Kynala Evantus's Story

Kynala nodded to Drulovic, as did Leylana, and the two women turned away to walk back to the limo. Shiala lingered a moment longer, but followed them after a momentary appraising glance of the two TIB officials. The women climbed into the dark vehicle.

"Follow Ms. Drulovic's car," Kynala instructed the driver, glancing out of the blacked-out windows. "To the military base."

The journey was a relaxed one, and Kynala sipped at a glass of a dark beverage called 'Rana', imported from the home-fleet of Iria. Leylana sat silently as they travelled, but Shiala looked up from the holo-tablet that she held.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked, "You're risking a lot, getting involved with a war. The council will not approve."

Kynala laughed, "I think by this point the only way it could be more obvious that I'm in some form of war with the Aschen would be for me to attack their home-world personally. I'm sure they can't hate us any more than they already do, after we've done our best to hinder their every operation on Terra. And if they can? Well, then I suppose they hate us some more."

Sighing, Shiala shrugged. "If you say so. Let's hope that the home-fleets don't suffer for this. And that it doesn't cost us too much..."

As the limo rolled through the gates, Kynala peered out. "Yes. Let's hope."

Kynala walked briskly from the limo, her companions close behind her. The CEO surveyed the area as she walked, pondering on the situation. She'd never intended to get herself involved in a war -- after all, she was Ri. They didn't do wars. "Good morning, General." she said as she approached the group. "My name is Kynala Evantus. I'm here to talk to you about impending war, and other delightful subjects like that."

Kynala smiled diplomatically and nodded, "Lead on, General." she said, making to follow Ranida. "I ought to introduce my companions, also - Leylana Kalus, the commander of OmniCorp's mercenary arm and my personal assistant, Shiala Castele."

Both women nodded to the General - Leylana giving the man an appraising look over. She wasn't one for starch and uniform herself, as the combat-ready armour she wore suggested. But that was often a difference between the military and the mercenary, and having had experience in both, Leylana was glad she was sitting on her side of the ceremony and politics.

Shiala paused for a moment, "There isn't any sort of rule regarding recording or communications equipment, is there, General?" she queried, "Considering the circumstances."

Shiala nodded, and both Kynala and Leylana exchanged a glance. All three woman raised their right hands and unfastened a small circular device from their palms with a click. Placing the small objects on the desk, they turned to follow again.

"OmniTools," Kynala explained, "They do a lot of things. Recording is one of them. As for a drink, I will decline. Caffeine does not agree with our species."

"I am fine, thank you." Kynala said, smiling as she followed the two down the hall. Shiala tipped her head, "A glass of water, thank you."

Leylana seemed to be appraising the security of the base, rather than paying any attention to the conversation, but she shook her head absently as she walked. "I'll pass."

Leylana nodded, "I'm here on Kynala's request, but I've more than enough enthusiasm of my own for her idea. We want to help Terra again, but, as you might be able to tell from my presence, in a slightly different manner. The Aschen and Taiyou want war, we're more than happy to help you give them it."

Kynala nodded, "While OmniCorp can support Terra via financial means, it's the Legion that will be able to give more direct aid." she explained.

Grinning, Leylana folded her arms. "I always prefer the direct approach. I'll get to the point -- I have millions of soldiers and hundreds of ships ready to call on, and they're all as eager to have at the Aschen as I am."

Leylana shrugged, "My soldiers are ready to fight. I won't go making a war where there isn't one, but if it comes to it..."

The CEO interjected here, "What Leylana means to say is that we have no desire for bloodshed, aside from the usual enthusiasm of angered soldiers, but we are more than prepared should it occur. We have no qualms with opposing the Aschen and the Taiyou if war come to pass."

The mercenary commander gave Kynala a glance, "What sh- ah, that is what I meant, yes. I'm not much used to politics and 'treading lightly', if you'll pardon me for it."

Taking a seat each, the Ri women turned to face the conversation. Kynala nodded, "That much is clear. One declaration of war has already come our way, has it not? Though it will take the Taiyou some time to even reach us, of course. The Aschen suffer conflict, but this is only the latest in a barrage of hostility from them. I don't doubt it will only be a few years before someone else in their government decides to cause issue for Terra, even if they back out now."

Leylana nodded, "They act tough, but when it comes down to it those yellow bastards are some of the slipperiest cowardly back-pedallers I've ever had the displeasure of laying eyes on."

"It would certainly save us money," Kynala said, nodding, "But I am dubious as to whether it will last. But I am dubious about a lot of things, so we shall see."

Leylana chuckled, "My soldiers might be disappointed." she commented, "But like Kynala said. Time'll tell, and all."

Kynala smiled, "I consider myself a citizen of Terra just as much as I am a councillor of the Ri. It is my home, even if not my birthplace, and I will defend it as best I am able." she said, "And I have no love for the Aschen or Taiyou from past experience."

Leylana smirked, "Putting it lightly. I wouldn't have any planet get stomped on by the Aschen, much less the one I happen to own a house on."

"A galaxy ruled by the Aschen?" Kynala raised an eyebrow, "I'd sooner take up residence in hell itself. As unlikely an eventuality as it is..." the CEO chuckled. To her side, Leylana grimaced.

Shiala mused silently - as she had been doing throughout the discussion - before speaking. "It seems likely they will try and weasel out of conflict if the odds are stacked against them. So long as that remains the case, we have little to fear, I think."

Leylana nodded, "It's no good to repel an invasion once, but to be decimated in the process. Especially against an enemy that has the facilities to rebuild and come at you again faster than you yourself can rebuild. Then you just end up with a war all the bloodier."

Kynala nodded, "We should be able to maintain a strong defence, though, with our combined resources. The enemy might be two whole nations, but they aren't infinite, and a war that goes badly on a first strike will quickly lose both public and political support."

"I know a thing or two about organising a ramshackle bunch of over-enthusiastic soldiers," Leylana said with wry amusement, "It comes with the mercenary business. If you need any advice, I'd be happy to help."

"The Taiyou are the type to take grave offence at minor things, much as the Aschen are. It's hard to put one foot in front of the other without violating a custom of one sort or another." Kynala said, "Their government is too trigger-happy. The empress seems ... rash, as do her subordinates."

"The Aschen have a habit of overestimating themselves." Kynala mused with a slightly smirk. "Food does sound a pleasant idea, if it would not be an imposition on your hospitality," she added, "I believe that all I wished to discuss has been covered - Leylana, you and the General can crunch numbers and logistics at another point, I think."

Leylana nodded, "Indeed. I'll need to mobilise the legion to begin with, no easy task."

Kynala raised an eyebrow, inwardly wondering how impolite it would be to change her mind at this point. Being rather wealthy (as a dramatic understatement) it would be ... a considerable downgrade.

"Ms. Evantus?" it was Shiala that spoke up, however, "Should I cancel your meeting with Ms. Jennings..?" she queried.

Kynala shook her head, "Ah, no. I had not remembered. I apologise, but, I should go. The offer is, however, appreciated." The Ri woman liked to think of herself not as ... stuck up, but rather as discerning in her tastes. Rising to leave, Leylana and Shiala joined her.

"It has been a pleasure, all of you." she said, nodding her head.

"What do you mean you don't know?"

The angry figure of Kynala Evantus stood glaring at a boardroom of scientists who seemed to cringe away from her gaze as it crossed over each of them. The blue-skinned Ri was an imposing sight when she wanted to be, seeming to gain several inches - but that might have just been the heels. "What am I paying you for? You have the most advanced technology for analysis available and you can't produce results? What do you need? If money can buy it, it is yours!"

In the corner of the room, a yellow-clad woman was peering out of the window, bored. One of the scientists spoke up, "My apologies, Ms. Evantus, but it's just nothing like we've ever encountered before. Our readings are distorted and confused, almost nonsensical. It would take months of study to even begin to infer..."

Kynala scowled, "We might not have months." she said grimly, "Something is happening and it is happening now. My assets and my life need to be protected, Dr. Ismaela. I don't want the walls of a skyscraper melting while I'm in it. I want there not to be a disaster situation on my hands. I don't care what it takes, who you have to work with -- give me some idea here! Hit me with theories, speculation. What have you found so far?"

There was a short pause whilst thoughts were collected and passed around the table in a series of hushed whispers. Kynala tapped her foot.

"Aside from the obvious explanation that this is a magical occurrence, rather than a natural one, there are... some theories. The idea of alternate realities or dimensions has been tossed about, somehow interacting with ours - realities where our races never developed or perhaps the universe itself never happened, causing parts of ours to seem to disappear. The emotional state alteration that comes with the visions has been suggested to be direct mental influence, some form of hypnosis or psionics. There's also been discussion over it being related to spacetime; the theory of wormholes where spacetime can be 'folded' to create bridges between two locations and times..."

Nodding, Kynala waved a hand, "So long as you are making progress. Go, get back to work. I want another report in three hours, verbal will do. Don't waste time writing."

As the scientists left the room, Kynala turned to the yellow-glad woman. "What are your thoughts, Saidra? You're from another realm, that's why I had you brought here."

Saidra scoffed, "Listen, Ms. Evantus, I don't know any more than you. I'm from another realm, that doesn't mean I'm an expert on what your scientists were talking about. I know magic, but I'm no scholar. You want to talk to someone with more experience than me."

Kynala nodded, "Very well. You may go, then."

As the mercenary left the room, Kynala sighed. She hated feeling powerless, but that was what she was. Money couldn't knit the universe back together if it blew up.

It was approaching noon, and Kynala was sat at her desk in her office looking out the window over the cityscape. It had been a while since she last spoke with the Terran government, their last meeting being only a short time after its conception. Since then, the fledgling sovereign nation had been doing well... had been. The latest Aschen-Terra conflict had left the planet crippled, and with the recent murdering of the Prime Minister...

...well, things were looking less than pleasant. But if there was one thing that Kynala did not want, it was a Terra under Aschen control. She had had enough quarrels with them and their corporations in the past; been outspoken enough against them, that she knew that her economic future would be jeopardised if her main base of operations came under their rule.

And so she had extended her hand again. She had funds, she had soldiers, she had resources. In an age of Intergalactic Corporations, OmniCorp had more funding and resources at its disposal than most individual planets. They could not oppose the Aschen directly of course, not without risking their assets all across the galaxy, but they could most certainly fund Terra and protect it - and themselves - that way.

It remained to be seen exactly what the TNG would want. Money, resources... Kynala was more than ready to barter.

It would pay to have a government in her pocket later, that much she was sure of. War favours were not oft forgotten.

Shiala Castele, Kynala's Ri secretary met Daemala's eyes with a frown upon her purple features. "Ms. Evantus is currently waiting for a meeting with the Terran National Government..." she began, before trailing off as the vampire's abilities took effect. Though her race were all naturally telepaths, the non-psionic nature of vampiric compulsion was not something that they guarded against. Her implants were designed to grant her powerful telekinesis rather than mental fortitude.

The Ri woman knew something wasn't right, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. "I... imagine that she will be able to fit you in, though. They aren't here yet. I'll show you in."

Rising, she gestured for Daemala to follow as she stepped towards the wooden double doors, pushing them open.

"A ..." it occurred to Shiala that she hadn't asked the woman's name. That was odd. How had she known she had an appointment? Maybe she'd just forgotten... "Somebody here to see you, Ms. Evantus. They have an appointment."

Kynala looked up from her desk with a frown, "What? Shiala, I'm not seeing anyone other than the TNG at present. I don't know who this woman is, but unless it's blasted High Councillor Z'rii herself, then she can wait."

"I..." Shiala began, looking back at Daemala, "I think you have to..."

Something definitely wasn't right here, Shiala knew it. But why couldn't she figure it out? What was wrong with her? Her normally razor-sharp mind was foggy, she couldn't focus on anything!

Daemala waited patiently, smile upon her sealed lips, as the secretary reasoned with herself. Oh, she was good, but Daemala's age reigned victorious. She found herself sighing one of Casren's iconic sighs as Ms Castele finally lead Daemala toward the grandiose doors to what was clearly the CEO's office.

Ms. Evantus, Daemala caught the name, and was sure to memorize it immediately. It would do no good if she couldn't even name with whom she was speaking.

Not seeing anyone? Calmly, she stood beside one of the chairs in the office, looking from one lady to the other. That changed rather quickly, to Daemala's pleasure, as the secretary asserted her position.

"Daemala Tauvyr," She stepped forth and extended a hand, placing her briefcase on the chair as if to mark her territory. Daemala shot one last powerful glance at the secretary before turning her attention to the CEO.

"Ms. Evantus," Daemala went to meet her eyes over the hand shake, "Such a pleasure to finally meet you. I know we've only corresponded once-I myself just found the email this morning. To think, I would have missed tonight!" Daemala let slip a humored laugh.