Okarthel, at least in terms of population, isn't enormous, but neither is it tiny, and it's magnificent in every sense of the word, exactly what might be expected from one of the richest and most ancient races in the world. Aesthetics have been taking into account, and sculptures of the great heroes and figures of years past adorn this or that corner...topped by an enormous monument of a draconic goddess in the town square. Everything is huge, every door and every street, to accomodate all but the largest full-form dragons. Some of the houses on the outskirts, held by dragoons and select other humanoids, are smaller, but for the most part...everything simply towers.

Okarthel I
Okarthel II

---

Since her phone is apparently hopelessly dead and she has no way of knowing whether the wire hidden in her shirt hem is still broadcasting, a drowsy, hurting, and slightly loopy Yin spends the last forty-five minutes or so approaching dragon airspace trying to get clearance to land...and not get shot down. They are a Wyvern military helicopter, after all. Once they're safely out of international airspace, she's announcing Revilier's presence loud and clear as soon as she finds the proper secure channels...no surprises. Yes, the Wyverns' Commander in Chief is in the helicopter. Yes, it's unannounced. Yes it's an emergency.

Ultimately, they're escorted in by a pair of fighters. As soon as they touch down, a medical team--draconic, not dragoon--is ready to get the wyvern commander immediately to the hospital. Yin is bundled off in a different direction...to the other hospital, the dragoon one Alou's in. For treatment and, no doubt in short order, severe questioning well out of Arux's ability to affect.

"Is your name Ellen Belikov?" The water dragon standing next to the polygraph machine speaks in a severe, businesslike tone. He's been here since the moment Yin arrived, and even though she's still being treated for her wounds and the bullet, he'd insisted that she be questioned immediately.

"Yes." Being questioned by a dragon. No doubt: she is in deep, deep shit this time.

"Were you ordered by your former superior officer, Arux, to meet with Revilier Omeaux?"

"No."

"Are you involved with Revilier Omeaux on a professional or social level?"

"Professional."

"Describe your relationship, please."

"I've only met him twice. I was incarcerated at Grace Tower recently. He interrogated me in that time and also healed some of my injuries. Spider contacts working with dragoons on the grounds of national security got me out, leaving a Spider associate badly injured. After keeping his daughter Prata from being assassinated by a third party yesterday, General Omeaux contacted me via cell phone asking to meet me in person concerning his daughter and my Spider friend. I agreed."

"Why were you being guarded by the dragoon reinforcements who lost their lives at Venice? Was Arux responsible for sending Dragon soldiers to support a civilian?"

Her expression clouds. So they had been killed. Casualties up at to four. Just...damnit. "I don't know. He told me that he was sending one to monitor the situation, but General Omeaux has been fairly central in a complex investigation and any chance to hear him answer questions could potentially be valuable." Three quarters of the truth.

"Are you aware that continuing the investigation and duties of which you were relieved constitutes a serious criminal offense?"

"Yes." This is quieter.

"Are you aware that by permitting and supporting this, Arux is guilty of the same offense?"

She stiffens just a little. "Major Fiexnah had nothing to do with my actions. I immediately sought a means to continue the investigation through Spider contacts; he couldn't have controlled that."

"Perhaps not, but he did appropriate dragoons to watch you when you went to see Omeaux. You cannot deny that, and any denial you make of his reasoning for it is a waste of your breath and our time. He will be punished with you." The water dragon steps back. His eyes are cold and moist, but full of purpose. "Unless you do something for us."

She does not like where this is going, though her manner remains appropriately subordinate. Thirty years of more or less brainwashing about her place in society has its effect. Finally.... "And what is that?"

"Every single secret that Revilier knows, we want to know. Word is that his daughter has taken over everything... has been planning it for months. She took advantage of his absence and overthrew his entire cabinet. Now..." the dragon smiles a little. "We need to know what he knows. We will use that information to disarm this new threat immediately."

Damnit. That's what she had been afraid of. Yin's eyes are down. Okay, so her definition of "loyalty" has no choice but to flex and be debated, for how many "grey" situations come up...but betrayal within her definitions she doesn't do. Finally... "and what would happen to General Omeaux after that?"

The dragon shrugs a little bit. "Classified."

She's quiet for several moments. "Right now, I'm the best link to Revilier Omeaux that you have. I'm interested in saving my ass, but that's a vital consideration."

"Is it?" The dragon turns off the machine, glaring at Julie who just happens to be YIn's nurse. "Why? I thought you only knew him professionally?"

"Because I don't betray people to their deaths unless they have it coming, and I'm not convinced he does." Almost says something that sould get her ass kicked instead of saved, but bites it in time.

"We won't kill him, then, if you play ball." The dragon shrugs. "Once we have his secrets, killing him would be moot anyway."

Yin gazes at the ground on the other side of the room. Just...ponders, dully unexpressive. Finally nods.

"Great. Super. You'll be sent with him under the cover story that both of you are under house arrest. We'll quarter you somewhere. Get the information however you can, Belikov. We might just see about making you 'Yin' again, if you pull this off."

This, needless to say, actually gets her to glance up, if only for a moment. She just nods. "Okay."

"Good. We'll contact you in two hours." The water dragon packs his things and leaves without even a cursory word of farewell. Julie, who has been working on Yin's various troubles, shakes a fist at him when leaves.

"You okay, hon?"

"I guess." Yin wrinkles her nose a bit. "I'm just tired of situations where every option that I have makes me a bitch." Flinches at bandage tightening a little now that the water dragon is gone and she feels less need to posture. "How's Alou?"

"Stable. Nothing better or worse, really." Julie cuts the tape, nodding. "Damn, Im good at this. So, how are you going to get information from a wyvern general?"

"Play it by ear." Yin shakes her head a little. She hasn't decided. "I don't suppose I'm allowed to leave this room?"

"Well, they didn't tell me to keep you. And it's creepy, because there's almost nothing wrong with you." Julie shrugs. "You can do whatever you want, far as I can see."

Yin smiles a bit. "Thanks, Julie." Nothing wrong...? Huh...that spell must be...pretty active, even when she's not using it. She's positive that she broke at least four ribs, not to mention obtained a hamburger foot, in that explosion. Flexes it interestedly...huh. Hurts. But functional. Stands carefully, testing.

Julie shrugs a bit. "You're kinda glowy, too. I only saw it when you turned into the light, though. Do you need anything, before you go?"

"Nah. I'm fine. But thank you." Smiles a bit, and just wanders off to see Alou, wondering whether she'll be stopped. Also, remembering how ventilated hospital gowns are, tightening hers as much as possible. Her clothes had been pretty well destroyed, and plastered to her with blood, so they'd had to go.

No one stops her. A few people check her out, though... few people look as good in a hospital gown as Yin does.

Inside, Alou lies as motionless as ever, just... staring up at the ceiling, dazed.

Yin pauses at the door, just...absorbing a few moments. Oh, yeah. This is why she'd gotten herself into this mess. Finally, softly..."Alou? Are you awake?"

His eyes, clouded and glazed over, move slowly over to look at Yin. He blinks a little bit, and a soft huff of air over his tongue is her only answer.

The smile that lights in response is strained, a touch wan, but genuine. She steps into the room, walking over to his bed quietly, and sits lightly on the very edge of it, careful not to bend it and hurt him or disturb tubes. Sets her hand gently on his wrist...isn't sure what to say. She's rehearsed dozens of bits, of course, but...well, when it comes down to it, none do the situation justice. "You shouldn't have done that for me," she finally observes. A couple more moments see a small, grudging smile. "But...thank you." Bends over to kiss his cheek gently.

Of course, it's too weighty. She finally smirks a little. "Of course, you would pick the moment I stop glaring at your stubbornly unconscious body to wake up. You have very nice knees, by the way."

The hand nearest Yin moves a little bit, almost as thought it's reaching for her, or for hers. Something. He shakes his head a little, tears of uselessness forming around his eyes.

"Shh." Yin threads her fingers through his grasping ones to take his hand gently, eyes melting into pained, concerned sympathy. "Here. I got something for you." Gazes at her other hand a few moments. She's still power-worn, but...it's been a few hours, anyway. The symbol finally writes itself over the back of her hand, and the golden glow obediently opens its aura.

His eyes open a little bit, then glaze again before rolling back in his head. He's out, pushed over the edge of consciousness by the forces at work within him. Yin should be able to see the bruising fade on his feet almost immediately and, though she can't see this part, the blackening and swelling of his tongue reducing to normal, deep pink tones.

Of course, to someone not used to this...her heart leaps to her throat when he faints. It continues only a moment longer before cutting off abruptly, her glow fading to nothing. The other hand unwinds quickly from his, jerking up to check his pulse. "Alou? Alou? Hey, wake up!" Tears sting her eyes and throat just a touch, terror that she'd done something wrong. Shakes him gently, but urgently.

It takes a second of this. Alou's eyes open again, blinking, staring at her, through her.

"Yin?" He shakes his head a little. "That you?"

A relieved sigh precedes her answer. The corners of her lips twitch upward in hopeful optimism, though, to hear his voice. "Yeah." Sets her hand on his wrist again. "Do you get off on scaring me?" She pokes his ribs gently, though her eyes are practically glowing with hope. Almost glowing golden, actually.

"Don't know," he answers, smiling some at the look in her eyes. "You'd have to look under my gown. Are you okay...?"

"Oh, yeah. Hearing you talking is hunky dory. When a doctor comes in, feel free to tell him to take his prognosis, hand it to a proctologist, and have an enema party."

"I already tried that, except I couldn't talk a minute ago." Alou sits up under his own power, still a little loopy. "What did you do to me?"

Yin's quick to lean forward and steady him, of course. "It's kind of a long story." Blinks. "Hm. Concisely, I saved Revilier's daughter from an attack by Mediators. He contacted me a bit later and, in return, passed along the healing spell he used on me in the tower." Smiles at him. "That's the very abridged version. But I'm glad to see you up. If you ever do something like that for me again, I will make sure you survive, and then I will kill you." Pats his shoulder. She'd been really worried.

"If it saves your life, I'll let you kill me provided I get to haunt you." Alou nods a little, smiling back at her. "I'm just glad to see you're okay. I didn't think we'd get caught so soon."

"I'm coming to the conclusion that any mission with the word 'wyvern' in the description can be translated as 'be prepared for maniacal complications.'" Gazes off away from Alou a few moments, towards the top of the wall, hiding glittering eyes and a tigher expression. It had caught her off-guard...so glad he's okay. Has a smile when she looks back over to him, though. "How are you feeling?"

His own expression softens a little bit. "Good. A little foggy, but glad to see you, and glad to be able to speak to you. Glad to see you're not afraid to show a little emotion." Apparently, if the clouds in his eyes are an indication, neither is he.

Yin smiles gently at him. "Well. I was really worried. Is there anything I can get you?"

"Troix." He says it before he can stop himself.

She nods. "I'll poke Kaz about it, anyway. Or, you can. Whichever. I'm sure he'd do happy-ears backflips to hear your voice, though. Is your cell phone around here somewhere? Mine isn't grenade-proof, as it turns out." Coughs.

Alou looks at her strangely, but doesn't question it. "It's on the table over there, I think." Looks that way. "It should still work."

She nods. Stands up, finds the phone without much problem, and pokes it. "Yeah, it's still among the living." Dials Menayen, and lifts it to her ear.

It's a moment before the phone is picked up. On the other end, an incredulous "Alou...?" is her answer.

Alou just leans back, smiling brightly. Yup. She looks great from behind in a hospital gown.

"Not just yet. My phone just got totalled. I was just calling to advance the thought of Troix being here to keep him company." There's something lighter in Yin's voice than there has been, though. It brightens. "But I'm sure he'd be willing to talk to you. I'll re-kick his ass if he doesn't." Hands the phone off to the spider, just...a pleased, relieved, slightly smirking smile set upon her features. Her make-up is mussed. And she doesn't even care, decorated instead with that lingering expression and just takes her hospital chair back to let the boys talk. Okay, so the shit is hitting the fan and she should have a thousand worries. But for moment...everything is okay.

Alou takes the phone, listens to Menayen still talking to Yin.

"... lady you have no idea how worried I've been I told you not to go don't do that to us again--"

"Kaz, stuff a sock in it for a second." Alou grins a bit. "No, you're a dog. Cat. What? Of course I looked. Yes, it is fantastic. Uh huh. So Troix.... ah. Yeah, I know, it's better for all of us. She's in good hands, right? Okay. Yes, it really was fantastic. You could bounce an egg off either side. Alright." 

The spider holds the phone out to Yin. "He wants you again."

"Just when I get comfortable," she mock-grumbles. Gets up, of course, and picks the phone back to her ear. Smiles. "Feel better?"

"I'm sorry I snapped at you." He doesn't even bother with the goofiness this time. "I'm sorry if I hurt you. I'm glad you're okay, Ellen. And you're getting a kitty-hug next time I see you so you'd better just suck it up and be ready."

Yin's expression softens a bit. That helps more than the serinian is likely to ever know. She loves her friends. Situations she can deal with, so long as they're all healthy and on good terms. "Don't worry about it. I'm sorry, too. I seem to recall snapping back. We're just all really bloody tense." A smirk builds its way across her lips. "And you don't get much in the way of hugs if I'm still in a hospital gown. No. Wipe the idea right now."

"So take it off. You're getting hugged no matter how you're dressed."

"'Take it off,' huh?" She smirks. "You're an incredibly optimistic little bastard, you do know that?"

"I gotta aim for the stars, sugar. It's just how I am. Even if I don't have a candy bar's chance at a fat camp, I figure I ought to shoot for the richest prize with all I've got. What are you gonna do next, though?"

"Oh. Heh." Fiddles with a knot in her hair. "I go under house arrest in about an hour and a half."

"I'm not surprised. Do you want me to come by and plant some surveillance stuff that Dragons won't ever be able to find because I'm cool that way?"

"No, me neither. The shit was bound to hit the fan sometime; you said it and I knew it from the beinning." Finally gets the knot out of her hair. And...you are cool." Smirks. "And thank you. But I don't think so. For once I want to try playing by the book and just see what happens."

"Well... good luck, Ellen. I, meanwhile, have to get my furry butt back to Tarantella. I've gotta shore up my defensives-- Adelisa's been on top for less than a day and she's already proved that she's a hot psychopath."

"Good luck with that. Be careful, I owe you a wet willy or something and I need to find someone with fingers big enough, so you have to stay intact until then. Meanwhile, I'll try to make sure Alou behaves."

"He's probably looking at your butt right now. Don't smack him, I put him up to it. Anyway, I need to go... be careful, Ellen."

She nods. "See you later." Hangs up. "Hospital gowns aren't that bloody intriguing," she finally smirks.

"They are when a butt looks as good as yours," Alou shrugs, and places his hands behind his head. "Best recovery I ever had."

Yin snickers as she returns his phone and finds her chair again. "God, I swear...whatever the race, men are such men."

Alou tilts his head a bit. "If we weren't, you wouldn't have any power." Grins. "You're welcome."

Yin smirks, and lays back in the chair. She really is tired, though she has no intention of sleeping just yet. There's no telling when she'll get to talk to Alou again.

She has a fairly good time. Talking to him, checking annoyingly often on how he's feeling, and just making sure he's okay. Only brings up anything business-related where he asks...as far as she's concerned, he needs a break as much as anyone. Eventually, though, she's glancing at the clock more often.

"Go on," Alou urges her, "I'm a big boy, I can handle myself." He grins a little. "Especially after seeing you in a hospital gown, and I can't do that till you leave."

She groans. "Awful. You're in way too good a mood. Stop it." Snickers. Does stand up, though. He's looking tired, too. "See you as soon as I can, hey?"

"Yeah. Watch yourself out there, eh? If I get out of here first, I'll call you. Somehow." The spider's eyes close. About that time, a doctor steps inside the room and begins flipping over Alou's medical chart. His stern glance is a silent order for Yin to leave.

She half salutes him, amused at the puzzlement that's bound to come next, and takes her leave. Wishes she could watch the medical staff try to figure that one out. Heads back towards the room she'd started in.

---

"Omeaux's wounds have been treated, and he's been fitted with an electronic signalling device on his ankle. For the purposes of this operation, You'll need to wear one, too." The dragon holds up a cute little black anklet, with a few dustings of studs that probably house the electronics. "Do you think you can live with him under these circumstances? I understand that you've been seeking him for involvement in your... dilemma."

"I'll be fine." Takes the anklet, and glances at it. Mm. Once it's on, it will have to be cut off. Also, she's pretty sure it can shock her. Makes no comment. "I'm getting mixed signals here, though. Officially, am I under house arrest, or guarding him?" She thinks the latter, but hey.

"Officially, you went behind the backs of Dragons to continue an investigation you had no business sticking your halfbred nose into, and got two soldiers killed. Until you get the information we need, you're under arrest." The dragon hands her yet another phone, plain and nondescript. "I want reports twice a day. My number is stored in the phone. Identify yourself by asking what time it is as soon as you hear me pick up."

She just nods. Looks over the phone. A tiny smirk peeks at the edge of her lips despite herself. How is this one going to explode?

"Your contact's name is Herbert. Shut the fuck up before you even start laughing. You'll talk to him and him alone. He'll have my phone, so make sure you only call him that." Its standard security protocol. If Yin's never seen her contact, she can't give him away if she gets caught. "For your safety there won't be any AV surveillance in the house, just radar on the anklets.  Don't try to leave, because the anklet will blow your foot across the room if you do. Any questions?"

"Not particularly."

"Great. Omeaux hasn't been told anything, so you'll need to supply your cover story. There'll be clothes and food for you both at the house, plenty of amenities... you're VIP prisoners, and we need the illusion to stick." He smiles at her. "We'll let some rats in so you can have some blood."

She glares a little. "You're a regular saint."

"Saints don't make the money I make. You're about to be stuffed in a cruiser, so get ready. We'll drive you straight to Omeaux House and dump your skinny ass on the front porch, like your boyfriends used to do." The dragon glances at two police officers, who grumble a little behind his back.

...whatever else she is, Yin's a good dragoon. Although she's pissed as hell and wouldn't take that from a non-dragon...the retort gets bitten back, teeth simply gritted. Erases this after a moment, and just looks back to the cops.

"We'll take you now, Ma'am, if you're ready." The lead cop, who is still not too high up the ladder, smiles comfortingly for her, a smile that says ignore this cunt, he's just impotent about the dragon. "It's a short drive."

Yin smiles at him just a little, and nods. "Thank you." Looks back to the first dragon. "Is there anything else?"

"No. Get out."

Yin bows slightly. Dick. Turns to leave, figuring that the officers will quickly align themselves however they need to be for appearances. "Would you mind my grabbing a second hospital gown before I'm handcuffed?" she requests, slightly sheepishly. Since this is apparently all she's getting...and she wants one for the back.

"Actually, we borrowed a long shirt from one of our other officers. It's in the car." The lead officer shows her down to the front of the hospital, and steps out to grab the shirt for her. The other holds onto her arm lightly, keeping a stern look on his face for appearances sake.

"Here," the returning officer smiles, handing her a soft-looking blue shirt. "The guy's like... seven feet tall. It should cover you well."

Yin smiles a bit...wastes little time in pulling it over her head. In no time--and no flashing people, she's had lost of experience changing clothes in a hurry--her hospital gown is draped over her arms and she's feeling much better about her attire. Never has a knee-length shirt that covers her like a tent been so welcome. Smiles a close-eyed smile. "Thank you. You guys are all right. On with the handcuffing me and stuffing me in a squad car, then?"

"Yeah. Sorry..." The younger cop snaps a set of silver cuffs around her wrists, trying his best not to hurt her. He's married with kids, but really, really doesn't like the way Yin's being panhandled here. "Watch your head," he unnecessarily warns her as he guides her to the car. 

She doesn't mind. They're just doing their jobs, and they've earned the status of "nice" in her book. She steps in quietly, head-smack free, and just waits quietly for the trip to Omeaux House.

---

Sequestered securely within a dragon military base--Yin's in something or other way over her head, and particularly with Chao Lia's intervention, it's not dragoons she's expounding to--she finally feels more or less safe in speaking. The plane had been scanned a dozen times for stealth suits, so no problems there.

"I've been withholding a key piece of information," she finally admits. Uncomfortable as hell, of course. "The vaunted 'spell' in question, that Adelisa used as the grounds to get Revilier to agree to come to the warehouse...I'm not sure whether she knows. But he's not the only one who can use it."

Colonel Ursula Hegstrand, a wind dragon whose mint green hair experiences permanent lift and fluff, is the head of the council listening to Yin. She, along with an earth dragon and a wood dragon (who gets a tremendous amount of porn star jokes) have been present for the recounting of what's been a bizarre story.

"Who else has this power, Captain Iejir?" Ursula quietly asks.

A slight pause. Yin takes a deep breath, raises her hand, back facing out...and the unidentified symbol scripts onto the back of it, warm glow lighting down to about her elbow. Looks up.

All eyes are locked on the mark, of course. Some scowl, but most simply consider. There's nothing that says she didn't steal it, somehow. Yet.

"How did you come by such a thing?" Matthias MacInerny, the wood dragon, inquires. One of the thinkers.

"It's why I met General Revilier Omeaux in Venice the other day." Yin is trying not to wither under the stares. Doesn't. Just remains a soldier, though her eyes do, rarely, flash discomfort at this or that bad reaction in her peripheral vision. "After keeping his daughter Prata Omeaux from being assassinated by mediators, he met me to offer to help my injured ally and friend Alou Dastier in return. Recent circumstances considered, I refused to to to Grace Tower or take Alou there. To remedy the problem, he gave me the spell so that I could use to heal him myself."

"I see," Matthias nods, unnecessarily. "William Trellis, the water dragon who met you at the hospital, tells us that the security devices were down in the house you two stayed in. Herbert gave us your report, but we were wondering if you could give us a more detailed account of what you learned about Revilier and this situation?"

Yin nods a bit. "Everything I'm about to say, unless otherwise noted, is simply what Revilier told me and hasn't been investigated." Looks up again. Is quiet a moment, gathering her thoughts.

"Adelisa Omeaux is an ambitious girl and superb actress, likely to have set up the Tower bombing several months ago herself. She hates her father but seems close to her sister. Cares about her children--who are also Revilier's children--I suppose, but in a deeply unbalanced sort of way. Some situations involving the Tower in recent months flew completely out of hand due a mixture of Adelisa's scheming and his daughter's former, volatile boyfriend, Brandt and a good deal of resources have been goign into damage control. Adelisa used a viral node planted by 'Kaz' and Spider operatives to begin her takeover of the tower.

"This spell is a healing spell. According to Revilier, he and I are currently the only two people in the world who can use it. He had intended to pass it to his and Adelisa's children, Jasne and Shem." She folds her hands behind her back in a loose, instinctive, parade-rest-esque position. "Adelisa has wanted to learn the spell for a very long time, but he refuses to teach it to her. It 'takes strength of character' to cast correctly, and a bad casting produces the effect that we've seen in the gold-eyed fellows running around--I've heard them referred to as just 'the Golden'--and can set people into pristine, even enhanced, physical condition, and yet eradicate their minds and free will. The same effect has been achieved by a distorted version of the spell that Adelisa has formulated herself and is obviously comfortable with exploiting for its side effects alone." Glances to the wyvern, also present, without quite intending to. Looks back to the council. "These people only answer to those who can cast the spell. Revilier was looking for the spider girl Troix Dastier, the one mediators were somehow involved with in using an injection from a dragon's egg to heal physical afflictions and ultimately cause...transmutation, in the hopes of tapping a way to reverse the Goldens' dependence on the spell and restore their minds. There were about twelve of them before her takeover due to her original explorations of the spell. Adelisa has also performed this spell on her own children."

"Can you spread the spell?" Ursula pipes up, looking incredibly interested.

"Possibly," Yin admits. Bites her lip. "But with as little practice as I have, and as high a dosage as that takes, I would have to think there's a tremendous risk of the person just ending up one of the Golden."

"It's worth looking into, anyway. Captain, what kind of role do you hope to play now? There are other assignments for you, if you want them."

Yin looks up. She's dead sure on this one. "I want to develop a way to bring back the Golden. Ma'am."

"Research? Well... one moment." Ursula turns and confers with her fellows for a moment, listening to the opinions of those around her. Matthias in particular has a great deal to say, as the primary caster of the group. His doe eyes reveal little as to his thoughts, but for the most part he speaks with quiet vigor and energetic motion of his hands.

"I can bring you into my unit," states Matthias, "with a few provisions of course. You'll be awarded the lowest rank a Dragon researcher is allowed, understanding that there will be little room for upward mobility considering your bloodline."

Yin is...taken aback, thoroughly. It's rare...almost unheard of, really. To contract with a draconic unit is one thing, but for a non-dragon to actually be taken in as a part of one...she's trying, and failing, to determine what the last precedent is. Not counting a wyvern a decade or so ago, but that's very different. Bows, hesitates, and chooses her words carefully. "It's far more than I could have dared hope for, Captain MacInerny," she observes after a few moments. It's probably the best shot she could have hoped for to succeed. Looks up. "And if rank ambitions were my priority, I would simply try to regain my former duty position, which I have precious little inclination to strip First Lieutenant Edar of." She's doing her job damned well. Also, she's been Yin's protege for years, so she's kinda proud.

"Well, with all the brouhaha concerning you and the Dragoons, I tend to doubt that putting you back in place would be too well received anyway," Matthias points out. "You'll understand that research is not an action-packed station. Per your abilities, you'll be most useful as a golem-tester or what have you, apart from the spell you have."

"Yes sir." Pause. "Would I be able to access research facilities, with proper approvals, of course, for the Golden project when I've completed my assigned duties, at the end of the workday?"

"Pending researching into Adelisa's puppets, more and more time will be given to it. You may end up with workers underneath you," MacInerny explains, a shuffling of papers away from heading home at all times. "If the puppets are perceived threatening, you will receive much more time and funding."

Yin is quiet a few moments, gathering her thoughts. Pondering this and that. Not a definitive "yes" to her exact question--almost indication to the contrary, but she can work around that--but still fairly auspicious. Quiet. Considering. Finally... "if the offer still stands, then, Captain MacInery, I would be thrilled to accept it."

"Exquisite. Pending a private conference, you'll receive notification via your personal network address. Dismissed."

All of the dragons rise in fluid, unrehearsed precision, and give Yin a flourishing salute. Welcoming her to their ranks.

Yin's taken aback...hesitates. Actually, for a concrete reason: she isn't sure how to salute back. Whether to salute as a dragoon or a dragon. After that pause, and trying to ignore the loud upheaval in her heart, it's the former. There are still formalities to be taken care of...and, though it probably wouldn't have been held against her, she's still officially a dragoon, and it goes against the grain of years of teaching to react otherwise. Turns on her heel, and heads for the door.

"Alright," Matthias nods, "we've got a good thing going with her. Have her new partner meet her at home, Ursula? He's one of yours."

The other dragons all nod, and together depart the council chambers.

In the meantime, one Passion Leonide is dispatched for Yin's home, bearing all of their official orders and what not in a satchel at his side.

---

The next day sees an again perfectly gathered Yin walking up to her new Base, flanked by a golden-eyed wyvern a step or so behind. Her expression is quiet again, just ready to do whatever it takes to get closer to answers.

Passion has been waiting for her outside of the structure, which is a dome-shaped edifice the size of a modest football stadium. It has no windows and only four cardinal entrances, each on heavily guarded. It's talcum colored surface ahs been reinforced against explosions, lasers, plane crashes, earthquakes, flooding, fire, and pigeons, and it has been largely voted as the most secure non-government-personnel building in all of Okarthel. It is the Anna Kalina MacInerny Center for Defense Research and Testing, also known as MacDRAT by the cynical.

---

Gabriel and Yin fade into sight, about three feet from Arux.

She's startled...and a little nauseous. Eyes cross a moment. "...right then. Fingers to her head. Thanks. Owe you a good look at that spell, yes."

Arux is in the middle of a rapid organization, directing a handful of people who do the work of a dozen more. Is startled...a gun is half-drawn by the time he's turned to glance at the two of them. Blinks. "...Yin? Didn't we just trace your call to Europe?"

Gabriel faces him, not put off by the spell at all.

"My goddess. You're hideous." He looks at Yin. "I hope you don't take orders from this surrealist sculpture?"

The dragoon proper cocks an eyebrow. "Charmed. Who the hell are you?"

Yin shrugs. She thinks Arux is cute. She hadn't, after all, known he was gay right at first. "Partner for twenty-odd years, commander for seven."

Gabriel just smiles at Arux. "You should be. And that would be none of your business. Yin, please explain to this simpering ape the nature of our presence."

Yin sighs inwardly. Looks to Arux. "Gabriel is going to take out the Africa cells, and is also teleporting the rest of us to our teams. I got clearance from Anna and Matthias MacInery to cooperate with Dragoon forces, whether Eleven or others."

Arux nods a bit, though he can't help but glare at Gabriel a moment. Fine then. Worthwhile presence for now. "Fair enough." Looks to Yin. "We've been working on Iraq cell for awhile. We're readying final preparations to move on it."

"Wonderful! Bravo." The effeminate-looking sorcerer claps his hands.  he doesn't know why he's antagonizing Arux. It just feels right.

Yin shakes her head. She'd be amused were the world not ending. "You're having way too much fun with this."

"Shouldn't I? After all, the world is about to end."

"Point. Get ahold of me if you need anything."

"You too. Babysit this monkey." Gabriel bows his head a little, smirking, and begins to vanish.

Yin doesn't stop him. Looks back to Arux once he's gone. "Missed you, sweetie. Now let's keep the sky from burning."

One blinding flurry of activity later, she's en route to Qaanaq.

---

And, almost as quickly though after a dizzying cloudburst of world happenings later, a jet lagged though slightly more thoroughly rested Yin steps off the plane. She's beyond what happens to her next, really. She thinks, at this point...even if she's put in jail awhile for the thefts, she'll be okay with it. This time she's finished her job. Most of the rest she wants to know...she likely never will.

Wonders idly as her feet touch the ground outside the plane whether she'll be able to go back to relative normalcy. Whether she wants to. Looks up to the cityscape. Wonders why she just can't feel a wash of relief, "home sweet home" style.

It's just going to be very hard shifting back to reality this time.

Just past the gate inside the terminal, a short little cat-eared bastard is standing by the desk, with a large paper sign reading 'HOTNESS' in enormous black letters.

Yin can't help but snicker, and heads that way. Ice crusts over her hand. She glances at it as she approaches. "Expecting an inferno dragoon too, then?"

"No, just a fire in my pants." Menayen grins. And actually holds up a pair of pants from behind the sign. "How are you doing? I heard things went well."

"I'm fine. And yeah...for you guys, too, I understand." Smiles a bit. "And you seem perky knowing you kept the world from getting fried."

"I'm perkier seeing you safe." Menayen's goofy smile gets real serious for a moment.

Yin smiles a bit. "Not a scratch, fuzzybutt. Hug?"

"Yeah." Menayen leap pounces, kitty-quick.

"Gyah!" The vampiress goes stumbling back, but ultimately catches him on her feet. Can't help but laugh, and hugs him. God, for one of the most influential people in the world, Kaz is such a trip.

He hugs her back, just long enough. "Gyah to you too! We've gotta get to Anna's place, though."

"Yeah." She lets him down. "You know, I'm only mildly curious at the very best to see what happens next, after all this. Nothing's scary when the world just almost blew up."

"Yeah, I know. But we need to see it through anyway." Menayen smiles up at her. "I got us a car. Do you need anything before we go?"

"Nah. Let's go." Smiles.

"Ooh... pretty." Menayen beams at her, and then trots along towards the exit. Stops. "Any baggage?" This he says as a deep blue pickup truck rolls into a spot outside... Menayen's ride.

Yin has to smirk at the wording. "Is that a trick question? But nothing in a bag, no."

"Right-o." Menayen hops up, grabs the door handle, and swings out on it to open it. Unnecessary? Sure. Fun? Betcherass. "We're going straight there, if you don't mind."

"Of course not." Yin gets the other door--with admittedly less flair--and climbs in without comment.

"Hey. Wipe your feet," Alou smirks at Yin from the driver's seat. "This is a new truck."

Yin grins at her favorite spider as she climbs into the back seat. "Just breaking it in for you, Alou dear."

"I'll bet. We've got this legal thing to take care of, but then you and I gotta head back to Pakistan." Alou drives as well as anyone, despite the spy instinct to jump things on fire. Menayen just wriggles in the passenger seat, amused.

Yin blinks. "Pakistan? Why, new intelligence?"

Left turn. Alou concentrates on the road for a moment.

"Troix was in the exodus."

The dragoon's face immediately brightens by about a dozen measures. "Alou, that's...wonderful." Can't really say it better. No words cna really do it justice, and she's not really game to try. "Pakistan it is. She'll be thrilled to see you."

"She'll be in government captivity, though," Menayen points out. "Maybe she'll be in the same cell with Revilier, who knows."

Yin blinks. She...missed this part. "Revilier wasn't in the second Dome?" Shakes her head a little. Prioritize information much? "Government captivity? Human?" If a bunch of wyverns and dragons are in human captivity...well. Millarca succeeded in shaking the entire world order to its knees.

"Yeah, I'm afraid so. They're keeping quiet, but of course, we have ways of finding things out." Alou smiles at her. "We just found out about him, Yin. We wanted to surprise you."

Her cheeks warm a touch, but she has to smile. Doesn't stop despite her own direct command to, though the expression is small. "You succeeded," she assures. Looks out the window. Silent a few moments. Heh. Revilier.... "The current system, keeping it hidden from the humans...it's been failing awhile, anyway. It was only a matter of time. It's probably time for a new take on things, anyway."

"Yeah. But you know humans. They'll wanna dissect us." Alou turns onto a drive next to an enormous house, high-walled and as formidable as it is beautiful. "Right. We're here, children. Thank you for flying with Alou, now get the hell out of my truck!" This as he bails,snickering.

"Ah, yes. The 'cut it apart to see how it used to work complex." Yin snickers at ths spider's uncharacteristically jovial, silly mood, in a thoroughly good place herself. Quiets as they step out, though. Looks up at the house. She could walk back out in handcuffs. Still, no hint of apprehension, not really. "Onward, then: webbyballs, fuzzyballs, and noballs." Pause. As she knocks..."Just for the record, any contradiction will result in proliferation of the latter."

"Nah, my balls are fuzzy," Menayen nods.

The door opens, and though Alou expects a servant or some such, it's actually Anna Kalina on the other side. Dressed in civilian clothes instead of a lab coat, she looks every bit the part of an elegant maybe-grandmother.

"Come inside," she says without a greeting, "we must begin your hearing right away, Yin."

Yin nods, and does as bidden. "It's best for all involved, yes." Steps into the house. If Anna wants to be business, she will too.

Inside the home, a conference room has been cleared with tables and chairs, much unlike the ultra-formal hearing last time. Anna steps inside first. "I hear you are suspected of stealing diamonds, Yin. Is there any proof of this?"

Alou smirks. "Nope."

Interesting question. Not "did you do it." "No ma'am."

"Great." Anna opens a side door. "We can't have a trial without any evidence, you. She's innocent," she calls into the next room, "get your asses out here."

Angel is the first to peek her head into the room. "Hiya stranger!"

Yin lets out her breath. Holy hell, all criminal hearings should be like this. Brightens a bit. "Hey, Angel.Sorry I stood you up, got...tied up." Grins.

"I hope so! But that's okay." She steps out, dragging Gray by the hand. Robert follows shortly after. Anna Kalina just beams. "Today we'll make up for it and drink ourselves stupid. You're a war hero, you know."

"Nah. I think you have to get shot for that." Grins a bit. "But that sounds like a plan. "I'll drag these two creeps with me, too...well, unless they're otherwise engaged." Smiles at Alou. Yay daughters!

"I'm sure we can arrange that," Anna snickers, "if you want." Angel, Gray, Alou, and Menayen sit at the table, followed by a chuckling Anna Kalina as bottles of gin, tonic, and malt liquor are popped open.

Yin laughs softly as she seats herself. "Anna?"

"Darling?"

The vampiress pokes a bottle. "You should always be the one to host hearings."

"Well, Matthias wanted to. But I told him modern medicine hasn't learned to reattach a severed penis yet, and he bought it." She smiles a little more brightly.

Yin winks. "I don't sever. I just provide an extra pair of ice cubes."

"Great idea," Angel snickers, holding out her glass of booze.

"Oi..." Yin mock-winces , though a finger-touch later, there's a sphere of frozen gin floating in the human's glass. "Angel, in context, that's one of the most disturbing things I've heard this year." Snickers. God it feels good to not be dealing with an impending global crisis.

"You know Yin," Gray speaks up, "we did some digging when we found out what happened. MacDrat's really got some capable techy people, and besides. We liked you there. We don't get that many vixens working at a research place, no matter what the movies tell you."

Alou smirks. "Spy business is the same way. Yin here is top of the hotness chain."

Menayen hands him a five spot.

"Anyway," Gray rolls his eyes at the two of them, "you know, that guy at your first hearing was one of Millarca's? And that your friend Embriel was the one who tracked him down?"

"Really...? That's interesting. I guess she really did change over and want to make ammends." Yin sips her drink. "According to Millarca, 'almost everything I've been involved with' for the last several years he had a hand in. So I'm really, really not surprised to hear that he was involved with the court martial."

"I wish I knew what made him choose you, though. It's like he was all over your life long before we met you," Menayen points out, and buries his face in a wide glass. "Good sauce!"

Yin shrugs. "It could be anything, Menayen," hey, not everyone knows he's Kaz yet, "and I really may not ever know. If I stumble across a clue, I'll look into it. Otherwise, I hope to just be done with this for awhile." Looks at her glass. "And yes. Yes it is." Grins.

"Don't worry, Yin. Robert's got a load of new samples for you to test when you come back." Angel shrugs a bit. "If you wanted to, you know."

"It'll be next to impossible to salvage your 'dragoon spy' career after all this. But Matthias agreed that, if you wanted to, you could retain your Dragon rank and return to MacDrat in a field agent capacity." Anna sips again. "You did a hell of a service to everyone, so... it might seem like we're babying you but it's deserved."

Yin has to smile at this. Nods a bit. "Thanks, Anna. I may very well take you up on that." Grins at Angel. "And tell Robert I'm looking forward to it." Laughs softly. Sips her drink. "Still...if the dust settles and it looks like everything really is settled down for now, I may want to put in for a short leave of absence, or at least a vacation. Nothing like the world almost ending to point out that six years without seeing your family or clan is too long." Also, she needs a vacation.

"That's just fine. Everything will be made ready for you."

Alou looks at her. "You'll call, of course?" C'mon. He'd miss her.

Yin winks. "You're welcome to visit. The island's pretty in the summer, and you need a vacation too." Smiles at him.

He smiles. Genuinely, unguardedly, and without the spy-mask he usually wears. Menayen pinches him after a moment, and shakes his head.

"God, you're ugly," the little bastard happily informs him, "when you do that. Scowl."

Yin giggles, and kicks said little bastard under the table. Not too hard, but enough. "You're such a cute little prick."

"Yup," Menayen happily agrees.

She just shakes her head, amused.

It's ultimately a really nice time with everyone. Yin isn't in awful shape afterward, though she's wonderfully numbed...not having a stomach means a little less alcohol absorbed before it moves through her system. She finally looks to Anna. "Anna, can I get clearance to go to Pakistan to pick the aforementioned people?"

Anna Kalina, who only sips at such events, actually pauses to consider this. "We don't have clearance to extradite them, Yin. It could cause an incident, especially with TV cameras clamoring for shots of 'the monsters leaving the alien structure.' "

"Neither of them is ours," she points out. "A spider and a wyvern. I'm sure these two," Kaz and Alou "will work extradition from their end."

"Yin, these are humans we're talking about. And not even Mediators who know about us. You know how humans are; they've found something that crushes a lot of their beliefs into dust. Truly intelligent life, not apes or dolphins, every bit as intelligent and capable, if not more so, than humans. They're going to do the paranoid government thing and cling to them for all they're worth."

"Humans also have a distinct tendency to grab at the two birds in the bush," Yin notes. Although less than she would have a year ago, she's to taking a careful, non-combative tone any dragoon should with a dragon. "Releasing just a handful of their detainees in return for opening a thin line of communication with one of their governments is just the sort of thing they'll be interested in. Spider government, and I'm making an assumption there of course, they could tell you better than I," glances to the spiders before back to Anna, "and/or wyvern goverment. Although it won't be good to find out that he's the once and again Commander-in-Chief, Revilier has likely planted the right seeds of 'I'm a high official, back off' that they may very well be willing to release him in return for information from him."

Anna leans her chin on a fist. Looks tired, suddenly. "I don't want fireworks, is all. I'm worried that it might get ugly there. And if it does, people like Matthias may decide to retaliate in force; after all, there were dragons in that exodus too. Weren't there?"

Yin nods a bit. "There were a fair number of dragons in Millarca's employ, actually. No doubt a disproportionate number of them cleared out without being caught, flying and all, but...quite a few were apprehended. Leonide, too, I'd imagine, unless was one of the few non-humans who wasn't shoved out of the dome."

"Who would've thought that flamer was a bad guy?" Angel sighs, half-drunk. "Like him. Tight abs. bastard."

"All this just worries me. Humans are going to look for someone to blame for the nuclear event. We could well be it." Anna smiles a bit more. "Still. You've got my permission."

Yin smiles a bit. Nods. Knows Anna's going out on a limb and showing some faith...if Yin does something stupid, it will come back to bite the dragon. "I won't mention the word 'dragon' or do anything stupid, posturing, or drastic without further clearances, promise."

"You need some backup, though. Find a full shadow dragon, or someone powerful enough to protect you should they prove violent." Anna raises an eyebrow. "I know you're strong, and talented. But there are a lot of trigger-happy humans in Pakistan."

Yin nods a little. "Any recommendations, or shall I just ask around?"

"I'd really prefer if you could get hold of an outsider. Someone not associated with us, but I know disloyal dragons are rare outside of Millarca's bunch."

"Yeah. I'll ask around, though...I may know a couple of possibilities. Will do, Anna." Looks to the others. "It was really nice seeing you guys. Thank you." Smiles. "We should probably get going, though." She's eager to get to Pakistan, damnit.

Angel smiles drunkenly. Gray just snorts, half-asleep.

"Are you taking fuzzy and webby with you?" Anna asks, nudging a sleepy Menayen.

"Of course! Well, I know webby wants to go, it's Fuzzy's call whether he's coming."

Menayen looks up at her. "Don't leave me, Felina," he whispers, teary-eyed and smashed. "I'm sorry I played the mind game with your boss. I'll be good."

Yin's brow creases. She sets a hand gently on his shoulder. "Menayen? You okay? It's Yin, not Felina. You with us?"

"You're who?" The kitty stands up on his chair, swaying back and forth. "You're not Felina. What am I, stupid? Felina's not talking to me."

Anna shakes her head. "I think you'd better leave him with me."

"Maybe..." Yin glances to Alou, concerned. It's his call. She thinks she trusts Anna and crew, but of course, they're both foreign operatives, Kaz high-ranked, and it's possible there was something slipped into his drink. It's also possible he's having some sort of break from the stress.

"I think we'd better drop him off with Havoc, actually," Alou suggests. "Menayen here needs a break bad. Havoc'll fix him up." He grins. "Maybe you can dance while your'e there, Yin."

"Oh...christ, I almost forgot." Fingers between the eyes. Snickers quietly. "I do owe it to him, though...all right, sounds like a plan. Thanks anyway, Anna...I'll report back to you as soon as it's pertinent."

"Alright." She smiles. "Call if you need anything. I'm sure Matthias won't mind."

Alou gathers up Menayen. "Lemme go god dammit!"

Yin nods. "Thanks. I'll keep it in mind." This as she edges close to Alou in case he needs help, or Menayen panics and breaks out the tazer. One person to hold and one to restrain is easier than one doing both...also, less chance of dropping him. Heads out towards the truck with them without a word.

Alou, with Yin's help, stuffs Menayen into the backseat. He's whimpering, now, and keeps saying this Felina's name, begging to be forgiven.

"You'd better sit with him," Alou sighs, "or I will. Whichever."

"I will. I think you drank less than you made it look like, I didn't...also, I think he's talking about a girl he told me about once, so another girl is going to be either more calming or more upsetting. But there's a good chance it will help." Climbs into the backseat with him as she speaks.

"Right-o." Alou hops in the front, and pulls out. It's not far to Havoc's Spot, and Menayen blabbers the whole way.