#willoftheroad

Yen would find the high halls completely abuzz with activity. He wasn’t surprised to see that the government officials were no doubt trying to make sense of what just happened and what to do about it. But he had another task to contend with. He quietly and quickly ushered Ikki, who was still bloodstained, and Will towards the Voices’ Chamber.

He was a little surprised to see who else was waiting outside the grand doors. A tall and lean built Green Draconian was idling patiently. His mottled green hide was reamed with scars and for good reason.

“Grand General Rogath! I should have known you’d be here.” The Draconian turned at the sound of Yen’s voice and gave a grim smile.

“Of course I would be here. I have good word that the heads of our military branches will all be here. We want to hear this.” His golden eyes took in Ikki and Will with some curiosity. “So these are the ones who will tell us of our new enemy? Good.”

Any further words were interrupted when the Herald appeared. “Enter, the Voices are waiting.” They followed her slithering form into the vast chamber. Each of the Voices’ glowing eyes were floating in their respective places high above.

To the sides of the circular room were several holo-generators and three were occupied. One had a dark skinned woman dressed in a white naval uniform. Another had an androgynous humanoid figure dressed in a simple black suit. The last figure was a olive skinned man dressed in the recognizable uniform of the GATE branch.

“Grand Admiral Sava, Dullahan Facet, and General Athan of GATE. Everyone indeed,” Yen muttered under his breath as he very gently pushed Will and Ikki to the middle of the floor.

The Herald bowed before the voices. “Great Voices, I present-”

She was cut off by the Draconian Voice. “We know. Let us get to the point as time is short.” The tone was clipped and impatient.

The Terran Voice gave her a look of disapproval through narrowed eyes before the ruby shades turned to look down at the pair. “We are sorry to be curt, but we need information and we need it now. First thing is first: just who and what are these Liash?”

Yen had just been busy still celebrating with Will and Lorene, trying to introduce the latter to the finer parts of German culture when it came.

The tone on his communicator. He blinked and looked down as the screen manifested and the message scrolled across. And as it did, his heart sank. Heinrich’s cheer instantly disappeared once he sensed his friend’s distress.

“What is wrong mein friend?”

Yen didn’t answer for a very long moment before he gave Heinrich a very serious look. “Z’ar has just been attacked, they want my division to come help with clean up.”

The Chinese Terran got to his feet. “I'm sending a message to Vector, they want some of Cycorp’s tech out there to see if they can be used to help any survivors. Also I’ll be needing to give someone else a call.”

"Will...not you too. This is why I had the beard in the first place.

Look, its temporary okay? My job required it. Got assigned to a post on a planet where the denizons have some sort of taboo against facial hair or something.

38. Do you want to have kids someday? Did you want to as a child?

"I think you’re a little late to be asking me that," Xav said ruefully, gesturing to the grey-haired four-year-old having a mock lightsaber battle with one of the other kids on the playground. "I’ve been a father since I was twelve, even if I only found out last year. Asimov-damned Wilybot… anyways. When I was a kid, I did want to have children of my own someday. I thought it’d be neat. I didn’t realize then just how much work they were, but I wanted to bring kids into a world that was more peaceful than the one I lived in.”

"I believe you."

He did not smile, but notes of approval eased out of his measured tone.

"And in truth, I am happy for you.  I would not have expected someone who…fits the profile that you do to be able to boast that.  But boast that you should.  It’s something worthy of being proud of."

"Maybe I can help you understand my drive, if you’re willing to meet me on a fair playing field."  Condescension was no longer a factor in his speech.  "What drives each person is different, but what drives me is really quite simple."  The bony youth gave a casual shrug.  "It’s based on belief, and logic.  I believe that protecting life is the ultimate rightness in the Multiverse, that there is no higher calling.  And I was born with skills that enable me to be extremely good at it.  I’m…much tougher than most people.”  In so few words.  ”Who better to do this important work than someone like me?”

Albert's eyes narrowed at Will as though he was attempting to puzzle out the younger humanoid. But he knew better then try and go prodding around in THAT mind.

He then gave a small breath through his nose.

"You happy for me? You are the first to ever tell me such a thing. And yes, our goals our different as is our respective drives. Mine is ensure that my people reach their full potential...by whatever means necessary."

His hands twisted atop his cane, enough to let his gloves creak.

I wonder how Will is doing...I have not heard from my apprentice in some time...