones he was working for like this.
"Go on," Dolen replied blandly, the man's apparent unease and emotional state adding greater credibility than his words might suggest. Clearly a researcher rather than a being of action, which translated with blinding clarity into body language. That was something which would need be given further thought before leaving.
"You were right... I couldn't do it, I couldn't keep watching people destroying themselves in a blind hope of gaining quick power with those damned canisters... It draws them in, they might think one canister is safe, the 'Enlightened' kept telling them that they were perfectly safe, but they'd use more and more and..."
He sat down, pouring himself a glass of something and drinking it in an attempt to ease his jitters.
Dolen sighed softly, folding his arms and propping himself against the wall. "And this led you to what action precisely, Tobar? Speak of details, as your life may well depend upon it in short order."
If havoc had erupted in such a way that only one with sufficiently high clearance could have achieved, then suspicion and paranoia would mix readily with the panic which would ensue at the loss of their precious resource. The results of such madness were likely to be unpleasant and bloody reprisals.
"Sabotaged the power core in the secondary research facility to overload," Tobar explained. "Made sure the canister storage rooms were destroyed first as well... Nobody else will use them now..."
"And have you considered what path you shall take from here?" Dolen asked. "Any who may have had access will doubtless be interrogated thoroughly before the event is laid to rest, and, you must pardon my saying so, but as a scholar rather than one accustomed to deeds of violence and deception..." he gestured lightly at the man, "Your skill at masking the subtleties which would let slip the lie are somewhat disrupted."
"I'm intending to leave and go as far away from here as I can. These lunatics can destroy themselves, but I want no part in it."
"Then take what you must and come with us, Tobar," Dolen replied calmly. "I have little doubt that the Awakened would find use and welcome the presence of one who has not only spurned their enemy but brought pain to them in the doing. There might you also continue your studies with others of similar inclination."
Tobar tossed back his drink and stood with a sigh and went to collect his belongings. "Less chance of getting killed there I suppose," he muttered.
Dolen chuckled softly, shaking his head bemusedly as the man hurried off to the task. He had no doubt whatsoever that Tobar would be accepted within the community of the Awakened, particularly if presented to the wisdom-seeking leader of the city of Hodaxa. Those two would likely find much more in common than the man might suspect at this moment. There was little time for it, however, as they would need leave soon.
Tobar gathered up some crystals and research notes too valuable to leave behind, not even bothering with clothing, and packed it away. "Alright, that should do."
"Very well." Dolen nodded, pushing lightly away from the wall and re-setting his helm. "I have little doubt that there is not some measure of confusion following the untimely demise of Administrator Merrod, yet I will not trust too greatly to fate in risking remaining another night here. Let us be off and away, quickly."
Rispy was not especially eager to remain either, for one. They headed for the door, glancing about to ensure that the attention was currently upon the research hall rather than random side streets.
"I shall take point, Kalli May to guard our backs," Dolen said quietly as they emerge, then glanced to Rispy. "And you make certain as to Tobar's safe passage else. We must remain as quiet as is possible under the circumstances and move at a pace which may not be wholly accustomed. Let us go." He waited a moment to assure that all is in order, then proceeded with rifle unslung. No careless jaunt this night, not with mayhem abounding.
Rispy gave a nod, baton in hand and fully prepared to fight. If the guards saw them skulking around tonight, they'd most likely not be so easily convinced as they were last night. They might be slow, but they were not completely stupid.
Dolen steered their path through the shadowed streets, seeking less traveled avenues which would lead to the gates and detouring as needed to avoid patrols or gatherings of gawkers drawn by the spectacle of a second night's explosive display. Their goal was not to engage in urban warfare but to make as quiet an exit as possible, and he used the advantages of sensors and training to their fullest.
The skies were clear and starry tonight. But little attention was paid to them as they made their way through town swiftly and quietly. The guards appeared to be paying more attention to what was happening at the facility or trying to track down the culprit from there, not realizing that he was already on the other side of town by now.
The few who might note their passing would undoubtedly spread word of it later, but the idea was of little concern to Dolen as they would be long gone and have no need of returning to this place again. Only the gates might yet remain an obstacle, the streets fortuitously clear of danger, but that danger would be dealt with when the situation might be observed directly.
As one might expect, the gates were locked up tight and the guard on them tripled. That would most likely not be the safest method of exiting the city from.
Unsurprising, Dolen mused silently, turning attention outward from the gates in search of buildings or other structures which might rest against the walls and allow them access. Barring that they could be climbed readily enough were a place of semi-seclusion readily available to their use, though not necessarily preferred for one reason and another.
There didn't appear to be any buildings providing sufficient cover nor up against the walls. Worse, the guards at the gate appear to have noticed them skulking about nearby and were on alert.
Dolen returned in the direction they had come, motioning the others to precede him and assuming the rearguard for the moment until they might pass beyond the attention of the guards behind or be called to battle by them. They made it away without further incident, and the guards didn't pursue them, perhaps assuming them to be someone on a legitimate errand at night.
Once back in the alleys, Kalli whispered, "Best shot is finding a stretch of wall not near the gates and climbing over it. We're not getting out that way without a decent fight on our hands."
Dolen nodded shortly in agreement, the conclusion one which he'd already assumed and returned this way in pursuit of. There was a great deal of wall which might be used to the purpose, and he drew the climbing disc from his pouch as he set off to locate a quiet section.
He found one readily enough, but even as he was preparing to do that, a patrol of guards searching for the culprit in this fiasco showed up and demanded that they halt and drop their weapons.
"Guard him, Rispy," Dolen said quietly, then dashed quickly to one side to draw their attention as he opened fire.
Spells they might know to account for the speed of their own kind, but seeing much the same without the benefit of incanted warning should provide a momentary advantage. Fortunately, the guard patrol did not have a spellcaster with them to give them further trouble, but they nonetheless opened fire with batons and drew swords. Kalli whipped out her saber and danced in, slashing at them and cutting down two of them with one swipe. Dolen landed a hit on the thigh of one of the guards, causing him to stumble and fall.
They were doubtless little more than pawns, looking to do no more than their assigned duties on a night like any other and looking forward to returning to friends and family for a meal or good night's sleep. That knowledge did not dissuade Dolen from continuing to weave and fire in the least, however, as there were always those who fell afoul of things beyond their ken.
Rispy fought off a guard that got too close with his sword, knocking the human's blade aside with a quick movement. One of the guards fled in an attempt to go get reinforcements, yelling an alarm at the top of his lungs. Caught up fighting three at once, one of their swords cut Kalli deep in the leg. She stumbled back, remaining on her feet only by adjusting gravity to remove weight from that leg and wincing in pain.
Dolen dispensed with the rifle for now, drawing pistol and sword to step quickly into the breach, offering the guard attacking Kalli another target even as he snapped a shot in the direction of the fleeing guardsman. The call to arms would mean further difficulty were it to reach ears attuned to such, and that was something which must be silenced if possible.
He failed to strike the fleeing guard, who ducked behind a corner to avoid further attacks. Kalli clenched her teeth against the pain and ignored the blood flowing out of her leg, letting her cybernetics deal with it as she swiped at the remaining guards with her saber, cutting the sword of one of them off at the hilt.
Ill fortune indeed, yet might time favor them with some small measure of grace. Dolen returned to the task at hand, turning pistol and power sword to those which remain in a flurry of blows aimed more at occupying their defenses than striking for the kill, hopefully providing the opportunity for others to seal the task quickly.
The remaining guards were shortly killed or disabled without further serious injury to their party, although Rispy took a few minor cuts. Once they were down, Kalli said, "Let's get out of here posthaste, before reinforcements show up."
Dolen merely nodded, holstering his weapons and retrieving the climbing disc in silence. He pressed a crystal control on it and rested the device lightly against the wall while holding the strap, the disc hummed lightly and streaked upward along the wall.
A faint quiver in the line denoted a ready state, and he looked aside to Kalli in question, "Are you able to ascend, Kalli May? This line shall suffice to carry all three if the added weight of one or the other would prove of difficulty."
Kalli adjusted the gravity a bit to think down was above her head, and lifted into the air. Tobar was about scared to death from the combat and quite eager to get out of here as soon as humanly possible.
Dolen waits no longer, slipping the loop around his wrist and crouching, motioning Rispy near, "Arms around my neck, and hold tight, the ascent shall be quick." Once the servile was settled as well as he may be, Dolen gestured the other man closer with an open arm. "And I shall carry you, with similar warning."
When all was arranged, he tugged lightly on the line and it began to retract rapidly, the three spinning momentarily in the air until Dolen twisted to bring his feet in contact with the wall and run lightly upward.
Even as they were ascending, the sounds of approaching reinforcements could be heard, and thorns struck the wall just below them as they reached the top. Kalli dropped down over the far side of the wall remaining hovering a few inches above the ground so as to avoid further mangling her leg.
Dolen wasted no time atop the wall, giving no opportunity for his passengers to gain their breath or a moment of ease, instead passing swiftly to the other side and descending in equally swift fashion. He returned Tobar to his feet and crouched once more to allow Rispy to debark, then rose to retrieve the disk with a faint snap of the line.
Returning the disc to its pouch, he gestured into the night. "Quickly away, their hue and cry shall doubtless bring them storming this location soon enough. Wounds will needfully await a return to the ships." The last was offered with a faintly apologetic nod in Kalli's direction, though he was quite aware that she was as much accustomed to such inconveniences as he. "Kalli May, to point, and I shall watch the rear."
Kalli floated on ahead rapidly without touching the ground. Rispy and Tobar headed off behind her, the sounds of shouting and guards being rallied behind them.
Unslinging his rifle once more, Dolen followed quietly in their wake, watchful and wary of any signs of pursuit which might haunt them. Other directions he left of necessity to his companions.
Fortunately, they managed to escape into the wilderness and return to the ships without any search patrols locating them or firing at them. Dolen returned immediately to his own ship and slipped into the control gestalt, bringing the sleek shape to a thrumming hover and turning it to face the direction of the city that its weapons may be brought to bear.
"Tend to your wounds first, Kalli May," he commed, "Any who might follow this far shall surely find their persistence gaining them little."
Kalli said, "Roger," and ushered the servile and researcher onto the Darknova, sealing up the hatch behind them and taking out the first aid kits for restoring her health to normal.
Remaining closely attentive to sensor returns, Dolen eased from the edge provided by battle and the adrenaline surge of rapid flight. They were certainly common enough elements, as was the knowledge of the point where such were no longer truly needful in the pursuit of survival. He awaits the signal that all is in readiness for their return flight to Hodaxa.
Even as Kalli was tending her leg so that she was not in immediate danger of bleeding to death or anything, a large group of soldiers and creations from the town arrived on the scene, with a Shaper leading them.
Dolen chuckled coldly as the small army approaches, having little concern within the hardened shell of his craft as he moved it to hover lightly above the treeline and brought shield and weapons to full combat power. Now might the neo-barbarians of this world learn the error of their ways... He didn't open fire directly on them, instead turning the heavy cannons to tear through the nearby foliage and plow furrows in the ground before them.
The human guards rapidly stepped back in surprise, with many a "What the ..." before turning to flee from the site. The Shaper yelled at them a bit and brought a Mass Energize spell to protect himself and his creations, arrogant even now.
Barring heavy artillery the likes of which were mounted on the walls of cities on this world, there was little which concerned Dolen to be found in the matter. "Certainly far too many canisters in use in this land," he commed with grim amusement as he opened fire on the Shaper and his constructs. "Already corruption leads them to believe themselves gods."
The creations were destroyed quickly enough, even the Shaper's spells not sufficiently protecting them against his attacks. Miraculously, however, the Shaper appeared to have survived, although from the looks of things, he probably wished that he hadn't.
Dolen could well imagine the terror the being might feel at the sight of his minions vanishing from existence and the army at his back having fled in horror, but such small services as he might provide to this world would be gladly done and he opened fire on the Shaper himself. One less source of corruption to foul this place, one that the Awakened would need not deal with themselves. Even the Shaper's spells and heavy canister augmentation weren't sufficient to save him from the second attack. The Shaper mercifully bit the dust.
Returning to the less visible vantage near the ground, Dolen commed serenely, "Pay no heed to the fire, Kalli May, merely the local flora and fauna proving in need of trimming from the evolutionary chain."
Kalli chuckled softly and said, "You know, there are times I'm glad for cybernetics and genetic enhancements. That would have dismembered any normal human..."
"There would appear to be advantages to such, just as there are to armor," Dolen chuckled lightly, remaining attuned to the sensor return though he doubted highly that any other might be foolish enough to venture forth again this night. "I trust from your seeming lack of concern," he adds, displaying a hint of his own, "That the wound shall not prove beyond recovery?"
"Meh, I've had worse," Kalli replied. "Shall we be off then?"
"As you are ready, Kalli May," Dolen replied, the answer sufficing readily enough for now. "A final return to Hodaxa is all which may yet lay ahead before turning our attention to other details formerly overlooked. The Awakened shall surely be glad of the assistance which may be offered prior to our departure." He chuckled and set a course for the village in question.
Kalli turned her ship over in the direction of the town of Hodaxa once again, Rispy and Tobar tending to their own minor cuts and bruises meanwhile. Their return journey was short enough at the speeds they traveled, and Dolen guided them to a nearer landing to the village than they'd done before without explanation. He disembarked quickly enough and crossed to the Darknova, waiting for the landing procedures to be complete that he might board.
Kalli set down the ship and powered down the engines and opened the hatch. There was a large bandage on her leg, but Rispy and Tobar didn't look much the worse for wear, aside from a few minor cuts on Rispy's face and hands.
"Rispy?" Dolen approached the servile. "Would you be willing to escort Tobar into Hodaxa to find lodging for the night? A few details yet remain which must be attended to here by myself and Kalli May."
There was no reason to keep the two away from a night of rest to ease the stresses of the battles and other conflicts past, while he and Kalli looked to completing the last details remaining here.
Rispy gave a nod and said, "Come with me, Tobar. You'll be safe here." Tobar nodded nervously, going along with him toward the city.
Dolen was certain the two would be fine, but he watched them depart for a moment nonetheless. They were natives to this world, and well aware of what might happen should they run afoul of the dangers which might rise... small chance of that, he rather suspected. Dismissing it for now, he turns and enters the Darknova, offering Kalli a polite nod even as he examined her movements with a critical eye.
"Well indeed that you have been gifted with such enhancements," he said quietly, "Though such is always the price of our calling. Regardless, what capacity the seemingly bottomless bag of yours? Its use may prove of greater utility than any other transport available."
"I don't really know, but I was able to stuff inside it two hundred pizzas, several dozen liters worth of soft drinks, and a small arsenal without any problems."
"Well let us find out, shall we?" Dolen asked with a quirked grin, flickering mischief in his eyes. "Those of Hodaxa may certainly find use for as great a quantity of this world's absurd currency as we may provide, as well as what gems may be available to the purpose. Serving that need shall doubtless cause greater damage to those which might oppose them than anything else."
Kalli randomly began to pull out a variety of guns from her bag, of both energy and projectile varieties. It would appear that she had raided a military base and shoved everything inside into her bag. Which, she actually had, back at the Alteran base on Glassandia. Dolen watched the process with bemused interest, the sheer number and differing lethalities of the hardware emerging serving to remind him to remain on the better side of Kalli's temper.
"Quite the array of destruction, Kalli May," he remarked dryly. "Perhaps expecting to conduct a single-handed invasion of a planetary system in the near future?"
"Well, we cleared out the weapons lockers in the old Alteran Marine Corps base on the planet Glassandia that were left behind after Alpha killed them all for being assholes..."
"Quite practical," Dolen acknowledged, idly hefting one of the weapons to test its weight and making a rough estimate of what has already been removed. "A few hundred pounds at best, was your bag near its capacity with that which it contained? It may prove needful to apply other means of transport if such is the case, as gold..." he shook his head in bemusement, "is quite heavy in the quantities I envision."
"I'm not really too sure just what it's capacity is. The Elkandu that 'sold' it to me just said it'd probably hold however much I wanted. I'm not sure if he meant a small moon, however."
Dolen chuckled lightly. "My purpose is not so grandiose as that, merely a sufficient amount to supply them readily with equipment and mercenary aid for the foreseeable future. Their use of gems might prove of greater value in terms of space and weight, perhaps a mixture of the two?"
Kalli gave a bit of a shrug and said, "Gemstones do tend to be more valuable, pound for pound, than gold..." She tapped at the replicator and a pile of gold and gemstones fizzled into existence in the slot.
"Then a smaller amount of gold," Dolen said, "and a variety of gemstones, such shall surely suffice to the purpose. I will remain cautiously optimistic that the faction is indeed as it appears and shall not change radically in the near future, this world is in dire need of such as they."
"Better than the other wackos around here regardless," Kalli commented, scooping the items into the pouch and replicating more. "Although judging by Rispy and what he's said, I don't think they're hiding much."
"Ever may appearances and assumptions deceive," Dolen replied, grinning faintly. "And yet that same lesson learned has been forced to adopt to other changes which have been encountered. Matters were considerably simpler when all which might be chosen was good or ill and naught between."
"Ever shades of gray things really are when you look closely at them and remove all prejudice from the matter," Kalli murmured. "Some, certainly, a considerably darker gray than others, though."
"Perhaps," Dolen replied, "Though through belief and ideal may there truly not be that which might be considered 'right' when standing against the darker shades of 'wrong'? Still uncertain, the world ever is, and I suppose each must answer that question within their own heart and soul." He shifted to a casual and restful stance nearby, musing a bit.
"I imagine, as a whole and in general, they're most likely more on the side of light than the Takers and Enlightened, although as we've seen, not everyone in Karanen is really all that 'dark'."
"The general population of any world is always such," Dolen agreed quietly, "Save perhaps in the most extreme where corruption and evil has suffused to the very heart of society itself. Even then, always will there be those who may recognize the error of their ways and turn from them with the aid of others as some did before the fall of the Chaos Gods. The Awakened may turn that to their advantage, a popular uprising."
"Here's to hoping," Kalli said, scooping a pile of diamonds into the bag. "Think that'll do?"
"The night entire might we spend attending to the task," Dolen replied, dismissing the easy stance, "Yet still might it be insufficient to the purpose. Or perhaps too great to be borne?" He chuckled quietly. "Certainly it shall be welcome, regardless, and doubtless beyond what might have been expected in addition to the news which we bring. Shall we see to it, then?"
"Yes, let's. No doubt if too many valuables appeared out of thin air, the entire planetary economy would crash overnight." Kalli smirked. "But if they're smart about it, they can go a long way with it."
"Perhaps they'd find something more substantial than gold or gems to place their faith in," Dolen muttered and snorted lightly, then chuckled, heading for the hatch. "That is not our task, however, instead to bolster their efforts and leave them greater hope than may have been felt before. A prosperous venture in that regard, all told."
Kalli stood and limped a bit over to the hatch and climbed out.
Dolen glanced over at her, brow raised in faint concern, "Would you prefer to nurse your wounds, Kalli May? I may assuredly see to what little remains here if travel seemed against better judgment. There is surely no need to press yourself when all is nearly done here."
"Oh, I'll be fine," she muttered unconvincingly.
Dolen laid an arm across her path, holding a hand out. "I shall deliver their aid, Kalli May, while you return to rest and recuperate. Your spirit is admirable, but far better to convalesce than find yourself endangered by stubbornness or, worse yet, forced to rely on the shoulder of an Eldar to limp home," he finished with a smile, shaking his head in quiet amusement.
Kalli gave a faint grin and handed over the bag. "Alright, alright, I'll take a break and sit this one out then." She gave a bit of a bow to him and returned to her ship.
Dolen chuckled softly, waiting to make certain she found safety without mishap, then turned and trotted swiftly to the town. Rispy and Tobar would take care of themselves, he would approach the meeting hall and await the appearance of the Learned one come morning, should she not be like many other scholars and be yet still at her studies.
The guards at the gate, at least, recognized him and allow him entry without much question. Learned Aller was, however, still awake and at her studies even at this late hour. Finding her thus was of no great surprise to Dolen, and he proceeded to gain her attention with a soft clearing of his throat.
"There is news of that which I spoke before, Learned Aller," he said lightly, moving closer in remembrance of her poor eyesight. "Good news indeed on several fronts."
She glanced up at him wearily and said, "Oh, yes, you have returned. Please, be seated if you like, and tell me of what news that you bring."
Dolen didn't avail himself of a seat, preferring most often to stand as he had grown accustomed over time, but related to her the events of the past few days involving the destruction of the canister manufactory and supply.
"Rispy shall doubtless be invaluable to your cause," he added at the last. "He is brave of heart and stout of spirit, an asset of great worth in the days to come..." He paused, having not yet mentioned Tobar in the telling, then continued cautiously, "There is another with him at the moment that you may find of aid as well, a man who strove to work within the system of the Enlightened to dismantle and discourage the use of the canisters foul taint. In truth, it is to him, Tobar, that the credit is due in destroying the remaining supply."
Aller listened attentively and nodded. "Tobar, yes, I know of him, he tried to discourage the Enlightened from their heavy canister usage... But Rispy? He has courage and spirit, but I doubt he would be content to remain in Hodaxa."
"Perhaps," Dolen replied, though not without some regret at taking a resource from what lay before them, the idea of allowing the servile's obvious curiosity and intellect to develop beyond the scope of their world had potential. "I shall speak directly to him upon that, and will leave Tobar to your discretion, which means only this remains to your attention..."
He walked forward, opening the flap of the bag, then began pouring the store of gold and gems out for her perusal.
"Consider this a small contribution to your cause. Use it wisely, and consider the hiring of those from other worlds who might be persuaded to aid you in this matter." He closed the bag, thinking a moment, then smiled thinly. "Say also that a chance of returning from whence they came may be available in time, a return to this world of those who might transport them elsewhere may doubtless be arranged."
Aller's eyes widened as she looked to the pile of wealth, and said, "You have my thanks and gratitude, on behalf of all the Awakened, for all that you have done for us of late. You are most welcome within our fair city." She gave him a bow. "If anything I might provide you would ask of me, I would be glad to share my knowledge and assistance as well."
"We came to aid, and ask nothing in return," Dolen replied with a quiet smile. "Be well, Learned Aller." With that, he turned and strode from the room and out into the streets, one final bit of business left ahead to be attended.
