Jeevan unlocks a side door and shows everyone in. "Welcome to my home." He announces proudly.

Envoy blinks, and then stares wide-eyed at the contraption in the center of the workspace.

Bem follows behind Envoy, bearing the damaged Zelak, it steps into an open area then waits for instruction.

"And this is the Dragon," Jeevan announces, walking towards the device. He makes a small cough and hastily adds, "Mark 4."

Brishen clasps her hands together, spreading her wings out as she steps inside. "That's wonderful!" She pauses, then flutters over to look at the strange airship.

Envoy walks around the device. "Dragon? It looks like an airplane."

Brishen tilts her head slightly, looking at Jeevan, then back at Envoy. "What's an airplane?"

"Its a… why yes, very perceptive of you." Jeevan turns, looking at Envoy again. To Bem he instructs, "Oh, put that Zelak over there, on the trolley. I call it the Dragon, because it roars, belches fire, and is dangerous to be around. Characteristics I am told, that are also shared by dragons."

Envoy says, "Something that uses fixed wings which generate lift… "

Brishen ohs, quietly. "I'd never seen one until the Dragon."

Envoy looks over the 'dragon' further, unable to figure out what most of the parts are for.

Finally, the Exile asks, "Where's the brain?"

Brown eyes get very wide as Brishen giggles loudly. "It's just an airship. It doesn't have a brain."

Envoy thinks for a moment. "A pilot, I mean. Where is the pilot?"

The body of the dragon is mostly complete, and is composed of a canvass stretched over a wooden frame. It has also been painted in some parts to resemble its namesake. Up at the front is a large open cavity, and beside it on a table is a rather large intricate metal object.

The courier flutters over to nudge Jeevan, grinning. "You're looking at him."

"I am the pilot, navigator, and creator of this." Jeevan bows, "though, some bits were recycled."

Envoy says, "You built this all on your own? You must be very dedicated."

Envoy looks over the Eeee inventor again, wonder which of his parts are recycled.

"Yes, I built all of it. I've always wanted to fly." Jeevan says, running his hand along the fuselage and going up to the nose. "I thought a powered parawing would work. Unfortunately, the size of the engine required something a little larger. The engine isn't my design, though I have modified it."

Bem arrives behind Envoy, and clacks a few times. "Caution is advised." It says, twitching its antennae.

Envoy turns to Bem, "Is there a threat?"

"There are traces of volatile substances." Bem rasps, looking at the engine.

"Its probably sensing the fuel mixture. There is no danger, I have the place properly ventilated when I'm working." Jeevan explains.

Envoy says, "Volatile? Do you use a rocket to propel the Dragon?"

"Ooh… not quite. I use an explosive fuel mixture which is injected into the cylinders on the engine. They are set off in series, and the energy transferred by cams to the drive shaft. That turns a propeller, and that pulls the Dragon along." Jeevan points out various aspects of the engine, and the front of his plane as he speaks.

Envoy smiles, absorbing it all attentively.

"Are you also an aviator, Brishen?" the Aeolun asks.

There's a muffled squeak from the other side of the Dragon, then a pair of large black ears appear. "Oh, I'm not a pilot." Brishen grins, poking her head out from around the strange airship. "I'm a courier though."

Envoy smiles, "Oh, you must meet lots of interesting people then."

Bem examines the construct for some time, then turns to Envoy. It rasps. "What relevance does this device have to your mission, Scout Envoy?"

Brishen grins cheerily, cupping her wings so she floats a little as she bounces back to look at the crippled Zelak. "You could say that." She glances back at Jeevan, "I think we should let the Zelak go home."

Jeevan looks around the nose of the Dragon at Brishen, "Send it back to the Temple, or the hive it keeps talking about?"

Envoy looks to Bem, "Well, heavier-than-air aircraft are a necessary precursor to space flight in technological civilizations."

Brishen crouches down to peer at the Zelak in question. "The hive, I think." She tilts her head, her dark brown eyes glittering curiously, "I've never heard a Zelak say what it said before… "

Brishen squeaks, rubbing her nose as she stands up. "I guess everyone can get homesick, though. Even Zelaks."

Envoy says, "Yes, there may be a way to repair him back at the Hive."

The Eeee inventor looks speculatively at Brishen and Envoy, "I suppose, I hadn't really thought that much about the Zelak. However, a trip to the hive is a little more expensive than ten shekels, and… as for reaching the stars. I do have high hopes for the Dragon, but not that high."

Brishen furrows her brow a little, furling her wings as she wanders behind the Dragon again, her voice growing muffled. "I know I've been… " She grins as she pops up near Jeevan, smiling brightly at the older Eeee. "Besides, it didn't cost that much, and – "

"Necessity of space flight not understood," the warrior called 'Bem' clacks. "Scout unit Envoy appeared on this world and was adopted by hive Shkarkin. Return should be accomplishable in similar fashion." It rasps, and then adds, "Damaged warrior serves no further purpose. Termination of function not in battle can only be productively accomplished at the hive."

Envoy says, "If I can get into orbit, I can contact… my former Hive."

Brishen glances at Bem. "I don't like the sound of that."

Envoy says, "What is termination of function?"

Jeevan blinks incredulously at Envoy.

The crippled Zelak clacks its mandibles, gesturing with one 'hand' with the broken blade jutting from its wrist. "This unit can serve no further purpose. This unit requests that it be returned to its hive for completion of functionality."

Envoy nods, "Alright."

Brishen squeaks quietly.

"It sounds self-evident, to stop working," Jeevan adds, "to be killed."

Envoy blinks at Jeevan now. "Zelaks die?"

The crippled Eeee's eyes go wide as he looks at the Aeolun, then some spark of comprehension spreads across his face, "Oh, you are an exile aren't you. Everything dies. Zelaks rather frequently I'm given to understand."

Envoy asks Bem, "Is this true?"

Bem responds, "The purpose of warrior Zelaks is to defend the hive and its resources from all threats. Completion of purpose with honor exists only in battle."

Envoy ponders for a moment, then nods again. "I see. We must make arrangements to return to the Hive, Bem." Then she turns back towards the Eeees, "There may be a reward for protecting this warrior. Should I try to procure chitin wings for your aircraft?"

Bem says, almost disapprovingly though it is hard to read emotion into the rasping Rephidim standard, "Activities of scout unit Envoy have not appeared constructively dedicated to accomplishment of primary mission. Request scout assist foreign entity designated Jeevan in completion of orbital device."

Envoy blinks, and looks over the Mark 4. "I don't know how to build a spaceship though, Bem. That information would need to be retrieved from the Temple archives."

"Well, just because it's a little damaged doesn't mean it's useless. I'm sure I could find something for it to do… " Jeevan coughs, his wings opening and folding against his back, "and no… the Dragon's lifting capacity is calculated for wood and canvas. I'd have to re-iterate the design again."

Brishen crouches down next to the crippled Zelak. "You helped me save Jeevan… and I saved you from the Kavi." She smiles weakly, "You can stay here, but if you want to go home I don't think it'd be right to stop you, even if I don't like to think about what will happen."

The crippled Zelak's head swivels to look into Brishen's eyes, its insectoid ones reflecting the wings of the Dragon Mark 4. "This unit wishes to return to Shkarkin Hive," it says simply.

Brishen sighs quietly, then glances at Jeevan.

"How far away is this Shkarkin hive? I can't make a long trip. I'm not even sure if I'll have the Dragon ready in time." Jeevan asks, both Brishen and the crippled warrior.

Envoy hmms. "I had planned on taking an airship. But it will probably need to be a custom charter."

Brishen shrugs a little, "I don't know where much of anything is outside of Rephidim."

"Can you locate it on a map?" Envoy asks Bem.

"That's… ah, a rather elaborate and expensive way to get a Zelak killed though, isn't it? I mean aren't they just discarded when they're… not useful." Jeevan says, looking quite uncomfortable as he does.

Envoy theorizes, "I think the warrior will be given a final chance to die in battle."

Envoy begins to wonder if she can get the College Naturalis to cover the cost of the trip…

Brishen's wings shiver a little. She might have sympathy for Zelaks, but she doesn't think she'll ever understand them.

"Negative," Bem replies. "Location of Shkarkin Hive for return is responsibility of scout unit Envoy."

Envoy hmms. "Demes Oresta did not let me look at his navigational charts. I will have to ask Scholar Aske Medes for directions."

The crippled Eeee shuffles his wings, and walks around. He picks up a spanner, then puts it down again. "I mean… most people would say if it wants to die, just push it off Rephidim. A charter airship, that would be horrendously expensive; especially to get nothing out of it."

"Well," Envoy explains, "I need to return to Shkarkin Hive anyway on another matter."

Bem moves to the other side of the room, as if pacing. It rasps, "Return of damaged warrior Zelak is secondary task for scout Envoy. Accomplishment of mission is primary task for loyal scouts. If Temple archive has necessary information for achievement of orbit, it must be acquired."

Brishen coughs quietly. In other circumstances she would have giggled at the Zelak.

Jeevan picks up a hammer, and approaches the damaged Zelak, then stops and stares at Bem. He looks at Brishen, "Did Bem just say what I thought it did?"

Envoy says, "The First Ones may also have left a means that will let me accomplish my mission, Bem."

Brishen looks back and Jeevan and nods. "Uh-huh."

Envoy glances at the two Eeees. "What was so surprising about Bem's observation?"

"The possibility exists," Bem clacks definitively. "Scout unit Envoy's purpose is to employ all means necessary to accomplish mission. This unit is only designated escort for scout unit Envoy."

The Eeee inventor gives a nervous laugh, "Oh… nothing, it just sounded like it was suggesting you rob the Temple."

Envoy hmms.

Envoy says, "No, that would be impractical at this point."

"Scout unit Envoy is requested to designate nature of difficulty in accomplishing task," Bem says flatly.

"Even if I recover the information," the exile says, "I will still require the Temple's resources to construct a vehicle."

"That's… uh… good to know." Jeevan gives a long look at Brishen.

Brishen blinks, and squeaks to Jeevan, "Impractical, she says."

"If scout unit Envoy is unable to accomplish function," Bem says reprovingly. "Scout unit Envoy has no purpose. Scout unit Envoy should return to the hive for further directions."

Envoy says, "I think such an undertaking will require the sinecure of the Captain Astromancer… and there is no Captain Astromancer at the moment. The contact with the Cepheids must be reported to the Hive however, if it is to gain an advantage in trade with this new species which may possess Artifacts of its own."

Brishen flutters her wings as she walks in a slow circle around the Dragon. "This is what I get for talking to weird people at auctions… And what are the Cepheids?" The last bit trails off into Rephidim Standard as she glances at Envoy.

"Discovery of previously unknown species may be considered interesting but is not relevant to primary function," Bem says remorselessly. "Information may be dispatched with damaged warrior unit. Is it Scout unit Envoy's opinion that the mission cannot be accomplished with means presently available?"

Envoy looks over the canvas and wood contraption before answering Bem. "At this time, there are no means known to me which can be used to accomplish my mission."

Jeevan nods, squeaking at Brishen"Indeed, I had heard exiles were strange. So far I'm having an easier time understanding the Zelaks!"

Bem replies, "Scout unit Envoy has failed to accomplish directive of Queen Shkarkin. Return to hive for further instruction or completion of functionality."

Envoy blinks, "I was not aware of a time limit on my mission."

"Question was stated unambiguously," Bem says. "Scout unit Envoy states mission is unaccomplishable. Undirected activity does not serve the Hive."

Envoy says, "I said it could not be accomplished by any known or available means. That still leaves unknown and unavailable means."

The damaged Zelak shifts its position in the cart, a quiet presence.

Brishen pokes her head out from behind the Dragon. "That Zelak really has the completion of functionality on its mind."

Jeevan watches the Bem and Envoy converse, and shuttles the hammer from hand to hand. He almost drops it once, then looks at the wounded warrior again.

"The question was stated unambiguously," the Zelak repeats.

"I'm really not comfortable with the direction this conversation has taken… " The crippled Eeee confides in Brishen.

Envoy frowns, realizing she doesn't quite understand the Zelak. "I do not feel that the mission has failed yet, since I still exist to continue it."

Bem insists, "Undirected activity does not serve the Hive. If Scout unit Envoy believes its mission can still be accomplished, it is directed to provide plan by which this may be done."

Brishen smiles sweetly, clasping her hands in front of her, "I'm sure you both could discuss this with the Queen at Shkarkin Hive." She looks over at Jeevan, "I didn't expect to spend the evening watching a Zelak debate the meaning of existence with an Exile."

Envoy smiles, "Oh, that's easy. The simplest plan is to just wait until the quantum interference goes away, or until a means of getting beyond the effect is made available."

Envoy says, "I am sure that at least one of these conditions will occur within the next ten thousand years."

Brishen covers her face with her hands.

"Yes, me either. I thought the Dragon would be the tonight's topic." Jeevan squeaks to Brishen, then holds the hammer he is carrying in front of the damaged warrior. "Do you… ten thousand years?" His eyes bulge at Envoy.

"The unit Envoy has stated it does not possess the means to continue its mission," Bem says, beginning to sound rather short and clipped about its words. "Time duration of ten thousand years is unacceptable for completion of mission. Does scout unit Envoy possess means to eliminate concept 'quantum interference'?"

Bem rasps its mandibles, stepping closer to Envoy.

The crippled Zelak rasps, "This unit does not understand the question."

Envoy turns to Jeevan. "Yes. As you are proving, powered mechanical flight is now possible, which will eventually lead to… " The Aeolun stops and stumbles backwards away from Bem.

Envoy reluctantly answers, "Well, not the means, exactly… "

The (intact and fully functional) warrior Zelak looks down at Envoy with apparently dispassionate crystal eyes. "Undirected activity does not serve the Hive. If the means are not presently available, scout unit Envoy serves no purpose and must return to the Hive for further direction from Queen Shkarkin."

Envoy shrinks down a little. "Does this mean I can go ahead and try to find the location of the Hive?"

Brishen's eyes get very wide as she spreads her wings a little. "Jeevan, I don't like this. Not at all… "

"This unit wants to return to Shkarkin hive." The damaged warrior rasps again.

Bem clacks. "Affirmative."

Envoy manages a smile for the Eeees. "Will you be able to take care of the warrior until I've arranged transport?"

Brishen squeaks quietly, "I think we could do that… "

The crippled warrior looks up and reaches out with a hand as if for Brishen and Envoy. It hisses between its somewhat dented mandibles, "This unit looks forward to the completion of its functionality."

Envoy opens and then closes her mouth, glancing at Bem.

Bem straightens, continuing to look impassive as always. No trace of emotions show upon its chitinous exterior.

"Um… ah… yes. I can find something for it to do… " Jeevan looks at the crippled bug, his own wings fluttering again, "I mean, its only a little broken. It could hand me tools or something… "

Envoy smiles, "Or guard your valuable aircraft from those who would steal it for the metal."

"Yes… that's true. Well most people don't go looking for the Dragon of Darkside, actually, and I'm usually here anyhow." Jeevan replies, looking over at Envoy.

Envoy tilts her head twice in the direction of the damaged warrior. "Yes, but surely such a formidable guardian will ensure that your enemies do not attempt sabotage while you sleep."

Brishen shivers, looking at the crippled Zelak. "I'm so sorry… I didn't know it would turn out like this… " She squeaks, catching Envoy's drift, then nods. "Yeah. Darkside is very dangerous. It'll be good to have a warrior here."

"I wasn't aware I had any enemies. I mean, yes, its true, the person I bought the engine from did die prematurely, but accidents are common when you're working with these sorts of inventions… " He chews on his thumb, then abruptly straightens, "Oh, I see! Yes, yes! I could use a formidable guard, you would do quite nicely." Jeevan says to the broken Zelak.

The damaged Zelak uses one arm to prop itself up a little in the cart, though unsteady. "This unit will attempt to serve in that capacity," it says neutrally.

Envoy smiles.

"Ah, good." Jeevan looks relieved at the temporary solution, "Do you have a designation, warrior?"

"Negative," the half-Zelak says.

Envoy says, "You could assign him one, as I did with Bem."

"It's ahe? I mean, he's a he?" Jeevan asks Envoy, "You can tell?"

Brishen blinks at the half-Zelak, curiously. "I've always wondered… "

Envoy says, "Well, I don't think Warriors actually have reproductive functions… "

Envoy says, "The Queen is the only fertile female in the Hive, afterall."

Bem replies, followed a split second later by the damaged Zelak, "Affirmative. That is the function of drones."

Brishen shakes her head. This just keeps getting stranger.

Envoy says, "My designation for Bem is itself a gender neutral acronym."

While using the hammer to scratch the back of his head, the Eeee inventor says, "I'm not really good with names. All I can think of is, Duty, Work, Purpose or something like that. Do you have any better suggestions?" He turns to Brishen.

"It stands for Bug-Eyed Monster," Envoy says proudly, as if this had a particularly clever meaning.

Brishen wraps her arms around herself, and stares at the half-Zelak. "Uhm… How about… " She stares at Envoy.

The damaged Zelak shifts on the cart, rasping once and showing no preference of any of the names mentioned so far.

Envoy says, "How about Fire-Eater?"

"Teeo." The little courier finally manages to squeak. She grins weakly.

Jeevan looks at Brishen for a second, "One? I suppose that would work. It is the first Zelak I've bought. I suppose names don't really mean anything to them, do they?" He asks Envoy.

Envoy says, "Not that they admit to, no."

The damaged Zelak rasps, "Teeo is acceptable as a designation for this unit."

Brishen clasps her hands in front of her. She keeps her own reasons for the name to herself.

"Good. Yes, one sounds much better in Babel; Teeo it is then." Jeevan smiles as well.

Brishen smiles a little, glancing down at Teeo. "Well, I guess that settles it."

Envoy nods, "I will contact you when I have arranged transport, Jeevan. Thank you for helping."

"It was my pleasure… I suppose. Well, it was definitely interesting. Not what I was expecting to bring home from the auction for sure." Jeevan says brightly.

Envoy says, "Will you also let me know when you are going to fly your airplane? I would not want to miss that! I can be contacted through the Bards Guild."

Teeo shifts its position in the cart. "This unit requests clarification of the nature of its duties for the time being," it says. Somehow it seems a little more purposeful than it had an hour ago.

"Of course. It will be soon I hope, I want to have the Dragon ready for the race." Jeevan answers Envoy, then turns to look at Teeo, "Well. I'll see what I can do to that cart, so you can move it around better… then… I'd want you to just patrol around the workshop, listening for noise that might be someone outside. Challenge them loudly… that will work I think. If they can't see you, they'll be much more afraid. Hmm… "

Brishen nods. "That sounds like a good idea."

"Can you distinguish tools, can you tell these apart?" The Eeee inventor holds up a spanner along with his hammer.

Teeo clacks. "Affirmative," it rasps.

Envoy turns and bows to the courier, "It was nice to meet you, Brishen."

Brishen smiles lopsidedly, spreading her wings a little. "It was… Certainly an interesting evening. Even if I never got a chance to buy any furniture."

Jeevan smiles, "Great! You can help me work on the Dragon as well. Is that acceptable to you?"

"This unit finds purposefulness in such duties," Teeo responds. It reaches out to a table to move the cart closer to where Jeevan is holding up tools.

Envoy looks like she's about to ask Brishen about Eeee furniture, but then remembers the looming Bem. "Well, I should be off now to make arrangements for an airship. Good luck with your race, Jeevan."

"This is going to work out very well I think." Jeevan puts the tools down, and reaches out to pat Teeo, then decides against it. The Zelak is still fairly intimidating even in its damaged condition. He glances over at Envoy, "Thank you. It's certainly going to be interesting. I hope I finish, that would be splendid."

Envoy waves and leaves for the street.

"Oh, wait… if you're going, you might want to leave together." The Eeee looks at Brishen then back to Envoy. "I mean, this is Darkside, you'd be safer together, and the cab has left."

Envoy pauses at the door, and looks back to the inventor Eeee. "Oh, Brishen doesn't live with you?"

Brishen looks at Bem. "I think Envoy won't have any trouble getting home." She smiles, then shakes her head, "Nope. I live near the Bazaar."

Bem follows Envoy silently.

"Er, no. We met under unusual circumstances." Jeevan adds, "but the streets aren't… oh, right. My mistake."

Envoy smiles, "Oh, maybe we'll be attacked then. I think Bem would enjoy that."

Brishen coughs quietly.

Jeevan just stands there looking at Envoy.

After a moment the inventor says, "Well, safe journey Envoy." He waves, then turns to Brishen, "if you're staying, maybe you'd like to help me re-work Teeo's cart. It shouldn't take long. I can also tell you a bit more about how the Dragon works if you like." He moves over to the drafting table, and puts on a new sheet, starting to sketch a few concepts.

Envoy hmms, and walks out of the workshop… and wonders why she feels like taking flight and leaving Bem behind.

Brishen flutters over to peek over Jeevan's shoulder. "That would be wonderful!" She tilts her head a little, "Do you have a place I could sleep?" She grins cheerily, "I don't take up much space."

Bem pauses at the door and looks back at Teeo wordlessly. Its head swivels back forward, and then it walks after Envoy rapidly.

"Oh, I'm sure I can find some space somewhere… " The other Eeee replies while looking around his warehouse. Over by the airplane, the Zelak sits on its cart . Teeo swivels its head forward after watching Bem leave. The crippled warrior clacks quietly, then pulls itself over to where the Eeees are working, and waits to be able to fulfill its new purpose.