To tell the truth, I wouldn't mind being picked up anywhere. But I think that is a good idea, Nobody, of having a universal character.

Oh yeah, I claim page two.

Yeah, I'd really like KRSplat being put back in the story! ;) *cough* Conquests *cough*

:-)

I need more PLZZZZZZZ.

I think it would make sense for me (and possibly Electrik too) to be picked up on Carrotus, because I live and work there!

Moo.

I'm off to a bad start on pages >.>. So many people with so much more freetime than I.

Excellent beginning, not really out there, but doesn't need to be.

Loving it. *waits fer more*

Heheh...Eval isn't here, he's missing out on alot.

Wheres Coppy?

I need my doseage of story...

Coppertop is here.
You're right, Eval's really missing out. I wonder if he knows I'm putting him in ... he's a very useful character.
And yes, I remembered Shinyso ... how could I forget him?

Shonar glanced up as a tall figure stopped in the doorway. He nodded once in acknowledgement before turning back to the task at hand. He was figuring out a way through a new security system with the occasional not-so-helpful comments from Evaluator. It was a complex program that matched DNA traces to those in its memory banks. If the samples didn't match, the alarm went off. If the DNA did match, a code was required. The only problem was, the memory was easily accessible. Tap into the files, alter them, and he was home free.
Copper waited silently as he finished his work. Once done, he turned.
"Coppertop. You're late. I'd begun to think you weren't coming."
"No chance of that, Shonar. Got anything for me?"
"Maybe. Ever heard of the Kiyrenin?"
"No."
"Neither have I. Theirs is the first security system I've come across that I cannot break."
"I see. They got anything to do with our mystery?"
"Maybe. I don't know. Like I said, their records are closed to me. Maybe, maybe Evaluator can get in there, but I doubt it. If this wasn't so important, I'd be spending more time on the Kiyrenin system."
- I did get something out of them, - Evaluator asserted, words flickering on the console. Shonar sighed.
"Yes, you did, but it's an incomplete puzzle. Pieces - big pieces - are missing."
- It is extremely likely that they are behind the attack on you as well, Coppertop. -
"Well, that's something. What else do you know?"
Shonar made a face. "They're extraordinarily interested in Shador, but I don't know why. My guess is, there's something there that they want, bad."
Defalcon listened with interest. Patience, never his strong point, was essential here.
Crystal cleared her throat pointedly, and Shonar glanced at her. "Would someone mind explaining?" she asked quietly. Copper said, "I'll tell you later."
Shonar shook his head. "There's nothing more. Maybe when we know more, but for now it's an even bigger mystery than when we started out."
"Well, we might find a bit more out when we go to Shador," Copper said. Defalcon started.
"We're headed for Shador?"
"Yep. If there's something there that these Kiyrenin want, and they're truly dangerous, they shouldn't have it."
- I agree. In fact, I'll go with you. I can go places you can't. -
"Okay. Keep working on that Kiyrenin thing - make it your priority."
"Got it. I don't need Eval's help right now anyway."
"Good. I'll contact you later."


Acid, I think we'll meet you in the Tavern KRSplat's in, and Kaz is too. Radium, you'll come along later. On Shador, I think ...

rox0r. continue please. ;)

AND MAKE ME GET SOME BLOODSHED!!11

Why, certainly. Go read Conquests *again*, especially the end, and you'll see that I did ... I felt a bit sorry for that Katarvin captain. Nasty stuff

*gasps for more*

Does this mean I am not in? Oh, maybe you missed my post. It is the last post on the first page.

...You'll meet up with me in the War Tavern...But you just CAME from the War Tavern!

Ah, well... I didn't really understand the last addition, so whatever. Bleh.

Blast. I was hoping Acid had updated his story.

RoXx0r twice!

Sweet!

I might put you in, Nobody. If there's a chance to do so and you fit.
Acid, we're heading back ... I've already got your addition planned, don't worry, you are DEFINITELY in it. And if you didn't understand it, it will all be explained in this next part. I hope.
Also, this is where Kaz comes in.

"So. Explain?" Crystal reminded the mercenary as they walked down the street. Copper nodded.
"Shonar is an expert in security, codes and structural layouts. He's also a mercenary fighter pilot and informant. A useful friend. He's been trying to find out something for me - there's indications of something big, really big, and dangerous - but we're not sure who, what, where or how. This Kiyrenin thing is only the latest in a string of puzzling evidence that, alone, is alarming, but together make not sense. He's also trying to find out who's after us 'lowlife'."
"Oh," Crystal said, digesting this. Defalcon though had a few questions.
"Who the heck is Evaluator?"
"I am," said a new voice, and the indistinct outline of a rabbit formed from a stray sunbeam. Defalcon paused.
"Okay. If you can do that, why talk through the computers?"
"It's easier, and a bit more convenient. I take up less room that way."
"I see."
"If you don't, that's okay," Evaluator said, fading out of sight. Defalcon raised an eyebrow but didn't have a chance to retort.
A large, red ball of feathers careened haphazardly out of the sky, nearly bowling Defalcon over. The rabbit leapt out of the way just as the living cannonball hit the ground with a dry whump and rolled to a stop. The thing picked itself up, shaking out dusty feathers, and crowed, "Got it!"
"Kaz?" Copper said incredulously. The bird, for that was what it was, glanced up from the smooth rubber ball it had been inspecting.
"Coppertop? What?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I could say the same for you," Kaz said, chucking the ball over his shoulder. It hit the ground and promptly sailed up into the sky again. Kaz glared after it.
"Not again! I'm NOT catching it this time."
"Kaz, I thought you were hanging out with Kovu."
"Him? Nah. He pulled out a while ago."
"I see."
"Hey, are you going to save the galaxy again? 'Cause if you are, I wanna come."
Copper glanced up at the now ball (and Kaz) free sky before saying, "no, I am not 'saving the galaxy'."
"Well, you're up to something. I can tell."
"I'm trying to solve a mystery -"
"Ha! Even better. Anything Shonar can't decode, I'll crash."
"Good. 'Cause you just got yourself recruited. That's Crystal Summer, and this is Defalcon Phoenix. Guys, meet Kaz."
"Hi, nice to meetcha. Where's Claw and Shinyso?"
"Waiting at the Phantom Eclipse. Come on."
"Phantom Eclipse? What happened to the Assassin?"
"The Phantom Eclipse is the Assassin," Copper explained patiently. "A change in name was required if I'm not going to get attacked every time I fly it."
"Oh."
There was a brief pause in the torrent of questions as Evaluator materialized long enough to explain what was going on. By the time he finished they had reached the Phantom Eclipse, where Claw and Shinyso did indeed wait. Claw saw Kaz and heaved a long-suffering sigh.
Once on board, the hyperactive bird calmed down quite a bit, much to the others' relief. Unfortunately it did not stop the questions ...


If that didn't clarify things, tell me and I'll explain more.

Originally posted by Coppertop
I might put you in, Nobody. If there's a chance to do so and you fit.

Okie... If you do decide to put one of my charcters in, I would rather have N0 than nobody. Also, the story is AWSOME so far! I can't wait till we figure out exactly what is going on.

`N0

Neither can I.

I didn't understand that last chapter, but I guess as you said it will be explained in the next chapter. Bleah.

Nice chapter.
Kaz is an oddball. Bahaha.

Of course he's an oddball Why else would I put him in for comic relief?
A short part, and KRSplat gets added. Next part, you meet Acid!

Interestingly enough, Shador was not their next stop.
A crescent-shaped ship drew closer as they left Carrotus' atmosphere, and although it had a solid missile lock on the Phantom Eclipse it did not fire.
Shinyso finally got a read on the incoming ship, as well as identity. He shook his head in disbelief.
"Hold your fire, Coppertop," he ordered. "It's a friendly."
He flipped on his comm. "Eyes of Death, do you copy, this is the Assassin. Hold your fire, KRSplat."
"Eyese of Death copies, Phantom Eclipse. That you, Shinyso?"
"Sure is, Eyes of Death. Slick move. How'd you find us so quick?"
"Was already here, Phantom Eclipse. Saw your ship, thought that crazy mercenary'd gotten herself killed or lost her ship."
"Not likely, KRSplat," Copper said dryly in the background.
"Still alive and killing, huh. Good. I'll tag along, if you don't mind."
"Why would we? We're headed for Tubelectric to talk to Wild Angel; we'll brief you there."
"Understood, Phantom Eclipse. Tubelectric it is. I'll see you there."
"Copy that, Eyes of Death. Phantom Eclipse out."
"Eyes of Death out."


lol, more tomorrow, so I get to keep you waiting.

BIGGER CHAPTERS PLZ

YOU'LL GET THEM, PLZ

HURRY, PLZ.

I'm going to go rewrite my profile for shinyso..

Okay, posted my profile. ;)

Great!

Can't wait for the next chapter!
especially since I'm in it!

Nice story Reading all the chappies was quite a lot of work

You're right, Eval's really missing out. I wonder if he knows I'm putting him in ... he's a very useful character.

Well, now I'm back again
But you're right, I missed a lot...

Eval

and you still haven't come up with a title ...

KPLZTHXCTBYE. Blast, Eval's back, I'll need to be even more lifeless to post before he does.

Yarrgble.

I won't even criticize you on the italics mistake, because that would be pointless.

Short chapters are okay in my eyes.

Hey, Evaluator! Back from your vacation?
'M not sure if I will use your new prof, Ninja. I like the old one.

Loooonnnnnnggg chappie coming up.


Claw glanced around at the brightly lit surroundings of Tubelectric. Wild Angel hadn't had anything new, but the trip wasn't a complete waste.
KRSplat had nothing to say about it either - that is, he had plenty to say about it, but no information. He suggested that they look in the War Tavern for rumors of "volunteers".
Copper agreed with him, recalling that she had done the same with her fight against Beren.
So now for the second time that day, Claw found himself back in the War Tavern.
Ducky was shaking her head. "Kiyrenin? That's new to me. I'm afraid nothing has been said about it to me or even in my hearing."
"I see. If you do, tell us. This is important."
"I will."
A tall green rabbit walked over. Ducky brightened a bit. "Say, I don't suppose you know Acid? He's a regular here."
Acid snagged a stool before another could take it and sat. He grimaced.
"Haven't been around for the past few days though. They've been keeping me busy." He turned to Copper curiously. "I haven't seen you around, though. I'm Acid."
"Coppertop. I don't really come here that often, so I'm not surprised."
"Heh, I've heard about you. Who hasn't? Don't worry, I'm not going to go all wide-eyed and squeaky-voiced on you."
"Finally, an intelligent one," Copper said dryly. "Why can't you find me more of these, Ducky?"
"Don't blame me, there aren't any more."
"Okay, I agree. Just keep your ears and eyes peeled."
"For what, sensible people or your Kiyrenin?"
"Both."
Acid sat upright. "What was that?"
"What?"
"That name."
"Uh, 'Kiyrenin'. Why?"
"I've heard about them. Stay away from those guys; they're up to something."
Copper leaned forward, eyes narrowing slightly. "Just what do you know about them?"
"Only what I've overheard. They've got us - Carrot Corp - working on some drug that suppresses the ability to do magic in mages. Nasty stuff."
"Really." Copper paused. "Interesting. I have information that the Kiyrenin are behind a series of attacks on my friends and I."
"Like I said, they're nasty. They've got connections and lots of money. Otherwise we wouldn't be doing this work for them."
"Right. I take it you were involved personally in this?"
"I was, but I didn't want to get mixed up with the Kiyrenin. People who did work for them before have a disconcerting habit of going missing. So I took some time - a lot of time - off."
"Drugs to supress mage-ability," Copper muttered. Acid scowled.
"The implications of that are not good," he admitted. "There are a lot of nasty rumors flying around."
"I see. What are you going to do now?"
"I'm not sure, they might come after me. I'm trying to stay out of sight - me and my brother Electrik."
"Two of you? Harder to hide two."
"I know, but Electrik is pretty self-sufficient."
"Well, you could come with us. You'd be harder to find in deep space."
"I'll have to ask Electrik. Don't go away."
"Like I would. Hurry."
Acid slipped off his stool and went to find his brother Electrik. In a moment he was back, with a tall blue rabbit following him.
Electrik was as sensible as his brother. Rather than being overawed by the "great mercenary Coppertop" (unlike a certain bounty hunter/bartender, which positively exasperated, and, on occasion, sickened the mercenary), he greeted her with a sardonic half-bow.
"So, you're the savior who's going to rescue my brother from the evil Kiyrenin, huh?"
"I guess so," she said, equally sarcastic. He grinned.
"Thank you. You have no idea of the relief you are going to bring to my ears."
"He's been complaining, has he. We'll fix that. I'm Coppertop; my hapless crew there go by the names of Claw," who nodded calmly, "Shinyso," and he gave the brothers a quick salute, "Defalcon Phoenix," who grinned and also nodded, "Crystal Summer," and Crystal lifted a hand in acknowledgement, "and Evaluator, who's around here somewhere. Guys, meet Electrik and Acid, who have no idea what they were just recruited for."
Defalcon smirked. "Wait'll they see Phantom Eclipse and our remaining two people."
"I -" Acid suddenly spotted something and groaned. "Oh, no, not now ..."
"WHERE ASHID GOING?" A tan rabbit, wearing a ridiculous outfit, trotted over.
"Not you," Electrik muttered. Then, "go but Phish, Foo. Acid's not going anywhere."
"CAN FOO COME TOO?"
"NO. Hey Phish, come fetch your wayward brother!"
"FOO WANNA COME TOO!"
"NO. Phish! Get over here!"
"Excuse me," an orange pilot said to his companions, and he walked over too. "C'mon, Foo. Let's go home."
"FOO WANNA RIDE ON TEH BIG SHPASHE-SHIP!"
"You can ride on it when we go home. I'll take you for a spin."
"FOO SHPIN?"
"Not here."
Phish led his demented sibling towards the Carrotus portal. A moment later, Foo's voice could be fainly heard.
"Ooh, happyland!"
Copper eyed Acid and Electrik, who looked distinctly embarrassed. There was an uncomfortable silence, which was broken by Acid.
"That was our ... cousin, Foo," he admitted. Electrik rolled his eyes.
"Living proof that intelligence can skip whole generations."
"Ah. Hopefully you retain enough to make yourselves useful."
"Don't worry about that. Uh, maybe we should leave before Foo decides to return, or we'll never get out of here. Phish can handle him."
"I agree," Electrik seconded, and Copper rose.
"Phantom Eclipse is on Tubelectric. Kaz and KRSplat are with her. C'mon."
Yes, Claw had to admit, a very profitable trip after all.


Well, sort of long. BTW, I caught that italics mistake, 4I. Fixed it, too.

There you go, Acid. Foo and Phish even got a cameo

YaY
Long chappies are cool

Eval

THANK. YOU. VERY. MUCH.

Great chapter! I think you portrayed Foo very well. Just remember he doesn't ALWAYS talk in caps.

Long chapters are good too.

I think I will write a detailed description of KRSplat sometime soon. Maybe.

relatively long chappie finnally. Mind altering drugs are bad enough >.>, magic ones ;p?

I like. But, I am sad that FOO ish not comming.
`N0

One is bad enough, thank you. Imagine Kaz and Foo together? Yikes
Okay, this one adds Radium. The next one you'll find out what the Kiyrenin want.

Kaz was, if possible, even more excited at the prospect of more people. However, he was not bouncing off the walls this time. Rather, he bombarded them with questions. Fortunately, Acid and Electrik were used to it - they'd been conditioned by Foo and his endlessly babbled questions. Even better, Kaz was actually intelligible.
Acid approved of their plan to go to Shador. He agreed with Copper - if the Kiyrenin wanted it, they shouldn't have it. It was, as he so aptly put it, like handing a blaster to a convicted murderer.
And so, to Defalcon's happiness, Shador was their next stop. Copper just hoped that they'd be able to find whatever it was before the Kiyrenin did, or they would be completely out of leads. And that, as far as she was concerned, would be a disaster.

Two hours in hyperspace and they had reached Shador. Evaluator had managed to boost the already considerable hyperdrives. Defalcon had to admit, Kaz's chatter might have been a welcome change from the others' quiet ... if the bird could shut up for a bit. Copper sympathized - she knew exactly how Defalcon felt.
Shador was a small planet of still, dark water and extinct volcanoes. It was dim and shadowy, and had two moons. One was extraordinarily quick; every few days Shador experienced an eclipse from it. The Shadorians had adapted. Their dark fur and excellent night vision suited the world.
Shadorians were vaguely feline; striped in soft greys, blues and blacks, with a mane of longer fur that was stiffer at the base but silky on the top. The mane trabelled all the way down their spines to end at the tips of their lion-like tails. Perpetually sorrowful, they were quiet and reserved.
The Phantom Eclipse blended in perfectly. Although the cities appeared to be empty, most of the inhabitants remained there but unseen. Coppertop felt immediately at home, and even Claw and Shinyso looked more comfortable in the concealing shadows. Acid was jumpy, Electrik vaguely fascinated, and Defalcon relieved. Crystal remained withdrawn and silent.
Shador was not a world for the faint of heart. Living shadows huddled against black, damp-stained buildings; dark winged things flew by, leathery wings making rushing noises. Silvery insects buzzed in the slimy alleys, to be snapped up by those same flying creatures. Gold and green and blue-glowing eyes peered at them from dark corners, the eyes of the Shadorians. Dripping water and scuttling noises echoed through the empty streets.
A soft voice spoke from the shadows. They all turned around, hands on swords of blasters (except for Electrik).
"No place, the streets are for stranger or Shadorian," a young female Shadorian said, ghosting into sight before them. Her grey fur was striped with black, and her lambent golden eyes watched them closely. "So why now do they who are not Shadorian but also not stranger patrol them?"
"No stranger am I to shadows," Copper said calmly. "Able I am to guard my safety and my life."
"A strange gathering. Stranger than those that came before. Rethkir, of what be they?"
"I cannot say," a blue-furred male said, appearing besider her. "They have not the taint of the Kiyrenin, but something else marks them."
"The Kiyrenin have been here? Tell more, for they we have come to foil," Copper said, falling easily into the speech patterns of these Shadorians. "Something they want here, and we have determined that have it, they shall not."
"Truth," Rethkir admitted. His gaze fell on Shinyso, and his eyes opened wide. "Shethlorn, trust them we may. See, a lokiral with them have they."
"Ah. You must come with us, then."
Shinyso shrugged, and with a confused and resigned expression Copper followed the two. They slipped down an alley that ended in a dead end, and Shethlorn hissed softly to a live shadow, which flowed up the wall to expose a ragged hole in the corner. This, Copper supposed, was an entrance into the building beyond.
Inside, it was dark (typically). Shethlorn took a lantern from the corner and flipped it on; a dim silvery light emanated from it and did nothing to hide the wet, mildewed walls that shone darkly. The cement floor was wet enough that their feet splashed as they walked.
Finally the corridor they were in opened into a room with a stairwell in the corner. Several Shadorians rose, slight alarm in their faces. Shethlorn dismissed their fears,
"Allies, not trickster Kiyrenin. Fear them not, but be on guard."
As an aside to Coppertop, Rethkir added, "we cannot hide him much longer. These Kiyrenin, to get him, will stop at nothing. They will tear theis very building down to succeed."
"Then a new hiding place, he must find," Copper agreed, even though she had no idea who they were talking about. "Or he will place your lives in danger."
"Truth. If you have a starship, he will be safe with you."
"And you will be safe as well. We shall see what we can do."
He nodded, worry evident. His striped mane (which reminded Copper of her horse, Ironheart) made him look taller than he actually was. He clearly was a telepath or something like it, because the word lokiral meant 'mind reader', and he had somehow recognized Shinyso for what he was.
The stairs came to an end, and halfway down the subsequent hallway Shethlorn paused and rapped quickly on the wall. A cleverly hidden portion slid aside to reveal a small room, occupied by two Shadorians.
Well, one Shadorian and one who wasn't quite a true Shadorian. The first was the usual black and blue, with blue eyes. He nodded to Shethlorn and said, "you must hurry. They are close behind."
The second was black and green with green eyes. No Shadorian that Copper knew of had green fur, so this one wasn't what he appeared to be. His mane was silver and not striped, and he wore the robes of a mage. He did not look worried.
Shethlorn said, "Radium, I am sorry, but know you are here, the Kiyrenin do. Rethkir has determined that from the Kiyrenin, these are not; you will be safe with them. Hide you we cannot, anymore. You must leave."
"I understand, Shethlorn. Thanks for all your help. You'll abandon the building, of course?"
"Of course. Let them find us, we cannot. Once you are safe, we will flee."
"Good." He turned to Coppertop. "Introductions can wait. The Kiyrenin are on the way. We've got to hurry if we're going to avoid capture."
"My ship is close by. Nothing is going to catch us once we're in the air. Come on."


Another long chappie, almost 1000 words more than the last one

Oh yeah, before I forget.
Happy Birthday, Evaluator!!!
Don't expect it all the time

Nice!!!!111