A Rose in the Thorny Garden

Nightwasp:

I was just about to board a dart when our Queen's sister messages me with a new command.

((As you wish, your highness.))

I stare back at the dart, longing to join the battle, but unfortunately I was needed elsewhere.

*Sulky growl.*

I leave the dart bay and proceed to Grimweb's lab.

"It seems that whatever you made to take down the experiment has pleased our Queen. Make more of it."

I scowl annoyed Grimwolf was given an important task in our war efforts and I was not

Drizzle:

She doesn't bite my conversation STARTER

Shame.

My mind is squeezed and under my muzzle I choke out.

"N.no I havent seen him..in years.."

I reply with some resentment

Queen Rubyrose:

Well, it appears as though someone has father issues…

((The captive reports that Bane has not been sighted at this planet for years.)) I inform Odette and Nightwasp.

“How about any brothers or sisters? Are there any other Starkers on this planet?”

While I wait for his reply, I add on to Odette alone.

((The captive informed me that his mother, now going by “Senator Eve”, used to be one of us. Shall we attempt to make contact? I’m sure she’s missing her son…))

Drizzle:

The conversation continues to cause me annoyance at such sensitive subjects

((Michael has my sister, there are Bain One followers here..living hiden in the city. You'll have to turn them 'wraith' too if you want to stop them. What appears to be a human may just be your demise with powers beyond your understanding.))

I was able to get smug a little in that 'truth drop'.

((The hybrid kingdom wasnt able to take this place, theres more then you realize then just 'clean' food source, you'll discover quite a few surprises here...))

Odette:

Rubyrose kept messaging me with updates.

Including while I was on the toilet.

*Sighs.*

(To Rubyrose) ((I am heading to the control deck as we speak. Meet you there?))

I respond to her latest message before sending Grimwolf and Jitterbug the deactivation codes from the interrogation.

She sure was working him for all he was worth.

I'm starting to see why the boys love her so much

Queen Rubyrose:

The captive finishes giving me some useful information.

He looks rather smug for one who has just sold out his allies’ secrets.

“Well, as you can see, we have a few ‘surprises’ of our own.”

With that, I leave him in the cells and go to meet Odette on the control deck.

“Open communications with the planet.”

I order, while at the same time mentally relaying the latest information to Odette and Nightwasp.

((Have you developed any more means of combatting these Bain Ones?))

Odette:

((No.))

I respond to Rubyrose when she enters my scene.

((I don't make it a habit of engaging with Lastlight or any of his pets. Hiding and rebuilding our armada has been my greatest priority up until now.))

I pace around on the spot annoyed.

My sources on this planet have failed me. Should they ever have the gall to show their faces again I will execute them.

Webster:

The old Queen was very intimating, like a real Wraith Queen.

*never really held Jean or her family as real real, they were into wierd shit*

This one has standers, its scary.

I work on more serum, though if we keep getting mutant iruas bugs from every one of them. They needed propose.

I wonder if I can make it rapidly grow into bug men super soldiers instead of random smallfrys.

But then that's too Michael like.

I'll have to think of something less hybird-y

After I make 10 doses I send hive local to send the message we are restocked and ready for the other experiment freaks here.

I ponder and doodle, maybe make the bugs into mini bombs that blow up.

Ooo make them inject Jean's dosage into our enemies. Mass turning into wraith and spawning wraith injecting infecters mahahahahahah

*doodles comical cartoon simulations, then when hearing a nose of someone coming crinkles it/shoves in mouth like a freak*

Queen Rubyrose:

Odette informs me that she has no other scientific means of combatting Michael’s experiments. *At least not until Webster pitches his thoughts to the Queens!*

((No matter. We’ll just have to subdue them from afar. I assume you dialled their stargate to a space gate address? There can be no escape for these creatures.))

I begin my message to the world below, having it broadcast to every screen and radio.

“Senator Eve. *Assumes she’s in charge, cos she at least used to be a wraith queen.* Your world is no longer your own. The only choice you have left is whose hands you want it to fall into. You can allow us to take what we need, and leave the rest of you in peace. Or, if you do not surrender your planet to us, we will broadcast your location to the entire galaxy. I’m sure Michael would love to be reunited with so many of his lost creations. He can have this one first.”

I order drones to drag Drizzle – still bound and muzzled – into the room and full view of the camera.

((Stay silent unless ordered otherwise. Do not attempt to communicate in any way.))

“I believe Michael already has his sister. Imagine how thrilled he’ll be to have the complete set. Cease all aggressions against our forces within the next ten minutes, or I will send Drizzle back to his master.”

I nod to a crewman to start a timer.

Odette:

((Why yes, that was the first thing that was done upon exiting hyperspace.))

I say in response to Rubyrose's question regarding the gate before pacing around slightly waiting for a response from the planet.

She has a few of our men drag the prisoner to the viewing screeen.

I wondered what his mother's reaction would be at his physical change.

Would she even still recognize him?

I ponder.

Nightwasp:

*Watches Webster from the corner of the room in JUDGMENT.*

Eve:

We are placed in a terrible dilemma, the high levels of experimentation and technological advancements are holding our own but now we are threatened in either giving in to the wraith or having all of this given over to the hybrid King.

The other senators were confused why she was talking solely to me.

Then...Drizzle?

It was to hard to ..recognize him GREEN. I pale staring speechless and confused. Of course no one else had any idea who that could be. All wraith men look alike.

I almost get up at the mention of Dawn... but then sit down. I would be exposed to them all If I admit anything.

How would I even get up there?

Alll the cilzian ships already tried to evacuate while the army was up there.

Time slowed down, such a ..impossible choice.

(Florabel): "I vote let the hybrid come."

"Its not fair on the rest of the galaxy, lets.. deal with the wraith. They are a dying breed anyway. Surely they will stumble into one of our experiments and think otherwise sooner then later."

I try to cast my vote.

Its decided not in my favor. They want to call the wraith Queen's bluff and see if she really makes contact with Michael.

I cant speak so the tiny Florabel does it with me in the background.

(Florabel): "Summon the King. Call him then! Lets see who the hybrid wants more, us or you. I hear he loves his redheads.." *sticks out tounge*

Queen Rubyrose:

I inform the darts to take what they can and prepare to be recalled. It looks like we may be leaving soon.

(To Odette): ((It would project weakness to go back on our threat. If they do not change their minds, we must follow through. If there was anything in particular that you wanted from this world, I suggest you inform the darts to take it now.))

In any case, this world seems far more trouble that it’s worth. Unknown experiments pose too great a risk. If these creatures prefer to face Michael, they can decrease each other’s numbers with no effort on our behalf. I convey this sentiment to Odette too.

I must say, this former wraith Queen does… not look much like a wraith at all anymore. *Believes Florabel is Eve cos she answered* VERY far gone.

I laugh at her sentiment.

“I don’t plan on remaining here after I send my message. Michael will have to make do with your ally back there.”

*Gestures to the REAL Eve*

“This is your last chance to reconsider. Your time is running short.”

I look over to the timer, two minutes remaining.

I step back and begin to circle around Drizzle, applying one last round of emotional pressure. I speak to him, but project my voice for all to hear.

“Such a shame I got the son and not the daughter. Perhaps you’ve had the same thought too: wondering if you’re not the child your mother wanted to keep? Would she have made the trade, if it was your sister stood here, instead of you? But fear not. Last I heard it’s the males that Michael prizes more highly. I’m sure you’ll rise far within his ranks.”

Eve:

We had minutes remaining, this was a formable Queen I think it was... the one Michal so loves to display holding her head.

She would not back down and WOULD carry through even though she would loose this world.

Florabel pouts and flaps her little mantis wing on the sides of her face.

An older man on the council wants us to reconsider.

The president was dead. It was a hard call without me being impartial.

"We DO have a Wraith Queen here, perhaps she could speak for us...Florabel..."

I worry she will set off the Queen saying something else outrageous.

She stops herself from more name calling.

I look at the redheaded Queen as she insults Drizzle.

That's it.

"WAIT. We have a very important wraith asset here. It would .. not be good for any of us if Michael reclaims them. They just escaped him very recently and brought back much intel. We can share this with you too..."

The older man already had informed the labs that were working on Vega and Flax to beam them here.

I am un sure on Flax.
Apparently there is some bad history or what not. I did not know the details outside some hybrid outrageous stories and you know how they are. Untrustworthy.

((Please Vega, try to get through to them, they will hear you over us.)) I tell her and apologize for the sudden urgency she may be our only hope to turn this around

*PRESSURE*

Flax fixes his hair. Kylo puts her face to the device

(Kylo): "ODETTE? JEAAAN? IS THAT YOU GUYS?"

A council women tries to remove her and distract her with candy.

I just stare at Drizzle with a deep pit in my stomuch at this whole thing.

Vega:

Myself, along with my small family are transported into negotiations.

My heart breaks when I assess the situation.

Have we really come to this point?

I turn to the view screen with a sensitive look in my eyes, startled at the boldness of the one Queen.

How could I possibly get through to them?

Eve puts me on the spot and I lash out at her defensively.

((I am NOT a Wraith!))

I close my eyes trying to control my temper before looking back at the screen in frustration.

"I know you're starving. Believe me I am too, but destroying this world is not in your best interest."

I try to think of something, anything to keep them from destroying this planet.

A lie.. but, I needed to be vague. For I feared if I said too much they would steal me away, possibly Flax and Kylo too.

And they would not be as gentle with us as Eve and her people were.

"We are very close to creating a serum to keep our species from being turned into hybrids. Once we are done our research, things will be exactly how they were before, meaning.. we will be free to feed on whoever we want to again."

I glance to the side trying think of holes in my tall tale which they could possibly pull apart.

"Now I'm sure you are wondering why I am working alongside humans and other experiments, but the reason for that is simple. The Kingdom's destruction is in everyone's best interest. Once we are free to feed on whoever we like, what better way to kill two birds with one stone than to feed on our common enemy? All we ask for is a little more time."

I cringe at my idiom hoping they wouldn't be distracted by it.

Queen Rubyrose:

WHAT kind of Queen name is Florabel? *Misinterpreted Eve’s first sentence *

I wonder if this is some desperate ploy, as they wait for their self-destruct timer to run down? Not that it should be a problem shortly…   Like to catch you way off guard.  

Still, perhaps this will be our one chance to get some vaguely useful information before we hand this planet over to Michael.  Time to roll the dice…  

“Very well, I shall pause the timer while we enter negotiations. But know I’m all bite no bark.   If this is some kind of trick,    I’ll take you to the grave, I’ll ghost, I know I can be so cold.   ”

((Do you know that child?)) I ask Odette as she calls out her name. Although I wait until the end of her breakdancing song rallying her troops and instilling fear in the enemy.

This Queen ‘Florabel’ begins to speak, and something feels… off.

“First things first, I would know to whom I am speaking: who was your mother, what legacy are you from?”

Grimwolf:

I growl in frustration as I dodge yet another laser weapon.

When the dart showed no lifesigns in this room, I thought for once it might be an easy mission.

But now I can’t get close enough to the console to shut it down!

I request reinforcements, asking specifically for a soldier from Jean’s old hive. I know we have experience at dealing with non-living enemies after the replicator battle.

Eve:

I hit a nerve with Vega. She has been a wraith so long now, yet it still bothers her. One could only feel sorry for her and her silent struggle.

My eyes drift back to Drizzle. However did they turn him into a wraith? So easily.

This queen who was very VERY vocal her name was ODETTE puts on qutite a display.

I dont remember Hive fights being like his...did wraith always sing?

*blinks*

It was a tough act to follow, but Vega makes a good stride with the enemy or so I thought. The older queen, Rubyrose was harder to trick.

She wanted Vega's mother's legacy and bloodlines.

Rubyrose also is musical. It must be how things always were. I was so detached to the wraith now I suppose

I could give her mine..to say buut.. the relation to Michael may make things worst! Surely any relative of Michael would d be dragged off..

Her husband steps forward. I have heard he was a wraith, perhaps he will say his own Mothe'rs name to cover for her.

(Flax): "Dont you KNOW who she is??? Dont you know the Queen..... Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious
If you say it loud enough you'll always sound precocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!"

(Kylo ): *Beatboxing*" "Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I
Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I
Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I
Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I"

(Flax): "You know you can say it backwards which is
Dociousaliexpisticfragicalirupus
But that's going a bit too far, don't you think?"

"Indubitably!" I agree that was a bit much.

*is cought up into song and dance with Flax*

"So when the cat has got your tongue there's no need for dismay (here-ye)
Just summon up this word and then you've got a lot to say
But better use it carefully or it could change your life!"

(Flax): "For example.."

"Yes?

(Flax): "One night, I said it to me girl and now me girl's me wife
Oh, and a lovely thing she is, too
She's
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!"

Jitterbug "Jitters":

I jump into scene with Grimwolf.

My NERVES! We are probably going to die today!

I dodge a couple lazer beams like a spazz before working up the courage to speak to Grimwolf.

He was such a BADASS.

"W-w-wha you want me to-ah *Eep* do?!?"

I gasp out full of ANXIETY.

Odette:

((I do not.))

I respond to Ruby before trying not to laugh at the song sung by the other side.

What a NAME!

*Grins a bit silly.*

((Would LOVE to examine him.. er... their research, despite the Queen's very strange name))

I comment further.

Queen Rubyrose:

Odette confirms she does not know the child. I suppose her reputation proceeds her? Most impressive!

I cannot say the same for this Queen… Super-something-or-other. How ‘super’ can she be if I have never heard of her? I nod to one of the technicians to search up this very strangely monikered family as we continue negotiations.

Odette believes their research may be worth something. I am not so sure myself. Why would humans willingly work with wraith to enable themselves to be fed upon again? I could understand if this Queen was commanding them to do so, but she hardly seems the voice of this alliance.

There is something odd here…

Though, I do admit, Odette is more aware of recent events. I should not take her input lightly.

“This research must be most impressive, to merit forming alliances with those not of our kind. Show me. Show me why it is to my benefit that I do not turn this world over to Michael.”

I think to Odette, ((Let them believe they are stalling us for time, when really it is us. It should not be long before our men deactivate their self-destruct device. We shall see if they are so bold at the thought of facing Michael, when they realise there is no escape.))

Grimwolf:

Great, they sent me this one.

For once, I almost miss Bond. His posing made him nimble.

Still, it could be worse. Better someone jumpy than sluggish.

“The only thing powerful enough to destroy these lasers are the other lasers. Stand near one of the emitters. Move after it’s locked onto you, but before it hits you.”

I demonstrate, and the target emitter makes a popping sound as it sizzles.

“That will leave one laser which we can’t destroy. One of us draws its attention, while the other shuts down the self-destruct.”

Flax:

I sit down smugly. That name will take the linage chronicles ages to skim through. I look at Vega hoping to have bought more time.

The Queen Rubyrose however, one of Michael's clones no doubt was highly skeptical still.

Kylo was about to break out in another song. I take her hand to stop her.

Her mother must speak.

One of the console members speaks.

(Alien man): "You are quick to assume humanity is the most heavily populated here. Some of us aren't bothered at all by the wraith, some of us have natural defenses. We can agree to your kind, eye to eye as nonprey... the Hybrid King must go. He soils the galaxy."

(Florabel): "Show her. Show her."

She urges Vega with her little fists balled and I sigh.

((I think I should go, better me then Kylo..)) I put in I would go willing.

Vega:

I close my eyes feeling anxious.

All this attention was hell for me.

In the past when I was overstimulated by such large groups I had somewhere to retreat.

Not now, all this was too important.

And the other Queens still wanted to talk.

Why???

I look down trying not to appear desperate.

Flax comes to my aid with a miserable offer.

My heart breaks.

((Oh Flax..))

His offer was so very dangerous..

((Are you sure?))

I question afraid for him but not knowing what else to do.