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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ankh-Morpork Guard" data-source="post: 1834783" data-attributes="member: 10079">Chapter 31: Family...Who Needs It?Jen watched the larger ship coming down not far off, noting how strange it looked. She’d never even heard of anything remotely similar..Voort was standing up now, and he had said something to get her attention on the approaching...four figures. Each of them were well over two meters tall, holding large weapons that seemed to cover the arm more than being held. As Jen stood up, she noticed a near shocked expression on Voort’s face. She followed his gaze to the nearest of those approaching, and her face soon mimicked Voort’s.    They were Alraxian. If the ears, tail, and generally feline features didn’t give it away, the skin tight suits they wore did. Though these suits were covered with larger plates that looked like armor of sorts, they didn’t seem to be in any way hampered by it. The four of them raised their weapons and simply aimed them at the two humans. They did not speak, but watched them with a close eye. Behind them, more were coming off of the smaller ship. All of them had the similar weapons, and to Voort’s trained eye, he could tell they were creating a very secure perimeter around the area. Why? No. The real question was why were they here in the first place.     Shadow wasn’t paying them any attention. She was pulling large pieces of metal off of where Akan was, and tossing them aside. When she pulled one piece off, she felt a sudden pain in her leg. Oops...must have cut him. Ah well, he probably wouldn’t notice at this point anyway. After some more digging, she managed to see the leg...and the cut. Oops. So it had nearly took his leg completely off. He could remorph it...again. From the look of it, he had attempted to remorph his limbs and injuries, but had passed out before finishing.    By the time Shadow had him mostly uncovered and was pulling him out, she saw that there were about seven of the guards around her. Those palace guards had never liked her...always looking for an excuse to shoot her. Now, though, they seemed genuinely surprised to see her pulling an unknown Alraxian out of the debris. Something clicked in one of the guard’s minds, and he quickly turned and ran towards where the larger ship had landed. Shadow sighed as she watched him return with at least ten other Alraxians. Not soldiers though. Redstars. Medics. Three of them pushed her aside, quickly moving to Akan and treating him. The others were poking and prodding her. It took Shadow a moment to realize they weren’t just checking her for wounds, but weapons.    “I’m fine! Leave me alone!” she growled in her native tongue, which she hadn’t spoke for so many cycles she’d nearly forgotten what it sounded like. When she pushed the Redstars back, the guards raised their weapons and looked about ready to shoot. As usual. Amazing how things could return to normal after so long.    One of the guards, who had reddish tabby markings along his hair and tail, gave her a stern look, “The Empress comes.”    In that short sentence, he’d explained that if she made any sudden moves, even the twitch of an ear, she would be killed. Shadow knew that she could easily take one of the guards by herself...maybe even two or three. But not the entire compliment of guards aboard the two ships that had nearly emptied themselves onto the swamps of Garek V. It wasn’t long before she could see the Empress and Emperor. The Empress was tall and thin, with long black and grey hair. She had the stature of a healer, not a warrior. However, the stern look on her face showed she wasn’t about to be taken advantage of by anyone. Next to her, the Emperor wore a much softer expression. He was slightly shorter, and had thick silvery-grey hair. When he caught sight of Shadow, she saw him smile.    They passed the guards and the Redstars stepped aside. For a long moment, the two just stood staring at Shadow. Then, the Empress turned to Akan(who had been helped as best as the Redstars could, and would just have to regain consciousness). She nodded to her husband before stepping over and kneeling down next to the blue-striped Alraxian. Shadow was watching her when she was suddenly surprised. The Emperor stepped over and wrapped his arms around her in a tight bear hug. She made an ‘umph’ noise and stood there feeling awkward. He spoke in Alraxian, “Oh, I missed you, little girl.”    She kept her hands firmly at her sides, and spoke through gritted teeth, “I’m not short.”    He laughed and patted her shoulder, pulling back to give her a look over. He had a big smile on his face when he glanced past her to Akan. Then, he whispered to her, “You know, your mother did the same thing for me the day before she asked me to be the Emperor.”    Shadow’s mind took a moment to process that, but when she did, a shocked look came onto her face and she nearly shrieked. She pushed him away and looked up at him with a glare, ‘I...! He...! I didn’t...! You!!!”    With another laugh, her father just hugged her again, “Whatever you say, Miss Ice Heart.”    When Akan’s eyes opened slowly, he found himself looking up into two kind and soften purple eyes. He could see black hair and a smile on a face, but his vision was still blurry. Feeling someone lifting him up slightly, he heard a voice speak. It wasn’t in any language he recognized. As his eyes focused, he realized he was being held up by an Alraxian...an Alraxian?! Huh?! How...?    The woman’s smiled grew and she tried speak again, this time in Basic, “You will be alright. How do you feel?”    “Ah..uh...um...” Akan looked around, seeing many Alraxians all over the place. In the distance, he could see Jen and Voort watching with a confused interest, and up close...well, a big Alraxian was hugging Shadow and she looked panicked. He turned back to the woman holding him up and managed a lost look on his face, “Feel um...uh...”    She laughed and patted his back, “I am sorry we did not arrive sooner. It was only recently that I learned of my daughter’s location. I must admit...I am surprised she has a Nothlit now.”    Akan opened his mouth to say something, then closed it. Daughter. Nothlit...him. Shadow’s mother?! Shadow even had a mother? [Of course I have a mother! We all do! No matter how much we try to get them to go away!] Shadow’s voice cut into his thoughts.    Slowly, Akan looked over towards Shadow. He could see a resemblance. But...mother?! Hell, he hadn’t even been sure there were any more Alraxians beyond himself and Shadow. Now there were hundreds of them. And parents, too! After she helped him to his feet, the Empress looked to both of them, “I am sorry, but we cannot stay. We learned that you were here...but did not realize certain...” her glance fell onto Akan, “...certain things. I must speak with you privately if you will give me the chance.”    For a moment, Akan saw Shadow giving him a ‘help!’ look, but she nodded and the mother and daughter walked off(with all of the guards following). The Emperor watched them go, then turned to Akan, smiling proudly he spoke in Basic, “Soo...what do you think of my daughter?”    That caught Akan off guard. Was he saying what it sounded like he was saying?! Akan saw the grin on the Emperor’s face. Yes, he was saying that. All that Akan managed as an answer was a steady stream of ‘uh’ ‘um’ and nervous laughter.    This brought another laugh to the Emperor, who extended his hand to Akan. When Akan took it, the man shook his strongly, “Call me Cole. Or dad. Either works. You’re name is...?”    Dad?! This was just getting worse and worse every second. For the first time in his life, Akan suddenly didn’t want a family or parents, or anything similar. When he opened his mouth this time, Akan managed to speak, “I’m uh...Akan...”    “Well, Akan,” Cole said putting an arm around his shoulder and leading him towards the smaller ship, “I’d really like to get to know you better right now, but we don’t have that much time. Just do me a favor and keep my daughter safe, will you?”    “Ah..um..okay?” Akan tried, noticing just how much taller that Cole was.    “Good good,” Cole patted his shoulder, “Next time we talk I expect a full report. I also expect you to be able to speak properly.”    After Akan nodded, Cole patted him on the shoulder again and walked off. As Akan stood there in a dazed confusion, the guards and Alraxians walked off to the ships. It was only five or so minutes and Jen, Voort, Akan, and Shadow were alone again. Shadow had walked over looking worried, but wasn’t saying anything. Akan had a feeling he knew about how she felt. Jen and Voort, though, were even more lost. They’d been kept far away from any actual speaking.    So of course, Jen asked, “What in the Force just happened?!”</blockquote>

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