Starpath: Scoundrels of the Interstellar Highway - Thread 2 - Games

Taylor nodded. "He was a great crewmember, and a wonderful friend." she said, looking down towards the floor. At least he went peacefully. Well, as peaceful as one could be after the fight he had. Valkyrie remained quiet, simply studying the two of them. Really all Valkyrie was pondering was where they were going.

The bus glided smoothly down the roadway into the massive merchant terminal. The seats within faced the inner walkway, with plenty of leg room between them- a show of luxury despite the planet's less-than-modern technology. Everything, from the free landing pad service to the complimentary hotel rooms for trade convention attendees, was an elaborate, state-sponsored program to attract alien industries to the Foxglove Region. It was difficult, however; being sandwiched between the resurgent Sanghvi Mantle and the unknown terrors of the northwestern quadrants made progress of any type difficult, and with nearby Seloveha locked in civil war and Paradora having become a frightening "nowhere planet" where property values had sunken to Duroman depths over the preceding two decades, Roki-Kohn stood as the region's only planet of significant value to outside observers, and only marginally so. For Terika-Belladonna, however, Roki-Kohn was the perfect opportunity. Here, they could find decent engineers competent enough to build their weapons for the masses, and pay them cheaply through abundant "labor-lending" programs intended to bring interstellar expertise back into the local economy at the arrangement's conclusion. Mercenary factions and individual agents dotted every major street corner, looking for jobs in the periphery of the Renegade Quadrant. And finally, INTERGALACTICA maintained a presence here, allowing the company heads to fulfill their offer to the news agency for an interview, and perhaps counter the negative press surrounding the company. Nir lit and puffed on a cigarette as they sat in indifferent silence. The driver spoke up: "Excuse me, miss," he said. Nir looked up in annoyance, ready for another alien to tell her to quit smoking. Instead, the driver informed her of the ash trays hidden in the armrests of the seats. "Ah, good to know," she replied. "I'll smoke twice as much now." Arkadam rubbed his finger against the shoddy workmanship of his prosthetic jaw. He hadn't had it in his "dream" when he visited with Starvis. Yanim certainly didn't like seeing him this way, and for the first time since Rigel, he cared enough to want to do something about it. It would be a while before his plan would be put into motion regarding the Archive, and so he had plenty of time to seek out help. He just wasn't going to find it here, in such a lacking region of space. Bored, he remained silent until they reached the terminal and Nir and Mattheus had departed for their tasks. "So what [I]is[/I] the future of this company?" he asked Neasha and Constantine as soon as the others were gone. The two leaders glanced at each other knowingly.

[QUOTE]"He was a great crewmember, and a wonderful friend."[/QUOTE] Taur let out a stressed sign, "Thank you, Captain Taylor. You served him well." He said as he begin to walk to the center of the elevator . "Still, I would wish for you to return me the implant...And of the Eternal Order...I would wish that you bring me the-" Taur interrupting himself with a sudden pause. "The corpse first, I want to have someone see it first before you relinquish it the Eternal Order. One of their own on this damned station and currently waiting for us." Taur said to Taylor before glancing at Valkyrie. "And don't worry...This isn't some trap, I'm too old for that now...I might not even live to see of this century with all of my augmentations and gadgets..No, the days of my Ever-flowing Saber's 'techno warlock' are far gone now...." Taur said with a dry, tired tone to his words.

Taylor eyed Taur for a moment. He wants to see the body too...guess it's fine. They served together, and he's getting the implant anyway so it probably wouldn't hurt to let whomever it is he has to take a gander at Jag's body. "Techno Warlock, eh?" asked Valkyrie, straightening up a little. Some kind of wizard with tech. She had heard a little about some kind of 'techno warlock' when she was really young. Her parents had been talking about it at one point.

[QUOTE]"Techno Warlock, eh?"[/QUOTE] "Yes...That was what they called me back in the day...Well. still in some places." Taur answered Valkyrie. "For this old one could once, back in the days of the Ever-flowing Saber, get any old scrap bucket to jumpspace and that's just the beginning of it." Taur continued. "I could bring people thrown out of the airlock and into active engine back on metal feet. I was able turn an Sol cruiser that was torn in half into two functioning corvettes once in under a week, but those are just memories now..." Taur said remorsefully, staring at the floor before lifting his glaze back onto Valkyrie, squinting at her face for a moment. "Do you...Miss Valkyrie, have any relation to a ...What was..Ah..A Human Man named Mister Elyas Blackwell?" Taur politely asked Valkyrie.

[QUOTE]"Do you...Miss Valkyrie, have any relation to a ...What was..Ah..A Human Man named Mister Elyas Blackwell?" Taur politely asked Valkyrie.[/QUOTE] Valkyrie eyes widened a bit. "Yeah. Elyas Blackwell was my father. My mother was Cecilia." she responded, straightening up completely and facing Taur. "I'm Valencia Blackwell, but usually just go by Valkyrie."

[QUOTE]"I'm Valencia Blackwell, but usually just go by Valkyrie."[/QUOTE] Taur's face was overcome with a great sense surprise before his a large smile formed on his face. "Unbelievable.." Taur simply muttered, "After so long...I thought that you we're gone forever..." "I-I should explain myself...So it all began many years ago...So many loss faces..But, no I remember Elyas Blackwell's...For he was the first human had fully talked to and had a long, reasonable conversation about some complex machinery...But, the exact topic is, well...I don't too much but however, we began developing plans with one another...Trading secrets that we could find out scavenged stars cruisers....Yes, yes, I remember it all now...We, while working with our respective...Employers, had begun working on a jump-drive of our design, something with capabilities comparable to that of...The then experimental Odyssey-Poseidon series voiddrive but small to fit into that of a corvette...Something that the Elysians still can't figure out..We work on it side by side together for many, many years...But with his untimely passing, I was unable to produce nothing more than a prototype..." Taur explained as the elevator began slow to down.

Valkyrie raised her eyebrows. She remembered that her father was working on something with someone, but simply said that it was a new type of jump drive. Her mother thought it was kinda stupid, but left him to his work. She never got to see the work, but she assumed Sol had taken or destroyed it after they killed him and her mother. "You have a prototype?...Do you mind if I take a look at it?" she asked. She had to see it. Maybe she could continue his work with Taur. Finish it and bring it out of the prototype stage. Maybe she could use it on the Guillotine. Taylor looked between the two of them as they spoke. Valkyrie seemed absolutely excited about this prototype drive. But she decided to not get involved as the elevator slowed down even more.

[QUOTE]"You have a prototype?...Do you mind if I take a look at it?"[/QUOTE] "I would be most...delighted." Taur said as the elevator had slowed down to a complete halt. "Ahh..We're here.." Taur step as he walked up to this floor's console, putting a complex sequence into robust machine. The doors then begun to creep opened, revealing a entire hanger bay that has been converted into massive workshop with dozens of savaged vehicles, mechs and small star-vessels belonging to many of the major interstellar powers could be found here, nearly littering the place in quantity. With stacks of cables and odd components spread about all over the shop's floor. A gold mine of abandon prototypes, scavenged rarities and impressive looking creations of Taur's own designs could be found here while a grand array of both traditional and exotic tools were to be found elsewhere however, the most monumental was that of the Ever-flowing Saber. "Well...There it is..." Taur pointed out to Valkyrie while stood in half striped state. "The star vessel known for getting into inner Sol space without any detection....The star vessel that was able to outrun the notorious Vaker Blood-screamers...The star vessel known for evading the Black Fleet's wrath...And not getting a single hit on the Saber." Taur said to Valkyrie as they both slowly walked towards the non-functional corvette. [I]"Your father's legacy..."[/I]

[QUOTE][I]"Your father's legacy..."[/I][/QUOTE] Valkyrie gazed up at the vessel in awe, walking towards it. Taylor, meanwhile, was looking around at the collection. Some of these things were ancient, and some were a bit newer. Still, it was a vast collection. Most of the prototypes that she saw, the other galactic factions would kill for. Taur was almost like a pirate da Vinci from the looks of it, and Valkyrie's father had helped him build an advanced engine that was well before its time. And apparently had put it to good use, judging from the corvette sitting before them.

While Valkyrie stood with Taur, staring at the impressive vessel that was built by former's father and latter's equal. Taylor meanwhile, noticed two oddly shaped individuals walking in sync with one another as they approached them from the shadows. Their bodies were soon revealed to be entirely solid, yet highly reflective the bright artificial lighting shined onto them. Their limbs being long, segmented tentacles that moved swiftly around one another as the pair walked towards the Taylor. "Captain," "Taylor." One said and the other finished in the same clear, feminine voice. The first individual's shell was toned in dark blue while the other in a dark yellow. Their carapaces's surface appeared to be smooth and curved. Their shell's we're also covered in ornate robes in colors inverted to that of their shells with the marking of various faction insignia marked with a number of dashes though them. Their movement was soft and elegant.

Taylor watched the pair as the approached, raising an eyebrow. Their manner of speech was rather odd, finishing each others sentences. A bit spooky, but interesting. She waited till they were near, then replied. "Yes, I'm Captain Taylor Caine. And you two are...?" she asked, tilting her head as she studied their appearances. They were clearly Sanghvi. Eternal Order, maybe? Or another group. Probably the ones that Taur wished to see Jag's body first.

[QUOTE]"Yes, I'm Captain Taylor Caine. And you two are...?"[/QUOTE] "Our presence is merely just one," "Divided in this realm", "To both this one," "And to this one."[b] "Our presence is whole in the void."[/b] The two continuing each-others words till they reached the last sentence which the pair both spoke in perfect unison. "But to you..." "Soft-Carbons?" "These vessels bare their respective..." "Titles? Yes, names, labels, aliases..." "This one is, Cerulean." "And this one, Saffron." The blue one starting first with the yellow finishing. While their shells appear quite strange, the most bizarre feature about these two seem to be that of their voices. For their heads lack any notable implants that the all known Sanghvi seem to process...Their voices sounding completely real and not artificial in any shape. A odd feeling of tiredness begins to creep over Taylor the more this pairs speaks.

Something was definitely up. She suddenly felt a bit more tired with every word spoken by the pair. And how were they even talking in the first place? Was it telepathic? It might explain the strain it was putting on her to understand them. She decided not to press them with too many questions, though, lest she fall sleep here in this pirate den. Especially with that crew of slavers down below. "I assume you're the...uhm...one that Taur wished to see Jag Perditus' body?" - - - - - - "When I was growing up, my dad taught me most of what he knew about engines. By the time I was thirteen, I could build a standard starship engine from scratch in no time at all. A basic jump drive would take me a few days, but I could slap together one of those too. Vehicle and mech engines were piss easy...I guess he was getting me ready to work on something like this..." said Valkyrie, as she looked up at the corvette. She glanced to Taur. "Meanwhile, mom was teaching me how to stay alive. How to use weapons, how to fight...more of her rubbed off on me than dad, I guess." Valkyrie glanced back to where Taylor was, and noticed the pair of strange Sanghvi that had approached her. Probably the ones that Taur wanted to look at Jag. Rather interesting looks, but eh. She was more focused on her father's last project.

Nir separated from Mattheus almost immediately after the two disembarked from the bus. While the chief engineer walked off toward the labor exchange, Nir got herself to an elevator and descended to ground level. Once outside the building, she paused and surveyed the street. [I]The bosses don't just want anyone, all those men upstairs are just looking for a quick credit...[/I] She lit another cigarette. She was burning through a lot of them lately, but it was a cheap habit since she didn't care about the brand or quality, and there were plenty of planets growing cheap tobacco these days. Humans could be pretty devilish, it turned out; even after nearly eradicating smoking from their homeworld for its ill health effects, some of their entrepreneurial geniuses thought it was high time to hook most of the galaxy on the stuff. She was still standing there. The weather was pleasant, and after so much time flying through space on that carrier, dealing with that plastic-smelling air and artificial lighting, it felt good to be under a natural sun again, even if it was a little warm for her preference. When she finished her smoke, she pulled out a tablet and mapped out where the permanent mercenary offices were before excluding them from her search. Instead, she singled out bars, cheap hotels, guns and military surplus stores, all places where she was likely to encounter travelers who might work in the military trade. She also opened up the company dropbox and downloaded all of the completed applications they had received in the last 48 hours. There turned out to be only four on Roki Kohn, but it was a start. She resisted the urge to light another cig, and instead planned her route so that she would start and end at a bar. The interviewees were told to meet at the closest bar to the port about four hours from then, allowing herself enough time to make the rounds as she set off into the city. --- Around four hours later, just before the deadline for the interview, a sketchy looking human man with long, greasy hair and sunglasses trudged into the bar, a fairly clean and impersonal establishment mainly aimed at commuters heading in and out of the port city. Slung over his shoulder was an impressive-looking miniature rail gun, and his long, dirty coat was decorated with small trinkets from dozens of different planets he had apparently been to throughout his life. He was clearly a gun for hire, and had spent some time in the northwest, given his unsavory aura. As he scanned the room, a roki bartender approached the corner of the counter top closest to the entrance and greeted him. "Evenin' sir, can I get you something? ...Or someone?" "Nah, I see 'em," the human grunted in exchange. "Send me a couple of beers to that table-" he said, pointing at a table at the far end of the room where Nir and a few others were sitting. "Friends of yours?" the bartender asked. The mercenary smiled. "Could be. You ever get recruiters in here from 'Terika-Belladonna?'" While the bartender shook his head, a malmarian sitting at the bar perked up.

Abraxas easily took a sip of his beer, closing his eyes underneath his mask. But just when he overheard one of the people in this bar he heard the word 'Terika-Belladonna'. He almost thought he would never hear the company again beside his own ears. He slowly turned to the voice, observing what's going down.

Abraxas watched the mercenary stride across the room and hold an outstretched hand to Nir, who shook it briskly before motioning at the man to sit down. Although it might have been difficult for a human in a similar position, Abraxas had no trouble understanding the conversation taking place. "...I see you brought along your weapon," Nir commented, dully, "just in case some part of this interview calls on you to vaporize the establishment." "You must be Ms. Ogona. It's good to meet you, the name's Ferdynand Sieger, but most people call me Hornet. I've been in the business for a while, and, heh, I don't think you'll find a better-" "'The business' doesn't mean much, Mr. Sieger," Nir interrupted. "Your business is a lot different from ours. You go out, you do your thing in the Renegade Quadrant, and you come back here like nothing happened. Have you ever been in trouble with the law, Mr. Hornet?" "It's... just Hornet, no 'mister,' he replied, annoyed. "And no, I've got a clean criminal background, 'cause most of the stuff I do is out where there isn't any law." "Uh-huh," Nir replied. "And would you, as a requirement of your employment with us, consider becoming a wanted outlaw in several dozen star systems in the remaining three quadrants? For the duration of your employment, I mean, and possibly your entire life... which might be the same thing. Just curious." Sieger stared for a moment, waiting for Nir or one of the other mercenaries at the table to admit that she was joking. When no indication came, he stood up from the table. "Thank you for your time," he said, frowning, before walking out of the bar. A moment later, a waitress delivered a cluster of beers in tall glasses. "What a lad," one of the other mercenaries remarked as he watched the man called Hornet walk out of the bar in embarrassment. "At least he got us another round." "That makes 5 of 8," Nir said with a wistful sigh. "Not a bad start. But I'll have to do this again, next place we go, and again after that." She picked up her beer and took a long, gulping chug. "Not a bad job. Just wish I had something to shoot at in between bars." Yet another hired gun, a Namur male, spoke up in a rough voice. "So who do we have now? We've got a handful of shooters, but we need skills guys- hackers and shit." "Yeah," the human who spoke before Nir added, "and we need a medic. I know a guy, but last I saw him, he was headed to Vashkom. I think the kanads might've got him." Nir stood up. "Not a very smart doctor if he went into goblin territory." "Oh I didn't say he was a doctor, I just meant he knew some things. Might've been good for patching us up and, uh, medicating..." Nir chuckled after downing the last of her beer and wiping her mouth on her sleeve. "So, not a doctor, and yet the best kind of doctor. Come on, let's get moving, you all should meet the leadership." The three men and two women accompanying Nir all stood, gathering their things and readying themselves to leave.

Abraxas stood up, raising a hand in front of their backs. "Excuse me." He raised his voice for them to hear through his respirator. With no other words to continue he straightened his posture. "I'm a Physician."

"Oh, issat so?" a slightly drunk female tetrian slurred, almost mockingly. "You think you got what it takes to keep up with us?" Nir held out her hand to tell the group not to move and to quiet down. "Have you heard of our company?" she asked.

Abraxas stepped forward, nodding. "Yes, I worked with the Terika-Belladonna Company a month ago. Me and the company parted ways on Voyak. I have a few records to prove that along with a credit transaction."

[QUOTE]"I assume you're the...uhm...one that Taur wished to see Jag Perditus' body?"[/QUOTE]The mysterious pair move in closer towards Taylor, their swift movement becoming quicker and move sudden as they both stood up close to Taylor at both her right and her left. [b]"Yes....We do."[/b] The two replied simultaneously, their voice sounding deeper as the two loomed over Taylor. - - - - - - [QUOTE]"Meanwhile, mom was teaching me how to stay alive. How to use weapons, how to fight...more of her rubbed off on me than dad, I guess."[/QUOTE] Taur nodded, a grin coming over his battered face as he looked back at Valkyire. "Well...Young Blackwell...I don't known it comforts you....but both of your parents...They we're good people..." Taur said to Valkyrie. "For your father was the one of the few...Humans that I have come across in my long, extended life that had a good gasp on the Poseidon equation...And how to use it in practical applications...This, along with his sliver tongue had earned him a good deal of respect from those within the renegade quadrant...Enough to where my...Your former comrade, Perditus...Gave him and me the opportunity to test it." Taur said while walking closer towards the corvette. Looking over at the damaged vessel. However, Taur's face quickly soured as he turned to see that his....Acquaintances, had returned. "But it would seemed that we...Have..Guests to content with at the current moment." Taur said with in bitter tone towards the two, bringing their attention towards him.

Taylor looked up between the pair, a bit surprised by their speed and the sudden deepness of their voice in response to her question. They seem [I][B]really[/B][/I] eager to see his body. She looked over to Taur and Valkyrie as Taur spoke loud enough to draw the pair's attention. Valkyrie chuckled at the look on Taylor's face. "Did they spook ya?" she asked, grinning. Taylor gave her a look in response.

The two turned their glaze towards that Tuar, lowering their heads as they stared down the old Kercan. "Venerable one..." "We are merely," "Introducing ourselves," "To these wonderful ones." The two replied in usual matter to Tuar before they swiftly darted towards Valkyrie. Surrounding her as Cerulean suddenly dashed towards her, instantly standing straight in front of Valkyrie. While the other, Saffron, had quietly creep up to Valkyrie's backside. "Ahh." Cerulean muttered as the towering crystal-like figure loomed over Valkyrie, studying her for a second. "Valencia of the Blackwells..." Saffron spoke softly to Valkyrie. The twin's voices we're only audible to Valkyrie's ears. "We can see a great many things in your future...." Cerulean quietly said as the Sanghvi begin to drift towards to the left, "For our eyes can see many possible paths that you may tread on," Saffron stated as it moved towards her right in a counter rotation to it's sibling. The two slowly rotated around the startled Valkyrie, their movements delicate and their voices soft. "One of Fame," "One of Spoils," "One of Loss," "One of Love," One of Betrayal," "One of Victory," The pair exchanged to Valkyrie, their words getting gradually getting deeper and faster with sentence till they had finished their movements around Valkyrie, standing at each-other's side as they assembled at Valkyrie's front. Their united stare was locked onto that of Valkyrie's bewildered eyes. "But all of these paths.." Saffron started, with Cerulean continuing, "End with a singular, untimely affair..." [I]"Enough!"[/I] Taur shouted, his statement reinforced with a smashing of his crane down into the hanger's metal floor. The force being enough to leave a rather large dent in the hardened steel. The pair's interest in Valkyrie soon faded, leaving her baffled as the two nimbly moved towards the elevator's entrance. With Cerulean staring at Taylor and likewise with Saffron and Valkyrie. The elevator soon open to reveal a small team of heavily armed Vakers and Slaug flanking the pair, each looking to be a veteran of a dozen conflicts with the scars and equipment to back up that observation. An Vaker clad in bright crimson armor in a long cloak covered in marking similar to that of both Cerulean and Saffron, it walked up towards between two. Towering the rest of the guard and even over that of the Sanghvi. It's glaze was initially focused on Taur before turning to speak something in it's inaudible tongue to the pair, the two Sanghvi simply nodded and the imposing Vaker was seemly dismissed with a nod from both of the pair. "It seems that more pressing matters," "have draw our attention elsewhere." "A shame, really.." "Atlas, it is rightful for one to maintain their oaths.." The Twins started in their matter, their tone baring a rising feeling of distress in words as they continued. "But let us remind you that a offer is on the table.." "That you allow us to....." "See it," "For one last time..." "To properly identify it," "For closure.." Their words revealing a sense of sorrow and at the end, anxiousness. "Then you may maintain your oath to relinquish it Eternal Order..." "After we're done, of course." The pair said to them, the Crimson Vaker walking in closer towards the pair. Again, the Crimson Vaker spoke to the two Sanghvi. Though this time, it's voice sounded more hasten and deeper. And again, the pair gave it synced nod after staring blankly at it for a few moments. And soon, it walked back away from the crowd to the center of the elevator. The pair quickly turned back to both Taylor and Valkyrie. "That is all we ask of you." "Taylor of Caine," "Valencia of Blackwell," "We are prepared to offer a great sum in exchange.." "But the dealings will be continued later," "When you have the package with you." "Again, Thank you for time service alongside our...." "Comrade." "Taylor of Caine," "Valencia of Blackwell," "For we must bid you adieu..." "For now." The two left with the rest of the Vakers and Slaug, leaving a tired to Taur to rest by siting on a old supply crate. Letting out a heavy sign as he muttered some words to himself before looking back at Valkyrie with a concern look on his face. "Sorry...You had to see that...Valkyrie.." Taur said to Valkyrie in a fatigued voice. "T-Those...Those girls just....Just don't know a-any matters...Do you still wish..To talk your father's...Work?"

Both Valkyrie and Taylor watched the pair of Sanghvi depart with the Vaker and Slaug, before Valkyrie looked back to Taur. "...Yeah. Yeah, I still want to talk about it." she responded, before cutting one last glance to the elevator that Cerulean and Saffron had disappeared into. They could see the future? Fame, spoils, loss, love, betrayal, victory...and all end in one singular event. She knew what the event had to be. Death. Death is the finish line for quite a lot of things. Death prevented her father from perfecting the drive. This didn't mean she was gonna shy away from it. She had already died once. She wasn't scared of it. That fear went with the RPG detonation back on Voyak. She was going to enjoy things while she was still kicking. She turned to face Taur and smiled. Taylor also looked to Taur as well. "I can bring Jag's body up while you two talk. I figure I should go ahead and give you this before I go get it." She stepped over to where Taur was sitting, dug in her pocket, and produced Jag's implant. She held it out for Taur to take.

"Keep up with us?" Nir repeated to the tetrian mercenary before turning back to Abraxas. "Apparently, he [i]is[/i] one of us. Now listen, you. From what I've been told, things got bad for the company after Voyak; you made a good decision to leave when you did. But my job is to recruit new hires who will stay in the position we hire them into. Can you promise me that if I drag you back to the Aurikha, that you'll stay with us for [I]at least[/I] six months?" Nir wasn't joking. A full year working in special operations mercenary work was an eternity, considering what had gone on for the crew of the Muramasa in only about a month.

Abrax placed a firm hand to his chest, where his heart would be. "Of course. I'll do my best as a doctor that I'll stay within the company for as long as I'm needed."

Nir looked at him skeptically. "Good enough," she shrugged. "It's Neasha's decision anyway, so come along and we'll get it all sorted." "Wait," the namur interjected. "This guy left the company a month ago, and now he conveniently shows up in the same bar as us a whole quadrant away from where you left him. How do we know he's not some kind of spy?" Nir slapped him on the back of the head. "The company execs are openly meeting with the press today, and our ship is docked in a civilian port. If any government scum wanted us, they wouldn't have to bother with the cloak and dagger shit. Besides, I'm sure our new old friend has a story to tell." The group exited the bar and began walking back toward the terminal. "So," Nir began, "tell me about yourself. Why did you join, why did you quit, and why suddenly jump back on the wagon?"

Abraxas sighed, walking along the way. "My only name is Abraxas, born and raised in Malmar. I joined the company to help out other people. I thought with my skills as a medic I would be handy to those who fought. During Voyak, things were beginning to go under. Two people got downed and I patched them up as much as I can. After that..." He let on for a few seconds til he came up with an answer. "I just left. I had no specific reason other than I needed to attend to other people in the Galaxy. I joined up with a different group. After being in that group, I felt inspired and motivated than ever before. When I heard the company today, I felt that I needed to come back and redeem myself."

[QUOTE]"...Yeah. Yeah, I still want to talk about it.[/QUOTE] "Yes, Yes..." Taur said while nodding at Valkyrie, the old Kercan then let out a loud coughing fit. His eyes meeting with Taylor's as she walked over to him. [QUOTE]"I can bring Jag's body up while you two talk. I figure I should go ahead and give you this before I go get it."[/QUOTE] The Old Kercan gently picked up the implant, looking it over for several moments. His face revealing both a feeling of intense anguish as his eyes closely studied the complex device and then acceptance as placed the it lightly by his side. He then turned his glare back to Taylor, a sight grin on his face. "Yes...Please." Taur said to Taylor as he placed on hands on his cane, glancing back to Valkyrie and the corvette before looking back at Taylor as she walked towards the elevator. "And....Thank you..Captain Caine."

[QUOTE]"And....Thank you..Captain Caine."[/QUOTE] "You're welcome." replied Taylor, turning for just a moment to give them a thumbs-up. Soon enough, she'd disappear beyond its doors. Valkyrie watched her walk away, before turning back to Taur. She shoved her hands into her jacket pockets yet again. "Now, about that engine..." she said, tilting her head again before looking to the corvette. - - - - - - - - It wouldn't take long for Taylor to return to the ship and fetch Jag's body. It sat on a hovering gurney, silent and peaceful as Taylor pushed it off the ship and through the station back towards the elevator. She knew where to go this time, proceeding quickly to avoid getting caught up in the slaver section or some other den of vice.