Femur, Sternum and Pelvus with Xerxes and Pyrus accompanying them, appeared in a flash of light at the entrance to the Bonean palace, the sprawling organic structure stretching out in many directions and even disappearing underground in a few places beyond their view. Xerxes looked around curiously, standing up to his full height and unnerving some of the Bonean warriors standing guard or passing through on their patrol route, his appearance unexpected and size a bit concerning. Pyrus spotted Tibia's ship, Lobe, as it slowly lowered itself to the ground nearby, Femur and Sternum watching as the ship settled into its berth and Tibia promptly departed to greet them.
Xerxes relaxed and lowered himself down to his usual hunched-over position, long tail out behind him for balance. Pyrus chuckled after a bit, moving to gently nudge Femur who laughed.
"Naw, I don't think she's really interested in me." He snickered, Sternum smirking at him slightly.
"You didn't tell him you had been with her, did you? Liar." Sternum's grin widened when Femur frowned and his fins went flat, Pyrus chuckling lightly and shaking his head while Pelvus rolled his eyes and Xerxes smirked himself. Tibia made her way over to them, smile fading when another Bonean approached, clad in black and green robes and his fins appearing ragged and frayed at the edges. Xerxes wrinkled his nose, able to make out the smell permeating the air around the slender and almost emaciated appearing Bonean male, his gold eyes and crimson sclera seemed to dart amongst the group, slightly hesitating when he noticed Pyrus and the serpentine Xerxes. Xerxes' eyes were so eerily similar to those of the Firian Prince it almost made Phalange shudder as he put on his best face, ignoring Pelvus for a moment.
"Emperors, good it is to see you both well this day. I hope I may be able to borrow some of your time?" His sly mannerism and approach, with a half-hearted bow could not hope to fool Sternum, who crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at Phalange.
"If it has something to do with our new allies, it can be voiced with the current company. Machinist Tibia had informed me yesterday evening of your return to the surface, Justicar Phalange, though I thought you had learned from the last time Pelvus had seen you." Sternum's stern response and Femur furthering the glares directed at the Justicar from all four Boneans, Phalange visibly sweating at his temples and worriedly glancing to the two off-worlders with them.
"I simply wished to voice my concern that, even with the strange increase to the Lichen crops, we would likely need to ration food supplies with the increased number joining the alliance." Phalange floundered, Xerxes' smirk and glance to the Bonean Emperors met with a dangerous and predatory grin from Sternum made him arch his neck forward to meet Phalange's gaze evenly. Phalange used his malefic odour to deter any from getting close to him, Xerxes thankfully able to completely ignore it now as he enjoyed -Samateus would argue almost too much- putting arrogant people in their place, even those from other races.
"Trust me, Justicar, we would not impose on planet Bone's generosity toward the alliance, as we have been more than able to feed ourselves as spacefaring nomads. Instead, I have joined your Emperors in hopes I could perhaps help increase crop yields on the planet as well as provide the capital ships ways to produce Lichen themselves in smaller quantities." Xerxes' response definitely cowed Phalange, not to mention his size and lack of acknowledgement or concern regarding the Bonean's odour making the older conniving Justicar shudder lightly himself.
Xerxes narrowed his eyes as he gently pushed through Phalange's surface thoughts into his memories, and privately warned him that his injustices toward Ice and Fire are known to the alliance leaders, and that if he wished to remain free to move about, he should keep to himself. Phalange then offered a bow and excused himself from the group, Pelvus' pleased smirk and crossed arms as the Justicar then disappeared from view almost getting Tibia to laugh.
"Okay, he's never moved that fast. Not even when Father had raged at his plans falling apart. What did you say?" Sternum's grin destroyed the concern in his voice, Femur and Tibia snickering finally as Pyrus watched.
"Just warned him that his activities in the past were known to the alliance, and that he should keep to himself if he wishes to avoid being put in a cell. Looks like he's going to listen, though I think the fact I was able to tune out his odour bothered him more than my voice in his head." Pyrus, Femur and Tibia could not contain their laughter any longer, Sternum joining in after a moment when he realized just how absolutely flustered that must have made Phalange. Once they had managed to calm their boisterous laughter, Tibia leading their little party over to one section of the barracks, where a group of Carapace fighters were sitting powered down. Tibia chuckled lightly at Xerxes' curious head movements, the Ahr'aht giving a sheepish grin as she motioned him toward one of the fighters, gently tapping the outer surface of one of its wings where a panel soon popped open.
"This is the only access hatch to the inner workings of the wings and wing-engines, there's one on the other side mirroring it, and a larger one on the underside for the weapons bay, and the bomb carry arm. Engine access is under the pilot's seat." Tibia explained, Pyrus watching from nearby, more interested in watching Xerxes and his movements than really learning more about the Bonean craft, yet shook his head when Femur suggested they leave the group to have some fun. Femur and Pelvus shared a glance, the slender bonean shrugging lightly at his Emperor as he also had no idea why Pyrus would turn down an invitation to their games. Sternum made both jump lightly when he leaned over and mentioned that Pyrus was growing up, unlike the two, which earned him a slight hiss from Pelvus and a glare from Femur. Pyrus had heard the whole thing, smirk barely hidden as he watched Xerxes and Tibia from a few paces back.
"So the organics are laid and interlaced over the metal components? How do they know which connection is supposed to do what?" Xerxes asked, pinion feathers held close to his sides and curling tightly, almost appearing to wrap around each other with his curiosity as the tip of his tail, perhaps an arms-length of it, twitched back and forth almost hypnotically.
"Yep, like our buildings or larger freighters like Lobe, most of the interior skeleton is built ahead of time, nervous system -which is what connects to the control boards so meticulously that there can be no mistaking what each does, for the ship or the tech monitoring the build- after the outer hide and insulating layers, then inner layers, plumbing and circulatory are worked in with the engines. Furnishings and weaponry are added in manually, but are connected to the ship through gentle coaxing and surgical adherence. Thanks to the Icean nanites and their healing vector we've been able to streamline building more ships as they don't need extra healing time from upgrades." Tibia explained, Xerxes chuckling when the Carapace fighter cringed lightly under his touch, his larger and viciously taloned hands very different from those the ship had been accustomed to.
"An art of itself, you're almost more an Organic Artisan or Bioengineer, building such from the foundations of most life into one cohesive being. We've attempted similar, only a few problems coming from attempting to give more sentience to a new lifeform. I'd be happy to show you, perhaps we could collaborate something later?" Xerxes purred, moving away from the ship, smirk and playful grin making Tibia cackle.
"Nah, I like being head of a machinists guild, instead of a scientist. I don't look that great in a lab coat, not to mention it irritates my fins. More than these three." Tibia smirked, getting withering looks from Femur and Pelvus, Pyrus chuckling as Sternum simply shook his head. Xerxes' contentment radiated to the others briefly, the Ahr'aht expressing wordlessly he was satisfied with seeing the organic ships and learning how they were put together, new ideas already swirling in his thoughts for later projects.
"Well, I guess then all we can really show you here is the throne room, I'm pretty sure I had a stash of antidotes hidden in a cubby in there." Femur grinned, wiggling his eyebrows and making his fins rise and fall with the motion.
The group of Leaders walking into the Bonean palace and its surrounding military compound were completely unaware of the two shadows that had appeared suddenly inside the empty Throne room, their four crimson eyes surveying the room for hiding spots, both easily slithering along the living floor of the room, that blackened and withered where they touched it. Unaware of their trails and the affect they had on the living structures around them, the two four-limbed 'Sisters' slithered their way up and into tiny alcoves above the doorway into the Throne room, waiting for their targets to enter with barely held excitement. Lamprey watched through their eyes remotely, her essence in them allowing her the ability, though not without significant strain.
"They are inside and lying in wait." She said aloud, knowing Blokk and Voyd would hear her.
Good. Patience, they will land at least one blow, which will reverberate through their ranks and collapse this alliance. Focus on the Ahr'aht.*
Blaze returning to the Battle moon in a flash of light did nothing to help Flare's already foul mood, having been almost assaulted several times by Cousins and Uncles during his routine laps with his training group from their ire and distrust at the interference of the new allies to the alliance as a whole. Blaze instantly picked up on his son's unease and concern, moving to gently rest a hand on his shoulder, watching the group of trainees sparring amongst themselves in the Throne room. Thankfully the whispers had not returned from inside the Vault, and the trainees had all but forgotten their attempt at entering it the day before, more concerned with their training now that their friends and families had started to show improvement in their health and moods since the feathered outsiders had brought their tree-like device and let the tiny insectoid lights find places to add their own contribution to the lighting inside the Moon.
"Hest started a war of his own because of Xerxes' interference. He has it in his head that Pyrus is being controlled... I wanted to slap him myself, and his mate hasn't been seen since this morning." Flare glanced to his father, standing stiffly and arms crossed over his chest. Blaze narrowed his eyes, knowing exactly what Flare's comment alluded to.
"What Hest does to his mate is outside our control unless it is witnessed, you know this. As much as I would like to make a full inquiry, or even audit myself, our customs make this impossible... Even despite what Magmus had tried to change. I hate it just as much as you do Son, that a husband could threaten or harm his mate physically is abominable." Blaze grit his teeth lightly as he spoke, ear spines rattling lightly at the ire raised at knowing that lady Hest had likely been beaten by her husband for speaking out earlier in front of their Prince and peers. Flare nodded, his own slightly underdeveloped ear spines flat to either side of his head as he sighed, turning more to his Father.
"What of our Prince, has he gone off to converse with the others more?" Flare quickly changed the subject to help them both calm.
"Yes, there was a Beast attack on Planet Rock, Samateus thwarted it and was injured saving a small child and her family. We were treated just prior to that to a meal in Samateus' home, and Xerxes asked to see Bone for himself, Pyrus went with them." Blaze explained simply, to avoid worrying his son. Flare was no fool, and could tell something bothered the General a great deal. Flare waited for a moment, instructing his class to change sparring partners, waiting for them to begin again to speak.
"Xerxes seems to know so much more than he and you are letting on. Who is he, really?" Flare's acknowledgement that Blaze had been giving off slight tells to his unease made the elder Firian narrow his eyes but give a smirk.
"I cannot tell you. Our Emperor ordered me to silence about it until Pyrus' Ascension." Blaze lowered his voice and leaned closer to his son as he spoke, to ensure none of the trainees could overhear. Flare's eyes widened and he turned fully to his father then, concerned and shocked. "On threat of Treason, I cannot speak his Firian name."
"I... Father you never keep secrets from me, not after..." Flare stopped speaking, the pain in Blaze's eyes and his turning away hurt him almost as much as just speaking about the promise they had made to Flare's mother before her death. Blaze grit his teeth and took in a deep breath to steady himself, sighing after a moment.
"That Secret is one I could not even tell her, so please son, do not further this. It's only a few more months, then, I will tell you both." Flare narrowed his eyes at his fathers words, a vicious scowl on his face but nodded and went silent.
Jade and Graveheart watched on as Sairyllia tended to several of the injured Rockians, lastly tending to the three year old Samateus had earlier saved with her family. The little girl sat clutching a small doll to her chest with her right hand, her mother and two elder siblings nearby and unable to get her to speak at all. Jade saw a bit of herself in the little girl, Graveheart seeing the almost longing in his Empress' eyes made him gently nudge her.
"Go on, talk to her. She hasn't said a word to anyone since the collapse, maybe you can get her to come back out of her shell." Graveheart chuckled lightly, Jade glaring at him.
"You think so, do you? Pushy as always. Now if only you'd take your own advice and push for something you want." Jade admonished, grinning at how absolutely flustered she left him as she moved to crouch before the little girl as Sairyllia tended her left hand, her fingernails turning black from being crushed under Samateus' wing the only sign she had been hurt at all earlier. Sairyllia held a small device over the girl's hand, keeping it in place with her other to make certain the child would not move, and to help distract the little one. Her eyes lit up when Jade approached, a smile responding to Jades as the Empress crouched down beside Sairyllia.
"You have more stones than most of these big Quarriors, not a squawk compared to their complaints at being treated. Proves us girls are stronger than they take us for, yeah?" Jade smiled, Sairyllia offering one of her own. The little girl simply nodded, glancing at her hand and watching with morbid curiosity as beams of light from Sairyllia's device seemed to zap away the blood pooling under her fingernails and allowing them to heal and return to their natural green stone colour.
"You're much braver too, most of them were very squirmy under my touch." Sairyllia offered, trying to help Jade get the little girl to open up again. The girl's mother watched on sadly, the two older siblings having cried themselves into an uncomfortable silence after learning their Father had died in the attack while trying to protect them.
"Daddy said I'm tougher than he was at my age... I go chasing after big brother and his friends and climb all the same cliffs he does, but..." The little girl trailed off, tears visible only slightly as they welled up in her eyes as she realised that her Father would never be coming back. Jade moved to sit next to the little girl on the infirmary cot and gently curled an arm around her shoulders, making sure not to nudge her left arm to avoid Sairyllia glaring at her.
"Remember him for the good times, forget the bad. You have to be the one to look out for your brothers for him now, right?" Jade's distraction paid off, the little girls' brows knitting together in a slight frown, her nod making Jade smile lightly. "Don't be sad he's gone, instead, do what you can to fill his shoes. He'd be very proud of you doing so, and I know I'll be looking out for the next female Quarrior to make General?" Jade gently tapped the girl's nose, getting a giggle out of her, the mother smiling from her seat nearby. The enthusiastic nod and slight wriggle in her seat, which Sairyllia waited out in order to finish her work on checking the little girl over, putting away the device used to remove the blood under the little one's fingernails and ensure the bones were also undamaged after being crushed slightly, and moving to tend the one lightly scraped knee with a spray that foamed and bubbled while it cleaned the wound. Normally it would have stung quite a bit, the bubbling from a reaction to kill any bacteria, however the little girl only winced lightly, but did not otherwise show discomfort at the foaming solution.
"Do you think I could be Empress one day?" Jade chuckled heartily at the question from the three year old.
"I welcome your challenge, once you've made sure your Mum and siblings are taken care of." Jade smirked, the grin from the little girl and her mother showing that they would be able to recover, and Jade's nod to the mother of the little family to the unspoken question that she would ensure they would be looked after, made Graveheart's concerns for the future melt away. Jade had once been severely skeptical she could take leadership of her homeworld, that she had been chosen and approved by the Foundation of the Soul did nothing to change her mind, and not even he could get her to settle into her role fully. Though, he supposed that Jade remained the military commander she had fought so hard to become as that is what leading the Rockian people needed of her.
Gravehearts own avoidance of taking on leadership roles himself had not clued her in to his intent to propose to her, in order to help her with the politics and inside the alliance. Xerxes' addressing of his concerns the day before, his support and understanding and the revelation of his offering help to the entire alliance leadership as a whole almost had him proposing then and there. Instead, he took a step back, and the events here made him realise that he had loved Jade from the day they met and wanted to start a family soon, though was uncertain if he should voice it now, in private, or at the next gathering. Jade bidding the little girl farewell as Sairyllia rose after making certain the rest of the family was also unharmed other than a few bruises, brought him out of his thoughts, his smile returning as the two females padded over.
"I have other patients to take care of, but everyone here will make a full recovery. I'm surprised you're not in medicine yourself, Your bedside manner puts me to shame." Sairyllia chuckled at Jade who scoffed.
"Nah, I'm all action, not really built to sit behind a desk or be stuck in a lab. Thank you, for your help here. Is Sam going to be okay?" Jade asked, Sairyllia shrugging lightly.
"Simple breaks like that heal fairly well with the nanite technology built into the isopod units, she's asleep right now on the ship." Sairyllia pointed to the Ahr'aht ship hovering above them. "Xerxes went off with the Boneans and Pyrus to Bone, Blaze back to the Battle Moon and Tekla is being reintroduced to her kin. Oh, here." Sairyllia then stretched out a wing, opened a pouch hidden under her feathers attached to a strap around her wing wrist and withdrew two small blue-green stones. "Sam and Xerxes forgot to give you some from her, so for now keep these on you." She gave them each one, smiling as she bowed lightly to them.
"Thank you, again, for helping us so quickly." Graveheart offered, gently running his thumb over the stone before slipping it into the same pocket he kept a small ring-box.