trans_9 | YAMATO SECTOR

Zouichi had always thought he'd had pretty good posture, but even he had to admit Ildraniath had him soundly beaten in that area.

"Almost everyone," he agreed. And no doubt street vendors were among that number. For someone who had devoted himself to saving an entire world, he was surprisingly cynical when it came to certain topics. "Though I'm sure there are people on the ship for whom no amount of bribery would suffice."

"By the same token, almost everyone has something that they will not do for an amount of persuasion or bribery. So I suppose it all evens out, in a way..." Ildraniath mused for a moment, gaze wandering skyward.

"We will see what happens when all is said and done."

She intended to be on top.

The first of the fireworks began their way skyward, sending up blooms of light that hissed and crackled in the night air. Zouichi watched, fascinated; he'd never actually seen fireworks before, which was why he'd been so interested in coming here in the first place.

Ildraniath lapsed into silence, letting her mind wander slightly as she watched the fireworks explode and spark above them. Despite her misgivings about the mission, about this whole blasted affair, she was oddly content at the moment. It was a moment of quiet and respite after many months (or was it weeks?) of constant thought and motion and worry.

Zouichi was quiet for a long moment as he watched the sky. He wasn't sure exactly why he'd invited Ildraniath to come along with him, but somehow he was glad he had. Perhaps fireworks were one of those experiences that could only be properly enjoyed with company.

"There weren't any fireworks left when I left Earth," he said, almost to himself. "I'm glad I was able to see them at least once."

"We had displays on Ulthwe, for certain festivals or celebrations. Although they were different," Ildraniath replied in a murmur. Very different. Almost more muted - after the disaster that had ripped the old Eldar empire asunder, excess was reigned in. But that didn't mean they couldn't create things of beauty.

"But I'm glad for you," she continued, turning to look at him, "You've managed to get something worthwhile out of this planet."

Zouichi smiled a little wryly, but his voice was still quiet. "I wish I could have seen it. It must have been lovely." It all seemed like such a waste. So many worlds destroyed -- all, no doubt with their own unique sights and sounds.

He glanced at her, then nodded slowly. "Well... if things work out, I won't be the only one to come out of this with something worthwhile."

"It was," Ildraniath replied simply. She hoped that one day Ulthwe - and the other Craftworlds - would once more float through the void, rather than allowing the Eldar people to once again become scattered and lost. For if there were many ships, all like their own, how could they find each other? She let out a small, subtle sigh and then turned a wry smile toward Zouichi.

"Others might. I found some useful information, but otherwise..." She shook her head, "You already know my opinion of this particular planet."

Zouichi tilted his head slightly, indicating that he did, in fact, have a pretty good idea of what her opinion of the park was. "Well, perhaps the next planet will contain supplies that are a little more useful. ...And be more tastefully decorated."

As the fireworks display came to a close and people began filtering their way back to the louder, brighter attractions, Zouichi motioned back toward the direction of the transporters. "Shall we go?"

"Tasteful decoration is always hoped for, but I am often disappointed," Ildraniath laughed quietly, "Alas that the universe does not have an appreciation for aesthetics."

She slowly clambered to her feet, hands folded into her sleeves once more. "Where to? Back to the ship, I suppose?"

"The universe's loss. I was going to visit a few more areas before I went back, actually, and see some of the marine life. You're welcome to come along if you'd like." Though it was getting a bit late. Not a problem for him, but perhaps Ildraniath would prefer to head back a little earlier. For his part, however, Zouichi was not overly eager to return quite so soon. The ship was immense, in its way, but also a little claustrophobic.

"I suppose I have nothing better to do. And I do need to clear my mind. Even Farseers need to relax..." Ildraniath looked thoughtful for a moment, "As long as we avoid the main thoroughfares, anyway."

Well. Today was full of surprises. Zouichi nodded, then started off down a back road. There was an aquarium he'd been meaning to see before the day was over, close enough now to simply walk.

Something had been weighing on Zouichi ever since his last encounter with Erhart Ritter, but he wasn't sure he should mention the incident to Ildraniath. After all, she seemed to hold him in distaste, and this was supposed to be a rest. Of sorts. In the end, however, he felt he should broach the subject. There weren't many on the ship who might understand what it was about the Imperium that disturbed him and... well, perhaps she deserved to know.

"I spoke to the Templar again. Erhart. But I have to admit to finding the conversation... disturbing."

Ildraniath walked alongside Zouichi, tread measured and light. Her attention seemed to be on some point off in space, but from the way her eyebrows shot up (just slightly) she was paying attention. And curious.

"I did tell you they were mindless fanatics. What did he say?"

"Yes, but..." To Ildraniath, nearly everything was unsatisfactory. It was sometimes difficult to sort out her opinions into that which should or should not be taken to heart.

"The idea that human survival comes chief above all other concerns. That conquering a planet is welcoming it into the Imperium, and destroying any species in their way is granting them mercy. That following the Emperor without question or doubt is the only way for mankind to survive, and that anything done in the name of survival is somehow automatically justified. ...Any number of things."

"I tend to agree with survival coming before all else, but to me the greater good is the survival of my species and my people. As for the rest?" Ildraniath scoffed, expression hardening again. "They are blind, fanatical fools. They think they can save themselves using an iron fist and heavy-handed tactics. They think it is better to destroy all before them and kill a whole planet down the last man, woman, and child rather than allow contact with an alien or to worship something besides the decrepit corpse they call a seer."

Her glance slid to Zouichi once again, "Do not listen to them, no matter what their words. In the end, they would kill you and call it an act of kindness."

Zouichi shook his head. "Survival is... an important consideration. But if the only way that humanity can survive is by throwing away everything that makes them human, I wouldn't call it survival at all."

This was an important distinction for Zouichi, whose duties on Earth often consisted of killing some humans while protecting others. All the same, it was a little difficult for him to convey properly in words. He made the attempt anyway. "Humanity has many flaws. It can be xenophobic, ruthless, arrogant, dogmatic. But it has just as many strengths. Curiosity, adaptability, kindness and benevolence, the ability to continue fighting when all hope is lost... that's what makes it worth defending."

"Without those strengths, it becomes something..." he paused, unsure of exactly how to say this, "...Without the hope of being able to change things for the better, the willingness to put their own existence on the line to bring about a better future, humanity might as well be dead. What he described isn't living, no matter how many worlds they try and add to their umbrella. It's just... existing."

"They are dogged, I will grant them that. But they are little else. Brutal, barbaric, willing to slaughter everything that stands in their way..." Ildraniath snorted, "They are brutes. Nothing more, nothing less, holding themselves as gods over the rest of humanity. And the rest of their species follows in their footsteps, because if they do not, they are declared heretics and destroyed."

Her brow furrowed, "The fact that you can see what is wrong with that is rather heartening. I think most of the humans aboard Stacy would agree with you - some of them anyway - which gives me slight hope for the species. Although not in my universe - they are too far gone down the path their emperor has set for them."

Though Zouichi generally took Ildraniath's words with a grain of salt, Erhart was in the habit of referring to humans as 'mortals', as though he himself were somehow innately separate from them. "I can't really speak on behalf of the Imperium... but the humans of my world did have periods of history such as you describe, where those who challenged accepted doctrine were relentlessly persecuted. However, humanity always had a way of pulling itself back. Of realizing that what it was really doing was destroying itself."

As for the humans of the Imperium, well... he could only hope she was wrong about them. In any case, they were now at the entrance to the aquarium (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bdbEnFEJqc), home to a large underwater tunnel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ms0924/4500855315/) and multiple (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3344332171_1ccb9f74cf_z.jpg) exhibits (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4383647185_03c3a540db_z.jpg?zz=1), including quite a lot (http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6176439998_ae71a443d9_z.jpg) of sea (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4969151829_94871733b8_z.jpg) life (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/5826882091_c3b1dc1c58_z.jpg) that Ildraniath was probably not interested in (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4627733778_86cca028f3_z.jpg).

But Zouichi personally found them fascinating, so she'd just have to wait a moment for him to get back on topic.

Ildraniath really didn't know all that much about human history. Why would she bother learning all that much about an inferior species? She knew what they were like when her people encountered them: brutish, destructive and determined to annihilate everything in their path.

"Perhaps they will pull themselves away from their destructive spiral, but I somehow doubt it," she mused. She fell silent as they entered the aquarium, the dim, blue lighting oddly soothing as they paced down the tunnel. She allowed Zouichi a few moments of interest before she went on.

"Do you seek advice from me? Or simply wish to unburden yourself?"

Zouichi gave her a look of mild surprise -- when had Ildraniath ever need an invitation to give her opinion on anything? "I don't know. Do you have any advice you feel worth giving?"

For the moment, he felt his path was more or less set. He had a task to perform, and he would succeed in it. Beyond that... he was not so sure.

"Only what I repeated earlier: avoid the Space Marines. Do not listen to them and do not heed their words. They will try to convince any who would listen of the righteousness of their cause. And if they cannot convince you, then when the time comes, they will destroy you without a second thought..."

Which was rather ironic, coming from Ildraniath, but she seemed unaware of it.

He smiled slightly, watching as a lone butterflyfish swam slowly by. "I thank you for your concern. But I don't think I'll be so easily swayed by what they have to say... and even they might occasionally have something worth listening to. I'm not afraid of what they might do to me."

Which was also true of anyone on the ship. Zouichi more or less considered himself able to fend off most any physical threat... and in any case, the possibility of death didn't particularly faze him. The prospect of learning more about the crew, however, even those that might be alien or off-putting, did interest him.

So basically, it was just incredibly difficult to get Zouichi to stop talking to people. Especially people that he wasn't supposed to talk to.

The glass felt cool under her finger-tips as she rested her hand against the tank, eyes following one of the fish. Beautiful, in an odd sort of way. But she wasn't particularly interested in them beyond the aesthetic quality they represented. She turned her head, taking in Zouichi again as she considered. Her voice dropped slightly - although there wasn't much danger of them being overheard, even in the muted environment of the aquarium.

"...if I were to... apprehend a Dalgig, would you be willing to assist?"

Zouichi glanced at her, almost as though to verify what she had said, though he was certain she wouldn't have asked the question out of idle curiosity. "You mean to actually get answers out of them? Answers that aren't 'we don't trust you and we owe you nothing, now go do our work for us so we don't have to bloody our noses fighting our own war'?" He didn't care for the way the Daligig had barged their way onto the ship, issuing not explanations or apologies, but ham-handed threats to a group of people who so far had done all that they asked.

Really, was it too much to ask for a little civility from one's allies?

"I'd be interested, yes."

YAMATO SECTOR

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