Krayzikk

IC: .:Yes ma'am.:. "I'll follow them, so someone knows where they are. I will keep you up-to-date, Commodore." The Umbraline Menti announced, slipping out of the booth and shrugging apologetically in the direction of the Marine host. "My apologies, White. Your help would be appreciated, if you're willing to accompany, but we should return before too long if you are not."

IC: “Stannis,” The Fe-Toa greeted mildly, meeting gray with green. He didn’t flinch when the Maru stepped out of the shadows, instead meeting it with a pace of his own. Stannis’ voice boomed, but Eisen had no need for theatrics. “Pleasure to meet the famous Wanderer.” The Maru had surrendered the element of surprise in favor of intimidation. A useful strategy in many cases, but utterly useless in this one. The smart thing to do would have been to shoot him in the head when he entered, before anyone was aware of his presence. But, as he gazed upon the legendary hero, he knew that was beyond him. The revolver was alien in his hands, the man didn’t really know how to use it. Not that it mattered. Now that he was aware of it, could feel it with his element, it couldn’t harm him. His Kanohi would ensure that it could never reach him. But Stannis didn’t know that. So the dark Toa drew his shield in closer, as though warding the vulnerable parts of his body from harm, and continued his advance stride by stride. He knew the facility well; two rooms, the further of which accessed the basement. That was where the other Maru would be, since his element didn’t reveal them in the space beyond the Maru of Stone. The alcoves that lined the hallway below might conceal one of them, but they wouldn’t leave the hostages unguarded. At least one would be in the two rooms at its end. Stannis was trying to buy time. “I have to thank you,” He began again, gauging the distance between him and the Maru. His foe had been beyond the effective range of his mask, but he was closing that quickly. He may not have known what the Maru’s mask could do, but the Maru would not know his own either. An unfortunate variable, but in physical combat at least… His foe was outmatched. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t shake things up. “I get to send two of you to Karzahni’s doorstep today.” A quarter of the distance had disappeared. Another quarter and Stannis would be in range. “Karnak, Fyura, head for the basement as soon as you have an opening. Our friend is hoping to buy time. I can handle him.” OOC: Specifics of the warehouse gleaned through conversation with Ghosthands, and reading the previous posts. The top floor is divided into two rooms of equal size, both lined with wooden catwalks. The farther room has a ramp down to the basement, which is a hallway with storage alcoves along the sides and two rooms at the far end. The hostages are in the farthest room. Just so everyone knows the layout of the location.

IC: "That seems harsh." The Ultimate answered without much pause, cocking her head a few degrees as she continued her grooming. "It isn't as though anyone could have gotten to you any easier while I was over there as when I am right here. Besides, a 13/10 is still much higher than average."

IC: Rolling his new eye wasn't comfortable, or he would have. Revolver was studiously quiet. The droid was quit smart that way. He left supervision of the ship in the droid's capable hands, beginning an unhurried walk back towards the cabin. The alarm meant he had ninety, rapidly dwindling seconds to shut it off or be in deep trouble. Nothing he couldn't extricate himself, and his compatriot, from but certainly nothing he really felt like handling. Not that he was in too much of a hurry to turn it off, either. Krayn actually counted off a good twenty seconds, for no reason other than a faint amusement. He had no doubt who, or how, it had been triggered. He just wasn't overly concerned with shutting it off. The former Imperial agent reached, for lack of a better term, for the thought processes he knew corresponded to commands. Rigging the alarm to accept wireless shutoff, from a verified connection, had taken half an hour and a few credits worth of spare parts. Was introducing a weakness into the system wise? Probably not. But he doubted anyone would find it, and if they did the two New Republic agents were already compromised. Besides, such a perspective functioned on the presumption that he ever really intended to call for a Republic cleanup crew. It wouldn't end well, he suspected, if he did. So he let the alarm dip under sixty seconds, just by a hair, and triggered his remote shut off a moment before he opened the door. And regarded his mute companion with an equally mute raised eyebrow.

IC: "The element of surprise doesn't mean anything if we use it poorly." Krayn looked visibly pained more and more every time someone said the words 'cart' or 'explosives'. At this point both hands were raised as though trying to physically restrain the conversation, and he shook his head with a little more force than was necessary. "Where are we going to get explosives? What is a cart full of explosives going to do to a gathering of the Koro's defenders? If we go setting off explosives near the structure, we may make it worse for the people inside." A pause, and a sigh. "We can't ignore them, but we have to be smart. If we're not we'll only get ourselves, and maybe everyone else, killed and then we're no good to anyone."

IC: "Show off." Krayn muttered to himself, without much energy. Still, it was useful information. He raised his voice a little, careful to use his element to prevent it from spreading far, and added; "Any idea what is going on? Who is gathered outside?" IC: "You've got your emo face on." Skrihen could see her breath. She hated when she could see her breath. Her jacket didn't help much, even bundled as tightly around her as she could manage. Gloves didn't let her keep the feeling in her fingers, so hands were jammed under her arms. And nothing was helping her face, even when she'd tried out enough scarves to make a dashin' assassin take notice. It was just cold. The Wahi defied any attempts to escape it, and even below deck, where it was the closest to warm, it was dark. If the cold wasn't enough the damnable place leeched the life out of the sun. Made it cold and sterile. That was almost worse. She didn't draw energy from it the same way Lesterin of her element did, but it still felt wrong. The whole region ranged from hostile to just uncaring. Not that it bothered Reordin. He could have stood in a blizzard and felt perfectly at home. That was why it mattered. It was still his home, no matter hostile it felt to her. That made it worth fighting in. For. Still doesn't take the edge off, though... "We're almost there." It wasn't hard to see what was eating at him, the obsession rooted deep in his core. She couldn't do anything to soothe it. But Reo wasn't the type to take to soothing, not really. What he needed was to be egged on, riled up and placated in equal measure. That was what'd keep him sane, not the endless apologies for what he'd lost. Not when she was going to give it back to him. She pulled a hand loose from her arm and placed it on his shoulder, squeezing tightly before she let go. "We'll take her back. So don't angst about it. You're gonna be a hero all over again soon."

IC: Sinshi nodded her acknowledgement quietly, watching the Ga-Matoran and her companion hurry out of the restaurant. She had trusted her instincts, but she couldn't shake the concern of being proven wrong. The outcome, one way or the other, would rest on her shoulders as well. And... Technically she had not asked the Commodore's permission to tell her. Deep down, she supposed, that was because she didn't feel it was the Commodore's call. Not very Orderly of her, maybe, but a little voice in the back of her head said she'd have told Seven anyway. "I assume you intend to follow them," She stated to Ayiwah, quietly. Perhaps the Commodore would be angry, but she was prepared for that. And the calm in her eyes said so. "Ma'am."

IC: "I'll ask him." The Akiri responded softly, pocketing his notepad again. Monotone, every syllable controlled. He walked to the door and knocked on it briefly, resolutely refusing to look in Tuara's direction. The Guard outside would open it in a moment, and he could proceed from there. "I'll make sure some water is brought for you, Ms. Drigton. If you... Recall anything about what happened, Guardsman Yama will know where to find me." The Ta-Matoran stepped out of the room as soon as the door opened, and after a few muffled words, Yama stepped back in. Jaller took a deep breath as soon as he was in the hall, as if to keep himself from deflating. It didn't matter what he felt, he had to maintain his composure in public. News of Tuara's actions would shake the Guard already. Lots of officers had trained with her as a shining example, and it would not go over well. He had to show them resolve, not weakness. It was his duty to set an example even when others faltered. So he took another breath, and he steeled himself. He wrapped his knuckles on the next interrogation room's door, signaling Agni to come out when he could. The Toa was a veteran, he would understand without any further explanation. But he had a few minutes. Time to break things down himself. His gut said she didn't do it. Everything just didn't seem to fit right. Kitea had been missing for a long time. It was a subject he never broached much with her, not when she had been his deputy, but it had come up before. His return would be enough for her not to be thinking right. Especially with her little hostage situation at the gates, and her desperation to get him released. The disparity just didn't square right. But she wasn't going to help him. He'd... He'd tried. Nothing would sway her. She tied his hand behind his back right there. He wasn't done. If he could make Kitea talk, or the coroner found something that didn't fit her story... It could be done. Maybe she really did do it, he had to admit to himself. It was possible. Letting his emotion cloud the issue didn't help her. But either way, nothing less than Tuara Drigton's soul was at stake. One way or the other, he would help. It might be his last chance to. Even if she hated him for it.

IC: His embrace tightened a little, as Leli slipped between his arms. He didn't trust himself to speak. Not yet. So he stayed quiet for a few moments, listening to her speak and the faint sounds of the world around them that followed. Kini-Nui was always quiet, almost oppressively so, but in that moment it was deafening. But he had to find the words eventually, so he rested a hand on her head and thought. Waited for his voice to return. Even for someone as quiet at him being without a voice was unfamiliar. "You're my best friend." Tarnok said simply, pausing a second to gather his thoughts. "There's nothing to be sorry for. I'll always be there for you. No matter what it takes, I'll be there when you need me. No questions asked. No matter what we're facing. I refuse to lose you, not again. All I ask..." "I lost one friend to becoming a Toa. I don't know if he'll ever come back. I can't think of anyone who'll be a better Toa than you. But please don't forget who you are."

IC: Green eyes lingered on Lantz. The Toa was useful. At this point he was one of the oldest inheritors of Makuta's legacy, a faithful zealot from long before the Master of Shadows fell. His Kanohi and his abilities were useful, and his faithfulness ensured he would never cease working in his Lord's service. But he was a rogue element. Of that Eisen had no delusions. He had no loyalty to Echelon nor himself, nor fear of what they would do to him. He was truly zealous in that regard. Merely biding his time. Not that he was good at hiding it; anyone could see that he would try and usurp Echelon's inner circle one day. That wouldn't be today, but when that day came... His usefulness would be at an end. The Fe-Toa acknowledged Karnakie's report with a thought, something he knew the Kaiakan would feel before he drew away. It might have been unnerving to some to feel a mind seep into their own that way, but if he was going to trust anyone with such a power... It would be the big warrior. Their goals aligned. If Eisen ever faltered Karnakie would take whatever steps he felt necessary, but until then he would be loyal. It was perhaps an odd form of trust, but a form of trust nevertheless. It was important to know who would stick a knife in your back when it suited them and who wouldn't. "Thank you, Lantz." He intoned softly, meeting the other Toa's gaze with his own and nodding his thanks. He wouldn't be the first through the door. The Ba-Toa had no wish to be, and Eisen wouldn't trust him to be. But... "Karnak reports that three Maru are inside. Stone, Water, Earth. Only one of our guards is still on his feet. He certainly will not be when we enter. Our priority is preventing their escape with the hostages. Kill the Maru, if possible. But leverage is what keeps this village in our hands." "Fyura, isn't it?" The Fe-Toa addressed the hunched Skakdi with a hint of approval, inclining his head towards the door. "You will cover my left. Karnak, my right. We will be the point of the spear. Lantz will follow and destroy obstacles in our way, or use his element to hinder our opponents. Agrona you will follow last; I entrust to you and Rorg our rear. I have no doubt that some will endeavor to flank us. I trust your judgement in handling them. Where possible restore our downed guards to the fray, but prioritize that last." Eisen drew his sword and stepped through the gap in the wall, reaching out to sense with his element and keeping his Crast at the ready. If anything flew to meet him, he would know. His steps into the room were measured, but quick; time was of the essence, but that didn't negate the need for caution. He didn't bother waiting for confirmation; Agrona would handle the situation well, and Fyura and Karnak could both be trusted. It was time for action. The same green eyes blinked several times as he entered the room, hoping to hasten his adjustment to the light. Nothing leaped out at him yet... IC: "Since when has prayer helped?" Krayn commented dryly, advancing quickly through the streets. Praggos' comment received a knowing look, though it was hard to tell whether it was approving or simply acknowledging. The dull ache in his head had only increased as they drew nearer to the sound, even though he did his best to dampen it. "I've not had the benefit of divine intervention before, I don't expect it now." "We need to get up higher, if we're going to get a good look."

IC: "Agrona is right. Please scout out the location." Karnak's comment may have sounded like gibberish to the others, but Eisen had spent enough time with the enormous Kaiakan to understand it. He was right; it wasn an excellent day for their foes to die. He doubted Korero was back yet, personally, but it was important that they know. Time was of the essence, when he did return they would begin extracting the hostages immediately. But they couldn't afford to delay, either. The Maru of Air could be back any minute, and they needed to be on the move before he was. It was time to multitask. "Lantz," The name came out almost as a growl, and Eisen pointed with his sword to where the walls had been patched again. "Your mask. Open that back up. Rorg, watch our back for now. I will take point as we enter." IC: "Shame," The De-Toa commented to Praggos, starting down the block with a hand on his revolver. "That might have been useful today."

IC: "Kale, Praggos. Praggos, Kale." The De-Toa gestured, almost bored, with his off hand between the two Toa. He put the safety back on his weapon and holstered it. The sound was... Irritating. Not loud enough to be debilitating, but loud enough to already be giving him a headache. It would only get worse as they got closer. A second later the sound around them seemed to... Deaden, reaching them and simply fading away to a dull whine. The former Forceman grimaced faintly, but pushed himself up out of his chair. "You can speak freely around him, Kale. He's not the sort to stick a dagger in your back, though if your blood starts to feel slushy let me know." He gathered his cloak around him and put the eyepatch he'd used for his disguise into a pocket. There wouldn't be a whole lot of room for disguises in what came next. "Let's check it out. We'll assist if we can, but I'm not going to do anything that jeopardizes our cover unnecessarily. If someone has chosen to be an idiot alone, that's on them." "The sound is coming from the east, a few minutes again. Let's get closer."

IC: Eisen chuckled, though the sound came out more as a low growl. It was inconvenient that Oreius Maru lived, but it was not the worst possibility. He had been beaten, and served excellently as a propaganda tool in that regard. He wasn't out of danger, either. The next few hours would be dangerous. The Toa might yet fall, and even if he didn't... He would be out of the action, for a time at least. And he would not be the same when he returned. The Fe-Toa watched Agrona pocket her prize, a satisfied smirk on his face. The fight had been a victory in more ways than one. And the Maru had been forced to tip their hand. At least some of the others were almost certainly within the village. "An excellent prize." He murmured to Agrona when the Lesterin approached, already pulling himself to his feet. Korero's sucker punch had knocked the wind out of him, but had not done any real damage. "I look forward to seeing what you can learn from it." Then an angry whine cut through the air, and his face contorted into a scowl. He had considered the possibility that the Maru would find the hostages, but had not expected them to have done it already. That complicated things. Eisen hauled himself to his feet in an instant, beginning to march in the direction of the safehouse and gesturing for his allies to follow. The makeshift stitched in his shoulder would suffice, for now. Agrona could fix them when the day had been won. He was running the odds in his head already; if the siren had been raised the Maru couldn't have been there long, and for Korero to get his ally to a hospital... There was some time. Not much, but some. "Legacy!" He roared, glancing back over his shoulder. "With me! We have intruders to kill. Anyone that brings me the mask of a Maru will be richly rewarded. Rorg, leave our other guests. We have more pressing concerns. Anyone suspicious tries to follow us, shoot them." His orders given, the dark Toa activated his Kanohi; the Crast's repulsion would be much, much faster for reaching his destination than his own legs. OOC: Open call to any Legacy aligned characters in the vicinity. IC: Even with the blizzard muffling the outside world, Krayn had heard the approaching footsteps before the others. Disguised as a mercenary, he didn't see much need for restraint; unlike Skyria his weapon was drawn and pointed towards the door in an instant. As it crept open he pulled the hammer back, and considering the sound of the click it may have been amplified by his element just a little. For emphasis. The newcomer certainly didn't look like a friend, definitely wasn't Rynekk returning, and the De-Toa was about to issue his response when he heard the Toa's voice. He didn't lower his revolver, but he did take his finger off the trigger. "Praggos." He greeted, politely but not quite friendly. "Been a while. Take a seat and we can consider whether or not this is going to be an issue." The siren that split the air a second later bordered on deafening, for him at least, and he grimaced. "When it rains it pours. We might need to get moving."

IC: "You will." Jaller removed his hand from his shoulder, the two words coming out rough and quiet. He slipped both thumbs through his belt and studied the floor. "If you're in here, it'll be like he never came home at all. If he walks out that door you won't see him. What good does that do anyone? He's missing for years, and the second he's back you've turned to crime? It doesn't seem off to you that you're covering for him the moment he's back? Does that sound like something a big brother should be doing? Like he has your best interests at heart?" The Ta-Matoran's voice ascended with every word, in volume and intensity. The last sentence slipped out rough and harsh, with all the heat of his element behind it. He crossed the room in a few steps, facing the wall silently. A single deep breath flowed in and out, followed by another. His head hung low, the intensity leaving his stance as quickly as it had come. When he straightened up and turned around his face was distant, every word calm and controlled. A small notepad came from his belt and with it a pen. "Very well, Tuara Drigton." A quick note on the pad, her name. "You have confessed to one count of manslaughter, and one count obstruction of justice. For the moment you and your companion are formally under arrest, until the circumstances can be properly determined. If you want to expedite the process I require your complete cooperation." The Akiri fixed a steady, unyielding gaze on his old friend. Even for a will as ironclad as his, hiding the flicker of pain was impossible. "When did the event occur? By what means was the victim killed? When did you hide the body? When did your brother return home, was it before or after your crime?"

IC: "There's a lot I could say about you, Drigton, but I couldn't call you a coward." The Akiri was quiet for a few moments, then slowly pulled out the metal chair opposite his former deputy and sank into it. The mask dropped just a little, and whether Tuara saw it or not, the Ta-Matoran looked pained. He rested both arms on the table and drummed his fingers softly, studying the dully reflective surface of the metal between them. Proceeding now was very different than what he'd had to do before. Dozens of criminal interrogations, if not more, and this was the one that would stick with him. "You know, when you boil it down, most of this is my fault. I sent you after the Mark Bearers. You were never really the same. There was no one else I could trust with it, and I'd do it again. Best call I could have made, but it cost me my right hand. And my friend. I hate choices like that. I've wondered a lot over the past couple years if Vakama ever struggled like that, wrestled with the consequences of his decisions. Wondered how to help people he cared about but just not knowing how." The Matoran leaned back, clasping both hands on the table. "I've wanted to help you. I want to help you. But right now, Drigton, you've got my hands tied." "I'm not stupid." His voice hardened a little, eyes narrowing. "I know that's exactly why you came to see me. But if you wanted to turn yourself in, you could have. If you really thought you needed to face justice for your crimes, it wouldn't have been a hint. You would have gotten yourself arrested on the spot. You're guilty. You wouldn't have left so fast, you wouldn't have told me, if it wasn't eating at you. But hinting at your own crime? Stopping to find someone else before leaving the Koro? Someone who happens to look very much like you? That puts a different spin on it. You'd do a lot to protect someone you cared about. Even if it ate away at you, you would do what you could to protect them." Jaller stood and walked around the table, resting a hand lightly on the Toa's shoulders. Far from protocol, given how much potential for violence it granted a prisoner. Especially when the one putting himself within reach is the Akiri. But these were far from ordinary circumstances. In a way it was less an interrogation than... An intervention. A chance to try and reach an old friend before she was lost forever. Before his hand was forced, and he couldn't do anything to help. When he spoke again, his voice was much softer. Not authoritative, but concerned. "Tuara." He squeezed her shoulder lightly. "Please let me help you. Please let me make up for failing you before. You're taking the blame, but it doesn't add up. My gut says you didn't do it. But I can't help if you don't let me. I need the truth. If I can be merciful with Shaddix, I can be merciful with anyone. No harm will come to you, or your... Companion." His voice got a little softer. "If push came to shove, I would trust you with my life. Even now. I'm asking you to trust me. Please."

IC: "Yes," Jaller's voice rang out solemnly through the opening door. "You may. Give us the room, please, Guardsman." "Sir-" "I know, a Guard must remain in the room. That's why I'm here. It's alright. Get some coffee, Yama. It's going to be a long night for everyone." The Guard nodded after a moment, murmuring his assent before exiting through the same door. Silence reigned save for the soft thud of the door being locked behind him, a pervasive absence that continued for what seemed like an eternity. He didn't speak, he barely even moved save to reach the other side of the table opposite his former right hand. At that moment it was clear she was facing the Captain of the Guard, not the Akiri that he had become. His face was a mask, his eyes windows into an inscrutable mind. "When I said that pessimism didn't suit you, this isn't quite what I meant." The Ta-Matoran said, a little too softly for his expression. He crossed his arms, gaze never leaving the taller Toa's face. "I found that recruit you mentioned. Behind the smithy. A cynic might say you were trying to get access to our resources again so you could make sure we didn't find him, but you told me where to go." "So what is it you want to talk about, Drigton?"

Aaaaaand, that should be the Sanctum unfrozen (I'm so funny) for any Legacy characters that were hanging around there.

IC: When the steam cleared there was silence. The trough was too deep to see down into, not without approaching, and the gathered members of the Legacy dared not. They were ordered not to intervene. Or, perhaps, for a more practical reason; if it was Oreius alive within it, and the Toa of Iron slain, they wanted someone else to approach the Maru first. Eisen's shield arced up and out of the trench, with the Toa of Fire speared upon it, and dropped none-too-gently to the icy ground. Eisen himself followed; propelled out by his mask to land with one boot upon his fallen foe. Oreius Maru was alive, the puffs of steam escaping his open mouth proved as much, but it was hard to tell anything beyond that. The ground beneath him was stained red and he no longer moved in defiance, not even to try and push the shield off of his body, but it was clear that its spikes had pierced deeply. The Fe-Toa surveyed the crowd that had gathered to watch calmly, taking a moment to control his own breathing. A single tug freed his shield form the Toa, jammed point down into the snow to bare its surface for the onlookers to see. Only then did he address the crowd, resting the tip of his sword next to the Maru's neck. He felt elation, whether he showed it or not; the rush of victory was hard to ignore but he could not let it closd his judgement. A blizzard had swept in within moments, obscuring vision and threatening the village of Ice with a deep snowfall. That wasn't uncommon. But it could not have arrived so quickly. If Oreius was here... "This Toa is defeated!" He stated, raising his voice for the first time to be heard above the wind. "But his allies are somewhere in this village! I have shown you that these champions can be slain, now go and show me that you can do the same. Find them and kill them." His orders given, he turned his attention to the attendant members of Echelon's inner circle. "Agrona, if you would stitch this shoulder wound. His corpse will be yours to do with as you will, in a moment. I need the rest of you to check on the hostages."

IC: "You will find Soraya and Akimoto at the Great Takea." Sinshi said quietly, after a moment. She directed her gaze at the Matoran, able to make eye contact from her seated position with ease. "We, I, am choosing to take a risk. If harm comes to her because of it the Commodore will never get the chance to make you regret it." "But I think you are telling the truth. So I wish you luck."

IC: It took a moment for him to answer because on the surface the answer was 'nothing', but a lot had happened during that nothing. "Work has been slow." Tarnok started, picking his words carefully at first. He didn't usually say much. Figuring out how to compress, articulate, what he was feeling... Was difficult. He started to pick up steam as he went, less hesitant in his words but still much quieter than normal. And still the ground seemed to hold his utmost attention even when he saw Leli glance his way. "Adjusting to Heavy Division has been hard. I was used to working in a squadron, that restructuring threw me. They moved a lot of people away." "Seventh hadn't been around well before that, but they scattered what was left. It's been... Difficult." He took a deep breath, finally glancing in her direction. "I was in the hospital, while Light was at the Darkwalk. Had to stop a bank robber. Would have been nothing, in Makuta's time. Wouldn't even have been worth remembering. But I ended up in the hospital because I didn't have anyone to back me up anymore. Gavarm is in charge of Heavy, now. I can't remember the last time we takjed. Aside from Uyism the rest are gone." He paused again, searching for the words. "I haven't really known what to do." The Onu-Matoran's voice softened again, a thumb absently brushing over the Seventh insignia still on his armor. "When I needed help, you came. I didn't expect to be facing down legions of Rahkshi but you were there anyway. We almost didn't win, but you were there. We won. I didn't expect you to stick around, I thought you'd go back to Le-Koro, but you chose to stay. Sulov came back, as a Toa of all things. It should have been great." "I haven't heard from him. I don't think anyone on Seventh really has. And I've never really heard from you. I'm left wondering what changed, and how I missed it."

Not anywhere near long as Tyler's, the guy can speechify, and I'm a day late but I wanted to thank everyone here for having the patience to stick with us. I spent part of yesterday reading some old posts, IC and OOC, stretching back a couple years and it reminded me just how long I've been here and just how much I enjoy being here. We are in the home stretch, and Ty's not exaggerating when he talks about what we've got coming up. So even though it's belated, I'd like to thank you all for the time you've already put in here and for the interest I hope to see in the next arc. Happy belated Thanksgiving, everybody.

IC: Slowly, after a moment, Tarnok shook his head. "There isn't anything different here. I suppose he didn't say Kini-Nui specifically, so we should rest a little. Take a look around the base, see if anything... Feels right, I guess. We can go from there." The Onu-Matoran gave her a faint smile, at least as best he could in a place that made him feel so somber. He set down his bag and leaned against one of the pillars, surveying the scene quietly. A... Lot had happened. Very quickly. He hadn't really had time to process it all. He'd never really liked Toa. That popped into his head first, but it took him a second to place why. It was true, though. When he was younger he admired them, but after the mines... He'd grown to resent them, more and more. First for not being around to help them, even though Toa were supposed to be their protectors. Then he started to see how few of the new Toa actually protected anyone. They were just people. They were greedy, and self-centered, and violent, and flawed and for them that made life so much easier. When you were bigger, and stronger, and more powerful you could do whatever you wanted. There were better people to try and balance the scale, but even they slipped further and further from what being a Toa was supposed to mean. Joining the Ussalry helped. Learning to do the protecting himself, if they weren't going to. Made him strive to be that hero instead of waiting for one to come along. He hadn't been perfect. But he had friends to drag him to his feet. It helped that he had a great example. Sulov was the leader they'd all needed, even when no one in the Ussalry wanted him to be. He took his duties seriously no matter what. The bureaucracy didn't matter. And Mata Nui, they won. They destroyed he Hive. And then they were lost. All of them were. Without Koskium Seventh Squadron fell apart long before the Ussalry dissolved it. Gavarm couldn't hold them together the same way. Uyism helped him through, then. Reminded him what he strove for, what his duty was. So when he needed a hand he called in the only other friend he had left, and she had come without question. Leli showed up without complaint, just because he needed her help. Gave a hundred and ten percent for a village that wasn't hers, fought with him, bled with him. She'd almost died when the Rahkshi attacked. They all had. Makuta's sons outnumbered them by far, overpowered them, but still they had his back. His own little team, of people willing to do their best. She had his back through the whole siege. And then she was gone. A Rahkshi had disappeared with her, and he couldn't find them. But she survived. Someone found her and brought her to the hospital. The hero that had emerged from the Darkwalk, after the Rahkshi broke ranks and fled, was Sulov Koskium. Makuta was slain. Onu-Koro survived. Tarnok survived. His commander had returned, and his best friend was going to be okay. But Sulov Maru had become a Toa. He didn't visit his old squadron. He didn't call himself Koskium, anymore, no he was Sulov Maru. He was Onu-Koro's protector, but even at a distance he wasn't Sulov. The Ussalry dissolved Seventh, formally, and promoted his best friend to Major in the new Light Division. And he never saw her. She was distant and aloof, even though by all rights he should have run into her any time. In the halls, on the streets, somewhere. Even if they didn't try to find each other. Onu-Koro was making blazing strides forward with its technological achievements, and he was somehow more alone than he'd been before they started to win the war with Makuta. And then Leli came back with a Toa Stone. Leli was going to be a Toa. Just like Sulov became a Toa. He didn't really hate Toa anymore. Not after Sulov. Not after Kehuri. He couldn't possibly hate Leli. But he was scared of them. Scared of what they could take away from him. A Toa had taken Whenua from them. A Toa had taken his commander. And now a Toa was going to take his best friend. He had almost lost her the once. He wasn't sure he could bear it if she came back but.... Didn't come back. If this Toa Leli came back in her place, and his best friend was gone. Like Sulov. "... We haven't seen each other much, lately." He said, much softer than usual. The ground was very interesting suddenly. "Not since Makuta fell."

IC: "Rummy it is." "We'll each get seven cards." The De-Toa shuffled again, then started to deal cards in three neat piles roughly in front of each player. The movements were quick and precise, counted out silently until each pile had the stated seven. Then he set the deck down in the middle and drew the top card, placing it down face up next to the deck. "Every turn, you draw a card. Either you can draw it from the deck or pick it up off the discard pile. If you take it from the discard pile, though, you need to pick up every card laid down on top of it. Because at the end of every turn you have to discard a card." "Your object is to get rid of every card in your hand. That's how a round ends. You do that by making melds, playing three to four of a kind or sequences. So three nines, or one through five in the same suit. Though sequences can be of any length. You can also play off of someone else's meld, like if you have the fourth nine or the sixth card in the same suit. When someone gets rid of all their cards, the round ends. Points are tallied based on what you've played. Ace is low, numbers are the value shown, faces are ten. The cards left in your hand count negatively towards your score." Krayn picked up his own cards and fanned them out. "Any questions?"

We would be happy to welcome back old faces. The game's been a little dead for a while, most of the staff have been dealing with real life, but we're ramping back up to finish the arc. We have the next one prepared, and we think people are going to like it a lot. It's my intent, if at all possible, to have this arc closed out by year's end. So even if you don't want to come back right now, I'd advise watching this space. We cooked up something fun for the next locale.

Echelon killed him almost two years ago OOC, yeah.