Garrat roles his eyes “If you two really want to get in a pissing contest we can find you some directional spouts somewhere but until then Vickie, you’re out of order, Mortica if Vickie put a bunch of holes in you right now she’d probably get a bronze star for it and Dr. Christy and I are probably the only ones on this ship that would actually care.  You are no longer a human female and I was never an earth male so to claim my question rude is another manipulation on your part.  I don’t like being manipulated.  Don’t do it.  I’m sorry Dr Christy I did not come here for this.

"I wasn't serious when I answered, Garrat but I'm not feeling in a divulging mood when it comes to my age. I shall say that we are almost, but not quite, contemporaries and leave it there with an apology if I came across as serious. I am feeling rather hemmed in right now by the hostility on the part of your shipmates.  I shall also tell you that I was born Vampic and was never human."

She turned to Nagy. "Yes, please do call him. He will want to hear what I have to say as my proposal can only benefit both of our people." She held out her hands, wrist together. "You can even tie me up again," she said with mischievous smile.

   Nagy looks at  Mortica, then to Vickie.. Vickie shakes her head no.

   Nagy looks at  Henry,..Doc?  what do you think.. cause if    The Admiral comes here.. all bets  are off, and if we  think she's a treat.. we'll shoot her so  full of  holes she'll  you'll nned   spackling to   see what she looked like  before we shot her..

"Please, I'm not stupid or suicidal enough to attack the Admiral, not when I truly have something to offer him that can help all of us against the Demons. I would think that important enough to make a little call to him." She held her hands out again with a smile.

 Lippen frowned.. ..i've  seen this movie... she takes over the   Admiral  and the Hermes  goes  rogue?..

 Nagy nods.. he    has His COM out buy hasn't  opened it  as he looks to Henry

Mortica's laugh was like the lovely pealing of silver bells. "Really? Yes, that would be subtle of me. I'm sure no one would think of the Vampic first if the Admiral starting to act in ways unlike himself. I think you've seen too many of your ridiculous movies if you think the entire fleet would follow the Hermes gone rogue." She shook her head and continued to laugh quietly.

 Lippen smiled,..I would... let's face it.. he hasn't lead  us  wrongly yet... if he tells  me  to shoot something.. its  dead

 Nagy    shakes hsi ehad  and Opens his COM,..Admiral? Countess Chocula  want's  to talk to you.. we have her   under guard, and  Doc Henry is  speaking her...

 ..does she now?.. Well tell her  she'll have to enjoy your company for a bit.. I am busy with something in SEC... and?.. she may not  want me there as bad  as she thinks. Hack Out.

  Nagy shrugs,..he'll be here when he can...

"Such hostility from all of you. Yes I tried to seduce Shadow but I knew nothing about the infamous song and still don't. I don't know who ordered it played or why it would affect him as it did. He's a good looking man so can you blame me? Countess Chocula?" She asked Nagy.

Garrat shrugs.  “Don’t look at me.  Midgardians tend to think themselves horribly clever when they belittle a person with a reference to something from the past, now I suggest you be quiet and listen to what I say.  This might save your people.”

 Garrat sighs, “Hack has one purpose, win the war.  To do so, everything is either a tool to get the job done or a liability.  You are not a woman. You are not a person.  You aren’t even a Vampic. Your a liability until such time as you prove yourself otherwise.  He’s not here to do what is fair, what is right or what is logical . Absolute war has no trust for these things because it cannot rely on them.  He will do what he says for his allies.  For his enemies if he says he’ll do something bad.  He’ll do it.  If he says he’s going to hurt you or your people, count on it.  If he tells you what his tactics are going to be...well, Hack never shows his hand before he plays it.  Most times he doesn’t lie either but it’s easy to let arrogance mislead his enemies.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:01, Wed 24 Oct 2018.

Henry listened to the conversation.

"What do you know about vampics, Garrat? Have you any insights to offer? What is the reference to symbiote rather than parasite?"

He shut up by main force. So many questions, and there were many more fighting to get out.

“You make it sound like we make some kind of organism grows within you when we turn you which is simply ludicrous. There are physiological changes which lead to changes in cognition. You realise you are no longer prey which leads to a certain change in outlook. Learning you are stronger, faster, harder to hurt and immortal would make any frail being realise their new superiority.” She said with a small smile.

"Does everyone upon whom you prey gain these so-called advantages? What happens to those who are not 'turned'?" asked Henry, who understood what Garrat had meant with his parasite/sybiote reference just fine.

   Garrat responds to Dr Christy "While I have not laid eyes on Vampics till the party on this station, I have observed thousands of species of creature, and have learned to catagorize them in order to fight with or against them or survive in an environment they inhabited.

   At first glance the Vampics would seem to to be a micro parisite that inhabits it's host changing the genetic make up and installing a sense of superiority allowing a simple organism to access complex thought patterns in the process of dominating other sentient beings.  This genetic facism is inherent in a certain amount in most humanoid species.  It is th demons who often utilize it in their conquest fanning it into a social diseaseso they can manipulate other species into their plans by encouraging hate.

   However the ability to procreate through conventional means would argue against parisitic infection thoughit could also be because the original host species became completely infected so none are born without the parisite.

   It is possible and maybe more likely that the ability to take over a body through blood transfusion is simply caused by a high matabolism and regenerative ability.  The blood sees the genetic difference as and injury and starts correcting the issue.  This results in the transformation of the new body.  Such metabolisms of course need extreme nutrients.  In most cases they are both ecto thermic and voracious eaters drawing strength from external radiation as well as ingested nutrients. Naturally this was not an option for them so they let other species do the processing for them.  Maybe the ability to turn through blood and need to injest it is because they couldn't spare the energy to make their own and remain an apex hunter in their own environment  Iether way, the internal changes need to be documented before we know how much to trust her veiw on the matter.  Even her own genetics may be lying to her so she cannot be trusted even if she is honest."

    Looking at Mortica, "We are all organisms my dear.  To change from one species to another would, by definition, require growing into another organism from the inside.  Forgive me for speaking as if you weren't here but what you are is grounded in sience, not some mystical wonderful transformation.  You are weak against light and other simple things comprimising your strengths.  An altered sensory scan can mimic the affect of sunlight on your people toasting them in your ships and we wouldn't even have to board.  For all your strengths you'll find humans are still the apex hunters when it comes to war because they are by nature the scavangers of the cosmos.  They will adapt to any challenge to find their nich.  That is why the rever creatures such as the ravens, and the coyotes in their traditional societies."

   "Because of the behavior of your people Hack will probably visit your planet next, and your government will be destroyed.  All your freinds and family will be killed simply because your countrymen have made you a liability to humanity and we cannot leave a liability at our back.  Hack does take care of his tools.  And if you can give hime information that will ellivate some of your people from liability to tool, then they will be spared to continue you your species in an image that is acceptable to the AP. Do not expect to argue with him.  He doesn't argue.  He simply decides and executes a plan.  Argueing makes you a liability.  Rather than defending your position to us you need to be using what precious little time you have left to make a case for the saving of your people."

Mortica clapped whilst smiling gleefully. “Bravo, the big man is smarter than he looks but wrong. There are no parasites that transfer from Vampic to one we wish to turn. There are, however, enzymes in my saliva that are extremely complex containing, in part RNA-specific ribonucleotidyl transferases which are also found in my blood. When I bite someone my saliva enters via the bite. If I choose to simply drink from them nothing happens but if I drink deeply and then give them my blood which has mixed with their own, well then the magic happens.”

She turned to look at Garrat. “Humans think they are the apex predators but there are things in the Void beyond the wildest nightmares of human or any species in your alliance. Such arrogance to think the AP gets to decide how other races live. What he finds acceptable? Such hubris especially since he hasn’t even heard my offer. I will tell you this-a fleet engagement with us or action against my people will not go as you think.”

  The others  watched , most of it goign over  NAgy and Lippan's  head. Al they knew   is  what they saw... They saw an Enemy  as  dark as any Demon.. as repulsive as  any  Creshian.

 Vickie, didn't like have    the Doctor or Mila    this close to Danger, though having Garrat   there, mollified  her  a bit.

 ..nightmares?.. Like    Vampoires?.. were wolves.. gods be named talking Lizards...  Giant Chickens,  and   humanoid , bug ehaded  abominations?... yeah.. I'm thinking   we're   good ...

 Nagy   smiled,..The delta Fllet  was    cleared the  skies  of  Demon  fleets, and Hyrian.. .. when get cose   enough, we'll  just shine a flash ight on you, and watch you crawl under  a rock, like  a space cockroach.

"Cockroaches are the ultimate survivors, Nagy," Henry pointed out gently.

"OK, I'd better look at a sample of your saliva, Mortica. In this jar, not my bloodstream if you don't mind."

"Heard those exact words nearly a dozen of times in this fleet alone.  We have already wiped your people off the station and they were not strong enough, fast enough, or smart enough to resist us or avoid us. You can kill off the first wave but the second adapts or it doesn't come until it does."

   I have warned you not to talk this way to Hack.  No one ho has has lived.  I have told you what you should be doing.

   Your words don't mean anything to me but I choose to believe that diversity is important so I'm trying to help you.  Whinning about our adittude will not help you.  I have seen creatures that eat planets and drink up suns.  We are defeating them.  I have seen creatures with voices so sweet my comrades tear out their own hearts to offer hem as gifts.  I have seen monsters so hidden that they seem like stones until theyburst forth and chew through your armor in one bite.  Do not tlak to me of  what is in the void.  You have no affect on my fears.  I have died seven times and grow tired of it.  But if you talk to me about how to make your people needed I will help you.

   Work with the doctor and we may even find a way to strengthen those who join us against their own weakness.

The Vampic considered Garrat for a moment and slowly nodded. “These humans have proven to be remarkably resilient. Perhaps they can face things that make Demons scream and not go mad at the sight. Very well, I will heed your words as I believe we need each other to deal with the Demon threat and the Qarl who will not remain quiescent forever. But I’m going to do it in my own, indefatigable style.” She said, look of pure mischief on her face as she smiled and reached out for the cup the Doctor had set down. She daintily gave him the desired sample and sat back in the chair.

------> From Foundry

Zob decided to drop by Henry's office and announce he was back on board for what that was worth but as he got closer, Zob noticed the group gathered along with Garrat, "9 hells Garrat what you do this time?" he jested as he took a look inside and saw the new girl, "Was i interrupting happy time?" he said in a more hushed tone of voice.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:22, Wed 24 Oct 2018.

"Thank you," said Henry, whisking the sample off and putting it in the analyser.

"Oh, hello Zobaich. Haven't seen you for a while. How have you been keeping?"

   "You know me Zob, been off saving species.  First the hyrians, then the Largans [I might even have some success with them if I can get more mind readers] now the Vampics.  Mortica has given us some hope for them so I'm trying to prep her so Hack doesn't put their entire home world to the torch, or at least we can get sympathetic factions off planet before hand."


    "Hows things in the foundry?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:50, Wed 24 Oct 2018.

Zob responded to Henry first, "It's been better but not to bad" Having heard mention of a vampic he took a closer glance and noted her features, "Shes pretty" he said casually before leaning up against the wall, "Foundry is going alright... needs more people" he said offhandedly as he played with a unlit cigar in his hand.

  The SEC Trooper   outside the main door stood to.....OFFICER ON DEC!

   Hack Nodded  and  said at  Ease    as soon  as  his Foot entered the  door.    he stopped    , only long enough  for  Vickie to step in the  room  and Let him through.  His  hands on the towel he  hardly got to use, one hand on each end  as it  lay across his neck.

 his last step was next to Mila  who wagged her  tail slowly.

 Nagy  and Lippen stood Up.

 ..your  the  Vampic that   what?.. tried to   turn Shadow?  or..Maybe  kill him outright.. how did that work out  for you and your Crypt Comrades?... Right.. I'm here now..  I will admit  I am  not  a very good... 'diplomatic  mood" ..but that may be a good thing....so?..  Someone here  wanna  Tell me why I am here?

"Turn him, not kill him and it didn't work out well. I asked you here, Admiral," she said, standing up slowly, hands visible, before coming to attention and saluting him.

"I have a proposition for you sir. I'll lay out my terms and then tell you what I'm offering in response. Call off your kill on sight order of my people, return the Void and the Tomb to our control. In return you'll get the beloved and connected daughter of a very powerful and influential General in the IPF, who will swear loyalty to the ESN and the APF, take off this uniform and put on ESN blue. I will do everything I can to fold the Vampic people into the Alliance against the Empire and to cease the practice of taking slaves for food and breeding. I will serve with honour, distinction, and loyalty." She finished, remaining at attention.