Fantasy Action Adventure Scifi A Growing Menace - *Any Character, Any Genre*

[MonMis]

Manira did not appreciate the tone the human gave them when he interjected in their endeavors to leave this plane of existence for their own. The man acted as if he knew better despite knowing far less than what he proclaimed. If such a beast existed that created such portals, then there were more beasts like it, or even the technology to replicate such a thing may surely have existed in this realm as well. But what bothered Manira even more so was the derision and patronization he provided, causing the Asari to consider violence for the pest of a man. A cloud of blue began to warp the space around their hand that was not holding onto their weapon, a low worbling noise coming from the controlled phenomenon taking place around their fist.

But, before anything more would come of it, the justicar would instead have their attention brought back to the creature named Joopis. And soon they were led into a hall filled with…exactly what they figured would exist. There was always a pattern within civilizations. Intelligence will always breed new technologies based on the scope of their world and the capabilities of others living within it. If Thessia gave home to such creatures as those beetles, it would have only been a matter of time before the Asari too would create such technology to replicate their portal-creating abilities. Goddess, the Protheans would have likely already discovered said technology if it were possible thousands of years before even the Asari founded the Citadel and its galactic council.

But alas, it seemed finding one’s homeworld would prove difficult indeed. They didn’t even react to the newest addition to their motley crew, but their gun would eventually be holstered and their eyes finding Joopis once more. Before he could leave them to their own devices, the Asari elected to take this opportunity to demand his help once more. “I don’t work with the dirty dealings of information brokers if my mission allows it,” they said to the strange doglike woman in their usual monotonous but authoritative tone, then turned to Joopis, “find me one of these waypoint maps.”

 

[Hekazu]

Word by word, gesture by gesture, Rochdale was liking this 'Asari Justicar' less and less. She continued to order others around as if was a right granted to her by some authority (one he had never met and never would), threatening people by waving her weapon and those odd blue glows around. He had to admit, if he was not in polite company himself, he might have sought to turn her bravado down a notch with that harpoon of his. But no, it was not time to descend to her level. The others in this company were still worth considering. And if she thought she was going to have a better time trying to force others to assist her with that nonexistent authority of hers, she was welcome to try.

Rochdale gestured towards the side with his head, calling Zava to step aside from the immediate ring of discussion. If she was going to cast them aside, he was not going to bother trying to hang along with nothing to be won. "London, eighteen-ninety-nine the second", he put emphasis on the end. "The steamer runs with coal, plenty of it from places such as 'The Iron Republic', 'Mount Palmerston' and, I kid you not, Hell itself. I have seen its walls in the distance." That was the information he believed might be useful in this situation. "I see no reason why you should spend your time assisting me in seeking it out once again. The Devils can keep my soul for all I care. I had to go through enough trouble to swindle it to them in the first place." Was there a hint of a chuckle at the end of his sentence? Must have been.

 

[Fatal Nymph]

Poor Joopis had brought into this point in time some interesting people. The woman seemed rather demanding for someone ripped from their home. She seemed rather used to having authority, but that was not the case anymore. Zava was considered a law breaker because she simply did as she pleased and whatever the locals did. Made life so much easier and way more fun. The amount of clients she made, different inks and designs, then not to mention different methods of getting ink into the skin. There was no other place she would rather be. To be stuck for her would be boring or rather it would feed into her need of exploring and information of her tattooing career.

"The maps have a generilzed direction but they seem to change locations. At least in my experience with them. So information brokers are the easiest way of finding what you are looking for. But perhaps dear Joopis might have some information for you." A very impartial look given to the A sari, and as the anthro looked to her friend, her eyes expressed a look of guilt to her friend, before noticing the captain gesturing to speak to her privately. She stepped away from the others so she could hear him speak better. Her ear twitched, listening to what the others said only so that if need be, she could jump in to save Joopis from whatever he got himself into.

The captain gave her a pretty good idea of where he had come from, but nothing specifically Zava could identify. "From the sounds of it, your home is a one way. I have only ever once been to a one way that we had to have a rescue team find the quadrant and extract me. Luckily we didnt ruin too much but there is probably a lot we did change. I am sorry captain, this will be a slim to none chance of finding your home as you probably already figured out. And if we even can find the right portal, I can't guarantee that you will even go back to the right year." Her ears dropped a bit and her tail tucked a bit as to show just how bad she felt for his situation.

 

[Hekazu]

And with her words, Captain Rochdale nodded slowly, the descent and ascent of his head equally unhurried in their measure. "I gathered as much. I'm sure the greasemonkey will make the best out of his early inheritance", he would add, a light tinge of sadness betrayed from his stoic exterior by his voice. "My chances of finding the right way are slim to none, but I already have gone through a change like this once in my life. More so than I can imagine most pulled here involuntarily will have to speak of." He craned his neck now as he looked in both directions of the highway once again, his fingers adjusting around the notched bone-harpoon.

"I can't imagine there would not be something for someone of my trade to do out here. Violence is always on the market, be it for doomed monster hunters or those that go after the more humanlike threats." In his musings, he once more indicated a direction with his head, this towards the justicar. Humanlike might not be the word in company as varied as this, but in lack of a better term his archaic ways would have to be excused. Clearly all of the everyday residents could consider him a time-capsule at best. "And perhaps in longer time, my knowledge of the more esoteric sciences I've gathered may prove useful. For now…" the sentence paused in the middle with a deep breath, "…an old sea dog has to learn new tricks."

Should Zava not seek to stop him, or Joopis to begin to explain something pertinent (he'd elected to not care about the tantrums of the unnamed Asari), the Captain would turn around and begin a slow walk away. This walking was clearly lopsided with his right side avoided in the motions despite not having faced any visible injury to those parts in the brief confrontation. Until after the first few steps he would glance back over his shoulder: "Though if I may, do you have any recommendations for someone looking to settle, and not engage in the futile exercise of seeking return to what once was?"

 

[Hawksearcher]

Joopis crossed his arms, thinking deeply at the growing group's current predicament. On one hand, it was true that the map rooms did have the annoying habit of changing location, and even when a waypoint map did settle in an area for an extended time, the line to use it was usually atrocious. Joopis himself once stood in a like for about an hour, only to find that the map room had closed by the time he had gotten near the front. An information broker might indeed be the best way to getting information. But there were also other ways to do so...

Patting Zava on the shoulder and looking to the waylaid sailor and agent, Joopis finally spoke up. "Well, you see, despite being a fantastic place to exchange information and intermingle with other races, the Interdimensional Highway does not actually claim to have the most advanced technology available in the multiverse. In fact, many a Traveler will complain that the Highway is quite behind some of the more advanced dimensions, and not that this matters to any of you, but some particularly advanced dimensions are in the process of figuring out if there is a better way to establish a trans-dimension. The Highway is the first of its kind, but original designs can always improve--"

Seeing Captain Rochdale's impatient look and eagerness to move, Joopise oriented himself. "The best shot you have at getting home might actually not be to wander the Highway aimlessly. Like Zava said, that's a good way to get lost forever if you don't know what you're doing. Instead, how about I take you to Silver Nexus? It's incredibly advanced, and I'm pretty sure some kind folks should be able to simply teleport each of you directly to the space AND time you're from. Zava, have you been to Silver Nexus before? I don't recall."

Joopis waddles over to a levitating vehicle that resembled a car without wheels--some mechanical designs, it seemed, were so classic and efficient that they didn't need much improving even in the multiverse--and patted the side. "I can give you all a lift, if you wish! It's the least I can do for getting you into all of this mess. However, seeing as how this is your first time in an infinite interdimensional market, I won't blame you if you would like to walk and pass by some vendors, stare at some aliens and wizards, etc. I can give you verbal directions if you would rather that. My lab is actually rather close to Silver Nexus--I like being central. Nexus was one of the founding dimensions of the Highway."

 

[Fatal Nymph]

Zava had to stop and think. All this information and so many topics all at once. "Drive will be faster and as far as Silver Nexus goes, I've been a time or two for some clients. I remember tattooing a large space tribal that had depth, 3D coral reef and water dwellers..." She paused trying to remember if there was a significant piece she had done. "Those are the two that really stick out everything else was normal for that area." The dog woman turned to look at the other two.

Now to try and understand where they were coming from. The Asari seemed better adapted and knew what she wanted, and that seemed to be home. The captain on the other hand looked like he just need a helping hand to start him out on a new adventure.

"Captain, I know this is all new to you but I always am up for an adventure. Besides tattooing people has lead me on a hell of a journey and continues to do so. I would love for you to at least accompany me to Silver Nexus." A slight shift had her head tilted slightly to the side, big puppy dog eyes, and her tail even slowly wagged from side to side awaiting his response.

The thought occurred to her that Joopis and her had been to many places but she had never actually been to his lab. Then again this anthro was never one for settling into one place for long. Zava had tried that several times and it never took long before boredom took hold and even with a steady stream of clients she never felt satisfied. The call of the unknown to her profession was strong for her. One of these days she ought to write a book detailing everything that had been passed down to her. Or leave it up to someone else to have the amazing experiences she had.

 

[Hekazu]

A place where it would be more likely to find a way back whence he came. Or a better one than what wandering around aimlessly would do, for however difficult that was to achieve. Honestly speaking, he didn't care if it was twenty, twenty thousand, or even twenty septillion times more likely, the odds of it were still so minuscule he really had no idea why these people thought he wanted to spend his remaining life chasing such a dream. Something in him, and their behaviour, suggested that indifference like this was not the expected attitude to be showing towards something like this. But admittedly there was another positive to not wasting his time in a bigger city: Not having to deal with the Justicar for a minute longer, no matter how much she saved him from getting wounded in the testing chamber.

But it wouldn't be so easy as to simply refuse, for now Zava was calling out to him, giving him the eyes that he could barely remember his old pet had once made towards him. Some tricks never change, do they? And while the pathetic look and the wagging tail roused these old memories, they came not with the feelings he remembered he had felt back then. Oddly, it was in this moment the first time that he felt regret for what he had done to achieve his revenge back in London. Yet without the feeling, merely the look would not manage to summon him to her side. No, it was the other matter that she spoke of that changed his heart. The tattoos.

She was an artist, and it sounded like she might perhaps be able to finish what Lilac had started. Or to replace something old he no longer needed altogether? He released a deep sigh, but turned back around. "As my presence is valued, I would be happy to accompany you on this journey. Please, be aware that there is no need to attempt to find the way back whence I came. I did not hate it there, but I have already made up my mind. I have more to live in not reaching for such frivolities as holding on to a previous attachment." With those words, he would head towards the car, stopping briefly by Zava's side if she had not begun to move prior to that.

 

[Hawksearcher]

Joopis climbed into the front seat of his little interdimensional convertible, as Joopis and Zava followed suit. In the midst of their conversation, Joopis chortled, "Ah yes, Captain, the adventurous bite of a multiverse seems to have nibbled at your big toe. You are not alone. I ended up here on accident, much like yourself, but as soon as I learned of the unlimited possibilities here, I couldn't find a strong desire to return to my limited home dimension. Perhaps you will eventually change your mind, but perhaps after seeing Silver Nexus, your passions will alight with the possibilities of adventure there."

Whether Manira chose to climb into the cruiser remained to be seen, as Joopis would have ultimately left them at liberty to stay behind if they so wished. Either way, Joopis pressed a button, his little yellow flying car hummed to life, and the group levitated about the walkway below, speeding up down the cerulean tube.

Joopis didn't travel quite so fast that the group couldn't take in the sights, though! Down below on the rushing walkway, the group could see a wide variety of sentient creatures, all interacting with each other outside of portals and in small market stall collections every so often. Curiously, there didn't seem to be any sign of a uniformed guard or peacekeeping force in the Highway. Nor did there seem to be any incidents of violence.

The portals themselves were a wide mix of the different colors Joopis had mentioned: blue portals with consistent interdimensional access, green one-way portals, and an occasional red portal.

Interestingly enough, some of the blue portals did seem to have a security detail of some kind, often two individuals flanking the circular doorway. However, the guards were never the same type, uniform, and often neither even the same basic body shape. It seemed, by the guess of the two new travelers, that each blue portal was responsible for establishing its own guard if they so chose.

As they flew through the tunnels, reaching an occasional branch point, Joopis explained a bit more about the Interdimensional Highway.

"The reason why the highway is so ungainly is because the highway grows its tunnels and branches at the same rate new dimensions and portals are discovered. That means that near the very center of the highway, the only thing special about those dimensions is that they were the first to be discovered by travelers. It doesn't necessarily mean that every dimension near the center of the highway is technologically advanced or even blue-portalled, although there's certainly a bit of a correlation."

As the group got closer and closer to near the center of this liminal universe, they could see below that there were more and more markets established in the walkways between portals, and there was also quite a bit of air traffic springing up alongside and against the little car. The forks in the highway also became more numerous, and more complex in that they were more often to find branching 4- and 5-way intersections.

At last, Joopis appeared to have spied their destination, and he carefully maneuvered his craft to set down in an empty patch where not too many travelers were standing; the walkways had become quite crowded in just their short drive, and alien speech was far louder and more present here. After the car landed, Joopis turned around and said, "Well, as much as I would like to join you on your journey home, my own duty calls. I'm a portal technician, and I need to get to work on hatching some new Blink Beetles."

Off to the group's left, they could see a blue portal with script overhead, presumably that said Silver Nexus. In front of the portal stood a pair of armed guards, although each looked a bit different from the other. They both wore dark tactical gear that looked rather formidable, but while one guard held some kind of rifle, the other guard did not seem to have any sort of weapon at all, and his tactical suit resembled more of a robe and hood than a soldier's garb.

 

[Fatal Nymph]

As Rochdale spoke, he made it seem that both her and Joopis were concerned with getting him home. She had understood from the first time he had made it clear he did not want to go home. The female wanted to give him a good grasp of how things worked now, and then let him walk away. As he was now, who knew what would happen to him, probably end up in a jail somewhere for simply defending himself. That was not okay for her, she may have been a warrior and tough but to help others was a side hobby to her main profession. The captain stepped forward and it was easily made clear that this made Zava happy. Her hands clasped behind her back, and she gave a nod of agreement. She turned to walk with him to the car and once more they seemed to be grouped together. Though if only the other female would tone it down a notch, maybe, just maybe the urge to slink off somewhere else wouldn't be so strong.

Her friend gave a very basic and accurate description of the highway. Those eyes wandered over the various vendors and people, always impressed by the amount of species interacting within their own unwritten laws. Where as anywhere else always had some law she was breaking with the locals of the area. It boggled her mind to no end. But for the moment the antgro simply sat back and enjoyed the view. Once landed she got out and looked to the gate and back to the other companions. Joopis made a swift exit and she simply waived goodbye. "Now that we are here what prey tell did you want to do, know about, or adventure you want to start on? I myself have a little down time before making a trip out to a newer nexus and hopefully learning some trade information there."

 

[Hekazu]

It took Rochdale two attempts to enter the vehicle, the angles of entry a little unusual to him. Now a human with one's full flexibility wouldn't have had any issues, but he had his other leg to watch out for while simultaneously not plunging any end of his harpoon into the seats. Even moving on the seats once he had made it on them seemed to be made with great difficulty, the man lifting himself well off the padding before he would sit back down, even hissing a bit on one attempt before he finally could find a comfortable enough spot. He had to consider himself lucky for the fact that there was only four of them here. With a fifth person this would have been much more interesting to try and manage than he would have liked.

The structure of the highway earned for itself one raise of the Captain's chin as he noted the amount of forks in the road increasing the further inside they went. Of course. That structure made sense. Naturally they should build it that way. But similarly, the mention of how many dimensions there were out here… well that didn't really inspire any sort of feeling in him, but it strengthened his stance on his future plans. It would be useless to attempt and make sense of all of this. He needed to figure out new means of living. And by the looks of how unarmed the folks here were, the vocation of a monster-hunter seemed to be rapidly losing its prospects. Yet with infinitely many realities, he knew he needed not to worry. No matter how small the chances any single one needed him, as their number grew so did the odds of there being one for him to call upon. And he was sure those odds were better than one out of all of the given worlds.

Once again once the car had stopped he took his time leaving. Yet unlike before, he did not grasp the harpoon in his hand. The presence of an armed guard suggested to him that such actions wouldn't be so generously viewed, and as such he soon tossed the harpoon's strap over his shoulder and carried it over on his back instead. While Joopis excused himself and Zava inquired what was next, Rochdale had begun limping towards the gate itself, his leg getting a little less stiff with each step though the car ride had done him little good. "I think the first thing is that I need a memento. For an end of what was, for all that is to come. I don't feel as strongly as I once did… but I also do not want to forget turning points such as this. For what I felt, what little it was. I need something I won't misplace out of callousness I know will overtake me one day. You said you worked in tattoos? I may have a request", he addressed the canine's question.

 

[Fatal Nymph]

His habit of walking down his path only to then turn around suggested to Zava that Captain Rochdale was a person to take direct action and think back on things after the fact. She felt a small pang of guilt, if only because the woman was the same way and at times it made her wish for taking other actions, to think over every little detail, only until her mind was needed in the present once more. Perhaps that was one of many reasons she could never stay settled in one place.

"I have a feeling I know of the request. But its up to you as to what you want, the style, type of ink, and the application method in which you want to be tattooed. I have a lot of my own work on myself and a portfolio if you wish to see. Perhaps a discussion over food? Or a flight to a destination? I'm not sure what exactly you are seeking to do besides find a path in the here and now." With a side glance to the Asari, the canine knew what they were here for and hopefully they would be not as pushy anymore.

The canine began walking up to the captain, and tilted her head just the slightest as her tail went still. "..." The words couldn't be found for the emotions she felt at that exact moment, so she stopped short and kept quiet. Why did she have such a hard time with him? Normally conversations came easy and talk was always a flowing stream. Not too much, not too little and any silence was never awkward, always a comfortable thing.

 

[Hekazu]

That was a fair point. It was something that would have to be discussed at length. And of the ideas presented, one reminded him of the necessities of life, that being sustenance. He might be in a new world, but he was still the same him. He would need food and sleep, and arranging for the first now and a place for the latter next sounded like important details. With both of which he hoped Zava could prove to be able to assist, what with her having lived in this place for an extended bit, and having apparent knowledge of the destination behind this particular gate.

"I think I need to settle, if temporarily. I need food and shelter, a source of income. And that memento I mentioned. Most likely between the second and the third item on the list of survival essentials", he shared, now once more turning and resuming movement towards the portal. "I take you have been in this place more often? Is there any place for food you would recommend?" He dared not be optimistic about his options. Many things here were likely to be as foreign as the surroundings themselves. And a wide palate had not exactly been something easily cultivated whence he had come.

 

[Fatal Nymph]

A jumble of thoughts collided together and it left Zava with a disgruntled look. With a sigh and her hand brought up to her temple she resumed pace at his side, absent mindedly she waved the other female of sorts to come with if she so chose. "Let's see..." Currently she was crashing at a hostel that a aquantence owned. So for her it was dirt cheap and it would allow for the other two to come with if they so chose. Be a little out of the way travel from this gate but that was okay. It would get them adjusted to the way things worked now.

"Food is probably the easiest and closest. Closer to the gate for the most part the more expensive, mainly due to tourists or visitors who don't know better. Did Joopis give either of you money? I have enough, just not a while lot. Never do." The canine chuckled. Life was adventurous but it was always tight on money. Barely making her way to a crash pad of some sort before off onto the next adventure. Luckily her profession allowed for her to obtain money rather quickly.

Finally her hand came away from her forehead and her face more relaxed. "Income... That all depends on what you can do. Many places need warriors, fisherman, all sorts of needs occur all the time." Her mind not even focusing on the gate or guards but just trying to focus in on the needs of these two.

 

[Hawksearcher]

​

As the group conversed about Zava's services and the Captain discussed his priorities in this new reality, they found themselves gathered in a small line that had formed in front of the portal to Silver Nexus. Their conversation continued as the line moved forward slowly. At the front of the line, the group could see the two guards interacting briefly with each person in line before ultimately letting them pass through the portal without much of an issue.

The guard on the right with the rifle was holding some sort of digital pad, and he pressed some buttons with each new entrant. For some of the Travelers, the group could hear him say something through his helmet, which projected his voice through an external speaker. Usually, it was "All clear," or "Won't be an issue." Sometimes, he would say such a thing to a Traveler without the Traveler saying anything first, almost as though there was some sort of non-verbal communication.

The left guard was a bit more enigmatic in his appearance. For every tourist or merchant who reached the front of the line, they could see his eyes flash blue, and he would sometimes incline his head, but he never said a word. The process at this checkpoint would most likely have confounded all in the group except for Zava, who had visited this gate before.

Before the fox humanoid could prep Captain Rochdale or Manira for the upcoming search, a group of about 5 Travelers ahead of them walked through the portal altogether, suddenly thrusting the new group to the front. The eyes of the guard shone a brilliant sky blue briefly, and all three of the group's members heard a voice in their heads:

"Hello Travelers. This is the Portal to Silver Nexus, an open dimension that contains a wide variety of magic, mundane, and multi-technological beings. We are required to screen every sentient creature for its level of biological and social risk. This process should only take a few seconds, but it requires us to magically read your recent memories and conduct a radiation-free pathogen scan. Do we have your consent to proceed? You may think or speak your response."

The two guards waited expectantly.

 

[Fatal Nymph]

As she was speaking and moving along, the next moment her conversation was cut short as she look bewildered at the guards before, so much in fact she spoke aloud. "Of course." Those silky white ears perked forward as Zava's attention now turned to the guards. The wizard was rather handsome this time and his flashing blue eyes only added to his persona.

Recent memories wouldn't be too bad she had met all of them, before that was her item which was legally obtained, traveling to get to the highway, a relaxing morning and steamy shower, though if they dug too far back one might get caught in a very intriguing situation that would even Zava a little bashful right now.

Nothing note worthy, she was sure these beings had seen it all and wouldn't be surprised by any of her activities. Let alone any of her companions memories, perhaps intrigued by the beetles but that was just a risk the beetles ran. Or so she thought, perhaps the female was getting a little to use to the sayings, 'It is what it is."

After giving the wizard a once over, the dog humanoid glanced at her companions. Curious as to what they might think or do.