DD 204 Ch 18

"So, you've caused an interplanetary issue over your classmate, Felin," the president of the UG began, as several directors and I sat in a room with Crimson.

"I wasn't the one that nuked their safe zone. That was their own leader. I was merely trying to rescue my party member." I turned to Crimson, begging her with my eyes to emphasize the same message.

"It's exactly as he says, Scaredy Cat," Crimson said, addressing the president of the UG by her favorite nickname for him. He didn't so much as twitch at the insult.

"Regardless," he spoke slowly, "we have had an incident with another race, constituting a large loss of property and life."

"Actually," I held a finger up, "I don't think there was that much loss of life. Sure, they lost that shaman who was, I glanced at Crimson, level 84, right? A level 84 leader of theirs, and a level 52, probably a nobody if the leader is level 84. There may have been a few other collateral casualties, especially when their leader brought that whole goddess attack down onto the area. But for the most part, I didn't kill a whole lot of people."

"What about those guards?" Crimson asked.

"Well, okay, there were two guards in front of the one building, but I knocked out the ones surrounding the shaman’s fight. I didn’t even kill them."

"Could any of them have died from their wounds?" One of the directors didn't even look up from the data pad that he was scribbling on.

"Don't know," I said hastily, "I didn't stick around. There was a kind of a greater concern, you know, with the shaman blowing up most of the safe zone."

The director grunted, "No, you ran away like thieves."

"I don't know if thieves is the correct term. After all, they did kidnap Felin. More like rescuers." I really was ready to be done with this conversation.

The director taking notes looked up at me over a pair of reading glasses. "How you see the incident does not matter in the slightest. What matters is how everyone else will perceive it, and you running away after killing a leader is absolutely the actions of someone who is guilty of a crime."

I felt like I was at least partially under the gun, but Crimson simply pulled out a bag of potato chips and began munching away. I frowned, considering pulling a similar power move. I pulled a bag of chips out of my CID.

"Please, no snacks allowed in here," one of the directors said quickly.

I opened my mouth, about to point at Crimson and make an argument, only for the woman to give me a cheeky grin. I reached over and snatched a fistful of her potato chips before throwing them in my mouth.

The president of the UG cleared his throat. "Perhaps arguing over snacks is not the most productive use of our time."

My jaw nearly dropped, realizing that he was giving me the same level of regard they often reserved for Crimson.

"Precisely," another echoed. "We should instead focus on the interplanetary problem that these two have caused. It is not the first time that Crimson has caused such issues."

Another wanted to argue, his mouth already open, only for the secretary for this building to come in with a shaky voice. "Sir, we have a guest."

The president of the UG waved a hand. "They can wait. This discussion is important."

"I think you need to--" she began to speak, only for a meaty green arm to stretch past her and push the door more fully open.

An Orkai stood in the doorway, tall and overbearing, as he stared down at the secretary and raked his gaze over our meeting. "I have become informed that there was a conflict between humanity and the Nekorians," he spoke using [Universal Language]. I did a double take, turning back to the rest of the UG.

Only the president nodded, able to understand what was being said. I nearly rolled my eyes. Of course he’d quickly gotten [Universal Language]. “We were in a meeting to discuss this ourselves."

The Orkai grunted. "I think you would prefer it if I arbitrated this dispute. Should you attempt to have an opinion with those barbaric Nekorians, I'm afraid you'll find your fist isn't quite up to the task of defending your word." The Orkai spoke with a strangely eloquent cadence as he stepped fully into the room, glancing down at one of our chairs before pulling his own out of his wrist.

I still had the device from the Nekorian in my pocket, realizing the Orkai likely had something similar, if not the exact same in his wrist.

"Sir," I nodded to the president of the UG, quickly realizing the Orkai’s words were true. From what I had gathered of the Orkai thus far, they put an extreme emphasis on virtue and maintaining peace. I recalled the Orkai from the safe zone where I first met the Ikorians.

Yet, the UG members present bristled at the idea.

"I would happily present the case to you from our perspective," I said, causing the President of the UG to frown as I forced him to act.

"You may present your perspective and let him arbitrate, however, we will be in charge of enforcing any consequences." The president of the UG quickly put himself in at least a relative position of power.

The Orkai squinted his eyes. "You do not have the strength to discipline this one." He pointed a thick green finger at Crimson. "You cannot even enforce your own rule of no eating. There was a sign outside," the Orkai gestured, before focusing on Crimson. "Are you such a lawless one that you ignore your own people's rules?"

Crimson paused in eating a chip. Her flagrant flaunting of being above the UG in minor ways was about to backfire.

"The rule is not one that's enforced," I said quickly. "No one really cares if she eats."

The Orkai narrowed his eyes. "Unenforced rules are a pathetic showing for your people." He squarely focused his attention on me. "I would advise, while venturing into the dungeon, to have a more rigid grasp of rules and follow them. I don't wish humanity to become one of the troublesome races."

He narrowed his eyes on me again. "Why do you sit amongst the humans, negotiating as one of them, demon?"

I went to open my mouth, but he held a hand up.

"Do not lie to me. Although you do heavily resemble humans, it is easy to tell your demonic nature."

"I actually started as a human," I figured honesty was going to win me at least a few points. "I have never been part of the demons. Both of my parents are human. It just so happens that I encountered a demon in the dungeon, and its blood transformed me into one."

The Orkai narrowed his eyes. He glanced off to the side thoughtfully. His eyes moved in a rapid way that told me he was likely reading or otherwise consuming information. "This is a very interesting transformation. If you do not mind, some of my people would likely be interested in paying you substantial mana crystals to study you."

"Thank you," I said nervously, sudden images of being strapped to a table and being dissected flashed through my mind. "But I think I would like to continue focusing on diving the dungeon rather than participating in a study."

He grunted, "The pursuit of scholarly knowledge in the highest form is one of the most honorable activities in the entire universe. Yes, personal power is something many seek, but scholarly knowledge empowers everyone."

"Thank you again, but I will stick to diving the dungeon." I replied.

The Orkai grunted, clearly put off by my answer. "Then shall we get back to the dispute as it has been posed by the Nekorians, who are accusing you of theft, kidnapping, and significant material destruction.” He waited for my response.

“First off, I don't think rescuing my own party member should be considered kidnapping, but yes, she was in their possession by force." I held up another finger, "Theft. The only thing I took out of there was this," I fished the bent disc out of my CID and held it out to him. "Finally, when it comes to the level of destruction, our own actions paled in comparison to the Nekorian shaman's attack. As I understand it, she was level 84 and she unleashed some finger of god attack. That leveled most of the safe zone."

The Orkai seemed highly interested in the disc I held between my fingers, picking it up and pinching it between his own fingers as he focused on it and saw something. He clearly was looking at something that the rest of us could not see.

"Oh, I apologize, you are not interfaced with this system," he said after a moment of focus and the disc lit up. A panel of light appeared in front of it, the information and images, however, blurred past at a speed too fast for me to process. Again, I could only spot the occasional image as it all flashed past. Importantly, I saw that it held what appeared to be some sort of interactive log of the Nekorian's actions.

"May I ask what that is?" I took a risk and interrupted the Orkai.

"It is a more advanced version of what you hold on your wrists. Our people once upon a time had wearable devices. However, now implanted devices are the norm. Orkai children are given them when they begin to reach adulthood, so they may dive into the dungeon and pass their knowledge on to future generations.” The Orkai answered, his gaze still fixed on the information.

"So, does that have any information pertinent to this case?" I asked. 

"Indeed, it does," he looked up from the device. "I will have an analyst team verify its authenticity. However, what I can tell you is that it contains the name of an Orkai who can show that the initial aggression between your two groups was from their end. That, coupled with your story and several of the witnesses on the Nekorian side, paints a different picture than we were told by Nekorian officials." The disc that had been pinched between his fingers suddenly vanished. 

"It is, however, my duty to inform you that you should not attempt to run nor hide. Am I correct in assuming you are staying in a residence within Star City?" 

"That would be correct," I hurried to answer. 

"Good. Then if need be, we will have someone find you for further questioning. Is the Nekorian that is central to this case available? Felin, I believe?" He asked. 

"Hold on one second," I tapped my CID to send a message to Des. I was fairly sure Des was with Felin.

I got a quick reply. She must have been watching and waiting for information from the UG meeting.

"Felin's on her way," I promised. 

"Thank you. Now on to other business," the Orkai projected an image in front of himself before sending it across the room to the President of the UG. "These are a number of grievances that have been brought up since humanity has interacted with the greater dungeon world. I recommend your people quickly disseminate lessons on proper behavior within the dungeon." 

The President of the UG's eye twitched as he looked at the list that appeared to be scrolling in front of him. 

"I understand. Why don't we have a conversation about these and let those two go?" He gestured to Crimson and I.

Crimson had made a point to continue munching on potato chips. I would have kicked her if our legs were hidden under the table. 

"What about Felin?" I asked. 

"It would be best if I interview her alone," the Orkai said, "to ensure she understands that anything and everything she says is without pressure." 

"Understood," I nodded along. "Then, I will see you all later."

I got up from the chair, in a hurry to escape both the Orkai prosecutor, as I had now taken to considering him, and the UG's own scrutiny. 

As soon as we left the room, Crimson turned to me. "The Orkai really don't mess around, do they?" 

"No, they don't, Crimson. Which is why you need to be on better behavior," I poked her in the chest.

She grinned. "That guy felt more like a bureaucrat rather than anyone with any actual authority. I bet when a level 100 makes a mess in the dungeon, he doesn't even look at the case." She answered.

"Well, when you're level 100, you can continue to be so disruptive," I poked her again. "Until then, you’re going to have to be on better behavior."

She sighed and poured the remainder of the chips into her mouth before tossing the empty bag into her CID. "Well, then we just have to continue to dive the dungeon. And while you and your groups are off frolicking or whatever it is low levels do, I'll have to push harder down." She answered with a shrug.

"Maybe," I raised an eyebrow. "Not gonna let me catch up to you this easily?" I asked and she grinned before the grin dimmed a bit.

"As for Felin, I feel a little bad about it all." Crimson answered.

"Crimson, feeling bad?" I gasped and held a hand to my chest. 

"I'm not heartless, just mercenary," she shrugged. "Besides, it was her own people who did that to her. People she had probably long idolized and missed. It's gotta suck. At any point, have we gotten a better understanding of why?" she asked, before dropping it as a portal opened up and Felin hopped out.

I stepped, up wrapping the Nekorian in a tight hug.

She rubbed her face against me and purred slightly before letting go. “Anything I need to be worried about?”

“No. It seems that this Orkai is very… by the book.” I hesitated to say anything else.

“He’s got a sword shoved up his has so high he can’t bend a bit.” Crimson however didn’t have my filter. “As long as your honest and you answer his question he’ll probably leave us along.

Felin nodded, giving me another squeeze before continuing down the hallway.

Suddenly I was back with my group. Des, Penny, and Charlotte had come to support the Nekorian and pulled me through the portal while they kept it open for Felin.

It seemed I’d fallen out of one interrogation session into another.

"You kind of got swept up the second you came back. We'd love to hear more of the story," Des quirked an eyebrow as she watched me. 

"It wasn't like I was holding it back," I said defensively, holding up my hands. "It's because of the kind of Nekorian she is, the race of Nekorians?" I wasn't sure the right word before it came to me. "Ah, the tribe of Nekorians, that's what they kept calling it. Long story short, her tribe seems to be very interesting for the one that controlled that safe zone. Her tribe is small, and it sounded like quite influential, as well as having a high propensity for birthing shamans." 

Des raised an eyebrow. "I cannot imagine Felin with kids." 

Charlotte held up a finger. "Remember, they're community-raised, she just has to give birth, not raise them." 

"Oh, then in that case, makes some sense," Des nodded in agreement. 

I shook my head, ignoring the two of them. "Des, it sounded more like they wanted to incorporate her into their own tribe before she had a chance to incorporate into the larger Nekorian society. And so the way they do that is to kidnap her. They were also going to force her to mate some Nekorian who would teach her the right beliefs." 

Des shook her head. "That makes absolutely no sense." 

"Depends how it works with their people. Perhaps once you're married in the eyes of the goddess, there's no undoing it. Or perhaps the goddess herself comes down, blesses the union, and makes them both instantly fall in love with each other. I have no idea," I shrugged.

"What I do know is that they can't have Felin." Des answered with a slight growl.

"Damn right," Crimson said. "And if they want to be an asshole about it, then I'll just have to go kitty hunting." 

I grabbed Crimson by the braid and pulled her along. "Let's not say that so close to the Orkai Arbiter, please."

Opening a portal to the house in Star City, I shoved Crimson through it. "Excuse me for a while while I re-educate Crimson." 

"I like her the way she is," Des teased. "Just keep her mouth busy for a little while. We'll bring Felin back out when she's done." 

I grunted. "Give me a message and I'll come running." I stepped through the portal to discipline Crimson. 

****

Felin fidgeted as she sat in the room with the Orkai who stared down at her from several feet above, even while sitting. 

"So you were taken against your will?" He asked.

"Yes." Felin answered, trying not to add more than just to answer the question. This felt like when one of her Meowthers took her by the ear and had a ‘talk’ with her.

"Has the Incubus influenced your mind in any way?" The Orkai pushed, his face was completely unreadable.

She nodded. "I'm addicted to his cock." It seemed like the most reasonable answer.

The Orkai paused and stared at her.

She blinked several times. "Was that the wrong thing to say?" 

"There is no wrong thing to say. You are under my full protection, and should you need it afterwards, I will deliver you where you so wish." 

"I wish to go back to Ken," she said. "I made a choice to join his party and travel with him. It was only later that I became interested in Ken and became addicted to his cock." 

The Orkai cleared his throat. "Moving on. You were taken against your will, and you were rescued by Ken Nagato, former human, now Incubus." 

She nodded along. "He only became an Incubus a week ago," she said, "if that helps." 

The Orkai then began to read from something she couldn’t see. One was a familiar version of events, the other a wildly incorrect version. "I have described Ken's order of events as well as the Nekorian's, which is correct?” He asked.

“They took me, insisting that he had done something to my ability to make my own decisions. That shaman hag told me that she was going to re-educate me, because I didn't worship their goddess. And then stuck me in a room with a bunch of datapads. It wasn't long, however, before Ken and Crimson broke me out." Felin blurted out. “Ken’s is the most correct.”

"And during this time, did you attempt to escape on your own?" He asked. 

"I was told that if I attempted to escape, Ken would pay the price and be punished. They were holding Ken as a threat.” Felin answered.

“Ken had a portal, though, did he not? Ken possessed the ability to escape from that prison, did he not?" The Orkai prompted.

Felin hesitated before nodding, "He did. But we were kept apart, and could not communicate.”

“Technically, both of you could have escaped without doing any harm to the surroundings." 

Felin nodded slowly, she didn’t like where this was going. "Yes, but again, if either of us tried, and it wasn't at the same time, the other would no doubt be heavily punished.”

“But in theory, you would have both been able to escape.” The Orkai pushed again. 

Felin squinted. "I do hope you aren't implying that what he did was wrong." 

The Orkai shook his head. "Wrong and right make no difference to the letter of the law. Attempting to ascribe my own personal opinions to the facts is entirely contrary to interpreting it as it was written." 

Felin took a slightly different tone. "Do you understand why the Nekorians were attempting to kidnap me? Because I am of an important tribe?" 

The Orkai nodded. "From what I understand of Nekorian politics, that is a gross understatement. It would be more accurate to say that the Spirit Tigers were once the single most important tribe amongst your people. However, too few of them remain, and their population is too small to continue to breed more.

When a population gets too small, the options that can produce viable offspring continue to shrink. This leaves the tribe with either the option of watering down their traits by seeking mates outside of the tribe, or continuing to remain insular and struggle along.” He paused before continuing on. “They have chosed the latter. My understanding is they have been in decline for some time," the Orkai stated. "If I had to guess, a previous dungeon shuffle lost them a good chunk of their tribe.”

“So they're all going to want me to join their tribe and produce children." Felin stated hesitantly.

"I would say so," the Orkai replied. "I warn you, such that you may prepare that your own people may have hostile intentions should you meet more. It would be my guidance that if you truly wish to stay with Ken, that you avoid your people at all costs. Otherwise, you will continue to cause friction that will likely lead to future incidents such as this one."

Felin frowned. "Are you still blaming Ken and Crimson for what happened?"

"By the letter of the law, it was undue violence," he said. "The destruction of property and the loss of life only occurred because of their actions. However, it was the actions of the Nekorians that directly caused the incident. There will need to be slightly more investigation to understand if the shaman present could have done more to reduce the loss of life and understand the shaman’s actions."

Felin tilted her head slowly, not completely understanding.

"That is to say, Ken and Crimson are at fault. However, the percentage of debt they will owe has yet to be determined." The Orkai stated more simply.

Felin's eyebrows rose up and she nodded along. "Makes sense. Makes sense." It made absolutely no sense to her, but she wanted to move on and be able to leave the room.

"Then, am I done?" she asked, starting to shift out of her chair.

"You are done," the arbiter confirmed. 

Felin jumped up from her chair. With a wave of her hand, she used Ken's portal ability. 

"Wait," the Orkai said, his interest piqued. "This is the portal ability?"

"It's one that comes from Ken. Everyone in his party, however, can use it. It creates a portal between two spaces where an adventurer has gone." She poked at the shimmering oval in front of her. 

The Orkai stepped up, sniffed around the edge before waving his hands over it. "We are currently not in the dungeon, yet this leads deep into the dungeon, does it not?"

"It should be Star City," she said, pointing at the portal. 

"Fascinating," the Orkai arbiter stepped around it. "Would I be able to use it as well?"

"Uh yeah. As long as you’ve been there. I think those are the rules." Felin said, gesturing for him to enter. 

The big Orkai crouched down to step through the portal and Felin came right behind him, only to hear Crimson crying out, "Harder, harder," from across the room as Ken had her bent over the table.

The big Orkai stood stunned.

The two were so enraptured in their activity that neither of them looked up to notice the two new arrivals. 

Felin gestured for the Orkai to follow him. "Just give them a minute. Sometimes they get a little excited," she whispered, leading him out of their home.