Shadows from the Badlands

"The Zerg home world, huh, that's wonderful, any other good news? Maybe a black hole or something?" Michael sarcastically stated. He instantly regretted his sense of humor when Dash'r replied.

"Indeed it does get worse. The device here had additional functions activated, likely the communications jamming, when at least part of its power source flared on that world."

Michael groaned, and reigned in his sarcasm. He knew intellectually that things were already as bad as they were, and that simply making sarcastic comments wouldn't alter the space time continuum. Instead he tried to speak more positively, "Any of those lead to Protoss worlds? Or even a human world? That seems like it would be a good place to go, better then where we came from at least."

Dash'r studied the map, occasionally zooming it in and out on different areas. He finally found what he was looking for, "Whiles I have been out of contact with my people for almost a year, I remember a small refuge on this planet. It was not big enough to have attracted the attention of the Zerg. It should still have at least some of my people as well as the ability to communicate with more still."

Michael grinned, thinking and speaking positive were clearly working better at changing the flow of the universe better then sarcasm. "Great, what's it called? What hallway is it down?"

Dash'r gestured down a hallway, "The lights will guide us, and the name roughly translates to 'Haven,'"

"Sounds nice," Michael said, but then wondered, "Will communications get out from the planet with this thing running," he said, pointing at the large stone like device.

"Yes, for whatever reason, it is only being directed to the planets that you have called the Badlands, it is possible that when the Xel'Naga were fleeing from the Zerg that those planets were more important to them then others."

"Their home world maybe?"

"Possible, we may never know."

They followed the path that the hologram indicated. When the doorway leading back into normal space opened, the found themselves faced with a lush forest, and rocky cliffs. It took no time at all for Michael's sensors, still set to their maximum sensitivity to detect the radio transmissions. "Hold up Dash'r, I got human radio traffic, give me a minute to sort through it, see what they're sayin and maybe figure out why humans are on a Protoss world.

His suits computer filtered through the multitude of transmissions. Many were simple analogue transmissions, open for all to hear if they had a radio antenna. He heard basic chatter that sounded like someone giving orders to farm worker, a radio station playing music that sounded like it was from the dark ages, and a handful of digital signals, encoded in a format that was not already programmed in, but he didn't think was encrypted, just different. He heard nothing to indicate a military presence, nor mention of Protoss or Zerg.

He turned to Dasher, who also seemed to be listening to a hidden conversation, "I got nothing, it sounds like a small civilian colony, maybe refugees, they don't have much in the way of technology, what about you?"

"The Protoss settlement has been abandoned, but several robotic systems are still functioning. They are monitoring the human settlement for Zerg infestation, and reporting it to an unknown source. I will have to get closer to use the transmitters that are in place."

"How far away?"

Dash'r hesitated, trying to estimate and translate the distances in his head, "About 30 kilometers to the nearest up-link."

Michael had his computer do a rough estimation of the distance to the human settlement, "About twice that for me, but I might be able to get someones attention from here on one of the frequencies they use, do the sentries show any vehicles that can move quickly through this terrain?"

"No."

"Then that settle it, we can to get in contact with your people faster then we can get picked up by the locals, even if they have a long distance transmitter."

"Alright then, 30 kilometers huh? That's about a days walk," he glanced at he sky, "Is it morning or afternoon here?"

"I believes it's the afternoon, we will have to make camp somewhere."

Michael glanced back at the doorway, and looked around, the wilderness seemed dense and it was raining slightly. "I think maybe we should wait till morning. We might not be able to find shelter before nightfall, at least that way we can make it in a single daylight trip."

Dasher simply turned and opened the doorway once more, and took a seat just inside. Michael shrugged and followed suit, sitting against the wall opposite the Protoss. He opened his pack, figuring it was about time to eat. As he was about to dig into the bland food, he realized that he did not remember ever having seen Dash'r eat.

"Hey, you hungry?" He said, indicating to his pack, "Its not good but it's food. I haven't seen you eat yet.

Dash'r shook his head, and removed the veil that covered his lower face. While Michael boggled the lack of a mouth, Dash'r voice sounded amused a sit echoed through his mind, "My people do not eat in the way yours do, those that believe as I do absorb energy directly from the void of space. Others absorb the ambient energy that surrounds life."

Michael was lost for word, and simply said, "Gotcha," before returning to his food. He continued sneaking glances at the still uncovered face of the protons. It was the first time he had gotten a clear look at it in good lighting having been distracted either by near death experiences or having the veil firmly covering it. In general he found it to fit the rest of the Protoss' body, stoic, and inexpressive. He felt mildly disappointed that he would no longer be able to imagine kissing the Protoss.

He was still trying to work up the courage to ask about other physiological differences, and wondering how impolite it would be to ask about them, when the decision was taken out of his hands. "I have grown more curious about the attraction you feel for me, Michael, may I ask something of you?"

Michael nodded his head, letting Dash'r know that it was fine.

Dash'r continued, his mental voice wavering, somewhat unsure of how to continue, "My people have an expression of intimacy, it is minor, but is the....I suppose starting gesture for the opening of a relationship, do humans have such a gesture?"

Michael's mouth went dry as he considered the question. The degree of intimacy was still up for interpretation, and he wasn't sure whether a kiss was the rough equivalent or a simple hug. "Uh, I think so," he felt himself start to ramble, "I'm not sure exactly how intimate what you do is, but we have a thing called a kiss, it shows intimacy, but usually after someone has gotten to know each other, and it's more an opening to physical..."

Michael was cut off as Dash'r put his hand on his shoulder. "I believe that is the equivalent, I have the desire to attempt it with you, if I may be so bold."

Michael nodded, his mouth gone even drying, and tried to work up some spit so he could talk.

"It may be easier and more comfortable if you at least removed your helmet, Michael."

He fumbled with the catches on his helmet, removing them quickly and catching the lip of it in his ear. He ignored the pain and set his helmet carelessly aside.

He heard the whisper of Dash'rs voice in his mind, calm and soothing, "Relax, and look into my eyes." Michael did so, and as Dash'rs other hand came to rest on his crossed leg, he felt the tiny presence he had felt in his mind while Dash'r was around flair, and suddenly he was hit with emotions that were not his. He felt the tentative curiosity, the unusual attraction that mirrored his own for an alien, he even felt Dash'rs hands draping across his armored shoulder and leg.

The presence faded and he was left momentarily speechless. "That was a lot more intimate then what I was expected." He interrupted Dash'rs apology, "I liked it a lot more then the human equivalent, especially considering that you don't really have the body parts to kiss," he gestured to his lips, "and I would like to do it again in the future, just while wearing something a bit less bulky then body armor."

He felt Dash'r chuckle in his mind, "Indeed, I look forward to doing it again as well."