Alexander Zakharov's Story

A small group of gold-armored behemoths piled into the bar, pausing to take positions at either side of the door, scanning the bar as they made way for a man to enter.
He was no giant. Unlike his bodyguards his stature was more modest, even gnarled in comparison. And though this man was diminutive next to the gene enhanced soldiers that followed in tow, his presence commanded respect from them.

He paused a moment to survey the bar himself, spotting a lone figure sitting there. A puff of smoke puffed through the clenched teeth of his exposed bionics as he began to make his way to the counter. His uneven footsteps echoed through the empty bar as the thud of his bootstep was followed by the heavy, sharp click of his bionic leg.
He took a seat at the bar, keying in a drink order before setting his hat on the counter, revealing to the barlight his ominous appearance.

Alexander Zakharov 's bionic eye immediately darted to the woman, focusing from a wide orb into a focused dot as it focused on her, even before the man raised his head to meet her gaze.
He nodded his head, and raised the newly delivered glass of scotch. A static, metallic thrum echoed from the man's throat, mingling with the sound of his deep voice as it calibrated, starting as a hum, and then finally forming his words.
"Good evening, dear." He said, bringing the glass to his lips.
"And no, you wouldn't have. This is my first venture off of the Ark since arriving in Terran space. I heard this place was.... Interesting." He paused to look around a moment, as if he had somehow missed something before bringing his gaze back to the woman.
"Though.. I'm afraid I'm failing to see what my comrades were talking about." He looked into the glass of scotch for a moment, setting it back onto the counter with a clack.
"Drink isn't bad though, at least. My name is Alexander, Alexander Zakharov."

"The ark..." He began, his words seeming somewhat slow. Though his voice could be heard, the thrumming of the machinery that assisted him to speak mingled with the sound, making him seem almost robotic.
"It is the flagship of the great crusade. A massive ship that houses a majority of the crusade's elite warriors, as well as it's spiritual leaders."
He nodded in the direction of the gold-armored giants that stood sentinel around the bar, keeping a formation that would best serve to protect their lord.

"Surely you've seen their kind around here bef--"

It was then, that one of the gold armored warriors sprung into motion, leveling his halberd towards some commotion and a struggle between the newly arrived bartender and a patron.
Two others followed suit and advanced on the creature as it struggled with the woman.
"Release the woman, creature." Rumbled a stern voice from the center crusader.

Alexander turned his attention from the woman to the commotion, and then back to her. "I suppose I spoke too soon."

The half of Alexander's face that was able, grinned. "Not for long, at least, it seems." He looked around, at many an interesting character as they made their entrances. He was unable to hide his disgust as one strange creature entered, however, after a long stare he turned his attention back to the woman.
"So. Many different types of..... Person come here?" He delayed to refer to some of them as people, his bias showed momentarily as he hesitated to compare them to humans.

Meanwhile. One of the crusaders turned to inspect Valeria as she escaped the creature's grasp, running behind him. He kneeled down to meet her gaze as he questioned her as to the nature of her injuries. He removed his helmet, revealing a strangely young-looking face for a soldier of his stature and build.

The two men surrounded the Vampire that huddled under the table, armored gauntlets grasping underneath to try and apprehend the creature before it escaped.

Alexander Zakharov turned his attention as the captain grabbed a hold of the creature, lifted it into the air and brought it to him for his inspection.

The soldier assisting the woman, seeing the wound was not severe raised a hand and motioned for her to lead him to the first aid kit. "The wound does not seem severe, but does need cleaning and dressing. Lead the way and I'll assist you."

Alexander leveled his cold gaze upon the flailing creature as it pleaded with the captain that held him in his grasp.
He rose from his seat, cocking his head as he inspected it, then taking his bionic hand, parting the child's lips to inspect his teeth.
Without more than a moment's inspection he waved dismissively and issued an order.
"Take it away and destroy it."
He sat back down at his chair, and resumed sipping from his drink as if the business of ordering the creature's death was not business worth more than a moment of his time.

The Captain nodded and turned as he began to make his way out of the bar, vampire in hand.

Alexander Zakharov finished the last of his scotch, setting the glass down along with a tip for the server.
Alexander sighed, grabbing his hat and placing it atop his head as he limped out of the bar into the night behind the captain and the boy.

Alexander Zakharov finally spoke up, walking towards the two with a slight limp as his bionic leg and cane clinked on the docking bay floor.
"I have a question. If you would indulge me, Master Magannamus." He asked the small alien, leveling his scrutinizing gaze upon him.

"What is the quarrel between your two factions? And why are you so readily accepting us upon your soil amidst this war? I have been through many first contacts, few have gone this easily."

Ariston tried to intervene, and was about to speak to object before the inquisitor raised his hand in warning for the tech adept to stifle whatever it was he was about to say.
"It is a harmless question, Magus. We are newcomers here, and we should have an idea of what we are about to delve into, rather than walking blindly into another planet's conflicts."

The Alien's answer only seemed to feed the inquisitor's suspicion further. His organic eye narrowed as the bionic constricted while he asked the next question.
"And what is this 'supremacy's' need for such stringent security and secrecy? What is it that they are afraid of?"
There was always what Alexander would consider a 'healthy' amount of suspicion of outsiders. But to go to war to prevent others from discovering the planet? What were they hiding here?

Ariston became nervous. This was not good. 'The damned inquisitor is starting to interrogate the damned people already! At this rate we will be forced off world before the day's end.' he thought to himself.

He shot a glance to Lazureth, who nodded and began to walk towards the three.

Ariston shuffled across the plascrete yard of the expedition camp. Mechandrites swayed, surveying his surroundings as he surveyed the data that scrolled across his optic.
*sigh*
More insubstantial information regarding local lifeforms and the surrounding fauna and flora of the few areas they were able to survey. He paused and looked out as the west gate of the square compound opened up, allowing one of the survey teams to return from another, surely routine information gathering mission.
The splash of color from the vegitation that surrounded them was a sharp contrast to the grey of the prefabricated base that he and his followers called home.
The tech magus, like many of his kind were not so concerned with grandiose displays of pageantry, unlike the members of the crusade battlefleet.
Of course he flew the heraldry of the crusade, and paid tribute to the immortal father. But the gaudy idols, banners, trophies and other items common to a crusade outpost did nothing but annoy Ariston.

Of course, leave it to Zakharov to remind him every chance he had that the base lacked the majesty that should be displayed by a follower of 'He that is most mighty, our immortal father.'
How he wished he could find that old bastard something to do. But it was best that the gnarled inquisitor focused his baleful gaze on Ariston, rather than being left to his own devices.

The heavy thuds produced by a squad of marching crusaders snapped Ariston from his daze, taking his eyes off of the grasslands beyond the door and refocusing on his work.
Ariston was pleased in the opening weeks of the expedition, learning much about the bio-tech exployed here, but was still unable to grasp the finer concepts of the connectivity with the beasts 'souls' and the tech. Many of the crusade's biological / tech hybrids were more machine than biological. Exhibiting very few of their biological urges, having been scrubbed from memory and replaced with more efficient functions by the machine implements.
But here, technology and biology merged together in harmony, and even something seemingly intangible... 'Souls' were able to direct and power machinery. It was all very intriguing. Although now, he feared he was reaching the limits of his ability to learn from the limited area he was able to survey. He felt like a tourist. It was embarassing to be at the command of a force of one of the most potent military forces in existence, but be limited to 'safe' areas.
His temptation was great when Zakharov suggested he simply subjugate the planet and seize what he needed for his research.... Almost.
But he wouldn't risk his chance of attaining this knowledge by smashing away at the issue like a brute.

He arrived at the landing site and sighed heavily again, tucking his arms into the sleeves of his robes as he stood patiently for the arrival of his guest. He stood next to Lazureth, who greeted him with a nod. He seemed like a child standing next to the white-haired, armored giant. Hopefully the meeting would bear some fruit to liven his mood after this period of stagnation.

A ship made its way across the Kazzei plains towards the expedition camp. Like all Misranan technology, it was half organic. Lengthy tendrils floated in the air behind the bulbous main cabin surrounded by a carapace, resembling in all its entirety, a metal squid combined with some kind of armored insect. Two engines at its side glowed a florescent orange.

As the ship landed, legs thin and three-sectioned, the doors slid away, allowing two aliens outside. Neither was human.

The first was a very hulking and intimidating creature. At fourteen feet in height, he was the child of a human, an armadillo, and a cow. His back was lined with a layered shell, and he stood onto his back legs as a bipedal. His head was boxy, lacking the horns most of his brethren had. His arms were shaped like and bent like any ape's, but the knuckles were tough and bony, like a hoof. Fingers extended out of holes within these hooves. He carried a gun slung across his back, and a machete on his hip.

The second was a great contrast. At first, one would think she was a large bug. Upon closer inspection, the creature zipping through the air was more like a fairy. Her wings were clear and came in two pairs, the smaller helping her change direction. Her skin was purple, and her hair a dark, rich red. She zipped through the air in a small dress that was bare in the back and linked just above her bottom as to not restrict her wings. She landed in front of the larger visitor and smiled, three feet in height, at their hosts.

"Thank you for seeing us! I am Ziziya Mapri, and this is Adou Gor-Lora. I am a malemni and he is a tamroudian, in case you are so confused and had not seen many of our kind before. Pleased to meet you!" she said politely. Her voice, like her figure, was delicate.

Ariston, like many of the human workers that were hustling around the complex paused and stared in awe at the gargantuan creature that emerged from the Misranian ship.
Hushed whispers were exchanged between some of the workers before taskmasters barked the order to return to work.

Of the crusaders present, there was little to no reaction. Continuing their business, or manning their posts without more than a glance in the creature's direction.
Through Lazureth's vox communicator came a voice.
"Tower security suggests additional men for your security detail to protect the Magus."

"That will not be necessary. I am capable of keeping Ariston safe."

"Very well, brother. We will be keeping watch from here."

Ariston averted his gaze from the hulking Tamroudian, focusing on the fairy creature that landed before him. 'What a curious pair' He thought to himself as he bowed in greeting.

"Blessings, Ziziya. I am Magus Ariston. Very pleased to meet you and your.. friend." Ariston paused slightly as he craned his neck to look up at the Tamroudian.
"Indeed I have not had the pleasure of meeting either of your kind personally. This is a pleasure indeed. I have been quite pleased with the diversity of your planet's people. Typically when we make planet fall there are typically only one apex life form to interact with."

As he spoke, his optic implant scanned and cataloged the creature's dimensions and scanned what it could of their biology.

"I was informed of your arrival only shortly before you landed, so forgive me for not preparing a proper welcome for you. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company today?"

Ziziya pressed her hands flat against her sides and gave the men a deep bow. The tamroudian bent to one knee, lowering his head. The malemni had to grin. "Do not be nervous. Adou is a gentle soul. I am the threatening one, really," she joked.

The scans would reveal a fragile and hollow bone structure for the malemni girl, with larger lungs and a small, swiftly beating heart that had four chambers, made out of thinner, leaner fibers. It had more mitochondria to deliver more oxygen. Her arteries were stiffer and more taut than a human's. Her metabolism was amazing.

She was in much contrast with the tamroudian, who's heart was large and beat much slowly and powerfully, like a drum. His liver and pancreas were much larger by comparison to its other organs. Fibers of muscle and skin attached itself to its shell. Its spine was not made up of the same bone that it had in the rest of its body. It was much more flexible, but durable. There was an extra organ, a strange, flat, cylindrical organ nearest to the lowest parts of its rib cage, that did not resemble anything that the men had seen before. An organ that helped the tamroudian send seismic messages to one another. In their fingers there was a high concentration of nerves with somatosensory mechanoreceptors that helped them read these messages.

Both beings were so vastly different, yet they were able to live aside one another with a strange, but functional camaraderie.

"Magna Impus has sent us to come here to check on you all, to ask a few questions. These plains are rife with wildlife. We wanted to make sure that you have not experienced any illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your visit so far. He also would like to inform you that a spaceship had crash landed in our city, and that you must be careful to watch out for such things, as we do not know if this will happen again, or where."

Ariston let out a mechanical chuckle, acknowledging the newcomer's joke. Devoid of any emotion, projected from his vox grille. Though he had once been human, Ariston was now more machine than he was human, and thus had cast away many things he found to be illogical, or a waste of otherwise useful time and energy.
Love, humor, sadness, and similar emotions had been overridden by installed inhibitors. Though some shadows of his former, biological urges still surfaced from time to time.

Reticles formed over an interesting organ within the Tamroudian. Ariston made an immediate note to research the species' further. The crusade was constantly searching for new methods of advancing biological implants and growth treatments to create more effective soldiers. And although it would be an offense to use alien DNA to create these treatments and implant them into a human host, it was not uncommon to replicate similar growth techniques learned with human DNA. The process was much more problematic, and complicated, trying to get the human genome to override its natural tendencies to grow in an alien fashion. But the punishment for ignoring the mandates restricting cross-DNA splicing were too severe to ignore, even for the most ambitious scientist.

"For that I am glad." Said the Magus, straightening his posture after his bow.

"We have suffered nominal injuries and damage since our arrival. No more than usual when encountering new lands and their indigenous species. The dead will be repurposed and return to duty soon enough, it has not put our efficiency outside of normal parameters. I also trust Lord Impus has received my request for research beyond the 'safe zones' and clearance to collect specimens for examination?"

At the mention of the fallen spacecraft, Ariston exchanged a glance with Lazureth, who then turned and regarded the fairy.
The metal-clad giant placed a fist over his heart, his gauntlet clanging against the breastplate in salutation.

"A pleasure to meet you, Ziziya, And you as well, Adou. We will take the appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the compound."
He paused, taking what seemed like a labored breath through the respirator on his face. It produced a hissing noise as the breath was expelled. And though Lazureth's appearance was ominous, he conducted himself as any kind old man would.
"However, considering the political climate, I'm required to ask whether or not this crash was an attack. And if so, should we expect to be targeted by a similar incident."

Ziziya traced her black eyes around Magus' face carefully. "Mayor Impus has approved the request...however..." She let her eyes drop, a contemplative look crossing her delicate features. It had been so strange, that Magna would have done it. Ever since the Lalitia crashed, he...

"...however, he does warn you to be careful. The Supremacy seems on the verge of dropping their policies about harming aliens. Foreigners have been disappearing, as well. We can only watch you and aid you in the areas that Magnus has jurisdiction over. If you move from these areas, if the Supremacy attacks you, then we cannot lend a hand. It will be a declaration of war."

The tamroudian rose to his feet and surveyed the camp with his tiny eyes.

Ziziya continued, "We do not believe it was an attack. The ship held three aliens, one of them a pregnant woman. It seems convenient, however, that they would crash into the City Hall..."

Ariston nodded as the alien explained the situation. At the news of the approved request to venture outside of the safe zones, he immediately queued up a set of commands on the HUD of his optic, immediately assigning resources and orders to the corresponding troops.
"Please send my thanks to Mayor Impus. I am glad to hear that we will finally be able to delve a little deeper and to expand our understanding of this most fascinating world. " The compound began to buzz with activity at the networked command of the magus. "I understand, we would not ask you to go beyond your boundaries on our behalf. Your people have already been so accommodating, we will accept full responsibility for whatever transpires between us and this 'supremacy'." A growing roar of engines heralded the arrival of a wing of crusade transports as they spoke. The newly arrived forces dispatched from the 'Iron Ambassador' were about to land planet side, they would support the magus in his expanding explorations. He began to walk, to clear the landing zone for the vehicles, gesturing for his guests to follow as they walked across the rockcrete landing pad, towards the command center where some ground vehicles awaited them. "I would like, as a token of gratitude to that hospitality to extend an offer of assistance." he said, as the landing craft's heat washed air made his robes billow. "We have many resources that could be employed to help you in finding those responsible for some of these occurrences. We can be discreet, of course."

As the landing craft's ramps unfurled from their housings and released their cargo, a commotion began to stir, seemingly from one individual at the head of a large group of armored men. "OI!" Barked a crusader striding across the landing pad, removing his helm to reveal an olive-skinned man, with a tattooed scalp with an orange mohawk. He gripped a wickedly sharp spear in one hand, stopping to look at the Tamroudian that followed the Magus. ''Oly 'ell! Y'dint tell me th'huntin would be s'good!" He laughed aloud, walking off towards the crusader barracks, disappearing from sight. Ariston looked at the man with a deadpan look on his face. Only when the crusader spoke did his eye twitch slightly, showing the slightest bit of annoyance. He turned and looked back at Ziziya. "If there is a way we can assist, even in repairs to your city hall, please let us know. Now..." He said, clapping his hands together. "What have we on the agenda, my friends?"

Ziziya's gaze followed the man with the orange Mohawk for a while. The tamroudian snorted his displeasure with what he considered a racist insult.

"For now we are going to be alright. We have investigators already trying to figure out the origin of both the craft and the nature of the aliens that were inside. We will have an easy time repairing the city hall with our technology. However! I believe we must concentrate on your camp. I also have a small message-" She slipped something out of the pocket of her dress; a small item that was the size of her whole palm, round, flat, and clear, and held it out to Ariston. "You must look at that in private.

"Ah! But that is not all I have to say. The city of Zanzaria is famous for its entertainment. If you and your..." She gave a look around the camp, eyeing the large amount of men walking around. "...men... believe that things are getting a little drab, we have a fine selection of alulan and human entertainers that may fit your needs."

Ariston nodded, bowing slightly. "Very well. If at any point you require any assistance, we would be glad to repay you for your hospitality."
As the two spoke, Lazureth heard the all-too-familiar howling of Lukas Orion, turning as the crusader made his usual boisterous entrance. The old man was somewhat pleased to see the orange-haired helldiver, but somewhat troubled for what it may mean for the relations between the forces here and the native people. Lukas was never one to hold his tongue, or his blade, and always had a knack for offending anyone in earshot of him.
"Ah yes, the camp then, very well." Continued Ariston as Ziziya slipped him the small, round item. He held the small object in his hand and observed it for a moment before a mechandrite tentacle looped over his shoulder, gently grabbing the object before slinking back under his robe. "Thank you, I will do as instructed." As she spoke of entertainment, Ariston's expression became slightly confused, as if the representative began to speak in a foreign, unknown language. He gave a momentary look up at the massive, White-haired crusader at his side, as if to ask: What did she just say? He no longer had any concept of what recreation meant. Everything was time schedules, efficiency reports, and numbers to him. Any time spend not completing one's task was time wasted, and time wasted was an affront to the Machine God. Lazureth took a moment and explained the concept to him telepathically, though it would seem as if the two were just staring at each other for a seemingly uncomfortable amount of time. Finally Ariston turned and shook his head, refusing the gesture. "Oh, no that will not be necessary. Such things are not conducive to remaining at optimal effic--" A large hand placed on his shoulder stopped him mid-sentence as the armored giant interjected.
"The men here are not machines, Magus. Perhaps it would motivate them to work harder if they were given some time to relax and reap some of the rewards of their hard work in the name of our Father and your Machine God."

"Our efficiency will suffer." Responded Ariston curtly.

"For the moment, perhaps. But you must understand that your efficiency will suffer regardless if you work these men into the ground, lord. Instead, consider this. A moment of inefficiency may cause your men to work harder, having been motivated by the gesture, providing you with increased efficiency in the future. We are, just human after all, Magus. Even your machine god embodies duality, there must be a time for computation, and a time for maintenance. Consider this a time for maintenance and I am sure you will be rewarded."

Ariston paused for a moment and considered this. The old man's words were wise, and managed to appeal to him despite his contentions against the idea of rest periods other than the regimented sleep cycles assigned to the workers.

"Very well then. I will have you take charge of the arrangements for the... 'maintenance'." The robed man's words hung over the last word as if he was reconsidering the idea. The thought was immediately shoved away after a loud crash was heard coming from the crusader's barracks. Howling laughter could be heard coming from inside the building as the doors swung open as a pair of crusaders rushed inside to investigate the commotion. Ariston looked up to Lazureth and was returned a nod. The magus turned to Ziziya and bowed. "I apologize, but I must attend to something at once. Lazureth will act in my stead while I am away. I will return as soon as all matters are attended to."
With that, Ariston shuffled away in the direction of the barracks, though immediately afterwards he would retreat to his quarters to inspect the object given to him.

Lazureth smiled at the two, though his mouth was covered by the raspy re-breather mask he wore. The wrinkles at the corner of his eyes gave him the look of a kind old man. As kind as one could appear when one was dressed for war, with eyes as black as an abyss.
"You must excuse Ariston. In his search for knowledge, he at times forgets that some are not as tireless as he." He raised a hand and gestured towards a central building in the camp where the officers of the crusade congregated. Please, let us discuss these matters away from the landing pad. There is far too much commotion out here."

Ziziya blinked at the magus, but gave him a similar bow in return, hands flat to her thighs. She passed the tamroudian a glance, and he looked right back at her with one of his steely eyes. It was a brief exchange, and soon Ziziya was smiling up at Lazureth just the same as he was to her. "That is fine! Though perplexing, he does not seem like a bad person." She then turned to the tamroudian. Then turned back at Lazureth.

"Will the doorway be too small?"

Neither do I. I could say what brought me here but a strange feeling. Did something lead you here as well?