ST:SoD325 | "Return to Belyia Pt. I"

Stardate 100902

When the Survivors hire a ruthless trans-universal mercenary to force their way, the old crew of the Valley Forge reunite and return through time and space to a familiar world in a bold plan to combat this threat.

---

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Sierra Reyes@anncaris | We open on the bridge of the Yorktown in red alert lighting. Most of the consoles seem to be flashing warning messages or turned offline, but there are no signs of any battle damage

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | Kestra: "Bridge to Mana. Mana, can you read me?"

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | The turbolift doors slide open and a helmeted figure in a glowing suit steps out

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | Figure: "Your ship AI has spirit. Buuut the odds were too far stacked against him, I'm afraid."

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | Multiple officers on the bridge raise phasers, pointing it at the strange arrival

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | Security Chief Korotkov: "Stay where you are!"

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | The figure laughs, "Or what, you'll shoot me?"

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | The figure takes a step forward. The Security Chief shoots, but a shield flares up around the figure, absorbing the energy

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | Figure: "Why don't you try harder?"

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | Multiple officers open fire. The figure raises a hand and all the phaser shots seem to stop in front of her, Matrix style

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | Figure: "Thank you very much."

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | The phaser bolts swirl around and flash outwards in a maelstrom of energy, disintegrating most of the officers on the bridge

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | Kestra looks around in horror, then back to the strange figure, "What are you?"

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | Figure: "I get that a lot."

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | As the figure advances to the centre of the bridge, Ensign Sulu charges her with her katana. Like the tech of the Survivors, the figure's suit forms a blade of programmable matter down one of -

Sierra Reyes@anncaris - her wrists. The blade glows a burning orange and does not parry the katana, but slices straight through it, destroying the weapon and cutting down the Ensign in a single swift move

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | Kestra sees a flashing console and makes a run for it, but the figure reaches out with her hand and the console explodes, launching the Captain onto her back, her uniform seared

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | The figure gives an almost disappointed tsk, "Captain Kestra Troi-Riker, was it? I expected more from someone with such renowned pedigree."

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | Suddenly, the viewscreen flickers on, drawing the figure's attention. The screen displays a figure in a skintight red and grey suit hovering in the middle of space

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | TUSC Agent: "Traveller. You are under arrest for violations of Articles 7, 11 and 14 of trans-universal law. Relinquish this vessel and surrender yourself into TUSC custody immediately."

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | Figure: "Come and get me."

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | The TUSC Agent flies towards the viewscreen, and as he passes into the camera, he phases through the bridge dome and into the bridge

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | Suddenly, the bridge switches to normal, non-alert lighting and the figure splits into a dozen identical armoured figures. The TUSC Agent dives at one of them while the others pile on him and -

Sierra Reyes@anncaris - attack. However, the Agent isn't dragged down but demonstrates impressive superhuman skill as he fends off all the copies at once

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | More copies form and the fight quickly devolves into incomprehensible movements and flashes of lights. Then, it is suddenly all over- the copies disappear, and the TUSC Agent is on his knees the middle of the bridge, clutching his chest as a glowing light surrounds him

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | The light glows brighter and brighter, consuming the Agent. There is a bright flash, and then he is gone

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | As the figure stands victorious, Kestra strikes at the back of her neck with the broken katana. It simply pings off the suit and the figure turns around

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | Figure: "That’s more like it. Now if only you had better weapons. Here. I'll give you a chance."

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | The figure's helmet slides back, though the camera is positioned behind her so we can't see her face. Kestra clearly can and has a visible look of surprise, but she composes herself quickly and moves to strike again

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | The figure moves in a superhuman blur of speed. Kestra slices at nothing but air and the figure is already behind her. Her leg raised, the mysterious assailant lands a single kick that snaps the Captain's neck, killing her instantly

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | As the figure now faces the camera, we can see who it is

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | It is another version of Rianni...

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | Super-Rianni sits down on the now empty captain's chair, "Now we can get to work."

Sierra Reyes@anncaris | On the viewscreen, the Yorktown's weapons unleash against the nearest Ditean ship...

—

Keliaya@anncaris | On the bridge of the Venator, it is a regular shift with Kelly and Rianni both on duty as they prepare to arrive at the site of the peace talks

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "The Guan Yu crew just checked in. Everything's going well, no sign of Ditean spies at work or anything."

Rianni@crystyl:"They wouldn't be very good spies if they got caught up this early on" she giggles

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva chuckles, "True, but at least so far, no sign of any sabotage or anything else untoward."

Rianni@crystyl:"Not going to complain at that"

Keliaya@anncaris:"What about Vrolmacht himself, how's he doing?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "As far as I can tell, completely back to his old self. Still a little ashamed of his actions with the Diteans, but I'm sure he'll be able to move on from it."

Rianni@crystyl mutters, "I know how he feels..."

Keliaya@anncaris:"And what experience are you referring to? You've had quite a lot for your age and rank."

Rianni@crystyl:"Yes, but most don't make me feel so ashamed as the way I had to act to provoke the old dog into snapping out of that trance"

Keliaya@anncaris:"True, but you did what you had to, and it ended up all working for the better."

Rianni@crystyl:"Yeah, I keep reminding myself of that. Doesn't stop me feeling horrible for it though"

Keliaya@anncaris | Azevedo: "Commander, something's hijacked my helm control. Our course is being changed."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Red alert. Trace where helm control's been rerouted to."

Rianni@crystyl:"What is the course being changed to?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Azevedo: "219-mark-177. No obvious destination."

Rianni@crystyl:"Can you block it out, or override propulsion?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Azevedo: "Negative."

Keliaya@anncaris | Rhylliss: "Helm control is being hijacked from an Engineering room on Deck 15."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Can we cut power to the engines?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Nqakula: "On it...yes I can!"

Keliaya@anncaris | On the viewscreen, the Venator drops out of warp. A few seconds later, Guan Yu appears beside them, likely coming to investigate what happened

Keliaya@anncaris looks to her side, "Tierno, Rhylliss, get down there with a security team and find out what happened."

Rianni@crystyl jumps up and rushes off with Rhylliss

—

Keliaya@anncaris | As they arrive on Deck 15, they are joined by the security team all holding phaser rifles. Rhylliss takes one side of the door with a pistol in hand as he looks to Rianni, "Ready?"

Rianni@crystyl nods, readying her phaser

Keliaya@anncaris | Rhylliss overrides the door and immediately raises his phaser as the doors slide open. Inside stands a single man- Crewman Aditsan Boone, recently revealed as a temporal agent after the -

Keliaya@anncaris - extradimensional ship merging incident. He has his arms raised in the air, palms open and clearly not holding anything

Rianni@crystyl:"Boone? What the hell?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "Sorry, Lieutenant. This was the quickest way to get the ship off its course. Something has happened and I couldn't risk us getting any closer to the peace talks."

Rianni@crystyl taps her combadge, "Tierno to bridge. Is helm control back to normal?"

Keliaya@anncaris:<C> "We're still working on it. Did you find out what happened?"

Rianni@crystyl:"I'm still working on it..." she looks to Boone

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "I'll give control of the helm back to the bridge, but you /cannot/ resume course back towards the peace talks. Continue on the course I've set."

Keliaya@anncaris | Rhylliss: "And why should we trust you?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "If I didn't have your best intentions in mind, I wouldn't have helped when we were stuck in that other dimension."

Keliaya@anncaris | Rhylliss: "You were stuck with us. Maybe you were just helping yourself."

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "And I'm still with you. If we encounter what just sabotaged the peace talks, I'll be as dead as you."

Rianni@crystyl:"This sounds like a matter for you to discuss with the Captain. But first, undo what you did. We can at least hold position while we get our heads around the situation"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "I'm on it. Tell the bridge to hold position while I do."

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone turns slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements as he gets to work on a console

Rianni@crystyl taps her combadge again, "Tierno to bridge, helm control should be coming back online. But I recommend we hold position while we resolve the issue"

Keliaya@anncaris:<C> "it just came back on. We'll hold position for now."

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone turns back with his hands raised, "See. I'm a man of my word."

Rianni@crystyl lowers her weapon, but keeps it ready still and looks to Rhyliss, "We probably don't want to strongarm him through the bridge to speak with the Captain"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "Don't worry, I want to speak with her anyways. I'm coming unarmed and without any of my future technology. No danger."

Rianni@crystyl hrms, letting Rhyliss have the last say since it's his domain

Keliaya@anncaris | Rhylliss holds his pistol in one hand as he approaches cautiously, taking out a tricorder in the other hand and giving Boone a scan. He checks the results and gives a nod when he is satisfied, "Alright, fair enough. Just keep your hands where I can see them and stay between us."

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone nods, "Lead on."

—

Keliaya@anncaris | Returning to the bridge, Rianni finds the alert status having been lowered to yellow

Rianni@crystyl looks around, "No further changes I trust?"

Keliaya@anncaris turns and shakes her head before eyeing Boone, "He was the one responsible?"

Rianni@crystyl:"So it would seem. We should talk before making any further move, ready room?"

Keliaya@anncaris nods and stands, leading the way into the ready room

Rianni@crystyl gestures for Boone to follow, staying behind him

Keliaya@anncaris | Rhylliss and one of the security escorts stand guard outside the door just in case further support is needed

Keliaya@anncaris takes a seat behind her desk, "Temporal Agent Boone. I expected a little more of you."

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "I'm sorry, Commander. This was one of those act first, explain later kind of situations."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Well you better have a very good explanation, then."

Rianni@crystyl:"I still find it hard to believe that it was quicker for you to do what you did rather than just call the bridge"

Rianni@crystyl lingers hovering over his shoulder

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "I could have called the bridge, but I'm not exactly the captain of the ship. You won't change course just on my word, and explaining it would've taken time. Every second we got closer to the peace talks puts this ship and everyone aboard in danger."

Keliaya@anncaris:"And why is that? We haven't received any word of a problem with the peace talks."

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "You wouldn't have. Every Starfleet ship there is compromised."

Rianni@crystyl:"What?!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "The Survivors have gone too far this time. It would seem that in their desperation, they've turned to third party assistance. A third party that doesn't play by their rules of -

Keliaya@anncaris - carefully manipulating events and leaving as small of an imprint as possible."

Keliaya@anncaris:"And how do you know this?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "It's my job to know when the timeline's been changed, remember? And what just happened at the peace talks have changed the course of our future irrevocably."

Rianni@crystyl:"This is what I never get with you temporal guys; stuff happens, but you always seem to be just after the fact to action it. I would think that given your field you would always be one step ahead"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "Not yet. Obviously, we have to go back in time to stop it from happening."

Rianni@crystyl:"So what exactly is it that happened at the peace talks?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "The Survivors hired a mercenary from across the multiverse to sabotage it and ensure the war continues."

Keliaya@anncaris:"/One/ mercenary?"

Rianni@crystyl:"And why from another reality? This one isn't exactly short of them"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "Well, strictly speaking, two. And there's no one in this reality with the capabilities they need who are willing to work for them."

Rianni@crystyl:"Ok, so two mercs. These must be some pretty specialized people then" she moves around in front of him, "Maybe you should start at the beginning and tell us everything you know"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone takes a seat, "I'll start with the mercenaries. One half of them is Nihil, a sentient virus program. It was created by the crew of the USS Enterprise-D in another reality as a weapon -

Keliaya@anncaris - against the Borg Collective. It destroyed the Borg, but in the process gained sentience and some of the Collective's ideals. It became a threat far greater than the one it was originally built -

Keliaya@anncaris - to destroy and used the Collective's assets to take over the galaxy in its reality before attempting to expand out into others. It was quickly contained and imprisoned by the Trans-Universal Security Corps before it could become unstoppable."

Rianni@crystyl:"So the Security Corps is responsible for what's going on here then?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "No, Nihil broke free, but I'll get to that part. First, the second half of the equation, and you're not going to like this..."

Rianni@crystyl frowns, "I'm not exactly thrilled about the rest of the story so far..."

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "You'll be even less thrilled about this part, then. The human element- Rianni "the Reaper" Tierno."

Rianni@crystyl pinches the bridge of her nose, "Seriously...? 'The Reaper?! So this mercenary is another me?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "A version of you from a reality where Khan Noonien Singh and his augments successfully seized control of the Federation. She was an augment military officer of the Galactic Khanate who -

Keliaya@anncaris - grew too powerful. Threatened by her rising prominence, the ruling Khan effectively exiled her by sending her on an expedition to the edge of the galaxy. There, she found the Architect and the -

Keliaya@anncaris - Horde. Supercharging herself with the Galactic Barrier, she seized control of the Horde and launched an invasion of the Khanate. She was eventually defeated by an intergalactic Coalition and -

Keliaya@anncaris - decided to pull a Khan Noonien Singh herself by fleeing into exile across the multiverse. After committing a series of crimes, she too was apprehended by TUSC."

Keliaya@anncaris:"And I thought our Riannis had an eventful career..."

Rianni@crystyl braces against the corner of Kelly's desk, "It's bad enough all these different me's keep popping up, but why do they always have to be overpowered too? And don't get even get me started where this me is a galactic supervillian augment..."

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "This is probably one of the worst Rianni versions out there. She doesn't represent who you are as a person, especially because this version has her personality significantly altered by -

Keliaya@anncaris - the various modifications she's undergone. We don't know exactly how, but after she was captured by TUSC, she managed to break out alongside Nihil. The two effectively joined together into one -

Keliaya@anncaris - being who now calls herself Riannihil. Combined with the augmentations, her contact with the Galactic Barrier and her time as head of the Horde, it's hard to say how much of the original Rianni is even left in her."

Rianni@crystyl:"So... between the TUSC and your lot, this is where you tell us you're putting everything right and history will be restored momentarily with us having no memory of this conversation, right?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "TUSC has already tried to stop her. And like the previous seven times, their agent was bested. The Temporal Integrity Commissions of several other realities have tried to stop her before, but advanced technology is no use. Nihil just takes it over."

Keliaya@anncaris:"So how are we supposed to stop her?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "I have something of an idea, but we'll have to discuss and plan in detail. First, get us far away from the site of the peace talks, then you can call a meeting to discuss this."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Alright, we'll take your word for it. Tierno, escort Boone to the conference room."

Rianni@crystyl nods and steps aside ready to follow him

Keliaya@anncaris:"And Agent?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone pauses and looks back at Kelly

Keliaya@anncaris:"Next time there's an emergency, don't hijack the ship systems without asking. I don't know about where you come from, but it's considered quite rude here."

—

Keliaya@anncaris | A short while later, the Venator's senior staff are gathered in the conference room with Boone. This time, some of this future technology has been returned to him and he projects a hologram of -

Keliaya@anncaris - the suited Riannihil to the centre of the table. The crew who haven't heard the story yet all stare at Boone in surprise at the wild origin story, a few of them glancing between Rianni and the projected hologram

Keliaya@anncaris:"You get used to versions of Rianni after serving with her for a while. But, this is going to be a bit more challenging than her Terran counterpart..."

Rianni@crystyl:"To say the least. I expect even the Observer would struggle to hold her own against this one now"

Keliaya@anncaris | Sin: "Let me at her, I can take her!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "Actually, no, you can't."

Keliaya@anncaris:"In addition to her genetic augmentations and cybernetic connection to this Nihil AI, this Rianni's also a powerful psionic due to contact with the barrier."

Rianni@crystyl | Sin: "You underestimate my power"

Rianni@crystyl:"No Sin, you underestimate hers" she looks to Boone, "Give her the rundown of those who have tried to stop her so far"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "Not only is she a powerful psionic, but by now you know most psionics have a specialty. Hers is the absorption and manipulation of energy. That's not just energy-based weapons like -

Keliaya@anncaris - phasers. Psionics is based in energy at the end of the day. In short, she's a hard counter to any psionic because any attempt to use psionic energy to harm her just empowers her. That's why -

Keliaya@anncaris - TUSC has so much trouble dealing with her. Her original capture took two attempts and they've made seven more since her escape and bonding with Nihil. Across these attempts, five TUSC Agents have been permanently killed."

Rianni@crystyl | Sin folds her arms and pouts, "Yeah, well... I bet I could still take her. But I /suppose/ we can hear your grand idea"

Rianni@crystyl smirks, "Very gracious of you, Sin"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "Riannihil is an unusual case. Her power increases depending on what her opponents throw at her. Against a powerful psionic, she'll turn any offensive psionic powers used on her against -

Keliaya@anncaris - them. Against a technologically advanced foe, she'll turn their technology against them. On a base level, she's still a very powerful individual with both genetic and cybernetic modifications, but she's not invincible."

Rianni@crystyl:"So what is her weakness?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "Her ego. In every new universe she visits, she's made a habit of finding and besting its Rianni Tierno, assuming the native Rianni isn't too out of her way. I believe the Survivors -

Keliaya@anncaris - intentionally hid your whereabouts from her so she would focus on her mission rather than wait around for the Venator to arrive. But now that she's in control of the Yorktown, she knows where -

Keliaya@anncaris - you are, which is why it was so important to change course as soon as I got the news. We were still over an hour from the system, but she might decide to come hunting."

Rianni@crystyl sighs, "So she's out for me personally too, great..."

Keliaya@anncaris:"But we could also use that to lure Riannihil where we want her. That's why you think we're in a better position to deal with her than TUSC or your fellow Temporal Agents."

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "Now you're catching on."

Rianni@crystyl:"But every other reality she's been too has a version of me, well several probably but let's not go there, and you think none have tried this before?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "I'm sure someone has, but they didn't have the exact circumstances we have here."

Keliaya@anncaris | Farhalla: "Where are you thinking to lure her to? An uninhabited or pre-warp world with no technology for her to manipulate?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone nods, "But not just any pre-warp world. One which some of you have personal history with."

Keliaya@anncaris:"You're not thinking..."

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "Belyia."

Rianni@crystyl 's eyes widen, as do Sin's

Keliaya@anncaris:"That would nullify her technological edge, but wouldn't it just make her more powerful psionically?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "She's bonded with technology on a deeper level than a Borg Queen. Belyia will detect her as an intruder, just like it did to the Valley Forge. She'll receive no boost to her powers there."

Rianni@crystyl:"It goes beyond that. Belyia all but nullifies technology at a base level. It took Mia months to jury rig some basic control into the Valley Forge so we could depart. If anything, that world will -

Rianni@crystyl:- severely weaken her if not outright kill her depending how integrated with her technology she is"

Rianni@crystyl | Sin: "And as for psionics, she would only gain strength by gaining the blessings of the guardian spirits there. If she knows the world, she could make quick work of it. But if she doesn't, those of us who do would have a distinct advantage in the short term"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "Exactly, and our intel doesn't suggest Riannihil has any experience with any version of Belyia in any universe."

Rianni@crystyl:"It's all well and good luring her there, but what about collateral damage and cultural contamination? It was bad enough letting Sin loose on that world, let alone this Reaper"

Rianni@crystyl | Sins nods, "Mhm- hey!"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Normally that would be a concern, but Belyia isn't exactly your average pre-warp world. Technologically, it's pre-warp, but it has multiple different species and cultures from across the region -

Keliaya@anncaris:- already integrated, so the Prime Directive doesn't apply. Collateral damage could be a problem, though, depending on how strong she still is."

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone nods, "Fighting someone of her power will have collateral damage no matter where it happens. Previous attempts to stop her have resulted in the destruction of entire planets, star -

Keliaya@anncaris - systems and civilizations. By weakening her power as much as we can, we're doing our best to reduce collateral, and Belyia is our best hope at getting her to her weakest."

Rianni@crystyl:"I assume we haven't suddenly developed a means to control our entry and egress to the world?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "That's the part of this plan I haven't worked out yet. We have options, bioships being the obvious one, but none of them are readily available to us. Of course, we could fly in with -

Keliaya@anncaris - the Venator or the Guan Yu, but that'll just crash the ship on the surface and scatter the crew like you did with the Valley Forge."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Actually, we do have a bioship available. I just don't know if it's /ready/."

Rianni@crystyl:"I think even if we use a bioship we'll still get scattered" she looks to Kelly, "We do? No way, you're thinking Junior?"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "We might still be scattered, but Junior won't be grounded like the Valley Forge was. He'll be able to take us back out once we've dealt with Riannihil."

Rianni@crystyl:"That is true, and no matter how long it takes we should return to virtually the same point in time that we enter the world"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "It's worth a try. We have to go back in time to before the peace talk sabotage anyways so time isn't exactly a factor. We can head back towards the Sphere, make a time warp and then at -

Keliaya@anncaris - least discuss the possibility with Commander Lendaria. She was there on Belyia too, wasn't she? Her input could be useful as well."

Rianni@crystyl:"Well, I guess it's a plan of sorts. And by using this timewarp you believe we can then intercept the Reaper and lure her all the way there?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "I'll direct you for a message to taunt her. We're going to ensure we go back with plenty of time to spare before the peace talks, so she'll be willing to take the detour. She's -

Keliaya@anncaris - practically treating this job as a vacation, and with how easily she completed it without our intervention, I can kind of see why."

Rianni@crystyl hrms, "Well I don't see any better alternative to this idea, but that doesn't mean I'm fond of it either"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "It does sound like it may be our best chance at stopping this Reaper. We'll set course for the Heart, you make the preparations for us to go back in time."

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "I'll have it ready by the time we're in position."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Anything else?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone shakes his head

Rianni@crystyl also shakes her head, "Nothing from me"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Dismissed, then."

—

Keliaya@anncaris | Some time later on the Venator's bridge...

Keliaya@anncaris | Nqakula: "Engineering reports that Boone's modifications to the quantum slipstream drive and deflectors are complete. We should be ready to open a temporal portal with a timeframe of several -

Keliaya@anncaris - weeks, and the Guan Yu will be able to follow us through."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Do we know how to set our destination?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Nqakula: "Nope. But apparently Boone's already done it."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Well, the reports have started coming in from the fleet, and it looks like his information is right. So despite his little stunt with helm control, there's no reason not to trust him. I just hope I don't regret it..."

Keliaya@anncaris | Nqakula: "Farhalla reports all systems are ready for time warp."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Alright, here goes..."

Keliaya@anncaris nods to Azevedo, "Take us back."

Keliaya@anncaris | The Venator's deflector projects an aperture in front of it before the ship accelerates into it at warp speed. The view on the viewscreen twists and swirls

Keliaya@anncaris:"How are we looking on systems?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Nqakula: "Everything seems stable, Commander."

Keliaya@anncaris | Indrix: "Guan Yu is following just behind us."

Keliaya@anncaris | A minute later, the effect fades and the viewscreen turns to a regular starfield

Keliaya@anncaris:"Time check."

Keliaya@anncaris | Indrix: "We appear to be during the timeframe when we were at Edemos colony. Still working on the exact stardate."

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "That's the timeframe we were aiming for. Azevedo, take us the rest of the way to the Heart."

Keliaya@anncaris | Azevedo: "Aye Commander."

—

Keliaya@anncaris | More time passes before they arrive at the Heart proper. The hatch mechanisms engage as usual, with the Venator and Guan Yu being pulled in through the entrance. As they settle into the -

Keliaya@anncaris - Sphere interior, Eva announces, "Hail coming in from the USS Courageous."

Keliaya@anncaris | Admiral Ali appears on the viewscreen seated in the command chair of the Courageous, "Back so soon, Commander? Your last report said you were still working on a way to convince Captain Vrolmacht and most of his crew to come back with you."

Keliaya@anncaris:"We still are. This Venator is from a few weeks into the future. Give us a scan, you should find traces of time travel."

Keliaya@anncaris | Admiral Ali looks behind him before turning back to the screen, "And I assume you've travelled back to the past for a good reason?"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "The peace talks with the Diteans are going to be sabotaged by a mercenary hired by the Survivors. One that will cause a lot of damage to both sides that we need to prevent."

Keliaya@anncaris | Admiral Ali: "I see. But the peace talks aren't being held at the Heart."

Keliaya@anncaris:"No, we're here to get some assistance we need for our plan to stop the mercenary."

Keliaya@anncaris | Admiral Ali: "Couldn't you have done that in the future and then travelled back to stop the mercenary without having to go through all this explaining to me and the rest of the Coalition?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"We could, but this mercenary is /extremely/ dangerous. As in, possibly more of a threat than the Horde. In fact at one point she controlled the Horde of her own native universe. Staying in our -

Keliaya@anncaris:- future meant risking a confrontation with her before we were ready, which can only end in her favour. Having to explain our plans to a few more people is a small price to pay for playing it safe. And since we're travelling back in time anyways, time is on our side."

Keliaya@anncaris | Admiral Ali: "I suppose that makes sense. So who is this mercenary that is so dangerous?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Well..." she looks at Rianni

—

Keliaya@anncaris | After explaining their plan to Admiral Ali, the Venator rendezvous with the Valley Forge. Kelly and Vrolmacht both materialize on one of the Forge's transporter pads dressed in their white-shouldered CO uniforms

Lendaria@crystyl stands ready to greet them with a beaming smile, "Well now, ain't this a trip down memory lane. It's so good t'see you both!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht steps off the pad, "It is good to be back here."

Keliaya@anncaris steps off as well, "I wish we were here on R&R, but we need your help."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Yeah..." she frowns with concern, "Ali gave us th'heads up, what in th'Goddess's name have y'all gotten yaselves into out there?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"It seems like the Survivors have finally cracked and given up on what little morality they have remaining. How much did the Admiral tell you already, or did he just warn you that we're here to ask for help?"

Lendaria@crystyl:"He said it were so bad that y'all made a temporal incursion t'get 'ere now from th'future, an' somethin' bout lil' Rianni?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Yes, the Survivors hired a multiverse travelling mercenary who is a version of Rianni that's augmented, psyched up by the Galactic Barrier and joined with a sentient virus."

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "This one is not so little."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Aight... this one sounds like it's gonna needs drinks t'make sense of, let's get a sit down and y'all can fill me in proper"

Keliaya@anncaris:"I could use a few myself. Lead on, Lennie."

Lendaria@crystyl leads them not to the bridge and ready room as expected, but one of the old lounges. Much quieter now with the reduced crew

Keliaya@anncaris:"I remember this place being busier..."

Lendaria@crystyl takes a seat in a secluded corner, waving to a girl behind the bar to bring them drinks

Keliaya@anncaris and Vrolmacht sit down opposite Lennie

Lendaria@crystyl:"Th'Forge ain't th'same old ship no more, no need for all that crew when we're just rattlin' around th'Heart"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "I guess most of the crew now are science officers or engineers for maintenance."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Not even that much maintenance really since we're covered by th'docks 'ere. Tha' said, this place's been a bit busier than anyone expected so we do still keep a full capability. Not like we /only/ float around hostin' visitin' science teams an' cadets!"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Cadets? Keelah taking her students to tour her old command?"

Lendaria@crystyl:"Not quite. Junior's naturally a point o'interest for 'em, as're we really. But yeah, Keelah had th'idea t'use us for takin' th'kids out on their field trips so they could see stuff 'ere too"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "It's a good idea. Nice way to get some field experience. And speaking of Junior..."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Hm?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Well, he's why we're here."

Lendaria@crystyl:"You travelling back in time t'get Junior's help?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"We're travelling back in time to stop this alternate Rianni, but she's too powerful to defeat conventionally. The temporal agent working with us came up with a plan to weaken her by luring her -

Keliaya@anncaris:- onto Belyia, where her technological advantage will be gone and she won't know to receive any additional psionic power from the spirits there because she's unfamiliar with the location."

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "The problem is, if either of our vessels travels to Belyia, it will end up as the Valley Forge did. And you recall how difficult it was to raise her back up from Belyia."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Damn, that's a plan and a half. Well, it's a half at least. So tha's why ya need Junior then; to get in an' out"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "Junior isn't technology, he's a lifeform, so we don't think entering Belyia will disable him. He'll be our way off once we've dealt with Reaper Rianni."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Reaper-" she shakes her head, "Nevermind. I mean, it's all good in theory. But we'se got no way o'stayin' connected t'Junior. So soon as ya pass through into Belyia an' get split up, everyone'll be on their own includin' Junior"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Eva might be able to do it. She's willing to give it a try, at least. If that doesn't work, we could try and inform Junior about Belyia and what to expect so he doesn't panic when we're separated, -

Keliaya@anncaris:- then try to reconnect with him as quickly as possible. We're going to have to work out a plan to reconnect between ourselves too once we get down there. We'll need everyone working together to confront this Rianni."

Lendaria@crystyl hrms, sipping her drink, "Eva might be able t'make a connection, yeah. An' Junior is a lot more grown up now but he's still never been away from th'Forge. I think we'se gonna have t'try an' make him understand before we say if we can do it or not"

Lendaria@crystyl adds, "As f'talkin' there, ya should've pulled Keelah into this lil' reunion. She did it there last time after all"

Keliaya@anncaris:"That's a good suggestion. We have time, so we can stop by the Annex after and see what advise she has. As for separating from the Forge, the Forge is still spaceworthy so we can take her out with -

Keliaya@anncaris:- us on this mission, at least to the edge of the Belyia anomaly. Junior'll still be alone when we do go inside, but it should help a little. Like a mother walking their child to school."

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "More like a Klingon mother seeing her child off at his first duel."

Keliaya@anncaris:"We don't want to scare Junior with that analogy...

Lendaria@crystyl:"Yeah, we jus' need t'get Junior t'understand wha's t'be done once we get there"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "I'll have Eva over to see what she can do. In the meantime, getting Keelah's thoughts on this sounds like a good idea."

Lendaria@crystyl nods, "I'll reach out an' let her know th'gangs all visitin'!"

—

Keliaya@anncaris | After visiting the Forge and speaking with Lennie, Kelly and Vrolmacht proceed to the Academy Annex to get Keelah's input...

Keelah@crystyl | They find T'Pia waiting for them when they arrive at the annex transporter room

Keliaya@anncaris smiles as she steps off the pad, "Hello Pia. It's been a while. How're you and your mother doing?"

Keelah@crystyl | Pia beams, "It's so good to see you both again! We're great thanks, mum's expecting you in her office"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Which way is that again? I haven't been here since the Venator set out."

Keelah@crystyl | Pia, "Don't worry, I'll show you the way!" she eagerly sets off but soon looks back to Vrolmacht, "It's a relief to see you well Captain, we've all been really worried about you and the Guan Yu"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "I apologize for being away with the Diteans for so long."

Keelah@crystyl | Pia waves her hands, "Oh no need to apologize! It's just a relief to see you again! Is the rest of your crew alright?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht nods, "The majority have decided to return. Or I suppose, will decide to return. Time travel makes things confusing."

Keelah@crystyl | Pia, "Time travel? No wait, forget I asked! I don't suppose your XO is among those safely returned is he...?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "He has indeed. The entire senior crew has returned with me."

Keelah@crystyl | Pia smiles, "Oh that's a relief! Just typical that now Kay's away so she won't get to hear about it yet!"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Kay?"

Keelah@crystyl | Pia, "Cadet Kayleigh, she's his daughter!"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Oh! That explains quite a bit, actually."

Keelah@crystyl | Pia, "It does?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"He was one of the officers who resisted the Diteans the whole time without issue, and having strong family ties is one of the major factors which help."

Keelah@crystyl | Pia, "Ooh, right! That does make sense" she stops at a door, "And here we are! I'll leave you to it here, but I hope we get to catch up properly again soon!"

Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "I hope so too, Pia. Hopefully without time travel business. See you soon!"

Keelah@crystyl | Pia waves and heads off

Keliaya@anncaris rings the doorbell

Keelah@crystyl:"Come in"

Keliaya@anncaris steps in with Vrolmacht behind her, "Hello Keelah. I was worried I might interrupt one of your classes, but I'm glad we timed our visit well."

Keelah@crystyl smiles and stands, "Kelly, W'Chel, it is wonderful to see you both! Please, make yourselves at home" she slides over a couple of freshly brewed drinks, "And when Lennie contacted me I made sure I would be free, though it is a lot easier with half of the cadetss away right now"

Keliaya@anncaris and Vrolmacht both sit down, "Pia mentioned something about that too. Visiting one of the Sphere facilities or the surface?"

Keelah@crystyl:"Actually they're out on their first training tour with the Saturn"

Keliaya@anncaris:"The Saturn? Lucky them. I haven't even had a chance to be on the Saturn yet."

Keelah@crystyl:"Yes, I'm sure it will be quite the experience for them all. But you both didn't come here to talk about cadets"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "Did Lennie tell you anything about our plan?"

Keelah@crystyl:"She was suspiciously lacking in detail... just covering that you have travelled back in time and came here to get Junior's help in combating some multiverse mercenary who's apparently more of a threat than the Architect"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "Yes. Rianni."

Keelah@crystyl:"I'm sorry, what now?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "The multiverse mercenary is /another/ version of Lieutenant Tierno."

Keelah@crystyl:"And... this is worse than the Architect how exactly? We're not exactly strangers to other versions of her now, in fact we have one here at the moment"

Keliaya@anncaris:"You do? I thought the Observer- nevermind, well, this version of her took control of the Horde in her native reality. She's an augment who gained psionic power after going into the Galactic -

Keliaya@anncaris:- Barrier and is also now bonded with a sentient virus who took over the Borg Collective and then the entire Milky Way in its native reality."

Keelah@crystyl pinches the bridge of her nose, "Alright, so that's how she's a bigger threat than the Architect. So how does Junior fit in, or me for that matter"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "We have no chance of defeating her in a regular battle. Her advantages are simply too numerous. Our only chance is to lure her to Belyia, where her technological advantage will be -

Keliaya@anncaris - nullified, and she will not be familiar enough to take advantage of the psionic enhancements while we can."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Junior will be our best way of getting out once we go to Belyia. As for you, well, you're the one responsible for bringing us together the last time we were all scattered across that planet."

Keelah@crystyl:"Or so you hope at least. Well, if what you say is true about her then I agree it's pointless trying to mount a fleet offensive. So Junior can get you on and off the world, how can I help?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Lennie suggested that we come and talk to you. We suspect that we'll still be scattered when we reach Belyia, even if we visit on Junior rather than a mechanical ship. Even weakened, this Rianni -

Keliaya@anncaris:- is probably more than a match for any single person we can bring along, even Sin. We'll want to find a way to gather together, hopefully obtain some blessings from the local spirits, and build a network so we can know when Rianni arrives."

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "And track her down before she gains power as well. You led the guild back on Belyia, you are more familiar with how to organize ourselves on that world than anyone else who was there."

Keelah@crystyl nods along as she listens, "I see. Well, I can certainly give you details of my old contacts - assuming any of them are around still as I have no idea how relative time is there. As for the -

Keelah@crystyl:- shrines I think I have them all mapped in the region we operated in and you already have Sin who covered more than anyone. Is that about what you had in mind?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"It's difficult to say how up to date it is, but that would all certainly be helpful," she chuckles. "I don't imagine you'd run away with us to come along on this mission and organize everyone again when we get there. Once was prooobably enough."

Keelah@crystyl smiles, "Yes, once was more than enough thank you. Besides, I have a responsibility here now and though most of my students are away presently I should not run such a risk"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "I understand. Though with the way time worked the last time we were at Belyia, this mission itself might be significantly shorter than the time we actually spend on it. Still, facing this Rianni is going to be a risk, even on Belyia."

Keelah@crystyl:"Yes, and my first priority is supporting Pia through her studies"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Well, we appreciate everything you can provide, Keelah. Hopefully we'll be able to replicate your success there last time."

Keelah@crystyl smiles, "Of that I have no doubt. You're going in well prepared now after all, so I'm confident you'll make light work of it. Just be careful in dealing with this other Rianni"

Keliaya@anncaris:"That we will. Who is this other Rianni you have here, anyways? Last I heard Mischa hasn't returned yet, so it can't be the Observer."

Keelah@crystyl chuckles, "No it's not her. This is actually the Terran one believe it or not"

Keliaya@anncaris:"The Terran one? Someone's managed to capture her?"

Keelah@crystyl:"Yes-" she looks to Vrolmacht, "Your XO's daughter in fact"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "Cadet Kayleigh? She must be quite the formidable warrior."

Keelah@crystyl smiles, "Well to be fair, it wasn't exactly her on her own and as we all know, the Terran Rianni isn't the brightest example. But yes, she did most of the heavy lifting with that one for sure"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Still very impressive, especially for a cadet. And the Terran Rianni is being held in the Heart now?"

Keelah@crystyl:"Yes, though honestly we have been considering rehabilitation since she doesn't exactly view us as enemies now"

Keliaya@anncaris:"We might be able to make use of her..."

—

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | While Kelly and Vrolmacht speak with Keelah, Eva visits Junior with Lennie. The two materialize inside one of the bioship's chambers

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 looks around to see if Junior has visibly changed any since the Venator's departure

Lendaria@crystyl | No real change since his last growth spurt that occurred well before the Venator left, save for some new integrations with Starfleet interfaces and such

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Looks like you've set up some more in here, but Junior doesn't seem to have changed much."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Yeah, no idea if he's done growin' now or not. Could be fully adult, could be a maturin' teen. Stars, could still be a toddler f'all we know" she laughs

Lendaria@crystyl | As she speaks, the bioluminescent vein-like pathways in the room around them pulse, almost in sync with her speech

Lendaria@crystyl looks around and smiles, "Yes Junior, I've missed ya too"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles as well, "He's gotten to know you well though! I do hope he's closer to full adult than toddler though, for what we're about to do..."

Lendaria@crystyl:"We can only gauge it by our own standards. An' in that regard I'd-a place him like a late teens in terms o'maturity. He understands plenty, as we see it, but still kinda clingy too. Could be th'species are herd creatures by nature so stickin' togethers all natural for 'em"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"That would make sense. It's more your area of expertise than mine, but I've heard of a few spacefaring lifeforms that live in herds. Probably the safest way to live when you have to migrate -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- through space, unless you're a predator like those crystalline ones."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Yeah, th'only oddity in any of them theories is how Junior's species seems t'come into play. After all, by seedin' passin' craft like they did us it can hardly be considered consistent wit' -

Lendaria@crystyl:- herders. Then there's his whole maturation that's seen him take on more features like th'Forge has. S'almost like they're more parasitic in nature tha' way"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"True. Maybe they're parasitic but in a nice way, rather than the Toroki way or something. They make their young through other species, or ships, but then the young integrate into that group."

Lendaria@crystyl nods, "Yeah, once they're up an' runnin' it seems t'become much more symbiotic in nature; seein' how protective of th'Forge he gets"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Let's see if we can explain the importance of this mission to him, maybe by emphasizing how it'll protect the Forge's crew. Maybe even the Forge herself, since last time we were at Belyia the ship crash-landed on the surface and all."

Lendaria@crystyl nods, "You want to do your thing, I'll monitor his output. We've been trying to get a translation o'sorts in place"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 closes her eyes, trying to reach out to Junior telepathically

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 opens her eyes after a moment, "Well, his telepathic presence still feels the same as it always did after the growth spurt. Which makes sense, since he hasn't been through another major -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - development since. That means I still can't make much sense of his thoughts though, since they're so different and alien. The way you've been communicating is probably still our best call."

Lendaria@crystyl turns and smiles, "Well, let's see now!" she taps at the console, "As a way o'showin' his comprehension o'things, we've been workin' on this feedback display since he can't vocalize, an' any -

Lendaria@crystyl:- telepathic communication is more emotion than thought. I'm-a askin' him to repeat back wha' ya explained t'see how he comprehends it"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods and steps over to see what the console brings up

Lendaria@crystyl | Junior's biolights flash and pulse for a moment before Lennie's combadge chirps

Lendaria@crystyl taps, "Go ahead?"

Lendaria@crystyl | Ann: "Hey Lennie, jus' thought ya should know tha' we're receivin' a comms signal from Junior. Looks like he's tryin' to access th'main computer again. Should we let him?"

Lendaria@crystyl:"Please, I wanna see wha' he makes of somethin' Eva jus' communicated so hopefully he's lookin' for context"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Looking for context is a good sign. Implies he understood at least something," she chuckles

Lendaria@crystyl | Junior's lights shift as he continues processing, then after a few more moments a starmap forms on the display

Lendaria@crystyl smiles, "Or at least he understood tha' he needs t'understand somethin'! Now wha's this...?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Looks like a map..."

Lendaria@crystyl | The map shows his current location, and the VF nearby within the Heart. It zooms and pans out and breakneck speed, refocusing on the coordinates of Belyia and displaying a projected route

Lendaria@crystyl smiles, "Attaboy!" and taps a few buttons, seemingly giving some acknowledgement that he is correct

Lendaria@crystyl | The display shifts to show icons for Junior and VF at Belyia, with icons for the crew moving from VF to Junior before Junior enters the system

Lendaria@crystyl:"Very good!" she taps some more

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles, "It looks like he's definitely understood the plan!"

Lendaria@crystyl | The display shows an unusual progression with the system orbits accelerating while VF stands watch

Lendaria@crystyl:"Ok good, he seems t'understand th'time differential"

Lendaria@crystyl | The display then shows the VF flying away, and promptly follows by a big red alert overlay

Lendaria@crystyl chuckles and taps her console, "Don't worry, we won't leave ya there!"

Lendaria@crystyl | The lighting veins pulse and flash quite erratically

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Okay, that's not so good..."

Lendaria@crystyl:"I do believe he's rather excited 'bout th'prospect. I think he's seein' it as gettin' his own crew like VF has"

Lendaria@crystyl:"Now th'only thing I ain't sure on is if he understands what t'do once ethere and everyone disappears"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "Let me try to explain that part a little better."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Maybe try and keep it like specific instructions, rather than leavin' him to react to any unknowns"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Good idea," she closes her eyes again

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 tries to communicate to Junior that she can form a temporary psionic link, and with her power amplified on Belyia, she should be able to keep in contact with Junior and direct him on where to go when the crew needs him to leave the world

Lendaria@crystyl | It takes a few more moments but then the display fizzles out before being replaced by an icon that is tagged specifically as Eva. It progresses to show Captain pips next to her image, and an image of Junior beneath those

Lendaria@crystyl chuckles, "Not quite what we wanted, but I take tha' t'mean he knows to listen t'ya"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 chuckles, "I'll take the field promotion."

Lendaria@crystyl:"Well then, I think we can say he's on board"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles, "Perfect!"

—

Keliaya@anncaris | After visiting Keelah, Kelly calls Rianni and Boone to join her at one of the Sphere's facilities. They materialize on a transporter pad to find a grey-furred Lupan awaiting them

Keliaya@anncaris | Lupan: "Welcome to Coalition Security Headquarters. Or CSHQ, as those of you who love your acronyms call it."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Warden Ursek, I presume?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Lupan: "The one and only."

Keliaya@anncaris steps off the pad, "You know who we're here for. Lead the way."

Keliaya@anncaris | The Lupan Warden nods and turns to lead the way out of the transporter room

Rianni@crystyl follows, glancing between the two, "Well I'm glad someone does... isn't it about time you tell me what this is about?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "Actually, your Commander hasn't told me yet either. I got the same instructions you did."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Sorry, it was a bit of a last minute decision."

Rianni@crystyl:"And... she's still not telling us. I get a bad feeling when she's like this"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Well, we want to taunt Riannihil to Belyia, right?"

Rianni@crystyl eyes her suspiciously, "Yes..."

Keliaya@anncaris:"And we want to make sure she comes, otherwise all this preparation would be for nothing."

Rianni@crystyl:"Well... yes, but I fail to see what that has to do with us coming here"

Keliaya@anncaris follows the Warden into a lift, "You're pretty good at acting, like we saw with Vrolmacht. But..."

Rianni@crystyl:"I get it, I'm no Observer. But... wait, could it? No, she's not here. Who else could...?"

Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "You're getting close. Not the Observer. Two Riannis in one place though, that will certainly be tempting enough for the Reaper."

Keliaya@anncaris | The lift doors open to a security room with consoles monitoring what look like prison cells

Rianni@crystyl continues pondering as they approach the designated cell

Keliaya@anncaris | The Lupan leads them past the security room and into one of the cell blocks proper. There are all manner of beings locked up and a few empty cells as well, but they soon reach the one they are headed for. On the other side of the force field is of course Terran Rianni...

Rianni@crystyl mumbles to herself as they approach, "A Changeling maybe? They could do the look I guess, but... no. A Ditean?" she glances into the cell and her face drops, "...not a Ditean"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni looks up at the sound of visitors and grins, "Well well well, look who it is!"

Rianni@crystyl 's brow furrows and she looks to Kelly

Keliaya@anncaris:"Who better to film a message to taunt Riannihil with?"

Rianni@crystyl:"But you implied that we had someone available here who would do better than me..."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni scowls, "Hey, I /am/ better than you!"

Rianni@crystyl:"Doesn't look it from out here. And last I checked I was the one who managed to infiltrate your crew as you. I'm literally a better you than you!"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni growls, "Yeah... well, I still have better hair!" she folds her arms victoriously

Rianni@crystyl facepalms

Keliaya@anncaris:"Save the fire for Reaper Rianni. And I didn't mean she's better than you, but two Riannis are better than one."

Rianni@crystyl looks to Kelly, "What exactly are you planning?"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni: "And who's this Reaper? She sounds cool!"

Keliaya@anncaris:"She really is a better version of you," she looks back to prime Rianni, "Oh we're not taking her to Belyia or anything. Boone was going to film a message to taunt Reaper Rianni to Belyia."

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone nods, "Baiting her with two Riannis is certainly one way to make sure she won't turn down our challenge."

Rianni@crystyl:"A prerecorded message? Doesn't that seem a little too obvious though?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "Well, we can't get a message out from Belyia. I was thinking of sending it as a live subspace transmission right before we enter Belyia. I suppose we could bring her along as a prisoner on the ship and still do the same, though."

Rianni@crystyl hrms, "You know what, I like the prerecorded idea"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni pouts, "Oh boo!"

Keliaya@anncaris:"We'll take her onto the Valley Forge, send the transmission just before we head in."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni: "Field trip time? Yay! So... what exactly are you assuming that I'm doing for you now, and... what's in it for me?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Since you seem so eager about the field trip, I guess that's what's in it for you. Plus, if you show good behaviour, the Warden might give you some more freedoms once you get back."

Keliaya@anncaris | Warden Ursek: "That...could be arranged."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni hrms, "Well I /suppose/ I could squeeze you into my schedule... and what's this about a recording and taunting?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"This Reaper Rianni we were talking about, she's a multiversal mercenary and makes a hobby of defeating any native Riannis in the realities she visits. We need to bait her to a specific location, -

Keliaya@anncaris:- Belyia. Two Riannis will be too tempting for her to resist and focus on her job."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni, "So... I'm literally bait on a hook for you, great"

Rianni@crystyl:"Hey, so am I"

Keliaya@anncaris:"She's the actual bait, you're just the sweetener. You'll be safe on the Valley Forge while we go down to Belyia and risk our lives."

Keliaya@anncaris | Boone: "Sounds like a good deal for you, doesn't it?"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni, "I can swing it, sure. Besides, it should be fun to catch up with the other me!"

Rianni@crystyl groans, "Well won't that be just peachy..."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Don't get any funny ideas about knocking her out and taking her place. Trust me, she'll be drawing the ire of a very dangerous other you, and you'll be much comfier in your cell on the Valley Forge."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni raises her hands, "Hey, what? No! I don't want to be her anyway"

Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "See? Just play your part and you'll have everything to gain and nothing to lose."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni gives an exaggerated salute, "Aye Aye, Cap'n-boss-lady!"

Keliaya@anncaris turns to the Warden, "Warden Ursek, I'll let you liaise with the Valley Forge for the prisoner transfer. Be careful, you know how sneaky Terrans can be. Well, maybe you're less familiar with them than we are."

Keliaya@anncaris | Warden Ursek: "I was there at the Battle of the Holy City. I am well aware."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Excellent. We'll leave her in your capable claws then."

—

Keliaya@anncaris | After making their preparations, most of the mission personnel gather in one of the Valley Forge's conference rooms. Kelly leads the group from the Venator, probably the largest to arrive in -

Keliaya@anncaris - the room, consisting mostly of former VF crew who were on Belyia, with the exception of Boone

Keliaya@anncaris | Lennie, Ann and most of the VF's current senior staff are of course already inside, as is Vrolmacht, who didn't take the additional trip to visit Terran Rianni

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "Been a while since we've all gathered in here."

Keliaya@anncaris doesn't take the seat at the head of the table, as Lennie is the CO here

Rianni@crystyl | Lennie looks around, "Damn, yeah. Didn't think I'd ever see so many old faces back around th'table again"

Keliaya@anncaris:"It's quite a reunion. I wished it was under better circumstances, though I believe some of us are thrilled to be returning to Belyia," she looks to Sin in particular

Rianni@crystyl | Sin feigns disinterest, "It's not like you'd let me set out for world domination again..."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Actually, if we don't stop Reaper Rianni quickly enough, she's probably going to start conquering and raising an army, in which case we'd probably need to do the same."

Rianni@crystyl | Sin perks up, "Really? You're not just saying that to get me on board?"

Rianni@crystyl | Lennie chuckles, "Glad t'see some things never change"

Keliaya@anncaris chuckles, "Clearly not. Anyways, our plan is to hopefully stop her /before/ it gets to that point."

Rianni@crystyl | Lennie nods, "It looks as though everything's set for it now. Is everyone up t'speed?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "I think we only briefed everyone on the plan as it was before we got here, not the alterations we've made since."

Rianni@crystyl | Lennie nods, "Right. Well, I think it's all pretty much th'same still in all really. Only one small addition in th'form of another Rianni, right?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Well, since the Valley Forge is going to be accompanying Junior to the edge of Belyia to reassure him, we're all going to be setting out on the Forge. More ships won't help with this mission, if -

Keliaya@anncaris:- anything, it'll just be an additional risk factor for Riannihil to spot us and take us over. Once we've gone in with Junior, Valley Forge will proceed to a nearby system and hide by its gas giant until we return."

Rianni@crystyl | Lennie, "Oh right, you originally planned t'take Venator too. Makes sense I guess, but yeah. I guess I always figured we'd be along f'Junior so never factored tha' in"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "Venator and Guan Yu will be remaining back in the Sphere. Vrolmacht is coming along as well, we could use someone with his skill at metal weaponry. Even weakened, Reaper Rianni is still -

Keliaya@anncaris - an augment, and more muscle couldn't hurt. Commander Sebek will be taking over the Guan Yu for the moment; since so much of the Venator's senior staff is here, I've temporarily transferred -

Keliaya@anncaris - command to Captain Ellen Harper of the Faraday whom we recently recovered from the same colony."

Rianni@crystyl | Lennie smiles, "Sounds good, I'm sure both ships will be in excellent hands 'til we're done"

Keliaya@anncaris:"As for the surface team..." she looks to Lennie, "Will you be coming with us, since you're the most familiar with Junior?"

Rianni@crystyl | Lennie hrms, "S'pose I could. Hadn't really thought on it t'be honest but it would make sense t'stick wit' Junior yeah"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ann: "Guess I'll be keepin' the Forge safe in your absence. We'll just be layin' low, so hopefully not much to do 'cept wait."

Rianni@crystyl | Lennie smiles, "Y'got this!"

Keliaya@anncaris slides an isolinear chip into the table, bringing up a paper map of Belyia which has been turned into a hologram, along with Keelah's notes, "Once we arrive at the surface, we'll aim to gather -

Keliaya@anncaris - and reconvene in the same city where Keelah gathered us the last time. Some of us will no doubt have an easier time making it there than others. Try to get the portals working again if we can, -

Keliaya@anncaris - our first main objective is to regroup. That said, if you have the opportunity to obtain blessings from the spirits, form local contacts and connections and anything that could help our wider -

Keliaya@anncaris - goal of locating and defeating Riannihil, take it. As long as you don't get too carried away. No empire building right when we get there."

Rianni@crystyl | Sin pouts

Keliaya@anncaris:"All the resources and power you build up will be no use to us if you're not in contact with us and can't use it against Riannihil when we do find her. Once we're gathered, we'll compare our -

Keliaya@anncaris:- resources and figure out how to proceed from there. Sounds good to everyone?

Rianni@crystyl:"Just to be clear, the other me is staying on the ship right?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Yes she is. She's just here for the message to taunt Reaper Rianni. A Terran could be useful in a fight, but we can't exactly trust her yet."

Rianni@crystyl:"Useful as she might be, having Sin trying to take over the world will be quite enough"

Rianni@crystyl | Sin: "Hey! Oh, wait a minute, that works in my favour. I'm with you Tierno!"

Rianni@crystyl groans

Keliaya@anncaris | Emma: "One other thing. Last time, we were caught by surprise, but this time we know what to expect. While we still don't know exactly where on Belyia we'll appear, we can prepare some roughly -

Keliaya@anncaris - appropriate clothes for the general level of development around Belyia. As well as basic survival tools. We keep what we have on us when we're scattered across Belyia, as long as it isn't mechanical in nature, it should still work."

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht nods, "Those of us proficient with less technological weapons should bring something of our choice as well."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Good idea. It'll save us the trouble of getting tools and weapons forged when we get there. And some of us might need it immediately, depending on where we end up."

Rianni@crystyl:"Plus, we can replicate far superior equipment to what the locals can produce. I'll get in some practice and figure out what works best for me"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Anything else?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ann looks to Lennie, "Wha' bout Tiah? She gonna be staying on the ship or goin' with? She an' Tee were both on Belyia last time, and they could come in handy for ya."

Keliaya@anncaris | Ann: "But they got the lil ones to look after an' all now, too."

Rianni@crystyl | Lennie, "Tiah could definitely prove useful, but we've already got a large team too. I'll speak with T'Quila an' see how they wanna play it"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "All ready to get underway, then?"

Rianni@crystyl | Lennie looks around one last time before calling it, "Alrigh then, Let's get this mission goin'"

—

Human NPC@annpc#557 | We see the Valley Forge and Junior making their way through the Sphere. The Venator and Guan Yu are parked nearby, but don't follow as VF and Junior head towards an Iconian gateway

Human NPC@annpc#557 | The gateway springs to life, displaying an image of stars in contrast to the sky of the Spherescape. VF passes through first, followed by Junior...

Human NPC@annpc#557 ...and appear in the midst of space, where both proceed to jump to warp

—

Human NPC@annpc#557 | ONE DAY LATER...

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone and Rianni proceeds to the VF's brig, accompanied by a security team. The only prisoner in one of the cells is of course Terran Rianni

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone walks over, "Don't try anything. As tough as you Terrans think you are, there's a whole security team here. Not to mention this universe's version of you, who's every bit your match."

Rianni@crystyl:smiles, "And the current score is 2-0, lest you forget"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni, "What? Nu-uh. 1-0. That other time didn't count!"

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone lowers the field, "Well, behave yourself and make sure there isn't another time, then," he smirks

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni steps out, "So what, I'm out on good behaviour already? You lot are getting softer I swear"

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone: "Oh we're just taking you to do what you're here to do. Wouldn't look very taunting in a cell, would you?"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni: "Fair enough. So what's your plan?" she turns to Rianni, "And what's the deal with this guy calling all the shots anyway?"

Rianni@crystyl:"He's a temporal agent, you may as well ignore that uniform"

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone: "Yes, my other uniform would look a little out of place here. This way." He turns to lead the way

Rianni@crystyl | The Rianni's both follow, getting themselves wedged in the door briefly as they both insist on going first

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone glances over his shoulder, "One at a time, ladies."

Rianni@crystyl:"Yeah, know your place Terran!"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni grumbles and follows behind Rianni, then after a moment reaches forward and pinches her on the side of her waist

Rianni@crystyl squeaks and jumps, "Hey!"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni grins, "Thought so. You're getting soft!"

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone: "Hey, behave. Don't make us transport you back into the cell."

Rianni@crystyl:"What? I'm just checking up on me!"

Rianni@crystyl:"Much as I hate to admit it, this /is/ her behaving"

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone: "I hate to see her misbehaving, then..." he steps into the lift

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni beams proudly as she steps in behind them

Human NPC@annpc#557 | The security escorts step in as well, making the lift quite crowded

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Fortunately, the lift ride doesn't last particularly long, and they soon arrive at the secondary bridge of the VF

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone: "Don't get any ideas. The consoles are configured for display only. You can't control any ship functions from here, except the viewscreen."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni, "So trusting it's almost heartwarming"

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone: "If you do somehow manage to access ship functions from here, I can just hijack it back from you. The other Rianni knows," he looks to Prime Rianni

Rianni@crystyl hrms, "Yes sadly when it comes to actual threats he's got you beat hands down"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni; "Yeah, I bet he's got all sorts of fancy toys, I know his sort"

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone: "Nothing you can pickpocket off me. And if you try, you are certainly being transported back to your cell."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni, "No fondling, got it"

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone: "Now, you're here because this is the best setting to send that message to Riannihil from. Looks more like you're in control when you're on a bridge, powerful. And that'll draw her to come and try to defeat you all the more."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni skips over and slinks into the command seat, "Ooh, yeah now this feels good"

Rianni@crystyl stands there, arms folded, "And what do you think you are doing?"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni smirks at her, "Please, remember the hallway coming up here; you're too soft. That's why you needed me along!"

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone: "I'll...let you two figure out who's sitting where."

Rianni@crystyl:"Wait, were you... not just messing around then- no, nevermind I don't care. Whatever, let's just get this over with" she sits next to her

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone: "Alright, remember, this Rianni has a habit of challenging versions of her in universes she visits, and she thinks herself invincible and virtually a god. Play on that, use it to get -

Human NPC@annpc#557 - her to come to Belyia. We'll attach the coordinates to the transmission, don't reveal anything about Belyia to her, other than it's neutral ground to fight on."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni, "And we're just prerecording this, or is she about to appear on that screen?"

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone: "It's a live transmission, but she won't actually be accepting it as a hail or anything. I've made sure she'll receive and see it, though."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni, "Too bad, would be fun to see her reaction and actually get her to bite back! But oh well"

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone steps over to a console, "We'll be going live in five. 5...4...3...2...1..."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni looks to the screen with a smirk and waves, "Heeey me! Guess who! That's right... it's me! I bet you thought you were real clever didn't you; thought you could come sneaking into -

Rianni@crystyl:- /our/ reality unnoticed?" she pouts, "I hope you were planning come and say hello at the very least" and flashes a wicked grin, "After all, the arrogance of your assumed superiority deserves a -

Rianni@crystyl:- punishing! So I cordially invite you to the Mad Me's tea party! Oh yes that's right, it's not just me and thee either..."

Rianni@crystyl chimes in, "That's right. This is our universe, that's not to say it isn't big enough for more of me of course. But as the other me already said, you've been very naughty trying to sneak in here -

Rianni@crystyl:- without our permission. So come and either join forces with us or take your punishment like a real me!"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni grins and gives a little wave, "We'll be waiting..."

Rianni@crystyl nods to Boone to end it

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone nods back and taps his console, "Very well done, ladies."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni, "I just wish I could see the look on her face when she watches that"

Rianni@crystyl:"Look in the mirror and pull a face then"

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone chuckles, "She's got a point."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni smirks, "That she does. She might one of the softer me's, but she's also one of the sharpest. So that's it? All the hype and buildup back at the sphere and that's me done now?"

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone: "What, you want to risk your life being trapped in a strange anomaly to defeat this other you, now? Cell seems much comfier from where we're looking."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni, "And soooo boring! Come on, you know you could use me down there"

Rianni@crystyl groans, "Not this again..."

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone: "Belyia separates us. If you come with us, we can't keep an eye on you. You might never see us again and be stuck on the planet for the rest of your life, intentionally or unintentionally, since Junior is going to be our only way off."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni, "Yeah I get the risk, but anything beats sitting around going stale in a cell. For what it's worth, I've got no intention of getting left behind on some backwash little planet. But this is literally the fight of a lifetime and I can't say no to that"

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone considers, "Well, since Junior is going to be our only way off, I suppose you have no choice but to actually stick with us, unless you'd rather be stuck on Belyia." He looks to Prime -

Human NPC@annpc#557 - Rianni. "What do you think? Trust yourself with a longer leash, or is she going to be more trouble than she's worth? After all, no one knows you better than yourself."

Rianni@crystyl hrms, "There's no denying she could be handy in a fight, but I'd be crazy not to expect some kind of stunt from her. I'll speak with the Captain about it and we'll decide then, but I'm not going to make any mission altering decisions on my own"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni: "Aww, you're going to vouch for me?"

Rianni@crystyl:"I'm going to voice my concerns actually. But, that will tempered with considerations to your potential value too"

Human NPC@annpc#557 | Boone: "If nothing else, we'll vouch for you back at Coalition Security so they give you a chance to do something other than being locked in a cell in the future. If this mission is too risky. -

Human NPC@annpc#557 - And if they do include you on this mission, you behaving and not trying something will just add to your credibility next time."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni smiles, "Can't argue with that now, can I? Besides, I really just want to just fight this other me who thinks she's better than me!"

Rianni@crystyl:"If you want to fight every version of us that's better than you, it's going to become a full time job"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni scowls, "I could still start with you, you know"

Rianni@crystyl grins, "Ah, so you do see that I'm better than you!" and turns away victoriously

Rianni@crystyl stammers and pouts

—

Keliaya@anncaris | A short while after recording the transmission to taunt Reaper Rianni, Terran Rianni finds herself escorted out of her cell once again. This time, she is led to the transporter room, where -

Keliaya@anncaris - Kelly, Eva and Prime Rianni await her, all dressed in what looks like prewarp clothing

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni looks around, "Well now, aren't we all looking nice and primitive"

Keliaya@anncaris:"That's the idea. And you will too, if you still want to come with us."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni smiles, "Yeah, I get it!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "There is something else, too."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni gives her a look, "More caveats?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva nods, "Rianni, well, our Rianni has asked me to form a psionic link between the two of you for this mission. Entering the anomaly will scatter us on Belyia, so this is the only way to keep an eye on you, just not a conventional eye."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni looks between the two, "Wait, so you mean I'm going to have her in my head?" to Rianni, "You really don't trust yourself this bad?"

Rianni@crystyl smiles, "I trust myself fine. It is you that I do not trust"

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "Not quite inside your head, you'll just be able to sense each other. And I suppose get inside one another's heads if you want to. You'll also get to see what she's doing, since you'll both be linked."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni pulls a face but then relents and sighs, "This works both ways at least, right?"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "Exactly. But before you get any ideas about stealing Starfleet secrets and breaking out, this'll only work when you're on Belyia."

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "Neither of you have the psionic potential to use this link otherwise. It'll still be there, but the effects will only become noticeable when you're on Belyia due to the psionics enhancing effects we receive there. That said, I'll still need your consent to do this."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni shares a glance with Rianni, "...oh fine, still beats rotting in a cell"

Rianni@crystyl:"For what it's worth, I don't much care for being inside your head either. But you can be useful, so I won't pass that up"

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "When you're both ready, then."

Rianni@crystyl | Both Rianni's move over and stand ready

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva steps over, placing a hand on each of their foreheads, "Close your eyes, this'll only take a moment..."

Rianni@crystyl | They both do so in remarking unison

Keliaya@anncaris | A few seconds pass, and both Riannis feel a tingle in their heads

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva withdraws her hands, "That should do it. You can open your eyes now."

Rianni@crystyl looks at the Terran

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni looks back, rubbing her head, "Doesn't feel so bad. More like an annoying itch I can't quite reach to get rid of..."

Rianni@crystyl frowns, "I am not an annoying itch"

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "You don't sense each other's thoughts, do you? I imagine your thoughts should be distinct enough to tell..."

Rianni@crystyl:"I still very much feel like me, and only me, in there"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni nods, "The only whining is definitely external"

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "It should kick in once you arrive at Belyia. Only one way to find out, I suppose."

Keliaya@anncaris:"You both ready?"

Rianni@crystyl | They both nod, again in unison, and catch each other with a doubletake

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "Maybe the link is having some effects..."

Rianni@crystyl:"I'm sure it's just coincidence. Yeah... time to move!"

Keliaya@anncaris and Eva steps onto the transporter pad

Rianni@crystyl | The Riannis follow

Keliaya@anncaris | The group disappears into transporter beams...

—

Keliaya@anncaris | ...and rematerializes inside Junior, where Lennie and Boone are awaiting them

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva looks to Terran Rianni, "Ever been on a bioship before in your universe?"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni looks around, "Tangled with the Undine once or twice, but never one of... whatever this thing is"

Keliaya@anncaris:"We call him Junior. He's kind of a unique situation, so I'm not surprised you don't have one," she looks to Lennie. "Do you want to do the explaining? You are the expert, after all."

Rianni@crystyl | Lennie smiles, "S'quite simple really, Junior's the Forge's baby!"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni, "Um... riiiiight, sure"

Rianni@crystyl | Lennie snickers at the reaction, "Seriously! From wha' we can tell his species's spacedwellin'. But they procreate by attachin' t'energy sources then they mature t'emulate tha' form"

Rianni@crystyl:"So most of the time, they aren't bioships, just spacewhales"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni: "Wait, so your ship literally had a baby spacewhale?"

Rianni@crystyl chuckles, "Yes. Yes it did"

Keliaya@anncaris grins, "That's why I said it was a bit of a unique situation!"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni: "You're not wrong. Damn, you lot do find some oddities don't you"

Keliaya@anncaris:"That's what happens when you spend your time exploring the universe instead of trying to conquer it."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni, "I get it, I've seen enough exploring to appreciate that. And you know, that's actually what I was trying to do when I got nabbed!"

Rianni@crystyl:"...You got nabbed trying to steal a starship"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni nods, "Yes, so I go off exploring and adventuring! Anyway, it was a Terran ship. I was just going to liberate it!"

Rianni@crystyl:"...It didn't even exist"

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni frowns, "Well how was I supposed to know that your lot chopped it in half! And that damn pink haired traitor never let on either..."

Keliaya@anncaris:"It made for good components for the Yorktown."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni: "Yeah, well I know that now of course"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Alright, we won't need quarters or anything, since we're right on the edge of the anomaly zone. All Junior needs to do is fly us in, and we'll all be transported to the surface of Belyia, scattered across the planet."

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva is handed a set of clothes by Emma and in turn hands them to Terran Rianni, "You however will need to find a place to get changed."

Rianni@crystyl | Terran Rianni takes the clothes and looks around, "I'll... be over there. Somewhere then" and heads off to change

Keliaya@anncaris shouts after her, "Do it quickly, you don't want to end up on the planet half-naked!"

Rianni@crystyl:"Is everyone else here and ready?"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "We're the last ones over from the Valley Forge, since we were waiting on the other you," she looks to Lennie. "Let's get Junior underway, make sure he isn't getting any last minute nerves."

Rianni@crystyl | Lennie nods, "I'll be in th'central chamber" and heads off

Keliaya@anncaris looks around, "Alright everyone, not much settling in to do, so just get ready to find yourselves on the surface of Belyia. Make sure all your supplies are secured on your person. When you get -

Keliaya@anncaris - there, take note of your surroundings, be alert to any dangers and try to make it to the safety of the nearest settlement if you're not in one."

Rianni@crystyl starts rummaging through her satchel, doublechecking her supplies

Keliaya@anncaris does the same as well, along with everyone else

Keliaya@anncaris | Slowly, the camera zooms out, showing Junior splitting off from the Valley Forge as he heads towards Belyia...

—

NPC@annpc#557:FX | https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/elderscrolls/images/a/ab/Windhelmeso.png/revision/latest?cb=20141031014125

NPC@annpc#557:| Prime Rianni awakes finding herself in a snowy land overlooking a walled settlement. She has not been to this part of Belyia before, but from the climate and architecture, she recognizes it as a -

NPC@annpc#557:- region visited by Thorkildsen and a few of the VF's enlisted crew. Descendants of Drenn, then known to the VF crew only as Riders, have set up here as they are naturally better suited to the -

NPC@annpc#557:- climate than most other species, establishing a suitably Norse-like society with an emphasis on raiding. They compete with the more human-like species that seem most common on Belyia. Having -

NPC@annpc#557:- never seen the architecture of the region herself, Rianni has no idea if this is a Raider (the local name for the Drenn) or humanoid settlement

Rianni@crystyl:quickly doublechecks her things and begins walking, figuring she'll get close enough and scope out the settlement. Hopefully finding a place to test if her abilities are still present from last time

NPC@annpc#557:| As she walks, Rianni begins to get flashes of views not through her own eyes, visions of an icy shoreline

NPC@annpc#557:FX | https://w0.peakpx.com/wallpaper/808/327/HD-wallpaper-sea-of-ghosts-elder-elder-scrolls-ice-scrolls-skyrim-the-elder-scrolls.jpg

Rianni@crystyl:figures it could be the connection with the Terran and tries to communicate as she walks along

NPC@annpc#557:| It indeed is the connection with Terran Rianni, and she is able to send some thoughts through their connection. It would seem like the two of them had landed in roughly the same part of Belyia, though who can tell exactly what distance lies between the two

Rianni@crystyl:tries to share a vision of where she is, since it's more of a landmark, "Join me here"

NPC@annpc#557:| As she gets closer to the settlement, Rianni sees that it seems to be a humanoid one. The guards are all human-esque, as is a small group crossing the bridge towards the city gate

Rianni@crystyl:decides to test her old abilities and jump through the shadows to catch up and blend in with the travelling group

NPC@annpc#557:| Rianni's old abilities still work, and she is able to jump through the shadows, reaching the caravan. As the caravan approaches the gate, the individuals in the lead speak with the guards for a few moments before the gates are opened for the group to pass through

Rianni@crystyl slides up her hood and disappears into the group

NPC@annpc#557:| Blending into the group, Rianni is able to enter the city without incident..

NPC@annpc#557:FX | https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ESq4HGCWoAA6dYo.jpg

Rianni@crystyl:fades through more shadows once inside to split off from the group and emerge strolling quietly from a side alley. She sets about exploring, trying to find her way around a little

Rianni@crystyl:| Terran Rianni, "Dammit, will you stop that already!"

Rianni@crystyl:"What?" she speaks out loud on instinct, catching some locals by surprise. She shies away and keeps moving before focusing on a mental response, "What?"

Rianni@crystyl:| Terran Rianni, "Whatever you just did there and before, or at least give me fair warning!"

Rianni@crystyl:chuckles to herself at the thought of the Terran suddenly experiencing flashes of her shadow movement while going about her business

Rianni@crystyl:| Terran Rianni, "Hey! I can hear that smirk you know!"

Rianni@crystyl:"Sorry, sorry. I'll try to be more considerate" she resigns, "Just had to figure out if I could still do it is all"

Rianni@crystyl:puts the entertaining distraction aside and refocuses on her exploration

NPC@annpc#557:| Rianni spends a few hours exploring the city, learning its layout and the locations of major buildings. She finds no signs of portals here, and the sun begins to set. It is probably a good time -

NPC@annpc#557:- to head to one of the inns she discovered, perhaps use her powers to steal some coin to cover the costs of staying the night

Rianni@crystyl:tries to find some local miscreants who likely already stole their coin from someone else to pilfer from

NPC@annpc#557:| Rianni spots a few locals who seem likely to be thieves to steal from!

Rianni@crystyl:sighs to herself, already knowing full well she was going to end up doing this again. She finds a spot where they can't spot her and pauses, closing her eyes briefly and holding out her hand. A moment later, a small coin purse appears in it and she smiles at the small victory

NPC@annpc#557:| With local currency in hand, Rianni is now ready to get herself a room in one of the inns, if she so wishes. Meanwhile she sees that Terran Rianni has to make do camping out on the tundra

Rianni@crystyl:sympathises with her but has no intention of heading back out to find her so makes her way back to the local inn she found earlier

Rianni@crystyl:meanwhile wanders past the thieves she took from, just as they start to bicker and blame one another for stealing from each other

—

NPC@annpc#557:| Another hour passes and the sun has completely gone down now. Having rented a room in one of the local inns, Rianni is just settling inside when she hears a knock on the door...

Rianni@crystyl:eyes the door suspiciously, stowing away her coinpurse and slipping a dagger up the sleeve of her cloak, "Coming"

Rianni@crystyl:approaches tentatively with the hidden dagger ready as she creaks the door open

NPC@annpc#557:| Two hooded figures stand on the other side of the door. They both stare at Rianni for a long moment

Rianni@crystyl:firms up the grip on her blade and stands strong, unwilling to give up the potential of the door she has wedged against her foot

NPC@annpc#557:| The two figures exchange looks with each other and then draw swords. One of them rushes at the door, trying to push it open all the way and get inside

Rianni@crystyl:grabs his arm and pulls him into the wedged door, then promptly slams it with his arm in the way before jumping back and drawing both of her blades

NPC@annpc#557:| Rianni hears a cry of pain as the man's arm is slammed into the door. As she jumps back, the second man kicks open the door and charges in, swinging his sword at her

Rianni@crystyl:thanks their predictability and shadowsteps around his charge, emerging behind him as he continues forward to kick him in the back and send him head first through the window

NPC@annpc#557:| The man flies out the window and thuds on the ground below. However, instead of screams or shouts of panic, all Rianni hears are the sounds of more blades unsheathing through the window and the clatter of footsteps

Rianni@crystyl:curses missing the opportunity to interrogate the one she first stopped. She quickly grabs her things and wraps her cloak around herself. She draws the hood as the next wave burst through the door, -

Rianni@crystyl:- only to see her glance back with the flash of a cheeky smile before diving out of the window herself. Only she doesn't hit the ground below, instead slipping into the shadows to reemerge on a nearby rooftop where she crouches down to observe her attackers

NPC@annpc#557:| Her attackers stop and look around as she disappears. One of them rushes over to the window to look for her while the others search her inn room

Rianni@crystyl:keeps watching for clues as to who they are

NPC@annpc#557:| A few moments pass and a group of guards start heading towards the inn to check out the commotion. However, two more hooded figures accompanying a figure in more elaborate robes holding a staff -

NPC@annpc#557:- makes their way up to the guards. They exchange a few words and the staff holding figure gives the guard a pouch, likely of coins, and the guards turn and head away

Rianni@crystyl:eyerolls at the predictable corruption, "Some things never change it seems..." she mutters to herself

NPC@annpc#557:| The figure with the staff stands still for a moment, and then turns to the other two. He points at the building Rianni is on the balcony of...

Rianni@crystyl:narrows her eyes, trying to get a glimpse of the man's face before she flees

NPC@annpc#557:| The man is not anyone Rianni recognizes. However, he does have a distinctive mark on his forehead...

NPC@annpc#557:FX | https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/dragonage/images/d/df/KarlThekla.png/revision/latest?cb=20110401235116

Rianni@crystyl:accepts that as her lead for now and disappears into the shadows

NPC@annpc#557:| As Rianni disappears into the shadows, she suddenly sees a bright flash of light and almost feels as if she has been yanked out. She finds herself in a dark room in the same building, but the -

NPC@annpc#557:- room lights up, and she finds herself staring into the face of a woman bearing the same marking

NPC@annpc#557:| https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/dragonage/images/4/4a/Elsa.png/revision/latest?cb=20110331160642

Rianni@crystyl:looks around sharply trying to get her bearings before focusing on the woman and hunkering down ready to defend herself. A stance she hasn't used since here previously, but now it feels as natural -

Rianni@crystyl:- as anything else as she holds her body low to the ground with one leg stretched out to her side and both hands poised on the hilts of her blades sheathed at the small of her back

NPC@annpc#557:| The woman doesn't have any blade or weapon at all. Instead, the light in the room intensifies and Rianni is unable to see anything, including where her target is

Rianni@crystyl:takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, choosing to rely on her other senses while the woman plays this game

NPC@annpc#557:| Rianni hears the woman's footsteps, but before she can strike, a male voice suddenly echoes across the room

NPC@annpc#557:| Male Voice: "You have lost, Trickster."

NPC@annpc#557:| A female voice joins in, though it doesn't have the same echoing effect and sounds like it is just someone in the room with her, probably the woman, "You cannot win. Our Mistress granted us these powers to defeat you. We have been waiting for you to rear your treacherous head."

Rianni@crystyl:"I think we've gotten off on the wrong foot here. Why don't we start with introductions from my gracious hosts?"

Rianni@crystyl:meanwhile has been mentally nudging the Terran to wake up and pay attention, "Can you see my surroundings?"

NPC@annpc#557:| Terran Rianni: "I can't see anything. Are you pointing a flashlight in your face or something?"

NPC@annpc#557:| Male Voice: "We are not your hosts. We are your escorts, here to take you to the Mistress where you shall be judged."

Rianni@crystyl:"It is an enemy, I guess" she shares the memory of their words about the Mistress and powers specific to combat her own

Rianni@crystyl:"Judged for what exactly?"

NPC@annpc#557:| Female Voice: "For your betrayal. For wearing the face of the Great Giftbearer. For coveting Her place and her power and seeking to usurp her throne in the Worlds Beyond."

NPC@annpc#557:| Male Voice: "Your crimes are many, Trickster Spirit. And your punishment will be glorious indeed."

Rianni@crystyl:"You... have a problem with my face? Well that's kind of rude..."

Rianni@crystyl:| Terran Rianni, "Are you sure we got here before your Reaper? Because it's sounding a lot like they worship another version of us..."

Rianni@crystyl:responds to the Terran in her thoughts, "I can't see how she would have gotten here before us. But time does work strangely on this world so we can't rule it out"

NPC@annpc#557:| Male Voice: "You took on Her face. There can only be one. And our Mistress will prevail. She always does."

Rianni@crystyl:"Trust me, if your mistress has my face then it is synonymous with being anything but 'only one'. I'll have you know this is my own face, always has been and always will be"

NPC@annpc#557:| Female Voice: "No longer. You have lost, Trickster. And when all the False Prophets are silenced, when the World-Walker has reclaimed her rightful place, then there shall be peace and unity across all Belyia."

NPC@annpc#557:| Male Voice: "Now...submit."

NPC@annpc#557:| Rianni's ears are filled with a loud ringing, making it difficult to think

Rianni@crystyl:fights is as best as she can, focusing on the Terran, "We can't take the risk of this not being the Reaper"

Rianni@crystyl:| Terran Rianni, "Aww, you need my help so soon now? Too bad, so sad"

Rianni@crystyl:"Hey! I can share this pain with you, you know!"

Rianni@crystyl:| Terran Rianni, "Say please!"

Rianni@crystyl:"...Fine. Please come find me so we can do the job you came here for!"

Rianni@crystyl:| Terran Rianni, "Good enough!"

NPC@annpc#557:| Through the ringing, Rianni is unable to hear it, but Terran Rianni picks it up due to not experiencing the pain firsthand. She hears the woman say, "Don't overdo it, Brother. Only the Mistress may kill the Trickster."

NPC@annpc#557:| Then, Rianni feels something hard hit her on the back of her head and the blinding light is replaced by stars...

NPC@annpc#557:| TO BE CONTINUED...