Private Strange Alliances

[Laertia Io]

Wearing: Hooded Armorweave Kimono (Obsidian Color)

Armed with: De Lifte Crystal (Dual Vent)

Crime Hunter's Pistol (Charric Configuration)

Moya's Wrist Launcher (Cryo Bolts)


Hosting meeting aboard: The Castle Morpheus

With:

Maple Harte

Nine Lives

Darth Themis

Secretly Present: The Serpents of Ashla

Objective: Secure Alliances between Thurion Heavenshield and Ingrid L'lerim


The Heavy Command Cruiser awaited those invited to this secret meeting at the very edges of the Galaxy, the only way to trust that their enemies wouldn't be able to monitor their conversation.

One, the Eternal Empress, the other, The King of Midvinter.

Encrypted transmissions had been sent to both parties. Offers of a private arrangement that would be mutually beneficial to all. All that be required was that they actually show up in person to hear the proposal.

Those invited had been told to arrive by stealth transport only, and to transmit specific codes on arrival to prove it was them.

A light meal and tea was being prepared for the guests in the throne room, where the meeting was to be had.

Upon merely sighting the infamous "Ghost Ship" resembling a gigantic, gothic version of the Tantive Four, some trepidation might have been felt by those present. It was said Pirate Ships were terrified of sighting it. It orbited a planetless dull yellow star.

Many interested souls were present. One was the tombstone skinned exiled Jedi who had fought her own on Dantooine because they wanted to fight the Sith and the Bryn'adul at the same time. A course of action Laertia simply didn't believe was feasible. Already they had pointlessly thrown lives away at Korriban, to say nothing of what a chitshow Dantooine had been. Ryv didn't have to bring the NJO or the NIO. But he had, and both she and Syd Celsius (Who had not been told nor invited to this meeting) had been forced to kill Jedi as a result to try and keep the compact from being weakened. Laertia also didn't trust the NIO and thought it hypocritical of The Jedi to side with self admitted imperialists who had already pulled an Order 66 on their own...did Ryv really expect her to believe they wouldn't pull it again? The NIO had fethed the Jedi's skull even harder than the Sith had.

Laertia was also tired of the idea of trying to educate and redeem the Bryn'adul...screw that. That sentiment would get the Order killed. It would get the Order's worlds they were trying to save killed.

Laertia sat next to the Matriarch of House Li-Ves, the mysterious Obsidian Knight Nine Lives, tall and with her face concealed almost completely by the aid of her hooded green kimono with white roseprint embroidery. Laertia wore a hooded Kimono that was pitch black. Her former rival, the soon to be squire to Nine, the Bounty Hunter Maple Harte was clad in a purple hooded kimono with red roseprint embroidery.

Last was a very strange being that carried a black Lightsaber Spear. It was feminine in terms of its upper body and face but the lower body was that of a giant, person sized cobra, with black, glossy obsidian scales everywere, head surrounded by the hood of a cobra, eyes golden like the symbol of Ashla surrounded by a pentagram on its forehead. The cobra woman had come with a retinue of Light Adepts that wore nondescript clothing, no identifying marks...and refused to Identify themselves. They were a small group of 007 that had accompanied her, all wearing Tengu masks, and she identified herself only as Moya. They had been applying incantations on the walls of the throne to disable potential bugs and listening devices where ordinary means couldn't ferret them out.

The four awaited their guests in the throne room, each nervous for their own reasons. Laertia, because she had experienced a precognitive vision before Yurb that saw Midvinter being destroyed, Nine because she was trying to make a high level yet under the table deal to fight the Bryn'adul, Maple because in doing this she would become a target for a metric fethton of people potentially, and Moya because she had to be here for Laertia and potentially offer her own services to both as well.

But all four knew the Bryn'adul had to be stopped. All four were willing to offer a great deal in the hopes that the two invited would share this sentiment, especially with what was getting offered.

Laertia sat next to Nine and Maple while personalized tables were prepared. Tea was boiled and light meals were being carted in a great variety by members of Nine's clan, freshly prepped and ready to serve.

"Think they'll trust you, Black Knight?" Maple asked as they waited for their guests to show in the throne room, a steallar example of Atrisian Gothic design, like the rest of the ship interior, carved oni faces and demon statues at archways and corners.

"They'll trust I want to stop the Bryn'adul." The tombstone skinned, raven haired Exile said. "At the very least, they'll trust there is no way I could be a Jedi spy with the chit I pulled at Dantooine..."

"I'm optimistic..." Nine remarked, in a lotus position on her carved throne made to resemble miniature people holding up a slab. "Aren't you optimistic, Maple?"

"No." Maple said flatly.

"You're a riot a parties, I bet..." Themis joke grimly.

"Who the feth are you, again?" Maple asked pointedly, albeit playfully. Maple hadn't asked but she knew Laertia wouldn't be friends with a crazy looking snake lady if there wasn't a reason. If she only knew...

"Shutting up now..." Themis dodged, waiting for their guests.

"Do they even like tea?" Laertia asked with dry sarcasm.

"I think I have low priced sports drink or triple proof vodka as a back up..." Nine replied.

Laertia shook her head in amusement.

"Totally reassuring..." The Black Knight joked back...

"Shaken, or stirred?" Maple asked.

"Shaken. I'm not a 'total' heathen, Maple..." Nine scoffed.

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Lady Ingrid L’lerim Ragal Terassi Vandiir
Eternal Empress of the Eternal Empire, Lord Commander of the Wardens of the Shroud
The Red Witch; The Night Queen, Head of the House L’lerim, CEO of the HPI Consortium​

Location: The Castle Morpheus
Equipment: 2x Striith vibrosword | Brynja coat | Hersir Imperial Uniform | G1 OmniLink || Shield talisman | Taozin amulet | Empyrean gland
Tag: Laertia Io | Thurion Heavenshield

The invitation was surprising, since the Eternal Empire fell very out of everything. Probably if they hadn’t started a war with GA, they might have forgotten. Although the enemies of the TSE still remembered that they defeated the TSE on the PL. It didn't matter. Nor was her security chief, her husband, and her bodyguards happy that the woman had travelled alone and not sent one of her shape-shifter bodyguards here, or Elaena Kessia Miran , her right hand. What she knew was that Bryn’adûl would be the most important topic. Those strange creatures even attacked them, even though they lived at the opposite end of the galaxy.

She brought the usual (inherited) yacht, which also had camouflage equipment, no one followed the woman, so when she arrived at the given coordinates, she sent the code and to assure the host that she had arrived alone. Here she felt again the presence of the other person she had felt countless times before for example on Voss or on Dantooine. She didn't know who it could be for yet, but now it could only be a matter of minutes. After docking, she was led along the ship to a place where several people were already waiting for her.

Until she came here, she thought, in silence. Her presence, as always hidden in the Force, this was natural to her. As always, she wore her military coat and a uniform underneath. None had a rank, she did not boast of being the leader of an empire, just a soldier. Her gait and posture were military, and something even more dangerous lurked in this; a graceful predator. She walked into the room with her hands clasped behind her back, took a few steps inward, then stopped in a small stretch and nodded toward the hosts.

”Welcome! Would you tell me what was so important I had to travel here because it wasn’t right and good to discuss through a safe holochannel?” she asked in her cold and military sound.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

The Castle Morpheus
Undisclosed Location

What had started as merely closing his eyes a moment had turned into a fullblown nap in the captain's chair while the Oathkeeper cut through hyperspace. He'd been on his way home from Silver space when an encrypted message was intercepted, requesting his presence at an undisclosed location. Although he'd longed to see Midvinter again after such an extensive stay with the Silver Jedi, the strange message intrigued him to the point of altering his course to head for the secret coordinates. Friend or foe, he would see for himself which was true.

One last stop before he could finally sink his feet into drifts of white snow and feel the cold sting of Midvinter once more, as well as hold his family again.

It was the gentle rocking of exiting hyperspace that stirred him from his slumber, and sure enough there was a lone ship waiting at the coordinates. It was not a typical Imperial design, however that did not dismiss the notion of this being a trap. If this proved to be some Sith attempt on his life, they'd at least gone to the lengths of not showing up in their own hardware.

A worried chirp from his trusty astromech R2-T2 had him place a hand on the rotund droid's head.

"It'll be fine, old friend. We're just going to have a look around, that's all. One last adventure before going home."

Approaching the larger vessel, he now noticed there was a second ship docked next to it. Yet another design unfamiliar to him, which in this case he considered good news. Thurion sent the code listed in the encrypted message, letting the other vessel know of his arrival.

"Bring us in, Teetoo. Nice and easy."

In a way, it was as if he was back to being a young man traversing the stars. Walking into dangerous situations, exploring great mysteries... He only regretted not having his wife along for the adventure. He missed her warmth most of all.

He'd left his sword and armour at his ship, bringing only his lightsaber along like in his younger years. Nor did he wear any sort of regalia or uniform, but was dressed in rather common clothes and a leather surcoat carrying only the slightest hint of his status in Valkyri society.

Stepping out into the larger vessel, he was immediately greeted with an escort requesting that he follow them. The person did not carry any visible weapons, but still the Jedi remained on his guard while being led through the corridors until taken to a throne room of sorts, stumbling unto a group of women inside. As their head turned his way, he conducted himself as the royal he was.

"Pardon the interruption, my ladies. I received your message, vague though it was as to the nature of this meeting."

He then recognised one of the women, fixing his gaze on her.

"Miss Io? Laertia? You're here too?"

Laertia Io | Ingrid L'lerim ​

 

[Laertia Io]

"Indeed I am, your Majesty. As for 'your' Majesty, Empress, I bid you welcome also. I can make no apologies for the cloak and dagger, it was necessary for absolute secrecy as to this discussion." The Black Knight replied. "My associates, Nine Lives, Matriarch of House Li-Ves, and an Obsidian Knight, her squire, Maple Harte, and Moya De Lifte, an...interested party."

"Charmed..." Darth Themis said politely, clutching her spear.

"We are having this meeting because we hope to convince you, Empress of The Eternal Empire, to lend military support and aid to Thurion's world the same as my own house wishes to, in exchange, we are willing to provide you with access to advance psychic energy technology, access to Assassins, Spies and and advanced weaponry. King Heavenshield, We are willing to provide you assistance in training your Force Adepts to kill enemies like Bryn'adul as well as what we are offering The Empress..." Nine explained, face concealed by a dark green hood, the only thing visible were two faint glowing dots of purple light where her eyes should be.

"The Bryn'adul will come to your world, King Heavenshield..." Laertia said. "I have forseen it. Midvinter shall burn without all the help it can get. I watched Nar Kreeta die. I have no wish to see Midvinter suffer the same. All our worlds and loved ones are equally threatened with Genocide. The Bryn'adul come and take it anyway in spite of our efforts, we can at least say we made them pay for every inch. I will be blunt however..."

Laertia rose. The next words were not easy to say. She didn't know what it said about her, but leaving a future where she could be actually BE judged in retrospect was more important than what people said of her in the now.

"I don't want to just defeat the Bryn'adul. I wish to slaughter them as much as I can if they come to Midvinter. I want to crush them. I want to make them feel the cold chill of despair for daring to think they could have Midvinter. I wish to do what the Jedi lack the stomach for, I have come to realize..." Laertia confessed. "The Bryn'adul will never even think about surrender unless overwhelming brutality is resorted to. If we want to survive, we must ignore the protests of the Jedi and make our own deals. They will burn themselves out trying to fight two ruthless foes. They already made a costly blunder on Korriban...many lives were lost unnecessarily. But we don't have to be that shortsighted."

Laertia waited for their responses as tea trays were carted out to the guest tables.

Ingrid L'lerim

Thurion Heavenshield

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Lady Ingrid L’lerim Ragal Terassi Vandiir
Eternal Empress of the Eternal Empire, Lord Commander of the Wardens of the Shroud
The Red Witch; The Night Queen, Head of the House L’lerim, CEO of the HPI Consortium​

Location: The Castle Morpheus
Equipment: 2x Striith vibrosword | Brynja coat | Hersir Imperial Uniform | G1 OmniLink || Shield talisman | Taozin amulet | Empyrean gland
Tag: Laertia Io | Thurion Heavenshield

The owner of the other aura soon arrived. So the picture had already come together for the woman and it was quite clear that she was. He was the one who fought Darth Prazutis at Voss and then at Dantooine on the side of the former emperor, Carnifex. King of Midwinter. Among Ingrid's ancestors, several people came from there. In her case, it was typically only her height and stubbornness that suggested this blood. But it had more traits in her other relatives that were still visible, and for Clan Ragal, even more. She turned to the man and held out her hand.

”Nice to finally meet you, High King! I am Ingrid L’lerim, Empress of the Eternal Empire.” she introduced herself in a respectful, albeit military, voice.

She then turned her attention to the woman. Everything that was said seemed like complete madness. Midvinter was independent and very far from everything, just like the Eternal Empire, but really compared to each other on the other side of the galaxy. It is also true of Bryn’adûl, but they have been attacked by this species.

”Are you aware that in such a business and help, an economy can crumble or collapse? I mean Midvinter is on the exact opposite side of the galaxy from us and we are currently at war with GA as well. Getting our units to such a remote location right in the middle of a war can be really stressful, especially if I were to send an entire army. In case I’ll say yes.”

She said in her usual cold and military voice. Nar Kreeta, she wasn't there, but she read the reports and saw the news, not least, she was upset in retrospect when Adrian said he was there on the planet when the attack happened. She shook her head slowly, it all seemed like a suicidal mission.

”I know what happened on Nar Kreeta, as well as the fact that not only was the SJC facing the Bryn’adûl, but their allies were there. The Eternal Empire is tiny compared to the other great factions. We may be a militaristic empire, but I cannot sacrifice the empire, the army, and the fleet to try to save a single planet at the other end of the galaxy. We don't have an army big enough to stop Bryn’adûl. I think this from the fact that both the TSE and the SJC are constantly losing their territories against them. I’m not a coward, but I’m not sending my men and assets to a senseless death either. Midvinter is important to me too, because there are countless of them, but from a military and strategic point of view, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to evacuate and save the planet’s treasures and lives than to send others to death in a meaningless and invincible battle. However, if the other factions also intervene to stop the threat together, I will, of course, support the defensive side in everything.”

She also had to think about supporting the TSE in the war as well, not to mention that they were also at war with the GA. And the expansion of the Eternal Empire cannot stop, nor can she send much of her population to protect a single planet in such circumstances. Even if she wanted to. Tickler…

 

[Laertia Io]

"We recognize the stresses. We wouldn't ask, nor would we expect you to commit such resources wholesale. Tiny increments of support would likely work best at first. Much of the expenses in transporting would be covered by my end. We are quite aware of the war with the G.A. I have moles within the G.A." The Matriarch spoke in a noticeable contralto.

"I can get them to divert funds from within the G.A. itself, spam it into Eternal Imperial coffers through a dozen untraceable channels. Assassinate problems for you in the G.A. military in a pinch. I even have a plant in their navy..." Nine remarked.

"Even if you don't want to commit wholesale, even partial assistance would be a massive boost to your public relations. Perception is half the battle. An enemy of the G.A, sparing what little she can to assist a beleaguered world in the interests of fostering cooperation. It makes the compact look good, Thurion's world gets even slightly more protected, and it shows that otherwise unthinkable cooperation is possible not just in scattered instances, such as with his Highness and Carnifex, but indeed, even between far apart systems when the Bryn'adul are the real problem...it strengthens your standing in your own alliances with the Sith Empire. It shows while your empire is small it has great reach. Lending even small increments of support will pay dividends in the long run." Laertia reasoned with Ingrid L'lerim before turning to Thurion Heavenshield

"Your highness, The Empress has expressed her concerns. I would hear yours."

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion remained were he stood, rather stunned to hear such ambitious and seemingly selfless plans be drawn up in the defense of his homeworld, of all places. Slowly he approached the ladies as they made their arguments, the Empress understandably hesitant to approve of such a bold plan. Laertia seemed adamant to help however, which undoubtedly struck a chord with the High King.

"There- It's a lot to take in," he cleared his throat. "I must confess to being rather overwhelmed with the support you seem willing to lend Midvinter in these dark times, Lady Io. Gods know we need all the help we can muster should these Bryn come to our shores. Ours is not a plight I believed warranted the attention of those not of Midvinter, and for that I thank you most wholeheartedly."

He now turned to the Empress L'lerim-Vandiir, studying her for a brief moment. There was no mistaking her Force-sensitivity, however it was her given name that intrigued him the most.

"Your Majesty," he first bowed his head out of respect. "If I may... 'Ingrid' is a Valkyri name. In our native tongue it means 'most fair'. I sense you are not wholly unfamiliar with the ways of Mother Midvinter."

The King stepped closer to the Empress, towering above everyone in the throne room.

"Then you must know of the fighting spirit of Her children, and how each and every one of them will stop at nothing to defend Her. Every piece of land, every flake of snow and grain of soil, is sacred to them. Even if I, as their High King, were to order a planetwide evacuation, they would not heed my words. Our spirits are tethered to our world's survival; if She were to fall, the Valkyri, the Beorni, the Aelvar... They would simply cease to be. It would break them beyond repair."

"We have no choice but to fight. And if doing so means our end, so be it. Alone we stand no chance, but I believe that with enough allies, Midvinter stands a chance at beating back the horde. But I understand if it a risk you are not willing to take, one sovereign to another. You have your own people to care for, as I do mine."

His gaze dropped, feeling a bout of shame for what he said next.

"I... made a deal with Darth Carnifex and the Sith Empire. While the so-called 'Elder Compact' idea fell apart before it could get off the ground, I sought to preserve Midvinter's independence by initiating diplomatic talks with the Devil I know against the Devil I don't. I always strive to stay true to my Jedi teachings, but my duty to my people has to take precedence in this matter. So long as these Bryn threaten to engulf my homeworld, I am honour-bound to seek whatever means to protect Her."

Laertia Io | Ingrid L'lerim ​

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Lady Ingrid L’lerim Ragal Terassi Vandiir
Eternal Empress of the Eternal Empire, Lord Commander of the Wardens of the Shroud
The Red Witch; The Night Queen, Head of the House L’lerim, CEO of the HPI Consortium​

Location: The Castle Morpheus
Equipment: 2x Striith vibrosword | Brynja coat | Hersir Imperial Uniform | G1 OmniLink || Shield talisman | Taozin amulet | Empyrean gland
Tag: Laertia Io | Thurion Heavenshield

After her words, the women spoke first. She nodded at the Matriarch's words when she explained that they could help with the financial part. In fact, it was the financial part that she feared the least because the Eternal Empire was rich. So to hinder the GA, she was definitely sympathetic. After all, it was mainly that both the spies and the Nite reported that GA wanted to support the rebels financially.

”I also get along well with the fact that if the Eclipse Rebellion doesn’t get any credit from them and the amount of support GA has given them, which is being negotiated with Aerarii Tithe sometime now, it’s not the rebellion that gets it, but us. Probably Loreena Arenais-Valhoun won’t be happy either if their rebellion ends up getting nothing. On the contrary, this money could thus be used to defend Midvinter. There is a much greater need for it.”

She nodded to the rest, they can finally give less help if it turns out that way. Ingrid knew that her name was quite ancient and also that her and her sisters' names even date back to Midvinter times, and this has now been confirmed.

”I know Your Majesty! The name’s other meaning is „beautiful”. You are not mistaken, the clans have preserved a great many traditions and customs from the time when the bloodlines of Midvinter mingled with ours. All this was very decisive and many traditions of these are still preserved today. We are very respectful of tradition.” she explained.

As the man towered over her, she looked at him. Not frightened for a moment, her gaze was determined and reflected that she knew exactly what the High King was referring to. This was also taken from them, because they also raised the children in this way, as soon as they started walking, they were already taught to fight. They would not have ran either, nor would they have undertaken death. Ingrid was exactly the same, and even extremely loyal as well. AMCO never understood this in her, or rather didn’t want to accept the red-haired woman who puts every other life before her own. Another valkyri legacy. But she promised to try to change this… at least the extreme loyalty, but it was hard because it was in her blood.

”I know Your Majesty! I was also raised according to these principles, just as all members of the clans are raised for this and they will be in the future. Accept my most sincere apologies for my words, High King! I had no intention of offending you or the people of Midvinter, it would be just bad to see lose everything because of the Bryn’adûl.” she said honestly and lowered her head for a few moments.

She looked up again afterwards, but by now the man had spoken again, so waited for the man to finish. The Sith and the Jedi; Ingrid knew about this pact, which is why they helped on Dantooine as well. Where the Empress finally lost her husband. Maybe the man will think of them as evil and devil too. Because they were different and supported the Sith.

”We are allied with the Sith Empire too, I may be mostly on the gray way, but I also know a myriad of Dark side practices, that doesn’t mean, High King, I wouldn’t help. Although I cannot send large number soldiers of the Eternal Empire here, the members of the clans who lived on Nelvaan before the Eternal Empire was established and who left our home world, when the EE left the CIS will surely help voluntarily. We are in large numbers. Their help… our help, I can confidently offer you now. If you accept the help of one of the allies of the Sith Empire.”


// OOC: Ingrid and her family are slowly 12 years old already, I created them on my own forum, the bloodline has Viking ancestors and in their own reality they are descendants of Viking gods. So here in SW, too, they are space Vikings, and since the background of the valkyri race suit them best, they are listed as ancestors to the family. That’s why I chose them, and that’s why there may be coincidences. ^^ //

 

[Darth Themis]

My guess was correct...Themis observed

Darth Themis, Bright Lord of the Sith, known as the Dread Cobra (and occasionally known as The Scaled Scholar) to her enemies in The Reconstruction Era, gave a slight nod as Ingrid L'lerim and Thurion Heavenshield began to talk, and amicably.

Being one of the few genuine Light Side Sith, they wouldn't notice anything amiss with her aura, not unless they were present for her getting involved in a fight. It was an advantage a Light Sith had over regular Sith, but a limited one.

Themis was the one whose guess that a shared lineage might make a team up between these two, Ingrid L'lerim and Thurion Heavenshield might bear fruit. So far, it was going even better than she had hoped. Better than any of them had dared hope. The four women watched the two practically start to gush over their mutual heritage.

Thurion was honor bound to save his world, and so were they by extension.

Nine Lives hit a button on her comms, a signal.

Two copies of Westenra Mina in her Gladiator Form (See her bio for details) in skin tight armorweave gold catsuits marched into the throne room. Themis raised a brow at Nine's idea of technology. There was a distinctly supervillain-esque approach to making a lethal danger look like a beautiful woman. Themis knew this because she indulged it herself, and so did Laertia, given some of her designs.

Laertia rolled her eyes as Maple Harte raised an intrigued eyebrow at the hot Westenra twins. Maple had a weakness for femme fatales, even murderous but girly and friendly artificial ones.

"Your Highnesses..." Nine spoke suddenly gesturing to the copies of one of her favorite daughters. "As a gesture of goodwill I present you with a gift: These Androids. Allow me to introduce to you copies of my deadliest creation, Westenra Mina. Fully functional warrior in the field, and skilled in Assassination and Infiltration. Nearly impossible to bring down with conventional tactics and weaponry, vast regenerative capacity. Capable of assuming any one of dozens of appearances, and can learn new programming as she needs to. Can fool all but the most sensitive military grade scanners into thinking she is human. If you expose a large enough piece of her to gamma radiation after she gets blown apart or something that piece will grow into another Westenra that is also loyal to you. You can create a whole squad of her in emergencies but I wouldn't reccomend trying to make an army. She's a tough piece of work, but she can only do so much. I present you with one copy Empress, so you might apply her as you see fit in dealing with your rebellion and this Loreena Arenais-Valhoun . Thurion, you too get a Westenra Copy..." Nine explained. "She will function to defend your homeworld however you deem necessary."

"We also knit a mean sweater!" The Westenra copies said in enthusiastic unison.

"Impressive...but can they run Crysis?" Maple asked under her breath, her schizophrenia causing her to make an OOC reference.

"Hmm?" Nine asked.

"Nothing..." Maple muttered back.

Laertia spoke, wiggling her fingers in greeting at the Two Westenra clones, both of whom treated her like a beloved Sister as much as the three copies actually assigned as her bodyguards did.

"There is a lot more where that came from. Nine is at the forefront of genetic engineering and weapons development. If anyone can give you an edge in modernizing your forces weapons, your Highnesses, its her..." Laertia assured Thurion and Ingrid.

"And where convention cannot help...That is where I come in..." Themis spoke. "I know many secrets of the Force, and would be willing to deploy my own allies in under the table actions against the GA and applying the Light protectively in the defense of Thurion's planet. I have ideas on how to physically weaken these Bryn'adul with the Force should they step on your world. Both your worlds..."

"I am currently experimenting with their corpses for creating better weapons to use on their tissue. They are quite vulnerable to cold...I believe that is where a good chunk of weapons research should go into in the following months..." Nine added. "Still looking to get their tech samples, though..."