#he's taught to pilot a skiff but the next time he needs one in an emergency is years later once the system has been upgraded

[worstloki]

Thor: (trying his best to pilot a skiff away from enemies firing at them) Loki: we're clearly outgunned Thor: mm--what? Loki: outmanned Thor: w--what about it? Loki: Outnumbered Thor: you're distracting me Loki, sighing: outplanned... Thor: (still struggling with the controls of the skiff) HELP ME THEN>?????

[pyrewriter]

Growing Guild

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I remember staying beneath the water for days at a time as we crossed the planet, our enemy didn't appear to have any interest in pursuing past land. Many suffered from churned stomachs due to the unsteady nature of the planet's waters. Only when we surfaced for circulating air to prevent stagnation and to survey the surrounding was their illness alleviated. With no way of knowing how other sects around the planet and across the system were affected, assuming they were hit at all I could only imagine. There was little point in dwelling on it however as even if I did know I could do nothing.

Instead I chose to focus on what Esyra had bestowed upon me, her helm and weapons were mine while the fate of the rest would be left to Ogethres. As a Vandal I was not allowed to wear a Captain's helm into combat but since it was Esyra's the final will, then ,should I live to obtain the rank of Captain, her helm would become mine. Her weapons on the other hand I could wield and they were far better than the standard weaponry that almost every Eliksni went into combat with. 

Esyra's shock rifle was exquisite, instead of the cobbled scrap it was solid wood stock that covered much of what would be exposed parts so one could rest their cheek for better use of the aperture site. The sidearm was standard save for it's odd internal wiring, upon inspecting it further I found that the pistol could discharge whatever energy was left in the cell in a single high powered burst. Her twin Captain's blades were thicker and heavier than a marauder's, making them more durable and able to handle more arc energy. I inspected, cleaned, and repaired each reverently before placing them on their respective racks on the wall of my living quarters.

After many weeks' travel we arrived on the other side of the planet ,nearer to the Great Machine but there was even more enemy activity in this area of the world. However such problems would have to wait as we had a more complicated issue at hand. Many different Eliksni from many different guilds, bands, and communes with leadership ranging from Captains to other Arkons were evacuated and spread across different Ketches. I received more than a few looks as I helped to sort every Dreg, Vandal, Captain, and Sprog. Sorting was the easy part however, now we needed to get them all to their proper leaders. 

Thanks to the abnormal density of our enemy there was a high risk of being detected so landing a large number of ships was out of the question. Instead Brykis and myself were sent as escort aboard a skiff for Ogethres' chosen envoy to propose a congregation to discuss the return of all. In short Ogethres and all the leaders who agree are to meet on the water between the ships that will serve as a neutral area to prevent having to go to each leader individually. 

A neutral ground provided no advantages to any leader as well as worked to prevent any kind of incidents from happening. House Dusk was system spanning and comprised of every house so factionalism was rampant and the lack of House identity within the new generations worsened the problem. Even if we survived the initial onslaught and exodus by throwing differences aside there was no telling how each leader would act in this calm period. To help ensure that every leader would come, three guards and a pilot of their choosing were welcome to accompany them. Some said they would think on the matter rather than agreeing almost immediately like most of the others. Leaders of smaller bands and communes were happy to be included let alone having their people returned.

It was a weeks time until the congregation but I did not sit idle in that time. I was assigned to prepare the Skiff our Arkon would be using as both transport to and a podium at the congregation. Since this was a relatively formal gathering of leaders only the most regal and pristine of Skiffs was to be used. Unfortunately no such Skiff was available so Ogethres chose one in a mild state of disrepair and then hand picked those who would work on it, I of course was part of this group. As a whole the craft was largely undamaged ,however, the hull was dented, discolored from ware and many parts were outright exposed.

Without the input of Ogethres himself we had no point of reference or point at which we were told stop so work continued until there was nothing left to work on. We worked around the clock on that Skiff to prepare it for the meeting, some worked themselves to the point of collapse but we continued until the day of the congregation. By the end the forward end had been almost entirely replaced. 

Just as I stepped back with the others to admire the fruits of our labor my communicator chimed on the bench next to my armor. It was a message from Pyrrhaks, I opened it. 

;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;

Sons Brykis, Ellrimksyt, prepare yourselves. 

We accompany Arkon Ogethres to congregation. 

;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;

I groaned, gathered what equipment I had brought with me to the hangar and headed for my quarters to finish preparing. When I opened the hatch Brykis was struggling with some of the straps of his armor, after helping him get settled he helped me in return. We grabbed our weapons, connected the ether tanks left, meeting with father on our way to the bridge. As all three of us entered the bridge we were greeted by Ogethres, "Prepared?" he clicked.

"Yes my Arkon, brought sons as asked, we ready to accompany" Pyrrhaks replied formally. 

Ogethres let out a low satisfied hum before ordering "Follow to hangar, then we go congregation, discuss next group movement". He stood from his seat at the helm and moved passed us with purpose in his stride, gesturing for us to follow as he passed. Entering the hangar we were met with House Dusk banners and Eliksni forming a path leading us to the Skiff. An unarmed pilot ,as per agreed upon, was already sitting in the cockpit to ferry us. Climbing onto the spine of the Skiff we clanged our feet to confirm our readiness and we were off. 

All but a handful of leaders did not appear at the congregation all of whom were leaders of smaller communes or bands. Talks were uneventful, consisting largely of how resources would be allocated to ensure all were returned to their people. I had zoned out for the grand majority of the discussions until something caught my ear. 

"Leaders of small communes, bands, many seek to swear under you, Arkon Ogethres" an Arkon of another guild stated with an informative chattering. 

A Captain of larger stature nodded his head "Indeed, word spreads, some good, other chiding, most of the three, your guard".

Ogethres paused for a moment to sigh before speaking, clearly and firmly "Those I favor, my concern only, regardless I accept those who swear under me, will gather during returns and-".

"Tell, who, what is your guard?" asked an ostentatious Baroness who was sent as a representative of a rather vain Arkon from one of the larger guilds. 

Beneath my helmet I cast my gave about to the handful of Captains and Arkons and felt their many eyes fall on our Skiff. Most had indifferent or curious gazes but the Baroness's peered straight at my Arkon. Tightening the grip on my shock spear I too looked to Ogethres to see how he would answer. I saw his body stiffen ever so slightly, whether it was out of anger for someone questioning his choice of company or fear of infighting about to erupt I couldn't tell. Thankfully that tension quickly disappeared as he spoke, his delivery was practiced, "My guard, raised from sprog like all, taught like all, he is one of guildi, that all you need know". 

The Baroness's seemed prepared for such a response, "Perhaps they show themself then".

“Irrelevant” another Arkon moaned, annoyed "All brought guard, what matter about his?".

Now the Baroness was annoyed "Quiet" she snapped with a chitter "Question not for you, it for Arkon who raised tainted-" 

"Enough idle chide!" Ogethres barked, "Your guild in shambles, mine grows, my guard among my greatest Barrons, his sons earned Forge Rights. Pyrrhaks, Wllrimksyt, Bykis, worthy of Kell Guard!".

"Ellrimksyt HUMAN!" the Baroness retorted.

I failed hold my tongue, "I AM ELIKSNI, if need to demonstrate, come see for self!" I growled furiously, stepping in front of uncle. Bringing myself to full height I drove my shock spear into the Skiff's hull before spreading my arms wide. I heard Ogethres start to say something but he stopped when two sets of footsteps came from behind me. My brother Brykis and father Pyrrhaks stood to either side of me, out of the corner of my eyes I saw them drive their weapons into the hull and spread their arms as well. None dared return the challenge.

By the day's end the congregation had ended peacefully with everyone being moved to the proper Ketches to be returned to their people. Of course Ogethres had reprimanded and  struck us for our actions following the congregation but I could tell he was ,as humans say, pulling his punches. In private he actually laughed and actually praised me for not taking the Baroness's insults and my father and brother for standing with me. Our guild had grown much thanks to the congregation, enough to fill the Ketch a pledging commune had brought with them which brought our guilds size to near double what it was.

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