Ethereal Whims, an X-COM x Star Wars Quest

Year 1, Month 9
Explore Kaas City (D20 Rolled, 14, no effect) [9/9]

You are unsure if you should be feeling grateful that the former capital of the 'Sith' has been fully investigated, or disappointed that nothing interesting had been found at the last moment within the city limits. Irregardless, with the city secured, you have many ideas for how to use the already prepared ground…

CONSTRUCTION options unlocked:
Build Facilities in Kaas City (4 out of 12 building slots available)
Clear Rubble in Kaas City (Eight building slots not accessible)
(LOCKED UNTIL ALL RUBBLE IS CLEARED) Move your headquarters to Kaas City

Explore the Dark Temple (Rolled D20, 20, BREAKTHROUGH) (For the love of) [3/?]

Even without your child present to render aid in dispatching the many waves of living dead, your subordinates had little issue in killing the mummies or, in the case of a particularly incensed muton, ripping one in half with his bare hands. Some minor artifacts have been recovered from the temple, many giving off the same fel energies as the Pyramid that you'd recovered from the Governing Center. For now, you are focused on other things, but you believe that they will aid you in deciphering the nature of the Psionic artifact.

Examine the Weapons (Rolled D20, 10, no effect) [¾]

The plasma blade screams in agony, a semi-living thing that has been grievously wounded for a purpose that you cannot currently fathom. This senseless cruelty is… disturbing to you. Even your own kind at their very worst did not inflict suffering for it's own sake. You hope to find a way to heal this consciousness or, at the very least, bring it to rest.

Psionic Relay Facility (Rolled D20, 4, no effect) [3/3]

The relay comes to life in a brilliant flash of violet light, reaching out and connecting to all of the myriad minds that serve under you. It is good to finally be finished with it.

Train the Viper Monarch (Rolled D20, 9 + 5 (Assassin), 14, no effect) [½]

Your child has been gentle with the newly marked Monarch, easing her into her role as a leader of her people under herself and ensuring that she absorbs the knowledge of her people well. It is… unfortunate that most of the culture of your subordinates has been lost due to the haste and… ill-conceived actions of your kin, but watching her grow into her role gives you some hope that they one day be a distinct culture from your own once again.

You step away from the viewing screen as the Viper Queen attempts to mimic your child's formal bow, failing but making progress. By the end of this coming month, she should be ready to assume her duties.

ACTIONS: PICK TWO (Can double up actions as long as there is only one available, will roll once for each action, increasing likelihood of BREAKTHROUGH or STALL)

[ ] Explore the Dark Temple (Animated dead prowl these halls, some seem to be more fresh than others, but all are equally deceased.) [3/?]

RESEARCH: PICK ONE

[ ] Extract the genetic code of the Pureblood Sith (Another psionically active Hybrid species under your control could only be a boon, though there might be… teething issues if the aggression that the presence recalled was any indication) [0/4]

[ ] Analyze the local Flora and Fauna (The plants and animals are… unnatural, whether through the interference of Psionics or gene editing, and you are eager to learn which) [0/3]

[ ] Study the bodies of the Megafauna: Felidae Kaasias that your Mutons and Vipers failed to tear to pieces (Their strength was disproportionate for their size, and their bodies were incredibly durable. Perhaps you could create a new breed of Hybrid Subservients from the genetic code) [0/4]

[ ] Examine the Pyramid and Related Artifacts (The essence these items give off reminds you strongly of psionic energy, but something is… off. This requires intensive study) [1/5]

[ ] Examine the Weapons (However these things were created, it was through incredible suffering. With another sample to work with, it should be easier to decipher their makeup and construction. The core of this plasma blade screams suffering and anguish. It almost feels like it is... bleeding) [3/4]

[ ] Examine the Mummified Zombies (Psionic reanimation should only be possible when the brain and nervous system is still intact. That this does not seem to be the case here is… worrying.) [0/3]

[ ] Reverse Engineer Intact Ship (It was fortune beyond imagining that led to the recovery of an intact vessel, and the process of reverse engineering it should go by quickly) [0/2]

FACILITY FUNCTIONS

Officer Training Facility:

-[ ] Train the Viper Monarch to utilize her new psionic talents, and instill in her a duty to her people, and to you. [1/2]
(To outside observers, a Monarch would appear to be the ruler of their people, answering to you but still sovereign)

CONSTRUCTION: PICK TWO

[ ] Kaas City

[ ] Build a Facility: Four Slots Available

-[ ] Cloning / Hybrid Production Facility (Produces Hybrid workers, require training to be useful troopers) [0/3]

-[ ] Officer Training Facility (Required to unlock 'Elite' variants of units and produce Hero Units. (Will double the rolls done to determine the amount of elite units granted at the end of the year. Each 'Officer Training Facility' built adds a single D20 die to the rolls.) [0/3]

-[ ] Hybridization Research Facility (Required to create 'Advanced Hybrid Variants', such as a Viper with a Sectoid psionic organ in their brain or a Muton with a built in Archon jump pack (This is required for the proposed Sith + Vine Cat hybrids) [0/3]

-[ ] Sanctum of Silence (A personal facility for the Assassin to hone her skills and delve further into her psionic gifts, required to unlock more abilities for her.) [0/5]

-[ ] Psionic Relay Facility (Required to communicate with your subordinates over galactic distances(It is recommended to have one on each world you occupy for quick communication across galactic distances) [0/3]

[ ] Clear Ancient Rubble (While the architecture is interesting, it also happens to be completely destroyed and will need to be excavated before you can build anything in the vast majority of the City's space) [0/3]

HERO ACTIONS: THE ASSASSIN

(Unless the Action Specifies otherwise, the Assassin will take with her a small squad of subservients.)

[ ] Assign her to an Action
-[ ]

HYBRID PRODUCTION

[ ] Viper [0/2] (Useful for squeezing into small spaces and surprisingly durable, good for ambushes and low-to-mid quality espionage. Enough brainpower to help with research, each batch takes half a turn off of research time)

[ ] Muton [0/2] (Very muscular and with good instincts for battlefield tactics, these are your shock-troopers and heavy construction workers. Each batch made reduces construction times by half a turn)

[ ] Archon [0/2] (Flight capable and with heavy onboard weapons systems, these cyborgs are ideal scouts and airborne supremacy units. No special bonuses at this time)

[ ] Sectoid [0/2] (Psionically active and constantly in contact with your own mind, Sectoids are ideal for relaying important information back to you and keeping the minds of subordinate squads connected for real-time tactical cooperation. Enough brainpower to help with research, each batch takes half a turn off of research time)

[ ] Andromedon [0/2] (Heavily modified off of the base Sectoid form, Andromedons require an acidic compound to survive but are, in exchange, the best pilots and front-line warriors available thanks to the direct neural connection they have to the machinery they pilot. Each batch made reduces construction times by half a turn)

=[X]= ADVENT Hybrid [1/2] (Modified off of base-strain humans, ADVENT Hybrids are generalists that can be suited for a wide variety of roles, at the cost of the physical superiority of some of your other subordinates. Each batch made reduces construction times by half a turn. Enough brainpower to help with research, each batch takes half a turn off of research time.)

=[X]= means that the choice has been locked in.
 
Year 1, Month 10
Explore the Dark Temple (Rolled D20 x2, 16, 8, no effect) [5/?]

The Hybrids were prepared for duty within a week after their growth had finished, half of which were split between the construction teams and the research teams and the other fifty assigned to the clearing of the Dark Temple, grouped the the Viper and Muton veterans who'd been slowly making progress over the last few months. They, and their magnetic weapons, performed admirably, the alloy plates of their full-body armor able to protect them from the glancing blows of the mummy's plasma blades while their accelerated training allowed them to maintain focus and discipline as they ventured further into the Temple. Though, Temple might not be the correct term now that you have had a chance to study some of the artifacts recovered. Burial Complex or Tomb might be more accurate. Irregardless, the ADVENT Hybrids are performing admirably so far.

Examine the Weapons (Rolled D20, 12, no effect) [4/3]

More scientists to aid you in your work cannot go wrong, though in this case you find yourself uneasy in allowing your vulnerable subordinates to touch these… things. Malice flows from the blades, while the plasma blade screams constantly to your senses. Your examination of these things, and their psionic echoes, has led you to a single conclusion that fills your heart with dread. However these were made, it was not through the use of Psionic Power.

Research Option Gained: The Other Power

Train the Viper Monarch (Rolled D20, 17, BREAKTHROUGH) [3/2]

The final part of the Viper Queen's training went far better than it had any right to, in your opinion. Extreme loyalty to yourself, an understanding of logistics and economics, and an ability to inspire her subjects to greater heights, the Viper Queen has surpassed your expectations. All Hail Queen Kairnass the First, long may she reign.

HERO GAINED, HEROIC TRAIT GAINED: (Inspirational Leader, additional +5 on rolls concerning governing and civil work. +5 on ACTION rolls where the Queen can bring along subordinates)

Building:
Cloning / Hybrid Production Facility (Rolled D20, 8 + 5 (Assassin), 13, no effect) [⅓]
Cloning / Hybrid Production Facility (Rolled D20, 15, no effect) [⅓]

The construction of new Cloning facilities within Kaas City is going well, your Child remaining nearby during the beginnings of the process to ensure that nothing goes wrong during the initial construction. Progress, though slower than you are used to, is being made. All that is left to do at the end of this month is to plan for the next.

ACTIONS: PICK TWO (Can double up actions as long as there is only one available, will roll once for each action, increasing likelihood of BREAKTHROUGH or STALL)

[ ] Explore the Dark Temple (Animated dead prowl these halls, some seem to be more fresh than others, but all are equally deceased. Now that you know of the Other Power, clearing this Temple of the living dead is a far more pressing matter. You must study this place and, if the need comes, destroy it utterly to prevent the horrific results of the Other Power from harming your subordinates.) [5/?]

RESEARCH: PICK ONE

[ ] Extract the genetic code of the Pureblood Sith (Another psionically active Hybrid species under your control could only be a boon, though there might be… teething issues if the aggression that the presence recalled was any indication) [0/3]

[ ] Analyze the local Flora and Fauna (The plants and animals are… unnatural, whether through the interference of Psionics or gene editing, and you are eager to learn which) [0/2]

[ ] Study the bodies of the Megafauna: Felidae Kaasias that your Mutons and Vipers failed to tear to pieces (Their strength was disproportionate for their size, and their bodies were incredibly durable. Perhaps you could create a new breed of Hybrid Subservients from the genetic code) [0/3]

[ ] Examine the Pyramid and Related Artifacts (These items, now that you know of the Other Power, seem far more essential to study in depth. You must understand your enemy here to effectively combat it.) [1/4]

[ ] Study the Other Power (The Sith were not psions it seems, but had power through other means. You do not know if the twisted, vile state of their works is the norm or the abnormality, but it seems that the 'Republic' and 'Jedi' had even more reasons than you'd initially thought to bring an end to them.) [0/3]

[ ] Examine the Mummified Zombies (You know now that the animated remains in the Dark Temple are the result of this Other Power instead of a strange method of Psionic Investment. Knowing this, you could possibly learn more of this Power and how to counter it through studying them.) [0/2]

[ ] Reverse Engineer Intact Ship (It was fortune beyond imagining that led to the recovery of an intact vessel, and the process of reverse engineering it should go by quickly) [0/1]

FACILITY FUNCTIONS

Officer Training Facility: [N/A]

CONSTRUCTION: PICK TWO

[ ] Kaas City

[ ] Build a Facility: Four Slots Available

-[ ] Cloning / Hybrid Production Facility (Produces Hybrid workers, require training to be useful troopers) [1/3]

-[ ] Cloning / Hybrid Production Facility (Produces Hybrid workers, require training to be useful troopers) [1/3]

-[ ] Officer Training Facility (Required to unlock 'Elite' variants of units and produce Hero Units. (Will double the rolls done to determine the amount of elite units granted at the end of the year. Each 'Officer Training Facility' built adds a single D20 die to the rolls.) [0/3]

-[ ] Hybridization Research Facility (Required to create 'Advanced Hybrid Variants', such as a Viper with a Sectoid psionic organ in their brain or a Muton with a built in Archon jump pack (This is required for the proposed Sith + Vine Cat hybrids) [0/3]

-[ ] Sanctum of Silence (A personal facility for the Assassin to hone her skills and delve further into her psionic gifts, required to unlock more abilities for her.) [0/5]

-[ ] Psionic Relay Facility (Required to communicate with your subordinates over galactic distances(It is recommended to have one on each world you occupy for quick communication across galactic distances) [0/3]

[ ] Clear Ancient Rubble (While the architecture is interesting, it also happens to be completely destroyed and will need to be excavated before you can build anything in the vast majority of the City's space) [0/3]

HERO ACTIONS: THE ASSASSIN

(Unless the Action Specifies otherwise, the Assassin will take with her a small squad of subservients.)

[ ] Assign her to an Action
-[ ]

HERO ACTIONS: THE VIPER QUEEN

(Unless the Action Specifies otherwise, the Viper Queen will have a protective detail of Vipers with her on Action assignments.)

[ ] Assign her to an Action
-[ ]

HYBRID PRODUCTION

[ ] Viper [0/2] (Useful for squeezing into small spaces and surprisingly durable, good for ambushes and low-to-mid quality espionage. Enough brainpower to help with research, each batch takes half a turn off of research time)

[ ] Muton [0/2] (Very muscular and with good instincts for battlefield tactics, these are your shock-troopers and heavy construction workers. Each batch made reduces construction times by half a turn)

[ ] Archon [0/2] (Flight capable and with heavy onboard weapons systems, these cyborgs are ideal scouts and airborne supremacy units. No special bonuses at this time)

[ ] Sectoid [0/2] (Psionically active and constantly in contact with your own mind, Sectoids are ideal for relaying important information back to you and keeping the minds of subordinate squads connected for real-time tactical cooperation. Enough brainpower to help with research, each batch takes half a turn off of research time)

[ ] Andromedon [0/2] (Heavily modified off of the base Sectoid form, Andromedons require an acidic compound to survive but are, in exchange, the best pilots and front-line warriors available thanks to the direct neural connection they have to the machinery they pilot. Each batch made reduces construction times by half a turn)

[ ] ADVENT Hybrid [0/2] (Modified off of base-strain humans, ADVENT Hybrids are generalists that can be suited for a wide variety of roles, at the cost of the physical superiority of some of your other subordinates. Each batch made reduces construction times by half a turn. Enough brainpower to help with research, each batch takes half a turn off of research time.)
 
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Year 1, Month 11
Explore the Dark Temple (Rolled D20, 15 + 10, 25, Rolled D20, 9. LEGENDARY BREAKTHROUGH) [8/?]

D'har did not combat the mummies directly this time, instead staying back to observe exactly how well the ADVENT Hybrids did without one to hold their hands. While one of the group on the leftmost side of the Temple was struggling in putting the mummies down without losing any of their number, those on the right were working as a well-oiled machine, covering one another's weaknesses and making careful, precise use of the explosives they'd been granted to deal with the larger mummies that did not die easily. It took her a longer moment of observation to determine the exact reason for it. A simple trooper had taken command after their Captain had been struck down by a plasma blade through the throat, expertly coordinating her fellows with almost preternatural skill. It seemed that this Temple was a crucible of a sort, one where champions amongst the Elder's children could be found and tested.

LEGENDARY GAIN: Potential Hero Unit: ADVENT Commander Brakesh Kel (Must be trained in the Officer Training School to elevate to Hero Unit)

LEGENDARY GAIN: Potential Construction Site at the Dark Temple: The Proving Grounds (Dark Temple must be fully cleared before the facility can be constructed.)

Reverse Engineer Intact Ship (Rolled D20, 12, no effect) [1/1]

It was remarkably easy to understand the ship's inner workings without damaging the components permanently. You were even able to put it back together and have it function again afterwards. It is only a sixteenth of the size of your current vessel and would likely best serve as a strike-ship over any form of mobile base. Thanks to your newfound understanding of the vessel, and the Hyperdrive, you are confident that you can build much larger vessels utilizing the technology, once you have the appropriate facilities.

Gained: Interceptor, Building Option: Shipyard (Kaas City must be cleared of Rubble before construction is available)

Build Cloning Facility in Kaas City (Rolled D20, 13, no effect) [⅔]
Build Cloning Facility in Kaas City (Rolled D20, 18 + 5 (Viper Queen), 23, BREAKTHROUGH)

The Queen looked upon the fully constructed cloning facility with a wide smirk on her face, eyes sliding over to the Mutons that were scratching their bald scalps while arguing over the schematics for the other facility. Her expediency was sure to earn her a great deal of respect from the Elder.

Great progress has been made in this past month, a strategic genius may have emerged from amongst the ADVENT Hybrids, and the Monarch has more than proven herself to her subjects. You have decisions to make regarding the coming month, and with so much to do, there is some uncertainty in the process.

ACTIONS: PICK TWO

[ ] Explore the Dark Temple (Animated dead prowl these halls, some seem to be more fresh than others, but all are equally deceased. Now that you know of the Other Power, clearing this Temple of the living dead is a far more pressing matter. You must study this place and, if the need comes, destroy it utterly to prevent the horrific results of the Other Power from harming your subordinates.) [8/?]

[ ] Survey the rest of the Kaas system with the Interceptor (There are likely to be some sites of interest around the system, if nothing else it will allow your Andromedons to grow used to piloting interstellar craft.) [0/5]

RESEARCH: PICK ONE

[ ] Extract the genetic code of the Pureblood Sith (A species under your gentle guiding hand whilst also being subject to the Other Power might be a great boon indeed, if you are able to temper the rage that the presence remembered of them.) [0/3]

[ ] Analyze the local Flora and Fauna (The plants and animals are… unnatural, whether through the interference of Psionics or gene editing, and you are eager to learn which) [0/2]

[ ] Study the bodies of the Megafauna: Felidae Kaasias that your Mutons and Vipers failed to tear to pieces (Their strength was disproportionate for their size, and their bodies were incredibly durable. Perhaps you could create a new breed of Hybrid Subservients from the genetic code) [0/3]

[ ] Examine the Pyramid and Related Artifacts (These items, now that you know of the Other Power, seem far more essential to study in depth. You must understand your enemy here to effectively combat it.) [1/4]

[ ] Study the Other Power (The Sith were not psions it seems, but had power through other means. You do not know if the twisted, vile state of their works is the norm or the abnormality, but it seems that the 'Republic' and 'Jedi' had even more reasons than you'd initially thought to bring an end to them.) [0/3]

[ ] Examine the Mummified Zombies (You know now that the animated remains in the Dark Temple are the result of this Other Power instead of a strange method of Psionic Investment. Knowing this, you could possibly learn more of this Power and how to counter it through studying them.) [0/2]

FACILITY FUNCTIONS

Officer Training Facility:
-[ ] Train the ADVENT Commander. (While having a prodigious natural talent in squad-level tactics, she will require training if she is to fully harness that talent.)

CONSTRUCTION: PICK TWO

[ ] Kaas City

[ ] Build a Facility: Three Slots Available

-[ ] Cloning / Hybrid Production Facility (Produces Hybrid workers, require training to be useful troopers) [2/3]

-[ ] Officer Training Facility (Required to unlock 'Elite' variants of units and produce Hero Units. (Will double the rolls done to determine the amount of elite units granted at the end of the year. Each 'Officer Training Facility' built adds a single D20 die to the rolls.) [0/3]

-[ ] Hybridization Research Facility (Required to create 'Advanced Hybrid Variants', such as a Viper with a Sectoid psionic organ in their brain or a Muton with a built in Archon jump pack (This is required for the proposed Sith + Vine Cat hybrids) [0/3]

-[ ] Sanctum of Silence (A personal facility for the Assassin to hone her skills and delve further into her psionic gifts, required to unlock more abilities for her.) [0/5]

-[ ] Psionic Relay Facility (Required to communicate with your subordinates over galactic distances(It is recommended to have one on each world you occupy for quick communication across galactic distances) [0/3]

[ ] Clear Ancient Rubble (While the architecture is interesting, it also happens to be completely destroyed and will need to be excavated before you can build anything in the vast majority of the City's space) [0/3]

HERO ACTIONS: THE ASSASSIN

(Unless the Action Specifies otherwise, the Assassin will take with her a small squad of subservients.)

[ ] Assign her to an Action
-[ ]

HERO ACTIONS: THE VIPER QUEEN

(Unless the Action Specifies otherwise, the Viper Queen will have a protective detail of Vipers with her on Action assignments.)

[ ] Assign her to an Action
-[ ]

HYBRID PRODUCTION

[ ] Viper [0/2] (Useful for squeezing into small spaces and surprisingly durable, good for ambushes and low-to-mid quality espionage. Enough brainpower to help with research, each batch takes half a turn off of research time)

[ ] Muton [0/2] (Very muscular and with good instincts for battlefield tactics, these are your shock-troopers and heavy construction workers. Each batch made reduces construction times by half a turn)

[ ] Archon [0/2] (Flight capable and with heavy onboard weapons systems, these cyborgs are ideal scouts and airborne supremacy units. No special bonuses at this time)

[ ] Sectoid [0/2] (Psionically active and constantly in contact with your own mind, Sectoids are ideal for relaying important information back to you and keeping the minds of subordinate squads connected for real-time tactical cooperation. Enough brainpower to help with research, each batch takes half a turn off of research time)

[ ] Andromedon [0/2] (Heavily modified off of the base Sectoid form, Andromedons require an acidic compound to survive but are, in exchange, the best pilots and front-line warriors available thanks to the direct neural connection they have to the machinery they pilot. Each batch made reduces construction times by half a turn)

[ ] ADVENT Hybrid [0/2] (Modified off of base-strain humans, ADVENT Hybrids are generalists that can be suited for a wide variety of roles, at the cost of the physical superiority of some of your other subordinates. Each batch made reduces construction times by half a turn. Enough brainpower to help with research, each batch takes half a turn off of research time.)

=[X]= Viper (Useful for squeezing into small spaces and surprisingly durable, good for ambushes and low-to-mid quality espionage. Enough brainpower to help with research, each batch takes half a turn off of research time) [1/2]
 
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Due the Dead - SoaringHawk218
I just found this quest, and I think it looks really interesting. Sorry if we're not supposed to post omakes during the hiatus, but I wrote it for the contest and figured I'd put it here as well if that's okay.


Due the Dead

(Year 1, Month 9)

In the clash of blades, D'har Ke'sgh felt most at peace. In the singing notes of metal cutting air, the soft huffs of controlled breaths entering and leaving throats, the sharp burn of heat in muscles at work, the Assassin found focus, calm and purpose. The rest of the world faded away, everything she was dedicating itself to following the flow of the battle, to understanding and controlling the next few fractions of a second. Strike, withdraw, parry-

There! An opening in the next eight milliseconds! Push the opponent's blade off-line as they over extend, take the chance to grab their arm and pull them further off balance, slide her katana in to aim, then jab it through the enemy's throat and watch the blood flow from-

Gritting her sharp teeth hard enough to wound her own lip, D'har deliberately let the overextension go, along with the uncommon flash of anger that had appeared with it. The mistake had been a subtle thing, only an absolute master of the blade would spot it. Instead, she simply blocked the strike, used her longer arms to send her student slithering back, and continued the training. 'Fifteen,' she told herself reproachfully. Fifteen times she had nearly lost herself, had started planning how to kill her training partner rather than teach them. She expected better of herself.

There would be time to show Kairnass the true nuance of dueling. For now, proficiency was the task the Elder had set; mastery would come later. Or perhaps it never would, if the exceptional Viper found a different niche in the growing system the Elder was building upon this dark world. If that was the case, D'har would do everything she could to support her fellow Champion. Which meant she must not fail in her task as a teacher and cut the young life before its time.

Fifteen seconds later, however, D'har had another moment. This time, the Viper Princess's belly-scales slipped on an uneven bit of stone, throwing her arms noticeably away from her guard. Even holding back, D'har was easily able to glide in, her blade holding Kairnass's weapon aside as she bullied into the other woman's space, finally twisting her arm to bring an edge to the viper's throat. "Point," she said, holding her position for a long second before backing away.

Swallowing, the snakelike woman backed up herself, struggling through the bow that D'har had taught her. The Princess's body just wasn't designed for that sort of bending, at least not without either falling over or finding something to wrap around. The Assassin returned the bow anyways. "Thank you, sensei," Kairnass said.

Only years of discipline and self-control stopped D'har from rolling her eyes: neither she nor Kairnass knew where the phrase had come from. Well, that was not quite accurate. A snickering Sectoid, one who had spent time infiltrating and manipulating human authorities, had suggested Kairnass use it during training, but he had refused to answer their questions on what it meant or where he'd heard it. However, there was something… right about it, so both women had come to accept it.

Looking up at the sky, D'har gestured to the side of the ruined arena she'd claimed for training. "The sun grows low," she said. "We should rest; the beasts may return soon; they operate most openly at night." Kairnass nodded, slithering after D'har as the pair made their way to the bench along the side.

As always, D'har mixed the treating and cleaning of her tools with the opportunity to advise and critique her student. The Viper Princess, to the Assassin's pride, did not whine or make excuses, listing intensively to D'har's instruction. Indeed, in many ways she was a better student than D'har herself had been, as she knew and was willing to ask important questions that served to enhance the lessons being imparted.

…Of course, D'har had not had a teacher that would have seen those questions as valuable, and thus she'd never had the chance to ask them.

Finally, the pair stood, their swords and outfits spotless and the day coming to a successful conclusion. "I will need to do my patrol soon," D'har said, bowing again. While the Elder had tasked her to train Kairnass as her primary focus, D'har still did her part to ensure that the last Elder and her fellow survivors of Earth were safe. "You should rest, you have worked hard."

Kairnass bowed back, doing a little better this time that she'd had a moment to rest, but she paused. "Sensei, may I ask a question?"

"Of course," D'har said, though she held back a frown. She thought that she had explained everything from this particular lesson already. Had she not made something clear?

Seeing (or perhaps smelling, from the way her forked tongue slipped from her mouth) Kairnass shook her head. "Not about my training, sensei," she said. "No, I was wondering about… about Before."

It took D'har only an instant to recognize what Kairnass meant, and she tensed. She didn't know of any of the Elder's servants who liked talking about Before, about the world they'd been born into. A world with many Elders, most of whom, with the benefit of hindsight and the lack of need to control and gild every thought lest it be used as a sign of sedition, didn't care one bit for their creations.

Kairnass quickly waved her hands. "I'm sorry, sensei," she said. "I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. I just-"

Shaking her head, D'har made a short chopping gesture. "Do not apologize," she said. "It is my role as your sensei to answer your questions. Including the ones I did not expect." She took a breath. "What do you wish to know."

Despite her reassurance, the Princess hesitated for a long second before continuing. "I've… I've just been thinking," she said. "And I've talked to a few of the others, and we all agree that… that here, with our Elder, is better than Earth with all the Elders." D'har nodded. "But… I wonder, is there anything you miss? About Before?"

The Assassin considered. Did she miss anything? She did not miss her Sarcophagus; for all that it preserved her life, it was a… cold, empty thing. Her Stronghold? An endless series of rooms, each with a purpose to fulfill and nothing else. Her servants? More tools (to her shame), mere bodies to fulfill the commands of the Elders, to ensure that the sharp bite of disappointment did not pierce her mind.

…No, D'har could not say she missed any of those things.

"Is there anything you miss?" she asked, half as a way to see what Kairnass was thinking about, and half to buy herself time to think.

The pale viper's tail twitched. "I… I miss my sisters," she said softly. "We hatched as a clutch; I think it was an experiment by the Elders. I was the first to hatch, the biggest." Her hood fluttered. "Perhaps that is why I became as I am…"

"You become as you are by your own efforts," D'har said. "Perhaps this… experiment, if it did happen, gave some small advantage, but you are the one who makes it meaningful."

Kairnass smiled. "Thank you, sensei," she said, "but to answer your question… I do miss them. We spent our training and conditioning together, and we helped each other… but we were split up when we reached maturity." She sighed. "I never saw any of them again… I don't even know if they're still alive."

D'har instinctively reached for the Psionic Network to try and find an answer to the unspoken question, only for it to fail since the Network was gone. The Elder noticed her mental effort and "glanced" her way, but with a bow of her head she assured him everything was alright. The Elder had so many important things to do, it would be unfair to ask a question of him that he might not know the answer to, and would have no way of finding said answer if he didn't.

Even though D'har knew he would try, because that's the kind of Elder he was.

Meanwhile, back in the arena, Kairnass cocked her head. "Sensei?" she said. Her ascension to become a Royal had given her a greater insight into psionic powers and uses than an ordinary viper, but she was still inexperienced. D'har made a note to suggest she get some training on that front; it was not her area of expertise, that had always been more Ref-Mon's-

D'har froze, her thoughts racing. For as long as she could remember, she and her brothers had competed with each other for the Elder's "affections." How many times had she been told that the Warlock or the Hunter would have completed a task better or more quickly, been more successful, been more worthy? How many times had Ref-Mon mocked her, insulted her, berated her for perceived insufficiencies in her loyalty and worship of the Elders. How many times had Ref-Mon shot at her.

Empty void, how many times had he succeeded?! Had he sent her to her Sarcophagus himself!?

Yet… yet she remembered the twitches of surprise and fear and… something else, being told by the Elders that first one, then a second brother was dead? She had tried to push her emotions down, to be the empty, icy, flawless weapon they needed her to be, but they had called that effort a failing. Used the very emptiness she had trained into herself, that they had previously encouraged, as a weapon against her.

With a start, D'har realized that… maybe Gur-Rai and Ref-Mon had their own burdens forced upon them by Elders unlike the one who watched over her now. Perhaps the Warlock's arrogance had been instilled into him along with his vast psychic powers. Perhaps the Hunter had simply snapped under the cruel, relentless pressure, his acting out a way of trying to regain some control over his existence?

…They were all as the Elders had made them. Many of the warriors here, even months after their arrival, struggled not to flinch as the Elder's attention turned onto them. Void, even D'har, who was more used to having one of their vast psionic presences loom over her, still sometimes tensed. The had all been hurt, they had all been broken, and it was only by their Elder's grace that they were having a chance to put themselves back together.

"…I had siblings too, once," she heard herself saying to Kairnass. "Ref-Mon Vallinor… he was arrogant, overbearing, demanding… but if you were one of his people, he would move the very heavens to protect you." She remembered that month when the Chosen had tried working together and sharing information to try and recapture the Commander, once finding the Warlock kneeling next to one of his grievously wounded priests, his psionic power holding them desperately to life as a doctor was rushed to the scene, even as the Elders said that the fallen hybrid was of no value anymore.

"And Gur-Rai… Void was he the most annoying person you'd ever meet, with an equally annoying voice… but he kept me sharp. He did more to teach me about dodging bullets than anyone else." She'd even modified her armor so that it would absorb near-misses to generate kinetic plating that would protect her from his follow-up shot, something that she knew had driven the soldiers of XCOM mad. She had failed in the end... but she would have failed far sooner without the training her brother had given her.

Perhaps, if she had trained him in turn, he would have survived? That thought sent an icy spear of pain through D'har's heart.

Kairnass studied her, her sharp features somehow going soft as her tongue flicked out again. "Do you miss them, sensei?" she asked.

Did she? On the one hand, even with her realizations, that didn't change any of the frustrations, insults or general irritations her brothers had heaped on her… but at the same time… "I do not know," she said softly. "I… I need to meditate on it."

The Viper Princess nodded, briefly twitching towards D'har before seeming to think better of whatever she'd been about to do. "Of course, sensei," she said. "Until next time." With that, she bowed once more and slithered away.

Despite what she'd been planning to do, the Assassin did not prepare for her patrol. Instead, as soon as Kairnass had left the arena, the last echoes of her scales on stone fading away, D'har lowered herself into a cross-legged position, lay her hands upon her knees, and closed her eyes, taking slow breaths.

Meditation was… difficult, in this place. The Elder had spoken of a presence, a darkness that seemed to pervade the planet… and if she was not careful, D'har could lose herself in the lingering anger and pain and fear that floated through the air like a poison. However, she had long trained to control herself, and thus she had easily learned to keep her mind from being affected by the psuodo-psionic "atmosphere." Taking a long, slow breath, she began processing her feelings.

Before she could sink too deep, however, the Elder brushed against her mind with a gentleness none other of his kind had ever attempted. 'D'har… my child…' he said softly. 'There…' he hesitated, another trait no other Elder had exhibited. Before, the Assassin would have said that any sign of uncertainty from an Elder would have terrified her… but now, she saw it as showing that he cared enough about his words to take care with them, 'There is no shame in grieving, even for those who we have not always agreed with. For all their countless sins… I do miss my own siblings.' He "snorted". 'Sometimes.'

The Assassin considered those words for several long seconds before nodding. 'Thank you, Elder,' she said. 'But this is something I must work through myself.'

The Elder "nodded." 'Of course, my child,' he said. 'Just know that if you wish for anything from me, you but have to ask.' D'har sent her assent and understanding, and the Elder slipped away to overseeing the myriad of other tasks required of him.

Still, the fact that he had taken the time to comfort her… that made D'har feel warm. With a soft smile gracing a mouth that had so rarely had cause, she sunk into her meditation to sort through her conflicting, painful emotions.

Thus was both the gift and curse of a sapient mind, of being the one who survived.
 
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