Big Eyes, Small Mouth (BESM): Nexus Earth - Chapter 9: The Voyage Home

[Justin OOC]

The trip to earth was pleasant, allowing everyone to rest. Everyone slept well, except the princess. Her dreams were nightmares of Dalaraan burning.

When she awoke There was a beeping sounding from the terminal in her room.

Kai was in the medical bay, recuperating from his traumatic battle. The Gaogaigar was almost fully regenerated, and many of the Mecha had bbeen repaired.

Captains Nagare, Nanamura and Illiayev were on the bridge as the Satoshi fleet endered Earth's atmosphere, Preparing to return triumphantly to Tokyo.

Velocity's body was within a sealed cryo pod, and the peices of the Grungust were inn one slot of the hangar. The Gaogaigar looked at them Often, wondering if the machine would be rebuilt.

Mercury had retired to her room after being micronized again, eschewing talking with anyone, still filled with regret.

(OOC post as you will)

[SalmonMax]

With a groan, Lily pulled herself out of bed and pulled the strap of her PJ's up where her tossing and turning had pushed it far down her arm. She blinked dully at her terminal screen and finally sat down at the desk, not bothering to turn the lights on. At a touch from her finger the screen cleared and a message came up, marked with several levels of priority.

Lily read. It didn't take long, there wasn't much. But by the end she was on her feet and throwing some clothes on with urgent haste.

The next few minutes saw Lily appear out of a bluish smear of light on the bridge of the Macross and look around. "Akina," she called, even demanded, "I need to speak to you. Captain Akina?"

[Justin OOC]

Akina stood there with Ryoma and Commander Wilder. She looked at Lily and nodded, motioning to one of the doors off the bridge. She led Lily into what looked like a briefing room. "What do you need Princess? I know Kai is alright, or else I would not be on the bridge. So this must be about something else."

For some reason the young White-haired Captain seemed annoyed about something.

[SalmonMax]

"No...it's not Kai." Lily was clearly upset, filled with nervous energy as she paced from Akina to the door, and then back again, constantly brushing her bangs out of her eyes as she went.

"I got a message...from my father. He's asking me to come back to Dalaraan. Normally, I...well, I wouldn't have done it if the Federation problem wasn't taken care of, but under the circumstances I feel like I have to do it."

She finally stopped pacing and gave Akina a pleading look. "Would you loan me a Satoshi ship that's capable of faster than light travel? Also, he only asked for me, so I'd like to ask if my brother and sister can continue to stay on Earth while I'm gone."

[Justin OOC]

"Don't you think it odd that he's left you here so long, with no support, and now he's calling you home?"

"Don't misunderstand me, I'm willing to loan you a ship, and even a CRT for Escort should you run into trouble. We are allies after all."

"I do not believve the Federation will be an issue again, but Takashi is out there, as are the Invaders. Ruri sent me some disturbing reports of Worldwide Deomn activity too. I cannot send away the entire Satoshi defense force."

[Valerie]

Valerie early despite herself, her own fight left her tired and wounded, but her friends fights left her completely exhausted, she could not bear to watch as Velocity was taken down, or coach Georgi get outmatched, or seeing Kai be shot several times in a row.

She just was not made for this, the CRT´s had a lot of training on them to help them through this times, but she did not had as much readiness to see her friends die, still she could not show that kind of face on the bridge at this time, "we saved the earth from invasion" she thought, she cleared up her head and decided to get ready and go into the bridge.

Valerie got up from her bed decided on taking a shower, but she felt immediately something was amiss when her point of view was moved about 9 inches higher, a long lock of hair suddenly covered her face, moving over to her mirror she saw an unfamiliar face reflected back at her, long white hair, tanned olive color skin, much more..ahem..bigger than her, after many a second of contemplation a flash of realization appeared on the face in the mirror.

----

"...and that´s why my appearance is now stuck on the Battle Form I used during the last mission, not the most convenient of times seeing how most of my wardrobe now makes a corset seem like a loose fit, but I still have to go through the procedure of activating every auxiliary system and sub routine to use all of the advantages it offers, so I get stuck with the cosmetic look and none of the technical benefits." Valerie expressed her regrets to a silent Ibis, who was busy eating her breakfast.

"If it does not stop you from performing your regular duties, I guess it´s not much of an inconvenience. We can go to the CRT 4 to request new uniforms for you, and we can just keep you doing the same thing you always do...what is it you always do Valerie?" Ibis retorted, her voice slightly laconic and cold, she was starting to sound like her old self from time to time.

"I mean, it´s not a huge inconvenience, but it´s a bummer to have all those good clothes go to waste. Dammit I´m 15! Why do I have to wear a drab uniform when saving the world?" Valerie skilfully dodged the freeloading accusation by Ibis with another whine.

"Don´t know sweety, I personally like this uniform, gives off a feeling of discipline. Now, I have to go to Infirmary unit, why don´t you go to the bridge and ask Akina with what you can help? Gotta earn your keep Valerie." Ibis delivered the last piece with a slight hint of humor, very much not like the old Ibis.

The accusation felt like a ton of bricks on Valerie. "Akina will probably have me go outside and do something boring in the hull now that I can move around on my own in space." sighing deeply, she finished her lunch and moved to her destiny.

---

"Don't misunderstand me, I'm willing to loan you a ship, and even a CRT for Escort should you run into trouble. We are allies after all." was the first words that Valerie could hear off from Akina, but she seemed to be in one of the side rooms, Valerie just had really good hearing, trying to avoid listening in on conversations that are not hers she quickly moved towards Ryoma, who seemed to be the person with the least work on the bridge and striked up a conversation. "Hi!"

[SalmonMax]

Lily shook her head emphatically. "That's not what I'm asking. I'd never ask that."

She sighed and looked away. "I just need one ship. My father didn't ask for a fleet, he asked for me. It doesn't even have to be a BIG ship. Anything with a stellar drive will do. Oh, but...it should have enough space for Ratheros' truebody. And I'll need a crew I can trust."

[Rorx]

Eiji rose early as he usually did and headed to the gym. He had barely been touched during his duel and with his ability to quickly regenerate his Energy reserves he had been ready to start all over again within a few minutes of the duels end. With few other people around there was little point trying to get someone to spar with him and so he simply worked through his kata for an hour.

Having completed his morning exercise Eiji jogged back to his room, nodding to those he knew in the corridors as people started to get ready for their shifts. After a brief shower and changing into his uniform the new Captain of CRT 6 decided to use his new rank to get a view of the approach to Earth from the bridge.

He arrived just after Valerie and headed after her.

"Morning all, anything interesting going on yet?"

[Valerie]

"Hi Captain Eiji, got just in time for the greetings. Just got up?" Valerie turned sligthly from the still thinking Ryoma to greet Eiji. "Got some coffee on you?"

[Justin OOC]

Ryoma regarded Valerie, and then Eiji with a nod and a smile. "Coffee's in the briefing room. Akina and Lily are in there. Help yourself."

He looked to Valerie. "You fought very well in the battle, a true credit to the skill and ingenuity of your parents."

[Rorx]

Eiji nods to Ryoma and Valerie and takes a couple of steps to give them an illusion of privacy before waiting to see if Valerie will be joining him in the briefing room.

[Justin OOC]

Akina looked at Lily. "You won't be travelling alone, the Empire may send it's allies off like that, but if I send you with a ship, it will be one I expect to return home, and with an escort fitting the person they'll be guarding."

[Valerie]

"Why don't you join us for some coffee Captain Ryoma? I can't believe you are already up and running after a fight like that" Valerie smiled at him and Eiji.

"Come, I had breakfast with some juice but I need the coffee right now more than ever." Valerie started her way towards the briefing room with Lily and Akina on it.

[Justin OOC]

Ryoma shook his head. "Someone must stand watch while in Reentry. You kids go on ahead."

[Valerie]

"Thank you captain, I will bring you a cup then when we are done inside." Valerie signaled for Eiji to come with her as she moved towards the door with discussion going on in behind it, knocking on it she announced herslf. "Captain Akina? It's me Valerie, Capt. Eiji and me were looking for some coffee, is it alright if we come in?"

Waiting too short for an answer, she already started opening the door to the briefing room as she finished her sentence.

[Justin OOC]

Akina looks at Valerie in hat at first seems annoyance bt resolves itself to resignation. "Go ahead, The Princess and I were just discussing a little trip to Dalaraan."

[SalmonMax]

"The Empire didn't send me here alone either, but..."

Lily broke off on seeing Valerie there. "Anyway," she finished lamely to Akina. "I appreciate your help, and I apologize if I ever accidentally implied you wouldn't. I just...this could be big news for us both. If the civil war is nearing resolution, than the Empire will finally begin to be able to help us more directly. And I don't think my father would call me back into the center of a war still raging."

[Justin OOC]

Akina shakes her head. "It could yes. But I know what's going to happen Lily." The young looking Captain nodded.

"Kai will demand to go with you, and as he is head captain the only way for us to prevent that is to pound him into submission."

"So I'm going to draw up Orders for CRT-1, CRT-8, and CRT-9 to accompany you back to Dalaraan. I'll sign off on the Macross and the Quarter going with you, along with three smaller escort ships. It's a Small enough force as to be an honor guard for heads of state, but more than enough to get you there and back safely."

She turns to Eiji and and Valerie. "You both may go as well, Valerie, because you are not part of our TO&E, Eiji, by excercising your right as a Captain."

She smiles "Frankly I'll feel safer with you with them. I know you'll bring Kai home."

"Raisho and I can handle things here well enough. No invading Fleet to contend with anymore and we will have the other nine CRT-s."

She looked to them all. "I trust this will be acceptable?"

[Valerie]

"I come for coffee and get sent to another Galaxy? Mornings sure are funny on outer space. But yeah, I´m all for it...But wait, CRT-1 captain is Kai, but who are the officers for CRT´s 8 and 9?"

[Justin OOC]

"Captain Ryoma Nagare and Captain Klan Klang. With their CRT's nothing short of a battle fleet would be a danger to you all." Those CRT's packed immense firepower, and Were extremely loyal to both Akina and to Kai.

"I don't expect trouble, but if our head captain is going, I'm not going to take chances."

[SalmonMax]

Lily rubbed her chin, trying to keep things in perspective. She hated risking so much, but she also had to admit...she'd make a bigger impression showing up with a powerful task force and Earth's skeleton key in tow than gimping along in a little freighter like a fugitive. Her father's fortunes might depend on how things fared on Earth. Demonstrating victory couldn't hurt.

She nodded at Akina. "More than acceptable...I hate to leave Earth's defenses so depleted, but...I thank you just the same. We won't take any longer than absolutely necessary to make sure the Empire is stabilized."

[Rorx]

Eiji turns and smiles at Akina and Lilly as he pours his coffee, "I may be a Captain now, but I have a talented Lieutenant and my priority will always be the safety of Kai and the Princess."

He takes a sip and glances out at the view through space towards Earth, "I guess I better dust off those enchantments I had been researching towards making myself spaceworthy," he turns back with another grin, "Not somewhere you want to be when an enemy blows a hole in your powerarmour."

[Justin OOC]

Akina chuckled. "No it is not." The ship splashed down in Tokyo Bay shortly afterwards, and everyone barely felt it. Soon They were all back in the briefing room off the bridge of the Macross itself, while personnel and equipment transfers were handled.

Kai had risen from the depths of the medbay, and Hayato and Sasami had brought Ratheros to greet Lily upon her return. The happy little cabbit first jumped to Kai, then to Valerie, and finally to her master, Lily and began to pur.

Masane embraced Kai warmly, putting her head to his. "I knew you would win Master. Just try not to take so many hits next time."

Kai smiled. "Haken was very good."

Klan had been micronized, and Sasami had taken a quick liking to her, because she thought she was a child too.

Ryoma and Ruri were also there, as was Sakura, whom Kai and the others hadn't met.

Akina called things to order.

"Allright. As you all know we won the challenge, the Federation will not be attacking Earth anymore. Princes Akansalilly has however received a summons to Return home to Dalaraan from the Emperor."

"Because I know it will happen regardless of my personal opinion, I have cut orders for the Macross, the Quarter, and three of our Circinus ships, an Avalon, The Melissa Davion, A Black Lion, The Red Claw, and a Essex, the Starlight to serve as escort for the Princess back to Dalaraan. The Imperial ship core has already been transfered to the Macross. CRT's 1,8 and 9 will be serving as honor guard."

She looks at Kai. "I assume you'll go with her." He nodded enthusiastically. "I can trust you and Raisho to run things while I'm gone."

She nodded. "Captain Nagare, Captain, Klang, I know Captain Tanaka and Iliayev will be going. Do Either of you have issues with this Assignment?"

Ryoma shook his head and Klan smiled. "None at all, though you are sending Lily back with Federation officers backing her up in Federation ships."

"It's what we have, and frankly your CRT's are the best to ensure we get Kai back."

"Fair enough."

Masane nodded. She looked to Sakura. "I think it best that I introduce our young friend now. This is Sakura, she's a demon hunter from Aradia." Akina's eyes narrowed sharply.

"I see."

Raishon nodded. "She is quite skillful and managed to take out a major Hive outside moscow. If you're going to go to Dalaraan, She might be of assistance to you."

Kai smiled to Sakura. "Welcome to the team."

He looks to Akina and Raisho. "I want Ruri to come with us."

"What???"

"We have skilled technicians on the ships, but we are going to be a very long way from resupply and aid if things go bad. I want the best we have with us to keep our personnel safe."

Raisho looked ready to vehemently object, but Akina shook her head. "Alright Kai. It's time for Lapis to earn her keep anyway. I'll have her transferred over along with her gear." Akina touched the keypad for a half dozen strokes. "She agrees to go."

Raisho sat back. "So six Captains, three CRT's. That's a mighty display of commitment. But it is a show that we're willing to move beyond the past."

All eyes turned to those who hadn't spoke to see if they disagreed.

[Valerie]

Valerie hugged Ratheros when he jumped on her arms, she had missed the little fur ball, but he immediately jumped to Lily´s arms as soon as she came to view, been happening a lot lately, and the arrival went as expected. The CRT´s sortied out of the ships and the Captains started to come out to to form around Kai.

A new girl had appeared, she seemed to be strong if the earthbound captains were backing her up, Sakura was her name? She´s awfully pretty, still lots of things were happening all at the same time, Ryoma and Klan Klan were assigned to the group taking Lily with Eiji, Georgie, Kai and herself, Sakura was added to the group as extra power and then she asked for Ruri, meanwhile they were going to get escorted by the equivalent of a batallion that could protect the moon against the Federation, on Federation ships to take the Emperor´s Daugther to Dalaraan home world.

"Captain Akina, I don´t want to interrupt. But what´s going to happen to Gai? He is too used to the Federation way of running things to acommodate Satoshi this fast, both are military factions but we can´t assume the chain of command works the same way and on top of that he probably left any kind of friend he had behind, he must feel lonely. I was hoping to be able to spend some time with him to help him accomodate, Captain Hoshino and I are the closest type of being to him, I know I´m not even part of Satoshi, but could Gai be sortied with the CRT´s that will protect the Princess and Captain-Commander?"

[SalmonMax]

Lily hugged Ratheros fondly and stroked the cabbit between her ears as the others showed up. On seeing Kai she teleported to his side to hold his hand when Masane was done with him. She nodded to Sakura on being introduced and seemed about to say something, but let Valerie talk instead.

"Hayato and Sasami," she called, beckoning her younger siblings over. "I want you two to stay on Earth while we're gone," she said gently. "Satoshi can protect you, and...this could be dangerous. We don't really know what we're flying into the middle of. We shouldn't all be in one place at the same time."

[Justin OOC]

Akina nods, and looks to Kai. Kai looks to Klan. "The Gaogaigar killed Irm, your Lieutenant in the tournament. Can you willing fight alongside him?"

All eyes turned to the blue-haired adolescent looking Captain. "The Gaogaigar has long been known to all Federation forces as one of the greatest warriors in existence. At the end of his fight with Irm, He stopped and honored his fallen foe in one of the most sacred displays of respect, the taking of a peice of the foe, not as a trophy, but to remind the victor of the defeated's valor. I would gladly fight along side Gaogaigar to protect my new home and my people."

Kai looked to Valerie. "You can go let him know personally that he'll be going along."

Sasami and Hayato weren't happy though. "If Dad's in trouble then we're going home to help him!" the two spoke almost as one. You always leave us behind, everyone always leaves us behind."

[Valerie]

Valerie skipped all the way to the Macross where Gai was probably still standing. Being a Mech sized being could be pretty inconvenient on a human sized world, Valerie could only wonder how everything looks to him from up there, shaking her head she continued her skip towards the hangar until she was within earshot of Gai.

"Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaai." Valerie stood in front of the titanic warrior. "How was the re-entry, everything all right with you?" Valerie gave the GaoGaiGar a billion dollar smile.

"Oh, Valerie. The reentry was fine, have done them thousands of times by now. What brings you around here? I would figure being back at home you would be running to your family and friends." The Gaogaigar spoke with a deep, quiet voice, an astounding feat for someone his size.

"All my friends are on satoshi Gai, as a matter of fact I came around exactly because I figured you were lonely, I doubt much of the CRT stuck around to make conversation after a mission. I know how lonely it can get around here." Valerie admitted with a twinge of sadness on her voice, a forced smile on her face for the briefest moment.

The Gaogaigar quickly realized his faux pax and lowered himself on one knee, extending his hand to Valerie. "Still, what else brought you here Valerie? Not that I don´t appreciate the visit."

Valerie turns to look at Gai "Oh right, Akina sent me to tell you. We are being sortied to go to the Dalaraan capital world as escorts to Princess Lily, Kai, Ryoma, Klan, Ruri, Eiji and Georgie are going as well as CRT´s 1m 8 and 9 and several ships among them this one. So I figured you might want to come, for someone your size Earth is probably preatty small and even worse if you are confined to the Satoshi clearance air space only." Valerie belted on and on after that about the restrictions of remaining on earth but Gai cut her off.

"There is no need to convince me Valerie, I came here on my own free will to server under satoshi, if my orders are to be sortied out as soon as possible, I will follow them." Gai gave a laugh out, another admirable feat for the GaiGar.

"Well Gai, since we are already on this ship and it´s coming with us to space." Valerie jumped into Gai´s hand, which immediately elevated her to his shoulder. "Got something specific you want to talk about? I bet you have dozens of hundreds of interesting stories on that big ol´head of yours"

"Why yes, I have a lot of interesting stories. But let´s make this fair, I will trade one story for another story, I go first, and then you go, sounds good?" Valerie nodded on agreement, and after some quick communications she had already sent Akina the message that everything was ready with the GaoGaiGar, she also gave a call to Ibis to see if she had some free time to kill, god knows when it´s the next time she will be able to see her.

"So Gai, we can start whenever you want to!" said Valerie, comfortably sitting on GaoGaiGar´s shoulder.

[Justin OOC]

There was a rumble in the bay. Th giant robot was laughing. "I believe I'll let the young lady go first. I'll let you tell me what you think is a good starting point."

He held his hand up so that she was level with his face, In massive Red lenses she could see her red-tinged reflection. It gave her an idea of just how big the robot truly was, The plate covering it's mouth was at least ten feet tall.

[Rorx]

Eiji bows to the young demon hunter, "Welcome to the team, Eiji Tanaka at your service. Perhaps we could discuss your abilities some time, to see where you would fit in best amongst us? Unless you already have some ideas on that?"

[Sakura]

"A pleasure to meet you all, I've heard a lot about you." She said as she was introduced. However, she frowned slightly at the thought of leaving earth. "I've sworn to the protection of the people of earth, I feel a bit uneasy about leaving earth, but I will trust that you know what your doing, asking me to join for this trip, Lady Masume."

When Eiji greeted her, she bowed slightly, and held out her hand to him. "Just Sakura Terra, but please call me Sakura, by training and vocation, I am a warrior."

[Rorx]

Eiji grinned and shook his head slightly at Sakura's reply, "We are all warrior's here despite how young some of us may look." Turning to indicate some of the others he continued.

"However our abilities all vary. Georgie is a supersoldier with a modified physique. Princess Lily can teleport, fly and project energy. Valerie has a variety of abilities from the cybernetic components in her body."

Finally turning back to face Sakura he finishes off with, "And as for myself. I'm a half-Ikaran Kage Ninja with an enchanted body, trained in Kido, Alchemy and True Magic. So you can see we will need more information than you are a 'warrior', although this may not be a suitable place for such details."

[Justin OOC]

Raisho chuckled. "I should think after serving under two Aradian Captains Eiji, you would know what Aradian warriors can do."

Meanwhile the younger Dalaraan heirs waited to here their Sister's reply to their demand.

[Rorx]

Eiji turned and smiled ruefully at Raisho, "Quite true Captain, but only in general terms. The devil, as they say, is in the details."

[Sakura]

"So what your looking for is a general description of my capabilities?" She responded to Eiji's statement. "In that case, I am best at direct melee or hand to hand combat, I can sense demons and exorcise possessing spirits and certain kinds of curses, I can lift around eight tons, and fly just a bit short of mach one, I always know where I am in relation to what's around me, I can draw on the Eternal Light for a few of what you'd call spells, and my sword is a very special blade.. I'm supremely healthy, have never been sick in my life, and regenerate damage quickly.. does that answer your question better?"

[SalmonMax]

"I don't know that he's in trouble," Lily pointed out to her younger siblings. "In fact, he's probably not. I'm just...I don't know for sure that it's safe on Dalaraan, and I'm pretty sure it is on Earth. There could still be someone after us out there, even if dad's fine."

The 'everyone leaves us behind' made her visibly wince though, and she hunkered down. "I just want to make sure you're safe. I'm your big sister, that's my job. I don't -want- to leave you. I'm just afraid if you come, I might not be able to protect you when you need me most."

[Rorx]

Eiji nods and smiles at Sakura, "Thank you. That would generally put you in a similar position to myself as mainly fighting in melee. Although you have the benefit of movement capabilities I currently lack."

Sipping his coffee he looked past Sakura briefly towards the breakfast food laid out on the table, but was in fact contemplating the details required for flying or teleporting spells.

[Justin OOC]

"That's the same thing Dad said when he sent us here. You may like being here on Earth, but I don't, And Sasami doesn't either." Hayato was pissed, and while he was over ninety by human reckoning he seemed to be the ten year old he looked like.

Sasami shook her head. "I like the people on Earth and all, but it's so dirty and the air isn't clean, and we have to hide from everyone what we are." She sniffed. "I miss Father too. I'm worried about him."

Hayato pressed the advantage. "You can't protect us from a galaxy away sis. You know that. Nobody can guarantee anything in these times, but we feel safer with you around Sis."

[SalmonMax]

Lily looked away. The trouble with her position was that it was kind of self-defeating. She didn't want the kids to worry about her because her dad wouldn't call her back into the middle of the war. But if SHE wasn't walking into danger, why not bring them? And if it was too dangerous for them...what did that imply for her?

And the Macross at least was close to even the oldest of Dalaraan starships in terms of power. It wouldn't fight off an entire fleet alone, but it might last long enough to get away. And the kids wouldn't be any less vulnerable to assassination on Earth as in the Macross, surrounded by loyal military men.

"I'll...talk to Akina about it," she finally relented. "The Macross is Satoshi's ship, and if she doesn't allow it then there's no arguing. And if you DO come, you'll stay on the Macross until I personally verify that everything's all right. If either of you try to stow away on a shuttle, or teleport to Dalaraan or...or...anything else, I will stick you in stasis in a message pod and mail you both back to Earth."

She pointed ominously at Hayato, then at Sasami. "Understood?"

[Justin OOC]

Sasami smiles. "Okay!" Less enthusiastically, Hayato nods. "Fine."

Akina smiled at this idea and nodded. "The royal heirs are fre to do as they wish, they are not prisoners of Satoshi."

She looked to the others. "If no one objects then we can go ahead and make final preparations and get you all underway. Raisho and I will hold the fort here."

[Columbian]

In a lab in Tokyo, in an alternate Earth...

"Your orders, Gold, are to enter Earth Prime's dimension, and link up with our branch office in Tokyo. You're going to see how far you can get into this Satoshi corporation, and update us as soon as you can on our operations and the state of the situation there. Use your discretion if the branch office has been wiped out."

Francis Gold saluted his briefing officer and then looked over to the techs setting his coordinates. One flashed the all clear signal, and then he donned his temporal harness. Suddenly, a freckled-face young man screeched "Wait! The coordin-"

But Gold had already activated the harness. Then he found himself in the outdoors of an park, just before crashing back-first into the ground, hard. He barely had time to realize something went wrong before blacking out. The harness under his suit was built of super-strong materials, but the crash just after the effects of cross-dimensional travel had weakened it just long enough for the landing to inflict severe, and irreparable damage to the harness and attached comm-gear.

In Earth Prime Tokyo's Central Park...

A young woman looked over the re-seeding of the grass there, sprinkling a handful of seed in. Suddenly, a flash caught her eye as out of the air, a young man in dark-clad attire fell to the group with a thud. He did not move.