Extending the Front (The Moross Crusade Dominion of Ceto)

[Crystal]

Crystal's response came from several people, without her even having to open her mouth again. And, there was discussion. The Sith Princess was not sure that she even wanted to again. It was going so nicely without her having to lead it.

The woman was very defensive of their world, needlessly. She was merely mentioning the very issues that most worlds faced. It was actually pleasing that the world was at least somewhat with the times. Taxes. Of course. Everyone pays taxes at some point in their lives.

A councilship, as Judah suggested, was an excellent idea. It was nice to have native representatives present to give their real impressions and opinions when deciding the outcome of an entire planet. It was not her practice to try and govern a planet without including people on it to provide intelligence and a real will to benefit their homeworld.

Siara agreed, which was promising for her. Zoey spoke, making a valid inquiry. All was sorted, and she replied then.

"I believe those terms are acceptable. Anything else?"

[member="Judah Dashiell"] [member="Siara Vorru"]

 

[Malik Rodarch]

“The finest that credits could buy in Mos Eisley, pal!”

Not strictly true, they weren't the finest, rather the cheapest. Crafting explosives out of junk and scrap was a dangerous buisness that produced dangerous explosives and if it weren't for such shoddy but fairly priced merchandise then it was likely that Brill would have never found himself within the ranks of Moross.

Sam went bust, and reacted slightly violently. Four months of pay was quite significant. It would mean a whole lotta berries, and if the Cantrosian knew anything it was that this dude loved berries.

Although he wasn't so keen on the look in Sam's eyes.

“Bad luck, pal,” he said, trying to mask his grin. Just don't look him in the eye. Don't get cocky. Please, he might kill you and use your corpse to store delicious berries.

“Your draw, berry-boy.”

[member="Sam Aellin"]

 

[Sam Aellin]

Same let out a snort as he reshuffled his cards and quickly dealt out his hand again. He had to win this round, he just had to...or Jamal would very likely take his fingers, and a soldier without fingers was not a very good thing, not a very good thing at all.

“Right...So which of the pantheon do you follow?” It was a question that was usually answerable just by looking at a person, but with this thing...Sam had no idea where to even start.

He drew his first card.

8.

A good start. He smiled as he looked down at his hand, his cards lining up in a perfect fan shape. He would win.
[member="Brill"]

 

[Blackthorne]

The usually placid Priestess felt her expression tighten at the presumptions being thrown around.

"Honorable Representatives of Ceto, we do no favors in assuming such things on either side. Our way is far beyond anything of the Sith, and you do us a great dishonor in comparing us thus. Our great Aesirs are noble - blessed would this planet be to have their protection as many already do.

We will gladly work with a Council of Ceto, for now our own will be chosen at a later date by Aesir Inari.

As for our beliefs, you do not know them and you judge them in ignorance, but this is a common thing that we have grown accustomed to looking past. As proof of our solidarity of people and faith, you are welcome to visit any one of our planets and see the growth and prosperity that has evolved from our guidance. Your liberties are not in danger - the greatest danger posed to your people now is the continuously growing presence of the Horde - they would see your people enslaved, your world turned to ash, your lives torn asunder," the Priestess' saffron gaze glowed balefully within the shadow of her hood, "and that is not something we can abide by. Now, if we are finished wasting time on conjecture, I would like to turn this supposition in to action and progress. Every minute spent on superfluous details is another minute given to those who would bring you harm."

 

[Lana Orion]

Lana Orion looked around as there was a voice in her head that wasn't hers. And she grabbed two handfuls of hair while she closed her eyes. Yep, she's a lunatic. Reading her thoughts would not be advisable, as the jumbled mess would over load even the best telepath. Reading her emotions would be equally difficult, as she was just so jittery and seemingly spooked all the time due to the possibility of germs and physical contact with someone that had not been properly sterilized.

She didn't actually hear anything other than his inquiry as to whom she served. And she yelled her reply. "I SERVE NO ONE."

[member="Anaudius"]

 

[Ashra'syle'nuruodo]

The luck of the little creature definitely appeared to be changing as Ashra’syle’nuruodo noticed that the mood of both players had changed, she still didn’t understand how the game was calculated but it didn’t matter, she just enjoying the sensations that she now understood were there shared by the gifts of the gods. She was content to just relax in the mess as well, she had spent too much time in her room recovering over the past few days, she was anxious to learn about her new skills but understood she would have to wait for now.

She was startled out of her thoughts by the outburst of [member="Lana Orion"] she had seen the woman before, when Asylen was rescued after her ship crashed. She raised her eyebrow ever so slightly at the other woman, there was definitely something wrong with her.

 

[Malik Rodarch]

“Hali,” he responded, with a sharp grin. Who else would he follow but Hali. As far as Gods went he had his priorities in the right place. What is life without pleasure? Drinking, gambling, explosives. It all fell neatly into his category. Chaotic delights. Indulgence. What a God. Definitely on my list of things to worship before I die.

“He's got the right idea, ya know?”

I mean, sure the followers of Hali weren't known for being well-respected either but he was a sentient cat standing under three feet, respect was never happening in the first place.

5.

This was it. The deciding game. Four months of pay. A heck of a lot of berries. His whiskers twitched, the excitement and anticipation of it all giving him a slight case of the shivers.

[member="Sam Aellin"]

 

[Sam Aellin]

Sam nodded.

Hali was a good choice, the oddball of the pantheon. The one that truly stood for indulgence. It was the god that he himself worshiped, albeit only in private. As a soldier he was expected to follow Kalee, Salee, or Ithari. None of the Soldiers ever really worshiped any of the other Pantheon, to do so was...taboo, and to be Taboo in the military was quite a bad thing.

Then again the Cantrosian could afford to worship whatever he wanted, after all he was a cat.

“Yeah.” Sam said absent minded as he drew another card.

3.

He was up to thirteen now. Next round he would make the winning play, he had it all planned out.

Suddenly his stomach gurgled.

Oh no.
[member="Brill"]

 

[Malik Rodarch]

He frowned, 13 was always a great place to be in the noble game of pazaak, Brill himself wanted to be at 13. Almost instantly he drew his next card, not even putting any shred of luck or good thoughts into the piece of card.

7.

That's fine, that's fine, 12 is also good there's still hope here.

Wait. What was that?

Brill ears twitched as he picked up upon the most ominous growl that he had ever heard in his life, and it had come from his opponent. The Cantrosian titled his head slightly, concern laced throughout his feline features. He had indulged in strip clubs bantha wings before, he knew that noise, what it meant.

“Was that...you?”

[member="Sam Aellin"]

 

[Sam Aellin]

“No.” Sam said quickly denying any implication.

It was quickly interrupted however by a loud growl of his stomach and a look of horror crossed Sam's face. He had to finish this. Quickly.

He swept up another card from the pile and slammed it down onto the table.

10

Okay perfect.

From his hand he drew a +\-2 Card. He slammed it onto the table in a hurry, beginning to move around in his seat. Oh god this thing had to hurry. His eyes began to bulge open. “Your turn!”

He practically screamed the words in hurry, there was no time to wai-

It was too late. Suddenly Sam flinched, pressing his hands on the table and raising himself up. A smell appeared around him. With all the dignity he could muster he spoke.

“I will be right back.” Then slowly, the soldier began to waddle out of the cafeteria.
[member="Brill"]

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Loxa Visl"] [member="Crystal"]

Sola nodded slowly. This was unprecedented.

"Newcomer, you speak wisely. I do agree we are wasting time being cautious in a situation that may not allow it. I apologize also for my ignorance on your people. As you know, we get word of many things throughout the galaxy due to our strong trading. Not all information is always factual or positive. Please accept my apology, I do not mean any harm to you or your people."

"As it has been stated, details can be hashed out later. The Royal House will desire a meeting with your top officials. A get together if you will. Our Security Advisors would be happy to give you maps or physically show you large islands for setting up bases. We do not have large connected land masses, but we do have many large islands that are merely jungles. Perhaps you will find something to suit you soon."

"Do not make us regret this decision Representatives."

 

[Malik Rodarch]

Brill sat and stared at the soldier as he denied that the disgruntled stomach belonged to him, well until the hideous grulching interrupted his claims of denial. It was him. He. He was gonna. Behind those glowing goggles the cat's eyes widened in shock. The game of pazaak became an afterthought.

As if it had been written in the stars Sam hit 21, not even taking a moment to gloat. Surely this was due to the extreme amount of discomfort that he was experiencing in that moment.

The Cantrosian's mouth hung open. Was this real life?

He drew his last card:

10.

Bust, and with not a single minus card to help him out. Four months of pay.

The smell of human pollution invaded the feline's nostrils causing him to retch slightly. He couldn't believe it, he couldn't bloody believe it. Sam the berry loving soldier had just defecated. He had just simultaneously beaten Brill at the noble game of pazaak whilst pooping himself. He sat at the table a few more moments, mouth gaping open. No. No this was a dream.

He followed the soiled soldier, catching up to him in the hall outside the mess hall.

“Buddy...? Are you okay?”

[member="Sam Aellin"]

 

[Sam Aellin]

As soon as the Cantrosian neared him Sam began to move faster, his awkward waddle increasing speed but not quite reaching the pace of a run.

“Fine. Everything’s fine. Were good.” Sam said too hurriedly as the turned the corner of the ship and headed immediately towards the freshers. It would be okay there, he could wash up, he could cha- he had no extra pants. Dread filled him. He had no extra pants to wear for this journey anymore. Oh dear god this was more horrible than he had thought.

The berries had acted too fast, he had been too absorbed into the game, curse this bloody cat.

“I need to get to the freshers!” Sam screamed at a group of people that were blocking his way. They scattered with bulging eyes and wrinkled noses, parting quickly. Sam dashed through the crowd, turned another corner and then found himself in the freshers...

Where a line had formed.
[member="Brill"]

 

[Blackthorne]

"That is well, Miss Tanau," Loxa dipped her head in an appreciative nod for the apology, "let us not cast the onus of offense on these efforts. We are all here for the good of the people of Ceto. Perhaps while Commander Vorru comes to an arrangement of efficacy with Miss Ventus, you can show us these maps so that we might devise a strategy of defense. I would also like to know more about your people, out of my own curiosity." The Priestess smiled easily, enthused at the idea of this planet and its populace.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Loxa Visl"]

"Of course Representative. I will have to report back to our records hall and have them sent to my datapad for viewing. Sadly I do not carry around maps on my person at all times." Tapping away on her datapad, Sola put in the meetings events to the Royal House and a quest for maps of the planet and their largest uninhabited islands. Moross no doubt had their work cut out for them, hacking down thick palm scrub and fighting the tropical elements.

"As for the people....well, I am sure you will soon see for your own eyes. Although I am going to assume most as in a panic. The populace has been on edge for quite some time and capital ships dropping into near atmosphere aren't always taken well."

 

[Malik Rodarch]

Even with the soldier caught in a waddle it still took effort for Brill's considerably smaller legs to keep up with him. The smell was horrendous, how he could say that everything was still fine when it clearly wasn't...

...I suppose, it's a matter of pride. I mean, who really wants to admit that they shat themselves? I mean, really.

Brill had to fully run to keep up with screaming running/waddling man and when he finally caught up, a sly grin spread across his face. The Cantrosian scampered away, back to his suite (broom closet) to grab a certain something. He had been using it as a pillow to nap but he could give it to the unfortunate soldier. At a price. One standard issue pair of men's trousers, only slightly covered in fur.

He brushed them as best as he could before rushing back to the freshers. The queue hadn't really lessened, better for Brill really. He sidled up to Sam, everyone else having taken a rather wide berth.

“Four months of pay,” he smirked, waving the trousers like a victorious flag. It would nullify the stakes of the pazaak game but otherwise it would cost him nothing. Brill was a kind god, after all.

[member="Sam Aellin"]

 

[Crystal]

The Sith Princess was pleased to let Loxa do the talking once again, though she probably wouldn't have been so defensive or offensive, but it hadn't begun with them. She managed to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand though, so that was something. They were making progress without fixating on the smaller details.

Sola recognized that not information passed through the galaxy was accurate, or even up to date. Everything seemed squared now to her. And, work could begin.

Crystal too smiled. "I would like to hear more of your people and planet as well. Perhaps we should arrange a meeting, if you think it would ease the troubled minds of your people."

[member="Judah Dashiell"] [member="Loxa Visl"] [member="Selka Ventus"] [member="Siara Vorru"]

 

[Lana Orion]

Lana no longer heard the voice in her head and so she resumed her course toward food. And then she caught the smell. The smell of feces was not even close to her favorite. She wrinkled her nose and turned around, careful not to touch anything or anyone.

Achievement! She had acquired food. And now to find somewhere to sit that wasn't contaminated by feces....

[member="Sam Aellin"] [member="Brill"] [member="Anaudius"] [member="Ashra'syle'nuruodo"]

 

[Sam Aellin]

Sam stood in the line for the freshers, a space surrounded him and beyond it the line. He stood there, but there seemed to be no hint of embarrassment on his face. Instead there was stark purpose as if he had been given a mission and he needed to complete it. His legs were still clenched together, as was everything else, and in truth his entire body seemed to be on edge.

When the Cantrosian returned with a pair of pants he was rather excited, but as it turned out...he should not have been.

The Cat named his price, and Sam found it wanting. Four months pay for a pair of pants? No, that would never do. It was too much, even for the current situation. He would never allow it. This had happened before, and he dealt with it then. He would deal with it now.

“No!” Sam said almost abashed, he'd rather go pantless before the gods themselves than be out of 4 months pay.

Some of them might enjoy the view.
[member="Brill"]

 

[Malik Rodarch]

Nobody would enjoy that view. Nobody.

He said no, and the smirk remained on the Cantrosian's face. He plucked a stray hair from the trousers and waved them again. “You misunderstand, Sam!” he exclaimed, very much in a Cheshire element. Understandable that he would jump to such conclusions, he was in a very unfortunate situation after all.

“You might have missed it, seeing as you were halfway out of the room before I even drew my final card...”

Brill's whiskers twitched as he lowered the trousers, goggles peaking out over the waistband. “I'm an honest kind of cat, Sam. I hit 22. You won.

BUT!

With these clean pants we could wipe the slate clean. I owe you nothin', you owe me nothin.' Four months of pay, that was the deal.”

[member="Sam Aellin"]