Dark Hunter's resolution.
Chapter 9: Diplomatic showcase, old 'friends'.
19th September 2901
Ki'ristalis, municipal park plaza.
For security, the 'gala' as it was called, was held in a mainly closed off plaza, atop a large skyscraper, 200 metres above the streets below. It was in the open, but far enough from any sniper points, out of gunsight, and while it occurred, the UIP security would be wary for intruders, or any 'misbehaviour' from the NKI attendees.
The guests from the NKI included the crew from the Dawnbreaker, a few dozen total, its officers, [Sha'krii, Kirth, La'kias and Norstith included], and the organics and AI units aboard the Liberator battleship [Alex, Xale, Lexa, Azula, Se'rie, Ja'hail and Morthas]. Shockwave did not wish to attend, to research a private endeavour to aide the NKI. Raxler and Aru'san were different. To not push their diplomatic immunity too far, they both remained aboard the Liberator, but were ready to deploy. There were laws in the UIP against more complete AIs like them, and they had been constructed unlicensed, and unofficially tested.
Guests from the UIP included dignitaries and officials, with only a handful of reporters around the gala with exclusive clearance. There also included guests invited at the behest of some of the UIP dignitaries.
"So I take it Krith Lovisk, and her, ahem, 'business partner', are staying aboard the Dawnbreaker?" Asked Morthas to Kirth. The almost white Leg'hrul nodded, remarking aloud: "Naturally Mr. Krithos. We can't risk the latter appearing, and Ms. Lovisk was keen to get to work and reacquaint herself with her business partner."
It was wise not to mention Jarothes out loud, in case prying ears were alert.
"Pardon the intrusion, but I would recognize you anywhere Kirth." An unknown voice beckoned, prompting Morthas to slip back into the crowd, leisurely heading to the viewing balcony. Turning to the voice, Kirth found himself facing a relatively elderly human, decorated in what appeared to be service medals. Extending a hand in the human gesture of greeting, the man introduced himself:
"Admiral Heinan Meinheart." Kirth saw the hard look of mixed honour and disdain, and shook the hand, remarking aloud as he thought to himself: "Heinan Meinheart, the name is familiar. Battle of Eteri-6, wasn't it? You were leading the defensive fleet."
"Yes. August 2nd 2897, I was in charge of the defending fleet around the planet." The admiral responded. Kirth remembered all too well: "Yes, strategically important as a source of antimatter fuel for starship engines in the surrounding systems, if I recall. A long winded fight, but, steadily the outcome became as predicted."
"Your fleet cost me a third of my fleet around that planet, and we only just recaptured that system a month before the dreadnought attacks started. I came to say only this, that it is a relief that you are no longer fighting for the Alliance."
"To be fair, I had my fair share of challenges, and defeats, in many battles in the war before I began this revolutionary venture. It would not be war, rather violent progress, had there not been challenges like that." Admiral Meinheart saw Kirth's gaze flicker to the balcony to the far left, at the plaza's edge, where among a thin crowd of people, a certain human stood, staring out at the cityscape.
"Very well. It was a pleasure meeting you Kirth, and here's to hope that we don't find each other on opposite battlefronts again. My respect goes to you as a strategist, and as for you now being against the Alliance now." Nodding, Heinan Meinheart walked off, returning to what appeared to be a group of admirals conversing with themselves.
"It's so strange to be here. I have memories of living on this planet, but they're not mine."
"Relax Xale. No one recognizes you besides from the Varya operations or your NKI work. You are as untouchable as I am."
"Sure, I guess. You look great by the way." Commented Xale.
"And what's great today that isn't normally great all the time about me?" Asked Azula, playfully scowling at her boyfriend, who despite having a good 10 inches over her 5 foot 8 inches, couldn't stand as tall around her. He laughed a bit, commenting: "Not this game again."
Dressed a robe dress, stylized like red, black and gold rimmed fire nation formal robes, Azula leant her side against the railing, the drop onto the balcony below only one story. After that, over the next edge was a near 40 story drop, a medium fall by this planet's standards of building height. Azula's hair was braided in a messy tail, her way of making sure it stayed out of her face and still making it look formal enough, but easy to manage.
Opposite her, leaning on the same railing facing her, Xale was dressed in a dress suit, of a smart, black and gold trimmed set of trousers, shirt and jacket, the collar sticking up only slightly.
About to make another comment, Azula cut herself off, saying to Xale: "I'm not drinking here, so I know I saw someone from the Varya battles over in the crowds there." Following her finger, Xale saw at least one familiar face in that general direction.
"Well, if Alex meets him, at least things won't go to hell."
Sha'krii had finished talking to Zoran once more, the chief on intelligence as cold as ever. But something was off about him, different from yesterday. Her species could sense pheremone enough to detect strong emotions, and she could smell a strong pheromone scent from Zoran. Nervousness perhaps?
She did see a guest Zoran had invited casually walking through the party, headed for the balcony edge.
Standing on the balcony, Alex was flanked by Se'rie and Norstith each, the latter having joined him recently.
"2 years, 7 months. It's only been that short a time since I killed the President?" Alex mused aloud. Se'rie came up to him, laying a 3 fingered hand on his on the railing, while Norstith looked out over the city also.
Pointing to a distant, lighted area of the cityscape, about 6 kilometres away, but visible as a yellow-white, small area, Alex said: "That's the place it happened. Right in that square. After that, everything went wrong, and yet, I can't have gotten where I am today had I not done it."
Norstith saw the musing state Alex was in, and he said once more in his serious tone: "Alex, I am, sorry, for the things I made you do. Seeing what you had to flee from, it makes me remember."
"Uncle, he's alright with it. He knows the reason he followed you, because one of them is right on his other side now." At the last part, she rubbed her head against his cheek lovingly. Smiling, Alex admitted aloud: "I guess I'll always have at least one person to keep close."
"Something I should know here?"
The familiar voice made Alex whip around, and he saw, to his shock, Lanver Kones, standing there, a beaming smirk on his face as he walked over to them. Barking in laughter for a moment, Alex walked up to Lanver, gripping his hand hard in greeting:
"Lanver! How long has it been now!"
"Nearly 1 and a half years, and man have you been busy!" Lanver retorted.
Breaking from the greeting, Alex gestured for Norstith and Se'rie to come meet Lanver. Though in Norstith's case they had already met: "Hey, Norstith! Still relying on the metal feathers and all?"
"Unfortunately yes. There has not been sufficient time or resources to possibly transfer myself to an organic body. Of course, there are merits to this body."
Nodding, Lanver then saw Se'rie, asking as he scanned her from head to toe: "Oh, and who is this guy here?"
"I'm a girl you ass." Se'rie replied. Lanver simply laughed off his mistake, as Alex leant over: "You forgot the way to tell them apart? Bigger with bushy necks are males, smaller with smooth necks are females."
"Right, right, sorry about that. You're just the first female Leg'hrul I've seen out of armour. When the armour's on, you Leg'hrul all look somewhat alike."
"I guess we can't fault you there." Norstith said, his face blank. He disliked how mammalian races of the UIP distinguished genders by chest features so often, when both Alliance races differentiated in gender in different ways to torso protrusions, and assumed it would carry into other races. It seemed pretentious and anthropomorphic.
Regardless, Se'rie was pleased to meet one of Alex's oldest friends, though she too kept quiet about Jarothes and Lanver capturing him on false evidence. She then asked: "Any other friends with you here."
"Ah, yeah, about that. Alex, it's a good thing you got that self agreed restraining order from President Lakano. Someone sticking close to him isn't exactly on good terms with you, and she is quite frankly annoyed with you."
"Oh crap. Which of the three is it?" Asked Alex. He knew this would happen, he knew it. However, what Lanver said next was as bad as possible.
"All three are here, but two of them are on the lower level. They haven't seen you yet."
"Which of them is by their lonesome."
"Just look over at President Lakano." Lanver pointed. Alex looked over at the president, seeing a handful of soldiers, out of uniform for an attempted disguise, standing nearby. 2 Humans, 1 Na'vi, a Predator and a Klingon. Of all the possibilities, it had to be her.
"Why? Why did Quirinth have to be here?"
"She, Sru'sky and Trion came apparently at Zoran's invitation." Said Lanver. Scowling, Alex said to Se'rie with some regret: "Sorry, I need to talk to Zoran. I'll be back."
"Don't do anything stupid." She reminded him.
As Alex walked off, Lanver looked back and forth between them, asking: "Is there something I should know here?"
"No." Said Se'rie, curtly. Lanver's interest rose, and Norstith flashed a knowing smile, saying: "Alex and my niece here are, shall we say, involved with each other."
"Uncle!" Exclaimed Se'rie, her facial feathers bushing out in embarrassment, causing Norstith to chuckle a bit.
Lanver's eyebrows shot into his bushy hair, and he asked in shock: "Anything else I've missed?"
Quirinth looked around, feeling out of place, yet comforted that she was one of the few allowed a weapon here.
She had already scanned the crowds, seeing for sure that everyone from the NKI and UIP expected was here. She recognized the male and female clones and the pyro human girl from the Varya battles, and to her fear, and mixed anger, betrayal and regret, she saw Alex. The human she once called a friend, who was currently approaching some of the speaking UIP officials near one edge of the crowd, was one of the most high profile guests at the party.
Curiously, Quirinth had been ready for Alex to attack the President, as her rationale had determined he might. It was unusual for him to subtly gesture intelligence chief Zoran over to talk in private with him, an urgent look in his eyes. Then, in the briefest moment, they locked eyes.
Yellow and Red locked once more, for the first time in over 1 and a half years. And Quirinth kept her gaze, even as Alex's flashed with some repressed anger.
Breaking eye contact with Quirinth, Alex spoke to Zoran: "Why did you invite three people to this gathering who are commonly known to be my former friends, now enemies?"
"A test, to determine the plausibility of one of the more, doubted NKI members. If you can maintain an air of decency, and restrain yourself, then your cooperation can improve your reputation at least among the UIP." Zoran said.
"Even so, I don't like the fact that one of the people who tried to so brutally kill me is standing just 20 metres away from me." Alex said.
"One must capitalize on past mistakes and deeds. If you can prove that you have put aside your deepest personal grudge for the sake of the NKI, that will prove tremendous for you achieving at least personal peripheral support. Despite it being an Alliance race centred organization, you, and Shockwave, act as the faces of the UIP in the NKI." Zoran said, stressing his point.
As much as he hated it, Alex knew Zoran was right. At that moment, he began to head off towards the stairs, to the lower level, saying to Zoran: "I'm going to find Trion and Sru'sky. I want them to know I know they are here."
"Suit yourself. I believe I may head over to Sha'krii Herensk. She has been looking , curiously, at me all night."
As Alex reached the stairs, Norstith, Se'rie, and surprisingly, Ja'hail, was there. Alex asked: "Lanver walked off?"
"He had to speak with a Romulan Ambassador. Are you heading down to the lower level?" Norstith asked. Nodding, Alex led the way, commenting: "I saw Quirinth, and I know Trion and Sru'sky are down here."
"Sru'sky's your adoptive sister right?" Se'rie asked. Ja'hail muttered: "Family reunion? Good thing I'm dressed for the occasion."
"That, and the atmosphere's a bit more lively down here." Alex said.
Entering the lower level, the crowd was larger here, and there was music playing. The building penthouse that had been rented included not only the top floor balcony plaza, but a lower level five star restaurant and dance floor.
The lighting was fairly bright, the whole place done up in a bright, silver coloured walls and floor, while some tiles flashed different colours on the dance floor. The whole dance restaurant rather resembled a mix of a traditional five star restaurant and a wedding reception.
Grabbing a table, Norstith and Se'rie showcased a design flaw in UIP chair designs, at least this particular make. Alliance chairs had a back rest supported only on a central support, to avoid Leg'hrul tail feathers catching it as they stood up. Here, Se'rie and Norstith had to sit diagonally, to ensure their tail feathers stayed out of the way and comfortable, at least in Se'rie's case.
Sitting down, Ja'hail saw a caterer passing by, a male human with a pointed face and tanned skin. With Ja'hail's gesture, the caterer approached, seeming to only look at Alex:
"What can I get our esteemed guests tonight?" Seeing the caterer's focus on him, Alex said: "We'll just have 4 glasses of Pala'hail white please. Oh, and bring a bottle."
"Very good sir." Before the caterer could leave, Alex lightly grabbed his wrist, saying calmly: "Oh, and a note on respect. Actually look at the ones your serving, regardless of what race they are." Lightly tugging his wrist away, the caterer briskly departed.
Ja'hail laughed a bit at the light advisory 'threat', while Norstith simply looked around the restaurant, scanning the patrons silently. Se'rie looked at Alex questioningly, before she asked: "I know he was being rude, but we need to all behave here."
"You forget, this was my resident planet before I fully joined the KI. If you want them to do something properly, you have to reinforce the point."
Standing in the corner, himself being the tallest being in the room, Trion had already sighted the human, Kro'nogri and two Leg'hrul from across the dance floor. Having situated himself so he was in a booth in a viewing corner, Trion was patiently scanning the booth Alex occupied out of the corner of his optics.
Alongside him, Sru'sky's green eyes were trained no where else. Like Trion, she recognized two of them, including Alex himself, and none of other than Norstith. The Kro'nogri and smaller Leg'hrul were unknown. How it irked her that they were here as dignitaries, when she had a desire to knock out both of the ones she knew and lock them in prison forever.
But she knew better, especially after the media stories of these 'dark matter users', emphasized their abilities in combat. She knew all too well what some of dark matter's abilities were first hand.
The caterer that passed their table came nearer, and Sru'sky decided to try and at least open up a link to them. She looked up at Trion, saying simply: "He's not here to cause trouble, maybe now is a good a time as any to just talk to him about everything?"
A scowl on his facial plating, Trion agreed, saying just before the male human caterer passed by: "Watch him carefully."
The drinks arrived at the table, and with it a small card.
Passing the drinks around, Alex read the card: The table in the furthest corner. Come regardless of convenience.
Only his eyes looking around, Alex saw the furthest corner table, and lo and behold, Sru'sky and Trion were there, trying to steal glances at him.
Downing his white whine glass in a single gulp, Alex stood up, not before Se'rie grabbed his arm: "Wait! Where are you going?"
"Some former friends want to discuss some things with me." He spat, gesturing over at the table in the corner. Norstith saw this, and he said: "Your step sister I presume? And the mech."
"Step sister?" Asked Se'rie. She knew about his family life, and its 'troubles' of the past few years. But there was his adoptive sister, who undoubtedly harboured a grudge against him, and a large cybertronian mech. It was troubling to say the least. She firmly reminded him: "I said I'd be with you wherever you went here, remember?"
"That was before I knew those two and Quirinth were here!"
"Alex, you're not talking me out of this. I'm coming with you." Said Se'rie, standing beside him. Norstith stood up also, saying: "I should go as well. Perhaps I can clear up why I convinced you to join the KI. You're family troubles are my fault, in a way."
"You can go, I'm staying put. I'll keep an eye on you, but there's no sense wasting this wine." Commented Ja'hail, pouring himself a second glass. Nodding, Alex then figured: "Norstith. Since you say this is all your fault, after you."
"Fine, I shall go. But perhaps avoid visibly crossing the threshold, to draw less attention to ourselves as we go over when we do." Suggested Norstith.
"Like I said, you first." Finished Alex.
At that moment, Norstith vanished into thin air, invisibly walking over to the corner table. His disappearance had gone unnoticed.
"Good evening."
Norstith reappeared almost instantly, right in front of Trion and Sru'sky's table, greeting them as such. Sru'sky leapt, her heart nearly jumping out of her throat, while Trion recoiled in surprise. Unaffected by their reaction, Norstith said:
"I realize you invited my associate and former pupil, but I decided I needed to come over of my own volition."
"You are Norstith. You were the one Alex worked for, the one who gave him the orders to kill hundreds of lives." Said Sru'sky, the Leg'hrul's identity spurning a hidden aggression inside her. Raising his disguised metal wings in defence, Norstith said: "Please understand. I know that you view myself and Alex Hunter in a negative view, but you must believe me when I say this. You know of the ultimate reason for me controlling and ordering Alex as such, as part of the dark matter warrior project. But please, I would never have done the things I did to him, and made him do, under better circumstances."
"What possible reason do we have to go on for you turning our friend, Sru'sky's brother, against us?" Asked Trion, his blue optics narrowed. Norstith gestured over at the table, where Alex sat with the unknown Leg'hrul, a female as noticed now. He stated with a sad tone: "Imagine you had lost your sister and nephew on one side of your family, and you would do whatever it took to keep your last sibling and her family safe. The Alliance threatened the execution of my sister, her mate and children, should I not cooperate with their demands."
He then decided to use that truth as his advantage, and before he could make his next point, Sru'sky's face had visibly softened, and she muttered a bit: "I'm sorry for that. But you still changed him."
"If you pardon the bluntness, but in changing him I saved Alex's life. It was on that fated single mission he disappeared for two months after, and on his sentence in jail, it was either join the KI, working in secret, or be executed."
"And on the note of saving my family at the cost of his own life in the UIP, Alex agrees with my choice, especially after meeting them, and my niece."
Sru'sky and Trion glanced over, and sure enough, they saw Alex talking to the female Leg'hrul, sitting very close to her, his metallic hand covered by her wing talons, her hand lightly stroking his metal one.
"He is dating her?" Norstith grew suspicious over her tone, and said: "Since almost a year and a half now."
"Typical. He betrays and tries to destroy the UIP, then returns to save it. Now we find out he was chasing bird tail while he was off?" A new voice joined them, and they saw that Quirinth had come over, hearing everything. Whirling to meet her, Norstith saw Quirinth pressing into his face, though he himself did not back down as he stared down the shorter, stronger build female Predator. Her mouth mandibles flaring aggressively, she said: "Your whole family had been killed, this whole mess wouldn't be happening now, all because you placed your family before the UIP and those in the war."
"DO NOT SPEAK of my family like that! I know all about you Quirinth, and how you opted to succumb to your bloodlust on Iegris, leaving Alex to die instead of serving 'justice' and capturing him. Just like a Predator." Norstith was antagonizing her now, baiting her to pull a stunt that would make the Alliance races look better.
Sneering, Quirinth continued to argue, while she, Sru'sky and Trion were unaware that Alex and Se'rie had suddenly disappeared from view at their table, leaving Ja'ahil alone with the wine glasses and bottle.
"You're pathetic. And to think Alex apparently respects you, and followed you. He abandoned you though, that says something about your leadership and control. And now you're back together, oh how sweet. And now he's even chasing the tail of your niece? How pathetic he must be to go after a girl related in any way to you, especially if she's anywhere as cowardly and disgusting as you are. If I were her, I'd just go ahead and-"
"And what Quirinth? I'm very interested to hear what you think Se'rie should do regarding our relationship together." Slowly, Quirinth turned around, and sure enough, to the equal shock of Sru'sky and Trion, Alex was stood there, with the female Leg'hrul, presumably Se'rie, stood directly behind him, a deep look of hurt and anger on her face.
Stepping towards Quirinth, Alex barked in cruel laughter as she back stepped, almost hitting Norstith in her shock: "Now isn't this a change of heart? The Savage Huntress cowering in fear from me, when moments ago you were badmouthing me and my new allies. Well, let me clarify exactly what it is you just disrespected Quirinth. And don't worry, this won't be a repeat of the Mykris warehouse incident." The last sentence eared a cruel chuckle from Alex, and a look of horror from Sru'sky, while trion was stoic, and Quirinth was near openly scared.
"I've changed since we last met. I have a new appreciation for my life." He flexed his neck sideways, pulling down his shirt back, revealing the scarred and slightly deformed skin around the spinal length implants protruding slightly. He then scowled, saying: "You can insult me for what I've done in the past and for my flaws. But my allies in the NKI are where I draw the line. I have more respect for them than I will likely ever have for any of you anytime soon."
The last part he added with every drop of negative emotion he had, each syllable like a gun at Quirinth's heart: "And if I ever hear you badmouthing Se'rie again, or any of you bad mouthing her, there will be consequences. Besides, I'd assume you'd do the same for each other, Sru'sky? Trion? So you understand how serious I am when I say I won't tolerate anyone saying anything bad about her."
Letting it sink in, Alex smirked at their looks of surprise, fear, and in Se'rie's case, admiration. Before he turned to leave, Alex added: "Oh, and keep up the work on the war front, or whatever you call what you're doing. Say what you will, but I'm getting results, something your government can't seem to do around the dreadnought attacks. The NKI meanwhile, didn't we steal a dreadnought and destroy it?"
"I believe we did." Added Norstith, crediting the lie they fabricated over the dreadnought. Seeing their looks of surprise, or indignity and outright fear in Quirinth's case, Alex decided to give them a bit of mercy, not from him, but from something else.
Norstith then looked at Alex, saying: "Personal feelings aside though, perhaps there is something we could offer you as a token of cooperation between our factions. Concerning a 'development' with one of the dreadnoughts."
Realizing what Norstith meant, Alex put aside who exactly it was he was talking to, and brought up a data file, with a small holographic projection of Kal'sik: "This Kro'nogri here, he was the leader of the Varya operations, and has now gone overboard in his extreme plans for an Alliance victory. He has actually merged his mind with the AI core of one of the dreadnoughts out there now."
Sending the data to each of their data devices, Alex entrusted them with a special communications channel. Sru'sky asked suspiciously: "And what is this?"
Se'rie saw it, and answered honestly, not displaying the aggression Alex had previously shown: "Its codes for a secure communications channel to our outpost in the Solaris system. We've given information of this sort to the UIP intelligence chief and his secretaries. Contact with Alliance people is impossible, unless we try it ourselves with out networks. We can relay any information of value to you and the UIP intelligence."
"Including possible attack sites for Dreadnought raids." Added Alex. Norstith then urged them both: "We should head upstairs, I have a feeling we might be missed."
Nodding, Alex added: "You see, we're not all bad here. I've put aside my grudges and feelings concerning you three, well, mainly one, for now." He leered at Quirinth, whose mandibles flared aggressively. Finishing, Alex turned around and said: "I have bigger problems to worry about, as should you. There are things worse than my possible payback in this war, Kal'sik chief among them."
Surprisingly, Alex left his 3 former friends, actually happier than before he went to them.
Breaking from their looks at Alex, Quirinth looked over the data enough to confirm it wasn't fake. She had seen herself the communication codes given to Zoran, and these matched almost exactly, minus the code segment for each of their IDs.
"That went, well." Trion was at a loss for words. He had been half expecting a shouting match, or even an attack. Sru'sky was relieved, saying: "Maybe there is some hope for him yet."
"How can you say that? After what he did to me, or what he did to your father?" Asked Quirinth incredulously, her golden eyes seeking answers in Sru'sky's emerald eyes. The Na'vi replied: "Calm down Quirinth. I don't like him, my mother is unsure about him, but he just gave us a way to help the UIP there and now. Surely that is an improvement?"
Scowling, Quirinth said: "He tries anything he's-"
"Dead? I recommend you wouldn't attempt it, not after hearing what dark matter users are capable of." Trion said.
20th September 2901
The previous day's gala had gone smoothly, and now the Underworld guild would have offered intelligence on Dreadnought strikes and planned Alliance raids to the UIP, using comm buoys in the Solaris system and the surrounding star systems. Established in multiple systems, the buoy network would relay the information between the Alliance and UIP.
Now though, they were continuing a 'tour' of the UIP territory, before heading back to the Solaris cluster. Their guide would constantly remain aboard the Dawnbreaker.
Jarothes had collaborated with Krith, and with his information gathered on the contents of the transmitted messages and identities, it seemed the culprits were indeed high ranking intelligence officers, or people associated with UIP and Alliance arms companies. Some of the transmissions were over a decade old in fact.
Krith Lovisk's data was hidden away, on her last ambassadorial trip to the homeworlds. Namely, one specific homeworld. Their destination was set.
Sol system, Earth.
I told you Earth would come up, didn't I?
Anyway, reviews are appreciated, but not necessary, though feedback is nice once in a while.