Esther slowly brings the door closed behind her, being careful not to make any noise. Gently she leads Envoy by the hand.

Envoy wobbles still, but the effects of whatever drugs she was given at the circus are starting to pass.

Esther looks around Melchizedek's office. She whispers softly to herself. "Okay… hmm… this always looks easy when Moffat does it… "

Esther leads Envoy over to the dentist's chair, pulling the vinyl cover off it with one hand clumsily while trying to keep Envoy from falling over.

All the requisite components seem to be in their proper places … the gadget-covered globe that sits on the desk … the knife switch attached to the wall … some extra restraints set to one side … and some implements for "persuasion" of uncooperative "subjects".

Envoy begins to take notice of her surroundings, but doesn't seem alarmed by any of the tools yet.

Esther finally gets the chair clear, and tries to ease Envoy into it.

Envoy sits down docilly, giving Esther a smile. The helmet looks familiar to her.

Esther fastens the restraints, first on the wrists, then on the ankles, finally on the neck. Esther tries to smile reassuringly, although she's obviously nervous as can be.

Envoy thinks, {It looks like one of Lothrhyn's neural interfaces.}

Envoy doesn't even try to test the restraints.

Esther picks up the large globe, and after studying it for a moment, recalls which side is the front. She hefts it up over Envoy's head, then slowly lowers it into place, breathing a bit hard.

Envoy actually relaxes a bit…

Esther goes over to the wall, breathes a heavy "here goes" sigh, and pulls the knife switch…

The lights flicker and go out for just a moment, then recover, as sparks flicker on the connections of the switch as it is thrown.

The Virtual Reality produced by the helmet is close enough to the 'pilot space' Envoy remembers from linking with Kraken that she automatically begins issuing the standard 'system status' command…

Envoy soon begins to twitch. Not long after that, a few wisps of smoke can be seen emerging from under the helmet!

Esther gasps! She throws the knife switch back up.

Both the twitching and the smoke stop abruptly.

A few seconds thereafter, the lights in the room shut off. It is very very dark in here. And quiet.

Esther rushes over to the chair and – stops for a moment before putting her hands on the helmet. Gingerly, she touches it, and lifts it off.

Envoy blinks in the darkness. The smell of singed fur and skin hangs around the base of her horn…

Esther puts the helmet down, and in the darkness, begins to feel around for the restraints. "Envoy? Do you understand me?"

Envoy says, "MAINTENENCE PRIORITY 97A SYSTEMS FEEDBACK MONITOR DOWN DECK 12 SECTION 57… "

Esther blanches. She tries to find Envoy's mouth, to hush her! "Hush, now! Not so loud!"

Envoy babbles on and on, reciting codes and lists of system failures…

Esther eventually finds Envoy's mouth, and forcibly shuts it.

Envoy's voice is muffled a bit now, but she doesn't stop.

Esther covers Envoy's mouth with one hand, and feverishly works to undo the straps with the other…

Envoy doesn't move, even as her limbs are freed.

Esther pulls Envoy out of the chair with adrenaline-driven force, and moves toward where she remembers the door to have been, putting a hand out before her in the darkness so she doesn't hit the wall too hard…

Envoy hangs over the wolf's shoulder bonelessly, continuing her muted monologue.

The door handle eludes Esther's hand for a few very long seconds. Esther curses furiously at the frustration, then in the next moment, finds the handle. However, the door does not budge.

Esther grumbles, and almost roars with rage, but checks herself. If she's found in here, she'll probably be Melchizedek's next meal. Esther lets Envoy slide off her.

Envoy slumps against the desk and babbles on. "… AE35 UNIT FAILURE AT 12:34:34:10… "

Esther spins around to where she remembers the knife switch having been, then sets off gingerly across the room.

Envoy says, "… MAINTENANCE COMMAND OVERRIDE 1357639 REGISTERED AT SECTION 6 COMPUTER SUBPROCESSING STATION. POWER TERMINATED SECTIONS… "

Envoy suddenly stops.

At last, the switch is in Esther's grasp, still in the "off" position.

Esther tries flipping the switch on again.

Flipping the switch has no discernable effect. There are no lights to dim, and certainly no sparks.

Esther flips the switch off again, and then notices that Envoy isn't talking any more.

Esther says, "Envoy? Are you all right?"

Envoy turns towards Esther's voice, and says, "PROXIMITY ALERT! GRAVITIC ACTIVITY DETECTED AT HYPERSPACE TRANSFER POINT GC12. ALIEN VEHICLE REENTRY OVER SECTOR 15 GRID 9. PROXIMITY ALERT!"

There are a number of banging and rattling noises that echo through the walls for a few moments … and then silence again.

Envoy starts making a wailing siren noise now. A very annoying siren.

Esther leaps at the sound of Envoy's siren-noise, then fumes and growls!

Envoy starts to repeat the proximity alert again… while still making the siren sound with her second voice.

Esther, out of patience, makes a beeline for Envoy and throws a solid punch into the side of her head.

Envoy goes quiet as she's knocked away from the desk and hits the metal wall.

Esther ooohs as her knuckles begin to smart. She grips her hands together and tries to think of a way to escape.

There is a cloud of dust in the room, as the air ducts burst to life again – a rarity in this sector, since the technicians are greatly overworked and out of their league here.

Esther's head darts around toward the air ducts!

The blast of air quiets again, leaving the dust to settle. As things quiet down, a creaking noise can be heard in the direction of the door, followed by more pounding and banging.

Esther feels her way toward the door once again, to try the handle.

*SCCRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!* A ear-piercing scraping of rusty metal against rustier metal reverberates through the chamber.

It's very slight, but Esther can feel the door giving, just a little bit!

Esther huffs and puffs, gathers her gumption, and puuuullls on the door handle, growling…

No light yet enters the room, as even though a crack is starting to form at the edge, there are still extensions that dovetail into the doorframe, sealing it effectively.

Envoy recovers finally, and stands up. "Are you alright, Esther?"

Envoy says, "Your breathing sounds very stressed."

Another jerk and a jolt, and the door moves some more – then jerks to a stop. Then again. A little more…

Esther blinks!

Esther says, "Envoy! I… " Esther stops for a moment. "Help me with this door!"

A thin shaft of light forms at the edge of the door as Esther stops.

Envoy comes up alongside the crack. "Are you trying to open it?"

"Yes," Esther pants. "But hang on a moment. And be silent. We could be killed on the spot just for being here."

Esther lets go of the door handle and peeks out through the opening.

*SKRREEEEEEEEK!* The door is still moving!

Envoy turns and heads back towards the rack of interrogation instruments. She selects a large iron poker, the tip darkened from being heated to glowing temperatures several times.

Just outside, Esther can see … someone. About … four someones? Or eight, if you count the Zelaks.

Envoy comes back, and asks quietly, "When do you want the door to open?"

The door continues jerking and jolting, as a pair of wolves visible through the narrow slit – getting less narrow – are cranking at a manual release wheel, grunting and puffing.

Yes, there are definitely a few persons out there. Four wolves in Temple guard uniforms – two of which are working the release wheel – four Zelaks, and one annoyed-looking unicorn in black and red robes. That would bring the count to nine.

Esther hisses to Envoy, "Never mind that! That air duct, let's go that way!"

Envoy drops the poker with a loud clank then, and follows after Esther. She's smiling as if nothing is wrong.

In the dim light, Esther runs over to the duct to see if it can accommodate them.

Envoy says, "The people outside are wearing the same uniform colors as you. Why do you wish to flee from them?"

The duct is high up the wall – reachable if the chair is pulled over to stand on – and the grating shouldn't be too hard to pry loose, though a bit harder to replace quickly. It should be large enough to crawl through, though not comfortably. But then … that is hardly a surprise.

*SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEK* The door jolts and jerks again, after a moment's pause – probably for the wolves to switch teams.

Esther doesn't answer Envoy, but moves the chair, pulls her dagger, and begins mounting the chair to get at the grating.

Envoy says, "Are you going to repair the shipmind? It is suffering quite a bit of damage and memory corruption."

The badly corroded bolts require little convincing to break free. Obviously, this is a severe security loophole. Perhaps it should be looked into later, under more favorable circumstances…

Envoy goes back to looking through the gap at the crowd outside. "How come they don't say anything?" she asks as she returns to Esther's side.

Esther pulls open the grating. "Quiet," she hisses, "and follow me. Close the grating behind you."

The door has now opended wide enough for the Zelaks to start sticking their claws in to assist in giving it a bit of extra force. It appears to have the desired effect. The door is opening a little faster.

Envoy picks up the grating, wondering how to reattach it from the inside. "I can't detach my wings to make myself fit into the shaft. Should I just seal the grating after you go through?"

Esther clambers up into the grating. "Yes, I suppose that will do," she grunts.

*SHOONK!* The door jerks halfway open, and then neatly slides the rest of the way.

Envoy turns to the guards, "Do you have any fasteners? The ones on this grate are broken, and I need to reattach it."

The room is now filled with enough ambient light from the hall to show the scene well enough. "Hold!" one of the wolves barks, as he charges in, chitin blade drawn.

Envoy looks at the grating in her hands, "I already am holding it."

The others charge in, and Envoy is roughly grabbed, the grating knocked from her hands to clatter on the floor.

Esther begins wriggling through the duct, sacrificing speed for silence…

One of the wolves turns toward Melchizedek. "This one must have been trying to escape, sir. But we have her now."

Melchizedek walks over to the old chair. "Aha. But why are there boot depressions still in the cushion of my chair?" He turns toward Envoy. "I don't see any boots."

Envoy smiles, "Hello. Are you a kirin? Will you be fixing the shipmind? What are those exoskeletal creatures? Did you make them? Your friends here are wearing boots."

The black unicorn regards Envoy. "Tell me. Who was it who went into the duct? Anyone terribly important?" He doesn't seem to hear the barrage of questions.

Esther tests to see how fast she can move through the duct, and around some kind of corner, without making any further noise.

Envoy says, "It was Esther. I don't know if she is important. She rescued me from the circus."

The duct may be cramped and there are many signs of corrosion, but the wolf is still making good time. After all, she isn't stuck in some cushy desk job all day.

The unicorn looks to the duct. "Aha. Could you describe this 'Esther' for me?"

Envoy smiles, "Yes."

"Do so," the unicorn adds.

Esther moves just a little bit further, trying to make her way as far from Melchizedek's prying eyes as possible.

Envoy says, "She is a bipedal lupine with gray fur. She is dressed in a uniform with similar patterning to your own."

The duct turns sharply and angles downward slightly to the left. Just around the corner, and there's no way to be seen from the grate … and even then, one would need a good light source.

Melchizedek hmms. "Oh, really? So, do tell me … just what were you and this one doing in here? And … what color was her tunic?"

Envoy says, "Her tunic was yellow-green. She brought me here and connected me to your shipmind."

The unicorn's growls, "MOFFAT!"

Envoy says, "Afterwards, she was trying to open the door."

Envoy says, "Did you know that you have 12,472 systems requiring maintenence?"

The lights flicker back on. There is another sound of rushing air, as another wave of dust rushes through the vent … though not as strongly as before. At least, on this end.

Melchizedek coughs. "Wretchedness. Why did the technicians have to be choosing NOW to finally work on the ventilation system in this quarter?"

Envoy says, "I've never seen a starship made of metal before. Why did you make it out of metal?"

One of the wolves rushes out of the room on some unannounced errand.

Envoy loses interest in the unicorn who never answers her questions, and turns her attention on the nearest Zelak.

"Starship?" the unicorn asks. He shakes his head. "Unauthorized persons should not be operating this equipment. It could have unexpected results if not properly configured ahead of time, according to the medical ana – " He cuts himself off, finding himself rambling. "You. In the duct. After her." He points at one of the more flexible-looking wolves.

The lanky wolf nods, and at once clambers up and into the duct, shimmying along as fast as he can manage. "OUCH!" echoes down through the duct after a short interlude, as he bangs his head against a low-hanging brace.

Envoy says, "I'm supposed to reattach the grating."

The unicorn smiles. "That won't be necessary."

Meanwhile, within the pitch black confines of the air duct system of Rephidim Temple, a certain Inquisitor wolf finds herself working her way down a sloping vent shaft.

Esther thinks to herself as she continues muscling her way down the shaft. Hmm… I've still got that gold coin. That'll make good bolt-money.

The shaft begins to slope downward at a steeper angle. A faint reverberating drone can be heard – and felt – in the sides of the shaft.

Esther presses on. She'll be dead for sure if she surrenders… and a more horrible death than whatever may lay ahead.

Air blows past Esther, just enough to tousle her hair. Even above the noise, she can hear some scuffling noises behind her. As if that was not enough, a voice shouts, "HALT!" and then echoes several times.

Esther sniffs the air as she goes.

The air is quite dusty – dustier than is usual for this part of the complex. There is also a faint whiff of some sort of vapor … It's hard to place, but it smells like some of the highly flammible agents that the technicians use when maintaining their equipment.

The duct echoes with a loud thrumming noise, and the air blows back against Esther with increased intensity, throwing dust in her face.

Esther keeps moving, worried now, trying to keep her stomach from disgorging out of fear.

Abruptly, the air flow ceases entirely. There are a few banging and pounding noises that echo through the duct. Then, a muffled voice from somewhere above shouts something. Perhaps something like, "Ready"?

Esther scrambles for the end of the duct!

More pounding noises, thrumming and whining, and the air picks up again … sucking instead of blowing.

Esther finds it far easier to move forward now. In fact, she's sliding forward and downward at an appreciable pace. She can just barely hear a "yelp!" from somewhere behind.

Esther pushes her arms and legs against the wall, attempting to control her descent.

Light! There's light up ahead – though it's flickering at a steady pace.

Jagged bits of corroded metal slow Esther's pace somewhat, but at the cost of tearing into her sleeves. Another "yelp!" from behind, much closer.

The light up ahead is more discernable now. It is shining through a large, spinning fan.

Abruptly, something heavy slams into Esther from behind, with another loud "YELP!" Both of them are now shooting forward at full speed once more, toward the light.

Esther urghs! She tries to aim both her feet toward the fan's center hub, but grits her teeth, expecting the worst…

Closer – closer – And then impact. Esther slams against the metal grating in front of the fan, and the wolf sandwiches her in a very uncomfortable position.

"Something's caught in it!" a voice yells from just beyond the grating. "Shut it down!"

Esther scents the other wolf, hoping beyond hope that maybe he's a friend of hers…

The fan shuts down – and by the other sounds, so do several others. There are more pounding and grinding noises, but otherwise it has gotten much quieter. "HALT!" the wolf orders in a muffled voice, his muzzle stuck in the back of Esther's cloak.

"I mean – Don't do anything," the wolf adds hurriedly.

Some shadows move in front of the grating, and there are some more creaking noises as the grating is readjusted, and the whole fan mechanism slides out and then away. The grating pops free from the pressure.

Esther slides out and sprawls onto the floor along with the guard.

"By the First Ones! We sucked up a whole BODY! Waitaminute – Oh! He's ALIVE! Er, I mean, she. And he. Two of them!"

It would appear that Esther is now in some sort of access chamber, which isn't all that large in itself. A segment of pipe has been slid away to provide access to the fan mechanism.

Esther looks around quickly, assessing the situation.

A curious-looking raccoon squints behind a pair of thick spectacles at the two unlikely vent obstructions. "How long've you been in there? You know, you're not supposed to be in there."

The wolf guard tries to roll over, doing a clumsy somersault, and starts breaking into a severe sneezing fit.

The raccoon shouts up another vent in the ceiling. "It's all clear now! We got two Jupanis stuck in the vent. Guess they thought it was a shortcut." He starts sliding the fan and fixtures back into place, completely ignoring the two wolves, as if this were nothing more than a minor curiosity.

Esther goes for the door!

The guard wolf staggers to his feet just as Esther clears the doorway. "HALT – *WACHOO!* HALT!" He dashes for the door, then trips over a toolbox, sending tools scattering. "GAH!"

Outside the doorway, Esther finds herself in a mazework of twisting corridors and catwalks.

Esther runs at top speed away from where she was, to try to throw the guard off track. She tries to listen or scent for the quickest exit.

A whiff of incense catches Esther's attention. Certainly not a smell to be common in this portion of the Temple.

"HALT!" echoes down the corridors from somewhere back down the way, though there's no visible pursuer yet.

Esther jerks to a stop to find the source of the smell. She pauses, looks down at her belt, and pulls her chitin dagger, gripping it tightly as she moves forward.

The scent appears to be coming from one of the corridors that heads off a short jog, then leads to some steps that lead upward, past line of sight.

The steps lead onward, pausing to turn every once in a while at a landing, through the sloping tunnel. There are wall-mounted torches at each landing, lighting the way and blackening the ceiling with soot.

At last, the steps end at another landing with a large archway at the end, which gives way to a larger hallway – better lit.

Esther peers around the corner, looking for activity…

As Esther peeks around the corner, she sees a small group of wolf guards and a single poodle, all in yellow-green tunics. "You're certain that THIS is the sector?" the poodle asks, prompting a nod from the wolf beside him.

"Melonhead's really mad, huh huh?" pants a wolf who jogs along beside the others.

Esther waits for a moment, observing carefully.

Namo abruptly stops, and sniffsniffs the air. His tail wags more doggishly than wolfishly, and his tongue lolls.

"HALT!" echoes from somewhere down the winding stairwell-tunnel.

Esther sighs, and steps out into the hallway, jogging briskly toward the group. Her dagger is still in hand.

Inquisitor Caesar Moffat looks at Namo distastefully, but then sees Esther. "Ah! Good Inquisitrix Esther. We were terribly worried about you. It seems that Inquisitor Melchizedek has been slandering your name in a misguided attempt to discredit me."

Namo pokes his head into the archway. He looks back. "Someone's coming!"

Esther puts her dagger away hastily. "Sir! Thank the Star you are all here! We must go… the Exile attacked me!"

Moffat nods. "Of course, of course. We'll work out the details later, hmm? First, let's be off… " He grins wickedly. "Of course, once we're alone, I'll want to hear ALL about it."

Esther stops for a moment. She twitches. "Naturally. All… about it."

Namo looks back. "He's coming fast," he whispers loudly.

Moffat nods, and waves a "come along" hand to Namo. "Let's be going. I have no desire to listen while one of Melchizedek's incompetents starts asking questions."

Esther follows very closely at Moffat's side, still visibly shaken.

The party heads on down the hall … Moffat looking unduly pleased with himself for some inscrutable reason.

Meanwhile, back in Inquisitor Melchizedek's office, Envoy is reclining in the "dentist's" chair, while the unicorn paces back and forth slowly around the foot, tracing a horseshoe.

Envoy says, "Doesn't that tire you out?"

The unicorn stops. "Not yet. Your incessant questions are much more tiresome. Let me clarify that it is my position to ask the questions here. Not yours."

Envoy says, "I understand. When do you get to sit in the chair then?"

A thick leather gauntlet strikes Envoy across the muzzle.

"What is your name?" the unicorn says, returning to his pacing, as if nothing had happened.

Envoy blinks. A bright blue bruise blossoms, then begins to fade almost as fast. "I am Envoy of Lothrhyn, although people have also called me 'The Aeolun' since I arrived here."

The unicorn pauses at this, looking at Envoy, and pondering the name. "Quite amusing," he says, with no visible sign of amusement. "By what means were you brought here?"

Envoy says, "I was found in a cave, then conveyed on an airship to this port, then I was carried on the back of Rowry, then Esther helped me walk to this room."

The unicorn drums his fingers on his chin. "Curious. Have you any notion why Esther would have helped you into this room, rather than allowing you to be processed under standard procedures?" He looks at Envoy, his expression indicating he has little expectation of a useful answer.

Envoy says, "She promised the bat that I would be turned over to the Bard's Guild after processing."

The unicorn raises an eyebrow at this. "Tell me – Who is this … Rowry? And has this bat a name?"

Melchizedek murmurs. "So … Perchance Inquisitrix Esther was trying to bypass normal procedure to avoid the usual processing fee … no doubt in exchange for a sizeable kickback."

Envoy says, "The bat's name was Vielanika. Rowry was her friend, a creature I have not been able to find in the stelya-rhyan knowledgebase."

Envoy rattles off a stream of Vykarin clicks and pops.

Melchizedek snaps a finger and points to a female cheetah standing quietly in the corner – who Envoy has not heretofore noticed entering the chamber. "Azhtar. Find out who this 'Vielanika' is. And – " He pauses at the sounds of the clicks and pops. " – well, I needn't repeat the rest."

The cheetah nods her head and slips out the door.

"Did 'Rowry' make those noises?" the unicorn asks, eyebrow raised at the subject's impressive ability to mimic.

Unable to nod because of the neck restraint, Envoy says, "Yes."

"A Vykarin," the unicorn muses. "Dimwitted barbarians from the frozen north. Very temperamental."

Envoy says, "He was very kind and friendly."

The Inquisitor turns back toward Envoy. "What world did you come from, and what was your occupation there?"

Envoy says, "I come from the world Genesis, where I was a motile extension of a sedentary genomorphic megafauna."

The unicorn's expression sours. "Genesis, you say? You were not coached to say this?"

Envoy blinks three times. "I have been coached in archery and dance."

The unicorn's eyebrows rise. "Well, then, it seems you have accidentally answered my question."

Envoy doesn't respond to that, since it wasn't a question.

Melchizedek paces around again for good measure. It would seem this is a common habit of his, considering the wear marks visible on the hard floor. "Why did you leave this 'Genesis', and do you know of anyone else who has left 'Genesis'? Does the name 'Genocide' have any special meaning to you as a name?"

Envoy says, "I left Genesis in pursuit of a criminal. From the conditions of the area of the void rift, I assume at least two others have passed through it, but I have no evidence that they would have arrived on this world. Genocide is a term used to describe the systematic extinction of a race or species by external means."

Melchizedek rubs his chin, scrutinizing Envoy's face for any sign of deceit. "You are a most intriguing creature. I regret that a medical examination was not performed beforehand so that I might have access to the report."

Envoy says, "What medical information do you require?"

The unicorn waves his hand. "I haven't the time nor the inclination to run through that manner of questions. That will be dealt with afterward. We must, after all, determine whether you have any magical potential, what foods and substances are required for your diet – or which might be considered toxic – and other such concerns. I will leave that to those who deal with such matters. After all," he muses, "if you had gone through proper procedures at first, I doubt I would have had the chance to question you myself."

"For some reason, Inquisitor Caesar Moffat has the distinction of having all female Exiles assigned to him for processing," Melchizedek says with unconcealed disgust.

Envoy says, "Am I an Exile?"

"Yes," the unicorn nods. "That is our term for those who come to Sinai by extraordinary means such as those which brought you here. Though, I must confess, it seems as if there have been far many more Exiles to be processed than usual … and 'Genesis' has become a recurring name." He doesn't seem to register that he has been asked another question.

"In any case, I believe that will be all for now. I am at a loss, however, to determine how your processing fee of one gold coin shall be covered. I do not see how you could be carrying such currency on you presently," the unicorn notes. "I will have to see about getting you more suitable adornment."

Envoy says, "May I ask questions now?"

The unicorn makes a gesture to one of the wolves, who leans over to release Envoy's restraints.

"I have asked the questions that I need to ask, so your queries should not be an undue distraction," the unicorn nods, "so you may ask away for now."

The brown-haired, golden-furred cheetah strides back into the chamber, extending a rolled note to Melchizedek. The unicorn takes it, looking it over, and nods, before setting the paper down on his desk.

Freed from the restraints, Envoy walks up to the unicorn and smacks him across the muzzle… having assumed this to be the code for determining who gets to ask the questions. "What is your name?"

The wolves immediately grapple Envoy and slam her back into the chair, buckling the restraints back in place.

The unicorn blinks. He's evidently startled, and caught totally by surprise. It takes him a moment to recollect his thoughts.

Envoy blinks three times. "It was my turn to ask questions though," she explains to the guards.

The unicorn's eyes narrow. "First … why did you strike me?"

Envoy says, "Is that not the proper way to determine who is to be the questioner and who will be answering?"

The Inquisitor's gaze does not leave Envoy for a few long moments. He waves to the wolves again. They do nothing. He gives them a glare, and then they release the restraints. "Do not do that again, Exile," the unicorn growls. "No, that is not the proper behavior for one of your station."

"It is sufficient to determine that you may ask questions," the unicorn adds, "when I SAY that you may ask questions. Striking me is unnecessary … and unacceptable."

Envoy says, "I have no station. I am not part of the crew. Is this why Esther struck me while I was relaying the status report from the shipmind?"

The unicorn bites his lip. "You are now on Sinai. Your position is to be determined, unless you have some way to go back from whence you came to your old world. Since you have no gold to pay for processing, it is up to me to determine how this cost will be covered – by putting you to work, by selling you into slavery, or whatever other methods may be appropriate."

"All things considered," the unicorn growls, "I may consider approaching the Bards' Guild for reparation of damages – and payment of fees – if they have a hand in this."

Envoy says, "No, these are both my hands."

Envoy wiggles her fingers to prove it.

The cheetah smirks and covers her mouth, but quickly snaps to looking deadly serious at Melchizedek's glance.

"In answer to your question, I am Inquisitor Raphael Melchizedek, in the service of the Temple," the unicorn says, while turning away and examining some papers on his desk.

Envoy smiles suddenly, "Match found: Unicorn!"

The Inquisitor's ears flick. "What are you babbling about?"

Envoy smiles, "You are a Unicorn. You fit the anatomical profile. Of the 765 races I have on record, however, I find no matches for your exact coloration."

The Inquisitor crosses his arms. "Yes, I have been called that before. I might be more properly called an 'Aeonian', for what it is worth to you. I might call you, by appearance, a unicorn as well, though I am quite certain we are in no way related."

Envoy says happily, "You are a completely new subrace then!"

The Inquisitor meets Envoy's cheerful expression with far less enthusiasm. "I assure you, I have been around for quite a long time."

Footsteps echo in the corridor outside the chamber – The door is still open, and apparently will need a bit of work before it can close properly again.

Envoy's dolphinlike grin doesn't falter. "This means I am the first Tyrrhyan probe to visit this world."

The Inquisitor says, "I have entirely no idea whatsoever what significance that statement has." He turns toward the doorway. "Aha. We have a visitor. Do come in, won't you?"

A couple of wolf guards bring in a restrained and unhappy-looking brown bat, thus bringing the total number of wolves in the room to four once more. (The Zelaks have left some time ago.)

Vielanika squeaks, "What's the meaning behind this? What – ?" She looks over toward Envoy, and her expression sobers considerably.

Envoy waves happily to the bat! "Thank you for taking me out of that cage."

The Inquisitor says, "The meaning is that, according to what I have been told, it would seem that you have been part of an attempt to circumvent normal Exile-processing procedures. Seeing as the Bards' Guild is involved, I am considering seeking damages from them, plus covering of processing fees."

"WHAT?" the bat sputters. "I already paid that thieving fake in gold!"

Envoy examines the rack of interrogation implements.

The unicorn raises an eyebrow. "Hmm. Might you perchance have another gold where that came from? I hate dealing with headaches, and I don't like my present options."

A fox has moved silently into the doorframe. He stands there, waiting to be requested in. His eyes look about the room… The bat draws his attention rather quickly… {Well, well… the bard again… } he thinks. From his position though, he cannot see who is in the chair.

The bat's eyes narrow into thin slits. "Extortion. That's what it is. I am SUCH a fool." She glances to Envoy. "This probably doesn't mean anything to you, does it?"

"Let go of the Eeee," the unicorn bids. The wolves let go.

Envoy begins to sing quietly, "Proximity alert… gravitic activity at hyperspace access point GC12… "

Vielanika digs into her pouch, and pulls out a gold coin. She gulps, looking at it for a long moment. "I'll miss you," she whispers. She closes her eyes and slaps it into Melchizedek's waiting gloved hand.

The Inquisitor accepts the coin, and then looks curiously in Envoy's direction.

"She comes with me," Vielanika asserts. "She's got talent. You can hear for yourself. I can't let that go to waste. Even … even if it costs me." She bites her lip.

Envoy sings on, "Alien spacecraft reentry over sector 15… grid 9… "

The Inquisitor looks as if he's torn between listening on curiously, or angrily demanding that Envoy STOP with this nonsense…

"She needs a bit of work on the lyrics," the bat concedes.

Jarik's ears swivel. o O {That… does sound like Lady Envoy… }

Envoy starts to make the siren-shriek again… very loud.

The wolves all cover their ears in unison. The Inquisitor cringes. "SILENCE!" he demands.

Envoy stops.

Of them all, Vielanika looks to be the one in the most pain. "Ohhhhh," she groans.

Envoy says, "The shipmind said that was a very important message for the Captain though."

Envoy says, "The bridge terminals aren't working. None of the terminals are working, actually."

Envoy says, "You really should fix them."

Jarik waits quietly in the doorway, resisting the desire to greet an old friend. He just listens curiously.

The unicorn's gaze settles upon Envoy for several long and uncomfortable moments. "Quiet," he says in a low voice. "Say no more of it. There may be some more questions for you yet."

To the bat, the unicorn directs, "Follow the guards. I will have a talk with you as well."

Envoy blinks three times. She considers the request, and also reviews everything that was said in her presence before she learned the language.

The unicorn turns back toward Envoy, "There are some persons who may be interested in hearing what you have to say. Answer their questions when you are bidden, but until then, please do not repeat anything from this … 'ship mind'."

The bat gulps and follows the two wolf guards out of the chamber. She glances toward Jarik as she passes, but quickly averts her gaze.

Envoy thinks. Then she says, "How much is this information worth?"

Jarik bows to the bat as she passes.

The unicorn smirks. "I honestly have no idea whatsoever." He leans forward. "But I am sure that the Temple would greatly appreciate your fullest cooperation."

Envoy smiles, "This structure is the Temple?"

"Yes," the unicorn nods. "This is the Temple. Oh – " he interjects, nodding. "You are taking me literally now, are you not? Let me clarify to be more precise … Those persons who are in charge of operations of this Temple would greatly appreciate your fullest cooperation."

Envoy says, "The crew, you mean?"

The unicorn furrows his brow. "That is an archaic term, but, yes, you could say that."

Envoy smiles, "Okay."

"Now then," the unicorn says, "I happen to know of another person who also claims to be from this land 'Genesis', and is currently in the service of the Temple. Does the name 'Jarik' sound familiar to you at all?"

Envoy says, "Yes. We fought monsters together in the little box."

The unicorn looks away. "That answer may deserve further explanation at a later time." He looks to Azhtar, looks as if he's about to say something, then turns to one of the wolves instead. "Go and see what is taking so long with Ensign Jarik. I wish to see if he can verify the Exile's identity."

The wolf nods and heads out into the corridor at a brisk pace.

Jarik is waiting in the hallway quietly.

The wolf halts abruptly. "Please enter, Ensign Jarik." He gestures back to the doorway.

Jarik nods and steps into the room. "Hello, Lady Envoy… " He says while he walks around to the front of the chair. His brow furrows for a moment… "My, you've changed." While his eyes examine Envoy he speaks, "Sir, it is most definately Lady Envoy… Her body is different… but her face and voice… are as I remember."

Jarik smiles, "It's good to see you, M'lady."

Envoy smiles, "Hello Sir Jarik!"

Jarik tilts his head, "I think the last time I saw you… was when you stayed behind in Panda-Ra's box… "

Envoy says, "McKrishna and Questing Dream came back for me and Daydream."

Jarik has a flashback of 'kissing' the imp and shudders.

Jarik nods, "I know. They returned my sword to me. I left it with you to guard Daydream… "

Azhtar busily scribbles notes in the corner, watching the exchange.

Envoy says, "But… I'm not a Remote anymore. I've lost contact with Lothrhyn, and most of my abilities."

Jarik rubs his neck, "Hmm… that could explain your appearance change. As for your abilities… I've lost mine as well. My magic 'misfires' here."

Envoy says, "I need to get clear of the quantum interference that is disrupting my ansible, so that I can summon a stelya-rhyan to properly catalog this planet."

Jarik takes a breath, "Did anyone else come with you? Kamots? Delachiel? Zephyr? Wyn? Anyone?"

Jarik says, "Quantum what?"

Melchizedek exchanges glances with the cheetah in the corner, then looks back toward the conversants.

Jarik sighs, "I'd offer to open a 'gate' back… Unfortunately… that item was destroyed when I arrived."

Envoy says, "I followed a dragon. Delachiel was there, but I do not know if she followed me. Something is causing probability to fluctuate asymptotically on this world, which is interfering with quantum symmetric phenomena."

Jarik's eyes scan over Envoy's hands, "It's good to see your hand has healed… Oh… so it is the planet interfering with magic then? I guess that's what you meant."

Envoy thinks a moment, then says, "Yes. Something on the planet is interfering with the magic crystal in my head."

Jarik breathes a sigh of relief, "I had thought I lost my touch with magic."

The unicorn raises an eyebrow. Azhtar continues taking notes.

Jarik says, "I have a small suggestion, M'lady? Don't even try to use magic… it's extremely painful… "

Envoy says, "I never learned any."

Jarik nods, "For the best on this world." He sighs to himself, "I find it crippling. It's taken time for me to adjust."

Envoy holds her arm up to Jarik, so he can see the blood vessels under the light fur and skin. "I don't have any milk now. I have to use blood."

Envoy says, "I can sympathize a little with you, I think. I have to sleep and eat now. It is very disorienting."

Jarik looks at her arm, "Wow… you have changed. You'd best be more careful… you won't be able to regenerate a hand this time. I certainly couldn't heal it right now."

Envoy nods.

The Inquisitor steps forward, nodding. "Envoy has been through quite an adventure. It seems that one Inquisitrix Esther has seen fit to use my equipment improperly and without supervision … or permission. I cannot be sure what undesireable side effects may have resulted from the process."

Jarik nods and looks to Azhtar and the Inquisitor, "At one time I would be able to 'feel' their presence… there intentions… Now though, it's like staring at a stone wall."

"We'll see to having a medical examination, and get some food and more suitable clothing. Envoy's processing fee has been paid by the generosity of an upstanding citizen who appreciates her musical talents, it seems," the unicorn adds.

Jarik nods to the Inquisitor and sighs, "Lady Envoy… is unlike anything I've ever encountered. That helmet could have killed her for all I know."

Jarik nods again, "Good. She can use the help to adapt to being… alive."

The unicorn nods. "That is why the examination is necessary before processing. Some subjects may not react favorably." He raises one hand. "I heard you mention … Zephyr? Could you describe this one?"

Envoy says, "The pilot interface has more bandwidth than I can currently process. I ran out of acetylcholine."

Jarik nods, "Of course. He's a fox. About my height, much more feral and a brighter red. His legs are more like yours than mine. He doesn't wear boots."

The Inquisitor nods. "Aha. Well, that's quite interesting. A friend of yours, Ensign Jarik?"

Jarik thinks, "He was the right hand aide to Queen Arwyn and a superb fox with small blades."

Melchizedek nods. "Yes. He has demonstrated that skill."

Envoy smiles and waves to the quiet cheetah. "What's your name?" she asks quietly.

Jarik says, "He was… the closest thing I had to family. We didn't agree on many things but, yes, he was a friend. I never got to know him all that well."

The unicorn raises both eyebrows. "I am quite sorry to hear that, Ensign Jarik. In any case, you are dismissed. Never fear. You will have opportunity to speak with Envoy again before you ship out on the Lalee-Papu."

Jarik ahs, "One other thing, he doesn't have headfur like me."

Toward Envoy, Melchizedek answers, "Azhtar. Her name is Azhtar. Her kind are known as the 'Savanites'. Unfortunately, they are not capable of meaningful vocalizations, so she cannot answer you."

Jarik bows to the Inquistitor, "Glad to have been of help, sir." He turns to Lady Envoy, "Please, keep in touch. It's good to hear from a friend… "

Envoy waves to Jarik! "How does she communicate?"

Jarik bows to the Inquisitor, then Azhtar, and finally Envoy. He turns and walks quietly out of the room.

Inquisitor Melchizedek sighs, "She is very perceptive. And she has excellent handwriting skills. Now then – what was this about a 'magic crystal' inside your head?"

The unicorn turns toward Azhtar, and makes a few odd gestures to her. She watches, and then nods in affirmation, and puts her notes away.

Envoy says, "It is my ansible. An instantaneous communication mechanism."

Envoy says, "Although for now it is merely functioning as mass data storage."

"Thank you, Envoy of Lothrhyn. You may stand now. Azhtar will escort you to your quarters for the night. In the morning, a medical examination will be arranged. Hopefully it will go quickly, since you are now capable of verbally answering questions. All is not for naught, after all," the unicorn nods. "Oh yes – " he adds. "Do not strike anyone on the face to establish who shall ask or answer the questions."

Envoy says, "Alright. May I have a listing of the rules of conduct?"

Envoy swings her legs off of the chair and stands up.

The Inquisitor smiles. "You will be given plenty of reading material to go over, and forms to sign."

Azhtar walks over, and motions for Envoy to follow her, leading toward the door out of the Inquisitor's office.

Envoy smiles, "When will I be able to use the interface again?" She gestures back towards the helmet.

The Inquisitor mulls over this, remembering the curious messages. "That … will have to be determined at a later time. For now, you need your rest and nourishment."

Envoy says, "Thank you, Inquisitor Raphael Melchizedek."

Envoy follows Azhtar.

The Inquisitor goes to his desk, tackling the new stack of paperwork.

Envoy examines the corridors as best she can while keeping up with the long-legged cheetah…