Lunar Conspiracy

One Step Forward

Kartk sighed as he slowly woke up. He curled a little tighter around the heat pressed up against his front, figuring by the chill temperature that it was still a couple hours before he had to get up. It felt colder than usual however. He lifted his head, trying to figure out why he was curled around his blanket instead of wrapped in it. Then he was scrambling away when he realized he was wrapped around a person.

He panted in panic, memories slowly catching up as the person he had been spooning whined and rolled towards him. He and Jornea had gotten into some trouble and escaped by descending into a subterranean cave. They had met a band of lizard folk and were getting some rest before making their way back to Tava and the Athena.

He tensed in discomfort as Jornea rolled into him and snuggled into his chest. She grumbled when he continued to resist and tugged at him until he gingerly allowed himself to be arranged. Jornea wrapped her arms around him, lying half on top of him in a direct reversal of the way they had been laying before Kartk had woken up.

"I know you don't like me but deal for a couple more hours."

Kartk swallowed and slowly relaxed after Jornea's muttered complaint.  It was warmer this way, even if he didn't particularly like all the contact.  Yet, it was surprisingly easy to fall back to sleep.

~ ~ ~

Tava frowned at the consol, trying to focus on the slow scroll of information they had pilfered, waiting for anything to happen.  Kit had shown up a couple hours ago to relieve her, but she hadn't been able to relax enough to sleep.  She had soon found herself wandering back to the bridge, fresh cup of coffee in hand, and Kit hadn't said a word in question.

The Kitsune abruptly perked up, entire body going from slumped boredom to high alert in an instant.  He dropped the little gizmo he had been tinkering with and leaped into the pilot's seat, tugging and tapping as he aimed Athena back towards the planet.

"You found them?!"

Kit nodded once.  "About four kilometers from the base."

They dipped below the atmosphere and then Kit turned over the piloting to Tava.  She skimmed Athena down along the planet's surface at Kit's direction, her good eye scanning.  Between the two of them, they managed to narrow down where the beacon of Kartk's collar was and find a small cave.  Tava landed Athena as close to the cave as she could and grinned in relief as Kartk came wiggling out of the cave to hurry across to Athena.

Tava dropped the cargo ramp, watching as Jornea came sliding out right behind Kartk.  Then she was blinking in surprise at the strange creature that followed them.  The serpentine creature slithered out of the cave and spread multicolored wings.  With a single flap, the silvery blue creature was airborne and winging it's way across the burning planet's surface towards Athena.

Tava narrowed her eyes at the security feed in the cargo bay, wondering if this creature was an enemy.  But Jornea ushered the creature on before her and closed the ramp behind them all.  Tava got to her feet and hurried down to meet her returned crew and their new friend.  Kit followed along on her heels.

They got to the cargo bay and Kit rushed ahead, calling for his friend.  Until he caught sight of the winged snake.  He ground to a halt too fast and sat down hard, skidding across the bay a couple feet until he sat just in front of the creatures coils, staring up with wide eyes.  The hair on the back of his neck raised when the creature opened it's mouth a bit to show fangs.

"Kit!"

Kit scrambled to his feet as Jornea came pelting around the snake, snatching up her fox friend and hugging him tight.  He returned the embrace, losing interest in the newcomer as it became clear Jornea wasn't worried about the winged snake.

Tava wouldn't be so easily distracted.  "Glad to see the two of you in one piece.  Who's your friend?"

"Quorra.  A Quetzel of Coatl.  You must be Captain Tava Bismark of the battleship Athena.  Pleasure to make your acquaintance."  Quorra's wings dipped before rustling back up and folding tight against his back.

"I see."  She shot a glance around Quorra at Kartk, hoping for an explanation on why this creature was here.  Kartk seemed wary of Quorra, but he had left his weapons across his back so the snake couldn't be too horrible.

"Quorra led us to the surface in exchange for a ride off planet."

Tava slowly nodded, her gaze flicking back to Quorra as he began to elaborate.

"I am not originally from this planet you see.  My ship crash landed and I retreated beneath ground to survive.  There, I met a primitive race that seemed to believe I was a fallen god.  I admit, I took advantage of the misunderstanding and gave the folk a couple pushes in the right direction for progress, but the time has come for me to leave them.  I was told you are beginning a revolution.  I offer my skills with computers and assistance in whatever I can in exchange for passage off Canddes."

Tava had to smile a little when Kit perked up and started mouthing 'hacker' at her.  "Well then.  Welcome aboard Quorra.  You've already met Kartk and Jornea.  You know I'm Tava.  That's Kit, and Doc is probably in the infirmary.  If you can fit into this crazy bunch, then you certainly won't be turned away by me."

Jornea bounced on her toes a little, making Kit struggle to maintain his footing on her shoulder and glare at her.  "Follow me Quorra.  I'll show you where you can find your quarters and the bridge."  She started to lead the way before hesitating next to Tava.  "We have a heading?"

Tava's good mood faded a little as she shook her head.  "No.  My plan was only half successful."

Jornea frowned sympathetically.  "Don't worry.  We'll find him."  Then she was striding away to lead Quorra on a tour of the ship.

Tava watched them go, then glanced over at Kartk when he stopped next to her.  "Alright?"

He shrugged.  "We're alive.  And apparently we have a new ally.  I'm still gonna keep a close eye on him."

Tava smiled.  "He doesn't seem like a bad person.  Let's not start battles where we don't need them."

Kartk snorted.  "I'm not starting a battle.  I'm being careful.  Just because Jornea trusts him doesn't mean he's got our best interests in mind."  He frowned when he noticed Tava staring at him with the hint of a smirk.  "What?"

"Nothing.  I just think that's the first time I've heard you use her name."

"We may have become, sort of, friends."

Tava chuckled at the pained way he said friends and started for the bridge to decide where they were going next.  "Get Doc to check you out if you need it.  I think I'll get Jornea pointed in a direction before getting some sleep."

"Mm.  Which direction are you thinking?"

"Towards unsettled space.  The wilder worlds have a larger selection of fighters."

"Larger selection of dangers too."

"True."