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Gib
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During the Human-Covenant war, and the constant conflicts that came after, Rion had seen more than a few settlements and colonies caught in some raid or another and desperately working on repairs. She wasn't afraid to admit that she'd rushed the Ace in after those, when she could. Scrapping the ships left behind could yield plenty of basic industrial supplies a little colony in need would pay through the nose for, between tools and basic materials, and even the simpler kind of weapons the UNSC wouldn't come after her for moving. She and her crew had always made out like bandits after runs like those, even if they weren't the most interesting things to do.
And even if they didn't leave the best taste in her mouth after…
But hey, they'd made good money off of it, in the end. And even a few friends among the 'knows what you're doing, but appreciates the goods' crowd. And among the more gullible ones that hadn't figured it out, but Rion made a habit of trying not to judge.
She didn't tend to succeed but she tried…
"Where's Spark?" She asked as she stepped into Ghira's office a week later, her chest and leg still bandaged and hard to walk on. As she settled into the chair opposite the big man's desk, she added, "He still working with the crews?"
"Mhm." Ghira nodded, back to her in the little annex behind his desk. He was leaned over a map of the city set out on a big table back there, planning something she couldn't see from her seat. "He's been a big help, but the battle wasn't very well kept to the Manor, as you understand."
"Yeah, I know, Spark told me about it." She said, watching his back curiously. "The market was ransacked by a squad or so, and the comm-lines were cut. Then Taurus' little gang hit the harbor. Stole a handful of your faster ships to make an escape on."
"With most of our produce from the market and the storage building, too." Ghira sighed, turning around and stalking towards her with clipboard in hand. He collapsed into his chair with a groan and read off of it. "Four entire stalls were emptied out of fresh vegetables and fruit, the fish monger's was ransacked for most of their stuff too, then set on fire. And half the fishing crews' ships were either stolen, sunk, or set on fire too."
"That's a lot of damage…"
"It is." Ghira sighed, tossing the clipboard onto the table and frowning. "I ordered the trawlers out right away, to bring in more fish. And guess what?"
"I'm going to hazard that they didn't come back with all the fish in the sea?"
"You'd be right." Ghira growled, very evidently not in the mood judging from his frown and the way he crossed his arms. "Privateers have moved further into our territory. Tightened the noose. Whether that's because they know what happened, or they're angry about their lost ships…"
"It doesn't matter, does it?" Rion asked, drumming a finger on the armor of her chair. "They're doing it, and they need to be stopped."
"True enough."
"Of course it is." She grinned, "I said it."
"Uh huh." Ghira raised a brow, "And you're the beacon of honesty, eh?"
"I mean…" That was fair, she couldn't fault him on that. Forcing a smile that even felt a little stiff to her, she chuckled and offered, "Emphasis on the 'enough' part then, I guess?"
"I suppose." Ghira rumbled, reaching out to tap a finger on the clipboard and adding. "To get back to business, supplies are tight, but we'll make it. Assuming I can send my fishers and hunters out without worrying about losing them, that is. That part is where you, Khan and Spark all come in."
"I don't see either of them here…"
"I already spoke to both. Separately." He added the last when her brows rose for the most obvious reason. "Khan doesn't know about your companion, as much as she hates that we won't explain how he does what he does."
"That's… Good." She didn't know how long it would last, but for now, Khan was the only one bothering to try and press the matter. Everyone else on the island seemed either to not care, or care more about the repairs a pair of Watchers could help with. Which was a lot, thanks to the whole 'levitating things' trick they could pull. "Anyway, gonna guess they're both on board with… Whatever your plan is?"
"They are." He nodded, "But ultimately, it's your ship."
"And there's why I'm here alone…"
"Khan still has plenty of White Fang here loyal to her." Ghira explained quietly, "And after the attack, plenty of recruits chomping at the bit to enlist. Some are opting for the Guard here on Menagerie, to stay local. But plenty others are looking to Sienna, for revenge or to secure places the Guard aren't meant to go."
"Like the ocean." Rion filled in, earning a nod from him. "And let me guess. I'm the only ship around you trust to do the job?"
"You have the space for some combat operatives, salvage, and most importantly-"
"Spark." She guessed, smiling when he hummed and nodded. "Okay then… So, what all is the plan?"
"To be discussed in a meeting tonight, over dinner with Khan and my wife." He answered simply, "Presuming, that is, that you don't mind us using your ship as a glorified raiding vessel."
"Are you joking?" Rion laughed and then winced as pain flared from her ribs. Rubbing her side and ignoring it as best she could, she said, "I just need to know what I'm doing, Chieftain. I'm all hands after that."
"Good to hear." The chieftain rumbled forebodingly. "Good to hear."
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Once her meeting with the Chieftain had come to an end, she'd been escorted back to her room to rest her leg and get some paperwork done. Most of it was contracts regarding her 'renting' Spark out, since he was technically viewed as her property, so she filled them out and set them aside for Spark to look over himself. If he didn't like them, then they'd just get 'lost' via the trash can under the desk. Technicalities or not, she knew better than to volunteer the mechanical man for anything.
And frankly, she did not envy anyone that tried to treat him like some random worker droid.
She heard the door and looked up in time to see Spark step through, dropping a little tray of food off beside her as he stalked by and into the room. Sighing, she pushed the stack of papers aside and pulled the food over. "Long day?"
"Very." He answered with an exhausted sigh, even if he didn't sound - and couldn't get - particularly tired. "Did you know that Taurus' Fang elected to, not just burn, but paint and burn one of the fishing trawlers?"
"What?" Rion scoffed, plucking the top of the tray off and grimacing. Fish… Again. But hey, what was she supposed to expect in a place like this? Especially after what had happened. Scooting it over and tucking in she asked, "Why even bother?"
"You know, I don't think anyone thought to ask them why they were doing that when they came through." Spark deadpanned, leaning against a wall and turning to meet her eyes. She snorted and kept eating, and Spark said, "The Chieftain wants us for a meeting in about an hour. I trust he spoke to you earlier."
"Yeah." She answered even though it wasn't a question. "Eat 'n run then?"
"Eat and run, yes." Spark nodded, chuckling and folding his hands behind his waist. While she ate, he went on, "I made some time to check over the Spirit of Fire while I was otherwise engaged with repairs throughout the settlement."
"Mhm?"
"As expected, it was mostly untouched in the secure docks. A few bullet holes, like the other ships, so I suppose the fleeing Faunus took some pot-shots at the secure docks as they left. Why they'd waste the ammunition, I don't know…" He sighed and she shrugged, grabbing the little biscuit her food had come with and tearing it in half to make a sandwich of her fish. "I took the liberty of patching the holes and getting supplies stowed in the hold. Food, water, the like. I don't suppose you mind?"
"Mhm." She shook her head, "Long as you got enough for a handful of people."
"Of course." He smiled, face-plate flashing blue. "What did you take me for? Someone that makes obvious mistakes like trying to shoot someone that already went toe to toe with a pair of old Hunters?"
"Okay one, I don't think the Belladonnas are Hunters." Aside from Blake, that was, but they both knew what she meant. "And two, too soon, Spark."
"It's been two weeks."
"Not to me!"
"It isn't my fault you spent half that time napping."
"I was unconscious!"
"Same difference." She rolled her eyes and Spark laughed out loud, shaking his head. "Sorry, Rion. Just… Happy to have you in one piece, I suppose. And in good humor, too."
"Hey, now, rust bucket." She smirked, turning and pointing a fork at him. "I would like you to know that it takes a lot more to put me down than the single best fighter of an entire, world-spanning terrorist organization."
"Such as…?"
"I dunno, really." She shrugged, turning back to her food. "Surprise surprise, haven't run into… Uh, whatever it is yet."
"Well… Obviously." The machine chuckled lowly as she closed her little tray and swept her desk clean. He waited long enough for her to finish cleaning before she heard him thudding towards her, and she was on his feet before he could ask, "Are you ready to go, then?"
"Mhm." She nodded, straightening the thin blouse Kali had given her. It only covered down to her stomach, like her skirt only covered down to her knees, but she didn't mind with the heat waves that rolled through Menagerie all the time.
And besides, the bandages around her chest and sides didn't really lend to any 'risque' factor it might have had...
"Heading for a meeting." She said as she stepped through the door and turned to the guard just outside it. The young woman was armed and armored like the rest of the Manor Guard, and only nodded as Rion turned to leave.
In the wake of attacks like the one that had ravaged Menagerie, it was normal for security to be overhauled and over-filled. And the wise old Chieftain had done no different, drawing on volunteers throughout the settlement and even members of the White Fang that were… Less than enthused about staying as such, after what had happened. Just crossing the Manor to get to Ghira's office meant passing a half-dozen patrols of guards, and a check-point to get into the main hall to boot, and another to get out and into the hallway to the man's office. It was a lot, and turned a five minute walk into almost a twenty minute one.
But if she had to pick between that and getting slammed through the better part of a solid wooden wall…
Well, maybe she was just a bit biased, but she didn't mind the changes.
Instead of the normal pair of Manor guards standing to either side of the door into the Chieftain's office, one of them had been replaced by a halberd wielding, blue-uniformed White Fang Honor Guard. The change in color… Confused her, but the rest of the armor matched what she already knew from them. And she knew Sienna was in the office, she was meant to be at the same meeting Rion was coming to.
So why-
"Taurus' backstabbing little cohort are stealing the red and white. Old Guard suggested using the old colors, so here we are." The Guard suddenly explained, sounding… Exhausted. She blinked and the bulky man added, "You were staring, Human. Assuming that was why."
"Y-Yeah." She flushed, reaching for the door handle and adding. "Sorry."
"Don't worry about it." The Faunus grunted shortly, turning just the slightest bit and raising her thick, scarred serpentine tail up for her to see. "I'm used to Humans staring at me fairly constantly. Comes with the scales, apparently."
Rion… Figured she had that one coming, more or less, and let it go with an apathetic little shrug.
Inside, Ghira's office was… Shockingly unchanged. Sienna and Kali sat in chairs directly opposite each other, with a low coffee table covered in snacks and with a kettle in the center still letting out steam. The uncomfortable looking Chieftain of Menagerie sat squashed in as much as he could be at the end of the couch closest to his wife, sipping at a cup of tea and doing his utmost to avoid looking towards the stripe Faunus tapping impatiently on the arm of her chair.
He looked kind of like a kid scolded into sitting in a small chair in the corner…
"Ah, Rion!" The great man said as soon as he saw her, launching to his feet and beaming a wide, bright smile. Turning, he gestured at the other end of the couch and said, "Please, have a seat. We were waiting for you."
"For half an hour…"
"Sorry, I was eating." Not that that was a particularly good excuse, given the trays of snack cakes, biscuits and cheeses set out. Taking a seat at Sienna's end of the couch, she accepted the mug Kali offered her and added. "And, uh, I didn't know there'd be snacks, so… Yeah, sorry."
"It's not your fault." Kali assured her, smiling warmly. "You weren't the one that moved the meeting up by half an hour."
"For all the good it did." Sienna growled, waving a hand dismissively. "She was late enough that it doesn't really matter who did what. Wasn't she? So if we could just get to work, I would really appreciate it."
"Wow, what's got you so-"
"If you say catty, Belladonna, I will hurt you." Sienna growled, eyes narrowing to slits as the room fell quiet. After a few seconds, the woman pinched the bridge of her nose and forced out almost like it hurt to do it, "I'm sorry, but… Things have just been tough, over the last few days. My soldiers have been taking up perimeter defense, and with the shortage announcements coming conveniently the morning just after we took over-"
"I already told you-"
"I know it wasn't on purpose, Kali." Sienna sighed wearily, "It's just… I'm used to being paranoid, and it lines up just right to drive my instincts wild."
"I know." Kali said, smiling knowingly. It only seemed to make Sienna more uncomfortable, for a moment, but then the Faunus relaxed and Kali went on. "I know how you've lived. I was there, upon a time. I get it. And let me guess. The Grimm were pressing?"
"Hard." The woman sighed, letting her head flop back on the top of the back of the chair comfortably. "But my soldiers held the line well enough. I had to join in, but… Such is the life, sometimes. And I won't say I hated getting my claws wet…"
"Gods, I hope that is figurative…"
"Oh, Ghira, sweetie, you know how I am." The woman laughed warmly and wistfully, before she sighed and said. "To business, then, if you please."
"Right, well, if everyone's comfortable…" Ghira turned to Rion, sitting in her seat and just… Watching whatever sitcom she'd walked in on with Spark standing behind her no doubt doing the same. She nodded, and he returned the gesture as he sat and said. "The pirates are getting bolder, out there. We'd hoped less ships in the Northern seas, and more Grimm, would have put a damper on their efforts, but…"
"But there's only been more, coming closer in." Kali filled in, "Pressing into properly recognized waters."
"So we need to put a stop to them."
"But lack the manpower or weaponry to contend with what, to my ears, sounds like at least half a score of ships able to put up a fight." Sienna countered, turning to Rion and raising an eyebrow. "Or is your oh so special and secret machine there gonna pipe up, maybe… Offer a few ideas? I don't know, some opinions?"
"W-Well…"
"What is it, Human?" Sienna asked, leaning forward, forearms resting on her knees. "Cat got your tongue?"
"Sienna, that's more than enough pushing your luck." Ghira suddenly cut in, slamming a fist down on the arm of the couch they were sharing so hard she felt the entire couch shake for it. When she looked, his eyes were hard and small, and his hands had curled into fists. Voice rumbling thunder, he went on, "Rion's secrets are her own. We trust her. You will as well, if you want half a chance of rebuilding in my city. And a tenth of a chance of me letting you take my people to hunt down your little problem child."
"You'd know a lot about problem children, wouldn't you?"
"How dare you-"
"Ghira, dear, breathe. We're all… Being pushed to our limits, lately, so let's just push through. Hmm?" Kali stepped in, sighing and shaking her head. Rion could tell she was angry, too, and looking at Sienna told her the woman regretted her words as well. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, and she was chewing on one a bit. "Our idea, Sienna, was to, well, find someone among the pirates to help us find their source."
"You mean take and break a prisoner?"
"Not how I would phrase it, Khan, but…" Kali sighed, "Yes. Our hope is that one of the pirates will be amenable to telling you where to go to find their home. And with our friends' assistance, and your own, we hope we can end this crisis."
"Say what you mean, Kali." Sienna pressed, quietly. Almost gently. "Kill them. Right?"
"As many as needs be…" Kali admitted bitterly. "Yes. Kill them. For our people, and our home.
"...Well, that's all I wanted to hear. I can have myself and a handful of my better fighters ready inside of a couple of days." Sienna said after a few quiet moments. Kali raised an eyebrow and Sienna explained, "I need to arrange leadership while I'm gone, and I need to go because I'm one of the better fighters left in the Fang."
"Understandable." Ghira growled, "Assuming Rion doesn't mind, of course…?"
"Of course not." She answered, "Just… Let me know what you need."
"Access to your ship." Sienna said instantly, breezily explaining before she could respond. "I want proper beds and lockers moved in for my people, and we have cargo we'll need to load. Ammunition, uniforms, armor, the like. I'm not presuming I have that access, of course, only answering your question."
"I'll… Make time for you tomorrow, if that's good for you." Rion said, even if she hated letting the relative strangers of the White Fang rummage about on the Spirit of Fire with relative freedom. But the situation called for it, and the stakes were more important than her comfort right now.
So, sacrifices had to be made.
"Lunch, then." Sienna nodded, standing and turning to leave. "I'll send word if anything changes. Otherwise, expect me and my men then. Clear?"
"Crystal." Rion nodded, watching the woman leave and then asking the obvious. "So, the Grimm weren't the only problem she was having. Right?"
"She wants to know about Spark." Ghira answered simply, watching the door with a grim look on his face. Sighing, he shrugged and waved her off, reaching for a biscuit. "And she's angry we won't tell her."
"I see." She'd have to get over that on her own, then. Shrugging it off, she asked, "You're sure you want to go down this road?"
"Sienna may have taken it too far, but she was right about one thing." Kali answered, "Sometimes, you have to fight to stop someone from doing you wrong. You just can't go too far… Then you end up like Adam."
"Truth." Ghira sighed, reaching for a roll himself and growling. "The matter is settled. Let's talk about something else."
"Well…" Kali smirked, "It's tuna season. Maybe once all is said and done, we can get one of the fatter Valean kind swimming through for breeding?"
"That sounds delicious…" Ghira growled, chuckling. "Blake will have a conniption if we manage that."
Now all was said and done, Rion let herself relax. Some sweets and good company sounded like a nice way to end the day. And given what was probably coming, she knew she should take advantage of the time to relax before everything went insane. Again…
Such was the life, she supposed.
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Kpmh2001 :
I also wanted to represent a different kind of take on that talk. Spark and Ghira were emotional, factual, but not really confrontational for understandable reasons. Whereas Kali came almost straight out the gate confronting Rion, once the medical nonsense was done. But neither were mean about any of it.
They just wanted to understand, and get the other to understand them in return.
Smokey Panda :
Yeah, I've always seen her that sorta way. Maternal, protective, kind, driven, and sharper than a rogue's best knife.