Oloth -- Logs

Dawnstar Living Room
This comfortable, elliptical room is softly lit behind geometric sweeps of frosted glass supported by flowing trapezoids picked out in elegant ebony trim. The scarlet and gold flames in the recessed fireplace highlight its slate gray and lustrous jet frame, which echoes the graceful, stylized Deco trim. Dancing firelight gleams on the elegant ebony trim of recurring trapezoids that adorns the graceful dove gray pillars which rib the room. There are several comfortable, small couches, both recessed into the walls and freestanding in the room. A small matching table recessed into the wall proudly bears a refined, willowy Erté bronze. One entire wall is a huge, glass window, framed in cream draperies, where the lustrous pearl moon silvers all below you in argent and mysterious shadow.

Dakini greets her friends cheerfully as they enter, making sure they end up with a drink of their preference and are all comfortably seated. When everyone's there she smiles, "So, it's good to see you all again, safe and sound. Shall we commence this debriefing?"

Dakini grins lazily at you from behind the reflective blue-green shades which hide her eyes. Her hair is long and tousled, a bright, red-gold mane that occasionally hides her small pointed ears. She's a tall, slender, strong woman, with small but callused hands, and well-muscled forearms. She wears a soft, comfortably loose, ivory silk shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Over that is a sturdy, quilted, sleeveless tunic of dark indigo blue embroidered with intertwined silvery stars and ivory-gold unicorns. Her long legs are fitted with snug breeches, and her knee-high, well-used black leather boots smell pleasingly of years of quality leather care. She's not currently wearing her weapons belt.

Safix nods, sipping her tea. "Please."

Safix stands a shade under 5 feet tall. Her clean skin is deep golden, against which her arched white eyebrows and thick lashes stand in sharp contrast. Her shaggy white hair falls mane-like around her face to touch her shoulders at the longest points, and the sides are tucked behind her delicately pointed ears, revealing three small, slim silver rings piercing the lower part of each, and a fourth ring at each tip. Green eyes with a narrow circle of red around each pupil look back at you from her triangular, sharp-featured face. She's wearing a dark red tunic today, loosely belted with black cloth, over tight black pants tucked into black leather boots laced to the knee. A simple band of silver chain mail circles her throat.

Hati helps with the drinks, quietly taking note of what people are asking for. He also manages to bring out a plate of cookies and other sundry nibblies. Rokhan shifts in his seat slightly, getting comfortable. Those who remember Rokhan from the old days see he's brought the old leather valise from the Council days and, like it was in the past, it's full of paper. He draws some of them out and arranges and shuffles them quietly. Safix tilts her head, "If I may ask... what exactly are the goals of tonight's gathering?"

Rokhan pans his head to Safix and stares at her a moment before he glances around the room, mostly towards Dakini. Keesha skrees, "Debriefing, in our lexicon, is the discussion of a recent event with a view to identifying what went right, what went wrong, and what needs to be improved upon."

Keesha is a bat. She is relatively short, standing -- or more often hanging -- a little under 5 feet tall on clawed feet, including her oversized and elaborately ridged ears. Her grin shows a mouthful of extremely sharp teeth in a pointed muzzle, and a twinkle dances in her large-pupil'd eyes. She is covered in fine, dark brown fur, almost downy on her wings, and somewhat coarser in a cowlick between her ears... her head-fur is cut short to stay out of her way in flight.
Keesha's arms are integral to her wings, supporting them on jointed bone spurs that extend from her elbows and wrists. Her hands fold back along the wings in flight... on the ground her wings fold up, letting her use her hands with only a little loss of dexterity. She wears a rather low-slung pair of shorts and a tunic split up the sides to accommodate her wing membranes. Both are in the same dark brown as her fur, and she blends easily into the shadows. A pendant, a reddish teardrop of amber set on a detailed leaf of green metal with gold veining, is held tightly to her neck; a pouch is strapped to her left leg; and a sheathed dagger is on her right thigh.

Dakini mms happily, nibbling on a lemon wafer, and grins at Rokhan with quiet amusement. She turns to Safix, "We are a mutual protection society, Safix. Understanding the people with whom we are currently caught on this side of the Rift is important. This meeting will allow us to compare notes on what we saw... and also allow us to make improved predictions as to what we might expect." She nods to Keesha, "In the short term, that also."

Keesha nods to Dakini. "And to make plans for the future. Danke." Rokhan goes back to his notes.

Dakini nods again, "With that in mind, Safix, would you like to start?"

Safix looks around, realizing she's the only local, then looks rather put on the spot. "Ah..." Rokhan clicks out some lead on a mechanical pencil and prepares to note down Safix' remarks.

Dakini smiles, "The reasoning behind who is collected here, Safix, is that we are those 'small folk' that are in need of mutual protection." She grins, then politely adds, "On the other hand, Rokhan is always prepared with reams of notes, as we can see... Rokhan, perhaps you'd be kind enough to start?"

He stands tall, with a distinct military or aristocratic bearing, though he leans a little on a cane. His fur is a dark and even charcoal gray, with his counter shading an almost shocking white. There is a slight artificiality to the fur, as there are repeating patterns in the charcoal, and the borders between colors look a little too sharp. His neck ruff is neatly trimmed, and he regards you flatly through a pair of circular-lens'd oculars covering his eyes, which show a discrete, thin bead of medical adhesive holding them there. His features are chiseled and gaunt, and his fur shows the glossy sheen of artificial good health. He has a long aristocratic muzzle, showing a heavy jaw... his ears are mobile and expressive, swiveling to track sounds around him. He is tall but a little stoop-shouldered, as if standing is a worldly burden, and he seems very thin -- almost bony. His torso narrows down to slim hips. He stands tentatively on digitigrade legs, shifting his grip on his cane from time to time.
Currently he wears a tailored wool tunic of greenish gray. Its standing collar is opened to accommodate a white silk scarf tucked neatly under the plastron of the tunic. It is well tailored, draping down almost to his knees, though it hangs somewhat loosely from his shoulders. It is plain of adornments other than a floral pattern embroidered in aluminum thread on the black velvet collar, subdued silver shoulder boards, and black cuffs. It buttons double-breasted to the collar, with only a small ribbon bar displaying any color. On his left shoulder is displayed the Stormhaven flash, consisting of a solid black circle on a hexagon of gold. There are six lines radiating out from the central disk to each face of the hexagon. On the right he wears a Neu Bayern OKH shield, showing a Knight standing over a slain dragon. He wears a burgundy sash, over which he has belted his holster and case for his data-pad. There are rings on the belt for the wearing of a sword. He is wearing a pair of trousers of the same cloth as the tunic, but cut for digitigrades and buttoned off at the hock. While it still looks fine, the cut is not the most flattering, being somewhat baggy. He wears white gloves and deck shoes for lupines. Over this is a long, stiff, double-breasted wool coat with pebbled aluminum buttons. He holds it closed with his free hand on occasion as if he feels a chill.

Safix suggests hopefully, "Perhaps it would be best if someone with more experience went first, so that I could observe the style, yes."

Dakini smiles at Safix, "Not a problem." Safix looks relieved and leans back, politely attentive and respectful.

Rokhan nods curtly to Dakini and inhales through his nose. Before speaking he checks his notes, "On the strategic overlay of the terrain, and a notable feature should we choose to conduct such an operation again, I note the following. Entrance and exit into this sphere is through apparently one entrance and exit. This gives the defenders on our side a good position, without having to suffer the negative effects of the phlogiston... however the tactical assessment of the conduct during the operation was negative. The initial plan tendered by Milady Dakini was sound; however, a lack of appreciation of running engagement tactics, if not gross insubordination and incompetence among certain members of the leadership, made the operation very chaotic to say the least..."

Dakini covers a small chuckle. Keesha chirrips from her perch. "Polnoya nyecompetentya..." Safix listens respectfully.

Rokhan says, " As to specific incidents, I should note the following ones -- closing to boarding range with the grappled ships, as ordered by Governor Gala'maDred. The tactical misuse of the Misery and its abandonment of the advantage of ranged combat so as to follow blindly the Governor's plan. The mage Kern's inept use of the spell, resulting in the loss of a quite probably salvageable hull for the EIN. And... if they were going to destroy the EIN vessel in the first place, could they have not engaged both targets at range and destroyed the cluster without exposing our own troops to undue harm?"

"To conclude the operational assessments... the major error was in closing to engage the neogi by melee combat, reducing the ships' tactical coverage of the operating area to nil, tying up personal to overwatch and prisoner details, and leaving the asteroid under-defended. The Misery should have remained at a distance and been ready to pursue the neogi vessels that did pass by. On the positive side, I will report complete destruction of one vessel by the G.F. Bayerlein, and the destruction of one vessel by the Dammerung itself. Political fallout to come after the Q and A. Questions anyone?"

Hati asks, "Is there only one place on the Sphere which can be opened? I thought an opening can be created anywhere on the Sphere, and that more than one could exist at a time? I know it's usually not done that way, but I thought it could be. That would be a rather different tactical position, would it not?"

You see a tall, fair-skinned elf, as all of them seem to be. He has long, silver-gray hair, and delicate features, which would look feminine on a human. His piercing green eyes catch your attention though, with an odd sense of strength and confidence. His movements seem both graceful and somehow feral. He is wearing dark green leggings, lighter green shirt, and a leather vest and boots, as well as a black leather collar which shows clearly. The leather is intricately worked, and the collar seems to have "Dakini's Hati" spelled out in elven script.

Keesha skrees, "That was my understanding as well. We could predict the entry point because we were in contact with the ship being chased, not because there was only one."

Rokhan says, "If so, Hati, that would change the situation quite drastically. We at some point need to determine what agency is responsible for opening and closing the gate."

Dakini nods quietly, "Actually, Rokhan, Hati is correct. While usually only one egress point is made for a fleet... that actual egress can be made anywhere on the Sphere." She adds, "It is magic, Rokhan. Literally."

Keesha nods. Rokhan curls his lip... then says, "Any other questions?"

Hati adds, "Dammerung did not destroy the vessel, either. Magical bombs made by some of the mages were deployed from Dammerung to destroy the neogi ship."

Dakini nods again to Hati, "Again, you are correct. Safix and Alois each deployed a mine, and Harlequin fired a lightning bolt."

Safix sighs softly and tries not to feel too out of place with the magic-talk. Then she grins briefly. "Oh, is that what those were?"

Dakini grins at Safix, nodding, then says, "I have one for Keesha, actually... captain, could you please clarify which ship exactly was fired upon by the EIN? I thought it was the neogi ship, not the Sunstar?" Hati listens to the question, quietly nibbling on a cookie.

Rokhan has flimsies of the sensor logs. He begins to rifle through them. Keesha skrees, "That being the case, the concentration of the ships directly on the deathspider was even less conscionable. The missing vessel could have broken through anywhere, and we were not even certain we had identified all enemy vessels." Rokhan nods to Captain Keesha. Safix snags a cookie. Keesha skrees, "According to my sensor logs, the Sunstar was already practically wrecked when it came through the Sphere. The EIN ships fired on the Deathspider only, and the final wreck of the Sunstar was due to enemy action, not friendly fire."

Safix says shyly, "Does somebody notice, or are there certain recordable effects every time an opening is made in the sphere? Do we know that there really aren't any ships that got through and hid?"

Dakini nods to Keesha, "Thank you, captain," then looks at Safix, "Good question. To my knowledge there is none... but we should probably check with a mage to be sure."

Keesha skrees, "A very good question, and one beyond my own minimal competence at magecraft so far."

Rokhan says, "I had thought Kern's actions were responsible... and..." he peers at the flimsies, "...I... am trying to find confirmation..."

Dakini says to Rokhan, "I think I should make one thing clear to you, Rokhan, which you may not yet realize... and which, I think, is critical that you understand." She takes a slow breath, trying to pick words carefully, "To you, to Keesha, to most of us here, the war was a dangerous and dirty situation to be cleaned up as quickly and efficiently as possible, with minimal risk to us." She glances around to be sure she's correct on that estimate.

Safix nods, puzzled... Hati sips quietly at his drink, listening to his mistress. Rokhan pauses and looks back at Dakini, nodding slowly, "...and..."

Dakini nods quietly to herself as no one disagrees, and continues, "This is NOT the way the locals view it though, Rokhan. To most of them, I suspect, it was a 'glorious' chance to show off... to pose, to take dramatic action. That is why, from the very beginning, I had no intention whatsoever of attempting to lead... they don't want competent leadership, Rokhan. Their egos cannot support it." She studies Rokhan intently, "Do you understand? It is critical that you do so."

Hati says, softly, "It makes the actions of Governor Gala'maDred make much more sense, don't you think?" Dakini nods a touch grimly to Hati, then looks back at Rokhan intently.

Rokhan looks back at Dakini, head tilting, "No... Milady... I am afraid I don't. I am seeing actions that are dangerous to us... and I am not finished; the aftermath may be worse for us all."

Keesha skrees, "It makes them... comprehensible. They do not make sense."

Safix protests, "I'm local, and I didn't feel that way."

Hati replies, "You're not an insane immortal, though." Safix blinks, face expressionless, and says nothing.

Dakini nods to Rokhan, "Indeed, you are absolutely correct -- the aftermath may be worse for us all. That is why it is critical that you understand -- you may not assume they will be rational!" She glances at Hati and Safix with a grin, "Well put, Hati," then looks back at Rokhan, "Do I make myself clear, sir?"

Rokhan's ears flick and he nods, "So... we are to assume that the leadership here are all 'mad' though immortal, and that lack of perspective is giving them the emotional depth of... a 12 year old? Is this what I am to understand?"

Dakini says, "Exactly." She grins a touch mischievously, "I'm glad you got it so easily."

Rokhan pauses for a moment, his ears semaphoring in uncertainty, "Mein gott... we may need to move to another asteroid."

Safix frowns slightly. Keesha skrees, "This is an option which must be considered. Infrastructure is a problem though."

Dakini sighs softly, "I... hope not... but I will not stay here if people I care about will be threatened as a consequence." Hati smiles, but doesn't say anything. Dakini nods to Keesha, "Precisely. We do not currently have enough force to deter neogi alone. Excuse me, to alone deter the neogi."

Keesha chuckles. "Oh, I don't know about that. But it would require that Chirikh and Misery remain on station."

Dakini glances at Keesha, "What makes you think Dermott would aid us? His wife will not allow him to."

Rokhan says, "No, Milady Dakini, you don't know the worst of it. After leaving hospital on the way out to examine the wreckage of the spider in the garden, I overheard Gala'maDred and Harlequin discussing the fate of the prisoners." Rokhan looks over at Keesha, ears perked.

Safix says faintly, "Why would anyone you care about be threatened -- by whom? -should you stay here, Dakini?"

Dakini gives Safix a faintly puzzled glance, "Er... one question at a time, please?" Rokhan takes a couple of notes. Safix sits back, looking worried and confused. Dakini gently says, "Ask your question again, please, Safix? I didn't understand it, and until I do I cannot answer it for you?"

Safix says, "Oh... I thought you meant I should wait to ask it later. Okay..."

Rokhan peers at Safix for a moment through his flat-lens'd oculars, the takes some more notes. Dakini smiles and shakes her head, "No. You have as much right to speak here as any of us."

Safix says, "You said you wouldn't want to stay here, if those you care about might be threatened as a consequence. A consequence of what? What did you mean? Who are you worried may become your enemy?" She looks a trifle shy after saying so much in front of a group she doesn't entirely know.

Rokhan has an enigmatic half smile, and he continues taking notes. Keesha is apparently listening to something play from her data-pad, though only Hati and Rokhan can hear anything, and they only a twittering sort of noise at the very top edge of hearing. "Okay. The Sunstar broke up when the Deathspider ship's ram was destroyed. Apparently she was already so damaged that only the grapples were still holding her together."

Rokhan nods at Keesha, and confirms, "That is correct."

Dakini nods to Keesha, then answers Safix. "It is not that I believe someone here might become my enemy, Safix. It is that I am worried that someone in power here may do something they consider 'glorious' or 'dramatic' or whatever, to feed their ego... and as a consequence, people will be harmed by the consequences of their thoughtless actions."

Safix nods, a small frown on her face. "All right, I can see that. Are you worried about specific events you foresee?"

Rokhan says, "I am..."

Dakini says, "Certainly. Here's an example: Dred wishes to enslave the neogi in order to control their umber hulk slaves to do mining for him. His greed may be causing him to not consider all the potential consequences of this action... and when the neogi escape, people will die... because Dred was too greedy." She nods to Rokhan, adding, "Rokhan informed me of this earlier."

Keesha skrees, "I was present also when the governor proposed this. He did not want to hear counter arguments."

Safix frowns slightly again, nodding. "So you think killing the prisoners is a better, cleaner idea?"

Keesha skrees, "And I agree with Dakini on this. The neogi are a slave-holding culture, but their rules include the ability to move up by breaking loose from control. An escape by them will be when, not if."

Rokhan says, "As I was about to say, Milady. Apparently that was the reason they started 'rounding up' the illithids, so as to procure a method of 'mental coercion' to force upon the neogi POWs. First, why are they relying upon a group of mentalists that no one trusts in the first place? However, as I was in the garden collecting bits of wreckage, I overheard lord Gala'maDred and Harlequin discussing the dispositions of the prisoners -- wanting to use the umber hulks in the mines here. As I understand it, this is in violation of the local prohibitions against slavery, showing the Governor to be a hypocrite."

Dakini nods firmly to Keesha, "Yes, I said 'when' for that very reason." Then she sighs softly to Safix, "Well... I admit I'm a bit softhearted. I'd like to check and see if there were any neogi who were, um... salvageable? -but if not, I think it kindest and cleanest to kill them swiftly and mercifully."

Keesha skrees, "Killing them is safer. Releasing them in a lifeboat is cleaner. Holding them as slaves is in direct violation of the governor's own edicts."

Rokhan says, "Yes, Safix! Much cleaner. The neogi are a scavenging race of top predators, with a small talent for organization and tool usage. They are a threat, as would any wild animal would be."

Hati makes a quiet and unobtrusive pass around the room, refilling drinks, and offering the nibbles tray. Dakini rolls her eyes at Rokhan, "Are you serious?! That still stuns me... both that my suggestion to round up all the neogi and illithids before the war was ignored... and that Dred thinks the ones too stupid to flee retribution by the drow here will be trustworthy... or even strong enough to mentally coerce the prisoner neogi!" Keesha snags a few biscuits as Hati passes by.

Rokhan says, "...and his calling the outside governments corrupt was a gross insult to me, but then I suppose, being a former politician, I should be used to it."

Dakini nods quietly to Rokhan, a faint, bitter smile on her lips. She murmurs, "Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black, actually..."

Keesha skrees, "His knowledge of Known Space is minimal. The most corrupt republic in history is still more capable of justice than his one-man rule."

Safix says slowly, "I was around to hear Dred's plans, too... and I don't feel that it's 'justice' to enslave them as an example... but it's reprehensible to kill them out of hand after the fighting is over without even trying to see if any of the neogi can rise above their culture."

Rokhan says, "I am completely serious, Milady. That is I believe how they choose to 'ensure' neogi and umber hulk cooperation. Now, if the locals see the neogi as a commodity, knowing the local apathy to law and order, I fear that the neogi will rapidly slip through the Governor's fingers and multiply in the sewers until they have sufficient population to carry out their original plan. None of the neogi should have ever set foot on this asteroid."

Dakini smiles ruefully at Safix, "Well, I stated my preference here... but I didn't bother to Dred, since I knew he wasn't going to listen to anyone else." She nods grimly to Rokhan.

Rokhan looks over at Safix and shakes his head and sighs... "Do you think they would want any 'cultural outsiders' on a mission as important as 'colonization,' Safix?" Safix chews on her bottom lip and tucks her feet under her on the couch, boots having been left at the door. Rokhan says, "The neogi, I mean."

Safix looks at Rokhan. "I see your point... but colonization is also an escape for cultural misfits. It's all in one's perspective. We have to find out, or become no better than those we condemn."

Dakini sips her tea quietly, giving Safix time to think... then smiles, "That will happen only if Dred lets it happen, I fear. I do not think he is interested in that aspect of ah... mercy."

Safix looks quietly at Dakini. "Are you quite sure that a psionic couldn't go discreetly to inspect the prisoners, without Dred being aware of it? I'm not."

Hati offers, "It would be better to kill them out of hand, than to have them escape and come back and kill us all, would it not? I don't see many other possibilities from this insane suggestion of attempting to use the neogi or their hulks as slaves."

Rokhan says, "Safix, no insult is intended for what I am about to say, but I think your idealism has not suffered enough exposure to the real world. Who is to say who is better. Life is a competition, and it's not about who is better, but who can survive successfully enough to build and carry on."

Keesha skrees, "More to the point, given what we know about neogi culture, what makes anyone think that deviant mentalities would even survive infancy?"

Dakini nods gravely to Hati, Rokhan, and Keesha, then smiles ruefully at Safix, "Who do you suggest? The neogi themselves are apparently psionic... it'll need to be someone strong enough to overwhelm their attack -- because they will attempt to attack any psionic probe."

Rokhan says, "Kindness and mercy would be a fatal flaw amongst the rapacious neogi. We should have killed them and be done with it."

Safix looks at Rokhan with a queer expression, then smiles and looks away. She says, "Yes, Hati, I agree. I don't want them coming back to kill us all either. All I'm asking is that we make the effort to find out if it's truly necessary before slaughtering them. I don't think it's too much to ask."

Dakini says, "And again, Safix... how."

Keesha skrees, "It's dangerous. They overwhelmed Cynergy, recall."

Rokhan looks at Safix flatly, so that she is reflected in her lenses. "Yes... little one, it is."

Hati says, "Unfortunately, Safix, it appears the Governor has made up his mind. What would be best is a moot point. What we're going to do to make the best of this problem is a more important question."

Dakini nods quietly to Hati, "Well put."

Keesha skrees, "Don't know about the rest of you, but I'm planning to put together some psi shields."

Safix deflates a bit. "They did get Cyn, didn't they. What if she had backup, and dealt with one at a time with that support? Could that work?" She ignores Rokhan, but slumps further at Hati's words... then leans back and shuts up. Rokhan peers at Safix for a few more moments, then listens to Hati and Keesha.

Dakini says gently, "Safix... I'm sorry. I would like it to be a nicer world also... but the world doesn't always behave the way I want it to."

Keesha frowns. "Is psi cumulative? I understood that it tended to interfere if you tried that."

Rokhan says, "Hati is correct. The governor has made his choice, and we may have to contemplate moving."

Dakini gives Safix a look of quiet sympathy... then sighs, looking up at Keesha and shaking her head, "I don't know, Keesh. I know Dammerung backs me up... but I'm not always sure where I end and Dammerung begins, psionically, either." Hati looks at Safix, hoping she hasn't taken his rebuttal too personally, and that she isn't feeling unwelcome or ignored. I wish I knew a way to tell her that, he thinks, but I don't. She looks so defeated.

Safix shrugs to Dakini rather bitterly. "I can't test them for fitness to live, but I'm not foolish enough to trust any of them without such testing. Best then that they all die cleanly and we live; not so ethically pure, but safe."

Rokhan sits up a little straighter. and his pencil is poised at the ready. "So, what are we going to do now?"

Safix says, "It's an us-against-them universe, of course. If we're being logical, we take steps to remove what threatens us." She sits back. She has no readable expression on her face whatsoever.

Dakini shakes her head slowly at Safix, "I do not care to have you blame my friends for doing what they do... since it keeps you safe also, Safix'ya."

Safix says calmly, "I blame no one here more than I blame myself."

Dakini says, "Why do you blame yourself? -and for what?"

Hati offers, "Perhaps she is not so much blaming, as merely hurting. It is often true that you have to do things that make you unhappy, and this is one of those things?"

Dakini nods quietly to Hati, looking very, very tired for a moment... then looks back at Safix. Softly she says, "Is that it, Safix?"

Safix says, "I said it earlier. I'm not foolish. If they cannot be tested and released, even the idealistic, inexperienced young that are present must agree that to keep us safe, all the neogi must die. I do not feel noble for agreeing, but I share the agreement... and thus the blame, when it happens, for not having lifted a finger to stop it." Rokhan looks over at Safix again, flicks an ear, and continues to take notes... Safix says, "At any rate, it's useless to talk of ethics further if it's decided... it would be more to the point to discuss how to kill them all quickly, despite Dred's plans."

Dakini sighs softly, studying Safix... then finally shakes her head quietly once more, and turns back to the others, "Very well. Rokhan's question stands -- what shall we do."

Rokhan says, "Well, there are three options." Dakini nods to Rokhan to continue. Rokhan says, "The three options are... one: we move before this becomes a problem -- move to an area outside lord Gala'maDred's governance, and try to live good lives and not gloat too much when Arcana City is consumed by the neogi; two: we covertly plan a method for the dispatch of the neogi and umber hulk POWs, or three: bold as brass, walk into the holding area and gun them all down, then face the 'local music.'"

Dakini frowns, considering... then sighs, "I wish I could think of something else." She looks up hopefully, "Can anyone else?"

Rokhan says, "I am always open to options. Floor?"

Hati smiles and says, "I hate to admit it, but there is a certain appeal to the last, despite its probable suicidal nature." Dakini grins at Hati.

Keesha skrees, "I almost like number three. D'ya think we could get away? The rules here seem to be it's cool if you're not caught." Dakini blinks slowly at Keesha... then goes very still, thinking furiously.

Safix says, "Which is why, Keesha, option number two is wisest."

Hati asks, "Where are they being held? Could an attack from the sky be done more anonymously?" Safix looks slightly wary at Hati's words.

Keesha nods to Safix. "I think you're right. On the other hand... a teleport bomb?"

Rokhan says, "Number three is a viable option, but it would be 'expensive' in terms of material, and perhaps the biggest gamble. I do not like to gamble that much. Two is probably the least dangerous, but also the most likely to fail."

Dakini frowns again, "I think we might want to consider number two, with one as a backup. We're somewhat hampered in making any plans by not knowing where the neogi are being kept."

Rokhan says, "Hati... I still have more than 200 gallons of KKD in its three components aboard my ship."

Hati asks, "What is KKD?" Dakini stares at Rokhan in astonishment... then bursts out laughing, tossing her head back! Rokhan says, "It is a three part explosive that, without polymers, is a liquid about the consistency of shampoo. It is hard to detonate without the correct equipment, and separately is fairly inert, except one of the component liquids makes a fair solvent."

Dakini laughs for a while, then finally slowly subsides, although the giggled phrases, "Stormhaven, of course!" and "-love to blow things up!" can be made out.

Rokhan says, "Well, KKD is a Stermeyer A. G. fine product, but yes, it's part of an order for His Lordship." He looks as if it's quite normal to collect random chemical explosives.

Safix looks faintly amused. "How many things have you guys solved so far by blowing them up?"

Rokhan says, "Actually... I think it's 200 gallons per 'component,' if I can read my poor handwriting here."

Dakini grins with high good humor at Rokhan, then looks around the group, smiling, "All right... so, to reiterate: we need to gather more information about the neogi prisoners. We need to keep in mind that we should not expect rational behavior as a constant here... and we need to keep in mind that the prima donna, not the competent leader, is the desired standard of behavior here. Ja?"

Rokhan says, "Jawohl."

Keesha skrees, "Da."

Safix sighs. Dakini nods, "Excellent. Safix, you agree? Or... not?"

Safix says, "Does it matter?"

Rokhan says, "Yes. Actually, it does."

Dakini says, "Yes. You would not be here if your opinion did not matter to us." She nods to Rokhan. Rokhan thinks, though perhaps for different reasons than Dakini might think... Hati nods to his mistress. Dakini nods a quiet affirmation to Hati, then looks back at Safix.

Safix shrugs. "In the interests of cold practicality, I'll help... and of course I'm not going to rat on you, to answer that question too."

Dakini says gently, "It was not asked, Safix'ya."

Safix adds expressionless, "Not aloud, and not by you, no."

Rokhan nods curtly and separates out a sheaf of papers from the rest, and places them beside him. Hati frowns and glances unhappily at Rokhan. Dakini tilts her head at Safix, murmuring mildly, "Even if you said you were going to 'rat' on us, I would not have allowed you to be harmed." Rokhan's ears flick, but he continues to peer at his notes. Safix's lips make a thin, straight line, and she nods silently. Dakini smiles charmingly at Rokhan, saying firmly, "It would be foolish to harm Safix... since it would just attract Alois' attention. I think we should all keep that in mind." She glances around the room, frowning, "Are we finished doing our best to shatter this fragile alliance already?" With light sarcasm she adds, "May I go on now?"

Keesha skrees, "Better, yes." Safix sits very politely, looking attentive and extremely calm. She doesn't even blush.

Dakini nods to Keesha, "Thank you, captain." She looks around, "Very well then. Shall we collect again on a later date with any news we may have gathered?"

Rokhan sighs and rubs his knuckles, then flexes his writing hand a moment, "Well then, I suppose that with this new information, I should not pay a social call upon the governor and inquire about his (mental) health, and ask him politely to reconsider... that would be too 'actionable,' so... shall we continue as 'normal' for the nonce?"

Dakini grins at Rokhan, "Nothing wrong with asking, Rokhan. Who knows? Perhaps after the heat of battle he might even be willing to listen to reason?" Hati snorts at the idea of Gala'maDred listening to reason. He is apparently not impressed by the Governor.

Safix reaches suddenly into a pocket inside her vest to draw something out. Rokhan thinks, then nods, "Perhaps... it might bring in some useful information. Though I feel a little 'exposed' doing so. No matter, it's nothing worse than what I had to do for His lordship. Once upon a time he behaved better than he does now... perhaps I can touch upon that. We are/were allies in the Council."

Dakini nods gravely to Rokhan, "I understand your worry concerning exposure. I will cover you... until we manage to escape the Sphere, you are not without a Pack." She adds sternly, "So behave yourself, Rokhan! I may agree with your 'banana republic' commentary, but do not make such comments -- in a public place!" She frowns, "You should have realized... discretion, sir!"

Safix's hand emerges with a sheaf of papers, which she tilts at Keesha, smiling slightly. She says quietly, "I remembered my math homework."

Keesha nods to Rokhan. "That was the governor's comment, not Ser Rokhan's."

Rokhan quirks his muzzle, with an ear flick, and nods respectfully to Dakini, "Understood, milady. It won't happen again, but forgive the past indiscretion, as I had no idea how deep the incompetence and corruption ran here."

Dakini nods quietly, "Very good." She looks around, "Is there anything else that needs covering?"

Keesha skrees, "For now? I think we should perhaps each discuss the prisoner issue with someone who might be amenable to reason. I can take Kern... Safix, would you talk to Alois?"

Dakini nods, "Excellent idea, Keesha. Hm... Rokhan, you might try Kern and/or Harlequin... I can talk to Alois also... redundancy certainly won't hurt here, after all."

Safix looks both relieved and worried. "Yes, Keesha. I can do that."

Rokhan says, "I will attempt to talk to Harlequin, though I think there may be some leverage with my previous diplomatic relationship with the governor. Who knows, I achieved much with diplomacy in the past. Perhaps it is time to try again?"

Keesha skrees, "First line of defense... see if we can persuade the powers that be to change their minds. Deal with the creatures personally only if necessary." Rokhan nods, agreeing.

Dakini also agrees... then suddenly smiles ruefully, "Ah. One thing you should all know... which should be kept in strictest confidence, please!" She glances around, then continues, "Apparently the Velkyn find me useful. I would prefer you heard it from me first, so that any worries can be alleviated immediately... but apparently I am the new Master of Spies."

Rokhan says, "What is a 'Velkyn'?"

Hati sips from his drink, listening quietly. Keesha chokes on her drink. "How did you get that position so quickly?"

Dakini looks pleased, "I'm hoping this chance to make myself indispensable to the powers that be here will allow us to better prepare for occurrences here." She grins at Rokhan, "Remember your statement about corruption in government, Rokhan? Well... Velkyn means um... what is it... shadowy, I think?" She grins at Keesha wickedly, "I'm... good." Then she grins a little more normally, "Well... I had good training, I must confess."

Safix blinks at Dakini, caught between laughter and surprise and trying hard to suppress it. She fails, choking a bit, when Dakini says she's good. Dakini grins cheerfully at Safix! Rokhan tilts his head, peering closer at Dakini, "Pardon mein auslander thickness, but I am not following?" Safix buries her face in her hands and makes small muffled noises, shoulders shaking.

Dakini says gently to Rokhan, "The Underworld, Rokhan."

Keesha skrees, "The Organization. The Mafia."

Rokhan blinks and pauses, frozen for a moment... then recovers, "I see..."

Hati looks at Safix, and moves over next to her and asks her something very softly. Dakini nods to Keesha, smiling faintly, then murmurs quietly, "We will survive this place... I will make it happen, if I must, Rokhan... but I will not fail the people that depend on me."

Rokhan says, "That information, yes, goes nowhere..."

Keesha skrees, "And it will make it much easier to access option two, should this be necessary."

Dakini nods quietly, looking around, "I wanted you all to know from me first, as I said. If there is no trust between us, there will be no teamwork."

Rokhan tilts his head, "That would work as well for 'pre-positioning' for option three as well, as long as we kept it fairly simple." He nods and agrees.

Hati smiles, pats Safix' back, and looks back at the room. Dakini nods quietly, "Very well then. Any other questions?" She glances at Hati, raising an inquiring eyebrow -- is Safix all right? Hati looks up and nods to his mistress, smiling. Dakini looks faintly relieved, smiling and nodding, then turning back to the others, "I am thinking of possibly asking one other individual to our small group, but I do not want to do so without your opinions also. Tell me, please... what do you all think of Dryx?" Rokhan begins to pack up his valise, except for the papers he set aside. Dakini says, "Er... for those that have met him already, that is?"

Safix laughs quietly, recovering... she looks up. Dakini smiles at Safix. Keesha skrees, "Reminds me. What is Dryx? He's not an elf."

Rokhan tilts his head in thought, "I'm sorry, I don't know anyone by that name, Milady. Is he another misplaced expatriate?"

Dakini says, "He's a githyanki, Keesha... and Rokhan, er... sort of? Tell you what... I won't say anything, and you guys let me know what you think of him." She grins, "He's very discreet."

Rokhan says, "A what?"

Keesha grins at Rokhan. "My next question, as well. I've got a name, but I still don't know how he fits in here."

Rokhan closes his valise, but hands the packet of papers to Dakini, "There are the reports, and some of the notes. Please keep safe, and see if they are useful for planning?"

Dakini nods to Rokhan, "Excellent. Good work, Rokhan... and thank you."

Keesha skrees, "One comment, though. He's not an elf, so he's probably a likely recruit."

Safix shrugs. "I don't trust him."

Dakini nods, "The githyanki are strong psionic descendants of humans... and used to be slaves of the illithids, so have a deep and abiding hatred of them."

Rokhan bows formally, "More than welcome, Milady; hopefully we can get a little breathing room, and an illusion of some security, so we can better plan for our eventual exit. Speaking of humans. What happened to the twenty human refugees you rescued?"

Keesha skrees, "The ex-slaves are mostly still in the hospital wing, Rokhan."

Keesha skrees, "Ah... this makes things clearer. Definitely a possible recruit, then."

Dakini nods ruefully to Rokhan, then looks around, "I have some work I must do tonight, but you are all welcome to stay here and refresh yourselves if you so wish."

Rokhan says, "Safe journey, Milady." He nods curtly. Safix nods farewell to Dakini. She smiles and nods a polite good-bye to everyone, then quietly withdraws. Hati escorts his mistress, apparently thinking, or even knowing she'll need his help.

Rokhan says, "Well, I think that was fairly productive, Captain Keesha."

Keesha nods. "We'll have to do some simulator time for tactics. We can't depend on the locals to do things rationally even if they understood our ships."

Rokhan says, "We should discuss their disposition with Dakini, later." He adds, "Absolutely, Captain." He grins slightly at the thought of simulators.

Keesha skrees, "The human slaves? They'll be a fair time recovering, mentally if not physically. Plenty of time to discuss what to do with them."

Rokhan nods... then says, "I should leave you to your details, then, captain. It is getting late, and I will need to compile these notes. By your leave, captain?"

Keesha nods. "Certainly, Ser Rokhan. Let me know if you need anything. I think I have components to cobble up a couple psi-shields."

Rokhan says, "That would be a wise course of action. Well, until later, then, captain." He bows to Keesha formally, then nods to Safix curtly, before he walks painfully out the door. Safix echoes Rokhan's curt nod to a fraction of an inch, equally polite.

Keesha nods. "Dozh'vedanya, Packleader." Rokhan grins, then heads through the smooth, round doorway downwards into Dawnstar's foyer.

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