Salvage Operations [for 3rdangel]

[in_the_cracks]

Telrim’s tried to bring them out somewhere safe. That wasn’t easy. Guessing where would be ‘safe’ was hard enough, but she only has about three sets of co-ordinates for the Pool ship to choose from. In the end she picked the one closest to their first target, and hoped that Andalite disdain for their science would keep them out of the labs.

She’s right, or lucky. The portal comes out in one of the minor labs, a small room with a work desk, a couple of chairs and a computer console, though it’s currently inactive and only a small keypad is showing. The chairs are facing one of the long walls, which currently appears transparent to show the next room over, which holds a single chair and a holoprojector. The chair in there has rather thicker arms and back, for some reason. It’s also locked to the floor.

Everything is brushed steel and sterile white – and dead silent, save for the low, almost-below-hearing hum of shipboard circuitry. No Andalites. No Controllers. No hosts running wild. Telrim lets out a slow exhale and steps quietly for the door. No running now. She just has to hope her companions aren’t about to shoot her in the back.

Comments

[darker_black]

Regulus makes no attempt to memorize the code, both due to unfamiliarity with electronic locks and that he plans to never come here again once this is over. He'll quickly set to work, with occasional glances back towards the door they arrived through. Though, he does have to ask, "What was that dragonish thing back there?"

Mikoto is also fast to do as told in this instance, after all, it's what they're here for. Some smaller items she even grabs with her tail, just to speed things up.

[in_the_cracks]

The main console flashes into life at the Controller's touch, the holographic interface lighting up with menu options in an angular alien script. Telrim identifies herself by another quick set of codes (including her name), then produces a datachip to insert.

It takes her a moment to switch mental gears, while she isolates the data they need and sets up a download in prioritised order. "The Hork-Bajir? They're our preferred combat hosts. Slow-witted creatures, but physically excellent. I'm hoping we still have a few friendly ones on board."

Once the download's going, she turns her attention elsewhere. At the far end of the room is what looks like a wall of drawers, almost as tall as a human. It's laced with internal sensors and containment fields, where the rest of the Nexus specimens lie in storage. They're secure, classified, untouchable to most Yeerks... but Telrim is the local acquisitions officer. She may not be a powerful visser or commanding sub-visser, but she has a few small, specific powers nonetheless.

She supplies her credentials, and then enters a withdrawal command for every specimen in storage. With a chirp, the security lets her in; there's a sudden drop in the ambient hum as the containment units unseal in unison.

[darker_black]

Focusing on the task at hand helps keep Regulus from being too uncomfortable about all the technology. He doesn't bother to ask if a Hork-Bajir might be stunner-resistant like a dragon - after all, there's no way to know unless it's tried. Hopefully, it won't have to be, but where this situation is concerned he knows better than to leave anything up to 'hope'. He still flicks his glance back the way they came from time to time, constantly aware of the possibility of being caught.

Mikoto also continues to work quickly. If it's hard to tell what's going through her mind normally, it's even harder when she's invisible and using her tail to grab things with. She does make note of the mentioned low-intelligence of the Hork-Bajir, putting it into context with the Andalite's behavior towards the other alien earlier.

[in_the_cracks]

Telrim quickly runs her hand along the drawers, each one sliding open in response to being pressed. She guesses that she's setting off all manner of internal alerts with this mass withdrawal, but she's also willing to bet they'll only go to her superior officer and, well, he's not going to see them.

"There are more over here." She starts grabbing specimens and hurrying them to the portal, trying to toss them through with the maximum care and minimum clattering. She can't remember offhand if there's anything from Gaia stored here, and chooses not to worry about it. Instead, hard though it is, she tries to eye the others intermittently. No, they can't afford to betray her until their data's wiped, but she needs every clue she can get as to their intentions.

[darker_black]

It's not that betrayal hasn't crossed Regulus's mind. He's a Slytherin, of course it has. It just isn't prudent at this time, in the middle of a mission, in an unfamiliar place, and with information here somewhere that might be a threat to his family. He hasn't really tried to get back to his world... but could someone else find a way there? He's not about to risk that. And the risk isn't just from Telrim and her kind in his opinion. He hadn't much cared for the attitude of that Andalite, either. There's still a cold anger adding tension to his movements, but he has reason to see most of this mission done. And the last part? Rescuing the Yeerks? Well... one never gets far in Slytherin House if they're not willing to hold up their end of a deal, though double-crossing when blackmail is involved is much more tolerated. If it weren't for Mikoto, he'd already be going over ideas. But he owes her in a way he doubts Telrim understands, so he'll follow her lead on this... as long as she doesn't do something that would get them in deeper than they'd already agreed to.

Mikoto continues tossing items through the portal with an efficiency that is both inhuman and strangely calm for the situation. It would almost look arrogant, if it wasn't that arrogance would seem too emotional for Mikoto. If any sort of double-cross has occurred to her, it would be hard to tell. She really doesn't see the Yeerks, once their existance is known, as enough of a threat to where their survival is relevant to her - so there isn't a pressing reason to consider breaking their deal at this time.

[in_the_cracks]

Telrim might understand his loyalty better than he realises - enough to justify relying on it, at least. She's certainly not incapable of honouring debts herself. It's just that such bonds have a hierarchy, and promises to aliens are only polite words compared to the interests of the Empire. No-one likes a traitor.

Along the rows of specimens they work, Telrim pushing the empty drawers closed in their wake, until everything is sealed up once more. She swipes a handful of tools from a bench to toss through as well. Those could be hard to come by in the next while...

"Throw some of the equipment through and we can move on," she says, heading back to the console to retrieve her datachip. Just one last thing to do here, and that's to unlock an access panel so she can remove a couple of rather important components from beneath the console. No slagging the place: that would be too obvious. She pulls her Dracon beam and adjusts it to one of the lowest settings instead.

[darker_black]

Regulus still knows very little about technology, so his best guess as to what would count as 'equipment' falls under 'unrecognizable things with too many buttons.'

Mikoto is better about that, at least, even if the exact technology is unfamiliar to her in most cases. But both tense at Telrim drawing her weapon, just in case - it seems the Yeerk isn't the only one on guard in case of a doublecross.

[in_the_cracks]

The weapon doesn't swing their way at least. Telrim crouches down with it, putting a couple of shots into the computer's innards. A few of them glow briefly; she closes it back up to small popping sounds. Hopefully that's low-powered enough not to draw attention, but enough to fry the memory. She knows this computer is secured from the main ship systems.

The display starts flashing up jarring red-lined alerts instantly. The Dracon beam goes back to her side, and she closes up the portal. She takes a moment to check the computer's dead and shut down what's left, outlining the next stage as she does. Now's the best time. "The data's stored in one other location, that I know of. It's on the deck below this: shouldn't be hard to reach. We'll take a gravity lift down."

[darker_black]

Regulus just nods slightly. He doesn't know exactly what a 'gravity lift' is, but can make half a guess at least. He's seen similar things by now, after all.

"Probability the lift's use could be detected or intercepted?" asks Mikoto.

[in_the_cracks]

"Unless an Andalite tries to use it at the same time, they won't notice a thing." All taken care of, she heads for the door again. "And even if they look, they won't see a thing. The interface is mental, by the way: when you step into the shaft, focus on the words 'deck forty-four' and you'll stop at the right place."

She'll check the corridor again before stepping out into it. This time she mutters a command in Galard to deactivate the lights behind them. She's specifically avoiding the lift where the previous Andalite was waiting, and their luck holds a bit longer. They'll get to the lift unimpeded. It's small comfort, when she knows this is the very easy part.

As she hinted, the lift is an empty shaft, wide and deep enough for a squad of Hork-Bajir; stepping into the air, one is suspended by anti-gravity fields and accelerated to whatever level one thinks of. In this case, it's a very short drop down, and Telrim hardly slows. Habit gets away with her - she's turning as she steps into the shaft and springing out on the lower deck a second later. It's just like the first: a maze of clean, efficient militarism...

Only not quite as empty. The moment Telrim's boots hit the deck she has to jump aside to avoid an Andalite about to step in. She throws herself against the wall with a soft thud and a tiny gasp.

[darker_black]

It's possibly a good thing, then, that neither of those with her were in a hurry to jump down a hole - Regulus, because he wants to watch first out of suspicion it could be a trick. And, Mikoto, because she wants to watch and see how it works.

So both are peering down the shaft when the Andalite reaches it. They quickly pull back, staying close to walls and out of the way, in case he's headed for the floor they're on.

[in_the_cracks]

(( Apologies for the delay, RL piled up on me. ))


The Andalite's not going anywhere just yet. His guard is down but the nearby noise and sense of movement startle him. He stops dead, main eyes frowning in puzzlement, stalk eyes swiveling about around and above him. < Huh...? >

Telrim presses back against the wall, trying not to stir the air or get too close to that scythe-like tail blade. Mikoto and Regulus won't be able to see it, but it's half-raised now, and the Controller tenses right along with it.

The Andalite steps aside for a minute, looking at the wall and floor where Telrim just passed - where she is... and then leaning out into the shaft, peering up and down simultaneously. Telrim's hand curls around her Dracon beam. She mustn't, mustn't, must not take him even though he's so close she could stun him and ram a boot into his flank, shove him into the lift shaft or better yet just vaporise the filth now...

She draws a slow breath, forces herself to watch the Andalite's eyes and not his tail. One of them is turning back to survey the corridor carefully.

(S'ok, RL>RP. :) )

[darker_black]

Mikoto tenses, frowning, wondering what to do about this...

Regulus already has an idea. The confundus charm, depending on how it's used, can confuse a target and - with some effort on the caster's part - even convince them of things. In this case, Regulus thinks very hard about how there isn't anyone there and everything's as it should be, as he silently casts the spell on the Andalite leaning into the shaft below.

((Spell info here:
http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Confundus_Charm ))

[in_the_cracks]

The Andalite jerks slightly - enough to have Telrim's weapon raised and ready - then relaxes. To the Yeerk's surprise, he merely glances around as if to remember what he's doing, then steps into the lift and rises with gathering speed, past Regulus and Mikoto's level.

< I guess we fooled him? > Natasha suggests. Andalites are hard enough to read, and this is about the third time she's even seen one.

< Lucky us. For a second I thought... > Telrim exhales at last and checks the lift, then calls up in a low voice, "Clear."

[darker_black]

Mikoto steps off without another thought, thinking of 'deck fourty-four'.

Regulus does the same a moment later, though he's still uncomfortable with the idea that even the lifts here can read his mind to an extent. Still, if that's how it has to be done...

Mikoto is still curious, when she arrives on the lower deck, as whatever Regulus had done had been cast nonverbally and had no visual effect to match to known spells of that world. "A memory charm?" she asks very quietly when Regulus arrives.

"Confundus," Regulus replies, just as quietly, shaking his head at her guess. He doesn't want to say more. Being quiet is best for now.

[in_the_cracks]

Aha. Telrim's outline shifts as her head turns to stare at Regulus. That was the boy? That's... interesting. Unsettling, though this isn't the best place to start questioning him.

"Very nice," she mutters under her breath. She'll get back to that, oh yes. First she leads the way onward, threading a familiar path through the halls and side-corridors.

She stops in front of a door that looks like any of the others, save that the frame is heavier and there's a more prominent security lock. Telrim will have them through that in a moment. Inside is clearly an office: there's a large, neatly-kept steel desk, on which sits some sort of tree-shaped holo-sculpture. The console display flashes up dozens of red-lit notifications, bleeping forlornly at them now they're inside. Behind it is a cushioned stool, sculpted to fit a tail and non-human proportions.

"Guard the door while I work," Telrim says, once they're all in.

[darker_black]

Regulus tenses slightly when he thinks he hears Telrim mutter something, though he can't hear just what she said. He wishes Mikoto had waited until after this for any questions, and hopes she will after this. It's like she can't keep in mind that the yeerk is technically an enemy now... just one they have to work with for the moment.

Mikoto and Regulus take up guard positions on each side of the door, watching for any trouble.

[in_the_cracks]

Telrim hesitates for a second before she sits down on the abandoned chair. The good sub-visser won't be needing it now. It's still deeply odd to find herself sitting at his desk, eliminating his notifications as she gains access to her late superior's files.

"That spell you cast on the Andalite," she says, eyes on the display. "What did it do exactly?"

[darker_black]

"I would think it was obvious," Regulus says coolly. "And if not... what reason do I have to tell you?"

Although she's curious as well - most of the mental effect spells hadn't come up in their studies yet due to having few analogs in Gaian or Terran magic - Mikoto just listens for now. She still has the distinct impression Regulus would rather not be here if it wasn't for the potential threat to his world of origin.

[in_the_cracks]

"It's obvious you affected his mind in some way. Diverted his attention." Telrim frowns unseen, keeping her tone calm. "But if you plan to keep relying on that the specifics - the limits - might be useful to know. These things don't affect all species equally, you know."

That's an excuse, really. She wants to know if - how - he can use it against her, and if there's any way to know when he has. She's had her fill of mind-tampering LOLs. The last thing she needs is a human who can steer her mind where he likes.

[darker_black]

"Wondering if it would affect you?" Regulus guesses, thinking that would certainly be ironic. "He just needed a little nudge to convince him everything was as it should be and he should go on about his business." Much like Telrim should get on with hers, his tone seems to imply.

[in_the_cracks]

"Among other things." And though there's probably little in her expression to see even were it visible, something in her tone hints that no, she really doesn't take kindly to the idea of being manipulated like- well. Like a host species.

Her fingers keep moving steadily, winning access and sifting through files, deleting those she has and setting the rest up for transfer. "Will he notice when it wears off?"

[darker_black]

"It isn't too likely," Regulus says. Confundus was nice and subtle that way, if done right.

[in_the_cracks]

"Oh, good." Or possibly not, says the undertone in her voice. Telrim tries to focus on working out what to bother taking.

< I'd notice, though. > Or at least Natasha hopes so, if Telrim was the target. < So I could tell you. >

< I'd rather not give him that idea. > Nor is Telrim all that eager to rely on Natasha right now, which isn't helping the human girl's nerves.

She swears to herself as she finds what must be the real meat of the data, the things the sub-visser wanted kept to himself alone. It'll be valuable to them, she's sure - but she doesn't have the clearance to access it. "...This might take a few minutes."

[darker_black]

Regulus considers this a small victory of sorts. If he had to spend this entire mission tense about the idea that he might try something to take over his mind, well, then she could spend it worrying the same about him. Of course, if he'd really wanted to, he could have just used the Imperious Curse from the start. But he really didn't want to give in to using something like that again, and, honestly, he'd rather just get this over with as quickly as possible so he could quit worrying about whether it was the right thing to be doing at all.

Mikoto, not as bothered by either moral problems or Slytherin instincts for revenge, just nods slightly. "Understood. We will continue to watch for patrols."

[in_the_cracks]

"Good. Some of this data is secured on a local system. I need to work around the security to retrieve it." She still has her end of the bargain to uphold, although it's occurred to her that they'll have very little way of knowing if she truly does so. She probably shouldn't do so too early, either. She needs her hold on them until her people are out of danger.

[darker_black]

Mikoto just nods.

Regulus thinks that, while the 'computers' he's seen so far might be amusing and occasionally useful, using them to store anything important seems to be more trouble than anything else.

[in_the_cracks]

It would be much easier if she had actual clearance for this data. As it is, the only reason she can get through the security (the reason she even knows there's data to take) is that she's a reasonably trusted subordinate.

While she works, the 'sculpture' on the desk catches her eye. It looks rather out of place in this austere environment, but she knows what it is. She takes a moment to deactivate it and shove the projector in a pocket.

At this point, Regulus and Mikoto might discover an interesting feature of this room. Despite the heavy door, the sound from outside seems to carry rather well, reproduced by a couple of unobtrusive speakers. The sub-visser had a paranoid bent, it seems. From some way down the hall ring multiple sets of footsteps: two sets of hooves and one pair of boots.

[3rdangel]

"Incoming. Strategy suggestions?" Mikoto says, keeping it brief.

Regulus frowns. Simply confunding them won't be as effective on multiple targets - they'd be much more likely to notice something's happening, since the spell has to be cast on one target at a time.

[in_the_cracks]

Telrim stops working for a minute, very still as she listens to the sounds outside. There's time: the trio appears to be working their way along the hallway, opening one door after another. They're still a couple of rooms away.

"They're sweeping the labs." She stands, draws her Dracon and lays it on the desk, close to hand. "Focus on the two Andalites. Don't waste time with them. Try to leave the human conscious: I doubt they'll be much threat."

She hesitates, then taps at the display rapidly, pulling up a file she knows to be there. "Let them get all the way inside. Then we'll strike."

[darker_black]

Regulus isn't too worried, yet, expecting he can fire off two stunners for the Andalites and perhaps an incarcerous to tie the other up before they're likely to have much idea he's there. The part that makes him frown is the suggesting of leaving the human conscious. He is not there to help them claim more hosts, if that's what she's considering.

Mikoto goes over her own world's spells, and decides they are too likely to draw attention for what is still primarily a stealth mission. She keeps one of her knives in hand just in case - though she's learned some spells from Regulus over the course of their research, including the stunner she expects he'll use, but if that doesn't work on whichever Andalite is nearest, she's just as comfortable with slitting their throat.

[in_the_cracks]

Telrim's brought up an old report, but one that ought to get the Andalites' attention. As the steps outside draw closer, she enlarges the alien text for good measure.

< Well? > The Andalite's speech seems fainter from behind the door, but the sharp tone is unmistakable. < Open the door. >

"I can't. This is the sub-visser's office." The human voice is male, bitter and frustrated. "No-one's been in there since your pets killed him. How do you expect me to open it?"

< Then I'll open it, > says the other Andalite, a little more reasonably. < Stand back. >

< And you go in first, Yeerk. >

While they argue, Telrim sets the console beeping urgently and backs off to one side, ears pricked and weapon readied. She's glad her expression's invisible. There's a high whine from the door, a white-hot glow around the locking mechanism, and then it bursts open. As promised, the human stumbles in first - but at least one of the Andalites sights the console. He makes a startled noise and shoves past the Controller unwarily.

[darker_black]

Regulus stays still, keeping his wand on the Andalite in the room, waiting for just the right moment when they can drop both of them at the same time.

Mikoto moves silently, trying to see if she can get a view of the other one. Since she's used to wandless magic, she only needs to be able to see the target.

[in_the_cracks]

< Iskillion! >

< It's fine. > The first Andalite trots to the display, leaning toward it eagerly. Telrim edges around him, her back to the office wall. < Just look at what this- >

The second follows him friend in, one eye turning back on their prisoner to say Don't get any ideas. < You dolt, the room could have been tr-! >

Telrim fires on the Andalite by the door. The Dracon's beam flashes bright and orange, the air around it heating noisily. It's stronger than a stunning bolt needs to be. she's in no mood for half-measures.

[darker_black]

The one by the display is quickly the target of a beam of red light from Regulus's wand, after which he makes sure to quickly change his position since the spell would have given it away.

Mikoto, having found herself short a target, will watch to see if the stunner Regulus used will work on these creatures. If not, she'll cast one of her own and see if that works, with the backup plan of using her knives if necessary.

[in_the_cracks]

The Andalites slump awkwardly to the floor, bumping off the walls as they go. The Controller in the doorway lifts his hands, but as his eyes dart between the fallen guards and the empty-seeming room he relaxes slowly. The calculation's visible in his expression. The Andalites must have hit a trap. Perhaps he can get away before he's blamed...

"Close the door, Yaheen." Telrim makes it an order. When he jumps and looks suspicious instead of hopping to it, she adds sharply, "Now!"

"Telrim." He keys the damaged door shut, almost laughing in relief and astonishment. "What- how?"

The other Controller's already back at the console. She is glad to see him, which is why there's a carefully measured bit of patience in her voice as she goes on. "I brought help. And yes, we're cloaked, so watch where you step. Now secure the Andalites' weapons. Mikoto, Regulus, keep him covered."

Yaheen obediently bends to retrieve the Andalites' Shredders before he realises those aren't Yeerk names. "...What kind of help is this?"

[darker_black]

Regulus doesn't have anything to say in response to Yaheen's question. He'd actually like to see Telrim have to explain why they're here, when he's still having trouble justifying it to himself. But Mikoto, whether from inexperience or arrogance, seemed to be oddly dismissive of the danger. He couldn't have let her walk into this alone. They're going to have to have a talk when this is over... if they both get out of it. For now, yes, keep the second mind-controlling slug covered...

Mikoto, meanwhile, studies the unconscious Andalites in addition to providing cover. She won't risk waking them, but it is a shame there's no way to safely collect a lab specimen. She does have a slight problem with Yaheen, however. "His visibility is a risk that should be corrected." She'll wait for Telrim's consent before casting another Invis spell. While she knows the additional visual effects of her world's magic won't be seen through the closed door, it serves no purpose to unnecessarily startle anyone by not giving fair warning.

[in_the_cracks]

"Their nature is irrelevant." Telrim works on retrieving or destroying what data remains, and the console shuts down with a few sparks as she sets off a last fail-safe installed by the paranoid former owner. She steps back neatly. "Agreed on the cloaking. Yaheen, I trust you remember how to fire one of those from touch?"

Yaheen's questions are forgotten as he finds something new to panic about, looking rather like a boy scout who's left his tent at home. "I'm a lab assistant, not a warrior. I haven't really, er- the power settings on these run backward, right?"

Telrim can't help a sigh. "Very well. We'll trade. Mikoto, give us a moment."

While she swaps the weapons (and corrects Yaheen's grip, and adjusts her new holster to a much smaller human frame) Telrim will press the younger Yeerk. "Now. Where is the crew being held? Where is Issek?"

[3rdangel]

Regulus almost feels sorry for Yaheen, before sharply reminding himself that this isn't a situation where he can afford sympathy. He wonders how much of the discussion of weapons was necessity, and how much was distraction... His best guess is that the former was more important, and the latter likely a fortunate side-effect.

Mikoto, meanwhile, just nods slightly - visible in the faint outline that can only be seen to others under an Invis spell. Then she'll continue providing cover and quietly examining the fallen Andalites. As long as she can cast Invis on the new addition before they leave the room, and avoid him shooting her out of surprise in the process, she considers most of the details irrelevant.

It's unfortunate that physical injury might disrupt the stunning spell. If she could get a blood sample or other genetic material back to her lab, it would be very interesting to analyze.