(- Akrhista, Dirach -)
Zosens eyes opened slowly, blinking at the painful fluorescent lighting of the small, clinically bare room. It was not the first time he had awoken in the seven weeks since his accident, but it was the first time he was anywhere near coherent. His head throbbed dully, and he felt drained, yet as he twisted his head to look at himself, he realised with some surprise that he was in one piece.
Wincing at the surprising pain that moving his head had brought, he let his head fall back onto the bed. He sensed a presence at the other side of the room - sensed more than saw, for his eyesight was strangely blurry.
About time, Rhuikadar, a low voice murmured softly, his voice not impatient despite his words. Zosen tried to reply, but found that his throat was parched - he felt dehydrated. As if sensing his need, the Azdgari Zosen had sensed stood and crossed over to Zosens side, appearing as a dark blur against the white of the walls. The blur offered him a clear liquid in a spherical container with a long stem, and Zosen lifted his left arm - thankfully still attached - to take it. His limbs felt weak, and he almost dropped the flask before steadying himself and forcing himself to sit up and drink.
As he did, he felt his vision clearing, and the blur was confirmed as Chyi-Azhar, standing motionless by his side, regarding him without expression. His mentor, Chyi-Azhar had raised him from infanthood and taught him in the ways of the Azdgari. He had shown no excess of compassion in the years he had mentored Zosen, his hand firm but reasonable. It was almost a surprise that he was here.
You have been here for seven weeks, Chyi-Azhar offered while Zosen contained to quench his thirst. Nahari was not one to waste time with niceties - he knew what Zosen needed to know and was telling him it. Your rank is 6583 - you lost thirty six positions while in a coma. Im sure you will soon catch up. That was not flattery - his mentor was indeed confident he would catch up. And would be disappointed if he didnt do so immediately. Ever since Zosens foolish claim that he would achieve the highest level of Azdgari and become a kidhasa , Chyi-Azhars attitude had changed. If Zosen expected to become one of the five hundred Azdgari in the highest band of the Index, then Chyi-Azhar would see it done, and be disappointed if he failed. It was a peculiarity amongst Azdgari that failure was failure, no matter how high you aimed. If you aimed too high and failed, you were still a failure no matter how high you had in fact achieved.
Zosen managed a nod, and tested his throat. It felt better. Close race, he replied with the faintest of smiles.
Chyi-Azhars face remained emotionless... Evidently he was not amused. For whatever reason, however, he chose not to begin the lecture that no doubt he had been working on for the better part of seven weeks. Zosen had been foolish. In the last second of the race, he had rolled his Azdara aside to try to pass his mentor, without realising that Chyi-Azhar had not rolled into his path to block him, so much as to avoid the fact there was no other path - Zosen had instinctively, without thinking, rolled straight into a rockface. He had been far, far too hasty, and it had nearly cost him his life.
Kidhasai do not make such mistakes, child, Chyi-Azhar said, recognising where his thoughts had led him.
Im not there yet, Chyi-Azhar... Give me time.
Chyi-Azhar shook his head then, almost imperceptibly. Your time is now. Hiatsa said you will need another two weeks to rest up completely before returning to an Azdara - a new Azdara, if you can afford a replacement to the Raniras. You have that long. After that, youre coming with me.
Zosen blinked. What has happened...? Clearly there was battle - Chyi-Azhars tone indicated it.
Hyaishi, Yain, Sai-Varitair and Hyaanl have called for increased activity against the lesser ones, Chyi-Azhar explained, sitting down on a stool nearby. He eyed his left arm, which was left bare by his outfit. He often dressed so, to reveal the massive wound across his arm which a Zidagar had dealt to him some years ago. It wasnt so much that he was proud of it, but that he liked to remind people that those the Azdgari so casually called the lesser ones were worthy of fighting. It was something he rarely argued, but was well known for feeling. Preparations are continuing, I believe, but within a few more weeks we shall begin raiding once more. Heavily.
Ill be ready for the time, Zosen said with a slight grin. This was good news indeed. Zosen had never fought the lesser ones before. In the Raniras , he had never been in a real fight - simulated fights and races had been his limit. Zosen blinked then in surprise. Youre coming with me. He would be flying in Chyi-Azhars personal squadron?
He voiced his thoughts, and almost wished he hadnt when his mentor responded at first with a cold stare, filled with an anger clearly not meant for him but arisen by his question. Yes, you are. That child Hyaishi has organised the squadrons and warbands personally... a travesty. Runar and you will fly with me, as well as two other Azdgari - a young aikaita who is called Ka-ruul, and Azhaurai, who Im sure youve heard of-...
Azhaurai. An Azdgari of barely twenty two years - only three years older than Zosen. And supposedly a legend in the making. His mentor had been Kyhaan himself, but when Kyhaan had died fourteen years ago, the kidhasai Dhiryan had continued his training. Dhiryan was a close rival of Chyi-Azhar, and Azhaurai was, by his own mentors regarding, an Azdara pilot with far more promise. Unlike Zosen, Azhaurai had fought the lesser ones, once - a Zidagar patrol. He had acquitted himself well in the skirmish - destroying four fighters and finishing a Zidara. His first fight.
Zosens eyes narrowed then as he went over the names again. Squadrons consist of six, do they not? You and I, Runar and Azhaurai, and Ka-ruul... makes five.
Again, Zosen knew immediately he shouldnt have said anything. But he continued anyway, awake enough now to have regained his sense of stubbornness. What is it, Chyi-Azhar?
The sixth pilot is called Isa, Chyi-Azhar responded after a minute, his eyes dark and disapproving.
An odd name... I assume its an honorary then? Zosen still lacked an honorary name, and by the sound of it he would be the only one of the pilots in Chyi-Azhars squadron who was in that position.
Indeed. I did not recognise it, so I contacted some old friends... who have studied Ancient to the point that they can write in it almost fluently, a rare talent for a language so long dead, Chyi-Azhar said, And I found something horrifying. Isa is in fact a mythical concept, an ancient deity in an two thousand year old story that founded a small religion of sorts, which died not long after. The interesting and horrifying thing is, Isa was a goddess.
A goddess...? Zosen repeated with surprise. Oh, such religions had appeared occasionally, but always died off - Azdgari generally werent overly concerned with such fantastical beliefs and religions tended to be either private, or last no longer than a generation. The ones that considered the azdhara to be an equal to the Azdgari - those that viewed the feminine as equal to the masculine - were greatly disapproved of. But why would anyone-
Isa is an azdhara. Hyaishi has assigned a whore to my squadron.
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(- A research facility, Xarnes -)
It had been over eight weeks since Vakhys had officially started work on the subdimensional research which the Council of War had funded him to make a weapon from. Xiaan and Karyd were still stalking him closely, and no doubt passing every message on to the Azdgari who had sent them. In his frustration, Vakhys had traced a few messages and found out who that was - to his near horror. Katarychian Soran Yain had sent them... One of the top four Azdgari members in the Council of War, and an Azdgari infamous for his murderous nature.
Since then, Vakhys had been concentrating so heavily on the applications of his new dimensional theories that he had barely been sleeping at all for the past eight weeks. The last four days had been spent in a research facility on Xarnes he had expected to spend no longer than six hours at.
Vakhys cursed, uttering a combination of Ancient and Common so finely intertwined that he was probably the only Azdgari alive who could make any sense of it. His eyes were heavy and his patience was gone. He angrily threw his fist at the only thing someone like Vakhys could safely throw his fist at - an expensive supercomputer he had bought with the funding from the Council of War.
Out of nowhere, a hand appeared to catch it. Vakhys was momentarily taken aback by the speed at which this Azdgari had entered an empty chamber, and then was too busy receiving a swift elbow to the jaw. He fell backwards with a cry, and was caught by another roughly.
That will not help anyone, the white-robed Azdgari Vakhys thought was Xiaan, more from how he stood than any telling difference in his face, uttered. His features were cold, and his voice low and smooth. Karyd still held Vakhys, his nails digging into Vakhys flesh with the sort of casual cruelty he had come to expect out of these two. Especially lately - they had been losing patience. I do hope you are making progress, Vakhys.
You try phasing one million kilograms of matter into an unstable subdimension without collapsing it immediately back into realspace, Vakhys retorted, turning his head to curse in Ancient at Karyd, as he was beginning to feel that his blood was surely staining his clothes where the ruthless Azdgari held him.
Xiaans lack of response by way of physical violence came as a surprise to Vakhys. Instead, he merely smiled slightly, and nodded to Karyd, who immediately go of Vakhys and took two steps to stand by Xiaans side.
Nonetheless, a result is expected within four weeks from now. And by a result, Xiaan paused, indicating Vakhys extremely cluttered workstation, We want a weapon. Not a theory. Doubtlessly, your new dimensional theories are revolutionary pieces of work, but you are being funded to create a weapon. Remember that.
The two of them walked off then, to leave, with Vakhys having to almost jump out of their way to prevent them from walking straight into them. Just before they left, however, the shaken scientist worked up the nerve to speak.
I cant make a weapon out of this, curse it, Vakhys muttered loud enough for them to hear. Im working on its applications as a hypercube - a subdimensional container for masses. In a few months or a year, perhaps... The potential to create antimatter and store it within a subdimension, could herald an entirely new age of technology... A new era , and then you would have all the weapons you wanted. But there is no weapon now. None.
He realised that Xiaan and Karyd had stopped, but had not moved at all. He began to fear he had crossed a line, and took a step backwards. After a moment, Vakys could hear that Kayrd was chuckling.
One of your sponsors is coming to oversee your work, Vakhys. He will be here in a matter of hours. You may have heard of him, Karyd said softly.
His name is Yain, Xiaan finished for him, and the two of them walked out of the chamber, leaving Vakhys alone as a sudden wave of fear ran through him.
----------------
After typing in a series of commands and initiating the simulation for the seventh time, Vakhys glimpsed through it again and smiled slightly. Seven times in a row, its working. This was good - very good.
It had only been two hours since Xiaan and Karyd had left him with news that Yain was coming, and spurred on by a deep fear, he had returned to his work and had already experienced an epiphany of sorts. After making some sweeping changes to the basic design of what he was coming to call a subdimensional phaser - a very, very primitive version of one, anyway - he had managed to make it work. The device was capable of transferring matter into an artificial subdimension without destabilising it completely.
Allowing himself to fall into a nearby chair - his favourite chair, in fact, brought from his house - Vakhys smiled and contented himself on mental congratulations on his own genius. He had already devised the device to create such a dimension, which he had called a Vakhys-chamber, and he was working on building a proto-hypercube of sorts... But that would be the most difficult venture, and the last. The three components of the entire system - the Vakhys-chamber to generate the subdimension that would be contained in the hypercube, and the subdimensional phaser to transfer mass into the hypercube. In another week, he could start building the entire system properly, as progress had been accelerating as of late.
Vakhys took another sip of a rare Miranu wine that had been imported some years ago in the good old Azdgari way. There were Azdgari wines, of course, but he much preferred the more refined taste of the foreign stuff. This one was a dark purple and was tremendously damaging to the clarity of ones mind. Vakhys was also notable for a very low tolerance for any alcoholic substances, and so he used drinks like this tirasa to congratulate himself for his achievements, and then he restricted himself to a few sips at most.
There was a single beep, a hollow, insistent sound. It was followed by two more beeps, equally spaced, and then silence. Carefully putting his glass of tirasa down, Vakhys frowned at his workstation. The probability of finding out what had make that irritating beep was quite low, as there were about thirty devices within his sight which were capable of making such hollow insistent beeps, and unfortunately in most cases they seemed to be inclined to do so.
The three beeps repeated after about twenty seconds, and Vakhys suddenly realised what it was - the door! His head was surely in the clouds to have not-...
Of course, a visitor at this time could only be one person. Jumping to his feet, Vakhys literally ran across the chamber to allow the expected visitor in, fearing hed already be annoyed for having been kept waiting.
----------------
Yain was completely unimpressed by the scrawny, pathetic excuse for an Azdgari whose mere existence seemed to be an insult. Hyaishi had said he would be useful, but as far as Yain could see, he was a worthless waste of time. Almost immediately upon coming face to face with Vakhys, these were the conclusions he drew. It was a wonder Xiaan and Karyd hadnt killed him already.
An uncomfortable moment passed, and Yain wondered why Vakhys hadnt offered any sort of introduction. His small, dark eyes seemed stricken by... What was it? Ah, fear. An emotion Yain had seen in the eyes of many, ever since his old name, Soran, was replaced by Yain after that incident years ago.
The tall, strange-eyed Azdgari indicated Vakhys new laboratory with one hand, a small, slow motion. Nonetheless, Vakhys reacted ever so slightly, a slight narrowing of the eyes, the tiniest example of a flinch. Yain noticed it immediately. Show me, he said simply.
The guided tour was a silent one on Yains part, with Vakhys talking quickly. Apparently he had spent his three hours warning preparing what he was going to say - or at least he seemed so. He spoke extremely quickly and, impressively for someone with such poor composure, rarely stuttered. In reality, Yain was taking the opportunity to measure up this interesting specimen as much as he was listening to what he was saying. Vakhys took it for granted that Yain would understand none of his tour, so there was little point bothering himself by listening intently.
Vakhys tour took about an hour, making a slow circle around the entire facility. From what Yain did listen to, it was reasonably impressive - apparently Hyaishis faith in this creature to develop advanced technology was at the least not misplaced. But still, Yains fingers twitched with the urge to destroy him, so much did his pathetic nature annoy him.
...So, as you see, everything is underway and will be complete within about four weeks, Id imagine. Hypercubes, dimensional phasers and my hypercube generators will all be ready then. The phasers can be fitted onto Aradas, quite possibly... Vakhys paused. I realise its not the weapon you asked for, but-...
It is, Yain replied, his silver and bronze eyes observing what appeared to be a blueprint on a table as he spoke. He could barely stand to look Vakhys in the eyes - if he did so for any significant period of time he would kill him, and that was foolish at least until this project was finished. I am satisfied.
Vakhys smiled openly - Yain couldnt quite see it, but he could sense it anyway, he knew. If I might add, those two you have watching me... they, ah, really arent entirely necessary.
Yain didnt move at all. Interesting. He doesnt like my colleagues... I wonder why ever not? If you wish them to leave you alone, then challenge them and defeat them, he offered casually. He glanced at Vakhys briefly, whose eyes had widened. He muttered something in a language Yain didnt understand... Ancient, by the sound of it. He can speak Ancient? This Azdgari... Is indeed an interesting creature.
I was wondering if perhaps you could ask them to leave me alone - I would work far faster without there, ah, interruptions, a reply in a more familiar language came eventually, worded very carefully.
Their eyes met, and Yain lost patience. Driving his palm into Vakhys chest, he sent the smaller Azdgari flying several metres, skidding along the smooth floor almost comically. He had an urge to follow up, but resisted it, and waited patiently as the scientist stood. He blinked. Vakhys was not standing - he lay curled up on the floor, still and silent. He must be used to Xiaan and Karyd toying with him. I dont pull my hits.
Believe me. Better them than I, Yain said levelly, as if nothing had happened. Vakhys groaned then, but still remained motionless. There was no way he could be this hur-...
Yain was surprised at how little time he had to react. He sidestepped neatly a fraction of a second before the laser burnt through where his hand had been a moment before - any less warning and he wouldve been burnt. Vakhys stood then, the laser weapon in his hands acquired, no doubt, from some dusty pile of equipment underneath the table. He held the weapon in both hands, and his eyes seemed actually quite angry.
Kelorah as torha dumai , Vakhys muttered harshly.
Yain offered the faintest glimpse of a smile. Close, he said after a moment. You have at least proven to have a backbone. I admit it: you are not as low as an azdhara. Not quite. Vakhys continued to hold the weapon, however, and didnt seem keen on talking. He took a step forward, then, as if threatening him.
A soft laugh met his threatening gesture. Your foolish actions gained you some respect. Do not ruin that by inviting Death so openly. In the briefest of instants, Yain moved forward and removed the laser pistol from Vakhys hands... but refrained from going further, instead letting the pistol drop to the floor.
That hurt, you bastard... Vakhys said finally, looking down at his stomach as if his pain was somehow tangible.
That was nothing, try failure, Yain replied quietly. The last word seemed to hover in the air for a second longer. Nonetheless, I am almost as impressed by your progress as your backbone. Four weeks. Develop both to an acceptable level and I will not kill you.
----------------
There are thousands of worthier Azdgari who would not have fired at me... Perhaps ignorance drove his actions, or have Xiaan and Karyd driven him to the edge of his reason? Either way, he has earnt some small respect. Perhaps I shall make a game of this. How much backbone is he willing to show... Before it snaps?
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(- Terapin -)
A lone Azdara entered the Zidagar system of Terapin, immediately scanning the area and sending messages to Molar, Morin and the Azdgari moons, as well as privately to the four principal members of the Council War, regarding the fleet composition of the system and all other anomalies in the system. The scan took only a fraction of a second, and then the Azdara disappeared from the system without slowing down, entering hyperspace almost immediately due to the Azdgari hyperdrives that after five weeks had been researched and outfitted on all Azdgari ships(*).
The Zidagar had of course known of its arrival, as Leka had been occupied by both Azdaras and Zidagar fighters, the former at least permanently on evasion courses and more than capable of keeping a distance from any other ship in existence. However, due to the large area of hyper-exits, catching the Azdara once it entered had become a difficult task, far more so due to the Azdgari hyperdrive. The probability of an Azdara on such a journey being destroyed was very small indeed.
This was the first of a series of scans, that over the next seven days would occur in: Qerid; Fluron; Plogok; Mark; Nujja; Mordus; Norhis and Motif.
_OOC: From now on, each RTD these scans will be repeated. Could Ipvicus and Carnotaur please speak with me if they want to make a case for heightening probability of destroying the Azdara - I cant do these scans on a case-by-case basis so well do it generally, and Ill lose a %age of the Azdaras I send. If you update your technologies to raise your chances, then again, speak with me. Also, if and when Diudir, Apert and Muid cease to be Azdgari outposts, Motif, Norhis, Mordus, Nujja, Fluron and Qerid will only be scanned every 2 RTDs.
(*) The 5-day project was moderated to 3 days by Ipvicus. I kept 5 days, but included 2 days for outfitting._
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R &D
The Azdgari Hyperdrive, inc. refits, was completed at 5/5 on 16/02/05.
The Level 4 Shielding, not inc. refits, was completed at 7/7 on 18/02/05.
As I missed some time, two other projects were started and will be explained on the OOC thread. Im also very sorry that only Vakhys research has been talked about in my posts so far - I reach about seven pages and am tired out and never get to the fundamental stuff.
Subdimensional Research, Stage One: Hypercube Project
10/12 days.
Graviton Impulse Drive (Model: I-1)
5/8 days.
Phase Stealth Field
3/9 days.
Azdgari Hyperdrive (5/5, complete 16/02/05.)
Level 4 Phase Shielding (7/7, complete 18/02/05.)
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Azdgari Fleet
Fleet: 2600 Azdaras, 680 Azdgari Aradas, 150 Azdgari Warships, 600 Freight Aradas.
Production: 140 Azdaras, 23 Azdgari Aradas.
Tollb: 1500 Azdaras, 250 Azdgari Aradas.
Molar: 500 Azdaras, 210 Azdgari Aradas, 80 Azdgari Warships.
Chak: 380 Azdaras, 160 Azdgari Aradas, 70 Azdgari Warships.
Muid: 30 Azdaras, 10 Azdgari Aradas.
Diudir: 30 Azdaras, 10 Azdgari Aradas.
Apert: 30 Azdaras, 10 Azdgari Aradas.
Raigar: 70 Azdaras, 30 Azdgari Aradas.
60 Azdaras are said to be involving in scanning and patrolling.
Patrolling... DSN-2298, DSN-9041, Novish, Racet, Karra, Funit, Reban, Kacca, Calb, Elridi, DSN-2143, DSN-1273, Elder, Dafi, Emnin, Dirach, Lontri, Toi, Plate, Kade, Tinar, Meagh, Azdgari, Leka, Kelmaon, Marafey, DSN-682, DSN-2189, DSN-8204. (Every system I can access.)
Scanning... Qerid, Fluron, Plogok, Terapin, Mark, Mordus, Nujja, Norhis, Motif.
Note that ships on scans will leave immediately. Ships on patrols will remain several lightminutes from hyper-exits and keep that distance from any ships in the system, where several lightminutes = far out of the range of any existing weaponry.
