Board Thread:Archive/@comment-24866242-20140520224647

Subj: Contacting the Vextis Date: 9/8/97 7:53:30 PM From: Kieshon Lowdye

The Slayer was ready. Fueled, and in one of the shuttle bays of the Drop Ship Lesper. It's pilot secure in the cockpit. The heavy smell of fuel fills the bay as it's boosters fire. Behind the heavy plated cockpit canopy a flight helmet can be seen. She had only a half hour before received word that they were in the airspace of the Vextis.

Kieshon's hand moves over the control panel before her with the expertise of years training. The other hand lowers the communications vox mic. She punches in the frequency of The Vextis. Reports had placed him there. Though reports could be wrong. That and Juxtor, more so of her six brothers, was a bit of a prankster. Especially to her.

A message is received by the Vextis. Requesting permission to dock at 07:36 ETA. As well specifying class of ship. Call sign given as "Green Eyed Lady". There was one aboard the Vextis to whom that would be familiar. Or should be at least. It was between him and Juxtor that a goodly share of her training had been completed.

Once her transmission was sent, and acknowledged as having been received she signals the flight central that she was ready. Outside of The Slayer, a klaxon sounded loudly indicating that the external shuttle bay door was opening.

Once the shuttle bay was fully opened she received signal from flight central that she was clear to take off. With a final check to the harness that crossed over her chest she settled into the pilots seat. Letting her head rest back against the high back in readiness of the g-force of take off.

Most of the controls within The Slayer were hand control by keyboard mounted into the console. With the exception of the joystick control at her right hand. She had already set the coordinations of The Vextis. It would be approximately 02:00 hours for her to close the distance between The Lesper and her destination.

Through the ear jack she can hear central counting down. Her gloved hand wrapped around shaft of the joystick. Her thumb poised over the gray button, top, center. As the voice hit "zero" her thumb depressed the button. And with a burst of flames from the twin tail she shot out of the shuttle bay.


 * t-minus 00:20 minutes to docking

Ahead of her loomed the large ship that was her final destination. She powered down as the tractor beam locked in on The Slayer, drawing her slowly toward the open docking bay. In her ear she could hear the near constant chatter of docking procedure.

This twenty minutes seemed longer then the time it had taken for her to get from The Lesper to The Vextis. Primarily because control of docking was not in her hands. And if there was one thing she was not partial to, it was not having that control.

Not to sound crass in that last thought. Kieshon is far from a control freak. She shook her head from this line of thought. Letting it, instead, turn toward the person she had come here to meet up with.

It had to be at least 3 years, if not closer to 4 since she had last seen him. At that time she had been the pain in the arse tag along of Juxtor. Her brother never seemed to mind. And nor had his friend. Then one day he had just taken off.

Juxtor was no help either. She could understand it if there was a case of duty, etc. Surely he would be surprised though that she had located him.


 * docking

There was the jarring of final docking that brought her from her thoughts. Then again the klaxon as the docking bay doors slowly close. And it was only after the bay was again pressurized that she was given clearance to debark.

Through the cockpit shield she could see a couple figures approaching the nose of The Slayer. Disengaging the controls, she depressed the switch that would lower the bottom hatch. It had been fully customized to lower the whole pilots seat to ground level.

As the hatch came to a halt she undid the cross over straps, making sure they did not twist up as they were draped over the high back of the seat. She placed both hands on the arms of the seat and stood.

Little could be distinguished about the pilot for the loose, top-scale flight suit she wore. Once standing she bent, one hand remaining on the arm of the seat. Appearing to adjust something at about top boot level.

Then, again standing upright, her steps measured, she walks toward the two. Her hands rising to remove her helmet, shaking free, thick, dark, copper hair. Brilliant green eyes moving between the two as she tucked the helmet under her arm. Extending, her now free hand. "Heya! I'm Kieshon Lowdye. I believe you are expecting me?" A name plate across the breast pocket of her flight suit giving further introduction that she was the pilot of the 'Green Eyed Lady'.

Subj: A Past Coming Back to Haunt Date: 9/11/97 1:50:45 PM From: LinTravers

The metallic "clang" of skull hitting the access panel of a mech rang out around the docking bay. He had noticed the craft coming in, but had only taken a passing interest in the vehicle. It was the voice that had made him forget he had his head buried in the Blackjack.

Rubbing the now sore spot on the back of his head, he squinted at the woman talking to the techs. The years had changed her, matured her. She was no longer the kid sister chasing after her brother and his friends. He couldn't help but notice she had definitely become a woman. Inadvertently, his deep violet eyes slid down her body to her flight suit covered legs and he smiled very slightly as he found the tell tale signs he had been looking for. Some things never changed. She was still stubborn.

Picking a greasy rag from the spot in the tool box where he had thrown it, he began wiping his hands as he came out from behind the mech. Clearing his throat, he caught the attention of all three. "I'll see to the lady, gentlemen."

He could tell she wasn't surprised at seeing him and it made him wonder if her being on the Vextis was as much of a coincidence as it had first seemed.

"Hello Kieshon."

Her smile was genuine. "Hello, Loltar."

Subj: Chieftan (1) Date: 9/12/97 5:09:50 AM From: KieshnLwdy

She didn't miss the hollow sounding clang of something against metal. Nor did she miss the fact that she was being watched. And a quick glance around revealed several Technician's and Mechanic's watching her. She was use to such. Once they noticed what her flight suit now covered though, most tended to disregard her. She didn't see the one specific, for his position behind the Blackjack.

She shook hands with the two Technician's before her. A firm grip. A single pumping of their hand. And that was it for the formality of introduction. She started to inquire as to where she might find Loltar when she heard someone clear their throat. Than a familiar voice rose.

"I'll see to the lady, gentlemen." Brilliant green eyes turned from the two Technician's to where the voice had come from. She almost chuckled at the figure that walked out from behind the Blackjack. Wiping his hands. Apparently, he wasn't aware of the dollop of grease on his forehead. She managed to keep the sound down. Even if the laughter did danced briefly in brilliant green eyes.

There was a rapid change of expression across both his face and within the dark violet depths of his eyes. That sent a flickering of success across her face. But that was as rapid as the altering of his expression. She had finally managed to catch him. Kind of payback for the practical jokes Loltar and her brother use to pull on her.

Now that she thought of it, it was more like seven or eight years since she had last seen him. Boy, hadn't she been the gangly teen then.

Trying to keep up with the two as they made their rounds with the group of friends they associated with. Juxtor never had complained. And god's forgive anyone who did complain. She wondered absently if Loltar even knew of the maddening crush she had on him then.

The two technicians, seeing that apparently Traver's knew the woman, returned to their assigned task's. Securing The Slayer into it's docking slot. She cast a look over her shoulder. Assuring herself that they were treating her Fighter as she expected it to be treated. She was very particular, and only by sheer determination bit her tongue physically when one of the steel cables was dragged across the front landing gear.

She let her flight helmet return to rest barely on curled fingers. Brilliant green eyes slipped back to Loltar.

"Hello Kieshon."

The corners of her lips curled into a genuine smile. "Hello, Loltar." A vague sliding of her right foot as she turned to face him.

Subj: Chieftan (2) Date: 9/12/97 5:10:26 AM From: KieshnLwdy

Again his eyes drifted lower. Patiently she waited for his eyes to return to hers. She was use to such. Perhaps more tolerant of it coming from him then if it were a stranger. And when his eyes did again lift to hers, his smile was warm, if not a bit humored. She could almost tell what he was thinking, for the second time since he had realized it was her.

So she was stubborn. She would be the first to admit it. If there were to be a competition between herself and mule she had no doubts she would win hands down. Again he cleared his throat. Tucking the grease covered rag into his back pocket. "What brings you here Kieshon? And how is Jux?"

Her smile widened at the mention of her brothers name. "He's getting old." The smirk in her eyes evident. "Might ask you the same though. Whatcha doing here on a floating tin can out in deep space.

Last Jux knew you were doing some covert operations." Tipping her head slightly. Regarding him intently, as though studying him with a med-scanner.

He reached, taking her helmet from her. "Come on. Let's find someplace where we can talk." Offering her his arm. Smiling again as she placed her hand on it, unmindful of the spotting of grease on the sleeve. "Sounds good. Lead on Chieftain." Chuckling, that old nick-name falling from her lips as easily as his name did. She had often referred to her brother and his group of friends as "The Ten Little Indians". Loltar often in the lead of the band.

He set a casual gait. Allowing her, moreso, to set the pace with which they walked from the Bay. As they walked she leaned toward him. "Might wanna pass that grease on your forehead through your hair. Your pomp isn't up to par." Her words causing laughter to rise from both of them. He knew she was referring to the pompadour's they -- he, her brother, and their band of friends -- had all donned for some odd ball reason. Using the sleeve covering of his other arm to wipe, or actually smear, the grease.

Subj: A Flood of Memories Date: 9/22/97 2:31:53 AM From: LinTravers

He had always been the kind of man to keep his memories in a place where they could not unexpectedly appear. Keishon's appearance had broken through all the barriers and let loose a flood of memories he wasn't sure he was ready or willing to face.

Jux had been his best friend during a time in his life where no one was to be trusted. To everyone in Jux's circle of friends Kieshon lovingly referred to as the "Ten Little Indians", he was the rakish jump ship pilot named Loltar and, although Jux instinctively knew there was so much more behind his friend, he never asked. Travers had lost count of how many times he had come close to telling Jux everything; Jack, the Raiders, Darrak, his true identity. Instead, he would just settle into a silent depression and suddenly "discover" some job he had to preform, disappearing for weeks at a time. When he returned, Jux was always there with a smile, willing to accept what he knew to be the half truths Travers gave him by way of explanations.

Then there was Kieshon, Jux's little sister. She had always followed them, constantly trying to be a part of her brother's life. Travers hadn't minded. In a way, Kieshon and Jux had made up the family that Jack's life had taken him from. He had never said anything to them about it, but somehow, they always seemed to know.

Now, as he sat with her, listening to the happenings of all the people he once knew, he made up his mind to finally tell her everything. Somehow, he hoped it would make up for all the years of secrecy. Oddly, for the first time in his life, it was extremely important what this woman thought of him. Not because she was Jux's little sister, the woman before him was far from "little" any longer. He felt the heat rise as his thoughts took a different turn and he coughed.

Subject: Re: Contacting the Vextis Date: Sun, Sep 28, 1997 8:23 PM From: KieshnLwdy

Had she not been running off at the mouth she might have realized how quiet Loltar had grown. As well realized the distance in his eyes. Seeing, but not that was right in front of him. Instead seeing things from years past.

She regaled him with the story of Jux's marriage to Trinity -- the only woman in the group -- and resulting twin son's. One named Christian, after another of that group. The other named Loltar. All five years past. The twins were now four years old.

Brandon, or Runt as he was affectionately called, was now the proud owner of the Male Chauvinist, a large frigate. Word around was that he was a pirate. Others claimed him a champion of the people. Yeah, a real modern day Robin Hood. And the one, out of the lot of them, that staunchly opposed her training. She had forgotten how many bruised ego's had been dealt by Runt's hand personally.

Randall and Linx seemed to have wandered off. No one in the group knew where they were at present. Unless Loltar by some chance had word of them. Christian had been killed in a skirmish that had occurred shortly after Loltar had taken off. Kreep and Jonathan still hung around the old haunts. Neither seeming to go anywhere in time, or in their lives.

She gave him near a step by step history of her training. Jux and Runt -- regardless of his opposition -- had been the two key's in her training. Jux in the hand to hand aspects, broadening on what he and Loltar had taught her. And Runt in his piloting skills. She could maneuver a large class ship, like The Vextis, with the same skill as her Fighter.

She told him about her Fighter. Omitting how she had come to possess The Slayer. She valued his thoughts on what she piloted. As well the top notch weaponry it boasted. There was only one better than Runt in that aspect. And that was the man sitting across the table from her.

Finally she paused in her rambling. Or more a case that he coughed. Drawing her attention back. As well causing a deep crimson to rise on her cheeks. Reaching, she placed her hand on his arm. "Sorry Chief. I kinda got caught up in the memories didn't I?" She wrinkled her nose. "Ya could have tole me ta shut up at any time ya know." Her voice teasing.

Drawing her hand back. Toying with the mug before her. A slight tip of her head. Brilliant green eyes dancing with the same mischief they did when she was younger. "How are you Loltar? Really!"

She leaned forward slightly. Steepling her fingers. Elbows at the tables edge. Her chin resting atop the peak of her fingers. Her eyes intent. Her gaze enough to give anyone the impression she knew what they were about to say before they could even give voice to the words.

One minute passed. And then another. Yet she didn't move. Nor did she say anything more. Patients. That she had plenty of. Even if it was an hours passing before the man across from her did more then fidgit with his own mug. His eyes looking at her. Than dropping to the table top. Only to lift again. Her only action was the lifting of one eyebrow.

Subject: Re: Contacting the Vextis Date: Thu, Oct 9, 1997 10:34 PM From: LinTravers

It took him hours to tell her the truth about his life and through it all, she remained expressionless. He started with being shipped off to bording school by his brother when his parents died suddenly. It had never been proven, but Jack always thought Darrak had an unwitting hand in the deaths.

Once he had graduated, he had not been allowed any associations with Jack. It wasn't that Jack didn't love him, quite the opposite. The war between Jack and Darrak was in full bloom and Jack had done everything he could to keep Devon Morgahn from the monster's grip. Devon, unbeknownst to Jack, however, had taken his brother's suspitions about their parents' deaths seriously and succeeded in becoming a member of Darrak's army. At that moment in his life, Devon Morgahn ceased to exist and Linton Travers was born.

It was two years before Jack discovered Linton Travers. By then, Linton had lied, cheated and killed his way up in rank. Jack had been furious with his younger brother, but he also realized the advantage he would have over Darrak. They needed a way to keep their relationship a secret, yet still be able to communicate with each other.

In school, Devon had taken it upon himself to learn how to pilot a jumpship, thinking he would join his brother's buisness. It was this training that would give Jack and Devon a way to meet. It was this jumpship pilot known as Loltar that Kieshon and her brother hand known.

He tried to stress to Kieshon that his feelings for her, Jux and the others was the only part of his life at that time that was not a lie. It had been the only part of his life that had truely given him pleasure. Her continued silence was hard to read.

It had been a moment before he could continue, taking several sips of his drink to calm his nerves. The next step was to tell her of his sudden disappearance. Loltar had been away from Kirkdon when he received word of the distruction of the Raiders. He had been scheduled to meet with Jack the morning of the ambush. That meeting would never take place.

It took everything he had to keep from killing Darrak when he returned. It was only the report that one person....a woman had survived the ambush. He spent over a year finding out who and where she was.

This was how he found Kat. He knew she didn't know anything about his exsistance, dispite her closeness to Jack, and he knew he would be hard pressed in proving his identity. Somehow, with the help of Melicore, he had succeeded. It had taken a lot of time and patience, but she and the others finally accepted and trusted him.....even if it was only to a point. When they had left RhyDin and the DoomBringers, he went with them.

His story done, he stared into the depths of his empty glass and waited. For what, he did not know.

Subject: Re: Contacting the Vextis Date: Sat, Oct 18, 1997 7:05 AM From: KieshnLwdy

She sat in utter silence as he talked. Barely a muscle twitched. Emerald green eyes remained on him. Only the occasional blinking letting him know that she was even conscious.

Patiently, she waited still. As he had sat and listened to her ramble, she let him get out of his system what apparently he felt the need to. Restraining the twitching of the muscles at her jaw. Often clear indication that she was perturbed, or frustrated. This time angered intensely by what he had suffered through.

The only thing that held her back on that count was knowing how deeply Loltar abhor pity and sympathy. She sensed *many* changes in the man that sat across from her. What did surprise her was his admittance of his feelings for her brother, and their group. Including her in the number.

As his words seemed to wind down she finally moved. Tipping her head slightly, regarding him with dark emerald eyes. Unfortunately another indication of temperament. The darker, the more one had better watch their step. In this her irritation was not directed at the man across from her.

She turned in her chair. Stretching stiff muscles. Again tipping her head to look back at Loltar. Then she leaned forward. As she still wore her flight suit any passing by wouldn't have realized what her action was. Then standing, one hand to the tables edge, the other to the back of the chair. From the corner of her eye she saw Loltar move as though to stand and offer her a hand. But seemed his memory wasn't gone far. Halting himself just short of lifting his backside from the chair he sat on.

She shuffled her left foot slightly. Turning to face him. Placing her hands on her hips. She actually didn't know what to say in response to his words. And it showed in her action, as she picked up her mug. Even in the measured steps she took in crossing from the table they sat at to the bar. She wasn't use to being in such a situation.

Her brother would have been the first one to laugh at her total loss of words. And as she looked in the mirror behind the bar she could almost see his face. Twitching with mirth. Three times the man behind the bar had to speak to garner her attention. Setting the mug to the bar, motioning for a refill.

As she waited, again emerald eyes turned to the mirror behind the bar. Hmm, when had she gotten here? She could have sworn that the only other's here aside from she and Loltar had been the tender and the wait-person.

A calming moved through her, causing a knot to form at her brow in question. The only thing the woman was doing was sitting at the piano, playing some song. Music had never been her forte. To her it was something odd. Almost a ballad.

She looked back to Loltar, but he seemed to be deep in his thoughts. As though berating himself, for burdening her with his lifes story. Even though when he had begun telling it, he had felt it would be a balm.

Again measured steps carried her across the short space. Her hand coming to rest on his shoulder. Lightly. Having faith that the normal reaction of any in his line, to swing first, would be in check.

"Thank you Chief." Her voice low. So she knew it reached only his ear. "It's nice to be taken inta your confidence." Again a sincere, warm smile given him.

Subject: Re: Contacting the Vextis Date: Mon, Nov 24, 1997 7:36 AM From: LinTravers

He *had* been berating himself. His entire life had been a lie and he had just told one of the few people he trusted that everything she knew about him was just a part of that lie. In a way, he was glad he had told her, but he was also fairly sure he had just lost part of the only real family he had ever been close to and it hurt.

Her gentle touch caused him to stiffen for an instant, but in that touch, he knew that he was the only one who held the lie against him. Slowly, he layed his head back against her stomach and sighed, his words barely heard over the soft playing of a piano. "I'm sorry, Kiesh." Slowly, he lifted a hand and crossed it over his chest to rest lightly on one of hers. "I'm truely sorry."

Subject: Re: Contacting the Vextis Date: Wed, Jan 21, 1998 9:45 AM From: KieshnLwdy

Kieshon braced as Lolter laid his head back against her stomach, causing her fingers to tighten only the slightest degree at his shoulder. Sorry? In her opinion he had nothing to be sorry for, and had his tone not bore the depth of sincerity that it had she would have been sorely tempted to smack him up back the head. Would she have done any different then he had the situation been reversed? At this point in her life she highly doubted it.

Now the tightening of her fingers at his shoulder was in indication of, come on bucko, it's time to stop moping. The hour is late, and dunno bout you, but I've been in a seat to damn long.

Lolter looked up, a deep well of emotion still reflecting within those dark violet eyes that had given her many a dreams during puberty. If he was still the same old Chief, she knew what ever showed would be completely capped again before they were even 3 steps out of the bar.

He tried to convince her to let him make arrangements for a cabin for her, but she was adamant about staying on The Slayer. At least this first night. Call it her personal hang up, some had even braved calling it a phobia. Call it what ever you would. Regardless of where she was, first night she always stayed aboard the fighter. On more then one occasion it had given her advantage over life or death.

This time there was an ulterior motive. She wanted to get a message off to Jux, report in so to speak, as was her wont. She was after all his little sister, and despite the extensive training she had, he still treated her like a kid.

When she and Lolter finally reached the bay where her fighter was secured the turned facing each other. The man fidgeted worse then a school boy who had just noticed that the apple he had given the teacher had a worm in it. Brilliant green eyes met his again, her hand absently coming up to comb through her long hair.

"Go get some sleep bub. You look like you've seen the back side of a wringer washer, and can't quite reach the knob to throw it in reverse before it reaches your...." Coloring deeply, though if it were anyone else she knew, nothing could have stopped her words the way this man could. When it came to crude, she could dish out more then her weights worth when push came to shove.

It succeeded in gaining her a wry grin from Lolter. Then, as though still battling within himself that she was still a kid, Jux's little sister, he reached up, giving her cheek one of those matronly tweaks. The sort grandmother's and maiden aunts seem to favor. And which he knew she absolutely abhorred. Then without a word he turned smartly on his heel and walked away.

It wasn't until he wasn't until he was rounding the corner that she noticed her helmet still hung from his fingertips. Damn and double damn. He had her vox mic. Looked like the message ta her brother would have to wait till morning.

From the breech panel at the bottom side of the fighter she placed her palm. A quick scan, confirming the pilot and the belly hatch lowered. And shortly after, everything secured against any surprise visitors, Kieshon settled upon the narrow bunk. It was not going to be the most comfortable night she'd ever spent, that was for sure, and not for reasons of her bed.

Once Lolter reached his own quarters he realized that he still had her helmet. With half a thought he turned, and was almost back to the docking bay before reconsidering. He could always return it come morning. About an hour later, back in his quarters, a soft beeping tone emitted from the helmet, it fully capable of remote communication. Jux had jumped the gun on his sister. When he hadn't heard from her, he attempted to contact her.

Subject: Re: Contacting the Vextis Date: Mon, Mar 16, 1998 2:11 PM From: LinTravers

Travers stared at the helmet for what seemed like hours, but, in reality, was only about ten seconds. He knew the trip back to the bay so she could answer the incoming call would take too long, but he wasn't sure whether he should be prying into her private messages. Of course, it *could* have been Jux calling her. He had always been a bit over protective of his little sister and Travers highly doubted that her coming of age would have changed that one iota.

Taking a deep breath, Travers retreived the helmet and placed it over his head. "Kieshon's answering service. May I help you?" The silence on the other end was deafening and extended so long that Travers thought he had actually missed the call. As with anyone who believes they have opened a dead communications link, Travers did not disconnect, simply saying "Hello?" instead. Unlike most dead links however, the single question seemed to have magical ressurection powers.

"Who the hell is this and why do you have my sister's helmet?!!!!!" Travers winced as the electronically enhanced voice pierced not only his eardrums but his brain as well, making his eyeballs rattle. Still, it could not stop the smile that formed on his lips.

"And a fine hello to you too, Jux. Jeeze, is that anyway to treat a long lost friend?" The dead silence returned and Travers could just imagine Jux's brow furrowed in one of his deadlier frowns as he tried to determine where he had heard the voice before. Travers couldn't help it. He felt the years slip away as he again prodded his old friend. "Yooo-hoo. Anyone home? Jux ol' buddy, you need to lay off that caffene! Ever think of switching to decaf?!"

It had been an old joke between them. Jux couldn't stand the taste of coffee in any shape or form where as Travers was highly addicted to the stuff. Still, dispite his lack of caffene in his blood, Jux had always been the more highstrung of the two, causing Travers to continuously tease him about his "coffee intake".

The voice returned, this time more confused than angry. "Loltar?" Travers chuckled as the silence invaded the helmet once again. He could imagine the gears inside Jux's head griding into reverse without even hitting the 'all stop' point first.

Still chuckling, he layed back on his bed and settled down for a long conversation with the man he considered his brother. "WoooooOOOOoooo.....you got it bud. Here to haunt and taunt! How ya been?" The 'haunt and taunt' line had been another indication that Jux was in communications with the man he knew as Loltar and immediately, the helmet filled with a rapid fire of questions expected from anyone who hadn't seen his best friend in years.

Dispite the emotional pain it still caused him, Travers answered each question, keeping the link open until well into the mid morning hours

Subject: Re: Contacting the Vextis Date: Thu, Apr 23, 1998 7:09 AM From: KieshnLwdy

She had been right. Toss and Turn were definitely going to be the make up on this night. The cot beneath her seeming harder, and less comfortable than it had ever been. With a growl of frustration that would have been the pride of any teenager at the height of puberty she pressed her arm over her eyes. Yet even from that vantage violet eyes bore into hers, passing through a myriad of expressions.

A soft beeping penetrated her thoughts, she let her arm drop to crown her head, brilliant dark eyes looking to a space right above her. An LED blipped rapidly a bright red. Without thinking she reached for her helmet, only about half way to where it normally hung before remembering that it was with Travers. She watched with apprehension, afraid that he would take the incoming communication, yet wishing he would. She didn't think he knew how worried Jux had become of late, and she hadn't been totally truthful in that her brother was doing A'o'K.

She knew Jux wouldn't say anything either, him and his stupid male ego, he would let Travers believe everything was just peachy. She watched the LED go to a steady green, indicating that the line was opened. She almost reached to open the speaker. She could have listened, but couldn't do it. Maybe if she were about 10 years younger, but not now. So instead she just lay there, watching the steady green glow of the LED. She didn't know when the two ended their conversation, her eyes had fallen closed at a point she didn't realized, but again, those violet eyes trailed her.

Subject: Re: Contacting the Vextis Date: Sun, May 31, 1998 5:07 PM From: LinTravers

The next day, he stopped by Kieshon's ship to return her helmet. Dispite being up all night talking with Jux, he felt alive and refreshed. For some odd reason, he was beginging to feel as if he would soon have a purpose in life.

He frowned as he found the ship empty. He needed to talk with her and, for some reason, felt sure she would be holed up here. As usual when it came to women, he was wrong. Moving to the communications unit on the wall, he punched a few buttons.

"Computer. Location of Kieshon Lowdye."

Several beeps later, the computerized voice returned. #Galley, level six.#

Without so much as a thank you, knowing computers don't need them, he turned and made his way to level six, replaying the plan he had Jux had come up with a few hours ago.

He found her in the mess hall, deep in thought and picking idlely at her food. He couldn't stop the smile that formed on his lips as he quietly made his way towards her.

She quickly looked up as he gently placed her helmet next to her plate, surprise registering in her deep green eyes. Travers tried hard not to loose himself in those eyes and covered his thoughts by chuckling.

"Jux was furious you had a man in your bed last night."

Kieshon blushed crimson causing his chuckle to turn to a laugh. "Don't worry, when he realized it was only me, he calmed down considerably." He didn't think it possible, but she succeeded in blushing even further.

Slipping into a chair across from her, his eyes became serious. "Got some good news and some bad news. Nelson's dead. Jux says the authorities are passing it off as an "animal related killing" but he isn't buying it. First off, it was in the middle of the city. Second, apparently there was a witness who heard Nelson screaming and saw a heavily cloaked woman running from the scene. Seems she took a transport out the next day headed for RhyDin. The good news is, he's on his way here too."

Nelson had been one of the pack, the self-proclaimed ladies man of the group. Being killed by a woman was the second of only two possible endings for him. Being killed by her husband was the first. Now, Jux was on his way to find his murderer and Travers had told him he'd help all he could.

Now, as he sat across from Kieshon, he could see the pain on her face that Nelson's death had brought. He had felt the same pain at the news. Gently, he covered her hand. "You up for a bit of snooping for this woman? Its going to take Jux at least three months travel time to get here. The woman should only be about a day ahead of him."

He watched her silently, waiting for her reply.

Kieshon Lowdye posted June 06, 1998 09:53 PM

She sat at the table, brilliant green eyes stared blindly at the plate before her, her fork trailing through the potato's and gravy. She hadn't seen Loltar since the previous night, and it was like an itch you couldn't reach in the middle of your back as to what he and her brother had talked about. A knot held her stomach, and a lump rest dead center of her throat. This wasn't like her, and it puzzled to no end.

Her head came up sharply as her helmet was gently placed next to her plate, causing her to blink almost dumbfoundly at it's appearance. Finally she looked up at Loltar, a brief frown lining her forehead as she mentally addressed herself that it was Travers, not Loltar. "Jux was furious you had a man in your bed last night."

Her eyes widened, and she could feel the heat rise on her face, yet she couldn't say anything as he made his way around the table to drop into the chair across from her, regaining control of the laughter that had found him at her expression. "Don't worry, when he realized it was only me, he calmed down considerably." His words brought the heat even sharper to her face, she knew that the blush now covered not only her cheeks, but it flowed as deeply across her nose and as far back as her ears.

He gave her a moment to regain her composure before he grew serious, and as she finally was able to bring her eyes to meet his she felt the lump in her throat reform again. His eyes told her before he even spoke again that something in his conversation with her brother was bearing bad news, and even though he said there was good news too, it didn't lessen the reaffirmed knot in her stomach.

When he mentioned Nelson's death she looked down to her place, but didn't see it as she closed her eyes. Fool, you damn fool. Nelson was the only one she hadn't mentioned the previous night when she and Loltar had been talking. Actually, her lack of saying anything about him had been unintentional. Out of the lot of them, Nelson was the one who use to tease her almost maliciously. He was the one that had blurted out her adolescent crush on Loltar, sending her into hiding from the group for almost a whole month's time. Only Jux had been able to coax her out again. As she had grown older, and became aware of his activities, especially when it came to married women, she remained disapproving and distant. This despite the fact that, next to Loltar, Nelson was Jux's best friend. Well, aside from Trinity that was, but she didn't count as she was Jux's wife.

Kieshon could only shake her head, not trusting her voice to say anything about Nelson's death. Not because of the pain, yeah, there was a begrudging touch of pain, but more so for the pain she knew her brother must be going through, as well what she fleetingly caught in Loltar's eyes.

One little, Two little, Three little Indians. Juxtor, Loltar, and Runt had been the first to the group. Four little, Five little, Six little Indians. Absently she dragged her fork through the gravy and potato's with each verse she mentally sung, making hash marks in the now cold glob on her place. Trinity and Christian, came together, followed shortly by Kreep. Seven little, Eight little, Nine little Indians. Who had come then? That's right, Randall and Linx, dragging Jonathan with them. Ten little Indian Boys. Nelson had been the straggler, well in a way. Once she reached the mental conclusion of the verse, she then started going in reverse, much as the next stanza had. But she couldn't get beyond Ten little, Nine little. Christian first, killed in skirmish for the cause. With Christian there was always a cause. Now Nelson, killed by who know what.

A small smile formed as Travers continued, letting her know that her brother was en route from United Solandra of the Daidronis Solar System. It would take Jux easily three months to make the journey from that quadrant, to meet up with them. Travers informed her that they were themselves en route to Rhy'Din airspace, and that is where Jux would hook up with them. At her questioning look he shook his head as though reading her thoughts. "No, the Vextis isn't heading there for this. It's just coincidental."

With a nod she dropped her fork onto the plate, there was no way she could eat now. A moment later his hand covered hers. "You up for a bit of snooping for this woman?" She pressed a finger to her temple with a nod. "Yeah, I'm up for it." Her response choked, for the lump that still wouldn't move in her throat. 