[ACT II END] Ehths - A game of gristlecat and swampmouse

[Jania Nis]

(OOC: Sorry to be late on this one!)

(Somewhere, USS Octavia E. Butler)

On the purplish banks of Lake E’dlik’Sor, among the plastic detritus, hunts a small creature a universal translator might interpret as a gristlecat. These thin, hairless mammalians have no eyes, but large triangular ears that can hear the distinctive cracks of plastic being eaten from two kilometers away. In this way, they slink under and between the plastic maze until they arrive at their pray, the urban swampmouse, which is one of about a hundred rodent species that have evolved the ability to digest plastic. 

But unlike the gristlecat, the swampmouse can survive in the waters of Lake E’dlik’Sor, and its fate is by no means sealed when a cat hears it. 

As Ehths crept through the electric bowels of the ship, through spaces of the Butler no humanoid had touched, he thought of his planet's cat and mouse. 

Some people may have considered themselves the cat in this particular adventure, but Ehths was a swampmouse and he was happy to be one. For a swampmouse who is close enough to the lake to make a jump -always- lives. By listening to the ship's communications, he knew the mercenaries were set up where they needed to be. Things were proceding as planned, even if he was still unsure as to where Dius was. That meant he was close enough to make a jump ... 

Ehths: =/\= Now that I've taken over communications, are you prepared for me to disable them entirely? =/\=

Lohkina: =/\= Not very likely. You have some skill, that's clear, but this isn't your ship. =/\=

This was, perhaps, true. Ehths decided to change the subject. 

Ehths: =/\= You know there’s always room for talent, in any administration. Dius offers many benefits--even paid leave … =/\=

Lohkina: =/\= Oh? I'm listening. =/\=

Ehths: =/\= Yes, you see Dius is still a very rich man. The -spoils- of Koreli are hidden, but waiting. And he is very generous with his wealth. He always has been. =/\=

But as he spoke, he heard voices in the Jeffreys tube at his side. Three voices, arguing about something. There was a thunk, as if one had hit the other. 

He froze. Perhaps he was getting too brash. He felt like a character in the Steal or Deal videos that were popular on TidBitter that week. One misstep and the other party would realize they'd been had. He closed communications. 

Ahead, he turned away from the Jeffreys tube, to head deeper into the bowels of the ship. Left, right, right, up. He was getting closer to where he thought the mercenaries were. As long as he could meet up with them, he’d be protected. 

Then the panel below him gave way. Or someone was grabbing him. The panel was being opened. He was being grabbed! He shouted and squirmed as hands wrapped around his leg, pulling on him. He fell, dust and materials from the ceiling cascading down with him. When he landed, he looked up to find a dark-skinned purple shirt. Her eyebrows were steeper or more intense than some of the other skin-covered aliens he’d met; he wasn’t sure if it was a different species or what, but he didn’t have time to consider it. 

Lohkina: Response

He recognized that voice. He gulped. 

Ehths: :: whispering :: Consider our offer. Paid leave. 

Lohkina: Response

[End of act for Ehths]

Ehths

Head Reeve

Simmed by
O240108JN2