The Awesome trio of strangers

Arkan-tar rubbed his glasses thoughtfully. He did not expect this mission to be easy and his expectations came true. Journey to a mysterious planet that appeared out of nowhere, and the discovery of which was related to such dramatic events, could seem like a wonderful adventure, but only in the minds of ignorant people. He had been an archaeologist and seeker of the secrets of ancient races for years, so he had no illusions that instead of adventure, blood, sweat and tears awaited them. Arkan, however, accepted it, because the prize they could win was beyond al. imagination ... if, of course, they lived long enought to enjoy it.

He looked at his reflection in the small mirror hanging on the wall of his cabin. Like among all Verthani, the inhabitants of Versec, who was trapped between day and night, his eyes were completely black, with no whites. He could change the color of his skin, but he liked to keep it uniform in a shade of gray. His hair was cut short and gray. He usually smiled, mysteriously and somewhat cunningly. He was not very handsome, but also not ugly. He adjusted his glasses, an extremely valuable gift that the Doctor had given him ... Sometimes they let him experience the distant past, the echoes of past and forgotten times. Ancient artifact from the lost Golarion… or somewhere else. He's never known in his story.

As he left the cabin, he covered the Hungry Moon Mirror with a sheet. Then he ordered the port staff to transport it to the hotel "End of begining", where they were to stay. He wondered if the crew thought he was narcis because he needed two mirrors. He left the Absalonian freighter Endless Voyage on which he was brought to Saltmarsh. The ship came here to buy fly cakes, fly nap, fly dust. He saw a clear pattern in the commodities exported by this planet. As soon as he left the harbor building, far too large for a place forgotten by gods and men, he felt the hot hammer of the sun hit him in the face. He left Versec many years ago and had spent most of his life in dark places or aboard spaceships, so his eyes had become weaned from the harsh light.

He put on his hat and went to the little cafe where his other two traveling companions had stayed. One of them was a relatively short lashuntian women with silvery hair and a swarthy complexion named Rechiza. The eyes were what was caugh the eye. Instead of typically insect, they were dull gray with hundreds of pores visible, as if someone were trying to combine typical Lashuntian eyes with human-like. She was Damaya, and therefore distinguished by a mental acuity that made up for her delicate build. She had lost her antennae, supposedly in the same accident that she lost her eyes, but he wasn't sure because she hadn't said anything about it and he hadn't pushed it. She pretended to be an archaeologist, but was a cult hunter in the service of hellknights, but was unaware that he knew her true profession, or that she knew who designed her eyes. She was quite talkative during the trip, but very skillfully avoided talking about topics related to her profession and the reason why she joined thisjourney. What is certain is that she knew much more than the rest.- Theoretically, I am in charge of this expedition, so I represented all of us, but I agree. Next time we will participate in the conference together, then I will not have to repeat to you everything what has already been said - said Arkan, trying to sound as polite as possible. The other woman snorted contemptuously.

- What was so important the Lord Admiral had to told,so we could not be present during this conversation, - she said, smiling sourly.

- Oh, this is too much grace. What your companions might care about what could happen to them as they travel through the most gods cursed corner of the galaxy. - Dilayla said grimly. She was a tall half-elf from the Minitar, a distant and almost forgotten planet somewhere deep in the Vast. Her hair was cut short and bangs was light blue in color. A strand of scars cut across her cheek, a trail of shards that had hit her in some explosion long ago. She lost her arms, which were replaced with cybernetic prostheses, as was her right leg. She wore the symbol of Iomadae around her neck. Little is known about her past, except that she lost her family in a mysterious attack by Dominion of Black and was saved by the Hellknights. She was much less effusive than Rechiza, so she was simply silent most of the journey. Arkana did not mind too much, as he did not require too much eloquence from their weapon specialist. Nevertheless, he would prefer to embark on such a long journey in an atmosphere of friendship. "Trust is not our forte" Verthani thought. Dilayla could handle power armor and heavy weapons, so in the event of an emergency, she had the lion's share of responsibility for the survival of the three of them. At least in theory, because thanks to implants and exocortex, he was able to use a long weapon very efficiently when needed, and Rechiza was a witchwarper and could recall fragments of reality from other worlds. So it is good that in confrontation with enemies they were able to take care of themselves.

- Your sarcasm is unnecessary. We will spend the next six months together and we have to live together somehow. I understand that this task may seem to us all full of threats, not only the obvious ones.

- I understand you, but I hope that in the future we will be treated as equal members of this team? Rechiza said in a serious voice, her metallic eyes puncturing him. Arkana bowed low and said in agreement.

- It will be so- and then he summarized the entire conversation for them. Dilayla sipping her coffee "just like from Golarion" snorted at the end, almost spitting on Verthani and Lashunta.

- So, as I understand it, we will be babysitting some rich miss, her old decrepit nanny and unlucky scientist? Has anyone gone completely crazy, as if the trip to what most likely is the gateway to the dimension of anguish was a walk.

- From what Arkan said, Lady C al looks like a competent person who will be able to take care of herself, so you won't have to change hers diaper. As far as I know, her family has ruled Grayskull Castle for hundreds of years before The Gap. Most likely, he is the last representative of this highly respected family. Miss Daisy has recently been living in Carurystal, and she enjoys a certain amount of respect there. She is a mansion manager and a sorceress valued even beyond this rather rustic planet.- the Lashunti said thoughtfully.

- Grayskull? It was a family of pirates or necromancers? - Dilayla asked with a scowl.

- In past? Who can know? Now? It was a respectable, well-mannered family, albeit quite unlucky.

- I can see that you prepared well. - The warrior asked, smiling sadly.

-I always try to be prepared, - said Rechiza seriously.

- But the one time you lost your eyes, you weren't, - Dilayla said with a malicious smile and got up from the table. - Lead Arkan,, let's get it all over with."

The scholar Verthani bowed to her and clearly irritated Lashuntia and led her back to the hotel