Thank god for long distance radios. And the fact Jasper wasn't -too- far away from the pirate base.

--Fort Jasper, Sigurd Harcourt of the Sandcruiser Yggdrasil requesting a secure channel to relay an update of recent events.--

Leaning on the pilot wheel, the first mate closed his eye as he waited for his crew to decode the bit of information sent to them. Caution should be taken since Shevat was so close now, above Nortune no less!

Finally one of the crew spoke up that they were in a secure channel with Fort Jasper. Here goes nothing.

--Go ahead, Yggdrasil.--

--Our initial departure has been unavoidably extended from my initial planning and I first wish to appologize for being absent and out of contact for so long, being too far out of range prevented such communication without drawing unwanted attention.--

--Please explain what delayed you.--

Typical Solarians... --The Tournament yielded many... unexpected twists. The removal of Shakhan being possibly the most prominant of these, thus ending our need to be away. Our thanks is extended to Solaris for this action. However, on a darker note, people immitating Prince Fatima and myself, and possibly more or our crew, have made themselves known in the tournament and we've recently had a rather... uninvited encounter with them. I have reason to believe that this group is composed of Kislevi, based on the make of their gears. Upon returning to our base, we found it deserted but for these 'twins' of ours, who attacked us, then fled shortly after. A bomb was found inside and luckily disarmed, however... It seems they have Khiea.--

Silence stretched for a long moment. Sigurd hadn't a clue how or if that would impact the Solarians, but he was sure that would get their attention. Some may be concerned for the girl, but he was sure they also didn't want someone with such strong Ether capabilities in the hands of a bunch of Kislevi who seemed more and more likely to be in some kind of alliance of their own with Shevat. Would Solaris take a risk like that?

--Understood, Yggdrasil. Will you be taking action?--

--We are currently heading for Bledavik to check in with the council that has been put in place and make sure the 'twins' haven't caused any trouble there. From there communication will probably be minimal if the option is taken to search for the Kislevi.--

--Very well. We await further reports.--

--Until we have more information. Give my regards to Commander Ramsus and Hyuga Rikudou. Yggdrasil out.--

The connection severed after the brief confirmation of closure from the Solarians in Jasper, and the first mate sighed, rubbing his temple. Well, at least he hoped they'd bother telling his friends that they were all alive and well.

"Once we're in range, send word to Bledavik about our arrival. If there's trouble, I'll be in the Gun Room." Orders given, he pushes away from the wheel and walked quietly off the bridge... leaving the crew to resume their idle speculation and chatter about their first mate and a certain Seeress.

Now where did the Young Master run off to this time?

By Luka on Wednesday, June 06, 2001 - 06:44 pm:

The void flickered to life.

Parousia filled the viewing orb with the tracking display ordered from the previous survey upon Luka's entrance, knowing--or attempting to guess--what she might be here for. Yet the woman paused nearly as soon as she saw the data for Jugend, frowning as the information steadied into recognizable trails of light.

"What in the world -was- I..."

Repeat, Dr. Kalval?

"...Nothing."

Luka reached the main platform, addressing the audio sensors with somewhat sleepy efficiency. The routed message through Jasper had found her only an hour ago out of sleep.

In truth, the Ministers and herself had known for some time of the technical details of the situation--and the knowledge had only become more concrete with the disappearance of Khiea. Ironically, it had been the -pirates- and their intents which Solaris had had less information on. Luka had pried further descriptions of events from the ex-Element who had been -ordered- to sleep now, sequested in the Ezekiel for his protection and the precious connection he had. And... there were always more sources of information, should she really be concerned.

If any of the Kislevi had stopped to think more clearly, perhaps they would have wondered why Solaris's upper ranks were taking Khiea's status with such ease. Thankfully, that could be easily blamed upon all the other work for peace that had to be done.

Still, plans to remove Khiea in case of emergency should be composed--Hyuga could only pawn off the idea for so long with a little smile on his face, saying that it would all be under control.

She really needed to talk to that man. Soon.

"Another Yggdrasil... I know you better than this, Shevat," she muttered, her eyes seeking out the lambant sphere that hovered further out of the main planetary circuits. "If Kislev only wanted -duplicates- to -replace- perfectly... the pirates would have never known this early." Her hands tightened upon themselves, bitterness overwhelming her for a time. "But -they'll- never obey you against us. Not when the majority vote is elsewhere."

The pirates might have use for the bits of data collected in the previous weeks by Hyuga, but Solaris having to take a direct hand in a time when they were already spread out would be vexing. And if the pirates couldn't handle another submarine that was an -exact- -copy- of their own--according to what she had managed to pry out of Hyuga--then... they had clearly been overestimated. A distressing thought, and hopefully unfounded.

"Parousia, compose and route this message to the Yggdrasil, full encoding please." Luka waited for the affirmation chime before beginning. "Luka Kalval speaking. Sigurd and Bartholomew, you have my greetings. I cannot begin to say how grateful I am for your message. Thank you for letting us know how you are and what your status is. Don't worry if you have to concentrate on the other crew for now--Aveh is calm, and the advisors there are continuing the transition back. I hope they will be worthy of your approval when you meet them.

"As you know the desert better than we do, I know I can trust the duplicate crew to your judgement. As for us," she laughed softly, "it seems Solaris will stay home and watch the front for you. I believe Kahr is currently in Bledavik for assistance of the council. With luck, you will be able to run into one another.

"Take care of yourselves, and please let us know how things progress. Remember that you can always talk to Hyuga if you need to in an emergency." Assuming the man hadn't gone -completely- insane in a back room somewhere when no one was looking. Hmm. "And please," her voice softened, "recover Khiea safely for us. Stay well. Luka out." Parousia chimed the send response. With a sigh, the woman rubbed her temples and watched the colors of the room dance.

"This is where we will see, Fatimas" she muttered to herself, watching the stuttered orbit of the Kislevi trace and the extrapolation comets. "We have returned the throne to you and offered a hand in partnership. Can you fill it?"

If not... there would be little choice but to return to a policy of dominance.

It was time to be patient again and see how things turned out.