>>6099593“Arctus! Where are you?” you telepathically reach out, trying to reach his mind with your own. And you find him, a heartbeat later comes his reply.
“Karn? What's going on, wh-Hold on. Why are you HERE?” he asks, his tone shifting to worry as he senses your still-transformed power. “Give me a moment, I'll be right there.”
He then disconnects the mental link, as the droids wave their rifles around uncertainly. Towa, unmoving starts to speak, addressing them.
“I bring General Karn and Meloka, here to speak with Arctus on official business.” she says, the droid with yellow markings on its shoulders turning and sharing glances with several red-shouldered droids. But before any of them can make a move, you feel Arctus's ki appearing just a few feet away. An instant later he appears, his droids turning their rifles on him.
“Stand down, they're recognized guests. “Corporal, scan them in.”
“Roger Roger.” one of the red-shouldered ones says, holstering its rifle on its back before turning. Walking over to a nearby table, lifting a rectangular box up to its head and walking back. Arctus moves over to it, so you all will be facing towards him as he speaks.
“Well, this is unexpected. I don't suppose you came all the way out here to inquire about my health?” he asks as the box flashes, the droid lowering it and walking away from you all. “If you're looking for another ship, I'm working on it. But it's going to take at least another year, maybe two and a half depending on if the Blarg keep shorting me on materials.”
“This is a rather pressing-Wait, did you say Blarg?” Towa asks, her skin paling. It takes you a second to catch on, but then remember. The Blarg are already compromised by the parasite Baby, which means he could be too. You all come to that realization at the same time, collectively powering up as you stare him down. Which causes Arctus to back up, tripping over a discarded droid arm and stumbling back, nearly falling until catching himself on the table.
“What the hell?!” he snarls, righting himself and looking annoyed. “What are you trying to do, give me a heart attack?”
“What have the Blarg brought?” Towa asks intently, her demonic god aura blazing furiously. “I need to know everything.”
“Why does that matter? What's gotten into you all?” he asks, looking from her to Meloka to you. “Karn, what's going on?”
“Here.” Meloka says, tossing the severed head over to him. Surprised, Arctus catches it, looking over the metal head in confusion. He looks back up to you three, seemingly even more confused than before.
“Is this some sort of gift?” he asks, but then you see the realization dawn in his eyes. “Hold on. Start from the beginning, tell me what's going on. And maybe I'll find out why the Blarg are suddenly shorting me on materials.”
cont
