"Entering Toram Orbit."
"Thank you, Ville." Onestar stood on the muster deck of the Eternal Wanderer, looking at the ring world below them. From up above, it looked like a peaceful, spinning chocolate donut, with occasional splotches of vanilla creme.
"Crystal," Onestar called out, starting down the steps to the main deck, "take us in when you're ready."
[Aye, aye, Captain. All hands, prepare for descent.]
The ship seemed to tilt slightly, and the planet moved closer to them. Onestar reached the main deck where Hall was waiting with Karamon, Estress, Kath and Phantom. Grimmore was reading through a tome near the helm.
"I still don't like this," Hall commented.
"We don't have much choice, old friend. We need some spare parts, mostly for the Nextasy Helm, but there are a few things we could acquire here that we can't get elsewhere." Onestar paused for a minute, stopping next to Crystal. "Besides, the trip is long. We could use the air."
[We just replenished our air supply three days back, Onestar.] Crystal's voice seemed to come from the very air before him.
"He knows that," Ville responded from the command deck, "he's just digging for good excuses."
Onestar pretended not to hear him. "Is the spell ready, Grimmore?"
"Just about," the illusionist replied. "Ready, Phantom?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Phantom replied.
"I still don't understand, cap'n," Karamon began. "What spell is Grimmore castin' on Misser Phantom?"
"This is an extremely dangerous world Karamon," Hall replied. "Humans and elves are generally not welcome on this beholder planet."
"We're disguised as a Illithid Slaver, with Estress as it's captain," Onestar continued. "I will be a human slavemaster, while you and Kath are hired muscle. And Meridian..."
"Plays slaver's pet," The Kenku swooped in from one of the upper decks. In his hand was a long, leather tether, and around his neck was a studded leather collar.
"I know you hate this part, old friend, but I need you out there." Onestar replied, placing a hand on Meridian's shoulder.
"I'm ready," Grimmore said, walking over to Phantom. He placed one hand on Phantom's chest and muttered a few words none gathered could understand. The Chief of Security was enveloped in a dull yellow aura for a few seconds. When it faded, Phantom looked like a well-dressed Illithid.
"Well, what do you think?" Phantom asked, his 'tendrils' waving as he spoke.
*Quite authentic, as long as you don't talk,* Estress replied.
"How do you plan to get around that one, cap'n?"
"Phantom just won't speak, Karamon," Onestar replied. "He'll be with me and Meridian, while you and Kath go with Estress. You'll be collecting the necessary parts, while I go pay taxes and get a few more provisions."
"Status, Ville?" Hall asked, looking upwards.
"No other traffic in this area. The dock is quiet. It's early morning local time, and most of the places are probably still closed."
[One minute to touchdown,] Crystal said, her voice coming from under Onestar's feet.
"All right, you know what to do," Onestar said, turning to Hall with last minute instructions. "After we land, you take the helm and keep it ready in case we have to make an emergency launch. If we're not back by early afternoon, you are to take off. Have Iesia and Sylissia Brightscales stand guard at the hatch, and keep the gunnery crews at the ready. Under no circumstances are they to allow anyone onboard. They shouldn't, after the story we give them, but just in case, no one..."
"'No one but us is allowed on.'" Hall mimicked Onestar. "I know m'friend. We've been through this before too many times. Relax. Although, I would do one more thing if I were you?"
"What's that?" Onestar questioned, wondering what he forgot.
"A samurai in the roughest part of wildspace isn't gonna last too long."
"Oh," Onestar replied, then closed his eyes. His gleaming armor, polished splint mail, seemed to melt. It's appearance changed quickly, flowing like liquid around Onestar's body. Bright colors gave way to darker shades. Splint mail gave way to a black breast plate. The clean, clear image of a samurai warrior faded away to a dark character, a slave master of an Illithid ship.
To complete the look, Onestar reached behind him and loosened his braided hair, letting it fall over his massive shoulders. He walked around to Crystal, bowing slightly as if to ask her opinion.
[You could be my slavemaster any time,] Crystal replied. Her voice echoed throughout the whole ship, causing the elven maiden to blush. The romance between the samurai and the bard was known to the whole crew, but still there were some chuckles to be heard, especially from Hall. Onestar narrowed his eyes and walked over to his first officer.
"Is something wrong, Mister Dargass?" Onestar asked, no emotion in his voice.
"Nothing," Hall replied, trying not to laugh.
"That's good, because I'd hate to have to remind this crew of the number of nights sleep lost because of the strange sounds coming from your quarters. 'Not so tight, those ropes might leave a mark.'" Onestar smiled and arched one eyebrow. "Any of that sound familiar?"
"That was only once and those ropes did hurt a lit...Hold on a second! I thought you were one of the good guys?" Hall said, crossing his arms. The crew, by this time, were all falling over laughing. Even Onestar was smiling from ear to ear.
"Just getting into character, Hall" Onestar replied, slapping the half-elf on the back.
"Ten seconds to touchdown!" Ville called out. "Landing stations!"
Everyone braced themselves as the ship landed in the waters outside the Free City of Toram. Outside, about 100 feet from the ship was the waterdock, the only water landing site on the planet for travellers. Certainly, there were other bodies of water, but most of them were controlled by Beholder Factions.
When the Wanderer landed, the helm-created gravity plane faded away, and the ship began to rock in rhythm to the waves underneath it. Strong at first, once the waters accepted the new arrival, it began to calm down. Slowly, the ship began moving toward the dock, using the natural breakwaters for propulsion.
Crystal stood, stretching after the long shift. Hall walked past her, and sat down on the edge of the helm, so he wouldn't activate it. Onestar and the landing party began to work their way over to the attack deck, while the lighting within the ship grew darker. Crystal stopped the samurai and kissed him on the cheek, whispering in his ear afterward. He nodded at her and returned her kiss, then joined the others outside.
"There doesn't seem to be anyone up yet," Kath commented, looking over the dock and shoreline. "Are you sure we're on the right planet?"
*This is Toram,* Estress replied. *I was here once before, looking to gain passage onboard a ship while I was investigating the Juna. I don't remember it being this quiet, however.*
"Any ideas what might be going on?" Onestar asked, staring ahead of them toward the approaching dock. Karamon and Kath moved forward, ready to attach mooring lines. Behind them, the Brightscale sisters took their place behind the party at the entry hatch. The daughters of Holinor, they have proved themselves valuable members of the crew. Onestar felt that it would be best if it appeared there were no humans (save himself) seen on the ship.
*It usually isn't like this, captain. The only time I've ever seen it this quiet was after the Night of the Doomspheres.* Estress' tendrils shook after he finished that thought.
"Doomspheres?" Meridian asked, cocking his head to the right.
*Undead Beholders. They are the 'peacekeepers' for this city. The city is protected by powerful magics, and the doomspheres are the enforcers of that magic. They are active only at night, however, for which we can be thankful. Their abilities are more...painful...than any other beholder.*
"How so?" Phantom asked.
*Their eyes can melt the very skin from your bones.*
"Nasty," Meridian said. By now, the dock was within range. Kath jumped onto the wooden pier and grabbed the length of rope Karamon tossed. The Scro quickly tied the ship into place, one rope at a time, ensuring it would be anchored to the dock just enough to keep it in place, but not so tightly they couldn't get away. The rest of the party walked down to join them, Onestar taking the front.
"No reception committee," the samurai noticed. "I don't like this, not in the least. Karamon, Kath, take the sides. Phantom, watch the rear. Meridian, come on."
Onestar gave a short tug on the leather tether attached to Meridian's collar. The Kenku jerked, then began to follow along. The sextet walked to the end of the pier, then began to make their way into the city itself, but still no one stopped them. Onestar was in the lead, with Meridian one step behind him. Karamon walked next, with Estress and 'Phantom' behind. Kath took up the rear, casually peering into alleys and sidestreets they passed.
After a few quiet minutes, they were near the dock master's office when they came upon a grizzly sight. What was left of a Kobold was strewn on the sidewalk, trying to reach a door just inches from him. The creature was lying in a pool of dried blood; it's upper torso and jaw stripped clean of skin and muscle, leaving only a skeleton. It's legs were intact, as was the top of its head. The creature's eyes were open, staring at the door, filled with fear.
"By the Celestial Emperor," Onestar whispered, kneeling down to inspect the dead kobold. He turned to Estress. "Doomspheres?"
The Illithid nodded.
"They are quite effective, wouldn't you say?" The voice was unfamiliar. Onestar, Kath and Karamon all drew their swords. Although unarmed, Meridian was ready to assume a defensive pose, but quickly remembered what he was supposed to be. Phantom was ready to go for a hidden weapon, when Estress placed a hand on his arm. Illithids were not known for using swords.
"Who are you!" Onestar barked.
"Greetings, and welcome to Toram." Before them were a beholder and a tall, coppery-skinned man. "I am Normakon of H'Catha, and this is my companion, Taraq. I am seeking the captain of the Dreadnought which just landed at the docks."
*I am the captain, Skreeth,* Estress replied. They all planned their roles quite well, not to be caught off guard so easily. Normakon, however, looked directly at Onestar the whole time.
"Forgive me, Illithid," Normakon replied, "but I believe you are mistaken."
"My master is ship's captain," Onestar replied, staring into the beholder's central eye, hoping to find some weakness. "Why do you question this?"
"These aren't the ones from the Wanderer, Normakon," Taraq said, crossing his massive arms. "Obviously, this is another...sp'lljaammer."
"No, Taraq," Normakon replied, several of his smaller eyes looking at the mul. "I am right. Aren't I...Onestar."
Onestar's left eyebrow arched slightly. "I don't understand what you're talking about. I am Sab Sarath, slavemaster on the ThoughtKiller, in service to the Illithid."
"Please, don't try to lie to me," Normakon replied. His deep, guttural voice almost sounded like there was a laugh behind his words. "You may be convincing, but I know better. I know you are Onestar, samurai captain of the Eternal Wanderer, and this is your crew. You are here to collect some necessary parts for a new form of spelljamming helm."
Kath, still trying to maintain the deception, turned to Estress, although he knew Onestar would know what he meant. "Orders, captain?"
"Don't even bother, Kath." Onestar stood, still looking into Normakon's central eye. "They know who we are, although how they knew we were going to be here is a mystery. We didn't even plan a stop here until two days back."
"There are things seen and unseen in the spheres, samurai," Normakon replied. "Will you grant us passage upon your ship?"
Onestar bowed slightly. "Just the two of you?"
"There is a third person, a Sir Fairland of the Order of Shadows," Taraq replied, offering the samurai his hand. Onestar took it and shook it firmly. "He's looking for passage on your ship also."
"Very well," Onestar replied. "Be at the dock at midsun. We should be ready to leave by then." With that, Normakon closed then opened his central eye, almost like a respectful bow, before headed off down one of the sidestreets. As they watched the pair leave, Estress moved to the front to stand next to Onestar.
*Something about them troubles you, doesn't it?*
"You don't have to be a mind reader to tell that, eh?" Onestar scratched his chin. "There is something about that tall one, something that almost seems....dwarfish. And that beholder. I've had my dealings with beholders before, but this one seems different."
*You noticed that as well,* Estress commented. *There is a possibility, but I would have to check through the Repository. Perhaps before we reach the Phlogiston...*
"You and Hall," Onestar commented with a slight laugh in his voice. The party moved out again, once they knew the area was clear. "I see now that the two of you are going to be like small children, trying to talk their parents into letting them run through a candy store."
*The search of knowledge,* Estress replied, *can be just as sweet.*
Moments later, they reached a corner. Onestar nodded down one direction, and Kath, Karamon and Estress departed to the south. Onestar, 'Phantom' and Meridian left to the north. After they left, Sir Fairland stepped out from one of the doorways, unseen in the shadows of the morning sun. He stood there, his face covered by the full plate armor he wore, not revealing any emotions. He merely waited a few moments before turning on his heels and making his way west to the docks.
