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---------------ICFW COVERT INTELLIGENCE LOG------------------

** [ICFW INTELLIGENCE LOG NO. 1172948]**

[WARNING: THIS PARTICULAR FILE IS CLASSIFIED AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. IF CODE NAMES "COMMANDER" AND "WISDOM" BECOME ALERTED TO THE EXISTENCE OF THIS FILE, ALL ICFW PERSONNEL WILL BE HELD RESPONSBLE. -- "COUNCIL."]

[DATE: 15 DECEMBER, 2067, (EARTH CALENDAR)]

[LOCATION: KO'TARI PRIME, CAPITAL CITY OF (REDACTED)]

[SUBJECTS: PRIMARY SUBJECT: LORD KO'DARRI I'KAI'NE, (CODE NAME: "WISDOM,") MASTER CE'RUNAE, KING-IN EXILE, (REDACTED) SYSTEM. (REDACTED) TRIBE.]

*[SPECIES: CANIDAE, POSSIBLY (REDACTED.)] *

[AGE: UNKNOWN. SUBJECT IS BELIEVED TO BE ONE OF THE SEVEN KO'TARI 'LIVING GODS.' SO FAR, NO PROOF HAS BEEN FOUND, BY ICFW OR "COUNCIL".]

[SECONDARY SUBJECT: ABEL, JOSH, B. (CODE NAME: "COMMANDER"), HUMAN, AGE: 26 EARTH YEARS. 33 SEASONS.]

** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------**

** ----BEGIN ICFW COVERT INTELLIGENCE LOG----**

At first, I thought he was quite strange...

From my studies of the human race, I'd come to assume that they would all be easily driven to violence, and that they were often fearful and resistant when confronted with sudden changes in their environments and social standing.

But this young male human, who calls himself 'Josh,' has pleasantly surprised me by displaying none of these tendencies and so-called traits. Indeed, he appears quite eager to learn, and he is infinitely curious about our ways of life on this planet. For the past season and a half, or a "year", as he calls it, he has not only managed to acquire an almost natural proficiency in the local dialect, but has actively, some would say, intensively, been seeking out new knowledge and making some rather... dubious social contacts.

Of course, in the beginning, not everyone was as accepting of his presence as I was. His first experience with the local criminal element could have easily ended in his painful death, had I not noticed and swiftly intervened. However, even this brush with violence seemed to have no effect on him; indeed, it served only to make him even more curious about me, and Ko'tari society in general. Eventually, he began to ask the kinds of questions that I'd long been careful to avoid, concerning my past and the numerous bows, nods, and displays of respect which are often meted out to me by the people on the street.

He'd also inquired as to my physical strength and the effectiveness of my combat style, which I'd found to be slightly alarming, but at the same time, somewhat amusing...

And so, more out of my own curiosity than anything, I decided to 'take him under my wing', as he calls it. With his permission, and at my own reluctance, I began to teach him the ways of the Ce'runae; the laws and customs of my people. Education, history, meditation, and martial arts; social escalation, influence and compromise, and the deadliest of our trades, assassination. These were the customs and laws for which my tribe had, for centuries, given their lives. It was a culture, OUR culture; a kind of faith that I'd once sworn never to pass along to any other.

And yet here, after three hundred and forty-six seasons alone in my exile, I had broken my vow. After spending so much time searching, learning, and categorizing the ways and peoples of the freed worlds, I now believe that I have finally found the one. This is the one who will carry on my legacy; the will of the largest of the twenty-seven tribes. Of all the species that I have met, drifting along the endless Great Black, Only him, this human... is different. When I look into his eyes, I see no malice or hatred within; no hesitation or lust for power, but only peace and a firm resolve. I can already tell that no matter which path he chooses to follow, when he leaves this place, a change will be coming....

This human is going to create something "greater..."

"Master Koda! Hey, are you still writing that journal about me?"

Hearing his cheerful voice from behind me causes my ears to perk up, and a smile to tug at my lips.

"Ah, yes, of course. After all, I find your behavior to be quite fascinating. It's not every day I get to wake up and greet a human student!"

His soft chuckle echoed throughout the tent as his footsteps began to approach my desk. His slim, muscular form bent at the waist as he used a hand to brush his neck-length black hair out of his eyes, before scanning the parchment laid out in front of me.

"You're writing it in English?" he noted, a bemused smile crossing his face as he began to read my latest entry with interest.

"Yes," I nodded, clearing my throat to catch his attention, "As I've said before, I find it to be quite an effective language for being so simple. These days, I've been using it in most of my entries, especially those with regards to my interactions with you and your training."

With that said, I slowly stood up from my uncomfortable chair, stretching my cramped arms and legs before turning to face him.

"So? What brings you back from the Harbor Towers so early? Don't you normally spend your days down there, watching the Mechas repair their starships? And also... you should know better by now, Josh. You don't have to call me 'Master.' 'Teacher' will work just fine."

"Well then, teacher, you should come with me back to the Harbor," he quipped sarcastically, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"Remember that old wreck of a slave ship I ended up keeping after we crashed it outside of the city? There's someone who's interested in fixing it up. He says he's a pirate Captain, and once it's ready, he's even willing to teach me how to fly it! And, oh yeah... He says he knows you."

That final sentence caught my attention.

"Me?!" I repeated, the anger in my tone of voice causing Josh to take a step back. Realizing that I'd overreacted, I took a deep breath to calm my nerves, before asking him once again.

"Forgive me. You have to understand, there are many different tribes and people from numerous worlds who would love nothing more than to see me skinned and beheaded. This pirate... He asked for me by name?"

Josh gave a slight smile, and tilted his head to one side as he made direct eye contact with me.

"That's the funny part. He didn't just ask for you by name. He asked for you by title."

Suddenly, a sinking feeling began to form in the pit of my stomach.

"Lord Ko'darri I'kai'ne, Xi'toli King-in-Exile, Master Ce'runae... Is that really who you are?"

An exasperated sigh passed my lips as my gaze suddenly shifted towards the ground. For more than a year, I'd always been so careful to avoid telling him the truth about who I was. In the belief of the Ce'runae tribe, when one member is threatened, all who are known and present must respond in kind. I'd never wanted this young human, my only student, whom I'd come to call 'friend,' to become involved in what were, arguably, my own personal struggles Now, however, it appeared that I'd waited too long...

"Yes..." I exhaled, finally raising my eyes to meet his once again.

"It's true. In my youth, I was a king of my people, the Xi'toli... Until the T'erigai invaded our world. My people, the Xi'toli, and my chosen tribe, the Ce'runae... They fought bravely; valiantly... In the end, they sacrificed themselves on the battlefield, in the hopes that their children and families would be safe. But as you well know, the T'erii have no honor..."

"--They killed them all and took it over, didn't they?" Josh finished for me, his voice a stern expression of thinly-masked hatred. I could only nod my head silently in response.

"These T'erigai, or T'erii; whatever they call themselves... Those vomit-and-gray-scaled lizard-like bastards kept me chained in a box for two years... They would beat me, starve me, and they would--" His voice caught in his throat as the memories of the brutality of his enslavement returned. He never finished the sentence. His hands were clenched tightly into fists.

"Yes..." I almost whispered in confirmation, "The slave-taking races of the T'eriakk system of worlds are very well known for their... barbarity. They consider all other intelligent peoples and species to be 'lesser beings,' worthy only for enslavement and... entertainment. Those Mecha and pirates who live here in the capital of Ki'setta, along with a majority of the city's non-native citizens, were all once victims of their cruelty. That's why the pirates like to conduct raids upon their ships, to steal as much treasure and free as many slaves as they can find. But, as you've learned, the T'erii have recently grown wise to their usual tactics..."

"-- Which is why those pirate crews have been robbing the new arrivals since the day I first got here. I get it, now..." Josh shook his head sadly. Then, just as quickly, he shrugged his shoulders and smiled once again.

"Speaking of pirates, shall we head to the Harbor?" I spoke quickly,to change the subject.

"I'd like to meet this Captain who claims to know me by that name. If my instincts are correct, then he is likely to be a Ce'runae tribe member from this world. If I happen to be wrong, however..."

Shifting away the piles of parchment on my desk, I uncovered a thick leather belt hidden beneath the mess. Two thick, sheathed daggers were sewn firmly at an equal distance from its buckle, so that they could both be quickly drawn with ease.

"...You're gonna kill him?" Josh asked, looking perplexed.

"Only if I have to." I replied, strapping the belt around my waist and pulling my thick, black robe from its place on the wall.

"Then, I'll go armed, too," Josh insisted. "The guy seemed nice enough. A bit drunk, maybe, but other than that, he looked harmless. Still, better safe than sorry, right?"

I couldn't stop the corners of my muzzle from twisting upwards into a smile. I wondered silently to myself if this young man truly knew of his value to me. While I may have become his mentor and his Master in the Ce'runae tribe, it had been the student who'd taught this Master the most valuable lessons in patience, kindness, and inner strength. In fact, in terms of pure academic prowess, and a charisma which drew the people towards him in droves, he had already far surpassed me, from his earliest days. But I couldn't tell him that. Not yet, anyway...

I stepped over to a tall, wooden rack near the entrance to the tent, where I grabbed another one of my black robes, before tossing it deftly into his waiting hands.

"Put that on. Everyone in Ki'setta knows who you are by now, and they know who you are to me. It'll be better not to attract any unneccesary attention while we go out to meet this Captain."

Josh nodded once in understanding, slipping the heavy, hooded garment over the thin, custom-made fibrous clothing he constantly wore, which he often referred to as a 'shirt' and 'pants.'

Personally, I had never understood the human race's fascination with fashions, and how much or how little of the body should be shown. Josh was quick to reassure me, however, that these were considered the most basic articles of clothing among his kind, and that without them, he would feel 'naked.'

"So..." He muttered under his breath, tightening his own knife belt beneath the folds of his robe, "Are we talking rooftops this time? Or shadows and alleyways?"

His remarkable candor elicited a laugh from me. "Rooftops, I think," I responded with a nod, stroking the small tuft of grey fur beneath my chin.

"Let's see how well you've learned to run!"

"Alright, then! Let's do this!"

With those parting words, he raised the hood of the cloak over his head, before taking off at full speed through the entrance of our tent. I scoffed at his halfhearted attempt to gain a head start, before raising my own hood and pushing off to join him.

The homes, residential towers, and commercial buildings within the capital city of Ki'setta had long ago been intentionally built to a similar, almost identical height. This was to allow for the safe passage of the space-faring vessels, as they made their way towards any one of the city's three tall Harbor Towers, the largest and most modern structures in the otherwise ancient capital. The main streets were made of hard-packed dirt, and were often wide and open, with a maze-like network of dead-ends, alleyways, and dark tunnels connecting the city's ancient sections with its more modern urban sprawl. On any other day, those shadowy passageways would have provided more than enough cover for Josh and I to go about our business undetected, but today, I'd felt like a challenge.

Josh let out a slight grunt of effort as he launched himself across the six-foot gap between two adjoining homes. As I'd trained him to do, he instantly landed in a forward roll, before springing to his feet and using his momentum to resume running at full speed. I took care not to fall too far behind as he continued to lead the way towards the imposing Towers. My breath caught in my throat and I nearly lost my balance as I watched him suddenly drop backwards onto the ground, sliding on his knees under a set of three large air-vent pipes.

"I still don't understand why you insist on doing that!" I yelled over the machinery, as I vaulted over all three of the pipes before landing at his side. Laughing heartily, he ignored my concern and charged ahead once again, letting out a cry of exhilaration as we threw ourselves across a ten-foot gap before rolling to our feet on another rooftop across the street.

"On my world, we used to call this kind of thing 'parkour'!" he called back, as he quickly skipped across three buildings before coming to a stop. "And it's never about stealth! It's more about fear! As long as you trust your body, you can make any jump!"

I considered his explanation to myself as we finally came to a stop on the roof a well-known local restaurant, both of us bent over and panting as we struggled to catch a breath.

"We're here." Josh pointed out, in between gasps of air. "He's in the West Tower, Harbor 204."

"Then, shall we climb down?" I offered, motioning towards a drainage pipe nearby which ran directly to the ground.

"Where's the fun in that?!" he remarked, before taking a few steps back. As I watched, jaw agape, he rushed forward and leapt off the roof. I chuckled slightly to myself, shaking my head as I walked over to the pipe. If this human wasn't going to be my hope, then by the Gods, he was certainly going to be the death of me.

The Harbor Towers were as noisy and crowded as ever. As Josh and I removed our hoods and stepped out into the main Lifting Bay, a group of bloodied, bandaged Mecha crewmates carrying heavy, steel hull plates pushed past us as they marched at a weary pace towards a badly-damaged ship. As one of them nearly dropped his end of a plate, we could hear them all cursing loudly in the Southern Ko'tari dialect.

"Damn... Those guys look like they had it rough..." Josh remarked sympathetically. "Our ship's over this way. I managed to convince the Harbormaster to let me keep it here," he continued, pointing a thin finger towards a nearby harbor space.

The ship itself was larger than most of those in the Lifting Bay. It must have been a class-four at least. Its hull was rusted and full of holes and tears, the tell-tale signs of an emergency crash-landing. As we approached the unkempt former slave-ship, I caught sight of a reptillian figure with scarlet-red scales and a pair of sharp horns protruding from his head. His long, untrimmed tail swished excitedly to-and-fro, as he turned his head and stroked his dragon-like snout, taking in every inch of the vessel in front of him. His thick, white mane stretched from his forehead and ran down between his shoulder blades, contrasting with the deep black of his old, patched Captain's coat.

At first, he seemed oblivious to our presence. But as we continued our approach, a slight shift in his tail's movement told me that he had noticed our arrival. It was exactly as I'd expected. He was indeed a Ce'runae, and also a native Ko'tari. With training like ours, there could be no mistaking another member of the tribe. Chuckling slightly, he turned to face us. As his scaly face came into view, he flashed a stained, toothy smile, and I caught sight of an open bottle in one hand as he stepped closer to greet us.

"Well, well, well... If it isn't Lord Koda! I do hope you'll forgive me if I don't bow and speak English, right? After all, your... student... should be allowed to understand us."

"Re'iseko I'anii... I'd remember those blood-red scales anywhere..." My voice betrayed a hint of surprise.

"The last time I saw you, you had just taken over a class-five full of gold and core-stone as a prize. Unfortunately, I heard your crew had other ideas..."

The red-scaled reptilian hissed sharply between his teeth, before taking a long pull from the bottle in his hand, draining nearly half of the emerald-green liquor in one gulp.

"Aye, the bastard _t'ekkas _staged a mutiny. I mean, hey, I love treasure, there's no questionin' that. But I'm still a pirate first, yeah? I still got my pride. My honor. You know this, Koda. After all, it wasn't too many moons ago that you were a pirate yourself! Hahaha!"

I managed to turn my head just in time to catch Josh staring at me.

"You were a pirate? Seriously? What else don't I know about you?"

"Well, I... had to make my own way after..." I struggled to find the right words. Josh, shaking his head slightly, stopped me by placing a hand upon my shoulder.

"Don't worry about it, teacher. You don't have to tell me everything if you don't want to. Still, I would appreciate it if you didn't feel like you had to keep secrets from me." He smiled slightly out of understanding, before releasing his grip. Suddenly, I felt a pang of guilt in my chest. After all, I had been training this young human for over a year; I'd openly violated nearly every code of the Master's Laws, and I'd known it from the beginning. I'd hidden so much from him...

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted as the imposing figure of I'anii drunkenly sauntered up to Josh's small form, before offering his scaly hand, palm up, a slight smile drawn across his face, revealing his stained fangs as he cleared his throat to speak.

"This is how your people greet one another, isn't it?"

"It is," Josh responded with an air of confidence. "The name's Joseph B. Abel. You can call me 'Josh.'" With that, he clasped the aging Ko'tari's blood-red hand in his own, before giving it a single, firm shake.

"And I am I'anii Re'isekko, just as your teacher has introduced me. But for the sake of simplicity, I've been using the name 'Redd.' You may call me that."

I couldn't stop the laughter building up from my chest as I crossed my arms over my chest and looked down my nose at him. "So... you're calling yourself by a human-styled name these days?" I snickered as he turned to face me, a snarl pulled across his face.

"Aye! And I'll call myself whatever I damn well please, your majesty!"

Ignoring my attempt at a counter-attack, he suddenly turned his head to face the rusted, old ship once again.

"So... Do you know what you've got here?" he asked Josh, not taking his eyes away from the craft.

"Not really," Josh replied with a disappointed shake of his head, "I don't know much about it, other than the fact that I was kept chained up in a cage in the hold for two years. I barely had time to look around when we broke out and took it over."

"You were a slave?!" Redd gasped audibly, turning to face Josh, looking him up and down, from head to toe.

"Yeah... And when we took the ship, nobody else had any idea of what to do with it. So, I asked one of them if I could take it for myself, and I managed to convince the Harbormaster to drag it out of the desert and store it here. Still, I can't even begin to afford the repairs. And even if I could--"

"--You couldn't fly it without a Captain, pilots, navigators, and a competent crew." Redd finished for him. Josh simply nodded his head in agreement.

"Well..." The red-scaled Ko'tari huffed loudly as he continued to look over the damaged ship. Finally, he sighed heavily and straightened out the creases in his heavily-patched black coat. T'erii leather. I didn't dare to ask.

"We've got some work to do, that's for sure. But I swear to ya, kid... Once I'm done with her, she's going to be a damn sight to behold!"

---

----END ICFW COVERT INTELLIGENCE FILE----

As you can all see, each installment is a bit different. I hope you enjoy the different viewpoints as the story is told.