A Galaxy on the Verge of Corruption...

RULES:

1. No GMing. We don't want any Mary-Sues or Gary-Sues
2. Maximum of 3 Active Characters per person. Any more needs approval by a GM
3. Characters can and WILL die, but please ASK somebody before you attempt to kill their character rather then just say "Your guy is dead."
4. Keep it PG-13!! Romance and Lovey-Dovey stuff is fine, as well as the occasional innuendo, but take smut scenes to PM, please. Also, violence is allowed, but please don't rip out a guys entrails and hold them above his head while he slowly dies. We're not monsters (:3)
5. Some scenes will be time skipped if they drag on too long/get too boring, but most of the time we will RP things through.
6. Each member of the RP will eventually become a member of the small group of adventurers who save the galaxy :3
7. Your character cannot have any GM abilities.
8. Post at least a paragraph each time (more is fantastic)
9. GM posts will be announced (these include plot movers, special events or even the death/introduction of a new character)
10. If you got this far, here's a cookie *hands cookie*
11. Please make PvP combat fair. It really sucks when somebody unleashes their ultimate power and freezes the other person's foot to the floor, then proceed to just punch the crap out of their immobile opponent. In addition, GM moves will NOT be allowed inside PvP combat unless approved/announced in a GM event.
12. Enjoy the RP to the best of your ability!![/rules]

~ Previously On Exoria.. ~

The Spaceship Ulysses was attacked by the Enimorg, a group of rouge Androids for hire, on the day of Princess Audra's wedding. A group of heroes consisting of Maarcuu, a Beastman Royal Pilot and his utility droid HK-55, Ana, a cyborg business woman, and Vashando, a warrior with an A.I named "Alice", attempted to rescue the princess and escape to a nearby Galactic League of Interplanetary Prorecion (G.L.I.P.) friendly planet. Instead, the Enimorg captured Audra and shot down the escape pod, which landed on a criminal planet known as Norrux Mirugal. Upon their arrival, the heroes met with Zuzen, a cyborg vigilante, Tal, an orphaned theif living off the streets, Sura and Noki, two mysterious aliens and Oradis, a Queronian with a multiple personality disorder. Unknown, Princess Audra was taken by a crime lord known as Rectja Tyrr, who had a certain something for collecting rare prizes. He made the fair Princess his slave girl and forced her to entertain the gangsters within his palace. There, Audra met two thugs, Æðelþryð and Una, and a robot named FX-83ES-Model Number: 825690, all of whom had personal issues towards Rectja. After establishing themselves on Norrux Mirugal, the heroes were taken in by Zuzen. When Maarcuu was labeled as a potential threat towards Rectja, the gangster put a bounty on the beatman's head, fearing that he had brought G.L.I.P. forces to Norrux Mirugal with him. The heroes knew they required credits to get off the planet, but knew they had none. Soon, they would discover that a massive underground Speeder Racing tournament was being held. The winners would receive a massive credit prize, as well as a starship.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~=

Where we last left off on "Norrux Mirugal"...



Under City: Level 5 of 7. Currently under the Territorial Control of crime lord, Rectja Tyrr.



"Maarcuu still believes that the situation at hand is out of control. Maarcuu thinks that as soon as possible, we get out of Norrux Mirugal and send for backup from G.L.I.P." The Beastman explained, his arm crossed and his helmet removed. He still wore the bounty hunter's armour he had stolen from a man who tried to claim his life earlier that day. As it would seem, there was a bounty placed upon the Beastman's fuzzy head by none other then Rectja Tyrr, a revered and feared Borregelian crime lord who owned more then half of the 7 city levels. Apparently, the gangster had discovered that Maarcuu worked for G.L.I.P. and saw him as a threat that needed to be eliminated. Maarcuu couldn't fully grasp the reasoning, but little did he realize the full picture. All he knew was that the gangster wanted him dead for reasons unknown, aside from being associated with G.L.I.P. through the Agerna Royal Pilots League. Rememering the league and Agerna itself, his mind raced back to the events before now.

It was a special day. The day that Princess Audra Strathmore of the planet Agerna was to wed the 6-armed, green skinned, bug-eyed Prince Thall of Raximotoriphalupagorious. The wedding was held aboard King Ridley-Scott II's starcruiser, the USS Ulysses and everything seemed to be going perfectly alright. Then, just before saying "I do", a ear-piercing screech sound began emitting from a half human-half droid being that was slowly paralyzing the passengers. Quickly, the noise was halted by HK-55's electrical work, but then things really began to pick up. The ship was fired upon by a Morg Battleship, which quickly introduced the Enimorg as the culprits behind the attack. The Enimorg, a rouge group of sentient androids who worked as bounty hunters and thugs for hire against the G.L.I.P., had been hired to capture Princess Audra. With much help from two passengers, Vashando Sykes and Ana Cassius, Maarcuu and HK-55 managed to recover the Princess and evacuate the other passengers. However, Audra turned herself into the Enimorg before anybody in the group could stop her. Without anything left to do but evacuate the slowly burning ship, Maarcuu, HK-55, Vash and Ana took the royal escape pod and jettisoned themselves. The trio watched the ship explode, not knowing if Audra had survived. Without warning, the group was suddenly assaulted by the Morg Battleship and were forced to make an emergency landing. Thanks to Maarcuu's flying skills, they managed to land safely, but the escape pod was trashed upon impact.

Through a series of interesting meet ups, conversations and many hours of walking, the trio quickly became a larger group upon their crash landing. Joined by Zuzen, a cyborg vigilante, Tal, an orphaned theif living off the streets, Sura and Noki, two mysterious aliens and Oradis, a Queronian with a multiple personality disorder, Maarcuu and friends found that they were not the only ones who wanted to get off the hunk of shit criminal Haven planet known as "Norrux Mirugal". Many more events followed after they met, such as being taken into Zuzen's apartment rather then live off the streets, gaining the trust of each other, and even chasing down a criminal who was spying on the group. It all seemed like such a blur to Maarcuu, because the entire day seemed to just keep going on and on without ever ending. Thankfully, the lanterns around the under city had changed to a dark blue colour, signalling that night was fast approaching. An extreme sense of exhaustion had overcome the Beastman from the long and tiring day he had gone through. He knew that the others felt the same way as well, but he did his best to stay awake. Besides, the adrenaline from almost being killed moments before really helped him keep his eyes open.

Then, without warning, his thoughts were interrupted as a woman who looked very strange entered the apartment. Zuzen apparently seemed to know her, so that was something.. But he felt somewhat uncomfortable when she turned her attention to Ana. It seemed like they knew each other once long ago, but Maarcuu showed no signs of being interested. Instead, his thoughts drifted off into more personal matters such as his current state of mind. Ever since they landed, he had been concerned. Not entirely for himself, or Ana and Vash, or the others he had learned to call "Partners" and "Friends", but mostly for the Princess. He knew that Audra was more then capable of taking care of herself (in fact, he had personally witnessed her taking down 16 thugs on Yeppu after a conference discussing the spice trading with Agerna was interrupted because they wanted to rob the rich folk), but his mind kept replaying the horrifying image of the Ulysses exploding. He had no idea if the Princess was still onboard, but he prayed she had made it off safely, even if it was with the Enimorg. At least if she was captured, then the chances to save her would be greater then if she was dead. One of the many tasks assigned to Maarcuu as a Royal Pilot was to ensure the safety of the Agerna royal family. He had successfully managed to evacuate the king and his wife from the wreckage.. But he failed to save Audra.

With a look of curiosity, Maarcuu turned his head to Zuzen and leaned against the wall of the apartment. By his side, HK-55 had seemingly been calculating data on the interface that the cyborg vigilante had set up to spy on Norrux Mirugal. The little droid booped and whizzed, shaking back and forth as it apparently discovered something. However, with an extreme lack of people who spoke Mechan-Ese (the language of the robots), the little droid's exclamations seemed to go unnoticed. "Zuzen, does Zuzen know if there is a way to acquire a ship, or some form of transport off of Norrux Mirugal? Preferably something that could be achieved within the time line of a week or so." Maarcuu stated, his choppy Galactic Standard coming out as strangely as it usually did.

~~ Meanwhile, at Rectja's Palace ~~



"Moska pudaa, chowbassa! Panwa oto choppa garbo! Dopo moulee-rah grabbo-pawap machacheesa pago buttmalias? Tee-tocky aaya Audra hugga chugga bugga oh hola ivy abba iggaa utga wana bolla...." Bring her to me! Provide me with my new dancing girl! What use is there to having slave girls if I do not force them to dance? Bring me Audra and the other girls, then tell the band to start playing... commanded with a wicked smile. The two Raximotoriphalupagorians nodded at their Borregelian master and marched off towards the holding cells where the slave girls were kept. Rectja had taken a certain fondness to his new dancing girl, Princess Audra of Agerna. She was a graceful and seductive dancer, but what pleased him the most was knowing exactly who she was: royalty. Rectja knew that eventually the G.L.I.P. would try to find her and may even track down her location, which was why he ordered the total destruction of the Ulysses and any ships that may have tried to escape. The Enimorg were lethal and knew exactly how to kill every last person aboard the starcruiser. Rectja always preferred hiring the rouge androids as opposed to his goons when it came to jobs like that because he knew the Enimorg wouldn't leave a single trace if evidence behind. The ships that had managed to escape had already been tracked down and were reported "missing" hours ago. The only shuttle remaining untouched was the one belonging to King Ridley-Scott and his Queen, for Rectja dared not to kill royalty. Kidnapping the princess for his own sick desire and pleasure, however, worked better in his mind.

As the palace band began to start up the song, which was a low and smooth beat, the guards brought up at least 7 of the 12 slave girls Rectja owned, including Audra herself. With a look of absolute sick desire, the disgusting Borregelian licked his lips and adjusted himself on the throne he was seated upon. With a wave of his massive, oversized, muscly hand, the group of girls nodded and began to dance, hopefully with Audra along side them. Rectja didn't mind if the girls were used and abused by his palace residents, but Audra was one who he couldn't allow such harm to come to, not that she'd allow it without a fight. He admired her strong will, but knew that he would break her before the week was out. He always did. Whenever his thugs would ask or talk about doing the things they did with the other girls, Rectja would agree. However, the group quickly learned to shut up after asking to do the same things to Audra resulted in a guy being disemboweled before the group by Rectja's "pet". As the girls danced, he grabbed the chain around Audra's neck and yanked it hard, pulling the girl towards him. "Je killya, um pasa doe beeska wumpa. Keel-ee calleya ku kah. Da beesga coo, palyeeya pityee bo tenya go kaka juju hoopa!" My dear, you seen like you aren't enjoying yourself. Feel free, become enveloped in the rhythm. If you do not dance like I wish for you to, then you can expect a fate worse then your average disobedience beating. Rectja grumbled in his deep booming voice as his rage-filled eyes stared into hers. There was a major sense of intimidation about him. Everything he did was almost petrifying, but that was all part of who he was. When he finished speaking to Audra, his forked, snake-like tongue extended from his lips and gently licked the young woman's cheek in a disturbing way, giving her an idea of what would happen next if she failed to impress him once again with her dance skills.

Being reworked

Zuzen looked at the little beastman, "A ship off Norrux Mirugal? It's possible, but it's not easy. And the point is moot anyway, Rectja isn't just going to let you leave the planet. The foul beast has more control and power than just a simple crimelord. No, we're going to have to deal with him first, and I am fairly sure he has a ship of his own somewhere in that cesspool of sin and avarice he calls a palace."

Zuzen sighed and shook his head, these poor offworlders had no idea who and what it was that they were dealing with. Rectja was a crimelord, it was true, but the alien wielded more power than some governments. His word was law, since his gang was large enough and powerful enough to kill anyone who disagreed. It was despicable, the epitome of everything Zuzen hated. And so Zuzen moved from his position next to the wall and stood in the center of the room.

"Everybody listen to me," he said, his robotic voice booming, "I am going to tell you who exactly we are dealing with with Rectja Tyrr."

Ana was leaned up against the wall, the unconsciouss Quernoan sitting next to her. The remnants of her cigar jutted out from her lips, the bright red end dropping off, more ash piling up on th floor. She shot a look at the beastman when he asked about the ship. Gee, if only one of them had thought to ask before! It was likely every ship on this shithole of a planet was controlled by some crimeboss or another.

And would you look at that, she was right. Again. A scoff escaped her, a puff of smoke exhaling out into the room. She carefully heaved herself off the wall, brushed her suit off, and let out a yawn, the cigar barely managing to remain in her mouth.

Rectja Tyrr. Slimy bastard she'd been ignoring for years. He'd been pestering her, or more accurately, his thugs had been pestering her thugs, for some time about weapon deals. She'd refused on the grounds that it was far too risky without a decently large enough profit. A small chuckle escaped her, and she raked her gaze over them all. An idea formed in her head, though she doubted any of the others would agree to it. She'd simply inform Vash later, if he'd listen.

"Well, then we are in for quite the treat," she commented, finally taking the dead cigar from her lips. "Fat son of a bitch won't give any of you the time of day, and I don't particularly trust my well being around him. I've heard he has quite the... How should I put it? Nasty quirks, I suppose is the best way to say." A sigh escaped her. "So, then, any ideas as to how to get off of this rock with his permission?" she asked, not really to anyone in particular.

"Waaaaaaaaaaaah" He sat up on the couch, screaming his head off. "Alice, I just had a horrible nightmare that I was forced to rescue a princess alongside some cat-ear toting boy-girl-cat-thing and a space vigilante." "That's reality you dunderhead." Wat.

These last dozen hours have been one of the most aggravating series of time advancements he's had in a long whole. Being chased, helping somebody, being chased again, chasing somebody. Too much chasing, now they were being hunted by Rectja, the alien from the nightmares of countless people from countless homes in countless systems. It was very far from an ideal way to handle your Friday.

He got up and the dog across the room lifted it's head. "Sit, you. Stay." Surprisingly, it obeyed and he was free to go downstairs and join the others in the middle of the conversation. He was still sore from earlier and obviously, so was the Quernoan multi-thing on the couch resting her head from the concussion...or was it the heat of the moment that knocked her out? One them for sure. "So what did I miss?"

_____________

Shalizar did as he was told, he watched over the princess, escorting her in and playing a ruse as they stepped into the court by gripping her arm and throwing her around like she was a bag of oats. He hated doing it to her, but he had no choice, least for now.

Her dancing was sloppy to say the least, her emotions evident in her movements. It was sad to see her subjugated to this.

Oradis was listening intently to the conversations around it. It dimmed it's facial lights, to feign sleeping, as it sat against the wall. But it was listening intently. glad to know that none of the others knew that Newcomers don't sleep. At least, not in the traditional sense. Oradis was well aware of it's surroundings, and listened. It's mandibles clicked noisily as it heard the cat human known as Maarcuu mention needing a spaceship. So, a way off world. This is most opportune, it had been too long since we found ourselves continuing with our travels. Perhaps we would be best to remain listening?

Then it heard that Rectja was hunting Maarcuu, and tried to hide it's grin. Oh yes, desperation will drive anyone to consider all possibilities. we would be afraid if we were you, Beastman. A G.L.I.P. pilot is not welcome on Norrux, but we will help you as best as we can, if we have the possibility of getting off this wretched planet. But where would we get a spaceship? Perhaps we should mention... No, no, not now. We will bide our time.

Tal was once again finding herself siding with Ana. For an off-worlder, she just spoke too much sense. "If there is a way off this planet without dealing with Rectja, I say we do that. I've heard stories about him. Scary stories. If we've pissed him off, I don't want to meet him face to face." Tal wasn't trying to hide her fear. It was written all over her face. "There would be more ships on the top level, but we won't be able to get up there without...him noticing...I don't have any ideas. I'm just talking because I'm nervous."

She stopped talking, looked down at the floor and retreated into herself a little. She wasn't used to being scared, and she certainly wasn't used to other people seeing her scared. The fact that she had only met these people today didn't help either. Now now she looked shy. She was giving them all sorts of wrong impressions right now, wasn't she?

Zuzen looked down at Taleste, wishing that Ana hadn't brought her along. But Ana had, which meant she was now involved in this conflict, and her fate should they fail against Rectja would be far worse than his own. She was still young as far as he knew was only a pickpocket, she could still redeem herself and didn't deserve death, let alone what Rectja would do to her. Nobody deserved what Rectja would do to her. He made a mental note to talk to her later, and he honestly hoped he didn't scare her off when he did. But as it was, these people were concerned about getting off of Norrux and that meant dealing with Rectja.

"There is no way you are getting off of this planet without Rectja knowing. He controls far too much of the world, and even if you did escape he would find out and have you hunted down like animals," Zuzen said to everyone assembled, "He is also, without a doubt, the worst individual on this planet. His depravity knows no bounds, and I hesitate to even refer to Rectja as a man."

Then he gestured to Tal, "She is right, there are most likely ships on the upper levels. But there is no way we could travel through Rectja's domain unnoticed. As such, the only chance you have of getting off of this world is to help me deal with Rectja once and for all."

Noki stood at the side of the room, anxious to start looking for Deef, but they were right: It would be far too dangerous and irresponsible for her to go out and endanger these people. Besides, it was very likely that Rectja was now targeting those from The Merchant Fleet, and perhaps called a bounty on their own ship. Whatever the reason, it seemed like she, too, was being hunted.

Looking around the room, Noki noted the emotions she could feel from the various people and beings around her. Tal was scared, though you didn't need to tap into The Harmony to notice that. Others were optimistic, discussing and working through many possible plans of getting off world. The bizarre many voiced being called Oradis was not actually asleep, but was drawing up it's own plans in it's mind. Noki did not like someone who was constantly deceiving those around them, which was a popular instance on this planet. The large human, Zuzen, was different to all the others in the room. He burned with rage at the mere mention of Rectja's name, so harsh and instant it was, that it felt like a fire to Noki. Obviously, they had much unfinished business between each other.

It was then that Noki felt a piercing pain shoot up her side, where she had been shot by the local 'Law Enforcement Agents'. She looked down at the wound, and saw it was still healed from Vash's suit, when he'd saved her life earlier that day. Why then, does it hurt? Surely it should at least- Noki leaned against the wall, and placed her hand on her side, covering her mouth with the other. She coughed loudly for a time in an uncontrollable fit, as the pain started to get worse, and she winced as it surged through her again. She brought her hand away, and saw yellowish blood on her hand. A look of horror swept Noki's face for a brief second, before she quickly wiped her mouth and hand clean, and brought her attention back to the group, regaining her composure and doing her best to hide the pain that swept through her.

It was becoming clear that Audra had spent too much time amongst the criminals and the seedy underbelly of the galaxy, if for no other reason than the fact that her eyes were now adjusted to the lower lighting present in the slave quarters. The lack of bright light was probably another method of breaking down the will of those unfortunate enough to be confined to the slave quarters, and the way some of these other girls looked as they were paraded out made it all too clear that they were broken beyond repair. Nightly, Audra could hear the muffled sounds of crying, and the faint but ever-present sound of tears hitting the pillow.

For how long could she hold out, she wondered. She was getting preferential treatment, but that didn't matter for anything when the treatment was simply being petted like a domesticated animal before being spat on and mocked in an attempt to demoralize her on a wide scale. The other girls had it worse, no doubt; Audra hadn't ever been present for what happens when a girl is taken off behind closed doors, but she wasn't an idiot. She knew. And it sickened her. Up to now, her will had kept her going, her refusal to give in to the increasingly humiliating activities was preventing her from breaking, but how much longer could that last?

It used to be that she would think of rescue, but after the hundreth time of hearing a slimy wretch of a creature like Rectja chortle at the sheer idea of rescue, it starts to sound believable. The hope of rescue was still there, though now her thoughts were on that strange dream, no, that strange vision she had. She still did not know what it meant, only that it had to have been important...if nothing else it kept her will from breaking.

The guards came as usual, dragging her along with other girls out of their cramped living spaces. Audra kept her head towards the ground, she could not bear to see the lifelessness in the eyes of the broken women. She could hear the music before even arriving in the main chambers of the palace. Paraded out like livestock, the girls each took their place, with Audra standing closest to Rectja, not by her choice - he liked to keep her chain close at hand. The other girls began to dance, writhing and sliding along to the low beat. Audra danced, if it could be called that, though her dance was little more than rocking on her heels back and forth while twirling her hands halfheartedly.

And then came the yank of the chain. Then the threat. Then the sickening tongue on her skin.

Not even Audra could hide her disgust, it was all over her face, clear as day.

The alternative to refusing to dance was not something she would wish. It had almost happened once, before urgent news drove the crimelord away, she doubted she would be so lucky a second time. With a scowl directed at the Borregelian, Audra turned back around towards the crowd. Slowly, her movements began to resemble the other dancers, slow, writhing, body moving to the music, scowl ever present on her face. As she danced, humiliating herself in front of an audience once again, she was positive she could feel Rectja's disgusting breath hot on her back.

Rectja's Throne Room

Æthelthryth stood in the shadows of Rectja's throne room, her demeanour far different from her normal bubbly and happy personality. Instead it was hard and serious, her mind deep in thought as she watched the slave girls paraded in front of Rectja and his cronies like cattle. They were nothing more than object to the filthy crime boss, and Æthelthryth was beginning to realize that so was she. While it was true that she was only used when Rectja needed something blown up and not for his gang's perverse pleasures, that didn't change the fact that she was just an object and a tool for Rectja to use.

Æthelthryth was no tool.

She was her own woman, she was a person, and she blew up whatever she wanted to. She didn't want to follow this sick alien's orders anymore, but she knew she had no choice. Or rather, she hadn't had a choice; but ever since she talked with that alien guard who seemed to be as disenfranchised with Rectja as she had, a plan had begun forming in her mind. Her eyes snapped to the Princess, and Æthelthryth winced a bit as Rectja slid his disgusting tongue along her face. The Princess was the important part of her plan; Æthelthryth was certain a rescue would come eventually and that would be her ticket out of her. But she wasn't sure how long that would take, and Rectja may very well break the strong-willed Princess before then. And if that happened, her entire plan would be ruined; but a little extra hope could go a long way to preventing that, and Æthelthryth made plans to visit the Princess at some point. Hopefully when she was guarded by Shalizar, not that she entirely trusted the alien.

---

Zuzen's Apartment

Noki's attempts to hide her injuries were in vain, after all a fit of violent coughing was not something that happened to normal people. Before anyone else had a chance to react Zuzen was there next to the alien woman, looking down at her. Though he was unable to show it due to his face being nothing but plates of metal and ceramic, he was genuinely concerned about her. While he still burned with rage against Rectja, this was a current and more pressing matter. If she was still injured, then she would require medical help.

"What is wrong?" he asked, the concern at least evident in his metallic voice, "And do not lie and say nothing; if you are injured you need help."

Maarcuu knew that everybody was trying to be as helpful as they could (although he still didn't fully trust Oradis), but this absent minded rambling could go on no further. "From what Zuzen says, Rectja is powerful and mighty. Rectja must be stopped, that is true.. but there is also another solution to get past Rectja's Guards.." The Beastman began to say as he slowly uncrossed his arms and stood up straight. "Maarcuu is what Rectja wants, so Maarcuu is what Rectja will get. Maarcuu's life does not matter if taking it away means getting Maarcuu's friends off of Norrux Mirugal." Maarcuu glanced at the group, knowing that somebody would reject his idea. "Maarcuu would be willing to turn Maarcuu in and allow the others to collect the bounty so they may purchase a transport. HK-55 can take you all back to Agerna and G.L.I.P. Headquarters."

As he waited for the inevitable replies of "nobody is turning themselves in", or "Maarcuu, there's no way you're doing that", he raised his hand and added "Maarcuu will only do that if all other plans fail. It will be a back-up plan for a worst case scenario.. For now, we should consider all other possibilities." Maarcuu noticed that Noki was in massive pain from her previous wound. He hesitated, not sure if he could trust this woman (even though he had petitioned that Zuzen didn't kill her). As the large robotic-figure clunked his way over to the wounded alien, Maarcuu stepped forwards and bent down over her. He gestured for HK-55 to come over and scan her to verify what was wrong. The small android rolled its way over to Noki and ejected a small, chrome device that was shaped like a harmonica. A straight blue line of light emitted from the device as the winch it was held from moved up and down, dragging the line across her body. A few moments later, HK-55 retracted the device and let out a few boops, indicating the results were in. A small holographic image appeared from its metal eye, presenting an inconclusive scan due to the armour she was wearing. However, it showed intensive signs of trauma and possible internal bleeding. "HK-55's scan says Noki needs to get medical assistance immediately, or the worst might occur. Does anybody here know of a Doctor?"

Noferktii had attracted the attention of Zuzen and Maarcuu, and tried to stand up straight. "Friends, there is really nothing wrong. You are-" she stopped, and stumbled, coughing again. Blood spattered Zuzen's armor, and she leaned against the wall, breathing hard. "Ok, yes, I think I might be bleeding internally. If I recall, there is still a bullet in me. So, any assistance you know of would be much appreciated." Noferktii smiled, and put a hand on Maarcuu's shoulder. "Friend, your actions are noble. And I sense you are desperately looking for someone. So, I will make you an offer: My companions and I were looking for a Merchant ship, that went missing on this world: The Gluon Trail. Help me find my companion Deefron, and you will possibly find the ship. If we do, and it isn't a pile of scrap metal, then she is yours to do with as you please. On the Merchant's Honor."

---

Meanwhile, Oradis was still listening intently to this exchange. It twitched slightly at the mention of the Gluon Trail, and sighed at it's poor misfortune. So, that ship it traded for it's life to Rectja's thugs... No chance of getting it now. Short of storming the palace and taking Rectja's life, which would be a suicide mission. Even if it's still intact, he probably has it hidden deep in his many private dry docks. Oradis got up to it's feet, and decided to join the exchange. It crossed it's arms, and addressed Noferktii. "We have seen your ship. We 'liberated' it from the hangar, and had outfitted it for our travels." He paused, and shrugged "We mean, the crew were dead, and weren't going to miss it. However, Rectja's thugs have been extorting us for some time now, and decided they wanted it more. So that ship now belongs to him. Go and try to take it from him, if you must. Don't let us get in your way."

Tal looked over at the alien. "I wish I could help, but all the Doctors and medics I know are in Penny Part...Wait, there is one here that I know of. Where did he live again?" she asks herself, before pacing, and muttering to herself, still a little scared. "Just past.....take a right.....no wait, a left....and then....." She looks back up at the group. "I know where he lives. His name's Doc Valentine. I think you'll like him." She was speaking very quickly, and she caught herself. "Sorry if I'm speaking to fast for any whuns who don't have this as a first language. Still a bit scared. Realizing slowly there's no wait out of this mess besides Rectja or death...." She smiles awkwardly, though it quickly disappears.

Sykes was next to Zuzen as she talked, worried for her. "I was hoping that this wouldn't happen, to be honest. I thought my suit would have been able to patch it up enough for it to heal naturally, apparently not. Zuzen, tal, and I will take her to this doctor. Maarcuu, try and see if you can follow up on the ship and see if there are any other ways to get another ship. Anything will do. Use Alice if you need to, she'll be happy to help." Just then he heard Alice scream in his head. "No I won't! "Quiet you!" He approached her and had her wrap his arm around his shoulder to help reserve her strength. "Come on now, Tal. Lead the way and get us to the doctor, we can't waste any time." He felt horrible about his suit not having done it's job. Top of the line his ass. The next time he got the chance he would replace the piece of junk with a better model. Just before leaving, he had Zuzen hold her and he went to grab his rifle and sword. Plenty of people went around with weapons in plain view, nobody would mind if he had protection as well. He came back down and took over for Zuzen.

Zuzen hefted Noki into his arms, not caring if she didn't want to be carried like that. When Vash returned from grabbing his equipment, and made to take back over and hold her Zuzen shook his head. "No, it is better if I carry her," he said, "Muscles grow tired and you would be unable to properly hold your weapons. I, however, do not tire and my fists are the only weapons I require."

Then he turned to Taleste, "Let's go. The sooner we get there the better." At least, he hoped so. He'd heard of Doc Valentine before, and we wasn't entirely certain what to think of the man. On one hand he patched up anyone who came to him, no questions asked, and the man had to know that many of them were criminals and scum. But on the other hand he helped the poor and downtrodden free of charge.

Tal nods, starting to smile again. She heads out the doorway. "If we can't waste any time, that let's not hang about. Try and keep up!" She then starts to walk into the crowd at a brisk pace. Her yellow 'penny' fashion sticking out among the browns and greys of this Part of the planet. She slides and weaves through the citizens, who don't seem to notice her, or care. By the time she's slipped past all the people, she's holding a sandwich she didn't have before and definitely didn't have time to legally buy from a vendor. She takes a bite as the other two catch up, and then sheepishly averts her eyes from Zuzen. "Sorry, I was hungry." She stuffs the sandwich into her mouth and then continues round a corner.

Soon, she approaches a building in slightly better condition than the ones surrounding it, with "Doc Valentine" painted in red on a sign above the door. "There it is. There's the Doc." She says now her mouth is free of food.

Her head was racked with pain, and her side had gone numb. Noki was in a bad way, and everyone else seemed to know it. Zuzen started to lift her, and she attempted to resist, but was too weak to do so. Her vision was beginning to go blurred and spotted from blood loss, and Noki hung weakly in his arms, head rolling about. She looked around the room aimlessly, and dipped in and out of consciousness, coughing again. Noki didn't even remember leaving the apartment, nor arriving at the clinic.

---

Oradis took this opportunity to light up another cigarette, while Zuzen had left and couldn't protest it smoking indoors. The thin worm like creature snaked out of it's face port again, clutching and puffing the cigarette happily. Now, with most of the party gone, Oradis approached Maarcuu, and observed him, closely inspecting the Beastman "Yes, it is you... So we are in the presence of Maarcuu? We know of the princess' wedding, our dear friend," It twisted it's face port into a bizarre forced smile, and brought it's face close to Maarcuu's, placing a hand on his shoulder, "We are willing to help you find transport of this world. But we should first establish an atmosphere of trust, should we not?"

Zuzen followed Taleste through the city, carrying Noki all the way. As the massive cyborg moved through the crowds he definitely drew attention, unlike the young pickpocket. However, he wasn't the type of person who any of the people on the street would want to mess with even if they didn't know who he was. And as a result he was able to move through the crowd easily enough. He occasionally stole a glance downwards at the injured alien in his arm, worried about her health but incredibly glad that Vash had run across her when he'd split from the group. If he hadn't the woman would most likely be dead. When he saw Tal eating a sandwich she definitely hadn't had before, and heard her apologize, he was somewhat irritated. He was going to have to talk to her about that, and he was going to open his mouth and say something to her when she turned the corner and the group arrived at the clinic. It looked to be in good shape, which was always a good sign; it was certainly much better than taking her to a doctor that operated out of a glorified basement like so many back-alley doctors were.

---

The inside of the clinic was rather bare; the floor was covered in white tile and the walls and ceiling were the same sterile white as the floor. There was a small waiting room of sorts with couches and chairs, separated from the rest of the clinic by a counter. The "business section" of the clinic was composed of several areas separated by curtains and containing what appeared to be a hospital bed. All in all it appeared to be a rather well-run clinic; though the furniture wasn't in perfect condition, one could see bullet holes in the walls, and one of the lights hanging from the ceiling made a buzzing noise as it flickered on occasion. In the back of the clinic there was an open doorway leading to a staircase and a massive metal door on the right side of the room. Currently the only visible occupants were a man and a woman; the man was with a patient sitting on one of the tables, though the curtain was open and they were completely visible to the group, and the woman was leaning on the counter, staring at the group.

The man was fairly tall and middle-aged, with short black hair with a highly visible stripe of white going through it. He was wearing what appeared to be a medical lab-coat, though the fabric was thicker than normal and the coat had no sleeves, leaving the man's arms completely bare aside from the gloves he wore on his hands. And the lower portion of his face was obscured by a surgical mask. Most of the woman's body was obscured by the counter she was leaning on, though from what the party could see her outfit was similar to the man's. However, her hair was bright red, she had an assault rifle strapped to her back, and all the skin that could be seen on her face and arms was heavily scarred in all manner of ways; bullet wounds, lacerations, and burns were all clearly visible.

The man's patient was a typical man from the area, fairly dirty and ragged and dressed in plain clothing. At present he was looking at the doctor standing above him with a fearful look as he held up a rather large needle and flicked it a couple of times.

"U-u-um, on s-second th-thought I-I-I-I'm f-f-fine," the patient said, obviously not fine as he struggled to stammer out the words, "There's n-no n-n-need for the n-n-n-n-needle."

"Aw, nonsense," the doctor said, waving his hand as though he could just wave the patient's fears away, "This here needle is gonna help you kick that nasty 'lil virus you got hunkering down inside your, well, insides."

"A-are you c-c-certain?" the patient replied, obviously still skeptical.

"'Course I am! Now pull up your shirt," the doctor said.

The patient couldn't even respond and silently complied with the doctor's request. The doctor took the needle and aimed it at the man's chest, though the patient kept staring at the needle fearfully. The doctor sighed and shook his head, "All right, this is gonna hurt a lot more than it should if yah keep starin' at it like that. Just try an' relax." The patient nodded quickly, though it was obvious he wasn't listening and continued to stare at the needle. The doctor made like he was going to inject whatever it was in the needle, but at the last minute looked up quickly and shouted, "My God, what the hell is that?!"

The patient's head jerked in the direction of the doctor's gaze, and the doctor chuckled a bit as he brought his hand up high and plunged the needle into the man's chest, practically stabbing him. The patient let out a horrendously loud shriek of pain, and jerked around as the doctor held the needle to his chest. After a few moments, the doctor pulled the needle out of the man's chest laughing a bit as the patient choked back a sob of pain.

"Y-you said it w-wouldn't hurt if I w-wasn't p-paying attention," the patient said, looking up at the doctor accusingly.

The doctor just laughed. "Nah, all I said was that it'd hurt more than it should if yeh paid attention," the doctor replied, "If you'd been watchin' it when it went in, it woulda hurt a hell of a lot more."

It was at that point that the woman at the counter turned back to the doctor and said, "Doc, we got some new customers."

Doc Valentine looked behind him, and saw the group. He patted the patient on the shoulder before making his way over to the woman. "Thank you, Nina," he said, then glanced at the group for a moment before continuing on, "Be a dear and go get Lilliane and Jericho to help with the other one while I take care o' these people, alright?"

Nina just nodded and made her way to the back of the clinic while Valentine turned to address the group directly. "Alright folks, the name's Doc Valentine and-," he began, and then noticed Noki lying in Zuzen's arms, "Oh shit, I don't need a medical degree to know she ain't doin' to good. What the hell's wrong with her?"